Ash's POV I stiffen on the bed when I hear my door open but I don't raise my head. Dammit!The fact that I was screaming enough to wake the whole household finally sinks in and I immediately lower my voice but I can't stop myself from heaving and gasping for breath."Oh, honey!... What is the matter!?... My poor baby!..." The moment I hear my mom's soft soothing voice, I sit up and shatter again. Forgetting the fact that I'm an adult. A mated adult."Mommy... Thor... He... He..." I try to talk in between sobbing and gasping for breath."There, there..." She says and pulls me to her with my head resting on her lap. "I understand... Hush now...""No!... You!... Don't!... He... He...""Shshsh– don't talk... Breathe... Just breathe...""No! He– he doesn't want to see me!... He...""He doesn't!? Are you sure about that!?""Yes!..." I reply and sit up to look at her. I wipe my tears with my hands. Talking while trying to control my breathing at the same time."At Apex Academy... I– I...
"You're right. This is serious if we consider it from your point of view." Lily says and I turn my gaze to her. "What do you mean?" I ask"Considering from his point of view, what happened at Apex Academy doesn't mean he's ignoring you. I think he's just trying to respect your wishes and give you time to sort through your emotions.I nod. That makes sense "After you left with your dad, we discussed at length. Me, Martha, and your mate. The others were there too... He pleaded with Martha and I to intervene on his behalf. I haven't done that because I felt you weren't ready. He has a lot to say to you, Sif. Three days, however short, is still a long time for couples with special mate bonds to stay apart from each other. It might be easier if you're not living in the same city and not smelling each other's essence. He's Alpha. For him to smell his mate and decide to respect her wish, I can bet he's also miserable wherever he is right now. I sigh and nod in understanding again when s
Thor's POV "You're the Ultima of House War-Cloud. Do you know how many people want to see you dead!? If you insist on going to France then you have to take enough capable men with you. Two is just not enough!" My dad insists with a stubborn set of his jaw.After we arrived home from Apex Academy, I called for an urgent meeting with my dad and team members, so I could inform them about my impromptu journey. I've decided Eric and Henrik would go with me while the rest stay behind to help my dad with the running of the pack but he refused. "Pops..." I attempt to convince him but he interrupts again."No! I have enough guards and executives to watch and assist me here! You're going far away from home yet you think it's sensible to take just two men!?"My eyes drift to where Eric is sitting and I see him nodding as if he agrees with my dad.'Hey!...' I call his attention through our mind link. 'What are you doing? I expect you to help convince him!'He smiles mischievously. I raise a que
I watch Lily hurry out of the room to answer her mate's call before turning my gaze to my mom,"He's going on a business trip to France," I tell her with a heavy heart before looking down at my phone to read the message he sent again,"Hey babe.Thought I should let you know that I'm going on a business trip to France. I'll be back the day before the summit. I Love you."My heart lightens and I smile this time. It feels as if I'm hearing those three words, ‘I love you’ for the first time in my life. I thought he gave up on us but here he is, informing me about his trip and confessing his love despite my warning to stay away. He loves me. He never stops loving me. It's obvious that he didn't wait to see me because he was in a hurry. I was worried for nothing. He wrote he'll be back the day before the summit. What summit is he talking about? Am I supposed to know about it? I wonder."What summit? What is it about?" I had already typed and sent a reply before I realized myself."Hmm,
While I was waiting for my dad's return, Lily left for Silver Moon Pack ahead of me. According to her, she was going to prepare for the party. Apart from the slumber party with Ella and Victoria, I have never been to any kind of party before in my life, which makes me excited and wonder what this one is going to be like.Even though I insisted against my parents' wish to drive myself down to Silver Moon Pack, my mom also insisted that at least two cars containing eight of my dad's finest warriors escort me. I didn't want that of course."Having an entourage draws attention to you and I would rather go about my business low-key. After all, apart from our closest family, no one knows I'm the Suprema of House Howell." I argued with her. "If they don't know about you they know your mate is the Ultima, don't they!? They also know your wolf is a Lycan. Why do you think they don't want you both mating in the first place? You're a threat to them. Do you think they would want to find out wha
I'm glad to hear Asher Denton and his family have settled in well. In the two months that I was away, the kids have indeed started school. Their mother, Grace, is working as a creche attendant at the same school her kids attend so she can be near them while Asher who is an engineer is working at the new pack house that is still under construction.After the staff had returned to their duties and the Dentons to their wing, I asked the girls to excuse me so I could change into something casual before going to see Pops at his workshop. I don't want to wait for him to return home to find out about my return.I enter our room and can't stop myself from growling in delight when my mate's essence engulfs me. I drop my backpack on the chair and rush straight to the bed to lie on it. Rolling around like a kid while basking in his essence. The moment I bury my face in his pillow, the memories of the two of us naked and making love flood my mind, making me growl out loud with the need for him.
Thor's POV My eyes widen with surprise."No way!"I say out loud as I read the message Timothy sent again."No way what?" Eric asks. He's sitting on the chair opposite the bed I'm lying on, reading something on his phone."Ash returned home!" I shout in excitement. "Timothy sent a message and even a picture confirmation.""I knew it!" He says, grinning widely. "I knew she would return!"My brows shut up questioningly."You knew she would return!?""Of course, I knew. I saw it." "You saw it! Why didn't you tell me then!?""Because you would have changed your mind about leaving if I had told you. Why did you think I didn't argue with Uncle Knox when he insisted we take everyone with us? It was at that point I saw she would return.She's Sif after all. The earth mother. Compassion is her middle name. We're the strongest in Silver Moon Pack. I knew the moment she heard we all left, her protective instinct would be triggered and she would want to come back.""Eric, you son of a bitch!" I
I breathe a sigh of relief when he finally wanders off to bother someone else. I decide, that if I can't go back home, then I'll send her another message since she replied to the one I sent before leaving Los Angeles. I take my phone to see if she has replied to my last message. I smile to myself when I open my WhatsApp in time to see her typing her reply.Before I know what was happening, we started texting each other back and forth. Moving from one topic to another. If any third party happens to be reading our messages to each other now he would never guess there's a big issue keeping us apart. I wonder if things would have been this cordial between us if I'd insisted Eric teleport us back. I doubt it. Eric was right."Two hours before we touch down. The pilot wants to have a word with you." Eric says beside me.I look up to see him looking down into my phone."Please tell me that's your mate you're chatting with." He says, his expression shows surprise."That's my mate I'm chatting
"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