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Mallory’s POV I was so anxious I was about to crawl out of my skin. The nerves weren’t helping my already roiling stomach. My mates were already threatening to boycott the trial on the grounds of my fragile health. I had no doubt if I vomited one more time, Clay would actually follow through on the threat. Forcing myself to swallow back the bile that kept trying to sneak it’s way out, I finished getting ready and poured all my focus into blocking my discomfort from the bond. Failing to show up today, for any reason, even a valid one, wouldn’t bode well for us. I needed to keep my shit together long enough to get through the day, no matter what it held for our future. “Tell me the plan one more time.” Colton paced anxiously as the rest of us huddled together at our kitchen table, one last meeting before we headed into the city. “I’m going to testify first.” Darcy answered with a surprisingly steady voice. Braden, her mate, beamed down at her, She still looked frail from her o
Mallory’s POV Nathan helped Evelyn into a chair and stood watch over her while she gave her testimony. His arms were crossed over his chest and he never took his eyes off of Miles, like he expected him to leap from the dais and attack her himself. Actually, I wouldn't put that past him. One of Nathan’s men came in a few minutes later with Regina in tow but no one spared her a glance, enthralled with Evelyn as we were. If she was lucky, her testimony wouldn’t be necessary at all. Evelyn told the council how she came to serve in Alpha Quade’s household and unfortunately, the story had a familiar theme. Apparently even the women in Blood Claw pack hadn’t been immune to his abuses. Quade had found her attractive when she was younger, used her until his interest waned and only granted her the opportunity to remain in his service out of a desire to retain her father’s loyalty, all for access to his wealth. She went on to describe the way he’d forced her to introduce him to Miles and the
Mallory’s POV Weeks of planning had all culminated in this day. I was exhausted, worried my dress would need to be let out again, panicking about the food, the music, and the centerpieces of all things. My nerves were shot! But I couldn’t remember when I’d ever been more excited. I didn’t need all the fanfare for myself, personally. I went along with it because it was expected of me in accepting the Luna role. And also because Luna Erika and my mother would be gutted if I spoiled their fun. But ceremony or no, I was tied to my mates for eternity and that was all that mastered to me. My mates were who I was truly excited for. Alpha Carlton was handing over the Alpha title to them tonight as well and I couldn’t be more thrilled for them. Black Moon would be blessed to have three amazing Alphas and they deserved to be celebrated. “Good morning, darling.” Cary slipped into the steamy shower with me. “You seemed deep in thought. Are you nervous?” “Nervous your mother is going to
Colton’s POV Fucking finally! My mother stole my mate away in the early hours of the morning and hadn’t allowed us to see her all day. My wolf was on edge being denied access to our mate and pups. I needed to get this party started and thankfully, it was time. To say I was excited to make Mallory my Luna would be an understatement. I couldn't care less about the pomp and circumstance of it all, though it was required in order to make it official. All I wanted was to hold her in my arms and know she was mine forever. Yes, she wore my mark and our souls were already tethered for eternity. But there was something about her officially becoming my Luna that set my mind at ease. Maybe it was the memory of what Darcy tried to do in order to take that role for herself that caused my apprehension. I needed to know that no one else could try to separate us in the name of a title. “Ladies and gentleman, our visiting Alphas and Lunas, and all members of the Black moon pack.” My dad address
Mallory’s POV “Whoa!” I yelped when Clay swept me into his arms bridal-style. I looped my arms around his neck and leaned in for a sweet kiss. He was carrying me through the crowded room but I was too drunk on his scent to give much thought to where we were going. When Colton and Cary came up on either side of us, adding their spicy essence to the mix, I was done for. We had spent the whole evening being passed from one well-wisher to the next, smiling and feigning interest in whatever personal or political issue our allies wished to discuss. But my brain couldn’t seem to process much beyond the way my mates looked in their tailored suits that clung to their powerful frames, showcasing their rippling muscles. I’d spent most of the evening clenching my thighs together and praying our guests couldn’t smell my arousal. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Clay turned to face the crowd just before the exit, “On behalf of my brothers and our Luna, thank you all for celebrating with us tonight! It’
Colton’s POV For the past couple of months, Mallory had been intermittently blocking the bond. She never shut us out for long so I didn’t think too much of it. I just assumed she was practicing in case she ever wanted some privacy, which of course she was entitled to. Now, however, I understood the truth and I didn’t like it one bit. “Please little Omega. Open the bond. Let us share the pain with you!” I begged for the hundredth time. “I’m fine.” Mallory gritted out. “No sense in us all suffering.” Her little whimpers and moans were killing me. She refused to scream or cry out but the pain was written all over her face. It was wearing on all of us, watching her suffer. Whoever decided women should bear all the pain of childbirth was a damn idiot! “You’re doing so well, darling.” Cary encouraged, wiping her brow with a cool cloth. And he was right. She was doing well. It was the three of us who were failing epically. Thankfully, I had a lot more experience with blocking
2 years later Clay’s POV “Daddy, up!” Carson reached for me, making grabby hands with his pudgy little fingers. I lifted him up, tossing him in the air twice before settling him on my hip. His tiny little giggles were addictive and of our three pups, he was the quickest to laugh. Not that the other two weren’t happy kids. They definitely were. Carson just seemed a little more demonstrative when it came to his emotions. “Cookie, pease!” He demanded, pulling on my shirt. At two years old, he still had a hard time with his Ls. Mom said my brothers and I were the same way at his age so we weren’t worried about it. It was just another reminder that he was still a baby and we wanted to enjoy that stage as long as possible. “And what did your mother say about that?” His cobalt blue eyes twinkled as he stared up at me and it was like looking at a tiny version of myself. “She busy.” He pouted, sticking out his bottom lip. “Oh yeah? Too busy to get you a cookie?” That didn’t see
16 Years Later Mallory’s POV “I don’t understand why we can’t come with you tonight.” Our sixteen year old daughter, Carys, whined. “Papa said it was up to you. If the dads are okay with it then why aren’t you?” I was going to kill Colton! Our sixteen year old twins, Carys and her brother Cameron, had been begging for weeks to watch their older siblings first shift. But after what I went through the night Raven came to me, I was terrified of what might happen. I knew the circumstances were totally different and there was no reason to think our triplets would experience the same difficulties I had, but I couldn’t help worrying. The last thing I wanted was for the twins to see something that traumatized them and made them dread their own shift for the next two years. “Apparently your dads have forgotten my first shift. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so quick to give their consent.” I grumbled. “The answer is still no. Nana Maeve is coming to spend the evening with you and she’d be