Elias Any worry that lingers in my mind around the pack, around the ceremony, it all dissipates the moment my lips touch Amy's. The heat of her rushes through me and with it, a new resolve: I won't give her up, no matter what. That promise carries me into the kiss, but soon, even that thought fades away. The softness of Amy's lips and the warmth of her tongue make me feel as if nothing else exists. All I know is, I want her. I pull her close, and the pain of my wounds melts away, replaced by the heat that flows between us. I feel the rise of her breasts pressed against me, the curve of her back where my hand presses her close. I feel her hair where it falls to brush my cheek, and the softness of her hand where it lays against my chest. I feel an overwhelming rush of love for her as we kiss, deeply, longingly. Soon, my hands travel down her body -- one comes to rest on the curve of her ass while the other caresses her thighs. She's wearing a dress today and it doesn't take long for

Elias "I'll be back soon, I promise," I tell Amy the next morning. My hands rest gently on her waist with a new familiarity, and despite the heaviness of what I'm about to do, I still feel a thrill of excitement in my chest as I lean forward to kiss her goodbye. "Just please be careful," she tells me, worry etched in the lines that crease softly at her brow. "I don't want anything to happen to you." "I'll be okay," I reassure her, though I don't know if I quite believe my own words. She seems to realise this too, but by now there's nothing else to say. We give each other one last look before I open the door and step out of her home. I hope my brother will be the ally I need him to be. I make my way to Damien's house, heavy with the weight of the conversation I'm about to have. I know him, know his faults and his qualities, and above all, I know how seriously he takes his role as pack Alpha. I only hope he'll do what's right, rather than what's easy. The weight of the pack is hea

Elias 

Elias I can feel my father's eyes still boring into my back as I wait for Damien to begin the ceremony, and it takes everything I have not to turn around and confront him right then and there. But I know this needs to be approached methodically. Instead, I concentrate on Damien as he begins the ritual. The pack are all doing the same now, anticipation hanging in the air. As Damian begins the true mate ceremony, his eyes meet mine with an almost imperceptible nod. It's a nod of approval and for a moment I feel sorry for what I'm about to do. "This is the completion of the ritual that has bound our clan for centuries," Damian announces, his gaze lingering on me for a moment, as if to drive the point home. "The five men who will partake in tonight's ritual have already offered their human sides to their future mates. Tonight, they will offer their wolf sides as well." I give him a look that I hope includes an apology as I follow Seth, Max, Adrian, and Sebastian toward the altar. My h

EliasMy father snarls, the black and silver coat of his wolf standing up as he faces me with vioelnce in his eyes. It's not the first time I've seen my father turn against a family member -- this sort of display was rife throughout my childhood. But it's the first time he's turned on me."Dad, what are you doing?" I ask, but it's more a warning than a question.Even through mindlink though, he remains silent, the only answer is the growl that emanates from the back of his throat.I can feel my own wolf beginning to rise in me, the instincive need to protect myself, my pack, and my mate. And there's something else in me. A lifelong anger, a resentment against the man who raised me at the same time as trying to break me. This has been a long time coming."You think you can scare me?" I ask, taking a step forward to shield Amy from the wolf that is my father."It's too late dad. It's over."Again, my father doesn't respond with words, but his growl reaches a higher pitch, a sound I know