[Travis’s POV]I watched as Marissa made her way out of the building, leaving me utterly alone with all the dead hunters, which were beginning to smell. Even though I knew I shouldn’t follow her, I couldn’t stop the urge to know exactly what she was up to.‘Ace,’ I called through mindlink, deciding it was best to get these bodies taken care of before more hunters arrived. ‘I need you to do me a favor.’‘What is it, Alpha?’ Ace’s concerned voice responded.‘There is a pub on main street that needs to be…cleaned.’ I said, showing him an image of the pub itself and then the dead bodies. ‘You and a few others come and take care of this for me.’ I continued.‘Are you alright?’ Ace asked immediately, his concern radiating through our link. ‘What happened?’‘I’ll explain later.’I didn’t have much time. Otherwise, I feared that Marissa would disappear entirely and then I would have to wait an unforeseeable amount of time to find her again.‘Just get it done.’With that, I cut off our connect
[Travis’s POV]The packhouse was alive with activity when I arrived, from guards taking extra precautions due to the appearance of hunters, to curious pack members trying to get the latest gossip. However, as I drew closer, all eyes fell on me, or rather, the woman that nestled in my arms.Bracing myself for whatever questions were to come next, I continued to move, only stopping when the door of the pack house burst open and Kim toppled out, followed by Simon and Thomas."You found her!" Kim beamed, bouncing towards me. "But why is she unconscious?""Later." I sighed, beginning to move again. "For now, come with me to the infirmary so that the medic can do a full evaluation of her."Is she hurt?" Simon asked, frowning. "What did you do to her?""Nothing," I snapped, trying to push back my annoyance. "Why the hell would I do anything to harm my mate.""She is unconscious in your arms, you know?" Thomas chuckled."Who invited him?" I demanded, shooting the overly-cocky Thomas a glare.
[Marissa’s POV]The room around me grew silent as Travis’s words settled. He was a father... a father.. meaning that he was Kayden’s father. Although I had a feeling that was the case, given my mark that glowed brightly on Travis’s neck and the undeniable connection I felt to him, hearing those words shook me to my core."Wait, wait, wait," Kim said, her eyes growing wide. "Repeat that.""I said," Travis beamed, his eyes flashing with pride. "I’m a father."For a moment, no one spoke as Kim and I continued trying to make sense of what Travis was saying."Holy shit!" Kim laughed, rushing forward and wrapping her tiny arms around both of us. "Congratulations, big lug!"Tensing, I tried to break free of the overly invasive hugging that was happening. Sure, this was a big moment, I got it, but now wasn’t the time to celebrate. Kayden was trapped in Davison’s clutches, and if I didn’t get back soon, there was no telling what that insane bastard would do to him."What’s wrong, Marissa?" Kim
[Marissa’s POV]I stared at the large building in front of me, contemplating whether or not this was actually a good idea. After much convincing, Travis and the others had gotten me onboard with getting Kayden out of Davison’s clutches.Despite knowing that this wasn’t a good idea, I couldn’t stop the hope that was beginning to swell. If I managed to get Kayden away from him, then he couldn’t control me anymore. At least not by using my son."What’s wrong?" Travis asked, drawing me out of my head. "You look pained.""Just worried." I lied, pushing aside my quickly dwindling thoughts. "I’m fine."Keeping my gaze fixed ahead, I tried to pretend that I didn’t feel the hesitance in Travis. Of course, he didn’t trust me entirely, but I couldn’t let him in on the fact that Davison still had control of me without our son."Which room is Kayden’s?" Travis asked, seeming to not want to question me further."That one." I responded, pointing to the farthest room on the bottom floor of the buildi
[Travis’s POV]"Daddy?" Kayden repeated, giving me a look of confusion. "But uncle Davison said...""Nothing that man has said can be trusted."I fought to push back the anger that was building in me at hearing Kayden call that bastard uncle. Sure, he was biologically his uncle, but as far as I was concerned, that man wasn’t a part of my family."Okay." Kayden murmured, pressing his lips together. "Where’s mommy?""How about we go get her?" I suggested.Pulling Kayden closer to myself, I began to move, making my way out of the room and back into the hall where Thomas and Kim were waiting."Oh my goodness!" Kim squealed the minute her eyes found the child in my arms. "You look just like your mommy!"Rushing forward, Kim placed her hands on either side of Kayden’s cheeks and began to squeeze."I think he looks like me." I countered, though when I looked at him I saw a lot of Marissa. "Anyway, could you stop trying to pop him like a pimple?""Who is trying to do what?" Kim demanded, step
[Travis’s POV]I stood to the side as Ryu did a quick external examination of Marissa. From the look on his face, it was easy to tell that something was wrong, but what that something was was lost to me."What is it?" I asked, pushing off the wall I was leaning against. "Why are you giving me that look?""I..." Ryu began, seeming to not be sure of whether or not he should be fully honest with me."Spit it out." I growled."I can’t find anything wrong with her physically, but there seems to be something wrong with her mentally." Ryu began, frowning."She doesn’t have a pack or a true place that she belongs." I sighed, running a hand across my face. "We all know how something like this works. What would you suggest be done to bring her back to sanity?""Marking her is the only thing I can think of, alpha." Ryu admitted."I won’t mark her against her will." I hissed, dismissing his idea right away. "Isn’t there another way?"For a moment, Ryu seemed to consider my question. However, when
[Travis’s POV]“Before I tell you what led to you losing your memories, I want to tell you a story. Please just listen to it before asking any questions, okay?”“Okay,” Marissa responded, nodded solemnly. “Tell me.”“There once was a boy. A boy who was destined for greatness, at least that is what his father said. The boy was kept locked away from the world so that he could learn to seal off his emotions and think rationally.” I began as images of my childhood began to attack me. Closing my eyes, I let the words begin to flow from me as if I wasn’t the one telling the story, but instead listening…Despite the father’s insistence that the boy needed to be cold as ice, his mother wouldn’t allow that to happen. In all the hate and darkness the boy endured, she was the only light that kept him from falling down.His mother was a kind woman who was full of love. She even gave it to the boy's father, even after he beat her daily. To the woman, the man was her mate, whom the moon goddess gav
[Marissa’s POV]"If that’s true," I began, still not quite able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. "Why did we end up like this?"From what Travis had just told me, he had only ever cared for me, but then why had we been apart for two years? Why couldn’t I remember our past or anything that was being said? The more I thought about it, the more my head hurt. It just didn’t make any sense! How would someone lose their humanity if they were living that sort of fairytale life?"Do you remember when I mentioned that something happened on the night of our marking ceremony?" Travis asked.Nodding, I found myself recalling mention of that. When he had said that part, he looked truly pained. What was it that happened?"I remember." I confirmed, bracing myself for whatever was about to be said. "What was it?"Holding my breath, I waited as Travis tried to collect his thoughts. The mental struggle was clear on his face as he seemed to grow tense. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figur
[Marissa’s POV]We continued to run until I could just make out the portal that would take us back to our world. Just as Thomas had intended, we managed to escape, but was it really something to be relieved about?"That…" Ace huffed as we stopped at our exit. "How could someone...""Ace," Travis warned, stopping him before he could say anything more. "Not the time."As he scolded his delta, I could feel his eyes on the back of my neck. Since stopping, I couldn’t focus on anything except for Thomas’ figure slamming into a fully ablaze wendigo.How could he do something so reckless? We could have figured out a way to escape without that!"Hey."Tensing, I slowly turned my attention to Kim, who was standing beside me with an unreadable look on her heart-shaped face."Hm?""We aren’t just going to leave him, right?"Not leave him… No, I didn’t like the sound of that. We all came here together to try to eliminate a threat, and we should all be going home together. But as of now, we don’t k
[Marissa’s POV]I did my best to stay ahead of Travis so that he wouldn’t see the look of worry that I was sure was showing on my face. Though I had promised not to get myself killed, I didn’t quite know what would happen during this upcoming battle, and I was making a promise I had no control over."Hey!"Gasping, I found myself being tugged backwards as Travis’ arm wrapped around my waist, sending tingles of delight through me."What’s up with the avoidance?""Nothing," I responded, keeping my gaze fixed on those ahead of me. "I’m doing no such thing.""Try that on someone who doesn’t know better."Huffing, I looked at our group, which was clearly oblivious to mine and Travis’ back and forth, before wriggling around to meet Travis’ worried gaze. Immediately, I felt my heart clench and regretted my actions, but I was trying to be realistic."Tomorrow isn’t promised."It was the easiest way to describe exactly what I was feeling. No matter how hard we fought, we couldn’t change what w
[Travis’ POV]I watched in horror as Kim and Marissa grabbed hands and leapt forward, disappearing beyond the ledge of the cliff. What the hell did they think they were doing? Were they trying to bring about their own deaths?Cursing, I rushed forward, preparing to jump too, but stopped as Thomas’ arm wrapped around me."Let go!" I growled, unable to control my raging emotions. "I can’t just...""Use your eyes, asshole," Thomas huffed, nodding towards the abyss below. "One wrong leap and your ass is done, can’t you see it?"See it? What the fuck was he talking about?Peering down, I took in the empty space below. There was no sign of Marissa and Kim, nor were there any signs of the damned wendigos that we were hunting. Where the fuck did they all go?"Do you see any human pancakes down there?" Thomas continued, acting smug. "That means that there is something that we are missing, but Marissa and Kim managed to find."Trying to calm my emotions, I began to search the area, trying to fi
[Marissa’s POV]"How much longer are we going to sit here?" I grumbled, shifting positions for the fourth time since arriving. "I can't feel my ass anymore."After convincing Travis to allow me to accompany him on his wendigo hunt, we wasted no time in heading out. With Thomas leading the way due to his tracker background, we made our way deep into the woods until we arrived at a spot that radiated a good amount of wendigo energy.By Thomas’ assumption, this was a spot that they frequented, and the chances of us finding one here were pretty good. We could only hope that this evening they would be out and about. Otherwise, we would have to retrace our steps again and again until we found them.Hoping for the best, we set up camp downwind on the limbs of a tree above to wait."You didn’t have to come," Travis points out, giving me a smirk. "But once we’ve done what we came here to do, I’ll massage your ass.""Who wants you to massage their ass?" I grumped, though the thought of him doin
[Travis’ POV]Later, I lay in bed with Marissa and Kayden curled up beside me. And as much as I would have loved to just stay where I was, I knew that there was still much to be done in order to achieve the future that both Marissa and I were hoping for.After finishing with Bex’s send off, everyone went their separate ways. Where Ken went with Max and Thomas back to his home to try to gather some supplies for his stay with my pack, Marissa, Kayden, and I came here to shower and then read Kayden a story.After he fell asleep, neither of us wanted to move out of fear of waking him, so we stayed, and soon Marissa drifted off as well. Based on the light shining in the room from the moon, I could only assume it was getting close to midnight and that it was time for me to make my move.Being cautious not to wake the sleeping duo beside me, I slowly climbed out of bed and made my way across the room."I’ll be back soon," I whispered, shooting Marissa and Kayden one more glance before headin
[Travis’s POV]I let my gaze slowly take in all that were gathered before me. All those present were the ones I trusted the most. I was sure there were more rats among my pack, but finding them would have to wait until I dealt with their leader."Welcome," I announced, bringing the meeting to attention. "I’m sure most of you are curious about why I called you here today."Growing quiet, I waited as murmurs began to sound around the table. Most were speculations about what today’s topic would be. Once it died down again, I sucked in a breath and prepared to continue."I’m sure most of you remember the attack on the packhouse two years ago." I began, earning myself a look of shock and confusion from Marissa. Shit, I forgot that she was already gone by the time it happened. It seemed I would have to explain everything to her later. "At the time, I couldn’t place blame on any particular individual because I didn’t have enough evidence."Growing quiet once more, I gathered my thoughts, pre
[Marissa’s POV]Later that day, I walked slowly towards where I had left my father, with Travis’s hand wrapped tightly around mine. Embarrassment flowed through me over what happened between the two of us, and I found myself becoming self-conscious about what others would say when they saw the fresh mark on my neck.As if the universe were helping me along, Kim popped out from around a corner and rushed forward, a look of relief forming on her face."Where have you…" she began, but stopped as soon as her eyes came to rest on my neck. "Oh!" She giggled. "I guess I don’t need to ask after all."Blushing ferociously, I lifted my fingers to my still-tender neck. Fuck, this was about as bad as walking around pregnant. It just screamed that I just had sex, especially since most wolves make it a habit to mark each other during intimacy."Why were you looking for her?" Travis asked, drawing Kim’s knowing eyes away from me. "You seemed to be in a hurry; was it important?""Her father wanted to
[Marissa’s POV]My heart beat a mile a minute as Travis opened his mouth and extended his canines. Despite being scared shitless about this whole thing, I wasn’t about to back down. This was what I wanted. He was what I wanted and I had already wasted enough of our time.Leaning forward, Travis let his teeth glide against my skin while suddenly wrapping his arms around me."W-what are you doing?" I gasped when one of his hands slid down between my legs. "How is this marking?""You’re too tense." Travis explained, sliding his fingers between my folds and beginning to gently rub. "Loosen up, otherwise you will only remember this as something painful instead of what it actually is."Whimpering, I nodded while Travis pulled me closer to him so my back was against his chest. While his fingers continued to slowly work me, his other hand found my breast. Sliding my nipple between his fingers, he began to knead and tweak."Oh…goddess," I moaned, letting my eyes flutter closed. "That feels so
[Travis’s POV]I sat quietly as Marissa let out all the emotions she was feeling. It killed me to see her like that and know that there was literally nothing I could do.In a way, I understood how she felt since I lost my mother too, but I was so much younger than her and didn’t have the opportunity to spend as much time with her as she did."Travis," Marissa murmured, tightening her hold on me."What is it?" I asked."I want you."Confusion rolled through me as I felt the desire that was beginning to build up in her. However, I couldn’t find it in me to refuse her request. If anything, this was an act of desperation to forget what was happening, and who was I to deny her?Nodding, I quickly scooped her into my arms and made my way towards our room, all the while ignoring the curious gazes that were burning holes in my back.Once we were inside, I locked the door and made my way towards the bedroom, only stopping long enough to kick off my shoes."Are you sure about this?" I asked aft