SHADOW
“You’re here to read the guilty verdict? Go ahead.”
“Nice pitch. And you’re being dramatic.” I snorted as I joined him in his favorite spot that overlooked the vast land Night Stalker Pack owned.
“I’m sorry I overstepped. I disrespected you and Alpha.”
“You didn’t. You almost died, Zack. I wouldn’t even help if I were you, but you did it for Califf and, maybe, for me. I understand why you said what you wanted to say. Getting it out of your chest always makes you feel good after.”
“Thanks.”
“I despised her since I met her. That was what I felt. I was in a new environment, I didn’t know anyone, and everybody looked at me as if I was a villain, a bitch, a wretch, and treated me like dirt while fighting the mating pull. Still, it hurt a lot knowing my competition was someone like Everlee, beautiful, sophisticated, and rich. How could I compete with someone like her?”
“You’re more beautiful than her if I were to consider. And you’re my Alpha’s one true mate. That’s your biggest strength, and you’re way more capable of being a Luna than her. Nothing could change that fact.”
I put my hand on top of his, squeezing it. “You’re not so bad, Zack. Despite what happened before, you didn’t hesitate to help us capture Calder. You could have just asked your Alpha to sit this one out, but you didn’t.”
“It’s my job, and I won’t let my personal grudge against her get in the way. And it’s Alpha Califf’s brother.”
“Can we go back now? I still feel safer when you’re there.”
He scoffed. “Safer? I think that’s my line. And you should not say that in front of your mate.”
“Shut up.” I stood up and offered my hand. “Come on.”
Califf just linked us. “You need to come. Both of you.”
“That’s our cue.” He grabbed my hand. “Should I apologize?”
“It’s all up to you, but it’s not necessary. Just tone down your voice a little. Everyone is still tense and exhausted.”
“Got it.”
We got back inside the solitary. My eyes bulged out. “Oh, goddess.”
“He’s awake,” Zack said incredulously beside me as we watched Calder sitting on the bed.
“What’s this smell?” He sniffed the room and was still confused as he scanned around. “Who’s there?”
“Holy shit!” Zack reacted in surprise. “Is his wolf talking to him?”
“Hey. Shut up!” Calder yelled, but it wasn’t to Zack. “Get out of my head.”
We all laughed, including Everlee. I remembered that look on her face, smiling, eyes glittering- the relief and contentment. It was the first time I saw myself in the mirror the moment Califf and I accepted that we were mates.
“Son, you can just talk to him in your head. You don’t have to yell or say it out loud.” Waylon was smiling as he shook his head in amusement.
“So I guess he’s cured.” Califf met my gaze, smiling at me, and said to the link, “I’m grateful.”
“So, it’s him. My wolf.” Calder pointed at his head. I began to think he wasn’t joking when he said he never shifted willingly and had never talked to his wolf before.
“Yeah.”
“What happened?” Calder looked at everyone.
“How much do you remember?” Califf asked.
“Um. Bits and pieces. I was talking to you guys and, erm, to your father.” He looked at me. “Then I guess I have another blackout.”
“Yeah, you almost ripped my arm off and chewed Zack’s neck,” Lyon walked in, joining us.
“I’m sorry, guys,” he said nervously, sending us an apologetic glance. Then he turned his head to Everlee. “Did I hurt you?”
“No. If it wasn’t for everyone here, you could be in your wolf form and never shift back to your body.” Everlee looked at us, specifically at Zack standing beside me. “I can’t fathom what you’d endured, and I never get the chance to say how sorry I am for what happened months ago. So, I’m very sorry. I hope you all find it in your heart to forgive me, Zack. And I will be forever grateful for saving his life.”
“Why? What happened?”
“It’s a story for another day,” I told him. He was still healing. I didn’t want to agitate his wolf and lose control. What mattered now was he was getting better than last night.
“That’s what family does, Everlee. You may not be a member of this pack, but you are a family.”
“Thank you, Waylon. Wait.” She must have remembered something. “How are you on your feet?”
“Oh, you didn’t receive the memo?” Lyon chuckled.
“About what?” Calder asked.
“She healed me,” Waylon said proudly, pointing to me.
“Hence this.” I showed her my highlights.
“They’re not dyed?”
“No, Calder. That’s the price she paid for healing our father,” Califf replied.
“So I owed you double, then?” Mystified, he stared at me.
“More like many,” Zack said. “Her father’s blood cures your wolf.”
“The King?”
“Not just a king, Calder. He’s the Lycan King. I’m sure you’ve heard of Lycan. Powerful and stronger than any of us,” Zack explained.
“Yeah. I saw his wolf. It was big and white,” said Everlee, astounded.
“So it’s true then that a white wolf is rare and powerful?” Calder asked his mate.
I snorted.
“You have a lot to learn, babe.” Everlee smiled at him and pointed her finger at me. “That’s why she can heal. Her wolf is white. She’s a Lycan. A hybrid of Lycan and a witch.”
“Okay. Hold on.” He raised his hand, blinking. “She’s a mix, which makes her powerful, and she can also heal? Wow. That’s awesome.”
“Well, healing is put on hold right now. I’m still mastering it, or the head witch will punish me. But yeah. Something like that.”
“And she’s also a princess-”
I elbowed Zack, grunting, “You don’t have to mention that.”
“Oh, yeah,” Calder agreed. “If your father is the Alpha King.”
“It’s not official, and in the human world, I’m an illegitimate child, the bastard daughter.”
“I’m an illegitimate child, too.”
Shit. But he looked like he didn’t care. “Oh, sorry. So, right now, I’m just the spare and an heiress. But let’s not forget the fact that you can now talk to your wolf. Is he annoying, naughty, condescending, or a good boy?”
“What she means to say is our wolf has its own personality aside from who we are,” explained Everlee.
“I guess he’s brooding and unapologetic because he just told me I’m a dick. Sorry, Waylon.”
We barked out laughing.
“Oh, goddess. I know, just a guy. I guess you, two.” I pointed at him and Califf, who was still holding his abdomen. “Are truly brothers.”
“I guess so.” Calder laughed hard. “Am I allowed to get out of here?”
“Of course, but if you feel-”
“Don’t worry, brother, I will throw myself back in here. I don’t want to hurt anyone.” He looked down, and he was only wearing pants.
“I have spare shoes. You can take a shower too. We have empty rooms. You and Everlee can stay if you want.”
“You don’t mind?” She looked at everyone.
“You both are always welcome to the pack house. You can stay as long as you want, and I suggest you do. We must monitor Calder before he can go out there.”
“Will you teach me how to- you know?” Calder asked his brother hesitantly.
“To shift? Of course. We will leave you two alone. Your room is on the second floor, two doors to the left. I will leave some clothes and toiletries for both of you.” Califf came to wrap his arm around me before we left.
We arrived at the pack house.
“I should go home. If you need me or Calder, call me, son.” Waylon stayed at the door.
“Of course, Dad. Take care. Or you want someone to send you home.”
“I’m fine. I’ll text you once I get home.”
“Okay, Dad.”
“Zack, go home. It’s been a long day,” I told him because I knew he planned on staying awake to watch for Calder.
“Yeah. I could use some sleep.”
“Night.”
Califf and I went upstairs. I quickly felt my exhaustion, my adrenaline waning. We’d been awake for almost two days, but I had to clean up.
I got undressed and joined Califf in the hot shower. He was standing stark naked before me. Looking at him, I took the body wash from him and squeezed a good amount into my hand. I rubbed into my neck, my shoulder, and all over my chest. My body quickly reacted to his scorching gaze. I cupped my breasts seductively, pinched my nipples, and tugged my bottom lip between my teeth.
A little tease wouldn’t hurt. We had a long day, and we were both exhausted. But I couldn’t help but get a little naughty knowing his cock was getting harder, jabbing on my lower abdomen.
I watched his eyes darken. His jaw clenched, but he hadn’t made a move. Then I traced a hand towards my abdomen, down between my thighs. I gasped as I felt the first graze of the pad of my finger on clit, and then I rubbed it circular motion.
Califf let go of my groan before he cupped my head. “Do you wanna get fucked in the shower or bed where we could do it all night? You have two seconds to decide. One-”
“I’m tired.”
“What the fuck?” He narrowed his eyes at me.
“I was just cleaning myself, Alpha.”