CALIFF The car slowed down and stopped. We just arrived at Midnight Storm Pack. Alpha Grady welcomed us in his fancy tux. Lyon and Zack were behind us while Shadow had her hands around me and my brother’s arm. “Alpha Califf, so good to see you.” Grady shook my hand and then Shadow. “Luna, you look fantastic tonight.” “This is my brother, Calder. Calder, meet Alpha Grady.” “He’s half-human and a rogue?” Alpha Grady’s voice turned stern. Fuck. I didn’t notice it until Grady mentioned it. Calder was telling the truth that he stopped taking Wolfsbane essence, and I was too focused on my mate and her scent flooding my senses. I caught a scent of Calder earlier, but he put on too much cologne, which would have created confusion if I hadn’t introduced him right away. But it would only mean one thing. He had a wolf. “He’s joining our pack.” Shadow cut in. “This is his first pack appearance.” Lyon sprayed more cologne on Calder, but it wouldn’t last. “Now he’s human.” “My apology. He
SHADOW “Fuck.” His jaw locked. One word, he went back to kissing me savagely, not allowing me to breathe. His length hardened and thickened, and he plunged in, his hips pistoned, grinding into me, proving he could make me come once more. I had already orgasmed twice, and he wasn’t close to done. Of course, he was right— he knew me too well— he knew the extent of what my body could take. I was squirming underneath him as the intensity of my climax was on the knife edge of release, blinding me, taking me from far outside this earth. When his cock kicked in, I broke the kiss, crying out a curse, panting, gasping for air as my orgasm exploded. “Baby, fuck.” He groaned louder as he jerked off his release inside me and then shuddered, dropping his body on top of me, still thrusting until he released his last drop of semen. Yeah. Just one kiss, I gave in. I missed this stupid annoying dick alpha so much— maybe because I loved him and couldn’t keep being mad at him for long. When Calder
CALIFF Shadow and I rushed downstairs. I spotted Everlee in the middle of the receiving area. She was shaking, pacing, and looking like she had been crying. “Califf, Shadow, you have to help me.” She ran towards us. Her eyes were red, and her hands were shaking. “Please, I’m begging you.” “Calm down, tell us what happened.” Shadow helped her to the couch and turned to Zack. “Please, bring her some water to drink.” “Right away.” I sat across them, but my heart was already in my throat. I had a strong feeling it had something to do with my brother. “You drove all the way here alone, in your condition?” “Yeah.” Everlee let out a sob. I was glad Shadow had completely forgiven her. Right now, I only saw a woman helping a friend in need. Zack came back with a bottled water. Shadow opened it before she gave it to Everlee. “Drink this, then tell us what’s going on?” She didn’t hesitate. She drank the water and breathed. Then she met my gaze. “Calder is my mate.” I put on a small smi
SHADOW “Califf!” My eyes bulged out. My heart hammered against my ribcage as a primal, sharp scream tore out from my throat that I could barely recognize was my own. Lyon and Everlee began shooting the poor skinny black wolf with red bald patches, scally, and it smelled horrible. Watching Califf’s midnight black wolf being attacked before me scared the living shit out of me. My muscles tensed. A flush of adrenaline tingled through my body. One moment, I was standing on my two feet. The next thing I knew, my nose was flaring, and I was growling. My claws came out, and my fangs erupted from my gums. I was in my hybrid from stretching my clothes to nearly torn out of my body. The thought of Califf being bitten had my skin molten. Despite the shots of tranquilizer the black wolf received, he was still pinning Califf about to take a bite. “No!” I grunted a guttural roar as I grabbed the sick wolf and threw it away. A loud thud followed behind me. “Alpha, are you okay?” “Shoot that
SHADOW “What is it, Dr. Sallie?” Califf was the first one to ask. “I’d never seen anything like this before.” Dr. Sallie got up from her chair, working on the microscope. “What do you mean?” I was still confused, but judging by the look on her face, there was more bad news to come. “See it for yourself.” I went first and looked through the lens. “What am I seeing here?” “I saw a different blood cell in Calder’s blood.” “Well, he’s half-human,” Califf replied, “but that’s not what you meant, is it?” “Yes. I also found another substance in his blood.” “I passed my biology subject, but there are lighter and darker blood cells in here,” I told them, even if I didn’t fully understand what was happening. I stood up and motioned to Califf, but he waved his hand. “What else in there, Dr. Sallie? Make us understand in a very simple explanation.” “Okay.” Dr. Sallie breathed before she spoke again. “Since we have another chain and genes in our DNA that carries another genetic factor t
CALIFF Zarah appeared from the door. My hope rose up. I’d seen the impossible happen since I met my mate. Maybe, just maybe, Zarah could do something to help my brother. “Will you help us?” Shadow asked Zarah, more like begging her. “Is this why you missed your training?” Zarah turned to Shadow, ignoring Sebastien beside her. “Yeah. And I hadn’t slept since yesterday. I don’t think I can focus on our training when I know I have a job to do at the pack. I’m sorry, but I will be there tomorrow.” “Focus on your problem right now. What happened to him?” She finally faced my brother, lying on the bed with Everlee beside him. “Everlee Ross. Let me guess, he’s your mate.” “Yes. Can you help Calder?” “Of course she can,” Sebastien said confidently. “And you, Lycan, what are you doing here?” Zarah turned her head to him. Her tone was laced with disgust. “It’s surprising how you came running here helping a rogue.” “I know you’re upset. That’s why you are not taking my call.” Okay. So
CALIFF “She put a spell so Calder couldn’t escape and hurt us if he shifted.” “Now, come out, beast!” Zarah exclaimed. My brother stood up, his eyes transfixed at Zarah. One moment, he walked in our direction, and we stepped back. The next thing happened. He shifted to his wolf and lunged at us. He was thrown around by a strong force of the spell cast by Zarah. They yelped in shock, and I just stood there watching my brother in pain. He was literally in pain. His wolf was weak but fighting, exposing his fangs and drooling. He went on full feral, his blood-red eyes narrowing. This wolf was not the same Calder in his human side. This wolf before was somewhat pure evil and soulless. “Califf.” I felt Shadow’s arm wrapping around me. “Oh, boy.” It came from Zarah. “Guys, get out now!” We dashed outside the solitary room, including Everlee, and locked it from the outside. We came to the two-way mirror to watch him. He gouged through the wall, the bed, and the floor when the invisib
SHADOW You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! “What do you mean we should inject the blood while he’s in wolf form?” Califf burst out in surprise. “That’s exactly what I said, Califf. That’s the only way to treat a sick wolf, and the result would be immediate.” “And it’s also dangerous, father.” I managed to make my mouth work from the shock. “I didn’t say it’s a walk in the park, my dear.” He checked his watch for the umpteenth time. “You should hurry. Tonight is a full moon.” “Shit.” “I’ll do it.” I turned to Everlee. “No way. He will knock you down.” “But, he will recognize me. I can talk to him. I’m his mate, Shadow.” “I hate to break it to you, Everlee, but he doesn’t know anyone anymore,” Zarah said. She dropped her gaze as if Zarah just guessed it right. “I can’t feel him when he’s in wolf form.” “Then we have to hurry.” I turned to Califf. “What’s in your head?” “We will knock him down again, but we have at least five seconds before he returns to himself.” “Yeah.
CALIFF One year later “Are you okay in there?” I knocked on the bathroom door when my hearing couldn’t grasp Shadow. “Just a minute.” “Since when did we lock doors, baby?” A growl of frustration escaped her throat as the toilet flushed. “I said just a minute.” When the door unlocked, she was wearing a deep frown on her face. “I’m sorry, but I promised you a romantic getaway, and Zarah would be pissed if we wouldn’t be late when the portal appears.” A sigh rolled over her lips as she fixed her summer dress. “You’re fussing over your outfit? You can wear a shirt and shorts, baby. Look at me.” I gestured at my jeans and shirt, but I had a feeling she was upset over something. My life couldn’t be any more perfect. Our pack had been peaceful, and I had almost two hundred werewolves in my protection. My allies were everywhere. My relationships with lycan and witches were strong. Kain’s pack of werecats and I became friends. Shadow and I worked tirelessly to keep the peace and
SHADOW After eight months, Califf and I just moved into our new house. We finally got our own home and privacy, but of course, these guys were my family, and our home was always open for them. I watched Kindra and Duke’s twins rolling over the grass from the patio. Sometimes, I felt a pang of jealousy in my chest that one thing was missing in our lives— kids. Now, the pack had been peaceful for more months. I’d been ready to have kids of our own, but every time we planned, it got interrupted. “You will have your own. Just work hard on it.” I rolled my eyes at Raven. “Shut up, will you?” “A little prince and princess playing with their kids would be nice.” “I can’t hear you.” “Oh, our mate just arrived.” She was right. Califf just pulled off the driveway. August opened the door for him. “Take the car. I don’t need it, and I will use the SUV if I want to go out.” “Are you sure?” August asked. He gained some muscles and color on his cheeks. If I noticed it right, he became more
CALIFF Surprised, we stopped in the middle when Everlee yelped as Calder carried her and spun her around. “I think she just said yes.” I smiled as I looked at them. “I thought she said it already. She’s been wearing the ring for a week now.” “No, baby. She wore it but hasn’t said yes.” “Finally. I can’t wait to attend another wedding.” “Guys.” Kain caught our attention. “Hey. You’re leaving?” Shadow asked as she noticed Kain looked ready to sneak out. “Yeah. I have to catch my flight in the morning. Your father found a pack of werecats in Hawaii, but I’ll visit soon.” “What about your other job?” I was referring to his Obsidian duties. “I took a vacation.” “Well, don’t be a stranger. And take care, Kain.” *** We barely made it inside the bedroom. Considering she wore a lot of things like a corset and stockings, it took us minutes to get rid of her clothes before she was bare-naked before me. “Spread your legs apart,” I said, throwing the last sock on the floor. My ja
CALIFF “God, this is ridiculous. Is this really necessary? I’d rather wear an oversized suit than this.” It wouldn’t be Shadow without complaining of her beautiful floor-length white gown and silver-white hair in a halo braid. “Leave us,” I ordered the staff of five women, making her beautiful. She didn’t need them. Shadow was already gorgeous. “Yes. Your father said it is.” “I missed my hair.” She touched her locks, still complaining, turning silver-white when she became Lycan and hybrid again. Getting her wolf back was one of the highlights of the night, but even Zarah couldn’t explain the changes in Shadow’s hair color. “I like this more. You look like a goddess.” “You’re just saying that because you love me.” I groaned. “I love you, baby, but I swear you’re beautiful in this color. It pops out the color of your eyes. I’m pretty sure Raven would agree.” “I look like Elsa, Califf.” That one made me chuckle. “So you’re on team Anna?” “Shut up. You’re not funny.” “I like
SHADOW “Hey. Are you okay?” Califf wrapped the robe around me as I had just come back from the run. Duke and Kindra rushed to us. They were still wearing the shocked look on their faces. “What just happened?” She looked at me from head to toe. Then she touched my hair. “You get your hair colored while going for a run?” What do you mean?” I touched and checked my hair. I had the same reaction as her. “What’s going on with me?” I looked at Califf, then to Duke and Kindra. “I will call Zarah,” Califf said. “Let’s go to the pack house and get you cleaned up. “Guys.” I felt so bad for them. “I’m so sorry I ruined your party.” “Are you kidding me?” Duke was even happy and relieved. “If I’d known that the party is one way to get your wolf back, I should have thrown a party months ago.” “Yeah. The party is almost over anyway, and it was a blast.” Kindra hugged me. “I’m glad you’re fine. Go and get changed. I’ll see you soon.” “Thanks.” Califf and I left for the pack house. He hadn’t
SHADOW “Fuck.” He grunted out a curse as he held my hips steady, thrusting his rigid cock deep inside me. I mewled as I felt helpless above him, watching him devouring in his own desire. The familiar pleasure rippled through my core in fast urges. My inner muscles clamped around him, making him groan loudly. I rode his cock, preparing to come undone around him. My senses soared, overwhelmed by how much he made me feel so good. “Califf, don’t stop!” I threw my head back. My eyes popped open, staring at the ceiling as the intensity of my pleasure became too much. “Fucking good,” he said through gritted teeth as he sped up his plunge. Each thrust sent me to my own euphoria. One moment I was writhing in pleasure as his hands cupped my breasts, pinching my nipples, his hand traveling down my abdomen, his finger massaging my clit as he pumped faster and harder. My body shuddered in sweet surrender. “Look at me as you come.” His command was my undoing as he continued pounding. “Yes!
CALIFF “Hey. Where have you been?” I held her hand as she leaned down to kiss me. Most of our enforcers came to join me for breakfast, which was a fantastic morning. “I was with Zarah and Kain.” She took a seat to my left and rubbed Kindra’s growing baby bump. “How’re the babies?” “Healthy, and they make me eat a lot.” Kindra’s reply made me smile. “I can’t wait for this Saturday. I will help prepare the picnic.” “You don’t have to do that.” Kindra smiled shyly. “You have the whole pack you help you, Kindra, and I don’t take no for an answer.” “Thank you. And I invited Calder and Everlee.” “The more, the merrier.” Shadow squeezed her hand. “Don’t stress it out. Show us what you like, and we will make it possible.” After breakfast, Shadow went up while I checked the progress of the house. When I got back into our room, she was staring at the dirt on the sheet, which I didn’t even notice was there. “I sleepwalked, and I don’t remember how it happened.” “Are you sure?” I came
SHADOW I woke up from a vague dream of walking to the cliff. That was the only thing I remembered. I got up from bed only to see my feet were dirty with mud. I also saw traces of dirt on the sheets. My heart pounded. Did I sleepwalk? It was only four in the morning. I cleaned my feet and texted Zarah. She would hate me to disturb her sleep at this time, but it was a kind of emergency. While changing into jeans and a shirt, I checked Califf, but he was still sleeping. I got out of our room, and the portal was already there. “What the hell is wrong with all of you?” I was met by the mad bull Zarah. “All?” “Yeah.” She walked away from me. “Your father just left for a business meeting.” “You don’t even wanna know what’s the emergency.” I followed her to the kitchen. “I take it you would tell me,” she said as she filled the kettle with water. Then she put it over the fire. “I think I’m sick.” I opened her drawers to check if she had a silver cutlery. I wanted to test the theory I
CALIFF “The boy is telling the truth.” Zack leaned against the opened window of the car. “I just dropped the medical supplies to their apartment. Two small bedrooms, not a good neighborhood.” “Is he here?” Zack tipped his head. “Yes. He’s working eight hours. Later, a dish-pig at the diner.” “Thank you.” “I’m thirsty.” Shadow had already got out of the car. “His mother was surprised, and she said thank you.” He pulled the door open for me. “She raised a good son and would do anything for his mother, even risking his life.” I got out and buttoned my suit. “What’s your plan with the boy?” He kept saying boy when August was an adult. “He’s twenty, Zack.” I entered the convenience store. “Well—” “Fill the tank, will you? And don’t worry, he’s human, and you’re a werewolf.” Zack just stared at me. I knew he had a special place in Shadow’s heart, and he might just scared of the undivided attention we were giving him. I looked around, and I didn’t find August. “He’s over there.