Amber’s POV Although he said we now shared a room, Alpha Dale did not return to the room that night, nor did I see him at the dining area the next day after that. For three long days—unlike me—I was left to wonder where he was and what he might be doing. If he was okay or if he needed something. Janine checked on me from time to time, and we were becoming fast friends. I don’t know if that was the word to use, but she did seem to me like a decent and genuinely honest person that I was beginning to take a liking to. “Do you believe him?” I started slowly watching Janine for a reaction. We were in her office at the infirmary, and as always, Janine was busy sorting out her stuff. She glanced up at me, her brows knotting as she tried to make sense of my question. “What do you mean? Believe who?” “Alpha Dale.” I answered, careful to keep my eyes lowered and avoid eye contact now that she was looking directly at me. “He thinks I have a wolf.” Janine smiled. “He doesn’t ‘think’ you hav
Amber’s POV “There was no one there! “”What?”“ Alpha Derrick is gone!” he repeated. He combed his unruly hair back and paced to the window. “He gave up the Alpha title and left, just like that.”I opened my mouth to speak when he glanced at me. “Why? Why would he leave just like that and at a time like this? ”My eyes dropped to the ground. First of all, I was relieved that he was fine, and for some reason, I wanted to keep him with me forever. Secondly, Alpha Derrick gave up his Alpha title and was gone. “Your return to the moonstone pack?” I shook my head, confused as to why he would do that. “Do you have any idea why he would leave? Did you ever hear anything?” he gestured to me. “Celia and Lydia are gone as well. I’m surprised that I heard nothing of this until I arrived there myself. ”I shook my head, closing my eyes to clear out my thoughts. Where would he go and why? “Amber!” Alpha Dale’s cold fingers slipped under my chin, lifting my face up. Slowly, I opened my ey
Dale’s POV My fingers paused over her stomach, and she held her breath. Amber was beautiful. Despite the fact that she was malnourished and her skin was broken to the point that it was almost beyond repair, one could still see the beauty in her. Once she filled out, she was going to be one of the most beautiful women I ever met, and that was a fact. “Breathe, Amber, I whispered. “Breathe.”I could hear her heart as it hammered against the cages of her ribs, and I could almost feel the tears as they rolled down her face. Gently, I wiped it away. Her eyes flashed open, locking onto mine before she lowered them again.I felt the aching need to reach under her chin and tilt her head up till I was looking into those golden irises, but I held myself back; for some reason, she was in pain, and I could tell that it was not from her injuries. ‘Mate,’ my wolf growled. ‘Mate.’I paused, wondering why he was sensing the mate bond. It was supposed to be impossible to feel our bond considering
Dale’s POV The moon priestess was right. Skin-to-skin contact did help Amber’s wolf to deal with the mate bond, and in no time, the pain was almost gone, and she was sleeping like a baby in my arms. Janine had helped as well, stuffing Amber up with different kinds of concoctions that it was hard to tell what worked in the end. “How long has her wolf been bound like this?” The priestess asked, pulling me from my daze. I glanced at Amber—she looked beautiful when she slept—and wondered why someone would do this to her. The fact that her wolf could be quite strong could not be the only reason.I shrugged. “I’m guessing since she met her wolf.” It did look like it had been going on for a long time. Amber had no clue she had a wolf when I met her. “Or before that. She used to believe she was wolf-less.” Maybe she still did. “Then it is a good thing you found her. If her wolf isn’t bound before the next culling, she might die. I can only imagine what pain she has been going through
Amber’s POV “Mate.” My heart skipped at the mention of that word. In fact, ever since waking up and finding myself in the same bed as him, my body has been going through a lot of phases.My stomach danced with butterflies when he pulled me to sit on his thighs, and now that his eyes were boring into mine with the kind of intensity hot lava used to melt iron, I couldn’t bring myself to look away.His fingers traced my scars—the ones that were healed—and his lips parted slightly. If I concentrated, I could almost feel that pull that I had felt before. It had been mixed with the pain before, but it was there; I had felt it.It proved I had a wolf. Alpha Dale had not been lying. I really did have a wolf, although I did not want to think about why someone would go as far as binding that wolf in and letting me believe I had no wolf for so many years.The fact that I may have found my mate was something I could not stop thinking of, and he was the most handsome man I ever laid eyes on. He
Amber’s POV The temperature in the room dropped. A chill raced through my spine. Tension around the room was palpable, but Eric was still oblivious to what was happening, or was it just me reading meaning into things?Who was Mallory? And why was everyone reacting the way they did to her name?Breakfast was quiet after that. No one said a word about Mallory, but I did notice that Alpha Dale pulled his brother to one side after breakfast. Their exchange was too low for me to make out the words they said, but Alpha Dale’s eyes narrowed every now and then, and Eric maintained his smug grin. Janine was busy with the beta, and I had no idea what to do. I paused at the door, wondering if I should return to my room or wander aimlessly. What else was there that I could do? Glancing back, I caught Janine waving at me, and then she began walking my way.“Are you okay?” her eyes flashed as she stopped in front of me. Maintaining eyes contact was still hard for me so I lowered my head.“I
Amber’s POV When Alpha Dale returned to the room, he was positively furious. His eyes softened when he saw me—it seemed as though he had completely forgotten I was here—but I still could see past the mask he was struggling to put on. Taking a seat next to me on the couch, he placed his head on my thighs and closed his eyes. I wanted to take care of him the way he took care of me, and probably this was the only way I could do it. Besides, I did not feel the need to push him away or complain. Was Mallory still here? I glanced at the door, wondering how their conversation had gone after that. Did Eric finally realize what was going on? Was anyone going to tell him? Did they already tell him? What was his reaction? Was Mallory really here because she wanted to get back with Alpha Dale? Could I fight for Alpha Dale?I had so many questions, but I knew I wasn’t getting any answers anytime soon. Alpha Dale was sleeping faster than I could say Jack, but while he slept, pain ricoc
Dale’s POV Leaving our shared bedroom, I found Janine hovering just outside the door. Concern was etched on her face, and her eyes widened when she saw me. Beta Trent was with me, but as usual, he was relaxed and composed, only standing straight as he saw me come out. “How is she?” Janine demanded. “Asleep.” I answered. “If she keeps being in pain like this…” I trailed off, unable to make myself say the words. Amber’s health was quickly declining, and if something was not done about it soon, I hated to think what would happen.A puzzled expression crossed her face. “What is it, Alpha?”I took a deep breath in. “Amber’s health is deteriorating quickly.We have to find a way to unbind her wolf before it’s too late.”I scratched my quickly growing stubble. I knew I should shave soon, but I could just find the time to do it, not with all that was going on. I couldn’t sleep, and although we were still getting to know each other, being away from her while she slept felt odd.“What
Dale’s POV Everything faded away. The voices, the music, the stares, and the murmurs. Nothing registered in my brain. All that existed was Amber and the thunderous pounding of my heartbeat. She was breathtaking. Literally. The red gown clung to her body like paint, swishing when she began to walk slowly towards me. My wolf growled, eager to sink our fangs into her neck and claim her. Mine. That was what everyone needed to know. She glowed like the sun, but it was her scent—the sweet smell of honey, moonflowers, and cinnamon—that shattered the last of my restraints. I reached for her without thinking, one hand gripping her waist and pulling her into my body and the other, tilting her chin up so I could look into those eyes. Amber. Beautiful, just like her name. Everything about her was so perfect it drove me crazy. The way her body was a perfect fit in mine, the way her lips parted slightly as if she was breathless, the way her eyes flickered between a glowing gold and warm
Dale’s POV I shouldn’t have kissed her. The last time I had realized that too late was when she was bleeding from injuries that were supposed to be healing. This time, I had almost made the same mistake again—or was it not a mistake? Maybe it was the fact that I could feel our bond growing stronger with each day that passed. That I felt it pulling me closer to her the harder I fought, even now, all I wanted to do was turn back and run into her arms, but it was too late for that. I had fled out of there like I was running from her, and it wasn’t the first time. I exhaled sharply, forcing the memory of her from my mind as I walked into my office, where Beta Trent was already waiting. His brow shot to his hairline as he watched me, pursing his lips in a comic attempt to hold back the words, which I could see dancing from the edge of his tongue. “You look like hell.” He said finally. “Are you doing alright?” “I’m fine,” I lied. “How are preparations going?” “Security is in place,
Amber’s POV By the time we were tying off the last banner, the smell of meat was thick in the air. Why the hell did someone decide it was okay for the event hall to be this close to the kitchen? My stomach rumbled, reminding me of how long it's been since breakfast. I clapped the dust off my hands, barely listening as Janine thanked the boys and motioned us to the door. We had worked all afternoon—skipping through lunch—busying ourselves with last-minute preparations. Tomorrow’s blood moon was going to be a blast, and I was kind of happy with the work I’d done. Back at Moonstone, I’d have been scurrying around, struggling to finish tasks that I’d never get a thank you for. Maybe a punishment or two. Events and celebrations were always things I dreaded. Maybe it was time that changed too. “Finally, we can eat.” Janine laughed. “Goddess, the food smells so good.”She closed her eyes, inhaling a lungful of the scented air before opening them again. I was so engrossed with watc
Amber’s POV The room Janine brought us to was large. No matter how much I stretched my eyes, I couldn’t see the other end of the room. That could be because of the fact that the room was packed with people doing decorations and now, we were about to be one of them. Janine marched ahead of us, her arms filled with fabrics, lines and what nots which she threw unceremoniously on one of the table before turning to Yeti and me. “Alright, girls,” she said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s get to work. ”Yeti and I exchanged glances before glancing at the towering pile of fabric and garland we were supposed to be helping with. I sighed dramatically, shuffling forward lazily. “So…” I picked up a roll of ribbon and turned to Janine. “Is there a plan? I get we are supposed to finish putting all these up before morning? ”Janine scoffed. “There’s always a plan. I have a plan. And you both are only here to follow orders.” “Seems fair, although I feel like I’ve been tricked.” I glanced at
Amber’s POV Ink smudged beneath my fingertips, bleeding into white paper. I inhaled sharply, dragging my sleeve over the mess, but it only made it worse. I thought I could practice my writing to get rid of the boredom I felt, but my crooked and jagged letters only mocked me. Sighing, I tore off the page, crumbling it into a ball, and tried to throw it into the wastebasket that sat way too far—not far enough—from my bed. But just like my fifty-something failed attempts, this one stopped short of the basket, rolling on the ground next to its friends. I sighed, shutting the book with a thud. Even from here, I could hear the commotion of activities going on outside. Everyone was busy doing something—except me, of course. If this was the Moonstone pack. I was sure no one would have cut me any slack, no matter how sick I was. I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose as something stirred inside me. Hopefully, it wasn’t what I was thinking it was. The priestess had assured
Dale’s POV “It has to be a willing sacrifice.” One that the witch did not look willing to make. I mean, who in their right senses would give their life up for another? Even I could not ask her to do that. Amber’s life was important, and so was the life of others. I was beginning to understand why Derrick held onto Yeti even though she was useless to him—he intended to use her to threaten her mother when it came to this. ‘You can make her as well,’ my wolf pressed. ‘You’re Lycan King, and this is Amber we are talking about. Our mate. ’I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to breathe through the haze of emotions that pressed down on me. ‘I can’t make her give up her life for Amber if she’s not willing to do it. Did you not hear the part where she said, ‘a willing sacrifice?’ I shot back. ‘You have her daughter. You can use that to make her… more willing.’I tried not to roll my eyes. ‘I’m not Derrick.’ I answered simply, pushing him deeper so he could keep his thoughts to hims
Dale’s POV “It was Mallory.” What?! I could hardly react, hardly breathe as the words slammed into me. Unconsciously, I turned to my brother Eric, reading the horror and disbelief that appeared on his face as the words sank in. It couldn’t really be…“Are you sure about… Amber? You may have—” Amber shook her head. “I’m sure, Alpha Dale. It was her. She…” Her eyes darted to where Eric stood, and she hesitated. “She did what, Amber?” I prompted. “She planned this whole thing with Emily.” Her body trembled, probably as she relived the memories of that place. I clenched my fist—for a second, I felt everything at once. I wanted to scream and, at the same time, break something—preferably, Mallory’s nose. “Who the hell is Emily?” Trent asked, beating me to it. “The woman who lured me from here.” Amber answered, lowering her head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gone…” Janine shuffled closer to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder to comfort her. I turned around to give orders to
Amber’s POV My eyes blinked open painfully. My head was heavy and unclear, and the light burned through my eyes. I shut my eyes again, waiting a second before blinking them open. I was in a room… Was this a dream? I was sure I was dead before. The room looked and smelled familiar and made me want to forget everything and sleep forever. Wait… what was it I wanted to forget? I had the gnawing feeling that there was something I was supposed to remember. A figure moved on the bed beside me, and I turned towards it. A man. An angel? He certainly looked like one. My guardian angel? I raised my hand to touch his face… my hand wouldn’t move. Everything felt so heavy…I closed my eyes, forgetting the world I just saw and allowing the darkness to swallow me up again. Rest. I needed to rest for as long as it took my body to recover… What was I recovering from? My eyes fluttered open, the world around me swimming in a haze of blinding light and aching exhaustion. My chest tightened, and
Dale’s POV Trent was convinced he had found something. My heart raced; my wolf was ridden with anxiety, and he did not hesitate to snap at anyone for any reason at all. It's been two whole days, and there was no sign of Amber or her captor and no clue as to where we could find her. Silas had his men comb the entire city, turning the place upside down, while the rest of us searched the place where the cameras caught her last. I left no stone unturned, but there was no evidence that she was ever here. No scent, no leftover fear or emotions to hold on to. Except for the camera recording, which pinpointed her location as this area, everything else showed nothing, and it was frustrating. So when Trent announced he found something, I ran. I met him crouching low on the ground, fingers grazing the earth. “Boot tracks,” he said simply. One of the trackers said they caught a faint scent around here. It might be nothing, but— ”I turned around, not waiting for him to take back the ho