Yep, I did it to you again. I can hear you all screaming at me now! lol But what a way to end the chapter!! Now the adventure begins and secrets are revealed. The plot comes to life and will give you a hint as to how the rest of the series will go and end... I had planned to only write eight books for the series originally. So only three more after this, however, if it can't be finished in eight, I may have to add a ninth. Can you guess whose stories still need to be written? Have a lovely weekend all! Remember I do not post on weekends (family time) If you are enjoying the book so far, drop me a comment and a gem if you have any to spare.
TAWNY Heavy eyelids slowly blink open. My hazy vision begins to clear, no thanks to the thumping in my head. I jolt with a start, chest heaving and a scream dying on my lips. As my vision begins to focus, I realize I am not at the campsite. Nor am I in the palace. I reach out to my cat, Juniper, and am met with silence. My heart beats wildly with panic and fear of the unknown. I’m lying on a soft surface – a bed, but not my bed. For the love of Bastet, I feel like I got hit by a truck! I shift my heavy limbs, turning to sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Everything on me aches and feels heavy. I almost lay back down. Almost. Looking around, I take note of the quaint and simple room. Beige walls and a bath sits in the middle of the floor. No toilet. A small wooden table and matching chairs that look hand-crafted I note. The bed I’m on and a small wooden dresser made of the same material as the table. No pictures or decorations. One window has bars across it. And
CRIMSON Sliver-coated chains held me fast, digging into my skin. It was dark. Usually, with my night vision, I would be able to see clearly. Except, whatever poison they had hit me with, coupled with the fact that I was hanging upside down, had my vision wavering and hazy at best. I smelt the cold and dampness before I began to feel it. A small cell with no windows and a metal door surrounded me. I heard nothing, smelt nothing. I wiggled in the chains and my body swung in the open air. I was strung upside down, feet and hands bound by the restraints of the cool metal that wrapped around my body like a cocoon. I had been here for a while, by the feeling of the building pressure in my head and eyes, most likely due to blood pooling in my brain from my hanging position. I grit my teeth and try again to hoist myself upright. Straining every muscle, I have in vain. My body goes lax from the struggle. Like a pendulum, I swing
MASON I drop into a crouching position. Drawing in a deep and exasperated lung full of air. Holding it for a beat then letting it woosh out of me all at once. I feel sick to my stomach with desperation and fear. I palm my face, a sad attempt at trying to school my frustration and lack of control. “Somebody give me something!” I grind out, standing back up and eyeing the men who have been searching for Princess Tawny and Sir Kolby. Solemnly, they all shake their heads. “You’re the fucking Alpha team!” I yell unable to control my anger, “Not one of you has found a lead, not even a fucking clue as to where they went?” Again, they shake their heads low, glancing at one another. It’s not as if I can even be that angry at them. Really, I’m angrier at myself. How the fuck could this happen? I am one the best trackers on this side of the realm and I can’t even find my ward! I can’t expect them to find anything when I, myself, have found no lead. “Where the fuck could they have gone?” I gr
TAWNY I played along with Althea, pretending to be grateful that I was here, and that she wasn’t holding me as a prisoner. Although, when I was taken back to that tiny room and left on my own, the fake façade dropped. I paced the room most of the night, peeking out the lonely window and trying to see where the building they were holding Crimson in, was. I couldn’t see it, so I assumed it was on the other side of this small and strange compound of sorts. Food and water were brought to me, and I asked the guard if ‘my friend’ had also been fed. He grunted at me but acknowledged that he had been given food. The craziest thing was, where the heck was I meant to go to the bathroom? There was a tub in the middle of the room, but if I needed to… relieve myself… I was ‘shit out of luck’. Literally. Pun intended. The first thing I asked the next morning when they came to check on me and bring me to Althea, was where the fuck the bathroom was. It turns out they have a communal bathroom, wit
CRIMSON My skin prickled from the slight drop in temperature. The only way I knew that the day was changing to night. The slight drop in the air and the recess of humidity told me night had begun to fall. I had determined, by using this method, that I had been chained up in this dark room for 2, maybe 3 days? Of course, I can’t account for the time I was unconscious. I was still chained up, but the idiots had loosened the ones around my arms and only had links secured around my ankles and wrists. I was at full strength now. It would be easy for me to escape. I didn’t attempt an escape, though. I had only seen Tawny, or rather heard my kitten, that one time. I didn’t know the layout of where I was being held, or even where. I would be a fool if I broke out of here only to get captured again because I didn’t know where they were keeping my girl. My girl. I never thought I would be thinking like that about another woman other than Gillian, yet Tawny came barreling into our lives l
CRIMSON My roar rips through the night, halting the music, festivities, and actions of those who are attempting to mate and claim my mate. My kitten. MINE. I see red, I blaze with fury. Baring my teeth and I rumble out a growl, stalking towards my bound mate – laid out like a feast to be devoured, silk ties wrapped around her wrists and ankles, her dress is shredded and the heat rolling off her consumes my senses. The scent of her arousal fills the air and I gulp it in. I fight through the cluster of men who are vying for my woman. Scratching and clawing, knocking them down and out, making my way to her. I’m drenched, fur saturated with their blood. How many are dead – I don’t care. I’ll fight the whole Pride if I have to. I’ll kill them all. Reaching Tawny, I climb up and over her, my fur form covering her as I growl and snarl warnings to the other males. Protecting what belongs to me. More males sneer and swipe, fighting to claim my mate. I fight them off one by one, each ba
CRIMSON The feeling was bizarre. As we were led through the mansion, a home that was more modern that the first impressions of their compound – a stark contrast to the primitive image I had a glance of. I made a mental note of each exit and every person we pass; in case this was some kind of trick. Less than four hours ago I was going to be executed and my kitten had almost been the victim of a forced claim. Now, they wanted to treat us like guests. Althea’s apology held no influence on me. Her words were weak and came from a place of fear. Actions speak louder than words in my book. If it wasn’t for Tawny, I probably wouldn’t even be entertaining the idea of letting this Pride explain itself. I didn’t want to wipe out a race, but… If I had to, for my kitten, I would. There was still so much Tawny and I needed to talk about. Here I am angry that they tried to force a claim on her when in reality, I did just that. My mark sitting on the mound of her left breast – just above her he
TAWNY I look up at Crimson with tears in my eyes, happy that he finally knows who and what he is. I can see the settling of his demeanor, the stiffness between his shoulder blades relaxes. I can sense him thinking about what Althea has told us and I know he will have more questions, but for now, he is satisfied with what he has been given. Me? I want to know more. The underground library, which we have been in for what seems like hours, has a familiar feel. One that I can’t quite place a finger on. Like a seventh sense, I know this place holds more secrets and somehow, it’s connected to Lamia. Ashe was the demi-god that came to Lamia in her dreams, the same person is known as Odeia. Ashe is the very same person to who Hunji pledged an oath too. This couldn’t be a coincidence, not when Orion and Silas are mentioned in the same breath. A sickening feeling forms in the pit of my stomach, when I think back to almost three years ago. I am well aware of the brutality of the Rogue King,
***Thank you for reading The Crimson Grimalkin, Tawny's story. Thank you to all my readers for your continued support and involvement. Please remember to leave me a review on the book details page. By doing this you help readers find my books and enjoy the stories just as much as you have. For updates and chapter teasers, check my i*st*gr*m >>> authorjwgstout Or my F_B group for readers >>> Author Jwgstout *** The Beta & Jewel Thief Chapter 1 – The Job LYRICI look around, peering down one end of the street and up the other. The last thing I need is for anyone to see me. Us. I grip the tiny hand in mine a little tighter. I raise my other hand and knock on the worn and cracked door, quickly glancing around at our surroundings again. For the millionth time. All the while listening for movement from the other side of the door. I knock again when I hear nothing. Tap, tap, tap. My nerves ramp up as I wait, listening, looking, “Hurry up” I whisper sigh. The bite of cold nipping at u
TAWNY 4 ½ MONTHS LATER Gillian gave birth to a beautiful little girl, her hair as light and blonde as her parents, with eyes the most magnificent blue. I rubbed my enormous belly, growing two boys in there had taken a toll on my body, and on the best of days, I felt like a ginormous balloon full of hot air. I wasn’t due for another two weeks, but I would be ok if they decided they wanted to make an appearance anytime now. The heat of the south and pregnancy was no joke. “Kitten, what are you doing?” I turn to Crimson leaning on the door frame, shirtless with abs glistening with sweat from training. I lick my lips at the mouth-watering sight. That wasn’t the only thing wet. My hormones had gone crazy, and I couldn’t get enough of my mate. My sexual appetite had increased tenfold with the pregnancy. “I want to make sure everything is ready for little Caterina,” I loved the name Gillian and Tristan had picked out for their little girl. Crimson and I still hadn’t agreed on names for
TAWNY In the days that followed arriving back in Cambiador, Gillian went overboard, as I suspected. Her excitement that we were both pregnant together, was too much on most days. She had planned a double announcement and celebration. She went into full planning mode not only for the children but also for mine and Crimson’s upcoming marriage and crowning. We still planned to hold the ceremony at the end of January and hoped we wouldn’t have to push the date back. I had made sure it was planned around Lamia and Mathias's own official ceremony. Dare I say, Gillian had become more overbearing than Crimson any would think it was her cubs I was carrying. Crimson set up talks with Tolba, he and Arik finding a common ground and pushing their differences aside, after all, they were cousins. We were going to help Tolba grow and that started with building a bridge over the ravine. It would take time, but it was a start. Tomislav had moved into the Maydor manor with his mother, he and Gillian
TAWNY Crimson spoke. I listened. I listened to everything he had to say. His explanation - not an excuse. Hearing it from him, why he couldn’t say anything, why he couldn’t tell me, I understood. I had already forgiven him, but I wasn’t going to tell him. When I woke this morning, it was with a clarification that, I would be going back to Cambiador. That I would hear Crimson out and pray to the gods we could find our way back to each other. As soon as I scented him walking into the holding facility, All I wanted was to be in his arms, for him to hold me and tell me everything was going to work out. And he did. We walked in on what could have become an even worse scenario, but thankfully my presence calmed him and Morgan’s calmed Hunji. My heart melts and my resolve breaks. Each wall I had built from such a young age to keep myself, my heart, protected crumbled listening to him. I watch the tears form in his eyes, eyes that told me everything that mattered. They held so much lov
CRIMSON Hunji crosses his arms over his wide chest and stares me down “You can wait your ass here. You’re not going anywhere until I say you can.” A menacing growl rips from my throat and jump up from the chair. My fists clench and re-clench, my nostrils flare - I feel my beast bursting to come out. I try to reign him in, as I know if I let go and let my temper take control, I was going to kill Hunji. He was standing in between me and getting to Tawny. Through my haze of aggravation, a delectable and sweet smell tickles my nose when I breathe in trying to calm myself. The scent, one of the gods. Nectarine. A scent I wanted to rub myself all over one that had my manhood twitching as he too recognized the peachy honey scent of his mate. “Let me out Hunji,” I say slowly and pointedly. A warning behind my words. “No.” He states flatly. This time my growl is louder, longer and I pounce at him. Determined to plow through him if I have to. He wasn't going to stand between Tawny and me
TAWNY By the time morning rolled around, I still hadn't heard from anyone. Not about the murders, nor about Kellen and Tala and if their pup had been born. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, because that really isn’t like me, and couldn’t understand why I was so dang emotional. Usually, I could shake shit off. Hold my head up and smile, because we never did mind about the little things. At least that’s the phrase Lamia would always say and her outlook on life, in general, had imprinted on me in more ways than I know. I decided to buck up and go find what I hope were still my friends. I knew there was a valid reason that I hadn’t seen Mike or Kellen. Or I at least hoped their reasoning for reaching out to me was not because they didn’t value our friendship. “Good morning!” I sang when Mason and my father appeared. I brushed off Mason’s worrisome scowl and turned back around to flip the crepes I was making. I had already prepared bacon, sausage, and some eggs. Chairs scuffled in th
TAWNY Snow began to fall from the black sky, hiding all the stars and blocking out the moon. A blanket of white covered all our human side sins. Giving the streets a fresh and untainted look. I gazed out the sitting room window watching each fat flake fall and blend with its sisters. A sliver of light from mother moon broke through the haze of white, illuminating the street just outside. The snow made everything look innocent, fresh, clean - virgin. But I knew better. Underneath that cover of purity were the sins of men. The dirty truth of who we are. The white winter months could only cover our true nature for so long before the cover fell and melted away. Revealing our true nature. What were the chances that a murder would take place on the eve of Tala’s coronation? Wolves are unforgiving by nature; their pack is only as strong as their leader and their leader is only as strong as their resolve. They hunt together. Fight together. Play together. They are family, the Alpha being
TAWNY “Yes, yes, I’m ready!” I shout to Mason through the bathroom door. Checking myself out one more time and running my hands down the deep red dress. I brought it with Crimson in mind, the color of the sheer fabric was close to his eyes when they turned that deep shade of blood red. The dress was full-length, perfect for a coronation ball. Its haltered strap left my back bare, the neckline dipped with a deep V. And small clear jewels encrusted the bodice of the dress. My had grown out and was now shoulder length. I had it dyed black last night, with a few dark red highlights, to cover its natural bright orange. Satisfied with my appearance and finally emerged from the bathroom. “Whoa!” Mason gave a low whistle, and his eyes greedily ate me up. I smiled, scrunching my nose at his obvious ogling. “I take it I will do then?” “You will more than do, Princess.” I palmed the back of his neck and a blush crept over his cheeks. “You look beautiful.” “Thank you,” I replied, needing to
CRIMSON I groggily open my eyes; my body is stiff and frozen. I feel worse than when I woke up in the cold and dark cell of Tolba. I wasn’t sure what I would wake up to or where when my eyes finally focused. Frozen like an ice cube or not, I was relieved to find I was still out in the open. I shake my head a little, the wet snow falling from my face and head. As I focus, the bright, blinding winter sky has me squinting as big fat flakes fall around me. “Shit,” I groaned trying to muster the strength to move my frozen limbs. How long had I been laying here? What the fuck happened? The memories come flooding back all at once, the dirt bikes, the crash, the blood. I hastily check myself out, already knowing my wounds had healed. But what in the goddess’s name did those people hit me with? I thought they were coming to help, but all I remember is the agonizing sting of electricity shooting throughout my body. I felt weak. Drained. But I couldn’t lay here any longer. My clothes were