I have no idea how long it had been since I shifted. The memories are hazy, but I can recall I spent most of my time while shifted on the phone with Abbie after Kyson called her for me. She remained on the phone until I could no longer keep my eyes open, and with the help of Kyson’s calling, eventually, I was lulled into oblivion. However, I do recall Abbie was just as shocked as I was about me being Lycan but also found it quite hilarious that I could lick my own eyeball, which I discovered accidentally. Who would have thought Lycans had such long tongues?

The feeling of my bones breaking and dislocating wakes me out of my deep slumber, though the transition back is nothing compared to the initial shift. But it still makes me whimper when I feel the expanding of my spine, sending a shudder through my body.

Kyson’s massive hand on my back caresses me softly, and I blink, trying to wake up from where I lay. A rumbling caress resonates from deep within his chest. Even asleep, he still purrs, using the calling as a sedative. Tired, I blink rapidly, yawn, and rub my eyes. Still, I would rather not move from off his chest, content with just lying here wrapped in his warmth. His fur tickles my nose, his clawed fingers tracing the ridges of my spine gently as the transition comes to an end.

His purr grows louder, and I melt against him, relishing the sound and the beat of his heart. My heart falls in time to the sound when he pulls me higher, his tongue running over my mark, lapping at it. Arousal washes through me, making my toes curl, but I am still angry with him. As much as I enjoy his touch, I am still angered by everything.

Kyson rolls over, shifting as he does so. The cracking of his bones makes me grind my teeth as fur becomes hot skin and he rolls me on my back, his body pressing between my legs. His thick, muscled arms rest on either side of my head. He shudders before turning his head, cracking his neck, and his eyes go back to their dazzling silver color. He smiles down at me before pressing his lips to mine gently. His tongue traces the seam of my lips before forcing it between them. I sigh, kissing him as he rocks his hips against me.

His hand moves to my neck, and his fingertips graze my scalp as they slide through my thick hair, pulling me impossibly close as he deepens the kiss. His tongue demands and dominates my mouth, tasting every inch and stealing the air from my lungs. He pulls away and chuckles softly, dropping his head onto my shoulder.

“What’s so funny?” I ask..

“Nothing,” he chuckles, purring louder. My eyes widen, realizing I, too, am also purring and hadn’t realized it, mistaking the vibration as coming from him. My face heats, and he nibbles my lip. I can’t seem to stop the noise even if I’d like to. I have no control over it.

Kyson lifts his head, his hand moving to my face, his thumb strokes over my cheek gently; my skin flushes with my embarrassment as I continue to purr like a damn cat getting its back scratched.

“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s normal, love. It’s your body reacting after it shifts; it recognizes our bond and wants to mate,” he purrs, and I shake my head. I don’t want to mate; my body just went through hell. But the moment he says the words, I become instantly aware of the throb between my legs, the slickness coating my thighs.

Kyson thrusts his hips against mine. His hardened length slips between my wet folds, coating him with my arousal. He brings his face closer, his lips gently brushing against mine. He sucks the bottom one in his mouth and nibbles on it. A moan escapes me as he sucks on it. His cock glides between my wet folds and hits my clit, making me gasp as I shut my eyes at the sensation. My hips rock to his rhythm, chasing the feeling, wanting to ease the pulsating as my pussy aches, throbbing to its own beat and causing me discomfort. Kyson growls softly, and my eyes fly open at the sound, only for him to kiss me again. His tongue gives me no rest as it invades my mouth once again.

“I don’t want to mate, Kyson. You should stop,” I mumble around his lips. His plump, full lips leave mine, letting me catch my breath.

“You’re lying to yourself,” Kyson tells me in a low whisper, and I shake my head.

Kyson pulls back, staring down at me, watching my face when he rocks his hips against mine. A needy moan escapes me, and my face heats. “No?” he purrs. I see the desire swirling in his gaze.

“Deny me all you want, but don’t deny yourself. I’m here. Let me help the ache stop,” he purrs, nipping at my lips.

“I don’t want to sleep with you,” I blurt as his lips travel along my jaw and down my neck, nipping, sucking, teasing my flesh.

Kyson ignores me. Instead, his lips travel lower to his mark, which now lies etched into my skin. He growls, nipping at it, making my toes curl and my walls clench, the pulsating becoming worse and driving me near insanity.

“Then I won’t mate you,” he growls, nipping at my skin while his teeth, lips, and tongue move lower, tracing a path to my breasts, my nipples so hard they are nearing pain. My back arches at the feel of his tongue tracing over the hardened peak. Sparks rush over my skin, heating it, and my breathing becomes ragged as he sucks on it, swirling his tongue around my areola. My muscles tense at the pleasurable feeling building lower within my stomach.

The purr that emanates out of me resounds around the room before I whimper as he bites down on my tender skin. The pain, however, is only fleeting as he sucks on it harder, chasing the pain away, then turning his attention to the other, his hot mouth moving slowly, enticing more moans.

His mouth continues its descent lower, teeth grazing my ribs and across my hip bone. I growl when he doesn’t move faster, my entire body craving his touch as he bites into my hip. His hand pushes my legs wider as he settles between, sucking on the inside of my thigh, making my hips buck the closer he becomes to the apex of my thighs.

“Kyson!” I growl, annoyed when I feel his breath sweep over my slit.

“Patience, love, I will give you what you want,” he purrs as his hands grip the backs of my thighs, and he yanks me down to the end of the thick mattress. He moves off it to sit on the floor. Growling, his hand slides to the backs of my knees, forcing them to bend. Kyson shoves my legs higher, my knees resting along my ribs, exposing me further to him. I have no time to feel embarrassed about the position he has put me in, everything on display makes me want to close my legs, but his grip won’t allow it when he sweeps his tongue flat across my folds before his entire mouth covers my pussy, sucking on my swollen flesh.

I mewl, melting against the mattress as his mouth continues its relentless assault. His tongue parts my lower lips as he licks a line straight to my clit. He sucks hard on it, making me writhe and move my hips. His grip on my legs grows tighter, his fingers digging into my skin, bruising me to hold me still while his mouth devours every piece of me, making me cry out as my legs tremble. My pulse pounds uncontrollably. Tension coils in my lower belly as I squirm and pant. My inner walls clench, and his tongue glides lower, lapping at my entrance before it plunges inside me.

A squeak leaves me when I feel his tongue lick around the tight muscles of my ass, and I hear him chuckle, amused, while I feel mortified. His mouth goes back to my clit, making me forget the earlier embarrassment seconds ago. He moves slightly, taking his hand off my thigh before sitting up slightly, his arm crossing over the back of my thighs, holding them in place. His other hand traces down my thigh to my ass, squeezing it as he sits up. My legs are now pinned in the same position held by his arm placed over them.

I try to drop my legs, not liking the position I am in with him gawking between my legs. His hand palms and kneads my ass before I feel his thumb part my lips. He dips his face between my legs, lapping at my clit, then he shoves his index finger inside me. My inner walls squeeze around it, and my hips buck at the sudden intrusion, his mouth sucking my clit as he drags his finger out, scraping my walls before sliding it back in slowly.

My purr grows louder, and my nerves scream at the building friction. He glides his finger out before adding his middle finger, making my legs shake as he stretches me further. My inner walls clench around his finger, and he sits up, watching his fingers slip in and out of my tight channel, drenched with my slick.

Kyson growls, his eyes hungry, watching his fingers delve inside of me. He curls his fingers, making me cry out, and eliciting endless moans as he hits that sweet spot. My eyes close, the sensation growing intense, hotter, as he continues dragging them in and out, plunging them deeper each time.

I feel his fingers curl once again inside me, and his ring finger presses against my ass. My eyes open to find him watching me, pitch black as the beast that resides within him surfaces. His fingers offer no reprieve as he plunges them in harder, dropping his mouth back to my pussy before I feel him slide his ring finger inside me. I squirm, the feeling unnatural, as he breaches the barrier of the tight muscles of my ass. Despite the discomfort, my pleasure grows in a sinful sort of way, his fingers moving simultaneously while he sucks on my clit. My skin heats, my pussy throbs, and clenches as my stomach tightens. Tingles slice and weave up my spin, and my toes curl as I reach the precipice.

A gasping breath leaves me as I shatter. My moans resound around the room as waves of pleasure ripple through me, my pussy clenching his fingers, which slow, allowing me to ride out the sensations as I pant and writhe. My entire body is shaking with the intensity of my release, rendering me limp and boneless as the last wave ripples through me.

Kyson slowly withdraws his fingers, lapping at my juices, his tongue causing aftershocks to course through me, my skin now very sensitive to the touch. He moves his arm, and my legs fall limply on the bed while I try to catch my breath. Kyson crawls between my legs, hovering above me, his erection digging into my lower stomach as he leans down and kisses me.

He forces his tongue into my mouth, but I am too exhausted to care as he makes me taste myself on his tongue. He growls, nipping at my lips.

“I’ll run you a bath,” he whispers against my mouth. All I can do is nod, my brain liquefied. He laughs softly, climbing off me and wandering off toward the bathroom.

The aging door creaks open, its old hinges emitting a loud groan that reverberates through the room. As the light streams in, filtered and subdued by the curtains, I see the space is enveloped in a dim, ethereal glow. Liam, a tall and imposing figure with broad shoulders and a chiseled jawline, strides into my sanctuary. His dirty blond hair tumbles messily into his eyes, adding an air of ruggedness to his already formidable presence.

Despite his commanding demeanor, there is a certain enigma that shrouds his face, concealing the savage nature that lies within. Frustration etches his stance as he saunters toward me, dressed only in a tank top and jeans. The sinewy muscles of his bulging arms are on full display, adorned with thick, corded veins that seem to pulsate with every step.

“Get up!” he demands, his voice laced with an undeniable authority. I groan in protest, reluctant to be torn from the peaceful embrace of slumber, but Liam’s relentless determination leaves me no choice.

Standing at the foot of my bed, Liam begins clapping with a resounding intensity. “Up! Get out of bed,” he insists, his words punctuated by the forceful removal of my blanket. A mischievous glint dances in his eyes as he exclaims, “Oh la la, what have we here? Sleeping in the buff, I see. Me likey.”

Before I can react, his hand connects with my exposed skin in a swift slap that leaves a searing imprint on my ass. The sting radiates through my body as if every finger has been branded onto my backside.

I snarl in defiance, rolling over onto my back and fixing him with a glare that could ignite the room. “Liam, you fucking twat!” I hiss through gritted teeth, my hand instinctively rubbing the welted flesh. “Get out of my room.”

But Liam remains undeterred, his resolve unyielding. “No, can do. I have a job to do, and you are coming with me,” he declares with unwavering determination. I groan in resignation, reaching for my blanket and attempting to reclaim the warmth that has been so abruptly snatched away. However, Liam’s grip is firm as he snatches it again, tearing it completely off the bed.

“Up, or I will make use of that ass by turning it into my personal cum dumpster,” Liam snaps, his words laced with a dangerous edge. Anger courses through my veins as I begrudgingly sit up, tossing my legs over the side of the bed. As I do so, Liam nonchalantly strolls toward my drawers, rummaging through them and flinging clothes in my direction.

With a mixture of annoyance and resignation, I snatch the garments and begin dressing myself. “And where are we going?” I inquire, a tinge of curiosity seeping into my voice.

“Anywhere but this room. I am sick of watching you sulk,” Liam retorts, his exasperation palpable.

Great, the psycho woke me for no damn reason. Pulling my shirt over my head, I fix him with my meanest glare.

“Has Abbie called you?” I ask him as I slip on my sneakers, stealing a glance in his direction. He shakes his head in response.

“When was the last time you spoke to her?” he queries, tilting his head slightly to the side.

“Days ago, a week maybe more,” I shrug nonchalantly, uncertainty clouding my mind. The days have blurred together since she left, merging into a haze of indistinguishable moments.

“She’ll come around, Gannon. She will realize what sort of man he is,” Liam assures me, his voice carrying a hint of optimism. Grabbing my belt from the bedside table, I deftly thread it through the loops before securing the buckle and following him out of the room.

“Maybe ask Kyson for permission to visit her,” Liam suggests as we make our way through the corridors. Unsure of our destination, I continue to trail behind him, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Abbie. We eventually find ourselves in the labyrinthine depths of the castle’s basement, specifically the kitchens. Descending deeper into the bowels of the building, we finally come to a halt in a dimly lit chamber.

“Kyson wants me to find all the archives on Azalea Landeena,” Liam informs me, his voice carrying a note of urgency. We had long suspected Ivy may be the missing Landeena princess, the rightful heir to the Landeena Kingdom. The implications of this revelation are staggering, as it meant Kyson’s treatment of her had been misplaced. He had believed her to be the daughter of the infamous serial killer Marissa Talbot, but now doubts began to creep in. Too many pieces of the puzzle failed to align.

Having voiced my concerns to Damian on numerous occasions, I had become increasingly convinced something was awry with Ivy’s behavior. Her instincts seemed more akin to those of a Lycan rather than a werewolf. However, Kyson remained steadfast in his refusal to listen to our doubts. Until now.

Navigating through the cluttered expanse of the storage area, we drag boxes out and sift through them in search of any information pertaining to the Landeena family and their missing daughter, who would be roughly Ivy’s age. Our efforts yield a few scattered files, which we quickly scan before deciding to consult Damian for further insight. Unfortunately, it becomes apparent we have barely scratched the surface of this vast labyrinth. The cell is almost inaccessible, with towering stacks of boxes reaching all the way to the ceiling. And there are six more cells just like it.

When our search finally draws to a close, Liam leads me to a training session with the castle’s men and what remains of the Landeena guards. The day stretches on, filled with physical exertion and the relentless pursuit of honing our skills. Amidst it all, I attempt to call Abbie, my longing for her presence gnawing at my heart. Liam, ever vigilant, seems determined to keep me distracted. I wish he would stop babysitting me.

As the shift comes to a close, we make our way back to my room within the castle’s confines. Stepping through the threshold, I groan in frustration as Liam follows closely behind.

“Come on, Liam, leave me be,” I growl, my frustration seeping into my voice as I stalk toward the bathroom in need of a quick shower. The hot water cascades over me, washing away the grime and tension of the day. However, when I step out, I find Liam still lingering in my room, his eyes fixated on my personal belongings. Snatching the photos of Sia and Abbie from his hands, I confront him with a mixture of annoyance and anger.

“Liam!” I snarl through gritted teeth, my voice laced with frustration. He exhales heavily before moving toward my bed and taking a seat.

“By the way, Kyson granted you leave to visit Abbie,” Liam states matter-of-factly, his words hanging in the air. I sigh in acknowledgment, realizing he must have convinced Kyson or perhaps enlisted Damian’s help in persuading the king.

“You didn’t have to get involved,” I mutter, placing the photos back in their folder with a sense of careful reverence.

“When you get her back, are you going to tell her about killing her aunt?” Liam’s question hangs heavy in the air, causing me to swallow hard as my gaze averts to his penetrating stare.

“More importantly, are you going to tell the king about who Sia truly was?” he presses further, his voice filled with a mix of concern and curiosity.

“It changes nothing. We dealt with Sia in the end, and she never had the chance to carry out her nefarious plans. What good would come from dredging up the past? Nothing but turmoil,” I respond, my voice tinged with resignation.

“The king wouldn’t be angered by your actions against Sia and her mother,” Liam asserts, his gaze unwavering as he locks eyes with me.

“Are you speaking solely about my involvement or considering everything?” I counter, my tone laced with a hint of skepticism.

“If Kyson were to discover the truth, he might hold Abbie accountable. Assuming guilt by association. Look at what he has done to Ivy. I won’t risk it with Abbie,” I explain, my words laden with a sense of protectiveness toward the woman I love. Liam takes a seat at the edge of the bed, his posture reflective of deep thought.

“And what about Abbie?” he probes further. “You have to tell her about us. She will find out, Gannon. Secrets like this don’t remain hidden forever.”

“Tell her what exactly? That my mate chose you over me? Or how I felt the bond breaking every time she fucked my best friend? Or perhaps I should inform her about how we tore her beloved Aunt apart when we discovered the truth about each other?” The bitterness in my voice is palpable as I unleash my pent-up frustration.

Liam sighs, his expression filled with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. “Abbie would understand. I just don’t want this one secret to tear you apart again once you have her back. If she were to uncover it on her own, the consequences could be dire.”

“The only person who knows about this, Liam, is you. Unless you plan on revealing it to her, there is no way for her to find out,” I retort sharply. Liam shakes his head, his expression a mix of resignation and concern.

“Just think about it, Gannon. I will support you, no matter what you decide. But I believe Abbie deserves to know the truth about her parents and the circumstances they were running from.”

“We can’t say for certain. We only recently discovered that Sia had a twin sister. There could be numerous reasons why Abbie’s parents went rogue,” I argue, desperately clinging to the shreds of doubt that remain.

“But it does make sense, doesn’t it? Why would Abbie’s parents willingly become rogues? They were fleeing from someone. We might not have known about it until Abbie entered the picture, and you stumbled upon those files, but now it’s clear who they were running from. Abbie has a right to know, at the very least, that her aunt was your true mate,” Liam concludes before turning toward the door.

“Get some sleep, brother. I’ll make sure your car is ready for your departure first thing in the morning to see Abbie. Hopefully, you can bring her home,” he says, his voice filled with a sense of hope and determination. With that, he shuts the door, leaving me with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

I exhale deeply, retrieving my clothes and slipping into bed. Tomorrow holds the promise of reuniting with Abbie, and I can only hope my words and presence will be enough to convince her to return with me. If not, I am left uncertain of what other avenues remain open to me. However, I know if I were to ask Liam for assistance, he would willingly aid me in exacting vengeance upon Kade and sweeping the consequences under the rug. Unfortunately, such an act would require the annihilation of his entire pack.

As sleep begins to claim me, I am left with lingering questions and a sense of trepidation. The truth weighs heavily on my heart, threatening to unravel everything we have fought so hard to build. But in the depths of my soul, I know that secrets can only remain buried for so long.

Last night, the king granted me special leave while Ivy was transitioning. I have been in the car ever since.

Desperate to reach Abbie, I repeatedly dial her number, hoping to persuade her to see reason. My calls go unanswered, just as they have in our previous attempts. Abbie has been purposely avoiding me, shutting me out of her life.

My mission is to report any issues. It angers me that Kyson won’t allow me to forcefully remove her from her mate. Such an act would certainly create tensions as well as be deemed unlawful, especially if she wished to remain by his side. As his mate, she belongs to him. However, the temptation to break that law gnaws at me relentlessly. Love makes you do weird things. I am prepared to face any consequences, be it imprisonment or lashings. I just don’t want Kyson’s already fragile political situation as collateral damage. If it meant freeing Abbie from her undeserving mate, I would do iTI knew Kyson would hesitate to pass such a sentence, especially under pressure from the packs he governs. It wouldn’t bode well for a king to defy the very laws he helped establish – laws put in place to halt Alphas from forcibly marking multiple women and tearing them away from their true mates. That was precisely why Kade refrained from marking any of his wives; technically, they were free if they found their destined mates.

However, Abbie was an exception. He had marked her, fully aware that having a mate made him stronger. Despite the futility of my efforts thus far, I have no choice but to persist. Going against a mate bond is nearly impossible for she-wolves, and my attempts to expose Kade’s infidelity has fallen flat.

So, for now, my only option is to convince Abbie to willingly leave him. He didn’t deserve her. Neither did I, but I would spend the rest of my life trying to prove my worth to her if she would have me. As stupid as it might be to try, I have to.

We rarely come this far out into the pack. Even when invited to stay, as we passed through it sometimes, we always sought accommodation elsewhere. We feel uncomfortable within packs, never fully certain of their allegiance or potential ties to the hunters. Caution dictated our actions. Nonetheless, Alpha Kade has shown us kindness, always extending his help unquestionably whenever we need him to send his men to scout for hunters in his area. He is still a disgusting werewolf, treating women as if they are nothing more than trophies or possessions.

My phone jolts me from my thoughts, and I pull over to answer it, knowing I will soon need to input the address. Damian’s name illuminates the screen, and I swiftly connect the call, placing the phone against my ear. When travelling we try not to use the mindlink, it can be distracting while driving.

“Have you obtained the address?” I inquire, rummaging through the glove compartment, searching for a pen and paper.

“Yes, I have it right here. Remember, Gannon, remain unseen. If you are caught lurking without formal notice, suspicions will be raised,” Damian advises, caution evident in his voice.

“What did you tell him?” I query sharply.

“I informed him Ivy wanted to send a care package,” he responds.

“Very well. I’ll stop along the way and purchase some items; I can play the role of a delivery boy,” I retort with a hint of annoyance.

“Good idea. But please, Gannon, refrain from causing harm. We cannot afford any bloodshed,” Damian pleads.

“I am solely here to retrieve Abbie,” I state.

“You mustn’t force her; you know the consequences if you do,” Damian reminds me.

“Perhaps I am willing to accept those consequences,” I confess.

“And what becomes of Abbie if she chooses to return to him? You would be banned from entering his pack, leaving her trapped there. The king would have no choice but to administer one thousand lashings and imprison you, as per the law. Don’t make him do that. You witnessed what happened last time; it nearly destroyed one of our own,” Damian counters.

“But that imbecile forcefully claimed the girl. I am not seeking to claim her; I only wish to take her away,” I argue.

“Semantics matter little, Gannon. Don’t force my hand in ordering you to retreat,” Damian warns firmly.

“This is Abbie we’re discussing, Damian,” I breathe, desperation tinging my voice.

“I am well aware, but our hands are tied. Kade is the only Alpha with whom we have a genuine alliance,” Damian reminds, his tone laced with resignation. I glare out at the forest beyond the windshield, frustration coursing through my veins.

“So, what’s your decision? Shall I command you to return, or can you restrain yourself?”

I snarl. “Fine, I won’t force her. But if he has harmed her in any way, I swear I will kill him,” I vow vehemently.

“The king mentioned that he saw Abbie, and she appeared to be in good health, aside from Kade’s infidelity,” Damian interjects.

“And that is still hurting her,” I counter sharply. “There’s no way it can’t.”

“Gannon!” Damian’s voice rises, reprimanding me.

“Fine, I will keep my hands to myself. Just give me the address,” I concede, fearing he will order me back home after driving all this way. As a mere Gamma, alongside Dustin and Liam, I hold little power compared to Damian, who holds the rank of Beta. If he commands my return, I will be powerless to resist. With haste, I jot down the address before ending the call and inputting it into the GPS. The destination is indeed located outside of town, miles away. I had expected Abbie to be at the packhouse, for that was where an Alpha’s mate should reside – not hidden away in some secluded cabin. Kade has isolated her from everyone and everything, including the town itself.

A growl escapes as I realize she is out there alone, especially with hunters on the prowl. Starting the car, I drive to the nearest town before stopping at a general store to fill a basket with items. I carefully select all her favorite fruits and candies, products I have persistently encouraged her to try since she was initially hesitant to accept anything from me back at the castle. Toward the end, however, she had let her guard down, and I had managed to convince her to be with me, only for that wretched Kade to intervene and shatter our fragile connection.

Surveying the store for additional gifts, I find that even flowers are absent from this meager establishment. Perhaps Abbie will appreciate a book, I muse momentarily before remembering her inability to read. A comic book might suffice; maybe she could interpret the story through the illustrations. If she were to return with me and reject her mate, I could take it upon myself to teach her how to read.

Thirty minutes later, I arrive at the outskirts of Kade’s territory. Abbie’s dwelling is barely on the border, and I navigate down a long, winding dirt driveway. The place before me hardly deserves the title of a house; it resembles more of a shack – a structure that seems poised to crumble with a mere gust of wind.

I catch sight of Abbie at the clothesline, her gaze shifting toward my approaching car. Shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare, she squints to discern my identity. Swiftly parking the car, I send a text message to Damian as per his request. Abbie gazes apprehensively at the vehicle, her worry evident. I wonder why a random car would cause her concern. Nevertheless, she appears unchanged – save for a slight tan, as if she has spent ample time outdoors. Her cheeks bear hollow contours, more pronounced than when she departed, and her skin wears a wearied pallor. Despite these signs of fatigue, she seems to be holding up well, or so I hope.

“Oh, it’s you,” Abbie states, her tone laced with nervousness as she approaches. “Why are you here?” she asks, her lips caught between her teeth.

“What? Is that all you have to say?” I inquire, raising an eyebrow in surprise. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips before she rushes toward me, and I swiftly enclose her in my embrace.

“God, how I’ve missed you,” I confess with sincerity. Abbie nods, her thin arms wrapping around my neck. She lets out a relieved breath, and I can’t help but wonder why she was anxious about an unfamiliar vehicle. But for now, she is safe, and that is all that matters.

“Why are you here?” she murmurs.