VENITA:I didn't need much convincing to go and rest. All the emotions that had burst out left my head pounding. Following a guard absentmindedly, I found myself in front of the guest room door. As soon as I stepped inside, I let my body slump to the floor, my face buried in my hands. Life seemed to always throw challenges at me without care whether I could handle them or not.After some time, I gathered a bit of energy and dragged myself to the bathroom. It was pristine, everything neatly arranged—the towels and toiletries, a sense of order in the chaos of my thoughts. A good shower could be a sanctuary, promising relief from the burdens of the day. The familiar sound of water rushing from the shower greeted my ears, and it felt like a refuge within those four walls, ready to wash away the grime of worry that clung to me. I turned the knob from cold to hot water, and the warm liquid streamed over me as if cleansing my soul from the day's burdens.The water felt like a gentle caress
LANDON:“Now, to what do I owe this reunion, Family?” I asked. "Let's keep it short and simple. I have other important things to do." "Not even a hug, I'm excited to see Mum and Dad, or how did you guys survive that long in exile? Really, Son?" my mum asked. A sly bitch. The very source of my hatred for dubious women. My mum, Mrs. Ashley Kurt, at fifty-five years old, possessed a pair of striking green eyes - a feature I had inherited from her. Those eyes held an undeniable power, an intense gaze that seemed to run in our family. Tiny wrinkles clustered underneath her eyes, evidence of a life lived making calculated moves. Her face had a striking beauty, the kind that commanded attention and demanded respect. High cheekbones and a perfectly shaped nose added to her captivating charm. She spared no expense in maintaining her youthful appearance.Her tastes were extravagant, reflecting her love for luxury. From designer clothes to exquisite jewelry adorning her neck, she exuded class.
LANDON:I looked around the room, meeting each of their gazes. "Now, who's got the courage to step forward and explain all the shady dealings that led to someone daring to decide who I'm going to marry?" Council member Azrael bowed respectfully before speaking, while seated on a couch near my parents, along with council member Dean. On the opposite side sat Alex, the representative from the Dark Knight pack. I'd deliberately selected this building as our meeting place, an extension of our headquarters in Nashville, to ensure maximum security. If any of them harbored ill intentions, I was ready to deal with them swiftly. "Council member Azrael, tell me why you think it's acceptable for someone to make decisions about my life and mate," I demanded."The council has reached an agreement with your parents to have Luna Mirage chosen as your wife," council member Azrael announced. I couldn't help but chuckle, shifting my gaze from one face to another. "Why should my own subordinates be th
LANDON:"What? Why rush things so fast? We could take our time with the engagement; there's no need to hurry into the wedding," Michael pointed out. My temper flared. "How dare you question my decision? Are you the one getting married, or am I? Don't speak unless I've given you permission!" I snapped. "I'm sorry, Alpha Landon. I'll be more cautious," he apologized. "Good." I exhaled. "If that's all on the marriage subject, Alex, please take your leave. I'd like to have a private discussion with my pack members." "Yes, Alpha," Alex acknowledged, standing up and exchanging greetings before departing, guided by Cross. "Cross, have a seat," I instructed, and he promptly took the chair to my right. "Now, I'd like to hear a report on recent events in the pack," I stated, focusing my attention on Cross. While I spoke with him, I knew that Ashley and Michael were having a silent conversation through their mate bond. As much as I could eavesdrop, I chose not to delve into their thoughts.
VENITA:Sasha had finished her treatment and, to our surprise, couldn't remember a thing about the incident. She acted perfectly normal, and it was easy to forget the panic that had gripped us. We headed back to our new home after Dr. Grant assured us that Sasha was completely fine. I settled her in, and now we found ourselves at the kitchen's entrance, deciding what to make for her because her appetite seemed insatiable."Mom, how about cheesecake?" she asked, pouting her lips and crossing her arms.For a moment, I was lost in admiration for my beautiful daughter, whom I had nearly lost. "Whatever you want, my darling, we'll make it.""Cheesecake. Let's make a big one for everyone and save some for Mr. Kurt. Speaking of Mr. Kurt, I haven't seen him."She was right. Landon hadn't returned since he rushed out of the hospital. It was now past two in the morning, and there was still no sign of him. I couldn't help but wonder if he had eaten or if everything was alright. Then, I mentally
LANDON:As I continued working into the night, my surroundings faded into a blur, and time seemed to slip away. The seriousness of the recent revelations hung heavily on my thoughts. Dr. Grant's information about Sasha's condition and her impending shift had me on edge. My wolf was persistent, nudging at my consciousness, urging me to embrace the transformation that had become second nature to us. With a sigh, I yielded, undressing quickly, and letting my wolf win by transforming.In an instant, I shifted, my form melding from human to the magnificent white wolf that was my other half. The freedom that came with the shift was reliving. The transformation from a human into a werewolf was a breathtaking yet agonizing journey that I was all too familiar with. It always began with an unsettling sense of restlessness as the moon's influence became more pronounced. My heart quickens, echoing the rapid pace of my racing thoughts, and my senses sharpen to an almost overwhelming degree.It pro
LANDON:I sat alone at a sophisticated five-star restaurant, my patience growing thin as the minutes crawled by. Having arrived half an hour early, I dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, my sharp green eyes scanning the entrance with anticipation. Mirage was late, a predictable move, but I knew the show had just begun. Finally, Mirage strolled in, a stunning sight with her vibrant red hair trailing down her back. Her presence exuded confidence, bordering on arrogance, and I had to admit, she knew how to command attention. She was dressed in a short, strapless red gown that defined her curves, flaunting her charm and charisma with each graceful step. As she approached, I rose from my seat, putting on the front that was necessary for a meeting like this. Her ego demanded a display of public affection. I embraced her, the clinking of cutlery and murmurs of fellow diners providing the soundtrack for her late entrance. Mirage pulled me in for a kiss, her voice a sultry whisper, reminiscin
VENITA:I dropped Sasha off at school, and with Landon caught up in his business duties, I decided to wait near her school for the dismissal time. It made more sense than making an extra trip. I settled in a peaceful park not too far from Sasha's school, where the gentle breeze and the melodious songs of chirping birds provided a calming atmosphere. I needed this time alone to gather my thoughts, away from the complexities that surrounded me. Watching the kids play, and the parents chasing after them, brought a brief smile to my face. I was living a part of my childhood through those youngsters. I was determined to give Sasha the experiences she deserved. One of those was having a loving family. Despite the challenges life had thrown my way, I held onto the dream of giving Sasha what my parents had: true love and a complete family. My worries nagged at me, though. I feared I might never find the right person to be a great father for Sasha, something she longed for deeply.Sitting on
VENITA:Things with Landon have been...different. Although having him back changed a lot of things, for one, Sasha starting to talk again, he zoned off most of the time. Each time he was in that state and I found him, he quickly recollected himself. As much as I would love more vacation days, Landon didn't allow that. He went back to work after beating the crap out of Jason and handing him over to the cops. Landon, as always didn't let any of his betrayers go free. He rounded them up and imprisoned them while he thought of a suitable punishment. Surprisingly, he submitted himself to his pack. More like asking for forgiveness. Something Landon Kurt hardly did. It felt great seeing this side of him. He was more level-headed. I guess that was what happens when you have a near-death experience.Here he was dragging me to an unknown location. It was so beautiful to have him back."Just tell me where we are headed. This blindfold is killing me," I nagged."We're here," he announced almost
LANDON:"Wow," I exclaimed as I made another mark on the glass, making know that I had been here for exactly ninety-one days. I have run out of everything and even hibernating wouldn't help. I threw a disgusted glance over what had served me for the last ninety-one days. Nothing was left of it except bones which were beginning to dry up.When I went back to the building, Dr. Grant had lazily gotten up, dragging me to the box that held Venita. He shut it before I could fight him off and the next thing I saw was a shockwave bringing everything down and burying us in the ground. Apparently, the box had been designed also to withstand such a blast, and around the building had a ticking bomb and a manual controller which the sicko head had activated."Of there's no evidence, then, they won't have a case," he coughed out before smiling. "My work is done. Now, I can die in peace. However, more of us will stand up in generations to come to fight against your kind. Our story would be told," he
VENITA:Before I left for my appointment with Jason, I headed to Landon's to check on things. Yes, Lanson's house. I took a few of our things and moved back there since it gave me a sense of security. With the situation, Sasha was in no shape to go back to school so, she only had her therapist and Cross training her. Cross strengthened security as he wouldn't take chances having almost died."She still hasn't said anything?" I asked Cross. Mr. Grumpy was more kind and interactive with me after he woke up from a two-day coma."She hasn't. Should we get a speech specialist to make sure they didn't do anything to her vocal cords back at that crazy lab?" He was sweaty, panting, having just come out from their last session which lasted an hour.Running my hand through my hair, "I think it's more of a psychological damage than physical because she spoke to me when we came out of the lab. She only stopped speaking once she was taken to the hospital," I explained."Let's give it time. The who
VENITA:Three months after...It has been exactly three months since we got rescued. Three months of grief and loneliness. Three months of having to stay strong not knowing if Landon was out there somewhere. I pray he was. My heart shattered every time I thought about him. My nights were terrible whenever memories of the blast came wrapping arms around me.I stepped up in so many things despite my loss. As the doctors said, my pup couldn't be saved. For the first month, all I did was lie down and cry. I refused to eat or even entertain communication of any sort. I pushed my limits, forcing Leah to search in every corner within me if my pup was still there. She always apologized that it wasn't. I lost my pup and then Landon. Things would never be the same.Since I was wheeled to the emergency room and all attempts to save my pup failed, Sasha has refused to speak. She was assigned to a therapist whom she wouldn't say a word to. I kept in touch with Peter and the companies, he was the a
VENITA:Barely able to get off the floor and into the car to drive off despite my lightheadedness, the building that my mate had run back into went up in flames.Boom! was the shattering sound that pierced my ear and sent our car off balance. I couldn't comprehend what had happened. The whole building came down. There was no way anything could come out of that place.I held Sasha by the waist as she cried out, "Daddy!" unbuckling her seatbelt, in an attempt to run out of the car. We had somehow ended up close to a massive gate. Despite the explosion that shook the entire place, we were now facing uncountable angry-looking masked men taking powerful strides toward us.This was finally the end for us. Cross was out and Sasha couldn't take on those countless guys for sure. As for myself, I was in no shape to help in any way. If only a miracle could save us.The world erupted in chaos as the deafening sound of another blast echoed through the air. Sasha, Cross, and I were still confined
LANDON:Even though we were lost in battle, Sean was, for the first time making plans about my future. It was funny because it didn't care whether I would survive this moment to fulfill that expectation. All it wanted was clarity of the path ahead."Sean shut the fuck up and stop whining in my head. I need to concentrate. You're not even helping as I'm fighting with my human strength. So, please, zip it!" I scolded, punching another guy in his stomach."Don't shush me. If I hadn't answered you, you wouldn't even have seen the human strength to fight with. So, be grateful to me," he retorted.Meanwhile, Sasha was leading the frontline of battle. She was fierce and intimidating. She hadn't fully transformed and still exacted such power. If she fully transforms, she was going to be a war goddess. Yet, I knew that I was going to get her all the help that she needed. There was no way I was going to make my baby comfortable with this life of chaos. She was a princess and her mother, a Queen
VENITA:The scorching pain by the side of my stomach was unbearable. I had no clue what had been done to me. Oh, my baby. My pup. Forgive me for being such a weakling. I couldn't muster the strength to save any of us.While I battled with my thoughts, an unsuspecting commotion broke out. "Sasha!" I called out. My daughter had been injected with something. If the substance was making Dr. Grant panic, I had every reason to be beyond worried.In seconds, Landon had snapped the rest of his binds with his already-freed hand. He crouched, carrying Sasha in his hands. I saw his mouth moving but couldn't hear him. The box was soundproof. His expression went pale and I saw his veins pulsing from anger.Before Thronesman could say another word, Landon dropped Sasha onto the floor choking Thronesman. He began to punch him uncontrollably on his torso before throwing him at the group of doctors, shivering in a corner.Grant shot me a displeased look, dropping everything he was doing to step out
LANDON:Seeing your whole world in boxes, reduced to nothing kills a part of you. Despite constantly falling unconscious because of what was being done to me, I reached deep within me to a place of darkness to keep me awake. When I looked around, I growled so loud that the doctor who had been injecting something into me cowered in fear. "You love the beautiful sight, don't you?" Thronesman's annoying voice rang in my ears, causing me to glare at him. I scratched and clawed toward his direction but the binds kept me in place.My mate and daughter were being tortured in my presence along with my pup who I wasn't sure was still okay yet, I couldn't lift a finger. Was this really the end for me? I always thought my death would have witnessed a happier ending compared to this sad and condescending one."Don't worry, I'm not a monster to hurt a child. Moreover, we need her more than we need you two," Thronesman informed me. The was a clicking sound and Sasha bonded on a crucifix with barbe
VENITA:When I woke up, my head felt heavy and my throat felt dry. Trying to open my eyes, the light blinded me and I winced in discomfort. The room smelled like chemicals and I couldn't even move myself. Blinking hard, I started to feel my body once more. There were beeping machines and a hand on my body like something was being drawn on it.I heard a grunt almost directly above me as someone freed one of my wrists to use a hand to tightly grip my hair. I winced from the sudden pain and reached to try and pry the hand away when another hand grabbed my wrist and held it against the bed. “I’m almost done,” a low, rapturous voice said. “What’s going on?” I asked suddenly feeling a steady, constant pressure against my stomach. The hand that was burrowed into a fist of my hair tightened. A few more thrusts followed, and then the sound of a disappointed, loud moan, punctuated by something warm started to run down the side of my stomach. The hands released my hair and wrist, and I quickly s