“You have got to be kidding me.”
Krista smiled wide. “What are you talking about? I saw this and it screamed you.”
“Krista.”
“Winter.”
“Kris.”
“Winny.”
I slammed my palm into my forehead. “We don’t have time to get something else, do we?”
“How dare you! This is perfect! You will look like you’re going to go into battle! Complete with battle ready shoes. I thought you would be happy with them. They aren’t even that high and they are the thick heel.”
Throwing my hands up, I gestured to the dress she had set out. “The boots are the least of my worries at this point! Krista! This is over the top!”
She took my hands bringing them down and holding them together. “I promise you, it’s not. You could be like me.”
My eyes side over to her dress. She was right about that. Bo
As Mrs. St James pulled into the parking area, I pressed my hand to my chest. It was beating so fast. I was worried about running into not only Caleb but also Alpha. If either one of them tried to take me away tonight, I wouldn’t get the chance to see Caspian. My nerves started to show as I rubbed my hands over my pants.“Winter, stop. You’ll be fine.”Everyone turned to me in the car and I groaned. “I’m fine.”“Dee is going to be by your side, Winter. At least until Caspian gets here. Just to make sure. We will be around as well. We just don’t want to look like we are hovering.”“And I’ll be there!”I snorted. “Until you see Jackson.”“He can join us! Come on. You’ll be alright. We got you. Remember, it’s your pre-birthday! Enjoy it! You’ll officially be an adult.”“With your own home.” Dee smiled and waggled his eyebrows. “All while enjoying the look on your father’s face as he ends up homeless.”Mr. St James chortled. “I’m not going to say that’s the reason I’m going…but the look on
“Did you think running away to the St. James would change anything? Or throwing that little fit in the office?” Alpha Damian looked disappointed. “An alliance was made, Winter. It’s important that keep these alliances. I know it’s not what you were wanting but…it is for the best. We don’t want you getting hurt.”“We only want you safe, Winter. It seems mean now, but…” Luna Ember tried to add.I barked out an awkward laugh. “Mean? What if you didn’t get your fated mate? What if they were dangled in front of you, only to have it ripped away by someone else? How would you feel? Mean doesn’t even come close to how I feel. Betrayed by the people I considered my family is more like it.”The two of them looked taken-aback. I don’t know how much they felt like reading into my words but after a moment, it looked like they convinced themselves it was only on the surface. Gamma Maddox pulled me closer, his hand on my shoulder. Turning, he pulled me away from them.“He won’t come, Winter.”I stop
Leaning my shoulder against him, I sighed. “For so long, I was waiting for this night. All while pushing it out of my mind at the same time. That I would finally get my wolf tonight. That I wasn’t broken. Being able to shift at the time leadership usually does, but never receiving my wolf has been horrible. I kept thinking…what if my wolf didn’t think I was worthy of her. Or that…I really was a defect. A less than nothing Gamma.”Dee sighed as he leaned his head against mine. “None of that is true.”“Sure. We know that now. Except that the truth is so much worse in a way. Part of me hopes that I turn eighteen and she can break through the magic. If not…”“You’ll be disappointed?”Humming, I watched the tips of the fire lick the night sky. It didn’t so much crackle as roar, but at the very top, it was easy to get lost in it. The way the darkness behind it seemed to make the fire look surreal.“I don’t think disappointed is the word for it. Maybe? I don’t know. I just…there are only a
Caspian growled low, probably hearing my whisper. Pinning me to my spot, I watched as he stalked forward. Everything around me disappeared. As though it blurred out of focus. There was only him. He was the only thing in my view, in my world, at this moment.My heart threatened to burst out of my chest and leave me behind. Tears of all the emotions running through me fell, even without me daring to blink. All the worry and stress and fear and doubt that had been running through me. Now all turning to complete joy and elation. Flipping back to worry but then happiness. I was a mess. Yet, he still stepped closer.He stopped close enough to where I could reach out and touch him. I don’t know why I didn’t. I wanted to, but I worried that this all wasn’t real either. It didn’t feel real. Neither of us broke eye contact. His shoulders rose and fell with how fast he was breathing as well. What did I do now? No one said what you do at this point. No one prepared me for this.Slowly, after a lo
Alpha Damian’s eyes widened as there was a murmur that rippled through the pack. He growled, silencing everyone. Luna Ember looked absolutely livid at me and I had never seen her face twist that way. Never had she looked at me like that. It was so much that it felt like maybe she hated me from the beginning. That everything had been a lie. Even me thinking that she was helping me out of guilt for everything they had done.“Winter Cyprus, you have no proof of your accusations. How dare you try to pin things on me that…”I shook my head, cutting him off. “I am proof of that. I am the minor who you performed forbidden magic on. I was supposed to receive my wolf when I shifted. Even if I didn’t, I should have received my wolf tonight.”“You are broken, then.” Luna Ember spoke up. “You do not get to pin the fact that you don’t have a wolf on your Alpha, child.”Caspian wanted to step up to defend me, but I tightened my hold on his hand and held him back.“Except that forbidden magic leaves
I stood next to Gamma Maddox. We were both in the rear of the room, by the fireplace. I’d never seen this many people inside the Alpha’s office before. It was a miracle that we even fit. There was also a clear line drawn in the room itself. All four Councilors were in the room, but they were standing in front of Alpha Damian’s desk at the moment. Being the line that was drawn between our two sides.Caspian was off to the side by the windows, his eyes glancing at me every so often. I gave him a small smile when I caught him. Mr. Anderson and Principal Miles were here as well, both sitting on the couch. Mrs. St James was standing behind an empty chair, but Mr. St James had taken Krista and Dee home. All of them were mulling about on this side of the room.On the other side, were Caleb and Hannah. Both of them argued in hushed tones every so often but I didn’t think it was about this with how Luna Ember glared at them when they did. She was standing right behind Alpha Damian, who was sit
“Winter.”I groaned, shaking my head. “Five more hours.”The deep chuckle resonated through me, and I felt a hand brush my cheek. “As much as I would like to give it to you, we need to meet everyone at six.”“Who chose the time so early when the entire pack was out until one in the morning?”“You did, my sweet little mate. You chose the time. Also, I don’t think anyone outside of us were up past one. I think we might have killed the party and everyone went home early.”Chuckling, I peeled my eyes open. “Maybe that’s what we will be known for; party killing.”“I think we need to ruin a few more before we usurp Mad from that title.” Caspian smiled.“For someone telling me we need to get up, you haven’t even gotten out of the blankets yet, Mr. Mate.”His eyebrow rose. “Mr. Mate? How dare you.”Leaning over, he kissed me. It felt so incredible and I leaned into it. He, however, pulled back too quickly. Shaking his head, Caspian got out of bed and stretched. I enjoyed him shirtless, but he
I felt giddy as I watched the police move forward. Mr. Vaughn also went with them. One of the police was actually the head of the police for our main town. I knew he was called specifically because Caleb would probably fight this. However, this wasn’t a matter that leadership could take care of. This was all legal.“Anyone bring popcorn?”I chuckled, glancing at Maddox who was pulling a shirt of his head. “No. I’m not trying to make a spectacle out of this.”“Too bad. I brought some, but I need a microwave.”For a moment I thought he was joking until he held up a packet of microwave popcorn. I laughed, letting all the tension out of my body. He smiled and I didn’t realize how much I needed that. It was interesting because even though he joked, Maddox was still what I considered his normal self. Personally, I liked this better. It felt more like him, rather than the facade he put on.“Here they go.”The chief knocked hard on the door, and I sucked in a breath. Grabbing Caspian’s hand,
‘Your mate thinks you’re mad at her.’Ignoring Onan, I stormed into the store. Grabbing a few things here and there, I tossed everything into my cart. Wrinkling my nose, I grabbed pasta and some chicken thighs. I knew Winter’s tomatoes were ripe, so she could use them and make a full pasta dish with this. We also already had spinach so that would be fine.“Alpha!”My eyes shut for a moment before I turned around. “Beta.”“You doing alright? You like a little…” I waited to see if he wouldn’t finish his sentence. “…pissed?”Running my hands through my hair, I smiled a little too wide. “I’m fine, Dee. Is there something you needed?”“No. Just wondering…” He glanced at my cart. “…when you were coming back to training. Luna has been coming three times a week lately and I feel like it might be a bit much. You guys seemed to swap schedules. Everything okay?”“Yeah. Good. You’ll have to ask Winter what’s going on.”Dee pursed his lips. “I tried to get Krista to talk to her. She and Jackson are
*** Caspian’s POV *** I winced as I heard a bottle shatter in the kitchen. Standing up from my lean, I looked out through the glass door. Shaking my head, I slipped the parchment paper in between the pages of the book I was currently translating. Walking around my desk, I opened up the door, the seal breaking as the door opened.It really was amazing how soundproof Winter had made my office. Castiel was standing in the kitchen next to his sister, crying. Shyla was about to cry, her hands holding onto her dress tightly. The whole house now smelled like cherries and a hint of vodka. Winter was kneeled down, quickly wiping up the glass from the floor.My mate looked up at me and I could see a smile playing on her lips. It wasn’t serious and it looked like no one had been hurt. Clearing my throat, the two of the turned and I raised my eyebrow. That’s all it took. Shyla dissolved into tears and Castiel held onto her dress, crying with her.‘He’s crying in solidarity.’ Kamari added and I w
Caspian chuckled, grabbing another chocolate donut from the box. “I have to meet with Alpha Bitters while you’re gone. What did you want me to say?”“That’s rude, Alpha.” Dee spoke with his mouth out. “Calling the wolf bitter.”“Dee!” Both Caspian and I called him out. “That’s his last name!”I turned back to Caspian, pinching the bridge of my nose and trying to ignore Dee’s sassier attitude since becoming Beta. “I would say, for now, that we have a potential mating option for his youngest. If that would be something he is open to. Rebecca doesn’t turn eighteen until next month. She’s also already set for remedial classes after school is done. So, it’s going to be a few months. I don’t want to set expectations, but I would like the option there.”The room quieted for a moment. Hannah and Caleb were found guilty. Their sentences were being served. However, it wasn’t something that the Council would tell us. Only that, they would not be coming back to pack. Rebecca was actually under Ca
“There would need to conditions.”I nodded.“You need to get your diploma. GED or graduate high school. That comes first.”I nodded again.“I will need to know how long you are leaving for, where you will be, who will be with you, as well as you calling me every night.”I nodded again.“We need to make sure that the pack is transitioned and that we are covered in case something did happen. I don’t want their Luna not being on territory making the pack feel uneasy.”Pressing my lips together, I fought to keep the smile taking over my face as I continued to nod.“One more thing, Winter. Before I agree to any this, you need to agree to this.”“What is it?” My heart pounded in my chest.He stared at me for a minute before a wicked grin filled his face. “You choose our Beta and Gamma.”My mouth dropped open. Onan roared in laughter and Kamari even snickered. Blinking at Caspian, he was smirking as his head cocked to the side. His eyebrow rose as he looked at me.“Agreed?” He held out his h
‘‘Winter…’I hummed and shook my head.‘Winter, you need to wake up. You’re worrying our mate.’‘Five more minutes, Mom.’The voice laughed. ‘Oh, Winter. I am not your mother.’My eyes flung open and I sat up. The head rush made me press my palm to my temple. Blinking, I looked around my room. Outside was completely dark and I didn’t see Caspian. The blankets had been pulled over me and I was tucked in. Groaning, I leaned forward and rubbed my eyes. Did I really pass out after sex? Was that a thing?‘It is. Especially when you do something like breaking a magical seal.’I sucked in my breath. Tears filled my eyes and covered my mouth. Choking out a sob, I squeezed my eyes shut.‘You…you are my wolf.’‘I am, Winter. I am Kamari.’Barking out laughing, I shook my head but I couldn’t stop the tears. Caspian threw open the door and took my head in my hands. He forced me to look at him as he searched my face. Tears continued to fall but I smiled.“She…she’s there.”Caspian’s eyes widened.
I felt myself reach out, but it was also being controlled by someone else. Together, we reached our arms out for Caspian. He surged forward, climbing onto the bed and into our arms. Wrapping around him, I pulled him into a kiss.“I love you.”He hummed, but it sounded more like a growl. After I leaned back to breathe, his lips pressed against my skin everywhere. My head crushed the pillow and I nearly screamed as his mouth found my nipple. I wasn’t new to touching my nipples for sexual pleasure, but nothing could prepare me for how it felt when he did. His tongue swirled around before Caspian took the stiff peak between his teeth.Spots fulled my vision and I shook, my chest rapidly rising and falling. Caspian’s head cocked to the side for a moment before he smiled. I was mortified. He’d simply touched my nipple and I’d climaxed.“Winter…did you…?”“Shut up. Please…don’t make this worse…”I squeaked when Caspian kissed down my stomach and nuzzled between my legs. My hands reached down
I walked up behind Caspian. He was staring at the pile that had been left after the fire. We decided to wait until we ordered a dumpster for the remodel to get rid of all of it. It felt weird to just leave the scorched remnants of all the painful memories out the back door. Still, it would be taken care of soon.There were a few people who decided to go out to dinner, but after everything, I took Caspian home. Mrs. St James brought over some food for us. I thanked her while I served us both a plate, Caspian didn’t touch it. I’d taken a shower, only to find him out here.“Cas?”He hummed, turning to me. His put his glasses back on, but not even the thick lenses could hide his pain. Reaching out, I laced my fingers between his. Lifting our hands, Caspian kissed the back of mine.“I’m sorry. I know I should be happy.”Shaking my head, I leaned it against his shoulder. “We won the war, but the cost was high. If you were dancing around, I think I would be more worried.”“I just…don’t under
Both of them were breathing heavily as they continued to match each other. The fight was dragging on and I winced when Damian landed his first real hit on Caspian. It was to the side of the head with his fist. Caspian had been expecting a kick, but at the last minute, Damian switched it up and his fist flew at an incredible speed. There were times that I could barely keep up with their movements.Caspian stumbled back, having to set his hand down on the ground for a moment as to not fall back. I felt myself coil up as Damian smirked. He didn’t say anything and there was barely a second taken before he launched into another attack. This didn’t throw Caspian off at all. Instead, when Damian got close enough, Caspian shifted into his wolf.Smiling, I was happy to see the sweet wolf who protected me against Galen a few months ago. I’d never realized it was him until much later. Until one of the times he left a note and raced off in wolf form.He didn’t stay a wolf long though. As Damian o
Over the next half hour, more and more of the pack filled the seats. I thought that Damian’s side would be packed to the brim but it was surprisingly more evenly split. I didn’t stand with the Councilors too long, instead, making my way back to everyone. As the arena got louder, I got quieter. Krista shot me smiles when she caught my gaze. Dee came over and put his hand on my head, keeping it there.Everyone hushed again and I thought maybe more of the other Councilors showed up. I was partially right. Councilor Morel and Councilor Dommik stepped in, followed by Damian, Ember, Caleb, Hannah, and Rebecca. We watched as Hannah and Rebecca headed up and took seats in the front row. Neither of them looked good. Dark circles, disheveled hair, and wrinkled clothes; it was my first time seeing either of them like so unkept.Damian, Ember and Caleb stayed down, walking over to the seats that were against the wall at ground level. All of them exuded anger. Councilor Morel and Councilor Dommik