My eyes opened and I felt light-headed. For a moment I was disoriented before I took a deep breath of lavender. Zayle was under me, fast asleep as my head rose and fell with his chest. Running my hands over his skin, there were scratches all over his skin and I frowned. I really tore him up. Through the bond, he was sleeping peacefully.Pushing up to sit, I rubbed my eyes. The bedroom was destroyed. Even the bed itself was broken. The headboard was cracked and the legs holding the bed up must have broken. Zayle’s dresser had been cracked and a few of the drawers were broken and falling out. Not to mention the door was broken in half and fallen out into the hallway.Shaking my head, I tried to remember what happened but it was a blur of emotions and feelings. Nothing that was substantial enough to even call a memory. It had never been this bad. I’d had some rough heats but nothing like this. Turning back, I frowned. Zayle really looked like he’d taken most of the beating.“If you keep
I tried to kick Oliver but he easily evaded, chuckling as he did. My ears picked up a few different pairs of feet coming up the stairs and I looked back from where I was sitting.“Dad, you called for us?”Franny, Daisy, Haley and Sammy all poked their heads into the room. Oliver motioned them into the room. All of them were dressed up in cute dresses that looked fit for a much fancier party than what we were having. Was this how everyone was going to be dressed? Was this supposed to be this fancy? Should I have gone with the tie?“Luna, stop digging yourself into a hole. You’re fine. Girls, do you remember those viking braids you all were looking into?”“Yeah?” All of the answered him.He smiled. “Our Luna needs to have his hair put up before he chops it all off in frustration.”All four girls gasped and then quickly set to work on braiding my hair. I was being tugged in multiple directions but I sat quietly as they worked. One thing I knew not to do was interrupt these girls when in
Cesar came up next to me and kissed my cheek. “I need to go man the grills before these pups mess it up. Welcome to the family, Rye, officially. I’m sorry it wasn’t a complete ceremony.”I shook my head. “This is exactly how I would have wanted it. Thank you, Cesar.”He was already headed off the platform when he yelled back at us. “It’s Dad now! Officially! I better not hear Cesar out of you again, son!”My face turned red and Zayle chuckled. Vincent came forward with a wipe for our hands as well as a bandage for both of us. The cut would heal in a few hours but the bandage being on was more symbolic than anything. Ciara and Belle came forward, kissing me on the cheek. Ciara stole Kirk to help out with something but Belle took my hands in hers.“Thank you. Oliver told me about the mishap in the office before your heat.”“It was my fault, Belle. I should have taken into account that my scent might affect others even though I was mated. I’m sorry.”She smiled and hugged me. “You are so
*** Zayle’s POV ***Everything was in whirlwind mode. We were a week out from Jasper’s visit. Everyone could feel the mounting pressure and I did my best not let it get too bad for my pack members. My leadership and my warriors could feel it from me though. Especially with the beef up of security.There had been three more groups of rogues that tried to get on the territory but all of them were stopped before they set foot across the line. I’d also made sure that there wasn’t another team like Wilson and Gregory together. It took some serious work but even if they decided to pull another stunt like leaving their posts, someone would be there to cover them.The council seemed to quiet down too. They were waiting; waiting for Jasper to come and then they would pull out whatever big guns they were stashing away. I wanted to know what they were so I could find a countermeasure for them. It felt like I was still just reacting instead of working ahead of everything.Riley had been working d
Riley held my hand the entire time we walked through the apartment. The place needed a full clean but there were a few pieces of furniture that needed to be swapped out. Plus, the kitchen was a bit outdated and we decided to update now as an investment. He was talking normally with Vincent, but the fact that he didn’t let go my hand tipped me off that something was wrong.I only chimed in a few things and gave my stamp of approval when Riley asked. This was mostly his domain and I didn’t want to step over him in regards to it. Once we finalized the things we intended on swapping out, Vincent headed off and I walked with Riley to one of his favorite restaurants in town.We sat down in the far corner and ordered without even looking at the menu. Riley looked nervous as he stared at the iced tea he ordered. Reaching out, I covered his hand with mine.“Riley…”“I’m pregnant.”I blinked at him. His chest was rising and falling as he watched me worriedly. My brain was trying to understand t
My nerves now were the ones running away with me. Riley hip checked me out of the kitchen a little while ago and I found myself drinking an old fashioned as I listened to the conversations of the room. We’d invited all of Oliver, Kirk, and Vincent’s family over, along with my dad. Riley was making dinner with the help of Belle in the kitchen that I’d been kicked out of. It wasn’t unusual that we had get togethers but it had been a good amount of time since the last one.“What do you think? We ready?” Kirk smiled as leaned up against the wall next to me.I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter now. Jasper shows up tomorrow. This very well could be the last time we get to have this family dinner.”Jake turned and frowned. “Don’t say that, Alpha. You and Luna have been preparing for this for a while. The truth will come out. I know the Alpha King will see that.”Smiling, I nodded. “I appreciate that, Jake. I do.”“We will protect the Luna. It’s our job. You just take care of yourself.” Curtis chimed
My hand slipped and I spilled hot water over my hand. Cursing, I put my hand under some cold water. Riley stood up and came over, looking at me. My panic must have shot through the bond.‘Allow him in. Where is he coming through?’‘Patrol 4 stopped him. Do you want me to have him escorted to the pack house?’I rubbed my chin. ‘Yeah. I’ll meet him there.’‘There is another thing, Alpha.’Rolling my eyes, I sighed. ‘What else could there be?’‘The Luna Queen is with them as well.’My eyes looked up at Riley and I realized his gut feeling had been spot on. ‘Alright. I’ll meet them all at the pack house and then we will be putting the Alpha King and Luna Queen in the apartment. Make sure we go with Formation F.’‘Understood.’“Zayle? Everything okay?” Riley asked me tentatively.I shook my head. “The Alpha King is here early.”My Gamma and Beta stood up. Dad frowned and so did Vincent. We were expecting them tomorrow. Jasper didn’t pull this for an official meeting. Something was off. Ril
I couldn’t even contain the horror as my face morphed reflecting it. Everyone froze and even Jasper stopped, shocked. Dad had hold of his hand, that shit eating grin on his face, as he waited patiently for an answer. Everyone in the room didn’t know what to do. Jasper started to chuckle awkwardly and shake his head.“I…I’m sorry, Uncle Cesar. I don’t think I understand…what you mean?”Dad cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean? I just asked who you let sleep with your mate to get her pregnant.”Riley couldn’t hold it in. He snorted and then covered his mouth with his hand. I realized it was because he had come to same conclusion. Originally, the Moon Goddess told Riley that she had cut off the current Alpha King’s line. It didn’t even register that this wouldn’t be his child. My dad just blurting it out in front of everyone was asking to get beheaded.Yara looked like she was about to scream. Her anger tipped over as her face was flushed a dark red. She was shaking and holding
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