Darren's POV.I drove like a lunatic, trying to shake off the anxiety creeping up my spine and trying not to be distracted by all of the cars parked along the highway behind me.I was still on edge about Leila, I couldn't control my thoughts and I was anxious to know if she'll ever forgive me.I gripped the steering wheel tightly and drove like I just got induced with cocaine.All that running around in Central Park I took earlier to drop Alpha Dean wasn’t helping either.It was almost noon when I pulled into the parking lot of the bloody moon pack.I knew their reputation and I knew I shouldn't take Alpha Dean through this route, but I needed release from the tension I felt inside me.Aidan gave me a knowing look, shaking his head, he knew what I was up to, yet I didn't really care, I needed that fight to feel a little better.I stepped down from the car, and Alpha Dean and Aidan followed suit."You're asking for trouble here." Aidan sighed."I need the release, training won't give
Darren's POV.I sighed in relief when we left the area totally, I drove past the lake, sighing in relief when I saw Alpha Dean's pack route close."Finally." Alpha Dean sighed, stepping down from the car immediately.Aidan followed suit shaking his head, "all that stress you gave us, what was it for?" He asked."I don't know,but I really needed that." I said, staring at my face in the car mirror.The bruises were evident on my face and a little on my ribs when I opened my t-shirt."You've gotten what you wanted." Aidan shook his head."Not really,but I feel better than I did earlier.""So will she talk to you?" Alpha Dean asked.Suddenly the serenity and peace I felt for a while after I finished fighting with those guards.I turned towards Alpha Dean, the anger I kept locked in, simmering on the edge, I thought of what to say to him, but I couldn't even get mad at him, it wasn't really his fault."You shouldn't have said that." Aidan sighed, the realization hit Alpha Dean and he raise
Leila's POV.My mind is filled with ray of thoughts, they are all filled with him.Thoughts of him, I don't even know how to feel.But I know for one that I'm angry, I'm furious, I can't believe I've been suffering from something I had no hand in and wasn't related to it in any way.He punished me for what I didn't do, what I had no hand in, and yet he wanted me to forgive him easily.I couldn't bring myself to say I accept his apology, the emotional and physical abuse I've done through because of him.What would happen if he just apologized, then everything would be alright and we could start again?It wasn't that easy, I don't care if he is my mate, or he didn't know and it was from what he heard, I won't forgive him easily.All that mattered the most for me right now was that my father's name wasn't dragged in the mud anymore.He didn't do a thing, and that was what made me happy.I picked the flowers I needed to plant, and after that I set about to work on making the garden perfe
Leila's POV.His eyes narrowed immediately he heard what I said.He advanced towards me, his eyes glaring daggers at me.I stood my ground not moving, my hands still hurt, but I didn't want him to know that.My hands clenched on the stick tightly, waiting for him to do anything.My wolf growled, wanting me to shift immediately, I tried placating it slowly."It's okay, I'm sure I can defend myself." I told my wolf.He advanced closer and I tightened my hold on the stick, my eyes waiting for any slight move he was going to make."You're very foolish to think you can fight me." He mocked, staring at my hands slowly, I could feel the blood slowly drop on the floor.His eyes locked on my bloody hands holding the stick tightly and he laughed.Suddenly, I moved my foot forward quickly, I knew he wasn't fast enough.I grabbed his arm with my other hand and with all my might pushed the stick against his stomach and he flew backwards on the ground with a thud.He stood up angrily, "You are a wo
Leila's POV.I was still nervous around the Alpha, and talking to him wasn't necessarily on my wishlist.I couldn't help but stay here in his bedroom, he actually helped me.But speaking to him wasn't what I wanted to do immediately, though at some point, I ended up speaking to him.I needed to tell him about the man who tried taking me.He was very adamant that he didn't see the man but wanted him found. I thought he would get a glimpse, but I think the man also hid immediately when he saw the Alpha.I left for the bathroom immediately the conversation began drifting from the man who attacked me. I could see his long sigh when he saw me.The moment I stepped into the room and closed the door behind myself, I could smell him again, I thought he left. I was confused, but also relieved, so the tension dissipated.It took us a few minutes of awkward silence to talk about anything else besides our situation, then the atmosphere shifted. It felt more comfortable with each passing second.
Darren's POV.I was damn nervous, I never knew I'd be this nervous.I suddenly felt chilly for no reason, but then my mind went blank and my heartbeat slowed down. I took a deep breath to calm myself but it did no good. My chest started pounding faster and faster every second, not helping at all. When I realized that, all I could hear was the rushing of blood in my head, everything else went silent.Only Leila could make me a powerful Alpha react this way.I can't believe she made me feel this way, I was nervous of what she'll say next.I didn't know why exactly, but I could see something in her eyes that scared me.Though the fear seeps away when I stare at her, absorbing her beauty.She looks beautiful even when angry or frustrated.She's got that beautiful cinnamon brown hair and those piercing hazel eyes that looked into mine. My wolf began pacing, suddenly becoming nervous like me, so he too became quiet, suddenly."Hey, you aren't saying anything." I tell my wolf."I have n
Leila's POV.I wasn't ready for the wave of jealousy that washed over me immediately when I saw Shantel in the Alpha's room.It felt like I had just been told something I didn't want to hear and my skin tingled with a cold sweat, so I looked away quickly to get away from her. It was not the fact I was jealous that made me feel so strongly. I knew it, I just couldn't explain why.The alpha made his feelings for me obvious, so I didn't know why I was so mad to see her.Because I knew how devious she could be, I had never thought I would find out if she would try something sneaky like this to take the position as his mate, she was so devious I felt like she could succeed.My chest tightened up at the thought and I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to breathe normally.I tried to stop the anger from surfacing,but it only made matters worse.I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down when I walked past her, though I was so upset.I almost turned around when I heard her comment abo
Leila's POV.I don't know why I was ambushed again, I got cornered everytime, it was tiring at the moment.I felt like these random things that kept happening were organized by someone who didn't like me.I wasn't sure it'll be Alpha Ray, he signed my death warrant when he gave me to Alpha Darren who hated me because he thought my father did something terrible.He definitely won't try using me for anything, but it felt like he was the one.I also had a strong feeling it would be Shantel's doing, I don't know why I felt that way, but my conviction is strong.I hid at the corner of a trail, hoping they'll pass me soon.I heard their quick footsteps approaching and my breath quickened and I started to move closer, trying to find the source of the sound and hide from them before they found out I'm here.But just as I tried to get away, my legs caught on, causing me to stumble towards the edge of the cliff. This caught their attention easily, as they stopped in front of me, ready to kic
Leila's POV.I followed him, I was too giddy and excited.He kissed me, ruffling my hair, as I giggled in delight. He told me how proud he was of me and we both laughed at it. His face formed into a smile that didn't exist and it made the butterflies I felt in my stomach go wild again. I loved it when he smiled at me or made me happy.I felt so good, everything was lovely and wonderful, and then he looked down and whispered, “We have to go or we won't see the sunset." He said.I followed him, feeling like I was floating on air, as he carried me up.I couldn't stop thinking about everything that happened and how I felt now.I was filled with so much happiness, love, adoration. I wanted more than anything else to spend my life with this amazing man who had given me all I had ever wished for.He gave me protection, love and care, and I couldn't ask for anything more."We're almost there." He whispered.He covered my eyes as I stumbled trying to find my balance."Be careful." He said
Leila's POV.I groaned as the incessant knocking on the door jolted me awake from my peaceful slumber. Rubbing my eyes, I stumbled out of bed and made my way to the door, struggling to shake off the lingering remnants of sleep.I swung open the door to reveal a young maid standing on the other side. Her hair was neatly pulled back into a tight bun, and her eyes darted nervously around the room. She curtsied before me, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke."By Alpha's orders, I have been sent to get you ready for the celebration, ma'am," she announced, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's the mating ceremony today."Confusion washed over me like a cold wave, and I frowned, trying to gather my thoughts. Mating ceremony?"What... what ceremony?" I stammered, my voice still laced with drowsiness."The mating ceremony, ma'am," the maid repeated, her eyes widening. "You and Alpha Darren's he had been preparing for it all day"My heart skipped a beat at the realization. How could I h
Darren's POV.I stepped into the kitchen, the savory aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. It had been a long day, but I wanted to make sure Leila had a proper meal.She deserved something special, something that would nourish her body and lift her spirits. As I glanced around the kitchen, my eyes settled on the ingredients neatly arranged on the countertop. It was time to create a healthy and delicious dinner for my mate.I started by selecting a vibrant array of vegetables. Bright red tomatoes, crisp green lettuce, and vibrant orange carrots caught my attention.I carefully washed and chopped them, the sharp knife slicing through the vegetables with precision. Next, I reached for a head of cauliflower and broke it into florets, ready to be roasted to perfection.With the vegetables prepared, I turned my attention to the protein. I had bought fresh salmon, knowing that the omega-3 fatty acids would be beneficial for Leila and our unborn child. I seasoned them with a d
Leila's POV.I woke up with a pounding headache, my temples throbbing as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. Slowly, the fog lifted from my mind, and I realized I was in my own room. Relief washed over me, mingling with confusion.How did I get here? Why was my head hurting so much? And then, like a dam breaking, my memories flooded back, crashing into my consciousness with the force of a tidal wave.I remembered meeting the healer and all, I just know the memory didn't leave. Shantel. The name echoed in my mind, carrying with it the terror of the past few days. I had been kidnapped by her and the witch, held against my will in a nightmarish ordeal.Tears welled up in my eyes as I allowed myself to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation. The Moon goddess had spared my life, and for that, I was eternally grateful, I'm sure she sent the blasting moon to kill them.The room seemed simultaneously comforting and alien. The familiar sights and sounds of my sanctuary took on ne
Leila's POV.Opening my eyes, staring at the healer as she cleaned off my bruises, applying ointment on it as the memories of Shantel's wickedness dawned on me.I felt so proud of myself for surviving all the pains and all the torture I received in the hands of that monster Shantel.I remembered how the Alpha carried immediately when he saw me there.She made my life a living hell, my child was my hope and my strength so I had to survive.I would have been devastated if I had lost my child to Shantel's torture, even at the expense that she doesn't know that I'm pregnant her torture was enough to kill a mother and her child."Whoever did this to you must be hell bent on having you dead" The healer said as she slowly rubbed the ointment on my legs."Oh she's definitely hell bent on killing me and Alpha Darren, she's a monster. You should have seen what she did to me. This is just because the wounds were healing." I uttered hastily, trying hard to shade off the thoughts of Shantel becau
Darren's POV"We have to go and find Leila, if anything happens to her I wouldn't forgive myself" I uttered, wondering what Leila must be passing through in the hands of Shantel, the fact that I wasn't there and I don't know where she could be filled me with the thoughts of incapabilities.I've got to find Leila to shade off my thoughts of incapabilities and also to prove to Shantel that she can't get away with her plans, her obsession is quite killing her. "It's dangerous out there,we got hurt when we came back."Aidan stuttered, knowing that his words would get me pissed. Truly his words got me pissed to some point, I lost my appetite for even eating this beautiful meal."I don't care... Besides it's the reason I want to rescue her out of the hands of Shantel" I retorted in a manner that he understood that he had to think about his words before saying it to me to avoid my wrath."Having you in the hands of Shantel would mean her gaining full victory over you and her plan could be to
Leila's POV.I was tied up on top of a stone, my hands behind my back.I was nervous, wondering how the ritual would be, when I woke up, I saw myself here.I was about to become a sacrifice for a greedy witch, and here I was.I couldn't move, I felt paralyzed, everything in me was frozen, unable to respond to anything other than the cold.The sensation spread throughout me like ice, freezing every part of my body. There wasn't enough air in my lungs, and yet I could feel nothing, no air moving through my throat. My stomach turned uncomfortably and I started to gag involuntarily.The nausea came in waves, and it took all of my will power to fight them off until they subsided again, slowly returning to a normal state.I was terrified, my heart beating so fast I thought it might explode.My mind went blank, my breathing slowed, and the world stopped spinning around me, just as my body was starting to slow down from its frantic heartbeat.In an attempt to distract myself, I began counting
Leila's POV.A scream rips from through my throat as ice cold water cascades down my body."Get up" Shantel hisses at me in a harsh tone, I can see her silhouetted figure in the room, my mind is in a haze and I try to focus, to regain my bearings. Her voice pierces my ears but all I see are blurry spots, "Get up" she repeats with more emphasis, I can't move, my limbs are shaking violently, "Stand up at one and do not waste my time, the ritual is happening elsewhere. " She snaps at me, it takes my brain a few seconds to process this, the ritual she speaks of means death. They are going to kill me and take my powers, I try to stand, and immediately I am hit with another wave of dizziness.Fear shoots through my spine in a hot wave, gripping me, my mouth goes dry, my throat clogs up and my eyes water. I feel my knees give out, they give way beneath me, and I collapse on the floor once again, a sob tears from me as I curl up into myself, wrapping my arms around my shivering body.
Shantel's POV.I shivered, fear filled my body, and I could barely breath for a second. It wasn't because of the cold due to the rain. No, this was more than fear and pain.I couldn't believe what I heard from Dean, the Alpha was suspicious of me and I didn't know what to do.I was so terrified and Dean wasn't picking up his calls, or even texting me like he usually would. He's not picking up his calls, I wonder if the Alpha caught him already.I paced the corridor, trying to figure out what to do.I called his line again, and it was switched off.I bit my fingernails, my whole body shook, but my eyes stayed glued on my phone as I waited for another text message or a call.The witch came back already and she was doing her final preparations as she told me.I really didn't care about that, all that mattered to me was seeing a reply from Dean.I kept looking at my phone, waiting for anything, any kind of notification. My hands were shaking as I tried to text him again, my mind raced