SKYLA. A short while later, I stretch as the music begins playing. There’s another break before the final round and it gives them time to heal. That’s why these games are the best. These fighters could go for hours and duel it out. I stand up, “Alright, you guys get the table and stuff cleared up and I’m going to go make us hot drinks so we can have some doughnuts. One box belongs to me and me alone.” I declare. “Hah you wish, you’re the shortest and smallest here, so you get the least share.” Theo shoots back as I gather the plates. No, I’m not. Let me shift to my Lycan form and I’ll tell you who’s the biggest. “Ass” I counter before carrying the plates out, glancing at Malevolent, who is sleeping beside Royce. I scrape the food off the plates, emptying them into the bin before placing them in the sink. Washing up is one of the rare jobs I actually don’t mind. I find it oddly therapeutic at times. If I’m in the mood, otherwise nah. Hearing footsteps, I turn to see Renji and Ro

ROYCE. Sick of this family, I stand up.“Excuse me.”“Royce!” Dad snarls.“What do you mean by that, Royce?” Mom asks sharply.“Why don’t you ask your mate and favourite son exactly what they’re up to?” I growl. “Come on Charlotte, I’ll buy you some takeout.”Charlotte jumps up.“Ok.”“Sit down.” Dad snarls at her before his gaze turns to me. “The both of you!”She hesitates, glancing at me as I wait for her, before Mom takes hold of her wrist, forcing her to sit down, a pleading expression in her eyes.I shake my head and storm out of the dining hall.Dad shouts at me to stop, but I can’t.I’ve had enough.Walking down the hallway, I frown, lost in my thoughts.Just thinking about Skyla saying she felt sick and tired. Why do I feel Aleric did something?For how long do I stay silent, when I know they are hurting those important to me.Mom, Charlotte, Sky…Fuck…I look at the gold-framed portraits of the past Alphas of this pack, each one proud and powerful.The similarities between

SKYLA. I shut the door after he leaves and I lean against the wall, resting my head back. I’m unable to wipe this stupid smile off my face. Royce Arden… My stomach does a flip, and my smile vanishes. I’m falling for him… even if he isn’t Reign… I’m somehow falling for him, which means… I’m going to have to tell Aleric… I’m so fucked up… “Sky! If you’re done flirting, do you want to actually come and watch?” Jayce calls. “I’m not flirting. He’s gone.” I say, rolling my eyes and heading to my bedroom, I quickly change out of my dirty clothes. I wipe my face and neck, my heart skipping a beat as I remember how his hands had run along my throat… Fuck… I close my eyes, holding my shirt against my neck, as I inhale deeply. His scent lingers… “Fuck, that one must have hurt!” Ares curses, snapping me from my thoughts. Tossing my clothes in my washing hamper, I head to the lounge. I’ll shower later… I don’t mind his scent lingering on me a little longer, even if I do feel a little st

SKYLA. Then Sky fucking grab her and run! But I know that I won’t outrun it… I’m barely standing… The rain continues to pour down; the darkness becomes visible, almost like smoke and soon all I can see is just me and the snake in a cloud of darkness. ‘Daughter of Selene…’ The voice seems to come from all around me. Chilling, powerful, and pure evil… I scan the area. Where is that voice coming from? My plum eyes snap back to the snake, my heart thudding loudly. That intelligent look has returned, and I wonder… Can it speak or is something controlling it? My mind returns to Kataleya’s words. Apophis… I stare at the snake, avoiding looking at its bloody mutilated eye as its body flicker in and out of my vision. I don’t know how it’s doing that disappearing act, but I should be more focused on the fact it can fucking speak and not that it’s got some wacky magician tricks. “Servant of Apophis…” I counter, making sure to keep my voice strong and powerful. I keep my gaze locke

ROYCE. “What happened? The King will have my head! That thing was in my territory! I should have been alerted!” Prescott mutters, visibly panicking as a group of doctors rush to Skyla’s side the moment I place her down. Charlotte’s coat covering her. One of the guards who had accompanied me from the entrance of the hospital now passes me some sweatpants and I pull them on quickly, looking down at her. The beautiful goddess is in pain. I can see it on her face and the way her body is trembling ever so slightly. The venom of the snake shuts down the body, and depending on how much venom the person is exposed to, their death can be fast or can take up to a few days. Those who we know have been poisoned are healed before the venom can kill them. Skyla had been inside of him. Even if it was for a few seconds, she has still been exposed to an extreme level of venom and I had felt her body beginning to shut down. “She’s so cold…” I’ve frozen her somewhat, to slow the spread of the pois