Laura POVMaxwell’s birthday was a night to remember. I could see the reservation in his eyes when he woke me; he didn’t want me to regret sharing that intimate moment with him. But there wasn’t a single regret in my body.Early this morning, Maxwell left with half of his wolves. He kissed me goodbye in his bed, and I could tell in his focused, bloodthirsty eyes where he was going. I didn’t have to ask. Instead, he devoured my lips and promised he will never let anyone harm me again.I shuddered at the intensity in his voice and the way he held my head like a precious gemstone. I asked when he would be back. We’ve never been apart for longer than a day. He responded with, “When the job is done.”Later that morning, I went down to the infirmary to ask for a medicine to help calm my heart, and eventually, my heightened emotions and desires began to align but one thing was very clear…I still want him more than ever.I had a session with Gemma, which allowed me to dive deeper into my em
Laura POV He let her treat him like crap because the vision of being mates must have clouded her vile actions.”I glower at the thought of anyone treating Maxwell badly. He’s an angel.“What sorts of things would she do?”“She would make him do everything for her. She’d make rude comments about him being Alpha. I’ve honestly seen manipulation at its finest with her. She loved to belittle him, but he passed it off as constructive criticism.” Her eyes rolled. “It didn’t make sense to me at all, but it wasn’t my relationship. I let them get on with it.”I chew on the inside of my lip. “But why would she treat him like that? I don’t understand.”“Me neither.” She shrugs simply. “When I saw them, I thought to myself, that’s not how you treat your soulmate. All her spiteful intentions were there, and he defended her every time. I will never understand.”My eyes blink in surprise. “I can’t believe he would endure that.”“She helped him through the aftermath of becoming Alpha,” she explain
Maxwell POVI Had already planned out what would happen when I came into contact with Alex. I told myself I’d remain calm and do everything necessary to stick to the mission ahead. But now I’m staring at him from across the grand hall, chaos breaking out around us and all I want to do is rip his throat out with my teeth.Getting into their pack territory was too easy. They think they’re bulletproof, but they’re lazy idiots who didn’t see this attack coming. Panic erupted, and I’ve never been so joyous to hear the sound of true fear.Blood splatters across the granite floor, limbs and organs following in its wake. I trained my pack well. I trained my pack to kill. None of them will let me down. My only wish is to keep the Alpha and Beta alive for my personal entertainment.Alex’s dark eyes are misty and full of hatred. I growl at his presence and remind myself if I kill him, it’ll ruin our entire plan. But when I look at him, I think about all the tears Laura has shed, the times she’s
Maxwell POV When I return to my bedroom after getting dressed, I peel back the duvet and wrap my arms around Laura from behind. She jolts when I touch her.“It’s okay,” I whisper in her ear. “It’s only me. I’m home, baby. I’m home.”She instantly rolls in my arms to look at me. Those pretty eyes are tired and begging for sleep, but it’s replaced with relief when she sees my face.“You’re back,” she murmurs.I kiss her forehead with a nod. “Yeah, I’m home. Are you okay?”“What happened?” she asks, avoiding my question.“We can talk about it when the sun rises. Get some sleep.”Laura shakes her head. “I won’t be able to not now. Please, tell me what happened. Are they dead?”I raise my hand to brush a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “All of the pack are dead,” I state. “But I kept three of them alive, and I’m keeping them in a dungeon out in the warehouse on our territory.”Her face pales. “They’re still alive?”“They’re being watched by multiple guards. They’re not going anywhere. T
Laura POV Maxwell holds my hand the entire walk to the warehouse I didn’t even know existed. Nausea creeps up my sternum, and I attempt to push it away without any luck. Oh, God. What am I doing?His eyes focus on the side of my face, giving my fingers a light squeeze. “You don’t have to do this,” he says carefully. “We can turn back. It’s okay to change your mind.”Once the guards come into view, I realize how protected the building is. It gives me a small sense of security. I pause before the door and inhale so deeply that I almost fall over. Maxwell stabilizes me and kisses the back of my hand.“If you want to leave at any point, we can,” he reminds me, and I flash him a forced smile.Inside, I’m a wreck. Blood roars in my ears, and my mouth is bone dry.Every time I consider walking away, I remember what Gemma told me earlier about how closing this door with a firm slam could help my recovery. I know she will be there if it triggers me, Maxwell, too. I’m in safe hands. I have b
Laura POV “This is not even a fraction of the pain you made me feel,” I spit through my teeth. “But I know your fate will be worse than mine. Maxwell will not take it easy on you. I hope he makes you suffer until you’re pleading for him to finally kill you. It’s what you deserve.”Alex growls, “I should have killed you when I had the chance.”I dig my fingers deeper, and he cries out to the ceiling, gritting his teeth together to relieve some of the agony. “You should be very,” I push harder until I hit bone, and he hisses, “very scared.”“Fuck you.”“It’s not nice being helpless, is it?”My eyes burn, but I will not shed a single tear for them. I stand, ripping my fingers from his wound. My entire body trembles as I balance back on my feet and walk out of the cell.I don’t see Maxwell’s eyes. I exit the dungeon and rush up the stairs until I can see sunlight. My eyes glance down to find my entire fist covered in his blood. Once I hit the fresh air, I take down a large gulp, shaki
Maxwell POV “They’re ready for you, Alpha.” Jon bows his head.Kayden approaches my side as I breathe raggedly through my nose. “Thanks, Jon,” he says. “You ready for this, Maxwell?”I grit my teeth so hard I hear them grate. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”“Then, let’s make them suffer.”We head down to the dungeon in silence. I don’t speak in an attempt to keep my head clear. I don’t want this to be quick; I want this to last all night. It won’t make up for the years of pain Laura had to endure, but I’m going to make it feel like an eternity.Alex and Damon are strung up by their wrists to the ceiling. The silver digs into their skin, leaving red marks across their hands. Both are naked. Both are unconscious. Both have no fucking idea what I’m going to do to them.“What’s the plan?” Kayden asks darkly.I stroll forward through the cell door and push my sleeves up to my elbows. “This,” I murmur before tightening my fist and punching Alex in the face with racing adrenaline.Blood splats t
Laura POV“I’ll go easy on you, I promise.” Ava flashes me a playful smile.I groan. “Don’t make me regret this.”“Where are you guys going?” Maxwell’s voice interrupts us.We both glance at him as he steps out of the kitchen door and onto the patio. “Ava is taking me for a run,” I say, lifting my hands to tighten my ponytail. “I needed time to stretch my legs and get out of the house for a bit. I still need to build up my stamina.”Maxwell’s eyes sparkle at my new determination. “That’s my girl.”My cheeks flush at those three simple words. “Be ready to pick me up from the floor when I get back because I might be unconscious.”“Have more faith in yourself.” He walks towards me and slips an arm around my waist. “I do. I always have.”I flick my gaze between his dark blue eyes. There is a huge smile on his lips that encourages me to believe in myself, if he can, why can’t I? Today is a chance to prove it’s mind over matter, even if my lungs want to give out.“Come on. Let’s go.” Ava b
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