Garren's POV: "Is this really necessary?" I asked seriously in the bathroom, then slowly turned and looked at Roxanne, who had her back towards me. She was standing near the door, refusing to look at me just because I was bathing myself. "It is," she answered simply. For a few minutes, I deliberately tried to get her attention, yet she couldn't even glance at me. I had thought she would tend to me by going into the shower with me or helping me out of my bloody clothes. Sadly, I was wrong. "I thought you had agreed to help me change my bloody clothes," I whispered softly once I had taken a few steps forward to avoid the pouring water running into my mouth. "I did, but that didn't mean I was going to...," she trailed off, then finished her sentence. "Going to see you naked or help you bathe," she answered in a low, crackly voice. I smirked, then turned off the shower and walked to where she was. With each step I took, I could hear her breathing pick up, and that made me feel exc
Roxanne's POV: "You see, my parents were both loving to me, and they did their best to let me know how lucky I was to be born in their care. I knew they had some problems with the coven; sadly, I was too young to understand what they were," he said, then closed his eyes for a second and opened them. In them, I could see anger as well as sadness. "The day my parents died was the day I took over the role of master. I inherited it all: properties, lands, and the name itself. Although I had everything, I was broken and empty inside. When I became of age, I turned to look for comfort in women and parties," he said as I frowned. My heart was beginning to pick up and ache over his confession. "I fucked and fed from many elegant ladies who presented themselves to me, but that didn't make me feel less lonely. I actually became lonelier," he said as I found myself standing up. I felt sorry for him, and I really did want to hear the whole story, but it was getting hard for me with each sent
Ian's POV: I looked at the pack house in the rearview mirror as I drove away. Sherry, Damon, and the twins were looking at our cars happily. "They sure look happy to see us leave," I said softly. "That's because they are," Amelia answered simply. "What a weird pack," I muttered under my breath. "It wasn't as hard as we thought it would be, so let's give them some credit," Whitney said. I looked at Lee through the mirror, then nodded as he nodded back. He had the map in his hand, and we weren't going to waste any time using it. We needed to find Roxanne as soon as possible, even if she was okay. I focused on the way while stealing a few glances at Amelia, who appeared to be deep in thought. "Are you okay?" I asked in concern through our mind link. "Yes," she responded, then kept quiet. I could tell that something was bothering her through our shared bond. "Babe," I called softly. "Yes," she answered without looking at me. "I can tell that you aren't okay," I said through
Roxanne's POV: I was exhausted from lack of sleep and I somehow felt grumpy. After Garren had escorted me back to my room, he went on to his without a word. I knew he was attracted to me, but how could he be so at ease with me being in the same house as him? "You can always let me take over and seduce him," Astrid said proudly. "No way," I answered at the top of my voice, then stood up and went into the bathroom to take a bath. Once I had stripped off my clothes, I stood in the shower, enjoying the cold water running down my body. We were progressing as mates, that I knew, and he really did like me. There was no doubt about it. No one in their right mind could open up about their past life if they had no feelings for the other person. What wasn't clear to me was which side he was going to take. Just because he was accepting me, it didn't mean he would stand by my side with my father. He hated him to the bone, and he was still serving the coven. That was something he was very c
Garren's POV: I was in my office, on my laptop, going through some emails I had received from women in my past. A day had passed since what had happened between us. Although we talked a bit more about our lives, our meals together were quiet, and it seemed like we both had concerns. Was I avoiding her? Yes, totally. I was. That day, I wanted to have my way with her without stopping, but the look of uncertainty on her face was what made me pull back. I didn't want to be the selfish bastard who pushed her into having sex because of his own desires. "You think locking yourself in here would make her happy?" Roman asked. "No, it wouldn't. But she would think I'm busy doing something important," I answered as he growled at me. "We should be spending every single hour with our mate. By now, the coven elders must have known that we aren't in our castle. They might think we have switched sides," he said. "Just shut up," I said lazily, then stood up and went to open the door before Rox
Garren's POV: I looked at Ian furiously, while Roman remained silent. He was beyond shocked by his story. "Let me get this straight. Are you fucking implying that the coven I willingly serve killed my beloved parents?" I shouted. "He isn't implying, kid. He is telling you," the pureblood, whose name I had learned was Samantha, answered. "I don't want to hear this from a weakling," I spat. She hissed at me but stopped when the fairy grabbed her hand. "Just so you know, Samantha isn't a weakling. She isn't at her best right now because she avoids drinking human blood. She doesn't kill unnecessarily to feed, and she can't feed on me because who could survive being fed on for years?" The man defended her. From his words, I could tell they were either partners or sleeping together. "That's the exact definition of a weakling. She can always drink from bad guys or even the clinic if she's playing the righteous card," I mocked. I knew she hated the coven, but there was no way she would
Kyle's POV: "Kyle, do you think Mama is okay?" Tamara asked in a low tone. "Of course, she's one of the strongest vampires I know," I answered honestly. "Not anymore. Mama gave up feeding on Daddy. She is afraid of killing him, and she doesn't want to hurt humans. What if..." She cut her sentence short when her gaze went to Larson, who was looking at her with a very pissed off expression on his face. In the past weeks, he had avoided her and refused to talk to her. Whenever he did say something to her, it was either mean or mocking. She cried a few times in her given room but refused to hate or hurt him back. I was doing my best to cheer her up while uncle Blade scolded him badly for being harsh to his mate. Whenever I couldn't seem to calm her down, she talked to August, who told her a few jokes that made her laugh. Everyone was worried because there was no news yet. All we could do was wait and hope for their safe return. "Everyone, come outside now!" Jeannie screamed loudly.
Roman's POV: I looked at my mate seriously after setting her down in front of me. She was quietly gazing into my eyes, as if expecting me to react negatively. When I had lifted her up, I was expecting her to put up a fight or yell at me to put her down. The fact that she did none of that didn't sit well with me. "Are you happy to see that boy toy?" I asked seriously, then frowned deeply when she burst into laughter. "Boy toy?" she asked between laughs. I loved that she was laughing, but at the same time, I hated it. I growled loudly in warning, and she instantly stopped and composed herself. "No, he isn't my boy toy or anything. He's just my first crush and our pack's warrior," she answered seriously as I raised a brow to make sure she was telling the truth. "Who in their right mind would reject their mate for someone else?" she asked, and I sighed softly. She was right. Those assholes who willingly rejected their own mates were insane. While it was common in a werewolf pack
Kyle's POV "So, are you doing okay?" I asked Uncle August on the phone."Yes, my mate is doing much better as well," he answered simply."I'm glad," I said as I stretched myself on the couch."So, you left your pup and went to have fun?" he asked as I rolled my eyes."You are making it sound terrible, Uncle," I pointed out."Well, your pup is only six months old, and you are already out having fun with your mate," he said as I frowned."My mother was the one who encouraged us to come here. Moreover, it was a promise we made at Lui's ceremony," I answered coldly."Oh, so Amelia is looking after the pup?" he asked in a relieved tone."Of course she is. She and Dad were very happy when they knew of our plans. I kind of feel like they want to make another sibling," I answered as he laughed loudly."No way, they are just happy to be taking care of their grandpup," he said, making me smile.After the birth of my pup, they were very supportive in almost everything. My mother was very close
Kyle's POV "Aren't you going in?" Father asked as I stood outside the ward with a rapidly beating heart.I had no idea why my dad, Ian, had given my father, Axel, control, but I felt grateful. Perhaps it was because Father always knew what to say in the moment and at the right time."I feel cold feet, Father," I whispered honestly.He smirked and then moved his hand to my head, ruffling my hair gently and playfully."Son, you just have to go in; she is waiting for you," he said as I looked at him and then smiled."Always remember, we are the strongholds of our mates as they are for us. You being there for her right now will be heartwarming and ease the tension and worries she might have," he said softly."Thank you, Father," I whispered to him and then slowly grabbed the door handle and pushed it open.When Yuki came into view, I quickly went in and went to her side, embracing her with a warm smile.All the emotions I thought I couldn't feel in that moment came crashing down on me: h
Kyle's POV "Son, calm down," my dad said softly.I glared at him, then shifted my gaze to the side.How could he even ask me to calm down when my mate was struggling in the labor ward to give birth?"Dad, you don't get how I feel right now, so don't tell me to calm down," I answered seriously."You really think I don't understand? I felt that way twice when you and your sister were being born," he said, then moved his hand to my shoulder.I looked at him sadly and rubbed my forehead with my fingers."Wasn't I supposed to be in there?" I asked while looking at the labor ward."Yes, but your mother is right there by her side," he answered.I had been so focused on the pack documents the past few weeks that I paid less attention to Yuki.When the news of her going into labor reached me, I panicked and dropped everything I was doing.And right now, I was feeling so guilty that I wasn't by her side when she needed me the most.I had been standing outside for what felt like forever, and eac
Mariana's POV I sat looking at Roxanne's little pup as I clenched my hands into fists.He was so innocent, yet I knew he would grow up to be the very thing I despised the most because of the blood flowing through his veins.His mother was an Alpha Queen, while his father was a very powerful hybrid. The chances of him becoming any of his father's breed were high, but his chances of becoming an Alpha King were even higher.Would killing him in secret be a bad thing?I quickly averted my eyes when the pup smiled at me.He sat playing with a sword toy, and a powerful witch stood close to the door's entrance, watching his every movement."Excuse me, Miss Alpha Queen. Why do you look at the young master like that?" she asked seriously.Damn it, was it so obvious that I was thinking badly of him?I didn't want anyone to know or find out what my exact thoughts were, at least not now. If I was going to kill the little pup, I had to do it discreetly."You must not have heard the news from Rox
August's POV "So?" I asked Kyle on the phone."I called Garren yesterday, and he said Mariana is doing okay, although she looked very afraid and conflicted when she met the other members of his territory," he answered."And the Alpha king's mate?" I asked."She decided to stay in Lui's pack because she felt free and safe there," he replied."I'm sorry, Uncle August, but why did you leave like that without a word? You missed out on a lot," he asked.I slowly turned in my seat behind my desk and looked at Tanya, who was sleeping on the bed. I could still see a light shade of red under her lashes.I had never seen her cry so much before. She refused to eat most of the time or talk to me as much as she used to.I was trying my very best to comfort her, yet it did nothing; I was running out of options."Something bad happened, and I didn't want to inform anyone. We had to leave immediately because it involved my mate, and she asked that of me," I answered and then stood up from my seat."
Lui's POV "Are you okay?" I asked Akira with concern."Yes, how could I not be after the exciting day we have had?" she answered playfully.These past few years have brought us closer than we already were. Not only did we share a mark, but we also shared an amazing, mature bond.She was more open with me, and I got to see a side of her that I never expected. She was naughty in bed and funny whenever I felt down or needed cheering up. She was also very respectful, kind, and mindful.I laughed softly and then wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my embrace.We were standing all alone in the living room.After that talk, Dad and Mom asked Mariana to follow them so she could meet her late brother's mate, while the twins decided to get rid of the body.Uncle Alec went on to invite Alpha Ian and his family to join him in the dining hall, while we decided to remain behind for a bit and talk."I'm just very happy that everyone is safe," I said honestly."Me too," she answer
Tanya's POV "Is it usually like this?" I asked August seriously."What do you mean?" he asked back with a chuckle."You know, like some stranger coming into this territory and threatening them all," I answered as he shrugged."Well, what can I say? Our kind are so full of dominance that they tend to have fun ambushing weaker packs sometimes," he said, then looked at my father, who was quietly standing opposite us."Is everything okay with him?" he mind-linked me."I think he is a bit shaken by what happened," I answered through the mind-link and then moved closer to him."Dad, are you okay?" I asked seriously."Yeah, it's just that when I heard that heartwarming talk in the living room, I came to realize how terrible holding secrets is," he answered as I smiled."That's why I have none," I replied softly."Can I talk to you for a second, as in alone?" he asked.I frowned and then quickly shook my head."No, whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of my man," I answered seri
Mariana's POVI stood still, tears running down my face and a beating heart in my hand."I'm sorry," my wolf whispered, then pulled back as I slowly looked down at my brother's dead body.I dropped the heart with a trembling hand and screamed as I fell to my knees in a panic, moving my hand to cover the hole in his chest."No, Diaz, no," I cried as I moved my other bloody hand to his face."You can't die, please, you can't die! Why, oh goddess, why?" I sobbed."Wake up and look at me! Please, look at me! I swear I will never get angry again," I cried at the top of my voice.I was very upset over his words, and for a second, I wished him dead. But how was I to know that my wolf would act upon this wish of mine, as cruel as it was?Every time I wished for something within her reach and power, she did exactly that. Then I felt so happy because she protected me, even when it was against my will!But how could she hurt our only brother like he was nothing? "Mariana," Amelia called as she
Diaz's POV"What exactly do you want to hear from me?" I asked lazily."Everything," Amelia answered strongly.I rolled my eyes and then looked at Ian coldly."There is no need to mind-link each other, so I'll be frank, Amelia," I said seriously."Please," she whispered."Your mate is a thorn in my side," I said.Twin Delta warriors were about to move when Ian raised his hand, and they stopped in their tracks."I'm glad because you will soon bleed from my fists," he answered with a smirk."Ian, I would like to give you that satisfaction, but I won't, because I am not here to seriously fight," I said honestly."And yes, most of you in this room are a nuisance, and most of you are a pest to us. But then there are those like her," I pointed at the ancient witch and then moved my hand to the female dragon."Who we consider useful and very powerful," I said, then sat down."I can see you hate me," I pointed out the obvious."You think? They want you dead," Amelia answered."Fair enough, bu