I was thankful the kitchen was empty. Someone had humiliated me on purpose, and advertising the fact was the last thing I wanted.Removing my socks and shoes so as not to leave a muddy trail, I padded barefoot up to my room and then finished stripping off my filthy garments.Setting them in a pile on the floor, I went to clean up. After turning on the shower, with a gloomy stare I peered in the mirror while waiting for the water to heat up.The stones had stung as they hit my face and I wanted to check the extent of the damage. Sure enough, there was dried blood on my cheek. I probed the cut carefully judging its severity.I opened the medicine cabinet and found some antiseptic and dabbed the punctured skin, grimacing as the liquid stung my damaged flesh.A quick perusal, I found no other injuries beyond my bruised pride. Checking my appearance once more, I decided a casual observer wouldn't notice the wound, which in my mind was a good thing.I didn't want a lot of people questioning
Feeling like i'd collapse into his arm at any second I decided to change the topic, "What are the extent of Chester's wounds?,""It's...its..pretty bad," Killian told with a sigh. It seemed he didn't enjoy keeping secrets from me. Speaking of secrets, there was one I was dying to know.However it seemed now wasn't a good time to ask Killian his direct involvement with Chester's disappearance. I didn't want to dampen his mood further."He was attacked by Lycan hunters and a lycan shifter, Luckily he was able to escape barely alive," "Why didn't you tell me earlier?," I asked with a frown on my face."I didn't want to worry you," He said running his thumb across my cheeks, "Helena, our nurse-practitioner, was waiting for us when we got back. She handled everything efficiently, a transfusion, cleaning the wound, and stitching him up,""Is she one of us?" I asked."Uh-huh," Killian confirmed. "We're lucky to have her. And if something serious happens, there's a local doctor who knows abo
Killian's povThe screech ripped through the day, shattering the tranquility. My head snapped up, ears twisting to pinpoint the source. Three figures, snarled, their eyes gleaming with malice. Lycans.My primal instincts roared to life, adrenaline coursing through my veins.Fear gripped my mate, Hailey, who stood beside me, trembling. I squeezed her hand reassuringly, forcing a smile, though my heart pounded like a drum, not for my safety but hers. I couldn't risk being distracted by two Lycans while the third went for Hailey. I couldn't loose her."Stay here," I murmured, my voice low and firm. "I'll handle this.""Wait killian," She called out with a trembling frame. "I'll be fine," I said reassuringly placing a kiss on her lips, "I'll be done before the count of ten," I winked at her, "And after this, we'll have a round two for our intense sex," I nested to uplift her mood which worked as she let out a light chuckle."Please come back to me," She said with a smile"I will, I promi
After Killian's failed assassination attempt we headed towards the infirmary. Although not a word was spoken through the rest of the journey Killian's arms enveloping mine was all the comfort I need. After watching Killian defeat the attacking Lycans I knew there was no safer place than with Killian.Still, I couldn't help but wonder how Killian had gotten so strong and skillful at fighting. He fought like he was no stranger to battle."Killian! I thought I told you to go home and get some sleep!" Helena's voice echoed across the clearing, her tone a blend of annoyance and concern. She stood outside the infirmary, her efficient aura radiating even from a distance. Her brown hair pulled into a neat braid, complimented her crisp white lab coat.Killian stopped, turning to face her with a slight smile. "I did go home, Helen," he assured her, his voice calm and deep. "But now I'm back." He then placed his hand around my waist, drawing me closer to him in a protective gesture. "Helen, this
"Yeah, two months ago," Killian confirmed, a weary sigh escaping his lips."And then you took over," I said, piecing together the timeline.He nodded. "Right after Salvatore's death, the Elders gathered to decide the new leadership. But the decision was split, causing a huge controversy within the pack. It was a terrible time, everyone was already grieving Salvatore's loss.""You mentioned that you and the other Beta, Viktor, were both in the running for the position?" I asked, trying to understand the tangled web of events."Yes," he said, rubbing his face with his hands, clearly burdened by the memory. "We were co-Betas. It should have been a pack vote, but Viktor insisted on settling it through a challenge. Even though many tried to dissuade him, he wouldn't budge," He paused recollecting the painful memory"It was completely unlike him, impulsive and reckless. Anyway, as I told you, we fought. It was brutal. Viktor and I are evenly matched, but I managed to wait for the right mome
Back at the house, I found Christine in the kitchen again, bustling around with three other women, all prepping lunch. They moved with the ease of familiarity, clearly accustomed to working together. Christine greeted me with a warm smile."Hailey, meet my daughters, Chloe and Elena." She gestured towards two young women in their early to mid-twenties, both bearing a striking resemblance to her.The only difference was their brown hair, untouched by the streaks of grey that adorned their mother's. Next to them stood Chloe's friend, Natalia.Natalia offered a shy smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her pale blue eyes and average build made her blend easily into the background. A quick assessment told me she was likely a lower-ranking pack member, content to follow the lead of others. No challenges there.We exchanged greetings, and I quickly joined the women in preparing lunch. Chloe and Elena, both married with two children each, explained that their little ones were off w
The weight lifted from my chest as I looked out the window, watching the scenery fly by. Yesterday, everything felt uncertain, but today, my heart was lighter, and my outlook brighter.Two days ago, I mated Killian. Two days! It felt like a lifetime.So much had happened: the bonding ceremony, meeting the pack, Chester's attack, Josephine's appearance, and the strange incident with the red car.My new friends were determined to show me the best the town had to offer. We explored clothing stores and shoe shops, trying on winter clothes just arriving. Chloe and Natalia both bought new coats, and Elena was tempted by a purse and matching boots.I tried a few things on, but nothing felt right. I didn't need anything, and my financial situation was uncertain. At home, I helped my father with his work and Lily with the house, earning a small wage from the pack budget.Now, I was essentially unemployed, relying solely on my meager savings. I needed to talk to Killian about it. Maybe I could
The door creaked open, letting in a sliver of moonlight that sliced through the smoky gloom. A tall figure stepped into the bar, his black leather jacket seeming to swallow the meager light. He moved with the quiet grace of a predator, each step deliberate and measured.A hush fell over the bar as if someone had thrown a thick blanket over the room. Every head turned, every conversation ceased, as if pulled to the newcomer by an invisible force. The clinking of mugs, the murmur of voices, all faded into the background as the tall man surveyed the scene with a predatory gaze.His eyes, like chips of ice in the dim light, swept over the room, taking in every detail, the hunched figures, the nervous glances, the weapons laid carelessly on the tables. A faint smile played on his lips, a flicker of amusement in the face of their wary respect.He moved with the unhurried confidence of a man who knew he commanded the room, even in the den of those who themselves hunted monsters. He stopped a