Maxwell POVAll she has to know is they’re being watched, and she’s safe. If they ever started moving closer, I’d execute the mission in an instant.My fists clench, and I can’t hold back the smile as I imagine them covered in their blood. Every single one of them has touched her. All of them will pay, and I won’t be gentle about it.A knock at my office door stirs me from my work. I shake my head and glance up. “Come in,” I yell.The door handle twists and my gaze collides with my mate as she steps inside. Her brown eyes immediately light up the room, and I shiver subtly at her unexpected entrance. “Everything okay?” I ask as I lean forward.Laura’s teeth clamp down on her bottom lip as she steps inside, not shutting the door behind her. “Are you busy?”“For you?” I quirk a brow. “Never.”Her cheeks spread with a tint of pink, something I always find incredibly adorable. “What are you up to?”“Alpha duties,” I admit. “Nothing you need to worry about.”“Oh?”“Oh.”A ghost of a smile
Maxwell POVLaura’s mouth falls open in shock. “Because of me?”“Yeah, because of you.”“But you can’t shift into that form?”“No.”We inch closer into our territory, where Kayden has my wolves running at lightning speed. They’re playing one of our favorite training games that involves a lot of defense and ample amounts of competition.I help Laura up onto one of the boulders so she has a better advantage point. She immediately drops her hands into her lap and glances around at the wolves as they pass. “So, how do you get your wolf back?” she asks curiously.“I don’t know,” I admit. “I feel the closest to him when I’m around you.”She blinks in surprise. “When specifically?”“When I held you. I felt incredibly close to him, then.”Laura’s eyes roam my face, and I take in her pure beauty. I adore the way her natural complexion has been restored with a healthy glow and how her eyes seem brighter than when I first met her, like life is blossoming. Even when she smiles, I find myself
Laura POVMaxwell’s wolf is larger than any other wolf I’ve ever seen. His fur is black and thick, and his yellow luminous eyes glow back at me. The size of one of his paws is bigger than my head. He’s not just big; he’s huge.I jump down from the boulder on shaky legs and then press my back into the rock. I’m not scared of him, but I’ve never seen a wolf like his. If I saw him alone in the woods, I’d be running for the hills. But he breathes through his nose softly and takes a step forward.It’s okay, he reassures me through our mind. His soft voice wraps around my brain and sends soothing motions through my spine, for which I’m grateful. I can see the concern in your eyes.My head shakes. “Just startled,” I admit. “Are Alphas bigger than normal wolves?”Yes. I’m a lot bigger than I remember. It’s been a while.“Is he a completely different subconscious to you?”Yes. I believe so. We have separate minds and separate wants. He lives in my human body whilst I live in his shifted body
Laura POVThe stars are bright tonight. Each and every one of them. I’m not usually a stargazer, but right now, it’s a beautiful sight. There are constellations in the sky I’ve never noticed before glowing like fireworks.I can’t take my eyes off them. I’m in a trance. They make the dark night sky feel warm.A presence has the hairs on my arm standing, and I turn towards where my intuition directs. That’s when I spot a woman with floor-length white hair and eyes that practically glow in the dark. She’s not dangerous; I can sense it.She takes long, languid steps to meet me, her purple and cream dress dragging along the forest floor behind her. Her glittery skin shines in the moonlight. Iridescent and breathtaking.“Who are you?” I exhale when she stops in front of me.A line of gleaming makeup runs across her cheeks and over her nose to the other side of her face. The mark is unique. I wonder if it’s a tradition from wherever she’s from. I know she’s not human, but I don’t know wher
Maxwell POV“I Don't think you understand; my wedding has to be perfect,” Ava says as she stares at her laptop screen with wide eyes and flailing fingers over the keys.My eyes roll automatically. All I’ve heard over the last few months is wedding plans, and I can see her turning into bridezilla within the next few days. The date is getting closer, and she’s about to burst.“Our wedding, babe.” Sebastian’s voice floats through the kitchen. Ava glances up at him with a sudden nod; it's like she didn’t even remember he was here.Oh, boy.“Sorry.” A hand raises beside her head. “Our wedding.”“Well, if you wanted it to be perfect, you wouldn’t be looking for the wedding cake nine days before now…would you?” I quirk a brow in her direction.Unsurprisingly, she scowls at me with heavy annoyance. “Shut up, Maxwell. It’s not my fault the original cake company didn’t get back to me.”“Yeah,” I rasp heavily. “It’s called having a backup. I can’t believe you decided to do this yourself and no
Maxwell POVI brace myself for what’s about to unleash. Sebastian might officially be uninvited to his own wedding. Goddess, how does he put up with this crazy woman?“They’re just tablecloths?” she spits, slamming the laptop closed. “How dare you, Sebastian? I thought you’d be better than that.”I can’t tell if that’s fear or frustration behind his eyes.“Who even are you?”My hand cups my jaw, but it’s too late. The laugh slips out. The look on Sebastian’s face and the sheer madness my sister has become is like a reality show, and somehow, I’ve got a front-row seat to it.Ava’s death glare flicks my way. “Do you think this is funny?”My sister is a drama queen most of the time, but this is ridiculous. I flash her a slight grin, which she gapes at. Laura gently swats my arm, but she’s also trying her hardest to keep a poker face.“I’m sure they’ll be here in time,” Laura says, attempting to console her. “It said might, not definitely. Just remain optimistic. I’m praying for you, Ava.
Maxwell POVIt’s a few days before my sister’s wedding, and tonight is her “last night” of freedom before she becomes a wife. All of Ava’s closest girlfriends from the pack Laura included are planning on going out and celebrating in town. And right now, I’m being forced to take pictures of them together.I mean, I’m not complaining too much because I physically cannot take my eyes off my beautiful mate. Ava put some makeup on her, making those brown eyes even darker and her pale skin glow.She’s not just beautiful; she’s taken my entire breath away.My eyes roam her face and down her body. In an instant, my gaze hardens, looking at her in that pretty burgundy dress and heels with laces wrapped around her ankles. She’s a sight for sore eyes. She smiles gently towards the camera, completely stealing my heart and running away with it.When I finish my noble brotherly duties, I hand the phone back to Ava. “Please don’t do anything stupid tonight,” I say under a hushed breath. “The last
Maxwell POVIt’s late. I know that much. But when my ears prick at the sound of the front door opening, I immediately stand. I purposely kept my office door open for this exact reason. I’m trying my damn hardest to not be overbearing, but I was counting down the seconds until they got home.I tidy away the notes on my desk before heading downstairs into my private kitchen to find Ava and a few of the other girls. All of them are chatting away like it isn’t the middle of the night. The smell of alcohol wafts from them like they’ve been out for the past five days. Holy hell. How much did they drink?My eyes scan the room, but Laura is nowhere to be seen. The hairs on the back of my neck stand in her absence, but I know she’s here. My wolf is happily rested but eager to see her.“Alpha Maxwell!” Phia shouts or slurs to get my attention. All of them are grinning ear to ear, swaying slightly.“Where’s Laura?” I ask.“She’s getting changed in her room,” Ava responds.“Fun night, girls?”
Laura POV We lay back down in bed, and I rest my head on his chest. “I can’t believe I forgot. I’ve been a werewolf and shifted, and I still didn’t know.”“You lost a lot of blood and were in a coma for a few days, Laura. Don’t beat yourself up for not remembering. I think in a way, your memories come back to you when you’re ready to face them,” he admits, and I think about that for a second.He might be right. He’s always right.I stay silent as he wraps me up in his strong arms. “Sleep, baby. It’s still early. We can talk about this in the morning.”My eyes flutter shut, and I inhale the scent wafting from his neck. I smile at the way it invades my bloodstream. My senses have heightened in ways I couldn’t even imagine.Later that day, I find myself in the library with Evan and Sam close behind him, looking as bored as ever. I reach up to find books on werewolf ancestry because I feel like I’m missing a piece of my history. My parents abandoned me when I was a baby, and now I don’
Laura POVMy ankles are submerged in mild water. The bottom of the lake is clear, and fish swim around my feet. I release a soft chuckle as they tickle my skin. My head tilts towards the sunset as it sits perfectly along the horizon.I open my lungs and take down the fresh air. A presence behind me makes me tingle, but I’m not afraid. My head looks over my shoulder to be met with luminous eyes and long white hair. I relax.“Laura.” She reaches out to touch my cheek.My eyes close at the sensation that washes over my skin.I remember her from my dream before. She came back.“You’re here.”When I open my eyes, she nods, and I study the pretty markings on her face. A triangle with circles glimmer across her forehead, and her eyelashes are a metallic blue. She takes my face between her warm hands, and I exhale a breath of relief.“Do not forget your power.”I frown. “What power?”“Do not forget the strength inside your soul.”“What do you mean?”She offers me a sweet smile. “I would neve
Maxwell POVAfter running Laura a luke-warm bath, I perch on the edge of the tub and study her drained face. Her skin is still on fire, despite the fact she’s shuddering as if we’re in the Antarctic. Guilt rides my chest like a wave. I’m not sure if her body is rejecting my mark because her human body isn’t strong enough to accept it. I don’t want to think about that fate.“Laura,” I whisper and caress her face.Her hand splashes into the water, and she retracts as if it’s toxic. I calm her by stroking back her hair and sending as much comfort through our bond as possible. Although, I can sense a barricade.“How are you feeling?”Laura’s eyes open, and they’re lazy, her lids almost shutting again.I examine her lips and move closer. The corners of her mouth are starting to fade into a light blue. Something is definitely wrong. Her body continues to shake, rippling the water aggressively. She wraps her arms around her legs in an attempt to keep warm.My hands reach into the bath, and
Laura POVI’m on the brink when he speeds up, and I clamp down on his lip, desperate to fall over the edge. I’m building and building. I groan into the kiss seconds away from absolute pleasure.Then he pulls his fingers from me, and I glare at him in desperation. I hate the smirk that sits on his face. “What” I can hardly get the words out as I watch him suck on his fingers. “Max, please.”He curls a brow in my direction as he sits back on his knees, staring down at me with misty eyes. “You think I didn’t hear your little thoughts earlier today slip through our bond?”“I used my barriers,” I heave.Maxwell releases a wicked laugh that sends shivers to my toes. “Not well enough, baby.”“What did you hear?”“Most of it.”I throw my head back to the bed. I’m pooling with heat. My heart rattles so loud I’m sure he can hear it. He crawls over my body once more and kisses me with rough passion. “You tell me the fucking second I cross any boundaries. Do I make myself clear?”“Yes.”“Good,”
Laura POVWhen I travel home later that afternoon, there’s a huge smile on my face from how fulfilled I am. My old life might be nothing but a distant memory, but Kayleigh shines above all. She’s one person I’ll never be able to forget.As the car drives through our gated community and pulls up outside Maxwell’s private entrance to the house, I hop out. I’m desperate to share everything that happened today with him and because he is my person.I wander through the front door and into the kitchen where the smell of food hypnotizes me. I’m not even hungry as we ate a few hours ago, but it smells divine.When I enter Max is standing there shirtless. My feet halt at the sight of his muscly back. He’s standing over the stove, using one hand to stir whatever he’s cooking in the frying pan. I scan his skin as the muscles contract and relax with each subtle movement. My lips part, and I’m certain I start drooling.I had no idea I had a thing for backs.“Are you going to stand there and ogle
Laura POVWe pause by a fountain and perch on the ledge as the sun beats down on us. “So, you go here with Danny, huh?”She scoffs. “No. I’ve always wanted to come here. Danny just so happened to rock up. We don’t see each other often if that’s what you think. I feel like he followed me here so he could find out information about you from me, which he did. I’m sorry. I never intended to do that.”“I know, I know,” I reassure her. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. How are your parents?”Kayleigh’s eyes drop to the pebbled floor. “They’re not together anymore.”“Oh.” I frown. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t.”“No, they loved you. They treated you like their own. It’s okay to bring them up. They miss you so much.” Her eyes crinkle at the sides.My chest warms. “I’d love to see them soon.”“They’d love that, too.”“Are you dating anyone right now?”She’s quiet for a long moment, and I inspect her face. There is an edge of slight discomfort at the question. “No,” she whispers. “Not anymore.”“Oh, what h
Laura POVI want to enjoy as much alone time as I can with you before we decide to start the next steps. If we agree to have any.” He smooths his thumb across the fabric on my shin.I chew on the inside of my lip. “Yeah,” I agree. “That’s true.”He takes my waist in his hands and tugs me up onto his lap. “Good because I want as much time before we have any little devils running around.”“Did you just call our unborn children ‘little devils’?” I release a soft laugh.“Sure did.” He grins.My forehead presses to his and he leaves a kiss on my lips. “Hey, so I’ve been thinking.”“About what?”I clamp my teeth down on my lip as I admire his dark blue eyes. “The next time we have sex,” I pull my head back slowly, “I want you to mark me. I want us to be mated.”Maxwell doesn’t blink, but he holds me close to him. “Laura.”“I know what you’re going to say. I’m a human, and you don’t know what will happen if you do it. But I want you to. I want to experience it. Let’s see what happens and pra
Laura POVMaxwell had an early meeting this morning. He asked if I wanted to join, and I said I’d leave the business side of his pack to him. He wants me to be more involved and grow into my position as their Luna, but I’m still learning the ropes and need more time.Instead, I’m in the kitchen with Evan, teaching him how to cook. Sam supervises us, and it’s obvious he doesn’t want to be here from his glowering. I ignore him, but Evan’s shoulders are slightly tense.“How are you settling in?” I ask.Evan hums softly. “A lot better now. I’m finding my feet, but I’m ready to learn.”My face stretches into a grin. “Good. I’m pleased, Evan.”His hand takes hold of a large knife and slices through a bell pepper. I nod at his positioning until he slices a little too hard, and the tip of the knife swipes down his fingers.Blood trickles onto the cutting board, and he drops the knife onto the counter with a clang. He jumps back, eyes slightly horrified. “It’s alright, it’s alright,” I say ca
Maxwell POVMy fingers take hers delicately. She shifts her hips slightly and nods. “You’re big,” she exhales as I press my mouth to her palm. “Please, just go slow.”“Of course, baby.”I stay still for a moment and allow her to get used to the feeling before I start to move. I rest down on my elbows and drag my lips across her neck, and when she melts into me, I thrust slowly. She gasps into my ear and clings onto my biceps. I pause and wait until her legs start parting further, and I smile into her neck.My hips move again and again until she brings our lips together in a fiery kiss. She moans against my tongue and sends vibrations straight down my spine until I’m clutching her face and angling it towards me so I can taste every inch of her.“Better?” I rasp as I pull out and sink back in.She nods desperately. “Better.”Then I rest my forehead down on hers. My hips move a tiny bit quicker and deeper, and I watch her face for any slight twitch of discomfort, but instead, her lips a