The hands of life and death
The man’s body stilled when she withdrew the knife and he stumbled to turn around, not quite registering what happened, but before he could lay eyes on her, Maximus’ figure pounced on him, pinning him under a heavy paw.
Thick black blood poured from his other shoulder, but even in wolf form, he seemed unaffected. Maximus was paralyzed as he watched Star peel off her hood and raise the sword he gifted her.
“This is for my family and for every werewolf you’ve laid your filthy hands on. Today you’ll die by the very sword you laid in my hands.” His eyes were wide, not with fear, but with realization. His death was inevitable.
Star gripped the sword abo
HealingSpotting Landon in the distance she quickly approached him, “What can I do?” she had to keep herself occupied, her fingers were already starting to tremble and the last thing she needed was to have a panic attack.“Do you have any medical experience?” He glanced over at the triage mats which were becoming fuller by the minute.“I did medical training at The Academy, but I’ve never worked on a werewolf before.” His lips curved upwards, but it fell before she could really call it a smile.“You’ll be fine, go help them out at triage, take the simpler cases and get people off those mats. Kits are over there.”
Life goes onStar watched on as pack members threw her father’s paperwork into boxes much as they had done to Stone’s earlier. Maximus was still passed out in the hospital, so naturally, Landon assumed his duty as the highest-ranking pack member and carried out the plan they agreed on.It was all she had left of her brothers and father apart from the house and whatever pictures she had of them over the years, but watching the werewolves tear through all the work he’d done over the years was bittersweet.Part of her hated that they had to destroy it, part of her was relieved, after all, it was the very thing that led to their deaths.She thought she might have felt better knowing Stone wa
All victories are meant to be celebratedStar sat on the padded chair beside Maximus’ hospital bed, much like she had every other day since her return to his territory, reading through paperwork regarding the transfer of her father’s house.Sheriff Jeremy was able to find a buyer much quicker than she’d expected, but she was grateful it would all be over soon. All the items she decided to keep were in storage for when she would leave for college and though it was only a few months away, she was thinking of moving closer to New Hampshire sooner than that. If only Maximus would wake up soon.A slight movement caught her eye over the papers in her hands and her head shot up to find Maximus staring straight at her. She wasn’t ready for the happiness
The best things happen unexpectedly“Where are we going?” She asked when he led her away from the party and into the packhouse.“You’ll see.” He winked and pulled her along, leading her up a dark stairway beside his office.“Wow.” Star breathed when the door opened to reveal a beautiful rooftop garden. “Why didn’t I see this the other night we were up here?”“The shutters were closed.” She nodded and walked to the center which held a fountain covered in creepers.“It’s gorgeous.” She dipped her hand into the cool
As I close my eyes to old ends and open my heart to new beginnings“I’ll stay,” Max’s body froze a step away from her door. “At least until the semester starts in the fall.” She decided, not giving herself time to take back the decision.“Are you sure?” She nodded, she was in the moment, she only hoped she didn’t grow to regret it.“But I have a few conditions.” Max considered her words before nodding for her to continue, “I will take up duties in the pack like any other member.”“Of course.” He gave a curt nod.“We will see where this goes, but if it doesn&
Something greater“Where have you been staying?” Sheriff Jeremy inquired when Star handed him the final paperwork for the transfer.“With a friend.” She answered vaguely, knowing he only asked out of concern.“Are you leaving soon?” She considered lying but figured she’d be better off not.“Not immediately, I’m still deciding on things.” he thought for a while, then nodded in acceptance.“This town will never be the same without the Cullens.” He smiled sadly, her father was after all hi
Learn. Grow. Prosper“Ethan is a real cutie,” Star commented when they dropped him off with his mother for his afternoon nap.“He’s a good pup, he’ll make a hell of a Theta one day.” He said proudly and Star sent him a curious look, “He’s Greg’s son and Matilda is his mate.” Star’s mouth formed an ‘O”.“I thought he looked familiar, I just couldn’t place it.” Max chuckled.“Greg and Matilda grew up together so when they were old enough to feel the mate connection they started dating.”“That explain
“There are no accidental meetings between souls.”“Max, stop it!” Star giggled, shoving Max’s wandering hands away, only to feel them on her face moments later.“You’ve been at this for hours, I promise the pack won’t starve if you take a teeny little break.” Sometimes she felt like she was being duped, there was no way the whiny adult male beside her was an Alpha of a pack of more than three hundred werewolves.“I have to finish this today, I’m flying out early tomorrow morning.” She huffed and turned to face him with her most annoyed look.“I know.” His jaw was clenched and his gaze moved around the room, avoiding her eyes. St
The plane ride back to Manchester gave Kiah enough time to think about her plans. The time spent at the Lockwood pack served as a much-needed time out from both avoiding Will and trying to cope with her loss. There was nothing she could do to turn back time and living in the past only seemed to be hurting both of them more than necessary and while her decision would have been different in his position, she too would have been haunted by it the same way he was. Climbing off the car, Kiah sucked in a deep breath before walking through the grand doors of the castle. In the throne room, Will was directing the troop commanders when the doors burst open, revealing their elusive Queen. For a moment everyone just stared until the clearing of Will’s throat threw them into action and one by one they bowed to their Queen, silently rejoicing her return. “You may rise.” Kiah smiled politely and the men rose, some giving her smiles and words of welcome as she approached the throne to take a sea
Will watched from across the room as Kiah struggled with the zipper on her dress and after a moment of not realizing he was there he strode towards her, grasping the zip and sliding it down with ease. The feeling of his fingertips grazing her skin was like being electrocuted and without thinking Kiah leaped away from him, not missing the hurt look on his face. For a second she wanted to apologize, but like every time her eyes laid on him, she remembered what he’d done and her face turned cold. “Don’t touch me.” Will remained frozen, inwardly berating himself for hurting her yet again when she slammed the door to the bathroom in his face. His parents were out for the day busy with preparations for the Alpha ceremony, insisting they took the day to relax before all the rush began. With the door to their room shut, Kiah exited the bathroom to find Will with his head in his hands. She knew he was beating himself up for his earlier actions, but she squashed the instinct to soothe hi
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, we have no other choice.” “I choose her. Save my wife Kennedy.” *** The memory of the day Will’s world turned upside down would forever remain vivid in his mind as yet another night he woke to find the bed cold and empty beside him. She didn’t understand, she couldn’t fathom the decision he’d come to when faced with the impossible choice, in her mind, she was certain she would be his last choice, but when she’d woke from her slumber and found out the truth she realized there was, after all, a way the man she called her husband could break her heart even when she knew he didn’t love her. “Good morning, your Majesty.” servants of the castle greeted as he passed them on his way to his office and as he did every morning, Will nodded his head at them. “Morning Azaiah, Serenity; any news for me this morning?” Azaiah had taken the role of his royal advisor as had been decided by the Goddess and when Serenity and Azaiah mated, she moved into the palace, ea
Will’s glowing hazel eyes studied the crowd of Alphas before him, now congregated in their human forms on a floor littered with scraps of their shredded clothing staring up at their King. King William Lockwood. To the left of him stood his company of chosen advisors and to his right, with her hand clutched in his, stood his queen; Kiah Das. WIll barely had the time to comprehend the feelings rushing through him, the power, the responsibility, the primal protectiveness he felt over every person in the room. He knew if he closed his eyes and concentrated he would hear each one of their hearts beating and with that thought he knew he would tear the world apart to keep it that way. Elder Frederick cleared his throat, bringing every eye in the room to him, “Do you William Lockwood, Son of Alpha Maximus Lockwood and Huntress Luna Star Cullen Lockwood solemnly swear to wear the sacred Lycan Crown with honor, respect, and integrity?” “I do,” Will answered boldly. “Do you, William Loc
Elders from far and wide returned to the ancient Palace of the Lycan kind, summoned by the blood running in their veins loyalty of their forefathers to the crown. “The Institution is ready.” The throne room guard announced, opening the doors for Alphas to enter from the main hall. “Good evening honorable Alphas of the Council. Today, after centuries, the Royal Institution has reunited in the name of the Lycan Crown.” Elder Frederick, who was elected as Chairman announced. “We live in a future determined long ago, in a fated world where success is achieved only when the Royal rule prevails. As per the plan of succession left behind by the former King, the Alpha Council must perform a uniting ritual in which they each pledge their allegiance to the Crown and when all is said and done, a sacred scroll will be read aloud, it is only then that the holder of the crown will be revealed.” Max sucked in a deep breath, the course of action they chose was not one which may have traditiona
Will’s face had become a familiar one at Alpha council meetings, having gone from never even being a guest at them to attending them regularly was seemingly paradoxical, but none of the Alphas seemed to notice, or if they did, none had the guts to point it out- certainly not after the second round of attacks occurred based on Will’s prediction. “Commander Lockwood, is there a reason you have insisted on summoning us to the palace for this meeting, as you yourself are aware, the recent attacks on our packs have left them vulnerable, and having alphas away from their packs leaves them more vulnerable to attack.” The Chairman himself was displeased at Will’s actions and he smirked inwardly at how easy it was to upset these men despite only requesting the meeting be held at the palace and not insisting. “I have a few findings I thought it best you heard in person and a picture of what the future holds.” Will stood up and clicked the power button on the wall-to-wall screen in the boardro
Just as Will predicted, the second round of attacks came only five days after the first, but unlike the first time, he was ready. With troops stationed outside five different packs, he set the trap, waiting patiently for the attack, and at midnight when packs had settled for the night, the invasion began. Three packs, uncoincidentally all with Alphas who bashed Will’s suggestion in the meeting were targeted but this time Will’s orders were different. Troops were commanded to capture and not kill on site, unbeknownst to anyone other than himself and troop leaders and by the time the news of the failed attack reached the ears of the Alpha Council, Will’s prisoners were already in custody. “They’re ready for you commander.” Will nodded, shutting the file when the prison guard came in. “Thank you, Grant.” The interrogation room looked more like a dungeon out of a medieval movie than anything else, but it seemed to unnerve the woman sitting in the chair so Will counted it as a win.
As the distance between Will and the Lockwood pack grew, so did Kiah’s anxiety. The Lockwood pack welcomed her openly and she easily felt like she belonged despite not being a shifter which came as a surprise to her, but still, she found herself missing something. “I love you and I’m tired of pretending I don’t, I’m tired of waiting on a promise spoken of by others.” Kiah halted in her step and her eyes widened, certain she was intruding on a private moment but found herself eager to hear the response to the man’s words. “Zai…” The girl sobbed, sounding happy, yet mournful at the same time, “We can’t do this-” Her words were cut off by a startled gasp and Kiah curiously peeked around the bushes only to see Azaiah and Serenity’s lips locked in a passionate kiss. The reminiscent smile that formed on her lips only increased the ache in her heart and Kiah turned away, deciding she would come back to the little sanctuary later. “You’d be proud, Will.” She whispered to herself, chuck
With five votes still left unread the chairman looked up at the council, “By a majority vote of confidence, the Alpha council resolves to assemble a united army under the leadership of William Lockwood as Commander-in-Chief.” he announced, sounding pleased with the outcome. Will paced by Kiah’s bedside recalling the events of earlier today with eyebrows furrowed, he thought about the decision taken by the Alphas to enlist volunteers before actioning the registry and how he would go about creating an army to fight such a widespread army, he worried their mobilization would cause hunters to go into hiding amongst human communities rendering it impossible to find them. “Will?” Kiah’s soft voice broke him from his reverie and his body stilled upon seeing her almost black irises. “Hey, you okay?” She blinked, looking around the lavish room with confusion. “I’m fine, how long was I out?” she appeared disorientated when she finally focussed back on him, a sight Will wasn’t used to see