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72 - RykerWe move straight to my room, there is no question of her being alone now, or ever really. Not after last night and waking up with her this morning. We can’t be apart from her. My wolf is whimpering at her fragile state and I struggle to ignore him. I have to help her and he is powerless to do anything.“Remove her clothes Alpha.” Our lead healer calls out as she walks into the room. “You need to get her warm. Under the covers, now.”I don’t even hesitate. Bennet moves to help but my wolf lets out a snarl. He’s still convinced there is something romantic going on between them. He looks hurt, but I can’t focus on that right now.“Greta, help please.” She jumps in without a word. All of our focus has to be on keeping her alive right now. “What else can I do?” I look at the healer.“It would be helpful and makes things go faster if she was marked.”“NO! We still don’t know if it will hurt her. I don’t want to make things worse.” I slide into my bed, while the healer an
73 - KennedyMy head is pounding. Did I drink last night? No, I don’t think I’ve had anything since I moved. My eyes are so heavy, I want to open them, but they are glued shut. I am so comfortable though, I may not move for a little while longer. The darkness is calling my name. Just a few more minutes. I take a deep breath and sink into the soft blanket wrapped around me.The next time I’m conscious I feel tingles everywhere. “Hey, little lamb. Can you hear me?”“Mmhmm?” I know that low rumbling voice, and shouldn’t like it as much as I do. But, I don’t remember why I think that. I take another deep breath. His rosemary and mint scent surrounds me. He shouldn’t be here with me. Another breath. Maybe I’m still dreaming. He wants someone like Amy, not me. Breathe in, breathe out. It’s so nice.“Kennedy?”“What?” I whisper out. My voice sounds like gravel.He chuckles low, so close to my ear I get goosebumps as a shiver wracks my body. “Open those eyes for me, beautiful.”I whine.
74 - KennedyI don’t really understand the change, but I’m also not going to complain. Ever since they found me in the forest almost frozen to death, Ryker and Bennet have come to some kind of understanding. I’m still not alone…ever. That would be too much to ask. But I have started training with Greta again. It’s too f*cking cold outside for my thin skin, but I do get to go to the gym at the training center. I hadn’t realized I had lost so much weight and muscle until she kicked my ass and then made fun of me for it. I can feel myself getting stronger everyday though and that is helping with my mood.I have also gotten completely caught up with classes and I’m ready to start a light load of business courses so I can follow in my parent’s and Aunt Beth’s footsteps. Being so far away from my mom’s studio, and being in the center of the largest wolf pack I know of, I won’t be training any humans any time soon. But, I know that The main source of income is construction and buildin
75 - KennedyThey are all just staring at me and this is what I hate the most. The pity in their eyes. There is nothing any of us could have done differently. That much I have come to accept. The situation is what it is. The only part I seem to struggle with is the memory of sitting there, trapped, with my parents' lifeless bodies.I take a deep breath and Ryker pulls me even closer. I just noticed that he is holding me, in public, and I don’t feel uncomfortable at all.“It was more than three years ago. I’m not saying it doesn’t hurt sometimes, but I can’t play the victim forever. The nightmares have gotten better, which makes things easier for me.” I look up at Ryker as the revelation hits me. My nightmares got better when I moved here. Even at my lowest with him, they didn’t return. I wonder if he noticed the change too?“What?” He pulls back to look me full in the face.“I’m not sure.” He looks confused and I can’t blame him, but I can’t explain it either.We finish eatin
76 - RykerI have never cared before now. I shouldn’t care. But I keep my insecurities at the way she asked the question to myself. I have a bad habit of misunderstanding her intentions. I haven’t learned to read her emotions the way Bennet, and now Danny, do. I just watch her looking at me, in wonder I think. Or maybe it’s confusion, disbelief. I’m not sure. One thing I know is, I can’t stop touching her. Running my fingers through her hair, caressing her cheek, her arms, the inch of bare skin at her waist where her shirt rode up.I saved myself for my mate. It is probably the one thing that my wolf and I agreed on. We saved everything binding for our mate. I don’t regret it, can’t regret it. It was the most incredible experience for me. And it was only a kiss. Far more thrilling than my first shift or even my first kill in a fight. This woman in my arms has brought me to life. I had no idea I could feel…like this. My heart is still racing and the electricity is still flow
77 - KennedyIt took a full ten minutes to get Ryker to come outside and get in the car with me. He has my hand in a death grip, but I can’t bring myself to make him adjust it. I understand his fear a little, it’s similar to mine. My track record for road trips isn’t great and I have my own anxieties about traveling, but they are nothing to what he is going through. He is so nervous I can taste it in the air around us. I have to break it though or I might suffocate.“Tell me about Rory. You don’t talk about him like an alpha you took control over.” I lean into Ryker’s shoulder. He’s sitting stiff as a board. I don’t know how he’s going to make it the two hour drive.“Rory is a good kid. He’s your age actually.” Ryker looks at me and then coughs nervously. He must have caught my look at him comparing me to Rory while referring to him as a ‘kid.’ “Umm…He’s different, I guess. His whole situation is different. I am just an interim alpha for them.”“What do you mean? How does so
78 - KennedyI move closer to Ryker, but it’s not out of fear. I heard the insult in this little man’s words and felt Ryker tense, those old walls slamming right back up. I haven’t seen them in a while, but away from his pack he must use them like armor. I can’t link him to ask and he won’t tell me what his issue with this asshole is on his own, I just know there is one. This should be an interesting game.Ryker’s arm goes around my waist as we turn to face the intruder. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Claude. I thought gatherings like this were beneath you.” He’s gripping my waist like a lifeline, or maybe to keep himself from doing or saying something in front of this guy.He’s small for a male werewolf. Not short, but scrawny. I don’t know if I have ever really seen a non-muscled werewolf. I thought that was a given. Tommy was always leaner than the rest of the guys, like a runner, but he still has a powerful body. Even uncle James is still super fit. In his forties he doe
79 - Ryker“Don’t you move, little lamb, I’ve got you.” I can’t have her close enough right now. That was the longest drive I have ever had. Thank the Goddess Claude and his bozos took the bait.After the second attack on her here, Josh and I searched our territories for a she-wolf that fit Kennedy’s basic description. We found a warrior named Mia who is more than happy to be Kennedy’s doppelganger. The two attacks and Claude showing up today tells me they were not a coincidence and something bigger is going on. He didn’t flinch seeing us there even though he’s been actively avoiding me for months now. He was surprised by Kennedy being with me and didn’t approach us for the rest of our time at Rory’s. He did, however, follow us through the party, tracking him was not hard.Danny brought Mia up in a second car about an hour after we arrived. Any time Kennedy was dancing with Bennet, I made a point to leave the room and without fail, Claude followed me. Josh and I made a point to
6 - Elara “I’m going to need you to clarify.” The smartass smirks at me. Chocolate brown eyes boring into mine. “I thought our intention was established before we got here.” He’s not fighting my hold, and I don’t understand. If I were threatened, I would have has his ass submitted before he could speak. “Did you really think you were just going to walk in and take over my pack?” I press harder on his windpipe. “Nope.” He coughs. “I came because my alpha required me to. He is here to help you figure out who is trying to attack you and why, that’s all. I’m a Beta, not an Alpha. I don’t want your job or your title. I’ve got my own, thanks. You wanna let me go now, or are we gonna fight and get this out of our system?” I really, really want to punch him in his perfect teeth, but I can’t bring myself to do it. “Just stay out of my way while I put these rogues in their place. I appreciate your Alpha’s help, but I’m not a charity case or a lesson to be learned.” He surges forward, pinni
5 - Ben“Well, as you know, Mother, I was busy preparing for our guests since I was given so much notice about my involvement with the project.” Oh good, she’s feisty. Just what I need. “Well, now, let’s have dinner and then we can discuss our situation.” Alpha David coughs his laughter. Perfect, he indulges her attitude.The dinner they offered smelled delicious and I wish I could remember what I ate. But Elara had me so distracted, I’m not even sure if I put food in my mouth. Before I know it, our plates are being cleared and the small talk is over.“Well, gentlemen and ladies, let’s retire to my sitting room, and we can discuss why everyone is here.” He stands, and the rest of us follow suit. We walk through yet another set of doors down a long hallway decorated with ornate pillars and very old paintings, like something out of a medieval castle. Once the doors are closed, I can see Alpha David visibly relax. “I’m sorry for all the pomp and circumstance, but I believe we have a tra
4 - BenI’m not exactly sure why it takes weeks to plan a trip to a pack that is right around an hour away. There are so many formalities, my head is spinning. We had to negotiate protection, how we enter the pack, the times we could enter. Then there were the things none of us thought about. Alpha James and my dad had us scouring maps for places that rogues could potentially use to ambush us on our way and where all of the attacks have been reported. I now know almost as much about Black Claw’s borders as our own.The more they explain, the more it makes sense, but it doesn’t make it any less daunting. We are supposed to take all information given to us with a grain of salt. Believe it when we see it, but don’t ignore it either. There haven’t been any new attacks since they found a young warrior displayed at their far west border, but Alpha David is convinced the issue lies with his daughter’s transition to take over the pack, and that this is far from over. He said he would explain
3 - Elara“It’s been weeks since we have had any issues. Why are they coming now?” I growl at my dad, who gives me that look like I am dangerously close to crossing a line. I don’t really care though. I’m three years from my full transition, and my instincts don’t want me to take a backseat to pack endeavors. Having some foreign newbie Alpha coming in like a white knight to save me is the opposite of what I need right now.“He is coming as a part of his training as well as yours, Elara. You need to learn to work with neighboring alphas. And, just because we haven’t had any more issues directly doesn’t mean the fighting has stopped. You know that as well as I do. I believe Austin was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but until we get to the bottom of the fighting, we cannot rest. You know this. Don’t be difficult, my little warrior.” He pats my shoulder patronizingly with a wink. He knows I hate that sh*t.“Ugh. Fine. You’re right, I know you’re right.” I rub my forehead. He’s never
2-BenIt’s been months since we have heard from Kennedy. She’s only called a handful of times since she’s been gone, but it’s been too long. I can feel something is wrong. The gaping hole in my chest has felt heavy for weeks now, but with the winter weather settling in, the feeling is becoming suffocating. Something is so off that I can feel it viscerally.WHAM!“F*ck, man! Are you good?” I hear Jason’s question tinted with amusement. “You do know you’re supposed to defend yourself, right?”“F*ck off.” I jump to my feet and reset, ready to beat his ass this time.“Let. Her. Go!” He grunts, accenting each word with a strike I have to dodge. “You can’t have her. She isn’t yours anymore.” That had me seeing red. I felt the surge of hatred and adrenaline mix in my veins and I go on the offensive. Punch after punch. Kick after kick, sending out all the feelings of dread at Kennedy’s loss. “That’a boy! There’s our Beta. I knew you were still in there somewhere.” I know what he’s saying is t
1 - BenShe’s gone. Just like that Kennedy was snatched up by some Alpha assh*le who doesn’t even care about her. He admitted to not wanting a mate and I know Kennedy wanted out of the pack. She wanted to leave and live her own life, coming back only when she chose it, not before. We all expected her to come back, that was the plan. But I had to watch her get into someone else’s SUV and drive away.I can feel Jeremiah’s stare on the side of my face, but I can’t deal with him right now. I don’t want anyone to try and console me. I know she isn’t my mate, but that didn’t stop me from hoping she could be one day. She’s the only girl in our pack that has ever interested me. We never dated because of Jer’s hands off rule. Of course, Tommy, Jason and I side-stepped the rule a bit. If Jer has any idea, he’s never said a thing.I didn’t notice I walked away until I came to the doors of the gym. We all spent a ton of time here together. Especially after she was taken. The four of us when crazy
I am jumping back into Silver Crescent Pack to explore what is happening in Ben's world after Kennedy leaves with Ryker. This story will be more drawn out as I work through this and two other works. You can expect updates on the weekends. If I can throw in a bonus chapter in the middle of the week, you know I will!Here's their synopsis:Ben thought he’d already lost his chance. Watching Kennedy walk away—into another pack, into another male’s arms, by force—nearly broke him. She didn’t choose him. She chose freedom. And though it gutted him to admit it, Ben knew why. She never wanted to be tied down. Not to him. Not to anyone. She was hurt that everyone she trusted let her go. No one tried to stop Ryker from taking her. She was his mate, his property to take. Ben's heart was torn between a woman he had loved from a distance for as long as he could remember, and his responsibility to his Alpha and his pack.So, he buried the ache under duty.Now, as Beta of the Silver Cresceant Pack,
41 - FinnI’m trying to figure out why both the Luna and Alpha are being so cryptic about this. I mean, at least Kennedy told me she wants to give us a house, which is insane, but still something to work with. If I wasn’t being weighed down I would be tossing and turning trying to figure out what they are up to. But as it is, I am warm and comfortable and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I am right where I am meant to be.I doze listening to the soft snores of both girls in my arms.“FIIIIINNNNN!!!!” I launch off the couch and over the back ready for a fight after Trinity’s yell. Eyes wide scanning for what made her call for me like that only to be met with laughter. “It worked, Bennet!” She squeals happily.“Someone is wound awfully tight after sleeping so long.” I continue to scan, ignoring him, blinking to get the dryness out of my eyes, asshole.I see Bennet and Trinity sitting at the island next to Gabriel and Peyton. “Where’s Landon? And what were you screaming
40 - FinnSeveral happy hours later we head back into check on the kids and attempt to find a place to sleep. Unfortunately for Bennet, the couch in the living room is it. He can’t be mad at us though, this packhouse was not designed like Ryker’s in Dark Moon, a mansion that holds a hundred people. I actually really enjoy it here. Every space is used, nothing wasted or unnecessary. I fall asleep with Greta tucked in between me and the back of the couch thinking about all of her concerns with the kids. Hell, they’re my concerns too. The bonds we have with all the kids, but Trinity specifically, are unlike anything I have experienced before. Even as a pup when Nan took me in, I never felt the pull to her like I feel to that little girl. I drift off thinking about what I want next in this life, now that I have finally achieved the only thing I ever wanted…a home.My dreams are lucid. Greta and I walking hand in hand, Trinity running around our legs in a field. They are both laughing and