December 19th - six months before Cato becomes Alpha
Leo's point of view
It was past midnight, and the forest was deadly dark. Thick clouds covered the moon, but I had the gravelly snarls of my men and the wretched stench of rogues to follow. As rain fell, I pulled my hood over my head, but the water soaked through, oozing into my clothes and sticking to my skin.
“Alpha,” Blair said as I emerged from the forest.
A circle of my men in wolf form surrounded six strangers. Their hair was matted, their clothes ripped, and each one shook as my men snarled and growled.
“They were found crossing the Northern border,” Blair said, standing next to me and folding his arms, “Rogues for sure.”
Terror gripped their faces as rain streamed down their foreheads, dripping from their noses and running over their lips.
What a miserable way to die.
“Bring one to me.”
Blair stepped th
June 20th - six months before Cato becomes AlphaElla’s point of view“Stefano, Zacharias!” I shouted across the room, “No fighting in the house!”My two youngest sons, nine and ten years old, were rolling on the carpet, grabbing each other’s shirts. They were dangerously close to the TV, which after an incident involving a baseball bat and an apple, was already the second one we’d had this year.Meanwhile, my youngest child, Ana, screamed her lungs out. She was two years old, the heart of the tantrum phase, and five minutes ago, I dared to suggest bath time.“Mathias, where’s Cato?” I asked over the noise as my second eldest son appeared, grimacing at the chaos.He shrugged and plugged his ears.“Can you shut them up?” he said, “I’m trying to study.”“I’m trying, Mathias,” I said, lifting Ana
June 20thElla’s point of viewWhen we got to the station, I marched straight to the woman at the front desk.“Hi, I’m here to collect my son. His name is-”“Cato Loren, yes I know ma’am. You were here last week. But I’m afraid it won’t be as easy this time.”“What do you mean?”“The sheriff will explain. If you could take a seat, he’ll be there soon,” she said, gesturing to the uncomfortable plastic seats in the hall.I sat for five minutes with Ana on my knee and Madeleine by my side before the sheriff came out.“You must be Ella Loren. This way.”“Best behaviour, okay girls?” I whispered to my daughters as we followed him.“You should leave the little ones with my colleague,” he said with a grave look on his face.I eyed the colleague. She ha
June 20th Ella’s point of viewWhen we arrived home, Luca was on the sofa smothered by Zacharias and Stefano. They had worn themselves out and were quietly watching TV while Mathias rummaged through the freezer.“Matty, if you’re hungry it’s cereal or toast after eight o’clock. Leave the ice cream alone,” I said, “Stef, Zach. Let Luca go and get to bed.”They mumbled and grumbled but obeyed me, and I gave them each a kiss as they passed to the stairs.“Thank you for coming over, Luca.”He got off the sofa and smiled, “You owe me big time, Ells.”“I’ve owed you for sixteen and a half years,” I said, putting Ana’s car seat by the stairs.She was finally fast asleep and quiet.“You’ve been a third keeper in this zoo since we opened it.”“Hey,” Math
June 23rdLeo’s point of viewThat Saturday, I dragged Cato out of bed bright and early.“Do I have to go?” he groaned as he ate breakfast.“Yes,” Ella and I both said.We had grounded Cato all week, but the thought of him moping around this house bored and frustrated all day filled Ella with dread. But I happened to have a disaster of a filing cabinet at the base needing serious organisation.“Why?” he asked, “It’s Saturday.”“Because breaking news, you’re the future Alpha of this pack, and as your father, I will not let you fuck up and get away with it,” I snapped, “It’s time you step in line, Cato.”“You don’t need to curse, Leo,” Ella said, “If we stay calm and work together, I’m sure we’ll get through this.”She ruffled Cato’s hai
June 23rdElla’s point of viewAfter lunch, I made the mistake of letting Stefano and Zacharias have jello. Within minutes, they were bouncing off the walls, and I couldn’t take it anymore.“Shoes on boys. We’re going for a walk to Grandad’s apartment.”The thudding and crashing from Stefano’s room ceased, and two pairs of footsteps thundered down the stairs.After strapping Ana into the stroller and taking Madeleine’s hand, we set off through the forest, Stefano and Zacharias running in circles around us, throwing leaves and waving sticks.“Stef, you nearly took my eye out,” I said, ducking as he swung a branch around, “Careful!”“Sorry Mama,” he called as he dropped it and ran after Zacharias, who had found a sturdy tree to climb.An hour later, we neared the base. After trying to take down the entire pack, my fathe
June 23rdElla’s point of viewAn hour later, Stefano was on a stool at the counter kneading the dough. I stood behind him, guiding his hands and guarding the stool from Maddy and Zac running around like maniacs.“That’s it,” I said, “A little harder.”He put his entire body weight into kneading, contorting his little face with the effort.“That’s it, perfect.”The doorbell rang, so I kissed Zac’s cheek and wiped my floury hands on the towel.“Keep doing that, I’ll be back in a moment. Maddy and Zac, keep well away from Stef.”I opened the door to Luca and Amaani. Beside them was an enormous suitcase and in Luca’s arms their baby, Theodore. He was only a year old but had Amaani’s beautiful hair and a smile that could kill.Luca bundled Theodore into my arms.“Um, hello?”“We’re
June 23rdLeo’s point of view“Madeleine and Ana are securely tucked in bed,” I said, wrapping my arms around Ella as she finished drying the last saucepan.“How many stories did Madeleine make you read?” he asked.“Two and then she made me get Cato for another one,” I said, kissing her neck. “If I have to read that damn story about the princess and the prawn one more time, I’ll go insane. Every single fucking night.”Ella laughed, “Who would have kids, huh?”I held her for a few moments before I took a deep breath.“I have something to tell you.”“What?”I took the dried pan from her hands and leaned over to put it in the cabinet.“Let’s talk upstairs.”We settled on the bed, I wrapped my arm around her, letting her rest her head on my chest as I thought over how the
June 25thElla’s point of viewI sat in the passenger’s seat of the car. Leo drove with his fists tight on the steering wheel and a steely expression.“Still sure he’s a good kid?” I asked.Ten minutes ago, we’d had a call from the high school, requesting we both come in to speak with the principal about Cato immediately. They didn’t give us any details, but by the tone of the receptionist’s voice, he was in serious trouble.“Ask me in half an hour when we know what he’s done,” Leo said, “I’m clinging to hope there’s a good explanation.”When we arrived at the school, we headed straight for the principal’s office. Outside in the hallway, Haden sat with his arms folded across his chest. He didn’t bother smiling at us. Not out of character, but he rarely bothered scowling for Leo’s benefit either.“Haden?” L
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