LANDON:I struggled to rein in my anger, knowing that the fury coursing through me had the potential to sever the fragile bonds within our pack, especially with Cross. The intensity of his words stung, each accusation piercing through the armor of leadership I had worn for years. "You brought this upon us, choosing her over your own people. How could you leave everything for that woman with a child? Is our pack going to accept a bastard child? That would bring shame. You sacrificed the lives of over two hundred wolves for one. Look at the lifeless bodies; women, men, and children whose futures were cut short because of your selfish choice," Cross's accusations were like a heavy fog, trying to cloud my mind, each word a dagger aimed at the core of my decisions. I had bottled up this anger and shielded myself from the inner demons, but now it threatened to spill over. The lifeless bodies around us bore witness to the consequences of my choices, the toll of a path chosen with the heart
VENITA:I found myself lying naked in Landon's basement. Chains bound my ankles and wrists, and my throat felt parched. The darkness made it challenging to see, and my body ached as I tried to adjust. "Help! Is anyone out there?" a hoarse cry escaped me, seeking any sign of life. Struggling against the restraints, my skin scraped against the unforgiving chains. Numbness spread, making it difficult to move. Swallowing felt like wrestling with lumps in my throat, a strange taste lingering in my mouth. With slow effort, I managed to sit up, my back meeting the cold wall. The basement had transformed. No weird weapons or wolf heads remained; it was now an empty space with chain loops on the walls. Exhaustion overwhelmed me the more I tried to stay awake.The more I sat silently, chained, the more memories flooded in like an ocean. Memories of me becoming a wolf, my daughter calling me a monster, Landon revealing his nature to me until I lost control killing...The steel door cracked open
VENITA:"I'm sorry about the chains," he apologized, reaching for an oil in the small box I hadn't noticed was placed on the bed. He massaged each wrist with the oil before moving to my ankles, his touch tender and precise, conveying a sense of safety. He returned the oil and sat next to me.Slowly, I dragged my gaze to meet his, searching his eyes for something. Landon was a master at hiding his emotions, but this time, it wasn't hidden. His eyes held sadness and pain."I will start from the obvious. You're a wolf," he announced. "I already told you that during your transformation. Why are you like this?" he asked, "I don't know. We're still trying to figure it out given that your parents weren't wolves, and you weren't bitten. Nonetheless, during when we met, the first stages of carrying out tests on you, we found out that your genetics were mutilated.""By who?" I abruptly asked, surprised at that information. "If I'm getting this straight, you're saying that you carried out tests
LANDON:There was nothing more frustrating than fighting a ghost as an enemy or dealing with disobedience. Venita having access to my basement, despite all the warnings, was intolerable. Yet, at that moment, there was nothing I could do. My plate was full, and thoughts of punishing her for her disobedience weren't a priority.Dr. Grant checked her out with Cross guarding, cautious in case she retaliated. Even if she went feral, I didn't want to see her treated like a slave. I didn't realize Cross would go for that, even though she had a tendency to tear everyone who crossed her path into pieces. Her fierceness intensified with her wolf.Over the next few days, I went about my work as usual, even granting a couple of interviews. I was clear of the virus, and there were no recent deaths. Venita wasn't infected either, but she underwent training to master herself, overseen by Cross and Dr. Grant. Cross wasn't happy, but I didn't care. Dr. Grant was always excited to talk about each encou
VENITA:Mastering my newfound abilities has been an intriguing journey, with each day bringing a mix of astonishment and physical strain. The realization that Cross harbored a profound animosity toward me, added with what seemed like a disdain for the very air I breathed, added an unexpected layer to my training. Understanding the difficulties of my strengths and weaknesses became a mesmerizing yet challenging endeavor.As I fought to overcome the physical toll of each day, the question of whether this transformation was truly worth it stayed in my mind. The daily ritual of ending with sore bones, occasionally broken, and the constant influx of information about my gift raised doubts about the advantages of this extraordinary ability. My mind has been a constant carousel of questions. What if my parents were still alive, what would they have done if they found out about this? Would I have mustered the courage to share the truth with them? I also considered the numerous implications f
VENITA:"He was present," Peter confirmed, injecting a hint of humor, "and trust him not to tolerate or promote an air of romance."I chuckled nervously. "Right. But Mr. Walsh's attitude isn't proper considering it's my workplace.""That's very true," Peter agreed, "but it's better to deal with him than constantly be close to Mr. Kurt's craziness."The journey back to the house was accompanied by the echoes of our conversation. As I approached the gates, memories of the recent encounter resurfaced. The transformation, the realization that they saw a wolf and not me momentarily distracted me from the panic that had grown. I should be fine.Pleasantries were exchanged at the gates and throughout my entrance into the house. I made my way to my room, the anticipation of what awaited me draining since it was unknown. The door creaked open, and I gasped at the sight before me.The room had undergone a profound transformation in my absence. It was as if someone had closed down a florist shop
VENITA:Landon didn't take no for an answer when Friday came. To show his seriousness, he had sent a ton of new outfits, added to the last ones he got me during our shopping spree.I sighed, looking at the two outfits on my bed. One was a drab gray pantsuit, all business-like but still appropriate for a family dinner or, pack dinner in this case. The other was a red, off-the-shoulder gown that had a mermaid skirt and a small train. I felt that was too busy for the occasion. The gray pantsuit was like armor, something that was cool and elegant and would never be mistaken as anything but an outfit. The red gown, on the other hand, was meant to tempt and tease and there were consequences to wearing it; creating the impression I was inappropriate for a first-time encounter.Landon was sexy and handsome. He set me on fire. I was an adult, a woman with desires and I longed for him as much as he did for me. If the dinner was just for the two of us, I would've worn it. A little tempting and t
LANDON:As the pack stood in respectful acknowledgment, I gestured towards the seat of honor—an unspoken invitation for Venita to take her rightful place beside me. She complied gracefully, and the curious eyes of the pack, filled with intrigue, fixated upon her. It was a surreal moment, one she hadn't anticipated when first stepping into the world of werewolves and packs. Everything was new to her, and bringing her into my world was not just a formality but essential for her to understand the important dynamics at play. Taking my seat beside hers, the rest of the pack followed suit, equally sitting as the atmosphere brimmed with anticipation. My gaze locked onto hers, offering a silent reassurance in those piercing eyes. The pack waited for my words, but I waited, savoring the presence of my beautiful mate. She embodied elegance, intelligence, and strength—the perfect fit for the life she was destined to lead. Her training with Cross had evidently paid off, visible in the well-define