When I got home, the first thing I noticed was the cars parked outside my small apartment complex. Sleek, black, and undeniably expensive.I frowned. They definitely didn’t belong to anyone in my building. Most of my neighbors drove beat-up sedans or pick-up trucks that rattled louder than a werewolf howl on a full moon.My heart thudded in my chest as I gripped my bag tighter and slowly made my way to the door. Something didn’t feel right.Fishing around in my bag, my fingers closed around the hilt of the small knife I always carried. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.The moment I unlocked the door, I heard it—a muffled clatter, followed by low voices and the sound of something sizzling.I slipped inside, shutting the door quietly behind me. My heart was racing now, and my grip on the knife tightened as I followed the noise to the kitchen.What I found made me freeze in the doorway.Standing in my kitchen, shirtless, were three of the hottest men I’d ever seen.Kai, K
The battlefield was a wasteland. Bodies, both fresh and decaying, were strewn across the ground. A thick, unnatural fog hovered over the earth, masking the stench of death, but not enough to hide the horrors from anyone still standing. Still fighting for this war that had gone for more than a week. "Hold the line!" Marcus's voice boomed across the clearing, his silver hair matted with dirt and blood. His piercing blue eyes darted from one corner of the field to another. "Don’t let them break through!"To his left, a Lycan tore through a vampire’s throat with a savage snarl. Blood splattered across his chest, the vampire’s body falling limp before hitting the dirt. The Lycan grunted, his yellow eyes flaring. "This is getting worse, Marcus. They’re faster. Stronger than normal. We can’t keep up."Marcus spat on the ground, his jaw clenched. “We don’t have a choice, Jax. We either fight or die. You wanna run? Then go. But I’m not going down without tearing a few more apart.”Jax wiped
Years later…Briar's POV"Congratulations, Luna Briar, you are officially carrying the Alpha's heir."The words should have filled me with joy, but instead, they felt hollow. I sat on the edge of the hospital bed, staring at the nurse as she recorded the results in her clipboard without so much as a smile. Her tone was flat, indifferent, as if my news was nothing special.It should be though. The alpha's heir. It was great news. But not for the people of Crimson Pack. It was a nightmare and a weakness."Thank you," I said, my voice quiet.She didn’t bother to look up.No smile. No warmth. Just a curt nod. I wasn’t surprised. As far as the pack was concerned, I was just an omega who had lucked out. The Alpha’s mate, sure, but still an omega. And an omega carrying the Alpha’s child was an inconvenience to most.Here in the crimson pack, mates weren't taken seriously. They had expected their alpha to get another wife, to rule, whereas I would just be a mistress. But he never did. He
I woke up in the hospital feeling empty. Like a void. The sterile scent of antiseptic burned my nose as the fluorescent lights hummed overhead. My throat was dry, lips cracked, but none of that mattered. My hand instinctively went to my stomach, trembling fingers pressing against the soft skin there. It felt empty. "No... no, no, no," I whispered, my heart pounding as the memories flooded back. The fight. Slade’s rage. His fists. Zaya’s mocking laughter. And then the pain—so much pain.And blood. A nurse must have heard me because the door swung open, and she hurried over. Her face was sympathetic, so different from the hate I was used to. “Luna Ashford…”I flinched at the title. Luna. That wasn’t me anymore. I was nothing.“Don’t call me that,” I rasped.She hesitated before nodding. “I’m sorry. You need to rest.”Rest? How could I rest? My baby…our baby… was gone. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the reality that was clawing at me, threatening to consume me whole.“I’m
I remembered the first time I had come here. I was eighteen. Young and foolish. Happy to have been released from the orphanage. Lizbella and I had come here to celebrate. Our hands were calloused, we smelt of oil, we had begged for money so we could buy a drink.We didn’t care that night. We just wanted to party and enjoy life.We were eighteen meaning we could leave this pack and stopped working in the mines or as slaves. And I had met him. Alpha Slade and he had been my mate. My love. The moment I became Luna, Zaya tried to replace Lizbella, and I let her, now she ruined me. I was stupid. Still am it seems. I ordered a drink and stared into the glass, my reflection distorted in the amber liquid. Who was I now?“Looking for company?” a deep voice asked.I didn’t bother turning around. “Not in the mood.”“You look like you could use someone to talk to.”I sighed, finally glancing over my shoulder. The man standing there was tall, his dark eyes studying me with far too much interest.
As the second man pressed against me, his lips grazing the sensitive skin of my neck, I let out a low moan, my body arching into his touch. My breath hitched as the pleasure went through my veins, both of their hands on my body, igniting sensations I hadn’t felt in years—or maybe ever. I was no longer thinking, just feeling. The heat between us swelled, growing more urgent with every touch, every kiss. The second man’s fingers traced along the curve of my back while the first one pulled me tighter against him, his movements hard and insistent.I felt lips on my hardened nipples, I almost screamed from the pleasure.My heart pounded in my chest, my mind slipping further away from reality, giving in completely. They kissed me everywhere—lips, neck, chest. There was nothing but them, nothing but the feeling of their hands, his hands on my clit, their lips, the heat of their bodies pressing into mine. My mind was spinning, the alcohol still swirling in my veins, making everything feel
Seven years later…The early morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow over the small room. I stretched, careful not to wake the two small bodies nestled on either side of me. My twins, Finn and Luna, slept soundly, their little faces peaceful in the morning light. Watching them, I couldn’t help but smile. Life was different now. It had to be. After that night, the night I left everything behind, I promised myself that I would never look back.And for seven years, I hadn’t. I had built a life here, in the Lycan territory, far away from the pain of the past. I was no longer the broken woman who had stumbled into that motel room. I was Briar Ashford—mother, therapist, survivor.“Mama,” a small voice murmured, breaking into my thoughts. Luna, her big brown eyes still heavy with sleep, reached out to me. Her tiny hand clutched at my shirt as she blinked up at me with a smile that could light up the darkest day.“Morning, sweetheart,” I whispered, pressi
What do you do when three hot men appear at your doorstep saying they are the father of your kids?I would slam the door.And that’s exactly what I did. Or at least, I tried to.But Kylan’s hand shot out, stopping the door just as it was about to close. “Briar, wait—”I glared at him, shoving the door harder against his hand. “Wait? For what? For you to come in here and spew some more ridiculous claims? Because, trust me, I’ve heard enough. You guys are bloody psychos or some pranksters and trust me it's a Monday morning, I could hardly care.”Kai chuckled, his face filled with amusement that seemed to tick me off. “We’re not here to cause trouble, Briar. We just want to talk.”“Talk?” I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “There’s nothing to talk about. What you’re saying is impossible. Scientifically impossible! You are not the father of my children.”Kieran, the chiseled jaw Adonis, who had been silent up until now, smirked, “Impossible is our speciality, sweetheart.”I roll
When I got home, the first thing I noticed was the cars parked outside my small apartment complex. Sleek, black, and undeniably expensive.I frowned. They definitely didn’t belong to anyone in my building. Most of my neighbors drove beat-up sedans or pick-up trucks that rattled louder than a werewolf howl on a full moon.My heart thudded in my chest as I gripped my bag tighter and slowly made my way to the door. Something didn’t feel right.Fishing around in my bag, my fingers closed around the hilt of the small knife I always carried. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.The moment I unlocked the door, I heard it—a muffled clatter, followed by low voices and the sound of something sizzling.I slipped inside, shutting the door quietly behind me. My heart was racing now, and my grip on the knife tightened as I followed the noise to the kitchen.What I found made me freeze in the doorway.Standing in my kitchen, shirtless, were three of the hottest men I’d ever seen.Kai, K
Lizbella was already in the break room when I arrived at work, perched on the counter like the boss she is. She was sipping coffee out of a chipped mug that read, Therapy Is Cheaper Than Murder. Her wild dark curls framed her face, and her expression was as stormy as the dark brew in her hands.“Morning,” I said cautiously, setting my bag on the small table.Lizbella didn’t reply. Instead, she raised an eyebrow and took another sip, her silence louder than any greeting.“Okay,” I muttered, sliding into the chair across from her. “Go ahead. Say whatever it is you’re dying to say.”Her eyes narrowed. “You’re an idiot.”I let out a sharp laugh, more out of disbelief than amusement. “Good morning to you too.”“I mean it, Briar.” Lizbella hopped off the counter, her boots thudding against the tile as she crossed her arms. “You’ve officially lost your mind. Training with those Lycans? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”I bristled at her tone, leaning back in my chair. “I’m not trying
“Where the hell did that come from?” she asked. Her eyes widened. “I don’t know,” I admitted, shaking my head. “It’s just… something I know. A memory, maybe. The voice came to my mind. Like the voice of a mother.”Lizbella frowned. “A memory? You said you don’t remember anything about your mom.”“I don’t,” I said softly, my gaze drifting to the river. “But when I sang, it felt like… like she was there. Like it was her voice, not mine.”Kieran stepped closer, his expression unreadable. “Do you know what the words mean?”I nodded, a faint smile touching my lips. “It’s a goodbye. It means, ‘Live forever, pure soul. Your light is in the stars, never dim. May the water guide you home.’”Lizbella blinked, her grey eyes soften, a soft smile on her pink heart lips. “That’s… beautiful.”“It’s what Rachel deserved,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.There was a moment of silence, the weight of grief and memory settling over us like a blanket.Then I turned to Kai, who had been watching qui
The town square was quieter than it had been the night before, but the tension was still there. Everyone was looking at each other with fear.There were whispers, people pointing at me as if I was a vampire myself. I ignored them, tucking my hands on my dark blazer pockets. I found the elders near the center, their grim faces locked in discussion.“Elder Nilo,” I called, my voice cutting through their conversation.He turned to me, his expression neutral. “Briar. What can we do for you?”“You can start by explaining why Rachel and the others are being burned,” I said, crossing my arms.“It’s a precaution,” he said evenly. “The vampires who attacked carried venom. It’s too dangerous to bury them as we normally would.”“That’s ridiculous,” I snapped. “Rachel wasn’t a danger to anyone. She deserves a proper burial, by the river, the way she wanted. The family's of the others can vouch for them. Or a friend, you can't just burn them and throw their ashes away. .”Elder Maura frowned, st
I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head. Couldn’t they argue just once without waking the entire neighborhood?“It’s not your stuff!” Luna’s voice carried into my room, filled with anger. “It’s our stuff! You’re just selfish!”“Oh my God,” I muttered, tossing the blanket aside and sitting up. My body still ached from the chaos of the previous night, but the twins didn’t care about that. No, they were too busy acting like they lived on a battlefield.They were toddlers. The next day, they have forgotten all about it. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, shoved my feet into my slippers, and shuffled into the hallway.“Guys—” I started, only to stop when I saw Finn and Luna locked in an epic tug-of-war over a ratty old stuffed wolf.“Let go!” Finn shouted, his small frame straining as he yanked the toy.“You let go!” Luna retorted, planting her feet like she was about to go full alpha.“ENOUGH!” I said, my voice louder than I intended.Both of them froze, their wide eyes snappi
Rachel. Dead.The image of her blood-soaked body wouldn’t leave my mind. Her face pale, her lifeless eyes closed like she’d gone in her sleep. But she hadn’t. The vampires had done this.Put her in a state of death and life. She did not transition into a vampire. Nor did she die fully as a wolf.She became the in-between.My assistant. My friend. Gone.I stumbled away from the stretcher, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. My vision blurred with unshed tears, and my body trembled as a storm of grief and rage coursed through me. Lizbella trailed after me, her expression unusually somber.“Briar…” she began, her voice softer than I’d ever heard it.“Don’t,” I choked out, shaking my head. “Don’t say it. Don’t tell me it’s going to be okay, because it’s not. Rachel…rachel is dead..”She stopped, biting her lip. For once, Lizbella had no sarcastic quip, no lighthearted joke to ease the pain in my heart.I couldn’t be here. I couldn’t see Rachel like that again.My heart was breaking the
We all stared at the three handsome Lycan kings, waiting for them to answer.Were they going to reveal that they were here for my kids?I prayed they wouldn’t. This was a small town, and Finn and Luna already faced enough shame at school for not having fathers. I had told them—and everyone else—that their father was dead. If the truth came out, it wouldn’t just be gossip. It would ruin us. People would see me as worse than a joke. Worse, my kids might be ostracized for my mistakes.Having three fathers. Kai’s piercing blue eyes swept over the crowd, his jaw set as though deciding how much to reveal. Kieran, the calm one, exchanged a glance with his brother, his red hair catching the dim light. Kylan, the most reckless of the three, smirked, like he was enjoying this standoff.“Well?” Elder Nilo prompted, his tone sharper now. “You haven’t answered the question. Why are you here?”Kai stepped forward, his voice steady but unyielding. “We are the kings. We go wherever we like but
"Briar… I am sorry. It's just that it’s late, and it’s risky,” Kai said, his voice softening but still edged with his usual impatience.I squinted at him, feeling the frustration bubble up. “Who gave you the right?” I asked, my voice sharp. He might be a king in his world, but here, in my house, his authority meant nothing to me.Kai’s eyes flicked over me, a strange expression passing over his face, but he didn’t say anything. For a split second, I thought he might actually consider what I was saying. But no—he only sighed and crossed his arms, like he couldn’t understand why I was even questioning him."Look," he said, his tone still laced with authority. "I get it—you want to help, but you don’t have our strength, Briar. And there’s still danger out there. I’m just trying to keep you safe."I let out a bitter laugh. “Safe? You don’t even know me. And I don’t need your permission. I’m not part of your pack.”Kai’s jaw tightened, and he dropped his gaze. “Fine,” he muttered. “I just
Kieran’s jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the horde gathering outside. “They’re not here because of us,” he said, his tone steely. “Vampires don’t hunt on a whim, especially not in these numbers. They’re organized. This was planned.”Kai nodded, his face dark as he turned back to me. “They’re after something specific.”“Or someone,” Kylan added quietly, grimacing as he straightened, though the strain was clear on his face.I glared at them, not buying their cool explanations. “So they show up at the clinic the moment you’re there, and then suddenly my house is crawling with vampires?” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. “Explain that.”Kai held my gaze, his expression like stone. “If we knew, we’d be handling it.”“Lycans draw vampires like moth. The ones here aren't important. Just wolves. So when a Lycan king or kings comes into town they follow.” “Then come with us to our home. And we would not have to worry about this.” Kieran added with a goofy smile. He wa