[A Hunch] SEBASTIAN A rush of relief swept over me as we drove home. Even if we didn’t find the hunters this time, the pups were safe, and back home with their parents. It was more than I could have ever hoped. I believed it would take some time to figure out which pack the remains belonged to and if they had any living kin. Overall, I’d say it was a successful day. “Alpha, not to dampen the mood, but do you think we found all their hidey-holes? I mean, if they had one under their house, wouldn’t it be safe to say they would have more?” asked Jack, glancing between the road and me in the rearview mirror. “According to the stories told by my parents and other families in the pack, these hunters have been around for as long as we have.” “I won’t put it past them.” The strangeness of it all was that since we left the farm, a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach kept telling me we had forgotten someone. But who? My men were here, and the kids should be safe with their families. So
[Now What] SEBASTIAN “Okay, Alpha. We have the requested information. Now what? How do we assure ourselves these people are Silenthide pack members without drawing attention to them and ourselves?” asked Rory, as he scanned the printed names and images. “Well, we already know that man is the real Joshua,” I answered, arrogance coloring my tone with the assurance of a moral, aware being. “We only need to figure out who the other three are. That won’t be too hard.” The room fell silent. “We find out someone isn’t from the pack,” he said. “Then what?” I sighed and turned to Rory, standing by the window with his hands in his pockets and a frown on his face. “Rory, all I’m getting from you is skepticism, and I don’t need it. We go through the remaining three, and if anyone stands out, we lock them up until we know who they are. It’s just that simple. C’mon, man, it’s not rocket science.” “I’ll bring them here. It’s the only way to keep everyone else’s eyes and ears away from what we’
[The Results] SEBASTIAN Bryanna’s gaze flickered from face to face, waiting for my response. Her brows furrowed, and her lips pressed together. “Alpha Sebastian?” My eyes darted to meet hers, unsure of what to say. What could I say? I permitted Grace to adopt Bryanna because she had no family in the pack. What was there to say now her real mother was back in her life? I wanted to ease her mind a little, but nothing I could say would serve either of them. “Bryanna, I’m not sure what else I can say besides I’m sorry,” I stated. “I authorized Grace and her mate to adopt you because I was under the impression your parents had died when I accepted you into my pack. Thus, giving you a second chance at a family and a home.” “But my mom is not dead,” Bryanna retorted. “She’s right here.” “Yes, and I understand you want nothing more than to pick up where you left off, but what about Grace? What about Davidson? They’ve been there for you all along. Do you not care how they would feel?” “
[No Number of Apologies Will Suffice]SEBASTIAN>Since Sierra’s attack, I’ve seemed to have fallen into a perpetual routine. I sat on the edge of the bed, fiddling with a purple jewelry box, rolling it between my fingers, the anguish of her absence deepening by the second.Inside the box was an amethyst ring. I had purchased it weeks before Sierra’s birthday, intending to propose. But all I did these days was take the box from its hiding place, open it, and sigh at the ring.This should not be our way of life. I promised her happiness and love. While I might have given her all the love I had, why was it impossible to provide her with the happiness she deserved? We should’ve been laughing. Having fun and making plans for the future, while not knowing what could happen. Instead, I sulked and growled at the world while she lay in a coma in a hospital bed.It wasn’t customary for wolves to marry, simply because the mates the Moon Goddess designated for us were our life
[Awakened II] SEBASTIAN “Trust me, Angel. Arianne will never hurt you again.” I gritted through clenched teeth. The rage surging inside me burned ten times hotter than the sun for what Arianne had done. She should count her blessings because when I get my hands on her... “I assure you; Arianne will get what’s coming to her.” Sierra pulled out of the hug, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Her face sported a determination I saw back when her uncle was after her. “I don’t want you to kill her, Sebastian.” Despite how softly she spoke, her resolve was evident in every word. “It’s not worth having her blood on your hands.” She caressed my cheek lovingly, gazing intently into my eyes. I lowered my head to meet her lips, expecting her to kiss me. Instead, she rubbed her nose against mine. “Besides, I have a bone to pick with her, not you.” Gratifyingly amused, I kissed her lips, forehead, and each cheek, grinning like an idiot. “Gosh, if only you knew how much these past two months withou
[I’ll Always Come Back To You] SIERRA I lay beside him on the bed, listening to the steady drumming of his heart. It was all so much clearer now. All the sounds once lost on me when I was a mere human. Now, as a werewolf and no longer a weakling, everything was just there. The fragrant air of dawn flooded in through the open balcony doors from the surrounding foliage. Add that to the animals scurrying about, searching for their prey to eat, and the birds singing their impossibly joyous songs. Even the sensitivity of last night’s lovemaking was beyond anything any human ever experienced. It was all so wonderful, unexpected, and, yes, magical. Sebastian stirred, his eyes fluttering open. A smile flashed across his face. “A guy could seriously die of happiness waking up to a beauty like you,” he whispered. “Morning, handsome,” I murmured, running a finger up and down his chiseled chest, loving the way his skin felt under my touch. “Hmm. How’d you sleep?” “Incomparable to the last
[Disappointment I] SIERRA I had my luggage packed and ready to go. Although this visit was long overdue, I couldn’t help but feel that leaving wasn’t the greatest option right now, especially given how Sebastian and I had left things. While he did not oppose my leaving—as he so emphatically stated—I felt horrible for even wanting to go. Not that I wouldn’t return; I would. It was just that leaving felt risky as if something might go wrong. “Maybe I should wait a few more days,” I said as Sebastian followed me to the car. “After all, I recently woke up from a coma. It’s not like she’s expecting me, is she?” “Angel, I’m not making that decision for you. Don’t forget, it was only an hour ago you wanted to bite my head off for this exact reason.” He threw the bag on the backseat and closed the door, turning to face me. “I know, which I apologized profusely for. But Sebastian, I can’t help this disturbing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’ve been awake for what, two days? Compared
[Making Plans I] ZAIDEN “Cassidy, what’s the matter?” I said, rushing to her side. My voice echoed in the room a little louder than I intended. “I came as quickly as I got your message.” My voice drew her attention. From her curled-up position on the couch, Cassidy peered up at me with bloodshot eyes. Given her disheveled state, red and swollen nose, and tear-stained face, I’d say she’d been crying for some time. The moment her eyes met mine, her cries grew louder and more intense. Somehow, seeing me caused a release, a rush of despair that overcame her. “Is this why you called me here?” I asked, glaring at her trembling form. She shook her head, dry-heaving, and sniffling. No words left her trembling lips. “Look, unless you’re going to tell me why you asked me here or what triggered this meltdown, I need to get back to what I was doing.” My lips pressed into a tight line, whereas my heart did backflips at the sight of her. My fury toward her for summoning me here, only to watc