Astrid's POV:Alpha Salem, Beta Alexander, and I exited the border, with Beta Alexander in the lead and Alpha Salem walking behind me. No one spoke, and my mind wouldn’t stop whirring. I felt so tense and fragile. How could Dominic leave with Isabella to find the cure without telling me? As if I would have stopped them. He could have just informed me, and maybe I could have gone with him, too.So it was his fault I was going into the woods to search for a seer with Alpha Salem.We reached the tree line where mud puddles dotted the area from the previous night’s rain. But as soon as we hit the woods, the cool breeze blew against my face, and my spirits calmed. I missed the forest so much. So I shifted my focus to the beauty of my surroundings. I had always found solace in the woods. It felt so lively. After a rain, everything glistened. It was a sight to behold. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of nature. Droplets clung to the leaves and branches and sparkled in the sunlight, c
Astrid's POV:The three of us ran back in wolf form, and I reached the pack border first, ahead of Alpha Salem and Beta Alexander. I didn't know if it was my imagination playing tricks on me, but the more I focused on winning and doing my best, the more I felt the shine around my fur go lighter and brighter.Then one pack member actually said, “She’s shining!”For a second, excitement filled me. But then it faded when no one else said anything further.I told Alpha Salem and Beta Alexander that I would head straight to my chamber. As soon as I got there, I shifted back into human form and asked the maid about Dominic. She told me he was still away, and there was no message from him. Somehow, that both relaxed and angered me at the same time. Of course, I kept that to myself when I asked the maid to have Laura bring my babies to me. I dressed quickly and waited for the boys. Laura left after my kids were in the bed with me. It was so nice being with them. Even when I wasn't in the moo
Astrid's POV:After Caronlina left, I sat in my room in silence for several minutes. Then I spoke to Malessia, saying, “I want to go for a run and practice more.’ ‘Yes, practice is good,’ Malessa said excitedly. ‘But first, I need to learn that shifting technique.” I rose from the bed and closed my eyes. I had to focus on the light in the center of my head. Meanwhile, I let my body and arms relax while the bones changed and reformed. In about a minute, I stood on four limbs and opened my eyes slowly.‘Not great, but faster than our usual time,’ Malessia noted.‘Then, as Alpha Salem said, I need to practice again and again until I reach perfection.’ I shifted back to my human form and repeated the exercise. By the seventh time, I could easily shift into my primal or human form within seconds, and the transition seemed less hectic, too. I learned to listen to my surroundings carefully and knew how to control my senses without losing command over my wild state.‘Why is everything so e
Alpha Dominic's POV:Leaving without telling Astrid about my trip to the mountains was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I had wanted to tell her, but she was sleeping so peacefully with the kids. Then again, who was I kidding? I also didn’t want to tell her about Isabella accompanying me. It wasn’t that I was hiding anything untoward from her. I just didn't want to hurt her more.“Dominic, we should stop now,” Isabella said, frowning. She stomped her feet dramatically with the words, a ridiculous habit of hers. “No. Keep going. I have a spot saved at the top, and a few maids are there too in case you need a massage or something,” I said, keeping a couple of feet of distance between us. Still, she tried to get closer every time I stopped to check the path ahead.“Aww. You know what I want.” Her voice was deep and sultry. “I need a massage something fierce.” I continued, hacking at branches that blocked our way, wishing she’d shut up. “Did you never miss me?” She grabbed my a
Alpha Dominic’s POV:Isabella went from being a seductive vixen to looking at me with enough hatred for ten enemies. I wasn't surprised. “What made you think I wouldn't figure out your game?” I asked.When she didn’t answer, my father sighed heavily. “I'm glad you could see beyond her charms this time,” he said, rubbing his brow. “Thank Mood Goddess that you weren’t under her spell anymore.”Isabella’s eyes went from angry to pleading, and she directed her gaze at me. “Don’t you see, Dominic? He’s always been against me, and he’s been trying to turn you against me from the beginning.” My father laughed. “It’s my responsibility as a parent, and as Alpha, to alert my son to any potential enemies and possible sabotage. You’re not going to make me feel guilty about that.”Her shoulders slumped.“Now, are you going to tell me about your plan and those involved?” I asked, thinking she’d finally given up.“Never!” she yelled, perking up considerably.I had hoped I wouldn’t have to play the
Astrid's POV:“Put me down! You’re embarrassing me!” I screamed as he dragged me into the corridor where a bunch of people could see. “I’m not. Now keep quiet, and let me take you to your room like a good girl,” Dominic said, slapping my thighs.“Oouch!” I punched his shoulder as we entered my chamber. “Don't be so wild with me,” he said as he threw me on the bed.Before I could move, he blanketed my body, pinning me. I tried pushing him away.“Relax,” he whispered in my ear. “I just want to talk to you.”His seductive whisper and deep voice made goosebumps rise on my skin. Still, I said, “Well, I don’t want to talk to you.” He sighed and released my hands. I retreated further back on the bed, avoiding his eyes. “I know you’re angry,” he said softly. “And I understand.”“Why would I be angry?” I said flippantly. “She’s set to be punished, Astrid. I didn’t want to tell you because I couldn’t risk her learning about my plan, but Isabella was the reason we had the pandemic. I knew f
Astrid's POV:Dominic and I snuggled in each other's arms for a while and then he had to go check with the healthcare workers on the cure’s progress. “I’ll come along,” I said, quickly throwing my clothes on.He nodded and went to take a shower. I did my hair and tied it into a neat bun.‘He wasn't cheating.’ Malessia laughed.‘And I am glad I didn't leave him but had a conversation with him instead,’ I said, recalling the promise I made to myself to take the kids and leave the pack house if he didn’t come back within two days.“Astrid, Let's go,” Dominic said, smelling of fresh soap as he rolled his sleeves up to his elbows.We went to the meeting hall where some pack members were already gathered. For the first time, they didn’t scowl or retreat when I greeted them. Alpha Salem approached and stood next to me. “Are you all right?”“Yes,” I said with a wide smile. “Everything’s great between us now.”“Excellent. I wouldn’t have wanted to have to hurt him for misbehaving toward you.
Astrid's POV:Gaping, I stared at my empty hand and then at Kathleen’s back as she walked away with the gown I’d chosen. What in the name of Moon Goddess was she doing? As Luna, I couldn’t, nor would I want to, back down if this was some kind of attempt at a challenge. Was that her play, or was it a harmless joke? I didn’t know what to think. But after a second or two, I found my wits enough to speak. “That’s my gown. I found it. Now, give it back.”“Hey! Calm down, Luna. I was just teasing you,” Kathleen said with a smile as she made her way back to me. She held the gown in an outstretched hand. But when she handed to me, she felt stiff, nervous. Still, she said. “Better now?” She winked. “Be prepared for my pranks. I’m going to get on your nerves for sure.”“I am always prepared for anything,” I said with a smile. The anger that had been on the verge of erupting abated instead. Carolina showed me her gown, and I told her I loved it. Then we shopped for jewelry. I selected two anti