Hey Rebels, I really appreciate the grace and patience of all you wonderful humans while I resolve a family emergency. Did this chapter make you spiral? If yes, don't forget to join the discussion in Emma's Little Rebels. Don't worry there are even more atomic bombs to drop in tomorrow's 2nd Xander Chapter. Thank you for the likes, gems, comments, and reviews, I appreciate you lovely humans for it all! XOXO Emma Taylor
XANDER POVFLASHBACKTHE MORNING OF NORA’S ARRIVAL IN SILVER RUNI’ve been pacing wildly since early this morning, waking in a cold sweat, and a burning that made me want to claw out my heart. The pain was barely manageable, breathing felt impossible.It’s been days, and I swear I am going insane with anxiety….I wanted to follow her, but I couldn’t risk it. Ares hasn’t talked to me, angry with my choices, but these people chose me to lead them.My collective is small, of sixty members, but they are family and I have a responsibility to protect them. While we are acclimating to living in Silver Run, we are still rogues among pack wolves. Some of which are not okay with the decision. Until Damon and Elle return is not safe to leave everyone alone without an Alpha around.‘And Nora is not safe without us around,’ Ares reminds me. ‘You're lucky she is coming back into the territory.’‘For Theo,’ I mutter with an eye roll. His interest in her is a blatant lie, a coverup to hide his actual r
NORA POV PRESENT TIME— MONDAY MORNING- DATE DAY The alarm doesn’t need to buzz for my limbs to spring from the bed like an energizer bunny. A type of joy bubbling in my heart that I haven’t felt in a long time….Maybe since my parents have been alive. Yesterday was agonizing. Even one day without Xander felt like a century. It slightly worries me I am falling this hard and fast for a man I barely know, a man that has secrets, a man who has a temper. I know I shouldn’t, but it’s too late. I thank the Goddess Elle had the forethought to bring my hairstylist here. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as Saturday night was supposed to be a wash night, which I usually I do, and instead I could relax while daydreaming about a certain Alpha. It couldn’t have been better with our first date tonight around the corner. Looking at the clock, I notice that it’s only six am. Letting my feet wander into the bathroom, bumbling as I search for the light. Flicking it on, my eyes blinking rap
NORA POVMy heels pace the carpeted floor, my eyes glancing at the clock for the fifth million time tonight. A silent prayer going to the Goddess when it reads 8:26 pm. Finally. Stopping, I look over myself in the full-length mirror. I don’t know if Xander picked out my outfit, or left this responsibility to Elle and Charity, but whoever chose this dress has immaculate taste. Smoothing down the pale purple satin dress with a scooped neckline, some of the fabric pooling at my chest. Pivoting to the side, I double check the low back, ensuring that none of the straps have twisted awkwardly.Simple white satin heels rest on my feet, and faux silver jewelry rests against my skin. Leaning in closer, I confirm that all of my make-up has been blended, ensuring I haven’t missed a spot. I kept things simple, with contour, neutral eyeshadows, and wings that would make AJ Crimson proud. To complete the look, I kept my lips a nude color, topping it with a nice glossy sheen.Staying with the theme,
NORA POV As if my words were the key to unlock a beast within, forcing the self-control he held onto to slither away. His eyes darken to the deepest onyx. Sitting on his heels, he slowly removes his jacket, his eyes locked on mine while goosebumps form along my skin. Sitting up, I kneel in front of him, my fingers closing around the knot of his tie, loosening it until I can pull it over his head. Without trepidation, my hands working quickly as I undo the buttons, savoring the feel of his chest underneath my palm. Xander’s eyes haven’t left me for a second, and I swear the longer he watches me, the more my heart does backflips. Knowing the effect he has on my body, he covers it with light touches, igniting a firestorm of electricity within. Goddess, it’s hard to concentrate with him so close. I cannot even imagine the delirium I would experience if I could smell his scent, too. Finishing with the buttons, I push the shirt off his shoulders before letting my fingers dance against hi
THEO POVMONDAY AFTERNOON- DATE DAY-PRESENT TIMETapping my phone screen, I find it devoid of messages, still. My foot tapping anxiously against the floor as I try to return my attention to the never ending pile of pack paperwork. It’s been two days..why hasn’t texted me? It’s been two days since the paintball game and our moment in the woods…I knew I shouldn’t have engaged in his bullshit…Goddess; I shake my head, trying to clear the negative thoughts forcing their way inside. Looking at the stack sitting in front of me, I can only imagine that Drew has the same kind on his desk. Although New Moon is a much smaller pack… I divert returning to the cynical.‘New Moon is also moving an entire pack,’ Cerberus reminds me, always quick to come to Drew’s defense.‘He could still text us,’ I grumble back, tired of his logical thinking and quick remarks.‘You haven’t texted him either,’ he retorts with a snap, missing Demitri as much as I miss Drew…I swear each day gets more agonizing than th
ANDREW POVI swear my heart is going to explode from anxiety as I look around the room of silent adults. My words sitting in the air between us for what seems like an eternity as they register my confession. Theo’s hand hasn’t left mine, sending me a subtle squeeze of support and encouragement.On the verge of running from the room and their disappointment. The only thing stopping me is the smiles beginning to creep over their lips. Moving my eyes to my mom, she has tears in her eyes, as she rushes from her chair into our arms. Grabbing us both in a giant hug, her simple tears turning to sobs of happiness I can barely understand.Glancing at my father, he sends me a wink, turning to Simon. “I think it’s time to celebrate with some champagne.”“Wait…” I stumble, confused by their reactions. They’re taking the news better than I did. “Did you guys know?” I ask, my mother’s arms still wrapped around me.My question has laughter filling the room as my mom unwinds her arms from us. “We love
XANDER POVPRESENT TIME- NORA’S BEDROOMAs I scroll through the dozens of messages in Nora’s phone, the higher my blood boils, it’s going to melt me from the inside. I am doing my best to hold on to my sanity, to not slip into the darkest parts of myself. Those areas I keep in the shadows, the parts I reserve for my work, not for her.The demon waiting inside, pacing in his cage, urging to have the reigns. But he comprises all the things I hate about myself. Those characteristics that remind me so much of my father, the side I had to create to survive in his house. I have always found a healthy way to exercise him, so that the urges don’t happen in situations like this. Around her. Never around Nora.“Xander?” her soft voice breaks through the growls of my inner demons, tingles sparking across my chest as she buries her face in my chest. The cage lowering as breath returns to my lungs. Her touch calming the inner turmoil raging within. “Are you okay?”Inhaling deeply, I let her lavende
NORA POV“Are you high?” I exclaim, shoving the shirt over my head, “that’s the only thing that can explain why you think this is a good idea!” I whisper, yell as I shove my legs into the underwear he handed me.“I don’t do that,” he says with a shrug, continuing to rummage through my drawers. Annoyed by his continued need to lie to me, I grab behind me for the fuzzy purple pillow and launch it at the back of his head.“Hey!” He says, turning to face me, and I storm up to him, a fire inside me I haven’t felt in a long time. Stomping towards him, I shove my finger into his chest, craning my neck to look up at his towering figure.“Stop lying to me, Xander!” I say, my voice firm, my stare hard, my face all business. “I thought we established I want YOU! All of you, the good, the bad, and the in between. But I swear to the Goddess if you keep lying to me, this is over!”My definitive statements have a growl escaping his lips, but I am having none of it. “I put everything out there, and I
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