NATHANIEL
"Word is getting around, Nathaniel. The demons are getting edgy. They say you're becoming weak," Rozol said as we made our way through the woods."They say that all the time. Nothing is new. I was banished from my lair, remember?"To be fair, they had every right to.Demons and werewolves didn't exactly mix well together. Toss some vampires and demons together, and everything was grand. Just not the former.It all stemmed from a war that ensued centuries ago, wiping out thousands of werewolves. To this day, no one knew what had caused the demons to act out, and declare war against the werewolves.Not one to back down from a fight, the werewolves had maintained the enmity.When you were born into two feuding species, it was hard to pick a side. Well, it had been hard at first, but I had no such difficulty anymore.I was the leader over my lair until they found out I was more than a demon. The betrayal had cut deep.A ferocious beast they'd called me. I was barely alive when they left me and my brothers beaten and broken.I had a pack now, and they had my back. Of course, that was because they didn't know I was part demon.They didn't have to, though.That was a secret I would take to my grave. I didn't want to lose the love and respect these men had for me."Your men approach. Until next time, old friend."Rozol faded into darkness just as I heard their paws hitting the hard ground.Kai, my Zeta, shifted into his human form, his face etched into a frown. The others behind him remained in their wolf form."What's wrong?""We have a situation. We found paw prints by our border. That isn't even the surprising part. There is a car a couple of feet away from the border. A couple was found dead inside. They were mauled by wolves. The back door is open, but we didn't see anyone around. Worst of all, the wolves are dead.""Where is Logan?" I asked, referring to my beta."He is there with the rest of the Enforcers. They are watching the border just in case something pops up.""Good."I slid my hand to my button, undoing my pants."What?" I asked when Kai raised a brow at me. "These are designer pants. The same goes for the shirt. I've ripped a lot of them in the past. These things cost money."When I was done undressing, I nodded. "Let's go."We shifted simultaneously, and I picked up my clothes with my fangs before breaking into a run, the rest behind me.I was zipping my pants when Kai and the rest burst out of the thick trees."It's like you get faster the moment I'm able to keep up with your pace," Kai said, panting heavily.I shrugged. "Not my fault you can't keep up.""We're racing tomorrow. I need to sharpen up my skills.""Can you two focus?" Logan cut in, a look of exasperation on his face."Where is the car?" I asked."I'll take you there," Logan offered. "It made me sick to my stomach to see what they did to the couple."Logan was by no means a soft man, and he was no stranger to blood and gore. For someone like him to feel that way, the attack had to be brutal.My suspicions were confirmed when I got to the scene.The man had his head torn from his body with his intestines hanging out, while the woman's chest was ripped open. Her heart was missing.I moved to the dead werewolves, crouching down in front of one.I took its massive head in my hand, pulling its mouth wide open. Blood coated its fang, the strong smell of it making me reach forward to swipe at it with one of my hands.I brought my blood-stained fingers to my nose, taking a whiff of it. I'd just wiped my hand on the wolf's fur when I picked up a similar scent. It was faint, but I got it."There is a third person.""What do you mean?""Come with me."I changed directions, taking a curve into a thicker part of the woods. Branches scraped at my face as I followed the scent.The deeper we went, the stronger the scent became."Do you hear that?" Logan asked, his ear parking up."Yes. There is a waterfall up ahead." ***AYRAI had to move faster.I couldn't let them get to me.My limbs didn't cooperate with my thoughts, though. The further ahead I went, the more it felt like I was going to pass out.Blood dripped from my side, but there was nothing I could do to stop it. Shifting to my human form would be a bad idea - especially now that I was more vulnerable than ever with the bleeding wound on my side.I burst out of the thicket, dropping to the ground as my exhaustion claimed me.I was thirsty, but I couldn't bring myself to move any further. I was weak to my bones.Throughout my journey through the woods, I didn't hear anyone follow me. Maybe those two were the only ones who came to attack us.I'd just closed my eyes when I heard it.The sound of a twig breaking.Adrenaline flooded me, and all the strength I thought I lost filled me with a vengeance. I couldn't let them kill me without fighting. If I was going down, then I'd do so fighting.I forced myself to remain still, straining my ear to pick up any sound that would help me get an inkling of where my attacker was.I didn't have to wait for long before I heard the masculine voice."Over here, Nathaniel. I found a dead wolf."Good. They didn't know I was alive."The blood belongs to it," another man said.I heard footsteps as they approached. I waited until the last possible moment when one had crouched on the ground before lunging, taking him to the ground."Let him go," the other man growled.The one I had pinned to the ground smiled. "No, Logan. There is no need for the threats."Was I seeing right? He was smiling when I had him pinned to the floor. Did he think I couldn't kill him?I bared my fangs at him, letting him know I wouldn't hesitate to sink my fangs into his throat.I knew I couldn't keep up my stance for long. The adrenaline was gradually leaving my body, and I could feel my body weakening.I collapsed on the man's chest when an excruciating pressure fell upon my mind. I couldn't decipher what it was, but it was too late, anyway.I lost consciousness. ***Regaining consciousness was like I'd been submerged into water, and I was just getting my first drag of air.My upper body jerked off the bed as I heaved, sucking oxygen into my lungs."Welcome back to the land of the living."That voice.I knew it from somewhere. I'd heard it before, but as I tried to remember a blinding pain hit my skull."Don't force it. Your memory will return once you're settled."How did he know that was what I'd been trying to do?"I looked around the dark room, trying to pinpoint his exact location, but I couldn't."Your supernatural senses are going to fail you for a few days.""Where are you?" I asked, not liking that he had the upper hand. He could dash out of the dark at any time and lunge for me without my knowledge.On cue, the lights came on, and I had to shut my eyes for a brief moment to adjust to the brightness of the room.When I opened my eyes, I saw the man in an armchair. He was intimidating without even having to try.The air around him reeked of power, and even with the distance between us, I could sense it.His black hair was cropped into a buzz cut, leaving the hard lines and features of his face discernible. His thick brows were set over deep green eyes surrounded by gold rings.Those green eyes of his were calculating as he watched me."Well? Are you going to kill me now or what?"He smiled, the simple action transforming his face from a terrifying mask to a beautiful one.Don't get me wrong, he was hot without having to smile, but there was an openness to his face that wasn't there when he didn't."You'd be dead if I wanted to kill you. You've been unconscious for a week now.""A week?""It's understandable. You were poisoned."I had no recollection of what he was talking about."I already told you. Don't force yourself to remember. Your memory should come back in a day or two.""Where am I?""The Borough."The Borough. That could only mean one thing - this was the Crimson Shadow pack. I'd heard rumors about how the place was heaven on earth, and it was accessible to the members of the pack.Set on a magical island of some sort, no one knew how to get there. At least no one I knew did."We should get you something to eat. You look skinny," he said, his nose wrinkling in disapproval.I refrained from telling him that I'd always been skinny. I had no idea how I knew that, but I did.I placed my feet on the floor, gasping when I saw the marks around my ankle."Silver. Will take a while to heal," the man said."Who are you?" I asked, wondering if he was trustworthy."Nathaniel.""Nathaniel, can I speak to your Alpha?"His lips twitched up like he was trying to contain a smile. "Sure. I'll take you to him after you get some clothes and food."My stomach growled in response. "My stomach agrees.""What's the first stop? Food or clothes.""Food."He grinned at me. "Smart woman.""Ayra."He raised a brow at me. "What do you mean?""I'm Ayra."NATHANIEL"Why are people staring?" Ayra asked, raising a brow at me.It was surprising she even noticed. The woman had her face buried in her food the minute it arrived."You are dressed in a hospital gown. Put two and two together.""Oh," she said, looking down at her chest like she was just noticing she wasn't dressed to be out in public."Oh. You need not worry, though. You'll get appropriate clothes when you're done eating.""Silly me. I should have offered you some food. Would you like to eat anything?"I shook my head. "I already ate."She shrugged, returning to her food.Some minutes later, she was done, and we were heading for the mall."Alpha Nathaniel, what brings you by?" The sales attendant asked."Nathaniel is just fine." I pointed at Ayra who had her attention on a dress. "She needs some clothes. Get her everything she wants.""Of course… Nathaniel?" She asked with an awkward smile."Yes. Did the watches come in
AYRA"Hey, roomie," I heard from my bedroom doorway. I straightened, tucking my black strands behind my ear. "Oh, hey," I said with a smile."I'm Seth," he said. "Can I come in?""Sure. I'm Ayra.""My room is on the second floor. Looks like you have the third floor all to yourself. Prepared for the ceremony, yet?" He asked, dropping down on my bed.I gathered my clothes, shoving them into my bag.He held up a pink thong I missed while packing the others. "You left this."My face heated up in mortification. "Thanks." I snatched the thong out of his hand, shoving it into my pocket.He grinned at me. "You're cute when you blush.""Uh, thanks. What brings you by?""I wanted to invite you to swim with us. There's a huge-ass pool downstairs. The others are already there. Would you like to join us?""Yeah. Sure. Let me just put away the rest of my stuff.""We'll be waiting." ***"Marry me," a redhead said, kneeling in front
AYRAHe left.Was I that much of a bad kisser?I was confused as hell, but I had no way of l knowing. One moment, he had me pressed against him as he claimed my lips, and the next, he was running out of there like his ass was on fire.I wasn't in the mood to party anymore. I looked around for Nikki, informing her that I was heading home so she wouldn't worry.I stripped off my clothes, climbing into my bed where I took care of my burning desire, all the while envisioning his hands on my skin.I was about to drift off when I caught sight of something - or rather someone - through my floor-to-ceiling window. There on the balcony was Nathaniel, his hungry eyes burning with fiery desire as he trailed them over my naked body.I was instantly filled with embarrassment. He'd seen me jerk off with his name on my lips as I came apart.He growled something before storming inside his room, closing the French doors behind him.What the fuck was wron
AYRAI spent the next hour staring at the mark he left on my collarbone, wishing it'd just fade away, but of course, it didn't. I slid down the window, wishing I could undo the events of the last two hours. Then I wouldn't have this stupid mark that mocked me every time I looked at it in the mirror."Ayra. Lunch is ready," Reese called from downstairs. "I'm not hungry," I called back.It wasn't long before I heard the footsteps as they approached my bedroom."Ayra, are you okay?" Reese asked, knocking on my door."Yeah. I'm just tired. I'll come down when I've had some rest.""Okay. We're here if you need someone to talk to."Her footsteps faded, and it was quiet once more.Marking was supposed to be a special thing between mates, not something to be taken lightly. And it certainly wasn't something possessive douchebags had the right to do because they felt the need to.Thinking of what happened in his office filled me with renewed
NATHANIEL"He was also found dead. Murdered the way the other two had been. An injury to the head," Kai said as we made our way through the woods."Was there a human with its gut ripped out beside the werewolf just like the last time?""Yes. This one is more severe. All her limbs were separated from her body. Half of her head is crushed."I go to the scene, and I had to agree with Kai. This was more brutal. Her limbs were separated from her body, and the body itself was mauled beyond recognizing. Worst of all, the girl looked young. She was no more than fifteen if my guess was correct."I found her when I was doing security checks with Kai," Logan said."I have a theory," Kai said. "I think these wolves are being tested."*** "I got it," Kai said, bursting into my kitchen with a crazed look in his eyes. His chestnut brown hair flew in all directions while his gray eyes danced with accomplishment.He was so committed to what he found out that
NATHANIEL "Ishmael. It was quite a difficulty reaching you. Nice cave.""I wouldn't say so. You found me, didn't you?" The sorcerer turned away from the mirror, a smile on his face. "It's been a while, Nathaniel."He was just as I remembered. His features hadn't changed over a few years since I'd last seen him."Indeed. I need one of your weapons. Preferably the dagger if you have it.""Hm. What price are you willing to pay?"I'd prepared myself for this part. "How much do you want?""No, Nathaniel. I don't need your money. What do you have to offer?"His question threw me off. What else could he possibly want? In the past, when we had a business transaction, money was his priority."Oh, don't look like that. It's not something so grave.""What do you want?""Access to The Borough. I want to live there and have the freedom to leave whenever I want to.""Just access to The Borough?""Correct."I weighed my options in my he
AYRA"Ayra! Where were you? We saw the ashes in your bedroom," Reese said, pulling me into a hug the moment I stepped into the living room."Sorry. I followed Nathaniel somewhere to see if I could get back my memory."Nikki's eyes widened in surprise. "So, the rumors were true. You and the Alpha had a run in the woods.""Seriously, how fast do the rumors travel around here?""Well, did you?""No. I followed him somewhere to see if I can remember anything about my past.""Did you remember anything?"The woman and the man flashed through my mind again. "Not really. I need to take a bath. Can we have this talk later?"They both nodded. "Come downstairs when you're refreshed," said Reese.I climbed up the stairs, coming across Seth along the way."Hey." I waved at him, but he merely walked past me, ignoring me completely. I shrugged. Maybe he was having a bad day. Too tired to mull on it, I walked into my room, all traces of the
NATHANIEL"Interesting thing you've got going on with your mate," Ishmael said. I could hear him snag the glass of whisky from my table.I didn't bother opening my eyes when I answered. "Ayra is not my mate. Demons don't do mates."At least it was rare. I knew that much. Only a few demons I knew in my life had such a connection, and they weren't even referred to as 'mates'. There wasn't a term to describe it, but everyone around just knew their lives were intertwined. If one died, then the other would follow. That made demons dread that type of commitment. Who would want to die for their partner?What was common amongst demons was marking. It was a way to exert dominance or stake a claim over another. It went both ways. The males and the females could do it.The mark lasted for as long as the demon was interested in the other. As long as I was interested in Ayra, the mark wouldn't fade, and as long as the mark didn't fade, the demons would always attack