~ASHER~
I could feel my blood boiling as I turned to Tyler, who had fear written all over his face. It better not be true because if I find out that the expert he hired missed something, it will not only be the expert but him too. I will punish him for hiring an inexperienced person.
“Are you still there?” I asked as there was silence. Aubree cleared her voice before she responded.
"Yes, something caught my attention,” she sounded nervou
~BREE~After seeing Jocelyn alive, I was convinced she was still alive somewhere, so I called Asher and asked him to bring that guy from the bar, the same guy who I thought was going to help me only for him to sell me; he was present the night Jocelyn got into that fight, so I knew he knew something since he worked there.I didn't expect Asher to agree so quickly, but I was happy he did. I dressed in proper clothes—jeans, and sweaters for the pack, and within a few minutes, Tyler came and picked me up from the house.Olivia couldn't come; she said she didn't want to step foot into the werewolf territory even when it was her son who owned it now. I understood her as I felt the same; I was only going back there because I had a murder to solve—my name to clear.I felt uncomfortable due to the number of men at the back of the car, but Tyler assured me that I was safe.“They are all here to protect you,” he said, and I nodded my head.The rest of the drive was quiet and fast because, befor
~BREE~Asher seemed to be thinking as he didn't respond. Jerry was waiting for his order while Raven restlessly paced; she was also frustratedly running her hand in her hair.“I hope...” she stopped as she turned to Asher. “I hope you're not planning to listen to her.”“This is not a way to do things, Raven,” I said, and she chuckled, almost not believing I was saying it. “I mean violence; we can just talk to him, and we’ll get all that we want without needing to hurt him,” I explained.“Oh really,” she came to me. “I mean, what were you expecting? You asked Asher to get him? Did you think that James would just crack and give you all the answers you want without hurting him?” The way she was looking at me showed that she really underestimated me. “This world is not for the innocent, Au-”"Luna," I cut her, “you may call me Luna because I'm your Luna." I sounded confident; I was tired of Raven walking all over me like a nobody when I was Asher's wife. Raven laughed as if I had just sai
~BREE~But who would that be? Who hated me so much to go to this extent? Not even one name came to mind; Zander only hated me because I killed his mates, and the rest for the same reason because before all that, I had no enemies; people just disregarded me, which I wouldn't call hate as they barely knew my name.“Luna Aubree, what do you want us to do?” I heard Jerry ask, and I quickly shook out of my thoughts as I turned to face James.“Please let me go. I told you everything. I promise if you do, I will find out everything. I only overheard all this, and I never bothered to ask because it wasn't beneficial to me at that time, but now...”“He wants to trick you,” Raven said, “just give me permission to pull his balls; trust me, he will say everything he left out.”“I swear I told you everything; please believe me; trust me, I can get better information from them.”"Jerry, make sure Raven doesn't hit James," I said, and without responding to James, I walked out of the room. I was in s
~ZANDER~I paced around my office as Ray raged in anger; my body was even shivering, which was the result of the anger Ray was feeling.“Fuck! Fucking Asher!” I cursed, and before I knew it, I punched the table, causing my hand to hurt. We were getting weak, so the pain didn't immediately fade, but I didn't nurse it. Asher was really dancing on my nerves.“Who the fuck does he think he is? To stop me? Does he know what I'm capable of? What I’ve done? He was playing with fire.“He just got here, and he thinks he can do as he pleases. It's time I start the war; I'm not damn scared of him; he insulted me.” I argued alone, "I don't care if I'm weak, but I won't stand for it. I can't.” I gritted my teeth and quickly walked to the table and picked up my phone.I searched for Alpha Thiago’s contact and pressed the call button as soon as I found it.“Alpha Zander?”“Hi, how are you, brother-in-law?” I greeted, and all because of Asher, I had to play nice with alphas I even despised. Alpha Thi
~ZANDER~“She's a hybrid.”“What?!” I choked on my drink, as I didn't expect the news.“The men we sent to spy on her watched her eyes glow; here they took a video,” Kaden said as he played a video.In the video, Aubree seemed to be struggling while the woman who I couldn't recognize kneeled before her; her eyes were glowing purple while she kept screaming as if she didn't want the power; she even started hitting herself, and then Asher came running and grabbed her; he held her still, and her eye color changed as the light dimmed.“We just don't know what hybrid she is, but we are suspecting a witch,” Kaden said, and I stood up from my seat and walked to the window.We found Aubree and Jocelyn at one of the rogue homes that we attacked. It was my first time to go fight and the two girls' lives were spared because I fell for Jocelyn.We almost killed Aubree because Jocelyn is who I fell for. I knew just by looking at her that she was my mate, but Jocelyn begged that we spare her sister
~ZANDER~ I was still in shock. What was happening? Were they perhaps working against me? I mean, Allison always envied me because Mom and Dad gave me everything, even when she was the first child because I was a boy. They seemed to have noticed someone was listening as they lowered their voices, so I couldn't hear anything. Well, I couldn't just stand there like a robot, so I barged in and asked what was going on. I was shocked to find that Allison was on Kaden's lap—practically kissing. She quickly got up and started fixing her skirt as it was a little up while Kaden awkwardly cleared his throat. “What the fuck is going on here?” I questioned, but no one answered. Allison tried to walk past me, but I held her back by her arm. “I don't owe you an explanation.” “Of course you do; you are married; your mate is downstairs now; how the hell am I finding you kissing my beta?” “Again, it's not your business; you're not my husband, nor are you my keeper.” “It is my business; I'm your a
~ZANDER~I bit my inner cheeks just to make sure I wasn't imagining or dreaming, because where the hell did Aubree get the courage to call me?“What do you want?” I asked in a low tone but immediately regretted it, as maybe she was calling to beg me to take her back as my slave. Since I was her mate, she was capable of settling to be just a slave as long as she was close to me."Well, you might not believe it, but I want to see you…by the hotel.”“Hotel?!” I couldn't believe she was asking that. Yes, sure, I knew she always loved me; that's the reason she was so jealous of her sister, but to this extent, wow, I mean, what did I expect from her? Of course, she was desperate; I just didn't understand her confidence; it was like she knew I would agree.“I will send you the address first thing morning; meet me there and don't be late.”“And why do you want to meet me?” I wanted to hear her say it.“Because I'm your mate?” It sounded like a question.“I rejected you, and are you not marrie
{WARNING: Slight sexual scene toward the end of the chapter. Please skip it if you are uncomfortable.}~ZANDER~They looked at each other before looking at me; it was clear they didn't know how to answer me, or maybe too ashamed to.“I'm your Alpha; I can beat the answers out of you; speak now before I lose patience.” I threatened, and it wasn't just a treat; they knew I could do that since I was their Alpha and I was willing to. I didn't want lies; I had a lot to deal with.Mom looked at me and then at Dad before she burst into laughter. I was confused until Dad joined her, and they laughed to their fullest until they struggled to breathe, as they stopped and caught their breaths."I'm sorry, what's funny?” I questioned."You, my dear son, you're so funny,” Mom said as she came to me, but I raised my hand, stopping her. “It was all a game; we’re talking about a game.”“What?!”“You know the games these humans have created, so it's like a play in a film, so we were... we're just rehea
~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
~BREE~I didn't want to overthink it, so I asked.“I honestly don't know, but trust me, I will figure it out. I will set you free like you want,” he said, and I nodded and cleared my throat before I asked about Isabella.“I know something is going on between you two.”“Yes… it was… Honestly, I don't know how to say it.” God, it's like he was shy of me; I mean, I was just a slave, a useless omega a few months ago, so this still felt unreal.“So you admit?”“It happened twice, but I promise that was it; I've avoided her since.”“Okay, so what was your plan?”“No plan. I mean, all I can tell you is to be careful with her; don't trust her.”“Why?”“It's a long story, but…” He stopped and apologized before he picked up his ringing phone. “Are you sure?” He knitted his brows, which made me wonder what was happening. “Alright, stay there.” And with that, he ended the call and looked at me.“Is everything okay?” I asked.“Yes, umm, Stephan just saw Jocelyn enter one of the nearby hotels.”“W-