Anika’s POV
I woke up when I felt the car come to a stop. I yawned and stretched, looking around for Alec. He was pumping gas. We stopped for gas. Then I looked at the clock. We had been driving for 3 hours. It was the middle of the night, or the wee hours of the morning, whichever way you want to see it.
Shockingly enough, when I sat back up, I felt rested. How well did I actually rest? Why was I so refreshed with just a few hours of sleep? Was this a part of the mate pull? I would ask Alec whenever he got back in the car.
I was still frustrated with Alec, but I know I’ll get over it. Right now, I needed to get to know Alec better, and I needed to be sure we were actually going to get to Ari. Until I saw her with my own eyes, I was still going to have my guard up a little.
Alec was sooo amazing even pumping gas! Those muscles, that jawline, and THOSE EYES. His eyes for a green I couldn’t comprehend. They were a bright pastel green when he seemed calm
Anika's POV “Wow…” I uncrossed my arms and instantly let my guard down realizing that no one other than Freedom Ridge pack members actually knew what Freedom Ridge was like! Well, of course, them and the current Alpha King. He wouldn’t allow things like the rumors to go on in a pack under his rule. “Have I rendered my mate speechless?” He smirks. “No! I just never looked at it that way. SO what is Freedom Ridge REALLY like?” “Well, that my beautiful, you will have to see for yourself, but what I can tell you is that it is the most secure location in the wolf nation and it is far from a prison! There are some beautiful landscapes and wilderness within our borders that can take your breath away. I have a favorite spot I can’t wait to show you!” He was glowing as he told me about his pack. Just the little bit he is telling me is still vague but gives me hope as I see him glowing talking about it. He really does love it there, so I’m sure I will too.
Ares’s POV We’ve been mating for what seems like days. Eros won’t let me release her so we can finally sleep. He doesn’t smell her with pup yet. I’m exhausted, but Eros keeps surging me with more and more energy. Ari is exhausted in every way imaginable. Alec is on his way and should be here within the hour. I had the whole place locked down with the retractable windows and doors covering the place. When I raise one of the retractable doors to let Alec in, Ari’s scent will explode in the area. I trust Alec. He’s bringing his mate, so he should be pre-occupied himself. I’m just worried about how much of her scent will get out and that it will be strong enough, even in that short period of time I open the door, to attract her father’s wolves on patrol. If they pick up her scent, we are as good as screwed. The full force of his pack will come down on us to retrieve her. I can’t let that happen. Think Ares, THINK dammit! ‘Tell them to get a hotel room in the
Ari’s POV Ares wasn’t wrong. The next morning we woke up reinvigorated like never before and we mated in every corner of the room, bathroom, and virtually everywhere upstairs since apparently he told Alec not to come up here. Since we were obviously not going anywhere for a few days, Alec focused on Ani. I’m sure she is close to hitting her heat at this point since it’s been two days since they arrived. I’m not sure if Ani has let him mark her yet, but I assume the deeds already done. Once they mate and mark each other the first time, she only has two to three days and she will hit her heat. I just felt so much better just knowing Ani was here with me. My heat was starting to relax. The waves weren’t hitting me as hard anymore. I felt a dull pain throbbing in my uterus and frankly, I couldn’t tell what was hurting, my lady bits or my uterus because of the heat. I was so sore in every aspect and inch of my body. ‘Can we just tell him we are with pu
Ares’s POV Another day has passed and I think Ari slept half the day away. I, on the other hand, spent that time wrapped around her sleeping body, lost in my own blissful thoughts. After Ari told me she felt that she was with pup, my heart sang. Eros couldn’t be more proud of himself and our efforts. I know Ari wanted to finish her degree before we tried anything like starting a family, but I just don’t see that as an issue since we have daycare at the Pack University. She doesn’t know that, but I also realize that it is my fault. I naturally am not very forthcoming with information about our pack with anyone, it’s just habit. All my higher-ranking wolves have been trained this way for a reason. Since we arrived at my safe house, I have tuned the outside world out and lost myself in Ari and our bond. Eros had one thing on his mind, breeding Ari. With Ari done with her heat and Anika hitting her heat with Alec, we have another few days of solace before shit hi
Ari’s POV For the last two or three days, I have been exhausted. Ever since Ares’s wolf, Eros, released and let us finally recoup, I was able to shower, eat, and sleep and sleep I did! I really am not sure how long I slept, but Ares said he has been taking care of pack business on his cell phone and keeping in contact with my father and his gamma. When I asked Ares why we couldn’t leave sooner, he told me we weren’t going anywhere until Anika was done with her heat. He wouldn’t go downstairs at ALL, I am assuming because Anika’s heat is sending off crazy amounts of pheromones downstairs, but I was allowed to retrieve things like food and drinks for us from the kitchen downstairs. When I came to and finally left the bedroom for the first time, I was able to explore this “safe house” and really take in what it really looked like. When we arrived, I wasn’t really in my right mind. I had to admit, this place of Ares’s was pretty amazing. It has this ridiculous se
“We are raising a goddess,” Ares stated and wrapped his arms around me to calm me. He could tell I was obviously upset at this news, stressed, and confused. His touch mixed with his intoxicating scent instantly soothes me and makes me feel this wave of safety and security, like everything will be okay. “Precisely.” My father states, “You have the hardest job of all, being the mother and father of the moon goddess. Raising a celestial being to influence the world in a good, prosperous, and magical way. This is why you must pass all her tests and trials. She is making sure you are the chosen ones and are prepared for the largest task ahead. In order to raise her, you must be powerful enough to protect her first and foremost. With power comes great responsibility.” My father reminds us.” “So, basically, if we pass these trials, we could potentially become the most powerful wolves to ever exist?” Ares clarifies. “That is correct son.” My father has never called A
As we arrived at Freedom Ridge, I was nervous, but when I saw that the reinforcements my father sent were waiting for us at the gates, I felt comfort in knowing that some of my extended family was now with us at Freedom Ridge. My personal guards and maids that help me with my day-to-day living will really help me feel more at home until we can actually go back home. Apparently, Ares lost my cell phone in the rush of my heat hitting at the celebrations so I had to use his as he drove us here. I was able to text Alexia to see that she was okay. She told me that she went into heat around the same time as Ani and I did but she was not very talkative. She answered my questions with very direct and simple answers. Something was off about her. Maybe she was just exhausted as we have been? She assured me that Lane was still acting gentlemanly towards her and everyone at Slick Paw was so nice and helpful. She arrived with Fen and Lane at Slick Paw the day after celebrations ended and
“Are you ready to officially meet your new pack?” Ares asks me, extending his hand to me as I finish getting dressed for the event. “I think so,” I say nervously, taking his hand and walking with him downstairs. “You look, beautiful princess.” He smiles as we walk down the stairs. I look to the right of the staircase and see AN ELEVATOR! “YOU HAVE AN ELEVATOR!” I was so excited about this because my father never would install one at the palace! Ares laughed, “Yeah, we have elders that cannot climb stairs so we put it in with consideration to them. Pack meetings are held on the 3rd floor after all.” “Wow, you thought of everything when designing this place!” “We tried to anyway. Alec and I mainly focused on the security systems we have in place. My father did all the other designs to the packhouse.” “Well, you both did an amazing job!” When we reached the common areas, we walked into the great room where what looked like