I watched Toya settle. “Good.” Her answer startled me a bit. “Good?”She nodded. “I was worried you were going to say yes.”I laughed. “Why?”“I don’t trust her. Never have. But I thought she was already your friend when she came over with us, but when I saw you didn’t know her, I was thrown.” Toya picked at her nails. “My wolf doesn’t trust her.”I laughed. “Neither does mine.” I settled into my new couch and I felt a content filled purr work its way up from my chest. I had to shake my head and push up off the couch before I embarrassed myself even more. Toya stood with a groan. “Is there anything else coming today?” We both looked around the room and stared at the new couch and love seat. Both we a soft grey that was over plush. I knew as soon as I saw them with Sterling, I needed them. I shook my head. “The chair was on back order.” I smiled when I thought of my reading chair. It was a double wide seat with a soft plush cover. That one really made Nix want to purr. Just the ide
The longer she stared up at me, the more I felt the need to squirm under her gaze. “Toya…”“Holy fucking goddess.” Toya jumped to her feet. “Are you serious? This makes so much sense.” She turned in a circle, talking to herself. “The fact you are so powerful.” She started to list things off. “That I felt drawn to you. Instantly, we had a connection.” She whirled back to facer me. “You said wolves. Does that mean you have a wolf, and a Lycan…Do you have two forms? Do you have actual powers, or does it just bump up your aura and power level?” The questions poured out of her like vomit. She couldn’t stop.I held up my hand, and she froze. “Come sit back down.” She sat next to me and I concentrated on my hand. A wisp the size of a tennis ball appeared, and she gasped. Her eyes growing wide as she stared at me. “You have power?” I laughed and nodded.“Yes, I have power, actual power. That’s why we can always talk openly here and not have to worry about being overheard. I snap a shield in
I laughed as I clutched her hand as a lifeline. My mind kept dragging me back to that day. I had spent so much of my time focused on my next move that I had pushed my last life to the back of my mind. Or I tried to.But when ever I was asleep, my mind would bring me back to that day. To my son’s softly staggered breathing, and his face pressed against my skin. I wake up with his scent in the air and I have to search my bed to remember that he is gone. Never even existed in this life. “Before I tell you, I need to explain this. In my last life, I knew nothing I do now. I didn’t even know about my second wolf. It had always just been Nix and me.”“Nix?”“My black wolf. My secret Lycan.” I snorted. “She is my alpha. Megan, my grey wolf, is a gamma. Still Luna rank, just not as strong.” I heard a snort in my mind. I sent back love, and she sent a wave back. “Your power?” Toya asked, but I shook my head slowly.“Because of who I am, I needed to balance my power and be able to control it
Months later…“I can’t believe our first ‘year’ is done.” Wendy collapsed onto my sofa as we all shuffled into my living room. “I know. It’s been insane. But at least they are giving us a week of being class free before we start classes again.” Hanna stretched out onto the floor. She groaned as she rolled on my thick fur carpet. “Next time you nest, come to our place, please.” She laughed as Wendy threw a pillow at her. She tucked it under her head. “What?” She turned onto her side, staring at the rest of us. “You’re telling me you aren’t super jealous of her fur lined, super comfy everything?” She laughed as Micca curled up on the other half of the sofa and Toya lounged on the love seat. She pointed at my chair. “Look at that thing!”I smiled as I settled in, and the contented purring of my wolves came back to me. “It’s honestly great.”She huffed and crossed her arms. “See.” The rest of the girls laughed. I looked around, and it blew my mind, seeing the difference. All of them had
I felt the world fall out from under my feet and I staggered back. Only Toya kept me upright. I knew he was going to do this. I just didn’t think it was going to happen so close. “You have got to be joking.” Wendy cried. Hanna and Micca both growled, and I saw Sterling wince. Not in submission, but just from the ferociousness of the two. They sounded like they would kill someone. “Tell us you are lying, Sterling.” Micca’s voice was low, and I didn’t have to glance to know her wolf, Muse, was very much present.Sterling looked away again. “I’m not sure. Jora just told me. But the King made a statement that there was going to be an announcement tomorrow. And I figured you should know.” I nodded. “Don’t let them up. I’ll come down in a minute.” Sterling nodded, grabbed his bag, and left. But I turned to my friends. “I have to go check my email and my phone.”Everyone nodded, but Toya followed me back into my room. “If there isn’t an email or text, or voicemail from that fucking man ab
Toya finished reading the email, as another came in. This one marked personal. “I think this one might have more of an explanation.” She pointed to the notification, but I was still frozen where I sank on to my bed when I read it. He had to date these women. What about me?I heard a soft sad howl from the darkness of my forest where Nix had taken up residence in my soul. She hadn’t come out in a long time, and Megan only appeared periodically. They left me alone to deal with everything. And while I can kind of understand, I was growing resentful of my wolves. I was already cut adrift by my father. I had pulled away from my mother to sell my sadness. Her sadness. Rowan was doing his part and then there was us. So divided, they refused to come out any more. We were supposed to be planning our next steps and I couldn’t even speak with them. I shook my head. I had let them pull away because, obviously; they had things they needed to deal with that they didn’t want to share with me just y
We all stepped out of the elevator and made our way to the front desk. The girls decided I couldn’t go downstairs alone, and since we were already here, after this shit show of a conversation, we could go out to eat.“Jora.” I smiled and gave him a small wave. “How’s your family?”He smiled wide and pulled out a card, handing it to me. “This is from the twins. They wanted to thank you personally for their birthday gift. I smiled as I took the card, pulling it back as someone tried to snatch it out of my hand. “Who gives a fuck about this card?” Nina’s snarl frayed the last thread I had in my control. But I slipped the card back to one of the girls, keeping it safe.“What I do with my card has nothing to do with you. And it’s mine, so I care.” I lifted my brow and tilted my head. “Why do you care so much is the actual question?”She bared her teeth at me but I stayed calm on the outside. But I could feel my anger rising. She kept pushing my limit and eventually I would snap. “You kept
Nina snarled, and I laughed. Actually, that gave me an idea. I turned back to the ladies and smiled. “Nina just gave me an amazing idea.”“What?” She grabbed for me but I danced away and the girls smiled.I looked back to a stone faced Brandon and had another idea. So I turned to face Nina. “I wasn’t even going to apply. I don’t think I am mate material for the king.” Nina and Brandon smirked. “But since you made such a big deal out of it, Nina. I’m going to apply. I’m going to get every single she-wolf I know to apply.” I laughed as she paled. “Fuck it. Let’s even let the men that want to apply, apply. I’m going to make it so fucking each for everyone and anyone to apply to being the king’s mate that it ruins what ever fucking plan you have.”“You wouldn’t.” I leaned in with a wolfish grin. “I have no expectations that I would make it past the first draft, Nina.” I shot a look at Brandon, who had a small smile on his lips at the comment. “But since you came to my home and tried to m
I sat back, watching the grey curser flashing on the screen. I needed to answer him, but I was still a little lost on how to approach him. It’s still weird knowing that Thoth is a man. When my dad introduced us, it was just vague information. Thoth will help you. No gender. No name other than user name. I asked over and over, but he stayed quiet. We talked about computers at first. But then our conversations grew deeper. He asked about my day, complained about his own. It wasn’t until I joked with him about telling Brandon that he was a human female that he finally cracked and told me he was a man. Another alpha my father was friends with. One he had grown close to from overseas. I shook my head to clear it. Whatever feelings I did or didn’t have for Thoth would have to wait. I wouldn’t approach any relationship until everything had been handled.NixtheGoddess: Hey. I’m alive. Vince had captured me for a few days, but I got out. I’m at work. I have a full day, but I will do a full d
Humans fall in love… The words bounced around in my head. There was no fucking way. I turned to look at my wolves, who were sitting comfortably. There is no gods damn way.Nix snorted as she looked at Megan. She’s really trying to convince us…when we share her fucking soul and already know the truth. Megan shrugged. I wasn’t going to point it out to her. She ran to her computer every night for months, talking to the man. If she wanted to be stupid, that was her prerogative. They both looked at me and I staggered back. YOU KNEW!Both shrugged. Look. Nix stepped closer and ran her side down the barrier. After Brandon. I wasn’t going to agree to any mate. But then you met Rowan.And while we both liked him. Megan pressed against the barrier, sending love. There were too many things holding you both back. Including us. What are you guys even talking about?Nix sighed. She pulled back and looked at her paws. I knew you loved Rowan. We both did. And before we realized Erubus was Rowan,
I sighed before I pulled up our chat screen. The dark screen was full of messages that I had missed.Thoth: Hey. You missed our chat last night. We were going to work on getting into the mainframe. Is everything okay?Thoth: Amy? Hey. It’s been hours. I’m starting to worry.Thoth: Amy? I called your dad. He said he hasn’t been able to get in touch with you, and he’s even starting to worry. Is everything okay? We are starting to panic.Thoth: Okay, listen, I know you are probably busy. Especially with the kids. I know you said that the king was in the past, but maybe you should reach out to Rowan about the kids. Maybe he can help.Thoth: Hey it’s been another day. Are you okay? I fully expect you to message me back today. I called you but you didn’t answer.Thoth: I just realized it might be weird that I called you…I got your number from your dad. I figured since we are friends, you wouldn’t care. Thoth: Okay, don’t be weird about me calling you.Thoth: I’m panicking.I laughed at tha
I walked into the office early the next morning. I was exhausted still, but I had things to do. Alannah stood with a shout. “Amy! You’re back.” She ran over and hugged me. “I was so worried when I hadn’t heard anything from you.”“I just spent some time with my mom on an island off the coast. Cell service was bad.” I sniffed her. “You smell good.” I pulled back, patting her back. “I like the perfume, what is it?”She looked a little confused for a moment. “It’s vanilla.”I smiled. “It smells great, but I can tell it’s wearing off. You might want to add a little, so it lasts all day.” I winked at her as understand entered her eyes. “Good idea. I’ve been running around all morning, so I was really sweaty.” She turned around and went to her desk, pulling the bottle from her purse and spraying herself. She turned to me expectantly. “How’s that?” “Perfect.” I looked around. “Is Rick in?”She shook her head. “He left early yesterday after his meeting with the alpha. I think we weren’t fee
I opened myself up as I sat down and sent out a call. “Sorry it took so long.” I sighed as I sat down next to her. “You were busy.” Carl’s voice was sad, and as I looked over, both he and my grandmother looked worried. “But you are here now.”“I didn’t expect both of you.” I sighed.“Daddy.” Carly called as she jumped up, but I grabbed her. “He’s not really here, baby, remember? You can’t touch him.” She trembled and then she sat back down. They settled across from us with the grave between us. “I forgot.” She looked at him. “I miss you, daddy.”“And I miss you too, baby.” He leaned over, then need to touch his daughter too much. “I heard every time you prayed to me.” His eyes softened. “And I want you to know, baby. That if you want to call Amy mom, or if at any time Amy gets a mate and you want to call him dad, your mother and I won’t mind. We will always be your mommy and daddy.” The tears in his eyes were full of love.Carly looked at me and I smiled down at her. “You don’t hav
I pulled into the house a little earlier than I expected. The grocery store was pretty empty. I only saw two workers. I grabbed my groceries and was out of the door before anyone said hello to me, which was fine. I needed a shower, and to see my girl. I brought everything inside and put it next to the closet. I left the door locked until I was ready to go over. I would do everything I needed to first because I knew if I went to the cabin, I was going to get an earful. I hopped in the shower and groaned. It felt amazing to have my shower again. I had bought new shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I had a brilliant idea as I was shopping. One that was sure to make Brandon go slightly insane. I smirked as I sniffed the strawberry scent I had missed the last few years. Nix and Megan both sniffed the air and sighed. I missed this smell. Nix purred in my mind.Megan nodded. It makes me feel at home. I finished my shower and got out, covering myself in more strawberry scented product. My
I ran past my house, and I wanted to turn in, to check in on everyone. But I had to run back and pretend I just got back in. I ran past guards and patrols, gaining speed. When Nix got tired, Megan took over. I kept feeding magic into our feet, and after a few hours of running back and forth, weaving through the groups of wolves, I was finally off pack lands. Nix? I turned back to my exhausted wolf.Yeah? She rolled over to look at me. Use the vacuum. She furrowed her brow. What the hell are you talking about?Remember when we were learning to change our scent? The candle changed it and the vacuum…Made it disappear completely. I nodded. Exactly. I don’t want anyone following our trail. She nodded and hopped up. I watched as she dragged herself to the clearing and I summoned the vacuum. Itg was funny to watch her blow out the candle and then turned on the vacuum. She got the switch on the third attempt with her claws. She grabbed the hose with her teeth and sat down with it pointe
I heard Vince call out behind us, but I pushed Megan to run fast. I felt the first trap try to pull strength from us, and I realized I hadn’t carved the rune onto Megan yet.Fuck. I pushed forward, shoving my wolves back. The instincts were telling us to run, to flee, but I needed to get the rune on to her skin or else we wouldn’t make it very far. Amy, we have to run. Nix screamed from behind me, but I still forced Megan’s body to freeze. I stretched out our leg and used a claw to cut into the skin. I could hear the footsteps coming behind me. Amy! There is more the Vince chasing after us. We have to go. She tried to push, but I held her back. Trust me, we need this or else we are cooked. I looked behind us as Vince pushed through the last trees, blocking our view. His face broke into a smile, but then he faltered as he saw what I was doing.“Hey, what are you doing?” Vince stepped closer and the smell of blood hit his nostrils. His eyes snapped to my leg. “If you wanted to die, yo
The guard was pacing, nervous. He kept glancing back at me and muttering to himself. That put me on edge. Why does he keep looking back here? Nix stood and started to pace. I don’t know. But it’s not good. I moved to the clearing, checking on my magic. I had been funneling all of mine and Nix’s extra energy into our well. Building it until our flame turned into a giant bonfire. The magic was burning bright, and it took effort to keep it contained, my like my aura. How are you doing? Megan called back to me. We are ready. I shot back. I had been studying the book for days until I figured I could use a reversal rune to block the drain of our power. It will actually pull power from those chasing us and feed it into our bodies until we remove the rune. I had carved the rune into Nix and myself. Megan, I left for last. The door slammed open and Brandon strolled in. I wanted to recoil from the look on his face; it was so vicious. But I would never hide or cower from this man. “Looky l