Allison P.O.V. Everything happened so fast. Athena crying. Me going to sooth her. Picking her up from her pram to check if she needed to have her diaper changed before a feeding. The yell from Blake. I felt the magic thrown at me and I screamed, turning to protect my child from harm. Who dared to try to harm me or her in our own house? I could not be anyone but the Council member who was blessing Pete and Dia a moment ago. Everything is chaos as the magic slams into something, but I don’t feel a thing. Did Blake manage to get in front of me? I fucking hope not. I will kill him if he tries to sacrifice himself for us. Well, no I won’t, but I will scold him about foolish acts! Dust all around me. I can’t see a thing. Someone yells my name. “ALLIE?!” I didn’t even notice I was crouched on the floor with my child. I stand, and then I see it. A amethyst colored shield bubble all around me. I look down to see my daughter with her silver eyes shining. I guess not all magic in her is bound
Prologue “How dare you speak to me like that you ungrateful bitch? I am your husband! You are bound to me, and I am sick and tired of your excuses!” The slap is precise and hard, snapping my face to the side with its force. The tears in my eyes don't spill, because I know if they do he’ll just be even angrier than he is.“Honey, just leave her already! You don’t need her anymore.” Jocelyn says from beside my husband. She has been his mistress since just after we got married 2 years ago, and he never treats her the way he does me. He never raises his voice to her or his hand. All his anger is aimed towards me, and I know why - because I am trash! “No! She needs to learn her lesson. She is nothing to me or to anyone else! Her family married her off to me, knowing she would suffer the consequences of my wrath. She is ugly, unworthy and stupid!” “I know, babe. But.” “I said no, Jocelyn!” His angry eyes switch from me to her, and she takes a step back in sheer fright. I understand the
Annabel P.O.V.The restless energy swirls through my body as I pack a bag with the things I need to take with me. I have put on make-up to conceal the bruises, and turned off my phone. I always turn it off before leaving the house, but I also always have it with me to turn it on when my half hour is up. Pete knocks on my door when the clock says 10 am, and I open with the bag in hand. He looks at it suspiciously, and I give him a smile. “Some things for the red cross.” I have done this before, and Bane thinks it’s to keep up pretenses, but it’s actually to help me today. This day has been coming for a long time, although there were times, like that night, I was sure I would never see this day. Pete grunts an answer and walks down in front of me. Neither of the men ever speak to me. They know it’ll be fatal if they try. Yes, Bane is that insane. Downstairs I don’t waste any time. I walk directly out to the car, going into the backseat. I know where my lawyer is located, and luckily
Annabel/AllisonAfter what seems like a lifetime, I finally hear footsteps outside the conference room. Outside the sun has gone down, and I am sure I have been sitting here for hours. “Annabel, are you still here?” Mr. Felton’s hush voice echoes in the empty room. I peek out and it’s only him. “I’m here.” I say, crawling out from my hiding place. “What time is it?” “Almost midnight. I brought you food, and something to drink. You must be starving.” I looked at him for a second, before realizing what he said. The smell of the food invaded my senses. “I’m used to..” I shut my mouth and Mr. Felton raises an eyebrow. “Used to what exactly?” I shake my head. I am not going to say it out loud, because once said I can’t take it back. “Alright. Let’s get this show on the road.” He sits down at the conference table, food, drinks and paperwork in tow. “I made a call to the bank today, after your husband left - which wasn’t an easy feat by the way. Someone tattled, and I will make an inqu
Bane P.O.V.“Boss, there is still no sign of your wife.” Pete says. I throw my coffee mug at him, and he dodge as per reflex. He knows my temper better than anyone as my Beta, and he knows how much he fucked up letting that little slut to my mate slip away! I need her back. My wolf has not given me any time to rest the last three weeks because he is pining after her. At least he gave me peace, more or less, when Annabel was here with us, even though he would scold me for how I treated her. I kept reminding him who’s in charge by holding him in a tight mental cage. He’s only let out when I allow him to be out. ‘I can still speak to you, dumbass.’ The flea infested mutt says. I growl out loud, the lack of sleep really annoys me as much as my stupid wolf and stupid Beta. “And why is that, Pete? She can’t just disappear.” I answer, my black eyes staring him down. He cowers under my stare. “I’ve personally looked over every camera there is in and around the law firm, and there is nothin
Allison P.O.V.The morning is beautiful when I drive into the town of Marigold. I have driven all night to reach here, and I have prepared myself as well as I can for what the cottage looks like. I’ve bought cleaning stuff, a vacuum, bucket, gloves and other house stuff. I don’t even know if it has a washer and dryer, or anything else about this place. But right now it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I’ll be there in a few minutes and I’ll be home. A new home, a new start and new life. A life away from Bane and his abusive ways. I still have nightmares almost every night, but I am getting better at going back to sleep. Listening to quiet meditation music and soundscapes helps as well. The town is a decent size from what I can tell from the main road. I have to go straight through and do a right turn on the other end of town. Then I’m down a forest way, used frequently as there are fresh tiremarks, and then I’m there. The cottage is a little way into the forest, with a view
Allison P.O.V. Moving back into the entrance hall, I walk through the door opposite the living room. It’s the bedroom which has an en-suit bathroom, and a walk through closet, which can be closed from both the bathroom and the bedroom. The queen size bed is in the middle of the room, with bedside tables on either side of the bed and reading lamps in the tables. The bed even has clean bed sheets, blankets and pillows on it, so I don’t have to go out today and buy that. The big window overlooks where my car is parked, and the curtains are blackout curtains which will be very nice for the lighter time of year. I go back outside to the car, bringing in my stuff. It takes a couple of turns back and forth, and while bringing my things inside, I also get a look outside. The lake is beautiful, and the forest is full of sounds of life. I’ll need to go shopping later, but right now I’ll unpack and start washing my dirty things. The time has flown by, and soon I find myself staring at the
Blake P.O.V.So far this day has been boring out of my mind. We have had endless meetings with other packs concerning the growing numbers of rogue activity, but no one can come up with a solution to get rid of them for good. I have nothing against rogues per se, but I do when they attack and steal from packs. It’s been a growing problem since before I became Alpha 8 years ago, and seeing as I am Alpha of the largest and strongest pack in the region, the Council counts on me to be a leader in all of this. “Alpha Blake, are you with us still?” Head Councilman Eddar asks into the camera. We’re doing this on a zoom meeting, just because of the nightmare of assembling all the Alpha’s in my region, let alone the whole damn country. “Yes, sorry. I was contemplating how we may proceed to prevent these unprovoked attacks. Because I assume they are unprovoked?!” I answer, looking at the little pictures of my fellow Alpha’s. Especially some of those in the East region who have been complainin
Allison P.O.V. Everything happened so fast. Athena crying. Me going to sooth her. Picking her up from her pram to check if she needed to have her diaper changed before a feeding. The yell from Blake. I felt the magic thrown at me and I screamed, turning to protect my child from harm. Who dared to try to harm me or her in our own house? I could not be anyone but the Council member who was blessing Pete and Dia a moment ago. Everything is chaos as the magic slams into something, but I don’t feel a thing. Did Blake manage to get in front of me? I fucking hope not. I will kill him if he tries to sacrifice himself for us. Well, no I won’t, but I will scold him about foolish acts! Dust all around me. I can’t see a thing. Someone yells my name. “ALLIE?!” I didn’t even notice I was crouched on the floor with my child. I stand, and then I see it. A amethyst colored shield bubble all around me. I look down to see my daughter with her silver eyes shining. I guess not all magic in her is bound
Blake P.O.V.An uproar follows my statement. People are shouting over each other, but no one is shouting as loud as Elias. “How dare you! I’m here, aren’t I? Even with the knowledge of my son being after me and my Luna, I still came to this Goddess forsaken debate club. You are all fools to think you can win over him, but I came anyway. To show my allegiance to all of you.” All at once people shut up and glare at the Alpha who is breathing heavily now. He talked over, and he knows we know he did. I smirk. ‘We’ll need them to vote in Pete favor babe.’ Allie mindlinks me, and I have just the right thing to push this along nicely. I look at our table where Greyson has been sitting amongst my pack members unnoticed. I nod to him. He swallows, stands and walks to my side, Tabatha at his side, her hand clasped tightly in his. I hadn’t noticed she had switched tables in all the comotion, but looking at our table again I see both Talia, Dia and Athale amongst my family. I smile internally.
Allison P.O.V. “Alpha Blake, the joke with your womenfolk burying us is not really funny.” Alpha Issac says from a couple of chairs down our own table. Blake just looks at the Alpha with a bored expression. “No, that is why it was not a joke, Alpha Issac.” He answers, taking a bite of his BLT sandwich. Dawn snickers in my mind. She loves how our mate just takes for granted that we can beat all the Alpha’s present - I mean he is probably not entirely wrong either. Most of them are cocky and arrogant creatures, who will underestimate me and Dawn and lose a fight. My wolf did swoop the ground with Bane’s rogue Alpha wolf not that long ago. ‘We’re not some simpering Luna, we’re an Alpha female and they don’t believe that one bit. They think Blake is trying to intimidate them. I can’t wait to prove them wrong.’ I snort out loud, harnessing the attention of the table. Blake’s eyes have that glint of not well hidden amusement, so Shadow probably told what Dawn said to me. “Something you
Blake P.O.V“Are you sure you’re okay, bro?” Tristan asks for the millionth time since yesterday, laughing and dodging my swat when I turn around. “If you ask me one more time, Tristan, I am going to make sure you are seated with the most irritating, old fashioned and persisting of the Alpha’s throughout today and tomorrow.” I growl back, making him laugh even more. Allie gave me a really hard time after she slapped my face. My cheek was red for almost an hour, that was how much force she put into it, telling me exactly how pissed she was. Then she proceeded to stand up, walk over to Talia, thank her for having her and the packs back, asking for our daughter and sitting down again with Dia and Pete. She ignored me for the rest of the day, except if she had something Athena related or pack related to say. She actually didn’t say much at all now that I think more about it. She listened, observed. Something about her had changed when she came to, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Eve
Allie P.O.V.The world goes dark. My body feels limp and numb as someone or something brushes me from behind. The anger of the indication that Talia should put me to sleep just because I want to protect my child is ridiculous, and I feel betrayed by both her and Blake. Darkness. Quiet.Something stirs from the darkness. I’m aware I’m still trapped inside my own mind. I still can’t feel anything other than my own breathing, and the sparks from the matebond - which means Blake has me in his arms. I can’t hear anything. Just feel little things. The something moves closer to me. I look around with my mental self. ‘Come on, little one. We are awaited somewhere else.’ I recognize Dawn’s magnificent figure and presence. “Are you just okay with them doing this to us?” I ask her, all my initial deflated anger, flaring up again. ‘Our mate was right. We were not ourselves, and he acted as an Alpha to protect us and the pack. I don’t care if you kick his ass for not explaining properly, I wou
Blake P.O.V. “Are you sure, Dia?” I ask, looking down at Allie with worry filling my entire body. She is my mate and my everything. Athena is our daughter, and I love her, but Allie is my mate and number one concern at the moment.“I’ll need some more information from Princess Tabatha, but yes I’m fairly certain I’m right about this.” Pete grabs her hand, lifting it and kissing the backside with a small smile. Dia blushes. They are a great pair, and Pete deserves some happiness at last. He has been struggling so much with having a crazy Alpha, then a weak one if Greyson is to be trusted, which I do, and everything with his sister. Something hits me - their ranked members; if Greyson goes back with them they are going to be mainly magical on the female side. Well, that is certainly going to be a change for the pack. A good one I think. Definitely a needed one. Pete doesn’t know, but I have all intentions of having him instated as Alpha of the Night Howl pack instead of their current A
Blake P.O.V. After fifteen minutes we’re all back in the room. Allie has borrowed a pram from one of our nurses, who was keeping it from her first child, and was very happy to be able to help her Alpha’s. Athena is sleeping soundly with Allie’s hand on her, and everyone else is getting situated - with food and drinks. “Baby, how about I keep an eye on Athena and you get some food? When did you eat last?” Allie shrugs, but I’m not really sure she’s hearing me. “Allie?” Talia comes to our side, removes Allie’s hand from Athena and cups her cheeks. Allie growls, probably because of the lack of physical contact of her child, for the way Talia is cupping her cheeks - who knows?“Allison! You need to eat, and you need to pay more attention! She is fine. Athena is right here with you and with us. No one is going to hurt her or steal her. I promise on my life and on that of my sister.” “HEY!” Tabatha protests from the bed, but Talia shoots her a glare over one shoulder. “But you need to
Allison P.O.V. “Everything that is said in this room is to stay between the people in this room. Are we clear?” Blake asks when everyone is situated on chairs and the floor. People nod silently. Their looks vary from intrigued to concerned to suspicious. Pete is in a wheelchair, and is looking better than when he arrived at our pack borders. We’ll need to get his story as well. This is going to be a long ass day with lots of talk and planning. It’s necessary, I know that, but it doesn’t make it any less tedious. “We’ve planned for breaks and meals - we need to get the full picture from Tabatha and Talia and then hear what Pete has to tell us. It’s vital we are on top of everything when the Summit starts tomorrow. We all know Bane is a crazy motherfucker, and he might decide to attack with the Alpha’s here only to prove a point - whatever that might be.” I say, rocking Athena in my arms. She’s babbling in baby and looking up at me. I look down into her silver eyes, smiling at my litt
Allison P.O.V. “Well, I guess first of all you need to know that I have the gift of foresight.” Tabatha says with a sigh of resignation. I look at her with curiosity. Blake still has his arms crossed. I can feel his emotions down the bond, and although he absolutely loves our little Athena with every fiber in his being, he is so pissed by the way she has come into our lives, and needs answers before he can relax. Not that I blame him one bit. I need answers myself.“You mean you can see the future?” I ask, as Blake just stares at her with narrowed eyes. I tell him to stop being an asshole over our mindlink and he promptly ignores me. Rolling my eyes at my mates' antics, I pull my attention back to the woman in the bed. Her aura and everything is so different from the day I met at the lingerie store. She is warm, somewhat fragile and open, whereas she was cold, snippy and felt evil that day. “Yes, sometimes. I can’t do it whenever I want to, but if the vision is strong enough, I can