Dargan's Point of View
Ciaran had decided it was best we leave early from the Party. Alvara had been shaken up. Ozias had taken to escorting her back to the car. Teagan and Harland had stayed behind, swearing to Ciaran that they would handle any problems that sprouted.
The night was a bust. If the Royal family found out about what Ciaran had done, they might want retribution. The form of which none of us could predict. It was another waiting game. Who would flinch first.
Maids greeted us at the door, taking our coats and Alvara's robe. We refrained from speaking about what had happened. About who we had just killed. Murdered in front of all our other guests.
Ciaran was somber, storming off to his office first chance he got. Maverick snuck away to his room, using exhaustion as an excuse but I knew better. We could all smell Alvara on him. From his breath to his fingers. Alvara smelt like both Maverick and Ozias. Apparently, the pa
Alvara's Point of ViewDisbelief rippled over my skin. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. Could feel my heart strain to pump. What Ozias had said was madness. It couldn't be true. Alpha Stefan had saved me from rogues. Took me in as his child.Eugene had never said a word about such things. Besides, we were married by the time Savanah's pack was wiped out. Everyone heard about it. Stefan had even sent aid. Two years later he had succumbed to cancer.They had never been anything but lovely towards me. Helping me. I was the leech who had bled them dry without giving anything in return. Eugene had even mated with me. Bonded with me."Alvara." Ciaran said from somewhere far away.But I had had a twin. A sister. All my life I felt like I missed some part of me. Could it have been her? Could she have loved the same men I wanted to love now? If all of this was true, then why keep it from me?Was that the reason the
Alvara's Point of View Dargan had made French toast. Eating felt like a burden when my mind was so far off. None of them had said anything about my half eaten food. Their silence was also a blessing. The details of what had happened at Lover's Quarrel was up to their librarian, Albert. Ozias had offered to take me to him and I had accepted. But later on today. I needed to still my mind before facing my bleak past. I had no recollection of those early years. Maybe that was a blessing as well. Or a curse. I couldn't fully decide. Finding them in this chaos felt damning. If I had known them before, I could have freed myself from that prison. My sister might have lived. Mother and father... My parents might have made it out alive that day. "I'm going up for a moment. Come get me in about an hour?" I told Ozias and wiped my mouth with a napkin. Concerned stares bounced off of me but I chose to ignore them. Ignore the pity. Self gr
Maverick's Point of ViewHe had the audacity to call again. I knew it was coming, seeing as everyone had seen Alvara enter. Kiss Ciaran so passionately that the room took in a collective breath. Even if it was just a warning to whomever might want to touch her, Eugene would see it as an excuse to start a war. Anything to gain more power. More wealth. Lover's Quarrel was the perfect example that Half-Moon would do anything to gain whatever they wanted. Like father like son, it seemed.Like clockwork, the phone call came. Dargan had run for Ozias. Ciaran had growled in displeasure. Every interaction with that failure of a man left us on edge. Declaring open war on us was one thing but involving the Royal family was another.After Ciaran's little stunt last night, the Royal family wouldn't hesitate in helping Half-Moon. Our wealth and power was extensive within this continent and steadily growing across the world. We were a threat and any
Dargan's Point of View Clouds had gathered across the sky. Rain threatened, dark grey clouds coming ever closer to the house. Maybe it was a sign that what we had discussed with Eugene yesterday wasn't right. Alvara had rushed into agreeing to meet him without thinking. But I could understand why. She needed closure. An end to her suffering. He had done horrendous things to her over the years and if this was all she wanted in return, we would happily give it to her. Maverick had his hands full trying to anticipate every move and counter move the brutal Alpha would make. No threat was too small. But we had a secret weapon. Ciaran had clawed his way through life up until now. Violence was born into him. Fighting for survival was instinct. Fighting for his mate was his purpose. The Alpha everyone now knew as merciful was just what he showed on the surface. We all had tainted pasts. Parts of my soul would never fully heal from wh
Alvara's Point of View My body was on fire. Screeching from where he touched me. Every nerve stood on end as our tongues danced together. Rain slipped down my body, drenching the heat of my skin. Dargan was here. He would kill for me. Die for me if need be. The thought was perplexing but woefully enticing. There was a thrumming inside my chest. Like my heart would beat straight through my ribs and shatter into the air. His hand tugged at the back of my head, forcing me into submission. I wanted all of him. Especially the hard cock he so carelessly shoved against me. I moaned when he bit my lip again. Digging my nails into his back, Dargan growled lowly. Pleasure jolted to my groin. Fuck want, I needed him closer. Sensing my urgency and change in pace, Dargan lifted me by my ass. My legs wrapped around his stomach. Only one hand kept me in the air. One arm. And I knew I wasn't the smallest, yet Dargan didn't slow or falter.
He was coming today. Mother had already left, knowing the fallout would be tremendous between them. The house had to be perfect. Freshly cut flowers in vases, tulips to symbolize unconditional love. Lavender incense burning in almost every room to calm his mind. Every dish he had ever liked waiting in the dining room. Servants kept themselves scarce. Good. Father shouldn't be burdened by the lesser wolves around him. Today was just our day. The door bell rang and I could hear a maid head towards it. Fire heated my blood. "No, no! I'll get it." I chimed and jumped towards the door. The maid recoiled at my sudden appearance and I smiled. They were terrified of me. No matter how many times mother had scolded me on being more polite, I couldn't force myself to be. After all, I was their superior. Smoothing down my hair a last time, I clicked the door open. My heart raced within my chest. How long had it been since I last saw him? Months? Mother was terrib
Ciaran's Point of View Cinnamon wafted through the air when I entered the kitchen. Alvara stood in front of one of the counters, whisk in hand. Something was baking in the oven. Dargan sat at the far edge of the counter. Neither looked at the other, both with red streaks across their faces. My meetings for the day had concluded earlier than I had anticipated. Maverick was still gone. Same with Ozias. Although I knew the Beta was just trying to stay away from Alvara. The bombshell had ruffled some feathers and Ozias couldn't handle verbal confrontation all that well when it was with people he loved. Tension floated through the air. Propping myself up on an elbow in the door, I cleared my throat. Alvara's head shot to me, her mouth forming a small O. Dargan glanced towards me, then averted his gaze. Something had definitely happened between the two. I couldn't tell if his scent was all over her or if it just surrounded the kitchen.
Alvara's Point of View I had admitted it. Told her he was my mate. Dargan's eyes had bulged from his head. In the moment, I couldn't care less. She needed to know her place and it wasn't with my mate. Any of them for that matter. Yet he had still gone with her. Slammed the door of his office shut so that they couldn't be heard. My jaw had clenched in anger. We had shared a moment, even if it was brief. Out of them all, he was the biggest mystery to me. A puzzle I couldn't fully solve. She had come in here and just demanded his presence. For a moment I thought he would refuse but he had given in to her. Whatever was between them, it had to fucking end. Right here and right fucking now. "Alvara, if you grip that spatula any harder, it might break." Dargan whispered and came closer to me. I flinched from his out stretched hand. Snapping myself back down to earth, I spun on him. "So what? All your money and you can't buy
Alvara’s Point of View “Aunty Adelia!” Aurelia screeched and ran to the front door. Adelia leaned against the frame, arms crossed over her chest, until she saw my daughter. Her face lit up like a thousand little lights. Her arms unfolded and reached forward. The little girl jumped full force into her. Nearly knocked her inside the house. Dargan came in behind me carrying the diaper bag. As he passed me, he kissed the side of my face. His wedding ring glinted in the afternoon sunlight. I swelled at the sight, still transfixed at the thought that I was a married woman. Married to the loves of my life. “My sweet girl!” Adelia exclaimed and threw Aurelia into the air. A giggle escaped the two-year old. Her dress puffed out around her. Hair fluttered in the wind. Dark golden blonde. Curly, like mine. The trees were a bright green. The grass neatly trimmed. Flowers bloomed all around us. Maverick was next to walk up. His hand settl
Alvara’s Point of ViewJessebelle stood at the edge of the fighting. Kept a close eye on all of her men. Guns fired in rapid succession. Wolves tore men limb from limb. Blood coated the grass. Between it all, Ciaran had a standoff with Eugene.Both sides landed blows. Bones crunched beneath their combined strength. Ozias had run after the Beta. Maverick shot whoever got closest and Dargan was still passed out cold.For a moment before Ciaran had arrived, I was sure I would be dead by the end of this. I was sure that I wouldn’t see the morning. Yet, Jessebelle had pulled through. Made sure that the odds were fatly stacked against Eugene. With however many reinforcements he called, he still wouldn’t win. Money drove him. Drove his pack, which wasn’t a good motivator. Love and freedom drove ours.Mason had gotten away in the chaos Harland caused. Got hold of Jessebelle and convinced her that we needed h
Maverick’s Point of ViewThe truck collided with the first of their cars. I lurched forward, gripping tightly onto the dashboard. My driver floored it. Scraped the road with their scrap metal. I braced as we hit another one. Men darted from their positions. Drew their guns and fired rapidly at the sides of the truck. Bullets peppered the steel but refused to go through. Thousands and thousands of rands were spent securing my people.The border patrol was thin tonight. Almost lax. According to Mason, we would have a hard time getting through, but this seemed almost too easy. Some of my men jumped from the rear. I heard their feet hit tar. Saw them run beside us. They opened fire. Some of Eugene’s men held up small flags with a diamond on it. I opened my window and craned my neck outside.“Don’t hurt the ones with the flags! They are on our side!” I screamed to my men. All of them nodded and proceeded to atta
Dargan's Point of ViewMy feet ached from the pace I was setting. I dodged trees. Cleared ditches. Lungs screamed for me to slow down. Air came in short supply. I had to take it easier. But I refused. It had been years since I ran with such ferocity. With so much intent and purpose, it nearly drove me mad.Alvara sounded far beyond distressed. Her voice had pitched and fallen. The fear was tangible in my mind still. She needed us and she needed us now. Everything we had endured led up to this moment. I would not let her have the same fate as Savanah. Let her die in a pack that hated her deeply. Die beside a man that had used her all her life.Those revelations set my mind blazing. My legs pumped harder. Drove me further. I could see the lights of houses in the distance. Slowing down, I sniffed the air. Picked up the scent of several enemies. I lightened my steps and avoided the trail where the scent was strongest.Two secon
Ciaran's Point of ViewMaverick nearly crawled out of his skin the moment Alvara left. Her mind link had shut between us. Locked us out of her thoughts. But I could feel every tremor of fear. Every quickening of her pulse. The panic she felt. Her small feeling of pride. Like she was still with us. Yet, none of us could reach her. Speak to her mentally. It drove us insane. Made us bite our nails and down glasses of whiskey. This was hell.Our minds remained open at all times. We had a plan but plans could change at any moment. Alvara had to be able to reach us at a moment's notice. Thus, we played riddles and made jokes through the mind link. To keep it sharp and make sure it was open even whilst we were sleeping.Ozias wouldn't stop pacing. Dargan smoked more than he had ever before. We weren't far from her. Maybe 80 kilometers, tops. Maverick and Dargan were closer. Harland camped out on a farm close to the edge of Half-Moon. We were w
Alvara's Point of View All the lights in the house were off when I woke up. Glowing moonlight sifted in from the open curtains. A cool breeze drifted over my bed. Yet I had woken up. No nightmares plagued me. No monsters hidden in shadows. My body had made peace with my surroundings, even if my mind was a bit slow to adjust. There wasn't a sound to be heard. Barely a cricket chirping. But I was awake and it was hell. Maybe two in the morning. I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes once more. Sleep danced at the edge of my mind and I rolled back onto my back. Then I heard it. The near-silent struggle in the room beside mine. Soft groans. Scraping of nails across flesh. Grunts of satisfaction. I covered my ears with a pillow. Eugene had a lady visitor over. As I had told Angelique, he would never change. I willed myself to sleep until I realized that Teagan's room was beside mine. Cold dread settled into my spine. Blind panic
Alvara's Point of ViewAs I had thought, Eugene never came to dinner. He had made paint swatches with Mariposa. We could all hear them laughing and bantering above us. Then, she had insisted they go out to eat. Something about having a craving met. So, that was exactly what they had done. Without so much as a whisper about spending too much money, they were off.If she had arrived before any of this had happened, I would have believed it when he told me she was just some woman he was helping. Clung to the idea that some part of him was still good inside instead of rotten and foul. Now, I knew better. Knew that she was his mate and I had been used for my money all these years.Stolen from my pack. Kept under lock and key because they couldn't find the keys to my family's kingdom. Somehow, after spending so much time with my own mates, I understood why he was so excited. Happy. She brought out the best in him as all mates would. But she w
Alvara's Point of View"You asked for me?" I said from the door. Eugene lifted his head, looking at me with a soft smile. He nodded and I stepped inside."Did you find everything you were looking for today?" A vague question. Very vague. It set me on edge enough that I lowered my gaze. Made my eyes appear larger than they actually were. Eugene put a hand out towards me and I took it when I got closer."I forgot how expensive everything was. I am sorry you had to spend money on me." I whispered back. Eugene kept that soft smile on his lips. Gently, he tugged me into his lap. I nuzzled into his neck, draping my legs over his.This was wrong. Utterly wrong. Being close to another man in such an intimate way hurt my heart. Every memory I had of my mates flashed into my mind, making my soul hurt even more. They were far away and I was inside the monster den with only Teagan to help me."Anything for you. I hate how we left thin
Alvara’s Point of ViewMason met us at the house. Unlike when I had first met him, he had a suit on. Sunglasses. Polished shoes. As if he had changed overnight. The young man I had come to know was gone. When Eugene greeted him, he simply gave a curt ‘Alpha’ and a bow of the head. Everything felt formal. Stuffy. As if the air had thickened in just a few seconds. Teagan looked between the two men and shrugged when I looked at her.I had personally asked for Mason, but it still didn’t mean that we were completely safe to wander around. The rest of the pack was still on Eugene’s side, and I had returned. Once an outsider, always an outsider. At least now I knew why they had stayed away.As for Lover’s Quarrel members, they had stayed away because Eugene had threatened them. Told them that if they interfered with me, they would lose their jobs or their lives. None of them would risk that. Until now.