On the roof of one of the tall mansions in the the Qinn's territory, surrounded by the ocean of the hidden island, was a man.
Not just any man.Supreme Alpha Riven Qinn. Alpha King of Dark Creek Pack, Supreme Alpha of all other packs. Strongest and most powerful lycan ever. His domain stretched forth over the entire island that was hidden by the Fae. The Qinn legacy was known to be the wealthiest and strongest bloodline through out the entire realm of the supernatural creatures.Riven Qinn had everything. Wealth. Power. Dominance. Immortality.But one thing remained absent in his entire life. A mate. Mates were what completed the life of the shifters. It didn't matter how long you've lived. If you didn't have your mate beside you, it was all for nothing.After living for centuries, Riven had begun giving up hope of ever finding his one true mate. As the years went passed, so did his hope. And he wondered what crime he had committed to make the moon goddess Selene punish him that way.Right now he stood at the roof of his mansion, looking round his territory. It was a full moon night and it reminded him of another day without his mate. The clear sky and silver glow of the moon made him yearn for a run.Right on top of the roof, he shifted. Bones crunched and popped, breaking down and rebuilding as his body slowly gave way to the form of his beast. Fair skin receded and golden coloured fur emerged, the colour of the Qinn family. His eyes slowly changed from light brown to bright gold. His golden coloured hair receded as his transformation completed.Right there on the roof was Riven in his lycan form, a golden coloured beast, crouching low with his back hunched. It was such a beautiful and terrifying sight. Riven raised his head to the sky and a long howl emitted from his mouth.He bounded down the side of the building and leaped into the forest. The air was sweet on his nostrils and the feel of the earth underneath his paws made him giddy. He raced through the trees, howling to the moon and enjoying the thrill of being out in the open.Suddenly he stopped.A strange scent wafted through his nose. It was the sweetest scent he had ever perceived. It wrapped around him, soothing him, soothing his wolf. It calmed him totally. The scent was divine. This scent was what he had been searching for.Riven followed that sweet scent, tracing it to where it was coming from. His heart boomed wildly in his ears and he was antsy with anticipation. Could it be? Did the moon goddess finally decide to have pity on him? So many possibilities went through his mind as he raced through the trees towards the ocean. He bust out from the front of the island where the scent was thicker.And then he saw her.Lying so still on the ground that he almost thought she was dead. But under the glow of the moonlight, her chest moved rhythmically. She was alive. She was almost buried underneath the wet sand.As he moved cautiously towards her, he could see her clearly. She was dressed in a sack material that was plastered to her body. Her feet were bare and her hair was matted to her face, leaving just her eyes exposed. Her hands were buried under the sand on either sides. She was breathing but so still.Riven felt his blood humming. The scent was unmistakable. It was glorious, a sweet mixture of roses and apples. It called to him, pulling him closer until he was crouching beside her. One furry arm lifted tentatively and he touched the side of her face that was exposed.An electrifying tingle went up his hand and moved over his body, tingling his fur and making him go mad with excitement. After so many centuries, his search was finally over.MATE.The word resounded repeatedly in his head. He had found her finally....Layla slowly gained consciousness as she felt a soft breeze caress her body. She was laying on a soft bed, cool and soothing to her back. She could hear the roar of the ocean as the waves crashed against the shore. Was this heaven? Were there oceans in heaven? Questions roamed through her head as her eyes fluttered and opened slowly.At first all she saw was blurriness. She blinked repeatedly until her vision was clear. And the first thing she saw was a pair of golden eyes staring back at her.Who was this? Angels? Did angels have such beautiful eyes? Was this heaven? Then why couldn't she move? Why did she feel so weak and weighed down? Or maybe this was hell. And she was staring into the eyes of the great Lucifer himself.Nah. If it were truly Lucifer, he would have dragged her to his flaming pool of fire. Besides, she hadn't done a single wrong thing in her entire life. Lucifer would have nothing to hold her down. Then who was this?As she stared back at the pair of mesmerizing eyes, something strange happened. The bearer of the eyes seemed to melt and reform. The eyes changed from the hypnotizing golden hue to a calm light brown. Golden hair fell over his face and he stared at her intently.She had to be dreaming. Did this person just change from a strange being to a human? Maybe she was mad. Maybe the entire world had gone mad. Maybe this was what happened after death, after you took your own life."It's okay. I won't hurt you". His smooth deep voice caressed her ears and she watched him curiously. He won't hurt her? Of course he won't. This had to be heaven where everyone loved one another."I'm going to take you with me now. Don't be scared my love".Love? Layla was definitely sure that she had gone crazy. She was sure she was imagining things. Hearing things. This handsome stranger was surely a figment of her imaginations. She kept staring at him as he spoke softly to her, telling her that she would be fine. That she was safe.And then the darkness began to pull her under again. Her eyes closed gradually and the stranger faded from her sight. Goodbye handsome stranger, she thought as she drifted into unconsciousness.Riven watched her pass out again. He gently pulled her from under the sand and rested her on his knees. He pulled back the thick strands of dark hair from her head and turned her face towards him.She was perfect. Even in her disheveled state, she was perfect in his eyes. Her cold pale body was enough for him to know that she had been in the ocean for too long. He had a thousand questions waiting for her but he pushed it to the back of his mind. Right now he needed to make his mate feel better.Riven lifted her light body up and cradled her in his arms. Her head was cradled in the crook of his neck and he adjusted her so she would be comfortable. The sparks of the mate bond flowed through his body as he began to run, moving at a swift speed towards his mansion.He arrived there in a matter of minutes and kicked the door open with his legs.His beta and gamma looked up sharply from the couch as Riven marched in with Layla in his arms."Alpha?". Cade's voice was filled with questions as Riven marched passed him without a word. He looked towards the gamma and the two exchanged confused looks. Riven never showed the slightest interest in women so it was a deep shock to see him holding one so close to him."Who do you think the girl is?",Caleb whispered to Cade.Riven's order was enough answer to their burning curiosity."Get me Henrietta. Tell her she is needed immediately. She needs to heal my mate". And Riven walked up the stairs with Layla in his arms, leaving the beta and gamma staring after him with wide eyes.Cade, Riven's beta rushed to get the witch while Caleb went around the mansion spreading the news.The Alpha King's mate had been found!Riven's mansion was a chaos of movement. All shifters, both young and ancient, werewolf and lycan, all moved around the pack house, running different errands. Everyone got orders from the Alpha that hadn't left his room since the previous night.Ever since Caleb ran through the entire rooms of the mansion like a mad beast, informing everyone of the arrival of the Alpha's mate, the entire household had gone into a state of restlessness. No one slept a wink through out the night. They all gathered at the entrance of Riven's chamber, wanting to have a look at the long awaited Alpha's mate.But Riven was having none of that. The only person allowed into his room was Henrietta, the ancient witch. Not even Cade, his beta was allowed. He was in a state of protectiveness and he didn't want his mate to be disturbed. After Henrietta checked on Layla and recited a spell to know what Layla's ailment was, she reported her findings to Riven and told him of the herbs she would need in healing Layla
For many days, Layla drifted in and out of consciousness. She was plaged with nightmares of Madame Parker capturing her and selling her off to some brutal men. She would wake up trashing, her legs tangled in the bedsheets, sweating profusely and crying out in fear.And each time she had those dreams, Riven was always there to soothe her. He was there to whisper safe words to her, calming her with his voice and the tingles that danced each time their bodies touched. Layla found a safe haven in his arms and she stopped fighting him off. She knew as long as he was there with her, she was safe.The healing ritual was done and the potion applied to Layla's body. Soon the sickly paleness disappeared and colour gradually returned to her skin. Her cheeks retained its rosy colour and her eyes lost its dark circles. Her veins that had been visible receded and her wild looking eyes became calm. She was still not totally free with Riven and certainly not to the crowd of shifters that waited anxi
"So this is Riven's mate? What a shame!",Cara said scornfully and folded her arms before her, staring icily at Layla.When the news reached her father's pack about Riven finding his mate, jealousy had begun to eat deep into her. A part of her had been happy that Riven didn't find his mate. As a matter of fact, her father, the Alpha of Silver Moon Pack had been trying to establish a relationship between her and Riven. Being connected to the great Qinn dynasty was an opportunity of a life time and she had been trying to do her part by getting closer to Riven. There had been a series of hot passion in between the bedsheets between them but apart from that, Riven never made any attempt to go further with their relationship. Even when she knew he only wanted her to release his sexual desires, she still clung to him with the blind hope that he would mark her one day and make her his Luna.Now that hope was dashed brutally as she stared at the scrawny girl before her, dressed in a gray sac a
Riven gripped the first shifter be could find around the neck, lifted him up and roared into his face."WHERE IS SHE?"."Alpha...",the shifter choked out over the tight grip around his neck. He couldn't breathe and he could feel the muscles of his throat tearing up as Riven's claws emerged and pierced into his skin. If Riven didn't stop, he would die."WHERE IS SHE?",Riven roared again, his fury mounting when he didn't get the response he needed."Alpha you will kill him!",Cade said as he arrived with Caleb, shifting back into his human form. The shifter Riven held was already choking, blood spilling down the sides of his throat and wetting Riven's claws.With the way Riven had raced out of the Ancient Temple in blinding speed, he knew something was wrong. And a minute later, the mind linked had reached him about the Luna's disappearance. He and Caleb had shifted instantly, taking off after the Alpha.Riven didn't bother to acknowledge the words of his beta. He flung the shifter he he
"Cade!",Riven barked out the minute he emerged from his room.Cade had been standing close by, waiting for him to come out."Yes Alpha", he responded instantly and moved his body away from the wall he had been leaning on."Get me Alex. And let the rest of the shifters gather at the meeting room. Immediately!"."On it Alpha",Cade said and his eyes turned blurry as he mind linked the entire shifters. Caleb joined him and they both followed Riven to the meeting room, a large open room where Riven always held impromptu meetings concerning the pack.Caleb moved further and opened the door quickly, holding his breath as Riven walked through. The aura surrounding Riven was so dangerous and scary and this only proved how furious he was.Riven settled on one of the chairs in the room. It was a large golden throne seat with a similar one beside it. The other was for his mate and she would sit beside him someday as the Luna of his pack.Cade and Caleb stood on either side of him and watched as t
Layla lowered her eyes slowly, feeling uncomfortable with the intense look Riven gave her. Not that she didn't like it. The look gave her butterflies and made her body tingle deliciously. She was new to these alien feelings she felt and didn't know how to react to it. She watched from under her eyes as Riven walked closer and the bed dipped when he sat beside her."The potions are right there Riven",Henrietta said and pointed towards the table beside the large mirror."Thank you Henrietta. I will tend to her wounds myself",Riven said and nodded at her."Of course. If you need anything else, let me know. The potions will be enough to heal the wound though".After instructing Riven on how to apply each of them, Henrietta exited the room, leaving Riven and his mate to themselves.Layla suddenly wished Henrietta never left. The silence that followed after the door shut behind her was a bit awkward. She wasn't scared of Riven. She knew he wouldn't hurt her. She was just nervous. Apart from
"Will you tell me your name now?",Riven asked. He had been dying to know her name and he felt he would go crazy if she didn't tell him. Layla grabbed hold of the pen and wrote slowly on the parchment.'I am called Layla'"Layla",Riven whispered. The name rolled over his tongue like sweet nectar. It was lovely. A perfect name. He loved it. He looked down at her as she scribbled something else on the parchment.'Which are you? Alpha or Riven?'Riven grinned at the question. She must have heard Cade or Caleb refer to him as Alpha and probably thought that was his name. And since Henrietta always addressed him by his name, she was confused, wanting to know which was his name."I am Riven, my sweet Layla",Riven answered. He watched her blush at the endearment as she began to write again. There was adoration in his eyes as he stared at her. If she had her voice, she would have been very chirpy, inquisitive about everything. He looked down at what she scribbled.'Strange things occured toda
Layla felt her breathe catch in her throat at the beautiful sight before her. She sat up further in the couch, staring at the magnificent golden wolf standing before her.He was huge, about three inches higher than her waist. His fur sparkled like melted gold and it ruffled softly in the cool breeze that blew in from the window. Sharp looking claws curved over the hard tiles on the ground and she could see the outline of the thick muscles under his fur. His fluffy tail that was bronze tipped wagged happily and the sight brought a smile to her lips. It was his eyes that mesmerized her. They were twin pools of hypnotizing golden hue and she felt herself drowning in their depts. The wolf tilted his head to the side with his tongue lolling out and a tinkling laugh escaped Layla.She stretched her hand forward tentatively, wanting to feel his fur on her palm. The wolf sat still so he wouldn't scare her away. It felt like years before she got the courage to touch him. Her fingertips grazed
The human realm, Kingdom Of Northville....The sun slowly rose from the eastern horizon and brightened the magnificent city of Northville, welcoming its citizens to a brand new day.At the edge of the kingdom, hidden among the wild flowers and surrounded by the forest of the willows was a fancy cottage.The front door of the cottage swung open and a white haired young woman stepped outside, holding a basket of grains."Kalista, don't forget to feed the chickens",a female voice called from within the cottage."Yes, mother",Kalista responded and twirled her way towards the metal cage behind the cottage. She hummed to herself along the way, holding up her dress and skipping lightly."Good morning, my little feathered friends",she smiled warmly as she got to the cage and crouched before it. The chickens squawked in anticipation for their morning meal, and Kalista carefully tipped the basket she held and poured out the grains into the feeder."Don't rush, there's enough for everyone",she
Six years later....Riven's mansion was filled with the sound of celebration and decorated with Christmas lights. Outside, it was blazing cold and snowing hard but inside the house, it was warm and cozy as a low fire burned in the chimney.There was a large Christmas tree in the middle of the living room, decorative lights twinkling like a thousand jewels. Beneath the tree, there were dozens of presents, boxes wrapped in fancy wrappings.It was Christmas.Six year old Xavier and Cade raced around the large living room, laughing happily as they were being chased my Clarissa, Caleb's three year old daughter. The boys totally adored her and they protected her from the bullying of the other shifter's kids. Clarissa had bright blonde hair like her father, but had her mother's sky blue eyes. Her smile was enchanting, the deep dimples on her cheeks giving her an adorable look.As the children raced around the living room, Layla watched them from the top of the stairs with a smile. She had
Three years later....Riven sprinted through the large halls of his huge mansion, racing towards his room at the top floor with a woman behind him.She was a doctor, a shifter who didn't want to belong to any pack, and prefered to live on her own. She had volunteered to help Layla in her delivery for a handsome fee.She was just a young werewolf, only two hundred years old with no sign of her mate yet."Alpha slow down",she chuckled behind him as she rushed towards the room where the Luna was waiting. "We still have a few more hours before the baby comes""The contractions are getting unbearable",Riven said over his shoulder but didn't reduce his hurried steps. In a panicked mode, he sent a mind link to his mate.[My love, hold on. The doctor is on her way to you][Oh Riven, hurry. I'm so terrified], Layla's reply made the beast in him more frantic and he flew up the remaining flight of stairs.He shoved the door open and hurried to the side of the bed where Layla was.Layla was sitt
Riven felt suddenly whole. He shut his eyes, forgetting everything else and focusing on the feeling of Layla's soft body close to him. His arms tightened around her, one hand reaching up to caress her hair. The scent of apples and roses, the scent he had grown so used to, flooded his senses and made him dizzy from relief. All of a sudden, everything seemed alright. All the years he had been wallowing in anguish and guilt sudden disappeared. It didn't matter anymore as long as his mate was in his arms."Layla",he whispered in her ear, burying his nose in the crook of her shoulder and breathing in her scent. The unique scent that belonged to only her. "Is it really you?""Yes, Riven",Layla whispered back to him, tears rolling down her cheeks when she answered him. "I came back to you, my love"The feeling was surreal and it still felt like a dream to him. Only the sparks of the mate bond and the softness of her body made him believe it was actual reality.He was really holding his ma
Years had passed since the last battle with the devils and the lycanthropes, and everything was finally back to normal.Riven didn't return to the hidden island, the only place he knew as his home. He decided it was time to start a new life somewhere else.He established a new territory in the human world, a city called DeVille . He built a much more magnificent mansion and the entire lycanthropes lived in peace just as they had been living in the hidden island.His business thrived, producing billions for him every year. Soon, Riven Qinn became the talk of the city. Men respected him, women adored and worshipped him, wishing they could catch the young handsome billionaire's attention.They had no way of knowing that Riven was centuries old, and he would never love another woman.Caleb was promoted to the position of Supreme Beta and Knox was the new Supreme Gamma.Over the years, majority of the lycanthropes were united with their mates and the Dark Creek Pack expanded as babies were
Xavier felt his breath bust out of his mouth. It was only then that he realized he had been holding it. Selene, the Moon Goddess was right in front of him?Without another word, he bowed his head to the ground, trembling from awe and immense respect. For the Moon Goddess herself to appear to him was something he couldn't fathom. He wasn't worth it. He wasn't worth to be in her presence.His lips trembled as he bowed his head repeatedly before Selene."Rise, Xavier",Selene continued in a soothing voice, the hint of an amused smile playing around her perfect lips.However, Xavier shook his head and remained on the ground before her."I know you're wondering why I have appeared to you",the Moon Goddess said. "You helped the lycanthropes defeat the war, even when you were part of the reason for the war in the first place"Xavier trembled from shame when he heard the goddess. He had indeed been a part of the cause. He had made a deal with the devil and deceived Layla just because he want
A week later...A week had flown by since the bloody battle with the devils and the demons of hell. The spot where the battle took place in Red River City was scorched and blackened badly and would forever be a reminder to people, both humans and supernatural creatures, of the day the devils almost took over the world.The desert creatures had exchanged polite words with Riven, congratulating each other for their victorious battle. And when the sultan tried to offer his condolences on Layla's death, Riven declined and wished them safely back to their realm.Left with nothing else to say, the sultan nodded respectfully to Riven and he disappeared with his surviving army. The surviving minotaurs returned to their realms while every other creature that had contributed to the victory of the war with the devils returned to their respective realms, leaving only the lycanthropes in Red River City.The City was in ruins. The dead bodies were piled in different sections and burned. The entire
Layla stepped out of the shield of energy into the burning red flames. She waved her hand and the shield thickened, keeping Riven and the other creatures within. The flames didn't harm her, as her magic was joined with the spirit beast.When Riven tried to hurry out after her, he felt his body bounce against the shield of energy. He was trapped within.His eyes widened as realization dawned on him."Layla",he called out to her through the shield. "Riven... it is time",Layla said in a sad tone. Tears slowly spilled down her eyes as she gazed lovingly at her mate. "I want to make this easy for you but I don't know how...""Please, my love. It can't end like this",Riven pleaded in a shaky voice. He didn't know when tears gathered in his eyes and spilled down his cheek. For the first time since he lost his sister, he cried. "Don't do this, please. Don't leave me. We can end this together"Layla felt her heart shatter all over again when she witnessed the way her mate begged her like his
Hades let out a terrifying scream and stumbled backwards. Black smoke seeped out from the cracks on his face as Layla's blood burned him. He swiped at his face, his sharp claws ripping the skin apart as he struggled to wipe the blood away from his face. This same pain also visited the other six devils as they wailed eeriely, their faces melting off from the contact of Layla's blood."I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!",Hades bellowed at Layla in a fit of scorching rage. The devil had wanted Layla's blood to curse her with blood magic but in the end, Layla had beaten him at his own game.The spell the devil had placed over the lycanthropes and the remaining creatures was broken and they could move again. They succeeded in destroying the remaining demons and pushing the rest into the crater of flames. It seemed the power of the devils greatly diminished after Layla's blood touched them because the creatures stopped crawling out from the crater. Seeing how distracted the devils were at that poin