Melody ReeseMy chest constricted as I watched Draven walk away, his shoulders slumped and his gaze cast down. The sound of the door closing with a bang pulled me back to bitter reality. I had hurt him in front of his own mother and my mother. I had undermined our bond without a care, disregarding his love for me and his alpha position. But for my plan to work, it had to be done. I needed to make him angry and create tension between us so I'd have a reason to raise a barrier between our bond."As the luna, you just want to do what's good for the pack," his mother said, placing her hand on my shoulder as a tear passed past my eyelid, "but don't let it come between you and your bond." She finished, busing herself with the dishes."If I were you, I'd be running after him." Those were the only words my father uttered before fishing out his phone from his pocket. He furiously typed before looking at me with an emotion I couldn't identify. Then he spoke, his voice trembling before he covere
Draven Fox"Why?" I simply asked Nancy with the thumb crusher in my hand as Jones adjusted the tightness of the silver chains around her wrists. When I saw it previously, the device had two vertical, distance-spaced round bars, but a third one had been added, with the middle one containing threads for the screw. A rectangular metal bar was affixed to the top of the three bars. On top of it, another one with three holes was slung into the vertical bars, with space for fitting the fingers."I hate repeating myself, Nancy." I hissed lowly, my jaw ticking, when she coughed and spat blood, glaring at me with drowsy eyes."Big mistake." I roared, licking my lips as I anticipated hearing the sounds of her finger bones being crushed slowly in between the metal bars."You fucking bitch!" Jones wasn't patient; he backhanded her, sending her swaying in the air. She screamed when the movement made the silver chains burn further into her skin, leaving a hefty smell of burned skin."Hold her hand."
Melody ReeseI tried getting through Draven for the umpteenth time, but my attempts proved futile. The more the man ventured further into the woods, the more my heart beat in my ears, blocking any other sound. My senses weren't heightened since my wolf was knocked out. My limbs couldn't move either nor could I let out any sound. Every part of me except my eyes and my insides seemed to be paralyzed."You have such a delectable ass." The rogue made an hissing sound, sending my heart leaping in my throat. "It's too bad I was told to bring you to my master quickly." He, using his other hand to palm my ass. I closed my eyes, the contents in my stomach churning as his touch elicited nothing but disgust from me. "Been long since I fucked a mated she-wolf." He outright said. A cold wave washed over me as the hairs on the back of my neck rose and my mouth ran dry. I had never been in such an helpless situation in my life, not even when Nathan tied me to the dance pole and whipped me. At leas
Draven FoxAll the blood drained from my face as my heart leapt to my throat. Adrenaline kicked in, and the sheer intensity of it made me burst out through the glass window, sending shards of the broken glass everywhere. I landed gracefully on the ground below in my wolf form, sniffing around the grass until the scent led me to the backyard. With my wolf's snout lowered, almost touching the ground, I followed the invisible trail of my mate's unique scent over the fence and into the woods."Find anything?" My father mind linked; an edge in his voice was quite detectable even in my mind."There's a whiff of Melody's scent leading to the river." I responded, my wolf letting out a bark of frustration when we could no longer scent her anymore."Maybe she swam to wash her scent off." My wolf suggested, but before we could decide which direction to go, my father got back to us."I think I found something in the northern part of the pack, a short distance from the main entrance." Came my fath
Melody Reese"That was so cool!" I cheered in the backseat, clapping my hands. Witnessing Scarlett throttle the rogue without raising her hands and using her magical roots was just something I loved. Arrogant men like him who undermine women deserved to be put in their place by a woman, and my mother-in-law had done exactly that. After being forced to confess where he was taking me, we leaned on his car and listened as he sputtered out words.The man said that Gwen always had a rogue or two near our pack, trying to study the patrol patterns. He had been close by when Nathan contacted him, giving him my direction. So it was true what Mason had heard between Nathan and Gwen. The question was, what was in it for him, though? What had Gwen promised him for killing me? He went on to say that with a liquid dowsed with a paralysis spell in hand, he found me, and bingo, he took me easily. Unfortunately for him, Scarlett was following me, having masked her scent."I hate perverts. It took ever
Melody ReeseI didn't bother swallowing an half suppressed scornful laugh as my mother's eyed widened when Scarlett emerged. It was too satisfying to see her drawing her head back when with just a single chant her rogue soldiers stood paralyzed. I crossed my arms over my upper abdomen as Scarlett smirked, a glint of slight evil in her eyes. When she took a step forward, my mother took two back, eyes darting into the woods as if she were silently communicating with someone."What's wrong Gwen? Not much threatening and chatty now?" My mother in law mocked, tilting her head as if she were listening to something. Then I heard it, the sound of car engines coming our way from behind Gwen."And you called for company." Draven's mother pointed out, stopping a few feet from where my mother stood. Her shoulders hunched forward momentarily before she corrected the posture, covering her fear."It's such a shame, I really wanted us to fight you know, woman to woman." The former luna spat the last
Draven FoxA very loud rumble emanated from the deepest part of my chest, nails extending to claws as my three two powerful sides set sight on Gwen and her male warlock. Whimpers of the rogues as they stirred from the impact of their fall filled my ears, but I brushed them off as I turned my eyes towards my mate, then at my mother. My body shook, my blood boiling hot under my veins, while my finger tips tingled."You did not only threaten to hurt my own mother, but my mate also." I couldn't even recognize the authority in my voice, so much so that everyone including my own father knelt before me, necks bared to me. The smell of fear assaulted my senses, making me lick my lips especially when Gwen's own feeling of fear stood out."Soffocamento" I said, rubbing my hands together as the warlock began to choke on his own saliva. I had no idea I could do that until I thought of it and I enjoyed seeing him gagging, flailing his arms in the air, trying to free the hold my magic had around hi
Melody ReeseTwo days after Gwen's death at the hands of Scarlett, I lay in bed on my back, my eyes staring at the gray and white ceiling. My insides were still tight, and my emotions were serrated, pricking me from inside out. I couldn't shake off the heaviness and the constant ache that gripped my heart. At that moment, the need to curl up into the strong arms of my mate was greater than the need to breathe. Problem was, I had pushed him away, shielded myself from him, and chose to be left alone in the guest bedroom.After trying so hard to connect with me, he finally relented, and I hadn't seen him for hours. He would leave meals for me outside the door, linger there, then leave. His father had tried talking to me, but I locked myself up in the bathroom, raised my barrier, and blocked every attempt to mind link me. My father was an exception; he didn't come to check up on me, and I couldn't help but find that odd. My friend Mason and the rest received the same treatment."You there
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