LyaIt was impossible to keep track of time in here so I had just given up trying. There was a window in each cell covered by frosted glass that let just enough light in to give a faint idea of the time. Overall, though, the days revolved around when meals were brought. Even that wasn’t consistent, though. I was beginning to think my “birthday present” was just a bit of blackmail. More than likely, they didn’t have anything they could hold over my head.Paranoia had begun to sink in. Was the guard really truly working on my side, or had the hunters won him over? He was a Wulver, of course he wouldn’t betray us. Was Danica in here just to try and get information out of me? I guess it was always possible, but her eyes screamed truth and naivety. Was Oliver moving on with someone new already? He wouldn’t. My days were filled with constant internal debates and nights trying to fight off memories of Oliver and the pack I had come to love. It was easier if I didn’t think of the good times,
Oliver We had cells here. They were probably my least favorite place to be. But here I sat, for the third day in a row, trying to get information out of a hostage. Cody and Trevor had both offered to take over for me, but I had refused. It was my responsibility, as both the alpha and Lya’s mate. I’d get her safely back to this territory if it was the last thing I did. Besides, I had dropped the responsibility my alpha title demanded too much. It was time to reclaim it. We had never had a human in these cells before, but my warriors that had been sent to the hunters’ Oklahoma outpost had brought back a hostage. The usual tactics - silver and wolfsbane - weren’t working, and as I sat staring at my bloody and bruised hands, I had to wonder if this guy even knew anything at all. A wicked smile crossed my face as I came up with one last idea before handing this project off to someone else. “Let’s try this one last time,” I said, staring him down. His eyes were swollen nearly shut, b
Lya My eyes nearly rolled back in my head, the sensation of Oliver’s presence again all consuming. I had missed this. I could practically hear the missing piece of me clinking back into place. A smile flitted across my face as lightning danced across my skin, embracing me like a warm hug. I could almost smell him. 'Might as well get a chance to feel all warm and fuzzy again,' my wolf sighed. 'It has been too long.''Never again,' I agreed. I pulled my legs up to my chest and rested my head on my knees. Tala may have thought she was helping, but it really was just making me sad. I missed home, I missed my mate. It was a cruel reminder that even if everything went to plan, there was a very high likelihood I would never see him again. Part of me wanted to see if I could reach out to him, but the other part didn’t want that small glimmer of hope. My heart broke for Danica. I hadn’t heard much about her life, but I was certain it had been filled with more suffering than she deserved -
Oliver Over two hundred wolves had the hunters’ compound surrounded. In another four hours, there would be another three hundred and fifty more. We were overprepared, but I didn’t care. Every single wolf here knew exactly why and who they were here for. Given the way her story was told, I truly hoped they would be here even if she wasn’t their alpha’s mate. I would have to make sure Lya knew that everyone knew now. She was the girl who overcame her upbringing only to put her life on the line for an entire population she barely knew. She was the girl who didn’t need a knight in shining armor. She just needed a sword, and she found her own. I never even stuttered when I declared she was my mate. I couldn’t muster the courage to try and mindlink with Lya, but Cody had filled me in on what little Liam had been able to pass on, including the fact that in some way or another, her dad was involved in this whole mess. No one was quite sure what Lya had done to set the wheels in motion, b
Lya My mind was made up. I knew exactly what my role in this fight would be. If I had learned anything about my father, it was that he was a coward. He wouldn’t be out on the field participating. Maybe he was who I got my ability to run away from problems from. Even still, though, I was drawn outside. The sight was horrifying, and the smell of war made me gag. Guns rang out, teeth clashed, screams and howls resounded. What my eyes honed in on, though, was none other than Will barreling into my mate. I was careening toward them faster than I could think. If anyone died here, it was supposed to be me. “NO!” I screamed, but the sound was drowned out. Oliver waited too long, giving Will the opportunity to aim his gun. I didn’t have time to shift, but I still had the axe. I flung it with every ounce of strength I had, burying the pick deep in his chest. I was certain the pick side of a fireman’s axe wouldn’t be enough to actually kill him, so I twisted it just for good measure. If
Oliver I saw red. The first I heard from Lya in weeks, and it was a plea for help. I followed my nose, bursting through the door blocking me from her. I couldn’t see her anywhere, but I knew she was here. There were countless other wolves from her birth pack on my tail, and we immediately set to work dispatching the stragglers looking to escape us, dragging most out of cars that refused to start. I finally spotted her, underneath one of the vehicles disabling it. I took half a second to let out a breath of relief and smile. Smart girl. I lost track of her again, though, my focus shifting to keeping others away from her. It wasn’t until I had no one else in my sights and everything had fallen quiet that I heard her voice ringing through the garage, filled with confidence and conviction. “I’m challenging your alpha title.” I spun around, charging for where she was. I wasn’t going to let her risk her life like this. But, I was stopped by Cody and Gregory. 'She initiated the
Lya Endings are hard. Beginnings, though? Well, beginnings are easy. They sneak up on you, and you find yourself halfway into the storyline before you even realize what the plot is. Truth be told, I couldn’t even tell you when the beginning of this story was. Was it my first shift? The first time I slit my wrist? Maybe when I met Ted Marsan, or killed him. What about when I finally ended up in this pack? I could tell you one thing, though, and that was this was the end. Endings are hard. They always come too soon, leaving plot holes and unanswered questions in their wake. There was so much more to say, to do. My story was ending, and it felt like it had only just begun. Fate is a fickle bitch. I was still resentful it had taken Her this long to let me find my way to this pack. Six weeks just didn’t seem like enough time to be happy. Oh, how I would have changed those six weeks if I had known how quickly this all would end. I had known death was a possibility when I signed up fo
Oliver Lya’s own little army sat in the waiting room as she underwent surgery. Everyone seemed to be glaring at someone. Liam and I continued with our silent argument through looks alone, Jade and Jason - Lya’s supposed cousins - were arguing about whose fault it was they hadn’t realized Lya was a wolf, Thom kept his eyes locked on them as he rocked Kai, silently begging them to be quiet, Anna and Trevor were still in a staring contest about his refusal to let her start warrior training, and Cody was curiously enough shooting daggers at Jade. Marjorie was the only one sitting quietly, observing everything. Brandon waltzed back into the room, returning from his mission for “supplies.” “You all need to take a chill pill,” he said, handing everyone a beer. “We are all on the same side here, don’t forget.” I sighed and sat back, cracking my beer. “You’re right.” “I mean really, you can be as angry as you want that Lya accidentally landed herself an alpha gig, but think of why you’re a