I am running through the wood again, beasts on both sides and behind, chasing me and the small bundle in my arms. I run and run. I skid in the dead leaves as I have to quickly change directions as a beast steps out in front of me. I protect the bundle in my arms as my feet slip again and again until I finally make it back to my feet and take off running again... I then hear it, the loud howl in the distance telling me he is coming, fear close to pure terror runs through me. I whimper as I try to run faster, only to skid to a stop once more at the edge of a cliff... It's then I hear his voice, "Yasmine, don't do it... Yasmine, please!!" I look around franticly, slowly taking steps backwards, getting closer and closer to the edge as I whisper, "Zachariah..." I then see the one responsible for the loud howl, and the beasts that surround me... VALENTINO... I step back, not wanting to be in his possession once again, and scream... "ZZAACCHHAARRIIAAHH!!!!" I sit up still screaming;
I feel like I'm on fire and then I feel like I'm lying naked in the snow. I hear the odd voices but can't place them as a wave of fire runs through me, followed by a wave of what feels like pure ice. When the darkness calls, I welcome it, falling back into its nothingness.The next time the darkness releases me, the waves of fire and ice have calmed and are a little more bearable. I hear those voices once more, but still can't decipher who they belong to or make out what they are saying.The darkness threatens once more. I try to fight it a little this time, but it still wins and pulls me into that nothingness again.I feel much better as the darkness relinquishes its tight hold on me; I open my eyes and look around, but I am not anywhere that I know; the room is damp and there is a closed-door in front of me with a small window allowing some light to enter the room.I try to move, but as I move my arms, I find they have chains connected to my wrists; I panic a little, but then my bod
Zachariah then lunges forward. I don't know how I knew that I would be able to land with no problems and no injuries, but I turn, grab the railing and jump over it. I then land in a crouch on the ground below. I look back up to where he is now standing, leaning over the railing. I then get to my feet and run. I hear a low growl from behind me, but I keep going.I run and run like I did the first time ran from Zachariah. I didn't know where I was going, but this time I could see better, and hear better, and my reflexes were superb. I hear someone running behind me and he doesn't need to yell for me to realise that it is Zachariah when hear him say,"Yasmine, stop, come back..."I can't face him, so I keep running. I am surprised when I am tackled to the ground. I kick out with my feet, connecting with his jaw. I then roll and get back to my feet as he does the same. I see his eyes flash; I am not scared; I am furious but I know if I allow him to touch me, for an extended period of time
I go to move as another wave of pain travels through my back and abdomen, but I can only move so far before something stops me. I look around and find that I am laying on a bed with my hands cuffed and chained to the bedhead behind me. I let out a small scream mixed with a growl and a roar as another wave of pain starts in my back and makes its way around the front of my abdomen.Once the wave has passed, I close my eyes and try to relax as I lean my back against the headboard. My eyes snap open as I hear a door open and voices as 2 beasts walk in,"She is in full active labour, the pup should be here momentarily...""Good, good... How is she doing otherwise?""Everything is going as it should. All her vitals are strong and steady... She is remarkable...""Yes, I know. It is why I took her and once she has had Zachariah's pup, I will impregnate her and make her have one or maybe two of mine...""I would suggest waiting a little while before you try... She is a rare Hybrid, we don't kn
He then leans down, loosening and slightly removing his hand from my neck so he can run his nose along it. I shiver as he takes a deep breath, growls and then starts placing kisses on my neck, trailing them up and along my jaw until he reaches my lips once more, whispering,"If you want me to let you go, you need to make me... Yasmine!"I smile to myself as I return his kiss, only this has the opposite effect I was hoping for as I get a little lost in the pleasure as well, that is until I try to move my hands again. They only move a little, so this causes the flashes of chains, waves of pain and then Valentino to enter my mind once again, overriding the pleasure I was just feeling. I struggle a little against him once more, as he relaxes into the kiss as well.He releases my wrists and slides his hand down my arms. I move them down from above my head to first wrap around his neck as he deepens the kiss. I then slide them around so I have them leaning on his chest. I feel the growl of
Raphael then stops and lets my arm drop from his as he then opens the heavy door that is now in front of us. Once it is open, he then faces me again and holds out his arm once more. I smile and hook my arm in his. I look around in awe at the vastness of the room and how many books of all types are in there. I laugh as he tugs on my arm and leads me over to a table at the far end of the room. He lets my hand drop again, steps aside and pulls out one of the chairs, allowing me to sit. He then says in a butler-like tone, "If you wait here, my dear..." I laugh as he smiles and then continues in normally, "Ava will be with us shortly and I will go and get the books I need..." "I won't be here shortly as I am already here..." "Ava..." I stand and make my way over to her, giving her a hug. She laughs and hugs me back. By the time I turn around Raphael has disappeared into the many many aisles of books. I move with Ava back to the table and sit back in the chair Raphael pulled out for me
I am surprised to find Rania in the kitchen sitting at the counter when we enter. Raphael leads me over and sits me down on the stool next to her. She looks at me with confusion,"Where is Zachariah? I would have thought after that rogue attack he wouldn't allow you out of his sight...""I don't know. I haven't seen him since I woke up this morning...""So, what else happened with those rogues? There is no way Zachariah told Malik the whole story..."I sigh, "Rania, what do you think of shifters?""Depends on the shifter. Most shifters are okay, and the panther is nearly non-existent... Why?""What would you do if I told you that I was a panther shifter?"She laughs, "Yasmine, you were human before the change, so you are one of us now...""Yeah, that's right... And I am still pissed at him for doing it the way he did... Did you know that they had planned it?"I look at her and when she can't look me in the eye; I have my answer."So, you agree with what they did?""Zachariah told Mali
Zachariah steps back from his kiss, leaving me a little breathless. He turns slightly and holds out his arm. I hesitate for the first time since I started trusting him again and since I have been back from Valentino. I place my shaky hand on his elbow. He places his other hand over mine and then leads me out of the room.Zachariah doesn't say anything as we make our way to the dining hall. When we get to the doors, one of the guards that's standing on either side opens the door, allowing us to enter.I am surprised when everyone turns to us and starts clapping. I make to stop walking but Zachariah wouldn't let me, keeping me walking until the way in front of us parts showing Malik and Rania. I smile a little at Rania, but it doesn't stay there long as I see the small smug smile on Malik's lips. He then lifts his hand and says,"We are here this evening to celebrate Alpha Zachariah finally finding his mate... A male that said that he didn't want the weakness that came with having a mat