Astrid's POV:From the opposite side of the door, I stared at the green-haired woman that was Colin’s sister. Considering so many in my life had turned out to be tormentors, the fear of meeting new people plagued me. Words failed to form in head, and I stood dumbfounded at her greeting.“She's scared, Casey,” Colin said. “She has no knowledge of the human world.” “Oh, sorry. I got excited because you’ve been telling me so much about her.” She shifted her gaze to me. “You're really young and beautiful.” She gazed at me so warmly that I began to feel comfortable.Casey opened the door and gestured us inside, then asked me to have a seat on a large chair covered in cloth. It was quite comfortable, and I ran my hand over its smooth surface.“Sofa,” Colin said, looking at me. Then he pointed out a couple of other items. “That's a fan, and the device on the wall is a TV.”I enjoyed the way he continually defined everything for me. He’d taught me so many new words and I’d seen so many new o
Astrid's POV:After I woke, I went downstairs to see if Colin had returned. I wanted to tell him about Alpha Dominic and my nightmare of a memory. Instead of Colin, I found an older lady, probably in her fifties, sitting in the living room sipping what appeared to be hot milk.She had eyes similar to Colin’s and Casey’s, and a similar facial structure too. I guessed she must be their mother, so I politely stood beside her and offered a bow. She rose from the sofa, setting her cup down. Then she surprised me by taking me in her arms. While hugging me, she said, “We don't do that here. Nobody is inferior to anyone.” She released me with a smile. “I’m Evelyn Willow, Colin's mother.” “Sorry,” I said. “Nice meeting you.” “You have nothing to be sorry for. How are you feeling?” she said, resuming her seat on the sofa and patting the spot next to her. “Better than I felt at the hospital.” I glanced toward the dining area where Colin and Casey were arranging plates on the table. “Both of t
Astrid's POV:Though I wished to go back to my mother, I had to start a new life. So I nervously entered the crowded bakery with its bustling customers. Mrs. Willow greeted me warmly, then said, “Here, let me explain everything to you.” She told me all about the bakery and types of cakes they baked in detail. After imparting a good deal of training and information, she let me work on my first order of the day. Though I made my first cake with some difficulty, I felt proud after completing it. It gave me the sense that I could do anything from then on and that I had no longer needed to be afraid of anyone in my life.Mrs. Willow inspected my cake, finding no fault with it, and that boosted my confidence even further. As she packed it up, she told me she’d pay me weekly. Me? Getting paid weekly? I marveled at the thought, especially since I could spend all I earned on myself without having to worry about anyone else. I continued baking, humming along while I did so. As I put whipped
Astrid's POV:Colin and Casey had gone to check on their mom, who had fallen ill. I made a mental note to myself to check on her the next day after work, then went upstairs and took a shower. As I splashed water on my face, I kept thinking about Alpha Dominic’s face and those magnetic eyes of his. In a twisted way, my heart was at ease as his voice repeated in my head. After drying off, I went to the bedroom where the open window was hitting against the frame. I used the holder to set in place and noted the full moon as I peered outside. Then, as usual, I got on my knees and joined my shaking hands in prayer.“Moon Goddess, please keep my boys protected and safe from that demon. I don’t remember what I did to make you so angry with me, but I promise I will repent and, one day, I will get Malessia back.” An intriguing scent in the air distracted me. It tasted like the sweetest vanilla cake I had ever known. With urgency, I rose to search for its source. But I found nothing and could
Astrid's POV:Sandra pierced me with a scathing reprimand that told me I’d better pull myself together. I did my best and extended my hand. “Good morning, Mr. Knight,” I said through gritted teeth, trying to ignore his scent, though it was driving me wild. I knew that scent, too. It had been in the bedroom last night. My mind demanded fury over his intrusion. But my body disagreed. The mere thought of him in my bedroom ignited a carnal desire so potent I could barely think.“Good morning,” he said. “I hope you can get the order done on time. It's an important party.” He winked, and his left cheek formed a slight dimple, making him look even hotter and more captivating.“Of course,” I said, moving away from him. “I’ll get right on it.” To busy myself and calm my fear, I shuffled through papers behind the register. But he grabbed my arm, and a powerful spark ran between us. I couldn't help but wonder if he’d been anything more to me than just a tormentor from the past. “You need to c
Astrid's POV:With all my might, I pushed Alpha Dominic away from me. “You're forcing yourself on me!” I screamed. He froze at my words, then pulled himself away from me. “What did you just say? I’m forcing myself on you? You're my mate.” His voice had become soft and caring and love shone in his eyes. It was enough that my stupid heart began to melt. Still, I forced myself to say, “I need to go. Please don't do this. I know what you did to me when I was with you, locking me in that room, starving me. I screamed for your mercy and you never showed any. I nearly died.” My throat ached as the tears formed in my eyes.“And what about after that? Our good times together. Don’t you remember those?” His brow frowned.“No,” I replied. At the same time, a new memory flashed in my mind, one of him kissing me passionately, and me riding him willingly. I kept my face neutral so he couldn’t see it in my eyes. “You don't need to remember everything about our relationship,” he said. “But you nee
Astrid's POV:Dominic parked the car in front of a grand mansion, with an impressive collection of cars to the side, more than I could ever imagine one person owning. There were so many, I couldn’t even count them all. When he exited the car, he opened the door for me again and several guards rushed to us. One held an umbrella over me as I got out of the car. Then Dominic rested his fingers over my back as we walked toward the mansion’s grand entrance. I shivered at his touch.Once we stepped inside, he said, “Hurry. We have to get ready for the party.” But his words barely registered as I stood dumbfounded, scanning the luxury of the place. I guessed the mansion was larger than fifteen apartments combined. A fountain with violet lights hanging around it made its water appear to be dark purple. I walked toward it absently and collided into someone.“Woah. Use your eyes,” said a sharp voice. I looked up and saw a woman with short, jet-black hair and dark red lipstick in the shape of
Astrid’s POV:As soon as he allowed me to stand on my feet in the room, I quickly adjusted my dress. I had been out of breath the entire time while he appeared as though he hadn’t just carried a woman upstairs.“If the custody claims are fake, I shouldn’t be here,” I abruptly said. He stopped, turned to me with cold, icy eyes, and replied, “No. You are not going anywhere now. Remember, the kids are in the mansion, and there’s no way you can run with them. Never try to backstab me, or else you will never see their beautiful faces again. “He was so mean and dangerous at this moment.“Okay, just to be clear, I wasn’t planning to run away,” I changed the topic and walked away from him. “Here’s your dress. We have to hurry. The Alphas and humans are all waiting for us to make our appearance together,” he said, handing me a box that was deceptively heavier than it appeared and vanished behind the big red door with a suit he chose from the walk-in closet. Was I supposed to change right here
Aeryn's POV:I had been running for half an hour by now and yet the woods seemed never ending. Leaving Dante in that critical condition and his life at danger had been the most difficult decision of my life. I would never let anything happen to him even if it meant for me to die in his place. He was wronged as a child and an adult by everyone around him. He deserved happiness and now when he wanted to ask for forgiveness from father and Kai was with those traitors, I knew they would be ready to accept Dante as my mate. With more determination and motivation, I didn't stop even when my legs started to hurt. But I promised myself that nothing could stop me before I reached pack. It was just another twenty minutes until I would be crossing the pack borders. A series of angry howls roared behind me and I froze in my steps scared of the truth that the rogues had gotten to me first before I could go to the pack. I turned behind to see the leader Rogue running after me with an army of aro
Dante's POV:Azriel had felt her presence in the woods as shown as she had stepped her feet in there. I could also feel her pain and I had hurriedly gone to search her only to find her in chains. Even though, I should have hated her for accepting Kai as her mate, I didn't like how she was crying from the pain and Alpha Grayson and was hitting her. "Keep your mouth shut! He isn't your mate anymore. We need know that you are going to fu*k Kai sooner than later. " Alpha Grayson spat angrily. I felt my fists clenching at his words, "What are you exactly doing here, Aeryn? Is it a trap? "She shook her head, " No, Dante. I will never betray you. I want to tell you that this war is not needed because we can stop it. I love you and I am never going to be with another man. "Her words sent a soothing feeling to my heart. I was happy that she chose to be here with me and had the guts to run away from her parents and come here among so much dangers. "Do you think you can go against your pare
Aeryn's POV :I was still shaking from anger after my parents and brothers left me in my room again. I had to fight against the injustice of them making me have another mate. Dante wasn't aware of his father's reality and his mother's suicide reason. If he would know, then I was sure he wouldn't be initiating a war against anyone. As a mate, I had to take the first step. I quietly made my way out of my room and ran to the corridor leading to Dante's chamber. It was extremely quiet there and I couldn't find anyone. Confusion dawned me and I went to the training ground to find him but he wasn't there either. The palace looked in a hurry, almost running guards everywhere around me. The environment didn't feel right. The air didn't seem comfortable. "What are you doing here? " I heard Alpha Kai behind me. I didn't like him around me for some reason because even though he knew that I had a made he was ready to be with me without any shame. "Nothing. Just looking for... " I hesitated.
Alpha Dante's POV :F*ck! F*ck this pack! Aeryn was with Kai, he was holding her hand, he was walking her around, he had been all over her and Dominic was happy with the stupid arrangement. I was sure there was something going on between Kai and Dominic. He had suddenly appointed him as the border controller for his pack and also was given high status in the training for young wolves. "Maybe he wants Aeryn to be with Kai. " Azriel hissed. I smashed the vase into pieces and crushed it with my boots. No way in hell was going to let any man take her from me. She was my mate, carrying my Mark and had promised me a child. And even after that, I was going to keep her with me. She wasn't related to Dominic and Astrid's crimes. They had even lost her when she was babu, indicating they never cared for their only daughter and instead adopted a dumb human girl to take her place. They were power hungry and could go to any limits to secure their pack and throne. Even if it meant, making Aeryn
Aeryn's POV :I ran back to my room and locked the door behind me so that I didn't have to talk to anyone including my parents. I was Furious and sad to know that my own parents had decided to give me off to another man as if I was an object. They were blinded by power and rank of Alpha Kai. I should have known that being a princess meant to keep the family ties high by marrying into another powerful Clan. I was the most worthless girl in the whole Kingdom as compared to even the normal females in the Pack because of the reason that I didn't have my wolf yet. I heard a knock on the door and knew that it was mom but I was not going to talk to her until and unless she was ready to listen to me. But to my shock, I heard the lock turning in the door and both of my parents walked in with a key in their hands. Mom must have been crying because I could see her eyes were puffy and even my father was sad. They sat beside me on the bed and I turned my head to look away from them. Still, I fe
Aeryn's POV :I felt disheartened by the sight of my mate who was not trying to understand my condition and was in the wrong this whole time. Only if I could tell him about how much he was missing by being angry towards me and my family then we would have been together by now and fighting everyone else. I was going to be loyal to my blood even though I knew that the bond was supposed to be stronger than anything else. I forgot that Alpha Kai had been waiting for me after he left and he might have noticed the weird exchange we both had. "Coffee? " He offered as we sat together. I didn't want to be sitting there in the public with a fake smile plastered on my face but I couldn't just run away from everything because I was not feeling well. My dad was gone too after he checked that I was safe with Alpha Kai. if my parents at trusted this man then I was not at any risk from him. "Are you okay? You don't look comfortable enough. " He asked. I sipped my coffee, " It's nothing serious.
Aeryn's POV :I wanted to talk to him about his special treatment in the class but the teacher looked at me angrily, her eyes telling me to get away from the Alpha. I knew that she would never say something to the Alpha but she could only use her scary eyes on me. "Alpha Kai has been included in the team of the Alphas to keep the borders secure and the enemies away from the Pack house. " Mrs. Harrison told us and I realised I was sitting with one of the best warriors in the entire packs. He nodded his head, " I am still your student and would like to train more young wolves so that they can join the team. " Mrs. Harrison was overjoyed and enthusiastically opened one of the thickest books I had ever seen. She flipped through pages after a while pages and finally settled on one of the main chapters. She fixed her glasses and licked her lips before starting the lesson. "In a small town nestled among the hills, there was a visionary human teacher named Mrs. Johnson. " She said, " She
Aeryn's POV :I woke up at 5 AM precisely and took a shower. After getting dressed in a simple crop top and Jean I decided to put my hair in a high ponytail. By the time I was ready to go, it was already 7 AM and Emerald was waiting for me outside my room. She had brought the map of all the packs with her and we found a quiet corner in the school Garden so that she could tell me more about the ranking. The school Gates were still closed and we had around 40 minutes before the time the classes would start. "The North Packs are all under Alpha Dominic and these one marked in red are also ruled by him but they are having some sort of revolution because most of the Alphas want slavery to be legal. And Alpha Dominic is against the cruelty. " She said, running her finger along the lines on the map. I nodded, " But I don't think anyone will support them because in no one wants this type of ill practice in the packs in these modern Times. " Emerald scoffed, " You have no idea about the Ri
Aeryn's POV: "What were you thinking, Aeryn? " My mom shouted at me. I kept my head low and my face burned with embarrassment as her blaming eyes looked right through my soul. It was better that she hadn't told anyone else about it. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have done that. " I muttered. She rubbed her forehead, " I mean what if someone had seen you. This would have created a havoc in the pack. Most of them don't even know you have a mate. " " But mom, I have a mate and you know that. How can I pretend that he doesn't exist? " She sighed and hugged me, " I know and I am sorry for being so rude and harsh with you. But, honey you need to understand that he is not a friend of our pack. That guy wants to ruin you just like his father... " She stopped from completing her statement and something changed in her eyes. She grew angry towards Dante more and shook her head to ignore whatever thoughts were crossing her mind at this moment. " What do you mean, mom? Can you tell me about the