Alpha LorenzoThe first light of dawn crept through the blinds, casting long shadows across my bedroom. I rolled over in bed, reaching instinctively for my phone, hoping for a message from Raelynn.My heart sank as the screen lit up…no calls, no texts, nothing. The gnawing feeling in my chest only grew worse.I replayed last night over and over in my head, trying to figure out what I could’ve done wrong. My messages were still unanswered, my calls still ignored. The distance between us felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me.I wasn’t used to this…being shut out, left in the dark. Raelynn and I were connected on a level that went beyond words, and yet, for the first time since we found each other, she felt unreachable.I sighed a long sigh and forced myself to get up. Lying here all day wouldn’t fix anything. The pack called, and I had duties that I could not shirk.But even as I tried to focus on my duties, Raelynn’s absence lingered in the back of my mind like a dark cloud.Whe
Alpha LorenzoI hadn't talked to Raelynn in days. Days of not knowing, days of a gnawing hollow feeling, days of a growing irritation I just could not escape. The silence between us was deafening, but I had work to do. My world had collapsed and life did not stop.I shoved open the doors to the newly built construction site, the skyscraper that would soon be the crown of our recent spread of the city. It was only in the framework stage with the beams and scaffolding crossing the Oregon skyline.Workers moved like ants below me, their shouts blending with the roar of machinery. But none of it registered. My mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts of her.I took a deep breath, trying to ground myself. I had a meeting to attend, a deal to make. At the site was Marcus Sterling, a vampire that had been one of my main business associates.His contributions to the business were significant, and securing his continued involvement was crucial. But even as I prepared to face him, I couldn’t shake
Alpha LorenzoI didn't notice that my fist was clutching something until her car was out of sight. I opened my fist, and there it was…Raelynn’s moonstone necklace.The thin chain was all wrapped around my fingers, and the cold stone shone in the darkness of the parking lot.I stared at it, my mind reeling. This necklace meant something to her. I knew it did. She’d told me once that it had been a gift from her mother, something she treasured deeply.And now it was in my hands, pulled off in the chaos of our brief encounter. I hadn’t meant to grab it. I hadn’t meant for any of this to happen.My grip tightened around the necklace, the stone digging into my palm. I could still hear the anger in her voice, the fear in her voice, the words still stung my ears.She’d threatened to scream, to accuse me of something horrific, and it had shattered something inside me. What could I have ever done to make her have such a hatred for me. Everything was fine one second but now…I closed my eyes, tr
RaelynnI hadn't seen Lorenzo in days, ever since that horrible run in at the mall. I had been trying to do everything possible to avoid thinking about him, yet that moment continued to haunt me like a shadow I could not lose.And I never knew what I had done to be tortured so. I just wanted to get away and live my life, but no, Lorenzo had different ideas.This morning, I was pacing my room, feeling an unsettling sense of panic creeping up on me. I had this nagging feeling that something was missing. It wasn’t until I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair, that it hit me.My moonstone necklace.My hand flew up to my neck and my fingers brushed the now vacant place where the necklace used to hang, its weight a constant reminder. My heart dropped. It was gone.“No, no, no, I whispered to myself, spinning around to search my room. That necklace was not just some piece of jewelry for me. it was a part of my mother, a part of my family. My mother wore it every day until she passe
RaelynnThe drive felt endless, the tension in the car suffocating. Lorenzo hadn’t said a word since I reluctantly got into the passenger seat. The air between us was so silent, it was almost tangible, it felt like it weighed something.My hands played with each other in my lap, the thoughts of my lost necklace bugging me, but even more, the fear of being alone with him.After what felt like hours but was likely just minutes, the car slowed down and pulled into a familiar parking lot. I looked around and my stomach started to churn when I realized.One of the restaurants we used to frequent.My heart clenched as old memories surfaced…memories I had fought so hard to bury. Why here? Why did he of all places bring me back here?Lorenzo parked the car, then stepped out, his expression unreadable. He didn't utter a word and headed straight for the door of the restaurant.But for a second I thought about just sitting in the car, and not following him. However, the image of my necklace, the
Alpha LorenzoTwo months laterThe early morning sun bathed the newly renovated pack house in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns. I stood at the edge of the property, taking it all in.This great hall, which has since been completely restored, was awesome. What was once a simple structure had been transformed into a beacon of pride for the Lake View Pack, a testament to how far we had come.The shiny white walls glistened from the sun rays, and the windows mirrored the sky. It was perfect…exactly what we needed for tomorrow’s unification ceremony.I couldn’t help but smile. The deal I’d struck with Marcus Sterling had been a turning point for the pack. Not only had it strengthened our alliance, but it had also brought wealth beyond our wildest dreams.Our profit increased, 3 times more than expected, and our future was brighter than I’d dared hope.As I made my way toward the grand hall, I noticed Fiona overseeing the final touches on the decorations. She mov
Alpha LorenzoThe day of the unification ceremony has finally arrived. The sky is a clear blue, with only a few scattered clouds, a perfect backdrop for such an important occasion.As the Supreme Alpha of the Lake View Pack, I know that today will shape the future of not only our pack but the entire werewolf kingdom.Every detail has to be perfect, every precaution taken. There's no room for error.I step outside of my office and survey the pack house, the newly renovated mansion standing tall and proud against the morning sun. It’s an impressive sight, one that will soon be filled with guests from all over the supernatural world.My chest swells with pride as I see pack members bustling about, preparing for the ceremony.Marcus, approaches me with his usual stoic expression. Behind him, Conan, ever the jokester, has a grin plastered on his face."Everything is on schedule, Alpha," Marcus reports, his voice as steady as always. "The renovations are complete, and the pack house is read
Alpha LorenzoThe crowd cheers, and I take a moment to enjoy today's success. My duties don't seem as heavy now that I know my people back me up.But we're not done celebrating yet. We've got one more custom to keep."Now," I say loud enough for everyone to hear, "it's time for the Royal Run."The guests buzz with excitement, and they all hurry outside. Some want to watch, while others plan to join in.The Royal Run is an old tradition that goes back hundreds of years...It shows off the strength, speed, and togetherness of the packs. It's more than just a race...It honors our shared roots.As we meet outside, I inhale allowing the crisp air to fill my lungs. The run's excitement buzzes around us, and I sense the gathered wolves' energy growing.My officials and I move forward and start to remove our clothes without delay. The crowd reacts with surprised sounds and whispers as our bodies come into view.I catch some admiring comments from the onlookers, but I tune them out concentratin
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