Callan POV Both Micha and Eric’s mouths dropped open, Micha sat back against the sofa, whilst Eric ran his fingers through his hair like I had just told him I had killed his grandmother. But having a fated mate was rare, very rare. “Aren’t you going to say anything?” I asked. “The girl from the other night?” Micha asked. “No.” I sneered, letting the disgust show in my words. I sat down on the chair opposite my two friends when Eric spoke. “Ayla.” Micha looked at Eric and then at me, his eyes going wide when I nodded my head. “Yes, it’s Ayla. She’s my mate. I had been dreaming of her for so long that I thought I was going crazy, but then she showed up, and I didn’t know what to do. I was going to reject her, but I can’t bring myself to do it.” “No, you can’t reject her, Cal. She is chosen for you by the goddess.” Micha practically shouted. “And what do you mean by dreaming of her?” Eric added. I leaned back against the chair and closed my eyes, but I could feel Micha and E
Ayla POV I’m walking down the dirt path in the forest beside the house, but everything seems different, the world seems different, the sun is shining through the leaves on the trees, and I can feel the warmth on my skin. My fingers graze against the top of the bluebells as I let my fingers trail across them, the petals feel like silk against my fingertips. I can hear the chirping of the crickets and the sweet song of a bird that makes my heart feel light. The small stream seems larger than I remember, like it’s swollen with a glass-like liquid that seems to sparkle as the sun hits it, not the brown murky water I saw when I jogged along it. I can hear the water rushing past me fast, it makes the air smell fresh and invigorating. As I inhale, I can feel my body filling with vitality. I see the dirt path split. One path leads off along the gushing stream, and the other deep into the forest. The last time I was here, this path didn’t have a fork in the road, it followed the stream. I did
Ayla POV I couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding after that dream. Even whilst showering, I could feel dread coiling up inside my stomach. “Good morning flower.” My dad smiled as I walked into the kitchen. I grabbed his toast off his plate and took a bite. “Morning Dad.” “Do you have any plans for today?” He asked. I grabbed a cup and poured myself some coffee and shook my head. “I have something getting delivered today and your mum can’t see what it is. Could you wait in for them?” I didn’t mind waiting in to help my dad out, it was my parent's wedding anniversary soon and my mum was a notorious snoop. “Sure, is it anniversary presents?” I asked. He looked at me, his eyes squinted together, and a playful smile filled his face. “She asked me to find out what you got her.” “I bet she did the little sneak. I know you are on my side though, so I will tell you this, it’s not what she is thinking, it's tickets.” “Oh fancy.” I teased. My back pocket began to vibrate, I pulled
Ayla POV I closed the door and waited for a minute to make sure Micha had definitely gone before I jumped around the room with joy. I couldn’t help but have a good feeling about this. “Hey, sweetheart. Did my package come?” My dad shouted. I quickly put my other trainer on and grabbed the envelope off the coffee table and passed it to him. “Thanks, flower, are you going for a jog?” “Yeah, after you kill my suspense and tell me what you got mum.” He smiled as he pulled the tab on the envelope and opened it, he pulled out a smaller envelope and held it out to me. I took it and opened it up smiling to myself. He had gotten mum tickets for a two-week Caribbean cruise. “Wow Dad, mum will love this.” “I know. I think this will be the first year that I’ve managed to surprise her.” Dad looked extremely pleased with himself and I couldn’t blame him, I knew Mum would be overjoyed when she opened this up and saw tickets for a Caribbean cruise. “OK, I’m going to go for a run.
Callan POV “What’s going on?” Eric asked as he walked out of the house and headed toward me. I had seen Ayla in the woods running away from something, the fear on her face ignited all the fury inside of me. I would kill anything that threatened her. *Ayla was being chased by something. She said she could hear a bell!* Eric looks at me, his nostrils flare and his gaze turns hard. “Fuck.” He mutters as he follows me into the woods. *Did she see it?* he asked as we moved deeper into the forest out of sight of any humans who might be passing through. *No, she only heard the bell. I heard it as well, but when I got to her, it stopped. I think it was watching her.* *Fuck! Do you think Ayla is what he’s after?* I stopped walking as fear clawed up my spine. Eric turned to look at me. *We won’t let anything happen to Ayla. She’s our Luna.* Without even realising I had forgotten the notion of rejecting Ayla and fully accepted her as my mate, I would do anything to see that smile of h
Callan POV “I forgot to tell you, I hired someone yesterday, and she will be here any minute for her first day.” “What! Micha, why?” Micha and Eric were both in my office discussing the fairy circle and what we were going to do about it. Micha shrugged his shoulders whilst taking a sip of his coffee when the elevator door dinged announcing the arrival of the new employee. Oriental roses and orange blooms drifted throughout the office floor and I felt my lips twitch up into a smile. “Over here Ayla,” Micha shouted. I watched as she stepped off the elevator and glanced around the office. Her eyes went wide as she saw me through the glass door, her eyes locked with mine and my heart began to race. She looked just as beautiful as she did the first time I ever saw her. She wore a red blouse with a collar that seemed to cover her beautiful neck. A black skirt that came to below her knees, but it seemed to hug her body. Her toned legs looked firm in a pair of black heels and her hair hu
Callan POV“Can I drive you home?” I asked as I walked out of my office putting my coat on.“I drove here, but thank you.”“Can I walk you to your car then?” She smiled at me, and it felt like the world stood still, she looked radiant when she smiled at me like that.“Thank you.” She grabbed her bag and coat and walked out of the office beside me. She was so close, that if I let my fingers reach over, I could feel her once again.“I hope you will be staying at home tonight. No late-night jogs after what happened yesterday.”“I’m helping my parents tonight, they’re going on a cruise and their flight is at 3 am and my mum still hasn’t packed a thing. Thank you for walking me home last night, Callan, and making sure I was OK. I was probably being silly.”“No, you weren’t Ayla, there’s been reports of a man lurking in the area following women. I’m just glad I was there.”She stopped beside her red Mini Cooper and opened the door.“Well this is me. I will see you tomorrow.”“Goodbye Ayla
Ayla POV “Have an amazing time, I want to see lots of pictures and don’t worry about anything here.” I hugged my mum one last time as Dad passed the taxi driver the last suitcase. Mum's grip around me tightened before she let go, and I was swept into my dad’s arms in a tight but loving embrace. “Look after yourself, flower, and no wild parties whilst we’re away.” He chuckled as he kissed me on top of my head. “Brownie promise,” I smiled, holding 3 fingers in the air. I stepped back and watched as Dad climbed into the taxi, pulling the door closed whilst blowing me one last kiss. My eyes began to blur as I waved goodbye to my parents. I was going to miss them. The midnight air was cold, I could see my breath fanning out in front of my face every time I exhaled. I stood watching until the lights from the taxi disappeared at the end of the drive before making my way inside into the nice warm flat. It seemed eerily quiet now that my parents weren’t here, the clock seemed to tick loud
Callan POV I lay in bed, but sleep eludes me tonight, not because I’m worried about something and my brain just won’t switch off, but because my mate is sleeping soundly beside me, and I don’t want to miss a moment with her even if it’s just watching her sleep. I love the way her eyes flutter as she dreams and the soft snore that escapes her sweet lips. But what I love most is the way she mumbles my name as she dreams about me. I can’t imagine ever closing my eyes at the end of the day and not having her beside me, and it kills me knowing I’m going to have to leave her here, but I need to think of my pack now as well; I need to step up and be the alpha they deserve. Plus, I won’t be leaving Ayla alone here; Eric and Micha have offered to stay at the penthouse until Ayla takes her place by my side. I’m just not sure how I will manage having the forest between us. “Good morning.” She mumbles as she stretches her arm above her head. She looks adorable with sleep still filling her eyes.
Ayla POV “Because Ayla, you are my mate. I would die for you.” A warmth spread through my chest, and my heart drummed wildly as Callan spoke. I searched his eyes, trying to see if he was joking, but all I saw was love and truth. He really would die for me. Thinking of Callan dying caused a sharp pain right through my heart. I never wanted any harm to come to Callan, literally or figuratively. “I like you too, Callan.” He chuckled and shook his head. He let go of me, letting his hand slide down my arm and clasped my hand so he could lead me up the stairs. “Let’s talk up here.” I relished the tingles that ran up my arm from his touch; I loved how he affected my body. As we walked into the penthouse, his mother stood up from the couch; her eyes went down seeing us holding hands, and her lips curled up into a bright smile that made my heart feel light. “Your sister is waiting for me; we are going to go back to the pack house to take care of things. But you will have to come back t
Callan POV Ron stumbled out of the pack house and collapsed onto the floor with a clamorous thud. Eric was already halfway across the garden before I could register what was happening, shifting back to his human form as he reached his father's side. “I need the doctor!” Eric screamed, his voice thick with panic. I bolted toward Eric and Ron, pushing my wolf back so I could help one of the men who treated me as his own. A deep gash oozed blood on the back of Ron’s head; the air smelled like copper and sweat. “I’m here; let’s get him inside.” Doctor Whitelock said as he ran past us into the pack house carrying his black medical bag with him. Eric gently picked his father up and carried him inside, placing him down on the sofa in the common room that the whole pack used. The doctor pushed Eric aside as he examined Ron’s head wound. “Will you be OK if I go and see what happened in the cells?” I asked, not wanting to leave Eric and Ron, but knowing something terrible had to have h
Callan POV *Rogues at the pack house!* Eric screams through the mind link. I look at Ayla, who is watching me. Her eyes sparkle as they catch the light that streams through the large stained glass window that floods the hallway with colour; her lips are pressed tightly together, and I can see the tension in her shoulders. I want to stay here with Ayla more than anything, but my pack needs me, and I refuse to let them down the way Alister did. “I have to go; can we talk again later?” She begins to shake her head whilst stepping back away from me; my chest starts to tighten, and my heart feels heavy. “Callan, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I nod my head as I step back, putting more space between us as I reel from her words; her eyes narrow and her brow pulled down, but I turn before she can utter another devastating word and head down the stairs and toward the forest. As soon as I’m hidden by the cover of the trees, I let my wolf burst forward, letting him take control. His ra
Ayla POV The man was lanky, but his shoulders were broad. He stepped closer, allowing me to smell the mouldy smell that seemed to surround him. He reached for my arm, grabbing it and squeezing it tight, making me cry out. “Get off me!” I cried. I snatched my arm back and out of his vice-like grip and slapped him across the face, feeling the sting across my palm as it connected with his cheek. The lanky man’s lips twitched, making my blood run cold. I slowly stepped back as his body began to shake, his legs bent backwards, making him fall to the ground. I could hear the echo of his bones as they snapped all around me. His face stretched, and as the skin pulled tight clumps of fur began to grow, covering a large snout. His hands dug into the mud beneath him, and as his hand clenched, his fingers disappeared and a large paw took its place. The man’s body twitched and jerked, his clothes shredded around him, and he was replaced with a dull grey and brown fur that seemed to stick toge
Ayla POV “I have to go; can we talk again later?” His voice makes my stomach flutter, and I’m finding it hard to resist him, but I still need time to think about this. I’ve just had an overload of information dumped on me, and I’m finding it hard to wrap my head around everything. I mean, how the hell can I be a nymph, although my dreams do kind of make sense now, or should I say the visitations I received regularly? And not only is Callan a werewolf, but he’s an Alpha; his friends and family are all werewolves, as are probably most of the people I work with, but again, it makes sense why I always felt like an outsider. Then there’s the fact I have an evil elf wanting to drain me of my blood all so he can free his evil imps from some prison realm, and because of that, Callan was seriously hurt; if he wasn’t found by Micha and Eric, then he would have died, and I couldn’t live in a world without Callan. Maybe it’s better that he stays away from me completely; then at least that way h
Callan POV All I can remember from Runduc’s attack is the searing pain that ripped through my side as his sword pierced my skin. And then nothing. Nothing until I felt her touch. It pushed warmth into my body and pulled me back from the brink of nothingness. Her voice called out to me in the darkness, guiding me home. I forced my eyes to open so I could see the face of the angel that had pulled me back from the oblivion that was going to engulf me, but all I saw was worry etched into her beautiful eyes as I briefly gained consciousness. I didn’t know how long I had been outside close to my demise, but I was eternally thankful that I had friends like Micha and Eric. It was them that found me. My room feels cold, but Ayla’s galvanising scent drifts toward me, igniting the fire that burns deeply for her. My bedroom door is wide open, so I have the perfect view of Ayla sitting on the sofa, but the distance between us feels like a chasm filled with falsity and trepidity. “What are you d
Ayla POV I scurried out of his room, leaving the door open so I could keep an eye on him or hear him if he called me. I just couldn’t be around him at the moment. My mind was working overtime; every time I saw his chiselled abs or firm pecs, I couldn’t think of anything other than running my tongue across every inch of his skin. I sat on the sofa, but I kept glancing back into the room. Callan was still sitting up against the pillow I had placed behind his back, his eyes were locked on me. I reached into my pocket, pulling out the card that Rosie had given me, and put her number into my phone before calling her. “Hello.” “Hi Rosie, it's Ayla. Are you free to talk?” “I am indeed. What would you like to know?” She sounded so cheery and preppy, I could picture her full red lips smiling as she spoke to me. “What am I? I always knew I was different, but I just thought I was an empath, just more tuned into people's feelings.” “You are a nymph, the last nymph, to be exact.” “How? Wo
Ayla POV “I’m what?” I asked. “The last nymph, that is why Runduc is after you, he wants you so he can harness your power. If he succeeds he will use it to bring his elves back from Dearrotara, the dark realm they were imprisoned in and if he does that, war will soon be on our doorstep, and every supernatural creature will be killed so they will be the supreme beings on this earth and once they have killed us all they will enslave mankind and turn our world into their new utopia, destroying life as we know it.” “That’s ridiculous.” “Ayla?” Callan’s voice made me stop talking. All the muscles in my back went stiff, I was unsure what to do. I turned to look at him but he looked so weak still, his cheeks had more colour to them and his skin wasn’t as pale as he was this morning but it broke my heart to see him that way. I stepped closer to the bed and leaned down so I was closer to his face. I placed my hand against his chest and felt those sparks run up my arm. “Yes it’s me,