Everything hurt. The feeling was becoming familiar to her after the last trial and the training sessions in between. Maddie wondered if she would ever finish a trial without feeling like she had been chewed up and spit out. Her body was leaden, trying to coax her to just lie down and go to sleep, but she remained on her knees, the last of her energy keeping her upright. Bodies surrounded her as she sagged, panting her efforts and feeling the burn of the day rip through her harsher than before. She could barely look up to thank the wolves around her but managed to tilt her head towards Michael. Though he was still on his feet, there was a tremble to his frame. She smiled, but her happiness was cut short when Erik’s roar cut above the crowd. He was at Nala’s side in a moment, fretting over her body much like Michael had done the day before. He growled with each expelled breath, sharing terse words with the Dark Night Alpha that she couldn’t hear. Then, he was calling for help with the
Maddie squirmed. She couldn't stand still, yet she couldn’t bring herself to continue on or leave either. It was silly really. They had just spent the last few days constantly at each other’s side, travelling together and sharing a campsite, but it was standing outside his door that was difficult. She hadn’t thought much of her plan to visit Michael until she was already walking down the corridor to his room. Unease had settled over her like a sudden tide and her hands were quickly flushed with the urge to wring themselves of all feeling. It was the first time she had been out of her room since Jess had unceremoniously dumped her on her bed after the trial. Her friend had awkwardly lingered, her eyes flickering to the door, asking halfhearted questions, before Maddie finally told her to go and find Erik. She was too tired to hold a conversation anyway. They'd have time to catch up later. As Jess left, she barely managed a wave of thanks before she was out like a light. She had brie
His lips were like liquid fire as they claimed hers; a red-hot desire burning into her, making Maddie melt into his embrace. He held her like the restraints on his touch had shattered; tight, firm, possessive. He locked her to his body like he couldn’t bear to let her go but it still wasn’t enough. She pushed against him, loving the way her softer body moulded around his. She threaded her fingers into his hair, clutching to press his lips closer, to taste more of him. It was heady, it was carnal, it was the tension of days in each other’s company with little more than a tease shared between them. And it still wasn’t enough, With a growl she climbed into his lap, nestling her legs either side of him. His hands grabbed at the back of her thighs, kneading the flesh and helping her balance. Maddie rocked against him in time with their desperate kisses, creating a frenzied rhythm between them that demanded satisfaction. Michael danced sweet kisses over her throat, her head rolling bac
Her words ignited something within him that rid Michael of any lingering hesitation as he crashed his lips back to hers. His tongue dipped between her lips, claiming her mouth, as his hands claimed the rest of her flesh. The feel of his naked body rolling against hers made her mewl for more. His rhythm enticed her to tilt her hips, feeling his cock tease heavy against her core. Maddie clung to him, drawing him as close as she could, unable to get enough of the scorching heat his skin left upon hers. She was certain his touch marked her flesh as it devoured her body. Small pinches, nips and desperate grabs left his mark, while sweet brushes and soft kisses soothed them, permanently burning them into her soul. There was no doubt in that moment that she was his. His hold was possessive, getting tighter as her pheromones slipped free. “Fuck, Madeline.” He groaned, burying his nose into her neck and inhaling her like she was the last dose of oxygen in a burning world. A sharp scrat
Michael POV - There weren’t many places around the Silver Moon pack where Michael felt comfortable. He was used to always having his guard up, waiting for the next breach or bad news to befall his pack, but on a territory where everyone considered him an enemy, he had never felt so many eyes on him. He constantly had to be careful to not say or do the wrong thing. There were only two times he relaxed, as much as an Alpha could in another’s pack; when night fell and when he was alone with Madeline. He had been gifted the peace of her company for a few hours that evening, but once they left his room, the guarded awareness he always held returned. He couldn’t find the comfort of her touch or even walk beside her as they headed to the grand hall for dinner. The boundaries they had managed to crumble over the past few weeks had to be replaced with false walls. It would create problems for her if the pack suspected she had softened towards him. Michael didn’t mind the ruse. He wa
Trying to sleep was a bitch, getting dressed was a bitch, getting washed was a bitch, but the worst part was pretending her arm wasn’t on fire every time someone clapped her on the shoulder. It was their way to congratulate her on getting through to the next trial, but each one sent a sharp jolt of pain down her arm. Her shoulder had moved into the stiff phase of healing so, of course, it was her luck to be at the brunt end of her pack mate's praises. For the first time, she didn’t appreciate the comradery her fellow Silver Moon wolves had. Aside from an awful sleep, she felt good. Her shoulder was slowly healing, she had made it to the next trial of the Alpha Games, and nothing could take the skip out of her step after her time with Michael last night. It had been incredible, far more than she had ever imagined and her skin still tingled with the memory of his touch. It was an effort to stay in bed all night, wishing he was beside her, though he was only a couple of floors away. In
“Madeline.” Her father spoke without lifting his head from his work as she walked into his office. There was an unusual chill to the room that sent a shudder down her spine. Maddie peered around but there was nothing noticeably different. The bookcases appeared untouched, as did her mother’s desk on the far side of the office, and, as usual, her father was behind his desk, with a stack of papers before him. Maybe it was just apprehension making itself known as she stood before the Alpha, her mind a mess of thoughts wondering what words would make him listen. “Did you visit my office after the trial?” He asked. That wasn’t a question Maddie expected and she frowned. “No. Jess helped me to my room where I passed out for the rest of the day. Why?” “It smelled heavily of the sea after the trial.” “You think someone covered their scent then came in? Was anything missing?” She peered around again, catching sight of the valuable items that hadn’t disappeared. “No. Nothing obvi
There was less fanfare at the start of the Strategy trial compared to the previous Games. Maddie didn’t know if it was because the Alpha had advised the Silver Moon wolves to be wary of the battle ahead, making them stay inside, or if the urgency to push the trials on was making them lose their prestige, but it made the whole event feel lacklustre. So far, since the trial started, Maddie had only spoken to Jess and one other wolf, and that was to secure her base for the game. Joe was happy to let her use his bar, though he had the condition that she’d have to pay for any damages. The building was made to handle drunk wolves, so she was confident in its structure, and if anyone came to take her flag, she’d take the fight outside. It wouldn’t get to that though, not with the plan they had. Her and Jess sat around their usual table, the flag they had to protect sitting between them. Though she kept her ears pricked for any sign of another wolf approaching, after an hour of silence, her