Hilda He owes me a lot of answers and we really should be talking, but the seductive magnetism of his proximity is overwhelming me. His palm cups my cheek, tilting my head back so he can kiss me. I’m expecting fire and searing passion, instead he offers me tenderness.His mouth claims mine gently, one arm wrapping around my waist, the other sliding into my hair. His tongue slips between my lips, lightly twirling around mine, sliding and moving in a sensuous dance, his teeth grazing my bottom lip. My body immediately tightens in response, nipples hardening, core contracting.“Arlo,” I whimper, wrapping my arms around his neck and hanging on for dear life. My knees are buckling, my head swimming in desire. He pulls my shirt over my head and shimmies my pants down my hips, before sweeping me into his arms and carrying me over to the bed.“You’re so beautiful,” he tells me gruffly, staring down at me. I watch wide-eyed as he shrugs off his own shirt, exposing his delectably wide shoulder
Arlo When she’s in my arms like this, her body coated in sweat, my scent comingled with hers, those gorgeous eyes growing heavy with contentment, the world seems like a perfect place. I want us to stay in this bubble forever.I can forgive what happened with Soren. Once. Maybe I’m grasping at straws, but I don’t blame Hilda for what happened in that cabin. Soren is the one who’s had a year, and a new mate whom he crowned his Luna, to move on from the bond he once shared with Hilda.She woke up a few short weeks ago and was immediately plunged into chaos. I intend to fix that. Our life together will be beautiful. Soren took advantage of her vulnerability. First by kidnapping her and then seducing her. Every ounce of blame for their infidelity will be laid at his doorstep. I don’t care whether that’s fair or not. I care about me and mine and Hilda is my everything.“Arlo, we have to talk,” she says, her voice whisper soft. I can hear the reluctance in her tone. She doesn’t want to shat
Hilda“That wasn’t your fault,” Arlo immediately counters. It seems making excuses for each other’s shortcomings may become a bit of a theme. “I’m so ashamed of my actions Arlo, but that doesn’t mean I get to pretend they weren’t mine.”“I won’t ever again, but this one time it means exactly that. If Soren hadn’t kidnapped you and planted doubts in your mind. If I’d been honest with you and not left cracks for him to widen. If, if, if. For all I know my mother cast a spell in order to drive a wedge between us. We’re starting with a clean slate. No secrets, no lies, no subterfuge.”I don’t deserve to be let off the hook this easily and maybe I’m weak for gratefully accepting his absolution without any further argument, but I want to forget that it ever happened.“Thank you. I’ll never betray you again, I swear. My loyalties aren’t divided anymore, Arlo.” His lips descend on mine for a fiery kiss. “How can I possibly want you so badly again already?” he groans. “I’m yours for the taking
SorenDamon is waiting when I arrive at the pack house, prowling up and down with barely controlled fury. “Where’s Cerelia?” he demands, eyes hardening when he sees the confusion on my face. “Isn’t she back?”“No Soren, she isn’t back. She’s your Luna, surely you know where to find her? Or don’t you care what happens to her anymore now that you have Hilda back in your bed? Don’t bother denying it, I can smell her all over you.”“If you want to issue a challenge, Damon, do it. I don’t have the energy for a pissing contest right now. I need to find Cerelia. You may do well to remember that I’m your Alpha and you don’t demand things from me.” I can see that he’s wavering on a knife’s edge, more than a little tempted to go for me right then and there.“I suggest you shower at least 3 times before tracking down Cerelia, unless your aim is to dissolve the mating bond and strip her of being Luna?” Damon drawls. I understand his anger, but that doesn’t mean I intend to tolerate it.“We still
HildaI feel like I’m strung out on joy, effervescing, bubbling over with it. After everything that’s happened, I’m happier than I’d known it’s possible to be. Arlo and I talk constantly. About Lilith, the girls, the way he’s run the pack, the tension amongst his warriors. He holds nothing back from me.My love for Soren was very real and the pain of losing him cut me to the core, but I can’t deny that it wasn’t comparable to the bliss I feel now. Body, mind, soul, heart, it’s all brimming over with completion. I feel whole in a way I’d never experienced before.Seeing the way Arlo is changing, opening up not only to me, but to his pack, is a revelation. I can see his warriors are still wary, not sure whether they can trust this more relaxed Alpha King, but I have no doubt that he’ll win them over in short order. He’s too incredible not to.There are moments of darkness and doubt, which will undoubtedly continue for a long time to come. Forgiving himself isn’t going to be as simple as
Hilda “Dammit, I was sure it’s this way!” Arlo’s frustration is obvious. We’ve been hiking for hours and he keeps having flashes of memory, certain that he’s on the right path and a particular part of the woods looks familiar, until he’d suddenly stop and look confused.“It’s okay, Arlo. We know your mother messed with your memories and probably planted all kinds of traps to lead you astray. We’ll keep trying. One thing every area you’ve led us to has in common, are very large yew trees. Most of the forest is made up of beech and rowan trees, the yews are scarce. Plus they’re associated with magic. I think if we can mark their locations on a map, we may find the place that keeps sliding out of your head.”Arlo pulled me in for a kiss, tilting my head all the way back so I could look up at his tall frame. “Gorgeous, sexy and a genius. I won the mating lottery,” he murmurs huskily, toying with the buttons of my shirt. “Oh dear, one of those seem to have slipped open,” he says in mock r
Cerelia I can’t say that studying magic has been drearier than I thought. It’s fascinating, eventful, exciting. Maelor is a good teacher and he warms to me very quickly. He’s not what I first expected. He seemed a bit sullen and reluctant, but he’s come out of his shell completely. Throwing himself into our lessons with great fervor.“How exactly did you do it? I understand the talisman was to ward off evil, but on its own it could never have defeated someone as great as Lilith. Did you feed power into it somehow?” He’s been questioning me about it since the first day I got here.“Maelor, if I knew, I’d tell you, I really would. I’m sorry, but it’s all a blur. I was sure I was going to die and I reached for the only weapon I had. I never expected what happened next and it was all so fraught with danger I was flooded with adrenaline. Everything in that moment was strange to me, I can’t remember what I felt like, only what I saw happening to Lilith.”He sighs and pouts for a while. “Wh
Hilda“You’re not coming along,” Arlo tells me forbiddingly. He makes sure to use a tone that brooks no argument, but I’m brooking anyway, because there’s no way in hell it’s a good idea for us to split up. The mating bond between us is so powerful, that we do everything better when we’re together.I’m a stronger fighter, we both heal faster, we can anticipate the others thoughts and I’m happier when I know Arlo’s within touching distance. What a difference a few days can make in your life when you stop running from what’s right in front of you.“I’m not staying behind either. You can let me travel with the rest of the pack or I’ll follow along behind on my own, the choice is yours,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest. “Hilda, this isn’t a game. Rolf all but admitted Soren’s focus on war is led by his desire to get you back. You’re not going anywhere near him. I’m going to challenge him to a one-on-one fight and we’ll put an end to this once and for all.”His face softens when
HildaThe next morning, I wake up feeling buoyant, as if the sheer joy coursing through me has made me weightless. If I’m not careful I may become airborne and float away on the warm, spring breeze.It seems Arlo is very serious about not wasting any time. He’s gone when I wake up, but by midday, I’m standing before a mirror, my fingers trembling as I run them over the fabric of my wedding dress.It’s perfect. The gown is ethereal. Soft, flowing layers of ivory and pale gold silk hug my body. The sheer sleeves are embroidered with delicate floral designs, like ivy trailing along my skin. As I turn slightly, the delicate train shifts behind me, pooling onto the floor like spun silk.It feels like something out of a dream. A flawless reflection of everything I feel inside. Love, hope and a happiness so fierce it leaves me breathless.My friends choose that moment to burst into our cabin without knocking.“You look like a goddess,” Nixie declares, her hands flying to her mouth. Kestrel n
HildaThe air is crisp and golden with the late afternoon sun, the scent of pine and blooming wildflowers wrapping around us as Arlo leads me through the trees. His fingers are laced with mine, warm and solid, his grip effortlessly guiding me along the mossy path.“I hope you’re not stealing me away for some nefarious reason,” I tease, nudging his side. “You’ve been suspiciously charming today.”Arlo smirks, the wicked glint in his eyes making my stomach flip. “Suspiciously? Love, I’m always charming. It’s one of the many, many reasons that you find me so utterly irresistible.”I hum in consideration. “Mmm, if you say so. What are some of the others?” Arlo leans down, his lips brushing my ear. “You seem to get a kick out of seeing me naked and apparently my kisses make you lose your mind. That’s a direct quote by the way.”He has me there. I arch a brow, but before I can pry further, he tugs me forward and pulls me into a clearing.My breath catches. A blanket is spread over the soft
CereliaBefore Soren can say anything more, a slow, mocking clap echoes through the space. I tense before I even turn to look.Damon stands at the edge of the gathered pack, his expression one of pure amusement. “Well, well,” he drawls, a smirk playing at his lips. “Quite the speech, brother. It’s almost convincing.”Soren doesn’t move, doesn’t react beyond narrowing his eyes. The air around us seems to grow colder.Damon steps forward, hands spread wide as if in greeting. “I have to admit, I’m impressed. I thought you’d be too weak to even stand.” His gaze flicks toward me, his smirk deepening. “And yet, here you are. How… inspiring.”My stomach twists, but I don’t let it show. This is what he does. He slithers in with words, chipping away at confidence until doubt is all that’s left. But Soren isn’t about to allow him to dictate the tone of this gathering.He stands tall, his voice calm and unwavering. “Say what you came to say, Damon. Then get out.” Damon chuckles, shaking his head
CereliaThe journey back to Soren’s pack lands is a quiet one at first. The rhythmic pounding of paws against the dirt, the rustling of leaves in the wind, the occasional crack of a branch underfoot, it all fills the silence we’re too lost in thought to break.Soren moves beside me, his pace steady but slower than it once was. He’s healing, but he’s not healed. I know the weight of returning to a pack who may no longer view him as an ideal leader is heavy on his shoulders.Damon’s betrayal, because that’s what it is, no matter how much I would like to deny it, lingers between us.Soren won’t voice his anger, not in front of me, for fear of burning me with the heat of his fury. But I can see it in the tight set of his jaw, the way his hands occasionally clench into fists before he forces them to relax.I decide to be the one to break the silence. “You don’t have to hold back because of me, you know.” He glances at me, brow furrowing. “I’m not.”I scoff lightly. “Soren.” My voice is fla
ArloPart of me is disappointed that Hilda thought of a non-violent approach to Soren’s Damon problem. I would love an excuse to put him down.Everything about Damon makes my skin crawl. It always has. Werewolves have quick tempers and we tend to choose violence more often than is necessary, but most of us don’t enjoy killing.A good fight is great. It clears the air, allows us to practice our skills and sends a strong message to both our packs and any potential enemies. Taking a life is different. It’s something heavy you have to carry with you.To wolves family is everything and knowing you’ve taken someone’s loved one away from them is a heavy burden to carry. To most of us. That part of Damon’s always been missing though.Lots of important bits of his psyche seems to be lost or broken. His strange obsession with his sister. His blood-lust. His sick plans for Hilda. I’m still not sure allowing him to live is the right thing to do.If his people hadn’t decided to act without his say
SorenThe boy shifts on his feet, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he catches his breath. He’s young, maybe fifteen, but the worry in his eyes makes him seem older.“What do you mean Damon is ‘sniffing around’?” I ask, keeping my voice steady despite the unease coiling in my gut.“He’s been talking to some of our warriors,” the boy says, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Telling them you’re weak. That you left us. That we need a strong leader to protect us.” His expression darkens. “My dad told him to get lost, but… not everyone feels the same.”Cerelia curses under her breath, her hand gripping my forearm in support. “I’m so sorry, Soren. I can’t believe my own brother is doing this, after the peace deal you reached. Maybe I can talk to him and make him see sense.”“This isn’t your fault,” I tell her, shaking my head. “Damon’s always been looking for an opportunity like this. He would have made his move eventually.”The words sound strong, but inside, doubt gnaws at me.Damon i
Hilda Days of endless bliss follow.My healing is speeding up and I’m well enough to go out and show everyone that I’m really alive and well. There’s no war threatening and Arlo delegates a lot of his duties to Percy, so he can spend more time with me. My stamina is quickly returning to what it was and I don’t waste one precious moment of alone time with my mate.We’ve fallen into a routine. Mornings are spent in bed, making love slowly before having brunch. Arlo goes to training and to take care of business until late afternoon. Generally we’re panting for each other by that time and nights are spent in frantic fuck fests that leave me exhausted and deliriously happy.I’m under strict orders to do no exercise other than walking until I’m back to my normal weight, so I alternate who I drag away from their everyday lives to take forced walks with me between Cerelia, Percy, Kestrel and Nixie. I’ve decided frantic sex with Arlo is integral to my overall well-being and thus does not coun
HildaMy stamina isn’t what it used to be. As much as I want to keep making love to Arlo until the sun starts peeking over the horizon, I’m so sated and sleepy after my third orgasm, I can barely summon the energy to roll on to my back.“I’m sorry, baby,” I murmur, breathing heavily and attempting to push my hair off my sweaty brow. He rolls to his side and leans over me immediately, tenderly taking over the task of moving my hair.“Don’t you dare. I would have sold my soul for a single kiss while you were gone. Just having you back brings me enough joy to last me a lifetime and on top of that I got to make love to you for over an hour. There’s no part of me that isn’t fully celebrating right now.”I smile at him sleepily, contentment washing through me, tranquility sinking into my bones. “Me too,” I admit, happily kissing him back when his lips brush over mine.“I never want to spend a moment separated from you again,” Arlo murmurs against my ear, his forehead resting against mine. “
Damon The tension in the air is palpable the moment I step onto Soren’s land.His wolves eye me warily, shoulders squared, jaws tight, their instincts screaming at them to bare their throats in submission. But they don’t. Not fully. There’s deference, sure, but not the kind I need. Complete, unquestionable loyalty to an Alpha. That belongs to Soren, even in his absence.Damn fool. He isn’t even here, yet his pack still clings to him like he’s their salvation.I keep my stance loose, my expression unreadable. It won’t help my cause to show irritation. Instead, I let a slow smirk curl my lips as I address the wolves gathered before me.“I have to say, I’m disappointed,” I begin, scanning their faces, letting my gaze linger just long enough to make each one uncomfortable. “Soren’s abandoned you. He’s off playing house in Arlo’s territory, licking his wounds, and you’re all here… waiting for what, exactly?”A ripple of unease moves through them. I see the flicker of doubt in their eyes,