AMELIA We arrived back at the pack house. Everyone seemed down. We’d been tracking Alec for months now, and every time we had leads, he always managed to escape. It became utterly frustrating. “That son of a bitch is so slippery,” Dane grunted in anger as he sat down on the couch. “He’ll run out of luck, babe.” Kailin ran her fingers through Dane’s hair. “We’ll catch him. This time we all do the recon. We don’t need help from the council. Maybe they leaked the plan to Alec so he could escape.” “That makes perfect sense.” He was still pissed off, and he looked scarier with his deadly icy blue eyes. “Or maybe they were working together or Alec has something to blackmail Victor.” “Dane, you go clean up. We’ll do this in the morning. You need to rest.” “How can I rest when everyone around us is either under Alec’s payroll or scared of him? When I thought I could trust my team, the council let me down again.” He picked up his phone and stood up. “What are you doing?” Kailin asked.
RYDEN Spanking turned her on. That was not a question. She liked it rough sometimes. She liked it slow. She also demanded fucking, and that was how I knew I satisfied her in bed. “Please?” she begged again but didn’t tell me the specifics. “You want this?” I smacked her left cheek this time, and her spine bucked. I could see the wetness pooling in her pink pussy, and the sweet smell of her arousal diffused through the room, making me more hard than ever. “Yes, yes.” Just two words made her pant, and her two words were like a drug to me, making my dick jerk. “Do you want me to be rough on you?” “Just stop talking already, Ryden. Do what pleases you.” “Aren’t you a little too eager, ladybug?” “I want you, Alpha. Just give me anything.” She turned her head and looked over her shoulder. Her hands were gripping the pillows. “So it’s okay for you if I fuck you in your tight ass?” I saw a little fear flash in her eyes, but so did the excitement and anticipation. I spanked her agai
AMELIA “What’s wrong?” I held Ryden’s arm as I felt his anger. His muscles clenched against my grip. “Get dressed. We need to go to the pack house.” His eyes stared directly into mine, filling with rage, and his nose was flaring. “Ryden?” I called his name and followed him when he left for the bathroom. “Please?” “Not right now, Amelia,” he said through gritted teeth, shutting the door before me. Without a word, I grabbed a clean t-shirt and jeans and put them on, and then I slipped my gun on my side and carried the sword. Once I was done, I went to his car started it, and waited for him. He hopped in without a word, and I didn’t want to start any topic and pick up a fight. I drove to the pack house in silence. It was unnerving and irritating at the same time. Whatever pissed him, I just wished it didn’t involve our people getting hurt. The light outside the pack house was on, everything was visible, and the guys surrounded the white car and some pointing guns at it. “What the
AMELIA “Considering how father is so fond of explosives, I’ll take every precaution I need. Maybe you haev RDX this time.” Ryden was already carrying the bag out of the trunk. “Don’t open the bag. Wait for Zarah and Ren. They’re on the way. And it needs blood to unlock the book.” “She’s right. I saw my father and the witch did it,” Nora confirmed what I said. “What’s happening right now is all your father’s fault, Nora. How many people and werewolves have died because of him? He unleashed demons into our world. What kind of person does that?” She swallowed hard at my words. “When my mother got sick, he became desperate and cold when doctors told him there was no cure. He did what he did to, what he thought was right to save my mother.” “Save your speech. No one wants to hear your horseshit,” Zeph grunted. “I’m actually interested to hear it.” Zarah just came out of the pack house. The truck arrived, too. Ren and Theia came to join it. “Holy shit! You, bitch!” Theia yelled and
RYDEN “What the fuck is she doing here?” Dane was already aiming his gun at Nora before I came in between them. “As long as Nora is in my territory, she’s under my protection,” I challenged him. “Put your gun down, Dane.” “Are you fucking crazy?” Rage hardened in his expression. “Do you know what her father did to me, to you, and to everyone they killed?” The room became suddenly small and heavy with tension, and none of them had tried to interfere with us. “I haven’t forgotten about that, Dane, but if you still trust me and respect me as the alpha of this pack, I’m asking you to please, put the gun down.” I pushed his gun, pointing at Nora who had her hands raised as she surrendered. As he did what I said, I told him and Kailin about what happened earlier, and everyone started to get involved with the plan, which I was against. “Why are we still discussing this? Of all people, you know, Dane, that this is another trap, luring us into one place to kill us at a time.” “Then we
AMELIA “I can’t believe it didn’t work,” I grunted in anger as I stabbed the sword into the book, and it did nothing. “It’s empty now, but a piece of useless old shit.” The book was around four inches thick. The hardcover seemed to be made of animal skin. The smell was like an old rotten dead rat. I was expecting suggestions, but everyone’s mouth was shut this time. “Really?” My eyes narrowed at them. “Now I need your unsolicited advice and you’ve got nothing. You, Theia. You’re very opinionated. What do you have in mind?”She only gave me a shrug. “I did put my blood on it. What did I do wrong, Zarah?” I glared at her again, and she just looked at me with all her bored face. “It must have told you something.” “It’s not your blood, you idiot. It’s your power.” She rolled her eyes with a head shake. “Thanks. You’re very helpful, and I’m glad your ugly wit is still intact.” I opened the book, placed the sword upside down, and took off my favorite jacket and boots. Then I gave Ryde
AMELIA I elbowed Ryden. “You can stay in one of the empty rooms. If you have some things back in your car, you can take them with you, but you’re not allowed to use your phone or go outside.” “Understood, Alpha.” She dropped her gaze. “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done.” “I don’t want your apology. If you make one mistake by calling your demon father, I will rip your throat out in front of everyone and make you an example of betrayal.” “I know.” “If you need anything, let Zeph know.” After Zarah left through her portal, we left the office, only to find the boys and girls glaring at Nora. “No one touches her or you all will pay the consequences. Tell everyone who’s not around tonight. She’s under my protection from now on, and stop with that look.” Ryden turned to Nora and returned back her necklace. “Go upstairs and don’t come down if not necessary. It’s for your own good before they egg you.” She silently walked away, and the guys had their angry glares following Nora up
RYDEN “You’re kidding. Don’t joke something like this, Amelia.” I couldn’t even believe what I was hearing. Nora— the mean bully gaslighter Nora, a water wolf? Why not just some good-hearted werewolves out there? “This is ridiculous.” “See? Even Alpha Ryden doesn’t agree with you and Ren,” Theia pointed it out. “That stand-offish bitch is not the water wolf.”“I knew it’s difficult to believe that of all people why it has to be Nora, but I saw it with my own eyes,” Amelia told her, convincing both of us. “Theia, it’s not our choice. If she’s chosen, then the goddess must have seen something good in her. And just like what Zarah said last night people could change.” “Maybe she’s an activist who cares for the ocean, or she loves fish. Who cares?” Amelia shrugged as she added. “As much as it pains me to admit it, but I know what I saw, and Ren saw it, too.” “Or maybe this is why she’s here, so you both would believe that she’s one of you. This is Samarah’s doing and Alec knows how o
AMELIA After what we’d been through together in a short time, something beautiful happened. I stared at him in awe, wearing the same face the first time he saw me in my wolf form and wolf fire. Now he had in him. He just became one of the four, and the most powerful alpha with that power. “Amelia!” everyone was yelling at me, except Ren. I felt like he already knew when I lost my wolf, that it would take over someone. “Ryden,” I called his name and looked him in the eye. He looked shocked and began to panic as his clothes burned down to ashes and he was completely naked before us, engulfed in fire. “Guys, can someone grab the extinguisher, please?” “You know it won’t work!” Theia yelled. I turned to her and pointed at the wooden floor. “It will work on the floor before this house gets toasted.” I’ll go take it,” Alessandro volunteered and stormed out of the office. “Ryden, if you don’t calm down, you’re gonna burn us all. Trust me. I’ve been in your situation, done that.” “W
AMELIA “Alpha, stop it. You’re still healing.” Naughty Alpha was looking all cute as he started kissing me on the cheek first, licking my earlobe, then his hand moved to my abdomen, slipping it inside my shirt, tracing his fingers up, teasing my nipple from the bra. “I want you.” “No, you don’t.” I looked at him. His eyes darkened, his breathing was hot, and I could feel his growing erection pressed against my thigh. “Keep your dick under control until you’re fully healed or I will scream.” “I am. Trust me.” He kissed me on the nose. “I missed you. I miss being inside you.” “Really?” I pressed his wound, and he winced. “Right, you’re healed.” His hand was gone, and he chuckled, shaking his head. “Have patience there, buddy.” “Yes. Tell him that.” I faced him and kissed him on the lips. “When we go home, you can have me all you want. I will be yours all night.” He grinned at me. “Is that a promise?” “You know I won’t break it, Ryden. You can tie me to bed if you want.” He arc
RYDEN “Amelia, stop!” I crawled back to bed. My ears hurt, and that was killing me more than my wound. Then I felt a warm liquid rolling down my upper lip. I wiped it off and realized it was blood. “You’re killing me, please? Ladybug, you have to stop.” The shrilling sound abruptly stopped. The shaking ended. Her body went back to normal. “Oh, Goddess. Baby.” Her eyes were wide as she finally back to herself. She cupped my face and wiped off the blood dripping from my nostrils. “I did do that? I’m so sorry.” “Unless I have that kind of power.” I was still staring at her. What kind of power she had was both frightening and remarkable. “What the hell is going on?” The door slammed open, and Zarah came, furious. She scanned the room and shook her head. “She did it again, didn’t she?” Ren followed Zarah inside, looking at my bloody nose. Theia and Nora were tailing him. “If you can’t get control over your emotions, Amelia, we have to confine you. You can kill any being just with you
RYDEN “You knew all this time, and you didn’t warn us?” The way Victor averted his gaze and looked as ashamed and guilty as ever. He only proved to us that he knew all along, and what after all, powerful alphas there were out there that he called himself the Alpha King. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Amelia was angrier than me. Despite losing her wolf, I could still feel her emotions, and my mark on her was still intact. “Whoever he is will come after every alpha who comes his way. Do you understand how deep the trouble you’re in? He will come after our allies, take control of the werewolf council, and take your position. But you don’t give a shit, do you? As long as you’re safe over there and sipping coffee and whiskey.” “Of course, I care.”I even rolled my eyes at his reply.“Cut the bullshit, Head Council. I know you’re scared, but we can protect you. Alpha Califf, Alpha Knight, and the rest of our allies can protect you, but you have to be honest with us.” “No, Amelia. N
AMELIA “You lost your wolf to save my life. I’m so sorry you have to choose between me and her.” “I can live as a human, but I can’t live without you. You said you loved me, did you mean it?” I lifted my gaze to see his reaction. He still looked handsome despite almost dying and still in pain. “I love you with every beat of my heart. I love you till my last breath, Amelia. I don’t care if you’re human or a tiger or a mouse.” “A mouse? Really.” I sniffled. He tried to hold his laugh, and he grimaced instead. “You should take pain meds.” “No. The bullet that shot me was not an ordinary bullet, was it?” “Yes. Sebastien said, it could be a high-grade military prototype silver bullet, and it should explode inside your body, but it didn’t. It was either intentional or faulty. We don’t know. None of us has seen that kind of bullet before, even at the Werewolf Council.” “How are you feeling?” “Why are you asking me when I’m not the one that has gotten shot?” “So you’re still feisty
RYDEN My eyes fluttered open. The first thing I saw was the white ceiling until everything came back to me like flashes of memories. I was in Hawaii and Amelia and I had a fight. Nora was talking me out of it. Then I got shot. I groaned as I tried to move. I was shirtless, a bandage on my upper left chest reminded me it indeed all happened. I should have been dead by now. How am I still alive? Then I heard a snore. I turned my head to my right. There she was. I didn’t even know she snored. I guess, that was first. “Amelia?” I tried to move to reach for her, but my wound was killing me. I might have lost a lot of blood, and I didn’t heal faster than my normal healing process. “Ladybug.” She gasped, jolting to sit on the chair. Her eyes grew big as she turned to me and saw me awake. “Alpha? Oh, Goddess!” She threw herself at me and hugged me tight. “Agh!” I groaned and hissed in pain as I tried to wrap one arm around her. “My wound.” “Shit. Sorry.” She slowly pulled away from me,
AMELIA The surgery was successful. I didn’t even know Sebastien was a corpsman until today. He, Zarah, and Shadow just saved my mate, and I owed them a lot. Ryden was still critical. Since the bullet was silver, it slowed down his recovery. He could be dead, though, but what kind of message our enemy was trying to send to us, and who were the people behind this? What would they want from us?” I was still grateful despite everything. Watching Ryden in bed, breathing, and alive, was the greatest feeling in the world. I still felt the dread crawling in my skin of almost losing him. “How do we find Margaret? “That’s a problem for another day. And it’s not your problem anymore. It’s mine.” I turned and faced Zarah. “Do you think she’s working with Alec now? I mean, why would she? She’s your leader. What did Alec have against her?” “I don’t know, and I’m exhausted, kid. You should get some rest, too.” “Are you avoiding my questions?” I rose from the chair and looked at Ryden one mor
AMELIA “Father!” I felt the surge of energy rush through me that siphoned from around that it shook the house down and exploded into an intense blast, shattering the glasses in the entire house, everything near me went flying including Theia. I could still feel the extreme pumping of my heart as the sound of splashing shattered glasses dropped on the floor. I heard Theia hit the wall and then she fell, groaning. “Amelia!” Ren came, his eyes could slice me into two at how pissed off he was. “Are you going to get us all killed?” I breathed deeply, trying to calm myself down, but it wasn’t working. I still felt the unconfined energy rolling and thundering through me. “Holy shit!” Theia was quicker on her feet and rushed in my direction. Ren stopped her, blocking her from getting close to me. “Stay there.” “Why?” Theia asked, but Ren was actually talking to me. “Amelia, stay right there.” It was not a statement but a warning. Sebastien came, still wearing the bloody gloves. “Wh
AMELIA Ryden. My breathing caught as I mumbled his name. I felt him— he was in great pain. He was terrified of something. Something happened. I quickly put my clothes on, grabbed my things, and went outside the room. Nora’s scream poured adrenaline through me as I stormed out and followed her voice outside. “Ryden!” A shudder of dread and terror ran down my spine, and I sucked in a sharp breath as I looked down at my wounded mate. My world stopped. Tears streamed down my face. I stood still, then my body shook, and watched Ryden bleed out to death. “Amelia!” Someone shook me. “Get the fuck inside!” I watched Sebastien and his beta Alessandro carry Ryden back inside. “Now is not the right time for a nervous breakdown. Amelia, look at me.” Ren cupped my face, forcing me to meet him in the eye, and I did. “Ryden.” My chin trembled. My entire world faded as I met Ren’s terrified gaze through my blurry eyes. “Pull yourself together. The shooter is still out there.” “Yeah. He wi