Ciaran's Point of View
Alvara had surprised us all. An endless fire raged behind her ribs. We had been right. I had seen those same flames rage against her circumstances. At first she had shrunk back from Adelia. But that fire pushed her further. Driven her to stand up for herself. The sight was something else to behold.
When we had met her, she was nothing but a timid girl trying to hide. Only a few days here and something had shifted deep within her. For the better. Even though she had spent days with Maverick and Dargan, I felt a certain comfort in knowing that she was taken care of. That all her emotional needs were slowly being met.
I hadn't bargained on Sybil and Adelia showing up. Hadn't bargained on Adelia being so persistent in her pursuit of going to one of those orgies. Or rather, our sex clubs. The practice had started when the pack was founded. Dargan, Maverick, Ozias and I's sexual tastes were rather on the dark side. In t
Ozias' Point of ViewAvoiding Adelia was the one rule I had made for myself. The woman was a vile excuse for werewolf. Nothing ever mattered to her as much as money and power. A present to her left by her father. How Sybil had endured the man for years was beyond me.Dargan had retreated to his gaming room and I had holed up inside the library. Albert had yet to meet Alvara, causing the man to nearly throttled me each time I came up to him empty handed. I still couldn't figure out how I would introduce the two, seeing as we wanted to keep her rather tragic history for ourselves just a second longer. Just until we knew she was on more stable grounds.Black hair popped out behind the door. Caramel eyes took in my precarious reading position. Rolling my eyes at his frown, Ciaran smiled. Albert had fallen deeper into the library, stacking our more expensive items into their slots. Ciaran also loved the written world but the love was muted s
Ozias' Point of ViewPondering my reply for a second, Alvara bit her bottom lip. My stomach stirred in reply. Keeping my distance was the wisest decision. Being this close to her drove my wolf to the brink of madness. All I wanted was to get closer. Be beside her in the most intimate of ways."That is a sad existence," She finally settled on a reply. I smiled ruefully at her. Reaching forward, I plucked a lily from the plant. "All I know is that she must be stupid to not accept you.""You say it as if she even knows I adore the very ground she walks on." I laughed bitterly. Alvara watched me from the corner of her eye. Tenderly, I stroked the flower in my hand. The petal felt soft, fragile. But hundreds bloomed around us. They were Savanah's favorite flower as well. I had planted these for her upon my return. To say sorry for my absence."Is this why you joined me in the garden?" Alvara asked, letting her arms fall freely to her
Alvara's Point of ViewShopping day had finally caught up with me. My worst nightmare made flesh. Finding plus size clothing was a massive headache. Plus size lingerie was damn near impossible. The thought nearly drove me to sleep another few hours. Ozias had explained to me the urgency of what I wore. Sexy, yet refined. As if we could find anything in my size.What had I gotten myself into? As of last night, the planning had started on the sex party. Or orgy. Or whatever the true term for it was. My nerves where shot at the prospect of actually attending. Sadly, my mouth and ego had gotten the better of me. Regardless of what I had said to Ozias and in the presence of Adelia, I wasn't all too sure this was what I wanted.For years my fantasies had plagued me. I wanted more out of my life, especially my sex life. Now faced with those fantasies, I felt guilty. Technically, I was still a married woman. Married women never went to parties
Alvara's Point of ViewI had been hideously wrong about shopping. Flitting from store to store brought out a new type of excitement within me. Clothing bags filled with new garments hung from a silent Harland. Everywhere I we went, I found clothes that not only fit me but matched the style I had always wanted. As if Teagan just knew where to shop for the best clothes to fit my body. I loved it. Lived for it.Teagan was also an absolute pleasure to be around. Her smiles and encouragements made me feel sexier than I had in years. Confident within my own skin. Now and again, Harland would comment on outfit choices as well. Things Eugene would have killed me for wearing, Harland complimented me on, telling me how lucky my mate was for having me. Teagan would grow irritated with her big brother's comments and ushered him to a smoothie shop or food stall for us.The day was pleasant. Up beat. Nothing like my days spent within the confines of
Ciaran's Point of ViewThe party would take place within next week. Sybil would send us the official date and time later on. Invites were being printed. The theme had been set as well. Everything was going to plan. Almost. Yet, I still couldn't grasp the fact that Alvara had insisted on the party. I knew she wanted to out-stage Adelia. Make the girl regret her decision on making such calloused comments about someone she had never met before. There had been this terrifying cockiness surrounding Alvara. It was enough to make me even harder."Okay, so the new unemployment rates are in. Our quarterly reports as well. The exchange rate for Dollars had gone to shit, putting our American ventures in a wonderful light. The are striking on the mines again, something about not getting paid enough. And I have one massive fucking headache," Ozias rambled, scanning the book in his hands. Our eyes met from across the room and he stopped. "You look more trou
Ciaran's Point of ViewDeathly silence fell over the room. Everyone had seen the name. Maverick cussed under his breath. Should we refuse to answer, we might miss our one opportunity to wring the truth from her neck. Answer and we might just lose our temper enough to threaten her life. I chose the latter."Angelique. I never thought I would have the displeasure of your company again." I purred and put the phone on speaker. Whatever she had to say, my generals had the right to hear. This must be concerning Alvara. Their mate as much as mine.Laughter boomed through the phone. Male. Dark and tormented. "I am glad to know my mother is someone you haven't stolen from me, at least." Eugene said. Hair on my arms stood straight at his voice. Anger loosened around me. Looking up, I noticed murder within Dargan's eyes. The Omega wanted blood. Needed to slake his thirst. Retribution for what Alvara had endured."You imply I stole someone e
Alvara's Point of ViewJust hearing his voice was enough to cause my brain to short circuit. I had only ever imagined him storming in and grabbing me by my hair, forcing me to return to Half-Moon. The nightmares alone drove me into cold sweats and whimpering. To actually hear him say that he would take my life physically made me sick. Suddenly, I was back there again, with him hurting me profusely.Dinner was tense. Sybil hadn't come by this time, rather sticking to planning our party alone. There was an elephant in the room no one wanted to address. At least Ciaran had complimented my new hair choice. Maverick picked at his food whilst Dargan had skipped it all together.Tomorrow. I would find out tomorrow what was up with him. For now, I just had to eat and sleep. Hopefully no nightmares would come. No unknown face staring at me in the dark. It was petrifying sleeping alone but I couldn't bring myself to ask any of them to sleep in th
Alvara's point of ViewCiaran had fallen asleep on my chest. What he had told me last night made me understand him a bit more. Made me question all of the assumptions I had made. Memories weighed down his mind like boulders. Troubled him late at night when no one else was watching. He was strong. Stronger than I had ever been. To leave his pack at ten years old was a great feat.No nightmares troubled him whilst he was sleeping in my arms. My own nightmares never came. I felt at home with him beside me. As if nothing could touch me.I woke at the first signs of light. Ciaran was propped up on an elbow next to me. Smiling softly, he tucked a stray hair behind my ear. I recoiled, shocked that someone was still beside me. Ciaran chuckled, straight teeth gleaming in the early morning light."How long have you been staring?" I asked and covered myself more with my blanket. HIs smile curled even more upwards."Long enough to see