Beautiful MemoriesCoalDarcie looked at the group in contemplation and murmured, "While we wait for Langdon's friends to arrive, I'd like to speak with Coal alone. Langdon, could you take Brinley to the north gardens? The fresh layer of snow has made the view quite beautiful."Oh, hell no, that wasn't happening. I bristled at the idea of Brinley being anywhere alone with Langdon. My spine straightened. A low rumble released from my chest, and I tightened my hold on her hand.In her usual intuitive fashion, Darcie eyed me and asked, "Coal, do you trust your mate?"I froze. The bluntness of her question washed over me, forcing me to consider my words before I answered. Did I trust Brinley?The mate attraction was hard to describe, but I could almost feel her heartbeat next to mine in my chest. She had given me no reason for mistrust. I answered carefully, "Yes...it is Langdon I'm not sure of."Langdon smirked. Darcie didn't appear to be the least bit offended at my words. Her tone was
TrainingBrinleyLangdon and I sat outside on a back porch overlooking the north garden. Darcie had just efficiently dismissed us so she could speak with Coal alone. I was surprised Coal had relinquished me so easily into Langdon's care.Well in truth, he hadn't, not until Darcie convinced him. Her presence and wisdom seemed to have a calming effect on him. Still, it was surprising behavior for any alpha wolf to go against their instincts based on the word of another wolf.But Darcie wasn't just any other wolf. She was special. Coal had lost his mother even younger than me. I wondered if he too felt the same motherly connection to Darcie that I did.I stared out at the snow-covered landscape, the white powder providing a glistening shine as the bright sun reflected off of its surface. Darcie had been right. It was beautiful.Langdon was still. From my peripheral vision, I could see him studying me. After a moment of comfortable silence between us, he murmured, "Are you happy?"I glanc
I twisted my head around to find two large males entering through the back gate. The taller of the two stood around six feet, older, probably mid-thirties, and broad-chested, with dark hair and dark eyes.The other was shorter, but not by much, less than an inch. His boyish features and the mischievous glint in his sparkling hazel eyes made him appear surprisingly young to have already achieved the status of an Enforcer. He sported dark ginger locks in careless disarray on his head, pointing every which way, adding to his boyish charm.They both shared equally wide grins, obviously excited for their task at hand. Their levity was a welcome change to the seriousness of my situation, and I found myself smiling in return. Langdon also seemed to lose some of his tension.As they walked up the steps to the porch, Langdon introduced them, nodding toward the older wolf first. "Brinley, this is Daniel and Jax."I extended my hand, and they each shook it in turn. "It's nice to meet you. Thank
By thirty minutes into the training, my nerves were a wreck, and I was seriously reconsidering if I made the right decision to stay and watch.As anticipated, they were loud. Thunderous growls echoed off the walls of the enclosed space as they sparred. The Onyx Moon Enforcers moved and fought fluidly as a unit, almost one mind in three bodies.I was sure they were communicating via mindlink, but their reactions were so fast, there was no way they were a result of particular orders. It was obvious they were familiar with each other's strengths and used them to their prime advantage. When one fell away, the other two surged forward, always targeting Coal's blind or weak spots.Coal held his own, darting, spinning and jabbing with incredible speed. But there was blood. A lot of it. All four had taken direct hits, splattering the crimson liquid in every direction.I had never seen Coal fight before and was shocked at his fast response and strength. My Wolf purred in my head. She had no pr
My TurnBrinleyCoal held my hand as we walked through the woods. The crisp winter air between us sparked with electricity. Dusk shadowed the landscape as the Moon began her appearance on the horizon, giving the foliage around us a soft glow. After a few minutes of silence, Coal murmured, "Why did you blush when Amber arrived?"Ah, crap. I'd hoped Coal might forget about my little reaction to the newcomer, so I wouldn't have to share my embarrassing story. I certainly planned never to mention it again. But no such luck.I cringed. He stared down at me with an inquisitive expression and encouraged, "It can't be that bad.""Yes it can," I muttered, looking down to avoid his gaze.He pulled me to a stop and turned me to face him. Concern turned his features hard as he demanded forcefully, "What did she do to you?"The feral tone of his words caught my attention. My head snapped up, now worried for her safety. "Nothing!"His shoulders relaxed. I sighed heavily, resigned to my fate of havi
He gently pulled my lip from my deny his impassioned plea. I didn't want to. He was right, he was my other half, and I wouldn't hold back from him. I pulled him down so we could sit on the floor. I sat with my legs crossed, my hands in my lap. He faced me with his knees bent, his feet resting on the ground on either side of my hips. He gathered my hands, his fingers gently massaging my skin.The waterfall provided soothing background noise as I gave in, telling him about my childhood and the struggles I faced. Even though the words flowed freely, I kept my head down, staring at the dirt floor as I recounted the torment and my pain. Coal said nothing. He just listened, his fingers continuing to rub and sooth my hands. After several minutes of explanation and his absolute silence, I risked a glance up to his face and gasped.His expression was murderous."Coal?" I whispered tentatively. "Are you okay?"He hadn't given away his fury while I spoke, but there was no hiding his rage now. Hi
His tongue came out to lick my face. "Ew! Stop that!" I groaned as I used my sleeve to wipe off my face. He was completely unaffected by my order, his tongue sliding out to swipe along my cheek again, but I was ready for him this time. I twisted my face to side as he licked the air. A giggle bubbled from my lips as I teased, "Missed me."I probably should have known better than to challenge him, but in the middle of having fun, it didn't occur to me. Without warning, he nudged me with his big head, almost knocking me off of my feet."Hey!" I yelped as I worked to get my footing. When I was steady again, I faced him with my hands on my hips and admonished playfully, "You need to be more careful."If I had been paying closer attention, I would have noticed the wicked glint in his eyes, but I didn't see it, so was shocked when not only did he completely disregarded my order to be more careful, but he swiped my legs out from under me with one big paw."Oh!" I gasped and tried to prepare
His TurnCoalSo much had happened between us in the space of fewer than twenty-four hours, it was a little challenging to wrap my head around. I had confessed the truth to Brinley. I told her I wanted to be with her desperately...and hugely grateful to find she was willing to give me a chance to make it up to her, to be the mate she truly deserves.When we reached the cave, she had shared some details from her childhood with me. To say I was shocked at the depravity of what those young shewolves put her through, was a vast understatement. I never expected any wolf would act in such a manner.I was also shocked to find who the worst tormentors were. If someone had asked me which gender could be crueler, I would've answered males without hesitation. And I would have been wrong. Brinley explained the males were assholes, but the females had been horrendous.With every story she told, I cringed harder, and I suspected she'd only touched the surface of what she had to endure. But it was e