[Diego’s POV]My eyes grow wide as Rosalie’s question hits me like a ton of bricks. Was she really asking me this right now?No. Not yet. I couldn’t do that yet. That didn’t mean that I didn’t want to.Fuck, I wanted to fuck her in every position possible. I wanted to make her scream my name at the top of her lungs. I wanted to tie her up and have my way with her. I wanted to do everything to her, but I couldn’t, not yet.“No.” I say slowly, causing a look of hurt to flash in Rosalie’s eyes. ‘Listen,” I continue, giving her a stern look. “It isn’t because I don’t want to.”Right now, that was the thing I needed to make the most clear. I wanted her like a fiend wanted their drugs, but to do it now wouldn’t sit right with me, not when there was still the issue of Kate and her family.As far as I knew, she didn’t tell anyone anything, which meant that our engagement was still considered valid. I needed to properly break it off.“Once I’ve annulled my engagement, I will take you.” I say n
[Diego’s POV]I wake up the next morning and sneak out of bed while Rosalie is asleep, then head straight to my father’s office, where he sits doing his morning briefing with Giddeon. When he spots me, he raises a brow, but I’m sure he already has an idea of why I’ve come to see him.“Is this about that woman again?” He asks while Giddeon remains silent. “Didn’t you already legally obligate me to go along with what you wanted?”“I’d like to meet with Wallace.” I say, ignoring his sarcasm. “To discuss annulling the engagement.”At my words, my father’s face falls, and a look of amusement flashes in Giddeon’s eyes while he fights to keep his laughter in check.“You really aren’t wasting any time making a mess for that woman.”“Her name is Rosalie.” I growl, though I too, up until recently, referred to her as that woman. “And she will be the Luna of Moon Storm.”“Sure, sure.” My father sighs, pulling out his cell phone and beginning to dial. “You say that now, but you’re only lost in you
[Rosalie’s POV]I roll over, letting out a contented sigh as I expect to find Diego still asleep beside me. However, his spot on the bed is once again empty and already cold.Feeling a wave of disappointment rush through me, I sit up and look around the room, half expecting to find him there, but the space is empty.“Where did he go now?” I murmur, trying not to feel too lonely.Clearly, I was getting spoiled by him always being near me. This wasn’t good. I couldn’t become dependent on him, not when I didn’t know what the future held for us.‘Isn’t he showing you that he wants to keep you beside him?’ Hana asks me, stirring from her beauty sleep. ‘Why do you keep doubting?’Why? Because in this life, nothing is certain, and I just couldn’t believe that something this good could happen to me. Not to mention, the minute Jason’s pack and family got word of Diego making me his Luna, they would most certainly come for not only me but even him.No matter how you looked at it, I was a burden
[Rosalie’s POV]“What do you say?”Diego’s voice is gentle as he helps me up and then cradles me against his body. Where we touch comes alive with a delicious warmth, and in the moment, I truly feel like everything is going to be okay, despite the look of hatred from the two that watch us.“You can’t be serious!” Wallace growls, his aura erupting from him. “You’re leaving the choice to that woman?”“That woman has a name!” Diego roars.At his words, Wallace flinches while Kate cowers, but the father-daughter duo quickly get themselves together.“I don’t care what her name is.” Wallace says now, his attitude changing completely. “She is not and never will even be a blip on my radar.”Frowning, I try to determine what exactly changed to make him suddenly so cocky, and I quickly get my answer as Diego’s father’s aura presses against my skin.“Charles.” Wallace purrs as the man appears. “You’ve come just in time.”Flinching, I try to ignore the hatred that flashes in Charles’ eyes as he t
[Rosalie’s POV]I stare at the door in front of me while my heart hammers in my chest. Even though I was the one who insisted that I come here and meet with the woman who gave birth to Diego, I couldn’t stop the anxiety that was beginning to grow in me.After finishing with Diego’s father and the mess that had unfolded thanks to Kate and Wallace, I was told to come here. Of course, I didn’t deny the instructions since Diego also wanted to speak to his father privately about something. I could only hope that it wouldn’t lead to a huge mess.Shaking off my unease, I focus on the task in front of me. One battle at a time.Swallowing, I lift a hand and prepare to knock, but stop as the sound of movement from within, and while I remain in place, the door opens and a beautiful woman with long, dark hair and piercing amber eyes stares at me.Her lips, which are painted blood red, are pressed in a line, making it clear that she didn’t think much of me.“You’re her?” She asks, eyeing me up and
[Rosalie’s POV]I don’t speak as Diego’s mother smiles at me. When she smiled, she truly was a beauty, but the ugly that she hid so well ruined that for me.“Then it is settled.” She purrs, getting up and coming toward me. “We will meet after midnight. I will prepare everything from your transportation to your new lodgings.”“That’s fine.” I say, knowing that there was no getting out of this unless I told Diego, but I was sure if I did, she would do something to my mom and her village. “But what about your son?”It was easy enough to say that I would do this, but how was I supposed to escape when he was right beside me?“Leave that to me.” His mother giggles. “I’ll make sure that he doesn’t get in the way.”Nodding, I get up from my seat and give a bow.“Was that everything?” I ask, slowly rising. “Or was there something else you needed with me?”“No, that’s it.” She assures me. “Just remember not to say a word to anyone otherwise…”“I get it.” I hiss through gritted teeth. “My mother
[Rosalie’s POV]My body shivers as Diego stares down at me. Despite knowing that this would be the first and last time this would happen, I can’t stop myself from getting lost in the moment.“Do you know what you’re saying?” He asks, hooking a finger in my shirt and pulling.Gasping, I watch the fabric rip in half, so I’m left with nothing but my pants and bra. I’m sure that Diego can hear my heart, which is hammering in my chest, and that only makes him happier.“It’s like a hummingbird's wings.” He murmurs, pressing his ear between my breasts. “I wonder what it will sound like while I’m fucking you.”Eyes widening, I shiver as he sits up again and pulls my bra down so he can begin to attack my breasts. Moaning, I fight the urge to touch him as he takes my nipples one after another into his mouth so his teeth and tongue can attack them.“Diego,” I breathe.“Say it more.” He urges me, beginning to kiss down my stomach until he is positioned between my legs. “Think of me more until I’m
[Rosalie’s POV]I look from Diego’s mother to Diego as my heart shatters into a million pieces. This was it. I was really leaving and would never see him again. Would he be okay without me? Would he come looking for me? I didn’t know, but a small part of me hoped he did.“Time’s ticking.” Diego’s mother purrs. “Get dressed and come on.”Nodding, I climb off the bed, grabbing my clothes off the ground and quickly pulling them on. “I’m coming.”Once I’m dressed, I follow Diego’s mother out into the hall, where Kate waits wearing nothing but a robe and a look of triumph.“I guess you aren’t as dumb as I thought.” She says, tossing her long, dark hair over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you that you slept with my fiance. Just do me a favor and stay gone.”I don’t bother responding as she shoves her way past me and into the room. After she shuts the door so whatever happens next in there is hidden from the world, I turn and meet Diego’s mother’s gaze."Remember, this i
[Chanel’s POV]I stare on, watching as Anthrose and the rest of his group surge forward, attacking the guards who were just sneering at me, and I can’t help but laugh at the difference in their demeanors.“Cowards,” I spit, sitting up and snapping my thumbs back into place. “Acting all high and mighty until actual danger appears.”As I speak, I grab the chains that are holding my ankles and begin to pull while ignoring the pain that shoots through me. Fuck, they were strong, but I was stronger. Soon enough, they begin to crack and then break apart, allowing me to finally get up and move to Gil’s side.“Just hang in there a bit longer, alright?” I tell him, clutching his cuff and starting to fight with it. “Then we will get you out of here and…”“No!” Gil gasps before breaking into a coughing fit. “We can’t just leave!”Frowning, I take in his words, trying to make sense of what it is that he is saying, but I don’t get to question him further before pain shoots through me and my body a
[Anthrose’s POV]The next morning we move out the minute the warm sun begins to paint the ground that we sleep on. After a quick breakfast, we head out with me leading the way since I’m the only one who can get a feel for the location that we are searching for.Together, we silently move across the island while keeping our senses alert in case of a surprise attack. However, the expected never happens, and by the time we are close to our destination, I can’t help but feel like all of this is too easy, and by the tension I feel from my companions, I know that they’re feeling the same.“Up ahead,” Sam murmurs, coming to my side. “I can see it.”Nodding, I take in the shining figure that I’m certain is the temple, noting the dark aura that radiates around it. Even from here I could tell that the things residing within were something the normal wolf wouldn’t want to approach, but given what we were fighting for, I wasn’t going to let it stop me.“Prepare yourselves.” I announce, letting my
[Anthrose’s POV]For the rest of the day, I search the island for a sign of where Chanel and Gil may be, but come up empty. And when my group can’t seem to move anymore, I have to call the search to a halt. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t continue to keep my connection with the earth, searching while dinner is made.It’s a silent ordeal, as I’m certain that the entire group is feeling the weight of what is at hand and what we may encounter when we find the ones we are searching for. I could only assume that a fight was waiting for us, and it was because of that that I even agreed to res.Sighing, I close my eyes and let myself slip deeper into a trance, searching until I feel something press against my consciousness that snaps me to alertness as hope flares through me along with a longing that I’ve never felt before.‘Chanel,’ I whisper, not daring to truly believe that I’m feeling what I am. ‘Is that you?’For a moment, all I’m met with is silence, causing me to believe that
[Anthrose’s POV]My body screams at me, begging me to stop, to take a break, but I can’t stop moving. Behind me, I can hear noises of complaint and exhaustion escaping my companions, making it clear that they’re feeling the same thing as me. However, I can’t stop moving; I won’t stop moving; just the thought of stopping makes me so damn anxious I want to fucking destroy something. I can’t stop the feeling that if I stop looking even for a second, Chanel will vanish completely.Shivering, I try not to think of a world where she doesn’t exist somewhere. Sure, it was one thing to keep my distance and allow her to live the life that she deserves, but to even think of her not being somewhere alive and happy damn near kills me.‘Chanel.’ I call to the darkness, hoping and praying that by some miracle she will respond to me. ‘Where are you? Why aren’t you answering me?’“Anthrose.”I immediately freeze as the voice reaches me, but I realize a moment too late that it wasn’t Chanel’s voice, it
[Chanel’s POV]I look around me, taking in the stone walls around me, noting how they’re cracking, allowing vines to grow through them while my intrusive thoughts try to get the better of me. They’re screaming things like what if this place were to collapse. What if you find yourself at a dead end? What if you run out of air? It’s irritating as fuck, and even though I keep telling them to shut up, they just won’t.“Hey,” I call to Tyson, who leads the way in hopes of distracting myself. “Are you certain that we are going in the right direction?”Since he was the one to choose our path and take the lead, I could only hope that he somehow could track the way out of this place, but what if he was just leading us deeper into this underground labyrinth?“Hey,” I repeat when he doesn’t respond to me. “I’m talking to you.”Frustration growing, I move forward and grab his shoulder, forcing him to turn and look at me, but I’m not met with the same gaze that I was used to. Instead, I’m met with
[Anthrose’s POV]We spend the rest of the day searching for any sign of Chanel or Tyson, but all we come up with is nothing. It’s almost like neither of them existed or were somehow spirited away from earth.“We should rest.” Henry, one of Ulrick’s warriors, suggests later that evening. “We will be useless in helping them if we are exhausted.”“Are you saying that this little bit of action exhausts you?” I demand. “If that's the case, you are more than welcome to rest, but I’m going to keep searching.”“But, sir…”“I said I was going to keep searching!” I growl, not giving two fucks if I came across as argumentative or defiant. “There’s no fucking way that I’m going to stop until I find her.”Even though only a couple of hours had passed, I couldn’t help but feel like days, even weeks, had already gone by without Chanel’s presence. It was fucking maddening, and I was beginning to feel like a crazy man. How the hell did I manage to stay away from her for so many years in the past?No.
[Chanel’s POV]I watch as the crevice above me grows farther and farther away until my body is hitting the wolf beneath me, who takes most of the impact. Together, we lay there, watching as the ground slowly begins to close once more, eliminating the little bit of light around us until we are plunged into darkness.Snapping out of it, I jump up and then look to the wolf beside me, taking him in while wondering what exactly he was thinking. And once I shift back into my human form, I wait as he stares at me.“What?” I demand, my annoyance flaring. “Don’t look at me like that.”Letting out what sounds almost like a huff of annoyance, he begins to shift until Tyson is lying on the ground in the wolf’s place.“What?” He asks as I narrow my gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?”Why? Because he was the reason we were here right now. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going when he saved me.“Do I really need to answer that?” I sigh, beginning to look around, taking in the tun
[Chanel’s POV]“Right.”I give Anthrose one last look before turning my gaze toward the creatures that are slowly making their way toward us. They’re different from the beasts that we’ve encountered until this point, but they’re also the same.These look almost like worms, but they have legs and buglike faces. I guess if I had to compare them to anything, it would be centipedes. Just watching them move gave me the heebie jeebies, but I wasn’t about to let them stop me from getting to what I wanted.Giving Anthrose one last look, I begin to shift, and once I’m in my wolf form, I move, surging forward and attacking the creepy crawly closest to me. When we clash, it immediately attempts to roll its body around me, but I leap out of the way.Landing on top of it, I watch as the rest of our group joins in the fray, beginning our first official battle since arriving on the island.‘Don’t get yourself killed.’Anthrose's voice reverberates in my mind, causing my heart to race and giving me t
[Anthrose’s POV]I don’t speak as Chanel’s question flows over me, settling into the deepest pits of my soul along with the loathing and disgust that I’ve felt since the day the thing she is asking about happened, and as much as I would like to say, I know that I can’t.“The plague.” I respond instead, deciding that was a good enough explanation. “It affected my eyes.”“You’re lying.”Chanel’s response is firm, and I know that due to our bond, there was just no way that I would be able to get away with lying to her.“How did it really happen?”How? That was an easy fucking response, but again, I knew that if I were to speak it out loud, then there was a good chance it would dig out the skeletons that I was trying so hard to not think about anymore.“Anthrose,” Chanel’s voice drifts through my muddled thoughts. “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?”I did. But this was something that didn’t only involve me. It also involved her, and I knew if I were to open up about it, then