A super long chapter for you today. I am finishing up my changes and hope to have this book completed and all chapters published soon.
LYRICThings had moved quickly, maybe too quickly in my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for everything that was happening.Lizzy and Olivia, Mike’s mother had become fast friends. Upon Mike and I completing our bond, Olivia set Lizzy up in one of the single suites at the other end of the hall. Olivia also had given Lizzy a job as her personal assistant so she could help the older beta female with the palace’s day-to-day running but still wouldn’t be too far from Zane and me.Zane had rejoiced, jumping up and down excitedly, and Lizzy had cried when I cm home with the Beta’s mark still fresh on my neck. They were both happy, maybe happier than I was. Zane was the most excited. He and Mike had bonded even more, and Mike asked me if he could have Zane bonded to him officially which meant a small exchange of blood.We decided to ask Zane together and even though we explained how it worked, he didn’t care. I think Zane was more excited that Mike would officially become his father. It wa
TRAVIS I hung up with Kellen, bringing my thoughts back to now over a year ago. The day one of our patrols found Petra. She was a frightened little girl. So scared that the smell of her fear almost hid her scent. Petra was eleven now, as a bear shifter she should have her first shift at around fourteen. Werebears shifted earlier than wolves or cats, it was a known fact. I had fallen in love with that little girl because of her bravery. And that she had no family left. The scene of where she had come from had never left the minds of any of us that were there to see the aftermath. A whole Clan was decimated. Bodies torn and shredded. Stripped of clothing. Appendages strewn around like trash. That sight was awful, but the most horrifying thing was the children that had been strung up in the trees. I didn’t want to believe that Petra could be someone other than the girl I had come to know and love. She was the closest thing I had to a little sister. To family. I had abandoned my own f
RHETT It felt strange and wrong to be back in MacTire. The whole way here It felt as though I was missing something. I was uneasy leaving Jonda behind. I knew that was the reason for my emotional displacement. But what was I meant to do? I couldn’t take Jonda with me, and I had to return. This was my home. And Jonda; I didn’t know if she didn’t recognize our bond or if Senko had done such a number on her that she didn’t know. I had the unique ability to know when someone was lying. And Jonda wasn’t lying when she told me Mike was her mate and the child that grew inside her was his. She truly believed it was the truth. My child, she gave my child another father. How did things go so wrong? I felt a connection to Jonda, but I couldn’t say I was in love with her. Or at least I didn’t think I could. She wore my mark but thought it was someone else's. The mark I gave her only intensified the pull I felt toward her. I thought leaving would be the best thing and easy. It’s far from easy
LYRIC “I Michael Pike Junior accept you Lyric Swift as my fated mate. My one and only now and in the afterlife. I promise to honor our bond in the ways of loving, protecting, and providing for our family.” I gulp the tears away, staring into his hazel eyes that are lit up as he says his vows. “In this life and the next, I promise to always be by your side. The night we met,” He looks at me sheepishly, recalling our first encounter. “I was an idiot. We met under straining circumstances, and it took me a while to realize what an amazing woman you are. Smart, capable, challenging but above all I have come to learn how big your heart is.” A lone tear slides down my face. I hate being so emotional, but Mike's words are not just true, they are honest and raw. “I almost made the biggest mistake in my life Lyric. I don’t know what our futures would have been if I had pushed you so far away to the brink of no return. Little by little you stole a piece of me, showing me who you really were. B
RHETT I was with Josiah when the mind link from Kellen was pushed through. Immediately I realized he had linked to Lamia, Mike, and Hunji too. I grabbed my head as the pressure was painful. They still didn’t realize that a mass connection like this caused me migraines. I wasn’t a full shifter like they were, therefore, my brain had a harder time with the invasion. It had become easier since I was marked as one of Lamia’s knights, but still, it was too much for my human side to handle. *Senko has another stone.* Kellen’s loud and angry voice came through *Abner Brooks is in the wind.* *King has just spoken to him; he is hours from Cambiador. He was on his way to Riocht when he found out.* *Tawny has one of the last stones he needs.* Kellen speaks as if it wasn’t already obvious. “Fuck.” I say out loud and reach for Josiah. “Get Travis.” I tell him, “Senko has found a third stone. They need to know about Petra. I have to tell them.” It had only been a few days and we still hadn’t d
MIKE I ran in my wolf's form, letting Duke take charge and lead the way through the kingdom's forest. We knew these woods like the back of our hands or paws. Could probably navigate the terrain with our eyes closed because we had run through them so much. Duke speeds up when catches Lyric‘s scent. We were spending as much time together as we could. Kellen and I were leaving in a couple of days with three teams of elite warriors heading to the border of Lewe to look for the compound. Rogue would join us, and Tyron would stay back to protect the kingdom with my father. Usually, it Would be the Delta going but for unknown reasons he wanted Tyron to stay back and man the palace. Lyric was also staying behind. On one hand, I was happy for Lyric to not be in the thick of a fight, on the other I didn’t like the idea of being away from her. It was making me apprehensive just the thought of leaving her. Duke catches up with Note and nips at her hind legs playfully. We had been out here for
LYRIC Some drive and others run in their wolf form alongside our convoy as we rush towards Cambiador. The trip takes two days from where we were in Lewe to reach their borders. Kellen and Mike keep in constant communication with Rhett and Alpha Travis who are already at the border of the werecat kingdom. The tension in the car is palpable. All of us wondering if this is it. If this is when we face Senko and his army. The warriors are in good spirits, for some, it is not their first battle. For others, it would be a first. Their lack of worry is what has Note and I on edge. After what I witnessed at the Golden Circle Pack - I want to scream at them. I want to pound it into their heads that they should be afraid of this Shadow Witch. Of the creatures and not quiet humans he has under his command. I’m looking out the window from the back seat of the car I share with Kellen and Mike. I tune out their conversation and think of Zane. It was him I was fighting for and our future. Maybe M
TALA Meanwhile at New Moon Shrill screams sound from down the hall. With Connor in my arms, I raced towards my sister’s anguished shrieking. I barely notice Olivia and Lizzy behind me as I rush to Jonda’s aid. I fling the door open and Connor begins to wail. My eyes land on my sister and I almost drop my son at the sight. She’s doubled over clutching her large stomach, blood trickling from between her legs, soaking the purple gown she wears. “Jonda!” I cry out with alarm and concern. Immediately I link the pack doctor to come quickly. “Oh my!” Olivia exclaims behind me with shock. Followed by a sharp gasp from Lizzy. I hand Connor to Olivia, “I already linked the doctor.” I say with a rushed breath, quickly crossing the room to my sister's aide. Lightening flashes in the evening sky, illuminating the room and Jonda. That’s when I see the marks on her body begin to move and swirl, crawling across her skin. Becoming darker by the moment. “Jonda. Come lay down please.” I tell her