--Alyssa--I felt a knot forming in my stomach as I realized I needed to use the restroom. Glancing around the room, I was unsure how to convey my need without causing a scene. Xavier's presence gave me a sense of calm, and I decided to reach out to him through our mindlink."Xavier," I called out softly in my thoughts, catching his attention. His gaze met mine, filled with concern and curiosity."I need to use the washroom," I told him, hoping he would understand the urgency. He nodded, understanding immediately, but our exchange hadn't gone unnoticed. The others in the room turned their attention to us, curiosity and concern etched on their faces, except for Meredith, Loveth, and Grandma, who were preoccupied with their phones."My mate needs to use the washroom," Xavier announced, directing his words to Noah, who was seated across from him."Oh, of course," Noah replied with a nod. "Dimitra here will show her the way," he added, gesturing to a maid standing quietly in the corner of
--Alyssa--I just stared at her, not saying anything. The silence between us was thick with years of unanswered questions and unspoken hurt. Finally, unable to contain my frustrations any longer, I spoke, my voice trembling with pent-up emotion.“Why didn’t you come back for me when everything was alright? Look at my cousins. Did they not grow up to be good? Are they not alive and kicking?” I demanded, the words spilling out of me in a torrent. “Why did you leave me behind?”She looked at me, her eyes filled with a sorrow that mirrored my own. “I know, Alyssa. I’m sorry. We should have come back for you. But when I saw you in the garden, playing so happily, I couldn’t bear to take you away. I knew you would have a better life there than anywhere else. I did it for you, for your safety,” she said, her voice breaking as she reached out to hold my hand.I pulled my hand away, unable to let her touch me. “I know you had no choice then, but when everything was good again, why didn’t you co
--Alyssa--"Can we leave now?" I said through the mindlink the moment I entered the room. I didn't want to stay here any longer than I already had."So soon?" Dad's voice sounded in my mind. I forced a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes."I have something to discuss with the King here. Why don’t you go ahead, and I'll come back later," he added. I nodded, relief flooding through me as I quickly exited the dining room. Xavier's concerned gaze followed me, and I sensed his worry through the mindlink."What’s wrong?" he asked."I'm suddenly not feeling well," I lied, my voice sounding strained even in my mind. I hurried to the car we arrived in and sank into the seat. Moments later, Grandma joined me, her presence a comforting balm. She reached over, smoothing my hair back gently.The driver started the car, the engine’s hum a welcome distraction."What happened?" Grandma asked through the mindlink, her voice soft and full of concern."I saw my mom," I replied, my voice trembling. Tears
--Alyssa--Things have not been going well for me these past few days. Today, we were having the pack introductions to bring the White wolves into the pack so that a link could be formed amongst us, allowing us to communicate and coordinate more effectively. I dreaded the thought of attending the event. I wished fervently that I could skip it, but my presence was obligatory. I had to be there, always, for functions like these.Xavier sat in front of the mirror, meticulously adjusting his hair. He seemed intent on finding the perfect style, his brow furrowed in concentration. I, however, was far too preoccupied with my own thoughts to offer any suggestions.“Is this way okay?” he asked, glancing over at me with an expectant look. I barely registered the question, my mind elsewhere. “Yes,” I replied absentmindedly, lying. In truth, he looked good in any style. I didn't understand why he was stressing over something so trivial when he always appeared effortlessly handsome to me.He noti
--Alyssa--As I approached the clearing, I could feel Xavier's eyes on me, a mixture of concern and curiosity that he could barely mask. My chair, meticulously placed next to his, was a reminder of my place here, a place I wasn't sure I wanted to occupy at this moment.Taking my seat, I glanced around, my eyes searching the crowd for a familiar face. Relief washed over me when I didn’t spot my mother. Her absence was a small mercy, sparing me from the complicated emotions her presence always stirred. I knew, though, that as a leader of her people, her presence here was inevitable.The internal conflict gnawed at me. I wanted to see her, to feel her reassurance, yet whenever she stood before me, the desire to flee overpowered everything else. It was a bitter irony that I couldn't reconcile.My father caught my eye from across the gathering, his gaze piercing through the crowd. I quickly looked away, not wanting him to see the turmoil in my eyes or guess at the person I was searching fo
--Alyssa--We were done, and there was merry-making going on downstairs. This event was going to mark history, and everyone was taking it so well because it was going to be documented in books: the day the White wolves joined together with the normal wolves.I found myself retreating upstairs because I needed to tell Xavier what was happening. The weight of the secret was unbearable, and I feared that if he discovered it on his own, we might never be the same again. The thought gnawed at me, filling me with anxiety.I was lying on the bed, the duvet wrapped tightly around me. The familiar scent of lavender from the fabric softener mixed with the cool evening breeze that filtered through the slightly open window. My heart pounded as I anticipated Xavier’s arrival. When the door opened, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest. Xavier walked in, his expression immediately shifting from relief to concern when he saw me.“What's wrong? Do I need to call the pack doctor?” he asked, his voice
--Alyssa--He still stared at me, his eyes fixed on mine, but he wasn’t saying anything. The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy, and it began to gnaw at my nerves. Fear coiled tightly in my chest, and I could feel my heart pounding.“Xavier,” I whispered, hoping to break the spell that seemed to hold him in place. His gaze remained unyielding, his expression unreadable. Anxiety bubbled up within me, each second of silence amplifying my dread. Had it been a mistake to tell him who I truly was? What if he turned against me now, seeing me as a threat instead of an ally? The thought of him rejecting me, of the bond between us fracturing, was unbearable. My mind raced, conjuring up all sorts of dire scenarios.I had always believed Xavier to be sincere when he spoke of his admiration for the White wolves, but what if he had been lying all along? I searched his eyes for any hint of deceit, but found none. They were clear and honest, as they had always been.If anything were to go
--Alyssa--“I didn’t know about it,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping the floor, and left the room without another word. Confusion and hurt washed over me. Why did he leave? Was he angry? He seemed to take it well just moments ago.I needed to talk to Grandma. I hadn’t told her about my plan to reveal my true identity to Xavier. What was I even thinking? My mind was so clouded with conflicting thoughts that I hadn’t sought her advice on whether it was a good idea. But Xavier had said he didn’t despise us, so why did he react this way now?I found myself standing in front of her door, my knuckles rapping against the wood before I pushed it open. The scent of her lavender sachets and the familiar creak of the floorboards greeted me as I stepped inside.“Grandma, I just told Xavier who I was,” I blurted out, anxiety tightening my chest. She shot up from her chair, eyes wide with alarm.“You did what?” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with pani
--Alyssa--Meridith couldn’t stop smiling as she leaned closer to get a better look at the twins nestled in my arms. “Pups? They are so cute and look just like Xavier,” she cooed, her eyes sparkling with affection.Xavier, however, was lost in thought, his gaze fixed on our babies with an intensity that made me chuckle. He seemed entirely absorbed, as if the world outside didn’t exist. Seeing him so captivated by the sight of our children softened my heart, but I couldn’t shake the nagging guilt that lingered beneath the surface.Everyone in the room seemed unbothered by the events outside, as if the weight of what was happening hadn’t reached them. They were caught up in the joy of the moment, admiring the twins, and it made me feel strangely out of place. I was here, surrounded by warmth and family, while others were grieving just beyond the palace walls. The contrast was hard to ignore, and I knew I had to act soon.“Can we break the curse now?” I asked, my voice cutting through th
“Xavier!” Meridith called out to me, her voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the room. “When is Alyssa coming?” she asked, making everyone turn their attention toward me, waiting expectantly for an answer.“Soon,” I replied, though their faces showed clear disappointment. I knew they missed her, and so did I, but for her safety, I couldn’t do anything reckless. The weight of their expectation hung in the air, but my priority was always her protection.But something gnawed at me. Why would Nathaniel—who always kept me informed of his whereabouts—suddenly go off on an errand without telling me? It wasn’t like him. He always let me know where he was, and this sudden disappearance made me unease.Aurelia’s POVThere was a knock on the door, causing all of us to freeze. Nobody ever knocked on our door, not unexpectedly like this."Did Xavier tell you he was coming?" Mom asked, her eyes filled with concern. I shook my head, feeling a pit form in my stomach. We were supposed to leave
I could hardly believe what was happening. Most of the Alphas had been killed—just in one night—which sent panic rippling throughout the Kingdom. This was not how I envisioned welcoming my mate and pups home. The atmosphere was thick with tension and fear; I knew that those who had plotted against Alyssa and my innocent children were receiving their just desserts.“Have you heard? The Alpha of St. Lucas was reported dead just now,” Nathaniel said, his expression grave. My heart sank as the weight of his words settled in. This was more serious than we had initially thought.“So what are their families doing about it?” I asked, my voice strained with uncertainty. I was in no position to intervene after everything they had done to me.“They are calling for your help,” he replied, a hint of mischief playing on his lips.“Now they want my help when just a few days ago they wanted to kill me?” I laughed, incredulous at their desperation. This was surely the work of the Moon Goddess, a twist
I strode straight into my room, Nathaniel still at my heels, his excitement palpable. I approached my phone, heart racing as I prepared to dial the number I had yearned to call every night and day.Taking a deep breath, I punched in the digits, my fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.“Hello?” I heard my mate’s voice on the other end, and a wave of relief washed over me.“Alyssa,” I breathed, the sound of her name sending a rush of warmth through my veins. “It’s me.”There was a moment of silence before she responded, her tone a mixture of surprise and joy. “Xavier! I can’t believe it’s really you!”Hearing her voice brought back the memories of our moments together—the laughter, the love, the dreams we shared for our future. I closed my eyes, allowing the sound of her voice to wash over me like a soothing balm.“I’ve missed you every day,” I confessed, my heart aching with longing. “I finally stood up to the council. They tried to break me, but they can’t control what I’ve bu
I entered the room, and the atmosphere shifted. As usual, all the Alphas were present, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain. I didn’t bother to greet them; instead, I took my seat with an air of defiance, determined to remain unyielding in the face of their scrutiny.“Xavier Black of the Blood Moon Pack, do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?” Elder Simon asked, his voice authoritative yet tinged with a hint of amusement. I knew he had always been fond of me, and it seemed that sentiment hadn’t waned, even in the face of this farce.“I swear to tell nothing but the truth,” I replied, my tone steady.Before Elder Simon could continue, Elder Samuel shot up from his seat, interrupting the proceedings. I rolled my eyes in exasperation; he always seemed to have a knack for stealing the spotlight from Simon, making it difficult for the process to flow smoothly.“Do you still not know the whereabouts of your mate?” he inquired, his tone sharp.“I passed the tes
--XAVIER POV--It had been two whole months since Aurelia left, and every single day, I felt the urge to break own, to cry, but I knew I couldn’t afford to lose my composure. I had to stay strong, to remain calm if I was going to survive this manipulative game the Alphas were playing. Aurelia had slipped away quietly before anyone noticed. By the time the council arrived, she was already gone, leaving me to face their barrage of questions. I was questioned endlessly, but thanks to the bond with my wolf, I was able to lie convincingly.They didn’t believe me—why would they? But they had no proof, and more importantly, no right to treat me like a prisoner. I had played my part well, and it baffled me how foolish they were to think I would simply tell them the truth. The bond with one’s wolf was sacred in the werewolf realm, and by the decree of the Moongoddess, a wolf could never lie. But mine did. Somehow, I managed to deceive them, and it worked.I couldn’t help but wonder if the Moo
Tears blurred my vision as I glanced at Mom, who stood beside me, her own eyes filled with emotion. She had been so strong throughout it all, but now, seeing her grandchild, her tears flowed freely. Grandma was nearby too, her hands clasped together, a proud smile lighting up her face. The room was filled with so much love, so much joy.But just as I began to think it was over, a sudden, sharp pain shot through me, taking my breath away. I gasped, my body tensing as fear gripped me once more. “Something’s wrong!” I cried out, panic creeping into my voice.The midwife, who had been carefully watching over me, quickly moved to check. Her expression remained calm, and after a moment, she looked up at me with a reassuring smile. “No, Alyssa, nothing’s wrong. You’re having another baby.”Another baby. The words took a moment to register in my exhausted mind. Another baby? My heart raced as the realization dawned on me. Twins. I was having twins.The pain came back in waves, and I gripped t
It had been an entire month since I last heard from Xavier, and the worry gnawed at me constantly. Every day, I cried myself to sleep, the emptiness in my heart growing with each passing hour. I couldn’t help but think about him, about where he was and what he might be going through. But there was one thing that kept me going—the certainty that he was still alive. If he weren’t, I would have felt it deep inside me. That was the one thing mates shared, a connection that transcended distance and time. It was that bond that reassured me, even in the darkest moments, that Xavier was out there somewhere, fighting to return to us.Yet, despite that fragile hope, I was falling apart. In Grandma and Mom’s words, I looked terrible. My skin had paled, and the bags under my eyes were dark and heavy from countless sleepless nights. My clothes barely fit, and I’d stopped caring about my appearance long ago. The weight of uncertainty was crushing.As much as I tried to stay positive, the constant
--Alyssa--We were watching a movie, a popular request from Grandma, but my mind kept wandering back to Mom and what could have possibly happened. I couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, despite trying to focus on the screen in front of me. Something didn’t feel right, and I could tell that both Grandma and I were distracted.“There’s a knock, Grandma,” I said softly, even though it had been faint. My ears had picked it up nonetheless. Grandma didn't seem to notice at first, but then came another knock, louder this time, clear enough to be undeniable.“I’ll check it,” she said, motioning for me to stay seated. She rose slowly from her chair and made her way to the door, her steps deliberate, as if she, too, felt a shift in the air.A moment later, I heard her say, “Elizabeth.”The sound of that name startled me to my feet before my brain could even register what was happening. Mom. She was here. “Mom?” I called out, my voice filled with both relief and conf