Hayden lay in the back of the SUV as best as he could. One enemy got in a pretty good bite, and he couldn’t shift now. He wouldn’t die, but this was a pain in the butt. He couldn’t shift, which meant he couldn’t talk. Not until the healers healed enough for him to shift again. April would not be happy with this twist of fate. It would slow down their ability to hunt for whatever was in that hidden place. So there he lay in what should be the vehicle’s trunk and it was a squeeze for him because of his size as a wolf. Every large bump in the road meant his head hit the ceiling of the vehicle. If they didn’t get there soon, he’d probably have to add a concussion to his list of injuries. “How are you holding up back there, Hayden?” He grumbled as best as he could. The vehicle hit yet another bump, and it jostled him, so he snapped at the healer that was questioning them. “Okay, I think he’s telling us we need either a better road or a bet
Ran stood in the entry to Ivory’s rooms and watched her stare out a window. He knew she was aware of his presence, but she’d not acknowledged him beyond ignoring him. “Feeling sorry for yourself yet?” He asked while he checked to see if she’d eaten. “Sorry for myself? I’m too busy trying to figure out how I’m going to survive this.” “Really? What do you think will happen to you now that you’ve left the protection of your father?” “Protection of my father? He protected no one but himself. Everyone, including me, tiptoed around him. Oh, I thought I was manipulating him, but now I think he let me do it so I would be easier to control or predict.” “Really? What makes you believe that?” “The way he changed. He stopped smiling. Started growling and yelling at everyone. Then he hit me. I thought it was because Sapphire was gone and things weren’t getting done. But now…” “Now you know their plans were in danger of falling
Magnus found Sapphire in her office, poring over the information there. Notes and requests scattered about her desk. “So, this is where you’re hiding.” He leaned against the doorpost and watched her work before he said this. Magnus couldn’t help but smile at the look that came over her face when she recognized him. Sapphire dropped everything and hurried toward him, but stopped short of embracing him. “You’re injured and now we’re at war.” “Bah, just a few scratches, and he’ll have other things to deal with soon enough. Like fleeing the results of reneging on the treaties.” Magnus wasn’t sure if her feelings conflicted or confused her. “Will it be that bad for them? I mean, it’s my uncle and aunt that are bad. Well, a few of their trusted people. But beyond that, everyone is just trying to survive.” “They will and probably prosper away from here. They’ve been struggling because the land itself was working against them. Now, are you going to
April couldn’t believe what she saw as the first group of wolves returned from the meeting. They took several wolves into a sitting room that had been turned into a temporary infirmary. One wolf that limped in on his own accord, she knew, had to be Hayden. She couldn’t miss his eyes. Those rarely changed when they shifted. It was one of those telltale things that got them hunted over the centuries. Right now, though, she didn’t care about that. What had her in a panic was the long wound on his hip. No wonder he wasn’t shifting back. It scared her to see it. Yet there he was, hobbling in like he had a splinter in his toe! April started whispering beseeching requests to the gods for him to be okay. She had some deep-seated need for him to be safe and to survive whatever happened to him. She’d started these hours ago, praying for his safety and success. Now she’d heard others state they’d been successful, and the Vagas Moon Pack learned of their terrible loss.
“You must get them back now! Franklin, we must have them. It’s chaos. The fields have turned to mush in the middle of high summer with no rains. The septic tanks are clogging up from worms! These aren’t natural things. We’re in chaos. The main sitting room of the packhouse has a branch growing through it’s main window, like it’s been there for a hundred years. Do something now.” Betty badgered Frank while he was being stitched up by the old healer woman.He’d lost several enforcers today, and he didn’t know if they were dead, runaways or captured. His witch mate was her usual demanding self. Stating things he could see easily with his own two eyes.If he didn’t feel so bagged or hurt so much, he’d backhand her and show her, her place. She’d done all this and now had the nerve to blame him for everything turning on them.“Why don’t you do something for a change, witch? Hmm? You’re always claiming you’re so powerful. Make things happen. Combat this with your powerful magic.” Hi
Ivory wasn’t sure what to do. She wanted to crawl into his lap naked and give him anything he wanted. With her next breath, she wanted to rail at him and tell him what he could do with his… Gods. She was horny for him. She blinked and found herself on her knees at his feet with him smiling into her face, very pleased. “Good girl. Look at you. Now come a little closer.” He leaned back, leading her by her chin closer to him. She was so close between his thighs his other hand went to caress his inseam again and she couldn’t take her eyes off his hand. “You want it?” She licked her lips and nodded. Her hand reached out to feel his thigh. “Did I say you could touch me?” She frown in confusion, letting her this close and not letting her have what she wanted? “No.” Ivory winced at how sulky she sounded. “So you won’t be touching me until I say you can.” Ivory looked at his face. Was he serious? Wait for him to be ready? How was she supposed to make him rea
Sapphire lay there, feeling Magnus all around her. Gods, he’d bitten her. He’d mated with her. Magnus told her repeatedly she was his mate. He’d been nice and respectful, but she’d not taken him seriously. Now she lay under him. His hot breath on her bleeding shoulder. Sapphire could smell her blood, she could see it drip onto the carpet beneath her bare knees. He held her there, his body wrapped around hers. She could feel his shaft deep within her as he left his desires inside her. Her body responded in the most delicious way, betraying her independent thought. If he didn’t lie about their being mates. How much more could she believe? As her mind came truly back to her body, Sapphire felt relief and joy. Something that was missing from most of her life. He’d lived up to his words. They were mated now. Gods, how would she explain this when asked? Nobody, Sapphire, and Alpha’s mate. A Luna. She was his Luna. This was her office, it was her job. Care for a pack she di
Ivory lay there beneath Ran, his bite on her shoulder and his shaft buried deep within her core. He wore no protection. She could feel him shoot hot and deep within her. She knew what it meant. Gods, her daddy threatened to kill her if she let a wolf mate with her. Ran took control of her body and used it to control her. Gods, did he realize what he did or had instinct gotten away from him? She was panting from her own completion. “Well, we’re going to have to work on your control, my dear. You didn’t last at all. Next time you don’t find you end until I grant it to you.” She yelped when his fingers brushed her sensitive core. Ivory lay there panting, her body open for his eyes and touch.“Hmm… Responsive. I like that. Let’s see if you are multi-orgasmic, shall we?” His fingers worked at her core and her nerves responded, bringing her quickly back to needing to mate again. Ivory clawed at the sofa, her breasts hard and aching as they shook from her desire. “Look at