Xavier POVI stood next to the floor to ceiling windows of Desmond’s office in the pack house. The back of the house overlooked a stunning view of Dark River, a massive body of water that divided Desmond’s territory from Black Claw. Creating distance from the rebellious pain in my ass, Alpha Lawson. Outlines of mountains could be seen in the distance. I took a sip of whiskey out of my crystal glass. Desmond sat in an oversized chestnut colored armchair behind me. “So, my King, how are things going with the future queen?” I could hear the knowing smirk that would be on his face. And sure, enough as I turned around, Desmond had a shit-eating grin on his face. I sighed before scrubbing a hand down my face.“That good, eh?” I shot him a glare making Des chuckle and put his hands up in mock surrender. I sat in the matching armchair across from Desmond and rested my forearms on my thighs. “Things have been…” I didn’t know the right word to describe mine and Annette’s relationship. “...
ANA POVA feral growl left the red eyed beast’s mouth before it lunged at me. I squeezed my eyes shut as sharp claws raked down my side. I let out a scream of pain, hoping someone would hear me. The sound of fabric tearing, snarls, and my sobs echoed in the room. Out of nowhere a tingling sensation began to spread from my chest to all of my limbs. I must be losing too much blood and hallucinating because I could have sworn, I saw white light surrounding myself and the wolf that was towering over me. I briefly lost consciousness and woke to the sound of a whimper. On my side was a young boy, no older than twelve, curled up in a ball with his eyes squeezed shut. His chestnut brown hair clung to his forehead from sweat and blood. It took a moment for me to realize he was whispering to himself. “I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean it.” Pain radiated in my side as I rubbed the arm of the boy. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.” I soothed. The boy opened his eyes.
Tyson freed his hands from the swaddle I created for him. “She healed me!” He yelled, making everyone stop to look at me with questioning stares. My heart pounded in my chest as the young boy tried to stick up for me. Tyson wiggled out of my grip and stood in between the skeptical guests and the two of us. I didn’t question the boy. Something in my bones told me that Tyson was right. Lousie barged into the room with Sarah. Both panic stricken. Louise made eye contact with me and then to her mate. “Wh-what’s going on?” she stammered. “Mom please make them listen!” Tyson pleaded. His eyes filled with unshed tears. The boy’s eyes met mine once more. I brushed a lock of hair that was covering part of his eye. “It’s okay Tyson. Go to your parents so they can make sure you are alright.” His bottom lip quivered. I gave him a slight nod of encouragement. He pulled the blanket tighter around his torso and walked over to his parents, who were now in a heated hushed conversation with Xavier.
Ana POVThe three of us ran as fast as we possibly could. Although he was younger and a little shorter than Geegee and I, Tyson led the way to a cave for us to hide in. Near the cave was a waterfall that cascading into the body of water that sat in front of the pack house. The jagged rocks outside the cave held as a deterrent for any intruder. The air was damp and smelled of mildew and stagnant water. I wrapped my arms around myself as I tried to rid myself of the chill in the air. “They won’t find us here. Between the waterfall and the smells from the cave, there’s no way they will be able to find us.” Tyson explained. We sat huddled together for what seemed hours. Finally, after the sun set and all of us were chilled to the bone, we decided to make our trek back to the house. The walk back was difficult with no sun in the sky to guide us. The trees above made it almost impossible for the light of the moon to filter through. How we made it back without tripping or falling, was beyo
XAVIER POVI patted Sarah’s back as she weeded her way into my embrace. “No one is taking your place Sarah. And just because Louise and Des chose Ana to be Tyson’s godmother, doesn’t mean your friendship with them has changed.”“I just don’t want Ana to take my place.” Sarah sobbed. Here it was again. I was not ignorant to the fact that Sarah wanted to be more than friends. I, however, had made it clear years ago that I did not see her that way. By how she was acting, I had a feeling I needed to remind her of this. I grabbed Sarah’s shoulders and moved her away from me. I had been sitting in my room reading a contract for an upcoming project when Sarah had entered without knocking. She had sat next to me before the water works had begun. “Sarah, I need to make some things clear. Ana is not taking your place. Your place is as my friend and advisor. Annette is my mate. My soon to be Luna.” Sarah’s bottom lip quivered as I spoke. “When we arrive at the next pack, I think you should t
ANA POVI felt like I had been transported into an episode of Gilmore Girls. The small town of Englewood was the epitome of the picture-perfect small town. Small mom and pop shops lined either side of Main Street that ended in a rotary. Finely manicured lawns and shrubs made the brick exterior of the building standout. I had no idea why Xavier looked so concerned that we were stuck here for several days. It seemed like the most ideal place we could have ended up.A cute coffee shop named, Oh, Beans! caught my attention with its silly looking coffee bean business sign. I looked over at Ethan who sat up front with the driver before leaning in between the two front seats. “Ethan, could we possibly stop for some coffee?” Geegee perked up at the mention of the “c” word. The girl was more obsessed with coffee than I was. She nearly head butted me when she too put her head in between the two front seats. “Yes, baby Beta, please stop for some coffee.” Ethan groaned at the nickname. “I don’
ANA POVI stripped out of my robe, leaving me completely naked, and climbed into the hot spring. A moan escaped me as my body was submerged in the hot water. I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in the moment. My body felt weightless in the water as my mind felt weighed down from all of the emotional turmoil going on in my mind. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before I felt myself begin to doze off. I jerked awake and put on high alert when I heard someone speak. “I see you found your way, pup.” A familiar rugged voice echoed. The strikingly handsome man from earlier, came out from under the awning that covered the door into the spa. I looked around, feeling slightly frazzled. I hugged my chest, covering my naked breasts, and sunk my body more into the water. “Uh, ye-yes, I did. I wasn’t expecting company…” I stammered out as I met his hungry gaze. His jaw clenched as he moved his eyes from my head down to the water where the rest of me was covered by the dark depths. “I
I had just rounded the corner of the hot spring area of the spa when I saw Annette wrap a towel around her wet naked body. My cock twitched in my pants at the sight of her gorgeous curves. However, the moment was ruined when I remembered why I was down here. Annette put her safety at risk by going down here by herself. I could hear Annette’s heart beat pick up after I asked her if anyone had been down here with her. I helped her into the plush robe.“A staff member from the spa came out here to ask if I needed anything.” Her voice didn’t waver as she spoke, but I could tell that she was lying.‘Someone could have seen her!’ Thane roared in my head, which only added to my growing frustration. I crossed my arms on my chest.“Is that so?” Ana mimicked my stance. “Yep. And now I'm headed back up to my room.” I took a step towards her. I loved the thrill it sent through me at Ana’s obvious growing discomfort. “Great, I will join you.” Ana rolled her eyes before storming off. Oh, Prin
avier had been acting strange the past week, making me wonder if I’d done something to make him upset. But I couldn’t think of how I could have when he had been dealing with some rebellion threats and training with his guards.I knocked on Xavier’s office door before letting myself in. Ethan and Xavier were hunched over a map that had dozens of colored push pins pressed into it. Something about the way Xavier looked at me when he looked up from the map made me take a step back. After realizing who was walking in the room, he put on a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He stood in between me and the map. Ethan gave me a small wave to which I returned. “Hi love, come in.” He waved me into the room. Something in the air was off. But it was getting late, and I wanted to stop agonizing over whether or not Xavier would like the gift I bought.I laced my fingers in front of me. “I wasn’t sure how long you thought you might be?” I cleared my throat. “I was just hoping to exchange gifts l
Ana POV It seemed like in a blink of an eye the Winter Solstice was right around the corner. The palace had changed from regal beauty to a winter wonderland paradise. Evergreen garlands with red and gold ornaments cascaded down the railings of the lavish staircase. In the foyer a fifteen foot tree stood tall with warm ivory lights and continued to extend the gold and red theme. I counted ten real trees throughout the palace and dozens of artificial trees. All were decorated immaculately. I learned quickly that Xavier’s mother was very particular about decorating for the Winter Solstice. Luckily for me, she seemed to have no problem with my decorating, or if she did, she didn’t say anything. After keeping busy each day, I spent my nights dreaming about the women of the Winter Solstice Tribe. Each night, I learned more about the powers each pack member had. I realized after a couple of weeks that each pack member had a common denominator, their wolf Miya. “Have you figured out wh
I stood in the clearing that plagued all of my dreams. Familiar howls of the enemy echoed in the forest, making my heart race. The sounds of Xavier calling my name could be heard in the distance. “Breathe, Ana.” I heard the familiar melodious voice sing out to me. Across from me stood the woman wearing her signature sage green cloak. Her face continued to be covered in shadow from the hood of her cloak. Tendrils of white blonde hair peeked out of the sides of her hood. I looked at the woman with a panicked expression and began to pull at my hair. “Just tell me who you are!” I cried. I knelt on the leaf covered ground and closed my eyes. I was so tired of having this dream over and over again. A gentle hand touched my shoulder. To my surprise, when I looked up, I was met with piercing emerald green eyes, and a face that looked similar to my own. “Mom?”The woman brushed some hair away from my face. “Hi my sweet girl.” Her voice was as beautiful as she was. She knelt in front of me
Ana POV Xavier had sent Geegee into town for a spa day. However, we had other plans. We walked into the spa building and out back to the changing rooms, where the guards would not come. I peeked my head out of the dressing room curtain and looked both ways. Geegee let out a snort when she saw me tiptoe to the back door wearing a plush white robe. I waved her to me. “C’mon, we don’t have much time!” I whisper-yelled. Geegee began to tip toe towards me with her head moving from side to side. Carefully we opened the back door of the spa and ran down the three stairs that led into the alley between the spa and another brick building. We both shed our robes and held them in our arms as we rushed to the main street of the town. We attempted to get through a large group of men that were taking up the sidewalk to no avail. I was shoved from behind. “Fucking watch it asshole!” Gee-gee yelled while whipping around and shoving a man who I assumed was the person who pushed me. I grab Gee-gee’s
The sound of glass breaking echoed in the dining room after my mother threw a vase at a wall. Not only did she react very poorly to the news about Ana’s wolf, but also having a tough day with her illness.“Just when I was starting to have some sort of understanding of her, you tell me that she has no wolf!” She pulled at her hair. “My son, the Lycan King, has fallen in love with a defective wolf! How embarrassing and shameful” She paced on the side of the table before picking up another vase. But before she could throw that one as well I moved with lightning speed and caught it in my hand. At that moment I was grateful that I had insisted on her and Geegee going into town for a spa day. My mother’s tantrum had been going on for five minutes now and I was already feeling my control slip. ‘Do you want me to intervene?’ Ethan asked through the mind link. "No, it will only make it worse.”‘Okay but if she goes after my favorite candelabra, I will be forced to intervene.’‘Do you even
I sat up and looked at my hands that were fiddling with the bedspread. “Up until everything that happened with Tyson, I thought I didn’t have a wolf.” I looked up at the ceiling. “Ha. An Alpha’s daughter without a wolf.”Xavier shifted so he was sitting up straighter. He put a finger under my chin and moved my head, so I was looking at him again. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His tone was clipped; however, I could tell it was from hurt and not anger. “I…I…” I looked back down. “I finally was in a place where people were accepting me…” I took a pregnant pause. “My pack shunned me for something that was out of my control.” I looked up at him. “I didn’t want… I didn’t want to lose the first thing in my life that made me feel wanted and cherished.” Xavier wrapped me in a hug. “You aren’t going to lose me. I’m not happy you kept that for me.” He released me from the hug. “But I can understand your reasoning. But, had I known, we could have found a way to bring your wolf out by now.”I nodded
POV Ana It felt as if Autumn came in a blink of an eye. My dreams only get more vivid as the nights go on. Even awake I was still reliving last night’s nightmare. Xavier and I had been checking on the night patrol. The moon cast just enough light to see where we were going.Three sets of yellow glowing eyes were visible through branches as they approached us. Xavier had jumped in front of me to serve as a shield. Even with his warning growls, the rogues had advanced on us. “Ana, you need to shift!” Xavier yelled over his shoulder as he fought two rogues off. I was paralyzed with fear. I could see the question in his eyes. Why wasn’t I shifting?Xavier’s confusion created enough of a distraction that he wasn’t able to react in time as a rogue tore into his side. Xavier roared in pain. I heard patrol members running to aid us. One of the rogues tore into my side, causing my vision to blur. , “I’m so sorry.” I whispered. Before I knew it my vision went black and I had woken up with
stood in a clearing surrounded by trees. My breaths were short from running. Howls of the enemy echoed in the forest, making my heart race. A sense of being surrounded began to consume me. They were gaining on me. There was no way I could take on multiple wolves. “Breathe, Ana.” A melodious voice sang out to me. I looked around the clearing to find the source of the voice. Across from me stood a woman wearing a sage green cloak. Her face was covered in shadow from the hood of her cloak. Tendrils of white blonde hair peeked out of the sides of her hood. “You have to get out of here!” I cried. “They are after me!”“Do not fear, my dear. You have the power within you to stop them.” In a blink of an eye I felt the woman’s presence behind me. “Breathe in, breathe out.” I listened, taking several deep inhales and exhales. “Good Ana. Now close your eyes and imagine yourself pulling on a string. Can you feel the power rising as you pull?” I nodded. The howls and the sounds of paws hittin
Xavier POVI felt like a little kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I tried to fight the shit eating grin that threatened to spread. I ran my hand through my disheveled hair. “Hey man.” He licked his bottom lip. “There you are!” He stalked towards me. “I’ve been trying to mind link you for the past fifteen minutes….” He paused, taking in my appearance. “May want to fix your buttons before the meeting.” He tipped his chin at my shirt. When I looked down, I realized how much of a mess I looked. My dress shirt was only half tucked in, and the buttons were two buttons off from the right hole. I gave Ethan a “whoops” expression before adjusting myself to a more presentable manner. I walked into the conference room where three alphas were waiting to speak with me. We finished our agenda quickly. I felt my mother’s eyes on me the entirety of the meeting. When everyone signed off the Skype call, my mother began to pace the room. “Xavier, this is unacceptable.” She cr