June 27th
Ella’s point of view
The next afternoon, I finally heard from Milly. She texted me for the first time in weeks, obviously on Max’s instruction, asking me around for coffee.
I left the kids with Leo and headed straight for the base. She lived in a cottage a few blocks from the hospital. Nothing could persuade her to live any further from work.
Sat on the porch, facing out onto the street, was Allison. She sat with her white bunny in her lap, stroking and cooing it as it nibbled on a carrot.
“Afternoon, Luna,” she said as I jogged to her.
The sun shone, illuminating her pale blue eyes as she smiled widely.
“Hey, Allison,” I said before turning my attention to the bunny, “Hello Claude.”
As I petted Claude, Allison’s eyes drifted out to the streets. Mateo was across the road with Annelise, his mate. She had grabbed his cap from his head and he was wrapping h
June 27thElla’s point of viewWhen Leo came home from the base that evening, I was on the sofa watching Shrek with Cato’s head in my lap. I wasn’t watching the movie as I played with his hair and held him tightly, gazing at his beautiful face.“Taking it easy in your exclusion, huh Cato?” Leo asked.“I’ve had him doing housework all afternoon,” I said, “And I’m thinking you should take him to your meetings tomorrow.”Leo nodded. “Sounds good. I need to get you up to speed on the pack going-ons.”His eyes flickered to Leo before he nestled his head into my lap and grumbled.“And we need to talk later,” Leo continued, “About what’s happening in six months. We can’t keep avoiding it, kid.”He closed his eyes as his shoulders tensed, “What about it? I don’t want to be Alpha and that’s all t
June 27thLeo’s point of viewIsabella Ferrero’s house was only a fifteen-minute march away. I soon strode across her front porch where the music thudded and the stench of alcohol leeched. After ringing the doorbell, I pounded my fist on the door. It was thirty seconds before a hand fumbled with the latch and Isabella opened the door.Her face fell as she cast her eyes up at me.“Alpha... good evening,” she said, standing straight and tucking her beer behind her back, “Can I help?”“Where’s Cato?”She swallowed, “In the kitchen.”“Thank you,” I said, stepping past her into the house.The air was hot and putrid and the house looked identical to the days I was partying with Isabella’s father.As I pushed through the crowds of drunk teenagers, the laughter and chatting died down as eyes fell on me.By the time I was i
June 28th Ella’s point of view The next morning we left Cato to sleep. Leo told me everything they spoke about last night, and we decided the poor kid needed a break. I, however, had the dreaded task of heading out to speak to Haden and Lia. Although last night was a breakthrough, I wasn’t willing to get ahead of ourselves and ending Cato’s rebellion was still my priority before someone gets seriously hurt or thrown in jail. “Good luck,” Leo said, kissing me as he stood at the door, “Are you ready?” I grimaced. Haden and I weren’t exactly best buds, but he liked me far more than Leo. As an ex-Alpha, Haden hated anyone having power over him. Leo could crush him and he resented that intensely. But I, a mere woman, couldn’t, and that satisfied Haden. “Ready to be disrespected and patronised because unlike every other member of this pack, Haden has no concept of respecting his Luna? Doesn’t he realise I could have him punished for even
June 28thElla’s point of viewWhen I got home, I shut the door behind me and turned to the shoe rack to kick my sneakers off. Just as I reached to untie my laces, a pair of arms seized me from behind and lifted me into the air. My scream filled the house as I flailed my limbs in every direction. The office door slammed open and seconds later, his grip loosened around me. Leo was pinning a man in a black hood against the wall, his hand tight on his throat, and his entire arm tensed as he towered over him.“Alpha, stop,” he choked, “It’s me. Luca.”I closed my eyes, breathing a sigh of relief.“What the fuck?” Leo hissed, “I almost snapped your neck.”He released Luca, who slumped against the wall, catching his breath.“I came to pick up Theodore, and I thought it’d be funny!”Leo put his arm around me and pulled me into his chest as a
June 29thCato’s point of viewI can’t say I’d missed high school in my three days of suspension. The strong musk of BO hung thick in the air as the bustle of a thousand students getting to class echoed down the hall. The squeak of sneakers, the slamming of lockers, the gossip. Even the blue, artificial hue of the strip of lights above me was irritating me today.After one last glance out the door at the beautiful forest surrounding the school, I pushed all temptation to turn around and headed through the crowds. Since we were in Stella territory, there were a lot of wolves in this school. They leapt out of my way and gave respectful nods.I hated that more than anything else in this school. I’d rather have to push my way through, rubbing against the kid that never showers and the horse girl just like everyone else.I reached my locker where I turned away from everyone, closed my eyes and rested my hand on the combi
June 30thCato’s point of viewAt midnight, I gazed over the lake. The air was mild, but a soft breeze blew through my fur as I awaited Jess.Her fur soon brushed against mine. She stood close, following my gaze out to the lake.Do your parents know you’re out?She asked.No. Do yours?Do you think I’d be alive if they did?We ran for miles through the forest until we reached a trickling stream. I stopped for a drink as Jess lay on a rock, basking in the moonlight. She rested her head between her paws and stared at the running water, letting out a deep sigh.What’s up?I’m having such a good time with you.So why are you gloomy?Because of my Dad. I could always be this happy if it weren’t for him.You snuck out too, but even if your parents hate you for it, you have nine siblings to keep
June 30thLili’s point of viewIt was nearly 3 am, and I stood on the street a few yards from my friend’s house. Cato wasn’t here to pick me up yet, but I couldn’t take one more question from my friends crushing on Cato, Mathias and Silas, so I left. I wrapped my dressing gown tight around me and folded my arms, staring down the road, waiting for his car to appear.But of course, he was late.My friend lived on the edge of Manson town. Opposite her house was the edge of the forest, where the trees stood tall and gloomy, a dense layer of shrubbery below them.I tapped my foot impatiently. It was 3:07 am and Cato still wasn’t here. It was only four miles from Manson to home. I could run it easily.I glanced into the shadowy forest once more. It’s amazing the difference night can make. It was simply the absence of light, yet I shivered and recoiled away as I stared into the darkness. I couldn&rsquo
July 1st Ella’s point of viewThat Sunday afternoon, Abi rung me. We were still best friends, and she only lived across the lake with Blair and their three kids, all of whom were angels compared to my hoard of hooligans. Although her relationship with Blair had been solid since day one, adjusting to life in the pack hadn’t been easy for her. This wasn’t how she’d imagined her life to be, and she’d had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way. After an accidental pregnancy in high school, she had to abandon hopes of college and move in with Blair years earlier than planned. With Blair busy working for Leo, she had to devote herself to raising her children, and even that brought challenges sometimes...“Leonardo,” I said, marching into my mate’s office, “I just got off the phone with Abi.”He looked up and leant back in his chair with a heavy sigh.&nbs
December 23rdCato’s point of viewI stood by my office window in the base, my Dad beside me. In the street below, a nurse walked Adelaide out of the hospital. When she flew in from Vermont two days ago, she couldn’t walk, her skin sickly white and her body frail and weak.Now we watched as she sprinted across the street to where her father was standing. She leapt into his arms as he squeezed her tight and swung her around, kissing her head repeatedly.“You may come to regret letting him walk free, Cato,” Dad said, “But must say, I’ve never seen him love anyone, let alone that much.”I’d spent all morning speaking to Adelaide. Everything she and Luciano said matched perfectly, giving me no reason to suspect any malicious intent.“Maybe he had no one to love until Adelaide came along,” I said, “With no parents and you as his only friend, it must have been lonely.&rdq
December 20th Cato’s point of viewWhen Dad and I came home, I was greeted by Jess striding down the hall. She grabbed my face in my cheeks and kissed me, clutching my shirt in her fist.“Thank you,” she said as I pressed my forehead against hers, “I’m so glad we’re all safe.”I glanced over her shoulder. Her parents sat in the living room, wrapped in blankets, watching us.“Have you told them about us?”She nodded as she took my hand to lead me into the living room. My Mom and Grandad sat with them, steaming cups of coffee in their hands.“Alpha,” Jess’s father said, getting to his feet, “Thank you again.”I nodded, but I couldn’t bring myself to smile. The last time I looked into those eyes, he was punishing Jess and me for loving each other.“... I also owe you an apology. I sho
December 20thCato’s point of viewLuciano sat on the opposite of the table, his wrists shackled and four guards in the room. My Dad sat next to me, staring at Luciano, not saying a word.“Why didn’t you just ask?” I said.Dad scoffed, “Because he knew the answer he’d get.”“I would never refuse to help a nine-year-old with terminal leukaemia,” I said.“Then your father failed to raise you well,” Luciano said, his eyes shifting from Dad to me, “You don’t help your enemies.”“He has his mother’s heart,” Dad said, “She helped you even after you gave Andrea Martinez the coordinates of the bunker all our children hid in.”“And if she hadn’t, you would be drinking champagne with your Lunas tonight. But here you are in a dark prison cell with me.”I res
December 20th- at duskCato’s point of viewI walked through the forest with Elias and Milly, only our heartbeats pounding in our ribcages to fill the silence. After crossing the border, we soon reached the designated meeting point.“Are you ready, Milly?” I asked.“I haven’t used my powers for anything other than healing in years,” she said, looking at her hands, “Let’s hope it’s a force of memory.”Two figures emerged from the shadows of the trees, the fading light falling on their faces.“Good evening, Alpha,” one said.He looked as Elias had described. An unsettling smile and dark boring eyes. A couple of feet behind him stood Nicolos Jones.“Grandfather?”With his face stony and cold, he didn’t utter a word.“Your Grandfather has decided I can offer him more than y
December 20th Leo’s point of viewElla and I were in the kitchen opening a bottle of champagne, awaiting all our family and friends for a party.“Is that the one we’ve been saving?” she asked.I drew behind her and rested my hand on her hip.“Yes. We have a lot to celebrate. I have finally retired, our son is successfully Alpha, and has found his Luna. Elias is also remarkably alive and maybe won’t be an entirely useless Beta.”She grinned as I leant in to kiss her.“I also have a beautiful mate and a reason to celebrate every day.”Through her sheer cotton dress, my fingers pressed against her curves. I had to drag my lips away and take a deep breath.“If I touch you any more, I won’t stop.”She turned and rested her hands on my chest.Her lips were millimetres from mine as her fingers
December 20th Cato’s point of viewWhen Elias, Jess and I escaped the crowd to a quiet part of the forest, I lifted Jess and spun around. She giggled and grabbed my face, pressing her lips against mine.“My handsome Alpha,” she said, running her hands down my chest, “And Elias, you never told me you were going to be Beta!”Elias’s lips twitched, “Well, we were busy running for our lives.”I put Jess on the ground as Elias held his shoulders tense, worry etched on his face.“What?”“I found Jess in Vermont,” he said.Vermont...“Alongside men with dark markings on their skin like those who attacked-”“Lili,” I whispered, “The ones after something from Stella.”Jess nodded, “We didn’t know until it was too late. When the Alpha learnt of my relati
December 20th - forty-five minutes before Cato becomes AlphaCato’s point of viewAfter a lot of hugging, crying from Granny, and congratulations from my Grandads, my Dad looked at his watch.“Shit, we don’t have long,” he said.My Mom glanced at Jess and Elias, her eyes wide. The forest entwined with their hair, rips left their clothes in ruins, and mud and dirt covered them head to toe. She took Jess’s hand.“I have a dress that will fit you,” she said, pulling her toward the stairs. “Cato, sort your Beta out with a suit.”Elias and I ran upstairs. He just had time to wash the mud off his face, comb his hair and slip into one of my old suits.“Very dapper,” I said as he came out of the bathroom, buttoning his sleeves.He gave me a twirl, a grin on his face, “Do I look like a Beta?”I cocked my head and examined him.“M
December 20th - the day Cato becomes AlphaElla’s point of viewCato stood in front of the mirror, dressed in his finest suit as I tied his tie. I wound the silk fabric around and tucked it underneath, finishing with a perfect knot. After smoothing his collar and straightening his jacket, I looked up.“How are you feeling?” I asked.His cheeks were taut, a mechanical expression holding his lips, and his eyes glazed.“Like this is going to be the worst birthday of my life,” he said, not taking his eyes off the reflection in the mirror.It was 11 am. The ceremony was just after midday at the time of the solar noon, but still no sign of Elias.“He’s not going to be here, is he?”I shook my head as he took a shaky breath.“But everyone else is. They’re all waiting downstairs.”I walked with Cato to the top of the stairs. In the ha
Ten days ago...Elias’s point of viewThe bus left me in the middle of Vermont’s most remote forest.I’d been travelling for eleven days, avoiding towns and main roads so Alpha Loren couldn’t track me. I only turned my phone on to text home when I could get a fast ride away from where the signal would trace to, and every time I rode the bus or train, I covered my face with my hoody.My plan was against Cato’s wishes. The Alpha and Luna would never allow it either. But this is what Cato needed, and I couldn’t let them stop me.I glanced around. That was the final bus I needed to take, meaning my destination was a short walk away, yet there was nothing except a rusty bus stop sign and trees for miles. But the coordinates led me here. This had to be it. So taking a deep breath, I stepped off the single-track road and headed West.The trees loomed over me, casting distorted, shadowy shapes on the ground