Masuk~Gemma~I cuddled the crap out of a wiggly Little Zander.“Nobody understands me like you do, little dude.” I squeezed him again for the hundredth time.He stared at me with those dark, sage eyes of his. “Are you hiding out in the nursery?”I bristled at the sound of the alpha’s mocking tone. Where the hell had he come from? His hulking frame looked ominous in the cheery and bright room.It has been three days of trying to console a mushy Rina. I couldn’t take it. Not one more day. I’d lose my damn sanity.“What of it? Mind your business.”He crossed those powerful arms of his across his expansive chest. “You are clinging to my son like your life depends on it. Hence, it is my business.”My shoulders hunched a little as I sat Little Zander down. When his hands immediately grabbed for me, I scooped him up again.“It’s no hope for it now, Alpha Zander. Little Z is my new bestie.” I winked at him. His sweet, cherub face smiled back at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beta Solar pa
~Alpha Zander~James crossed his arms. “The witch has a name. It is Gemma. She prefers to be addressed as such.” James walked deeper into the kitchen. His gaze taking in the gamma’s body on the floor. “She attacked Marcus.” I pointed out the obvious.James rolled his eyes. “Marcus is the biggest douchebag around. I could feel her hunger from out there. How could it not be choking everyone from here? We tried to find her some food super early this morning and there was nothing. She was acting weird. Weird for her.”Irina remained quiet, listening to what James said. She studied her mate and then turned to Marcus’ body.“How long until he wakes up?” I wondered. “It was only an apple.”Irina frowned at that. “He will rise when I wish him to. Is anyone offering to go retrieve her? Because I am more than capable.”I nodded my head at James. “The witch,” I began. The look on James’ face irritated me. Given the circumstances, I let it ride."Gemma,” I corrected. “Go get her and bring her bac
~Gemma~Fuck my life.I rolled over, spitting out hair stuck to my mouth. My whole body hurt, like I’d been beaten with a baseball bat. I untangled from the bedding. Yeah. Still clothed. Thank goddess. It was ten in the morning. My food hunger still raged. At least the other hunger was nowhere to be found.Before knocking on Rina’s door, I heard feminine moans followed by a giggle. Jeez!I called out. “Um. I hope you guys realize this room is so not sound proof. My imagination is wildly out-of-control now. Thanks for that.”Driven by desperation, I made my way back to the kitchen. Surprise, surprise. Today’s search came back fruitless. Almost. I played with the apple in my hand, debating on eating it.Which was stupid. People were starving around the world while I agonized over my lack of options. I sat in the same chair I had occupied only hours earlier.I pinpointed the exact moment when my solitude had been breached.“What do we have here? It must be my fucking lucky day.” The wolf
~Gemma~The next night, I received a phone call from an unknown number. “Hello?” “Gems.”“Dev,” I hissed at him. “I can’t do this. I need space to breathe.”“The thing you saw with that she-wolf, it was a mistake I immediately regretted it and it didn't get very far.” He went silent for a few moments. I could still hear his breathing over the line. I kept my mouth shut. Otherwise I might cause more harm than good with the words that wanted to tumble out of my mouth.“I’m so damn sorry for everything. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you.” He groaned.I closed my eyes. I should have screamed at him. Or insisted all he ever did was hurt me. Sure, there were good moments sprinkled in. It was never enough to wash away the devastation and ugly feelings boiling in me now.He deserved to experience all the moments I fucking desperately needed his strength and he let me down. But, nope. I bitched out.“Bye.” I hung up.I sat on the floor of my room, feeling lost and empty. I wand
~Gemma~“Hello, witches.” Alpha Devlin greeted, disapproval heavy on his face.I rolled my eyes. Here we go.Irina nudged my leg with hers. “Hello, Alpha Devlin. We hope you are faring well.” I sat in silence while my gaze assessed his face. Dev wore stress like a second skin. “Gemma. So good to see you are doing fantastic.” His agitation ripped into me.The fucker always judged me unfairly.I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I have good moments where clarity and sanity make their appearance. It is not without effort.”“Kids, we are here to discuss an important matter.” Rina wrangled the conversation. "As you are aware from our earlier conversation, Gemma wishes to stay here in Florida. For an undisclosed timeframe."A growl ripped from Devlin’s chest.I shrank back in my chair."Perhaps when you conclude the Luna Trials..." Rina’s voiced hinted a warning.“You cannot stay, Gems. It’s a fucking stupid time for a vacation.” He frowned at us.Anger washed over me, sharp and stinging.
~Gemma~I stared at my phone in horror. Of course, I did what I do best. I ignored him.The day was a win so far, which usually meant shit was going to take a nosedive.We were sharing lunch, Rina made a face at my cashew mild protein shake. I rolled me eyes. “Hey, I didn’t choose the dairy-free life. The dairy-free life chose me.”Rina giggled. “Will you help me unpack later?”I glared at her. “We packed most of that crap! I am aware how much is stuffed in those bags and suitcases.”“I know.” She whined. “Because of the baby, I get tired out easily. We could watch Pitch Perfect and have girl time.”I snorted. “You see, Beta Solar? Witches are totally manipulative. We will say whatever we must in order to get our way.”“That warning is a little late in coming my way.” His head snapped to hers, adoration in his eyes.“Gemma,” Rina began.“Yes?” I sipped my shake, pretending it was a mimosa.“Did Beta Solar flirt with you at all before I arrived?”I choked. “What? Don't be gross! I would
~Gemma~The sunshine of the new day greeted me through the cracks in the curtain.I sighed in relief as I tangled myself in the fluffy gray comforter. Surely, I could sneak in another hour or two of rest.Eventually, I rallied.I showered, washing my hair. I didn’t bother to style it. I put it in a
~Gemma~As soon as Rina laid eyes on me, she scowled.“It was meant to drain you of your powers, right?” I asked her.“How did you know?”“Because that’s how I feel! Fucking drained!” I whined.Irina rolled her eyes. “She’s hungry. When is dinner? This one often forgets to feed herself, then everyon
~Gemma~ He convinced me all alphas were a chip off the same stupid block. “Are you for real right now? After everything that has gone down?” “Did you sleep with him?” Alpha Zander hissed at me. I rolled my eyes at the his dramatics. “Yes! I slept with him. I would think that fact was obvious.” I
~Gemma~ Alpha Zander pushed through the crowds of his pack members. “Move!” He roared. People scattered upon his demand. Something in me snapped as I stared at the nightmare in front of me. Her injuries were extensive. Irina laid on the ground, bloody and broken. Her beautiful black hair sprawled







