Hey Rebels, Thanks for reading and the gems! Only a few chapters away until a time jump and Charity returns home then more shit goes down. XOXO Emma Taylor
CHARITY POVCrisp night air prickles my skin, while autumn leaves crunch underneath my feet. The moon is high, with the pack gathered to watch my friend’s first shift.Electricity dances in the air, the power rolling around the field is intoxicating, and makes a person weak in the knees. Sweat coats my brow and forehead as awareness dawns.Standing with the others in the semi-circle, my gaze meets the Alpha family, surrounding my best friend, an Omega named Elle. The entire arena is quiet, even the crickets are silent. My blood rushing through my veins is the only noise I hear while my head throbs.A cry of agony cuts through, and I watch as my friend drops to the ground. Her body convulsing awkwardly as her bones break and reform. A golden cloud hangs above, beckoning to me, calling to the primal beast locked within.The longer I stare at the fog, the more intense the pounding becomes. As if the primal beast within is trying to break free. Through blurry eyes, I stare ahead at my fri
CHARITY POVDespite being dead tired, my endurance doesn’t falter while through the forest. Not even when the leaves and branches whip along my face, or stick to my blonde hair.My attempts to call Summer forward are useless. The night’s events have left her unresponsive, which is just my luck. I am officially late and screwed. Great first impression to make as a new Gamma.Turning to the left, I find the trail that leads home, my house near the forest’s edge. Pushing myself harder, I finally break through the line and into my backyard. Taking the stairs two at a time, I climb the deck, barely breathing as I push open the door.“Mom!” I call, praying to the Goddess she isn’t home to give me a lecture. “Dad!” Relief flooding through me when no one utters a peep. I can deal with their commentary later. I have more important places to be.Running up the stairs, I hurry with the cleaning process, trying to get myself in a presentable state, while I scramble frantically through the house,
CHARITY POVIt’s another early morning, and Alpha Elle has us trudging through the woods to meet with the Rogues. “I don’t understand why we can’t just coordinate through emails or something?”We stop in the clearing Alpha Xander, and his Beta Fletcher gave us the coordinates to. Elle remains silent, walking in a wide circle, her attention elsewhere.“I didn’t think you’d be such a snob,” Theo’s words slap me, making me reel from his words. My gaze meeting his before flashing away. Guilt rising in my stomach like bile as the truth abuses my conscious.My issues may have started with their rogue status, but it quickly became about avoiding Fletcher and the visceral reaction I have to his presence. I shouldn’t be feeling this way about him when I feel the way I do for Matt. It’s wrong.Instead of responding, I follow Elle’s lead, my attention on the forest instead. My eyes scanning through the brush, head tilting, listening for the wildlife, except it’s silent. Dead silent, not even the
FLETCHER POVI rest against the pillow, one hand behind my head while the other raises the joint to my lips. Inhaling the smoke, my body relaxes while my imagination wanders to the petite blonde who has captivated my soul.There isn’t a moment, awake or asleep, where I am not thinking about her, her saucy personality, or the way her eyes sparkle with mischief. Goddess, I cannot wait to kiss those smart ass comments from her lips, while relishing in her sweet and spicy taste.Or that’s how I imagine it’ll be, based on her scent. It’s unique, distinctive, and leaves a person wanting more. It reminds me of cherries that are coated in cinnamon, with the spiciness of whiskey.The aroma is intoxicating, alluring, lethal, and sweet just like the owner. A fireball of energy and perfection, who already has Mars, my wolf, wrapped around her pinky finger. All the little vixen would have to do is say “jump,” and he’d ask “how high.”The sounds of the other rogues fill the night air as they party
MATT POV “Matt?” She asks, jumping out of her skin, as she stands in the middle of her walkway, hand clutching her chest. “What are you doing here?” “The better question is,” I stomp down the steps, the anger brewing to boiling point. “Why the fuck are you coming home so late? And don’t use Elle as an excuse. I know training doesn’t start for another twenty minutes. So where the fuck have you been?” Her blue eyes widen as she nibbles on her lower lips, but I don’t miss the way she avoids my gaze. A lapse in judgement has a pang of regret poking my heart. But it doesn’t last long when I see the inner struggle behind her pupils. She wants to lie, but doesn’t know how or what to say. “I couldn’t sleep,” she responds, eventually. Her fingers twirling her hair like it does when she’s nervous. “So, I have just been walking around trying to clear my head.” “Alone?” I deadpan, not believing her words or the truth behind them. No, she is definitely hiding more from me. “In the middle of th
CHARITY POVI shuffle awkwardly, while my heart drops to my stomach, making me queasy as I watch him back away, giving me leeway to exit, to escape this torture. Of wanting to be right next to him, but needing to keep my distance.Forcing my feet to move, I walk past, a fresh wave of guilt drowning me, knowing there are more reasons I denied him. Well, one specific reason. Or rather, a specific person. Fletcher. I’ve only known him a short time, but I cannot deny the magnetic pull I have to him.As much as I don’t want to be attracted to him, I am. It’s not fair to Matt or Fletcher to start something up when I feel so…lost. I don’t know what to do from one minute to the next. Life is spinning out of control and It’s just better if I cut this off now, before one ends up heartbroken.Climbing the stairs, I refuse to look back, regardless of how heated his stare is on my skin. Unlocking the front door, I hurry inside, leaving him to stare at me from the sidewalk.The moment the lock clic
CHARITY POVTwo days have passed since my mother’s enlightening revelations, where they’ve had the chance to fester and grow into a smoldering fury. Thankfully, I have been too busy preparing for the ball on Saturday to deal with any of it.“Charity?” Elle says, her stare hot and inquisitive. “You ready?”“Yeah..” I shake my head, remembering where I am, squaring my shoulders as I attempt to center myself, but it seems impossible, until Theo steps onto the training mat. He walks to the other side of the circle before turning to raise his arms in defense.The second my foot crosses the barrier into the fight zone, it’s like I transform into a different person. Each of my five senses are at hundred percent as I focus on my target, the beta.Elle stands on the sidelines, watching intently to give tips and pointers when necessary. Her plan to retake Silver Run begins the day after tomorrow, at the New Moon ball honoring their son, the alpha heir. The second the word “begin” is said it’s l
CHARITY POV Nerves pierce my heart and gut, sitting in the chair, as the DJ settles the crowd for the beginning festivities. Today is the day. The ball is in full swing, and it’s not the plans for afterward that terrify me, it’s this. Now. Girls from the surrounding packs fill the event space, praying to the Goddess they’re destined to be New Moon’s Luna, or high-ranking females. My palms are sweaty, as the dj introduces of age males from other packs. They descend the stairs, weaving through the crowd, hoping to find their other half. The New Moon’s members will be introduced last, and the closer we get the more I panic. I know if Matt finds his soul mate, it’d solve half of my problems, but I cannot pretend it wouldn’t break me too. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” the dj says over the speaker, “may I introduce the Gamma of New Moon, Matt Simmons.” My heart stops as the double doors at the top of the staircase opens to reveal Matt. My mouth dropping slightly, as I stare at him in his ligh
CHARITY POV It’s happening! They’re finally here! In Scotland! Elle and Nora, and the small piece of home they bring. My family. They landed a few hours ago, and are minutes from the school. “Are they bringing your boyfriends, little wolf?” Arran asks, his brows waggling while the others go ‘ooooh,’ and ‘aw.’ These idiots have kind of taken the role of acting like my big brothers, but “Shut up, Arran.” Scowling in his direction, while he grins cheekily. “They’re not my boyfriends.” The month has flown by, and missing them has gotten easier but it doesn’t mean I don’t feel the slight sting when I’m reminded they’re not mine. “With the way you talk about them, you’d think they are.” Harris, a gamma, says in a singsong voice, barely glancing up from his magazine, lounging in an oversized leather chair. “Kind of hard to be dating when I live half-way across the world, and they can find their mates.” I growl, hating when they ask about my boys. Mine. Maybe? Probably not. “Have faith,
NORA POV My brush glides along the wall, the moon and a small lamp is my only light. Inspiration strikes at the oddest times, even when you’re supposed to be sleeping before your red eye flight to Scotland. But the scene, appeared, the perfect mural for our son’s room, demanding to be painted. So here I am, at ten p.m, kneeling in front of the nursery wall, lost in the way the paint glides to form a picture. “Nora.” Xander’s alpha voice snaps me from my trance. My nose scrunching at his tone, because he’s mad. “Why aren’t you in bed?” “Why aren’t you?” I quip, throwing a cheeky grin over my shoulder, to find him stony faced, and arms crossed. He wears his “I mean business, I’m the alpha face.” like a seasoned vet, but it only makes me giggle. “Oh, scary alpha face. I must be bad.” “Goddess, help me.” He mutters rubbing his hand over his face, exasperated by my teasing. “You need sleep, Wildflower. You’re pregnant and we leave for Scotland in three hours.” “Xander,” I shake my head
MATT POVThe cold winter air whips across my face, biting at my skin, but I don’t mind. After the stress of the past few days, it refreshing to be away from it all. Fletcher’s got Enzo, showing Stephan how to use the baby wearing device we brought for my sister. My parents stand in the corner, cooing over their grandsons.“He’s not so terrible, you know?” Melanie’s voice breaks through the whooshing wind. Her shoulder bumps into mine, as she stands next to me at the railing. “The rogue.”She holds out her hand, offering me one of the beer bottles she brought along with her. “No, he really isn’t terrible.” I smile, recalling the first time I met him, and all I wanted was to push him off a cliff.“Oh, you used to hate him!” She teases, her laugh ringing into the night. "Didn’t you?”“So damn much.” I shake, dropping my arm around her shoulders, tugging her close for a side hug. “I’ve missed you, Mel. How is the mated life?”She sighs, wearing a blissful smile and a dreamy look in her ey
ELLE POVI pace, my bare feet pads along the bathroom tile, my stomach twisting violently while we wait. Damon leans against the counter, his eyes on me, watching as I walk back and forth. These two minutes are the longest of my life, the numbers on the timer are counting down at a snail’s pace.“Biscuit,” Damon murmurs, using his nickname for me. His arms reach out, halting my journey, stopping me in my tracks. “You’ll burn holes in the floor if you keep doing that.”He pulls me into his chest, his smell and warmth wrapping around me like a blanket, a shield from the disappointment I’m sure will come. His hand weaves through mine, his other caressing my back. We stand, not moving for what feels like an eternity, enjoying the comfort from the embrace.The sing-song ringtone blares, telling us it’s time, he doesn’t turn it off, letting the noise echo through the room. His fingers caress my cheek, the sparks more potent than ever, growing stronger every day. He tilts my chin upward so t
FLETCHER POV Matt’s music plays through the speakers as the car rolls through the mountains. His voice singing along to the tunes, while Enzo is asleep in the back seat. “We’re almost there.” I interrupt, growing more uncomfortable the closer we get to the Blue Ridge territory. “You should probably drop me off outside the gates.” “No.” He growls, his face turning to me, forgetting the road or that he’s driving on windy roads. “You are family now, and my family needs to get used to that.” “Yeah,” I groan, not liking the idea of being the sole rogue at an unknown pack, where the alpha is an unknown entity. “But it’s still risky to just show up without warning. I’ll be dead before you have the chance to explain. Most pack wolves kill rogues first and ask questions later.” He remains silent, thinking it over before nodding, understanding my side of things. He leans over, grabbing his phone from the center console. “Here.” He hands it to me, “unlock it, and search for “twin” in my cont
MATT POV“Let’s see what you got, Ezra.” I taunt from the center of the ring.“I don’t know why you sound so cocky.” He returns, stepping over the line, and into the center. “I’m the alpha in this fight.”“Then you have nothing to fear.” My shoulders raise in a shrug, arms up, preparing for the fight. He smirks, throwing a glance at his brothers and sisters, who watch from the sidelines. Anticipation clings to the atmosphere, the little monsters whispering from the sidelines, all of them betting on their brother. An alpha. No wonder he’s such a pompous jackass.Unlike other families, each child has a different rank, a rarity among our kind. Ezra, is a confirmed alpha, his twin, Emerson, a beta. Dakota, who has also shifted is a Beta. Everyone else is too young or hasn’t shifted yet to know for certain.Snow falls in heavy sheets, covering the glass dome shielding us from the wetness. Ezra doesn’t wait, launching himself, and I sidestep, keeping my movements frantic and unpredictable.
CHARITY POV “A fucking dragon?!” I squeal, stumbling backwards, tripping over the rug, gravity pulling me downward. “Ow!” My ass lands on the concrete floor, my palms catching me. My neck strains, my head tilted backward, staring at Chrys in awe. Her gold scales shimmering in the firelight, like she’s been covered in glitter. Her gold eyes pierce into my soul, the honey colored flecks, particularly hypnotizing. “You’re breathtaking.” I whisper, unable to look away, shocked by the beauty of her. “Thank you.” Her voice sings through my conscious reminding me she can do that. She nods, sitting back in her hindquarters, amusement in the smirk above her chin. “I didn’t think Dragons existed outside of fairytales.” I whisper, picking myself off the floor, standing until we are at eye level. “We don’t. Not anymore.” She responds, misery and pain lingering in her statements. “Not on this realm at least.” “So, they used to live here?” I ask, my fingers itch to reach out and touch her, but
MATT POV“They’ll come for him.” The pervasive thought invading my mind like a cannonball. “The council, other alphas, witches. They will all come for him and won’t stop.”“Have you told your parents yet?” Aurora responds, not afraid to hit with the hard questions.“No.” Guilt riddles me, keeping this secret from them, not running to them when Enzo entered my life. “I’m not sure it’s safe to tell them anything until things calm down.”“Until you have a handle on the power surges?” Roman asks, cutting into the conversation. Goddess. This family is one massive think tank, bouncing off each other without hesitation. Do they share everything? Like Andrew’s family?“And how the hell do I do that?” I word vomit, pushing the empty beer bottle between my knees, my arms waving around like a maniac. They must think real highly of me. “It’s not like I’m able to call a witch up and ask for help.”Aurora throws Fletcher a look, a private conversation happening between them in a matter of seconds.
FLETCHER POV “He is precious, isn’t he?” My mom coos, looking over my shoulder as I feed Enzo his bottle. Matt is still outside, talking with my dad, Roman. “He is.” Burden makes my chest heavy, as I stare at the bundle in my arms. “Mom, I need to talk to you about something.” She pauses, glancing up at me with concern. “What’s wrong, honey?” “It’s about Enzo.” I whisper, knowing there are too many ears in this house, with their damn wolf hearing. “Where are the twins?” “Brynn and Briar are napping.” She answers, sitting on the couch across from me. “Chase and Cooper are in their shed, building some wacky invention or another. I swear, those two will unintentionally blow something up one day with their science projects.” “Should we worry about the human feds busting down our door?” “Oh, please don’t put that energy into the hair.” My father, Atlas, answers, his chuckle dry with little energy. “What about the older twins?” I fret, not needing them to overhear what I am about to