ADDIE POV I was pissed. I’ve absolutely had it with Vanessa and Zoe and everyone else who felt like they had a right to mess with James and my happiness. I was going to end this and I was going to end this today. I commandeered an empty conference room and started organizing and planning. The first person to arrive was Alice who came through the door at a dead run. “How can I help?” she panted. I slid a computer over to her. “Figure out where Vanessa is. And, if you can, figure out how I can contact her.” Alice took the laptop from me and started tapping away, accessing the company files to find a current address. "She's moved around a few times. I don't think she's still at the address we have on file, but I'll have one of our security drive by and check." She picked up her cell phone and dialed. I started pacing, wanting things to move faster. Matthew came in to give me an update on Bryon. I listened and said all the appropriate things, but I honestly didn’t care.
ADDIE POVI walked out of the conference room with Roman and the other guard chasing after me, pulling along a reluctant Brad. Toby came, too, lips pressed together. I recognized the look. He hated the idea and wanted to set up a counterattack at the park at midnight, but he also recognized that my plan might work. It was fueled by pure rage on my part, but I was positive I would get James back.Alice had called ahead and worked her magic so by the time I made it to the front doors, a valet was there with a set of keys and an SUV was sitting in the drive up. I caught the keys as they were tossed to me and the warriors dove into the back seat, shoving Brad between them. Toby jumped into the passenger seat, buckling up as I started driving away.“What’s the plan, Luna?” Roman asked tentatively from the back seat. Toby glanced back at him but said nothing. “I know the area. It’s estates. I’ll find a spot to pull over and drop you and Brad off. We’ll meet up at the house, but I
ADDIE I got into the car and looked James over, satisfied that he only had a few bumps and bruises but nothing was seriously hurt. I could smell the wolfsbane on his breath and knew he had been dosed but I could tell that it was slowly leaving his body. How is he? I asked Talia. Scout is weak but recovering. He will be fine, she answered. I gave a sigh of relief. Toby got into the driver’s seat and turned the SUV over, backing out of the drive. “Where to, Luna?” he asked. “Aren’t we waiting for the other warriors?” I asked, turning back to look at the house. He shook his head. “No, they need to do some cleanup. They are going to need to call the council for help. Vanessa went rogue and there is a lot that will have to be done to minimize exposure to the human world.” He had a look of disgust on his face. "First and foremost, they will have to figure out what to do about two human bodies. Old man and woman. They didn't even have a chance against her." I nodded, suddenl
ADDIEAfter the excitement of everything, the next few months felt almost boring by comparison. We were busy, that was for sure. My Luna Ceremony had been postponed and we were beginning the planning again. We were also actively involved in helping Matt and Jessie build a new Packhouse before their pup arrived. The old packhouse was being turned into a youth center and dormitory for the continuing education prospects that Jessie wanted to bring to her Pack. In the days of Alpha Cole, it was decreed by the Alpha what the profession of the wolves coming of age would be. Jessie wanted to give them choices and equal opportunities. I was excited to be a part of that.Three weeks after we returned from our latest mishap in the city, Emily asked if we could have lunch in the village. I agreed, knowing something was up.“Do you want me to bring James?” I asked. “No,” she said, a sly look on her face. I agreed, letting her keep her secret for now. I would know soon enough.I met Jam
ADDIETwo months later, on the day of the full moon and summer solstice, I was dressed in a sapphire blue gown that was fitted on the top and billowed to the ground in shimmery waves. A laughing Emily was trying to help me with my makeup. Her growing belly was in the way, and Gracie was crawling around getting underfoot. Undeterred, Emily tried to add another swipe of mascara to my already heavy lashes. “Come on, Addie! It will make your eyes pop!”I laughed back at her. “My eyes will look like spiders if you put another coat on my lashes!” Tonight was the night of my Luna ceremony. Wolves from many of our cooperating packs were in attendance as well as all of the pack members from our pack. We had invited the Council members and were surprised when most of them accepted. Matthew and Jessie were also going to be there bringing their newborn pup with them. I knew that James had already spent time snuggling their baby boy and getting his fill of the newborn smells. I had bee
Smoke rose in the distance adding to the chaos that was surrounding ten-year-old Addie. She sobbed, clinging to her older sister. Sounds of fighting and screaming echoed around the walls of the courtyard causing her to shake. Her mother, Luna Ana, bent down and looked Addie in the face. “Listen to your sister. She’ll keep you safe.” Addie nodded. Ana stood up and looked at her oldest daughter. She reached over and caressed her face. “Remember what I told you. Practice. And don’t tell anyone.” Beatrice nodded, starting to cry. “None of that.” Her mom smiled sadly. “Don’t forget to prepare Addie.” Beatrice nodded again, not hiding her tears. Her dad came out of the packhouse leading Helena, the cranky omega cook. He handed her a bunch of money and a bag. Using his alpha voice he ordered her “Take care of my girls. Keep them safe.” Helena turned and offered him her neck, submitting. “Yes, Alpha.” Alpha James turned to his daughters and kissed them each on the fo
SIX MONTHS LATERWinter had come and gone and Addie, Bea and Helena had spent the season in the cave. Helena had turned even more disagreeable, if that was possible, but she was still bound by the Alpha command. Alpha James was so powerful that his command followed his pack members even when they left the land.Bea had taken private time to instruct her little sister in the things she was learning about the gift. Both girls tried to continue the warrior training, finding a little spot in the back of the cave that was covered in sand that they could spar with each other. Addie didn’t have a wolf yet, she had just turned eleven in December. Bea shifted a few times, practicing and trying to keep strong. Helena mostly sat by the fire sulking, doing the bare minimum to take care of the girls. She would occasionally bundle up and go into town to purchase more supplies. The money was dwindling low but Bea had a plan to go into town and start working when the snow melted.One deliciou
When the waitress came around again, Addie flagged her down. “Are you guys hiring, by chance?” She refrained from using her gift. Addie had discovered in the past that it became too complicated when she created lasting opportunities for herself, like jobs or housing, using her gift. She had to continue to keep using her gift and that was physically draining. The girl genuinely smiled back at Addie, looking her over. Addie knew what she saw. She was taller than average, very thin and had long, blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun. The jeans and hoodie she wore were clean, courtesy of the creek a few miles from here, but old and faded. “As a matter of fact, yes. Finish your pancakes and you can start immediately. I’m cook, waitress and manager. I need some help.” Addie laughed. “Thank you! I’m not sure what kind of cook I am but I am willing to learn. I also have waitressing experience.” She gave the girl a wide grin. “I’m Addie.” “Noel.” She smiled and moved off to