“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
Asher This has literally got to be the most unromantic proposal ever. Ivy’s eyes were wide as she stared at me and, even after minutes passed away, that was all the response I got from her. A plain, blank stare. “Will you marry me?” I repeated and inwardly kicked myself for not bringing a ring. But then again, this wasn’t really a proposal. It was more like asking her to help me out. Dad was going to ride my ass non-stop if I didn't find a Luna before the reawakening ceremony. A mating ball was definitely not an option because first this wasn't the thirteenth century, and second, I didn’t want to end up a laughing stock. Plus, it wouldn’t be right to Ivyanka, regardless of her sentiments towards me. Or mine towards her. After giving this an entire afternoon and evening of thought, the best conclusion I came to was to ask her for help. However, now I realize I should have given it more thought, because I really
Ivy I was pretty damn sure he could hear the resounding pounding of my heart or sense the heat that flooded through my body. My mouth was dry as hay as he leaned closer, placing both his arms on either side of my head and caged me with his strong and muscular body. The way he looked into my eyes, almost like he was diving into the depths of my soul, had me both breathless and weak at the knees at once. And I have never been weak at knees for anyone. Ever. The pull towards him was so intense that I could almost taste it, something intoxicating lingering in my senses. “Because you are my mate,” Asher whispered. “And only you have the right to be my… Luna.” My stomach flipped, goosebumps tingling all over my skin at the way he articulated the word luna. It was a struggle to think highly of this man or even remotely try to trust him. But the way he called me his Luna, there was a deep, carnal promise hanging thr
Asher “It’s gone towards the south perimeter!” I mindlinked to the guys, dashing through the forest, tracing the god-awful scent that was left behind by the lurker while trying to sort through the noises in my head. Reed, Graham, Eli, the hunters, different images and interpretations of the scent left behind coming from each one of them. Someone was watching Ivy and me, and someone has dared to cross into our territory. This kind of activity was very common with rogues, but as I traced the disgusting scent, it didn’t feel like a rogue. Mac sprinted through the forest at top speed, trying to catch up with the shadow that we spotted but halfway through, it had just vanished. “We are on our way,” Eli mindlinked as I tried to keep up with the trail of scent that was left. It was weird how the scent was scattered. Mac had to sniff from tree to tree to keep up with the path that the intruder took, with the scent lingering acros
IvyI wiped my eyes haphazardly with the back of my hand as I ran away from Asher, rushing into the darkness to hide the guilt gnawing at my chest. I was so angry that it hurt but I wasn’t angry at him for not letting me on patrol duty. I was angry at myself for being so weak and helpless at the clutches of a man I knew absolutely nothing about except for his name was: Alpha Killian Price.A few moments ago:“Ki…Killian,” I stuttered, my voice sounding like I was being choked. What was he doing here? How did he even get here? I didn’t even hear him coming.“Did you miss me, my little Alpha?” he whispered in my ear, his voice raspy and his breath tinged with the scent of alcohol.The usual repulsion spread through my chest again and I moved back, trying to steady myself. I quickly glanced behind me, hoping to the moon goddess that Asher won’t return just yet. I had no idea how I would explain myself if he found me with Killian. And also, a part of me didn’t want him anywhere near this m
Asher“What are you doing?” Mac snapped, startling me. “Go after her! Find her! She doesn’t know her way around here. It’s dark!” “She made her choice. Why would I go after her?” I scowled. “I don’t have to deal with her bullshit just because she is my mate. I have better things to do with my life than babysit a grown-ass woman,”“So you are fine with her wandering around in the dark with some untraceable intruder in the loose?” he demanded.“She is a warrior. I am sure she can defend herself if needed,” I said.“Fine, if you don’t go after her, then I will,” he hissed.“What do…” I couldn’t complete the rest as a startling pain erupted through my body. It hurt so bad that I had to bend over to hold myself together.“Mac, stop it!” I wailed. “Stop trying to phase! Stopppp!”“Somebody needs to be the man,” my wolf roared. “I am not letting her wander around in this darkness on her own!” “Fine! Fine…I’ll go!” I exclaime
Note: Mature Content AheadI dragged my eyes back to hers and yet, there was no reaction from her. Her expression was impassive as she watched me…and I watched her. There was no possible way to hide the animalistic desire and raw need I felt. I was pretty sure it was written all over my face. But I just can’t help it. She was my mate and she was …gorgeous. I am sure even if there was no matebond between us, my reaction would still be the same.Ivy was the kind of beautiful that words can’t do justice. She was her own kind of beautiful. A beauty that transcends words or colors or anyone’s imagination. The kind of beauty I have never had the privilege to experience until now. My heart was a frantic tempo as she slowly walked over to me, no prominent expression on her face but stunning blue eyes holding me in invisible shackles.“I…I didn’t mean to…I wa…” I was stuttering, my mind refusing to cooperate as she gazed up at me. “I…am so sorry, Ivy. I just…I was looking for you and didn’t kn
AsherMy head throbbed violently as I dragged myself downstairs for breakfast the next morning. I couldn’t sleep, nor could I go back to patrolling after what happened, because my mind was reeling. So I spent the majority of it emptying the bar and trying to figure out what happened at the lakehouse and if I dreamed all of it. But the marks on my back from her nails were confirmation that I didn’t. It all happened between us, none of it was a dream and the worse part…she initiated it.And then left me feeling like a fucking villain. Like I was the one forcing myself on her when in fact, she was the one who used and manipulated me. The fucking matebond stripped me of all m
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