Melody"I just want you to come back to me as soon as you can." I spoke to Draven, who stood behind me, placing my hands on his arms that crossed over my upper abdomen, right under my boobs."I will. I'm just going to choose an alpha and make sure the Starfall pack understands that I am in no need for a new pack on top of mine." He responded, trailing his nose along my throbbing vein on my neck."So you decided to keep the next alpha a secret, even to me?" I asked, swaying my hips to the side and rubbing on him innocently. We were standing on the porch, spending our last few minutes together before Draven left for my former pack."It won't be a surprise if you find out beforehand." He responded, delivering an open-mouth kiss on the spot under my ear. I visibly shivered, closing my eyes as I tried to get my feelings under control."Fine," I huffed. "Be like that." I added, shrugging my shoulders."Come on, babe. Don't be like this." His tone sounded pleading when he spoke."Is it Holde
Draven FoxThe distinctive metallic smell of blood hit my nostrils as I approached the pack square. My father walked beside me, with Caleb in front of us, leading the way. The Starfall members had already been assembled by Holden minutes before our arrival. Except for the smell, racing hearts, and the sound of scampering animals in the woods near the square, it was oddly quiet."I take it from the silence that Nathan's people are still shook?" I asked Caleb."On the contrary." His answer only raised another question, but my father beat me to it."Do you mean they feel free?" He asked."Yes, some of his warriors were even asking why it's taken us so long to get rid of him." That was unexpected, but given his monstrous actions, maybe he was never a good alpha to them."I didn't know we were doing them a favor." I chuckled, folding my long sleeved shirt, ready to get right into business."That is, well, surprising, to put it simply." My father added as we took the last corner and came to
Melody ReeseEvery adult in the pack except those who were on various duties gathered inside the pack lands, right in front of the pack entrance, awaiting the return of our alpha. I wanted everyone to witness their leader come back victorious, having gotten rid of the pack's enemy inside his own pack. As the luna, I stood at the front of the gathering with Scarlett by my side, the elders on the line behind us, and then the rest of the pack."I can't believe Nathan is no more." I stated, feeling the peace I had so much desired when he was alive already taking control."You better, honey; finally you can breathe." She responded, rubbing the spot between my shoulders, her eyes focused on the gates as they opened. We watched as SUVs were driven in, piling up neatly on the right side of the entrance. My toes curled on the flipflops I was wearing while I swallowed hard."Relax, Mel; there's no reason for your nerves to act up." Mom whispered in my ear while I watched as Holden hopped out, r
Draven FoxA smile spread on my face as Mason and Melody hugged. My father scoffed beside me, while my mom gave Melody a thumbs up when she pulled away."Stop sulking; you can't choose friends for her." My mother elbowed my father gently on his side, making him soften his gaze, which had been a glare directed at Mason."He hurt her." He complained."He apologized, and she forgave him; now shut up." My mother scolded."I'll leave you two to banter while I go to the dungeons." I excused myself from the cheerful pack members after saying hi to nana, ordered Nathan's head to be spiked on a pole, and then left with Caleb and Holden."Oh, I forgot that Jones was locked up." My father spoke while pulling my mother to where my nana was and the rest of the elders. They had steered me away from my business, allowing me to work without disruptions or meaningless meetings to question my work."What are you going to do to him?" Caleb asked as we piled up in my SUV, deciding to drive there."Where
Melody Reese"I must admit that was genius." Caleb stated, rubbing his chin. Whoever came up with that plan for Mercy to mark Jones so she'd access Jones thoughts without knowing was genius."Was it? The stupid bitch marked Jones clearly as her chosen mate, knowing she could lose her own mate if she met him." Mason argued, shaking his head. We'd driven Jones to Caleb's place, fixed him something to eat, and after he cleaned up, we came down the stairs for a chat, just like old times. Draven had loosened up and allowed it to slide because clearly it wasn't Jone's fault."Well, if you put it that way," Caleb trailed off."But, how come you didn't see the mark sooner?" I asked, getting comfortable on Draven's lap. He was quiet and a bit distant, and instead of probing, I decided to give him time until he was comfortable talking about it. I knew he was feeling bad because he almost killed his friend without listening to the other side of his story."I saw it when I woke up, and when I ask
Draven FoxWe headed straight home instead of the office, like I had told my friends. After soaking in the bathtub with Mel between my legs, she ended up dozing off. I had to carry her, dry her up, and dress her before I put her to bed. Knowing she had gone through a hard time waiting for me to come back, I let her enjoy her sleep while I fixed myself something to eat. After eating to my fill, I slipped inside the duvet beside her, my thoughts drifting back to Jones."Mmmh." I hummed, snaking her arm over her waist as I pulled her closer to me. Her scent had changed; it smelled more sweet and had become even more alluring. As I smelled her hair, I couldn't help but picture our twins inheriting the hot mess on their heads. Her previously levelled heartbeat started increasing, indicating that she was waking up."Why aren't you asleep?" She asked grogilly, pressing her body into mine and making me bite a groan."I was eating." I stated."Talk to me, Draven, what is it?" She suddenly aske
Melody ReeseI awoke to find myself alone in our bedroom. The spot beside me was cold, indicating that Draven hadn't left the bed recently. I thought about calling him but decided to check downstairs first; maybe he was still around. As I took a hoodie to throw over my nightgown, my stomach growled. I remembered I hadn't awoken in the middle of the night like I usually did to have what I called a mid-night snack. That was how much appetite the pregnancy had bestowed upon me."Babe!" I shouted as I descended the stairs in socks-covered feet, supporting my hands on the wooden railings, which I had painted white from the previous black that Draven had."Draveeen!" I called louder, but I was only met with silence."Well, this is odd." I mumbled to myself, heading to the kitchen to prepare a hearty meal for myself. I didn't know what the exact time was, but given the happy chirps of the birds outside, it was sometime in the morning. By then, I was used to finding mom in the residence anyti
Draven FoxI found Melody seated on one of the porch stairs, a cup of cocoa in her hands, her head hanging as if she were meditating. Knowing she was safe brought a sense of relief, even though I knew there was no way Jones would have gotten past the protective barrier I raised. But then again, I wasn't ready to risk Melody being taken away again."Good morning, babe?" I greeted but was met with silence."I'm sorry, something came up after you slept and I had to take care of it." I added, sitting down beside her. She, however, stood without a word, distanced herself from me, and got back inside the house, the cup still in her hands."Come on, babe, I know I should have said something, but I left in a hurry. Plus, you were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake you up." I followed her to the kitchen, where she poured the cocoa inside the sink, put the cup on the counter, and then passed beside me without sparing me a glance."Shit." I swore, watching as she climbed the stairs qu
Third POVTwo Years LaterDraven and Melody heaved consecutive sighs of relief after their twins finally fell asleep. They had tried everything for hours to get Astra Mae Fox and her brother Knox to sleep, including massage, swaying, and singing lullabies. Only when they contacted Scarlett did they get a complete guide, which worked within minutes. Now they had to tiptoe around and make little to no noise, so the twins couldn't wake up."Stubborn babies." Draven whined in a low voice, sleeping on his back on their bed, eyes tightly closed."I almost cried." Melody confessed, making Draven chuckle lightly, before he got a slap on his arm."Lower your voice. If you wake them up, I swear I will run out of this house and leave you alone with them." Melody sternly stated in a low voice, glaring at Draven as she lied beside him."I didn't think putting a baby to sleep would be so haard." Draven exaggerated the word 'hard' making Melody roll her eyes even though she knew so well what he was
Melody Reese"Mmh." Draven swallowed my low moan in the kiss, deepening it and making my heart beat fiercely. His lips were salty sweet, moving against my cold ones, warming them as the intensity increased. It felt like days since we had a true slow kiss without any worry of lurking enemies or evil plans being plotted against us. His fingers combed through my hair, his touch completely pulling me into a pool of desire."Goddess, you taste so good." He rasped against my lips when he pulled away, his eyes roaming over my face."And you look so inviting right now." He added in an evident rasp, using his other hand to swipe a thumb gently over my lower lip. I was at a loss for words, just drinking in his riveting features and wanting more of him."I would have loved to fuck you right here right now, but..." He trailed off."But?" I raised an eyebrow, almost challengingly, as I shifted on the hospital bed."We are in the infirmary, in one of the check-up rooms." He clarified, looking aroun
Draven FoxI couldn't count how many handshakes and condolences I received from my pack members after the ceremony. My mother had whisked Melody away the moment it was all over, leaving me to interact on their behalf, citing that stress wasn't good for Melody. There was still a part of me that didn't want to accept that nana was gone and that it could have been prevented. Had I listened to Melody from the start about not trusting Jones with Mercy, Astra would still be alive."You cannot blame yourself when fate happens." My father's voice invaded my mind, snapping me back to reality. It looked like I had greeted the last few pack members absentmindedly."I am not blaming myself." I replied in a harsh tone, pocketing my hands in my slacks."I know you, son; I can see it written on your face." He insisted.I sighed, "Fine. But can you judge me, though? I was supposed to know something wasn't right with Jones the moment he started conniving against us." I pulled out my hand from my pocke
Melody ReeseDespite every attempt to keep Draven off my mind, the state of his mom, and Jones all together, I still found myself pacing around in the sitting room. My eyes kept darting toward the front door, praying for my mate to push it open. As if the goddess had decided to respond to my prayers instantly, the door knob moved. I halted, folding my hands together as if saying thank you, and looked as the oaken door was pushed open."Draven!" I squealed, running toward him when he finally stepped in, a very large, telling smile gracing his handsome face. He spread his arms, but before I threw myself on him, a scent, even though weaker than his usual masculine one, hit my nostrils. I put on breaks, standing just a few steps from him as my eyes roamed around his body, inspecting him for any injuries."Melody?" His brows shot up, his shoulders rising up in question."Is he..." I trailed off after the realization that it wasn't his blood dawned on me. A relief washed over me as I exhale
Draven FoxAfter cutting the mind link with an overly excited Melody after hearing the news of where Jones was, we spread out. We planned to approach Mercy's home from different directions so that if Jones escaped, we would have extremely high chances of catching him. It was a solid plan, one that we kept just between the three of us, Holden, Mason, and me. I wasn't about to tell my warriors and risk Jones getting wind of it. At that moment, he was an enemy—a dangerous, traitorous one that needed to be tamed."How come Mercy's parents just let him stay there?" Mason asked via the mind link, positioned a few meters north of the two-story house."They are not there. They left the pack the moment they heard what their daughter had done," I answered, crouching low behind tall grass a few steps after the tree line on the back of the house. The lights were off, and except for sounds made by small animals, it was extremely silent. That meant that we had to be extra stealthy; otherwise, Jones
Melody ReeseI threw the covers off and sat up, putting my hands above my head. Time seemed to have stagnated; the howls subsided, and uncomfortable silence reigned. I didn't know how long I had slept, but there was still daylight streaming through the window. My heart was still heavy, and I could feel the puffiness around my eyes without even touching or looking. It was still surreal how so much chaos could take place in just one day.Throwing my legs over the edge of the bed, palms on the mattress, and forearm facing forward, I sat there for a few seconds, finding some bearing. The ache Draven had caused between my legs was still there. My clit was still throbbing, begging to be relieved, but I attempted to ignore that and let my feet finally touch the area rug on the floor."When will this be over?" I talked out loud, heaving a prolonged low sigh as I thought about going downstairs to the kitchen. I was craving cocoa since I hadn't taken it earlier. I couldn't feel Draven's emotion
Draven Fox"Any report?" I asked Holden when I joined him in the search minutes later. My heart constricted at the thought of leaving Melody alone, but it had to be done that way."None; it's like he disappeared into thin air." There must be somewhere he was hiding and something he was using to hide his scent. Without a scent, it was almost impossible to track and locate him."He knows this pack like the back of his hand. He must have a hideout; we just have to figure out where." Holden added when I remained silent. I was trying to come up with a way to smoke him out, but it was proving hard because my mind was a mess with nana's passing and Melody's state."He told me he did it for power." I suddenly said, trying to let my mind cool down."I know; he told me the same. You said I was your favorite, and that's why you chose me to be your beta when you demoted Nova." The tone of his voice didn't change. It remained even, barely depicting an emotion."You don't seem affected." I pressed.
Melody Reese"I can help you catch him." I blurted it out once we got inside the house, after Draven pulled me in while looking around."Absolutely not!" He replied instantly, looking at me as if I had become mad."He wants me; why don't you let him think he can get me?" I insisted, crossing my fingers that he would agree."You are nuts if you think I am letting you out of this compound. Nothing will make me break that spell unless it is Jone's headless body." He stated, throwing me over his shoulder, then began walking towards the stairs."What was that for?" I complained when he slapped my ass, sending shivers down my spine, but I wasn't about to admit that I loved it."For daring to risk your life and our babies." He nonchalantly answered before adding another one that stung but soon was replaced by sparks of pleasure when he began rubbing the spot."But it will work, I know." I argued, biting my lower lip, when he spanked me two times without any pause in between. They were fast a
Draven FoxI stood in nana's backyard, looking at her lifeless body, as my mother cradled her head in her lap. She wasn't crying; no, she was staring at space, rocking back and forth as if her mind was slowly processing everything. Then she began mumbling the healing spell; it was almost as if she was slowly losing her mind without knowing it."Let go, mom." I said in a broken voice, my Adam's apple forcefully bobbing up and down over the lump that had formed."No, no, no." She whispered, then threw her head backwards and, in human form, let out an extremely loud howl that carried with it the pain of losing someone so special to her. Almost after that, dad howled behind me, and the elders that he seemed to have gathered joined him too, and they howled to the moon goddess together.As I listened to them and looked at my nana, it almost felt like I was in a frozen state. My mind was still processing what my eyes were seeing and my ears were hearing. Then, with a slight push inside of me