Ayla POV “Hurry up Callan, we’re gonna be late!” Eric shouted, making me look over toward the house. I glance at my watch and see it’s only 5.20 am. Callan walks out of the house and his head snaps up and over to me. I duck down so he doesn’t see me, but it’s too late. “Ayla, what are you doing out here at this time?” He asked as he walked over the small wooden bridge toward me. “I had a bad dream and I like it here. It feels calm and peaceful.” “What happened to your head?” He gently lifts my head and looks at the small cut, those pleasant tingles ripple across my skin. “It was nothing. I banged it whilst I was asleep.” His eyes connect with mine and I feel my heart race, his rich brown eyes seem alive. “You should go inside, it’s not safe out here.” “Why?” I asked. “You don’t know who could be lurking around watching you.” I stand up to make my way inside when I notice his clothes, he has some jogging pants on and a vest that clings to his body, the muscles on his arms ar
Freya POV I can’t breathe, I feel like I have been smothered with a blanket of loose dirt. The more I move, the more it engulfs me, pushing me deeper into a deep pit with no way out, and my chest feels tight. Every time I try to suck in some air, the invisible bindings that are wrapped around my body pull tighter. Alison passed me a glass of water. The condensation from the ice runs down the glass. I lifted my hand to take the glass from my friend, noticing the slight tremble. The ice clangs against the glass as I lift it to my mouth. “What happened, Freya? I have never seen you like this?” She says as she sits down opposite me. Alison is a friend from college. She lives in the next town over, which is perfect. My father would never think to look for me here. In fact, he doesn’t even know Alison exists, which is exactly how I wanted it. As far as he’s concerned, I have no friends, I’m a loner who’s scared of her own shadow. “It’s my dad, we got into a huge fight.” “What about?”
Callan POV I waited for Rosie to say more, but the phone remained deathly silent. “Would anyone help Alister?” Rosie, like so many others, despised Alister. He was a narrow-minded man who thought of witches as fleas, but he had used the witches in the past. That’s how I know Rosie and her coven, so what's to say he isn’t using them once again? “Honestly, I don’t know Callan, my coven has cut all ties with your father, they aren’t too happy I’m helping you, but they know you're a good man, so they don’t say anything. Why, what’s wrong?” “It’s nothing. Look, can we talk tomorrow? I have some things I have to deal with.” “Sure.” I didn’t wait for pleasantries like goodbye. I hung up and immediately called Pedro, noticing a message from Eric saying he had Freya. At least I had one less thing to worry about. “He could have had the help of a witch,” I said as soon as Pedro answered. “I was thinking the same, we have 15 warriors missing as well, everyone your father favoured. I th
Callan POV “Are you busy tonight?” I asked. There was no chance I was leaving her alone, not after that mother fucker attacked her in her own home. “I’m free.” She answered with a smile. “Can I take you out? I have to make a quick stop if that’s OK. Then how about a movie and takeaway at mine, your choice.” She smiled at me, and it felt like the world stopped moving. “I would love that.” She whispered. “Good, sit down, I will go and get your work for you.” I placed my fingers beneath her chin, lifting her face, so I could gaze at it properly. I leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. She tasted so sweet and fresh, I went to pull away, but I felt her pulling my tie stopping me from moving, her fingers weaved through my hair making my chest vibrate with a satisfied growl. I felt her grip loosen, and she slowly pulled back, but I wanted more. I reluctantly stood up straight and quickly slipped out of my office to grab her work off the desk. I could see Micha in his office, he
Ayla POV I couldn't help looking around in awe at the magnificent house in front of me. It seems so grand. Red and green leaves climb up the walls and creep over the windows blanketing the enormous house. Three large arches run along the right side of me. Above the arches is a wall that has intricate shapes cut out of the stone, creating a lovely pattern on the ground from the light shining behind it, and I can just about make out a person walking back and forth behind the wall, leading me to believe it’s a balcony. The space between the arches is black, but I can see a soft glow coming from beautiful stained-glass windows on the opposite side of the arches. Besides the three beautiful arches, there is a large stone staircase that leads up to large perfectly shaped bushes with soft light illuminating the sculpted shrubbery. The ground floor windows are large, beside each window is a large bushy hedge. Callan was standing in front of a large arched door talking to an older woman who w
Ayla POVMy feet stumbled as I was pushed forward, but I managed to steady myself. The wolf that was once Callan stepped forward snarling, white pointed teeth that looked sharper than Freddie Krueger's claws flashed as his mouth pulled back and he bared his teeth, drool dripped from his mouth onto the floor beneath him, my body went cold with fear as my stomach clenched. I slowly stepped back, holding my trembling hands out in the hopes the beast before me would see me as no threat. The monstrous wolf stepped forward, changing into Callan in all his glory right before my eyes. “Ayla, I won't hurt you,” he whispered.“Stay away from me!” I cried, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. I could feel a coldness slipping down my face, and taste the salty sting of the tears that leaked of their own will.Callan’s eyes flashed with pain as I teetered backwards until I felt the car on the back of my legs. I stumbled around the bonnet and jumped into the car as soon as I felt the handle ag
Callan POV The look of fear that swept across her beautiful face as she saw my true identity would haunt me until the day I die. Her eyes went wide, letting me see the terror swarming in them, her face went pale, and her body trembled. I could hear her breathing becoming heavy as she desperately tried to step away from me. The beast that I had tried to keep hidden from her was the thing that drove her away from me, and now I don’t know what I will do without her in my life. But watching her drive away leaving me in her rearview mirror was heartbreaking, it felt like Alister had just torn my bleeding heart from my chest whilst it still beat for her. *Micha, Ayla knows. She knows what I am and she ran.* Even saying it, even though it wasn’t aloud, hurt more than I could have imagined, this was it, I had lost my mate, the best part of me, the other half of my heart and soul, my reason for waking up every morning had just driven out of my life, and now I was lost, drowning in an ocean
Callan POV The sun rose, casting its warming rays across the land, beautiful orange clouds filled the sky, and the sound of the early bird filled the quiet void that encapsulated me. The world looked peaceful, the complete opposite of the storm that was raging inside my heart. The room below me was silent, it had been for hours now, but I still couldn’t sleep. I quickly got dressed hoping that Ayla would talk to me today at work, that she had had enough time to process what she saw, what that mother fucker made me do to scare her away and that she needed answers to the million questions she probably had. Walking past her front door was like torture, her mouth-watering scent lingered in the hallway outside the flat, making my heart feel heavy. Her tiny red mini was still parked in the garage, but I was early. I needed to check in at the pack house first and see if Alister had said anything about how he managed to escape the first time, and what his traitorous wolves had planned next.
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
Ayla POV Callan leaned over me, capturing my lips in a searing kiss. This kiss was harder than before; it made my head spin and my heart race. He pulled me up off the bed and abruptly pulled his lips away from mine; my chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath. His lips curled up into a sulty smile as he ran his hand up my arms, sending pleasant shivers through me as he skilfully slipped his T-shirt up and over my head. “You are so beautiful.” He whispered as he cupped my cheek and tilted my head to the side, his lips pressed against my neck, and Callan moved down, leaving a trail of soft kisses and small explosions of pleasure. I let my head roll to the side as I bit down on my lip again to stop my moan. His hand grazed across my cheek, his thumb gently tugging on my lip, freeing it from my teeth. I opened my eyes to find his rich brown eyes staring into mine. “I want to hear every moan you have for me.” He grunted before kissing my lips hard. My head began to spin, but I di
Ayla POV I hated feeling so needy as I watched Callan leave the room, but I needed him more than I needed my next breath. The front door clicked shut, and as soon as I was alone, the walls around me began to close in. My breathing became laboured as all the air began to leave the room, and I found myself hyperventilating, desperately trying to suck air into my mouth. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and began to count to 10 slowly in my head, but I became distracted by the mouthwatering smell of Callan’s aftershave that filled the air in his bedroom. I hadn’t noticed it before, but now the smell was overpowering and so calming. I knew I was safe in here, but I couldn’t help but feel safer when Callan was with me, when his hand was touching mine or when his arms were wrapped around me, shielding me from the world, his touch seemed to calm all the raging storms that flurried around inside my head. When my eyes fluttered open, they landed on his T-shirt, which was lying on the f
Micha’s POV The penthouse is eerily quiet without Callan or Eric; growing up in a pack, I was used to being surrounded by people, and as soon as Ayla becomes Luna, I will move back into the pack house and say goodbye to this sweet bachelor pad and the quiet life I was still unaccustomed to. Waking up every morning without the hustle and bustle of the pack getting ready for the day was still taking some getting used to, but I will miss the peace of not being needed and my late-night booty calls. *I’m almost there.* Callan informs me just as the toaster pops up, filling the penthouse with the first sound I've heard all morning other than myself. I grab my toast and shove it into my mouth while grabbing my phone, keys, and wallet and shove them into my pocket. The door below me slams shut, and I know Ayla has just left for work. *Ayla is on the move; I’m right behind her though.* *Thank you, Micha.* I bounce down the steps, chewing on the toast, when the bottom door opens and Mr
Ayla POV “Marcus, what are you doing here?” My stomach felt like it was plummeting to the earth; chills ran down my spine as Marcus emerged from the shadows; the darkness seemed to shroud him, and the air in the garage felt cold, making goosebumps ripple across my skin. His usual perfect hair was dishevelled, and his bright blue eyes looked dark and demented; large dark circles encased his eyes, making them look sunken into his face; his smooth, clean-shaven jaw was coated with a dark beard that looked scraggly and unkempt; and his expensive clothes that he took great pride in keeping pristine looked wrinkled with ketchup and gravy stains down his front. If I saw him down the street and I didn’t know how vein he was, I would have thought he had been sleeping in them for a few days. A sour taste filled my mouth as my eyes darted around the garage and the dread of knowing we were alone hit me. “Ayla, I miss you; please come back.” I had never been afraid of Marcus, but right no
Ayla POV I felt paralysed; fear had taken hold of my body, and I was unable to move. The room was dark, so dark I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face, but I could see his eyes; they peered out from the darkness burning into my soul. His raspy breathing echoed all around me, and my heart pounded hard against my chest. I could hear the sound of his bones creaking as he stepped out of the darkness, the ceiling stretched up or I shrunk in size, because Runduc looked like a giant now; his face was gaunt and his skin a deathly white, but his eyes glowed brightly, like searchlights seeking me out. His bony fingers reached out toward me; they moved like vines as they weaved their way toward me. All I could do was watch as his vine-like fingers coiled around my feet, tightening as they moved up my body, engulfing me. “Hey, it’s ok. It was just a bad dream. I’m here.” As I jumped up, I felt his arms wrapping around me. I had never felt as safe as I did in his arms in my entire life
Eric POV Now… The door to the living room opened, and Callan walked back in after taking Ayla to his old bedroom. Even though he was beside himself with Freya being attacked, I could tell that having Ayla here made him happy, and he deserved some happiness after a lifetime of abuse. He could concentrate fully on Freya knowing Ayla was safe because this part of the pack house was for the high-ranking members of the pack; no members of the pack were allowed in this part of the house unless invited, meaning we had total privacy and no one would disturb Ayla. Cora had just had the room redecorated, removing all traces of Alister. The furniture had been dumped and new furniture was arriving soon, meaning we only had the floor to pace whilst we waited, but I didn’t mind; moving helped my mind from slipping back to that dreadful moment of finding Freya beaten and bloodied on the forest floor. Callan cleared his throat, making my legs stop moving to look at him. “Do we know what happened