[Eliana’s POV]For the first half of the day, Blaine gave me a rundown of everything that I would be doing in the company, from answering phones to filing paperwork and taking information. Once that was finished, he announced that we would be taking a trip to one of Nol’s many hotels.Going along with his flow, I follow silently out of Noland Enterprises and into a car that is waiting for us out front."Where are we going?" I ask only when we are seated and beginning to move. "Is there an issue that needs to be handled?""No," Blaine responds simply, tossing one leg over the other. "We actually have to meet with a client that is having an engagement banquet this Saturday.""Oh."So it wasn’t anything serious. That was good because my lack of sleep the night before was beginning to catch up with me, and with the silence and the movements of the car, I was starting to have trouble keeping my eyes open."Do you think it is appropriate to nap on the clock?" Blaine asks before I can actual
[Alexandria’s POV]Excitement bubbles up in me over the chance to be alone with the woman my fiance was mated to once again. However, where I had just given her a friendly warning, I was going to make sure that she understood that he was mine, and I had the perfect thing to do that.Smiling, I shove my hand in the pocket of my jacket and clasp my hand around my phone.Little did Zaney poo know, I had recorded our entire time together to use at a later date. Little did I know that I would be able to use it so soon."What’s the matter?" Eliana asks, turning and meeting my gaze. "Why are you stopping?""Oh, nothing," I respond, beginning to move again. "I was just thinking of my honey.""Right."Eliana doesn’t say anything more as we enter a storage room where all the plates, silverware, and bowls are kept for special occasions. I only knew of this place because my father and I visited earlier, before anyone else arrived."Do any of these jump out at you?" Eliana asks, slowly letting her
[Eliana’s POV]I don’t speak as Blaine drags me toward a custodian closet. Yanking open the door, he throws me inside and then follows, pinning me between his large body and the wall.As I look up, his anger-filled gaze meets mine, and his jaw ticks due to his trying to remain calm."Do you intend to kill me now?" I ask, growing more and more uncomfortable due to our close proximity. "Go ahead and do it; you’ll be doing me a favor."From the very beginning, Blaine hadn’t bothered to hide his extreme dislike and distrust of me. Therefore, I wasn’t surprised by his reaction to my ruining so much expensive dinnerware."Why didn’t you speak up?" He asks."Pardon?"Frowning, I tried to make sense of the question that was asked since it wasn’t what I was expecting to hear. Was I imagining things."You heard me," Blaine snaps, his frown deepening. "Why didn’t you defend yourself."Once again, my confusion spikes. This was most certainly not what I thought was going to be said."Does it matte
TRIGGER WARNING: The following chapter contains some scenes that are too much for some readers. Read at your own discretion. [Eliana’s POV]I don’t know how far out of town we drive, but by the time my captor finally starts to slow down, the sun is gone and the almost full moon above is shining brightly.A shiver makes its way through me as I realize just how close to my heat period I am and wonder if this was exactly what Blaine anticipated."Come along, beautiful," my captor calls, yanking open my door so that I crash to the ground due to still not being able to move my body. Chuckling, he lifts me and throws me over his shoulder. "I’m glad to know that this drug is so effective, or maybe it is just because you’re so tiny."Letting out another chuckle, he begins to move, making his way forward toward a small cement building that sits at the base of the mountain. With each step closer, the scent of blood reaches my nose, and I realize that this place was most likely used for either
[Nol’s POV]I slam on the gas, pushing the car around me to its highest speed possible as the world around me disappears and her face becomes all I see."If you don’t slow down, you’re going to end up wrecking," Blaine warns from the passenger seat. "I understand you’re worry, but...""Shut the fuck up!" I warn, pressing the gas all the way to the floor. "If it weren’t for you, this wouldn’t have happened!"It was truly baffling how fucking stupid and careless Blaine had been when it came to allowing Eliana to go home alone. Especially when he was aware of how many people were watching her due to my involvement.I shouldn’t have allowed her out, but I thought that it would make her less tense and would make her cooperation easier. Big fucking mistake on my part, and after I got her back, she would stay locked away until our agreement was fulfilled, whether she liked it or not."I’ve already said I’d take responsibility," Blaine huffs in frustration. "How was I to know that the damn dr
[Eliana’s POV]A feather-soft brush against my skin attempts to rouse me from the comforting darkness that I am in. Again and again, it happens, leaving me wondering what exactly it is that I’m feeling, but my eyelids are just too heavy to lift.It is only when an explosion of both pain and pleasure rushes through me that my eyes fly open and I find a large shadow surrounding me.Instantly, I attempt to move but stop as my legs squeeze against my hips and my hands hold my wrists."Don’t move.""Nol?"Confusion rushes through me while I try to figure out exactly what is going on.Another explosion of pain and pleasure rushes through me, this time racing from the base of my neck to the small of my back. The feeling is so intense that I can’t stop the tiny moan that escapes my lips.Above me, a growl erupts, and I feel something press against my thigh."W-what?" I gasp, my eyes growing wide as I realize exactly what it is that’s touching me. "What are you doing?""I said be still," Nol h
[Alexandria’s POV]"Alexandria!"My father’s voice booms all around me, startling me awake and causing me to jump up in bed to find Dale still asleep beside me with his hands and feet still cuffed.Hissing, I look over at the bedside table and find the empty bottle of tequila that we downed together before I began to release my frustration on him."Dammit," I growl, rubbing my temple with my fingers while my father’s insistent banging echoed around the room. "Hey!" I snap, kicking Dale’s side. "Wake up!""Mmmm," Dale grumbles, attempting to move closer to me only to be stopped. "What time is it?""Alexandria!" My father roars before my bedroom door comes crashing down. "Why the hell aren’t you…" Before he can finish, his eyes come to rest on my naked torso and Dale’s ass, which is completely bare. "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?"Beside me, Dale jumps in an attempt to escape but is stopped by the cuffs that still hold him in place."Alexandria Delilah Ramada!" he hisses, looking from
[Alexandria’s POV]I stare up at the desolate house that sits in front of me. It was once a beautiful place, with bright blue shutters and pristine white walls and windows that revealed the warmth that rested within.However, now the place was beginning to show wear and tear from the dinged shutters that rested haphazardly thanks to severe weather and the white walls that were caked with years of dust and dirt.The yard that surrounds it is overgrown with weeds and hides the stone path leading to the rickety front deck.I run a hand through my still damp hair and begin to wonder why I even bothered to come here. I knew what I would find within, but after my altercation with my father, I desperately wanted to see her, even if that meant ruining my mood more.Sucking in a breath, I begin to move, being cautious of tree roots that jut out beneath me and then skipping the deckboards that I know are about ready to crack.Bending down, I lift the welcome mat, grab the key that was placed th
Flames surround me, but for some reason they don’t burn. I don’t quite understand why I’m here, but I feel something beckoning me, drawing me further and further in until I see him.He sits on a throne made of skulls and stares down at me with a look of boredom. He’s so familiar but so different at the same time.Unable to quite believe what I’m seeing, I move slightly closer, only to find that a strong force doesn’t allow me to go near him."Zane?" I whisper, trying to make sense of what is happening. "That’s you, isn’t it?"It had already been two years since his disappearance, but I never truly accepted that he was gone. I mean, how could he be when there wasn’t even a body to bury? Or any sort of feeling toward his existence vanishing from this world—wouldn't I be able to feel it given the fact he wore my mark?This was why I held onto hope no matter the amount of time that passed, even when others continuously told me to let go. And now here he was in front of me, but where exactl
[Eliana’s POV]Warm sun beats down on my skin while I lounge by the pool, watching Nol wade on the steps with Ryker. Never in my life did I ever think I would see such a strong and arrogant man act like a child, but here he was splashing and laughing along with our son.Since Ryker’s birth, I have been seeing many sides of Nol that I didn’t think would exist, like him changing diapers, making bottles, and even cuddling while Ryker was sick. I even caught him singing to him a few times, but he insisted that he wasn’t.To say that life was perfect was a bit extreme, but it was damn near close. There was only one thing missing, and that was Zane.Two years had passed since his disappearance, and despite multiple searches, contacting a medium, and even asking rogue mages for help, no one was able to locate him. It was almost as though he disappeared entirely, but Nol was certain that wasn’t possible since he was aware of the consequences of bringing the hellhounds to this earth.Sighing,
[Nol’s POV]I don’t know how long Eliana sobbed on me while I helplessly watched because I knew that there was nothing that I could do since there was no bringing Zane back. Beside us, Alexandria continued to fight Blaine until she became so exhausted that all she could do was cling to him while her gaze stayed fixed on the rubble.By the time the police arrived, there was nothing left to be found, but Alexandria’s friends had managed to bring them the evidence needed to prove not only Alexandria’s innocence but that of all of us.In the end, all the blame fell on Jeckel since he was already accused of being part of a human trafficking ring. It didn’t take long for the rest of his corruption and misdeeds to be found and his name to be tarnished.Afterward, we waited to see if any remains could be found, but all that were deceased were too burned to make out and would simply be thrown in a mass grave for Disastria and Romando to be mourned by those who were oblivious to all that both a
[Zane’s POV]A howl of disappointment escapes me as I attempt to make my way to the window where Eliana and the others disappeared."No you fucking don’t!" Nol snarls, beginning to shift into his lycan form. "If you want to kill someone, then you’ll have to get through me."Snapping my gaze from the window, I feel my body beginning to move again, making its way to the very weak-looking lycan behind me.‘That’s it,’ Nol’s voice announces in my head. ‘Come get me.’As I move, he rushes forward, meeting me halfway and throwing me against a wall before jumping on me and wrapping a hand around my throat.‘Snap out of it, Zane,’ he hisses in my head. ‘Before you do something you regret.’‘I…’ I try, hoping he can hear me. ‘Can’t. Please kill me.’That was the only thing that was going to end this—my death—and I was more than willing to accept it.‘I won’t,’ Nol responds, loosening his hold. ‘If you die, Eliana will be sad.’Eliana… Of course, the only thing he cares about is her, and I can’
[Nol’s POV]The world around me begins to move in slow motion as I release Zane and rush toward where Jeckel stands with Eliana in his clutches, but before I can reach her, her eyes are widening and blood is erupting from her lips, and then she is being dropped so that I can take in the hilt of a knife that is sticking out of her back.No… This couldn’t be fucking happening. Jeckel… He…In that moment, something in me snaps, and I feel a red-hot rage begin to bubble up in me and explode as I kneel and pull Eliana into my arms to take in her ragged breathing and her white complexion.Lifting my gaze, I take in Jeckel, who stands in place looking proud of what he did.‘You,’ I hiss through mindlink, beginning to see red. ‘You…’"I did what was necessary for you to rise to greatness," he shrugs unphased. "She was nothing more than a hindrance, driving a wedge between you and your brother."A wedge… A hindrance… If anyone was any of that, it was the bastard in front of me!Letting out a s
[Zane’s POV]Stop.Stop this!You’ve gotta stop!These thoughts echo in my mind as I stare at Alexandria’s flushed face and desperate eyes.I had to stop, but no amount of trying seemed to work. Each time I thought maybe I was regaining control again, my body would act on its own, and I was left to helplessly watch.Even back in the hospital with Eliana, my claws were laced with poison, and I was the one who reduced her to what she was.As this thought hits me, my gaze drifts to where she lies on the ground, surrounded by shadowy wolves with glowing red eyes. It was clear they were protecting her, which was good, but the need to kill her still spurred me to move."Sorry, we’re late."The voice reaches me, and I find myself hopeful that this will be the end and I will be free, but the desperate need to kill continues to hold me.Releasing Alexandria, I shift and barrel into the wolves, ignoring their teeth and claws that attack my skin, threatening to shred me while Nol and the others
[Alexandria’s POV]The next morning comes too damn quick, and before I even manage to fully wake up, I’m being yanked out of my cell and dragged down a long hall while I ignore everything in me that screams to fight.There was a plan in place, and I had to trust that the plan would work out and all of this would finally be over. For now, I just needed to cooperate with whatever went down.With this thought in mind, I let myself be pushed into a room where two women wait to do my hair and makeup while I fix my gaze on the puffy white dress that sits against the wall.In the past, I always dreamed of my perfect wedding dress, but when I lost Jeremiah, I never gave it much thought. Even knowing that there was a possibility I would marry Zane, I never thought about a dress or a big wedding.Feeling my heart tug, I tear my gaze away as guilt toward Jeremiah begins to slam into me.Fuck, now wasn’t the time to be feeling this, not when I knew that this wedding wouldn’t happen, but now that
[Nol’s POV]After Jeckel’s ridiculous dinner, I’m thrown into a cell where Blaine lies motionless on the ground. While Eliana and Alexandria are placed in one beside us.Since seeing her mother and father’s heads on a platter, the usually loud she-wolf hadn’t spoken a word, but by the darkness I see in her eyes, I know that she is silently plotting Jeckel’s death."Hey," I call, trying to draw her attention. "You!"As I speak, the two men in the cell across from mine begin to groan. Tearing my gaze from Alexandria, I take them in and try to determine exactly what the relationship between them and Alexandria was to the point where she would go along with Jeckel’s scheme for them.Sighing in frustration, I turn my attention back to Blaine and watch as he begins to twitch."You finally waking up?" I ask, wishing I could knock him across the head for getting as hurt as he was. "It’s about damn time.""Fuck," he hisses, slowly sitting up only to stop as the chains on his wrists pull agains
[Nol’s POV]Pain radiates through me as my vision finally begins to come back, so that I find myself sitting at a large table. Anger rolling over being tricked, I attempt to move only to find that I’m bound by spiked metal that tears into my skin with each movement.Cursing, I continue to take in the area until my eyes come to rest on an unconscious Eliana and a fighting Alexandria."What the hell?" I growl, beginning to fight even more, only to find that the fucking chains won’t budge. "What the hell is going on here?""About time you woke up, giant!" Alexandria huffs. "We’ve got an issue here.""No shit," I snap, snapping my gaze to Eliana once again.As I take in her pale complexion and slack figure, I realize instantly that something is wrong."Eliana!" I hiss, trying to rouse her. "Open your eyes!""She won’t be waking up."Feeling my heart drop, I tear my gaze away from Eliana to Jeckel and Zane, who are making their way towards us. Confusion building, I take in Zane, whose face