Dominic
I twisted the pen in my hands, listening as the council argued it out.
In the end, it was my decision, but it was fun listening to them.
“If we send them to our school, how will they function in society?” Vex barked, shaking his head.
Axel didn’t seem to be paying attention, and I looked at him sharply, mind linking him to speak. He bolted up, but something was on his mind. I knew something was on his mind, and it was consuming him.
“I’ve told you all, countless times, Alpha doesn’t want them mixing with humans until they are at least college age,” Axel reminded them.
“They won’t be able to mix with society, though,” Vex continued, holding his hands up with disbelief. “They need to control their urges—”
“Why do they?” I asked as the room fell silent.
Vex exchanged a worried look with the warrior to his right, Bez. “We need to be able to exist alongside them without losing control, Alpha,” Vex said, bowing his head in respect.
“The teens will stay here until they leave school. If they can control their urges by then, they may attend a college in the city. If not, they stay here. I can’t risk them exposing us.”
Vex licked his lips as Helen, one of my favorite hunters, caught my eye.
“With all due respect, Alpha, I think we are worried that if the teens don’t come across any humans, they may become feral.”
“And?”
There was a pause.
“They would attack humans,” Helen frowned, her eyes searching the room for an ally.
Vex pursed his lips but shook his head slightly. He wasn’t willing to help her now. Even Bez stared at the table silently.
“Humans shouldn’t be anywhere near our land,” I reminded Helen, my tone icy. “If they are, they’re trespassing. Their fate is then at the hands of whomever they cross.”
Axel was still staring into space, and I fought the urge to kick him in the balls.
“Yes, Alpha,” Helen mumbled, her shoulders deflating.
“The mating ceremony?” Jael said, tapping a finger on the sheet in front of her. “We have to secure our places at the ball.”
The mating ceremony was at Vallah Manor this year, a good four hours away from here. Every wolf over the age of eighteen had two years of attending balls and dances in the hope of finding their mate.
Some were lucky enough to meet them in their packs, but usually, fated mates didn’t know one another.
Or they could be like me, I thought with annoyance. I’d not had the fated mate bond with anyone and probably never would. I could have chosen a mate, but I hated almost everyone in the world, so it wouldn’t be something I’d ever choose.
“The Shylans are attending.”
I snapped my head up at this, my ears pricking. This would be interesting; the Shylans were the elite of the werewolf world, and I wouldn’t mind having some of their kind in my pack.
The riches they would bring aside, each member trained to perfection, their warriors are second to none.
“Fine. Confirm our place,” I ordered, waving my hand dismissively. “Anything else?”
“We spotted the rogues near Harrington,” Vex muttered, as Ryle nodded beside him.
Ryle was my best warrior after Axel and Greg, and I trusted him with my life. I doubted he would accept me when I took on the role as Alpha, but he’d bowed to me, and that was that.
“Two of them, but there could be more,” Ryle said, tapping on the map on the wall. “We’ve got eyes everywhere, but I’d put extra wolves there.”
“Do it,” I agreed, watching as Axel rested his head on his hands, smirking as he stared at the ceiling. “Axel, can you oversee the rogue operation?”
Axel nodded without looking at me, his disrespect needling me.
“We’re done here,” I growled, and everyone stood to leave. “Not you, Axel.”
Axel sat back in his chair, lazily, rubbing his chin in a manner that made me want to claw his throat out.
Cousin or not, he was behaving like a pup.
A disrespectful one at that.
Helen was the last to leave, and she closed the door quietly behind her while I studied Axel.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I snapped, banging my fist on the table.
Axel bolted up, giving me a crooked smile. “I’ve got a mate.”
I blinked.
Axel has a mate?
“Who?” I demanded, as his smile grew.
Something was off.
“Sasha Five,” he grinned, and a harsh laugh left my lips.
“My brother’s fated mate?” I rasped.
“Not anymore,” he said, clicking his tongue gleefully.
I knew he’d probably forced her into it, and if it were anyone else, I would’ve punished him for it.
But Sasha?
My brother was dead to me. My last promise to him was that I wouldn’t hurt her.
Not Axel.
“Interesting. How did Sasha take it?” I watched him as he grabbed his crotch, squeezing it.
“Pretty well, considering.”
“You forced her?” I said, and Axel grimaced, tilting his hand to show it was half and half.
“Probably at the beginning. But by the end, she was enjoying it.”
I nodded, the corners of my mouth tilting up. “She’s beautiful. You’ve done well, beta.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Axel bowed his head.
He’d wanted Sasha for years. But that didn’t justify his ignorance today.
“But you must be punished for your attitude here today. It was embarrassing.”
Axel paled, his eyebrows knitting into a deep frown.
“Alpha?”
“You can watch me fuck your mate.”
Axel swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his throat as he shook his head.
“No.”
“No?” I echoed, sitting forward, and clasping my hands. “Either I fuck her, or the whole pack does.”
Axel closed his eyes, but I could hear the howling of his wolf.
He would learn not to disrespect me.
“Be in the packhouse in one hour. Don’t touch Sasha; I don’t want your scent all over her,” I ordered.
Axel gazed at me, clenching his jaw.
“Me, or the entire pack,” I repeated. “You will not disobey me, beta, or I will kill you where you stand.”
Axel clenched his jaw, staring at the floor. He nodded, shoving the chair back so hard it smashed into pieces against the wall.
“Are we clear?” I repeated, staring at Axel as he shook with rage.
“Yes, Alpha,” he spat, leaving my office with a snarl.DANTEI laid the girl on my bed and slumped into the chair in the corner of the room.The moonlight slipped through the window, which bore no curtains. The silver light shimmered over the sleeping girl’s bruised face, but at least the blood was gone. I’d cleaned it up carefully so as not to wake her.I tilted my head back, exhaling as I closed my eyes, imagining an uncomfortable night’s sleep lay ahead. Nightmares had chased my dreams away, but still, I had to sleep, or I would become weak.A bolt of pain burns at my throat, snaking its fiery way into my chest as it took my breath away. I clutch at my throat, falling to my knees as my eyes well up with agony.What is going on?
AMBERDante was about six foot, give or take, and his eyes were almost green up close.The same gold that spilled into the ones that had gazed at me from the wolf’s eyes swirled with the green hues, and I knew.I haven’t imagined it.This guy is a werewolf.I’d heard whispers about the mysterious Seven clan that lived out in the woods. No-one ever saw them, and no-one dared venture in.Yet here I was, in a flat above a gym with one.Glancing around, I can’t help but wonder if the rumours are true.If they are indeed millionaires, then why was this one living in such a basic flat? There was a battered sofa pushed up against one wall, none of the windows I’d seen had curtains, and the floor was…ripped.Dante gazed out of the window, his breathing warming the glass in clouds of smoke
DOMINICThe door opened to reveal Sasha and Axel, their hands laced together to show their new unity.“Leave us,” I barked at Axel, who flinched, but remained still.“You want me to watch, right?” He said quietly, his eyes on the floor. “I’m not leaving her with you.”I lifted my eyebrows, flabbergasted that my beta would continue to disrespect me so.My eyes met Sasha’s, her chest heaving as she met my eyes.“Tell your mate to leave, Sasha, before I rip his throat out and fuck him in it.” I smiled, examining her ample cleavage with interest.Axel moved forward, but Sasha put her hand on his chest, shaking her head as she gazed at him.“Go, Axel,” she commanded, and Axel flung open the door, nearly snapping it off his hinges as it slammed behind him.“What the fuck is his problem?” I laughed, mo
DominicMy wolf was silent.I ran through the forest at speed until the branches closed in on us, the scent of wet bark soothing my senses. My mind whirled with thoughts of the issues the pack faced, mainly the land we lived on.It was owned by us and had been for as long as I could remember, but land surrounded it that the government owned. For years, they’d pestered me about putting little lodge cabins by the lake, leading to the coast not far down from us.Did they want tourism or scandal?There was no way the pack would resist humans dotted around like fucking candy.I had to stop us from being exposed.But how?The Lylan Pack were the closest pack to us, but this didn’t concern them. They were happy in the mountains, and they coexisted peacefully with humans, something I refused to do.I hate humans. We’d been lucky enough not to have any as our fated mates, and no one would dare choose a hu
DANTEI watched Amber walk away towards the train station. Her head turned back once or twice as she tugged her shiny case behind her.You’re connected. I didn’t need my wolf to tell me that.I felt an affinity to her, and it was nothing like the mate bond I’d shared with Sasha that day.FLASHBACK“Are you looking forward to finding your mate?”I’d looked up at my father, grunting something inaudible.He was nervous because he thought I’d end up like my brother, Dominic, who was mateless.My eyes scanned the room, landing on Dominic as he glared at everyone around him.Unsociable, that’s all, Mother had said. My chest ached at the thought of her words in my mind. I could still smell her perfume, hear her sweet yet authoritative voice.She’s gone, Dante. Dominic’s gaze met
AMBERWhat am I doing? Why would I walk away from what might be the biggest story of my life?A werewolf. Turning on my heel, I strode outside, knowing Dante would be long gone.I hailed a cab, breathlessly giving him the name of the gym that Dante lived above, praying he knew where I meant.“You’re not dressed for the gym.” The cab driver chuckled, peering at me in the rearview mirror.“Oh, no. I’m visiting a friend.”Staring out of the window, I swallowed, wondering what the actual hell I’m doing.I didn’t even have an excuse to see him.“Where are you from?” The cab driver asked, making polite conversation that I wanted to avoid.“Chicago.”“You’re a long way from home, Missy.”“Seventy miles, give or take.”“Well, we’re at the gym,” he declared, tapping
DANTEI dragged my nose down Amber’s throat, inhaling deeply as she lifted her hips to mine, her hand turning my mouth to hers as our lips met in crushing harmony. Her scent drove me wild. Cherries and vanilla… and something else... Woman. My tongue licked her lips, my teeth nibbling on her chin, making their way down the nape of her neck. Her nipples hardened beneath my touch, her hands gripping fistfuls of my hair as I tore her clothes away, the scent of her arousal filling my senses. “Please,” she whimpered when my head slipped between her thighs, lapping at the silky folds that encased her intimate place. Long, confident strokes took me somewhere else entirely.Fuck, yes. “Oh!” Amber gasped, her thighs crushing my head as she bucked beneath me. She was like an iced drink on a hot day. Refreshing.My fingers gripped her ass, allowing me to feast on her the way I’d wanted
DOMINICI drummed my fingers on the desk, exhaling through my nose as Axel glanced at me nervously.“Don’t send anyone to my land again.”The panel before me exchanged confused looks.“But Mr Seven, that land’s sold. We were advising you–”“I won’t tolerate trespassing. My land, my rules.”The woman to my far right frowned, narrowing her eyes at me.“Is that a threat, Mr Seven?”I turned my full attention to her, my gaze holding hers.“I don’t make threats. I’m telling you what will happen.”Axel cleared his throat, sending me a worried look.“They won’t go near our land, correct?”“My land.” I snarled.“No, they won’t go near your land… But as they will be near the lake, would you at least allow the use of that?” The w
DANTETaking a pack of werewolves into an airport wasn’t my finest suggestion, but nevertheless, it provided hours of amusement.Amber was busy showing the younger wolves the vending machines until one wolf banged it so hard it set the alarm off.“Ryan!” I snapped, watching as Amber rolled her eyes.“Calm down, Alpha,” she purred, stroking my arm with her blood-red nails. “Ryan got a bit excited, that’s all.”Delta Greg watched in fascination as an aircraft took off from the runway, his face paling when it lifted into the air.“I’m not sure about this.”I chuckled, my eyes skimming over the pack, who were sprawled over rows of chairs. Teenage girls giggled as they checked out the teen wolves, and I knew when the wolves flirted back that they would be alright in society.It had been my main concern, but together we’d prepared them as best as possi
AmberThe way Dante looked at Indie made my stomach flip. He looked at her in the way a woman never wanted her man to look at anyone but her, but Indie wassixteen.Surely not…I swallowed, trying to remain calm.Indie refused to meet my eyes, and with one last glance at Dante, she turned and fled.Dante swore, dragging his hand through his hair.“We need to go,” I whispered, the sickening feeling in my stomach deepening when Dante nodded, still unable to meet my eyes.I’d just told him I was pregnant, and he seemed more concerned about Indie, a girl he’d never met as far as I knew.“I’m not leaving them all behind, Amber,” Dante said, his jaw clenching.My heart ached with love for him, my fingers reaching out to lace with his. I didn’t want to go either; I needed Dominic like I needed life.But Indie’s warning resounded in my
DANTEThe room was dark, and Lyle leaned against the door, his eyes locked on me.I scanned the room the best I could, noticing that the shadows that lurked in the corners seemed darker than the rest of the room somehow.“What is this?” I asked, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. “Where’s Amber?”“Amber isn’t here. I told you.”I whipped my head in his direction, my fists clenched by my side.Thismanwas a demon, and he was playing games with me, that much I knew.“If you give me my brother and Amber, I’ll walk away.”I would. I’d fight every instinct that told me to save these girls and save my own family.Lyle shook his head, a wry smile on his face.“How are you the Alpha?”“Fuck you.” I spat back. “You don’t know a thing about me.”“Oh, but I
DOMINICLyle, the magic bastard, has ways of pissing me off that no one had been able to reach before.But that didn’t mean I was going to bend to his fucking orders and rules; fuck no.The minute he threw me into the room, I gagged, the stench of rotting meat too much to bear.“Let me out, you fucker!” I roared, pounding my fists on the door.Amber’s been stabbed; we have to get out of here! My wolf commanded, hurling us once more at the door.The idea of our mate bleeding in agony, alone, was enough to make me eat my way through the fucking door.But it wouldn’t budge.Not an inch.Defeated, I turned to take in my surroundings, lifting my shirt to cover my nose. Even my wolf was repulsed, and he ate raw meat.What was this place?There were shelves and dusty blankets made to cover the contents that were strewn on them, but you didn’t need to be a genius to know what the crim
AMBER“No!” I screamed, fighting to reach Dominic, who was gazing at me with sadness.He couldn’t trade places with me.I won’t let him.Dominic changed back into his human form, his eyes glittering dangerously as he studied my captor.“You want to keep me as your captive instead of Amber?” Dominic frowned, tilting his head to the side.“Don’t!” I pleaded, trying to pull myself free of Lyles' grasp.“Yes, you. But not as my captive, as my…warrior.”The very idea of Dominic doing this asshole's bidding was enough to make me die.“You think I’ll barter with you? Why don't I kill you now and be done with it?” Dominic growled, clenching his fists.Pain shot through my side as I gasped, dropping to my knees as I clutched at my waist.Blood poured through my fingers, and I exhaled harshly, trying to remain calm, so Dominic didn&
DANTEI followed Axel into the woods, my wolf whining that I should’ve told someone in the pack where I was going and withwhom.I could’ve, of course. But I didn’t want anyone else to die.The air was thick with blood and fear, my own included.I couldn’t live without Amber.When I’d left earlier, I’d considered never coming back to the pack.I’d considered leaving Amber to be with Dominic, with no thought for myself.It would’ve been simple—Dominic would become Alpha, and Amber remained the Luna.But I’d heard her cries, her whimpers of fear, and I’d turned back, desperate to do the right thing.It seemed that was all I ever tried to do; the right thing.But what was the right thing?Axel and I shifted, changing into our wolves before thundering through the forest, my nose pricking at the scent of Amber and Dominic.
DOMINICThis place was like a fucking maze.Twists and turns in the dark, damp soil filling my nostrils as I land on the floor with a thud.Within seconds I was on my feet, my back pressed against a wall, my eyes adjusting quickly to my surroundings."Come, Dominic," Lyle commanded gruffly, beckoning me to follow him."Where's Amber?" I snarled, bored of his fucking trail of breadcrumbs already.Flames of light flickered on the walls that came into view; weathered rock held my shadow prisoner as I followed Lyle, passing grates on the floor that held weeping women.
AMBERMy fingers stroked the ground beneath them, clawing at the damp gravel.I inhaled, or at least, I tried to, but something was stuffed in my mouth, making me gag.What the hell?I tried to move, but pain shot through my head and back, forcing me to stay still.I wiggled my toes, relieved when I felt them rubbing against the dirt.I’m barefoot.It was dark, and I raised my arm, only to hear a clink of chain preventing me from reaching in front of me.I panicked, tugging both arms at the same time, dread filling my stomach when my movements s
DOMINICI felt Amber’s pain when Dante left, and I hated him even more.He’s leaving her when she hasn’t done anything wrong.Amber glared at me, following Dante out of the door despite him giving us both strict instructions to stay.“Amber.” I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen, waving a hand in my direction dismissively.“Seems like someone doesn’t know her place,” a voice purred from behind me.Jael.“You know, Dominic, mayb