Darcey’s POV “You okay? Addie asks me. She was waiting for me outside of my assessment room. “Yes.” I snapped at her. “What crawled up your butt and died?” she then asks. My shoulders sag. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. Something happened, and it has annoyed me.” “Not with your test?” she asks me. “Gosh no. I know how to keep my personal and professional lives separate. Something happened after you left me earlier.” “Whatever it is. It needs to wait until later. We need to make it this year. It’s rare that there are so many positions available. We could all get in.” She says, all excited. I know she is right. With Brandon leaving, there are four positions up for grabs. But I need to tell someone before I explode. So, I just blurt it out. “I met my mate, and he doesn’t want me.” Addie’s face drops. “What?” she yelled loudly. Thankfully, there was no one around. “Can all major candidates report to the training ground.” The speaker system delivers the announcem
Jacob’s POV The man who has become my closest friend in the last year leaves me in shock. I can’t believe he would reject Darcey as his mate. I don’t know why he would do that. All I know about Charlie is that he began his life as an orphaned rogue. He ended up alone at the old Wolf Council compound. From there, he went to the Red Valley Pack. He wanted his life to have meaning, to serve his kings and country. He always dreamed of joining the royal guard. “Oh, my goddess. Can you imagine if Darcey is your major?” I started laughing. He didn’t find the humor in my comment. “I think you boys have some explaining to do.” Our drill sergeant says quietly from behind us. We know our drill sergeant for being loud, so when he’s quiet, it’s a sign of trouble. I spun around to look at him. But we are thankfully summoned to the training area for our assessments. “This is not over,” he tells us both. We took to the field. Complete an assault course. Perform as a team in our huma
Esme’s POV “Come on Layton, give it to me.” “No. It’s not your birthday until tomorrow.” I glared at him. “Why did you even bother to tell me that my present had arrived then?” He smiled at me. “Because I knew it would wind you up. You’re so impatient.” I slapped his chest. Just before, I wrapped my arms around his neck. Pulling him to me for a kiss. But I didn’t kiss him. I bit his lip instead and then ran away laughing. He laughs as he chases after me. After catching me, he claimed the kiss that was due to him. “I wish you could be with me.” I told him. “Before midnight, you need to spend time with your family. It might be your last chance for a while. Because I am never letting you out of my sight after that,” he tells me as he tickles me. Making me squeal. From the moment I saw Layton working in the stables years ago, I knew he was the one for me. Everyone thought it was just a crush. But I knew it wasn’t. He is only a couple of years older than me and alr
Jonathan’s POV “No one has ever shared mine and Mack’s astral projections.” Sindy tells me. “Who are you? Who is she to you?” I asked her. I know they aren’t twins. I don’t feel the same connection with her that I did with Mack. Sindy also appears to be Aaron’s mate. But she and Mack look so similar in age and appearance. They have to be related. “The mate bond drew our father, a wolf, to our mother, a witch. Our mother didn’t feel the connection and told him that. He took her by force. Kept her as his prisoner and regularly raped her to satisfy instinctual urges.” A look of disgust was apparent on her face. “When I was born, he gave me to his sister. Once I was safe in her care. He confessed everything to her. His behavior disgusted her. He threatened to kill me if she ever told anyone what he was doing. My aunt was childless and would do anything to protect me, so she kept his secret. Eight months later, she had a vision. The short version of the vision was that my
Sindy’s POV “I never expected someone as damaged as me to have a mate.” I told Aaron as I sat next to him. “You’re not damaged,” he says, putting his arm around me. “The situation you were born into was messed up. But your aunt raised you with love. You are far from damaged. You’re a survivor, a protector, a sister, and my mate.” He says as he spins around, pressing his forehead to mine. “We are two pieces of the same puzzle.” I feel calm when he touches me. That is, until my annoying wolf shouted “Mate” at me for the hundredth time since meeting Aaron. I pulled away from him. “I have to get Mack back.” “I think there is a queue for saving Mack. Jonathan is more than capable of handling the situation.” I looked at Aaron. “What do you mean by that?” I know Jonathan is a hybrid. But Aaron seems to think he can protect Mack better than I can. He snickers. “You were on your way to the River Valley Pack. Guess who is next in line to be the next Alpha there?” He nodded to
Darcey’s POV “You don’t have to do this. I am sure she will understand.” Our mom tells us all. “We don’t even know what’s going to happen.” I say to her. “How can we say no to our goddess when we don’t know what she wants?” Jack says, clearly agreeing with me. “We want to do this,” Esme then informs her happily. For me, this confirms we all want to be part of whatever is about to happen. “You’re facing the unknown and are facing it together. I am proud of you all.” Mom tells us. We all put on our pendants, knowing where we need to go. We are confident that we will be safe. Steff hasn’t gone to all this effort to cause us harm. Standing on the top floor of the palace. I am mentally preparing myself. I watched as Jack kissed Isabella. “Be safe.” Isabella tells him. I watched as Esme kissed Layton, then they hugged one another. Ayla whimpers at the sight of them. Yes, I have accomplished all my career goals. But my personal life is a mes
Aaron’s POV Before joining us in the SUV, Jacob is talking with a pack member from the Red Moon Pack. They end up shaking hands and laughing. They must be old friends, they’re very comfortable with each other. I climbed in the back with Sindy and Mack. At first, I sat nervously next to Sindy. Axel keeps insisting I mark her. But I keep telling him to shut up. This isn’t the right time or place. Sindy’s focus is solely on Mack right now. He should just feel lucky that I am taking my mate home with me. I know I feel like the luckiest man alive. I put my arm around Sindy and kissed her when she looked my way. I know the situation isn’t great, but this is the greatest day of my life. After our kiss, Sindy gives me a small smile and rests her head on my shoulder. “Is there any chance of stopping somewhere? I want to get her cleaned up.” Sindy asks. Despite the air conditioning being on, Mack’s odor was still noticeable, but I didn’t want to say anything. Jonathan’s intent
Jacob’s POV “Mom.” I shouted as I ran down the stairs. She met me in the foyer. “Mom, I need a crash course in flying,” I told her. “Jacob, it took me a long time and lots of practice.” “I need to learn how to do it right now.” I said to her through gritted teeth. Flying is the fastest way to get to Charlie. My mom looked at me and nodded her head. Gesturing for me to go outside. “For me, I need to keep a clear head, focus on my goals. My gifts are most effective that way as they are based on my emotions,” she tells me. “Mom, teach me how to fly. I need to know, like yesterday.” I barked at her. My patience is growing thin. She looks at me sternly but speaks calmly. “At first, I had to use my hands to fly. When I got more experienced, the wind flowed through my body. Your wolf is the biggest asset in the learning process.” “Okay hands,” I stood there, palms facing down. “Axel help me.” I demanded of my wolf. My eyes were closed as I felt Axel’s strength surge throu