*LUCIANO’S POV*I walk out of Becky’s with a nagging feeling. Whoever did this can’t be stupid enough to keep heavy scented potions on them. They would need to stash it somewhere and wash off the scent from their bodies. Even with a good scrub it'll take at least a day before they could blend in with the rest of the compound undetected. “What am I missing?” I start walking towards my house with this in mind. I needed to think. I was about a minute away from my front door when it hit me. I immediately turned around and took off towards the back fence in a sprint. How did I miss it? “Fuck!”I reach the back fence and leap over it without stopping. Now outside the compound, I stop and look around. I put my nose up in the air and try to catch a scent. I can smell them a lot out here so I try to focus. I pick up a faint smell of monkshood and I follow it quietly. I’m walking for a few minutes before I realize that the smell is leading towards
LUCIANO’S POVI looked up at Arianna to find she had been staring this whole time. “Take that bowl and get to Becky’s as fast as you can. Tell Dave to meet us at the fence” She looks between me and my new prisoner like she wants to object but thinks better of it, then takes off. I grab my stalker by his neck and push bim forward. “Walk!” He is bent over with his hand holding onto his side. He better not bleed out before we get to the fence. I take my shirt off and throw it at him. He seems shocked and confused having my t-shirt thrown at him so I point to his wounds and he gets the message. We resume our walk. Arianna was no longer in our line of sight but I could hear her far ahead. She could take some lessons from a stalker here on how to be less noisy on her feet. We are a few minutes from the fence when I hear a faint thud. Dave had just leapt over the fence. I knew that gait anywhere. I decide this is close enough for us to wait for him. No point walking to the fence and back.
ARIANNA’S POVI needed to hurry. Becky said the mixture in the bowl was a cloaking spell. We couldn’t be sure how many of them were in the woods. I leap over the fence and take a quick look around. What direction do I go towards? I raise my nose in the air and catch Dave’s scent. “Thank Luna” I whisper to myself. I start running in Dave’s direction. Curse my slow Omega legs. I was faster than most humans, just slower than other wolves. As I ran down the path, I let my mind wander. I always felt blocked whenever I tried to run or fight. It was like there was power somewhere and someone had cut off my access to it. Why would the goddess do that? What did Omegas ever do to her? I scoffed at the thought of any puny wolf being able to harm Luna. Maybe it was an ego thing, who knew. I could hear screams and curses now. The sounds did not worry me because the voice did not belong to Dave or Lucianno so it was probably Jace screaming. I wonder what Luciano was doing to him? For once tho
ARIANNA’S POV Dave’s house was so far away from the rest of the compound. You could see two fences from his rooftop where we sat. I could see the back fence that and I could see the fence to the left of the compound. Before today I had only seen the gate and the big fence in front of the compound leading to the gate. The compound was so big that no one else lived this far out. We were sat on his rooftop waiting for Luciano to finish up his dinner with the guests and come meet us here. Jace was tied up in one of the rooms and had a good amount of monkshood around him so he wouldn’t be going anywhere. “He is not so bad you know” Dave was sitting beside me but his voice sounded far away. I was lost in my thought and the view of the moon from here. It was beautiful.“Who isn’t so bad?” I asked absentmindedly. After what feels like forever I drag my attention from the moon and look at Dave. He had not given me an answer so I was hoping his expression would give me one. “Who isn’t that
ARIANNA’S POV I was having a shitty morning. Luciano had to officially see his guests off this morning. Which meant I had to be up super early too. Why exactly did I agree to stay on as his assistant? The first two parks were leaving at 6am. Which means I was rudely woken up at five by Luciano asking me to get ready for the day. Having to knock on my door had to be weird for him. It definitely was weird to me. He usually let himself in. The thought made me shiver a little. Standing here while Luciano exchanged pleasantries with the two Alphas had me even more upset. I was not needed here. Why did I have to lose sleep. Everyone else seemed well rested. Especially Luciano. He did not just look good, he smelled good too. Screw him.We both stood and watched all three cars pull out of the compound. “Who leaves next and what time?” He asked as we made our way back to his office. “The Appalachian park leaves at eight…at least that's what their beta said”.“What does that mean Arianna?
LUCIANO’S POV“You are sure they said 8am today?” I was asking Andrew because his half gotten report was making no sense. “And what do you mean Arianna ran off when you told her?” Dave seemed to think this question was important right now. Andrew did not seem to have fitting answers for either of us. So I sat back down and tried to think. After about a minute of silence a thought started to form in my head. Maybe Arianna was on to something.“Dave, Arianna said something about some of Collins' wolves being confused about their departure time”.“Yes, a couple of them thought they were leaving much later, but their beta was sure. They leave at eight. In about twenty minutes”.“So we have a half heared report of something going down on our route at eight and we have a visiting park leaving by eight. Coincidence?” I ask the two men standing in my office.“I didn’t think so either” I got off my seat and headed out of the office. I needed to find Collin. “Dave go find Arianna, Andrew ge
LUCIANO’S POV“It looks like a ball of junk” Arianna was saying as we crouched down beside the object the witches were working on. “It smells like a ball of monkshood though. We need to get it off the road before Collin and his wolves get here” I take off my shirt and wrap it around my hand. I needed to get this shit off the road. “Wait, it’s not just monkshood. Those witches did something to it. I can feel it” I smile at that “You can feel it? Are you a spell whisperer now? Collin is barely two minutes away.” “They are in a car. They can drive right over it with zero contact.” She had a point. I needed to think fast. I could hear the wolf and the witches waking. I looked back to see the wolf dragging his two accomplices along. They were heading for the woods. I couldn’t deal with this right now. They were not getting far.“They put it on the road knowing a car would drive over it. I need it off the road.” I reached down for it with my wrapped hand and got thrown ten feet aw
LUCIANO’S POVI had finally seen the last park off. Thank Luna for that. I finally had the space to face this problem head on. Fenrir, in his way of looking out for me, had reminded me of my duty to check on my neighbors and make sure they were fine. Damn the mystic moon I did not have the time to babysit anyone right now. Carter needed to get his house in order.The search party had been out for more than three hours and couldn’t find anything. Whoever was out there would be long gone by now. “Dave, call everyone back in. Make sure everybody is accounted for.” “Sure thing.” He said as he walked out of the office. I look up at Arianna who had been standing silently at the door. “Anything from Becky?” “Yes, they figured out some of the herbs in the mix but the major issue is what the witches did to it.” “What did they do to it?” I needed quick answers, not dramatic pauses. “They were trying to turn it into a bomb. We stopped them before they could finish the spell so it was no
ARIANNA’S POVAlex walked in and the sea of people standing around parted for her. She looked gracious and I couldn’t wait to tell her that her dress captured the light of the moon like she wanted. The crowd of people parted and converged around her. It was like a maze that opened up in front and shut behind you as you walked. They were leading her to the center. To her minotaur. But this time, it was no scary monster, it was the love of her life. She finally got to the center of the crowd and stood opposite Dave. Luciano stood with them to perform the ceremony. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His robe, fortunately for me, left a lot of his chest bare. There was a lot left to the imagination but just enough was open that I couldn’t help but stare. I stepped up when I was called. It was time for best friend duties. I handed over the stone. It was white but a little see through. It was supposed to represent the moon. Luciano took it and placed it in Dave’s hand, he then covered it
LUCIANO’S POV“And what’s wrong with that?” She asked me. Fuck! That question tugged at the beast in me that just wanted to take her, with zero regard. I took a deep slow breath to calm myself. We both needed this, but she needed it more. Her body needed to remember that there was a lot more than the pain she had endured. “Shhh” I whispered back to her.I traced kisses all over her body, slowly, and holding on to her hips. Those hips. I would let them move, in time. I made my way down her body till I got between her legs. I buried my face in there and took a deep breath. The smell of her arousal drove me nuts and I could feel my erection grow in my pants. My tongue immediately went to work. Licking and sucking at her mound. I could feel her shaking beneath me and it made me happy. I slipped one finger into her opening and heard her let out a loud moan, I slipped in the second finger and let go of her hips. She was thrusting against my fingers now, my thumb once again found her c
ARIANNA’S POV “Alex, you did it! It’s beautiful.” I told her as we stood in the clearing. “You should see it at night, with the lights lit.” She said. “Two days away now. How are you freeling?” The smile that covered her face was infectious. I didn’t realize I was smiling too. “It feels like a lucid dream. A good one.” She explained.“Well, it’s not a dream.” I told her. “There you two are. Your parents have arrived.” Dave announced as he walked into the clearing. I watched Alex subconsciously gravitate into his arms. There was no thought behind it. Her body just moved. I loved that they had found each other. In the midst of all the crazy, something beautiful came out of it. “Where are they?” Alex asked Dave.“Luciano is keeping them busy in the big house. They came with the mystic moon’s new Alpha, Dylan.” Dave explained. “That still feels weird to hear. Alpha Dylan and the mystic moon. Thank the goddess for that.” I shuddered. Alex squeezed my hand for a brief second befor
ARIANNA’S POVLuciano took my hand in his and we walked off into the field. I had no idea where we were but I wondered who owned this place. No way, It was just a wild field. Someone definitely took care of it. There were wild flowers around, two trees apart from each other. But the grass was not wild. From the beginning to the end of the field the grass was cut to the same length. It had this feel of a wild place but at the same time, I could see the intentionality behind it. I watched Luciano spread a blanket on the grass and place the basket to the side. He stretched out his hand for me. I took it and he led me to sit on the blanket. I had never seen this blanket before, so I wondered where he got it. “So, what did the Chef pack us?” I asked. “Chef didn’t pack it.” He answered a little annoyed. “I was just teasing.” I told him. “I know. And I told Estell what to pack. So it was partly me.” He said, sulking. I giggled at his face. He reminded me of a toddler who wasn’t gett
LUCIANO’S POV“Good for Dylan.” I muttered. “Good for the mystic moon. Good for us.” Dave replied. I nodded at him. “Would you mind inviting him to the ceremony? Some of the pack is going to be here anyway.” I asked.“Of course. I was only trying to keep Carter out. Dylan is good. I think he and Alex used to be friends before he left the pack.” “Sounds good. Anything from the other Alphas?” “Just the usual. Nothing about us or Arianna though…” he looked like he had something else to say but could not decide. “What is it?” “Collin was trying to stir some of the others but they shut him down.” Dave explained.“Can someone do the rest of us a favour and challenge him already? By the moon! It’s always something with him.” I said, frustrated.“He’ll be out soon. Without an external factor to distract his pack, they will start to realise what a terrible Alpha he is.” “That may be true, but I doubt it’ll be that easy. He lets them get away with a lot of truancy. This year alone, more
ARIANNA’S POV“Did you know that Ciara was changing the natural state of your forest?” I asked Luciano.We were sitting by the kitchen Island, eating a bowl of microwaved lasagna. I was eating anyway, Luciano was just keeping me company. He had a confused look on his face that told me he had no idea that Alex was planting flowers in his forest. I giggled before explaining to him. “She says its too green and needs other colors to pop.” I explained. “Of course it needs other colors.” We both laughed at the way he said that. It was so playful and almost like saying why didn’t he think of it. “How was your fitting. Can I see your dress?” He asked. “Sure. It’s up in my room.” I said. I could see the very minute flicker in his eyes. If I had blinked I would have missed it. And if I had not noticed it a few times before I would have sworn I imagined it. “What’s wrong?” I finally asked him. “What do you mean?” “Just now. When I said you could see my dress. There was this … I can’t exp
CIARA’S POVHow would I explain to Dylan that I wasn’t welcome at the Ice claw pack? The last thing I wanted was him associating me with Carter’s tyranny. It was bad enough that everyone knew we were together. We were together. The thought took me by surprise. I knew we were done but I had not said it out loud. He was sick and dying. The last thing I wanted was to become his nurse and in extension, the punching bag for all his pain. I would make up an excuse to not go. He had his beta. From what he said, it would be no more than two days. Just a formality. There was actually no need for me to be there. The environment around the pack had been light and welcoming. Everyone who left with Dylan during the plague was back. Families were happy and no one even spoke of Carter. It was almost like he didn’t exist. But he did.I walked by his house for what seemed like the hundredth time in as many days. I knocked but there was no answer. He had locked his door days ago. His door was never
CIARA’S POVI knew Carter was weak but I at least expected a fight. Watching him writhing on the floor with drool running out of his mouth was just embarrassing.He could not even get through his change let alone fight. Everyone who gathered to watch didn’t seem to understand what was happening. “Is that part of it? “What the fuck is happening?”“Can he stand?” I heard these questions randomly from the crowd. This was beyond bad for Carter. If he couldn’t even turn, how did he plan to survive? It actually explained why he was absent during the full moon. Dylan walked up to Carter’s shivering body and placed one leg on top of him, signaling that the fight was done. If we could call it a fight. Dylan standing with Carter beneath his feet was the signal everyone needed to stop feeling sorry for Carter. The screams of joy were deafening. It was like years of pent up frustration could finally be let out. I ran inside Carter’s house to grab blankets. When I got back outside, old man M
CARTER’S POVI looked at my reflection in the full length mirror. I looked like I was hexed. Considering I had no idea what Luciano stabbed me with, I guess I could be hexed. Hexes were the worst, it was also George’s best guess. If he was right then there was no way out of this for me. I would walk a slow pain filled journey to my death. Curse Nadia. What did I ever do to her for her to do this to me? Not only did she tell other witches not to help me, if this was really a hex then it would not matter who wanted to help. Only the witch who places the hex can remove it. I had been in so much pain lately, I actually tried calling her. All my calls went straight to voicemail.In hindsight, leaving threats on her voicemail may not have been the best approach. I did leave an apology, but she still has not called back. I would find a way, I was not going to go down like this. “Max!” I called out. He ran in seconds later. “Any idea where Ciara has been since yesterday?” I asked him.