Maxwell POV While Laura is out with Ava having a girls’ afternoon, I take the time to catch up on work. There is a committee meeting next month, and I’m desperate to have everything done before then.I run my fingers along my forehead as I read through the latest regulations for our district. I note down any questions I wish to raise when all the Alphas meet together.A knock at my office door stirs me from my train of thought. I clear my throat. “Come in,” I demand as I twirl my pen between my fingers.“Alpha.” Sam’s voice is hurried as he steps into the room. “Your shields have been up. I’ve been trying to mindlink you.”“I’ve been busy focusing on work.”“I need to tell you something.”I sigh. “What is it, Sam?”“Alpha Maxwell, when I tell you this, I need you to hear me out.” He steps towards my desk, and I lean back in my chair, already losing patience. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but you need to believe me.”My teeth grind together. “For Goodness's sake. What is it,
Laura POV No. This can’t be real. I must be dead. There is no explanation.A smirk covers Julia’s lips as she stops in front of me, a freshly manicured hand on her hip. “Well, well…” Her voice echoes around the derelict room. “What do we have here?”I remain silent, flicking my eyes between hers sharply. My pulse pounds against my neck, and I clench my hands together to stop them from trembling around the chains.She bends down to my level and analyzes my face. “A human,” she exhales with a sour laugh. “That makes this a thousand times better. I thought Maxwell’s mate would be a warrior, an Alpha’s daughter, or a legacy. But no, she’s nothing but a worthless human with no strength whatsoever.”What’s going on? My head spins.“What do you want from me, Julia?”Her eyes flare at me. “Ah, I’m relieved you know who I am. Maxwell talks about me, huh?”My jaw clenches at her patronizing tone. The drugs that pump around my system are forcing bile up my throat, but I push it down before I s
Laura POVBlood drips down my lips and over my chin, and my throat tenses like I’m breathing through a straw. Pike glares at me from across the dimly lit room, his fingers itching to get in another punch, but Julia wants to keep me alive.The past few minutes have felt like hours, but I know Maxwell should be here any second. He won’t let me down and not after his declaration. But by the looks of these five evil wolves, I fear he won’t make it out either. What if he comes alone and she hurts him? I didn’t want him to get into this and not when I can take the fall.Julia releases a long sigh at the ceiling. “How long does it take?”I pray he’s making a plan, stalling. He wouldn’t be careless about this situation; he'd think it through like a headstrong Alpha. I know he cares about my safety, but if he makes one mistake it could cost us both our lives.There is a warmth in my brain, wrapping around my aching nerves in a soothing motion. I smile down at the ground, trying to conceal it b
Laura POV A noise I never knew I could make escapes my throat. My spine straightens at the same time my neck snaps in a fashion that makes my eyes water and a scream erupt into the room. The chains from my wrist burst open as my arms bend and crack in positions I had no idea was possible.The deep-rooted pain in my veins is almost unbearable. I can’t see. I can’t breathe. My throat aches from how loud I screech as my body warps and moves, and I’m left trying to catch up because my head is reeling.My ears prick, and I hear, “Oh my Goddess.” It’s sharp against my eardrums. The vibrations make me wince at the heightened sensation.I tilt my gaze down, and I’m met with paper-white paws. My eyes widen in fear and surprise. No. I must be dead. For real this time. I must be.“Holy shit,” Pike’s voice is so loud I almost cower.I raise my head in the air to find my back bending in an arch. My senses intensify; I can smell everything. The body odor from Pike’s damp armpit stains, the swee
Maxwell POV“Julia has her.”“What?” Kayden’s face recoils.I grind my teeth together so harshly the sound grates my ears. When Ava lost Laura at the market, I went out of my damn mind, and the guards searched everywhere for her. Our mindlink connection was down, and when I heard her voice pop into my head, I wept with relief. But this is far from over.“Julia has Laura. She said I need to go alone. She’s wanting revenge,” I state loudly. My wolf is on the edge of ripping through my skin. “Revenge for what, I don’t know, but we need to make a plan. They’re at High River Way.”Sam and Kayden share a glance before we get to work quickly. Within minutes, we have a solidified plan that will get my mate back where she belongs.I need everyone in the grand hall. Now! I mindlink the entire pack.The three of us approach the hall in a flash.When the pack starts to filter into the room with urgency, I take down a few breaths to stabilize myself before I lose control. My eyes scan the hall
Maxwell POV There isn’t a single bone in my body that wants her. Even the sight of her face has me snarling in disgust. There is an evil sparkle in her eyes as she takes a hold of the knife handle and rips it from Laura’s flesh. Her body jolts from the force, and she continues to lay there lifelessly. I seethe at the action, but I can make out the jagged breaths on her chest.“Well, well.” Julia’s red lips lift into a smirk. “Isn’t this a nice surprise? But you’re a little late, Maxwell. The damage is already done. Now, you get to lose everything all over again. Watch her bleed out. It’s real this time.”I bare my canines at the woman I hardly recognise. Get her, I order my pack. Don’t kill her. Save the rest for me later. I want to make her pay.Then they pounce, dragging her away as she shrieks in defense, but no one is coming to save her. I rush to Laura’s side, her eyes falling shut. I shift back into my human form and scoop her up into my arms, pressing down on her wound to
Maxwell POVThe pack doctors spent what felt like hours trying to resuscitate Laura as she lay on the cold floor. Ava held me back as I handed them over to the healers. I didn’t want to let her go. I didn’t want her to be alone.My entire body turned numb.Never have I ever felt so empty in my entire life.No matter how hard they tried, she wasn’t taking a breath.I watched beneath glassy eyes and through a shattered heart. Her body twitched with each compression, but she remained lifeless.Realization started to dawn on me.They can’t save her. I was too late.I failed her.But then finally…finally she took her first breath, and I sagged in relief and agony all at once. I barely remember how we got home. All I cared about was that she was safe and receiving the best care. She deserves better than this. She deserves the brightest future with endless joy. Not this fate. Not at the hands of someone who deceived me for three years.My fingers grip Laura’s hand gently, running my thumb
Maxwell POVOnce I’m upstairs, I shower and get dressed into fresh clothes. Guilt races through me like a river, and when I think about eating, my stomach flips. I head down to the kitchen and make myself a coffee and caffeine being my best friend right now.I stare out of the window and into the back garden. The trees sway in the wind as the sun ducks behind a sky of dark clouds. I gulp down my coffee, allowing the liquid to burn my throat.Before I can think about my next decision logically, I walk out the back door and head into the trees. When I reach the rotting building surrounded by endless guards, I shove open the door and head down to the basement.Adrenaline pumps through my bloodstream as I walk towards the barred cell. Julia sits against the back wall with her legs stretched out and her ankles chained. She hasn’t noticed me yet. I haven’t seen her since we captured her.I didn’t trust myself not to kill her. But now, I want answers.My knuckles bash on the metal bars, m
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