Thank you for reading!
DaneFinley's heat drags on in a haze of sweat-slicked skin, desperate moans, and primal need. Days blur together, marked only by brief moments of clarity between waves of insatiable hunger. Summit has taken over completely, driving me to claim her again and again, each time more intense than the last. I've lost count of how many times I've made her come undone beneath me, around me, against me—each cry of pleasure only fueling my need to hear it again.Finley arches her back, moaning, her nails biting into my shoulder as she rides the wave of pleasure coursing through her. The room is a blur of heat and skin, our bodies slick and relentless. My growl vibrates through her, her body shaking with the force of how much she wants this, how much she wants me. I flips us easily, pinning her to the bed, my body hard and demanding against hers.I snatch up her hands, trapping them above her head with one powerful grip. "You feel that?" I rasp against her ear, my breath hot and wicked. She gasp
FinleyConsciousness returns slowly, my body aching in ways both pleasant and unfamiliar. The cabin is quiet, sunlight filtering through the curtains to indicate late morning or early afternoon. I stretch carefully, taking inventory of new sensations—muscles used in ways they never have been, skin sensitive from days of constant contact, and a bone-deep satisfaction that Nova practically purrs about.The heat has finally broken.Beside me, Dane sleeps deeply, his features softened in repose. Days of helping me through the heat have taken their toll on him too, though he never once complained, never faltered in his attentiveness. My cheeks warm at the memories that surface—his hands, his mouth, his voice guiding me through the most intense experience of my life.But beneath the satisfaction, beneath Nova's contentment, something nags at me. The memory of his reaction when I tried to mark him surfaces like a splinter working its way to the skin. The way he flinched away, the flash of pan
FinleyDone with my well-deserved self-chastisement, I relax into Dane’s embrace, letting Nova's satisfaction at our mate's nearness override the lingering uncertainty. I'm through being paranoid, letting old wounds color new experiences."I need to head back to Mountain Ridge today," he says against my hair, tension evident in the way he holds himself. "Just for a few days, to handle some pack business and gather my things.""Your things?" I pull back to look at him."I thought... if you wanted... I could stay here. At Forest Trails." There's a vulnerability in his eyes I haven't seen before. "Not in your cabin necessarily, if that's too soon. But nearby. So we can build on what we've started."The offer takes me by surprise, warming something deep inside. "You'd leave Mountain Ridge? For me?""For us," he corrects, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "I told you, I've made my choice. My place is with you now."It's everything I should want to hear. Everything Nova does want to hear.
Finley"This is a terrible idea," Tara whispers as we crouch in the underbrush at the northern edge of Mountain Ridge territory. "If we're caught, it's an act of aggression. Territory violation.""We won't be caught," I mutter, though my pounding heart betrays my own anxiety. "Your cousin's mate said this section is barely patrolled.""Barely isn't never."She's right, of course. What we're doing is reckless, potentially damaging not just to me but to Forest Trails as a whole. If I were thinking clearly, thinking like a future Alpha, I'd turn around now.But I can't. I need to know the truth.After Dane left, promising to return within days with his belongings, the doubts I'd tried to silence came roaring back. His explanation about the marking made sense logically, but instinctively, something felt wrong. Add Tara's information about Aria's claims, and I couldn't just sit at home wondering.So here we are, trespassing on another pack's territory in the dead of night because I can't be
Finley"I'm so sorry, Fin," Tara says, reaching for me.I step back, not ready for comfort, not ready for anything but the rage and humiliation burning through me. "He lied. About everything. The entire time.""Men are trash," she offers weakly. "Especially Alpha sons with too much power and too little conscience."I laugh, but it comes out more like a sob. "I'm such an idiot. Twice. Twice I've fallen for this. Twice I've believed men who said they’d never hurt me only to have them let me down when it counts.""This isn't on you," Tara says fiercely. "This is on him. On both of them. They're the liars, not you."But it doesn't matter who's to blame. The result is the same—another rejection, another humiliation, another mate bond that will need to be severed.We walk in silence toward the Forest Trails compound, each step feeling heavier than the last. How am I going to face the pack knowing I've been made a fool of again? How will the council view this when they're already questioning
FinleyThe council meeting room feels suffocating tonight, the air thick with tension and the lingering scent of fear. Eight council members sit around the ancient oak table, their expressions grave as they absorb the news of the attack. My father stands at the head, his Alpha authority radiating outward in waves that would normally calm the pack. Tonight, it barely makes a dent in the collective anxiety.I take my place to his right, the seat traditionally reserved for the heir. To his left sits Bradley, who technically has no right to be at the main table but somehow has positioned himself there anyway. No one questions it. Not tonight, when he was apparently the one keeping things under control while I was... elsewhere."The evidence is unmistakable," Elder Morris says, inspecting the twisted metal symbol through his wire-rimmed glasses. "Witchcraft. Dark magic of the oldest kind.""But why?" asks Adrienne, one of our youngest council members. "The truce has held for decades. Forest
FinleyWhen the council finally adjourns near dawn, I'm exhausted in a way that goes beyond physical fatigue. My father catches my arm as I rise to leave."My office," he says quietly. "Now."The walk to his private office feels like a march to execution. He closes the door behind us, studying me with eyes that see far too much."Where were you tonight?" he asks without preamble. "And don't tell me you were running with Tara. I want the truth."For a moment, I consider maintaining the lie. But what's the point? The truth will emerge eventually, especially now that Dane knows I overheard him with Aria."Mountain Ridge," I admit, the words bitter on my tongue. "I went to see if Dane had actually ended things with Aria like he claimed. He hadn't."My father's expression doesn't change, though a muscle ticks in his jaw. "You trespassed on another pack's territory. During a time of potential crisis. Without authorization.""Yes.""Do you have any idea how serious this is? Not just the terri
FinleyI stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me. Dark circles shadow my eyes, evidence of the sleepless night and emotional upheaval. In a few hours, representatives from the neighboring packs will arrive to discuss the attack. Including Mountain Ridge. Including Dane.And Glass Lake. Including Liam.The thought sends a fresh wave of anxiety through me. How am I supposed to face both of them at once? Both mates who rejected me, though in very different ways."You look like hell," Tara says bluntly, leaning against the doorframe of my bathroom."Thanks. That's exactly what I needed to hear."She shrugs, unapologetic. "Just saying what your council won't. You need sleep, Fin.""What I need is to get through this meeting without falling apart." I splash cold water on my face, hoping it will erase some of the exhaustion. It doesn't. "Any update on the messengers?""Glass Lake's delegation left at dawn. They should be here within the h
Liam "Overwhelming responsibility is a Stone family tradition," Aunt Trista, Finley’s mom, says dryly. She and my mother have decided now is a good time to gang up on me. "Why do you think your brother takes everything so seriously?""I thought that was just Kaden being Kaden," I reply with a half-smile."Speaking of your brother," Mom interjects, "he requested you join him in the armory once your morning practice concluded. Something about specialized weapons for tomorrow night."The reminder of our impending deadline—less than thirty-six hours until the Night of Seven Stars—sends a fresh wave of anxiety through me that makes the candle flame surge alarmingly before I manage to steady my emotions."I should go find him," I say, carefully extinguishing the flame with a focused thought rather than blowing it out. Small victory, but I'll take it."One more thing," Mom says as I turn to leave. "About Finley..."I freeze, not sure I'm ready for whatever motherly wisdom (or warning) is com
Liam "Focus," Mom says for what feels like the hundredth time. "Intent without emotion. Direction without reaction."Easy for her to say. She's not the one trying to light a candle with her mind while simultaneously not burning down the entire training room."I am focusing," I mutter, staring at the unlit candle with enough intensity to melt it if the heat in my gaze was actually physical."No, you're glaring at it like it personally offended you," she corrects with that infuriating motherly patience. "Fire responds to emotion, Liam. Right now, you're feeding it frustration, which creates erratic, unpredictable responses."I take a deep breath, trying again to find that elusive balance she keeps talking about. Twelve hours of practice since my gift first manifested against the Skinwalkers, and I've managed to melt more ice sculptures, warm the room to uncomfortable levels, and accidentally set a practice dummy's hair on fire. What I haven't done is produce a single controlled flame on
Dane "Exile declaration stands," my father says, turning back to me with formal authority. "But Mountain Ridge acknowledges a potential external threat requiring our temporary cooperation."Translation: I'm still exiled, but he's not leaving me completely vulnerable while investigating the larger threat to allied packs. Political face-saving wrapped in tactical necessity—classic Alpha Parker strategy."Forest Trails appreciates Mountain Ridge's cooperation in addressing concerns that affect all territories," Alpha Bennett responds diplomatically. "Joint investigation of this specialist and his connection to recent supernatural events serves everyone's interests."As the leaders begin establishing parameters for this unexpected alliance, Aria approaches me, her expression a complex mixture of emotions."That couldn't have been easy," I say quietly, genuinely appreciative of her intervention despite our complicated history. "Going against your father's representative, potentially compro
Dane "What do you know of triads?" My father demands, momentarily dropping the formal script he clearly came prepared to deliver."Enough to recognize when someone is trying to deliberately disrupt one," I reply, watching the Silver Creek representative's reaction carefully. The flash of calculation in his eyes confirms my suspicions—this is no coincidence, no standard honor reparation.My father studies me with new assessment, as if seeing something unexpected in his disappointment of a son. "You believe Silver Creek's challenge is connected to supernatural matters beyond pack politics," he says, not quite a question."I know it is," I state with absolute certainty. "Just as I know their Alpha has been influenced by external forces since returning from the northeastern territories with certain... artifacts."The Silver Creek representative's composure cracks visibly at this, confirming Aria's information was accurate. My father catches the reaction, his tactical awareness never dulle
DaneTwenty minutes until my exile becomes official.The countdown that's been ticking in my head all day is nearly at zero, and I still don't have a clear answer. Stay at Forest Trails, officially cutting ties with Mountain Ridge forever? Or accept Silver Creek's suspicious blood oath proposal and potentially compromise the triad right before the Night of Seven Stars?Talk about your lose-lose situations.I pace the length of my quarters, Summit restless beneath my skin. He doesn't understand the human complications, the pack politics. To him, the solution is simple: stay near our mate, protect the triad, to hell with everything else.If only it were that easy.A knock at my door interrupts my thoughts. I open it to find Malia, her expression more serious than usual."Your father is here," she says without preamble. "Just arrived with an official Mountain Ridge delegation. Alpha Bennett is meeting them now in the reception hall."My father. Here? Honestly, I thought, or maybe hoped, h
Finley"I don't know," I admit, finally answering Liam’s lingering question. "I haven't thought that far ahead.""I have," he says quietly. "I've thought about nothing else since realizing what a colossal mistake I made two years ago."This is dangerous territory, emotional landmines I'm not sure I'm ready to navigate. "Liam—""Just hear me out," he interrupts, taking another step closer. "I know I screwed up. I know I hurt you in the worst possible way. I know trust doesn't magically reappear just because I finally realized what an idiot I was.""But?" I prompt, hearing the unspoken continuation in his tone."But I'm not giving up without a fight," he says with sudden intensity. "Not this time. Not again. I was a coward before, choosing the safe option instead of what my heart and my wolf knew was right. I won't make that mistake twice."The declaration hangs between us, genuine and raw in a way that catches me off guard. Nova responds instantly, pushing forward with hopeful recognit
FinleyI find Aunt Kat in the western training grounds instead of Dane, watching Liam attempt to channel his newly emerging gift in a controlled environment. The enclosed space has been cleared of flammable materials, protective wards established around the perimeter, and water stations positioned strategically for worst-case scenarios.Liam stands in the center, eyes closed in concentration, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool evening air. His mother circles him slowly, her voice calm and measured as she guides him through what appears to be a basic focusing exercise."Feel the heat within you," she instructs. "Not as something separate, not as something to fight against, but as an extension of your own nature. Your birthright finally awakening."I hang back, not wanting to disrupt what looks like delicate training. There's something mesmerizing about watching Liam like this—his usual cocky confidence replaced by intense concentration, vulnerability in his effort to control
Finley"So your proposal is a blood oath instead of traditional combat?" I clarify, keeping my expression neutral despite the alarms blaring in my head. "That's... unusual."Alpha Blackwood smiles with practiced diplomacy, though something about it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "These are unusual times, Alpha Candidate Bennett. The traditional approach seems unnecessarily limiting given the current circumstances."We're back in the reception hall after the Skinwalker attack, the Silver Creek delegation having been kept in secure containment during the entire incident. Dad sits beside me, his presence both reassuring and tactically necessary—as acting Alpha, his authority supersedes mine in formal negotiations."And what specific terms would this oath entail?" Dad asks, his tone giving nothing away."Still to be determined through appropriate negotiation," Alpha Blackwood replies smoothly. "But focused on proper acknowledgment of the dishonor Dane caused my daughter, suitable reparation
Liam "So much for maintaining human pretense. They no longer need it," Dane observes. "Which means they're done gathering intelligence and ready for direct engagement.""Engaging now," Finley confirms, and without further hesitation we move into a coordinated attack.I've been in plenty of fights before, but nothing like this. We move together like we've been training for years—Finley setting the foundation with direct central engagement, me somehow knowing exactly how to connect our movements, and Dane completing whatever strategy forms between us.The Skinwalkers are freaky-strong, bending in ways nothing should be able to bend, coordinating their attacks like they share a hive mind. But despite this, we're holding our own, maybe even winning.Then I notice their pattern—two targeting Finley at the front of our triangle, two focusing on Dane, and one specifically coming after me. They're trying to break our formation, targeting each position in the triad separately.They know what