HAILEY
I'm stunned because I am finally leaving this pack in the dust; I am no longer going to be resented, abused, left behind, or abandoned. It sounds so remote and utopian, and while I'm In the Cidar pack, though, nothing ever remained uncomplicated for very long. I entered the kitchen and received a drink of water since I was thirsty. It was hard to move away from Ryan since he was looking at me but was talking to his beta, so I slipped away since it was the right time, but now it is too quiet, so it's becoming an unfavorable time. I shook violently the moment I caught sight of Thomas before even speaking. "Hailey," he whispered gently as he moved into my line of sight. Fearful, I stood still with a pounding heart. My heart pounds irregularly and my hands perspire. "Pardon me, Alpha Thomas," I breathed softly, trying to stay calm. He did not stir. He leaned forward, his mouth curling into a smile. "Little Omega, you've kicked up quite the dust. The Alpha King wants you. Think you, after hearing the truth, will be able to keep an Alpha from having a maid without a wolf? My own breath was snatched." "I don't get it." "Don't play games," he leaned in and breathed in my ear, his fingers tightening on my wrist and his fingers clenched about my arm in a rigid hold. "You have always been a pest." Maybe I should remind you of where you are. I did have a flash of fear, but before I could act, someone moved behind him. Logan growled, his voice low, "Let her go."Logan's voice was low and menacing as he hissed. Thomas spun around, but he had me in his clutches. "Beta Logan, don't worry about this." In a stern voice, Logan said, "It does now." Logan quickly pulled Thomas's hand away from mine and pushed him back. As the two men stood there, nose to nose, the tray that I was holding fell to the ground. Logan's fists were clamped tight as he bellowed, "You're out of line." Thomas snarled and removed the blood from his lip where Logan had already punched him and said, "And you're overstepping." Logan cut him short. Thomas was slammed off his feet stunned as his punch made a brutal hooking impact with his jaw. Logan's strength and precision were too much for Thomas to handle in the short but nasty fight. When it was all done, Thomas lay on the ground groaning and bleeding. Logan spat, "If you touch her again, you aren't leaving next time." He is bowing to me. "Let's go, Luna Queen; what did you want?" I mutter "I'm thirsty" He laughs, "It's fine. When we depart, you will have a bottle of sparkling water brought to you. It's yours; let me know if you need anything. As we were departing the Cedar pack, I sat quietly in the back seat of the car. My chest still had tension from the events of the morning, but relief was beginning to replace it. I was getting out. With her palm on mine in soft sympathy, Flora sat beside me. "I'm happy you're leaving with me," I muttered. She gave a soft smile. "Me too." When the car suddenly pulled over, I looked up and saw Ryan outside with a strange expression on his face. "Logan," Ryan said sternly. Switch cars. Flora and you will ride in the second car. Flora scowled. "But-" "No buts," Ryan said bluntly. Groaning, Logan nodded and climbed out of the car. Flora hesitated for a moment, then squeezed my hand and climbed out of the car with him. I braced my chest as I stared at Ryan. "Why did you do that? "He slid into the seat beside me and stated bluntly, 'Because we need to talk.' There was silence on the car ride, but one of discomfort, not serenity. The room was tight with Ryan, and he was awkward to be around. I looked at him, awe and fear warring. 'Why are you doing this? ' I finally demanded. 'What are you doing? "His intense eyes gazed into mine. 'Because you belong to me.' 'I'm not yours; the bond makes you think of me in such a way but it's just a bond you can reject me'". He remains silent to start and it is silent, so I figure he can't hear me, then he hovers above me and brings his hands to my chin. Little Spitfire, pay attention. Just because you feel like mates don't always reject each other naturally doesn't mean anything to you, because I wouldn't reject you. You see that Thomas was your destiny mate and that he rejected you, so now you are mine, my second-chance mate. I've looked for you everywhere for eons, but by no means are you going to get away. You're my own until we die and come apart, and if there exists an afterworld, then still you're my own. Escape is not an option for you." As I attempt to step away from him, he grabs me around him tight and puts his tongue on my mouth. I'm too stunned to react initially, but later, I'm caught up in his kiss. I try to breathe out because all my feelings get mixed up. After we kissed, I am stunned and not in balance anymore, and he feeds me for what seems like days. The packhouse we had come to was enormous, roomy, and full of energy, anything I had ever dreamed of. The atmosphere in that place was different, lighter but fuller. Ryan motioned for me to move in behind him, and I did, my legs trembling as I got my eyes adjusted to the new scenery. "This is where you'll be staying now," he said firmly, and I nodded, not knowing what else to do. A knock at the door disrupted my getting settled into the room that they had readied for me, so I called out softly, and Ryan appeared, looking austere, closing the door and filling the room with his huge presence. "There's something you should know," he told me quietly, and I asked, my heart racing. His next statement made me shudder: "Thomas and Marissa were not only cruel; there is evidence that they murdered your parents outright"HAILEY The light after the dark, soggy confinement of the dungeon was overwhelming. I blinked at the light as my legs staggered and I walked into the courtyard. I ought to have been thankful to be out of the constricting captivity, but Thomas's constant presence made me sick. He had growled, his hands too tight on my arm as he yanked me from prison, "You'll earn your shame." And Marissa will see to it. Do not forget that without this pack, you are nothing. Those words were still going through my head as I was ushered in to see Marissa inside the pack house. She stood in the big hall, directing a team of omegas to hang decorations for her three-day mating celebration. The sunlight pouring through the giant building sparkled on her blond locks. Through the tall windows, her dominance permeated the room. Her smile turned cruel as she looked at me. "Well, well. Our little dungeon rat cleaned himself up," she said, with her voice tinged with sarcasm. Rush up Hailey, you have work to do." I
RYANThe mating ceremony preparations continued around me the next day, the pack buzzing with energy. Marissa’s wolves moved about in organized chaos, ensuring every detail of the event was perfect. But none of it mattered. My wolf was restless, pacing inside me, clawing for release and completely distorted, and I couldn't figure out why since my ability to regulate my emotions has always been perfect.The scent of my mate lingered like a ghost, faint but undeniable. It clung to the air, and worse, it clung to Flora.Logan stood beside me, his shoulders tense. He hadn’t left Flora’s side since our arrival, and the conflicted look on his face mirrored my turmoil.“Alpha,” he said, his voice low as he glanced at Flora. “We need to talk.”I nodded sharply. “Not here. Follow me.”Flora’s eyes darted between us nervously, but she didn’t resist as Logan guided her away from the crowd. We entered a quiet room in the packhouse, the hum of the preparations fading behind the closed door.“Expla
RYAN The last day of the mating ceremony was a grandiose spectacle, with the pack bustling in preparation for the grand feast and the air humming with anticipation. However, I didn't care about any of that; all I could think about was Hailey. Her words from the night before resonated in my head: Wolfless, Outcast, Dangerous, Lies, everything. I didn't need to see her to know the truth; the subtle hint of her scent that pervaded Flora told me that Hailey wasn't just my mate; she was special, and she was here, somewhere, waiting for me to find her. I spent the morning observing the pack, noting the careful balance of power Marissa had over the omegas and their deference to Thomas. Although it was obvious who was in charge of this pack, their dominion would soon come to an end. It was a sumptuous feast. Silver goblets filled with wine, platters of enough food to feed an army, and elaborate floral arrangements decorated the long tables. Their faces lit up with joy, and the pack assembled
HAILEY I am in a daze because I am finally leaving this group; I will never again be despised, mistreated, abandoned, or forsaken. It feels so unbelievable and unreal, and even though I'm In the Cidar pack, however, nothing ever remained straightforward for very long. I went to the kitchen to get a drink of water because I was thirsty. It was hard to leave Ryan because he was always staring at me, but he was talking to his beta, so I slipped away while it seemed like a good idea, but now that it's too quiet, it's starting to seem like a bad idea. I shuddered uncontrollably as soon as I felt Thomas before he even spoke. "Hailey," he murmured fluidly as he moved into my line of sight. With my heart pounding, I froze. My heart beats unsteadily, and my palms sweat profusely. "Pardon me, Alpha Thomas," I said, maintaining a steady tone. He remained still. Rather, he leaned forward, a smile twisting his lips. "Little Omega, you've been making quite a fuss. The Alpha King has had his sight
HAILEYAs I stood on the balcony of my makeshift room in Ryan's packhouse, the wind blew through my hair. The Alpha King's realm seemed so vast in front of me that I should have been in awe. Rather, my heart was heavy, burdened by everything I had been through and everything I still had to face. I believed that I would find serenity after leaving the Cedar Pack two years ago. It didn't. I had exchanged one storm for another, and Ryan was at the heart of this one. With memories nagging at me, I turned my back on the scenery. My thoughts drifted back to the quarrel that had ripped through us like wildfire the instant he'd left. Ryan had added, "Hailey, you don't understand," in a strained voice.Ryan's voice was tense with annoyance as he said these words to me. I snapped, my chest heaving under the weight of my rage. "Then make me understand," I said. He whispered, "I can't," with a mixture of pain and resolve in his eyes. "You simply intend to leave like this? After everything? Despit
RYANThe dimly lit hallway outside Hailey’s room felt like it belonged to another world—her world, one I didn’t fit into anymore. The shadows clung to me as I stood there, leaning my head against the cool wall, my hands restless. Two years. That’s how long I’d spent trying to clean up the mess I’d made, hoping to piece together a life I’d shattered. But nothing prepared me for seeing Hailey again, standing tall and unshakable like she was born to lead.She’d always been strong even when she was tagged wolfless. I knew she wasn’t; I felt how powerful her wolf was. Now? She was untouchable.Through the door, I caught the soft sound of a whimper. Then, Hailey’s voice was calm and comforting.Alexia.The name hit me like a punch to the gut. The little pup had worked her way into Hailey’s heart, a heart I thought I’d someday have a chance to mend. She's my Beta's child yet she is so unbelievably attached to her. Now, I felt like an outsider in my own home.The door creaked open, and Hailey
HAILEYAlexia's giggles were a soothing balm on my exhausted soul as her little fists clutched the ears of her stuffed wolf and she toddled across the pack office floor. She had no clue about the tempest raging on around her. Truly, for a pup of her age, ignorance was bliss.I leaned back in the armchair, my eyes trained on her, but my senses stayed sharp. Across the room, Ryan was seated on the couch, his gaze fixed on Alexia as though she held the answers to all the questions haunting him. I know he wonders why a child that isn't ours could be so attached to me, I pondered on this also for a long time before I gave up.He looked different, older and more burdened somehow, more desperate. His eyes flickered to me searching, but I refused to grant him the satisfaction of meeting it. Let him stew."Hailey," he finally said, his deep voice breaking into the silence.I didn't say a word; I didn't owe him that much."Can we talk?" he tried again, softer this time.Alexia crawled over to m
RYANWith wolves in their best costumes, the big ballroom was a sea of sophistication where guests were mingling and enjoying champagne while the chandeliers softly glowed over the space. The charity ball was an annual event that showcased the pack's unity and success, but tonight, looks are of no importance to me. I was going crazy because Hailey had turned into a vision that I couldn't take my eyes off of tonight. Everybody in the room was staring at her dress, a sleek black one that fit her curves like it had been painted on. There was just enough of her neckline exposed to be hazardous, and a slit up her thigh revealed long, toned legs that made all the male wolves in the room gag. Her flaming red hair fell in wild waves down her back, framing a face that was equal parts beautiful and unreachable, her big generous bosom leaving me drooling. The kiss we exchanged when I initially introduced her to the pack was the closest I've ever been to her, and at the moment, she's purposefully
DAVID There was a perceptible weight to the air in the castle. Unease. Mistrust. It thickened with each glance that was directed at me, becoming almost tangible. Ryan kept an eye on me. He was constantly observing. As Jaden guided me around the castle, his voice full of excitement, I caught a glimpse of his golden eyes across the courtyard. The escalating conflict between his parents went unnoticed by him. Between us. "Come on," Jaden urged me to move on. "The war rooms are still hidden from you. Following the previous vampire incursion, my mother had them reinforced. His mom. I stifled a grin, maintaining a deliberately neutral expression. What was about to happen was unknown to Hailey. Neither did Jaden. As we went beneath imposing arches, the smell of steel and old parchment filled the air. Jaden babbled on about history and war tactics, but I was still focused on other things. Ryan was still suspicious and in my space. He continued to observe. A predator identifies a fellow preda
ATHENAMy body was still hurting from my run-in with that mongrel, Marissa. I had underestimated the speed of that nasty mongrel. But I am smarter than I let on. However, I had fared worse. And the only thing that mattered was survival. With the castle lights flickering behind me, I fled into the shadows of the thick woodland. They had dismissed me as if I were unimportant. Me. Athena. This is my generation's strongest witch. I suppressed the anger and allowed it to boil beneath my skin, even though the insult was more painful than the injuries on my body. Since I had a strategy. They believed they had triumphed. They believed I had lost. However, they were unaware of my abilities. Now, I had a new ally. The trees grew thicker as I moved deeper into the forest, the scent of damp earth and night-blooming flowers filling the air. I mumbled an incantation beneath my breath and felt the energy race through my veins. A tiny glimmer flared in the darkness ahead. He waited. David. Azure's s
ISAIAHAt Dusk My chambers were illuminated by a low flame that threw the stone walls into writhing shadow. Purifying sacrifices, smoke curled in languid tendrils, bearing the faintest whisper of rosemary and sage. Tonight, however, clarity eluded me. I looked down at the relics strewn across the entire floor as I stood before the huge oak table with my hands spread against its surfaces. A basin of fetid water polluted by the ink of prophecy, bones carved with ancient symbols, and loose runes—each inscribed with a message that I strained to interpret. Something was amiss. It had been days since I first felt the unease that coiled like a snake in my stomach. Some invisible force caused the air to vibrate, a turbulence that whispered betrayal and hidden threats. Hailey had sensed it. Ryan had felt it. Logan had even said it. But the complete vision remained obscured, like a cloudy mirror that refused to clear. I closed my eyes and blew out a breath through my nose. "Show me." The room v
RYANEVENING TIMEThe moment Jaden left Hailey alone in the gardens, I knew something had changed. I had watched from the shadows, giving them the space they needed, even though every instinct in me had screamed to step in, protect her, protect them both. My mate and my son are two forces of nature, too proud to give in. But tonight, something in Jaden had cracked-just a little. And Hailey had let him.The night air was thick with an unspoken promise of war as I stepped forward. And I didn't need Isaiah's visions or the sharp instincts of Hailey to tell me the danger was drawing in a circle. I knew it in my bones.Still seated on the stone bench, her fingers absently traced the cold surface,, lost in thought, till she looked up when she sensed me, catching the moonlight in her gold eyes."How long have you been lurking?" she asked, her voice amused but weary.I sat down beside her, extending my legs before me. "Long enough to know that he's starting to come around."She hummed in resp
HAILEY I'd never felt what it's like to carry the weight of the crown until then. I was standing on the balcony of my room, looking down and over the expanse beyond the walls. It was quiet that night but not peaceful. Something was off; there was something in the air. How the trees seemed to whisper in the wind, the freak mist obscuring the moon, my gut telling me of the impending danger. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to still myself, but nothing seemed to still the growing unease in my chest. A Voice in the Dark A voice inside me whispered, "You feel it too," "Amenia." "My wolf." my very best friend, My most fierce protector. Her words, "Something stirs in the dark," she said, her voice heightened with uncertainty. "The air reeks of betrayal." I wrapped my fingers over the chilly stone railing and nodded. "I feel it. Yet it's like a hurricane in wait. There was a low rumble deep in my head. "That storm is close, and even now, as it is, many conspire against you." I
CONNORI watched as Athena's figure disappeared into the shadows of my hall, the scent of dark magic and deceit she carried on her like an intoxicating perfume. Witches. Always scheming. Always thinking they're the smartest in the room, believing every other person beneath them. Fools. If only she knew....but two can play the game. I'd keep acting a fool just to get what I need; there's no point pointing out her exaggerated assumptions, not now.She is wrong on so many levels but on one thing, she was right-I did want more.Hailey.She was more than a queen-the woman was a force of nature, raw and untamed. The way she had humiliated me in front of the council… the way she had made me kneel without lifting a single finger… it should have enraged me. Should have made me want to rip her apart.Instead, it had done something much worse.It had made me want her.Not to see her broken or defeated, but to others closer, take that untouchable power away and make her mine.A slow dark smirk sp
ATHENAThe scent of wet earth and old wood overwhelmed me as I stepped into the heart of the King of Bears's realm. It was savage and raw, unlike the wolves' disciplined power. Bears didn't believe in strict rules or grand castles. They lived by strength, by dominance, by sheer will.And Connor?He was the embodiment of all three.He sat on a huge stone throne, carved roughly from the mountain itself, his fingers drumming against the armrest. The flickering torches cast sharp shadows over his face, highlighting the cruel smirk tugging at his lips. He was powerful, larger than life, and undeniably dangerous but just like every other known male species, he is weak and his ability to underestimate female rulers will ultimately be his downfall right now he's still using so I'd simply use his greed and oversight to my own advantage and get the results I want.Which made him the perfect ally. He has no guard against me; he is gullible, and he believes I pose no threat since I willingly chos
JADENThe grand hall was tight with tension, the silence thick enough to cut with a blade. Dominance crackled in the air, oozing from my mother—Hailey, the Queen of all species.And yet before she stood the King of Bears, unbowing, arrogance rolling off him in waves. He was huge, certainly towering over most men, his muscles thick ropes beneath his fur-lined cloak. His dark, beady eyes gleamed with condescension as he crossed his arms over his chest."This is a farce," he rumbled, his voice carrying across the hall. "A Queen is to be decided by strength and not by some visionary rule. You may have the title, but I see nothing that earns my respect."The hall fell silent. Every Alpha, Lord, and Elder in that room sucked in a breath. I straightened, reaching instinctively for the dagger at my waist. How incredibly stupid one had to be to cross the Queen—our mother—and this fool was going to find that out. The stories around on the punishment my mother dealt are nothing short of terrifyi
HAILEY The air was thick with emotion, yet warm with the comfort of family. I sat with Alexia in the quiet sitting room, cherishing the rare moment of peace as I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face."You know you'll always have me, right?" I murmured, my fingers lingering against her cheek.She hesitated, her blue eyes searching mine as if trying to find the certainty she had once known. "I know," she whispered, though I could hear the uncertainty laced in her tone.It hurt, to see her so lost and burdened by a destiny she never chose. My whole life, I had fought for those I loved, yet here was my own goddaughter, embroiled in a fate I could not unravel. Thank the gods for Turtela; she has been the peace bridge existing in our midst and has been my steady emotional support, as she is always there to ease any tension we build up.As I was about to continue, the heavy doors creaked open, and I turned to see Jaden entering.But he wasn't alone.A woman was beside him, uncomfortab