Isabelle opened her eyes at the sound of a loud snarl. The sight before her almost made her heart stop. She didn't have the time to think or pause as she jerked up, sprang into the air, and tackled the massive form heading for Cole. She landed atop a bundle of fur and their eyes met. Beowulf tried to push her off but she didn't let him. His black eyes were glassy, and darker than normal as if he had gone feral. He managed to push her off his body and rose to his feet. Isabelle pulled her door open, shape-shifted into a werewolf, and pounced in front of Cole, blocking him from Beowulf and at the same time shoving Cole backward against the wall. An act that awarded her a sharp stab in the flank as Beowulf dug his claws into her fur, and swiped hard. Isabelle growled.
“Isabelle!” Cole cried in alarm. He had seen the black-furred werewolf slash at her side with his deadly claws, and he pulled
“Is that true, Belle? Did Beowulf try to molest you?” Xavier asked her via mind link. A deep frown furrowed her eyebrows. She hadn’t even pondered how Beowulf got into her room or why. She had figured Cole’s presence had made him lose control to the point of going feral - a mindless beast whose human side has been suppressed and only the animalistic instinct rules. And all the thought in her head had been to protect her mate, she hadn’t even remembered she had locked the door and he shouldn’t be in her room in the first place. “I locked my door and yet he got inside…” Isabelle responded via mind link, still, a bit befuddled. “He picked the lock. Your human stopped him. He complained of his limitations as a result of the chains,” Hallec supplied. “Let me have him, Belle,” he added, and she raised her eyes to hold his intense gaze, and from the corner of
“Isabelle—” Cole called, hating to see her cry. His heart tightened. He cupped her face and pressed his forehead against hers. “Don’t do this to me,” he whispered. “I’m just tired,” she whispered back and tried to smile but failed. She moved out of his arms and he let her, knowing he needed to allow her to put a distance between them. He balled his fist to keep from stopping her. He was getting too attached and invested too fast. He knew he needed to apply brakes and hoped it wasn’t already too late. He watched as she walked naked away from him. He admired how confident she was in her skin. He supposed she must know she was indeed a magnificent creature. He found himself wishing they had met in totally different circumstances. He thought he would have enjoyed being her boyfriend. He tried not to think of how dangerous and especially lonely such a position would be for her since he was always off on
“Isabelle!” Cole's voice broke through the void of pain in Isabelle’s head and she opened her eyes. She found herself looking up into Cole’s concerned eyes as she panted heavily, struggling to getaway. Gradually she took cognizant of her surroundings and her struggle eased as the sound of the strange bird outside her window pricked her ears. She couldn’t smell death or blood, nor could she sense danger close by. But the sense of doom settled upon her shoulders and she released a shuddering breath. “Calm down, and breath in and out…” Cole coached in his calm cool tone. Isabelle nodded then her eyes smart with tears. Taking steady breaths, her eyes involuntarily darted around her room over Cole’s shoulders as if reassuring herself that this was her reality. She was still in bed naked and they were both in her room alone. She accepted then that her horrific experience a moment before was nothing but a dream – a very dark and cruel dream. Tears spilled from her eyes and she whispered
“Xavier—” Isabelle said and went to squeeze herself in between the two large men. She placed a hand on Xavier’s chest and waited for him to lower his eyes to meet hers. “Is he telling the truth?” he asked and Isabelle could see an unsettling emotion in his eyes that seemed like hope. She swallowed as her eyes darted hurriedly in their sockets. “What is going on, Xavier?” She whispered with a worried frown.“Is he telling the truth?” he asked again. Isabelle nodded. “Then you will say the words to reject him, and he can accept right here, right now. Cos there’s no way in hell, I’m going to allow this!” he growled in a low cold tone.“What? You can’t say that to me. That should be my decision,” she paused, turned a bit to include Cole, and added, “Our decision.” “I can’t accept a rejection from her. We need to get her to safety,” Cole said.“Does he even know what being mated to you means? Listen to the moron. He is talking about protecting you,” Xavier said, addressing Isabelle.“
“Before I tell you, I’m going run it by the other alphas. I wouldn’t want to give you false hopes.” Xavier said. “Tell me anyway, Xavier.” Isabelle pleaded. Xavier sighed.“We can make the rule that Beowulf must fight fair,” he said. Isabelle huffed at the incredulity of his statement and threw up her hands in exasperation. “You know he will not play fair, Xavier. He wants to kill Cole! That's the whole reason for this elaborate lie!”“Will you please let me finish?” Xavier snapped, making Isabelle give him her full attention. Xavier added, “ If he doesn’t play by the rules, then Hallec will stop him.”“No. I want to be the one to stop him.”“You can't get involved, Isabelle. I already told you we must be careful. You have to appear detached which is why I have decided you would not watch the fight.”“Bullshit! There is no way in hell that I am going to let Cole be taken to some fight alone without me there to protect him. No way in hell, Xavier.” Isabelle said in a low forceful ton
Cole felt like a battle of emotions was going on inside him, and the only way he knew how to deal with such was to detach himself from the situation and try to think logically. The only problem was, that he had never been in this kind of situation before and didn’t quite know how to react or handle it. A side of him felt alarmed by Isabelle’s explanations and confessions, a selfish side felt excited at the thought of gaining the abilities she mentioned while another side automatically shrank away from the forever thing. The longest relationship he ever had was three months max. And he never needed to break up with any woman he had ever gotten involved with because the chances of ever meeting them again are often dicey. All he had ever needed was goodbye and see you maybe. A promise of forever is alien to him; the very thought terrifies him. For some reason, the mangled corpse of his mother and brothers flashed in his head. He shut his eyes briefly and opened them fast when the shi
“Didn’t Belle tell you everything about our kind?”Opaline replied. “He doesn’t have a Wulfblood, Opaline. Our connection isn’t that strong yet. You have misread everything,” Isabelle quickly interjected with a tired sigh. “But—” she started to object then stopped, she looked befuddled and a deep frown furrowed between her eyebrows. She took a quick glance at Cole and then lowered her eyes to the floor. “Cole, I want you to meet my friends. We have known each other for a while now that they have become my sisters.” Isabelle introduced, then paused when Tiana met her gaze and smiled. Opaline continued to look down, wriggling her hands in somewhat agitation. Cole frowned, studying her. “This here is Tiana,” she added, reaching out to hold the tall girl’s hand, and continued, “She is a gamma. What that means is that she is a warrior, and one of the protectors of the pack..” Isabelle placed a hand on Opaline’s shoulder, causing the other lady to look up and hold her gaze. Cole could see
"You are worried," Tiana said. "Wouldn't you be?" Isabelle replied. "He is really good looking — a total babe," she said, wiggling her eyebrow and nudging Isabelle with her shoulder. Isabelle giggled. "Don't worry. Xavier wouldn't let anything bad happen to him." "I thought you said everyone wants to watch him get killed?" She arched an eyebrow at her friend. "It's the truth. But I doubt Xavier would allow it." "I will not allow it. I need him to leave.” “Why?! He is your mate!” “Lower your voice, Tiana!” “Belle, Xavier already told everyone!” “Damn it!” Isabelle exclaimed. “You are worried about Hallec.” Tiana gave her a knowing glance. “I wanted to be the one to tell him.” “I’m certain he already knows. Your human carries your scent,” Tiana said. Isabelle sighed. “Accept it. You have found a mate.” Tiana repeated scowling at Isabelle. “He doesn’t want me,” Isabelle replied, holding her friend’s gaze. “Surely you jest. I’m certain the whole pack could smell his desir
“No!” Rufus yelled, Cole turned to him and smash the butt of his gun against his head, causing his forehead to bleed. “You fucking injected my woman with wolfbane, and dared to try and kill Aaron!” “You bastard! You killed my son!” Rufus cried loudly in evident anguish. It was clear he had lost his mind. “Oh, I intend to off all your fucking sons! You idiot!” “That’s a shame—” a voice sounded from the doorway. Cole looked in the direction and saw a man that looked like Rufus holding Opaline by the throat, and when Isabelle startled forward, he brandished a gun at her. Isabelle stopped. “If any of you animals move, I will drop this and we will all die...” the newcomer said, using the barrel of his gun to tap on a grenade he held against Opaline’s throat — the very type Ash used a few minutes before, everyone stepped back except Isabelle. “Hello, Cole Miller, your father was an arrogant asshole, but I still liked him, I was looking forward to meeting you. The way he talked about yo
“Oh, hell, no! Not on my watch!” Cole muttered and ran to the open space, ignoring the fact that he was left defenceless, trusting Jason and Ash to cover him. Isabelle gaped at him, watching as he opened fire on the guards by the doorway. Isabelle watched in frozen horror as two bullets hit him on the chest, and another on the shoulder, Cole only grunted hard but pressed forward. He didn’t stop until there were no more guards still left standing by the doorway. “Is this guy on drugs?!” one of the Weres asked with disquiet. “He is fucking insane!” another interjected. “Yes, he is,” Jason said with an admiration that made Isabelle smack him on the shoulder. “Sorry,” he said in a whispered plea, and then added, “but only the insanity part. I wouldn’t have him any other way!” He smirked and pushed away from safety to join in. Ash and his men joined him. A new wave of guards came out from the house and the other side of the woods, brandishing automatic guns at Cole and the rest o
Angel let go of the man and offered him the water. He snatched the bottle and gulped down the water, then he eyed Angel before he took the steak and gorged it down his throat. Isabelle passed another bottle of water to Angel and the other Were directed his gaze passed Angel to settle on her. The pain that cloud his eyes at the sight of her made her swallow. “They killed her... raped her to death...” he growled and then whimpered in obvious pain, curling up on the floor. Angel grabbed him by the shoulders and snarled “And if you don’t get your shit together, you will never be able to avenge her! Get a hold of yourself, Wolfe, or this will be it for you! I don’t fucking have all night!” Angel said, barring his teeth. The other wolf nodded and fought to contain his emotions. Angel then offered him a change of clothes, and he accepted it. Isabelle and the other ladies moved back to allow the rescued Weres to change, and then one of the Were asked, “Why does this human smell like
Cole signalled to Ash to wait with his team, beckoned Jason, mind linked with Isabelle to follow him then asked Xavier to mind link with Hallec, Darrow, Wulfrun, Opaline, and Tiana to come with them. The chosen Weres followed Angel closely, heading into the side woods to a secluded area about 5 minutes walk from the house, but it only took the Weres three. Angel brought them to a clearing in the woods and Cole could see a large iron grate-like shield, spanning about five meters of the grounds. Angel climbed atop it, looking down into the hole. Xavier went to join him, and Cole and Jason followed. Looking down through the iron bars, Cole could see an iron ladder leading down into a pit and the stench was killing. “Heavens! This is where they are?!” Xavier asked with gritted teeth, his anger was evident
The following morning Cole and Xavier asked to speak with Ash privately, and shortly after the other man peered into the study before entering. Xavier was standing by the window and Cole was by the liquor cabinet. “Thanks for honouring our call Ash—” Cole said and almost bit his tongue for the nonsense. It was quite obvious he wasn’t comfortable speaking with another man about his choice of a partner. Heck! If it weren’t for the impending mission he would have let whatever the two were playing at work itself out. What’s the point of living if you have to keep it safe all the time? A deep frown formed a groove in between his eyebrows. It was plain he would not be a perfect person to discuss the topic of ‘the birds and bees’ when the time comes. He evidently sucks at it. He doubted Isabelle would approve of him telling their kids to explore as much as they want. He wasn’t a parent yet and that scenario had him imaging an angel giving him a disapproving glare. He shook his head as if th
A gentle tap on the door woke Cole up and his eyes automatically went to the wall clock. He sighed. He had fallen asleep curled up with Isabelle in front of the fireplace on the duvet he had dragged from the bed. Lying there and chatting with her about their future felt right. It felt beautiful and now he just needed to go and secure that future for all of them. He disengaged from her and she turned her face to hold his gaze “Xavier needs me...” Cole said, lowering his head to plant a kiss on her lips. “Okay,” she said. Cole got up and quickly threw some clothes on before leaving the room when he got downstairs all the Weres were there including Ash. Cole sighed. He figured if Tiana hadn’t told Ash yet who she was he would have to be the one to do it or speak to Xavier about it. The last thing he needed was a surprised lover, freaking out at the wrong time and messing up their mission. He nodded a greeting to everyone and walked in the direction of Alexander’s office he had
She walked to the bathroom door that was at a corner of the opposite wall to the door she came in through, and slowly pushed it open, leaving it just slightly open. Cole was under the shower and his entire body was lathered and on display. Isabelle’s heart shook. He stood under the shower with his hands pressed to the wall as the water washed off the soap slowly on his body. Isabelle allowed her eyes to follow the flow down his deliciously sexy body. It reminded her of the time back at his cabin when he had washed her body and made her wash his too. “Touch me...” his raspy voice echoed in her head, and she leaned against the door frame watching him as her body flamed up for him. Cole heard the adjoining door open and knew she was coming before she got to the bathroom door. He could feel her gaze on him and could smell her excitement. The thought and the scent of her, mingled with her arousal affected his body in an unbelievable way. It was as if he could feel exactly what she was f
“Belle?” Xavier called, causing her to snap out of her musings. She realised everyone had sat down and she was the only one standing by the open French door like some social recluse. She flashed a smile that she hoped didn’t appear as a grimace and went to take the seat next to Xavier and Amèlie. The others started to eat, and low murmuring filled the room. They were all so aware of the male servants, standing by, and close to the side walls, evidently there to wait on them, but that didn’t make it less awkward. When she continued to sit still without reaching out to eat, Xavier gave her a gentle nudge with his leg, and she winced delicately, before reaching for her food. They were first served with an appetizer and Isabelle slowly tasted the chicken soup before she started to eat. They were on the main course dish when Cole entered the room. Two male servants quickly went to serve his appetizer, placing it by the head of the table. “I am sorry. I have been quite a terrible host.
With chest heaving, she breathed through parted lips returning his scrutiny. Cole took the seat beside her. Reaching for her hand, he held it firmly in his and then leaned into her and took her lips in a searing kiss. Isabelle gasped, confused by his actions, but he didn’t stop. The taste of whiskey on his tongue mixed with coffee coupled with the effect of his drugging kiss made her gradually lose herself in the kiss and it wasn’t long before she completely forgot why she was scared and where she was.When he finally let go for her to breathe, her eyes searched his smouldering ones before darting to the open window shield behind him. She found then that they were airborne, and the plane had stabilised. She swallowed. “I’m sorry, I haven’t—” she said. Cole raised his hand to brush a knuckle against her cheek. “Don’t do that… Don’t apologise to me. I'm sorry, I should have realised, and come sooner,” he replied and the tears she had been fighting to hold back spilt down her face. ‘