Aleena’s POVThis is crazy! How can I be heading back to my village with the Alpha of a wolf pack that I shouldn’t have anything to do with, yet here I am, wanting everything to do with him? What will the Elders say when they see me with Michael?The wind chilled my skin, even through the jacket I had borrowed unknowingly from Laura. The walk wouldn’t take long if we kept up a decent speed; I kept dragging my feet; this wasn’t something I wanted to do. I had nightmares about this exact thing. I swore never to come back here. Not that I hated who I was, it wasn’t that. It was the way I was treated within my village. They wanted me to be something I wasn’t, something I couldn’t be for them. But they wouldn’t see it that way. I had a duty to the village like my family before me.“Are you okay?” Michael spoke gently to me as he ran his hand down my arm; I swear I could feel the heat of his skin on mine through the thick material of my jacket. My heart started to hammer once again; I had t
Ayla’s POV Waiting to hear from Aleena and Michael was killing me; I paced Archer’s room for what felt like hours. But nothing seemed to help the feeling of time standing still. I spoke to Bria a few times since my strange chat with Alune, but she was too busy to stay and chat with me for long. Weird, seeing as she was my wolf after all. This exalted better be worth all the hassle she’s causing me, as I’m not seeing any major benefits right now!“Ayla, come and sit with me for a bit”, Aiden called out. He had found the comfiest chair on this floor and brought it in for the wait. He knew it was pointless trying to get me to leave, so he set up camp with me. Axel was busy finding food. Apparently, I was Hangry! I don’t get hangry!“You do get Hangry, babe” Aiden laughed as he spoke. Hearing my thought loud and clear.“I don’t! I’m just nervous, is all” I grumped back at him. Refusing to admit I was a bit hungry and grumpy. Slowing my pacing, I turn to stare the god-like man down in f
Archer’s POVWhat the hell is going on? Fear, like nothing I have ever experienced, gripped every fibre of my being. Everything felt wrong like I was awake yet still asleep; I was here but not here like I could see but not clearly. How did this happen, and where the heck am I?“Ayla!” I shouted, but I was greeted with silence. This place looked the same as the Winter Moon Packs grounds, but wrong somehow. The world around me felt washed out, I could see the sun in the sky, but it was dim, weak like it couldn’t be bothered to shine today. No wind blew, and no animals made a sound; the place felt dead.“Aiden, Axel, where are you” I shouted again, pushing myself up from the ground. Moments before, I had been surrounded by my brothers, my mate and a hell of a lot of Sun Valley Wolves, set on ripping our throats out. I vaguely remember Ayla’s father diving right in front of a wolf determined to hurt my girl; I knew it would kill her if her father got hurt, so I didn’t even think I just pu
Ayla’s POV Being trapped inside my head is its own kind of hell. It was bad enough not to be able to reach my mates, but watching them in the arms of Alune was killing me. This was a new kind of torture. I felt powerless, like there was nothing I could do to fight back against her. I didn’t even know where to begin to push back.I could hear her voice grating against my every nerve. Hell, I could even feel my mouth moving when she spoke, but the words were not mine. I felt Aiden’s skin underneath my fingers; it was not me touching him. It was beyond infuriating. Bria wasn’t any help either; she had hardly anything helpful to say; if I’m honest, she just seemed scared and was doing a crappy job at hiding it.“There must be something more you can tell me, Bria; I can’t stay stuck here forever. This is my body, and I refuse to lose full control of my life just because some fucking higher being demands to use my flesh as a vessel,” I all but shouted the words at my wolf, and I could se
Aleena’s POVMy mother’s face was exactly how I remembered it. She hadn’t aged a bit. Elegance and beauty radiated from her in waves. There was no living being who could deny how stunningly floorless she was. Floor-length silver hair that shimmered like the sun hitting the sea. Large violet eyes like mine, and my sisters and I possessed the same slender frame as hers. Queen Nyeri was nothing short of gorgeous.“Aleena, is that really you?”“Yes, mother, it’s me”, I tentatively reply, not trusting my own voice.Before the last words left my lips, I was crushed in the most enormous embrace I had ever received. The scent of lavender and cocoa butter invaded my senses, throwing me instantly back to my childhood. Memories of my mother hitting me one after another. If I weren’t already crying, I would have been from that. “I can’t believe it’s you, I have hoped for this day for so long now, but I had begun to give up hope,” she sobbed on my shoulder whilst still rubbing my back; she was fo
Stacy’s POVWas the power I gained being with Mason worth it? The same question crossed my mind a thousand times a day. I tried not to let it bother me. But I couldn’t deny it. It was getting to me. It was becoming harder to ignore since Ayla became the pack’s shining light and to be mated to all three of those hot chase brothers, not just one.She could do no wrong, and it was infuriating. She wasn’t even an actual member of this pack. Her biological parents had turned up, so technically, they should be shipped off together and out of our way. Any other Alpha would kill the lot of them for being a part of the pack that attacked us. But not Michael; nope, he had to Show mercy. So many praised him for it, but frankly, I think he’s just weak and trapped under the spell Ayla has cast on everyone recently.Life was meant to be getting better for me by the day, but right now, it felt like I had been dealt a shit hand once again. What more could he possibly want? I’m the prettiest girl in t
Ayla POVEverything felt a bit heavier since taking my body back from Alune, like she was constantly there, pushing at my walls, looking for a way in. I won’t let it happen again, though, this is my body, and I control it; I will say when she has any access, if at all. I know how important her work is and how I fit into the greater plan of things, but that does not mean she gets to do as she pleases with me in the process.I wouldn’t admit it to Axel and Aiden, but it affected me when Alune took control. Watching my mates in that way but knowing it wasn’t really me just made me feel icky. Even though it was still my body, and they were fighting her back too. I don’t know; it just didn’t feel nice.Axel had been busying himself running here and everywhere, trying to make sure we had everything in place and ready for when Aleena and Michael got back; goddess knows when that would be, they have been gone almost the whole day so far. The moon had risen, and the hour was late already, yet
Aleena’s POVWalking up to the chair in the centre of the room was more daunting than I had ever imagined. I knew I wasn’t in the wrong but bearing myself to my mother like this was terrifying; she would see more than just the memories she needed to see. She would access everything I have ever seen, felt or said. And the sheer thought made me want to turn, grab Michael’s hand and bolt from this place faster than a speeding bullet. But I knew I couldn’t do that; I had to allow my mother in and let her see the truth for what it truly was.Each step I took sounded like a boom of thunder as my foot touched the marble floor of my father’s throne room. Every pair of eyes in the place was directed at me as I lowered myself into the wooden high-back chair provided.Michael was still held mercilessly by the king’s Guards, but his eyes were determined as he held my gaze; he refused to fight or demand the respect he was owed. He just watched me with a never faltering loyalty. My heart swelled bu
Laura’s POVIn an already clean house, one can only do so much cleaning. My world was all over the place. My mother might have been pleased with me for once, but I couldn’t find my husband. I hadn’t seen him since that morning. I had only just been able to wangle him back under my control this time; there was no guarantee I’ll be able to do it again. He is so strong-willed; it was kind of scary. If he found out I lied, that I had spelled him into loving me, being with me and protecting me, I don’t even want to think what he would consider doing.No one had approached me all day, not since Mason earlier this morning. He had left in such a mood, but that was nothing new. I had to focus on gaining control of Michael and Mason. When he struck me, it only proved I was slipping majorly. If I didn’t gather my family back in and get back to the level of control I had before, I would surely lose it all.Frantically pacing the kitchen, trying to keep my mind busy, was when my phone rang, and it
Stacy’s POV“Mason keeps ringing; what do I do,” I asked wide-eyed, cross-legged on Jacob’s bed; I hadn’t left yet; I had been with him all day and all last night. He was the same Jacob I knew but, at the same time, different. He was strong, confident and possessive; I loved it.“Next time, let me answer; I’ll sort this out”, He answered. Storm stared at me from behind his eyes.“It will only infuriate him, Jake; you know it will, he will go nuts; I don’t want you to get hurt”, I admitted, but Jacob just laughed, a full belly laugh.“Babe, please, have you seen me?” he laughed again “Do you honestly think he could hurt me.”“He is the Alpha’s son though” I was quiet as I didn’t know what to do.“Pfft, who cares? No one hurts my girl and gets away with it,” he declared, reaching over and kissing my jawline, sending tingles all over my body.“Look, don’t worry about Mason; I’ll handle him. It would be best if you worked out what to say to your crazy mother and her friends,” he said poin
Archer’s POVAxel spoke with Ayla; I sat silently, doing nothing. I didn’t begrudge him that; it’s just that I missed her too, and it’s my fault she is in the state she is in. I lost my wolf and my mate both at the same time. I felt less than useless right now. I couldn’t shift or mind link, I couldn’t shadow walk, and I had lost part of my strength; I was no longer a werewolf until Titan was found.“Arch, stop it; you’re not useless; I can hear you, you know”, Axel grumbled from across the room.“Great, at least you can hear me; it makes me feel so much better”, I moaned back.“I didn’t mean it like that; you know I didn’t. We will sort this; it just won’t happen overnight” he tried his best to reassure me, but he failed miserably.Ignoring my brother as I didn’t have anything to say in response, I decided to flick through my phone, looking at crap on social media from my old life. I felt so disconnected from the person I used to be. It was like looking through someone else’s memorie
Aleena’s POVThe wind howled outside as I waited for Aiden to return. He said he would track Michael down, just in case my presence still hurt him. I was a bag of nerves. I was actually going to do this; I was going to claim the man destined for me. That and saving everyone else in such a small space of time, but who’s counting?Dressed in my Michael hoody, I waited. Minutes felt like hours, which led to the discovery of me not being a patient person. I needed to distract myself so I didn’t go crazy, so braiding my floor-length hair seemed like a good idea until it wasn’t. I was so anxious that I couldn’t make my fingers do the work I needed them to do. I swear I looked like a child who had never braided before.“You need to calm the heck down, don’t be so stupid,”, I told myself sternly; I had never imagined I would find love, seeing as I no longer lived with my people. But I guess the goddess has other plans for me after all.Taking a few deep, calming breaths, I started again. I ha
Aleena’s POVThe morning had arrived by the time I found the Chase brothers. All three were in Aiden’s room, and he looked like shit. I wasn’t surprised after all he had been through. But I didn’t have time to stand here feeling sorry for him. I had to see if I could siphon the Shadows out of his body, so he could function when we needed him. Being unpredictable was not what we needed right now.“There you are, Aiden. You look like hell, but I think I can help if you let me,” I spoke quickly, hoping to get in there before they all tried speaking at once.“Oh, hey Aleena, yeah, thanks for that. I feel like hell, too,” he smiled at me, which I was shocked at. I thought he would be a massive pile of brooding mess by now.“Well, I can help get some of the darkness, if not all, out of your system, which will help in the long run if you want” I shrugged like it was nothing but knew how massive it was. I was doing everything I could to keep my mind on task and not on Michael.“Sure, let’s do
Stacy’s POVI was having the best dream, something I hadn’t been able to do lately. I was with Jacob; it was safe and warm, and I missed him. I wouldn’t admit that out loud, however. I could smell him around me and feel the comfiness of his bed. If I could stay asleep forever, I think I would.I felt something next to me, an arm snaking around my waist and warmth on my back. I froze, had I stayed at Mason’s last night? I couldn’t remember, and then it came rushing back; my eyes flew open, yet I stayed dead still.I was in Jacob’s room, in his bed. I remember coming over now and snuggling into his hoodie like an idiot. I must have fallen asleep before he had gotten out of the shower, but how did I end up in his bed?“Dear goddess, please say we didn’t do anything; Mason would kill me”, I frantically thought.I had only come here to talk; I planned to make Mason want me more, but also, partly because I missed Jacob, and he was so sweet to me. But now I’m in his bed, and I don’t know wha
Aleena’s POVWaiting to hear anything from Michael or the chase brothers was killing me. When did I suddenly become a man-obsessed person? Never before had I been this way about anyone, and not about the Alpha. I knew the Werewolf rules; I knew that once they found their mate, they were done, they wouldn’t even look in the direction of another woman, and Michael had his mate. So why was he constantly looking at me like he felt the same way I did?“What do I feel for him” I questioned myself; I wasn’t ready to face that mountain yet, but deep down, I knew; I didn’t want to say it out loud. But, of course, it’s not unheard of for different races to end up together. But a mated one, now that was unheard of.I had walked in circles around my room. I returned here once I had set Aiden on his task. There was no way I would risk being around Laura; she hated me near her man, and I don’t blame her. Even though Michael would deny that she hates me, I could feel it, and we elves had a knack for
Aiden’s POVI was sure I was dead. I had no energy to force myself up off the floor where I had landed, running from the Luna and her unsavoury friend. My body hurt, my legs felt like they were made of led, and I had been thrown into the sea and sinking fast. I was sure I’d never wake up again if I just gave in.Shadows constantly sang to me, trying to drag me back under, calling me back to their dark embrace.“No, I’m needed here; she needs me”, I mumbled in my sleepy haze. Then, finally, I had to force myself up. I don’t know how long I had lain here in the dark, my back pressed against the cold wooden door. But I didn’t care.“Aiden, where are you” Ayla’s voice tickles my mind. But could it really be her, now that Alune had control of her body? Could she still reach me if she wanted to?“Ayla, babe, is that you” I call out desperately to her, needing to know if she was there, if she was okay and how I could help.“Aiden, she’s sleeping; it’s the only time I can reach you,” she told
Stacy’s POVWalking out of Mason’s room and leaving the pack house like I did, felt fantastic, liberating in a way. My car was parked around the corner, and I couldn’t get to it fast enough.“Get the fuck off of me”, a rough voice roared across the grounds. Turning my head, I saw the three overly sexy Chase brothers in some scrap. Usually, I would stop to watch, what with all the sex appeal they have going on, and right now, they were practically bursting out of their clothes. Goddess knows why Ayla; the attention-grabbing whore was able to bag all three of them. They were the kind of guys you would get wet over just looking at them for too long, and she was nothing.“Maybe I will make them mine once I rule this place”, I muttered as I turned towards my car. Jacob was waiting for me; frankly, I couldn’t wait to get over there.Nerves were kicking in as I rounded the corner to Jacob’s street. I had been here so many times before, but this time felt like the first time all over again.