Chapter 61 My entire pack was here! Roman came in behind me yelling surprise and blowing into one of those little horn things that make an obnoxious noise. You know, the ones with the streamers on the end. I couldn’t help but laugh at his childlike nature. I could smell the burgers and plethora of other grilled foods and looking towards the smell there were Wolves cooking. Even though I swear we had just eaten, I definitely wanted to eat whatever it was they were making. There was an open bar on the other side of the arena that I spotted, which I was definitely going to partake in, and the whole arena was decorated in gold decorations. I noticed that everyone there was wearing something gold. Some, more than others, but most were wearing an accent of gold, all matching my dress perfectly. Raziel really went out of his way to plan this, and I smiled at the thought. I could hear electronic dance music, my favorite genre, playing in the background and Wolves were out dancing on the da
Dedication-To my best friend MikeThank youfor believing in me when I had a crazy idea to write a bookfor letting me bounce ideas off you even if I just bounced them off myselffor telling me that I was going to finish the book, even when I thought I never wouldfor supporting me regardless of what I named my characters or how it was spelledfor literally just being there through the entire insane processfor dealing with me currently through book 2 as wellfor being a huge part of this bookThank you so much!
Chapter 1 “Damn… You are so beautiful. Are you even Human?” Eric asked, as he trailed his fingers and lips down the side of my cheek. I will admit I was guilty of lying to my boyfriend… I am definitely not Human… I am a Werewolf. But I am not forced to shift, therefore I can keep it a secret. He can’t hear my Wolf, Wynter, speaking to me in my mind either. I never meant to lie to him… the topic just never came up. Not that I think he would have looked at me differently, had I told him. But why go through all of the drama? I knew this relationship wouldn’t last. They never do, not with… him, the Demon, watching my every move. In fact, I was surprised he hadn’t already showed up. “Rayne, you know you shouldn’t be doing this… You know what happens when he gets mad.” Wynter whimpered in my mind. I ignored her when Eric’s lips met mine. Any thought of the Demon who watches me in the night was lost, along with my willpower. I moaned softly against Eric's lips, allowing him to pull me clos
Chapter 2 It was sunrise before we finally slowed down enough for me to comprehend where we were. The clearing was unfamiliar, and I could smell the scent of the wet blades of grass that were sticking to our paws. Being in Wolf form had its perks. I could smell much more than in Human form. I could even smell some sort of breakfast food wafting through the air. My stomach grumbled at the scent, I hadn’t realized I was starving until that very moment. The forest was behind us and there was a clearing to the side of us. I still had no idea exactly where we were, but the sun was just rising up over the horizon, casting a beautiful orange glow. Living here, in Maine, my entire life, I could tell you that it never lacked a beautiful landscape no matter which way I turned. Looking down into the city below us, the cityscape was immaculate. Skyscrapers reached through the air, and you could clearly see the outline of the entire city, block by block from up here. Even as early as it was the
Chapter 3 On the way back my mind was racing. I couldn’t keep it quiet even if I had tried. On top of my insistent guilt over Eric’s death, I was also thinking about my Demon… We passed an old abandoned wishing well in the forest, and I couldn't help but remember the first experience I ever had with him. I was 9 years old. I was living with my mother in a small, cozy cottage just on the edge of the Obsidian pack. It was close to where I currently live now. We weren't part of a pack back then though, it was just us. Me and her. Thinking back, it was a little strange that we didn’t live in a pack, being Wolves and all. I never knew my father and my mother never bothered to bring him up. I figured if she never did I wouldn't either. He was a forgotten staple in our household, but I preferred it that way. My mother always used to say that we were strong and didn’t need anyone to protect us. I always believed her. Honestly, what I wouldn’t give to be able to hear her words of wisdom
Chapter 4The bucket finally reached me but I was spinning. My mind wouldn't quiet down long enough for me to make a rational decision. I didn’t have to get inside… I could just stay down here. Right? I knew I was trapped no matter what I did… And if the Reaver didn't kill me, my mother would... At that moment, I didn't know which thought was scarier… It was a lose lose. I hesitated and looked back up at the Reaver who was waiting for me. I hadn't even reached for the rope and bucket yet. I still wasn’t sure if I even would. He seemed to be waiting patiently, but why wouldn’t he? He knew I had no other way out. “Take the rope.” He said. The way his voice sounded as it echoed between the flat stones and nestled its way into my ears, struck enough fear into my small body that I listened. Immediately I grabbed the rope and climbed into the bucket. It was really the only thing I could do being 9 years old and stuck in an impossible situation. I had no other option and we both knew this.
Chapter 5As if he was forced, he slowly set my mother down and released his fiery hold. I had no idea what he was thinking or feeling because his face was stoic, and emotion rarely seemed to cross his features. It was only a brief second that he caught me looking at him before I turned and ran to her side. She had already shifted back into her Human form, and before I could realize what was going on she had grabbed me and was holding me tightly to her chest. Her platinum eyes were darker than I have ever seen them as her Wolf fought to get back out. "Are you ok Rayne?? Did he hurt you?!" She tore her hardened gaze from the Reaver to inspect me and when I turned to look back at him, he was gone. He saved my life and listened to my pleas, allowing my mother to live… All of this, and I had no idea who he was at the time… Why would a Reaver do that? It never made any sense to me after all the stories I was told about them. I questioned my mother for months after that, but she refused t
Chapter 6Wynter was howling at the thought of what was sure to be our very imminent death. Her internal banter gave me cold chills. I couldn’t really tell what she was saying because my mind was so distracted. No one ever fought Alpha Drake and lived to tell about it. He was only 26, but he was the most ruthless and powerful Alpha I had ever known. He had started the Obsidian pack years ago when the Red Ace pack had taken his old pack over. They were another larger and stronger pack at the time. They killed his entire family, Including his little sister, Reya. He broke from his new Alpha, refusing to bow to him after such monstrosities. He did so bringing a handful of equally pissed off warriors from his old pack with. Together, they spent the next 8 years building, growing and making a name for themselves… The Obsidian pack. Then Alpha Drake took them and got retaliation for the deaths of his family. He, basically, single handedly slaughtered the Red Ace pack. From the stories,
Chapter 61 My entire pack was here! Roman came in behind me yelling surprise and blowing into one of those little horn things that make an obnoxious noise. You know, the ones with the streamers on the end. I couldn’t help but laugh at his childlike nature. I could smell the burgers and plethora of other grilled foods and looking towards the smell there were Wolves cooking. Even though I swear we had just eaten, I definitely wanted to eat whatever it was they were making. There was an open bar on the other side of the arena that I spotted, which I was definitely going to partake in, and the whole arena was decorated in gold decorations. I noticed that everyone there was wearing something gold. Some, more than others, but most were wearing an accent of gold, all matching my dress perfectly. Raziel really went out of his way to plan this, and I smiled at the thought. I could hear electronic dance music, my favorite genre, playing in the background and Wolves were out dancing on the da
Chapter 60 When I woke up in the morning Raziel was not in bed, he wasn’t even home. That was strange... I’m turning 21 today, and for him to not be here when I woke up? He must be busy with whatever his surprise is. I jumped in the shower, and when I got out, I noticed an outfit picked out for me sitting on the chaise lounge at the foot of the bed. It was an extremely pretty gold dress, with a slit on one side up to my upper thigh. The top was backless with a higher neckline, and a strap that just went around my neck. It was glittery and gorgeous. I put my hair in beachy waves, as I knew Raziel liked it that way. It must be a brother thing. I thought, then laughed for thinking that and Wynter laughed too. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAYNE!” She shouted. “Thank you!” I said. “I’m sorry about the mate bond... I know today would be a whole different type of day if things were a little different.” I said to her, surprised that I didn't feel the dull ache of the void when I talked about it. “I kn
Chapter 59 I was exhausted. Dying, and then being reincarnated by The Shadows, really took its toll. I can tell you though, my mind was racing. I had Wynter back! Although I was still upset at Raphael, the hatred I was feeling before was gone. I couldn’t help but think The Darkness made it worse. Like it made everything seem like a bigger deal. Just the simple presence of The Darkness made the feelings of anger, grief, despair, and fury all worse, in order to get me to act on them... it worked, too. It was like they made my pain worse, so when I finally got relief, it almost felt like I would never get anything like that anywhere else again. Almost as if it forced me to use it as comfort, and tricked me into thinking that was the only way. I was lost in thought when Raziel took me into his arms. I felt a pulse of lightning run through my body. How did that happen? I no longer bore his beautiful crescent moon mark. Raphael had shattered it from my face using The Darkness. Raziel fel
Chapter 58 (Rayne) I felt like I was floating. Strange... I thought. I swear I was just being hurtled through the ground, but this was a bit different. It was dark, pitch black. I was basically wandering around in the nothing. I could suddenly feel the icy chill to the bone of The Shadows, but I couldn't see or hear them. Was I dead? A pang of guilt flooded through me as I thought about Raziel, and all the pain I must have caused him. Even more so now, if I was dead. I couldn’t control The Darkness, but it was my own fault I let it in to begin with. I replayed the past few months in my mind and sighed out loud. I had been a complete and utter failure in so many ways. Allowing myself to be controlled by The Darkness, and even inviting it in... why the fuck would I do that? I felt so stupid for being so damn weak. I shivered and tried to rub my arms to keep them from getting any colder. It felt like The Shadows were surrounding me, but they were nowhere to be found. “Hello?” I said,
Chapter 57 I watched in horror because I knew there was nothing I could do. Especially with The Darkness taking hold... they would literally be unstoppable together. Then, to my surprise, Rayne summoned her staff and slammed it into the ground, hard. It knocked me straight off my feet with a sound that was so loud it almost hurt my ears. It also sent Raphael flying across the arena away from her. Relief swept through me. “Good girl.” I said out loud, more to myself than anyone. Raphael came back and it looked like they were talking now. But then he turned our way, and I knew he was getting tired of the games. We locked eyes just as he sent two giant black fireballs hurtling our way. Alpha Drake dove out of the way and I materialized to the side, but Roman didn’t move. He was in shock, and there was no way I was getting to him in time. That’s when I saw Rayne materialize herself directly in front of him, taking the full brunt of both fireballs straight to her chest. My heart sank int
Chapter 56 He didn’t even really have his bearings back before I threw both fans at him, hoping to connect with flesh once again. He materialized out of the way, but only a second too late as one of my fans sliced into his calf muscle. I smirked, and watched my fans act like boomerangs and fling right back into my hands. The Darkness healed him once more. Suddenly, to my surprise Raphael made a closed fist and flung my fans straight out of my hands and to him. He then hit them with a black fireball in midair, shattering them where he stood. This action sent blades and pieces of gold flying through the air. Now he was upping his game. It’s about goddamn time, I thought, as I slammed my hand downwards and produced a black bull whip that was covered in black flames. I flung the whip at Raphael, wrapping the end around his throat and yanking him down into the ground with one solid movement. I freed my whip from his neck with a hard jerk and went to hit him with another round, but he ro
Chapter 55 As much as I didn’t want to see him, Raphael was honestly looking like a gorgeous dark God. I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him. It was impossible not to be. He had on a solid black suit with a silver suit vest and silver shoes. His dark hair was perfectly positioned on his head in a neat short cut. He never had a hair out of place. He had stubble on his chin, which made him look a little gruff. His silver eyes were solid black, as black as night. He was absolutely breathtaking in this form... but the second I saw him the rage just hit me. I also noticed a strange pull towards him, something that wasn’t there before. This was more of a sexual attraction, that was pissing me off and making my mark burn out of control. I could see that he was engulfed in The Darkness. It was writhing under his feet and flowing around him in waves, just like it had been when I let it in. But this time, it seemed as if my Darkness wanted to get to his Darkness. The pull was so strong
Chapter 54 Alpha Drake was in his office talking to Roman. He looked up and I could see a brief flash of fear followed by worry, snake through his ocean blue eyes. My smile seemed to calm his mind though. “Hi Alpha!” I said excitedly. I ran up to him and threw my arms around him. He stood there for a minute in shock. I had never done anything like that before, especially not in front of another Wolf from the pack. I was a little worried what his reaction might be knowing he was a ruthless killer and all. But then he slowly wrapped me in a bear hug, calming my worries. My mark was burning out of control, which had me wondering if it knew people’s feelings for me. I wondered if it burned worse when they were in proximity as a warning, or if it just didn’t like Alpha Drake. I pulled away and locked eyes with Roman. I could see his face light up, but also a look of worry washed across it. “Rayne!” He said, then he grabbed me and threw me into a huge bear hug, causing the same type of r
Chapter 53 (Rayne) As crazy as it sounds, I was really missing my pack and pack life. The regularity of it all. The training and dealing with Alpha Drake, even. The past few months I’ve spent here with Raziel were amazing, there was no doubt about that. I have learned so much about myself and my powers. Plus, our relationship has been growing and getting better every day. I can’t deny that things have been wonderful. It’s so funny to me to see Raziel and not feel fear around him. I remember when he used to scare the ever-living shit out of me, and I feel like that wasn’t really that long ago. I had a brief flashback of him killing Eric and his fangs dripping with Eric's blood. I recalled seeing Eric's lifeless body on the floor. Then I heard the words he spoke to me. ‘No one may take your innocence but me.’ A shudder ran through me causing cold chills to run down my spine. I guess there was still a little fear, but not for my own life, at least. My overall experience here has been