Hello readers, WHEW! Finally, I apologize for the delay; as we get closer to the height of the action, I am trying to fit together many puzzle pieces. I spend a lot of my time rereading old chapters and my pages of notes to make sure I am executing these chapters correctly. I appreciate the grace and patience as you eagerly await each chapter. I am eternally grateful to you all for sticking through the learning curve of my first novel. If you haven't searched for "Emma's Little Rebels," to read the free chapter posted at the beginning of this week. I am already planning the first giveaway! Don't want to miss out. Thank you to those who leave comments, reviews, and donate gems. XOXO Emma Taylor
ANDREW POV My stomach has been in a perpetual state of angst since Damon was found the morning after his ball, especially after his parent's reaction, which was basically nonexistent. They didn't act as I expected them or like parents would in a situation like that. Hell, it was like they weren't even shocked. They didn't care, only nodding their heads in response before ensconcing themselves away in the office, only coming out in the late hours of the night. I thought they would have had men searching every nook and cranny they could but rather locking themselves away for days on end with my parents. **********Flashback*********** The morning after the ball The dawn creeps through the curtain of my bedroom window as my Alexa starts playing my morning wake-up mix, but I don't need it. I have been up the whole night, tossing and turning as one face keeps coming to mind; Theo. I don't know what it is about him, but I want to be close to him. I can't concentrate whenever he isn't a
DAMON POV I catch myself looking at my phone again, the angst in my veins almost unmanageable as it gets closer to six without Andrew returning. Where the hell is he? The longer his absence, the more I start to panic; what has he found out that could be keeping him so long? Or worse, he's found nothing and is running down every last option. "No offense, Alpha," Matt says as he watches me stare at my phone like I am trying to will the time to go faster. "But if you look at that phone one more time, I will chuck it across the field. You need your focus on the upcoming match." His word drip a seriousness only used in situations like this. His arms crossed, stoic expression plastered on his face watching pack members file onto the bleachers set up for events like this. Using the mindlink, I reach out to Andrew again, trying to get a progress report and finding nothing, but resistance, so he either has his block firmly in place or is out of range. What could he have found out that took
DAMON POV Barging into the packhouse with more force than necessary as the door slams into the wall behind me, startling the younger members sitting around the living room, parting like a shrapnel bomb when my fiery energy invades the space. "Alpha," they mutter with their heads bowed from the force of my aura. "Go home if you're not a warrior," Matt barks, hot on my heels, "warriors gather everyone here in forty-five minutes! Go!" "Aye, Gamma!" I hear the warriors shout as my heavy footsteps keep thundering down the hall toward my father's office. 'Our office,' Slade reminds me with a proud huff, enjoying the newfound strength we acquired with our win. Shoving the door open, I find Andrew pacing wildly, a tired look on his face, with heavy purple bags under his eyes. Clean-cut Andrew looks worse than I have ever seen him in all the years I have known him; what the hell did he learn to have him so unhinged? Even calm and collected, Demetri is on edge as Andrews's eyes shift back
ELLE POV Same time as the Alpha Challenge ************************************* I don't know how long we have been trapped in the cells but my body is stiff from resting on the concrete floors for days on end. Charity and I rarely speaking these last few days, instead staying in contemplative silence waiting for the jingle of cell room keys and the stomp of tactical boots to pull me from my dark thoughts. The longer we remain within the pack borders with Damon's attack the more comfortable Tiberius gets in his victory. Every evening coming into the cells to gloat about how he terminated Damon and would do the same to any Alpha who thinks they can have me. Today is no different as the keys to the cell clank against the metal framework of the door except everything is. I already feel the heat of a newfound power settling within my skin, Scarlett starting to stir deep within my mind for the first time since stepping foot onto the territory. While she remains hidden in the secret c
ELLE POV *******FLASHBACK****** The night of Elle's first shift The golden aura shining brightly above Charity, Theo, and I settles into our bones as the mindlink of New Moon falls away into the abyss while a new one forms between us. Not waiting for a second longer as the energy finds home and growth within my mind, I let Scarlett's massive form carry us into the forest as I look to the right and find Theo's mostly white wolf running alongside me. But something about his presence and wolf's ability to easily accept my proposal for Beta as a council member's son, he shouldn't be able to....unless...As if he can tell what I am thinking, I hear his baritone voice through the link connecting us. "Luna, I just realized something..."Theo trails off, his voice hinting at what I already know. Including Charity in the link, I figure we might as well clear things up right now. I let Scarlett lead us further into the forest, relishing the fresh dirt in between her paws. "First off, it'
ELLE POV ********FLASHBACK CONTINUED******* I have been sitting in this uncomfortable office chair in the security room for the last two hours staring at the code in front of me. A similarity screaming at me, but I don't remember where I had seen it before. The answer is sitting in my mind somewhere. I feel it like a heaviness sitting atop my head, begging to be remembered, but Goddess help me, I can't. 'Alpha,' Charity's cheery voice rings through my head as I stare blankly at the screen, lost for the first time when it comes to deciphering a code; there is a reason I don't have to waste my time with class or school. I can't remember where I am from, but I can remember every book I have read. 'We are back in the territory.' 'Security room,' is my reply while I crack open a Redbull I grabbed earlier from the mini-fridge. I am lost in my own world while Damon's playlist rings through the speakers at ear-splitting volumes. For some reason, I am calmer with it playing in my ears as
ELLE POV ***********FLASHBACK CONTINUES*********** "Oh?" I say, careful with my words, while I rack my brain to determine where I went wrong, "about what?" "You have chosen a path to take," She says as her eyes scan through the first before returning her piercing gaze to mine. While a serenity surrounds Selene, the same cannot be said about me. My heart is racing in a panic as my palms begin to sweat. If Selene is here, then maybe this is the wrong path to take, and I am about to royally fuck things up. "Are you confident in your choices and the possible consequences?" "Yes," I say without hesitation because I have accepted the possible consequences of my actions. I have accepted that I could lose Damon over this choice of keeping him in the dark. But I am choosing Scarlett's entire life work over him and Slade. My stomach is knotted with fear and apprehension as thoughts of Damon never forgiving me invade my thoughts. As if she can sense my internal struggle, the Goddess steps
*******FLASHBACK CONTINUED******** ELLE POV "A rogue?" Charity asks, her head whipping around to glare at Theo, "what could you possibly be thinking?" "Look, I know Xander and his Beta Fletcher," Theo protests as we dive further into no man's territory, "they're good guys who left toxic Alphas. Not all rogues are bad, and these guys can be included in that group." "Alpha, you can't be considering this can you?" Charity asks, but I don't pay attention as these two argue, my eyes scanning the forest for any announced visitors. "I have been more places than you, Charity," Theo responds, his mouth moving faster than his brain can make him shut up. "I know more about life outside the comforts of pack life and protection." "What makes these men so special?" Charity asks while a twig snaps to my right. Turning my head, I find two men in their late teens and early twenties. One has a flirtatious smile and blue-green eyes while only a few inches taller than me. The man beside him is cl
FOUR YEARS LATER Elle- 22 years old; Damon- 23 years old ELLE POV ************************** I don't know what's going on with me, but it's not pretty, my stomach convulsing with another dry heave like it's waged a bloody war on my body without my knowledge. Goddess, what is this? Was I poisoned? It has to be poison. Someone trying to kill me slowly is the only obvious reason behind this sickness. Werewolves don't get sick. Leaning my head against the porcelain rim of a place my face should never be close to, I try catching my breath, my forehead pouring in sweat. A sickly sweet smell makes its way into my nostrils as another wave of nausea forces its way through me. Rolling my insides around like a boat in the middle of the ocean during a summer storm. "Happy Matesday!" Damon sings, pushing open the bathroom door, a tray in his hand, the offensive odor oozing from beneath the plate cover. Before I can keep it in, I am purging the nonexistent contents of my stomach. Once I f
DAMON POV I look like a fool, with a smile covering my lips, as I saunter into the decorated ballroom filled with our guests as they drink and mingle, eating from the appetizer trays being carried around the room. Some guests are already dancing to the music played by the DJ, typical of werewolf parties. Scanning the room, I find Andrew and Matt standing at the bar. My feet taking me to them, only to be stopped along the way by guests wishing me congratulations. Five minutes later, I finally make it to the bar where Andrew stands, glaring at the dance floor. Matt hands me a whiskey, an easy-go-lucky grin on his face. "That's the look of a man who got some biscuits," he chuckles. "Yeah," I grin, enjoying the banter, while licking my lips "and I ate the whole damn plate, it was delicious." My reply has Matt choking on his drink, making me laugh harder. Andrew remains unbothered, signaling to the bartender for a refill. "Come on," Matt says, coughing through the burn of his drink,
ELLE POV I thought the nerves of today would be so overwhelming that breathing is difficult, but for the first time in a long time, I am at peace. Twirling the ring I found in the psychic shop, the ring my father gave to my mother, I know I should get rid of it, but a part of me can't give it up. While my mother owned it for a time, it was never truly hers but belongs to the entire Luna lineage of Silver Run, so getting rid of it never felt right. So instead of thinking about my mother, I focus on the amazing Lunas' who wore it before her and will wear it after me. 'Biscuit,' Damon's husky voice comes through my mind, like liquid gold coating my body, sending shivers down my spine. 'I think your dad would understand if you didn't want to wear that ring.' He comments, knowing my inner struggles without verbalization. Choosing to learn from our parent's mistakes, we always keep the connection between us open. 'I know,' I sigh, as I stare at the ring sitting on my finger, 'I miss you
THREE DAYS LATER ELLE'S POV The last few days have been hectic as I try to make all the arrangements and keep New Moon running while also being in constant contact with Theo about what's happening in Silver Run; killing Tiberius and leaving the pack hasn't left the pack members in good faith. We haven't had the chance to talk about what we will do with both packs, but the distance makes running both nearly impossible. However, we are finally returning to Silver Run, and I can handle some pressing matters that need to be taken care of. Theo is doing his best but isn't an Alpha; the pack needs me, and Damon's pack needs him. How are we going to divide our time? The travel alone will be a bitch...and splitting from him is not an option. Tingles spark along my hand as Damon grabs my hand, pulling me from my rambling thoughts into the present as he turns the car onto the main road. Andrew follows behind us with Theo's dad, and the robin hood of rogues takes up the rear of the carava
DAMON POV The morning after finding my mate should be filled with nothing but mindblowing sex, energy bars, and water; nothing else, and certainly not this fucking bullshit. Not a blood-curdling anger that consumes every inch of my soul, one that seems to last forever now that I am marked to Elle. When Andrew and Matt interrupted my wonderful morning to tell me what had happened, I almost didn't believe them. There was no way my father would reject my mother. No, she was his entire world, and I believe in the bond because of them. Walking into the cell to see both my parents sobbing and somehow on the verge of unconsciousness. After getting the abbreviated version from my father while my mother remains silent, the rest of the world blows away as I fall into the black pit of wrath. I barely understand what I am saying, words of unintelligible hatred being spewed at my mother. I barely sense her fear, so lost in my anger, my father whimpers as he tries to manage the pain fueling me
ELLE POV Stretching my limbs, I roll onto my side, happiness spreading from the top of my head to the very bottom of my feet. Opening my eyes, I find Damon already awake, a large grin covering his face as he watches me sleep. "What's with the smile?" I ask him, wiggling my body closer to his, craving the skin contact as tingles erupt over my skin. "I remember everything," he answers, adjusting his body to wrap me in his arms, laying my head on his chest, "and I realized something." "Oh, what is that?" I ask him, trying to recall the overwhelming memories flooding my brain. Some of them are wonderful. Making breakfast with my father or when he would take me swimming back home. I remember the times with Theo and coming to New Moon to see Damon. But there are the darker ones, the memories I never want to talk about again- the ones that should be locked away in a box. Memories of my mother I never want to touch- she could be loving whenever my father was around, but if it was the two
*******THIS IS A FREE CHAPTER******** *****THIS HAPPENS WHILE DAMON IS BUSY WITH ELLE ;)*** ******************************* MATT POV I don't think I have ever felt as relieved as I did when we walked out the pack gates to find Charity alive and looking more beautiful than Zeke or I have ever witnessed. Even covered in blood, sweat, and dirt, she looked like a warrior. Like a Gamma, I had never felt more proud of her. Or at least that's what I thought. Until she threatened my life with the promise of dumping my body outside the territory lines as if the shortcake could carry my large frame by herself. But still, the promise sets my entire body ablaze, and as much as I hate that rogue fucker he wasn't wrong when he calls her a fireball because she is. A feisty little fireball who has weaseled herself underneath my skin, and now I can't seem to shake her. Walking out my front door, I cross the front yard in seconds before climbing the steps of Charity's porch two at a time, my fi
ANDREW POV I am trying not to think about the fact that Theo didn't come back as Damon carries Elle through the gate and up to the house. With an exasperated sigh, I turn on the Beta energy and do what is expected when all I want to do is call Theo and make sure he is alive. Death or severe injury is the only reason I could see him not returning home with his Luna. "I can't believe he is letting them onto the territory," Matt grunts pulling me from my spiral downward as he glares at the car in front of us. We are letting rogues into the territory; what is Damon thinking? With a shrug, I walk to the car because I figure it's better to get these introductions over with. Charity walks over, intercepting us before we reach the car, but far enough away that they won't hear us. Her body is covered in the blood of her slain enemies, exhaustion all over her. As soon as Matt sees her, his entire demeanor changes, but she ignores him, focusing solely on me. "Theo is alive; he stayed home t
ELLE POV Damon hovers above me, staring into my eyes, his hand caressing my cheek, the nerves of this moment rising into my throat, and it's like he can tell. He leans his forehead against mine, the electricity buzzing while the sparks run rampant along my skin in ways it never has. "We don't have to do this if you're not ready, Elle. I love you and will wait as long as needed for you to be comfortable." "I love you too, but I won't lie," I say, my mouth slightly dry, "I am a little nervous, but I know you would never hurt me." I wrap my arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer as my lips meet his, mixing while the rest of the world disappears. A primal growl reverberates through his chest as I nip his lower lip, my tongue demanding entrance as they swirl together, giving way to Damon's demand for control. Without removing his lips from my body, he moves them along my jaw, causing a small sigh to leave me, the smell of my desire so heavy in the room you could practically tas