The morning light hits me, and I try to cover my face. I turn in bed, feeling the soreness of my body. My eyes pop open when I remember what I did last night. I’m sore because my body was worshipped all night long. After the dining table, we stopped in the living room, on the stairs, and had a few rounds in the bed before collapsing. Even when I was younger, I’d never gone so hard with someone. Stuart and I did what we did, but it was always when he was in the mood. He wasn’t horrible, but he wasn’t the most sensitive when it came to making me feel good. Paul was so attentive that I started to feel bad. I felt I didn’t give him nearly as much as he gave me. I move sharply to the side at the thought of Paul. The bed is empty, and I’m slowly starting to panic. I hear no sounds from the bathroom or scents indicating food being made. Maybe this was just a one-night thing. Maybe Paul isn’t here to try to make it easier to walk away. My phone pings and I look over at the nightstand. I ha
~Tia~I’m super excited! My mom and Paul…..together. I knew there was something between them. After the entire ordeal, they started to lean on each other. I guess it made sense after finding out your chosen mates were betraying you and with each other. Mom needed someone to talk to, and that couldn’t be me. Paul seemed not to hesitate to be there for Mom, and I loved him for that. I thought I was reading into things when Paul left to travel, and Mom returned to her everyday life. I thought I had imagined their interest in each other and was prepared to let it go. It was when they came back from the wedding and were at breakfast together that I saw what was really there. Paul couldn’t keep his eyes off Mom, and she kept blushing like a schoolgirl. I was so tempted to call Mom all night to see how things went, but if they got super close, that would just interrupt. I don’t want to block anyone from anything. I hope Paul liked the dress I picked out. I didn’t see either of them at brea
~Stuart~The door opens, and Kimberly walks in slowly. She sweeps the room with her gaze, and she stops when it lands on me. We lock eyes and stare at each other. I have so many things I want to say and so many questions I want to ask, but my mouth is glued shut. Kimberly doesn’t make a sound. She eventually closes the door and walks to the bedroom. I get off the couch and go to the kitchen to get some coffee. I’ve been spending the last few days rethinking the choices I’ve made in the past. I remember when I found out that Kimberly was my mate. I was dating Nikki at that time. We met at school, and I liked how innocent she was. Our high school had different packs in attendance, along with humans. We had to make sure we kept our behaviors in check so the humans didn’t realize what we were or that we were anything other than human.Kimberly didn’t finish school with us. She went away to a boarding school and didn’t come home until she was 19/20ish. By then, I was dating Nikki heavily;
~Third Person (Texts)~P: How was your day, gorgeous?N: Ah, it was…..interesting….how about you?P: Interesting? What do you mean?N: Well, your sons came to see me……P: Shit! How’d that go?N: ……..N: It went pretty good….lol…P: Damn….I was over here stressing out…..lolN: They did bring up an interesting point, though.P: Lay it on me.N: What happens if you find your second chance mate?P: I don’t pretend to know what the future holds for me. I can do one of two things. I can hold off on love, waiting to see if a second chance mate comes along, or I can live in the present and love those close to me. I guess the question is……do you want to live in the present with me?N: I’d love to. We can tackle anything else together when or if the time comes.P: Exactly…..gotta run……↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝P: I know it’s the middle of the night, but I just had to send you this picture. This is what thinking about you does to me. I can’t wait to see you again……↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝↝
~Imogene~The three look at me, but nothing is being said. I already knew this would be a job, but I’m prepared for it. I just need to deliver this mutt to the hands of the other mutt; then, I will have enough money to get out of town permanently. I hate having to rely on these dogs for my freedom, but I imagine there are worse fates. The pregnant chick, Tia, I think, is looking me up and down. I know she can’t tell that I’m a witch. I have perfected my wolf scent over the years. This spell makes it impossible for me to smell like anything other than a werewolf. There’s got to be a reason why she’s looking at me like that. The twins aren’t giving me much better, but this is their father, so it makes sense that they are suspicious. Honestly, no one has to worry about me. I don’t plan to be here longer than a few days. I just need to deliver him and get my money. I hug up on Paul, running my hand down his chest. I make sure I keep eye contact with her, just in case she thinks she’ll
~Kimberly~My anxiety level has been off the charts. The days keep passing, and I’m not hearing anything from that witch. I have no idea if she’s made contact with Paul or when she’s going to get him to me. I keep calling her and coming up empty. I want to find her and give her a piece of my mind, but I wouldn’t even know where to look. I would be afraid that she’s going to stiff me, but she hasn’t gotten her full payment. Things with Stuart have been tense. The bond is strong, and my wolf has been harassing me to accept and mark him. He’s my fated mate, but he can’t provide me with the life I’m used to. I deserve so much more than he’s able to give me.We haven’t spoken since I’ve been back. Stuart has been camping out on the couch and staying away from me. He finds a way to walk out if I walk into a room. If we are stuck in a room together, he makes sure to pretend as if I’m not there. I never wanted this animosity or ambivalence between us. I just want back what I had. I’m at the
~Tia~Mom has been so miserable since Paul came back with his second chance mate. I’ve barely seen her; she’s only going to work and taking meals in her room. I’ve tried to reach out to her, but she keeps telling me everything is OK. I know my mom, and I know everything is not OK. I’m usually all for fated mates and following the Moon Goddess’ will, but something about this doesn’t sit well with me. I feel like this isn’t the match that it seems. Something about this Imogene just rubs me the wrong way. I’ve been trying to talk to Paul, but it hasn’t gone well. I try texting him, but I only get one-word responses. He keeps a permanent block up, so I can’t mind link him. The two times that I’ve seen him, he’s been terse. He’s been the same way with everyone, including Landon and Lincoln. Something is telling me things are off, but I don’t know how to find out what’s happening. My office door opens, and I smell my mates as they walk in. I look at the time and immediately feel bad. It’
~Tia~I unwrap myself from my mom. I quietly leave her room and close the door. Not sleeping next to my mates was weird last night, but my mom needed me. I hurry to my room so I can talk to Landon about his visit with his dad. I burst into the room, but it’s empty. Their scents are in the room, so I know they were here at some point. I jump in the shower and quickly get clean. I throw on a pair of maternity jeans, a tank top, and one of Landon’s hoodies. I head out to look for my mates in their office. When I get there, the door is open, so I walk in, and they are sitting at their desks. “Good morning, mates.”Lincoln moves to me quickly and wraps me in a hug, running his nose along my neck. “I missed you, babe. I’m totally not good at sleeping alone anymore.” Lincoln kisses me a few times on the cheek. “I'm going to go get some snacks, be right back.” Lincoln lets me go and walks out of the office.I walk over to Landon and plop on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. Landon
6 Months Later~Paul~It’s been six long months, and Nikki still hasn’t woken up. Owlyn has been here and tried to get a response from her. Nothing has worked because she says it has nothing to do with magic. The doctors don’t have an answer, and I’m just lost without her.I knew she shouldn’t have volunteered. I felt in my heart that it wasn’t the right choice, but what could I do? I love her with everything I have, and I couldn’t tell her not to do what her heart said was the right thing.I run my hands through my hair and then over my face. I haven’t left her side in six months, and I’m beyond tired of seeing these walls. My sons have tried to get me to leave, and so has Tia. I refuse them because this is where I’m meant to be. As long as my heart is here, I will be here. Tia has been here often and has brought our grandchild, but besides those visits, it’s just been Nikki and me. I refuse to believe that I finally found my fated mate just to lose her so quickly.I put my head in m
~Devonte~The pain in my heart is all-consuming. I want the pain to stop, but I don’t know how to make that happen. I curl up tighter, hoping that the pressure will help with the pain. It’s all too much, and I don’t know what to do to make it better.Abe has gone silent, and I’m not surprised. He’s been struggling the most, and I have no words to soothe him. I wish I could wake up yesterday when things were what they were. I’d give anything to go back.“BROTHER?! BROTHER WHERE ARE YOU?!” I curl up tighter as if that’s going to keep me from being found. I don’t think I can handle the words and emotions that will surely follow my brother. I can’t take what that would mean.His thudding footsteps get closer and closer. I know I can’t hide myself; there’s no way to become invisible. I can’t keep this from happening. I hold my breath, waiting for the inevitable. “D, I found you. I’ve been looking everywhere. Our mate, she needs us. She needs you.” I’m trying to block out his words, but I’m
~Third Person~Everything seemed to happen all at once. Andricia is thrown against a tree trunk and curls up with a whimper. The pain is too much, causing Andricia to shift back into Tia. The twins witness this, and all restraint is lost. They shift and run at Imogene, who quickly wraps them up in blue light.Nikki hasn’t taken her eyes off Imogene, so she’s ready to interfere. As she shoots her light at Imogene, it strikes her in the stomach. Imogene is taken off guard and loses her grip on the twins. They fall to the ground and falter as they try to get on their feet. Eventually, they gain their footing and try to attack Imogene again.Imogene defends herself, reduced to hand-to-hand combat with the edge of magic. She repeatedly strikes the wolves as they throw themselves at her. They are taking a lot of punishment, but they refuse to stop. Their only goal is to defend their love, though they’d rather take the time to see about her.The group is joined by vampires and rogues alike.
~Jenna~I scramble backward, making sure my back is flush against the tree trunk. I try to quiet my breathing, but it's proving to be a task. I search around me, but there’s only darkness. The night air is still filled with the sounds of a battle, but I can’t see what’s going on.“Ughhhhh.” I slap my hand over my mouth in an attempt to stay quiet. I look down and see the bright red blood. I shut my eyes tight and try to think about anything else. If I freak out right now, I won’t be able to get back to safety.Every inch of my body hurts, but I can’t think about that now. I need to get out of here and make it back to the packhouse. I struggle to my feet, using only my right arm. My left just hangs against my body. Every twist and turn of my body brings a wave of excruciating pain, but I have to ignore it right now.I finally get to my feet and stand against the tree trunk. My breathing is erratic, and my chest is heaving up and down. “Where’d she go? I don’t see her.”“Sniff her out.”
~Aida~I’m applying pressure to my sister’s neck, and I feel her body giving in. This is so easy it’s pathetic. I would have thought that she would have trained during my absence. She had to know that I would return, and with my return would come the fight for her life. I guess having a brain doesn’t guarantee that you’ll use it.Portia’s body slumps to the ground, and her breathing gets heavier. I swear she’ll be dead in a minute. While part of me is rejoicing, the other part of me feels that she’d be getting off too easily. She’s the cause of all my problems, even the cause of Adela’s death. I may have administered the final blow, but it wouldn’t have come to that if she hadn’t disrupted our plans.Portia completely falls under, and I let her go with a thud on the ground. I get to my feet and walk around her limp body. Her breathing is shallow, so I know I can still play around with her before I kill her. I just need to figure out what games will be fun to engage in.I walk around h
~Ivan~One of the twins lunges at me, and I step out of the way. The other twin moves toward me, causing me to dodge slightly. This can’t be how they expect to beat me. If things continue this way, I’m going to win without breaking a sweat.I don’t want to spend a lot of time with these two. I need to go find Aida and so help anyone who has tried to put their hands on her. No one will hurt my love and live to tell the tale. I’d scorch the Earth before I let anyone hurt her.These imbeciles are staring at me but have stopped lunging. I guess they realize that it’s useless. It doesn’t matter what they do to me, they won’t win. I’m a vampire, so my natural state is on a different level. On top of that, I’ve been around for a long time. There isn’t much that I haven’t seen before, so they are hard-pressed to find something new to throw at me. “We’re wasting time, boys. I have more pressing matters.” I flip two fingers in the air back and forth. I hear reinforcements moving in. “Let me jus
~Lynn~I reach into the vampire’s chest and pull out its heart. My hand is covered in blood, but it’s as black as tar. There’s a stench to it; it smells like it’s rotting. I guess that makes sense because vampires aren't like the rest of us. They are the undead.I look to my left and can make out Abe in the distance. He’s ripping the head off of a vampire. Another vampire has climbed on his back, but he shakes him off. I look to my right, and Mace has the leg of a vampire in his mouth, and he shakes him like a rag doll. I duck quickly, missing the clothesline that was intended for me. I look behind myself and kick out, catching the perpetrator in the stomach. I wind the rope around my fist and throw a punch. The rope, mixed with the strength of my punch, causes my hand to literally push a chunk of her arm onto the ground. I follow up with a round kick and straddle her body as soon as it hits the ground. I rain a combination of punches on her body before ripping her throat out.I’m tir
~Jenna~I’m herding those who can’t fight into the safe rooms. We have entry points on both ends of the pack, but I’m only worried about those on this end where the packhouse is. Elderly pack members, as well as children, have been running here in droves. The sooner we get them to safety, the better off we will all be.I take one last look around and turn to the opening that will lead to the underground tunnels. It isn’t a long walk from the tunnels to the rooms; we wanted to make sure everyone would have a chance to get to safety. Once I get inside, the doors will be locked, and we will wait for word that everything is over.Crying sounds behind me, causing me to whip around. A pregnant woman with a toddler is running toward where I’m standing. A few warriors rushed out to her, working overtime to keep the vampires back.I watch the woman run forward with her baby’s hand in hers. She trips, and her knees hit the ground, causing her to lose her grip on her child. She cries out and cra
~Mark~I’ve been on alert all evening. I know tonight is the night, but I have no idea when. It’s just a guess, but we expect an attack on this pack. It isn’t that I’ve done anything to Aida, but her enemy is my best friend, and my mate has gone after her obsession. It seems they are trying to hurt Tia in any way they can, and that would include attacking this pack.I haven’t been Alpha that long, and I’ve only had my fated mate a bit longer than that. I have a baby coming and I like my life right now. I don’t want to lose anything right now, but this battle could have me lose it all.I clean off my desk and put files in the filing cabinet. I think the best thing right now is to have time with my mate. I want her to know how much she’s loved, just in case. I close the office door behind me and turn to head up the stairs. Alpha, we have a breach! My heart begins to thump in my chest as the seriousness of the situation grabs me. I take a deep breath and let it out. Hey, beautiful. Wher