Jemima's POVThe night was so heavy around us, so intense and quiet, the kind of silence that presses down on your chest like a foreign presence. Adrian’s voice echoed in my mind through the pack's mind link.“Shift. Now.”I didn’t hesitate. The command surged through me, setting my veins on fire. One by one, the others responded, their human forms shifting into powerful wolves with thick fur and sharp, dark claws. The shift came over me like something I wasn’t prepared for, pulling me under and spitting me out in my wolf form. My senses sharpened instantly, every sound, every scent, every movement in the forest felt as if it was amplified in my headAnd then, there was nothing. No more thudding, no more rustling. Just silence. The kind that wasn’t natural. The kind that made the fur on the back of my neck stand up.“Stay alert,” Adrian warned through the link. His voice was calm, but I could sense the tension that came with it. “Something’s out there.”I bent down low, my claws diggi
Adrian’s POVThe attack came from nowhere, as they normally happen. One moment I was catching my breath after another kill, the metallic taste of blood sharp on my tongue. The next, I was helping Jemima up, and the very next moment, a wolf pounced at me from the shadows, its claws bared and scraping across my side.I staggered but still stayed standing, baring my teeth in a snarl. It was big, bigger than most, but the anger in me gave me strength. I lunged forward, meeting it at once. We tumbled together into the forest, snapping and clawing each other, trying to find an opening for a kill.“Adrian!” Jemima’s voice echoed faintly through the mind link, but the wolf drove me more far away from her. I felt a hint of worry settle down in the pit of my stomach and it had nothing to do with the fight.The wolf went for my neck and he aimed his teeth for a kill but I twisted and turned, managing to grab its throat in my mouth. My thigh burned with a sudden, deep pain, so sharp it almost put
Adrian’s POVThe sun was rising already in the sky and I felt like I didn’t want the morning to come. I wanted everything to stay still till Jemima woke up. The sun was rising but my spirit wasn’t. Everything about me felt paralyzed. It was too bright for my liking. Jemima lay in my arms, her body lifeless and limp, her breathing shallow. At least she was still breathing. The rising run focused its light on her skin, and it shined like she wasn’t dying in my arms. For a brief moment there, she looked like a goddess, too perfect to be real.“Come on, Jemima,” I murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “You don’t get to quit on me now. You hear me? You’re tougher than this.”She didn’t stir, she didn’t even move or shake. My wolf growled restlessly in the back of my mind, he was angry and desperate. I forced myself to stay calm for her sake.The others had shifted back into their human forms, their expressions obvious with worry and tiredness. One of my men, Ronan, stepp
Jemima’s POVThe world came back to me slowly at first. It was blurry images, muffled sounds, and a heavy, almost pain going through my whole body. Then, all at once, I felt something, as if someone was tugging my eyes open, or begging me to open my eyes. I couldn’t really tell. But my eyes shot open, my senses returning in sharp snippets it was almost too much to take in at once.I was moving. No, I was bouncing. My body rising and falling in an uneven motion, like I was being carried.What the hell?The morning light filtered in through the trees, casting a bright glow on everything. It took me a second to realize I wasn’t on the ground. I was suspended. My heart raced as I looked down and saw the broad shoulders under me. Adrian.I was on Adrian’s back.It wasn’t just that realization that shocked me, it was the fact that I was clothed, too. My cheeks heated up immediately on its own accord, but I pushed the embarrassment aside.“Adrian,” I said through the mind link, my voice sharp
Jemima's POVI looked around to be sure that we weren't longer in the woods. Adrian was staring at me with keen interest. I dropped my hand by my side and look away in embarrassment.“Are you sure you're okay?” He asked again, walking beside me. The sounds of his men trolling behind could be heard. “Jemima” he called, tapping on my shoulder and I coughed lightly.“I'm fine, trust me” I said, covering up my whole act with a smile.“You don't look good, though” he said and I chuckled dryly.I don't know how long we've been walking, but I knew it's up to an hour already. I scratched my head as my mind wandered off to Garrett. Is he okay?“I was worried earlier when you transformed. I thought you wouldn't make it” He said, his voice sounding low and calm. I sighed. Studying his expression alone, I knew he was worried. It was written all over his face."I'm sorry'' I bit my lower lips, pressing my hands together.“It's fine, Jemima. You're okay, that's what matters to me” he smiled at me wh
Adrian's POVMy eyes widened in surprise on seeing what just happened right before my naked eyes. Did jasmine just made Garrett make use of his legs again after all hope we're lost?It happened so fast that I couldn't predict it. Firstly, the wounds in her thighs closed up by itself and I waved it off and now Garrett sudden healing. How's that even possible? Something seems off, and I can't wait to figure it out.I grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, my eyes searching for answers, but before I could say anything she wriggled her hand off and ran away., heading towards her room. I sighed and ran after her. I called her name repeatedly, but she didn't even turn to spare me a glance even for a minute. She finally got to her doorstep and she pushed her door opened and went inside, and I wanted to follow her in, but she slammed the door to my face and I groaned, stepping backward feeling like a complete loser.I yelled angrily and started hitting the wall with my knuckle until blood c
Jemima’s POV I didn’t know what exactly to say to Adrian to make him believe me. I didn’t even want to face him because I knew he had a thousand questions for me and I didn’t know how to answer any of them.He should be happy I saved him and he just let me off the hook already. I knew I wouldn’t be able to avoid him forever and he was going to demand an explanation sooner or later but I didn’t know what to say, did I?It’s not like I understood my powers well enough to explain to anyone, but I knew I’d need to make him understand somehow. I felt tired and my body was aching all over as I was struggling to maintain my composure. I was feeling quite hot and tired so decided to have a quick shower.I planned to leave the room and answer whatever questions Adrian would have for me. I went into the shower and had a bath and came out right after changing my dress and I felt more comfortable.I took a deep sigh before opening the door and I walked out of the room. I planned to just receive
Jemima’s POV“That’s all he said but it doesn’t mean anything, so don’t stress it.” “He said that to you?” She asked excitedly, staring at me like she was about to blow up due to excitement.I didn’t even want to have this conversation with her because I wasn’t exactly excited about it. I heard what he said and I could say that it made me feel good in a sort of way but at the same time, I wasn’t looking forward to anything.“Common Jemima , aren’t you supposed to be excited? It’s obvious that he likes you and is all over you.” Lions said excitedly as she walked over to me.“So excited over what? Don’t even start right now Kiona.” I asked sternly. “Start what? I don’t know what you’re talking about, stop acting so tough Jemima because I know you like him even if you keep on acting like you don’t. I’m pretty sure he’s all over you and what he said just confirms it.” She said excitedly holding my hands but I pulled my hands from there and walked away. “Here we go, Kiona please, I’m
Author’s POVIt hadn't been that difficult for the Committee of Alphas specifically created for the elimination of Jemima, to be infiltrated.The problem was that every Alpha who claimed that they wanted Jemima gone was allowed to join without question. So blinded were they by their eagerness to get rid of the threat that was Jemima that it didn't occur to them that not all the Alphas or witches who wanted to join the committee were truly on their side.It was a good thing for Elena though. She couldn't join the committee but she had an Alpha whom she could trust and begged him to join so that he could act as a spy for her. Liam, Elena’s estranged older step-brother and the Alpha of the Iron Fang Pack had reasons for not wanting to have anything to do with his younger sister.The first was that she had chosen to distance herself from him long before she even got pregnant with Jemima. She explained that she did it to protect him and didn't want anyone to know that they were related
Jemima’s POVRelief flooded my heart but I told myself not to be too hopeful. Perhaps, Connor wanted to psychologically torture us this way. Giving us hope only to take it away at the next minute. There was no way he could have changed his mind. A gasp fell from my lips when the chains suddenly loosened and fell to the ground. I was free. This certainly wasn’t Connor’s doing.The door was suddenly knocked off its hinges and landed with a deafening bang on the ground. A familiar figure stepped into the room and for a moment, I went completely dumb with surprise. “I'm certain you can get up from that chair. You are no longer bound to it,” the Alpha of the Midnight Pack said, mild amusement in his tone. “Zade,” I breathed out and rose from my seat. “How are you here? Why are you here?”“Well, I drove down here,” he replied, his eyes dancing with humour.I rolled my eyes. “You know exactly what I mean? How did you know I was in danger?”“How I have missed your numerous questions,”
Jemima’s POVConnor burst out laughing. An annoyingly grating sound that made me want to rip his head off. “There’s nothing you can do no matter how much I badmouth your mother. You are practically helpless and harmless right now,” he said. “And I thought you even hated the woman so why are you bothered about me calling her names?”“Fuck you, Connor,” I replied and started to struggle against the chains.“Oh please,” he began, his tone laced with amusement, “If you keep on struggling like that I might just pity you. Stop it already.”I ignored him and kept on trying to see if my abilities would suddenly turn back on and help me get out of the silver chains.“The chains are enchanted, Jemima. And you must have noticed that your abilities do not work here. It's going to remain like that for about an hour. It's rather annoying that every spell has a time limit when it comes to you,” he explained. “But don't worry, you’ll be dead long before the spell starts to lose its potency.”Piper
Jemima’s POVA flicker of irritation passed across Connor’s features as he looked at Piper who was standing right beside me. Because of what had happened the previous night, it was now much more difficult to get her apart from me even for a couple of minutes. “You didn't say she was going to tag along with you,” the Alpha of the Silver Paw Pack began, “Discussing matters that have to do with this Pack is supposed to be private. No outsiders are allowed.”Piper scoffed but I secretly gave her side a pinch to keep her from saying anything. “I am also an outsider, Connor and you are allowing me to even take an active part in something that concerns your Pack,” I replied.He rolled his eyes. “You were born here. Besides, you were the one who chose to leave. You weren't banished.”Considering the circumstances that brought about me leaving the Pack, I was supposed to be mad at him at that moment but I chose not to. Instead, I offered him a sweet smile and said in a firm tone, “Piper has
Jemima’s POVThat night, after I had discovered that my mother only abandoned me because she wanted to protect me, I couldn't sleep. I had later placed a call to my mate to let him know that I was okay and also to tell him about the letters I found in my father’s Study. “You really should stop pacing and come to bed already,” Piper suggested, her tone laced with concern. “How do you expect me to just do that, Piper?” I queried. “For most of my life, I have hated my mother for what she did and now I am just filled with guilt.”“But you shouldn't feel guilty,” she replied, heaving herself into an upright position on the bed. “We both read those letters and it was clear that she needed you to think that she abandoned you. If you had known the truth you certainly would have gone looking for her.”An exasperated sigh fell from my lips. “I really need to find her. We can get through this together. Her life is also in danger.”“Well, you have already said that you know who you are going t
Author’s POVFor Connor, going through some humiliation rituals was necessary for a person to achieve the desired end result. Before learning about the situation and how it would affect him, the Alpha of the Silver Paw Pack had never imagined that he would ever go down on his knees in front of a woman he had formerly rejected. It was humiliating but he had to do it. He had despised her a lot when they were still mated and he had found out that she was wolfless. At least at that time, she was.Finding out just a few months after he rejected her that she wasn't actually without a wolf and was actually so powerful, would have made him regret rejecting her if not that her powers, which were from a strong ancestral bloodline, were going to lead to the end of his reign.Thankfully, he wasn't the only one who thought that uniting all the Packs as one was totally unfair as it was going to strip them of their leadership positions which would also result in losing privileges and benefits tha
Author’s POV“Mom, you know that was wholly unnecessary,” Tamar began as she helped her mother get settled on the bed. “Knowing how powerful she is, you shouldn't have provoked her like that.”Abigail gave her daughter a look. “If I didn't know any better I would have thought you were on her side instead of your mother’s.”Tamar rolled her eyes. “All I'm saying is that you should be careful when dealing with her. She is no longer the frightened girl with low self-esteem that you used to know. She’s changed.”“It means nothing,” Abigail replied stubbornly. “She can't be more powerful than thousands of us put together. And do not forget that we have the support of a few witches. When the time is right, we are going to put an end to her existence.”Tamar tried not to show how uncomfortable she was with her mother's words. It wasn't as though she was totally against bullying her step-sister, but killing her was an entirely different matter. Even though she tried to ignore it, she still
Jemima’s POVTamar was instantly by her mother’s side, murmuring words of care while Piper wrapped her arms around me. “Thank you,” she murmured. I wondered why she was thanking me. Tamar helped her mother to her feet and within seconds, they were out of the Study. Piper released me to go lock the door which they had left ajar. When she returned to where I was standing, I realized that her eyes were wide with fear. “I knew I should have come here with you,” she said. “Has it been thirty minutes since I left the room already?” I asked and she shook her head.“Your mate called and was really mad at me for not being with you. He ordered me to come to you and call him the minute I get here,” she explained and then started to dial his number. “You do not have to do that now,” I said, snatching the phone from her hand. “I am going to call him and give him an explanation.”She rolled her eyes. “You had better do that now before he starts blasting your phone with calls.”As if on cue,
Jemima’s POV“I think I would prefer to remain standing,” I replied, not daring to take my eyes off her.The last time we had a conversation alone was when I came to her to report Tamar’s betrayal. She had laughed in my face and told me that I was a good-for-nothing who didn't deserve to be mated to an Alpha. She also told me that she was certain that the Moon Goddess had somehow made a mistake. “Whatever,” Abigail said. “Whether you choose to sit or stand is none of my business.”Of course. Why wasn't I the least bit surprised? “So why exactly am I here, Abigail?” I queried. “If it's about the salvation of this Pack, Connor and I have already spoken about it.”“I also need to give you my two cents about the situation,” she replied. “As an elder of this Pack and also the soon-to-be mother-in-law of the Alpha, my opinions are of importance.”I mentally rolled my eyes wondering who the hell had made her an elder. She wasn't even qualified to be one yet. Or did being a mother to the