The following day, there is a knock on my locked door. I ignore it. 'Astrid, I know you're there. Please unlock the door,' Ryker pleads. I don't want to hear his voice, so I lock myself in the bathroom, run a bath, and stay there for as long as possible.I put on a pair of jeans and the most oversized hoodie I can find. It almost touches my knees. I pull the hood over my head. It makes me feel invisible like I'm able to hide from the world. It's an enormous sense of comfort. On the twelfth knock on my door, Ryker is livid and enlists Mia's help. 'It's Mia, Astrid,' she says through the door. As sweet and bubbly as she is, I still want to be left alone.'I brought you some lunch. I'll leave it at the door,' she explains. The last thing I want to do is eat food. I feel sick to the stomach thinking about how close I have become with Ryker. He wants me, but I don't understand why. I get that I'm his mate, but he had already arranged to be mates with Vanessa. Have I ever meant anythi
Last night was awful. I wasn't able to get much sleep. I got up early before sunrise and headed downstairs to the kitchen to make myself breakfast. Entering, I freeze for a moment as Alice is there, cutting up fruit. Alice pauses and looks up to see me. She becomes angry, and the knife in her handshakes. 'Good morning, Alice,' I say politely. She growls in a warning.'I'm just going to get myself something to eat, and then I'll be gone,' I say. 'Permanently, I hope,' she mutters.'Alice, I get you're upset, but I planned none of this. I didn't even know werewolves existed until recently. Maybe if we get to know each other, we might come to tolerate each other. Maybe even be friends,' I say. I yelp when her knife flies past my face and into the wall. 'I will never be your friend, and you will never be my Luna! Mark my word, Vanessa will become the Luna of Shadow Crest! I suggest you save yourself from the hurt and leave now. Because I can assure you, you won't live to see your eight
We're in an underground car park. I follow Zenith to an elevator, step in and stand beside Zenith at the back. John stands in front of us. I feel under-dressed, wearing a hoodie and jeans while they wear expensive suits. After a few minutes, the elevator stops and the doors open with a ding. I step into a large, clean, classy foyer. I follow Zenith to a large door. 'This is the waiting room.' he says.The waiting room has luxurious couches and recliners, designer coffee tables, fancy vases and fresh flowers. There is a long u-shaped desk centred in the room, and an ample water feature another wall.'This will be your desk. You will greet the clients and offer them drinks. There is a kitchen with a coffee machine and a fridge behind you. Give my clients whatever they want,' he says. I nod.'This room behind your desk is my office. Don't let anyone in until you have told me they are here via call. I will tell you when I'm ready for them.' 'What if they refuse to wait and enter your of
I can barely sleep. Ryker is on my mind all night. I'm apprehensive and nervous about my first shift in four days. After a yawn and a stretch, I get dressed, make the bed, and go downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. A few members are already at the table eating, Amelia is one of them.'Good morning, Astrid,' she says. 'Good morning, everyone,' I say, sitting next to Amelia. The other ladies smile. 'You'll have to tell me all about Shady Crest,' I tell Amelia. 'Alpha Zenith is obviously our Alpha,' she giggles. 'Yep. I think I got that.' I chuckle.'We train here daily, including she-wolves. Alpha Zenith likes to keep our reputation intact. We're the strongest pack, and he wants us prepared if another pack becomes a threat so that we can take them out. His eldest son James hasn't found his mate yet. Alpha Zenith has one in mind. He won't say who just yet, but says he will only settle for the strongest she-wolf, as James will eventually take over as Alpha,' she explains.'Wh
I discard my heels and run in my tights as fast as possible. 'Get her boys!' Zenith yells. John and James shift and chase me in their wolf forms. I run through the trees and slip, rolling down a rocky hill.My hair is messy, with leaves and twigs sticking out at many angles. I continue to run. 'Ryker!' I scream at the top of my lungs. Someone hazardously throws me down. I kick and punch them as hard as I can. A hand covers my mouth. The weight of a body holds me down. He is completely naked now, in his human form.'Shh... shh,' James whispers, stroking my face. I can't free myself. My movements are futile. 'Stop trying to fight me,' he whispers. Tears roll down my cheeks. 'Consummating the pairing already?' John laughs.'Fuck off, John,' he says to his brother. 'Why did you scream out for Ryker?' James asks. He slowly removes his hand, and I spit in his face. John laughs. 'You better put her in her place before Dad does, James! You know he won't tolerate her treating you like th
Alpha RykerI'm excited about spending the day with Astrid. Every day, she trusts me more and more. She is thankfully adjusting to werewolf life. After my shower, I knock on her door. There's no answer. I knock again. 'Astrid, are you awake?' I open the door. Her bed is neat and creaseless. She hasn't slept in it. Strange. I knock on the ensuite door. She isn't there either. One of her drawers is open. Inside, Astrid's clothes are strewn about. She must have been in a hurry. My stomach sinks. Her bag is gone. I sprint downstairs to the dining room. Seth and Mia are at the table with Kane, Hayley, and Vanessa. They all stand as I enter.'Has anyone seen Astrid?' I ask. They shrug and say they haven't. 'Is she still asleep?' Mia asks. 'No, she isn't there, and her bag is gone too,' I say in a panic. 'Ryker, I'm sure she's around somewhere. I'll mind-link the pack to keep an eye out for her,' Seth suggests. I call out for Astrid, running through the house, searching every room and en
'Alpha, you look tired. May I suggest you rest for the night?' Alice says. I nod, making my way to my room. Everything in my room sways. I grab onto the armchair and sit down. Kicking my shoes off, I wait for the swaying to stop. My door creaks open. 'Is someone there?' I ask, squinting at the figure I can barely make out.'It's me!' She says. 'Astrid? Is that you?' I ask and try to stand, but my balance is off. I feel a hand gently press against my chest. 'Sit down, Ryker. I'm here now. I'll take care of you,' she whispers. She straddles herself on my lap. 'Astrid, you came back.' 'Of course, I did,' she whispers as she slowly unbuttons my shirt. 'Why did you leave? Where did you go?' I ask. 'All that matters is that I'm here with you.' One hand caresses my bare chest, while her other unfastens my belt. Her lips brush across mine. 'Ryker,' she whispers lustfully, placing my hands on either side of her thighs.'Astrid,' I whisper. 'I want you to mark me, Ryker,' she whisper
Astrid'Astrid, you need to eat,' James says. Ignoring him, I keep my eyes on the stone floor. This will be my second night down in the cell. I've refused all food and never acknowledged James’s presence when he comes down to the cell.He punches the cell door angrily. I flinch in fright. I'm worried. 'Damn it, Astrid! Why can't you be a good little mate and do what you're told?' He yells.Hearing keys, James unlocks the cell. It creaks open. James picks me up and sits down on the bench, holding me tightly in his lap. I try to fight him off. I scratch his cheek. He slaps me hard across the face and wraps his arms tightly around me so I can't move. His nose nuzzles my hair and sniffs the back of my neck. 'Astrid, I could make you so happy if you let me,' he says.'You will never think of Alpha Ryker again if you give me a chance,' he whispers. I wriggle and squirm. 'After your first shift, I will mark you straight away,' he says. I stiffen at his words. 'No, I won't let you. You can