JASMINE Jack and Tyler pulled into my driveway on Sunday afternoon. I ran out as soon as they arrived and hopped in the back of their SUV. “Are you ready?” Tyler turned in his seat to look at me as Jack backed out of the driveway. “I think so,” I replied. “Why don’t you tell me more about this group you’re bringing me to?” “Remember how I told you there are more gay people in the pack than just Jack and me?” I nodded. “Well, over the years, the queer people in the pack have found each other and formed a secret support group. We all meet on Sundays, and I’d like you to join us as an ally—our first ally actually.” “Your first ally?” I asked. “There are no others like me?” “Since the LGBTQ+ community was so unwelcome in the pack for so long, most people are suspicious of outsiders. But Jack and I spoke with them and convinced everyone to let you come since you’re going to have so much influence as our luna.” “But I don’t know how to help,” I replied, my anxiety brewing. “I didn’t
JASMINE “Oh my Goddess, Jasmine, you look beautiful.” A tear trailed down my mom’s face as I turned in my wedding dress for the photographer outside of our house, a white fur stole wrapped around my arms to keep me warm. This had to have been maybe the third time in my life I’d ever seen my mother cry. She was usually so cold, but today she was acting very motherly for once. “She’ll make a wonderful luna,” my aunt said to my mom. “I remember the day I married your brother Lance. It was such an exciting day. You know, I saved myself completely for him. I was a virgin on my wedding night.” “You’ve already told me this, Julia.” My mom lifted her eyes to the sky in a look of annoyance. “Isn’t it so nice to save yourself for marriage, Jasmine?” My aunt smiled at me. “I bet you’re so excited for tonight and the wonderful gift you’ll be giving your soon-to-be husband.” My entire body burned with embarrassment, and I had no idea how to respond, shocked she'd say that. “Julia, don’t talk
JASMINE When my dad walked me down the aisle, the only thing I saw was Blake’s handsome face as he smiled at me from the altar. My heart beat forcefully against my chest, and I returned his smile, feeling as if I were walking on clouds. The ceremony was long and tedious as we had to go through different chants, prayers, and meditations. I did glance over at the pews and notice that, true to his word, Blake had arranged for Paige and her family to be seated near the front. Once the priest finally pronounced us husband and wife, my stomach fluttered as Blake kissed me, dipping me as he did. When he pulled away, he mindlinked me, “Can’t wait for the wedding night, Mrs. Alpha.” He gave me a mischievous smile, and then we finally marched out of the temple to head to the reception. A limo was waiting for us outside, and we hopped in. “I figured if we’re going to have sex in the back of a car, we should find one that’s comfortable.” Blake snickered. “Stop!” I pushed on his arm, laughing.
JASMINE Toward the end of the night, Blake and I made our way to the bridal suite so I could change into my going-away dress. We were planning to have one final dance and then leave to begin our honeymoon. “Can you help me undo the back of my dress?” I asked as we entered the suite. “With pleasure,” he replied, standing so close behind me I could feel his body heat. He lowered his mouth to the back of my neck, gently kissing it down to the buttons of my dress. He brushed his hands across my shoulders to find the top button. My breathing shallowed at the intimate gesture. “Do you think we have time for a quickie?” he whispered in my ear as he unbuttoned the back of my dress. My stomach fluttered at the thought. “Not with how long you take,” I replied playfully. “If you prefer quickies, I can definitely make that happen for you. Fast, slow, medium speed. Your wish is my command. I can do them all.” I laughed. “I think I want it slow tonight. It’s really special.” “I can guarantee
TALIA Alex and I danced the whole night away on the crowded dance floor. I couldn’t believe how many people showed up to Blake and Jasmine’s wedding. I’d never seen so many people in one room before. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Alex was actually a very good dancer. He spun me around until I was dizzy, dipped me low, swung with me to the beat of the music. “My turn!” Lucy cut in at one point. “You’re hogging my dance partner!” She playfully elbowed Alex out of the way. He chuckled and gave my shoulder a squeeze, “Have fun. I’ll go grab us some more drinks.” “No need, I have our tequila shots right here!” Lucy pushed one into my hand. “You’ve gotta love open bar! Now just follow what I do!” She put her shot glass out in front of her, and I did the same. Then I mimicked her movements as she shouted, “Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa’ dentro!” We both threw back our shots, and she grabbed the empty glass from me to put onto the empty tray of a waiter walking by. She then g
ALEXANDER My father and sister were both pretty fucked-up, but, damn, Blake was sick. Because we had to make do with what was available in the casino, which wasn’t much, Blake had a bunch of his warriors holding the members of the Bois Sombre Pack down while he tortured them. They were both fully naked after being forced into their human forms. Chef’s knives were brought in from the kitchen, and Blake tested each one of them out on the men’s torsos until he figured out which one was the sharpest, their ensuing screams widening his smile, his eyes gleaming. “You know what I should be doing right now instead of torturing you motherfuckers?” Blake asked menacingly. They both struggled against the men holding them down, expressions like deer in headlights. “I should be enjoying my wedding night. But since you assholes interrupted it, you’ll just have to enact it for me.” He laughed evilly. “Normally I wait a few hours until we get to the main event during my tortures. But I promised my n
BLAKE “We’ve got our warriors stalking the perimeter of the Bois Sombre Pack. But their territory is too big to cover every part of it.” Beta Alfred walked into the bridal suite where I was now congregated with Luke, Jack, Kyle, Alex, Talia, and Tyce. “Alpha Antoine is sending his warriors to join ours,” I replied, barely able to move my mouth. I was trying desperately to hold it together, but I knew that if we made one wrong move, Alpha Édouard wouldn’t hesitate to kill Jasmine. And, even if he didn’t kill her, I could only imagine what else he might do to her. The man was completely unhinged. He’d beaten his own mate half to death even when he would have felt the pain as he did it; there was no reason he wouldn’t do the same or worse to someone else’s. The graphic thoughts wouldn’t leave my mind. The only thing that kept me half functioning was that I knew she wasn’t dead yet. I would feel her death, same as I felt anyone in my pack when they died. No, she was still alive, but who
BLAKE At around five in the morning, we finally gave up on torturing the assholes and transported what was left of their bodies to the pack cells. All the alphas in Jasmine’s family had gotten involved, taking turns. After Jasmine’s grandfather began his work, it wasn’t long before Jasmine’s uncle also joined us. True to Tyce’s words, he shoved the knife into their literal assholes. But even with so many people taking turns to find new and creative ways to torture, it ended uneventfully. The pack members we held hostage either truly didn’t know where Jasmine was or they were exceptionally good at keeping their mouths shut. I leaned toward the former. I didn’t think it was possible anyone was that good. We’d tortured them in every way possible, they were begging for death, and they still didn’t talk. It seemed futile to keep going, but we decided to keep them alive for now, with the small hope that if we resumed in a few hours, maybe they’d finally break. But it was doubtful at this p