Flynn, Aiden and Bastien raced through the forest beneath the full moon, playing like pups much younger than they were. They wrestled and joked until they caught the scent of a huge stag, his powerful musk combining with large, deep tracks in the mud.
The hunt was on in an instant. The wolves fell in line without a single word, giving way to the natural patterns of the chase and fulfilling the roles they’d been developing since childhood. Their instincts were irrepressible, demanding they pursue their target the moment it caught sight of them and took flight.
Darting through the trees after their prey, they herded it toward the river, circling it on all sides. Together Aiden and Flynn drove the buck towards their future Alpha, who lay in wait just beyond the shoreline. The beast reared up when he saw the massive shifter, grunting and kicking his hooves while his eyes went wild. With the other wolves still at his back, he lowered his antlers and prepa
Arabella“What?” I squeak, “Why do you want to meet Blaise?” That cannot be allowed to happen. Blaise can’t find out he’s here!“I need allies.” Bastien explains, releasing me. “And he’s the closest possibility.”Though my tears had been completely fake a moment before, true desperation grips me now. “No Bastien, please.” I beg. “You don’t know Blaise. If he knows the Nova pack is without an Alpha right now, if he finds out you’re here all alone, he’ll move against you.” This much, at least, is true. “I came here because I thought it was the only place I’d be safe from Selene, because Blaise is an even bigger monster than she is. He’s powermad and violent, he wants to grow his empire at any cost.”“The Nova pack isn’t without an Alpha.” Bastien growls, “And I’m not so weak
SeleneThe dream began in a forest I don’t recognize.The territory seemed familiar enough, tall snow-capped mountains and thick, lush evergreens. Snow covered the ground, and wolf tracks dotted the pristine white surface for as far as the eye could see. Are those my tracks? I wonder dimly, glancing down at my feet. However when I look, I find myself in human form. My pale, bare feet sink into the thick powder, and though my toes curl into the icey substance, I don’t feel any cold. I’m wearing a long silvery gown, completely unsuitable for being out in these elements. My limbs are exposed to the frigid air, and as flurries of snowflakes fill the air around me, I realize they do not melt when they land on my skin. Something isn’t right. Why can’t I feel anything? Why can’t I tell if it’s night or day. Everything is so surreal and strange, I realize it must be a dream. However, figuring out
Odette“Dr, will Selene be all right?” I ask worriedly, speaking in hushed tones so as not to be overheard.“She’s still unconscious.” Dr Kane replies, “She needs rest, and we’re still waiting on her lab work, but she’s young and healthy. As long as she takes care of herself she should be fine.”“Is there anything we can do to help her?” I press.“Keep an eye on her, I know she’s very ill, but you’ve got to get as much food and water into her as possible, even when she doesn’t want anything.” He instructs.“But won’t that make her sick more often?” I fret, wringing my hands.“I know it sounds terrible, but it’s about net gain. The more she takes in, the more nutrients she retains, even if she’s bringing the majority back up.” Dr Kane explains with an apologetic from. &nb
My lashes flutter open to reveal a stark white room, a bevy of sterile, chemical scents filling my nose. I feel weighed down and dizzy at once, like I’m floating yet unable to move. I recognize this feeling, and I’ve woken up in this situation often enough to guess what happened. I must have passed out from exhaustion, dehydration, stress, or all three. I’m back in the hospital, hooked up to half a dozen beeping machines and wearing a scratchy, unflattering paper gown. The world is dark beyond the windows, and I glance around for a clock. It was around ten o-clock this morning when I attempted to call Bastien, but it’s after 8pm now. I’ve been asleep all day. Slowly but surely, the events which passed before I lost consciousness filter back through my mind, and I immediately want to find Lila. She must have been so scared. As if reading my mind, Odette appears in my doorway a moment later, with Lila peeking arou
SeleneThe dreams haven’t stopped. It seems every time I close my eyes, some new memory or imagined depiction of the past resurfaces to haunt me. Most of the time they’re pleasant: the early months of my first marriage to Bastien, milestones in Lila’s young life, even a few more events from my childhood. Of course they aren’t all good. I’ve relived my mother’s death in this uncomfortable hospital bed, as well as Garrick’s abuse and Gabriel’s murder… and then there are the dreams about Bastien. Not sweet reminiscings of our recent reunion or sex fueled fantasies, but nightmares: horrible visions of all that might befall him on his journey, and imaginings of horrors already suffered. Just now I was wrenched from sleep by the bloody scenes of his attempted assassination, which my tormented brain created in the middle of an otherwise peaceful rest. I sit up in bed gasping for air, looki
Drake“Go fish!” Lila giggles, holding a fan of cards close to her body. “Hmm,” I grumble, narrowing my eyes at the mischievous pup, “Are you sure you don’t have any fives, Lila bean?”“I’m sure!” She exclaims, nodding vigorously. Halfway through my draw, her expression changes, “Mommy, I have to potty.”“I’ll take her.” Sophie offers, sliding off my lap and helping Lila to her feet. I’m momentarily distracted watching my stunning mate walk away, but once the bathroom door closes at her back I turn back to Selene. We’re seated around a small table in her VIP hospital suite, with Selene herself situated in an oversized armchair fitted with an IV hook and a call button. She’s wearing a thick robe and a worried expression, but her complexion is decidedly less green today than it was yesterday.“What’s w
FredericAs a general rule, I try not to judge people based on appearances, but I can’t recall ever seeing a bigger bunch of misfits than I’m staring at now. Gnarled, grizzled and tattooed, the rogues in front of me are so stereotypically rough looking it’s actually laughable. It’s as if a casting director put up an ad for outcasts and every muscle-bound ruffian in the city turned up to audition.Oh well, I might not care for their style, but there’s no question, they’re exactly what I need. With Bastien gone, the opportunity to cause disruptions in the pack are higher than ever, I’d be a fool not to take advantage.“You’re sure the Alpha isn’t here?” The lead shifter demands, sharpening a knife in an obvious bid to look intimidating.Ridiculous, I think. What kind of shifter resorts to weapons, you’ve got built-in knives in your paws! Of course, his act
Selene“How do I look?” Sophie grins at me, “like a queen.”“A very tired queen.” I joke.“That is why the Goddess invented makeup.” She replies, dabbing concealer on the dark circles beneath my eyes. When she’s finished, even I have to admit that I look pretty good. Make no mistake, I’ve looked much better, but at least this way I look the part of an Alpha’s mate. I’m wearing a simple wrap dress cut from pearlescent white fabric, with my dark hair flowing in waves around my shoulders and a thick layer of mascara framing my blue and violet eyes. Hopefully the camera lights will make my fair skin look porcelain, and not the pallid gray I’ve been sporting lately. “You look lovely Selene.” Dr Kane appears in the doorway as I slip on a pair of gold pumps matching my simple jewelry, “Are you sure you’re up for this?&rdquo