RYAN'S POV I released a low sigh as I looked at her face again. She had been asleep the entire night, while I found it difficult to sleep. A lot of thoughts ran through my mind. How would things have panned out, had I not put my act together? The thought of she leaving me, left a great scare within me. For the first time in a long while, I was scared. My shaky hands rose and made for her face, trailing along the bridge of her pointed nose. Goddess, she was so beautiful. Inside and out. How exactly had it taken me so long to see that? I mean, I had always thought she was physically beautiful, but refused to believe her heart was pure. So pure. My Rose.I knew I wasn't deserving of her. I wasn't worthy of being the man who fathered her pups......I still couldn't believe it. We were gonna be having a pup soon, and it seemed like a dream. One too good to be true. "Good morning." Her sleepy voice pulled me out of my thoughts."Good morning." I whispered, suddenly feeling so small bef
ROSA'S POV Great 'congratulations' to me, for finding my second chance mate three weeks ago. He turned out to be an Alpha, and not just any. He is the famous Hybrid Alpha Ryan of the cold moon pack. The strongest Alpha in the werewolf kingdom, save for the king, who is a Tribrid. After the terrific and horrible abusive relationship I was caught up in, with my first and late mate; Andrew, I decided I wouldn't have any business with mates, love, or romance again. Who was I kidding though? The moon goddess? She always did what she wished. Like mating me to such a powerful man, who made me feel like shit, and proceeded to admit that he didn't want me in his life! Hurt? I thought that was an emotion Andrew had killed within me before he died. But somehow, that idiot called Ryan, managed to make me feel hurt again. I hate myself for being so weak. For feeling sad that my second chance mate had aired his dislike over my sudden appearance in his life. I may not have wanted a se
11 years earlier. ROSA'S POV "You have it all in you, my love." Mom said to me with obvious difficulty. "Its all inside...." Her words were cut short, as she began to cough out non stop. I held her hand in my much smaller ones, the scary beeps coming from the ECG machine intensifying. Her hands shook so badly as I gripped onto them harder, scared to be in that part of our life's journey, where we say our goodbyes. My lips opened in reflex, but I couldn't make any words out. My mind had yelled at me to call the doctor, but no words came forth. In a way, it wasn't just because I was shocked. It was because deep down, I knew there was probably nothing the doctor could do. My mother was halfway gone already, and I could feel it. All I could do, was let the tears of fear and self pity, fall from my eyes. Eventually, I saw the lines on the ECG machines go flat. I wasn't dumb. Matter of factly, I was the best student in the pack's academy. I knew what that meant. My mother's heart
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 themse
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 I released a low sigh as I looked at her face again. She had been asleep the entire night, while I found it difficult to sleep. A lot of thoughts ran through my mind. How would things have panned out, had I not put my act together? The thought of she leaving me, left a great scare within me. For the first time in a long while, I was scared. My shaky hands rose and made for her face, trailing along the bridge of her pointed nose. Goddess, she was so beautiful. Inside and out. How exactly had it taken me so long to see that? I mean, I had always thought she was physically beautiful, but refused to believe her heart was pure. So pure. My Rose.I knew I wasn't deserving of her. I wasn't worthy of being the man who fathered her pups......I still couldn't believe it. We were gonna be having a pup soon, and it seemed like a dream. One too good to be true. "Good morning." Her sleepy voice pulled me out of my thoughts."Good morning." I whispered, suddenly feeling so small bef
ROSA'S POV I looked at Laura in shock, and our eyes both fell onto the voika stone again. It was getting redder. Subconsciously, my hand flew to my belly, and hot tears fell down my eyes. Oh, goddess!"Luna...." Laura whispered, her voice sounding so supportive."I'm fine, Laura." I whispered, quickly cleaning away my tears. "I'm just fine." A small smile made its way to my face."So, are we.....""I'll tell him myself." I muttered. He hadn't been back home for four days now, and I wondered if he was going to finally show up on the day of our wedding.I missed him.I missed feeling him inside me, and now more than ever, I needed him back home. More tears fell from my eyes as I sat on my bed."Luna...." Came Laura's voice once more, but I was quick to shake my head at her."You've been dismissed for the day, my dear." I muttered, but she stood unmoving in her place for some long seconds. Eventually she got moving, and I laid flat on my back.I wasn't sure how long I remained in that
RYAN'S POVI walked into the room, and saw that Austin was already there. Finally."What took you so long?" I queried, walking to the bed and sitting on it. "Do you realize I have been here in Golden Heights for two days now? The journey from Cold moon to Golden Heights in your wolf form, wasn't supposed to be more than a day.""My apologies, Alpha." He gave a slight bow, seeming quite uncoordinated. "What did you find?" I went straight to the point."A lot.... A couple of things. Few connecting dots.""What does that even mean?" I asked, trying to hide my irritation. "I followed Aliya." He released a low sigh."Just like you were supposed to." I said, urging him to continue. "Aliya is dead." He said flatly, and a wave of eerie silence washed over us for a moment. "What the hell does that mean, Austin?" I asked again, trying to make sense of what he just said. That couldn't be...."It's true, Alpha." He rushed out, brushing his hand through his hair. "In such a brutal way." He whi
THIRD PERSON'S POV She walked briskly down the lonely path, her skin pricking all the more. She didn't feel like herself anymore. This place wasn't welcoming of her presence anymore, seeing as she had just been disbanded from the pack. All her life, she had imagined being a lot of things, but definitely not a rogue!How had this become her fate? She was supposed to stand beside Alpha Ryan, ruling as his beloved Luna. All she did, was to ensure that he became hers. All her ploys may have indeed worked out, if only that useless witch hadn't shown up and ruined it all. She wasn't going to leave without a last fight. She was going to make Rosa pay for ruining her life.Just then, she heard a twig snap behind her, and quickly turned back to ascertain if there was a threat. Seeing no one behind her, she released a low sigh. But why did she feel eyes on her? Maybe, it was because she wasn't really in her element anymore, and this path was quite lonely and creepy. "I have to get out of here
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