DEREK "What does she plan to do struggling that way , if she continues Sabrina will be aware that we are here and she will hunt us immediately without our plans in place" Vance said She went to push the door open , the screams of her brother spurring her into action. Grabbing her shoulder, I stopped her impulsive movement. Ava had a lot to learn. Especially with her new role. She looked back at me. " Let me go. I need to go help him " she rushed out breathless. " Ava, look at your brothers. That is their brother in there too. Do you see them about to make a dangerous movement by rushing in? " Her eyes went behind me to her brothers. I looked back and they looked ready to go to war. But they weren't making a stupid move. We have been trained all of our lives for things like this , keeping emotions out of a battle. Ava grew up hidden , with little training from her brother. Although a quick, leaner and skilled fighter , her naiveness shows. I hated the thought of it , but it was somet
"I am the one that knows how . I see you are trying to leave me behind. You lose us all" we made him say . She huffed a laugh" There is the selfish father I knew ". I literally felt myself breathing a sigh of relief. We had her by our side . " The talisman is hidden. Buried behind the wall in my chambers above the bed . You will need to break the bricks down to get it out". Shirer and Celeste would try to seal her in there and immobilize her long enough to hopefully kill her . I just hoped it works. She looked back at my family. "Don't try to run , this place is miles and miles of snow , nothing around . I will catch you and kill you all as a message before you have time to escape anywhere" she snapped at them .DEREK Ava and Nimue did well. We couldn't hear what they were saying to her. But in the end, they got her out of the room and she headed upstairs. We heard banging from upstairs, like brick boulders were falling on to the fall and it was time to move. The girls joined hands a
AVA One whole day after we got back , Vance hadn't returned and there was no sign of Sabrina. I needed a cool shower, I figured out that I think properly in the shower pressed against the shower. I was in one of the pack members' bathrooms. I mean I could let us in and out of that bubble , but doing it dropped the whole protection spell. It was risky , dropping it all of the time. It could take literally seconds for her to turn up and get in there. It was weird , like we were at a stalemate. In limbo just hanging there.The screen got misty as my hot breath blew across the shower screen. Derek was communicating through the mind link that he was coming to join me in the shower. He never lets me do anything myself these days , it felt like he needed to protect me now more than ever. I wouldn't blame him , these days with Sabrina alive , we haven't been intimate , and it was affecting our mate bond , so bathing together was a good Idea.I knew our bond was strong, but with everything go
Derek Pov"Just ten weeks left until the ceremony, and then everything will be yours, brother," Adrian said as we ran through the mountains. From the right spot, the entire pack's land unfolds before your eyes like a vast, living map. I smirked, glancing over the expansive land below.Our pack held one of the largest territories, a testament to its strength. This was what I had been trained for all my life, shaped to lead. My parents were unmatched, the strongest Alpha pair in our history. For years, my parents had ruled with an iron fist, their strength unchallenged and their leadership unquestioned. No one dared to defy them, and any threat that dared approach was swiftly eliminated. They were untouchable, legends in their own right.But now, everything is changing. My power had grown, and the pack couldn’t help but notice. Whispers spread like wildfire. When a new strength rises, the pack naturally gravitates toward it. It wasn’t about disrespecting my father or forgetting all h
Seven months earlier Dinner had started off like any other—quiet conversation, the clinking of cutlery, and the warm glow of candlelight filling the room. But the atmosphere shifted when my father set his fork down, his tone turning authoritative.“Derek, you’ll lead the patrol tonight,” he said firmly.I nearly choked on my drink. “What? Tonight? I already made plans!”My father’s eyes darkened, a subtle warning in their depths. “This isn’t up for debate. You’re the future Alpha, and leading patrols is a vital responsibility. It’s about ensuring the safety of the pack, maintaining order, and—”“Yeah, yeah, keeping everyone safe,” I interrupted, frustration bubbling up. “But why tonight? You’ve never cared if I skipped before.”“You need to start taking responsibility, Derek,” he replied, his tone unyielding. “When the pack sees the Alpha’s son out there, ensuring our borders are secure, it reassures them. They need to know you’re ready to lead.”I glared at him, ready to argue more,
Ava Hot tears welled up in my eyes as the door slammed shut, the echo of my mother’s scorn still ringing in my ears. "You’re a disgrace," she’d said, her words like knives carving into the fragile shell of my pride. "You’ll never run with the pack. You’ll always hide indoors, just like you always do.”It was the full moon tonight—a night that called every wolf to the run, to revel in their strength and unity. Every wolf but me.The tears I’d fought so hard to contain now spilled freely, streaking my cheeks as I collapsed onto the edge of my bed. My eyes, already swollen from the countless nights I’d cried, burned with fresh grief. Was it my fault that I was born prematurely , Was it my fault that my spine twisted as it did, or that I couldn’t shift when others did .I remembered my father’s stories about my mother when I was younger, how she was the pride of the pack. She had admirers, wolves who envied the one destined to be her mate. My father had beamed with pride when he discov
My wolf had shredded my clothes to ribbons during my shift, leaving me no choice but to sprint home naked through the cool forest.The house was silent when I arrived; the pack was still out on their run. Relief washed over me as I slipped inside, my heart pounding from the night's events. I drew a warm bath, hoping to soothe both my aching body and my frayed nerves. As the water cascaded over me, my emotions spilled over too. Uncontrollable sobs wracked my chest as I replayed the events of the night—the rejection, the disgust in Derek's eyes. The dream of a mate who would cherish me, love me for who I was, shattered like glass underfoot.Tears blurred my vision as I whispered my frustrations to the Moon Goddess. “Why?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why him? Why not someone else—someone who could see me, accept me for what I am?”Growing up, I’d always fantasized about having a mate who would look past my imperfections, someone who wouldn’t care that I was weak, that I didn’t fit th
DEREK'S POV The weight of responsibility pressed against my chest as my father’s words echoed through the phone “Joshua and Andrea found themselves as mates during the pack run,” he announced. “As the soon-to-be Alpha, Derek, you’ll have to give them your blessings. I’ll be there as well.”A snort escaped my lips. The irony. Here I was, mated to the pack’s runt—a bond I refused to accept—and yet I was expected to celebrate another pair’s perfect union. Could my day get any worse?Before I could stew further in my misery, my door burst open. Selene walked in, her smugness radiating off her like a foul perfume. Dressed in barely anything, she sauntered toward me with that look in her eye, the one that always made my stomach turn.“How the hell do you keep getting into my house?” I muttered under my breath.“Come on, Derek,” she purred, closing the distance between us, her fingers trailing up my arm. “Why are you fighting this? We’d be perfect together.”I pushed her back, my patience
AVA One whole day after we got back , Vance hadn't returned and there was no sign of Sabrina. I needed a cool shower, I figured out that I think properly in the shower pressed against the shower. I was in one of the pack members' bathrooms. I mean I could let us in and out of that bubble , but doing it dropped the whole protection spell. It was risky , dropping it all of the time. It could take literally seconds for her to turn up and get in there. It was weird , like we were at a stalemate. In limbo just hanging there.The screen got misty as my hot breath blew across the shower screen. Derek was communicating through the mind link that he was coming to join me in the shower. He never lets me do anything myself these days , it felt like he needed to protect me now more than ever. I wouldn't blame him , these days with Sabrina alive , we haven't been intimate , and it was affecting our mate bond , so bathing together was a good Idea.I knew our bond was strong, but with everything go
"I am the one that knows how . I see you are trying to leave me behind. You lose us all" we made him say . She huffed a laugh" There is the selfish father I knew ". I literally felt myself breathing a sigh of relief. We had her by our side . " The talisman is hidden. Buried behind the wall in my chambers above the bed . You will need to break the bricks down to get it out". Shirer and Celeste would try to seal her in there and immobilize her long enough to hopefully kill her . I just hoped it works. She looked back at my family. "Don't try to run , this place is miles and miles of snow , nothing around . I will catch you and kill you all as a message before you have time to escape anywhere" she snapped at them .DEREK Ava and Nimue did well. We couldn't hear what they were saying to her. But in the end, they got her out of the room and she headed upstairs. We heard banging from upstairs, like brick boulders were falling on to the fall and it was time to move. The girls joined hands a
DEREK "What does she plan to do struggling that way , if she continues Sabrina will be aware that we are here and she will hunt us immediately without our plans in place" Vance said She went to push the door open , the screams of her brother spurring her into action. Grabbing her shoulder, I stopped her impulsive movement. Ava had a lot to learn. Especially with her new role. She looked back at me. " Let me go. I need to go help him " she rushed out breathless. " Ava, look at your brothers. That is their brother in there too. Do you see them about to make a dangerous movement by rushing in? " Her eyes went behind me to her brothers. I looked back and they looked ready to go to war. But they weren't making a stupid move. We have been trained all of our lives for things like this , keeping emotions out of a battle. Ava grew up hidden , with little training from her brother. Although a quick, leaner and skilled fighter , her naiveness shows. I hated the thought of it , but it was somet
AVA"You don't look like you would hurt a fly ? " she shrugs at me. " But she has all of your women's magic and her sisters , she is powerful and she's conniving. What if we lose ?" I asked her and her eyes softened. " I have not seen the entire pack that we are in , but I have seen enough to know you are surrounded. She is but one woman. Why do you all fear her so much ? " she asks and her questions stumped me into silence. So she continues to talk. " You have magic , so do the other girls that woke us. You are not defenseless ", she states." I know that " I was about to answer, but she cut me off. " Do you know that ? Because if you had known that you would already be fighting her back , would you not ? " I nodded dumbly. " Yea , I mean no. But shit . We have just been letting this all happen. We were so scared they would beat us. They lived with us for weeks and we did nothing. Always waiting. Too scared " I said quietly. " To lose people ? "she asked and I nodded again." You, my
DEREK I never knew being the Alpha of a pack can be this strenuous . Dad usually does it effortlessly, he carried everyone's burden like he was born for the role . Meanwhile I was here being worn out , but I couldn't get tired because Ava needs me more than she needs anyone else . We were literally running around the pack , until Ava looked ready to drop from exhaustion. After a lot of coaxing, I managed to convince her she needed some rest. It took a lot of work , everyone was on a very high alert about whether Sabrina would come back. Ava still needed to release the magic to the goddess , but one thing after another just kept coming up. To where it was now almost three in the morning. We were stopping at the pack house where we could all keep close. I think that was the only way she would settle, at least hopefully a little bit.By the time I got her to our room , she was pretty much asleep on her feet. Adrenaline had been running that high , she was now crashing. We all were. Bu
Once we were behind the door , it took a while for them all to become coherent. They were dazed and foggy , and weak. Some could hardly even stand. They'd been laid down for so long , I was surprised they even remembered how. " We need to get them some food and water down here , they may even need a doctor ", I said, worriedly, watching them. " Let's wait to see how they react first before we put a doc in the room with them " Derek said from behind me. " They're human Derek , what can they do if you have warriors standing guard " I tried to reason with him. Well I was the emotional one and Derek was the logical one so definitely we would clash here and there . " I'm going to go back to the hospital. Do you want me to send a doctor down here ? "Vee asked us . I was about to answer yes , but Derek spoke first. " Hold the doctor , but will you go ask Adrian if he will arrange for food and drinks to be brought down, please Vee ", she looked at him a little fearful. The concept of her goi
The women and concubines we took from the castle had these gloomy looks on their faces like they would be gone anytime soon , I actually felt an urge to release them but I don't work on my own here even though I'm the alpha of alphas I can't skip the authority figures in my life, and honestly I'm greatly for people around me , they help correct my head when I'm about acting irrationally." Can we even remove the spell put on them ? " I asked Nimue . Looking at all the immobile bodies through the cell door was creepy. It made shivers run down my spine just being down here. " We should be able to , but some spells can be tricky. It can be hard to undo another witch's spell. At least for us , I don't want to keep tapping into the moon goddess's magic. The quicker we give it back the better". I heard some shouting further down the hall. The alpha and Derek were talking to someone through the door. Walking over , I went to see what the fuss was about. Getting closer, I heard the one voice
" Nimue, I need them back. Let's just go after her now. We have your magic. I can feel the strength of it running through my veins. We can kill her ourselves ", I said to her while I paced through the room. I could feel Derek's eyes tracking me and I was doing my best to block my thoughts from him. He wouldn't agree with this. " And for good reason he wouldn't. "Ava, What have I been saying this whole time? I have always run into things alone , not relying on others. For me to stay, I have to prove that I no longer need this magic. Not all of it anyway. To go to her now and deal with her ourselves, that will prove the balance keepers right. We need to give the magic back and deal with her with what's left and with our mate and family and friends. Ava , I don't want to have to leave again" she said sadly.I groaned inwardly. " If we give it back now, she will kill them ", I told her. " She won't know , Ava , I think you see us as giving it back, as we will be weak again. We are the tru
"You mean that's not Adrian?" . I asked and Ava shook her head . "We need to go". She clapped her hands again and as soon as she got back , we were surrounded by everyone at the pack including Adrian . He was standing in front of me . "What the hell is going on?" I asked Ava . "We didn't have a choice. When she took you away we began to come up with different plans , and different ideas were coming up . Then Seth brought up the Idea of us distracting her while I went and got Nimue's magic." As I was trying to get everything she was saying, I noticed she was looking at me , from head to toe ,and the next minute I saw that I was putting on boxers ."Sabrina will figure everything out soon , she would know it's Seth and not Adrian and I fear for his life . She had said she wanted me to get the magic , what does that even mean ? She had Fay. Fay shook her head . It was as if I was dreaming because why did no one seem bothered about Sabrina's sister Fay standing with us . I think I pretty