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
ALPHA RAIDEN~~Why are the women in my life stubborn and annoyingly strong? From the oldest, my mom to the youngest, Katie, they find a way to drag me through hell without lifting a finger. “Mom…” I called out again, carrying her unconscious body to the second bed in the room. Aurelia’s eyes were still wide and teary as she watched me place my mom in the bed and Kyle just seemed confused. I wouldn’t blame him. After all, he had just woken up from a long disturbing sleep to see an unfamiliar woman collapse by his bedside. Within a minute, a doctor and a healer stormed into the room as I had already asked them to stay close. It’s safe to say that I knew this would happen. I predicted that something would go wrong because my mom wasn’t fit to use her rusty abilities but she was hell-bent on saving Kyle from the dark dreams had been enduring for many days. And for that, I was grateful. But again, why do the women in my life have to be stubborn and unreasonable? “What happened her
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
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 fuel
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