Rachel's POV
Rachels POV
"No, I just needed some time to admire the view. I rarely come to this castle, and I've never been here at night. The lake view is marvellous after dark," I responded, trying to sound convincing.
My words seemed to work as James walked up and held me from behind. I felt a slight discomfort, like insects crawling on my skin. The urge to resist welled up within me, but I didn't want to come across as rude, so I kept my cool.
"It's okay, babe," James said. "I'll make you the happiest Luna in the world. During my time as alpha, I plan to put an end to this Blueriver pack nonsense." James said, trying to make conversation, but I was more concerned about the boner I could feel behind me. I was hoping it was his torch or something else.
The Blueriver pack was a new settlement that stayed on an island not far from us. They were known for stirring trouble with other smaller packs and even conquering some of them. They were getting stronger and becoming a formidable force but still were not on the level of the bigger packs like ours or the Darkmoon Pack, which were our close rivals. The Blueriver Pack gave the more prominent packs cause for concern because they had specific unorthodox war strategies that made us realise that we would all be toast if they had the numbers we had.
"Babe? Did he just call us babe?" Lisa, my inner wolf, remarked. I didn't particularly appreciate being called that and certainly didn't like being violated by James's boner behind my back. I could smell that he had a lot to drink that night as his breath hit my neck.
"I can't wait to claim you, Rachel. Soon you would be all mine and…" James began.
"Tell me about your plans for the Blueriver pack." I interrupted, gently breaking off his hold and turning to face him.
"Well…" James hesitated, clearly unprepared for the question.
"I believe you must have a plan to make such a claim. How do you propose to put an end to the Blueriver people's madness?" My questions destabilised him more. I think he forgot he was speaking to a soldier and not one of the many bimbos who couldn't resist his blue eyes and alpha presence.
"Well, my plans are confidential for now. You are no longer a soldier; you are soon to be my Luna, so I will discuss soldier matters with soldiers."
Arrogance laced his response, igniting a simmering anger in Lisa. I remained composed; what was the point of losing my cool? The big surprise was going to drop very soon. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he found out my stepdad was no longer funding this wedding, and we were about to get married in a shoe box. Hopefully, the Blueriver folks would be there to witness the shambolic event.
"You seem upset. Did I say anything wrong?" He asked while I tried to pretend I didn't want to rip his head off.
"I'm great, James. You're saying all the right things," I responded, feigning a smile on my face as I began to walk back to the party, pulling him along so I wouldn't seem rude. We were alone on the balcony, and I didn't want him to get more ideas to excite him. He was an alpha, and even if I could defend myself very well, it would be difficult to take him on, considering his strength and speed. I wouldn't even want that situation to come up as it would seem awkward; we were about to get married.
"Wait". James said as he pulled me back.
"I have something I think might cheer you up." He continued, and I became anxious because I swear if he said his throbbing boner would cheer me up, I would jump off this balcony.
"What might that be?" I replied, dreading what he would answer.
"Your mom told me about your stepdad's decision," James began. Now, while I don't get involved with family disputes, I can't have my Luna getting married in jeans. So, I've decided to cover the remaining wedding expenses." He said with a broad smile on his face like he had done me a favour. My anxiety came back, and I started to breathe fast.
"That selfish bitch!" The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
"What?" James asked, clearly taken aback.
"Sorry, excuse me, I need to find my mom". I replied as I attempted to storm out to rake havoc on my mom.
"There's no need; I know just where she is, "he replied, grabbing my hand as he led me back into the party.
As we walked past the guests, I wondered where James was leading me. It was pretty awkward, but I remained calm. I saw Jeremy and Katherine cuddled on a sofa and noticed he gave me a cunning smile while we walked past him. That was when I knew something ugly was about to happen. I braced myself for the worst.
James led me into the meeting room, and as we walked in, I saw my mother seated and giggling with two other men. They were having wine and some refreshments on the table. These men were formally dressed. James gestured that I sit on the available chair. I noticed a document and a pen in front of me.
"I'll leave you and your mother alone while I go and attend to other guests. He said as he politely left the room.
"Hello, Miss Rachel. My name is Carl Richard, and this is my associate, Mr Kevin Oswald. We are from Carl & Oswald Associates and represent Mr Nighthawk." One of the men started before I could even decide what was happening.
"You are Lawyers? Why didn't you tell me?" My mother responded, still giggling. I could tell she was slightly tipsy. She must have been so happy about the new development of James sponsoring the wedding. On the other hand, I was wondering how we would pay for this generosity James was showing. I knew nothing was free among these people.
"Sorry to put you in this position, but there is a pressing matter we need to clarify before tomorrow's wedding; please go through the document in front of you." Mr Carl pleaded, and I knew exactly what was happening. I raised the sheet of paper and read it. It was what I suspected, a prenup.
Rachel's POV"What's that, darling?" My mom asked. I was quiet for some seconds as my mind processed what she was putting me through; I shouldn't be here signing prenups. I could have been in the academy training someone or being trained for the position I deserved."You do understand, under the circumstances, the Nighthawk estate had to be protected," Mr. Oswald said for the first time. I looked at my mother, who now had a confused look on her face."Sweetheart, what's the matter?" She inquired again."You are the issue, Mom. The embarrassment I have to take because you birth me. This is a prenup agreement. The circumstance Mr Oswald is talking about here would be related to us being rumoured to be the gold-digging duo of Sandstone Pack. I have nothing to say to you now." I picked up the paper to sign it."Wait! Don't sign it!" My mom cried. I ignored her and signed it quickly. I was mad at her and the situation. I felt tears trying to drop off my eye but held it in. I didn't need an
XANDER’S POV The mere sight of that chair always sent a shiver down my spine. I took my seat, and my fingers tapped nervously on my knee. Dr. Sandra fixed her gaze on me, her demeanour calm and collected. "We can start as soon as you feel comfortable," she said. To her, it might have seemed like a routine case, but if she truly knew the turmoil inside me, her composure might waver. "It happened again," I admitted. "What happened, the voice?" she inquired. "Yes, but it's becoming more dominant. He speaks to me every day now," I confessed. "Is he speaking to you now?" she inquired further. "No, but just before I got here today, he told me that the sooner I accept he's a part of me, the sooner I'll realize that this whole therapy is a waste of time," I replied, feeling very unsettled about this. I had been out of work for several months, so I had to resort to driving for Uber to survive while I searched for more stable employment. I was once a rising star at an accounting firm, b
Rachel's POVThere I was, standing in front of the mirror, trying on the wedding dress. The rehearsal was just a few days away, so of course, my mother insisted on making sure the dress fit perfectly. I thought maybe it wouldn’t, that some miracle would save me from wearing this whole frilly prison—but no such luck. The dress fit perfectly.And I had to admit, I looked… beautiful. Like, really beautiful. It was one of those dresses that makes you feel like a fairy princess caught up in a dreamy ballad. Lace everywhere, shining fabric catching the light, like a cloud of pure elegance. I could have been on the cover of one of those bridal magazines. But here’s the thing: my near tears had nothing to do with how lovely I looked.No, I was on the verge of tears because this wasn’t my dream come true—it was my nightmare. I wasn’t some dress-loving, wedding-obsessed girl who dreamed of a big white wedding. I’d never even liked dresses. And here I was, about to marry James Nighthawk, the son
Rachel's POVMy stepdad was always my knight in shining armour. He was the only one that supported my career in the academy. He always respected my decisions, and I loved him so much for that. We were so close no one would believe he was actually my stepfather. My real father made it a duty to be a deadbeat Dad. He always made promises that he would never fulfil.My biological father was the real reason I didn't trust men and really never gave them a chance. I was constantly lied to by him, which was very disappointing growing up, but my stepdad made sure I grew up with no daddy issues. He protected me and gave me everything I needed from age seven till today."Hello darling, your mom handed this bottle of water to me and said you weren't feeling too good, then went back to discussing with her group of friends. That's one worried mother." He said, sounding very sarcastic. I giggled at his sarcasm and brightened up a bit."I'm guessing she's talking about her achievements again". I rep
Rachel's POV"Can you hear yourself, Pamela? He wants to be there for his daughter now. Why didn't you ask him to sponsor the wedding then? He never paid her school fees, he never gave her anything for her birthdays, nothing; now he wants to be her dad for a wedding I virtually sponsored. I have been watching you all through this wedding, treating me like I'm the donkey to carry all his responsibilities. For goodness sake, even the guests I requested on the list were reduced from twenty to three for a wedding I'm virtually paying for. Are you fucking kidding me?!" He yelled in anger."Please stop yelling! All you think about is your money! Francis is just trying to be there for his girl; why can't you understand that?!""I've never asked for anything but to walk Rachel to the altar, and that's difficult for you to give me. What has Francis ever given you except your wonderful daughter I virtually raised for him? How dare you tell me I only think about the money? I never saw you compla
Rachel's POVThere was no lie in most of what Jeremy was saying. We all knew I was my dad's favourite, even above Jeremy, who hated this to his heart. He supported this wedding, which made me very suspicious because Jeremy and James were close friends, and James was aware that Jeremy hated me, and yet he was willing to marry me, the daughter of the settlement's most popular gold-digger. Something was not right about this situation, and this unsettled me. Jeremy's mother died when he was a young pup, and his dad was a single parent to Jeremy for a while before he met my mom. Jeremy felt neglected by his dad most of the time, and he blamed me and my mother for this. The reality was he failed to see that while his father was trying to raise him for the harsh truth of being the son of powerful and wealthy Beta Damien Darkwater, he raised me like a princess.I grew up with Jeremy as my constant rival. He was at first nonchalant about me, but when I started excelling above him in class, he
XANDER’S POV The mere sight of that chair always sent a shiver down my spine. I took my seat, and my fingers tapped nervously on my knee. Dr. Sandra fixed her gaze on me, her demeanour calm and collected. "We can start as soon as you feel comfortable," she said. To her, it might have seemed like a routine case, but if she truly knew the turmoil inside me, her composure might waver. "It happened again," I admitted. "What happened, the voice?" she inquired. "Yes, but it's becoming more dominant. He speaks to me every day now," I confessed. "Is he speaking to you now?" she inquired further. "No, but just before I got here today, he told me that the sooner I accept he's a part of me, the sooner I'll realize that this whole therapy is a waste of time," I replied, feeling very unsettled about this. I had been out of work for several months, so I had to resort to driving for Uber to survive while I searched for more stable employment. I was once a rising star at an accounting firm, b
Rachel's POV"What's that, darling?" My mom asked. I was quiet for some seconds as my mind processed what she was putting me through; I shouldn't be here signing prenups. I could have been in the academy training someone or being trained for the position I deserved."You do understand, under the circumstances, the Nighthawk estate had to be protected," Mr. Oswald said for the first time. I looked at my mother, who now had a confused look on her face."Sweetheart, what's the matter?" She inquired again."You are the issue, Mom. The embarrassment I have to take because you birth me. This is a prenup agreement. The circumstance Mr Oswald is talking about here would be related to us being rumoured to be the gold-digging duo of Sandstone Pack. I have nothing to say to you now." I picked up the paper to sign it."Wait! Don't sign it!" My mom cried. I ignored her and signed it quickly. I was mad at her and the situation. I felt tears trying to drop off my eye but held it in. I didn't need an
Rachel's POV Rachels POV "No, I just needed some time to admire the view. I rarely come to this castle, and I've never been here at night. The lake view is marvellous after dark," I responded, trying to sound convincing. My words seemed to work as James walked up and held me from behind. I felt a slight discomfort, like insects crawling on my skin. The urge to resist welled up within me, but I didn't want to come across as rude, so I kept my cool. "It's okay, babe," James said. "I'll make you the happiest Luna in the world. During my time as alpha, I plan to put an end to this Blueriver pack nonsense." James said, trying to make conversation, but I was more concerned about the boner I could feel behind me. I was hoping it was his torch or something else. The Blueriver pack was a new settlement that stayed on an island not far from us. They were known for stirring trouble with other smaller packs and even conquering some of them. They were getting stronger and becoming a formidabl
Rachel's POVThere was no lie in most of what Jeremy was saying. We all knew I was my dad's favourite, even above Jeremy, who hated this to his heart. He supported this wedding, which made me very suspicious because Jeremy and James were close friends, and James was aware that Jeremy hated me, and yet he was willing to marry me, the daughter of the settlement's most popular gold-digger. Something was not right about this situation, and this unsettled me. Jeremy's mother died when he was a young pup, and his dad was a single parent to Jeremy for a while before he met my mom. Jeremy felt neglected by his dad most of the time, and he blamed me and my mother for this. The reality was he failed to see that while his father was trying to raise him for the harsh truth of being the son of powerful and wealthy Beta Damien Darkwater, he raised me like a princess.I grew up with Jeremy as my constant rival. He was at first nonchalant about me, but when I started excelling above him in class, he
Rachel's POV"Can you hear yourself, Pamela? He wants to be there for his daughter now. Why didn't you ask him to sponsor the wedding then? He never paid her school fees, he never gave her anything for her birthdays, nothing; now he wants to be her dad for a wedding I virtually sponsored. I have been watching you all through this wedding, treating me like I'm the donkey to carry all his responsibilities. For goodness sake, even the guests I requested on the list were reduced from twenty to three for a wedding I'm virtually paying for. Are you fucking kidding me?!" He yelled in anger."Please stop yelling! All you think about is your money! Francis is just trying to be there for his girl; why can't you understand that?!""I've never asked for anything but to walk Rachel to the altar, and that's difficult for you to give me. What has Francis ever given you except your wonderful daughter I virtually raised for him? How dare you tell me I only think about the money? I never saw you compla
Rachel's POVMy stepdad was always my knight in shining armour. He was the only one that supported my career in the academy. He always respected my decisions, and I loved him so much for that. We were so close no one would believe he was actually my stepfather. My real father made it a duty to be a deadbeat Dad. He always made promises that he would never fulfil.My biological father was the real reason I didn't trust men and really never gave them a chance. I was constantly lied to by him, which was very disappointing growing up, but my stepdad made sure I grew up with no daddy issues. He protected me and gave me everything I needed from age seven till today."Hello darling, your mom handed this bottle of water to me and said you weren't feeling too good, then went back to discussing with her group of friends. That's one worried mother." He said, sounding very sarcastic. I giggled at his sarcasm and brightened up a bit."I'm guessing she's talking about her achievements again". I rep
Rachel's POVThere I was, standing in front of the mirror, trying on the wedding dress. The rehearsal was just a few days away, so of course, my mother insisted on making sure the dress fit perfectly. I thought maybe it wouldn’t, that some miracle would save me from wearing this whole frilly prison—but no such luck. The dress fit perfectly.And I had to admit, I looked… beautiful. Like, really beautiful. It was one of those dresses that makes you feel like a fairy princess caught up in a dreamy ballad. Lace everywhere, shining fabric catching the light, like a cloud of pure elegance. I could have been on the cover of one of those bridal magazines. But here’s the thing: my near tears had nothing to do with how lovely I looked.No, I was on the verge of tears because this wasn’t my dream come true—it was my nightmare. I wasn’t some dress-loving, wedding-obsessed girl who dreamed of a big white wedding. I’d never even liked dresses. And here I was, about to marry James Nighthawk, the son