Micah sat up quickly, breaths coming out in rapid succession. He still felt like he was in a dreamlike state. The world around him became more vivid as he looked around the campfire. He felt an arm on his shoulder and saw Beta Erik kneeling beside him, speaking, but his voice was distorted. "Let me...get my bearings," Micah breathed out, closing his eyes and taking steady breaths. All he could think of was his mate in his brother's arms. The very thought brought a growl from his lips. He wasn't sure what Mason or Melania had in mind, but he knew he had to hurry and find them. "Alpha?" He opened his eyes to see Erik staring worriedly at him before looking in another direction. He followed Erik's gaze and saw Lottie and Spencer hovering over Laurie. A panic rose in him as he tried to stand. He got to his feet and swayed before Erik held onto him to keep him steady. "Laurie?" Lottie and Spencer moved to give him a better view. Laurie was lying on the ground with the bunny cuddl
Delilah couldn't remember how she got back into her cell. Everything and everyone around her seemed to be at a distance. The only thing replaying in her mind was the sight of her daughter. Xeni. In pain and screaming, and there was nothing Delilah could do. The memory of Fredrick's death flashed in her mind. The words he spoke plagued her. You will not fall apart...I did not marry a weak woman. His words brought more tears from her eyes. She felt the same as she did then. Hopeless. "Forgive me, Fredrick," Delilah cried before covering her mouth to stifle her sobs. Tears fell down her face as she held herself. "Who is Fredrick?" Princess Aidy held out a wet cloth Delilah took to clean her face. Delilah smiled. "He is...was my husband. Died a long time ago." "Oh, I'm sorry." "It's fine," Delilah said, patting Princess Aidy's hand. "I've enjoyed every single moment with him. Good and bad. Now I'm just biding my time until we meet again." He would be so disappointed, Delil
A couple of guards carried boxes into the room down the hall. Delilah noticed the Royal seal on the boxes, and by the gasp from Princess Aidy, so did she. After the guards entered the room, Princess Aidy was the first to speak. "This is bad," she said to them. "What are those," Delilah asked. "Those boxes are from our armory. I remember sneaking into one and seeing those exact boxes." "What's in the boxes," Princess Clara asked. "Something that could bring down a pack of wolves in less than a minute." "I didn't know humans could do that," Princess Clara said. "Almost like they are preparing for a war." They became quiet as the guards locked the door to the room and exited the dungeons. "Maybe we could use it to our advantage. This pack is full of werewolves, right? We can use whatever is in those boxes to create a path to freedom," Delilah suggested. "At least for you two." Princess Clara waved her hands in the air. "Hello, werewolf here. Whatever is in those boxes
Burnt bodies, blood, and feces was the only thing Micah could smell in the air. He stood at the top of the hill, overlooking the carnage before him. They have been following leads of attacks reported by Commander Duche for a week now, and this was the third settlement they've encountered like this. It was small, but Micah knew it well from many of his journeys. It was one of the few settlements that were integrated. The people and werewolves lived in harmony, which has turned into this. Death and ash. "Didn't think we would find this many settlements like this." Micah turned to the voice and watched as Lieutenant Duche joined him. Micah didn't respond as he turned back to the scene. His people were piling up the bodies on one side of the settlement. So far, they have found twenty bodies. Men, women, children, humans, and werewolves alike. "Strange how Commander Duche recommended this particular path," Micah said. He could feel a hint of anger in his tone and was unapologetic. He
"Xenia is my mate," Micah finished. "That fact is undeniable." "So what? If she decides she doesn't want you as a mate, you will force her like your brother," Cristobal accused as he took another step toward Micah. "OoOo, girls, go get me a chair," Serif geeked. "I think it's about to get good." Micah closed his eyes, feeling Roman wanting to set this man straight. Micah took a deep breath before opening his eyes with a strained smile. "I would never do that," Micah said, stepping towards Cristobal to close the distance. Cristobal laughed harshly. "Said every abuser." "He is pissing me off," Roman growled. "I will give you the benefit of the doubt, Cristobal, because you don't know me. So, let me give you a clue. I don't have to force anyone to do anything for or with me," Micah said, flexing his muscles. "I wouldn't need to." The men were chest to chest now. Micah's hands flexed at his side while Cristobal rested his hand on his sword. Serif sat back with a cocktail in hand,
The sunlight peeked through the half-drawn curtains, waking Delilah from her nap. She glanced at Xenia, who hadn't moved since Mason let her in a week ago. The guards tried taking Delilah back to the dungeons, but she pleaded with Mason to let her stay by her daughter's side. Mason hesitated until Lillian reminded him it was for the best. Delilah wanted to thank her but remembered she was the woman who kidnapped her in the first place. So now here she was, waiting for her daughter to wake up. "And you will wake up," Delilah said as she grabbed Xenia's hand and placed her other hand on Xenia's forehead. She took a cold towel to wipe away the sweat on Xenia's brow. Xenia's body temperature was hotter than usual, and the bed she was lying in was already soaked through. Delilah feared the fever would get worse if she didn't do anything. However, Mason informed her that werewolves could withstand temperatures far greater than most species. Werewolf? Delilah didn't want to point out t
Mason took a moment to gather himself as he stared at Xenia. Her eyes moved around the room until they landed on Delilah, and she placed a hand on Delilah's cheek. Delilah cuddled against Xenia's hand, and jealousy rose in Mason so quickly he had to grip the table's edge to keep from moving to her. He could hear the wood splintering under his hand as he watched them. Delilah moved again, and he silently prayed she wouldn't wake up. He had enough drama for the day and wanted nothing more than an outlet. An outlet consisted of him ripping every piece of clothing from Xenia's body, laying her on the bed, opening her thighs, and thrusting each long, thick inch of him inside her. That thought alone had his cock hardening against his thigh. He wanted her attention all to himself, even though a part of him felt conflicted. Melania. What would she say if she saw him lusting after another? She would most definitely kill that person before turning her wrath onto him. She had never had a
Mason almost panicked at the thought of Xenia being out of her mini coma. She's been sleeping for at least a week yet somehow found the strength to cuddle with him. Unless… "Rodin, did you…" "Of course not," Rodin growled at him. "Really? It's just a coincidence you have a dream of her, and now she's like this. Did you move her?" "We," Rodin stressed, "dreamed of her, and I did not. We woke up like this." Mason knew he was telling the truth, but still, her body was covering parts of him. Did we move her without knowing? Mason wondered as he stared down at her still form. She was still asleep, but her breath was just as erratic as theirs. She can feel us through the bond. The light from the moon was slowly peering through the curtains. It could explain why Rodin was able to take control so easily. Stupid moon. Mason pushed forward to gain control as he moved her. He slowly got out of bed, making sure not to wake her. Though waking his mate would not be such a terrible idea for Ro
Across the battlefield, Lacey caught sight of Celia blasting away two warriors before trying to join Lillian.“Celia!” Lacey shouted, grabbing her arm and yanking her back.Celia whirled on her. “What are you doing? Let go of me!”“I should be asking you the same damn thing,” Lacey snapped. “You’re still fighting for her? After everything she’s done?”Celia’s jaw clenched. “You wouldn’t understand.”“She tortured us. She tortured you. She helped turn Jed into a monster! And you still defend her?”“She loves me,” Celia hissed, voice trembling with fury. “You don’t know what it’s like–to be chosen. To be seen. You wouldn’t understand because you don’t have a mate. You’ve never had one.”Lacey flinched–but only for a moment. “You’re right,” she said coldly. “I don’t have a mate. But at least I’m not weak enough to sell my soul for one.”Celia’s magic surged at those words. “Say that again.”Lacey’s eyes gleamed gold. “You heard me.”With a furious scream, Celia raised her hands, greenish
Melania took on Nova, Roman, and Micah while Mason set his sights on Xenia.With a powerful swipe Melania threw Roman towards Nova, both crashing out of the way as she clashed with Micah.“I never thought in a million years you would want to hurt me like this,” Melania grimaced. “I am your mate, Micah. Me. Not that fragile little human!”Micah’s grip tightened on her wrists, and for a moment, their faces were inches apart as he held her gaze. “You lost me the moment you took away the only family I had left,” he snapped. “You used my grief like a leash. You made yourself a monster.”Melania’s lips trembled, fury twisting her features. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “No, no–you still love me. I know you do. I can fix this. I can fix us.”“There’s no us anymore, Melania,” Micah said. “There will never be an us.”The words hit harder than any blow. Melania shrieked–an animal sound, furious and guttural–and her body lit up with a violent surge of dark magic. She slammed both hands
Xenia blinked, struggling to steady herself as the dream faded, ripped from her mind like torn silk. Her body ached. Every breath felt like she was inhaling smoke. She sat up slowly–and froze.Melania lay sprawled on the ground, her elegant dress torn, blood staining her lip. Her eyes fluttered open, dazed but furious.A sound to her left made Xenia twist around. Mason. Stumbling into the area, just as beaten. His shirt was ripped, and blood dripped from various parts of his body. He spotted Melania on the floor. His expression snapped.“No,” he whispered, then louder, “What did you do?”Xenia barely had time to get to her feet before he lunged at her.“You ruined everything!” Mason bellowed, slamming into her and knocking her back. “She gave you everything! And you spat on it!”Xenia hit the floor hard, the impact stealing the breath from her lungs. Dazed, she barely registered Mason’s shadow looming above her, his fist coming down.But it never landed.A hand caught it mid-swing wit
Xenia woke up alone. The brothers were nowhere to be seen, so she decided to get ready for another perfect day. She got dressed, fixing her appearance in the mirror. The moment she looked away, the reflection turned to Melania, who smiled before disappearing. Xenia stared at her reflection before leaving.“Good,” Xenia said to herself. “Today’s going to be perfect.”Downstairs the brothers were in the kitchen with Delilah. Micah was unusually focused, slicing and arranging with the precision of a man on a mission. Mason was just as focused, carefully packing fruits and cheeses, and crusty bread into woven baskets. Delilah flitted about the kitchen like a hummingbird, humming a lullaby Xenia swore she hadn’t heard since childhood.They walked to the sea, just the four of them. The cliffs were painted with wildflowers, the ocean stretched endlessly, calm and blue. Xenia leaned into the breeze and tried not to think too hard.But something was wrong.She felt it when she reached for the
Melania kept her magic flowing into Xenia, but she felt herself losing strength. Micah stood before them, his presence blazing with power.Melania didn’t flinch. “Keep him away,” she said to Mason. “She’s so close to accepting her new reality. If he interrupts now, she might have the strength to fight back. I need time.”“He won’t understand,” Mason said.“Then make him,” she snapped. “I know you can.”“I won’t say it again,” Micah said, interrupting their conversation. “Get out of my way Mason.”“I can’t let you,” Mason said, his voice shaking with fury. “You took her away from me once. I won’t let it happen again!”Mason snarled, aura flaring to full strength as he launched forward. Micah’s wolf, Roman, collided with Mason in mid-air, the impact sending a shockwave through the spirit realm. Mason crashed to the ground, rolling once before skidding to a stop.“Damn you, Roman,” he spat, rising. “Do you have to interfere. This is between brothers.” Roman stood between him and Mason,
Xenia stood frozen as Mason held her waist, his touch gentle. This was the kind of moment a girl might fantasize about–the reformed villain pledging himself at her feet. But something about it soured in her gut. The air shimmered, just slightly, like heat rising off pavement. Mason’s skin was warm, too warm, feverish. And his voice… it wasn’t Mason’s. Not really.“I’m nothing without you,” he whispered, face pressed to her abdomen. “You saved me, Xenia. Don’t you remember?”“Mason, I…” Her throat constricted. It was suddenly hard to speak. Hard to think. But she could hear her mother and Micah returning–footsteps, laughter, too far and too close all at once. The sounds blurred, like a warped vinyl record.“I believe you,” she said quickly, trying to get him up but he tightened his arms around her.“You know I can tell when you’re lying,” he said, eyes flicking up to hers. There was a flicker–just for a second–where his eyes changed, glitching like bad film. A blink later and they were
Blood and ash thickened the air as Alpha Micah and the group made their way through the packhouse and towards the ritual grounds. The howls of distant wolves still echoed, but for now, the area had settled into a tense, almost eerie silence. Laurie floated down from a treeline, black eyes turning back to her usual color, her expression grim. “More guards than we thought,” she whispered. “And that’s just the outer ring. Inside the ritual circle, we’ve the Three Sisters.”Micah’s jaw tightened. “The Three Sisters?”Laurie nodded. “They’re channeling the ritual. It’s working. Xenia’s… already changing.”“What do you mean changing?” Delilah asked, panic rising in her voice.Micah placed a firm but comforting hand on Delilah’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Miss Delilah. It’s not over yet.” Then, turning back to Laurie, he asked, “Can we get past them?”Laurie nodded. “They’re powerful, but we can get rid of them if we destroy the effigy tethering them here.”A chilling scream cut through the nig
In the cozy kitchen of her family home, Xenia found herself caught in a comical, slightly awkward situation as she sat down to breakfast. Her mother sat across from her with her chin resting on her clasped fingers. Delilah’s eyes darted between the two brothers she forced Xenia to sit between.“So,” Delilah began, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she sipped her tea. “Since I didn’t get the chance to properly introduce myself to you both because of the… incident in Ornyville…”“We are so sorry about that, Miss Bakken,” Micah interjected. Xenia turned to look at him and he regarded her with a smile before taking her hand and turning back to Delilah. “It’s just been a while since we had a mate and the bond was stronger than we anticipated.”“I don’t know what the big fuss was,” Mason added. Xenia turned to look at him. Her heart started to race as her hand curled into fists.What is this feeling towards him?“We did replace the bar table and compensated the owner,” Mason continued. “T
Serif laid down on the sand, exhausted. They’ve been digging themselves from the little sand hole the others stuff them into to avoid detection. Dottie and Molly ran to his side to help him sit up. He swatted them away.“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he said with irritation. “I’m just a bit tired, hungry, and my ass is full of sand. How much longer do we have to stay here?”Dottie looked over the empty waves, shaking her head. “Laurie said to wait here for reinforcements.”“She didn’t say how long they will be,” Molly added. “But this was the safer option.”Serik looked toward the tunnel the others left through the other day, wondering if they were better off going with them. Then he thought about the fighting and unnecessary bloodshed and decided he chose the right path. Still, the shade of the moon in the sky gave him an eerie feeling.“There!” Dottie pointed to a ship that appeared on the horizon. Dottie and Molly exclaimed, jumping up and waving their hands in the air. Serif groaned, bare