Desiree
The fairgrounds light up as I approach, casting their red-orange glow over me. I was planning on staying in tonight, even though Damian tried to get me to join him. At the time I'd declined the invitation, opting instead to stay at home with a good book and a bottle of wine. But as the night wore on I found myself missing Damian.After so many years together, it was a welcome reminder of the way we felt when we first met - not being able to get enough of each other. But then again, that's been happening a lot lately. On my end, I put it down to the fantasies that have been playing in my mind ever since I saw him with Sophie. And on his end? I can only assume flirting with her reawakened the animal in him. All the better for me.
I tried just waiting until he got home, but every minute that passed by had me longing for him more. In the end, I decided to leave the book, which I couldn't concentrate on anyway, and surprise him at the fair
Damian I'm trying hard not to freak out about the fact that Sophie is here, in our house, with my mate. Instead, I remind myself this isn't a big deal. Sophie's just here because she's hurt. I ignore the fact that she's hurt because she just witnessed me get into a werewolf fight - something she sould never have seen. "Okay, just take a seat," Desiree tells her. I watch as the woman I'm in love with and the woman I'm obsessed with settle themselves on the couch. It takes all my willpower to keep a cool head. Desiree still has no idea about my connection with Sophie and, although I haven't technically done anything wrong, I've definitely come way too close. "Damian," Desiree says, pulling me out of my reverie. "Can you come over and check out Sophie's wound. I just need to get the medical supplies." I swallow hard, but the last thing I want to do is make this weird. Instead, I nod, taking my place on the other side of Sophie wh
PART 1: Elias and AmyEliasThe true mate ceremony that I'm supposed to be a part of has almost begun by the time I make my way to the clearing. The light of the impending full moon guides me until I set eyes on the bonfire, but with every step I take, I hesitate. I know that once I step forward into the ring of firelight, there'll be no going back.From a few paces away, I see the fire crackle, sending sparks dancing into the night, casting flickering shadows on the faces of my pack. They stand in a loose circle, a congregation of the people I've known my whole life. But two faces in particular make me stop dead in my tracks.At the edge of the crowd, my parents stand, and I can't help but notice my father's arm clamped tightly around my mother's waist. To anyone else this might seem like a gesture of affection -- certainly that's how it's intended to look -- but I know better. Even by the dim light of the fire I can see the strained expression on my mother's face, the grimace that p
AmyThe woods wrap around me like a secret haven as I crouch down, fingers gliding over the settings of my camera. The sky is clear tonight, the moon glowing in the night sky, and as I set up my shot, I know my photography professor is going to go nuts for this. That is, if I can figure out my settings. As I adjust the exposure, I hear the distant echo of wolf howls. I smile to myself at the sound, brushing aside my long auburn hair to peer through the viewfinder. As I twist the focus on my camera's lens, I remember my classmates' words that afternoon when I told them where I was going."You can't go out there alone!" one had said, eyes wide."Haven't you heard the stories?" chimed in another.Of course, I've heard the stories -- everyone in the town of Shepherd's Range has. Even now it's as if whispers of folklore float through the shadows—tales of mythical creatures, monsters, and even werewolves.I chuckle to myself though, shaking my head slightly. The stories have always amused
EliasI move effortlessly through the woods, every tree, every turn, imprinted in my mind from a lifetime of navigating their depths."Elias!" comes my father's call again but it's quieter this time, lost in the distance between us.Though he could easily follow me if he wanted to, I have to have faith that his arrogance will outweigh his concern. As a respected member of the pack, it wouldn't do for him to leave the party early, even if it was in search of his unruly son."It's not much further," I say, blocking out his voice and turning, instead, to Amy. Her hand is still firmly clasped in mine and as I look at her, I catch a glimpse of those hazel eyes again. Her full pink lips are curved into a mischievous smile and it's clear she's enjoying this adventure.I'm not sure why I invited her to join me, but something about her is intriguing, different. She's a flicker of curiosity in the darkness of my discontent. And there's something else too. The title of her photo series, "Incomp
AmyI lose myself in Elias's touch, in the press of his lips, the heat of his breath. Soon, he's parting my lips with his tongue and I press my body against him, longing for more of him.In between breaths, I catch glimpses of him by candlelight, and I see those dark, penetrating eyes gazing back at me as if he, too, can't believe we're doing this. But whatever spark is between us is far too powerful to ignore. I feel his arms wrap around my waist before his hands wander further down. Suddenly, he grabs my ass and pulls me on top of him. The move sends a thrill through my chest and a heat between my thighs. Before I can stop myself, I moan, and the sound echoes through the cave, repeating my pleasure back to me. I lean in to kiss him again, while my hands find the hem of his shirt. In a second, my fingers are under it, tracing the hard lines of his abs, his lats, his back. Between my legs I can feel his stiffness and involuntarily I begin to press myself against him. The pressure o
EliasThe sound of rustling wakes me as I open my eyes to the soft glow of dawn. As I slowly pull myself from the fog of sleep, I see the nascent sun casting a warm light on Amy, who's scrambling to get dressed. For a moment, I pause, staring at her lithe form as she pulls on her shirt. The sun and shadow cast a gorgeous silhouette of her curves, reminding me of the ridges and valleys I explored last night.She looks more beautiful than ever, her tousled red hair and the remnants of a smile playing on her lips. Suddenly though, I wonder why she's in such a rush to leave. I hope she doesn't regret what happened last night."Hey," I say softly into the silence of the cave. Amy stops suddenly and, although I can tell she's in a hurry, she takes a moment to lean over and kiss me."Hey," she breathes as she pulls away, evidently surprised by her own forwardness. "I'm sorry to wake you.""It's okay, " I tell her, sitting up and stretching. "I was hoping maybe you'd stay a little while thou
AmyThe door closes behind me, shutting out the man I wish I could be throwing myself at right now. I know I should be getting ready for college, but all I can do is lean against the door, still tasting Elias on my lips. My mind reels, trying to process everything that's happened over the last twelve hours.Absentmindedly, I bring my fingers to my lips, as if I can hold onto that kiss and everything that preceded it.Last night comes rushing back to me. I know I felt a connection with Elias that went beyond anything I've ever experienced before. The way his touch sent a fire racing through me. The way he held me so effortlessly, making me feel safe in his arms. The way he looked into my eyes like he'd known me all his life.And then, waking up next to him, lingering for as long as I could, watching him sleep, before I knew I had to get up. His eyes when he first saw me in the morning light, like I was the most beautiful thing he
EliasI want this kiss to last forever but I know meeting Amy like this is dangerous. My father made it very clear how he felt and I'm sure by now the rest of the pack knows about it too. I finally manage to pull away."You'd better come inside," I tell her, ushering her through the door.She nods brusquely and steps inside. The moment the door is closed though, I take her in my arms again."I hope it's okay that I'm here," she tells me, her words slightly muffled from where her cheek is pressed against my chest."Of course it is," I reassure her, though my mind is racing with concerns. I run a hand through her long auburn hair though, remembering the same act as I made love to her last night. It pushes away any doubts I have and instead floods me with the same joy I felt this morning when we walked through the forest hand in hand."God you feel so good," I tell her, my voice coming out as little more than a whisper.At this, Amy pulls back, and I'm struck by a sudden sincerity in he