Mia's POV My eyelids flutter wildly against the bright lights of the hospital. Or at least I think that is where I am. That is where the rogue said he was taking me. I attempt to lift my head but the pain in my neck is too intense. Focusing on the noises around me, I strain to hear the muffled voices that are speaking. "What the fuck, Alpha," someone says. "Who did this to her?" "Remember how we were promised a place among the packs if I completed a task," a familiar voice says. "She was the task." "Please tell me you didn't do this, Donovan," a woman's voice gasps. "I didn't do this," the familiar voice responds. He must be Donovan. "But I also didn't stop it from happening either." "I don't understand," the woman speaks again. "Why isn't her wolf healing her?" "Apparently she doesn't have one," Donovan, says. "A lot of these wounds will not have healed on their own even if she had a wolf," the first man says. "I can't believe you stood by and let this happen." "We
Mia's POV It has been a week and Alpha Donovan hasn't called Thomas yet. I don't know if I feel relieved or disappointed. Each morning I wake up in the hospital I swear I smell his sandalwood scent and a feeling of excitement washes over me, but it always turns out to be a figment of my imagination. Thomas isn't here and he isn't coming for me. I only have myself to blame. Alpha Donovan, on the other hand, has been attentive and sweet. He comes to the hospital several times a day to check on my progress. While I enjoy the attention, I am sure that he is only coming because he feels guilty for standing by while Alpha Richard tortured me. My cuts and bruises are healing quickly but my bones are not and without a wolf to heal me I could be in this hospital for months. Doctor James is studying my chart as he makes his morning rounds. He rarely speaks to me and when he does it is in short choppy sentences. He has made it very clear that he doesn't approve of my being here. "When d
Thomas's POV Sitting down at my desk I groan as I look at the mounds of paperwork that has been piling up since Mia went missing. I have been neglecting my duties as an Alpha in order to look for my mate. Luckily for me, I have a Beta who owes me a giant favor. Grabbing a handful of paperwork I slide it across the desk to Dylan. As much as I wanted to force him to step down from his position of Beta, I just couldn't ask him to do so. Not only was he only trying to protect his mate, he is the closest thing that I have had to a brother. I know better than anyone that when your mate is in danger it makes you do crazy things. But that doesn't mean that our relationship is not strained. I once thought of him like a brother but now I am unsure if I can trust him. Where will his allegiance lie when Cora comes back into the picture? Unfortunately for both of us, Cora managed to slip through my warriors before I was able to send out the mind link to stop her. None of my warriors knew he
Mia's POV Sitting in the back of the car with Donovan makes me more uncomfortable than I would like to admit. I used to pride myself on my ability to hide my emotions. It is a trick that I learned growing up with my father and Madison. If they didn't know how terrible I was feeling then they couldn't use it against me. But it would seem that ability has flown out the window. I am sure the car reeks of my fear. "There is no reason for you to fear me," Donovan says gently. "I do not plan to hurt you." Yep, I was right. The scent of my fear is heavy in the air. But I play it off like I am not afraid. "I do not fear you," I snap back at Donovan. "I simply wish to return to the hospital. I am not feeling well." Donovan scoots closer to me on the back seat and the hairs begin to prickle on the back of my neck. He lays a hand on my leg and leaves it there as we drive along the streets of the small rogue town. As I look out of the window of the car, I try to ignore the fact that he i
Mia's POV *This Chapter may be hard for some to read* Donovan's rogue companion drags me across the lawn of the pack house to a small shed. Kicking the door open I see a darkened staircase leading down into the ground in the middle of the floor. Two large metal doors are on either side of the stairs. Not caring that I am already injured the rogue tosses me down the stairs and I hit the bottom of the staircase harshly. More of my bones snap and pain shoots through my body but not wanting to make the same mistake as last time, I quickly take in my surroundings, looking for an exit. The rogue dungeon is nothing more than a damp cellar with bars dividing it up into cells. As my eyes adjust to the lack of light, I can see that there is only one way in and out and that is through the staircase. I look toward the cells and notice that there is only one person in the cells. Cora is huddled in the back of one of the cells. Her knees are pulled to her chest and she is naked. Mud and
Thomas's POV "Do you really think this is the best idea?" Dylan questions as we pull up to the edge of the rogue territory. "This is a terrible idea," I laugh. "Then what the fuck are we going to do if they don't just let us run right in there and take Luna Mia?" Dylan's eyebrows furrow with concern. "Then we will call in the reinforcements," I respond simply. "Reinforcements?" Confusion takes over the concern on Dylan's face. "Of course, a group of warriors is following us, Idiot," I roll my eyes. "I am not so stupid to run into rogue territory alone with guns blazing. Something tells me that this is a rescue mission." "Oh thank the Goddess," Dylan breathes out heavily. "I really thought we were going to have to take down a whole rogue camp alone." "You need to work on your situational awareness," I roll my eyes at Dylan. "Have you not realized that a Hummer has been following us since we left Red Moon?" Dylan's face heats with blush as I pull off to the side of th
Thomas's POV I look at the giant rogue and let out an amused sigh. They aren't going to come easily. 'Clear the forest,' I yell through the mind link to my men. 'Then wait for my signal.' 'Yes, Alpha,' my warriors yell out in unison through the mind link. Now I just have to figure out a way to keep these men busy until my warriors can complete their task. While I am trying to formulate a plan. The head rogue that reeks of Cora steps next to the massive one who is foaming at the mouth. "This is your chance to leave," the rogue says with a smirk on his face. "No one has ever gotten past Joffrey." I look at the massive, foaming rogue that is standing before me and laughter begins to build in my chest. He definitely doesn't look like a Joffrey. As much as I try to choke back the laughter the more it builds. Soon I am bent over with my hands on my knees giggling like a schoolgirl. "What is so funny?" The head rogue asks me. Holding up a single finger, I signal for them to wait
Mia's POV Gingerly, I get to my feet. This cast on my leg is making it difficult to move around but I eventually get the hang of it. Gently, I pull on Cora's arm. "We have got to get out of here," I beg her to move. "You can do this. We can do this together." Letting go of Cora's arm, it falls lifelessly to her side. She is still sobbing from her interaction with the rogue that was just down here. "What is the point?" Cora sobs barely lifting her head off her legs to talk to me. "I am ruined." "You aren't ruined," I hiss at her. "Now would you get up and help me find a way out of this cell?" "But I am naked," Cora gasps out in shock. "I hate to break it to you but I have already seen you naked. Numerous times. Now get up and help me," I fuss at her but Cora doesn't budge. "Fine," I groan and I take off the sweatshirt that was given to me at the hospital and toss it in Cora's direction. She holds it up with two fingers and a look of disgust on her face, but, eventually s
Mia's POV Five Years Later I am an elephant or a hippo. Whichever you would like to compare a pregnant woman to. My ankles are swollen, and the doctor tells me I could be any day now. I am supposed to be resting to prepare myself for labor, but I really want to scrub this pack house from top to bottom. Nothing feels clean enough. Sitting by the window, I rest my bowl of Fruity Pebbles on my stomach and prop my feet up on the coffee table. Through the window, I can hear loud giggles coming from outside. Painfully I try to sit upright to see what is happening. And what I see gives me both scares me and puts a smile on my face. Thomas is in his wolf form with our son, Jacob, on his back. Our Beta Mark is in wolf form as well. Thomas and Mark's wolves are lined up, pawing at the ground like they are getting ready to race. That's when I hear Jacob's little voice ring out. "On your mark... get set... GO!" Jacob screams loudly, and I watch in terror as my mate takes off, running a
Mia's POV The doctor shuffles some of the papers on her desk as she smiles at me. What is it with everyone smiling at me? "Luna," she says, grinning brightly. "I have good news. You don't have a stomach virus." "Then why am I so sick? There must be a reason why I am so sick," I moan. "Luna, you are pregnant," the doctor tells me. "I'm sorry," I laugh uncomfortably. "I thought you just said that I am pregnant." "That's because I did," the doctor chuckles. My throat begins to feel thick, and I feel like I am going to vomit. "How far along?" I ask. "Without an ultrasound, I can't determine just how far along you are," the doctor says with a smile. "But I can check right now if you would like." "No!" I shout at her. "I want Thomas to be here." As if on cue, Thomas comes bursting in through the office door. His clothes are a mess and covered in teeth marks. He must have run here in his wolf form. He is breathing heavily and resting his hands on his knees, trying to cat
Mia's POV It has been two months since we arrived back at the Red Moon Pack. I have settled into my role as Luna. Without any formal training, it has been a struggle. Luna Renee has been by my side the whole time, teaching me what I need to know. Slowly, I am finding my place within this pack. This morning I am sitting in front of a mound of paperwork I have been putting off for a week. My second Luna ceremony is coming up, and it is up to me to plan this time. Luna Renee is sitting across from me, tapping her fingers impatiently on the desk, waiting for me to make a decision on colors for the upcoming ceremony. "Well," she says, watching me flip through the color swatches. "I already told you," I moan. "I want Red and Silver." "Those are very bold colors for a Luna Ceremony," she reminds me for the thousandth time. "I don't care," I groan. "I want those colors. Red is the official color of the Red Moon Pack, and silver matches my mark." I cross my arms over my chest
Thomas's POV I watch in awe as Mia transforms into her massive lycan form. Her lycan is lean but muscular, with shimmering silver fur that covers her body. I have never seen anything more beautiful in my whole life. As soon as she takes her new form, something changes within me. Mia's lycan stands on two legs, and she holds her hands up in front of her, trying to catch a glimpse of what she looks like. Without warning, her lycan takes off, running in the direction of the nearby stream. My wolf begins acting erratically in my mind, demanding that I chase after her. Stripping my clothes off, I leap into the air, shifting into my massive black wolf. I land on all fours, shaking out my fur. Lifting my nose into the air, I follow the strong scent of cinnamon. I race through the trees until I come upon Mia's lycan staring at herself in the stream. She twists her body from side to side, and I cannot help but think she is more beautiful than any werewolf I have ever seen. Suddenly sh
Mia's POV It is nighttime when I am released from the hospital, and my body is beginning to feel weird. My skin feels itchy, like it is trying to stretch over my body too tightly. As we walk to the car, I scratch at the skin on my arms, trying to alleviate the sensation. "Your body is getting ready to shift," Thomas tells me kindly. "The feeling will pass after you shift for the first time." We get into the car, and Thomas drives us to a secluded location in the Paxton Pack. Ethan and Emma told us this is where the young werewolves come to shift for the first time. Exiting the car, I notice a nip in the cool summer air. Goosebumps rise along my skin, and I feel slightly panicked. What if I am not a lycan? What if I am unable to shift? "You will be able to shift," Thomas says as he places his hand on the small of my back. "Stop reading my mind," I chuckle jokingly. Slowly I walk up the hill to the spot within the trees where the moon's light shines through the canopy.
Thomas's POV About an hour after Dylan left, I felt his tether to the pack break once again. This time it was more painful than the last time. The last time he left, I knew he would be back. This time I am not so sure I will see him ever again. Going rogue can be risky. Dylan runs the chance of losing himself to his wolf. He could become more wolf than man. He can become a danger to himself and others. Mia stirs a little in her sleep, and my eyes dart in her direction. "Mia, Mia, baby, are you awake?" She mumbles something in her sleep, and I watch her eyes move rapidly beneath her eyelids. She must be dreaming. "Mia?" I call her name again, trying to wake her from her slumber. "Mia, can you hear me?" "I can hear you," she mumbles grumpily. "Five more minutes." I cannot help but chuckle as she stretches her arms to the side and yawns. "Mia, my love," I say as I grab her hand. "You have been asleep since the battle." Suddenly, her eyes fly open, and she gasps. "It w
Thomas's POV Stroking the back of Mia's hand with my thumb, I lay my head on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to wake up. It has been hours since she killed Richard, and she is still asleep. The doctor said the stress of an early shift plus the shock of killing Richard is why she is sleeping. Her brain is trying to recover from the excitement of it all. I just hope that she wakes soon. I am tired of sitting beside this woman in a hospital, waiting for her to wake up. Mia is too headstrong for her own good. If she would have let me fight Richard on my own, none of this would have happened. But as stubborn and hardheaded as she is, I still love her and plan to tell her as soon as she wakes up. I have gone long enough keeping her in the dark. Once I profess my love for her, I will let her go just like I did Emma. Having already found my fated mate, I know how special that bond can be. I would never deny Mia the chance to have that with who the Moon Goddess made just for her.
Mia’s POV My heart swells when Thomas calls me his mate, but I am also nervous. See that Alpha Richard is covered in blood. He must have fought his way into the Paxton Pack. The decrepit old man who needed a cane to get around is no longer standing before me. Alpha Richard is standing tall, restraining Cora easily. He has been putting on an act all of these years. "Emma," Ethan's voice sounds desperate as he turns to his mate. "Get the kids out of here," he commands her. Emma runs to his side and kisses Ethan deeply before she runs to the other room to guard her children. "I have no quarrel with you, Ethan," Richard smirks. "I am just here for what is mine." "You brought this battle onto my pack lands," Ethan snarls. "You are making it my business." "Have it your way," Richard shrugs his shoulders. Thomas's chest is rumbling with anger beside me, and I know he is waiting for the right moment to attack. "Let Cora go," Thomas growls, and let's settle this like Alphas.
Richard's POV I show up on the front steps of the Moonshadow pack house in tattered clothes, with cuts and bruises all over my body. I have been in wolf form for days trying to get as far away from the Red Moon Pack as quickly as possible. I have been living off of rabbits and other small prey, and their blood and dirt are splattered over what is left of my clothes. Raising my hand, I weakly knock on the door. Alpha Aiden opens the door and takes one look at me before trying to slam the door in my face. Holding my hand out, I force the door open and make my way inside. Alpha Aiden looks at the trail of mud that I drug into the house with me and wrinkles his nose in disgust. "Do you have any idea how dirty you are?" Alpha Aiden says with an air of arrogance. "Do you have any idea what I have been through?" I snap at him. Alpha Aiden looks over me with disgust, "You are still alive." His voice is cold and heartless. "No thanks to you," I growl at him. "You promised