"To temper, something means to make it less extreme and we don't do that here in this team, I'm afraid." I figured Eric still thinks he's useful, otherwise, he would have gotten rid of him long before I got to know about what he did. So I decided not to send him out of the team "I'm not going to kick you out of the team, be rest assured. Eric brought you in and I'll leave your punishment to him to do to you as he wishes." I say and look in Eric's direction. "Yeah, I brought him in but unfortunately, I have a lot on my plate and won't be able to give him a befitting punishment. Henrik, if you don't mind, this is more up your alley. You're the General's Captain while we were in Denmark so you should handle this clown's punishment the best way you deem fit." Eric replies "Sure..." Henrik answers before turning his attention to Thomas. "Get up and go wait for me on the training field. I'll meet you there after the meeting""Yes sir!" Thomas replies and immediately gets up to leave "
We park our cars at the nearest car park to the California Council District Court. My men and I rode in the same car while my dad, even though he was wearing a disguise, rode in a different car with some of my men who were guiding the estate. They left ahead of us because I didn't want the press to see a man who is wearing a hoodie and face mask coming out of my car live on camera. I don't want them to call unnecessary attention to us with their wild assumption about someone they can't identify.We already informed Alpha Nate of our plans before our arrival and he assured me he would arrange a private room for my dad to stay in pending the time that the trial proceedings will commence."This is going to be exciting," I say when we walk out of the parking lot and I see the front of the courthouse crowded with pressmen and people holding placards. "I wonder what they have on their placards," I say since I can't see it from the direction we're coming from. "Yeah. At least they're bein
He cocks his head aside, obviously expecting me to act surprised or say something in reply to all he's said but I don't. My eyes watch every one of his moves.He chuckles"You're as cold as you're rumored to be. C'mon man, talk to me! What do you think drew us towards each other? Do you think we have some kind of psychic connection between us? He asks and pauses again, but continues talking when I still don't reply."I'm wondering why though?... I mean, I know why I wanted to see you but why was I so sure you would come to find me and why did you indeed come to find me?– but of course, we will get to my reason for wanting to see you soon enough. What's your reason for coming to find me though? I'd very much like to know what was so important..." He suddenly stands up from where he's sitting as he talks, making Henrik and Ivar growl loudly in warning. His friend also pushes himself away from the wall he's leaning on. Standing with the easy gait of a good fighter with eyes focused on
Ivar attempts to go after them as Draco and his friend walk up the stairs and away from us but I stop him "Ivar!" I say, firmly holding his hand, preventing him from going after them."Not today! Let him go for now! We'll have a lot of time to deal with him later, just not right now." I say but to my surprise, he struggles to remove his hand from mine. "No, General! You heard him. He threatened to kill Ella! I have to kill the son of a bitch now otherwise we might not be able to get our hands on him after today! How can we even find him, he's a rogue! Rogues don't belong to any pack! If we don't kill him right now we might not have another opportunity again and... He said he would kill my mate, General. You heard when he said he would kill her!"This is the first time any of my men apart from Eric will directly or indirectly question a direct command from me. But I understand the circumstances and how he's feeling so I let his first act of disobedience slide. I would do the same or
"Let's go find somewhere away from all these prying eyes to talk," Alpha Nate says as he picks up his briefcase from beside him on the floor."Yeah. I know somewhere that people hardly use." I say as we walk out of the courtroom while my men follow behind us. I decided we should talk on the stairs. At least I know that place is away from prying eyes as people hardly use it.We climb the stairs and I stop at a landing when we've climbed far enough. To ensure we have privacy, Ella goes back down to stand somewhere on a staircase like a lookout while Ivar and Bear continue up to be sure no one is waiting around, leaving Alpha Nate and me alone to talk."Now we're alone. What's the problem? Let's hear it." I say as I notice his countenance has changed. His worried look is now relaxed with a smile "Actually, we don't have any problem...""We don't?" I ask with surprise. What happened? Weren't you anxious about something like a moment ago?""Hmm mm... I just had to adopt that look so they
Seeing the drama going on around us, Evelyn begins shedding her crocodile tears to gather pity from the people. After a while, she stands and begins to slowly walk toward where I'm sitting beside Alpha Nate..."I warned Knox about him!" She cries out for all to hear. "I warned him not to trust the bastard who has always been jealous of his real son but he wouldn't listen to me. He said they were both his sons and wanted to be fair since they both came on the same day. He was a good father to you, Thor! Despite the fact that you're just a bastard, he still allowed you to lead the pack just because you're the first son. So is this how you pay him back for all he's done for you!... Why are you this evil!?..." She cries on and on as if the Alpha's position was handed to me by my dad and I didn't fight and won a duel against her son in the presence of millions of humans, shifters, and vampires.I stop watching Evelyn's drama that's obviously not meant for me but for the cameras and peop
The courtroom falls into pin-drop silence seconds after the court police enter with Owen between them. The people are all shocked when they see the person they believed was dead walk in. Even Justin looked shocked. Looking from Owen to his mother and back to Owen with his mouth half open. Not everyone is shocked actually. Evelyn isn't. She has the same sad and bored expression on her face. Carol and Victoria look like they've just seen a ghost as they slowly stand up from their seats..."Daddy?..." Victoria calls softly in disbelief. Her eyes brimming with fresh tears."Oh my god! Owen!? Is that really you or am I in a dream?" Carol also whispers, her voice heavy with emotion.At that moment, the room suddenly wakes up and becomes abuzz as everyone begins to whisper to each other all at the same time..."The Beta is not dead!?...""He's alive!?...""Oh my god! Beta Owen has been alive all this while!?..."Both Victoria and her mother slowly walk out from between the bench they're si
The moment the asshole judge pronounced his judgment, those that really want me dead jump up in their seats, happily cheering, hugging, and shaking each other's hands. Justin carries his mother up and spins her around, making her squeal with delight while Owen and his family cry tears of joy in each other's arms. Even the judge himself looks down at all of them, smiling in approval as they rejoice. I don't think he's ever been prouder about achieving anything in his life."Finally! Finally! Finally!" Justin shouts enthusiastically as he punches his fist in the air. Then he walks towards me with a huge grin plastered on his face, closely followed by two of his friends that I recognize from back when we were in school together before I got expelled "Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, man. The police will soon be here to take you and your cronies away..." He says, turning to the person on his right."I'm not quite sure Mike, what do you say to a bastard who is about to die?..."Mike's
"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