DonovanBy the time I wake up, Penelope is already out of the room. The relationship between her and Cora is definitely odd. It seems like Cora actually likes her and that’s just weird for Cora.She's always been so recluse, like a hermit, seeing her get on so well with someone and that someone just happens to be my mate... I don't know, something just feels off.I walk to the kitchen and I can hear them talking, but nothing about their conversation seems substantial. As I enter the room, I say, “Morning, ladies.”I lean down to Penelope and give her a quick peck before turning to look at Cora as I ask, “Are there any towns nearby?”Her eyebrows furrow and she asks, “Why would you need to go into town?”“I need to figure out things with the businesses that I ran. They’ve been successful, but I know they can get traced back to me, and Xavier knows about almost every one of them. I would like to sell them and invest the profits in something different, so we don’t have to worry about mone
FlashbackCoraMy spell went perfectly and one of the coven leaders and my personal mentor, Lilith, praises me, “Great job, Cora.”I smile at her words and I watch as the other young witches or wizards struggle to perform the spell I just cast.I try not to show off, but magic has always come naturally to me. The spell I just did was much more advanced because we’re about to graduate from high school and can try to get into different covens.Lilith walks over to help someone else out, but not before she gives me a wink, reassuring me that I did a good job. The president of our school walks around looking thoughtful, but when his eyes landed on me he says, “You’re quite exceptional, Cora Lee.”I try not to be bashful from his words, Lilith always tells me not to shy away from others because it shows weakness. So I look at him in the eyes as I say, “Thank you, Principal Porter.”He tells me, “You’re going to have your pick of the litter whenever it comes time to apply to covens. I hope y
FlashbackCoraTheo looks between me and the other man with a frown on his face and concern shining through his eyes. He says, “Levi, what are you talking about? Cora’s my mate.”Levi… oh lord, this man could get me in some serious trouble. His skin was darker than Theo’s and made me wonder if he could be Hispanic or maybe Italian? It’s hard to tell because his facial features don’t look like either. All I know is he has perfectly tanned skin.His hair is black and his eyes are much darker than Theo’s and I wonder if it’s because his wolf is present or if it’s because they’re naturally that dark. His muscles are well defined, just like Theo’s, and dirty thoughts fill my mind being in the presence of these two attractive men.My cheeks immediately redden from those thoughts. I've never experienced them before. I have never been interested in getting into a relationship, and the only romance stuff I know is from romance novels. Levi looks me up and down, I can see the doubt through his e
FlashbackTheoI finally met my mate. I still can’t believe it. But… the one thing that troubles me is knowing that she is Levi’s mate as well.I rush to training and breathe out in relief when I made it with only a few seconds to spare before getting punished. Our trainer walks over to me and says, “Be careful not to get sloppy, Theo. You’re one of the best warriors we have and one day you could be a trainer or a captain.”I bow my head, “That’s a high compliment. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”Training felt like it lasted forever, especially when all I truly want it to go back to the forest and see Cora again. But… I need to speak with Levi.Once training ended, I walk over to him and say, “Can we talk?”“There’s nothing to talk about,” He grumbles. I huff, “Levi, we both know that she is supposed to be with both of us.”He rolls his eyes and says, “It doesn’t matter. She’s with you.”“It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Look, I know we have our disagreements, but we are cous
FlashbackCoraI scramble to my feet and I can’t help but shout, “What the hell did you do?!”I rush to grab my clothes and as I do, every naughty thing we did flashes in my head. Honestly, I don’t regret the sex. I’ve never been with anyone before and I know he’s my mate, so I’m glad I did that with him… but I NEVER gave him permission to mark me. The fact Theo did that without consulting me infuriates me.Yet he rolls on his side and watches me as I look around for everything to get dressed and he says questioningly, “I marked you?”“Well, duh! But why?!”He sits up as he says in a defensive manner, “You’re my mate.”I glare at him as I snap, “Exactly, I'm your mate! Shouldn't you value my opinion and choices? You had no right to do that without my permission!”Realization falls over his face and I shake my head and rant, “I just met you and you’ve already betrayed my trust! How am I supposed to trust you in the future?”He stands up and walks over to me and halts me from moving by w
FlashbackCoraDamn Theo.He just had to fucking mark me, didn’t he?!I’ll see him today. But yesterday was hell, and nights are the worst! I can’t even sleep because something deep inside of me is just longing to be with him.Alexis is giddy with excitement to meet Theo. She talked nonstop yesterday about how she hoped he’d have some hot friends and maybe she’d even get a mate.It’s hilarious to me the difference between us, but it’s also because we’re at different levels with our magic. I’m one of the strongest and I have every coven looking at me to be a member, but Alexis doesn’t. She’s talented with magic, but doesn’t care to apply herself to make herself be spectacular.She prefers to have a life that’s carefree and full of adventure. If she found a mate tomorrow, she’d be thrilled! He would give her a life that’s different from what she currently has.I honestly don't think she would have any problem with abandoning our current lifestyle and plan to run off with a werewolf and b
FlashbackCoraI haven’t gone to see Theo in three days. My heart physically hurts being separated from him right now, but I have to think of his safety over my desire to be around him. I had Alexis go out to meet him once to warn him that it’s too dangerous for us to be around each other right now. Lilith watches me like a hawk and I know that other teachers are as well, but I try not to let it phase me. I continue to perform to the best of my ability, and coven tryouts are approaching quickly.But… there’s one issue now.I don’t want to be in a coven anymore.During our separation I have been researching werewolves to see if I could picture being with him forever. My body yearns to be with Theo, and I can still practice magic, even if I’m on my own. Alexis and I have actually been daydreaming about starting something on our own. And, if I’m honest, the thought of doing something with my best friend and staying with my mate thrills me more than any coven could.I need to see him agai
FlashbackCoraWhen I got back to my dorm, my heart felt full, and I was excited. Things are falling into place. I’m still doing well with my studies, so none of the teachers are on my case and I know I’ll soon be with the one that my heart longs for more than any other.Alexis smiles at me when I come into the room, and I tell her all about the night. I’m hopeful I’ll get to meet with the Alpha soon and that he’ll agree to at least meet Alexis. Then, as soon as graduation comes, we’ll leave this place and go where I- or well, we belong.The next day couldn’t come fast enough. As soon as classes were over, I was back in the woods, ready to meet Theo. Alexis rushes behind me and calls out, “I’m coming with you!”I let out a laugh as we take off flying. When we get to the clearing, I’m surprised to see him with two other men. My eyebrows furrow and I say, “Theo?”He walks to me and his eyes flicker to Alexis and I can see a flash of nervousness in them. He takes my hand and turns to face
15 years since Violet was born. Penelope The years have been good to us. I have seen so much of the world and felt more free than I ever could've imagined. It's just the three of us, we never had another kid. We talked about it... more than once, but ultimately we were fearful of how it could affect our safety. Nothing was worth the chance of putting Violet in even more danger than she already is. I lie in bed with Donovan snuggled up beside me. Uneasiness churns in my stomach and I know that something is going on that we don't know yet. Call it my 6th sense or mother's intuition, I just know something's off. Donovan kisses my head and mumbles, "Turn off your thoughts, Pen. Everything is fine."I let out a breath, hoping that he's right. He pushes himself up and looks me in the eye as he asks, "We're fine, we're safe, we'll be at Cora's in the morning."We haven't seen Cora for over 6 months now. We've been in Asia for the last half of the year and although we have enjoyed our tra
Five years later.PenelopeI sit across from Amelia at the table as we each sip on our coffee and watch our girls play together. A few months after I had Violet, Amelia had a little girl that they named Magnolia. It's fun watching our daughters play together, but the interesting thing is how similar they look to me and Amelia.Violet looks almost exactly like me except that her hair was curly like her dad's and her blue eyes had a green circle around the pupil. Magnolia looks just like Amelia, with her blonde hair and jade green eyes. The two of them together like this makes me wonder how mine and Amelia's childhood could've been different if our mom hadn't put me in the Academy and if our dad hadn't been a monster.Amelia brings the cup to her lips before setting it down and asking, "So, where are you headed this time?"Donovan, Violet, and I are constantly moving around. The longest we stay at a place is 1 month before we're going somewhere new. Traveling has become one of my favori
PenelopeI hate waiting. I know that Cora and Donovan are both safe and they are working out a way to get him home, but it’s hard not to feel anxious about the entire thing. It’s been five days. It’s weird getting used to taking care of a newborn and going through this healing process on my own. But because I’m a werewolf, I heal faster than a human would, so I mean, that’s a good thing.It’s harder getting used to take care of a baby. I’ve never been around them much so tending to all of her needs all of the time is very taxing, physically, mentally, and emotionally! Add in all of the drama with Donovan and it’s surprising I haven’t had a complete mental break down from all of the stress.I breathe out as I cook dinner, eager to hear if there was any progress today. I need them back home… it’s hard not to feel depressed when all I have is myself and my racing thoughts.There’s a loud bang and for a moment, I freeze. Is someone breaking in?I think of the fastest way to get to Violet
PenelopeDonovan’s okay? He’s okay!The smile on my face hurts my cheeks, but I don’t care because I could cry from relief. He’s okay. I can’t believe he’s okay and away from Xavier.But then Cora pops my bubble as she says, “You have to stay here, Penelope.”My eyebrows knit together as I question, “What are you talking about? I need to go see him. He’s my mate.”“I know that and trust me, Penelope, he wants to see you and Violet more than anything else in this world, but you won’t be going to see him right now.”I cross my arms defiantly as I ask, “And why not?”She breathes out, exasperated with my attitude, before saying, “Because I’m trying to keep you safe and Donovan specifically requested for you not to come.”Her words hurt and I can’t help the pain I felt in my heart from hearing that my mate didn’t want me. Instantly, Cora’s eyes soften and she says, “I didn’t mean it like that, Penelope. Xavier let Donovan go. Donovan knows he must have a tracker on him or something! Why el
DonovanHatred fuels my blood.Anger fills my mind.All I can think of is how to get out of here and end Xavier's life.I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Xavier is strong, and he is growing more powerful. He brought me back to the Moon Stone pack lands and I know now that he plans to rebuild here and to become an Alpha. But right now, there are days that go by that no one is coming to check on me. I’m learning their patterns and when they’re vulnerable. I need to get home and I would do anything to make sure that I can escape Xavier’s clutches.When I leave here, I can’t go straight to Cora’s, even though I want to see Penelope more than anything in the world. No, I need to go somewhere else. Perhaps to the Renegade Pack. I need to make sure that there is no tracker on me so that I don’t put Penelope and our daughter in danger.I think one of the big reasons that Xavier isn’t worried about me being watched at all times is because he already has a plan in motion. He knows that I wo
PenelopeIt’s been two weeks since Cora came home and Donovan never returned. Life feels like it has lost all meaning without Donovan around.I feel like my baby bump doubled and size and like Violet is moving around more. I think that she’s antsy because she knows that her daddy isn’t home. Or maybe I’m crazy and this is normal for this point in a pregnancy.Cora caters to me constantly. Honestly, she’s going a bit overboard and I’ve tried to get her to settle down, but I think that the guilt is eating her alive and she’s doing the best that she can to get through everything. I still have roughly a month left to get through this pregnancy. That means that Donovan has no help coming for him for over a month. He’ll have to figure out how to escape alone or he’ll have to hold on until I get there.Cora sets a cup of tea down beside me, and she watches me. I can feel her eyes on me and she sighs, “He wouldn’t want you to come after him.’I bite my tongue so hard that tears prickle in my
DonovanMy ears ring from the sound of the cars crashing together. As our car spins out, Cora wakes up and screams. I grit my teeth together as I try to figure out what just happened. Before even getting out of the car to investigate, I know in my gut that this crash was intentional.My wolf is on high alert, knowing that the threat is somewhere we can't see. I huff as I turn to look at Cora and say, “When I get out of the car, I want you to drive off. Head home as fast as you can and make sure no one is following you.”She looks disoriented, but she nods her head and says, “Okay.”I breathe out, trying to steady myself before getting out where I know for a fact that I will be attacked. I open the door and as the dust from the wreck clears; I watch as I see Xavier appear across from me. He stands tall with his arms crossed as he smirks at me. I shut the door behind me and turn my head to the side as I say to Cora, “Go! And keep her safe.”To my relief, Cora doesn’t hesitate to drive of
PenelopeI didn't realize how incredibly boring it would be to be completely by myself. There’s nothing to do. I’ve already cleaned everything, I’ve tended to the garden, I’ve cooked dinner, I’ve scoured the internet for ideas for Violet’s nursery, and now I’m just sitting on the couch, bored.I tried to read a book but I find myself unable to focus. My wolf feels anxious, which is an odd behavior for her. I would let her go out for a run, but I’m pretty sure Donovan would have my head if he knew I went running without him to protect me.I breathe out as I lay my head back. I wish he would call me or mind link me. I would try to link him, but I don’t want to distract him in case he is in danger. Eventually… I fall asleep. I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep, but when I wake up, it’s from the back door slamming shut. I jump and I’m wide awake and ready to attack until I hear Cora’s voice yell, “Penelope! Are you okay?”I rush towards her and I say, “I’m fine.” I notice a cut on her
DonovanIt was only a one-day trip to get to the White Fang Pack. Cora and I sit on the outskirts of it and observe to see how hard it would be to break inside. The patrol here sucks. They’re slow, they talk a lot, they are never quiet enough to listen to their surroundings to see if a threat could be present, and they leave their post without waiting for someone to take their place. It’s like they’re begging for someone to attack their pack and take advantage of their vulnerabilities.I grind my teeth in frustration. If my pack was like this, then I could understand how we were overthrown. My pack was ready. We just couldn’t handle how powerful the threat was. But this pack… I feel like I could overthrow them by myself. I wouldn’t. That’s not the kind of man I am and I don’t want to draw attention to myself. I know that Xavier is still out looking for me and because of that, I need to stay down low as long as possible. Cora asks, “What do you think?”“I think I could easily get you