MIRANDA'S POV The news had been reporting about a thunderstorm that was coming tonight. My mother was freaking out about having batteries for the flashlights and lighters for the candles. My father was back from his business trip, but he told us he'd be gone again in a week. I stared at my reflection, not feeling or looking like myself. "Mother, do I have to wear this?" I asked, looking at the little red dress Father bought me from his trip. "I don't think this is my style." Not that it was revealing or anything like that. It was pretty and appropriate enough for a girl my age. But cleavage-showing and over-the-knee dresses weren’t my thing at all. "I know. But your father will be pleased to see you wear it, besides red's definitely your colour. Your boyfriend will be delighted when he sees you in this." Mother had been excited to learn I had met a guy who I invited over for dinner. "Mother," I said shyly. “Lazarus is just a friend, and he says he's just stopping by for a short
THIRD-PERSON POVVelma howled in pain when Nigel told her their days of hook-ups were over. "Vel, you knew this wasn't anything serious," Nigel explained to the heartbroken she-wolf. She couldn't believe her ears. She really thought the alpha's son would have fallen in love with her by now."But it has been three years, Nigel. How can you say we aren't boyfriend and girlfriend." Velma’s claws came out and her wolf, Vixen wanted to blind the alpha’s son for disrespecting them like that, but Vixen knew better so she kept her rage at bay."Vel, I specifically told you from the start that it would only be sex. And you assured me that there wouldn't be any feelings involved." "Are you fucking kidding me, Nigel? We were 14. Of course, we agreed to those stupid terms,” Velma yelled. "I'm sorry Vel. I didn't mean to hurt you.""And you are doing this a month before my 18th birthday. You're such a fleabag.""Hey, watch it," Taurus roared. "I didn’t plan it this way, I just think this is for
MIRANDA'S POV "I'm a tease, he said," I scoffed, mocking Nigel's words while I stormed further and further into the woods. I needed to clear my head, then figure out what the hell was out there. I must have been walking for almost half an hour when I saw it. Bright lights resembling the sun's rays shone up ahead. They were hundreds of them. What in God's name, I thought. Maybe this was a sign I should turn back, but then again, this was why I came out here, to get answers. Nigel could have just told me what was out here. Was it so bad he couldn't tell me? I walked closer to the lights, and I realized they were shining on another part of the forest that seemed dead. The trees were withered and black, and the dirt was dry and chalky. "This is so spooky," I mumbled. My eyes found a dozen signs with the words 'KEEP OUT', 'DANGER AHEAD,'and 'HAZARDOUS' written all over. Well, I bet this was where the secrets lie. I wasn't backing down now. I had to find out what was going on. I stepped
THIRD-PERSON POV Nigel kept staring out his window watching Miranda's bedroom. The lights were still off, and his werewolf senses told him she wasn't back as yet. "Don't worry, best-case scenario is she stumbles in the Bloodshed Woods and that thing eats her, solving our problem of enduring any more of her annoyance." "You don't mean that, Taurus. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happens to her," Nigel revealed to his wolf. Thunder and lightning ripped across the sky, warning them of the storm that was about to come. "You're planning on going to find her, aren't you?" Taurus sighed. "Yes I am. I shouldn't have let her go out there alone." Nigel got dressed in his sweater and boots, then he pulled a raincoat over his head, not forgetting to grab another one for Miranda. "This girl is really, really more trouble than she's worth," he groaned as he jogged off into the woods. He tried to locate her scent, but the rainfall wasn't helping as it was washing her essence
NIGEL'S POVMy bed was softer than I remembered, and it smelt a lot nicer too; clean like Ariel laundry detergent. The housemaid must have changed our washing supplies, because this one was fucking delightful, I almost didn’t want to leave the comforts of these sheets. My skull felt like someone was using it as a hammer. For some strange reason, my head was thumping like a jackhammer. My ears were ringing and I felt like I was gonna come down with the flu. It was strange because I had never gotten sick before. I sniffled, trying to clear my nose as I sat up in the bed. The sun was almost up, and I needed to get dressed and head down to the fields for training. Beta Valor had been up my ass about slacking off and not taking this tournament seriously. But I was taking it seriously, he just didn't understand how much of a nuisance my next-door neighbour had been and how much trouble she had caused me since the last few days. Well, those troubles were over now. I smiled to myself when I re
NIGEL'S POV“Honey! Sweetheart, are you alright?” A woman's voice asked as she swiped her thumb over my cheek.I groaned and opened my eyes to see Mrs. W kneeling over me. I must have fainted when I realized I was stuck inside Prissy Pants' body. Don't get me wrong, I always imagined what it would be like to be inside her, but not in this way, if you know what I mean. I held my head while I tried to stand up.“Easy honey,” Mrs. W said as she gently ran her hand over my back. “You didn't eat much last night. Maybe your blood sugar is low.”“It's OK, Mrs. W, I'm cool,” I stated, trying my best not to fall to the ground again. “Mrs. W?” She cocked a brow at me. Damn! I needed to focus, I couldn’t have a slip-up now. “I meant Mama,” I gulped and she looked at me weird. So Mama was not right at all. I called mine Mom, so maybe I should have led with that. “Mom, I promise I'm fine.”“Mom?” she gasped, clutching the diamond necklace around her neck. At least she had better taste in fashion
MIRANDA'S POV"Wake up, Wolfy Wolfy," I cooed. The beast's body jerked, and I scuttled backward, not wanting him to accidentally maul me to death. But I had this strange feeling that he would never physically hurt me. The surrounding was dark, and it was only me and this beast alone in this place. "Oh, I had the worst nightmare ever," it explained. "I was trapped in this body with a human girl," he finished, standing to his feet. He shook his fur like a wet dog as he tried to steady himself. His posture was intimidating, and he smelt of mandarin. He had his head hung low, still seemed disoriented."Well, about that Wolfy, it wasn't a dream," I spoke, and his wolf-head jerked to face me. His eyes widened, and he snarled, showing me his wolf-teeth. "Where is Nigel? What did you do with him? You ate him, didn't you?""Don't be silly," I shook my head. "He's probably in my body right now." I crawled up to him. He was so beautiful. I just wanted to pet him and feel his fur between my finge
MIRANDA'S POVValko and I entered the grand hall, and I didn't expect too much, but the jungle war I was witnessing was nothing my imagination could ever conjure. I almost threw up at the sight of all the red meat and poultry these wolves were ripping into. It was complete chaos in here. Valko hurriedly took his place next to his sister and his father. The blonde woman squatting on beta Valor's lap must be the beta’s mate. I grabbed a seat next to Valko.“What are you doing?” He whispered. The entire table was looking at me weirdly.“I'm sitting down for breakfast. What does it look like I'm doing?” I rolled my eyes. “Well, yeah, I see that, but your place is at the Alpha table, next to your parents,” he gestured to the biggest table in the room.I felt a burden like none I've ever felt, and I followed Valko's finger to where it was pointing. I gulped when I saw the black hair man shooting laser beams at me with his eyes. The little brown-haired woman cowering next to him was staring
NIGEL'S POVI was tired and hungry, plus I didn't understand why these nerds weren't bothered by the shit smell that was seeping off my so-called grandpa. So what if he looked exactly like my dad under his hobo appearance? That still didn't make him my grandfather. I hissed because if he resembled my father, it also meant he resembled me since people said I was a spitting image of my dad. Life was so unfair. I hate this, and I hate him. Nigel Senior, I scoffed. Why did Father have to name me after such an evil man? "Are we there yet?" I was this close to screaming and throwing a bitch-fit. My feet hurt to the point they felt like they were about to fall off. "Just a couple more minutes," my grandpappy answered. His breath smelt terrible... Like when was the last fucking time he used toothpaste? I looked around and smacked myself in the face. There were no supermarkets or malls here, so of course he didn't have access to the finer things in life. And Miranda thought Howling's Cliff
MIRANDA'S POV"Excuse me! Come again! You're my what?" I asked, raising my hands in the air and waving them about like I was at a rock concert. With his palm still outstretched to me, he repeated, "My name is Alpha Nigel Vanderwolf, and I am your grand...""Yes, yes, I heard you the first time,” I choked out. "But you just said I should...""I know what I just said, it was a rhetorical question." When he realized I wasn't going to shake his hand, he dropped it to his side. My eyes scanned him from head to toe. "Mighty God!" I yelped when I saw his feet. His toes seemed like they were not on speaking terms with each other to how far apart they were spread. His rugged look reminded me of when Alan came back after spending twenty years in the Jumanji Jungle. "So you're Nigel Senior," Valko finally spoke. He stepped up to the old man. "I'm Valko Silver.""Ah, I should have known Valor's pup would be following behind Nolan's pup's tail," he chuckled, and Velma growled. "And what's your
THIRD-PERSON POVA werewolf emerged from the shadows, but he was not an ordinary predator. He moved like he was a shadow; he made no sounds or caused no ruckus. He fixed his bright red eyes on the human girl curled up in the arms of the young werewolf. The sounds of their heavy breathings and thumping hearts were music to his ears because he found satisfaction in seeing his victims paralysed with fright, which made their flesh soft for him to dine on. Their screams also made their blood turned sweeter, resulting in the best sort of perfume for him. His nostrils widened as he detected the scent of the human. He curled back his lips, revealing his dark gums and yellow stained teeth, letting out a low rumbling growl. He didn’t care that he was outnumbered, as he already understood their outcomes; within moments, the girl would suffer a fatal wound to her throat, her body would be eaten, and her blood would mark the ground covered in grass. It would be easy for him to pick them off on
THIRD-PERSON POVDuran's mind kept going back to his mate, wondering what she was doing, and if she missed him. Izanna's description of the Mad Alpha was making him rethink this trip he was on. He should have stayed home with his mate who was carrying his pup. The Moon Goddess would be cruel to kill him now after all that he had been through. As he made his way to the Mystic Mountain, his mind became chaotic. Clarke occupied most of Valko's thoughts. He loved how vibrant and red her hair was and how incredibly luscious, thick and flawless those curls were. He kept reminiscing about how she arched her back and flashed her hair from side to side when they made love. Now he wondered if coming on this adventure was the right thing to do. Breathing out, he made his way steadily toward the mountain that was said to be home to this Mad Alpha. Velma walked alongside Lazarus, their hands intertwined. The two seemed inseparable now that most of their friends knew they were true mates. Velma w
LAZARUS'S POVIt had been two centuries since I tasted human blood. Other vampires might describe it as being rich, tantalizing, or irresistible. But for me it is sensual, addictive, and climatic. The taste of this human's blood was unlike any I'd ever tasted. It was like I couldn't stop. The more mouthfuls I took, the more my thirst intensified.I could feel Nigel's muscles resisting at first when my fangs found his flesh and pierced into it. The soft warmth giving way like a ripe melon, filling my mouth with thick, delicious blood. He shuddered in my hands as I drew deep, gulping mouthful after mouthful, revelling in the strength and life that filled my veins, jolted my limbs, granted me a semblance of life.Soon my pheromones entered his bloodstream through my saliva and even though I was killing him, the high and ecstasy of my bite was tricking his brain into begging me not to stop. He let out soft moans, his body relaxing as I supported more of his weight with my strong arms w
THIRD-PERSON POV Miranda found the walk back to the Nymph camp less awkward than she expected. She learned that Nigel had been retrieving bits of his memory for the last couple of days, but once he emerged from the whirlpool, everything flooded back to him. They walked hand in hand, enjoying their conversation. He questioned her regarding her training with beta Valor, and she felt compelled to tell him the truth that things weren't progressing well. "I'm glad you told me," Nigel murmured. "Father must be pissed." "Yeah, he is big mad," Miranda whispered. "I just wish I knew how mom is doing, especially after learning that father whipped you," he paused. "I'm so sorry, Miranda." "It's OK, it's not your fault." Miranda felt guilty for keeping what truly happened to Peaches from Nigel. "I know, even so, I wish I was there for you." "Believe me, you should feel grateful that you missed what he did to Peaches." "MIRANDA!" Taurus boomed. "Crap," Miranda cursed und
MIRANDA'S POV "Where do you buy your perfume?" He asked out of the blue. We seized our splashes and worked to catch our breaths. "At an outlet." "Oh, I think I will get some when we go home. I've run out, and I like how it smells." "OK," I let out with a questioning tone. "Cool," he answered. "You're weird," I wrinkled my nose. "I am?" He challenged, moving impossibly closer to me so that my chest was touching his, causing me to gulp in exhilaration and also intimidation. I thought we were done touching for now. "Yes you are." "Well you're beautiful, Miranda." What? "Are you high or something?" I snorted, trying to act unaffected, although my heart was beating at an inhumanly fast speed. "I can't be here for this," Taurus rumbled. "I'm out." I felt Taurus drifting away, refusing to endure us any further. He shook his head. "I'm completely sober." "Well thank you, I guess," I replied, swallowing hard. "You're beautiful too, Nigel." "I know," he smir
MIRANDA'S POV I was really nervous and couldn't believe I was actually skinny-dipping in an enchanted lagoon with Nigel Vanderwolf. I was too busy asking myself why the heck was I doing this to notice Nigel swimming closer to me. "Why do you look so constipated?" He asked. I shifted my gaze in a shy manner, blushing as I realized he had noticed my uncertainty. "I am not constipated, I'm just..." His hands around my shoulders cuts my speech. "Nervous? But there's nothing to be nervous about," he chuckled. "Look around you, we're in a mystical place swimming in the bluest lagoon I've ever seen." "Yes, but we're also naked," I told him, my mind trying to think about something other than us touching while we were both naked. "So what? We were born naked," he cackled. "Look Miranda, if you're gonna roll with werewolves, you've gotta learn how to swing in the nude 99 percent of the time." "Believe that," I heard Taurus let out. "I don't think I'll ever get used t
THIRD-PERSON POV The group of heroes continued following the nymph until they started to notice a surreal light filtering from between some palm trees that stood in line like soldiers, but up further there were a few that were woven together almost like fabric. The branches formed one huge canopy over the top of this charming spot. While the friends studied the branches, they became aware of their surroundings. In the stillness, the wind serenaded a sweet melody through the air. The breeze against their cheeks felt like tiny wet kisses against their skin. As the leaves rustled together, they formed a soothing ambiance that enveloped the group, making them feel secure and tranquil. The echoes of laughter and idle conversations filled the air around them. With each step they took, the noise increased in volume. The sound of birds singing and flutes playing romantic ballads also filled the air. Izanna made an abrupt stop and instructed everyone to be quiet before she pulled