'Alpha, you look tired. May I suggest you rest for the night?' Alice says. I nod, making my way to my room. Everything in my room sways. I grab onto the armchair and sit down. Kicking my shoes off, I wait for the swaying to stop. My door creaks open. 'Is someone there?' I ask, squinting at the figure I can barely make out.'It's me!' She says. 'Astrid? Is that you?' I ask and try to stand, but my balance is off. I feel a hand gently press against my chest. 'Sit down, Ryker. I'm here now. I'll take care of you,' she whispers. She straddles herself on my lap. 'Astrid, you came back.' 'Of course, I did,' she whispers as she slowly unbuttons my shirt. 'Why did you leave? Where did you go?' I ask. 'All that matters is that I'm here with you.' One hand caresses my bare chest, while her other unfastens my belt. Her lips brush across mine. 'Ryker,' she whispers lustfully, placing my hands on either side of her thighs.'Astrid,' I whisper. 'I want you to mark me, Ryker,' she whisper
Astrid'Astrid, you need to eat,' James says. Ignoring him, I keep my eyes on the stone floor. This will be my second night down in the cell. I've refused all food and never acknowledged James’s presence when he comes down to the cell.He punches the cell door angrily. I flinch in fright. I'm worried. 'Damn it, Astrid! Why can't you be a good little mate and do what you're told?' He yells.Hearing keys, James unlocks the cell. It creaks open. James picks me up and sits down on the bench, holding me tightly in his lap. I try to fight him off. I scratch his cheek. He slaps me hard across the face and wraps his arms tightly around me so I can't move. His nose nuzzles my hair and sniffs the back of my neck. 'Astrid, I could make you so happy if you let me,' he says.'You will never think of Alpha Ryker again if you give me a chance,' he whispers. I wriggle and squirm. 'After your first shift, I will mark you straight away,' he says. I stiffen at his words. 'No, I won't let you. You can
Alpha Zenith'I'm going to tell you a story, Astrid. And you're going to listen to every word,' he says. I glare at him but give him my full attention because I know he can make me listen if he has to, and I've been through enough.'Twenty-two years ago, Moonstone Crest was the strongest pack around. They hosted an annual mating ceremony, where packs would be invited from all around the world to potentially find their mates.''Unexpectedly, my pack, Shady Crest, had been invited. Unfortunately, my father was the Alpha and did not get along with the Alpha of Moonstone Crest. My father was willing to put his hatred for Alpha Bane aside, though, as he hoped I'd find my mate there. I could finally take over as Alpha if I did.''We attended the mating ceremony, and it was a spectacular event. However, not long after arriving, I smelled the most alluring scent I had ever smelled before - vanilla and honey. I followed the scent to no avail. I didn't understand why my mate's scent kept disapp
Alpha Zenith'The moment I see Alyssa, my heart races. I watch her for a while and notice she doesn't seem sad or depressed. Not the way I have been, every moment I've been away from her. She laughs and dances with everyone, she even clings to her Dad's arm, kissing him on his cheek. I don't understand. Why isn't she upset or angry at him? Why does she look so happy? I thought there had to be a good explanation.''Alyssa walks over to the food table, plucks some grapes and strawberries from a fruit bowl, and eats them. 'Alyssa', I whisper. She stops herself from reaching for another strawberry and looks around. 'Alyssa', I whisper again.''She looks around to see me hiding in the garden. Her lips part as she lets out a small gasp. She is shocked to see me. She scans her surroundings to see if anyone is watching her, then looks back at me. I gesture for her to walk over to me. She is very hesitant and is debating whether or not to approach me.''She bites her lip and gives me a small n
AstridIn utter shock, I can't believe what Alpha Zenith has just told me. He is my mother's true mate and murderer. I stand, run to the cell door, and shake the bars with fury full of anger. 'You killed my mother! You killed her!' I yell. Alpha Zenith smiles. 'Yes, I killed her! After everything, I did for her! I gave her a chance to reunite with me, and she threw it away like I was nothing, like I wasn't even worth the risk!' He yells.'You killed her whole family! You murdered them all in cold blood! She didn't want to be with a monster!' I yell. The look on Alpha Zenith's face changes from a smile to aggression. He unlocks the cell door and grabs me by the throat, holding me against the cold stone wall.'What did you call me?' He growls, squeezing my throat tighter. I try to loosen his hands from my throat. I can't breathe. Black dots appear in my vision, and he loosens his grip and speaks.'Call me a monster again, Astrid,' he warns. Boring his eyes with mine, I know he will ki
Alpha RykerWe arrive in the city, park outside Zenith Creations, enter the facility, and find an elevator. The elevator door dings and opens. We step out and spot a large door and enter. It's quite a modern, sleek waiting room. It even has a water feature on one wall. I approach the large desk to see a blonde receptionist on the phone. Leaning on the desk, I tap my fingers impatiently. The receptionist raises a perfectly shaped brow at me. I take the phone from her and throw it behind her.'Excuse me!' She says. 'That was a significant client on the phone!' She yells.'I don't give a shit who was on the phone. Where's Zenith? I want to speak with him immediately!' I yell. She picks up a phone and presses a button.'There is a vulgar man here, with two other men wanting to speak with you immediately,' she says. She covers the mic on the phone with her nail-polished hand.'What is your name?' She asks.'Alpha Ryker,' I snap.'Alpha Ryker, sir. Yes, okay. I will send them in,' she tells
'Happy Birthday!' Amelia says as I wake.‘Happy Birthday, Luna!’ Seth cheers. I can't help but laugh.'Who would have thought I'd be celebrating my eighteenth in a cold, dirty cell?' I chuckle. Seth and Amelia laugh. We all go silent in thought.'Astrid?' Amelia says, concerned.'I'm terrified. I'm meeting my wolf tonight. What if Ryker doesn't save us in time? What if James marks me?' I worry.'Let's see if I can mind-link Alpha Ryker. James and John injected wolfsbane into me. But unfortunately, it weakened me and hindered our connection,' Seth says. We watch on as he concentrates, his eyes clouding over.'Is it working?' I ask. Seth nods.'I've gotten through to Alpha Ryker!' He says. I run to my cell door, hold the bars, and partially squeeze my head through them.'Seth, tell him I'm sorry. Tell Ryker I am so sorry. I should not have left. I didn't want to leave!' I yell desperately.'Ryker says he knows. Vanessa confessed everything. Did you know Alice poisoned him so Vanessa cou
Alpha RykerWe enter Shady Crest territory, right at nightfall. Vanessa and Alice walk in front of Kane with their wrists tied together while Leon leads the pack warriors. Alpha Zenith's warriors are all spread out, making them easy targets. Our arrival must have sounded an alarm. They retreat toward the packhouse.'Alpha Zenith knows we're here,' I yell out. Seth is mind-links me: Alpha! 'They know you're here!''Good!' I say.'Oh no!' Seth says.'What is it?' I ask.'It's Astrid! You need to hurry! She's shifting!' Seth says.'Seth, tell Astrid I'm coming for her. I will be with her as soon as possible,' I say.'Leon, Kane, we need to move fast! Astrid is shifting!' They nod. Leon and I shift into our wolves. Kane supervises Alice and Vanessa in his human form.'We will be right behind you, Alpha!' Kane yells out. We run until we can see the packhouse. There are hundreds of pack warriors ready and waiting for us. I shift into my human form and put my pants on. I scan the area for A