AURELIA~~Today makes it eighty days since the war and eighty days since I failed to wake Raiden up. Today also made it five days since I found a way to stop blaming myself for Raiden’s condition. I had gotten to the stage where I accepted and affirmed that I did all I could to save him and his beating heart was evidence. Heck, I gave him more than half of my own soul and didn’t recover for weeks after the war. Heck, he was the one choosing not to wake up and I was so over blaming myself. “Say something, Lori,” Iris stated, urging Lori who had come into the house to examine Raiden after I cleaned his body and dressed him up.I had given the responsibility of examining Raiden to Lori. After all, at some point, I thought he wasn’t waking up because I was doing something wrong. Lori sighed, her gaze shifting from me to Iris and then to the other people in the room– Andrew, Susanna, Tamia, Seth, Otis, Benji, Jeremy, and Pheobe. She looked at every one of us before she chimed, “This
AURELIA~~“Why can’t we spend the night here at home, Mama?” Kyle asked with an attitude that he definitely got from his sister.“Yes, mom. Why do we have to spend the night at grandma’s? I want to stay here with you and Dad.” Katie backed up her brother. Iris who was standing behind the twins placed one hand on her heart, “Ouch. Grandma has feelings, you know?”Together, they muttered an apology to Iris who stared at them with the same love she had in her eyes the first time she saw them. Despite Raiden’s state, Iris had maintained her confident aura. Although we all knew she was struggling, she didn’t let it consume her like I once did. I gazed at my kids, thinking of a better and less 18+-rated explanation– something that doesn’t say “I’ll be having sex with your daddy tonight in hopes of waking him up so we can all live happily ever after.”I eventually settled for telling a white lie to protect my kids' innocence. I told them, “Grandma miss having you guys over for the night
AURELIA~~A loud cry escaped my lips as my body and mind woke up. Or so I thought. I recalled crying to bed and I understood why that happened but nothing prepared me for the kind of cry that slipped past my lips as my eyes fluttered open, taking in the darkness in the room. It wasn’t morning yet. My body stiffened as I considered the possibility of this being a dream.But as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I felt the sensation that made me cry in the first place. I felt it again. In the same spot and just as prominent as the previous one. Rather than cry this time, my breath hitched and raw pleasure traveled up my spine, leaving me panting like I had been swimming laps in the longest pool in the realm. Was there even a pool–My thoughts, mind, body, soul, and spirit froze at that moment as realization hit my core, dragging me into reality as my eyes adjusted to the dark room. Inara resurfaced in my mind and uttered one word I thought I would never hear her say again… I m
AURELIA ~~ Due to the fear in my heart, I couldn’t sleep deeply but when I did it didn’t last up to an hour. I jolted into a sitting position and as soon as I realized that it was morning, I turned around to wake Raiden up. I thought to myself, “He has had enough sleep.” However, Raiden wasn’t in bed when I turned to wake him up. I can boldly say that today was the first time I smiled despite waking up to an empty bed. This is the first time I was happy that Raiden left me in bed after what I would define as an intimate night. Because his absence told me that truly, he was awake. Unless I was still dreaming– “It’s not a dream, Baby. I’m awake.” Raiden’s voice sent sparks through my body as it bounced off my mind, assuring me that this moment and every feeling that came with it, was very real. I got off the bed and threw on the first flimsy gown that I saw as I asked him, “Where are you?” Gosh, I couldn’t wait to see our babies' reaction when they see their daddy, and n
ALPHA RAIDEN~~The number of times I had blinked since I woke up beside Aurelia was countless and even as I exited the bathroom in a robe, I still kept blinking just so I could be sure that this wasn’t another sick game. That this scene where Aurelia was guiding my weak steps and my kids were jumping in our bedroom wasn’t some sick game that my mind was playing again just to torture me like it has been doing since the very day I felt Aurelia’s energy zapping through my dead veins and mending my crushed heart… bring me back to life. I was conscious of that moment and everyone that came after. I was conscious but I couldn’t open my eyes. I did lose track of time but it felt like I had been trapped for eternity and not eighty days. Also, I couldn’t feel much or hear much. Not even Aurelia even though she must have been spending time with me. That scared me so much that I stopped fighting my own mind and my consciousness was shoved into the darkest pit that existed there. I could
AURELIA~~I made sure the party ended within two hours as I didn’t want Raiden to be stressed. The only reason I agreed to it was because I knew it was necessary as the pack deserved to confirm Raiden’s well-being. After all, we all missed him and it would be unfair to keep him to myself. Immediately after the general party ended, our friends and family moved to our home to have dinner or what I would call a reunion after days of sadness, guilt, sorrow, and depression. Nina and a few servants served us all cake as we sat in the big sitting room. Andrew raised a toast after the servants poured red wine into our glasses. He said, “To Alpha Raiden.”“To Alpha Raiden.” We all raised and toasted.Katie and Kyle also raised their glass of orange juice along with us. It was a beautiful moment. Raiden cleared his throat, getting everyone’s attention. Is eyes moved from one side of the room to another as he looked at everyone and they ended on me. He held my gaze as he whispered, “I’d l
ALPHA RAIDEN~~“I just want to stay in bed with my wife. Is that too much to ask?” I groaned into Aurelia’s hair. She squirmed in my arms as she retorted, “We have been in bed for the past ten days, Raiden. I believe that enough–” “I can never get enough of you, Relia. I always want more.” I cut her off, inhaling the scent of her hair as I pulled her against my chest, grinding my erection into her soft cheeks. She chuckled, enjoying this moment just as much as I was but of course, she etched, “We have plans for today, Raiden. We really should get to it.” She just had to remind me of Larisa and Jake. The plan was to have the pack gather at the pack’s square and publicly punish Larisa and Jake but after many days of deliberating, I just didn’t come up with the right punishment for those two. I didn’t want them dead because killing them would be too easy but I also didn’t want to keep them locked up to avoid any form of surprises that would disrupt the peace Aurelia had worked so
AURELIA~~The hate in Raiden’s eyes when he uttered the two words that caught everyone's attention would have been alarming if I didn’t recall that Larisa let his father die without honor in a cell and let him rot until he was nothing but dry bones. Perhaps I would have been terrified if I didn’t recall how broken Raien was when he found out that his parents who he had been mad at had been suffering within his pack all this while. “Then die.” Two simple but powerful words that shocked Helen whose cries were becoming annoying. Yes, no mother should have to suffer by watching their child die or get killed. Yet, his daughter didn’t understand that when she put a deadly gun to my son’s head and was ready to pull the trigger… which she did and took Jessica’s life right before my eyes. Yet, Larisa didn’t think twice before she tried to capture my kids and me. We could have died in that accident. Hell! The world assumed we were dead and If she had successfully captured us, she would
Princess Katie Anne~~“I won’t let them treat you like this.”I seethed as the tension around us thickened, even though the crowd was still cheering. Davien’s hold around my waist became tighter, and I knew he didn’t want me to lash out, but I had had enough of this.How could they treat him like he didn’t exist, even in a ceremony? Amber had a seat to herself, and so did Damien, who wouldn’t stop staring at me like the creep he was. His parents also dared to flash those false smiles my way, walking over to clearly show me to my seat.“Thank you for joining us, Princess Katie,” Alpha Jarrett uttered with a light voice, and cheers echoed through the hall as members of the Black Fur Pack jubilated.However, I wasn’t merry like the rest of them, and with every second that passed, it became harder to pretend.“Please sit, Princess.” As expected, Luna Cynthia pointed at the only empty seat on the higher platform in the hall.Zoe barked within me, “The audacity!”My wolf’s anger only fue
DAVIEN~~“That can’t be,” Katie whispered as she staggered into the bedroom, her face pale and hands trembling.I picked up the bag Jade had dropped, followed Katie into our bedroom, and locked the door behind me.“She really is dead?” She asked me, horror etched into her stormy blue eyes.I nodded, shocked that Katie didn’t know that Aunt Jessica had died thirteen years ago. My mate collapsed on the bed, and I knelt before her, holding her hand and telling her to breathe.“To protect Katie and Kyle, Aurelia hid the news of Jessica’s death from them. I also don’t know the full story, but I am at fault because of the part I played. Larisa might have pulled the trigger that killed Jessica, but I put her in the position to get killed for my selfish desires,” Dolf said to me, taking on the blame even though we all knew he had nothing to do with everything that went down thirteen years ago.“You mean it’s all Tristan’s fault. You can’t take the blame, Dolf, and it wasn’t right for Jade
Princess Katie Anne~~Davien and I woke up late in the afternoon. While Davien had more than enough reason to sleep for as long as we did, I didn’t have any because—“You have more than enough reasons, too, Katie. Have you forgotten what Davien did to you before you both slept?” Zoe asked before shoving explicit images of Davien fucking me into my mind as if I didn’t live that memory a few hours ago.I turned red and threw the covers over my face while Davien went to answer the door. Fortunately for whoever was at the door, Davien and I woke up before he or she could disrupt the peace we worked hard to achieve.I wouldn’t have forgiven the person at the door if they had woken Davien, regardless of the reason.“Hey, Jade. Why are you here?” The familiarity and affection in Davien’s voice didn’t go unnoticed.Zuri chimed through the mind link, “I thought he said he didn’t have a friend here? Who is Jade, and why does he smell as happy as he sounds?”Call me jealous, but I was out of
Princess Katie Anne~~My mate was struggling. I could sense that fact all through the night, but I had to pretend like I didn’t because I didn’t know how to help him. The second I opened my eyes this morning and saw his face, I knew he didn’t get enough sleep or maybe didn’t get to sleep at all.It was at that point that I knew I had to find a way to help him escape the demons that haunted him in his sleep. It’s only been a night in Black Fur, and he already looked like shit. I couldn’t let his family think for a minute that they were getting to him.“What if I take the memories away?” I blurted before I could stop myself.Damien, who had just rolled out of bed, stopped dead in his tracks and looked at me with his brows raised. “Huh?”“I don’t really know how, but I know Grandma Iris performed a trick that erased Kyle’s memories after he was rescued from Larisa. I can call her, ask her how to do it, and do the same for you so you can have peace, Davien.”I tried to explain to my ma
DAVIEN~~Of course, the right-hand side of the father. Of our father.Since we were young but old enough to understand power and the amount that came with being the pack's next Alpha, Damien had made himself our dad’s right hand, and our dad made it easier for him to do that since he was the favorite child.Usually, I would have chosen to sit at the foot of the table or eat alone, but since my dad was invited to dinner and asked to sit right here by my dad, I should have known Damien would have a problem with that.“He is so full of himself,” Dolf grumbled within me, almost showing himself and just how powerful he was, even though we had both agreed to keep him a secret for as long as possible.My family still didn’t know I had a wolf, and when they found out, I knew it would change everything. My brother would most likely see me as a threat for the first time since we were born.“Wait till they find out I am your wolf,” Dolf chuckled as Katie’s response to Damien echoed through th
Princess Katie Anne~~Speaking to my family over the phone was new. I had never had to communicate with them through any form of technology, but since I was far from them and wouldn’t be able to use the mindlink, I had to settle for my cellphone, which I hardly used before now.“I have to go now, Dad. It’s dinnertime here, and it would be rude to keep the leaders of this pack waiting for me,” I said to my dad, who had refused to end the call.He wasn’t the only one who took ages before passing the phone to someone else. Every one of my siblings, except Kyle, who wasn’t with the family currently, wouldn’t let the phone go, and they also wouldn’t put it on speaker so I could talk to everyone simultaneously.My mom, being her sacrificial and understanding self, let the phone go after she made sure I was fine, but of course, my dad had to say, “I am sure they can wait. You are the princess, and you are talking to your dad. You know? The King?”“That’s just being cocky, Dad.” I laughed
DAVIEN~~My Ferocious CatGoddess! I was so right when I referred to my mate as that. She was everything a ferocious cat should be—meek, calculative, elegant, beautiful, and deadly. She could be a domesticated cat, but one should never mistake that for weakness, because she was naturally a wild one, even in bed.Yeah, seeing and hearing her insult Damien had my balls tightening. I could see the bear in me surfacing, ready to rip Katie’s clothes to shreds as soon as we got to our room—“This is your room, Princess Katie,” my mom announced, and I knew better than to ignore the fact that she called it Katie’s room and not OUR room. My mom confirmed that her choice of words wasn’t a mistake when she added, “You can stay in your old room after you help the princess settle in, Dave.”Katie was quick to say, “We will be staying in the same room, Luna Cynthia.”My mom smiled sheepishly and muttered, “There are many rooms in the mansion, Princess. You can have all the privacy you need, and D
Princess Katie Anne~~“Next Luna?” A high-pitched, contentious voice struck my eardrums despite the cheers of the pack members, and just like that, my first opposition, who couldn’t hide her hate, stepped forward, standing confidently with her head high in the air.She stated, her amber eyes piercing my skull before they shifted between Alpha Jarrett and Luna Cynthia, “I believe that title is mine. It’s my birthright and—”“Now is not the time, Amber,” Alpha Jarrett scolded her, but that didn’t kill the flame in Amber’s eyes.Clearly, she didn’t respect him, and while I kept staring at her to see if I would recognize her from when I was younger, Zoe chimed into my mind, “Amber eyes, and she was named Amber. Her parents didn’t even try.”I didn’t get the joke, but somehow Zuri did, and she chuckled with Zoe, both of them effortlessly mocking Amber.“When will the time be, Alpha? The pack is gathered, and you just announced that a brat who left the pack many years ago, only to return
Princess Katie Anne~~I could feel my heart racing even though I tried to hide it and control the rush of emotions that attacked my nervous system the second we drove into Black Fur pack.Somewhere at the back of my mind, I could see my younger self giggling as we drove out of Black Fur. I could see the big smile on my face because I was excited to leave the pack for the first time in my life.I recalled holding my mom and Kyle while my little mind rapidly took in the possibility of adventure that awaited us, even though I didn’t know half of the thoughts that were racing through my mom’s mind that day.I bet she was terrified that day, but she kept a strong face for Kyle and me. Now, it was my turn to be strong for Davien and my family.As Garrick drove the car towards the Alpha’s mansion, following Davien’s direction, I tried to look around, searching for some sort of familiarity, even though I knew recognizing anything or anyone from my childhood here would stir up my emotions.