Olivia7 Months Later“It’s official. I’m as big as a small country.” I grumble as I gingerly lower myself into a chair, one arm under my enormous belly. I’m so huge, it takes me a few tries to get my swollen feet up on the footrest, like lifting lead weights. I couldn’t tell you the last time I’ve actually seen the offending appendages. “You’re not that big.” Ellie lies through her teeth until I pin her with the “don’t bullshit me” look and she amends her statement. “Well, not that much bigger than me.”“Please, you look like a runway model for maternity wear with your tiny belly and toned legs. Meanwhile, my ankles could have their own zipcode.” I frown, making no effort to hide my envy. I’m fully aware I’ve been less than pleasant to live with lately but Ellie, my brother, and her other mates have been more than patient with me. A courtesy I definitely don’t deserve. I would have given myself the boot by now if I were them. Thankfully they’ve refrained from showing me the door, pr
Olivia “It’s okay, I’ve got you. Livvy!” I hear a voice talking to me and feel myself lifted into someone’s arms, but I can’t focus on any of it. Pain. My body is wracked with it. Ripping, gnawing, searing, shredding. All of it at once. It’s all-consuming and demands every ounce of my attention. I have vague memories of the pain I suffered when my mates betrayed our unacknowledged bond. But that all blissfully stopped the night they refused to believe my claim. Maybe the months since have dulled my memory of that time, but I can’t remember it ever being as excruciating as this. Something scratches at the back of my mind as Mason carries me to the car. This pain serves a purpose, right? It will bring something good. But the band around my abdomen contracts again and the thought slips away again. Maybe I pass out. Or maybe my mind just shut down completely, protecting me from a reality I’m not ready to face. But the next time awareness creeps back in, it’s to the sound of people
Declan “Pardon me, Beta.” I swallow the grumble threatening to escape at the arrival of the junior warrior currently poking his head in my door, interrupting what little progress I’ve made on the report in my hand. “Come in recruit. What can I do for you?” I school my features into something that looks like, well hopefully not a scowl, and give him my attention. ”Sir, uh, one of the men did not show up for patrol, leaving the east perimeter team down a man. I’d like permission to-” “So why are you bothering me?” I cut him off with a bark more than a question. They all know Kaden is in charge of patrol. “I, um, couldn’t find the Alpha, Sir.” I can smell the blatant lie but I don’t blame the kid. “Can’t find the Alpha” has become code for “I’m a recruit in a tenuous position that I’m not willing to risk by calling him out on his bad behavior.” Behavior that’s only gotten worse over the last several months. “I’ll take care of it.” I tell him with a resigned sigh. “Send someone to
OliviaBeep . . . . . . . . beep . . . . . . beep, beep, beep. The world fades back in the same way it faded out. Or maybe I died and went to hell and this is the Goddess’ way of torturing me. Incessant beeping for all eternity. I try to open my eyes but they feel like they’ve been glued shut. So I give up and try moving a finger instead. Little by little, my muscles respond, until I can wiggle all my fingers and toes. It’s a small victory but maybe I’m not in hell after all.“Lady?” I call for my wolf.Panic surges through me when she doesn’t respond but before I can muster a scream, I feel her stirring in my head. “Puuuuup.” The word is slurred and her voice is groggy but it lights a fire in me that burns through the heavy fatigue and rouses me to life again. My eyes snap open and I lurch forward when a searing pain rips through my chest, knocking me back again.“What the-” I pull the hospital gown away from my body and peer inside. A fading pink scar runs from my sternal notch a
Olivia Kellan Finnick and Deacon Zayne are the most beautiful creatures I’ve ever laid eyes on. The minute Mason placed them in my arms, all my sadness, every ounce of heartache just vanished. All I feel now is adoration, devotion, and overwhelming awe. Not even the fact that they are perfect replicas, a daily reminder of their fathers, can taint the joy in my heart. I feel the weight of Ellie’s stare, her eyes narrowed as if she’s trying to grasp something that’s just out of reach. She may not figure it out today, but she will soon. Maybe it was naive of me to think I could hide their paternity, but now it’s painfully clear my secret has an expiration date. “You’re coming home with us, Olivia. End of story!” Mason’s insistent tone recalls my attention. I reluctantly tear my enamored gaze from my two precious miracles to scowl at my brother. We’ve been having this same argument for two days, him all but demanding the twins and I return to the packhouse with them and me refusing t
Olivia2 Years Later The man charges toward me, his fist swinging out in a wide arc meant to take me down from the side. But I’m faster, ducking under his punch a heartbeat before it connects. With all my strength, I spring forward, thrusting my shoulder into his diaphragm then, as he doubles over, I send him to the ground with a final elbow to the kidney. Kyle rolls to his back with an agonized groan. “Remind me again why I agreed to spar with you.” He stares up at me with that teasing grin I always find so endearing. “Because you’ve deluded yourself into thinking you’ll win.” I offer him my hand to help him up but he catches me off guard, pulling me to the ground beside him. He rolls on top of me, straddling my hips and pinning my arms over my head. “Looks like I just did.” He smirks arrogantly when I fail to buck him off. “You cheated! Now let me up!” I growl playfully. He cocks his head to one side and hums thoughtfully. “I don’t know. I kind of like having you at my mercy
Kaden “Fuck!” I throw myself down on the bed of our hotel room, exhaustion and frustration so deep I can feel it in my bones. Two years! Two fucking years, and Declan and I still haven’t found our mates. We’ve been on the road more than we’ve been home and all we have to show for it is one fruitless search after another. It’s like she doesn’t exist.After my Beta handed me my ass all those years ago, I was pissed. But once I had time to settle down, I realized he was right. I’ve worked hard to clean up my reputation in those two years and become the Alpha my pack deserves. But I need my Luna! My pack needs her too, but I can’t find her anywhere.I feel the knot tighten in my stomach, the one I get everytime I think about the strange experience Declan and I had that day so long ago. Sometimes I even dream about it, that feeling that I’d just lost something important to me but had not idea who or what it was, and I wake up gasping for air. More and more, I wonder if it was her, my mat
Declan “The other attacks were much smaller scale. They appeared to be rogues hunting for food, testing our borders to scavenge our stores.” Uncle Reegan explains.“ This is the first time they fought back when the patrol intercepted them. If they had gotten violent sooner, we would have called you home.” “You’re not the Alphas anymore!” Kaden bellows. “That’s not your call to make. Whether you like it or not, this is my pack now and I decide what’s important and what’s not. If I’d known, I would have fortified the borders. Then maybe none of our men would be hurt.” “Then you should have fucking been here!” Reegan roars, then takes a deep breath and starts again in a calmer tone. “Look son, running a pack is not a part-time job. You can’t do it if you’re never home.” “You know where I was!” Kaden growls. “You knew exactly what I was doing. I’m not out there just fucking off. I’m trying to find my Luna for this pack!” “Nobody is saying that’s not important, son.” Uncle Ryan steps in
Hello Lovely Readers!That's a wrap for Olivia, Kaden, Declan, Brynlee and Rhett! Thank you so much for taking this wild ride with me! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you! As for what's next, get ready to join Finley as she struggles to prove a female is just as capable of being Alpha as any man, not only to her pack, but to all the men in her life, some of whom want nothing more than her success, while other's can't wait to watch her fall. "Not Their Luna: A Female Alpha Story" will begin serializing in a couple weeks, shortly after the new year. If you're looking for something to read in the meantime, please consider checking out my new stand-alone book, "The Lycan King's Outcast Omega." The first 7 cha[ters are out and I'll begin serializing regularly in the next couple of days. Once again, I'd like to thank you all for the amazing support you've shown my books. You all inspire me everyday. Your comments make me laugh, make me smile, and make me
Brynlee "Left!" I call out, moving in perfect sync with Rhett as we corner the rogue wolf we've been tracking for three days. Our client, the Mountain Ridge pack, watches in amazement as we work together, perfectly matched.The rogue doesn't stand a chance against our coordinated attack. Within minutes, Rhett has him pinned while I secure the spelled restraints."Impressive," the Mountain Ridge Alpha says. "Your reputation is well-earned.""We work well together," Rhett responds, his hand finding its natural place on my nape. Through our bond, I feel his eagerness to finish here. To get home. To Maya.The thought of our daughter makes both our wolves restless. Three days is the longest we've been away since her birth four months ago.“Grace says she's been practicing," Olivia tells us over the phone as we drive home. "The little witch is already moving her toys without touching them."Rhett's grip tightens on the steering wheel. Even after two months of knowing about Maya's magical ab
Brynlee "It's a girl," Grace announces with a smile as she completes my monthly check-up. "And she's thriving under your mate bond. Both of your energies are strengthening her."Rhett's hand tightens on my shoulder. Through our bond, I feel his fierce joy mingled with protective instinct."A daughter," he murmurs. "To raise as strong as her mother.""And as protected as her father makes her mother feel," I add, covering his hand with mine.We're in the pack gathering hall, where wolves mill about preparing for tonight's announcement feast. Rhett and I will officially share our plans to become trackers, to help other packs while maintaining our home ties here."Speaking of protection," Grace says carefully, "have you decided where you'll be when . . .""Here," Rhett answers immediately. "We'll time our contracts around the birth. Make sure we're home for at least the first few months.""Both packs will help," Finley adds, entering with a stack of paperwork. "Though from what I hear, yo
Brynlee"Please remind me, Sir. Make me yours again."And with that, the last of his restraint dissolves, leaving my sexy Dom standing where my gentle mate was only moments before. “Follow me.” He demands, turning away and trusting I’ll obey, that trust only making me want to please him further. “Sit.”I take a deep breath as I lower myself into the chair he led me to. It’s a wood-framed chair that’s slightly reclined, a pillowy black cushion that I sink down into stretched across the surface. There are strange leather loops protruding from the wood at the top of the chair and it’s immediately clear the entire thing was built for one very specific purpose. “Arms up over your head, little wolf.” His command is a deep rumble that sends a frisson of pleasure straight to my clit. He steps behind me, and though I can’t see what he’s doing, I’m not afraid. Excitement and eager anticipation is all I can feel. Until he wraps soft cuffs around my wrists and attaches them to the leather loops
Rhett The pack house buzzes with activity as one of the elders works with other witches to break the spells on affected pack members. Grace moves between them, checking for injuries, while warriors secure Xander and Tracy in spelled cells deep underground.But all I can focus on is Brynlee."You need to be checked," I murmur against her hair. We haven't broken contact since the fight ended, my hand resting possessively on her nape."I'm fine," she starts to protest, but stops at my growl."Grace. Now." I let dominance color my tone, watching her melt into the command."Yes, Sir."Heads turn as we cross the great hall - not with the previous worry or pity, but with new respect. My collar sits proud at her throat, her submission now obvious and willing. No more pretense. No more hiding."The baby's fine," Grace announces after examining her. "Actually, it's more than fine. The energy is stronger, more stable." She looks between us. "Whatever happened during the fight seems to have stren
Rhett Training takes over as I evaluate our options. Spelled wolves on three sides, children still in danger, and Xander approaching from the north.Through our bond, I feel Brynlee's certainty. “Trust me,” she pushes through our connection. “Like in training.”"Grace," I command quietly. "Get the pups out. Dad, contain the spelled wolves. Tracy's mine."Before Tracy can react, Brynlee moves - not away from danger but straight toward it. Toward Xander. Every instinct screams to stop her, but I force myself to trust. To let her fight her own battles while I handle mine."You're done, Tracy." I let my dominance fill the space between us. "Your spells are weakening. Your control is slipping. Submit now and—"Her laugh turns hysterical. "Submit? Like your precious mate? The one walking straight into Xander's trap?"But she's wrong. Through our bond, I feel Brynlee's strength. Her purpose.This isn't her walking into a trap. This is her choosing to face her demons. And my job isn't to stop
Rhett "I can't do this anymore!"Brynlee's voice carries across the pack grounds, perfectly pitched to convey desperation. She's standing just where we planned, moonlight catching the tears on her cheeks."You don't have a choice," I growl, playing my part. "You're mine.""No!" She backs away, one hand going to my collar. "I'm not yours. I'm not anyone's. And I won't let you control me anymore."The gathered pack members shift uncomfortably. In the trees, I catch multiple scents - Tracy's spies, spelled wolves, others waiting to report back. Perfect."Don't." My voice drops dangerously as her fingers touch the collar's clasp. Everything in me rebels at what comes next, but we've planned this.The sound of the collar hitting the ground echoes in the sudden silence.My roar of rage is only partly acting. Even knowing this is planned, seeing her remove my collar makes Kian nearly uncontrollable."You'll regret this," I snarl, advancing on her. Right on cue, pack members move to intervene
Rhett "They've made contact." Dad’s voice is grim as he hands me the surveillance photos. "Tracy met with Xander last night, just outside our borders."I study the images, fighting to maintain control as I see them together, heads bent in conversation. Planning. Plotting. Against my mate."Show me where."He points to the map. "Here. Notice anything interesting?""It's a focal point," I realize. "Between three locations where we found spelled wolves."More photos show increased movement around our territory. Unfamiliar wolves. Dark magic signatures. All converging faster than we anticipated."They're not waiting for the new moon," I say quietly."No." Dad marks another location. "The elders detected four more spelled wolves this morning. All moving into position. Whatever they're planning . . .""It's happening soon."My phone buzzes - Finley: Tracy spotted watching breakfast. Your move.Which means another public performance. Another scene of Brynlee rejecting my claim. Each time cut
Brynlee It takes everything in me not to lean into Rhett's touch when he reaches for me at breakfast. Instead, I force myself to flinch away, hating how his scent spikes with controlled aggression - even knowing it's an act."Don't," I say, letting my voice shake just enough. "Please. I just-, I need space."His hand drops, but not before I catch the subtle brush of his fingers against my collar - a private reminder of what's real. Of what lies beneath this performance."You're wearing my collar," he says, loud enough to carry to the curious pack members pretending not to watch. "My claim."I touch the collar, letting them see uncertainty instead of the comfort it truly brings. "Maybe that's the problem."The whispers start immediately. I catch fragments - "too soon," "traumatized," "rejecting the bond" - exactly what we want them to hear. What we want Tracy to hear when her spies inevitably report back.Rhett growls, playing his part perfectly. "We'll discuss this later.""There's no