Mila’s POV I stared at him, confused by his words, but too scared to ask him what he meant, as I could see the frustration in his eyes with me, and I didn’t want to push him any further than I had already today. So instead of questioning him, I just nodded my head, letting him think that I understood what he was telling me, but in truth I had no clue what he meant by it. I began to wonder if this had something to do with his deceased Luna that Trina had mentioned, but I was too afraid to question him about it, especially now with the mood he was in. As he picked his fork back up and began to eat, I turned back to my own plate and began to pick through the food on my plate, wanting this awkward moment between us to end, just as I wished the last moment we had shared today would have. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for him to eat what was on his plate, and as he stood from his bar stool, I too stood, emptying the food that remained on my plate in the tra
Mila’s POV Shockingly, I had slept throughout the night without any crazy dream or fantasy of Alpha Gunner, and I had to wonder if my body had been so exhausted that my mind had finally shut off too. Either way, I had awoken, feeling like myself, and whatever I had been poisoned with was now out of my system. Thankfully, the clothes I had washed the night before had dried overnight, and I was able to wear them again, knowing that I had to report for training once again today, but it was still unclear to me who would be training me. After what happened last night in the kitchen, I wasn’t sure if Alpha Gunner would be entrusting me any longer to Beta Ryker, as it was clear that he didn’t like how close Beta Ryker was getting to me. Regardless, I knew that I wouldn’t be with the rest of the pack, and that put me at somewhat ease knowing that I wouldn’t have to deal with what I had yesterday. Fortunately, today I didn’t have to wait for some
Mila’s POV “I want my best trackers looking for her. If they took her, we need to find her.” Alpha Gunner said to the man with authority through gritted teeth, as it was clear that this was affecting him. “Yes, Alpha.” The man said as he quickly disappeared from the office, leaving me alone with a clearly infuriated Alpha. At that moment Alpha Gunner turned and leaned down on his desk, before his fist pounded off it, making me jump in my seat from the power of his punch, as I could hear the desk beneath his fists begin to crack. The monster that I had seen at the auction was now once again showing itself, and I felt fear rush through my body thinking about what he was going to do next. “I should have known they would come for her. I shouldn’t have left her out of my sight.” He said just above a whisper, before his fists once again came down on his desk, making a loud crack fill the room, as his desk now bowed in the middl
Mila’s POV It was clear that I was not a fighter, and I had no clue what I was doing, as I found myself on my back on the ground more than on my feet, but I wasn’t going to give up. “You are too small and will never be able to out strengthen your opponent, but with your size could come speed.” Beta Ryker says to me, as he extends his hand for me to take, to help me back to my feet. “Okay, well how do I get faster?” I ask him, as I get back to my feet, willing to do whatever it takes to be able to protect myself, or at least put up a fight until someone else can help me. “Endurance. First you will need to condition yourself. By the looks of things yesterday, I think it is safe to say that you have never trained a day in your life.” He says to me, as I look at him thinking how obvious it must have looked yesterday to everyone in the pack that I had never step foot near a training area, but I hadn’t been raised to be a warrior.
Mila’s POV Even though I had vowed not to wear Alpha Gunner’s deceased Luna’s clothes, I had nothing else presentable to wear, and I had to suck it up and put on something once again of hers if I was going to be able to go with Beta Ryker. It just seemed so wrong wearing her clothes, and I can’t believe that Alpha Gunner was okay with it, but I guess he really didn’t care about her belongings, or his mind was preoccupied with other matters to even notice. Thankfully, the little time that Beta Ryker had given me was enough to get a quick shower and change, without giving me too much time to think about what we were about to do. But as I left the confinement of my room, and began to head downstairs, I began to feel uneasy about leaving. I knew that it was just an innocent shopping trip to get me shoes, and in any other situation I would never be questioning it, but going without permission from Alpha Gunner still worried me, even though Be
Mila’s POV “What’s wrong?” Beta Ryker asked me, as I sat there with my head down, while sadness continued to fill me. How was I supposed to tell him that I had changed my mind after everything that he had done to sneak me out of the house and off the estate grounds? Tears were now forming in my eyes, as I continued to think about all the lives that had been lost, and I knew that I was never going to be the same or be able to function in the outside world again, at least not being able to revisit the places that I used to. I was broken, that was for sure, and just when I found courage inside of me, something so little as this reminded me of who I was now, or should I say who I wasn’t anymore. Fumbling with my fingers, I picked at what little nails I had left, as I tried to find it in me to tell him I didn’t have the strength in me to go into the mall. “Mila, what is it?” He now asks me with what sounded like genuine concer
Mila’s POV “What do we have here?” The rogue said as he pulled the car door open, and I looked around the front seat of the car, trying to find anything that I could use to defend myself, but Beta Ryker’s car had to be one of the cleanest cars I had ever seen, and there was nothing I could use to my advantage. As the man reached into the car to grab ahold of me, thankfully I still had my seatbelt on and as he pulled on my body, he was unable to remove me from the car. I turned at that moment, just enough in my seat to kick him in hopes of pushing him away enough that I could shut and lock the door. But as I kicked him, I realized that I didn’t pack much punch to my kick as Beta Ryker had said earlier, because I wasn’t strong enough to take on someone bigger than myself. The only thing that the kick to the rogue’s leg managed to do was upset him, as he once again reached into the car for me, but this time grabbing me by the nape of my nec
Mila’s POV My hands instantly began to tremble, as they let go of the walking stick, now protruding out of the rogue’s chest, while blood began to seep heavily from it. His blood now coated his clothes and began to run to the floor beneath him, and my eyes moved up to his eyes, as I watched the life within them leave. Slowly, I began to take a step back from him, while my whole body began to shake in fear, as I realized what I had done. It was the first time I had taken a life, and I honestly didn’t like what I was feeling right now, even though I knew it was going to be me or him dead in the end. A scream now filled the air around me, and I didn’t know where it was coming from, as I now stood there in shock, staring at the rogue slumped forward, with the walking stick holding him in the air like a stake. My eyes at that moment moved down to my trembling hands, knowing that they were responsible for the sight now before me.
Mila’s POV “Do you like it?” He asks, making me turn the rest of the way around, as I took in the newly remodeled room, that was painted in the most perfect shade of purple, with up-to-date furnishings, suited for a princess. “Like it?” I asked him, as I continued to look around, wondering when he decided to do all of this, as my eyes landed on the walk-in closet, and I could see from here that it had been freshly restocked with new clothes. “Gunner.” Whispers from my lips, as I turned around to look at him, overjoyed with happiness that he had done all this for me. “If you don’t like it, we can change it.” He now said to me with the look of worry on his face, but I quickly closed the distance between us, before I said back to him, “No, I love it. I’m just in shock.” “I promised you that I would buy you clothes, but I never had the chance to do that while you were here, and well, it was time for this room
Mila’s POV The drive back to Red Moon was done in silence, just like most of the first drive had been when he had purchased me as his slave, but this time he held my hand in his, as he grieved silently to himself. My heart ached from the pain he was feeling, and I could only pray that time would heal his heart from all the damage that Trina had done to it. As the gates to the estate opened, a sense of being home filled me, especially as we drove up the lane and the house came into view. Outside stood many members of the pack, awaiting the arrival of their Alpha back home, as I was sure they were all curious about what fate Trina had received. While the vehicle came to a stop, my attention turned from the members of the pack to Alpha Gunner, as he sat there with his head looking straight forward, like he was lost in his thoughts. I was sure that he knew that a statement needed to be made to his pack, to insure them of their safety and tha
Mila’s POV I felt more at ease, as we took our seats once again at Trina’s trial, as I knew that even with her best efforts to keep us apart, she had failed, and in return opened a window for the two of us to truly open our hearts to one another. The conversation that Alpha Gunner and I had at the café was one full of mixed emotions, as we laid everything out on that table between us, leaving nothing for either of us to question. Her actions may have initially driven us apart, but her moment of conviction had brought us back together. Now as the council entered the room for the second time, I didn’t have the same grave feeling in my heart as I had the first time, because whatever the outcome of this trial was, I knew that nothing could come between us. But as Trina entered the room, her demeanor, and the look on her face was so different from the first time she had, telling me that a decision had been made on her punishment for her crimes committed.
Mila’s POV As we walked outside the front door to the building, I found myself taking in the late morning sun, while my lungs took in the fresh crisp air. Fall was fully upon us, and in its wake the mountain ranges surrounding the small town were an array of vast warm colors. Although I was welcoming the fresh air into my lungs, its crispness sent a chill down my spine, as I pulled my coat tighter around me. Alpha Gunner must have noticed my actions, and he quickly moved to put his arm around me, as he guided me to a small café across the road. The smell of fresh hot brewed coffee tickled my nose, along with the sweet scent of chocolate as he opened the door for me, and my stomach instantly growled in protest, as I had skipped breakfast this morning, nervous about seeing him today. A booth in the back of the café sat empty, and he quickly guided me to it, before he excused himself, making his way to the counter to place an order.
Mila’s POV There was nothing left that could come from Trina’s mouth that would shock me, but it was clear that she was trying to get under Alpha Gunner’s skin, and it was clearly working, as he let go of my hand and stood, calling her a liar, while a growl came from deep within him. Scared that he was going to lose it here, like he had lost it back at the auction, I quickly stood up by his side, as everyone’s eyes were now on us, as I placed my hand on his arm, begging him to regain control. Thankfully, his head turned in my direction, and in his eyes, I could see the anger that he now had towards Trina, but also, I could see that he was somehow maintaining his cool, before he nodded his head to me, telling me he was okay. “Order! Order! We must have order.” The leader of the council said, as he got to his feet once again. But his command of order didn’t phase my mate, as he remained standing and so did I, by his side. “
Gunner’s POV As Trina stared at me, I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so. Even with all the evidence piled up against her that I had found, I still saw the little scared girl that my father had brought home. But the more I stared into her eyes today, the more I realized that little girl was no longer, and in her place stood a cold-blooded killer with no remorse for what she had done. I was never more thankful in my life for Mila’s presence today, as I needed her to calm my wolf stirring inside of me with the rage he had towards Trina. Not only was he irate about my parents’ murders, but he also blamed Trina for our mate leaving us, but I knew the truth that it was me that had done that. Either way, her hand was now holding tightly onto mine, and I knew by the feelings she was projecting to me now, she was here because she wanted to be by my side. The room now filled with growls of anger, as Trina was put on display
Mila’s POV My heart fluttered to life in my chest, as he turned to look at me with those piercing blue eyes of his, that I dreamt of seeing again. “Mila.” Softly whispered from his lips, making my breath hitch, hearing my name so gently spoken from him, as I watched him move to stand up. Knowing that the councilman’s eyes were on us, I try and pull myself together, finding my voice, before I can say to him, “I am sorry to keep you waiting.” “Don’t be sorry.” He said, as he moved now to pull a chair out for me to take a seat, while his eyes remained on me, holding me with his gaze, as I slowly sat down, not able to look away from him. As he pushes my chair in, the tips of his fingers graze against the bare flesh of my collar bone, and my breath hitches at the mere touch, as my heart begins to race in my chest, now being so close to him after so long. My head remained looking up at him, unable to look away, as those captiva
Gunner’s POV It was killing me being away from her, but I had promised her, her freedom, and if that was what she chose, then I had to respect her choice. I couldn’t take back the pain that I had caused her, but I prayed each night to the Moon Goddess that she would forgive me and one day come back to me. The pack house no longer felt like a home, but like purgatory to me, as it reminded me of all the losses I had endured at the hands of Trina. Now knowing that my parents’ deaths were caused by hatred by the person that they had taken in, killed me, especially knowing how much they cared for her, making me wonder if all these years the love she showed them had been an act on her behalf towards them. Looking back, I tried to piece together where I had gone wrong to give her the thought that my love towards her was more than just for a sibling, but I couldn't recounter anything that I would have done to insinuate that. It was hard on me to
Mila’s POV A few weeks passed, and even though I was technically home, it didn’t feel like home anymore. Everyone I had ever loved or knew was gone, and the walls to the house felt like they were closing in on me with each day that passed. Seth was my only means to human interaction, and I was thankful that he had stayed with me, but something told me that he had his orders too. Even though Alpha Gunner was leaving me alone per my wishes, he was still taking care of me from afar, as daily deliveries of food and supplies were delivered, along with bouquets of flowers. It was clear that he was trying his hardest to give me the space that I needed to heal, but he also was trying to show me the love that he had for me. It was almost a month that had passed before a letter accompanied the delivery, and I hesitated to open it, in fear of what it would say. As I sat there at the dining room table with it in my hand, recognizing his handwriting