Chapter 17 – Tackled and Loved Upon reaching the training field, I stand off to the side, watching as Miles and Lease work on demonstrating group tactics to Forest Paw. Some of Blood Moon’s newer wolves play the role of enemy, as they demonstrate a five-on-two scenario. Pride swells inside me at the ones I call my family when the demonstration ends, and everyone splits off, putting the lesson into practice. Miles sees me, motioning for the Blood Moon wolves to continue training Forest Paw as the two come up to talk to us.“How bad?” Lease asks, taking the spot on my left while Miles stands to my right.“Bad. We might have a Soulless army in the early stages of being formed. Hidden Claws is one of the packs being attacked.” As an ally pack of ours, Hidden Claws would be considered second in strength next to Blood Moon. Run by the Beta Couple until the young Alpha comes of age, Hidden Claws has grown considerably over the years. But there was something nagging at me to look
Chapter 18 - Heat of the Party "Why are you crying, Fire?" Dominic asks, pulling away from the kiss. His hand leaves my now messy hair, his thumb gently wiping away the tears of happiness from my face. I couldn't help but chuckle as I lean into his touch, nuzzling his hand and sighing contently."Because I'm happy." My voice is small, but relief fills me, as the pain of the rejection and years of feeling alone are now gone. I am genuinely happy, happier than the day I joined Blood Moon, and I am loved by someone I knew I wanted as my mate once we grew closer. The notion itself is something I’m still wrapping my mind around, as just moments ago, I was facing the delusions of my tormentor and ex-mate. Now, I’m wrapped in a loving embrace from Dominic, his lips kissing my temple gently as he guides my head to the crook of his shoulder."You don’t know how long I've waited for this, Amberle. I've known we were mates since your birthday last year, but had to wait until the mate
Chapter 19 – Calm Before the Storm The heat continued to ravage my body for the rest of the night. Dominic tended to my needs each time the inferno inside me flared up. He was reluctant to leave my side for any moment of time, even to use the washroom. But when I would pass out, my energy spent from the love-making, he would disappear and return just before I could wake, with food from Leah’s café. The pack was training Forest Paw in our absence, Dominic checking in with Christian when the inferno reduced to small embers. Blue understood why we were away from Forest Paw; the scent of my heat would drive all the males crazy, and the females themselves would have their heat triggered if near me. He assured Christian that they were fine waiting for Dominic and I to return when the heat subsided.Our stay in the bed and breakfast was extended another two days, the excuse to the owner being that the wedding was postponed a week later due to bad weather being forecasted, and Dominic stati
Chapter 20 – A Soulless Storm The days blur into an endless routine as the blizzard rages on: Wake up to Dominic and make love to each other, go downstairs for breakfast, train Forest Paw in the pack gym that Blue thankfully connected to the underground tunnel last year, eat lunch, train Scarlet as the new Head Tracker of Forest Paw, eat dinner with Dominic, my brother and his family, sleep, and repeat. Being trapped inside all day was making me anxious. My nerves were on edge as a foreboding feeling kept creeping in. Dominic did his best to keep me sane, using the nights and morning to exhaust my restless mind. Chocolate also seemed to keep me calm, as whenever I felt like my nerves were about to fry, I would find a chocolate treat to enjoy and bring back down the agitation.By the seventh day of being trapped inside with everyone, Mia tried her luck at attacking me with everyone present. I promptly knocked her drunk ass down, causing more broken bones than the first time
Chapter 21 – Allies Turned Enemies I groan as I snuggle into the warm bed, my body exhausted from everything that has happened over the past few days. I wanted to keep sleeping, my body ready to doze back asleep again, when I notice that Dominic is missing.I jolt upright, but I soon realize that that was a bad idea as my head spins and my stomach churns. I reach for the trash can beside the nightstand, then throw up whatever food remains in my body from last night’s dinner. With my stomach now empty, I sit in bed, brows knitted together. This is the first time after a battle where I’ve been extremely sore, exhausted, and feeling sick in the morning. And then it hits me—morning sickness.I start counting how many days it’s been since my heat ended, realizing I should have had my period by now. A smile spreads on my face as my hands caress my stomach. I have a one-hundred percent feeling that inside me is mine and Dominic’s pup. Turning to look at Dominic's side of the bed,
Chapter 22 – Home Sweet Home Warm arms wake me from my apparent slumber. The cold air meeting my skin causes me to shrink into the warmth caressing me.“We’re home, Amberle. You can go back to sleep.” I nod, taking in the familiar scent of my house around me. The sweet embrace of sleep mixed with the familiarity of home relaxes my sore body, lulling me into dreamland once again. … Morning light shines on my face and in my eyes, waking me from my dreams as I meet the gaze of ice-blue eyes. Dominic smiles at me, placing a kiss on my forehead as I let out a yawn. My warm bed felt like heaven under me, with the familiar smell of lavender and vanilla from the fabric softener I use reminding me that I’m safe in Blood Moon.“Good morning,” I mumble through another yawn, snuggling into Dominic’s arms and resting my head on his chest, finding comfort in his steady heartbeat.“Good morning, beautiful
Chapter 23 – Wedding Bell Surprises I smile at myself in the mirror. My wedding dress flows around me as I smooth the materials out. A kick against my hand brings my attention to my protruding stomach, feeling my babies move around inside me. Abby had already left once she made sure I’m all dressed and ready to go, saying she would send Blue and Zack upstairs. My red hair is twisted into an intricate updo, atop which a crown made with autumn leaves holds the veil in place. A knock on the door brings me from my thoughts, with Blue and Zack stepping inside with smiles on their faces."Amberle, you look beautiful." Blue gasps. Zack looks like he’s holding back tears. I can see the pride in my brother's eyes, his deep blue gaze exactly like mine, watering."Zack?" I question gently."I wish mom and dad were here to see this." He says, crossing the room and hugging me, careful not to ruin my wedding dress, hair, and makeup, knowing full well that Abby, Avery, and Lease would ki
Chapter 24 – Life Goes On I groan as my alarm rings, hearing Dominic chuckle beside me as he grabs the contraption that takes fifty million tries to turn off. Yes, the same one Blue gave me to be on time for school. The room goes silent, and I curse Dominic in my mind with how easily he can turn the device off. Stupid morning person."How long do you think we have until the twins wake u-""Mommy, Daddy, wake up." Dominic's question is cut off by two loud children’s voices and feet thundering against the floor in the hallway. The door to our room bursts open, and in comes the twins, our daughters, flinging themselves onto the bed with giggles."Good morning, Saphy and Essy." I say, pulling the girls into my arms for a big hug. Dominic smiles, pulling out his phone. I hear the distinct sound of the camera going off. He has a habit of taking pictures when he can, especially since I’m normally the one taking them of the twins and him."Guess what?" Sapphira asks, and I smile a