Calvin’s POVI hadn’t seen fit to tell Tori we would be in sole charge of the club on this occasion. There was no way Naomi was in any state to open up and my security guys had never doubled as Doms. I’d considered remaining closed for the night and then I thought, what the hell. We needed to loosen up, not necessarily performing a scene, but just keeping a watchful eye on things.I’d told her we wouldn’t be going downstairs but was hoping she would consent.I doubted I would see Moore for a day or two. Oscar and Travis were excused though would have obeyed my order had I seen fit to issue one. So this would be a night for the members and occasional visitors. Plus, I wanted to see once and for all if my decision to surrender control was a wise one. Maybe my mate and I needed this, to let off some steam now and again.Of course we could always do that anyway. I wouldn’t be barred from my own club. I knew I needed to sound her out about this, too.First things first.We went in the back
Tori’s POVI couldn’t believe ex Alpha Joseph hadn’t grasped that fact already. What exactly had Calvin said to him down at ‘WAX’? Something about me switching packs and nothing more? I have to admit I was out of it at the time, surviving on instinct and adrenaline alone.Did he have selective memory, or was it simply because the one who held a weapon could reinvent the world his way?Maybe it was his final attempt to make a power play given all that he had lost. Security certainly didn’t have him on a blacklist as he wasn’t deemed to be a threat.For similar reasons I was still wary of Alpha Tobias, Jason less so.But neither of them were about to shame me in public.Not if I could help it!Yet the former leader of Waning Moon held all the aces.We must tighten security if nothing else. At least this may convince Ellie finally to switch packs. I’d said to her she ought not to be around Lance too often but that didn’t seem to work.What must she think of me now?I found out in the nex
Calvin’s POVI still couldn’t believe Rhodes had achieved bail. Then I realised in all the confusion nobody had actually accused him of being behind the destruction of Black Gold. My bad. I’d been more concerned with Tori’s welfare and Issy’s condition.Rose had done a disappearing act after giving her statement. I was still hopeful of finding her or that she would make her way to us. I knew Tori was fretting about it.To say I was glad she wouldn’t be stripping – a one night only trial venture we’d persuaded Toby to stage in an attempt to lure him out of hiding – was an understatement. From now on I wanted my Luna under wraps and all to myself.I thought she was going to have to step in last minute when our proposed lookalike caught a bug. As we were having a heated debate the night before, Ellie came up to us.“Can I have a word, please, Alpha?”I froze, my thoughts going instantly to my sister.“Please tell me she hasn’t deteriorated.”“Isabel’s improving day by day.”“Then what is
Tori’s POVI kept reassuring Ellie she had a decent figure. We even giggled about the nipple pasties and barely-there thong she shouldn’t have to reveal if she took it slowly as we rehearsed.“Travis is going to get the shock of his life,” she said.That answered that one. Not that I’d ever wondered about the contents of her lingerie drawer. As for her sometimes hard-to-believe superstitions, I rarely paid attention to them. My own thoughts were that the Moon Goddess either favoured you or didn’t, yet I couldn’t believe Selene would have a down on someone all their life.I felt my luck was about to change and was in a buoyant mood as I joked around with her backstage.Alpha Tobias had nodded to me but chosen not to approach. Perhaps that was something to do with my frosty glare. A little guilt courtesy of yours truly couldn’t harm before I told him I forgave him for his part in my near downfall. And Calvin’s.The mesh dress didn’t make me self-conscious in any way given that I was goi
Tori’s POVIt turned out I’d fallen asleep in the middle of making my statement to the WA investigator. That was a relief. I didn’t really want to share our special moment with anyone, not even my bestie and her mate-to-be.Calvin told him we’d continue this another time but I was determined to see it through and answered all his questions. I’d even impressed myself.Then we were on our way home, to the flat at ‘Remus’. I could hear the distant sounds of clubbers having their special kind of fun down below as we made our way upstairs via his private entrance.“I’ll tell them to close up early, shall I?” he asked, not even bothering to glance at his watch.“Don’t do that. I’m tired enough to sleep through anything.”“I noticed.”I told him about my weird dream and he seemed amused. Then he received a phonecall which put a dampener on everything. Isabel hadn’t made it through the night. I couldn’t believe it. What must he be feeling?“I’m coming with you to the hospital,” I said.“She’s
Tori’s POV I stared up at the unlit neon sign which indicated ‘Remus’ wasn’t yet open for business. My hand trembled as I pressed the buzzer. What I was about to do was daring in the extreme, given my past experience with this kind of establishment. Yet I felt good in my business suit even though I was way too early for my appointment. The middle-aged female who came to the nightclub door looked unfriendly, adding to my nerves. “Yes?” “Victoria Culpepper. I have an interview with Mr Phillips.” She didn’t even smile, just stood there with a hand on her hip. “Media, eh? No doubt you’ll be bad mouthing us in your article. BDSM always gets a poor press.” “There must be some mistake,” I said. “I’ve come about the job.” She slapped her forehead with the heel of her hand. “Silly me, I got the days mixed up. The reporter for the Werewolf Times has weaselled her way in because – no, you don’t need to know why or when.” She cleared her throat. “Alpha Calvin is running late unfortunately
Tori’s POV Ellie screamed when I gave her the news. “That’s wonderful, Tor,” she said. “I know the circumstances are just awful, but you’ve a foot in the door now.” She hugged me and I wiped away a tear. I was doing that a lot recently, crying. “Thanks for making dinner, Els. I love your special pasta. The meatballs are just divine.” My friend and flatmate hailed from Waning Moon. We’d attended the same college and she’d vouched for me when I applied to join them. One day I was from Black Gold, then I was in mourning, and within a week Alpha Joseph had accepted me into the pack which specialised in ceramics. They were short of females. Ellie was training to become a doctor, so we attended a mating ball once in the proverbial blue moon. That suited me just fine. “Tell me about the Alpha.” “You mean Calvin?” Her eyes widened. “Do you get to call him that? Already?” She put her hands on her hips. “What did you do?” Her frivolity was just what I needed. “Nothing, Els.” “Did y
Tori’s POV I spent Sunday on my own as Ellie got a call from her mom to say her sister was visiting from Oregon. She drove herself, straight after breakfast, and I spent the morning chilling in my bathrobe. A long soak beckoned after which I tried on the lingerie I’d bought. Some of it was lacy and delicate – the teddies, all in pastel colours – and the corsets had saucy little bows. I expected to be sharing an office with the Alpha, though didn’t think he’d let me use it when he was elsewhere. Nobody trusts a new employee at first. If I had to sit in the office off reception with Naomi I would manage. A laptop isn’t called that for nothing. She may even let me use the desk. Ellie wasn’t back by the time I was due to set off for work. Calvin had said to turn up around ten. I called an Uber and fussed over my appearance during the twenty minutes it took to arrive. No jacket today, just a tasteful skirt and retro blouse, striped with a white collar, the minimum of foundation and a
Tori’s POVIt turned out I’d fallen asleep in the middle of making my statement to the WA investigator. That was a relief. I didn’t really want to share our special moment with anyone, not even my bestie and her mate-to-be.Calvin told him we’d continue this another time but I was determined to see it through and answered all his questions. I’d even impressed myself.Then we were on our way home, to the flat at ‘Remus’. I could hear the distant sounds of clubbers having their special kind of fun down below as we made our way upstairs via his private entrance.“I’ll tell them to close up early, shall I?” he asked, not even bothering to glance at his watch.“Don’t do that. I’m tired enough to sleep through anything.”“I noticed.”I told him about my weird dream and he seemed amused. Then he received a phonecall which put a dampener on everything. Isabel hadn’t made it through the night. I couldn’t believe it. What must he be feeling?“I’m coming with you to the hospital,” I said.“She’s
Tori’s POVI kept reassuring Ellie she had a decent figure. We even giggled about the nipple pasties and barely-there thong she shouldn’t have to reveal if she took it slowly as we rehearsed.“Travis is going to get the shock of his life,” she said.That answered that one. Not that I’d ever wondered about the contents of her lingerie drawer. As for her sometimes hard-to-believe superstitions, I rarely paid attention to them. My own thoughts were that the Moon Goddess either favoured you or didn’t, yet I couldn’t believe Selene would have a down on someone all their life.I felt my luck was about to change and was in a buoyant mood as I joked around with her backstage.Alpha Tobias had nodded to me but chosen not to approach. Perhaps that was something to do with my frosty glare. A little guilt courtesy of yours truly couldn’t harm before I told him I forgave him for his part in my near downfall. And Calvin’s.The mesh dress didn’t make me self-conscious in any way given that I was goi
Calvin’s POVI still couldn’t believe Rhodes had achieved bail. Then I realised in all the confusion nobody had actually accused him of being behind the destruction of Black Gold. My bad. I’d been more concerned with Tori’s welfare and Issy’s condition.Rose had done a disappearing act after giving her statement. I was still hopeful of finding her or that she would make her way to us. I knew Tori was fretting about it.To say I was glad she wouldn’t be stripping – a one night only trial venture we’d persuaded Toby to stage in an attempt to lure him out of hiding – was an understatement. From now on I wanted my Luna under wraps and all to myself.I thought she was going to have to step in last minute when our proposed lookalike caught a bug. As we were having a heated debate the night before, Ellie came up to us.“Can I have a word, please, Alpha?”I froze, my thoughts going instantly to my sister.“Please tell me she hasn’t deteriorated.”“Isabel’s improving day by day.”“Then what is
Tori’s POVI couldn’t believe ex Alpha Joseph hadn’t grasped that fact already. What exactly had Calvin said to him down at ‘WAX’? Something about me switching packs and nothing more? I have to admit I was out of it at the time, surviving on instinct and adrenaline alone.Did he have selective memory, or was it simply because the one who held a weapon could reinvent the world his way?Maybe it was his final attempt to make a power play given all that he had lost. Security certainly didn’t have him on a blacklist as he wasn’t deemed to be a threat.For similar reasons I was still wary of Alpha Tobias, Jason less so.But neither of them were about to shame me in public.Not if I could help it!Yet the former leader of Waning Moon held all the aces.We must tighten security if nothing else. At least this may convince Ellie finally to switch packs. I’d said to her she ought not to be around Lance too often but that didn’t seem to work.What must she think of me now?I found out in the nex
Calvin’s POVI hadn’t seen fit to tell Tori we would be in sole charge of the club on this occasion. There was no way Naomi was in any state to open up and my security guys had never doubled as Doms. I’d considered remaining closed for the night and then I thought, what the hell. We needed to loosen up, not necessarily performing a scene, but just keeping a watchful eye on things.I’d told her we wouldn’t be going downstairs but was hoping she would consent.I doubted I would see Moore for a day or two. Oscar and Travis were excused though would have obeyed my order had I seen fit to issue one. So this would be a night for the members and occasional visitors. Plus, I wanted to see once and for all if my decision to surrender control was a wise one. Maybe my mate and I needed this, to let off some steam now and again.Of course we could always do that anyway. I wouldn’t be barred from my own club. I knew I needed to sound her out about this, too.First things first.We went in the back
Tori’s POVI was chewing my lip now, hard enough to draw blood. Calvin discouraged me with a comment before continuing, “Hit me with it.”“I need to be bait again. Before our mating ceremony. That should give your sister time to recover.”“I hope so,” Guy said. I’d forgotten he was there, he was so quiet. And those eyes were the closest to amber I’d ever seen.“Me too.” I felt shy suddenly, wondering if he was the kind to judge me for my past.His next words went some way to reassuring me. “You are so brave and unselfish, Victoria.”“Thanks,” I said. “But I’m a weakling really. I just punch above my weight occasionally.”“Don’t believe her,” Calvin told him. “She’s in denial about her own qualities but we’re working on it. Aren’t we, princess?”I wasn’t sure how to take that so I shoved him, playfully, hurting my wrist. I’d forgotten how rock solid he was. I made a joke of it.“Have you been working out?”“Some,” he admitted.“On your own, I hope?”“I’m the faithful kind. I haven’t be
Tori’s POV The smell of burning roused me. Then I saw Fran. She was beside herself with rage yet crying, too. “What are you doing here?” I murmured, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “Finishing what he started. Except I’m useless at it.” “Alex? You’re better than him.” “No, I’m not. Because I was contemplating doing what he arranged for someone else to do. You might say he saved me from myself. Mom knew I was bad. She always said … Oh, never mind. I’d better go. I’m not wanted here.” “Don’t be hasty,” I said. “Let’s talk.” “What is there to say?” “You have Naomi now. And me, for what it’s worth. I never stopped thinking about you all the time you were missing. I don’t blame you for any of it. Truly.” “Really? And what about this?” Her gesture took in the singed furniture and blackened carpet. It was strange how the sprinkler system had malfunctioned. Correction, it was belated. “I’ll say I did it,” I panted, climbing out of bed and trying not to think about how much I resemble
Calvin’s POVShe was back where she belonged, in my arms – in my bed. I treated her with reverence, taking note of how Guy was with Issy, and soon enough Bethany reached out to Thaddeus and my mate was ready to be – well, mated.At the ripe old age of twenty-eight it was about time I settled down. And it was all thanks to the efforts of Jason Moore who helped us when we needed it most. Without him, who knew where Tori would have ended up.I wanted to take her somewhere romantic after the ceremony, maybe to the forest where we’d go for that run after all. Yet I had to be practical. My sister’s condition remained serious and I was reluctant to be away from Still Water for long. Though ‘Remus’ could be run remotely and participation was not something I was interested in unless it was with my Luna, in private.We had a whole lifetime to spend together and needed to start on the right footing. Better late than not doing so at all!I still needed to ask her about if I’d pushed her too far s
Tori’s POVThere was no way I was ever going to stay with Alex, though I managed to convince him of that while pretending I had my time of the month. That wouldn’t have stopped him once, but his mind was full of triumph initially - until I told him about the ticking time bomb inside his head.I really doubted that Calvin and Moore had the remote but managed to convince him otherwise.Then it was a matter of counting the hours until the doctor arrived.Alex had gone for a lie down leaving George watching me. I knew I had to be wary of him. Yet after a while I couldn’t resist.“Why do you bother? Following him, I mean. You could do so much better.”“Convince me,” he said.“How?”“Make it worth my while and you and I will go on a little trip.”“Not when I’m bleeding.”“A glimpse of your tits and I’m all yours.”Lucky us.Play nice, Bethany. He may be our ticket out of here.Yet I was sick of being preyed upon by these lustful shifters. And the mate bond – I’d been marked, for love of the