*** Riley’s POV ***
Looking at the time, I growled. The storm would be moving on from here soon and if I didn’t choose our so called “gift”, she’d choose for us and we could be stuck with multiple events happening at once. I was still boiling and I didn’t want to talk to Zayle right now.
Opening the door, I quietly made my way down the stairs. Zayle was on the couch but he was asleep, his hand still holding papers. I stared at him for a moment. He looks so beautiful and yet all I wanted to do was punch him.
Taking the papers out of his hand, I allowed my scent to fill the room as I gently laid him down on the couch. Grabbing a blanket, I threw it over him. I walked back up the stairs and opened up my escape hatch window.
Someone, I guessed Oliver, replaced my cigarettes, lighter and bowl. Grabbing them, I slipped out into the rain, sitting in my spot under the pitch. Shielding the flame f
Get up.Walk to the window.Climb through the window into the house.My Alpha was in here.His scent was stronger.My Alpha was awake.“Rye? You okay? The lightening is bad. It woke me up.”My Alpha.I needed my Alpha.Step forward.He’s just ahead.Stairs.Step down one.Step down two.“Riley, what’s going on?”My Alpha.He was staring at me.I needed him.Needed to touch him.Be with him.Feel him.I needed my Alpha.He backed up.Did he want me to chase him?I need him.I want him.“Mate, what’s happening?”One more step.He’s here.Reach up.Touch him.Soft.Beautiful.Love.Need.
Leaving Zayle to his shower, I headed down to turn on the coffee machine and the oven. I didn’t want to do too much after joking with him. The sound he made was cute but the horrified feeling that shot through the bond was so strong that I didn’t want to make him feel like I was doing it on purpose. So I decided on egg bites with bacon, cheese, and spinach.I slipped them into the oven after deciding to put a tiny square of philo dough at the bottom, when Zayle came down. He kissed me as he ran a cup of coffee for the both of us.“I thought I would walk around town today while you’re at the pack house.”Zayle narrowed his eyes at me. “You need rest.”“I know. I can. I wanted to go to the city.” I put my hand up as he opened his mouth. “But I knew you would say no. So I thought that it would be better to just get used to the town. I’ll go back after a couple hours.”He
“Then how do you talk to her?” Oliver was actually interested as he asked and I was happy to answer what I could.“There is a saying; that the goddess is in the rain. Selene uses the rain as a way to channel her power, almost like a projection of herself, to the mortal realm. Notis took pity on Selene and he’s known as the rain-bringer. So he allows Selene to take form within the rain.”Oliver leaned forward, looking at me with a smile. “You know a lot.”Shrugging, my eyes caught two wolves looking like they were arguing. “A mixture of Selene telling me stories since I was little and Sir…”I stopped, frowning. “I guess it was Terran who taught me the rest.”I didn’t like how this argument was shaping up. Drinking the last of my coffee, I tossed it in the trash and headed across the street to where they were. Oliver, of course, was on my ass. He cursed as we came closer.&
“You’re not going to get in trouble, right? For doing that? His dad is on the council.”I winked at her. “Oh. I’m gonna be in loads of trouble.” She started to panic but I put some of the hair that Oliver had messed up, back into place. “But that’s not for you to worry about, Haley. Do you understand?”“But!”“Haley.”Her head fell again. “Yes, Luna.”“Good girl.”I smiled and looked up at Oliver. His face showed the strain and the worry about how much trouble I was actually in. The reason I had done the banishment the way I did was because it wouldn’t fall on Zayle.Councilor Dean could yell at Zayle all he wanted but Zayle didn’t have the power to remove the banishment. Not that he wasn’t powerful or that I was undermining him as Alpha. Just that I did it, so I would be the only one to undo it.
“The council is there to balance the Alpha, Riley!”“Where is the balance then Alpha? He’s a pedophile! A councilors son is a fucking pedophile and you want the child carrying his child to be banished? Are you fucking kidding me?” I stepped up to him, crunching through the wood chips as I glared at my mate. “You can do whatever the hell you want to me but I will not undo my judgement. He’s lucky I didn’t kill him or turn him over to the humans. They have special places for people like him where they get railed in the ass for messing with underage kids!”Zayle roared again and grabbed my forearms, squishing me tightly. “They will kill you! They will get the Alpha King to kill you, Riley! I will not lose you when I just got you!” His fear started to overtake his anger through the bond.“I’m not going anywhere, Zayle. They cannot kill me for protecting my pack members. We have pr
I walked with Oliver to his house, after he found my book minus the cover. Belle opened the door and threw her arms around her mate. She kissed his cheek before letting go and taking my face in her hands.“Come, Luna. We’ll get you taken care of.”As I stepped into their house, it was a completely different world than Zayle’s house. But not in a bad way. Toys tossed everywhere, kid’s school photos, drawings, certificates, trophies, shoes, everything was in its place but also was everywhere. Jake came down the stairs and saw me, looked at his dad, and then went back up the stairs.He came down again with a large first aid kit and I sighed. “I’m fine.”Jake handed his dad the kit. “Clearly.”My lips pressed together as Oliver opened up the first aid kit and took out a couple of things. The first he did was hand me two Tylenol for the swelling I knew was already starting. After Belle handed m
The whole town looked so different at night. Lights twinkled from the tress and the old school street lamps gave off a glow that was warming. It made me think of what it would look like in the snow. Maybe I could go up on the roof of the pack house and see over everything like I could at the old apartment.Pulling into the empty parking lot next to the pack house, I snuck into Zayle’s named spot. It was his car, so they wouldn’t think anything of it. I almost forgot to grab the extra keys when I got out but I snagged them at the last minute.Sure enough, the doors were locked. I unlocked them before closing them behind me and locking them again. It was warm and I was glad that the Selene hadn’t been spiteful enough to break the whole system.The house was still and quiet; in a disconcerting way. Walking up the stairs, I continued straight to the fourth floor. It was a huge floor and I realized I hadn’t seen most of the downstairs if this
As I guessed, the museum was quiet and chilly. I’d never actually been inside a museum before. I’d watched them on TV or read about them but I’d never been able to go into one. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I slowly meandered my way through the exhibits.Kirk was exuding a nervous energy as he walked behind me. I don’t think he understood where he was supposed to be or do in this situation. Not to mention that we didn’t really leave on the best of terms yesterday. It’s probably why he was so surprised that I asked for him. Zayle probably gave him vague instructions as well like ‘keep me safe’ and nothing else. It looked like I had my own bodyguard but it was his first day on the job.It was interesting that a few of the pack members actually bared their neck as they walked by me, enjoying the museum as well. I don’t know if word got around at what happened, but yesterday no one really noticed me as I walk
I leaned back in the lounge chair, trying to take the doctor’s advice to rest. It was going to rain soon. Everyone was outside playing, dressed up for the occasion. Their rain coats and rain hats in different colors made it easy to tell them apart.Nero and Fabian were leading their two other siblings through the grass in search of anything interesting. That included an acorn, a snail, some leftover streamers from the twin’s seventh birthday party yesterday, and a peculiarly colorful rock. Each one of them were set out on the deck stairs, though Mr. Snail was trying to make a very slow escape.I smiled as Lily slipped and as she stood, her face was covered in mud. Nero got down on one knee and wiped off her face with the edge of his shirt. The twins were the perfect mix between Zayle and I. Not quite identical though. Nero was just a little larger than his brother, but to the untrained eye, you might easily mistake them for each other. Lily was Zayle’s clone and our youngest for the mo
Leaning forward in my chair, I had my head in my hands. I’d never felt so exhausted. Currently, I was only taking a break for moment before I needed to go back and help. Downstairs, Oliver and Kirk were trying to corral everyone into a more organized way. It wasn’t great, but it was something for now.Cesar was also helping now, since he informed the ministers of what had happened. They would take a few days to get here and for the moment, he could also direct the knights to help where they were needed too. We had to deal with the damaged windows too which Vincent had picked up immediately.We’d put Zayle in my office, since I had a loveseat put in to take naps when I needed it. Oliver basically ordered me to take a break and it wasn’t helping that while Selene, with her last bit of power closed my wounds, they still were fresh and raw. I couldn’t relax but it was nice to have a little peace.There was a knock on my door and Belle opened it up, a mug in her hand. “Luna, I thought some
I couldn’t stop staring at Cesar. He was worried about what just happened but I had no words to describe what I was looking at right now. The fact that I had to then tell Zayle ‘Hey, your dad is like thirty now again because he’s taking over as Alpha King’ had all my words caught in my throat.The only thing that tore my eyes away from him was when Jasper started to whimper. Selene was leaning over him, hands made of ice griping his chin.‘You have kept your fears hidden for a long time, wolf. You have acted as though all wolves are equal in your eyes. Made them love you with your lies. But I see past that, Nightfang. I see past all of the facades you hold so dear.’He openly wept as the goddess’ anger crackled and lightening struck the ground.“Will you take his wolf?” I asked, not sure if I could bear another cry like Yara’s.‘No, my little rain wolf. Despite the poison and ugliness, this one will be useful to you in the future. He has already burned his path and I will ensure when h
Part of me wanted Selene to kill him. I wanted to watch the life leave his eyes with a look of utter regret on his face. That was personal though. A hatred that was my own and something I needed to work through on my own. Especially after Selene passed her judgement. It was final and I would not dare go against it. Whether or not I felt he was worthy of it.There was a few moments of Selene standing in front of Kane before she moved. His face was still completely blank, in the daze like everyone else. Her hand pressed against his chest and when she pulled away, a white ball of light burned brightly in it. Closing her fingers around the light, it disappeared.She continued through the group, doing it to every single person on their knees. Selene did leave Jasper and Yara in the corner as they watched the display of our goddess’ raw power. Turning her back, she walked back to stand next to me.‘I am done passing judgement on these ones.’I nodded and started to order them off the platfo
I took a single breath before rain poured from the sky like a bucket had been tipped onto us. Lightening flashed bright and screams from the pack sounded as the thunder tore through the center of town. Glass shattered and I felt my breath get stolen away from me for a moment. Opening my eyes, I wanted to cry out in relief.Selene, silhouetted by the rain, stood between Jasper and I. His sword had turned black and was crumbling at his feet. He was holding his hand which turned a fire red.“Selene…” My voice was hoarse but her name came out more as a prayer than anything.‘I’m here, my little rain wolf. I’m here.’My body slumped forward and I let the post hold up my weight. “My pack…”She chortled, the thunder following but were flashes of lightening streaking across the sky. ‘I know, little one. However, I must deal with these strays.’I smiled and nodded. Jasper stumbled back a couple steps, looking at the figure made of the rain before him. Fear consumed his face and even his knight
“Where is the whip? Why aren’t we whipping him? Why aren’t you shutting him up?” Jasper was manic as he ordered his own knights around.I felt bad for them. This must be so jarring for them. No one was comfortable with what was happening right now. Not even the Councilors, their faces marred with conflicting emotions. They weren’t about to stick their neck out against an angry Alpha King though. The only one who looked absolutely pleased was Yara. She had Kian blood running through her so I didn’t doubt how much that poisoned her.“Alpha King…we…we are ready.”Lifting my head off the pole, I braced myself against the wood. It wouldn’t do me any good to jerk and hit my head. I kept my eyes closed, trying to keep my body from tensing up. That also would do more harm than good right now. If I could focus on my back getting hit, it would protect our pups better.‘Zayle?’ I tentatively reached out to him through the mind link.‘My love…my love…my sweet mate…stop this. Please stop this. Tel
My eyes widened as I saw a group of high school students, including Jake, Curtis, Haley, and Franny coming forward. All of them were running together and I felt fear course through me. Not only should they not be here but they should be safe up north out of reach of the council.“No! You guys! Go home! You shouldn’t be here!” I called out to them.Jake smiled at me and shook his head. “We can help.”One of the girls stepped forward, a folder in her hand. “I am Anastasia Hansen. Councilor Constantine is my father, Alpha King.” She bowed her head. “I work part time at the clinic under Dr. June. She is our town’s OBGYN.”The sound of silence felt heavy as all attention moved to her. However, Councilor Constantine looked livid at his daughter. She stepped forward with Curtis and another one of the boys flanking her.“I was working the day Luna Riley and Alpha Zayle came in. This is their chart. I can confirm that Luna Riley is pregnant. The blood tests and even the photos are all here.” S
With how the center of town looked last night, it was almost like we were transported into a completely different place. They set up a huge platform in front of the statues of the wolves and I snorted. Zayle sucked in a breath seeing the post coming out of it. I’d seen one and been tied to something like it plenty of times of times. I wondered if this was the first time he saw one in person.From around the area, I watched as more and more of our pack started to meander into the area. They kept to the edges and I was happy to see none of the younger kids were present. Oliver and Kirk came forward but the knights kept them from reaching us.“It’s okay.” I smiled and nodded to them.Zayle was focused ahead, looking for the one person who was about to decide our fate. He wasn’t there on time, of course. The clock tower tolled one and we continued to wait. The skies were growing darker and I let myself lean against Zayle. He was standing tall like a statue and I closed my eyes.“Rye, don’
*** Riley’s POV ***When I woke up, I was alone. It was quiet but it was different than normal. The air was heavy and it felt harder to breathe. Sitting up, I buried my head in my hands. I’d fucked up yesterday. I’d been so good but I’d snapped. It was one thing to snap at a Councilor or one of their kids, but the Luna Queen?I was so fucking stupid. Oliver was giving me a play by play of what happened after I left. Everything was my fault. I’d ruined our chances of doing actual good. Worse, I may have gotten Zayle removed as Alpha. He didn’t deserve that. Not because of me.My eyes slipped to the window. It was dark, the clouds threatening rain, but I wanted it to be raining. I needed to speak with Selene. She might know something…anything that I could do that would fix this. As it stood, there wasn’t many options that we had left.The bed next to me and Zayle’s scent meant that he had been up for at least an hour. It was still early in the morning though. Getting up, I padded downst