RYAN'S POV
"Mother!!" I yelled in agony and mental confusion, as I Iooked at the lifeless body of my..... mother? My heartbeat accelerated drastically as I realized I didn't really recognize the person I was holding in my arms anymore. It was all shocking and confusing to me. Where was her 'smooth as glass' skin? How... and why? Why did my mother petrify? That phenomenon was associated with the death of.... vampires. Oh no! Oh goddess, please! Let this not be true. A lone tear fell from my eye as I looked at my mother's petrified face. "Traitors!" I heard someone yell from the crowd, and my heart did a flip. Traitors? "Yes! They are traitors! The Luna is a vampire!!" Another person said, and my blood ran cold. This was the exact reality I had been shying myself away from believing, just few seconds ago. If you were me, you would, also. How would you react after finding out that your whole life was a lie? That in a world where the different supernatural races detested themselves, your mother who was supposed to be the Luna to one of the most formidable werewolf packs, turned out to be a vampire. The very great enemy of werewolves. "Father!!" I jolted out of my thoughts and looked beside me to see my elder sister; Ralia, crying out her eyes as she held onto my father's shaking hands. "No no no, don't close your eyes. Look at me!" She pleaded, and that sight broke my heart. I really didn't want to believe that I was at the verge of losing both my parents in one day. Just then, a couple of guards rushed towards us and hoisted my father's weak body off of the floor, while the other guards got busy evacuating the erratic pack members from the hall. How had a pack's dinner held to celebrate my 19th birthday, turned so disastrous? I felt my mother's body being pulled out of my arms, and I looked up to see it was Philip, my potential Beta. "Ryan, you have to go with your father. Now." He said, and I weakly nodded, remaining unmoving in my position. "Go!" He pushed me off, making me grow more conscious of myself. "I would ensure the Luna's body is safe, then come join you. Go be with the Alpha now." I nodded in actual understanding this time, finally finding it possible to move my legs and swing them in the direction my father was taken. We got him into a room and thankfully, the doctor showed up after some minutes. Beta Allister; Philip's father, paced around as Doctor Sinclair checked my father. Everything was going on well, until my father began to jerk uncontrollably. "What is happening?!" I rushed to his side, taking hold of his hand almost immediately. Doctor Sinclair came and gently pushed me aside, unprofessionally stabbing a long needle into my father's shoulder. Gradually, the jerking ceased and father was stable again. Though he looked extremely weak. "The arrowshot at his heart, was laced with a very concentrated amount of wolfsbane. This injection should be able to stabilize him, while his body tries to fight off the wolfsbane. I'm not certain about anything, but let's be hopeful. Please, it would be advisable to give the Alpha some space." Doctor Sinclair announced, and the handful of guards exited the room, almost immediately. "I'm not leaving his side." I quipped, and he simply nodded in agreement. "Neither am I." Beta Allister added, coming to stand beside me. Doctor Sinclair gave another curt nod, before leaving the room and giving us some privacy. Though, privacy was the least of my worries at this point. All I needed, were answers. Truthful ones. I thought of my mother, and my eyes stung with painful tears. It all happened in a blur, and now it was really dawning on me. She was dead. My mother was dead! "So the rumours were true all along?" I found myself asking. "Huh?" Beta Allister muttered, making me roll my eyes dramatically. I spared a glance at my father who just moved his eyes between his beta and I. "Don't act like you do not know what I'm talking about. As a part of the Alpha bloodline, I am supposed to have had my first shift years ago. But here I am, still haven't shifted at the age of nineteen....." I paused and it all started to make sense to me. "When the pack members started to talk about the possibility that I wasn't a werewolf, I thought it was all just baseless rumors. Who am I?" "Ryan, please let us...." Beta Allister was still talking when I cut him off. "Who the fuck am I?!" "Ryan?" He muttered in disbelief and shock of me yelling at him. I was probably going to feel sorry about it later, but not now. "My supposed father here, is a werewolf. Clearly. But my mother turned out to be a vampire, and we all know vampires can't procreate. So who the fuck am I?" "You're my son...." Father started to speak, but got cut short by violent coughs. "Alan..." Beta Allister called my father, looking confused and somewhat bothered. "Tell him...." Father sighed deeply. "Tell him everything. I don't think I have enough strength to do so." "But...." "Allister, do as I ask." Father tried to sound firm, sweat breaking out on his forehead. "He needs to be prepared for the uncertainties that lies ahead. I may not be here to ensure his safety." The sound of that only increased my annoyance. How could he casually say that, after I had just lost my mother? "You're not going any-fucking-where! I want the truth, and I want it now!" I gritted out. The entire place fell silent for a couple of minutes, until Beta Allister broke it. "You're Ryan Baxter. Son of Alpha Alan Baxter and Luna Evelyn Baxter." He paused and seemed to gauge my reaction, which was just plain. I wasn't sure what to make of his statement yet. Thankfully, he continued speaking. "Your mother hadn't always been that way. A vampire." He sighed. "Then what happened to her? How...." "She was dying." He cut me off, completely stealing my attention. "What?" "She was dying, Ryan." He repeated. "Just when she became pregnant with you, there had been a rogue attack against our pack, and she was unfortunately exposed to so much wolfsbane. It affected her health and caused some pregnancy complications. Pre-eclampsia and all...." He trailed off. "Day by day, her health got worse, and your father was desperate to save his mate. He consulted several wolf doctors from other packs, but there was nothing that could be done. He was eventually going to lose your mom..... and you." I felt my heartbeat decelerating gradually, as I became more invested in this story. "Well, all hopes were lost until he got in touch with an old friend from the silver heights pack, who suggested turning your mother." "Turning her. To a vampire." I muttered in realization. "Yes." He heaved a sigh. "It was..." "But that means I would have died. She had to die, before she could transition into vampirism. I would have died within...." "Yes, and your father discarded the idea!" He rushed out. "He did?" I asked in further confusion. "Yes, but changed his mind when he returned home after their meeting. He returned to the castle to meet the whole place in commotion. Apparently, your mother had another crisis and collapsed. And there was tendency she was not going to make it." "So....?" I urged on, wanting to know the whole story at once, if possible. "So he decided to take the chance and save your mother. Moreover, if he let her die, you were still going to die as well. Why not save her at least?" Even if I wanted to feel hurt, I couldn't help but agree with him. He was right. Why let us both die, when he could save one of us. But then... "But the supernatural kingdoms had just been divided at that time. Harbouring a vampire , witch, or fae, was a punishable offense. It's worse that the Alpha himself, was an active accomplice to this. Changing a werewolf to a vampire!" "He loved your mother, and would do anything to save her life. Even if it meant turning her into an enemy of our kind." Beta Allister shot back, and I found myself going mute. I wouldn't actually deny that over the years, the love between my parents were very clear for all to see. And now for a moment, I wondered how he was going to cope with her loss. How Ralia and I were going to cope. She had always been our mother, and this new information I just found about her, didn't change that. "So, what happened eventually?" "He enlisted Magnus's help." "I assume that Magnus is the old friend from the silver heights pack?" "Yes." He nodded. "We were able to get some vampire blood as soon as we could, and fed it to your mother while she was still unconscious. The plan had been for her to have the blood in her system, incase she didn't make it through the night." He sighed. "The next morning, your father woke up to find her already awake. At first, he was elated to see that she made it through the night, until she started behaving extremely conscious." When he said that, my brain did the calculation. "She had died in the night, and woken up as a vampire." I whispered, to which he nodded in agreement. "She was transitioning, and extremely thirsty for blood. Your father offered she completed her transition by feeding on him, and she had almost drained him out. He would have let her, if not for my timely intervention." He muttered. "That same day, she had jumped on one of the maids, and killed her in the process of feeding." "Oh no." I whispered. "Things were beginning to get out of hand, so we had to lock her up, while trying to keep the new situation under wraps. We definitely couldn't let anyone know that the Luna was now a vampire. It would have caused quite the uproar." "All that had taken place today, is enough to show that it would have been more than an uproar. They killed her." I whispered in disbelief. "They did, Ryan. And that is why we have to ensure you're safe. Everyone automatically thinks you're a vampire, and unfit to be within this territory, talk more of being Alpha after your father. Especially since you haven't had your first shift yet." "Are you saying...." I trailed off as a fearful thought crossed my mind. "Those who killed your parents are rebels. The cold moon pack is the strongest pack in the werewolf kingdom, after the Alpha king's pack of course. There are greedy and power thirsty people who do not want your family in the Alpha position." "B..but... but I thought they killed my mother because she was a vampire?" I feared I was going to start having heart palpitations. This was too many uneventful situations for one day. And I just realized it was my birthday. I lost my mother on my birthday, and it seemed to be that my life was on the line too.RYAN'S POV "B..but... but I thought they killed my mother because she was a vampire?" "Yes, and no." Beta Allister muttered, further confusing me. "You see, it's a bit complicated. They did kill your mother because she was a vampire. But that was only a means to what they plan on achieving. They thought of possible ways to rid your father off the Alpha position, and also make you unqualified to take over, after him." It seemed to be that I knew where he was headed. "What other way, than to kill your vampire mother in front of her subjects, then make the pack lose trust in your father due to his deceit even as their Alpha, and make them think you're unfit to be Alpha because you may also be a vampire? And to solidify their reasoning, you haven't actually had your first shift." "And I don't know what to do!" I hit the edge of my father's bed in annoyance. "There's nothing more you can do, than to wait it out." Beta Allister muttered. "But I don't have the luxury of tim
ROSA'S POV With shaky hands, I combed my fingers through my hair. I wasn't trying to appear more presentable, no. I was simply nervous. Actually, I was scared. Tonight was the shadow moon festival. It was a very significant event that was celebrated annually in our pack, and today, the shadow wolves were to be chosen. That was why I was nervous. The pack's priestess had somehow selected me as part of the few wolves who had the potentials of being shadow wolves. It came as a surprise to my step mother and siblings, seeing as they never thought that I had what it took to become something great. I guess my father was more shocked because he knew that my wolf was deformed. So how could I possibly be a shadow wolf, when my wolf could hardly defend itself, due to its deformity, talk more of being a part of such a formidable army? If not for anything else, I was grateful to my father for not having said a word about the deformed nature of my wolf, to anyone. It had been a year si
ROSA'S POV I regained consciousness, but kept my eyes closed as I tried to get familiar with my surrounding. The place seemed quite serene and too quiet for where I was supposed to be. I heard a couple of light footsteps, and could feel someone drawing closer to me. Just when a familiar scent hit me, my eyes flung open in curiosity. "Thank the goddess you're finally awake." I looked beside me, to see a worried looking priestess Ivana. What happened? Why was she worried, and why was I here? Looking around the room, I could tell for a fact that I was in the priestess' shrine. "What happened?" I whispered. "The shadow moon festival...." "Ohhh dear...." She began, but paused midway. "About last night..." Last night? Was it a new day? What happened? "What happened...... last night?" I sat up on the bed. My heart was beating so fast, because I didn't need anyone to tell me that it was a disaster on my own end. Her face said it all. "You.... you...." She sighed, clea
RYAN'S POV I stood by the window of my study, and hummed ceremoniously, as I watched the maids and soldiers get busy arranging the castle for festivities later tonight. It was the cold moon festival today, and the pack members were all in good spirits. They were always in good spirits by this time of the year. I felt a familiar pang of pain overwhelm me, the moment I realized that this was the first cold moon festival without my parents. "Ryan!" I looked towards the door, to see Ralia beaming with so much happiness. "The royal carriage is here!" Oh wow! I didn't think they were going to get here so fast. The journey from the palace to our pack, was half a day's ride atleast. "Come welcome them already!" Ralia beckoned, and I stepped away from the window. Together, we both made our way through the busy castle, and I kinda lost her in the midst of the chaos. Nonetheless, I continued on my way to welcome the crown prince. I walked through the doors of the castle and stood in
RYAN'S POV We finally arrived at the open roof hall, and I could see the king and the council chiefs already seated, including Ralia. Just then, I felt Philip's presence, and turned to see him standing beside me. "Shall we?" He asked, to which I nodded. "Sure." The moment my presence was noticed, the entire place went silent. It was no news that many pack members feared me, because I was the deadliest creature in the supernatural world, at present. That was the problem! I didn't want them to fear me, I wanted them to genuinely love and respect me. With long strides, Philip and I made our way through the walkway in the middle of the hall, and proceeded to take our reserved seats, just after that of the king. Gradually, the hall became lively once more. "Your majesty." I bowed before the king. "My apologies for being so tardy." "Come of it!" He chuckled, looking quite enraptured by an entirely different thing. "The decorations are quite impressive, if you ask me. I'd
RYAN'S POV I wasn't able to get her name in the midst of the joyful chaos, caused by the pack members. It seemed everyone was just as happy as I was, to have found their new Luna. Too excited to make out clear words, I decided to just bring her with me. I had been about to take her to where I sat, when Elsa Kennedy suddenly interjected, saying it was wrong for her to sit amongst the chiefs, when she wasn't yet coronated as Luna. I guess I was more surprised when Elsa asked my mate to follow her, and my mate responded with, 'yes mother'. I had no freaking idea she was a Kennedy! But this wasn't the best time to dwell on the fact that the Kennedys were not on my favourable side. It was so obvious to everyone how smitten I already was, but I could care less. The very thing I had prayed for, had finally come after a long wait. And what made me more psyched was the fact that she appeared to be way better than I had imagined. Gosh! The moon goddess was a genius creator, because I do
A YEAR LATER ROSA'S POV I walked through the lonely path, heading towards our usual spot. I really didn't want to go today, considering the fact that I had the bruises of my father's anger, all over my body. I had expected the wounds to quickly heal before sunrise today, but I was hugely disappointed. Atleast, the big hoodie I put on was able to hide the bruises on my body. Luckily, the ones on my face were little, and I could easily lie that I had a domestic accident. It felt like I was some sort of experiment to him, and everyday he tried new methods of punishments and torture on me. Yesterday's torture made me wonder if he was really my father. Even up until now, I still couldn't believe my own father had branded my skin with hot iron. Luckily, the wound would definitely heal, but the scars would remain all my life, reminding me of what a shitty life I have lived. I blinked back the tears in my eyes, trying to avoid a sour mood today of all days. It was Theo's
RYAN'S POV "Babe?" Brenda called me from the bathroom. "Yes love?" "My shower gel just got exhausted. Please could you look through the third compartment of my dress cabinet, for another one?" "Sure!" I nodded, regardless of the fact she couldn't see me. Quickly walking to the dress cabinet, I checked the third compartment and picked out one of the few cans of shower gel there. "Here." I called her attention when I got to the bathroom, stretching the shower gel for her to take. All the while, I tried my very best to act like seeing her naked body didn't do a lot of wicked things to my mind. I would have really loved to make a move on her, but decided not to. My mate could be so cranky atimes, and I couldn't really tell when she was just not in the mood. 'She's always not in the mood'. My wolf sulked, making me release a sigh. I turned and made my way back to the bed. Lately, cohabiting with Brenda had slowly started to feel like I was in a war zone. Brenda complain
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
ROSA'S POV He pulled away from me abruptly, making concern fill me instantly. "What is it?" I muttered, and watched as his brows and forehead furrowed in worry. "Something isn't right. Let's go." He pulled me along with him, making his way back into the hall. It was safe to say that the entire place was chaotic, for reasons we were yet to know. I scanned the environment, hoping to see a familiar face, when one entered my line of sight. She was here too?! "Ralia!" I yelled out, both surprised to see her, and also curious to know the cause of the sudden uproar. I may not have had an idea as to what the issue was, but somehow, I knew that we weren't in danger. "Rosa!" She released a sigh, covering the distance between us and engulfing me in a tight hug. "Ralia, what's happening?" Ryan threw the question at her, not even bothering to exchange pleasantries with his sister. "It's great to see you too." She rolled her eyes dramatically, before turning to me. "Where we
RYAN'S POV I had tried so hard all day, not to lose my composure and feel a strand of her hair. She was just so beautiful. The see green dress she had worn for the treaty, complimented her figure and the colour of her hair so well. I knew I had been petty towards Ray and Theo, but I didn't feel sorry about it. I knew when a man had his eyes on a woman. Ray and Theo were somehow interested in Rosa. I had been wrong to listen in on Theo and Rosa's conversation, but I just couldn't help it. As he talked, I had listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat, and it wasn't normal. It wasn't fear or anger.... it was excitement. He was excited to see her and for some reason, that didn't bode well with me. Oh, what I would have given to hear his thoughts. I guess my suspicions about Theo were solidified, when I heard him tell Rosa that they were both single again. He sound happy and had this glint in his eyes, that did nothing but rile me up. When he said 'again', did that mean they ha
ROSA'S POV "Your new mate is..... Rosa?" Theo asked, shock still very evident in his eyes. What was he thinking? That I'd forever remain beneath him, to be suppressed and humiliated by he and his sister? "Yes." Ryan affirmed. "And if I may ask, how do you know my mate?" "She was a member of my pack, before she met her mate; Andrew Chadwick." Wow. 'A member of his pack'. Just a random member of shadow moon pack. Like we never shared a deeper friendship and connection. Like he wasn't the same person who once protected me from the pack's bullies, and promised me 'Always and Forever'. "Her 'ex-mate', you mean?" Ryan corrected him, making me pray my face wasn't so red from blushing. This unusual side of Ryan was undeniably sweet. "Of course!" Theo quickly nodded, letting out a nervous laugh. "But he was still her mate." He added. Why did I feel like he said that to piss off Ryan? "Ohh...." Ryan whispered, his eyes fixed on Theo, though it was very clear that his mind wa
ROSA'S POV I walked down the flight of stairs, not able to tell why I felt anxious. As soon as I stepped into the hall, I was suprised to see a good number of maids there. 7 or 8, give or take. They certainly weren't going to the palace with us, were they? "Awww... Lunaaaa!!" Rayna giggled. "You always look breathtaking! How do you manage to wow us all the time?" "Stop the flattery...." "Not flattery!!!" A couple of maids said in unison, cutting me off. Realizing they had all said the same thing at once, there shared looks amongst themselves and laughed. "It never gets old, Luna." Laura said behind me. "You always look stunning." "Thank you." I whispered. "Always welcomed, Luna." Rayna chimed. "I heard Madame Hazel told the Alpha he is lucky to have you." "Rayna!" Laura called her in a chastising tone. Rayna immediately flung her palm across her lips, her eyes wide in shock. She had obviously let it slip from her mouth. Raynaaa... "I'm sorry, Luna. It wasn't inte
RYAN'S POV I turned to the side, to see she was already dozing off. The goddess knew that I had constantly thirsted for her, ever since.... three nights ago. I wanted to be close to her again, and even in between her legs, if possible. I finally gave in to the temptation, as my hand helplessly reached for her thigh. She turned to look at me, seeming shocked by my actions. For moment, I thought to retrieve my hand that laid on her thighs, until I remembered the fact that I had every right to her. It was on the contract! I was free to be with her whenever I felt the urge to, and she consented to that. I had never felt happier about anything else in my life! Strengthening my resolve, I squeezed the flesh on her thigh, through the silky dress she had worn. She just sat there, looking at me in what seemed to be disbelief. I waited for her to put up some form of resistance against me, but she didn't. That only fueled my actions, and I swiftly picked her up from where she sat,
ROSA'S POV "Auntie Rosa, I would be back soon." Alvira giggled, jumping off the bed and following the maid who had come to get her for lunch. "Don't go anywhere." She ordered firmly, which got me laughing. "I wouldn't." I promised. I released a sigh of satisfaction as she left. I had spent the past three days, bonding with my little Alvira. She was such a breathe of fresh air, and a productive attempt at distracting myself from what had happened between Ryan and I, three days ago. I looked up at the ceiling of my chambers, thinking how nice it would have been, to share this whole new level of experience with someone else. With Audrey. Since I left for the coldmoon pack, I hadn't really thought about her. But now that I did, I couldn't help the tears that made their way to my eyes. I was just realizing that life without her was different. So different. Don't get me wrong, I was thankful. Very thankful for the goddess given privilege of being Luna to the coldmoon pack. Bu
ROSA'S POV How could he bring her here?! That maid. Aliya, or whatever. I wasn't going to let it bother me though. I didn't care. "Luna...." Laura's voice interrupted. "Huh?" I shook off the thoughts in my mind. "What did you say?" "You've been in a different world for some minutes now." "Naaahhh, I'm fine." I muttered, a small smile on my face. "I'm done." She informed, and that was when I actually paid attention to the mirror in front of me. I was gorgeous! It reminded me of my welcome party at the cold moon pack. 'It seems to be that we were made for this kind of life. Rich and beautiful'. My wolf gushed in excitement. 'We are indeed'. I still couldn't believe these were my luck. My life had done a 180 so swiftly. "I suppose it's time for the ceremony?" I asked Laura, who nodded in agreement. "One of the maids just mindlinked me. Alpha Ryan and Luna Amelia await your presence downstairs." "Thank you, Laura." I nodded, helping myself off the chair I h