ROSEI step into the shower and think over all he has said. When Maddie started at Zeus, I thought the tuition was high, but manageable with my Evans Enterprises job. It has gone up significantly every single semester she’s been there. I have also noticed that the class sizes have gotten smaller because so many parents couldn’t keep paying a larger and larger tuition. It makes sense that there are illegal activities taking place, but I never really focused on it because I was so wrapped up in my own life and how I make ends meet. Tyson pulls me from my thoughts by wrapping his arms around my waist.I can feel his apprehension about having possibly upset me, so I turn and kiss him soundly before I settle into his embrace, my cheek on his chest. I don’t look up as I speak, I close my eyes and take in the peaceful calmness I feel when I’m touching Tyson.“I know it isn’t the desired answer you were hoping I’d have from your offer. But Tyson, if I don’t work, it makes me feel… I dunno, sl
ROSEI open my mouth to speak to tell her that no, I do not want to be pregnant, but I already know I want to have Tyson’s children. I’m just unsure if now is the best time. “I want to have Tyson’s children. I just need to know if that is happening now, or when we’re more prepared for it.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know I will be choosing to move in with Tyson. It doesn’t matter what the house looks like or what kind of lifestyle he has. I love him and I’m ready to commit to him. I look up at Dr. Reynolds and her shocked face quickly morphs into one of ecstatic joy. “Thaaaat’s not something I want Tyson to know just yet, FYI. I’m assuming this conversation is under doctor-patient confidentiality?” I panic ask. I don’t need someone else telling Tyson anything before I am ready for him to know.“Of course, it is. I… I’m just so happy for the both of you. Finding your person is such a special gift in life, I love hearing about it. Now, as far as pregnancy goes; you said it’s
ROSEWe arrive in the mailroom. “Hello?! Rolando?” I call out.“Mi bonita Rose?” Rolando exclaims as he rushes out from his office to greet me. “Si!! Rosie! So happy to see you!” Now, his embrace I sink into and start to cry a bit.“Oh God, I missed you, Rolando. You and Mon. How are things? Surviving without me?” I ask as I pull away. I see his smiling, tear-streaked face and I know I’m a horrible friend, not having called them these last few weeks. “I am so sorry I haven’t called you guys. I’m okay. I’ve healed well enough. Is Monica still delivering? I think I should talk to you both at one time,” I ask.“Oh, Monica doing both jobs.” Rolando says.“What? That is so much, Rolando. They didn’t hire a temp person for deliveries?” I ask.“Monica say she cover. Lot of overtime. Her abuela in hospital, not good. She paying.” He says and I close my eyes in guilt. She should be with her grandmother, not working. “You come back now, si?” He asks.“No. I’m sorry Rolando, I am turning in my r
ROSETyson is seated at a new desk, also typing away on his keyboard. He looks up and a huge smile spreads across his face.“Thank you, Mike. Rose! It’s so good to see you, sweetheart.” I know I blush at his declaration, a little embarrassed by it. Tyson gets up from his desk and rounds it, heading straight for me when I hear the doors close behind me. I don’t turn to look; all my focus is on Tyson. My sexy man. His eyes totally lasered in on me. When he gets to me, he doesn’t stop. He picks me up and smooshes me against the door as he attacks my mouth. It’s like he desperately needs me. The passion and desire are making my head spin. I kiss him back rapturously and I can’t keep up with his rush on my lips. I’m breathless when he pulls back and rests his forehead onto mine.“Goddess, I missed you!” He says as his hands roam my flushed and hot body.“It’s only been a few hours, Tyson.” I grin slyly at him, “But I missed you too.”“How was your check up?” He asks as he sets me back on m
ROSE“You know what, yes. I’ll take you up on that. Wanna work on it today?”I look around and we’ve both finished eating at this point. Why not? It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do. I nod with a smile.“Excellent! But first…” Tyson says, and he leans over into me, taking my lips in a searing kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and press myself closer to him, humming in delight. “… I want to have my way with you.”“But Tyson, we don’t have any protection here.” I say between kisses.“Oh honey, yes, yes, we do. I bought a box yesterday when I knew my office was finished, just hoping I could get you up here to get frisky with me.”“Well, that was very presumptuous of you, sir.”“Presumption implies expectation. I only had the hope you’d be willing to christen my new office space.” He says as he pops the button on my slacks and wiggles them and my panties down my legs. I eagerly open my legs for him, and he doesn’t waste a second. Tyson dives in and quickly gets to work on his de
ROSEWhen we’re done, he washes his beard, puts a little oil in it and brushes it out to keep it tamed. I love his beard, the way it delicately scratches my skin when he kisses me or the way it increases the sensations against my clit when he goes down on me. I’m getting worked up again and I need to put my sexual desires for Tyson back in their corner.I have work to do, and I want to prove to Tyson that I can be useful, not just in the mailroom or in the bedroom. If this relationship is going to move forward again, and I really do want it to, I need to be able to hold my own when it comes to his businesses. Despite not having a college education, I know how to get things done and function in new situations. I want to find my niche, my professional purpose. Even if I work away from Tyson. I’ve never had an opportunity to find work that I WANT to do. My jobs have always been about making money for supporting us. I now have the opportunity to find a passion and I’m genuinely excited ab
TYSONI watch in horror as Rose’s face pales and turns a slight grey-green color. Her pupils blow out almost immediately. Her breathing turns shallow and fast and her heart sounds like it is going to beat out of her chest. Her eyes are not focused on me, and I rub her arms trying to get her attention. It doesn’t work. I snap my fingers in her face, that doesn’t work either. Finally, I pat her cheek, trying to move her focus. But again, nothing. Then I realize, she is staring at the group that just came out of the elevator.*Stand in front of Rose, now!* I link over to Justin, Marshall and Mike, all of whom became acutely aware of Rose’s panic attack as soon as it happened. No one argues or questions why, and they jump to obey quickly. But I know that someone in that group of men is from Rose’s past. They raped her, scared her, scarred her. Zeus is roaring in my head, pacing and clawing at my control, not caring that we are in a building with humans. Someone who hurt our mate is this c
ROSE My head is pounding, and I taste blood in my mouth. I try to move but my hands aren’t moving properly. It’s like they’re tied together. I try to move my legs, but the pain is too much, I don’t want to move them. “Mama?” I hear my Maddie’s voice in the darkness. “Mama, are you awake?” She is so quiet; I can barely hear her. And I know my eyes are open, so it’s not like I’m hearing her from a sleep or an unconscious state. “Baby?” "Shhhh,” she says quietly. So, she’s whispering. “Mama, they took us. We’re in a car trunk. We’ve been driving a long time. Are you okay?” I think and assess my injuries. My head is definitely concussed, my lip is busted, I think my right wrist is broken or severely sprained, I have small cuts on my face, hands and arms, and my lower left leg feels really weird too. Very painful. It takes a minute, but I remember it being caught on something and it was bleeding pretty badly. “I’ll be okay, sweet pea. Are you okay? Are you hurt?” “I’m okay. My head wa
MADDIE—EPILOGUE THREE10 YEARS LATERI stand in the master bedroom of the newly renovated Alpha suite of Blue Meadow’s packhouse. Today is my 18th birthday and also the day I take my place as Alpha of my pack. I stare at myself in the full-length mirror and think about everything that has happened in the last decade to prepare me for this moment and the life I have ahead of me.I graduated from Zeus Academy at the age of 10. I attended college classes online through the University of Arizona. It wasn’t the Ivy League like everyone expected from me; those didn’t offer a self-paced program or enough online courses for me to get my degrees. I didn’t want to separate myself from my family to attend university, so I chose a less prestigious route that worked the best for me. I have zero regrets with my choice in schools.In eight years of education post-high school, I’ve earned four bachelor’s degrees, two master’s and one PhD. I’ve also studied diligently with Tyson on how to run a pack an
ROSE—EPILOGUE TWOIt’s been 6 months since I delivered Nolan into this world. He has grown like a damn weed and has become the center of our little universe. None of us can get enough of him and his baby scent.Both Tyson and I have retrofitted our offices to accommodate an infant including changing tables, swings, refrigerators, diapers, wipes, spit up rags and pacifiers galore. All the necessities for having an infant. And I can say, without a doubt, Nolan is the easiest going baby I’ve ever experienced. He rarely cries and he’s always happy, as long as he’s being held. He loves skin to skin contact, so much that he rarely wears any clothes. Mads and I always wear spaghetti strap shirts when we’re holding him, and Tyson just takes his own shirt off.It was hilarious when we first figured out that he likes skin so much, Tyson walking around the packhouse shirtless. Granted no one said anything to him about it, but I had the hardest time not whisking him away for sexy time. I mean, all
TYSON – EPILOGUE ONEThe last three months, post war, have been absolute hell! Yeah, I said it. Hell. Getting Blue Meadow back on its feet has been a huge challenge in and of itself. Much worse than most of the other territories I’ve taken over throughout the years. I honestly kept so much from both Maddie and Rose. Neither of them needed to know the intricate details of the rebuild. They were both getting over the trauma and horrors of the battle itself. I didn’t want to worry them.Kent, that worthless piece of crap, really did a number on this pack, it’s health and its finances. I had to pay over three million dollars to a mob pack in Las Vegas, for both Blue Meadow and Pine Woods’ debts. The last thing I wanted was for the mob to demand parts of the pack or worse, them going to the council for payment. I want to keep the council out of any and all of my affairs, as much as possible. They have proved, repeatedly, that they can’t be trusted to do their jobs.I made that trip to Vegas
ROSE“I thought I was going to lose you yesterday, Rose. Don’t do that to me again. You are my whole world.” He says as he slows his thrusts, showing me how much he loves me. I open my eyes and see Zeus shining out with him. I cup their cheeks and bring their mouth to mine. I kiss them with all the love I have within me. We continue slowly but with passion until we both explode in delicious orgasm.“I hope our sex continues to be this amazing in the years to come.” I tell him as we separate from each other.“Rose, from what I understand from other mated couples, it just gets better and better.”“I’m not sure how it can get better, but I look forward to learning.” I say with a sassy smirk over my shoulder as I step into the water. Tyson joins me in the water and does what he always does. He washes me and kisses the scars I have left. Apparently, they are much smaller than they once were.When I get out of the shower, I turn to look at my back and I gasp at what I see. The main lines are
ROSEWatching Tyson battling Kent is one of the scariest things I’ve ever had to witness. Kent looks awful and I feel horrible for his wolf, being saddled with such an atrocious human spirit. I know Tyson will take him down, but I’m still scared that something will happen to him that he can’t heal from. Tyson is my everything. My other half. I know I will live on should he perish during this battle, but it would be for Maddie and our baby only. My soul would be shattered, never to live like I did before. He has to pull through. He just has to.George holds me close, giving me comfort as we watch Tyson fighting Kent. As it progresses, my worry lessens somewhat. Kent isn’t fighting well, and he’s not healing from his minor injuries. I hope this speeds up because I hate seeing him suffer. Despite all the shit he’s put me through, I know his wolf doesn’t deserve anything long and drawn out.I breathe a sigh of relief when Tyson pulls Kent’s heart out of his chest, thankful that the man re
TYSONThe moment I see Maddie jump toward Rachel; I know it's Infinity up front and in control. Her eyes are glowing a bright green-gold-yellow and the angry expression is one I don’t think I’ve ever seen on Maddie’s face before. Plus, I can’t smell her on the wind like I can my Rose. I launch forward when I see Rachel’s eyes unfocus in that split second when Infinity lands on her back, knowing I’ll only have a moment to attack with Infinity’s distraction. What I’m not expecting is Infinity to kill Rachel in that moment. I know Infinity is an ancient wolf spirit, she’s fast on her feet and I know she’s killed in her past lives, but to see the blood of a kill on my sweet, baby Maddie’s hands, is beyond shocking.Rose, however, doesn’t even flinch at seeing Infinity toss Rachel’s heart to the ground or her splattered in Rachel’s blood. Nor does she pause with the gravity of meeting Infinity. Rose has really embraced the wolf shifter world completely and totally. I couldn’t be prouder of
INFINITYMaddie and Kevin step out of the dungeon into a warzone. Both of their eyes blow wide at the scene, and I can feel Maddie’s panic. We knew this was coming, but I don’t think she anticipated how ugly it was going to be. I lift my head and I smell the rotting garbage scent of rogues. It seems Maddie’s father knows no bounds. Humans, most likely hunters, for kidnapping, rogues as mercenaries, slavery, killing his mate and sexual deviancy. He really does need to be put down.The panic coming from Maddie hasn’t lessened as we look around on where to go and not be noticed. I have been saving up my strength the last few days, so I pull Maddie back and take full control. She doesn’t fight me on it and that tells me she is very overwhelmed right now. She puts on a good show, but the constant state of alertness and feeling the danger around her, she is slowly breaking. After this morning, seeing Odette killed, and then staying neutral to save Kevin, she’s at her max for today.“Rest Mad
ROSEI am flying across the roads and highways trying to get to Blue Meadow as quickly as I can. George and Ike are holding on for dear life and I think I can hear George whispering a prayer to Selene when my car catapults into the air. I’ve maintained my 110mph through most of the drive which has kept the guys in high anxiety mode. We don’t get too far off the pavement with that larger bump, but the way down is rough, and we bounce several times on the landing.“Luna, please slow down. The rest of the team can’t keep up. Plus, it feels like you’re trying to kill us.” Ike pleads with me, looking a little green.“Then they should drive faster. And I am not trying to kill you.”“Their SUV isn’t designed to drive that fast, plus they can’t take turns like this car doeeeeeees!” His voice goes higher pitched as I take a curve much faster than he’s comfortable with.“Well, you’re getting your wish. Wolves directly ahead and they’re fighting. I’m going to have to slow down. Do you know which
TYSONI cut the link to Rose as soon as Zeus and I tell her that we love her. I know she is worried about all of this, and it is her first experience with a shifter battle, but I know I’ll be fine. Zeus is a powerful, ancient wolf. He will decimate dozens before we hit a real challenge to our strength. Although, the biggest challenge will be to try to minimize the lives lost. These warriors we are going up against will be Maddie’s pack members one day in the future. I don’t want to kill any of them indiscriminately.It takes a few hours to run to Blue Meadow. We stopped running miles ahead of their territory and proceeded with stealth. My first warriors took out their border patrol silently, with darts laced with a mixture of wolfsbane and water hemlock. Again, we’re trying to not take anyone out needlessly. Most pack members of trash Alphas are only following orders. They don’t necessarily believe in the orders. Killing people that are just doing their jobs is what crap Alphas do.On