Curiosity crawled over Gonzalo like a persistent rodent. Sofia's unclear statement had made him flinch. "You have something to tell me?" he prompted, wondering why she already wasn't telling him. Sofia met his gaze, determination hardening her usually gentle features. "Yes, Alpha," she began, "something that might change the course of things for the pack." Those words were like a wave of ocean water, splattering their content over a burning forest. It was just right about what he needed. Finally, a lead, a potential answer to the chaos plaguing Moonstone and Ironclaw. "About the arrows," Sofia continued, leaning forward, "remember how we discussed the possibility of them originating from within the pack? The pack house to be precise since they are the pack house’s arrows. Yes, he did remember. It was just two day ago, so there was no way he’d forget it. He leaned closer, nodding encouragingly. "Yes, Sofia. What about them?" "I believe I may have traced them back to the source,"
The world around Gonzalo felt like it was closing in, all the air had been sucked out of the room. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, drowning out Sophia's words. He needed to move, needed to see Echo and River for himself. Stepping out of the house, he could feel the cold, early morning air biting at his skin. He ignored it, letting it fuel the anger and confusion churning inside him. He couldn't believe River would do something like this. They had a plan for goodness sake! Now the whole pack will be after her throat cause she'd attacked their Alpha. As he rushed down the pack's grounds, he got close to some pack members, his wolf hearing picking up what they were whispering amongst themselves. "Did you hear? The Alpha was attacked." A male pack member said to a female. "Oh, I heard. The news has been spread all around the pack already." The female replied. "I heard it was a witch." Another female added. "What?" The male who spoke first gasped. "As if the troubles from the ro
Frustration nibbled at Gonzalo like an insatiable beast. He scoured the packhouse, turning over crates with his wolf senses on high alert, sniffing every corner for any trace of Rain's scent. But the familiar, comforting scent of his daughter was absent. Hours melted away without him even noticing. His thoughts were only preoccupied with one thing; finding Rain and getting River out of that Goddamn cell. He swore, that if Echo really did abduct Rain, she would have herself to blame for it. He wouldn't take it easy with her. How could she abduct a minor? That was callous and unbelievable. If she truly took Rain, Gonzalo would be seriously disappointed in her. He already was plenty disappointed in her, but this was the height of it. This was uncalled for. He couldn't believe he was consoling the woman who had taken his daughter earlier. But how could he have known? He commenced with his search, apprehension forming beads of sweat on his forehead. Still, nothing. Dejection settled i
River ~~ She ran to the pack house. As she arrived, she couldn't help but halt even if it was for a brief second to take in the view and bask in the nostalgia of returning to the place where she was born. This was the place where she had grown up from, together with Echo. Well, it was also the place where the bad memories started from. It was also where she has had to grow up faster than she had ever done. And this place… she had been away from it for seven years. Standing in front of it right now, she could tell that the air was different. She stood, unblinking and taking the view in. It was good to be back here, but bad that it was not for a good reason that she was in front of her right now. Her heart thumped so hard that she thought it’d fall on the floor anytime soon. When her eyes got glossy and the mansion before her blurred, she sniffed back and swallowed her sentimentality. This was her daughter’s safety on the line. She wouldn't hold back and allow her emotions to get
“Oh, God!.” River paced around, panting heavily, her neck swiveling left and right in search of her daughter. “I told her to stay put!” That little rebel never listened. She had other things to worry about other than a stubborn daughter. She, however, could make a wild guess where she was. Running through the dark hallways, she prayed with every fiber of her being that no one in the mansion got to her daughter before she did. Otherwise, she’d get them both in trouble again. For five years, she had been paying her debt to Lord Draven. She could still remember that miserable night when her whole world fell apart. Lord Draven had brought her here to his home where his whole family lived to help with the cleaning of the old and rusty mansion that they had just moved into. She was supposed to clean for a few days and be given her freedom until she owed him something bigger. She could still remember…. . . FIVE YEARS AGO River bounced on her feet as nervousness ran through h
The hug, though initiated by River, felt oddly one-sided. Gonzalo stiffened as they made contact. She could feel his hesitation and was suddenly regretful that she had jumped on him like that.Perhaps, that wasn’t the most practical welcoming gesture. But then again, in her defense, this was her betrothed. There should be nothing practical between them.His arms hovered awkwardly before settling lightly on her back. It felt like a polite pat, not the warm embrace she yearned for or had envisioned.River had, however, read articles about Gonzalo McGruff. From what she read, just as the last syllable of his last name read – he was a gruff man.Perhaps, that was the reason behind his cautious reaction to her embrace.Either way, the fresh rain scent that clung to him made her hair stand on end. This man, though way older than her, would be hers very soon, and he was cool as hell!"Gonzalo! It's been forever!" She exclaimed, pulling back from the embrace and beaming at him. He nodded. “Ri
The drive back to the Ironclaw pack was filled with an awkward silence. River, who was quite the chatterbox, tried her best to fill the quietness with stories about her plans for the restaurant she wanted to establish at Gonzalo’s pack. She aimed for the productive topics, to at least, allow him to see how resourceful she could be.Yet, only disappointments were met with her efforts.Gonzalo remained mostly unresponsive. His gaze was fixed on the road ahead unwaveringly. His silence chewed at River, making her second-guess everything she'd said.However, every now and then when River would steal a glance at him, she’d forget all about her doubts after getting captivated by the sharp angles of his jaw and the way his brow furrowed in concentration.Finally, the iron gates of the Ironclaw pack slid open when they arrived, revealing a sprawling network of wooden cabins cradled amidst tall pines. As they pulled up to the central building, River spotted a familiar figure standing outside, d
[Mature Content Ahead; Not Too Explicit]Gonzalo's jaw clenched and his gaze hardened. River could see how hard he was trying to contain something. His anger, maybe?He crossed his arms over his chest, the towel barely concealing his well-defined physique. "Spend the night? Here? River, this is highly inappropriate."She felt a twinge of hurt at that. "Inappropriate? But, we're betrothed, aren't we? Isn't it normal for mates to— spend time together?"Her voice trailed off while her confidence began to wane under his scrutiny. Gonzalo sighed, frustration evident in his demeanor."River, it's late. You should be in your own room. Besides, I'm exhausted from the journey."His words were like a bucket of cold water thrown over her burning desire. She felt the mixture of anger and disappointment sifting inside of her. Here she was, trying to be the perfect mate, to bridge the awkward gap between them, and he was rejecting her?She straightened her spine, her chin jutting out defiantly. "Lo