AMELIA For the first time since we arrived at Tahoe City, we finally got a chance to go out and see some tourist spots. The view from the gondola was spectacular.“Did you know Ryden came looking for me that night?” “Yes,” Ren answered with certainty. I stared in disbelief. So, Ryden was telling the truth. “Do you expect an apology from me for wiping off the trail and your scent?” “Hell no. Thanks.” I kissed him on the cheek. “This is actually amazing,” Theia said as she enjoyed the view. “Yup, it is.” “So, are you going to talk to Ryden and treat him nicely?” “I treat him like an alpha, Theia. He deserves it. He’s a good alpha and doesn’t take advantage of people.” “Except—” Ren elbowed her who was typing something on his phone. “What was that for, Kazeshi?” she complained. “If you’re referring to his wild nights with Nora, yes, I know. Honestly, it hurts knowing they had a thing before I can even kiss my mate.” “But you’re his forever, and that should count. You shoul
RYDEN “You know the rules. No weapons, no clawing, and this is a sport. No personal grudges. You only get one warning, or you lose. Understood?” Everyone, young and old, and all genders gathered at the ground for our fighting events. The area was a small football field with benches and lights, just located in the backyard of the pack house. I could feel the excitement and anxiousness coming from the fighters for tonight. I didn’t compete anymore since I became an alpha. It would be unfair to my opponent. “Now let’s welcome our guests from White Moon and Night Stalker tonight.” Everyone applauded. Amelia and her friends were also present. It was not new to her. In fact, she had seen her brother fight before, and she knew the rules. Women category had less time than men. “All fighters are posted on the board. Our first fighters for tonight. Reede and Landon.” The excitement and cheers were off the roof. “You can start betting before we start, guys. The bet is just for fun. This
AMELIA I’d been humiliated in the worst way possible, bullied for my features, and my body size, but I’d never let someone punch me on purpose just to hide who I was. One thing my Sensei taught me I wished he never did was not to show off what I was true. Let them be surprised, but right now, I still couldn’t surprise Nora. It was frustrating. One of the few rules of fights in this ring was not to use the power or shift and claw someone’s eyes out. So I took her punches. It hurt so fucking much. I heard gasps from the crowd and grunts of satisfaction that their betted fighter got the best of me. “Get this bitch.” Yes, we didn’t use a mouthguard because it wasn’t necessary. It could get bloody sometimes, but everyone knew when to stop unlike Nora here who expected me to lose tonight, which was not surprising because I barely threw punches and kicks. I was thrown down to the ground with a thud. Gasping, I arched my back. My wolf was in chaos inside me, urging me to wolf out. I kne
AMELIA“We’re having a party right now. Come on.” He gestured towards the door. “What? Really?” I asked in disbelief. “It’s Theia’s idea when she heard Nora was going to celebrate for punching you.” “Oh, I see. Be careful with her. She might be small, but she’s dangerous.” I walked out of the washroom. The party hadn’t started but the DJ had already assembled his equipment. “How did you pull this off?” “We got friends from the rage and free booze from Knight and Califf.” Within thirty minutes, the dance floor was filled with raging and horny werewolves. The music was too loud, but everyone seemed to have fun. “Am!” Theia called me from the center. She had Ren, Maddie, Seven, and Walker with her. “Come over here and dance with us!” “Look at her, she’s already making friends.” I couldn’t help but smile. “You owe me a dance, Amelia!” Walker yelled even if he didn’t have to. Werewolves had enhanced hearing than humans. “I’m gonna hang him to a tree,” Ryden said. I didn’t know if
RYDEN My heart jackhammered in my chest. My eyes started glowing, and I almost shifted. “What the fuck!” I jolted up to the loud siren in my ears. Then my bed shook as if someone jumped on it. I groaned in annoyance as the sweet fruity scent assaulted my senses. “Wakey wakey, Alpha! Your masters are here!” “What the hell are you doing, Amelia?” I growled, covering my sensitive ears with the pillow as the siren continued. It must be coming from her phone. “Shut that fucking thing off.” Everyone knew I could be aggressive and feral if I didn’t get enough sleep, and nobody had ever tried to piss me off by waking me up unless it was a matter of a life-and-death situation. “Hey! Your training starts now. Do you want to save the world? Then get up and start with your punctuality, Alpha!” She raised her voice, clearly annoyed. “Fuck! I barely slept.” “Everyone didn’t get enough sleep after the party you threw. So do I, but here I am. Ren and I woke up an hour earlier than you. So you
AMELIA “Son, what’s this rumor I heard that you and Nora have broken up?” I instantly recognized that voice. This couldn’t be. I stopped behind Ryden’s office’s door before I could knock. I was supposed to ask him if he had updates on Zarah’s research of a mystery burned page, but it seemed that I was the one who was getting updates on his relationship. “I don’t mean to be rude, but Nora and I had an understanding before we got into that brief relationship. We both knew we were not mates and what we had was going to end,” Ryden said calmly. I knew it was bad to eavesdrop, but I was curious about the man with Ryden, now that he mentioned Nora, it verified my initial hunch. Alec Webster, Nora’s father owned a big company in the city. “Look, son. I like you. I like you to be my future son-in-law, always has been before you even became an alpha. Nora loves you, Ryden. If you’re not ready to settle down, it’s fine. You can fool around with that girl who just returned, I don’t know her n
RYDEN “Amelia!” The line cut off. I looked down at Ren’s phone screen for a second trying to process what had just happened, who attacked her, and why. “Ryden, what did she say?” I stared at Ren, looking for the right word to say. I couldn’t find any. I gave his phone back. “Amelia is in trouble.” “I’ll go and find her. Where is she?” “She’s on her way back.” He left before I could stop him. Theia followed suit, and I felt so stupid and useless. “Zeph?” I scanned the living room where the guys watched football. “Hey, are you looking for me?” Zeph came quickly. “Yeah.” I went to the back of the staircase and pushed the lockdown button. Since I lost men in that black virus, I spent a huge amount of money on security, including CCTV around the parameters. I would find out who attacked Amelia. It was only a matter of time, and he would pay for it, severely. “What’s going on?” Zeph asked when everyone stopped what they were doing. When the entire house went silent, I went into a
AMELIA “What the hell is wrong with you? He offered you to join back his pack, why aren’t you jumping into it?” Theia was more excited than me to be back in the pack, but she didn’t know why I didn’t want to. I blew out a breath and sipped my water. “I have reasons.” “Wow. That must be more important than being with Ryden. I’m actually beginning to like that guy. He’s hot and cool. He may want to spread you and eat you for his dinner, but he’s patient for an alpha.” She smiled wickedly. “Geez, T.” I rolled my eyes as I continued jabbing against the pad. It may sound ridiculous, but I felt my heart just pumped hard. “I have eyes and ears and I put them to good use. You should do it sometimes. He’s definitely hard on you, Am. The mating bond must have been driving him insane. You’re a lucky gal that he hasn’t grabbed you, thrown you over his shoulder like a potato sack, and taken you home with him, and Goddess knows what he could do to you when it’s just the two of you.” “You’re i
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