Why does it have to be me? Rayleigh sat across from Lily in her office. It seemed to be the only place she had some decent privacy from her children. As expected, the newfound power within Lily had caused a disturbance amongst the Pack. Jayce reassured her he would handle it for her while she occupied herself with the others. No one was blind to his distaste for the turn of events. More so aware of his seething rage for her new set of responsibilities. No longer just his Queen and wife, but the savior for all. Supernatural and Mortals alike. However, Rayleigh had little to no hope for Lily's progress considering how late in the game she unleashed her Wolf spirit. Yet, everyone else can see the light at the end of this damned tunnel aside from herself. "I know." Lily spoke up suddenly, taking Rayleigh by surprise. The blonde woman had her gaze on the floor. "I don't feel confident about this either." Rayleigh hadn't spoken out about her true feelings on the matter, but perhaps Lily
Zalakai leaned against the doorframe as he watched in silence. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop on their conversation, but he couldn't ignore Rayleigh's words, either. Weak? Hardly. Vulnerable? Yes. Every Human is vulnerable. It didn't mean he looked at her any differently. In fact, if something changed, it would have been his growth of admiration for the woman. To have endured the pain and suffering and survived. If that wasn't a feat, then what is? His eyes scanned the dark scar on Lily's back. A whip, from what she proclaimed. Delivered by the same monster that Jayce murdered. A deep growl emanated from behind him. Speak of the Devil. "What are you doing, Demon?" Jayce growled menacingly from behind him. Lily peered over her shoulder to find both men at the door. Rayleigh sat up quickly, equally surprised to find him standing there. "Relax, Wolf." Zalakai said without a single glance over his shoulder. He didn't have to see the dark and angry gaze the Werwolf King displayed on hi
He had only been gone for a couple of hours, but she missed his presence. Which bothered her greatly. She had spent time and time again figuring out a way to rid of him and their pact. Bound in such a lustful act. At first, she was dead set on breaking their bond, but now... Rayleigh stood out back, her gaze fixated on the forest behind the estate. She had her hand placed on her chest. There was a heat that radiated from the Mark he placed on her. It simmered with a dull warmth before it gradually faded away. She had never felt such a thing before after he placed it. Then again, aside from the power to command him, she did not know what this bond was capable of. "Hey." Lily spoke up behind her. Rayleigh glanced over her shoulder to find the Werewolf Queen and King approach her. "How are you feeling?" "Fine." she stated bluntly. "I don't need you to act as my therapist now." "That's not what I came out here to do." Lily told her as she stopped at her side. "I just wanted to make s
She could sense the unease in her people. Questions rose, but none were answered. What would she say to them? How could she even explain? Or where to explain? Their Human Queen is an actual Werewolf in the entirety of her life and this information wasn't shared? They would feel robbed. Deceived. Manipulated, even. Avoiding them caused more harm than good, but she was lost. Lily gazed out the back door to the garden as night fell. Everyone went their separate ways after dinner. Amira and Aiden retreated to their room to get in contact with his Beta. Willow went into her meditative state with Dante on standby. Rayleigh and Zalakai retreated to their room so she could focus on translating the Celestial text from Lily's body. Lily's eyes darkened slightly. The bloodied heart Zalakai gave to Rayleigh. The look of relief that shined in her eyes. Did she feel something similar when Jasper died in front of her eyes? Relief to the hunt ending, but for his death? Did some dark emotion cloud h
Jayce brushed his fingers along her muzzle and rubbed her ear. Lily leaned into his touch. No wonder he enjoyed it when she combed her fingers through his fur. It left behind goosebumps under her fur. "Can you stand?" He asked her. Lily peered down at her paws as she pushed herself to her feet. She felt much heavier than before. Was it because of the shift in her muscles and bone structure? How did she keep her footing the first time she shifted? It all happened so fast that pure instinct had taken over. Was it the same case this time around? She kept her eyes on her paws as she lifted the left and then the right. Being on all fours didn't feel any different from being on her two feet. In fact, she felt more balanced this way. Walking shouldn't be any different, either. Lily moved one paw forward, then paused. How should she move with her hind legs now? How did she do it before? "Don't think about it." Jayce said as he crouched down beside her. She felt fairly large alongside of
He leaned his back against a trunk of an oak tree. The night sky was clear and sparkled in starlight. He peered down at his Mate that lay against his chest. Her golden, sun-kissed locks were like silk between his calloused fingers. The Mark she had placed on him years ago burned when they had finished. Now it was lukewarm to the touch. Not only did this connect them in their Human forms, but he felt Nox and Azura connect at last. Even now, he felt his beast at ease. "Jayce?" She spoke his name in a mere whisper. "We should tell the others." She turned her head to gaze up at him. "The other Wolves, I mean." As she sat up, her hair cascaded over her shoulder like a waterfall of liquid gold. "You're right." He agreed as he tucked her hair behind her ear. "They need to be addressed sooner rather than later. There's only so much avoidance that can be done before they can't be anymore." "What if they become angry with me?" She asked worriedly. "I didn't know this was even possible. They
Dante stood with his back against the doorframe. His arms crossed against his chest as he observed her from a distance. She always felt his eyes on her from every angle. No matter where she was, his gaze would pursue. Each time that their gazes would ever meet, the smoldering gold of his eyes would twist ever so slightly with the crimson blood that would mingle with it. It wasn't always desire that drove that reaction. She knew how much he cared for her. Loved her. He even died for her when Roy attacked them. Dante was possessive, but not controlling. He praised her and encouraged her as her powers grew while she learned her new abilities. If that wasn't love, then what is? "Are you alright, my dear?" He asked her. Willow glanced over at him from the couch. He rolled the sleeves of his black button up on his forearms. His short, dark brown hair neatly combed back with just a few strands that hung in the front. It had grown a bit since their arrival here, but she didn't mind it. "I'
He watched Willow with admiration. She had come a long way since they've first met. The struggles she endured. The obstacles she had to overcome, and the pain of losing someone dear to her. Roy's death set a fire within her that no one else could see but himself. Dante was grateful for the nudge she needed, but he wished it hadn't been under such dark circumstances. The wind picked up around him as he leaned his back up against a tree. Leaves rustled and branches creaked from the rising pressure. Willow's eyes flared white as her feet hovered above the ground. Her hands set apart from her sides, with white energy crackling around her fingers. Her hair swayed wildly about her. Three hours into her practice, and already he felt the deep changes within her. The Magic that coursed through those veins differed completely from the first taste he had. Dante ran the tip of his tongue over one of his fangs. Taste. When was the last time he tasted her? Slowly, Willow lowered herself back to