The pain was something he’d never forget. Nathan’s bones shattered into thousands of pieces, burning hot iron coursing around his body as the fire built to a fever pitch. Slowly, the pain started to ebb away as if it hadn’t even been there. Collapsing to the ground, Nathan turned toward the warmth of his mother, Carla, who was pressing a towel to his forehead.“He’s in pain, Luke,” she said.Opening his eyes, he saw his father smiling. “He’ll be alpha one day, Carla. The pain is necessary.”“None of the others have had this kind of pain.”“They’re not alpha like our son. This will teach him respect, understanding, and it will make him a better alpha. This is what is necessary for all of us who lead.” His father spoke like the alpha he was. Soon, one day, Nathan would take over. He was the eldest son. “I’m proud of you, son.”Nathan smiled up at his father, wishing there was something he could say. The pain was too great. The fire was already building within his veins for another bone
Mary stared out at the pool in her backyard. She wore a pair of shorts and a vest shirt. The idea of going in a bathing suit or, even worse, a bikini had her sick to her stomach. Summer vacation was going really well. Her parents had decided to vacation along with her and after their trip to Italy, they’d come back, and her parents were called away to work. She didn’t mind. The house was quiet, and she’d spent a lot of time with her nose in a book.The thought of going into the pool in a bathing suit even home alone, scared her. They had neighbors who could easily see into the back yard.No one cares.Dropping her shades down, she made her way outside. She heard the sound of kids playing in the neighbors’ gardens. Sitting on the lounge chair, Mary opened up the latest paperback book that had come in the post, and started to read. It was a romance book as they were the only books she liked.Grabbing her bottle of water, she rested the book on her bent knees as she took a sip of her wat
Summer vacation was over, and it was time for school again. Nathan sat beside his father as he drove him into school. It had been a long summer vacation, and there hadn’t been anything vacation-like about it. In fact, it had been fucking awful. He’d spent all summer trying to control his senses. Not once had he seen Seth or any of his other friends. He’d talked with Seth on the phone only to discover his friend was having the same problem. Neither of them had any control over their heightened senses.They were meeting up for the first time in the parking lot. Seth’s father was also bringing him.“Tomorrow you can bring your own car. I just want to make sure you’re focused.”“I’ve been driving all summer, Dad.”“No, you’ve been driving all summer away from human distractions. I’m driving you today because you’re going to be too distracted to drive an automobile.”“I’m sure I can handle it.” Nathan ran his fingers through his hair. He was so damn nervous. Both his mother and father had
Nathan stopped outside of his locker room. Everyone was charging toward the lunchroom. Hunger filled the air, but something caught Nathan’s attention. All of his senses went on high alert at the smell of fresh roses, the earth, and home.Mate!His wolf came roaring to the surface, demanding he find her. “Whoa, Nathan, what the fuck, man?” Seth put a hand on his shoulder.Gritting his teeth, Nathan struggled against the need coursing through him. His body was burning up. The need to claim was stronger than ever before. This couldn’t be happening, and yet it was.“She’s here,” Nathan said.“Who?”Closing his eyes, Nathan blew out a breath. The scent of his mate was fading. Where was she? Who was she?“Mate.”“Holy fuck, for real?”“Yes.”“Shit, do you want me to call your father?”Nathan shook his head. He didn’t want his father here. It wouldn’t help. His wolf would calm the moment he found the woman meant for him, the woman who’d calm the beast inside him.“No. I’ve got to find her.”
For the first time ever Mary enjoyed her lunch break. Trey stayed with her throughout telling her about his time growing up within the city. His parents had made a lot of money in some kind of mechanical venture and decided to settle down in the country. He was smart, and his brother liked to tease him.She didn’t want to leave him but found that she didn’t have a choice.“What class do you have next?” Trey asked.“I’ve got English.”“Damn, I’m history.”“I’ve already had history.”“Well, we’ve got gym together, right?” She pulled out her class list and nodded.“Great, I’ll see you then.” They entered the school again. She saw several girls were watching them.“Erm, do you want to leave?” she asked.“Why would I want to go?”“You’re hot news here. I mean, you’re news.” Heat filled her cheeks as he smiled down at her.“You think I’m hot.”“No, I mean, yes, no, er, I don’t know.” She pressed a hand to her face wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.“It’s okay. I’m teasi
Nathan watched as Mary laughed with Trey, the new kid. They’d gotten close, and from what he’d learned in gym, they lived next door to each other. He was pissed off and furious. His wolf was pacing against the surface.“Are you okay, man?”“Do I fucking look okay?” Nathan asked, snarling at Seth.“I’m sorry.” Seth held his hands up.They were waiting for their parents to arrive. If Trey didn’t walk away from Mary in a moment, Nathan was going to fucking kill the bastard.Out of all of the women to be his mate, he couldn’t believe it was Mary. It was just his fucking luck. She wouldn’t let him get near her. During English he’d asked Seth to make a nuisance of himself so Miss Kingry wouldn’t have a choice but to move them. If she hadn’t partnered him up with Mary, he’d have done whatever it took to make sure they were. When they’d had to share the book, the floral scent coming off her had made it hard for him to focus. He’d given her no choice but to lean against him to read the poem. I
The following day Mary had gym once again, and the teacher, Mr. Bridges was having all of them running laps. She’d run around the track four times, and she was starting to get out of puff. Trey was running beside her even though he didn’t have to.“You can run on ahead,” she said, wanting any excuse to just fall back and stare up at the beautiful blue sky.“Nah, I’m good.”“You’re going to torture me.” She grabbed her side, slowing down as it got too much.“Come on, Fields and Decker, get moving.” The teacher blew his whistle.Picking up her pace, she kept running, wishing someone would come and take her away now. She’d gladly have a broken leg than have to keep running.“I enjoyed last night.”Trey had called around to her house when her folks arrived home. He introduced himself as her friend. Her parents adored him, and Mary was starting to really like him. He was fun and didn’t bully her.“Me, too.” She glanced over at him to see him smiling back at her. “I was wondering if you’d l
Nathan whistled as he made his way back to his car. “What has got you so cheery?” Seth asked.“I’ve got an idea.”He climbed behind his wheel and turned the ignition over.“Are you going to tell me about that bright idea?”“Trey’s not a problem. I can get rid of him easily.” He headed back toward his home. Gym was the last lesson of the day, and he didn’t need to go back for anything.“She’s really your mate, isn’t she?”Nathan gripped the steering wheel tighter. Being close to her and knowing she didn’t trust him made his wolf crazy. His wolf wasn’t happy with him for treating her so appallingly. He would gladly go back and change the shit he’d done to her, but he couldn’t. The only thing he could do was make sure he never hurt her again. He wouldn’t. Mary calmed his beast, and having her in his arms today made him realize how important she was. When they were on the track, running behind her and Trey, it had taken every ounce of control not to run the bastard down, and cl
Three months laterLilly stared up at the sun as Scott caressed her face with a daisy. The last three months had been a whirlwind of activity. The biggest change for her was the tattoo she now held on her back with a wolf and Scott’s name underneath. The love she felt for her mate had grown, and every day that passed without the vampire’s enthrallment had brought her closer to Scott. There were no lies, and they were inseparable.Alexander and Charles remained in town, but everyone else had left to go and deal with their own covens or packs. The fear of the Disaster of the Otherworld still stayed with all of them. Lilly wouldn’t forget the mark of the cult that was determined to ruin all of their lives.“How are you feeling?” he asked. “Loved.”He chuckled. Scott moved the daisy down to her exposed breast. They’d made love in the fields next to the lake. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight, a
Scott held Lilly’s hand as he made his way through the forests. He felt the happiness of his pack as they saw her. Alexander and Charles were standing at the head waiting for him. Crazy Lizzy danced toward him.“This is the right thing to do. You’re saving yourself and her,” Lizzy said, smiling. She wrapped her arms around Lilly. “Soon, we’ll be good friends and Layla will too. I can’t wait for Layla to join our friendship. She’s going to be a hoot. You just need to drop that pesky thrall.”Lizzy danced away. He watched as she wove her way around his pack. Alaric stood without his shirt with his bears. Gripping her hand tightly, Scott made his way toward the head. Several murmurs erupted when they saw the state of his back. Lilly had marked him deeply. Her scent covered him. The smell of strawberry and vanilla permeated the air.When he got to the head of the pack, Scott took the time to show Lilly to his vis
Scott watched her head toward the door. Her depth of emotion startled him. And she’d been right in everything she said.You can’t let her get away. She’s our mate.We need her.Fix her and keep her.Charging to the door he placed a hand on the hard wood against her head.He closed the door. Her shoulders slumped as her head rested against the door. “What are you doing?” she asked, quietly.“I’m sorry.” With his free hand he brushed the hair off her neck. “You’re my mate, Lilly. I’m an idiot. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I’m a wolf, and I’m the alpha, and for the first time I was scared.” He cupped her neck, stroking the pulse that pounded under his touch.“You’re doing this on purpose,” she said. Her voice sounded breathy. Arousal gripped him as he pressed against her. Every time he was arou
Scott made his way up to the house with his men behind him. The first of the meetings were scheduled for tonight, and he needed to get there before the sun went down. He’d spent most of his time at the diner watching Lilly. She served him without really seeing him. He’d never anticipated her anger like he did. Alaric had been right, and he’d get punished for keeping Lilly secret. They all had rules, and lying about his mate broke the rules.Lewis refused to talk to him, and he sensed Darcy and Nathan’s disapproval.Crazy Lizzy sat on the steps outside the house. She stared up at the sky. “You’re early,” she said.“I’ve got nowhere else to be.”“Everyone is waiting for you.” Lizzy stood then walked into the house.He turned to his men. “I know you think I did the wrong thing, but you’ve got to understand I was doing what I thought was right to protect her.”“You’ve put her in more danger by refusing her claim by your side. I sense her leaving us,” Lewis said.“I won’t let Lilly leave.
With Crazy Lizzy’s words ringing in his ears Scott went in search of Lilly. The sun was coming up, and several of the pack greeted him as he passed. He ignored their comments and went in search of his woman. He recalled the conversation he had with Lizzy last night, and he was still confused. Why would someone know about Lilly? How did they know about her when he only sensed it after her birthday?Crazy Lizzy had spoken of the prophecies in detail last night, especially when Scott pressed her for more details. Centuries ago Crazy Lizzy’s birth mother wrote everything down she saw into the future. Her mother didn’t see the near future but the far future. These prophecies were bound and hidden so no one would try to destroy them. Amongst those bound prophecies was the foretelling of Scott’s human mate. He’d be the first wolf to mate with a human female.Not only was Lilly supposed to be human, but she was destined to be the greatest were-human-queen that lived. She would birth many sons
Scott watched Lewis take her away. His heart ached, and he felt her crumbling inside. Her mind was screaming in pain, but he wrapped his arm around Lori and turned toward the two vampires that had interrupted his mating.“You don’t mind your mate fucking a human?” Charles asked.“He has needs. I’m not always available to satisfy them,” Lori said. She ran her hand down his ass. He gripped the hand firmly stopping her. He’d sent Lilly away to protect her. Scott had no intention of cheating on her. Lilly owned his body.“I’m the alpha of this pack. I don’t answer to anyone,” Scott said, drawing their attention back to him. His pack was behind him. He sensed their unease with Lori by his side. They’d be able to sense his true mate and her distraught emotions. He could, and it was kicking him in the gut. Lewis better be doing everything he could to help her.“I find the whole meeting
Scott sensed Lilly’s nerves. She was wound tighter than a piece of string. If he didn’t get her to settle down he’d not be able to claim her. He was going to fuck her tonight, but there was no way he’d do it if she was going to hurt herself by not relaxing. He was pleased no other man had touched her, but in that moment he wished she’d gotten a little experience. His passions were anything but gentle. Staring down at her, he watched as she fought to keep his gaze. “No rushing,” he said. He stroked her nipple watching as her eyes dilated. Lilly was turned on by his touch. She nodded her head. Caressing her body with his fingers Scott felt the heat building in him. His cock was thick. After being around Lori and her scent surrounding him, Scott needed to be with Lilly. Lori repulsed him. Every woman who wasn’t his mate repulsed him. Bending down he took her lips under his. Inhaling her vanilla scent he ran his hands all over her body. She moaned, writhe
Scott waited out in the chilly night for Lilly to finish. He’d spent most of the night inside the diner eating and watching her work. When she bent over he got so many sinful thoughts that he’d spent most of the night rock-hard. Lewis stood waiting with him. Darcy and Nathan had left several hours ago. Their disapproval filled the air around them. The pack were slowly finding out about Lori taking Lilly’s place by his side for this visit. He’d need to have a meeting to explain his decision.The scent of disapproval came off Lewis.“Go on, spill,” Scott said, folding his arms.“I’m not saying a fucking word. I’ve said everything that needs to be said. You know my position, and I’m not backing down from it.” Lewis was waiting for Layla to finish.The other man helped her home safely. With the creatures of the Otherworld present the humans were not safe. In the next twenty-four hours the vamps
Scott joined Lori, and together they moved in the direction of the house in the far forest. Over the last few days several witches and warlocks had turned up, along with two other wolf alphas and the leader of the bears next to his.Nathan, Darcy, and Lewis stood outside the house as yelling came from inside.He was thankful the woman at his side remained quiet on the walk up. “What’s going on?” he asked.All three men turned to him. They glared at Lori before turning back to him.“They’re getting pissed with being trapped in the house. We’re waiting for several more bear leaders along with vamps to turn up. Crazy Lizzy almost burnt the place down to the ground earlier,” Nathan said.“What? Why?” Scott headed towards the front door.“She was setting fire to towels. The flame caught the curtain, and instead of putting it out, she watched the pretty colours. Her words not mine,”