Alpha JaxonI tuned out the conversation in the boardroom, thoughts about my Scarlett crowding the most part of my mind. My phone screen lit up for the umpteenth time as I checked the time. The more the elders talked one after the other, the more I felt minutes dragging by. I wanted to rush out to the gym, release Cane and train my own mate.'You know this would be easier if you just marked her. ' Thiery almost leaned on my shoulder as he whispered to me, eyes straight ahead looking at Astra as she stood.'Mind your fucking business. ' I snapped but my friend and third in command remained unfazed. I desired to claim her, to own her, to show everyone that she was all mine. But I wasn't going to force it on her, I wanted to earn her trust, to give her a choice. She couldn't resist the bond and neither could I. That meant that it would be only a matter of time before she gave me the go ahead.'I am sure you all know by now that alpha Jaxon found his mate. ' Thiery nudged me on my side by
ScarlettJax stood rigidly on the wooden stage eyes warped in a miserable black. A sinister silence enveloped the meeting grounds, the pack members bowing to their enraged alpha. I swallowed saliva thickly, trying to push back the images that had since tortured my memory. The feeling of Cane's hands dragging me across the gym floor, his dirty vile actions accelerated my heart beat.As if sensing my fear, Jax held my hand in his, squeezing with an underlying comfort. The contact slowed my breathing, enough to lower the volume of my pulse rate. His warmth impacted on my feelings, it brought forth a sense of safety. No words were uttered as the elders sat on the left side of the stage, their eyes directed at the entrance.The hairs on my skin stood as Cane was dragged up the stage by Thiery and Jasper. Whispers erupted as the man whimpered, his swollen eyes darting across the stage before they finally landed on me. My gaze hardened, while I dug my nails on Jaxon's hand, containing the bl
Scarlett 'You should have told me you weren't comfortable around him! ' Jaxon threw his hands up in the air, before placing them on either side of his waist. Brows furrowed, mouth set into a thin line, his actions were beginning to agitate me. I willed myself to relax, I didn't want to embark on a journey of thoughts that I had been trying so hard to forget. ' Didn't I insist that morning that I wanted Thiery to do the training instead of him? ' I fired back, reminiscing about how the alpha and the gamma insisted that Cane was the best. 'But you did not say why Scarlett...' 'Stop right there Jaxon, please for goodness sake! Stop blaming me over what happened to me in your own pack. ' I cut him off mid sentence, walking towards the door. 'Where do you think you're going? Your safety was jeopardized? What would I have done if- if...' He halted, pinching his nose. 'What do you think? Getting far from you because I don't want to continue talking about this. By the way after what Cane
Alpha Jaxon'I can't. ' I shifted my eyes to the hers, my wolf whining when Scar's face contorted into a scowl.'Of course.' Her lips trembled while she put her tiny hands on my chest. She pushed me back arduously, wiggling out of my grasp. I was reluctant to let her go, but her persistence had me giving in. I caught a glimpse of her glistening eyes before she turned, chewing on her bottom lip. She crawled over towards the head of the bed, muttering lowly to herself.I could sense the change in the surroundings as I sat beside her and leaned on the headboard. Despite her reluctance and resistance, I draped my arm around her and pulled her to my side. She was still nude, her sexy petite body making it hard for me to come up with words to explain my refusal.'Hey, I really want to make love to you love. Don't you see what you do to me? ' I guided her hand to my still hard member, massaging her palm along the venous length. She hissed, shifting her gaze to the object of her desires. I co
Scarlett'Please come back. ' I pleaded in a whisper to my wolf, but she remained silent, almost non existent. I needed her to be there during the mating ceremony for the mating to be complete. I paced across Ryker's sitting room, calling out for the moon goddess to bring back my wolf.I was so engrossed in my thoughts and silent pleas that I didn't register as the front door was pushed open. I could have sworn I heard it click from a far but my mind was too preoccupied to follow up. I brushed my palms on my tangled hair, tapping my foot on the floor.'Let her in. ' I whipped my head so fast I almost broke my neck. My right hand went straight on my chest, rubbing slowly to ease the erratic hear beat. Astra stood a few steps from me, wearing a warm smile that sucked me in.'Huh? ' I tipped my head to the side, peering intently at Astra.'Your wolf Scarlett, she's not gone.' The area between my eyebrows creased as her words sank in. How had she known what was troubling me? I shook my he
Alpha JaxonI took a sip of the clear liquid, tilting the glass in the air. My head felt heavy and full of a million questions and a thousand of probable answers. I wanted to talk to Scar about what I saw back at the gym, the green balls of fire. But even I knew she had no idea, she was just as befuddled as I was.I tilted my wrist, checking the time on my wrist watch. I still had a few hours before the ceremony but I was late for a meeting with my father. Knowing he would throw a fit if I didn't show up, I put the glass on the oaken table and left. The details of the meeting had been withheld from me, something that my father never did.He prided himself in honesty and calling a spade a spade. It was unlike him to keep secrets or to demand my presence in his sound proof home office. He lived on the farthest southern part of the pack, near the border. I had told him time and time again it was dangerous to live that far from the rest of the pack, but he wouldn't listen.When I got ther
ScarlettI shook my head and stretched my hands. 'Absolutely not! 'Astra didn't even spare me a glance, she busied herself with mixing some liquid in a glass bowl. 'It is tradition Scarlett. ''Are you kidding me right now? What sort of tradition requires a grown woman to be bathed by strangers? ' My voice sounded rigid, like it was being forced out. I cleared my throat, soothing it with a gulp of saliva.'It is an honour for the chosen women to prep you, to pamper you for the mating ceremony. ' Astra dismissed in a flat tone, covering the bowl with the sweet scented mixture of what seemed like herbs.'But I can wash myself, I won't allow this! ' I stubbornly insisted, exiting the bathroom with my head held high. Astra was quick to follow in a chuckle, directing me towards the balcony.'The previous alpha mates of this pack went through the same process. A mating ceremony is the most vital celebration in this pack. It births a new mother for the pack, a shoulder to lean on for the al
Alpha JaxonI bolted through the thick tall ancient trees, jumping over the roots with ease. Tendrils of desolation crawled inside, grasping my mind and heart. The cavity grew with every step, overpowering the rage my father had since awakened. My wolf wanted out, whining and calling out for our mate. I wanted nothing else but to run over to my house where Astra, Winnie and Grace were helping her get ready.Small animals scampered away, sensing the presence of a predator in their midst. Images of my petite Scarlett flashed before my eyes, making me almost lose my footing. My feet slid on the wet foliage covering the forest floor, coming to an abrupt stop.'Let me out. ' My wolf demanded, bumping on my consciousness.'You know you have to wait until she's ready. ' I snapped, bending over with my hands firmly placed over my thighs. The more we bickered the more I yearned for Scarlett. It could have been the full moon intensifying my feelings, or the fact that I was an alpha. The sun was
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