As the tides of war receded and our kingdom flourished, an unsettling undercurrent began to surface. Whispers of betrayal echoed through the halls, casting a shadow of doubt and uncertainty over our newfound stability.Rumors spread like wildfire, fueling suspicion and sowing seeds of discord among our people. Loyalties wavered, and once-trusted allies turned their backs on us. It became evident that there were those within our own ranks who sought to undermine our progress and seize power for themselves.I found myself thrust into a web of intrigue and deception, forced to navigate treacherous waters where loyalties were fluid and trust was a precious commodity. I called upon Lyssa's guidance and leaned on the wisdom of our most trusted advisors as we worked tirelessly to uncover the source of this betrayal.It soon became clear that a clandestine network of conspirators had infiltrated our kingdom, working diligently to destabilize our progress. Their motives remained shrouded in da
With the victory over our recent enemy, we found ourselves in a crucial phase of consolidating power and securing the stability of our kingdom. The aftermath of war brought both challenges and opportunities, and we had to navigate this delicate balance with care.One of our primary tasks was to reestablish governance and restore order in the war-torn regions. We appointed capable administrators and officials to oversee the reconstruction efforts and ensure that resources were allocated efficiently. It was a monumental task that required meticulous planning and coordination.As we focused on rebuilding, we also recognized the need to strengthen our alliances and forge new ones. We initiated diplomatic overtures with neighboring kingdoms, seeking to foster mutually beneficial relationships based on trust and cooperation. Through negotiations and diplomatic engagements, we solidified our standing in the region, bolstering our defenses and forging alliances that would serve as a deterrent
As our kingdom celebrated the achievements of our diplomatic endeavors, a new challenge loomed on the horizon—one that would test our unity and resolve from within. Rumors spread of a clandestine group operating in the shadows, plotting to undermine our alliance and sow discord among our nations.Whispers of discontent and mistrust permeated the corridors of power, and it became clear that we needed to uncover the truth behind these rumors before they could tear apart the alliances we had worked so hard to build.I assembled a team of skilled investigators and loyal allies, determined to uncover the identities of those responsible for the covert operations. We delved into the shadows, following leads, interrogating informants, and piecing together the puzzle that would expose the threat within.As we unraveled the web of deception, a disturbing truth emerged. The clandestine group, known as the Shadow Order, comprised individuals from various nations who sought to exploit the vulnerab
As the years rolled on, our alliance continued to evolve, adapting to the changing times and embracing the challenges that lay ahead. We recognized the need to stay nimble and open to new ideas, for complacency would only hinder our progress.Technological advancements swept through our nations, bringing with them opportunities and complexities. We harnessed the power of innovation to drive economic growth and enhance the lives of our citizens. Our scientists and engineers pushed the boundaries of what was possible, developing groundbreaking technologies that revolutionized industries and improved connectivity.The digital age brought us closer together, breaking down barriers of distance and fostering global collaboration. Our nations became interconnected in ways we could have only dreamed of before. We embraced the benefits of this interconnectedness, leveraging technology to share knowledge, facilitate trade, and promote cultural exchange.However, with progress came new challenge
POV MIGUELI walked through the bustling city streets, lost in the cacophony of sounds and the sea of faces. Life had carried me away, consumed by responsibilities and the demands of adulthood. But today, as if guided by an unseen force, I found myself wandering down a path that led me to the place where it all began.Memories flooded my mind as I approached the familiar park. It was here that our paths had first intertwined, where our story had taken root. The gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, whispering echoes of the past, as if urging me to continue forward.And then, there she was.Lya stood beneath the shade of a tall oak tree, her radiant presence capturing my attention like a beacon in the storm. Time seemed to stand still as I watched her from a distance. Her eyes, like pools of deep enchantment, reflected a mixture of strength and vulnerability. Her laughter echoed through the air, drawing me closer with each melodious note.I hesitated, unsure if she would even recog
Amidst the chaos of our responsibilities, a flicker of hope emerged, leading us towards a new chapter in our romance. The time had come for us to rekindle the flames of our love and rediscover the passion that had initially brought us together.Lya and I found ourselves in a brief respite from our duties, a momentary pause in the relentless storm. It was during this interlude that we decided to steal away to a secluded spot, far from prying eyes and the weight of our responsibilities. We sought a place where we could be free, if only for a little while, to immerse ourselves in the love that had remained dormant for too long.We ventured into the heart of a lush, enchanted forest, where the sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting a soft, golden glow upon the moss-covered ground. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers and the gentle melodies of songbirds. It felt as though nature itself conspired to create a sanctuary for our reunion.In this serene se
In the wake of our profound connection and unwavering love, destiny beckoned us to face the trials that awaited. The weight of responsibility bore down upon us, but we stood resolute, ready to confront whatever challenges lay in our path.As the sun's rays bathed the kingdom in a golden glow, Lya and I found ourselves in the heart of the war room, surrounded by maps, battle strategies, and the collective hopes of our people. The time had come to plan our offensive against the encroaching forces.Lya, adorned in her regal armor, exuded an aura of fierce determination. Her eyes gleamed with a fire that could rival the brightest stars, a reflection of her unyielding spirit."Miguel," she said, her voice steady yet filled with urgency, "we must prepare our troops for the impending battle. The fate of our kingdom hangs in the balance, and our people look to us for guidance."I nodded, a mix of determination and apprehension coursing through my veins. "We shall not falter, Lya. Our love wil
Allora - Lya's mother (years before)"Allora, can you pass me my other spatula, please?" I just dropped mine in that crevice.Beside Professor Doyle, Ruth—the senior undergraduate assistant—giggled as she eyed a deer skull through the theodolite. Two years ago, Ruth would be the one doing the fetching and picking things up from the farm, but now she was more experienced than I was, and I was the one chasing after our muddled-up teacher like a faithful dog.Sighing loudly—because my sigh would never be heard in the pouring rain outside the cavern—I stepped out from under the stone shelf I was using as a shelter, and walked through the opening straight into the pouring rain. This was the third trowel Frances had lost in that damn crevasse in as many days, and every time I braved the elements to replace it, the weather got worse.We kept all the site tools in a lockable chest outside the cave mouth, which meant I had to lie on my stomach and slide through a small hole while the muddy wat
AlloraJosh let Caleb drive back to the farm while he laughed in the backseat with me. He didn't seem able to let me go, which suited me just fine. Our lips met in a long, lustful kiss. I devoured him, the relief of still being alive and having him alive coursing through my veins. Adrenaline made me dizzy, and his tongue against mine felt like the most amazing thing in the world.“I was serious before,” Josh murmured against my lips. His arms tightened around me. “I love you, Allora.“I know you do. That scared me.- I understand.“But it doesn't scare anymore. I put my arms around him, losing myself in his kind green eyes. “Being kidnapped by Derek… showed me something, something I should have learned from Dad and Ben. Life can end in a moment, and all we have is what we are given. I don't want to waste a single moment of the life I've been given fearing to know what it might be or what might happen. I want to embrace all my feelings, all my dreams, even the scary ones.Especially th
josh“Her car is gone,” Caleb said, pointing to the empty spot where his Mini was parked.- Yes. She quickly fled after my little revelation."Any idea where she might have gone?"I made my brain work. Would Allora have gone deeper into the forest?No. I remembered what she had said about her previous boyfriend, how he had an accident and died in the woods. If she was upset, she wouldn't stay here among the trees and the memories. She would go back to town, find someone to talk to, maybe that guy she visited the other day."She's at DownMoor," I said. “She had a friend there, Derek. I bet she went to see him.- Let's go. Caleb opened the door to my truck and got in. - Keys?— Why are you driving?“Because you're too upset to think straight. And you are a shitty driver.“I can just feel that love, cousin,” I growled, but there was no time to argue. I climbed into the passenger seat and tossed him the keys.Caleb started the engine and we took off down the road. Behind us, Ruth came run
josh— The Anna! I yelled after the Mini started. She didn't look up, didn't stop the car. The Mini's wheels screeched as it sped around the corner, the tiny car carrying the only woman I've ever loved.My chest hurt. My entire body shuddered. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. She's gone. She's gone. The shock of it shivered through my veins.“Josh? Frances's voice cut through the pain slicing through my skull. I was vaguely aware that I was standing in the middle of the camp, stark naked. But I couldn't care. I ran my hand over my lip.I could still taste the sweetness of her kiss there.Allora left me. I told her I loved her and she left. Cum!Anger surged through me, an anger that purred from my feet to my entire body, a bubbling heat that burned me inside and out. Fuck her. Just a few minutes ago, she'd been telling Caleb these things, and now she's just walked away.My eyes burned with tears. I blinked angrily. I haven't experienced this feeling for a long time, since I was
- Boys! Allora jumped between us. I stopped, pulling my wolf back just as he threatened to explode. - Stop it. Caleb, Josh couldn't have destroyed the paintings. He was with me at the time. We were in town.- It saw? “I looked at Caleb.“But, Josh, I don't think Caleb did it either,” Allora spoke directly to me. “It doesn't make any sense. His whole purpose here is to establish his own pack. How can he do that when he destroys the only evidence of his claim to this place? Or when he has cops swarming all over the woods?"Well then, who else did this?" I demanded.“It was the other wolf,” Caleb whispered. “The black wolf.“I thought we established that the black wolf couldn't exist."No," Caleb snapped. “You established that because you're too desperate to believe I'm the culprit here. I know the black wolf exists because I've seen it with my own eyes. His scent is all over the cave."You mean your smell."“I don't need to hear that shit. Caleb fell forward and, with a snap, the spine
Allora's lips found mine, her tongue slipping between my teeth. My hands cupped her face, pulling her closer. My body ached for her, wanting to be as close as possible, right now.I reached out to unbutton my shirt, but Allora held it."Let me do this," she whispered. "You've already ruined two of my favorite shirts."I was going to protest, but she started undoing the buttons, starting at the neck and working her way down. She looked a little nervous, like a schoolgirl in the backseat of a car for the first time. It only heightened my desire as she unfastened the last button and opened her blouse.Her breasts were cupped inside a black bra. I reached behind her and released him, sliding the blouse off my shoulders. I cupped one of her breasts in my hands, loving how perky and firm it was. She gasped as I closed my mouth around the nipple and sucked gently, her nails digging into my back.As I suckled on her other breast, Allora fumbled with my buttons. I took my shirt off my shoulder
“This is Allora SanDiir,” Josh said, his hand resting protectively on my back. “She's working on the dig. She's one of the archaeologists.“Allora SanDiir? The officer frowned even more. "Then you too will need to testify." Your name appeared in our questions.- He appeared?“The victim was a reporter for the Daily Post. Her name was…' He consulted the clipboard. “Misty Sharpe. It looks like she was leaving the archaeological site to conduct more research. She stopped here, parked the car and walked a few meters before someone attacked her and ripped her throat out.My head spun. Was Misty dead? I spoke to her yesterday. Your ridiculous article was on the Internet this morning. How could she be dead? And who would have done such a thing? Rip out her throat, like a wild animal...The cop gave me a pointed look.“She was coming here to talk to you, Miss SanDiir. Apparently, there was an article about you published this morning, and Misty was hoping for a follow-up. Sounds like you're…”
“Shit. Josh crossed the room and scooped me up in his arms. - This is hard. I'm sorry, Allora. How old were you?- Eighteen. “I rested my head on his shoulder. - Everything is fine. It's old news now. I don't want to bother you by talking about it...“You don't bother me,” Josh murmured against my hair. "I think you're an inspiration." I'm still learning to live with this grief. But seeing what you did after losing not only your father, but also a boyfriend… you are much braver than me.- I doubt.Josh's words and the warmth of his arms brought a rush of emotion. A lump rose in my throat.- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset her. I… admire you, Allora. And not just because you're hot. And now I understand why you are so picky about security. You know firsthand what can happen when things go wrong.I sniffed.— The pasta is boiling.- Right. Josh pulled back, his gentle eyes searching mine. But I didn't want to break down at that moment. I wanted to keep floating in post-coital bliss. S
“I decide that. Before I go any further, I want to know exactly what I am to you.“Werewolves retain many of the primitive animal instincts of their wolf half. One of those instincts is to create and continue the genetic line, passing our wolf genes on to the next generation. Wolf genes are passed down the male line, but only females with certain genes can give birth to a werewolf.- That makes sense. Clara didn't tell me that.“We are guided to these females by scent. A potential mate gives off a very distinct odor. They are very rare, and it is not unheard of for a wolf to go a lifetime without finding a mate, especially when the genes are recessive and can disappear from a bloodline. Wolves believe there is only one mate for them in the world, and that mate is drawn to them as much as they are drawn to her. Josh's eyes met mine. “That's why we both ended up here. It's fate, the universe, as you call it, trying to bring us together."But we didn't know each other!" I didn't even kno
I was just starting to gain control of my life after Dad and Ben. I wouldn't let anyone take that away from me. Not even Josh. Not even if I secretly, deep down, desperately wanted to be his mate.I tried to force Josh out of my mind. I traded her pretty face for Ruth's smile. I drove back to DownMoor village, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel and imagining the look on his face when he revealed that the paintings weren't Neolithic.As soon as I emerged from the forest canopy and my phone rang to let me know I had reception again, I stopped and texted Derek. He texted back right away, inviting me to come over.For the first time, the weather was worse in DownMoor village than in the forest. The rain fell in cascades. There was hardly anyone on the road, and the main street was mostly deserted, many shops closed for the day. I pulled into a parking lot across from Derek's apartment, pulled my hood over my head, and hurried to the door.— Allora! He hugged me, his muscles tense.