PIXIEI had no idea how much time had passed since I'd managed to feed Amber the last bit of food on the tray, but I was startled awake by Amber's vicious growls, reverberating through my chest and into my ear.I'd fallen asleep against Amber's side, my fingers curled in the mess of fur. I blinked in confusion, trying to figure out what had woken Amber when Asha's scent hit my nose."It's me," he said needlessly, standing at the door. He observed Amber and the way my body coiled defensively around my sleeping form while I slowly woke up.Sensing Amber's fear and aggression, I reached out to calm my down but was interrupted by Asha, who growled once, his Alpha dominance slipping free and forcing Amber down."It's okay, Amber," I said again, hating the way Amber whimpered in Asha's presence. "That's Asha, he won't hurt you, you can trust him."But Amber only huffed and crawled back to my bed, huddling in the corner and ignoring both I and Asha."It's late," Asha said, his eyes fixed on
PIXIEI watched Gloria warily from my spot at the door.Ayla stood beside me, the sentry exuding a cold, threatening aura that raised the hairs on my arms despite the warm weather.Gloria sat curled on the bed, her knees pulled to her chest in a fetal position. Her wild eyes darted around the room, never once landing on me or Ayla.With a cautious glance at Ayla, I cleared my throat."Hi Gloria," I said softly, with just volume for the scared wolf to hear without frightening her. “How are you?"She only whimpered, rocking back and forth and looking for all the world like she expected Griffin to burst through the door and kill her. I tried again."We need to ask you a few questions, Gloria," I said, hoping that I would get the answers I needed. "It's about Griffin."Nothing.I heard Ayla grumble impatiently beside me. I understood her frustration: Ayla had been chasing down a potential when Asha had called her back, instructing her to accompany me to Glorias’ room. I knew that Ayla tru
Hours had passed since I'd kissed Pixie goodbye earlier that day. I hated being away from her, especially since she insisted on spending time with dangerous, unpredictable wolves. Both of whom, I might add, were unstable and prone to lashing out, even at those they knew.I hadn't been this worried for her safety since those three days she had spent out of my sight with Dwight.I hadn't been able to focus much on my work, and Jaden had stepped up more than once to cover for my inexplicable silence that morning in their briefing. I couldn't help it; my mind continuously strayed back to Pixie, my thoughts filled with her. I wondered if she was okay, if she'd eaten enough before locking herself away with her former pack mates, if she'd get enough rest before dinner. It was maddening, but I chalked it up to the mating bond between them, having amplified the subtle communication that had already existed between them before.I was aware of her emotions now, more attuned to how she was feelin
PIXIEWith all the difficulty in the world, I somehow extricated myself from the tangle of Asha's possessive limbs and got myself cleaned up. I'd wanted to have breakfast with him but couldn't bring myself to wake him when he looked like he was finally getting some decent rest.So I went downstairs alone, nodding in greeting at the few wolves who were awake at that hour. The common areas were vacant, but I heard movement in the gym down one of the hallways as I passed to get to the kitchen."Oh, good morning, Roane," I said, spotting the young wolf sitting alone at one of the tables in the cafeteria-sized dining area. His eyes shot up and he almost choked on his cereal in his haste to jump to his feet. “G'mo-morning, Luna!" he coughed, his eyes watering."Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," I said with a wince, patting his back once I was close enough. "He only shook his head, his long, black locks falling into his face as he did so. "Not at all, Luna. I was just leaving, sorry.""
PIXIEI frowned, sitting down beside Gloria on the grass and watching the final preparations being carried out by a handful of wolves."You have Dwight," I gently prodded, hoping that his name would help her ease up. But it didn't. Her eyes grew misty, and she sniffled."He doesn't want me anymore," she whimpered, fat tears slipping free and running down her cheeks."Don't say that," I comforted, reaching up slowly to wipe the tears away without scaring Gloria. "He loves you."But Gloria shook her head stubbornly, her eyes closing and squeezing more tears out."No," she said adamantly. "He hasn't wanted me for a long time. After you left, he lost."What do you mean?" I pressed, wanting to know as much as possible while Gloria was willing to talk."After you left," she sobbed, hiding her face in her hands. "He took on challenge after challenge for his position. He spent most nights in the infirmary and when I went to visit him, he was so distant and so cold that I could barely recogniz
ALPHA ASHAI was going to lose my mind.Truly, I was teetering on the very edge of sanity, held up by sheer will and spirit alone.Standing at the very edge of the forest, the sunset slowly casting their surroundings into shadow and turning the trees a golden-orange, I felt the heat of anticipation crawl up my neck.It may not have been my first mating run, but I knew it would be my last, and that knowledge unearthed my nerves and turned them to live wires inside my body.I had given up on the idea of ever finding the kind of happiness that Pixie brought me, and there was no way I was going to allow anything to ruin this night for her.I was well aware that this was her first mating run, and her last, if I had anything to say about it, and I wanted it to be special for her. I wanted it to be a night she could look back on in the future with joy in her heart.As if my nerves hadn't been enough to set my teeth on edge, my cousin and god-father had made themselves a bit of a nuisance whi
ALPHA ASHAI led her to the entrance of the forest, where Helldog stood waiting for us.The old wolf had dressed for the occasion in a truly Helldog-esque way. He wore his usual leathers with an oversized yellow hoodie that he must have swiped off a human during his many late-night- haunts into the human world. His long gray hair was riddled with single braids ending in silver rings that made him look every bit the fearsome wolf he once was."Hurry up, you two," he growled, ushering us over. "I'm old and I'd like to get back to my tea before it's cold."Pixie giggled and stepped forward excitedly, holding one hand out to Helldog and offering the other to me. I felt the easy smile spread on my lips when our skin touched, and I knew Helldog would give me shit for it later."As an Alpha," Helldog started, addressing the pack that had gathered to witness their ceremony. "A wolf's work is never done. He must work tirelessly to protect and care for all, disregarding his own well-being for t
ALPHA ASHARunning at the head of my pack with Pixie by my side was unlike anything I'd ever experienced.When I and Naomi had been mated, she had refused to shift for the hunt, preferring to stay behind while the rest of the pack had celebrated. I had not minded it at the time. I was so helplessly in love with Naomi that all I could think about was going back to her.This time around, Pixie ran beside me, her breath cutting through the night air while her paws tore up thick chunks of dirt. I could feel her presence through their bond as well, their souls finally joined as one. It was like hunting with an extra set of senses; if I concentrated, I could see, hear and smell everything she could, and it was dizzying at first. But I quickly got the hang of it, my brain adjusting to understand what was mine and what was hers.The pack moved as one through. the forest, their paws like a single, massive heartbeat, thrumming into the earth with every step. And yes, I thought, this was home.I