***Surprise!*** I decided to post an extra chapter this week because we're stuck inside due to a snowstorm! Please show your appreciation by continuing to use your gems to vote for this book! (Somehow this chapter was accidentally published twice, so I'm working to delete the second one. Don't spend coins to unlock it. You'll be disappointed.) Much Love, Anja <3
ALEKSANDR “So, you’re telling me that everything I feel for you is because of this mate bond?” She questioned skeptically. Rieka and I are sitting next to each other on a couch in a private room back at my packhouse. The kids were fine. The rogues didn’t come anywhere near the packhouse, and they were well protected with my mom, Dustin, and Drea all here. We needed some privacy from everyone so we could talk, and I could attempt to explain. I had just finished telling her about the supernatural world, and I spent extra time explaining werewolves and the mate bond. Rieka calmly listened to all my descriptions, and never once appeared to be scared or creeped out by any of it. Although, I couldn’t read her at all. She was basically emotionless. “Wait, does this mean that Dustin and Drea are werewolves too?” She continued. I nod my head and take a deep breath before attempting to explain the mate bond better. “Your feelings for me are real, the mate bond just helps to intensif
ALEKSANDR As soon as Rieka left with the kids I grabbed an extra pair of shorts, shifted, and ran as fast as I could back toward her house. When I got close, I shifted back into my human form, put my shorts on, and ran straight to her house. I didn’t want to freak her out by telling her that the rogues had her shoes and therefore her scent, and we don’t know what they intend to do with it. However, I wanted to personally make sure her home was safe before she and the children returned. I didn’t see, hear, or scent any rogues in the area, and I didn’t want Rieka to be upset with me for staking out her house, so I took off before she would ever know I was there. While I was running back home, I mind-linked Dustin, Emmett, and Ian and asked them to meet me in my office. They were all waiting for me when I walk in, and from the looks on their faces, they had a pretty good idea what this was about. “Alright, the rogues have Rieka’s shoes, and can now track her location. It might ta
RIEKA When I woke up this morning it almost felt like everything that happened with Aleksandr was just a bad dream, and as much as I tried to convince myself that it was, I knew the truth. Twenty-four hours ago, I was excited about my second date with a man who I was quickly falling head over heels for, and today I’m wrestling with the idea that he’s part animal, literally, and now I’m being watched by his enemies who are also part animal. Surprisingly, I’m still not all that freaked out about the whole werewolf thing. I guess my love of reading and the fact that I read so much fantasy has mentally prepared me to deal with something this outrageous. However, I can’t seem to get over the whole mate bond and the idea of me being his “second chance” mate. I know it’s ridiculous, but I’m really hung up on it. I don’t trust my own mind or emotions. Although, this does explain a lot of my recent behaviors that were out of character for me. Reminiscing about the first time I met Drea
RIEKA It has been two days since I spoke with Drea, and over a week since I have seen or spoken to Aleksandr. The mate bond keeps tempting me to call Aleksandr or go to him. I want to desperately, but I’m stubborn and I hold out. I thought the distance would help, but the more I’m away from him the more stressed I feel. I haven’t slept well, I have been more easily irritated with my kids, and I have started to feel a bit depressed. I hate how much power this has over me. I wonder if he’s feeling it the same as I am, or if it’s even worse for him since he’s a werewolf. I have no more clarity than I did the last time I saw Aleksandr and now I’m wondering if Drea really was right. Maybe I do need to talk to Aleksandr to work through all of this. He has done such a good job of giving me space and respecting my wishes. He only texted me once to ask if I was doing okay. I answered with “yes” and didn’t say anything else. I was surprised that he didn’t follow up with additional messages but
RIEKA The constant darkness makes it really difficult to figure out how much time has passed, and my internal clock has never worked very well to begin with, but it feels like it has been at least 5 hours. I haven’t heard a single sound, and the quiet is starting to affect my mental state. Every time I think I hear something I jump, but then when I listen for more sounds there’s nothing. Either I’m losing my mind, or someone is playing games with me. I’m also shivering, and the dampness doesn’t help. The more time that passes the more time I have to think. Gina and Silas must be werewolves. They are both tall and beautiful, and it's the only thing that would explain why she reminded me of Drea, but I can't figure out what they want or why they would take me. I also feel sick with worry about my kids. They’ve already lost their dad. They shouldn’t have to go through this too. As my headache slowly subsided, I tried the door again, but it was obviously locked or blocked from
ALEKSANDR Sebastian and Asher look at Jericho with disgust and then their eyes slide over my direction. I’m sure they want to question what I’m waiting for, but they know better than to openly question me in front of a rogue. They wait patiently as I just stare at Jericho, but Jericho keeps his eyes on the ground in front of him. While I appreciate his submissive posture, I want answers. “Jericho,” His name comes out of my mouth sounding more like a growl, “explain yourself.” Asher’s jaw drops open, while Sebastian does a better job of maintaining his composure. Jericho takes a deep breath and I watch his shoulders rise and fall, but he doesn’t speak. I let out a low rumbling growl in warning. Jericho takes another deep breath, “They have Giovanna.” He whispers. I don’t need to ask who Giovanna is. The only way a wolf would go to the lengths that he has, is for a mate. They must be using his mate to get him to do their bidding. “Have you seen Rieka? Do you know where she
RIEKA The group standing before me looked rough. They were coated in layers of dirt and sweat. They either just finished some intense training, or they don’t have access to showers around here. I was certain they were warriors because most of them were covered in scars, but they were all lean and muscular. Not overly bulky like bodybuilders, but not scrawny by any means. As I continued to scan the room, I noticed it was mostly men, but there were a few women mixed in as well. Gina was by far the most glamorous looking of the women, but when I looked closer, under the layers of dirt and sweat, they all had a quality of otherworldly beauty. Even the men, with their scars and messy hair, possessed a level of attractiveness that isn’t common among humans. The more time I spend around werewolves the move obvious it is who they are. Pretty much all of them are tall, muscular, and attractive is some special way. Even the two men I referred to as cave men has excellent bone structur
RIEKA Silas seemed pretty upset about his group of rogues being forced to relocated because of Aleksandr’s expansion plans, but I was sure that Aleksandr wasn’t doing it to intentionally force them to move. I was confident that he didn’t even realize there was a group this large in the area. I still don’t trust Silas either, so I want to proceed with caution. I watched as Silas’ eyes glazed over in what I recognized as a mindlink. I thought rogues couldn’t mindlink without a pack. A minute later I saw Gina walk back into the room followed by the two cavemen who were following us earlier. In this room with brighter light, I realized that they didn’t look as much like cavemen as I initially thought, and they were just as attractive as the other werewolves. It must have just been the poor lighting in the hallway, but I find it ridiculously unfair that all of these people get to be so flawlessly attractive. Gina walks over to the table as Silas stands. He looks down at her and sa
Aleksandr smiles as he lifts my hand to place a featherlight kiss on the back side. “Are you ready for your honeymoon Mrs. Volkov?” The corner of his mouth tips up in an adorable half smile, and I almost giggle at being called Mrs. Volkov, but the heat in his eyes stops me dead in my tracks and reminds me of the promise of what’s to come when we get to…. Wherever it is that he’s taking me. “Am I still not allowed to know where we’re going?” I reply with a smile. I know I didn’t answer his question, but I’m suddenly feeling playful. He shakes his head, but I follow up with another question before he can speak. “Can you at least tell me how long it will be before we get there?” Aleksandr pauses in thought and for a moment. Just when I think I might get SOMETHING out of him, he shakes his head again. “No, that might give too much away.” ----- I was in the woods alone at night. I kept hearing something and glancing around, but there was nothing I could see. Just trees and bus
I recently completed my second book “Going Rogue” (Gina’s Story) and will soon be returning to Rieka and Aleksandr’s story to pick up where we left off.If you haven’t already please check out Gina’s story and give it a review. It didn’t get nearly as much attention as this one, and I’d love to see it get enough reviews to show a rating on the info page. I have 2 more books planned for this series, but I’m also starting a new job that might take some extra time to learn and get in the swig of things. I’m going to try and write ahead a little before I begin publishing so that you guys never miss an update because of my crazy schedule.Have a great weekend and stay tuned for the sequel to “Second Chance Luna” - “The Luna’s Family Secret” - in the coming months! I HOPE to start publishing the sequel in March, but I'll post a short preview here soon to give you a sneak peak. ;-) Much Love,Anja
RIEKAI’ve been working out with Aleksandr for the last several months, and I feel great! I feel stronger, and I know my muscles are more toned and I’ve even dropped a couple of inches from my mid-section. The amazing thing, however, is that the more time I spend with Aleksandr, the less stressed I feel about how I look. At this point, I’m just working out because I love it, and I love feeling strong, but I am absolutely convinced that he really does love me no matter what my body looks like.Another bonus has been all the extra energy I have to play with my kids, even after a long day of working. Although my work schedule isn’t nearly as hectic as it used to be, I keep working because I love it, not because I need the income.We moved into the pack house, although I still have a separate room until after the wedding, and the kids started attending the local schools for pack members. I think they’re all doing well and getting along with the other kids. At least they haven’t told
ALEKSANDRI’ve been planning this moment since I rescued her from Silas and brought her back home with me. Initially, I wanted to deal with all the funerals, memorials, and the local authorities first, but things kept coming up and stretching it out and I couldn’t wait any longer.I knew this location would give us enough privacy that I didn’t have to worry about someone recognizing her and calling the authorities, but I still took extra precautions to ensure that our evening could proceed uninterrupted.When I made assumptions about us having a pup, I worried that I’d screwed everything up and lost her. Thankfully we started working through it and I felt confident enough in our relationship to move forward with our plans.She’s everything to me, and I wanted the entire day to be relaxing, enjoyable, and memorable for her. I had Drea take her out for girl time in the morning to help her get ready before we started all the things that I had planned for us.Rieka looked stunning when
RIEKA Even though I just received a massage this morning with Drea and Alheri, I’m really enjoying getting one from Aleksandr. We’ve already had such a full day and the tension was starting to build up again, but he makes quick work of my neck and shoulders coaxing them back into a relaxed state. He better watch out. If he spoils me too much, I’ll start expecting this treatment every day. The thought makes me chuckle softly to myself which gets Aleksandr’s attention. “Care to share the joke?” I quickly stifle my laughter and clear my throat. “I was just thinking that you better not spoil me too much or I might start expecting over the top gestures and being treated like a queen every day.” “You should expect it,” He replies in a serious tone. “You are my queen, and as such, you will be treated accordingly.” If I hadn’t heard the serious tone in his voice, I would have though he was making a joke. I’ve learned that Aleksandr does joke around sometimes, but he’s never sarcast
RIEKA I peeked out the door, and although I didn’t see anyone, I quickly darted across the hallway to the bathroom before I could be spotted. As the door to the bathroom was closing behind me, I could hear Aleksandr standing in the hallway chuckling. Although my eyes were a little red, he was right, my makeup still looked flawless. What kind of witchcraft was this? What makeup had they used on me that it stayed on so perfectly, even when I cried like a baby? Feeling reassured that I didn’t look like a raccoon or a dying cat, I stepped back into the hallway where Aleksandr was waiting for me with a grin. “Ready?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “Yes, where are we going now?” He just laughs and shakes his head again without answering. We made our way back to the elevator and I thought we might be headed back across the sky bridge to his hotel, but instead he pulled a card from his pocket and scanned it before he hit the button for the top floor. I wonder what all the floors a
RIEKA When we arrived back at the pack house, the kids were nowhere to be seen. I was a little disappointed, but I was also excited about my evening with Aleksandr. I had no idea what he had planned, but I’m sure that Drea knew something, and if my outfit was not appropriate, she would have guided me towards something else. “Do you know where the kids are?” I ask Drea.Her eyes shifted as she mind-linked someone. “They aren’t here. Apparently, Vasilisa, Oliver, and Sebastian took them to a park in town and to get ice cream.” She smiled apologetically. Just then, Aleksandr walked into the room looking incredibly handsome in blue jeans, a white collared shirt, black tie, and a vintage style black leather jacket with a few gold stripes. He also wore classic white Adidas shoes with black stripes, and black shoelaces. Glancing down at my own shoes and I’m glad I chose a pair of dark grey booties with 4-inch heels. Our outfits will look great together, and I always appreciate tal
RIEKA Sometimes you wake up slowly, and sometimes you wake up quickly. This morning I was startled awake, sitting up quickly only to realize that it was still dark outside. It feels like I woke up because of a dream, but I don’t remember the dream at all. That tends to happen when I wake up quickly, but I always remember my dreams when I wake up slowly. Alex and Aria are both in the habit of sleeping in the other beds in the room now, and sometimes Eden sleeps with Aria, and sometimes she sleeps with me. Last night, Eden slept with Aria, so I only had Calvin in the bed with me this morning. Turning to look at the clock, I quickly confirm that it’s only 5:07 AM. I lie back down hoping to fall back to sleep, but my mind and body are both wide awake. After tossing and turning for about 30 minutes I give up and head to the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. It’s probably just in my head, but I always feel colder first thing in the morning. After my shower I dress in m
RIEKA Gina already had a list of rogues that she knew would be open to joining the pack, and after coming up with a plan she and Jericho left to meet with a few more rogues to see where they were at and if they would be a good fit for integration into one of the packs. Aleksandr spent much of the morning interrogating the rogues who Gina said might know more about Silas’ connection to Alastor, so I didn’t see much of him. He didn’t even return for lunch, and by the afternoon I was feeling his absence strongly. Realizing that I’ve spent most of my time with him since I was rescued, I understood why it was so hard to be away from him. Being with him was like a drug, and the more I was with him, the more I needed to be with him. I’m not sure if this is normal, or if it’s affecting me differently because I’m a human but seeing Jericho and Gina together after having completed the mate bond made me miss Aleksandr even more. I could tell that Gina wasn’t holding anything back from him