Thank you for reading! I apologize for no update yesterday. I had a nasty reaction to a vaccine and could not function. I will post on Sunday this week to make up for it.
Elena “We need to coordinate, arrive at the separate packs at the same time so they can’t tip each other off.” Daddy Ryan says, leaning over the map spread out on the desk. “You think they know about each other’s illegal activities?” Mason’s surprise mirrors my own, not having considered the possibility. “It’s entirely possible.” Daddy Reegan answers. “Either way, we shouldn’t risk it.” The other men hum in agreement and return to their planning. Discussions of how many warriors to take to each pack, how many to leave behind, weak areas in the respective pack borders, fill the room. The migraine I feel building behind my eyes must show on my face because my mother comes over and places a cool hand on my cheek, a sympathetic look on her face. “Why don't we go to the kitchen and prepare some snacks. It looks like they’re going to be here a while and they’re bound to get hungry.” She suggests. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.” I nod absently, my mind occupied with all the things
Mason As we drive out of Sacred Moon territory, I can’t wipe the smile off my face despite the unpleasant task that lay ahead of us. I can feel Ellie’s sleepy presence in our bond and the memory of her blonde curls sticking to the side of her face when we rolled out of bed at the crack of dawn this morning fills me with happiness. “What do you have to be so cheerful about at this ungodly hour?” Asher grunts. “Though I guess the idea of taking down these assholes is something to smile about.” “It is. But I was smiling at the way our mate looked this morning, all sleep rumpled and adorable.” I chuckle at the mental picture. “Shortcake is definitely not a morning person.” Aspen snorts. “Never has been. Even as a kid, she was like a grumpy bear and just as likely to take a swipe at you if you tried to wake her up early.” I share. “But even though I know it’s her least favorite thing to do, she hated the idea of us leaving without saying goodbye even more.” “You can tell all of that
Aspen “What is wrong with him?” I look to Mason, assuming my twin doesn’t understand what’s happening anymore than I do. My eyes flick from Mason to Asher and back to Mason again, waiting for an answer. The psychotic South Woods Alpha is writhing on the ground in pain, clearly incapacitated for the moment, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. Unfortunately, I also can’t figure out why both of them are staring at me like I’m the one losing his marbles. “I asked what’s wrong with him? Why is he scratching at his chest like he’s trying to claw out his own heart?” I try again, wondering if I stuttered the first time. “Aspen, let me help you sit down. I think you might be in shock.” My brother steps slowly toward me like I’m a skittish animal he might scare away. “What? I’m not in shock. Why would I be in shock?” I snort at the ridiculous idea. “Keep your eyes on me, baby boy.” Mason puts a little Alpha bark behind his words and I can’t help but obey. “We think you’
Elena I can feel Mason tugging on our bond but I keep the wall firmly in place. I know he felt my fear earlier before I could close the link and he’s probably worried but having access to my emotions now would only make it worse. I can’t risk distracting him in the middle of a dangerous situation. Still, dealing with my current level of distress while working to shut down the bond is taking its toll. Considering the morning’s events, I’m hardly surprised by the migraine currently making me feel like my brain is being shoved out through my nostrils. I raise my hands to rub my temples, realizing too late that my mother is watching me like a lioness protecting her cub. “Sweetheart, take a break. Go get a coffee or a bite to eat. I’ll stay here until you get back.” She practically shoves me out the door. “Fine! I’ll be back in five minutes.” I surrender grumpily. Despite my reluctance, I have to admit a coffee did sound amazing. And it really will only take five minutes to ac
Asher “Mason! Reegan called! He and Ryan need help!” Elena’s mom thrusts the phone in her hand toward Mason and he practically leaps to take it from her. I can’t hear what’s being said on the other end of the line but I can tell by the look on his face it isn’t good. We’d been so laser focused on finding Elena and getting Aspen medical attention that we’d chosen to assume no news was good news on the Blood Moon front. By all appearances, that isn’t true. “I understand. Just hang tight. We’re on our way.” Mason’s expression is grim as he hangs up the phone. “Are my dads okay? Is someone hurt?” Elena demands, squeezing her mom’s hand tight as they wait for an answer. “No one’s hurt.” He rushes to assure them. “Not that they mentioned anyway. But they did have an unexpected development. One that I’m afraid means we’re going to have to leave again.” “What kind of development?” Aspen asks but it’s me Mason turns to with a rueful look. “It’s your father. Apparently he got
Elena “Mmm, that feels amazing.” I moan as the massage therapist kneads my shoulders, loosening the knots I’ve managed to accumulate from the never-ending stress of the last few months. “Totally agree. We should do this at least monthly.” Livvy turns to grin at me from her massage table set up right next to mine. “As long as you just mean the massage and not the entire Luna ceremony then it’s a date.” I reach across the space between us to hook our little fingers together, sealing the plan with a pinky promise and we both giggle. A month has passed since Asher and Aspen's father was sentenced to life in a council prison, a place no one ever escapes from. With him locked away and the passing of their mother, ending the string of horrific murders she committed, Mason, the twins and I have finally been able to find some normalcy. Well, as normal as it gets when you’re settling in to a new pack and taking in droves of new members from another that’s crumbling. With the arrest
Mason After my embarrassing outburst at the sight of my stunning mate, I silently praise every deity known to man for blessing me with the woman making her way down the aisle, drawing closer to me with every step she takes. Every step is one closer to the future I’ve dreamed of since long before I really understood what it meant to be a mate. A future I thought I’d lost forever. Standing on either side of me, Asher and Aspen are nearly vibrating out of their skin with the need to have our beautiful mate in their arms. Honestly, I’m not sure how any of us are going to make it through this ceremony without stripping her bare and taking her right here on this stage in front of everyone. And even if we manage that, we still have the after party filled with way too many people to get through. I take a few deep breaths to steady my racing heart, reminding myself what this night is all about and how far we’ve come to get here. No matter how luscious my mate looks and how much I want t
Mason Now that she’s the official Luna of the pack, Ellie can help with inducting our Betas, and I’m so excited this will be our first official act together. When I took over as Alpha, I could have chosen a Beta and even a Gamma for myself. I declined, thinking I would eventually fill those roles once I knew the pack better. Now I see why it never felt right to do so. The twins were always meant to be my Betas, one as a brother and one as a mate. Unfortunately, though the twins will both be making vows of loyalty to us as their Alpha and Luna, it’s tradition for the previous Beta to pass the torch. Something my grandfather never had either because he never trusted anyone enough to let them in. But once again, family is all too willing to step in and assist, ensuring the twins get the ceremony they deserve. My dads take the stage at the elders signal, each one standing in front of one of the twins. This time the elder slices my hand, my blood joining Ellie’s in the bowl. He pas