Anaya POV I was trying so hard to stop the tears from dropping down my eyes. I couldn't just move on after his death. "Goodbye, dad...this is harder than I thought..." I mumbled, those words carrying so much sadness. The sound of boots rustled in the dry grasses as footsteps, making me remember I wasn't alone in the lonely quiet graveyard. "Hey Anaya, we should leave now." The voice belonged to Alpha Donald, "I'm waiting in the car." I quickly wipe off any left tears wetting my eyes. Nodding to that, I said in a whisper. "Yes sir." My father's death had been too devastating for me. He died protecting our pack, Moonstone pack, against our highest rivals. Alpha Donald was taking me in to live with he and his family, honoring my father's death. This only meant that I would be sharing the house with my rivals too, more like bullies. Duke, Darius and Dean...three devils created to make my life a living hell. I was always the weird one in school, and that wasn't just the f
Anaya's POV To think a bunch of teenage boys could cause my heart to beat this fast out of fear! I wasn't proud of that. I turned to see Duke standing by the door, his face clearly contorted into a deep frown. "What the hell? Who told you to come in here? Get out!" He raged, completely angered by my presence. I flinched, "I'm sorry. I was just admiring these arts-" Duke came closer, his towering glance over me dominating, "are you deaf, omega? Get out right now!" I nodded, shaking with fear. But somehow, I realized he had been scared as well. Of something I couldn't quite point to. Maybe he didn't want me to see his arts for some reason? But they were lovely! I quickly walked out, then the door shut behind me in a bang. "Okay..." I found myself muttering. Alpha Donald's voice was loud as he called my name. I found him standing before me with brows arched upwards. "Where have you been? You know what, never mind. Come, let me introduce you to my sons." He said, gesturing ove
Anaya's POV "Baby, what is this bitch doing here? Answer me!" Sarah pouted, clutching onto Duke's arm."Ignore her. She'll be staying with us for a little while to honor her father's death or something." Duke said nonchalantly, causing my insides to stir from rage. How could he speak about me like that??I couldn't stand and watch so I lowered my gaze and was about to disappear from their midst, but Donna, Darius's girlfriend pushed me back. "Where do you think you're going to?"This was an opportunity for all of them to bully me again, I knew it. And I was trying everything to avoid it! "You think you matter now, huh? Seeing how you're swinging arms walking side by side with our Academy's sweethearts?" This was coming from the last of them, Maria. "That's ridiculous, Maria. She knows her place, I'm sure of that." Darius said. "She better do. Because if not, you'll be in some serious trouble, you hear me??" Sarah gripped my hair tight and I fought back, yanking her hands off me. O
Anaya's POV "Anaya." Darius's voice was firmer. "No way, this must be some sort of a fucking joke!""How is this possible?" Dean's frown was so deep and targeted to me that anyone would think I caused this! Duke on the other hand, he only stood there observing my reaction with a cold face...observing my reaction?! That was when I flared up, expressing all of my rage! "Do you all think I liked this any better than you do! After all of my suffering, the moon goddess didn't even think I deserved any kind of compensation, only for me to end up with my bullies?? Do you--""Shut it down, Anaya." Darius's deep voice cut me off, but I wasn't done with them. With the way my eyes pierced deeply towards them, one might even start to see flames of fire raging through them! I was pissed and neither of them had any right to yell at me like that as if I too wasn't being hurt at the moment. "No. No, don't tell me to shut up because I'm not done with you. You three are the worst nightmare ever, a
Third POVDuke's gaze was so cold towards Sarah that she flinched right on that spot. "Please. It was a mistake--""From now on, your lives will become miserable. Take it from me." Darius threatened. "You may be pardoned right now because Anaya is fine, but mark my words, the next time this happens, that'll be the end. For all of you!" Darius's voice was so bold that the ladies began to shake in fear.Dean did not spare his ex-girlfriend either. For some reason, they all had been bothered about Anaya, even though neither of them wanted that feeling. Maybe it was the mate bond?"We're sorry--" Sarah tried to say but was yelled at by Duke. "Get lost, all of you, get out right now!"This was a pretty big deal for Sarah and her minions. Their lives were officially over if the Golden Alphas could be mad at them like that? What if they no longer wanted to be friends? That would make them losers now, more than they already were after being dumped by the hottest boys because of that charity t
Anaya’s POVDuke held a strange expression on him, worry gathered in those pale brown eyes as he fixed them at me. Was he trying to tell me something? I didn’t care. All I knew was that Darius’s attitude was not proper and I hated how he was trying to make me feel bad about myself.“This is a joke, right? We never asked you to choose, it’s an option. We’re your Alphas and—“I had to stop him right there. “This won’t do.” The rest of them stopped to stare at me like I had just hit my head really bad on a brick. “I’m eighteen, I’m all grown up now. I want to leave and find my place someplace else. I will figure out the rest of my life from there, and so should you all too!.” That was it. I was so done being their puppets? These boys will never love me!Duke had that seriousness in his face again, but somehow, that scowl was deeper than normal. “You did not just make that suggestion. My dad, he respects you and brought you home just so he could protect you and honor your dad’s sacrifice.
Anaya's POV I was not supposed to fluster after such an accusation was being thrown at me!, but I did. However, I still had to pretend though. "Excuse me?” The courage to pull free from him came and I embraced it. It was more like a jump than a walk away from him. “You brothers and your pride, ha! It will definitely be the end of you someday if you're not all careful." I scoffed, but then I was glad my breathing pace was coming back to normal. Duke turned, piercing gaze still lingering on me. I didn't think he believed me, or at least his thick brows arched up high and questioning gaze doubted me. "Sure. Do whatever you like." He chuckled, actually pleased in himself! This must not be the first time he had worked out his charms on ladies. And I hated myself for not being strong enough! Still on with the pretense, I moved away from him to admire another painting on the wall at the far opposite end. "So, you weren't able to sleep? Is that a normal thing for you or...just tonight."
Anaya's POV Both she and Alpha Raphael knew of me being the mate to their sons, and deep down I knew they didn't accept me as I was just an ordinary omega with both her parents dead! "Um, fine." I didn't know what to say, and I wish she would drop this matter. A pitiful smile followed, just so she would understand how awkward I was feeling. Thank the goddess, Luna Freya was smart."You should get Duke for me, can you do that? I need him to get something for me at the store. He promised to help me out last night." She said and I instantly nodded. Heading up the stairs, a strong scent filled my nose and I sighed in frustration at how my wolf jumped in excitement. The boys all had different scent but everytime, it made my body tingle and to make things worse, when I thought about Dean's earthy scent mixed with the pleasant refreshing fresh rain scent, I just want to cuddle with him all night. Or when Darius pass my side and his strong sandalwood scent filled my nostrils, especially wh
ANAYA'S POVThe days dragged on without caring about how unbearable it was. Four days now had gone by now with me trapped within the walls of my own bedroom– if I could call it that– and left with no choice but to witness the rise and all of the sun from the frame of my window. Beta Miguel had cared for me without complaint, carrying me when need be. I wasn't comfortable with it but I couldn't stop it either. For example, bathroom breaks. He carried me to the bathroom and even insisted on helping me take off my clothes but I refused that offer. Maybe if it were Duke then it would have been different. Speaking of Duke, he had not visited me in the past four days, it was almost like he was avoiding me. I even heard from Luna Freya when she came to give me a general check up yesterday that he was around but just didn't come into my room to greet me! I wondered why he was refusing to see me. Our parting four days ago still plagued my thoughts and I kept wondering what he meant by “goo
I didn't know how to respond, how to tell him no, how to tell him that I didn't want to move in with them because I felt too much like a burden. So I didn't respond. Instead, I opened the lid and took a small sip. In contrast to its aromatic scent, its taste was bitter and strong like a very active gin except very bitter. I tried so hard not to scrunch my face but the taste had taken me by surprise and it couldn't be helped. The door pushed open and Luna Freya immediately snatched the container from me and tucked it into her pocket. Beta Miguel walked in with a tray of soup in his hand. “Sorry that I took too long, the alpha was having a conversation with me.” He walked over to the table and dropped it. “Does anyone smell flowers?” He questioned almost immediately. Luna Freya wore one of her best and most innocent smiles. “Oh it's alright. It was nice getting to talk to her and I checked her too just to know how she is doing.” She completely avoided the question about flowers. T
ANAYA'S POVThey all stared wordlessly at me and Luna Freya's brow arched thoughtfully. “What?” The words left her mouth in no hurry at all. “He was on… how did you…?” She couldn't bring herself to ask a full question. “I just knew it.” I confessed. “His scent, his behavior, everything about him that moment was so wrong and I could get the strong scent off of him. It wasn't faded, which meant he took it recently before coming for me.”“How do you know this wolf in question is a ‘he’?” Duke arched his brow at me. I turned to look at him but couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze. I allowed my gaze lower back to Luna Freya. “Beta Miguel told me. He got a better look at the werewolf before it attacked me.” His brow twitched thoughtfully. “I guess we will have to question him then.”“You don't have to,” Luna Freya said before I had a chance to say anything. I was thankful I was not the one that had taken beta Miguel's side this time around. She added, “he already said he would tell eve
ANAYA'S POVHe stared at us and all I could do was close my eyes to avoid his gaze. To let go of Miguel meant to let go of the peace I was feeling, the safety, the release from my nightmares. I only clung on tighter to him.***I fiddled with my duvet nervously and subconsciously under the stern gaze of Duke. His brothers were seated on each side of the bed, staring at me with worry. Luna Freya walked back in and handed me a cup of steaming tea. "Drink up." She ordered. "Finish it." She smiled softly. I nodded my head with a grateful smile and raised the cup to my lips. It had a strong scent of ginger and garlic and some other herbs that I could recognize. I wiped my lips and handed the cup back to her. It burnt down my throat and suddenly warmed me up from the inside."How are you feeling?" Alpha Donald's voice was low and there was a hint of worry in them. I smiled gratefully. "I am feeling fine, thank you." "Did you have trouble sleeping?" Luna Freya's brow arched swiftly. I
THIRD POVThe house was packed so early that morning, Miguel had yet to find a chance to grab breakfast as the alpha and his family returned into the walls of his home. He wasn't complaining though, he just wished they would not decide to wake Anaya up if she didn't wake up soon. It was only seven in the morning and he had only laid her back to sleep four hours ago. No one argued with his point and they all patiently waited for her to wake on her own. "Since we will all be waiting," Miguel said after thirty full minutes of waiting. "I would like to have breakfast and I wish you all could join me. The cooling ladies realized it's a full house and decided to make enough for everyone."Luna Freya smiled decently. "Oh you don't have to worry about us dear, is there something Anaya can eat when she wakes?" She curiously asked. "Luna Freya," Miguel's voice was soft and filled with respect. "I cooked for her with my own very two hands last night and it is exactly the nurse's prescription.
ANAYA'S POVHe blinked, obviously taken aback by my request. But then a smile carved on his lips and he raised his hand, only to pat down on my head like I was some pet. "Our first date was the training ground," he voiced out. "This is our second date." He simply added as he retracted his hand from my head and placed them on the bed instead. I couldn't stop my eyes from widening. I batted my lashes, "what?" Our first date was the training ground and this was our second date? Was I sure I had heard him right? "This is our second date? How? I don't... I don't understand what you mean." I confusedly said to him. His smile never left his face as he spoke. "I'm not a greedy person, I don't hold on to what is not mine and I certainly don't ask for what can't be given to me." I only felt more confused. What did that have to do with our dates? But before I could ask him any more questions, he rose to his feet and leaned towards me. I wanted to move away but I was surprised by the fact
THIRD POVDuke couldn't stop himself from getting stuck in a spiral of his own thoughts. He didn't want to be here, away from Anaya, he wanted to keep her safe from that flirt of a personality. He couldn't help but to think back on when he and his brothers first arrived there. The look on Miguel's face was plain horror and fear. Why would the beta be so worried about a woman he had only met once? What should have been on the beta's face should have been pure sympathy, feeling bad to see a stranger get hurt. And he should have never been the one to stay by her side being the beta and the most skilled. He should have led the search for the imposter. There were so many questions he wanted to ask that flirtatious werewolf but instead, he was stuck in the passenger's seat of his mother's car. He had offered to drive, that at least would have helped get things off of his mind. But the woman stubbornly turned down the offer, only she knew where she was going to and she was not ready to s
ANAYA'S POVHe stared confusedly at me, eyes gleaming with worry at the same time. I felt a pain in my heart. Why did I have to be so much of a burden to the people who wanted to care about me and look out for me? 'It is not your fault' the voice in my head suddenly spoke out. She was back again. 'You didn't plan this attack, no one on that training ground knew it was coming. Don't blame yourself for the falling of an avalanche when you were not even in that country'"Did that wolf communicate with you?" Miguel's voice reminded me of where I was and who I was with. I turned to look at him and shook my head. He sighed softly, if not wearily. "I felt it, everything about him. His gender, his mocking grin, his evil intentions, it made my skin crawl and it still does." I arched a brow at him. "Mocking grin?" He nodded with another sigh. "He was laughing... At me. Because he knew I would never get to you in time. He was like a psycho on drugs or something, his energy was way off. There
ANAYA'S POVShe crouched down beside me and took my hands in hers. "Oh dear..." Tears filled up her eyes. Alpha Donald was standing behind her now. Even he looked surprised. "Honey," he called out to her. "We need you to be a salutary right now and not a motherly image."She wiped her tears, staining her beautiful face with blood, and nodded her head. Moments later, thanks to her intervention, it was safe for them to move me to the van. Duke didn't join his brothers in the search, rather he remained with us. "We shouldn't treat her in a hospital," Alpha Donald suddenly said. His wife stared questioningly at him and he explained further. "She was attacked, whoever did it obviously didn't get a chance to finish her off. What's the assurance that he won't come back?" "We need a place to take her to if we won't be at a hospital." The brown eyed salutary impatiently stated. "We'll go to my place." Alpha Donald responded. "With all due respect, alpha Donald," beta Miguel interfered. I