Ian’s POV The contractor’s needed a hand today putting up trusses and framing before a storm rolls in. It was ridiculously hot and humid. Looking at my watch, it’s already 7pm… damn. I pull out my phone, shit. I ring Ruth, “hey, sorry we’re just finishing for the day. We’re almost done with this last wall. Wanna head this way and we’ll make dinner?”. I am desperate for a nice cold shower and a good meal but more than that, to relax into Ruth’s arms. Probably after a shower though. I am dripping in sweat after today. Damn. Okay, if she’s gonna be here soon, I better hustle. “Todd, help me finish this last section. My girl is on her way to pick me up”. He laughs at me. “Got a hot date with your lady there Ian?”. I chuckle, “every night is a hot date when your lady looks like mine now come on”. He looks at me with a goofy expression, “someone’s cocky”. I just laugh. He grabs the other end of the plywood. I hear a couple of whistles. Looking in the direction, I se
Ian’s POV Ruth lost consciousness after I marked her. I knew it was a possibility. I took care of her, cleaning her up and even brushing out her tangled locks. Thankfully we didn’t have to worry about any hyman blood, I thought. Max is a little bit curious just how big this dildo is or was. Wait, is? “You think she still has it?”Max intrudes. I don’t know buddy. I took care of dressing her, settling for one of my t-shirts. I love when she wears them. I lay behind her, watching her sleep. My mate. I gently stroke her cheek. Goddess she really is the most beautiful and perfect woman. My stomach growls, ruining the moment. I am truly famished though. Dammit. Max pushes forward, “screw food Ian, lay here and stare at mate”. Well, when you put it like that, it’s not creepy.. At all. Max is just as grateful as me. We both thought we’d die alone but accepted it as atonement for the sins of my family. “How about we grab something uber quick and eat in bed?”. He sighs
Morrigan’s POV I lay in the periphery, feeling as if I am about to explode. My energy split down the center, creating a forcefield to shield the miracle blossoming in Emma’s womb. It is mine and Kalen’s heir. This miracle should not be possible. Emma is special. This child is special. It must survive but so must Emma, my Emma. I watch as she’s fading. I shield as much pain from her physical body as I can without taking from the forcefield around our child. I’m slipping. I can feel my magic fading. I’m being pulled away, into the darkness. Preparing for the worst of all situations, of losing my first and only chance at having a child. In the thousands of years of existence, I was granted a love as pure as mine and Kalen’s. My heart is breaking at watching this unfold. I feel a warm familiar sensation, almost like a hug washing over me. The warmth envelopes me, sending a purple hue around my body. The hue twists with my own green magic, creating a beautiful twirl o
Emma’s POV I wake up with an odd sense of panic, almost like I’m late for something. I glance at the clock quickly… oh goddess, it’s 4 am. Why am I awake and why am I panicked? I peek over at my love and he’s peacefully sleeping. Much deserved too I must say. I lay there, staring at the ceiling for a good 20 minutes before I can’t anymore so I decide to go take a bath. Creeping across the bedroom floor, I manage to sneak into the bathroom, close the bathroom door and into the tub room all without crashing into anything. Wow, pretty good if I do say so myself. This is where Morgan would normally congratulate me on not knocking anything over and I would tell her she’s a sassy Susan. I sigh, plugging the tub and starting the water. I miss her. Stripping off my clothes, I look in the mirror. I see zero difference in my abdomen. Maybe a teeny tiny difference but that could just be some weight gain from starting back on solid foods. I stifle a laugh… Mor would prob
Michelle’s POV I wake up having to pee really badly. Blinking my eyes open, I am so warm and comfortable. I desperately don’t want to move. I don’t think I have ever slept this wonderful. I go to get up and realize I am fully tangled up with Leo. My legs are somehow twisted in between his and my arm is up over his warm, broad chest with my hair strewn along his chest. Shockingly, I’m not scared or uncomfortable. My wolf Bella whispers for me to touch him. “We are touching him”. He has some faded scars across his chest and shoulders that I start tracing gently with my fingertips. I’m lost in my own hypnosis when I feel his arm gently swing around my back, softly landing on my shoulder. “Mmmm… that feels nice baby. Good morning”. His husky sexy voice wakes me from my reverie. “Oh goddess, I’m sorry”. I start to push up, away from his chest when he pulls me back towards him, “no come back, I liked it”. I blush, “no, I forgot I really need to use the bathroom
Leo’s POV Hearing Michelle’s insecurities escape from her lips, make my childhood crush on Ruth seem petty. That’s legitimately my only “experience”. Looking back on how badly I thought I ‘liked’ her at the time, it deathly pales in comparison to the ocean of love I feel for Michelle. Even knowing her for such a short time, I cannot express to her with words what I would do to keep her safe. She is mine and I am hers. I reach behind her, grabbing a throw blanket and wrap it around her snugly with her still sitting on my lap. I gently turn to lean against the bed and reposition her into my lap so I can cradle her into my chest. “Michelle, I want you to feel comfortable talking to me. I’m your warrior, your mate and you are my woman. There isn’t anything I will not do to keep you safe and protected. I have already killed the men who harmed you here and if you wish, I won’t stop until every single one is underground. You command this army, you are my queen”. S
Morrigan’s POV I’m desperate to get this meeting over with and be gone. Selena and Artemis have agreed to accompany me to my father’s court. We’re greeted with a formal procession. At first, I tried to be civil and patient. After the first little bit I lose all civility and storm past the ridiculous parade. I’m here for a conversation, not fucking show and tell. Walking up the council steps and into my father’s summons chambers, I sense he’s not all too pleased that I’ve disrupted the formal parade. Leaning back in his throne chair, he looks at me with disdain. “What’s the rush daughter, I’m sure your human can survive some more without you”. Even my mother recognizes the coldness of his comments. “Listen old man, I’m not going to entertain your insults. Why am I here? Speak your words so I can be gone. I don’t need a damn procession to tell you I’m here”. He leans forward in his chair as if he’s about to attack. Mother grabs his arm… “enough… the both of you
Michelle’s POV We’re heading down the steps towards breakfast when I hear far too many voices for comfort. Leo senses my discomfort and holds me closer. “It’s okay my love, they’re all family”. I do recognize two voices and smile when I see Emma. She spots me from the steps. “Michelle!”. She comes jogging over and hugs me tightly. “So happy you’ve decided to move up here”. She sort of yelled that last part which I couldn’t understand. Leo winks at Emma, “subtle sis”. I look between the two of them, confused. Leo just kisses my cheek, “I’ll tell you later love”. Emma takes my elbow and guides me to the table. “Michelle, this is Dana. Dana.. Michelle. You two will see A LOT of each other seeing as how your mates are brothers and fight a lot”. Leo comes out with a plate for Michelle. “Ehh, Zak has relaxed a bit now that Dana has bested him”. Zak comes out with food, “Goddess be damned, what did I say when I came down… if one more person…”. Liam chuckles, “to be fair, Leo
Liam’s POV *about six weeks later* “Liam, stop pacing”. I look up at Emma who is in labor but can’t push yet. “Why is she so calm?” Kalen nudges. I just shake my head. I have no idea how she’s this calm but it’s going on 20 hours now of labor and contractions but she hasn’t been able to actually push yet. “Oww… ehhh”, Emma lets out a slight shriek. I rush over to her. “Baby, tell me what you need”. Grace comes in, also cool as a cucumber. “Is this like a woman thing Liam?”. Kalen is just as nervous as I am. “Kalen buddy, I have no idea. But I’m freaking out too”. She squeezes my arm, oh shit that hurts. “Oh sorry baby”. I rub her hand, “no, squeeze all you need it’s fine”. I may regret that later. Grace checks her progress, “ooh, Emma my girl, you are finally ready. You feel like you can push?”. Emma takes a breath in, “no, I’m just gonna chill here a while and do a crossword”. She giggles, “yes, please… get them out of me!”. Grace looks at me, “you
Emma’s POV “I can’t believe it’s already been three weeks. Are you sure everything is ready?”. I’m a nervous wreck. Ruth is curling my hair, getting us ready for the ceremony. “Relax, Emma. Darling. Everything is set, just chill”. Grace comes in, followed by Savannah, Michelle and Dana. They’re all dressed and look stunning. Each chose their own style of emerald dress with gold jewelry. Grace in a gold dress. “Mama Grace!”, I look her up and down. “You are gorgeous”. She twirls and curtsies. Ruth scolds me, “quit moving child”. I sulk, “sorry mother”. She finishes my hair and light makeup. “Oh boy, the moment of truth. Hopefully it fits”. I step into the bathroom and shimmy into the gown only this time Grace steps in behind me. “Oh honey, you look stunning”. I look at myself in the mirror as she laces up the gown. “Thank you Grace”. She pulls a box from a bag and reveals a stunning pair of emerald earrings. “Oh my, Grace. That’s too much”. She swats my hand
Liam’s POV Luckily we anticipated these waits and brought a deck of cards. We got some odd looks but we had fun with our parking lot poker. Finally my Luna emerged after what felt like eternity. “You win us some money honey?”, her voice is like food for my soul. I scoop her up and spin her around, making her squeal a little. “We get to pick lunch huh?”, as I leave a little kiss on her mark. “Yeah, you guys pick Hooter’s or something?”. I squeeze her into me as Zak chuckles. “Why on earth would be take an entourage of our women folk there?”, Zak chides. “Culture Zak. Besides, Ian’s never been I bet”. He busts out laughing. I nip Emma’s shoulder lightly, “what did you guys do in that dress shop that has you so defiant miss Emma? No. We aren’t going to Hooter’s nor would we. Believe it or not, we’ve actually never been AND… I’ve heard their food sucks. Besides, I’ve got all the hooters I want right here”. I playfully caress her boob. Dana giggles, “You started
Emma’s POV Since Ruth got Liam on board with shopping, we just lumped the maternity wedding session into the trip too oh and… PEDICURES! The boys don’t know what’s coming. As we roll into the salon parking lot, Liam grumbles something and looks at Zak. “Zak, did you know about this?”. Dana and I giggle, “remember what you said Alpha, that you’d be willing to do it with me?”. His face goes super serious and almost pale. “Luna, I’d literally die for you but this… this is a lot to ask. Zak help me out”. There’s a smirk on the Beta’s face, “sorry boss, no can do. I do remember you saying you’d try it. Besides, my woman wants one too so here I am. Just suck it up”. Liam wraps his arms around me and kisses my temple. “You’re lucky I love you so damn much. And you…”, pointing to Zak, “definitely knew about this”. As we exit the SUV, Zak quips back, “pretty sure you’re the only one who doesn’t know Liam”. No one could miss the group of our brooding men, who insist on walkin
Erik’s POV As I lay on the mattress, I am at peace with the decision to die. I deserve it and I hope it’s not swift or painless. I deserve whatever is coming. There are no clocks in these cells so I have no way of knowing the hour. I begin to doze off eventually until I hear a voice in my cell. That’s the same voice that rang through my head in court that day, telling me judgment was upon me. I open my eyes and see a pair of purple eyes staring at me from the corner. “So it was you? Why you’re interested in these matters I don’t know but…”. She comes out of the shadows somewhat, revealing her face. Her long hair cascades down her face, framing her angelic face. “To what do I owe the honor of a visit from a Goddess?”. She’s studying me, not speaking. Finally, I relax back into the bed and lean against the wall. “My blood asked me to grant you a delicate death but I sense that isn’t what you want”. Her blood? Who would…? “Are you saying Emma is your blood
Liam’s POV Holy crap. My Luna just suggested anal to me. Kalen comes forward, “it’s natural bud, go for it”. I scowl at him, “maybe for you, you’re a dog. Besides, I don’t want to hurt her”. Wait, does this mean she’s done that before? Suddenly I feel insecure. And on cue, Emma tells me I’d be her first. Great, now my dick is impossibly hard. There’s no going back from this erection. She leads us into the bedroom and reaches for a gift bag. “Who gifted you lube?”I'm suddenly very pissed. She giggles… “no baby, it was a gag for the baby shower- it’s KY jelly. They use it for birth but um… well, I sort of googled this once like last week… cause…”. Before she could finish, I had her pinned on the bed. She laughs in between kisses, “so you’re not mad I googled it? It was a ‘how to’ but yeah, a lot of ummm interesting things came up. But I wanted to be prepared and I wanted to try this with you”. I kiss all along her mark, making her arousal thicken around me. “No ba
Emma’s POV As soon as Liam left, I realized I only have two hours to accomplish my plan. I reach out for Selene, praying she’s listening. “It’s sort of an emergency and I wouldn’t be contacting you if I didn’t need to”. There’s a tingling in my mind followed by, “meet me downstairs for tea”. I gently make my way downstairs, honoring the promise to my mate and doctor. I love referring to Grace as my doctor. It makes her sound so official. I see Selene sitting in a corner chair, sipping on a cup of tea. “I’m glad you’ve made yourself comfortable”, I tease. She smiles, “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better”. As I take a seat, I remember Liam screaming at her last night. “Does my feeling better have anything to do with Liam cursing you last night?”, I lift a brow questioningly. She smiles but doesn’t reply. “What is this favor you speak of?”. I grab for the second cup of tea, secretly wishing it were hot chocolate. Only when I look back at the cup, it’s cha
Michelle’s POV During recess, I let Dan and Savannah have some private time. At this point, I no longer cared about my own testimony but she was pregnant with that monster’s child… My uncle’s. How would Dan react? If roles were changed and it were me, I’m not sure Leo would be so happy. Sure he’d accept it because it wasn’t my fault but he would try and kill Erik I’m sure of it. I’m brought from my thoughts with the smell of coffee wafted under my nose. I giggle, opening my eyes to find Leo baiting me. “Don’t think too hard darling, that’s my job”. He kisses my cheek, handing me my coffee. We sit in comfortable silence for a bit, soaking up some sunlight when we’re summoned back into the courthouse. “The council has agreed after deliberation that all parties tried, are guilty of all charges laid before them”. They laid out the punishments for the lower ranked members and finally made it to Erik. “With regard to the former Alpha Regent, Erik is to be execute
Savannah’s POV I had been feeling extra emotional these last few days. I chalked it up to the impending trial and everything as a whole. This has been a tense time for the pack and group. Seeing Erik yesterday was overwhelming. It caused a lot of flashbacks and worsened my already bad night terrors. Dan has been such a sweetheart. He gives me plenty of space which I know is so hard for him, especially being an alpha but I know he knows I’m going through a lot. I have kept a secret calendar marking off the days since the horrid night Erik took my virginity. It’s been 45 days and no cycle. Shit. When I had been at Ruth’s house, I remember she had some pregnancy tests in her bathroom but how the hell would I get in there? What about the clinic? Would they just give me one discreetly? Dan cannot know about this. Waking up extremely early, the morning of the trial, I ran over to the hospital where I had been visiting the girls- Anna, Hannah and Bree; that Regan h