Don't Test MeCoalThe sun was barely on the horizon when I approached Calla's home. Anxiety swept over me. I wasn't nervous about breaking up with her, just forcing her silence. She could be strong-willed when she wanted to be. I had to ensure that she didn't say or do anything that would cause Alpha to look at Brinley with even more suspicion or hatred.I had no idea what Brinley or her mother had done to incur my father's wrath. I'd approached him about it once. His only reaction was to fly into a fit of rage and take his irritation out on my chest with his fists. I remembered hearing the distinct break of bones and feeling the familiar burn of cracked ribs.I was no stranger to broken bones. Even from a shockingly young age of four, my father had felt physical punishment was a much more effective learning tool than words.But this event had been worse. He'd been binge drinking for days. I was fifteen at the time. Brinley was only ten, and her mother had just died. There had been n
"Brilliant!" I hissed, throwing my hands in the air. "You don't even have a clue, do you?""Coal..." she tried to speak her soothingly. Her voice grated my ears. "Let's just talk about this. We've had fights before. All couples have them. I know we can get through this. I'm sorry I got angry. Just start at the beginning. I'm listening.""You are no Luna!" I snapped.The lip quiver was back. Calla waited for me to continue. Shockingly, she really had no idea.I growled, "How could you? How could you think any shewolf deserved to be punished so severely, for something you knew wasn't her fault? I attacked her. She defended herself! As she had every right to, and yet, you insisted being beaten was what she deserved?" Just hearing the words made me angry all over again.Understanding came to her eyes. "So, this is about her!"I didn't appreciate her tone or her stupidity, and snarled, "Once again, my feelings are not relevant to this conversation, nor are they any of your business anymore
Order and DisciplineBrinleyI opened my eyes slowly. The sun shone brightly through the glistening drops of the waterfall. I was tucked inside of a warm cave. Too warm actually. A slight sheen of sweat covered my brow. Wolves were hot-blooded creatures by nature, our bodies suited for frigid winter temperatures. Our skin sides didn't fare so well, but I was currently wrapped tightly, like a burrito, inside of a thick fur blanket.I looked around hoping to see Coal, but I was alone. Disappointment flooded through me. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. He'd promised to stay the night, but he made no promises to stick around once daylight hit.Last night had been the worst and the best night of my life. The worst because of the horrible pain I'd endured, but the best because I'd woken up several times during the night to find Coal's strong arms banded around me like steel. Each time, he whispered soothing, calming words to lull me back into sleep.It had been bliss, feeling his bo
AnswersBrinleyI stood frozen, my brain unable to keep up with her astounding words. Langdon was her son?!How was that possible? What was really going on here?Obviously, there was no coincidence. Fear washed over me, uncertain of their intentions.My gaze went from Darcie and rested on Langdon. He reclined comfortably on the couch, but the tight line of his mouth belied his relaxed posture. His eyes were equally attentive as hers had been, carefully looking me up and down, assessing my body for any remaining injuries.When he finished, his gaze returned to mine. "I see Coal kept his word about spending the entire night with you." There was relief in his tone at my physical improvement, but his mouth held a small frown.I blushed deeply, my cheeks warming.Langdon had to know Coal only achieved my level of healing by spending the night with our naked bodies pressed together. I didn't reply to his remark."Please dear, why don't you sit down?" Darcie motioned me further into the room
.My head snapped in her direction.Her tone softened, "I understand that you're reluctant to have us involved, but like it or not, it is our choice to remain invested in you and your future. We're not going anywhere. So, to keep us as safe as possible, I need you to share the details. I'm sorry you're hurt by having to relive ancient pain, but it must be done."Resignation washed over me. They weren't going to let it go, and I couldn't argue Darcie's logic. A pit grew in my stomach, churning. I inhaled slowly, trying to prepare myself for conversation I really didn't want to have. In and out.In and out.My lip quivered as I began, "I'm a bastard pup."Langdon growled at my description. Darcie silenced him with a look. I continued shakily, "Alpha sentenced both my mother and me to be shunned by the pack. We were allowed to live, but never allowed to interact...to never have friends..." My voice broke. Tongue thick, I swallowed and wiped away a tear that breached my eyelashes.Painfu
Langdon studied me. "I cannot fathom how he could let you go." He shook his head and spoke quietly. "If I had found the one for me..."His eyes took on a wistful expression, sad. "I would hold her and never let her go."My heart broke for him. He was physically strong, an Onyx Moon Enforcer, but he was still just a man that wanted to find love.I murmured, "I know you think she's gone because you haven't found her yet, but I don't believe that. You're a good wolf. The Moon gives good things to wolves like you."Truthfully, I believed my words. Langdon would one day meet his mate, which was another reason I had to say no. I'd been rejected once. I couldn't imagine getting involved with another wolf, only to have him find the one he was intended for, after the fact, and then kick me to the curb.Langdon was quiet for a long time, lost in his thoughts. Finally, he looked up. "We need a plan.""A plan?"He stood to his feet. "Yes. Let's go down and eat, and we can discuss it with my mothe
StrategyCoalI managed to crash for about an hour before heading it out. It wasn't much sleep, but at this point, every little bit helped.Ryder was already waiting for me in the truck, head reclined back, eyes closed. The snarling bass beat of some metal song pounded through the earbuds connected to his phone.There was no movement to his body. I wasn't sure he was even awake. Rather than startle him with my physical presence, I reached through our mind-link.I'm here.Yeah, I know. Came his reply.I opened the door and tossed my bag of extra clothes and supplies in the backseat next to his.Thankfully, I hadn't run into my father since his vile sentencing of Brinley, and I was just fine with that. I was still filled with rage and needed the car ride to get myself under control."Where are we headed?" I asked.Ryder replied without opening his eyes or lifting his head, "White Fang. Onyx Moon and the Druid Alphas will also be there."I gritted my teeth. Onyx Moon, that meant that wol
The Pit of HellBrinleyI followed Langdon down to the basement....or the pit of hell, as I was coming to think of it.I hadn't known him very well when we began but had a sneaking suspicion he wasn't going to be easy on me, not at all.I had been right.Every day for the past seven days was proof.Langdon would coach me.I would attempt to bring him to his knees.And he would chuckle while knocking me on my ass, every time.Opening the door, Langdon motioned for me to go through first, a sly smirk on his face. I stepped inside and looked at the familiar surroundings. The basement was much larger than I'd first realized. It came complete with weights, exercise equipment, and a sparring ring.Langdon usually fought with his shirt on. Today was an exception. Pulling the garment over his head, he left his broad and toned chest visible to me.I might have only wanted Coal, but I wasn't blind or dead. I could appreciate Langdon's physique. As if I didn't already have enough to contend wit
Yes l fell into a deep pit of sleep next to Coal, but the moment i did everything changed, i didn’t know where my subconscious was heading to but I was no longer feeling closer to Coal. At first, it was black with blasts of light coming from every corner and then I sunk deeper into the dream and woke up in the middle of nowhere.I glanced back, over my shoulder and found the wind whistling behind me and picking up the whatever was coming in its way. The long, thick trees wavered and branches snapped left and right. I pushed my hair behind my ears, holding them from blocking my vision.A part of me knew this was a dream but the other part of me didn't have a clue.A forest was stretched ahead of me and it reminded me of the one I was in, the time l saw the creature. The sound of the whistles and the wind speeding around me confirmed my theory. I was standing where the dark creatures found me in the beginning, the same exact spot.Fear immediately flowed through my whole body as l recal
As soon as we were alone Kaden tossed me onto the couch near the bed. I fall back on it and clutched the sides while he began circling around me. My breaths came out quickly as I gathered the scene in front of me.The bed was covered in blood, mostly his blood but not all. There's some of mine on the sheets because of the sharp wood but his blood covers most of it. The wooden stake sat near to the pillow until he grabbed it and brought it to me."You can't stab me. I will die." I tell him.He chuckles at my protest and twirls the stake in his hand before coming behind me. My chest raises and drops as he lowers his head close to mine while the stake remains in his hand."I could stab you, then heal you. You'd feel most of the pain, wouldn't you?" It's not a question, it's a threat.I mask my fear and smile. "It wouldn't be the same since I did stab you in the heart. You can't get anywhere close to mine because then I'd die. Not even your blood would heal me."His face turns into a twis
'Keep running because if I catch you, I'll bite you.'His laughter rang in my ear, and filled me with fear and horror as I ran through the woods on my feet.I've unleashed the monster, and now there was no turning back. He'was chasing me, he found the thrill in it and I don't. The cold gripped me from everywhere. The woods are completely dark, there's no source of light or life, just him and me. Fear instilled inside me as I tried desperately to find a path out of the woods and into the town I've escaped from.I don't even know where it is, to begin with. Nothing is familiar.The woods close in around me, dark, looming trees and crisp, cold air. The darkness is suffocating but I have to find my way back, back into Kaden's house where he can trap me forever.I already know he isn't going to let this go so easily. Forcing me to run across the woods, in the cold night while he chases me and threatens to bite me is only the beginning of his anger. It's only the tip of the iceberg.I stabbe
"Well, you're really not one for morning-after cuddles, are you?" He asked, a frown smeared on his face.Instead of replying, I screamed again, unable to believe that he's here. Right now. Right here. I killed him. I fucking killed him.It doesn't turn to reality until I feel his hand over my mouth, stifling my screams. I struggle against his grip, but it's vain, pointless. He's a lot stronger than me and the fear coursing through me doesn't help either."You really thought a piece of wood could stop me? How amusing." His voice is teasing now, a smirk playing on his lips but I don't take it lightly. There's a dangerous fire flickering in his face.I draw his hand away from my mouth and rushed out of the car to catch my breath. Cold wrapped around me. My chest raised and dropped. I blinked at him as he stepped out. My one hand falls over my hip while the other one is over my mouth. How is he alive? I stabbed him.He was dead.Literally dead."Oh, now you're the one scared." His smirk t
ISABELLA'S POV.I placed the pump back and headed into the store. I was finally free and out of the dark forest. The cashier smiled and waved at me as I entered. Rows of snacks, drinks, and road maps greeted my eyes. My stomach grumbled as I moved in the aisles. I really missed eating them. I didn't see anything in that monster werewolf world.Just staring at some cookies made my stomach to grumble again. I have never felt this hungry, this empty and so thirsty.Without hesitating, I grabbed whatever I could fit into my hands before returning to the cashier.The cashier smiled at me once more but this time I returned a fake smile. I damn hungry. "How has your night been?" The cashier asked while checking out the items in front of him.I sighed, not knowing what answer I should give me.He was trying to be nice to me but I wasn't interested at all. He didn't know what the hell was stressing me and what I passed through within one night.I killed my so called mate. What was worse, he di
My eyes flutter opened to find Kaden, asleep.The moment I saw a big black wolf , I lost conscious immediately. I couldn't help it but still I wasn’t saved because here I was now on his chest resting on it.How the hell did it happen?!I sat up startled then I looked around. It was still night, nearing morning.Currently he looked peaceful , his pink lips kinda open but still I didn’t like him.We are two different people. He is a werewolf and I am a normal person.Nothing of that is going to change. If he thought that sleeping with me will make me feel better , he was a fool.He's still cold, just like he's meant to be and I will never like him.Slowly I slided off the bed, my legs wobbling a little as my body adjusted to the after-effect of fighting with the bitch. I moved softly across the room, wincing as a small wave of pain shooted through my lower body. I clenched my teeth and pressed on.When I looked back, I found kaden still sleeping after all my movements. He's deep asleep
I sat alone on the bed, my legs hanging off the side and my feet barely touching the ground. The night was colder than the day and it was worse because I was alone in the room I didn't want to sleep in , surrounded by an eerie silence and my own thoughts. I tried to sleep, but I couldn't, not here, not again.There's something odd about this room. I don't want to be in here for another day, even another minute.My eyes travelled over the walls and then to the window at the top but there was no escape. After a while I sighed heavily then slipped my feet under the sheets and lay down, contemplating my own life, my situation. Would it have been any different if I didnt tell Alex that I was pregnant. I wouldn't be here by now.Here I was stuck, eyes opened while ,l listened to the forest outside. Everything was cool but my inner part wasn't. Things were strange here. Surprisingly I was no longer feeling the pain and yet I fought with that bitch."Urggh", Thinking about it all, l lost inte
The guards didn't grip my hands as they led me to my prison. I thought they were taking me to the whore house but shockingly this time they decended downstairs.This was the basement.As soon as we reached one of the guards open the cell. I blinked there was no chains in it. It was an empty stone walled room , cold and daunting. There was a chair in the middle, a table in front of it and another chair facing it together with a single lamp in the middle. It seemed like an interrogation room for some sort ."Sit", He simply ordered and l obeyed without uttering anything. I wasn't just thrown in a cell to rot but something else was coming. He stood at the door waiting. Suddenly the door opened and l knew who the hell it was. It was the son of a bitch Kaden , he didn't enter immediately though.I looked at the guard who simply stood at the door waiting then turned and looked at my feet. Stomach pangs were getting stronger. I didn't care about it , l was eagerly waiting for what was coming
Before l could do anything, and completely finish the bitch, I was out of the blue quickly catapulted into the nearest tree. My head slammed against the trunk instantly. My vision went black for a split second and then came back slowly. I gagged from the luck of oxygen and my heart pounded against my chest. Suddenly a huge brown wolf stood in front of me, blocking my way.It didn't allow me to catch my breath before it barred it's canines at me. Menacing , l choked and crawled back to the tree. " Don't do anything to me, I'm not going to kill her", Recalling the way they treated me the last time I escaped , l spoke quickly. " Where did you think you were going?", Before the brown wolf could do anything to me , l heard the voice behind me. It was Mark one of the guards."Am gonna go back", l said quickly. "You can't escape, these woods , the forests are filled up with wolves, they can smell you",He smirked and eyed my body for wounds. I kept quiet feeling stupid. "Did you think that yo