My hands shook as I tried to hang on. The front wheel couldn’t decide which way it wanted to turn. I could feel myself losing control and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. My eyes refused to look forward, but stayed at the death spiral my wheel was focusing on. “GRACE!” I heard someone yell. I barely had time to glance up and see Zeke’s scared expression before the bike gave out. My hands sacrificed themselves before my shoulder and then my hip. Rocks imbedded themself into my flesh as I skipped across the pavement. By the time everything stopped spinning, I was looking up at the sky. “Ouch.” I muttered, but my ears could hear the motorbikes.“Grace!” Someone ran up to me and kicked rocks into my body. “Fuck!” I growled at them. Their face was blacked out since the sun was directly behind them. “Are you okay? What’s going on?” It was Zeke. “They are coming! We need to take off and now!” I groaned as I tried to sit up. Zeke got the hint and helped me to my feet. “Where a
“Please? Let me clean that road rash?” Rose walked over and sat down in front of me. She was holding what looked like a torture kit, but I knew it was needed. There were rocks embedded into my skin that needed removed. “Yeah.” My body shook as I moved so I was laying down on the ground. This plane didn’t have a bed for me, so Ethan had been holding me in a chair. How I wasn’t freaking out right now was beyond me. “Can… can you hold still?” “Be happy she is even mentally functional.” Ethan sighed. “Grace has a massive fear of flying.” Vincent filled in. There wasn’t anything else I wanted to add to this conversation, so I just closed my eyes and tried to sing a song in my head. One of my hands was firmly around Ethan’s ankle and the other was holding onto my jacket for dear life. I had to give it to Rose. She had an extremely gentle touch. The only time I flinched away from her is when she put peroxide on my skin. “That hurt you?” I heard a little voice sit above my head. “A li
“Really, we have only gotten calls to show support. There have been a few people like Jax that were pissed, but when I asked them why their dicks were so small they shut up.” “I saw his dick… it’s not that impressive.” I muttered. Vincent snorted, and Ethan just shook his head. “I will have someone bring you some healing stuff that will keep the scaring down.” Damon said as we pulled up to the packhouse.“Callie can bring it. Might as well rip the bandaid off. I’m sure she is going to yell at me.” “She is not going to yell at you. You almost died… again.” Ethan said more angry with himself than at me. “Just remind me I need to really hit the gym. I can’t believe he overpowered me.” “He was almost the size of me. Of course, he overpowered you.” Ethan’s anger was rising. Vincent got out, but Ethan held me back. Damon looked back at us, but didn’t talk. “Please…” He grabbed my face and forced me to look at him. “… go up to our room. Take a shower and lay in bed? We can start work to
Ethan POV“What happened?” Damon asked as we got into my office. Vincent and Damon took a seat in front of my desk, and I sat in my chair. “What didn’t happen…” Vincent sighed as he shook his head. The playful Vincent was gone since Grace wasn’t here. It was a face he put on for her, but as soon as she was gone, he was all business. “Start at the beginning.” Damon leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. So I did. I told him about Vincen’t pack and walking to Zeke’s house. Then about our dad’s and what they had done to Zeke. Vincent helped out at the press conference and what happened with his dad and after. I told him about Grace and the new facial scar she was now sporting. Vincent told him about Zach and how he has been after Grace. We didn’t leave anything out. For the next thirty minutes, we filled him in on what happened. “Shit.” Damon stood up and started pacing.“Zach… really?” “I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t talked to him myself. He said it wasn’t per
Travis POVMy phone died just as Damon told me about Zach. I haven’t had a chance to plug it in since we were living on the streets. It was honestly a surprise it lasted this long. Tucking it into my shorts, I tried to wrap my head around what we just learned. How the fuck was Zach behind this and Evie was currently not here right now. She has stepped out to get some food. It was early morning, but we were not in a place we could wake away from. Looking out the window, I could see the same homeless man that had been there since we set up camp. He was just across the way from us. The smoke from a trash can fire was simmering as it was dying out. No one was around it except a few druggies that were passed out on the sidewalk. Evie had asked an old friend to let us stay in their basement. There was a walk out door, but all that was here was a stained mattress and one pillow. Not even curtains, electricity or a chair. Shit, even the rats didn’t want to stay here. The window even leaked
Ethan POV Damon and I were currently hunched over my desk, looking at the map surrounding the city. “If they have him, they either would have taken him under ground or to another place.” Damon said more to himself than to me. “I can’t see them taking him underground.” Someone tried to get into my office, but it was still locked. Damon walked over and answered it.“My pack is on alert. My men are ready if needed. I’m not sure where you are looking.” “Do you have men on their way to retrieve your dad and Zeke’s house?” I asked. “Yes. I’m not leaving him out there.” Vincent walked over, clearly not wanting to talk about it. His eyes went to the map. “He is your person. Where would you think he would take him?” “Well, if he calls, we don’t answer.” Out of anger, I shoved everything off my desk. The computer monitor shattered into pieces, the phone snapped off the cord and all my pens went flying. “FUCK!” “It’s almost supper. Have you eaten?” Vincent looked at the room and back at me.
Travis POVI knew I was going to have to stay strong to make it through this. However, when they walked me inside and showed me a metal chair that had rusted nails welded to the seat, I couldn’t contain my shock. They had stripped me naked and shoved me down on the nails until it pierced my skin. No one should know what it felt like for a rusted nail to penetrate your taint… but I do. They left me alone to sweat in the heat box. If this wasn’t the most physiological torture I’ve ever been in… Ethan needs to up his training. As the world started spinning, I heard tires slowly crunch on the dirt road. “Here we go…” I whispered to myself. “Well, you are in luck!” The Lion walked around the doorway and looked at me. “Oh?” I asked, trying to sound strong. “Zach couldn’t be here, but he gave me permission to handle things for him.”“Why couldn’t he be here?” I was almost upset that he wasn’t here. In the off chance that Ethan would make it in time, there might have been a chance. If I
Ethan POV“Evie said she was across from a park and a homeless man with a tent.” I wasn’t sure how many times I repeated myself, but I didn’t want to forget it. Four black SUVS were flying down the ghetto streets of this forsaken city. The only people around here were homeless and druggies. Nothing good came from this part of town. “THERE!” Damon pointed at a tent. Slamming on the brakes, Damon had to slam his hand on the dash to keep from flying through the windshield. “Get out and search!” I commanded. I was already halfway out of my seat. Looking directly across from it was a tall apartment building. The windows were broken with ripped sheets whipping through them. “She is probably on the ground level or basement.” Damon said. Two teams ran into the building as I headed towards the basement. There wasn’t any knocking. Kicking each door down as I searched for her. “EVIE?” I commanded in the mind-link. “Come out.” I turned to search for another apartment, but a small voice caught
“CHRISTIAN!” I yelled back. He laughed, as that was our thing. Ethan set me down when we got to the top. Christian instantly wrapped his arms around my legs. “I missed you! You are getting so tall!” “Hey, sis.” Vincent walked up to me with his arm out. With my belly, I could only do a side hug these days.“How is my little nephew doing?” Vincent shook Ethan’s hand. “Very happy where he is at.” Vincent has been a little of a recluse this last year. Finding out the truth, being a full-time day and looking for a beta has kept him from coming around as often. Fortuantly, everyone has sympathized with him. They have really accepted him into our friend’s group. However, Roxie and Zoey are on a kick to find him a mate. Vincent game me a smile and scooped Christian up. “Let’s go inside or we will miss the party.” Ethan held the door for us before quickly resuming his spot next to me. The moment we walked in, my breath was caught in my throat. It was just like I imagined it to be. A larg
1 year later“Grace! We got to go! Everyone is waiting for us!” Ethan was standing at our bedroom door. “I’m COMING!” I growled back. My swollen belly was ready to pop at any moment. Our little baby boy was loving kicking his mother in the lungs so much that he refused to leave. “I can only move so fast!” “You are the most beautiful pregnant person…ever.” Ethan smiled at me as I walked out of the bedroom. The stretchy black evening gown clung to my body, really making my stomach look much skinner than I felt. From the back, you would never know I was pregnant, which confused me. My belly was very round, like a ball. “This is all your fault.” Rolling my eyes at him, I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. Ethan walked over and gave me his arm. “Thank you.” “Just think…” Ethan patted my hand. “…. you get to do this many more times!” Looking up and glaring at him, “I will kick you in the nuts and end all of that.” Ethan laughed at me. I doubt anything would hurt his m
By the time we made it to the club, I had taken a few more shots, and the buzz was going. The club was bouncing. Music could be heard from outside. There was a line down the sidewalk and neon lights were flashing all around. This was the vibe that I was hoping for. “Ethan, I want to check on the computers. With everyone here, I haven’t actually got to see it yet and I want to check it.” I had to shout since the music was so loud and we weren’t even inside. “Grace, you are a little drunk….” Ethan raised his eyebrows at me. “Please? I’m not going to touch it. Just want to make sure it’s okay.” Grabbing his arm, I put on my most pathetic face I could.” “Fine…” Ethan rolled his eyes, but smirked. Wrapping his arm around me, he lead the way inside. “Callie, get everyone situated with drinks. We will catch up.” Ethan instantly lead me away to his office. It was more packed than I had ever seen it. Granted, I had only been here like three times, but this was packed. More than once, we g
“What do you have that is the best with crab?” Theresa thought for a moment. “Try the crab trio. There are three different ways crab is cooked. I think one is the crab alfrado, a mushroom stuffed crab and just steamed crab legs with a pepper, garlic butter to dip it in.” “That sounds perfect.” “Great. Would you like your legs already de-shelled?” “Yes, please.” I said right as the guys came back. “I’ll have a crab cake, please.” Jolene smiled at Theresa. Theresa returned the smile. “For you two?” She looked at them. “Seafood fried roll.” Ethan sighed and downed his drink. “I got another round coming.” She said instantly. Ethan nodded and put his arm back around me. “What did Vincent say?” I asked Ethan in the mind-link, so I didn’t hear what Nox, Stella or Rif ordered. “Well, turns out they were all people that went missing states away. None were from the same state, but they were all scholars in hacking or something cyber. Vincent thinks Zach or Derek had placed them there
Just as Ethan stood up, we arrived at the restaurant. I couldn’t help the sly smile that spread across my face before bitting my lower lip. “Let’s go,” Ethan said before clearing his throat. He gave me a little nudge to get off the bus. “Where are we?” I asked as I stepped off. Ethan was quick behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “This is one I have wanted to bring you to since I met you. It’s a very upscale seafood place. I know your favorite food is crab and I think they will have what you want here.” Ethan smiled down at me.“I love this place!” Callie squealed. “Their lobster is absolutely amazing!” “I’ve never been here!” Zoey grabbed Leo’s hand, and they started the train to the front doors. “We have a reservation. It’s under Boone.” Callie yelled from the back. By the time we walked in, the hostess walked off from the front. Zoey turned and smiled at us. I couldn’t help but look around. There was a massive sword fish mounted on the wall. The lighting was low, dark
After the house burnt down, we had to transport everyone back to their respected packs. However, all of our friends had to come back one last time to our pack and gather their belongings. Since they were already here, we had one last night together. Ethan set up a romanic evening that ended with everyone at the club for a night of dancing. All the girls were in my bedroom getting dressed. Callie had on a champain squence colored dress. It volumized her breast with a completely open back and only strings tolding it up. Her ass was about to hang out, but she looks amazing.Zoey had on a similar colored dress, but the top was more of a bra. Her stomach was open to a skirt that sinched at the side. Roxie was wearing a scarlett red dress. With long sleeves, the top was just enough fabric to cover her tits. It was an open stomach, but one side went down to a skirt that went to her calf. The other side had a slit that went to her hip, completely exposing her very toned legs. Stella was wea
Vincent turned and looked at us. “Let’s go home.” He whispered and walked past us. Christian was clinging to Vincent like his life depended on it. “Keep your eyes closed, bud.” He said as he walked out of the house. We all followed him. The battle was over and our warriors were collecting the dead. In the front was Derek’s body, Zach and Adaline. There was a rather large pile of men off to the side and a more respectible line of men that were ours. Leo was barking order with Damon, but Stella caught my attention. She was standing over Derek’s body with tears running down her face. Walking out of Ethan’s arms, I came up to Stella. She met my eyes before looking down again. “W-what happened?” I hesitated before speaking. I wasn’t sure how this was going to impact our friendship. Though it had already been rocky as it was. “Grace?” Rif walked up behind Stella. Putting a hand around his waist, he nodded. “Whatever it is, just tell us.” I knew I had everyone’s attention at this point.
Grabbing a lock of hair, I twisted it in my fingers. “You know Vincent, she used Derek’s weakness and let him believe for three years that he betrayed you.” Vincent’s hand wrapped around his neck. He squeezed hard enough to make her hurt but not enough to stop the breathing. “What should I do? Kill her or put her in my dungeon to years’ worth of torture?” “I’m sorry! I can turn my life around and be the mother that Christian deserves. I only ever wanted to be a mate to you.” She batted her eyelashes at Vincent. His grip tightened around her neck. “Nothing I do will be enough. It won’t be enough to vengue Derek, my dad or the years of head games you put on our son that I’ll have to fix.” Tighter, he squeezed until his hand started shaking. “I regret ever sleeping with you, ever touching you, or even meeting you. The only good thing in my life is Christian. I’m going to take your body and make a mockery of it. You will be an example of what it means to cross me. I’m more powerful than
Ethan, Vincent, and I just stared at her with our mouths hanging open. “Derek thought he betrayed Vincent. He did everything to keep Vincent out of danger and keep his kid safe and you were playing him.” My anger was rising as her words sank in. “You let Derek live with this weight on him for years.” Adaline shrugged. “Who is Derek to me?” She mirrored those words, knowing it was going to get under my skin. “Now, my child is an heir to not only the mafia family, but to a very powerful wolf pack and a blood relative to a very profitable security business.”“You never wanted me to create a program. All this was a lie to get the three of us here.” The truth came crashing down on me.Marco pointed his gun at me. “You are a very hard person to get ahold of. I told Zach to kidnap you by any means needed. He almost got you fucking killed. I’m happy you survived, but yes, however, Ethan was only part of it because he mated to you. I just wanted Vincent and you.” “Your dad was incredibly ann