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
SHADOW Before Califf and I went down for dinner with some members, he fucked me first. I let him. He had been under a lot of stress lately. Maybe a little fun would help ease the tension in his muscles. As he pinned my hands behind my back, he took me hard and slow. My body was on fire. For more than a week, we hadn’t slept together. At that moment, all I could think was to get lost in our little world before facing the threats around us. Every time I was almost over the edge, he pulled back. He certainly knew how to drive me crazy, making my wolf restless. “Damn it, Califf! If you don’t want to make me come. Get off of me. Or I swear I will kick you in your crotch and finger myself.” He chuckled as he rubbed my spine. It felt good, but I wanted more than good. “A little impatient, aren’t we?” “A little dick right now, aren’t you?” I looked over my shoulder. My eyes glowed. “We both know my dick is a lot of things, but little is not one of them.” He thrust into me, slow and ste
CALIFF “What’s this?” She was surprised to see a blanket spread on the grass under the tree with pillows, a basket of food, and a bottle of wine. “I wasn’t sure if you like the setup. I wanted to take you out on a dinner date, but with the situation in our pack—” “Stop.” She cupped my face and looked me in the eye. “This is beautiful, Califf. The restaurant is overrated, anyway. I love this. Thank you.” I sighed as I pressed my lips against her. “I’ll make it up to you.” “This is you making up to me. Can we sit down now?” “Yeah.” I chuckled, taking her hand as she took off her sneakers. “If I knew we were going on a date, I could have worn a pretty sundress, at least.” “You’re beautiful in your shirt and shorts, Shadow. You might not need those clothes later, anyway?” Her smile turned sultry. Her eyes glittered in anticipation. “Is that a promise?” “You sound like I don’t give you what you want.” I sat next to her, my arm on her thigh as I leaned to kiss her on the neck. “I
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
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
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 “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