When I decided to finalize the first generation of these stories, even though I wrote the initial trilogy, I didn't remember how much Alpha Anders had played a role in all of their lives. This chapter was harder to write than I expected, but now Anders and Calista have joined Clint and Lily again.
This week has been exhausting. If I thought the funerals for our pack members and those of Safe Haven were difficult, listening to the stories of a great Alpha and Luna was gut wrenching. Listening to everything Alpha Anders did, most of which was before I was born renews my passion and desire to be the best Alpha I can be. I know I can be that man with Emlyn by my side. But in order to do that, my mate needs to wear my mark. As soon as we’re home, I speak to my mother about going away with Emlyn. She is thrilled to be able to watch Leander, grumbling about having to fight Aunt Grace for time with her own grandson. I meet with Jackson, my Beta to ensure he’s prepared to run the pack in my absence. “It looks like Xander is going to remain in the pack, or in the city and continue to take online classes, so if you need anything…” “I have your dad, and both your brothers. Don’t worry, Alpha, I’ve got it covered. After the decimation of one pack, the dismemberment and absorption of anoth
If I’d thought that Richie and I needed time to reconnect, our time on the island was exactly what we needed. We made love, swam, made love, ate, made love, slept. Finley chased Morrigan, Finley caught Morrigan, Morrigan chased Finley and they each marked the other in wolf form, solidifying our overall bond. The weekend was amazing, and I didn’t want it to end, but we both had to get back to the real world. We still have a pack to run. When we get back, Richie schedules an official Luna ceremony, having me take my oath again in front of the pack and having them swear their loyalty to me. It’s not necessary, the pack has already recognized me as his mate and their Luna, but he insisted that we make it official in front of the entire pack. Afterward, we begin to fall into the same pattern we used to have. Richie and I always made a great team. The pack is again running smoothly and before I know it, I’m planning a party for Cayd’s going away. He will be starting college and like Xande
I know Emlyn is nervous about her birthday. I can feel her nearly constant anxiety through our bond. I love always knowing what Emlyn is feeling or if something is wrong. So, I knew this birthday was causing her stress. I also know, she has nothing to worry about. There is no way that history will repeat itself. It can’t. We’re marked and mated. I want her to realize the past is in the past. And unlike last year, I want to finally give her the watch I had made special for her. It’s been in my drawer for a year. And this year, I had a necklace made for her too. I didn’t want a birthday to go by without getting her a special gift. I don’t ever want to miss celebrating these special moments. However, I nearly cancel when she starts getting sick. I was terrified that I had underestimated her level of stress, even with our bond. Once I realize she’s pregnant and the similarities from last year are making her stress even worse, I make a point to push a calming aura to her even more freque
I feel so much better. In that moment the she-wolf said ‘mate’, I was terrified. But after Richie spent time calming me, letting me open my presents from him, confirming that we’re mates, I feel better. I feel like I’m ready to celebrate! Richie doesn’t leave my side. We walk around, talking to our family and pack members. Everyone notices the necklace and the watch, and he smiles at me as I tell them all that one was my gift from last year and one was my gift for this year. As we all move into the dining room for the dinner feast that has been prepared for me, Richie walks me to our seats, but rather than sit, he waits for everyone else to take their places. “Family, friends, pack members. Today we celebrate one of the most amazing women I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. And that’s saying something since we all know our packs are full of Guardians.” Everyone laughs at that. “We’ve all had a rough year, none worse than Emlyn.” He pulls me too him, wrapping his arm around me a
Several months later Life is perfect. My mate is pregnant with our daughter, our son is happy, healthy and very active, and our pack is thriving. While my father is still assisting Xander with the business, he seems to be taking it in stride, along with on-line classes, having a mate and a pre-made made family all at once. While that nasty witch Levana hasn’t bothered the pack again, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been causing Maeve, and therefore, Xander lots of problems. He knows that if he needs anything, the pack will be there. Leana has taken her place at the council. I think she’s finally accepted her mate. She had to have a long discussion with our mother about it, but not unexpectedly, our mother was understanding and supportive. While we were fighting our battle with the packs, she was busy fighting a war with the vampires. I didn’t realize how far reaching the discontent with the Guardians had become, but in hindsight, it makes sense. All supernatural beings who break our l
Two years later “Daddddeeeeeeee.” I watch as my daughter races past me arms extended to her father, her sandy blond curls bouncing around her face as she runs. From the moment she was born, she was a daddy’s girl. Richie reaches down and scoops her up. “What is it, pumpkin?” “Lender won’t pway with me.” She hasn’t quite gotten Leander’s name down as she tells her father why she's upset. I turn and watch my three-year-old son walk into the room. He may look like me, but his swagger is all his father’s. I’ve seen him watching Richie and mimicking his walk and he has it down. His arms are swinging out to his side and away from his body, like Richie’s. Unlike his father, Leander doesn’t have the muscle tone to cause his arms to push out the way Richie’s do, so instead it looks like a cute attempt to look like a grownup. “Dad, I can’t play with her, I’m busy doing Alpha stuff.” Alpha stuff? I roll my eyes. My son is three, the only ‘Alpha stuff’ he has to do is stay healthy and grow b
“Momma, why are we going into the city?” My son asks me. “We’re going to see Uncle Xander, Aunt Maeve, Uncle Cayd and Aunt Madelyn. The humans decorate the city this time of year with pretty lights, and they have a park where you can play in the snow, they have hot chocolate and they give away candy canes.” I tell Leander. “But you can’t say anything about being an Alpha or a werewolf son. This is a human city, they don’t know about us and we want to keep it that way.” Richie adds. “Why Daddy?” Briella asks him. I look at him. It’s a lot to explain to a two-year-old. “Well, pumpkin, humans can’t do a lot of the things that werewolves can and they get jealous.” “Like what?” Leander asks. “They don’t have wolf spirits and because they don’t, they can’t shift, which means they can’t hear or smell or see like we do.” “That’s terrible. What a boring life.” Leander says. “We think so.” Richie tells them, laughing. “Oh, and they’re not as strong as us, so be careful if you end of pla
Hello everyone, Thank you for being on this journey with me. Emlyn and Richie's story wrote itself in my head and while it wasn't meant to be the first of the next generation books, it pushed it's way forward. I know this book went through some emotional roller coasters, so thank you for sticking with it. Because it was the first in the series, I gave glimpses and hints of the other stories that I'm planning to write. Lily and Aolis's story is next up. I'm going to take a break for the rest of the year, but early January, be on the look out for Enchanting the Prince. I know some of you mentioned wanting to see more of Lily's strength when Emlyn was in Araphrya, but my focus wasn't on Lily. You'll see plenty of her strength in her book and since we'll be in Araphrya, we'll get to see all sorts of fun, magical creatures. In addition to Lily and Aolis, I have a plan to write Xander and Maeve's story, Leana's story, and Cayd's story. I'm debating on Malin, Quinn and Riley. I may do a gr
Hello everyone, Thank you for being on this journey with me. Emlyn and Richie's story wrote itself in my head and while it wasn't meant to be the first of the next generation books, it pushed it's way forward. I know this book went through some emotional roller coasters, so thank you for sticking with it. Because it was the first in the series, I gave glimpses and hints of the other stories that I'm planning to write. Lily and Aolis's story is next up. I'm going to take a break for the rest of the year, but early January, be on the look out for Enchanting the Prince. I know some of you mentioned wanting to see more of Lily's strength when Emlyn was in Araphrya, but my focus wasn't on Lily. You'll see plenty of her strength in her book and since we'll be in Araphrya, we'll get to see all sorts of fun, magical creatures. In addition to Lily and Aolis, I have a plan to write Xander and Maeve's story, Leana's story, and Cayd's story. I'm debating on Malin, Quinn and Riley. I may do a gr
“Momma, why are we going into the city?” My son asks me. “We’re going to see Uncle Xander, Aunt Maeve, Uncle Cayd and Aunt Madelyn. The humans decorate the city this time of year with pretty lights, and they have a park where you can play in the snow, they have hot chocolate and they give away candy canes.” I tell Leander. “But you can’t say anything about being an Alpha or a werewolf son. This is a human city, they don’t know about us and we want to keep it that way.” Richie adds. “Why Daddy?” Briella asks him. I look at him. It’s a lot to explain to a two-year-old. “Well, pumpkin, humans can’t do a lot of the things that werewolves can and they get jealous.” “Like what?” Leander asks. “They don’t have wolf spirits and because they don’t, they can’t shift, which means they can’t hear or smell or see like we do.” “That’s terrible. What a boring life.” Leander says. “We think so.” Richie tells them, laughing. “Oh, and they’re not as strong as us, so be careful if you end of pla
Two years later “Daddddeeeeeeee.” I watch as my daughter races past me arms extended to her father, her sandy blond curls bouncing around her face as she runs. From the moment she was born, she was a daddy’s girl. Richie reaches down and scoops her up. “What is it, pumpkin?” “Lender won’t pway with me.” She hasn’t quite gotten Leander’s name down as she tells her father why she's upset. I turn and watch my three-year-old son walk into the room. He may look like me, but his swagger is all his father’s. I’ve seen him watching Richie and mimicking his walk and he has it down. His arms are swinging out to his side and away from his body, like Richie’s. Unlike his father, Leander doesn’t have the muscle tone to cause his arms to push out the way Richie’s do, so instead it looks like a cute attempt to look like a grownup. “Dad, I can’t play with her, I’m busy doing Alpha stuff.” Alpha stuff? I roll my eyes. My son is three, the only ‘Alpha stuff’ he has to do is stay healthy and grow b
Several months later Life is perfect. My mate is pregnant with our daughter, our son is happy, healthy and very active, and our pack is thriving. While my father is still assisting Xander with the business, he seems to be taking it in stride, along with on-line classes, having a mate and a pre-made made family all at once. While that nasty witch Levana hasn’t bothered the pack again, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been causing Maeve, and therefore, Xander lots of problems. He knows that if he needs anything, the pack will be there. Leana has taken her place at the council. I think she’s finally accepted her mate. She had to have a long discussion with our mother about it, but not unexpectedly, our mother was understanding and supportive. While we were fighting our battle with the packs, she was busy fighting a war with the vampires. I didn’t realize how far reaching the discontent with the Guardians had become, but in hindsight, it makes sense. All supernatural beings who break our l
I feel so much better. In that moment the she-wolf said ‘mate’, I was terrified. But after Richie spent time calming me, letting me open my presents from him, confirming that we’re mates, I feel better. I feel like I’m ready to celebrate! Richie doesn’t leave my side. We walk around, talking to our family and pack members. Everyone notices the necklace and the watch, and he smiles at me as I tell them all that one was my gift from last year and one was my gift for this year. As we all move into the dining room for the dinner feast that has been prepared for me, Richie walks me to our seats, but rather than sit, he waits for everyone else to take their places. “Family, friends, pack members. Today we celebrate one of the most amazing women I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. And that’s saying something since we all know our packs are full of Guardians.” Everyone laughs at that. “We’ve all had a rough year, none worse than Emlyn.” He pulls me too him, wrapping his arm around me a
I know Emlyn is nervous about her birthday. I can feel her nearly constant anxiety through our bond. I love always knowing what Emlyn is feeling or if something is wrong. So, I knew this birthday was causing her stress. I also know, she has nothing to worry about. There is no way that history will repeat itself. It can’t. We’re marked and mated. I want her to realize the past is in the past. And unlike last year, I want to finally give her the watch I had made special for her. It’s been in my drawer for a year. And this year, I had a necklace made for her too. I didn’t want a birthday to go by without getting her a special gift. I don’t ever want to miss celebrating these special moments. However, I nearly cancel when she starts getting sick. I was terrified that I had underestimated her level of stress, even with our bond. Once I realize she’s pregnant and the similarities from last year are making her stress even worse, I make a point to push a calming aura to her even more freque
If I’d thought that Richie and I needed time to reconnect, our time on the island was exactly what we needed. We made love, swam, made love, ate, made love, slept. Finley chased Morrigan, Finley caught Morrigan, Morrigan chased Finley and they each marked the other in wolf form, solidifying our overall bond. The weekend was amazing, and I didn’t want it to end, but we both had to get back to the real world. We still have a pack to run. When we get back, Richie schedules an official Luna ceremony, having me take my oath again in front of the pack and having them swear their loyalty to me. It’s not necessary, the pack has already recognized me as his mate and their Luna, but he insisted that we make it official in front of the entire pack. Afterward, we begin to fall into the same pattern we used to have. Richie and I always made a great team. The pack is again running smoothly and before I know it, I’m planning a party for Cayd’s going away. He will be starting college and like Xande
This week has been exhausting. If I thought the funerals for our pack members and those of Safe Haven were difficult, listening to the stories of a great Alpha and Luna was gut wrenching. Listening to everything Alpha Anders did, most of which was before I was born renews my passion and desire to be the best Alpha I can be. I know I can be that man with Emlyn by my side. But in order to do that, my mate needs to wear my mark. As soon as we’re home, I speak to my mother about going away with Emlyn. She is thrilled to be able to watch Leander, grumbling about having to fight Aunt Grace for time with her own grandson. I meet with Jackson, my Beta to ensure he’s prepared to run the pack in my absence. “It looks like Xander is going to remain in the pack, or in the city and continue to take online classes, so if you need anything…” “I have your dad, and both your brothers. Don’t worry, Alpha, I’ve got it covered. After the decimation of one pack, the dismemberment and absorption of anoth
It was nice to be back in Safe Haven, even if it was for a terrible reason. I hadn’t seen everyone since I went to Araphyra. While Richie spent time with Quinn, I spent time with Riley. It’s strange now that both of us are adults and mated. Clint obviously adores my sister and he’ll be a good mate. Her flamboyance seems to have become a bit muted. That could just be the funerals, but it feels more permanent. It feels as if Clint calms my sister. She and Quinn were already best friends, just like I was with Cayd, Cohen and Clint. So, it will be seamless for them to begin working together now as a team for the pack. I spend a few minutes with Clint, catching up and threatening him that he better be a good mate to Riley. “You know I will be, Em. I’ve always wanted to find my mate. And now I have and she’s my best friend’s sister. It’s perfect. She’s perfect.” It’s been a very sad couple of days and as Richie and I pack Leander into our car, I know today will be even worse. Alpha Anders