A hesitant knock on the door of the study a couple of minutes later made both men turn to glance at it, and William called out for the person to enter.The scent of anxiousness on the young maid who wrung her hands made William’s brows rise in confusion. Then he heard, “Alpha, Alpha Drake of the Eclipse Pack is here to see you,” she said in a hushed voice, bowing and trembling.Damn, William could only think as he dismissed the girl. As he stood, so did Ethan, who followed him out of the study, curiosity in his eyes.As he and Ethan made their way down the steps, he could overhear Alpha Drake demanding to see him, even at this early morning hour. The sun hadnt even fucking risen yet.William’s sense of danger only increased when he stepped onto the foyer, his eyes surveying the scene as he called out, “I am here, Alpha Drake.”He noticed that not only Alpha Drake was present but many guards, as well as Lily standing by her godfather’s side.Trouble, he thought, and he knew it deep wit
Aléa sighed as the paperwork finally cleared off her desk. Sometimes she wondered at the sanity behind her decision to take over as head of the Hunter Organization.“Is that the last of them?” she asked Victor, who was seated at another desk and looking just as weary.Her cousin nodded, smiling although it didn't reach his eyes. She knew that it had less to do with the battle that had just been fought and more to do with how NOT fun paperwork was. He must be bored out of his mind, she surmised with a wry smile, returning to the last document on the desk.The Huntress’ golden eyes scanned the area of the office Damon had occupied in the Erikson Enterprises office building in the city. Now that he was dead, and his body had been recovered courtesy of Alpha William, it was time to return home. Already the Elders had been given the news of Damon’s defeat and his acts that caused such actions to be taken against him in the first place. Not all of them were happy about Aléa acting on her ow
Anna felt a huge sense of relief upon hearing those words from William, that her body went limp and she relaxed against him, feeling his strong arms around her creating a safe haven that she sorely needed and craved.Her sobs slowed into sniffles and soon her eyes were dry of tears, but throughout William’s arms never left her.“Feeling better now?” his chest rumbled while he asked that question and it sent shivers down Anna’s back.“A little,” She breathed, enjoying the warmth. How she wished this could last forever.But she knew it wouldn't be so.Releasing a deep sigh, she shifted, parting from William regretfully.“I think… there’s a lot of things that we need to discuss,” she cleared her throat.“...You’re right,” he nodded. He didn't know whether or not he should address the results from Alpha Drake’s visit now, but he knew they did have other things to talk about. For example, how they had left things before, at the ground floor of the building where Damon’s penthouse was locat
William couldn’t fault Anna for her anxiousness. However he was a bit hesitant to tell her the truth.“William,” Anna reached to touch William’s cheek, her eyes full of terrible curiosity. “Please.”He knew he couldn’t lie to her so he only had one choice. To tell the truth.“Lily and I broke off our engagement,” he said first, before pausing.Anna’s brows furrowed.“Broke off the engagement?” She asked confusedly. Why did that not sound as relieving as it should have been? “Is… is that a good thing or…”“I wouldn’t say it is,” the Alpha responded in a roundabout way. “A lot happened, especially earlier this morning while you were resting. It’s a lot to talk about right now.”“But I want to know,” she replied in a firm voice.“It's not your concern,” he said to her. “You just got back to me, Anna. I won’t have anything else happening for now.”Anna couldn’t help but laugh mirthlessly at the way William said those words.The redhead couldn’t deny that she was touched by William’s show
‘Well isn’t this a pleasant sight,’ Camille growled internally at the sight of the Hunter, the redhead who had caused strife in the family, holding her children and exchanging smiles with William.She had not thought having a human in the family was a bad idea when Ethan, her dear younger son, had brought the idea to her. But now it was nearly impossible for her to swallow it. Not after all that had happened, that this girl Anna, had been responsible for.She continued to eat, her anger rising.Anna was none the wiser about the way the former Luna of the pack felt about her and simply felt relieved, that she had finally, FINALLY, gotten the family she needed back together. She sat beside William who was at the head of the table and focused her mind in the breakfast - which was a feast to her ravenous state. Being in Damon’s penthouse had provided her with luxuries, sure. But she hadn’t ever felt inclined to eat except to make sure she didn’t pass out. Her sorrow then had been too muc
“Mommy? Are you okay?”Anna looked at her darling little son and daughter, who gazed worriedly at her. She had been trying to put on a happy face as she took them up the stairs and to their bedroom. But once she thought them sufficiently distracted, it wasn't hard to let herself properly feel and process what happened downstairs in the dining room.Perhaps, she had been too open.“I’m alright, darlings. Don't worry about me,”She smiled widely even though she definitely didn't feel like it.Andrew and Andrea peered at her, their brows furrowed briefly, before they both nodded in unison and gave her warm hugs before returning to play.As soon as her twin’s backs were turned, her smile dropped instantly. Her hands trembled, but not from the force of trying to control her newfound powers, but from pain and hurt. Tears pricked her eyes and she closed her eyes briefly trying to stop them from falling.“Oh God,” she murmured to herself, sniffling. Nearly half a second later, she heard the do
The sight of her two children writhing in pain on their beds made her heart beat faster and she rushed towards them, frantic.“Andrea? Andrew?” She pressed her hand atop their foreheads to check their temperatures and found, to her dismay, they were feverish.The sight of their pale, withdrawn faces even in their sleep was heart wrenching. Anna felt helpless. What could have been wrong with them? They were fine yesterday!As though some supreme power had read her mind, the door opened and William walked in, his lips moving.“Good morning-” his words were cut off as he took in the look on his mate’s face. She looked incredible, her hair down to the blue dress she wore, but it was the display of terror in her eyes that stopped him in his tracks.“What’s going on?” he asked, and she rushed to him, tugging him to their children’s beds.“They were like this when I found them. Will, what could have happened? Maybe they ate something or… or-”The emerald-eyed Alpha grabbed his mate’s hands a
Anna didn’t know what to say after William was done talking. She had not expected to hear that sort of thing coming from him. He used to be so stone cold towards her, at least on the surface… and now things had changed. For the better or for worse, she didn't know just yet, but she was pleased and warmed by it.“Will…” she began to say only for him to continue.“Anna, all you have to do is promise me that, and I won't have a problem with anything else. No matter what, don’t forget you're my mate and you are my top priority. You and our children, and our family. It matters more to me than anything.”The honesty wasn’t one thing he expected either to come from himself, especially with her. He had once prided himself on being unruffled by shows of love and affection that most other 5 men his age seemed to fall under the thrall of. William particularly recalled an occasion in which a VIP client spoke fondly of his wife and daughters and asked William if he had any himself to which the Alp
Lily couldn’t contain her smirk as she saw Anna’s wide-eyed stare aimed at her. It had taken the work of a couple of her connections for her to figure out William’s whereabouts.It had just been her luck that she had a standing reservation here.The Alpha growled lowly under his breath as she turned to look at him. “What a surprise,” Lily remarked with sarcasm dripping from her voice. Then she turned to Anna, the redhead whom she glared venomously at. She blamed the formerly human woman for ruining her life, and her future with William. “Don’t tell me you two are on a little date.“What are you doing here, Lily?” The emerald eyed Alpha demanded.“What? You didn’t think you’re the only one that can step out on a nice night like this?” She scoffed and folded her arms across her chest. “You know, I was just wondering how you two could be here having a good time when you both have caused so much chaos. You, especially, Anna.” She spat out the redhead’s name with such venom that Anna coul
It was an hour later when Anna arrived at her parent’s place.She knocked meekly on the door, and was startled when the door was flung open.“Anna?” Her father was the one who answered it and she could have nearly cried at the relief in his eyes. He pulled her close into a hug and she closed her eyes briefly from the warmth.“Where have you been?” He asked her, curiosity in his voice. “And how are the twins?”“I had to travel for a bit. For work,” she clarified, the lie that she had come up with left her lips so easily. “The kids are okay as well.”She stepped into the house that she had lived in all her childhood.…Anna woke up from the bed of her childhood room early the next morning. Sleep hadn’t come easily but she eventually drifted off. After an hour of tossing and turning, she got up for a jog and had breakfast.“Good morning mum, dad,” she greeted her parents as she returned for breakfast.Her mother eyed her in silence, and Anna could sense questions on her mind. Having lied
“Of course,” William said in an imperious voice. “My brother saw fit to take his anger out on human girls and murdered ten of them in one night. There is even news to prove that, and he has confessed it to me.”Gasps left the lips of all who had no idea, and Camille’s face turned pale as she processed that.“T-this cant be true-““It is the truth,” William turned to say to his mother unabashedly. His eyes pierced hers with a look of certainty on his face. “And it will always be the truth. That is why,” he continued, turning to his brother. “From now henceforth, I cut all our ties to him.”There was a wave of confusion in the air and Alpha Drake seethed silently.“You are banishing him from your pack?” The Alpha of the Eclipse pack asked and William nodded in the affirmative.“Now that you have seen the truth of what caused the Hunters to come into the city, you have no right to hold these charges over my mate’s head. And you will release her at once. Council, your decision?”The Elder
The next morning, as sunlight streamed in through the windows and bathed the room with a warm glow, William stirred first.Anna slept soundly in his arms, both of them half-naked. The memories of the full moon the previous night made him smile. It had been better than he had expected. Luckily his Beta had fulfilled most of the duties William delegated to him, so the Aloha was free to enjoy the night with his family.“Hey,” Anna woke up with a small whisper leaving her lips. She felt his warmth all around her and she felt safe.It had been a long time coming, she thought, and she didn’t want to leave the bed anytime soon.“Sleep well?” He smirked down at her as she pressed her body against his.“Too well,” her voice was akin to a purr as she spoke. “Anyway, I think it’s nearly last breakfast. I’ll have to get ready to go into the city soon.”Ah yes, that.William’s mood soured and she noticed it quickly.“Will,” she sighed and leaned into him. “Please. You know this is necessary.”“I k
Anna was surprised to find Ethan approaching them.“Ethan?” Camille also sounded stunned to see her younger son there, and coming to Anna’s defense.“Mother, enough of this,” Ethan said in a calm tone, not showing any signs of anger.“B-but-“ Camille’s face reddened, out of anger or embarrassment or both… she didn’t know.“Focus on the festival. Stop with this,” he told her. “Focus on the festival.”“Focus on the festival? What about the Eclipse pack, and our relations with them? What about Alpha Drake?”“Everything is being taken care of,” Was all Ethan said before turning to glance at a stupefied Anna.She looked away, not wanting to show emotion to him of all people.She noticed the twins were staring at them from afar with curiosity in their faces.Camille was shocked at her younger son.“Ethan, I had never expected you of all people to defend her after all she has done,” she vehemently said.“And I am not,” Ethan sighed; his mother was hard to dissuade when she fixated on certain
“This is so cool!” Andrew jumped atop the picnic blanket in an excited manner that Anna couldn’t help but smile.There was a buzz of excitement in the air.As Anna played the snacks and fruits out for the twins to eat, there was the sound of a throat clearing that made her and William turn to see who it was.“Alpha,” it was a guard who bowed deeply. “There are some delegates from the Grey Hills Pack and the Moonlight Pack here. They wish to see you.”William refrained from giving into the urge to pinch his nose and only let oit a small sigh, and nodded.“Very well. I will be there in a bit. Have them wait for me in the study,” he ordered the guard and dismissed him with a wave. The guard bowed and left, before William turned to his mate, meeting her gaze.Before he could say anything, she spoke, “It’s alright, Will. I’ll handle things here for the time being.After William left - but not before giving her and the twins kisses each - she sat and enjoyed the snacks while they watched m
Ethan wasn’t surprised about his brother wanting to spend time with his family, and he kept his opinions on that to himself - being the one who never saw the point in all that, he wouldn’t even touch that topic with a fucking ten foot pole.However, he did have a point to make.“It’s easy to forget your duties if you focus too much on your family, brother,” he crossed his arms as William’s glare increased. “Alpha Drake will come for blood soon enough. I don’t think we’re ready for that in any way.”“Let me worry about that, Ethan. And focus on enjoying the rest of the day. The festival is just starting, you wouldn’t want to miss it. And afterward, Ethan, then we will have much to discuss.”William’s words made Ethan’s brows furrowed in confusion. Why did his brother have that tone, as if he had some plan he had kept under his sleeve? It couldn’t be could it? The Alpha had never shown any indication in the past day of strategizing.However he couldn’t outright question the Alpha now.“
Anna didn’t know what to say after William was done talking. She had not expected to hear that sort of thing coming from him. He used to be so stone cold towards her, at least on the surface… and now things had changed. For the better or for worse, she didn't know just yet, but she was pleased and warmed by it.“Will…” she began to say only for him to continue.“Anna, all you have to do is promise me that, and I won't have a problem with anything else. No matter what, don’t forget you're my mate and you are my top priority. You and our children, and our family. It matters more to me than anything.”The honesty wasn’t one thing he expected either to come from himself, especially with her. He had once prided himself on being unruffled by shows of love and affection that most other 5 men his age seemed to fall under the thrall of. William particularly recalled an occasion in which a VIP client spoke fondly of his wife and daughters and asked William if he had any himself to which the Alp
The sight of her two children writhing in pain on their beds made her heart beat faster and she rushed towards them, frantic.“Andrea? Andrew?” She pressed her hand atop their foreheads to check their temperatures and found, to her dismay, they were feverish.The sight of their pale, withdrawn faces even in their sleep was heart wrenching. Anna felt helpless. What could have been wrong with them? They were fine yesterday!As though some supreme power had read her mind, the door opened and William walked in, his lips moving.“Good morning-” his words were cut off as he took in the look on his mate’s face. She looked incredible, her hair down to the blue dress she wore, but it was the display of terror in her eyes that stopped him in his tracks.“What’s going on?” he asked, and she rushed to him, tugging him to their children’s beds.“They were like this when I found them. Will, what could have happened? Maybe they ate something or… or-”The emerald-eyed Alpha grabbed his mate’s hands a