There was a distant look on the Beta's face as we sat wrapped up in grave silence after I related what happened to them.I knew he was worried about his friend collapsing after a long night of rest."He'll be okay right?" I mumbled, sniffing into my fisted hands that took comfort under my nose."You care about him don't you?" Do I care about him?Did I care about the man who was ready to shove me head-first into the shallow waters of depression? He knew the level of damage the death of my son would inflict on me, he knew it would break me but he didn't care.He was all about how much he could take never concerned about the impact his choices and actions would leave behind.But, he cared about Addison and how hurt she'd feel if her child was taken if her child was murdered in cold blood by his father.Despite my hate for the alpha, a part of me still cared.A part of me wanted no harm to come to him other than his karma.If he should suffer, then I must consciously be the force behin
I plop back down in frustration and a burning urge to shove Nate off a cliff. I wasn't always this vengeful but that man makes me want to pull my hair sometimes.Ugh, the nerves of him. Who does he think he is, retrieving my things from the nurses to lure me into his bed?I'll get it back, one way or the other but I'll get it back, he just waits.Beta Ian and Doctor Allen were still in Jace's office talking about the alpha's health. Hopefully, they'll tell me what he was down with.Without knocking, I silently sneak into the small confines of my room that still had Jace sleeping in.I trod in slow and silent steps to the huge manly figure that barely fit into the small single-sized bed that was pushed up against the wall. His face was pale but relaxed and peaceful with no trace of his signature worried frown or the smile that usually crept up his handsome face. His soft caramel mane was pressed into the soft pillow."Hey, what happened to you?" I whispered, threading my fingers throug
Fluttering my eyes open, I looked around my surroundings and realized I was comfortably sleeping in a clearing.Darkness was slowly taking over from the brightness of the day's sun and the warm breeze was also gaining a few cold streaks as the minutes progressed. The wind picked up its tempo whispering soft melodies that compelled the leaves and tree branches to wave, clap, and dance to the tempo the soft wind set as it swifts past them going wherever it pleased.When I left the Beta earlier, I had no idea where I was going but I found my feet leading me into the woods. I kept pushing my way further into the bush as the calmness and mysteries of the dense wood kept beckoning me.My puffy eyes ached from the sunlight that shone unapologetically on everyone and everything that came under its radar.Avoiding a conscious Jace and a possibly moody Addison was a smart move and I pat myself on the back for taking the decision whenever the thought of me going to see the Alpha pops in my head
The car drive was silent as Beta Ian drove the short distance to the pack house, I looked out from the tinted window at the glowing lights that illuminated the dark streets from the tall buildings."Thank you," I muttered when he pulled up in his reserved spot in the parking lot."Take care, and don't do anything stupid."Gathering my bag that lay by my feet on the car floor, I swung open the door and stepped out into the cold night air, slamming the door shut.Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the Beta drive off into the dark street as I made my way into the pack house where I'd bid my time.Didn't he say he had a business to do here?The pack house was big enough to accommodate hundreds of wolves though most mated wolves would rather buy houses outside for privacy. But teenagers and young adults prefer the pack house because of the endless dramas that characterize the pack house.It was mandatory for high-ranked wolves like the Alpha, Beta Gemma, and head warrior and the rest had spe
JACE BALDWIN'S POV As the darkness receded, giving room for consciousness to creep in, my ears tingled alert to my surroundings.I could hear the clanking of plates in the kitchen, and the sound of four sets of heartbeats beating at different tempos and rhythms.Confusion washed over me in waves as my mind reeled on who could be in my home.The door opened the second my eyes decided it had enough of the darkness that lurked within."Look who gave Hades a tease." The relief in Ian's voice and the sarcastic smile on his face made a weak smile indent on my face."What the hell happened?" I asked, a little confused as I looked around the foreign room that seemed to be the smallest in this house. "I don't remember coming here.""You don't remember what happened before you passed out? How are you feeling by the way?" He came close, clapping me on the back. "A little weak man but I'm good, it's been a while since I passed out from this," I said scratching the back of my head."It'll be alr
"It's nothing, Ian."I wanted to tell him I asked her to keep away from me but knowing Ian, he was going to over-analyze the situation and make it be what it wasn't. I couldn't tell him or anyone else for that matter. At least, not now."I'm not one to pry so I'll leave you to it, but whatever it is Jace, I hope you made the right decision." He said picking up the bowl of popcorn from the counter. I followed shortly after his retreating figure to the movie room where the gang was lounging around.The choice of movie did not interest me so I blocked out the voices that resonated from the sound system, relaxed my stiff shoulders, and shut my eyes while leaning my head on the backrest of the theater seat, my mind got stuck on Ian and Allen's words from earlier."Never seen a woman who isn't your mother going all out in worry for you, not even Addie. The little princess almost ripped my head with her hands.""That's what I thought until I was at the receiving end of her anger.""A spit
CARLY WOODS POV The next morning, the bright sunlight that shone without mercy from the opened blinds pulled me out of my peaceful slumber.I was in one of his white shirt he allowed me borrow from his wardrobe, my hair stick around in everything direction.Beta Ian and I had spent a few more hours in the open bar, talking about random things.He pushed me to tell him the problem between the Alpha and me, and I told him there wasn't any.Honestly, there weren't any problems between us. I told him Jace simply drew the boundary in our arrangement. He had Addison whom he was engaged to be married to then came the dare that ushered me into their picture-perfect life.Or not so perfect life.I didn't make the mistake of asking him about the curse or the earth wolf. Beta Diaz was a smart fellow, he was quite an observant fellow.The woman in question who prompted my visit to the bar left an hour later with one of the men she was drinking with.I didn't say anything to Ian, though I asked
JACE BALDWIN POV It was a Friday and Mr. Nelson the trainer fixed another combat session for the women. It was a way of keeping them interested and competing since most of them wanted nothing to do with fights.I didn't want to make an appearance since it wasn't necessary but Ian demanded I did because of some words going around that I was in a coma.That must have been the reason I got different surprised looks and gaps from some people.Some people just didn't have what to do with their lives.I didn't sleep much last night because my mind kept wandering around what Carly and her boyfriend were doing. Somewhere around 4 am, my brain finally shut off from exhaustion and I slept off, only to be woken by an angry Addison.Damn it, can't a man take a few hours without any drama?"I'm going to fucking kill that little shit, you left me to come to sleep in this cramped space with her? How dare you?" She screeched, stomping towards the closet door that was ajar from the night before."CA
CARLY WOODS POV I couldn't believe walking away from all this would be this easy. I didn't know where to go from here but I had to figure something out before it was too late.I didn't want to be in the middle of nowhere when night washed over with the thick cloak of darkness. The decision to leave was great but right now it didn't seem too awesome to journey alone to an unknown destination."Being the Alpha's fiance does have its perks you know? I've taken care of the patrol team in the south and Southeast borders the decision on where to go is up to you." Addison had said when I told her escaping a pack as big as Brookside was a dumb move only an idiot would try considering.I went south, and I wasn't too surprised when I didn't come across any patrol guards anywhere by the borders. Addison was a woman that wasn't afraid to make demands from anyone and she knew how to use her soon-to-be Luna to her full advantage.Because of my pregnant state, I couldn't run far, so I settled for
JACE BALDWIN'S POV It was noon the following day yet, there was no trace of Carly anywhere in the pack, there was no report of rogues sited anywhere around the pack.Order then Ian and I spent our entire morning searching every possible place for the missing pregnant young woman, I had my trackers and a search team parading everywhere nook of the pack. "She was heading south when I saw her yesterday evening." "It's been a while since I saw Ms Woods.""Maybe she ran away with another man."The words from some people I questioned did nothing to ease the growing tension I felt neither did it ease the tightness in my chest. I didn't want to believe the worst."I think there'll be a clue in her room." I reasoned after six long unfruitful hours of a wild goose chase."You think she ran away?" Ian asked his tired voice doubtful yet there was a slight hope that he wished she didn't."I don't know what to think, man. I have a gut feeling she wasn't abducted, I don't know how, maybe it's an
ADDISON COBBLER POV As the night dragged on, I watched in silent amusement as Jace tried to figure out what was going on with Carly's sudden disappearance from the house. "Give it till the morning Alpha, I'm sure she'll come back from wherever she went." Nate tried to reason with Jace but he was too far gone in his anger. "Gemma Nate is right, Carly loves disappearing to unknown places whenever she wants to be on her own." The gentle voice of Carly's friend piped in making me smile inwardly because they were unknowingly buying me enough time to get the omega as far as possible from the Brookside pack. "Where is the most common place she visits during one of her 'I want to go M.I.A'?" Jace asks the young omega his eyes are the darkest shade of black I've ever seen on him. Jace had requested she come to the mansion as soon as possible. He needed all the information he could gather before deciding whether she was abducted or hiding out somewhere. I knew better. Another r
The study room grew unnaturally quiet as the raven-haired woman rushed back into the room with her report."Carly enjoys spending her evening in the movie room or library.""Yes Alpha, I'll be right back."She pivoted back out of the study and immediately, a light chitchat started between the other occupants of the space.Ian and I discussed quietly the possible outcome of these meetings, if indeed a rat was residing in the Brookside pack, we were about to find out.Addison relaxed into her seat, her arms crossed under her boobs effectively pushing the twins into her face with a blank look on her face. Looking at her closely, I could detect amusement in her demeanor even though she tried hiding it from everyone.Nate sat quietly not engaging anyone in a conversation. His eyes were trained on the door in anticipation.My eyes stayed glued on Julian as he talked with Stan and Jean. The slight chuckle he released annoyed me beyond words as I imagined him smiling at my Carly after making
All eyes turned towards the door as Addison strutted into the study, the heels of her shoe clicking on the hard surface of the floor. "What are you doing here?" I mind link her as she stands beside the warrior commander, silently asking for him to evacuate the seat for her."Luna's responsibility." She chirped back, rolling her eyes at me but glared at the man who paid no mind to her.Addison rested her hand on the back of the seat, "It's common knowledge that the Luna is to sit beside her alpha, so I'd you don't mind, go grab one of those empty seats for yourself." I was taken aback by the boldness Addison possessed to waltz into my meeting room without an invite and try to cause a commotion."Ms. Cobbler, until the Luna ceremony please, know your place on the leadership board of the pack.""Addison now isn't the time for your Melo drama, show a little respect for my leaders and find yourself a seat or get the fuck out of here now." Not wanting to embarrass her before my guest, I s
JACE BALDWIN'S POV Last night I couldn't sleep much, and it had everything to do with little Ms. Omega whose thoughts kept swiveling around my head like a whirlwind. I had to first take a cold bath which did nothing to help circulate blood from my south region to other veins. I should have closed my damn mouth and gone with the flow but I had to bring up the bulky mated wolf whom she was involved with. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel stupid from her reaction to the topic of her boyfriend, she had laughed as if I said the most stupid thing in the book.I wouldn't have had a peaceful night with her wrapped around my arm all night long with in-between love but I got what I deserved for talking without thinking. Well, there's always another day. Maybe I'll have to make the move today instead of running away from the golden offer.That fucker warrior was going to suffer for going after a woman that had my mark on full display.I left the mansion quite early this morning for an earl
CARLY WOODS POV "I want to help you, Carly." What could she possibly think she could help me with? And what makes her think I could accept any help from her? If I was certain of one thing, it was that Addison's sleeves were always filled with mischief and I wasn't about to indulge in whatever ploy she had this time.I noticed she came alone unlike when her two little puppy dogs always wag their tails around her like an obedient dog."What makes you think I'm in dire need of your help?" I asked, shoving another forkful of fruit salad into my mouth. My taste buds couldn't get enough of the juices that dropped on my tongue from the various fruits I combined to make up the small bowl of salad.My eyes stayed glued on Addison as she carefully pulled one of the unoccupied wooden seats, my legs were crossed on one of the empty seats, the half-eaten plate of salad rested casually on my left hand while the stem golden fork was held loosely on my right hand."Oh trust me you do." She smirked
There was a brief silence from the other end and I waited patiently for his response. I didn't know what decision he was going to make but I was hoping he at least tried to ponder on it."How will that help with anything? Not all women are willing to attack a punching bag and get tossed into a tree, you know?" Beta Ian questioned but I could hear the wheels in his head turning as he tried analyzing the offer I presented to him."It's not a matter of who is interested in breaking a nail or whatnot." I paced around the warm fluffy rug that was laid on the living room floor. "It's about finding the earth wolf." I flipped my hair over my shoulder. "Everyone becomes stronger the more they're involved in physical and mental training, think about it, if she's in this pack, her abilities will heighten during training and she won't be able to hide it from anyone anymore."I noticed the clanking of utensils in the kitchen came to a stop and I slowly made my way there to see what Alice was keepi
CARLY WOODS POV The sound of plates and utensils clanking in the kitchen reached my ear as I sat silently in the living room gazing into my phone that was on the dial. It was weird that I didn't find any tangible information about this mystery wolf in any books. What was going on? I had a feeling someone took the initiative to rid the library of any book that mentioned the earth wolf. I was sure enough to bet my entire wardrobe of no fancy dress. I felt bad for the not-so-lucky woman who was blessed with the earth powers because the number of perverted and selfish men who wanted her was enough to make up a little pack. "To what do I owe this pleasant phone call?" The deep male voice that I was slowly getting used to resonated from the other end of the phone. "I thought maybe I should call to find out how many pieces those rogues ripped from you yesterday." I smiled, leaning back into the warm couch, my free hand rubbing the still-growing bump in my stomach, clear evidence of t