It has been a couple weeks now, and I’ve given up trying to figure out where the stupid burned eggs smell is coming from. Oddly, I have noticed the nasty odor hangs in the air only around lunchtime or when Owen is around, but it is still a mystery as to why. I’m assuming he is coming into contact with something or someone who has the scent, but the weird thing is no one but me smells it. Since I’m the only one who smells it, I have decided to just let it go. If I’m truly meant to find out where it is coming from, I’m sure I will stumble across it someday. I glance around the cafeteria and take a shaky breath.This is the big day. I have been working up to this and know I can do it, but my nerves are still getting the best of me. The task for today is for me to make it through my lunch by myself. My friends will be close by, but they will be out of sight. But just knowing they aren’t too far away helps calm me down.My hand trembles slightly as I grab my spoon. I’ve already p
Tommy POV When Sun Moon pack found me nearly on my deathbed, it was one of those times I had to go to town. I can’t even remember now why I had to go, but I wasn’t that stealth in my moments. The pack members who spotted me weren’t going to wait until I was drug back to our pack to watch my punishment. No. They had decided they were going to hand out my punishment right then and there that day instead. A cold shiver runs down my spine. I don’t like remembering that day. Instead, I prefer to remember the day I woke up in the hospital and met the amazing people who are now my close family. I take a deep breath and, in a calm voice, I add, “You know I have to do this. This isn’t something we can ignore.” Wyatt slowly nods. “I know, but every time you talk about going to the city and doing something on your own, images of the day we found you keep flashing through my mind. I don’t even want to think of what would have happened if we didn’t get there on time. I want nothing
Ah. I need this. I dash around a bush and jump over a large boulder. The wind whips through my fur while the crisp night air nips at my face. I don’t know why, but lately, I can’t seem to get enough honey to eat. It seems to be the only thing, besides Owen and Finn’s touch, that can calm me down, but I still don’t really know why. The only thing I have been able to figure out is that someone Owen comes into contact with from time to time must have the sweet honey smell associated with them. However, for the life of me, I just don’t know why. Tonight, though, the smell was so strong when Owen came to work on some projects with me, I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. I have tried to sleep for a couple of hours, and I couldn’t. I thought maybe a good run in the forest would help. Luckily, I was right. My mind and my wolf seem to calm down the longer I run through the forest. I don’t take time to take in the gorgeous view, though. My goal tonight is to clear my
Wyatt POVKane raises an eyebrow as he stares across our bedroom at me. “You did what? You actually told Jimmy that his mate is in our pack. Did you give him his mate’s name, too?”I shake my head and turn back towards the dresser. As I pull open a drawer and grab out a clean pair of socks and boxers, I hum, “No. I didn’t give him Tommy’s name. If he is smart, I’m sure he has figured it out by now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jimmy would actually try to come to our apartment to find his mate.”With my back still facing Kane, I flinch as a low growl fills the room. “WYATT! How could you?! We can’t speed this process along! You know that! Tommy has to be ready to meet his mate first!”Well, I can’t argue with him, but I also want to give Jimmy a light push. I can see he is trying really hard, between the lessons with the elders and his schoolwork. It hasn’t left him much time to try and find his mate. Shoot. He isn’t even picking up on the signs. I nearly laughed in Jimm
I walk out of the elders’ conference room, or should I call it my classroom, with my head once again spinning. They are covering so much information I don’t know if I’ll ever completely absorb or even remember most of it. In today’s lesson, I learned some amazing things. I turn and nudge Owen’s arm, as he steps up beside me while we head down the hall. “Hey, did you know any of the stuff about Alpha Wyatt or High Elder Ben’s family? I know in our old pack they would teach us about the first pack, but they would always say the first pack has disappeared.”He shakes his head. “No. I’m just as surprised as you. I think every pack has been taught over the years about the first pack being gone.” He pauses for a moment, before stopping and turning towards me. I immediately stop and turn towards him, too. “Hey, what’s wrong?”I stare at the look of confusion swirling across his face as he tilts his head. He hesitantly replies, “Remember what they said about the first pack? The f
Owen POVNo. Fear washes over me as I rush forward and grab Jimmy before his limp body hits the floor. I throw one of his arms around the back of my neck and drag him to the side of the door and out of view, while I mind link with Finn. “Don’t come out the kitchen’s main door. Jimmy just fainted when he heard Tommy say he hates the burned egg scent. I hadn’t even thought about it before, but it must be Jimmy’s scent.”Ugh. Why does this buffalo have to weigh so much?Concerned, Finn quickly replies through the mind link, “Oh my gosh. Is he all right? Don’t worry. I’ll make sure we go out the back door when we leave. It shouldn’t be a problem.”As I continue to struggle to pull Jimmy off to the side, Beta Ford and High Elder Ben rush to my side. The Beta grabs Jimmy’s free arm and the two of us drag the big giraffe to a private room off to the side of the dining hall. When we finally get Jimmy safely hidden in the room, Beta Ford asks, “What happened? Why is Jimmy unconsci
I chuckle to myself as I walk back into the spare bedroom, or should I say, my new bedroom. Who is Finn kidding by thinking he would even get mad if Owen’s sperm is super effective and has gotten him pregnant already? I know his wolf is already happy with the thought, and I’m excited, too. A faint giggle spills from me as I also remember Ben’s teasing. Finn wouldn’t have even realized anything if Ben hadn’t said anything. I guess I’m partly to blame too, since I was asking about Finn’s heat. It has been our habit since he and I met to take care of each other while we go through our heat. Wyatt and Kane help too, but we usually try to keep it between the two of us and not involve anyone else. My heat is coming up in a couple of weeks, which means Finn should start any day, if not already. But he isn’t showing any signs, which is why I asked. Plus, this is the first time Owen will be here for Finn’s heat. I haven’t asked, but I’m assuming I will be bumped from my normal dutie
Tommy POVI swallow the lump in my throat as I take a shaky breath. I admit I have accomplished a lot, but to me, there are still a lot of things I need to do. The shopping mall is just one of the many things on my to-do list. Unfortunately, I haven’t really revealed the other things on my list to anyone. Once I conquer the mall, I’ll then let them know about the other things I want to master. Wyatt clears his throat and slowly continues cutting food on Trey’s plate. “Well, I guess we can see if we have time this weekend free. I’ll make sure the others are aware and can help, too.”Kane’s hand, holding his spoon, lowers back down to his plate as he slowly nods. “I think Ford and Ben are available. I wonder if some of the others…”My stomach twists. No. This is going to be just like last time. I don’t want that. I quickly interrupt him. “No. I don’t want everyone there. It won’t end well, and I won’t be able to do what I need to do. So, only a small group. Okay.”I sc
With a small grin, I sit down at the table while a few elders scurry around, getting things ready for our lesson. It has been a long time coming, but Alpha Wyatt has finally approved all new members are to learn the pack’s complete history, including all the information about the royals. Thus, they wanted Tommy and me here today to go over it, too. I take a deep breath. This is a big day, but not for the lesson. No, this is another big day for Tommy and him accomplishing another milestone. At this rate, he will overcome all his fears in no time. I’m happy and proud of what he has accomplished, but a part of me, right now, can’t completely get over the loss of our pup. I’m smiling on the outside, but there is a chunk of my heart still grieving the loss. I glance across the room at Owen as he walks into the room, with Tommy and Jimmy following behind. Even though he appears to be happy too, I know he is battling the same pain inside as me. Rose walks into the room and clears
** 4 months in the future ** I take a deep breath as I stare down the hallway. Students scurry back and forth, hurrying off to their classes. Murmurs from all directions hang in the air, but I ignore them. I can do this. Taking a shaky breath, I rub my sweaty palm across my mate’s mark on my neck. My heartbeat quickens as my breathing becomes shallow. This is the first time I’ve ever tried to walk to my class by myself. Finn is some distance behind me and if I need help, he can rush to me, but I’ve told him only to come if he has no other choice. This is another small goal I need to do on my own. Each day, I get closer to conquering all my past demons. Touching Jimmy’s mark soothes my nerves while I gather my courage. I don’t dare look back at Finn, or I’ll lose what little courage I mustered up to do this. My eyes dart back and forth along the hallway before landing on my classroom’s door, which is at the other end of the hall. The door is open and a female student w
I stand in the hallway and stare back and forth between the two bedroom doors, while I wonder if everything will be all right. One couple is at their peak of happiness, while the other couple is at their lowest point since becoming mates. What do you do when the two people in the pack who can calm everyone else down are the ones who need someone to calm them down? How much longer will Owen and Finn keep to themselves and lock themselves in their room? Even though I’m the Luna, I don’t feel right barging into their room and trying to help them. This is something personal between the two of them, and only the two of them should work it out. My heart aches thinking about what they are going through right now. I’ve already given them a small talk, but I want to wrap my arms around them and make it all go away. My attention slowly drifts back over to the other door. I also want to wrap my arms around Jimmy and Tommy, but instead of taking away their pain, I want to rejoice in thei
My stomach flutters as my hunger for Jimmy soars. My wolf purrs in delight as I smile. Before my mind can wonder to other things, he captures my lips in a passionate kiss, and I remember exactly what we are doing. I have just demanded he make love to me and claim me. My wolf’s purrs stop as he jumps to the front of my mind. He also wants to put an end to our loneliness. He wants his mate as much as I do.My wolf won’t be the one enjoying this, though. It will be me. I may be fearful and shy in other instances, but not this time. The both of us have gone through so much to find each other. I’m not letting my wolf take control, no matter what. I’m going to be the one to savor and enjoy this moment.I moan into his mouth as his large hands move at the speed of light. Our clothes fly in every direction and in only a matter of minutes, we are both naked, with him hovering over me. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to see much of his tall, godlike body. Yes, I want to devour
** A couple of hours earlier ** I can’t stop my foot from bouncing while my heart races. Tommy has kissed me. He accepts me. With a faint smile on my face, I stare out the front window of the car. My mate is in Alpha Wyatt’s car in front of us. Even though we aren’t sitting side by side, a warmth slowly builds within me, knowing what will happen when we get back to the pack house. We will claim each other and officially become mates. My true mate is going to be mine. That seems so foreign and surreal. I had come to terms with the fact I’m never going to find my mate, but the moon goddess has a different plan for me. A sharp pang stabs me right through my heart as guilt washes over me. I haven’t stayed true to my mate. I know from Owen my mate has stayed pure and innocent for me. Why have I been such an idiot? Well, I know why, but I wish I could go back and change my past. If only that is possible, I would do it in a heartbeat. I run my palms down the top of my t
Owen POVI don’t know what to do. Finn has been crying on and off for days now. Something is seriously wrong, but he won’t tell me anything. I can tell by the looks on Alpha Wyatt and Luna Kane’s face they know what it is, but I also know they have looked into my mate’s mind to get the answer. I have promised to never do that, but this is almost too much. It eats away at me to see Finn so upset every night. I have been hesitant to push anymore because there are usually other people in the apartment, but right now, we are the only ones here. This may be my only chance to talk to him alone. With my arm wrapped around his shoulders, I pull him even tighter against me as we sit on the couch in the living room. I really don’t want to do this, but I have to. Gulp.Well, here goes nothing. I squeeze his shoulders and reluctantly ask, “Finn, baby, can you please tell me what is wrong? I want to help you, but I can’t do it if I don’t know what has happened.”He rests his head again
No. Not again. My breath hitches. Fear rushes through my body, turning my blood ice cold, as the sound of people rushing towards me echoes in my ears. Imagines of the last time something like this has happened, when I nearly lost my life, come flooding back to me. However, this time, I won’t go without a fight. I may be scared out of my mind, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to welcome anything these jerks want to do to me. Up to this point in my walk, I have only been worrying about my mate. His burned egg scent keeps tickling my nose and no matter what I do, I can’t seem to block it out. Luckily, he has kept his distance. As the group suddenly surrounds me, the one person who I have been avoiding, my mate, is the one person I want to call out to, but I don’t know his name. BAM!The tallest guy from the group knocks the wind out of me as the first punch lands on my stomach. A cold shiver runs down my spine as his rough hand grabs my shirt. Instantly, my body wants to repel
I’ve been so nervous Tommy is going to cancel his trip to the mall. As for Owen and Finn, I still don’t know exactly what is going on, but something is clearly happening there. I won’t push the topic or even look into my friend’s mind. When he is ready, he will tell me. Until then, I’ll wait patiently. I glance down at my watch as I pace back and forth in my room. Any minute now, Owen should tell me whether or not Tommy is going to the mall or not. If Tommy goes through with it, I’m going too. I’m sure he can smell my scent, but I want to be there, no matter what. Tommy’s words suddenly come flooding back to me, along with his disgust. My wolf whimpers and cowards back into the shadows. I have talked with the elders, including the Supreme Elder. They have told me this same situation with Tommy has happened in the past on rare occasions with other mates, but they also told me I still have a chance at changing things. Nothing is set in stone. If I can just prove to Tomm
Man, the elders are brutal. I think my college classes are hard, but the professors are nothing compared to the elders. Ugh… My mind is still spinning. Each day, they overload us with new information on things I’ve never heard before. Then our ability training is on another level which drains my energy.As soon as I walk into the apartment, I take a deep breath and let Finn’s delicious scent wash over me and calm me down as it wraps around me like a soothing blanket. I don’t care how hard or bad my day is. My mate’s scent of a spring rain instantly sends my mind to a wondrous field of spring flowers in bloom and gives me a silent boost of energy. I know he doesn’t have any flower aromas in his scent, but I can’t help to associate his spring rain aroma with blooming flowers. Just as Finn’s scent soothes my mind and body, Tommy rushes around the corner towards me. With an edge to his voice, he comes to a grinding halt in front of me and grunts, “Owen! Something is wrong with