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Rocks dug into my knees as I dropped to the ground, but I pressed my lips together to silence the whimper of protest at the action. Still, I couldn't let anyone hear me. What I was doing was wrong and impulsive.It was the kind of decision that would make my mother's head spin around on her shoulders in rage like a possessed doll.Still, I couldn't help but picture my future mate's reaction to seeing me in this position.How many times would I have to do this in my life? Would it be daily or weekly?I dropped my hands to the ground, looking over my shoulder to ensure my feet stayed hidden as I dropped down to lay on my stomach. The large shed housing landscaping materials and tools hid me easily, as did the wall only two feet away from my shoulder on my other side.My nose twitched as the mud began to dry and itch, and I squeezed my eyes shut to fight off the sneeze that would give away my location. There was no way I was showing my face today. I would rather fight a wild bear than dea
I was grateful that there weren't many people in town when I walked through. My worry and anger had me on the brink of declaring war with Sloane's pack, and standing in my way would not be wise. I knew Sloane probably just needed some sleep after I kept her up last night, but when it reached three in the morning, and she hadn't shown up, I was ready to storm her pack and demand to see her to confirm her safety myself. My mind kept going to the worst-case scenario, that her father had smelled me on her and was either trying to get her to give away my location or he was keeping her locked up. Fucking Charles McKenna. I knew in my gut that he had something to do with it. I loathed that she had any connection to him. If it wasn't him, then maybe it was me. Had I pushed her too far? Did I make her uncomfortable? I had let her lead and take what she wanted, but maybe I let things go too far. It was driving me crazy not to have any way to communicate with her after last night. Never be
The entire pack was staring. Every person we passed turned to watch with a smile, but I couldn't fake one back. My arm was looped through Ethan's as he walked me through the pack land to the private picnic my parents had the staff arrange for us to make up for yesterday.As soon as Ethan had seen me, his jaw clenched, and his eyes lit with anger. His hands were in fists at his sides, and his nostrils were flaring. His man-bun was slicked back, and his cheeks looked sunken in from how tightly he had pulled it.He had at least dressed the part with a dark pair of jeans and a button-up white shirt. I wanted to laugh when I saw it was short-sleeved and that he had left the top few buttons open, but I was too anxious about having to be alone with him to react.Our parents smiled as I dipped my head to him in respect, publicly congratulated him on his win, and apologized for the delay in our time together. I heard a few people snicker when I explained that I hadn't been feeling well, and Eth
I didn't slow as I passed the border, nor did I hesitate before diving into the pond and swimming into the cave. My goal was to get to Greyson as quickly as possible.When I broke the surface, I hesitated as I thought back to my last trip to the rogue town. It would be stupid to go from one dangerous situation to an even worse one.Still, I needed to see him, but I wasn't sure if he wanted to see me after I stood him up last night.I would have just sat there and waited for him, but the uncertainty that came from not knowing whether or not Greyson would be here tonight had me walking down the narrow and dangerous path that led under the mountain and climbing up through the hatch.The forest wasn't as dark as before since the afternoon sun had moved over the mountain to shine on the rogue town, but the trees were still dense and covered in moss, making it look darker than the forest I was used to."Wasn't expecting to see you out here." A familiar female voice called out, and I looked u
The edges of my vision were red, closing in fast as I thought about someone laying their hands on Sloane. My body shook, and I released her to grip the edge of the counter on either side of her hips. My head fell forward, and she pushed herself up on the balls of her feet and touched her forehead to mine."I'm okay! I promise!" The sound of her voice made me calm, and she placed her hands on my chest.Her denial of her father's involvement did nothing to convince me. Until I knew who did it, I would always have it in my head that it was Charles."Who did it?" My teeth were clenched together, and I could feel my beast trying to rise to the surface. He wanted blood as badly as I did. I wanted justice.Sloane sighed, and I released the counter to hold her to me, needing to feel her. My left hand grabbed her hip, and my right moved to hold the side of her head. Sloane hissed when my finger touched the back of her head.My eyes widened when I realized it wasn't just her wrist."Sloane," I g
The duvet had been kicked to the bottom of the bed during a very heated make-out session, where I had shamelessly dry-humped Greyson the entire time. He didn't seem to mind and encouraged me with his hands on my hips, pushing and pulling me back and forth until we both came from the delicious friction.After a while, we pulled apart, and I cuddled into his side with my head on his chest and his arm around me.His fingers drew circles along my skin, and I felt guilty that I hadn't gone down on him in return, but when I had tried, he told me not to. I should have been flattered when he said that if I wrapped my lips around him, he would blow sooner than he wanted, but I was disappointed that I didn't get to taste him."Freya said that you two have known each other for a while." I knew it was crazy, but the steady pumping of his heart made me feel better. Surely, if there were something romantic about their relationship, it would have sped up.My father had taught me that trick for detect
Sloane:"So, where have you been sneaking off to?" Aiden asked as he plopped down on the couch next to me in the library. His red hair looked lighter as the sun hit it through the window.Breakfast had been a tense affair. Ethan had been sitting closer to me than the morning before, and I kept reliving him slamming me up against the tree and crushing my wrist. Each forkful I brought from my plate to my mouth resulted in a glare or raised eyebrow being sent my way from him.He clearly hadn't liked what I had eaten or how fast I did so, but I wanted to fill my stomach and get out of there.Every time I looked up, I found my mother staring at me, too. The worry lines on her face were more prominent, but even when I held her stare, she refused to look away. Water would just line her eyes, and she would let out a shaky breath.She knew something. I just hoped it wasn't the truth. If she knew I had been spending my days with a rogue, let alone The Rogue Alpha, I would probably live to regret
Tatum looked uncomfortable as she glanced around the library, but Aiden quickly ushered her over the couch. She peered between me and my brother before talking a seat on the sofa a few feet away, facing us. “I’m sorry you had to hear that,” Tatum said, tucking her dark auburn hair behind her ear. Her cheeks turned pink, and I wondered if they had wanted me to hear it. She seemed nice enough, but I didn’t know if I could trust her.Over the course of the month, they would each earn points based on their placement in each challenge. They earned more points during the smaller events such as the dates they won with me or the one on one dinners they would be having each week with my family. Each event gave them the option to earn up to eight points, and the other functions could earn them up to four points. At the end of the month, the suitor with the highest score would win the games.It allowed me and my family to have a vote in who I would be forced with, but it also made it so none o
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