TylerI blinked awake to sunlight streaming in the penthouse windows, momentarily disoriented. The events of last night came flooding back - the intimate dancing with Aria, our almost-kiss, her panicked exit leaving me dazed and confused. "That was close." I whispered aside smiling Groaning, I dragged a hand down my face. I had pushed things too far, too fast with her. Caught up in the moment, I had forgotten Aria barely knew me. Of course my advances scared her off.My euphoria over getting her number and seeing a glimpse behind her prickly exterior was quickly giving way to regret. I had to make this right somehow before I lost any chance with Aria for good. Rolling out of bed, I contemplated my next move as I went through my morning routine robotically. I needed to talk to Aria in person, apologize for coming on too strong. But would she even give me the chance after last night?Grabbing some coffee in the suite's luxurious kitchen, I almost spit it out when Ian breezed in impec
Keegan The early dawn light filtering into my Spartan quarters roused me from a restless sleep. I rose and began my morning routine, movements automatic from long habit. But my thoughts were consumed with heavier matters - it was time I revealed the truth to Lucas.Splashing cold water on my face, I met my reflection's eyes in the mirror. There was no turning back now that I'd resolved to disclose all. Lucas's reaction worried me deeply, but surely even he could recognize finally learning his mate's whereabouts as cause for joy? I had to hope his long-buried humanity would surface.Part of my reluctance stemmed from shame as well. Lucas would see my role in aiding Heather's escape as the ultimate betrayal. And he would not be entirely wrong - I had deceived my Alpha these long years, however noble my intent to protect an innocent woman. The woman I loved.But Lucas's capacity for cruelty had outweighed duty in my mind back then. While he spiraled into madness, I chose compassion. "Th
Keegan I jolted awake in a cold sweat, Lucas's enraged face still fresh in my mind. Just a nightmare, I told myself, trying to slow my racing pulse. "It's just a dream, yeah just a freeeking nightmare."Lucas had not confronted me yet about Heather's whereabouts. But the dream echoed my all-too-real fears about how he would react to the truth."Shit. Why is my scariest nightmares hunting me." I whispered. "Maybe I should just tell him and get it over my mind." I thought out loud.I rose to begin my day, troubled thoughts weighing heavily. Lucas was still demanding I investigate clues pointing to Heather being somewhere in the coastal city of Bayside. He had no idea I already knew she had relocated there years ago. My dreams of Lucas's violent temper were hardly far-fetched. I still vividly remembered the mad light in his eyes when Heather first disappeared. If he ever learned I aided her escape...Shaking off those chilling memories, I packed my things to depart for Bayside. I had
Lucas"Keegan, you've lost my trust. I've thought you'll find me heather. But you seem you let me down." I fumed.I stormed away from the whimpering Keegan, disgusted by his failure yet again to locate my missing mate."If I wanted something done right, I would have to do it myself." I walked out, leaving him in the office.Heading to my chambers, I crossed paths with my grandmother on my way, her stern expression left no doubt she had heard what I've been saying. She've caught a wind of my plans. "Where do you think you're going?" She asked angrily, as she moved to block my way."Stand aside, grandma, and stay out if this, this time I'm not going to let you toy with me." I bit out impatiently. But she stood firm. "Lucas, turn back from this madness I beg you! Searching for Heather will only bring more heartache to us. To you." He uttered.I let out a harsh bark of laughter. "My heart knows only bitterness since you plot against her and make her left. Now, it's my only chance to mak
Heather The morning sun streamed in through the cafe windows, filling the cozy space with a warm glow. I hummed softly to myself as I wiped down tables and prepared for opening."Life is going smoothly, with Alex, Ian. And everything seems just fine." I uttered, glancing at Aria."Yeah, always what you wanted." She smiled. "I'm happy for you." She added."Actually, it scared me sometime." I sighed. "You know they say, calm before the storm, right?" I asked. "I wondered if this is how it felt like." I whispered."Stay positive love." Aria adviced squeezing my shoulder before she entered the store room.This little cafe had become my haven these past months, a refuge from the chaos I had fled.Glancing at the clock, I saw it was nearly time for my favorite regular customer - my son, Alex, stopping in on his way to school. Seeing his smile brighten when I brought his hot chocolate to the table had become the best part of my mornings. Right on time, the door chimed and Alex walked in,
AlexI blinked awake to rays of morning sun streaming into my bedroom. For a moment I just lay there enjoying the tranquility."Yes, it's a new day again." I smiled.Ever since I had gotten out of the hospital after the attack, I treasured these quiet moments before the chaos of the day began. Swinging my legs out of bed, I suddenly hissed as a sharp ache shot up my left calf. "Arrgh" I hissedLooking down, my brow furrowed in confusion. Where had that random muscle cramp come from? I hadn't done anything strenuous yesterday.Shrugging it off as I got dressed for school."I must've just slept in an odd position." I wondered, but the soreness and occasional odd pains kept plaguing me throughout the morning.In English class, my leg started bouncing restlessly under my desk until Celeb shot me an odd look. "Dude, what's up with you today? You've got like ADHD on steroids," he whispered.I forced my leg to stay still, shaking my head. "No clue man. Just got some weird restless energy
IanThe early morning sun filtering into my office found me already hard at work finalizing plans for the the day about how to improve the branch in Loaka City. Sitting in my new office. In this new branch I've opened."What a hectic day I'll be, I don't think I'll go visit her today." I mumbled aside.Ever since I came here, I had become determined to establish a permanent foothold. And if it meant I got to remain near a certain cafe manager, well, that was simply an added benefit.A knock at my door interrupted my focused planning. "Come in," I called, expecting my assistant with the morning briefings. But instead it was my father who entered, looking serious."Good morning, Father," I stand up greeted him, curious what matter was weighing on him so early. "Ian, I wanted to discuss this talk of opening a branch in Loaka City," he began without preamble. "What makes you so eager to set down stakes there specifically?"I considered my response carefully. My father was not one to act
HeatherMy heart ached seeing the naked fear and confusion in my son's eyes as he pleaded with me for answers. I wished desperately I could protect him from the painful truths much longer. But his transformation was upon us. All I could do was try to guide him through it. Drawing a deep breath, I shifted so I could look into his frightened gaze directly. "Alex, I need you to listen with an open mind. Can you do that for me?"He hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. I squeezed his hand, marshaling my words carefully."You already know some of your...father's family are different. That we have certain abilities others don't understand." I watched Alex's face intently for his reaction."You mean...Lucas and his people? Are you saying they're...werewolves?" He looked at me incredulously. I nodded. "Yes. And that lineage is passed down. Including to you, my son." Alex paled at the implication.Shaking his head frantically, he pulled back from me. "No, no way! Werewolves aren't real, and ne
And as he does so, he answers the question he literally forced me to ask while my moans and screams are confused with eachother. "No one else fucking wants you", his moves are so tight and almost forceful that I can't help but wonder how in the world he still has all that stamina. "It hurts", I moan as I try to reach for his waist and push again, but he slaps my hands away and grabs my boobs. "Didn't you want it hard? I'm doing just that, or do you want me to leave? Did you have a change of mind?" His fingers are giving my nipples the tightest pinch they've ever gotten and his palms remain firmly pressed on my breasts. "You'll barely be able to walk when I'm done", he pauses as I start to feel his manhood harden and pulsate inside of me. Dripping hot precum also starts to coat my inside and mix with my wetness as he continues his movement. "And you know what will happen when I'm done?", through my glassy eyes, I notice the smirk on his face, "I'll take you again and again a
Heather With Mara gone, the estate felt peace and calm, like the storm had passed. Some funny thing is no one grieved over Mara's death, even though she was once the Luna. Even her son, Archer. Lucas never loved her in the first place. He softened to me and more wary of letting fear rule him. Our bond emerged stronger for enduring the trial. Together Lucas and I slowly mended torn relationships throughout the pack, reassuring all of our peaceful intentions. Keegan’s wisdom and discretion proved invaluable in maintaining stability through the transition. And Alex’s calm strength gave me courage when threats of fresh dissent arose. He would make a fine leader someday, if we could break the bleak cycle of suspicion and isolation. Archer remained more inscrutable, keeping his own counsel for a time. But Alex's tireless faith seemed to gently erode his walls. And seeing Lucas choose unity over vengeance clearly gave him much to ponder internally. I hoped in time the seeds of healing
Archer's POV The commotion in the hallway drew everyone's alarmed attention from the dinner table. Shouts echoed, then Keegan appeared supporting mother's distressingly still form. Dark blood stained her robes and face."What has happened?" Father demanded, rushing over with the others. But none needed ask as the gruesome truth became painfully clear. Mother had taken her own life, reasons unknown. An icy void opened within me. I know why. She chooses this for herself.In the chaotic hours that followed, I retreated numbly to the solitude of the grounds, tormented by guilt and questions. What had driven the proud Alpha female to such an extreme end? She had appeared the very picture of health mere hours before at dinner. Nothing made sense.Over the next harrowing days, the murky circumstances came to light under Keegan's discretionary investigation. Among mother's things he uncovered incriminating letters - one for father pleading again to cast out Heather before she destroyed him.
MaraBitterness churned within me as Lucas welcomed Heather back so readily after all the grief her disappearance caused. She had stolen his affections from me long ago with her bewitching powers, and now the spell was cast anew despite my warnings. Lucas was blind in his obsession once more.I would not let her destroy my son again. Since reasoned arguments proved futile, more duplicitous means were required. I slipped tiny portions of monkshood tincture each day into Heather's wine at dinner, under guise of graceful hospitality. Just enough to make her sickly, not draw suspicion. Soon parallel symptoms began appearing in my soft-headed son as well - fatigue, headaches, fits of anger. But it was necessary collateral damage to free him from her toxins. Once weaned off her presence, Lucas would regain his senses. I remained vigilant for any opportunity to administer larger, more disfiguring doses when the time was right.But fate conspired against me when Archer noticed his ailing fat
LucasThe long road of recovery thereafter was its own grueling nightmare. My own weakness disgusted me. But Heather and Alex stayed steadfast through every faltering step, humiliation, and defeated curse. Their faith fueled me like oxygen to resume the fight each day. Leaving the bleak hospital at last to continue healing surrounded by family brought profound peace. Despite my grandmother's lingering wariness, she and Mara welcomed Heather back graciously. The circle had held through our darkest hour.My body gradually mended, though the leg brace and cane still left me reliant on others' assistance shamefully often. But Heather never allowed me to slip into despair, staying bright and gently scolding when I cursed my feeble condition too harshly. Her inner light sustained me, even through my blackest moods.Alex too helped ease the restlessness, smiling encouragement through each halting mile walked together around the grounds. In his eyes I glimpsed again the heroic father I had p
Heather Everything happened so fast - the gun, Lucas diving to shield me, the deafening crack of the shot. Then Lucas crumpling heavily to the floor amidst the chaos, dark red blooming across his chest. The scream trapped in my throat escaped as a shattered gasp. I rushed to Lucas's side with Alex, pressing my hands desperately against the gushing wound. Lucas's face had gone pale and slack, barely conscious. "No no no, stay with me!" I begged him. Our surroundings faded away, Ian's deranged shouting, the sirens outside, everything but Lucas's dimming eyes locked on mine. "Heather...forgive me..." he rasped faintly, each word clearly agonizing. His hand found mine, grip feeble. "Tell...Alex..." "Shhh don't speak, save your strength!" I pleaded, tears blurring my vision. But his eyes slid closed, body going limp. "Lucas! Lucas please!" My broken sobs echoed in the sudden quiet.Everything after became a hellish blur - police and paramedics storming in, Ian screaming threats and cu
LucasRage boiled through my veins as Richard tried to hit their car. I watched Keegan speed off with Heather. And I feel at ease. That damned snake Richard had nearly killed her! If I had arrived seconds later...I cut off the chilling thought, forcing icy composure over the maelstrom inside me. Now was not the time for blind fury. Richard remained barely conscious at my feet, helpless prey awaiting judgment. I could make his death agonizingly slow, wring every scream from his worthless hide... But no. That was the old madness. I would not sink to his level, however deserved such vengeance might be. Death would come by my hand swift and clean. The serpent had stolen too much time from me already.I hauled Richard up by his torn shirt, claws piercing through the thin fabric to dimple his skin. He peered at me with dazed yet defiant hatred. "You should have stayed dead, snake," I rumbled. My hand flexed, ready to shred his throat out in one vicious stroke. This would finally be fini
71 Heather's POV:My head spun as Keegan wove the disturbing tale of Ian's - no, Richard's - true identity and motives. The friend I had trusted so implicitly was merely using me as a pawn in some toxic feud with Lucas. And now he was regaining dangerous lucidity in the backseat, malice smoldering in his eyes."Just focus on the road ahead," I told Keegan, trying to ignore Richard's presence behind us. I clutched Alex's hand like a lifeline. We were so close now to real freedom. I refused to let Richard's poisonous schemes drag us back under. Not this time. Alex gave my hand a determined squeeze, meeting my gaze steadily despite the fear in his eyes. My brave boy. We would face whatever came next together. I offered him a reassuring smile before turning to Keegan."What's the plan once we get some distance?" I asked, keeping my tone low. Keegan's brow creased in focus as he navigated busy streets. "I have contacts out of state who can help get you set up with new identities and pap
Keegan Getting inside proved simple once Ian was safely unconscious - the wards recognized his signature and granted entrance readily. Moving cautiously, I followed the scent trails further inside until I located Heather and Alex in a barren side room. They both startled violently at my entrance with Ian's body slung over my shoulder."Keegan!" Heather gasped out, shock and alarm widening her eyes. "What are you doing here? What's wrong with Ian?" She started to rush over but I halted her with an upraised hand. "Please, I beg you to hear me out Heather. Ian is only sedated, so I could speak freely." I lowered Ian's limp form to the floor. "There are truths you need to understand before this goes any further."Alex moved in front of his mother protectively. "Truths? More like Lucas sent his lackey here to drag us back!" His young face hardened. "Well you can forget it, we're never going near him again."I held the boy's glare evenly. "I know you have no reason to trust me. But neithe