Taliaโs excitement related to preparing lunch dwindled when Stephanie told her that they were just making sandwiches.Talia didnโt mind washing lettuce leaves and cutting tomatoes thinly, but she was hoping to learn cooking techniques, and toasting bread didnโt require any mastery.โDid you expect something more elaborate?โ, Stephanie asked.โYes.โ, Talia admitted. โIt is lunch, after all.โIn the Red Moon pack, every meal was like a feast for Alpha Edward, Beta Raymond, and their family members.โWe donโt put a lot of importance on meal ceremonies unless there are guests in the packhouse.โ, Stephanie said. โNormally, I prepare breakfast and eat in the kitchen. I donโt like to join them in the dining room because those three kids discuss their plans for the day, and it can get noisy.โTalia agreed with this. She heard Luciano, Maya, and Caden shouting that morning. Noisy.โLunch is something easy to eat since everyone is busy and no one takes elaborate lunch breaks. Dinner is more for
Later that eveningโฆ Luciano was sitting in his office with a glass of whiskey in his hand and thinking about the talk he had with Caden and Maya after dinner. They discussed the upcoming festival and the issue of Katerina. The preparations for the festival were on schedule and increased security was already in effect, so they focused on discussing Katerina. They decided to work on delaying her visit. It was Mayaโs plan. โInstead of telling her not to come, we will tell her WHEN to come.โ Luciano didnโt like it, but he gestured to Maya to keep on talking. โTwo weeks.โ, Maya said. โWe will tell Katerina that your schedule is packed and that you canโt entertain her now, but in two weeks she can come, and you will make it up to her.โ โYou think Katerina and Alpha Edward will accept this two-week delay?โ, Luciano asked. โNo.โ, Maya said bluntly before elaborating, โThis is not about getting two weeks, but about negotiating. I expect that they will ask for Katerina to come sooner.
Luciano turned to look at Talia who was standing at the door of the bathroom, and his eyebrows rose in approval.That oversized tank top covered Taliaโs private parts, but it was also low on the chest, giving him a glimpse of Taliaโs cleavageโฆ high on the thighs, exposing her legs, and loose around her armsโฆ Luciano swallowed hard as the image of Taliaโs side-boob flashed in his mind. Yup, he remembered that.He wanted to suck her there. Everywhere.Talia squirmed under Lucianoโs gaze. Why did he look at her like she was naked?Talia was about to tug the tank top and cover her legs more, but she held that urge back due to fear of how that would lower the opening at her neck and expose her girls, so she just pressed her legs together and folded her arms over her stomach in a feeble attempt to protect herself from Lucianoโs x-ray vision.โCan I help you?โ, Talia asked.Luciano tilted his head and smiled a little. โThere is no need to be so cautious, wife. Do you remember me treating you
Alpha Raymond sat on a cushion opposite Katherine. She sized him up and couldn't help but be bewildered once more. Alpha Raymond is a strong Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack, but he was plagued by an incurable illness, which seems impossible because werewolves have incredible healing ability, but there he was, dying.โYou must think of me as a frail man. But I assure you, I am more capable than your heartless husband.โ Alpha Raymond spoke with fierceness, but that was just to hide his pain.โI never thought of you as weak. I just wish Luciano was just as calm and gentle as you are.โ Kate sides with a hint of sadness in her voice. But her words only made the sick Alpha burst into a fit of laughter.โHahahaha, you think Luciano is unkind? you should have seen his grandfather, the great Manton. He was known as the 'Loveless Man' as he felt no love even for his mate 'Simran Dotchius'โ Manton gestured for her to draw a bit closer.โLuciano's attitude is inherited from his grandfather, and al
โAre you mad?โ Anastasia said and punched him on his back.โShut up! If you want to get out of here,โ he said.He scaled the wall like it was nothing. Securing her in his arms, he jumped down to the ground effortlessly on his feet.Shocked as hell, she looked at him. But he was now running with her to the boundary of the kingdom. For the first time, she heard the screams and shouts of the soldiers. The palace has been alerted of her abduction. It was now a matter of time till they found her. They were Fae soldiers.โI think you better leave me here, Starlight,โ said Simran.โThey are going to be here any minute.โThe man gave her a feral grin. With one hand holding Simran by the waist, Starlight leapt almost ten feet high and tossed her into the air. She suppressed a shriek for fear they would be caught. As the world turned around and moved in slow motion she found she was falling, limbs flailing towards the ground. But before she touched the ground, she found herself over the soft fu
โAre you mad?โ Anastasia said and punched him on his back.โShut up! If you want to get out of here,โ he said.He scaled the wall like it was nothing. Securing her in his arms, he jumped down to the ground effortlessly on his feet.Shocked as hell, she looked at him. But he was now running with her to the boundary of the kingdom. For the first time, she heard the screams and shouts of the soldiers. The palace has been alerted of her abduction. It was now a matter of time till they found her. They were Fae soldiers.โI think you better leave me here, Starlight,โ said Simran.โThey are going to be here any minute.โThe man gave her a feral grin. With one hand holding Simran by the waist, Starlight leapt almost ten feet high and tossed her into the air. She suppressed a shriek for fear they would be caught. As the world turned around and moved in slow motion she found she was falling, limbs flailing towards the ground. But before she touched the ground, she found herself over the soft fu
Even though she wanted to know what next, Simran stared at the man in front of her. Her mind was numb, her face blank. Her gaze travelled to his bleeding thigh. The man had managed to disguise himself as Starlight for two months. How was that possible for a werewolf? She studied him closely to understand him.Manton looked at Simran, turned her, curled his hand around her neck and pushed her to a carriage that was waiting for her. He waved his hand in the air and ordered his men.โWe move immediately.โThere were five men on their horses and a woman who already had Nyles hauled across her horse.Manton opened the carriage door and pushed Simran to sit down on the bench. He got in and sat opposite. He pounded on the carriage and they started to move at a rapid pace.Simran was surprised at the turn of events. She was silent as the carriage sped across the dirt road. When she peeked out of the window, she saw the mist rolling around them as if covering them like a permanent drape. She f
Niles came huffing as she stepped into the carriage.โMilady!โ she said as she hugged Simran tightly. A smile broke on Simran's face. Niles started fussing around her.โHow are you?โ she asked, examining her hands and her body in general.โThese bastards didn't let me meet you for three days straight. I had to ride with that stupid woman Darla!โ she grumbled.โFor three days we have been riding constantly, stopping only for not more than a few hours to give the horses rest. My buttocks and thighs are numb. They ache and they are sore.โ she said rubbing her buttocks.โI have never been subjected not this kind of hardship, Milady.โ Niles started crying.โWe must go back to Wingx as soon as possible. I didn't know that Starlight was such a trickster, for a year, how could he stay like Starlight?โ she said with a frown pulling herself together.โWait! Am I making sense?โSimran started laughing.โI am fine Nyles, and it's good to see you.โ then she looked at the fur she was wrapped with a
It's overLuciano turned to look at Talia who was standing at the door of the bathroom, and his eyebrows rose in approval.That oversized tank top covered Taliaโs private parts, but it was also low on the chest, giving him a glimpse of Taliaโs cleavageโฆ high on the thighs, exposing her legs, and loose around armsโฆ Luciano swallowed hard as the image of Taliaโs side-boob flashed in his mind. Yup, he remembered that.He really wanted to suck her there. Everywhere.Talia squirmed under Lucianoโs gaze. Why did he look at her like she was naked?Talia was about to tug the tank top and cover her legs more, but she held that urge back due to fear of how that will lower the opening at her neck and expose her girls, so she just pressed her legs together and folded her arms over her stomach in a feeble attempt to protect herself from Lucianoโs x-ray vision.โCan I help you?โ, Talia asked.Luciano tilted his head and smiled a little. โThere is no need to be so cautious, wife. Do you remember me
Luciano was sitting in his office with a glass of whiskey in his hand and thinking about the talk he had with Caden and Maya after dinner.They discussed the upcoming festival and the issue of Katerina.The preparations for the festival were on schedule and increased security was already in effect, so they focused on discussing Katerina.They decided to work on delaying her visit.It was Mayaโs plan.โInstead of telling her not to come, we will tell her WHEN to come.โLuciano didnโt like it, but he gestured to Maya to keep on talking.โTwo weeks.โ, Maya said. โWe will tell Katerina that your schedule is packed and that you canโt entertain her now, but in two weeks she can come, and you will make it up to her.โโYou think Katerina and Alpha Edward will accept this two-week delay?โ, Luciano asked.โNo.โ, Maya said bluntly before elaborating, โThis is not about getting two weeks, but about negotiating. I expect that they will ask for Katerina to come sooner. I believe that we can settle
Seeing that Luciano was looking at her grimly from the door of her room, Talia didnโt dare to provoke him.Talia didnโt have the faintest clue what caused his current mood (or what that mood was), but she decided to play it safe, and she lowered her head.โI apologize, Alpha Luciano.โ, she said in a small voice.โBAM!โTalia jolted when the door closed loudly, and she inhaled sharply at the realization that Luciano was only half a step away from her.It took him only a second to cross the distance between them.Luciano grabbed her chin with his index finger and thumb and forced her to lift her head and look at him.โWhat did you call me?โHe was leaning above her, and his angry words splashed on her face. Talia blinked rapidly, unsure what he was getting at.Seeing the horror in her eyes, Luciano let go of her chin and put his palm on her cheek.โI told you to call me by my name. Luciano. Just Luciano. Say it.โHis tone was much gentler, but his gaze was unwavering.โLucianoโ, Talia s
Between sparring sessions, Luciano was contacting Maya through the mind-link, reminding her to take Talia shopping, but Maya told him that Talia was sleeping and that she shouldnโt be disturbed.โTalia is sleeping. Considering her wounds, itโs important that she rests. We can shop tomorrow.โ, Maya tried to reason with Luciano.โNo. Do it today.โ, Luciano was not relenting.The truth is that he felt guilty.He knew that Talia left because of the incident in the kitchen, and he thought that if Maya takes her shopping, Talia will feel better and not try to leave again.The thought of Talia leaving was creating knots in his stomach.She nearly escaped, and next time, he might not be so lucky to find her sleeping in the forest.It was late afternoon when Luciano finished training and returned to the packhouse.His shorts was sticking to his body, and his bare chiseled chest and abs were glistening due to all the sweat and he was itching for a shower.Luciano heard Mayaโs voice coming from
โOh, before I forgetโฆโ, Maya stirred the conversation the other way. โDonโt tell anyone that you are from the Red Moon pack. The official story is that you grew up with your grandparents somewhere North and that after they passed, you came here with the goal to find a pack and we bumped into each other accidentally. Do you remember the gas station where Alpha Luciano went out to purchase snacks on his own? Itโs the stop where you switched places with Caden.โTalia nodded.โThatโs where we met. Feel free to fill in any gaps about your background.โ, Maya said and observed Talia who was listening intently with a hint of confusion on her face. โDo you know why this is important?โTalia shook her head, indicating that she doesnโt.โIf Alpha Edward suspects that we took you secretly, he might accuse us of kidnapping or stealing.โTaliaโs eyes widened. โI agreed to come with you.โโYou did, but Alpha Edward is not on friendly terms with Alpha Luciano, and he might use this incident to stir t
โAWOOOOO!โA sky-piercing howl shook all the windows in the packhouse of the Dark Howlers pack, threatening to shatter them. The powerful sound echoed far into the distance, stirring every pack member with the might their Alpha possesses.โWill Luciano be OK?โ, Maya asked Caden while blinking at the dawn which cracked through the windows.They heard four rapid thumps when Luciano landed in the garden after jumping from his balcony on the third floor.โHe will be fine.โ, Caden assured Maya and pulled her closer to him. โThe border patrol just notified Luciano that they found Talia.โMaya wanted to ask for more information, but Caden was snoring softly already, so she gave up.Normally, warriors and patrols canโt contact Luciano through the mind-link. That is reserved for Caden, Maya, and Stephanie, and even those three know not to disturb him unless itโs important.Warriors, scouts, and other pack members follow the chain of command which allows only a handful of people to contact Cade
In the kitchenโฆLuciano pried his arm free from Cassieโs hold and her eyes widened in surprise.Why did he back away? Why was he frowning? Things were going well, damn it!She composed herself and called sweetly, โAlpha Luciano, do you think I was out of line?โโCassie, you accused a teenage girl of being a thief. Do you really think that my pack members have a need to come here and steal food?โCassie pressed her lips into a line, feeling wronged. โBut she was in the dark which is proof that she was up to no good. How could she see anything with the lights off?โLuciano took a moment to process what Cassie said, and he realized that Cassie was right: Talia was in the dark.The light in the kitchen was off and so was the one in the hallway. The visibility was close to nil.Werewolves have enhanced senses, proportional to the strength of their wolf.Cassie is a weak werewolf and the boost her wolf provides her is negligible when compared to other werewolves.However, Talia was able to
Seeing that Talia was not responding and that Luciano didnโt react, Cassie was emboldened.โAnswer me!โ, Cassie hissed at Talia and spoke to Luciano without removing her gaze from Talia. โIs this how your Omegas are acting? You really need a Luna to teach them some manners. Sneaking in the dark and stealing food, and then they even refuse to respondโฆโโThatโs enough, Cassie!โ, Maya said sternly from the door.Mayaโs heart cracked when she saw Taliaโs submissive stance. Itโs not that Cassie had any aura, but Talia was a broken soul who needed supportive environment.Maya walked to Talia and asked softly, โAre you OK?โTalia nodded faintly, but Maya knew that Talia was lying.Maya narrowed her eyes at Luciano and spoke through the mind-link. โIs this why you brought her here? I thought you promised her protection and not another type of hell.โโCome, letโs get out of hereโฆโ, Maya said to Talia while wrapping her arm around Taliaโs shoulders.โWe are not done hereโ, Cassie said stiffly,
Talia blinked herself awake and the first thing she noticed was the darkness.It was definitely past dinner time, but Talia didnโt mind.She buried her head deeper into the pillow, indulging in the softness and warmth that came with the scent of the forest and dark chocolate.Talia paused and took a few sniffs to confirm that her nose is not playing tricks on her.Talia looked around to ascertain that she was on her own.She was confused. The room didnโt smell like Luciano before she fell asleep, but now it did.She liked his scent; it was a mix of her two favorite things: forest and a sweet treat. Talia wondered if Luciano came to check on her while she was sleeping.Talia shook that thought away. Why would a scary Alpha come to check on her?Itโs more probable that Stephanie or Maya brought something that had Lucianoโs scent on it. But she couldnโt see anything different.Talia decided to stop thinking about it. It doesnโt matter.She listened carefully, and there were no sounds she