MelodyThe aroma of hot cocoa, sausage, and freshly baked bread wafted into my nostrils as I stirred on the bed, patting around in search of Draven. I frowned but quickly relaxed, assuming that he was making the hot cocoa for me. Seconds after that, the door was pushed open, but it wasn't he who came in. I didn't have to sit up or open my eyes to know that it was the former luna and the only mother figure I had."Mom?" I called out, dragging myself up. I rubbed my closed eyes, then fluttered them open, blinking rapidly as I adjusted to the light."Good afternoon, honey." She cheerfully greeted, placing the tray in her hands on the bedside table."Afternoon?" I asked, my voice distorted as I yawned."Yes, you slept through the morning." She answered, moving to draw the curtains. I groaned when the light streamed in."Where's Draven?" I asked, licking my lips as I shifted my eyes to the tray. I couldn't decide which to eat first, the sausages or the bread."He had an early morning meeti

Melody Reese"Mason." I tried shaking him to wake him up as quietly as I could without Nathan noticing. He was busy engraved in a phone call a few yards away from where he had tied up Mason against a tree. He was totally incapacitated, and I couldn't help but feel they had drugged him because he had no significant injuries that I could see.EarlierAfter dinner, I was feeling quite exhausted, and my head was heavy with sleep. I didn't want to give in because I couldn't stop thinking about Draven and the possible danger he was facing. I missed him so much and could only pray to the goddess to keep him safe. Before he left, he explained that he would cast another spell on me that would keep me from accessing his thoughts, just to keep me from worrying too much for the safety of our child."Draven will come back to you, possibly by sunrise." The former alpha assured as he sat on the opposite side of the dining table."Jaxon's right; I know my son, honey. He will come back." Scarlett seco

MelodyNathan recovered quickly after managing to control the damage the protection spell Draven had cast upon me caused. I couldn't help but wish him death for kidnapping Mason and me. Nathan realized quickly that my fear and the thought of being in danger were the ones activating the spell, so he threatened again to kill Mason if I didn't try as much as I could to avoid triggering the spell. In order to save Mason's life, I had no choice but to push down my fear, masking it with worry and the urge to see my mate. When I did as he asked, he finally gave me a shot of achenka, lulling me into a comma."This is the best gift you could ever give me." I could make out Nova's voice just as water splashed over my head, making the scratches on my exposed skin sting. I was suspended by my hands on bars that were attached to the ceiling by chains. My toes were barely touching the creaky wooden floor of Nathan's basement. Any movement made the silver chains rub on my already broken and burned w

Melody Reese"I never imagined I would sit in Nathan's dining room, eating without looking around, worried for my life." I said, shifting closer to Draven when he twirled a fork around spaghetti for me. He insisted on feeding me after Scarlett had prepared spaghetti and meatballs, courtesy of Nathan's pantry and freezer."Weren't you allowed to?" Draven asked in a hiss, urging me to open my mouth. The flavors exploded in my mouth, making me close my eyes as I savored the hearty meal."Nathan didn't like finding me seated here. I was required to be in our bedroom at all times, either positioned around the dance pole or on the bed, dressed skimpily. If he found me, I would be punished by getting bound on the dance pole and getting whipped." The sound of a fork falling on the plate with a clang had me lifting my eyes across the table.The former alpha had his face set into a scowl while his hands clenched into fists on top of the table. "How long?" He hissed."Not long." I answered, my c

Melody ReeseI stood unmoving, my hand subconsciously rubbing my chest. Even as Nathan and the rest were brought in front of his entire pack and our warriors, I didn't stir or spare him a glance. The same wooden structure designed for beheading that Nathan purposed to use on me before Draven saved me was placed right on the stage of the common grounds.Whispers started spreading amongst the people present, probably wondering what was going on even though I knew they had a clue. "Starfall Pack." Draven addressed the audience, his tone dripping with unquestionable authority.The whispers died out at the power he was exuding. I knew they had never experienced such raw command because Nathan was nowhere close to Draven's level. "I'm sure you all remember my mate and your former beta's daughter, Melody Reese." He stretched out his hand for me to take, which I did, and then he pulled me closer to him."Nathan decided to take her as his chosen mate, and instead of treating her like a mate no