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~Harlow’s Point of View~There aren’t going to be a whole lot of days this year where I can get away with a summer dress, so this is it. I look down at a mint green knee length dress with white polka dots and lace trim that I pulled from the rack. It's probably the prettiest thing that’s ever been against my skin. It even cuts a bit low, revealing some cleavage I seem to have gotten recently.I gape at my reflection in the mirror and literally don’t even recognize myself. In the last few months I’ve easily gained thirty pounds. It's amazing what happens when you can actually get food whenever you’re hungry. And Goddess knows I’m eating more than my share these days.Since my entire body has filled out, thankfully my belly pudge isn’t even that noticeable. For now. Yeah, it's just a muffin top. Curvy is just a word for females to feel sexy but that’s not me. I’m happily chubby because it means I’m not starving.My eyes move to the cute black boots against my dresser. I’m not entirely su
~Harlow’s Point of View~What the heck am I doing? Ohh damn these hormones! I thought I had them under control, but I’m apparently no match for Luke Payne. I’m likely just some warm body to him, there’s no way he cares about me.Right now I’m not sure it matters. Can I be one of those females that doesn’t have any emotion attached to being with a male? It’s just… scratching an itch right?Because Goddess I itch more than the time I got poison ivy!My mind whirls as I lead him outside, without a clue as to where I’m actually going. For a moment I think about going out in the woods where I get my morning package for Skip, but something tells me not to. I push out a door on the opposite side of the school that’s away from the woods, into an empty parking lot. For fire drills, everyone is supposed to go out front, unless they are being bad or just leave completely. Goddess why does it feel so good to be bad? Or maybe just do as the bullies who I hate do? Maybe just this once I can see wha
~Luke’s Point of View~Absolute shame hits me along with the fresh air near the football field. I dash into the woods, knowing I’m seconds from losing it. All of it. Having Godrey’s wrath reign down on me all because I had this moment of weakness.I knew that touching Harlow would be bad, no… heaven. She would be utter heaven. But my control… that… That was on the line. I was literally a second from ruining my entire existence. What I should be doing is confessing, I know several Shadows are here right now. I should call for help, come clean. I need to feed and the idea I could be having a warm human right now pushes me even further to the edge.But I don’t want just any human. I sure as hell don’t want a male. Only one that reeks of sunflowers and sun, has a kiss that’s like a straight shock to my dick and tastes like no one else I’ve ever experienced. And I haven’t even had her blood.No, I simply can’t. I know without a shadow of a doubt if I taste Harlow, I probably won’t stop.It
~Harlow’s Point of View~“You doing okay hun? You seem a bit distracted tonight,” Angel says, giving me a small smile. I shake myself a bit, knowing that the council witch is basically a human lie detector. She’s also served as a shrink to me of sorts, making sure that I don’t have any lasting effects from my attack. She’s been so knowledgeable with all of my thousands of questions. I really do look forward to our weekly appointments.“I’m okay. School’s been a lot. I’ve also been anxious for my scan tonight,” I say, knowing that it’s a big one. She nods with understanding and thankfully buys my explanation. I mean, it isn’t a total lie.“I’ll go ahead and renew the spells I have in place on you before you go, to keep things hidden. But pretty soon your body is going to change too much and it’ll be obvious. We’ll keep the scent hidden indefinitely as long as we can so it only smells like you,” she says, rising to her feet. I don’t answer her, because it's nothing I don’t already know
~Tate’s Point of View~My heart races and the blood in my body practically heats to a melting point every time I’m near Harlow. But tonight, sharing her ultrasound with her, was everything. I could tell it was to her too. Good thing I’d been pacing in the hallway like a lunatic waiting to see her for an hour.Colt is restless in my mind, already having played out the entire night in his head. I just need to convince her to go along with it.*We almost had her last time,* Colt says, whining and hanging his head.The full moon is in a couple days, so naturally all unmated males are keyed up. But that’s an excuse for us feeling this way; because obviously it’s just Harlow. We’re like this every time she comes out here, and I know that as her pregnancy progresses, she’ll only have more and more appointments. As I turn to stare at her, I simply can’t help the butterflies in my gut, and the stupid smile on my face.“So uhm, you in a hurry to get back at all,” I ask, as I wipe my mouth. The
~Harlow’s Point of View~“I’m sorry what,” he asks, and his face is absolutely priceless. I scold myself when I realize what I just said and shake my head with embarrassment.“Goddess I didn’t mean… uhm… I mean like everything you do just seems so effortless. You move with such ease like you’ve already mapped it out in your head,” I say, somewhat stumbling over my words like an idiot. I look off into the distance, feeling my cheeks heat. The hot water doesn’t help.Like you could think straight sitting in the lap of a hot warrior with a massive erection!! HUUUGE!I mean elephant trunk huge!! That isn’t normal! I’ve seen plenty of naked males and none were close to this!“Oh that’s just my training,” he says, and I can feel him looking at me. I start to pull back, sensing how awkward this is, but his arm snakes around me in the best way. It's quiet for a long minute, and I have absolutely no idea what to say. It’s all I can do to not panic. No, to hell with that, it's literally all I
~Tate’s Point of View~*We shouldn’t be here,* Colt grunts, as he thunders through the woods. I can only agree. I’m practically faint with the memory of her touch, her breath, her everything.I’ve never been more sure of the fact that Harlow is indeed my fated mate. Just thinking about her practically naked on my lap…*Make a right, you’ll see us,* Hunter shouts over mind-link, as my wolf abruptly turns.When we break through and into the clearing, I see literally the entire council assembled, and my dearest grandfather barking orders. There are at least a dozen Shadows. Ugh, gonna be a long damn night. For the entire council to be out, together? Not good. They rarely involve themselves in our day to day.“Tate! Where have you been,” my father snaps, with my mom by his side. He’s harder on me than any other of my siblings and since we’re the youngest, yeah it pisses me off. But I do like rising to meet his demands in a way. It’s a tit for tat and based on the stories I’ve heard about
~Harlow’s Point of View~A yawn escapes my lips as I listen to Ginny carry on about her day over dinner. Today was a true test of my patience because it seemed to drag on forever. Without Luke to be a distraction, I had just my daydreams of last night with Tate. I don’t know what to make of Luke not being in school, but it irritates me. But also, a part of me has to wonder if he was telling the truth. Maybe he didn’t leave because of me. If that’s the case, how will I handle two males in my life at once?“So? The clothes are good? You look super cute,” Ginny says, pointing to the new yellow blouse I’m wearing. I had picked several tops that were loose enough to give me room to grow.I smile down at myself, definitely happy with the new wardrobe. But I was also desperate to get up to my room and into just a nightgown. My boobs and feet are killing me and the jeans I’d chosen are a bit tight. I’d stayed late after school in the chemistry lab, trying to make up for what I missed yesterd
~Rowan’s Point of View~“A word before ya go,” my father bellows, and I cringe though I don’t show it. I turn back to Harlow who looks petrified, but trying to hold it together. I hate to leave her, even for a second. “Go ahead, I’ll use the bathroom,” she offers, and I point toward a powder room several doors down.“Wait right here for me, I won’t be long,” I whisper, though I know even in his office behind his desk my dad heard it. I reluctantly watch her go, then partially close his door. Though I’m still standing across the room from him, there’s no way I’m leaving this spot. “Say what you want to say,” I tell him. He’ll give me warnings, tell me whatever. It won’t matter. I cross my arms.He slowly taps his finger on his desk, the way he always does when he’s making a point or wants to seem intimidating.“Don’t let this mate business cloud your head boy. You still have a very active assignment ya seem to have forgotten,” he says, and I ball my right hand into a fist and count
~Harlow’s Point of View~“I’ve just never seen so many different flowers,” I gush, reaching for another that smells divine. Hope has awakened more in me than I ever knew possible, and I haven’t even shifted yet. Everything is stronger, brighter. Louder.And of course…*Hmmm look at mate, so sexy,* Hope coos, as I watch Rowan bend over to tie his shoe. Such a simple act, simple and normal. But every damn hormone in my body wants me to rush him, knock him on the ground and mount him like a fucking animal.*Well, it IS a good idea,* Hope chirps. I blow her off, and look down at my feet. I probably should get some clothes, though I already love smelling like him. It’s hard to convince my mind I’m really free of that warlock freak. Rowan has told me he was killed by the Shadows, but he’s still haunting my dreams. Not only that, Caden is still out there somewhere. Even though I know he would be suicidal to try and come after me, it’s more than that. I think about those other girls, sold of
~Two Days Later~~Luc’s Point of View~“I want to know everything, starting with when you became Alpha of Harlow’s pack,” I say, dangling a huge bag of food in front of Otis. He’s all too desperate for normal greasy fare, his wolf sick of hunting for fish and other ocean creatures. The waft of cheeseburgers even catches my interest. I’d bought a dozen of them along with other things. It’s still a rare treat for me, getting used to how food is now.“How fucking long do I have to stay here,” he whines, falling in front of a fire. “Not sure yet. But telling me about Harlow’s family and past will go a long way,” I say, though I have no idea if it's the truth. As far as he’s concerned it is and that’s good enough.I reach in the bag for a cheeseburger and tease him with it. He sighs and nods, snatching it from my hand. I help myself to one as well, and give him a minute to eat.Chance gave me a recording device and even showed me how to use it. I can’t trust this male at all, and Harlow d
~Hope’s Point of View~*I am a total badass! I survived a bomb,* I shout, victorious.*Uhm I survived it, you weren’t even here yet hellooo. I’ve been waiting a very long time already,* my human whines.I scoff and demand that she size up these males. They’re not even shifters! Wait, my mate is not a shifter?? What is the Goddess doing to me?! Did the human know about this??*To US! We’re one person in case you haven’t noticed! And no, I met him the same time as you,* my human complains. I scoff!Our head and eyes fall to the floor, and I’m immediately furious.*Hold your head high I said! Show no fear or they’ll eat us for dinner,* I snap, letting her know the deal. If I can’t shift I’m damn well going to make sure she knows I’m here and in control! I refuse to be stuck inside the body of a push over, that’s not how this is going to work.My human sighs and forces our head up, demanding answers from these weird males. When she baits them, I couldn’t be more proud! Our mate speaks up
~Rowan’s Point of View~I stare down at the three warlocks we use when we need serious magic, more than fairies are capable of pulling off. It pains me to admit that; our family prides itself on moving mountains to get jobs done. But even we have our limitations.“We’re out of time,” I snarl, impatient. My brothers and I wait on a large boat right where the forcefield over Hans’ home begins. There are others from our clan here as well, and six of my cousins. Thirty men in total are ready to go. Half will go in the house and half will fight guards outside of it. One is going to stay on the boat and watch for Shadows, since they could be anywhere. Of course Hans lives right on the water, only the best. “Just got word from the fight, it's starting and he’s there. Front and center with at least a dozen guards,” Declan says, as we all breathe a collective sigh of relief.When we all hear the distinct sound of a low sizzle fizz out, we waste no time. I quickly eye the spot in the yard abou
~Luke’s Point of View~“So am I supposed to win or not,” I whine, annoyed with Godfrey. He sure talks a lot for someone who doesn’t actually say much. Doesn’t help that he’s the last person I want in my face right now.“The first few fighters you’re going to crush but leave alive,” he says, annoyed. He’s probably repeated himself a few times but I shake it off. My entire being is literally buzzing and it’s not from the already half drunk and rowdy crowd surrounding me. I’ve drank more human blood in the last few hours than I’ve probably had in weeks combined. And it's been directly from the source, no bagged bullshit. But that’s not going to matter to the vampire side of my brain in a fight. When the frenzy most certainly comes.If I’m under attack and blood is in the air, I’m going to want it. I haven’t had a real fight since before my punishment; the training I’ve had with the Shadows hasn’t been true life or death. Not only that, I’ve been told that the male who has Harlow is going
~Harlow’s Point of View~“This way dear Roos,” Sir says, as he leads me down a weird hallway I haven’t seen before. But that’s hardly saying much when his house is its own town. I tune him out, and the fact that the house is too quiet. I literally haven’t seen another female or child. Though it is late, maybe it's past their bedtime.But that’s just even more worrisome. Good things don’t happen behind closed doors after ten at night. Not in this house. As we walk, I think about what the doctor had said. I can only pray Sir will actually take his advice.The doctor told Sir that I could potentially go into labor any day, praise my lucky stars he wasn’t a shifter doctor. So he’s guessing. His guessing is what might hopefully buy me more time. “She-wolves are only generally in labor four months or less so she won’t go the full nine months a human would. You need to use great caution with her, you don’t want to trigger an early labor. The animals are much better at knowing when it's time
~Rowan’s Point of View~“Fuck, it’s too many,” I say, looking through the binoculars at the compound of Hans Hendricks. King perv and utterly nasty bastard. Killing him will be an absolute joy, and my entire body practically salivates thinking about it.The kind of fairy I am, draws its energy and its strength on taking lives. Not just any lives though, the worse the better. And since we crave it, we absolutely need it to survive, my family decided long ago to cash in on it.Soul devourers, for hire.“Da’s on his way,” Colin whispers, and I groan.“There’s no avoiding it,” Declan says, already knowing my thoughts.Dad’s gonna come in here, fire blazing and just level the entire place. It’s obviously full of kids, and revenge or not we can’t have that. While most would believe by our reputation we don’t care about hurting innocents, we do. Most of us.“What’s that,” I question, pointing at something far off in the distance. It was a light, barely visible for a moment, but I saw it. “R
~Harlow’s Point of View~“Ouch,” I snap, as a female hits my fingers with a ruler. A damned ruler! What am I five and getting into the cookie jar?“Don’t you dare talk back. If you do that to daddy, you’ll pay dearly. He’ll make sure you can’t walk for a week. I’ve never seen him baby someone THIS much,” she huffs, practically in a hiss.I press my lips into a tight line as I feel Bunny kick. She’s given me so much strength, and I know everything I do for the rest of my days is for her. So I can’t be stupid here. Not until I know what I’m fully up against.And I’ll be DAMNED if I call that fat penguin freak daddy. Even for all his weird kinks, that's something I could never see Luke demanding. Ick!I’ll be further damned if I’m going to have my baby here. This house is gorgeous but it feels almost like a funeral home. I visited one once when I was briefly homed with a human family, and it was absolutely the creepiest place ever. A crypt outside with mummies would be less intimidating.