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
Before River could think of what to say, another guard came in. He waltzed so casually, scratching somewhere between his legs.Without thinking, “What have you done with my daughter?" She gripped the bars and growled.The guard gave a cruel chuckle. "Seems the crazy witch finally woke up," he sneered. "You're in the dungeon, traitor. And your little pup? Who knows, maybe she's roaming the woods with the wild wolves by now."River's heart pounded like a trapped bird. The image of Rain, being torn apart by rogues ran to her in quick succession and she had to shake her head to send them off.She snarled, lunging for the guard from behind the bars. "Let me out! You will pay for this!" she roared, but her voice betrayed the fear swarming over her. The guard just shook his head and clicked his tongue. "We'll see about that," he scoffed and turned away with the other one, leaving River alone in the darkness.Alone, River thought she might go insane with worry. She didn't want to picture the
Shawn drew in a deep breath as the car rolled into the church compound.Finally, the day was here. The day that Calista would become his wife!Shawn had chosen a stunning church in the heart of the city for his wedding, conveniently close to his workplace. He decided to make a quick visit just a few hours before the ceremony to ensure everything was in place.Shawn stepped down from his car, accompanied by Gina, who had a tablet for taking notes on her hands. Shawn's eyes wandered around, taking in the view of the church compound. He couldn't help marveling at its grandeur.The stone walls loomed high as if defying the ravages of time for centuries. Statues of saints and angels stood at the entrance, seemingly watching over those who entered the church grounds. The gardens that surrounded the church bloomed with flowers beautiful in their diversity, adding a peaceful atmosphere to the compound.Shawn smiled as Gina gave him an update on how everything was going. "So, Sir, the decora
“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