Thank you for reading! We're on the home stretch now. Just a few loose ends to tie up and a HEA for our quartet.
Asher “Fuck! I missed you!” Elena and I are lying face to face in her hospital bed, our noses touching and lips brushing in between our soft-spoken words. Asp and Mason said they were going out to talk with staff, to make sure no one suspects what happened in this room, but really they’re just giving us time to talk. I’ll admit I was shocked when she told me she’d been the one to kill our mother. But when Mason filled in the blanks, I wanted to resurrect her so I could kill her again myself. Even if she hadn’t murdered those girls, I’d still want her dead for intending to kill my mate. “I missed you too. I thought-, I thought-” Elena’s chin wobbles and her voice cracks, my heart cracking with it. “I’m so sorry, gorgeous girl. I’m so fucking sorry. You didn’t deserve any of what I’ve put you through. You deserve a much better mate than me and all the garbage that comes with me.” I pull her forehead to mine and stare deep into her beautiful blue eyes, willing her to see how m
Elena One night. One night with no drama, no fighting for our lives, and definitely no one dying. Just one night to snuggle into bed with all three of my mates, surrounded by their delicious scents and enjoying finally all being back together. It doesn’t seem too much to ask. Except apparently it is. All because some Alpha-hole feels entitled to something that doesn’t belong to him. That and the few remaining bad apples in a pack that was run back assward for far too long who still see their daughters as objects to be traded rather than cherished and protected. A Pack I’m about to be Luna of. Aspen steps up beside Mason, holding me tightly to his side. Asher moves to Mason’s other side, the three men standing together in a show of unity that makes my heart stutter as they glare down at the South Woods spy. “Alpha,” the warrior pauses, looking nervously from me to Aspen, to Asher, “Should we talk somewhere more private?” “No need.” Mason raises his voice for all to hear, loo
*Trigger warning: Mention of Suicidal Ideation Elena The tortured sounds of heartsick wailing and low keening reach far beyond the walls of the little cabin as I approach. In lieu of being returned home to her abusive family, Dana Seevers is staying with the family of one of the Sacred Moon warriors under twenty-four hour guard. And by all accounts, she’s suffering. “Luna, thank you so much for coming.” An older woman greets me at the door. “Can I get you something to drink? I would offer you more but I’ve had my hands full.” She glances meaningfully at the door to Dana’s room and I nod in understanding. Dana will need near constant supervision given the circumstances of separation from her mate, even one as ruthless and feared as the South Woods Alpha. The risk is high that she’ll try to take her own life. “I’m fine, thank you. Is someone in the room now?” Surely she hadn’t left her alone. “My daughter is with her. We’re afraid to leave her but so far she hasn’t stopped scr
Mason “What girls? I don’t understand!” Mindy sobs and I can’t decide if she’s really that dumb or just pretending to be. “Asher.” I only have to say his name and he moves to stand behind Mindy, resting his scorching hot hands on her shoulders. “Okay! Okay!” She screams leaning away from him. I nod for him to release her and he does, but stays close enough she can feel the heat of his presence. She’s literally sobbing like a baby, tears and snot running down her face. It’s so pathetic, I would feel sorry for her if I didn’t know what she’d done. “Last chance, Melinda!” I warn. “We already know you took at least four girls out of this pack and delivered them like packages instead of people. “At least one of those girls was marked against her will and will suffer the effects of it her entire life, if she survives at all. You’ll pay for your role in that but that can be considerably less painful if you tell us what we want to know. Where are the girls and who were you work
Elena “We need to coordinate, arrive at the separate packs at the same time so they can’t tip each other off.” Daddy Ryan says, leaning over the map spread out on the desk. “You think they know about each other’s illegal activities?” Mason’s surprise mirrors my own, not having considered the possibility. “It’s entirely possible.” Daddy Reegan answers. “Either way, we shouldn’t risk it.” The other men hum in agreement and return to their planning. Discussions of how many warriors to take to each pack, how many to leave behind, weak areas in the respective pack borders, fill the room. The migraine I feel building behind my eyes must show on my face because my mother comes over and places a cool hand on my cheek, a sympathetic look on her face. “Why don't we go to the kitchen and prepare some snacks. It looks like they’re going to be here a while and they’re bound to get hungry.” She suggests. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.” I nod absently, my mind occupied with all the things
Mason As we drive out of Sacred Moon territory, I can’t wipe the smile off my face despite the unpleasant task that lay ahead of us. I can feel Ellie’s sleepy presence in our bond and the memory of her blonde curls sticking to the side of her face when we rolled out of bed at the crack of dawn this morning fills me with happiness. “What do you have to be so cheerful about at this ungodly hour?” Asher grunts. “Though I guess the idea of taking down these assholes is something to smile about.” “It is. But I was smiling at the way our mate looked this morning, all sleep rumpled and adorable.” I chuckle at the mental picture. “Shortcake is definitely not a morning person.” Aspen snorts. “Never has been. Even as a kid, she was like a grumpy bear and just as likely to take a swipe at you if you tried to wake her up early.” I share. “But even though I know it’s her least favorite thing to do, she hated the idea of us leaving without saying goodbye even more.” “You can tell all of that
Aspen “What is wrong with him?” I look to Mason, assuming my twin doesn’t understand what’s happening anymore than I do. My eyes flick from Mason to Asher and back to Mason again, waiting for an answer. The psychotic South Woods Alpha is writhing on the ground in pain, clearly incapacitated for the moment, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. Unfortunately, I also can’t figure out why both of them are staring at me like I’m the one losing his marbles. “I asked what’s wrong with him? Why is he scratching at his chest like he’s trying to claw out his own heart?” I try again, wondering if I stuttered the first time. “Aspen, let me help you sit down. I think you might be in shock.” My brother steps slowly toward me like I’m a skittish animal he might scare away. “What? I’m not in shock. Why would I be in shock?” I snort at the ridiculous idea. “Keep your eyes on me, baby boy.” Mason puts a little Alpha bark behind his words and I can’t help but obey. “We think you’
Elena I can feel Mason tugging on our bond but I keep the wall firmly in place. I know he felt my fear earlier before I could close the link and he’s probably worried but having access to my emotions now would only make it worse. I can’t risk distracting him in the middle of a dangerous situation. Still, dealing with my current level of distress while working to shut down the bond is taking its toll. Considering the morning’s events, I’m hardly surprised by the migraine currently making me feel like my brain is being shoved out through my nostrils. I raise my hands to rub my temples, realizing too late that my mother is watching me like a lioness protecting her cub. “Sweetheart, take a break. Go get a coffee or a bite to eat. I’ll stay here until you get back.” She practically shoves me out the door. “Fine! I’ll be back in five minutes.” I surrender grumpily. Despite my reluctance, I have to admit a coffee did sound amazing. And it really will only take five minutes to ac