The Lost Royal

What we saw was.. unsettling, but not in any of the hundred ways that had flashed through my mind as they dragged me over here. Luna Abigail was on the ground, sobbing and wailing, surrounded by faces that looked more in shock than I'd ever imagined they could. "NOO! Noooooo!" Abigail wailed desperately, looking up to the sky as though pleading with a higher power, "He can't, it can't be true! Please.. you're wrong!" She broke down into wordless, heavy sobs, clearly wracked with grief. The twins' eyes widened, both of them suddenly looking as shocked as the rest of the bystanders. They exchanged a glance, then pulled me back from the edge of trees more, away from the rapidly growing crowd. "You should go around the back, try to stay out of sight," Matteus said gravely, and Tyler nodded agreement, "If she decides to lash out, and needs someone to take it out on.." he trailed off as my eyes widened in realisation. They were.. trying to look out for me? That was every bit as shocking

I jumped suddenly as I felt someone's breath on my neck, and turned my head to find one of Saxon's escort standing closer behind me. I'd been so absorbed in watching Saxon and the twins that I hadn't even noticed him approaching. He looked a little younger than his Alpha, and a little softer, brown-haired and almost boyish, with freckles and a gentle smile that reached his beautiful green eyes. He placed strong hands firmly on my shoulders, in a way that somehow felt.. grounding. "Calm," he said softly, in a voice that was just as soothing as his touch, and I felt some of my fear and worry melting away. "You're safe with us," he continued, and I closed my eyes, nodding gently and.. somehow believing him. I wondered then if Crimson Forest had witches of their own, but everything about this man suggested he was a Lycan, just like the others. They were all huge, their strength obvious in their well-toned bodies, and even the smallest of them was larger than either of the twins, despite

I frowned, but didn't see much choice other than to walk with her. Trin would likely be just as able to throw me over her shoulder as Haden had. Besides, she had to sleep sometime, and slipping away unseen would have to have a far greater chance of success than trying to outrun a Lycan. She continued trying to make small talk as we walked, seeming mostly focused on learning more about Silver Waters. And me, though I didn't really feel like sharing much in that regard. It wouldn't be important anyway, given that I had no more intention of staying with them than with any other Lycan pack. We walked for hours, and eventually, she fell silent too, seeming to watch me with some degree of concern. I was more than a little bit tired of being looked at in that way. First the twins, then Saxon and Haden, now Trin, when all I wanted was to be far away from all of them. Except for Mama. I once again found myself wondering what could have happened to her. "What's up?" Trin asked gently, soundi

I sat down on the other bed, letting the silence stretch out between the two of us, as Trin pulled out her phone and began typing quickly. Probably updating Saxon, I realised. I wondered how much she'd tell him, though the thought faded quickly as exhaustion suddenly set in. I yawned, stretching myself out, and laid back on the bed, letting my eyes drift close for just a moment. Or, so I thought. Next thing I knew, Trin was shaking me awake from the cold grip of a terrible nightmare. "Ava! AVA! Wake up!" she said loudly, trying to rouse me, and I sat up with a start, my eyes wide and heart pounding. It took me a moment to remember where I was, then I closed my eyes again, letting out a long breath and burying my face in my heads. "Thanks," I muttered, as she sat down beside me, still looking concerned when I lowered my hands again. "You get those a lot?" she asked, and I shrugged, not really wanting to talk about it. "I guess. No more than most people..""And how often do most peopl

"I.. I thought.." I stammered awkwardly as he stepped closer again, grabbing my wrist and pulling me against his broad, strong chest, "I told you," he growled roughly, "you're MINE!" I didn't get a chance to respond to that, as he tangled a hand in the back of my hair, lowering his head and pressing his lips to my own. I tried to protest, but he wrapped his other arm tightly around my lower back, taking my open mouth as an invitation to deepen the kiss, teasing my tongue with his own. My protests faltered as his taste filled my mouth, tempting me, beckoning me to give in. And for a long moment, I did, letting myself get lost in his delicious, possessive kiss. He didn't seem to want to let it end, but the sound of a vicious growl behind him made him lift his head, and I took the chance to pull away. Much to my shock, it was Haden standing there this time, looking just as furious as Saxon had a moment before, his eyes glowing golden. "Mate!" he growled, and Saxon stepped between him