Chapter 24 – Alpha Lace “Thank you for making me accept this request.” I whisper to Ariven as we cuddle in bed, the television playing some gaming channel on YouTube that Ariven watches while I doze on his chest, his hands gently rubbing circles on my back. An hour has gone by since the bond broke between Mika and I, pack mates coming to inform me that he is still outside waiting for me to come and talk. For him to apologize for the years of hurt he has given me. I just tell them to make sure that his pack stays away for the wolf to grieve and that no one attacks him. It’s the basic thing I can do for Mika considering our history and lack of animosity he has shown on this trip. “You don’t have to thank me. I tricked and betrayed your trust to get you here.” Ariven answers and I smile, planting a kiss over his heart and snuggling closer to the man below me. This reaction gives me a deep chuckle in response, his own light kiss being placed on my forehead

Chapter 26 – Memories “Geminie, are you okay in there?” Ariven’s voice calls out but I stay silent. Sitting on the floor in the bath tub I allow the warm water to fall onto my shivering body from the shower above. I feel cold, not from the warm air but from the fear still coursing through me. All I can think about is my fourteenth birthday, a day that killed the innocence inside me. The water stops and strong arms lift me from my siting position wrapping me in a large soft and fluffy towel and Ariven’s scent fills me. “It’s okay darling. No one can hurt you.” He whispers, his hands slowly rubbing my back. We sit on the bathroom floor, my body shaking while clinging to his now damp shirt, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. Ice blue eyes hunt my mind, eyes that help pleasure and greed inside them. “No one can hurt you Geminie, not with me here.” Ariven reassures, tucking my head under his chin not caring for my dripping hair. F

Chapter 28 – Unexpected Hot Training "I think you're trying to kill us!" A she wolf calls out looking over my shoulder I spy a petite brunet trying her best to keep up with me, her face flushed with exhaustion. I search through my memories and finally place her as Lena, a she wolf who’s mother was the second of command to the Trackers in the pack. I remembered the days she would push me into lockers, down stairs and ruin my homework. She caused many headaches and is the reason why I had to make duplicates of my work. I huff out a breath, wanting to get a bit of petty revenge and pretend to ignore her, picking up speed and making sure she stayed just far enough behind. “I…I’m s…sorry Gem..inie.” She huffs out, the strain evident in her voice. She manages to keep up with me, my indifference falling as my ears are pointed in her direction. Slowing down my pace, I allow the she-wolf to catch her breath while my pack mates call out through the link that some

Chapter 30 – Hot Spring Catch-Up Fingers drawing soft circles on my skin wakes me from my deep sleep, my naked body pressed against another, their scent wrapping around me, making me feel safe and secured. I sigh happily, snuggling closer to Ariven as he chuckles, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. “Good morning Darling.” He whispers, his hand moving from drawing circles on my skin to running through my hair. “Good morning Handsome.” I reply with a yawn, opening my eyes to find my mate staring back at me. The early morning breeze brings the scent of wildflowers to me, reminding me that we spent the last week hidden away from my wolves and Hidden Claws lost in the pleasure the heat brought. My body is sore, my neck slightly throbbing from being teased and bitten where my mark is as Ariven and I claimed each other day after day. The hunger the heat brought on felt stronger than ones experienced in the past and the only theory I have is b

Chapter 32 – A Fiery Introduction "You sure she is coming?" Lace asks as her, Mika, Ariven and I relax on the steps to the pack house. I roll my eyes, leaning into Ariven and yawning. Since realizing that Lupus wants me for some unknown reason nightmares have been plaguing me. “Geminie is nothing if not punctually late. She also keeps her promises and promised me she would be here today.” My response is lazy, not caring to explain how Geminie operates considering she is one wolf that scares me some days. Being a trained Tracker and Alpha as well, Geminie has been my best friend and confident when I needed some advice. As well as being a fellow rejected, she understood the pain I went through for the last three years. Ariven’s arms tighten around me, pulling me closer to him as his lips place a gentle kiss on top of my head. I smile, the sparks from our mate bond tingling along my skin. “How will we know she is here?” Mika grinds out, hi