CHARITY POV Dead bodies surround me, while the blood of others stick to my skin, along with sweat and dirt. The warm wetness disturbing and… No, I don’t want to think about it more. A wet nose caresses my fingertips before sparking flames race up my arms, and throughout my limbs. “Hello, Fletcher,” I whisper, knowing he’ll be able to hear. It’s like my hands have a mind of their own as I scratch behind his ears. “Thank you,” I say, softly, feeling a little more than guilty about the way I have treated him the past few days. I have been feeling the emotion so much that you’d think it wouldn’t shock me anymore, but it does. “You didn’t have to protect me the whole time you know?” The wolf growls in protest at my statement, but sits obviously enjoying my touch. I know I should act icy to him, but I can’t help but soften towards the beautiful creature before me. “Charity,” Elle calls, forcing me to drop my hand and step back from Fletcher’s wolf who pins her with a glare. “Go shift, F
CHARITY POVI unlock the door to my house, grateful to find it silent, with no parents to welcome me home. Not that I have the energy to talk to them about my last few days, or today. Everything is blurring together, that I don’t realize my feet have carried me upstairs to the shower.I strip naked, tossing the clothes in a pile, deciding in that moment I’d rather burn them. The memories that will resurface when I look at them isn’t what I need. Definitely not.Stepping over the bathtub, I let the scalding water burn my skin clean. I stay underneath the showerhead long after I have scrubbed my body raw. The water turning into an icy shock, but it doesn’t stop me from pouring more soap onto my loofah. I only want to rid myself of the blood stains I see whenever I look at my hands.The repetitive ring of the doorbell makes me turn the water off, not caring if all the soap is gone. Wrapping myself in one of my fuzzy pink towels, I hurry back down the steps. The exhaustion must be messing
FLETCHER POVI walk further into the forest, counting my steps until I am far enough away that I can loop back to Charity’s without Matt noticing. I really want to hate him, but I can’t and it’s the most frustrating thing.If he was any other male, I would have killed him already for daring to touch her, but apparently that’s impossible now. It was so much easier to dislike him when I didn’t know who or what he is.“Even if you didn’t know what he was,” Mars reminds me, like annoying little now. “The consequences would have been the same. We can’t change what he is. Hurting him only hurts our Fireball, and we could never do that. She’ll only burn brighter with both of us at her side.”“I know,” I growl, arguing with the creature who lives within. “But it’d be so much easier without him around and way less complicated for all of us.”“Who cares?” he snaps, the wolf growing tired of my complaints. “Be patient and let them get used to the idea of what our future will hold.”“At least we
CHARITY POV It’s been days since Fletcher left, and the hole in my heart only grows. I am not sure avoiding Matt is helping matters. Having him so close and yet feeling emotionally distant is debilitating. Times were much easier when I never had both guys in the same place, but now that I have, I cannot imagine us any other way. It’s selfish, I know, but it’s impossible to avoid. Both men have burrowed their way into my soul, and I don’t think life will be possible without them in it. My confusion makes me want to bang my head against the wall. They’re going to expect a decision eventually, for me to pick one over the other, and I won’t be able to do it. “You’re going to burn a hole in the carpet,” Matt jokes, startling me. Nearly jumping from my skin, I turn to find him on the other side of the screen door that separates the sun porch from the outside. “Goddess, you scared me,” I breathe, clutching my chest. I stop my repetitive journey to let him inside. “You looked lost in tho
MATT POV I’ve been on a virtual cloud for the last few days. Even being in Silver Run without Charity hasn’t dampened my mood, and knowing she comes back in two days makes it that much sweeter. A knock on my door breaks through the music blaring through the speakers, as Andrew peaks his head in. “Moving truck is here,” he yells, over the lyrics of Dance Gavin Dance. “For Goddess sakes, can you turn it off?” He barges inside, walking to where the stereo sits on the floor, flicking the switch off. “I love that song.” He growls, “but if I have to hear it blasted through the walls for one more second, I will break the stereo and then you.” I smirk at his attitude, knowing it has nothing to do with me but the fact that Theo won’t give him the time of day. “Don’t piss on my parade just because things aren’t working out for you.” “I don’t need to piss on your parade,” he snaps, enjoying the way my face falls. “Fletcher will do it for you. He’s been weirdly absent, but we both know the se
CHARITY POVI throw my bag down, taking in my new room. The walls are bare, and boxes sit in the corner. Each labeled with its contents, the walls are bare, dying for my artistic aesthetic. My white bed covers not having the same effect in this bland space.Not having the time to organize, I kneel, taking things from the backpack, and placing them on the desk. Once the bag is empty, I find the box labels’ shoes. Tearing it open, I reach in, grabbing strappy white heels. I set them aside, looking for the cardboard holding my dresses. Ripping the tape off, I dig through the pile until I find the light pink off shoulder dress.The sleeves having a slight poof with a sweetheart neckline. It hugs the waist until flaring outward. The kind of dress that a woman deserves to twirl in, regardless of her age. Folding it neatly, I place it beside the shoes before digging through the rest for my makeup.Once all my items are placed in my bag, I exit, going down the hall. I’d rather get ready with
FLETCHER POV I watch helplessly as Matt walks out the door with Charity, Mars whining, begging me to join them. I turn to Xander, wanting to know when we’ll be leaving, only to find him staring at Nora. The way he stares, it’s like she is the earth, sun, moon, and stars to him. It’s a facial expression I know well, because it’s the same way I look at Fireball. Knowing I won’t be missed, I cough abruptly, interrupting the conversation happening. “I’m gonna go,” comes out in a rush, knowing the longer I wait, the less likely I am to catch up to the others. I don’t wait for responses, instead heading straight for the exit. The door barely clicks close before my nose is in the air, tracking down their scents and speed walking to get closer. It doesn’t take long for my feet and long strides to catch them, especially with their leisurely stroll. I keep my steps light and airy, so that neither hears me behind them. Thankful that Xander made us wear our scent blocking bracelets, I thought h
CHARITY POV The cool night air glides through my fur, the moonlight shining on my back, as my paws dig into the cool night earth. Summer follows Mars easily, sticking close to his side even as he turns suddenly. The way we run reminds me of two sled dogs tied together. We break through the tree line, into a large field, but Fletcher doesn’t stop, running across to the other side of the forest. The longer we run, the more I wonder if he really had anything to show me, or if he just wanted a reason to distract me. To spend time with me. Goddess, I really don’t see what these men see in me. Why are they so focused on me when there are tons of she-wolves who would adore their attentions. But damnit, so do I and as unfair as it sounds, the thought of other girls looking at them makes me want to claw their eyes out. I have no right to act like a jealous girlfriend, when I am not, to either of them. Mars begins slowing, so I do too, until the pair of us come to a stop. He drops he clothes
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