Five years laterScreams filled the air, and Caspian laughed as he watched his children run around the front yard. He’d been blessed with two sets of twins, another son, and of course, his little girl, who he held in his arms.Getting Ava pregnant was never a problem. In fact, it was a dream. Being around that woman was everything to him. He truly hadn’t realized how much he was missing in life until very recently.Speaking of his woman, she stood there talking to several pack females, laughing and joking with them.His pack. He still couldn’t believe it.Again, another way his woman had changed him. She’d made it possible for him to accept being an alpha. Nothing changed in the way he ran the pack, just how he reacted to people calling him an alpha.Ava said her goodbyes and headed over to him.Their children ran after Sean. The scent of mulled wine and mixed spices filled the air, and this was all because of Ava.Christmas was just a few days away, and once Ava had set her mind on s
Nathan Briggs sat in English class waiting for the bell to ring to finally let him out for that summer. He was itching to get home and to get out of this hell-hole for the summer. If he could, he’d drop out of school altogether, but his father and alpha wouldn’t let him. His father was the alpha of the pack, and what he said was law. An education was something he demanded of all of his pack, and that included his son, his heir.Beside him was his best friend, Seth Rowlands. They’d been best friends from birth. No one could separate them. Sometimes chicks tried, but they wouldn’t let them. If some bitch thought they could come between them, then they were mistaken.Several of his friends were scattered around the classroom, and they were all members of the pack. This was going to be the summer where they finally completed their transition. By the time he returned to school, he’d be eighteen and a full wolf with his place within the pack.“As this is your last class I want you all to sh
Mary ignored the commotion behind her. She didn’t need to look to see what was going on. The popular people were screaming and dancing about the end of the year, and then there was Nathan Briggs’s little clique of people who would be preparing for a night of partying. She’d never been to a party, never been invited to a party. Not that she wanted to go. There was no point in going anywhere where you weren’t invited.She tugged the band out of her hair, letting her hair fall around her. The strands were long and heavy. No matter what she tried to do with the length, it wouldn’t do anything but stay straight. Maybe over vacation she’d get it cut. Her parents had told her they were planning a trip to Italy this year. It had been a couple of years since they last had a vacation with work keeping them busy. Her parents were both doctors, experts in their fields. For most of her life they’d been working in gaining respect and notice within their fields. It had worked, and now they were able
The pain was something he’d never forget. Nathan’s bones shattered into thousands of pieces, burning hot iron coursing around his body as the fire built to a fever pitch. Slowly, the pain started to ebb away as if it hadn’t even been there. Collapsing to the ground, Nathan turned toward the warmth of his mother, Carla, who was pressing a towel to his forehead.“He’s in pain, Luke,” she said.Opening his eyes, he saw his father smiling. “He’ll be alpha one day, Carla. The pain is necessary.”“None of the others have had this kind of pain.”“They’re not alpha like our son. This will teach him respect, understanding, and it will make him a better alpha. This is what is necessary for all of us who lead.” His father spoke like the alpha he was. Soon, one day, Nathan would take over. He was the eldest son. “I’m proud of you, son.”Nathan smiled up at his father, wishing there was something he could say. The pain was too great. The fire was already building within his veins for another bone
Mary stared out at the pool in her backyard. She wore a pair of shorts and a vest shirt. The idea of going in a bathing suit or, even worse, a bikini had her sick to her stomach. Summer vacation was going really well. Her parents had decided to vacation along with her and after their trip to Italy, they’d come back, and her parents were called away to work. She didn’t mind. The house was quiet, and she’d spent a lot of time with her nose in a book.The thought of going into the pool in a bathing suit even home alone, scared her. They had neighbors who could easily see into the back yard.No one cares.Dropping her shades down, she made her way outside. She heard the sound of kids playing in the neighbors’ gardens. Sitting on the lounge chair, Mary opened up the latest paperback book that had come in the post, and started to read. It was a romance book as they were the only books she liked.Grabbing her bottle of water, she rested the book on her bent knees as she took a sip of her wat
Summer vacation was over, and it was time for school again. Nathan sat beside his father as he drove him into school. It had been a long summer vacation, and there hadn’t been anything vacation-like about it. In fact, it had been fucking awful. He’d spent all summer trying to control his senses. Not once had he seen Seth or any of his other friends. He’d talked with Seth on the phone only to discover his friend was having the same problem. Neither of them had any control over their heightened senses.They were meeting up for the first time in the parking lot. Seth’s father was also bringing him.“Tomorrow you can bring your own car. I just want to make sure you’re focused.”“I’ve been driving all summer, Dad.”“No, you’ve been driving all summer away from human distractions. I’m driving you today because you’re going to be too distracted to drive an automobile.”“I’m sure I can handle it.” Nathan ran his fingers through his hair. He was so damn nervous. Both his mother and father had
Nathan stopped outside of his locker room. Everyone was charging toward the lunchroom. Hunger filled the air, but something caught Nathan’s attention. All of his senses went on high alert at the smell of fresh roses, the earth, and home.Mate!His wolf came roaring to the surface, demanding he find her. “Whoa, Nathan, what the fuck, man?” Seth put a hand on his shoulder.Gritting his teeth, Nathan struggled against the need coursing through him. His body was burning up. The need to claim was stronger than ever before. This couldn’t be happening, and yet it was.“She’s here,” Nathan said.“Who?”Closing his eyes, Nathan blew out a breath. The scent of his mate was fading. Where was she? Who was she?“Mate.”“Holy fuck, for real?”“Yes.”“Shit, do you want me to call your father?”Nathan shook his head. He didn’t want his father here. It wouldn’t help. His wolf would calm the moment he found the woman meant for him, the woman who’d calm the beast inside him.“No. I’ve got to find her.”
For the first time ever Mary enjoyed her lunch break. Trey stayed with her throughout telling her about his time growing up within the city. His parents had made a lot of money in some kind of mechanical venture and decided to settle down in the country. He was smart, and his brother liked to tease him.She didn’t want to leave him but found that she didn’t have a choice.“What class do you have next?” Trey asked.“I’ve got English.”“Damn, I’m history.”“I’ve already had history.”“Well, we’ve got gym together, right?” She pulled out her class list and nodded.“Great, I’ll see you then.” They entered the school again. She saw several girls were watching them.“Erm, do you want to leave?” she asked.“Why would I want to go?”“You’re hot news here. I mean, you’re news.” Heat filled her cheeks as he smiled down at her.“You think I’m hot.”“No, I mean, yes, no, er, I don’t know.” She pressed a hand to her face wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.“It’s okay. I’m teasi