The faint sound of music echoes, soothing my aching ears as I stare out across the vast forest. From this height, everything seems so peaceful, so quiet out there in the trees. The gentle calling to give up control, to just be free, is tempting.Relaxing against the stone balcony, I slowly inhale the scent of the forest. The strong earthy stench is nice, almost comforting. Being sheltered from my true nature all these years has deprived me of many privileges, and even now I can't seem to escape old habits."I thought I might find you up here." A vaguely familiar voice says.Immediately stiffening, I turn and I flash the Elder a smile. "Just needed a little fresh air-"He raises his palm, cutting me off."Bearing witness to the years of suffering, I understand completely why you prefer your own company." The Elder says with a small smile.I couldn't help but scoff, irritated that he thinks he knows me, he doesn't. He invaded my mind, saw things that I have kept to myself all my life."
"Mommy, don't! Please, please,I'll be good, I won't disobey!" I begged her, crying hysterically in terror as I cower into the corner.Arms raised to shield my face, I tremble like a leaf, her fury bruising my soft flesh. I cried for my mom, for her to help, even if she is the one beatingme."No, you fucking won't." Mommy growls, sounding so much like a monster thatI felt the warmth of urine soak my thighs, pooling under me."It hurts ... it hurts ... " The words ring loud and clear, screeching as mommy slapped my bare cold skin, each hit feeling like my skin had ripped open.All I could do was scream.I wake up gasping for breath, my flesh covered in a sheet of sweat, hairsticking to my back and neck. My heart races within my chest, the old familiar feeling of panic being the cause.Subconsciously, I glance over at Hardin, his sleeping form easing some part of me. The only time I ever see him truly at peace, is when he's asleep. It makes me a little happy knowing my occasional nightma
Releasing a quiet sigh of boredom, I slowly stir the inedible salad as I stare out of the window. Watching as the pack members enjoy the snow falling, even the few children in the pack are having the time of their lives. It's nice to see them smiling, to see them so genuinely happy, peaceful even.At the same time, part of me couldn't stand seeing it. I've never been able to enjoy anything, and the love that the families outside are showing to their mates and children, is something I've never experienced. It intrigues me, and saddens me at the same.The loneliness that weighs on me grows heavier as the days grow colder, winter creeping upon us. Ever since mother slapped me last month, I've been doing exactly as she asked. Instead of embracing the person I was becoming, I've fallen back into my old ways, obeying like an omega.Hardin noticed, but so far he hasn't asked questions, although it's obvious he wants to. I can tell he's getting irritated with my behaviour, he barely shows up
"What's wrong?""Explain." Hardin orders with absolutely no gentleness.I stare with slightly wide eyes, both intimidated and curious. I've never seen Hardin angry, not like this.The pack member immediately pales as he eyes the book laid before him. I almost felt bad for him, the way Zed and Beck blockhim fromfleeingthe room. Forced to face Hardin, the male cringes hard."It's just photos, I meant nothing by it ... I swear." The middle aged man promises.Hardin doesn't simmer, still maintaining his fury.Hardin nears the man, glowering darkly down at the slightly smaller male, Hardin's sheer dominance silences him. Awe fills me, seeing the raw brute strength he possesses, knowing he's never used a fraction of that power in my presence."Lie to me again." Hardins voice deepens, sheer animalistic force rumbling his already frightening tone.I couldn't help but cringe a little, having never witnessed such raw power, not even from my parents.The man stands bravely, had his hands not giv
It had been two days since Hardin interrogated Jack, nothing had changed since then. Hardin chooses his pack, he agrees with them and he always will, it's understandable. He's Alpha, and to him their opinions matter, it's what he has to do.But this is what I have to do. I thought, not a flicker of regret hitting me as I open the huge front doors to the uninvited guests.Elder Luka struggles to properly grip the male that fights against him, that is until the person hears the doors open and finally stills."Kalli?" He whispers, eyes wide with surprise. His familiar voice warms me.I didn't flinch, I couldn't. My brother isn't on my side anymore, showing him weakness will only serve to make this harder."Sebastian." I greet with a blank face, even if it pains my heart to be cold, this is what I have to do."What the fuck is going on?" Seb growls, immediately assuming I've brought him here with the worst intentions."Why am I here?" He snaps, glaring at me with burning red eyes.Moving
"No, but it does make me wonder why she favours you. Katalayha is your better in every way, it makes one wonder why she was treated so harshly." Hardin's voice has my body instinctively freezing behind the door, out of sight. My heart races as I wonder who he's talking to, and why. I can only assume it's my brother by his words and I'll admit, I'm curious to see what he has to say."Our parents always wanted a boy, despite Kalli being the eldest ... it was me they praised. As much as Kalli wished she was invisible, they saw her, they took every opportunity to belittle and hurt her." Seb responds with absolute disgust in his voice.To me, he's never showed such strong emotions towards our parents. Perhaps for my sake, or maybe he's never felt that way until now."You allowed that to happen." Hardin responds in a vicious tone, I could hear him seething through his teeth."Kalli didn't want me to step in-""She was a victim of abuse, a child no less! Of course she wanted to protect you f
Why is he so calm right now? He just lost almost ten MILLION to my parents, in exchange for one innocent wolf."That's it? Hardin, that's nine and a half million." I stare at him with wide eyes, not understanding why he would make such a deal."There's no price I wouldn't pay for your safety." He says, furrowing his eyebrows like I'm the confusing one."You wouldn't have had to pay anything at all, if you just trusted me." I whisper, stepping away from him. His hand falls from my face, Hardin's face drops slightly."Trust works both ways." Hardin sighs, his words stinging me a little."I don't know how to let you in my head, I'm trying." I argue, irritated that he's shoving it in my face right now. It's not like I can control it."You don't tell me anything, Katalayha!" He raises his voice slightly, tone exasperated."What am I supposed to say!? I don't want to talk about a life that I've never had! I am trying the best I can to be normal, Hardin, but the fact is that I'm not!" I snap
My brother left the very next morning, not even saying goodbye before fleeing off Hardin's land. I don't suppose the icy looks from Hardin and his pack helped much. I woke to an empty bed, and when I got downstairs I found my brother had vanished in the early hours of the morning.That didn't exactly put me in the best of moods."What's there to do around here?" Jackson appears next to me, leaning over the back of the couch."How am I supposed to know?" I quiz."You live here?" Jackson states, looking at me with a screwed-up face."I just about exist, don't make the mistake of assuming I have any more freedom than you," I mutter, feeling extremely sorry for myself right now.The bite is still numb. Why is he still angry at me?"Considering your lovely mother has kept me locked in her dungeons for the past month, this isn't so bad." Jackson can only grin at me, like something about that is funny."You should go out, explore, or whatever, I'm just not up for it today." I sigh, offering
~ 3RD PERSON POV ~ Xander arrives on his sons land, the atmosphere lingering with death. The pack felt somewhat out of place, uncomfortable as Xander takes their Alphas place, temporarily.Beck and Zed greet Xander outside the house, welcoming him in front of the pack."Sorry I couldn't get here sooner." Xander tells the two men, shaking their hands as a token of respect. Even if they are below him, he can't deny how well they've managed the pack in the week it's been abandoned without an Alpha."You're here now." Zed's response is blunt, unable to put on a smile even for a man he's known years."Are they any closer to finding her?" Xander questions with hope, heading into the large, yet somewhat empty mansion.What is usually bursting with life, is now silent, and dull. The pack didn't just lose their future Alphas, but their Alpha female, and possibly their Alpha too.They felt that Hardin would surely return home, but the entire pack knew he would be returning alone.Kali was warn
~ Hardin's POV ~ "We expected to see Kali here, she was the one that convinced me into this and now she can't even show her face?" Maddox is the furthest thing from happy.Considering how many times I've dealt with him in the past, I know first hand how hard-headed he is. It makes me truly wonder how Kali convinced him into this alliance. Perhaps Maddox has a soft spot for my mate? I couldn't help but wonder."Kali is occupied with more pressing matters. If she could be here, she would, you know how much this means to her." I retort firmly.Maddox leans forwards, exhaling. He doesn't approve of Kali not being here, and I get the sense that he doesn't buy the excuse. However, the more Alphas that know about this pregnancy, the more painful it will be once it's over.Kali doesn't deserve to suffer, or be reminded about the loss every time someone calls, or visits."Fine. How many am I expected to take on?" Maddox grunts."For now anywhere between ten and thirty, see how it goes for a c
"You were in and out of consciousness for two days, there's no way you're not hungry." Jackson points his finger at me with a look of intensity."Can you even cook?" I ask with a furrowed look. Recalling the birthday cake he made me a while ago, It was a really nice gesture but...the guy can't cook.Jackson just scoffs, like he's utterly appalled by the accusation. "That's not the issue here, Kali."I couldn't help but smile a little, happy that he isn't walking on eggshells around me like everyone else. I hate being treated like I'm made of glass, Jackson has absolutely no filter and right now I'm beyond grateful for it."If the chef is cooking, I'll have a burger." I tell him, merely satisfying his need to feed me."Coming right up!" He beams, rushing from the bedroom to get me the burger.I shake my head a little and sigh, sitting up a little more on the bed.The depleted energy warning wasn't a joke. Despite feeling much better, I can barely walk due to having no energy. It's been
I wake again, except this time my eyelids feel somewhat lighter. Allowing me to ease them open gently without too much strain, despite still feeling bruised.I felt disorientated, confused as to what happened, and what's wrong with me. I remember pain, so much of it while half freezing to death and shivering. The headache as I open my eyes is more or less instant, even if the room is shaded.As I turn my head side to side, looking around the bedroom with the utter confusion, I notice the tube leading towards me. Despite the weight of my own head right now, I manage to lift it just enough to see the thin tube is inserted into the back of my hand."Stay calm." Hardin's voice is a gentle whisper, his hands gently taking one of mine. The relief in his voice and eyes is so loud, it worries me."What are you doing?" My voice is raspy, my throat feeling like sandpaper. I couldn't help but notice where the other end of the blood pipe leads, straight int the back of Hardin's hand.I couldn't g
"Yeah, Zed, can you show Elder Luther the map of the extension? Hardin put it somewhere and I can't find it-...are you kidding me?" I whine, turning around to see Zed holding up the map which has been staring at me for the last ten minutes."Maybe Doc should check your eyes." Zed muses."If my head wasn't screwed on I'd lose that too." I scoff, taking the map and storming out the office and back outside."Sorry for the wait, it's been a little hectic here." I admit to the Elder standing in front of me."Understandable. Has the rogue recovered?" Luther asks me, attempting to be somewhat caring."She's doing great. Winter just started training with Beck and Zed actually, she's going back to school next week so she's begun training for graduation." I say with a proud smile."Isn't she only fifteen?" Luther arches his eyebrow.I nod my head. "Winter is training to be a protector, she did want to try for warrior but given this law against rogues, protector is the closest thing to it." I ex
A couple of days passed, and my fever got worse before it got better. Doc said it would last a matter of days, and he was right. Four days drag by before it finally clears up, with the help of some homemade herbal soup that Hardin's mom cooked up. It was the first thing I'd kept down during the four days of the fever. Hardin had me on complete bed rest, practically escorting me to the toilet and bath. It's safe to say I was up and gone the day Doc gave me the all clear. Hardin didn't like it, he wants to see the results from the blood, but it's not yet back from the Elders."I feel better than I have all week, Hardin. Please, stop worrying, I'll let you know the results the second they come back." I say with a low groan, trying to push the big oaf out of the door and into his car."I hate leaving you, especially right now." Hardin growls in frustration, not budging in the slightest."I'll take good care of her Hardin, I promise." Lori promises.Hardin is hesitant, glancing between us
"How did it go?" Hardin greets me the second I exit the car, wrapping me in his arms like I've been gone days.Truth be told, hugging him is all I need right now. The whole drive back I barely spoke five words to Jackson, I felt a little numb, and confused, irritated, a little angry."He signed." Jackson announces as he rounds the car towards us."He did? That's great." Hardin is a tad surprised, but happy none the less."Yeah." I force a slight smile.Pulling away from him I brush past Hardin and Jackson, heading into the house as I pull out my phone. Dialling a number that I've literally waited an entire month to call.It rings three times, before he answers."I knew I should have said two weeks." Elder Luthers voice comes through the speaker, his tone disgruntled."I have worked my ass off to get everyone on board, don't even think about backing out now because I am in no mood-""We're not backing out of anything, we made a deal. Email me copies of the contracts and I'll start maki
"Anymore dizzy spells?" Hardin worries like a mother hen, hovering over me as I stand up. "Not in the ten minutes since your last check in." I muse, separating the delivery boxes by names."I'm worried about you, Kal. Maybe we should call the Elders?" Hardin exhales, helping me organise the large heavy boxes."So they can tell me I'm stressed, exhausted and need rest? I'll sleep and rest when this is all over." I state firmly with a small grunt as I lift a box that is far heavier than the others."I've got it." Hardin murmurs, gently budging me aside and moving the box for me."I really do feel fine, Hardin. I promise that if it gets worse I'll see Doc, alright?" I offer a small smile, wrapping my arms around him, placing my hands on his chest and my chin on his back.Hardin places his hands over mine, squeezing gently as he exhales."You realise we only need one more signature for the alliance, right?" Hardin tells me after a minute of peaceful silence."Mhm." I hum, not pleased in
"Hi! Oh, sweetie it's so good to see you again!" Lori gushes as she pulls me into a warm hug, half squeezing me to death.I just smile and awkwardly pat her back. "You too, I'm sorry about the mess...we've been a little run off our feet lately.""Oh no, hunny don't even worry about it." Lori scoffs, waving off my words as she sits next to me on the couch.The pups run riot around me, and today I just didn't have the energy to get up and play games."You look exhausted, why don't you get some sleep? I'll watch the little wolves." Lori smiles warmly, concern in her eyes as she takes me in."No, no I'm fine. Besides, you just got here." I say, sitting up a little so I look more awake."What you're doing for this girl, it's truly amazing. Is it just me or is there a lot more she-wolves here?" Lori asks with a slight frown, uncertain if she's just going crazy."Thank you, and yeah, there's a lot more actually but I don't feel like going into details." I say softly, glancing at the pups as