WREN“Ready?” I grin.“Ready.” Lucius smiles from the tree platform.I look at my watch. I place my finger on the button for the stop watch. “And…. go!” I press the button and climb up the ladder to the platform above. I get to the top and take aim and fire.Lucius is across the courtyard climbing his tree to the platform above. He takes aim with his red compound bow. We run the gauntlet. Meeting in the middle at the back of the courtyard.We’re both on the platform. I’m on one knee, firing my arrows at various targets while Lucius is standing behind me firing at his targets.We both jump off. I do a front flip and Lucius just drops to his feet. I’m down on one knee again firing around Lucius' legs while he fires at his targets again.We fire until our arrows are gone.I jump up and smile. “That was good. We work good together.”“I really like this bow and arrow thing.” He looks at his bow.“Good. Because it’s your turn to collect the arrows. I’ll get ready for the council meeting.” I
LUCIUS“Curtis, is everything ready for tonight?” I meet up with him as he walks through the courtyard.“Yep. We got the tables an hour ago and the Alliance will be bringing some food and some more alcohol later.” He bounces his brow, grinning.“Ok. The Alphas have confirmed they’re coming?” I wrap an arm around his shoulders.He nods. “As far as I know, they’re all coming. Seems they’re all excited for this.”“That’s great. God, are you supposed to be this nervous. I feel sick.” I hold my stomach.Curtis chuckles. “Relax. You already love her. This fated thing is just a formality.”“Yeah. Hey, did the Alliance bring that sheet music I asked for?” I pressed a hand to his chest.He walks over to a supply box and searches through it. “Uh…. yep. Right here.” He hands me the music.I take it from him. I wave it between us. “This baby is going to make everything perfect.”He laughs. “Look at you. Lucius Drake. Hopeless romantic. Who knew.”I laugh. “Don’t get used to it.” I smack his arm w
WRENWe stayed in the trees a little longer. Holding each other and basking in the moons blue glow.He ran his fingers over my mark. “This is my most treasured possession. I promise to cherish you for the rest of my life.” He kissed it.I’m resting my back on his chest. His strong arms wrapped around me as were covered in the furs.I turn my head up to him. “I promise to love you forever and be the partner you deserve.”He kisses me gently. “Should we rejoin the party? I’m sure everyone is anxious to see you.”“As much as I’d love to, we can’t hide up here forever.” I smile.“No, we can’t.” He chuckles.After getting dressed and climbing down, we freshen up at home and join the party.Luke and Alexi find us almost instantly.“Well?!” Luke stands with his hands on his hips.I pull back Lucius' shirt collar. “I marked myself an Alpha.” I bite my lip and grin.Alexi squealed. “Wren! I’m so happy for you!” She hugs me.“Atta boy, Tarzan. I knew you could do it!” Luke jabs Lucius' arm“Sto
LUCIUS Bastian stood tall at the podium. I still can’t peg this guy, but I’m starting to not mind him too much. River Blake is OK. A bit smug, like Bastian, but tolerable. Luke is fucking annoying after I let it slip that I might like the walking headache, but I think as far as friends go, I could do worse. Jayson is fine. Now that I’m mated to Wren, I think I can let the whole dating thing go. Besides, the dude’s a little stressed lately with pup number two on the way. Twins from what I hear. Speaking of twins. Our newest council member, Grey Andrews, is joining the meeting after his dad retired. His twin, Wes, is salty to say the least. Grey is someone I could do without. He has this whole military thing going on and thinks he’s king shit. He’s trying desperately to get me to let him in and I’m not budging. “No!” I growl. “Why not?” Everyone else at this table has been there? I think I should be allowed to see it.” Grey growls. Wren looks at me. “He has a point, Alpha.” I scowl
WREN‘Raven. Don’t let go of my hand. We have to run!’‘Wren, I’m scared! Where’s mama?’‘I don’t know. NOW RUN!’The air fills with screams and death.‘Raven? RAVEN!! RAVEN!! WHERE ARE YOU?’‘RAAVVEENNN!!’I jolt up in bed. My body covered in sweat. My face wet.I scrub a hand down my face. Breathing heavy. I grab the practically empty whisky bottle on my night stand, pop the cap and chug back a shot.This is a typical morning for me. Has been for the last ten years.I have a shower and go to the mirror. I wipe off the condensation revealing my blue eyes, wet jet-black hair. My face void of expression.Do you know what it’s like?To wake up day after day. You go to work. You socialize with people. Walk around acting like you belong there, but you know you don’t.People tell you. You’re part of the family. You’re included. Part of the pack, but you never feel it.You feel the separation. You feel the loneliness.Do you know what it’s like?I do.But…. I wake up. Go to work. Socialize.
WREN“Raven.” I breathe. I’m consumed with grief and guilt.My beautiful baby sister, I lost ten years ago in the storm, was standing right in front of me.Her blue eyes just as gorgeous as my mother’s. Her hair jet black like my father’s. Now I see it. She’s still as beautiful as I remember even though she was only ten when I lost her in a crowd of fleeing people.“Raven….” My breath hitches as I’m overcome by the visions of that day.I start to break down, but I don’t take my eyes off her.“Wren!” She runs to me. She throws her arms around my neck, crying. “I missed you so much.”I can barely touch her. I think this a dream. A mirage. A trick of my mind because I’ve been alone for so long.I raise my shaky arms. Not knowing if I could even trust that what they felt was real.When my hands connect with her back, I lose it. “Oh my God….” I cry out. “Raven...” I hug her so tight as I sob hard.I push her back. Swallowing my shock. “How? How is this possible?” I pull her into me again.
WRENWe talked the whole way to Helena. Raven has grown up so much. She told me how she likes to hunt and she likes helping the women of the pack.I asked her if she had a boyfriend because that’s what sisters do and she confirmed. His name is Dale Hunter. He apparently treats her right and she loves him. I’m happy for her.She asked me the same question. I told her about Jayson and how we were in love for a year. When the Blue Moon showed us we weren’t mates, we fell apart. Jayson couldn’t handle it. He was so sure. I never dated anyone else after that.We talked about my job with the Alliance. I told her all the stories of the events in the last three years. Told her about Torrent, White, and Rennet. I talked about how my friends all found their mates. It was great. Unreal actually. It used to be that finding your fated mate was rare, but when it comes to my friends, they all hit the jackpot and are now riding the fated bond high.I wish I could have the same. Aside from Jayson, the
WRENA tear slips from my unblinking eye.“Lucius.” I choke.He rises to his feet as his face twists into anger. His lips turn to a snarl. “Get out.”I snap out of my shock and swallow. “Lucius, wait….”He steps forward, pointing at the door. “Get Out!” He yelled.I look around the room and back at him. “Lucius, please….” I beg as more tears fall.“GET OUT!!” His growl was dripping with Alpha tone.I turned on my heels and ran. I ran past Raven and Curtis. I ran into the village. Sobbing as I commanded my feet to go as fast as they could.“Wren, wait!” I heard Raven call me, but I didn’t stop.I ran out of the village into the clearing.Crying hard, I tried to outrun the pain. I tried to outrun the heartbreak. I tried to outrun the memories.‘One day, Wren. I’m going to be a world-famous rock star. My concerts will be filled with millions and you’ll have front row seats at every one of them.’‘Really. You’d take me with you?’‘Of course, Wren. I love you.’‘I love you, too.’Sounds of