‘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 ar
This was fine.This was okay.He wasn’t even really mad today.Nothing had forced him over the edge today.Today wouldn’t be bad.I could deal with this.I closed my eyes tighter as his boot pressed into my back. He leaned over and flicked ash from his cigarette on me. Dad never smoked in the house. Hannah hated when he smoked. She refused to let him in the house if he smelled like it. So he had other ways of getting his vice.“How did I get stuck with you? You useless wolf. I’m so glad that I had the forethought to bring Hannah into the mix.” His boot lifted off but connected with my side. “You really are the most useless thing. You were supposed to be a ‘great miracle’ that your mother begged me to take care of.”Curling up into a ball, I reached up and held onto the only thing left of my mother’s. Her locket never left my neck. It was the one thing that survived. Outside of me. I survived. All I did was survive.My muscles tightened as the cigarette butt burned into my skin under my
“Correct.” I sighed. “I have my own homework to do. If you did yours, then maybe you wouldn’t be failing.”With how she carried herself, you would think that Rebecca was the oldest. She was a bully and the true delinquent in the family. However, she was three months younger than I was. Hanna, my mother’s younger sister, had her three months after I was born. When the news broke, the scandal nearly tore two packs apart.Our pack, Dawn Claw, was neighbors with another pack. Usually packs didn’t stay too close to one other but there was the huge river between us. It was nearly a lake in certain places but the river was the territorial barrier. On the other side was the Moon Shadow pack. A lot of times, our packs were interwoven and wolves would find mates from either side of the river.Mother and Hannah had been from Dawn Claw, their father being the Gamma of the pack. Dad had been the second youngest son of Moon Shadow’s Beta. My mother and Dad were fated mates. So, since the position of
Slamming my locker shut, I glared at my best friend, Krista. “What do you want?”“Maybe…it would be your face on Friday?”“Absolutely not.” I walked past her.Krista had been by my side since we were eleven. Her family had been part of the Moon Shadow pack before it was absorbed into our pack. They weren’t leadership but they were one of the original founding families. Alpha Damian, and his father before him, made sure that when the packs were combined that many of the families were given similar status.She transferred into our school when we started Middle School and somehow I became her best friend. I had no control over it and I still didn’t. Krista was the one person who I could rely on no matter what and sometimes that got her in trouble. She’d run her mouth a little much and we’d both end up in deep shit.“But Winter, come on. Hunky Jackson is having a party at his house. Everyone is going. Everyone. And you can’t say everyone if you’re not going. I need my wingman! Wingwoman. W
Mrs. Cross’ desk had a ton of flowers and gifts on it. I smiled and pulled out a small little box from my backpack. Krista lugged in a box of diapers and slammed it down on her chair. Our last class of the day was Latin. Luckily, it wasn’t a block but it really wasn’t going to be a regular day anyways.When our teacher stepped into the class from the bathroom, her eyes were all puffy. Today was going to be her last day. Mrs. Cross said that it was just going to be for a little while and she would be back teaching but most of us knew better.“Mrs. Cross, where do we put gifts?” Lauren had a gift on her table as well.“Oh my, you guys…you didn’t have to. Really!”Krista snorted. “Too bad! Where do you want them?”The class laughed, except for Rebecca and her cronies in the corner of the classroom. Of course they didn’t bring anything but then you’d actually have to show up to class to get to know a teacher. Mrs. Cross had actually moved up with us over the years. She decided to finally t
I sat next to Krista in the high school office. She was smirking, her arms crossed over her chest, and her head leaned back against the wall behind us. Another one of our classmates came out of the office and winked at us before heading out. Principal Miles stood outside his door and motioned me in. Sighing, I got up and walked over to his office.“Well, this is the first time this year I’ve had you in my office.” Principal Miles sat down behind his desk. “I’d hope we didn’t need to do this until the official meeting at the end of the year.”Chuckling, I sat down across from him. “I mean, you know I love this office.”It was true. He’d turned his office into a bit of a dark academia vibe. The walls were painted a dark blue with gold accents everywhere. There were black bookshelves lining two of the four walls and most were filled with leather bound editions. He’d added in a few more mystical pieces to complete the look. Plus, his desk was a huge dark wood centerpiece that was intricate
My eyes fluttered open and I shivered. It was cold. Not freezing cold but way too cold to be wearing just a shirt. Slowly, I pushed myself off the floor of the shed. Everything protested the movement. All my muscles were locked up and I felt sore everywhere. It was still dark outside and I couldn’t hear anything but the wind whistling through the trees.Pushing on the door, it was still locked. It was probably too early for the door to be opened or my dad intended on leaving me in here all day. Not that it would be a first but I really didn’t want to miss an entire day of school.Grabbing one of the thin sheets of metal that had been used to patch the roof of the shed, I stuck it right under the lock. It wasn’t a key lock but a latch that swung into a latch to lock it in place. With some effort and enough finagling, I managed to tap it so it swung up and around. The door opened and the cold wind sent goosebumps rushing over my body.They did say a storm was going to roll in today. It d
My alarm went off and I groaned. Getting up, I hit the alarm and rubbed my eyes. I sat up from the chase lounge and stretched. For some reason, I felt even more locked up and in pain than before. I grabbed my backup backpack and everything I needed for the day. It was a serious debate whether or not I wanted to just sleep in and not show up to Statistics.In seventh grade, one of the times it got particularly bad, the older librarian who worked here gave me a key to an unused office. It had some old books that were needing to get donated but other than that, the space wasn’t used. Over the years, I made it into a mini version of Principal Miles office. A safe haven away from my house.The walls were a dark green with silver accents. My bookshelves were also black but these shelves held my own collection of books. After I brought home books and woke up the next day to them being trashed or burned, I stopped bringing home anything other than textbooks. Instead, I filled my little office.
‘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 ar
*** 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