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
Javonte The bracelet felt heavier in my pocket than it should have, its strange energy prickling against my skin even through the fabric. The obsidian-eyed wolf figurine was tucked in the same pocket, its edges smooth and cold. I didn’t understand why, but both objects unsettled me in a way I couldn’t shake. After breakfast, I made my way to River Valley Pack to visit Elder Tony. He was wise beyond his years, a repository of wolf history. If anyone could decipher the meaning behind these objects, it was him. The morning air was crisp, and the packhouse buzzed with activity as wolves went about their daily routines. The drive there was uneventful, just a blur of trees. I had the music on jazz to keep my mind focused on the road ahead. But as I reached River Valley, the unease in my chest grew stronger. Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t ignore it. When I arrived, I knocked once before entering. Elder Tony looked up from a leather-bound book at his office desk, his sharp gray e
Serenity I let exhaustion claim me, and I drift off to sleep, basking in the electrifying tingles of Tay's proctection. I feel this a soft, warm presence in my mind. A tiny, childlike voice whispers, “I’ll protect you, Mama. But they’re coming for us.”I jolts awake, realizing my unborn daughter was warning me. The next morning, we hosted a memorial celebration. The air was thick with the bittersweet scent of incense and wildflowers, a mixture that carried a weight of remembrance and hope. I stood beside Tay in the graveyard, my hand resting protectively over my growing bump while we faced the pack. Meadowood was finally whole again. A sanctuary rebuilt from ashes, with stronger borders and an unyielding sense of unity. Today's memorial celebration wasn’t just for those we lost; it was a declaration that we had survived and would honor their sacrifices.The statue, carved from shimmering white stone, stood tall in the center of the graveyard. It depicted a wolf howling at the moon,
Serenity I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze while we stood in the ultrasound room. Tay was watching me, his eyes full of love and something else. Something I couldn’t put a name to. I wasn’t sure what had changed in him these past few weeks, but I knew he was waiting for me to open up, to let him in. And in this moment, I finally felt ready to do that. “I’ve been a terrible partner,” I began softly, my voice barely a whisper, as if the words might break me if I said them too loudly. “I’ve been shutting you out when all you’ve ever done is try to help me.” My breath hitched, and I looked down at the ultrasound printout in my hands, clutching it like a lifeline. The tears that had been threatening to spill finally broke free, spilling down my cheeks. I hadn’t realized how much I had been holding back until now.The sound of the heartbeat echoed in my mind long after we left the clinic. It was like a lifeline tethering me back to reality, pulling me from the dark place I’d been trap
Javonte The night we returned to Meadowood felt heavy, the air thick with unspoken grief and unanswered questions. Serenity had barely said a word since we’d left the grove, and when we arrived, she bolted towards our tent without looking back. Through our bond, I felt the raw edge of her heartbreak, her longing to feel our daughter’s warmth again. Her emotions surged through me like a tidal wave—her pain, her exhaustion, and the weight of the destiny she had never asked for. It was unbearable, and all I wanted to do was take it away from her. But I knew better than to chase after her right now. Serenity needed space to process everything. She always had. So, instead of following, I stayed behind to handle the responsibilities she couldn’t bear at the moment. The pack had gathered near the bonfire to continue the celebration—or what was left of it. The mood had shifted dramatically since our abrupt disappearance earlier that evening. I forced a smile, my mind racing for the ri
Serenity The hum of power in the air was overwhelming, pressing against my skin as if the grove itself were alive. I stood frozen, barely able to process what had just happened. One moment, I was celebrating my birthday in the arms of my mate, surrounded by our pack. The next, we were here—in this sacred, otherworldly place—face to face with legends. The Moon Goddess Selene stood before us, radiating an aura of calm authority. Her silver hair flowed like a river down her back, and her luminous eyes seemed to see straight into my soul. The Graeae Sisters flanked her, their forms shimmering like water caught in moonlight. Despite their ethereal presence, their expressions were warm, almost amused. And then there was Sam. My breath hitched at the sight of her. She wasn’t the Sam I knew—my loyal, albeit overprotective, wolf companion. Her silver coat glistened as if she had spun from starlight, and her dark gray eyes held an ancient wisdom that made my chest tighten. There was a reg
Javonte The moment Serenity walked out of the tent with her bag slung over her shoulder, I knew she needed this trip. She needed a break, a chance to breathe away from the constant demands of Meadowood. But damn if it didn’t sting to watch her go without me.She threw one last playful glance over her shoulder before climbing into Corey’s truck. I leaned against the frame of the packhouse, arms crossed, watching the truck pulled away and disappeared into the trees. I exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips. If anyone could lift her spirits, it was Camila, Corey, and Lukas. They were her anchors, just as she was mine.The sounds of the truck faded, and an idea began to take root in my mind. Her birthday was the day after tomorrow, but something told me waiting wouldn’t do. This year had already thrown so much at her—the prophecy, rebuilding Meadowood, managing alliances, and the relentless pressure of leadership. She deserved one day that was about her. No stress
Serenity I woke to the soft warmth of sunlight filtering through the tent. The familiar sounds of Meadowood stirring outside reached my ears—builders hammering, the distant laughter of children, and the soothing cadence of the river flowing nearby. For a moment, I let myself enjoy the peace, curled beneath the thin sheets that still faintly smelled of Tay. But the serenity didn’t last. A sudden wave of nausea hit me like a tidal wave, and I bolted upright, my hand instinctively clutching my stomach. My mouth watered in that awful, familiar way that always came before I was sick. Stumbling out of bed, I barely made it outside the tent before doubling over, retching into the grass. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, leaning on my knees to catch my breath. The nausea subsided as quickly as it had come, leaving me shaky but otherwise fine. “Stress,” I muttered under my breath. “It’s just stress.” It made sense. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of planning, rebuild
Javonte The night air was cool. I stood at the edge of Meadowood’s new heart, the fire pit casting warm shadows across the freshly laid foundations. I couldn’t help but let my gaze fall on Serenity. She was standing near a group of witches, her hands moving expressively while she discussed the next day’s plans. Her voice was steady, commanding, but kind—always kind. She had a way of making everyone feel heard, valued, and united. I couldn’t look away. Watching her bridge the gap between packs, covens, and humans with such grace left me in awe. She was the perfect Luna; not just for me but for everyone who followed her. She carried the weight of leadership effortlessly, even when it pressed on her shoulders. She laughed softly at something one of the witches said. I found myself pulled into a memory of the first time I saw her years ago. It was a humid summer day on the college campus—the kind of day where the sun clung stubbornly to your skin. I was heading to the library
Serenity The morning light filtered through the curtains. I woke with a smile, my body humming with energy I hadn’t felt in days. The ache in my limbs was gone, the nausea a distant memory. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt whole. I sat up in bed, blinking and inhaling the crisp morning air. Tay was still asleep beside me, one arm draped protectively across my waist. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him—my rock, my peace, my partner. Slipping out from under his arm, carefully not to disturb him. He needed just as much rest as possible. I stretched, rotated my bones, and marveled at how light my body felt. The events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, but now, for the first time, I could focus on what came next. Meadowood. The name alone brought a surge of bittersweet memories. It had been our home, our sanctuary, and it had been torn apart. But it