Ayla POV I can’t help but watch Callan as he drives us to a mysterious destination. The way the sun catches in his hair makes him look heavenly. Excitement bubbles in my stomach at the idea of spending another day with this extraordinary man. He undid the top button of his shirt, rolling his head, and stretching his neck before pulling his tie loose. Did I make him just as nervous as he made me? “So I know this might sound childish, but there’s a kite festival I thought we could go to.” He turned to look at me, making my cheeks blush at being caught watching him, his lips curled up into a seductive smile that, if I were standing, would have made my knees weak. “That sounds fun.” We drove along the prom toward the town next to ours, turning toward the Victorian promenade there and parking. I got out of the car, zipping my coat up as the wind whipped around me. “Let’s go pick a kite,” Callan said as he wrapped his arm around my neck. I loved how he always held my hand or wrapped
Callan POV I could feel the pit in my stomach grow heavy as I watched Ayla walk into the bar, it was getting harder to leave her. Each time I had to say goodbye to her, she took a piece of my heart with her. It took all of my strength to drive away, and the drive back home seemed to be the longest journey I had ever taken. I had a deep longing for Ayla and knew now that there was no going back, not for me, she was my everything now. I just hoped she could accept me once she found out who I really was. “Where’s Ayla?” Eric asked as I walked through the door alone. “She agreed to help out that friend of hers. What time do we have to meet Minister Robert?” “He’s coming here in an hour,” Micha announced as he looked at his watch. He held a beer out to me as he walked past, but I held my hand up and shook my head. I was seeing Ayla again at 9, and I wouldn’t jeopardise the chance to see her by drinking and not being able to drive, plus I wanted to make sure I had a clear head from no
Callan POV *No, I wouldn’t tell him that Callan.* my mother answered. “Do you mind if I take a look at this fairy circle, maybe there’s something we are missing?” The Minister asked. “Of course. I have an archaeologist there who specialises in ancient structures. She also happens to be a wolf, so she can help you.” “Thank you, Alpha Callan,” Minister Robert said. Alister’s lips pinched together, his eyes narrowed as he glared at the Minister. I glanced at my watch, noticing it was almost time to collect Ayla. “If we’re done here, we have somewhere we need to be.” Micha and Eric both stood up, knowing I needed them to go with me now so Alister wouldn’t become suspicious. He stormed toward the door, crashing his shoulder into me as he passed. *I'm sorry son, I love you.* Mum said as she gently cupped my cheek. I didn’t blame her for telling Alister, he would have beat the shit out of Freya if she hadn’t, and I would never wish that on my baby sister. *It's OK mum, I understan
Ayla POV The air in the room was so intense it was stifling, I could feel the electricity brushing against my skin from the built-up sexual tension between me and the god sitting beside me. All I could think about was how I wanted to run my tongue along his delectable body and let him ravish me, but even now, after what just happened between us in that bar, he was still a gentleman and insisted we take this thing between us slowly instead of letting me live out all my fantasies involving him, which just made me love him all the more, and that scared me, I was falling hard and fast for this man. “Are you sure you're not going to get fired?” I asked Nicola one more time. “As much as my boss is a scumbag, he also knows that what that guy did was bang out of order. He’s just glad your boyfriend didn’t kick the shit out of him.” I glanced up at Callan, who had a smirk slapped across his face. I shook my head at him, but even when he was cocky, he was still breathtakingly handsome. I le
Ayla POV Callan sat beside me, his hand reached across the small space and grabbed mine. His thumb ran across my knuckles, sending pleasant tingles up and down my arm. I stretched my neck out trying to get some focus, but his touch was distracting, all I wanted to do was pounce on him. Callan knew what he was doing to me. I could see his sly smile as his fingers trailed along my skin. I reached across and grabbed him by his shirt and smashed my lips onto his, his hands grabbed a hold of my face and I could feel his fingers moving through my hair. His tongue pushed into my mouth and danced against my tongue. I felt him pulling me up off my chair and sitting me down on his lap. I wrapped my hand around his neck as I deepened the kiss. My whole body felt like it was on fire. I pulled away panting. “You drive me crazy.” He whispered as he rested his forehead against mine. I knew exactly how he felt, all I wanted was him, he had only just come into my life, but I was consumed by him,
Ayla POV “I am so disappointed in you, Ayla.” I stop, frozen in fear as the man I now know as Runduc strolls out of my bedroom as if he owns the place. “Do you like the flowers?” He asked, glancing at the bluebells sitting on the counter. “I picked them especially for you.” I took a step back, freeing my body from its shock. My legs felt weak as if my body was too heavy for them to support any longer, but I knew I had to run. I spun around, darting for the door, but Runduc was unnaturally fast. He stood in front of me, blocking my only way of escaping, making me yelp in surprise at his sudden appearance. “What do you want?” I asked as I backed away from the tall man, moving closer to the kitchen. “I told you what I want, Ayla. I want your magic. I am going to drain every single drop of it from your body.” “I don’t know what you mean, I don’t have any magic,” I cried. “Yet, but you will soon.” I felt the kitchen drawer handle dig into my back, and knew I was close to
Callan POV I knew life was too good for me at the moment, I had been sucked into an Ayla-sized bubble and was excited to wake up every day just so I could see her. My life now had a purpose other than becoming Alpha. I could see a future full of happiness and love, I could see myself and Ayla with a little family and I couldn’t wait. I should have known that at any given moment my happiness would come crashing down around me. When Minister Robert told me of Alister's plans to marry Freya to the Alpha of The Rabidcrest Pack, I never thought it would be so soon, plans had to be made, deals and pacts had to be made and everyone involved had to agree. I thought I had more time to stop Alister’s seeded little plan, but I had never been more wrong in my life. “I’m glad to see so many faces today, I have an important announcement to make.” The tosser declared as he stood at the front of the house looking at all of the pack's warriors as they gathered ready for training. He emitted an extr
Callan POV My mouth felt dry as I looked at all the heads of the pack warriors who were now looking to me to lead them. A dull thump began to drum against my temple as a heaviness settled on my stomach. “Stand up. You can all go home for the day, we will begin training again tomorrow.” I declared. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” I whispered to the Minister and my mother. The warriors of the pack were leaving the field. Some of them left in the direction of the forest, but most went into the pack house to get ready for the day. I could hear the minister and my mother following behind me. I made my way into one of the private studies my grandfather used. I knew that it was safe here to speak freely. Most of the rooms were made of solid brick and stone but also soundproofed so no one could eavesdrop. “What is it?” My mum asked. “I can’t be the Alpha yet, I have to make sure I stay close to.” I stopped realising the Minister didn’t know. “Who?” He asked. “He has a mate, a tr
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
Callan POV “How old is the house?” Ayla asked as she walked around the banquet hall looking at the carvings in the wooden beams that ran up the walls. “My pack has owned the land since the 14th century; over the years, more and more has been added to it, and renovations to preserve the building have brought it into the 21st century. This part of the building dates back to the Tudor period. Each Alpha has added to the house over the centuries, making it what it is today.” She ran her hands across the dark wood, intrigue filling her eyes as she leaned in closer to admire the craftsmanship. “And through here is my favourite part of the house.” She walked toward me, but her head rolled back to admire the beautiful arched beams that created a stunning masterpiece above us. “What’s up there?” She asked, pointing up to the balcony that ran across the room. “That is where the Alpha would stand and address his pack; it has a hidden door that leads to the Alpha’s quarters.” “Really? Ar
Callan POV “Ayla, you don’t know how happy I am that you accepted Callan.” Freya squealed as she threw the car door open. Ayla looked at me and smiled as she took her seatbelt off and climbed out of the car. Freya threw her arms around Ayla, and Ayla wrapped her arms around my sister in a loving embrace that made my heart feel full. “Welcome to the family, sunshine.” Micha winked; he threw his arm over Ayla’s shoulder and began to walk with her toward the house; my chest buzzed as a growl rumbled in my throat. “Callan, enough!” My mother scolded as she scooped her arm through Ayla’s and led her inside, followed by the entourage that had come to greet my new mate. “Your room is getting redecorated at the moment, sweetheart, but Callan’s old room should be comfortable enough,” I could hear her saying as the door closed behind them all. I grabbed Ayla’s bag from the boot of the car, but I couldn’t help the wide smile that filled my face. My family had fully accepted Ayla, and I c
Callan POV Driving back home to the pack house felt different now that Ayla was sitting next to me; that feeling of impending doom had vanished; now I felt light; I could literally feel Alister’s iron fist unclasping from around my throat. The sun was still low in the sky, but it warmed my skin as it shone through the car windows. I turned toward Ayla, admiring how her hair glistened as the sun shone on her, golden streaks illuminated like slivers of silky ribbon. She looked so beautiful and so pure. When I looked at Ayla, all my problems seemed to fade away, and when she touched me, all my troubles vanished, and only her beauty remained. The feeling of dread raced through my mind, and I couldn’t have felt happier about it; feeling her emotions as if they were my own created a fullness in my heart. All that was left to do now was for Ayla to mark me and complete the bond; then I would be able to hear her sweet voice in my mind and find her wherever she went. But I wasn’t entirely sur
Ayla POV Callan’s voice was like velvet. I never thought of a man’s voice as being soothing, but his voice was just that; just one word from him and my whole body uncoiled, and his touch ignited a wildfire of warmth that smouldered throughout my body. Every nerve felt like it had been caressed with pure ecstasy. “I saw Queen Duscellis; she said I have to save the nymphs.” His arms around me loosened, but they remained wrapped around me, which I was glad of. I enjoyed being tangled up in Callan. “Queen Duscellis?” He asked. His brows pulled together, making his forehead furrow, and the urge to protect myself suddenly overwhelmed my thoughts, but Queen Duscellis wasn’t a threat to me. I quickly shook those thoughts out of my head and looked up into Callan’s eyes. “She is the queen of the dryads. She told me I would come into my power now and that Runduc would feel it. She said wolves and nymphs have always protected each other and that you are my protector. She told me that she
Ayla POV Excruciating pain shot through my neck, burning my skin and seeping into my veins. With every pump of my heart, it felt like acid moving through my body, scalding my body from the inside. My skin felt itchy, and all I wanted to do was scratch until I was a bloody mess and free from the painful prickle. I squeezed my eyes closed, silently praying for the pain to ease when suddenly I felt nothing. My body felt weightless, like I was floating above the world. I opened my eyes so I could look at Callan and reassure him I was ok; his voice sounded panicked. As my eyes blinked open, I glanced around confused. I was standing in front of the tree, the mystical tree with the twisted trunk in the forest beside the flats. The grass felt soft beneath my bare feet, and I could feel a soft breeze brushing against my skin, bringing with it the sweet scent of flowers. Above me, I could hear the wind blowing through the large leaves of the magnificent tree, creating a soft rustle that mad
Callan POV This was supposed to be a moment in time that I would cherish for the rest of my life. I had a true mate, chosen by the moon goddess herself, and she wanted to be mine just as much as I wanted her. She chose to entwine her life with mine, making me feel complete; she had chosen to stay with me until our hearts beat as one for the last time, and I couldn’t have been happier. I had spent hours picturing the moment when I finally got to place my mark on Ayla’s neck; even when I tried to fight against our bond, I still couldn’t stop the fantasies of the moment I officially made her mine. This was supposed to be special. A magical moment when our souls connected as one. This is supposed to be one of the most memorable moments of our lives, but I never thought it would be memorable for this reason. She let out a chilling scream as my teeth pierced her neck. Her body went limp, and her head rolled forward, resting against my shoulder. “Ayla! AYLA!” I shouted, shaking her slightl