CLARA The Rose packhouse used to feel like a home. A place I cherished but eternities had changed. My home felt alien and so did my son. I understood his rage. I did but his anger would be the thing to destroy him and whatever happiness he could garner. I had come back with the highest of hopes only for Alexios to shatter it without thinking twice. It made me think he was beyond saving. Perhaps that was what he wanted me to believe. I hated to admit it but if that was his plan, he was doing a swell job. "Did it work?" I heard Elliot ask. The sound of his voice shook me to the core. I whipped my head backward and aced him. He was crouched at a corner of the hall. He has come here using his gifts but that didn't mean he wouldn't be in danger if my people found him out. "What are you doing here?" I demanded, ignoring his question. "I came to ask how it went down. Is the girl his mate?"I ignored Elliot's ramblings and scurried left and right the hallways to see if anyone still stood
ALEXIOS "Where are you, Curtis?" I demanded, stepping out of the garden into the parking lot. Curtis had always informed me a day before he was returning to Havenbourne. After spending a decent time outside pack territory with the sole purpose of exterminating opposing enemy packs, I knew the laws would have no effect on his bloodlust. At sensitive times like this, Curtis needed to be monitored. Lest he did something against what the Rose pack stood for. The damn kid had control issues and his volatile wolf wasn't helping matters but I loved the bastard. I found it odd that he chose to inform me about this return until today. "I'm at the Havenbourne airport," Curtis answered. "Why do you ask? Can't wait to set eyes on me?"Havenbourne Airport. I violently snapped my fingers at a sentinel hanging around the parking lot. "Get the car keys. We are heading out."The junior werewolf nodded in response and rushed in to get the keys. He lunged outside a few seconds later with a bunch of ke
LYDIA Minutes after Fiona and I had made up, There was a knock on the door. A guard had peeked in and given word that my room was ready which came more as a shock to me because Fiona had stated that I would be staying with her and I found it hard to believe that Alexios who had just rejected me was sympathetic enough to get me my own room. I didn't even have my own clothes. So I had to ask."I don't understand. I have my own room?""Yes." The guard replied, sighing in frustration. It was evident he didn't want to do this and that suggested that someone in the higher ranks was executing this. "Who ordered you to give her a room?" Fiona asked, walking over the door and opening it. The guard crouched low in respect for Fiona. "The Grand Luna ordered immediately she stepped into the mansion that Lydia Nightshade have her own quarters.""What..." Fiona was dumbstruck. So was I. The grand luna was usually the mother of the current Alpha. My senses pricked open as I realized what that me
LYDIA"Enter." The voice from inside instructed followed by a hollow click. I obliged and I was immediately greeted by a brightness that contrasted the gloom of my room. The walls were painted pastel pink. Flower vases of the rosiest of flowers stood opposite the giant queen-sized bed that the Grand Luna was rested in. A smile slowed its way to her mouth as our eyes met. "Lydia Nightshade..." She mused. "It's so nice to finally get to know you."A nervous smile eluded me. She seemed like the nicest person but I also had to remember she was the wife of the Alpha my father had killed in cold blood. Her kindness had to have limits. "I came here to say thank you..." I struggled to say."Thanks?!?" Confusion riddled her expression. "For what?"Out of sheer uneasiness, I pointed to the door I had just stepped into just moments ago as I made an attempt to explain my gratitude. "The guard... He told me... I wanted to thank you for the quarters you gifted me...""Please," The Grand Luna chuc
ALEXIOSAs quick as the seer had spoken her words of misfortunes. Her irises reappeared. I blinked, hoping it had all just been a loose screw in my head but when my eyes opened for the second time, I could still very much see the blood from before dripping down her cheek. It caused something within me to explode. I grabbed her by the neck without even having to think about it. All that played in my head as I clasped her throat was the phrase, "Love will find one and break the other." It was like a part of me needed to know exactly what her foul mouth meant by that."What was that witch!" I practically yelled. "I told you not to fucking touch me!""I...was just trying to help...." She mumbled as she struggled to breathe. Her refusal to admit that this was her fault made me even more angrier. I slammed her body against the hood of the car. I swear I saw a dent as her body flowed to the floor like melted butter. She was almost lifeless. My breath came in slow as I reached my hands towar
LYDIA I didn’t sleep well. Dreams of wolves hunting me, unable to turn, plagued me. It was an old dream that had started when I clocked eighteen. I had them on and off. For so long, the nightmares had evaded me until last night. Waking up was a blessing. My breath hitched as the wolves surrounded me. Their furs were the brightest whites and their eyes the deeper blue. I crouched to the cold unforgiving crowd as they circled me. I dared to look up and the eyes on one turned on me. Its irises morphed to an unforgivable ruby red color and before a scream could escape me, the wolf's horrible jaw descended upon me. I bolted awake, my heart thudding in my chest as I looked around in terror. For a moment I couldn’t remember where I was. Then I groaned and flopped back onto the pillows.The room Clara had put me in had an en-suite bathroom. After seeking her out, I had taken a quick shower, being careful not to take all the hot water, but it had felt wonderful. This morning, the cold was
LYDIAHe looked at me knowingly. What kind of creature was this man? The way he looked at me made my stomach growl. It wasn't hunger. The chili beans and bread very much satisfied me. This was something else. This was something more. Something spicy and exotic that made my wolf want to howl in delight and curl up around him. I hated it. “I am sorry. I will leave,” I begged, a tear sliding down my face in frustration that I could do nothing in this situation, nothing but beg.“You cry so prettily,” he said, cocking his head like a predator eyeing his prey. The way he said it was strange though. It wasn’t done as an insult. It was like he was really admiring me. It made me look up to question if Alexios was sane. His eyes were the same. An unforgiving scarlet that mirrored the concern in my face. But there was something else too. I refused to admit what it was. I just got there and sniffed but on the bright side of things, the awkwardness of his comment made me stop crying.“Last cha
LYDIA "We should not be doing this," Alexios pulled back, acting as if any of this had been my choice. He was the one who came up to him. There was a high probability he did it only because he was drunk. Yet, I found it hard to believe that a drunk Alexios Rose would choose to kiss me when cold blooded murder was an option. "Fiona wouldn't like this."I agreed. This needed to be kept a secret. All I needed to do was leave. I was certain we would never have to bring it up ever again. "I'll just go." I swallowed. Remnants of his essence still tingled my mouth. It made my wolf whisper profanities into my heart. My wolf wanted me to go for a second kiss. It knew Alexios wouldn't stop her. The Alpha was very susceptible and while his hazy moral ground still stood tall. I knew I could shatter it without even having to try. Blame it on the alcohol but the Alpha Alexios that stood opposite me this fine morning wanted me. But I wasn't someone to take advantage of someone under the influen