How are you liking the main characters so far? It's early days in the story but I think we have a good idea already where this may go. Thank you for reading, please drop me a comment and a gem if you enjoyed the chapter.
GABEKillian had come back last night after spending a day at the Raven Knights' pack. I’m sitting in the usual booth waiting for him to grace me with his presence. I would have had a sit-down last night, but he didn’t pull into town until the early hours of the morning, saying he needed sleep and attention. Making a point to say ‘attention first then sleep’.The Raven Knights pack was a good day’s drive from here, so he had been gone almost three days.I watch my sister dry and shelve glasses, preparing to open this afternoon. I smile to myself knowing the bar gives her purpose and insanely keeps her sane.“I can feel your eyes on me, Gabe!” She shouts with her back turned to me. “Why?” She questions still putting up glasses.“It's because big bro loves you to death,” Jamerson says walking in through the back of the bar and leaning over the end of the counter.I let out a low growl when I see the way my best friend's eyes roam over my sister. *Whatever you are thinking… I’ll kill you.
STIXSPulling the heavy door open to one of the enormous greenhouses that sit on our pack lands, I contemplate what my father is trying to do. The hot air hits me and I struggle to pull air into my lungs. The vast difference between the heat outside and the muggy heat inside the greenhouse is a sudden change and it takes a minute to adjust.I lift my nose and scent the air, trying to catch a whiff of Ruby’s perfume. The only thing I can smell is the overbearing scent of oranges.I couldn’t get it out of my head that my father was willing to give every penny he had to a mercenary pack of wolves just to keep me from falling into Alpha Crane's hands.On one hand, I’m proud of my father for sticking up for me. On the other hand, I just can't wrap my head around him sacrificing so much just for me. We couldn’t go to war with the Crimson Moon pack. We would lose for sure. With or without this band of rogue wolves. That and I wasn’t worth the lives of our warriors or the future of this pack.
GABE“So, what are you thinking oh fearless leader of ours?” Jamerson asks as I roll another barrel his way to change out.I lean against a case of liquor, some of our own brand, Propping an elbow on top. He was talking about the Raven Knights pack. “I think you should tell me your thoughts.” I shrug watching him re-hook the line to the keg.“No. No. You don’t get to put this on me.” He laughs, glancing at me. “This is your call, Gabe.”Swiping a hand down my face, realizing I need to shave when I feel the rough stubble scratch my palm. “The cause is sound. The money not so much.” I cut Jamerson off as he tries to rebuttal my statement. “But… I keep thinking of my sister. How she didn’t have a choice, how her voice wasn’t heard. Then think of how the alpha is willing to give up everything he has to keep his daughter out of the hands of a tyrannical pack.”“So, we’re taking the job?” Jamerson stands to his full height now all the kegs have been changed, crosses his arms, and sits on the
STIXSShifting uncomfortably, I looked at myself in the vanity mirror. The midnight blue dress was too tight. Too poofy. Too pretty. And so not me. I wasn’t used to wearing glamorous clothes such as this. But it had belonged to my mother.I only wish I wasn’t wearing it for creepy Crane and instead, wearing it to some fancy gala or party.Ruby finished putting the last touches on my hair. Even that was too fancy for me.“You look just like your mother.” I glance back in the mirror to see my father filling the door frame to my room.I smile when I see the sheen that coats his eyes. I once asked him why he never took another mate. He told me he could never love another like he did her and that the pain of her loss still sat heavily on his heart.Through the years I had hoped that he would meet someone to fill that void. But he never has to my knowledge. I was young when my mother was murdered and though I felt her absence and had fond memories of her, it wasn’t the same for me.“Thank yo
STIXSThe clock on the wall reads 10 pm. Internally I groan and outwardly I shift uncomfortably in my seat. The dress annoys the shit out of me as it gathers around my waist.I wonder how much longer I needed to sit with my father and entertain Alpha Crane. Who was not going easy on the wine either.The ticking of the second hand on the clock got louder as I tried to drown out Crane’s slimy voice while he proceeded to tell my father the benefits of our packs merging under him once he claimed me.I tilt my head and flick my gaze from the clock to my father whose face seems to be reddening with each passing second. Finally, I pay attention to the conversation.“With our growth and your fuel crops Crimson Moon will be the most powerful pack this side of the world.” Crane sips the dark berry drink, a few drops dribbling down his potholed chin. Not bothering with a napkin, he wipes the spillage with the back of his suit jacket. “You will be able to step down from Alpha and my heir will take
GABEThrowing the last few items I would need into my pack; I zipped it up and threw it over my shoulder before heading downstairs to say goodbye to Seffy and make sure everything was covered.I would only be gone for three days. Four at the max but I still worried about my sister even if Jamerson was staying to make sure shit ran smoothly around here.“Alpha?” Bailey's sweet and innocent voice traveled through the apartment and to my ears. I had almost forgotten that she was still in my bed.“Get dressed and go home,” I tell her without any emotion. “I’ll be gone for a few days.”“I heard the Renegades are going to war?” She questions timidly thinking it wasn’t any of her business.I nod, “We are. Maybe. It depends on the people we may fight against.” The truth was, getting involved in pack wars was every Renegade’s business, including the Goodtime Girls.I wouldn’t hide anything from our group of outcasts. I hoped they would all fight with us, and they would if they wanted a payday.
GABEI don’t offer the four strangers a seat and certainly wasn’t going to be hospitable and offer them a drink. “State your offer.” I coldly demand wanting them out of my bar and away from my town.I had no interest in their offer for the pure fact they gave me bad vibes. I hated packs and ranks like these fuckers. They thought they were better than everyone else. That the laws only suited them when they decided.The laws of the packs were fashioned by assholes like this who wore fancy attire and sly smirks thinking their money gave them power.It was because of packs like these four came from that were the downfall of my father and mother. My parents had caved to elite packs, giving in and going against everything they stood for, and at what cost? Their daughters? The ultimate cost was their lives.They allowed Seffy to be used as a bargaining chip. Making a deal that didn’t benefit anyone in the long run. A deal that went south because I didn’t allow it to happen.The biggest of the
STIXSChasing my father out of the upturned dining room, I try to grab his attention as he swiftly crosses the pack house in a fury-driven hurry.“Is this why Crimson Moon wants our pack? The reason Alpha Crane is so adamant about taking me as a chosen mate?” I question with anger. Any effects of the wine had worn off completely leaving me angrier with my father than I was as Creepy Crane.“Leave it be Stixs,” My father grunts picking up his pace as he weaves towards the stairs. I have to jog just to keep up with him.“Leave it be?” I shout, “Leave it be? This concerns me and you are keeping secrets!” I yell stepping out of place but too wrapped up in my anger to give a rat's ass.Unexpectedly my father whirls around, his eyes shining with anger as his wolf sits on the surface. “I didn’t tell you because that kind of knowledge will get you killed!”I take a step back, a little afraid of my father as he seethes the words at me, spit flying from his mouth. I had never seen my father this
GABEWe were still half a day away from home, and no matter how hard we pushed our bikes, we couldn't get there any faster.The cloud of dust was unsettling. Either someone was going to or coming from the Crimson Moon pack, whichever it was, it was not a good sign.My stomach churned when I thought of the possibilities, going over every scenario as we ate up the road. Not even the gentle touch of Hope or the feel of her soft body pressed against my back was staving off my concerns.I admit, I did like the feeling of her pressed against me. The idea that she was riding with me wasn’t lost either, I had never had anyone on my bike, save for Seffy a few times.It was natural with Hope as if she belonged against me—with me. Maybe it was because I hadn’t had a good fuck in a few days, or that when I had, all I could think about was the blond who was now holding me tightly and her legs leaning onto mine, the inside of her thighs gripping my hips.With how hard my cock still was, I kept thin
STIXExhilarating was the only way to describe the feeling of being on the back of Gabriel Greyson's motorbike. The stick heat was dulled by the breeze that swept through my hair as we ate up the road.My hands latched firmly around Gabriel's torso, his thin shirt allowing me to feel the hard plains of his muscles. His arms flexed when my fingers moved, grazing the skin hidden beneath the cotton fabric.Every few minutes I had to mentally reprimand myself as I felt the urge to let my hands drift upwards so I could feel the rest of him. Instead, I gulped in his scent, closing my eyes and letting the musky scent of pine and whisky fill me.Behind closed eyes I imagined him without a shirt, his tanned skin smooth and hard, my fingers gliding over his chest and down his stomach muscles. I wondered if he would like my touch.It was strange, whenever our skin would come in contact a sensation of arousal would pass through m
GABECrane took a step back, his men ready to fight on his command, I should have known something was up when he swiped his nose with his thumb and then looked up into the blazing hot sky. When his face returned and found mine, my grip on the little spitfire blond tightened.“I think it’s time you went home Gabriel Greyson, son of Adam and Lelani Greyson. Of the Celestial Forest pack.” The fucker had the audacity to smirk as he backed up more, reaching his vehicle. “It would be a shame if your sister was to be… claimed.”I roared out in anger making a play for the alpha, but I was too late. He retreated into his car and took off fast. His men were only seconds behind in their vehicles.“What did he mean, Gabe?” Jamerson says with urgency. “Fuck Gabe, what did he mean?”“Seffy. The renegades.” That was all I managed to say. The only thing grounding me and not making me turn feral at this moment was the feeling of Hope Jordan in my arms.The tingles of pleasure that ran over my arm wher
STIXStomping my way through the house, I found myself outside trekking down the path to the greenhouses. I pulled the door open to the last large glass structure, the one Ruby and I would always meet in, and pumped my fist in the air as soon as I knew I was alone. “That man is insufferable!” I yell at no one, letting out my frustrations.After pacing back and forth trying to calm my inner anger, stomping my feet some more, and punching the air pretending it was that alpha asshole's face, I finally flopped down on a bench at the back of the greenhouse, hidden by the orange trees.The indoor grove was silent, save for the humongous fans that hung down, their blades causing a low murmur as they spun.Rubbing my forehead with my fingers I attempt to calm down before I head back to the pack house. I still had a class to conduct and my shift at the mill. Though those things seemed mundane and pointless as the day, until creepy Crane came to claim me, drew closer.Three days. Three days unt
GABEWhen Jamerson and I pull up to the Raven Knights' main house, disappointment hits me as I don’t see the alpha or his daughter standing outside. More because of the lack of the latter's presence.I push those feelings to the side, burying them deep down. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t understand why I had such a hang-up about the spitfire daughter of Alpha James.Maybe because I wasn’t used to someone challenging me or having a lack of fear, even Alpha Crane, as bold as he was, showed some sign of fear standing behind his wall of guards.Of course, we had come to help the Alpha and his pack, more so now that we knew Crane intended to screw us over from the beginning. However, something inside me stirred against the disappointment as my eyes wandered looking for Hope Jordan.I wanted to see her and that wasn’t like me at all.I wasn’t used to these emotions so when she wasn’t there waiting for me, the despondency caused by trampled hope made my anger rise. I suddenly, without reason,
STIXThe renegades moved their motorcycles into the back of the mill, before retiring to the rooms Mary assigned them. At this point, if there were any nosey shits on our pack territory, we didn’t want them finding out the renegades were here.The only problem was they would have heard them. There was no mistaking the sound of their large and loud bikes. Anyone would be able to hazard a guess as to who rolled in in the late hours of the night.The next morning Beta Branston and Gamma Elijah met with Killian and Nate again. And once more, they allowed me to be part of the discussion.“Last time I was here, Alpha Crane had given you a deadline of two weeks.” Killian pauses, thinking, “Four days?” He questions Beta Branston, who nods in agreement. “Have you heard anything from him since then?”“No.” I supply the answer. My gaze lingers on Killian for longer than it should, though he was pleasing to the eye, and I knew Ruby would drop her soaked pants if given just an ounce of his attentio
STIXIt wasn’t long before Josh and I, with the help of his mother and Ruby, were sneaking out the back and the keys to one of the cars were being placed in my hand.I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. I couldn’t wait to see if they released my father or wait for Crimson Moon to come decimate our pack. Or for Alpha Crane to come and declare his claim over me.“Thank you,” I say to Mary, giving her a hug.“Just come home safely. It will take a day to get there. If my husband or Beta Branston knew, they would try to stop you,” she says with tears in her eyes. “Take care of her Josh,” she adds, letting me go.Josh gets in and I open the passenger door to climb aboard when I stop. My wolf ears perked up at the familiar but distant sound.“It couldn’t be…?” I utter to myself as the noise draws closer to our border.I close the door, not getting in the car and Josh climbs out wondering why I’m delaying our departure when he too picks up on the sound.A broad grin breaks across his face,
GABECrane only showed us the main part of his pack. The part with the nice houses that were home to his top warriors. Where they stored their food and fresh water supply.He didn’t take us to the outskirts of the pack where we had witnessed from afar the atrocities of what really took place in this pack.As we made our way back to the main house, a large structure caught my attention. One that was equally as large as his dwelling. “Who lives there?” I question, pointing to the grand structure.“My beta,” Crane replies without skipping a beat.“Beta Al?” I ask curiously. It wasn’t normal for a beta to have a house as large as the main one. In other packs the beta and gamma families lived in one big house, though, it wasn’t unusual for them to have their own home they were usually much smaller and not as decked out as that one.“He must be some beta,” Jamerson says in a joking manner when what he is truly doing, is fishing for information. Crane offers nothing in return except a dubiou
GABESleep evaded me. Though the luxurious bed was comfortable, I wasn’t used to such nice things. The pristine white sheets and the soft grey walls were too clean. I felt out of place lying in the bed, looking at the glass vase with silk flowers, the sheer drapes, and the marbled bathroom attached to my room.The only thing I had gathered was, this pack had serious money. I could only wonder where they got their funds from. What did the crimson pack produce to keep the main house in such pristine condition?Jamerson must have felt the same, because no sooner had I washed up and put on a clean shirt than he came knocking at my door like last night. His eyes rimmed with dark circles from lack of sleep.“Do you think anyone will come to escort us downstairs? Or are we meant to make our own way down?” I shrug at Jamerson’s question. We could clearly hear people up and about downstairs, plus there were numerous footsteps outside my door earlier once the sun had risen.“I guess we go down,”