Dark Bloom

People walked the streets of New York completely unaware that the supernatural existed. Over hundreds of centuries, werewolves have wandered these lands without being discovered. They hid in plain sight as ordinary employees, lawyers, doctors, cops and even drug dealers. In this secret society of werewolves there’s also a hierarchy, and no matter where one went on this planet, a hierarchy always called for trouble. The shifter world is ruled by the strongest alphas, and their packs have been following them since beginning of their creation.

However, for this system to run smoothly, all the alphas must follow a code which was created by their ancestors. Although, the one that ruled them all, protected them all and created them, was their goddess, Maya. She was the deity that all werewolves; evil or good worshipped. If someone ever wondered why a wolf howled towards a lonesome moon? It was because that lonesome creature knew that Maya would always listen to his prayers.

Except, an empire wasn’t built only from prayer. If one ached for power then the only way was to seize it. There wasn’t any mercy for the weak. This world chewed on those who weren’t fighters and spat them back out to reassess their existence. It was harsh but it was necessary otherwise anyone could become alpha.

The title of being the leader for a pack wasn’t given to the weak. A wolf had to earn that position with hard work and determination. Nothing else mattered because once an alpha backed down he could never get back up. The rules of the game were cold and the players were ruthless. If one wanted to triumph then they had to understand that backing down wasn’t an option, especially if there was something worth protecting.

And no one knew that better than Alister Black. He was the powerful alpha of the Black Crescent pack located in deep mountains of North Dakota. These mountains were merciless, they never pitied anyone. But Alister was raised to conquer these rough terrains. He earned his position and no one could challenge that truth.

He was a man and an alpha that didn’t know defeat. The rules he created became law and his pack stayed loyal to him, which got them his iron-clad protection. Alister sheltered his pack with utmost care and responsibility. He thrived off rules, that’s how he secured his empire and became a feared alpha around the world.

Alister built himself off control, it was the only way to secure his throne. While he protected his brothers and his pack, he hadn’t realized that he closed his heart off and sealed all emotions that got in the way of making rational decisions. However, Alister never expected that he would meet a peculiar wolf who happened to be a librarian and manage to capture his attention.

Everything changed after that.

Everything he knew flipped and he didn’t know up from down anymore.

The control that was like an iron pillar inside him snapped and he didn’t operate on reason any longer, which always proved to be dangerous.

Long ago, in the dark night of the Crescent forest where the pack resided safely as the entire territory was guarded by wolves. Alister stood on the balcony of his castle that was in the family for generations. The night sky was a deep indigo, it almost gleamed purple where the full moon glowed between the thick, heavy clouds.

Everyone had gone to sleep, it was quiet… too quiet that it was eerie. However, Alister was never afraid of the silence because he knew this forest just as much as it knew him. He grew up here, trained here and nothing escaped his notice. Not even the colony of bats that quickly flew out of the grey cave towards the shining moon.

He was all alone; his vigilant eyes studied the black forest trees and the wind that danced through the leaves. However, what once brought him solace had changed. He stared at the forest of his home but something altered inside him. There was a darkness that longed to find the light.

After securing his pack’s safety and witnessing the wolves here thrive with everything they could ask for and more, Alister realized that he was all alone. There was nothing left for him. A trapped heart in his chest stopped beating a long time ago.

This ominous sensation in his chest ached through his powerful body. He stared deep into the moon hoping he’d see what his salvation was. But he only saw the large marks on the moon and nothing more. He prayed to the goddess, hoping she’d hear him this one time to send him the light he sought in this lonesome night.

Suddenly, a few twigs cracked in the distant forest catching his attention.

His expression dropped and the predator inside him appeared, his eyes flashed with the need to hunt. Alister didn’t bother with the stairs, even though he was on the third floor. He climbed up onto the balcony railing made of stone and stood between the heavy wind and glowing moon soaking his bare torso. The wolf inside his body appeared with a ravenous hunger. Without hesitation, he lifted his foot off the railing and leaned towards the edge. As the sensation of falling at a rapid speed reminded him of the strength inside his body, he shifted into the beast that was feared in this forest.

A massive, powerful black wolf landed on his four paws and he sprinted down the terrain. The soil dug into his claws as he launched himself forward between the thick trees and ferns. The smell of a storm was prominent through the moss and bushes, but he wasn’t bothered by the weather when his attention was focused on the intruder.

The beta of this pack, his own brother would disapprove of his actions to chase after danger. But Alister didn’t consider his brother’s judgement right now. He bolted down the forest trail, each corner and rock out of his memory because he’s ran down these hills all his life. He made it his job to know this area without the help of a map. With the heavy arching trees, the moon barely was able to shine through and guide him. He didn’t need it.

His black wolf sprinted down the forest to the outskirts of his territory towards the cliff side where there was a large waterfall. He wasn’t far from his target now that he caught the unfamiliar scent.

He came to a halt at the edge of the trees where he bent down and saw the rocky cliffside. There was a single wolf on the edge. It was the colour of gold; the fur was glossy and striking. The wolf was slender and docile as it took a seat on the edge and laid its head down on its arms.

The black wolf watched and assessed if this golden wolf was a threat? And if he was, then it’d be killed instantly. But how did this golden wolf even make it on this cliff, this was uncharted territory owned by Alister and no one was allowed up here, not even the pack wolves since it was dangerous terrain.

Except, now that he thought about, this was the perfect spot for ambush since it was unguarded. However, this golden wolf was a fool to think that he could enter Alister’s pack without paying for the consequences.

The sudden breeze carried through the cliff over to the bushes where he was hidden and he felt himself being lifted. This fragrance intertwined with the wind shuddered through his powerful body, rendering him immobile.

The predator suddenly became prey to this scent.

A rose, he thought as his throat tightened with the hungering need to satisfy this thirst. But it wasn’t a red rose, it was slightly different. There was a softness to the fragrance as if it was pure and untouched by any colour. What was it? The black wolf prowled out of the bushes to answer his curiosity. The golden wolf didn’t react, in fact, it didn’t even turn around to see the hungry monster behind him.

The black wolf growled darkly before he lunged forward at the golden wolf, but as soon as his massive paws reached to grab the prey, it vanished. The wolf toppled forward and slammed into the jagged rocks as he hurried to see his surroundings. There was nothing around him. He doubted that the wolf could have gotten away, no one was faster than Alister’s wolf.

Was it just a dream? he questioned as the wind howled like a haunted choir who warned him not to dwell any further.

The black wolf faced the moon, that was closest to the cliff and he basked in its glorious light. His fur shined almost silver and he ignored the pit in his stomach before he ran back to his territory. The castle awaited his arrival. Alister shifted into his human form and walked the rest of the way inside the house.

A thunderous storm rolled in, the purple lightning flashed as the roar of the rain tumbled into the clouds.

A dream, Alister told himself. That golden wolf was a dream that was unreachable for him. He didn’t deserve love, not with everything he had done. But his heart ached to hold onto that golden wolf. Why was that? Should he hunt for the wolf? Would he succeed in finding the one that awakened something powerful inside him?

Well, whatever happened now was up to fate because once Alister Black desired something, he always achieved it. He’d conquer that golden wolf and make him surrender to the dark bloom that possessed him.

-Present Day-

Alister awakened after he had the same dream again for the fifth time in a row. That golden wolf plagued his thoughts as he lifted off his bed and planted his bare feet on the oak floor. But all these thoughts took a backseat because today was the day his mate finally arrived to North Dakota all the way from New York. He was already overflowing with excitement, anticipation and everything in between.

He lifted off the bed and walked into the black chamber made from marble and glass that was his bathroom. Freshening up, he trimmed his beard and raked his dark hair away from his face revealing his arctic-blue eyes, that were brighter than he remembered. Perhaps, it was the joy of his mate’s arrival that made him walk with a jump in his step. Getting out of the bathroom, shutting the light off, he returned to the large closet and walked into the racks full with suits and clothes. He picked his three-piece Armani suit that was sleek and modern.

Alister carefully got dressed, making sure that nothing creased or wrinkled as he slowly buttoned the shirt and then knotted the silk tie around his collar. There was a vest that he buttoned up before he slid his arms into the blazer and faced himself in the mirror. This suit was the perfect choice to celebrate his mate’s arrival, he was glad he procured it weeks ago.

He grabbed the bottle of cologne and sprayed it around his throat before he took one final look and approved of each little detail. This was a big day and everything had to be perfect. That’s just how he was with everything. Yet, this felt different. Bone was arriving after leaving all of his friends and family behind. This change would be hard and Alister wished for nothing more than for Bone to be happy.

After his parents passed away, he knew his duties. He was to secure the pack as alpha and make sure that his brothers were taken care of as well. Each of them trained day and night, breaking their bodies and minds to become strong enough to protect each other. Alister was strict in his focus and made sure that his brothers never lost their path either, because they couldn’t risk hurting the pack no matter what.

He had a role to fulfill and he made sure to show up each and every day to be the alpha worthy of the noble Black Crescent pack. Enemies hungered to destroy him for being a young alpha, believing that his naivety would make him an easy target. But, Alister was never guileless and he was never weak. He was born to be alpha and he knew that he’d take his father’s throne one day. No one was ready for when Alister became alpha because when he took that title he knew who he needed to kill and who needed to be an ally.

Many years passed being the alpha of this pack, he was a successful entrepreneur that made sure his pack wolves had everything they needed to thrive. No one was left alone to fend for themselves. Every wolf had a home and they all had Alister’s protection equally. Singlehandedly, he managed his father’s company tripling the assets and ensured the pack’s future for many generations to come.

In those long and hard years, he never thought to mate even though it was required of him as alpha. Many questioned why he didn’t take an alpha-female yet. Alister’s gaze never set upon anyone in his pack. There were many viable options to choose from but he never desired to mate for advantage. He didn’t want to do what his parents did. His father married a woman from nobility and they were comfortable believing that they were content with no bond between their wolves. But Alister saw that his parents never really created a union to cherish and protect.

Alister didn’t desire that for himself. So, he knew that his fate would be to stay a lone wolf. He’d simply let his brothers mate with the wolf of their choosing and they could produce an heir.

Until… he arrived in the dreadful commotion of New York. He always detested the hustle and bustle of that horrible city. Nothing compared to the beauty of North Dakota and the mountains of his pack territory. The open land, fresh air and acres of forest was all he ever truly longed for when he was in the city for business.

However, he never thought that his arrival in the city would cause such an interesting stir. Gabriel Centauri was quick on the uptake and visited Alister. The alpha of the Centauri pack was as formidable as they say. He was observant as he was dangerous and Alister knew that he could make Gabriel an enemy if he didn’t tread carefully. Although, Alister wasn’t afraid of Gabriel Centauri. He knew that the alpha was only looking for the best interest for everyone in the city. Alister did the same thing when someone came close to his territory.

Frankly, he respected that Gabriel had the nerve to come face-to-face with Alister when he knew the risks. The Centauri’s also ran a prestigious pack. If he wasn’t mistaken, Gabriel’s parents died and he was the one who took the seat just like Alister had. Not many knew the truth behind that pack and its history, since all the information was controlled and kept secret from outsiders.

Once Alister arrived at the grand opening of the second Underworld nightclub that was extravagant and worthy of its grandeur, he couldn’t find any interest here either. He congratulated Trez Luciano and was just about to leave once he heard that the Centauri pack arrived. However, as he crossed the corridor made of black marble and velvet carpet, he sensed a presence as delicate as a rose. This sensation rendered him defenceless, which was something he never knew before.

A soft, honeyed fragrance lulled him into this cocoon as if he was in a rose garden under the shining moon. His wolf stood to guard, starving to consume this scent and possess it for himself. Alister never relished his greed, but this scent made him selfishly possessive. He ached to make it his own and if anyone tried to take it, he’d kill them.

He tracked the scent after he forgot everything else. Following down the corridor, he saw a man. He thought he was mistaken that this soft scent didn’t belong to a female. The fragrance of rose came from this man who stood alone by the glass window.

Alister lost himself as he stared at the tall, dignified gentleman who was stylishly dressed in a black suit. However, this stranger seemed lost, almost like he wasn’t really standing in this hallway.

Alister approached him, yearning to be closer so he could touch him. He closed the space between them and saw a pair of vulnerable blue eyes. However, he sensed another thing that was abnormal. This man’s wolf was wary to make his presence known. No wolf was ever ashamed to admit they were watching too. But this man’s wolf was guarded and didn’t let Alister in.

As they exchanged words, Alister’s focus remained on this beautiful scent and those sorrowful eyes. It was much later, that he discovered that this stranger was part of the Centauri pack, which was just his luck. But since Alister knew King Vitiello who had married into the pack, it was easy to get an introduction.

Bone Barbieri was the man who won Alister Black, which was an incredible feat.

Time went on and Alister tried to win this man’s heart, that was more guarded than any alpha’s territory. However, Alister didn’t know defeat. Bone was his mate and he’d make him his forever. But first, Alister needed to play his cards right in order to get what he wanted.

Right now, as he stood in his closet, he caught the letter and wilting white rose on the table. That letter had the truth of Bone’s life written without anything hidden and the rose was a gift.

Alister lifted the rose gently and hoped none of the petals fell off. He frowned as he remembered the contents in the letter. The truth was that after reading it, he wished to go and kill every single person that tormented Bone. He glanced back down at the rose and the soft fragrance that still clung to the petals. It reminded him of his mate. Thankfully, he was coming today because Alister couldn’t endure another moment without him.

Grabbing his phone and wallet, he left the dark bedroom and walked down the ancient halls of the Black Crescent castle. The floor was covered in black and gold rugs as he trailed along the dark walls and arched windows, that showed him the entire forest. He made it towards the grand staircase that overlooked the first floor. On the right of him were the black couches in front of the massive fireplace that was made from carved molding with a massive painting on the wall. Across that was the kitchen, that was separated with a singular wall and an arched passageway. He knew this place even with his eyes closed, since this was where he was born and raised. His father always told him that this castle was to be protected and Alister upheld that promise.

Right when he stepped down on the floor, a black wolf appeared from the kitchen and it was Frost. The wolf he rescued in the forest when he was young himself and ever since then the pup has been his companion. Alister bent down and ran his fingers through Frost’s fluffy fur.

“Guess who’s finally coming today,” he whispered. The wolf’s eyes perked with interest making Alister smile. “Bone is finally going to be with us. Just one more dreadful hour to go and I can lay my eyes on him again.”

Suddenly, the front door opened and Archer appeared. He was Alister’s second brother and the beta of the pack. The man prided over his duties and took them very seriously.

Archer Black was tall and wore a leather jacket over his broad shoulders. He rarely wore a suit unless he was forced to for some occasion. But Alister always thought a leather jacket and jeans suited his brother more. His dark hair was raked back, still tousled by the breeze that it laid effortlessly in chopped layers. But unlike Alister, his brother had stark grey eyes, almost as if the saturation had been taken away. No one could deny the man’s capabilities in his work, but he was a bit too controlling and if Alister admitted that, then it was big deal.

“You’re awake,” Archer approached him. “I thought I’d have to use the old trick and dump water on you.”

“I would kill you if you did that,” Alister said as he strode ahead to get his morning coffee before his brother listed the hundreds of tasks for the day.

Frost tagged along but he got comfortable by Alister’s favourite seat in the kitchen near the windows where the sun poured through after many nights of rain and clouds.

Starting up the machine, he popped in a pod through the section on the top and shut the lid before pressing a button. The machine gurgled and moaned before dark roast coffee poured into a stark white mug.

“I need to talk to you about the committee meeting,” Archer said then. “But there is also the dinner party you were invited to by the Craven family. Are you going or do I come up with an excuse?”

“Excuse,” Alister answered.

Archer noted that down in his metal thoughts. “We also have the repairs down by the creek that need-”

“Where are your brothers?” Alister intervened when the coffee was brewed. He lifted the dark coffee to his lips and caught the whiff of roasted beans.

“Aero and Atlas are handling pack stuff,” Archer informed as he turned while Alister took a seat by Frost. “Now, the construction near the creek-”

“Archer,” Alister sighed. “Did you forget what today is?”

“No, of course not,” Archer raked his hair. “You haven’t stopped talking about this day since the night you returned from Siena.”

“Bone is coming today,” he said.

“I know,” he answered.

“I want Aero and Atlas back home on time,” Alister informed.

Archer crossed his arms. “What happened to the man who said that mates are just a complication,” he questioned.

Alister thought like that in the past when he was ignorant. “I was wrong,” he admitted as he smiled over the rim of his cup.

Archer’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Well then,” he mumbled. “I can’t wait to see you make a mess of yourself in front of everyone, including Bone.”

Alister glowered. “What’d you say?”

His brother laughed. “I was kidding,” he held his hands up in truce.

“Is everything ready for my mate’s arrival,” Alister inquired.

“If you mean by the weeks of preparation for the gifts, then yes, they are,” Archer sounded a bit offended that his task-completing skills were being questioned.

“I want it perfect,” Alister said.

“You’ve been distracted by your mate and you’ve been slacking off,” Archer protested. “I need you to address over a dozen tasks and-”

“You handle it,” Alister said as he got up to leave.

Archer blocked his big brother’s path. “Alright, enough is enough.”

Alister raised a brow.

“Once Bone arrives, I need you to dedicate the entire night to work,” Archer said.

Alister opened his mouth to protest.

“I’m letting you off the hook now,” Archer intervened. “But once Bone is settled in, you are getting back to work.”

Alister didn’t have time to argue since he had to go pick up his mate. “Fine,” he gave in.

Archer seemed taken aback. “Wow, you’re usually so unreasonable,” he admitted. “Who are you and what did you do to my brother?”

Alister glowered but he didn’t know how to dispute that point, since his mind only circled around one undeniably beautiful man.

Eventually, he finished off his coffee and made sure that Frost was fed as well before they left the castle doors. It was only eight o’clock, so the sun still shined between the tall trees, beaming through the leaves and onto the large green field in front of his castle. Many of the cabins that belonged to the pack wolves were more secluded into the forest areas for privacy. So, through the thick array of trees and bushes, he couldn’t see anyone around apart from Archer and Frost who were next to him already.

Walking down the series of stone steps, Archer informed that the car was ready for him and they walked down the path towards the three black Escalades that were sleek. There were at least a dozen pack enforcers surrounding the vans. Alister knew that Archer was the one that prepared the security detail, since he would never send the alpha down to the city alone, especially to the airport.

Alister just wondered how Bone would perceive it all. Would it be too much for him to handle? He hoped that that wouldn’t be the case.

They made it up to the vans and the pack enforcers greeted Alister. They were all dressed in black gear with weapons on display on their hulking bodies.

“You couldn’t dress less conspicuous,” Alister grumbled as he stared at all of them.

The twelve men shared a look as they held guns and had more blades on their bodies then any sane person. Alister glared at Archer who didn’t care at all about how all of this would look to Bone who was a stranger to this pack. The last thing Alister needed was for Bone to get scared and run away.

“Since when do you care about what the enforcers wear?” Archer crossed his arms. “They look fine.”

“They all look like killers,” Alister said.

“We are killers,” Ragnar said while he looked smugly at his alpha.

Ragnar was the oldest out of the team and he was Alister’s friend. He was a towering six-foot five man with bulky shoulders, that his black shirt clung to him. The sleeves had been rolled up, showing his heavy forearms with dark tattoos and dusted with scars too. The man’s topaz eyes were as focused as a predator and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that the man knew how to fight.

“We are about to pick up my mate, I don’t want any funny business,” he warned them all.

Ragnar’s topaz eyes gleamed. “We’re always serious with work,” he said.

“Then why are you smiling?” Alister remarked at his friend.

“Am I?” Ragnar remarked.

“We’ve just never seen you so nervous before?” Vex voiced who was leaning against the car.

“I’m not nervous,” Alister tugged at his suit jacket.

The men glanced at each other.

“You’d think that the president was coming or something,” Vex chuckled with the others.

Alister rolled his eyes at Vex who never took anything seriously. The man was tall like the rest of them, but he had flaming-red hair that contrasted against his icy-blue eyes, it felt as if he could peer through a person’s soul with them. They were disarming and it didn’t help that the man had a wicked smirk on his lips, that proved he was a skilled killer who had defeated many enemies while protecting his alpha.

“Can all of you just be on your best behaviour,” Alister requested since he knew that his wolves were borderline crazy.

“We will, captain,” Ragnar assured. “Calm down.”

“I mean it,” Alister affirmed as Vex opened the door to the van and Frost hopped inside first.

“We get it,” Vex said.

Alister got into the van when he spotted two enforcers approach Archer quickly. They pulled him to the side and talked to him briefly. Archer took his phone out and he heard Atlas’s name. Vex was about to close the door but Alister stopped him and focused on Archer. Those guards were wearing vests, so it was clear that they were patrol from front gates.

“What’s going on?” Alister asked sternly.

Archer met his eyes. “It’s nothing to worry about,” he affirmed. “I will have Atlas handle it.”

Alister drew in a deep, steady breath before he lost his temper. “Archer, I’m not going to repeat myself,” he grumbled as the wolf inside flashed within his dark eyes. This was not the day to be fucking with him.

“We have unidentified wolves near our gates,” Archer informed.

Alister raised a brow. What the fuck were random wolves doing near his territory the day of his mate’s arrival? He let out a stream of curses from under his voice, that the men around him fell silent.

Archer turned to the patrol guards and informed them that they secured the gates. The rest of the team will join Atlas to hunt the wolves.

“How many wolves?” Alister inquired.

“There are seven, sir,” the guard answered.

“We don’t have rogue wolves near our territory though,” Vex added.

“Perhaps, they are just passing by,” Ragnar guessed.

“It is unlikely that wolves would stroll in our forest,” Archer said knowing the treacherous landscape.

Alister thought the same because this forest terrain was tough on wolves, but it wasn’t impossible to navigate. Only the ones trained here would use this mountain to hunt and stroll, otherwise no one was foolish enough to climb up here, especially near his area. However, deep down, he knew who would pull such a stupid-fucking stunt because it’s been done in the past.

“Call off the men, Archer,” Alister instructed to his brother.

“Why?” Archer said. “What are you going to do?”

Alister pulled out his phone and dialled the number to Rafe Reynold who was the alpha of the Dark Fang pack. He was the only one in the city that would do something like this, because he’s always been jealous of the Black Crescent pack. Even when Alister’s father was still alpha, Reynold sought every fucking chance to tarnish his reputation. And now that Alister was on the throne, the man couldn’t bear the thought of being below a man younger than him.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

“Hello, Alister,” Reynold greeted smugly.

“What the fuck are your wolves doing near my turf, Reynold?” Alister growled.

“They are not on your land,” Reynold said proudly. “They are free to wander.”

“And I’m free to murder whoever the fuck I want Reynold, should I send your wolves back to you in body bags?” Alister snapped back.

“Is that a threat?” Reynold growled back.

“I’m not threatening you,” he replied. “I am just informing you what happens when I’m pissed off.”

Reynold gulped. “My wolves will leave,” he said before he cut the phone.

Alister grumbled another curse and put his phone away. “Archer, tell Atlas to keep an eye on the wolves until they leave,” he instructed.

“I will,” Archer replied.

Alister leaned back in the seat and put his hand over Frost’s head. “Let’s head out,” he checked his watch. “I don’t want to be late.”

Vex shut the door and the enforcers got into their cars. Archer, Ragnar and Vex joined Alister in this van and all four of them departed through the gates towards the airport. The men discussed why Reynold was being such a nuisance. Alister meant to pay attention to the conversation while they passed the guarded gates and drove down the mountainside. The winding road was cleared of any other cars until they reached town where traffic grew. But with the three Escalade vans coming through the streets, cars moved out of their way on their own.

Alister glanced down at Frost who sat patiently, the wolf seemed a lot more composed than he felt himself. His heart was hammering in his chest as they reached closer to the airport. He cracked his knuckles and fiddled with his watch before he settled back in the seat. Staring out the window, he spotted the bare field and knew that the airport was moments away now. He glanced at the watch and Bone’s plane should land in ten to fifteen minutes.

Frost sensed Alister’s apprehension and laid his head onto his lap, garnering his attention by giving him solace. There was nothing to be nervous about since it was Bone. But Alister couldn’t help it, he felt the pressure on his shoulders to make his mate feel comfortable here. On top of that, they were finally going to be alone in his own house. The dark, dangerous need that was pumping through him wasn’t something he could take any longer. He wished for nothing more than to embrace his mate, hold him, touch him.

Except, would this scare Bone? Alister was left to ponder over this with the pit in his stomach. He never second guessed himself, yet with his mate, he was an absolute mess. And it didn’t make it easier that Bone was hard to read. The man had a habit of masking his eyes or shielding his words to disguise them from the truth. Alister always had to peel off his mate’s layers like one was unraveling a rose that hadn’t bloomed yet to reveal the core.

A white rose, Alister peeked a smile. His mate was fragrant and complex in a way that provoked Alister and wolf inside him. They were intrigued by the way Bone was unconditionally kind and intelligent. There was nothing malicious about him or the way he held himself. Alister couldn’t understand how someone who went through so many years of traumatic events could remain so pure and innocent.

Bone suffered at the hands of others for far too long. Alister wouldn’t let it happen anymore. He was going to cherish him and protect him because he felt the hankering need to hold onto his mate and never let go.

Even now, he could remember when Bone met his gaze at that nightclub and his heart skipped a beat while sitting in this car. He was disarmed in moments and he never thought that was possible, since he never felt this way with anyone before.

This obsession wasn’t common. He wished to dominate his mate, lure him into the dark and caress every part of his body until he was begging for more.

Alister fisted his hand, digging his nails into his palm. He felt trapped in his van, even though it was large enough to fit another four men. He lowered the window and Archer’s voice immediately shot to the back saying that it was dangerous and rolled the window back up from the front.

Alister sighed in defeat and rested his head back onto the seat hoping that when he saw Bone, he would finally calm down. After years of walking on his path alone, he smiled at the thought of having Bone by his side now.

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