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 POV "Auntie Rosaaaa...." Zephyr giggled. "You promised you wouldn't peep!" He laughed. "I promised, but how much longer do I keep my palms against my face?" I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my lips. Look what these children were making me do. "Not to worry Auntie Rosa, your hair would definitely turn out great!" Zane added, making me release a muffled chuckle in form of a sigh. "You already look pretty." Zephyr whispered, patting both my cheeks with his little palms. I could feel his breath fan across my face, which only meant his face was a few inches away from mine. Before I could tell what was happening, he dropped a chaste kiss on my cheeks. "Thank you, Auntie." He sighed, wiggling his way atop my thighs. I experienced a little difficulty, keeping my palms against my face, and holding him steady on my thighs at the same time. Eventually, I let my hands down and Zane yelled in excitement. "Auntie Rosa, just in time! We're done styling your hair."
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