AMELIA Ryden divided us into a three-person team. Walker and Emil were stuck with me, while he, Zeph, and Zarah were preparing for the shield upgrade. Ren and Theia were our backups. Before sundown, we made it to the woods, south of the property. I didn’t know how much I missed this place until I was there. It was supposed to be our sanctuary from other werewolves and rogues. Instead, we were fighting against our own demonic entities. Deep inside, I felt guilty, and I couldn’t get rid of the thought that I was one of the reasons why things happened here. If I hadn’t come back, the wraiths and Alec’s evil plan might not have been implemented today. “You okay?” Walker came. “Yeah. I caught human scents.” “Me too. Could these be Alec’s men?” “Yeah, probably.” I connected our link to Ryden. “Did you make it to the pack house?” “Yes. We’re here. Completely trashed and we’re scanning for explosives as we speak. You know Alec likes to blow things up.” “Be careful.” “You, too, Ameli
RYDEN “Give me something so I can let you go. Your information for your freedom.” I grunted. My body still reverberated in anger, and he thought I would just give him mercy. This fucktard that shot Amelia didn’t know what he got himself into. He could barely speak. He seemed in shock after seeing a human just turned into a fire wolf. Despite his naivety, he fired the shots, shells raining down from the tree, and intended to kill my mate. He could have killed her. He could have targeted someone else. And he deserved to die. “Come with me. He had nowhere to go.” Zeph grabbed me outside the tunnel. Once we were there, he breathed deeply. “Are we really going down this road, Ry?” I stared at him in disbelief. “He came to my land, watched for our people for his target practice because he purchased an automatic rifle in the black market.” That was what he told us, and I didn’t believe a shit. “Do you expect me to just let him walk away after what he saw?” “He targeted wolves.” “Wow.”
RYDEN “The house is okay.” She smiled. “Your parents might have checked it a few times while you were away.” “That’s good to hear.” “You should go, and she’s in the mortuary. Take this to her.” “Why is she in the morgue?” I asked, confused and shocked. “Honey, this is not a vet.” “Oh. She hasn’t shifted back.” I took the scrub suit from her. “Yes, not until I pulled out the bullet in her shoulder. She’s recovered and awake.” “Thanks.” I followed the direction towards the morgue and found Ren and Theia walking out. “What happened to the bad guy?” I looked at Theia. “Don’t ask when you already know the answer.” “Good to know or I will do it myself.” I pushed the door open and found Amelia on the floor. My heart gave a funny flutter as I watched her struggle to get back on her feet. Her eyes widened and lit up as she saw me. “For a woman who can torch a building, I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now. How are you this clumsy, Amelia?” The sheet just fell off her shoulde
AMELIA “Amelia!” Ren and Theia were screaming my name, and I was surprised to react until a whooshing sound pierced my ears. It happened in slow motion as I watched the bullet pass before my very eyes, hitting strands of my hair that had me gasping. A forceful strong ball of wind pushed me in the chest, throwing me away, saving my life. I was still shocked to react, and I felt my ass being dragged against the ground landing me against Kailin’s car. “Sniper!” Ren yelled at everyone before he took cover. Another shot was fired, just an inch at my foot. I quickly pulled my knees against my body and hit myself. My heart was still in my throat as I hid behind the tire. “Amelia, don’t move.” Ryden hid behind the SUV with Kailin. I saw the fear in his eyes and felt his jumbled thoughts. “It’s Dane,” we said in unison. “What?” Kailin reacted, eyes widening as she was finding it difficult to believe her mate was targeting me. “Why is he doing this?” “He’s possessed by something,” Ryde
RYDEN I couldn’t let her go in my arms the moment they came back with Dane. I had to feel her and make myself believe that she was okay. “Where’s the don’t fucking do that again?” “You’ll have it later.” I kissed her forehead and lips before I let her go. Her eyes danced in excitement because she knew I would never lie about it. “I’ll hold on to that then.” Dane willingly went to our ruined infirmary for a brief check-up. “What the hell happened here?” Shae arrived and scanned her gaze around. “It’s Alec’s evil effect.” I walked with her to the infirmary. “Our friend Dane was just possessed and used us as target practice.” “I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that my daughter is the fire wolf, and now demonic possession?” She stared at me. “It’s actually a demon’s lackey that possessed Dane.” Ren came to hug Shae. “You should be very careful. Every one of us is a target.” “Thank you, Ren.” She began checking Dane. He looked okay though aside from dark circles under h
AMELIA “What the hell were you doing back there?” Zarah was still furious at me even if we were already back at the pack house. “You could have hurt yourself.” “I don’t know.” I shrugged, holding my smile back because I honestly didn’t know what I was doing and I felt so stupid. I panicked and wasn’t thinking straight. “Trying to fix my damage.” “Really?” She snapped, lips flattening. “Why are you pissed at me?” I raised my sword. “Because of this? Because it can penetrate your shield.” “Of course, that sword can. It’s the Sword of Light.” “Wait. You know?” At least, I heard three of us ask the same question; Ryden, Ren, and I. “You know what it is all along and you didn’t tell us?” “How didn’t you know your sword?” “Calder mentioned that name.” I shrugged again. “Sensei gave it to me, and he was not the kind of man who was up for a talk. When I managed to pick it up without killing me, he said, the sword chose me, and I am now responsible for it.” “It chose you because you h
RYDEN “You’re fucking with me, right?” I blinked in disbelief at Dane. “I wish I was, Ryden. I finally remember everything that happened.” “What happened?” Amelia asked. “I was snooping at the private airport owned by one of his business partners. Then I got caught. They brought me on the private jet, and I thought they were going to kill me. I swear to the Goddess, I know what I saw. Alec is the new host.” “How is it even possible?” I looked at Zarah. “Wait. So, he’s now getting an upgrade?” Theia asked Dane. “Then we’re in big trouble. This is sickening.”Amelia let go of a shaky breath. “This is getting better and better.”I looked at Amelia who was beyond terrified just like everyone else in this room. “Demon was looking for a new strong host,” Zarah voiced out. “Sonya’s body must have deteriorated, couldn’t handle it anymore, and the demon needed to be fed. Who else would be the right person with money, power, knows his way around, and with a god complex behavior? And yes,
AMELIA “What do you mean?” I gripped his arm as I sensed dread and fear in his thoughts. “Remember the test before we met Calder?” My gaze locked with his. Those eyes were haunting. “Of course, how could I forget? You froze and you told me you were brought to a cave and I was caught by the wraiths.” He looked up and studied the structure and pointed out where we got in. “You were there.” I gasped as I stared at him. My feature turned hard. My throat tightened as more fear flashed in his eyes. “Let’s keep this between us.” “Amelia—” “We’ll make sure we get what we came here for and make it out alive, okay? We’ve changed a lot for a couple of months. We’ve learned something. I’m sure we can fight it if it becomes reality. But we’re surrounded by sphalerite. They can’t get in here.” He managed to put a small smile on his lips before he nodded, but the fear and worry were still deep in his eyes. “You’re right.” “Are we digging or not?” Guston asked impatiently. I still didn’t tr
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