The more I opened drawers and fanned through the back of the closet, the more I noticed a theme. Lingerie, lingerie, lingerie, oh look, more lingerie, and some of them were missing some pretty big chunks of fabric. Not a nightgown or pajama set in sight.
I tried not to think about the implications of Kallan telling me to pick something to get changed into when these were the only options. I wasn't sure he was even aware of what the closet was filled with when he had told me he asked Eathen to arrange this, and Eathen was clearly trying to make things happen with all of his comments to me, not that I would expect less from his Beta.
Either way, there was no way I was wearing any of this, and none of the shirts in here would work being as form fitting as they were. There were no sweaters, and limited options as bottoms that mainly consisted of jeans and skirts. I huffed as I left my closet, I couldn't stay in the clothes I had on, and if I didn't decide on somethin
He lifted my chin sending sparks down my jaw, and I opened my eyes which immediately locked into his. He leant into my face and hovered a few inches away, his breath passing over my lips as his voice pierced me, stern and monotone."You will beg me for it little mate," he paused and his face tensed, “as soon as you let go of your little play thing.”“My plaything?” My eyebrows furrowed and I looked at him in confusion, my eyes narrowing and searching in his own. His face was much too close to mine still, it was hard enough to keep Echo at bay when he was across the room.He let out a low chuckle, and brushed his cheek against my own as he whispered in my ear, “You don’t think I missed how your old Beta looked at you, do you my love?”That was all it took for Echo to be done waiting, his lips sat so close to my neck that she was fighting me to take over. Everything else took precedent to her, she was ignorant to ho
I snapped around to face whoever it was, part of me was scared it would be Kallan, and the other part of me hoped it would be.There sat Eathen. His face was indifferent as he sat there looking at me, and I was lost for words as I stared back at him. I wanted to know what happened to Kallan, to me, but my voice refused to even try.For the first time I had a chance to really look at him, he was fairly large but not quite as big as Kallan, and his eyes were more of a dull blue color. His hair was dark and longer all over, except where there should be a beard, only stubble was present.Without a word, another she-wolf came into the room, she was older and was carrying a small bag in her hands. She looked at me with caution as she approached me with a certain purpose behind her steps. I had no idea who this woman was, what the hell happened to me, or why she was here.I scooted back on the bed away from her, but her voice came out soothing."Hi
I tried to take in Eathen's words slowly, the pain of them was becoming too much to bear. I couldn't help but feel I wasn't living up to mate expectations, not that it was all on me, I didn't expect my mate to be the most dangerous wolf alive.“He would never hurt you Octavia,” Eathen's words came out like he could read my mind, before he raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side a bit like he was thinking to himself, “Sabre however, probably would have killed Rowan and brought you back his head had he managed to break through.”My eyes were opened all the way, I was searching his face for signs that he was joking. He wasn’t. Eathen's jaw tensed and his voice returned to being rigid."I'm going to ask you something... you need to be honest." My chest felt heavier but I nodded, I wouldn't lie, that wasn't who I was."Are you... pure... Octavia?" His words were monotone as he searched my eyes for any sign that I was abo
When I peeked out of the door Elle was waiting for me, as were two other men who I assumed were guards. She made an 'aww' face at me as she walked slowly down the hallway,checking to make sure I was following.It seemed much larger in here than I had noticed last night, the walls were all painted a soft white color with grey edging, it made everything look crisp, clean, and high end. It lacked a certain decor aspect I was used to, but it had a more relaxed feel to it, other than the guards who kept following us. Elle smiled as she caught me glancing their way, slowing her pace to match my own and walk more even with me.“Don’t mind them Luna, they have to follow you.”They have to follow me? I went from being locked up all the time, to being followed all the time, great. We walked down a few flights of stairs and took an immediate left into the kitchen. There were multiple fridges and stoves, at least one walk in pantry, and a co
When I looked back at Elle, she stood from her chair without even glancing my way, took a few steps back from me and looked at the ground just as the guards did.His smell hit me like a brick wall, how did he smell THIS good? I closed my eyes, too busy being completely consumed with taking in that thick coffee smell laced with a rich cinnamon cream, and there it was… oak, to care about what happened to me.He spun the chair I was on around to face him, staying seated was not a great plan, I was even shorter than usual compared to him now. I could see just past his outline as the guards left, and Elle hurried beside Eathen as they left too.We were alone now, my heart race picked up with no way to temper it, my whole body felt anxious, dying to reach out and feel his sparks. His chest let out a low rumble, snapping my attention up to meet his eyes.Ugh, his eyes. His impossibly deep green eyes. I tried to read his face, but the only clue I had
His eyes would easily make me lose myself and lose track of time. The glitter would swirl for me, reactive to my every movement, and made the mate bond feel thicker and tighter with every glance.The afternoons in his office have me too much time to think, I wondered what we were doing here, if I was in danger it didn’t feel like it, but it didn’t feel like I fit in here either. He was removed from me since the other night, almost like he was walking on eggshells around me, when it should be the other way around. The only comfort I had was that he coexisted with me at all, and that supper would soon come and relieve some of the awkward silences between us.I’d get to eat supper with Kallan, Eathen, Elle, and his Gamma, Nicholi. Nicholi was around Eathen's height and build, with short sandy brown hair, and the same kind of deep blue eyes that Eathen had. The three of them looked terrifying together, all riddled with scars and tattoos spreading over the
I instantly regretted what I said, I knew who, there was only one person he would be asking me about. His stare intensified and I could feel the waves of emotions rippling through me as his lips parted.“He has a mate out there somewhere,” I cut him off hurrying my words. He was finally willing to have this conversation with me and I almost ruined it. I was fully awake now, trying to tread carefully as we continued.“Do… you… love… him…” he repeated slowly.As I stared annoyingly at him, something twinged in my stomach, and I spoke in a hushed but assertive tone, “No.”He got up from his chair and walked so slowly to me that I didn't dare assume what was about to happen. I was both terrified and excited. Echo was pacing and begging me to make contact, he reached out and lifted my chin slightly, sending those sparks I longed from down my body, as he studied my face.“Would you lie
I didn't understand why Eathen was just standing there, and not opening the door. My chest was heavy and anxious, as something took over me and I walked past Eathen without a second thought, opening the door with urgency.My eyes were frantic as the door swung open, Kallan grumbled in annoyance, "Eathen, I-" he stopped as his eyes caught my own. His eyes locked on mine, his scent lulling my panic, as he sat back in his chair. His shoulders relaxed from the tense position they were in, and he smirked at me."Whewwwww, now I see why you've locked yourself up for days brother," a voice rang out to my right. My head snapped to look at him as another voice from the same direction followed."Pft," he knocked into the other boy's shoulder, "she doesn't even have a mark yet!" They both rolled in laughter, erupting an even stronger rumble from Kallan's chest as he stood up."OUT, NOW!" Kallan demanded as he slammed his desk. The boys didn't hesitate to leave the r
MYLO “Isabelle will be stripped of her powers until she is determined to not be a threat anymore,” Xander informed us. The room had been cleared of everyone but the royals, myself, Dahlia and Nora. “We have someone in Shadow Forest who can accomplish it and make sure it’s maintained,” Brianna said as she assessed me, “your father informed us that you would like the right to end Marcus’s life. Are you positive that you want to bear that burden, that you have thought about having to tell Nora in the future?” “We have,” I glanced down at Dahlia and Nora. “It’s my job to protect them, no one else should have to burden themselves with Marcus’s death. Nora will understand, if she cares to ask, that it was her life or his.” “With me then,” Xander motioned for me to fol
BRIANNA I was hesitant to keep my heirs in here for this, but the boys assured me they needed to see. Orion explained the nature of what was about to happen to Mylo and Dahlia who have both chosen to join us. “I’d like my mate to join me,” Marie’s timid voice rang out, “but if that’s not something you’d prefer, I would still like to remain.” Seeing as though Octavia would just fill him in later anyways, I gave her a nod of approval and Timber’s Beta was charged with keeping Nora safe in the next room. When Marcus came into the room, there was a shift in energy, as was to be expected, but when Terran entered the room, Dixon became visibly stiff. I knew Dixon had issues surrounding Fae, but to see such a strong immediate reaction was surprising. I guess he didn’t know that Marie’s mate was Fae until now.
BRIANNA Alaric may have felt like Nixon’s outburst was harmless, but anytime he let his powers slip was dangerous. I wanted to talk to him about it, not that it would change anything, but I also felt like I had talked about it with him until I was blue in the face. Nixon wanted to let his powers loose, he had been practicing with them lately, and I knew Octavia could help him to an extent, but it just seemed too dangerous to let his secret out. How many species would come for him? How would we stop them or protect him? Not only that, but I know from experience the hunger for controlling power killed my parents, Dez’s parents, and most of what should have been my pack. The problem was that he was too carefree, too powerful, and getting too old now for us to hold him back.
MYLOSomething happened between Nixon and Terran, what I wasn’t sure, but we could find out about it later when we had privacy.My mother scooped up Nora instantly when everyone made their way to the tables, positioning herself across from us, beside Brianna.“I’m glad to see your sister’s mate,” Xander started as he glanced down to where they sat at the far end of the table from us, “doesn’t insult easily.”“He’s used to dealing with my brother’s,” I smiled, “and he is mated to Marie.”“You’re too hard on her,” Wyatt laughed as he pulled Brianna into his lap, “what did you expect with parents like yours,&rdqu
TERRANMylo tried to prepare me for meeting their royals, and although they were something to take notice of, they clearly didn’t have the same effect on me as they did on everyone else. Marie was already wound tighter than cramped roots over everything that was going on, but when they walked in, every hair on her body stood at attention. Once they were in front of her, her energy shifted again as she dropped into a calm state that I hadn’t been able to get her to since the Marcus and Izzy incident.The kings were just how they described them, beastly in their appearance, dead inside if their facial expressions were any indication. Other than a side smile to the Luna, they were basically emotionless, standing by like psychopaths just waiting to be unleashed by their queen.When the heirs were introdu
DAHLIA I jolted at the sound when one of the kings cleared his throat. Watching the Queen be smitten with Nora was bringing a new level of comfort and happiness to me, a product I’m sure of the loyalty their blood brought out in me. It was a weird emotion to identify, but I felt in debt to them somehow when I’d only just met them, like any negative thought I could muster to think was suddenly gone and replaced with an intense need to appease them. My whole body seemed so relaxed now, a stark contrast to moments before they walked in, and it was easy to get swept away in watching the Queen take in Nora, so much so that I forgot anyone else was in the room with us. “You’ll have to excuse Brianna,” he started as he picked up my hand and kissed the top of it, “she’s apparently lost her mind now that a baby is
DAHLIAI was a nervous train wreck even though I tried not to let it show. I held my head steady as we walked into the packhouse, every wolf we passed looking at us with caution as we passed by.‘Your instincts are correct,’ Mylo linked me as he squeezed my hand slightly when we entered the dining area, ‘but you are safe here, so try to enjoy yourself, Luna.’‘That was definitely not the impression you just gave to Terran,’ I linked back as I caught sight of his parents. After he was done re-explaining things to Terran, I felt as though I had been given the child version of his warnings.&lsq
MYLO When Marie and Terran arrived they were escorted to an accommodation close to us to get settled in. Dahlia was pacing back and forth as I fed Nora. Anxious, like myself, to get the next few days over with, but it shouldn’t be long before Alderic is back to get ready for supper. Supper would be a good distraction for her as she focuses on the royals, but it posed another level of worry for me. While the royals never posed a threat to us before, Wyatt was unpredictable at best and I haven't had contact with the heirs often enough to be able to judge their behaviours. Dahlia's eyes were slightly glossed over as she 'tidied' up the place, pausing at one point and staring out of one of the windows at the front.I pla
MYLO “Is she pissed?” Alderic asked as I stepped outside to wait for Dahlia. “No,” I shook my head, “but you’re lucky SHE was the one who submitted you.” “Yea that one’s on me,” he shook his head, "all this Alpha energy is making Leto brazen. You'd think he'd be the opposite, I mean he's no coyote," he looked at me and laughed lightly, tucking his hands into his pockets, "but he's used to being around it, we've done things like this since we were kids." Leto had a history of trying to outrank other leaders so it didn’t come to me as a surprise. What mattered most to me was that he was already tempering Leto before Dahlia made him submit and that I knew when it came down to it that he would lay down his life for her and Nora.