RYAN'S POV As we marched out of the palace gates, heading towards the kingdom's boundary where the battle would hold, I couldn't help but feel unsettled. I hated how bothered I felt, about not seeing her before I left. We had last seen each other yesterday on a very terrible note, and I thought she deserved an apology. She had felt insulted, and giving an apology was the least I could do. I spent a better part of my night, thinking about the state of our relationship. Within me, I knew that she would reject me after the war. "Are you missing her already?" I turned to see Liam shooting me a sad smile. "Audrey told Layla, who told me that you had finally gone to see her yesterday." 'You did?' Logan's voice burst through our mindlink. He was walking a few feets away from us, but I could tell that he had listened in on our conversation through his vamp hearing. "Can we talk about this after the war?" I asked Liam, very sure that Logan heard that as well. "Wow! The best way
RYAN'S POV I sat still, closely watching every movement Keturah made. Up until now, Rose was yet to wake up, and it was all because of the blade that was used to slit her throat. It was apparently laced in a concentrated amount of rainos. My blood had healed her, but she was still unconscious and incapacitated, due to the effect of the damned spelled plant.The noise within the walls of the palace, had me a bit distracted. We had won the battle, but so many lives were lost. Our fallen soldiers included Beta Justin, Liam's father. King Xavier had also been brought back to the palace unconscious, and I could only imagine the hurt he'd feel, when he wakes up to learn that his Beta had lost his life. The most important thing was for king Xavier to make it back to consciousness. I couldn't help the worry within me, at the thought of losing him. He had been that person who had always stood by me. When my parents died, I thought I had lost my only opportunity to have a parent, but king Xav
ROSA'S POV I sat on my bed, lost in thoughts. I had almost died. And then, I willingly agreed to sign a contract with my mate. A thing I thought I was never going to do, except I was insane. Now here I was, a step away from being Luna of the coldmoon pack, under very unusual circumstances. Audrey turned out to be the Flaming wolf, and she was still unconscious. That bothered me even more than the recent agreement I had with Ryan. Today was making it three days since she had been unconscious. I had woken up a day ago, and you can only imagine the emotional and psychological pain I had gone through, unsure of when she was going to regain consciousness.I was still deep in thoughts, when a voice burst through my mindlink.'Rosa!'. That was definitely king Logan. The hairs on my body stood immediately. It definitely had to be update on Audrey's health.'Yes, your majesty'. I rushed out.'She's awake....', I didn't wait for him to say more, before shutting off our mindlink and jumping of
ROSA'S POV "Welcome to the coldmoon pack." Ralia grinned, forcing me to return the gesture with a smile. "Would you be staying with my uncle now?" I looked down to see the younger one of Ralia's sons, looking up at me in hopes of getting a response. "Would you give us cousins?" The other asked, and I went silent. In that moment, Ryan and I locked eyes, before quickly looking away. If only they all knew the truth behind my presence in their pack. I wasn't really here as their Alpha's Luna. I was simply here to birth his pups. To give them as much cousins as Ryan felt was enough. I was a mere breeder. 'You're a Luna'. My wolf corrected me, and I slowly found myself nodding in agreement. Moreover, I had all the power as Luna, and that was what truly mattered. "Stop with all the questions already." Ralia scolded the kids, probably noticing I was becoming uncomfortable. "No, Ralia." I managed a small smile. "Let them ask whatever they want. It's totally fine." She gav
RYAN'S POV "Uncle!!" I heard the voice of Zane, making my senses come alive instantly. It was morning already? I abruptly opened my eyes to see him looking quite bothered, tears clogging his eyes. There was a problem. "Zane." I sat up on my bed immediately, scanning his body for any sort of injuries or bruises. He seemed to have realized what I was doing, and quickly spoke up. "I'm not the one with the injuries, Zephyr is." He said, his cries getting louder. "Zephyr!" Goddess! "Where is he? What happened? Where is your mother?" "We were playing on the training ground, when...." The moment he said the words 'training ground', I dashed off. I knew he was running behind me, but it would definitely take him a couple of minutes to get to me. I got to the training ground to see a group of guards arguing amongst themselves. The moment they noticed my presence, the entire place went silent. While I walked towards them, my eyes caught sight of a big dumbell, with some blood spla
ROSA'S POV "Auntie Rosa healed me." Zephyr grinned, pointing at me. To say that I was shocked, was an understatement. Where did he get that from? Before I could hold back, I started laughing. Ralia stared at me in confusion. "Rosa, did you really....?" She trailed off. "Can you?" "Ralia, don't take his words seriously." I chuckled. "He's just a kid." "A smart kid." Ryan countered, staring at me so closely. After a while, tension began to fill the place. For a moment, it actually got me thinking. How had Zephyr actually recovered? He spat out Ryan's blood in our presence yesterday, because.... Because he had black magic in him. That was it! "Maybe his black magic healed him." I suggested, unsure of my assumptions. "I know what I'm saying!" Zephyr stomped his small foot on the floor, effortlessly grabbing all our attentions. "Auntie Rosa has a light, and it healed me." He pouted, making me further confused. "What light?" Ralia asked him. "You showed him a light yeste
ROSA'S POV The moment he stepped out of my chambers, I rolled my eyes in annoyance. The guts of him to request I wore a happy face for the ceremony, and still deliberately sour my mood. I pulled off the clothe I had on, and walked into the bathroom. Washing up quickly, I stepped out of the tub and wore one of the fluffy robes in the bathroom. Putting my face against the soft texture of the robe, a reflex sigh of satisfaction escaped me. I pulled open the door, and stepped into the bedroom. "Oh my goddess!!" I screamed in fear before I could even hold back. "Luna!!" They all yelled in worry. It was then that I observed them well enough, to realize that there wasn't any cause for alarm. "Luna, are you fine?" Laura enquired. It was now I noticed she was amongst the maids in my room. "Y'all scared me!" I couldn't help but pout childishly. "So sorryyyy." Laura apologized. "We are sorry, Luna." The others added. "It's fine." I waved it off. "Apology accepted." I smil
RYAN'S POV The moment she stepped into the reception hall with Ralia, I felt this unexplainable heat within my body. Goddess! How could she look very decent, yet insanely hot?! Was it the red lipstick, or was it the way she curled that pretty hair of hers? There was something about her that just screamed 'bold', and it was hot as hell. She had locked eyes with me, and I hated how fast my heart began to beat. I hated that she was beginning to have such effect on me. 'She has so much power over us', My wolf said dreamily. 'She has no power over me! No one does!!!', I shot back angrily. How could he even say, or think a thing like that? She and Raiia had been conversing about something, but I didn't really pay so much attention to what was being said. My attention was totally consumed by the beaded ruby neck piece she had on, loving the way it contrasted to the paleness of her neck. That was the only amount of skin she exposed. Luna." The council chiefs chorused, fin
ROSA'S POVThe moment I got to my chambers, I let out an ear piercing screaming, wanting so badly to break something. Uncontrollable tears seeped out of my eyes, and my heart constricted painfully in my chest. He had defended her. In the presence of everyone, not caring how it made me feel.Goddess.... I felt stupid, stupid, and stupid! Stupid for feeling this way. I wasn't supposed to care, but now I couldn't help it anymore. I laid down on my bed, lost in thoughts as lone tears dropped from my eyes. I couldn't wait to see Audrey. Maybe, I'd decide to stay back at the palace for a couple more days, before returning. I needed it.Just then, a knock sounded on my door, and I whispered a light 'come in'.Seconds later, the door opened and closed shut, but whoever it was remained silent. I took a moment to sniff, and realized it was Ray.I had been laying on my tummy, so I was automatically backing him. Releasing a low sigh, I turned to him and sat up on the bed. I felt embarrassed, kn
RYAN'S POV I took small bites out of my breakfast, half worried and disturbed about..... her. Was my silence towards her not the best option? She had left the table yesterday, in anger. After all she had said before leaving, I was finally convinced that she didn't do anything with Ray. But then, that didn't automatically answer any of my unanswered questions. What had they been up to?She had even sat beside him yesterday, not caring a single bit as to how I felt about that. I knew something was up between them, even if it wasn't sexual. And it pricked my heart to know that Ray was in on something that I wasn't. I was her mate!We were currently halfway through breakfast, but she was yet to show up. Was she okay? Was she still asleep? Ralia wasn't here as well, and that meant they were probably together. At least, she had Ralia by her side, and I couldn't be more thankful. I hated how much I cared, even when I tried not to. I had been so busy, chasing a certain lead all night, just
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