ALPHA RAIDEN~~Although the feast was impromptu, I could sense everyone’s contentment as they celebrated the union of the man I detested and the woman my heart ached to have more than the win my pack representatives earned at the competition. For some reason, Larosa went all out to celebrate Aurelia even though it has become clear to me that Larisa wasn't as kind as I used to believe. If I hadn’t blocked Lex, he would have said something along the lines of, “Told you so.” But to keep my head clear and not act emotionally before my members and guests, Lex had remained subdued in my mind. Yet, my mind was a mess and my emotions were just as messy as my eyes settled on everything… everyone but the duo.Larisa rose to her feet with a glass of wine in her hand and I barely stopped myself from groaning out in frustration. If only I knew that I was about to make a great discovery that would completely chnage the odds. “I’d like to make a toast to Alpha Tristan and his woman,” Larisa an
AURELIA~~Raiden was losing his shit.Somehow, I could sense every bit of his emotion before he walked out of the hall. An unmissable tight knot was in my chest as he stormed off. I hated that feeling, but it grew stronger by the second even though I was surrounded by happy people. In fact, I saw some of Raiden’s pack members cheering Tristan and me on as we were called to dance. Apparently, Larisa included a Couple Dance in the plans. “I wonder why she’s being all nice and pretentious,” Inara stated into my mind while Tristan and I danced. I sneaked a peep at Larisa and found her grinning from ear to ear. “She’s suspicious. The entire arrangement is but we will be leaving tomorrow. I’m not worried about her–”“But you’re worried about the asshole that broke your without thinking twice.” Inara chimed, reminding me of the knot in my chest. “Why would I be worried about it?” I blurted, holding on to Tristan whose hands were gently guiding my movements. “What I feel is guilt, Ina.
AURELIA~~The twist began the second I stepped foot in the hospital and with Kyle’s mask falling off even before we got there but I didn’t pay attention to that. I was more worried about Katie caring about a mask or even about Raiden finding out that he was their biological father. However, it was only a matter of time before I regretted that.“Aurelia. You’re here.” Raiden had said to me when he saw me dash into the hospital waiting room. At this point, Kyle’s face was still hidden in my chest and I still hadn’t noticed that his mask had fallen off. “Where is my daughter? What happened to her?” My voice was barely a whisper. To my dismay, I caught sight of Raiden’s bloodstained sky-blue shirt which made my legs weak. “Tell me that’s not her blood.” I cried, shaking my head as fear gripped my heart, suffocating me. “I’m sorry, Aurelia.” Rather than tell me it wasn’t Katie’s blood on his shirt, he apologized, pushing me beyond my limit. I broke into tears, holding Kyle tight bu
ALPHA RAIDEN~~They have got to be kidding me!The kids are mine?Fuck the question! That boy is mine which makes the girl mine as well. How could she keep that from me?“How did we not perceive them as ours?” Lex voiced out his concern, sounding just as shocked as I was. “The boy looks like you but he doesn’t smell like ours, Raiden.” My thoughts returned to Kyle and I could vividly see his face in my mind. He was a younger version of me. I inhaled deeply, picking up the scents in the room, hoping to get a whiff of Kyle’s but I got nothing.“How’s that possible, Lex?” I asked my wolf, sharing my thoughts with him.If Aurelia would just tell me the truth…. The truth has to change our already existing dynamic. I might have thought of raising Tristan’s kids just to get a chance to be with Aurelia but there was no way in hell I would let him raise my kids.Lex scoffed, “He has been raising them, Raiden. You were not a part of their lives and if Aurelia wants, you’d never be–” “If t
AURELIA~~Of course, I knew Raiden wouldn’t give up. Knowing him, he would use the kids against me… he’d want to use them to tie me down in his pack but I wouldn’t let him. Alpha Tristan and I definitely have to talk about my past. I’ve to come clean to him before we can proceed with our wedding and mating ritual. It would be difficult but I’d choose that a thousand times over explaining myself to Raiden. Kyle stirred beside me, throwing his hand over my stomach. Katie was snoring softly on the other side. She hasn’t regained consciousness even though it's only an hour before daybreak. Kyle and I spent the night in Katie’s hospital bed which happened to be bigger than usual thanks to Pheobe.In two hours, I’d be leaving this pack and I’d never return–“Mom.” Her soft voice healed my soul even before I looked at her.I smiled, “Baby.” Katie yawned and tried to sit up but her body was still weak. I left the bed to help Katie who looked confused as she asked, “Where are we, mom?”
ALPHA RAIDEN~~“They are yours!” Andrew gasped, his mouth hanging wide open. I sighed, “I believe so. She won’t admit or explain to me but the boy is a replica of me and that explains why he had been masked since they arrived in my Pack.” I facepalmed, digging deep within me to find any residual bond that could connect me to the kids, but again, there was nothing. “I’m in shock and I can’t seem to connect the dots, Drew.”My Beta and I were in my home office. Larisa was out of the house doing goddess knows what and I called Andrew to come over to mine after I left the hospital feeling unsure and defeated. Andrew who had been sitting on one of the couches in the office, muttered in response to my emotional statement, “She must have been pregnant before she left if the kids are truly yours, Raiden. I don’t understand why Alpha Tristan would want to raise the twins if they were yours. He must really love Aurelia if he’s–”“He doesn’t love her!” I snapped, pacing around the office. “H
AURELIA~~I perceived his presence before opening the door to seethe at him. Did I expect him to show up? Yes.Was I willing to talk to him about anything? Hell no!“You should have gotten tired of trying to talk to me, Alpha Raiden.” I snapped under my breath, considering my kids and Hazel’s presence in the room. “We’ve nothing to talk about. Please leave.” “I won’t leave until you listen to me and give me a chance.” He ran his fingers through his hair as he retorted. “Then you can stay here and talk to yourself–”Raiden countered, “If you refuse to talk to me, I won’t just stand here. Remember you’re in my pack. I can start by telling everyone that your kids are mine and tell your beloved Black Fur family that you’ve fooled them. Tristan might understand but his members will never accept you to be their Luna–”“Are you threatening me?” I asked, unable to believe his nerves. Maybe I dread what he would actually do and what would happen to my relationship with the people of Bla
ALPHA RAIDEN~~I stood in front of my mansion, pacing as I deeply considered my options. I have been standing here ever since I watched Aurelia drive away with my kids… with Tristan who she should never have trusted. I pulled at the root of my hair when I felt Andrew’s consciousness in my head again. He has been asking me for permission to attack as we both felt Tristan and his entourage drawing closer to the border where Andrew had stationed troops. It was hard to make a decision that I knew would come back to bite me in the ass.But my failure to give the last order would also tear my ass off as soon as Aurelia and my kids get past my borders. It would be hard to get them back. I allowed Andrew into my head and said to him through the mind link, “Keep Aurelia and the kids safe during the attack–” “They didn’t make it to the border, Alpha.” Andrew’s voice echoed in my mind. My feet froze and my breath hitched as I said, “They didn’t?” “Yes, Alpha. I’ve been trying to communi
DAVIEN~~Jade was wrong.I knew that before, but after listening to Aurelia, I got my confirmation. If anyone was to blame for Auntie Jessica’s death, it should be the witch Larisa. Auntie Jessica knew what she was walking into, and if I were in Aurelia’s shoes, I would have saved a helpless five-year-old, whether he was my son or not.“Her shoe must hurt.” Dolf whimpered within me after we heard the full story. “She is stranger than the history books can capture, yet she is so calm.”While Katie had so much in common with her mom, they were still two different people. For one, while Luna Aurelia was calm, Katie wasn’t.“She gave her life for Kyle.” Katie whimpered after her mom finished telling us how my aunt died.Queen Aurelia muttered from the other side of the connected line, “I am sorry, Katie, and I should properly apologize to Jessica’s loved ones. Her death must have hurt them deeply.”“Yes, it did.” Katie sniffled back tears before she mumbled, “I will apologize to Jade a
Princess Katie Anne~~With the new development, Davien and I knew better than to discuss important issues loudly in the bedroom we were staying in. In fact, we knew better than to make important calls in that room.Which was why I had to walk out of the bedroom with Davien when my cellphone began to ring that evening. I could see my mom’s contact ID flashing on the screen. Although I answered the call, I didn’t say anything important until Davien and I made it out of his parents’ mansion.As soon as we settled in the garden, after confirming Davien and I were the only ones there, I said to my mom, “Why haven’t you answered my calls? I was beginning to worry.”Her voice hit my eardrums as she responded, “I am sorry, Katie. I knew your dad and siblings would call you every second, so I thought it would be good if we all stayed off our cellphones for a few days. At least so you could settle down in Black Fur.”My mom informed me that she had to take everyone’s cellphone and hide them
Princess Katie Anne~~“You are a healer, Katie. Please help Cole before you go.”Alpha Jarrett’s voice stopped me from following Davien, whose mixed feelings surged within me. All of this was a show, but Davien’s tense emotions weren’t, and I was genuinely worried about him.He needed me. I could lift his spirits if we celebrated this successful ruse together—without his family. But I had to stay back and maintain the facade. I rushed over to Cole, who couldn’t stand up straight due to a few broken ribs.But the pain from his broken ribs and swollen face wasn’t enough to keep Cole silent. Sadly.I resisted the urge to punch him when he began to speak. “You see what he did to me? He’s an insecure brat, Katie. You don’t deserve to be his ego booster every time he’s feeling down.”“Shut up, or I’ll walk away without healing you,” I seethed, holding his gaze so he’d see my seriousness reflected in my eyes.I hadn’t healed anyone before, but I could use the practice—especially on Cole—an
DAVIEN~~Disrespect from my family members was one thing, but getting the same from Cole, a man who was after my mate, was a whole different game, and my ego just wouldn’t have that. It was more than raging to think about Cole in the same space as Katie alone.Hell, it was a miracle that I didn’t go after Cole the second Katie told me about his visit. By miracle, I mean Katie’s reassuring words and magic touch. She calmed me down.But unfortunately for Cole, Katie wasn’t around to save him now, and the group of ladies around us just weren’t strong enough to get me off him—if they even cared.“My mate is off-limits!” I seethed, raising my tightly balled fist and forcing it down with a force that burst Cole’s lip on impact.Cole tried to fight back, but my second hand was holding him against the wet patio, and with Dolf’s strength pumping through my veins, he was no match for me.Cole proved to be the sneaky bastard we all knew him to be when he chose another method to fight me. He c
DAVIEN~~Having that talk with Katie made me realize that the path I was supposed to walk was already in front of me. Or maybe I knew it was there, and I was just doubting whether I wanted to walk that path.But with Katie’s words and the fire I saw in her eyes when she told me she was willing to become the Luna of my birth pack, give up staying with her family, and stay here with me, I knew what I wanted for myself. For us.Not only did I get a clearer vision, but the path before me also became clearer.“We have to become the Alpha of Black Fur Pack and Katie the Luna,” Dolf said within me as I walked through the corridors the very next morning after planning how to beat my family in their selfish games, with the smart-ass woman that the goddess decided to bless me with.My wolf’s words were meant to be a reminder, even though he knew I didn’t forget that I had made up my mind to stand against my family for the first time in my life.I would become Alpha, and the plan to achieve t
Princess Katie Anne~~Davien stared back at me like I had lost my mind, but soon, realization began to glint in his eyes. He went from angry to conflicted, and that broke my heart because I could tell that his family had once again gotten to him.“Oh,” he muttered, his shoulders falling.I stretched my hands to him, and he took them, joining me on the bed. I opened my mind to Dolf, asking him to create a mental link between Davien and me, even though a part of me wanted to keep the realization I had after Cole left to myself so I could protect my mate.“No, we have to tell him,” Zuri encouraged me.Zoe did the same when she said, “Yes. If we have been dancing to their tunes, it’s high time we changed the tune to ours and made them dance. We can’t do that without Davien.”I could feel Dolf agreeing with my wolves as he created the link between Davien and me. I then smiled at my mate, cupping his face as I sent words through the link: “He was glad we hadn’t marked each other. If only
DAVIEN~~A waste of time.That’s what I would call this meeting with my dad. For goddess’ sake, we have been here for what? Almost an hour, yet all he has done is look down on me and try to intimidate me. He was beating around the bush.Even a blind man could see that.I could feel regret in my bones because staying with Katie, who needed me, would have been a better and more efficient way to spend the hour than sitting here listening to my dad.“That’s it. I am leaving,” I blurted, cutting my dad’s statement short.He grumbled, “But I am not done. Sit down.”“Done what exactly?” I seethed, seeing shock flash through his eyes for the millionth time. I would be stupid not to realize that he suspected I had a wolf now. “Reminding me that I am your unloved son isn’t doing it for me. If you don’t want me here or need my help, just let me know, and I will be out of your hair.”Damn! I just needed him to let me in on the plan. I needed something tangible to tell those who had trusted me…
Princess Katie Anne~~“Why won’t anyone answer their damn phones?” I gritted, resisting the urge to throw my cellphone against the wall.Before I left home, we agreed that my family members would be accessible and that they would call me at least once every day, but even though this was my second morning in Black Fur, that agreement seemed to mean nothing.“There’s no special occasion. No ceremony or ritual that could have kept them busy since yesterday. I am beginning to worry,” Zuri said to me.However, I was too angry to be worried. I felt like my mom was screwing me because she already knew I would discover the truths she had tried hard to hide from me during my stay in Black Fur. Hell, I am certain she knew why I was trying to reach her.“Are they ignoring the calls intentionally?” Zoe queried, her confusion mixing with Zuri’s. “That’s far-fetched, Katie. We might have to be patient and—”A sharp knock on the door disrupted Zoe’s statement.I made the mistake of assuming that t
DAVIEN~~Seeing Cole last night at the welcome party confirmed that my parents were trying their best to rile me up. The party wasn’t enjoyable for either Katie or me, but we didn’t leave until it ended. While I spent the entire night thinking about when my dad would tell me why he asked me to come home, Katie spent it wondering why no one from Dark Moon was answering the countless calls she put through.I could feel her troubled mind as if it were mine, and it pained me that all I could do was hold her.“You should talk to Jade. Perhaps she might be able to shed more light—” Dolf started, but he cut himself off and sighed. “Never mind. What she needed was to speak to her parents. She needs answers that Jade or anyone else can’t provide.“I still have to have a word with Jade. She shouldn’t have accused Katie like she did yesterday,” I said to Dolf, even though I agreed with his conclusion.Looking down at Katie’s restless face, I made up my mind to keep her far away from Cole, who