Goldie’s POV A knock on the door woke me up. Half asleep, I fell over Matty’s foot on my way to the door. I bet that woke him up. Once I get to my feet, I rush to open the door. It’s Mrs. Woodhouse, with a lot of navy clothing in her arms. “Your uniforms,” she says. “Say what?” Matty asked from behind me. “We had to guess your size, Miss. Harper. If they don’t fit, you can exchange them.” She informs me as she hands the bundle of clothing over to me. “You will have shoes and sneakers by the end of the day.” Matty and I look at each other in disbelief. “Uniforms, seriously?” Matty asks Mrs. Woodhouse. “When Principal Andrews started here, he introduced them. As everyone is wearing the same thing. There’s no longer competition when it comes to clothing. The focus should be on your education, not your trendy outfits. You will also receive a training kit at the beginning of your first session.” She says I snicker at the thought of every st
Goldie’s POV Both me and Matty rushed to the training field, quickly getting changed into whatever they had available. I found myself wearing an oversized vest and snug-fitting shorts. But the clothes didn’t matter. What mattered the most to me was having a pair of sneakers that fit. That was the most crucial part of any training session. We were standing in front of Coach Carter with seconds to spare before his class began. He blew a whistle, signaling the commencement of his class. A couple of girls casually walked up and joined the line we were standing in. “If you can’t be bothered to turn up on time. Don’t turn up at all. Point deduction for tardiness. Now get the hell off my training field.” He shouted at them. “But it’s a double lesson. We’ll lose double points,” one girl protests. Coach Carter just glared at her. “If you can’t be bothered to turn up on time. Don’t turn up at all. Take your whiny complaint, with your whiny attitude somewhere else, and tell someone
Goldie’s POV “On your marks,” Coach Carter yells. “Get set.” He calls as he raises a whistle to his mouth and blows it. I sprinted to the first obstacle, beating Matty. It was a zig-zagged balance beam. With my size 6 feet, I maneuver around it with precision. I can’t help but notice the incline on my way around. At the end, I jump and grab hold of a rope that swings me to another rope swing. I slid down a bit so that when I let go on the second swing, I flew that bit further onto the grassy edge. Next obstacle. I drop and crawl beneath a net. I am so slim it’s easy to get through this obstacle. Getting to my feet, I saw a wooden wall in front of me. This might have been a challenge if I hadn’t spent years climbing a wonky ladder. I can see where the wood is protruding and I plan my path. I dig my fingernails into the smallest of cracks and climb. At one point, I allow myself a glance at where the others are. The nets are moving, so I assume they are in there somewhere
Principal Andrews POV “Mrs. Woodhouse, please go through every student’s file and check each application personally. Making sure every future student is on the calendar. I can’t run this school efficiently if mistakes like this happen.” I said politely to my PA. But inside, I felt annoyed. Disgusted that Principal Blundell and his administration ran this place so badly, and made such a mistake. Miss. Harper deserves a place here. But there was no place allocated for her When I became principal here, everyone graduated, no matter how much effort they put in. Or how little they knew. Beta’s need training, they need to be knowledgeable and efficient. They are second in command of a pack; they have as much responsibility as the Alpha whom they work alongside. All the while knowing that they are not the Alpha. I have one year to ensure each student receives the basic skills required to be a Beta. That’s why I introduced the pass/fail points system. I am not signin
Matty’s POV “It’s only for a week, Matty,” Goldie says, handing me a leaflet that had been placed on all the tables in the dining room. I took it from her to read it for myself. ‘An opportunity has arisen for students to earn extra points. Additional border patrol places are available for the upcoming week. Speak to Mrs. Woodhouse to sign up.’ After we finished our meal, we headed towards Mrs. Woodhouse’s desk. If we don’t know where anything else is in this school, we know where Mrs. Woodhouse’s desk is. Right outside of Principal Andrews office. “These are the time slots available. Make sure you don’t miss any classes, though.” She says, handing me the board. We stand at Mrs. Woodhouse’s desk, checking out the slots that are up for grabs. There aren’t many left, as others must have gotten there before us. Between us, we selected 6 slots a day for the next week. “Easy points,” I told Goldie. “Easy points.” She responded in agreement. Those points will more than get
Asher’s POV “Torture bloody torture. That’s what this is!” I shouted. As I climbed off my bed, “I’m going out,” I snapped at my brothers. I know it’s not right to be angry at them, but I am so upset. I know they are too, which is why we have been arguing so much lately. I found myself in front of a wall. I must have walked here without even thinking. I looked over my shoulder and didn’t see anybody. Cooper is demanding I scour the kingdom to find Maria, but we tried that, and it didn’t work. I’m frustrated. I’m desperate. She’s out there somewhere, and I’m trapped here behind this dammed wall. Then, in anger, I clenched my fists and started punching the pieces of brick as if it were my worst enemy. As if the wall is the only thing stopping me from tracking her down and making her ours. I only stop when I hear something in my hand crunch. I sat against the wall I had just been using as a punching bag and rested my head on my arms. I feel the pain in my hands and can smel
Goldie’s POV “Harper, your students are over there.” Coach Carter yells at me while pointing at a group of students who were lying on the ground. I look at Matty on the assault course and feel a tad bit guilty. But this is what we agreed on. I identify the students as the academic ones from my cohort. The ones who look like they couldn’t knock over a feather. I get to know each of their names before I watch them sparring. It turned out I was right. None of them had much of a fighting spirit. “We suck at this sort of thing. But we get the points if we try,” Lewis tells me. I understand his logic. “I kind of noticed that. But there are things we can do to improve your skills.” I told them all, which seemed to pique their interest. After a quick conversation, I discovered they all needed to start with the basics. “Harper, why is your group sitting down? This is training, not yoga class,” Coach Carter shouts at me. I look back at my group. Before inviting Coach Carter
Goldie’s POV Not having Matty on campus was strange. It’s not like we even have classes together. It was just weird knowing he wasn’t around. The atmosphere around the academy was electric. Everyone was excited and giddy. With Mrs. Woodhouse being in charge, there was a degree of playfulness. Coach Carter convinced her to allow him to do some additional training to help calm us down. He decided we would spend the day in our wolf form. Seeing as no one wanted to put up with us in our human form. He planned to take us out for a run. But first, he wanted to see how long it took us to shift. He gave towels to those who wanted them, but I stayed naked. I am proud of my body. This would be the first time Tala would have done a pack run and the first time our classmates would see her. Coach Carter insisted that his assistants shift first. So they could set a target time for the others. As Tala appeared before everyone. She heard a collective gasp. “That’s because I am so bea
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