Sebastian POV
"You excited, sweetie?" My mom pinched my cheek, and I sighed. I was a mama's boy at heart, but Luna Kiera could be a bit much. I don't think she realized I grew past eight years old. Despite being twice her size, she still treated me like a child. "Yes, of course. This is my pack and home." I gave her a smile, hiding the weight of what the night would bring. Not only was I being celebrated with the intention of soon taking over our pack as Alpha, but tonight, I also planned to tell Ruby the truth. I was in love with her, desperately and wholeheartedly. In all my nightmares, there was one constant, one shred of hope and goodness: Ruby. She would always appear at my darkest moment. When I had given up on myself, relinquishing my soul to the evil that lived within me, Ruby would appear. At first, she was just a child, a little girl with red bows in her long black hair. She would speak to me so innocently, forcing me to realize who I truly was. She gave me the courage to fight the darkness, waking me from the horrid dreams. Over the past year, though, she didn't come to me as a child but as a woman. She looked different than I knew her to be in the real world, but it was unmistakably her. She didn't just give me confidence; she gave me purpose. Her body molded to mine in ways I never thought possible, ways I had never experienced before. I was an Alpha, with all the primal instincts of a feral animal, but I couldn't touch another. Since I was a child, I just knew Ruby was the one I belonged to, and I wouldn't dare betray her. I couldn't hurt her like so many others had in her life. She needed an Alpha to protect her, but more importantly, she needed me to be the one who loved her. "You seem nervous." Elizabeth joined me in my bedroom with Kiera. I was sitting on the edge of my bed in one of my finest suits, tie undone, and sweaty palms. "I'm fine." I cleared my throat, unsure how to best tell Ruby everything I felt. But I needed to; my wolf needed her before we went crazy or, worse, entered a rut. It wasn't as common anymore, but if a werewolf was close to their fated mate and they didn't mark and mate with each other, it would force our wolves into a haze of sinful lust. Women would go into heat, especially around fertile months, and men, we'd get so hard we would take anything to satisfy ourselves. It could take days to calm a rut, possibly making an Alpha knot inside a fertile female. As I said, it's uncommon these days, especially since fated mates seemed to be fading from our kind since the goddess left. But I didn't want to slip up. I wouldn't share my first time with some random woman. Ruby was meant to be my first and only. I was so damn nervous, though. I wanted to feel her, completely bare and completely mine, but what if I messed up or hurt her? "You don't look fine! What is happening?" Chase walked in with Drake and River behind him. "Nothing, Papa. I'm just adjusting to being back home. I spent a year doing nothing but training from sun up to sun down, sometimes longer. I just need a minute to catch up." My eyes pleaded with my parents to relax. They had no idea what tonight really meant to me. "I told you that stupid academy wasn't a good idea! He isn't a cold-hearted beast like you. He's my baby, with a kind and loving soul." Kiera shouted at my dads. "He needed that training. We won't live forever, Kiera." Elizabeth wrapped her arms around my mom's waist to comfort her. "He's a man now, an Alpha, and he's itching to taste blood. Isn't that right, son?" River patted my back like a proud father. He didn't understand that I didn't feel my Alpha wolf like he did. "Uhm, sure, Father." I gave him an odd look. It should be concerning that our Kings spoke of ending others' lives brutally as if it were a sport, but it was just accepted in our crazy world. "Stop crowding my grandson, you buffoons." My grandpa walked in, and my entire body eased. He always understood me, even when I didn't understand myself. "Get out!" His wolf roared out, and my fathers quickly obeyed. It was said that my fathers were once an unstoppable force, evoking fear in others from miles away. And oddly, that my grandpa was some homeless rogue. It seemed impossible to believe, considering how they were now. "Be nice, Dad." Kiera eyed my grandpa down. "Your mates are idiots. Let me say hi to my grandson in some peace." Grandpa nodded to the door, insisting my moms leave. "You know we love you. We'd do anything for you." Elizabeth's hand cupped my cheeks. She had to stand on her toes, even in heels, to reach me. "I know, and I love you too. I'm fine, I promise." I reassured them. She gave me a kiss on the cheek, then Kiera wrapped her arms around my waist, sobbing into my chest. My grandpa sighed in annoyance. "It's okay, Mom. Don't cry, please don't cry." "I can't help it. You're just so grown now. Where's my little boy?" She sobbed. "I'm right here. Shh, Mom. I'm right here, and I'll always be your little boy." My hand soothed her back, calming her uncontrollable sobs. I was her only biological child, and I knew she went through literal hell to make sure I was born. I was her world, and I could never disappoint my mom. She was my heart. "This is ridiculous. He's a damn ogre, the fiercest Alpha I ever laid eyes on." My grandpa growled, disapproving of how my mom still babied me. "And he's still my baby, just like I'm still your little girl." Mom looked at my grandpa, and his wolf immediately softened. "That's right, sweetheart. Come give your old man a hug." He opened his arms and instantly transformed into a total mush. I shook my head at them. The one thing I could never complain about lacking in my life was love. My parents and grandpa loved me more than I thought possible and often showed it. It would be perfect, except every night I dreamed about killing every one of them. How could I dare to think about harming my family? It annoyed me to no end. "So, the visions are worse. I was afraid of that." My grandpa began pacing the floor. Everyone had left, closing the door behind them. My mind was spinning with the horrible images that plagued my sleep. I didn't even know how much time had passed. "They aren't visions, Grandpa. Just my subconscious afraid to rule over literally everything. It's too much pressure." "You're going to tell me what I do and don't know?" He snapped back at me. His wolf was a powerful Alpha, one that demanded total obedience. It was amazing he didn't kill all of us to take the crown himself. "I don't need some lecture or ridiculous tale of a goddess and gods' affairs. You're all old, out of your minds." I sat back on my bed with a heavy sigh. I needed to figure my life out. I prayed mating with Ruby would help me gain the confidence I needed. I always felt like a piece of me was missing, leaving me unsettled and unhinged. Ruby calmed me, and I was sure my worries would fade once we marked each other. "We lived through that evil and darkness, son. Don't tell me I'm crazy or making shit up. Dietus and Lupa are real." "And now they're gone. You all fought a tough battle and brought peace for eternity." "No, son, we didn't. You'll soon learn life is not as peaceful as the great Kings and Queens make it out to be. There is still danger out there, danger you will have to face. You need to be prepared. Fuck!" My grandpa roared in frustration. There was a secret my parents kept from me, something that haunted my grandpa, but they said I was too young to know. "Will you just tell me already? Do you know how annoying it is for some old man to constantly tell a child he knows something but won't tell? You're worse than Papa with your manipulation and games." "This isn't a game." His eyes turned black, a dark wolf rising inside him, but I never felt an ounce of fear. Actually, nothing ever made me afraid in this world, only my dreams. "I have enough to deal with without some riddles, Grandpa. Tell me or drop it." "You should have been told long ago, but your mother thinks you're still a baby that can't wipe his own ass. It's dangerous! And stupid!" Now, he was getting violent, tossing my dresser across the room. I shook my head at his little tantrum. If he kept this up, we'd have to admit him in a senior home. "Grandpa, I haven't seen you in a year. Can't we start with a hello, how are you, maybe a hug, before all the doom and gloom talk?" He growled darkly at me, and I looked at him uninterested. He was strong but not stronger than me. "Are the visions worse? Tell me the truth, then I'll give your wimpy ass a hug." "Sort of. I'm fine, though." I stood, smiling at the old beast with no self-control. "Now give me my hug, Grandpa. You know you want it," I teased him. He wrapped his strong arms around me, relaxing his wolf and letting the bond of family flow through him. I knew he was getting confused in his old age, but he was also the kindest man I ever knew. He would do anything for mom, his daughter. One look from her, and he would make a total fool of himself. No one hurt his family, and he did everything in his power to protect us. "I love you, kid." Grandpa patted my back, and I squeezed him a little tighter. "I love you too. Stop worrying so much about me. I'm a man now." I pulled out of his arms and stood tall. "A wimpy man." He smacked my cheek with a chuckle. "I can kick your ass. Your wolf is just mad he isn't the most powerful anymore." I chuckled, throwing an arm around his shoulders. He looked at me, eyes full of worry and sadness. "Just be careful, Sebastian. Life as a man, an Alpha, is difficult. I know you don't feel the same as your fathers, or even me, but you're still an Alpha. Your wolf will push you to do things you never thought you would. Cloud your judgment with arrogance and sometimes force your hand to betray." His large, wrinkled fingers grabbed my necklace, examining the crystal in the center. "The power is fading. I'll have a new one made, " he grunted. My family was always checking that I wore this around my neck. It was said to calm the magic inside me, a magic I had never felt before. "Then I'll be as good as new. See, everything is fine. Let's go celebrate me!" I raised my eyebrows at him, and he chuckled, the worry disappearing from his eyes.Ruby POVThe grand celebration in the North was, as always, a spectacular affair under Luna Kiera's meticulous care. She spared no expense and had a knack for keeping the crowd entertained. Light flurries of snow added a magical touch to the fading sun, music floated through the air, kids raced across the frozen lake, and families reveled in the many games and booths. It was like a carnival, complete with an ice rink, food trucks, hot chocolate, and laughter echoing everywhere.For the first hour, Sebastian and I raced around the grounds, competing fiercely in everything from milk jug toss to cornhole. He looked dashing in his black suit, with a dark purple handkerchief that matched my dress. He always made these small gesture to remind me I wasn't alone. Sebastian was the best friend anyone could ask for, but he was also the future King, and duty inevitably called.As the evening wore on, he made his way around the grounds, greeting and chatting with families. Meanwhile, I spent the
Sebastian POVThe night started out like a dream. Ruby and I ran around the elaborate party my mom had thrown in my honor, but my focus was entirely on her. I wanted nothing more than to spend time with my soulmate.When I showed her my purple tie and handkerchief, she melted right before me. I knew how hard it was for Ruby to feel accepted and that she appreciated how I always showed her she was never alone. I just hoped that tonight, I could show how much I loved her. Eventually, my dads came to drag me away, reminding me I wasn't just some kid at a party. I had obligations to my people, people who came out to celebrate my return. I knew it was wrong to ignore them all night, so I reluctantly left Ruby's side. "Meet me at midnight by the Mirror Lake. I have to tell you something important, ok?" My eyes pleaded to her. The way her purple iris shined into mine was mesmerizing."Okay," she replied, looking at me curiously. "Everything okay?""Yeah, it's good, really good. I'm just gl
Gabe POVI cursed myself the whole journey to the North for bumping into that little minx. I knew the moment I caught her scent, she was mine, but I didn't want her. I was here for one reason: one person. I left my home and grueling days of torture and deceit to complete my true destiny. First, I needed to kill the Queen. That bitch had it coming for the scraps she threw our way while her pack bathed in glory. The houses these people lived in were ridiculously beautiful. Beds of colorful flowers, bright paint on the siding, smooth roads to play on. It was sickening comparing all this to what little we were given.Then, I needed to find my true other half, the one who would complete my soul and grant us the power to rule this world as it was meant to be ruled.But the moment I arrived in the North, her scent hit me again, sending my wolf into a frenzy. I was at some elaborate, frivolous celebration for their so-called prince. A prince in a land of werewolves? What a joke. We were Alph
Ruby POVFor hours, I sobbed alone in the shadows of a random alley, the cold seeping into my bones as despair wrapped around my heart. I felt utterly lost, terrified, more alone than I'd ever been. How could this have happened? I had been marked by a bastard Alpha, a cruel, unfeeling man who wanted nothing more than to use me. My soul was now bound to someone who had no intention of loving me, no desire to cherish the bond we were cursed to share. How could I have been so foolish?In a daze, driven by desperation, I found myself running toward Mirror Lake, the one place that still held a shred of comfort for me. Sebastian had asked me to meet him there at midnight. I was unsure of the time but held onto a sliver of hope that he would come. I needed him now more than ever. He was my best friend, the future King; he could force Gabe to reject me, couldn't he? But as I paced the snow-covered ground, the minutes felt like hours, and the hope I clung to began to crumble.Scarlet whined in
Sebastian POVMy eyes teared, watching my blood-stained hands in horror. I completely lost control! My pack's blood was on my hands, my father's blood. Something primal rose inside me, fading my true self into the background. I only desired to rule them all, to watch them suffer. This couldn't be real."I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." A tear fell down my cheek, seeing my three dads standing before me with mangled faces. They were already healing, but the bones I broke would take a few hours."You're sorry!" River roared. "You're fucking sorry? We need a hell of a lot more than I'm sorry, Sebastian.""I... I don't know what to say. I lost control." I flipped my hands back and forth. All my wounds healed, and even the bones I had broken were mended back together."Relax, it's no big deal. He's just a kid." The man I beat to a pulp slowly stood, his face unrecognizable from the beating I gave him. He, too, was already healing, but I knew by the way he winced it was incredibly painful. "No big
Ruby POVI woke half frozen to the ground and covered in a blanket of snow. My hand reached to my neck, praying it was all a nightmare, but it wasn't. I felt Gabe's mark seared into my skin, a supernatural bond urging me to seek him out. I felt sick to my stomach that I actually felt anything but pure hate for that man.Walking back home, I realized I couldn't show my face like this. Not only was I dressed in the same clothes, but I was dirty, bruised, and marked. I had hoped Sebastian showed up last night, but in hindsight, I was glad he didn't. There was nothing I hid from him, but this was too much. The embarrassment and shame I felt was soul crushing.I decided to stop by the one person's house that we always trusted with our darkest secrets. He would know what to do, or at the very least, let me shower to make myself more presentable."You look like some dirty whore! What the hell were you doing last night?" Grandpa Seb opened his door before I even knocked. His normal scorned fa
Ruby POV"Why are you here?" I shouted at Gabe. I couldn't process any of this. He was best friends with Sebastian now? And Sebastian was hanging on Sheila's every word? What was happening?"You seem tense?" Gabe looked amusingly at me. Did he think ruining my life was a joke?"Tense! Tense!" Magic was swirling inside me. I wanted to burn his face off.Sebastian and Gabe both jumped to me, but Gabe was closer. His hands cupped my cheeks. "Calm down!" He ordered me, and I felt his compulsion wash over my nerves, soothing me in a dark and forbidden way. This wasn't right."We should give them some space. Want to play some hoops?" Sebastian offered Sheila, and my jaw dropped. She's never touched a ball in her life or worked up a sweat. There was no way she would play..."Love too. Uh, I should probably change first." Sheila smiled at him. His eyes raked over her body, lust building in his eyes. What the fuck!"How? What?" I stuttered, but they paid me no attention as they walked upstairs
Gabe POVI spent all morning chumming up to my soon-to-be best friend, and I was actually enjoying myself. Sebastian was so easy to manipulate that I found it quite amusing. Back home, it was everyone for themselves. There was no such thing as friends, just allies that you watched your back around.Sebastian lived in this giant castle-like home. I had never seen anything like it with my own eyes before. I remember coming across a few children's books that spoke of fairytale lands like this, but I never knew they existed. My mom refused to allow me to indulge in any kind of fantasy. She warned me about the dangers of getting too comfortable as well as this cursed fated bond. It was some magical spell a stupid goddess cast on us long ago. It weakened an Alpha to submit to his mate's desire but also gave him more power. I didn't think I would feel much different marking an omega, but Ruby proved to be much more than I expected. Her magic was something pure, coursing through my veins li