Here is the second update as promised. I hope you guys are enjoying reading this as much as I'm enjoying writing this book. Don't forget to shower those gems if you want Ryker and Azura to finish what they started lol ;) Love, J Bella
AzuraI facepalm myself, sighing out loudly. “You were busy on the phone call and then, you were so angry when I got out of the bathroom and then, I had to cool down your temper-” I nibble on my bottom lip, realizing what I just said and what we just did. A smirk forms on his lips as I bite the insides of my cheeks, feeling flustered. “Um, it wasn’t my mistake that you distracted me. Can you blame me for your temper?” I place my hands on my hips and glare at him, pretending to be angry, blaming him for making me forget about Nicholas’s plan.My wolf snickers, correcting me that he made me forget about everything. I tell her to shut her blabbering mouth and see Ryker stifling a smile. “It was indeed the best way to calm down my anger,” he says, wiping his lower lip with his thumb and looking at me with carnal hunger. The intensity of his gaze sends my pulse into overdrive as I feel the butterflies dancing in my stomach. Before I can respond, he comes closer to me and his warm, deep a
RykerThe door shuts and my wolf scolds me for being rude to her. I hate seeing the doubt in her eyes, it makes me lose my temper. I can’t withstand that doubt for me. What she has been through must make her cautious and doubtful of everyone but I have done nothing to deserve that.She had always trusted me, she didn’t question me this much when we dated. She used to believe everything that I told her and to be fair, I never lied to her or even tried to manipulate her. She is the only person to whom I have been more honest than I intended to so of course, it offends me seeing mistrust in her beautiful blue eyes. I can tolerate her anger, frustration, tantrums, and even her messy habits but I can’t bear to see doubt. I turn the camera on my phone and set it up behind the curtain at an angle from where the phone can stay hidden and record everything. Besides, Nicholas isn’t that smart or alert to check the surroundings. My poor bastard brother doesn’t know what he is getting himself in
Azura“You know, the first round will be held this weekend. I can’t believe that it’s already been a month getting the training in the academy,” Dane tells me with astonishment as I walk around his room, waiting impatiently for Nicholas’s next signal to get back into the room. I’m not in the mood of talking and Dane has been trying hard to speak to me for Goddess knows why. I conceal my irritation and hum, agreeing to whatever he is blabbering.“Alpha Ryker has been training you personally so you’re not worried about getting eliminated but many are nervous,” he speaks again, fear evident on his face. Dane seems more nervous than I assumed him to be. I suppress my smirk and sit beside him on the bed.“Why are you so scared of the first round? You’re one of the strongest Alphas here. I bet you will easily win against any candidate. I think you’re stronger than Alpha Ryker,” I put him on the pedestal and he smirks, nodding his head.“Do you really think so, Elias?” Dane asks me, feeling
RykerThe she-wolf whom I forced to speak the truth seems scared of Nicholas and hides behind me when everyone makes her feel uncomfortable about what she is wearing so I give her my clothes.I see Azura rolling her eyes from the corner of my eyes. A playful smirk crosses my lips as I sense her jealousy, but she doesn’t know she is the only woman I have touched.You have done more than touching, my wolf snickers, rolling his back on the surface of my mind. I ignore his nasty comment, I shouldn’t be thinking about that right now. Nicholas shoots daggers at me, clenching his fists but Dane squeezes his arm, forcing him to leave my room and whispering something into his ear. “Keep your temper in check, Alpha Nicholas. You have come here to train, not to kill,” Logan reprimands him to which he doesn’t respond and just leaves my room. “Where are the guards whom the principal appointed for you?” Jeremiah asks Azura who sighs heavily before pouting.“They escaped after trying to kill me,”
AzuraWell, what was I expecting? Alphas and loyal? I shake my head with disappointment and facepalm myself innerly, covering myself with the blanket from head to toe and scolding my wolf for feeling gloomy after seeing him embracing Lily. You’re not his Luna yet so you can’t expect him to be loyal to us, my wolf defends Ryker, annoying the shit out of me. How dare she take his side when he is treating us like his side chick? I argue with her and scold her hard for defending him. I’m not expecting anything from him. He can go to the hell or fuck that she-wolf for all I care. The officer knocks on the door and I sigh in relief. Goddess knows for how long she would have stayed in our room if the officer hadn’t interrupted them. I can’t find any logical reason why he has to offer his protection to her and her mother. She might be lying about her mother’s condition to make Ryker’s stony heart melt and pity her. You had to listen to their conversation, you couldn’t stop yourself from e
RykerI observe a different aura in her and it seems like she is really mad over something but suppressing it as usual. I follow her to find out what is bothering her but I get a call from my Gamma so I receive the call and she shuts the door of the bathroom as soon as I enter the room.What’s wrong with her? Why that attitude for me?“Alpha, Dante is back but he wants to see you as soon as possible so he has left for the academy with Elysia,” Xander says hurriedly, his tone laced with worry and apprehension.“Is he stupid?” I pinch my brows and massage my temple. “He has just been out of the danger and he should take some rest instead of coming here. And who is Elysia?” I don’t want to recall his pained and helpless voice that I heard last night on the call because he was in a great deal of pain. “Fuck. He had told me not to mention her,” Xander replies with remorse and I clear my throat to indicate him to spill the tea so he adds, “She is the witch with whom he was the last night b
AzuraI feel a shift in my aura and have had terrible mood swings since the morning. I hate the fact that Ryker is not giving me as much attention as I had anticipated when I realized that he was following me.My wolf mocks me by telling me that I should simply stop ignoring him and show my jealousy which I ignore as any wise person will do. She won’t stop blabbering, I wish I could change my wolf and get a silent wolf who won’t be horny or mocking me all the time. I appreciate the peace of mind and silence in my mind as I get ready for breakfast. I hear a knock on the window so I go there to check if there is some cat or puppy like the last weekend when I found an adorable cat and puppy fighting. They looked so cute while fighting and the excitement of seeing them together brings a smile to my face.My jaw drops to the floor when I see Dante standing there with a girl. What is he doing here again? If Ryker sees him again here after him ordering his Beta not to come here, he will be
Azura“Treaty? What are you talking about, girl?” I implore her, my eyes wide with anxiety. My wolf is agitated and begging me to let her set free from the darkest corner of my brain where I had pushed earlier. I let her come to the surface and feel my powers coming forth. I groan at her internally, indicating to her not to be anxious and to show off our powers in front of everyone.“Your Highness, I have no intention of betraying you,” the girl speaks with utter difficulty and that’s when I realize that the room is filled with my aura and everyone is suffocated with it. Dante and that girl are already bowing to me while Ryker is fighting the hold of my aura and glaring at me in disbelief. His face is painted with astonishment as he looks at me with amazement but he soon masks it with indifference as if he had already anticipated it.I get a hold of my power and restrain it from flowing so carelessly. All of them sigh in relief and I struggle to meet anyone’s eye. My wolf encourages
AzuraOne Week Later...The Blue Moon hangs like a glowing beacon in the night sky, casting its luminous glow over the packhouse grounds. Tonight is not just any night—it’s the rarest of nights when magic courses through the air, weaving a mystical tapestry between all who gather under its light. It’s as if fate itself has written this moment, for not only is it my wedding night but also the Blue Moon, a time when the most powerful bonds can be revealed. I pray to the Moon Goddess to give me Ryker as my fated mate, but even if she is up to some game and gives me someone else as my second chance mate, I’m determined to reject him in the blink of an eye. I stand in front of the mirror, barely recognizing the woman reflected there. My wedding gown, a masterpiece of silk and lace, hugs my body like a dream. The bodice is adorned with intricate silver embroidery, weaving the shapes of moons and wolves, while the long, flowing skirt spills around me like water, glistening with the light f
AzuraThe smell of sizzling eggs and freshly brewed coffee fills the air as I step into the dining room, the warmth of the early morning sun streaming through the windows. My heart still feels like it’s floating somewhere above my head, ever since last night. The proposal. Ryker. My soon-to-be husband.I smile to myself as I sit at the breakfast table, but the moment I do, I notice something strange—everyone’s looking at me. Elysia’s grinning, Dante’s trying to hold back a smirk, and even Rosie is practically buzzing with excitement.“What?” I ask cautiously, narrowing my eyes at them.Elysia leans over the table, wiggling her eyebrows. “Oh, nothing. Just that your fiancé—" she drags out the word with extra emphasis, “—decided to make a very public proposal last night.”“Very public,” Dante echoes, unable to hide his grin. “I mean, the whole pack was watching.”“And now,” Rosie chimes in, her eyes sparkling mischievously, “it’s going viral. The Alpha’s proposal is the talk of the town
Ryker“Nothing’s wrong,” I assure her, my lips curving into a smile. “In fact, everything feels right. More right than it’s ever been.”Her eyes soften, and I can see the question forming on her lips, but I don’t give her a chance to ask. Instead, I stand up, pushing my chair back as I get down on one knee.The gasps around us are immediate. The pack members who have been subtly watching our every move are now openly staring, their eyes wide with shock and curiosity as a few of them start recording it on their phones. But none of that matters anymore. The only thing that matters is the woman in front of me.Azura’s hands fly to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. “Ryker, what are you—”“Azura,” I interrupt softly, pulling the ring from my pocket and holding it up for her to see. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one for me. Strong, fierce, and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen—everything I’ve ever wanted in my wife. You’ve challenged me, pushed me, and made m
RykerThe moment she steps out of the bathroom, wearing my shirt and looking both regal and relaxed, my breath catches in my throat. Azura—the one person who can shatter me with a glance and, at the same time, make me feel invincible—is here, wrapped up in my scent, my world, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything seems right.Her hair cascades down her back, damp from the shower, catching the light in a way that makes her look ethereal, like some kind of warrior goddess who has walked straight out of legend. And yet, there is this softness to her that draws me in. The way her lips curve into a soft smile when she catches me staring, the subtle blush on her cheeks... damn, I’m a goner.I can’t help but shake my head as a light blush creeps onto my cheeks as I recall the moment she came to me, begging me to fuck her and make her forget everything else that’s been running through her mind. She is silly but cute and yet demanding; I absolutely love that about her.
AzuraA sliver of sunlight peeks through the curtains, dancing across my eyelids. I stir, blinking as the warmth wraps around me like a soft blanket. My muscles are sore, my body deliciously tired, but it’s the weight of the arms around me that brings a smile to my lips before I even open my eyes.RykerThe heat of him against my back is grounding, his heartbeat steady and strong, a rhythmic reminder of the night before. Memories flood back, each one sending a shiver down my spine. His touch, his words, the way he made me forget everything but him.I turn my head slightly, catching a glimpse of him still fast asleep. His dark hair falls messily across his forehead, his jaw relaxed, and his arm is draped possessively over my waist. Even in sleep, he doesn’t let me go.He looks so gorgeous even in sleep; his long eyelashes, sharp jawline, square face, and full lips make him look like a Greek god. I give him a small pack on his lips, nose, and forehead. A flutter of emotion tightens my
Ryker “Put me down, Ryker!” She snaps, her voice laced with fury, but I’m already halfway up the stairs, my steps heavy with intent. I don’t stop until I reach my bedroom door, and with one swift kick, I push it open. The sound echoes in the quiet hallway as I stride in, locking the door behind me.I toss her onto the bed, her body bouncing slightly against the mattress, but she quickly scrambles to her feet and tries to run away. Before she can make another move, I’m in front of her, pinning her against the wall, trapping her between my body and the cold surface behind her. Her breath hitches, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and something else—something that matches the heat blazing in my chest.“You want to know what I want, Azura?” I growl, my voice low as I lean in closer, my lips inches from hers. “I want you to stop pushing me away. I want you to stop acting like you don’t feel this, too.”Her breathing quickens, and for a split second, I see a flicker of uncertainty in her e
Ryker“You wanted to dance, right? Let’s go and dance,” I growl, holding her hand firmly when she tries to walk away.Azura stops in her tracks, her back stiffening at my words. She turns to look at me, her eyes blazing with anger, but I can feel the tension in her hand as I grip it tightly. She’s furious, and to be honest, so am I.How could she let another man touch her? Dance with him, no less, while I’m standing here, watching her? Did she think I’d just let it slide? Not a chance.But instead, she pulls away from me with a sharp yank, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Don’t play with me, Ryker. Go back to your bitch. I’m sure she’s waiting for you on the dance floor."My jaw clenches at her words. "Azura, I wasn’t dancing with her because I wanted to. The Elders—"She scoffs, cutting me off. "Are you going to give me excuses now? And do you expect me to believe you?" She crosses her arms, her stance challenging me, daring me to give her a weak excuse.I grit my teeth, trying
AzuraI can’t help but feel a pang of guilt gnawing at me as I sit quietly, picking at my food. Ryker’s question echoes in my mind. Did you not like the dress I bought for you? How could I have missed that? A part of me feels bad for not going to his room and checking out the dress earlier. He looked so hurt, but he was quick to mask it over with a smile when he got to know that I hadn’t seen it.I glance at him across the room as he chats with some of the warriors; he is looking so hot in that suit. Of course, the women would throw themselves at him. I scan the venue and find the girls staring at him with lovesick eyes. Sighing, I grab my glass of red wine that Xander had brought for me, only to spill it onto my dress accidentally. “Oh no!” I mutter under my breath, blotting at the grease stain with a napkin. Of all the times to be clumsy. As I try to clean it with the tissue, the stain doesn’t go away; it spreads on my dress. My wolf smirks at me; you did it intentionally. I sho
RykerThe chaos erupts when Elysia’s parents storm in. It feels like a crack of thunder, sharp and jarring. My body stiffens, my wolf on edge, ready to act. Elysia’s mother looks livid, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line while her father strides toward Dante with a fury that promises trouble."How dare you abduct my daughter?" Her father’s booming voice slices through the peaceful atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention. His eyes blaze with a mixture of anger and disbelief as he takes in the sight of his daughter in a wedding dress, standing next to Dante, who looks caught between panic and determination. I immediately step forward, my protective instincts kicking in, but before I can speak, Andrew and my grandfather appear out of nowhere, moving to intercept Elysia’s parents. Their presence is a calming force, and I see both of them exchange a quick glance before addressing the royal witches.“Wait,” Andrew begins, his voice calm but firm, as he raises his hands to sto