Merry Christmas Everyone! I wouldn't leave you all without a new chapter on this holiday! Wishing you all a very joyous holiday season! Thank you for reading! -JNS <3
Saph POV “You’re sure you don’t want to join us?” Pearl asks softly, peeking into my bedroom door. She’s wearing a black tank top and shorts, which contrasts with her alabaster skin. I see the hurt and the underlying pity in her eyes as she looks at me. “Yes, Pearl. I have no interest in running tonight. I’m just here for you and Amy,” I try my best not to roll my eyes at her. Pressing up from my bed, I make my way over to her and take her face in my hands as I look her in the eyes. “You go and have fun. I hope your mate is out there tonight.” I mean the words I say, even though I have pretty much given the Moon Goddess the middle finger every day for the last five months. I want nothing more to do with full moons, mates, and true love. I had it once. I still can’t believe how eager werewolves have become to find their fated mates again. It’s like everyone has forgotten about the plague and the devastating losses that almost eradicated our kind. “Are you
Asher POV I stand at the top of Crescent Hill, the highest point in our pack. It overlooks the common areas and offers the most space for hundreds of werewolves to gather for the full moon run. Archie's on my right sporting a similar outfit to me: loose-fitting gym clothes. No point in wearing anything fancy for a full moon run when, in a few minutes, everyone who is of age to shift, will be in wolf form, and clothes will be discarded. As I scan the familiar faces of my pack, who make up the majority of the group, I see the apprehension in their eyes. They are hoping to find their fated mates tonight. I turn my attention to the rest of the group made up of visiting pack members of the Running River and Forza Packs. I spot Tobias standing behind Pearl and Amy. The dude sticks out without trying. He literally looks like Thor, but his focus is on the two Stone princesses. I’ve caught a few single she-wolves in my pack stealing glances at him when he walked through the packhous
Saph POV The sounds of birds chirping and squirrels rustling between trees stir me out of the weirdest dream. I was dancing with a clown, the sexiest clown…if that’s even a thing. My head is pounding, my skin feels itchy, and when I peel my eyes open, they are heavy with sleep and crusty in the corners from dirt. The bright rays of the early morning sunrise slice into my eyes, making me flinch them close once again. Too early. I stretch my arms and legs out wide, like a human starfish, and feel the rough grass scratch against my skin. That explains the itchy feeling. Too nervous to open my eyes again, I feel for my wolf in the back of my mind. I can sense her sleeping, but our connection is weak at the moment. Doesn’t surprise me, given the cocktail I made myself last night. No regrets. I don’t even remember the full moon last night, which is exactly what I wanted. Full moons are just too painful to face sober right now. I’m happy to relive the vivid dreams of me
Asher POV I left her. I made it about a thousand meters away before my wolf practically demanded that I shift and go back to her. “What do you want me to do?! She won’t accept me! She hates me!” I shout out loud as if my wolf was standing right next to me. He simply growls from the back of my mind, making me roll my eyes at him. He doesn’t understand. He’s an animal- he operates off instinct, not logic. There’s no way Saph will accept me as her mate. I can hardly wrap my mind around how us being mated could ever work. I continue stomping through the woods, making my way home, wanting to take a hot shower. I stop mid-stride, an idea popping into my head. “Maybe she can learn to accept me…” My wolf starts hopping around at the thought. “She doesn’t know me. I can help her. Maybe then…” I sprint back to the packhouse as the pieces of a plan start falling into place. - - - When I make it to my office, which is in the east wing of the packhouse, I try reaching out to Archie thr
Saph POV Tobias sounded less-than-pleased over the mindlink. I didn’t even have a chance to shower or change my clothes. I feel so grimy, so I pull my hair up into a bun, hoping to look somewhat presentable. I walk past Pearl and Amy as I make my way out of the guest wing of the pack house, but they don’t say anything to me. Amy just scoffs and turns back into her room. Pearl looks at me with pity in her eyes. I don’t need anyone’s pity. I’m fine. Everyone is just sad that I’m not the old Sapphire anymore. No one is angry that Daya is more loving and gentler, or that Emmy is more outspoken; I become a little guarded and short-tempered, and suddenly everyone is running around worried about me. I’m fine! When I manage to find my way to the Alpha’s office, I can hear mumbling and shuffling on the other side of the door. If I wasn’t so caught up in my own mind, I probably would have been able to make out what was being said. “Come in alread
Asher POV Saph is unraveling in front of everyone. My wolf is howling from seeing our mate in pain. I know she is angry, but that anger is coming from a place of hurt. I know that pain well- too well. I want to help you, Bunny. It takes all of my control not to tackle Archie to the ground when he grabs Saph. I know he was just doing his duties as my brother and Beta. Still, seeing another man touch my mate brings out an animalistic, possessive quality in me that I’ve never experienced before. Not even with Portia. My heart feels like it’s being put through a vise when Saph admits to wishing that I was the one who died instead of Nathan. I wanted to shake her and tell her here and now that she is my mate- my true, fated mate. “P…Papa?” No! Why is Ruby here? Fuckin’ Archie left the door open. It’s not his fault. I don’t normally have meetings first thing in the morning. My mornings are reserved for my daughter. I ignore all of t
Asher POV I knew it! I fuckin’ knew it! I have had this twisted feeling in my stomach all week that something was going to go wrong during the full moon run. Originally, I thought it was finding out that Saph is my mate, but how wrong I was. ‘Archie, once you’re done taking Saph to her room, take Ruby to school, and meet me at Artemis’ cell!’ I holler through our mindlink. ‘Already finished up with Saph, I’ll scoop Ruby up right now. What happened?’ he asks with agitation clear in his voice. I wonder if it’s from Saph, or if he’s feeding off my anger. ‘Artemis escaped last night. Rory can’t find him,’ I seethe as I storm out of the packhouse to make my way over to the cells. ‘What the fuck?! How? When?’ ‘If I fuckin’ knew, I would have already found him. Just get over here quick!’ I order frustratedly. I don’t mean to be a dick to Archie, but I hate when people ask me stupid questions when I’m already stressed out, especially
Saph POV I can’t believe I’m on house arrest and confined to my room until tomorrow morning! Who does this guy think he is? His goofball of a brother was all too happy to escort me back to the packhouse. I stomp inside ahead of him, acting more childish than I’d like to admit. He follows me, walks over to my bags and starts rummaging through them. “Hey! Don’t touch my stuff!” I shout, running over to him and yanking my bag out of his hands, but I’m a second too late as I see he found the rest of my stash. “I’ll be sure to dispose of these.” Archie clicks his tongue at me, as I move away and drop my bag in the corner, staying on the opposite side of the room from him. “No need to pout. You’re just confined to your room for the rest of the day. Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up for your work detail,” he says with a smug grin. He’s enjoying this way too much. “And what if I have to use the bathroom? There isn’t one in my room. Shall I j