Zack Jacob walks into my office. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be outside with all the pups? Why are you still in your office?” I look up and give him a look like he knows exactly why I’m still here as I motion my hands above my desk and all the papers. Hunter marches through the door, shaking his head. “We have stacks of paperwork sitting on our desk too, but we are here for your pup’s birthday party. I still can’t believe he is 10 already. It seems just like yesterday we were fighting with Bry’s father and throwing Alpha Trevor and his son in the dungeons.” I shake my head. “Why would you even bring up that time in my life? I was worried what that idiot alpha and his son were going to do to get my mate, while also trying to stop Bry’s father from executing his horrible plan. That is a part of my life I don’t want to remember.” Jacob plops down in a chair in front of my desk. “But that is also the time you made your pup, Zane. Why would you want to forget about finding
Bryanna The darkness surrounds us as my father’s ragged fingernails dig into my soft arm. “Come on, Bryanna. We don’t have much time.” I look up at him, but like usual, all I see is his scowl. His black hair is a mess, just like how it always has been since my mother has passed away. The stench of alcohol drifts in the air along with his body odor. My tiny fingers claw at his big hand. However, being only seven, I can’t break my arm free. As I look down the long, dark hallway, my heart races as fear washes over me. Only a few candles scattered here and there along the way are lit, but there is an eerie coldness surrounding us. A thin layer of dust coats everything, while some of it floats in the air and tickles my nose. My father ignores my pleas as he continues to march forward while he mumbles stuff under his breath. Unfortunately, I can’t make out any of what he is saying. As I drag my feet, hoping to slow him down, a sinister laugh echoes through the hall and send
BRAYDEN “Come on, son. It is time.” My father barges into my room with his head held high. However, my stomach sinks at his words while dread washes over me. I can’t do this. I look up from my phone and shake my head. “I don’t want to.” His calm expression instantly disappears as he grinds his teeth and glares at me. “Son, we have talked about this. You are going to sign the alliance agreement today and the three of you have all agreed to the terms of it.” I shake my head and tuck my phone back into my pocket. “No, dad. You didn’t even ask me. You went ahead and decided for me. I have never agreed to anything.” When I was younger, I always did what my father wanted. However, now that I’m about to turn 18, I know better. I’ve seen what he really wants. A low growl fills my room as he marches towards me. His feet pounds against the floor and echo against the walls, almost as loud as my pounding heart. I’m not afraid anymore. But I still find myself sliding backw
Brayden ** Seven years later ** “Bry, baby, we have a situation to attend to.” I look up from the computer monitor as Jacob struts into my office with a folder in his hand. His devilish grin is the first thing to greet me, but the sparkle in his light brown eyes warns me it isn’t all business that he is after. I raise an eyebrow. “Why do you always start a sentence with Bry, baby, when you want me to do something for you?” I motion my hand for him to continue. “Tell me what you want me to do.” My eyebrow raises even higher at the mischievous look in his eyes as he sits down in front of my desk. “I got a phone call from a pack way out along the edge of the werewolf territories. They need our help.” Ah. There it is. I sigh. “So, you want me to go out to the territory for you, since you can’t go. Why can’t you go?” He slides to the edge of his chair. His eyes shimmer even brighter as he replies in a deep and sexy voice. “Baby, you know I have the outing with my fathe
Brayden I sigh and grumble under my breath as I fight to keep my eyes open. How could those two idiots not let me sleep? Well, we got a few hours this morning, but clearly it wasn’t enough. I can’t argue too much though. I was screaming for more last night, which they did as I requested. However, the next time I talk to them, I’m going to give them an earful. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time this morning. But when I finally corner them, they will wish they didn’t pull a stunt like that. I ease up to the front of Yellow Moon’s pack house, which is about average for its size. However, the white paint is chipping, and the flower beds need to be weeded. I can’t tell what flowers are even in there with all the weeds hiding them. If this is any sign of how they run everything else, I’ve got my hands full. As I step out of the vehicle, a tall, dark-haired man walks out of the building and calls out, “Alpha Brayden. I’m so glad you could come on such short notice. I
Brayden Jacob’s deep voice spills from my phone and sends a warm shiver through my body. “Baby, I miss you and Hunter. I wish you two were here with me.” Ah, an image of him with his plump pouty lips and his puppy dog eyes pops into my mind. I shake my head and stare out the window at the dark night sky. The clouds were building earlier, and storms will rumble through here in the night. However, right now, it is silent, but you can’t see anything except a pitch-black night sky. I shake my head. “You were the one who sent me here. Now live with it. Plus, you had really wanted to go on this trip with your parents.” That annoying feeling returns. There is something more to this trip than what he is telling me, but I’m not in the mood to fight and push it away. Hunter quickly chimes, “Yeah, Jake. You were the one to send our gorgeous mate away. Now you have to suffer.” My eye twitches at the word mate. I’m not their destined mate, but only a contract one. When they fi
ZACKWith a scowl on my face and my foot tapping on the hard tile floor, I glance at my watch and sigh. Where is he? I told him to be here at 8am sharp and it is now 8:30.He is nowhere to be found. Don’t tell me he is stilling sleeping like a baby up in his room.Ugh… I hate working with irresponsible people.The echo of footsteps stumbling down the stairs bounces around the lobby area.Yes. It is about time.I whip my head up and glare up the stairs.I take a deep breath and get ready to blast Brayden with my anger. How could he be this irresponsible? He is the alpha of his pack. People rely on him to do a lot for the pack. However, as soon as my eyes land on him, all the harsh words running through my head along my anger instantly disappears.His perfectly combed blonde hair from yesterday is gone.
ZACKI shake my head.Something I’ve been doing a lot of today, as I look across the table at Brayden. I didn’t think it would be safe for him to eat supper with everyone since he can barely keep his eyes open today.His eyelids slowly slide down as his long eyelashes flutter slightly before his eyes finally close. His head bobs slightly and his blonde bangs fall down over his forehead.Before his head can fall forward and into the last few bites of his food on his plate, I quickly reach across the table and gently grab his cute face. My heart skips a beat as I get up and, while still holding Brayden’s gorgeous face, I carefully walk around the table.He had been hesitant to finish our conversation over a meal in his room, but I figured this would happen. It is better for him to be here than in the dining hall. At least he ate most of his food before he fell asleep.I sc