***POV: Cole***Last night was incredible. We stayed within her careful parameters and didn’t have sex, but we did so much. We spent the night in and out of the water, giving and taking of each other. I have never experienced a woman in this way. Amara is so unashamedly sexy, it’s like her body is speaking to mine on a primal level. I lay in my bed, recognizing that I should get up and make coffee, but enjoying laying there still smelling her on my skin. We had finished our evening of mutual worship in the outdoor shower by the barns and had taken a little more even after getting clean.I know last night she drank quite a bit. I know her inhibitions were lowered, but she knew what she was doing. I wonder how she will feel about it all in the light of day. If she ends up regretting last night, I am not sure how I will even go about processing that.I kick my legs over the side of the bed and propel myself towards the kitchen and the much-needed caffeine. I look forward to our morning c
***POV:Amara***Well now I’ve done it. I am standing in front of Cole and Imogen, fully wolfed out, trying to gauge their reactions. They are staring at me, mouths open, eyes wide. Not only did they just witness a human shift into a wolf, but with the Alpha blood running through my veins, I was not just your average werewolf. As I towered over them, Cole approached me and sank his hands into my fur, petting me of all things. It felt… good.I walked away from them and back to the tree line, behind a massive oak and shifted back. “Imogen, those clothes would be great right now if you don’t mind.” I called out from behind the tree.“Oh yeah, uh sure.” She said, obviously trying to compose herself. I hear her quick steps jogging away.“Cole?” I call out to him. I don’t really have anything specific to say, I just need to know he is still here, with me.“Yeah?” He responds quickly, but his monosyllabic response gives nothing away.“Are we good?” I ask tentatively.“Yeah, I just need a minu
***POV:Cyrus***It’s been weeks since the little pissing contest Trent and I had in my apartment. I was worried about him before, but now he has come completely unhinged. I fear for the safety of everyone within his grasp, but I am especially worried about Violet. Trent and his father aren’t stupid, they know our relationship is getting more and more serious and one of us will ultimately have to make the choice of changing packs. I am fully in love with Violet, it just happens to be a bonus that mating with her would give me the opportunity to switch packs. There is no way in hell I would allow her to join mine. This shit is beyond fucked.Trent and Heather completed their mating ceremony, both private and public, with all the ceremonial fanfare befitting a future Alpha. She marked him, but he can not mark her until she gives birth. Since all that went down, it has been a rollercoaster of power moves between them. Heather, trying to take on the role of Luna, supported by her father, e
***POV:Violet***As I stand there naked and breathless in front of Cyrus, I can hardly believe what just happened. Did he actually propose, and I said yes? I mean I guess it was more of him stating facts but if I feel the same, what’s the issue?“Violet, come back. I can see the wheels turning in your head. The smoke is literally coming out of your ears.” He wraps his arms around me and places a soft kiss on my forehead. “Listen to me carefully. That was not a proposal –““Oh no, I know, I don’t know what came over me!” This is so humiliating, what was I thinking?“Let me finish.” He grins at me, peppering soft kisses all over my face. “It wasn’t a proposal, because I would have definitely done it better my love. I am all in when it comes to you, so if you want to accept that declaration of my thoughts and feelings as a proposal, I am all in. You are it for me Violet.”My breathing slows down. He is all in. I wrap my hands around the back of his neck and bring him down to me for a dee
***POV:Cole***After Amara unveiled her wolf to us, between her, Imogen and I decided to tell our parents that there was a strong possibility that Lauryn and Julian’s parents were alive and well. We did not share the supernatural side of things, but we all readily agreed that we need to take them to the colony if there is even a chance. We didn’t tell them why they were going, not wanting to get their hopes up. There was so much to wrap my head around. All these feelings that I have for Amara, the truth bomb that she laid on us, going to where she is from and her mixed feelings about returning.I look around for her, wanting to talk through our plan and see what she wants to do exactly. It has been 2 days since she shifted for us, and she has really maintained her distance from me since. I have no idea what is going on in that beautiful head of hers. We are supposed to be heading out tomorrow. Our route right now takes us straight to where she had left her boat so that we can pick it
***POV:Amara***The last few days have been a flurry of activity trying to prepare to leave. Lauryn and Julian know they are coming with us, but to them it’s just a fun adventure they get to go on because they are the oldest. There are so many things that make me nervous about returning to the colony, but the one bright spot is knowing that a family will be reunited. I can not wait to be a part of that.I pack up a few of my things. I don’t really know why, but I can’t bring myself to pack everything. I walk back and forth between my bag and my things, not able to make up my mind about what to take. I love this place, this family and maybe even Cole. Everything about here feels like home. The weight of my responsibility is what is forcing me back, but right now it feels like I am giving up any chance at happiness in order to claim my birthright.“Hey.” I hear a soft voice belonging to Imogen and look towards my doorway to find her there studying me. “May I come in?”“Sure, of course.”
***POV:Amara***We set our bags out on the porch and Cole and Julian took them down to the boat for loading. Cole’s parents had helped me gather some seeds and small plants to take back to the colony to help diversify our crops, and those are set on the dock ready to go. It will be a cramped ride back to my boat, just hoping it is still there. We will know within a few hours of setting off from here.I have mostly kept my distance from Cole the last few days, trying to process everything, but I know that I am running hot and cold on him, and it isn’t fair. After speaking with Imogen, I am as torn as ever. I’m walking by the water’s edge for a bit. We are supposed to be leaving in a couple of hours, and I want to clear my head as much as possible before being trapped on a boat with him potentially all day, being close to him, smelling him, hearing his intoxicating voice.Maybe I should speak with him and clear the air a bit before we go. The arrival at the colony is already going to be
***POV:Cole***All loaded up, we say our goodbyes to my parents. I watch as Amara hugs them, tears in her eyes and thanks them for everything. She truly has become a part of this family these past few months, and I can see the pain in my parents’ faces as they say goodbye to her. She promises she will see them again, and they nod, and say that you never know, they may come to the colony one day too. The goodbye between my parents and Lauryn and Julian is different. My parents knew there was a good chance the kids would be reunited with their parents and wouldn’t be back, the kids had no clue and thought this was nothing more than an adventure.Lauryn and Julian said goodbye to the younger kids, who were deeply jealous not to be going on this trip. We got on the boat, waved goodbye and off we went. I followed the river out towards the marina that Amara had described. She had pointed out the area on a map and knowing that she had a solid head on her shoulders for directions, I trusted t