Ash's POVI never thought I would see Night Howlers Pack again. I used to tell myself that the moment I leave this horrid place, I'm never coming back but here I am in front of the pack's massive black gate. This time, I'm not riding with Martha and no one is going to address us as, 'the pack house maids.'I reached inside my purse for the ID Thor handed me that morning. I smile to myself as I read what it says again.'Sif Anne-Marie Quinn. Luna. Silver Moon Pack.' As I sit at the back of Thor's powerful looking Mercedes, dressed in an asymmetrical Chanel blazer and coordinating pencil skirt, Christian Louboutin pumps with a matching purse and a single pearl necklace. It suddenly hits me that, even if I don't show them my ID, they would never recognize and address me as the pack house maid. They would never look down on me.Soon, the car ahead of us drives in and it's our turn. The window winds down and the Gamma conducting the check smiles and nods politely."ID, please. First tim
I'm so glad the meeting I came to attend was pushed back to six in the evening. I have never laughed so hard while in the company of people in my life. The Howells are a joy to be around and I enjoyed their company to the extent I secretly wished lunch never ends.After lunch, we move to the garden, talk, and drink coffee as one topic leads to another."You're so cool," Andrea exclaims after another topic ends well. "I'm glad you're the Suprema.""I'm glad too," Diana says, smiling at me before she turns to Luna Raina. "I'm happy to see you laugh and enjoy life again, Raina." "Yes..." Alpha Nate says, putting his hands over Luna Raina's hand. They intertwine their fingers and hold tightly to each other before he brings their two hands up and kisses the back of her hand."It's been so long since I saw her this way..." He adds, smiling down at her. "I'm happy to see her happy and laugh again." He reach out to also hold my hand, holding it the same way he held Luna Raina's hand. "I am
The moment the door closes behind her, I go to the closet to see if there's something I can change into. I still have the executive meeting that I'm all dressed up for. I want to avoid my clothes getting wrinkled as much as possible. The walk-in closet is filled with different kinds of branded clothing items, shoes, bags, and jewelry. I walk around the large closet in awe. My mother is indeed a fashion icon. I obviously take my love for dressing up from her. I stop for a while in front of a wall where a blown-up photo of her is hanging. She's wearing a beautiful ivory gown, crown, and a sash that reads Miss Universe, shifters. 2005. My mother is beautiful. I know I look like her but I'm not sure if I'm as beautiful.I go to the compartment that has an array of T-shirts and remove one that looks oversized. After I change into the shirt, I return to the room and get comfortable on the deep-set sofa before bringing out my phone to call Thor.He's not quick to pick up his phone this ti
Like every other meeting I was aware of in the past, this meeting is also happening inside the pack house's large dining room. The reception of the Alpha and Luna is like I'd witnessed twice in the past. Every activity freezes and everyone shoots to their feet to acknowledge their King and Queen the moment they enter. "Alpha. Luna..." They choruses, bowing their heads in respect.You should know my father holds my hand in his as we walk to the head of the table. He pulls the chair by his right out for my mom. I'm surprised when he pulls the chair by his left out and asks me to sit. Like didn't that seat belong to the Beta?Could it be that the Beta has indeed been arrested alongside the others? I wonder until I settle in the chair and see him where he's sitting with the other Executives.Thor is right, this isn't just an executive meeting. By making me sit on his left, is also my father announcing me as the heir to his throne."Begin!" He commands with a cold and stoic expression on
Thor's POVIt's past two in the morning. Even though all the lights in the room are off when I open the door, I can tell Ash is already sleeping from the sound of her faint but steady breathing. I make a beeline for the bed but stop midway when I realize she's not in it. Where's her breathing coming from? I wonder as I let my nose lead me this time to the area where her essence smells the strongest. I arrive at the balcony that overlooks a private flowery garden with waterfalls that run directly into the mansion's huge pool. Her favorite place in our room.I find her sleeping on a lounge chair with one of the books her parents gifted her lying face down on her belly. I guess she fell asleep while reading and waiting for me. I remove the book and bookmark the page she stops at before placing it on the table. Since the lounge chair is quite comfortable, I don't see the need to wake her up before I'm ready for bed myself so I pick up a folded blanket lying on the second chair, shake it
"Wake up!... Hey, baby, wake up!" I hear a familiar sweet voice whisper.I open my eyes and see Ash lying and smiling sweetly beside me."Good morning..." She says cheerily. "I'm sorry I woke you. Just that you were taking forever to wake up. It's almost noon, you know." "Really?" I say with surprise, clearing my throat to clear off the morning thicknesses"Yeah... Eric told me you guys didn't return until early this morning.""Hmmm..." I reply and try to get up from the bed but she stops me"No, no, no, no, don't get out of bed yet..." She says and quickly gets out of bed herself. "I brought you breakfast– made by yours truly." She adds with a flourish.My eyes widen with surprise "Breakfast in bed! That's a luxury I've never had in my life.""Then I'm glad I'm the first person to ever give that to you." She grins, moves closer, and starts arranging more pillows behind me then pushes me back into the pillows."Now relax, Alpha. You worked so hard yesterday, let me take care of you,
Eric comes inside and interrupts our moment. "Guys?" He calls questioningly. I guess to know if Ash succeeded in convincing me."Those messengers better get comfortable in their trucks. They're taking those half-dead bodies back when I'm done with them.""Sure... So how do you want us to proceed?" He asks"Get Anders. I don't care what he'll do, I want Celine energized to talk as soon as possible.""Okay, what about the others? I'm afraid Alpha Nate didn't leave enough for us to play with.""I just want Mitch if he's not dead yet. Throw him somewhere in the dungeon till he recovers enough for me to deal with. You can tell Bear to take care of the rest. Do they still have their wolves?" "I'll find out.""If they do then I want their wolves dead. They will no longer be known as werewolves.""Alright." He says and leavesAbout an hour later, Ella comes to inform us that Celine is ready to talk. Immediately Ash and I enter her cell, she jumps to her feet and bows her head."Alpha... Lun
"I don't think she'll be able to answer any more questions," Ash says out loud"Yeah..." I reply with a nod and take her hand in mine before walking out of the cell, leaving my men to deal with Celine. "Are you okay?" I break the silence between us as we walk towards our wing.She smiles up at me hugging my arm closer to her body."I was about to ask you the same question. I'm fine. What about you?""I'm good," I reply her"I'm glad." She sigh and takes my arm that she was hugging, placing it over her shoulders. I chuckle and kiss the top of her head as I hold her close to my side. "Were you worried about me?" I ask her."Yes– I was concerned... After all these years. After all, you've been through. The name callings and discrimination from people. How does it feel to finally know that you're not a bastard after all? Justin is the bastard. Your parents are each other's mates. Your mom's position was actually stolen by this evil woman who has been claiming your mom stole from her."
"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