Chapter 27 – Acceptance “Darling. It’s time to wake up.” I groan, the warmth of the bed too tempting to get up as I snuggle deeper under the blanket with an amused deep chuckle coming from behind me. Strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer to a familiar body. “Come on Gem, we promised Lace to train the wolves of Hidden Claws today.” Ariven’s voice registers in my mind. I sigh, turning in his arms to snuggle closer to him, my mind still a sleep filled haze. Last night was exhausting between the attack from the Soulless to the memories of being raped by Lupus surfacing and crying as I explain my past to Ariven. Finger run through my hair, lulling me in and out of sleep as my face is buried into the crook of his neck. “Geminie, you’re naked.” I bolt awake with the statement, making sure to cover myself for a moment with Ariven clutching his stomach laughing so hard at my brief moment of panic. “C’mon Gem, it’s n
Chapter 28 – Unexpected Hot Training "I think you're trying to kill us!" A she wolf calls out looking over my shoulder I spy a petite brunet trying her best to keep up with me, her face flushed with exhaustion. I search through my memories and finally place her as Lena, a she wolf who’s mother was the second of command to the Trackers in the pack. I remembered the days she would push me into lockers, down stairs and ruin my homework. She caused many headaches and is the reason why I had to make duplicates of my work. I huff out a breath, wanting to get a bit of petty revenge and pretend to ignore her, picking up speed and making sure she stayed just far enough behind. “I…I’m s…sorry Gem..inie.” She huffs out, the strain evident in her voice. She manages to keep up with me, my indifference falling as my ears are pointed in her direction. Slowing down my pace, I allow the she-wolf to catch her breath while my pack mates call out through the link that some
Chapter 29 – Claiming a Second Chance I think back to the time Ariven and I got drunk as his lips continue to move against mine and small moans escape us. We were having a heart to heart as I explain my rejection, how I couldn’t wait for the bond with Mika and I to break to find my second chance. For Ariven, his mate was taken from him just after the two found out they were expecting their first pup. A jealous pack mate shot her with a silver bullet wanting Ariven for herself. He went mad, destroying that she-wolf in seconds before the devastating grief took hold of him. He ended up a Rogue and leaving to the Temple of The Goddess without any consequences for killing the she-wolf that murdered his mate and unborn pup in cold blood. “Your mind is straying my Darling.” He whispers in my ear, bringing me from my thoughts with his husky lust filled voice. I blush, his hand grasping my curly hair and tugging on the strands gently to expose my neck where he t
Chapter 30 – Hot Spring Catch-Up Fingers drawing soft circles on my skin wakes me from my deep sleep, my naked body pressed against another, their scent wrapping around me, making me feel safe and secured. I sigh happily, snuggling closer to Ariven as he chuckles, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. “Good morning Darling.” He whispers, his hand moving from drawing circles on my skin to running through my hair. “Good morning Handsome.” I reply with a yawn, opening my eyes to find my mate staring back at me. The early morning breeze brings the scent of wildflowers to me, reminding me that we spent the last week hidden away from my wolves and Hidden Claws lost in the pleasure the heat brought. My body is sore, my neck slightly throbbing from being teased and bitten where my mark is as Ariven and I claimed each other day after day. The hunger the heat brought on felt stronger than ones experienced in the past and the only theory I have is b
Chapter 31 – An impromptu Meeting After realizing that Lupus is after me, Ariven and I quickly rushed back to the guest house while I linked for Lace, Mika, and Lena to join us in the meeting room there. After changing into clothes quickly thanks to Maddie and Matt waiting for us just inside the building with said clothes, the four of us joined the Hidden Claws wolves right away. “What is with this impromptu meeting?” Mika asks as soon as I enter the room, grabbing a blueberry scone on my way to taking a seat. “I’ll explain later but first I need some details on the two small attacks while I was undisposed.” My reply is straight to the point and I look to Lena, the she-wolf looking between Mika and Ariven as my former mate gives my new mate a death glare. “There were five wolves each time. At first there were no signs, no scent of them. It wasn’t until Lena and I were nearly on top of the first group during the end of out
Chapter 32 – A Fiery Introduction "You sure she is coming?" Lace asks as her, Mika, Ariven and I relax on the steps to the pack house. I roll my eyes, leaning into Ariven and yawning. Since realizing that Lupus wants me for some unknown reason nightmares have been plaguing me. “Geminie is nothing if not punctually late. She also keeps her promises and promised me she would be here today.” My response is lazy, not caring to explain how Geminie operates considering she is one wolf that scares me some days. Being a trained Tracker and Alpha as well, Geminie has been my best friend and confident when I needed some advice. As well as being a fellow rejected, she understood the pain I went through for the last three years. Ariven’s arms tighten around me, pulling me closer to him as his lips place a gentle kiss on top of my head. I smile, the sparks from our mate bond tingling along my skin. “How will we know she is here?” Mika grinds out, hi
Chapter 33 – Clashing Opinions “I just want to say, thank you for coming to help.” Lace starts, directing her attention to Dominic and Amberle. I see my friend beaming at the blond Alpha Female, but Mika just has to ruin the moment by scoffing. “What, you got a problem with me coming to help Pup?” Amberle growls out, glaring at my ex who glares back at her. I frown, looking at Dominic who sends me an exasperated look as well as the both of us get ready to play referee between these two. “Yes I have a problem! No one really asked you to be here!” Mika calls out in anger. “Actually, I asked her to be here. Her adopted father was the one to come up with the theory of Soulless making an army and Amberle has been researching it with the Temple of the Goddess for the last five years.” I cut in calmly, raising an eyebrow and waiting for him to retort. Instead Lace gives Mika a warning look and to my surprise, he backs down and s
Chapter 34 – Calling in Maverick Lace returned quickly after Amberle and I discuss Crystalline being the Lost Princess, the true heir to the werewolf throne. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure, not without talking to her and being able to hold the Moon Strone. Of course, we kept this between the two of us, wanting to discuss this topic with Mother and Ira. After lace and a few Omegas set the table with food and drinks including coffee that I quickly down a cup of much to Amberle’s disgust, Dominic and Mika return followed by Ariven with a frown on his face. “Ira says she will have to search through the archives. They have been digitalizing everything in order to have backup copies of history, but she did confirm one thing.” He states, taking my coffee from my hand and gulping down the hot liquid. “What did she confirm?” Lace asks, worry in her voice. “Lupus is one of the oldest wolves alive. No one knows when