DORA “What’s going on here?” Angel appeared at my side, and when she saw Anita, she looked at her from head to toe. “Who is this, Dora?” I opened my mouth to speak, but my tongue felt like lead, and my throat suddenly went dry. Anita smirked. “What? Cat got your tongue?” Then she turned to Angel. “You must be Alpha Reed’s sister. So let me do the honours of introducing myself. Hi.” She stretched forth her hand for a handshake. “My name is Anita Hernandez, Alpha Campbell’s fiance.” She raised her left hand to show us a sparking diamond ring. Angel looked at her hand but refused to shake it. Instead, she turned to me with concern in her eyes, “Are you okay?” I was not okay. The world seemed to be shrinking around me, making the air too tight and too thin to breathe. My heart pounded violently in my chest, each beat like a fist pounding against a locked door. It was like I was trapped inside my own body, and no matter how much I tried to gasp for air, nothing seemed to fill my lu
JASPER Since the mall was outside my pack, it took a while for me to get there but no less than twenty minutes. I went with Chang and a couple of my men and briefed Raven on recent developments. By the time I got there, I found most of the clothing section of the mall empty, leaving Angel and Dora with their security, having a face off with Alpha Campbell, his woman, and their security. “She’s a good-for-nothing piece of trash!” I heard Alpha Campbell say, pointing at Dora, who hid behind my sister. “She doesn’t deserve a dress that expensive. You’re wasting money on her.” Anger sparked in my veins. “How we choose to spend our money is none of your concern, Alpha Campbell.” I said, coming into view. The anger I saw on his face suddenly morphed into a kiss-ass smile. “Alpha Reed.” He said, stretching forward his hand. “I didn’t know you’d be here.” I stared down at his hand, wondering if I should take it. If I don’t, it might signal hostility and make the Moonstone pack be on gua
JASPER Eventually, Alpha Campbell caved in first and told his men to stand down. Then I mindlinked mine to stand down as well. “The Luna is my past,” Alpha Campbell said, holding hands with his fiance. “Anita is my future. I’d like for you to respect that, Alpha Reed, and respect my woman.” We stared at each other for a moment. “What an ass.” Lupus muttered before going back to sleep. “Of course.” I smiled. “I’d also like for you to extend that respect to Dora. She’s now a part of my pack, and I will tolerate no disrespect towards her.” Although he didn’t seem too pleased, Alpha Campbell nodded in agreement. “Of course.” Afterwards, he signalled for Anita and his men to disperse much to Anita’s visible displeasure. I, as well, signalled to Dora and Alice to continue their shopping along with their security. Dora hesitated, but I gave her an assuring nod before she followed after Angel. As I stood beside Alpha Campbell, we watched our women meet at a certain aisle and give
JASPER As soon as we got home, I dismissed Chang and carried Dora, bridal style into our home. Her frail body clung to mine with her bony arms around my neck and I hated that her weight was next to nothing. How did she survive all these years without wasting away? I looked down at her serene face and decided I’d make it a priority to feed her more and get her to a healthy weight. The moment we got to our room, I laid her in bed gently and removed my shoes before changing into something comfy. Afterward, I drew her body close in bed and spooned her, but she wiggled around to face me. “Hi.”“HI.” She replied softly but avoided my eyes.“How are you feeling?” I asked, sweeping her hair behind her neck.“Tired?” She replied, absentmindedly fidding with her pendant. “I feel like I have been running for miles.”I stroked her hair, loving the silky texture between my fingers. “It’s normal for someone who’s been through severe trauma to experience such. How did seeing your father again m
JASPERSmiling, I closed the little distance between us and captured her lips with mine. As I leaned in, the world seemed to slow down. My heartbeat thudded in my chest, but the moment I felt her lips against mine, everything else faded. Her lips were soft, like the lightest touch of velvet, warm and delicate. I barely dared to press any harder, afraid to break the gentle connection we’d just made.I moved slowly, savoring the sensation, tasting the sweetness of her breath mingling with mine. It wasn’t about passion or urgency—it was something deeper, something that felt like a promise. My hand moved to cup her cheek, the softness of her skin under my fingertips making me want to hold her closer, yet still, I kept the kiss light, tender.The way she responded, the slight tilt of her head, the sigh against my lips, made my chest tighten. It was as if we were sharing a secret that only we understood. I wanted to memorize this moment, this simple, perfect softness, knowing that no words
DORAFor a split second, it was as if my heart forgot how to beat, then slammed back to life with a force that stole my breath. I had totally forgotten that being marked was a thing. It was something I had heard about whispered of in passing, but I never really knew what it meant or how it worked.I was busy trying to survive.Jasper studied my face, looking unsure. “Of course, when you’re read-”“Can you tell me m-more about this marking?” I asked.Jasper smiled as he breathed in relief. He rose to his full height and took my hand in his. “Come. Follow me.” I obliged, rising from the chair and following him to the bed. Then he sat down, but before I could sit, he gently tugged on my hand, pulling me closer. Confused, I watched him slightly turn my body and lower me to sit on his thigh. I sat frozen, feeling my face heat up while being hyperaware of his hand sitting on my lower back and the one resting on my tummy. I had never sat on a man's lap aside from my father's; when I was l
DORA“And lastly,” Jasper said, as we pulled part, panting for air, “marking you will make you forever mine. To love and cherish and share the rest of my life with.”My vision blurred with tears, and just as a tear ran down my cheek, Jasper kissed it, his large hand running into my scalp, increasing my sense of safety. “I’m ready.” I said, and Jasper pulled back to look into my eyes. “Now?” He asked, and I nodded. I already waited too long to have this dream come true. I really didn’t want to wait any second longer. Something about me nodding yes did something to Jasper. His eyes turned pitch black, and before I could even have time to process things, he kissed me fiercely and deeply, setting my soul on fire. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and in one move, he carried me up and flipped us around so that my back was to the bed while his body lay on top of mine. Spreading my legs, I made room for his large body, and as we kissed, his fingers slowly pulled the strap of my singlet o
DORAJasper raised himself up on his arms and checked on me. “Are you okay?”I was not. The pain I felt was white-hot and searing, like a blade of fire slicing through my flesh. I have experienced many pains in my life, but this was more than I could bear. Tears rolled out of my eyes as every nerve ending in my body was set ablaze, the agony rippling out in waves that burned and twisted in my veins.I had no idea I had been gripping the spot as I writhed in pain underneath him. “Talk to me, D.” He said, and I heard the urgency in his voice.“It hurts.” I whimpered. “It hurts so bad.”“Let me see.” Jasper said, gently prying my blood soaked hand from my neck. Silence settled on us as he examined the spot. “Fuck.”In an instant, he was out of the bed, pulling his shirt back over his head as he headed for the door. “What’s happening?” I called after him, and he stopped and turned towards me,, but when I saw his face, a new knot formed in my stomach. Jasper seemed to be mad at me. He
DORA I sprinted out of the bedroom, my heart hammering wildly in my chest. "Help!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the hallways. My bare feet slapped against the floor as I ran, desperate to put as much distance between me and the assassin as possible. Behind me, heavy footsteps pounded closer. He was fast—too fast. Panic surged through me, tightening my throat. My breath came in ragged gasps as I screamed again, hoping someone, anyone, would hear me. Before I could make it to the staircase, a rough hand grabbed the back of my shirt and yanked me backward. I hit the floor hard, the impact sending a jolt of pain through my body. The assassin loomed over me, his dark eyes cold and focused. I scrambled backward on my hands and feet, but he closed the distance in an instant, pinning me down. The sharp glint of the knife in his hand sent fresh waves of terror through me. “Get off me!” I screamed, thrashing wildly, kicking and clawing at him. My nails scratched at his arm, but he
DORA When Jasper told me the news I was beyond shocked. The fact that I had family somewhere and my father didn't send me there was appalling. If I knew I had family, I'd have left a long time ago. I wouldn't have put up with so much that I did. Now, hearing that she's deceased just when we could have met, was beyond heartbreaking. I searched for the tears to cry but I found none. I was just blank headed, staring into space. Wondering what could have been. Had Cersei been alive, I'd most certainly visit her often to learn more about my heritage and my mother. I sighed, knowing I'd never have that now. Seeing that the ice cream Jasper got for me had begun to melt, I got out of bed first and took it to the fridge. The flowers i put in a new case and water and then after contemplating whether I should eat or not, I took the chocolate back with me upstairs. Upon entering the bedroom, I decided to go out to the balcony to try the chocolates and get some breeze. Maybe the fresh
JASPERAs soon as I told Dora of her deceased grandmother, her entire demeanor changed. The muscles in her forehead gree prominent as the weight of my information settled on her. “So, you mean I had family out there and I didn’t know?”I nodded. “Sadly, yes.”Dora stared into space, her face the mask of confusion. She scoffed and then shook her head. “Penny for your thoughts.”She looked my way, her eyes not really seeing me. Then she blinked a few times. “Can I please have a moment alone?” I wish she didn’t say that. I wished she’d let me be here for her but I understood people grieve differently and if leaving will be my way to be there for her, then so be it.“Okay.” I said and got off the bed. Before leaving, I kissed her head and caressed her hair. “I’ll be at the office but will be back soon, okay?” Dora nodded absentmindedly and I began to worry for her. On my way to the office, II mindlinked Chang and Raven to meet me there. Despite just being away for a few days, I rea
JASPER As soon as I was driven into my pack, anxiety hit me. First, I was worried about how things was left off with Dora. Is she still mad at me? Will she let me try and help with her heat?Considering what happened last time, I doubt she’d let me touch her again and I couldn’t even blame her. I just wish she’d forgive me. Secondly, I thought about her grandmother, and the more I thought about her, the angrier I got. Dora was supposed to hear that she has a relative somewhere that cares for her. She would have been ecstatic about the news and I would have felt somewhat like a hero. Now, she’s gone, killed by an unknown assasin just like her mother. Who knows if they’d come for Dora too? Especially because of this book?I sighed, rubbing my face. I was exhausted and craving for rest but most especially, I was craving for her. As soon as my car arrived and I stepped into the house, my wolf became on alert. I sniffed the air, basking in the sugary scent of my mate’s heat. She sme
DORA I paid attention to everything Angel said, and after she left, I checked the alarm clock and counted down the time at which Angel told me the pills she gave me would expire. Five minutes to the time, and I found myself extremely nervous. What if I make a mistake? What if, despite the lessons, I still don't know how to use the tools? A terrible image of me throwing the tools away in frustration passed through my mind, and I shivered. Angel had assured me that I had nothing to worry about, and the tools were afoolproof's way to get quick relief. I wondered if Jasper would arrive before I dive into this unknown world. What if he came while I was doing it? Gods! That would be extremely embarrassing. True to Angel's words, the moment five minutes counted down, my body surged with heat as if a fire had been lit from the pits of my stomach. I removed my top, suddenly drenched with sweat, and then I proceeded to remove my shorts as well. My face burned with embarrassment,
ANGEL I blinked in surprise when Dora confessed to me about her inability to read. Of course, I should have known that, especially the way her family kept her a slave. “I’m so sorry.” I face palmed myself, coming to sit beside her on the bed. “I should have known.” Dora’s face grew a shade redder as she looked away and I took her hand in mine to assure her that she had nothing to be ashamed of. Afterward, I spent about half hour, explaining the different toys and how she could use them. The more I explained, the pinker her neck and ears became and I had to stilfe my smile at her shyness. After I was through, I asked she had any questions and she went silent for a moment. “Will I still need to use these if he comes back?” “It’s totally up to you especially if you’re not ready to go that mile with him.” Dora nodded slowly, her gaze drifting away as she fingered her pendant, then a question came to mind. “Were you wearing your pendant when Jasper tried to mark you?” Dora’s ga
DORA A day had passed since the Scott incident and no one else picked up on any scent that could be foreign or anyone that could be harmful. I sighed, wondering if it was all up in my head. Raven had brought in more guards to stand guard throughout the hospital and now that she was about to dismiss them, I felt bad. I turned to Angel who had been by my side. “Is there food in the kitchen?” “Enough to feed an army, why? Are you hungry?” I shook my head. “I want to make some sandwiches for the patrolmen. I heard Raven telling them, they can't go home and must go to their patrol posts. They will need something to eat.” “You don't need to worry yourself. I can have someone make that or order pizza.” “I know but I insist. Just before I go home.” “Are you sure you are strong enough for that?” I nodded enthusiastically. Angel stared at me before smiling. “Alright then. If you insist.” Afterwards, she led me to the kitchen area which was big and well equipped. Immediately, I g
JASPER I blinked in surprise, coming to the realization that Cersei could be Dora’s grandmother. “Tell me about this granddaughter of yours?” I stated, “Any pictures?” My intention was to connect Dora to her roots and give her a long-lost relative she could probably share some good memories with. Maybe that would get her to forgive me. The elderly woman shook her head, her expression, one of sadness. “I never met her. I only knew of her name when her mother visited briefly.” Then she paused and looked at me. “For the sake of the help you’ve rendered my community in the past, I’ll tell you this. This blessed girl was my daughter but before I could understand who she was or what she could do, she was quickly married off to the Alpha of the Moonstone pack.” Like a lightbulb switch coming on, I was finally sure that Cersei was Dora’s granddaughter. “What kind of powers did your daughter have?” “I can’t tell you much about it because I barely had enough time to figure her out when
JASPER AN HOUR AGO “Are you sure this is the spot?” I asked, as I and six of my best men rallied around a map spread out on the car. The one with the geography skills among us nodded his head, very sure about the spot marked X. I raised my head and looked at the thick forest beyond. The pack I need to get to live in there and this probably be one of the most dangerous ventures we would ever make. I turned to my men. “If you want to back out and wait here for me, I won't hold it against you. You've got wives and kids and I am not sure how dangerous this place might be.” My men glanced at each other with confidence before they all agreed to go with me and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Within minutes, we were venturing into the forest, high on alert while trying to find the pack we came for. After the war that occurred years ago, people of the Nightreach pack split in two. The staunch followers of the evil Alpha Martin Dumas chose to perish with him or become rogues while the