ScarlettAstra and two other mated women helped me prepare for the ceremony despite my protests. I wanted to be alone but Astra insisted that the company would help steer me off my pain. A stabbing pain ran across my chest every damn minute, a perfect reminder of the drift between my mate and I."You look stunning honey." Astra gushed when I went down to the living room. I opted for a simple bodycorn white dress with the middle chest cut out. I paired it with a golden bracelet Astra had given me and silver strappy heels. The women did a light make up that made my eyes glow."Thank you." I forced a smile, dreading seeing Jaxon. He hadn't come home to prepare, my guess was he would attend it as he was."Do you have it?" She asked, a twitch in her lips reminding me of what we had planned."Avery." I called the teenage wolf. She had insisted to prepare chicken soup for me to take before the ceremony. She claimed that I needed the strength to dance before we finally held the barbeque."Lun
Alpha Jaxon"I thought Scarlett had already arrived." I looked at my wrist watch, tapping my foot on the wooden stage."She should be here by now." Thiery looked around, shifting on his feet slightly while he turned to look behind us. My father held a glass of scorch on his hand, seated on the wooden chair with the rest of the elders. "Scarlett left a few minutes ago, said she wasn't feeling well."My father's words had my wolf responding by trying to tap on Scarlett's emotion. "Relax, said she'll lie down a bit, she will be here before the ceremony kicks off." He added when I swept my hand over my gelled hair."Trouble in paradise still?" Thiery nudged, whispering on my shoulder. I scoffed, ignoring him. The last thing I wanted was to get riled up in front of my pack."You know, a drift between you will cause a drift amongst us without even knowing." He didn't get the hint that I wanted to be left alone. I couldn't believe his audacity, bringing up the issue in front of everyone."Sh
Scarlett"That wasn't your call to make!" I yelled, bumping into Jaxon's side as I headed to the front door."Unbelievable." Jaxon spoke in a deep, stern voice, rubbing the back of his neck. He grasped my wrist before I could make it to the door, stopping me in my tracks."Let go of me." I gritted the words, eyeing his hand around my wrist."I did what any alpha mate would have done in my position. She deserved to die." Jaxon nonchalantly replied, shrugging his shoulders."You don't get it, do you?" I monotonously asked, willing myself to calm down. The last time I checked, the man had walked away from me, but he was denying me the satisfaction of doing the same. I knew he could feel my anger through our bond, it stood out like a sore thumb."Don't get smart with me." He warned, staring straight into my eyes."What you did out there was fucking stupid and unnecessary." My voice rose an octave; my teeth rattling. We had lost a good chance because of my mate's impatience and murderous w
Alpha Jax"Who?" My curiosity was piqued. Scarlett sighed, lifting a barrier between us for a few seconds. I thought about my duffel bag with my tools and how Cane had gotten a hold of it. I was so ensnared in searching for Scarlett that I became lax about what was going on in my office. Anyone could have gotten inside and taken the bag, but I knew few had the balls to actually go through with it. In fact, I couldn't think of anyone who would dare to cross me."Isn't it obvious?" Scarlett heaved out another loud sigh, heading towards the couch. It was already dark outside, and my wolf wanted nothing more than to run under the moon beside his mate."It's hard to guess, Scarlett. I mean, look at what happened with Cane when I trusted him as my good warrior. It could be anyone at this minute; tell me who's on your mind." I felt like she was attempting to evade my question."Babe, have you noticed anything weird about any of your friends?" I briefly shut my eyes to stop myself from lashin
***Scarlett***"You want what?!" Astra dropped the memoire on the table, flinching when it came into contact with the wooden surface with a bang."You heard me, Astra. I want a spell that can reverse mating bonds." As I uttered the words, my chest constricted at the mere thought of the outcome. My wolf howled painfully on the inside, demanding to be let out. My beast needed a nice, quiet run while my warlock side needed new spells to work on. I had to harmonize them into doing the same thing lest they made me run mad."Why in the world would you ask for such a spell, my child?" Astra looked deep into my unblinking eyes, tucking a strand of her silvery white hair behind her ear."Do you have it or not?" I spoke lowly, leaning on the table. She hesitated for a moment, searching for some emotion on my face. "I don't have it.""Not to worry, I can always come up with it." I shrugged, forcing a smile despite the lump in my throat. My own mate had insulted me in our house, which reminded me
***Alpha Jaxon***I sat in my office behind my desk, staring at the office phone with an unwavering gaze. I was aware of Astra's presence as she stepped inside without knocking. I could sense her anger rolling out in waves. I didn't have to look at her to know that she was trying to choke up the urge to burn me alive."She fled before I took back my words." I started before she could even talk. I hadn't seen my mate for a whole night since she went to Astra's place to spend the night. I had someone follow her to make sure she arrived safely, and only then did I patrol the entire pack's borders in wolf form. I hadn't slept a wink, not when my mate wasn't in my house because of my uncontrolled speech."Took them back?" Astra bitterly chuckled, placing her hands on the desk as she stood in front of it."What exactly did you even say to her?" She squinted her eyes, her upper lip threatening to stretch upward.I chuckled, leaning on the back of the leather chair. "So you're angry at me wit
Scarlett"We cannot be so certain about that Scar." Jax responded, my wolf seemingly agitated even though she had just calmed down."The alpha is right, honey; even the weakest warlocks can cast powerful spells. Sometimes it depends on the bloodline and obstinacy of the spellcaster." I sighed when Astra chimed in."You know what?" I looked at Astra's clock, biting the inside of my cheek as I thought."What?" Jax followed the line of my vision, furrowing his eyebrows in question of what I was up to."Maybe I can break the spell on that ring." That had Jaxon standing up from the couch, his jaw ticking forcefully."No." His voice deepened, opining his utterance with supremacy. "I will not allow you to endanger your life for the second time." He asserted himself, earning a nod from Astra."Listen to him, Scarlett. We cannot dare take that risk for many reasons, some known only to us." I heaved out a sigh."You will be there, Astra; nothing is going to happen to me. I can feel it, raw pow
***Alpha Jaxon***I sat in my office, listening as my father chastised me for not telling him about the discovery of the warlock. He expected to be notified because he was filled with revenge for his mate. I sighed, burying my face in my hands, as the man went on and on about a father-son relationship. venting about how I had become different since Scar came back after the kidnapping."Are you even listening to me?" I lifted my face after the man banged on the desk, demanding my attention."I don't see why you're screaming in my office; you already know." I spoke dismissively, heaving a loud sigh."This used to be my office too; don't sit there and think you can just treat me however you want." The man ground out the words, staring right into my eyes. If it were another person, my wolf would have taken it as a challenge. Only blood would explain what happened there because my beast would have snapped."With all due respect, father, I am in no mood for this. We are trying to see whethe
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