I stopped to rest briefly by leaning against a tree trunk and glanced down at the number branded on my forearm. I laughed lightly thinking how far I'd come from that day at the pack house and looked skyward to see Devin perched on the branches above me."Does anything look familiar up there?" I shouted and Devin stood with his brother's body in his arms as he looked over the landscape."I can see wolves, looks like scouts in the distance," he replied and I exhaled deeply and let out a howl. Tilting my head I smiled hearing their familiar replies. "Is that a good sign?" I heard Devin shout down at me and I nodded. I was about to start once again when teeth were embedded into my shoulder. I was lifted off the ground by Hunter's jaw. "What is your deal, asshole…leave me alone," I growled and tried to claw at him. A black blur of fur came rushing beside me and I was released from Hunter's jaw. I turned to see a black Lycan tearing apart my attacker. Devin was cheering above."Forest?" I
I headed to the kitchen with the two vampires flanking me. Fillan looked up at me with hope shining in his eyes wanting to know about his father."He's lost his memories again and tried to claw me," I sobbed as Mabel wrapped her arms around me. Fillan was frowning with his small fists clenched. He got up from the chair and ran through the kitchen and up the stairs to his dad's room. I yelled for him to stop and Devin rushed after him. I heard a loud thump and then low growls coming from the Alpha's room and ran up the stairs. I opened the bedroom door to see my son bleeding on the ground, deep claw marks across his chest, and Devin holding back Grayson's Lycan. I growled low and glared at Grayson as I lifted our injured son."You bastard, you can't even remember your child," I said sourly and saw Grayson's yellow eyes narrow. "I have no children, whore. How dare you speak to me in that matter, little slave girl. You're one of Alpha Frank's I can see by your brand. I will inform him i
The back of my head and temple were causing pain within my skull and I gritted my molars each time a jolt stabbed both areas. I watched the stunning little hybrid leave my home surrounded by two vampire princes and the vampire king of the province and frowned. My uncle wished a word with me in my office and my Lycan, Auberon, wished to chase after who claimed to be our mate. My heart pained me due to my previous interaction with the small woman and what I'd done to the young boy. I felt I'd done something very detrimental and exhaled harshly as I entered my office and saw Michael behind my desk going through my pack logs."What are you doing?" I questioned sourly. Michael raised his gray brow and glared at me."Mabel and I have been handling all of your pack issues in your absence, nephew. You were injured twice in the past couple of days and laid up in bed. You attacked your son and called your fiancé a whore. You've been fucking up your entire life surprisingly well in such a short
My memories returned once I fed from a stag and two does during my feeding frenzy. I woke in the middle of the pine forest covered in the blood and flesh of my kills as my thoughts became crystal clear and extremely focused. I lay there, staring up at the stars inhaling the scent of pine remembering everything. From my youth of falling into the ice-covered lake which caused my bouts of memory loss to my ripe old age in the present. It was all completely clear. I frowned when I thought about Violet and my son I had attacked."You called her a thief and a whore and injured your son, dumb ox," Auberon growled within my mind. I felt like a complete douche. I loved the tiny woman with all my being but had been a fool and kept her at a distance. I rushed to the cottage hell-bent on spilling my heart out to both her and Fillan only to be refused by the damn vampire king. I argued with him and decided to ask to speak with Draven. After convincing the prince to take over the northwest pack I w
Grayson's hands splayed around the pup within my swollen abdomen and he chuckled."She's growing very quickly," he said with a smile."Is your brain issue resolved?" I questioned bluntly and he sobered and nodded his head."Yes but I'm a hybrid now and believe me it caused some major issues with my original wolf pack. Thankfully my uncle has been doing all the work. I'm considering going into retirement and letting him and Mabel take over the pack and perhaps build a new home for us in Chechnya. How do you feel about moving to another continent?" I looked worriedly up at him and he smirked."I'm kidding dear. I'm sure that your return will ease the pack members and new hybrids that have joined the Black Mountain village," he mumbled casually. I exhaled my relief until he asked how it went living with the vampires."The king has been overly protective of my pup and wishes to be the first one she lays eyes on," I said in irritation. Grayson chuckled and nodded."Of course, that old fart
I sat next to Violet holding her hand within my own as we listened to Devin tell us his version of what had happened. He and his father had gone north to visit with Draven when the head of the vampire council elders Stephen Romanov came in with his henchmen Ivan and Boris. They ordered the king and Draven to leave with them to face the other elders for judgment."It was hard on Draven, he cried like a little girl as they hauled him away, certain they were going to take his heart. You can imagine how it made my father appear," Devin growled roughly as he rubbed his eyes."Why is Draven such a pussy?" Violet asked candidly. Devin glared at her and said," he isn't a pussy. My brother has a gentle heart and nature. He can't help that he was coddled in his youth and raised within a monastery." "With actual monks!" She added. Michael and I chuckled at her surprising outburst."Before the blood wars, individuals thought that vampires could be converted to religion…the whole blood of Christ
Grayson lifted me into his arms and I buried my face into his neck as I wept for my taken pup."Hush, sweetheart. It is going to be alright. Our daughter will return a lovely grown woman," he said softly and I glanced up at him wide-eyed."A grown woman, Forest! I wished to raise her and watch her grow. I wanted to watch her take her first steps, and hear her say her first words," I said firmly as tears still fell from my eyes. Grayson nodded as he set me to my feet in his bathroom."I did as well love but as wolves or Lycans we must follow the council's wishes or feel the wrath of the moon Goddess. Don't think for a minute that she is benevolent," he grunted harshly."She only started crying when she was taken from us. She's just a tiny pup," I growled as I watched my mate start the hot water for the bath and wiped away my tears.Grayson turned to me and asked if I would like bubbles. I curled my lip before nodding and he laughed. I watched him grab the bottle and pour it into the st
I looked down at my daughter's bruised, swollen eyes and face. The red, fresh brand on her cheek was still bloody and I couldn't understand why our council would do something so barbaric. I laid Amelia on the bed and Violet came rushing to my side."Why did they brand her?" She questioned in a choked voice. Amelia's eyes opened to slits and she looked up at us both as she smiled slightly."Mother and Father…you are both like me," she mumbled softly and my heartstrings pulled."Yes, we are your parents and exactly like you, dearheart. You were taken by the head of the council, to be trained for a seat upon it," I explained to her. "My legs were broken when they held me down to brand me…I got hungry and bit one of the council members called Astrid. She and Emlyn beat me, and the others held me down as they branded my face," she coughed and some blood spittle fell down her chin. I felt my anger bubbling within my gut and Auberon was cursing within my mind. "They attempted to remove her
Watching little Maksim or Max, wobble toward my smiling mate I leaned back against the couch cushions, feeling complete contentment. Violet has been in seventh heaven and is ecstatic about helping to raise our grandson for our daughter Amelie. All of the vampires with their mates decided to visit their homelands and our daughter asked us if we'd watch Maksim while they were away. Violet jumped at the opportunity and said absolutely yes. We were enjoying the slowly maturing child when Selene finally made an appearance. She was carrying three wriggling pups with her hands clenched around clothing. She gazed at both of us with a look of exhaustion."These are your grandchildren. They are all hybrids and blood drinkers. I'm not certain if they inherited the Lycan gene yet and won't until they have reached maturity. Anyway, I was told by Noah that Xavier is off with Ashton and to bring them to you as he doesn't have knowledge of raising children," she growled softly, releasing the obnoxious
Grayson and I appeared in an area that was very primitive. The buildings were basically shacks constructed from planks of aged wood. Livestock was in crudely made pens."Where is our son?" Grayson growled roughly. He had shifted to his Lycan and I followed suit by doing the same. I heard a crowd and waved Grayson toward a large gathering around a dirt pit dug into the ground. Inside an ugly creature was fighting with our boy who was shining as his Lycan. I felt proud of him for finding his internal sun. "PARSONS!" Grayson growled sternly, making me jump. I followed after his eyes and saw a huge burly man sitting on a throne of sorts, eyeing Grayson with hatred."Isn't that the last name of your first mate, Reilly?" I questioned sourly and he grunted a harsh yeah."So that's her father?" I asked with a nervous shudder. "Our son is mates with your first mate's little brother? What a strange coincidence," I growled bitterly and Grayson nodded and pushed through the crowd to get to the
I was sleeping soundly. My mind was at ease for once in my long life and I felt deliciously warm. Frowning I felt the panicked shove against my shoulder and opened my eyes slowly to see Damon looking down at me. I opened my eyes wider to see he was grinning at me from ear to ear. I glanced over at Violet still fast asleep with her mouth slightly open and smiled."Where did you find my son's first love, Kari?" Damon asked excitedly."By the Urals on my uncle's pack lands," I answered and his eyes narrowed."You know Russian?" He asked curiously and chuckled out a da. Danon laughed."I'm originally from Chechnya," he said staunchly. "Small human world," I mumbled softly and he nodded, still standing there awkwardly. I looked at him and his eyes widened."Oh right, I came in here to let you know Amelia is in labor and she wants her mother," he said solemnly and I grunted as I shook Violet awake. She looked at me with a scowl and mumbled a growly what? "Amelia is having the pup and want
I lifted my sweet mate into my embrace surprised by the things she had told Xavier's surrogate. Xavier and Ashton were still chuckling over her asking the kind woman if she planned on having a threesome with both the men to create the child she would carry for the couple. When Noah offered to explain the process she stuck her hand directly in his face telling him to shut his trap. A while afterward she passed out. She was going to be upset that she missed the union of our son and his mate. Xavier promised me that they would have a proper ceremony once they returned. I wished everyone well as I transported myself and Violet to our suite within the council home. Violet was mumbling incoherently in her sleep. I smiled and kissed her cheek and she smiled in her state."Go to sleep, my heart," I told her softly and she nestled against her pillow and continued resting.My uncle came to my door and asked me if I was ready."Do you think we can visit my uncle Jazz before Violet wakes?" I aske
"Xavier, we need to have a heart-to-heart," I called out. I could see his blonde head and yellow eyes looking my way."Why? I tried to kill you…," he mumbled."But you knew I wouldn't die… didn't you," I replied standing at the bars."You are a Goddess mother, it would take more than a stab wound to kill you," Xavier smiled and I nodded."May I join you so we can talk?" I asked curiously and he shrugged his shoulders. I asked my wolf to inform Auberon if our meeting turns sour and she whined in my subconscious as I transported myself into his cell. My son sat on the bench with his hands clasped on his lap while I stood there."Do you genuinely love Ashton?" I questioned him. Xavier rubbed his eyes and sighed deeply."Yes, I believe that I do but after the crap I pulled he has become distant." I nodded and waved toward the bench asking if he could share the space."I was told that you are an evil twin," I said softly gazing into my son's eyes. He looked disheartened and I grinned sligh
We appeared in the council's residence in the living room. Grayson I realized was still in only a towel around his waist and one on his head. Selene and Maacah were sitting together with smiles on their faces."Told you it would work, Goddess. He is still loyal to his children and the vampires they are mated with," Sköll announced and the moon Goddess nodded, thanking him for his excellent idea."I am going to assume that this ruse was used to get me to return…you could have just asked," Grayson growled, pulling the towel from his damp long hair. I watched his long curling locks fall down his back and grinned when Sköll said, damn Grayson."How long were you on the other side," he inquired, lifting the curls with his clawed fingers."Decades…is there any bourbon here? I've discovered over time that I enjoy a glass in the evenings," he growled roughly and Sköll laughed."It is only nine in the morning, pretty boy. You'll have to wait but I will share my stash with you tonight," Sköll g
I threw down the extra silver chains I had within my gloved hand and cursed. I had become what I despised. All over my son's stupid mate. I was angry at my son for trying to get me to submit to him."How dare he try to bring me to my knees, I am a Lycan God," I growled bitterly. Auberon remained silent within my mind. The scent of my tiny mate was still fresh inside the cave walls. I had taken the young male to my safe rooms in the mountains of my original house. The humans had the secret door sealed from inside my old home but I could access it easily through the outside hidden door."It would have made the ideal resting place for my son's supposed mate, "I choked out in bitterness. My plan would've been perfect had they not arrived in time. I grunted angrily and stormed through the bunker to find supplies. Rummaging through the cupboards I found canned goods, a box of stale crackers, and lastly a bottle of bourbon. I didn't drink but the possibility of starting weighed heavily on my
The crowd started celebrations once again after Noah told everyone all was fine and to carry on. I stood with Xavier as he introduced me to Jaxon who I'd met before and his mate Noah who was a demon. The couple had taken in Ashton when his father disowned him for liking other boys. It was heartbreaking to me that a parent could do that to their child but after what Grayson had done, I groaned internally. Xavier asked if he could stay with them for a while and I pulled him off alone to ask him if Ashton was his mate."Maybe…I don't know for certain but I really like him and he is super nice," he said."You've met with him before tonight?" I asked curiously and he nodded. "Yeah, we ran into each other at the lake. I'd taken some documents to Dagon and Noah, Jaxon and Ashton were swimming," he informed me. I nodded and overheard the moon Goddess announcing that the wedding of Damon Shaw and Zuri Grayson would be held shortly and I ground my teeth at my husband who wasn't present. I excus
I couldn't understand what Grayson's deal was and attributed it to his male pride. What difference did it make if our son liked other men? All I cared about was that he was happy and had love. It wasn't like same-sex couples were taboo at least they weren't in the packs I was raised in. I rubbed my eyes as I sat there listening to Selene and my daughter speak about their mates' stamina."It must run in the family," Mabel added with a chuckle and elbowed me. Glancing at her I faked a laugh and she frowned."Spill it, Luna. What's going on," she inquired quietly. I sighed and told her I'd talk with her away from the others. Always one to be in the know, she told the others that she needed to help me with something and grabbed my hand as she stood and prepared to take me somewhere."We can help too," Selene offered and Mabel shook her head."No need to, Goddess. It involves the past when we worked together," she lied expertly and I eyed her oddly."Come along Violet, I will help you," she