5 YEARS LATER RYAN'S POV I opened my eyes, the blinding sun rays piercing them. Sighing in mental exhaustion, I looked across the room to see Beta Allister and Philip sitting on the settee. Seriously? "What do you both want?" I asked gruffly. "Good morning to you too." Philip sighed, standing from the settee and making his way to me. "A letter from the king." He said, stretching his hand towards me. I eyed the envelope he held in his hand, unsure if I really wanted to see the content. "Ryan, you have to leave here." Beta Allister muttered. Hearing him speak, I sat up on my bed to be able to get a clearer view of his solemn looking face. "Why?" I asked, already aware of what his response was gonna be. "You cannot remain here." He begged, trying to make me understand whatever his reasons were. Couldn't they just continue as they had been? The pack had done so well in my absence, what difference would my return make? "The east wing is still a part of my castle." I sho
ROSA'S POV Another shadow moon festival. Another night to lick my wounds over the fact that I was probably cursed to be alone forever. There I was, sitted in a secluded area from the main event. I could hear the cheers of the pack members celebrating with one of the newly selected shadow wolves, who had coincidentally found his mate a few minutes ago. "Must feel good." I whispered to myself, releasing a scoff. Crying? No, I was past that. If the last 5 years had taught me a thing, then it was to never waste my tears over something I couldn't change. "A fang for your thoughts?" I heard a familiar voice ask, and I looked up to see priestess Ivana. She had proven to be the only true friend I may ever be able to have. "I have good fangs." I managed a small smile, regardless of how much my heart hurt. My heart always hurt, if I was being honest. I couldn't remember anytime I was truly happy in the last five years. "A good limb could be a better bargain." I sighed, and watched
ROSA'S POV As I walked through the quiet garden, I muttered to myself continuously. "You'll be fine, Rosa. You'll be fine. You're in a better place now." I was in a better place right? Or was I just trying to convince myself that I was? It had been three weeks since I arrived at the blood moon pack with Andrew, and it was safe to say that I had become even lonlier. Atleast, I had priestess Ivana in my pack, but here, it seemed like I was all alone. The maids here in the pack house were either the least bit friendly, or they were just more concerned about their work. The pack members were either still trying to warm up to me, or they just didn't want to relate with me. Or with my mate's family, if I was being honest. I wondered why, because Andrew was the heir Alpha, and his parents were the current Luna and Alpha. Why would their pack members not relate so much with them? Since I came here, I could count the number of pack members that had visited the pack house. The pack hou
RYAN'S POV The moment I stepped foot into the wedding hall, all eyes fell on me. I wasn't one bit surprised. I was a hybrid, and exuded excess energy wherever I went. 'Everyone is looking at us'. Philip mindlinked me, and I nodded in agreement. 'Of course, they would. They should'. I replied, holding my head high, and walking through the aisle. Seems we couldn't make it in time for the joining ceremony, but we were able to meet up with the wedding party. 'It's him. The hybrid'. 'I think it's Alpha Ryan'. 'Goddess! He's been released?'. 'It's really him!' 'Did you have an idea he was out?' 'Is he here for the ceremony?' 'Was he invited for the crown prince's wedding?'. 'He feels very deadly'. 'He's so cold'. 'The coldmoon Alpha'. 'Monster hybrid'. I heard a lot of whispers all around, my vamp hearing making them all the more audible. I couldn't help but turn to the lady who had whispered to her mate, calling me a mo
ROSA'S POV "Arghh! Fuck!" He panted heavily as he pulled out of me, and collapsed beside me on the bed. I tried to conceal my dissatisfaction, facing the other side of the bed. Each day that passed, he seemed to have become faster at chasing his release. He didn't spend so long moving inside me, and it made it difficult for me to enjoy it as much as I hoped to. "You should put on some clothes." I heard him say behind me, and I turned to him. I was surprised to see that he was still awake, having expected him to be fast asleep by now. He always went straight to sleep, immediately after sex. "Go." He nudged me by my shoulder, making me frown slightly. "Put on some clothes." I didn't have to ask why he insisted that I put on some clothes, because I guess I already knew. He was repulsed by the scars all over my body. "Okay." I whispered, trying so hard to not let the tears in my eyes drop. Slowly, I stood from the bed and made my way to the closet. It was still early in the
RYAN'S POV I calmly watched the chiefs and honourables whisper amongst themselves, as I waited for the next topic of deliberation to be brought up. "What next?" I asked eventually, tired of listening to their annoying whispers. "Al...Alpha." One of the chiefs stuttered, making me roll my eyes. Why was he stuttering now? "Speak." I urged impatiently. "Alpha, it is a situation with the MacQuoids." Philip informed. Instantly, my eyes moved towards the representative of the Honourables, and my gaze fell on Dean MacQuoid. Next to him was Hazel MacQuoid. "What about?" I asked, feeling quite non chalant. Ever since Ralia showed up here, I wasn't in my element. "We are yet to appoint a new power custodian, Alpha." Dean MacQuoid was the one who revealed. He spared a glance at his mother; Hazel, for a moment, before holding my gaze. Bold. He had always been bold. Dean, I mean. And honourable, and..... I just couldn't place my hand on it. Fatherly? Orrrr just.... a kind man
RYAN'S POV The past week had been both crazy and worrisome. The stupid prince Sebastian had abducted some of my pack members, with the intent of forcing me to the meeting he had arranged with his cohort Alphas. Of course, I had to go because my innocent pack members needed rescuing. Sebastian and the other foolish Alphas were so lucky they hadn't pushed me to the wall, because so much blood would have been spilled. I wasn't one to be crossed with. Sebastian had made his offer for me to side with him during his planned rebellion on the day of coronation, which was a week away as at the time. Now, the coronation was in two days. I guess he was even more foolish to try and entice me with wealth and a position of power. Was he simply daft? Didn't he know my pack was the richest after the king's pack? And how much more power could he possibly give me? I was the strongest creature currently existing. What more could top that? When Ralia had told me that her reason for wanting to l
ROSA'S POV A baby maker. That was all they had reduced me to, yet it seemed to be that I wasn't good at it either. Why wasn't I getting pregnant? Was I barren or could my womb not hold a pup? I was taking things hard on myself now, because it had become clear that this was my only way to survive in the blood moon pack. Especially now that I knew what my mate's parents thought of me. Left to them, their son would have been better off with a different and stronger she~wolf. Now here I was, trying so hard to birth a pup, so I don't get thrown out of the new home I found myself. 'You think this a home?' My wolf muttered, and my shoulders slumped in defeat. She was right. This didn't exactly feel like 'home'. But at least, no one was hitting me here. I wondered when I was gonna find myself somewhere that reminds me of my late mother's love and care. Not that I hoped to leave Andrew or anything, but I was simply wishing...... "Rosa! There you are!" I looked up to see a bubbly Lea
ROSA'S POV Wow.He didn't think we were supposed to be seen around each other? For some reasons, that may have seemed like the best option for Ray, but not for me. Didn't shying away from each other in public, simply meant that I was guilty of what I was being accused of?No, this wasn't one of those stories Audrey normally read, where the characters blow up every chance at being realistic and speaking up for themselves. I have been suppressed and oppressed for way too long, to let anyone shut me up. If Ryan wasn't going to stand up for me, then I would do so for myself.I looked back at Ray, who still lowered his head in some sort of guilt. Why was he acting this way, when we weren't at fault? That annoyed me to no end.Mustering some courage, I stepped closer to Ray and pulled out one of the empty seats beside him. I could swear that the entire table screamed through their deep stares. Wonderful. 'What are you doing?', Ray's voice filtered through my mindlink, but I paid him no he
ROSA'S POV "The Alpha left for the palace this morning. He asked me to see you out of his study as soon as you wake." She repeated, making a thousand and one thoughts swirl around my mind at once."I see." I whispered, pushing aside the duvet that covered my body, and standing to my feet. She had not seen it coming, when I lifted my hand and landed a clean slap across her cheek. Her eyes went wide in shock, as I inched closer to her. I guess she had been taking me for a fool, all the while. I had been too calm for so long, and that was going to end today."When my mate gives an instruction, don't you dare turn it around." I said, and she visibly swallowed. "Clean up and leave." I ordered, before walking out of the study. I was angry, because I had not done as much as I needed, to completely expel my anger. Another slap would have been great. Just as I walked down the hallway, leading to my chambers, I wondered why Ryan had left without saying goodbye. I remembered he had asked me t
RYAN'S POV I opened my eyes, looking beside me to see her laying so peacefully in my arms. She had her arm over my torso. I leaned in to sniff her hair, a small smile making its way to my face. What was I doing? I was smiling more these days. Way more than was normal for me. What was I even saying? Smiling wasn't something that was normal for me.... that was until she showed up in my life. I looked at the widows to see that it was still early in the morning. The morning light wasn't even fully out yet. For the past two weeks, I was at peace, knowing Rosa and Ray weren't seeing each other anymore. Henry and Martin had confirmed to me that ever since the other day Ray visited her chambers and spent hours with her, he hadn't shown up again. In as much as I still had no idea what went on between she and Ray that day, I chose to sweep it under the rug and trust that she didn't betray me. Moreover, I had decided to start trusting her, and this was part of it. I looked at h
ROSA'S POV Would he also hit me like Andrew used to? It all happened like a trance, and the next thing I knew, I saw myself in blood moon pack again. In the lonely house and deserted area he made us live in. With a big belly and a broken arm. A swollen cheek and a black eye. Feeling the pain of his hard blows against my jaw, and the agony I felt when he kicked my belly. I yelled out in pain as my tummy began to feel like a battle ground, blood rushing out of my inner thighs. "Please stop!" I cried, not realizing I was acting out my thoughts. Slowly, I return to consciousness, having a scary internal debate whether or not Andrew was here. I kept my face hidden behind my arm, waiting to feel the sting of a slap across my arm or back, but I felt nothing. When I finally embraced the truth and realized that Andrew was long gone, it was already late. I had eventually brought down my arm to see Ryan, looking at me in shock and disbelief. He brought his hand closer to my f
ROSA'S POV "Luna, the Alpha is back! Little miss Alvira is here." Laura informed, and a wide smile spread across my face. Alvira was finally here with us. Ryan had sojourned to the Golden Height pack yesterday, to pick up Alvira. Apparently, king Logan was setting up an academy for offsprings of high officials in the kingdom. I was supposed to travel together with Ryan, but Lily had put to birth two days back, and I thought it unfair to leave her alone to the care of Philip. I had to stay back and look after her. "I would be down shortly." I replied Laura, who nodded in understanding and left. "He would be on another trip to the palace tomorrow." Lily muttered beside me, lightly burping her pup who had his mouth latched onto her nipple. He was such a beautiful boy, and I couldn't imagine having a more perfect pup. "And he would be back, as usual." I shrugged. Ryan was to take Alvira to the palace tomorrow, and enroll her in the royal academy. "The only problem here, i
RYAN'S POVFor the first time in a long while, I woke up with the thought of someone in my head. Rosa.It's been two days since our misunderstanding, and I haven't seen her. She hadn't come down for dinner these past couple of days, and I figured she had her meals taken up to her chambers.Had I been right to walk out when she asked me to? I mean, she asked me to leave! Was I supposed to stay back and try to make her understand why? Did I trust her enough, to let her know all of these things? Moreover, who would be glad to know that she was being attacked by the family of her mate's first mate? Brenda was a chapter of my life that I vowed to never open again, even if everyone had the notion that I killed her unjustly. Even if everyone thought that I was the villain of the story.The only people who knew the actual story, were Ralia, Philip, Beta Allister, king Logan, and his father; Kimg Xavier. I didn't plan on adding an extra person to the list.She claimed that I didn't care, rega
ROSA'S POVI felt myself getting to the peak, as I reflexly dug my fingers into his back. I craved for my release so badly, wanting to have it all already. "Kiss me." I begged shamelessly, and a relaxed smile appeared on his face. Just as he leaned in to kiss me, fog filled the entire place, making my heart nearly jump out of my chest in fear. "What's happening?" I asked in utter confusion, and Ryan turned around immediately. The shock I felt when I saw the company we had, was second to none. What the hell were the witch elders doing here?! While we were in the middle of a rather passionate sex!Ryan quickly pulled out of me and stood up, grabbing his robe that laid on the floor across from us. I, on the other hand, pulled down my gown to cover my lower body, feeling Ryan's cum trail down my thighs as I stood up. Just great!I couldn't possibly feel more humiliated than this. The elders all had blank expressions, like they didn't just walk into something they weren't supposed to."I
RYAN'S POVRosa and I both walked into the council room. This was the first time she would be present for a council meeting. Luna Amelia and the Golden Height council chiefs were coming to our pack today, to get familiarized with our pack, and also discuss future plans together as an amalgamated pack.The council room was already filled up, and the chiefs were clearly waiting for Rosa and I to show up."Welcome back!" I watched in innocent surprise, as Rosa went into Dean's awaiting embrace."Why didn't you come along with the other chiefs?" She pouted like a child, making him release a hearty laughter. This was new. Don't get me wrong. Dean had always been a cheerful man, but there was always this reserved part of him. These days, he just seemed to let it all out.We had returned to our pack two days ago, but it was today he and Rosa were seeing each other since we returned. Speaking of Rosa, it was so funny that after holding my hand in the presence of everyone at the palace, and
ROSA'S POV"I'm so glad to know that things are just fine between you both, and I'm much more grateful for the gory details you released." Audrey gave me a wink, grinning mischievously. Today made it 5 days since Audrey's delivery. I had successfully convinced Ryan to let us stay back a while, and I couldn't be happier. Blaze was such a beautiful baby, and I had spent a better part of those 5 days with her. She completed me in a way I just couldn't explain, and what's more? She had my hair color! Actually, a shade darker. Almost a redhead. I couldn't believe it the first time it occured to me that she did.Both Audrey and King Logan neither had ginger/red hair, so it came as a surprise that their pup did. I wondered if it was because she was the Flaming Wolf.Ryan and I were to leave for the coldmoon pack today, and I finally had the courage to tell Audrey everything that had really been going on between he and I. The actual truth.My face had gone red when I narrated how our first t