It’s been three days since we went to the old encampment.I’ve had nightmares every single night since then, reliving the highlight reel of my pain and abuse there. Even being in Ivan’s arms hasn’t helped keep the memories at bay.It’s a torture I went through when I first came back. Nothing helped then—just time and keeping myself busy. I used to run myself ragged every day, working to the point that I’d pass out from sheer exhaustion.Praying to the Moon Goddess for a dreamless sleep.She even answered my prayers.Sometimes.Now? I shun sleep. I’m downstairs with the omegas at the crack of dawn—cooking breakfast, helping in the gardens, in the gym, in the pool. Anything and everything I can think of to keep my mind and body busy.“Nova, you’ve got to rest. You’ll make yourself sick,” Lucy begs, pulling the dust rag out of my hand. I had just climbed down the ladder from dusting the ornate carvings along the tops of the bookshelves in Ivan’s office.I nearly snap at her, but I stop my
Later that night…Jude is still pissed about meeting Lucy’s ex-boyfriend—especially since they were still dating the day Lucy and Jude met.“Is my wolf bigger than his?” Jude growls as we’re hiding in the trees.Lucy lets out a long-suffering sigh. “No, Jude. His wolf is smaller. And brown.”Jude seems happy with that answer… for about 2.5 seconds. Then he lets out another growl. “Is his cock bigger than mine?”“Oh my fucking Goddess, Jude,” Ivan says from beside me. “If you don’t rein in your jealousy and shut the fuck up—”Patrol’s clearing the ridge right now, Jakobi suddenly interrupts through the mindlink.Thank the Goddess—that effectively shuts everyone up.Erick, are you guys ready? Ivan asks, getting his tone back under control after nearly blowing up at Jude.Lucy slowly, carefully makes her way toward where Ivan and I are standing. She speaks through the mindlink to avoid the patrol overhearing.It’s Joe and Dylan.There’s a growl behind us—cut off as Lucy swiftly elbows Ju
FlashbackI’ve got my arms wrapped around Nova, trying to keep her warm in the kennel they keep us in. Winter is fast approaching, and the nights are getting colder.Of course, these assholes don’t give us blankets or clothing that does much more than keep us barely alive. They toss hay in here like we’re animals, so we burrow down and try to stay warm.I’ve stayed awake most of the night, keeping watch to make sure that bastard Jory doesn’t try anything. His eyes have been lingering on Nova way too much lately, and I’ve heard him asking the guards when he’ll get to do a job with her.I wouldn’t put it past him to try and make something happen in the dark. So I’ve been vigilant. No one gets near her. Not while I’m still breathing.I’ve known for a long time that I’m in love with Nova Channing. Since almost the first day I saw her, she’s had my heart. But there isn’t much time for love when you’re a captive.Still, I’d fight the Moon Goddess herself if it meant keeping Nova safe.Jory
Vanilla. Strawberries. But there’s another scent now—unfamiliar, yet intoxicating. Apples and cinnamon.I don’t have time to unpack it, though, because I’m skidding to a halt just feet from her.She’s beautiful. Even more so than the last time I saw her. Her honey-blonde hair dances in the breeze, and her large brown eyes shimmer like melted chocolate in the moonlight. She’s filled out—healthier. Stronger. And the way her shirt clings to her curves has Howl, my wolf, zeroing in on her like prey.Mate! Howl barks, inhaling sharply. His attention ricochets between Nova and the male beside her. Two mates!I freeze.Shock crashes over me like a tidal wave, even as Howl lets out a delighted, primal yip.I don’t have a problem with having a male mate. That was never the issue. I was raised to believe the Moon Goddess gives you what you need, not necessarily what you expect.But I’d been so focused on Nova—first protecting her, then surviving for her, then searching for her—that the idea o
The drive back to the pack house is tense. Nova has already told us that she’s planning on accepting Cody as her mate. Which means she’s expecting me to do the same. And I don’t know if I can do that. Look, don’t get me wrong—it’s not that he’s a guy. That’s not abnormal in werewolf culture. We’re a pretty lustful species at the best of times. I’ve experimented. Enjoyed myself while I did it. I’m definitely more into females, but I have no problem finding pleasure in either sex. No, the thing that’s stopping me is the thought of sharing Nova. And Cody. You can’t lie to me, asshole. You don’t want to share either of them, Fang grumbles in my head. He’s been chewing me out for how I handled everything, alternating between rage, sulking, and the occasional snarky insult. Even now, I’ve purposefully sat in the front seat with my father. Cody and Nova are all the way in the back. I can hear bits and pieces of their conversation, but we’re in a big passenger van. Erick, Bryson, J
As soon as the meeting ends, I take on Fang’s form and shift, heading into the trees behind the packhouse. I’m in Fang’s form, but I’m still in the driver’s seat—similar to when I let him take over my body during a fight.I just… I don’t trust him not to immediately run to Cody and mark him. Hell, the first chance he had with Nova, he marked her.And I am in no way ready for that now.I run through the night while Fang bitches in my head.You know you want her. And you want him. Nova’s cool with it. So what’s the problem?You’re a fucking coward, you know that?So what if it’s unconventional? It doesn’t matter if it’s what you want.Fucking asshat. You better not take both of our mates from me.If I lose either of them because you’re too weak, we’re going to have issues.His voice echoes in my skull the entire night. I don’t get a moment of peace until just before sunrise, when he finally drifts off and lets me think in silence.It’s around 5:00 AM when I make my way back to the packh
I wake to the feeling of sparks flaring along my skin.That’s not unusual—it's how Ivan usually wakes me.What is unusual is that the sparks are on… my feet.It’s odd enough that I crack one eye open.Cody is smiling at me, his hands kneading my feet.“Hey. Good morning.” His voice is husky from sleep, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion and… lust.Fuck.That voice, that look, and the way those sparks course up from his touch—it all goes straight to my core. And I silently thank the Goddess that someone had the good sense to toss a blanket over me, or Cody would definitely smell my arousal.“Hey,” I say, suddenly shy. I start to pull my feet back, but Cody doesn’t let go.“Don’t,” he murmurs. “I want to touch you.”A nervous giggle slips out. “Well, maybe I could sit up instead of you holding my feet?”He looks like he wants to argue, but after a beat, he nods and lets go.I sit up slowly, scooting closer to him. Everything in me wants to touch him. Let him hold me.Let him kiss me.Inclu
Both males inhale deeply, smelling the arousal pooling between my legs, their eyes closing as they savor the scent.When they open their eyes, both have darkened with their wolves coming to the surface.“Fuck, she smells good,” Cody says, his voice gravelly with lust.I can’t help but bite my bottom lip as Ivan’s gaze roves all over me and he says, “She tastes even better.”It causes Cody to growl, and me to moan. All I can think about is having both of their hands, both of their mouths on me. Both of their cocks inside of me. Fuuuuuck. I need that. Now.Using their werewolf speed, they’re both on me. Cody takes my mouth in our first kiss together. It’s filthy, the way he sucks at my lips, his tongue licking into my mouth like he can’t get enough of the taste of me. I can barely keep up, trying my best to follow his lead.Ivan is behind me, kissing and sucking at his mark on the side of my neck. It sends burning hot need racing down my spine and straight to the apex of my thighs. My n
We’re staying in the cabin we got each other for an anniversary present last year.While still with the rogues, Cody and I would comfort each other by saying that once we got free, we’d find each other, build a cabin in the woods, and stay there together for the rest of our lives.It’s what I had been saving money for when Ivan and I found each other — so that we could have the land and the house free and clear.Admittedly, the cabin we have now—two stories, five bedrooms, a basement playroom for the kids, a pool, and a half basketball court—is a far cry from what Cody and I would have managed on our own.Still, it’s nice to get away and return to what we always dreamed of.To bring our other mate and our children here with us.We come as often as we can — for a week, for a long weekend.A little home away from home.We had the kitchen stocked and the whole place cleaned and ready, so there would be no interruptions.Which is good, because after all the teasing we did on the way here,
Checking my watch, I turn to our little girl."Do you know which one you want to wear, Lenita? Kiki and Harley are going to be here soon. And you don’t want to miss the petting zoo."My little princess is standing in front of her closet, arms crossed and her lower lip sticking out in a full pout."I wanna wear my pwincess dwess!""Chiquita (little one), we’ve already talked about this. You can’t wear it to the fair, but you can wear it later," I say, pleading with her.We’ve been at it for twenty minutes, trying to get Elena ready to go out with Kamryn and Harley before a birthday party for one of her pre-school friends later today.The party is princess-themed, hence the dress she’s insisting on wearing.Unfortunately for her—and us at this point—if she wears the dress to the fair, it’s guaranteed to end up covered in dirt and food, ripped from a skinned knee, or chewed on by a goat at the petting zoo.So, she can’t wear it.Not that she’s listening."I wanna wear my pwincess dwess,
5 years later… I wake up to an elbow in the gut. “What?” I ask, bolting upright immediately. “What’s wrong?” “It’s your turn,” Nova murmurs, her voice heavy with sleep. It’s only then that I hear one of the twins crying. Glancing at the alarm clock, I see that it’s just after 2:00 AM. Fuck. I roll out of bed, stumbling to the bedroom door and next door to the twins’ room. “Hey, buddy. It’s okay. Dada’s here,” I call, my voice rough with sleep. In the glow of the nightlight, I see Ronan standing in his crib, crying, his nose impossibly snotty. His cheeks are bright red, and drool soaks the front of his pajamas. “Da! Da!” he cries the second he sees me. “Hey, Ronan. Are those teeth bugging you, bud?” I ask, picking him up and pulling him to my shoulder. His skin is hot—he’s definitely running a low-grade fever. Both boys are teething hard right now, reacting just like human babies: colds, fevers, pain, the whole nine yards. His cries quiet the moment he’s in my arms, sniffli
“Holy shit, that was a long day,” I say, falling onto the sofa next to my mates.We’re in the first-floor common area with everyone in our leadership crew—minus Jakobi.He found his mate today. A she-wolf from a neighboring pack, second daughter of a delta. Maureen seems nice. We didn’t really get to talk to her much, though—Jakobi whisked her off, and they’ve been... indisposed in his room ever since.We might see them tomorrow.Or in a couple of days.“Fuck, yeah it was,” Jude groans. “I’m just happy to be out of that monkey suit.”“I don’t know,” Lucy murmurs, running her fingers down his jaw and pulling his attention. “I wouldn’t mind having you in it more often... and helping you out of it.”“Well, this was fun, guys, but my mate and I need to be getting to bed,” Jude says as he stands and throws Lucy over his shoulder.Lucy squeals and props herself up on his back, waving at us. “See you guys at breakfast!”“Not if I have anything to say about it!” Jude calls from the hallway.
My mates and I are standing on a large floating platform in the center of the harbor. All the boats have been cleared for today’s ceremony, and the entire pack has gathered along the shore to witness the official welcoming of their Luna and Lune. The platform is made of strong, transparent plastic, giving the illusion that we’re standing directly on the water. Flower petals and floating candles drift both on the surface and around the edges of the platform. A camera positioned at the far end captures the event and projects it onto screens placed throughout the crowd so everyone can see what’s happening. Nova looks stunning in her midnight blue ball gown, her hair swept into a messy bun. Thin straps frame her exposed matemarks, and the dress is low-cut in both the front and back, revealing creamy swaths of skin. The bodice hugs her tightly, while the skirt flows freely into a long, lacy train that shimmers in the sunlight. Cody wears fitted pants and a tailored gunmetal gray vest—no
“I really don’t want to do this,” I murmur, tugging at the hem of my skirt again.“Girl, if you don’t stop messing with that skirt, you’re going to unravel it. Stop it!” Lucy punctuates the last word by smacking my hand.I stick my tongue out at her but stop fiddling. Honestly, I think the only reason Lucy isn’t as nervous as I am is because she’s too busy managing me.At least, she doesn’t seem outwardly nervous.But I know her butterflies are causing a full-blown tornado—just like the one twisting in my own stomach.We’re heading to the Hartwood Pack, where Lucy and Cody are from. It’s been two weeks since we brought Cody home.Alpha Timothy was pissed when he realized we had “absconded with one of his most valued packmates.” He threatened to call down the Council of Alphas, press charges against our pack, and even force Ivan to step down as Alpha.All of that might have been intimidating—if it hadn’t taken him four days to even realize Cody was gone. Add in the fact that the three
The second Ivan and Cody establish their matebond, a ripple of power, connection, and pleasure sweeps through all three of us. Bite howls in my mind, the sound echoed by two other wolves—Fang and Howl. Our bond is complete. The three of us are tied together, not only by fate, but by our marks. There is no one—and nothing—beyond the Goddess herself that could tear us apart. “Holy shit,” Cody says. Ivan chuckles. “You can say that again.” “Holy shit,” Cody and I both say at the same time. We all laugh at that. Looking at my mates, I can’t help the affection that thrums through my heart at the sight of them happy together. “Let me get you guys a towel,” I say, slipping off the bed. “And the wet wipes,” Ivan calls after me. I grab both from the bathroom and bring them back so Cody and Ivan can clean up. “Thanks, Estrella,” Cody says as Ivan leans forward to kiss the top of my head. I move to the head of the bed, watching them as they get themselves together. Ivan heads into the
I watch Cody—his chest rising and falling as he catches his breath, eyes glazed over from orgasm. His shoulder-length black hair is fanned out across the bed, giving him a dark halo. His bronze-colored skin shines with sweat, and those chocolate brown eyes are begging for me to touch him.So beautiful. I mean, fucking gorgeous. It’s why I called him lindo.I’d thought hard about what nickname to give him. Nova’s was easy. Seeing her that first time at The Warren in the bunny costume, all timid and shy—she reminded me of the little rabbit she was dressed as. She’ll always be my little rabbit.But Cody and I didn’t have that kind of “meet cute.” Not even close. Still, I needed a name for him, something that felt right.It was Fang who suggested lindo. Clearly, our mate has Hispanic roots, and using that in his nickname felt like a way to honor that.Look at him, Fang says in my head, voice thick with awe. Spread out and waiting for us.Let’s not make him wait, I reply, and lean down to
Howl is going insane inside of me. He wants Ivan. I want Ivan. And we’re finally going to get him.I suck at Ivan’s skin, making a hickey in the spot where I want to put his matemark—right next to Nova’s. One of his hands grips my hair, the other wraps around my back.“Bedroom. Lube.” The words come out strangled with need.Mate! Fuck mate! Bite mate! Make him ours! Howl’s words echo through my mind, getting lost in the frenzied need that pulses between us.I’m working on it, Howl. Calm the fuck down so I can focus on him, I snap back.He smells so good. Feels even better. Fuck, Howl moans, and I know exactly what he means.I know Ivan wants us in the bedroom, but I can’t make myself move. Can’t stop touching him, kissing him, losing myself in him.Thank the Goddess for Nova.“Come on, boys,” she says, grabbing both our hands. “Let’s get to the bedroom. I want to see the two of you laid out before me.”It’s her touch that finally breaks the trance. Her words remind me there’s more t