Hello, Rebels; thank you for your patience with this newest chapter update! A lot of the things that I have prepped, planned, and already written for book number two have gone completely off the rails, so my amazing editor wanted to help me get those figured out before she goes on Vacation next week. Some big changes and announcements are coming so be sure to join Emma's Little Rebels for the update. (A reader will leave a comment with instructions on where to find it.) XOXO Emma Taylor
*******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
DAMON POV *************PRESENT DAY*********** "WHERE THE FUCK IS SHE?!?!" Slade's animalistic roar tears through the house, my eyes completely black, the claws already extending, and fur sprouting from my arms as I rip my office door off its hinges. Throwing it behind me without a care for Andrew or Matt standing there. Thankfully, they're quick, ducking out of the way before it hits either of them. "Alpha..." Andrew says, his words calming but not what Slade wants to hear as we spin to face him, our canines extending as the shift starts to take over as much as I try to contain it until I find my father. "Step away, Beta," Slade growls bitterly, "I have no quarrel with you, but I won't hesitate to kill you if you try to stop me from finding my Luna." "Never, Alpha," Andrew says while throwing up his hands, his neck turning up in submission. Matt, following his lead, says, "we want to find our Luna too, Alpha." "THEN STAY THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!" Slade roars one last time befor
DAMON POV "The council's elite warriors?" Andrew asks, "are you sure? What the fuck would they want with New Moon?" As he asks the questions, he begins pacing, his eyes glued to the screens while his brain tries to figure out where this new puzzle piece belongs in the bigger picture. "I am unsure, Beta," Trent says, as his fingers fly along the keyboard to pull up the video feed from the last week, "but I went through the feed, and they have been here since the ball, making no advancements towards us but growing in number steadily. But they have come ready for war." "War?" Andrew asks while I stare at the screen, my eyes glancing between them when a new clip of Elle pops onto the screen. Despite the fury sitting in my chest, I can't help the giddiness at seeing her, even if it's only a picture. "Elle," I grunt as my eyes dance between the pictures, "they want Elle. It's the only thing that makes sense. They became aware of her existence at the ball." "Then why haven't they att
DAMON POV Taking the two stairs at a time, I am through the door of the packhouse within seconds, not caring that I am completely naked as I walk into the foyer to see some pack members milling around. "OUT! NOW!" I holler as they scurry past me, trying not to look me in the eyes as they pass on their way out the door. Running up the stairs, I can see other pack members making their way out of the house, doing their best to avoid me. My Alpha energy is running rampant, consuming the entire house, and putting pressure on everyone to get the fuck out. I finally reach the hallway where my room is; racing to my door, I enter my room, hoping to find the faint cinnamon and vanilla scent, only to find it empty, fueling the rage stirring in my gut. Entering the closet, I grab the tactical gear I only wear in situations like this. Changing in record time, I kneel to blouse my boots; standing, I lock my heart in a cage, mentally preparing myself for the decisions I am about to make. That I
DAMON POV Before I cross the barrier of the cell, Simon calls out, stopping me in my tracks, "I never wanted to keep the information from you, but if I didn't, my Luna would not have her Alpha. They would have killed you the second you were out of the territory. She wanted you there; she wrote you a letter. Gave it to me for you; I hid it in my dresser drawer at my house." He rasps out, despite the antidote coursing through his bloodstream. "You better hope to the Goddess that's true," I growl, Slade fighting me for control, hating that another person made the best decision for us without our input. Slade's pissed that he was conned by a duplicitous bitch into making a decision he shouldn't have all those years ago. "Because if Elle doesn't make it home, I don't care how far any of you run; I'll hunt you down and kill you myself." I flash my eyes to my parents, letting them know they aren't immune from this promise, "Especially you." I nod to my mother, "you know more than you're
ELLE POV "What have I done?" I growl. My blood starts to boil; it didn't take longer than two seconds for her to obliterate my calm. "All of this is because of your stupid obsessions!" I yell over the music playlist I had chosen, still blaring through the speakers of the house and the rest of the pack. "I did what was necessary to make you the best!" She sneers, her demeanor turning to ice as she stares at me with dead eyes. The same look she would adopt whenever we were alone together, "if I hadn't taken advantage of the situation, you would be weak! Now, look at you! You'll be written about for decades to come!" "Are you serious right now?!" I yell, my voice transforming into Scarlett's as she thrashes for control, wanting to tear apart the woman we are supposed to call mother. "This was never about me," I say, taking a deep breath through my nose and composing myself, "this was about how you would look; at least be honest about the bullshit." "Tiberius was going to attack your
ELLE POV As my mother's body falls to the ground in a helpless thud, the door crashes open as I pull my blade from her open gut, my eyes snapping to the intruders barging into the room. Charity going on the defensive until we see who it is and visibly relax. Theo's chest heaving up and down, my aura making the air in the room dense and nearly unmanageable the others in the room. My gaze meets Theo, Emma, and Taylor as they enter the room, looking nervously at the dead woman laying in a pool of dark red blood in the middle of the room. But the real shock happens when they finally meet my gaze, "holy shit, Alpha. Your eyes!" Taylor exclaims coming towards me calmly before spinning me to face Charity whose only response is for her mouth to hang open. Behind her a large mirror sits on the wall, but I don't pay attention to the scratches, blood, or bruises on my skin. No, the only thing grabbing my attention is my one bright green eye that practically glows like a neon sign. However i
DAMON POV "ooooooooooh, that had to hurt," Trent flinches, watching as Elle climbs on the back of an enemy wolf, reaching around to slit his throat with the dagger she holds in her hands. Most men might be disturbed seeing their woman caught in the violence of war but not me. There is something invigorating about watching Elle slay every enemy that comes her way. "Scoot over," I say, pushing on Andrew and Trent, so they can move their chairs and make room for me; I need to have a front-row seat to watch her take back what was meant for her. Sliding a chair over, I shove it between theirs, plopping into the chair while keeping my eyes plastered to the screen, terrified of missing anything. "Popcorn?" Andrew asks as he offers me the bag without moving his eyes from Theo's fight on the screen. Shoving my hand in the bag, I grab a handful of the buttery goodness, not caring that some fall to the ground as I pop a few into my mouth. "Our Luna doesn't play around," Trent whispers in
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