I hesitated and remained against the wall in between both rooms. A soft chuckle came from him. "You might as well come in," he called out to me again. "Unless you want to get caught standing out there. Your call." Ugh, I hated the smugness in his voice. It ground against me in ways that I couldn't even comprehend. But even still, I felt a pull toward the room that I couldn't deny. The wolf inside me was reaching for him and begging me to listen. I sighed and pushed open the door to reveal Leo standing in the same position, with his fists on the table. His hair was slightly tousled as if when talking to my father, he had continuously ran his hands through it. Pieces fell into his face, touching the scar that came in contact with one of his eyes, which looked at me with a growing sense of familiarity. He had changed so much."H-how long have you known I was there?" I asked as I stepped into the room. "Long enough. I'm sure your father did too, but that's not my concern." His
After Leo left, I took a minute to regain myself and then snuck out of the building in the same manner I had gotten in. When I returned to the festivities, everyone was still in full swing, moving their bodies in tandem with the music—new and old mates alike. I leaned against one of the pavilion pillars and smiled. It was a beautiful sight to see and I felt my wolf whine at the desire for that to be me and Leo. But as soon as the thought popped into my head, I shook it free. Keep focused. This is Leo I was talking about. The same Leo who, when I was 4 years old, chased me around the forest grounds at full speed just to incite fear. The same Leo who, once I turned 12, read my journal out loud to all of the children of Bloodmoon Pack detailing all of my private secrets, including the crush I had on one of his friends. That was Leo. The obnoxious, self-centered, egotistical b*stard that made growing up even harder than it needed to be. Not the one who stood in front of me, toned, and
"WHAT?!" I moved directly for Malissa's mouth, covering again in an instant. As soon as she calmed down, I let go, but her expression of utter shock didn't leave her features. "Nia, you can't be serious. Please tell me you're not serious." I moved her away from the edge of the building and glanced around before rubbing my temples. When I didn't respond, Malissa understood it was silent affirmation. "F*ck…" she whispered, running a hand through her natural curls. "When did you find out?" "As soon as he showed up today," I started. "I had been feeling off all day…I thought it was due to the ritual but when I saw Leo, well…it was like something clicked. I-I don't know how to describe it." Malissa paused and I could almost see the wheels turning in her head, as if she were processing everything I had said. "Well, maybe we should take this as a good sign, yeah?" she spoke up, a smile crossing her face like she had just come up with an idea to solve all of the world's problems.
Fog scattered around my feet as I trudged through an empty forest. It was dark, and I couldn't see anything in front of me. I looked down to see I was in wolf form. Although it wasn't my coat colour. When transformed, I was a regal dark chocolate brown, similar to my natural hair colour. But this wolf was white. I'd never seen a white wolf before. I lifted my nose and sniffed the air, hoping to catch a scent to lead me in a specific direction. Except there was nothing. I moved forward cautiously, feeling the twigs and rocks underneath my paws, praying that I wouldn't run headlong into anything. Finally, I saw something dark in the distance. I moved ahead, keeping my senses heightened for any unknown sounds or smells. Eventually, the darkness grew, and the fog dissipated, and I was standing directly in the entrance to a deep cavern. I looked up to see what it was attached to, but the fog was too thick above me. I then looked back into the eye of the cave. A strong emotion presen
Leo dragged me to the edge of the forest just down the street from the pavilion and let my hand go. I could feel the pleasure fade away from my body, and heard my wolf whine at the loss of contact. It was cooler up here, and the wind passed through us, playing with the ends of Leo's coat, only highlighting his fitted form. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jacket and pulled it tighter around my body. "Do you want to tell me what we're doing here? Literally back where we started…" "We're going for a run," Leo beamed. "We're…what?" "Going for a run," he repeated, stripping off his jacket and setting it on a nearby rock. "I–It's like 40 degrees out, are you mad?" "Are you?" he teased, kicking off his shoes. "By the time we get to the clearing, we'll be warm enough. Come on, you can't tell me a run away from all of the politics management doesn't sound good." It did. Nothing sounded better. I could almost smell the sweet grass and crisp, cool morning air, and sighed. T
I couldn't believe that this was happening. That I was letting it happen. Leo Mortenson was about to kiss me and I wasn't stopping it. Was I delusional? Crazy? Most likely. And yet, I didn't care. He was getting dangerously close. Whatever hatred we held was no match for a mate pull, and by Goddess, was it pulling."Leo–" I started, my eyes not breaking from his lips. His beautiful, plump—Quickly, a snapping noise came from the forest, jerking both of our heads toward it. Leo stood and stared into the woods, waiting for someone to approach. Then another sound resounded, and he leaned forward, as if on guard."What is it?" I whispered, my senses on high alert. No one ever came this far into the woods, and we both knew it. Leo listened, and then sniffed the air. "I'm not getting anything. I'm going to check it out. Stay here," he instructed. "What? No. No way. I'm not waiting around for someone to attack," I stated, standing and wiping the grass off my jeans. "I'm coming with
"The Ancient Alpha?" Leo echoed. Growing up, there were always flutters of stories swirling in the wind about the Ancient Alpha. We all knew it: a man who made a deal with the devil—or rather a warlock—to kill his brother to get eternal power and bring back his wife and child. It was one that all of the packs in the surrounding area knew well—a fable or children's spook story told by the elders as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of power. But that's all it was. Leo leaned forward in his chair, his head tilting to the side as he spoke. "Let me get this straight. You're telling me that my father found the tomb of a …a childhood ghost?" The Shaman nodded slowly. "I know this must be hard to believe, young Alpha, but you need to listen carefully. Do you have the amulet?""The what?" "The amulet." He flipped to a page in the journal that showcased the image of a large, black and white jewel sketched out in pencil. It was attached to a long string that coiled around itself.
As we walked back down the main dirt road toward the shops, I could feel the glares and hear the whispers of the other pack members. Only this time it wasn't just about me and my inability to mate; it was about Leo. His arrival turned everything upside down, for me and everyone else, and they were still trying to process this disruption.If I could hear them, I knew he could too. I snuck a sideways glance at him, expecting him to be angered in some fashion. To be honest, I wouldn't blame him. I don't know how I'd react if I were in his shoes. But instead, he appeared unbothered, and regardless of their stares, he somehow managed to nod and give a small smile to everyone we passed on the street. "You're good at that," I spoke as we moved around emerging pedestrians. "Good at what?" "Managing people." Leo smirked. "Well, it is my job. One that, despite what you may think, I take seriously." "What I think?" I repeated. "I–" But Leo stopped me by giving me a side-eye that told m
*ONE WEEK LATER* Morning air breezed through the open window, tickling my face and alerting me of the start of a new day. It'd been a week since the battle against the Ancient Alpha and Gwenna's banishment. Aaron and Jude ended up having to use force, but she left quieter than expected, and it left me with a feeling of unease. I had no doubt that she was out there plotting her revenge. But whatever it was, we'd be ready this time. I turned onto my stomach and stretched my arm out over Leo's chest. He stirred at the contact and awoke with a smile. "Good morning, princess," he said, his voice groggy from a goodnight's sleep. I grinned and pressed a kiss to his lips."Good morning, my Alpha." The words rolled off my tongue so effortlessly, and it elicited a small growl from him. Not only had we defeated an Ancient Alpha together, but we also earned the trust of the pack again, and Leo was kept on as Alpha of the Bloodmoon pack. "You know, if you keep using that name, you might
I couldn't believe it. It worked. Breaking the amulet worked. Ronan was right. It was the cure.Everyone stopped. Even Gwenna. We were all dumbfounded and amazed, like a miracle from the Moon Goddess was happening right before our eyes. Because it was.Leo's eyes captured mine as I walked slowly to him. I reached up and ran a finger along the place where his scar used to be. How was this possible? It looked like it had never even existed. His skin was smooth, and I could fully see the gold radiating from his eyes as he observed me."Leo…your scar. It's—" He looked down at me and nodded. "I know…I can feel it." "We did it," I whispered. He leaned forward and placed his forehead on mine. "No, princess. You did it." I brought my lips up to his, and he kissed me with a flood of emotions backing him. I never wanted to let go. But then, he pulled away, eyes large."Erylis…" he breathed. "Malissa… Nia, I—" I smiled at him, which instantly brought down his panic. "Are safe," I co
It was as if the whole world slowed. I felt the amulet break in my hand, and once it was gone, I dropped the silver along with it. A swirl of smoke arose from its ashes and soared into the sky, leaving nothing to indicate it ever existed. It was over before he could reach me. We won. The clanking of teeth and claws against one another ceased as the wolves stopped fighting amongst one another and watched the spectacle unfold. Ariston seized his stomach and cried out as the power evaporated from him in a puff of purple haze before combusting into hundreds of little stars. His entire body shifted involuntarily; his white hair changed immediate colour, his muscles lessened, and his stature shrunk. I turned to Malissa, who was watching it happen, with clear awe. Her eyes watered, and I looked back to see why. Erylis' true form had appeared. His body raised in the air, his back arched, as Ariston gave one final attempt at control. But it was pointless. He let out one final scream o
I had no idea how long I was out for. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in a purely white room. I didn't even know if you could call it that. It was more like an endless void. I took a few hesitant steps forward. Was I dead? I couldn't remember anything. It was all a haze. I was fighting…there was a curse. And then, I was here. Slowly, the white light dissipated, and I found myself standing in the middle of a forest. Birds sang their song in the distance, and the sound of rushing water penetrated my ears. I closed my eyes to take it in; the glow from the sun peeking through the green tree tops, lightening the darkness that took over as they shut. It was so peaceful. I couldn't remember the last time I felt calmness like this—was it days, weeks, decades? Suddenly, footsteps on leaves appeared. They were getting closer, but I felt no immediate danger. Rather, it was a soothing presence—one that felt comforting and holy. "Open your eyes, child," the voice said, singing its wor
I nudged the clothing with my nose, and the amulet dropped out onto the concrete. I couldn't believe it—the thing that started this all was now at my paws. It surged, almost like power was being continuously drawn from it. I remembered Gwenna's speech; something about taking the amulet with him. I glanced down at it. Was this the source of the Ancient Alpha's power? If I broke it…would he lose it all? I raised a paw, and was inches from setting things right when I caught sight of where Gwenna had been thrown. She wasn't there anymore. My heart thudded against my chest when suddenly, I felt a body slam into mine. I half expected it to be Gwenna, ready to have another go. Only when I had a chance to see who it was, I realized it was a different shifter; their coat was as grey as ash and fog. "I'm sorry," they said into my mind as they swiped a paw forward. I thought I could hear sobs. "He's too strong, too powerful. There's no winning. We have to join him." I blocked each move, t
Ariston took a step forward and addressed the pack, his red eyes glimmering in the now cast moonlight. "Shifters of Bloodmoon. Members of this esteemed and worthy pack. My name is Ariston and I am here to free you from the reign of this—" He grabbed Leo by the arm and pulled him in front of the audience. "—worthless leader. Not only has he been keeping secrets from you, but he also failed to tell you, to prepare you, for my arrival; the awakening of the Ancient Alpha." A murmur broke through the crowd and Ariston lifted his hand, instantly silencing them. "Now, if you ask me, this is no Alpha, but rather a little pup, terrified of his own shadows and the demons that haunt him when he sleeps." Ariston stared down at Leo as he spoke, who hadn't uttered a single word since we were restrained at his house. "I am here, to take your pack by force or by will," he said, turning back to the remainder of the pack. "But I highly suggest the latter, as it will go so much smoother, with a lot
Regardless of everything I had on Gwenna—the overheard conversation, the note, the book—I couldn't piece together why she was here. Where the hell had she and Orene been this entire time? I looked behind her to spot him, but he was nowhere to be seen. An uneasy feeling grew again in the pit of my stomach."Gwenna, how nice of you to join us." Ariston smirked, his gaze darkening again. "You said I'd be the one to end it," she sneered, ignoring his greeting. She looked at Leo with utter disgust. "To end him. I brought you back. It's the least you can do." "Oh, I wasn't going to kill him. Yet," Ariston replied, eyeing his victim as he turned him around in the air. The purple swirls of his powers encircled Leo, who was hanging helplessly in his grasp. "Just having a little fun before we go and meet the townsfolk. I'm sure they'll be eager to meet their Alpha Supreme. Actually. Let's head down there now, shall we? I'm getting tired of this little four-on-one fight. It's been years si
The Ancient Alpha? No. This couldn't be happening right now. I heard Leo take a step forward and snarl, but I could feel his confliction. Erylis was long gone—that much was clear. Whatever the Ancient Alpha had done to him, he had completely taken over. Only, it was still his best friend's body, and that was enough to let some complication seep in. "Oh, Leo, must we be so harsh?" Erylis' voice asked. A smirk ran across his face, and I pressed my paw into the ground in front of my father. He hadn't transformed yet and I needed to ensure he was safe in his human form. At least until he decided it was time to shift. Feet stomping from inside Leo's house forced everyone's attention to behind Erylis' body, where Malissa quickly appeared. Her usually pristine red hair was in disarray as she raced toward us."Nia! Stop! It's a—" Erylis' hand quickly ceased her by the throat, and Malissa let out a whimper followed by a gurgled cough. "Now, now, Malissa. What did we just talk about? We
The sounds of the forest played in my ear as I laid beside Leo on the rock—birds, leaves, the water. I breathed in, taking in the sense of calmness and relaxation I felt. Leo's arm was outstretched under my head and his fingers played with my curls. The mating ritual seemed so far from where we currently were. Some couples needed months to get used to one another, really know each other's strengths and weaknesses. I guess that was the advantage of facing a deadly curse and uprising—it really expedited the 'love' process. "What're you thinking about, princess?" Leo asked, using the name so tenderly. I turned my head to look at him and smiled. "You," I answered. "And how crazy it is that we're here, like this, right now." Leo chuckled lightly. "Wild, isn't it?" "Almost unbelievable. It's like it was fate," I taunted, scrunching my nose when he tapped the tip of it. Leo fell back into position and looked up at the clouds that were peeking out just behind the treetops. He looked