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OliviaKyle sits across from me, staring into his plate of pasta without taking a bite. We’re at the new Italian restaurant in town but he seems miles away. In fact, in the time that we’ve been dating, it seems to be happening more and more. . “Where did you go?” I reach out and squeeze his hand. His head snaps up, a grin plastered on his face that doesn’t quite meet his eyes.“I’m right here with you.” He starts, then shakes his head when I stare back with raised brows. “Sorry. Just a difficult surgery coming up.”His voice is steady but his pupils dilate a fraction, telling me he might be lying, or at least not divulging the whole truth. But that’s okay, he’s entitled to his secrets. Goddess knows I have a few of my own. Speaking of secrets, Kyle still doesn’t know the biggest one I keep. I know I can’t put it off forever, but we’ve just been getting to know each other as more than friends. Why lay myself bare to him if things don’t work out between us?If I’m being honest, even
Kyle Fuck! She has mates? As in plural? I wonder how many but in the end it doesn’t matter. This changes everything! I should just keep walking and never look back but I can’t. Why is she here in Sacred Moon, raising her boys alone, if she has mates? Is one of them the father or is there someone else in the picture too? Why would she agree to give me a chance if she already met her mates? So many questions I need answers to. I turn on my heels, stomping back to her, and the look of pure devastation on her face almost cracks my resolve. I ball my fists at my sides, resisting the urge to haul her into my arms and kiss that look off her face. Instead, I grit out words in the steeliest tone I can muster. “Tell me everything!” “Kyle,” my name is a sob on her lips and I feel myself weakening, “I’m so sorry! Keeping my secret was never meant to hurt you, I swear! It’s just, I’ve never told anyone. And now, with the boys, it’s all become such a mess.” The words spill from her in a delug
Kaden “Why hasn’t he woken up yet?” I demand of the doctor, letting a bit of my Alpha command color my tone so he knows I mean business. Everyone’s heads snap in my direction at the sound of my growl. Declan’s parents, my Grammy and Papa, hadn’t left his side since he was brought in. And of course, my parents are here with them, since Declan is my mom’s brother. So here I am, the Alpha who can do nothing to give them their son back healthy and whole. I feel helpless and it’s making me snap. “I’m sorry Alpha.” The doctor sighs in exasperation. “It’s like I told you before, his wolf is healing him, but slowly. He’s lucky to be alive. If that guard hadn’t found him when he did, he wouldn’t have made it at all. “I know it’s hard to wait but it’s actually better this way. The longer he sleeps, the easier it will be for his wolf to return to full strength. It’s fortunate the guard recognized the scent of wolfsbane and used the gas mask or you’d have two dead men on your hands.” With th
Declan “Nerve damage?” Kaden questions, scowling as if the words themselves taste bitter. “And he has no idea why your wolf healed all but your legs?” When I suddenly woke from my weeks long coma to find my legs didn’t work, the doctor chased everyone from my room while he assessed the damage. When he was done, he could only shake his head and take a stab in the dark at why my wolf had been able to rid almost my entire body of the effects of the concentrated wolfsbane I’d inhaled, but my legs remained flaccid, useless. He’d decided it must be damage to my spine, affecting the nerves to my legs, but I know the truth is not so easily explained. “That was his best guess.” I confirm, allowing him to help me from the hospital bed to the wheelchair. “He said there’s still a chance I could walk again, with time and therapy.” I say what I know he and everyone else wants to hear, because what else can I say? That a disembodied voice, quite possibly the Moon Goddess herself, came to me in a
Olivia“Thank you for coming over.” I tell Ellie and her mates as they file through the door, their daughter Grace, running off to find my twins without a backward glance. “I know you're busy but there is a lot I need to tell you and, well, it’s better if I do it here. Nowhere to run to if I’m already home.”I huff out a nervous laugh and Kyle squeezes my shoulder encouragingly. After spilling my truth, he’s implored me to come clean to my brother and best friend, not just about the boys’ paternity but everything, even the mate bond. I’m anxious as hell but I’m determined to get my formal rejection and I know I’ll need their support while I heal.“Liv, what’s going on?” Mason asks, worry written all over his face. “And what’s Kyle doing here? No offense man. I’m glad you’ve been there for my sister but this seems like a family matter.”“Stop it, Mace! The overprotective big brother act had its place but I’m more than capable of taking care of myself now. I asked Kyle to be here for mor
Olivia “You didn’t have to come with me.” I glance over at Kyle from the passenger seat. “Nothing about this is going to be fun.” “I want to be there for you.” He insists. “Besides, I have friends in Glass Lake I can visit when you’re busy.” “Well, thank you.” I reach over to squeeze his hand. The minute Mason explained what little mom told him about Brynlee’s condition, Kyle insisted on coming along. I appreciate the support. I truly do. But I can’t shake the guilt eating away at me. I just wish I knew what I felt guilty for, subjecting Kyle to the disaster that is my life in Glass Lake or bringing a man home when I still have mates. Not that I owe them any loyalty. Ugh! What is wrong with me? “So, do I get to meet these friends? Admittedly, I didn’t go out much so I don’t know a lot of people outside of my family. But I’d love to meet them now.” “Uh, Sure. I mean, if you have time. You might be too busy with . . . everything.” He hedges, and I don’t miss the uncertainty in
Kaden “Alpha, we can’t find a trail.” One of my patrol officers reports in. “There’s no scent, no footprints, no disturbed vegetation, nothing. Whoever he is, he’s like a ghost.” “A ghost didn’t assault Brynlee Cross!” I growl, more frustrated with myself than him. How could I let this happen to one of my pack? That girl was my responsibility and I failed her. “Keep looking, soldier!” I bark the order, brooking no argument. I look around for my “cousin” Rhett, and wave him over. He’s the Alpha heir to the Forest Trails pack but I called him here because his tracking skills are unmatched. If we’re missing something, he’ll find it. “Anything yet?” I ask when he jogs to my side. “Too many scents.” He shakes his head. “And most of them have faded. If I can spend some time with the victim, learn her scent, I’m sure I can isolate it enough to find a trail, maybe even find where she was being held, but right now, I don’t know which scent to follow.” “That makes sense.” I agree despite
Kaden “What are you doing here?” I ask, entering the office to find Declan sitting behind the desk. I’d gone back to the hospital but visiting hours were over for the day. No one remained in Brynlee’s room and even the scent of my mate had faded to just a wisp floating in the air. I plan to head straight to the ex-Beta’s home and demand her identity but the pull of duty has me stopping at the office to order increased patrols in the area where I’d overheard the stranger talking earlier. “Hiding.” He scowls. “I can’t take another minute of mom’s fussing or dad’s pep talks. Even Dani is in on the action, cooking and constantly bringing me food. I’m going to weigh a ton before I get out of this chair.” “The danger is real, man. Your little sister can cook!” I tease, ignoring the elephant in the room, that there’s no guarantee he will get out of the chair. As if he read my mind, Declan addresses the topic himself. “I moved my legs in therapy today.” He announces with a proud grin. “N