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 “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
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
SHADOW “What’s wrong, Shadow?” Kent, my adopted father, asked who had raised me since I was eight. His thick brows squished together. Concern filled his hazel eyes. “I don’t know. I think I sense something.” My wolf anxiously stirred and became restless. I gulped a glass of water. I barely escaped from the savages who killed my father’s entire pack. Because of the mixed mating, they ended up dead, and I ended up in a shelter with homeless humans. That was how Kent found me, gave me a home, and raised me as his own. When I turned ten, Kent noticed something was different about me. I told him everything, how my parents died. At first, he thought it was a trauma that I’d seen things. When I reached puberty, he saw me change for the first time. Since then, he explored my kind. We were about to meet the investor, and I couldn’t screw this up. We traveled all the way from California for this meeting, only to be ruined because I felt something odd. “I’ll be fine alone. Go ahead. Get so
CALIFF My wolves of hunters and scouts streamed through the land, giving them enough time to scout the perimeters of our territory for dangers and threats. Though assigned to border patrol, they wouldn’t take chances when their Alpha was going out on the run. “You’re clear, Alpha,” Kairo, one of the scouts, said through our pack link. That was how we communicated when in our wolf form or emergency. Running always helped me think. Since that rogue saw me two days ago, my wolf has been agitated and restless. There was just something different about her. I ordered my Delta, Lorcan, and one of my hunters to find that woman. I doubted it was a coincidence that I was there in that hotel, and she was there too. I always trusted my instinct when protecting my pack and our alliances. Our enemy packs had been very clever lately. I admitted that. Their members left the pack when on a spy mission and acted to join another pack to get information and study their weaknesses. I had done that in
SHADOW One moment, I was in the elevator for a run, and the next thing I knew, I was drugged and found myself locked up in a solitary by the most arrogant, feral, and ruthless Alpha I had ever met. My last Alpha had no match to this son of a bitch, and I still didn’t know his name. I felt like I’d been in this four-corner room for eternity. I lost track of time when I didn’t see the sun or moon but darkness. The Alpha was true to his word. I was left without food and water to starve me to death and no lights. It wasn’t a problem, though. A werewolf could see clearly in the dark but not in a human form. And Kent trained me to control hardship and stress, but not against this man. He went beyond what I had prepared for. I knew that Alphas were the last people you disrespected because their words were their rules, but his men took me forcibly, and I would be damned if they could force me to do what they desired. Something about him made me want to bend the rules, get down on my knee
CALIFF I leisurely watched her eat, get those lips dirty, and lick them off clean. There was nothing attractive in it and talking when her mouth was full, but I couldn’t take my eyes off those lips and her eyes. She was exquisite. Once she was done, I took her to the room next to mine. I wanted to make sure I had her under closed watch. I opened the door to the room, but I remained outside. “Your temporary room. There are some clean clothes for you.” “I can just stay down with other girls. This is a lot.” She looked around. It had a queen-sized bed, vanity mirror, closet, and bedside tables. There was also a bathroom, so she didn’t have to wait and fill in line in the morning. “You will stay here. No more arguments. Get a shower and meet me in the office.” “Yes, sir.” My eyes narrowed. “Technically, I’m still not a part of the pack or your pack.” “Don’t make me change my mind.” I locked the door behind me before I could think of something else. “You’ve already done enough dam
SHADOW “No!” I woke up, jolting with my body soaked with sweat, my chest heaving as I caught my breath. I never had a dream in a long time, and I didn’t wish to be that taunting and vicious as I watched everyone die, get murdered, and pile like dead animals ready to get burned. I was wrong when I thought I would get a good sleep. With my impending challenge approaching, I needed a clear head, or I would lose control and hurt my opponent. I couldn’t and wouldn’t be that person anymore. With everyone having eyes on me with my every move, I had to prove to them that I was not that kind of rogue in their heads, but I had a feeling that this wouldn’t be easy for me. It was still three in the morning. Everyone was probably still in bed. I checked the door before I slept last night, and it wasn’t locked like I initially thought. I changed into a hoodie and sweatpants before I headed down. It had been almost a week, and I hadn’t run. The night I wanted to go out, it didn’t go well. I wal
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