The sun peeked over the mountains. Soon, it would light up the fields and splash over the houses. This was my favorite time of day. The animals were still sleeping, no one was out of their bed yet, and the quiet that fell over the pack in the night still lingered. I took a deep breath and smoke billowed around me as I exhaled.
I’d been living in this Goddess-forsaken world for thirteen years. I was young and far from naive. We’ve been here in the Clear Mountains pack since we were found. That was three years ago and I hadn’t changed much since. I did my best to stay away from others. I tried not to make friends but Devin liked me, and he was hard to shake. I didn’t care about the opinions of others. I had my sister and that was enough, that’s all I needed. My goal was to live a quiet life, make it to adulthood, and protect my other half, my good half.
The story was that I was the Alpha’s bastard son from the next pack over and that was what kept us safe. No one knew I was the criminal that killed his father, killed the beta, and fled in the middle of the night.
When the warriors of this pack found us, I told them that we were thrown away, tossed out without care. They believed every word and took us in. They pitied me and even though it disgusted me, it was what kept my sister safe. My sister struggled, she missed home and she didn’t know why we couldn’t go back. She wanted love, care, and parental affection.
At first, she was jealous of those with parents. I did everything I could to give her what we never had. I promised she would never even notice what we were missing. I gave her doting affection, love, and cared for her as both a guardian and a brother. It was hard not to notice the rumors that spread about us. We were told that our relationship was far from natural, but I ignored them. I wanted my sister to wish for nothing.
I may have showered her with too much attention but they didn’t know what was unnatural. I knew firsthand what that was and I’d never do that to her. I wanted her to stay the way she was, kind, spoiled, and ill-tempered. I wouldn’t want her to change, I wouldn’t let anything happen to her. It wasn’t until recently that she realized we didn’t need parents for that.
The neighbor’s door swung open and Mitch walked out and took a seat on a wooden chair.
“I need you to cover for Liam,” Mitch said as he pulled on his boots. “He’s ill and I need you to take on his duties. It’ll only be for today.”
Liam was Mitch’s nephew and he worked the fields like Devin, tending to the vegetables and farming. I’ve worked under Mitch, the butcher, since I came to the Clear Mountain pack. He was suspicious of my familiarity with the blade but after my feigned innocence he didn’t question me. Under his watchful eye, I practiced slicing, dicing, and killing.
By the age of eleven, Mitch gave me my own blade. Other than the gift of life, it was the first time I received anything and I soon became attached to it. I kept her clean and sharp, making sure to have her on me at all times.
I agreed but I grumbled the entire walk to the field. It was only for one day. I liked working in the butcher’s quarters. I didn’t like change but I never questioned Mitch, he was one of the only people I’ve ever respected.
Devin perked up when he saw me. He hadn’t shifted yet but I could see wolf ears standing up and a tail wag as I made my way towards him. When I blinked the ears and tail were gone. Before he could start talking or ask me about why I was there, I asked him to lead me to Liam’s post. I tucked the vegetables into one bag and the potatoes into another. I made sure to take the vegetables first and leave the potatoes for last.
After I dropped the vegetables off, I came back for the potatoes. Load after load, I delivered them to the packhouse. It wasn’t until the last load that I saw her.
I’d walked past the gate when the packhouse door opened. My gaze landed on her as she walked out and my mind went blank. I forgot what I was doing.
One look at her and the weight on my shoulders lightened, the air in my chest was gone, and a warmth I couldn’t remember feeling before washed over me.
She was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. Her long brown wavy hair cascaded past her shoulders, her skin was tan and looked silky soft. My gaze paused on the black ribbon in her hair. Smooth tan skin was sheathed with white embroidered polyester and chiffon, her butterfly sleeves running down to her wrist. The material ran down to the floor, hiding her legs. Her eyes were downcast, I couldn’t see what color they were but I wanted to know. Something screamed from the depths of my soul. I needed to know everything there was to know about her.
I dropped a sack of potatoes, the large spuds spilled from the bag. They were all over the floor. I didn’t notice that I had dropped them at first. It wasn’t until her big brown eyes looked up at me that I was brought back to the present. My jaw was hanging open and something was fluttering in my stomach. Her words, although quiet, were laced with worry. Why was there fear in her eyes?
“The potatoes, quick, my father is coming!” The pretty girl said.
Before her words registered and before I could decide if I cared about her father, the packhouse door opened and the Alpha walked out. Shit. There was a menacing aura around him and I knew if I didn’t hurry up, I’d be fucked. Chances were I already was. I dropped to my knees and fumbled with the potatoes. I kept my head down and silence filled the courtyard. The sound of his footsteps neared and I held my breath as I reached for the last potato.
Shane’s words are a shock to my system. Silence stretches between us, and I don’t know how long we sit there. I watched as he ran his lips against my knuckles before kissing the back of my hand. I can’t keep my eyes off of him, and as I stare at the side of his face, anger bubbles inside of me.What the hell is he thinking?Unlike the night I met him in this life, there’s no hate there. Shane emits love and patience, and if I hadn’t already spent the time that I had with him, I would have thought I was dreaming. His lashes are unfairly curled, his nose sharp, and as he straightens, I sigh as he runs his fingers through his hair. I don’t need memories of my past life to know that’s always been my favorite thing.Shane’s walls have come crumbling down, and now that I’ve got the man I love marked, and in bed with me, I can’t help but wonder why the fuck he’s here. His eyes meet mine and the corner of his lip pulls back until he flashes me with that panty-dropping smirk. Meanwhile, I’m st
Shadow ~ LivingstonCry ~ Benson BooneAdeaSilence. Absolute silence. I couldn’t even hear his breathing. One glance at his chest proved he hadn’t taken a breath since the words left my mouth. I waited for his answer, but his next breath was all I got before he lifted me up. Supporting my weight, he turned and walked to the sectional. With him leaning back, it felt good being in his arms for this conversation.“Of all the things you could ask…”“You said you’d answer anything,” I reminded.“I did.”“But not this?” I asked curiously.“I will. Just… give me a minute.”“Okay,” I breathed.Lowering my gaze, I gave him a second. My fingers danced along his defined abs as I waited. His chest rose and fell and I glanced up as he ran his hand through his hair. My favorite curl rebelliously dropping back into place on his forehead. His jaw ticked, and I wondered if it was that big of a deal for him to appear, what I would call, pissed.“You had come to stay with me. When I heard you were home
AdeaShane’s heat vibrated against mine. He fit perfectly. Everything had been going so well and now it felt like the ground beneath our feet was shaking. My natural instinct was to look at his lips, to reach out for him, to beg him to make it go away like he had in the truck on the way here. But the time for running had past, and this was a hurtle I couldn’t avoid.There was nothing that could make me feel better about this situation. Images of Shane fucking a multitude of faceless, hot, nameless women flashed one after the other through my mind. No one could make me question my self worth, but when it came to him, Goddess, it was impossible to see how I could ever be enough. Beka walking into the space that’s supposed to be mine set flame to the gasoline that lay at our feet. But, of course, instead of making it better, Shane outright admitted he’d been with women. I wanted to laugh. Knowing he’d probably never turned anyone down until today left a bitter taste in my mouth. It didn’
As soon as I came from the high Shane gave me, the anger came flooding back. And the bastard had the audacity to smile. I don’t know how he did it, but he saw everything. Well, I guess if we’d live multiple lives, he’d know everything about me. I didn’t understand why he could remember, while I couldn’t. His smirk turned into a shit-eating grin, pulling at both corners of his mouth, and my stomach flip-flopped. My pussy still spasmed in the aftermath of my orgasm, but Shane dropped his forehead to mine and laughed. I pushed against his chest, but with a twist of the wrist; I moaned and jerked against him. His shirt was soaked, and I spat it out. It was warm and wet where it fell against my thigh.Bastard.“What’s so fucking funny?” I snapped. Quickly, I swiped at the drool on my chin. The two parts of me waged a war; the one that loved him and the one that resented him. One second I was gushing for him and the next I wanted to punch the ass. His shoulders shook as he pulled his fingers
Shane’s eyes held mine and I tracked the movement of his tongue as it slid along his bottom lip. His head dipped as he lowered himself, as if he couldn’t get close enough. And I watched as he ran his hard, flat tongue up my spread lips. I fought the urge to close my eyes and throw my head back. The need to revel in the pleasure Shane gave me was strong, but I couldn’t. His eyes darkened as he closed his mouth and his throat bobbed. And I was thankful I kept my eyes on him. His lashes fluttered as he savored my taste. Shane was more beautiful than the paintings hanging on the wall. He was a work of art and I could stare at him for hours, days, weeks; however long I could.“More,” I demanded.A rumbling sound sent goosebumps down my arms. My lips parted as his mouth opened and his pink tongue darted out. My thighs shook as I watched it flick over my clit. I widened my legs; needy for more, so much more. My fingers curled against his scalp and I pulled on his hair. Willing him to give me
Aphrodite ~ Sam ShortInstinct told me I needed to protect myself. The need to wrap my arms around myself was strong, but Shane was everywhere. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. My hands rested on his chest. He pressed a kiss to my hair, my forehead, my nose. Even as I wanted to escape this wretched feeling in my chest, I couldn’t help but burrow closer. My lashes fluttering to a close as he murmured my name. I swallowed the lump in my throat and let my hands fall as he placed me on the table.The sweet happiness that made me so giddy I ran from him was gone. And in its place a small hole. Pettiness, anger, and jealousy clawed at my chest. His shirt had ridden up less than an inch more and I would be on full display. My gaze trailed up the ridges and dips of his abdomen. Beneath the light, I noticed the light markings of scars on the back of his biceps and arms. Muscles turned to broad shoulders, but my gaze locked on my mark.Shane is mine.Always has been.Always
Go to Hell ~ LetdownAdeaThe silence was deafening. It was so still, you could hear a pin drop. Just an arm’s length away, his slow breaths filled the silence as Shane hovered behind me. I refused to look at him just yet. My emotions waged war within me. Did I want to yell or cry? I needed a moment. Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths, trying and failing to calm myself down.Breathe in.1…2…3…4…Hold.1…2…3…4…Exhale.1…2…3…4…The damn breathing thing thing wasn’t working. Back when Gabe and I first came here, he taught me this breathing technique to help with my panic attacks. Instead of pushing thoughts of him away, it did the opposite. Every time I inhaled, I got lungfuls of Shane, his presence surrounded me. Demolishing the wall of safety I tried so hard to build up. As if he heard the wall come tumbling down, he stepped closer. The heat came off of him in waves, cutting through the short distance and caressed me. It was so hard to be mad at him, but my mind and
My skin heated, and it felt as if my blood were boiling. I don’t know which part I was more angry about. This woman being here in my space, the supposed plan to remove her from the premises, or the way Shane called her name. Was it a nickname? Maybe it was all the above that truly pissed me off. My gaze locked with Gabe’s and I gave him the ‘Am I the only one insane here?’ look, but he just shook his head reassuringly. So either I wasn’t, or the two of us were both equally crazy. Turning my focus back to Beka, I waited impatiently for what she’d say. My lip curled as she softened her eyes and pouted.“When you didn’t come back, I was worried. On top of that, you didn’t answer any of my texts.” She hunched her shoulders, making herself appear smaller. We’re taught this at a young age to show an aggressive male we were weak and meant no harm. My skin crawled as she leaned into him, invading his space. I bit back the whine in my throat as my insecure thoughts swirled through my mind.Is s
I am not okay ~ Jelly RollAdeaKorra caught her scent before I could, and she was seething. Alarm bells were going off. There was a female in our mate’s suite. I didn’t know when it happened, but we had claimed not only Shane, but this area as ours. Only those we allowed were permitted to be here, and this woman wasn’t supposed to be here. My wolf snarled and snapped her fierce jaws at the uninvited guest. Normally, I can keep her under control, but right now, it felt like we were one and the same.Her anger, her hate, her pain, her need to draw blood—all of it was mine.My eyes trailed up from her red Jimmy Choos, along her thin yet muscular legs, to the white skirt that left nothing to the imagination, past her breasts that were barely covered by an uncountable number of diamonds. Red-kissed lips with a perfect cupid’s bow jutted out in a pout that matched her heels, blue eyes that instantly zoned in on Shane, and too-straight princess blonde hair flowed down her back.Still, she wo