June 23rd
Leo’s point of view
That 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
June 25thLeo's point of viewSoon after Cato’s return, Ella’s eyes drooped closed and her breathing slowed. When my phone vibrated on the nightstand and the screen illuminated our room, she didn’t stir.I took my eyes off her to check the phone.A text from Blair.I ran my hand through my hair and exhaled a heavy breath before getting to my feet and throwing my shirt back on.“Thank you, Alessandro,” I said as I stepped out the front door of the house where one of my soldiers, Alessandro, stood, facing out into the forest, “I shouldn’t be long.”I sprinted through the trees to the Eastern border where Blair awaited me with a weary face.“Eight male rogues,” he said as I marched into the clearing, “We’ve checked their phones. There were texts about attacking Cato but only between the eight of them. We don’t think anyone else is involved.&rd
June 26thElla’s point of viewIt was 4 pm the next evening when the doorbell rang over Theodore’s ear-piercing cries. I’d been trying to settle him for ten minutes, but I couldn’t find his teddy carrying Amaani’s scent, and without it, my attempts were useless. I dug my hand down the back of the sofa, searching for the damn thing as Zac and Stef bounced around me. I’d given up persuading them to do their math homework. With Theodore screaming, I couldn’t expect anyone to focus, let alone two hyper kids.“Zac and Stef,” Mathias said as I finally retrieved the manky teddy, “Sit down, do your damn math homework and give Mom a break or I’ll never let you play on my Xbox again, got it?”They both immediately stopped jumping on the sofa to sit down at the table.“Thank you,” I mouthed to Mathias as I rushed to answer the door.Theodore was still in my a
June 26thLeo’s point of viewI knocked on Cato’s bedroom door, and a groan rumbled from inside.“If you’re here to shout, I’ve already heard it all from Mom,” he said.I opened the door and set the condoms on his dresser.“For you,” I said, sliding them towards him. “And you better pray to the Goddesses no one is already pregnant.”He was sitting on his bed with a book on his lap, which he promptly slammed shut and threw his head back.I stepped forward into his room and sat on the swivel chair by the desk.“Dad-” he groaned.“I’m not angry, Cato,” I said. “I was the same.”He grimaced, “Please. I don’t need to know about your sex life.”“And I didn’t really want to know about yours either,” I said. “But you were stupid enough to get caught fucking a gir
June 26thCato’s point of viewAs I walked through the forest toward Jessica’s house, I internally screamed. The last thing I wanted to do was face her parents to apologise, but my Dad had ordered me to do so and my Mom wouldn’t speak to me if I didn’t.But I was having to apologise for something I wasn’t sorry for. I don’t regret doing it, and I’d do it again. Jessica had no intention of saving herself for her mate. If it wasn’t me, it would have been some other guy to take her virginity. Besides, she’s a great girl and I’m into her.Praying no one would answer, I knocked on the door and cleared my throat. But of course, ten seconds later, I faced her Dad.“Good evening, Cato. I didn’t think you’d show your face here again.”His tone was surprisingly sharp considering I would be his Alpha in less than six months.But I admired that.
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