Stretching out under the willow tree with the wind flowing through my fur, I enjoy watching my Pack Mates coming and going from the Pack House while I wait for Rune. My work had only taken me about an hour and a half to complete and I decided to wait outside for my Mate after having lunch.“I thought you would wait for me in your office.” Lifting my head off my paws, I look to find Rune coming under the willow tree, looking at me in amusement. My tail slumps slowly on the grassy ground and I let out a yawn.[I ended up being done early and decided to enjoy the nice weather in my fur form.] I answer through the link, getting an eye roll from Rune.“I see. Let me go shift and I will be right back.” He sighs out, running a hand through his black hair. I nod, resting my head on my paws and closing my eyes. I have been tired lately, the tiredness being a mix of running around preparing to welcome new wolves with Asteria as well as worrying about my pregnancy, and relaxing under the leaves
Watching Brynlee in the corner of the training room talking with Odette as the two she-wolves work out, I find myself smiling and thinking about how this is how life should be. I spent years under my father’s grasp scared for the destruction of my Pack if I went against his wishes and nearly lost the best damn thing ever placed into my life because of this.“Need a sparing partner?” Jumping, I whirl around intending to punch the person that snuck up on me only to stop my fist from colliding with Quincy’s nose. The Head Warrior smiles at me sheepishly, neither flinching nor retaliating from my sudden attack.“Sorry, Quincy. I didn’t hit you, did I?” I mutter out awkwardly, lowering my fist as Milan slinks around me, amusement in her eyes while she walks towards my Mate and her friend.“It’s fine man. Besides, I think I deserve the beating with how I have treated you these last few weeks.” Quincy replies, shrugging as he leans against the wall beside us. We stand there awkwardly for a m
Watching the wolves line up in front of the Council Headquarters, I try my best to plug my nose. Everyone here is a Rogue waiting to board and take a seat on the buses the Council provided for us. We will all be leaving to join either Shadow Rose or Crescent Phoenix within the hour and part of me is excited for this change.I had been turned Rogue involuntarily three weeks ago from Pine Moon. Alpha Valor had needed someone who could infiltrate Crescent Phoenix when news of his son being part of this pack reached him. At first, I had thought of refusing this job, but the prospect of leaving Pine Moon for a bit and possibly finding my Mate won and I agreed to become a spy for my Alpha.I was forced to make a blood pact as soon as I turned Rogue so that Alpha Valor could continue to control me while I went to infiltrate Crescent Phoenix and report to Alpha Valor who the Alpha and Beta are as well as confirm if his son Rune is there. Once I have done that, the blood pact would dissolve an
Sitting in my office, I watch from the side as our Council Representative – Alastor Levines – speaks with Milan Berhardt. Quincy is there, holding her hand as he silently supports her while Milan tells her side of events when Valor attacked Willow Bark. Her voice cracks with emotions and she has to take a moment to compose herself as Alastor passes a box of tissues to the she-wolf. This has been a trend with many of the wolves sine the interviews started two days ago.Four days ago, Alastor came with a few other council members, the group bringing along thirty new wolves who would be joining Crescent Phoenix next week. As usual, we had welcomed everyone to the Pack with a bonfire, the Crescent Phoenix wolves excited to welcome in these new members as it means we are growing stronger. We partied the night away and showed the guests to their rooms, deciding to put the six Council Wolves in the Pack House and the soon-to-be new members in the guest house where Milan and Quincy could keep
Watching the Hummer with the Council Logo drive off, I let out a sigh of relief. The interviews with all of the wolves who had experienced Valor’s and Jonnah’s destructive behavior had gone well albeit a few breakdowns and tears that caused us to pause the interviews for everyone to take a few deep breaths and compose themselves. Many wolves originally from Pine Moon and Willow Bark stepped forward, giving Alastor new insight into what life was like in both Packs and how they were terrified to even breathe the wrong way because of Viren.I was surprised to see three of Crescent Phoenix wolves come forward near the end, these wolves explaining that they had met both Valor and Jonnah on separate occasions and told their own experiences. With all that was gathered over the last six days, it is guaranteed that Jonnah, Valor, and Tanya will be facing their upcoming execution as soon as possible.“When will we get the news that they are dead?” Quincy asks as he stands beside me, his anger a
Following Jett and Uncle Gale outside the Pack House – albeit against my will – I try my best to hold back the excitement inside me. Brynlee had called me her Mate and this means she is starting to trust me more and more each day. That the pain of the rejection is slowly fading from her heart and that means I am slowly winning her love once again. Being trained as a Beta is just a bonus to me as being with Brynlee has been my goal since I decided to leave Pine Moon.“So what are we doing first?” I ask as Gale leads Jett and me away from the Pack House and down a familiar path.“We are going to check in with our soon-to-be Pack Mates. Some have found their Mates within the Crescent Phoenix and we would like to see if they would like to move in with one another while we also plan where to put some of the single wolves.” Gale answers, looking back at me over his shoulder. My footsteps falter for a moment and I nearly trip over my own feet. This is something a Luna would do while -- figu
The guest house Dining Hall fills within five minutes of announcing our arrival and I am happy the guest house has air conditioning or else the room would have become stuffy with thirty-three wolves inside. Carolyn had only gathered the Rogues the Council brought as the Willow Bark wolves already had accommodations ready and waiting for them for after their initiation which will be taking place soon and Jett will be joining the Crescent Pheonix with the Willow Bark wolves and becoming the Pack’s Theta, the Third in command who will be working under Uncle Gale and me.I take a deep breath, trying to see if the familiar scent that has been bothering me since stepping into the guest house and smirk. It seems this wolf really is part of the group scent by the Council as their scent is stronger here. I know that they are in the room with us now but I cannot find them with so many scents from the other wolves mixing together that their scent blends in. It seems this mysterious wolf’s locati
Watching as Gale, Jett, and Rune leave the guest house, I wonder just how in the world did I get lucky enough to find all of the people Alpha Valor is hunting for in one Pack. As far as we knew, Rune and Brynlee had been spotted leaving Onix Moon, now named Shadow Rose, after Alpha Viren was killed by the now Alpha Titus. From there, our men informed us that Brynlee and Rune took refuge in Crescent Phoenix as it is closest Pack to Shadow Rose.Imagine my shock when I climbed off the bus to find Asteria, Gale, Jett, Brynlee, Rune, and Caspian standing in the crowd of wolves as they welcomed the Rogues sent by the Council and the Crescent Phoenix Council Representative Alastor and his men to the Pack while we were shown to the guest house to get settled in by a few Warriors and Omegas. It wasn’t till the welcome dinner that I was told that Asteria is the mysterious Alpha Rose and her Beta – Beta Lilac – is Brynlee herself. It seems that there is more to why these two ladies kept their i
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
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
Helping Brynlee pack the mesh bags into a wagon Greg – one of our Omegas – brought to help us bring our foraged plants to the Pack House, I smile as I hear many of the Crescent Phoenix wolves chatter with the Shadow Rose wolves. It sounds like everyone had fun learning about foraging today, some even became excited when they found a poisonous plant that we could use in the upcoming battle. Caspian was the one to pick these plants with careful and precise movements since Brynlee was pregnant and unable to touch them while Brynlee explained the use of this poison as it has a similar characteristic to wolfsbane, The only difference is that this poison, a plant with red veins and black-tipped leaves called wolfsblood, will cause the person’s blood to curdle in their system in high enough doses leaving the victim to die a quick and painful death.“Ready to head home?” Brynlee asks as I place the last bag into the wagon.“Actually, I was going to find Jett and talk to him about this mornin
Standing in front of the tree line with Warriors and Hunters from Crescent Phoenix mingling with Tristan’s men, I watch as the tense atmosphere from this morning that Quincy caused slowly disappears. Training had been canceled so that Asteria could deal with Quincy and rip him a new one and Quest was still with Ashton, keeping an eye on our friend and unable to help with training. He had linked me twenty minutes ago to inform me that Jasmine had broken the news to Ashton that Devlyn possibly might be in a coma but Ashton’s presence will help him come out of it faster as the Mate Bond will help heal Devlyn.I had given Quest permission to take three days off to help Ashton as well as have him report back to me if Ashton tries to leave Devlyn’s side to try and find Quincy to pay him back for what Quincy did to Devlyn. After Quest confirmed he would keep an eye on Ashton, I went out in search of Tristan to make good on my promise of teaching his wolves to forage in the forest as well as
Standing to my feet, the chair I sat on falling backward, I rush to the front door calling out to Rune but I am too late. He is already racing towards the Pack House while Caspian stands at the door. Anger radiates off my friend and for a moment I wonder what he said to cause Rune to rush off like that.“We need to get to the Pack House.” He states, turning to look in the direction Rune left.“Quincy beat Devlyn up pretty badly and Quest is keeping Ashton at bay. He wants to destroy Quincy for harming his Mate.” Caspian explains. I nod, grabbing my truck keys from the hook and rushing to my truck. I forgo the seat belt and drive off as soon as Caspian climbs into the vehicle before he can even close the door.The tires kick up gravel from my driveway in their wake while Caspian holds on for dear life, his eyes wide as I drive through the forest faster than usually allowed. Rune has shifted into his wolf form by now, his body just ahead of the truck as I catch up.Deciding to have Casp
Moving around the kitchen, a smile on my face, I watch the bedroom door to see when Brynlee will wake. Last night had been a blast seeing Tristan and Michael again but I had been worried when Brynlee had gone off with Ashton and Quest alone. I waited patiently beside my god-brother while counting down the minutes until Brynlee would return to my side.When she did come back out, she had a worried air about her but brushed it off when I asked. Of course, Quest stood beside her, his eyes scanning the crowd like a watchdog. I knew these two bonded as friends and felt happy to know he was keeping my Mate safe when I was not around, but the way he refused to budge and talk with other wolves worried me even more.“Rune, is that pancakes I smell?” Brynlee calls out as she exits the bedroom rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. She looks so tired yet adorable and I can’t help but move to her side and pull my Mate in for a hug.“Yes. I just finished making apple cinnamon pancakes.” I an
The door to my bedroom is slammed shut and a small snarl escapes my lips. I know it is a warning by the Warrior who led me here after leaving Valor’s office but I can’t help but think that I am nothing more than a prisoner as I know said Warrior is standing outside, guarding my door so that I don’t leave without my Mate knowing. Everyone knows that Valor is not taking any chances when it comes to the unborn pup inside me. I know that he plans to get me pregnant as soon as I can after giving birth to this pup and the thought revolts me but not as much as the plan he has to keep me on my back in bed pleasuring him to his heart’s content instead of allowing me to perform the duties of a Luna.I regret mating that misogynistic prick. Regret making a pass at him after turning nineteen in hopes of gaining some form of power inside this Goddess forsaken Pack. I knew back then Rune didn’t want me. Didn’t want to marry me. He is right that everything that has happened is my fault.I got my mot
Watching the messages fly in as I converse with the other Alphas around me, I grin and lean back in my chair. Devlyn may have been a cowardly traitor for leaving as soon as he completed the blood pacts but his information has come in handy at least.I had worried about my sister coming back to claim Pine Moon as her Pack when she left. Worried about the truth behind mine and Clairice’s mating coming to light when Jett abandoned Pine Moon the moment that bastard Rune did. Now, I no longer care as the threat they pose will soon be gone within seven weeks. Add on that the doctor confirmed last night that Tanya is indeed having a boy has made the relief I feel immeasurable. My bloodline is secured, and my descendants will continue to rule over Pine Moon for years to come.As soon as Tanya has this pup I will make sure to put another one in her womb. She will only know the bedroom and the birthing room. She will raise our pups while I take care of the Pack during the day and she will satis
Watching Rune chat happily with Tristan and Gale while Delilah reclines by the bonfire with Asteria, Odette, and Avery, I take a deep breath and sip on the apple juice in my hands. It is the calm before the storm that war brings. A peace that I wish would last and could bring my pup into.Dinner had been a fun fan fair, the Omegas that volunteered to be on duty were quick to keep the buffet filled while Crescent Phoenix wolves came and went to mingle with the Shadow Rose wolves. I spent that time getting to know Avery and Delilah, finding myself laughing so hard that I couldn’t even drink my apple juice without nearly spitting it onto the table. It was during this laughing fit that Avery introduced me to her Mate, Jamal, a Beta wolf who was kicked from his Pack in Jamaica for not wanting to give up his right as Beta to his pack for his Alpha’s brother-in-law.He thought that coming to Canada would bring better luck for him as his cousin Delilah was here. He thought coming to see his c