One, two, three. One, two, three. Lily let out a breath as she displayed another barrage of punches into the punching bag. Sweat gathered on her brow before it streamed down to the tip of her nose. When she brought her fists back again, she felt the muscles in her shoulders tighten up. "You're doing it again, Lily." Aiden commented as he held the punching bag in place. "If you continue to tense up your shoulders like that, it's going to decrease the speed of your punch." He tapped the punching bag. "Now ease up. Focus on the power in your legs and configure it into your arms for speed." Lily nodded as she relaxed her shoulders a bit as she held her fists up. One, two, three. One, two, three.With the slight twist in her hips, she struck the punching bag slightly harder than before, but not as fast as Aiden told her. His brows furrowed together for a moment as she punched again. Quietly evaluating. "Alright." He said, as he stepped aside. Lily lowered her fists to her side as she
There was no doubt in his mind of the power that Lily contained. However, he wasn't prepared to truly witness the outcome of this power. The demonstration of power displayed put a new perspective in his Warriors that he hadn't seen before. Offering their throats had always been a common courtesy to power, but the kneeling was very much new to him. You feel threatened by her. Hearing Nox's observation stung Jayce. "Not threatened. Concerned, yes, but not threatened." Jayce corrected him. He took the stairs back to the second floor. "This is just new and rather unexpected." You feel uncomfortable, though. Does her training truly bother you? "No." Jayce said immediately. He turned down the hall back towards his office. "The training is necessary for what is coming." Jayce. You feel off about this. No matter your excuses, the results are still the same. Jayce came to a stop in the middle of the empty corridor. "It has always been my duty to protect her. For the past ten years, thi
All she could see was the heightened vision of who appeared to be Chelsea kissing her Mate. Shock was the first to strike her nerve, followed by a sliver of betrayal when she noticed the look in Jayce's eyes. Wide eyed, confused and... scared? His hands gripped the woman's arms, tugging on them to pry them away. His veins blackened around his lips and crept towards his eyes. Lily felt this intense bestial growl through her chest that vibrated through her bones as it echoed through his office. The ground tremored beneath her feet as her voice boomed like thunder from her throat. "GET OFF OF HIM!" Lily charged forward and grabbed Chelsea by her hair. The hard tug ripped her away from Jayce's lips with a yelp as her body flew at an alarming speed and crashed into the wall across the room. Chelsea slammed into the shelves that covered the wall, breaking the wood frame of it. Books clattered to the ground as she fell to her hands and knees. Lily snarled angrily, her claws extended and he
Her heart pulsed in her ears. Jayce's weight against her consumed her strength and pushed her down to her knees. Lily carefully dropped him down beside her and witnessed as he shifted back into his Human state again. Blood and ichor oozed out from the wound on his back. Veins blackened and spread out from it. Kill her! Azura's voice surprised her. Kill her now! Jayce's body lay limp beside her. Unmoving. Yet she still felt their bond. If he had truly died, she would know. A deep, guttural growl ripped from Lily's throat as she rose to her feet. Her bones shifted apart and together. Her muscles expanded across her back. Golden fur stained with Jayce's blood sprouted from her skin. Power surged through her body as she towered over Jayce's body. There was a gargle from across the room. Her head swiveled to find Chelsea's body morphed together from the flesh parts and ichor from when Jayce tore her to shreds. But now the ichor and darkness that had swarmed and enveloped Chelsea stitc
The adrenaline was quickly vanishing from her system. It took everything within her to remain awake. She knew her body would collapse after the experience of her shift. Lily couldn't allow that to happen. Not until she knew Jayce was safe and far from death's door. "Lily!" Derek called out to her when Aiden and another Warrior escorted her back inside the Pack House. "What the Hell happened?" The frantic Alpha approached her. His eyes darted to Aiden for a split second, but swiveled his attention back to Lily. "Jayce is..." "Where is he?" she pleaded. She tugged Aiden's jacket closer to hide her naked form from her father-in-law. "Where is Jayce? Is he still in his office?" "N-No." He cleared his throat before he looked to the Warrior. "Fetch the Queen some clothes immediately." The Warrior nodded firmly before he took off down the corridor to the right of the main entrance. "Myself and another Warrior took him to a suite." Derek mentioned as he escorted her and Aiden up the stai
Karmina gritted her teeth as her vision cleared. Five candles, positioned at each point of the star she sat in, flickered and dimmed to lowlight. The stale stench of blood from where she formed her circle lingered still. "Woman was useless, after all." She seethed. Karmina rose to her feet and swept her hand out from beside her. The flames of the candles went out at once and darkness swarmed her vision. She snapped her fingers and the light from the hanging chandelier high above her flickered on. Lying around her circle were animal carcasses. Wildlife from outside her new home. "Weak. All of them are weak!" She swung her hand around and a spray of ichor shot out from her hand and splattered against the wall. It dripped down before being absorbed into the wallpaper. "I was so close." She peered down at her hands. The ichor that had sprayed from it seeped back into her flesh. A knock came at her door. "Mistress." His annoying voice sounded from the other side. "They have arrived and
Do you plan to sleep forever? A painful throb pulsed throughout his skull as he stirred. A deep, guttural growl vibrated in his chest. His body ached as he withdrew from the darkness of his consciousness. His eyes fluttered open, only to snap shut from the blinding light. A high-pitched ringing sounded in his ears that intensified the throbbing pain in his head. It gradually softened until it was non-existent. A gentle beep replaced the ringing. Rhythmic. He eased his eyes open, now prepared for the light. His vision slowly cleared at the edges. As it cleared, the suite came into view. The blinds pulled aside to let in natural sunlight. The faint singing of birds from the surrounding forest. Thin fabric caressed under his arms as he shifted his body slightly. His muscles pulled and pushed as he barely moved an inch. Easy. You'll pull every muscle in your body if you move too quickly. The strangely familiar voice in the depths of his mind surprised him. It was rare to hear her. "A-
A calm melody drifted through her subconsciousness. The gentle breeze caressed her cool cheeks and whistled sweetly past her ears. It was enough to stir her awake from the depths of her slumber. Lily's eyes fluttered open and met the blanket of stars high above her. She sat up, her fingers brushed across the soft grass around her. Small patches of wildflowers lay scattered about this field she found herself in. As she pushed herself to her feet, her ears picked up on the humming that had invaded her sleep. Her head swiveled to the right and noticed a woman across the field. Though distant, there was this strange warmth and familiarity to her that Lily couldn't put her finger on. Curiosity drew her closer to this stranger. The grass beneath her feet hardly made a sound as she crossed the open field. As she did, her eyes swept this unfamiliar landscape around her. To the far south was the first row of trees into a dark forest. To the north were towering mountains that lined the horizo
"You ready for this?" Dante asked her. Willow had been pacing in front of the bed in one of the spare guest rooms in Jayce's house. "What if no one listens, Dante?" She voiced her concerns. Her fingers fidgeted with one another as she paced. "What if I'm the only one in this fight with my Magic?" "There is no harm in trying." Dante rose to his feet and placed his hands on her shoulders to stop her pacing. "Pixie, even if we can't get a single Light Witch to help us, we will still win." "How do you have such confidence?" She asked him, her brows furrowed. "Karmina is far stronger than I am. What if I fail? What if we fail because I'm not strong enough?" "Darling." His voice was firm yet soft as he gently silenced her. His hands ran down her arms from her shoulders until they grasped her hands. "You are the strongest person I have ever met." He released one of her hands to brush back the long strands of her bangs from her eyes. His thumb brushed along her cheek. "You lost so much, b
"Alright, so, how are we doing this? What is the final plan?" Damien asked, finally able to join the group after what had happened. Erica stood at his side, supporting him with a hand on his back. His Beta stood strong, but Jayce could see the weariness etched into his facial features. The damage he had gone through with losing his arm was far more than he could ever comprehend.The living room was packed with everyone. Xander had the children pre-occupied in another room. The only ones that were vacant still were Zalakai and Rayleigh. He couldn't deny the relief he felt not having that damned Demon in his presence. "We have her location. Sort of." Willow stated as she spoke up. She shifted her gaze to Jayce. "Thank you again for helping me." Jayce inclined his head slightly as a soft growl vibrated within his mind. "That was more Nox than me, but you're welcome." "I definitely missed out on some stuff." Damien eyed Jayce curiously. Jayce side eyed him with a look that Damion caug
"Dammit, Zalakai!" Rayleigh's angry shout filled the room. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands linked in front of him. He convinced her that his father may have information on how to handle Karmina in his study. Except... "It's for your own good, Ray." He told her for the fifth time now. Rayleigh struggled against the restraints. After fooling her to come back with him, he trapped her on the same wall that restrained her on her first visit to his domain. The hands tightened their grips on her wrists. "My own good?" She growled. "You have no right." "No right?" He asked as he rose to his feet and approached her. "I have more right than you realize." "Free me. Now." Her eyes narrowed. His symbol on her chest hummed softly. The pull to succumb to her command nearly crippled him. He gritted his teeth against the demand. "No." He snarled, his face turned away as he struggled against their pact. "This isn't a damn game, Zalakai!" Rayleigh shouted again. "The longer I'm down here
Her heart was in her throat. As she stood in front of the Pack House. Jayce, after making the call, was informed that Damien was still at the Pack House, recovering. As well as Erica being at his side. "Do you need a moment?" Jayce asked her as he held open the door. Lily let out a shaky breath. "No. No more waiting." Jayce gave her a small smile as he took her hand and led her inside. The Pack House was busy. His Warriors were preparing with all weaponry available in their arsenal. Jayce's men looked relieved to see them again. Each one arched their necks in respect as they walked past. "It's an adjustment." Lily smiled awkwardly. "Having gone to a Rogue community who don't care what title you carry, to a home where everyone looks up to you." "It was a small reprieve." Jayce admitted. His hand grasped hers. "For once, not having others turn to me as their leader, but just as another Wolf." His eyes softened. "It was a different perspective, but a necessary one." "Jayce..." Lil
Home. He set the bags on the bed, his eyes swept the room. It had only been a week since they departed from here, but it seemed like months since they've been gone. There was much to do before the battle happened. The talk with the other Alphas. Finalizing safety protocol with the Pack members that hadn't left. Damien. "Damien." He murmured softly. He hadn't heard anything after what had happened. Aside from being stabilized, he hadn't heard from his Beta, his best friend. Was he alright? Angry? Disappointed? "Jayce?" Lily's soft voice reached his ears from the doorway. He hadn't heard her come to the room. "Do you want to see him?" "I will." He reassured her, but hesitance still lingered. Lily sensed it and walked over to wrap her arms around his waist. "Everything will be okay. I'm sure he missed you just as much as you missed him." "Will you confront Erica?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "The last time you two were together, it wasn't pleasant." Lily
The familiar foyer was a sight for sore eyes. The warmth and security of their home was a long wait that was overdue. Everything appeared as it should. No Undead wandering about. No decaying wallpapers or blood streaks of violence. Tidy. Clean. Home. Lily released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "We're back." She whispered. "I never realized how much I missed home until a situation occurs." Jayce voiced alongside her. The tension in his shoulders easing slightly. His nose wrinkled as he picked up the scents. "I'll be..." "Jayce? Lily?" A young male voice chipped in from the kitchen. A tall, more on the slender side version of Jayce peeked his head from around the kitchen doorway. His short black hair pushed back from his face as he grinned. "Shit, you're home." "Elias." Lily smiled instantly as Jayce's younger brother walked over to greet them. "How long have you been here?" She asked as she hugged him. "It feels like I haven't seen you in months. When did you get so
"Are you sure you don't want to wait another day?" Aiden asked Willow as they all walked down the dirt road. "I don't think one more day won't hurt us if you need to gather yourself after that ordeal." A handful of children ran by, laughing like the fight to come was nonexistent. Carefree regardless of the nightmare his community suffered through just a few days ago. Willow shook her head adamantly. "We can't continue to delay every time Karmina throws a wrench in our plans." "I'm afraid she's right." Dante agreed. He had discarded his ichor stained vest and switched out his slacks for a fresh pair. "As much as I desire a reprieve from Karmina's stunt, the longer we hold off, the stronger she will get." "Will Winston cover for you in the mean time?" Lily asked as her eyes swept over the shops and houses they walked past. "I trust Winston to keep things running no matter what." Aiden adjusted the strap on his shoulder. "Besides, my mom will also be here." He felt Amira's quick gla
Willow's gasped loudly before she coughed heavily. "Willow!" Dante wrapped his arms around her after Jayce released her and stepped away. She dry heaved while she clung to Dante. "My sweet Pixie, what on Earth happened to you?" He pushed her hair back from her face. "Karmina had her." Jayce coughed, his voice partially warped. He ran a hand over his face as he turned away from everyone. Lily walked past Willow as Dante tended to her and approached Jayce. "Nox?" She called out gently as she placed a hand on Jayce's arm. His body tensed under her touch. His fingers parted enough to show his Wolf eyes. "Are you alright? Did she hurt you to?" Lily asked worriedly. He let out a sigh. While he kept a hand over his face, perhaps not to alarm the others, his other hand rested over hers. "It's strange diving into someone else's mind that is not my Mate or children." He admitted gruffly. "Perhaps you see them as part of the Pack more than you realized." She stated. Jayce lowered his hand
"Willow?" Dante's concerned tone drew Jayce's attention, along with the others. As he peered back, he found Willow stock still just past the entryway. Her eyes glazed over milky white. Dante had taken her hand in his, his eyes searching her face as he waited. "A vision?" Amira asked as she set a foot on the first step. "It's nothing out of the ordinary." Aiden huffed softly as he switched his grip on one bag. "She'll come out of it in a moment." Dante reassured, yet his shoulders appeared tense. "Her visions don't hurt her, do they?" Lily asked worriedly as she stood beside Jayce. "No. They're pretty harmless." Dante confirmed, as he brushed Willow's bangs from her eyes. "She told me they feel real while she's... away." He tilted his head from side to side as he tried to explain. "But no physical harm." Jayce studied Willow carefully. The way her brows seemed to draw just a fraction closer together. The way her lips part in the slightest bit. "Does she normally react outwardly