Ciara's POV I woke up feeling a bit somber. After my usual two-snooze button limit, I get up to get ready for my morning training. Once my morning routine is complete, I put on a black sports bra and matching capri leggings, then get to work on my personal workout. I pop in my earbuds, listening to my workout playlist with a few good stretches.My core workout consists of double crunches, planks, flutter kicks, leg raises, leg pull-ins and a few other sets. One quick breather, and I switch to my favorite workout, yoga, on my small balcony. I love watching the sunrise above the tops of the surrounding buildings and trees as I stretch out my body and breathe in the morning freshness. Any mental freedom I can give myself is greatly welcomed.I checked the time to see it is nearly 7 am. Grabbing my shoes and socks, I make my way down to the kitchen, and to my surprise, find my mother and father awake already.“What are you guys doing up so early?” I say putting my shoes and socks on the
Hazel's POV I paced back and forth in the foyer of the packhouse, trying to get my nerves under control. My heels clicked across the wood floor sounding like a metronome tapping out the beat of my pounding heart. Back and forth, back and forth, I take deep breaths as I walk. I have never been so nervous in all my life.What is wrong with me!? I am Hazel Summers! The perfect Gamma’s daughter, the shining star of Crystal Lake Pack, the one all men want, but can’t have and all women envy. I have everyone in the pack wrapped around my finger. I have worked hard to get to where I am right now. And NO! I am not a bully; I am actually a nice person who truly cares about her pack. But I want MORE. More fame! More Status!And it looks like I will be getting everything I truly desire. I just need to make sure everything goes according to my plan. Then I can relax and enjoy the high life! No more kissing people’s asses; they will be kissing mine just to know me.I am getting engaged to Alpha M
Alpha Mars' POV Twelve fucking hours! I have been in this stuffy SUV for twelve fucking hours. The only reason we didn’t fly is because my mother thought we might be bringing back some new pack members if pack members found their mates. Makes sense, but TWELVE FUCKING HOURS!!!Hunter and Artemis are sitting in the front while I am laying down in the back with my boots propped up on the windowsill and my hands behind my head. I kicked everyone out of this SUV at the beginning of the fucking trip, so I didn’t have to deal with chatter and annoying conversation. I just wanted to sleep. “Alpha, we are fifteen minutes from the front gate.” Beta Artemis chirps up.I growl in irritation and push myself up in a sitting position. “Let’s get this fucking shit show of a circus performance over with.”Artemis laughs, “Alpha, tell us how you really feel.” She turns slightly in the passenger seat to look at me with a smile. She’s always treats me her little big brother, like I am some fucking man
Ciara's POV I think we are lost… Ember and I were so frustrated about Noah's comments that Ember ran too far out from the pack lands, and now we spent all morning wandering in the open fields when we are supposed to be staying in the cover of the woods. The fields are right next to the main road that leads to our pack; it is a very open area that isn’t safe cause of potential rogues and other predators. At night, I am fine being alone out here because I can blend well with my surroundings and am shielded in the shadows, but during the day, I am way too exposed to possible danger.Ember slows down her running and plops down for a breather, her tongue flopping out panting. Her front paws sticking straight out so she can rest. Thankfully, the tall grass is partially shielding us.‘You sure put us in a sticky situation…’ I say to her. She sneezes in response.I must admit it is nice being out in the daylight in the open for once, especially in one of my animal forms. The sky is pretty blu
Ciara's POV I wish I could say I fully survived Maximo’s training of brimstone and fire, but I think I only have about 2 percent of my soul and body left. I saw my life pass before my eyes, and I must admit, it was not very impressive. He pushed me harder than any of our previous training and sparring sessions. Today he showed me no mercy in his attack, jabs, punches, and kicks all came flying at me like an unhinged shopper during Black Friday sales who really wanted that flat-screen TV and would take out anyone who got in their way.Maximo barely spoke to me; the flames from his nostrils said it all. His body must have been taken over by a training demon. He set the rules at the beginning of training, and I had to obey them. Usually, the rule is no shifting, until your opponent shifts first. He wants me to depend on my own body strength and abilities so I don’t become dependent on my other animal forms. However, today, I had to shift back and forth between forms as he calls them out
Ciara’s DreamA putrid smell woke me from my deep sleep as the sound of whispered sobs echoed all around me. I pushed myself up from the cold metal ground in a dirty hospital gown that was tied in the back. It left my back exposed to the chill in the air. Blue and Pink teddy bears covered the thin fabric of the gown. Their smiling faces giving off an eerie look in the dim light. I tried to stand to my feet, but my head hit hard metal of a ceiling, forcing me back down onto my knees. I crawled to the bars of the cage and shook them; they didn’t budge. I peered around my surroundings but couldn’t see anything but a room with several other rusty and decrypted cages, just like mine. Where am I? “Hello?” A child’s voice escaped my lips. “Is anyone there? Mommy? Daddy?” But no one answered me. Suddenly, a loud, blood-curdling scream broke through the sobs before silence engulfed the room. I quickly pushed myself back to the back of the cage, pulling my knees up to my chin and wrapping my
Ciara's POV I gasped awake and quickly sat up in the very cold tub of water. The once-lit room from the late afternoon summer sun was now dark from the night sky. The opened balcony doors let in some of the streetlamps glow in.Breathing heavy while shivering in the tub, I try to reign in my fear. I hate that I still suffer from nightmares after so much time has passed. I feel like I will never escape from the cage I spent so many years of my childhood in. The dream of my first time in the laboratory haunts my mind, a constant reminder that I am the Dark Alpha’s pet, Experiment 399. I subconsciously ran my fingers down the back of my leg, feeling the permanent engraved scar of 399, and then felt the scar over my lower abdomen. Closing my eyes, I let out a whimpered sigh.The buzzing of my phone breaks into my thoughts and I see its Benji calling. I swipe it open, and press the speaker before resting it on top of the small stool I keep near the side of the tub. “Hello?”“Hey girl, w
Alpha Mars' POV I am laying on the couch in my alpha guest suite at the Crystal Lake Pack packhouse, sound asleep. The marriage contract I am trying to dissect to find a loophole on my broad chest.I feel a nudge against my boot and crack one eye open. My Beta, Hunter, is staring down at me. He’s all dressed up in a black tuxedo, his dark hair slicked back, and a stupid grin on his freshly shaven face.“Why do you look like a fucking penguin?” I grunt out in my sleepy state.He grins down at me. “Tonight’s Hazel’s 18th coming-of-age ceremony. Oh, and your mother had a penguin suit made for you, too, asshole.” He says in a cheeky tone.I let out a growl. “No thanks, asshat.” I say, glaring at Hunter’s attire with disgust. Today has already been a shitty day of dealing with annoying Alphas. Plus, I had to sit next to that overly talkative Gamma’s daughter, Hazel, during lunch, and she constantly touched my arm as she tried talking to me. Now I have to go to a fucking party and deal wit
Third Party POV – Five years Later“Daddy!” A four-year-old little girl with blonde wavey hair and striking smokey gray eyes wandered through the halls of the packhouse, paying no mind how loud she is. “DAAAAAADDDDDDDYYYYY!!!!” She yelled again.“What’s the matter, Isabella?” Beta Hunter strolled out of the packhouse kitchen munching on a bag of chips.“Uncle Hunter, Uncle Hunter” The little girl runs up and stands on her toes in front of him, hoping to make herself taller. “Where Daddy? They do it again!” She points her little finger in the direction she just came from. Her plump little cheeks red with annoyance.Beta Hunter couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. This was a normal grievance from the little princess. “Oh, dear. Did you tell your mom?”Isabella crossed her arms with a huff, “No! I want daddy! Mommy say they playing, but nanny says they will break their necks! Wolves keep feet on the ground!” She rushed through in one big breath. She looks back down the hall and n
Ciara’s POV (several months later)That’s it! Its official… I think the moon goddess has changed her mind and decided to finish me off with an unknown disease. She has played a cruel trick on me. Giving me high hopes of the perfect wonderful life then snatching it away with a virus. I finally got my mate; I am Queen Luna, and I am surrounded by people who love and cherish me. Now I am hugging the porcelain throne of waste as if it is a lifeline from a sinking ship! Goodbye cruel world! Hello field of endless sleep…After my Luna Ceremony and the coronation of the new King and Queen, life at the Blue Eclipse pack turned into a pretty good routine. Alpha King Mars went back to his duties, and I took up the role of nontraditional, ass-kicking warrior Queen Luna.Owen and I had a big lavish wedding, to which all the pack leaders were invited. Our honeymoon was a cross-country ride on our motorcycles! Owen had my stuff and motorcycle shipped over to our pack as soon as my trial was over as
Chapter – Dear DiaryCiara’s POVDear Diary – Sorry I haven’t written in a while. My therapist and Owen had to remind me that writing will help my PTSD and help me cope with the memories of my time with the Dark Alpha. It’s been a crazy few months of learning to accept what I can’t change and to not blame myself for the past. I will admit the nightmares have gotten better since I started sleeping next to my goddess given mate. Being able to sleep has really helped the healing process, but when I do have a nightmare, Owen has to remind me I am no longer bound by the magical commands.Benji is getting better as well. She finally has some color back in her face and she no longer looks like a corpse. She is even able to take small walks with me around her garden, but it won’t be for a few more months til she’s able to go back in the medical lab doing what she loves. Each day she gets better and better, but I still sometimes find her sitting by the window with a far-off blank look on her fa
Alpha Mars’ POVI hug my mate then taste her sweet lips with a soft sinful kiss. Every hurdle, every roadblock, are destroyed and our path to forever is completely clear. I purr into her mouth, “Now you come home with me, and I get to touch your body until the break of day. I am going to kiss every inch of you, maybe even taste that beautiful pussy of yours, but no sex til you are 100% healed.” Without anyone noticing, I pull the blanket over her breasts so no one can see my hand, then flick and play with her nipple with my fingers.She moans then suddenly breaks away from my hold as if she just discovered something important, “Benji!”I look at her confused, “What?”“I want to go see Benji.” She looks at me with such pleading eyes that I groan. I rest my head on her shoulder. My cock throwing a tantrum over being so close to our mate and she throws a wrench into my sexually frustrated plans.“Seriously? You haven’t seen me in months, then you were unconscious for weeks, almost dying
Alpha Mars' POV We watched as the men and women of the elder council filed into their chamber. It wasn’t until the last robe disappeared behind the door that I finally felt like I could breathe. In a couple of strides, I was next to Ciara’s wheelchair kissing her sweet plump lips with everything my soul could give. The audience slowly filed out of the court room around us, but I wasn’t paying attention. My eyes were glued on my mate.“Fuck, I don’t think I could handle listening to your story much longer. I was ready to go to war with a fucker who is already dead.” I cupped her cheeks and stared into her smokey gray eyes. Her dark lashes fluttered her tears away as she smiled up at me. Goddess, I missed her smile.“What happens now?” Ciara says.“Well, they bring me their decision, and I fight it. But if they want to pursue it further, they can overrule my decision or go to the Magical Creature Council. But I don’t think it will come to that. I watched their reactions to your story.
Alpha Mars’ POVIs she out of her mind!?! She’s supposed to be resting and recovering from nearly dying! Not fucking being wheeled around by my warriors. And that pissed me off even more! The three warriors who were placed to guard her, brought her here to the courtroom and didn’t even bat a fucking eye on going against my command.I look over at Hunter who is smiling like a fucking idiot, secretly holding two thumbs up in approval at his mate, Freya. She smiled widely at him then blushed. Fucking, dammit!“What is your mate doing here? Shouldn’t she be resting? What if she gets sick again from the cold? What if something bad happens to her? This isn’t safe…” My mother fussed in my ear, but I waved her away. Those same thoughts were running through my mind, but what could I do? Ciara is a stubborn thing, but I loved her for it.“I hear you are trying to decide what my fate should be.” Ciara’s voice is calm and collected, just like a powerful Luna should be. “It’s considered rude to ta
Ciara’s POV Every inch of my body was stiff like a pole was shoved up my back. My muscles refused to work, my brain was foggy, and I am pretty sure my bladder was about to explode. A numb tingling feeling like when my foot falls asleep was crawling all over my skin. Basically, I was miserable. ‘Ember are we dead?’ I whined through our link. I started wiggling my toes and fingers slowly getting some sensation back. Every slight movement was a small blessing. I guess the moon goddess wasn’t going to make things easy by letting me magically rise from the dead like a phoenix… Nope she had to go the zombie route. Snort. ‘You aren’t dead, Frankenstein, just stiff… You need to keep moving your body. I’m working on healing you…’ Ember was a wonderful sight to see in my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Ember, is it weird without our friends with you?’ She nodded, ‘yeah it’s a bit lonely without their presence, but at least we have the memories.’ I smiled at that…. ‘Now open your eyes, I
Alpha Mars' POV Ciara’s beautiful smokey gray eyes squinted up at me then fluttered in and out of focus. She tried to adjust her position on the bed, but she was stiff from laying still for weeks. She let out a soft groan but couldn’t get any words out. She tried to speak again, but her eyes widen in realization instead, clutching at her throat in panic. Shit that fucking tube in her mouth… She was struggling to breathe! I just got her back and now she’s going to die from fixation from a fucking life-support tube!“I’ll get someone to help!” Artemis ran out of the room while Freya stood motionless crying, and my sister Olivia just looked uncomfortable since she has never met Ciara before.I pulled my chair closer to Ciara, “Its ok, Baby… someone will be here soon to take that fucking thing out. Keep your eyes on me. That’s it, baby… Look at me… I got you!” I smiled at her still holding and kissing her fingertips as I continued to whisper sweetly to her. “I am not going anywhere. You a
Alpha Mars’ POVI stare at my mothers’ retreating back in complete confusion. “What the fuck just happened?” My mind couldn’t handle another fucking thing to worry about. Wasn’t only a few months ago, my mother was calling Ciara some no-name whore? Now she’s fussing over her blankets, checking over her, and warning me about the fucking council? Plus, she admitted to her mistakes in her own way?“Boss, I think we need to take heed of her words about those sneaky old bastards.” Hunter pulled out his phone from his back pocket, working over the screen with his finger. “There’s nothing on the pack calendar for a meeting, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t meeting in private. I need to get a hold of Elder Mayfield. She’s always been on your side and will know what’s going on. I’ll be back shortly.” Then he rushed out the door without another word.Theo patted my shoulder as he stood as well. “I better get back to my family. Antonia will bring more food later. No te preocupes, Ok? No worries