Cassandra No matter how hard I prayed for it, the earth didn’t open and swallow us whole. I closed my eyes, hoping that when I opened them again, Joel and Connor’s father wouldn’t be still standing there glaring at us with deep displeasure.Nope. Still there.Connor seemed unaffected. “My war?” He took the clothes from Joel and helped me wear them, a T-shirt that covered me up to my knees and had Connor scent on it. Connor wore the shorts.“Yes, your war,” his father stressed the word. With his arms folded over his broad chest, his dark eyes weighed me and found me wanting. He huffed his disapproval.So, Daddy didn’t like me. That was not my problem. He was handsome, though, an older version of Connor, except for the eyes. I squared my shoulders and met him stare for stare. He made my mother run away like a scared little girl. I was not her. Actually, when I think of it, he was more to blame than anyone for us landing in Frank’s clutches. I folded my arms over my chest, mimicking his
I left behind the sound of fighting, torn between joining my pack in the fight and getting Cassie to safety. The need to feel her in my arms won.There’s no way she could outrun me, even in my human form. But she was fast, and adrenaline gave her body that extra push. The moonless night made visibility difficult for human eyes. She shouldn’t have run. I didn’t know if there were more of Lyon’s bastards lurking about, because they have no scent.“Cassie!” I called out, following her scent into the woods. “Don’t run away from me, dammit!” What the fuck is her problem? Did she have a death wish?But then she stepped out from behind a tree and my heart returned to its original place. We stood there for a while, staring at each other. Neither one of us wanted to take the first step. Was she afraid of me? She damn well should be.“Cassie,” my voice sounded strange. “I don’t know if I want to kiss you, punish you or fuck you right now.” And that was the truth. I was angry, disappointed, but
CONNOR‘We can take them!’ Miles snarled at his attackers, challenging them. They closed in on him, their eerie low growls chilling to hear. Circling, circling, until…Determined, he shook the puma off his back, locking his canines into its throat before it even touched the ground. We didn’t care that they outnumbered us. Spurred on by the urgency to protect what was ours, Miles fought like a demon.Fury and adrenaline coursed through our veins, blocking out everything else. Miles fought them off, a machine of death. Ripping, tearing through the relentless attackers. Death and blood hung heavy in the air, screams and howls the soundtrack to the night.The colossal beast advanced on Cassie. His stance was menacing, tail swishing from side to side, ready to tear into her. Fear had frozen her to the spot.‘Miles!’ I urged, sensing Cassie’s fear escalating and heard the erratic beat of her heart. ‘Hurry!’Miles pushed through, his muscles straining against his injuries, fighting to free h
Cassandra“You can’t hide from me, princess.” That voice… It was Max! I flattened myself as much as possible, keeping a hand on my mouth to stifle my breathing. My heart beat out of control. The thought that he might hear it and find me made it gallop even wilder. He was close and not alone. They moved quietly, but my senses were so hyped up, I heard every tiny flutter of grass.How many were there? Too many. I was so fucked.“Don’t know why you’re here, but I’m not complaining.” His low, rumbling laugh sounded closer. “But I’m having my princess snack like I promised.” And then he yanked me up with my hair and I stared into his amber cat-like eyes. His lips furled back in a feral grin to reveal pointed fangs.My frantic screams startled the nesting birds. In a rush of wings, they took to the sky, their alarmed cries mimicking mine. I clawed at his wrist. My nails broke against his tough skin. He pulled me against his body while I struggled and screamed.I felt the heat of his breat
ConnorI was on my way to the bunker when Joel caught up to me. “Connor, hold on a minute.”I turned back to him, annoyance written all over my face and in my voice. Sure, he was worried, but I needed Cassie like I needed breath. “Joel, if this is about my father and Agnes. You really have nothing…”Joel shook his head. “No, it’s about Stacy.”I let out a huff of frustration. “I really don’t want to talk about her right now, Joel.”Joel fell into step with me as I carried on walking. “Just listen then. I wanted to speak to her about why she took Agnes.”I slowed my steps, frowning. “Yeah? What did she say?”Joel grunted. “She didn’t talk to me. Carried on crying like it’s the fucking end of the world and your mother took her away.”“Sounds about right.” I said, still angry at my mother for what happened. Both my parents were still so hung up about Stacy being my chosen mate and luna. I know I should have told them about Cassie sooner. But I blame Stacy equally for not setting them str
CassandraAll the bodies pressed together in this space had me on edge. Needed to get out, to breathe. If I had to spend one more minute in this bunker, I would go insane. I had to find out what’s happening with Connor. Joel mind linked me to say Connor was fine. He was just busy. But I wasn’t convinced. I had to see him for myself.Agnes finally fell asleep, and I slid off the bunk, careful not to disturb her.“Is there no other way out of this dang hole?” I would’ve used a stronger word, but there were kids present, for fuck’s sake. Wouldn’t want to scar their innocent ears.“Yes, there is an emergency exit, Luna, but…” an elderly woman spoke up.“Show me.” I didn’t correct her calling me Luna, which I probably should have, but part of me got a little thrill out of it, although I was nowhere near ready to take on that role.Behind a stack of beds way at the back of the bunker, she showed me a panel which you would never notice at first glance. This she pushed, and it slid open to re
“Knowing Lyon, he would attack at nightfall.” Dad went to the bookcase, took a rolled-up map from its space and spread it over my desk. He perused it for a while, contemplating. “This,” he pointed to a specific point on the map of Wolf Creek. “Is our weak spot. He will come in through there and maybe…” he pointed to another spot near the bunker. “Here.”“I’ve already sent extra guards to that area. We should take mother and Stacy to the bunker.”“I’m not sending your mother to that death trap.” He was firm about it.“She would be safest there.”“You think I can’t defend my own?” Once again, we were at loggerheads; him sending me a death glare and me refusing to back down.I squared my chin, refusing to let him intimidate me any longer. “I refuse to risk the vulnerable ones!”“Is your mate not strong enough to stand by your side?” he sneered. “Mine is.”Before I could answer his snide remark, Joel knocked at the door, breaking the staring contest. “Sorry to disturb you, alphas.”“Come
ConnorMy dad occupied my office like he owned it. Partly, it irritated me because it was my office. I was the alpha of Wolf Creek now, not him. I shouldn’t feel intimidated by him, but I did. It was like I was sixteen again, standing in front of him to be scolded.He sat behind my desk, dark eyes glaring at me over his steepled fingers. “You’d better come clean with me, son. I want to know every detail.” His deep voice held a dangerous undertone.“How do you know Zachariah Lyon?” I challenged him, despite my whirling emotions. “Explain that to me first, then I’ll tell you what happened.”His reaction was immediate with barely contained violence. “Don’t test me, Connor!” He slapped his hand on the desk and papers and pens flew off. I ground my teeth together to keep from flinching. “I trusted you to handle the pack and from what I’ve heard…”I knew I was poking the bear, but…. “You shouldn’t listen to malicious gossip, Dad.”“And you’re stalling, Connor!” The chair fell back with a cr
Cassandra“Hey, Cassie, haven’t seen you in a while,” Henna plopped down on my bunk. “Where have you been all this time?”The sisters, Julie and Marci, joined her, and we exchanged hugs all round. I beamed a warm smile at them.“Gosh, I am so happy to see you guys.” And I was. I missed having friends a lot more than I realized. The only one missing was Tracer. I saw Locke sitting with some younger children and waved at him. he waved back, smiling shyly.“We thought you were too good for us now that you’re going to be luna.” Marci said with a hint of envy. Julie rolled her green eyes at her sister.“What? Are you kidding me? I could never forget you.” I felt bad for not trying to mind link with them. Connor had taken up so much of my thoughts that everyone else faded into the background. Of course, not to mention all the other drama… “So much has happened. I’ll tell you all about it, but I want you to meet my mom.” I waved to Agnes and scooted over for her to sit next to me, which she