SHADOW Goddess, these people hated me to the core. Thankfully, this was the last day of my punishment, and I was already dreaming of a long nap in my bed. On the other hand, a three-day punishment in solitary was probably the best choice after all. “Here, rogue.” A buzz-cut teenager smirked and just gave me the plate. Before I could take it, he poured what was left of his food on the floor. So I had to mop the kitchen floor, adding to an hour of my time. I sighed and hid my anger and disappointment. “Serves you right. Next time, learn to respect who’s a higher rank than you.” That was just the first bully. Three bullies had done the same thing every meal since three days ago, but this one and the other were worse. Apparently, they admired Zack, hence the bullying and giving me a hard time. The cooks, not so much. They even helped me by cleaning utensils before they left, but these kids, Goddess, I wanted to ring their necks and squeeze them until their throats cracked around my
SHADOW What if this is a test from the Alpha? I wished I could read minds. I wanted to know what Zack was after. “I think you just want to live a normal life in the human world without thinking of threats from another pack. And I know why you’re here. I heard about your father—” “Adopted father,” I corrected him. “Yeah. Kent Marks. Because he could be a target of those assholes again, you want Alpha Cal’s protection, which is a smart decision, by the way. And honestly, you still have to join a pack one way or another. You can’t be out there for the rest of your life. That’s our nature. That’s who we are. We’re stronger together.” “I thought for a moment, you’re advertising a roof sealant.” He laughed. And I laughed for the first time since I stayed here a week ago. My voice was even foreign to me. “It sells, right?” “Yeah. Best-seller roof sealant in the country.” After an hour, we were done moping the floor. “See?” He gestured his hands, showing me the clean and shiny kitc
CALIFF Since I dodged Everlee’s phone call, I didn’t have any idea she would come knocking on my door early in the morning. I could be rude and ruthless, but I also wanted to address that I wanted to end whatever relationship we had formally. I had a feeling things would not end well for me if I kept allowing my sexual exploit with Everlee to stay longer. We were not mates. She understood that. I had a need, but I also had obligations to my pack and my mate. That was my top priority. After our short talk, she finally left my room willingly. I also made a point to avoid paying me a visit to my house. I sighed as soon as the door shut after her, but I was barged in with a familiar scent that made my wolf almost cheer and howl at the same time. I quickly pulled the door open and found Shadow in front of her door—the stench of another man’s smell on her brought out the possessive, animalistic temperament in me. Before I could compose myself, I was already growling at her. “Why the f
SHADOW “Zack, what are you doing here?” I was surprised to see him in the parking lot. “I’m the designated driver for today,” he excitedly said before he went to the driver’s seat to start the car. “Oh.” I suddenly felt shy. Zack was a good guy, after all, but I didn’t want him and everyone to get the idea that their Alpha was giving me privileges. They hated me already, and I was afraid I would end up poisoned by my haters. I was literally an outcast who just jumped into an assistant to the Alpha. The number one those gossipers could ever think was that I was in bed with the leader of the pack. Just like right now, these female werewolves were shooting me daggers. “I think I’d rather work in the office,” I told the Alpha as he finished his phone call. “Don’t make it a habit of defying my orders, Shadow. And don’t make me repeat myself. If I say you’re joining, you’re joining me.” I gulped as I nodded, and that was when he noticed the reason for my discomfort. With just a singl
CALIFF “Are you sure she’s ready for this?” Kindra asked. “It wouldn’t be fair for everyone if she will be given a long time to prepare,” Duke answered his mate, sitting next to him. The pack started filling the bench before the football field, where the challenge would begin in a few minutes. Was I worried that she wouldn’t win the challenge? No. I would be more worried for her opponent that Lyon would pick a name that Shadow was challenging. I had confidence in her, and so did the enforcer. “This is gonna be fun.” “I’m worried, Cal. She’s been a rogue for a long time, and two days training with Zack is nothing compared to our enforcers who have trained since they were pups.” “We’ll see.” “What if she won't win?” I looked at Kindra as she began tapping her knees. “She will be omega like everyone else.” “And that is okay with you?” Duke asked. “Yeah. Fair is fair.” “I thought you two have a thing. I heard you went to the city to buy her clothes.” “Because she doesn’t have
SHADOW I ran away. I thought I had it under control. I felt ashamed of myself that I almost killed Tor in front of everyone, and I just proved them right, showing them my true nature that I was nothing but a savage and filthy rogue in their eyes. I lost my only chance. I ended up threatening the guard if he wouldn’t let me enter the confinement. I wanted to be alone right now because I knew my days were over. I would be banished, or worse, they would kill me if Tor wouldn’t heal. My wolf took control when I was threatened, and she felt my pain. I cried in the corner of the room. I was supposed to have a pack now if I only control myself. I missed Kent. I wished he was here right now, telling me everything would be okay. “Go away. I need to be alone.” When the door unlocked, I wiped my tears from my face. I smelled the sweetest lavender wafting in the room instead. “May I come in?” I thought I heard that voice before. I lifted my gaze. “Oh, my Goddess. Luna.” I rose to my fee
CALIFF I watched Shadow writhe in bed. She was probably dreaming about intense sex. She grasped the bed sheet, gripping it tight as she bucked her hips, and her head threw against the pillow, exposing her neck. As her chest rose and fell, her lip caught between her teeth, and then she moaned. Her thighs pressed together and spread them apart, seeking friction. A low growl erupted from my chest, thinking she was dreaming of sex with another man. However, I could have made her dream come true if I hadn’t controlled my wolf. I groaned as the scent of her arousal grew strong enough to make my dick harden in my jeans, but my mind warned me to proceed with caution. My pulse raced as my body responded to her motion. And no woman had ever affected me this way, even women who flirted and seduced me to get to bed with them. What I had with Everlee was nothing but sex, but something with Shadow that made me crave her, even if I hadn’t tasted her. And her smell was so addicting and alluring,
SHADOW “Oh, Shadow. You look amazing.” I wanted to roll my eyes, but it came from Elder Eleanor. Califf took much of her look. They had high cheekbones and expressive eyes. I realized she had hidden something behind them. She didn’t look so much happy. “Thank you. You are beautiful tonight, Elder Eleanor.” I felt like I dressed like a slut tonight because the dress was handpicked by my asshole Alpha. I mean, who watched someone sleep? It was creepy, and not to mention, I had an intense, mortifying dream of us having sex in the wild grass. “Thank you, dear.” Then she looked around. “Where’s the host for tonight?” “Right here, Mom.” His mother looked so proud of him. Who wouldn’t? Despite being an asshole, werewolves respected and feared him, not because he could tear someone apart if they defied his order, but because he was trustworthy and reliable. It was hard to rule a pack with more than one hundred fifty werewolves, and he still put food on the tables. “You look handsome, h