Maddox and Garrett stood side by side when I arrived in front of the ICU room. Garrett shook his head slowly, telling me he couldn't help me this time. Maddox looked at me coldly, expressionlessly. I was like a puppy caught biting his mom's favorite couch and ready to be punished. “You found him last night,” Maddox said. It was a statement, not a question. “Yes, Alpha,” I replied politely. I knew this wasn’t the time to act like a friend. So, I called him by his title. “Then what’s the reason you didn’t report this to me as soon as possible?” he demanded. I glanced at Garrett. He just looked at me blankly. “I’m sorry, it haven’t cross my mind. We’ve almost lost him, so-” “We?” he cut off. “Lou and I. He was dying and died suddenly. So, I gave him a CPR to help. I thought about calling Luke because he could help us. I didn’t think to report this to you immediately. After all, he didn’t look like a bad guy.” “Why did you must mention CPR?” asked Aspen, who walked up from behind Ma
Aspen entered the room with a bright red face. I didn't know what she was angry about. Although she quickly put her face to a neutral expression, I already saw it. Could it be that she was upset about the fact that I found my partner? A Luna should not overhear conversations, let alone interrupt others. But I chose to remain silent and not protest her disrespectful act. Luke bowed respectfully to her while I just stared at her fearlessly. “Why are you silent? Answer me!” she demanded. “We have a guest of honor, so you shouldn’t spread unverifiable news. This man is no ordinary person. He’s an Alpha that the whole world is paying attention to.” I almost rolled my eyes at that because she was the one who liked to gossip and spread it. I didn’t say anything about Alpha Axel being my mate. Luke and the nurses deduced it themselves because they witnessed him kissing me. “We don’t gossip, Luna,” Luke said politely, he glanced at me. “Cora and Alpha Axel are mates. He even confirmed it by
[Axel] My chest was tight. Every time I took a breath, my left chest ached. The shouts of the people who attacked me, the mocking laughter, and the sweet voice that broke my heart blended, deafening my ears. All of that indicated that I was still alive. What for? I had lost everything. Father, Mother, best friend, mate, even the place where I was born and grew up. What else could I do in this world as an orphan? Become a Rogue and live in rebellion? I did not want to live with the group that had caused the deaths of those closest to me. The delicious scent of cinnamon entered my nostrils. Mom’s signature scent whenever she made our family's favorite bread. I always knew she was nearby whenever I inhaled that scent. Mom was gone, so where did this intoxicating fragrance come from? I opened my eyes and met a pair of beautiful green eyes. Her long blonde hair was in a ponytail with bangs covering the forehead. The scent grew stronger whenever she got closer and lessened when she moved
I didn’t have any personal belongings, only the clothes I wore, so I didn’t need to pack up before leaving the hospital. Because the effects of the medicine had worn off completely, all my senses were functioning well. My sight, hearing, and smell were sharp again. I vaguely smelled that delicious cinnamon scent. I believed Cora must still be around the hospital. Maddox was talking to Luke about my next appointment. The doctor was amazed at how quickly I recovered. That was not unusual for an Alpha. The hospital was quite large and spacious. Nurses were not walking around, showing that not many patients were treated in this building. In peacetime, the hospital was not crowded because werewolves rarely got sick. Even if they suffered from a severe illness, it was detected before it was difficult to cure. “Don’t lie! You took advantage of his unconscious state by calling him your mate. How could such a handsome and powerful man be your mate,” a woman exclaimed. I stopped my steps and
Maddox kept his word by coming to pick me up in the morning. Garrett was also in the car. Unlike yesterday, Maddox drove. I sat in the back seat by myself. They called out the names of the places we passed, introducing me to restaurants and shops for groceries. The car then stopped in front of a building.There were only a few vehicles, which I was sure belonged to people who lived quite far from here. We werewolves preferred to walk in our packs. Maddox walked first, so I followed.They led me to the back of the building. It turned out to be a spacious field where people practiced martial arts. They must all be his warriors. Not only men, there were also women among the soldiers.“This is where we train. Garrett and I sometimes participate when paperwork doesn’t occupy our attention. Cora is in charge of the training.” She looked at the woman who was dueling with a heavily built man.Although the man was fast and cautious in every move, Cora managed to keep up with him. The duel was
[Cora]I rushed to the kitchen. Mom was not a weak woman. She was a werewolf who was once a soldier like me. Her martial arts skills should not be underestimated. Nevertheless, her screaming made me worried.Mom greeted me at the kitchen doorway with a cheerful face. I frowned at her. What was going on? Dad, Garrett, and Tyra were also in the dining room, preparing to enjoy dinner. What was my mom yelling about?“Cora, is it true?” Mom asked hopefully. “You’ve found your mate?”Oh. That surprised Mom caused her to scream. Who told her? Tyra? Garrett didn’t know anything about that. Ah, yes. I forgot. It was probably Luke who reported to him via mind-link. No secrets could be hidden in this Pack.“Yes, Mom. Alpha Axel is my mate,” I said, confirming.“Oh, Moon Goddess! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Mom hugged me tightly. “I’m so happy to hear that! Finally, your wait is over!”She pulled my hand to follow her to the dining table. “I heard he was in the hospital. What happened? Is t
I felt a hard slap by that fact. I was so happy to have met Alpha Axel. Even though I was the oldest to find a mate, I didn’t care. I believed the Moon Goddess had a good intention in giving Alpha Axel as my mate. But I had the wrong idea. This distinctive scent I smelled, the flutter of passion I felt when our skin touched, even Lou’s claim could be false. Alpha Axel and I were not mates. I didn’t know how to explain this to my family. I also didn’t know how to say this to everyone in our Pack. Oh, Goddess. I was so ashamed. I felt like dying. I wish the floor I stepped on would open up and swallow me alive because I couldn’t bear the embarrassment. “Cora? What are you doing here?” asked Garret, who looked at me in surprise. “It’s not your turn to patrol tonight.” “They haven’t attacked again this afternoon, so I’m curious.” I looked around us so he wouldn’t see my eyes lying. There was no Maddox, so I was safe. There was only Garret and three soldiers. They played cards to ward
Alpha Axel was so quick to agree with the plan. Maddox just told him about the contest, and he didn’t even think about it first. Either he was tempted by the large sum of money or curious about the culprit who wanted him.I went with him while Garrett followed with some warriors in their wolf form. Maddox couldn’t leave the pack without a leader. Moreover, this was just a trivial matter, not an emergency.I drove the car, as I was more familiar with the area we were going to. It was between his old pack and ours. The house to take the reward was deep in the forest. Since half the journey could not be traveled by car, we decided to walk.He was quiet the whole way, so I didn’t bother him. He had been like that since I rejected him. He went straight home without saying anything the day before. I was waiting for him to accept my rejection.I didn’t know what our relationship was now. The scent of fresh water and pine that came out of Alpha Axel’s body still makes it hard to take my mind
[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