~Lincoln~The ride to Tia was silent and took way too long. I tried my hardest to drive as fast as possible without getting pulled over by human police. I hate that we have been away for as long as we have, and I hate that we were away for the reason we were. That was an ambush, pure and simple! The question is, who was behind it? I would bet it was Mom because she clearly stated that Tia is not who she wants our mate to be. A part of me is wondering if it was the twins and not mom, though. I have no idea who it was, but I want to find out so they can be taught never to try me like that again, even if it was my mom.We finally pull into the apartment complex, and I park next to Tia’s car. I wonder what happened that it won’t start. Then again, it is an old car, so it’s no surprise. I will have to talk to Landon and see about getting her something new and more reliable. Just as I’m about to get out of the car, a shiver goes up my back, and I’m instantly on alert. Something doesn’t fee
~Landon~I’m not sure that I’ve ever driven as fast before. Lincoln stayed in the backseat with Tia, and I focused on getting us to the Moonlight Pack as quickly as possible. Someone hurt our mate, and I was seething. It was taking everything in me to keep Goliath at bay and keep myself level-headed. I want to freak out……I want to scream and cry. I want to find those responsible and rip their hearts out. Instead…..instead I stay focused and logical. Instead, I take control and make sure we can get to the pack in one piece so Tia can be helped.We are allowed right through the gates, and we make our way straight to the clinic. There are nurses waiting out front with a gurney. As soon as I park the car, the nurses approach the back door to get Tia out of the car. They load her up, and Lincoln and I follow her inside. We part ways with her when the doctor joins the procession into the operating room. Lincoln and I are tempted to go in and make sure our mate is taken care of, but we know
~Tia~Every inch of my body is in pain. I try to move, but the pain is too much. I can hear beeping around me. I crack my eyes open a bit, but all I see is white. I wonder if I’m dead. I try to focus on my surroundings to get an idea of where I am. The first thing I notice is the sparks on both of my hands. I take a deep breath, and I can smell the peppermint, lemon, and grapefruit. My mates are here, wherever here is. I move a bit, trying to squeeze my hands. I can’t speak with this tub down my throat, but I want the twins to know that I’m awake. I move my fingers around to elicit a response. Lincoln groans and moves his head, but he stays asleep. Landon shoots right up and looks around the room before landing his eyes on me.“You’re awake, love! Let me get a doctor.” Landon kisses me on my forehead before opening the door to see a doctor. I don’t try to move anymore or try to think about how I ended up here, wherever here is. In no time, Landon comes back with a doctor who checks m
~Lincoln~My neck and back hurt. I sit up and stretch out, looking around the room. I fell asleep at Tia’s side, and sleeping like this is uncomfortable. I look across from me, and Landon is sitting in the chair, head back, snoring lightly. He has Tia’s hand in his, and Tia is still asleep. I wonder if she’s woken up at all since we have been in here with her. Andricia is back.Have you spoken to her?Yes. She has made it back, and she is healing Tia now. That is a relief, for sure. Tia’s wolf is back, and Tia should be healed in no time.L…..L, wake up.Hmm….what is it? Landon pops up in his chair, looking around frantically. I guess I shouldn’t have woken him up like this. Everything is okay. I just wanted to tell you that Brutus has contacted Andricia. She is back and healing Tia. Landon takes a deep breath and sits back in his chair. He stretches a bit before sitting back in the chair. That’s good to hear. The doctor said it would be best if her wolf came back and helped to hea
I spent one more night in the clinic, which gave Andricia the time to heal me completely. The twins stayed with me, only leaving my side when they had to pee. I slept on and off, and when I wasn’t asleep, we took the time to get to know each other more. I met Alpha Brenner of the Moonlight Pack and thanked him for giving me the care that saved my life. The twins told me that we already had an alliance with this pack, so there wasn’t anything to offer other than my gratitude. Lincoln and Landon packed me up into their Jeep, and we started the journey back. When I asked about my apartment, they told me that they had it packed up and things were going to be moved. I guess I can’t really complain since I didn’t have to pack anything up myself. Moving is always the worst, and this way, I don’t have to deal with it. The drive back to Emerald Lake was pretty quiet. My mind was spinning with so many scenarios and possible issues that I really didn’t have anything to talk about. The twins se
~Tia~I have to say, I never thought of the twins as being domesticated, yet here they are, cooking me a meal. I could truly get used to this. There is something about watching men cooking or cleaning that is a real turn-on. I love watching their muscles as they move and how they glide through the kitchen. I hear a small gasp behind me, but I hesitate to turn around. This pack has not been overly friendly to me in my lifetime, and I really don’t want to see what’s behind me. The twin’s backs are facing me, but before they can turn around, a body wraps around Lincoln. “Hi, babe! I missed you so much!” Aida turns to look at me while stroking Lincoln’s front up and down. Andricia starts to growl in my head, and I can feel the anger start to build up. I try to keep my face emotion-free because I won’t give them the satisfaction.Lincoln grabs Aida’s arms and pushes them down as he turns toward me. The look on his face says he’s uncomfortable, but he hasn’t actually pushed her away. Adela
~Landon~I would like nothing more than to run after Tia. I could feel the anger rolling off of her even though she didn’t say anything. I can’t believe they would do this, but then again, I’m not that surprised. Aida is still tugging on Lincoln, trying to get him to let her in. He keeps looking at me for help, but I’m trying to deal with Adela. Mom is going on and on, and it’s all starting to be way too much. “Baby, please. I know you love me just as much as I love you. Let’s go talk, just you and me.” L, I’m trying to keep calm, but she’s pissing me off. I shake my head. I don’t know how I can help him. I’ve been telling him to stop placating her, but he never really listened. He always said that he couldn’t help himself. “Are you listening to me? You two need to stop this foolishness. You need to do what’s best for the pack, and that isn’t Portia.” Goddess, does she ever stop? I have always known that there were a few sides to my mother, but she usually only shows certain ones a
~Lincoln~I walk to the sitting room and plop down on the couch. I lean forward with my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. I don’t have the energy for this right now. I really just want to find my mate and snuggle up to her. She has been through an ordeal, and I just want some time with her where she isn’t trying to fight for her life or heal from injuries. The couch dips next to me, and I can feel Aida’s body heat next to me. I feel her hand on my thigh, but I push it away. I sit up and lean my head back on the back of the couch. “You have five minutes, Aida. I suggest you don’t waste it.” I can feel Aida’s upper body closer to mine, and I figure she has leaned back close to me. “I….I miss you, Lincoln. I know you miss me too. We had a good thing and I know you are just appeasing Landon by accepting Portia.” I sigh internally. I knew this would be bad, but experiencing it is something else. “You know I love you, and I know you love me too. Don’t fight it……we are meant to b
~Tia~I watch Aida’s red eyes get redder, if you can believe that. It’s almost as if they start to glow. She stands up and walks over to me. She reaches out to grab me just to fall forward. I turn to watch her try to get her balance. I’d laugh if this weren’t a pressing matter. “How are you here right now?”“Does it matter? I need you to focus right now.”“Since you aren’t actually here, I don’t have to do shit.” I tsk and shake my head.“I don’t have time for your teenage rebellion. I came to deliver a message.”“A message?! Unless you plan to tell me that you’re going to leave your lifeless body at my doorstep, there’s no message you have for me.” I shake my head.“Goddess, you are so pathetic.” Aida throws her head back and laughs.“Goddess?! As in Moon Goddess?! She’s no goddess of mine. How the hell could I follow someone who would ruin me like she did?! All I wanted was Lincoln. I prayed to her every night to make him my fated mate. When I realized he wasn’t my fated, I still pr
~Aida~That bitch has been prancing around here for days since she regained her magic. She’s constantly ogling my mate, and I don’t like it. I trust Ivan and have no doubt that I’m the only woman for him, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to pluck her eyes out of her head.I really can’t wait to get this entire situation over with. Ivan and I can move on with our lives, and she can go away forever. I’d tell Ivan to get rid of the bitch now, but I already know he won’t agree.The more I think about her, the more frustrated I get. I hate that she even showed up here. “You look like you’re thinking hard. I hope you aren’t thinking about how inferior you are to me.” I swallow thickly but don’t respond. I’m in one of the many sitting rooms, sitting in a huge armchair. She appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed. “Cat got your tongue?” I sigh.“What do you want, Imogene?” She steps into the room and walks toward me. She sits on the coffee table in front
~Tia~“Mom’s recovering from everything, but we need to finalize our plan. We need to do as Mark suggested and go on the offense. I’m sick of them popping up whenever they feel like it and causing massive damage.”“I’m down with whatever the plan is. The witches here have us locked in so I can focus on the plan.” Mark is on the line, meeting over the phone. He doesn’t want to leave his pack, and we agree that it isn’t the best idea. Landon clears his throat.“Mark, we are going to have you stay right where you are. Your pack is covered with the witches and the royal warriors. We will engage them, but they may come your way in retaliation. You just be on guard and keep your pack safe.”“So, if we are going on the offensive, what’s the plan? We already agreed that bait isn’t the smartest,” Lynn elbows Devonte, causing him to grunt. I can’t be mad at him since he’s right, but I love how my bestie protects me. “Uh, I mean, bait isn’t the best way to go, so how are we going to get to them?
~Nikki~The silence is heavy, and it’s starting to feel awkward. I know this is a lot; hell, it’s a lot for me as well. I definitely didn’t wake up this morning expecting to be presented with an opportunity to wield magic and help save my family and pack. It’s a major undertaking, and I have to admit that I didn’t know much about magic in the first place.Lynn is the first to break the silence in the room. “I wonder if we should take an hour to think about things before coming back with a decision.”“I don’t know, beautiful. We really need to get a plan in place since we have no idea when they will be trying to attack.” Paul scoffs.“I don’t know what we’re thinking about. This isn’t going to happen.” I look at Paul, and for the first time, I’m disappointed in him. Don’t get me wrong, I understand where he’s coming from. He is my fated mate, and there’s a pull to take care of each other and keep each other safe. Right now, he’s acting like Stuart did in the past. He’s trying to dictat
~Nikki~I jolt upright, sweat dripping down my face. I look around, and I’m surrounded by darkness. I look to my right, and I see the lump in the bed. His breathing is heavy, and he is snoring lightly. I slowly lay back down, wondering what it was that woke me so forcefully. “That would be me.” I jolt forward again, looking around.At the end of the bed, a few feet away, I see her. My heart rate increases, and I can feel my breathing become erratic. What the hell is she doing here? I lean to the right with the thought of waking my mate until her voice stops me. “I wouldn’t do that. If you wake him, I may have to take more….preventative measures. You and I need to talk, and I don’t want interruptions.” I lean away from Paul, not wanting him hurt.I throw my blankets back and turn to the side of the bed. She cackles, and I can’t stand it. “What, exactly, do you plan to do? I’m not even really here. Me talking to you is a form of astral projection if you will. If Paul wakes, he can’t do
~Landon~Lincoln and I stand in the gym's doorway. Tia is on the ground, sweaty and delicious-looking. We both step toward her at the same time. Lynn kisses her on the cheek before standing up to leave. She pats our shoulders as she walks past us, leaving us alone with our mate.There’s an awkward silence in the room, but I don’t think any of us know how to begin this conversation. To be honest, I’m torn. I understand where Tia’s coming from, and I’d probably have the same mindset. I just don’t think it’s wise to risk herself like this when we can come up with another way.Tia takes her time getting to her feet, and she stretches once she does. I swear she could have me on my knees literally, and she wouldn’t have to do much. Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s everything I ever wanted in a mate. I’m so grateful she was called home for our ceremony; otherwise, we would have missed out. Lincoln was the first to speak.“Tia, I think we should talk about everything. I think tempers were
~Tia~I hit the punching bag again with a left uppercut, cross combo. I do it again and again before throwing some kicks in. My anger is off the charts, and this is the only thing I can think to do to calm down.How dare they act like I can’t help with this. We need to draw them out, so it makes sense to use something that they want badly…..someone…..me. I’m the Luna of this pack, and it’s my job to help them protect everyone. I’m fully capable of protecting myself and would have no trouble doing the job.I continue to hit and kick at the bag, letting my anger permeate through the room. They are the reason that my father is dead. One day, I’m going to have to explain to my child why his grandpa disappeared. They were so close, and Dad couldn’t wait until he was old enough to start to train. He told me all about how he was going to teach him everything he knew so he could be a powerful Alpha one day.My falling tears are making it hard for me to see what I’m doing. I’m starting to miss
~Landon~We are all in our office, ready to have yet another meeting. I don’t know that I’ve ever participated in so many meetings, but I guess there’s no reason to complain. I could have easily succumbed to the injuries from the battle, and I wouldn’t be a part of another meeting ever again.In defending our pack and trying to protect our mate and child, Lincoln and I got bitten by the vampires a few times. The bad part is that vampire bites are poisonous to werewolves. The good thing is that we have the necessary anti-venoms to help if we get bitten. Lincoln and I had to stay in the clinic for a while to get the venom out of our systems.We hated that we couldn’t be by our mate’s side as she dealt with the loss of her father. I may have hated the bastard before, but he’s grown on me lately. He became the father he always should have been to my mate and an amazing grandfather to our child. I hate that he lost his life the way he did and by his own child. I hate that Tia’s in so much
~Mark~I stretch and readjust in my chair. I swear I’ve been sitting here for days; at least, that’s what it feels like. I’m just happy to be alive so that I won’t complain too much. I’ve been stuck in the office trying to get some things together. We are tying up the loose ends from the battle and waiting to hear from the witches who are here to help keep us safe.My phone rings, and I answer, putting it on speaker. “Yes, my annoying sister?” Lynn clicks her tongue.“Don’t start with me, Mark. You’re lucky I don’t come out there and kick your ass for almost dying. Do that shit again, and I’ll bring your ass back just to kill you all over again.” I chuckle and roll my eyes.“But I didn’t die, though. Almost doesn’t count.”“I fucking swear, Mark!”“I love you too, my wonderful sister. How’s Tia?” Lynn sighs.“She’s better since the twins have gotten out of the clinic, but she’s hurting. She and Stuart had gotten so close lately.” I hate this for her. When I was there last, I saw how t