***Twigger warning: This chapter is a little graphic and DOES have an assualt of the sexual nature (there is no rape or penetration of any kind****Tatum*Alpha Kit watches me from the other side of the room, his eyes trained on me like I might make a run for it. While I have every desire to leave, I have zero to get myself killed.So instead I will just bide my time wandering the massive room. Everything feels darker here, no modern touches, it’s as if they have been suspended in time with no modern technology. Where Artemis’ pack house is more of a modern mansion, this one is castle-esque. Large bricks line the walls outside and in incredibly high ceilings and candelabras. They have electricity. They aren’t living in the dark ages, but they have clearly been in the family home since the very beginning. Alpha Kit’s desk is a sanded slab of beautiful cherry wood, with its raw edges showcased in the clear varnish that preserves its constitution.“Has this place been here all along?” I
*Maverick*My body shakes with pure violence. Feral alpha or not, this fucking asshole doesn’t stand a chance against me. Not in this state, not when murder is the only thing on my mind. He has touched what is mine, a pain that is a thousand times worse than any pain imaginable. Tatum lays limp in his arms, her eyes red rimmed and her face smeared with blood.“Mav, it wasn’t him. Alpha Kit helped me.” she forces out, like she is in pain.Her hand reaches out, and the Alpha male steps closer, offering her to me. Without hesitation, I fold her into me, my wolf whining at having her safely in our arms. I can’t help but press my head into her neck, her scent marred by that of blood and someone else. I growl, looking up and scanning the room, only to find a limp body to my right. “Was it him?” I ask her, locking my eyes with her and she frowns, a small nod verifying the body was her assailant.“He is dead.” Alpha Kit says when I notice the head on the floor, eyes wide with surprise. Good.
Gamma Colby holds the door open to our room, Tatum in my arms as I step through and look around. It’s warm with a fire roaring in the fireplace across from the bed and a thick, lush carpet laid before it with two large cushy chairs. It feels like we have stepped into a romantic medieval getaway with the lights overhead dimmed and a tray of fruit for snacking on a side table. “You should have everything you need. There is water in that small fridge in the bookcase,” He says pointing to an area next to a large bay window. “The herbs for her wound are in the bathroom with instructions.”I look down at Tatum, who gives me a pointed look and I press my lips together, not happy with what I know she wants me to do. So I sigh and turn to face the Gamma, her in my arms. “Thank you,” I say with a tight smile, and he smirks. Tatum slaps my chest and I growl softly. “And, uh, sorry about your head.”“I get the feeling you aren’t, but that’s okay. One day I hope to find my mate, then I will unde
*Tatum* I watch in horror as the oath retaliates against Maverick’s rigid body. This time is worse, so much worse, as it seems to hold him in its grips longer. I try to talk to him, my hands rubbing over his heated skin, but I’m not sure if I am making it worse or better. I contemplate running for the healer, or maybe Artemis, to help, but leaving him is an impossible task. Not when he is so vulnerable. “Mav,” I whisper, leaning close to his ear. “Breathe through it. You can do it,” I feel like a damn idiot cheering on a sports team in the last minutes, but what the hell does one say in this situation? I doubt that there is a handbook for me to learn from. So I press my palm to his head, a sigh releasing from his clenched jaw, and I exhale, relieved to have some response even if it’s not a verbal one. “I’m still here, Mav.” I tell him, leaning over him and pressing my forehead to his. I dare not touch my naked body to his flesh for fear of what it could do to him, so instead I
The soft sound of snoring wakes me, as I turn my head, smiling up at a sleeping Maverick. So much for him not sleeping. Though not that I can blame him. Yesterday was a crazy day and last night…my cheeks heat as I remember what we did. So out of the usual for me, but still so precious. I watch him as his chest rises and falls; me wrapped up in his arms and then I lean forward, dropping a gentle kiss on his cheek. His arms tighten on me, and I chuckle. “How long have you been awake?” I ask him and he smirks, eyes still closed. “You don’t think I actually snore, do you?” he looks amused with himself as I roll my eyes.“Honestly, I thought it was sexy. It’s a shame you don’t actually snore.” I tease, and his eyes open, focusing on me. Then he quickly closes them, snoring loudly, his chest heaving up and down with effort and his lips upturned with a flirty grin. He peeks open one eye, watching me. “How’s that? Super sexy?” He asks, and I snort out a laugh. “Oh, I can hardly restrain
*Maverick*I watch as Tatum says her tearful goodbye to Clem, hugging her and reassuring her everything will be okay. I want to share in her sentiment, but how the beta treated Tatum has me doubtful that Alpha Kit is actually in full control.An alpha with no control is one that is not respected and things will spiral out of control when the alpha is seen as having any weakness at all. The last thing anyone needs is a bunch of feral wolves staking claim on our territory because they feel their alpha is a lost cause..“Do you think Artemis will tell everyone about the ghost wolves and their true origin?” River asks, standing beside me as Artemis converses with Kit. I shrug, not really sure what kind of answer she is looking for, but I can be honest.“Maybe. It might be in everyone’s best interest to announce it and allow a safe crossing between the two kingdoms.”“That makes sense.” She muses. “If finding your mate is rare or uncommon here, I can only assume they will want to come over
*Tatum*I stand in my old room, the one I was leaving before Russel’s untimely neck poke, rendering me unconscious. Maverick’s arms slide around me, his chest pressing into my back and his chin tucking into the crook of my neck as I relax into him. After everything, his embrace is still where I feel the safest.“What happened to Russel?” I ask.“I will have to ask Artemis,” he says. “He sure as shit won’t show his face here again now that everyone knows he is a traitor.”“Traitor? Or just loyal to a different Alpha King?” I ask, turning to look up at him and the corner of his lip tips down. “They are the same thing in this pack, Tatum.” he says softly and I can feel a little of my hope slipping away. Our last potential option is Maverick going rogue and hopefully being welcomed into Alpha Kit’s kingdom. But how would he handle that? Truly? As someone who not only respects but is friends with the very Alpha, he protects.Would he grow to resent me for his actions? And what if Kit doe
“How annoyed do you think Jackson will be?” Maverick asks me with an amused grin.I reach up and stroke my thumb over his stubbly cheek. We have had one day to come around to terms with the idea of me leaving with River. Though if I’m being honest, he might get more done with me gone. Maverick will be more likely to search through the night rather than taking a break and spending time with me. “I bet he will be more excited than you think. Now he has a reason to see you more often and you can’t run from him again.”“It will be nice to finally catch up.” He sighs and I snort.“Oh, Mav, you have at least a year of scowl and cold shoulders ahead of you.” I assure him, and he chuckles, shaking his head. “Yeah, probably deserved.” He nods as he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close.“Definitely deserved,” River says, stepping up to us. “You ready?” She asks and I nod, going up on my toes to press a chaste kiss to Maverick’s plush lips.“I will see you in a week.” He says, his
Hey!! SO this is ending differently than my usual they are happy for 5-10 chapters! why? Becuase I felt their relationship was developed along the way, showing them over that many chapters again would have felt like filler which i promise never to give you. I have also left a few things open for specultion. There is a reason for that. There is potential for a Clem and Kit story, a shorter one but that won't happen until I get the second book in the Rebel Rising series up and completed.Clem and Kit's story would pick up from the moment she is traded to him for Tatum so we would also get alot of Mav and Tatum in their story as they are important characters in their lives. As always, THANK YOU, for hanging in there with me. This was a fun one to write. I will be doing some editing and such and may add more to give us more details about River and Artemis but they also may have a small novella coming if I feel like their story needs to be told from their POV. Basically, everything
Tatum sits sobbing in the bed, her eyes locked on mine as I hold the little screaming bundle in my arms. I look down at my sweet, perfect, and very loud son, Maxwell Mason. Tatum rubs her eyes, her chest heaving up and down, and I can’t help but laugh. I know it’s an awful thing to do, especially considering the circumstances, but I can’t help it. Tatum looks beautiful and exhausted. “Babe, go to sleep.” I insist and she shakes her head no.“Why won’t he sleep?” she blubbers. “I am so tired,”“Tater tot.” I say firmly, “Then go to sleep. I’ve got him. He is okay. He just needs a change and a bottle.”“But I should be able to nurse him,” she sobs, looking at her hands in her lap.“Ah.” I sigh. So that’s the actual issue. Tatum’s milk supply has yet to come in and it is the third week. My poor sweet mate wanted nothing more than to be a mother and be a perfect one. And now that she has a baby, she feels like she isn’t enough because she can’t breastfeed him. “Look at me,” I say, walki
*Maverick*The healer walks around me, a look of concentration on her face before she looks at me and clicks her tongue. My heart falls. Clearly, this physical evaluation is going fucking poorly. And here I thought I was going to be giving the go ahead to make Tate mine tonight. It has been two fucking weeks of not being able to make her mine.No strain on my body, no marking and no fucking sex. Worst fucking rules ever, and here Tatum is all happily complying. I have been a patient man all my life waiting for the day I can fuck my mate whenever I damn well please and yet here I am dying to sink my teeth into her neck and make sure every damn single male in this pack knows she is mine.“Janelle,” I growl at the healer who Artemis sent with us to ensure my healthcare was consistent for optimal healing. She shoots me a glower that says to shut up and wait. “I think your healing has expedited with your new title.” She says, finally standing upright and giving me a satisfied smile. “Your
Maverick stares at me, the haziness finally completely gone as he just observes me silently. I reach out to touch him, my heart pounding. I have been touching him, helping him with the bond the whole time he has been injured and out of it.But now…he is coherent enough to realize I am actually here. He flinches as I come close and my heart aches at his fear, who would have thought he was easier to work within when he was fighting during his treatment than he is right now after a solid 4 days of healing sleep.“Maverick,” I keep my tone light and assuring. Even after explaining to him it will no longer hurt him, he is still hesitant and I understand now just how much the oath was tormenting him. The very sight of me seems to cause him pain and confusion. The fucking oath’s attempt to ruin us is still so damn raw. “Y-you’re sure?” He asks, swallowing roughly and licking his lips “I’m positive.” I nod. “The oath is gone,”“How can you be so sure? I don’t understand,” he mutters, lookin
Maverick tries to reach up to touch me back, his eyes distant but happy, as if he is moving in a fog. My tears run unchecked down my cheeks as I try like hell to calm myself. There is so much happening all at once. In my mind and around me, I feel overwhelmed, completely lost in what to do with all of it. “I need you to keep him from moving.” The healer tells me, touching my shoulder gently. “We have to get his arm bandaged before infection sets in and he loses it.”I lower my head, pressing my cheek to his as he turns into me, a satisfied hum on his lips.“Mav, stay still. You have to stay still, otherwise it will hurt,” I whisper in his ear.“I want to touch you,” he says back, his words sounding slurred as he tries to turn toward me.“No, no,” I rush out, splaying my hand over his chest to still him. My stomach boils when I touch his open wound, but I keep my eyes closed, my face pressed to his as I breathe through it. “You need to heal. ““I don’t want to.” He mutters, and I sigh
*Tatum*I fly out of the car before Jackson even has it in park, sprinting up the heavily decorated stairs as the doors whip open. River throws herself into my arms, holding me as my chest beats and all the terrible thoughts one can imagine flit through my mind. I haven’t been able to catch my breath since she told us to hurry. I can only think the worst. It has to be terrible if she won’t tell me over the phone. “Riv…” my voice quivers as I pull away trying to force her to look at me, but she avoids eye contact. Jackson places his hand on my back to comfort me.“That’s enough waiting. You have to tell her, River. She needs to not be in the dark anymore.” He tells her and she looks over at him, biting her lips. “We found him.” She swallows, rubbing my arms in a soothing manner. “But it’s not good, he is—”I move her aside, rushing into the pack house, my eyes trying to locate where he is. IS he in our old room? Or did it cause him so much hurt that he has now moved to another room?
*Maverick*I know I won’t be able to see Tatum tonight, not without the pain that will overtake me like it does every fucking time she comes to my mind. With the way the oath is going, it is trying to burn her from my memory, punish me for the bond that was divined for me.If I had any other option, I would take it. I have searched for two months alongside Artemis and Milo and at times, even River would pull an all nighter looking for something. Anything that would relieve me of my suffering, and Tatum’s as well. There is nothing, just as there wasn’t two months ago. The only way I can think to end the suffering, truly be rid of the pain, is to end it. No, I’m not the type of man to kill himself. That’s not how I plan to go out. I have respect for the life I was given, the talents I have. What I don’t have respect for are the rogues that started this all. The callous, soulless assholes who only wish to maim and murder for fucking entertainment.Their attack is the one that led me dow
The waves tickle my bare feet, the warmth of the sun seeping into my shoulders as I stand side by side with my mom. I couldn’t NOT bring her with me. I wasn’t in a good enough place to go anywhere alone and with Clem and River both busy living their own lives…well. Mom wanted to be with me. I guess she was worried I would wander off and never come home. But this ending with Maverick feels less…I don’t know. It’s different. My heart is in tatters, but it’s different from the first time. Back then there was an ache, feeling like he didn’t love me, or I wasn’t enough. This time…this time I get it. Maverick loves me, and he loves me as much as I love him. Which is why I have traveled the last two months like he asked me to in his letter. I knew deep down if he thought there was a way out of his oath, a way we could be together, I know he would utilize it. “How are you, my sweet girl?” My mom asks softly and I smile, lifting my chin for the sun to kiss my bare cheeks. “Hmm, I’m good to
It’s bitter out. The cold air is relentless as it whips around, the wisps of little snowflakes blowing in my face as I stare at my parents’ grave. Their grave is massive, no doubt costing thousands, and I tilt my head, wondering how Tatum of all people paid for it. The thought of her creates an ache throughout me, my heart exhausted and battered from all the back and forth for the past two days waiting to see her.I couldn’t bring myself to text her back or even attempt to answer her calls, as I hid like a coward. If I would have answered I would have told her, There is no hiding the truth from her and she deserves to be told in person. I deserve to witness her heartbreaking so I can never forget what I have done to her time and time again. “You’ve been avoiding me,” her sweet voice calls out behind me and my eyes slide shut, relishing how she sounds, the happiness that laces her teasing words. I want to hold on to this, fucking cling to it like a baby clings to its mother, but I’m