“What? Did Nina not tell you that these applications were routed straight to the king’s email?”Thinius turned to look at Nina, and I watched her back up a step. “No, no, she didn’t. But it doesn’t matter. All applications need to go through the council.” He tried to rally and stepped closer. “The council has been already checking to see who is appropriate for the position.”I nodded. “I figured you might say that.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled back to the press release from Rowan. “And I quote ‘Any single and unmated female may apply. Regardless of age or rank. All applications will be considered.’ End quote.” I clicked my phone off and turned to look at Thinius. “But according to some ladies here, they attempted to apply through the council and they application was denied before even being reviewed.” I felt my eyes shift as Nix grew impatient. “Was that you? Or did another council member decide to go against the words of the King again?”He sputtered at that, and I watched his
“Please don’t do this.” I begged over and over, but no one was listening. I thrashed against their hold, but nothing. “I am your luna.” I screamed at the top of my lungs, but then his laugh from the other room broke all the fight in me. “Luke please.” I begged once more time, my voice horse.“Kill it once it’s done. Toss her out. She will have to survive on her own from here on out.”He can’t mean that. This was our baby. “Our baby.”“Is a mistake from the Moon Goddess. One I will rectify.” His voice called again from the other room. He wouldn’t even face me. “Now do it. That’s an order.”“Yes, Alpha.”It was a mistake to come here.It was a mistake to give him everything.“Oh, and doctor?” Her sweet voice called from the other room. My stepsister, Shannon. I gritted my teeth. “Don’t use any anesthetic. She should feel everything.”“Yes, Luna.” The doctor turned back to me with sad eyes, but when he picked up the scalpel, I knew I was screwed.I’m sorry, baby. Momma couldn’t save you.
I opened my eyes to find myself surprisingly alive. “Amy hurry, you’re going to be late.” I jolted up and look around, confused. What was going on? Where was I? “Amy!” The voice called again and I shook myself. I stood up from the bed and looked around again. I recognized this room. It was my childhood bedroom. I hadn’t stepped foot in this room since I found my mate, Brandon. I heard a knock on the door and my mother opened it. Before I could process what was happening, I ran into my mother’s arms. “Mom, you’re here.” I started to cry. “I’ve missed you so much.”“Amy. My girl.” She laughed as she patted my back. “I saw you yesterday.” She pulled back and I looked into her amber eyes that matched my own. “Happy birthday, baby.”I leaned into her hands and realized that today was the last day I spent at home. I found my mate on my eighteenth birthday. “Thank you, mom.”“Hopefully, you will meet your mate today and start your new life.” She smiled at me and I felt my blood freeze. I di
“Pack your bags, Amy.” My mom came in, surprising me from the list I was making. “What?” I looked up. “Why?”“You are going to spend the summer with your father. I already got the approval from the Alpha.” Mom smiled down at me. “Come on, baby. Pack your bag and get ready.”I jumped to my feet and ran to my mom. “I can go?”“Just for the summer, baby, then you will be back here with me. I had to promise that you would be returning here.”I pouted. “Mom, I really don’t want to be here.” I wanted to make them pay, but I wouldn’t risk him finding me.“It’s okay baby, you will understand once you see your dad.” She patted my hair and kissed my cheek. “Now get ready.”“Okay mom.” I kissed her back then she left me alone. I grabbed my phone to lock it and then turned back to my closet. I packed my bag and then headed into my bathroom when I heard the downstairs door slam open. “I fucking knew it.” I heard Shannon scream down stairs. I ignored her as I grabbed everything from my bathroom a
I slipped into the back of the car after putting my bags in the back and buckled in. I had barely takin a breath before I launched myself over the seats and into the driver’s arms.His laugh made my eyes prickle. “Hey love bug.”“Uncle Ronnie. I’ve missed you.” I climbed over the seats and sat up front. “What are you doing here?” Ronnie was my dad’s beta. Not related, but he had been there for most of my life. “You think I was going to let my cheeky niece come to pack lands alone? Not on your life.” “Dad sent you?” I laughed.“Dad sent me. He is a worry wart your da.” He smiled over and laughed with me. “As soon as your mom called, he sent me with the jet.” “He didn’t have to.” I just shook my head and buckled my seatbelt. “Of course he did. He never gets to see you enough, and now you’re sending in the summer. What’s going on?” My uncle looked at me and I just shook my head. “I don’t want to be here.”“Why?”I looked down at my hands that were twisted. “I’m afraid that my mate i
“I lived another life, and I died.” I stumbled over my words and I felt my father freeze. A quick look to Ronnie had him locking the door and waving his hands. I felt the air still, but I was focused on my father’s eyes. “This morning I woke up six years in the past after living until I was twenty-four, and growing my own pup only to have my mate to rip him from my body.” My father’s and Ronnie’s snarl shook the walls, but I raised my hands. “He betrays me for my step sister who convinced him that I cheated and the pup wasn’t his, so he killed us both using silver scalpels, and killing any love I had for him at the same time.” I looked up at my father and the tears rolled down my face. “Pup.” His voice was choked up, but I raised my hand. “I don’t want him to be my mate, daddy. I know I won’t survive it. I need to change it. Everything, and it starts with hiding my scent. I told mom what I needed, and she called you. How are you going to help me?” I was starting to panic. “I don’t
I walked to my room and screamed when I was tackled to the ground. I started laughing as Cassie got off me. “Why the heck didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She punched my shoulder as I stood. “I didn’t know until this morning.” I hugged her to my side. “I missed you.”“I missed you too.” She pulled back and tossed me a small box. “Happy birthday.”I laughed again. “With everything that has happened, I had pretty much forgotten that it’s my birthday today.” “The big eighteen. Have you shifted yet?” Cassie jumped up and down with excitement. I just shook my head. “I don’t shift. You know that.” My face fell. I heard chuffing inside of my head. “I think you are just blocking it. You have a wolf. We all feel her.” She bumped her hip into mine. “I can feel she wants out.” My wolf chuffed in agreement.Cassie is smarter than you. My wolf’s voice ricochetted in my mind and I just smiled. There are things I cannot tell you, even now, but eventually, if we are lucky, you will find out y
When we got to the mall, we walked into the clothing store. “I need a new dress.” Cassie pulled me to the back and started to go through the racks. “Why do you need one of these dresses?” I pulled a dress off the rack and held it to my body. The form fitting dress flared out at the bottom. It was a beautiful mermaid formal dress, but white wasn’t my color. “Your homecoming ball.” Cassie grabbed a short pink number that would look horrible with her skin tone. “Put that down and what do you mean homecoming ball?” Cassie froze and then slow turned back to me.“Don’t tell your dad I told you.” She rushed back to me and grabbed my hands. “Frick, I knew I was going to mess this up. You are my best friend and I knew I would mess this up.”“Calm down.” I laughed. “I would never tell my dad you messed up.” I wrapped my hands around her shoulders and shook. “Cassie, calm down and just tell me.”She smiled and nodded. “I was supposed to take you dress shopping for a surprise home coming party
“What? Did Nina not tell you that these applications were routed straight to the king’s email?”Thinius turned to look at Nina, and I watched her back up a step. “No, no, she didn’t. But it doesn’t matter. All applications need to go through the council.” He tried to rally and stepped closer. “The council has been already checking to see who is appropriate for the position.”I nodded. “I figured you might say that.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled back to the press release from Rowan. “And I quote ‘Any single and unmated female may apply. Regardless of age or rank. All applications will be considered.’ End quote.” I clicked my phone off and turned to look at Thinius. “But according to some ladies here, they attempted to apply through the council and they application was denied before even being reviewed.” I felt my eyes shift as Nix grew impatient. “Was that you? Or did another council member decide to go against the words of the King again?”He sputtered at that, and I watched his
Her words gave me goosebumps. It was obvious she was looking for a fight. The moon on her forehead glinted.I’m tired of holding back Amy, and Nina keeps poking at me. Nix looked a little rabid as she came closer to the barrier in my mind. She was standing with her hackles already raised, and drool foaming at the sides of her mouth. I took a deep breath and turned to the voice that was working its way through the crowd to stand next to Nina. I nearly rolled my eyes when I realized it was the council member. And not just any council member. It was Nina’s uncle Thinius and Nadine. “And what exactly are we waiting for?” I smiled as I tilted my head.“Do you know who this is?” Nadine snarled, but that only made my smile bigger.“I am assuming you are trying to intimidate me by bringing Uncle Thinius the council member, to my table.” I watched as Nina and Nadine smiled. “But I think you overestimated yourselves, and him.” I looked down at my nails. Then back to the trio now hovering by m
I ran to the caff to grab a breakfast sandwich and a coffee, then made my way to the table where the girls were already gathered. “Hey.” I took the last bite of my sandwich and slid into a seat, only to nearly choke to death when Hanna and Micca both yelled.“Amy!” The food hit the back of my throat when I inhaled and I started to cough. The two of them came over, bouncing while I tried to swallow the food that was currently trying to kill me. I finally swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yeah?” I coughed more and they at least looked apologetic. “Sorry.” Hanna patted my back, but Micca just pushed her away.“Look at your hair!” Micca pulled on my newly shortened strands. “Does it look bad?” I grabbed a curl, tucking it behind my hair.“No!” She fluffed up my hair some. “I think it looks amazing on you. Your curls seem to have more life, more bounce. It looks fantastic. Who did it?” Micca looked around. “I’ve needed a haircut for a long time.”I pointed to Toya. “She did.”“Oh my god
I stopped by the apartment to get ready, then I hopped into my truck to get to the main hall. I wanted to grab some food before the mayhem of today started. I had barely taken a few steps into the main building when there was a call. “Amy!” I stopped and turned to find myself facing Brandon and Vince. “Hey.” I forced a smile on my face. “What can I help you with?”Brandon came to stand next to me. “Good morning. I thought you were going to miss today…”I turned my smile up to his face. “Why would I miss today?” Brandon looked lost, staring at my face. He even leaned in, but I turned to face Vince. “Alpha Vince? What do I owe the pleasure?”He coughed for a second before he regrouped. “What exactly are you doing with the front hall?”“I created a way for girls to apply to become the King’s mate.”“There already is a way.” Vince started, but I held up my hand.“Sorry, I should have been more clear. I streamlined a way for the females here to apply to becoming the King’s mate.”“Why wo
We ran for a while, and we all heard when Erubus started running after us, but Nix snorted. We were far enough away that Nix had a plan. She ran for a little while longer and then she dove into a bush. “You turn Megan.” “What?” Megan jolted up, but Nix was already running back to us and then she pushed Megan forward. “Nix, what are you doing?”“It’s your turn to run. Now go.” Nix chuffed out a laugh as she pushed Megan to the front, almost forcing the shift from her form to Megans. Then I watched as Nix ran to the candle and added another.“What are you doing?” I walked over to her and watched as the second candle flair to life.“Changing our scent.” She looked at me like I was dumb, and in that moment, I felt it.“Why?”“Because we can’t have the same scent, and I want to see how this male treats my soul sister.” Once the candles were strong, she turned back to Megan, who had just finished shifting. “Now, run and be free, Megan.”Megan was frozen on the spot for a moment, but then t
Nix snorted. “You already told me you ran Tuesdays and Fridays, yet every day I looked for you, there was no one. I’m tired of inconsistent males trying to impress me.” Nix turned away from him. “If you are looking for a fling, or someone to mess around with, I am not your wolf.” “What?” His surprised sounded genuine. Nix snarled at his tone. “I said what I said.” She bunched her muscles, and I knew she intended to leave. “Wait.” There was something in his voice that made her pause. It wasn’t panic per se, but something like it. “What now?” She was at her wit’s end. The male had played with her too much and she was over it. “I don’t want a fling or some wolf to mess around with. I want a mate.” His voice was clear, and there was almost a desperation for her to understand. “Maybe think it over.” Megan offered, and I smiled. “This is the wolf you have thought about daily for months. Maybe something came up, and he was away. It’s not like you know his human and he can let you
After I kicked my two friends out of the elevator on their floor, I continued down to the main floor. I gave a tiny wave to Jora, who was wrapping up his shift, and I walked out the door. I am sure he called after me, but as soon as I hit the cool morning air, I was running. I ran around the building, straight into the woods, and shifted into Nix. She paused on a hill, feeling the wind ruffle her fur, and she closed her eyes. “I have missed this feeling for far too long.” I receded enough inside to sit next to Megan. “I promise we will make time for both of you to shift more.” I turned to look at Megan. “And I want to train in your form as well.”I felt her stiffen next to me and she turned her head to look me in the face. “You would have no reason to fight in my form.” I wrapped my arm around her. “It is always better to be prepared. What if you are running and are attacked? We won’t be able to stop to shift into Nix.” I ran my fingers through her fur. “If would make us vulnerable
I woke slowly. My alarm going off was probably the worst thing I had ever heard in my life. All I wanted to do was to stay in the soft, warm comfort of their arms. Their arms…what? My eyes sprang open to the soft glow of the recessed lighting in my bedroom. The room itself was familiar, but the arms wrapped around me were not. I turned my head slowly to the side, terrified to find the lost soul, the woman I thought I left behind beside me. I closed my eyes in relief when I saw it was Toya. I turned to the other side to see Wendy snuggled on my shoulder. The rest of the night flooded back to me and I remembered that my two friends had slept over. Whether it was for them, or for me, I was grateful. Toya finally cracked an eye. “Shut it off.” She groaned as she snuggled into my side. I started to laugh. “I would, but my phone is on the other side of you.” My voice was soft, but both girls flew off of me. Wendy fell off the side of the bed with a soft bang.“Fuck me. I forgot.” Wendy gr
Toya leaned over and kissed my head. “Let’s stop talking about it.” She pulled back a little more and fluffed my hair. “Wendy, hand me the blow dryer.”Wendy got up and handed the cast aside dryer. But I turned. “You don’t have to.”Toya pulled me back like my mom used to do when I was little. “Sit still. You can’t go to bed with wet hair. And you can’t get sick. We have a long day ahead and need to be up in a few hours.” She clicked on the hair dryer and Wendy came over and whispered in Toya’s ear, then she slipped her shoes on and left.“Where is she going?” I yelled over the sound.Toya leaned closer and spoke directly in my ear as she continued to blow dry my hair. “She needed to grab some things from our place. She will be back in a minute.” I just nodded because I was too exhausted to ask. I leaned against my own knees with my eyes closed as Toya dried my soaked hair. It was the most peaceful feeling I have had since I was a child. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until Wendy