Benson’s POV Of all the things to tell her aunt she was hiding. A kitten? I could taste the bitterness in my mouth. Talk about how to offend a man, never mind the son of an Alpha. But when she said two of her aunts hated cats and would stay away from the barn if they knew one was inside. I swallowed my pride and ate some snacks Ora brought me. We climbed up to the ‘loft’ as Ora called it. This was to avoid anyone seeing me, and so I didn’t scare any animals they had around. I was also grateful to avoid the cat litter she scattered around. Ora must spend some time up here, as there are books and flashlights. Sitting on a bale of hay, Ora sat next to me and we both turned to face one another. We talked for a while. About my family and friends. Where I was from in America. I didn’t go into detail about my shifter life. She would have thought I was delusional and called the men in white suits. Ora told me how she lived with her three aunts. They adopted her when she was very
Benson’s POV What do I do? There’s a possibility they could kill me if I confronted them, and nobody would be none the wiser. No one other than Ora knows I’m here. So I stay silent. “Did you get everything you needed, Jayne?” A naked Josie asks as she walks further into the barn. Scooping up an oversize jacket that was lying around. I’m watching as Jayne speaks a few words and waves her hands in a circular motion. Then she lifts what looks like a tarp off the ground. She then kneels on the ground and lifts some wooden floorboards. Josie goes to her aid as she tries to drag something out of the ground. I watch as the pair together drag out a wooden trunk from a secret compartment in the ground. “No. The Valerian I need has become hard to get hold of. No one had any. But I don’t know why. It’s a common flower in Europe.” She removes the padlock on the trunk and lifts the lid. I can’t see anything, but I hear stuff being shuffled around. I watch with interest. I watch as J
Ora’s POV I looked out of the window, daydreaming about Benson’s kiss. “Where is Aunt Jo?” I asked. I am curious as we always drive here together. It’s not that they ever come inside with me. It’s only because I attend a Catholic school that I go, as the school requires all students to attend church once a week. Aunt Josie and Aunt Jayne don’t think I notice their side glances, but I do. “She’ll be here soon. She just had something to deal with back on the farm.” “Got it,” I replied, continuing to stare out the window. Father David and his wife Stella are greeting people outside the church. “Hello, ladies,” he says as we all approach. He is a chubby man who is always happy to see everyone. “Can I interest you in joining us today?” He asks cheerfully. He always invites my aunts to join the service. But my aunts always politely decline. They tell him week after week that they are women of faith. But their faith differs from his. He still asks regardless, though. After t
Ora’s POV As I approached my house, I found it strange that all the curtains were closed. But when I walk through the door, I am showered in confetti. There is a pink and gold arch just inside the front door. Aunt Josie rushed toward me and put a party hat on my head before she pulled me further into the house. I looked around and saw food everywhere. Then there’s this lopsided five-tier birthday cake in the middle of the room. Aunt Josie’s tiered cakes have never fared well, but she always makes the effort. All of them must have worked all day to get all of this prepared in time. Aunt Jayne takes picture after picture. Eventually, I had to tell her to stop. “We want to remember this, Ora,” is the response I got. Knowing how upset she was this morning, I don’t want to ruin her mood. So I let her continue. “Birthday group shot, before cake,” Aunt Josie shouts. We all gather in front of my cake and Aunt Jayne sets the timer on the camera and places it on a stand. She truly be
Jo’s POV “Where the hell are they?” I shouted as I tried to find my nunchucks. They are here somewhere. When I move a sword, a bunch of things fall. I growled in frustration, but stopped when I remembered Ora was outside. “For goodness’ sake,” I then shouted, kicking a shield. Something else that is out of place. The pain in my foot tells me it was a mistake. Why is there a shield on the ground, anyway? I bend to pick it up and place it on a hook on the wall. Which is when I see the wooden handle of what I am looking for. “It’s about dammed time,” I say a bit too loudly. I bent down and grabbed hold of the handle. Now I’ve found one, the rest will be close by. “Jo,” Ora cries out. Not Aunt Jo. Simply Jo. But it’s the panic in her voice that catches my attention. I drop what I am holding and rush outside to see Ora running towards the house. That’s when I see the blue smoke. This is just one of the many warning signs we have implemented over the years. The house is under attack an
Matty’s POV It’s been two whole months since Shannen left for Beta Academy. It might as well have been two years. That’s how much I’ve missed her. Killian wasn’t happy, either. She wouldn’t let the marking or mating process be completed before she left. As she didn’t want people treating her differently because of who she was mated to. Which is stupid because Coach Carter went with her to Beta Academy. If she doesn’t get preferential treatment because of him. I don’t know who would. Since she left, I have worked ten hours each day with my dad. I have never spent so much with the man in my life. Not that I ever wanted to either. Meeting after meeting. Policy after policy, not forgetting the endless amount of paperwork and reports, I have had to read and write. Oh, and the personal projects the Royal Beta oversees. Like Beta Academy and the royal guard. The list goes on and on. Then, when Dad tells me we have to stay late for a meeting with the Wolf Council and the Wolf
Matty’s POV “I know a place, Joanna. My son Matthew will meet you at the airport and take you there,” Dad informs Joanna. Will I? Take who where? When he hangs up the phone, he looks at me. “I need you to meet Joanna at the airport.” “Go yourself.” I am curious who Joanna is, but not curious enough to spend several hours in a car on my way to the airport, and then take her somewhere. “I have to present this report to Nathan and the Wolf Council.” He answers. “I’ll do the report. You go to the airport.” I offered, smirking at him. The meeting will only be for a few hours. The trip will be longer. He glares at me. “Nathan would ask where I was. Joanna doesn’t want Nathan to know she is back in the country.” So she is connected to Uncle Nathan. Maybe it’s an old girlfriend and Aunt Sarah can’t know. “Besides.” He smirks. “I want you to take her to Beta Academy.” At the mention of Beta Academy, I practically leaped out of my chair. Killian howls. He is missing Carron
Jo’s POV “Get some rest, Ora,” I told her as I lay on the bed beside her. I haven’t slept in so long. But I’ve had to keep Ora safe. There is only me left. Closing my eyes, I drifted to sleep. I am surrounded by darkness. Then, out of nowhere, I hear screaming. I never saw what happened back at the farm. But not knowing leaves my imagination to run rampant. I pray Jayne and Josie were killed quickly. “Please goddess, let them have died quickly,” I whispered before I opened my wet eyes. I have yet to grieve about losing my sisters. But there will be a time for that. Sitting up, the room was still dark. I mustn’t have slept for long. Then my stomach rumbled, making me realize how hungry I was. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast yesterday. Jupiter scolds me, “You can’t protect anyone if you have no energy.” She says. Deciding to go to the kitchen and get some food, I get dressed in the dark. I dread to think how bad I look, but I don’t care. No one will be around at this
Evangeline’s POV Nathan has been exceptionally accommodating ever since we settled into his home and kingdom. Edgar spends quite a lot of time with him and Jasper. It’s good to see Edgar finally relaxing after all these years. I think abdicating may have been a wise decision. I get to spend time with Ora and Shannen a lot these days. Maria’s mates have been treating her like she is breakable, which is driving her potty. As the date of Maria’s scan approaches. Nathan has been becoming more and more agitated. Edgar and Jasper have been helping him relieve some of that aggression in the training field. But I can see the emotional toll it is taking on him. I talked to Asher, Dexter, and Finley, asking for permission to speak with Maira privately. At first, they said no, “Whatever Maria is going through, she has us to support her,” Finley told me. “This is a difficult time for any family. I understand that. Maria may have relied on her mother for guidance, but she isn’t here. I am no
Benson’s POV “It will be okay,” I told Rhea as we drove to the Dark Crescent Pack. Ora and Rhea are sitting in the back seat and I can see how restless she is. “I know, but I still feel nervous about returning home,” she says. Rhea hasn’t been home since the hunters took her. We are both concerned mom will have a heart attack if she just turns up. So we both agreed to break the news to her gently. Which is why the back windows of the car are tinted. Edgar and Evangeline have given us a head start. But they are on their way to meet their in-laws. “No matter how you are feeling. Can you imagine what mom is going to be like?” I said as I approached the border’s gates. I lower the window and am greeted by a guard. He ushers me through without hesitation, telling me he has informed my dad about my arrival. I drive slowly through the pack so that Ora can see where I grew up. “It’s so quaint,” she says. “The people are so nice here. It was a great place to grow up.” Rhea tells her
Ora’s POV After leaving Scotland, we traveled south. To a place I once called home. I had so many mixed feelings on the journey. I had lived there in that farmhouse for as long as I can remember. I have so many memories there. What stands out in my memory now, is that this is the place where Aunt Jayne and Aunt Josie lost their lives. As we pulled down the long drive, there was nothing in sight. No buildings, no equipment. Nothing but grass. “Everything is gone,” I said sadly as I got out of the car and walked around. “There is a chance Millicent burned the place to the ground to cover her tracks,” Mom told me. “You will always have your memories of this place before the attack,” Benson says. “Do you remember the time I hid in the barn?” I smile, but that’s all it is now, a memory. “Feels like a lifetime ago,” I said as he kissed my hand. “Did you do anything off the farm? Maybe that will cheer you up,” Dad asked me. “I had a pretty strict upbringing. Going out
Evangeline’s POV Our alarm went off just as Edgar and I were still busy. We grinned at one another. “It’s been a while since we had a night like that,” he announced proudly. “Hopefully, we get to do it again. Now that life is as it should be,” I responded. There have been instances in the past where I felt guilty for my happiness while my child was out there somewhere. But that is behind me now. As we entered the dining room, I was surprised to see Ora and Benson sitting there. Ora’s hair was tied up, showing off Benson’s mark on her neck. “I guess we had better get used to having a son and a daughter,” I told Edgar before we sat opposite the couple. Coffee is brought to our table. “Have you given any thoughts about your future?” Edgar asks Ora. She stops eating and questions him about what she means. “You are our daughter. By birth, you are the heir to the throne. A princess.” Ora places her knife and fork down before she looks at Benson. “I would follow you anywhere,” Ben
Evangeline’s POV It’s a hard pill to swallow. The baby I once cradled in my arms is now a woman. I have missed so much. I fear I will never truly get to know my daughter now that her mate bond has snapped into place. As I maneuver around the room, I see so many new friends. But the person I am keeping my eye on the most is Edgar. He is in overprotective dad mode. Every time Benson and Ora go to leave the room, he is there, blocking their path. The next time he does it, I will say something. I tell myself, knowing it won’t be long. But first, there is someone I need to speak to. I glanced around the room, easily spotting her vibrant red hair. She sees me approaching and straightens up. “Be in my lab in an hour. Bring your arrowhead. All being well, we will leave tomorrow.” I told her quickly as I could see Edgar moving again. “See if Kristopher can help,” I said as I rushed away. “Where are you two off to?” I caught Edgar asking the couple as he stood in front of them with h
Jo’s POV “Haven’t you slept for long enough?” Jupiter asks. It’s good to hear her voice even if she is complaining. “A few more minutes,” I pleaded as I stretched my limbs, hitting someone in the process. My eyes flew open, fearing who it could be. I turned my head to the side to see a face I had not seen in a very long time. “Gosh, you’ve aged badly,” I told Nathan as I rolled on my side and stroked his face. “I’ve aged fine. Thank you very much, Joanna. It’s the trouble you’ve brought to my doorstep that’s aged me. I think I’ve aged a decade since finding out you were here.” He retorts. “Are you saying I shouldn’t have come back when I had nowhere else to go?” He pulls me close to him. “You should never have left. You owe me an explanation.” He says adamantly. Seeing the pain on his face makes me think I may have made a bad decision back then. But I made it based on Nathan having a life full of happiness with his mate. I made the hard sacrifice, so he didn’t have to. I love him
Wolf King Nathan’s POV Ajax has been inconsolable since our mate bond was severed. He decided our best chance right now was to be in human form. Being in human form would mean we had a clearer head, as the mate bond was connected through the wolf. Then he could be blocked out. I stood side by side next to my son’s wolves. Face a group of creatures set on destroying us. Every wolf around me stood strong, growling as our enemies got closer. Then, when they were close enough to smell them, we charged forward. Cooper, Colt, and Cody blocked my path. I tried to get involved, but this only distracted them. I begrudgingly took a step back for their safety. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. The howling intensified with the arrival of more wolves to the fight. I don’t know who they are, but I am grateful they are here. To make myself useful, I approach the ice wall, intending to break through it. That will be the next task we face. “It’s solid,” I say as I kick it in frustration. I cou
Merida’s POV With everything going on here and worrying about my Ma back home. I needed to blow off some steam. With my new bow and a couple of quills, I went for some target practice. I know it’s old, a lot older than I am. But this bow feels like it was custom-made for me. It’s the perfect height and weight for me. The wood is sturdy but also bendable, and the string fires my arrows faster than any other material I’ve used. It is a work of art. When Rhea suggested lighting my arrows, I couldn’t believe it. “Best day ever,” I whispered, causing her to snicker. “Wolf hearing,” she responded. I was having a great time until Frederick had to spoil my fun by telling me not to waste my arrows and sending Rhea to be with her brother. Benson is alright, but I still haven’t forgiven him or Ellie for what they did to me. Just as I was aiming to shoot an arrow at a tree, the wall of Beta Academy exploded. While dodging the flying debris, I got hit on the head. A flying piece of debris. Th
Anabelle’s POV Frederick said I would die protecting someone important, and he was right. I protected an unconscious woman and her unborn baby. How important they are doesn’t matter, they are defenseless. The pain in my chest was excruciating, and I had trouble taking breaths. I struggled to keep my eyelids open as I tried to breathe. When they closed, happy memories of my family appeared, the things that brought me the most joy. I could hear Maria’s reassuring voice telling me help was coming. The more time I spent with my eyes closed, the more my memories lengthened. That’s when I saw memories of Ellie and me running around the castle growing up. Getting into all sorts of mischief. I began to cry at the thought of leaving Ellie. She would be all alone in this world without me. But there was nothing I could do. My chest hurt so much. Ellie was my last thought as everything became dark. I felt so cold. As the darkness consumed me. Kristopher suddenly appeared out of nowhere. A br