SallyThe moon goddess’ words are still lingering in my mind even after I visited her in my dream. I couldn’t bring myself to answer her in it, torn between my love for Ryan and my fear of his bloodlust. He has been gentle with me, but seeing him tear into victim after victim? I’m a bit messed up.KNOCK KNOCK!I look up from my bed with tired eyes. Ryan is standing on my balcony with a grin on his face, and my heart immediately starts pounding faster. To my surprise, it isn’t because of my infatuation with him. No. I’m afraid of him. It’s a new emotion I’ve never felt around him before.“You’re taking a nap?” he asks teasingly, oblivious to my fear of him. “Isn’t it a bit too early for that?”I’m unsure how to respond, terrified my voice will come out weak if I try answering him. Being quiet might be even weirder, though. He might suspect something!“Ah, Ryan!” I plaster on a fake smile. “How lovely to see you!”He pauses to stare at me through the window before he releases a laugh. “
RyanA month later“I can’t keep lying to your woman and saying you aren’t here, man. She is heavily pregnant. You know that werewolves are only pregnant for two months, right? Don’t you want to be there for the birth of your child?”“Of course I do!” I snap at Jackson. I haven’t had blood since the last time I fed from Sally’s neck, and it’s making me moody. And not seeing her is making everything worse. “But I can’t! I’m apparently dangerous, and Sally is better off without me.”“Geez...” Jackson sighs and walks over to sit beside me on the large couch. “Tell me how the two of you broke up again? Did she really call you dangerous? Because, in my eyes, you’ve been nothing but a leashed puppy around her.”I growl at him. “She doesn’t have me on a leash!”“She does,” Jackson laughs. “And I love it. The most powerful hybrid the world has seen and so enamored by a girl he can’t stop thinking about her.”“But I’m not right for her,” I stare down at the ground as I say that, fighting to ke
SallyWhen I come out of the shower, guess who I see standing on the balcony? Ryan. That’s who. His large hands are pressed to the window, and he is giving me his puppy-eye look that shouldn’t work on me, but it does!I will give birth to our pup in less than two weeks. I’m heavily pregnant. Moody. Emotional—I even have acne problems due to my hormones, and I’m just...I feel ugly and unloved! Where has Ryan been for this entire month?!“I hate you!” I yell at the window, knowing the man can hear me loud and clear. He immediately backs up with a guilty expression, but I have more ammunition. “Where the hell have you been?!” Just that question breaks my voice. “I thought you loved me, Ryan. I thought you wanted us to become a family, and then you just...abandoned me! And do you want to know the worst part? Your brother, fucking Ashton, has been there for me in your place!”Ryan looks like he is about to say something but stops when I slip on the floor due to my wet feet. He moves as fas
SallyAfter brushing my hair and putting on clothes, I glance down at the floor and snort in amusement when I see Ryan in his black cat form.“Seriously?” I ask.“Meow...” He affectionately strokes himself against my leg, and I shake my head.“I really don’t think this is a good idea. You should just stay here and let me eat breakfast with the others.”“MEOW!”My eyes narrow. “Did you just speak back to me?”Ryan purrs in response and runs for the door, clearly not intending to let me eat breakfast alone. Not that I would be alone. Lydia lives in Ashton’s mansion now, and so does Lara—I hang out with them both every morning.And no, I’m not suspicious of Lara anymore. She told me Ashton never forced her to be my friend, and I trust her. We get along too well for her friendship to be an act.As for Lydia...she hasn’t been herself lately. She is in a dark place, but I can’t blame her. She lost her sister, and none of her family members are alive. That girl is living a rough life, which
RyanI’m grateful when Blair leaves the kitchen. I’ve never liked that woman. She is a psychopath, and I’m ready to shit-talk with Sally, but pause when I notice her getting up from her seat—only to sit down beside Ashton.At first, jealousy churns within me, but I can’t get mad. Ashton looks too broken, too ready to fall apart for me to turn him into my enemy. Yet my heart still falls to my stomach when Sally places her hand over his.“She could be lying,” Sally says. “Gwyneth could still be yours, Ashton.”He meets her eyes, and I will be damned, my brother of an Alpha sobs, and Sally hugs - fucking hugs - him.Holy shit. When did they get so close?! I stare at Ashton and Sally, my eyes glued to the scene, until I feel a light tap on my shoulder. It’s Lydia, Sally’s red-haired tiny friend.“Maybe we should leave them alone?” she suggests in a whisper. “Lara and I could need your help in the garden. We are going to be planting a few new trees.”Without responding, I cast a glance in
RyanAfter Fraser is done with my hair, I look like a completely different person. My unruly locks have been expertly trimmed and styled, giving me a sleek look that somehow accentuates my strong jawline. Fraser’s deft fingers have worked out some magic as my hair now falls perfectly on my forehead, enhancing my blue eyes.“Who would think you’ve got such lovely hair under all that mess,” Fraser winks at me in the mirror, shameless, even though he knows I’m in love with a woman. “Now, for the clothes...”“Next stop, wardrobe!” Lydia declares triumphantly as she leads me to another room filled with racks of clothes. Lara follows suit, a cheeky grin plastered across her face.“You look hot,” she whispers.My eyes narrow. “I’m taken.”“I know, but if she breaks your heart, you know where to find me, hottie,” Lara winks at me, and I’m forced to look away to hide my laughter. This girl is insane...In the wardrobe room, a man named Julian waits patiently, measuring tape draped around his n
Ryan“They are still chasing us!” Lydia taps on the inside of my paw to get my attention. We are soaring through the sky, but I’m having trouble keeping us in the air. Shape-shifting into other forms other than my wolf form requires magic, and since I haven’t fed in an entire month, I’m exhausted.I might not make it back to Ashton’s mansion. Truthfully, I don’t have the strength. The only thing that keeps me fighting and pushing through my raging headache is the fact that I don’t want Lara and Lydia to die.But I can no longer fly.A screech leaves my mouth, and before I land on the ground, I throw the girls up in the air. They scream at the top of their lungs until they land with a small thump on my back, clutching my scales as if their lives depended on it.“What are you doing?!” Lara is hysterical. “The vampires will catch up to us!”Doesn’t she think I know that already? I throw a glance behind me and growl when I see the vampires closing in on us. They are ready to attack, but s
SallyI observe Ryan’s motionless figure from the doorway, taking in his peaceful appearance. He looks so sweet. But I know that beneath his calm exterior, he is in agony. I can sense his pain through our mate bond. He needs blood, and I know it’s my responsibility to provide it for him, even if things are tense between us at the moment.A hand lands on my shoulder, and I whirl around to look down at Lydia. “Please don’t be mad at him,” her eyes dart to Ryan and then back to mine. “I know that he left you for an entire month, but...I think he made that decision only because he thought it was right.”“Agreed,” Lara says. She is leaning her back against the wall and shoots me a grin. “I hate to say it, Sally, but that man deeply loves you.”I frown. “If Ryan loved me, he wouldn’t have left me.”She laughs and shakes her head. “You’re so oblivious that it isn’t even funny anymore...”“I’m not oblivious,” I growl. “And what makes you so sure that he loves me?!”Lydia and Lara exchange a l
LaraMere minutes before my ceremony is about to start, I’m grimacing at my appearance in the mirror. My strawberry blonde hair is gathered in a braid that cascades over one shoulder. It gives me a tame look that I’m not sure if I like. I’m a warrior, not a beautiful and laidback Luna.“You’re so gorgeous,” Lydia says from behind me. She is the one who did my hair and makeup. It’s been done skillfully, and I’m grateful, but I can’t help but feel like I’m looking at a stranger in the mirror. A stranger who is too beautiful and pretty to be me. Even my otherwise wild, green eyes look tame, and I’m not sure if I like that. Everyone knows I’m a wild card, not a dainty damsel. Yet, the look is appealing in its own way. It’s a version of me I never thought I’d see - a version I must embrace for the sake of today’s ceremony.“I look...not like myself,” I comment, tracing my fingers over the smooth line of my cheekbone, over the glittering rogue or whatever it’s called that Lydia has expertl
LaraTelling Ashton that I’m willing to become his Luna made him so happy that he kissed me in front of Ryan and Sally without a care in the world. It’s wild how he has evolved from a cold-hearted Alpha to the sweet and loving mate that he is today. And in such a short time!“I’m going to shower,” Ashton announces as I’m brushing my hair in front of the big mirror inside of his room. I don’t even turn his way. “Okay.”He doesn’t move. “Don’t you want to…join me?”I finally look his way and take in his more than desirable body. He is dirty from the war, but the blood and grime somehow only end up making him look sexier. I smirk at him, admiring the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Maybe,” I tease. “If you promise not to get too handsy with me.”He chuckles. “Too handsy? Since when is that a problem? You like being worshipped.”“I do, don’t I?”“Mhm, so what’s the real issue?”I grimace. “I guess I’m nervous about tomorrow.”“Don’t be. The ceremony will be fun and more like a party th
Lara“I can’t believe it’s over,” Ryan says as we follow him inside Ashton’s mansion. “Yeah, it sure feels surreal,” Ashton agrees as he grabs a towel from one of the shelves in the hallway. We are all still naked, but that isn’t the reason for the knot on my belly.I’m actually more nervous about meeting Sally than I was about facing Parisa and her army. She is my best friend, yet I haven’t told her that Ashton and I are together. “Hey, you,” Ryan places a hand on my shoulder as if reading my mind. “Don’t worry about my mate. She already knows that you and Ashton are mates, and she isn’t angry.”I blink up at him. “She’s not?”“No,” he grins. “Sally and I are happily mated, and we have a newborn son now—she sure as hell doesn’t love Ashton anymore and is probably happy that he has found his mate.” Ryan’s words make me feel more at ease, and I shiver when I feel Ashton hugging me from behind. He nibbles at my neck before whispering, “You did good out there.”I smile and lean back i
LaraInstinct takes over, and I dart to the left, watching as the arrow streaks past and buries itself into a tree behind me. Now, who the hell is the bastard behind that attack? I could have fucking died!With my heart drumming inside my chest, I lock eyes with Harri. He is wearing his mask, yet I can tell he is grinning behind it as he pulls out another arrow from his quiver. My eyes narrow. I can’t let this crazy idiot shoot again. I’m convinced the first shot was only to play around with me, while the second is going to be one meant to kill me. ‘Lydia!’ I shout through the mind-link. ‘Can I get a little help with this pureblood over here?’Lydia’s response is immediate. ‘Hold on, I’m coming!’In the next moment, she joins the fray. In a blur of fur and deadly grace, Lydia launches herself at Harri. Her claws flash in the dark as she aims for Harri’s bow. In a fluid movement, Lydia knocks it from his grasp with a growl that shakes the very air around them.Harri retaliates quickl
LaraEven after an hour has passed, I’m still bathing in the afterglow of the sex I had with Ashton. We are both naked in the field, careless and free. I’ve long forgotten about Parisa and her vampire army marching in on our pack’s territory, but I’m about to get a wake-up call. Soon, I hear wolves howling in the background—wolves from our pack that are telling us enemies are approaching. Ashton immediately stands up. “Fucking shit. Parisa and Harri are here and…fuck…what do I do? I want to fight alongside my pack, but they still haven’t seen the new me.”I stand up with him. “Don’t worry. They will accept you as their Alpha, even if you’re a dragon now.”“Are you sure about that?”I shrug. “Well, dragon fire is able to melt vampires, and I think we could both agree that your pack wants to live, so…yeah. I think they will be fine with your new self.”He nods before asking, “And what about you? I know that we have marked each other and all that, but… you’re not freaked out about me be
AshtonI wake up in a field, disoriented and bloated. It looks like my eight-pack is trying to push its way from my stomach. And wait, why the hell am I naked? What happened yesterday?"Oh great, you're finally awake," Lara comments from the ground. She looks extremely tired and is practically plastered to the ground."What the hell happened to you?" I ask, half amused by how her eyes trail up my body in pure appreciation. "I fought with a very stubborn and massive dragon," she replies and sighs. "He wanted to eat every burger inside of McDonald's, and I couldn't stop him."Is she high or something?I snort. "A dragon?""Uh-huh, you.""Me?""You were the dragon…you are the dragon.""What are you talking about?"Her eyes narrow, and I'm baffled when her expression turns into pure irritation. "Wow. You really don't remember?" "Remember what?" I'm lost…"You died, Ashton. You were murdered by Parisa and her vampire army, but somehow, you came back to life as a dragon. I've been taking c
LaraAfter Sally and Ryan has taken a look at Ashton, we are sent to a barn. Ashton is way too big to sleep anywhere else and according to Ryan, he needs to fully grow before he can take the shape of a human again. If he did it now, he would be a child, and that would be awkward, so I won't force him to shape-shift until he is ready. "Alright, big guy," I flick on the light in the barn and gesture at the big empty space. "You won't be cramped in here, and look, there is plenty of space for you to grow!"'This is home?' Ashton's voice echoes in my head, filled with innocent curiosity."Not quite, but it's going to be our temporary home until you are fully grown and ready to shift back," I explain, ruffling the scales on his snout. "Plus, I don't think you'd fit through the front door of the mansion."He gives a grunt of agreement and swivels his head around inspecting the barn. High ceilings supported by dark wooden beams extend above us. There is hay everywhere and Ashton circles arou
Lara After managing to convince my dragon friend to stay behind, I shift back into my wolf form and follow the scent of a nearby herd of deer. Their smell is fresh in the air and it doesn’t take long to find them. The hunt is swift. With the enhanced speed and strength of a wolf, I manage to quickly take down a large buck, biting deep into its side. After making sure the deer has passed, I drag it back towards my dragon friend, leaving a trail of scattered leaves in my wake. When I return, I see the dragon shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another. His eyes light up as he sees me dragging the deer. ‘Food!’ I shape-shift back into a human. “Yup, feel free to dig in—” The dragon rushes past me without warning, gobbling down the entire thing at the speed of light. His tail moves from side to side after he is done, and I see his back muscles expanding as he grows larger. “Um... Did you even taste that?” I ask him, baffled at the speed at which he devoured the deer. ‘More?’ He
LaraLater the same evening, my dragon friend is eating some fish I caught in the river. He is tiny and I doubt he will finish everything I caught, but at least he won’t go starving.“Easy there, little guy,” I tell him while wandering deeper into the cave we found. “I don’t want you to eat too much and explode.”The dragon doesn’t even look up from the fish, and I giggle before shape-shifting back into a wolf. Since I don’t have any clothes, it’s more comfortable sleeping as a wolf, and this way, I can also keep my new friend warm.I find a place in the corner and close my eyes. I’m sure my dragon friend will join me soon…When I awake, the first thing I note is how peculiarly snug I am. The cave that was once hollow and vast now feels oddly close, as though the walls have folded inwards to encroach upon us during our slumber. Bewildered, I raise my head and look around, my eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering in from the entrance of the cave. It takes me a moment to comprehend