Olivia's POV
I sat in my living room, rocking back and forth on my father's old chair. I could still smell his scent on the old leather, bringing tears to my eyes.
In my arms, I cradled the porcelain jar that held my dad’s ashes.
It still felt like a dream. I pinched myself multiple times to wake myself up from this nightmare, but I only ended up with bruises on my arms each time my fingernails sank into my skin, drawing blood.
This was no dream. Dad was dead.
It was almost unbelievable, but it was true.
I glanced over at the table, and on it was the letter the Luna of my pack had delivered to me during Dad's funeral. I picked it up and read through it for the tenth time.
Regardless of how many times I read it, I still couldn't believe she was coming here after everything that she did, after all this time.
That was impossible.
Yet, my suitcase was packed beside me because Luna Mia had also been quite clear on her stance. Since Dad was gone, I had to leave. I was leaving my pack, the only home I had known all my life, to stay with…
Knock! Knock! Knock!
I was jerked from my brooding. I carefully placed the jar on the table and walked to the door.
The impatient knocking came again, and the air was suddenly filled with the scent of expensive, intrusive perfume, which almost blurred Dad's scent, that was still lingering in the room.
I walked to the door, flung it open, and saw her.
My mother.
She was nothing like I remembered from her lips, which were a bright red, and the flashy large hoop earrings that were dangling on both ears.
She cleared her throat, interrupting my assessment, "God! You look like a mess, Olivia.” Her eyes swept over me in one fair swoop of disgust.
"You should brush your hair. It looks like a bird's nest."
Her voice was high and full of mockery. This was exactly like I remembered. Only that, Dad used to be at the receiving end of that mockery.
Now, it was me.
"What are you doing here, Nicole?”
She gasped and looked at me angrily, and I took joy in seeing the displeasure on her face as her lips turned down angrily at the sides.
"Where are your manners, young lady? Need I remind you that I am still your mother.”
I scoffed. A person like her could call herself a mother?
Without waiting for my reply, Nicole pushed past me and entered the house. I closed the door and watched her in anger as she looked around.
"Still looks the same. Your father never changed those filthy sofas after all."
She turned to me again.
"You got my letter, didn't you?"
I folded my arms and stared angrily at her.
"Yeah, I did. Tell me this is some joke."
My mother laughed sarcastically and suddenly glared at me angrily, “Look, Liv..."
"Don't call me Liv.” That was something that only my loved ones could call me.
She was not on that list. Although there was no list anymore as there had been only one person—Dad. And he was not even here anymore.
Another wave of heartache hit me while Nicole rolled her eyes and ignored my comment.
"Look, I don't have much time. Get your stuff and get into the car, and if I feel like it, I can explain things to you."
She gave the house one last disgusted look over and walked out. I sighed angrily and sat in my dad's chair. What was all this? Why did she have to come?
When I had gotten the letter from the pack’s Luna, a part of me had desperately hoped that it was some prank and that she wouldn’t make it. After all, I had spent thirteen years waiting for her to walk through these same doors.
Yet, she had ended up coming.
I heard a low rumbling sound, and I looked out of the window; I saw a black BMW. I raised my eyebrow in surprise. That was my mother's ride? Where on earth did she...
The car outside honked its horn, and I knew my time here was up.
Still holding the jar with my dad's ashes, I dragged my suitcase out of the door.
My mum finally stopped honking as I walked up to the car with my suitcase.
"I don't even know why you even bother carrying those ashes. Your hands are all dirty. Could you not get them on my seats? They're Italian leather."
I scoffed angrily. How dare she?
"You're unbelievable! How could you say that about Dad?!"
She rolled her eyes and gave me a pointed stare. "Do you even know how much Italian leather costs?"
I was dumbfounded, but she couldn't care less.
"For the record," I said in a grim tone. "I am only tagging along because Dad would have wanted me to. I'd rather be dead with him than go anywhere with you."
“That would have been better, Liv,” she mumbled and turned away.
If I had expected that anything would be different after thirteen years and a new ride, I was awfully wrong, and Nicole was in a hurry to let me know.
“Step on it. I have things to do."
The driver started the car, and then we sped away, leaving my old life, house, and everything I have ever known behind.
OLIVIA"How long is this ride?" I asked, turning back to the window. It felt like we had been driving for hours. The scenery was lovely. There were lots of flowers and beautiful trees, and the grass was lush green. Soon, we pulled up in front of a large mansion, and its grandeur took my breath away. "I forgot to mention that your stepfather is the Alpha of this pack. He owns this place," my mom said, brimming with pride, and I resisted an eye roll. Before I could say anything else, the driver opened the door, and she stepped out. However, I remained in the car, boiling with anger as my shock vanished into thin air. This explained everything. She was such a gold-digger! She had abandoned Dad and me all these years to marry some old, rich Alpha. My stomach churned in disgust at my mother. Suddenly, the door opened, and the driver stood beside it."Miss Olivia, do you need help with your bags?" "No," I said, coarsely. "I can sort myself out."I got out of the car, hoisted my suitca
Olivia's POV “Who is this?” His deep, sonorous voice resonated throughout the room, and my body tingled to the sound. I felt his green eyes wash over me in one swoop, and I instantly felt giddy while butterflies began to flap in my stomach. Without trying to be discreet, I checked him out properly. His hair was dark, and his muscular torso strained against his tight shirt, outlining his abs and pecs.I felt myself drooling with desire. I couldn't explain what I felt, but a part of me was yearning for him.His face was dashingly handsome, and my eyes trailed down to his sharp and chiseled jaw. I gawked at his soft lips and began to imagine how it would feel to kiss them…Shocked at my thoughts, I shook my head to push those unholy thoughts away. But the moment my eyes met his one more time, I was stuck. There was no way that he was my stepdad. Alpha André raised his eyebrow; he looked pretty intrigued, and I felt the lump in my throat disappear. "My name is Olivia. I'm Nicole
André’s POVI smelled her even before the door opened, and my hands clenched around the chair’s handle as Olivia entered my private quarters.Her body was tense, and she looked around curiously before her gaze settled on me. As though unnerved, she looked away immediately.How did the moon goddess create such perfection? To reward my waiting? I had spent more than twenty years waiting for my fated mate. For the one, the one that was made for me. Yet, there had been nothing. Eventually, I had settled for an arrangement for the pack's sake.But she was here now. And she was the best fucking thing I have laid my eyes on.“Where’s Nicole?” She squeaked, her voice barely audible. I would have missed it if all of my senses weren’t focused on her. I wanted to know everything. I needed to take in her smile, her beautiful blue eyes that shone like the sea. Fuck, I could already imagine running my hands through those large blond curls that fell over her shoulders. It took me some seconds to
Olivia's POVI ate in silence and stole glances at him. Sometimes, our eyes would meet and lock, and I'd turn away silently, though not without getting a lovely glance at his lips. I wanted to kiss them so badly.The way his lips moved as he chewed filled me with thoughts. I could only imagine how it would feel to have those lips kiss me and travel down, down… down.Fuck!I took one hand off the table and placed it on my lap, gripping my dress tightly. I squeezed my legs and felt something wet on my thigh."Keep it together, Olivia." I stopped eating for a brief moment, and I caught him licking the back of his spoon. I gasped as the sensations between my legs spiked. What was he doing to me? "I'm done."I put my spoon down and turned my head away, trying to hide my blush. The food was delicious but I couldn't eat anymore, not like this. I could feel my juices dripping down my legs. I had to excuse myself from the table. “Are you uncomfortable?” he asked, slowly putting down his spoo
Olivia's POV“Would you come for me, like that, again?”I was mortified as I watched him stare at me with a smug look as he stood at the door. My cheeks filled with colour. I felt my body lock together as shame began to drown me.André came in and closed the door behind him. I saw the smile on his face as he walked closer to me. I immediately sat up; my legs were trembling with fear and embarrassment as I watched him slowly slice the gap between us. “Why did you stop? Please don’t stop on my account. I would love to see you scream my name again. It was a pleasure watching you.” His voice was smooth and seductive. He was getting closer, but my body still couldn’t move.Come on, legs! Move! Run! Do something!However, my legs were numb. I could feel my breath getting hot and erratic. Despite the wide open windows, the room was suddenly steaming hot.I was finally able to stand, but it was too late. He was already in front of me. The smirk on his face made my stomach swarm with butter
Olivia's POVI kept on running without trying to check where I was going and finally, I sighed as I took a deep breath, however, just before I could relax, I heard footsteps behind me. “Olivia! Are you okay?!” To think he had the guts to chase after me. Jerk. “Stop! Stay away from me!”However, all my pleas fell on deaf ears. What was he doing? Couldn’t he tell that I didn’t want to be around him? I backed away from him, but he kept coming closer.“Don’t touch me! Just go away!”Almost like he couldn’t hear me, André just kept coming closer.“Olivia, can you stop? Let’s go inside.” “Just leave me alone!”He sighed and made a lunge towards me, but I evaded him, and I felt something cold and hard behind me.“What..?” I turned and groaned in frustration. It was a rock! It was a dead end; I had nowhere to go.I looked forward, and soon, he was right in front of me. He put his arms around my waist and pulled me into his embrace. My body shuddered at his touch. What was wrong with him?
Olivia's POV “Oww! My head! What the…”I woke up with a start. Whoever was behind the door pushed it even more, and light streamed in and blinded me. In a rush to stand up, I let go of my father’s ash jar, and it began to roll away. I got away from the door, and it opened fully, and there stood my mother, glaring down at me. I scrambled to my feet and went over to get my father’s ash jar before it rolled under the bed.“What is your problem?” I said, almost yelling at my mum.However, she didn’t answer me immediately, and I watched as her eyes surveyed my room in jealousy and disgust.“I can’t believe you slept on the floor when you have such a comfortable bed and luxurious room.”She walked in and toured my room with a look of evident jealousy. She touched the silk curtains and tested the soft bed.“You really don’t know what is good for you, Olivia. But then again, it is expected, considering the dump I pulled you out from.”I rolled my eyes and put my father’s ash jar back on the
Olivia’s POVI stood by the door, my eyes taking in my room while my mind ran at a thousand thoughts at once. Somehow, I was angry at André indifference at the table. But why should I be? He was not mine. Also, what was I meant to do here? Back at home, at least, I had hours of school and working the fields to keep me busy. As I sat on my bed, the door opened and my eyes widened as André entered the room with a solemn expression. “Are you okay, princess?” he asked while closing the gap between us. Anger flared within me and I stood up, glaring at him. “Oh, this is what you want right? To sneak behind my mom every time to talk to me and then pretend like I don’t exist in front of everyone?” he could have asked me how I was at the table but he decides to sneak in here to ask?Despicable. André frowned slightly and stopped when there was barely any space between us. “Last night, you hated the idea of being with me. I didn’t want to overwhelm you. However, I also couldn't leave with
Hannah's POV Epilogue. I sat outside at the picnic table with the gentle wind whipping through my hair. It felt wonderful.Autumn was drawing close, and the leaves on the trees were already turning a beautiful orange.I heard the giggles of children playing. I smiled warmly.My children.Jasper ran around, and his little sister chased after him. Their delightful giggles filled the air and brought smiles to my face.“Jasper, be careful. Your sister might not be able to keep you with you." He slowed down a little bit and his sister caught up with him. He embraced her and she smiled and played with his hair.“Hello, beautiful." I felt two big, strong arms wrap around me, and I was enveloped with warmth and love.I raised my head, and a kiss was gently planted on my lips.André lowered himself beside me, and we watched our beautiful children prance around the garden.“It's getting a bit chilly. You should come inside." André ran his hand seductively over mine. I bit my lower lip and
Olivia's POV "This isn't going to be too tight around my stomach, is it? I want the baby to be comfortable.”The maids shook their heads and continued to fuss over the dress.“You look beautiful, Luna Olivia. I am sure the Alpha is going to love it.”I was nervous as they put the finishing touches on the dress.“All done.”They stepped away, and I twirled in the mirror. The dress was beautiful, embroidered with intricate silk moon designs that were trimmed in gold.“The Alpha also asked me to give this to you as a gift.”One of the maids stepped forward with a beautiful velvet box in her hands.I took it from her, and my hands trembled slightly.I opened the box, and inside it was a beautiful gold necklace with a jeweled pendant. The maids all squealed in delight, and one of them offered to fasten it around my neck.I touched it gently as the maid fastened it, and I could feel my heart swelling with love for André. It wasn't difficult to tell that the necklace was very expensive.“L
Olivia's POV We spent a little longer in Elvis Pine. André was helping Hailey with the reconstruction efforts.It was beautiful watching Elvis Pine grow into something beautiful.Hailey asked for my permission to change the House of Reiss’ insignia to the Solvan Empire insignia.She did it as a tribute to my mother and me, and I gave my approval and blessings.It felt like pieces of my people were coming back to life again.She rebuilt her family home and initiated a rebuilding project of my parents’ old house.“I remember it quite well. I think the blueprint is still in the pack archives. I want to rebuild it the same way it was all those years ago. My family took yours, and I want to give a piece of it back.”Those were her words, and they brought tears to my eyes.During the time we spent in Elvis Pine, André went to the Lycan Empire and spoke to Doran's people. He wanted to prevent another war with them because of Doran's death.He had been gone for a few days, during which time
Olivia's POV I woke up in bed. My eyes hurt, and so did my head. I was covered in bruises that were healing slowly.The light from the sun on a new day bathed my face. I wasn't sure how long I had been out. But I was certain that I had been asleep for longer than a day.I took a deep breath.It was over. I still couldn't believe it. We had won, but at what cost? I sniffed the air. I wasn't the only injured person. I could still smell the blood of our other injured comrades, and their groans made it to my ears.Every time I blinked, I could see the carnage that was on the battlefield. The dead bodies and wolves. The blood of our unique race had been wasted.Jonas.I don't remember how he died, but when I woke up, I saw him unconscious at Doran's feet. It still baffled me. It was a shock that he had been the mastermind behind all of this.He…he was a Lycan. I never thought he was. I never saw it in him. I hadn't heard about them before but I was certain that they were a powerful spec
André's POV I watched in shock and awe as Doran spilled his guts.“I am the Heir of the Lycian Empire of the Sacred Moon. I was cast out and denied my birthright because of my wolf. I looked nothing like a Lycan. I looked like a regular wolf shifter. I was mocked and scorned…”I was stunned. Doran was a Lycan. A Lycan Prince?"...I was adopted and raised in André's pack. They knew of my heritage and made sure that I never forgot my roots. I befriended André, and by growing up together, I became his Beta. After my adoptive parents passed away, I realized that it was time I took my place as Prince of the Empire…”“…I thought that I would start small. I felt that once André was too tired to rule since he was without an heir, he would pass the Pack leadership over to me. But then, Olivia came into the picture.”I saw him grit his teeth in anger. Even under control, he was still in control of his emotions.“I hoped that I would be able to get rid of her. I sent her those notes but André f
André's POV It happened so fast. The sound of polished metal cutting through flesh. Blood sprayed all over Doran. It was over quickly.Jonas was dead His head was in Doran's hand, and his body remained kneeling for a while before it fell to the ground with a thud like a felled tree.I was in shock. His head still has its eyes open,bl staring into my soul from the pits of hell and mirroring complete fear.“Doran?" Doran cast the head aside and wiped his blade on Jonas' clothes.“Well, I think we are done here. We have won, André. We won the war." He tried to step towards me, but I stepped back.I turned my head. “Olivia?!”She was unconscious at the foot of a broken tree. I dashed to her side and stood beside her. My fingers grazed her cheek. She was still breathing. Her face was still warm and full of color. I was relieved. She was going to be okay."Olivia?”I called her name but she didn't stir. I feared the worst. I called her name louder and shook her a little harder.She sti
André's POV The battle was bloody and ferocious.That snake, Jonas, had my pack surrounded long before I got to the battlefield. I have tried to reason with him, but he was hell-bent on choosing violence and throwing the life of his men away all because of a woman that he would never have.The war broke out and there was bloodshed everywhere. A wolf charged at me and in mere seconds, I shifted into my black wolf and smacked him hard with my paw. He yelped in pain, and I grabbed him in my jaws and flung him across the grass, spilling his blood into the soil. I searched among the fighting wolves for that snake, but I couldn't find him anywhere. His men were focused on killing me, and they swarmed me like bees, but I defeated them in seconds. I felt a pair of claws sinking into my right flank, and I howled in pain. Ragnar became enraged, and in a split second, I faced my assailant and growled mercilessly at him.I clawed his face and gouged out his eye.The socket was left empty, an
Olivia's POV "André...""Olivia, what are you doing here? You need to hide. I told the nurse to hide you.”André was dressed and ready. He knew leaving our room would make him an instant target. “Andre, I can't let you go alone. I want to come along. I want to help you. Please let me…”He pulled me in and kissed me deeply. As his lips pressed against mine, tears streamed down my face.“Olivia, I can't explain how much I love you, and I would kill myself if anything happened to you. I want you to be safe, for me and our child. I need you to hide.“but André…”“I promise I'll come back to you.”The nurse walked up to me, took my arm, and André disentangled himself from my embrace.He walked away and didn't look back while the nurse dragged me into our room.“Miss Olivia, we have to go. We must hurry to the secret bunker Miss Hailey told us about. You can't be here.”“But Andre…”“Your beloved will be fine. We must hurry. Miss Hailey is waiting for us.”I was reluctant, but I allowed t
Olivia's POV I could hear the howling of wolves, sending shivers down my spine. I had been transferred to a different place in the Raiden Pack. André had formed an alliance with them, and they had also joined in the fight. I couldn't see what was happening, but the cries, screams, and howls were excruciating.Each time, I would wonder if one of them belonged to André.Alvida had been moved with me and she had been at my side all day. She watched me like a hawk and did her best to assure me that everything was going to be alright.I didn't trust what she said.“I need some water," I said weakly.She nodded and left the room. This was my chance. It was a crusty plan, but it was all I could think of.As soon as the door clicked shut, I got out of bed and jumped out of the window.It wasn't a long fall but I timed it just right and shifted into my wolf at the last second and landed firmly on my paws.I didn't waste a second and sprinted to the battlefield. I could hear Alvida calling o