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Chapter 6 – The Cat's Cradle 2
Last Updated:
2023-01-11 21:45:00
JwgstoutI know you are all patiently waiting for this book to begin, and I PROMISE it is coming. I should start posting regular daily updates by January 27th. The reason I have done it this way is for a few reasons - the holidays delayed my writing. A few family medical issues. Plus... I didn't want you to wait too long between book 5 and book 6 release!! YES!!! The goal is to start releasing Book 6 chapters as soon as The Crimson Grimalkin has been completed.
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The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 7 – The Stone in the Ring
TAWNY I wiped the blood and sweat from my brow in an over-exaggerated movement. I was beaten, tired, overwhelmed, exasperated; as many words, as you can find to explain how broken a will and resolve was - I was it. The sun was peaking over the horizon, the red glow in the sky reflecting the blood that drenched the streets of Cambiador. The aftermath of the carnage I stood amongst, was unimaginable. The streets ran red with blood that was slowly being absorbed by the dry dirt. I looked up to Mason, hoisting yet another body over his shoulder and placing it in the bed of the truck, with the others. We had lost five of Mason’s warriors he brought with him from MacTire. Five too many and countless warriors and civilians of Cambiador. I didn't know these... people. They didn't know me. I grew up an outcast from this kingdom, I grew up with wolves, but it didn't make me sympathize with them any less. I saw the pain in Mason's eyes, and I see it on the faces of warriors, in the civilians
Last Updated : 2023-01-26The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 8 – My Princess?
CRIMSON From the moment I laid eyes on the princess I was instantly pulled to her, but I was engaged, and I loved Gillian. Didn’t I? Then why was I so worked up at Tawny’s sassy and bold mouth? Why am I kissing her, my body reacting to hers, coming alive at the feel of her soft tiny body against mine? Mason’s voice had her pulling away from me thankfully. So why did I instantly feel cold and empty once she had moved away from my embrace? “Are you okay Princess?” Mason asked her, his hands on her arms and dark eyes full of worry gliding over her frame. I scrunched my face up, did she call him to come here? Is she afraid of me? She should be. It wasn’t until she accused me of ignoring the mate bond, the serious look on her face - did I realize I was her mate. I thought King Armand would have told her about me, apparently, he didn’t because she looked at me like I was insane when I told her I wasn’t a werecat. She thought I was making it up, but I have no reason to lie. I know the
Last Updated : 2023-01-26The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 9 – Shape up
TAWNY FIVE MONTHS EARLIER “Keep those elbows tucked in!” Mason yelled at the warriors. “You’re leaving yourself open to take a hit to the ribs Wyvern!” “How are they doing?” I ask when Mason spots me and comes to stand by my side as we both observe the warriors in training. During the past month, following the attack, we have implemented new training techniques, harsher courses, and tougher challenges. The warriors were beginning to shape up but were nowhere near ready for battle if the kingdom was to be attacked again. “Not bad. They are making progress, unfortunately, their training is what Alpha Lamia has our young teens doing in MacTire. I fear that they will never be ready.” He sighs and dips his head towards the ground. I clap a hand on his shoulder “Well let’s extend their training hours - split them up according to skill. What if we concentrated on a small group that we could personally train to head up the other groups? “Or… “ I say thinking out loud “What if we took th
Last Updated : 2023-01-26The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 10 – Arnold Maydor
CRIMSON I walk out of the room, Gillian in tow and Tawny behind her. Shit I forgot all about Arnold coming to meet with us, the whole reason I needed to speak with Tawny. I have no idea what happened in there. How or why - I did what I did. When tawny told me she felt it every time I made love to Gillian, the guilt inside me filled my head with doubts and my heart ached for her discomfort. Pain that I had caused. The look in her tear-glazed eyes had my resolve breaking and I could think of nothing more than comforting her. Once in my arms, I could think of nothing else but being inside her, claiming her as mine. I wanted her for my own selfish reasons. Was that the bond between us at work? An invisible thread drawing me to her? Whatever happened, whatever it was - it couldn’t and wouldn’t happen again. I open the door to my office, Arnold Maydor, Gillian’s father is standing with his back to me his attention on whatever he sees outside the window that looks over the training gro
Last Updated : 2023-01-26The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 11 – Challenged
TAWNY 4 MONTHS EARLIER For weeks we trained the Cambiador warriors. Taking a page out of MacTire’s book and splitting the warriors into five groups. Alpha, Beta, and Delta platoons. The other two platoons were named Gamma divisions. They were the warriors that would stay behind and protect the Kingdom’s capital. Then there were the new recruits, the younger werecats - the Zeta team. It was their job to act as enforcers in emergencies until they came of age or moved up to the gamma divisions. Crimson, Mason, and I had done a fine job of training up our army and getting them fighting-ready and confident to face Orion Artos and his army of crawlers and rogues. I stood next to Mason’s side as we watched our fighters, men and women training. Unfortunately, there were only a handful of women who joined the Cambiador army. But it was a start in the right direction. I personally had started their training, until they were strong enough and skilled enough to join a higher ranking. Even Gil
Last Updated : 2023-01-28The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 12 – Fight!
TAWNY “No!” I say loud and clear - my voice raising above the arguing males. “Tawny,” Mason sighs, coming to stand in front of me. His hand reached up, palm cupping my face tenderly. “He is an unknown. You are skilled and strong but…” He doesn’t have to finish the sentence. I get it. He’s a huge bastard, one hit from him and I could be knocked out, killed even. Then he would hold a position to be named the next King. “Worst-case scenario, he wins, then he will have to fight Crimson once his and Gillian’s contract has been fulfilled.” I look between Crimson and Gillian for clarification. Crimson nods, defeatedly “That is correct. But Princess, you can rescind your acceptance of the challenge. You can’t fight him.” I rear back at his words. I am not weak. I will rescind nothing. “I will fight,” I say matter of fact. “Whether I fight and lose or dispute the challenge – the outcome will be the same. I will not lose.” I hope. “But Tawny…” “No ‘buts’, Mason. In battle, we don’t get t
Last Updated : 2023-01-28The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 13 – To Riocht
CRIMSON STILL 3 1/2 MONTHS EARLIER Tomorrow, we leave for Riocht and as I look around at our warriors packing up trucks with weapons and other equipment, a forlorn feeling creeps in knowing that not every soldier will come back with us. Gillian and a few other mates and wives are handing out special uniforms that Alpha Lamia had commissioned. We were sent four hundred of the metallic materialled outfits. They were lightweight and the fabric acted as a shield for our bodies, and they stretched and rolled when we shifted. Tawny and Mason had given us a demonstration of their uses. And although they couldn’t prevent a sword or arrow from piercing us, they did deflect teeth and claws from sinking into skin. The most useful thing about the uniforms was their ability to allow us shifters to keep clothes on us and shred them. Then when we shifted back to feet, we had clothes to cover us. Besides looking like a real army, for the first time since I can remember - the uniforms were all bla
Last Updated : 2023-01-30The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 14 – And back Again
TAWNY “Shit, shit” I mumble as I stumble to the bedside table. Pulling my shorts up and almost tripping over my own feet in the process. I rip the drawer open and grab the bottle of pills, opening it with shaky hands and dumping two of the pills into my clammy palm. “What the fuck are those?” Mason’s agitated and harsh voice cuts through the air as I pop the pills into my mouth. He reaches me and snatches the bottle from my hand inspecting it. His eyes widen and his mouth forms an ‘O’ as realization dawns on him. “Fuck Tawny,” he sighs “He’s your mate, isn’t he?” I nod swallowing the pills. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice has lost all the anger and now holds sympathy. “How long have you been taking these?” He refers to the heat reducing pills. Pills that are meant to hide the scent of a werecats heat and reduce the symptoms, keeping the heat at bay. Pills that don’t seem to work when around Crimson, evidently, if tonight is anything to go by. “A few months,” I admit “A week
Last Updated : 2023-01-30
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The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Bonus Chapter for Book 6 - The Beta & the Jewel Thief
***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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 EPILOGUE – Twin Guardians
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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 57 – Nothing but the Truth
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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 56 – Let's Go Home
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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 55 – The Whole Truth
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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 54 – It will all be Okay
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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 53 – Curious Kitty
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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 52 – The Night Before
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
The Crimson Grimalkin - Book 5 Chapter 51 – Dark Days
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
