**Laura POV**
My eyes suddenly sprung open and in shock, I slapped my hands across my entire body expecting to feel the excruciating pain from the multiple stabs, but surprisedly I felt nothing.
“What is happening?” I whispered to myself, looking around the empty void i was now engulfed in. Even Alex and Sonia were nowhere to be found.
“Is anyone there!?” I screamed, but my voice echoed back to me, which made me realize I was truly alone. ‘How did I get here?’ I muttered to myself. From a distance, I could hear a shuffling sound from a distance moving in my direction.And when I spun round, I saw the most beautiful female I have ever laid eyes on.
She had long straight dark hair that pooled down to her back, her skin was as smooth as porcelain. Her emerald eyes glimmered in the dark and was a stark contrast to her plump red lips.
One thing was quite strange about her though. She was sitting on the moon.
“Hi, where am I?” I called softly, looking up at her radiant face. As soon as she caught me staring, she smiled at me.
“You’re in the abstract world, a point between life and death. At this point, you aren't alive or dead until I proclaim it so” she replied, making me gasp in shock.
Her voice was the most beautiful sound I have ever had. It was so soft, it felt like a group of orchestra playing melodious tunes. Soon it occurred to me. “I was stabbed to death” I quivered in fear.
“ I know,” she replied, beaming a smile at me. When she got up to move, to my utmost surprise, she glided through the skies towards me . I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.
“Who, what are you?” I asked in astonishment. Moving away from her imposing figure which towered over me.
“You really don't know who I am? Well child, it's me Selena. The moon goddess and I'm here to take you back.”
“I don't want to go back” I deadpanned.
“Has it occurred to you that Sonia could have the throne if you don't go back?”
In an instant, the thought of Sonia ascending my throne filled me with so much rage. I had no choice but to nod my head in agreement.
“I'm going back,” blurted out.
“Now come here child” she said, spreading her arms in order for me to embrace, her arms were many feet wide apart. I was skeptical at first but soon summoned the courage to walk towards her.
“I will give you this opportunity to go back child, to mend your wrongs and you, you have the right to choice between good and bad and an edge over every other mortal that would cross path with you.” she said in a chant-like manner. I immediately felt an electric surge coursing through my body, I felt empowered. In shock I looked up to her, about to ask why I had felt that way when she pushed me back into the void.
***
I jerked uncontrollably for a few seconds, making a lot of people sitting around me stare with a look of both pity and shock. Seemingly confused myself, I surveyed my environment when I realized I was at a funeral and Sonia’s hand was clasped against mine. “Fucking bitch” I muttered to myself. I was about to pull my hand from her firm grip when the priestess voice rang in the air, quickly snapping me from my reverie.
“We are gathered here today to pay our tributes to this loving family, the family of Alpha and Luna Carlson Blackstone.” I quickly snapped my head in the priestess direction when it dawned on me that this was my parents' funeral.
But how is this possible? My parents died two years ago. My gaze trailed off to the pyre that had been created up front, I discovered that a lot of my parents' pictures were scattered on top of it as a show of respect. I couldn't breath, I felt suffocated. I felt like I was reliving the moment. Everything seemed the same as it all happened before. With swollen red eyes, Sonia asked” Are you okay?” “I am fine,” I answered with a smile.
“Laura “ she started but was immediately cut short by the priestess voice.
“ Receive blessings children ,” “May the Moon goddess bless you, protect, keep you safe and grant you peace.”
The crowd roared in unison. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Alex, as he stride into the hall. That was where I first saw him two years ago. Sonia had introduced him to me as her only cousin, who had wanted to come see life from a different perspective. As they two made their way towards me after speaking with a few elders . Sonia led the way and Alex followed behind her. I could smell the mating bound emanating from his body; but whenever I looked into those dark eyes of his, all I saw was the love flickering in his eyes when he first saw me and how he gagged and stabbed me countless times.
“Hey Laura, wait up!” Sonia waved her hand in my direction. “ Sorry, I wanted to introduce you to my cousin Alex”
I rolled my eyes and muttered to myself ‘Dear Moon Goddess, why are you letting me relive my past?’.
“Oh , nice to meet you,” I furrowed my brow towards him as he spewed out his name. “Alex”
“Alex, nice to meet you” I smiled at him.
“I am Laura'' I said. As we shook hands, I felt a jolt of shock wave go through my body. But I paid no attention to it.
“My cousin says you two are mates!” she yelped in excitement. I looked at her with resentment etched in my gaze.
“Yeah, I just felt it.” I deadpan my face glazed over.
“Laura , you used to be overly excited and crazy aboutf inding a mate” she said as her jaw dropped.
Laura POV We lay back down in bed, and I rest my head on his chest. “I can’t believe I forgot. I’ve been a werewolf and shifted, and I still didn’t know.”“You lost a lot of blood and were in a coma for a few days, Laura. Don’t beat yourself up for not remembering. I think in a way, your memories come back to you when you’re ready to face them,” he admits, and I think about that for a second.He might be right. He’s always right.I stay silent as he wraps me up in his strong arms. “Sleep, baby. It’s still early. We can talk about this in the morning.”My eyes flutter shut, and I inhale the scent wafting from his neck. I smile at the way it invades my bloodstream. My senses have heightened in ways I couldn’t even imagine.Later that day, I find myself in the library with Evan and Sam close behind him, looking as bored as ever. I reach up to find books on werewolf ancestry because I feel like I’m missing a piece of my history. My parents abandoned me when I was a baby, and now I don’
Laura POVMy ankles are submerged in mild water. The bottom of the lake is clear, and fish swim around my feet. I release a soft chuckle as they tickle my skin. My head tilts towards the sunset as it sits perfectly along the horizon.I open my lungs and take down the fresh air. A presence behind me makes me tingle, but I’m not afraid. My head looks over my shoulder to be met with luminous eyes and long white hair. I relax.“Laura.” She reaches out to touch my cheek.My eyes close at the sensation that washes over my skin.I remember her from my dream before. She came back.“You’re here.”When I open my eyes, she nods, and I study the pretty markings on her face. A triangle with circles glimmer across her forehead, and her eyelashes are a metallic blue. She takes my face between her warm hands, and I exhale a breath of relief.“Do not forget your power.”I frown. “What power?”“Do not forget the strength inside your soul.”“What do you mean?”She offers me a sweet smile. “I would neve
Maxwell POVAfter running Laura a luke-warm bath, I perch on the edge of the tub and study her drained face. Her skin is still on fire, despite the fact she’s shuddering as if we’re in the Antarctic. Guilt rides my chest like a wave. I’m not sure if her body is rejecting my mark because her human body isn’t strong enough to accept it. I don’t want to think about that fate.“Laura,” I whisper and caress her face.Her hand splashes into the water, and she retracts as if it’s toxic. I calm her by stroking back her hair and sending as much comfort through our bond as possible. Although, I can sense a barricade.“How are you feeling?”Laura’s eyes open, and they’re lazy, her lids almost shutting again.I examine her lips and move closer. The corners of her mouth are starting to fade into a light blue. Something is definitely wrong. Her body continues to shake, rippling the water aggressively. She wraps her arms around her legs in an attempt to keep warm.My hands reach into the bath, and
Laura POVI’m on the brink when he speeds up, and I clamp down on his lip, desperate to fall over the edge. I’m building and building. I groan into the kiss seconds away from absolute pleasure.Then he pulls his fingers from me, and I glare at him in desperation. I hate the smirk that sits on his face. “What” I can hardly get the words out as I watch him suck on his fingers. “Max, please.”He curls a brow in my direction as he sits back on his knees, staring down at me with misty eyes. “You think I didn’t hear your little thoughts earlier today slip through our bond?”“I used my barriers,” I heave.Maxwell releases a wicked laugh that sends shivers to my toes. “Not well enough, baby.”“What did you hear?”“Most of it.”I throw my head back to the bed. I’m pooling with heat. My heart rattles so loud I’m sure he can hear it. He crawls over my body once more and kisses me with rough passion. “You tell me the fucking second I cross any boundaries. Do I make myself clear?”“Yes.”“Good,”
Laura POVWhen I travel home later that afternoon, there’s a huge smile on my face from how fulfilled I am. My old life might be nothing but a distant memory, but Kayleigh shines above all. She’s one person I’ll never be able to forget.As the car drives through our gated community and pulls up outside Maxwell’s private entrance to the house, I hop out. I’m desperate to share everything that happened today with him and because he is my person.I wander through the front door and into the kitchen where the smell of food hypnotizes me. I’m not even hungry as we ate a few hours ago, but it smells divine.When I enter Max is standing there shirtless. My feet halt at the sight of his muscly back. He’s standing over the stove, using one hand to stir whatever he’s cooking in the frying pan. I scan his skin as the muscles contract and relax with each subtle movement. My lips part, and I’m certain I start drooling.I had no idea I had a thing for backs.“Are you going to stand there and ogle
Laura POVWe pause by a fountain and perch on the ledge as the sun beats down on us. “So, you go here with Danny, huh?”She scoffs. “No. I’ve always wanted to come here. Danny just so happened to rock up. We don’t see each other often if that’s what you think. I feel like he followed me here so he could find out information about you from me, which he did. I’m sorry. I never intended to do that.”“I know, I know,” I reassure her. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. How are your parents?”Kayleigh’s eyes drop to the pebbled floor. “They’re not together anymore.”“Oh.” I frown. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t.”“No, they loved you. They treated you like their own. It’s okay to bring them up. They miss you so much.” Her eyes crinkle at the sides.My chest warms. “I’d love to see them soon.”“They’d love that, too.”“Are you dating anyone right now?”She’s quiet for a long moment, and I inspect her face. There is an edge of slight discomfort at the question. “No,” she whispers. “Not anymore.”“Oh, what h