Vampire?Like Darius?I remember the way his eyes had glowed when he had told me nobody would be able to see us. Why had I forgotten about that? In fact, why had I forgotten about that meeting in the forest?And then something occurs to me, "Did you just say the first vampire?”My grandfather takes a struggling Ariel from me, throwing her to the other wolves will transform and hold her, “Malcolm is the oldest living vampire. He just wanders about. I first met him when I was a boy. It's a long story. But ultimately, we maintained a friendly relationship over the years. I see him every few decades.”“You’re friends with the oldest living vampire?” I ask him again, forgetting for a moment that I am a powerful Alpha in my own right, as I gaze at my grandfather in awe.He can sense my admiration because he puffs his chest a little, “Yes, well, I have been around for a long time.”I think back to the middle aged man I had helped out in the forest.Never had I thought
(The Prisoner)It’s cold and my feet are bleeding as is my head.But I don’t stop running. My beloved.My child.I have to get to them!The rain is hindering my ability to see, the drug they pumped me with leaving me weak and helpless. I can’t summon any of my usual strength.I run, half-blinded, bleeding from wounds that refuse to heal.I can hear the men chasing after me and I try to run faster but I know it is of no avail. I don’t stand a chance. I can hear howls in the distance and I recognise them.My beloved!I try to run towards them but an arrow pierces my back leg, making me stumble forward. Falling to the ground, I try to reach out to my heart.But I can’t reach out to her, our link damaged and blocked by whatever they have fed me int these few days of captivity. And then I hear a rustling and A beautiful wolf emerges.My heart is filled with hope as I see her watching me. My love!I reach out my hand to her and then it all
“The delegations are arriving today,” Andrea tells me, the teenage pack member that I hired as my assistant. I look up from where I signing off on some equipment, “What time?” “The afternoon,” Andrea replies. “I already told Lucas. Three delegations are supposed to be arriving. One from the Black Wolves Pack, one from the Midnight Wolves Pack, and one from the Wind Winder Pack.”She looks down at her clipboard, her expression serious behind her thick rimmed glasses, “The Black Wolves Pack is sending their Alpha, his daughter, and five of their top soldiers, and three pack elders.”She turns the page, “The other two packs are sending in two elders, one member of the Alpha’s family, and seven senior soldiers.”I frown, “Why is Raymond and his daughter coming?”“Carmine,” Andrea looks at the file. “She recently had her Luna last year and shifted. That’s all I know about her.”I lean back in my chair, studying my reflection in the window of the wooden cabinet. My sil
The remaining delegates arrive by the afternoon and they’re far more accommodating that the ones from the Black Wolves Pack.The fact that we managed to reach out to even three wolf packs who are willing to build alliances with us is a massive feat. The Midnight Wolves Pack and the Wind Winder Pack have both suffered at the hands of the order of Eternity but managed to save their respective packs. The Black Wolves Pack is mostly composed of merchants and they trade with humans regularly. That is why when they detected something strange happening years ago, they closed ranks and refused to let anyone in. However, just because they have not been directly affected, doesn't mean they're not aware of the problem. They were quite eager to talk about an alliance with us when I sent them a messenger,However, as we all settle for a welcome feast for the three packs, I can see that The Black Wolves are going to be a pain in the ass. Raymond and his daughter are the first to arrive. Their
Stunned, I stare at the Alpha of the Black Wolves Pack.“You want my mate to -?”The ridiculous nature of the demand has left me speechless.“You do realise that Lucas is my mate?” I stare at him, too stunned to even be angry. “We’re expecting a child together.”Raymond shrugs his broad shoulders, “I’m not saying he can’t come and visit you and your child but he will live with my daughter.”I look at the minty-tasting drink in his hand before demanding, my tone cold, “Are you drunk?”He gives me an offended look, “In my my pack, two mates are very common. And I can tell my daughter has feelings for Lucas. I just want to -““She just met him,” The glass in my hand crushes under my strength as a wave of fury passes over me. “And regardless of what you've practice in your pack, I warned you his morning, to not try and force those practices or mindsets on us. Lucas is mine. And that is the way it’s going to be remain.”I can feel Lucas’s anger and within a heartbeat
The Black Wolves Pack isn’t made of warriors. They rely heavily on business and they have allies from what I have heard but they are now looking to seek allies who had strength that will protect them. However, after Raymond had realised who the Alpha was, he probably thought I was too weak to stand my ground against him. Which is why it’s so satisfying to see him quiver in front of me right now. Even Carmine is white-faced as she huddles behind her father. “Sarah,” Ted, one of my right hand men approaches me, his face tight. His voice is low, only meant for my ears. “I think you’ve made your point. You don’t want to frighten off the other delegates.” My jaw clenched, I call off my wolves, who stop snarling but stay where they are, their eyes fixed on the the Alpha and his daughter. “You can leave,” I say, harshly. “We don’t want to build any sort of alliance with your kind.”I can see Raymond’s face twitch in anger and fear but as he turns around, it’s his daughter w
“I can’t sense anything,” Tina says, her hands on my belly.“The machine,” I say, weakly, gesturing towards the small monitor. “You said you knew how to use it.It’s something we purchased a month or so ago. “I can try it,” Tina pull sit over and squirts some cold gel on my bare belly before running a device on it.She frowns, staring at the monitor, and her voice is taking, “I can’t see the pup. It should be there.”I hear a commotion outside even as the fear engulfs me and I can hear Ted tell someone, his voice stern, “Not right now. She’s -“However, whoever he was trying to hold back seems to have no intention of listening to him because the door of the infirmary is pushed open and a little girl, around ten years, with striking purple eyes and dark hair, enters.“Kayla,” I frown. “You shouldn’t be here-“However, I stop myself when I see her eyes which are tinged with orange.Kayla is no shifter. She’s more. She’s the legendary Phoenix that is in my
Lucas’s face goes blank for a moment, the way it only does when his rage is far too great for him to contain.“What?” His voice is cold in a way that sends a shiver even up my spine.“The drink in my hand today, the one I was drinking,” I explain to him, my voice unsteady. “It was spiked by herbs that can cause you to lose a baby.”“Who did it?” He stares at Tina who pales.“It wasn’t me!” She immediately says, startled and just a little fearful. She looks at me and then back at my mate. “I know that!” Lucas says, angrily. “But who could it be?!”“It could be anyone from the delegation. They weren't exactly staying in their quarters since they arrived. And the drinks were being prepared in the kitchen. There were so many people going in and out, it could have been anyone.”Tina’s words make sense.“We hunt them down then!” Lucas snarls but I squeeze his hand.“We can’t,” My tone is urgent. “Lucas, if we throw blame on the delegations, we will never be able t
SarahThe days that follow are sad ones. We all have to come together as a pack to work through the loss of so many loved ones. “I really thought we were finding peace,” Dustin says, as we gather together three days later. “I hoped it would stay.”“We’ll find that now,” I tell him. “There are always going to be times of peace and times of conflict. I’ve learned we have to accept that as a way of life. That’s the downside of being in a wolf pack.“But the good days outnumber the bad. And we’re strong, we’re fierce. We’ll get through this and defeat any enemies that might come up next. We just have to trust in each other and have faith in the pack.”The words resonate with me as I say them. Despite all the hardships, I’m more devoted to this pack than I ever have been. I’ve learned to accept the ups and downs which are easier to manage now that things between Lucas and I don’t feel quite as fragile.“That’s why you’re a great leader,” Dustin says. “You inspire us all to do just
LucasAs I watch my baby in Sarah’s arms, I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be. A son and a daughter. It feels like now our family is complete. Though I’m open to more children in the future. Right now, I’m just content.Sarah and I tend to be rough sleepers though. So, as Sarah dozes off, I take Evelyn from her arms and place her in the bassinet. Then, I join Sarah on the bed.“She’s beautiful,” I say, cuddling my sleepy mate. “You’re beautiful. I’m so grateful to you for bringing our children into our life like you have. “I know it’s never easy. I won’t even pretend to understand what you go through. But you give up so much for our family. I appreciate that more than I can express.”“And I appreciate you,” she says. “You’re a wonderful father and a fantastic husband. I’m so glad to share all of this with you. I’m so grateful to be building a family with you.”I kiss her and the warmth of having my true mate in my life envelopes me. It just feels so natural and right when y
Sarah“That is an incredible offer,” I say, my eyes staring right into Azar’s. “You’ve promised so much, and I know we’d both prosper within a formed alliance. However, we can’t promise our daughter’s hand in marriage.”My words prompt a hearty response. Some are mere whispers while others are outright defiant. Many can’t believe that we would turn away from this. But we have to do what’s right for our daughter.“Now, I’m not shutting down the idea of a future marriage completely,” I clarify. “Maybe our daughter will end up with your son. Maybe they will be mates.“But we’ll have to wait and see once she’s old enough to decide. Since we’ll be allies regardless, they’ll know each other. They can spend time together.“If our daughter decides that your son is her mate and they both love each other, then they can get married. We’re going to leave that up to her though. We don’t want to make such a big decision for her before she can even consent to it.”Azar’s demeanor falls. It re
LucasSarah looks at me with an expectant look on her face, and I’m just not sure what I should say. The kiss still bothers me. It hurts me. As her mate, I have reason to be upset.The guilt still haunts me though. It reminds me of how I hurt her. It whispers that I deserve this. I know that I deserve this.“It’s nothing,” I insist.“Lucas, please open up to me,” she says. She takes my hand in hers and looks at me with those eyes I never can resist. “I saw you and Azar last night,” I confess. “I saw the kiss.”Sarah looks at me with shock and guilt written upon her face. I hate that. It’s proof that what I saw was true. They did kiss. She betrayed me.“I know I betrayed you horribly,” I continue. “So, I understand that I deserve that. But it still hurts, Sarah. “I thought we had moved past all of that. I thought we were solid. I thought we weren’t ever going to let anyone get between us again. But I guess I was wrong.”Jealous tears through me as the kiss replays in my min
LucasI’m surprised then when I wake, Sarah isn’t beside me. I panic. After everything that’s happened, I simply can’t help it. There are too many ways things can go wrong.I need her near me. I need to always know that she’s okay.After a deep breath, I realize that something feels wrong. Something seems off. I walk to Fergus’ room and see him sleeping peacefully. I tuck the baby monitor in my pocket and step outside. I won’t go far, I can’t go far without Fergus, so hopefully she’s close by.It doesn’t seem like she is at first. I look all around our home and don’t see her. Then, I go towards the back yard and I stop.Sarah is there, but the tree line, but she’s not alone. He’s with her. The anger from earlier boils within me again.I know I shouldn’t be jealous, especially not after what I did to Sarah. I have no right to worry about that after all I put her through. And nothing truly awful has happened between them. I don’t have a solid reason to be upset.Besides, I tru
Lucas“You don’t have to give an answer right now,” he rushes in to say. “I’m not expecting you to be sure of anything right now. It’s just something to think about.”I’m so taken off guard by this that I don’t know a single word to say in response. I have tried to push aside my fears that he wants to seduce Sarah and getting to know them all a little better has helped me to do so.My daughter though… I never thought he’d be after my daughter. Arranged marriage? “That’s a big topic,” Sarah says slowly. “We’d definitely need time to think about it further. We’d have to talk through this amongst ourselves.”“Of course,” Azar replies with a pleasant smile. “I’m not trying to force your hand or anything. Take as much time as you need. It is a big decision but I think it’s the right one.”We don’t stay out much longer than that. We circle back to the gathering for a little while. But everyone is tired, so we all head back home soon after.It’s only once we’re back home that every
SarahI take a moment to give Lucas a hug and another kiss before we step into the area where the feast is being hosted. I can sense that he’s still a little insecure about things, but he had no reason to worry. I’m going to be true to him always.I’ll admit though, I am intrigued by this new pack. I wonder about the kinds of magic they can do. I’m curious about all they have to offer.As we walk towards their Alpha, the pack starts to congregate together, which is a little strange. Before this, they were mingling with everyone else. There seems to be a shift though as we approach them.“We’re so grateful you’ve accepted us,” Azar says, flashing that friendly smile. Is there anything flirtatious about it? I don’t really think so.“To show our gratitude, we would like to show you something,” he continues. “A little show before dinner.”I hesitate. What if this is something malicious? I don’t know anything about this pack. Is it a trap?They’re already here though. They could tr
LucasAfter everything else that’s happened, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about this new pack joining us. It’s not like it’s uncommon for packs to approach each other, especially if they think a mutually beneficial alliance can be formed.The fact that packs are now approaching us like this shows our growth. I’m proud of Sarah for bringing this pack to greatness like this. I’m happy to welcome newcomers in.It’s just that there’s been a lot going on lately. And it still seems like a risk to allow anyone new to come into this peaceful place we created.Then, I realize that I’m sounding a bit like how Liza sounded when we brought Brandon in. It gives me more empathy towards her but also makes me realize that maybe I’m being a bit paranoid.It will be good to have another alliance. This could ultimately be beneficial to us. So, I help answer questions as the pack follows us. I remain as engaging as possible as I get to know them.“You’ve truly created something impres
SarahChills run down my spine as I listen to this prophecy about our daughter. I always knew our children would be great. But I never expected something like this.Could it be true?I assume it is considering the way this prophecy has been delivered. What does it mean though? How do we deal with something like this?Before we can ask any questions, the bubble floats off into the sky which grows lighter again. The lights turn back on. The candles are re-lit.Lucas and I look to each other as everyone looks to us for answers. Yet I’m stumped. Usually I know what to say, but not this time.“I have no idea where that came from,” I admit. I’ve found that when it comes to being Alpha, the best way to approach these sorts of things is from a place of honesty. “However, I can say that I feel blessed.“It’s clear our daughter will be special. I don’t know exactly what that means yet, but we will take care of her to the best of our ability. We’ll cherish her just as we do Fergus. We’ll