ROWANI wake up to the gentle stroking of his fingers on my face.Almost like soft feather touches, careful not to disturb me.“Why aren't you sleeping?” I murmur as I turn into his chest, hiding my face into it.“It is morning,” he whispers into my hair.“So? After the hectic days we have had, I don't think a sleep in would be out of order.”“True. You know, normally I would have been out of bed by now. Earlier than this. You make me lazy.”“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”“Hmm, ask me that question with your eyes open.”I lean back before opening my eyes to look up at him.“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I repeat.“Hmm, definitely a good thing. How can it be anything but, with those beautiful eyes of yours looking at me. I honestly wouldn't mind waking up like this.”“You are cheesy,” I say with a giggle.“That is your fault too,” he replies before leaning down to kiss me. “Good morning,” he whispers after he pulls away “Good morning.”“How do you feel? Did I… are you
ROWAN.Upon entering the park, Jhenelle immediately breaks the grip we have on her hands and sends herself flying through the grass, excitement in her footsteps. It is amazing how much she enjoys the outdoors, though one can understand.With how well I had always kept her hidden in the settlement for fear that she would be attacked or worse, I can't blame her constant desire to be outside.The rest of us -I, Viktor, Andre, Lisa, Rina and Alden - follow behind her at a more sedate place.The park is truly a beautiful green landscape. A space that is truly well taken care of.Everything is beautiful and calm. We have the sun shining down, casting a warm glow over the vibrant grass, the tall trees standing tall and swaying gently in the breeze, providing shade and shelter to the people gathered in the park.There are paths made of stone and brick that crisscross along the park, leading visitors to perfect spots cozy for picnics, made even more serene by the colorful flowers and blooming
VIKTORI take my place beside Rowan, lying down beside her even as Jhenelle rushes towards us and collapses in my arms.“Louis,” she calls as she smiles at me. “Can you come push me on the swing?”“Sure,” I tell her. “But after we have all eaten.”“Oh, come on. I am not hungry.”“You are hungry, you just don't feel it yet because you are too excited. We will eat first and then go play in the swings. Okay?”“Fine,” she says with a pout before slouching down on me. Rowan chuckles at our conversation before passing me a kiddies plate for Jhenelle.“What about mine?” I ask with a pout.“You have your hands full with her, I will feed you” she replies with a smile.“Oh, please. Don't be disgusting,” Rina pleads and Lisa just chuckles at her. “You, don't get to make a sound,” she replies to her sister. “You have joined the bandwagon. I am all alone, now,” she whines before flopping down on the blanket.I notice Rowan and Lisa exchange a glance but before I can comment on it, Jhenelle takes
ROWAN.“What are those two whispering about?” Rina winders at me and I look over to see what she is talking about.Viktor is kneeling in front of Jhenelle, both of them staring intently in each other's eyes as he whispers something to her.“Hmm, she is most likely drilling him about him being her daddy and him assuring her of it,” I reply.“Right,” she whispers as she turns back to her plate, her eyes downcast. “So, it is settled then? You are moving here?”I look around and I notice that neither Andre nor Lisa are around us and Alden has most probably gone to skulk in the shadows, watching us from there.“We haven't settled anything. We haven't really talked about that, yet.”“But you are going to, right?”“I… I was thinking more along the lines of shuffling my presence.”“Huh?”“Some time here, in the pack and the rest, back at the settlement,” I clarify. “It will take some adjustments and some time to get used to the new arrangement but I think it can work.”“Hmm, I suppose. That m
VIKTOR“Alpha!”I turn towards the sound to see one of my wolves running to me, as well as the strange looks the humans give him at his shout.“Alpha,” he gasps as he reaches me.“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I snap at him, even as I bring Jhenelle's swing to a standstill. “Don't you realize there are humans around us? Why are you shouting like that?”“My apologies, alpha. It is just…”“Just what?” I demand.“One of the alphas… the missing ones, the ones that you went with to the coalition…”“What about them?”“One of them has been found. He was being chased and he crossed into our territory.”“Where is he now?”“At the pack clinic. He was in bad shape.”“I see. Thank you, Smith. You may return.”“What is wrong, Louis?” Jhenelle asks as he walks away, her intelligent eyes fixed on me.“It is…”“Adult business?” She asks with a pout. “I am not stupid you know. You can tell me things.”“Of course, you are not,” I say with a smile. “You are an intelligent girl, mature for her own a
DOMINIC “Welcome back, Alpha,” the wolves greet me as I storm into my mansion. “Where is Clarisse?” I demand as I head towards my study.“The Luna is at the training fields,” one of them responds. “Hmm. Tell her I am back.”“Yes, alpha,” he says before disappearing from my side.LouisaLouisa is alive.And strong.The leader of the Coalition.“Hah!” I scoff out as I take my seat beside the deskJust what are the chances of that happening?A wolf less, pathetic creature being the leader of a pack of savage mutts.What has the world turned to?And for the fact that all those gathered wolves had fallen for her ruse.PatheticWhat do I do now?Thanks to that bastard, Viktor, my plans have not only been completely destroyed, but I have also been completely humiliated No one, not even a single soul had stood up to him after he had thrown me out of the window Is that how they all see me?As some pathetic wolf that does not deserve their respect or sympathy.If any of them had gone throu
LOUISA.“You have got to be kidding me!” Dominic snarls as I stand at the entrance, frozen in terrified shock.This is a nightmare.I knew that whoever my mate would be wouldn't be happy about it but I didn't think it would be Dominic, the Alpha.“How in the goddess’s name does this make sense?!” he continues. “You can't even shift into your wolf? How are you my mate?!”“I am so- sorry,” I stuttered, head bowed to avoid his gaze. “I didn't- I am-”“Enough! Goddess, you are pathetic. What was the goddess thinking? Pairing me up with you?” he mutters as he runs his hands through his hair.I stay silent, unable to answer.Honestly, I am wondering the same too. Why would I be paired with Dominic? The man hates me with a passion.“Why are you still here?” he snaps at me.“I am sorry!” I exclaim as I quickly look up, only to see the look of pure unadulterated loathing on his face. “You… you called for me… I don’t-”“Ugh,” he groans as he walks towards me pushing me out of the way and headin
LOUISA.The sun comes up to see me, huddled in a corner of his room.Bruised, bloody, and hurting.While he sleeps soundly without a care in the world.I want to kill him.The thought is as strong as it is alarming.In all my years of living with Dominic, I have never resented him for the way he treated me.Oh, I didn't like it, but I understood him.So, I tried my best to never cross his path.But this…This makes me cold.Not a sad kind of cold but a building rage that I try to tamp down.It is every shewolf’s dream to have a beautiful mating ritual, filled with tenderness and love from her mate.I… I was brutalised. Raped and broken all because of his own misconceptions about me.I never did anything to him.Never undermined him or insulted him, why would he hurt me like this?His own mate?It's not right.It's not fair.It makes me mad.And for the first time, I contemplate killing someone.My own mate.And yet, I don't move.I just stay here, huddled in a corner, like a pathetic