What a day indeed!! Love is all around! Thank you for all the comments and gems! It is so much fun to read your thoughts as the story progresses! Thank you for reading! -JNS <3
Vincenzo POV The sounds of crickets and other nocturnal creatures become louder. Is it nighttime? I try to move my arm but my entire body is weighted down. I almost panic, until I run my hands over the object, or should I say person, laying on top of me. Emerald. I wrap my arms around her soft body, feeling her ample breasts pressed against my chest. I run my hand over her ass. The sides of her ass are still slightly raised from the hard spanks I delivered earlier. My cock comes to life as I relive the mind-blowing sex we had. It truly was the best sex of my life. I have never felt so connected, so in sync, with another person. Her body responded to mine so naturally. With other women, my wolf rarely cared to come forward and be involved. With Emerald, my wolf was fighting me for a front-row seat. I never struggled for control against my wolf like that- even with Carolina, Maggie, or Amaya. I begin to wonder if Emerald could be more. Could she be… “Mm
Emmy POV It figures. Of course, this would happen again. I knew what he was all about when I first met him. This was all a game to him. How many other girls have fallen victim to his charms? How many other girls did he convince that he was cursed, only for them to feel bad for him, and give themselves to him? How long is the trail of broken hearts, and shattered spirits, in his path? I’m nothing more than rubble in his rearview mirror; shards of glass within piles of many shattered before me. I’m not different. I’m not better. I roll over to ignore the sounds of my phone vibrating and pinging with missed calls and messages. I think it’s been three days since I woke up alone in his bed. I waited for him to return, but he never did. The sun came up, birds chirped as if signaling to me that brighter days were finally here. Wrong. Whether the day was going to be miserable, or perfectly memorable, birds would chirp regardless. Nothing means anything anymore.
Emmy POV “Would you all believe me if I told you I’ve had really bad cramps all week?” None of my sisters look amused, not even Amy. Great. They all roll their eyes and stay silent, waiting for me to tell them what actually happened. I walk to my dresser and grab an oversized t-shirt, a pair of leggings, and wool socks. I get dressed, then plop down on the bed. Saph takes a seat behind me and gently runs her fingers through my wet hair. “Just talk to us, Emmy. Daphne called Pearl and said nobody has been able to see you or speak with you. Lucas told Daya that he has tried checking in on you and you simply turned him away,” Saph explains as she begins braiding my hair. She learned this trick from our mother. She would comb and braid our hair whenever we were upset. It would always relax us and make it easier for us to tell her what was bothering us. It worked every time. “You don’t look like you’ve eaten or even slept. Please talk to
Vincenzo POV She looked so broken; like she’s barely holding herself together. She hasn’t let anyone see her. She hasn’t answered her phone or responded to her messages. Lucas became worried several days ago and notified Alpha Darius, who, of course, told Emerald’s sisters. I have been ready to break her door down, but Viviana forbade me from seeing her. “You should only see her if you intend to fix this situation. Otherwise, you cannot talk to her, Vin. Leave her alone.” Remembering Viviana’s words from the other day is causing my head to throb. I force her warning, along with the pain on Emerald’s face, to the back of my mind. Alpha Darius and I have to discuss The Underground. “So, no progress in identifying any inside threats?” Darius asks as he leans against the wall of windows. I can feel the frustration bubbling up inside of him. I’m frustrated too. We have no leads. And we haven’t received any word, or warnings from The Underground. “Nothing. Lu
Emmy POV “I have been raised in the swamps of Florida. I have seen many things- tailgating, gator wrestling, and catfishing. But I have yet to see a real club! This is awesome!” Amy shouts over the loud dance music. I’m trying to keep an eye on her so she doesn’t get lost in the sea of people dancing around her. Even in her heeled boots, she is still shorter than everyone in the club. “Look what we got!” Viviana and Daphne return to the five of us on the dance floor with shots for everyone. Everyone except Daya. She’s our chaperone. Pearl and Amy reach for their shots and Daya stops them. “Ah, ah. You two aren’t at the legal drinking age yet. Same goes for Daphne,” Daya scolds us. “Packs allow their members to drink as young as sixteen, Dye!” Amy counters, trying to reach for the shot glass that Daya is easily holding above her head. The rest of us laugh at the scene. “We are in a human club, with human rules. How did you even man
Daya POV I have to literally drag Amy to the bar. This girl needs all the water. “Daya…Stop being lame!” Amy slurs as she rests her head on my shoulder. I roll my eyes at her. I can’t believe she is this wasted already. I glance back at the rest of our group. Viviana and Daphne are making their way to the bathroom, and the rest of our sisters are still dancing together. What was in those shots? “I’m not being lame, Amy. I’m just getting you water because you’re miniature and can’t handle your liquor. I nudge her so she doesn’t pass out on me. I keep waving my hand to get the bartender’s attention. “And if anything, you’re lame. I’m gonna start calling you Lamy if you pass out in the middle of this club,” I tease her, hoping to rouse her back to life. “No! You’re so lame and dumb! You put the ‘duh’ in ‘dumb.’ Ha!” Yep, woke her right up. Amy is such a lightweight compared to the rest of us. The bartender finally makes his way
Emmy POV Everything hurts. I literally feel like I was trampled by a stampede of horses. The smell of disinfectant and clean linens fills my nose. I’m on a bed, but it’s not my bed at the packhouse. It’s definitely not Vincenzo’s bed. Where am I? “Come on, Emmy, wake up. I see your eyes starting to move,” a familiar voice says to me. I haven’t heard that voice in a couple of months. “Where am I?” I ask the voice. My head tilts toward the voice. I feel my face scrunch as I try to force my eyes open. “Open your eyes and you’ll find out,” he teases. The sound of a pen clicking rapidly is making it hard to focus. “Please stop doing that,” I beg the voice, my eyes still too heavy to open. “I’ll stop when you open your eyes for me, Emmy,” he chuckles. I groan and roll my eyes behind my eyelids. He clicks his pen even faster, taunting me. I snatch it out of his hand faster than he is expecting and stare him down. “Knock it off
Vincenzo POV I feel completely helpless. I haven’t felt this way in a long time. Not since I lost Carolina in the fire. Viviana has been taken and there is nothing I can do to get her back. There is no trail, no scent, no clues. Nothing. Darius promises me that we will find her and Daphne, but I’m not stupid. I know he can’t keep that promise. For all I know, Viviana is already dead. This Bram guy doesn’t seem to value a person’s life unless it serves his purpose. Which is what exactly? Does he want my pack? Does he want me dead? He can have whatever he wants, just let my sister go. Then I remember what he said he wanted. Or rather who. He wants Emerald. I’d rather be dead than hand her over to him. It was hard enough allowing Daya and Darius to bring her back to Running River. They want to keep Emerald as far away from danger as possible. I know they meant Bram, but a part of me also knows that Daya wants to keep her away from me as well. Watching Emerald th
Vincenzo POV 6 Weeks Later “I can’t do this…I can’t believe this is happening,” Darius says, pacing up and down the hallway of the Running River Medical Clinic. His eyes are bloodshot from not sleeping all night, his hair is sticking out in different directions, and his clothes are a wrinkled mess. Granted, he’s in sweatpants and a t-shirt, but still, he’s looked better. “Relax, Dare. Everything is going to be fine,” Tobias says calmly but his words fall on deaf ears as Darius continues to pace. “It’s happening…it’s happening…” he continues murmuring to himself. Tobias and I share a glance and snort, laughing at our friend. Darius is not an emotional guy, so I’m definitely getting a kick seeing him like this. Tobias isn’t doing such a good job masking his amusement. In fact, he’s taking a video of Darius having a panic attack. I try to swat his arm down, but he pulls out of my reach. I’m not trying very hard to stop him, and instead I’m enjoyi
Emmy POV After the show wrapped up, our group convened in front of the theatre, waiting for Renz, Daphne, and Viv to come out. Viv pushes open the front doors and holds them for the leading couple. Renz has his arm around Daphne’s waist, and she has her arm wrapped around his, both looking so happy. They are no longer in their costumes, and are now both dressed comfortably in jeans and t-shirts. We all break out in another round of cheers and applause. Daphne seems more comfortable with the extra attention than Renz whose face is redder than a tomato. “Okay, okay. I think that’s enough. Please.” Renz motions for us all to calm down. I’ve never seen him like this. He usually keeps a stoic affect. “You’re not gonna hear the end of this, Renz! You were incredible. You both were,” Lucas says as he approaches the pair. He gives Daphne a big hug and then gives Renz a one-arm hug, clapping him on the back. I can see how close they have become over the last few weeks. It
Vincenzo POV Our group could have easily walked to the theatre, but with everyone dressed so nicely, and Daya being very pregnant, Viv insisted we take a limo. She wanted us to arrive in style. I smile, looking around at our group settling into the long row of leather seats. We have all come so far. I know we still have a way to go, but this is a strong beginning to something great. We make it to the theatre in about five minutes. There is already a small crowd of pack members lined up to go inside. I open the door of the limo and I’m blinded by bright flashing lights. I fall backward into Emerald, making her fall back into Pearl, and a tiny domino effect takes place within the limo. “Oi! What’s the hold-up, Vinny?” Archie shouts from across the car. Somehow, he’s nestled next to Amy. How did that happen? I don’t like that. “What’s the matter, Vincenzo?” Emerald asks, pulling me out of protective, big brother thoughts. “I was blinded b
Emmy POV “I swear, Emmy, it’s not fair that you get the great boobs and ass in this family. So unfair,” Amy pouts as she twirls in front of a full-length mirror. She’s wearing a fuchsia, knee-length, cape dress. It looks amazing against her tan skin. I roll my eyes at her comment, choosing to ignore it. “Just get knocked up. Your boobs and butt will grow in no time,” Daya quips, as she crosses the room behind Amy, flicking our younger sister’s sleek ponytail. Amy attempts to shoot Daya a glare but she can’t hold a serious face to save her life. “How are you feeling Daya? I can’t believe you’re due next month. We’re all going to be aunties!” Pearl shrieks excitedly. She looks effortlessly impeccable in a long, sleeveless, blush-colored dress with beaded embellishments. The length of her dress makes her seem even taller. I always find it amusing that our youngest sister is the tallest of all five of us. “Ugh. I’m ready to get back to training. I get tired j
Vincenzo POV 1 Month Later “I’m telling you, Viv, you’re going to want a bonus room upstairs. It could make a great office, or future playroom down the road,” I tell my sister for the hundredth time as I show her the blueprints for her and Lucas’ future home. “It just seems like too much house for the two of us. You know I hate cleaning,” Viv says, waving her hand over my blueprints. This is the tenth revision I’ve made since she told me she and Lucas would be living in our pack. I’m more than happy to design my younger sister’s future home, but she is proving to be the most difficult client I’ve ever had. I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a big breath. “I promise, Viv, it’s not that much house. And when you and Lucas have kids, you’ll thank me for creating a space where they can play and not bother you,” I nudge her. I’m not changing these plans again. Darius has already sent out members of his pack to start the construction. This meeting was int
Emmy POV I had avoided talking about my time with Bram. It makes me physically sick to think about it, to relive those memories. I truly believed that Vincenzo would look at me differently if he learned about what happened. No, Bram was never able to complete a bond by mating me or having me mark him, but he did enough. I shared a bed with him for an entire month. He touched me. Kissed me. Confused me. If Vincenzo hadn’t gotten to me…I’d like to believe I would have fought off Bram. But I’m not so sure. My wolf wanted Bram until she could sense Vincenzo. Only then was she able to lend me whatever strength she had left to overcome the debilitating delirium of my heat. Seeing Vincenzo being nothing but understanding shouldn’t surprise me. I didn’t even want to talk to my sisters about Bram. I just wanted to bury it in my mind and try to never think about it again. Then I saw red- literally. Viviana came up to mine and Vincenzo’s bedroom while I was unpacking. We were joking
Vincenzo POV Viv and Emerald were over the moon to hear the news about Lucas becoming my Gamma. I never considered having a Gamma until now. I felt like I managed the pack well enough with just me and Renz. Seeing how well Renz and Lucas work together, can be good for our leadership. Darius was the one to put the idea in my head. We spoke on the phone the day after Nathan’s funeral. I mentioned how torn Viv seemed about leaving our pack to be with Lucas. Darius reassured me that he and Tobias could handle things just fine and that he had another guy in mind to be his new Gamma- Logan Emberton, the brother of the young wolf that Renz accidentally killed a few months ago. Now, it’s just Emerald and me, alone again. While my lower body is spurring to life, seeking another vigorous round of sex with my mate, my brain is reminding me about that large trash bag full of red clothes and those urges quickly subside. “You’re quiet, my love,” Emerald says as she wraps her a
Vincenzo POV The sounds of birds chirping pull me out of the sweetest dream. I blink my eyes open, and the bright rays of the morning sun warm my face. I look down and see her. My mate. She is still sleeping, her head on my chest, her thick, hazelnut hair is strewn all over, tangling with dark brown locks, and her naked body is curled into mine. The biggest smile stretches across my face; it wasn’t a dream. She’s really here. She moved in the last of her things last night, but she never got the chance to unpack. Fuck, we never even got a chance to eat the dinner I made. I chuckle to myself as I replay last night’s activities. My mate may come off as a quiet, little mouse, but she is a feisty sex kitten. I feel my dick getting hard again just thinking about her underneath me, her legs over my shoulders and her pussy wrapped around my dick. “You keep thinking those thoughts and we won’t be eating breakfast.” I look down to see my beautiful mate’s
Vincenzo POV “And where am I supposed to go while you and Emmy have your romantic dinner here?!” Viviana complains in my ear. I almost forgot how grating and annoying her voice can be when she’s upset. I’ve missed her so much- I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to her. I continue chopping the vegetables, the fresh fragrance of garlic, bell peppers, and onions filling the kitchen. “I don’t know, Viv. You could always move to Running River with Lucas…your mate. Or is that mark on your neck just for show?” I tease her as I casually point my cutting knife in her direction. Her cheeks redden with blush, and she sweeps her hand over her mark- a red heart, with two wolf pawprints etched into the heart, with a full moon and a sun on either side. It’s beautiful. “We are still trying to figure it all out. Lucas is the Gamma at Running River Pack, but I have so many projects and responsibilities that I oversee here,” she grumbles as she twirls her hair. I fin