Chapter 15 – Let Bygones Be BygonesThe next few days are spent either training the Forest Paw wolves and having them run through the forest or spending time with Axel, Serena, Claira, or Blue. Sometimes Dominic and my friends would join me. Other times it would just be me with those I call my family. Claira has gotten so big over the years, and spending time with the pup I call my little sister felt great.Of course, during this week, the Forest Paw wolves have increased their speed and stamina, greatly impressing me. Leo also has kept his distance from me since his nose dive into the tree on the first day of training, allowing the mate bond to continue to die away. It was the end of the first week of training, and within these seven days, I’ve been debating on moving on to hand-to-hand combat with Miles. Of course, that depends on if a wolf can grab the scarf soon.“Okay, guys. Let’s end training for the day.” I call out. Some wolves still settle onto the cold ground to catch their
Chapter 16 – A Soulless Theory Sun filters past the thin curtains, waking me early for once without the need of an annoying alarm clock or Dominic putting ice down my shirt. I smile at my Dominic, who sleeps soundly, his muscular body in full view for me. Both of us have been without a mate for a while, Dominic longer than me, and I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t attracted to him. My hand reaches out to push his soft locks out of his face before I place a soft kiss on his temple and quietly leave his room to head to mine. After changing into some winter workout clothes, I perform my usual morning routine and head into the kitchen, deciding to make a large meal for everyone. With it being Dominic’s birthday, the occasion calls for something special with all of us being away from home.Lease and Concra are already sitting at the kitchen island, the coffee pot filled with the strong brew which Lease hands me a mug, already prepared to my liking. Thanking her, I take a large gul
Chapter 17 – Tackled and Loved Upon reaching the training field, I stand off to the side, watching as Miles and Lease work on demonstrating group tactics to Forest Paw. Some of Blood Moon’s newer wolves play the role of enemy, as they demonstrate a five-on-two scenario. Pride swells inside me at the ones I call my family when the demonstration ends, and everyone splits off, putting the lesson into practice. Miles sees me, motioning for the Blood Moon wolves to continue training Forest Paw as the two come up to talk to us.“How bad?” Lease asks, taking the spot on my left while Miles stands to my right.“Bad. We might have a Soulless army in the early stages of being formed. Hidden Claws is one of the packs being attacked.” As an ally pack of ours, Hidden Claws would be considered second in strength next to Blood Moon. Run by the Beta Couple until the young Alpha comes of age, Hidden Claws has grown considerably over the years. But there was something nagging at me to look
Chapter 18 - Heat of the Party "Why are you crying, Fire?" Dominic asks, pulling away from the kiss. His hand leaves my now messy hair, his thumb gently wiping away the tears of happiness from my face. I couldn't help but chuckle as I lean into his touch, nuzzling his hand and sighing contently."Because I'm happy." My voice is small, but relief fills me, as the pain of the rejection and years of feeling alone are now gone. I am genuinely happy, happier than the day I joined Blood Moon, and I am loved by someone I knew I wanted as my mate once we grew closer. The notion itself is something I’m still wrapping my mind around, as just moments ago, I was facing the delusions of my tormentor and ex-mate. Now, I’m wrapped in a loving embrace from Dominic, his lips kissing my temple gently as he guides my head to the crook of his shoulder."You don’t know how long I've waited for this, Amberle. I've known we were mates since your birthday last year, but had to wait until the mate
Chapter 19 – Calm Before the Storm The heat continued to ravage my body for the rest of the night. Dominic tended to my needs each time the inferno inside me flared up. He was reluctant to leave my side for any moment of time, even to use the washroom. But when I would pass out, my energy spent from the love-making, he would disappear and return just before I could wake, with food from Leah’s café. The pack was training Forest Paw in our absence, Dominic checking in with Christian when the inferno reduced to small embers. Blue understood why we were away from Forest Paw; the scent of my heat would drive all the males crazy, and the females themselves would have their heat triggered if near me. He assured Christian that they were fine waiting for Dominic and I to return when the heat subsided.Our stay in the bed and breakfast was extended another two days, the excuse to the owner being that the wedding was postponed a week later due to bad weather being forecasted, and Dominic stati
Chapter 20 – A Soulless Storm The days blur into an endless routine as the blizzard rages on: Wake up to Dominic and make love to each other, go downstairs for breakfast, train Forest Paw in the pack gym that Blue thankfully connected to the underground tunnel last year, eat lunch, train Scarlet as the new Head Tracker of Forest Paw, eat dinner with Dominic, my brother and his family, sleep, and repeat. Being trapped inside all day was making me anxious. My nerves were on edge as a foreboding feeling kept creeping in. Dominic did his best to keep me sane, using the nights and morning to exhaust my restless mind. Chocolate also seemed to keep me calm, as whenever I felt like my nerves were about to fry, I would find a chocolate treat to enjoy and bring back down the agitation.By the seventh day of being trapped inside with everyone, Mia tried her luck at attacking me with everyone present. I promptly knocked her drunk ass down, causing more broken bones than the first time
Chapter 21 – Allies Turned Enemies I groan as I snuggle into the warm bed, my body exhausted from everything that has happened over the past few days. I wanted to keep sleeping, my body ready to doze back asleep again, when I notice that Dominic is missing.I jolt upright, but I soon realize that that was a bad idea as my head spins and my stomach churns. I reach for the trash can beside the nightstand, then throw up whatever food remains in my body from last night’s dinner. With my stomach now empty, I sit in bed, brows knitted together. This is the first time after a battle where I’ve been extremely sore, exhausted, and feeling sick in the morning. And then it hits me—morning sickness.I start counting how many days it’s been since my heat ended, realizing I should have had my period by now. A smile spreads on my face as my hands caress my stomach. I have a one-hundred percent feeling that inside me is mine and Dominic’s pup. Turning to look at Dominic's side of the bed,
Chapter 22 – Home Sweet Home Warm arms wake me from my apparent slumber. The cold air meeting my skin causes me to shrink into the warmth caressing me.“We’re home, Amberle. You can go back to sleep.” I nod, taking in the familiar scent of my house around me. The sweet embrace of sleep mixed with the familiarity of home relaxes my sore body, lulling me into dreamland once again. … Morning light shines on my face and in my eyes, waking me from my dreams as I meet the gaze of ice-blue eyes. Dominic smiles at me, placing a kiss on my forehead as I let out a yawn. My warm bed felt like heaven under me, with the familiar smell of lavender and vanilla from the fabric softener I use reminding me that I’m safe in Blood Moon.“Good morning,” I mumble through another yawn, snuggling into Dominic’s arms and resting my head on his chest, finding comfort in his steady heartbeat.“Good morning, beautiful