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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!
Sage “Welcome to the Silver Crown pack!” The girl who’s currently cutting off my air supply with her vice-like hold exclaims in my ear. “Iris, let her go!” Alaric barks gruffly. “She can’t breathe with you smothering her like that.” The girl, Iris, releases me and takes a step back, wearing a sheepish expression. “Sorry! It’s just, Ric told Garrett he was bringing a friend and my brother so rarely makes friends, I mean, you’ve met him, right? So you can see why. Anyway, I was excited to meet you. I’m Iris, by the way,” She talks so fast, I have trouble keeping up. She sticks out her hand to shake mine and I take it, but I’m glancing in Alaric’s direction, gauging his response to her insinuation that he’s difficult to get along with. He wears an exasperated expression and rolls his eyes at her but I can swear there’s some affection behind it. I can see why. I like Iris already. “It’s nice to meet you, iris. Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m-” “Sage!” She finishes for me. “I kn
Alaric “What the fuck, Garrett?” I hiss as soon as Sage and Iris are gone. But the fucker just chuckles and grins like my irritation amuses him. “What’s the matter Ric? Our great and powerful king can’t handle one little car ride with his ex-girlfriend and his new mate?” He taunts me. “How are we supposed to trust you with a whole kingdom when you can't handle two harmless women?” I roll my eyes at his childish behavior. “I have yet to understand what my baby sister sees in you. And that’s the last time I tell you my secrets. I can’t believe you told Iris about her. She’ll never let it go now.” “You know I tell Iris everything. Shouldn’t have told me if you didn’t want her to know.” He shrugs and I have to resist the urge to punch my Beta. “And don’t pretend you didn't love me long before your sister did. But seriously, Sage is gorgeous and seems really sweet. Have you thought anymore about telling her what she is to you?” I shake my head, wishing it was that simple. “I can’t. H
Sage “Hey, want some company?” Iris pokes her head in just as I’m slipping into some pajamas I found tucked into a drawer, a cami and short set she must have purchased for me. “Of course. Please come in.” Everyone was so prim and proper at dinner and I felt so out of place. I’m not sure how to address her after that. I guess she is technically a princess. Iris giggles. “You don’t have to speak so formally to me. No one does. Well, no one except Eris and I hate it. Come to think of it, I really kind of hate her.”A snort slips out before I can stop it and Iris laughs with me. “Sorry, it’s just, well dinner was a bit overwhelming.” I confess. “It’s not usually like that unless we have guests. Even with Eris, my brother usually doesn’t play along with her ‘Queen of the Castle’ attitude. I’m not sure what’s going on with him tonight. Seems like he has a giant stick up his ass about something.”“He did look kind of constipated.” I comment, and we both break down into full-belly laugh
AlaricAlpha Sloane stands flanked by his elite guards, his power filling the laboratory like a physical presence. Unlike his son's calculated charm, Sloane's authority comes from ruthless pragmatism."Investigating treason." I step forward, placing myself between him and Sage. "Your son attempted to murder my mate."Through our bond, I feel Sage's assessment of the new threat – counting guards, evaluating escape routes, calculating our odds if this turns violent."Serious accusations." Sloane's eyes move clinically around the laboratory, betraying no surprise at its contents. "Though I see you've already made yourself comfortable in my facilities.""Your facilities?" Garrett's voice carries disgust. "You claim knowledge of these experiments?"Sloane's expression remains impassive. "What I know or don't know about legitimate research in my territory is hardly your concern.""Legitimate research?" Sage steps beside me, her outrage flowing through our bond. "You call creating monsters to
AlaricBlackthorn territory stretches before us, its dense forests shadowed under overcast skies. Through our enhanced bond, I feel Sage's unease warring with determination as we approach the border."We should expect resistance," Garrett warns, scanning the treeline. "Entering another Alpha's territory without permission...""Cassius forfeited any rights to protocol when he tried to kill my mate. Besides, I don’t buy for one minute that Alpha Sloan had no idea what his son was up to. He’ll submit to his king or pay the fucking consequences!" Power ripples through my words. The warriors behind us shift in response, ready for conflict.Sage's hand finds mine, her touch carrying calm through our bond. "We're not here for war," she reminds me. "We need evidence, not blood."She's right, but my beast bristles at the memory of her collapsed form, of poison burning through her veins. Through our bond, she feels my struggle and sends back understanding mixed with resolve."Blackthorn border p
AlaricSage's powers shimmer with new strength as she heals another warrior's training injury. Through our enhanced bond, I feel how differently her abilities work now - not just healing, but understanding the very essence of what she touches."Extraordinary," the head healer murmurs, watching golden light spread from Sage's hands. "The way she adapted to the poison... I've never seen anything like it."I haven't either. Since that night, our mate bond has grown stronger than I thought possible. Even without a mating mark, every touch, every shared thought carries deeper meaning. Even now, across the healing wing, I feel her satisfaction as the warrior's wound closes completely."My King." Garrett's arrival draws my attention. "We found something at the cabin."He hands me a stack of letters - correspondence between Eris and Cassius, carefully coded but damning nonetheless. Through our bond, I feel Sage's interest as she finishes with the warrior."They've been planning this for weeks,
SageThrough the poison's haze, a familiar scent cuts sharp as a blade - Blackthorn territory, power, and something darker. Even half-conscious, my body recognizes the threat."Such a waste." Cassius's voice reaches me through the fever. "All that potential, turned to ash by your own stubbornness."I try to move, to call for help, but the poison has spread too far. My powers flutter weakly as he approaches the bed."You could have been extraordinary, you know." He checks the healing wing doorway - empty, guards mysteriously absent. "If you'd only chosen the right path. The right mate.""Never." The word comes out barely a whisper."No?" His smile holds winter frost. "Did you really think your precious king could protect you? That love would overcome generations of carefully laid plans?"Through our broken bond, I try reaching for Alaric one last time. Feel only empty silence where his presence should be."The ancient healing packs weren't destroyed for being too powerful." Cassius pull
AlaricThe cabin explodes into chaos as we attack. My warriors move with perfect coordination, but something's wrong - the Northern wolves react too quickly, too prepared."Underground!" Garrett's warning comes just as the floor beneath us shifts. Hidden tunnels, escape routes we didn't know about. Through our weakening bond, I feel Sage's heartbeat faltering as precious time slips away."Find her!" My roar shakes the cabin's foundations. "Tear this place apart!"But Eris's guards are everywhere, fighting with desperate determination. Not just protecting their lady - buying her time. Through the battle haze, that detail nags at me. Why delay instead of retreat?A familiar scent catches my attention - fresh, close. Without hesitation, I crash through the hidden panel it leads to, following steep stairs into darkness.Eris waits in a candlelit chamber, her perfect composure intact despite the battle above. "My King." Her smile holds victory. "So predictable.""The antidote." My beast ris
Alaric"She crossed the northern border two hours ago." Garrett marks the location on our map. "Traveling fast, but leaving an obvious trail.""Too obvious." My fingers trace the route. Through our weakening bond, I feel Sage's fever climbing higher, each moment we waste costing precious strength. "She wants us to follow.""Almost certainly a trap." Garrett meets my eyes steadily. "But we're running out of time."He's right. The healers say the poison spreads faster now, targeting not just Sage's body but the very essence of our mate bond. Each hour brings us closer to losing both."The council demands—" An elder starts from the doorway."The council can burn." Power rolls off me in waves. "This is what they wanted, isn't it? Their precious traditions preserved by breaking our bond?""My King—""Get the fuck out." When he hesitates, my roar shakes the walls. "All of you. Out!"Only Garrett remains as I study the map. Letters we intercepted suggest Eris has the antidote, or at least kno
AlaricHer terror hits me through our bond like a physical blow. I'm moving before conscious thought, abandoning the border patrol reports as her consciousness starts to fade."Sage!" My roar shakes the library windows as I find her crumpled beside ancient texts. Through our bond, I feel her slipping away even as I gather her into my arms.The book fallen beside her catches my eye - a page about poisons used to break mate bonds. My blood runs cold as I read the symptoms listed: fever, chills, weakening powers...Everything she's been trying to hide from me."I need healers!" My voice carries command that brings them running. "Now!"The healing wing erupts in chaos as I burst in with her limp form. Her skin burns against mine even as she shivers uncontrollably."Her powers are fighting something." The head healer's hands glow as she examines Sage. "But I've never seen..."Through our bond, I feel Sage's strength ebbing. Feel how her healing abilities war with whatever poison runs throug
SageDawn mist curls around our feet as Alaric and I kneel facing each other in the sacred grove. The ancient texts were specific about this part - the ritual preparation requires perfectly synchronized power at sunrise."Ready?" he asks softly.I nod, pushing aside a slight wave of dizziness. Probably just the fasting required for cleansing. Through our bond, I feel his momentary concern, but I send back reassurance.Our hands join as power builds between us. The texts described this as "weaving two souls into one tapestry," but nothing prepared me for how it actually feels - like our very essences are intertwining, strengthening with each shared heartbeat.A sudden chill runs through me, breaking my concentration. The power wavers."Sweetling?" Alaric's thumb strokes my palm. "What's wrong?""Nothing." I force a smile. "Just lost focus for a moment."Through our bond, I feel his skepticism, but he doesn't push. Instead, his power wraps around me like a warm blanket, steadying me as w
SageAncient dust tickles my nose as I lean closer to the faded text, excitement building as I translate the archaic language. Through our bond, I feel Alaric's amusement at my complete absorption in research."You missed lunch again." His voice makes me jump as he sets a tray beside me. "And dinner.""I found something." I pull him down to see the text, not even tempted by the food despite having forgotten meals. "Look at this - 'The Trial of True Mates.' It was used in ancient times to prove mate bonds beyond any doubt."His hand traces patterns on my back as he reads over my shoulder. Through our bond, I feel his interest sharpen at certain passages."A ritual to demonstrate the depth of connection?" He frowns slightly. "What's involved?""That's what I'm trying to figure out." I gesture at the scattered texts. "The descriptions are fragmented, but it seems to involve some kind of shared trial. Something that proves the strength of the mate bond itself.""And these warnings?" His fi