Jessica huddled on the floor, which had been her bed since she was thirteen, trembling from the cold. The heavy winds outside kept blowing the cardboard cut out from the oval window, letting all the frostiness inside and the only things poor Jessica had to cover with were some empty potato sacks which weren't doing a great job of keeping the winter breeze off. Sleeping on the hard, cold concrete floor only worsened her health, especially with all the dust and chemicals around. She had developed a severe case of pneumonia. If she were a regular girl, she would have died months ago. The strong scent of charcoal and kerosene filled the air, irritating her lungs and making her cough repeatedly as she twisted beneath her makeshift sheets. Having just recovered from yet another coughing episode, her body calmed down but was soon jolted awake when someone kicked her in the stomach. Her amber eyes snapped open to reve
ONE YEAR LATER "Come on, Pookie-Bear, you know I love you," Cory used his fingers to unbutton Jessica's blouse. His wolf, Curtis, was on edge. He had wanted to do this since the moment he found out Jessica was his mate. "But Cory, I'm not ready," Jessica said as she held onto his wrists to prevent him from unbuttoning her shirt any further. Cory grunted in frustration. His eyes glowed black, showing Jessica that his wolf wasn't pleased. "I am your future alpha, and how dare you refuse me!" He spat through gritted teeth, squeezing her neck while pressing her firmly against the wall of the supply closet. She flinched, the wounds on her back were still raw from the beatings the Luna gave her a few days before. She had forgot to pick up the Luna's dry-cleaning which caused the she-wolf to go berserk. "I-I'm so-sorry," Jessica stuttered. Cory
Jessica smiled broadly while imagining her life as the Luna of the Graceland Pack. There were so many things she would change so she could make the pack better for every wolf, not just the ones that were of high ranks. “Pookie-Bear, are you OK?" Cory asked, pulling her out of her trance. "Oh yes, I'm fine,” she smiled, a blush tinting her cheeks. With a growl, he took another whiff of her neck. "You smell amazing." This time, he ran his hands down her thighs and under her skirt. Jessica wanted to resist, but his touch felt so good. "I want you so much. If I don't have you now, my wolf will go mad,” he growled. “Please just let me slip it in. I won't go all the way in, just the tip," he begged, squeezing her pussy through her panties. Jessica moaned in pleasure, arching her back and clenching her muscles together. Since it was the first f
Jessica was on cloud nine, she had just lost her virginity to her mate, the man she intended to spend the rest of her life with. She remembered the night she found out that Cory was her mate, and even though she didn't have her wolf, she felt the sparks when he touched her and kissed her lips. He kissed her like he was dying of thirst and only her lips could quench his thirst. Jessica was scared at first, because Cory had always been a bully to her, just like the rest of his family. His younger twin sisters, Margret and Margarita were just as bad. They wouldn't only beat and belittle her. They would also break stuff around the pack-house and then blame it on poor Jessica and the Luna would always punish her by whipping her in the fields. Alpha Conroy, however was a different kind of bully. The type that turned a blind eye to the abuse sh
"No!" Jessica gasped. Maybe she didn't hear him right. How could the alpha even consider making her his second wife? He must be mad. Luna Magda would probably kill them both before she would be able to even make it to the aisle. Plus, what about Cory? There's no way he would just stand back and let his father marry his mate. "Yes, little one," Alpha Conroy chuckled. "Don’t look so surprised. You heard me right. I want you to be my wife." "But you already have a wife and the pack already have a Luna," Jessica tried to reason her way out of this. "I know all of that, little one and certain things won't change," he explained. "Magda will continue to be Luna of the pack. You will simply be my wife. The one I bring to balls, functions, holidays and such. Magda's place is to stay here and solve various pack problems and make sure the schools and hospi
Magda's face went pale. “Wh-who told you?” She gulped, terrified that her husband was going to kill her now. She thought she had everyone involved taken care of. No one was supposed to know that it was her and not hunters who killed Jessica's parents. "No one had to tell me. I knew the moment I heard Steven and Lisa were murdered,” Conroy admitted. “It took everything in me not to skin you alive back then.” Hearing her parents' names made Jessica lift her head as she tuned into the discussion between the alpha and Luna. “I saw how you looked at her, Conroy. She was beautiful and young,” Magda scoffed. “When I found out she was your true mate, I despised her.” “But I rejected her to be with you,” Conroy explained. “She found a second chance mate in that farmer.” Jessica was there in shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. “Oh please, you only married me for my father’s pack. I knew this back then, but I thought after being with me, you would at least grow to li
In a state of turmoil, Jessica fled from the alpha's office. She didn't care if she looked a mess, with blood staining her face. She needed to find Cory and tell him he had to admit to his parents that she was his mate and that he wished to be with her. Before she made it to the corridor that would take her to her mate's room, the two younger girls with red hair and brown eyes intercepted her. One caught her by her hand and the other grabbed her by the hair. "Look, sister. It's the slave girl," Margarita laughed. Her red hair was curly like that Disney princess, Merida. Her brown eyes were dark with specks of green in them. "I see that, sis. What is the little omega doing running around our house like this? She knows better than to be seen in this part of the building," Margret pulled harder on Jessica's hair, causing her to wince. "Oh, she's got a busted l
Jessica lacked the strength to continue her search for Cory. He must have been out for a run because he wasn't in his chambers or training in the fields. The small omega girl went back to the barn and used a bucket to draw water from the well. It was difficult and painful since her left rib was bruised and broken. She stripped naked, and stood behind the shed where she previously placed the bucket of water, then she used the fragments of crushed soaps she gathered while cleaning the bathrooms in the pack-house to take a quick bath, making sure to wash herself thoroughly. She didn't need another werewolf to smell that she had lost her virginity, even though it was to her mate. It was still embarrassing. All she longed for was to be with Cory and have him hold her in his arms. O
THREE DAYS LATERIt was finally Friday, which meant that Jessica's Moonday was only two days away. For the past three nights, she had been dreaming of her wolf Cordelia and her Lycan beast Sybil. She still had not told anybody about this. She figured they were only dreams of what life could've been like if she weren't an omega and how much better things would be if she actually had noble blood. If she was truly royalty then sure, she and Kanyon would have made a beautiful couple, but then again she was a barren woman and a king deserved a wife that could at least give him one child. Jessica's bare feet were dirty and buried into the mud. It had rained heavily the previous night dampening the soil on the field. Perspiration dripped off her like she had just emerged from a pool. Each bead of sweat proved the effort she was putting into her training. Kanyon's punch to her jaw made her left ear tingle painfully. She let out a loud scream in pain before she turned her attention back to he
"Jessica wait!" Kanyon called out to her before she could exit the building. Jessica figured she'd leave the hospital for a bit and come back after the 'expecting couple' wrapped up their appointment. "Jessica, I said stop!" Kanyon didn't want to raise his voice, but he had to in order for her to hear him. He want to avoid making a scene, so he refrained from using his supernatural speed to stop her. With a sigh, she stopped and turned to meet his gaze. "What is it, your majesty?" She faked a smile. "Come on Jess, don't do that," he took her hand in his. "Don't do what?" She rolled her eyes. "Don't act like you're not upset. I know you are. I not only can smell it, but I can feel and taste it too," he admitted. "Well," she sighed. "I am upset, but it's not the reason you think. I won't lie, it stung a bit to see you rubbing on her belly like that. It brought back memories of that video Cam shared where you were kissing my tummy when I was pregnant with Steven," Jessica explained.
"Oh Jessica," Dr. Peterson let out, acting all surprised like he didn’t expect her. "What on earth are you doing here at this time?" The doctor gave her a coy smile. Jessica's eyes were twitching, and her throat became dry, but she still managed to speak. "I thought you said my appointment is at 2?""Did I now?" Dr. Peterson shook his head. "Then the mistake must be mine. Your appointment is at 2:30," he sighed. "Why don't you wait outside and let me finish up with the expecting couple? We should only be a few more minutes." "OK," Jessica nodded. She left the room without taking another glance at Kanyon and Anna. The pregnant she-wolf was filled with glee seeing the shocked look on the Omega's face. Hopefully, seeing the king this close to her would let the little bitch know he was hers. They were expecting a child together, the next king to the Lycania throne. King Kanyon however, was breathing hard, upset with himself for not saying something to Jessica before she stormed out. O
"Put me down, Kanyon. I can walk!" Jessica snapped. Despite her wriggling and complaints, the King kept her in his arms until they got to her bedroom. "What did Zachery mean by you should tell me the truth? What else are you not telling me?" Jessica asked as they stepped inside her room. Kanyon made sure to close the door after he entered. "Jessica, do you trust me?" He asked her. A sigh escaped her lips. "Yes, but I —""Then don't worry about what that maniac said. Have faith in me. I will tell you all that you need to know when the time is right. I promise.""OK," she let out. "I'll hold you to that promise." Kanyon checked the time on his phone. "I guess I will have to eat later. I have a conference call to make right now, but did you at least enjoy your breakfast?" "I didn't even eat anything because Zachery interrupted me.""If you'd like, I can have Lucy get something for you.""Sure, I'd appreciate that."Kanyon used the mind-link to tell Lucy that she should bring breakfas
I've never been to breakfast without Kanyon, Jessica thought to herself. But if she was going to live in this kingdom, then she had to force herself to get used to the place and live like the lycans. She couldn't count on the king to take food to her everyday in her room. He was a busy man, who had way more important things to do than cater to her. So Kanyon slept in Anna's quarters last night, she sighed dramatically while her feet carried her to the grand hall. "So much for him loving me," she whispered under her breath. Why were men like that? They ran into the next available arms when they didn't get their way. Was it a testosterone thing? Or was it an ego thing? Regardless, Jessica found it hard to trust another man with her heart. As she stepped into the packed area, it turned out to be completely different from what she had imagined. At the Warmblood pack, the kitchen staff, consisting of omegas and other high-ranked wolves, served breakfast. Although this approach was somewh
"Slow down Jess. You're not making any sense," Ariel said over the phone. "Kanyon told me he loves me last night, and I freaked out. I told him I wasn't worthy," Jessica repeated, but this time she took a breath between every word so her statement didn't sound jumbled. "Girl, you better go tell that man you feel the same way before it's too late. Life waits on no one," Ariel instructed. "I know, but I thought since I am an omega, and he's the lycan king, it wouldn't work out," she sighed. She figured it was best to keep the whole wolf/beast fiasco to herself. She wasn't even sure if it was real or just a dream. "Plus he's expecting a pup with a high-ranked she-wolf. Don't you think it's best he mates with the mother of his child?" Jessica whispered, biting her bottom lip while she used her finger to play with the phone cord. "No, the fuck I don't. The heart wants what it wants and he doesn't want Anna. The man craves you, Jessica. I saw the way he looks at you," Ariel barked out.
'Slow down, Sinbad,' Kanyon asked his beast as they bolted back to the castle. He took Sin out for a hunt because they couldn't sleep, not after that kiss with Jessica. 'I just can't get her out of my mind,' Sinbad complained. 'Will she ever trust us enough to give us her heart?' 'I don't know, Sin. We'll just have to give her a little more time,' Kanyon murmured. 'I don't know if I have it in me to wait,' Sinbad hissed. 'Last night I wanted to grab her and mark her right there by her door.' 'That would have traumatized her even more,' Kanyon let out. 'I know,' Sin growled. 'It was never this difficult with Ellie. Why is that?' 'Isn't it obvious? We loved Ellie, we still do, but we were never in love with her. We might have stolen a few kisses from her, but there was a reason we were never eager to bed her. We weren't sexually attracted to her.’ 'I always thought that maybe we were just too busy running our own kingdoms to partake in sexual exercises,' Sin chuckled. ‘B
It took Jessica some time before she could drift off to sleep. No other kiss had ever made her feel the way that one did. It was like her soul touched his. It was magical. "Get a grip, Jess," she mumbled to herself. She tossed and turned, fluffing her pillows, struggling to get comfortable. Still, how could she manage to think clearly when her mind was filled with thoughts of Kanyon's soft yet demanding lips and his enticing aroma? He smelt like sex itself and his masculinity was overwhelming. Each time she ran her hands over him, the way he would clench his jaws and the hardness of his muscles made her swallow nervously. Plus he opened up about his feelings for her. Was it even real? She pondered. She let out a tired yawn. "I know. I'll phone Ariel in the morning and ask her for some advice." Jessica blinked away the world and peacefully dozed off. ****** Jessica opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by total darkness. She couldn't see anything at all; no lights,
King Kanyon remained patient while Jessica gathered her thoughts. He told her everything about how his wife died, well, almost everything. He left out the fact that Ellie is her aunt and her mother's twin sister. "Kanyon! I'm at a loss for words," she gasped. "How can one woman be so evil?""I was on my way to gut her when I found you," he sighed. "Call it fate or coincidence, but I was meant to find you that day.""I'm glad you did,” she beamed."There is something else I want to tell you," he stated. "I went to the Graceland pack and had a meeting with the alpha and Luna. I also met the red-headed harlots and Cory and his wife.""So they got married," she rolled her eyes. "Figures,” she scoffed. “But how did I not know you went to see them?”"It was after the vampire almost drained your blood. You were in and out of consciousness, and recovering in the hospital, so Cam and I used that time to pay the pack a little visit.""I wish I could have come.""I'm glad you didn't. I gained a