THE ASCENSION RITE IS COMING SOOOOON! 🥰 THAT MEANS THEIR REUNION IS CLOSE!
GALLAHAN’S POV“Can we go now?” I asked impatiently as I paced around the pavilion.“Hush, child,” Zuleika replied, stirring her fifth cup of tea.“Alright, tea addict,” I jabbed sarcastically.“Shut up. Let the letter we sent to the Alfieros marinate first. We can’t just barge in to attend their Ascension Rite.”“It’s been an hour, Zee. Surely that’s enough time already.”“Well go around sundown.” Zuleika threw me a look that brook no argument. “That is my compromise. Or you can find another way to get to Wolverham on time.”Maliya only shrugged when I looked at her, unwilling to help me plead my case to Zuleika. It left me growling in frustration, my eyes glowing golden.But Zuleika stayed unfazed by my temper. “Shift and go for a run to let off some steam. Paint for all I care. We are leaving around sundown, and that’s final.”Maliya shrugged once again and said, “She’s the boss. Whatever she says goes.”I sent an angry glare at my friends’ direction and stormed off, fuming with ev
GALLAHAN’S POV“Gallahan,” Zuleika gasped.But I couldn’t bring myself to turn to her or offer some sort of response. Because the adorable dark-haired boy with green eyes had seized my entire attention and was holding it completely captive in his small hands.My eyes drank in the cherubic face, then raked all over his small form. To be fair, he was probably average-sized among his peers, but he was tiny compared to me, who loomed over him like a tower.“He asked you a question, you know?” Maliya murmured as a reminder.I cleared my throat, willing the wave of nausea to go away. But with how my heart was leaping out of control and my blood fizzing with an energy I couldn’t quite explain, it was a little hard to get my bearings and reign myself in.I couldn’t even answer the simple question of the boy, because a lump had taken residence in my throat, and I couldn’t seem to swallow it down.It didn’t help my case that my mind was in jumbles, unable to weave words into something coherent
WILLA’S POV““Willa, Circe’s tits!” Sarina cried out, looking utterly pale as she barged into my room in the Alfiero family house.“Language!” Mom and I immediately chided at the same time. But when I noticed how Calisto looked quite shaken and pale in her arms, I immediately rushed to meet them halfway. Upon closer look, I realized how Sarina also looked like she had seen a ghost.“What happened? Are the two of you okay?” I asked, my worry ringing loudly in my tone, as I got my son from Sarina.“Yes. No. I don’t know. I…”She cut off her answer with a groan, frustratedly tugging at the ends of her short hair.“Slowly. Breathe, Sarina.”She heaved a sigh and tried explaining again. “Yes, we’re okay in a sense that we weren’t physically harmed. But no, we’re also not okay. I just…” Sarina glanced warily at Mom, who was fixing Gillian’s hair. “We need to talk.”Sensing the urgency in her voice and the worry dancing in her eyes, I nodded. “Just a second. Alright?”I directed my attentio
GALLAHAN’S POV When I came to my senses, I found myself lying prone on a soft brocade couch, the back of my head pounding in ache. “Fuck! What was that about?” I grumbled, putting a hand against my forehead. “Let me ask you,” Zuleika seethed from where she sat on the armchair, which was adjacent to my couch. “What was that about, you prick?!” Uh oh? Maliya’s temper had always been quick to rise, but Zuleika, who had a great grip on her emotions, rarely got infuriated to this degree. My behavior must’ve pushed all the wrong buttons for her to be boiling in anger like this. As if on cue, my memories of meeting Calisto came rushing back to the forefront of my mind, his terrified face flashing vividly and hitting me like a punch in the gut. “Fuck. I made a scene,” I said as I got up into a sitting position. Dread over leaving a terrible first impression to my son coiled in my stomach, and pain unravelled further in my head, as if punishing me for scaring him. Zuleika didn’t answe
GALLAHAN’S POVWilla whirled around so fast in surprise that it almost made me chuckle. But her ashen face and widened eyes withered the huff of amusement away.A flash of recognition settled on her features, but she managed to school her expression back into neutrality. Still, it was an effort that was a second too late. “Excuse me,” she said, putting on a saccharine smile. One that I immediately decided to hate with how fake it seemed. “We were having a private conversation.”But even with the infuriating fake smile that was out of place in her damningly gorgeous face, I was still enthralled by the sight of her.So unfairly enchanting.It was obvious how the last several years had been so kind to her. Her hair was still as fiery as ever. Much like who she was. Then there were her beautiful eyes, shining in my favorite color.Gods, I could finally get the perfect shade of green whenever I would paint her.She had also gained a bit of weight on her svelte figure, likely a remnant of
WILLA’S POV I could’ve melted into a heap on the floor just from the relief that flooded me as soon as my brother showed up. But I would rather shave my head than show any sign of vulnerability in front of Gallahan. “Nothing,” I fibbed, pulling Sarina away from Gallahan, who stood glaring at William. “Is the Ascension Rite about to start?” “In less than an hour,” William replied, willingly meeting Gallahan’s furious gaze with an impassive one. “I was sent here to inform our honorable guests. But then this is what I came to.” He walked up to Gallahan and squared up to him in an almost haughty manner. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Wick. Still, I honestly had half a hope that since we have welcomed you as a guest in our home in respect to you as the Alpha King’s son and in consideration to the longstanding ceasefire, you would’ve acted accordingly. But I suppose that is too much to ask from you.” Tension lined the contours of Gallahan’s body, betraying how he was just sec
GALLAHAN’S POV With hands that were still trembling with barely contained anger, I fastened the last button of my waistcoat. Then I slipped my arms into the sleeves of my ceremonial robe, which was light blue around my shoulders and midnight blue around my forearms and legs. With tiny diamonds studded all over the darkest shade of blue, I fucking felt like I was halfway into becoming a replica of that gaudy-looking Prince Bubba of Agvanda. “Looking good!” Maliya, who was already donning a silky yellow robe over a long white dress, complimented me chirpily, trying to get me to lighten up. But I was so wound up wi
WILLA’S POVTHIS DAMN BASTARD.THIS. DAMN. FUCKING. JERK.The ancestral sash was a sacred item to old werewolf families like the Hancrofts, the Wicks, the Warricks, and the Alfieros. It was so sacred that no one could touch it but one’s family members and mate!And yet Gallahan had let the beautiful woman, who I just learned was actually the renowned Miss Zuleika Banfey, touch his ancestral sash!“Fuck,” I seethed.The sight I was forced to bear witness had ignited the need to rip the woman’s hand and smash Gallahan’s head, as fury roared loudly in my mind and in every fiber of my being.Did the bastard forget about such an old yet deeply ingrained custom? Or did his head go empty in the last six years?Or maybe Miss Banfey was simply his chosen mate.But the thought just angered me further.Why did he have to disrupt my peace? Why did he have to show me the man that he had become and the man that I had to lose? Why did he have to show me how easy it was for him to fill in the spot th
GALLAHAN’S POVOnce I noticed that Willa had fled with the twins, I let rage and primal instinct to kill take the wheel. I no longer have any slim shred of care for what would be left of the rogue wolves and the creature hunters once I was through with them.I became an artist of violence, creating a crimson masterpiece as blood painted the surroundings in splash and splotches.My claws dug into the skin and sliced through the flesh of both humans and wolves, tearing out piercing cries and harrowing yowls of agony out of their mouths.The pandemonium and the havoc I had brought upon was likely not that different from hell, where disturbed souls scream and beg for mercy.But unfortunately for these insolent beings, I was no god.I had no mercy to give any of them. Not even a sliver.Especially not to the rogue wolf who had been leering at my Willa as if he had intended to take her from me.I gouged both of its eyes and let the eyeballs roll away without bothering to spare them a glance
WILLA’S POVMy heart stilled when the attention of every rogue wolf shifted to me. But it went cold and plummeted when their gazes zeroed in on Gillian’s and Calisto’s small cowering forms.Every fiber of my being went alight with my protective instincts.I adjusted my stance, no longer trying to be furtive with my movement, just so I could shield my kids away from the rogue wolves’ view.Or at least shield them as much as I could.Then I sent another warning growl, making sure to put more threat in each gritty note.Gallahan echoed me without hesitation. But the sound coming from him rang louder and deeper that it almost made me shiver.It was a sound that could make any other wolf tuck their tail between their legs. One that told a history of violence. One that promised a grim fate to those that wouldn’t heed his warning.But oddly enough, it had soothed my rabbiting heart. It assured me that everything would be alright. At least for me and for our twins.I couldn’t be too sure I co
WILLA’S POVThe ground beneath my paws as I ran through the trail on the far eastern side of the moorland was familiar. So was the crisp breeze brushing through my pelt while I towed in a slow jog behind two adorable pups that were rough-playing and making each other stumble every now and then.Gillian’s fur was much darker than Calisto’s. She could almost pass a good camouflage in the darkness of the night to anyone with eyes that were less vivid and sensitive. If she could just sharpen her stealth skills, Gillian would be a force to reckon with in hiding and spying. She would make an excellent hunter in the night.Meanwhile, it seemed like Calisto had little to no hope for that. But it wasn’t because he was slightly larger than Gillian, nor was it because his pelt was deep gray and had a very high resemblance with Grandpa’s. It was because he was quite ungainly on four legs. On top of that, he was a little too playful and loud, trotting and hopping and yipping the night away.It was
GALLAHAN’S POVExcitement rang clearly in Calisto’s voice, and when my gaze flickered to his direction, I saw how his round eyes glimmered with eagerness and hope.The ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips was quite endearing, and I couldn’t help but mirror it.Even then, I said as gently as I could, “I don’t know, bud. I think you better ask your Mommy. She’s the boss.”Calisto quickly diverted his attention to Willa. “Mommy, we’re going, right? Right? We have to go on a run tonight. Please?”Willa huffed, closing her book and tossing it aside. But there was fondness in the way she regarded our son, sending a warm buzz beneath my skin.She was a good mother to our twins, and every time I saw things that proved it, no matter how little or trivial it might seem to others, I would always end up feeling so full of affection for her that I often felt that I might just combust on the spot.“We’re going. After all, the full moon is the opportunity for you and Gillian to shift
GALLAHAN’S POVI didn’t mean to be so cutting with my words.But regardless of intention, I still did anyway.Fortunately for me, the two balls of sweetness and energy were enough as a buffer between Willa and I, saving us from being trapped in suffocating air the following day.Gradually, though, the frigidity between us wore off, and by late afternoon, we found ourselves out in the back garden, having a picnic with the twins. A large red picnic blanket was laid out, and a few charcuterie boards of finger food sat in the middle.It was a good day. Crisp and cold breeze blowing by, ruffling leaves and making them rustle quite audibly. It made a relaxing background noise. Meanwhile, puffy clouds littered the sky, shielding us from the sun that was bound to dip beyond the horizon in less than an hour.If we were in Moonshire, we would’ve been locked indoors as harsh frost took a claim of the territory. Unless, the twins would appreciate a snowball fight while wrapped in multiple layers
WILLA’S POVElodie didn’t walk.She glided, waltzing into the room and towards us like a graceful swan moving on water. The sight of her vividly reminded me of Miss Banfey, and I couldn’t help but think that they were likely cut from the same cloth.“So pretty,” Gillian whispered in uncontained awe.‘She is,’ my mind supplied in agreement while my gaze remained firmly trained on Elodie.She was really quite the sight. Her beautiful hair was pinned on one side, cascading down in soft curls and contrasting strikingly against the fabric of her castleton green dress. Her perfectly shaped face, which boasted beautifully sculpted features, wore a barely-there smile that could only be read as genial and coy.And Gallahan?Gallahan couldn’t take his unblinking eyes off of Elodie.I bit my lower lip as my stare flickered to and fro between him and Elodie, who was fast approaching with my brother.Did Gallahan regret it? Letting go of such a wonderful woman?Did seeing her holding another man’s
GALLAHAN’S POV“Can you stop fussing?” Willa asked as she herded us to the great dining hall of the Alfiero Manor. “You’ll ruin my hard work.”“I’m sorry to break it to you, sweetheart,” I drawled playfully, “but my dashing appearance is not your hard work. It’s my parents’ hard work.”“What does that mean?” Calisto wondered, tugging me by the hand I was holding him with. “I don’t get it, Daddy.”Willa shot me an irate look, slapping my other hand that had been tugging at the collar of my regalia for tonight’s dinner affair.While I had my official garbs as the heir of the Alpha King, which boasted the colors of midnight blue and gold and had a long side cape for the right shoulder, Willa had clad me in dark green and black with accents of silvery gray for this Alfiero family dinner.“Daddy meant nothing about what he said,” Willa explained to Calisto with a tight smile. Then she shot me a glare when she noticed me fussing with the fancy silk jabot she had chosen for me. “I said stop
WILLA’S POVDays passed in a blur, and before I knew it, days had turned into weeks, and the weeks bled into months.In fact, three months had gone by, and I barely even felt it.Perhaps it was due to the infectious bliss of the twins that had only doubled since the particular family talk that happened in the dining area. Or maybe it was because it just felt so ridiculously right to have Gallahan around that it got me a little spellbound.In fact, it was terrifyingly fast and easy for him to meld himself into our home and into our lives. It was as if there had been a Gallahan-shaped void that existed all this time without our knowledge, and now he had reclaimed that void, rightfully slotting himself into place.He had even unofficially moved into my home, his clothes and other personal belongings taking space here and there. He rarely went to Moonshire now, only leaving the house when he deemed it was truly necessary.And while this setup was not what we had agreed on at first, I didn
GALLAHAN’S POVThe tension left me as soon as Willa’s words registered and sank in my mind, and I nearly slumped like a ragdoll on my chair from the sheer relief they brought.A light feeling I could only call joy swarmed my core and enveloped my chest tightly.It felt great.And honestly? I haven’t had a taste of such pure and adulterated happiness since Gillian first called me Daddy.So, as I moved based on nothing but my emotions like I usually did, I drew Willa into a kiss with a hand holding her jaw. But I couldn’t contain the smile that stretched on my lips, which only grew bigger when Calisto loudly cheered.“Yay! Yay!”I broke the kiss, affectionately bumping my nose against Willa’s before completely pulling away.A hint of uncertainty laid beneath the apparent fond softness that lined Willa’s face. It was like a quiet plea, asking me to prove to her that her decision was right, to never make her regret it.She didn’t have to ask for it, though.There wasn’t a chance I would a