Astrid's POV:We couldn't keep our hands off each other during the car ride, so we were frenzied by the time we got to our hotel. Alpha Dominic continuously told me how much he loved me and hated every time he had done me wrong.I wanted to forget about everything: my past, his history, and Isabella. I wanted this one night just for us. To relax. To be one soul.Once we arrived at the luxurious penthouse suite and Alpha locked the doors, pulled me onto his lap and pressed me against his erection. His hands traced up and down my dress, searching for the zipper.Even with us kissing so much we had no chance to breathe, I found myself thinking about how Isabella had been so scared of him. Her chains clanked against her skinny ankles.Alpha broke our kiss. “Astrid, what are you thinking about?” he asked with concern in his deep voice.“Nothing. I’m just happy we are married.” Though suspicion remained in his handsome eyes, he gave me a nod and pushed me softly onto the bed, then unbutton
Astrid's POV:I fell asleep in the early hours of the morning spent and too tired to get up from the bed. Alpha had cleaned me with a wet towel before dressing me in his oversized shirt.I was thankful to Carolina for the herbs she gave me to help prevent me from falling pregnant again. Even though we had plans to sleep late, somebody banged on the door as if the world had caught fire. Half awake, I groaned and snuggled closer to Alpha's side.But then the person shouted for Alpha. Reluctantly, he got up and threw on his jeans before covering me with the duvet.“Who could that be?” I growled.“I sense a problem arising,” Malessia said in my head. “It's a foreign scent.” Her voice made me feel awkward for a minute, but then happiness about getting her and my powers back washed over me.“That doesn't sound good,” I replied, then stood and searched for the duffel bag Carolina packed for me. It included a sweatshirt and pants with a set of shoes.My insides were sore, and I hissed with e
Astrid's POV:“This is a beautiful city,” I said as I stared out the car window. “Can we come back here again… after everything is sorted out in the packs, obviously?” I received no answer from Alpha Dominic. He merely continued to sit with his eyes closed as he had throughout the entire car ride. To distract myself, I turned my attention outside once again.As the car sped through the busy streets, we left the buildings and expensive restaurants behind. A huge trail of cars ran across the roads. People stopped and watched us in shock.We had six cars in the procession. Our car was first, followed by the triplets with their caretaker, then Beta Alexander and Carolina. Other pack members filled the last three cars. Alpha Dominic held my hand and gave me a squeeze. I went to put my hand over his in response, but before I could, he released me and put his hand on his lap. My hand felt cold, and I sensed an emptiness and a hollow feeling from him.“We’ll sort it out… together,” I said,
Astrid's POV:I overhead the women saying that Alpha Dominic was so in love with me that he couldn’t see how worthless I was as Luna. Whatever. I ignored the spineless women and stormed into the palace. I had other concerns anyway. The seventh car continued to haunt me, especially since it had been intentionally hidden from the public.I went straight to my old chamber and waited for the maids to bring my bags inside. None of them bothered. So I gave up waiting and got them myself. Then I paced the room, ranting to Malessia. “What the fuck does Alpha Dominic think of himself that he brought the woman here too? It's not that I don't feel pity for her. I do. But how the hell has Alpha Dominic found his dead mate? Did she come out of the grave?” I deliberately omitted the fact that it seemed Alpha Dominic was keeping her locked up. I still couldn’t figure out why he’d do such a thing.“Ask him,” Malessia replied. “You’re his wife, mate, and Luna of the pack.”“I can't just ask. I don't l
Astrid's POV:“What's wrong?” Alpha Dominic trailed me. “Why are you running from me?”I hated that he thought he could just follow me anywhere, that he wouldn't give me any space. I made it to my chamber and shut the door on his face. He banged on it like a crazed lunatic having a maniac episode. “Astrid!” he screamed.When I noticed my mother sleeping peacefully with the triplets, I kept my voice calm and said, “I don't want to talk right now.”Thankfully, he left with no more screaming and before waking the boys. Though I was fuming with anger, my heart softened when I saw my mom smiling in her sleep. I went to lie beside her and put my arm over her. She placed her hand on my face.“It's the best feeling, Astrid.” Malessia stated.“I wonder why Alpha didn’t leave me in the human world if he wanted Isabella from the start. I’m so useless to him.” “He loves us,” Malessia said.I released a heavy sigh. “I doubt that, but thanks for the positive words.”Soon, sleep overtook me. With
Astrid's POV:I stood in the crowded chamber, watching as Isabella left the glass chamber and effortlessly commanded attention. Her confidence and beauty seemed to radiate, making me feel small and insignificant in comparison. I couldn't help but feel worthless, as if I could never measure up to Isabella's perfection. Every flaw and insecurity I had was magnified in that moment, and I couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that washed over me.Alpha Dominic mind linked with me. “Astrid, come here.” He stood tall, with Isabella by his side. The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices blending together in a deafening roar. All around them, people raised their hands in celebration, their faces alight with joy. The atmosphere was electric, charged with excitement, and Alpha and Isabella stood at the center of it all, basking in the crowd's adoration. Isabella smiled and wiped her tears of happiness.“I said come here and stand beside me right now!” Alpha Dominic shouted angrily in my min
Astrid's POV:I rushed back to my chamber, my face burning with humiliation, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't want to give others, especially that wicked Isabella, the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Once inside my room, I slammed the door and leaned against it, taking deep breaths to calm myself. I replayed the scene in my head, trying to find a way to salvage my pride.“She can’t do anything,” Malessia said. “Don't be so weak, Astrid.”That didn't help. Nothing seemed to make me feel better anymore. The way the pack members had cheered and rooted for Isabella to be Alpha’s one and only mate wasn’t a small thing I could let pass.“Didn't you see how much support she got from the pack?” I asked Malessia. “Didn't you see how she cured those infected men?” I cried, knowing very well that Malessia saw everything, and she was smart enough to understand how vulnerable we were at that moment.But my triplets were wailing, so I wiped my tears. Alpha Dominic should have told me about h
PART IIIsabella Garcia's POV:Martha, the head lady, fisted my hair and punched me in the face, making me gasp for air. “Listen, you fucking rat!” she yelled. “If I don't get the money, I’m going to beat your asses! Yours and your brother’s.” “I will, Mrs. Martha,” I cried as her cruel eyes landed on my older brother, nineteen-year-old Karim. “Please let us go. Just this once.” She released me and then kicked Karim in the stomach. But he managed to get up with me, and we both ran, escaping the dark shadows of her tent. By the time we reached the nearest pond, a distance away from the tents, Karim was panting for air and then coughing badly. He had blood on his nose, too. When I asked what it was from, he said it was due to the poor diet we got in the pack. Living as rogues all our lives meant we often had to settle. But our parents were killed when we were young, so we did the best we could. Still, I was skinner than him, but I was healthy. So I questioned his answer, and he chang