I never knew Axel was a romantic. Moreover, he rarely spoke sweet words when he wanted something from me. Every time he expected something, he just took it without asking. How could he do this without me knowing? Did I sleep that soundly?I approached the counter decorated with flowers and candles. A card lay on the vase’s side with my name written on the front. I picked it up and opened it. ‘Clean yourself to your heart’s content. I’m waiting downstairs. Today, you belong to me completely.’I smiled as I read it. Did he think I intended to go to the training ground today? I’d rather be at home with him all day. Maddox didn’t say anything about training. So, I was sure he’d already appointed someone else to be in charge until I returned to work.Without wasting any more time, I undressed and soaked in the tub filled with warm water and decorated with red rose petals. I was glad there were no surgery marks on my body. Therefore, I could clean my whole body after not showering for days.
[Axel]Devon probably knew I was in the Royal Blue Pack. He must have known about my status and Cora’s, too. Aspen couldn’t have kept such a big secret from her brother. Her daring to accuse Cora in front of her in-laws was not a recklessness but a measured plan.Therefore, it’s hard for me to leave Cora to go to Blood River Pack. Devon would be here with his strongest warrior. If something terrible happened to my partner, I wouldn’t be around to recover her.Although Devon was unlikely to act recklessly by attacking Cora in front of everyone, he could have used other sneaky means. Cora wouldn’t always be surrounded by people. When she was alone and off guard, Devon or Aspen might kidnap or harm her.“You’re worried about Cora?” guessed Garret as he handed me the car. I nodded slowly. “I’ll take care of her. I promise I won’t let her out of my sight.”“Don’t leave her alone,” I spoke in a very serious tone. This was a matter of life and death for my mate, so I wanted him to know I was
I took them to a secret cabin not far from our pack. Dad only ever took me there. So, I was sure no one knew about it but us. I chose that place because no one should know they were alive. I didn’t have much time until Devon knew his captives were free.I didn’t think long when I brought them out. But I don't regret doing this. They could have died slowly from hunger and heartbreak. Even though Dad wasn’t our Alpha pack, his bond with each of his people was still strong.After moving them from the car to the couch in the front room, I hid the car in the bushes. I sat on the seat across from them, not knowing what to do next. They should have been awake, but neither had opened their eyes.“Dad, I know you're listening to me. Wake up,” I coaxed. I came over and sat by my mom’s side. “Mom, I’m here. Please, wake up. Open your eyes.”They gave no reaction, making me worry. Did something wrong with them? Did Devon do something to them so they couldn't recognize my presence near them? Had t
[Cora] With green hair and eyes, the gold-colored dress chosen by Mom and Aunt Rhiannon made me look perfect. I stared at my reflection in the mirror with pride. Unfortunately, Axel wasn’t here to see it. I walked confidently towards the venue of the big celebration. Dad walked with Mom ahead of me while Garrett and Tyra had already left. They were in charge of the final preparations for the event. Orso whistled as he looked at me from head to toe, as did our colleagues. They could join the event but still carry out security duties as usual. I was on leave. So I could escape from my primary task for a while. “How could you look so perfect when you’re going to be a mom?” Orso teased as he wrapped his hand around my shoulder and kissed my head. “Alpha Axel is so damn lucky!” “Oh, stop. Your mate was perfect when she was having your firstborn.” I replied, looking at the woman beside him. “Well, he loves to compare me to you because I never react,” said Maeve, his wife and my best fr
I held my breath and pressed my body against the wall so he couldn’t see me. My heart was beating so hard, betraying my efforts not to get caught. Things could get messy if they knew I was listening to everything. They wouldn’t let me live after finding out their plan. Although the confession had been a rumor since the matchmaking event, no one had proof that Devon destroyed Axel’s pack for Rory. “Stupid!” snapped Devon in a stifled voice. “If anyone hears your statement, we could be in trouble.” “We?” Aspen pushed her brother’s hand away from her mouth. “Only you will be in big trouble. I had no part in the massacre. I have many witnesses, including my husband, because I was in the bedroom, making love to him all night.” “Do you think you’d be safe if I told Maddox about your involvement?” Devon taunted, challenging his sister. “An Alpha of the strongest pack needs the help of his weak sister, a Luna of a pack far beneath him? Come on, Devon. Who’s going to believe your bullshit?
Everyone sat on the available sofas near the bed. Garrett moved chairs from the kitchen counter as an extra seat. I sat next to Axel, not wanting to be away from him after a day of not being together. Both his parents were watching me intently. We’d met on a few occasions but never had long conversations. A warrior like me rarely interacted with werewolves of the upper ranks. My conversation partners were usually fellow warriors. Although I didn’t memorize their faces, I knew each Alpha’s reputation. It was always a topic we secretly discussed among warriors. Scarlett Sky Pack was fortunate to have Alphas and Luna, who cared about their people and had good relationships with leaders from other packs. Uncle Carwyn, Aunt Rhiannon, Dad, and Mom sat quietly after an emotional reunion with the friends they thought were gone. Maddox didn’t want to miss any more news. I was still surprised he brought our parents to this place to talk to Axel. “We can’t waste any more time. So, as soon as
[Axel] I didn’t expect everyone to be so happy to see my parents alive. We struggled on the way back, worrying they would reject Father and Mother living in this pack. I couldn’t leave them in our secret cabin. Devon wouldn’t stay silent if he knew his captives were free. Although Maddox and I wouldn’t be able to do much against his evil army, at least we were fighting together with full force. Gamma and Delta followed us to the palace. So, it reduced the troop strength at Royal Blue. “You’re worried about Cora?” guessed Maddox, who sat behind the steering wheel. “Not just her, but everyone. I suspect the same thing as you. Their next target is the Royal Blue Pack,” I admitted. "We'll finish this visit quickly so we can get home. I hope the King won't ask us to wait or keep us too long," Maddox agreed. "The dungeon guards haven't reported the loss to Devon until he returns. They must have been trying to find my parents before he came for fear of being severely punished. We don't
He moved so fast that I had trouble dodging his attacks. I couldn’t underestimate the power of an Alpha when he was angry or had a strong desire to kill. He was far superior to me because he attacked using his wolf form.But he forgot one thing: I was an Alpha, too. I didn’t just sit in the office taking care of administration, forgetting about physical exercise. I never spent a day without exercising or practicing martial arts. Ryder was still in hiding, but he and I were just as strong.Egor continued to furiously attack me, not giving me a chance to do the same. Failing to hurt me with his punches and kicks, he grew angrier and more impatient. His attacks started to go awry and miss.I took advantage of the opportunity by finding an opening in his every attack. I didn’t give him light blows but a powerful force to conserve energy. I didn’t want to spend too much time throwing soft punches.Once he was exhausted, I attacked him with a vengeance. My fist hit his jaw, his neck, and th
[Axel] The messenger Father sent did not say the reason for summoning us to the palace. But hearing the word immediately, I knew I had to get the news directly from his mouth. I was sure this had nothing to do with his health or my mother. Then what was it? Many royal guards were accompanying us. Why would Father add more people to escort us? I didn't hear any bad news from any pack. The disputing Alphas promised to resolve their issues peacefully. The journey seemed too long because I couldn't wait to reach the palace. Cora was silent, busy with her thoughts. She must have been thinking the same thing as me, guessing why Father had urged us to come and see him. The King and Queen not welcoming us in front of the palace. It was the first alarming sign. The bodyguard invited me to follow him to Father's study. Cora and I followed him. Arriving on the second floor, he approached the large door and opened it for us. "Ah, welcome, Elric, Cora," Father greeted. "Thank you, Father," I
After going through a tearful goodbye, Axel and I headed to our new residence. Although it was only temporary, I had a feeling we’d be in that painful place for quite a while. Therefore, I had to brace myself and learn to accept them as new people who would live a long time with me and my little family. The two of us were silent on the way to the new pack. I was pounding in anticipation of our meeting with them while Axel remained calm. His heart was beating regularly, and his breathing was steady. Unlike me, who repeatedly let out a long sigh. Axel held my hand, breaking my reverie. “Don’t worry about our new place. They’ll accept us well.” “I kind of doubt that,” I admitted. “What if someone wants to avenge Devon by hurting us or even our children?” “Devon is not an Alpha to look up to, Baby. In a few days, you’ll believe they’re different from their former Alpha,” Axel said confidently. Hearing that, I realized one thing. Axel had been friends with Devon for a long time. Of cou
I clenched my fist at the conditions he put forward. What an ignorant man. How dare he put forward terms when he was in a difficult situation. We were the ones with the upper hand. Wasn’t he afraid we could cut his head off this very second?His self-confidence made me resentful, but Axel held my hand, calming me down. My heart was beating so fast, and my breathing was ragged with anger, but he was being so calm. He should have been outraged at that sly witch’s arrogant words.“Did you not listen to what I said earlier?” the King asked calmly. “You and we have different beliefs about mates. Forget about your conditions. I propose unconditional peace because we should not let our parents’ problem create a conflict between us.”"Then the war will continue." The man's face turned red. "You are too proud of your power and beliefs to want to unite with us. Who now does not want peace among our people?""The terms you propose-" the King objected."See you later, Edmund." The man effortlessl
[Cora]I knew something awful would happen. Everything ran too smoothly, which raised my suspicion. My life had never been so peaceful since I met Axel. Even a daily routine became a nightmare. It was an excellent opportunity for them to harm us on my big day.Many influential people gathered in one place was a temptation for our enemies. I didn’t know the reason for their attack. I hoped the King had prepared a defense plan for this unexpected event.I shouldn’t have to worry because everyone here is a strong man. Axel is not the only royal lycan who shapeshifts to face the enemy. Many other royal lycans had sprung up and spread out to counterattack.Nevertheless, the enemy wouldn’t be so reckless as to attack if they weren’t sure of winning. I’ve seen the proof myself. Scarlett Sky Pack was flattened to the ground. Their attack was no joke. They managed to wipe out one pack from the northern kingdom.'Mom, I know you're strong. But please enter the shelter with the others. I can't l
She didn’t speak while I relayed the things we needed to discuss. After I finished saying everything, she was still silent. She wrinkled her forehead, a sign that she was thinking about it seriously. I knew this was a big decision.Although she was used to her job as a trainer of young wolves to become formidable warriors in their pack, I believed she could be my best companion in leadership. The Moon Goddess would not have matched us if we were not compatible.But what she would do in the future requires enormous sacrifice, especially in the transition. I didn’t want to go back there and rehash every single one of those excruciating moments. Moreover, Cora lost our baby there.That was why the King asked my parents to move out immediately. So, they didn’t have to come with me and Cora. They would refuse to stay in a place that has treated them terribly. If it wasn’t for my responsibility, I wouldn’t want to do this, either.“The King asked that you lead the Blood River Pack until the
I couldn’t sleep that night after talking to the King. The duty of leading this country was nothing compared to the special responsibility he gave me. I didn’t expect that the solution he had in mind would involve me. His offer for my foster parents to live in the capital made sense. I could lead with peace of mind if they were in a safe place, unreachable by my old or new enemies. My coronation as crown prince would cause turmoil in the witch community. But if all werewolves and royal lycans were united, they couldn’t divide us. The strength of all of us was enough to fight back if they rebelled in the future. That was why they were looking for someone like Devon to ruin the peace between us. To ease my mind, I let Ryder go for a morning run in the forest near the palace. I only stopped near the lake I'd seen with the King on my first night of shapeshifting. The view was much more beautiful near sunrise. 'We can do this,' Ryder said, reassuring me. 'You led a large pack once. So y
[Axel] I didn’t expect my parents to announce my identity so soon. Gathering all the people from different parts of the world was no easy feat. No wonder they rushed back to the palace after defusing Devon’s attack on the Royal Blue Pack. They asked all the Kings to attend today. I was not ready to take on my duties as a prince. But I wouldn’t be prepared if I didn’t force myself to learn. After lunch, I did not return to the bedroom with Cora. Father requested something from the King, which he immediately granted. We headed for the dungeon, and I walked behind, allowing my second parent to get closer to the destination cell. We had no trouble figuring out where he was because since we entered, he was the only one yelling for the guards to let him go. I didn’t hear anyone protest. Perhaps there were no other prisoners in the same corridor, so they weren’t bothered by his screaming. “Looks like you enjoy your new home,” Father teased the man inside. Egor moved his head and was stu
The King, Queen, and Alphas stood in the first row while I and the rest stood behind them. Axel was on my right, Alicia on my left. They all knew what happened, but only my entourage was clueless.When three cars entered the grounds, I knew they belonged to the royalty who must have just picked them up from the airport. They were the guests of honor. Oh my! Were the envoys from the neighboring kingdoms coming to join us?"King and Queen of the West Kingdom," the attendant announced.I turned to Axel, who frowned, equally confused. Then I glanced at Alicia, who was smiling meaningfully. I squinted at her, but she just chuckled, unwilling to open her mouth about what was going on.The King and Queen greeted their honored guests, while we just smiled and nodded our heads to them. The King took them to a side garden, so we followed as quietly as possible.I was amazed that the garden had been decorated with beautiful little lights. A round table had been neatly arranged with chairs surrou
“Maddox!? What are you doing? Are you crazy!” shouted Dad as he approached him and took the knife from his hand. “What have you done?”He looked at the bodies in horror. They were lying on the floor, so I could not see them from my side. The conference table covered their bodies from my sight. Dad knelt and mourned for his best friends. My chest tightened as I witnessed my best friend doing an unexpected action.Maddox looked cold. His expression was unreadable. Could he turn mad because he lost his mate? Everything was fine yesterday until last night. He was attending the dinner and giving a speech. He didn’t show any suspicious behavior."Oh, Goddess!" Dad suddenly stood up and took a step back. His face turned pale as white as a sheet."What happened?" asked Mom and Aunt Ursula in unison. They approached Dad and looked at the floor where the bodies were. "My Goddess!" they closed their mouths with their hands, shocked."They still have my parents," Maddox declared, surprising us. H