CALIFF “Effective immediately, I’m stripping Elder Waylon and Elder Eleanor from the rank of Elders. They can stay in the territory or be banished. It’s their choice. As of this moment, they are regular members of the pack.” I signed the papers and stamped it with my blood. I changed my mind about banishing them. I still needed their insight and wisdom and trusted no one other than my parents. It was clear to me that most of the elders could turn their backs on me. And Shadow seemed okay with my father around. The Elders hadn’t said the word. “I expect a harder punishment for your father, Alpha,” Elder Aciano commented. “You expected jail time or death to show the pack that I could be ruthless? My mate has forgiven my father and has decided not to pursue extending this case to the council. Besides, we have more pressing matters at hand. Saving the lives of the pack members is more important to me than wasting my time on the crime. I wasn’t even an Alpha back then. And he was also
SHADOW “I don’t like this.” My fifth time changing gowns from the hanger rack. They were all nice, but I wanted to excuse myself from going to a formal dinner. I received an invitation from Sebastien yesterday. I didn't know what was up to, maybe to poison me after what I did to him. “Try this black. It’s gorgeous. The sequin doesn’t make you itch.” Kindra elbowed Zarah. “Stop trying. Those gowns fit her perfectly. She’s just making excuses.” “Get used to always attending parties, dinners, and boring meetings. You’re a Luna now. Now, put that black on so they can adjust what’s needed. I’m hungry, Shadow. And your mate probably needs cuddling.” “He doesn’t need cuddling,” I said crisply. “He has a business meeting with Kent and other investors.” “And what’s your excuse?” I picked up the dress and slumped my butt on the chair. “I'm made from a mistake. My sperm donor couldn’t keep his junk in his pants and raped my mother in her sleep. He’s a dick. That’s why I don’t wanna attend
CALIFF Shadow looked ethereal— stunning, in her black floor-length gown. I might have to put a massive effort into my self-control tonight, and being possessive was a part of who we were—our natural instinct towards our mate. “I want you to wear this.” I put a tennis diamond necklace around her neck that I bought last week to accessorize her dress. “A family heirloom?” She traced her fingers over the jewelry. “It’s beautiful.” “No. A gift.” I kissed my mark on her neck as I looked at her reflection in the mirror. “Not as beautiful as you, baby.” “You’re not bad yourself, Alpha.” She turned around, fixing my tux. “You look dashing. I’m afraid I have to gorge a lot of women’s eyes tonight if they keep on fantasizing and ogling what’s mine.” I lifted her chin with my finger. “Look at me, baby.” She met my gaze. Her eyes filled with joy mixed with lust. “I’m serious, Califf.” “I know, but I only have an eye on you. Let me prove it to you after the party.” “How do you plan on prov
SHADOW “Stay with Zarah. I’ll be right back.” Califf kissed my lips. “I’m going to avail a castle restroom.” I rolled my eyes. “Careful with those faes.” “They should be careful with you.” He kissed me again before he let me go. I went to Zarah and Aira when the announcement echoed. She was right. There was definitely a gladiator-type brawl after the dinner. Sebastien had to prove to me he was a total asshole. “Where’s Alpha?” “He went to the restroom.” Zarah’s brows furrowed. “Are you sure?” “Yeah. He said it. Why?” Should I doubt his words? I didn’t think he would lie to me. “I hope I’m wrong. Let’s go. We have a box seat next to the Alpha King.” The lights went on at the battleground. My father was in the front row, but Alexander wasn’t around. Zarah, Aria, and I were on the second and an empty seat for Califf. I would have loved to watch these creatures as they fought for their lives, but I didn’t enjoy watching someone get brutally murdered before my eyes because this
CALIFF “Baby, can we talk?” She shut me out completely. After that fight, she wouldn’t even look at me. She showed up one minute for the after-party to show her support to her mate, then went to see her grandfather. That was twenty-four hours ago. She slid up the window shield of the private jet to ignore me. She had been successful so far. Zarah and Aira gave us time to talk while Zack and Lyon grabbed a drink at the back. “Baby, please. It’s been a day. Just talk to me, yell at me, curse me, hurt me. Just let it out, but I need you.” Her head turned to me in slow motion with eyes filled with rage, glowing. “Yell at you, hurt you? That’s not enough, asshole! Do you know what you did to me when you went to fight? You killed me over and over again! I thought my mate would die there, so hurting you wouldn’t be enough of what you put me through. What the fuck were you thinking?” At least she was talking to me. I took all her anger. I would be fine, but shutting me out? It fucking h
SHADOW “You need time to yourself. Even a CEO of a big company needs a break.” “What do you think I am doing?” I recoated my eyelashes and picked up my clutch. “So where are we going? Which club?” “A newly opened. Howl Avenue.” Aira was a petite witch with Asian roots, and no one would ever think she was. She was also kind, and her shiny, straight-back hair made me envious. “Let me guess. It’s filled with fangs and claws.” “And among others.” “Let’s go then.” “I thought you two were not done. Kindra is already here.” Zarah inspected me from head to toe. “You’re going to be in so much trouble, Luna. Alpha is going to be so pissed, but I’ll make sure to send him a selfie.” “That’s the whole point.” I chuckled. “You, witch. Too much skin?” “Perfect, dear.” The dress had a draped neckline. The back cut was low, almost down my butt, with criss-cross straps and asymmetric hem. “We’re going to a nightclub, not a funeral. It’s perfect.” I looked over her shoulder. “Kin, glad Duke
CALIFF “What?” I ignored the pang in my chest at how she answered my call. I understood she hadn’t forgiven me, but it was hard to bear being away from her. “Baby, I need you here.” “I was there until this afternoon, Califf.” I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. “I know, baby, but it’s been a week. Your responsibility is not only for the pack but also for me as my mate. I need you, please. My wolf needs you.” “Do you think it’s been easy for me? I hope this teaches you a lesson, Califf. I’d rather watch you from afar than watch you die because you think you need to save me. I don’t want you to do something reckless on my account. Your pack needs you more than they need me.” “Everyone needs us, Shadow, especially me. Please, come back. I barely slept at night for the past week. When you came here, you barely talked to me. You barely looked at me. What do you want me to do for you to come back?” “Time. I need time.” “Then that might be a problem?” “Why is that?” I could hear t
SHADOW “I’m so sorry for your loss. Your loss is mine, as well.” I squeezed the hands of John’s parents. “Thank you, Alpha. Make sure my son gets the justice he deserves.” The mother had been sobbing since the funeral service. “He will. We will not stop until we find who did this.” We all gathered at the cliff with our candles lit up under the moon. Califf shifted to wolf form and howled to express our losses. I felt his pain. I knew he felt responsible. He always did. This pack meant everything to him. This was family. Anything happened to everyone, and it was all his responsibility. I assisted him in putting his robe on as he shifted back, and he said, “May you rest in peace, John.” He looked at everyone. “I know we still are going through trying times. We just lost a good kid. Let this be a lesson for all of us that the enemy could attack us anytime. Be vigilant. And I swear to Moon Goddess, whoever did this, I will make him or them pay. That was their biggest mistake, and I
CALIFF Three months later I’d never been nervous like this in my entire life— it was a mix of excitement and nervousness, if I was being honest. Standing beside me was my Beta, my best man. Who would be perfect to sand by my side on my wedding day anyway? If not Duke, who would fit for the position? In Moon Goddess’s name, Shadow and I were already bonded forever. In the human world, we became husband and wife, a legally married couple. My heart kept thumping when the music started, and then she appeared with her father and Kent. Her ivory lace wedding gown hugged her body perfectly. Her face was covered with a veil. Shadow was always beautiful in my eyes, and she already looked ethereal, like a true goddess in human form. “Shadow.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Today, this union was special for both of us, for our families, and our pack. Our allies, including the new Alpha of Midnight Storm, Alpha Grady, were also present. Of course, the union wouldn’t be complete without th
CALIFF “Wow.” Shadow’s eyes widened to see half of the pack was on the field where we last had an interrupted picnic date. “When I said a barbecue, I expected something like a backyard barbecue, but this is beyond. Awesome.” A whole cow was already on the fire, patties, sausages, and veggies on the grills, stuck buns on the table, bowls of salad, delis, coolers of beers and other beverages, and tables put together into one long table with flower arrangements. It was like an outdoor cooking show, minus the camera. Families, guys, girls, pups, and even witches were here. It was a picnic party. I didn’t even know what to call it. What I saw was a pack having a picnic because threats were over, and hopefully, it would last for a long, long time. “Welcome to the pack picnic, Shadow.” She chuckled and shook her head. “You didn’t steal a cow from our neighbor, did you, Zack?” “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Luna.” Zack placed chairs for us. “The owner will skew you
SHADOW “Oh,” they gushed as I showed them the massive stone on my engagement ring. “Oh, my goodness.” Aira’s tiny eyes grew big. “What a huge rock from a huge man with a huge—” “Don’t.” Zarah pressed a finger on Aira’s lips. “Oh, yeah. Their hearing.” “You deserve it, Shadow.” Kindra inspected the ring, and it glittered in the sun. The pool was calling me, but they enjoyed gossip more than getting wet in the pool. “When is the wedding? I want to make sure I have a pretty dress,” Zarah said excitedly. “I don’t know. We haven’t talked about the specific date.” “Because last night you two were busy. You ignored Zarah’s call.” I pressed my lips together because I was guilty. After the proposal, we booked a honeymoon suite, got ourselves naked in the tub with rose petals and amazing scented candles, then we fucked in there, on the bed, and when we woke up, he ate me on the table. I didn’t know how I still had strength left or how many orgasms I lost count of. “Shadow.” Aira snap
CALIFF“Your dad knew that you were not his, but he loved you like his own till his last breath,” Alexander, her grandfather, said.“How did you know?”“He came to me, blaming Sebastien. They fought on that ground. He almost killed your father. Maybe at that time, Sebastien surrendered and admitted his mistake. I never saw your father again, but his body was brought to me.”“Why Sebastien doesn’t have a family or children?”“He believes his mate was your mother, considering she was mated to his twin. He has this belief that the goddess gave them one mate to share, but your dad didn’t think that way. His rage had taken him to do what he did. And here you are.”“How did they meet?” Shadow was so engrossed with the story of her parents from his grandfather that she forgot she had a date today.“They met here in Italy. Sebastien saw her first, but Samuel had the courage to approach her. Sebastien has been like this— focused, workaholic, uptight, but your dad was the opposite because he kn
SHADOW I was surprised to find out that the modern house of the High Priestess was in London. I was expecting a stone house exterior, but what surprised me more was that she was the same age as Zarah. “Welcome to my humble home, Shadow.” “High Priestess.” “Oh, please.” She swatted her well-manicured fingernails, and the white high-neck dress looked perfect on her. “Just Margaret.” “My mate, Alpha Califf.” “Of course, the werewolf. I could smell the skepticism in you, Califf.” “Forgive me, Margaret. I haven’t been in a witch house before.” “It’s not the real reason, but because you haven’t seen what I am capable of. And your future father-in-law just arrived.” "A future father-in-law?” How did she know? Califf and I shared a look. Just like that, my father walked into the living room in a white suit and tie. “High Priestess.” “Alpha King Sebastien.” They kissed each other cheek, but the way my father put his hand on her back said something else. Califf and I shared a look a
CALIFF “Is this really happening?” The perks of the pack link. Our parents didn’t have to hear what we were saying. Most of us were lucky enough to have shared this dinner, but some who were not didn’t make it tonight. Watching my parents at the same table with Sebastien was still pinch-worthy. He would have almost ripped my father’s throat if Shadow didn’t intervene. Seeing them in a light conversation over dinner was still like a dream. “Excuse me. I hope you all don’t mind if I go ahead and check those in the infirmary, still healing.” Shadow rose from her seat. She barely touched her food. I wasn’t worried about her because we all had been through a lot. We lost a few but still lost members, no matter the number. And it still hurt. “Of course, Luna,” my mother said. Dad nodded. “Please, father. May I excuse?” “Go ahead.” His gaze shifted to me when I also stood up. “I’m joining Shadow.” “I know how you feel. Losing a pack member is like losing a part of you. I’ll stay he
SHADOW My hands shook as I tried to clean off the blood. The crimson water dropped, draining into the sink— it was Zack’s blood. I almost lost a good man today. Zack was my best friend. Despite how we got off the wrong foot, he helped me through tough shits. He was among a few who believed in me and that there was something good in me, even if I was a rogue. I put another soap on my hands to get rid of the blood stain. It wouldn’t just go. I wanted to forget he was hurt even if the witches said he would make it, but it still hurt. If only the witches weren’t there, I would have lost him. I felt Califf came into the room. A moment later, he appeared at the bathroom door but said nothing, gazing at what I was doing. I washed my face if even he already saw my tears. He could feel and get into my thoughts but chose to give me space. “Where’s everyone?” I asked, diverting my thoughts. He lost men today. I knew how it felt, but he was stronger than most Alphas. Instead of killing those
CALIFF I was surrounded by growling, snarling, whimpering, but that asshole just waited there like a coward to finish off what his men started. That was not what a character of an Alpha. Clearly, he wasn’t one. Prowling in his direction, I bared my teeth and zeroed my attention only to him. I wanted to put an end to this. If he thought he would win in this attack, he was mistaken. He didn’t move, he just stood there watching my movement, making his point of dominance and intimidation. When I was close enough, he rushed toward me, ending us slamming on the ground. His anger filled his eyes, but he also underestimated my strength since I had already fought and killed a few of his wolves. Our claws and teeth lashed. I snarled as his claws raked through my shoulder, and damn, it fucking hurt. Overpowered by his little victory, I bit his leg, yanking it hard, finding himself slammed on the ground. Keane’s wolf rose to his paws, circling me, growling in anger, following my movements, a
SHADOWJust after those explosions, I instantly felt everyone’s fear thickened in the air, probably mine too. I wasn’t used to fighting with other wolves to death, but those explosions and the packs of werewolves walking into the compound left me no choice but to defend ourselves.“They’re here.” Just as I announced, the enforcers shifted to their wolves, leaving me and Califf, Duke, and Lyon still standing in human form.As we marched, the two guards opened the gate for us, taking the fight outside. Our remaining six enforcers followed behind us while Lyon and Duke were on our sides.Close to the trees, I caught sight of at least four vehicles parked with large numbers of members standing tall beside Keane, crossing his arms over his chest and showing us what he got.“He’s trying to intimidate us.” I couldn’t help but snort at the ridiculousness of the number of shifters he brought with him against us.“Ten against thirty or forty? I like the odds,” Califf said. His body vibrated wit