Chapter 19 Raul’s point of viewI wake up the following morning to the sound of Erin’s sweet little snores. I can't believe I finally got her; last night was more than anything I could have ever imagined. It was perfect.My mate is strong and has a little wild side about her; she likes to be dominated, and as an Alpha, she is perfect for me. I've never felt this way with anyone before. The bond between us is strong, and I guess she can feel this unbreakable bond between us. Maybe one day she will find the bond between us is special. But the reason I chose to do this wonderful thing with her is not pure. To avoid her finding, we were going to kidnap her “friend.” I touched her, kissed her, and then I began to let the desire occupy me. Yes, I got carried away. I never meant for things to go so far, but I won't regret something that was so special between us.Listening to the heart beating inside me, my wolf controlled me. Erin is our mate; he had waited for a long time.Last night, w
Erin’s point of viewI try to run, but I can't get far as the heavy metal chain that is tied to my wrist pulls me back into the darkness of the woods. Where the hell am I looking around the air is cold and damp, and the trees tower over me ....I'm in the middle of the woods, tethered to this heavy metal chain, but I have no idea why I am here or even how I got here….what the hell is happening?“Help me……please……” I call out, but there is no one around……..no one to hear my cries…Struggling with the weight of the chain, I try to prize my wrist free, but it's hopeless. I can't escape from the chains that bind me to the woods; the chains cut into the delicate skin of my wrist as I try to break my bonds. I scream in agony, defeated, as I fall to my knees in tears.“help….please…someone….help ….me”, but it's in vain; there is one here to save me as the darkness closes around me. I shiver in my thin nightgown. It's so cold I can't feel my fingers or my toes. I shiver once more as I curl up
Erin’s point of viewMy heart melts when he tells me he has come all the way to the Star Gazer just to walk me home. I wasn't sure how things would be between us after the other night, but I know I feel some kind of connection with this man that is so much more than sex. I mean, the sex is beyond amazing where this man is concerned, but we have more; it's hard to explain. I feel as though we have some kind of connection, one that I have never had with anyone before.He grins as he pulls me into his arms. I know he is making a bigger show of this because of Sam, but he’s still here to walk me home, and he thought Sam was a woman, so I guess I must mean something to him. It is too soon to ask where we stand, but I hope he feels the same way, Am I his girl? Jesus, I hope so…….I get the feeling that Raul is a little angry when I introduce Sam as the new barperson, “I thought Sam was short for Samatha” " he whispers in my ear.I Giggle as I reply, “No, Sam is definitely a man” ….”I can
Raul’s point of viewI have spent so many hours questioning Anna about how she knew the position of the magic circle in the werewolf world, but I fail every single time. I don’t know what it is about this wolf. She seems so frail and small, yet she’s powerful enough to block my alpha aura, which worries me; I just don’t understand where this power comes from. I've never seen anything like this before. I left Erin on her doorstep because she looked absolutely exhausted, and I know if I’d stayed, we would’ve ended up in bed together, and that girl most definitely wouldn’t have had much sleep and the fact I also wanted to interrogate Anna once again as she seems less powerful after she stays in the human world for a long time and I need some answers soon.I head through the door. Liam nods when I pass. We haven't spoken much since the other night. I'm still a little unsure why he is so worried about me having a relationship with Erin, and I'm not ready to tell him about her yet.“I'm h
Domenic’s point of view I grin when I put the phone down after my little discussion with Raul. At first, I thought he wouldn't work with me; he seemed totally against it, and I thought he would need a little persuasion to join my collab, but the other week, he contacted me totally out of the blue, saying how he had changed his mind and agreed to join forces. He did have a condition, though. I had to pull my mafia back from the Star Gazer. Apparently, he has the hots for the owner. It's amazing what a little pussy will do to a man. I've been there in my younger days! I had planned to put more pressure on the Inn, looking for the slimy little fucker who thought he could get away with fucking with one of my top men’s women. It turns out he's nothing but a coward, though, doing a runner and leaving his business partner to deal with the aftermath on her own.I chuckle to myself. It's funny how things turn out, isn't it? As that same business partner is the same bit of skirt that's got
Erin’s point of viewIt has been so long since I've spoken to Sarah that I decided to ring her up and see if she would like to meet up somewhere for a chat and some and maybe some food.Now that I have Sam working on my team, I can actually give myself some time off, knowing that the stargazer will be fine in his more than capable hands. Besides, I think I deserve a day off, don’t you? We agreed to meet at the little seaside cafe overlooking the docks; it is well known for its freshly caught local fish and seafood; my belly rumbles, and the thought of fish and chips, I can't remember when the last time I had it,Fish and chips covered in salt and vinegar, mmmm, you can’t beat it.Sarah is already there when I arrive, sitting at a small table overlooking the docks; she grins when she sees me before standing up to pull me into a hug as she says, “It’s good to see you, Erin. I've missed you.”I smile as I reply, “Me too, Sarah; I miss our little chats. How is everything with you?”She g
Raul’s point of viewOnce I'm finished with the Dom down at the docks, I head home to check in with Liam to make sure everything is okay with him because tonight is a full moon, and if all is well, I wanted to head through the magic circle. I need to harvest the power soon. The wolves are beginning to lose their strength. I cannot put it off any longer.When I get in, I find Liam in the office.“Hey buddy, how is everything?” I ask“All good, Raul. The circle is all ready for you, and I've left a couple of our best warriors to guard it.”The magic circle has been moved due to Anna following us through last time and we have had it closely guarded, as we're still a little uncertain if Anna is working alone or not, and she still hasn't revealed anything to me through the Alpha Aura.It's beyond frustratingI nod, “Good. I need to harvest the power tonight. We can't afford to put it back anymore.”“I know, buddy, the guys are beginning to lose their strength” he replies “Don't Worry I’m
Raul’s point of viewWhen I reach the tree of power, the moon goddess has blessed us tonight as the tree basks in the light of her full moon, leaving me to harvest the sap surprisingly quickly. I grin as I fill the bottles to the brin, knowing that we have enough power to keep our wolves strong for a long time. When the last bottle is filled, I jump down from the tree, mindful of the wolfsbane scattered around it; I gather all of the bottles, placing them into the sac before turning back into my wolf.Dolph is much quicker than I am, and he's enjoying his run in his native lands tonight. I reach the rest of the warriors at the edge of the valley, and they howl when they see me coming, no doubt feeling the power I have collected from the tree.My leading warrior and head guard grins. “How much have you managed to harvest, Raul? My god, I can feel its power from here,” he says through our mind link.“More than I have ever harvested before”, I reply. It's true I've never seen the tree
Erin’s povStill unsure of what to buy Raul, I pick out a nice jumper for him. And I find myself ordering a smartwatch for Leah in a cute blush pink and gold; why not? She deserves to be spoiled. I still have no idea where we are going with this relationship, if you can even call it that, and I have bought myself some new lingerie with him in mind, so I guess I could say that was another present for him, that's if I ever get to wear it for him, I giggle to myself at how late Ive left his present It gets delivered tomorrow on Christmas eve.I breathe a sigh of relief when the postman calls the following day; ripping the parcel open, I grin. My man’s going to look super sexy in it, but then again, Raul can look super sexy in anything,After breakfast, I wrap it up for him, along with the smartwatch for Leah, placing them both under the tree with the rest of the presents. Ive invited Raul and Leah around for Christmas dinner. I even invited Liam around. Sorry, not sorry, but there's no w
Erin's povIt has been a few days since Raul told me he isn't involved with the Mafia; I want to believe him, I really do. He seemed so sincere, and Dominetic kind of hinted that Raul does not work with him but helped him out, which goes along with Raul’s story.I haven't seen him for a few days, but he has texted as promised to let me know he is okay and how sorry he is that we cannot get any time together just now. Still, it's the little things that count, isn't it those early morning texts and late-night bedtime wishes, usually something along the lines of Sleep well, baby or sweet dream, Erin? This must be a step in the right direction. It puts a smile on my face anyway.Ive also heard that the Mafia that is causing the riots and trouble in town is not the same as Dominecs; Raul has promised that The Star Gazer will be safe and that no one in their right mind will go against Domenic…I hope he's right. There is a sense of unease all around town right now.Ive kept myself busy with
Erin’s point of viewI frown as I wonder what the hell is this surprise he has. He motions to someone standing by the door, no doubt another member of the Mafia; if they think I’m going to bow down to them and let them take over the StarGAzer just because Raul is a part owner, they have got another thing coming no way will I let them use my pub for any of their dodgy dealings! Domenic lets his mafia members bring a man up. It’s Warren! I let out a gasp! Warren looks haggard now, and the bruises on his face confirm that he has been held somewhere for a while. Domenic grins as he says, “ I know who this man is to you, Erin, and I also know that he cheated on you with my ex-girlfriend; she has been dealt with now. I need to know how to deal with this guy, and since you are the one he cheated on, I thought it should be you to whom he should apologise. Besides, I’m sick of hearing his grovelling apologies and promises.”My mouth drops to the floor as Domenic pushes Warren in front of me,
Erin’s point of viewI wake up early feeling much better in myself after a good night's sleep, plus the fact that I haven't seen Raul for a few days; I needed the time to get my head around things because every time I see him my heart plays stupid games, I’m hoping those few days will help my head to convince my heart that we don't want him. I need to toughen up and act like I don't give a shit.I spend the morning cleaning the house and catching up on my laundry whilst wearing my pjs. Well, it's not like I've got anyone to dress up for, is it now,By the time 11 am rolls around, I head upstairs to jump in the shower; once showered, I dry and style my hair before getting dressed and putting on a bit of light makeup.I always feel that bit stronger when I know that I’m looking my best. Raul might not appropriate it, but I'm pretty sure a few of the customers do. When I'm done, I'm ready to head to the Stargazer. It is a cold night, but the sky is clear, so I decide to walk. I head out
Raul’s point of viewWhat the hell were Liam and Alpha Jonny thinking?I can’t believe either of them thought bringing Lucy along to this charade would be a good idea. What on earth was going through their heads? Liam knows Lucy and I grew up together, and I’m pretty sure that Alpha Jonny does, too. Did Liam persuade him to let Lucy join in this madness?I just can't get my head around it!Don’t get me wrong, Lucy is a very beautiful woman, and as Liam said, she is one of the strongest she-wolves that I have ever seen; she’s bound to be as she has Beta blood running through her veins still. I could never see her as anything other than a sister, a little sister at that, and I could never have feelings like that for Lucy. Besides, if she were meant to be mine, then fate would have brought us together long before now.When the ceremony has finished, or whatever Alpha Jonny likes to call this farce today, a young woman starts to walk towards me. Maybe she thinks she stands a chance, too….
Raul’s point of viewThree days later, I went back to werewolf land. Thankfully, though, this time, we all made it through the circle without any drama, and Alpha Jonny and his warriors were waiting for us on the other side, just as he promised.He reaches out to shake my hand and says, “I’m glad you could make it, Raul.” I half chuckle and reply, “It didn't feel like I had much choice.”He laughs as he says, “Liam and I only want what's right for you, Raul.”I nod my head as I say, “Just know that I will be the one who chooses who is right for me, Alpha Jonny.”Jonny laughs as he replies, “Like I would expect anything else from you, Raul, but first things first, let's get back to the pack house while I run through what we found out about the arrow that shot you.” I nod. “That's what I’m really here for.” We follow Alpha Jonny and his pack of warriors into his land and up to his packhouse. Before making our way into his meeting room, there is Alpha Jonny, along with his beta Wayne
Raul’s point of viewI head home from Erin’s house feeling slightly deflated. I can't believe she literally threw me out of her house; I know I shouldn’t laugh, really, because if I wanted to stay, there's no way she could throw me out, but my heart was bleeding for her tonight. I hate to see her so sad and to see that someone has actually physically harmed her. Well, god help that person if I ever find out who it is…No one hurts my mate!What did she mean by Lucy kidnapping her, though? Lucy wouldn't kidnap her, would She? Is she only saying this because she has been caught trespassing at the warehouse? In a way, I was hoping that the necklace did belong to Erin and that somehow, despite everything, she still has feelings for me.Who else would have a necklace with my picture in it? Because I just can't think of anyone else.I finally climb in bed at some ungodly hour and fall into a restless sleep. Erin always appears in my dreams, but when I reach out to pull her into my arms, she
Erin’s point of viewBig hand grabs hold of me as I whisper, “What are you going to do with me?” he chuckles as he throws me over his shoulder. I’m still wearing the mask and have no idea where I am, only that I am somewhere by the sea. My guess would be at the docks, maybe the same place where I saw Raul with the other Mafia man. Is Lucy part of the Mafia, too?It is a possibility, but what do they plan on doing with me now? Are they planning on dumping me in the docks with my hands still tied behind my back? And why did Lucy bring me here?I sighed in relief when my knees hit the cold metal floor of the van. The engine starts up, and we are on the move again. I can hear Lucy and big hands whispering; it sounds more like arguing than whispering and I can’t quite make out what they are saying.Lucy does not sound very happy, though!A few minutes later, and I'm being dragged out of the van, heavy hands whisper, don't try anything silly, and you get to live….and don't move for the next
Liam’s point of viewWhen we get back from the warehouse, Raul stays behind, saying he needs to go for a run as Dolp wants to exercise his shoulder; I know it is hard for a wolf to be grounded. We are meant to run, meant to be free, and at one with ourselves; what I mean is it's hard to separate our wolves from our human forms, and our wolves can get a little stir-crazy when they are unable to run free. So, I understand where he's coming from and leave him to it; I am still a little worried about the locket. It has to be Lucy’s, but what is she doing down at the warehouse? Was it Lucy who followed us through the magic circle last time?I am still a rather worried that Raul will find Lucy's fingerprint on the locket. I know that he wouldn't do anything as they grew up together, but I know he wouldn't be happy if he knew it was Lucy who followed us through the circle last time.When Phil and Neil head home to their own houses, I head upstairs in search of Lucy.“Lucy, are you home?” I