NaomiMy brows knitted together as Hilda huffed, her hands on her hips. “I don’t even need to ask if you want this bond with Odette, considering how possessive you are of this one.” She tutted, shaking her head disapprovingly as Cal tugged me closer. “She broke our bond to kill Naomi - why would I want to be with someone like that?” he ground out his teeth scrapping together. Hilda rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by his display of possessiveness.“The problem is that because you know doubt told her you didn’t want the bond, she has completed another bidding spell to stop you from severing it. From the painted symbols on your body in blood … you won’t be able to,” she warns, her eyes flashing hesitantly as Cal growls rumbled through the room like thunder standing up hoisting me into the air with him like some rag doll. “What? she bled me out and weakened my magic. Now you’re telling me there isn’t a way out. How am I supposed to stop her!” Hilda held his gaze before her eyes shift
CalyxWe had parked at the beach and I had quenched my thirst once more. Naomi readjusted her jumper, her blood-red lips turned down as she looked at me. My gut churned. I hated how things had become between us. But I only had a glimmer of clarity and I needed it for what I was about to happen with Odette and the rest of the coven.I could already feel the faint dark wisps once more coating my magic. By the time the night was out, I’m not sure I could keep the darkness at bay. Feral is how I felt. Rabid. “Stay in the car,” I demanded. She didn’t even look at me as a rumble grew in my chest. “Give me a kiss, pet,” her head snapped towards me, then her arms folded over her chest as those dark almond eyes narrowed at me. She was truly stunning. My hand gripped her chin. I could already see how she wanted to pull away from me.“I don’t want to stay in the car!” she grumbled, her breath hissing on my lips as her lips curled back. “We have been through this. Your magic is uncontrolled and I
NaomiHe left me in the car.In the CAR!I was seething. How can he be so … so blind! I looked down at the bracelet Hilda had given me. I’m sure if I just magnified it, I could stay hidden and help them. This curse now affected me. I needed to do something. I didn’t want to be known as the person who just sat by whilst they ruined someone’s life.I could see a film around the car. It shimmered slightly in the light. I tested the lock it wouldn’t budge. I willed my magic focusing on my anger and I heard it unclick. Okay step one complete. I tried opening the door but the weight of the protective bubble pressed against the door as if it was submerged under water.I looked at the shield again. I don’t think I could get rid of it, but would I be able to redirect the shield to around myself rather than the car? I guess there is no harm in trying - right? What am I going to do? Wait for Cal to get back and - yeah, not going to happen.I wind down the window using my magic. If I can touch it
CalyxIt was so easy a few whispered honeyed promises into her ear, a brush of my hand on her waist and she smiled pulling me into the circle. Tobin and Ataz looked a sideways glance at each other before they protested. Odette shut them up as they made room for me to join in. The ritual began once more as I smiled wickedly at all of them. Those traitors fools! I was going to make them all pay! They think they can overthrow me. I’m going to show them all. The storm clapped above us. I could feel the power to sing through our magic as it united. Odette continued channelling the fury of the storm and sea, her body trembling with raw energy.I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, but even with storm I could see no-one else here. As we started the spell, I could feel a tug on my magic. Whatever spell Odette has placed on me, she was also siphoning it from me as well. I looked at her, really looked at her with the cold, calculating look in her eyes and realised she was going to leav
CalyxI strain to turn my head, meeting Tobin and Ataz’s eyes with a defiant smirk. My veins throb as I force out the last bit of power from within me. With a slow lick, I taste the metallic tang of blood on my wrist and then drag my tongue up to the heart in my hand. As I do, I feel the grip of her magic falter, and her expression softens with shock.“My dark queen,” I whispered, my voice laced with desire and longing. “What if you bound yourself to all three of us? You would reign as the leader of the powerful Chaos Coven, and we would all be devoted to fulfilling your every desire.” I couldn’t help but lick my lips at the thought, savouring the taste of the warm, sticky blood that still lingered. The moonlight broke through the clouds, lighting up her face. I could see her mind racing with the possibilities, the temptation nearly to refuse. I gave her my cocky smirk, one I knew she struggled to resist, hoping to sway her.I could see the struggle on her face, her eyes darting back a
Calyx“Worthless,” Odette spits out, her gaze filled with disgust as she gazes at Jasmine’s lifeless form. I swallow hard, struggling to stay standing against the fierce wind battering me. My eyes flicker back to Jasmine’s body on the ground, then up to meet Odette’s icy stare. “Why did you choose her as your prey? You had a whole pack of rogues to choose from in Bloodmoon Bay.” Odette turns towards me, her smirk twisting into a sinister grin as she looks towards the inn at the far end of the boardwalk. With a chill running down my spine, I realise that this was all an elaborate game to her. And now it was my turn to play along, or risk becoming another victim in her twisted game of power and control.“Oh Calyx, did you really think I wouldn’t find out about your little secret? This is where you hide all your whores, isn’t it? You may have used the bond to save the other one, but she met her grisly end, anyway. How unfortunate. I wish I could have tasted her heart too,” she cackles, b
NaomiI could feel the tug on my magic draining me until I felt it pulse and flicker until I saw Cal look right at me. In an instant, his eyes met mine, and he saw the fear and desperation in them. Shit. Seconds later Odette whirled around, her eyes widening as she registered who I was before her face scrunched up the vein popping in the centre of her forehead. A look of pure hatred crossed her face. “You! You’re supposed to be dead!” she screamed and, to my surprise, her hand smacked into Cal’s jaw as he crumpled to the floor. His eyes gave me a pleading stare as he struggled to remain conscious.“I’ll deal with you later, lover,” she snarled, and a glob of spit flew from her mouth, hitting Cal’s neck. I recoiled at the sight and smell, my nose scrunching up in disgust. Tobin and Ataz stood stiffly next to me, their emotionless expressions making them seem like robots waiting for a command to attack.I clenched my fists. I couldn’t look down. I couldn’t look down at the floor and see
NaomiShe taps her foot as the waves crash against the shore, spraying up behind her. “Ataz get rid of that body, the sun will be rising soon and I don’t want her still lying here when that happens!” she barks. Ataz scurries to do her bidding all too eager to get back into her good graces. She looks down at him with a sneer and I know that once this is over, he is going to be in a world of pain. I roll my eyes as he tries to drag the body away. Jasmine’s body is slick with blood and rain, making her skin so slippery his hands are unable to grasp her.“Can’t you do anything!” She spits before she snaps her fingers at Tobin. “You go help him. I don’t want this coming back to us,” he gives her a nod, walking over to Ataz to help him with the body. He looks my way, then back at Odette. Before he can speak, she waves him off. “We’re just going to have a little chat girl to girl,” fixing her gaze on me as she taps her foot in annoyance. This is it. I can feel it. Without them here, I won’t
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to all of my lovely readers who have stuck with me until the end of this book. This novel has taken a darker turn than I had initially planned, and I apologize for not providing enough trigger warnings. My intention was never to cause distress to any of my readers with the content in some of the chapters. I truly believe that Naomi's journey needed this darkness for her to grow and fight for her own future. I am aware that there are still several unanswered questions at the end of this book, and it was always meant to be a shorter novel. However, it also serves as a set-up for the rest of the Mated Series books. If you continue reading, you will find answers to these questions. For those who wish to know more about Naomi and a few details about Addison, they can be found in "Mated To My Promised Alpha." Naomi's journey has been a challenging one, and while she may not fit into the classic hero or "good" character mold, I was hesita
Naomi 2 years later The smoke of burnt herbs billowed in the small corner of the library in Greyclaw Ridge, where I had holed myself up. I rocked baby Addison in my arms, watching as she slept, taking in each one of her perfect features. A single tear rolled down my cheek as I cradled her, my little angel. The herbs burned like grains in an hourglass, signaling that I didn’t have much time left. I kissed her soft cheeks and delicate forehead. “My baby, if only you knew how much I love you.” Her little eyes fluttered open, and she smiled—a big, bright smile that tugged at my heart. I smiled back, even as tears blurred my vision. I heard her sweet gurgle, but when I blinked the tears away, she was gone. I looked at the herbs, now reduced to nothing but ash. I didn’t have any more. I’d have to wait until I could go to the store to buy some. A throb began to pulse at my temples, the telltale sign of an oncoming headache. I really needed to stop doing this, but the thought of never seei
NaomiOn the journey home to the manor, Cal drove his car, the bay disappearing in the rearview mirror. I finally felt like I was coming home.“I found something out, by the way. My old alpha… he has a son now,” I added casually after Hilda told me the reason Elio was so pissed was because his mate had just given birth to their first child a few days prior. I tried not to think about it, but the painful memory was already surfacing, squeezing at my chest.“I know. I already sent him our gift,” Cal replied just as casually, driving around a bend as my breath caught in my throat.“What do you mean you already know?” I asked, and he gave me one of his winning smiles.“I wanted to keep busy while you were away, so I put a lot of thought into his gift. Tobin helped me,” he explained, making my blood run cold. Fuck, that isn’t good.I tried to act casual, feeling anything but, as the car picked up speed, pushing me back into my seat. “Well, after how he treated you, I wanted to get even with
NaomiA Few Weeks LaterAddison was gone, and I found myself drifting down to the beach. I had been unable to eat or sleep much, feeling her absence like a missing limb. I knew she was safe—the small spell I cast told me she was—but that was my only connection to her. It was better than nothing. My body had returned to its pre-pregnant self, and somehow, that made things worse. Was she even real?I should go home. I need Cal now. I needed him to help fill the void, and I was tired of fighting it—the pull of the bond. I found myself walking back toward the Mermaid Claw Inn. It had been my refuge so many times since coming here. I stood outside the wooden door, watching the sign flap in the wind.I headed inside, unsure why I had come. Maybe I just needed to get out from under Hilda’s watchful eye. The place still had that same woodsy, salt smell with hints of malt from the ale. Jasper had a new barmaid. She was a wolf and seemed eager to learn as he showed her how to pour a pint. She o
Naomi2 weeks laterI had been feeling uncomfortable all day. Every step felt like a balloon about to burst as I paced back and forth in my room, hands gripping the swollen curve of my belly. I was certain the baby was going to arrive. I had kept to my room for fear of my water breaking in Hilda’s house. Her words of chucking me out on the street still ringing in my ears.I hoped the information I had found was enough. If I told him what I needed to cure our curse, I could persuade the coven not to make any more silver bullets or other weapons that would harm the packs. I had also found out a few of their regular customers and that Tobin had been working on a few new products. It was enough … I was sure of it.It didn’t matter what happened to me as long as my baby was safe, that was all that mattered. I had also been crying far too much, thinking about all the things I would miss out on as she grows up. Suffice to say, my eyes were puffy, and I was already sleep deprived. Hilda had to
NaomiElio grabs my hand and pulls me down narrow, dimly lit alleys before pushing me through the heavy wooden door of a dingy bar. The pungent scent of old beer and unwashed bodies hits me like a wave as I step inside. The patrons are a mix of rowdy drunks and slumped over figures, eyeing us warily. I know with a sinking feeling that we’re back at the same place Cal had dragged me to before.The bartender looks at us as we walk in, but one snarl from Elio has everyone going silent, looking away. They don’t care that he is dragging in a heavily pregnant lady with him. He kicks through the back door until we reach a dimly lit corner. The table he finds is small and wobbly, tucked away where the flickering lightbulb casts an eerie glow. “Sit,” he commands, and I quickly sink into the rickety chair. As I watch him he wants to know about the chaos of the coven. A sly smirk forms on my lips - perhaps I can use his reputation to my advantage.I clear my throat and ask nonchalantly, “So, how
Naomi4 months laterThe wind whipped through my layers of clothing, bringing a slight chill as I trudged down the narrow streets of Bloodmoon Bay. The search for the moon goddess and any clues about Richard’s son had been fruitless. My belly bulged with a baby that would be arriving in a few short weeks, and I still hadn’t figured out how to get the child safely to my sister, who had agreed to take it in. My mind raced with worry as I walked, hoping for some sort of solution before it was too late.A sharp gust of salty wind stung my face, whipping through my tightly braided hair and bringing a strangled gasp to my lips. I paused to stretch out the knots in my spine, only to freeze as I caught sight of a menacing figure looming ahead. My blood turned to ice as I realised who it was. Shit.Pure terror grips me as I sprint down the street, my fat feet pounding against the pavement in a desperate attempt to escape. My hands desperately drop my bags in order to clutch my tummy, the weigh
Naomi*** Trigger Warnings Apply ***It had been weeks later, and despite my persistent efforts, I still couldn’t reach the moon goddess. In desperation, I sought out a seance in Bloodmoon Bay, but was met with confusion and disbelief. They claimed the moon goddess was already among us, but I couldn’t sense her presence at all. It seemed like a ridiculous excuse to avoid helping me. Surely, if the goddess truly walked among us, we would feel her divine power radiating from her very being. But instead, I was left with nothing but frustration and unanswered questions.I had trudged back to Hilda’s failing to find answers yet again. I didn’t want to delve into the dark blood magic if I could help it. If things got worse, I figured I knew where to start for looking for a rogue that might actually help as part of this cure.I took back to sitting on my bed with a spell book reading through it trying to learn different techniques. The pages were worn, and I was careful not to tear them, or
NaomiI catch the sickly scent of Odette’s perfume as I follow her around the manor as she rifles through her wardrobe, packing a bag. Ataz stands on the other side of the room with his arms folded over his chest and a death glare on his face. “We have been through this. If you don’t want the others to get suspicious of you, I need to leave,” she whispers, but even with the softness of her voice, I don’t miss the harshness of her words.“You’re supposed to want to stay here with me,” he grumbles, like a petulant child who can’t get what he wants. Odette sighs as if this conversation is actually draining her energy. I don’t know how many times they have had this conversation. Odette is changed out of her robes. She looks fresh as a daisy and a glow to her skin that wasn’t there when she was first freed from the figurine. She slowly walks towards him, her hips swaying sensually as she crosses the distance. It’s a practiced art form, but it seems to do the trick.“Ataz,” she purrs, her v