The next morning, I woke up to a soft knock on the door. And I was about to shoot out some profanities as I opened the door, but the person who stood outside wasn’t someone I can ever shout at.“Rosie,” I groaned, rubbing my eyes, glad that I was wearing some clothes.“Good morning,” my sister-in-law smiled, holding up a steaming coffee mug in her small hands. “Thought you would need it after all the partying last night,” I moved aside as she walked inside and placed the coffee mug on the side table, then flopped down on the bed, patting the space beside her.Wide awake now, I sat down and gave her a smile. I dearly love both Cora and Rose, but this one, she holds a teeny bit more of a special place in my heart. Rose was younger than us at twenty-three, but she was one of the strongest women I have ever met and the most perfect mate for my brother. My heart warmed when she peeked up at me with that sweet smile, green eyes shining.“You look older, Ash,” she said, running her palm on my
IvyHis fingers slipped inside my shorts while his naked body pressed down on mine. Skin to skin touching, the warm, masculine scent—a concoction of leather, bourbon and cedar wood, seeped into my senses. “You really can’t hide from me,” he whispered in my ear as his deft fingers pushed through my wet folds and found their way inside me. “Oh…” I moaned, my fingers curling into his curls as he pushed his finger deeper and deeper inside me. “See? You want me…” I bit my lip hard as he pulled at my lobe. “Then why do you keep fighting me?” “Don’t to…touch me…” I groaned, not meaning a single syllable. “I can pleasure you like no one can,” I was close, his fingers hitting all the right spots. “I can make you scream…” “Please…stop,” I moaned. “I can fuck you like no one ever has…” So close…I was so so close. “You know why…?” “Asher…” I clenched his hair tighter as he pushed me closer and closer to the edge. “Because I am your…mate,” and I exploded all over his hand the moment that
Ivy“You are late, warrior.”What in the Goddess's name was he doing here? But he was here, his eyes, that deep, intense gaze doing inexplicable things at the pit of my stomach. My heart almost felt like it would plummet out of my mouth.“Er…I…” I didn’t have a reply. What was I going to say? That I ended up sleeping late because you were haunting my dreams last night?“Discipline is the first thing a warrior should possess, don’t you think?” he taunted. I wanted to retort back with something nasty as we both stared at each other, neither breaking eye contact but held back because he was right…I was late.“Yes…Alpha,” I said, keeping my voice firm. He let out a low, guttural growl in response. And I wasn’t sure if everyone else heard it, but I did. When I risked a peek at him, his eyes were a shade darker, jaw even more tense.“Take your place,” Asher commanded. “This was your first strike. Next time…well, there better be no next time.” Gritting my teeth, I took my place at the back, d
Asher“Be nice to her,” Eli warned, handing me the bouquet of red roses. “You already said enough back there. I thought you were trying to protect her?”Eli told me all about how the warriors hated Ivy and what Graham had tried to do with her and what she had done in return. It was funny that she almost broke a powerful warrior like Graham’s nose, but I was also a bit proud of her for standing up for herself like a true warrior should. He suspected that it might be Graham who pushed Ivy into the lake. And I swear if he was right, Graham and I would have a little talk of our own.“I am. From now on, she'll be training with me," I stated, grimacing at the beautiful flowers.“You questioned her abilities right in front of that dickwad, Graham,” Eli pointed out.“That's because Ivy doesn't seem like the one who would want me to be publicly protective towards her. And I didn’t want to make it too obvious. That was the o
Asher Noah and Logan were waiting outside my father’s study as I headed back to the Alpha House. It was clear from the look on their faces that it couldn’t be good. But I couldn’t care any less. In fact, it would be good for my father to not test me now. “Any hints?” I sullenly demanded from my brothers. They both shrugged in response. “See for yourself,” Logan said. I scowled and then, bracing myself, opened the door and stalked inside. My father was peering into something that seemed like very, very old…scripts? From what I could see, they looked like brittle pieces of paper, the color turning yellowish with age. “You wanted to see me?” I asked. My father looked up, no prominent expression on his handsome face except for the usual somberness. “Alpha Helius called,” he stated, as if that was all the explanation I needed to figure out what was wrong. “Alpha who?” “Alpha Helius of the YellowStone pack,” I
AsherI wasn’t sure how I was supposed to react as I spied the dead white wolf lying on the cold floor. Her coat was white as snow and in her eyes there was a blank, hollow look that immediately made me avert my gaze. It was a really depressing sight.“What is this?” Mac whispered.“That’s what I want to know,” I mumbled. “What is this?”“What do you think?” Logan asked.“A dead white wolf?” I offered.“It’s not just some dead white wolf, Ash. It’s been fifteen days since we spotted her here…” Noah said.“And your point is?” I demanded.“Look closely. It hasn’t decayed, and that’s not normal. Look at that spotless white coat. This should have been a lump of bones and fur, if anything,” Logan said.“And that’s not all. Look into her eyes…” Noah added. Even though I didn’t want to, I did move closer to take a glance. At first, nothing seemed out of…ordinary. But as I moved even closer, forcing myself to look into t
Ivy“Oh my goddess, am I dreaming?” I peeked up from the book I was reading and raised a brow at Naya as she stood by the bed, looking surprised. Way too surprised.“What is that supposed to mean?” I frowned.“You are never visible during these hours and mom told me you have been here since morning. Why didn’t you go to the training? You never miss training, ever.” Her tone was almost accusatory, and it made me roll my eyes.“I am just taking…a day off,” turning my eyes back to the book I pretended to read. Even if for the last hour or so, all I did was re-read the first paragraph.“You got up late today, and now you are taking a day off from training and reading a book...damn, Ivy are you pregnant?” I almost choked on my breath, blinking at the green-eyed girl. Naya had green eyes but really light in color unlike Luna Rose’s whose were very vibrant.“What?” I exclaimed, almost for a moment believing in that crap.“W
“Put me down!!” I shouted, thrashing my legs against his hold. “Put me down! What the fuck!” I punched him hard but, of course, he probably didn’t even feel it. “I told you not to try me,” Asher muttered, throwing open the door. “This could have gone much better.” “Put me down!!” I screamed, struggling against his grasp. “Put me down, Asher Gray!” Even if I was upside down and all I could actually see was his…well, ass, I could feel several curious eyes watching us. “I am going to kill you,” I threatened as he opened the car door. “Sure,” he said, absolutely disinterested. Leaning down, he lowered me into the passenger seat, surprisingly gentle, and shot me a look. Just as I was about to open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and fastened it around my mouth. “This should keep your mouth shut for a while,” he said. I reached out to hit him, but fast as lightning, he had both my hands in his grasp. I glared at him, trying to wrigg
AsherKillian’s army was a flood of darkness, their silhouettes stark against the snow. Rogues, hybrids, and vampires, all moving in perfect unison, their eyes glinting like red-hot embers. They were spread thin at first, testing our defenses, but I knew better than to think it was random. They were probing us, looking for weakness.“Hold fast,” Logan’s voice rumbled through the link. “Stay focused.” Noah’s wolf, Noel, was at my right, his massive form solid and unyielding. His deep growl vibrated through the ground as we waited for the first strike.To our left, Cora and Catalina led the charge on the flank, their wolves sleek and fast as they darted through the snow. The left side was tight, their warriors moving like a well-oiled machine, cutting off any attempts by Killian’s forces to circle around us.Then, I saw it—the telltale signs of their strategy. A group of vampires, positioned in the trees on the far
AsherThe wind howled, carrying a bitter chill as we marched toward the battlefield. Snow whipped through the air, stinging like icy shards against my wolf’s fur. Mac's paws crunched through the thick blanket of snow that coated the ground, the cold barely registering in my mind. The forest loomed ahead, its dark silhouettes blurred by the blizzard.At my sides, the pack moved in perfect formation. GrayCrest wolves formed the vanguard, their steps steady and deliberate. To our left and right, allied forces spread out, forming a crescent that stretched into the treeline. Despite the storm, every movement was precise, every warrior holding their position with discipline.Logan’s black wolf, Axel, massive and imposing, led the charge at the center. Beside him, Noah’s wolf, Noel, kept pace, its bulk matching Logan’s, his ears twitching at every sound carried by the wind. I took my place beside them, Mac surging for
IvyI stepped closer, my dagger glinting in the dim light. “What were you doing here? What was the ritual for?”Thalora’s lips curled into a smile as if she were savoring some private joke. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”Sabrina’s magic flared, and the chains constricted sharply. Thalora hissed in pain but laughed again.“You’re standing in the middle of it and you don’t know? Typical. Always so blind to the bigger picture. Fine, fine. You disrupted it anyway, but you might as well know what you’ve doomed yourselves to.” Her gaze flicked to me, dark amusement dancing in her eyes.
IvyThe tunnel opened into a dimly lit corridor, damp and suffocating. The walls were carved from rough stone, and the air carried a mix of mildew and iron—the unmistakable scent of blood. My boots scraped softly against the uneven floor as Sabrina and I moved forward, her magic casting a faint glow that barely pierced the oppressive darkness. I knew this place. This was the Crescent Moon dungeon.“Stay alert,” Sabrina whispered, her sharp eyes scanning ahead.A faint noise—shuffling footsteps and low murmurs—pricked my ears. We slowed, pressing against the cold stone walls.“They&rsqu
IvyI armed myself with whatever possible weapon I could—wolfsbane in small vials, a wolfsbane laced dagger and even small blades laced with wolfsbane. My heart was pounding in my chest as I took deep breaths, pulled on my gloves and headed downstairs. The weather outside was turning darker by the second and Sabrina predicted a blizzard to hit soon.The last update Asher gave me through the mindlink was that the armies have gathered and the glimpse he tried to give me of Killian’s army…things were really not looking good for GrayCrest. We literally had half of what he had apart from the vampires and the hybrids. The only hope now was tha
Christmas morning was filled with the comforting smell of roasted meats, warm bread, and the spice of mulled cider as pack members gathered around the tables for a feast. No one talked about the war, even if between us, we knew that Silas was dead and Noah had actually sent his dead body over to the Crescent Moon—a Christmas gift Killian would remember. Sabrina told me that she has managed to create the antidote and tomorrow she and Avery will start injecting the warriors and everyone else with it before leaving for the battlefield.Cora, Rose, and I had gathered gifts over the past weeks, and together, we made our way through the pack, handing small wrapped bundles to every member. The omega children squealed with delight as they tore into theirs. Stacks of gifts piled up for Aurie and Theo, each pack member contributing something to bring joy to the children. I glanced at Shae and Lia as they added their own contributions to the ever-growing pile. Everyone’s gestures, big or small,
Ivy“How could they even decide that without asking us what the truth was?” Cora growled as Asher’s eyes scanned the letter, turning dark with rage every passing second.“Natalie must have been very convincing,” I grimaced. “Does Logan and Noah know?”“Yes, I told them,” she nodded.“Are they still working on Silas?” I asked. “It’s been long enough.”“None of what Silas told them is of any use to use. And apparently, even he doesn’t know Killian’s war strategy. Logan has tried enough…you wouldn’t want to see what he has done with him. I have never seen Logan this angry in all my life and I have seen a lot…” I pursed my lips. If it scared Cora watching what Logan had done to Silas, then I definitely didn’t want to know.“Well, if we get through this the Council is fucked,” Asher hissed, crumbling the paper in his hands.“Now what?” Cora asked.“Now we fight with all we have got,” he said. “This isn’t going
Out of all the places, I didn’t expect Asher to take me to a tattoo parlor. Did he want to get a tattoo now?“I don’t think this is an appropriate time to get a tattoo…” I muttered as he headed inside.“I’m not here to get a tattoo, but this is where I have got all my tattoos done, in case you were curious. And when all of this shit is over, I have a matching tattoo planned for us as well,” Asher said. “Now…this is why I am here,” I frowned as he pointed to a woman in black standing by one of the booths. She had pink hair tied in a ponytail and looked pissed as fuck as she watched an artist work on a guy.“Ruby,” Asher called. The woman turned around and I blinked. She was typically not the kind of female I could imagine Asher being friends with.“Hello Alpha,” her scowl instantly turned to a grin as she walked over and gave Asher a hug before turning her eyes covered in kohl and liner to me. “Wait…don’t tell me…it’s her, isn’t it? The Silver wolf?” I frowned.How did she know that?“
Ivy Reed, dad and I were gathered in the common study to discuss war strategy. We had spread out maps and charts and all that stuff and now my father was deep in talks with Reed as he explained the old strategies of the army to him. My father looked much recovered now, very much like the alpha he was. If there will ever be a second in my life where I won’t be grateful for Eli’s sacrifice, then I hope the Moon Goddess kills me right there.“Hmm. I believe Killian’s forces will be advancing from this side…” Dad muttered, deep in thought.“Yes,” Reed agreed, his expression serious as he analyzed the map. “And we’ll be positioned here.” He tapped a cluster of trees on our side of the field. “It’ll be steep and treacherous, but we can use that to our advantage. If Killian’s vampires try to attack from higher ground, the slopes and snow will slow them down.”“They’ll likely position their main forces here—vampires an