The puzzle pieces are starting to come together! Thank you for reading! -JNS <3
DARIUS POV Aurelian left the seven of us feeling a little awkward, to say the least. “Can I make a suggestion?” Saph asks the group. Her messy bun was titling to the side. Her features were much softer compared to Daya, which suits her bohemian aesthetic. We all nod our heads and I gesture my hand to Saph, telling her she has the floor to speak her mind. “It has been very hectic the last couple of weeks. And seeing how we all are going to be family, how about a family dinner tonight?” She patiently scans the room, and her eyes were open wide with hope and optimism. Her hands clasped together at her chest. I already knew my answer. How could I say no to that request? “Oh, that sounds like a perfect idea, Saph! I’ll help cook. Is everyone okay with pasta?” Pearl chirps. I could see her energy immediately shifting to more upbeat at Saph’s suggestion. “I mean, we all have to eat anyway. Why not make it a family dinner? Get to know our future brother a little better
DAYA POV A group of us continue trudging through the dense woods outside the Running River territory. Giant trees, with large branches, overgrown grass, and thick fog, make traveling slow and dangerous. I can’t see more than five feet in front of me. My paws are tender and sore from the thick forest floor, covered in rocks and roots. We have been combing this area for a week. Aurelian got information from Justin on the description of the hideout for The Underground. Unfortunately, Justin passed out from blood loss, and Darius doesn’t want him dead yet. Aurelian has left him alone for now. Darius didn’t want me out here. He knows I’m hurting without Sage; there has been no sign of her. But the pack needs me. And he knows me well enough now that he can’t get me to change my mind once it’s made. Pearl is helping lead the search. For being only eighteen years old, she’s an incredible tracker. She is working alongside Lucas, who is also an accomplished tracker, and Carlo. E
DARIUS POV It took us two days to make it back to Running River Territory. Daya hasn’t mentioned Bram’s note since we left the hideout location. I know she is shaken up. Everything Daya has done in her life has been for the safety and protection of her sisters. The thought of Bram harming her, or her sisters, has me seething. I walk up to my cottage, wishing I had Daya walking beside me. She took Pearl back to her apartment. They both wanted to check in with their other three sisters. When I watch Daya with her sisters, I feel a mix of emotions. It makes me happy to see Daya reconnecting with her sisters. They bring out a softer, yet still protective nature, in her. I also feel jealousy towards her at times. I would give anything to have Calvin here for one more day. I miss him so much it hurts. Seeing Daya with her sisters reminds me I’ll never have my brother by my side. I think that’s why I’ve accepted our mate bond more easily compared to Daya. I’ve been alone for so l
DAYA POV “You’re gonna have to do better than that, Ames!” I taunt Amy as I bounce on my toes. She pushes herself off the ground and wipes dirt off her face. “You didn’t think about pairing me up with someone remotely closer to my size?” Amy asks as she gets back into her fighting stance. “Look around, Ames. There are no toddlers at warrior training,” Emmy teases as she spars with Saph. Pearl is off to the side sparring with Leslie. “Fuck you, Emmy! At least I can run without my tits hitting me in the face!” Amy shouts back with her hands on her hips. “Goddess, will you two stop bickering? You’re both acting like toddlers. We are here to train, can you focus?” Saph asks in a frustrated tone. She takes advantage of the break to redo her hair up into her trademark lopsided bun. “Just pin them against each other, Dye. Let them take out their aggression on each other,” Pearl calls out as she blocks a kick from Leslie. “That’s not a bad idea. Saph! Switch with Amy.
DARIUS POV I’m buttoning up a black dress shirt as I hear the shower turn off. I peer into the bathroom and see Daya’s reflection in the mirror as she steps out of the shower. Her tan and muscular body is still wet. I catch a glimpse of her perfect ass before she wraps a towel around her naked form. Damn it! I look down and I’m already hard just from looking at her. I haven’t admitted this to Daya, but since she marked me, my desire to have sex, and bury myself deep inside her, has skyrocketed. We have been having plenty of sex now that she moved in, but I’m always hungry for more. It feels so good to have her next to me every night. It seems so natural for us. I don’t know what changed for Daya, but she has been more open with me. I’m hesitant to bring up the conversation of marking her. I don’t want to scare her and risk all the progress our relationship has made. She steps out of the bathroom and rakes her eyes over me. I don’t know if she did it on purpose, but she li
DAYA POV Justin’s trial created a ripple effect of change over the next week. Darius meant it when he told his pack things needed to change. He took a suggestion from me and Aurelian that all pack members should receive basic training in the event of future attacks. Of course, not everyone will be on the warrior squad, but Darius agreed that every pack member should have basic fighting skills for whenever Bram, or rogues, attack again. But that’s not all that has changed, Darius announced that he wants to increase security measures. He wants to create a tech team to bring Running River Pack into the twenty-first century. This pack is definitely more of a blue-collar, get-your-hands-dirty, type of pack. Which is great and all. But there is so much technology available that can better protect everyone and alleviate the strain on the warriors who run patrols. Warrior training has just wrapped up for the day and we are all making our way over to the packhouse for another all-p
DARIUS POV As my pack members’ voices filled the outdoor space with cheers and applause, I could feel through the bond that Daya was not sharing in their feelings of excitement. I sensed her emotions were pinging between shock, annoyance, hesitation, uncertainty, and anger. Yea. I should have spoken to her about this beforehand. There wasn’t time. A few young kids ran up to us. One small girl took Daya’s hand. Little Phoebe is only five years old, with wavy black hair and big brown eyes that are almost too big for her head. She looks like a cartoon character. Daya looks down at this small girl. “I can’t wait to have a Luna. Especially one as pretty and brave as you. I’m going to be a warrior when I get older too!” Phoebe flexes her small arms, which are void of any muscle tone. And she grits her teeth together and lets out a growl, or what I think was supposed to be a growl. I can’t help but smile at her cuteness. I feel Daya’s emotions change through the bond. Gratitude
DAYA POV One minute, I’m hitting a punching bag, imagining it’s Darius’ face. The next, I’m letting him mark me. I have no regrets. The moment Darius’ teeth connected with my skin I felt our bond snap together. I saw his entire life flash before my eyes. I saw all that he has lost. I felt all his pain. I finally understand why my parents never resented the Moon Goddess for the plague. I can feel every emotion Darius has. I know him. He knows me. Being this connected to another person is scary, and exhilarating. I haven’t heard anyone talk about these things with a chosen mate bond. Nobody has mentioned the sparks and tingles every time their chosen mate touches them…kisses them. And I’ve never heard anyone talk about absorbing their chosen mate’s memories when they complete their bond. I used to think werewolves were superior to humans because of our enhanced senses, our strength, and speed. And, yea, obviously, the whole shifting into a majestic animal is in