AURELIA~~My curiosity hung in the air as I let my legs carry me towards the voice. With every step I took, my broken heart fell piece by piece. With every cell I looked into, I hurled, the foul smell irritating me. “How heartless is she really? She clearly had people locked in here.” Inara heaved without hiding her disgust. In spite of her words, my wolf’s curiosity coursed through me and it only intensified when the same soft whimper reached my ears again, “I can smell y-you. It’s really you…” Strangely, a tiny part of me seemed to recognize that voice. The feminine ring sounded familiar but I couldn’t place my finger on it. “Who’re you?” I questioned, taking cautious steps as the space became darker.As my voice echoed, sending waves back to my eardrums, there came no response from the oddly familiar voice but to my surprise, another voice, not a familiar one, cried out, “Please let me out. Please.” I inhaled sharply, ignoring the foul smell around me. Inara’s sense of smell
AURELIA~~“I came here to fetch you,” Andrew responded after he recovered from what I presumed was the smell and the sight of those behind me. “Alpha Raiden asked me to come after you after he realized that you were missing.” Fuck! Raiden knew I wasn’t with Katie. How did he find out?“How did you find me or this place?” I finally asked the question in my subconsciousness. Andrew’s eyes shifted from one dark corner of the basement to another, shock glinting in his eyes. “Raiden told me you’d be around here but I didn’t expect to see a hut or whatever this place is. I’ve never come across this structure. It was never here.” It was clear to me that Andrew was still trying to wrap his mind around the very existence of this place and he further confirmed it when he said, “What the hell is this place?”Iris’s weak voice broke out, beating me to respond, “A dark place Larisa created to keep innocent people… just to use them as leverage.” Andrew’s brows furrowed and he stepped closer,
ALPHA RAIDEN~~I was pacing outside Kyle’s room with Katie in my arms. I could still hear Kyle’s cries and sense my daughter’s fear as she buried her face in the crook of my neck. I didn’t know what was taking Andrew so long to get Aurelia back to the hospital and I was too worried to begin tracing Andrew through the mind link. In fact, My mind was full of nothing but worries. “Please, Dad. Let me stay with Kyle. My presence in his room would help him relax.” Katie whimpered. “But the healer and doctor asked us to leave, Katie. We’ve to stay here until they let us in.” I patted my daughter’s back“But why? Mom always lets me stay beside Kyle when he is ill.” Katie cried out. I didn’t know how to comfort her as he small body shook in my arms and I tried my best to not wince each time her leg hit or move over the bullet wound on my side. If only Aurelia was here–“She’s here,” Lex announced into my mind the second he perceived Aurelia’s presence in the hospital. However, I felt h
LARISA’S POV ~~It’s been three days of no news from Dark Moon Pack. The news I expected to hear the most was the death of Raiden and Aurelia because even though I didn’t shoot her with a silver bullet, the poison I asked my men to soak the arrows in wasn’t exactly curable… I believed Aurelia would die slowly and I’d be able to return home. However, after days of silence from my aide, I was beginning to get impatient. I stared at the phone he and I had exchanged years ago in case of emergencies such as this one, hoping to hear it ring and see his name flash on the screen. “Aahhh…” I screamed. I have been staying in one of my father’s storage houses on the outskirts of the pack. I didn’t see myself spending two nights here not to think of more. I wanted comfort and this place wasn’t giving me that–My raging thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my cell phone ringtone. The sound blared through the small space I had made for myself in the storage and I rushed to pick it up fr
AURELIA~~Sadly, I had to spend another night at the hospital but this time, with Katie. My daughter has refused to leave Kyle's side even after Phoebe and the doctor taking care of Kyle had successfully put him to sleep.Before Phoebe and the doctor left the room for us, I was told that Kyle was suffering due to the treatment he received while in Larisa’s captivity. That brought tears to my eyes and I could only imagine what staying in Larisa’s lair for almost two weeks would do to anyone… and Kyle was just a kid.He was my sweet little boy. “I’d kill that witch.” Inara snarled within me, radiating with rage. While I felt pity for my son since I was informed that he was being haunted by the dark memories Larisa imprinted on his mind, Inara had been boiling with rage despite the fact that she was still weak from burning her energy to find the invisible lair. “How do we help Kyle forget? I need him to be carefree and happy again, Ina.” I cried to my wolf, staring down at my kids.
AURELIA~~I didn’t realize how much I needed to sleep until I did. To be honest, I couldn’t recall the last time I had such a deep sleep without Inara having to induce my sleep. It was way before I brought myself and my kids to Raiden’s pack out of my stupidity. As my eyes fluttered open that morning, I wondered what would have happened differently if I had stayed back at Black Fur… I wondered what life would be like for my kids. Katie wouldn’t have been bullied. Kyle wouldn’t have been kidnapped.The twins wouldn’t be traumatized. And of course, Jessica would still be here if Kyle wasn’t kidnapped in the first place.But If I had stayed back, I wouldn’t have known that Dakota was gone or heard about how Larisa manipulated the bond between Raiden and me even before she returned. Yes, I heard that part of her confession in the forest. I just didn’t know what to do with that piece of information and I haven’t had the time to let it sink in or make a difference. It shouldn’t eve
ALPHA TRISTAN’S POV (4)~~“Argh!” I groaned angrily, flinging my cell phone against the nearest wall. A shattering sound reverberated in my bedroom as pieces of the cell phone scattered across the floor. Blood pumped fiercely in my veins and I could have sworn that the world had suddenly turned red because that was all I saw. “I told you not to leave her there but you didn’t listen.” Dolf seethed within me.My wolf believed this new development wouldn't have happened if I was still in Dark Moon pack with Aurelia. Perhaps he was right. I couldn’t be certain but I was sure as hell that Jessica wouldn’t have died in a strange territory if I was there. And Aurelia wouldn’t be there alone with the bastard that brought this doom into her life… our lives.My fists clenched as I recalled the last time I saw Jessica. I also recalled breaking Jessica’s leg intentionally just to get Aurelia to perform in the finals of the stupid pack games! Stupid! I was so stupid!Of course, I was used to
AURELIA~~My chest rose and fell rapidly and tears streamed down my face. I felt useless. Completely useless and broken, I struggled to get a glimpse of Kyle who was surrounded by healers and doctors, collectively restraining him as he kicked vigorously and cried out, horror loud in his voice. Kyle was experiencing another episode. One of many in the past two days and I was losing my mind. Thankfully, Katie wasn’t in the hospital to witness this particular one but sadly, my daughter had witnessed more than enough to know that her brother was suffering and the hospital wasn’t helping him.“What’s taking him so long?” Inara sniveled and I instantly knew she was talking about Alpha Tristan who still hadn’t contacted me in the past two days. I was becoming anxious and very scared. Seeing Kyle fight with unseen demons was killing me and I couldn’t help but hate myself for putting my son through this torment. “Perhaps he is taking his time because there is no hope for Kyle,” I mutter
Princess Katie Anne~~Walking around the pack didn’t help me clear my head; neither did it help me stop thinking about Davien. I desperately yearned to be with him, to apologize to him not just because I was in his mind but because of the hell he had to grow up in.“I feel so sad,” Zuri eventually broke the silent bubble she had popped around herself.Zoe, who had been pointing out how she was wrong since Davien ran out of the purifying hut, added, “Me too. I have been mean to him, and all of this happened because of me. I was pushy and unreasonable.”“You sure were, Zoe, but you had to. I believe this happened for a reason,” Zuri said to Zoe, comforting her even though that was the last thing I expected from her.Clearly, what happened with Davien had bridged the gap between my wolves and me, and I could only hope that this bridge wouldn’t collapse anytime soon. I mean, both Zuri and Zoe can be very unpredictable.“Still, I'm sorry,” Zoe apologized to Zuri and me.Her sincerity br
Princess Katie Anne~~“Davien!” I called out as he ran out of the purifying hut with undiluted terror in his eyes. “Please wait, Davien.”I pushed myself out of the lake, ready to run after the man whose mind I had seen and now knew like the back of my own hands. I didn’t just have a small peek. I was in Davien’s mind long enough to have a glimpse of every memory he had stored.I still didn’t know how I did it, but I knew I saw him laugh a few times, and when I went deeper, I saw the real him. The young boy whose family failed him in all ways. I saw the real him, and my heart ached for him.My heart nearly ripped itself out of my chest when he screamed in the memory realm. Seeing him shake even in that space made me realize the kind of damage that had been done to his mind and soul.Fuck!Why was I in his mind?Before I could make it out of the lake, fatigue hit me like an enemy who was hell-bent on stopping me from going after my mate. Auntie Susanna caught me before I could lose
DAVIEN~~At first, I thought nothing was happening because, despite how much the white wolves Gamma, Susanna, and a famous mind reader tried to instruct Katie, I felt nothing.Katie felt nothing as well.Until it happened.An electrifying sensation crackled between Katie and me, and before I knew it, my mind transitioned into a space that was completely out of the ordinary.It felt strange. I was both confused and curious, looking around for answers that seemed to be slipping out of my grasp. In fact, nothing felt familiar until my voice sliced through the thick, foggy air, invading my ears.“Mom, please,” I cried.I cried, but at the same time, the cry wasn't mine. I mean, I don't sound like that anymore. Over the years, my voice had thickened, but the voice that I heard at that point was soft.Soft yet recognizable because it was the younger version of me.“Please let me attend the party with you and Damien. I won't try to make friends. I won't disgrace you and Dad,” my younger se
Princess Katie Anne~~"Open your damn eyes, Katie Anne." Zoe’s vicious voice snapped through my mind in a way that made me groan even though I was trying to pretend to be asleep.Even though I have been awake for the past ten minutes.I just didn't want to open my eyes—“That's because you can feel our mate waiting for you, Katie. He even went downstairs to get breakfast for you,” Zuri muttered so softly.She was such a lover girl, the opposite of Zoe, of course.“Whatever. Just get your ass up and get it to the purifying, but where we have to be to channel enough to go into Dolf’s memory,” Zoe chimed emotionlessly.Although she didn't say it, I knew she believed that Davien went to get breakfast for me because he was hoping I would change my mind about taking the trip down memory lane with him. She didn't have to say it. I have come to know that she would read meaning into every action, including the meaningless and harmless.“You should get up, Katie. I agree with Zoe on this one,
ALPHA PRINCE KYLE~~As soon as dinner ended that day, my Ma and Pa chose to walk me to my bedroom even though they had a nighttime ritual they performed with Elora, Ronald, and Kennedy. My younger siblings weren't pleased they wouldn't have the attention tonight, but I wasn't delighted to be getting it either. I wanted to be left alone, but in this house, it seemed like I was asking for too much. “You can leave now, Ma, and you too, Pa,” I said to my parents as soon as I got to the front of my bedroom door. The walk from the dining hall was silent, and I knew they had many questions to ask me, but I wasn't in the mood to entertain them tonight. “You know I am not leaving, young man.” My Ma chimed, countering and walking past me to enter my bedroom.I looked towards my Pa for help, but he raised his hand and shrugged, saying, “I can't leave now, can I?” With that said, he also stepped into my room. I began to panic because I knew my Ma would make me break down before her in a
DAVIEN~~After Katie decided to read Dolf’s memory the next day because she was tired and also had to join the family for dinner, I also decided to tell her about my father’s text tomorrow. It would be if she could read my memories too and find out that I wasn’t involved in whatever conspiracy my family was cooking.I would do that tomorrow. I promised myself, walking side by side with Katie into the dining hall, where I was welcomed with warmth and smiles.Elora asked me to sit by her side, and to my surprise, Ronald and Kennedy began to talk about having a date with me, individually and also together.It was a wholesome time until Luna Queen Aurelia exhaled, her eyes on Katie, who seemed to be focusing on her meal. “Your brother isn’t here again tonight, Katie. What is it you aren't telling us?”Katie tensed for a minute before she looked back at her mom and stated, “You worry too much, Mom. Kyle is fine, and I already told you I have nothing to share with you. You can ask Kyle y
Princess Katie Anne~~“Go down memory lane with me, Katie, and if you can, let’s peek at the future while at it.”Dolf’s voice echoed in my mind, instantly resulting in a drop of my jaw, as I didn’t expect this conversation to lead us here. I thought he would be hurt, and Davien too. I knew I would be hurt if he were to tell me that he didn’t trust me, even though I had done nothing to earn his distrust.Hurt and anger were what I expected, but Davien was staring at me with those warm honey-brown eyes, and Dolf's voice was soothing in my mind.Dolf’s offer was tempting, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do that.“And why on earth would you not?” Zoe’s voice resonated in my mind, leaving Dolf out of the conversation even though his consciousness was stirring within my mind as well.Before I could respond, Zuri chimed in, “Because if he is offering to do that, then he has nothing to hide, Zoe. We can’t keep hurting them just because of what someone in the past did to us. It’s not fair to
DAVIEN~~“Experiencing the war so close and having two parents actively fighting a war that could have been avoided broke me. My mom returned bloody and in tears. She was wounded, but she didn’t care about herself because my dad was unconscious,” Katie said.Although this was not how the conversation started, we got to this point where she opened her heart and bore her soul to me. I moved to sit beside her on the bed, and I held her hands when I noticed how difficult it was for her to continue.I didn’t want to speak or interrupt her, but I still wanted her to know that I was listening and would always listen to her.“My dad’s condition almost tore us apart. Mom lost herself and could barely look at us. Kyle and I had to manage our feelings. I’m not blaming my mom for not paying attention to us then because I know how difficult it was for her. What I am saying is that although the entire realm felt the scorching wildfire of the war, my family and I were the closest to the flame.”My
Princess Katie Anne~~The conversation with Auntie Susanna didn't end with her telling me I was sabotaging my connection with Davien because of my fears.After she let that sink in, she added softly, holding my hand, “I'm not invalidating your fears, Katie. It's okay to be afraid, and this is bound to happen after you had your trust broken as a kid. However, I'm invalidating your doubts about Davien. Although doubts are part of life, you can't let them stop you from living your life like you should.”I nodded but still asked, “How do I trust him? Zoe could be right. He might be bad for me, and I don't want to get hurt again, Auntie Suzy. I can't bear to be hurt again.”Auntie Susanna sighed while I looked at her expectantly. She seemed lost in thought, but before I could ask her to say anything to my racing heart, she voiced, “Sweetie, I wish I could promise you that you won't get hurt. Life has a way of testing us, and during those challenging days, we might get hurt, but we usual