NaomiOver the next few days, I tried to adjust to the new dynamics of my life. My wolf’s return brought a renewed sense of strength and purpose. I had shifted morning and night, relishing in the feel of my wolf as I ran around the Manor’s grounds. I’m not too sure what Tobin and Ataz thought of all of this. After years of hating wolves, it was strange to be one and a part of their coven. Still, with Cal always keeping a watchful eye, they never said or did anything. I was a hybrid. One of a kind. In someways I had finally found my power but it also felt incredibly lonely. There was no one else like me.The cursed mate bond with Cal lingers over me like an oppressive weight, suffocating my every thought and action. I struggle to push it away, to deny the overwhelming emotions it evokes within me — a tumultuous mix of desire, confusion, and fear. But even as I fight against it, my eyes betray me, constantly drawn to him in a primal attraction that I cannot ignore. The sight of his powe
NaomiMy boots teetered on the precarious edge of the cliff, the wind howling and rattling my bones with its ferocity. The stench of saltwater and old memories filled my nostrils, stirring up a familiar longing and pain in my chest. I was torn between the dangerous allure of the Chaos Coven and the bittersweet pull of my past life in Bloodmoon Bay. My mind and heart battled against each other until the weight of my decision became unbearable. With a heavy heart and trembling legs, I made my choice. Time to leave the Chaos Coven and Calyx, my second chance mate. I needed space, clarity, and perhaps a little bit of healing.Calyx stands stoically by my side, his piercing eyes boring into mine, searching for any hint of wavering resolve. “Naomi,” he whispers, barely audible over the roaring waves crashing against the jagged cliffs below. “Are you absolutely certain about this?”My heart clenches at the thought of leaving him behind, but I steel myself against the tumultuous emotions swir
NaomiJasper’s warning pounded in my mind like a war drum as I trudged through the thick, oppressive air towards Hilda’s cottage on the outskirts of town. Every step felt like wading through molten tar, and I could feel the powerful wards she had erected to keep unwelcome intruders at bay. Hilda stood at the door, her eyes piercing and unyielding. “Naomi,” she said in a low voice, “I have been expecting you.” My hand involuntarily caressed my swollen belly, and I met her gaze with desperation. “Cal, you were right about the child. I haven’t told him. After he gave my wolf back, I found out we were mates. I can’t hide it from him for much longer.” I felt tears streak down my eyes as she silently beckoned me inside, leading me into a cramped room saturated with the aroma of dried herbs, glinting crystals, and ancient spell books. “Tell me everything,” she commanded, her voice laced with both concern and determination.“I have to confess… how can I possibly keep this from him? It’s not f
CalyxNaomi’s departure left a gaping hole in my chest that throbbed with longing. The walls felt like they were closing in, suffocating me as Ataz and Tobin went about their business, oblivious to the turmoil raging inside me. I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease, like something was lurking around every corner waiting to pounce. Two days without her felt like an eternity, and I could feel myself spiralling into madness without her calming presence by my side.“Drink it, Cal,” Tobin snaps, his voice dripping with frustration and impatience. The sight of the herbal tea in front of me makes my stomach churn, but I know I have to drink it. It’s like drinking boiling dirt, a taste that burns my tongue and threatens to make me gag. Tobin pours himself a cup without hesitation, but even he has to grimace at the putrid smell before forcing it down his throat, holding his nose as if that will somehow mask the taste. I follow suit, hoping that by chugging it quickly I can avoid tasting it
NaomiMy feet froze in place as I stood in front of the Manor House, my heart pounding with fear and anticipation. Ataz loomed before me, his dark presence emanating from every inch of his imposing figure, made even more intimidating by his shockingly white hair. His cold, piercing gaze sliced through me as he scanned the house, searching for any sign of being followed. My breath caught in my throat, afraid to even make a sound as he prowled like a predator, ready to strike at any moment.The sound of Calyx and Tobin’s hushed conversation in the kitchen sent shivers down my spine, igniting our bond with a fiery intensity. I could feel their scheming words, like sharp blades, slicing through me. My body trembled with the urge to go to them, to look into Calyx’s eyes and see the truth for myself. But I fought against it with all my might, knowing that one glimpse would be my undoing.Every instinct in my body screamed at me to run to him, to give in to the bond between us. But I knew dee
NaomiOdette smirks, her long, honey-blonde locks cascading over her bare shoulders as she gives him a sultry smile. “Ataz,” she purrs suggestively, mimicking his name. I glance over at him and see him snatch the photo before striding over to the bed, a hunger in his eyes. He sinks down onto the unmade sheets, hastily undoing his trousers before thrusting a hand beneath his boxers. “Say my name again,” he growls, an edge of desperation creeping into his voice. I turn away, unable to stomach the scene playing out before me. My gaze shifts to the bedroom door, my mind racing with the thought of escaping downstairs. But then I stop. I can’t see Cal right now. It’s too hard. The pain of our bond crashes through me, my wolf whimpering in agony as I struggle to keep myself together.“Ataz, wouldn’t you rather I was with you?” Odette’s voice is like honey, dripping with seduction and lust. Ataz groans in response, still pleasuring himself, but his eyes are fixed on her and the desire in them
Naomi“Ataz,” she calls, and he nearly squashes her using his finger to silence her, almost squashing her in the face. “It’s just a precaution to ensure things go well,” he answers as she folds her arms over her chest with a huff, shaking with anger. “I told you I love you. There’s no need for these drugs,” she demands, her voice filled with defiance. Ataz shakes his head, his gaze dark and determined. “Maybe, but you bound yourself to Cal and I - I want to know that you are mine,” he reasons as I arch a brow and Odette flails her arms by her sides. “By drugging me? Well now, you will never know how I feel,” she snaps scoffing her voice laced with venom as he presses his lips together. “It will wear off,” he replies as he begins the spell. Odette returns to the 2d picture, her face looking rather annoyed but I always thought she had resting bitch face.I watch in horror as the figurine violently shakes and contorts, growing larger and larger until Odette finally returns to her human f
NaomiAfter my dream the night before, I felt incredibly groggy. My face was pale and sweaty as I clutched my stomach, reaching for the door to the bathroom as my body swayed before throwing up as I hugged the toilet. Damn morning sickness. If I didn’t believe Hilda before, I sure do now. It was a miracle keeping it from Cal. The bracelet worked its charm, but there is only so many excuses food poisoning or I’m just stressed can cover for morning sickness. I think the only reason he bought it was to try to make it up to me to ease the weight of his own guilt.I rinse my mouth out with the ice cold water from the tap before splashing my face to remove the first traces of sweat. This is not how people are supposed to wake up. My wolf has been sleeping a lot, lucky bitch. Apparently, the pregnancy is taking its toll on her. I can barely think half the time with her snores drowning out the rest of the world. The only time she perks up is whenever Cal crosses my mind. Then she is practical
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