The Revered Spin-Off: Guardian of the Wolves
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Isabell R
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Alex lives by two rules: hunt demons and protect his daughter. Love? That was never part of the plan—not after the dangerous secret that cost him everything. But one reckless night at a party he shouldn’t be at, he meets a woman who flips his world upside down. Desire sparks instantly, and what begins as a fleeting connection soon drags him into a dangerous game of secrets and temptation. Now Alex stands at the edge of a life he thought he’d left behind, where every choice risks not just his heart, but everything he’s sworn to protect.
Halloween
Book 1: Guardian of the Wolves
ALEX
I hadn’t planned on coming along to Aurora’s Halloween party at Nord Manor, but Ellie had convinced me it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At the time, she had no idea how right she was.
I caught sight of Bella and Aurora when I entered the spookily decorated ballroom. “Very creative, Aurora. I’ll give you that,” I called out, but got distracted by the woman standing next to them.
She caught my gaze as if by a spell—the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She had long, soft white curls and deep green eyes set in a sharp but delicate face.
“I’m Alex!” I said, quickly reaching my hand out.
She was tall and slender, her skin like porcelain. She wore a white eighteenth-century dress. She almost looked like one of the ghosts.
“Angèlique. I’m Damion’s little sister,” she said, her French accent and pleasant voice almost giving me goosebumps. She reached for my hand as she met my gaze.
I felt a spark when I took Angèlique’s hand in mine. As if possessed, I lifted it to my lips and kissed it. It was warm and soft, and I didn’t want to let go. I’d never been this instantly and intensely attracted to a woman before in my life.
When I looked up again, I was completely captivated by her smile. There was something awfully familiar about it. I didn’t even notice my friends moving on, leaving me behind.
“So you’re an umbra? A demon hunter?” Angèlique asked, smiling cryptically at me.
“Not tonight, I’m not. Tonight, I’m a pirate,” I joked and winked at her. I felt a strong need to close the gap between us and keep her close. It was very odd. She laughed. It was probably the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard, even sweeter than her voice.
“What about you? I didn’t know Damion had a little sister,” I asked, curious. Angèlique didn’t have an aura. I couldn’t tell what she was. But she couldn’t possibly be a normal human if she was Damion’s sister. It was likely that she was a powerful witch, too.
“No, it’s not common knowledge,” she replied, leaning in closer with a seductive smile. I thought I saw a flash of fury in her eyes. “Popular, are you?” she asked, leaning back again.
“Does it matter?” I chuckled nervously. I didn’t want her to lose interest.
Her smile returned, and she sneaked her hand around my arm, pulling me along. “Let’s get a drink,” she said, as if commanding me.
“I’d go anywhere with you.” I chuckled at her dominant manners.
She just giggled at my words. We went past Aurora’s ghostly drink fountain to a bar in the corner.
“Two glasses of the aged merlot, please,” she said to the bartender.
“How old are you?” I asked Angèlique while the bartender poured the wine. She moved with such grace, and her taste seemed peculiar for a young woman.
“Older than you, I assure you,” she answered with a devious smile. She could be really old, then, if she were immortal like Damion.
“What about you? How old are you?” she asked.
“I’m twenty-eight,” I answered and tasted the wine.
“And is it your first time here? I was very surprised when I heard Aurora invited umbra this year,” Angèlique admitted.
“You don’t like us?” I asked, referring to us hunters.
“Not normally, but I’ve honestly not been in much conflict with umbra—not like Aurora has,” she said with a flirty smile.
I was so entranced by her smile that I barely registered her words. I wanted to kiss her luscious lips, to find out if they were as soft as they looked. I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
“Want to get out of here before Aurora starts her second round of pranks?” Angèlique asked, as if she’d read my mind. She grabbed my hand and guided me out of the ballroom before I’d even replied.
As soon as we were out of sight of the crowds, I made a bold move, hoping I hadn’t read her wrong. I pulled her to me, letting our lips collide.
She tasted of wine, raspberries, and pine; it was odd but perfect. She answered the kiss, but only for a moment. Then she pushed me off and grabbed my hand, pulling me along.
“Trust me, Alexander. I desire you, but you should be a little wary of me. You might end up regretting it if you move too fast,” she said, very straightforward and sounding amused.
It made me laugh at her.
“I doubt that,” I said, winking at her, unable to resist the thought of how much I wanted to unlace her bodice.
Her smile became cloaked in mystery. “Let’s go somewhere more private. This place might get crowded by ghosts soon,” she whispered in my ear, making my body react before she entwined her finger with mine as we slipped farther away from the ballroom.
We soon found a window seat, where she pulled me down beside her. There, she drew me in, and her lips met mine once again.
I hadn’t kissed anyone like this since I was a teenager. I longed to touch her skin, but her dress made it difficult, and Angèlique didn’t make it any easier.
She chuckled softly against my lips when I tried to reach for her lacing, guiding my hands to her waist instead. I wanted more, but I let her set the pace.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I suddenly heard Bella call my name. It was the wake-up call I needed, and I pulled away from Angèlique, looking around for her.
“Aurora really did turn you all into ghosts,” Angèlique said in surprise.
I was surprised too when I saw what she was looking at. No wonder I hadn’t seen her at first—Bella’s blonde hair looked white. She was pale and transparent, blending in with the darkness.
“What the hell happened to you, Bella?” I said, shocked.
“Aurora talked about how fun it would be to turn everyone into ghosts and have them look for their bodies. I didn’t think she’d actually go through with the idea,” Angèlique explained, sounding fascinated.
“Why aren’t we ghosts?” I asked her suspiciously.
She giggled. “Because we didn’t stay at the party very long,” she answered, looking at me with devouring eyes, making me want her to myself again.
“Well then, Bella! You should hurry and find your body,” I said, not taking my eyes off Angèlique.
“No, don’t be silly. Of course, we have to help her,” she said, getting to her feet.
“You didn’t hear this from me, but you never quite know with Aurora. She can be a little rash with her decisions and spells,” she explained.
I was very disappointed. “Cockblocker,” I whispered as I passed Bella.
“Not at all, I wasn’t planning on sleeping with you just yet, Alexander,” Angèlique said. She was quite a bit ahead of us. Her hearing must be amazing. It worried me—but not as much as her words.
Of course, she must have been planning on sleeping with me. You don’t kiss a man like that if you don’t want him, do you? “It’s going to take forever to find you in this house,” I sighed as we traveled through a few corridors. Angèlique giggled. She knew I wanted her.
“Hello, Erik,” she said as she rounded the corner. He was looking for Bella. He had found her body.
“Well, Bella, we will see you in the morning,” Angèlique said, waving goodbye to her. She then grabbed my hand and led me along with her again.
“Let’s go to bed, I’m getting tired,” she said, sparking hope in me again.
“You said you weren’t planning on sleeping with me,” I pointed out, trying to check her intentions.
“Well, I wasn’t referring to sex. I still want you close,” she said possessively.
Her words would normally have been a huge turn-off for me. My ex was very possessive. I, however, wanted to remain close to her too, so I accepted them.
Her room was big, and all the furniture was white and very modern in style.
“Would you mind helping me out of my dress?” she asked after she tried untying all the lace herself.
Naughty thoughts hid behind my smile while I helped her with the laces and removed layer after layer. She smiled smugly back at me.
“Is this an authentic dress?” I chuckled. It felt a little ridiculous, but at the same time, it was kind of sexy.
“Yes, it is,” she answered when I reached the last layer—a thin, white, short dress. It was transparent, and I could see her body beneath it. She wore only a pair of panties. She raised her arms, urging me to remove the last dress.
My breath caught in my throat. Her body was perfect—she was so beautiful. The heat pulsing low in my body was hard to ignore, but I couldn’t, and didn’t want to, turn my gaze away.
She walked over to a dresser and pulled out a silk nightgown, slipping it over her head. A devious smile played on her lips as she came over to me. I stood still while she unbuckled my belt and let my pants fall to the ground.
“These clothes are ridiculous,” she said as she removed all of my pirate props. I laughed.
“Don’t laugh,” she said, unbuttoning my shirt. When she was done, I let her push me down onto the bed.
I fought the urge to move when she climbed on top of me and ran her hands over my chest, pushing my shirt aside. She must have felt my erection, but she ignored it.
“Who did this to you?” she asked as she touched the bite mark on my shoulder.
“My crazy lycan ex,” I admitted stiffly.
“I want the name of the one who did it,” she said firmly, almost threatening.
“Emily Gren,” I answered in disgust, feeling compelled to respond. I felt the mood die a little.
“Did she make you distrust lycans?” Angèlique asked as she lay down beside me, snuggling her head on my chest.
“Yes,” I replied, struggling not to touch her.
“That’s a shame,” I heard her mumble before her breathing steadied.
“Are you asleep?” I asked, surprised. I didn’t get a reply. She had fallen asleep very quickly.
“Well, fuck me.” I craved her, and her sweet scent of roses didn’t help.
