Page 8 of Ruthless Reign

And Maverick… I can't believe this is where our story ends. It was just getting… well,somewhere. It felt like we had finally hit a turning point in our relationship, recognizing our feelings for each other. Even when he told me he was going to leave Shadow Creek, putting distance between us, I could tell it pained him. He refused to reject me, and a part of me wants to believe it's because he likes me, not so he can avoid finding another potential mate.

I thought the worst problem to have was my complicated situation with him. My body still aches at the prospect of not being with my mate, but in hindsight, being apart is better than not being together at all. Knowing he exists, out there somewhere, I don't know how well I would have coped, even with Lex. But now I'll never know.

Before everything went down in the woods, I could sense something between us. I wanted to talk to him about it again, but then we were attacked.

I was taken.

And his voice… he was so afraid for me. But also, I think he was afraid for himself too—almost like the fear of losing me was becoming a real thing.

Tears fall down my face as my body starts heaving with silent sobs. I refuse to make a sound and let those assholes win, but I can't stop the pain.

Thinking of them both, it hits me—really hits me—that I'll never see them again.

Or my parents… their only child, gone.

I'll never see Lena and Beau, or their future offspring when she decides that she's ready to let the heat take over. Or Reese, who finally found his mate.

I'll never get to go to work again and watch the children grow up, knowing I had a hand in helping them become functioning pack members.

I'll never get to bear my own with my mates… to know the love and joy that my parents felt when they had me.

Even though I didn't want to do it—couldn't understand why it happened—I'll never officially be Luna. I was finally ready… as nervous as I was. My ceremony was meant to be this full moon.

I was going to fulfil my destiny.

My eyes squeeze shut as I try to block the tears from falling, calling out for them again in my mind. But suddenly, there's a light, somehow making its way through the darkness.

As my eyes shoot open, I realize…it's coming from me.

Chapter Four

Maverick

I can't seem to ease the restlessness that's raging inside of me.

It's an agonizing sensation, almost blinding me, and it takes every ounce of strength to stay focused.

Everything happened so quickly.

One minute, I was monitoring Daxton's boundaries, catching the scent of that infuriating, intoxicating smell that's slowly grown on me. And the next, it was gone.

She was gone.

And I blame myself entirely. This is exactly what I was afraid of. Despite reassurances and arguments that having a mate made you stronger, I knew it gave you a weakness.

As alpha, there's no room for error. When everyone is counting on you, to protect them and survive, you cannot risk having vulnerability. It gives enemies a reason to target you.

Those wolves in the woods, I should have heard them coming. But I was distracted by Nyx, her wet hair sticking to her skin, grief written all over her face. It pulled on something inside of me, a feeling that was stronger than I am. I wanted to comfort her, but instead, I focused my energy on shoving that instinctaside. It was at that moment that they attacked, a pack of wolves diving on top of me from the bushes.

The rain had covered some of their scent and sound, but still—I'm better than that. I'mstrongerthan that. I should have seen them coming.

It also didn't help that she constantly refuses to listen to a damn word I say. I explicitly told her to stay on the field, to wait for me to return, but Nyx's stubborn nature just had to argue.

I heard her following behind, but once the attacking wolves were on top of me, I had no choice but to shift, to get them off me.

The plan was simple—rip them apart and get back to her. I managed to harm one with ease, but before I could get my teeth into the next, I heard her scream.

Nyx's terrified shout, coupled with the sounds of more wolves attacking her, my guard dropped. That gave the wolves attacking me the chance to overpower the situation. I had quickly tried to gain control back, but then I heard her voice again—except this time, it was in my head.

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