Thank you so much for reading. All constructive comments and gems are appreciated. I cannot interact here. If you would like to join in the conversation you can find me on the socials. Miss. L. Writes. It has come to my attention that my and other author’s works are being stolen/plagiarized on many other reading sites. Sometimes blatant copies of our original work. Sometimes they have gone to the trouble of changing some character names, but using the original story. If you see anything, GoodNovel has a team dedicated to handling the legal side of things. Please email a screenshot and a link (if you have it) to contact@goodnovel.com Authors deserve credit for their original work. I appreciate all of you so much for reading and following me on my author journey!
76 - RykerI have never cared before now. I shouldn’t care. But I keep my insecurities at the way she asked the question to myself. I have a bad habit of misunderstanding her intentions. I haven’t learned to read her emotions the way Bennet, and now Danny, do. I just watch her looking at me, in wonder I think. Or maybe it’s confusion, disbelief. I’m not sure. One thing I know is, I can’t stop touching her. Running my fingers through her hair, caressing her cheek, her arms, the inch of bare skin at her waist where her shirt rode up.I saved myself for my mate. It is probably the one thing that my wolf and I agreed on. We saved everything binding for our mate. I don’t regret it, can’t regret it. It was the most incredible experience for me. And it was only a kiss. Far more thrilling than my first shift or even my first kill in a fight. This woman in my arms has brought me to life. I had no idea I could feel…like this. My heart is still racing and the electricity is still flow
77 - KennedyIt took a full ten minutes to get Ryker to come outside and get in the car with me. He has my hand in a death grip, but I can’t bring myself to make him adjust it. I understand his fear a little, it’s similar to mine. My track record for road trips isn’t great and I have my own anxieties about traveling, but they are nothing to what he is going through. He is so nervous I can taste it in the air around us. I have to break it though or I might suffocate.“Tell me about Rory. You don’t talk about him like an alpha you took control over.” I lean into Ryker’s shoulder. He’s sitting stiff as a board. I don’t know how he’s going to make it the two hour drive.“Rory is a good kid. He’s your age actually.” Ryker looks at me and then coughs nervously. He must have caught my look at him comparing me to Rory while referring to him as a ‘kid.’ “Umm…He’s different, I guess. His whole situation is different. I am just an interim alpha for them.”“What do you mean? How does so
78 - KennedyI move closer to Ryker, but it’s not out of fear. I heard the insult in this little man’s words and felt Ryker tense, those old walls slamming right back up. I haven’t seen them in a while, but away from his pack he must use them like armor. I can’t link him to ask and he won’t tell me what his issue with this asshole is on his own, I just know there is one. This should be an interesting game.Ryker’s arm goes around my waist as we turn to face the intruder. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Claude. I thought gatherings like this were beneath you.” He’s gripping my waist like a lifeline, or maybe to keep himself from doing or saying something in front of this guy.He’s small for a male werewolf. Not short, but scrawny. I don’t know if I have ever really seen a non-muscled werewolf. I thought that was a given. Tommy was always leaner than the rest of the guys, like a runner, but he still has a powerful body. Even uncle James is still super fit. In his forties he doe
79 - Ryker“Don’t you move, little lamb, I’ve got you.” I can’t have her close enough right now. That was the longest drive I have ever had. Thank the Goddess Claude and his bozos took the bait.After the second attack on her here, Josh and I searched our territories for a she-wolf that fit Kennedy’s basic description. We found a warrior named Mia who is more than happy to be Kennedy’s doppelganger. The two attacks and Claude showing up today tells me they were not a coincidence and something bigger is going on. He didn’t flinch seeing us there even though he’s been actively avoiding me for months now. He was surprised by Kennedy being with me and didn’t approach us for the rest of our time at Rory’s. He did, however, follow us through the party, tracking him was not hard.Danny brought Mia up in a second car about an hour after we arrived. Any time Kennedy was dancing with Bennet, I made a point to leave the room and without fail, Claude followed me. Josh and I made a point to
80 - RykerI have never paced so much in my life. I’m not worried or anxious. I don’t think I’m nervous, but Kennedy is willingly spending time with me outside of training and pack business. She’s taking an interest in the pack like a Luna should. This whole relationship is becoming real for the first time. I want her. I mean I have always wanted her, but now it’s not just physically. She’s important.“Ryker, sit down. You are making me itchy.” My mother scolds, looking up from whatever books she is currently reading. We are in the small dining area in the house her and my father chose when they moved out of the packhouse. It’s only a few minutes away, but it’s tucked into the woods, cozy and private.“I can’t. I have no idea what I’m doing and I can’t mess up any more. What do I do?”I gave my mom a brief history of the interactions Kennedy and I have had since she got here and naturally, my mom knew most of this from Kennedy’s point of view and took my mate’s side. Regaling me in
81 - Ryker“What made you ask for my wolf?”“I don’t know, I just had an urge to see him. Ryker, you’re hurt, does that really matter right now?” She’s pulling away from me to try and look at my shoulder. I’m almost completely healed. The only thing that doesn’t go away is the blood spilled. That’s all she sees.“I’m fine, really….”“Oh! Ryker…It was so scary. I’m so glad you’re alright. You’re so brave to take on those rogues all by yourself!”Amy throws herself at my back, ultimately shoving Kennedy away from me. I’m not sure if she didn’t see her or if, most likely, she doesn’t care. But I am naked and not in the mood to put up with her stupid behavior. The only person who should see or touch me like this is Kennedy.“Amy. Off. Now!” I growl out.“But… I just wanted to make sure you’re alright. You never minded before.” She coos at me. “I know how to comfort you.”“Amy,” I grab Kennedy, who looks close to angry tears, and pull her to my chest, resting her cheek over my heart and tu
82 - KennedyI am very proud of myself. I don’t throw a fit or storm out of the room, even though that is exactly what my gut wants me too. I don’t want to be locked in the house again. Especially when I know Amy is back and trying to start sh*t. She definitely doesn’t care about Ryker having a mate now. I could see her issue with me before, when I first got here. I thought maybe he had a deeper connection with her or maybe he made her promises considering how old he is. To be twenty six and still not have a mate is not unheard of, but it is closer to rare than normal. Now that I have been around a while and the way Ryker is with me, the way he held me close to him when she was right there in front of us tells me the obsession is completely on her side.That’s a whole other thing to wrap my head around. The way he held me. Even something so simple as using me to cover up his fabulous naked body. I felt…I don’t want to think about it in case I jinx it, but he held me. Then aga
83 - KennedyI wake up again, draped across Ryker’s massively chiseled chest. I take a deep breath in, reveling in his Rosemary mint scent, then roll out of bed trying not to disturb him. I look around to see where we ended up. Surprisingly we are back in my room. He didn’t bother fixing the door, it’s pushed off to the side. I look around and nothing has been touched aside from the things he had moved into his bedroom. It feels like forever since I have been in here. I do notice the statue that looks like Alpha has been propped on my bedside table, but there is an addition. There is a lamb statue carved with the same amount of detail standing next to Alpha. They way they are standing though, it’s as if they are puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. I wonder if the same shopkeeper made it. The curve of the wolf’s body is just enough for the lamb to curl in, the lamb’s front leg crosses over the wolf’s in a possessive and protective way. The underside of the wolf’s muzzle fits
14- GretaI have never seen anyone look at me the way Finn was. It’s like he was hungry and he wanted me for his last meal.“Well, he’s a guy, a very, very hot guy and you are a woman.”“Shut up.” I scold my wolf. “I wonder if he was telling the truth about not having women catch his eye for a long time.”“Maybe he’s bi! I’ve always wanted to try a three way!”“You are ridiculous!” I laugh at my wolf. “Besides, maybe him and Amy had a different kind of mate bond. She was able to sleep with anyone. The bond didn’t seem to affect her. Maybe he was the same. He could be lying just to get a piece while he’s out here on this mission.” The thought makes me feel sh*tty.“Nah, he was definitely looking at you like a snack.”“Greta!” Finn’s voice stops our debate. I look and he’s standing about twenty yards back. He shifts fast. “You want to take a look at this or just run laps?” He whispers, raising an eyebrow.My wolf rolls her eyes and he laughs at us, but we trot back over then shift
13- FinnI switched out with Greta about two hours ago. It’s the middle of the night and she let me rest for a long time. It hit me too late, it’s because she’s a control freak. This girl cannot be more wound up. I am going to have to talk with Danny about ways to medicate her uptight ass. This is not the hard part. These rogues either aren’t who we are looking for and our information is bad, or they are onto the fact that Rory is looking into them and they are playing nice for now. I don’t know why she thinks we need a bulletpointed plan of every move we make before doing anything. She’s the definition of analysis paralysis. I don’t care how hot she is, she’s crazy and I have had enough of that to last me a lifetime.If it was just me, I would have done a sweep around the perimeter already to get a better idea of numbers. I know how to hide my scent and I’m not officially in a pack so even if they came across my scent they probably wouldn’t think anything of it. But, I can’t mid
12 - GretaDamn, this guy is annoying. We have been walking for about forty-five minutes and he hasn’t said a thing to me. He was supposed to be explaining the terrain to me, not taking a leisurely stroll.“Finn!” I whisper yell. “What are you doing? We need a plan and to scout properly. Talk to me. What are we doing?” I take a quiet jog to catch up to him.“I am taking you to the part of the stream we used to collect water. I didn’t think you needed a play by play. There hasn’t been anyone traveling through here. I can smell that much. You can smell that much. We don’t need to discuss it.” He shrugs his shoulders and continues walking. “As a trained warrior, I assume you can make basic observations on your own.”I hold back a growl. “How many people were housed in the area you cleared? Did you have any specific paths you followed? How long were you here? We need to plan what we will do if we get separated or if we end up in a fight.”“That is probably something you should hav
Sorry for the absence. My whole house got sick, but my son just couldn't kick the usual flu/cold/slime that flows through the public school system this time of year. After 2 weeks of tests and negative results for basically everything, but still spiking high fevers every couple of days we finally figured out he had pneumonia. It has been a wild couple of weeks, but I think we are back on track. This is the first time in two weeks I have touched my laptop. I'm going to take my free time the next couple days to get caught up with Finn and Greta's story. I have missed them.
11 - Greta“Sleeping arrangements don’t matter right now, Rookie. We have to get to work. I have a rough idea of where the attacking rogues are hiding out. Rory’s guys haven’t chased them too far past their borders out of fear of it being a trap. They aren’t equipped to handle an ambush right now.” I drop my bag by the tiny table in the kitchen area. As much as I will fight him on it, Finn was not too far off suggesting the cabin might have the toilet and the bed in the same space. It is tiny in here. I’m sure this cabin is built for one guy to stay overnight.I start digging for the map Gunner gave me. When I find it I dump my bag on the floor and spread the map out on the table. “You gonna join me or what?” I look over my shoulder and Finn is just watching. What he’s looking at is anyone’s guess, but he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to help either. With all his talk about wanting to prove himself, he seems to not care now that he found a bed. Whatever.I look at the map G
10 - Finn“We made a path to get to the Dark Moon pack, Alpha Rory.” “Wait! You were a part of the group that attacked Ryker and Kennedy?!” The entire room erupts in low growls. I stand my ground. My only reaction is the tension in my muscles, ready for someone to attack. I try to keep my face calm, not uncaring or arrogant, just not hostile. This is why I have no idea why I am here. I am only ever going to be known as the leader of the pack that tried, and failed, to attack Ryker’s pack. I expect to be interrogated and not trusted.“Hey! Gunner. Kade. Knock it off. Ryker vetted him and he has been working with us for six months. It’s why he is here. That and he clearly got past all of you without being noticed.” She places herself between the beta, delta and me. I can’t help the shock I feel. Did Greta just defend me? “That’s where we should start then.” She looks at Rory, like nothing hostile was about to go down. He nods. “Is there any other info we need to get started?”
9 - Greta“What did he mean ‘it sounds like,’ Josh?” I look over at the Beta, knowing full well he gives Ryker a play by play of anything going on in the pack and he’s too damn observant for his own good.“Exactly what he said, Greta” He clips my name sarcastically. “You two need to get over whatever this,” He waves between Finn and I, “is, and learn how to work together. You both are very talented. Stop fighting each other and focus those efforts on something more productive. Now go pack up. You have a two hour drive to check in with Rory and then another hour out to the cabin. Grant has your SUV out front.”He turns and walks away after that, no other words. Just Finn and I here alone. “This should be fun.” Finn steps past me towards the car. “You wanna drive, control freak?” He smiles over his shoulder.Oh yeah, super fun. I jog around to the driver’s side. At least Finn has caught onto one thing. I am in charge of this mission. We hit my place first. “Just wait here. It wi
8 - GretaI don’t know what it is about this guy, but he bugs the sh*t out of me. I watch him fight day after day, because he doesn’t seem to have anything else to add to the pack. He shows up late, doesn’t follow the rules or any of the protocols I set. Yet he continues to win in his fights against some of the best warriors I have trained, so I can’t really discipline him.“Do it again.” I call out, trying to sound bored. I am really interested to see if I can break him today. “Try to work the moves correctly this time, Rookie.”“If I am winning, does the perfect execution really matter, ma’am?” He taunts not taking his eyes off of Bobby, his current opponent.“Only if you are too big of a p*ssy to execute it correctly. I just assume you are compensating for a lack in other skills.” That gets his attention. I nod to Bobby who lunges at Finn’s unprotected side.They both roll, but his reaction skills are unmatched. The problem is his fighting technique is crude at best, but their
7-FinnSix months. It has been six months since the fight and Claude and Amy were killed in action along with many of their followers. We have been allowed to stay, even me, which seems insane.We helped rebuild the area we set on fire and in return, we have been given housing in the apartments that went up above the shops. We have not gone without a meal and everyone is settling into new jobs and finding their place in the pack. Everyone except me.I have started training with the warriors, but the strict schedule and rules and protocols all rub me the wrong way. I have been doing this on my own since I was six. I get up when I want, train when and the way I want, and eat when I can find enough food for everyone. This ‘be here on time sh*t’ is getting old and it’s stifling.“Thanks for joining us, Rookie.” Greta calls over to me. I ignore her jibe and walk to the back of the group.I have kept as much distance as I can from the hot warrior, but I won’t be able to do that forever