Thank you for reading and Voting!
Tatum Blair was a bad-ass.It was plain and simple. She had taken down the men like it was something she could do in her sleep. By the rumors I heard about her and her sister, how they were raised to be soldiers, I figured she just might.The training and skills she had in her fur made her unstoppable. She took down Ben in a matter of minutes and then fought Declan tooth and nail for almost thirty minutes before he finally went down.I don't think Declan wanted to win, not when it would get him closer to having to mate into the family of the woman he claims broke his heart, yet he gave his best and fought like a man facing his demons.Tatum was just too fast for him.I had never seen a snake striking its prey, but the speed and precision at which she attacked was what I pictured. Small, but strong and deadly.Her win was the first one that I actually felt like celebrating. It wasn't because I was interested in her winning my hand. I just wanted to have fun with a friend, and that was e
"Have you told her about her father yet?" Freya asked as she slumped down on the couch next to me.I couldn't even bother to shake my head. I had been spending all day working around town, running patrols to make sure it was safe for Sloane to be traveling here on her own, and then spending every night with her.I was dead on my feet, unable to form a coherent thought, let alone dive into my past. It was needed.Sloane needed to know, but I didn't think I had the mental capacity to do that right now. Whenever I had a moment of peace to sit down and rest, something would come up, and my chance for a much-needed nap would vanish.Yet, I was still the happiest I had ever been, and it was all because of Sloane."No. She knows about the attack but nothing else." I muttered, closing my eyes as I let my head fall against the back of the couch."She needs to know." Her whisper cracked, and I knew she was thinking about the horrors she experienced."I know."While I had been out in the woods, F
Benjamin Reid, Nightshade: 36 PointsTatum Blair, Shadow Paw: 33 PointsDeclan McCoy, Iron Hide: 28 PointsEthan Dunn, Night Walker: 23 Points***With the third week ending, it was all starting to feel more real. I couldn't make eye contact with Ben or Tatum. While we got along well, the idea of mating with either of them was hard to digest.Ethan was no longer a concern for my future, but he was very much a threat to my present. Even if he won first place in the next challenge and managed to get full points from my parents and me, he was low enough that he wouldn't win first place.He was out of the running, and he and his pack were furious.Whatever pack I mated into would need to be prepared because I had the feeling that Ethan would either attack them or they would attack my parent's pack. The glares he had been sending my way all night had me on edge more than ever before, and if I couldn't feel Grey close by, I would have been concerned.Instead, I was focused on trying to find
I couldn't sleep that night. I kept worrying about my little sister.She was only eighteen. Yet, she had suffered one of the worst experiences of anyone's life.I went to her room four times that night, and she hadn't been there. I even broke the rules and went into her tree house to look for her, but it was empty. She was hiding, presumably from Declan…possibly from everyone, but I still didn't like it.When someone was in that much pain, it didn't feel right to let them suffer alone. Even if I just sat with her, some support was better than being alone. I knew I would want someone to be there for and with me, but maybe she didn't.As I lay on Aiden's couch, listening to his loud snoring and the storm rolling in outside, I found myself texting Greyson.I wasn't surprised that he was awake. After he talked me down from searching for Ellie a fifth time, he kept me distracted with some jokes and a little flirting that had me wanting to squeal like a teenager meeting their celebrity crush
I wished Greyson was here.The thought circled through my head, and I couldn't stop it.I had met dozens of his people over a very loud meal that lasted hours before I had to leave.Tables had been pushed together, and people were standing and talking in every corner. It reminded me of a holiday celebration when my family and extended family would all gather over a meal so large it couldn't possibly be finished.The previously empty diner had been overflowing.It felt amazing, and while I had been nervous to meet them, I couldn't wipe the smile from my face if I tried. They were all so welcoming and happy.I wanted to cry when it was time to return home for dinner with my family and suitors. Instead, I hugged Grey longer than usual, savoring his touch and smell and wishing I could stay.He held me just as tightly, kissing the top of my head every few seconds until I was on the verge of being late.Eventually, I left Grey's pack and was forced to sit at my family's dining room table, fi
I couldn't resist dropping to the ground and wrapping my arms around him. As soon as I was pressed against him, the sickness plaguing me vanished. His touch was everything. He was everything. My body melted against his, and I smiled up at him. "What are you doing here? This is the last challenge." I looked over my shoulder, scanning the area slowly, but no one was in sight. Still, Greyson spun us around until my back was against the tree, and I was facing out into no man's land, hidden from direct view of anyone walking by between us and my pack. "I know. I just wanted to see you." He kissed me slowly and deeply, my back arched off the tree, pressing my chest into his. When he pulled away, I blinked several times to clear my vision. "Do you want to get out of here?" Yes. I gnawed on my bottom lip, considering the offer before making a rash decision. It was why I hadn't crossed the border yet. I wanted to - more than anything- but I was also weighing the consequences of what would
"You're…" Ben stammered, and Greyson snarled. "I'm going to rip your eyes out if you don't look away from my woman." The threatening way Grey spoke had me turning my head back to look at him, and I knew I had hearts in my eyes. His woman. He. Loved. Me. I assumed Ben had finally looked away when Grey pulled out of me and lowered my leg to the ground. I felt physically empty and cold without him, but mentally, I was on cloud nine. He bent down, and I placed my hands on his shoulders to steady myself as I stepped back into my shorts, and he slid them back up my legs. "Isn't this a surprise?" Ethan's cruel voice cut the tension, but Greyson's eyes turned black in anger as the newly bald man stepped into view. I wanted to smack my forehead for being so careless. Even if Greyson was worth it, I should have just run when I had the chance. I looked over Grey's shoulder at no man's land as he pulled on his shorts, but Ethan followed my gaze. "Don't even think about it. His scent is all
"She's a traitor!" Ethan's voice rang out from behind us, and the packs fell silent, all eager to hear what he had to say.It was a huge accusation. Technically, it was true, but it was still something people couldn't take lightly.There were a few gasps from the crowd, and my hand tightened around Ben's as Ethan broke the tree line. Blood had dried down his cheek from a split on the edge of his eyebrow, and his eyes were black with anger."She is a traitor!" He screamed again, his arms out at his sides. He glanced around at the crowd, ensuring he had everyone's attention. "Your princess is tainted!"My father stepped forward, his face red and his glare locked on Ethan. I hated that he didn't even look at me for confirmation. He trusted me, so his glare stayed on my accuser. "What is the meaning of this?""She's been sneaking around on your land with the Rogue Alpha!" Ethan smirked as the crowd gasped, giving him the reaction he had hoped for. He wouldn't win the games and wanted to r
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey! I have loved writing Sloane and Greyson's story and seeing all your comments, votes, and reviews. I read every comment and appreciate all of you for the feedback and engagement. As most of you know, I normally love to write other character's stories to continue the series like I did in The Alpha's Girl Series and The Beast and The Blessed Series. Sadly, this book did not perform as well as I had hoped, and I must move on with new characters and a new world, so this will be a stand-alone novel.I love and appreciate you all so much! Thank you! I'll see you soon with my next book release over the next month!
Four months later: I couldn't help but giggle as Freya, and I slumped back onto the couch. The giddy excitement caused me to sound pretty unstable, but I couldn't calm down if I wanted to. I was too excited for Greyson to get home. He had been out all day, running patrol and helping the pack fix Earl's house. The poor, grumpy old man had broken his good leg trying to cliff dive with the pack after having a few drinks and could no longer justify refusing the changes that needed to be made in his home to make it more accessible. Due to his age, his healing was slower than most wolves, but he was determined to refuse help…not that anyone listened to him. The pack had rallied together and gathered all of the necessary tools to make his two-story home more usable. He reluctantly gave in under the condition that we rip it all back out once his leg healed in a few weeks. Jessi was busy with the diner, so she hadn't had the time she would have needed to help Earl around his house, even th
I hugged Aiden one last time, not ready to let go as I stood under the midday sun by the pond with Greyson. My little brother had insisted on walking me back, but this was the farthest he wanted to go. I wouldn't admit it to him, but I was secretly happy he had come with me. I wasn't ready to say goodbye, even if it was only temporarily.I hadn't been exiled, but I was moving away, about to start a new life and my own family.Aiden, Ellie, and I would still be close, but not as close as before. There was no way for us to continue as we once were. Our relationship, as it was now, spending every day together would be brought down to texts, phone calls, and the occasional visit.Although, I was hoping to have Aiden come stay with Greyson and me whenever he wanted.I had the feeling Ellie wouldn't be staying at my parent's place long. She was eighteen and old enough to receive a mark if Declan chose to gift her with one.I anticipated that would be soon so Ellie could avoid going through t
I never imagined I would be sitting in Charles McKenna's office. It was even more unbelievable than Sloane and I being fated mates, destined for one another by the Goddess. I had always known we were meant to be together, regardless of the Goddess choosing her for me. She would have been mine with or without divine intervention. “Son,” Charles said, and my lip curled up in disgust. “Don't call me that,” I snapped, feeling my anger instantly fade as Sloane laced her fingers with mine. Taking a deep breath, I tried again. “I am here out of respect for your daughter, nothing more.” “I understand that,” Charles said, staring at my hand in his daughters. “However, now that you are mated, we will want to discuss a treaty.” I felt my beast bristle at the idea of being connected to this man and his pack by more than just Sloane. He didn’t have anything to offer me that I couldn’t find elsewhere, but as we were a new pack, we needed support and fast. I was resistant to having an alliance
I was on cloud nine. I could feel everything through our bond. Grey's happiness, excitement, fear, and anger.Most importantly, I could feel his love for me. There was so much of it. More than I ever thought possible.My hand moved up to my neck, and a rush of pleasure went through me at the contact. From the way Grey stiffened behind me and his grip tightened on my hips, he felt it, too. The connection we had was incredible. I could feel him so clearly that I suspected if I tried hard enough, I could hear his thoughts."Soulmates," I repeated the word. Regardless of what my father said now, he wouldn't be able to force me into mating with Ben. I was already claimed, and even if Grey were to die today, my soul would always belong to him."He is a rogue!" Ethan yelled, and I leaned further back into Grey's chest. Even with everyone around me, the thought of him being close to me sent alarm bells blaring through my mind.He was unstable and evil."Ethan Dunn," Charles yelled, turning to
Aiden eyed the tree line I was hiding in from his place next to his father. The sun had risen over the trees only an hour ago, but Charles seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of his daughter. We had barely made it back in time for the ceremony, and I expected Charles to have something to say to his son about that, but he kept his gaze on the castle doors where my woman was about to emerge. I had to keep reminding myself that she had chosen me. She wanted to be with me, and nothing would prevent me from stopping this ceremony and claiming her for myself. Since her father was outside, I assumed he was either being true to his cruel nature or Sloane was feeling better and would be down shortly. I needed it to be the latter so I could see for myself that she was okay. Ben stood in a suit at the end of the aisle. I shook with anger, knowing that he had won and was there to mate with my woman. He should be proud and excited, yet he looked broken. His eyes were downcast, and his hands wer
Benjamin Reid, Nightshade: 51 PointsTatum Blair, Shadow Paw: 46 PointsDeclan McCoy, Iron Hide: 34 PointsEthan Dunn, Night Walker: 29 Points***My eyes hurt as I forced them open, feeling Ellie's hand shaking me awake for what must have been the tenth time. The room was spinning, and my muscles felt frozen. She tried to get me to speak, move, or make a noise each time she woke me.Yet, each time, I would lay there trapped inside my own body, terrified and angry.Ethan hadn't been here long. The silver restraints he used had only been on me for a few minutes as he dragged me to the bed before injecting me with something. Still, they had done significant damage in the little time I had them on me.I could feel the effects of the silver chains in my bones still, but that also could have been whatever Ethan had injected me with."Sloane, you need to wake up. Mom will be here any minute to get you ready for the ceremony. I've called that pack doctor back, too." Ellie looked so worried as
My fingers tapped on the counter as I glared down at the human. She shook, and the stench of stress, fear, and onions oozed from her every pore. I wanted to get as far away from her as possible.Her oily skin, frizzy hair, and smell attested to her poor diet. It had always amazed me how many chemicals humans put in their foods to replace fresh ingredients. It was no wonder they were always sick or dying."This is your specialty, is it not?" I growled, and she shrank back as she heard the displeasure in my tone."I just handle the sales. Like I said earlier, our tech team should be back from lunch shortly," She gestured over her shoulder with her thumb to the back room.My claws extended, and my nails clicked loudly against the hard surface as I took several deep breaths. She had been saying that for two hours, practically begging me to come back another time. I had the feeling this would be her last day of work at this establishment, and if I did come back, someone else would be forced
It was difficult trying to figure out how to pack just enough that it wouldn't weigh me down when I made my escape while also bringing enough that I wouldn't break the bank having to buy clothes or personal items.The bag on my bed was only half full when I heard the knock on my door. My back tensed, and I quickly grabbed it and rushed to the closet, pulling the door closed behind me.A light layer of sweat was on my forehead, and my heart raced with excitement to escape and see Greyson again. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and tell him I loved him a million times or until I lost my voice.I never should have gone back with Ethan and Ben during the challenge.Grey and I should have run, even if it meant the other packs would hunt us down. At least then, we would be together, and there wouldn't be this uncertainty between us with him not answering my calls.I recognized how careless that thought was as soon as I had it. A war over a few missed calls…Still, my running away would