Jethro's POV I saw the group coming closer, I could see their eyes showed that they were hostile. They were rogues, who thought they could take me down but here I stand- Jethro, the alpha of my pack. I have fought and won battles against more dangerous opponents.Ryder-the leader of the gang-made a face at me. “So, well look at what we have here? The great Jethro is all alone and vulnerable,” he remarked.I put on a smile characterized by a deep-throated laugh. “Ryder, you came just in time to see how strong I am,”.I came out from the car with my sights fixed on Ryder and this made others hesitate for a while because they felt me emanating strength as the only Alpha. But on his part, Ryder still held his position strongly because of pride.“Do you think you can take me down, Ryder?” I said jeeringly.” With ease, I have shattered packs similar to yours. You cannot even stand against me.”Ryder snarled but his uncertainty was written all over him. He knew that he would stand no chance
Jethro's eyes met mine, and I could see in them the angry fire that burned within. He advanced on them, low in tone, very menacing. "Let her go."The rogues laughed, though I could tell from their stances and tones they were scared. These were rogues, trained from birth in street fighting and surviving, yet none of them wanted to fight Jethro."Too late for that." He said it through his teeth, squeezing my arm. "The game's afoot, and Sara is just a pawn."Jethro didn't lower his eyes from mine. "I'll rend you limb from limb if you so much as—""—hurt her." The man chuckled. "Then you'll have to catch us first."They yanked me out of the house in one swift pull, giving me no leeway to even take the first step out. My feet lunged to catch up with them. Jethro roared his anger, spiriting his voice through the air.I didn't have time to scream out in protest at all before they threw me down into the waiting van. That was when it happened—where I smashed onto the metallic floor with a wild
Elias shook his head. "He's been massing forces in secret and is waiting for the right time to strike. It looks like Sara is the key to that plan."I felt a chill go up my spine as Jethro's grip on my arm wound up painfully tight."What does Victor want with Sara?" Jethro growled low and menacingly.Elias shrugged. "I'm not certain, but it looks as though Sara has something Victor needs—something that may give him an edge in his struggle to take power from us."Jethro's eyes focused on mine, sharp. "Sara, what know you of Victor? Have you had dealings with him?"My head shook again with unease. "No, I've never heard of him. What does he want of me?"Jethro's face darkened. "Yeah, we'll soon know. Elias, pool the pack. We need to strategize how to safeguard Sara and bring once and for all Victor down."And as Elias nodded, leaving the room, Jethro leaned toward me, his eyes blazing with purpose.Sara, believe me, I'll do everything humanly possible so that you stay safe. You're now und
Sara's PovVictor struck, his claws landing on Jethro's back. Screeching, Jethrome stumbled forward, his claws raising in a panic of defense.I howled and fumbled in a fury—light with gall at Victor, and pouncing at him even, and seized his arm in a clutch to hold him while Jethro scrambled with his feet.But he was too strong and threw me off easily. I found myself there on the ground where I fell, dazed and boggled.Then I raised my head, catching Jethro and Victor, eyeing one another. The current in the hot air sounded loud, and clear, as the two alpha dogs eyed each other."You'll pay for that, Victor," Jethro growled as his eyes turned golden and sparkled a little."I'm not afraid of you, Jethro. Pretty soon, I'll be the one taking over," Victor chuckled.And, at that, he sprang. The two met with gnashing teeth and talons, colliding. I was paralyzed with horror, unable to move or look away.Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the struggle was over. Victor lay on the ground, and Je
Sara's POVJethro's lips brushed against my ear and I shivered down my spine. "I'm grateful too, Sara. More than you'll ever know."Peace finally flooded me out in his arms, holding me in so tight, my clutching arms at him just as hard. I knew I was finally home with Jethro.What it was I could not tell, until all at once the dog's head flew up, his ears lifting. "What is it?" I urged, my heart beginning again to thump with terror."Don't know," Jethro said, and his eyes moved rapidly all about him. "But it's a-feelin' me. Something's a-coming."I lifted my eyes with his and looked. "What is it?"Jethro stared back. "I don't know, but we've got to win it out of here. Quick."It was wordless. Jethro only opened his hand and pulled me to run. We ran through the trees. Our feet thudded against the earth.The trees seemed to smear into a blur while we ran. The branches reached out like skeletal fingers. I stumbled, my foot catching on a hidden root."Go ahead," Jethro growled, his eyes ho
Stella's POVEliza turned her face to me, even nearer, and, speaking under her breath, she began. "Let's just say a secret involving Vincent. A little one that Sara might be interested in knowing."My eyes were narrowed down, arms clutching on my arms. "What about Vincent?"Eliza smiled, a flicker of triumph dancing in her eyes. "Oh, I know everything. All the things about Vincent and Sara's little affair. I know all the dirty things, all his secrets."I got angry and blushed at the thought, but I straightened up. "What do you want, Eliza?"Eliza allowed herself to sink into the chair, steepling her fingers together. "I would like to propose to Sara a small deal, something that would benefit the two of us, as I stated already."An eyebrow of mine arched, awash with wariness. "What kind of a deal?"It was like Eliza was staring directly into my own, literally like I would be made of straw not to take the offer up. "I got the dirt on Vincent- what must be some of it, anyway? You could b
Stella’s POVJust then, I heard it creaking from above me. I was frozen, wondering if it was Eliza sneaking around me. Then, just in cue, I heard my mother speak."Stella? You're not asleep yet? Can you get me some water?"My thoughts were spinning; I had to rise amidst what had just been known. It overwhelmed me. Walking down to the kitchen for water for my mother, felt like an upturned, canned-over sense of waves. Eliza was up to something. Something big. Big. And I was going to find out exactly what.I gave it to her and went upstairs to my room. I still had the past information about Eliza churning in my mind. I reached Sara's room, the door ajar, and with a little push, it opened. I eased it further, and there was Eliza in the process of ransacking my daughter's clothes drawer.The best scene flashed before my eyes, and my heart wanted to throw a backflip into my stomach, that Eliza got caught just as she had whipped around. She just stood there—like a deer in the headlight—her e
Author's POV"This is plain injustice, Aaron," Jethro turned dark in the face. "We can't judge her on what she is. We have to think of the circumstances.""Oh, but you've always been whining about the hazards posed by werewolves, Jethro. This time, you fret that one might die?"Jethro's eyes flickered to anger. "I'm defending her because she's innocent, Aaron. And she deserves our protection."As her question was asked of the mysterious werewolf, Sara's room fell silent; even Jethro and Aaron, locked horns, as the rest of the council and pack looked on, unsure of what to make from things. What was to have been a simple enough question now erupted into controversy. Things were only going to get worse."I will have none of this, Jethro." Aaron spat, his face growing red. "With your idiocy, you are jeopardizing the complete pack."Jethro's voice had amped up a notch from merely measuredly calm to where his eyes sparkled warning, even though he kept the volume down. "Aaron, I appreciate t
Sara's POV As night fell, we spoke and laughed to make up for lost time. The announcement of the baby's arrival brought tears of joy to our eyes as Emma and Elias announced it. Henry and Anne's reunion was warm and welcomely received.We sat down to dinner at which time Jethro reached for my hand, his eyes locking mine. "I'm so glad to have you home," he whispered.I smiled, knowing full well the deep connecting nerve that was between us, and simply replied, "Me too.".Not one of my loved ones was missing from the dinner table, and for the first time in a very, very long time, I was whole.As the night wore on, Jethro took me toward our chambers with his arm securely wrapped around me."You're safe now," he whispered as his lips tickled my ear.I nodded, finally, the memories no longer weighing on my shoulders. "I'm home," I said out loud.Jethro's eyes sparkled, his lips curving into a smile. "Forever," he replied with a promise.I smiled in return; knowing all was right in the worl
Sara's POV As night fell, we spoke and laughed to make up for lost time. The announcement of the baby's arrival brought tears of joy to our eyes as Emma and Elias announced it. Henry and Anne's reunion was warm and welcomely received.We sat down to dinner at which time Jethro reached for my hand, his eyes locking mine. "I'm so glad to have you home," he whispered.I smiled, knowing full well the deep connecting nerve that was between us, and simply replied, "Me too.".Not one of my loved ones was missing from the dinner table, and for the first time in a very, very long time, I was whole.As the night wore on, Jethro took me toward our chambers with his arm securely wrapped around me."You're safe now," he whispered as his lips tickled my ear.I nodded, finally, the memories no longer weighing on my shoulders. "I'm home," I said out loud.Jethro's eyes sparkled, his lips curving into a smile. "Forever," he replied with a promise.I smiled in return; knowing all was right in the worl
Sara's P.O.V I hummed softly to myself as I cleaned Vincent's bedroom, my hands gliding easily across the surfaces. My eyes strayed to his dresser, toward that one drawer he'd always said not to touch. Curious, I wondered what could be so special in that one little drawer. "A surprise?" I asked innocently.My fingers found the handle and drew the drawer open in a second. Inside were heaps of photos. The first I picked was of a man crowned, an aura of melancholy diffused about him. A lot about him seemed so familiar, yet I just couldn't place who he was.I went onto the next picture couple embracing. The woman's face stirred something in my system. "Emma? Elias?" I blurred my head racing. Then, a sharp pain pierced my head, and pictures slipped from my hands as a groan escaped my lips.A voice reverberated inside my head, "I love you, and you are forever mine." But it wasn't Vincent's voice. There came confusion inside me. Picking up the coronation picture, the rise of tears was to be
Jethro's POV Three Months later…%.Three months had passed since that fateful day. I sat in my throne room, full of the grandeur of a restored kingdom but my heart was still shattered. Ryker's defeat and Tanisha's demise brought peace, but only Eldrid still stirred in my heart.Elias entered, his face solemn. "Your Highness," he greeted low. I did not even look up. "Did you find her?" I asked without any expectation of a different answer.The pause that followed was all the answer Elias needed. "Nein, Your Highness." I looked down, my eyes welling up hot. I had sent Elias to scour the ruins-to search every inch of the explosion site. But there was nothing. No sign of Sara. No indication of her fate.I clung to hope, tenuous as the thinnest of threads but refused to break. She may yet be alive. She must. Elias stepped near. His footsteps made quiet echoes in the still hall. "I have searched every possible place, Jethro," he said, using my name rather than my title. "I have interrogate
Jethro's P.O.V.I stormed down the corridors of Ryker's lair-my sword slicing through the shadows. Guards leaped to intercept me, but with rage fueling my movements, I cut them down with precision.Finally, I burst into Ryker's chamber, my eyes locking onto the man himself.Ryker stood calmly, an amused hint dancing on his lips."Where is Sara?" I yelled, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "Where are you keeping her?"Ryker's smile spread wider, but nothing fell from his lips. "Liar!" I spat, my hand tightening on my sword hilt. "I know you're behind this." Ryker somehow managed to lift an eyebrow. "Sara? Do you think I have Sara? You ought to know me by now, Jethro. If I had Sara, I'd leave a message. But I don't have Sara." Anger spilled over and I was yelling, "You're lying!Ryker's men drew their swords and, in the dim light of the room, angled them at me."Be careful, Jethro," Ryker said, his voice thick with malice. "You're on my turf, surrounded by my men. Your recklessne
Sara's POV I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess fogging my brain. Where was I? The air was heavy with darkness and an eerie silence.A faint splash sounded through the room followed by a cold trickle down my face. I jackknifed upwards, gasping.Someone was sitting beside me, swathed in shadows. My eyes slowly accommodated to the dim light and the outline of a woman appeared."Welcome back, Sara," she said, her voice oozing malice.The woman leaned forward, and a sliver of light danced across her features, revealing Tanisha's sinister smile."You must be wondering where you are," Tanisha said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Let's just say you're guessing with me."Memories came flooding back to Emma's visit, the figure in black, the knock to the head. My mind reeled; fear clawed its way up my throat.Tanisha did not even bat an eye. "You see, Sara, you're quite valuable to me. Your. Particular talents could tip the scales in Ryker's favor."My heart plummeted. Emma's words replayed
Tunisia's POV I was sitting in my dark living room; only a little light was in view, as it was occupied with dancing candles casting gruesome shadows on the walls. Marcus came in. "Ma'am, our spy says Emma is planning to open Sara's gate of energy for the war," he informed me with low urgent tones.My gaze jerked up; my eyes slit. That gate was the key to unimaginable power, and I wouldn't allow Emma to unlock it. "And?" I pushed my voice tight with anticipation.Marcus did hesitate this time before finishing, "Emma's trying to harness Sara's energy to aid her cause." My fist clenched alongside my jaw. That would be Ryker's death sentence. Failure. Defeat. No, I wouldn't let that happen."We cannot let that happen," I muttered to myself as my mind started racing. "Ryker would lose." Marcus stood before me, a look of neutrality upon his face. "What do you think we should do?" he asked.I smiled, cold and calculated. "We'll kidnap Sara, rendering Emma's plan useless. And this might jus
Emma's P.O.V.I pushed the door open of our modest home, worn out. The last few days had messed with my head, turning into a blur of anxiety and fear, as Mamma's condition deteriorated further with each passing hour. I walked toward her room, apprehension hanging heavy in my heart. Inside, she lay frail, pale with clammy skin."Mother?" I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. I took her hand in mine. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Emma. . my dear," she whispered, just barely audible. I forced a smile onto my face, trying to hide my tears. "I'm here, Mother. You're going to be all right."But before I could get her reply, Lia strode into the room, a frown etched on her features. "Emma, don't tire her out," she reprimanded, firm in her voice. I frowned, suspicion dawning that something wasn't right. "Lia, what's going on? Mother isn't getting better," I said, accusation creeping into my tone.Lia's smile was syrupy and sweet. "Oh, Emma, you know your mother's illness is.co
Tunisia's Pov I snuggled deeper into Ryker's side, my fingers tracing the outlines of his chest. His eyes gleamed with amusement, and I knew he was right where I wanted him."Ryker, now that Jethro knows about me. Secrecy," I started, letting my voice drop to a fragile state, "I will have to be protected even more. More men."Ryker's brow arched, and a teasing smile curled his lips. "So that's why you came to me."I smiled back, feigning innocence. "Can you blame me? You are the most powerful man in the realm after all."Ryker chuckled, his eyes glinting with desire. "And what do I get in return?"My heart skittered as my gaze met his. This was it."Whatever you want," I whispered, my voice husky.Ryker's eyes flashed to mine, an inferno of intensity blazing there. "Will you?" he asked, his voice so low it was little more than a whisper and sensual.My heart fluttered at the sound as I nodded, my lips grazing his. "Whatever it will take to ensure our alliance is solidified."Ryker's