LilaI lay in bed with Ryan and thank the Moon Goddess he is mine, but I am also sad. I may have rushed into this relationship and breaking up with a wolf seems impossible- not that I want to.Ryan is handsome and rugged and only a year older than me but I’ll admit, he is so much more mature. He is so sweet and caring and the way he leads is a turn-on. He is second in command in his pack at only 18 years old- that’s quite incredible, right?I tell everyone when they ask me that I don’t remember my family, but I lie. I was the lone survivor of a family of 4 when the car crashed. I remember my father’s and my mother’s faces. I remember how my baby sister laughed; she was only 2 when she died.It happened so quickly. I remember listening to the radio and then a crunch that followed fire and ash. My body hurt everywhere but they were all dead and I was left alive. Emergency services were on the scene within minutes, but they could not save them- not one of them.My mother stayed home and
ColtI left them alone and I am trying to be okay with it but it’s hard. I don’t want to share my mate- with anyone. I don’t care if that person is my brother, best friend, or even a stranger but the fact is; Ian is her mate too.He wasn’t wrong when he said I was trying to keep her from him because I was. I may have put little whispers into Maddie’s ear, calling him evil. He may be a little evil, but he’s not on devil status. I sigh as I lean against the SUV and look up toward the night sky.The night is clear and beautiful but as I feel for Maddie, I don’t feel her in pleasure but rather confusion and I sigh, glancing back at our room.Do I go back? Do I let them figure it out?Ian brought up pleasuring her together and that made me uneasy, but it also means I can make sure he doesn’t try to take her away from me. I can already tell Ian is very manipulative.I walk back to the room and place my forehead on the door. I am not sure what I will find when I open it, so I prepare myself.
Maddie It’s funny really. Of course, that’s the case; they are yin and yang. Death and life. I thought my visions were awful but this- this takes the cake. It explains so much more about Ian’s behavior and why he tried to fool me into wanting him. He isn’t a monster- he is damaged. It all makes sense now. I can only imagine what the lab made him do to test it out and I am not surprised he can’t control it- I can’t control mine either but at least mine warns me of danger. Ian is the danger. I grab Ian’s hand and the ions take over. They make my body go into a sensual state and I moan immediately. The ions make my core instantly wet, and Ian tries to pull away but I shake my head; I want this now. He hugs me and moan again as more tingles ignite. The next thing I know, he is reaching for my pants but I don’t stop him. I let him unbutton them and take them off. I can feel Colt’s unease through the bond but maybe they were right; maybe we should do this together. I see lightning thr
MaddieWe have been running all night and mainly through the forest. Ryan has been making sure we stay away from all traffic cameras, and I am thankful he knows more about the human world than the rest of us.Ian has even been falling in line and even our wolves have been playing together. He is so different now that he has told us about the curse. I think that lifted a big fog that he had held onto for so many years. He is feeling a little freer- plus, being outside without a mission from the lab is true freedom.Ryan stops and Lila crawls off his back. He shifts back into human form and looks around and the wooded area we are in, “I think we should rest here. I also think we should do the ritual so we can mind link.”“Mind-link?” Ian asks, confused and I nod.“If we each take a drop of each other’s blood, we will be able to talk to each other with our minds. Not only in wolf form but human too. I don’t know why we didn’t think of this before.” I gasp, smashing my palm to my forehead
ColtThe rest period went too quickly for me, but I got to hold and cuddle my mate and that was the best feeling. The worst was when I opened my eyes, and my evil twin was staring back at me. I jumped and the smile on his face was sadistic.“Where’s Maddie?” I ask, looking at her empty spot.“She went hunting with Ryan. They left Lila to babysit us,” he says pointing at her. Lila grins as she stokes the fire.“But you two aren’t going to be bad, right?” she asks, eyeing us like a mother hen. I look at Ian and we both shake our heads, and she nods satisfied. “Good because I don’t want to have to mind-link Maddie,” she smiles as her eyes narrow. We both nod again and she goes back to what she was doing. I think I may have just become a little afraid of that human. She looks sweet but I definitely wouldn’t want to be on her bad side.I sit up slowly, and Ian watches me as he hands me a fresh bottle of water, “I think it’s time we stop the bullshit.”I look at him, wondering what his an
LilaThis is the most fun I have ever had in my life. The danger is exciting and new. Does it suck that we are being hunted? Yes, but I also get to spend time with my mate and best friend before I have to leave her. Spending time with Ryan like this makes me realize I do belong to him, and I will go where he does. So, I won’t be saying goodbye to Maddie but see you later.“Do you understand, Lila?” Ryan asks me again, pulling me out of my thoughts.I nod as I look at the little town from the trees we hiding among, “Yes, hair dye, hats, and some canned food and water.”“Exactly, and?”“Keep my head down. Don’t look up at the cameras in the store or on the street.” I say, eying him. He smiles, cupping my cheeks with his hands.“Exactly. The cameras are most likely fake, but we can’t take any chances.” I nod, and he kisses my lips. We will be right here. Mind-link me if you need anything but in and out. If they ask you who you are?”I grin and throw a British accent, “Tayla Roberts.”Ry
MaddieI don’t know how they snuck up on us, but they did. I guess it’s because none of us were expecting rogues in the area. Ryan told us the woods behind us were human-owned, so no wolves should be there. Well, surprise, surprise. I didn’t realize how bad rogues were until now. Being a lone wolf without a pack shouldn’t be a crime, but now I see why it is.“What’s the human girl’s name?” the rogue leader growls. None of us answer, and he punches Ian in the face. It’s common sense that they would prey on the weakest. Blood splatters from his mouth, and my gut tenses, but I try not to let them know. We learned, when being integrated, to never let them know if someone is important to you- that’s all the leverage they’ll ever need.“What’s her name!?” he asks again, punching him again, but Ian doesn’t even gasp in pain even though blood is dripping down his face- he has never been sexier to me than he is right now. He is protecting Lila, and I don’t know why. I figured he wouldn’t take
RyanFlashback“DO IT! Do it now, or she’ll get the punishment!!!” Mr. Norms is screaming at the top of his lungs at me. I cower behind a table in the outside yard, hugging the tiny animal to my chest. This isn’t fair. He points to Julia again, “Do it, 1003! There isn’t going to be another chance to change my mind. If you don’t do as your told, Julia won’t eat for the week.”I sigh, patting the rabbit’s head I found in the yard. It’s just a little baby, so sweet and cute. Unfortunately, we just had to kill one for a test a few weeks back, but it’s not like we’re starving- I planned to let him go, but Mr. Norms found me cuddling the rabbit and told me not to play with my food.“Snap its neck, 1003,” he says again. A handler has Julia pinned against the compound wall, and he is using her as leverage. He wants to know if I’ll kill for her. She’s my family; why wouldn’t I? But the rabbit doesn’t deserve it. This is purely for his entertainment and our pain.He is a sick man.I pat the so
Maddie I hug Lila goodbye as she has tears in her eyes, “We will be back, you know that,” I whisper into her ear. She wipes her eyes as she sighs. “I know, and I understand why I can’t come, but I will miss all of you. Even Ian,” she says, and I chuckle as I wipe the tears that fall from my eyes. Then, finally, I release her so Ryan can hug her next. “It’s only for a few days,” Andy reminds us both. We are going to kill the Norms and be home by Saturday.” He says with confidence. We both nod, and Lila sighs, kissing and hugging Ryan. I watch them as Colt grabs my hand, “She is safest here, you know.” He reminds me. I nod, “I know. I am glad she won’t be alone here but still.” I say, looking at the staff that will stay with her. She is my sister, and I will miss her dearly. “Is everyone ready?” Andy asks, and we all nod. Even though we have to leave Lila and I can’t see into the future like him, I know I am ready. This has been a long time coming, and I am prepared for it to end
ColtIt’s been three days since Andy showed us the basement where we would be training, and we have been down here every day ever since. There is so much equipment down here that it’s insane. When he said he had unlimited resources, he wasn’t kidding.“Duck!” Ryan shouts to me, and I do, avoiding Andy’s fist. We have been down here not only learning to control our powers but also learning to fight at the same time.“GO, Ryan!” Andy shouts, and Ryan closes his eyes, twisting into a twister. Everything in the basement gets windy, and Andy claps his hands, “See! You got it,” he says, and Ryan twists back into himself.“I still can’t believe I can do that,” he admits, and I nod, agreeing. Yep. None of us ever imagined he could become a twister. Even though he can do the things that Andy does, he is still not as powerful as him; none of us are.Ian walks down the stairs carrying a dead bunny, and I know it’s my turn. He grins evilly, and I roll my eyes. Andy’s sense of humor is sick. He
RyanI have never seen anything like this in my entire life. This house is massive, and there are so many rooms. My entire pack could live here. As we walk inside, we are greeted with a grand staircase, but there are two more entryways in either direction to explore the house.“This way first,” Andy says, pointing up the stairs. “I’ll give you the grand tour after dinner.” Lila smiles as she grabs my hand, and we begin to climb the stairs. I can hear her heart beating and feel her excitement through the bond. I know this must be exciting for her. By becoming Maddie’s friend, she was thrown into an extraordinary life.When we reach the top, there’s a long hallway and a vast living area. Complete with a traditional kitchen and a living room. It looks as big as Caleb’s packhouse. “Each of you will have a room up here on this floor. Mates, of course, share,” he says, winking at Colt and Maddie, and I mind-link her, “He’s weird, right?” Maddie chuckles and covers her mouth as he shows us
MaddieSilence ensues in the limo, and I eye my pack as Andy scrolls on his phone. “Do you really think we can trust him?” Colt’s voice comes through the group mind link, and Ian and Ryan begin to talk over one another.“No, why, how, where, no,”“STOP!” I shout. “One at a time,” I say as I eye Ryan; he is our leader; he should go first.“I don’t know, and look at this- a freaking limo, what the hell?” he responds, and I notice Andy’s eyes dart between us all- he knows were mind-linking, but of course, he would; he has a pack.“If there is something you guys want to ask me, just ask. I promise, I am an open book,” he says, placing his hands in his lap. I look around the limo at our pack and clear my throat. We definitely have questions.“How do you have money?” I ask. This is valid. Most of us ended up barely getting by.Andy chuckles and lifts his hands up as he speaks, “I was found by a pack after we all split up. I am now the heir to the pack and future Alpha. My adoptive father is
AndyIt has been nine years since I have seen any of them, but they look the same as they do in my visions. I know where they have all been- I keep tabs on my OG pack. Pack.That’s a funny word. One I didn’t know until I was in the outside world. I often wonder if I made the right decision leaving them. I have seen some of the stuff they have all been through, and I know it’s horrendous.I have watched all of them closely over the years struggle, but I have gained money and power. My powers are all of theirs but mixed. I have visions of the future, much like Maddie, but mine are more in-depth, and I can control when they come.I can bring people back to life, like Colt, and even kill them like Ian, but not with a kiss but with the flick of my wrist.Like Ryan, I can control the weather, but the elements, too: Wind, Earth, Water, and even Fire.I can manipulate feelings like Julia and feel them, but I don’t allow them to eat me like she has. She has no idea what she is truly capable
ColtI watch as the wind blows through Maddie’s hair, and I smile. My mate is so beautiful and intelligent. I am so happy the fake bond is gone, but how can we ever trust my evil twin now? He almost had us all fooled. I want to kill him, but I know none of them will let me, but only because of Selene.Maddie’s body suddenly stiffens and begins convulsing. Shit, what is it now?“Pull over,” Ryan shouts through the truck window. Ken stops the truck, and I cradle her head in my lap to save her from banging it against the metal sides. The convulsing only lasts a few minutes, and then her eyes fly open.“They are coming!” she shouts.“The lab? They found us?!” Ian asks, and Maddie shakes her head, trying to sit up.“The Mafia, Drive!!!” she screams.Ryan bangs on the window, and Ken begins driving as she looks at Julia, “A man with dark hair and dark eyes wants you back. I saw a tattoo of a hawk.”“That’s Antonio,” Julia’s voice is almost a whisper, “But don’t they all think I’m dead?”“Y
MaddieThe pain is excruciating, and I grip Colt’s shoulder as it radiates through my entire being. Even my bones feel on fire. Ryan made it sound like it would be more painful for Ian, but this is the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. It feels like part of my soul is literally being ripped away from my body.My stomach churns, and I hear Ryan say he has told hold the melted metal for two minutes, but this is beginning to feel like hours. Ian’s bond is being pulled from me, and even though that’s what I want, it hurts so bad. He removes the spoon from Ian’s neck, and I throw up into the dirt. The physical pain is no longer there, but I am left with a hole in its place.So- this is what it feels like when your mate dies? I can’t imagine losing Colt now, like ever.I wipe my eyes as I hear Ken speak, “Once everyone is ready to go, we can head toward Denver. We are only twelve hours away,” the words roll off me, but I am too weak to respond.“Are you okay, love?” Colt whi
RyanIs it wrong that I want to physically hurt Ian? I don’t think so. He ruined Marge and Ken’s lives when they wanted to help me- to help us. He doesn’t care about any of us. The only reason he dug the tracker out was because of Julia. I’ve heard finding your mate will make you do crazy things, but that could have been all for show too! What if there’s another tracker or has another way of communicating with them?We have no idea what he is capable of! If it were up to me, I would rip out his heart right here, right now. I hate him. He tried to hurt all of us for better treatment when he could have just had a better life, but I suppose that’s why he’s not a part of our pack anymore, anyway. He has always played into their games.I mean, he tried to kill Colt when he was three. That’s a toddler! Fucking sociopath.I put the lighter’s flame on the spoon, and it begins to heat up, and I look up as Lila’s eyes catch mine. I wish she could feel what I feel. I wish she knew how much I lov
MaddieWe have been driving for hours now, and I know we are all exhausted. Ken says we should be able to make it to Denver by noon tomorrow, but we need to take back roads. Ryan says even back roads may have cameras, so we need to wear hooded sweaters and sunglasses the entire way to Denver; once we get there, we can find Andy as carefully as possible.I still don’t understand Julia’s gift or what Selene expects us to do. We knew there was more than one lab, but I didn’t realize there were over one hundred. I don’t understand how she expects us to take them down even though we desperately want to.How can six wolves with gifts like ours take out over one hundred labs? Especially when some are even out of the country.Colt snores into my ear, and I kiss his forehead gently. I can tell he feels somewhat relieved. He is happy Ian’s ions are gone, but the bond isn’t. It is still there because we are marked and mated. If Ian wants to burn his mark, he can. I will not stop him, but I am pr