CereliaOur homecoming should have been a cause for joyous celebration. Instead I spent a sleepless night in Soren’s arms, staring at the bare walls of our cabin. I can feel the tension in the air.Soren was exhausted after making the trip here. His lungs aren’t working at full capacity yet and it’s a long way to travel for someone who should slowly be regaining his stamina. He didn’t want to wait and I’m glad now that we didn’t. The fact that Damon showed up as soon as we did, means he was in the vicinity and not with his pack.Damon. My brother. My erstwhile protector. A cold, calculating man who’s never cared about anyone but me. Why did I never notice that before?He never spoke about our dead mother, or brought up our absent father. He never brought any friends home. Never owned a pet. Never dated. He guarded me like I was an invaluable prize that someone was going to try and steal from him.That’s not a normal way for a sibling to act. His continual lessons on how I should behav
DamonThe morning sun is barely cresting the horizon when the knock comes, sharp and insistent. I already know I won’t like whatever news is about to be delivered. I sit at the head of the long wooden table in my war room, staring at the map before me. Planning how I’ll be protecting my new borders once Soren’s land belongs to me.The doors open without my permission, and a scout steps inside, his head bowed in deference. “Alpha,” he says, voice tense. “A messenger has arrived.”I gesture sharply, and the scout steps aside to allow the man entry. He’s one of Soren’s. A young warrior still breathing hard from running all the way here. He stands straight, shoulders squared, though I can see the effort it takes for him to meet my gaze.Good, my reputation precedes me. He kneels, but there’s no true submission in the act. “I bring a challenge, Alpha Damon.”The words are a slap to the face. I lean back in my chair, schooling my expression into one of indifference, though my blood simmers
CereliaThe air is thick with tension as the packs gather to witness the challenge. The field just outside the main village is packed with wolves. Some are standing in tight clusters, others keeping a wary distance. They murmur among themselves, their eyes flicking between Soren, me and Damon, who stands with his second, Marcus, on the opposite end of the clearing.I try and force my shoulders to relax, but I can’t deny the weight pressing against my chest. I never wanted to fight Damon. Despite everything, his manipulation, his need to control me, his obsession, I never pictured myself standing against him like this.But this isn’t just about me. It’s about the pack. About the people who trust Soren and me to protect them. And the ones hoping for a better life for themselves and their families.Soren’s hand is steady in mine, anchoring me when I feel adrift. He doesn’t need to say anything, his presence by my side is enough. Confidence radiates from him, calm and unwavering. He belie
DamonI storm through the trees, my body vibrating with rage. The sting of defeat is a fresh wound, raw and festering. My sister, my own fucking sister, humiliated me in front of both packs. The show she put on was so convincing, she took most of my pack with her. How she must be gloating. She’s probably celebrating by riding Soren naked right now, ridiculing me and using him for her own pleasure. Her head thrown back, those golden tresses swinging as she thrusts, sweat running down her neck and dripping from her rigid nipples. She thinks she’s powerful? That she can stand against me and win? She got lucky. That’s all it was. Luck and mind tricks.The warriors who followed me are silent, trailing behind like lost dogs, too afraid to speak, too spineless to offer their opinions. Good. I don’t want to hear their pathetic excuses. I don’t want their pity or their empty reassurances. I want blood. I want vengeance.I stalk ahead, my mind spinning through the possibilities. Cerelia has h
HildaI’m struggling to wrap my head around how ecstatic I am. I never expected to get my happily ever after. So much has happened in the past year and there were times I just wanted to give up.Yet each one of those trials brought me to where I am right now. They turned me into the woman I am today. Brought me to my soulmate. I don’t want to relive them, but I don’t regret that they happened.“You look so happy,” Cerelia says, her voice a little husky. “That’s because I am,” I admit freely. “I get to marry the man of my dreams and become Luna of his pack and the mother of his child soon. All of my deepest desires, even those I had no idea I wanted,” I say, cradling my gently swollen belly, “Have come true.”Cerelia wraps her arms around me in a fierce hug. “I can think of nobody more deserving. You have a beautiful heart, Hilda. So full of love and compassion. Arlo and that little baby in there, are both so lucky to get you.”“Stop, my make-up,” I beg, dabbing at my eyes with a tissu
Damon The wedding is sickeningly perfect and I fight the urge to gag as I watch from the shadows with barely contained rage. Hilda stands there like she belongs, basking in the glow of her new title, her new life. As if she hasn’t been the catalyst for everything falling apart.Like she isn’t used goods, who never knew how to act like a real woman. Like she deserves to be the Alpha King’s Luna. What a fucking joke.She smiles up at Arlo, her eyes shining with love and devotion, and the sight turns my stomach. She looks radiant, draped in that pristine white dress, her hair adorned with delicate flowers as if she’s some ethereal goddess. She was never meant to stand beside the king. Her fate should have been to be my toy, not his queen.Arlo grips her hands, his expression soft, reverent. Every movement he makes toward her speaks of possession, of a bond that shouldn’t exist. He stares at her as though she’s the centre of his world, and she stares back at him with the same nauseating
HildaThe day is absolute perfection and the only thing that could make it better than spending it with everyone we love, is being alone together.The need I feel for Arlo to claim my body is almost overwhelming and he smirks proudly every time he touches me and I grow a little needier. His thoughts couldn’t be more obvious if he went around roaring, “Mine! She lusts for me!”But I fucking do. I’m not sure if it’s the bond kicking into overdrive because we’re married and I’m officially his Luna now, or if this is just me, wanting to be with my husband. My one and only. The man I promised to love and cherish for as long as we both shall live.“You’re going to cause a population explosion,” Arlo whispers against my ear as we slowly move across the dance floor. “What?” I ask bemusedly, so wrapped up in his wondrous scent that I’m barely aware of my surroundings.“Several couples have ducked out to go and mate, including Soren and Cerelia,” he informs me. “What does that have to do with m
ArloMoonlight pools into the room, painting Hilda’s skin in silver and shadow, and for a moment, I can do nothing but look at her.She’s sprawled across the bed, dark hair fanned out over the crisp white sheets, her lips parted just slightly, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that makes something tighten low in my gut.Her eyes, warm and full of promise, track my every movement. We’ve been making love for hours, but I can’t seem to get enough of her.My mate. My wife. Mine.The thought sends a surge of heat through me, a primal satisfaction that I know is echoed in the way she shivers beneath my gaze. I take my drinking her in. Her bare shoulders, the dip of her waist, the slow, lazy way she stretches, displaying herself to my gaze.“Arlo,” she murmurs, voice thick with longing, my name a whisper that wraps around me like silk. I slide over her, caging her in with my hands on either side of her. “Yes, love?”She breathes out a soft laugh, but there’s no teasing in her eyes, on
CereliaIt’s still very early. Soren’s arm is slung lazily over my waist, his breath warm against the back of my neck, and for once everything is quiet. There are no spells humming through my bones. No humans to manipulate. No wolves to protect. Just warmth and peace in the arms of the man I love.And the deep, delicious ache in my muscles from a night spent in his arms. I close my eyes and sigh contentedly.And that’s when the knock comes. Three quick raps on the door. Then silence. Another two knocks, this time faster.Followed by, “I know you’re awake! I can hear you breathing!” Soren groans into my shoulder. “She’s back.”“I’m not going away,” Scarlett adds through the door. “And I’m very hungry.” I bite back a laugh and start to roll over, but Soren tightens his arm around me with a huff.“She’s our godchild, I have to let her in,” I tell him. “It’s too early,” he groans. I pat his hand before wriggling out of bed and pull on one of his shirts, which falls all the way to my knees
ArloI can’t keep my hands off her and I have no intention of trying to.The second we shut the door behind us, I pin her against it, mouth crashing down on hers with what feels like weeks of pent-up want. Hell, years of it. A lifetime of need. Even though I spent all night worshipping her just last night. I will never get enough of her.Hilda kisses me back like she’s starving.Her fingers dive into my hair, tugging just the way she knows drives me mad, and I groan, grinding against her, feeling her swell press into me. Our child, safe and warm in her body while I press her against the wall like a man possessed.“Arlo,” she pants, pulling back enough to look at me, her lips swollen, her cheeks flushed. “We should get to the bed-”“I’ll carry you,” I growl, already sweeping her into my arms before she finishes the sentence. She squeals and laughs, smacking my shoulder. “Caveman.”“My caveman charm worked on you, didn’t it?” I ask cockily. “It worked once,” she says with a giggle.I dr
HildaThe clearing is glowing with golden lantern light, strung from tree to tree like stars caught in the branches. Music floats through the air, lively and cheerful, and the scent of roasted meat, baked bread, and spiced cider wraps around everything like a warm embrace.Laughter, chatter, music, love, and everyone I care about safe and sound. It’s perfect.Scarlett darts past me, her curls bouncing, a sticky bun in each hand and powdered sugar smudged across her cheek. She’s already danced with half the warriors here, been given three new hair ribbons, and convinced Nixie to teach her the “grown-up” steps to a waltz. The child is utterly spoiled and utterly adored. Just as she should be.My gaze drifts across the party, a small smile tugging at my lips.Nixie and Percy are twirling in the open space near the fire, laughing as Percy dips her dramatically, nearly dropping her before catching her again. She swats him playfully and he leans in to kiss her shoulder. They’re so in love i
TaraThe tea is barely warm, but I don’t care. It’s quiet in the cottage, and Ash is here, lounging on the couch like he owns the place, one long leg stretched out, the other bent so his arm can rest on his knee. He’s watching me sip my tea like it’s the most fascinating thing in the world.And he keeps leaning closer. I give him a mock glare. “Ash.” He brushes his nose against my cheek, kissing the corner of my mouth. “What?”“You know what.” His grin is wicked. “I’m just admiring you,” he protests, his innocent tone completely at odds with the glint in his eyes. “I swear, if you kiss me again, we won’t make it back to the party-”He kisses me again and I lose myself in him for several minutes before gathering the strength of will to pull back.“Ash,” I laugh, pushing lightly at his shoulder. “I’m serious! Hilda will drag us out of here naked if she has to. And I will never recover.”“Neither will she,” he mutters. “Which is why I’m being very responsible right now.” I snort. “Your d
AshAfter two days in Tara’s bed, I honestly wasn’t sure my legs still worked. They do, but just barely.We’ve both managed to stumble out into the daylight today, blinking and dazed like creatures dragged from some romantic fairy tale.Sore, hungry, and maybe a little too pleased with ourselves. Tara’s gone off to help Cerelia with decorations, and I’ve been assigned the incredibly noble task of carrying boxes of cider to the main clearing where Hilda’s preparing to throw what I’ve been assured will be a “respectably rowdy” victory celebration.The werewolves are happy. Relaxed. They laugh louder. Touch more freely – which is saying a lot. The tension that used to hum just beneath the surface is gone for now.They survived. And they’re still free to live as they choose. The human world blissfully unaware of their existence.I’m halfway through hauling the second crate of bottles when I hear the unmistakable patter of quick little footsteps, followed by an even quicker voice.“There y
TaraI’ve never felt anything like this.Not just the physical sensation of Ash’s hands and mouth on my skin, though even that alone would be enough to steal my breath. It’s the bond. The raw, unfiltered tether between us. Every touch he gives me, I feel twice. My own response and his.His hunger. His awe. His aching, consuming need. It rushes through me like fire laced with starlight.Every pass of his lips over my skin, every brush of his fingers, echoes back into my body in waves, dizzying and electric. I arch beneath him with a soft cry, overwhelmed, and he moans into my throat like he feels it too.Because he does. I glance up at him, his hair falling loose around his face, his pupils blown wide with desire, and my heart stutters.“Ash,” I whisper. “It’s too much. I feel everything you do-”“I know,” he murmurs, voice wrecked. “Gods, Tara, I know. It’s driving me mad and I don’t want it to stop.”He kisses down my stomach, his hands holding my thighs open like I’m something sacre
AshFor a long, breathless moment, I can’t move. Tara’s lips are soft and warm against mine, trembling just slightly, like she’s not sure I’ll kiss her back.But I do. Gods, I do. My arms fold around her instinctively, drawing her closer, and everything else, everything dark and twisted and sharp, fades into nothing.The world narrows to her body pressed against mine. Her mouth, open and trusting. Her hands fisting gently into the front of my shirt.I kiss her slowly, reverently, afraid to shatter the fragile magic threading between us. Her lips taste like honey and forever. Like everything I’ve ever wanted and never dared to ask for. Every time I move to pull away, she tilts her face to follow me, like she can’t bear to stop.And gods, I think I might break.When we finally come up for air, we’re both breathless. She gazes up at me, cheeks flushed, eyes luminous in the low lamplight. “Close the door,” she whispers. “Come to bed with me.”My heart does something strange in my chest. L
TaraCerelia can barely keep her eyes open as Ash and I help her up the path toward her and Soren’s cabin.Her steps are slow and dragging, her head lolling against Ash’s shoulder more than once, but she’s still stubbornly mumbling that she’s fine even as she stumbles.I tighten my grip under her arm. “You're not fine. You're spent. Let us carry you.” Cerelia slow blinks at me, before shaking her head. “I’ll walk.” Clearly Hilda’s rubbed off on her.Ash says nothing, but his jaw is tight, and I can feel the way he braces her against him more firmly, almost carrying her by the time we reach the porch, but leaving her the illusion that her feet are nearly touching the ground.Soren comes sprinting over, “There you are! I ran over to look for you once we were sure the humans left our land, but you were gone!” He’s already scooping her up in his arms like she weighs nothing at all. She doesn’t complain this time, sighing happily as she turns her head into his chest.“You’re amazing,” he m
HildaCerelia is swaying on her feet, pale and drained, but when I step closer, she straightens with visible effort. I hesitate for a heartbeat. She’s already given more than enough today. She shouldn’t have to give more.I can’t ask her to restore Malcolm’s memories just so I can have my revenge. “Thank you for everything. You should go and rest,” I tell her.She looks back at me, exhausted but clear-eyed, a half-smile on her lips as she informs me, “He remembers everything.”I exhale slowly, tension bleeding out of me, hugging her for giving me this gift. I need him to remember. I need him to know why he’s being punished.I double check Malcolm for weapons. I’m not taking any chances with him. Even armed, I know I can take him, but I don’t want any interruptions or unnecessary struggles. He’s taken up too much of our time already.I grab a single leash from the pile the warriors dropped earlier and snap it to the heavy collar locked around his throat. “I’ll see you back at the pack