Kamari's Point of View Looking Arik up and down, I placed my handbag on the closest chair I could find. Shrugged off my little cardigan and disposed of it over my purse. Once I turned back, Arik was still staring at me. Keenly. Intently. It was unnerving. Never before had he paid this much attention to me. Not the day he rejected me nor the few times we interacted afterward. This time something in him had snapped. Opened him up to me more. I wasn't sure whether I should have been elated or petrified. But I knew where this was coming from. He thought Eris had rejected him as well. Discarded him as she had done with Zayan. Combined with the immense pressure of fucking up another pack, Arik was cracking at the seams and I was lapping it up. In between my sorrow for him, of course. Because some part of me would never stop caring fully. Because some part of me would always be softer than it had a right to be. "If we are going to be spending the rest of the day together, I suggest we
Kamari's Point of View I was patiently waiting for Arik to finish showering. Took in the cracks and crevices with my eyes. His bed was plush beneath me. An al silk bedsheet set. At least he made it before turning on the tap. At least he didn't talk down to me again or I might have lost it completely. I knew by now Zayan and Nolan would be worried about me. Malakai might send in a swat team. The adoration all three of them had shown me in their own ways was unbelievable. Made my realize how lucky I was lately, even with all of the drama happening around me. Arik on the other hand. Well, I could sympathize with him up until a point. Up until I realized all the shit that was happening around me was mainly his fault. The thought of him touching me now almost repulsed me. This also made me realize that when I was planning on seducing him, I was hoping the mating bond would do most of the work. Now I knew I was foolish. A normal person would have realized this and run for the hills. But
Malakai's Point of View The conversation I had with Kamari left my soul feeling heavy. Maybe it was the fact that I knew what Arik was capable of. Or maybe it was because I knew he was her mate and I was simply scared that she chose him in the end. Arik would never accept the arrangement I had put forth to her. The kind of relationships I knew she would be able to get the most out of. If she went to Arik now and decided he was the one, I might be fucked. Or I could simply chalk up my anxiety and growing rage to the fact that I might lose another ally to the cunt. A future Alpha of Jagged Rock. If they were to be mated, Kamari would become Luna and Arik would get what he wanted. Jagged Rock pack. "We have a problem." I had now resigned myself to the fact that if there was a problem concerning Kamari, Rachel would be the only one to fix it. She has also resigned herself to the fact that I no longer knocked when I entered her office. Simply barged in as I saw fit. Rachel no longer
Kamari's Point of View Arik was lounging on his sunbed outside whilst I sat beside him. Looked out across the whole pack. Never before had I noticed this view. How well he knew the ins and outs of this place. I had a clear view of everything. Everyone. I knew the house was slightly on a hill but I never thought Crescent Shine was so far down below. "They look like ants from up here," I whispered, continuing my staring. Arik barely looked at me whilst I spoke. Remained laid down and looked at the clouds with a bored expression on his face. It had been this way for the last hour. After dropping his abuse bombshell on my head, Arik remained silent. Brooding. Bored for most of our time together. Although, if I put his previous conversations from today into perspective, he was most likely just hiding away from the world. Looking away from the view, I squinted at Arik. Noticed his arm lazily draped across his face. The sun had passed the prime of the day but the light was still harsh
Kamari's Point of View We spoke up until our eyes couldn't remain open anymore. And then carried on speaking long after that. There were times that tears stung my eyes and Arik looked confused as to why I was crying. Other times, he was the one in tears and I comforted him silently. Wrapped one arm around him as his tears dripped down my shoulder. Unlike before, the sparks weren't anything romantic. On the contrary, it reminded me of a comforting hug. For the first time in his life, someone was there for him. Supported him. Guided him through all of the horrid memories he had long since suppressed. His father was a raging alcoholic that hid it too well from the rest of the pack. He was also a brutal bastard that enjoyed hurting the people around him. Namely his mate and child. Arik's mother was one of the most beautiful women in the pack at the time, which sparked a lot of jealousy from his father. She left him when Eris took the pack from Zayan's father. According to Arik, she
Malakai's Point of View I waited at the front door for them to arrive. Paced so much a groove had started to form in the floor. I was nervous, I could openly admit that but I was unsure as to why. Maybe it was because Kamari was still in that fucking pack. Or because Eris was this close to me after so long of not seeing her. Either way, the nerves were fluttering inside my stomach and all I wanted to do was rip them all to shreds. This was also going to be the first time I saw Zayan since the time his family had been overthrown. Discarded. Another little bit of information that set my skin on fire. I wondered if he was going to hold a grudge. Or scold me for never helping them, even when I hadn't been an Alpha back then. Only an heir that followed what his father told him to do. Another thing that will now be aired is the fact that Eris had two mates instead of one. A phenomenon that had never been recorded before. I was sure that she kept it well under wraps for this long. No
Kamari's Point of View I could see him in my rearview mirror as I started my car. Noticed the frown on his face. Tense shoulders. His hands were balled at his sides as he stared me down. Almost willed me to stay with him. Give up on the dream I had fed him and become the Luna of Crescent Shine. And by default, Hagged Rock as well. The last thought seemed to irk me more than I thought it would. It jabbed into my soul and refused to let go. The night had been pleasant and I figured out a lot of things about Arik. But none of them excused his actions. Even if he was becoming like his father, it was no excuse to commit treason against another pack. It would never make his father proud of him. Because his father was dead and he was fucking up living people. Shifting the rearview mirror, I averted my gaze entirely. But I could still see him in my side mirrors. He had noticed I moved it. Moved along with it. But I wasn't going to stay long enough for him to come get me. Putting the car
Zayan's Point of View I woke up to a frantic Malakai storming into my room. His eyes were wide and his hair was still tangled from sleep. I barely had time to wipe my eyes properly before he was beside me. His face loomed inches away from mine. "Get up. We have to go." He was screeching by this point. Looking to my left, I noted that the sun was already up a way. Light flooded my room. Burned my eyes. "What time is it?" I croaked out. When I woke up in a rush, the world around me meant nothing. Everything was blurred. I was confused. Fuck, I could barely remember my own name. Safe to say I wasn't an early bird. Nor a night owl. More of a constantly exhausted pigeon. Yeah. That seemed about right. "Not the time, Sterling. Kamari is being followed. She is an hour away. We need to help her." More urgency rushed into his voice. My mind snapped into place. Adrenaline kicked into my veins. Kamari was in trouble. We needed to help her. Leave now. "Nolan?" I asked as I threw my legs o
Malakai's Point of ViewThree Years LaterWhen I got home from being kidnapped as a child, I knew I would never be able to have children. They had stolen that privilege from me. Snatched it away like thieves in the night.For many years I tried to make peace with it. Work through it.It always stung.Until I met my wife. Until I married her alongside two other men I now called my brothers.Finally, I was able to fit into my own skin. Accept that I might not have biological children of my own but I will have children.The first one took three years to make but it was well worth it. Seeing Kamari with her little belly around the house was always the highlight of my day. It made my world brighter. Shinier. I adored it.Every last drop was wonderful.All four of us lived happily within Jagged Rock. I managed my pack remotely, giving my father some control from time to time. Zayan did the same thing, only his father held almost no control and the old man was pissy about it.Nolan was offi
Malakai's Point of ViewTwo days. Two days and we would be married to the most wonderful woman on earth. Two days and she will become one of the strongest women in werewolf history.Not only did she have her own pack, she also had three mates. Three men that worshipped the ground she walked on. Loved every single aspect of her soul.This was the life I had chosen. The one I had always wanted. Needed.Now more than ever, I was thankful for this blessing. Thankful that Keanus was a pain in my asshole when it came to Kamari.I hated to admit it but the little bugged scored me the biggest prize of my life."Please tell me I'm not the only one that hasn't started on my vows," Zayan whined from his desk on the other side of the room.His hair stood in every direction thanks to his constant ruffling. He looked like a parrot that just took a bath. Every feather in every direction."I did mine last week. I wanted to focus on some other things for the wedding." Nolan offered up as he scanned t
Kamari's Point of ViewThree Months LaterWinter wasn't as bad in Jagged Rock as I remembered. Everything was dead, yes, but it wasn't as cold. Nor as wet. Not that I minded either. With three men sleeping in my bed at night, a girl got hot rather fast.I wasn't complaining. Neither were they.A brush with death made them all realize that I was the one. They were all adamant that this type of arrangement was fine. That they were fine. We bickered from time to time, as one would expect of engaged couples. they bickered all the time. As one would expect from three overgrown toddlers.But everything was right. All of it neatly in place."Hey, what are you doing out here? Do you want to catch a cold the week before your wedding?" My mother called from her cottage.Strange to think that she had changed as well. Handed over the reins to me the moment I was out and about again.According to her, I earned it and then some."Just getting some peace and quiet away from all the people," I call
Malakai's Point of ViewI had dozed off on the couch whilst Keanu carried on with his cartoons. The boy was a brimming ball of energy but soon enough, he had crawled into my arms. Settled in until he fell asleep as well.So, imagine our surprise when our mother came storming into the room. Her shrill voice all but screamed our eardrums out."Malakai! It's Kamari!" She repeated once she realized I was awake.At the mention of her name, I was up. Rushed to the other side of the room to where she stood. Her hand was barely out before I grabbed the phone. Pressed it so hard to my ear that i would have a headache an hour from now."Yes?""The doctor says she is waking up. How fast can you get here?" It was Nolan on the other end.His glee was nearly contagious. Brimmed with excitement. Joy. All of it bled into me. Drummed a steady beat into my step."Give me an hour and clear out the garden. I'm taking the chopper."***The pilot puked the minute we landed. With my flying, I understood wh
Nolan's Point of ViewIt was the perfect day for a funeral. Storm clouds brewed overhead. People were dressed in black. Wrapped in scarves and staring down into a dark pit.It was a miracle it wasn't raining. That the sky relented just for this one moment in time. To commemorate the fall of someone. The sky could mourn later. We wanted to mourn now. Was fully entitled to it, all things considered.Even mother nature had a heart, after all. Malakai had gone back home. Tail tucked between his. Back bowed. His people needed him now. Feared that the rebellion and troubles would spill into their territory. he had gone back to appease them. Put their minds at ease.Zayan was holed up in his room most days. Cried from time to time but always denied it.But I was left to run two packs for the time being. Rachel couldn't. Nor could Gaelan. The state they were in wouldn't allow for rational decision-making. The other alternative was me. The one person on this earth that wasn't born to do t
Kamari's Point of ViewHe was ripping at his hair. Cursing everyone and everything. Screaming. Crying. A grown man reduced to shambles right in front of me. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost but not entirely. "He's dead. He's dead. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!" He was unraveling before my eyes.Arik fired a shot. Another shot. Let the bullets pepper into the ceiling.I knew he was sick. Knew that he had surely gone mad when Eris also left him. That was no secret but I never imagined he would go this far. Deteriorate this much in such a short span of time."You killed him! You fucking did this! What did you think will happen? You ride off into the sunset a hero? As fucking if!" I screamed.Malakai braced himself. Crouched down enough that he could lung at him at any second without hesitation. But I was already on my feet. Touched Malakai gently.Even when Arik turned the gun on me, I carried on walking until he was right in front of me. Had the gun pressed between my ribs."I didn't... I did
Kamari's Point of View My blood ran cold at the sight of those guns aimed at them. No one from below could see the men. They were well hidden. A death trap for anyone below. This was the last piece of evidence I had need. The last straw that broke the camel's back. Shifting back, I didn't even bother with getting dressed. Rushed over to the crowd in a blur. Nolan and Malakai weren't far behind. Remained on my heels as I shoved myself through everyone. Arik noticed my scent then. His nostrils flared. Eyes narrowed in on the tightly packed crowd in front of him. "Arik!" I screeched and broke the front of the line. His eyes landed on me. Were two small slits compared to the rest of his face. Bags lined the bottom of them. Black, not blue. Hair seemed more undone than ever before. He wasn't tearing at the seams anymore. He had gone full-on mad. Pointing guns at his pack. Looking like utter hell. This was a madman. A tyrant about to lose control and he knew it. "Ah, the prodigal
Kamari's Point of View "There is no way in fucking hell that I am allowing you to go! Do you understand me, Kamari? Not a fucking chance!" My mother screamed at me from across the room. Her eyes were bulging out of her head. Veins popped out on her neck and forehead. But my mind was made up. Nolan, Malakai, and I were going to Crescent Shine tonight. Already had most of what we needed loaded into the car. If things went south, I instructed both of them to leave me there. To head back this side. They had a lot to lose and I wasn't willing to put their lives on the line. "My mind is made up and there is no going back. He crossed a fucking line! Bombed the school! Hurt Zayan! I need to do this!" I screeched back and flung my leather jacket over my shoulders. Another present from the man now laying in a hospital bed somewhere in this house. I couldn't bring myself to see him yet. Silently promised that I would come back, just to make sure he was fine. That he was alright. Thriving,
Malakai's Point of View We were all stationed at opposite ends of the school. Had our eyes peeled for anything that might look out of the ordinary. Even a car passing by one too many times would be reported. Nothing and no one came in or out. Until the explosion hit. It was on the side Zayan had been stationed at. Was ear-deafening, even from so far away. Shook the wind from my lungs. "No," I gasped and made my way through the school. All of the guards ran with me. Not a single one was spared as we traversed this foreign ground. It took us two minutes to get to the other end. To see the chaos in front of us. Body parts were strewn all along the path. Dust floated in the air above a crater in the ground. Another second passed as I mutely stood and took in the carnage in front of me. The vague smell of cooked pork drifted up my nose. Reminded me of the time I had tried to help someone trapped in a housefire. Then my mind jumped to Kamari. To her well-being and everythin