Ash's POV"Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday to youHappy birthday dear daughterHappy birthday to you..."That is the song that I wake up to instead of the usual annoying sound of my alarm clock. I open my eyes a crack and immediately sit up in bed when I see Martha, standing with a birthday hat perched on her head and a cake in hand."Aww, thank you, Martha." I croak, smiling happily. I set my feet down and pull the study table in my room nearer to the bed so she can set the cake on it. The cake is gorgeous. It's black, white and silver themed and I love it completely. Martha is a good baker but this looks like professional work. I'm not sure if she can pull this off all by herself within the short time space available "You didn't bake this all by yourself or did you?" I ask wonderingly "No! It was delivered this morning, I guess from your mate and this came along with it." She gives me a white and silver designed envelope.I pour the content of the envelope on the bed and i
People are Still trooping into the Arena to watch the duel when loud cheers suddenly rend the air. "What! They finished already?" A shifter who was still waiting in line to get free lemonade exclaims. Yeah, it seems they have finished and I wonder who kicked whose arse between the two brothers." His friend saysI also wondered about the same question... 'Who won the duel?'Even though I have never met any of the Quinn brothers, I find myself wondering if the brother that Martha and I talked about won. Well, I'm not just wondering actually, I'm hoping and praying he wins and I don't know why.Why am I rooting for the brother people call a monster and not the good one? Why am I praying for someone who is probably as ruthless as people call him to be the Alpha of the biggest pack in our continent?"Congratulations to the new Alpha of the Silver-Moon pack, Thor Quinn'' The Arena's loudspeaker booms out for everyone to hear. There are no loud cheers. The applause is lukewarm which goes
Eric's POVAs soon as she saw Ash had left, the bitch finally pulls away from their embrace and loops her arm with Thor's, leaning into him like she can't bear to let him out of her sight. I seriously look into Thor's eyes and I see he doesn't have the empty eyes of someone who is bound with a spellHe chuckles and asks with a raised brow"Are you okay? Why are you looking at me as if I've suddenly sprouted a horn in the middle of my head?" He jokes. I know right then that he's okay. Mentally, at least.He narrows his eyes at me as if he's trying to figure out why I'm not acting like my usual self. Then he shrugs and smiles, brings his arm up to encircle the bitch's shoulder, bringing her nearer to himself as if she's not almost burrowing into his sideI'm still wondering what the bitch could have done and how she did it to make him ignore his real mate when his words interrupt my thoughts "Have you met my mate? Her name is Ash and....""Wait, what?" I say stupendously, cutting him
Eric's POVAs soon as she saw Ash has left, the bitch finally pull away from their embrace and looped her arm with Thor's, leaning into him like she can't bear to let him out of her sight. I seriously look into Thor's eyes and I see he doesn't have the empty eyes of someone who is bound with a spellHe chuckles and ask with a raised brow"Are you okay? Why are you looking at me as if I've suddenly sprout a horn in the middle of my head?" He joke. I knew right then that he's okay. Mentally, at least.He narrows his eyes at me as if he's trying to figure out why I'm not acting like my usual self. Then he shrugs and smiles, brings his arm up to encircle the bitch's shoulder, bringing her nearer to himself as if she's not almost burrowing into his sideI'm still wondering what the bitch could have done and how she did it to make him ignore his real mate when his words interrupts my thoughts "Have you met my mate? Her name is Ash and....""Wait, what?" I say stupendously, cutting him off
Ella delivers the water to Thor and comes to where I'm standing with Henrik, watching me speak with the seer. I can sense she's dying to find out why Thor, who had just been made the Alpha of the biggest pack in North America, would suddenly claim another she-wolf as his mate when he showed all of them the pictures of his real mate just that morning. As soon as my call with the seer ends, I direct my gaze to Henrik, instead of answering her silent questions. This is not the time nor place to ask and answer questions."I have to go and find Ash," I say to Henrik. "She was really devastated when she left. I know there's little I can do to console her in this situation but I have to at least be there for her and see in which way I can be helpful to her so she'll know she's not alone in this. So while I'm away, and since I don't know how long it will take for me to get back. I want you to stay with Thor, like his shadow so you'll be there to keep him in line in case he suddenly goes fro
"How's Thor? How is he holding up?" Martha asks to my surprise.I thought she would be angry at Thor for choosing another she-wolf over her daughter. And not just any she-wolf but Alpha Nate's daughter that Ash recently fought with... Okay, maybe she's not the kind of person that goes out of their way to show hate but still, I never expected her to care about Thor's well-being when it seemed like he broke her daughter's heart "Thor is..." I hesitate. Considering whether to tell her the truth or lie to her. I don't know if she will understand if I tell her the truth or if she will judge Thor even though what happened isn't his fault. The fact that she looks and sounds like she cares doesn't mean she will understand the situation "What happened? It's okay, you can tell me anything... I want to understand why he chose another woman over Ash despite showing he loved her. How he could make her happy one moment and break her heart the next... I just want to understand"I nod "Don't be dis
"Where's Thor?" Martha and I looked toward the direction where Ash's voice comes from. She stands, a forlorn figure at the entrance to the living room, looking around eagerly as if we're playing a prank by hiding her mate from her. "Ash, you're awake..." Martha says with a smile but it's as if Martha is talking to herself since Ash's gaze is trained only on me"Eric, where's Thor?" She looks directly into my eyes as she asks again. Making me wish there was something I can hide behind right then."Oh fuck!" I swear softly under my breath. I don't regret coming to check on her but right at that moment I kinda wish I'm not there with them in Martha's living room. What am I going to tell her? How do I filter my words in such a way that wouldn't hurt her too much? I thought as her amber eyes pierces accusingly into mine"He's not here, is he?..." She asks softly in disappointment, and I can only shake my head to reply 'No'She casually nods back at me as if she-wolves lose their mates
Miranda's POVI am giddy with happiness. I feel like calling Celine immediately so we can celebrate. I want to laugh out loud and jump up with joy but I can't. It's not the right place and time to do that. 'I can't believe this is happening to me for real. I can't believe I am now the Luna of the largest pack in the whole of North America' I thought in disbelief as I watch Ash shed bitter tears while I stand in her mate's embrace, hugging him close to myselfSince I never at first believed it could ever be possible to steal someone else's mate. Standing in his embrace right now feels so unreal like I'm living in a dream. Despite everything, the sorcerer put my body through... eating unimaginable yucky and stinky stuff. Standing for hours inside a cauldron filled with different matter that comes out of Ash's body. Taking away Pinky, my wolf's mind so she won't ever recognize her own mate if they meet in the future. Despite all these, deep down within me, I still never believed that
"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