Draven Fox"Is there a particular reason why you didn't show up while we combed the areas for those fuckers?" My father asked. I knew he meant rogues; he had always loathed them since they took his mother from him. I could feel the resentment in his rough voice and see it through his blazing eyes."I was on my way to the southern border when I found Nova and her friends attacking Melody." I muttered, squirming in my father's office chair. He leaned back on his own behind his desk and quietly observed me."I told you to stop sleeping around, but you wouldn't listen. Your mate has a list of attackers waiting to pounce just because you couldn't keep it in your pants." He reminded, shrugging his left shoulder when my fist came down on the table with a bang."You were no different when you and Mom met. Or do you think I forgot what she told me? that she was attacked in your own bedroom by your fling?" I challenged."I know, and that is why I kept on telling you to stop. Is Melody okay?" He
Melody Reese"What are you doing here?" I asked without moving on the bed when the door creaked and Draven came in. I didn't need to lift my head to know it was him. His scent alone awoke my wolf, who had been wallowing since we last saw him hours ago."I missed you." He ignored my question, but the statement sent a warmth erupting in my body. The long hours I had to endure, knowing we weren't on good terms, were grueling. I truly missed him, even though our troubles remained constant."Draven, please. I'm trying to sleep." I pulled the comforter over my head and covered it completely. The luna had told me I could rest here after I got into an argument with my mother. I had gone to Scarlett crying, begging her to call my father. When he came, I just threw myself at him and cried, but I kept the part about my mom working with rogues and wanting me dead.He opened up and told me he had been avoiding me because of guilt. He didn't know how to look at me and not want to kill himself. Year
Draven FoxI watched as Melody visibly tensed and the color drained from her face in one instance. Her shoulders hunched while her heart hammered beneath her ribcage. It was so loud and fast that I knew she was shocked by my question."I can always ask Mason or Nathan himself." I pressed, making her lips thin and firm. Flashing her a sadistic smile, I reached for my phone in my shorts and willed my wolf to calm down as we agreed on calling Nathan. I couldn't believe I hadn't bothered to ask what led to his irrational action about having her killed.As I scrolled through looking for Starfall's pack number, Melody's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Then my phone vibrated as an unknown number flashed on the screen, disrupting me."Draven Fox, state your business fast." I demanded after receiving the call."I'm surprised I wasn't invited to your coronation tomorrow." The voice had my anger erupting in waves from the pit of my stomach. I didn't know whether to call it a coin
Melody Reese"What is he?" The words left my mouth involuntarily as I looked at the man I was supposed to call my mate. I pressed my elbows into my sides reflexively, trying to make myself smaller. His eyes glowed a mix of green and red as he surveyed the warriors, but when they moved to restrain him, he let out a thunderous laugh, and that is when hell broke loose.His eyes turned completely red."Impossible." Luna Scarlett whispered, her hand flying to the left side of her chest. I watched as red tendrils shot from the tiled floor, winding and tightening around the warriors' feet. It was a scene straight from a movie, completely unbelievable as I witnessed the men remain fixed on the ground."You played with fire, Melody." He turned to me, roaring as the warriors attempted to free themselves. I could no longer move as he approached, his eyes dipping with absolute venom. He was no werewolf; what I was seeing in front of me was a monster possessed by an evil spirit."I di-dn't w-ant t
Draven FoxI sat unmoving in the cell, a hollowness I couldn't quite feel consuming me. Hours after the haze of rage I had been in evaporated, my father insisted I stay locked up. Like an ending cycle of torture, images of my actions after Melody confessed left my heart pounding so painfully. With every pulse, stabbing pain spread across my chest, reminding me that my wolf didn't want anything to do with me."What the fuck happened?" Holden stood in front of the silver bars, his eyes warped in a miserable black."You could have killed her, your own mate!" Jones hissed, glaring at me."What were you even thinking?" Caleb yelled, the three of them looking like they wanted to be anywhere rather than in the dungeons in my presence."That's the thing; I wasn't thinking." I muttered, leaning on the stonewall."When she told me she was infertile, something just snapped inside of me. It was like a remote control of some sort." I admitted, placing my hands above my head. The mere thought of hu
Melody Reese"A hybrid." I said it aloud, looking at the pack compound through the infirmary patient room window. The sun was occluded by dark clouds, unlike when I woke up earlier while it was still grazing us with its rays."How you feeling?" My father asked out of nowhere, making me jump with a gasp."Dad." I breathed, raising my hand to my chest."I'm sorry for startling you." He closed the door, then moved to the window. He was dressed in khaki trousers and a t-shirt, looking quite good for his age."It's okay. Physically... I am okay; I am good as new. Astra healed me before I even woke up." I was still trying to get used to the fact that she was a pure warlock, living among werewolves like one of them."I'm glad." He muttered, silence taking over. Knowing him, I had a rough idea of what he was thinking about."He was too powerful for anyone without magic." I uttered, watching him sideways as he shook his head."I should have protected you, my girl. You have no idea how trapped
Draven FoxMelody didn't move; she stood there defiantly as if she hadn't heard me."No."She stated, making me grit my teeth together. I wasn't ready to face her; what would I even tell her after everything I had put her through? I deserved the pain that came with my guilt, the grueling questions in my mind, and the constant migraine since I regained my senses."Do not make me hurt you again." I ground the words without looking at her, hoping at least that would scare her away."Guys, I think we'll be fine." Melody addressed my friends. I could hear their footsteps as they retreated and left us alone."Now it's just you and me." She stated with a heavy breath."Leave." I insisted, swallowing loudly."Or what?" She pressed."I told you I will hurt you again." I roared, her stubbornness overwhelming me."Then go ahead! Beat me, burn me, throw me across the bars or the wall again, but I will not leave this place until we talk." She panted after the outburst that left me breathless. She
Melody ReeseWith each second that ticked by, my heart pounded relentlessly, each beat spreading an ache across my chest."Re-ject m-e." I repeated, each word burning my throat. The dull ache soon increased, transitioning to a grueling pain that drew a whimper from me. With it came a more pronounced burning feeling in my eyes as tears filled them."M-elody." Draven grunted in pain, extending his arm. I could feel my wolf fighting for her mate, but my human side had already given up. My cries filled the dump dungeons, the sound echoing my anguish along the corridors. My entire body trembled, with different strong emotions taking over.I couldn't kneel there and continue smelling his scent or wait for his rejection, even though I asked for it. It was crystal clear that his mind had been made up, so I stood shakily. My throat clogged up, making it difficult to utter a word. My tongue was heavy, my mouth was dry, and my vision was blurry as I looked at the man that the goddess had given m
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