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
AURELIA~~My heart skipped and a part of me sort of died when I saw my daughter’s terrified face. Beads of tears escaped her eyes as she blinked rapidly. I could hear the murmurs from the small crowd behind Katie and I completely avoided Hazel’s gaze for obvious reasons.“Dad?” I asked with disbelief loud in my voice. How could she call him dad? Why would she call him–“I know he’s my dad, mom.” Katie cried, sniffling as she added, “Kyle told me everything, Mom.” Her heart plummeted to the bottom of my soul. Two of my fears were manifesting before my eyes. One is Katie’s reaction when she finds out the truth and the second is Black Fur members finding out the truth about my past.However, my focus remained on my wailing child. “Baby–”Katie muttered an objection, “Can you stop hurting him? He didn’t take Kyle.” Although I had many other questions, I settled for one to avoid overwhelming Katie. “Where is your brother?” Katie wiped her wet face as she began to explain, revealing s
ALPHA RAIDEN~~My son was kidnapped within the walls of my home… I was still getting used to having a son but there was no getting used to the fact that my home was not safe for my son and neither was my pack safe for my daughter. How did anyone get into the mansion without alerting my senses? For fuck’s sake, I’ve been standing in front of the mansion for what seemed like forever. Even though I couldn’t perceive Kyle for some unknown reason, I should have perceived the person who kidnapped him. But strangely, there was no scent to lead me to the kidnapper… Just a flimsy note with words that were obviously scribbled hastily. “You want to see your son again? Await further instructions. Your ability to obey the instructions given would determine if you’d see him alive or dead, Alpha Raiden…. And oh! Congratulations on finding your long-lost destined mate.”Those were the words in the note left in my office by whoever took Kyle. I held on to Kyle’s mask as I fumed. How did I go w
Princess Katie Anne~~“Today will be easy because you are just recovering. If you didn't have to begin spiritual training immediately, I wouldn't have asked you to join us.”My mom had said it was time, confirming that today would simply be a preview, but that didn’t make it easier. At some point, I found myself asking, “Why do I have to train spiritually, Mom? What if I don’t have the skills?”“You have abilities, Katie. How else would you have predicted the sex of your brothers? How else would you have been able to create such a strong bond with Dolf? How else would you have a pure white wolf who radiates pure energy?”My mom retorted, pointing out some of the exceptional things I had done when I was younger. She even added, “The only reason you aren’t skilled when it comes to your abilities is because you didn’t start training early. You were obsessed with training physically. Plus, I didn’t know how to be a mother to a young girl who could be just like me or completely differen
Princess Katie Anne~~If there was any place I felt confident and powerful, it would be in the training arena or any training field where I could demonstrate myself freely. Although the last war recorded in the history of the realm was the one my mom fought with Larisa, the dark witch, and also Alpha Tristan, someone I once loved, I have been decorated as the best female warrior after my mom.Also, I participated in the Quinquennial Pack Games, where I won many awards and, with the help of other warriors in the pack, brought the trophy home for my pack. I have participated twice: when I was ten and when I was fifteen. The goddess knew I had been looking forward to the next one.“I don’t understand why anyone would choose violence over fighting with spiritual strength," Zuri clamored within me as soon as I stepped into the arena.Of course, she could feel the excitement flowing through me, and as her words resonated in my head, I rolled my eyes. I was about to respond, but Zoe beat
DAVIEN~~The day had just begun, and I was already unsure of how the rest of the day would turn out. Waking up to find Alpha Prince Kyle in my mate’s bed was only one of the unexpected surprises, and I must confess that feeling Katie’s lips on mine was my favorite unexpected incident.Her lips molded against mine like they were my long-lost piece. Instantly, my lungs gave way to a deep groan, and my hands itched to touch this bold woman. I had never felt like this with any woman.If I were being honest, I would say I had never kissed a woman before.Yes, this was my first kiss, and as Katie pressed her lips against mine, I feared she would discover that I was inexperienced. Would I be seen as man enough if I didn’t live up to her sexual expectations?What are her expectations, and on what experiences are they based?Could she have—Focus, Davien!I scolded myself. A first kiss should be memorable, so I should burn this moment into my memory.Slowly, I let my hands sneak all the way
Princess Katie Anne~~“What happened between you both?” I asked Davien after Kyle slammed my bedroom door like a child.“Nothing much.” Davien shrugged and bent down to pick up the duvet and pillow on the floor. My brows furrowed, another question swelling in my mind even though he still hadn’t answered the first one I asked him. But he did eventually, saying, “He just made me realize that I have a lot to get used to around here.”Although I didn’t understand what he said, I blurted, “You slept on the floor?”Davien nodded, and I exclaimed, “Why? Did I ask you to?”I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if I did that before I fell asleep last night.“You didn’t ask me to sleep on the floor, Princess Katie. I chose to sleep there because I assumed I was still a stranger to you even though we share a bond. You didn’t know me until yesterday. I had to respect your privacy.” Davien answered rigidly, addressing me with my title even though I had already told him not to.I didn’t know how
ALPHA PRINCE KYLE’S POV~~“What the hell do you think you are doing?”I yelled as soon as my back hit what I knew was the hard floor and my eyes fluttered open to see Davien standing over me, his hands tight around my ankles.“Why would you even do that?” I seethed.But in spite of my anger, he didn’t seem remorseful, not even when he turned on the light bulb in the room. My eyes were heavy with sleep, but I blinked rapidly to keep them open, staring at my sister’s mate, who stood above me with a glare etched on his face.“Why are you in bed with her?” Davien, or whatever his name is, spat that question in my face. I was too exhausted for this.I didn’t get a wink of sleep until I got in Katie’s bed, and no, it wasn’t hunger that kept me up. It was the thought of having to wait six years to claim my mate or have any intimate relationship with her.I couldn’t sleep because of my thoughts, but Katie’s scent had always comforted me, and since I couldn’t crawl between my Ma and Pa, it
DAVIEN~~To my surprise, Katie led me up the stairs to the third floor of the palace after openly rejecting Cole for the second time and hopefully for the last time because I couldn't stand the sight of that guy.We all knew Cole.He had been a boy since he was little, which explains why he and Damien immediately got along. Those two have been friends for as long as I can remember. My brother would travel all the way to Cole’s pack to spend time with him but never walk down the hallway to say hi to me unless he needed my help.“You don’t have to worry about Cole, Davien. My uncles will make sure he never shows up in front of me, and as soon as Kyle hears about this, he will track him down and bury him alive just to keep him away.”Katie muttered, chuckling sweetly as she spoke about her brother, whereas I was just thinking about my own brother, but not so sweetly.I pushed my family discourse aside and focused on Katie, with whom I will build a new family. A better one, in fact.“I
Princess Katie Anne~~Gosh! Can this day end already?Like I was fucking exhausted. What I needed right now was some peace and quiet, and I thought I would be getting that after dinner with my family, but he just had to show up.“That asshole,” Zuri seethed within me, emanating a kind of rage that I didn’t know a white wolf like her could access. She heard my thoughts and scoffed in my mind, “I’m a white wolf, not a stupid one.”“I beg to differ,” Zoe chided, initiating another session of bickering.However, I stopped them both before it could escalate: “I do not need this right now. You either help me get rid of this idiot, or I ask my mom to put a solid and unbreakable wall between our minds.”I might not know how to do that on my own, but with a little help from my mom, my wolves would be shut out. Somehow, my wolves inherited the fear I had for my mom. Although I don’t show it often, that woman terrifies me sometimes because I know just how powerful she is.“But why get rid of
DAVIEN ~~ Dinner back home was usually quiet, and even if anyone had anything to say, it would be about Damien’s latest stunt and my dad's stressful day. Most times, I skip eating with my family, and they never force me to make an appearance unless we had guests joining us. However, dinner with the royal family was different. The long table in the dining hall was the longest I had ever seen in my entire twenty years of living. I tried to count the number of people in the hall, but I kept losing track and had to start over as the kids moved around.“They are all family?” I whispered to Princess Katie... I mean just Katie as I pull out a chair she led me to and help her get comfortable. “Yes, Davien,” She laughed, saying my name like it was part of her favorite melody. “Everyone in the pack is family, but these are my closest.” “Closest? Seriously?” I asked deadpan. There were almost thirty people in the hall, and they all had a seat at the long table. The royal family got the se
Princess Katie Anne~~ If anyone was looking at me, he or she wouldn’t hesitate to claim that I had been sitting in silence for many hours. I was beside a man who turned his family away just so he could stay with me.However, I was sitting in everything but silence. Inside, I was anything but silent.The thoughts and voices of two distinct yet similar wolves raced through my mind like whirlwinds. The discussion might not be happening between Davien and me, but it was definitely going on between Zuri and Zoe.It all started when Zuri said to Zoe, sarcasm dripping into my mind as her cool voice bounced off the walls of my thoughts, “You still think he is a wimp? Did you see how he stood up to defend us? I’m beginning to question your decision-making ability.”“Um, you mean I’m dumb?” Zoe asked with disbelief. “And you, who didn’t question a bond, are the smart one?”“Not to brag, but I do believe I should be the decision-maker between us both. You are hotheaded and—”“Don’t even fin