Ayla POVI felt like I was having the most amazing dream, I felt warm and safe, like I was wrapped in a blanket of love. But then, when I realised I was wrapped in someone’s arms, I panicked. My eyes flew open and landed on his sweet face. It was so close to mine. My stomach danced, and my heart raced as his grip around my waist tightened, pulling me closer to his body. He felt so warm and the urge to run my fingers across his skin just so I could feel it was too much. As much as I wanted to stay in this moment for the rest of my life, I couldn’t be here when Callan woke up. That would just be awkward. I gently slipped my fingers under his hunky arm and tried to lift it, but his grip became tighter. I held my breath as he pulled me closer and my heart pounded in my ears. The skin on his face looked smooth, but his jaw was peppered with stubble. God, he was beautiful. I tried to pull out of his hold carefully, but he had a firm grip on me. His eyes fluttered open and for a moment I got
Ayla POV The day seems to drag by, Nicola is dying and refuses to leave her bed and the only other people I know are Callan, Micha and Eric. I ponder to myself if I’m brave enough to go up and see if they would like to do something when three loud bangs pull me from my thoughts. I open the door and see Micha and Eric both standing there with some board games in their hands. “We figured you were just about competitive enough for a game of Monopoly?” Eric said with his cheeky smile. “Sure, come on in.” I opened the door, holding it open so they could both walk in. “Just a sec,” Micha said, walking back down the hallway with his phone to his ear. I left the front door open for Micha and went to help Eric set up the board. Luckily, my parents had a large coffee table that we could play on, and we could all sit around. “OK, I'll take the car before Callan gets here and takes it,” Micha said as he walked into the flat, closing the door behind him. I felt my cheeks flush at the mentio
Callan POV Last night being so close to Ayla like that, all I wanted to do was to take her in my arms and never let her go, my body subconsciously did it and fuck did it feel amazing holding her so close to me. I felt so refreshed and energised, who knew having your mate sleep soundly in your arms would make you feel so good. It took all the strength I had to not kiss her plump lips because I knew as soon as I did kiss Ayla, that would be it for me, I would never be able to let her go again, I would want my day to start and end with her and what I needed right now was to keep a clear head. I needed to think of what my mother had said after Ayla had left and how I was going to take the pack back to ensure her safety. *What the fuck was that Callan? Ayla looked really upset.* *I can’t risk her, Micha, she’s too precious to me.* *Where are you?* *I had to let my wolf out. He's raging. Please watch over her for me.* *We will. You know we will, but you can’t keep leading her on like
Callan POV I couldn’t fight against myself any longer, the internal battle that was raging inside me came to an abrupt stop as I leaned down and seized her lips. The world stood still as her arm slid up my chest and wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer. Her tongue swept against mine, and it was like an explosion of colours in my mind, she tasted sweeter than I ever imagined, like freshly picked strawberries with a sprinkling of sugar. I wanted the world to know Ayla was mine and only mine. My wolf began to howl with delight in my head as she pulled my body closer to hers and kissed me deeply and passionately, her fingers combed through my hair sending sparks of pleasure rushing through my body. It was like I had lived my entire life for this moment, and now I had tasted how sweet she really was, I was never letting her go. “I thought you hated me.” She whispered breathlessly as I pulled away. I ran my fingers across her cheek, brushing a strand of hair away from her eyes as I
Callan POVThe air felt fresher here, and the wind felt colder. Ayla pulled her jacket around herself, but her smile was big and bright. “Let’s go this way,” I said as I pulled her along through the tall grass.The forest of Bowland wasn’t too far away from where we lived but far enough that I could relax with Ayla and not worry about anyone from the pack seeing us. Yes, I had accepted Ayla as my mate, but she was still at risk from Alister, so I wanted to take precautions. I could hear the river up ahead and smiled. Ayla kept her hand locked in mine as we walked. Even though this place was called a forest, it was more of a natural landscape showcasing the beauty of nature. Sheep freely roamed the grassy area, but there was not a single person out here which is exactly what I wanted. I wanted Ayla to myself. The river was wide. Ayla looked at it and smiled.“We have to keep walking,” I said, pulling her along the river bank.I could see the waterfall just ahead of us. The sound of it
Ayla POV “I will see you tomorrow,” Callan whispered as he kissed me goodbye once more. I closed my eyes as his lips brushed against mine softly. The world seemed to come to life when his lips touched mine. It was like I was in the darkness before I had known his touch, and now I had been brought into the light, I wanted more. My hand slid up his chest and wrapped around his neck as his arm pulled me closer, and he deepened the kiss. Sparks of electricity hummed across my body as he slipped his tongue into my mouth, making my brain explode with lust and desire. I wanted this man more than I needed my next breath. He pulled away but never took his eyes off mine. I could feel myself panting for breath. I had never been kissed the way Callan kissed me and I never wanted to feel another person's lips against mine again. He consumed me. “Goodnight Callan.” I slipped inside and closed the door, resting my back against it with the biggest, goofiest smile you could imagine. Today has bee
Ayla POV “We will leave you two lovebirds to ride alone,” Eric shouts as he climbs into the sporty-looking car he’s always driving. Callan opens the door of his very fancy Range Rover. As I step closer to the open door, he holds his large strong hand out to help me climb inside. Those electrical currents I only feel when I touch Callan run through my body and I feel like I’m floating above the world. He opens the back door and puts our bags on the back seat. As he climbs into the front, he leans across the space, making me turn to look at him, but his lips slap against mine as his hand cups my face. He pulls away, leaving me breathless. “I was wondering if I could see you again tonight. I have some things I have to do after work, but maybe after that, if you're free?” “I said I would help Nicola out tonight, but it ends at 9 if that’s not too late.” His brow furrowed, but his face softened as he held my hand up to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of my hand sending a rush
Callan POV I watched as Victoria led Ayla over to the circle, never taking my eyes off my mate and the wolf that Rosie had called in to help with the site. “She will be fine, Callan. I take it that Ayla is more than just your office girl?” “What did you want, Rosie?” “I was right, Runduc has been here.” I watch Ayla bending down ever so elegantly so she can see the carvings on the rocks. I felt Rosie’s body tense. Her heart began to pound and all the hairs on my body stood on end, telling me I needed to get to Ayla fast. “Callan wait!” Rosie shouted from behind. I grabbed Ayla and pulled her up off the floor just as her fingers grazed against the rock. As her face turns to me, her eyes are completely white, but they soon return to the beautiful purple flower floating on top of the bluest ocean. “Are you OK?” I whispered as my eyes scanned across her face. Her lashes flutter, making my heart follow their lead. I gently brush some of her soft hair away from her face, making
Callan POV I strolled down the stairs of the pack house with a bounce in my step and the biggest smile on my face. I had never felt so positive about life as I did right now. The pack house no longer felt like a prison of my torment; the halls were no longer filled with memories of my father chasing me down them, and the rooms no longer held the memories of the beatings he would rain down on me for just being alive. Ayla had changed that; she had given me the greatest memory that I will forever cherish, and it was here, in this house I was once afraid of roaming. Now the house felt warm and full of love; the walls didn’t echo the reminiscence of a bad childhood; now they reflected her love and her kindness. The halls didn’t seem gloomy and obsessive; now they were bright and full of life. Not only did it feel like home now, but Ayla had agreed she would stay here until her life was no longer in danger, and the thought of spending every waking moment with her filled me with immense jo
Ayla POV “Alister went to your parent's flat looking for you; that's how Eric got hurt. If you had been there, he would have killed you, Ayla. I can’t live in a world without you.” His voice cracked. I leaned back so I could see Callan. His deep, rich eyes glistened with the tears he was holding in, and my heart wept to see this beautiful man looking so sorrowful. “Callan, nothing is going to happen to me. I will stay with you until we get this all sorted out.” “Really?” He asked, a tear slipped from his eye and rolled down his cheek. “Yes, if it will take one worry away from you, then yes, I will stay here until your father and Runduc are no longer a threat.” His lips captured mine, and his tongue pushed into my mouth, sweeping across mine and sending my mind into an explosion of excitement. His hand ran up my back, sending a shiver through my body. “We need to keep your parents away from the flat; Alister will use them to get to you. Micha knows someone who can extend their c
Ayla POV The sound of timber creaking around me created an eerie atmosphere in the room; it sounded like unseen people were moving all around me. The wind outside gently rattled the windowpane, and a very soft whistle emitted from the window area. Pedro's rage suffocated the large room, taking away all the oxygen and filling it with a heat that burnt my lungs as I inhaled. The rage that burnt in his eyes made me shrink back into the sofa, afraid his fury would be unleashed at any moment, but I knew Callan would never let any harm come to me, even though I hadn’t known Callan for very long. I felt like I had known him my whole life and in the life before this one. Just looking at him made me feel safe; I could feel his arms wrapping around me even though he was standing across the room comforting his mother. Cora looked up at the sound of the door slamming against the wall, and the look in her eyes as she realised Pedro had left the room made my heart jerk; I could literally see her h
Freya POV I can feel my heart pounding against my chest, my stomach is churning like there’s no tomorrow, and my hands won't stop trembling. Sickly saliva keeps flooding my mouth, so I swallow it back down, refusing to let my nerves get the best of me. The smell of mildew is drowned out by Eric’s scent, which is driving me wild; I can see why Callan is always sniffing Ayla now. An awkward silence fills the room; I keep opening my mouth to say something, but I quickly close it, afraid my words will come out all jumbled. It’s just me and Eric now. Doctor Whitelock left Eric in my care 30 minutes ago, and all I have been able to say since then is erm, when Eric asked me how I was after my father arranged to have me beaten to a pulp. I still have nightmares of that day; faceless people haunt my every thought. Well, that is until Eric is close by; he chases away all my fears. “Freya, I will be okay if you want to go and check on your mum.” His words seem to snap me out of my own mortify
Micha POV Silence filled the room as the curling wisps of scarlet mist rose from the vial in Rosie’s hand. I glanced across the room at Cora; her mouth was open, and her deep, shallow breaths made her chest rise rapidly. I turned to look at my dad; his eyes were locked onto Cora, watching her carefully, but I could see the rage ticking in his jaw as he clenched it. Callan sat beside Ayla; he had his arm wrapped around her protectively, and I could see the way he kept glaring at Rosie; his back was rigid, and I knew Callan better than I knew myself; he wasn’t just worried about finding out we had all been lied to our entire lives and that Cora had been under a spell created by his father so he could take over our pack; something else was going on with him. Ayla gave him a small nudge, making him look down lovingly into her eyes. I never thought I would see the day of Callan truly happy, but Ayla made him smile without even trying. She made him happier than I had ever seen before, and
Callan POV Deafening silence filled the room; the only sound I could hear was the rustling of Dr Whitelock’s shirt as he gently moved around Eric, meticulously checking his wounds, which were now healing fast, much to my relief. “You think he used a spell to replicate the mate bond?” Freya asked our mother, her eyes never leaving Eric, though, as she watched what the doctor was doing. “I am positive. I never really loved your father; it was more of an infatuation in the beginning. It was nothing like what I felt for Pedro. As soon as your grandfather found out about it, he insisted I accept him, telling me how blessed I was to be given a fated mate by the goddess herself, and that was when the feelings came, after I accepted him as my mate, but the feelings I had for him felt unnatural, like they had been planted inside my mind.” “So you and my dad were a thing?” Micha asked. Mum nodded her head, swallowing what seemed to be a large lump in her throat. “Then how did he end up bein
Callan POV A fresh swell of fury pulsed through me, racing through my veins, making my blood boil, and causing my skin to sizzle. Alister stood smiling at me while the stranger he called son began to pace in front of me. His hand flicked forward, sending the red spark that flickered across his fingers just a second ago toward me, but because Minister Robert had spent the last month training us how to defend against magical attacks, I expected that and slid to the left, letting the red spark skim past my body. I could feel the heat from it grazing against my fur, and the smell of burning plastic stung my nose. “Enough. No one will be fighting today. I just wanted to come and see how my pack was doing and to return something to you.” Alister interrupted. I didn’t take my eyes off Alister’s other son; the corner of his lip twitched into a half-smirk, and his eyes had an inner glow that screamed wickedness. I bolted toward him, crashing my large frame into his skinny one, sending him
Ayla POV The large man's hands gripped my arms firmly, but he didn’t squeeze as he pulled me away; he was quite delicate, which surprised me. We began our walk back toward the house, the smell of the wildflowers and the woodsy scent of the trees becoming fainter the closer we got, and as the trees began to thin out, replaced with the smell of freshly cut grass and roses. I glanced over my shoulder hoping to get a glimpse of Callan but instead saw the hulking black wolf I had met once before when Callan’s father had made him turn to stop him from hurting me. That ferocious beast flashed through my mind, but the fear I felt that night no longer accompanied the memories; now I felt awe when I gazed upon it. Callan’s wolf was enormous; his paws looked bigger than my head, and the muscles on his legs showed that Callan was powerful, but I had heard all about Callan’s father, and the fear that had been pushed deep down into my stomach because Callan had chased it all away by being with me,
Callan POV My stomach dropped as a chill ran up my spine, making goosebumps prickle across my skin. Alister was here, and so was Ayla. “Take Ayla to my mother and sister and get the beta to meet me outside the boundary wall.” “Yes, Alpha.” I stepped forward but felt a tug on my arm, stopping me from taking another step toward Alister. “No, Callan, don't go,” Ayla begged. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears; all I wanted to do was wrap her in my arms and make everything better for her, but the urge to keep her safe from Alister was stronger than my need to hold her. Not only did I have the elf to worry about, but Alister was also a threat to Ayla; he knew Ayla was my mate, and if he wanted to hurt me, he knew all he had to do was hurt Ayla, but I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe from both of them. I cupped her cheek and ran my thumb across her soft skin. “Ayla, I have to. He will kill everyone here if I don't stop him.” Her face paled; I nodded to the guard who had