Aggie’s POV My body is being jostled about and my old bones can’t take much more. I don’t remember how I got here, or even where here is. I think I’m in a car. The light keeps changing on the other side of my closed eyes, flickering between light and dark like a strobe. “How long do you think it will be until she wakes?” I hear Torrin’s voice beside me.“How the fuck should I know?” Abe snaps back. “Will you two pack it in, we have a long drive, leave her to rest.” Soph sounds just like her mother, oh how I miss her. I can only imagine how Abe must be feeling. When I told him that my body would grow weaker the longer all those souls were crammed inside me, he only hesitated for a minute or so before sticking his blade in my side and releasing the building pressure.I’m glad. I underestimated how much of a strain they would put on me. If he had waited, even a few hours, I doubt I would have had the strength to heal. I know, it sounds dramatic, but I really nearly died. That is not
Zaine’s POV It wasn’t even a decision really. I have known for some time that my pack and I would end up in Blue Moon. I hadn’t dared to hope we would be here, and at such an advantage, so soon. We have been planning for a hostile takeover, stocking supplies, preparing for the worst whilst praying for the best.Thank heavens none of the visiting Alphas or their people were harmed, and they took their leave with very few questions. Sophia really showed herself as the Queen she is, by reassuring everyone that their questions would soon be answered, but for now they should return to their pack and assure their people that all is well. She was obviously disappointed that the celebrations had to be cancelled and that she wouldn’t be able to meet and get the measure of our guests. I’ll surprise her with the ball to end all balls once we have sorted everything here. It looks like we will have a lot to do, and the reception we got from the outlying town doesn’t inspire much hope.“What are
Sophia’s POV Is this what my life has been leading me towards? The murder of my parents? The pain, the hunger, the hopelessness of my late childhood? Part of me knows everything happens for a reason, the other part is angry that so much was lost to get to this point.There was pain in the eyes of the people who attacked our convoy on the outskirts of the city. Well, pain and distrust. Wayne has been keeping me apprised of everything happening in the city centre, but he never once mentioned the unrest near the border. Maybe he doesn’t know. I imagine he has had his hands full, but it doesn’t seem like him, to have overlooked those who have obviously suffered the most.I will be sure to send some of our people back to the run down, outlying community, to bring food and resources whilst we do what we can to undo the damage done by Acheron and his men. As our car rolls through the castle gates and into a massive courtyard, I get my first glimpse of where I was born. Of course I have
Cronin’s POV My chest might explode. The instant my eyes settle upon her face, I’m sure my heart stopped beating. I can’t breathe, the air is too thin to sustain me.The world around me grows muffled and I’m barely aware of Torrin and Luca stood either side of me. My guts bubble with disbelief and I fear I may throw up right where I stand making even more of a spectacle of myself.All this time I stayed away, unable to face the pain of returning to an empty home. Years of my life I have wasted and all this time it was a lie. They are alive. Adriana and Beth are alive. Jackson swore blind that he had seen their bodies swinging from the gate when he and some of the others came back one night to attempt a rescue. If I had set foot back on this land the king would have known and killed them for sure. So, I entrusted their rescue to the only person I could.He didn’t spare me any details upon his fruitless return, even down to the description of the moonstone necklace I gave Beth whe
Torrin’s POV Well strike me down where I stand. The old codgers family lives. Seeing the pure delight on Sophia’s face was indescribable. Everyone around us saw it too. They saw the true heart of their queen. There will have been doubters amongst them, no matter how encouraging Wayne’s reports to Sophia have been. The reports I received were less... censored. I told him not to make the queen aware of the men who threatened her life before fleeing Blue Moon altogether. I have no doubt in my mind that the traitors will regroup and return, intent on continuing the usurpers reign of terror. There was even talk of some of the men challenging her for the throne. As ludicrous as that would have been, I have no doubt that many people here have lost their wits from living under Acheron’s rule for so long. I know that Sophia would grin and bear it, if she knew about the threats, but she already has the weight of the world on her shoulders. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Sophia’s POV It would be impossible and maybe even foolish to try to please everyone. I doubt there is a single person here who isn’t owed a pound of flesh by the monster. Ari constantly reminds me that as the Queen, there will be times that I cannot please everyone and that my duty is to do what’s best, not what’s easiest or sits well with my own ideals.Of course I want blue moon to heal, and part of that healing process is giving the wolves the justice they seek. After this we can move forward. It’ll take time, and the two packs merging is likely to keep everything up in the air for a while, then there is the matter of what to do about the humans and other people Acheron has been holding in his dungeon.Torrin means well and he has a point. “Honestly, the thought had already occurred to me that this plan could be a perfect opportunity for someone to kill me. The thing is, I know there will always be people who want me gone, it’s the story of my life, but I cannot hide if I want
Sophia’s POVToday is just another miserable day in my life as an orphan omega, overlooked and forgotten by almost everyone in the pack. Today should have been so different, it should have been a celebration with my family, but I am alone in the world. There will be no party, no congratulations and perhaps most sadly of all, no first run with the pack. To them I am a burden, my life is not something to be celebrated, my presence is merely endured.Today marks my eighteenth birthday, a sacred day in the life of every young werewolf. In the early hours of this morning, whilst the full, blue moon was still hanging in the sky above the forest, I shifted into my wolf form for the first time and the true nature of my being was finally set free.It wasn’t the joyous occasion it would have been if my parents were still here. In fact, nobody even gave me a second look as I trudged out into the forest on my own. The other omegas all remained in their beds, knowing that if they were caught out o
Sophia’s POVI stand in silent shock in the centre of the locked room for what must be a good hour or so. My eyes scan the opulent surroundings that hold me captive. The walls are adorned with intricate patterns of vines and leaves, bringing a touch of the outside world into this gilded prison. Soft sunlight filters through the pale green voile curtains, casting a warm orange glow over the room. In any other circumstance it would be the kind of room I would enjoy.No amount of luxurious decor can mask the fact that this is still a prison, a luxurious cage designed to keep me under Zaine’s control and within his reach. This room is usually reserved for visiting alphas and their Luna, only the best for the best. I have cleaned it on a handful of occasions and often daydreamed that I would have had a room something like this. In another life perhaps.The pack must be seen as one of power and influence, and this display of wealth and comfort is all part of the show. It is the polar opposi
Sophia’s POV It would be impossible and maybe even foolish to try to please everyone. I doubt there is a single person here who isn’t owed a pound of flesh by the monster. Ari constantly reminds me that as the Queen, there will be times that I cannot please everyone and that my duty is to do what’s best, not what’s easiest or sits well with my own ideals.Of course I want blue moon to heal, and part of that healing process is giving the wolves the justice they seek. After this we can move forward. It’ll take time, and the two packs merging is likely to keep everything up in the air for a while, then there is the matter of what to do about the humans and other people Acheron has been holding in his dungeon.Torrin means well and he has a point. “Honestly, the thought had already occurred to me that this plan could be a perfect opportunity for someone to kill me. The thing is, I know there will always be people who want me gone, it’s the story of my life, but I cannot hide if I want
Torrin’s POV Well strike me down where I stand. The old codgers family lives. Seeing the pure delight on Sophia’s face was indescribable. Everyone around us saw it too. They saw the true heart of their queen. There will have been doubters amongst them, no matter how encouraging Wayne’s reports to Sophia have been. The reports I received were less... censored. I told him not to make the queen aware of the men who threatened her life before fleeing Blue Moon altogether. I have no doubt in my mind that the traitors will regroup and return, intent on continuing the usurpers reign of terror. There was even talk of some of the men challenging her for the throne. As ludicrous as that would have been, I have no doubt that many people here have lost their wits from living under Acheron’s rule for so long. I know that Sophia would grin and bear it, if she knew about the threats, but she already has the weight of the world on her shoulders. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Cronin’s POV My chest might explode. The instant my eyes settle upon her face, I’m sure my heart stopped beating. I can’t breathe, the air is too thin to sustain me.The world around me grows muffled and I’m barely aware of Torrin and Luca stood either side of me. My guts bubble with disbelief and I fear I may throw up right where I stand making even more of a spectacle of myself.All this time I stayed away, unable to face the pain of returning to an empty home. Years of my life I have wasted and all this time it was a lie. They are alive. Adriana and Beth are alive. Jackson swore blind that he had seen their bodies swinging from the gate when he and some of the others came back one night to attempt a rescue. If I had set foot back on this land the king would have known and killed them for sure. So, I entrusted their rescue to the only person I could.He didn’t spare me any details upon his fruitless return, even down to the description of the moonstone necklace I gave Beth whe
Sophia’s POV Is this what my life has been leading me towards? The murder of my parents? The pain, the hunger, the hopelessness of my late childhood? Part of me knows everything happens for a reason, the other part is angry that so much was lost to get to this point.There was pain in the eyes of the people who attacked our convoy on the outskirts of the city. Well, pain and distrust. Wayne has been keeping me apprised of everything happening in the city centre, but he never once mentioned the unrest near the border. Maybe he doesn’t know. I imagine he has had his hands full, but it doesn’t seem like him, to have overlooked those who have obviously suffered the most.I will be sure to send some of our people back to the run down, outlying community, to bring food and resources whilst we do what we can to undo the damage done by Acheron and his men. As our car rolls through the castle gates and into a massive courtyard, I get my first glimpse of where I was born. Of course I have
Zaine’s POV It wasn’t even a decision really. I have known for some time that my pack and I would end up in Blue Moon. I hadn’t dared to hope we would be here, and at such an advantage, so soon. We have been planning for a hostile takeover, stocking supplies, preparing for the worst whilst praying for the best.Thank heavens none of the visiting Alphas or their people were harmed, and they took their leave with very few questions. Sophia really showed herself as the Queen she is, by reassuring everyone that their questions would soon be answered, but for now they should return to their pack and assure their people that all is well. She was obviously disappointed that the celebrations had to be cancelled and that she wouldn’t be able to meet and get the measure of our guests. I’ll surprise her with the ball to end all balls once we have sorted everything here. It looks like we will have a lot to do, and the reception we got from the outlying town doesn’t inspire much hope.“What are
Aggie’s POV My body is being jostled about and my old bones can’t take much more. I don’t remember how I got here, or even where here is. I think I’m in a car. The light keeps changing on the other side of my closed eyes, flickering between light and dark like a strobe. “How long do you think it will be until she wakes?” I hear Torrin’s voice beside me.“How the fuck should I know?” Abe snaps back. “Will you two pack it in, we have a long drive, leave her to rest.” Soph sounds just like her mother, oh how I miss her. I can only imagine how Abe must be feeling. When I told him that my body would grow weaker the longer all those souls were crammed inside me, he only hesitated for a minute or so before sticking his blade in my side and releasing the building pressure.I’m glad. I underestimated how much of a strain they would put on me. If he had waited, even a few hours, I doubt I would have had the strength to heal. I know, it sounds dramatic, but I really nearly died. That is not
Sophia’s POV I am so unbelievably ready for this to all be over.When I woke up and felt the change inside of me, I knew there was only one way this shit show would end. Alcmene was strong, there is no doubt in that , but my new wolf, my true wolf, is different. She is strong but not in the maniacal way her predecessor was. My true wolf, Lia, is ready to burn it all to the ground and begin again. I think I see her point. There is so much poison, fear and hatred festering amongst our people. I just can’t allow the innocent to suffer along with the guilty. Some people do terrible things to survive, does that make them terrible people? I don’t know.“Blue Moon must be cleansed Sophia. It is the root of the evil.” Lia pleads with me to see her reasoning.“Blue Moon is my birth pack and where this all started. My parents were not evil, their kingdom is not evil. Acheron is the root, not the innocents who lived under him waiting for the axe to fall. I will not punish them Lia.” I hate tha
Acheron’s POVThe musty stench of dirt and mold is familiar to me. It stinks of decay and death, just like my own dungeons. I can’t sense my beast. What did he do to me?“What have you done? I am your king, you will die for this.” I scream as anger floods me. The thick iron bars between me and the arsehole betas is all that stands between me and vengeance. They took my wolf. How the fuck did they take my wolf?What is Cronin doing here? That fool was killed by my pet rogues years ago.“You are no king of mine. Our queen will decide your fate after the party, and I... can’t... wait, to carry out your sentence myself.” George comes close to the bars and snarls his threat in my face. He has no idea what I am capable of. My men will follow their orders, I have no doubt of that. If taking Zaine and his little bitch down is the last thing I ever do, it will be worth it.“Your Queen,” I snort, almost chocking on laughter. “Your Queen is weak, just like her father. Weakness has no place on t
George’s POV“Where is Alpha Zaine?” A purple vein pulses right next to Acheron’s temple as he demands to know Zaine’s whereabouts yet again. If I didn’t tell him the first six times he asked, I have no idea what makes him think the seventh time would be the charm.I do know that whatever Aggie is going to do, is not something Acheron should know anything about. I sent Frankie to keep my pain in the arse and her meddling sidekick in their rooms and out of harms way. Maybe they will give him a little taste of what I’ve been putting up with. More than one man here has found it amusing, watching me pull my hair out over the little Imp and her antics. To be honest I was close to throttling her myself more than once, but now that there is real and present danger on our land and in our home, my mind is on her more than I ever thought it would be.Acheron’s rancid breath warms my face and his canines elongate in front of my eyes. Luca looks as if he wants to pull the crazy off me, but a subt