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
A bright light blinded her when she opened her eyes. She expected to be in the same field alongside Ariel. Then came the soft, rhythmic beeping. She recognized it almost immediately. Her visits to the hospital engraved in her mind through the years. Her vision cleared little by little. First around the edges before moving inward. The familiar ceiling. Her fingers spread out over the soft quilt that lay across her body. The firm mattress underneath her. It had been a decade since she last laid in this bed. Her eyes, now adjusted to the morning light that peaked through the veil curtains, scanned the room carefully. Heart monitor. IV bag. An empty bed beside her. Her nostrils flared slightly. His scent still lingered from it. "Azura..." Her voice was hoarse as she barely managed a whisper. "Azura?" I am here. Her Wolf's voice felt distant, however. Recovering. Resting. We're safe. He's safe. Lily opened her mouth to speak again, but felt her Wolf withdraw into the depth of
When was it that he last touched me like this?Jayce's lips glided along the arc of her throat. His tongue flickered out to feel her pulse that raced beneath her skin. His hand roamed over the curve of her hip, his fingers hooking on the leggings she wore and tugged them down earnestly. Lily felt his Mark ignite, throbbing with an ache that had been deprived for months. Her nails dug into his back, raising a soft growl from his throat. The sound raised goosebumps along her exposed legs and a shiver to run down her spine. He sat up. His fingers shifted into claws and tore her shirt open. Ten years ago, this would have surprised her, even made her call out in shock, but her fingers caressed his cheeks and brought him back down in a welcoming kiss. She felt him sigh against her lips as he melted against her. His claws woven into her hair as he wedged himself between her thighs. "Lily..." His voice a deep rumble in his chest. "I have a darkness within me." He murmured against her lips.
His head ached when he stirred. There was a slight weight on his chest when his eyes fluttered open. As his blurred vision began to clear, he recognized the room he and Lily were guests in at Aiden's home. The warm glow of the setting sun spread across the ceiling through the blinds. He inhaled deeply. The sweet scent of Lilies filled his senses and his eyes dropped to his Mate and her head that rested on his chest. Lily... The flash of memory from his Wolf nearly taking her life flooded his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut, his hand clamped over his face when he felt her shift and sit up. Her sleepy gaze swept over him before they brightened with alertness. "Jayce!" She smiled with relief. "You scared me. You've been out for a couple of days." She informed him as she brushed his hair from his face. "Lily..." He grumbled weakly. "The kids will be so relieved." She went on. "Myra has been worried sick, and the boys are confused." "Lily." His sharp tone ended in a growl. She fell
Nox curled up in a puff of black fur amidst the depths of Jayce's subconscious. The memory of his beloved Mate pinned beneath him while trapped in his frenzy. The fear in her eyes would forever be engraved in his mind. "Is this where you plan to hide from me?" Azura's sweet voice caused his tail to stir faintly. Even in his distress and misery, her presence still brought him a sense of joy. "You should not be here." He told her, weakly. "I do not wish to bring you more harm." "You never harmed me or Lily." She reassured him. He felt the weight of her along his side as she rested on him. "We thought we lost you for a moment, though." She admitted as she brushed her muzzle against his ear. "That terrified us." "I am not safe to be around, Azura." He growled softly as he pushed himself to his feet. "What if the next time I truly hurt you and Lily? What if I hurt the pups? Or kill..." "Nox." Azura spoke sternly, but with a layer of softness as she sat up. "I know you. Even in these
Seeing his tears and hearing his apologies broke Lily. For a moment, as everything finally fell quiet, all she could do was stare down at the unconscious body of her Mate laying atop her. What happened to him? To Nox? "Jayce?" She brushed his hair from his face. "Lily!" Aiden had sprinted over to her and slid to her side. "You're not hurt anywhere, are you?" He asked urgently. She shook her head before she turned her gaze back to Jayce. "Can you..?" "Here." Zalakai knelt down and took Jayce by the arm and hoisted him up. His Demonic form had also receded. Aiden took Jayce's other arm and together they pulled his unconscious body off of Lily. "His clothes." Lily remarked when a leather jacket fell onto her chest. "Don't worry about his lack of attire." Rayleigh told her. Lily peered down, having forgotten that her clothes had torn away when she shifted. She rose to her feet, holding Rayleigh's leather jacket to her body. "We have to get him back to the house. He'll be out for a
"Dammit!" Jayce growled. "Calm down, Nox." He spoke through gritted teeth. The moment the damn Demon antognized him, Nox practically went berserk. He didn't blame his Wolf for just wanting to protect his Mate, but he would've settled by now. There was something wrong. Something very wrong. "You idiot!" The familiar feisty tone of Rayleigh sent a shiver through him. The women were back. Lily was back... "Nox, stop!" He grabbed onto Nox's leg, attempting to drag him back, but the large Wolf kicked him aside. Jayce grunted as he falls back onto his ass. "Lily..." Nox growled deeply. Jayce pushed himself to his feet when he noticed in the persception that Zalakai seemed to hesitate. Why? After coaxing him for so long. The Demon's eyes seemed to shift away for a moment. There. A soft crunch of boot against the dry grass. Was it Rayleigh? Zalakai would only hesitate if it came to her, right? Nox's fur bristled as he bared his teeth. A dark mist filtered through his sharp teeth. His pier
The ground quaked beneath her as her eyes snapped open. Snarls thundered through the clearing. The first she noticed was Dante crouched in front of Willow protectively, his gaze fixed on something across from them. Next, she realized arms had embraced her and Amira, who had been sitting beside her. Aiden had been holding them for how long she wasn't sure, but his grip was of iron though. She couldn't fully sense it, but his Wolf was on high alert. Nox!Lily's head swiveled around until she found what was going on. Zalakai, in his pure Demonic form, was in a pin against her Mate, also in his true form. The ground had torn up with dirt and grass scattered about. Zalakai and Jayce were in a grappled stalemate, each with their own fair share of exchanging wounds. "Jayce!" Lily pulled herself from Aiden. "Don't!" Aiden grabbed her arm to restrain her. "This is his mess to deal with." "What the Hell happened?" Amira asked him. "Zalakai antagonized Jayce," Dante informed them. Willow g
"Explain to us what you have learned so far of Karmina." Hecate requested as she linked her hands in front of herself. "She's tucked herself away in an abandoned mansion a previous Werewolf King had lived in." Amira stated. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a folded up map she had put there earlier. She laid it out over the table. "Based on Willow's previous visions, the location is marshlands surrounded by plains or dead trees." "Would you know the locations of where Nox was at one point?" Lily asked Leto. Leto inclined her head with a slight frown. "I am afraid once I gave life to the Werewolf King, his whereabouts were none of my concern." "And that is where you failed." Hecate clipped. Willow gave the Goddess a stern look, and the deity turned her chin away. "You're not exactly guilt-free here either, Hecate." Willow added in. The Goddess scoffed softly, but her posture eased slightly. "Even when we questioned Xander, he has a minimum recollection of how they
What a way to stand out. Rayleigh silently observed the other women that accompanied their Goddesses. She was unaware of Lily's devotion to Leto or if there was devotion at all, but the Goddess seemed rather doting on her. Like a mother to their child. Then there was Amira alongside Artemis, but instead of a parental figure that Leto aired for Lily, Artemis and Amira were as colleagues. A mentor and student, perhaps. Artemis had taken off her bow and was going over step by step of its creation while Amira listened intently. Rayleigh was mildly aware of Amira dabbling with bows over the past year now before crossing the waters to retrieve the Werewolf Queen. She just wasn't aware of how seriously Amira was taking the Hunter role now. Rayleigh glanced back as Hecate, a towering presence, glided in alongside Willow. Willow, a soft and innocent woman, looked out of place beside the night Goddess. Hecate, who not only radiated with otherworldly beauty but also had a confidence about he
The presence of the Goddesses was overwhelming. It surprised her that her knees hadn't buckled yet. Leto's kind and welcoming smile. Hecate's cool yet stern gaze. Artemis's curious incline of her head. It was an unexpected trio to come across. But perhaps, not so much unexpected. Lily was the first to follow Leto up into the ruined temple. The Wolves that acted as a barrier had curved around Lily as well in the same protective manner. Though, she believed it was more so for the sake of the Wolf that resided in Lily now than the Human counterpart. Amira took her place alongside Artemis without question. The Huntress placed a hand on Amira's shoulder and gave her a squeeze of reassurance. There was a silence between them, but words didn't need to be spoken. There was an understanding between them that a shared look was the only thing necessary. Rayleigh trailed along after Amira quietly. She seemed out of place here. Was she questioning her own beliefs? Willow was aware that Rayleig