Nathaniel
It was late when Ethan and I finally returned to the packhouse. The day had been long, filled with pack duties and endless conversations about business, and by the time we parted ways, exhaustion was clawing at me. I watched Ethan climb the stairs to the fifth floor, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the hallway. The sound of his door closing echoed faintly, a small reassurance that he was settled for the night.
I lingered for a moment, my heart beating a little faster, my mind already racing ahead to what I was about to do. The fourth floor belonged to me, reserved for the Beta and his family, but tonight, I won’t be staying there.
Once I was sure Ethan was out of sight, I moved swiftly. Quietly, I slipped down the stairs and out of the back of the house. The cool night air hit my skin, sharp and refreshing, as I made my way to the woods. I ducked behind a large bush, stripping out of my clothes and hiding them beneath the leaves. The anticipation hummed through my veins, my pulse quickening as I shifted into my wolf form, my paws barely touching the ground as I ran toward our meeting spot.
The forest blurred around me as I raced through the trees, the moonlight casting silver streaks across the ground. My thoughts were single-minded now, focused on my mate.
When I reached the cave, I shifted back into human form, not bothering to cover myself as I stepped inside. The darkness swallowed me for a moment, but I didn’t need to see to know who was waiting for me.
“Nate, where the hell have you been?” My mate’s voice greeted me, a mixture of frustration and relief.
“I’m sorry,” I breathed, stepping closer. “Ethan and I got held up at the office. I tried to get here as soon as I could.”
Before I could say more, my mate crossed the space between us, embracing me. The moment our bodies touched, everything else faded away - the responsibilities, the pressure, the guilt. It was just my mate. Just us. Our lips found each other in a desperate, heated kiss, and I melted, the day’s tension dissolving under my mate’s touch.
But I pulled back, needing to say the words I had carried with me all day. “Liam, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you too,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he kissed me again, his hands roaming over my skin, pulling me closer.
Liam and I had known each other since we were 13, but my feelings for him went deeper than friendship from the moment I saw him. I was captivated by him - by his quiet strength, his warmth, the way he made me feel safe in a world that demanded so much from me. But back then, I was still in the closet, terrified of what it would mean if anyone knew the truth. Even now, the fear lingers.
We had been friends for years, but everything changed one drunken night. When I was 15 or so and Ethan and Dylan were 18, they had snuck a few bottles of alcohol from their dads, and we all drank until we were far too drunk to think straight. In my drunken haze, I finally found the courage to ask Liam to talk privately. We came to this very cave, just the two of us, and I tried to find the words to tell him how I felt. But before I could say anything, Liam kissed me.
That kiss had changed everything. It was my first, and in that moment, I knew I was in love with him. It wasn’t just the alcohol - it was something deeper, something I had been trying to bury for years. After that night, we started meeting here, in secret, stealing moments away from the rest of the world. Talking. Kissing. Loving each other in a way that felt both right and forbidden.
Liam turned 18 a few months before me. I’ll never forget that night - we met in this cave, and the moment he saw me, he practically jumped on me, his arms so tight around me I thought he might break my ribs. That was the night we realized we were mates. The moon goddess had blessed me with this man, the person I loved more than anything in the world.
But as I turned 18 and officially took on the role of Beta, everything changed. The title came with expectations - expectations I couldn’t live up to if anyone knew the truth. The pack looked to me for leadership, for strength, and in their eyes, being with another man wasn’t an option. I couldn’t be gay and be the Beta they needed. So, I made the hardest decision of my life. I didn’t accept Liam as my mate.
But I didn’t reject him either.
Instead, we kept it hidden. We kept ourselves hidden. We met in secret, here in this cave, pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist when we were together. But the weight of it, the secrecy, the lies - it was suffocating. I knew I was hurting him by not claiming him, by not standing by his side in the way that mates are supposed to. But I was trapped. Trapped between my love for him and the life I had to live for the pack.
“I hate this,” Liam murmured against my skin, his voice trembling with the weight of all the years we had spent hiding. “I hate that we have to keep sneaking around like this.”
“I know,” I whispered, my throat tight with emotion. “I hate it too.”
But what choice did we have? The pack wouldn’t understand. Ethan wouldn’t understand. I couldn’t be the Beta they needed and also be with the man I loved. And so, we continued to meet here, in this cave, pretending for a few stolen moments we could be together without consequence.
Liam pulled me closer, his hands tangling in my hair, as he kissed me with a desperation that mirrored my own. “I just want you. I want us,” he whispered fiercely.
I kissed him back, trying to pour all the love, all the pain, into that kiss. “I want that too,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “But I don’t know how.”
NathanielWe stood there in the darkness, holding each other - caught between two worlds. One where we could be together, and one where we couldn’t. But for now, in this stolen moment, we chose the world where we had each other.His body was warm against mine, his skin slick from the lingering heat of our shift. Because we came here as wolves, we were already bare, nothing between us but the anticipation thrumming in the space we hadn’t yet closed.I leaned in, brushing my lips against his, slow and teasing, drinking in the taste of him - earthy, wild, mine. His breath hitched as I trailed my mouth lower, my tongue flicking over the pulse at his throat, feeling the way it quickened beneath my touch.Then, I dropped to my knees before him.His cock was already hard, thick and waiting, the tip glistening with need. I wrapped my fingers around the base, stroking him once, slow and deliberate, watching as his muscles tensed under my touch. The deep, guttural moan he let out sent a spark o
RosemaryThe next few days passed in a blur, a strange mixture of settling in and feeling like I was floating through someone else’s life. Grace was a constant presence, and at that time, I got to know her more deeply. She told me so much about being a werewolf, about living in a pack - the kind of details that made this world feel less like some fantasy I’d stumbled into and more like a reality I was now part of.One of the things that fascinated me most was the mind link between pack members. It was like an invisible thread that connected them all, allowing them to communicate without words. And then there was the fact that the higher-ranking members could project this link to the entire pack at once if needed, especially in times of danger. Grace explained that attacks were rare, but rogue wolves sometimes wandered into their territory. She talked about it so casually, like it was just another part of life, another detail of this world I was slowly beginning to understand.What str
RosemaryAfter a week away, Ethan returned, and with him came someone I hadn’t expected - a tall, muscular guy with bright auburn hair (unlike mine, which was actually bright red because of this funky hair dye I use) and an explosion of freckles that covered every inch of his face. As Nathaniel nudged me toward them, I watched Grace practically sprint across the room and leap into the ginger guy’s arms, her laugh echoing through the packhouse. I couldn’t believe this was Dylan. He was nothing like what I’d imagined. They seemed like total opposites - Grace, all goddess-like elegance, and Dylan, with his rugged build, orange hair, and mischievous green eyes.I stood back, observing the scene as Grace finally peeled herself off him. Dylan walked over to me, extending a hand with a charming smile.“You must be Rosemary. I’ve heard quite a bit about you,” he said, with a hint of an Irish accent.“Yeah, I figured Grace would’ve mentioned me.” I shook his hand, trying to match his friendlin
RosemaryAfter what felt like hours of making out, our lips finally parted, both of us panting, trying to catch our breath. I could feel the lingering heat between us, and I glanced at his swollen lips, knowing mine must look the same. Somehow, we’d moved from the office to his bedroom at some point. We were still fully clothed, sitting on the edge of his bed, but everything about the moment felt charged with something more.Ethan stood up, walking across the room to grab something to drink. I took the time to take in my surroundings, realizing just how massive his space was. It wasn’t just a bedroom - it was like a whole apartment. A small kitchen area near the living room space led to his bedroom, which was centered around a king-size bed that seemed to dominate the room. Two doors, one was probably leading to a walk-in closet, the other to an en-suite bathroom, mirrored the layout of my own room but on a much grander scale. Everything here was bigger, more luxurious, as if it were
EthanI watched her eyes widen, the shock flickering across her face like a lightning bolt. She blinked a few times, clearly overwhelmed, and I could practically feel her mind racing, trying to process what I had just told her.“I know this is a lot,” I continued, my voice softening. “You didn’t even know about my existence, or this world’s existence, a few days ago. But it’s the truth, Rosemary. You and I… we’re destined to be together. It’s what the moon goddess has decided for us. I know you’re still human, at least for now, but I can feel it - you can sense the bond too.”Her breathing started to quicken, and I could smell the faint hint of panic rising in her scent. She was trying to hold it together, but I could see the weight of everything crashing down on her. Without thinking, I moved closer and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. She didn’t resist, but instead, she buried her face in the crook of my neck, her body trembling slightly.At first, she w
EthanWhen I woke up, the soft light of dawn was just beginning to filter through the curtains. I glanced at the clock: 5 a.m. Right on time for morning practice. I shifted carefully, trying not to disturb Rosemary, who was still asleep beside me, her body curled peacefully against mine. For a moment, I just watched her, unable to fully process how much had changed in such a short time.But as much as I wanted to stay there, wrapped in the warmth of her presence, I had responsibilities to attend to. I slipped out of bed quietly, moving with care to avoid waking her. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, and I exhaled in relief as I made my way to the bathroom.I turned on the hot water and stepped into the shower, letting the heat work its way into my muscles. The steady stream pounded against my back, but my mind was elsewhere. It was strange - having her here, knowing she was mine, but still feeling like we were navigating uncharted territory. I had waited so long for this moment, a
EthanBy the time we got out of the shower and dressed, the morning training session had already passed. I sighed, mind-linking the high-ranking members of the pack, instructing them to meet in my office in 15 minutes.Turning to her, I could see the uncertainty still lingering in her eyes. “Rosemary,” I began, “I know we need to talk more about everything that’s happening between us, but we’ll take it slow - baby steps, okay? First, we’re meeting with the high ranks to discuss Andromeda. After that, you and I will have time to talk about us.”“Don’t call me Rosemary,” she whispered, so softly I almost missed it.I paused, searching her face for a clue to what she needed. “Is Rose okay with you?” I asked gently.For a second, I could feel so many emotions radiating from her. I wondered if I’d said something wrong, but then she nodded, a soft “Yes” slipping from her lips.I smiled reassuringly, squeezing her hand lightly before leading her to my office.Once inside, I took my usual sea
Rosemary Ethan led me outside to a car, and we drove silently for about 20 minutes. The weight of everything hung heavy between us, the quiet making space for my thoughts to wander. Beyond the lake and away from the pack’s houses, the oracle’s home sat like an island, isolated from the rest of the world. As we walked toward the door, it swung open as though Amber had expected us. She stood there, her expression calm, holding the door for us to enter.The living room was modest but inviting, with a strange air of ancient wisdom hanging in the corners. I sat down on one of the sofas, feeling the unease settling deep in my bones, while Ethan stood behind me, ever the protector.“It’s about time we all speak together,” Amber said, her voice steady, her gaze shifting between Ethan and me. Ethan gave her a slight nod, his eyes dark with something unreadable.Amber skipped the formalities, her demeanor serious. “I know you have many questions, and I’ll answer them in due time, but first, I
EthanAs Nathaniel and Liam’s kiss ended, they leaned into each other, their foreheads touching, lost in the intimate silence of their love. The clearing was filled with the sounds of cheering, laughter, and celebration, but at that moment, it felt like time stood still for them. I moved forward, ready to embrace my best friend and share his joy, but the atmosphere suddenly shifted. A loud scream pierced the air, shattering the peaceful moment.I whipped around and saw Rose on her knees, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her face contorted in pain. Fear gripped me, my heart pounding as I sprinted toward her. By the time I reached her, she had collapsed, unconscious, her body limp in my arms.“Rose!” I shouted, my voice thick with panic. I gathered her into my arms, her skin cold against mine, her breathing shallow. My pulse raced as I felt a crowd gathering around us, their murmurs blending into a distant hum, but the only thing that mattered was the woman in my arms. Her face,
Rosemary Today was Nathaniel and Liam’s wedding, a day the pack had eagerly awaited. The air was filled with excitement, love, and joy, but I couldn’t shake the unease building inside me. I had been feeling unwell since the morning, but I did my best to push through, wanting to be present for Nathaniel’s big day. Grace, always the multitasker, had taken on the role of wedding planner and was rushing around to ensure every detail was perfect. I tried to help where I could, but my body felt heavier, weaker than usual.The ceremony was set to take place in a secluded clearing deep within the forest, a place that seemed to be kissed by nature itself. As I made my way closer to the clearing, the breathtaking beauty of it all hit me. The sunlight filtered gently through the towering trees, casting a golden glow on the vibrant greenery that surrounded us. Wildflowers bloomed at the edges of the clearing, their bright colors contrasting with the deep greens of the forest. The smell of pine a
DylanA strange quiet was settled over the pack, the kind that didn’t bring peace. It was the calm before the storm, the air thick with tension as we all waited for Andromeda to make her move. No one said it outright, but I knew everyone could feel it - like a predator circling, just out of sight. I had been in enough battles to know that this kind of stillness isn’t natural; it’s calculated.And if I could feel it, I knew Ethan did, too.Ethan’s always carried the pack’s weight on his shoulders, but lately, it has been different. There was a heaviness in him that wasn’t there before, like he was wrestling with shadows I couldn’t see. I was used to his relentless work ethic, the way he poured himself into every detail of running this pack. But it was more than that now. He was pushing himself harder, training with a single-minded intensity that would be impressive if it weren’t so worrying. I didn’t think he had slept a whole night in weeks.Last week, I caught him out in the training
RosemaryIt had been four months since that night by the creek, the night I drank Amber’s potion, sealing away a choice I didn’t fully understand. I hadn’t dared return to that spot - not even once. The memory of it haunted me, the way the moon had hung so heavily, casting an eerie glow on the water as I swallowed the bitter liquid that was supposed to end everything. Since that night, I had felt different, altered in some intangible way, as though I had stepped into a shadow that followed me everywhere, clinging to my skin.My body betrayed me daily. Fatigue sank deep into my bones, the kind of exhaustion that sleep could never touch. No matter how many hours I slept, I always woke feeling as if I’d been carrying a weight all night. Even the simplest tasks left me winded, my muscles ached as though I’d run for miles. Every step felt heavy, as if invisible chains weighed down my feet. Something was wrong, and yet, I couldn’t find the will to question it. I had made a decision that nig
RosemaryThe night of the full moon arrived, and I brewed the tea Amber had given me in a thermos, the bitter herbs swirling together like an ink-stained solution to all the chaos swirling inside me. As I stepped out into the cool night, I felt the familiar pull of my wolf, that instinctive desire to shift under the full moon, to let go and run wild through the forest. The urge was powerful, stronger than ever before, but I couldn’t give in tonight. Not until this was done.The moon hung high in the sky, bathing the woods in silver light, casting shadows that danced as I made my way to the creek I had found on my first shift. It was fitting, I thought, to return to the place where I had first felt the raw power of my wolf - where I had first realized what I truly was. But tonight wasn’t about connecting with my wolf. It was about taking back control.I arrived at the creek, the air cool and crisp against my skin. I sat beneath the familiar tree, the same tree that had given me comfort
RosemaryThe heavy fog in my brain slowly began to lift. It was like clawing my way out of a deep, suffocating pit, but eventually, I found my way back to consciousness. My body felt weak, like I had been wrung out and left to dry. My throat felt raw, as if I had swallowed sand, and when I tried to speak, no sound came out. My eyelids fluttered open, but the light was too bright, stabbing into my eyes, forcing me to shut them again.I tried again, this time more slowly. As my vision cleared, I saw him - Ethan. He was sitting in a chair right next to the bed, his head resting on the edge of the mattress. His face was peaceful, his chest rising and falling softly as he slept. A faint snore escaped his lips. Even in sleep, he looked so protective, so close.I didn’t want to wake him, but I shifted just enough to make him stir. His eyes opened immediately, concern flashing across his face the moment he saw me awake.“Rose, you’re awake!” His voice was filled with a mixture of relief and a
EthanI sat beside her hospital bed, my heart pounding in my chest. The cold, sterile atmosphere of the hospital was suffocating. The rhythmic beeping of the machines was the only sound breaking the silence, but all I could focus on was her - Rose, lying there, looking so small, so fragile. This wasn’t her. The woman I knew was a firestorm, full of life and strength. But now, her skin was pale, her lips cracked, and she looked like she was made of glass, ready to shatter at any moment.I leaned forward, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her skin felt cool to the touch, much too cold. A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to contain the rising fear. I had never felt so helpless. I, the Alpha, the one who always had to be strong, was now at the mercy of fate - waiting, hoping, praying.Where had I gone wrong? How could I not have known? I replayed the last few weeks in my head over and over. Maybe I should have noticed she was more tired than usual. Maybe I should have stoppe
EthanAfter a long, exhausting day in the office, all I wanted was to crawl into bed next to Rose. Being near her had become something I couldn’t live without. Her warmth, her presence - it was all that allowed me to truly rest. But when I knocked on her door, there was no answer. I tried again. Still nothing.A strange unease crept into my chest. I turned the handle and opened the door to find the room cold and dark. A quick glance revealed the impromptu art studio she’d been using was untouched. Something wasn’t right. I decided to wait for her, assuming she’d show up soon, and sat down on the bed, scrolling through work emails on my phone. Slowly, exhaustion won, and I drifted into an uneasy sleep.A while later, I stirred awake. The room was still dark, and her side of the bed remained untouched. Panic started to gnaw at me. A quick glance at my phone told me it was 2 a.m. I tried to link Rose through the pack-link, but there was no response. I tried again. Still nothing. The knot
RosemaryIn the early afternoon, I received a mind-link from Dr. Bella asking me to come to the hospital wing. All day, my mind had been spinning with the possibility of being pregnant, and the concept of becoming a mother. The thought terrified me. I had never had a role model for a loving family, and the idea of creating one of my own felt foreign, almost impossible. The doctors had once told me I couldn’t have children, and I had accepted that. It felt like a decision had been made for me, a choice I never had to face. But now? I wasn’t sure if I was more scared or excited - or both.On the way to the infirmary, Ethan caught up with me. I tried to keep things casual, dodging his concern.“I’m just checking this stomach bug,” I said with a forced smile. “Nothing serious.”“Okay, love,” he replied, his eyes soft with concern. “Just let me know if you need anything.”I nodded as he turned and walked toward his office. Watching him disappear, I felt a pang of guilt.When I arrived at t