Oliver's P.O.V. The rogues had moved in further, inching forward each hour. I had been fine with my order to stay hidden, not wanting to risk any of my pack members by exposing myself and causing the rogues to attack. There was a chance that they were surrounding our neighboring packs because they weren't sure which one I was in. Why they wanted me so badly, I didn't know. Surely, the few dozen I had taken down compared to their current size wasn't that big a loss to them, yet they were waiting. Each day, they were just waiting, watching, and inching forward. They were taking the land that my family had fought for generations to protect. What was worse was their smell was slowly permeating our lands the longer they stayed at our border. The disgusting stench of their unbathed and dirty bodies only slightly covered the smell of their rotting skin and decaying muscles. A sure sign they had been rogues for a long time. A wolf could only go so long without a pack before the wolf and
Lana's P.O.V. Oliver was unusually quiet and the impending full moon tonight made my confidence falter. He seemed bothered. There was a mixture of excitement and tension that made me feel like he was hoping for the best but anticipating the worst. At first, I thought it was because I would be shifting for the first time. But then I realized Oliver's feelings would heighten anytime he went to Parker's office or discussed the rogues with anyone. He had never scared or worried me before, but I knew it was due to the upcoming battle. The excitement for the impending bloodshed had me feeling all the more nervous about joining this world. I didn't want to be a victim anymore, but I also didn't want to be fueled by bloodlust. There had to be a middle ground where I could be a part of Oliver's world, his family, without having to be surrounded by constant violence. When I tried to address my concern, he refused to talk to me about it. Any mention of the war or the rogues resulted in him s
Lana's P.O.V. My mind kept telling me to grab Maddie and run, to get as far away from the pack and the pain as possible. But my heart had me stumbling next to Oliver, gripping his hand tightly as he walked me to his land. The tall cover of trees let in streams of moonlight between the branches, and I took in a deep breath as we stopped under the largest section of moonlight. Oliver turned, moving to stand in front of me as he wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Are you ready, my mate?" It felt like a trick question. Was I ready to have all of my bones break and realign as I sprouted fur and transformed into a wolf? No. Absolutely not. Was I ready to be able to defend myself and my daughter against the upcoming threat? Fuck yes. The feigned confidence I had been holding onto faltered as I felt the muscles in my arm twitch, and I tensed as I waited for the bone to break. "Once it starts, it will be over very quickly. You just have to stay calm and focus on
Oliver's P.O.V. There was a celebration back at the pack house. Since we weren't allowed to go on our normal run with the rogues closing in on us, those who were able to participate joined us in front of the pack house in their furs. Lana stumbled at first, but she moved swiftly within a few minutes like she was a professional... like she had meant to be a wolf her whole life. But I had never seen a human transform and handle their new form so easily. It made me admire her all the more. The pack greeted her eagerly, rubbing against her side and letting out wolfish noises of welcome in her direction. I smiled at her, watching as she took everything in with her newly heightened senses. 'She did well,' Parker's voice came through my mind as he moved to stand next to me. His size was only slightly bigger than mine, something that was rarely seen in those who had not been born of an Alpha bloodline. 'She really did. She is strong.' I said softly, keeping my eyes on Lana as Kaylee appr
Lana's P.O.V. Everything about the world was completely different than what I knew and how I had previously experienced it. The Earth was softer, sinking beneath my paws with each step I took. The trees smelled stronger and sweeter, and the air was crisper. It was like I had entered a new universe. Nothing was the same as before, but it was even more beautiful. I could see why the wolves enjoyed the wilderness. The life surrounding them and the clean air felt invigorating. We had started out slow, jogging along the border of the houses, staying close to the center of the community. Several wolves had joined us at first But as we continued on, they dropped off one by one, giving us our privacy, and probably getting bored by our small and repetitive circle. But for me, it was more exciting each time. I would notice new things with each lap. New smells, sounds, colors. It was incredible. 'How are you feeling, my mate?' O
Lana's P.O.V. Oliver's muscles tensed as he stared down at me, his beast at the surface but patiently waiting. It was as if he were holding his breath in anticipation. "Do you?" I asked again, stepping up on my toes to get closer to him. Oliver lowered himself, his hands landing on my hips, giving me full access to the area where I would mark him. I brushed my lips along the skin, feeling a primal urge coming forward, trying to compel me to bite down into his soft flesh and claim him as mine. "Lana," He growled, his fingertips digging into my hips. "Don't tease me. I don't think you understand how long I have waited for this moment. I want to be yours as much as you are mine." I pulled back, glancing up at his eyes, amazed at their beauty as they shifted from black to forest green. My hand moved up to grab the back of his head. "You are mine," I whispered as I pulled his face down, capturing his lips. Oliver slid his hands from my hips to the back of my thighs, lifting me from the
Lana's P.O.V. I couldn't stop smiling. All morning I was grinning like a Cheshire cat. It all started when I woke with my face on Oliver's shoulder. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes, was my claim on his skin. The irritated flesh topped by the silver scar tissue of my mark had me almost purring with giddiness. I knew wolf customs would be different than human customs, and while they were unfamiliar to me, this one felt as if we had just gotten married. The excitement of the honeymoon phase had butterflies in my chest. As Oliver walked with a smile rivaling the size of mine and his chin high, I knew he was just as happy. Each time we passed someone on our way to the kitchen and they offered us a smile or a knowing nod, his back seemed to straighten even more with pride, and he would gently squeeze my hand. It was one of the most adorable things I had ever seen him do. Knowing he was excited about having my mark on him
Oliver's P.O.V.My teeth ground together as I stared ahead at Parker."It's for you," Parker mouthed silently as he raised his eyebrows and glanced pointedly at the phone. I had been excited to request my position as a warrior back. I wanted to start training again, even if it was within the center of the pack land and not out on the training field with the rest of my people.Instead, I was the butt of Parker's joke as I entered his office right as Alpha Jones of the Mountain pack called. I froze in panic as he gestured for me to have a seat and announced my presence for Alpha Jones to hear. The smug look on his face told me that he was getting even for one of the other times I was a sarcastic ass to him.The knowing smirk on his face made me want to smash the phone on the desk into pieces. But like the obedient subordinate I was, I sat back and fought the urge to destroy his personal property."You're the worst," I mouthed back, c