Hey Rebels, Hopefully this clears up some of the confusion you've been feeling...but it probably won't. Don't forget to join Emma's Little Rebels for sneak peaks and other news! Don't forget NO updates on Sundays. Next update will be 3/27 before 11pm EST. As always thank you for the likes, comments, reviews, and gems. XOXO Emma Taylor
NORA POV “Beautiful,” I whisper, my fingers running through his soft fur, completely mesmerized. The two of us in a world of our own. A subtle hum coming from his chest. “Are you purring?” I ask, a small smile splaying on my lips while Viola matches his cadence with her own. The wolf's onyx eyes meet mine, his tongue sticking out before it runs along my cheek. Sparks electrifying my skin along the trail as a squeal leaves my lips. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so purely, but it feels right and insanely easy. My legs cramp, so I stand as the wolf rolls over, a whine leaving his chest, watching my every move. I don’t know how I know, but I can tell that he is nervous I am going to leave. The fear I once felt at being in these woods evaporates like water on a hot summer day. “Don’t worry, I am not leaving you,” I tell him as I stretch out my legs. Viola pouting over the loss of contact. A wolfish grin overcomes his face as he pops onto four paws, prancing around me like a
NORA Looking in the mirror, I smooth down the dress I chose for the dinner tonight. I couldn’t help the smile that broke over my lips when I saw it tucked into the corner of my closet. I forgot I had packed the wildflower pattern. After this morning, it seemed to call to me as a source of strength for the evening ahead. Fixing my earrings, I arrange my curls, which are in a desperate need of a trip to the hairdresser. Then straighten the simple chain around my neck, locket with my parents’ pictures tucked inside. A knock lets me know Theo is at my bedroom ready to take me next door. Opening it with a nervous breath, I find Theo on the other side. Dressed in a pair of khakis, a blue patterned button down and a pair of white converse on his feet. A bracelet sits on his wrist, but it’s vastly different from the one I saw earlier. “You look stunning. Are you ready?” he asks, stepping aside so that I can join him in the hall. “As ready as I can be.” I comment, the nerves have been wrea
XANDER POV Ares, my wolf, circles impatiently while I pace in front of the cabin door, waiting on my Beta to hurry his ass along. Staying true to her word, Alpha Elle has provided a space for my rogues. A part of her community that is no longer in use, that my collective is busy remodeling. What started as a mutually beneficial partnership has turned into a genuine friendship with the Alpha couple. ‘I swear if that buffoon doesn’t get his ass down those stairs,’ Ares growls, his patience quickly running out. ‘I will go up there and drag him down.’ “Can you stop looking at yourself in the mirror now?” I call up the stairs, as Fletcher appears with a devilish grin on his face. “What’s the rush, buttercup?” he asks, as he comes down the stairs, giving me a little wink and his patented smile that leaves girls swooning. “We’re late,” I remind him, touching my watch before turning toward the door, grabbing my keys from the hook. My hand on the knob, ready to walk out the door when he o
XANDER POV XANDER POV The entire room sits in awkward silence while Nora is in the restroom. Glancing around the room, I find Matt glaring at Fletcher, who keeps sending sly winks and smiles at Charity. I swear Matt is on the verge of throwing himself across the table, but of course my troublesome Beta has no qualms. The other side of me is no better, with Andrew and Theo glaring at each other. The sexual tension between them is so thick, I don’t understand how the hell Nora can’t see it. How she is letting Theo make a fool of her..This entire room knows those two are more than they claim but are too afraid to admit it. Why can’t she? Then we have the Alpha couple, with amused smiles and glances among the rest of us. Those fuckers are too intuitive for their own good. Clearing his throat, Damon speaks, being the first to break the silence. “So Elle and I were talking,” he says with a smile in her direction, and a pang of jealousy rings through my heart at what my friend has. “We
NORA POVViola hasn’t stopped whimpering or pacing since I sat down in the den with Charity and Elle. Only half listening to the banter between the other women in the room. My ears focused on overhearing Xander’s silky smooth voice traveling underneath the doorway.Each second that passes without hearing him feels like absolute agony. I barely know the man to be reacting this way, but regardless of how I try to stop it, I can’t.“How are you liking Silver Run so far?” Elle asks, her weird bi-colored eyes boring into me like she is trying to peer into my soul.“It’s beautiful,” I return, keeping my answers short and sweet, still unsure on how to take the Alpha, and her mate, Damon. Viola’s keeping her impressions of the two close to the vest, but Xander’s distractions aren’t helping.“How is it staying with Simon and Theo?” Charity asks, tucking her knees underneath her feet.“Great,” I say with a smile, unintentionally relaxing into the seat. “We haven’t gotten into a routine. It was v
THEO POV THEO POV FLASHBACK 3 DAYS BEFORE THE ALPHA MATING CEREMONY (Before Theo meets Nora). With each passing day, I swear it gets harder to continue being angry. The more I try to hold on to it, the faster it seems to slip through my fingertips, fading into the ether. Cerberus and I are miserable, unable to sleep, anxious, and nauseous. Not talking to Drew has been miserable. The longer I stew over this stupid fight, the more I realize how hypocritical I’ve been. If the roles had been reversed, I would have made similar choices if my Alpha needed me to, without blinking. How can I judge him knowing that? With Damon and Elle in Silver Run planning for the ceremony, I have the freedom to escape for a day or two. Before my Alpha even makes it to the gate, I am on my way out. Six hours later, I am nodding my way past the warrior at the New Moon gate on my way to the Tyler household. Winding through the streets, my fingers tapping along the steering wheel as anxiety churns in my
THEO POVPRESENT DAY -THEO’S BEDROOM.Tears sit in my eyes as I retell Nora of the second worst day of my life. She remains speechless, taking her hand in my own, sympathy and understanding in her eyes.“I am sorry, Theo,” she responds, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. “You deserve better, and Andrew is missing out if he cannot see that.”“Yeah, well…” I shrug, slightly defeated. The plan I created is turning to sand, slipping through my fingers and blowing away in the wind.“But I am still not understanding how I fit into this whole scenario…?” She questions, her memory loss slightly concerning…She wasn’t that drunk when I had spent time with her. Nor had a lot of time passed since I saw her on the patio, and her being found in the bathroom by Elle.“I am getting to that, but I want to clarify a few things first.” Shifting my body so I can face her, taking both of her hands in mine. “I know I have been extra handsy, especially around others.”Questions are swirling on her ton
ANDREW POVTHREE DAYS BEFORE THE MATING CEREMONY- ANDREW’S HOUSE- (After Theo leaves the house.)I swear Theo is taking my heart with him as I watch him drive away from the house. Demitri growling in my head, neither of them allowing me to compartmentalize our relationship any longer.“Andrew, honey?” My mom asks, reminding me of their presence as I move away from the window with a muttered “yeah.”“Are things alright between Theo and you…?” She trails off, glancing at my dad for help.“We are fine, mom,” I reply with a sigh, another lie tumbling from my mouth like an Olympic gymnast. “Pack business.”“Son,” my father chimes in, “if you are-”“Dad, it’s about pack business, that’s all,” I cut him off, not wanting to have this conversation.Not taking the hint, my father continues, bringing his body towards me to place his hands on my shoulders. “Are you happy?” He asks, refusing to let me look anywhere but his eyes. “Because that’s all your mother and I want you to have in life; happin
Hey Rebels, Thank you so much for sticking it out through Nora's story, and do not worry this is not the last we see of her. To all those who have taken the time to read, comment, review, and donate gems I cannot than you enough for your devotion! Your support means everything to me, and I cannot wait to keep sharing my stories with you all. I would like to thank a couple amazing friends, and support systems! Seriously, without these amazing author friends Nora's book might never gotten finished, let alone started. These woman were so amazing and supportive. They read the five million edits it took to get this story started without complaint. They let me vent when I needed to vent, and gave tough love when I needed it too. If you're looking for new books/authors to read while waiting for Charity's book to drop in August of 2023 I highly recommend these women who have come to mean so much to me. Miri Googag, has "The Alpha's Guardian series," and 8 other completed book on GoodNovel
THEOFOUR AND A HALF YEARS LATER - LATE JANUARYAndrew and I are hunched over the desk in our joint office, pouring over the floor plans for the expansion. Our community home, Windsor House, has grown since moving its location to “the hub,” the neutral center between the packs, and rogue collective. The location is ideal for young wolves kicked from their homes, but don’t want to become pack members in Silver Run or New Moon to benefit.“We’re definitely going to need a larger kitchen,” Andrew murmurs, sparks erupting as his shoulder brushes against mine. Even after all these years, my body reacts to him the same as the first day we met.“With the way these animals eat? Definitely.” His laugh fills the room, and it’s like music to my ears.“Betas,” Seven, Trent’s mate, and the manager of our home, says through the intercom. “Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez are here to talk to you.” Andrew and I glance at one another, sadness radiating through our bones. Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez are the parents of
NORA POV ’He is quite the sexy beast, isn’t he?’ I respond, giggling, enjoying the seamless banter between us already. Sensing the shift in my aura, Ares lurches forward, Xanders irises bleeding into black. His tone was primal and so incredibly arousing. “Mate?” Before I can prepare, my new wolf is taking over, a name falling out of my mouth that makes him smile tenderly. “Alicia” tumbling out into the air like an animalistic grumble. The ache beginning in my limbs, and if it’s anything like my shift with Viola, it’s going to be a long, agonizing night. “Absolutely beautiful,” Ares whispers, his touch on my face soothing for a second before she tries to push forward, so eager to meet him. “Alicia, Goddess of Wildflowers.” His term of endearment is all it takes to send her into overdrive. Her desires clamp down on me, making mine irrelevant, the strength of her much stronger than I or Viola. My back bending backward. Her impatience has her forcing the shift before the moon hits its
NORA POV FIVE MONTHS LATER- A MONTH AFTER OCTAVIUS’ BIRTH “Xander, stop!” I look upward at the right moment, praying to the Goddesses I did, when I see where he is holding the scissors, ready to cut out a chunk of my hair. I could have had paid a professional to come remove my braids, or gone to a salon, but the whole idea of leaving my den or having a stranger inside makes me anxious. “What? What am I doing wrong?” He pauses, looking absolutely disheveled. Octavius proudly strapped to his chest. The man wears him everywhere and hates parting with him. “Look at my hair. Can you see where the feed in starts?” I take the strand from his hands, showing him the difference. “See, this part is where my real hair is, and this lower part is where the fake hair is braided in.” His brows furrow, and his mouth tightens in concentration, sweat forming on his forehead. “Ummm… I am sorry, I just know how much you love your hair and I’d never forgive myself….I want to help you, and I don’t…” He
CHARITY POV Paramore blares through the speakers of my stereo, my head resting against my favorite fuzzy pillow. I try to stop my thoughts from wandering to where they shouldn’t. To who they shouldn’t. A growl of frustration leaving my lips as Summer, my meddlesome wolf, pushes their faces into my mind. She feels no shame about wanting Matt and Fletcher equally. The idea puritanically sinful and thrilling. Wrong. Wrong. So very wrong. People don’t have two mates, and people shouldn’t want more than one. Maybe I am defective? What’s wrong that I cannot pick one and accept my choices? But the thought of not having the other makes me sick. My heart physically aches when I try to imagine the possibility. How selfish am I? They’re both waiting around for me to decide. To choose between them, how the hell am I supposed to do that? ‘We don’t,’ Summer drones on for the millionth time. ‘Making them share me isn’t fair, Summer!’ The argument flowing like a memorized script. ‘They need to fo
XANDER POV“And we have to have this talk here? Now?” I cringe, looking around the room, filled with people who shouldn’t be a part of this conversation. Damon, Elle, Theo, and Andrew sitting along one side, while Camilla and two others sit in another.“Yes,” she coughs, shuffling nervously, “it has to do with them, too.”“How?” I roar. The fury burst forth like a cannon, spewing her with vitriol. “How does you leaving me behind as a boy have anything to do with them?”“Xander, please,” Camilla sighs, looking around the room. “This goes beyond the both of us. Please sit.”“No, I don’t have or want to listen to your lies and excuses,” I scoff, “or did you not notice we did not invite you to our ceremony?”“You told me she couldn’t come,” an accusatory voice comes from beside me, and my anger is suddenly drowning in ice water. “Xander…”Meeting the narrowed pupils of my mate, I gulp, knowing I have just landed myself in a pile of shit. “I lied, and I am sorry, but she didn’t deserve to
XANDER POV “Well, don’t you look like a Dapper Dan,” a teasing voice comes from behind, and for the first time in days I relax. Turning, I grin at my Beta, happy to have him home. “I thought you would not make it back in time.” I walk up, hugging him in his lavender suit. My own a paler, dusty purple. Charity picked the color specifically because it matches Nora’s dress. The young Gamma has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off over the last few days. The five foot five general running the rest of us into the ground, except for my beautiful Wildflower. Elle and Charity taking as much off her plate as they can so they can rest with the pregnancy. “Sorry, I couldn’t make it back for Theo and Andrew’s ceremony,” he sighs, his body tensing, telling me the detour errand I sent him on proved fruitless. The Beta’s ceremony was a day and a half ago, and Fletcher was the only one in our close circle not present. “But heaven and hell would not stop me from being here for
THEO POV Cerberus gushes as I smooth out the jacket of the dark blue suit I have chosen for Andrew and I’s ceremony. Looking myself over in the mirror, I adjust the emerald green tie and the flower in my pocket. “Your mother would be proud of the man you’ve grown to be.” I meet my father’s gaze, surprised by his sudden appearance. Rolling next to me, he holds a box in his hands, tears and sniffles escaping as he looks me over. “I miss her,” I sigh, wishing she was here to enjoy this moment. “I do too,” he smiles faintly, recalling a memory. “Every damn day.” “Dad,” I say, not sure how to broach the subject, but I think it’s time we talk about the elephant in the room. “I don’t think mom would have wanted you to stay single forever…” My mind flashes to Camilla, the middle-aged brunette who seemed to know my dad better than she let on. “She was my mate, son,” his words lashing out like a silver laced whip. “And you want me to just forget her like she never existed?” He scoffs, pain
NORA POV “Holy shit, they’re glowing,” Andrew says, breaking the silence of the room. “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” Xander growls, not in the mood for the nonsense. “What does it mean?” “That I cannot answer,” Elle breaks into the conversation, stepping forward to look me over with her mismatched eyes. “But I think our marks are a clue.” She pulls back her collar, revealing a triple moon with two paws sitting in the full moon, and three stars sitting in the far right corner. “Theirs too,” she points to Andrew and Theo, but her focus doesn’t move from me, her stare fixed. Avoiding the questions, I am sure she has. I wander to Theo, who beams with pride as he reveals the tattoo like mark on his collarbone. “It’s beautiful.” I remark, looking between the pair, but don’t comment on how it’s not the typical mark meant for a Beta. “That’s not the mark a pack Beta gets, ” Xander says, peering down from behind my back. “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” Andrew returns, making Damon snort in amusem