The air hung heavy in the room as the meeting concluded. Darius, his mind racing with the weight of decisions, dismissed his beta, Prius, and third in command. There were plans to be made, but they had to wait for now.Turning his attention to Michael, Darius's voice softened, "Ensure Annie's well-being. Food, clothing, and a check-up. She'll be officially welcomed into the pack tomorrow, but today, she needs care." Annie head shoots to the Alpha direction, gratitude in her eyes, as she took in all the Alpha said. Michael stood, taking his mate with him and setting her down. With a quick nod to his Alpha he walks towards the office door.With Michael and Annie leaving the office, Prius hesitated, lingering behind. Ready to voice his concerns, he caught Darius's eyes. But before a word left his lips, the alpha raised a hand, a silent plea for a moment's reprieve."Not now, please, Prius," Darius uttered, his tone laced with defeat. The Alpha stood, his back to Prius while looking out
Carla cruised her Mustang along the outskirts of town, slowing down as they approached what resembled a roadside grill and bar. The exterior of the place painted a picture of warmth and welcome, with a sprawling porch adorned with fairy lights, enticing patrons to step inside. The wooden panels of the building displayed a mix of age and character, hinting at the stories hidden within its walls.A weathered wooden sign swung gently in the breeze, proudly displaying the name of the place: The Howler. Carla's grin widened as she noticed John's quizzical expression."I know, right?" she chuckled, gesturing towards the interior. "Sometimes, I surprise myself with the crap I come up with." She smirked, referring to the establishment's unique name. John couldn't help but see the humour in it; it was almost a mocking nod at Carla’s shifter nature.Parking at the back of the building, Carla explained, "We're going in from the back since we aren't opening for another couple of hours." The sun h
The air in the infirmary grew thick with tension as Darius pushed open the door and stepped into the room. The sterile scent of disinfectants hung in the air as Darius entered, the familiar surroundings doing little to soothe the uneasy knot in his stomach. His eyes immediately sought out Michael, his third-in - command, a silent inquiry etched in the furrow of his brows. The atmosphere intensified as Michael held up a picture, and a sudden exclamation from Prius, who had just walked in, filled the room."What the fuck," Prius exclaimed loudly, his eyes zeroing in on the image in Michael's hands.Darius's hand shot forward, taking hold of the photograph, his fingers tracing the outline of the mysterious figure. His brow furrowed, a storm of conflicting emotions playing across his face. "What's the meaning of this, Alpha?" Sera's voice, tinged with nervousness, cut through the charged atmosphere.Darius tore his gaze from the picture to meet Sera's eyes."This person," he said, snatching
Sera took a deep breath, preparing to reveal a crucial detail. "Jasper isn't born an ordinary lynx," she disclosed. "He's a hybrid—a mix of Warlock and lynx. Fearing he might be discovered and kidnapped, Blaine cast a spell on his own son, concealing Jasper's true nature and giving him the appearance of an ordinary human. The spell is designed to automatically lift during the Black Moon coinciding with his 18th birthday. By then, he should have been found by his mate, even if Jasper doesn't recognize them yet."She paused, eyes on the ceiling as if bracing herself for what was to come next. "Alpha, you mentioned he had shifted already, and the only reason for that is because he was in grave danger."Silence engulfed the room; Darius started pacing, both hands buried in his hair. Sensing his distress, Prius walked up to the Alpha, pulling him to a stop by his shoulder and facing him. "We will find him, Darius," the Beta reassured.Noticing Darius's agitation, Sera stepped closer, lockin
In just over a week, John's life underwent a significant transformation when he crossed paths with Carla and reunited with his childhood friend, Luke, in the vibrant atmosphere of "The Howler"—a place now feeling like the home he had always sought. Thriving in his role as a waiter, the hustle and bustle, combined with the genuine satisfaction of serving customers, made the job more than just a source of income.For the first time, John had a place to call his own. Although old, it wasn't just any accommodation; it was a gift from Carla, a testament to her generosity. Inside the cozy trailer at the back of The Howler, the modest furniture exuded warmth, turning the place into a true home. A well-worn recliner, strategically positioned near a small window, served as John's favorite reading nook. Fairy lights adorned the edges, casting a gentle evening ambiance. The scent of a vanilla-scented candle often wafted through the air, creating comfort after a long day at the bar.Shelves showca
The music pulsed through the club, the bass reverberating in sync with the lively energy of the crowd. Carla, orchestrating the night from their corner table, kept the drinks flowing with abandon. Suddenly, she jumped up, pulling John to his feet with a mischievous grin. "Let's hit the floor, you loser. I need to get laid!" she declared with unabashed audacity. Luke and Carla burst into laughter, leaving John looking around, thoroughly embarrassed.Following Carla onto the dance floor, John found himself at the centre of Carla's exuberant antics. She playfully rubbed herself all over him, reveling in the embarrassment etched on the young man's face. "You are too easy, John!" she exclaimed between laughs, her contagious joy spreading to those around them. "More drinks!" she shouted, leaving the two men on the dance floor as she manoeuvred through the crowded club to the bar.John shook his head, watching Carla disappear into the pulsating crowd. He turned to find Luke, only to feel a h
Darius wandered through the empty room, the bed untouched like the day John had entered. John's once-familiar scent, a comforting blend of warmth and familiarity, had dissipated, leaving the room smelling of furniture and lingering dust.Despite numerous returns, each visit emphasized the harsh reality of John's absence. The T-shirt Darius had lent him lay abandoned in the adjacent bathroom, devoid of any lingering scent, and the room echoed with a silent void.Darius's bear, frustrated with the futility of the search within the enclosed space, guided him back to where they first encountered John. Yet even there, John's presence had entirely vanished.Leaning against the closed bedroom door, Darius, eyes closed, grappled with the inherent struggles of his failure; to date, they hadn't located John. Although they knew he had escaped Lex’s men, neither Michael nor Fez had found any trace of him. The Alpha bear clutched at his shirt just above his heart, questioning how he could have been
Prius’ head shot to the side in surprise, leaving him breathless as he gazed at the man standing before him. 'Jasper!' he shouted, momentarily forgetting about Luke as he swiftly moved to grab John, pulling him into a tight hug.Pushing the young man back to ensure it was really him, Prius exclaimed, 'We searched far and wide for you. Come.' He turned around, starting to pull John along.'Hold on a sec,' Carla interjected, placing a hand on her brother's chest. 'Not so fast. What's the meaning of all this, brother? And why did you just call him Jasper?' she questioned.'Oh, Carla, I don’t have time for this. We have to go see Darius. It is important,' Prius insisted, continuing to step around his sister and pulling John with him. 'We'll explain everything once we're in his office.'John suddenly pulled his hand away from Prius' grip, noticing Luke's pained expression at Prius' actions. Observing the anguish on his friend's face, John's anger surged. "How could Prius do this to his ow