The next day, Layla woke up early which was quite unusual. The sky was still dark and the purple streak of dawn could be seen in the horizon. Her eyelids fluttered slowly as she came awake and the first thing she saw was Riven's handsome face close to hers. Her breathe still caught in her throat each time she stared at him like she was doing now, and most times she couldn't still believe that he belonged to her.Stretching out her hand, she gently touched his cheek, rubbing her hand over the smoothness of his face. Her eyes fell on his lips and she blushed deeply, remembering the first real kiss she got from him. It had been so magical. Feeling his lips move over hers was the most exciting thing she had ever felt, and it had been so perfect. Except for the next part where the gut wrenching pain began. A part of her wanted to feel his kiss again and she was tempted to move closer and press her lips on his.Acting on impulse, she slowly moved closer to him and smiled shyly when his arms
Hours later, Layla stood with Riven at the shores. Half a dozen lycans were with him, along with Cade and Caleb. There was a massive ship a few distance away in the ocean, waiting for Riven to get in before sailing away. Four of the lycans with Riven got on a rowboat and paddled to the ship to lower the mast in preparation for their departure.Riven gave the last orders and rules to his next in command, and made emphasis on Layla's protection. Cade didn't need to be told twice about what would happen to him and the other shifters if something were to happen to Layla.After saluting their Alpha one last time, they moved back and gave the Alpha and Luna enough privacy to say their goodbyes."Be strong for me, my sweet Layla",Riven spoke softly to Layla, knowing fully well she was trying hard not to cry.Unable to utter a word, Layla nodded and smiled through her tears. She threw herself into Riven's arms and buried her face in his neck, wetting his skin with her tears. She didn't know p
Jezebel appeared in a puff of black smoke at Lord Brandon's mansion. She had been living in disguise on the island, waiting for an opportunity to arise so she would inform the vampire lord. Now that the lycan would be away from the island for a week, it was the perfect opportunity for Brandon to take the girl. She walked straight through the dark passages of the mansion and made her way to Brandon's room. Without knocking, she pushed the door and walked in on something she never expected to see.On the massive bed, Brandon lay on his back, naked as the day he was born. His hands were clasped behind his head and his eyes were half closed.Atop him was a naked woman, moving her hips over him with her head thrown back. Brandon had his eyes on her and his lips were slightly parted as the woman on top him increased her pace and her cries of pleasure began to ring out. Moving only his eyes, Brandon stared at Jezebel with a face void of expression. Ignoring the witch, he gripped the naked
The next morning at the mansion seemed unusually peaceful and quiet. The atmosphere was calm and serene. The sky was a pristine blue, dotted with white fluffy clouds. The island air was crisp and clean, bringing the salty smell of the ocean. The trees in the forest swayed gently with the morning wind, making the entire environment relaxing to all the creatures inhabiting the island.Unable to sit still in her room, Layla got up early and took an early bath. She put on a simple jean and t-shirt, scooped her hair into a ponytail and pulled on the fancy hoodie Riven got her. The morning air was a bit chilly on her skin. Her favourite pair of slippers adorned her slim legs and she skipped down the stairs. She planned to make the one week without Riven in the mansion as enjoyable for herself as possible. And if the shifters wanted her appearance, then she would harden her heart and present herself to them.The first place she stopped was the kitchen. There were a total of four shifters, pre
The serene atmosphere around the dining turned tense instantly. Every shifter turned alert, ears cocked, trying to decipher the sound. Another crash sounded and the shifters pushed back their seats and moved swiftly, gathering around the grand stairs. Light footsteps could be heard moving around the top floor. Another crash sounded.[Beta Cade],Alec mind linked Cade quickly, asking without words what they were to do.Cade was silent for a while, skeptical. He looked towards Caleb and a silent message passed between them.[Proceed slowly. Make a formation, and make sure whatever it is doesn't escape]Cade's order was issued through the mind link to all the warriors and there was a collective nod.Caleb and two dozen shifters stayed beside Layla to protect her while about three hundred shifters made their way up the mansion, some moving on foot while some in their wolf form. The silence was deafening, and filled with so much tension. "What could that be?",Layla whispered fearfully, he
A painful moan sounded from Layla as her consciousness slowly returned. There was a roar in her ears, like the roar of an angry ocean. A consistent pounding in her head forced her awake and her eyes slowly opened. All she saw was darkness at first. Pitch darkness. Then her eyes slowly adjusted to her surrounding and she gasped and jerked upright. She was in a strange place, a place she has never seen before. It looked like an abandoned house and she could smell the dust in the air, a sign that the house was indeed old. She was in the middle of a room and the windows were blocked with some dark fabric to prevent the bright light from penetrating in.Her hands were tied, as were her feet. She tried to rip off the rope but whoever tied it did it cruelly. It was way too tight. The rope cut into her wrist and as the bloody cuts healed, more cuts were inflicted, making her wrist sore and peppery."You're finally awake",a familiar voice said behind her and Layla snapped her head around, a s
"She was just here",Caleb protested as he came back to his senses. What the hell happened to him? It seemed like he had been under a spell. How couldn't he know when Layla left the dining room? He looked around in panic and thrust his hands into his hair, pulling it in worry.Cade walked to the other shifters and shook them a little to break whatever hypnosis had been placed on them. With the help of Caleb, the shifters all came back to their right senses and were shocked to see that Layla was missing."Beta Cade",one said and quickly fell on his knees. "Forgive us...""There's no time for that",Caleb cut him short. "We need to find Luna now"At that moment, Ralph was brought down to the large living room by the other shifters who had gone up."Ralph?",Caleb called with clear confusion on his face. "What...?" "It seems the enemy is someone we all trusted",Cade said with an odd look on his face. Strangely enough, he didn't seem worried that Layla was missing. It was almost like he kne
In Riven's mansion, Caleb stood staring at Annabelle with a look of pure surprise on his face."How the hell did you get here?",he asked, curious to know how she got here. The last thing he remembered about the Sorceress was Riven ordering her to leave the island and never return."I summoned her Caleb. It's all part of my plan",Riven dismissed the question of his gamma and turned to the Sorceress. Summoning Annabelle had never been part of his plan but when it concerned his mate, he had no choice. Layla was more important than anything else."What plan do you have?",Annabelle asked him quietly. She had known something like this would happen, that was why she wanted to take Layla away. Now it might be too late and she might lose her only daughter. She was a terrible mother."Layla's next shifting will occur two nights from today",Riven began. "And right now, I don't know where she is. If I decide to search the entire island, it might be too late""What are you getting at?",Annabelle a
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