"My daughter is here and I've explained everything to her so shall we begin?" Carol says with confidence as she walks towards where we're sitting. "Alpha..." The daughter greets with a slight bow towards us and I give her a curt nod in return. Her countenance is also as cold as her mother's was when she first arrived. I'm glad Carol didn't bother to properly introduce her to us because of Eric. I don't want any situation that would make him strike up a conversation with Drew's daughter."Let's begin then." I tell Carol before turning in the direction Ella is sitting with Ivar."Ella let's start," I called to her. She stands up and gives her mate a quick kiss on the lips before walking to us."General." She says with a nod when she arrives "She's ready to duel are you?" I ask her."I was born ready, Alpha..." She replies before asking... "Is it going to be a no-rule fight?" "No, it's not. It's going to be a hand-to-hand combat. You're not allowed to fight with your wolves nor are
"I'm not..." She was saying then stopped. "Never mind" 'I'm not what?...' I wonder what she wanted to say. 'I'm not Evelyn's spy? I'm not here for revenge?... What? Why did she suddenly decide to clam up?' Since she was so eager to work with me then shouldn't she be assuring me I'm wrong in my thinking about her? Could it be that my suspicions are right? Or could it be she just does not give a damn about what I think of her?"Can my daughter stay? She's not a member of the executives. Do you mind if she sits in on our meeting?" Her voice brought me out of my thoughts. Now she wants her daughter to stay so she can have another pair of ears and eyes to listen to and watch every one of our movements. Why isn't she completing her sentence from before?I chuckle silently. 'Let's see how far both of them can go in carrying out their plans.' I say to myself before replying to her..."I don't see why not if you can get her to behave, be respectful, and not speak out of turn. If not then I
Her countenance immediately changed She lowers her gaze then, awkwardly clearing her throat."Uhmm, so many questions. Now where do I start answering from?..."True, the eastern part was a pain in all our asses. Especially when I lost three men patrolling the darn place. After I lost my men, I became fed up with the place. I'm not going to lie that for some time I lost interest and hope, but I never gave up. I never relent. I kept on working and everything became easier for us when the electric fence was erected.It was after the fence was erected and things became easier for my team that Zachary, one of the elders suggested at the executives' monthly meeting that somebody else should take over the patrolling of the place. I mean, where was he when the place was still dangerous? Why didn't he come up with that bright idea before the fence was put up? Why wait until the place is safer for my team to patrol before suggesting it be taken away from us?I was mad. I protested of course b
I focus my attention on Carol as she's looking at the TV screen with a shocked expression on her face. She looks truly devastated by the damage done to the fence. She indeed must be a damn good actress if she's putting up a show.My dad told us she's one of Evelyn's friends, that they're even in the same women's executive's club but she outrightly denied being friends with Evelyn. I don't want to believe my dad didn't know what he was saying when he told Eric and me they were friends but I'll have to keep my fingers crossed and wait for the truthHer eyes become wider as she lets out a small gasp when the TV displays the smashed fence charger."They broke into the Alpha's workshop to destroy the energizer too?" She exclaims, briefly looking in her daughter's direction"This is obviously an inside job. Somebody in this pack did that damage, I'm sure." My gaze immediately shifts from Carol to her daughter who just spoke for the first time since the meeting started. "Uh, oh..." She say
"You think she's telling the truth about not being friends with Evelyn? You believed her sob story?" I ask "Honestly, I'm not sure. But what if it's not a sob story? What if they used to be friends? I know for sure that Uncle Knox couldn't be wrong about the two of them ever being friends with each other.Females of all beings are created to be petty-minded, you know. Most of them care too much about small, unimportant things. And being unnecessarily unkind to each other is usually not that big a deal to them. They would betray their friendship to each other within the blink of an eye if they see something more beneficial to them...""You are right about that," I say, nodding as I reason with him."Here's what I think– Evelyn and Carol, the Alpha and Beta's mates used to be friends. By law, the Beta is supposed to take over the control of the pack whenever the Alpha is indisposed but when the old Alpha fell ill, Evelyn, the Luna refused to allow the Beta to take over. She'd always w
If eyes could kill, Carol would have been lying dead with the death-like glare Ella is giving her "What?!" Carol snaps back with her phone glued to her ear. "What's your problem?" "What do you think you're doing? Who are you calling?" Ella angrily asks her Carol chuckles dryly"What do you mean by who am I calling? What? I'm not allowed to make calls? I didn't realize I'm under arrest or am I?" Carol replies sarcastically before turning to me "I'm sorry, Alpha but am I not allowed to make calls here?""Of course you are, I'm not a tyrant you know" I replied to her with a smile before asking..."But who were you speaking with on the phone?" Her countenance changed to the one of surprise. I guess she's wondering why I would tell her she's free to make calls yet still ask who she was speaking with. Isn't that tyrannical behavior?"I– I haven't even made the call. I was just about to. I don't know for how long I'll be here so I thought I should make patrol arrangements with my team
Ivar and Ella immediately stand the moment they see Eric and I return to the living area where they are all waiting. I don't need to tell them what we are up to. They see I'm shirtless and automatically know something is about to go down."General..." Ivar calls questioningly. He doesn't need to open his mouth before I know his unsaid questions will be... 'who are they and where is it going down?' My men are trained to always be ready and in situations like this, who and where don't really matter to them. They will follow me to hell and battle the devil himself if that's what I command. "The pack's second gate. The Gamma guards are refusing our men entrance into the pack. According to their words, they don't have an Alpha. Their Alpha is dead and couldn't have invited anyone to the pack.Ivar grin devilishly "If they wish to die then let's grant their death wish!" "They will never learn unless you show them who the Alpha is, General! They need to learn, let's show them right now!"
"Victoria! What have you done to yourself!? Are you crazy!?" Carol shrieks as if her whole world just came crashing down around her Unlike humans, who see men having extramarital affairs as a big deal, shifters don't really. Male shifters to be precise. In our world, a man, especially an Alpha, can decide to have a mate, a wife, and a concubine all at the same time A one true mate is the one Moon goddess pairs us with. The one with the essence we can't do without. A man-wolf, especially an Alpha who already has a mate can also decide to legally get married to another she-wolf or a human for that matter if let's say his mate isn't well-learned or isn't capable of standing beside him at social gatherings.He can also decide to keep a concubine if he's a very sexual man and doesn't get enough from the women in his life or if he's someone like me who doesn't find his mate or wife sexually attractive. Or he can decide to legally get married to his mate as Ella and Ivar did with each othe
"The Council Chairman!" I exclaim with surprise when I see a familiar white-haired old man walk out from beside the villa and towards the aisle. "The Council Chairman is the officiant!?"He grins"Surprise!" He says with a flourish "Now walk. And remember, your best man is closely behind."I happily smile and nod at our guests as I walk behind the old man hobbling on his walking stick.I can't believe that the Council Chairman himself is going to officiate our wedding!? He's already so old but still makes the time. Today sure is full of pleasant surprises. He arrives at the front and turns to face the guests."Council Chairman, what an honor this is," I say as I arrive before him, my back to the guests.He smiles "Giving the opportunity to join the Chosen ones of House War-Cloud and House Howell in matrimony is a great honor that I dare not pass to another."I nod and he also nods backEveryone arrive at the front and stand at their respective places as we had rehearsed. The moment
I look at my Patek Philippe Nautilus watch before getting up to start dressing up. Just as I put on my tuxedo jacket, someone knocks on my door."Come in," Eric answers Timothy enters, already dressed for the occasion."The guests have arrived. The ceremony will begin soon." He saysI nod and reply,"We're ready. We'll be out soon." He nods and leavesEric finishes buttoning his tux before turning to me. He looks at me critically as he brushes something off my satin lapel and straightens my bowtie."Hmm..." He says satisfactorily before taking a step back. "Hair– on point. Skin– flawless. Tux– immaculate. Shoes– nice pair, they really compliment your outfit. All in all, you look good, man. Your bride will fall in love with you all over again."I smile at his compliment."What about the ring? Do you have it?" I ask to be sure he hasn't forgotten."I have it right here." He replies with a nod, patting on the area it is resting inside his tux. I exhale and nod"Then shall we?" He
Instead of going back to sleep like I tell him, he groans and slumps back into bed."Ugh!... C'mon, don't be a bitch about this."I scoff, looking at him in disbelief."Who's the bitch here? You're obviously tired and need to rest. I'm allowing you to do that but you can't see my good intentions." I guess he thinks I was being sarcastic when I apologized for disturbing his sleep.He sighs and gets out of bed then go to the wet bar. There, he gets a bottle of water and gulps it down in one go. "Now I'm awake..." He says before asking me, "Water?""Yeah, sure," I replyHe hands me the water before going to sit on the sofa."Alright, tell me about your anxiety attack.""I can't sleep. I thought I mentioned that earlier." ''Why can't you sleep?""How the hell am I supposed to know? I just can't!" I know I sounded defensive right now. That's because I know this conversation would end up with him poking fun at me."I wouldn't have found sleep difficult if I was at Alpha's mansion. My m
Two weeks laterThor's POV 1:10 am! I glare in disbelief at the digital clock on my bedside drawer as if it's its fault that time chooses to be moving at a snail's pace today of all days. It was 12:49 the last time I checked, I can't believe that only nineteen minutes had gone by since then."Ugh!" I growl and slump back in bed as I recall all the advice I got yesterday from all the females around me. (that did not include my mate, mind you. I haven't spoken to her in two days because of some Howell's wedding tradition)"You should go to bed early, Alpha," Lily said as they were about to leave for Night Howlers Pack. (They are Ash's maids and matron of honor.)"Yes, you should." Carla chipped in, nodding, before I could ask Lily why she wanted me to go to bed early. "Poor sleep can lead to breakouts, you know?" "Breakouts?" I asked, looking at both of them with interest."Yes, breakout. Believe me, Alpha, you don't want that..." Clarita replied, looking appalled as she shook her he
I step out of the lobby's revolving door and frantically look around me. I don't see him anywhere but his essence is stronger. He's definitely here."Ma'am..." A voice questioningly calls and I turn around to see Jeremy, one of my security details that comes from my Dad. I wonder where he sprang from? "Have you seen the Alpha– I mean my mate?" I say, handing him my backpack."No, ma'am, I haven't." He replies, looking in the parking lot's direction."Yeah, maybe he's just arriving," I say and hurry towards the place. When the parking lot becomes visible, I smile when I see him leaning on his car reading a book. Immediately, he turned in my direction and grinned as if he knew I was coming. I know it's because he smells my essence.I run, speedily closing the gap between us, and then jump into his arms, tightly wrapping myself around him like a koala bear hugging a tree."Oh, hi, monkey." He says, chuckling.I laugh, slightly pulling away from him "Hello, monkey's husband," I say. "
Twelve weeks later"Prom is more than a dance, Miss Reynolds. It is also used to celebrate and honor students who excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities..." Mrs Jones, my homeroom teacher, lectures me. "Even though you're only spending this term with us, your excellent performance has made you popular among the teachers. You're also loved by not just your peers but also your juniors. Even though you're a new student, they voted for you to be on the prom court, and with what I've been hearing on the grapevine about you, I'm sure they would vote for you to be this year's Prom Queen. Now, won't they be disappointed if they find out you don't want to be part of the event? It would be a shame if..."'Would it? Aren't you over-exaggerating?' I think as I continue to listen to her drone on and on. Contrary to what she's been saying. As far as I know and can see, no one truly cares about anyone amongst my peers in Apex Academy. Most of them are rich, pompous, opportu
"You didn't have your wolf and you weren't aware of my existence. I just recently figured it out myself. That was why I said earlier that a lot of things about our bond recently became clear to me. Even though I was made aware of our mate bond, I didn't know it was such a big deal. Uncle Elias also didn't see it as such; otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten me a girl on my birthday. Only The Seer knew. Knowing he's one of our number one fans, I guessed he also didn't make a big deal out of me being with other women before I met you because he knew the connection between us was not complete. You were too young. You were six years old when I was sixteen..." It suddenly feels as if I've been slapped in the face with the difference in our age. Damnit! Why didn't I think about that before!? Now that he called my attention to it, I feel I've been insensitive. To think I was eight years old when he was eighteen! An eight-year-old child is too young to shift to their wolves and has no busines
"About us..." He replies, and my body stiffens. "About what happened before you left for Hill-backside." "But I thought everything was fine now. We are fine now so why do we still need to discuss that?" I say and want to stand up, but from his lap, he prevents me, holding me in place. "Please..." He says, looking at me soulfully I exhale "I just don't see any reason why we should talk about that. We're fine now, aren't we?... I love you. You love me. Nothing else should matter except that." I say, not knowing if I should confess to him my real reason for not wanting to discuss that matter. Should I tell him I'm afraid to hear what he wants to say? I'm afraid I might not be able to bear it if he tells me how he manipulated his way around our mate bond? Should I let him know I would rather pretend Delilah never happened than risk hearing about her and not be able to forgive him out of jealousy. How would I let him know that I just want to forget the bad memories. I don't want to di
Even though it bothers me, I'm not really surprised when I return from the bathroom to see Thor in his nightwear, sitting on the sofa far away from the bed. At least now I know without doubt that something is indeed bothering him.He stands when he becomes aware of my presence."Can we have a few words?" He asks seriously and my heart thumps again.I nod. Few words about what? What could be bothering him this much? I wonder as I walk towards him. He doesn't need to say another word before I know what he's about to discuss is very serious. It's written all over his face. "I sensed something was bothering you. What do you want to talk about?" Even though I asked, I dread his reply and hurriedly add"Don't tell me! I don't want to know...""You don't!" He exclaims. "But we really need to...""Okay– but please not right now!..." I plead. "I can tell from your expression that what you want to talk about is serious and I... I don't want to talk about anything serious right now, Thor! Tod