~ZANDER~Okay, if I didn't know Stephen well, I would think he was exaggerating, but unfortunately, he wasn't. If he was mentioning it, then it means he was suspicious, and he never mentions anything unless it's fishy.“Betray me?” I didn't understand how.“I'm not sure, Alpha; I wanted to ask for your permission to look into him.”“Of course,” I said. Kaden was my beta, and he was given almost the same respect as me. That's why he had to ask for permission. “Investigate him, but make sure he doesn't find out for now.”“Alright, Alpha,” Stephen nodded, and after that, I excused myself after reminding him to do everything I asked him to. Well, it was a shame that Kaden was not trusted; Stephen the gamma is the one acting like a beta.I was already outside. I was going to skip breakfast today.Outside, I got in my car and drove straight to the company. It didn't take me long to arrive, as I was already parking. After that, I headed inside.“Yes, she's here,” the receptionist informed me
~ZANDER~ “Luna Aubree might be from the Shadow Walker's pack.” “Alpha Thiago's pack?” Shocking would be an understatement because how was that even possible? How could Aubree be from the Shadow Walkers? How on earth did that even make sense? I mean, just earlier, Stephen informed me that Jack, the man Dad killed, was from the Shadow Walkers, and now this. It was too much of a coincidence. I mean, Aubree's mother was from my pack. Did it mean she was with Jack or maybe another Hartford? Well, whatever it was, I was going to find out. “Alright, did you do what I asked?” “Yes, Alpha, five men are by the River Ash pack as we speak.” “Good, keep digging, and don't give Rosa and Henry food today. I need answers from them, and I know they can only speak on an empty stomach.” I ordered, and after he agreed, I ended the call and continued on my way to get Aubree coffee that was less sweet. It didn't take long to get another, as the woman there seemed to like me. I didn't understan
~BREE~ I had enjoyed torturing Zander; god, Isabella was right; the satisfaction it gave me was unexplainable; it somehow gave me peace; at points, I thanked James for selling me to Asher because it wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for Asher. Asher had just called; he was on his way as I had a meeting with Glinda. I was waiting for Zander to return while connected to Isabella, who was going to tell me what to say. I had sent him on a false errand, and trust me, it was all Isabella's idea. “Two minutes and twenty seconds late,” I repeated after Isabella, pretending to glance at my wristwatch. I'm not sure she was not even right; well, he seemed to buy it, and God, you must have seen his face; he looked shocked. I'm sure he never saw this day coming. I never saw it too, a day where I would ask him to make coffee, let alone ask him to clean the toilets. Well, I was going to argue with Isabella about that as I thought he would not agree, but he surprised me and agreed. You won't under
~BREE~At first, nothing was happening, and I was going to get up when Glinda held me back. She was chanting some words in a foreign language, a language I was sure I wouldn't have understood if it was the normal Aubree, as I understood that language clearly; she was asking me to relax and let go.I don't know how, but it was working, as I suddenly found myself in the middle of nature; I couldn't think of anything but the pleasant scent, and I was at peace.It felt like I was there. I even saw myself walking. I was in deep nature when I saw a figure trying to run from me. I don't know what pulled it to me, as I found myself following it, step by step. I wanted to see it; at first, it was normal until my curiosity got the better of me, as I was now determined. I even started running after it and asking it to stop.I kept going, and that's when it stopped. My steps suddenly slowed but didn't stop moving. I kept walking. It seemed to be giving me its back. The creature was very weird; fr
~BREE~I couldn't believe it. Rain was back, my wolf was back, and I knew the creature said my witch part would also be back, but I didn't want to concentrate on that now; I was only happy Rain was back.I felt secure when she said she was here to stay. I had so many questions but didn't ask as I knew Glinda was still waiting for an explanation from me.“So? I guess… I guess I succeeded?” Glinda asked, and I nodded. I don't know how she read my mind as she passed me a glass of water. “Good, with your wolf, it will be easy to bond and eventually mate with your mate.” She said, “I just need to make a bracelet and—”“It's time to meet the pack members.” A voice cut her off; it was Raven.“We are still busy; can they wait a little longer?” Glinda said, looking at Raven, but I knew staying a minute longer with Glinda would make her figure me out, so I gave Raven a knowing look, and since Raven was on my side, she insisted.“You know how difficult it is to get every pack member here; they w
~BREE~I was staring at my reflection in the mirror, ignoring what Rain was saying. I didn't see any reasonable explanation for what she had done. She betrayed me; she betrayed herself. Instead of being there for me like normal wolves, she chose to abandon me; she chose to hide.‘It was for our good.’ I heard her say, but I didn't respond. To me, this was all excuses, and I didn't live on excuses; she made me blame Zander for taking her when it was quite the opposite. I mean, I was glad Zander failed; I've been making a fool of him even though I didn't know, but still, it could not excuse her action.A voice made me snap out of my state; it was Raven. She said the pack members were impatient.I didn't respond as I splashed water on my face. I was already dressed, and I knew splashing water would ruin my clothes since I didn't plan to wear any makeup, but it wasn't important now. After reassuring myself in the mirror that I could do it, I walked to the door and found Raven outside of i
~BREE~I was going to run to get first aid when he stopped me.“I don't understand you... You're bleeding? There's blood all over your—”“It's not my blood,” he responded. He was now in front of me. I looked down at his shirt and saw that it had blood stains on it too.“W-what?”“It's someone's blood.”“Wait, you went for a meeting, I mean, company, how?”“Are you hungry?” He cut me, and I shook my head in disbelief. “I was going to have a bottle of hard liquor, but I can just freshen up and prepare something for you before I—”“I’m good.” I cut him off. “I…” I raised my hand and hesitated to touch his cheek as I wanted to be sure the blood was not his; when he nodded, I did, and I realized it wasn't his. He might have tortured someone, and the blood spilled all over him, but for it to be this much must mean the person was dead.The electric wave hit us again, but I guess we were now used to it, as none of us flinched. After a few minutes of uneasiness, I pulled away and told him I wo
~BREE~It was Asher. The crow was Asher. It could only be him, as he was the one lying there last night, and so it could only be him.I was starting to panic with the way it was looking at me; if it was mine, I would be able to communicate with it, but this one, it didn't even look like it was going to speak.‘It's not our mate.’ I heard Rain say, but instead of making me feel better, I felt scared because then it was a stranger. I couldn't even scream as I felt like I didn't have a voice. I was going to stand on my feet and go to it and possibly scare it as it didn't seem dangerous when I heard Raven call me.“Can I come in?” she asked. I turned to the door, and when I turned back to the couch, I saw that the crow had disappeared. “Okay, I'm coming in,” Raven said before she opened the door.My eyes were still on the couch as they searched for the crow.“Good morning, Luna.” She greeted me and started making the bed, but I ignored her as I was still shocked at where the crow could ha
~BREE~“I can smell him on your body. I'm only going to ask this one last time. Did you fuck my brother?!” His tone told me he was very angry, and I knew Asher well; I knew the beast in him, so I knew what he was capable of, and I knew what could happen to me if I let out a single word that wouldn't sit right with him, so I had no choice but to act.I didn't trust it would work but still tried.I started coughing, pretending to be suffocating. Well, this was Asher, and I knew it was going to take more than just coughing.“You choose death over that bastard?” He sounded shocked.‘We can just tell him it's his jacket.’ I heard Rain suggest, but I ignored her, telling Asher that would make him question why I still went to his pack after he warned that they might be plotting against me.He might think I didn't trust him when I did… with my life.Asher's grip tightened, and I couldn't take it anymore; he didn't seem to be himself as the cigarette fell from his hands. I knew a beast always
~BREE~The shadow was nearing, and Zander asked that he take over since I was the one by the wheel. I didn't know what it was but feared he would think I was creepy if it was what I was thinking, so without arguing, we exchanged seats.I expected him to turn, but instead, he stepped on the pedal and drove straight into the shadowy-looking creature. I expected the creature to stay on the road, but it seemed to be scared as it moved from the road.We were now past it but could see it coming after us.Zander didn't stop; he kept driving, and it surprised me as much as you might be now, as I wasn't scared or anything while Zander seemed a little scared. I mean, maybe the fact that I knew the creature might be from the book, and since I could control anything from the book relaxed me.The fast ride went on, and although I wasn't scared, my heart was racing due to the fast speed.We seemed to have lost the shadow; Rain was sure.“Are you okay?” Zander finally slowed down, and I took deep br
~BREE~After Asher told me that Jocelyn might be working with Zander and that they might want to make a fool of me, I decided to go to him first thing in the morning. I was sure I could have caught them maybe together but was shocked when Stephen showed me in and Zander behaved all differently.At first, I thought it was all part of the game until he called for a meeting and introduced me as Luna, telling the people who once looked down on me to respect me. Never in my life had I ever dreamt of it. I was in so much shock that I felt my other side burning. I don't remember much except seeing Glinda forcing water down my throat.I thought I was back at Asher's pack until I saw Zander; I was still wondering why and how he got Glinda there, but I didn't ask when he shocked me with his gentleness. Yes, even though Zander tortured me, I knew he was kind to those he wanted to be kind to, as he treated my sister so differently. I just never thought he would one day treat me that way.I though
~ZANDER~I didn't want to hurt her, but I didn't want to get hurt either. I was going to use Ray to try and stop her when she suddenly seemed to be losing consciousness. My leg was in pain, but I didn't care about that as I rushed to her and held her right in time.“Stephen!” I called for Stephen and tried to keep her awake, but it was already late as her eyes closed. “Aubree? Please stay, oh my God, Stephen!” I yelled, and he came running with a glass of water. “Call the witch,” I instructed, and he nodded before he reached into his pockets. I didn't stand to watch as I picked Aubree, and I really wasn't myself as next I was covering her with the blanket.I don't know if it was the mate bond or I just always cared for her because I wasn't feeling myself; I was scared. I've never been this scared for someone's life, not even my own when I went on a battle, because here I was promising to end my own life if anything happened to her.I started pacing around, running my hands through my
~ZANDER~‘Maybe we could do something now.’ I heard Ray suggest.‘What are you saying?’‘Maybe it's not late; maybe we could fix things.’ Ray suggested, and an idea popped into my head with that; I cleared my voice before heading down, which caught Aubree's attention as she turned to me.“Hi, I wasn't expecting you, but I am happy you're here.”“I couldn't sleep; I want to know what Kaden told you.” She said somehow it hurt me that she wasn't here to see me; I don't know why, but I masked the pain and then cleared my voice again before turning to Stephen.“We have an urgent meeting. Let everyone get ready in five minutes, starting from the eldest to the youngest, pregnant or sick, including babies. I want them all in the pack's meeting point.” I instructed him, and I could tell he was confused, but he didn't dare question as he nodded, bowed, and then excused himself.I turned to Aubree, who shook her head in confusion.“You still work for me and…” She looked down at her wristwatch, t
~ZANDER~After Dad confirmed Aubree’s parents were alive and the possibility of them being responsible for the pack's recent attacks, I ordered Stephen to give them food for their valuable information but still left them there.I promised to free them only when they got an idea of where Aubree’s parents could be.I was now pacing in my room; I still couldn't believe that Alpha Thiago could be Aubree’s uncle, that Aubree’s parents were alive.It was going to be difficult to try and find them since Thiago believed that his brother was dead.I kept pacing, hoping one or two things could come up, but nothing; my parents were my only hope, even when they didn't show signs of knowing; I just had to hope on them.‘What about Allison? What if she took our company because she found out what Dad did to her mate's brother?’ Ray suggested, but that was impossible.‘Allison said she took it to show us that she was more than just a woman, so no, I don't think it's the case.’ I answered and lazily r
~ZANDER~Stephan took my order seriously as next Kaden started screaming while Stephan used a saw to cut his hand.“Oooh!” He just cried and screamed in pain without giving in. After they cut the hand, I asked that they dip it in acid, but before that, I walked to Kaden and gave him the last chance to speak, but he still refused and even called me weak, so with no mercy they dipped the stump of his arm in acid while I watched him scream.It was frustrating as even that didn't get him to give in.“Take his toenails and continue tomorrow,” I said, then left him screaming in pain while Stephen and the five guards removed his toenails.When I reached my bedroom, I walked straight to the shower and washed my body; it was already evening.I didn't take long in the shower, and after I was done, I walked to my bed, got my phone, and called the guards responsible for Aubree's safety.“Yes, Alpha Asher is also around, and there haven't been any suspicious movements.”“Good. Remember, if anythi
~ZANDER~‘It's normal to feel that way; she's our mate.’ Ray said while I shook my head, still sniffing the seat where she earlier sat.‘I don't get it; I rejected her. Why do I still feel this way?’‘Because our bond will take more than a simple rejection to break it, now we are getting late; we need to figure out what Kaden and Jocelyn are up to.’ Ray insisted, and he was right. I don't know what Jocelyn was planning, but I knew it was not good, so I had to stop it before it affected my mate, I mean before it affected Aubree.I sat back in my seat and started the car since I stopped in the middle of nowhere just to sniff Aubree's scent.It didn't take long to get back at my pack; Stephen had already locked Kaden up, and they were just waiting for me, so after parking the car, I walked in and went straight to the torture room, where I once locked Aubree.Inside I was met with Stephen, who was sitting on a wooden chair with five guards surrounding them. Stephen stood up as soon as he
~BREE~I was in shock; I mean, how did that even make sense, beta betraying alpha? I've never heard of that, so it might be a mistake, or maybe my magic was failing me.“Alright, now we know for sure why Kaden has been weird.” I heard Zander say, which was still sounding so wrong to me, “Have one of the staff spy on them, and when Kaden leaves, you lock him up, and we'll take it from there.” Zander instructed before ending the call and turning to me.“Kaden betrayed you?” I wanted him to confirm it as this was too weird.“Looks like it, but we are not sure yet. For what we know, Jocelyn might threaten him or something,” he said, and I nodded my head. “Alright, do you want me to drop you off? I have some things to take care of.”“Yes, sure, and thank you,” I said as I didn't want to bother Jerry, and Antonio was the last person on my mind. Zander started the car, and before I knew it, we were on the road driving out of town.I was lost in my thoughts, still trying to wrap my head aroun