The first few chapters are still under construction but coming together. Because of the 12 hr time difference between my editor and me, there is a little delay in the corrections getting accepted for publishing. Thank you for your patience. XOXO
DAMON POV "Dude, what took so long?" Matt asks when I finally get out to the Bronco, throwing my bag into the trunk. "We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago," he complains, leave it to the Gamma to be a stickler for punctuality. I hate how much we fit into the stereotypes of ranked wolves, but what can I do about it? "Mom," I mutter, a little grumpy that I keep lying to her. "Oh, shit," Andrew includes, knowing it's impossible to get anything by her. "what'd you tell her?" He asked to ensure we got our story straight in case the parents asked each other. Those are some of the scariest she-wolves any of us had ever met. We might be future leaders, but we are terrified of our mothers. Climbing into the front seat, I relax into the leather; hitting the round start button and grabbing the gear shift, I throw it to drive, roaring down the drive lined with maple trees. "What did you tell your mom?" Andrew asks once we get halfway down the drive, clearly freaking out. I can hear
ELLE POV After dinner, we single-filed throughout the restaurant like schoolchildren to the limousine. Jonah was closest to the door to the back of the limo. Theo and I sat at the furthest end of the limousine, closest to the window separating us from the driver. The twins and their mates were whispering amongst themselves. Charity's boyfriend decided not to come last minute, claiming something was more important. He was leaving her to fend for herself for the weekend. Thankfully, Eli was kind enough to keep her company, keeping a respectful distance while remaining interested in what she was saying. Jonah remained silent, watching the bustling city out of the window. My side tickles from the movement of shifting fabric against my skin, and that's when I notice Theo texting rapidly. I desperately want to look at the name on the screen. Rather than betray my friend's trust, I lean my head against the glass, letting its coolness relax the flaring nerves that can't seem to settle. A
ELLE POV As we ascend the carpeted steps to the upper levels of the theater, the pounding in my head is unrelenting as I feel eyes watching me from all over the room, as if I am the prey in the forest being hunted by a pack of wolves. The scent of other wolves is heavy in the theater, but since the Diamond Claw pack owns the place, most in the community would venture here, making it a safer option. The higher we walk, the more it feels like a claw is being dragged along my brain, causing me to wince and lean into Theo for support by wrapping my arm in his. The ropes of a mindlink tug at my brain, allowing them to take root. I hear Theo's voice clearly through the link, 'Are you okay?' 'Yes,' I reply tersely, my jaw tight and my teeth clenched, 'does the energy feel weird in here to you?' I ask Theo. My eyes strayed around the room to find the culprits, and the number of men caught staring at me, the look in their eyes causing my skin to crawl with revulsion. 'Since the minute we w
ELLE POV The lights have dimmed, the whole place going quiet in anticipation, the creaking of the curtains being pulled back to reveal the starting scene of characters singing the opening song. While my eyes never left the stage, I could feel the tickle of the man's gaze on me, never looking away. My insides were wreaking havoc, trying to break free. Unease settling in my bones, every instinct told me not to trust this man. 'He hasn't stopped staring at us once,' Charity says, through the link I kept open between the three of us, 'should we leave at intermission?' I don't answer immediately, my attention on the actors, my mind slowly processing the best course of action. The concern in her voice coming through the line is clear. 'I agree.' Theo adds to the conversation, 'we can leave and do something else.' He has the same level of concern in his tone as Charity, but still, I say nothing, trying to reason instead of using my emotions to guide me. I can feel their agitation pour i
DAMON POV *Crunch.* 'What the fuck was that?' Andrew asks, eyes locked on the stage, making me think he secretly loves the show despite his complaining to Matt in the days prior, looking for tickets. 'Looks like our Alpha broke the armrests,' Matt tags in, explaining the situation before I have a chance to speak. I roll the broken parts in my hand; the splintered wood and the jagged plastic pieces prick at the skin as I try to focus on that instead of killing a stranger. 'Why the fuck would he do that?' Andrew asks incredulously at my stupidity, but still, he is watching the show, not daring to look away. Honestly, as musicals go, this isn't bad; at least cats aren't coming to interact with the grown adults sitting in the audience. That sounds like a fucking nightmare. 'Because of that forty-something-year-old man staring at Elle, the entire fucking show,' Matt mutters, clearly annoyed. 'Or have you been too busy being gay?' As soon as the words left his stupid mouth, the air
ELLE POV The show had ended, and it was everything others said it would be; too bad my mind was in searing pain the entire time. The strange man's eyes did not leave my body for a second, his gaze oppressing like a weighted blanket too heavy for my body. As Jonah slams the limo door close, the pressure released from my head like a balloon leaking helium. For the first time in hours, it doesn't feel as though nails are being dragged across the inside of my mind like someone is trying to dig themselves out. It was the most uncomfortable 4 hours of my life, and I am thankful it's over and we are back at the hotel. The ding of the elevator opening pulls me from my thoughts as my friends shuffle in front of me. None of us say anything until we are safely locked behind closed doors. Jonah, Eli, and Brad were on a lower level, and we all had to witness Taylor practically swallow Brad's face. They acted like they would never see each other again and weren't sharing a room this weekend.
DAMON POV Using the key, I open the door to my hotel room with Andrew following me, both of us eager to get out of the tight shirts and ties. Grabbing some of the clothes from the suitcase lying on the floor, I hurry to get the basketball shorts on, throwing a pair to Andrew, knowing he'd want to do the same. "When do you think Matt will be back?" Andrew asks as my feet wander back and forth throughout the room. The anxiety of his discovery claws at my stomach. No one knows we are here except for Theo, and for the time being, I would like to keep it that way. "I-" I try to respond, but the knock at the door stops me in my tracks; rushing to open it, I find Matt standing on the other side with a grim look that doesn't incite confidence in my anxiety-filled stomach. As soon as the door closes behind him, Andrew and I start peppering him with questions before he has a chance to get his tie loosened from his neck. "Woah," Matt says, his hands raised to slow down the onslaught of
Hello All, I apologize for the delay in adding additional chapters; a horrible case of strep throat hit my family this week. I have been battling a 103-degree fever for the last week, and I have been in a pretty delusional state, making it difficult to write. (Even typing this out is a struggle). Between family emergencies, technical difficulties, and now this sickness from hell, October just isn't my month. I will get back to posting regular chapters as soon as the fever officially breaks and I am back to normal. I apologize, XOXO Emma Taylor p.s for those wondering how I typed this, I didn't my Significant Other had too since they are finally feeling better.