MalcolmArlo won’t break. Or die. I’ve tried everything. Shooting him in the head. Riddling his entire body with silver bullets. An axe thrown straight into his heart. Nothing sticks. He regenerates time and again.I’m very keen to cut his head off, but nobody wants to get in the cage with him, not even when he’s unconscious. I killed two men for disobeying a direct order, before I decided it was futile.They’re less afraid of my bullets than his fangs. None of them have dared to point out that I haven’t dared enter the cage myself. He’s developing a tolerance for the tranquilizer darts. It takes 6 to bring him down now and he wakes up faster every time.I’m not risking my own life. These darts bring down elephants. They’re the strongest thing on the market. Are they all this strong, or is he special? I thought we’d take them out without any trouble. Wasted a fortune on having silver fucking bullets cast and they do nothing!It should have been easy. It was easy with Milo. A
ArloPain is a funny thing. At some point, your body gets so used to it that it fades into the background. Becoming just a dull, constant throb that you learn to live with.The cold metal of the cage bites into my skin and the bars are slick with my blood. My wrists are raw from the chains, but I barely feel it anymore.I would sell my soul to be in bed next to Hilda’s luscious, warm body right now, listening to Scarlett’s deep breathing from the other room. For a moment I allow myself to believe I’m there, but the presence of pure evil is too distracting.Malcolm leans against the wall across from me, arms crossed, looking as smug as ever. I despise the way he stares at me like I’m an animal in a zoo. Some rarity who’s already dead and he’s just waiting for my body to catch up.“I thought you’d be easier to break. Most men don’t last this long,” he comments quietly. I smile, bloody and sharp. “Most men aren’t me.”Malcolm chuckles, “So you’ve finally decided to speak. I’m honoured. S
HildaThe map Percy drew is spread across the table, its edges curling from being rolled and unrolled too many times. Every mark, every note, every calculation has been pored over again and again. There’s no room for mistakes.I press my hands against the wood, leaning forward, feeling the weight of every decision settle into my bones. He’s been gone for a week and each second feels like an eternity. Now it’s time to move and I’m terrified of failing Arlo.“We have to leave soon, Hilda,” Nixie says quietly, pulling me out of the vortex of indecision I’m drowning in. “I know.” My voice is rough, frayed at the edges.I haven’t slept much, and when I try, it’s filled with Arlo. His pain, his anger, the sheer willpower keeping him alive. I feel it all through our bond, and it’s like an iron chain around my ribs, pulling tighter with every passing hour.Soren’s fingers tap against the hilt of his knife. “We have enough warriors. We’ve gone over every possible way in and out. You’ve made a
HildaThe scent of blood and gunpowder thickens the air as we charge through the compound’s outer defences.My wolves move as one, a force of fangs and fury tearing through Malcolm’s men before they can react.Gunfire erupts, the sharp cracks echoing in the night, but it’s already too late for them. They are human. Fragile. Weak. Slow. And they thought iron bars and bullets would be enough to keep us out.Idiots.I weave through the chaos, claws tearing through the throat of a man who tries to take aim at me. He gurgles, choking on his own blood, before he drops. I don’t stop to watch him die.There are more ahead. All of my warriors are locked in their own battles, cutting down anything that stands in our way.We take hits, wounds that would kill humans. It takes us time to heal and some of my wolves stay down, but I know they’ll rise again after a period of rest. We’re not invincible, or immune to injury, but we’re vastly more formidable than humans can comprehend.I trust my warrio
HildaThe moment we cross the border into our territory, I feel the tight coil of tension in my chest loosen just a little. Arlo is home. Safe. And though I can feel how weak he still is, his body already healing faster just from being near me, it’s not enough. It won’t be enough until he’s fully whole again.There’s an entire welcoming committee waiting to meet us. The scent of fresh bread, roasted meat and cherry pie fills the air. They’ve obviously been preparing for our return.Gratitude fills me as the pack gathers, murmuring in relief as they see him. Some reach out, clasping his shoulder, murmuring words of welcome. He nods, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion, but his lips twitch into a faint smile when Cerelia steps forward.“You look like hell,” she says, but her voice is warm. She reaches for him, magic flickering in her hands as she presses them to his chest. Arlo stiffens, then exhales sharply as the worst of his cuts close. The damage is lessened but it’s taken
ArloThe moment my lips meet hers, I lose myself. Every second away from her, every hour spent in darkness and pain, melts away in the heat of her mouth, in the press of her body against mine.Her fingers tangle in my hair, her grip tight, almost painful. I know she needs this just as much as I do. She needs to feel me, real and solid, so she can be sure I haven’t slipped away again.Bathwater sloshes over the edge of the tub as I shift, angling her beneath me. Droplets cling to her skin, her dark hair plastered against her shoulders. She’s watching me, her chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. Her incomparable breasts appearing and disappearing under the water. Her tight nipples begging to be suckled.Those blue eyes, storm-dark, filled with a hunger that makes my blood burn, lock onto mine. “You have no idea,” she murmurs, her fingers trailing down my jaw, over my throat, down my chest, “How much I missed you.”Her hand is on my stomach when I catch her wrist, pre
ArloI wake up with Hilda’s mouth firmly suctioned around my cock. She slaps my hands away when I try and drag her up, not stopping until she’d joyfully swallowed every drop of semen I had stored in my balls.I kiss her deeply, keen to return the favour, but she stops me when my mouth moves toward her breast.“Baby wait. There’s something I have to tell you and if you move any closer to my nipples I won’t be able to stop you.” I see absolutely no problem with not being stopped, but this has to be serious.“What’s wrong?” I ask, my finger tracing a circle around her areola. Her eyes do that stormy thing and I’m dying for this conversation to be over so I can get back to more important matters.“Don’t freak out,” she says, putting her hand on mine to stop my ardent caress. “That’s never a good way to start a conversation,” I say, sitting up slowly.“Ash is here,” she informs me, explaining how our daughter had apparently forced the former demon to visit, because she ‘needs him’ to do
HildaWe need eyes in the city. I pace the length of the room, arms folded tight, trying to think through the problem. Malcolm is out there somewhere, licking his wounds and plotting his next move. And we have no idea where he went.I need to find him and show him what happens when he harms my mate and threatens our pack. Which means we need information. Desperately.“The best option is sending scouts into the city again,” I say, glancing at Arlo. “See if anyone’s talking. If Malcolm left a mess behind, someone will be cleaning it up. We decimated his forces and he’ll need to find new men. I doubt he’s given up on his plans.”Arlo’s fists clench at my words. He told me about the things Malcolm said to bait him. Apparently he no longer only wants dead wolves and land, he wants sex pets too. I really need to find the bastard.“Percy and Nixie can’t go again, they’ll be recognized. Same goes for you, me, Soren, and Cerelia. So who do we send that won’t stand out?”We fall into silence,
AshThe sun is barely up when I jostle Tara awake, grinning as she groans and buries her face in the pillow. "Get up. We’ve got things to do."She swats at me blindly. "You’re insufferable. It’s too early. Go away." I chuckle, pulling the blanket off her. "Nonsense. It’s the perfect time to go shopping." That gets her attention. She lifts her head, bleary-eyed and scowling. "We don’t have money to waste and you don’t need more clothes."I wave a dismissive hand. "It’s not wasting, it’s investing and we’re going shopping for you. If we’re going to Amber’s tonight, you need to look the part. There’s nothing in your pack that would pass muster at an upmarket establishment. Or anywhere else for that matter. Your clothes should be deemed a crime against fashion."Tara groans, flopping back onto the bed. "Shouldn’t you have a hangover? It’s unnatural to have drunk as much whiskey as you did last night and not suffer for it.""It’s because I was made for debauchery," I say with a smirk. "My
SorenCerelia lies beneath me, her golden hair fanned out across the pillows, her blue eyes heavy-lidded with anticipation. She’s breathtaking, and for a moment I just gaze at her, memorizing the way she looks at me.Want curls through me and I lean over to kiss her. “I have the loveliest mate in the world,” I murmur. She smiles softly, “I think you’re probably a little biased,” she teases.I dip my head to trail kisses down her neck, nuzzling her soft skin and drinking in the sighs of pleasure she offers me in return. My lips slowly trail along her collarbone, while my hands skim down her sides, thumbs brushing along the swell of her breasts. She hums in response, her hands sliding up my back, fingertips tracing the lines of my muscles.Everything about her is gentle and warm and my body responds to every soft sigh and tremor. Her hands frame my face, guiding me into a kiss that’s both sweet and deep, filled with the promise of forever.When we break apart, her gaze locks onto mine,
CereliaThe morning sun filters through the trees, golden streaks painting the forest floor as Scarlett tugs eagerly at my hand. “Come on, Auntie Cerelia! We have to go this way.” Her little feet dance across the mossy ground as she leads me toward the creek.I chuckle, letting her take the lead. As we walk, she chatters non-stop, her small hands waving expressively as words tumble from her mouth.“Did you know Daddy sleeps like a starfish? Mommy says he takes up the whole bed, but he says it’s because he has to be prepared for danger at all times.” She pauses, eyes thoughtful. “But I don’t think that’s true because I poked him the other night, and he didn’t move at all.”I laugh. “Maybe he was too tired to be on high alert.” Scarlett shrugs. “Maybe. Mommy woke up though and took me back to bed. She said I should let the poor man rest. One female in the house sapping his energy is enough.”I laugh softly, “I guess she’s right.” Scarlett nods, “Mommy can be bossy,” she shares, giving m
AshThe moment we step into the city streets, I stretch my arms above my head and breathe in deeply. “Ah, civilization. How I’ve missed you.”Beside me, Tara wrinkles her nose. “It smells like urine and rotten vegetables, I can’t see how anyone could miss a stench like that.”I shrug. “That’s simply the aroma of this part of the city, you’ll get used to it. We need to start looking in the underbelly for what we need and work our way up from there.”She doesn’t look convinced, but she follows me anyway as I scout for the busiest bar. The more people, the more loose tongues. Finally, I spot a place bursting with noise and dim, flickering lights, and I pull her inside.The music is loud, the air thick with sweat and stale alcohol. I order a whiskey for myself and a glass of wine for Tara, nudging her toward the barstool beside me. She takes a sip, immediately grimacing.“Ugh,” she mutters. “This tastes like vinegar. I think it’s off.” I laugh absentmindedly, “No, that’s just the swill t
TaraExcitement thrums through me and I try to ignore the way my hands shake slightly. It’s not fear. Not exactly. It’s just been a long time since I was trusted with something important.Since anyone looked at me and saw more than the fragile girl who lost everything. But Hilda does. She believes I can do this. She trusts me to play spy, keep Ash in line and help her find Malcolm.That belief alone makes this worth it. Now we have to talk to Scarlett. If she says no, then Ash won’t be going anywhere. Even if he wants to.Hilda explains to Scarlett what she wants us to do and I hold my breath, hoping this expedition won’t be cancelled before it’s begun.“I don’t know how long they’ll be gone, sweetheart. I know you’re not sure why you need him, but will it be a problem if he leaves for a while?”Scarlett closes her eyes, little face scrunched in concentration, before she shakes her head. “No, it’s okay. Tara and Ash can go play in the city,” she declares, “I won’t need him yet. And wh
HildaWe need eyes in the city. I pace the length of the room, arms folded tight, trying to think through the problem. Malcolm is out there somewhere, licking his wounds and plotting his next move. And we have no idea where he went.I need to find him and show him what happens when he harms my mate and threatens our pack. Which means we need information. Desperately.“The best option is sending scouts into the city again,” I say, glancing at Arlo. “See if anyone’s talking. If Malcolm left a mess behind, someone will be cleaning it up. We decimated his forces and he’ll need to find new men. I doubt he’s given up on his plans.”Arlo’s fists clench at my words. He told me about the things Malcolm said to bait him. Apparently he no longer only wants dead wolves and land, he wants sex pets too. I really need to find the bastard.“Percy and Nixie can’t go again, they’ll be recognized. Same goes for you, me, Soren, and Cerelia. So who do we send that won’t stand out?”We fall into silence,
ArloI wake up with Hilda’s mouth firmly suctioned around my cock. She slaps my hands away when I try and drag her up, not stopping until she’d joyfully swallowed every drop of semen I had stored in my balls.I kiss her deeply, keen to return the favour, but she stops me when my mouth moves toward her breast.“Baby wait. There’s something I have to tell you and if you move any closer to my nipples I won’t be able to stop you.” I see absolutely no problem with not being stopped, but this has to be serious.“What’s wrong?” I ask, my finger tracing a circle around her areola. Her eyes do that stormy thing and I’m dying for this conversation to be over so I can get back to more important matters.“Don’t freak out,” she says, putting her hand on mine to stop my ardent caress. “That’s never a good way to start a conversation,” I say, sitting up slowly.“Ash is here,” she informs me, explaining how our daughter had apparently forced the former demon to visit, because she ‘needs him’ to do
ArloThe moment my lips meet hers, I lose myself. Every second away from her, every hour spent in darkness and pain, melts away in the heat of her mouth, in the press of her body against mine.Her fingers tangle in my hair, her grip tight, almost painful. I know she needs this just as much as I do. She needs to feel me, real and solid, so she can be sure I haven’t slipped away again.Bathwater sloshes over the edge of the tub as I shift, angling her beneath me. Droplets cling to her skin, her dark hair plastered against her shoulders. She’s watching me, her chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. Her incomparable breasts appearing and disappearing under the water. Her tight nipples begging to be suckled.Those blue eyes, storm-dark, filled with a hunger that makes my blood burn, lock onto mine. “You have no idea,” she murmurs, her fingers trailing down my jaw, over my throat, down my chest, “How much I missed you.”Her hand is on my stomach when I catch her wrist, pre
HildaThe moment we cross the border into our territory, I feel the tight coil of tension in my chest loosen just a little. Arlo is home. Safe. And though I can feel how weak he still is, his body already healing faster just from being near me, it’s not enough. It won’t be enough until he’s fully whole again.There’s an entire welcoming committee waiting to meet us. The scent of fresh bread, roasted meat and cherry pie fills the air. They’ve obviously been preparing for our return.Gratitude fills me as the pack gathers, murmuring in relief as they see him. Some reach out, clasping his shoulder, murmuring words of welcome. He nods, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion, but his lips twitch into a faint smile when Cerelia steps forward.“You look like hell,” she says, but her voice is warm. She reaches for him, magic flickering in her hands as she presses them to his chest. Arlo stiffens, then exhales sharply as the worst of his cuts close. The damage is lessened but it’s taken