Irina“The alpha is hurt! The alpha has been hurt!” Those words will forever be burnt deep into my heart! I sat upright in bed trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Hunter was already up and dressed in a pair of shorts as I tried to gather myself. Archer and the others were going out for a second run after us old people went to bed.They were only going for a run near the lake! I jumped out of bed and put on the clothes Hunter threw on the bed and we rushed out of the house. Shifting as soon as we hit the forest, we rushed to the lake. My blood was rushing through my body so loudly that I was almost struggling to hear what the hell happened. Archer’s beta was trying to explain through the pack link, but the boy sounded so rattled that we couldn’t figure out a word of what he was saying.All we could hear was that Archer had been shot. We reached the lake and the group were huddled around Archer who was lying on the ground. My heart stopped. I had been trying to call out to
IrinaSince Ingrid wouldn’t turn eighteen for a couple of months, Hunter and I decided to take back our titles for the time being. Archer’s death still had to be investigated and Ingrid wouldn’t be able to handle that just yet. She had received some alpha training over the years, but she would have to do a crash course over the next couple of months first.The investigation that Hunter and the sheriff did launch to explain Archer’s death brought to life the events of what happened. The young wolves were playing around the lake in their wolf form and somehow the hunters got onto our land. Border patrol noticed their scent too late, and it showed us that we had become too complacent in checking our borders.After the war, we had our warriors checking the borders more stringently, but as time passed, Hunter cut back on the patrols. There was no big threat out there anymore, so such stringent security wasn’t necessary. Or so we thought. We never expected humans to come out and hunt us! No
IrinaIt hurt! It hurt so badly that it felt as if I couldn’t breathe! It hurt that I had to put on a brave face for everyone when I was slowly dying inside. I wondered if it would have hurt less if we didn’t have to go through the fake funeral and the trial, but I knew it wouldn’t. Yes, those were constant reminders, but I lost my son. Nothing would ever make that any easier.As the days slowly ticked by and we sat through the farce of a court case, my anger grew. It wasn’t directed towards the man who shot my son and killed him. It was directed towards the man sitting in the back of the courtroom studying everyone. The real reason my son was killed!All my life I have tried my best not to hate anybody. I believed that people acted the way they did because something in their lives wasn’t entirely right. I rationalized a lot! This time around, however, I couldn’t help myself. I hated the hunter! I felt like leaping over the rows of benches and ripping out his throat in front of everyo
IrinaThings seemed to return to normal around town, but with these small towns you never really knew what was brewing behind closed doors. Our wolves followed the hunter everywhere he went and when he disappeared, we all knew exactly what he was up to. There was no denying it. The only reason he would leave town so suddenly was to meet up with more hunters.A couple of months of peace went by and we planned Ingrind’s birthday party. Only this time around would it be a lot more official than our original plan. She was going to be named the new alpha on her eighteenth birthday. Technically, we were living without an alpha after Archer was killed, but everyone still obeyed Hunter.Everyone was just so extremely grateful that we had a second child who could take over! Ingrid had become a new person in the months that passed by and I hardly recognized my rebellious teenager those days. She had mostly taken over the responsibilities and I would never admit it out loud, but she was better t
IrinaIngrid looked so beautiful as she stepped out of the pack house and into the moonlight. It was such a bittersweet moment to watch her walk past the warriors and into the middle of the circle where she would soon be named alpha of the pack. Only a couple of months ago, we were standing here named Archer alpha and now he was gone.My heart was racing and I appreciated Hunter squeezing my hand a little tighter to let me know he was right there with me. I could see the sadness in Ingrid's eyes as she turned to look at us. I wasn’t feeling the bittersweet moment alone. As I scanned our pack who gathered around Ingrid, I could see it on every single face.We were all proud of Ingrid. We were all happy for her, but nobody could stand there tonight and not think about Archer. Hunter made his announcement and we both pledged our loyalty to our new alpha before, one by one, the pack did the same. The festivities felt a little less festive since there would be no run afterward, but I felt
IrinaHunter informed Ingrid of what was going on through the pack link and she took care to let the entire pack know that the hunter was trying to call us out. We needed all of our people to stay calm should they run into him. Nobody, not one single wolf, could lose their calm around him. It was clear that he wasn’t someone who would take us on in a fight.First, he hid behind the humans when he sent those human hunters after us and now, he is trying to get us to shift in front of the town’s people. Either this hunter was new to the game or he was playing a very dirty game! Getting humans to do what they either couldn’t or wouldn’t do themselves. There was no use in trying to figure out why he was doing things the way he did.All we had to do was figure out how the hell to get rid of the man.IngridTAKING OVER AS ALPHA was not part of my plan. I wanted to go out and see the world and once I was done, maybe then I would come back home and settle down. Then this hunter came into our l
Ingrid“I’m so sorry, honey.” My mother took my hand when I calmed down a little and we sat down on the couch.“She has to reject him. If she doesn’t, the pack will not accept him and they sure as hell won’t accept her as their alpha anymore.” My father paced back and forth in front of us holding onto his head like he always did when he was trying to figure out a problem.“There is no question about it. I am going to reject him, dad.” I couldn’t believe that he actually thought I would accept that bastard as my mate.“Okay, you two. Exactly how do you suggest that happens, huh?” As usual, my mother was the voice of reason. It wasn’t like I could just walk up to him and reject him. Or could I? Maybe it was that easy? Maybe I could just walk straight up to him and tell him to go fuck himself and rip out his heart while I was at it?! My parents looked at each other and then at me.“You will have to face him, Ingrid. You will have to reject him face to face. He might not even understand w
IngridAs that one moment in time kept playing through my mind over and over, things around me, however, started to happen really fast. My father appeared with two warriors who would set the stage to make it look like he had tripped and fallen, while my father took me home. My body twisted in pain while he carried me back.My mother appeared the second my father carried me inside. I had killed my mate. The monster who came here to kill all of us. I killed him! My wolf was crying and howling so loudly that I couldn’t even think straight.IrinaWe were all running on autopilot. Nobody could believe that Ingrid had actually gone through with it. I was just grateful that things worked out the way they did. If Ingrid had ripped out his heart … It would have been much harder to cover up. Hunter told me everything on his way in and I have to admit that I was relieved. It was over. We could actually move on with our lives and live without any fear!The doctor rushed in and sedated Ingrid and
IrinaAfter a couple of weeks, the new place was built and we all moved in. I loved the new setup more than I thought I would and it was actually great fun to have Rosemary so close by. The children had done an amazing job in getting everyone settled into the new place and as I walked down the beach, I breathed in the fresh morning air.I missed Archer terribly. He would have loved this new place so much. He had always loved the lake. I met Rosemary on the way and we caught up on all the last-minute arrangements for the day. Hunter had finally accepted his new position in life and there was just one thing he asked of the kids which they gladly gave.Now that we were all settled in, it would be the official ceremony to bind our two packs together according to our ancient traditions. Today was Ingrid and Richard’s mating ceremony and I could feel the excitement in the air. The packs had already come together as one much easier than any of us could ever have imagined they would.On the f
Irina“Oh, no! Don’t you dare put me in the middle of this!” I glared at Hunter who was glaring right back at me. The discussions had been going around in circles for hours without a solution and he had pulled me aside to ask me to order Richard and our daughter to move home. Hunter, being Hunter, had found the only way he believed this arrangement would work.He thought Richard could just become Alpha of our pack and choose someone else to take over his pack. As if it would be that damn easy! What was my mate thinking?!“I don’t see what the problem is.” He huffed and for a split second I saw traces of Archer in my husband. They looked so damn much alike! “Other males move to the packs of their females, why can’t he?” Hunter was pouting as he waved his hand through the air before clamping his arms tightly over his chest.“Would you have left your pack for me?” I studied my mate. “If I refused to live this life, Hunter. Would you have given up everything just for me?” I could see that
IngridI was hoping I looked sexy, but I knew I didn’t as I fumbled to try and fit him inside me. I was just about to give up when Richard reached out and helped me and I nearly swallowed my tongue the moment he pushed inside of me. I liked this position! I had seen it in movies and always wondered about it, even if I looked away as soon as it came on.It felt as though he was going even deeper and I wondered if that was even possible. I wasn’t entirely sure if I should hunch on my legs or just move my hips, but clearly Richard knew what he was doing as he guided me and we were soon captured in the throes of passion!“Yeah, that’s it! Ride me!” He growled through clenched teeth and it gave me the small confidence boost I needed. I was doing it right! Richard pushed himself up and he clung to my body as I moved. It took a little longer for us to reach that peak this time, but just as I felt myself about to tumble over, he leaned closer. I felt his canines scarping my skin for just a mo
IngridIt was as though that was all he needed to hear as he slowly started to push into me. In an instant, I was flooded with hunger. I wanted him more than anything. I needed him. The expression of needing someone … Really needing them finally made sense! The world finally made sense! Why men went to war for women made sense!Richard stopped pulling me out of my ridiculous thoughts and when a frown formed on his brow, I thought I had done something wrong.“I’m not sure if you know this, but this next part will hurt a little. I promise you it will be the one and only time I will ever hurt you.” He stroked a stray piece of hair out of my face and I nodded. I could have told him that it wouldn’t be the last time he hurt me, but I didn’t. My mind was running at a mile a minute with all sorts of distracting thoughts and I didn’t want to spoil the moment with any of them.As Richard thrust into me, I cried out and he held me for a moment. It was painful, but it wasn’t unbearable pain. I c
IngridI wouldn’t say I was entirely innocent. I knew which parts went where and what to do with all those parts, I just hadn’t physically done any of it up to now. Why hadn’t I done it before?! Having him touch me in those sacred places felt out of this world! It was incredible! I had never in my life felt as relaxed and happy as I did in that tub in Richard’s arms.As Richard got out of the tub, I wondered if that was it. Was it over now? I knew it couldn’t possibly be it! He held out his hand and I frowned.“Is it over?” I pouted and he burst out laughing, making my cheeks turn a bright shade of red!“No, my sweet Ingrid. That was just the start. The water is getting cold. I thought we would move this to the bed where we could be more comfortable.” He smiled at my look of shock and I silently swore at myself. I shouldn’t have waited! At least if I had done it once before, I wouldn’t have been such a damn idiot the first time with my mate!Richard picked me up bridal style and carri
Ingrid“Stay right there, okay?” He looked around and I nodded. I laughed when he started opening cupboards and swore. “I will be right back.” He grinned and disappeared. When he returned, he had a box filled with candles in hand and he walked right into the bathroom.“That is really not necessary, Richard. We didn’t know this was going to happen tonight.” I laughed as he opened the taps for the bath and started to light the candles.“In that case, you can light the candles while I get us some Champaigne.” He winked and disappeared before I could say anything else. I did as he said and I have to admit that it helped ease the nervousness I was feeling. When he returned with the Champaigne, I had lit all the candles and he opened the bottle for us. After pouring each of us a glass, he held out his glass to me and I blinked and watched him. I had never imagined him as someone who could be very romantic.“To us. May we only share happiness and love.” He sounded a little out of breath and
IngridI scanned his room. His bedding was white, which was a surprise. A single black line decorated the border around the edge of the bedding and the pillow cases. A huge bed stood in the middle of the room and on either side was a set of beautiful antique free-standing cupboards.“This will be yours.” He rubbed his palms on his sides before opening the cupboard for me and I wondered if he was as nervous as I was.“Thanks.” I smiled as he opened the cupboard and I realized it was left empty for his mate. An awkward silence fell between us for a moment.“I will give you a moment to settle in. Would you like anything to eat or drink?” He was nervous! It was so damn cute!“Something to drink would be nice.” I smiled as I realized my mouth was feeling incredibly dry. “Something strong!” I laughed nervously as his face relaxed and he smiled. He nodded and disappeared while I unpacked my overnight bag and made my way to his bathroom. It was beautifully done in white and black marble. The
IrinaHunter and I didn’t even have to ask the moment we saw Ingrid move. It was clear that she had found what she had been looking for all day and when they kissed, I nearly cried. We knew the boy. Hunter and I had been invited to his alpha ceremony while Ingrid was away on her trip. He was one of Archer’s friends from when they were younger, but the one thing that caught my attention the most was that he was Rosemary’s grandson!He wasn’t just any wolf, and thank the goddess, he wasn’t human!IngridRichard pulled away just enough so he could look into my eyes and I almost melted when he tucked a stray piece of my hair behind my ear. It reminded me of something I saw my father do for my mom once and how I thought that I wanted that kind of love one day.“Hi beautiful,” He smiled and I felt my cheeks turn bright red.“Hi.” Over the years, I looked at my brother’s friends and wondered about them. It was logical that I would one day be mated to an alpha or even a beta. Some of my frien
IrinaThe excitement hung thick in the air in the morning as everyone got ready to attend the Founder’s Day festival. It was the one day the entire town came to a halt and took the time to celebrate our town. It felt as though we were celebrating Ingrid’s return for two continuous days. I loved every moment of it. In my mind’s eye, I could actually see the many dinners and festivals Ingrid experienced while she was away.This was exactly what our town needed after the hunter was there. People needed to see us moving between them. They needed to talk to us and be reminded that we were human. We had to show them we weren’t the monsters the hunter was trying to make us out to be. None of them knew the truth, of course. The sheriff was one of the first to greet us when we arrived and the relieved smile on his face said it all.We had been working overtime to squash any rumours that were still flying around and finally, things seemed to have returned to normal.I caught sight of Ingrid tal