~Tia~I ate dinner alone and was waiting for the twins in the room. They have had their blocks up, and I’m starting to get worried. I have been trying to figure out what set them off. Clearly, Adela was influencing Neal, but I don’t understand why the twins got so unsettled. I toss my book on the nightstand and get off the bed. I guess I should check on my mom. That will distract me. I head down to the guestroom where she’s staying and softly knock on the door. I hear rustling on the other side before the click of the door opening. Mom doesn’t say a word; she opens her arms, and I step into them. I have rarely been able to have moments like this with my mom, and I plan to soak up every second of it. We hug this way for a while before she lets me go. Mom steps aside and allows me to walk into the room. We sit on the couch, and I tell her everything that has happened since the dress shop.Mom gets up and paces the room, looking worried. “If your sister had marked Landon….” She takes a
~Stuart~I’m summoned to the pack office as if I’m some schoolboy about to be reprimanded by the principal. It irks me that these boys think so highly of themselves. They feel they are above everyone else and untouchable. I wasn’t even happy when my twins expressed their interest in them. I went along with it because they deserve the best, and having the Luna title gives me that. As I walk into the room, I see all eyes on me—Paul with Landon, Lincoln at his desk, and Mark on the couch. I have no idea what the hell they want from me, but they better make it quick. I have things to do, and I’m still pissed about my mate being allowed to be away from me. “You wanted to see me…….” I make eye contact with Paul, hoping he will speak quickly. “No, not me. My sons called for you. Have a seat, please.” As if I didn’t know it was his bratty sons who called for me. I pretend to act as if I’m some complaint member of the pack when I really just want to rip their throats out. I make my way to th
~Adela~FUCK!! What the fuck just happened? One minute, I’m close to getting Landon back, and the next, I’m hiding from my pack. I’m grateful that I have always kept a few warriors in my inner circle. I was given a heads-up that they were tasked to find Aida and me and throw us in the cells. Can you imagine me in the cells?! Fucking Neal! I knew he would spill the beans if given a chance. Now the twins know that I put him up to making the phone call that took them away from Portia. I’m sure they suspect that we either orchestrated her attack or attacked her. I wish we had killed her. Had we done that, we wouldn’t be in this mess right now. The twins would have grieved, but they would have taken us as Lunas since they would have needed to have someone by their sides. I’ve been on the run for days and days. It was a task getting off our territory without being seen. I haven’t gone too far from the territory. I don’t know how much longer I need to live like this, but it isn’t easy. I’m
“Well?! What do they do?” I’m pacing back and forth while keeping an eye on all exits. I’m deep in the forest in an unknown cabin, but that doesn’t mean people haven’t followed me. I look up, and the silence is becoming unbearable. “I don’t have all day! It’s almost time.”To be clear, the Alpha ceremony is tomorrow. I have to be sure about these items before then. I have waited for an answer for days, and my patience is running out. This is the final piece to the puzzle. “You were given a bit of the wrong information.” I stop in my tracks.“What do you mean?” The witch sighs.“These were created for fated mates. If they are in the same area, this keeps their wolves from seeking the other out. The bond will be dampened, so the desire will be gone.” I swear that’s the same thing I told her in the first place.“That’s what I told you.” “No.” She shakes her head. “ For one to wear this, they make their wolf almost indetectable to their mate. They won’t be felt through their bond if mark
~Mark~I feel wretched! I swear my body is sluggish, and my mind is hazy. I’ve felt this way since Jenna left the territory. I’ve been struggling with training and my duties as the future Beta of the pack. I’ve tried to keep the twins out of it as much as possible, relying on Tia to talk it out with me.She has been off as well. I guess finding out that your sisters wanted to, possibly, kill you is enough to have anyone acting off. We have relied on each other to gain some sort of semblance. Lynn has also been helping us, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Our parents are in front of the packhouse now, welcoming the guests for tomorrow's ceremony. I had planned to join them, but I just couldn’t put the fake smile on my face and pretend. I’d have to pretend that my heart and soul aren’t hurting. That angers me! Why should I be hurting? Why should I want someone that is clearly no good for me? It isn’t just Cato who yearns for her; I hate myself for that. Out of all of the she-wolves I c
~Jenna~I tossed and turned all night. I just couldn’t get settled, and it didn’t help that Iris was off on her tangent. She kept calling for her mate, and it was driving me crazy. She acts like I don’t want Mark. Actually, I can’t be mad at her. I did act as if he wasn’t what I wanted, but that simply isn’t true. I grab my phone off the nightstand and see it’s 3:15 in the morning. I know sleep will not be visiting me at all, and I wish I were back home. If I were, I would go for a run and try to tire myself out. I’m visiting a different territory, and it isn’t smart to take off for a run under those circumstances. Not only that but if I let Iris out, I know exactly where I’d end up. I asked Mark to give me time before he asks that I accept his rejection. I just need to build my strength and be mentally prepared for the loss.I sigh and turn to my side. I stare at the wall for a bit, watching the movie that isn’t my life play out. I scroll through my phone, looking at different video
~Kimberly~I sit at my vanity, getting myself ready for this sham of a ceremony. That girl has no right to take over my spot in this pack. Jenna completely failed and went against our agreement. The Colby twins are missing and are destined for the dungeon. I wish I could just go back a few weeks, and I’d make sure things went my way. The closet door opens, and Paul walks out, looking as suave as always. His brown skin is glowing, and I notice he just got a fade-up along with his beard cleaned up. I can feel moisture start to pool between my legs. Paul’s fixing the cufflinks on this white dress shirt. He looks up, and we lock eyes. I give him a smile to be met with a frown. “You really should have joined them at the spa today.” I roll my eyes internally. We have gone over this again and again.“They had more than enough people if you count the guards that went as well. My presence wasn’t missed.” Paul walks toward me as I put lotion on my arms. “Why would the number of guards matter?
~Tia~The ceremony was amazing, and the celebration is in full swing. Landon, Lincoln, and I are receiving well wishes. The music is playing, and the drinks are flowing. Tables are set up all around, and pack members enjoy their time together and with the guests. Lynn comes over with her family in tow. “Surprise, bitch!” I grab her and give her a bear hug. I pull back and look between her and Mark. “What the hell, guys? When did this change get decided?” Mark gives me a sly smile.“This morning, I spoke to the twins and told them that as grateful as I was for the honor to be Beta, it would be hard to do since I would be in an entirely different pack.” “Yeah, he’s going to be the Alpha.” Jenna walks up to Mark and wraps her hand around his arm. “Wait, Jenna, I thought you would take over from your father,” Landon asks. Jenna smiles and shakes her head.“To be honest, I never really wanted to be Alpha. I have trained for both but have trained harder for Luna. I always just wanted to
~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