The hurt in her eyes was still unmistakable, especially when she pressed a hand to her abdomen. He knew that was the main source of her pain. After staring at the bare flesh of her slim waist, he trailed his eyes slowly up her chest, across her slender shoulders and neck, before meeting her eyes."I'm sorry, Ariella, truly I am. But I don't think I'm the only one who's teasing. You should look at yourself."With his gesture, she looked down over her body and cringed at the state of her bareness. A soft flush filled her cheeks, and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly, rubbing her forehead and temples with all fingers at once. Then she looked at him with narrowed eyes, revealing a determination and strength that hadn't been there before. The intensity of the brown hues surprised him."You're right. This isn't working." She stopped and swallowed hastily, perhaps biting back a small cry. "You should probably go. I can put up with the pain myself." Her fists bunched beneath the water, her l
"You must be Ella."The voice makes me blink in surprise, and clutch the towel around me tighter to my body. My gaze searches out the source of the feminine voice, a young shewolf standing by the windows. She pulls back the curtains and sunlight pours into the bedroom, radiating through her and making her smile appear effortless.This girl—around my age I guess—truly is beautiful, with dark blonde hair in a neat ponytail, a wilful and cheery face, and a figure that isn't quite slim, but toned with muscles and athletic strength.My eyes take in her appearance in an instant, female to female, assessing her as either friend or foe. She looks formidable in well-worn trainers, tight exercise pants, a loose tank, and an energy lingering in her hands that had just straightened the curtains."It's actually Ariella," I take her offered hand and try not to wince at the strong shake she gives it.Her smile falters for a brief moment. "But Malachi said—""He didn't know my full name when we first
Ariella gasped and turned quickly to the deep voice beside her. The swift action overbalanced her, and with a small yelp she shifted off the branch and jolted to the ground. She'd have fallen flat on the dirt if it wasn't for two strong hands instantly reaching to grip her elbows."Woah, easy there. Sorry to frighten you.""No, I—" Ariella looked up into rich green eyes, bright with amusement and something else. A charm that instantly put her at ease. Though the eyes were framed with a handsomely chiseled face and black hair that was slicked back to perfection, she felt at ease with this man—the one who had been Seneca's shadow during the dreadful meeting that morning in the kitchen. "It's okay. I- I am the clumsy one. I often don't pay enough attention to what's going on around me," she stuttered, quickly looking away from his stunning eyes that seemed to be riveted upon her. Why he would find her so interesting, she didn't have a clue."I somehow doubt that, Ariella."The way he sai
"Harlow, go easy on her.""Why? Is there a reason she needs going easy on?" Harlow shot the Beta a suggestive smirk."No, there's no reason. Give me all you got," Ariella blurted out, not wanting anyone to think she was weak or cowardly.But in reality, her heart had kicked into overdrive while her stomach sank to her toes. Harlow was going to challenge her? A prickly sensation crawled over her skin at the thought of what was about to happen.With her legs suddenly feeling like cold stiff boards of wood, Ariella got into a sloppy fighting position and clenched her fists. It took all her concentration to focus on her breathing and posture, bracing her legs for the first move by Harlow. It would look pathetic if she went down at the first hit.But Harlow didn't attack. First, she stretched her legs. One, then the other. After flexing her arms, she peeled off her tank shirt, revealing a muted grey sports crop and her toned stomach. The smirk on her face made it obvious she knew everyone
The night air is my friend, that much I will never doubt.It never betrays me. It never turns a cold shoulder to me for it is always cool, except in the dead heat of summer. So then, the breeze from the mountains is invited to greet us for a midnight rendezvous.But tonight the air is more than cold—almost icy as winter approaches. Yet my body and wolf keep me warm. The fact I am metabolising faster for my body to heal the bruises, I can handle the cold that much better. I make my way down shadowed paths, winding through the trees and never once shudder from the tendrils of night that brush across my bare arms and legs.This is my friend.The shadows are secretive, but I feel as if I can see right through them. I see the rough tree trunks hiding camouflaged spiders, the cunning owls peering down at me from their perches; I smell the furry possums as they skitter away to hide from me. Even the bats that hiss and click don't scare me. There is nothing malicious in this forest, in the na
The serious way he says it, and the twinkle that disappears from his eyes, makes my heart clench like a cold fist is squeezing around it. "If you...." I swallow hard and begin again. "Even if you gave me one good reason why I should, I still probably wouldn't. You're my mate, Malachi," I face him to look him in the eyes, not letting him drift away. "The other half of my soul. I know there are differences between us, and it's hard for us to open up to someone we just met. But I need you to know that I'm here for you. You can tell me anything.""Thank you, Ariella. But I can't—""Don't say no just yet. I can understand that you won't be able to trust me straight away. But give me a chance. At least give me the chance to earn your trust."His eyes hold mine, keeping me spellbound, unable to look away. His gaze is a deep enchantment that I'm liable to lose myself in. But I want to be lost in him, don't I? He's my mate.The one who will protect me from everyone else.His eyes scrunch in de
Pale blue eyes sparkled at her from amidst the forest shadows. Ariella pressed a hand to her chest to stop her heart from racing, and called her friend over. "Gabby! Don't sneak up on me like that!"Gabby laughed, her long blonde tresses swaying with the wind like golden willow leaves. "I wasn't sneaking. You just sensed me way before I could even get close. You're far too perceptive, Ari. So how are things? I heard your parents talking the other day, saying that Alpha Malachi had taken you to his pack," she wrapped an around Ariella's waist and plucked a lavender leaf, holding it to her nose and breathing in the relaxing scent before tucking it behind Ariella's ear."Yes, he did. During my heat. But we didn't do anything....intimate, you know. He respected me enough and we're waiting until we know each other better.""I'm surprised. Normally Alpha males are all possessive and want to claim what's theirs right away."Ariella nodded, her eyes far off, studying the distance. "I... we ..
"That is a very serious accusation, Hila," Luna Seneca stepped forward and leveled her darkest gaze on the shewolf, who then shrank back and relinquished some of her anger. It seeped from her heaving shoulders, and Ariella could almost taste the tension and bitterness in the air.The newly widowed shewolf was shocked, grieving. Pointing a finger of blame would either help her deal with the tragedy, or stir up a deeper resentment towards the young Alpha."How else do you explain it?" Hila tentatively raised her eyes to her Luna. "This is the fourth death in the last few months. No one has found the killer. Which means, he is among us still."Malachi tensed beside Ariella and his eyes flashed, "We are doing everything we can to solve this.""Are you? Are you really?" Another shewolf spoke, the one that Ariella assumed was Stacey. "When? When will you solve it? After more people die? After I lose my mate too?" her lips quivered in the fading light, her arm wrapping around Hila to give he