“We found another rogue on our territory,” Ryan says, fixing a glare at me. Though he has accepted Isabel as my mate, he still hasn’t fully warmed up to the idea yet. And that shows in moments like these. Little jabs that suggest he blames me for the problems we’re having with intruders.“I’ll take care of it,” I say with a sigh. “We haven’t caught him yet,” Ryan says. “I’ll have the guards grab him and then you can do the interrogation. You can figure out what to do about him and how to keep rogues off of our territory.”“Don’t worry about it,” I say, eager to prove myself to him. The more useful he thinks I am, the more leverage I’ll have when it comes to negotiating Isabel’s presence here.“I’ll find him and catch him myself,” I say. “I’ll figure out why he’s here and try to figure out what we can do to rectify this problem.”Ryan nods as he looks at me apprehensively. “Okay,” he says. “I’m trusting you with this because you haven’t let me down before. But I swear if it’s Be
I panic because I know. I can hear them and I think they want me to hear them. They want to torture me like this.These wolfs are the kind of sickos that get off on other people’s pain. They’re drowning in mine and they love it.“Hey Ben,” Nathan says, as nonchalantly as ever. It’s as if he’s my brother’s best friend and they’re having just a normal, everyday conversation.I suppose that’s what it feels like to him. This probably all feels so normal and risk free.“No need to be rude,” Nathan says. “I appreciate your help so far, but it’s only taken us so far. We have bigger plans that we need Isabel for. “This is nothing against you, of course. We meant what we said about not harming her if you helped us, but that was when we only knew she was your sister. Now we know she’s the Beta’s mate, things have changed. That makes her even more valuable.”These are the people Ben has been hanging out with, and suddenly it all makes sense. They must’ve threatened me. That’s why he’s been
Ben comes racing through, energized since he hasn’t been part of this fight until now. I can see the exhaustion on Nathan’s face as he looks at Ben.This is unexpected to him. But he gathers up his strength as he and Ben face off. Ben doesn’t waste any time. He goes straight for his neck, forcing Nathan to up his game, leaving James to wrestle with the other two.James finally latches onto a vital vein in Levi’s neck and bites hard, then rips with his teeth.Levi cries out as blood showers the ground. Nathan ignores this. Too intent on Ben to pay attention to any sort of distractions. But Patrick is fueled by watching Levi fall to the ground in a slump.We all know he’ll be dead soon, which fills Patrick with the kind of rage that’s most dangerous. He goes after James with a new fury, lashing out at him, causing horrifying wounds.I continue working on freeing myself from my binds. I need to help them. They won’t like it, but I need to. They’ll die if I don’t. Then, I notice
Despite the rules of only staying at James’ house once a night, Ryan makes an exception and allows Ben and I to stay at James’ house for the night, since we both are so drained, sore, and just plain exhausted after the fight.We wait up anxiously for James to get back home after he gives us the key. And finally, after worrying for so long, the door opens.James walks in all bandaged up and bruised.“Where’s my hug?” he asks with a grin.“I don’t want to hug you,” I reply. “I worry I’ll break you. I don’t want to hurt you even more than you’ve already been hurt.”“Going without a hug would hurt me more,” he argues. “Come on. One hug?”I hug him as lightly as possible before giving him a light kiss. Once we part, Ben stands there looking uncertain.“I wanted to thank you,” he says, walking up to James. “I know things haven’t always great between all of us, but you saved my sister. You fought hard even when you were hurt.“There’s a lot to admire about you, James. So, I do admire
“Finally, this is happening,” I say, as I look at Ben.He smiles down at me with pride, and I know we’re both the happiest we’ve ever been. Life is so beautiful.“Well, you’ve put it off long enough,” he teases. “I’ve never seen anyone have such a long engagement.”“Everything has to be perfect,” I say. “It’s the wedding of my dreams and we had to save up money for that.”“I know Ryan helped bankroll some of it,” Ben replies.He’s not wrong. The only reason why we’re able to get married in this small castle is because of Ryan’s help. We came up with most of the money ourselves, but he was a big contributor.“He insisted it’s because of all our hard work,” I say, recalling that conversation I was incredibly thankful for.“You have worked hard,” Ben admits. “The two of you have brought some incredible changes to the pack. You’ve shaken things up in an impressive way.“Though you know it also has something to do with the soft spot Ryan has for James. I’ve never seen an Alpha who’s
“It’s amazing how time flies,” I say, staring at my growing stomach in the mirror. “Not long ago, I was looking at myself in a wedding dress. Now, we only have to wait four more months until we meet our daughter.”“I can’t wait,” James says, as he hugs me from behind and kisses my neck. “I’m so excited to meet her. I already love our little family.“And yet somehow we’ve still managed to stay on top of things. I’m a much better Beta with your help. Our pack is so much better with Ben’s strength. Everything is going so well. Our future is so bright.”“It is,” I agree. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. I can’t think of anything better.”Still, not long after we leave the house to put into motion any better plans we have. We started having these weekly meetings with Ryan to stay on top of things. We’re always trying to improve our pack’s lives.We’ve even gotten them more involved with the community at large. We’ve made Ryan realize that there’s strength in having good ties with peo
I want to protect my daughter.I need to protect my daughter.But I can’t just sit and here and watch as her father gets slaughtered either. That’s not protecting her. That’d only be ensuring she’d grow up without a father and I don’t want that for her. I have to be able to save them both.I leap out of hiding, determined to save my whole family. I will save my whole family. Things can’t end like this. That’s not how love stories go.My claws lash out at the attacker’s face as I knock right into him, saving James from that last blow. The part of my soul that is crazy protective over my husband and daughter attacks him with its full strength. I lash at his eyes, sink my teeth into his skin.He tries to stop me. He does his best to defend himself against me but he’s no match for a mother and wife who’s beyond angry and worried. I quickly kill him without mercy.We’re the only wolves left here, so I turn to James who lay bleeding on the ground, and I realize something I didn’t see
A sudden jolt of pain wakes me, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. “I had the worst nightmare,” I mumble to James. “You wouldn’t believe it. I know they say that can sometimes happen with pregnancy, but I wasn’t expecting anything like this.”James doesn’t answer, so I role over but instead of being greeted by James, I’m stopped by a horrible pain in my shoulder.I open my eyes and look up at a dust filled sky. I remember. But it can’t be. It all has to be a nightmare. It has to be a nightmare. This can’t be real life.I close my eyes again as tears fall. If this wasn’t a nightmare, then they won’t ever stop falling. It has to be a nightmare. It has to be a nightmare. I don’t want to look, but I know that I must. I have to get some sort of idea as to what’s real and what’s not. I did just wake up, after all. So, most of it could be a nightmare. It has to be.Eyes open, I look to my side and see a pack I don’t recognize. Or at least, I don’t want to recognize them. The
DAMIENYears pass slowly when eternity is no longer in sight.Standing on the edge of the balcony of the bedroom I’ve shared with Isabel for five hundred years, I watch the lush lands in the distance. The demon realm has never prospered like this before. I’ve never been this content before.In the distance, I hear laughter and I look over to see two of my older sons carrying their sisters in their arms while my other daughter run after them, Cerebus trailing after them.I’ve had children before. I’ve watched them pass on. I still watch over their families. But this is different. This is more precious. Isabel has given me so many children and for once, I will not have to watch them die before me. Twenty strong children, half of whom are now leading their own lives, coming back to visit us. I have never once regretted sharing my life span. Now I get to enjoy my beautiful mate for centuries to come before we move on from this world. Speaking of my mate, I hear her voice.“Junip
I clutch on to Damien’s still body as I see Balin’s body dissolve into nothing within seconds. There is hush across the battlefield as everyone stares in shock at what has just taken place.‘Justice.’The words echoes in everyone’s ears and then I see the realization hit the elves about what is coming to them. The begin to flee.But only if it was that easy.One by one, they fall, their deaths painful and horrific sights.The battle which had come to a halt because of Damien’s sacrifice has now been ended by the interference of the Gods. There is no guilt within me.There is just dark and vicious satisfaction.Let them burn. Let them feel what it is like.The whole thing is over within a couple of minutes and the silence stretches across the field.Finally, the Gods face me, ‘What do you wish from us?’My eyes flicker towards Damien and when I look up, the field is gone. Both me and Damien are in this white space that has no end.“The elves are gone,” I say with great di
My heart is filled with a broken pain that I can’t breathe past.They showed up. But they showed up too late.I’ve lost everything.Damien isn’t breathing. I pull out the spears one by one, ignoring the presence of the beings, tears falling down my face, my chest so tight with pain that I think it will burst. I can’t feel our mating bond!Oh, God! I can’t feel him anymore!The wail that rips from my throat at the realization that he’s left me all alone is a terrifying sound. The earth begins to shake as my grief grows out of control. These powers, these abilities, they’re useless to me!My heart is tearing out of my chest in my madness, the ground shaking.Let it all burn!Let them all die!‘Child.’The voice echoes in my head again and this time I look at those beings, my face ravaged with the tears of a broken woman.‘You cannot destroy these realms.’“I cannot?” I snarl, “Just who do you think you are to tell me what I can or cannot do?!”The more upset I am, th
Mara’s anticlimactic death has me reeling. But now is not the time to worry about that. I shift into my wolf form, attacking the enemy with a ruthlessness. It’s true what the witch said. My mating bond has increased my strength. I feel lighter on my feet as I wade through the elves like they’re ants. My speed is faster, although not to the level of that of Damien’s.I can feel some of my abilities leaking through but I’ve still not been able to access my abilities. I’m a little disappointed. I thought weakening the seal would have more of an impact but aside from this soft leakage of warm sensation, there is nothing else.I feel frustrated but I can’t do anything.Damien, though.Damien is stronger than I have ever seen. He’s cutting down the elves with speed, his focus sharp. His laughter is vicious and despite that, my heart flutters in my chest at how glorious he looks. I look at him and that is my mistake.You never allow yourself to get distracted on the battlefield.A
The troops are already waiting in their battle positions when we arrive.Damien brings me with him to the battlefield. He’s wearing a suit of dark armor and I feel tense, “The Rubab Stone-”“I’ll have to be more careful,” his voice is calm. “Last time I wasn’t as aware. This time I know I am not invincible.”“Damien,” my heart is twisting in my chest. “I-”He cups my cheek, his voice gentle, “I’ll be fine, little wolf. Just don’t leave your guards.”I know he would have preferred to stash me somewhere but it’s clear that he wants me close by. After so many traitors popping up after the first battle, it only makes sense.“Don’t let anybody catch you off guard,” he thrusts a sword into my hand. “Trust your instinct when you fight. They’re going to try and separate us. Let’s make sure that, that doesn’t happen.”I give him a small smile, feeling a sliver of hope on seeing his confidence.“Okay.”I get on my toes and press a sweet kiss to his mouth.We don’t get more time togethe
“What is it?” “Something has happened in the demon realm,” he says, grimly, before looking down at my hand.I shake my head, “The pain is gone.”“Good, let’s go.”“Thank you,” I give the witch a weak smile, not knowing whether to actually be grateful or blame her for the wrong that has happened in my life. But it’s always a good idea to be graceful.She waves us off and I’m in Damien’s arms as he runs out of the cave, past the trees, towards the temple.“The portal-”“Caleb will open it when I give the signal,” he’s not even out of breath as he rushes down the temple where the shrine gates are.As we move towards the town, I grab his shoulder, “Wait! What is that?!”The sky is orange.“How long were we inside?” I mutter. “Is the sun rising?”“No,” Damien says after a long moment. “It’s fire. The town has been set on fire.”“We have to help-”But Damien holds me back, “Look.”For a moment, I don’t understand what he is saying. And then I see the arrows shooting within the
“There has to be something someone can do,” I ask, forcing my voice to stay calm, despite the roiling fear inside of me.The witch’s voice is kind now, “I’m afraid not. You’re not the first who has tried to seek a way to undo the curse.”It’s hard to keep my tears at bay. The tears are not of sadness but rather of the crippling fear of the unknown future that awaits me. At this point, I am already aware of the nature of the painful deaths a majority of the Righs faced. It was just physical pain they had to go through, that would have been fine. Horrifying as it may be, one can tolerate that to an extent. But seeing your loved ones be tortured? The mental anguish is not something I will be able to take any longer. My suffering may be different from that of the previous Righs. It may not even compare. But for me, it is enough. I am reaching my breaking point. There are so many people in my life that I now care about, so many people who can be used against me. It frightens me to th
The witch studies me, “There have been numerous prophecies recorded about the Righs over time but there was one that was recorded by a Righ who was born to a Seer and a witch. You can call it a curse or a prophecy.”I instantly remember what I saw. The memory of the battlefield. The woman who was held down, screaming.My blood turns to ice as I recall that memory. It still gives me nightmares. “The downfall of the elves. From the hands of the weakest of the Righs. And right now,” the witch looks at me, “no offence, but you are the weakest Righ there is.”I’m being hit by so many curveballs that getting my feelings hurt is at the bottom of the list right now.“It’s funny that you think I’m going to bring about the downfall of the elves when I can’t even protect myself or use my abilities.”My voice is tight with barely restrained anger.“The stars have aligned and the stars have never lied before,” the witch says, easily. “The time is drawing nearer for the final battle.”I don
I feel my knees turn weak, “What?”“But you created the seal!” Damien snaps. “You should be able to break it!”“Logically, yes,” the witch says, calmly. “But this seal is special. It draws its power through sacrifice of fate. Those spells are impossible to break.”A shutter falls over Damien’s face, “What have you done?”I look between the two feeling like I’m in the dark, “What does she mean? What do you mean by a sacrifice of fate?”The witch studies me and for the first time, I see a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes for me, “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that.”I push past Damien, “I do. What do you mean a sacrifice of fate?! Whose fate?!”She looks at Damien before meeting my gaze, “The Righ is a powerful entity. You think it was easy for even somebody like me to be able to contain your powers? No. If I had used a normal spell, as strong as I might have tried to make it, it would have broken against your powers. I needed something stronger. Something that woul