“Would you let go of me, you brute!” Fatima screamed at Chris, her voice echoing with a mix of anger and fear. When she looked up and saw his glowing eyes and sharp teeth, she screamed even louder before falling silent. Just like that, she fainted in his arms.Panic surged through me as I rushed toward her limp body. “Is she okay? Oh my God, this is bad!” I exclaimed, my heart racing as I felt the beginnings of a panic attack creeping in.“Relax, she’s fine. She just passed out; her breathing is normal,” Jake said, his tone calm as he pulled me away from Fatima and into his arms. For a brief moment, I considered pulling away, but instead, I found myself feeling calm, comfortable, and safe nestled against him. Ugh, stupid hormones! This pregnancy was going to drive me insane.Chris cradled Fatima in his arms, carrying her bridal style toward the SUV parked nearby. I widened my eyes in disbelief. “Hey! Wait...what do you think you’re doing? Where are you taking her?” I asked, confusion
Scotland—a rare and beautiful land where everything felt different. The atmosphere was calmer, the pace of life slower. I marveled at the serenity that hung in the air, from the misty mornings to the quaint cobblestone streets. It was nothing like the bustling, fast-paced chaos of America. Here, it felt like everyone had an unspoken agreement to be patient—with life, with each other. As our car cruised through the city, I watched in awe as a driver waited for a little girl to cross the street, even though he had the right of way. I smiled, appreciating the kindness as we drove by. We were leaving the city, heading towards our pack’s territory, which Jake said was far from any human settlements. I found myself glancing at him in curiosity. I didn’t understand why we had to live so far from civilization—humans weren’t really a threat to us. “Why do we have to live so far from people?” I asked, leaning closer to him as the car bounced along the road.Jake’s answer was brief, but direct
"Nothing..."I was about to finish my statement but she cut me off."Nothing!You expected to see nothing,how expected of you-"she said with sarcasm.I almost rolled my eyes at her petty behavior. It was obvious she wanted to start a fight," I meant I wasn't expecting Avalon to be so big. I am so used to smaller territories than this and this just makes me understand why Jake wanted this for his...I mean our people.""Whatever,just know that the Alpha will be mated to my daughter now and that will make these people hers as well"she grinned widely,proud of her daughter's attempts to steal my man.I laughed out loud which earned me a growl from her "There won't be any mating needed with that daughter of yours especially considering the fact that the Alpha is expecting-" before I could announce my pregnancy to everyone beta Chris quickly pushed me behind him and cleared his throat."Sorry to cut this short but I have to take Prisca straight to her room now,Alphas orders."he said sternly an
I woke up feeling like I was floating on air. The bed beneath me felt like it was made of the softest feathers, and my entire body tingled with a sense of well-being. It was an odd feeling because, after Jake bit into my mark, I usually woke up feeling the complete opposite—irritable, sore, and aching all over. I sat up, blinking twice to adjust to the dim light of the room. Darkness had already settled outside, indicating that I had probably been out for hours. A groan escaped my lips as I instinctively placed my hand on my belly. Jake was reckless. Was biting me even safe for the baby? I felt good, better than ever, but that didn’t mean it was okay for him to keep biting into my mark while I was pregnant. The way he was acting lately—so domineering, so different—wasn't sitting well with me, but what bothered me more was the fear that he might be putting our child at risk. I had so many questions, and no clear answers.Restless, I swung my legs out of bed and began pacing the room.
I was beyond furious,first of all this wolf just threw me on the ground and that itself could have hurt my baby.I could feel the pain of his weight on my shoulder blade,defending myself was harder now considering the fact that he had caught me off guard with his attack.I couldn't think straight and that was blocking my powers.I tried to concentrate but all I could think of was 'nothing',I almost growled in annoyance."I am your Alpha's mate,it is best that you get off me now"I said annoyedThe wolf scoffed and so did the other wolves surrounding us,some even laughed. "Did you hear this demon,she claims to be our Alpha's mate!"he laughed increasing his grip on my wrist it actually hurt a lot "I should just kill you right now for uttering such rubbish "I tried wriggling out of his hold but another wolf immediately stepped on my neck and I choked,this was getting out of hand. "If you don't get off me right now,""shut up!"he said slapping me and there was a growl before the weight on me
"What are you talking about?" I asked, scrunching my eyebrows in confusion. Jake's grip on my waist was firm, though not painful, as he pulled me closer. His eyes blazed with frustration, a fire that was becoming all too familiar lately. "What the hell were you doing down there by yourself?" he demanded, his voice low, laced with barely-contained anger.I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "So, this is what it’s about," I muttered. "I just needed some fresh air, so I decided to explore.""Explore?" He scoffed, shaking his head like I’d just said something incredibly foolish. "For a hybrid, you’re quite stupid."I glared at him, insulted by his words. "Excuse me?" Before I could say more, he cut me off. "You’re a witch, Prisca. The most hated species in this entire clan. You have no idea what you're dealing with. My people haven't forgotten what your ancestors did—nearly wiping out our entire race. You’re only alive because of me. But that doesn’t mean
"Fatima," I said, pulling away from the kiss gently. "You know how I feel about this. Even without Jake, you and I would have never been anything more than friends." My voice was firm but kind. I had thought we’d resolved this months ago, the day I told her I was strictly straight. But I could see now that the feelings she had for me still lingered.She nodded, her face reflecting disappointment, but also understanding. "I know," she murmured softly. "I just needed to get that off my chest. I didn’t want to die without kissing you at least once," she added with a playful grin, trying to lighten the moment.I couldn’t help but smile. "You’re not going to die on my watch, Fatima."She hugged me one more time before standing up. "Anyway, we need to get you some food. You and the baby haven’t eaten all day. You’re practically starving, and I won’t have that on my conscience!" she teased, but there was genuine concern in her voice.I rolled my eyes playfully but knew she was right. "Fine!
"You are pregnant!" Sophie exclaimed, her eyes widening with excitement.I froze, the words hanging in the air like an unwelcome guest. "I don’t think she was supposed to hear that," Fatima said in a dull tone, staring at Bella's mother, who looked as if she had just seen a ghost.I mentally facepalmed, feeling a rush of anxiety. "Yeah, me too," I replied with a sigh."Oh, shit...well, now she knows. But seriously!" Sophie said, covering her mouth with a smile, her excitement uncontainable despite the awkward situation.All I could think about was how Jake was going to totally murder me for letting that slip. But deep down, a part of me felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. Bella’s mother now knew I was carrying Jake’s baby, not her daughter’s. The feeling of having something to hold over her was exhilarating, as if I had just won the lottery. Watching her reaction was almost worth the chaos that would undoubtedly follow. Bella's mother blinked twice, her shock quickly morphing into
The pack was a storm of activity. People hurried through the halls, warriors arming themselves with blades and armor, and the air buzzed with tension. The commotion pulled me from my restless thoughts, and I stepped out into the corridor, catching snippets of conversation. “Alpha Jake is preparing to leave,” someone murmured. “A neighboring pack has been attacked.” I frowned, unease curling in my stomach. Why was I so bothered by this? He was an Alpha; of course, he had responsibilities beyond these walls. Still, the thought of him leaving, of stepping into danger, made my chest tighten. “Keep it together,” I muttered under my breath. “Why should you care? He despises you.” But my wolf stirred restlessly, her voice echoing in my mind. 'He’s our mate. He shouldn’t go.'“Stop it,” I whispered fiercely. “That’s not possible. He’s not my mate. He had a mate.” 'He is. You know it.'I shook my head, trying to push the thought away, but it clung to me like a stubborn shadow. I fo
The knock on my door came just as I was attempting to gather my thoughts. My heart was still racing from the storm of emotions that had overtaken me last night in the shower. Jake’s possessiveness, his touch, his kiss… it haunted me in ways I didn’t want to admit. I took a deep breath, smoothed my hair, and opened the door. Sophie stood there, her usual warm smile faltering slightly as she studied my face. “Ayla? Are you okay?” “I’m fine,” I lied quickly, plastering on the most convincing smile I could manage. Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t push. “If you say so. But listen, I have a favor to ask. Could you watch the twins tonight? I have a few things I need to take care of, and they’ve been restless lately. They might sleep better with you.” The thought of being with Lily and Logan brought an instant wave of comfort. “Of course,” I said, my smile more genuine this time. “I’d love to.” Sophie’s shoulders relaxed, and she gave me a grateful nod. “Thank you, Ayla. You’re r
I was up early, as always, feeding the twins their breakfast. Lily sat in her highchair, grinning as she smeared oatmeal on her face, while Logan banged his spoon against the table like he was conducting a symphony. “Are you trying to give me a headache, Logan?” I teased, wiping a bit of oatmeal off his cheek. He gurgled in response, and Lily burst into giggles. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the dining room. I didn’t mind these moments; in fact, I cherished them. Taking care of these little ones felt natural, like I’d been doing it forever. Jake, on the other hand, sat silently at the head of the table, sipping his coffee. His presence filled the room, commanding without trying, but his attention wasn’t on us. He seemed to be lost in his own world. I hesitated as I glanced his way, trying to summon the courage to say what was on my mind. The tension between us had been unbearable since the training field… and that spark. My wolf
The spark haunted me. It was such a small thing—just a brush of hands—but the shock it sent through me lingered, refusing to let me forget. The last time I’d felt anything like that was when I met Ashton. The realization made my stomach churn. It wasn’t possible. Jake had a mate, and I’d had a mate. The universe didn’t just go around handing out second chances like party favors. “Get a grip, Ayla,” I muttered to myself, pacing my room. But the memory of Jake’s gray eyes, wide with confusion, kept replaying in my mind. I couldn’t make sense of it, and the more I thought about it, the more my head spun. I flopped onto the bed, groaning. “Just let it go.” And I decided to do exactly that. I would focus on the twins, settle into this new life, and leave the spark in the past where it belonged. The next morning, I resolved to shake off the weirdness by doing something productive. The pack grounds were alive with activity as I stepped outside, the crisp air invigorating me. I’
I was starting to learn that the packhouse was always buzzing with activity. From warriors training to the kitchen staff bustling about, there was never a dull moment. Sophie had insisted on giving me a tour of the pack today, and while I was nervous, I couldn’t deny a flicker of excitement at the chance to see more of the place.“Ready for your grand debut?” Sophie teased as I joined her in the foyer. She had Logan balanced on her hip, and Lily was securely strapped to her chest in a carrier.“I wouldn’t call it a debut,” I muttered, adjusting the light jacket I’d thrown over my shoulders. “It’s more like... a soft introduction.”Sophie grinned. “Call it whatever you want. You’ll do great.”As we stepped outside, the sun bathed the pack’s grounds in a warm glow. Wolves of all ages were scattered around, either training or chatting in groups. Some paused to look our way, offering curious glances or polite nods.“They’re already warming to you,” Sophie whispered, nudging me.I smiled a
I woke the next morning to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. The packhouse felt quieter now, the hum of the previous night’s celebrations replaced by a calm stillness. As I stretched, my thoughts lingered on the twins. Their small hands, their innocent giggles—they’d made me feel something I hadn’t felt in years. But the Alpha... Jake. He was a puzzle I couldn’t piece together. His coldness was a shield, a barrier so firmly in place it felt like a tangible wall between us. I wasn’t naive. Losing his mate must’ve broken him in ways I couldn’t fathom, but his indifference toward me stung more than I cared to admit. I needed coffee. Badly. Sliding out of bed, I threw on a hoodie and leggings and made my way downstairs. The kitchen in the packhouse was massive, with sleek countertops and polished appliances that gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the windows. I figured I’d sneak in, grab my coffee, and retreat back to my room unnoticed. But, of course, nothin
The morning sun streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. For a moment, I lay there, cocooned in the unfamiliar bed, hoping the events of the previous day had been a bizarre dream. But the ache in my chest and the distant murmur of voices beyond my door confirmed otherwise. This was real—I was the new Luna of this pack. The idea still felt foreign, like trying to wear shoes a size too small.I rolled out of bed, my hair a tangled mess again despite Sarah’s efforts yesterday. My thoughts wandered to her, no doubt thrilled to have me out of her house. She’d sent over my clothes early this morning, which had been neatly hung in the spacious walk-in closet. My stepmother’s eagerness to see me gone still gnawed at me. Why had she been so insistent? Was it just her usual disdain for me, or was there something more?Don’t overthink it, Ayla, I told myself as I pulled on a simple white blouse and dark jeans. Today was the introduction ceremony—another step in thi
The car ride to the packhouse felt like a funeral procession, slow and suffocating. My stepmother, Sarah, sat beside me, preening as if *she* were about to be named Luna. She’d spent the entire morning fussing over me, brushing out my wild hair until it gleamed and forcing me into a pale blue dress that clung too tightly to my figure. “You look fine,” she said, not glancing up from her phone. “Just...try not to embarrass me when we get there.” I bit back a retort, my hands clenching in my lap. It wasn’t worth arguing. Nothing ever was with her. When we arrived, the packhouse loomed ahead, its stone facade both grand and imposing. There was something about it—something that made my pulse quicken. I couldn’t explain it, but as soon as I stepped out of the car, a strange sensation washed over me, like I belonged here. Then, the voice came. “Protect them.”It was clear as day, ringing in my head like a bell. I froze, my breath hitching. “What are you doing?” Sarah snapped, her
AYLA'S POVI watched from the window as Jonas and Lydia walked down the driveway, their figures fading into the soft glow of twilight. My stepmother, Sarah, stood at the doorway, waving them off with that practiced, sugary smile she always wore around guests. The moment the car disappeared, the smile dropped, and I knew what was coming. The only thing Sarah hated more than me staying in her house was the burden I represented. My father had died just a few months ago, and already, she was itching to be rid of me. “Ayla,” she called, her voice thin and edged with impatience. I stayed silent, gripping the edge of the curtain. How had it come to this? How had my life unraveled so completely? It wasn’t like I didn’t know. I’d been cursed—or at least, that’s what everyone whispered behind my back. The day I met Ashton was supposed to have been the happiest day of my life. I remembered it like it was yesterday. --- --- ---It was the Jacaranda Festival, the streets alive with mus