Gonzalo ~~ The fight humbled had him. River had no idea how powerful she was. Hell, once this was over, he would not stop until she became the Alpha… a position she sure as hell deserved. In his opinion, the Ironclaw pack would be luckier to have her as their Alpha. While he was battling with a handful of witches, River would have sent them sprawling ahead like they were the wind on a rainy day. He was impressed! He was more than impressed. He got to affirm that perhaps, he hadn't accorded her as much respect as she merited. River, that woman, she deserved to be worshiped, not Echo - or rather the fake Echo. He wouldn't stop until she got everything she deserved. It felt almost ethereal during the lovemaking in the bathroom. It was something he had yearned for for years. After seven years of wanting to feel her skin against his, of longing to hear her voice once again, of diving into her, thrusting in and out. It was the best gift anyone had given him in years. Hell, no on
Gonzalo could see the relief flooding River's face as she rushed towards him, wrapping him in a tight hug. Her breaths came out in ragged gasps, the type people who had just narrowly escaped death had. Well, had they not?“We're safe," she whispered, burying her face in his chest.Just when he was about to return the embrace, to bask in the glory of her scent and proximity, she pulled away with a hand finding Rain's head. The little girl, however, looked around with wide, curious eyes. "Where are we, Mama?" she asked with curiosity.River's hug tightened around Rain for a moment before she turned to Gonzalo with a question forming on her lips. He knew what she was about to ask, so he answered before she could ask. Even though his voice was still strained with the adrenaline of their escape, “This is Sofia's house," he explained. "She's a widow, a doctor who lost her husband to the rogues recently." He paused, remembering how Sofia had helped him in the aftermath of his two pack membe
“Allies?” Sofia rhetorically asked, "You don't know the half of it. There are whispers and rumblings amongst the pack members who are unhappy about the rogues dominating the borders. It is very crazy that their numbers are alarming too. The more their numbers are, the less our people get. The death toll is fast rising. A small resistance has been brewing, strategizing in secret. We've been quietly meeting, strategizing ways to push back.”A resistance? Did that mean Sofia was a part of a resistance? Damn, he should have suspected; Gonzalo thought. His jaw dropped. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"Instead of replying to him, Sofia's gaze softened as it landed on Rain. "Well, let's just say some things are better discussed without little ears around," she said to River. "Why don't you get the little one settled in? I imagine the escape was tiring."River nodded in agreement. "That sounds good. Come on, Rain, let's see where you'll be sleeping tonight."Before following River, Gonza
Sofia had heard River’s whisper, all thanks to her heightened wolf senses. But the woman was weird. She acted as if she didn't hear the words and only beckoned them forward.“Take a look," she said, pointing to several marked locations. "These are rogue settlements within our borders. We've been gathering information, building a case against them."Gonzalo and River leaned closer, impressed by the detail and organization. "How did you manage all of this?" he asked, surprised."Like I said," Sofia replied with a wry smile on her lips. "If the Alpha won't take action, the pack has to take care of itself."River's eyes lit up. "That's beautiful. You've been planning a rebellion?"“More like a strategic movement of taking us out of this mess. It's not like we want to defy the Alpha or something.” Sofia replied, eyes still on the map.Gonzalo saw River's lips curved into a hopeful smile. "That's beautiful," she commented. "And much needed."The air grew serious as Sofia leaned forward. "Sp
Chapter 105Sofia had heard River’s whisper, all thanks to her heightened wolf senses. But the woman was weird. She acted as if she didn't hear the words and only beckoned them forward.“Take a look," she said, pointing to several marked locations. "These are rogue settlements within our borders. We've been gathering information, building a case against them."Gonzalo and River leaned closer, impressed by the detail and organization. "How did you manage all of this?" he asked, surprised."Like I said," Sofia replied with a wry smile on her lips. "If the Alpha won't take action, the pack has to take care of itself."River's eyes lit up. "That's beautiful. You've been planning a rebellion?"“More like a strategic movement of taking us out of this mess. It's not like we want to defy the Alpha or something.” Sofia replied, eyes still on the map.Gonzalo saw River's lips curved into a hopeful smile. "That's beautiful," she commented. "And much needed."The air grew serious as Sofia leaned
“Oh, God!” River paced around, panting heavily, her neck swiveling left and right in search of her daughter. “I told her to stay put!” That little rebel never listened. She had other things to worry about other than a stubborn daughter. She, however, could make a wild guess where she was. Running through the dark hallways, she prayed with every fiber of her being that no one in the mansion got to her daughter before she did. Otherwise, she’d get them both in trouble again. For five years, she had been paying her debt to Lord Draven. She could still remember that miserable night when her whole world fell apart. Lord Draven had brought her here to his home where his whole family lived to help with the cleaning of the old and rusty mansion that they had just moved into. She was supposed to clean for a few days and be given her freedom until she owed him something bigger. She could still remember…. . . FIVE YEARS AGO River bounced on her feet as nervousness ran through he
The hug, though initiated by River, felt oddly one-sided. Gonzalo stiffened as they made contact. She could feel his hesitation and was suddenly regretful that she had jumped on him like that.Perhaps, that wasn’t the most practical welcoming gesture. But then again, in her defense, this was her betrothed. There should be nothing practical between them.His arms hovered awkwardly before settling lightly on her back. It felt like a polite pat, not the warm embrace she yearned for or had envisioned.River had, however, read articles about Gonzalo McGruff. From what she read, just as the last syllable of his last name read – he was a gruff man.Perhaps, that was the reason behind his cautious reaction to her embrace.Either way, the fresh rain scent that clung to him made her hair stand on end. This man, though way older than her, would be hers very soon, and he was cool as hell!"Gonzalo! It's been forever!" She exclaimed, pulling back from the embrace and beaming at him. He nodded. “Ri
The drive back to the Ironclaw pack was filled with an awkward silence. River, who was quite the chatterbox, tried her best to fill the quietness with stories about her plans for the restaurant she wanted to establish at Gonzalo’s pack. She aimed for the productive topics, to at least, allow him to see how resourceful she could be.Yet, only disappointments were met with her efforts.Gonzalo remained mostly unresponsive. His gaze was fixed on the road ahead unwaveringly. His silence chewed at River, making her second-guess everything she'd said.However, every now and then when River would steal a glance at him, she’d forget all about her doubts after getting captivated by the sharp angles of his jaw and the way his brow furrowed in concentration.Finally, the iron gates of the Ironclaw pack slid open when they arrived, revealing a sprawling network of wooden cabins cradled amidst tall pines. As they pulled up to the central building, River spotted a familiar figure standing outside, d