RaelynnLorenzo's knuckles went white from his tight grip on the steering wheel. You could cut the tension with a knife as he drove us down the narrow twisty road from Nightshade Manor.Quiet surrounded us thick and heavy. The sound of tires on gravel broke the silence. I gazed out the window from the passenger seat trying to make sense of everything that happened in the past day.I still couldn't grasp why Lorenzo rushed to get me out of the manor so fast. He didn't explain much just said I wasn't safe there. But the manor had always felt safe to me.Valentine always kept me safe guarding me from the outside world's risks. The manor had served as my haven for as long as my memory stretched back.So why did Lorenzo firmly believe I wasn't secure there anymore?I looked away from the trees rushing by and turned to him. His jaw was tight, and his eyes stayed on the road, but I noticed worry lines on his face.I inhaled aiming to ease the knot of fear that had grown in my gut since he'd a
RaelynnAs Lorenzo and I drove through the quiet streets, the tension from earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a more comfortable silence.The city lights blurred outside the car window as I leaned back in my seat, stealing glances at him.He had been so protective, so fierce in his determination to keep me safe, but there was also a gentleness in him that I couldn’t help but admire.Eventually, Lorenzo broke the silence, his voice calm yet purposeful. “How about we get something to eat?” he suggested, glancing over at me. “You look like you could use a break from all of this.”I smiled faintly, appreciating the concern in his tone. “Yeah, that sounds nice. I could use a distraction.”He nodded and turned the car onto the main road, heading toward a small restaurant on the outskirts of town. When we arrived, the cozy ambiance of the place immediately put me at ease. The restaurant was a charming little diner with warm lighting and rustic decor. It was the kind of place where you
RaelynnI got to Nightshade Manor right before 11 p.m. The big mansion stood dark against the night sky.My heart raced as I walked up to the house. I felt nervous all over. The day's events kept playing in my head like a dream I couldn't forget. I had this feeling that nothing would be the same.I snuck in through the back door trying not to make noise. The house was so quiet it was spooky. I could hear the old wood making soft noises in the dark.Using my sharp senses, I stopped and listened trying to spot any signs of life. I couldn't risk getting caught sneaking in, not when everything was already so tricky.The place looked empty so I moved through the dark hallways creeping past the big staircase and towards the path that went to my room. My feet touched the floor as I walked through the winding passages.I had snuck around in the dark many times before, but tonight felt unlike any other. Tonight, more was on the line.At last, I made it to my room. A wave of comfort hit me as I
Alpha LorenzoI drove Raelynn to the manor and watched her walk toward the big entrance. A heavy feeling of worry grew in my chest.The night was quiet. the soft sound of leaves moving in the wind and the faint noise of crickets broke the silence.She looked back at me right before she went inside. Her eyes shone in the moonlight. I felt like I was leaving her in the stomach of a monster.I stayed put for a bit longer keeping an eye on the manor, making sure she got inside before I took off. The mansion stood tall and scary behind me, its dark shape getting smaller in my mirror as I drove down the twisty road back to where my pack lived.It didn't take long to get from the manor to my pack's house...about half an hour...but tonight it seemed to go on forever. My mind kept going back to Raelynn wondering if she was okay, and thinking about the dangers that might be hiding in the dark.My wolf Max, showed signs of unease since we left Raelynn. He walked back and forth in my thoughts, hi
Alpha LorenzoThe next morning, I opened my eyes to sunlight pouring through my window coating the room in a golden sheen. For the first time in ages, I experienced a sense of calm.Yet, my thoughts whirled with images of Raelynn, the sensation of her tender lips against mine, and the sight of her vibrant red hair falling over her shoulders.The recollection of the previous night pulled at my heartstrings making me want to see her again. But today, I had duties...crucial ones that I couldn't push aside.I tossed the blankets aside and got up stretching to ease my tight muscles. Max, my wolf, woke up too, his usual grumpiness mixed with excitement. He wanted to see Raelynn as much as I did, but he knew we had things to do first."We need to handle our responsibilities before anything else," I told him even though I could tell he wasn't thrilled about it. "Then we'll go see her."Max grunted but didn't fight me on it letting me concentrate on what we had to do next.I took a quick shower
RaelynnThe gentle vibration of my phone jolted me from the book I pretended to read. My heart raced when Lorenzo's name appeared on the screen. I unlocked my phone and read his message:"Be ready in thirty minutes. I'll be waiting outside."A wide smile stretched across my face. Lorenzo hadn't contacted me all morning, and it was almost noon. My mind had been in chaos full of worry about his silence.But now, a thrill rushed through me washing away my uncertainty and filling me with eagerness. Today we would spend time together...with no interruptions, without fear. Just us.I leapt out of bed and dashed to my closet. I rummaged through the hangers to find the perfect outfit. Thoughts raced through my head as I weighed my choices.I hoped to impress him without going overboard. After a few minutes of uncertainty, I picked a pale blue sundress. Tiny flowers decorated the bottom edge.The dress hugged my waist showing off my shape without squeezing too tight. It looked simple yet flatt
RaelynnI couldn’t stop staring at Lorenzo. He looked just like a god under the dim light of the screen… a sight so flawless it could have been plucked from a dream.His strong jawline was made prominent by the flickering light of the movie, and soft shadows danced on his face in such a way that it made my heart miss beat.The fact that he had dark hair falling onto his forehead, and carried out himself in an easy manner made it appear as though he was at peace, almost tranquil.However what really caught me were his eyes when they became tender upon turning to look at me.I couldn’t help the lazy smile and felt warmth spreading all over my chest. This was no illusion…it was this instant itself sitting together in a cinema hall watching romance comedy movie.For once there was no fear or danger; there were no pack politics, no witches or wars; there were only two of us sitting side by side watching a romantic comedy in the theatre. We are just two people in love with each other trying
Alpha LorenzoThe sun dipped toward the horizon as I gazed at Raelynn. She leaned on me, her head on my shoulder, a soft smile played on her face as she watched the park.We sat here for thirty minutes enjoying the silence and each other's presence. I felt peace in a way I hadn't in years, as if everything had clicked into place.I aimed to make this day perfect for her...for us.An idea struck me, one that had crossed my mind earlier when I bought snacks at the theater. I turned my head , kissed the top of Raelynn's head, and said, "Hey, what do you think about going to a wine tasting?"She glanced up, her eyes glowing with curiosity. "Wine tasting?""Yeah," I smiled as I brushed a stray hair from her face. "A winery nearby has an event today. I found out when I bought snacks earlier."Her face lit up. "I've never tried wine tasting! That sounds amazing."I chuckled at how excited she was. Her joy rubbed off on me, and knowing I made her smile warmed my heart. "I'm glad you're excite
RaelynnThe sun shone through the thick velvet curtains of our room and illuminated everything with a warm, golden light. The warmth of it kissed my skin, reminding me that this was no dream...this was my reality.A reality that only a few years ago, seemed like a world impossible to conceive, completely shattered into pieces that I would never be able to pick up. Yet here I am, so much stronger and smarter and more at peace than I have ever been in my life.As I lay in bed, listening to the soft rustling of the leaves outside and the distant chirping of birds welcoming the new day, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far I’ve come. The memories of my past, once sharp and painful, now seemed like faded shadows in the back of my mind.The pain of loss and betrayal, the paralyzing fear that I experienced during those days of darkness seemed like a dream…a nightmare that I had finally woken up from.My life had changed so much since those days. I thought of the darkness that had so nearly
Alpha LorenzoI wait outside the door to the dungeon the cold stone walls closing in around me. My hear beats faster the rage just below the surface.I need to do this. For Raelynn. For my pack. For all those who have been tormented by the life of valentine and his warped disciples.The door squeaks and I enter the somewhat dark hallway. It is damp and musty in there, with the drip of water bouncing off the walls.The guards nod their heads to me, with a very serious look on their faces. They know why I’m here. They know what I’m about to do.Valentine's cell is all the way at the end of the dungeon, away from all the others. I would have wanted him alone, removed from the rest of his nasty little gang. The man deserves no comfort, no company. Not after everything he’s done.I stand before his cell holding the cold iron bars. Valentine sits in there, perched on a little bench with his hands cuffed together in front of him.The look of pride and arrogance is no longer there, but instea
Alpha LorenzoWe step outside of the building and the heat from the fire engulfs us, and at that moment, I feel Raelynn's body drop from my arms. She's out of breath, out of energy, and I pick her up and carry her the remainder of the way.“Conan, take care of Valentine and his scientists, I shout over my shoulder as we make our way to the waiting SUVs. “Round them all up. No one gets away.”Conan nods, his expression grim. “You got it, Alpha. We’ll make sure they pay for what they’ve done.”I nod, my focus on Raelynn as I lay her gently in the back seat of one of the SUVs. She’s unconscious, her breathing shallow, and I feel a surge of panic. I can’t lose her. Not now.“Go! I shout to the driver, and the SUV speeds away from the burning building, the flames reflected in the rearview mirror. I cradle Raelynn in my arms, my heart beating hard against my chest.“We’re almost there, I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Just hold on a little longer, love. You’re going to b
Alpha LorenzoSo I pound my fist on the aluminum door as hard as I can, and I keep pounding and the door starts to cave in. Every hit vibrates up my arm, but I bite down on my tongue and continue. Raelynn is on the other side. I can feel her presence through our bond, faint but unmistakable.My entire body is on fire from the exertion, beads of sweat drip from my face into my eyes, but I will not give up. I can’t. Not when I’m this close. The dent in the door is minor, almost unnoticeable, but it is there. So I put all of my strength, and my anger, and my hopelessness into one last punch and I hope that it is.Then, without warning, a rush of warmth washes over the door. I yank my hand back, startled. The metal is red hot and I have to back up so I don't get burnt.I stare in disbelief as fire dances around the border of the door and the metal contorts and melts like some unseen force is wrenching it asunder.“What the hell…” I mutter, my eyes wide. This isn’t just fire; it’s somethin
RaelynnI’ ve been planning this for weeks. The smallest mistakes could cost me everything, so I’ve waited, watching, studying every guard’s routine. I’ve observed their movements, noted their shifts, even the way they carry themselves when they think no one is looking.One guard, in particular, caught my eye…small, unassuming, always on edge as if the very walls were closing in on him. I could see it in his eyes, the fear, the sweat above his brow whenever he was around me. And that made him my target.Well, this morning he was on walking post by my cell and I just knew it was time. He did not even realize how easily he was being played with.The shadows that had been my friends in darkness reached out to take his thoughts, pushing his focus away. A ripple of my fingers and the shadows told him of distant cares and his mind floated just enough for me to move.I moved silently, my fingers deft and quick, slipping into his pocket as he turned away. The cold metal of the key against my
Alpha LorenzoI can't remember the last time I was this tense. The past few months have been a nightmare, each day worse than the one before. I can barely sleep, my thoughts constantly consumed by Raelynn. My mate. My Luna. She’s out there, somewhere, suffering God knows what, and it’s my fault. I let her down, failed to protect her. And now, I’m desperate. Desperate to make things right, to find her, to bring her home. I’ve spent every waking moment planning, strategizing, preparing for this. There’s no room for error. Not this time.We’re in the war room, a dimly lit space in the pack house that’s become our headquarters for this mission. Conan, Alison, Ashley, and I are huddled around a large table, a detailed map of the Dawn Scientific Institute for Research spread out before us. The DSIR is an imposing fortress, heavily guarded, and getting in won’t be easy. But we have no choice. Raelynn is in there. I can feel it in my bones. “Alright,” I say, my voice steady but hard. “We
Alpha LorenzoI can't remember the last time I was this tense. The past few months have been a nightmare, each day worse than the one before. I can barely sleep, my thoughts constantly consumed by Raelynn. My mate. My Luna. She’s out there, somewhere, suffering God knows what, and it’s my fault. I let her down, failed to protect her. And now, I’m desperate. Desperate to make things right, to find her, to bring her home. I’ve spent every waking moment planning, strategizing, preparing for this. There’s no room for error. Not this time.We’re in the war room, a dimly lit space in the pack house that’s become our headquarters for this mission. Conan, Alison, Ashley, and I are huddled around a large table, a detailed map of the Dawn Scientific Institute for Research spread out before us. The DSIR is an imposing fortress, heavily guarded, and getting in won’t be easy. But we have no choice. Raelynn is in there. I can feel it in my bones. “Alright,” I say, my voice steady but hard. “We
RaelynnDarkness. It has been my constant companion for what feels like an eternity. My sense of time in this cold, damp cell is lost, days and nights running together in one continuous void of nothingness.I have no idea how long it’s been since I was tossed into this hell, since I was deprived of my dignity and my wolf. I don’t even know if it matters anymore. This place, this emptiness, it consumes you.I resemble now and again when the guards bring out their needles I test myself to see if I can remember what I was like before all this. I try to remember what it felt like to be free, to be whole.But those memories are as fragments of a dream. They are so beautiful and so elusive, and they dissolve before I can catch them. I have nothing but the pain to grasp on to. It’s the only thing that feels real anymore.I roll over on the cold floor and the chains that bind my wrists and ankles rattle. My body hurts in places I never knew I had.They don't feed me very much. Enough to keep
Alpha LorenzoIt's been a week since Alexis was incarcerated and I discovered the truth. A full week of searching and scouring every inch of our territory, and then some. The feeling of desperation claws at my insides, a gnawing ache that won’t go away no matter how many leads we chase, no matter how many faces I growl at in frustration. Every day without her feels like an eternity, every moment a fresh wound reopening. Max is restless, prowling just beneath the surface, ready to break free and tear apart anyone who gets in my way.I shouldn’t be here, pacing in my study with my phone clenched in my hand. I should be out there, tracking her down myself. But even alphas have duties, responsibilities, and meetings they can’t avoid. Today, it’s the damn council meeting, and if I don’t show up, there’ll be more questions than I’m prepared to answer. I need to keep up appearances. I need to make them believe everything is fine, that my world isn’t shattering around me piece by piece.“E