Donovan was right. His pack’s ties were weak and tattered. They’d been neglected for a long time, but they’d heal. We could fix it.
You all right? Donovan asked as he tilted my chin up to look in his eyes.
Yes. I smiled up at him. I’m fine.
I couldn’t believe the pack that was so notoriously unwelcoming had actually accepted me. I’d only had to battle a fey monster and get half of them kicked out to win their favor.
Cheers echoed into the night. Max whistled and I laughed at him. Even if I wasn’t a Wayfarer anymore, my family would always be in my heart.
My father stepped up to us. He brushed a quick kiss on my forehead and whispered in my ear. “I’m so proud of you.”
I laughed. I nearly died getting here, but I’d survived. I was kind of proud of me, too. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Have you both approached of clear heart and clear mind?”
“We have,” Donovan and I said together.
“Tonight we witness the joining of Donovan Murry with my daughter, Meredith Molloney. Both have been through many ups and downs in their lives. Through every hardship, my daughter has shown her true mettle. She’s made me proud as her father and Alpha. Having her leave the Wayfarers for another pack—especially one as troubled and notorious as this one—isn’t easy, but I’m confident that Donovan will care for my daughter in a way that I would approve. And if he doesn’t? Well, he’d better hope that day doesn’t come.” Dad said that with a smile and the crowd laughed, but Donovan nodded.
He took my father’s words seriously, his usual grin absent. “That day will never come.”
Dad nodded. “It’s time for the exchange.”
Donovan took my right hand in his left and lifted it to his mouth. I took his left hand in my right and did the same. My heart was racing with equal parts excitement and nerves.
But I was ready to be Donovan’s mate. More than ready. “On three?” I said to Donovan.
He nodded. “One.”
“Two,” said.
We bit down at the same time. I ignored the sharp nip to my arm as I swallowed the hot coppery gush of blood. Together, we said the binding oath.
“What’s mine is yours and yours is mine. From earth to air to fire to water. Moon and sun. I will be yours to the end of time.”
Our bond thickened and strengthened until I was drowning in Donovan’s power. It poured into me and my knees buckled. Power filled every pore in my body until I thought I might explode. Even my teeth tingled. All I could smell was Donovan. All I could feel was his power. And beyond him, I could feel each connection to every pack member.
I could feel his energy. He was ecstatic. I felt how empty he’d been before and how happy he was now. Most importantly, I could feel how thankful he was for me. It made me feel cherished and loved. His power surrounded me in love until I was lost in it.
“Knowing what I have to offer, will you accept me and this bond?” Donovan’s voice pulled me back from the abyss of power.
“Yes.”
And suddenly I was drowning again. Tessa had seen bits of Dastien’s past, present, and future when their bond took hold. I wished I could see those, but I didn’t have any bruja in me. Instead, I saw his hopes. His desires: a quiet life, travel, laughter, and way too many children.
Boy had lost his mind with that one.
“With these words, the bond is complete. I share all my power with my mate.”
I thought it was over, but more power kept coming. I felt Donovan pick me up and hold me in a ball in his arms. It was too much. All his power. I’d thought I had a clue what it would mean to be his mate.
Not even close. “Holy shit.”
There was a rustle of cloth as the gathered Weres shifted forms. Then everyone started howling. Three times their cry ripped into the night, and then the ground rumbled as they started their run.
When I could lift my head up, I stared into Donovan’s glowing blue eyes. We were alone. I was cradled in his lap in the center of the circle.
“We did it,” I said.
“We did.” Donovan’s smile made my heart soar.
“What do we do now?”
“We run.”
We shifted forms, red robes floating to the ground around us. I chased my mate through the woods in the moonlight. Getting here had been so hard. At times, I wasn’t sure I’d be strong enough. Being cursed had been a nightmare. I’d even wanted to give up a time or two. But I hadn’t. Every time I thought I was at my lowest, I’d found a way to keep going.
That moment in Bhrunyz’s lair, I’d thought it was over. But I’d lived. I was here.
I wasn’t sure what was ahead. My new pack needed work. The fey were going into hiding, and I had to find a way to help Cosette. But I’d find a way. I always did.
And now I had Donovan at my side.
I felt like I’d climbed a mountain. I’d been through the hardest part and won. And even though I knew I wasn’t invincible, for once I felt like I could achieve anything and everything.
I was a survivor. And I was going to enjoy everything life had to offer. Come what may.
The series continues with Being Alpha, Book Seven in the Alpha Girl Series!
Releasing February 13, 2018!
Click here to preorder!
For the first time since Tessa met Dastien, life is quiet. The evil witch, Luciana, is six glorious feet under, St. Ailbe’s is closed due to human trespassers, and people are finally getting used to the fact that supernaturals exist in the world. It seems like the perfect time for a honeymoon.
Tessa and Dastien’s trip to the Caribbean is turning out to be the honeymoon that fantasies are made of—sunset cruises, long walks on the beach, and every romantic cliché you can imagine. She couldn’t be happier. So, when a local man goes turns up inexplicably dead on the beach, Tessa brushes it off. Not every bad thing that happens in the world is a supernatural mystery to be solved. And when Sebastian—one of the Council of Seven Alphas who rule all of the werewolves—appears on the island, she thinks it must be a coincidence. Everyone needs a break now and then. Even council members. Right? Besides, Tessa is beyond determined to not let anything get in the way of her romantic vacation.
But when Dastien goes missing, the honeymoon is most definitely over. Tessa can’t ignore the signs anymore. Something is huge is going on. And whoever messed with Tessa’s mate is in for a rude awakening. Because if there’s one thing fighting rogue witches and werewolves has taught her, it’s how to be Alpha.
Coming soon from USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Aileen Erin: Off Planet, Book One of the Off Planet Series.
Releasing November 28, 2017!
Click here to preorder!
Maite Martinez has always yearned for more than waitressing in a greasy diner on the polluted, mostly abandoned planet Earth. She’s spent her life hiding from the global corporations that took over when the world’s governments went belly up. Thankfully, they’ve been too busy trying to keep the tenuous peace with the mysterious alien race—the Aunare—to pay her much attention, but just in case, Maite likes to keep a low profile. Staying out of the system at all costs has been her motto. But when a SpaceTech officer gets handsy with her, she reacts without thinking.
Breaking his nose might not have been her smartest move, and now she’s faced with a choice: serious jail time working in a chain gang on a volcano planet or join the corporate army to fight against the impending war with the Aunare. With those two options, Maite knows she has to enlist if she wants any hope of surviving.
As with everything in her life, Maite quickly realizes that the war with the Aurnare isn’t what it seems. And Lorne, the Aunare prince, keeps popping up everywhere she goes. Being seen with him could get her in even deeper trouble with her commanders, but he’s the first person who sees through the wall she’s built around herself and she can’t bring herself to send him away.
When the situation between SpaceTech and the Aunare escalates, Maite has a way to end the wa
r before it even begins. There’s only one question: can she stop the total annihilation of the human race without getting herself killed in the process?
Also by Aileen Erin, Cipher, Book One in The Shadow Ravens Series.
Click here to order now.
For more information and updates about the series, go to:
http://inkmonster.net/books/shadow-ravens
To My Readers
Thank you so much for reading the Alpha Girl Series! There were a few delays with this one thanks to the early arrival of my amazing daughter, but I’m back writing and have some awesome things planned for this series and more! But I hope you enjoyed Meredith and Donovan’s story! It was so much fun to write, and I never wouldn’t have done it without your suggestion! So, please, keep in touch. If there’s a character that you’re dying to know more about, let me know!
And don’t worry. If you’re missing Tessa and Dastien, they’re back in the next book, Being Alpha. Out February 13, 2018!
Until next time, I’ll be posting updates on my books on my blog, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Goodreads.
xoxo
Aileen
Acknowledgments
More than ever before, 2016 was a year of change for me. With my business partner leaving Ink Monster, two cross-country moves, and the birth of my daughter, it was hard to keep up with everything. But, I’m happy to say, that I’m finally out of the weeds and things are looking up. Way up.
Thank you x ∞ to Lola Dodge. I couldn’t have gotten through the last year without you! Through up and downs, mad dashes to get Shattered Pack up to snuff, moving half-way across the globe to watch my house and then having to leave… I don’t know how to adequately express how blessed I feel that you’re in my life. Thank you for always having my back. I know it’s been chaos the last little bit, but we made it. I’ll be forever grateful. This coming year is going to be the year of awesome! And I promise. Never again. #outoftheweeds
Thank you for being so amazing, Kristi! Between hustling to Atlanta/Los Angeles to watch Isabella and proofing the final book, I couldn’t have finished without you. Your support has been so incredibly appreciated. I’m so thankful to have you as my mother-in-law.
To Kelly, Kim, Katie, Allison, and all the rest at INscribe, thank you for all your hard work! Your support of Ink Monster and our books is invaluable.
Michelle—Thank you for all of your help and support through the madess that was the last year. I hope to work again with you soon!
Dani—This next year is going to be epic, and then one after that, and the one after that. And the one after that… You get the idea! Excited for everything that’s to come!
Last, and most importantly, to my amazing husband, Jeremy. It’s been nuts. Through the amazing birth of our daughter, through the moves and craziness, through my fight with post-partum anxiety and the rush to make this book go from meh to awesome… I have no words. I literally can’t do it without you. You’re my best friend, partner, and the most amazing father. I’m in awe of your kind heart, patience, and understanding every day. I’m so proud of everything you do. Thank you for picking me to be your partner in this life. Love you more than words.
Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd—from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.
For more information and updates about Aileen and her books, go to: http://inkmonster.net/aerin
Or check her out on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Goodreads.
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