โBecause I knew your mother,โ Abby confesses. Elise's gaze hardened in confusion from Abbyโs words; she could only feel stunned and numb all over as she watched the healer. โWhy didnโt you say anything?โ Elise starts with a whisper. Her hands trembled in anxiety at her response. โBecause I thought it wasnโt my place to say, but I know you need the truth; I can tell you all that I know,โ Abby explains. Elise feels her body go numb; she sits up straighter as a bone links in lace before she swallows, watching as Abby takes the seat closest to her. โYour mom, Malia, was a rogue; at least we thought she was; she was beautiful, wild, and so carefree; a joy to be around,โ she starts. Elise couldnโt believe that her kind, conservative mother was someone like this. She couldnโt help but heartthrob in sadness for her mother. How much did Dexton break her to change so much? โShe was rescued by our shadow wolves when she was about to be attacked by rogues; we sheltered her, offering h
Elise's POV ~~~ After Abby revealed everything to me, I went back to my room to be alone, my head filled with so much emotion that I felt a dull ache worsening by the minute. "Maybe a panic attack?" I thought as I rushed to the bed, pulling the covers over myself and clutching a hand over my mouth to control the harsh breathing, to an extent. But more than ever, I wanted to find out what happened to my father, and once I found out, I would leave and seek my revenge, starting with Dexton, my ex-father who had ruined my life. Maybe I could start over after that; I wanted a clean slate, I prayed desperately.a yearning my heart desired. My eyelids grew heavy as I fell into a deep slumber. I found myself in that familiar mist, but this time it was calming. I watched as a shadow emerged, this time enormous and powerful, with those violet eyes I remembered from my wolf. She gazed up at me, the closest we had ever been. I reached out to touch her, and she extended her neck for
Elise took the dare, Leaving a wide-eyed Hayden staring in awe. To Haydenโs surprise, Elise had begun undoing her top and pants; her silk underwear remained, and his gaze was unwavering, daring her to look up at him. โTurn around, you pervert,โ she says to Hayden. She hates his casually sheepish smile, his lips stretched into a grin as he raises his hands in defeat and turns the other way. Elise takes off her things and goes behind a large tree, keeping the clothes safe. She doesnโt want to ruin what Abby has given her, and she doesnโt want to take her kindness for granted. โYou knowโฆ What you did today was amazing. Itโs unheard of to find a gifted wolf. And you arenโt just a shifter,โ Hayden says from behind the tree as she takes off her underwear. โโฆ Youโre a healer and also a shifter; that is unbelievably rare.โ Elise stiffened; a known fear gripped her when she recalled how Kaide wanted to lock her up and use her for his selfish purposes when he found out she was a gi
Elise was more than relieved that she could meet that man now, but from their gaze, she could tell there was something else to it. โWhat is it?โ She asked the twin brothers. โAs we said, our father's mental condition isnโt all that stable for years now, and his chambers are hardly opened out to the public because of that, but the festival in two days will be the perfect opportunity,โ Hayden explained. "So, you have to wait a few days, please.โ Itโs just a few days; thereโs no harm since theyโve assured her that sheโd be able to meet their chief, she thought, so she nodded in agreement. Though it slows down her plans to leave the pack soon, she sees something almost like relief on Haydenโs face when she agrees to stay another day. *Stop letting your heart show on your sleeves, brother,* Holden channels, but he ignores it. โIโll take you back,โ he tells Elise. She spares a short glance at Holden but is met with a smirk that has her confused as to what it means. She follows H
It was hard to miss the blaring red spot on Holden's face the next day when he came into the clinic, courtesy of Hayden, who was not amused when he found out he was the culprit in this mess and brought Elise to the pub. Elise barely spared a glance at Holden, still annoyed that he knew what was happening and let her go in there just to see Hayden with another woman. โOuch! Can you fucking stop that?โ He hissed at Elise, as she put a warm cloth to clean the bloodied area. Abby had asked her for a favor to clean his bloody face. โSit still,โ she hissed, not sorry for his pain. She was holding back from laughing at his face; he deserved it. She wanted to add another punch, too. โDon't you have healing powers or something like that? So much for being on my side.โ โI am not on your side; you called bullshit and you found out the consequences; what did you even gain for letting me see that?โ Elise hissed, dropping the warm cloth back into a bowl. โI thought Iโd spice up your r
โSo you are the one that my men reported to me about,โ he mutters, looking up at Elise. Hayden raises his head to speak in her defense, but he raises a hand to stop him. โI know all about your secret in helping a female that got attacked; you helped and gave her refuge even though she is a stranger, but she is an alderman, an enemy to our pack. I need you to explain what that means to us right this instant.โ A wicked smile sprawled on Holden's lips; he seemed to be enjoying this, enjoying seeing his brother being scrutinized by their father, knowing now he would be in the chief's good graces instead of Hayden. โI-i mean no harm, Chief Blackwood,โ she says with a curt bow. He lets out a dismissive hum to his men, who bow and leave them. With Holden and Hayden behind her, their arms at attention, their faces stoic as they face their father, the chief of this pack. โI was saved by your son while I was on the verge of death, and Iโm grateful for that. Yes, I might have been rais
โYou cannot be serious about this, father,โ Holden argues with Chief Blackwood the moment that Hayden follows Elise down the balcony steps. His eyes were dark and intense with jealousy and anger that a strange girl from somewhere could have his birthright. โShe is Edgarโs daughter; the throne belongs to her; we all know that Iโve been keeping this seat warm for him; this is a promise I kept to Edgar Hale,โ he mutters. โShe could be lying about her mother, father! You cannot just give the seat to a stranger; for all we know, she was sent by Dexton to infiltrate our pack and destroy us from her father; you cannot allow this!โ Holden argues. โThere aren't any laws that stop her from claiming this seat,โ Hayden's voice cuts in. Heโd come back from his chambers, leaving Elise there. โWe all know she is a true royal calhan wolf; her beast looks like ours; she is one of us; no, even more powerful than us." Hayden concludes. It drives Holden mad, his hands bound into a tight fist
Ryganโs POV โRygan?โ I hear my name roared out by Taz behind the door. The loud, unending pounding of the door pulls me out of sleep. I roll over, forgetting the spinning room around me. But I donโt answer; Iโm barely living and barely there at the moment. Everything feels useless and unimportant since I found out that Elise is dead. And all the news from my troops that came back was no news at all. I donโt want to believe the trail ended on the deep, rocky cliff. There has to be something Iโm missing; there has to be, but Kaide made it known to me that she was gone. There isnโt even a body I could salvage. I hate myself for that. I hate myself that my last words to her and my last encounter were filled with nothing but anger and blame. I can barely breathe when I think of her right now. I roll over, my fingers meeting the cold glass of a wine bottle in my bed. My only companion these days is the solace of being drunk. Itโs the only way I can sleep without waking up to nig
(EPILOGUE)..The lonely, dark halls of the Black Mountains cell were Alvira's only companions throughout the passing days; she could barely keep track of the time, day, or month.It was hell on earth, a punishment for crimes that made her feel insane, and she deserved every bit of it, especially after what she did to Alana. Some days she felt like the dark halls were haunted by her sister and Kaideโs ghost, her only companions pushing her to the edge of insanity."Just look at her," one of the guards spoke, spooked as they watched Alvira sitting quietly, composed in a way that was eerie at times, making the hair on their skin stand up. Her dark brunette hair was matted and scattered in knots, hiding her face.Her nails were tattered from incessant biting, a habit she had developed; she didn't bother responding to the guards' whispers.In the first months she'd been there, she raised hell until her throat bled, screaming to be freed, but she knew there wouldnโt be a chance. "Who woul
It all felt so natural, so right, falling into each other's arms like theyโd known one another for a lifetime, and with each kiss, Jax felt more completed by his omega. โYou have no idea how much I love you, how much you drive me wild, Lorraine,โ he muttered with a kiss to her bare shoulder. He quickly unzipped the gown, pushing it off her. The beta watched wide-eyed with desire at how confident his omega had gotten in that moment. He watched as she traced a hand from his hard pecs and abs, dipping her hands further into the water, trailing down the space between his crotch till she held his hardening cock. Jax hissed in pleasure at her touch. He watched her pupils dilate in reaction to his, and her meek honey-filled voice whispered, โDo you like this?โ โFuck, I love everything you do, and even youโyes, just like that,โ he hummed when he felt another hard squeeze to his cock; moons now she was just torturing him. โYou have no idea what I want to do to you,โ he whispered. โ
JAX'S POV After seeing Lorraine in that state, I never wanted to see her cry again. I knew there was no going back with my wolf already obsessed with her every call; I was hers before she even completely knew it. It isnโt long till I reach the station where I'm needed. Immediately seeing the hunched frame of my two friends, they both peer up at me with smug, knowing looks on their faces. And mischievous smirks I could spot even from a mile away. โDamn..we know sheโs yours, dude. Chill out,โ Michael mutters first. โWe can practically scent her on your skin,โ he calls with arms up in surrender. โGood,โ I say, surprising them both; they must have expected me to try and deny it. But I wanted everyone to know she was mine, and I couldnโt keep myself from her anymore, not when my wolf was already so drawn to her. โIโve lost to her, moons; I'm so in love with her; she is everything I could ever dream of, fuck,โ I mutter, still in disbelief at how Iโve been truly enamo
Jax knew he had made an awful mistake by saying those words and not being straightforward. The beta felt like a wreck the moment he saw how Lorraineโs face had crumbled. He had misspoken, and now she must have thought he only saw her as nothing more than a fling. He tried to explain himself, but the damage had been done. He quickly obeyed her wish to be left alone. There would be enough time to talk to her, and he would make sure to tell her his true feelings. Right now, she needed space, which gave him enough time to think too. The beta rushed outside to clear his head and get them breakfast since there wasnโt anything left in his kitchen. He dropped by the baker's shop for a fresh set of their renowned pie, with the pack members greeting him good morning. Jax halted in his steps when his eyes caught a beautiful pastel blue sundress in a shop, and a certain blonde immediately filled his mind. He headed in, even though he had no idea what he was doing, and bought many dresses
The kiss was intoxicating; there was no end to Jaxโs desperate need for more; he wanted her more than he could ever fathom. It felt like Every control he had snapped when he heard her soft voice pleading to be touched; he knew he couldnโt fight it any longer. His hand combed through her gold locks, a firm grip causing a moan from her lips. She shuddered in desire from his touch; she felt his hand trace down her naked thighs, and a whimper escaped her lips from his touch. His hands pushed firmly on her tiny back, trailing into her shirt, touching the small expanse of her back and finding that sensitive spot on her skin that had Lorraine arching until her back pressed against the bed, leaving her a whimpering mess. She pushed Jax closer, feeling his other hand trail to her aching sex. She watched him, unblinking from his gaze, their breaths mingled and gaze locked with one another. โI'm going to put a finger in, okay, sweetheart?โ He muttered with a kiss pressed to her button no
The beta scolds himself with a curse, mortified that he said something so obscene. But when he peered at Lorraine, looking at how innocent her gaze was, she hadn't understood the complication of the words he said. He was thankful but still mortified. Jax then quickly settled himself on the island table as they both munched on their food; he quietly watched the female, satisfied as Lorraine ate with a full appetite. A deep primal part of him was happy that he cooked for her. But the reason she could eat so well was that Jax assured her that Nora would be fine with Abby and was in great care. That calmed her; she felt so happy and relieved in this moment that she finally let her scent waft across the room; it made the beta visibly stiffen. Her jasmine scent wafted across the room, making the beta wolf alert and thrash around, yearning to be closer. Thatโs when he realized why her scent was so sweet and alluring. โYou... are an omega?โ he called in surprise, and for a moment, he
The walk back to Jax's home was quiet and more awkward than he anticipated, but mostly since he was trying hard not to stare at Lorraine while they walked to his cabin. "Fuck this," he thought; his wolf was barely in control, his desire to touch her and know what she tasted like underneath all her clothes was more than tempting, but right now he could barely see her face under the cloak. "Um, I donโt think I thanked you for this." "You did," he cut in quickly, and for a short moment their gaze locked; he could see a blush on her cheek spread before she turned away. Why did she choose me? He couldnโt help wondering; he barely recalled opening the doors to his home with Lorraine trailing in after him. โAnd donโt worry too much about your sister; she is in great hands, and Abby will take care of her, but now you need to take care of yourself. You need rest,โ he adds. โThank you..โ โJax, my name is Jax Kullin.โ He tells her he could see interest glistening in her gaze, with
(Side story) JAX'S POV. . . There was a time when anyone could try to tell me true love was real, and I'd fall for it; and all the more, having a fated mate was unheard of, a love was so strong like my parents who died in each other's arms during the war 20 years ago. I couldnโt fathom what kind of love would bring someone to their knees and, all the more, die for their partner. I and my best friends have always joked about never falling in love so desperately for anyone, yet my best friend Hayden was an exception none of us ever expected. He was a goner for Elise the moment he met her. I could see why he loved her, though it took time for her to trust us. I could see the ease in her eyes, and the walls crumbled when Hayden was there. But it was never as intense as what my friend felt. Hayden, who loved El with all his heart and died for that said love, broke me beyond words when I heard the news of his death from Holden; none of us could believe it, no
Rygan was more than aroused for his mate; his tongue dipped into her coated entrance for a taste of more; he sucked and lapped greedily on her sex, causing a moan to erupt from Elise's lips from his merciless intrusion into her sex; his tongue was like a drug driving her mad. "Fuck. My love, you taste amazing," he muttered, her sex clenched from the feel of his heated breath fanning her folds, she moans out in pleasure, grabbing tight to the sheets for her dear life. There was barely an intrusion other than his tongue yet; but Rygan's tongue alone had made her climax, and now the alpha lapped at her sex like a thirsty man. She let out a cry from the intrusion of his thick finger. The pleasure felt like a torturous drag in her walls, her back arching from stimulation when another thick finger was added to her wet heat. "Look at how tight you are for me; you taste like honey; my cock would feel good inside you," he growls with a bite to her inner thigh. She flinches from his