It wasn’t a scheme and Darci wasn’t lying- shocker, right?The sounds of wolves tearing into each other in the background and the Alpha jumping in using his Alpha command was the highlight of the call before Alicia rushed off to the pack house. She jumped off her moped and burst through the doors until she was in the living room, where everyone was standing tensely.Fred was hunched over on the floor, leaning against the back of the sofa, clasping at his bloodied neck, shirtless, revealing the scratches and bite marks from his attacker. Tom was looming over him, his lips bloodied, also shirtless, chest heaving as he glared down at the Beta. Henley and Brock were by his sides; they no doubt tried to intervene before Alpha Valko arrived. Their clothing was torn, with cuts running down their sides.Even with the bloody scene before her, Alicia couldn’t believe her eyes. Tom had seriously attacked Fred?Emma glared at Alicia like it was all her fault her husband had been attacked. “Are yo
Alicia dropped her bag on the floor, staring at her dreary room. She’d only been in that StarBnb for a few hours and never got to use that comfortable bed. It was all she could think about as she sat on her single bed, the springs already digging into her backside uncomfortably.If Alicia hadn’t insisted on returning to the studio to collect her things, she’d be stuck in this place with the same clothes until Rowan returned- if he returned. She’d spent the night with the man and did look up to him in terms of his achievements in a short time, but she didn’t know Rowan besides that. He probably changed his mind after seeing the drama unfold in the pack house.There was always drama unfolding at the moment. Alicia covered her face, not willing to look at her surroundings. She wanted to refuse Alpha Valko and Beta Fred, but Fred’s words came to mind again:“That won’t be necessary. Alicia doesn’t need to be locked in her room. She knows there will be punishment if the King finds out she
“Alicia!”For the love of the Moon Goddess! What now?!After another restless and awful night’s sleep, Alicia tossed the covers from her, the shrill voice of Emma not allowing her to rest a moment more. She couldn’t sleep now after hearing her call her name multiple times until the door burst open. Her heart was almost bursting from her chest, and she was ready or not-so-ready for another war, clutching her phone as a means of a weapon aimed at whoever opened the door.Emma’s head popped inside the door frame, and she scowled at her daughter. “What are you still doing in bed?” Her tone was clipped and icy—the usual, but a little more aggressive than usual.“Sleeping?” Alicia answered in confusion, her voice a little wispy from sleep as she squinted at such a tyrant first thing in the morning. This wouldn't be happening right now if she was in that lovely studio.Actually, why was Emma here?Emma never came into her room. If she wanted her attention from another part of the mansion, sh
Rowan didn’t need a tour of the pack house, he’d been there before, and he didn’t want to see his brother or that twerp, Tom. He was stuck inside that house, and Rowan didn’t want Alicia anywhere near him. It took a lot of effort to restrain himself from going inside there and ripping him limb from limb.In time, maybe he will. It didn't have to be straight away...Rowan's plans would come together, and Valko, Tom, and the King wouldn’t be such nuisances anymore. Rowan smirked at his thoughts and then looked back at Alicia, who had been walking quietly beside him, hand still in his, blushing as she stared at her feet. They were walking slowly, thanks to those monstrosities of heels.Alicia looked beautiful, but those heels were not made to walk in for long, especially if they weren’t in her size. Rowan wanted them to walk around a little first so others would see them together. He was about to lead her to a bench across the road so she could sit, but Alicia spoke first, blurting out i
“They still talk about you,” Alicia whispered, dropping her gaze to their connected hands. “Does it not frustrate you? Do you not want to change anything? We aren’t the only ones that have been mistreated, Rowan.”Rowan smiled. “Why don’t we go for a stroll? It’s getting a little stuffy in here.”Alicia knew then that he wanted to continue the conversation elsewhere. Where better than the forest? She didn’t hate the idea.She loved being in nature and enjoyed the grass and dirt between her toes. Obviously, she couldn’t do that now and would have to walk in these heels. But if it meant she could spend time outside with Rowan, talking, then she wouldn’t mind the blisters and cramped toes.As sunlight gently filtered through the shadowy forest, the duo strolled leisurely, partly due to Alicia's heels and partly because they simply desired an uninterrupted stroll together, away from prying eyes. They didn’t venture far before Rowan growled and kneeled in front of her, hands gripping her a
Pressed up against Rowan, Alicia’s skin tingled, her body warming as her legs weakened to the Alpha that had kissed her so sweetly before deepening the kiss and taking her breath away. He was overwhelming; every inch of him was his personality and aura, and she was being swept away by him.Alicia gasped as his teeth claimed her bottom lip, and his tongue swept inside her mouth, taking over her and branding her as his. He was everything she expected of an Alpha, taking charge and dominating her. Desire pooled into her core, and she whimpered against him, still clutching onto his shirt to stop herself from getting too dizzy with lust.Rowan growled against her lips, her lust thickening the air and calling to his own. His hand moved from her chin and into her hair, fisting some of it, his hand on her waist tightening before his legs pushed into hers, and she felt herself walking backwards, utterly ensnared in his arms. Her stomach fluttered, and her core tingled in response. A moan escap
Slouching on the long plush sofa in his grand bedroom, Tom drank from a beer bottle, bags under his red eyes, staring into the electronic fireplace across from him. Beer bottles were sprawled out everywhere; some had rolled over to the other side of the white marble-floored room. He was in nothing but some old tracksuit bottoms and his hockey jersey, leaving his torso bare.The room was usually bright and airy, but today it was gloomy, the curtains shutting out the sunshine from outside, the only light coming from the fire in front of him and the occasional glow of his phone, alerting him to messages from his friends or most recently, blowing up his phone was Darci. It remained on silent and he didn’t bother looking at her messages.Tom was too preoccupied with running through everything that had happened with Alicia, picking everything apart.As soon as he discovered it wasn’t Alicia’s choice to become a breeder of the Shadowmoon pack, he ran to her rescue like the hero he’d always b
“Okay, I’m on my way.” Rowan hung up on his Beta, putting the phone inside his inner jacket pocket, mind linking his driver to the new destination as he gently squeezed his mate’s hand.The town car parked outside the pack house, but neither Rowan nor Alicia moved. “I’m sorry, I have to go. There are… urgent issues I need to deal with.”More specifically, the issues regarding humans and their newly advanced weaponry. He wouldn’t tell Alicia this, though; it would only worry her.“I understand,” Alicia smiled back at him, hand going to the door handle and frowning when it wouldn’t open. Rowan smirked, opening his door and rounding the car, ignoring those around the house, who stopped to see the Bloody Claw Alpha opening the door for his mate.Alicia blushed hard, accepting Rowan’s hand and stepping outside of the vehicle in the pair of trainers she picked up from her home on the way. Rowan leaned close to her, whispering, “You need to get used to this.”His cute mate blushed harder, th
Hiding in the bushes, the night had finally come when they were putting their plan in motion. Alicia felt like a thief in the night, especially since she finally got her clothes back. All of them black, a great camouflage for the middle of the peaceful night that was about to turn blood red.Alicia’s hair was hidden beneath the hood as she stared at the palace from a distance. Alpine had finally returned to her, and the first thing her wolf scolded Alicia about was Talon.‘He’s up to no good, child,’ she warned. Alicia needed no warning, however, because she didn’t trust Talon anyway.Alicia only trusted in the plan. They needed the vampires for numbers and power to overthrow the Crown.With Alpine’s return, Alicia’s werewolf healing had improved, along with her strength and speed. The scarring on Alicia’s neck was now minimal and would soon be fully healed. Her strength was replenished.Rowan didn’t intend to use Alicia, but if the royal pack was still too powerful against his packs
The plan to overthrow the throne within a few days was a little too optimistic. Alicia, Rowan and Lamia ended up staying at the vampires lair while they organised it. Although she’d been warned by Talon and her husband, Alicia did roam around the warehouse unguarded.Many vampires sneered and snickered, believing Alicia was acting naïve. But Alicia was protected by Talon as his guest and anyone that lost themselves to their vampiric urges, Alicia took out. Those who sneered ended up nodding respectfully at the future Luna Queen.“What is this?” Alicia asked as Hailey waltzed into the room carrying hangers of clothes.“Lord Talon requests you cover up,” Hailey explained, dipping her head respectfully at Rowan who lowered the phone from his ear, frowning at the clothes being put up in the empty wardrobe.Rowan clicked his tongue. “Did he forget to buy me clothes?”Hailey pursed her lips. “I-I could ask, Mr-”“You’re scaring her,” Alicia scolded her mate, smacking him playfully on the ar
“Now that’s sorted, why don’t we have a drink?” Talon’s eyes glinted as they looked at Alicia, the innuendo clear.Rowan stood. “Like we said before, there isn’t much time.” He reached down to take Alicia’s hand, but Talon’s words stopped them.“We still need to make a plan. Will you accept my hospitality or continue to be rude and dismissive, especially now that you have got what you came here to get?” Talon’s voice was frosty, and goosebumps rose on Alicia’s flesh.Rowan scoffed. He could see Talon eyeing up Alicia from out of the corner of his eye or whenever he didn’t think Rowan was looking. The vampire either lusted after her or wanted her blood.Obviously, he would have neither.“We can swap numbers and go through our plans over the phone. We can return to the pack-”“Once things are resolved here.” Lamia stepped forward, interrupting her son and placing a hand on his arm, giving him a look.Rowan was about to argue, but Lamia spoke again, quietly, only meant for him. “The Quee
Talon stared at Alicia for a beat, the growing silence tense until he burst into a laugh. His head threw back, revealing his sharp fangs in his enjoyment. Those around them relaxed, and the barman, who had paused his actions, returned to drying the glass.Alicia released a quiet breath, unaware she’d been holding it since she’d refused to tell him her name twice. She didn’t know where it came from, but the slight thrill under Talon’s gaze made her feel guilty.Alicia had seen many good-looking and powerful men, but none compared to Rowan. Now, in a matter of seconds, standing before this vampire, she’d felt almost entranced by his presence. Was it a vampire thing?No, otherwise, Alicia would have felt the same way as the others she’d seen so far. This only meant that she found Talon attractive and that she couldn’t accept, especially when her mate was right here.“Very well,” Talon smirked, his dazzling eyes twinkling as he continued to watch Alicia. “I was only asking out of manners,
There was no plan. They just turned up at Talon’s front door.Technically, it was a gate. The Vampire Lord didn’t live in an old manor or some sort of suave penthouse like Alicia was expecting. Instead, the car Rowan managed to rent stopped in front of a closed gate before a warehouse.The entire estate had many warehouses and lorries to the side, and behind it, there were many fields. Vineyards, Alicia realised. This was a winery.“This is definitely the right place?” Alicia questioned, looking to the back seat where Lamia had been resting against the black-tinted window.“I told you we were hiding in plain sight.” Lamia shrugged. “Let me speak to them.”Lamia exited the door and went to the speaker by the gate, pressing on the buzzer and waving at the CCTV.“Lamia?! Is that you?!” A woman’s voice crackled through. “Quick, tell Talon!”Rowan and Alicia glanced at each other.“Are you going to let us in, or will I turn to ash first?” Lamia jested.Silence followed her question before
Although Lamia’s story had been full of pain and betrayal, she still needed time to accept the death of her ex-lover. The vampiress left to take a walk leaving Alicia and Rowan to talk.“Did Tom do anything to you?” Rowan got straight to the point. “I could smell him all over you… You can tell me. I know you were imprisoned and-”Alicia cupped her husband’s face. “He did not r*pe me. I was tortured and humiliated…” She wouldn’t tell Rowan about Tom’s groping. There was no point. “If I stayed any longer he would have… I know he would. Void… the man who’d been torturing me managed to get him away from me before he could do anything.”“That piece of sh*t!” Rowan growled, his voice rumbling with his rage. His fierce eyes returned to Alicia, softening as he tugged her into him so they could cuddle on the bed.“I’m sorry I wasn’t there-”“You don’t need to be. It’s not your fault he is… disgusting.” Alicia shivered, remembering the humiliation of the silver collar, crawling around and weari
Lamia released the dead rabbit to the ground in the forest and wiped her face. She strolled by the river to wash the remnants of the blood from her hands. There was only so many humans she could drink from every other week, ensuring they didn’t remember what happened and the bite mark healed over.So today, Lamia had to drink from animals to keep her cravings at bay. She sighed while splashing her face, her thoughts already turning to the comforts of her luxurious home. She’d already spent a week away from it.While Lamia was preoccupied with her thoughts, cupping the water in the river for a final time, something smacked into her hand. Lamia’s head whipped to the side, her hands withdrawing from the body in the body. The fresh blood and sound of a weak heartbeat forced her to run to where the body floated to, and grabbed the man before he fell down the cascading water of the waterfall.Lamia fell back with the huge man collapsing atop her. She pushed him off her, but the taste of his
Vibrations rumbled along Alicia’s body. At first it felt like a dream. She was flying, with the wind flowing through her hair.Then the fog around her mind gradually faded, and the vibrations grew stronger until she felt herself bouncing and he head jolting every few seconds. It wasn’t comfortable yet she couldn’t open her heavy eyelids.It lasted for a while. It was like she was falling asleep and jolting awake nonstop. A horrid feeling, and one she couldn’t get out of.At long last, the movement stopped but she heard Rowan’s hushed voice with another. Rowan who she thought had been dead. Rowan who had been almost lifeless upon finding him in the hay.Alicia jolted up, wide awake, heart racing as she flailed in a panic, and searched the dark room for him. The bond tugged at her heartstrings as a light pooled into the room where Rowan walked through the door. The moment he saw her sitting up, Rowan rushed forward, the door slamming shut behind him, casting them in darkness once more.
Lamia and Alicia ran from the cells only to bump into Void. Lamia didn’t think twice before smacking the side of her hand into the back of his head. The giant collapsed instantly.“Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want to be the one to hurt him?” Lamia turned back to face Alicia. “I know he tortured you, but time is precious.”Lamia actually looked apologetic for attacking the man before Alicia. She shook her head with a chuckle. “No, no. I never had any problems with Void.”“Void?” Lamia’s voice deepened, a frown tugging between her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “You didn’t have an issue with a man who tortured you?”Alicia shrugged. She already knew how messed up it was, so to avoid her mother-in-law’s questioning and accurately worried gaze, Alicia added, “He was following orders.”Lamia’s lips flattened into a straight line. She didn’t believe Alicia. Still, she answered, “Alright.” Like that she turned, removed the keys from Void’s belt and began putting them in the lock of the silver collar