Standing on Quincy’s front porch, I hesitate before knocking on the door. Caspian had told me before leaving the truck that Jett is staying here with his niece for now as Milan is shaken up by her Mate’s actions from today. I can’t blame him for wanting to be there for Milan, the only family he has left. I would be furious in Jett’s shoes and I would have marched down to where Quincy is being kept and throttled some sense into him by now whether Aunt Asteria liked it or not.The door opens and Jett appears looking weary and pissed. His mouth opens – most likely to yell at whoever is at the door – only for his angry appearance to morph into surprise.“Rune. Caspian.” He calls out with a sigh, looking at each of us in turn.“What brings you two here?”“I came to see how Milan is doing. Rune came to talk to you.” Caspian answers with a small smile. Jett hesitates, his eyes glazing over and we wait for a few minutes to pass figuring her was linking his niece to see if she wanted any visit
Rushing towards the boardroom while frantically clipping my hair into a bun, I dodge an Omega with their arms full of clean linen. A week has passed since Shadow Rose came to train with Crescent Phoenix and in that week Quincy has caused a fight and now lay in the infirmary after his punishment, being chained with silver cuffs for three days while staying in the dungeons. Ashton hasn’t left Devlyn’s side as the latter has yet to wake from a coma, and Quest has told Asteria that he and Ashton have talked to me and wish to leave the Pack when Rune and I take over Crescent Phoenix. Add on Rune finding out he can see visions of the future and that this power might be inherited by our pups in the future and I have no idea how I am still standing after the week I have had.Not only that, but today I had a weekly checkup with Jasmin to see how my pregnancy is progressing which made me late to our war strategy meeting now that the two Packs are slowly working as a team. After our foraging ses
Tucking Brynlee into bed, I linger momentarily to watch my Mate sleep. Dark circles have formed under her eyes these last few days with the battle approaching quickly. I knew she was stressed out from her duties to Crescent Phoenix as well as thinking about how we would protect our little pup. I had caught her many times in the middle of the night sitting in the living room with a mug of tea in hand watching the flames in the fire dance in the fireplace. She told me she was thinking about Emory and any other pups we might have. How she worried about what to do if any one of them had powers passed down from me.I would sit with her curled in my lap for hours, talking about the safety measures we could put in place if anyone showed even the slightest hint of powers. That if my own visions lead to us discovering our pup being able to see visions or some other ability before they show, we can prepare for that day and help guide our pup through it. In the end, Brynlee would fall asleep in
Slamming my office door shut, I link everyone to not disturb me while making my way towards my desk and collapsing into the soft leather chair. So much has happened in the last two weeks that I feel like Crescent Phoenix is slipping out of my control as Alpha, and now with this attack just at the borders of my Pack, it feels like the world will crumble down on top of me.I knew that leading a Pack would be a lot of work. Knew that my bastard of a younger brother would feel inferior when he learned I am an Alpha, a wolf on equal footing to that misogynistic power-hungry bastard. I never thought he would let his hatred and views on women cloud his mind so much that he would attack innocent pups to satisfy his ego and pride.What’s worse is knowing that Brynlee and Rune are planning to leave the safe home I have tried so hard to build for them to take down Valor and bring peace to everyone. I know for a fact Jonnah is too busy with the news of his heir coming from reading the reports Ala
Staring at Rune once again blocking my way to the dungeons, I take deep breaths trying to calm down. I had woken up twenty minutes ago with a small headache only to realize it was my Pack Mates freaking out about an attack that happened thirty minutes before I woke up. Not only that but it was also revealed that this attack happened practically behind my house while I slept and that pups were involved.I tried linking Rune, Asteria, and Gale. Hell, I linked everyone in the top ranks and got no answer while I dressed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I was just about to leave the cottage when the door burst open and Rune walked in, his grey eyes finding mine. I guess he realized I must have heard what happened because he instantly led me to the sofa and explained in detail what had happened from the time he put me in bed after I had fallen asleep to barging into our home and feeling relieved to see me there albeit pissed off.Without another word, I left the cottage with my Mate
The first man gasps awake, his confused eyes looking around the room until his gaze lands on his companions. The look of defeat that follows brings such joy to me that I wonder if he truly understands just how fucked they truly are.“Why didn’t you just kill us?” He asks, sounding defeated.“Because that’s not how we operate.” Asteria answers, stepping close and using her index finger to lift the man’s head from under his chin. Their eyes meet and for a moment I wonder if he is going to try and lunge for my Alpha, but he just sits there, no fight left in him.“Alpha Asteria, I assume?” The man asks, getting a smirk out of Asteria.“The very same.” She answers back, letting go of his chin and stepping back. The man sighs again. His eyes shifted to the unconscious woman. I see the look of longing in his eyes, the look of worry and fear. Not fear for himself, but fear for her.“Is she your Mate?” I ask, stepping out from the side so that the man can see me. Rune reaches out to stop me, b
Fingering the collar around my neck as I watch over Misa and Andre sleep, I wonder if I made the right choice. Alpha Asteria promised that the silver in the collar would block out the Pack link and make it seem like we were unconscious and unreachable while she sent out men to save our little girl and I believe her. It was Trevor’s idea to sneak past Crescent Phoenix’s borders to gain better insight but when I saw the she-wolf guarding the pups. I knew that sleaze scented her and decided he wanted to have some fun which lead to many of our wolves being killed in the process all because Trevor wanted to get his dick wet in an enemy Pack’s she-wolf and take her back as a hostage.“Darling?” A muffled voice calls out and I rush to the other side of the cell, taking Misa’s hand.“Hi dear, just rest.” I coo to my Mate, watching her eyes open. I knew that when she realized we were imprisoned in a cell, she would begin to have a panic attack and I was right. Misa begins to hyperventilate, he
Looking across the table at Misa, Hawk, and Andre, I take note that they look less haggard than they did yesterday. Earlier this morning, Rune, Quest, and I brought them to the Pack House to settle in before we got to work identifying the dead wolves from the attack and figuring out who escaped to report back to Valor and his allies. Once they knew which rooms would belong to this group of three, we led them to the boardroom where we could begin working.Thankfully these three wolves co-operated with us up to this point, listening to our warnings and following our every steps. Once we steeped into the boardroom, Misa seemed curious about it albeit a little fearful of everyone here and clung to her Mate Hawk while we all settled in and enjoyed the breakfast laid out on the table between all of us.“So let me get this straight.” Rune growls out in frustration causing Misa to flinch. He sends her an apologetic smile before leaning back in his seat and running his fingers through his hair
Sitting at the vanity in my room that Brynlee had placed here, I watch as she slips on the pure white dress that Asteria and she had bought in town. It has been seven days since we took back Pine Moon from Valor and Tanya. Seven days of executing traitors that sided with those vial wolves. Seven days of restructuring the Pack and working with Caspian, Odette, and Quest to learn everyone’s strengths, weaknesses, and what ranks would suit them the most. We were surprised by how many Omegas should have been Hunters or Warriors and in the end, we took down everyone’s names so that we could promote them during the initiation ceremony.“Can you help zip this dress up?” Brynlee calls out, her blue eyes meeting mine in the mirror. I smile, standing from the seat and taking the three steps needed to stand behind her. I carefully zip up her dress, feeling Brynlee shiver as my knuckles graze her skin. With a chuckle, I bend down to press a kiss onto my mark that graces her neck, getting a surpr
Sitting across from Alastor, I watch him take a sip from the coffee mug Sarah handed to him. Breakfast had just ended and as we waited for Asteria and Gale to join us with this meeting, Rune and I decided to bring Alastor into his office while asking Sarah – one of the few wolves we can trust – to bring refreshments for us.“Sorry we are late.” The door opens and Gale walks in followed by a tired looking Asteria. I know they are packing, preparing to leave and head back to Crescent Phoenix tomorrow morning, and I feel guilty for asking them to be here.“No need to apologize, Luan Gale.” Alastor states, waving his hand with a smile.“I see you also brought in a friend.” Stiffening in my seat, I sniff the air and confirm an unknown wolf’s scent. Blackberries and pine reach my nose and I wonder who it is that Asteria decided to allow onto Pine Moon without telling me.“Hey Alastor, long time no see.” A dark-haired, green-eyed man walks through the door, his large frame taking up more spa
Taking a deep breath, I ready myself to see the remains of my childhood home with Rune by my side. Three days have passed since we killed Valor and Tanya. Three days of getting to know our new Packmates and organizing the mess of a Pack that Valor and Tanya left behind. Everything from training schedules to patrolling to even food preparation had been left in the hands of Wade Kane and his Mate Nora Kane while Valor focused on trying to kill Rune, Asteria, and me. Because of this, the Pack was left in dire straights and these last two days have been nothing but torture for Rune and me. Thankfully we had the help of Gale and Asteria and I had the experience I gained from helping Golden Fang become Crescent Phoenix.Yesterday during a small break that Rune and I took to relax and catch our breaths since we had done nothing but work on the Pack, Caspian, Asteria, and Gale took Rune and me aside, a solemn look on their faces. They had asked if there was a quiet place for us to talk not wa
Sitting at the head table with Brynlee on my right and Caspian on my left, my heart feels at ease. Everyone who came to help us take back Pine Moon is mingling with the innocent members Brynlee and I will lead and the room is filled with smiles and laughter. Aunt Asteria and Uncle Gale were welcomed back warmly, the two being surrounded by wolves that had missed them dearly. Tristan was happily making his rounds around the Dining Hall, making sure his wolves were being kind while we all ate breakfast.But the best part of this morning was watching all the pups Brynlee used to train run up to her, wrapping my Mate in a group hug as she cried her heart out telling the pups how much she missed them. I know she is meant to be an Alpha leading as an equal beside me, but I also can see her taking on more traditional Luna roles if the pups continue rushing to her the way they did an hour ago.“Penny for your thoughts?” I hear my Aunt ask, noticing that Brynlee has left the table to grab anot
Standing in front of over one hundred wolves ranging from a newborn pup to the elderly using canes, I wonder just what their opinion are about Rune and me standing here. At the base of the steps to Pine Moon’s Pack House, Asteria, Gale, Caspian, Odette, Ashton, and Quest guard the stairs and prevent anyone from stepping close.“We should say something.” Rune mutters, taking my shaking hand in his. I can feel him shaking and sense the nervousness he has through our Mate Bond while facing everyone who remains in Pine Moon. Even after capturing Valor’s men, there is still one hundred and fifteen wolves in this Pack who now look to us as their leaders.“Do you want to start?” I ask, turning to look up at Rune. He sighs, running his free hand through his messy hair before nodding his head slightly. Giving my hand a squeeze, he releases it and steps down two steps, the crowd watching him with weary gazes.“Hello, everyone.” His calls out loudly, his deep voice projecting over the crowd.“I
Standing in the familiar foyer of the Pine Moon Pack House, I watch as Omegas run around preparing a simple breakfast for all the wolves here. Everyone knows Valor is dead now, they all felt it when he took his last breath.Tristan, Ashton, Rune, and I had stood where we were, the alarms blaring while we took in the fact Valor and Tanya were truly gone. That no one else in Pine Moon would be left feeling scared and hopeless. Tristan had helped Rune off of Valor’s body while Ashton came to stand beside me, my friend making sure that I was not left unprotected. We were left alone to our thoughts. That is until Riley came rushing to us claiming that wolves from Pine Moon had woken to the chaos of losing their Alpha and Luna.Rune waved off Riley, my Mate looking numb to everything around him. In the end, I was the one to order Riley to shut off the alarm and handed him a USB that contained a pre-recorded message Rune and I made before leaving Crescent Phoenix. With a task at hand, Riley
Stepping through the threshold of my childhood home, I smell the family scent of bourbon and cigar smoke floating in the air. It seems father’s nightly routine hasn’t stopped.“Nora!” My father shouts, his belligerent voice coming from the living room.“Are you back from patrol?” I pause my footsteps, looking at Asteria who furrows her brows. Her eyes glaze over for a moment, most likely trying to see if anyone ran into my mother. When her gaze returns to normal, she mouths the words ‘captured earlier’ to me and I sigh in relief. It seems my mother is taking a nice drug-induced nap with the other wolves that supported Valor.“Nora! Answer me you stupid whore!” Asteria and Gale wince, their concerned gaze turning to me. I shake my head, already used to the abuse my father hurled behind closed doors. No one really knew the truth about how my parents acted. They knew the masks of kind loving people they portrayed to the Pack but when it was just the three of us in these four walls, they
Lowering the now unconscious wolf in my grasp to the forest floor, I take a deep breath of the fresh air and try to calm my jittery nerves. It’s been forty minutes since the operation started. Forty minutes since Brynlee and Rune left for the Pack House to kill my little brother. In that hour, our wolves have found many of Valor’s supporters that we have drugged and tied up. As soon as we know Valor is gone, we will gather these wolves and execute them at dawn and cleanse Pine Moon once and for all.“Delilah found many Rogues in the dungeons and Odette is on her way to help them.” Avery calls out, making me jump. Tristan had sent his Beta with us to help in our part of the plan while he and Ashton went off to help Brynlee and Rune.“When did this happen?” I ask, worried that this may be a trap.“About five minutes ago.” She answers, looking up at the night sky. I can feel her worry for her Mate as Jamal went with Delilah to protect his cousin and Luna.“They will be fine.” I reassure
Keeping my gaze neutral as I try to fight back the laughter threatening to spill with Rune’s greeting to Valor, I watch as the Omega wiggles free of Valor’s grasp and runs down the hall towards another room. It seems like this Omega is smart to run and hide away from us as we came here for one reason and one reason only.“R-Rune.” Valor stutters out as Rune takes a step towards him.“What are you doing here in Pine Moon after turning your back on it?!” He demands, his words becoming confident. It seems Valor still has some bravado left after how cowardly he’s been acting.“Like Rune said a moment ago.” I decide to answer, leaning against the staircase railing.“Rune and I are back for our Pack as rightful Alphas.” My words hit their mark and Valor clenches his jaw in annoyance. I can’t help the smirk that grows as Valor chooses to ignore me to focus on Rune. He sees my Mate as the biggest threat out of the two of us and that’s fine. Having an opponent underestimate me makes the beatin