Jaxon's POVWhen I return downstairs, I find Melanie and Moon sitting on the couch across from Mom. Moon looks terrified as she clings tightly to her sister. I feel so bad for her, she probably has no idea what’s going on. I sit down beside Mom, and she begins speaking.“Melanie, Jaxon hasn’t given me many details as to why you need Moon to stay here. I do feel like it’s important we know what’s going on, especially if we’re going to be involved.”Melanie’s eyes dart towards me, seeking reassurance. I give her a subtle nod.Melanie’s teeth graze her bottom lip. “I understand why you are concerned. I…I just fear for her safety. My dad’s anger has been explosive lately, and I just don’t want my sister around that,” she explains, her voice shaky.I clench my fists. I know she isn’t telling the entire story. If he’s willing to kill her, that means he has no problem putting his hands on her or any of the girls in the house. All I want to do is hold Melanie and tell her everything will be ok
Mel’s POVI can’t believe what just happened. How can I kiss him and actually enjoy it? How can I actually feel desire for him—My rival, my enemy? Sure, I’m grateful he appointed me as his Beta, but he owes me that much. Maybe my dad would’ve considered me as his successor if his dad hadn’t died, leaving him the opportunity to swoop in.I quickly undress and head to the bathroom to wipe the makeup off my face and shower. The hot stings slightly against my skin, but I don’t mind. These days, nothing bothers me anymore. I just need to make it to the ceremony, then figure out how to keep Moon safe and away from our dad. As long as she’s protected, I don’t care what punishment he has planned for me.After I finish washing up and turn off the water, I grab the robe hanging on the wall hook and slip it on. The room feels cozy and warm—much more inviting than my own home has felt for years, thanks to my dad. I lie down and try to focus on falling asleep, staring at the clock on the wall. Ten
Mel's POVMorning birds are chirping as I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes. I feel a lot more relaxed thanks to last night’s…session. I throw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt from my bag, then go to wake Moon up for school. But as I walk towards Ava’s room, I notice her scent is faint. My heart clenches with dread. I fling open the door to find the bed empty. A menacing growl rumbles from my throat. Where is she? Did Dad find us and have his men take her away from me? “Moon? Moon!” I shout, running back downstairs, where her scent is stronger but still faint. She must have left hours ago. Jaxon, Elinda, and Ava’s scents are also weak. Are they in the dungeon, waiting to be punished or exiled because of me?Panic starts to cloud my mind as I burst through the front door. I immediately sense movement to my right and drop into a defensive stance. If Dad thinks he can send his men to ambush me, he’s terribly mistaken.But then I breathe as sigh of relief as Jaxon steps out of the f
Jaxon’s POVI stare out the window as Melanie drives toward the packhouse. There was no way I was letting her go alone, not when I know Alpha Damon’s intentions. Intentions I can’t tell her about until after the ceremony.It’s nice to be alone with her again. I can’t stop replaying last night’s events in my head. Not only did we kiss, but after I left, she pleasured herself thinking about me. Yep, I heard the whole thing. I forgot to mention that the guest room wasn’t soundproof because it used to be Ava’s room when she was a baby. She was our first “guest,” and I only remembered the lack of soundproofing when I heard her soft moans through the door. As I was about to knock, the sound of her screaming my name froze me in place.Should I bring it up? I want to tell her how hard it made my dick; how it took all my strength to resist throwing open the door and fucking her until she could barely walk.“You’re such a slow driver,” I comment, trying to hide my smirk. “We would have been ther
Jaxon's POVI shiver at the newly unsuppressed memory. That was the first time he made me watch him kill someone, but it wasn’t the last. As the years went by, he even forced me to participate, calling it a part of my “Alpha training.” I can only be grateful that he never made Melanie go through that.“Jaxon, you okay?” Melanie asks softly, ripping me from my thoughts.I clear my throat. “Of course. Let’s see what he wants.”We walk across the marble floor to his Alpha’s office. I knock softly on the door before entering. He sits in his brown leather armchair behind a massive desk. His cold gaze meets mine before shifting to Melanie behind me.“Melanie, you never returned home last night,” Alpha growls, clicking the pen in his hand with an irritated rhythm. “Where is your sister?”I sense her tense up, but she keeps her composure. “We’re staying at Bliss’s house for the week. I thought you and Mom would enjoy some time alone during your last week as Alpha,” she replies with a convincin
Mel’s POV“Jaxon!” Ava cries, running full speed into her big brother’s arms. He scoops her up and spins her around as they both grin and laugh. I ignore the warm feeling watching them spreads through my chest. I can’t deny that even though he’s an asshole, he’s an amazing big brother.I wait for Moon to come out of the building, but she doesn’t. Panic immediately surges through me. “Ava, where is my sister?” I ask, concealing my worry.Ava blinks up at me with wide, green eyes—the same beautiful shade as Jaxon’s. “She was crying when the bell rang, and Mrs. Jones told her to stay behind.”My heart sinks. What if her teacher calls our parents? That’s the last thing we need. I take off towards the building, shouting, “I’ll be right back!”The hallway seems longer than usual as I follow Moon’s scent into the classroom. Mrs. Jones sits at her desk, while Moon sits across from her sobbing into her hands. As soon as she sees me, Mom runs over and throws her arms around me. My heart twists a
Mel's POVWe pull into the parking lot, and I find a spot right in front. The girls run ahead of us toward the playground. Jaxon joins me on the bench, where we can keep a watchful eye on them while they play. Their laughter and joy fill the air, a stark contrast to the tension between Jaxon and me.“So…you still hate me, huh?” he asks, his voice dripping with amusement. He leans back on the bench, resting one arm behind me.I scoff. “That’s never going to change. You’re cocky, annoying…a huge asshole-”Before I can finish my sentence, he suddenly grabs me firmly by the throat. I shiver in pleasure as he grazes his canines against the back of my ear.His voice drops low and seductive. “But every time I’m near you, I feel your heart race. I smell how wet your pussy gets for me.” I swallow hard, clenching my thighs together. “You hate me, but at the same time, I bet you can’t wait for me to bury my cock inside of you.”I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the pressure building in my belly. “
Mel's POVWho is he to tell me what I need? I huff as I storm into the guest room and take a long, relaxing shower. He doesn’t know shit about me or our situation! But a small part of me knows that he is right, even though I will never admit that to his face. I’m fucking exhausted—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I just spent the last year in the Alpha Academy getting my ass demolished every day to gain nothing from it. Then, I’m on edge all the time now worrying about mine and Moon’s future. And if for whatever reason Jaxon decides to change his mind about me being his Beta, we would most definitely have to become rogues, or I would have to beg him to let us go to another pack.I step out of the shower and lay on the bed naked. Closing my eyes, I think about what Jaxon said earlier: Every time I’m near you, I feel your heart race. I smell how wet your pussy gets for me.He’s a cocky asshole that I hate so damn much, but my body responds to him as if I am a puppet and he is the m