When Maddie stormed past the warriors on the stairway of the packhouse, she knew her father would be ready for her arrival. As expected, the door to his office had been left open and she unceremoniously marched into the room, slamming the door closed behind her. The unease in her chest had grown with every step. Her father was supposed to be investigating the murder of the Grey Stone contestant, not throwing accusations at innocent wolves. “Michael didn’t do it.” She slammed her hands down on his desk, demanding his attention. Her father peered at her over his glasses. With papers in hand, he looked as if he had been working in that office all morning, and she was disturbing him, not that he had only arrived minutes before her. “Madeline, please not now. I have much to do.” He peeled off his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. The exhaustion there almost made her back down but giving him some clarity on the Dark Night heir should take one suspect off his list, narrowing his work.
It was strange how being pissed off can make training go so much better. Maddie was reaping the benefits of her mood, pushing herself much farther than she usually did in sessions. She could feel the sweet burn in her muscles, but their ache just coaxed her to continue. She wanted to keep going until her body was numb, then maybe her mind would follow and relinquish its hold on the anger swirling within it. A calming bath didn’t work, a long walk along the cliffs didn’t work, a swim didn’t work. The only thing that touched the edges of her annoyance was pushing herself to the brink of exhaustion. “Maddie.” A voice called from the edge of the field. She tensed but ignored it, continuing with her push ups, despite the deep ache in her arms and core. “Maddie, stop and talk to me.” She only answered because he was coming closer, and she needed to stop for a breather. “I’m trying to train.” She glared at Lewis, eyes narrowing at his approach. “You can’t be here for that. Alpha’s orders
The afternoon was already drawing to a close, but Maddie didn’t stop training. If anything, having Lewis come and talk to her gave her the rage energy for another few hours of hard work. Her only issue was not knowing what to do. The intensity of her usual training, the training her father had taught her to follow, was quite low. It was just enough to keep herself fit and safe, but wasn't enough for the games. She had never trained with the intention of beating warriors before and becoming the Alpha had never even been an option to consider. Each training session with the Silver Moon warriors made her amateur level crystal clear. No matter how hard she tried, she still couldn’t keep up with the modified exercises. Maddie decided to copy some of the harder drills Beta Rowan had given them, trying to work on her stamina and the execution of each one. However, she didn’t know how to progress. She was already struggling to do a full set of each exercise and she knew that there was no ch
Michael’s breath brushed across her ear in a sweet caress that made her melt. The tension ebbed from her body for the briefest moment before Maddie snapped out of it and scrambled away from him. A violent heat pooled into her cheeks, almost illuminating the encroaching night. “F-Following you? Of course not.” She fumbled, managing a strained laugh. The edges of the Dark Night heir’s lips curled. Amusement danced in his eyes as he folded his arms and leaned against the wall. Maddie tried to not squirm under his gaze or let her own explore the tight bulges of his biceps. “Then, what are you doing all the way out here?” Indignation straightened her spine. “I could ask you the same.” She huffed and she folded her arms. The chuckle that slipped past his lips made her soften. “You know, if it wasn’t for your awful stealth skills, I might actually believe this was a coincidence.” “It is a coincidence.” She insisted, but the words sounded false even to her. Maddie twisted her lips
The moment the words left his lips, Michael’s presence slipped away. As if it was on his side, the wind blew into her face, carrying away any hope of catching his scent, while any sound he had been making melted away. Maddie frowned and slowed her breathing. She piqued her ears, listening for any sign of him, but, for the silence around her, she could’ve been alone. The thought relaxed her. Her favourite place was the cliff side, enjoying the solitude while breathing in her home and letting it calm her spirit. However, she knew she wasn’t alone. A thrill flashed down her spine. She knew it was only Michael, but his null presence crept across her bare arms, drawing goosebumps over her flesh. Her breathing cut through the quiet, its rhythm unsteady and climbing as she waited for him to reappear. Each breath she took rustled the cloth of her top, and she was certain her heartbeat was loud enough for him to hear over the waves below. “Isn’t it cheating to have me close my eyes when
Her stomach rolled like an unsettled sea as Maddie headed down the path she had taken the night before. There was a lightness in her chest that bubbled with excitement, but she schooled her features to a perfect neutrality. They had decided to not broadcast their training to the rest of the contestants and agreed to meet at the southern cliff edge after breakfast. Though still sore from the early morning warrior training, a new energy filled her, and she was at the edge of the township before long. There was a quietness in the pack that morning that was unusual for the hour. Maddie looked up at the dark clouds blanketing the sky, which had brewed overnight. She felt the oncoming storm on her skin like a warning. The other Silver Moon wolves would feel the same and be staying in their homes to shelter from the rain. Instead of doing the same, she awaited its arrival with the same eagerness she had as a pup, when her father had taken her outside to watch the lightning dance across the
Maddie moved away from the Dark Night heir, settling into a stance away from the cliff side, ready to begin the hand-to-hand sparring. The rain was getting heavy, soaking into her clothes and softening the ground at her feet, the distant roll of thunder stirring an excitement in her belly. She wiped a few drops from slipping over her brow and then set up her guard. She wondered if Michael would finally put on a t-shirt. She watched as the rain drizzled against his body, tracing the path of the droplets as they smoothed over his chest and caught on his abs, before soaking into his waistband. Her tongue snaked across her lips, wanting to taste the trail it had drawn over his skin. A sharp cough snapped her eyes to his. Heat pooled in her cheeks at the knowing look that greeted her. Michael held her gaze for two beats of her heart before he slowly prowled his own downward. It was his turn to roam her form and she stood still, like she couldn’t trust her next move around him. Her t-shi
As if he heard her silent plea, Michael slipped his hand under her shirt, pressing his palm to her stomach. Sparks crackled between their flesh, shooting a red-hot pleasure through her body, leading to her core. His earlier teasing still hummed there like embers, which reignited at the new spark. Maddie moaned as his lips found her neck once more, eagerly exploring the vulnerability she exposed for him. She arced her back, her hips rolling against him while she squirmed in his hold. She was desperate to free her hands and twist them into his hair, to drag his lips hers. To feel him. His fingers skirted over her belly, alternating between grabbing at her, like he couldn’t believe he could touch her, and delicately brushing his fingertips over her skin. Both had her groaning. Being in his arms just felt right. With his lips hovered over the sensitive spot at the base of her throat Maddie couldn’t help the way her pheromones burst free. Her scent pooled around them, thick with need.
Inga POV - There had been few moments in Inga’s life when she had stopped to simply observe the world around her. There had always been something she needed to do, every single action having a purpose towards her goal to liberate Grey Stone of their leadership and break free from Red Dawn. Each step forward she had carried that responsibility, that burden, but it was finally gone. Eleanor was dead, Autumn was the Grey Stone Alpha, and she was no longer a Beta. Well, she was in name, but she was free of the role’s duties during her and Connor’s break. The moment she had recovered from the war, Silver Night had been their first stop to confirm their decision with Alpha Michael, and then they were off. Connor didn’t waste any time taking her away from everything, carving out a small piece of the kingdom just for them. He took her to the one place he knew better than anywhere, a place where they could be alone. Dark Night was beautiful in a tragic way. The years of battle had scarred t
Nala POV - “Do you give up?” Nala growled in Autumn’s ear, nipping the soft flesh beneath it. Her mate squealed and wiggled beneath her. Nala smiled as she managed to squirm her legs free and wrapped them around her waist, giving her the purchase to roll them over. She could’ve stopped it, but why would she when it gave her such a great view. Autumn sat astride her waist, pinning her arms to her side with her thighs, a victorious grin on her perfect mouth. Her chest heaved with each pant, and she watched a bead of sweat fall from her chin and slide into her cleavage. Nala's tongue flicked across her lips, a pang of heat swelling in her core. “Ha!” The Alpha shouted, letting her head fall back, her red hair falling around her in wave after wave of beautiful curls. Nala’s fingers twitched at the memory of their softness. “I did it. I finally pinned you.” She laughed, the sound spreading across the empty training field. Nala took the opportunity to look over her mate’s form, gr
Michael POV - “That could’ve been us.” Nala snorted, elbowing him in the gut with a force that almost winded him. It was almost horrifying to picture being mated to his friend. He thought as much as he rubbed his side, already feeling a bruise forming, but didn't get a chance to respond as she turned back to Alpha Autumn. The Grey Stone wolf leaned in to hear Nala's whispers and immediately bloomed a stark red. She fumbled for something to say and ended up thrusting their pup into the warrior's arms instead. Nala lifted the pup to her shoulders, letting him wave widely at the couple on the stage, though it didn't stop her from leaving a hand on Autumn's thigh.Michael chuckled. It was a good thing she had vehemently denied becoming his mate to broker a stronger alliance between their packs. He shuddered to consider it now, but it was easier to laugh about it when they both sat beside their mates, watching the rightful leaders of the pack take their positions.“Mountain Forest, I giv
Inga POV - When one closes their eyes for what they think will be the last time, it’s odd when they open them again. Though everything was blurry and bright, Inga was sure it wasn’t a dream or her imagination playing tricks on her. The pain lancing through her skull could attest for that. Sound came first. The rustling of material beside her, followed by a few sharp shouts that were blaringly loud, as if right beside her ear, but far too muffled for any word to be clear. Her frustration bubbled like hot water beneath her skin, her drive to understand what was going on far greater than her submission to the pain or fatigue trying to pull her back into slumber. She blinked open her eyelids, wincing through the blur of colours that moulded into oddly shaped blobs. One particular blob leaned in close, too close, and her body reacted on its own. Her arm jerked up; her fist semi clenched as her muscles ignored her instincts. She punched the blob, or more like tapped it with her fis
Inga POV - It may have only been two stories, but after the day she had had, the week, hitting the ground felt like hitting a wall that punched the words of giving up to her tongue. Inga swallowed them, her mouth dry, clawing to hold onto her surrender. Every inch of her ached. The impact jarred through her body, making her head ring and her vision dizzy. At least she had managed to push Luna Eleanor off her while they fell. Inga didn’t want to think about the additional pain she’d be in if that bitch had landed on her. If luck was with her, hopefully the Luna had fallen on her face or, better yet, a knife. The night sky was a blanket of black spread out above her, dotted with stars, like glitter threaded into a plush blanket. She was so tired that the paved road at her back felt comfier than her bed back at Grey Stone. Just thinking of that bed made her remember her last night in it, cuddled at Connor’s side, in disbelief and awe that he was there. He made her feel safe, he made h
Inga POV - Inga didn’t so much as flinch when the door cracked hard enough against the wall that it dented the plaster. She didn’t blink when six wolves barrelled inside. She didn’t hesitate as one of the warriors felt gutsy and charged her before the others. She didn’t give him the chance to attack. He had asked for her attention; he had unknowingly drawn the short straw. She lunged. Her body protested as she forced it to shift, but it obeyed. The glare she pinned to the wolf as she moved towards him, made him freeze with the instinct of prey already caught by the predator. It was his lack of discipline to refine his reflexes that was his downfall. The warrior didn’t so much as jerk as her jaws latched onto his arm, her canines digging deep into his flesh. The familiar warm, metallic, taste of blood pooled on her tongue, a wave of feral victory washing through her. With no time to bask in its glow, she twisted her head until she heard the bone snap, before letting the wolf go and re
Inga POV - “Okay. Just stand back, there’s wounded in here.” Lewis raised his voice through the door, then waited, listening for the slow shuffle of feet. Inga listened too, trying to catch any small whispers of deceit among the crowd of Red Dawn warriors waiting for them. “We’re coming out.” The trio shared one final nod, before the Beta twisted the handle and the door swung open. Her stomach was in knots looking out at the wolves watching them, waiting, their eyes predatory. There were at least six; enough to block the corridor that stretched directly from the door towards the stairs, but Inga was certain there were others. She spotted the Red Dawn Alpha and Daniel standing behind their warriors, the leadership safe except for Luna Eleanor. She had the balls to stand at the front. Inga didn’t have to fake the way her face paled as she locked gazes with the Luna. The gleam in her eyes was malicious, her lips lifting as she took in Inga’s hunched form, leaning so far onto Jami
Inga POV - Clawing at Lewis’ arms did nothing. The man was pure muscle and resilience, ignoring her cries for Connor, ignoring her curses, ignoring her pleas for him to stop. Against the Red Dawn warriors, she doubted she’d be much good anyway. Her body felt heavy, like her veins were filled with lead, every muscle protesting her orders. She couldn’t even lift the arm where Luna Eleanor had stabbed her. Even wiggling her fingers sent shooting pains all through her body. Inga had been stabbed before, most warriors had, but it felt different. Her energy, her strength, was sapped. It was like the blade was draining her. However, none of that mattered. Connor was her mate; she couldn’t leave him behind to face all those warriors alone. She had to try and help him. Again, Inga pounded on Lewis’ chest, each impact jarring her, but none of them made the Silver Night warrior even flinch. It was like she was a fly bumping against a window, the force hurting her and not even smearing his s
Connor POV - He was sure his heart stopped, freezing time for the span of a breath, as Inga tipped on the stairs. Her body shifted backward, falling with only the hard stairs to catch her. The silver blade in her shoulder caught the light as she became airborne. Its flash shot through Connor’s mind, jerking him back to his body, forcing a fresh dose of adrenaline through his system. He charged forward, reaching with desperate hands to catch her, to soften her fall, to protect her. He wasn’t sure if it was a miracle, or a divine gift from the Moon Goddess, but the moment he felt her back push against his fingertips, the panic eased, relief chased it away. He was allowed a breath, but the brief moment of calm was crushed as Inga crashed into him. Connor was off balance. His only goal had been to soften her fall, but he didn’t have time to catch her. Her weight pushed him back, forcing him to join her fall, but he wrapped his arms tight around her, curling into her, protecting he