Ava - Five Years AgoI’m driving back through the forest to the Silver Stream Village. Until I decided to live in College Dorms, it was the only home I had ever known. Daddy, Alpha Pete has always kept a tight grip on his Pack. Even after our Mom died, there has been no stopping him or slowing him down. He’s built Silver Stream up from a small collection of Wolves, to a powerful territory. I feel sick, and it’s not just the nerves that are twisting through my body. I pull up outside the Pack House, the long log Cabin where Bella’s wedding took place a little over a month ago. I haven't been back since. I didn’t want to see Ryan, or Josh or even my Sister, Bella. I wanted to hide. To stay away until my heart healed from their betrayal. Until I could push away the memories of the handsome stranger. It all comes back the minute I switch off the engine. I’m gripping the steering wheel, head bent against my hands. I can’t do this. I can’t do it. I want to scream. I want to cry. I’m de
Ava Five Years Ago‘Say it again!’ It’s Zac that snaps at me as I drop onto my knees before him. I scramble upright, Josh is beside me, trying to help but I push him away. I don’t want to be touched. I don’t want to be touched by him. When did he last fuck my Sister? My twin? My married Sister. I look at my boyfriend with red-ringed eyes and back away, scrambling towards the door. I turn to face them, fighting for composure and some strength.‘Ava!’ My father’s voice thunders through the room, his Alpha energy radiating through the space and it’s all I can do to stay standing. The whole pack house must be able to hear. My cheeks are burning, ears ringing. It feels like they’re bleeding they’re so hot and sore. I grip my hands into fists, pressing so hard that the nails cut into my skin. Trying to centre myself.‘I’m pregnant,’ I gasp and look between the three men. What had I hoped for? Some sliver of compassion? Some understanding? I’m only twenty one. I’ve made a mistake. I was dr
Ava Five Years Ago I don’t remember leaving the pack house behind. I don’t remember driving away from the village of Silver Stream. I just remember the pain. I made it back to my dorm room on campus and buried myself under the blankets. I cried, clutching my chest as the pain of their rejection was felt, over and over. Finally, I felt numb. As though they couldn’t hurt me anymore. There was no one left to reject me under the Moon Goddess. I was alone. A Rogue. Seren was in agony and we comforted each other. We survived. A week later there were my final exams and I changed medical school. I’d intended to stay close to home, to Silver Stream for my family, my Pack and my boyfriend. But I knew it was better to get away. To leave my life behind and move on. I switched out to a Medical School in a small city on the Western side of the country, there was a lot of dense forest and high mountains that reminded me of home. No one would find me here. No one could track me so far away. I
Ava - Winter‘Will you stop fussing over me?’ The sharp tone’s of an elderly woman broke through the busy emergency room.I’m lent over the nurses station, coffee in one hand, pen in the other as she worked through the forms of my last patient, Mr Foster. I’m frowning at the form, tired after a nightshift, but just a few more months and my residency will be finished. Lou’s sat down beside me, fingers clicking with speed across her computer. Every now and then she peeks up over the edge of the station at the busy room, swears beneath her breath and gets back to work. It’s not often that we’re scheduled to work together, but whenever we are, it’s always busy. I’m quickly ticking boxes and scribbling notes, so that later when I need to complete the full paperwork, I can remember what happened, my diagnosis and the recommended treatment. I smother a yawn behind my hand and Lou jabs me in the side with a sharp finger.‘Your shift just ended, go home,’ she mutters and a few of the closest
I’m stretched out on the bed as Kylar moves over me. Every point in my body focused on the way he pushes between my thighs. I feel like I’m floating on clouds, with only the intensity of his touch to ground me. I turn my face into my captured arm, closing my eyes. Until he reaches up, forcing me to look at him as he moves.Goddess he’s like every fantasy I’ve been dreaming for the last five years. Only it’s so much better because I can touch him. I can taste his kiss upon my mouth. Feel the heat and weight of his body over mind in a way that a toy just can’t compare. Seren is in ecstasy, wrapped around his wolf. I never knew it could be like this.It’s fast sex, frantic and urgent as he leaves me breathless. Unable to make a single thought as he plays me like a fiddle. I’m fighting against release, slightly scared of the punishment that might follow. I’m swearing, cursing beneath my breath as I struggle before begging. I’ve never begged a man in my life, but I’m begging Kylar, plead
I follow Kylar down through the tree’s away from the medical centre. I know I need to keep an eye on the time, so that we don’t miss the delivery of medical equipment that needs installing, ready for the opening tomorrow. I follow the scent of fresh pancakes from the Pack House, my coffee in hand. But it’s the scent of Kylar that overwhelms me. I want to wrap myself in it. Want to indulge in my time with him. Last night was more than good, it was amazing. All the little day dreams and half-memories I’ve had about the time we had together, didn’t even come close to reality.There is an intensity that I feel with Kylar, even working alongside him for the last few days has seen my skin prickle with awareness. I’m quiet, unsure what to say, nervous about the man who spent the night in my bed. The Father of my children.He leads me down towards the lake where the apple blossoms are slowly spinning away on the clear water. The Pack is situated in the curve of a mountain, they look as th
He turns around so fast I think he’s falling over. Instead he reaches out and pulls me close, my coffee cup falls out of my hands, rolling down towards the water. But his hands are around me and I’m bending back. His lips press against mine, light and teasing before turning quickly rough.His hand is in my hand, the other smoothing down the curve of my spine as I’m pulled against his body. I’m breathless when he lets me go again and smirks down at me. ‘I’m glad you said that,’ he smiles and I shoot him a mock glare, before chasing after my coffee cup before it can reach the lake. He’s laughing as I scoot down the slope and snatch it up before it goes in. I shake off the damp grass before patting down my behind. Making my way back up to where he’s waiting. ‘So tonight?’ He lifts a brow, ‘you’ll go on a date with me?’ I nod slowly, hesitant. My boys were supposed to be home but I’ve already had a message from Lou begging for a final night to round out the week. I want my babies
I drive across town, feeling the flip of my insides again. I’m nervous and that’s crazy. Because in a lot of ways Kylar and I have moved beyond dating. We’ve had sex. We’ve had a lot of sex. I also feel that I have a good sense of who he is, day to day. We’ve been working together for the last week. He’s methodical, determined, driven. I wish that I wasn’t late, but Kayce woke up from a nightmare. I wanted to be there for him, to comfort him and settle him back down to sleep. I hate being late, and it adds to my nerves as I pull up at a strip mall a little way down from Sorrentino’s. I climb out of the car, picking up the little clutch purse that Lou has thrown at me. I was just going to bring my usual bag. A large, leather satchel that’s filled with everything I might need during the day with my twin boys. Instead, I have a little gold clutch and I’m fiddling with the chain strap that loops over my body. I can see Kylar standing outside the restaurant, and I’m glad that I let Lou
It was a rare moon that tied with the Winter Equinox and the Human celebration of Christmas. A tradition that I have always embraced for my children. Afterall, they spent their first years immersed in human culture. Yet Christmas Eve, with snow falling thick and fast through leafless trees, was when Kylar and I married. My residency was completed and felt as though it was part of a life I’d nearly forgotten. Between our children and the medical practice, I’ve been busy enough and can’t imagine fitting in any additional responsibilities. The sky was white with snow clouds but the trees were covered in fairy lights that twinkled in a gentle golden glow. I’m excited, butterflies filling my insides, as though I didn’t see him yesterday.I’m stood at the back of the pack house, in a beautiful satin dress that clings to all of my slender curves. I’ve styled my hair down in loose curls, just how he likes it. I should be nervous, but I’m not. The dress has a mermaid train that kicks out
The second morning of the trial turned out to be the last. Much to the relief of everyone within Midnight Forest, and I imagine Silver Stream as well. The sky was clear, but cloudy. A storm brewing on the horizon, black clouds swirling around the distant forest. A storm we sat within the centre of. The air heated and uneasy as we waited in a calm filled with fraught anticipation.I sat beside Kylar, trying not to pay too much attention to just how incredible he looked in a slate grey tailored suit and black shirt. I still can’t believe that he is mine, that he is my Mate. But despite how awful events have been, I am so incredibly happy to be beside him. With Kylar, I feel at home. With my children, I feel complete.We waited, sitting back among the rows of hundreds of Wolves. Kylar was sitting upright, scanning the tree line for any more trouble. Every now and then I would catch a glimpse or a sense of a Midnight Forest patrol. I knew that there were a lot of Pack members, because I
AvaI’m grateful, and very relieved when about an hour after he passes out, Kylar stirs. He sits up, blinking at me. Frowning, the top of his chest dotted with beads of sweat as his body fought off the nasty infection from the fangs of a werewolf. He stretches out and I sink onto the sofa beside him passing him a glass of fresh water to sip.‘How are you doing?’ I look him over, but it’s clear that the effect of the silver in his bloodstream has worn off. It really does affect us badly. I can understand why he tried so desperately to free Elsbeth from the magically imbued cage, but it wasn’t worth the toll on his body. But that’s my Mate, as wonderful and intelligent as he is. He often thinks with his heart instead of his head. I smooth his hair back as he drinks as though he’s dying of thirst. Technically he is, his body will be working on overdrive to restore the blood that was lost.‘Thirsty,’ he replies, voice gruff. ‘The Queen was here?’ He peers at me, heavy brows drawn toge
Without any more time to think, I’m thrown clear of the Star Bitten Brother. I skid over the dirt and I’m on my paws again. I let Sabre take control. The Brother might be huge and even a decent fighter, but he hasn’t made it his career to be a hunter and a killer.I’m on him again, aware that the second has been brought down by a pair of black wolves with silver streaks. I can hear the human, shrieking voice of Elsbeth, an irritation in the back of my mind as I snap at my foe. He twists, sinking his teeth into my leg but I’m on him. He’s hurt me more than anyone has managed in years, but I won’t make the same mistake twice. I lunge, catching hold of his neck again and snap. He drops, soundless beneath me. Dead to the ground and I land on top of him. I kick away at his body, putting distance between us before I morph back.Luca’ is wrestling with Elsbeth at the edge of the nearest Prison block set with silver. She’s in human form again and he’s changed back, trying to catch her ha
The King opens proceedings with a short speech before he and his wife take their seats on one side of the platform. My Father remains in the middle, waiting for hush to fall again before he asks for the first of the Rogue’s to be brought forward. There are nine elected elders from different Packs, representing different areas of the North America’s what will conduct the interviews of the Rogues, for everyone gathered to witness. Part of me hopes that this will be over in a day, but I know it’s more likely to take at least a week.Werewolf justice is often swift and brutal, but calling together a full conclave with royalty in attendance, always slows proceedings down. In reality, I find it hard to concentrate. I can see Ava watching my Father intently, and then as the gathered Elders take up their own seats on either side of our rulers. What she is either trying to ignore, or hasn’t noticed. Is that the Queen and the Goddess's representative among us, has not looked away from her,
Kylar There are more Wolves and Alpha’s in the Midnight Forest than I ever thought was possible. Our Village has always served as the main hub for the region and it has a decent number of guest houses in case of an event. Yet they’re all full, and so are the guest accommodations in each of the subsidiary villages. I haven’t had as much time as I, or Sabre would like to spend with our Mate over the past few days, or the twins. I feel like I’ve spent all my days driving or running through the territory to meet the Sub’s that head up the different villages. They’re Wolves that might be considered Beta’s. I know most of them as friends, something I’m grateful for.If something ever happened to Luca, I’d still have backup. Even better, is the organisation of our military strength. It’s why I always have such a good pick of skills to fill out my missions. I try to bring along someone from each Sub once a year. To make sure we’re all staying in contact.What it means, is that our command
I knew that the Village was going to get busy with the imminent trials of the Rogue’s. So, although I had a month of shifts to fit in at the Western Hospital, I rearranged my shifts to drag them out. It’s going to take me the better part of Autumn to finish my residency, but it’s worth it.This way, I’m also never away from my boys for more than one night at a time, something I’ve struggled with. Even knowing that Kylar is staying in our little house. I’m still caught with a thread of fear whenever I step out the door and leave them behind, with their Father. I introduced them to Kylar, properly as my boyfriend. They were over dramatic, playful, grossed out and found the idea that I had a special friend hilarious. Then Rowan wrapped his arms around me, possessive and wouldn’t let go. Until his brother started picking up his toys and he didn't want to share his latest tyrannosaurus rex.Yet once I had explained that Kylar really was their Father, the boys stared at him. I shared a
I feel complete in a way I find hard to explain. I stretch out on the bed, marvelling at the man before me. As though I could luxuriate in the view of him all night. I smile to myself, rueful. That really isn’t an option. Not with the twins due home after their movie night. I bit my bottom lip as he moves over me.I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck. I can hear his thoughts in my mind. They’re down right dirty enough to make me blush again. I’m giggling, because I’m happy. Strangely, deliriously happy to have been claimed by Kylar.You don’t think we have time to make love again? He teases me with his thoughts as he bends to kiss me again. Grazing his lips over mine in a gentle caress. Maybe my body temperature is still spiking from the hot water, but he makes me feel so effortlessly dizzy. I reach out with my own thoughts, closing my eyes. Enjoying the touch of his kiss against the side of my neck. Hyper aware of the sensitive patch of skin on my neck, where his mark will c
Kylar’s movements are deft and confident as he unfastens the buckle of his belt, letting it fall away. His pants are down the strong muscles in his legs, pooling on the floor as he steps out of them. Someday, I have to tell him how much I love seeing him barefoot. I didn’t think I had a weird obsession with it, but I love how he’s already lost his socks. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me and my heart gives rapid little pumps of excitement. I stand beneath the waterfall, body hot, adrenaline still coursing through my veins. My mouth is dry, but my hair is slicked back from my face. I can see myself in the mirror behind his shoulder and I gulp.My eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen him as he advances, his erection jutting out from his body. He’s hard and ready as he steps behind the shower screen. He hasn’t said a word and I look up at him, breathless, tongue tied. He advances and I backway, pushed by the force of his Alpha presence. Like the weight of a waterfall bearing down on me