~ BEFORE ~Rowan may have been ordered by the Alpha King to take Shadowmoon pack under his wing like the others, and thrown Alpha Mav into prison but there were other reasons Rowan eagerly took on the pack. He could have helped build the pack up within as little as one to two weeks.They stayed for an entire month because he had leads about the witch.The witch that was causing havoc among the packs, and using humans as her marionettes, easy to manipulate and use.Alpha Mav had been ruling Shadowmoon pack like a rotting infestation. He’d been getting away with his nefarious ways. It wasn’t only Rowan but his Beta, Voss, that determined the witch was probably working with him.Although there were leads indicating this witch had indeed been to Shadowmoon pack, to which nobody had been aware of, Rowan came up empty. He’d follow a clue and then it would lead to nothing like a scent that dissipates into the air like it had never been there in the first place.Rowan sighed, squeezing his ma
Floating on a weightless cloud, Alicia was enveloped in warmth as a comfortable darkness prevailed on her mind while her muscles were relaxed and her body feeling rejuvenated. It was the piercing light behind her eyes that dragged Alicia from her long slumber and she groggily fluttered her eyelids open.She squinted to the light, and once her eyes adjusted, she realised the room spun, or perhaps she felt a little dizzy.“Easy,” Rowan’s smooth voice called to her and she turned her head in his direction, eyes focusing only on him like a camera lens zooming in on him and only him.Alicia could tell others were in the room, but seeing her mate alive and well comforted her beyond measure. She released a sigh and began sitting up. Rowan rushed forward and helped her to lean back against the headboard of the bed, adjusting her pillows.As he did so, Alicia’s eyes strayed to the others in the room, and she was shocked to discover the core pack members of Shadowmoon in their bedroom. They wat
Rowan’s SUV departed from the town car he left Alicia in. Beta Voss met up with his driver halfway and collected Rowan to take him to the palace. Neither could go against an order by the Alpha King, even if Rowan did want to see to Alicia’s safety.She was still pale and looked tired when he left her.The sooner he dealt with the King and Queen, the quicker he could return to her.Rowan’s fingers tapped against his leg as his Beta drove at high speed to the palace. He wondered if the witch’s actions were finally catching up with her, which was how his dim-witted father discovered her existence.As soon as the SUV parked in front of the grand steps of the palace, Rowan strolled forward, buttoning his suit jacket, going straight to the audience chamber. Once, the guards opened the doors for Rowan, disrupting who was speaking with the King and Queen.“Who-” The King halted his abrasive attitude upon seeing Rowan calmly walk towards the centre of the creamy hall.The floors and walls were
When Rowan returns to Bloody Claw, his mind is swarmed with strategising and planning to find the witch and take his place on the throne. Tom, the little antagonistic pr*ck, only motivated him more. Even if that pathetic pup did find the witch before him, Alicia was NEVER going to be his.Upon entering the pack house, however, his thoughts fled as he felt thick tension in the air. Ruby stormed out of the front door, glancing at Rowan, lips parting to say something, then shook her head before he had a chance to ask her what was wrong. Something was off.Why was Ruby in a nightie?His questions only grew, and hackles only raised more once he smelt blood and felt his mate’s concern. Their bond was still growing, but some of Alicia’s emotions were already starting to shimmer, like a sprinkle of dust landing on the tether between them. Rowan could feel when she was in danger immediately and could pick up on her emotions by her expressions and body language, but the bond was on another leve
By the time Ruby finally returned to the pack house, a good twenty minutes after Rowan expected her, Voss’ expression remained blank as he showed her the way to Rowan’s office.Ruby shrugged Voss’ hand off her back and glared at him. “I know where it is,” she hissed, continuing down the hallway. Voss didn’t comment, or leave the she-wolf but he didn’t touch her again either.It wasn’t like he wanted to anyway. Garnet was going to lose his sh*t when he discovered what his baby sister did to their mother. It was a good thing Rowan was sorting this now before the Gamma returned from training.Ruby strolled through the office door nonchalantly, she made a point of changing into tight black skinny jeans and a boxy cropped top, still revealing her toned stomach. It as disrespectful to Rowan not to come to the pack house immediately. But Alicia did feel better that the girl changed into something… well more than a nightie that was meant to seduce her mate.Nausea gripped her stomach but Alic
Ruby collapsed onto her front after Tom finished violently inside her, his hand releasing her neck. She was covered in bites, fingerprint marks and bruises. The ‘golden boy’ image was only that, an image. Ruby had been right.No complaints left her mouth though. She needed his rough handling, even if it was almost borderline psychotic. It helped ease the longing in her chest for another, though it did nothing to douse her anger.Tom slid out of her backside, and rolled onto his back, breathing heavily, and feeling much better after expending some of his energy. This Ruby chick was really wild, completely different to those in the brothel and his Alicia. She was nothing more than a hole though—a feisty hole.Placing his hand behind his head, Tom smirked as he watched Ruby reach out and grab some tissue to tidy herself up. He was about to tug her towards him so he could feel her warmth against his skin, hoping to feel some connection, something to warm his chilled heart.The only reason
On the decking outside the pack house, overlooking the scenery, Alicia’s head lay resting on Rowan’s lap, her legs spread out while he looked over some papers. He was always in that office when doing paperwork, so she decided to take him outside and get some fresh air. It was peaceful for her too.Rowan informed Alicia about what happened at the palace, now that Ruby was out of the pack and the drama had died down—for now anyway—they continued with their discussions and plans.“That’s suspicious,” Alicia said after Rowan explained the King and Queen would make him King if he caught the witch. “The Queen hates you, so why would she give you this?”Rowan nodded. “I know. I feel the same way.” He continued to stroke the top of her hair while reading through some documents.Alicia stared at his features under the sunlight. The wind blew his dark locks gently against the top of his forehead. Instead of his usual suits, Rowan wore a white button down, the top couple of buttons undone reveal
Rowan didn’t know what Alicia planned to do or say to Ruby, but he watched the town car with Alicia and Garnet in, drive away. There was already enough on Rowan’s plate and he could see how determined his mate was about this. She’d been brought up around such toxic people that someone like Ruby was nothing.Although Rowan was confident about Alicia finding out what Ruby knew, he couldn’t send her alone. He already sent his orders to Garnet. The Gamma could watch from a distance if he didn’t want to interact with Ruby, and he didn’t have to do anything unless it looked like Ruby might severely hurt his mate.Turning away, Rowan headed in the direction of one of the labs, as he ordered Voss to track down the witch from Shadowmoon, report to him, and not interact with her if he does discover her.While Rowan returned to his Alpha duties, Alicia found herself once again in Blue Crescent. Goddess, at some point she would really like to put this d*mned place behind her. Now it just made her
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