Sage
By the time I reach the packhouse, a crowd has gathered. The Alpha stands outside on the stone steps, the imposing stone façade of his home adding to his aura of power. The dead bodies of three rogues lay on the ground at his feet, an offering from his loyal guards.
The pack waits with bated breath to hear him speak, to explain these frequent invasions and his plan to stop them, to keep our people safe. I press up on my tiptoes, trying to see over the throng of people. Cassius stands next to his father. And by his side, a self-important smirk on her face, is Daphne.
As far as chosen mates go, Cassius could do so much better. Everyone knows she only wants him for his money and power. I don’t know how he can’t see it.
He should be with someone who loves him for who he is on the inside. Someone who would make sure he knew everyday how wonderful he is, not use him for what he can give them. Not that Daphne would ever let anyone get close enough to show him the appreciation he deserves.
Daphne scans the crowd as if she’s looking for someone. Her eyes lock with mine and I see the evil lurking just under the surface. Her smirk spreads into a wicked grin before her expression turns grim, full of contempt and feigned horror.
“It was her!” She accuses, pointing one manicured nail straight at me. “She let them in!”
She can’t mean me, can she? I’m terrified of rogues. I almost let my handsome stranger die because of that fear. I would never conspire with them.
But the crowd parts like the Red Sea around me, everyone staring at me suspiciously. I don’t understand what’s happening. I’ve done nothing wrong. Surely they can’t believe her.
“Wh-, what?” I stutter, cowering under their scowls and glares.
“Daphne, that’s a serious accusation! We cannot convict her on that statement alone. Please tell us exactly what you saw.” Cassius’ voice carries above the crowd.
Hope flares that he’ll come to my rescue. Surely he sees through her ridiculous claims. She doesn’t have any proof because there is none. Maybe he’ll even punish her for lying.
The crowd is roaring, demanding answers, but Alpha quiets them with one raised hand. A hush falls over the yard as everyone hangs on Daphne’s every word. I want to scream at them to open their eyes, to see her for the evil witch she is, but they’re all under her spell.
“I noticed her acting strange lately.” Daphne preens under the pack’s attention, dramatizing every word. “She’s been stealing food from the packhouse kitchen and rushing off like she was meeting someone. So I followed her and discovered she’s been harboring one of them in that little shanty of hers!” The entire pack audibly gasps at that.
“What? No! That’s not-” I yell but the Alpha’s command forces me to stop.
“Quiet!” He barks. “Bring her to me!”
I stand my ground as the guards rush toward me, knowing I have nothing to hide. The pack closes in around me, eager to witness the spectacle. I beg and plead for them to listen to me, but no one does. No one would dare defy their Alpha, not for a wolfless omega like me.
I go willingly as the guards drag me forward, helpless to do anything else. They throw me at the Alpha’s feet and not even Cassius bothers to help me up. I’m completely at their mercy.
Now that even Cassius has abandoned me, I can see my situation for what it is, hopeless. I’m a wolfless omega, worth less than nothing to the pack. Of course they’ll believe Daphne’s lies over me.
“Stand!” Alpha orders and my body complies.
He leans in, drawing in deep breaths to scent me then recoils as if he’d been pushed. His face turns crimson and his fists ball in anger. But I don’t understand why? Do I smell that bad?
He bends low and speaks in my ear, so low only I can hear him. “You’ve been in the presence of a powerful wolf. I can sense his aura on you and he is no rogue. Who was it?” He demands. “Who is conspiring to take over my pack?”
“N-, no, Alpha! I swear. I’ve conspired with no one. I’ve never met anyone powerful.” I plead with him to believe me.
“Fine, you ungrateful whore! If you refuse to answer me, maybe a night in the dungeon will loosen your tongue.”
“Please! I’m telling the truth!” I sob, but he ignores me, stepping back to address the crowd.
“The aura of another wolf surrounds this girl.” He announces. “She smells of him still and he does not carry the Blackthorn scent. She’s guilty of treason! Take her to the cells to await her punishment!”
“No!” I scream. “I did nothing wrong! Cassius, please help me!”
But when he looks at me, his eyes are cold and he turns away, leaving me to my fate. Daphne loops her arm through his, leaning into him and smiling victoriously as she leads him away.
“He wasn’t a rogue! He was my friend!” I continue screaming but no one listens.They all just cheer as I’m dragged away.
I finally give up, my voice raspy and my throat raw from screaming. I’m tossed in a tiny cell, nothing but concrete walls and a cold hard floor. Left to wonder how many hours I have left to live.
Sage “C-, C-, Cassius. Th-, Thank G-, G-, Goddess!” My teeth chatter so hard my jaw aches, making speech difficult. But despite the bone-chilling cold, my heart warms at the sight of him. “P-, p-, please, h-, help me!” “Oh, little bird. What have you done?” He tsks as he closes the cell door behind him. His tone is almost giddy and there’s an excited glint in his eye that makes my stomach swoop nervously. The friendly, caring Cassius, the one who always has an easy smile for me, is nowhere to be found. My eyes dart around the small space but there is no place to hide. Just a concrete room, bitterly cold and empty. “N-, nothing.” I stammer as I shrink away, scooting into the farthest corner. “I s-, swear!” “That’s just not true, now is it?” His calm words belie the violence I see simmering just under the surface, waiting to be unleashed. “I don’t want to hurt you, little bird. But I’ll have to if you won’t tell me the truth.” I don’t believe him. He wants to hurt me, is going
Alaric My footsteps were heavy as I’d left Blackthorn territory earlier. With every step I’d taken I’d felt a tug in my navel, like a hook drawing me back . . . to her. I’d refused to give in, staying focused on my mission, protecting my identity. But then I felt something snap, a powerful force unfurling within me that even I couldn’t deny. And I knew what it meant, knew I had to go back for her. I turned back, sprinting, hoping I wouldn’t be too late. I could feel her distress, her agony and terror, as if it were my own. I’d almost been too late, but I can’t allow myself to consider what could have happened. I’m here now, and ready to rain down hell on every wolf bold enough to think they could touch what’s mine! I unleash the full strength of my aura, so powerful, it brings the entire crowd to their knees. Even the Alpha cannot stand against me, though I see the fury that knowledge brings flaring in his eyes. But even more satisfying, is the fear etched on the face of his pompo
Alaric “No! She’s a Blackthorn Omega. She stays in Blackthorn!” Cassius protests. “But he-, he hurt me.” Sage whispers, a shiver wracking her tiny form as she clings to me tighter. A growl rumbles in my chest and the Alpha shudders. “Please, Sire, let us discuss this in private.” He pleads. My instinct is to deny his request, to refuse him anything he desires. But as I glance down at Sage, her face buried in my chest, I realize she’s suffered enough embarrassment in the eyes of this pack. “You may dismiss the pack. But your son and the beta female stay.” I enjoy the flash of fear in her eyes when she realizes she’s not escaping me so easily. I shift Sage in my arms, careful not to touch the weeping wounds on her back as I make her more comfortable. An impatient snarl slips out as I wait for the Blackthorn Alpha to disperse his pack. I need to get this nonsense over with so I can take my sweetling home, ensure she gets proper medical attention. “You have no claim to this wo
Cassius He fucking took her! Sage is my mate! Mine! She belongs to me! I may not want her but I get to decide what happens to my property. Nobody else! Not even the fucking Lycan King! I’ve known she was mine since the day my wolf was born. Viper mooned over her for ages before I finally convinced him she’d never be ours. But for the longest time, he fought me on it, refused to let me show her the contempt I felt for her. How dare the Goddess saddle me with a wolfless omega! Eventually, he’d accepted that she’d never have a wolf, that he’d never have his other half, and allowed me to reject her. But not before I had a little fun with her first. When I finally revealed she was my mate, I wanted her to feel how much I despised her, how much her own fated mate loathed her pathetic existence. I left a masterpiece of torn flesh on her back, carved my disgust for her into her skin. My rejection was to be the last thing she heard before she died. It was perfect! Until he came along and f
Sage I’m not sure why I feel more homesick with every step we take away from Blackthorn. My life has been nothing but abuse and misery in that pack. But that's all I’ve ever known. At least there, I knew what to expect. I should be thrilled about the new adventure ahead of me. I’m moving to a new pack. And not just any pack, I’m going to be living in the Royal pack! Surely I’ll be safe there, at least. But no matter how exciting that prospect may be, it doesn’t erase this gnawing pain in my heart. I had a mate! But he didn’t want me, loathed me so much he was willing to watch me die after stripping the flesh from my back with his belt. How could someone do that to the one person the Goddess created especially for them? If that’s what it’s like to have a mate, then I don’t want one! Not that it matters, no one would ever choose a wolfless girl like me anyway.I thought Cassius was my friend. Now I realize I can’t trust anyone. Even my handsome stranger lied to me, let me think he wa
Alaric I’m pretty sure the fragile creature in my arms is going to be the death of me. And not just because we have rogues chasing us. She weighs next to nothing, not impacting my speed at all. It’s not her weight that’s the problem. It’s her proximity. She may be tiny but she’s naturally curvy and the way she’s clinging to me, her full tits pressed into my chest and her thick thighs wrapped around my waist, the warmth of her pussy against my abs, if I wasn’t turned on before by her sassy mouth, I certainly am now. My cock is like solid steel. Running is painful, my hard-on squeezed uncomfortably with every stride. But I keep going, knowing I’m all that stands between Sage and certain death. I see the river up ahead and making a split-second decision, I jump in. I dunk us completely, Sage coughing and spluttering when we come up for air. “W-, w-, why, w-, would y-, you d-, do that?” She struggles to talk, her teeth chattering from the cold. The water is freezing, and though I b
Sage The woman in the driver’s seat glares at me like I’m the dirt on her fancy shoes. I don’t know her but I can’t help but sulk over her judgmental sneer. I’d actually hoped things could be different in Alaric’s pack, that people wouldn’t treat me like an outcast. Apparently that was too much to wish for. “Eris, what are you doing here? I thought Garrett was meeting me.” Alaric’s tone is borderline frosty, showing no particular emotion toward the woman. Which oddly makes me feel a bit better. I’m not sure why I care. Between her snooty attitude and his bossy personality, they probably deserve each other. “I volunteered,” She beams at him, batting her eyelashes. “There’s been more reports of attacks and disappearances while you were gone. Garrett was busy training a new group of warriors and was happy to let me come instead.”I could swear I hear him mumble something along the lines of “going to murder him” as he climbs into the backseat but I can’t be sure. He reaches over to b
Hello Wonderful Readers,Thank you for joining me on Sage and Alaric's journey! As always with my books, there will be ups and downs, bumps in the road, mysteries to be solved, plenty of spice, and a guaranteed HEA. Sage is a bit different from my other characters in that she's lived a very sheltered life and, apart from the cruelties she's suffered, is completely innocent. For that reason, her story will be more of a slower burn, but I promise to turn up the heat with no looking back when the time is right!As for my updating schedule, I will make every effort to update daily, except for Sundays which I set apart for family time (although I've been known to post on a Sunday here and there). Due to my daytime schedule, I usually update in early evening. I live in Hawaii so I'm on HST. This book is part of the True Love Saves The Day contest so all comments, reviews, and gems are much appreciated. But contest aside, I truly love to hear from you so please don't hesitate to drop a line!
Lyra The palace looks different this time—less intimidating, more like a potential sanctuary than a gilded prison. Maybe it's because I'm not arriving as a captive or a curiosity, but as someone making a conscious choice to return. Or maybe I'm just too exhausted to be intimidated anymore."You okay?" Kieran asks, pulling his horse alongside mine as we approach the eastern gate."Just tired," I assure him, though that's only part of the truth. The bond with Alexander strengthens with every hoofbeat closer to the palace, the familiar silver warmth spreading through my chest after days of uncomfortable stretching.The guards at the gate snap to attention when they recognize me, their expressions a mixture of relief and curiosity. They wave us through with minimal questions, though I notice how their eyes linger on Kieran and the other healers with suspicion.Some things haven't changed, then.The eastern courtyard bustles with activity—servants carrying supplies, guards changing shifts
Alexander "Your Highness, the eastern patrol has returned."I look up from the maps spread across my desk to see Captain Merrick standing at attention in the doorway. The grim set of his mouth tells me he's not bringing good news."Report," I command, straightening to my full height."We've confirmed the presence of at least eight individuals matching Northern territory descriptions moving through the eastern forests." He points to the area on my map where Lyra's healing community had relocated. "They're using search patterns consistent with tracking specific targets, not random patrols."My stomach knots. "How close to the healer settlement?""Too close," he admits. "Less than five miles from their last known location."A surge of power—part Alpha, part healing—runs through me at the news, making the maps glow faintly beneath my hands. I've been fighting these manifestations all day, each one stronger than the last as the bond between Lyra and me stretches with our separation."Shit
Lyra "What existed between us was real," I acknowledge quietly. "Friendship, respect, potential for more. I never denied that.""And now?" His question carries no accusation, only sincere desire to understand where my boundaries are now."Now complexity exists where once things seemed so simple between us, so easy." I reply, honesty demanded by years of trust between us. "The bond with Alexander doesn't erase what came before, but it changes the context irrevocably."He reaches out slowly, giving me time to withdraw if I choose, and gently brushes a strand of hair from my face. The casual intimacy of the gesture—one he's performed countless times before—suddenly carries a different weight, awareness crackling between us like the static before a storm."If fate hadn't intervened," he murmurs, "if you'd never met him...""We can't know that path because we're not walking it," I interrupt gently, though I don't pull away from his touch. "Speculating about what might have been only makes
LyraThe familiar scents of wild herbs and wood smoke welcome me as we crest the final ridge overlooking our community's temporary settlement. After the palace's overwhelming grandeur, the simple cluster of hide tents and wooden shelters feels like drawing a deep breath after being underwater too long. My shoulders relax instinctively, the tight knot of tension court life created beginning to loosen."You look happier already," Kieran observes, pulling his horse alongside mine. His green eyes study me with the perception that comes from years of friendship. "The palace weighs on you.""It's... different," I acknowledge, remaining deliberately neutral despite the relief coursing through me. "Complex in ways I never imagined.""And the prince?" he asks carefully. "Is he worth the complexity?"The question carries layers beneath its simplicity. Through our temporarily stabilized bond, I feel Alexander's presence like a silver thread stretched thin but unbroken between us. Even discussing
Alexander Throughout the day, power surges continue with increasing frequency and intensity. During an afternoon security briefing, my Alpha energy flares so strongly that decorative weapons mounted on the walls rattle in their holdings. Later, while reviewing border reports, healing power manifests as visible glow surrounding my hands, making parchment maps luminescent where I touch them.By evening, controlling these manifestations requires constant focus, draining energy needed for royal duties that cannot be postponed despite my discomfort. The council reconvenes to discuss increased activity along the eastern border—reports of strangers matching Northern territory descriptions moving through regions where healing communities traditionally hide."Vega's agents, most likely," Dominic assesses, pointing to locations marked on the tactical map. "Their movement patterns suggest searching rather than random patrol.""Searching for what?" Lord Harrison questions."Not what—who," I corre
Alexander The council chamber feels like a trap this morning—a gilded cage of obligation, duty, and politics that keeps me from what I truly want to be doing. My attention drifts repeatedly toward the window, toward the eastern gate where I know Lyra will soon depart with Kieran. Every instinct rebels against letting her leave the palace, letting her travel with another man who clearly harbors feelings for her."Your Highness?" Lord Harrison's voice cuts through my distraction. "Your thoughts on the Northern territories' proposal?"I refocus on the documents before me, forcing composure over agitation. "Their offer of partial reparations is insufficient," I state, scanning the diplomatic language that disguises the Northern delegation's attempt to minimize consequences for their actions. "They participated in an unprovoked attack on our throne. I won’t accept anything less than full accountability."The council members exchange glances, some approving, others concerned."The Northern
LyraThe council chambers occupy an imposing section of the palace, all dark wood and serious faces. When I enter, conversation halts abruptly. Alexander stands at the head of a long table scattered with maps and documents, looking exhausted but commanding. Relief crosses his features when he sees me."Lyra, thank you for coming," he says, gesturing me forward. "The council requires information about Vega's capabilities and possible locations."I step further into the room, acutely aware of the scrutiny from a dozen pairs of eyes. Most expressions range from skeptical to overtly hostile, with only Dominic and Elara offering friendly faces among the assembled advisors."Surely there are more reliable sources of intelligence than a... healer," one councilor objects, the pause before "healer" making the word sound like an insult."You’d do well to remember my mother, your queen, is a healer. As am I.” Alexander snaps, a hint of Alpha authority edging his tone. “Lyra has firsthand experien
Lyra Dinner progresses with excruciating formality. I struggle with the bewildering array of utensils, the unfamiliar dishes, the careful dance of court conversation where nothing is directly stated and everything carries double meaning. Kieran fares no better, his discomfort evident in his tense posture and minimal responses.Alexander tries to include us in conversations, explaining context and introducing friendly nobles, but his attention is constantly divided. Royal matters continuously draw him away—urgent whispers from advisors, formal greetings required by protocol, political discussions that cannot wait despite the occasion.Each time he's pulled away, our fragile bond stretches thinner, fluctuating uncomfortably. Across the table, I notice Elara watching with concern, clearly perceiving the strain through her growing abilities."The court will always demand his attention," Kieran murmurs during one such absence. "This is his life, Lyra. Endless politics, endless obligations.
Lyra The palace rises before us, gleaming white against the afternoon sky. After days in forests and mountains, its manicured perfection seems almost unnatural—too orderly, too controlled. Guards snap to attention as our small party approaches, their expressions shifting from alert wariness to shock when they recognize Alexander."Your Highness!" The captain of the guard rushes forward. "We've had search parties combing the kingdom for days."Alexander straightens in his saddle, exhaustion visibly pushed aside as he assumes royal bearing. "Inform my parents of our return. We'll speak with them immediately.""And the others, sire?" The captain's gaze slides over me, lingering longer on Kieran with undisguised suspicion."They are under my personal protection," Alexander states firmly. "Escort us to the royal chambers."As we enter the palace grounds, I feel eyes tracking our every move. Servants pause in their duties to stare, courtiers whisper behind hands, guards assess Kieran and me