I woke up with electrifying tingles covering my body and Tay's mouth-watering spearmint scent surrounding me. Rolling over and facing him, placing tiny kisses on his lips. A hum of satisfaction left his mouth. Untangling from his embrace, the sun shines brightly in my bedroom.Wait, when did I get home?My body was extremely sore, and my head was pounding. I felt around and felt gauze wrapped around my head. I must've banged my head harder than I realized. “You have a concussion and staples in your head, hot stuff.” Tay stopped me from removing the bandages. Leaning down and kissing him, our lips meet in desperation and a need for reassurance. Our tongues clash with each other, seeking dominance. We broke apart, panting and breathless, the intensity of the moment lingering between us."What happened?" I asked, my head still pounding away like a beating drum. Tay's demeanor changed. He steadied his breathing, searching for the right words to say, "Slasher Pack attacked my pack, and y
I sat at the table, twiddling my thumbs, watching the clock tick away. After five minutes went by and Luna Ashley still hadn't returned, I gathered our belongings and headed towards the restroom.On the way there, I spotted Luna Ashley chatting with an old woman and Headmistress Toya. The way they were speaking suggested they had known each other for a long time. The sight of them together piqued my curiosity.I arrived just in time to overhear the old woman saying, “They already know about Serenity and Javonte. The coven will seek Javonte out when he needs them the most. Serenity is special. Take good care of your daughter-in-law. She is fragile but a great leader.”I cleared my throat, linking my arm with Luna Ashley and greeting the ladies at the table. Was this the same woman who saved me, and is she a hybrid? How does she know Luna Ashley?Before I finished analyzing my thoughts, Luna Ashley formally introduced us: “This is Kyle's mother, Gemma, also the former headmistress of th
Javonte We strolled inside the steakhouse. I had reserved the conference room for the meeting. Checking the audio and video surveillance setup in the room, I ensured everything was ready before ordering a variety of appetizers. The room was dimly lit, with a large oak table at its center and plush chairs surrounding it. The smell of grilled steak and fresh bread wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of anticipation. The food arrived, followed shortly by Alpha Debbie and her security team. The moment she stepped across the threshold, the atmosphere turned intense, charged with a distinctive electricity. Alpha Debbie’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she saw Serenity sitting next to me, her presence a deliberate provocation. “Welcome, Alpha Debbie.” I stood up from my seat with my hand held out, maintaining a facade of politeness. She shook my hand and smiled back. “My pleasure, Alpha Javonte. I didn’t expect you to bring your plaything to the meeting with
Serenity The first snow of the winter, a thin layer blanketing the ground, I sat on the couch wrapped in a blanket, drinking hot cocoa, and flipping through catalogs. Tay had gone home to prepare for our winter wonderland inauguration, slash wedding. After a six-month standstill with no new leads or thoughts on what to do about the prophecy, Alpha Louis thought it was best to make Tay and myself the official leaders of Meadowood. The pressure of leadership loomed over me, but today, the excitement of the upcoming wedding was all I could dwell on. As I sipped my cocoa, a knock on the door stopped me in the midst of searching for the perfect gown. My friends, Jordyn and Camila, burst in, their cheeks pink from the cold and their eyes sparkling with excitement. "We're here to help you find the perfect dress!" Camila announced, holding up a stack of bridal magazines. Jordyn grinned and handed me a steaming cup of tea. "We’ve got appointments at a few boutiques in town. It's going
Serenity The cold winter air nipped at my cheeks as I stepped out of the cab, pulling my coat tighter around me. Snowflakes danced under the streetlights, settling softly on my hair. I glanced up at the neon sign of the Dark World nightclub, where our combined bachelorette and bachelor party were being held. The idea was unconventional, but Tay and I had always done things our way. I pushed through the doors into the warm, thrilling atmosphere of the nightclub. The thumping bass synchronized through my chest as I navigated the crowded room, scanning for familiar faces. Just ahead, I spotted a cluster of our friends, already in full swing. Camila waved excitedly, her sparkly dress shimmering under the lights. I weaved through the crowd to the VIP section, shedding my coat and letting the warmth of the room envelop me. Camila threw her arms around me, her infectious energy pulling me into the party spirit. "Where's Tay?" I asked, glancing around. "He's at the bar with the guys," sh
JavonteIn a quiet corner of the venue, out of earshot of wolf-hearing, "Before you be prejudiced, Alpha Debbie is up to no good. I have an audio recording of her threat against my mate; she is also the one who launched the attack on my pack." I handed over the evidence to Elder Tony.Elder Tony scanned over the document, and his once arrogant attitude disappeared. "I see it might be useful to question Alpha Debbie’s intentions."I had doubts that she was the mastermind behind exposing Serenity. Could this be a trap to expose Serenity to the hunters?Elder Tony stood in front of Alpha Debbie and delivered two sharp backhands. In disbelief, the room fell silent. "How dare you ruin their joyous occasion for your enjoyment? Give me the true reason for your objection." His authoritative command washed over her.Alpha Debbie stood still, gripping the sides of her dress, sweating profusely, and fighting off Elder Tony's command. The l
Serenity It's been a month since Tay and I became leaders of Meadowood. We had officially moved into the packhouse, and his mom and dad settled into our previous cozy cabin. Jordyn and Dan became a proper couple now that Elder Tony was accepting of mixing species, with stipulations, of course. It was still on a hush-hush basis, which was fine with us. Luna Ashley was training me on the responsibilities of the pack. I'm not going to lie; this was the biggest challenge I ever had to face. From the way I dressed, remembering every pack member by name, holding monthly meetings with surrounding Lunas, and managing my image to avoid creating enemies—it was a lot to handle. It was time for my first meeting with all the Lunas, and Luna Ashley's last meeting. It was more or less a farewell party. I had on a red cocktail dress; my braids were pulled back in a ponytail; Luna Ashley wore this royal blue off-the-shoulder dress; and her elegant figure highlighted the style. The limo arrived out
Javonte Today was my last official day as the Alpha's son. I had spent my entire life preparing for this role, and now it was my turn to reign over Meadowood.The five pack leaders were coming together at Lux Country Club to celebrate my father's accomplishments and to initiate my Beta, Gamma, and Zeta into the ranks if I chose to change them. I had been thinking long and hard about who to choose without hurting anyone's feelings. My options were limited.Inside one of the meeting rooms, I was sitting at the head of the oak conference table, conducting my first orders as Alpha.I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. My stomach churned all morning as I reviewed the meeting agenda. Now, with the time upon me, my mouth was dry, the room felt hot, and breathing became harder."Alpha Javonte Lemon, pull yourself together. You know the assignment. You’ve memorized those papers for two days. Take a deep breath and begin," my father mind-linked, giving me a stern, threatening stare.I
Amethyst The forest was alive tonight. Shadows danced between the ancient trees, their branches twisting like skeletal fingers against the silver light of the full moon. I stood in the center of the clearing, the air thick with a strange, electric hum that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I was fourteen now, no longer the toddling child who clung to my mother’s skirts or hid behind my father’s broad shoulders. Meadowood had been my playground, my sanctuary. But tonight, it felt foreign, as if the land itself was holding its breath. The bracelet on my wrist pulsed faintly, its soft golden glow. A comforting presence. It had been with me for as long as I could remember, a constant companion, a silent protector. My parents had told me stories about it, about the danger it once represented, but it was hard to believe something so beautiful could be tied to darkness. I had always known this day would come. From the moment I could understand the hushed whispers b
Serenity The golden hues of the setting sun bathed Meadowood in warmth, casting long, dappled shadows over the rolling hills. I leaned back against the tree trunk, cradling Amethyst while she rested her head on my shoulder, her soft curl tickling my chin. Her tiny hand played absently with the bracelet on her wrist, the soft light emanating from it reflecting in her curious eyes. Peace. I let out a slow breath, savoring the rare moment. Peace was a luxury I hadn’t thought we’d ever know again. Months had passed since the dark magic had been lifted, since the figurine had been destroyed, and since Jordyn and Headmistress Toya’s unrelenting efforts had freed our daughter from whatever sinister force had marked her. It felt surreal to exist without the ever-present weight of danger looming over us. I glanced over at Tay, who was sitting cross-legged on the blanket nearby, carefully stacking wooden blocks with Amethyst. He had resisted the peace at first, his wolf constantly on edge
JavonteI leaned back against the oak tree at the edge of Meadowood territory, the sun dipping low in the sky and painting the landscape in hues of orange and gold. It had been a year since the last shadow lingered near our home, and months since the chaos surrounding Amethyst began to fade into distant memory. For the first time in what felt like forever, peace had settled over Meadowood, soft and unassuming, like a gentle spring rain after a brutal storm.I closed my eyes, inhaling the crisp air, the scent of pine and earth grounding me. It felt strange and this peace. For so long, I had been caught in a whirlwind of anger, fear, and frustration, driven by the need to protect my family from forces I barely understood. Yet here I was, standing in the calm after the storm, unsure of what to do with myself now that there was nothing to fight.The sound of laughter reached my ears, pulling me from my thoughts. Serenity’s voice floated through the air, light and melodic while she chased
Javonte I leaned against the doorframe of the nursery, my arms crossed while I watched Serenity rock Amethyst in her arms. The soft glow of the enchanted bracelet on Amethyst’s tiny wrist cast faint shadows across the room. Serenity looked so peaceful, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the weight of every unspoken fear etched into her face. The sight of my daughter—so small, so perfect—brought an ache to my chest. She was everything I never knew I needed, a piece of me and Serenity wrapped up in one tiny, miraculous soul. But that damn bracelet glimmered on her wrist like a taunt, a constant reminder that something was coming for her. I clenched my fists. Something or someone. “Serenity,” I said, my voice low but firm. She glanced up at me, her eyes filled with that unwavering love she always had when looking at Amethyst. But I wasn’t in the mood for soft moments. “We need to talk.” Her brows furrowed slightly, but she nodded, carefully setting Amethyst down in her c
Serenity The hospital room was quiet except for the soft hum of the monitor and the faint cries of newborns down the hall. The sterile scent of antiseptic mixed with the faint sweetness of tulips, a gift from Jordyn, who had enchanted the bouquet to ward off negative energy. Amethyst Aurora Lemon lay swaddled in my arms, her tiny features peaceful as she slept. She had a shock of dark hair and the most delicate fingers, already clutching onto my heart with a grip stronger than I ever imagined possible. Tay stood by my side, his eyes never leaving her face. He looked exhausted but awestruck, as though he couldn’t believe this tiny miracle was ours. “She’s perfect,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. I smiled, feeling a rare moment of peace despite the shadows that had been haunting us. For now, everything felt right. But peace never lasted long. A cold breeze swept through the room, extinguishing the soft glow of the enchanted tulips. Tay stiffened immediately, his
Serenity The tension in the house felt like a living thing—coiled, suffocating. Tay had been restless since I returned from Embermoon, and I couldn’t blame him. The bracelet and figurine still sat in the vault, their presence like a thorn under my skin, but it was the lingering unease in my chest that haunted me the most. And now, Tay was pulling away. He tried to hide it, but I could feel the shift. His wolf, Jasper, prowled closer to the surface, radiating protectiveness and fear. I knew he wanted to tear the world apart just to keep me and our daughter safe. But this wasn’t something he could fight with claws and fangs, and that terrified him. I sat on the couch, my hands cradling my swollen belly, trying
Unknown Person The lavish hotel suite was draped in silk and velvet, its dim lighting casting shadows across the ornate furnishings. The faint crackle of the fireplace filled the room as the man leaned back in his leather chair, cradling the newborn in his arms. The baby stirred slightly but didn’t cry, his tiny hands curling into fists as if already prepared to fight the battles that awaited him. The man’s sharp, angular features softened as he gazed down at his son. “He will be strong,” he murmured, brushing a finger along the baby’s smooth cheek. The woman, poised and regal, watched from the chaise lounge with a calculating expression. Her emerald eyes gleamed as she sipped from a glass of crimson wine. “He will be more than strong,” she said, her voice smooth as silk. “He will be unstoppable.” A knock at the door interrupted them.
Javonte The desk was a mess; papers scattered, the lamp shattered on the floor, but I couldn’t care less. My chest was still heaving, my pulse thundering in my ears while I gripped the phone, staring at the blank screen like it might suddenly come to life. Voicemail. Again. I squeezed the phone so hard my fingers ached, Jasper growling just beneath my skin, restless and ready to fight whatever threat had put Serenity in this state. Her fear had slammed into me so suddenly, so violently, that it had ripped through every wall I’d built to keep my wolf in check. I’d felt her rage first, sharp, and burning. And then the fear had swallowed it whole. A helpless kind of fear. The kind that made my stomach drop and my vision bleed red. I pressed my palm against my chest, where the bond between us pulled tight, throbbing like an open woun
Serenity Of course, we weren’t ready. How could we be? I was nearly due to give birth, my body heavy and slow with the life growing inside me. Magic was out of the question—my reserves drained, my focus scattered. And fighting? That wasn’t even an option. The dirt from the last battle was barely settling, and here we were again, staring down the barrel of yet another unknown threat. Tay’s doubts about the witches stung more than I wanted to admit. How could he even entertain the idea that they were a danger to us? They had been nothing but loyal, their magic instrumental in rebuilding Meadowood and protecting our borders. And beyond their contributions, their presence had brought us closer as a pack. Wolves who once distrusted magic now found their mates among the witches. We were stronger together, weren’t we? The tension between Tay and me lingered in my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake. I needed clarity and answers that would hopefully put his fears to rest. If Elder Ton