Ambers pov "Is Brian not your mate? Why aren’t you marked?" Off all the things that have happened, this is what Axels worried about right now? I wanted to tell him before, but our first conversation together had been weird and ended very abruptly. He told me in his note left inside my locker that I could never be his Luna and he was right then and right now. "No he’s not," Ripley said, "you are special. You would make a great Luna. Don’t be so hard on yourself." "I am sorry. You assumed Brian was my mate and Elias was his and I didn’t want to say otherwise, because I didn’t want to force anything on you. If you had found out about Elias and knew I had no mate you’d might feel obligated to uhm.. I mean you would try to do the honorable thing perhaps." Ugh I wasn’t explaining this right. Ridley wasn’t helping at all, trying to tell me I could be Luna and messing with my head. "What I’m trying to say is, no we are not mates. Brian lost his mate a few months before we left the pack.
Ambers pov: We left early in the morning, to avoid anyone seeing us. Axel gave Elias a hug, Brian a handshake and then turned to me. He looked sad, but I went in for a hug anyway. I needed to feel his touch, even if it might be the last time. Five years ago we didn’t have a proper goodbye and last week he went away so quickly to deal with the attack. I hugged him and secretly sniffed his scent. He had been so distant the last few days, except for the time he asked about my mark. I had hoped founding out I wasn’t in a relationship with Brian would rekindle some of the old love we shared. But I was wrong. He was merely the father of Elias now and my ex boyfriend, nothing more. "But he is taking his time with this hug," Ripley said. I pulled back from the hug. "Thank you for everything, I will see you next month. I hope you’ll find Mofran and his men soon," I said to Axel, ignoring Ripley's words. He had felt so good, his tall muscular body against mine. Hugging him felt like I was
Ambers pov The next morning people started coming by our house to bring condolences and food. Casandra came over to help me greet everyone and take care of Elias. The pain of losing Brian was so much, I couldn’t even imagine how bad it would hurt to lose your mate. No wonder Brian was so depressed. But Elias needed me and I needed to keep busy so I wouldn’t crumble. Brian had not been my boyfriend, but he had been a friend and a partner in raising Elias. I often complained to Casandra, that I felt like a single mother, when Brian would be gone drinking, but actually being without him was awful. Everyone kept reminding me we would be okay, that time heals and that Brian was in a better place. It honestly sounded like something you found on a condolence card. Ripley said, "they are trying. Just take it one day at a day. It hurts like bitch now, but it really does get less with time. And Elias is young, they’re really resilient at this age. Just make sure he has a safe space to cry
Axel’s pov I never really liked Brian, I respected him for being there for Amber and Elias. But I felt jealous of him and I thought Elias deserved more for a father. But hearing him say those words to me at our last dinner, changed something for me. He was really trying and he cared so much for Elias. I had heard the news of his death from one of my men who was driving Amber home. He had also shared the details of the fight between Amber and Mofran’s men. If you could call it a fight, it sounded more like a massacre. I didn’t realize Amber was that strong or could do those things with moonlight. I was amazed by her and so proud she had protected Elias so well. And I would thank the Goddess every day for Brian being there to stop Mofran. But all my feelings right now didn’t matter. Amber had asked me to come to the funeral for Elias. I hoped they both will be okay, they’re strong but this will take some time. Tomorrow I will head out there, Mofran’s capture will likely mean the end
Axel’s pov I had a meeting with Alpha Drake the next morning, to discuss everything that had happened in the last few weeks and what we would do with Mofran. I woke up hopeful, knowing that Elias and Amber would join me. When my mother left, I didn’t have any family close by anymore and it would be nice to have them near. I quickly ate breakfast and headed over to Alpha Drake’s house, the dungeon was located underneath his Mansion. When I came in we moved towards his office to talk. Alpha Drake started with an apology, "I am sorry to have been a part of covering up Elias’ identity. As you know your father and I didn’t see eye to eye on many things and I did not know how he would react to Elias’ birth. I didn’t want to risk my pack or any of my packmembers, because he couldn’t accept his son’s choices. I did however not know of Amber’s wolf before last week. I will have a talk about this with her when she is ready." I thanked Alpha Drake, "no apology needed. I understand and thank y
Amber’s pov I was thankful Axel kept talking to me during the drive over. I had been so busy with packing and saying goodbye to everyone that I didn’t have time to think. But at night when I was by myself I felt the pain of Brian’s passing and the fear of moving back to my old pack. Axel said his pack had changed and Ripley kept reminding me that I had changed as well. I wasn’t that girl that nobody noticed anymore, the mistake my parents couldn’t get rid of quick enough. Speaking of my parents, as much pain I felt for Brian, the thought of them dead or in prison barely hurt me. Did that make me a bad person? I had a sliver of hope when I came to their house for help, but I saw them for who they really were soon enough. They didn’t care about me, so why should I spent a second of my time thinking about them? I hated saying goodbye to Casandra and Thomas, they were the real grandparents of Elias, even if it wasn't by blood. They were there for me and him from the start. They told me
Amber’s pov We went on a tour of the town. The Crimson Moon pack was a very large pack with a large city, but those who lived near the packhouse often would use the town square for groceries or other small shopping. Most of the stores that were there growing up still were around, but they looked a lot better. Every building was repaired or painted and there were a couple of new shops, one was a small bakery with lunchroom attached. Elias was looking around full wonder, he didn’t know how rundown everything had looked like before. There was a small playground and we let Elias play a bit while I told Axel what I thought of the changes. "Everything looks great! I didn’t think this town could look this good." Axel smiled, "the town is a representation of the pack, just as much as the city. I want it to look like were thriving not having issues." Axel told me about some of the other things he had changed. Some of the new stores were owned by women, so they could earn their own money. H
Axel's pov I knew that guy Kenzo would be trouble, it had just been a few days and I already caught him trying to get into Amber’s pants.My wolf wanted to rip his head off but I knew couldn’t stop them, if Amber really wanted to be with Kenzo. I had no right to tell her what to do, but I did not like that I saw Kenzo flirting with Amber at school and my wolf was enraged when I overheard Amber say I wasn’t hers. At dinner they were so friendly again and it annoyed the crap out of me. But finding her sleeping on top of him on the sofa in my own house that just hurt. It had been two days and they were already cuddling up on the couch. Amber didn’t even seem to feel guilty about it, she just looked at me confused. She said she didn’t want to be a Luna anyway. I would just focus on Elias from now on. Besides Amber just lost Brian, perhaps she just needed a shoulder to lean on. I just wish it was my shoulder. I had spent the last two days catching up on work and showing Amber and Elias
Amber’s pov The End It’s has been five years now, since Axel was kidnapped by Beatrix. There have been some minor setbacks, but we’ve mostly been able to come to an agreement with the witches. Some of the witches of Willa’s coven have even helped us throughout the years, by protecting our borders and offering healing salve for our member’s who aren’t eighteen yet. I love how Axel has kept his principles through all this, even though he was met with so much resistance from the werewolves in the beginning. It’s hard changing people’s mind, when they are so used to their prejudices. But Axel had done it before, by changing his pack to be more inclusive. Hunter is almost six years now and he is such a fun kid. Very outgoing and loves to be outside. He loves to play with his sister and baby brother. Yeah, you can say Axel and I have been busy. Our four year old Charlotte is really smart and loves to chase her brother around the room. Our baby is just three months old now, we named him De
Axel’s pov I woke up and checked the time, crap the trial had already started! I must have been tired from being injured, plus this morning didn’t help. Although I wouldn’t take it back for the world. Being with Amber was always worth it. I quickly got dressed and brushed my teeth. Luckily the courthouse was next to the hotel we were staying at. I mindlinked Amber while I was getting ready, “did I miss everything?” She summarized the morning for me, “Alpha Ivar blamed Finley for everything, saying he was under her spell. People were gasping when they heard she was a witch. He even knew about her trying to kill Elias. Then I testified and told them everything that happened that day. And that I had forgiven Finley after she had saved yours and my live.” I interrupted,“you forgive her?” Amber laughed, “is that so hard to believe? I am not forgetting what happened, but I need to forgive her for Finley and Elias to be able to move forward. I want to be a part of their lives, if Finley
Amber’s pov We waited in Beatrix’s house, trusting Elias was doing his best to stop a fight from happening between us. Zoey and Matt were getting restless and Axel was getting his strength back and sitting up right. I felt guilty for assuming Finley was betraying me so easily. It didn’t take long for me to go back to mistrusting her, even after she had saved me from Alpha Ivar. It had been too hard for me to think about forgiving Finley for hurting Elias. “But hasn’t she done enough to prove she has changed? Finley saved you and now she saved Axel, without any regards for her own life. Do you really want to stand in the way of Elias being with his mate?” Ripley asked me. “You are thinking about Finley and Elias aren’t you?” Axel mindlinked me. “How could the Moon Goddess choose someone who had hurt him so deeply?” I replied. Axel told me what had happened in the house, how angry and hurt Finley was by her grandmother. “You don’t understand Amber, I don’t think she had much of a c
Axel’s pov I woke up tied up next to Omar in a small house. An older woman was standing in front of us. She wasn’t looking at us, but at someone else who had entered the house. I couldn’t turn my head enough to look at her, my whole body felt weak. But I recognized the voice from somewhere. “Jade you came back” the old lady said. “My name is Finley and I am not here for you grandma. I am here to get Alpha Axel and his gamma back.” That’s why I recognized the voice, it was Finley so that meant the old woman was Beatrix. I tried to talk, but my body was to weak. Beatrix walked to Omar and grabbed the iron chains around his arms. She pulled him by the chains to the middle of the room. She was strong for an old woman. I tried to turn my head again, this time slowly and I could see Beatrix and Finley standing over Omar. Finley wasn’t dressed and had probably just shifted back. “What are you doing Grandma? Just let them go, we can talk about this.” Beatrix started to laugh, “talk about
Amber’s pov I had just arrived at the location of the courthouse and was greeted by Elias, Zoey and Finley. Finley and Elias both looked tense and like they needed a good night’s sleep. Preferably not together, because I still didn’t fully trust Finley. Her hair had grown over the last few months and she had put on some weight, but her face still showed how much she had gone through. “Hi mama, are you ready for the trial?” Elias asked me as he gave me a hug. I had mindlinked Axel on the way over and he had told me about the fires, which still had me worried. “Actually I’ve been busy stressing over your father on the drive over. He’s taking too much on. There was a fire in the forest and now he is tracking the source in the woods with Omar. He has people who can handle that, but he always wants to be hands on” I told Elias. Elias laughed, “just like you mama. It’s not like you ever sat back and let other people handle anything.” I frowned and playfully hit Elias on the arm. He was
Axel’s pov’ Amber was right, we did need to prepare for the worst. So I contacted every ally and let them know to up their security. I told them there was a group of witches that had plans to potentially hurt werewolves, but that not all of the witches were bad. That last part was tough for most Alpha’s to except. Witches had always been our enemies and even when I explained about dark and white magic, they still didn’t trust any of them. “The only witch I trust is a dead witch,” was one Alpha’s remark. I understood where they were coming from. Our ancestors had fought against witches for years, but I truly believed you couldn’t just assume every witch was evil by default. There are bad witches, bad werewolves and bad humans. But that means there must also be good witches. I believed Willa when we talked and she had done nothing to help me. I would much rather have a friend than an enemy, but I was pretty mild tempered for an Alpha. I think that’s what Amber liked about me, but it
Amber’s pov I love having Hunter around, but every time I see that little face of his I am reminded of Charlotte and I wish I could have stopped Alpha Ivar. I have killed men for less, but I understand what Elias wants to do with his court system. It’s important for him to have people be accountable and that every werewolf can see that. Since I was in the dungeon with Alpha Ivar, I can’t help Elias in the trial like we planned, I can only testify. So now I am focused on raising Hunter and Briana and being the best Luna I can be. I go to training every evening so that can get Ridley some exercise and I can practice my fighting skills. I want to be able to defend myself against anything, even though Kenzo said I already am at the top of the class. Things with Axel have been good, but I can sense and see that he is stressed out about the whole witch thing. I think he tries to do it all himself, because he doesn’t want to bother me. But last night I finally got him to share what has been
Axel’s pov Luckily both Elias and Finley accepted my proposal, Elias took Finley with him on his travels after she had fully healed. Now that I learned more about Finley’s grandmother I really needed to find that prophecy somewhere. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t be in any of the books we had, but if I could find this Willa perhaps she could help me. I reached out to all my allies, letting them know if they could help me track her. I mentioned to them that she wasn’t to be harmed, they should only let Willa know if she could contact me as soon as possible. I then mindlinked Amber and asked her how Hunter was doing. He had been with us for a couple weeks now, but I couldn’t imagine life without him. What I could imagine is sleeping ten full hours with Amber by my side or even better feeling Amber on me. But sadly there was no chance of that right now, Hunter has been so clingy even at night. I think he might have gotten very little attention at the orphanage and was scared we wouldn’t
Axel’s pov I came looking for Amber and Charlotte and I ended up having a son. That’s not something you just get used to. But I think Amber and I both forgot how much work a baby is, so we barely had the time to adjust. Hunter seemed to favor me. Which was fine, but I still had my responsibilities as Alpha. Logan offered to step in for a while, but his son was the same age as Hunter. In the end we found a solution, baby-carrying seemed to work like a charm. Amber carried Hunter most of the day, while I took care of some work. I had another lead on the witches, the girl Jade, that Elias brought home, much to Amber’s dismay. Jade now wanted to be called Finley, her real name. I guess she wanted a fresh start and live truthfully, but neither Amber or I trusted her. But I needed Finley’s help, I knew nothing of witches. If she could provide me some insight, I could finally decide if the group that lived nearby was friend or foe. And once I was finished with my research, Finley could go o