--Alyssa--"I always attend, but this year I won't be able to," Meridith continued, smiling despite her evident disappointment."Do other people from the Pack go as well?" I asked, hoping that at least I might see some familiar faces at the event."Yes, my aunties and uncles go as well," she said, which gave me some comfort. At least there would be people there who might not be complete strangers."You have to start getting prepared because it starts at six in the evening, and it's already four in the afternoon," she added. The tight timeline made me anxious. I was frustrated at the lack of notice. Why did Xavier want me to go with him when he never attended these events before? Now he wanted to drag me along on such short notice?But I had no choice. I couldn't afford to make him angrier than he already was. Suppressing my irritation, I forced a smile. "I’m sure there will be about a thousand people there," I said, trying to sound excited even though I was dreading it."See you tomor
--Alyssa--He slid his hand behind my waist, and I felt the familiar sparks once again. This sensation was consistent, and I knew he felt it too."Why are you in a revealing dress? I told them to inform you to choose a modest one," he whispered, his voice low and almost reprimanding. To the onlookers, it might have seemed like we were sharing a private, tender moment, but in reality, he was lecturing me about my dress choice."I like this one better than the rest," I replied defiantly. He fell silent, clearly not pleased but also not willing to argue further in front of everyone. I felt a small sense of victory, having stood my ground against him this time. His cologne was intoxicating, and I found myself wanting to get closer, to breathe in more of his scent. What are you doing, Alyssa? I chastised myself, shocked at the direction of my thoughts."Bambina," Xavier said softly, and I looked up at him. The nickname sent chills down my spine, and I hated how much I reacted to it. I shou
--Alyssa--“It’s for his business,” I heard her voice echo in my head. I was utterly shocked. No one in the pack had ever communicated with me through telepathy before; how was that even possible?“He is known as a businessman to the humans. He owns many businesses across the globe aside from being the Alpha,” she explained, leaving me even more astonished. The magnitude of his influence was overwhelming.“This gala is held on behalf of the companies he runs to give back to society. Just so you know, all his workers are werewolves, but his clients are both human and werewolf,” she continued, her voice filling my mind with images of the grandeur surrounding Xavier's enterprises. The notion that a single individual could manage such a vast network while maintaining his secret life as an Alpha was beyond impressive.“He is known as the business tycoon around the globe. If you search for his name on Google, you would see his name pop up as Xavier Kings, the most eligible bachelor who just
--Alyssa--"Please, you are to move to that table," the guy called Richie said to us.The table Richie directed us to was positioned at the head of the room, a spot that commanded attention and significance. It was a round table with five chairs arranged neatly around it, each chair upholstered in luxurious fabric. The table itself was covered with a pristine white cloth, adorned with a centerpiece of fresh flowers that added a touch of elegance to the setting.I moved steadily towards the table, being extra careful with each step. The last thing I wanted was to trip and fall, which would have been incredibly embarrassing in front of everyone. I had been comfortable where I was seated before, a less conspicuous spot that didn't draw much attention. Now, as we moved, I could feel the eyes of the room on us, curious and speculative.As we made our way, I heard snippets of conversations from the surrounding tables. "She is beautiful," someone murmured. The compliment was unexpected and m
--Alyssa--“Can I have the liberty of dancing with you, Mr. Kings?” The same lady in red who had bid against Xavier said, pulling him away from me. Her boldness and confidence were palpable, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of irritation.As Xavier was whisked away, several people approached me, asking if I would like to dance. I declined each offer, not interested in dancing with anyone else. My mind was too preoccupied with the recent events and the feelings they stirred within me.“You looked beautiful on the dance floor, and the other women looked at you with jealousy, even the werewolves,” Lily said to me smiling.“Mr. Kings said that I should give this to you, Luna,” Richie said, handing me the earrings Xavier had bought. The delicate box seemed almost too fragile in his hands, the precious contents inside glinting under the soft light.“I knew that they were for you,” Lily said, her face lighting up with a happy smile as she admired the earrings. Her joy was infectious, but
--Alyssa--It had been two days since the ball, and I had been avoiding Xavier after that unexpected kiss. He looked stressed out, probably because there was a case at the border involving rogues. The timing couldn’t have been worse for us. He came in when I was asleep and left before I woke up. The kiss stirred up an unknown emotion in me, leaving me confused and conflicted. From feeling jealous at the ball to everything that happened that day, it all felt surreal.I blamed it on the mate bond that was making me feel things I never intended to feel. At this point, there was no way I could run because I was being watched like a hawk. I couldn’t even leave the palace, not even to go to the garden unless I was with someone. The guards adhered to their orders strictly because they all did not want to lose their jobs. This constant surveillance made me feel trapped and restless.I had been feeling giddy throughout the day. It was now the afternoon, and I didn’t even want to eat, that’s ho
--Alyssa--"We will be going to the Pack’s orphanage," she said to me, making me shocked.How does this Pack have an orphanage? Did the parents not want them?"How do you have an orphanage?" I asked, a little shocked because from the structure of the place everyone seemed to be living well."Some of the children are orphans because their parents have died, and others were abandoned at the Pack’s border," she explained to me, making me nod.How could anyone abandon a child at the Pack's border? Why was I complaining when I was left in a forest? At least the Pack's border was better than what I went through; an animal could have killed me, or a rogue."But I was not allowed to go out," I said to her."The Alpha King said we should go along with you so that you do not feel bored," she said, making me happy he had changed his mind.Quickly, I entered the closet, taking out a simple pair of jeans and a top, but it did not look simple no matter how I tried to change the tops."The girls are
--Alyssa--We were currently at the orphanage, and I didn't know what to expect. As we got out of the car, I took in the surroundings. The building was more like a house, albeit on a much larger piece of land than typical homes. Atop the house, a sign read "Home" in bold letters. That was what they had written on it. Meridith was the one leading the way.“She rang the bell, and a woman emerged from inside to open the door. Once I came into view, she bowed to me. Since I had mated with Xavier, everyone was going to find out that I was the Luna. One could practically smell him on me.“Welcome,” she said, smiling at Meridith. It seemed like Meridith was a regular visitor.“Come in, they are expecting you,” she said, and I quietly followed Meridith as the guards brought in the toys she had bought for the children. Meridith had promised them toys on her next visit, and she was determined to fulfill that promise. This was my first time at an orphanage, and I was filled with a mixture of cur
--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