My wounds weren’t too bad—just a few bruises and cuts—but I think my body was getting sick and tired of patching itself up so much. I didn’t have any medical supplies, so I had to make do with cleaning any cuts myself and cutting up some bedsheets as makeshift bandages. I hadn’t expected Annabelle to bring me a first aid kit or something similar because why would she? She didn’t know I had no wolf to heal me.I ran my cuts under cold water, my blood colouring the clear liquid a pinkish colour as it ran down the sink. I wrapped the torn bedsheet around the worst of the cuts from where Poppy must’ve slashed me with her claws. She hadn’t gotten me too deeply, but enough to make me wince as I fixed myself up. My stomach grumbled, reminding me of why I had been to the mess hall in the first place and the poor delicious dinner that ended up slathering Poppy’s face. That poor, poor dinner. But seeing the look on her face with mashed potato up her nose and gravy dripping down her head was w
The alpha stood smugly as he watched me and I bit my lip, refusing to allow myself to cry out in pain in front of him. Alpha Jackson stood tall, arms crossed sternly, his expression one full of satisfaction. What did he want? Was he going to punish me? Did he want me to beg for forgiveness? Perhaps he wanted to make a show of me, wanted me to crawl back to him and his pack just for relief from the pain he was inflicting on me."Fuck you," I hissed, fingers clawing into the dirt to ground myself. The soft dirt and bumpy pebbles were helping to distract me from the fire running through my leg. "Well that’s not very nice," he stated, walking closer towards me, eyes moving towards my leg, "it’s not very pleasant, is it? I would say I told you so, but I'm more mature than that."Gritting my teeth painfully, I stumbled to my feet, almost buckling from the pain, but I wouldn’t allow him to see me as weak, or at least any weaker than he’d already seen, "I’m not dead yet, am I?"Alpha Jackson
I tried to pull my ankle out of his grip, but he held it still, carefully examining it. I didn’t know what I could say in response. Any wolfsbane I claimed to have in my system would’ve been flushed out by now so what else was there?"Yeah, well, you put it on me whilst there was wolfsbane in my system, jackass. Maybe that had something to do with it."Alpha Jackson considered it for a minute as his eyes flashed to mine and then back to my leg. It wasn’t like he was completely convinced, but it was a reason for something unbelievable.Whilst I was trying to come up with something else to add or distract him from asking more questions as to why my pathetic body wasn’t healing and my non-existent wolf wasn’t protecting me, Alpha Jackson scooped me up into his arms. A blush rose to my cheeks and I was speechless for a minute at the gesture. His arms were strong and warm despite the cold air as he held me closely and for a split second, I felt safe. It felt like he wouldn’t drop me and wo
"why not just leave me out there? I did try to run away." I asked, the feel of his arms all the more apparent against my body as I questioned him.Alpha Jackson looked like that was something he was questioning himself. When he first found me, I thought he might have killed me or maybe just left me to suffer until I came crawling back and he could humiliate me in front of the whole pack. Or he could've taken me to the edge of the territory line and be rid of me for good. But he had come for me, maybe to gloat at first but he came. Was he only doing this now because he felt guilty about my leg? The alpha was confusing me and I didn't like being caught unaware.Either way, he had placed this silver band on my leg and warned me of what would happen and I did it anyway hoping for the best, and as angry as I was that yet another escape plan had been thwarted, I was kind of grateful that he had come for me."Christian already told you," he mumbled, as if disappointed in himself at the code
"My Goddess," Were the first words Doctor Heath muttered as he finally took a look at my leg and held it firmly with his gloved hands, ‘all this from the anklet?’ He did his best not to touch the actual wound, but the pain still radiated for a couple of inches from my ankle.I nodded, not offering anything else other than a wince. "This is almost as bad as a silver burn, any more silver in the anklet and it might have fried your whole leg off."That was not a pleasant idea to put into my head. I had seen silver burns on my father’s body, blistered and sizzling which would leave scars even as he was healed. I may not have been as affected by silver as other wolves, but it wasn't just silver in the anklet, there was magic at play there too and I had no wolf to fight off the burns. "Will it scar?" I asked lightly, picturing the injury becoming a wild white and rough line around my ankle as another scar was added to my repertoire. Another reminder of my failure and weakness. If I had my
I blinked and there I was, a forest with trees so thick and high that I could only see the sky inky night sky above me illuminated by the full white moon. I stood in the middle of a circle surrounded by trees and the moonlight sprinkled onto me like a shower. It was beautiful.I reached a hand out to grasp at the light that would slip through my fingers, but when I lifted what I thought was my hand, a white paw came into my vision, soft and new. With a yelp that I intended to be a cry, I looked down at myself and saw that it wasn’t those stupid, vulnerable human legs that I stood on, but instead, I was supported by four powerful legs that had a strong and steady grip on the earth beneath me so that not even an earthquake could topple me. My tail wagged so fiercely that I thought I would take off like a helicopter and with a brief howl of joy I chased it, wanting to see how long it was, how fluffy it was, how perfect it was. I stumbled a little bit, not used to the new speed and weigh
Alpha Jackson had returned to the infirmary for all of five seconds to give a quick overview of my leg and to place the silver anklet on my other foot before giving thanks to the doctor and heading off again. No word to me or to ask about me, though I could hardly be surprised. The doctor didn’t make any mention of my condition either or begin to discuss my dream with the alpha. When I asked him about it, he said something about ‘doctor-patient confidentiality’, which I didn’t understand. Why wouldn't he talk to the alpha about the conditions of his pack members? Everything that happened in the New Moon pack would be reported to Fredrick from when a pup was born to when a wolf died.“I’m not surprised you’re having nightmares,” Doctor Heath said, pulling me out of my thoughts as he checked on my burns one last time before he was satisfied, “you’ve been through a lot of trauma, it’s your subconscious’s way of processing that. It isn't particularly pleasant.”I only spoke briefly about
"Yeah," I mumbled, pulling myself away from her before showing off my bandaged leg, "I didn’t manage to get very far."Annabelle looked at my ankle, her gaze quickly moving to my other one with the silver anklet. Her face contorted in a sympathetic expression like she could only imagine the pain I had gone through. I doubt she had ever witnessed a silver burn before and found myself glad for it because I wouldn't wish that upon anyone."I’m sorry you felt you had to leave.""It wasn’t your fault," I reassured her hoping it would be some kind of comfort because it was true.Annabelle had been nothing but kind and gracious towards me. She was one of two people in the pack who had tried to make me feel welcome and supported me despite the circumstances that brought me to them. She had tried to defend me against Poppy and her alpha even though I was just a rogue from a dangerous pack. She had done more for me in the few hours I had known her than anyone outside of my family had even thoug
Jackson’s POVNo. No that couldn’t be true. There was absolutely no way in hell he would’ve sent his head warrior and adored witch alone to my pack, not when I’d left it in Christian’s capable hands with Clarissa supporting him,I didn’t have to worry about that. I didn’t.I had faith in my friend. Christian had done more than enough to earn his place at my side as my beta. All the warriors had also earned their spot and even the healers were no strangers to a fight every now and again.That’s why I organised the weekly training so that everyone felt like they had a fair chance in a fight. The only people I was concerned about were the elders of my pack and the pups.I didn’t want Fredrick to know that he had me frazzled by his threat and whilst I tried to control my emotions I couldn’t help but keep thinking of everything that could go wrong back at the pack:Were Clarissa’s wards reinforced?Was Melanie stronger than Clarissa?Would Christian be able to stop Marcus if the two met in
How did he know we were here? We hadn’t been gone for very long, there was no way he could’ve organised all of this in that short time. I wouldn’t have been surprised if there had been a couple of wolves chasing us or a warning howl, but everything had been silent.“Did you really believe I’d leave you unsupervised whilst in recovery?” Frederick asked snarkily as he took a step forward.Jackson tensed, looking at all the wolves surrounding us, debating his odds. If he attacked first how many would he be able to take down before he was overwhelmed? I could see the cogs turning in his head before he turned to me slightly. Another problem, he’d be trying to protect me as well. His odds of winning would decrease rapidly if he had me to think about too.“You have your Blessed Silver,” Jackson spat, “Let her go.”Frederick tutted, “Yes, yes I do, but you see, Jackson,” It was a blatant insult not to use his alpha title in front of the rest of this pack, “there are two things that you fail
We crept out of the infirmary and Jackson held onto my hand tightly, keeping me behind him. He mentioned briefly that his bracelet from Clarissa protected him from being seen so long as his movements didn’t draw anyone’s attention.I had faith in Jackson and in Clarissa so I stood behind him and let him lead us out of the infirmary. I was glad that Clarissa had done what she did, because not only did it mean she was looking out for Jackson but she wanted me back too.Even though he’d explained this to me, I was still shocked when we weren’t immediately attacked by the multiple wolves patrolling the area. It looked like no one had even seen us and I let out a quiet sigh of relief as I stuck close to Jackson.Even when someone walked close to us, they didn't seem to notice us. It gave me more confidence in Clarissa's abilities (not that I had any doubt to begin with).Jackson glanced around too, watching for even the slightest of movements like the warrior he was before he took his fir
Elise's POVI thought I was still in my dream when I opened my eyes. One moment I saw his body, bloody and broken on the floor, the next he was in front of me, touching me so tenderly and looking like he was about to cry. I relished in his touch. It was so warm and gentle and my whole body tingled. I wanted to move and hold him and cry all at the same time, but I couldn’t move, my back was still so sore.But I knew the second I opened my eyes that he was my mate. Jackson was my mate. And I had fallen in love with him all on my own even before that.“I’ve always been yours,” He said to me with a smile that made my heart jump, even as tears began to fall down his face.I pulled one of my hands away from his and stroked that stray tear away, “And I’m yours,” I said, proudly and clearly.Jackson’s smile grew wider and despite the situation we were in, no matter how horrifying or painful, he leaned closer towards me, and kissed me.He was careful not to move me too much, but I kissed him
Jackson's POV I followed Elise’s scent, my mate’s scent. I could hardly believe it; she was my mate. Maybe it was because her wolf had been suppressed before, but even still, the longing and connection I felt for her must’ve been our mating bond trying to slip through the Blessed Silver’s defences.And I had hurt her when we first met. I’d imprisoned her and tried to keep her isolated out of fear of what a rogue could do to my pack.If I knew she was my mate back then would it have made much of a difference? I tried not to think about that. Those mistakes were in the past and I was here for now, I would do anything in my power to protect her.Gradually I made my way through the pack to a dingy-looking building that had a small cross on it, one you’d see at hospitals or on ambulances. I wondered if this was their version of an infirmary. Quietly, I stepped inside, checking to see if anyone was in the room. If they were ‘d have to take them out nice and swiftly otherwise they’d aler
Elise's POVHe wasn’t dead, not yet, but he was close to it. Blood trickled from his forehead and down the corners of his mouth. His breathing was short and shallow and he lifted his head, eyes pained as he slowly realised I was there with him. Jackson made some guttural sound that I’d never heard another person make before as he slowly began to crawl towards me, no matter how broken he was.I could hear his breathing, hoarse like something was blocking it, maybe as if someone had crushed his windpipe. "Elsmmm." Was another sound he made and I was horrified to think that that was my name and he was calling it out so desperately. My heart hurt.I took a step towards him, my body trembling as I took a step forward but no matter how hard I tried to reach him, it was like I was walking in sludge trying to trap me. He was trying so hard to reach me and I wanted to reach him so badly, but I could barely move.Jackson raised his hand, and I wanted nothing more than to grab it and bring him
Elise’s POVI held onto Stella like she was going to disappear once again. I’d spent so long without her, my memory of her had been taken from me. So when this overwhelming feeling of comfort shot through my body it took me by surprise. She was my wolf. She was real. She was here.There was nothing wrong with me after all.I had waited so long, year after year as I watched other kids my age begin to shift for the first time, and whilst I knew I was in a dream, I knew that Stella was real, I knew that she'd finally been freed from the Blessed Silver.I nuzzled my face against her fur and she was just as eager to touch me too as she licked my face and nuzzled me right back. Two halves of the same soul finally reunited.“You’ve been alone for so long,” I whispered to her. Whilst I had my family, Stella was trapped in the pockets of my mind, only able to watch as I grew, was hurt and on my own too after my family died.“But I’m not anymore,” She mumbled in response.I wished she had the c
Jackson’s POVI shifted back to my human form as I got closer to the New Moon pack’s territory. I spied their routes and routines and when I thought it was safe enough, I slipped through, into the territory when I was sure the guards would be changing stations.True to Clarissa’s word, the guards didn’t seem to notice me either from sight or scent as I made my way past them. I was careful not to do anything that would bring attention to myself, even stepping on a twig or tripping over a rock felt too risky.I kept my head low and kept my senses sharp to avoid bumping into anyone and walked with my head bowed towards the centre of the pack territory.Every step I took I anticipated a fight because if even one person spotted me and knew who I was, I’d have the whole pack after me and nothing good would come from that. I needed to do this as quickly and quietly as I could. It helped that the pack members in this territory seemed content with keeping to themselves too, barely greeting or
At first, I thought I was dead, for real this time considering what had just happened. I was floating around in a sea of nothingness when my eyes cracked open and I thought “Well, this must be death”, so I closed my eyes again as if I were going to sleep.Some people say that their lives flash before their eyes right before death, but mine didn't. Mine flashed by like a whirlwind the second I entered whatever world this was. Memories of my family, of my escape, of Jackson and the rest of the friends and loved ones I had.I never had a chance in the world of the living, I'd barely lived.It didn’t feel so bad, being in this weightless world. Everything was peaceful. Nothing hurt, nothing scared me. Maybe death was a good thing, maybe it should’ve happened a long time ago. If I’d have died long ago maybe none of this would’ve ever happened. My family would be alive, Fredrick wouldn't have his hands on the Blessed Silver and the Full Moon pack wouldn't have been attacked just so Fredrick