Isabella P.O.V. I wake to a knock on the door, and when I look at the time on my phone it says 10.30am. I have never slept this long in my life, or this good. After going inside last night, I made myself mac n cheese with bacon. It was absolutely delicious, and I’m so happy I can actually cook. Poor Alex if he ever has to cook for himself or someone else. He can burn water. I laugh to myself at the thought, but then a tear slides down my cheek. I wish, not for the first time, that we had been close still. I love him, no matter what he did, I love him. He’s my twin. There’s a knock again, and I groan as I get out of bed. I throw a hoodie over my PJ, going out to open for whoever is here. I then wonder who would visit me? I live in the middle of the woods, and no one knows I’m here. I reach the front door, and when I open it Lauren’s smiling face meets me. “Morning sunshine.” She says in a cheerful voice, laughing when I yawn. “Did I really wake you?” She asks, suddenly worrie
Elijah P.O.V. I made sure to have Aston and Dale station guards near the cottage, with the orders to keep the perimeter safe. Dale knew the reason, as he confronted me when we got home and I reluctantly told him the truth. Instead of making fun of my already possessive ways, he just padded my shoulder and mind linked Ashton to get a plan underway. Ashton and the guards were only told we needed to keep an eye on the border and the cottage right outside, as we had had intel for rogue sightings, and someone new had moved into the cottage. Dale implored the importance in making sure no one neared the cottage, but everyone kept an eye from a distance. “Why are the Alpha interested in someone in that old cottage, it’s outside our borders.” One of the guards asks. He clearly hasn’t noticed me in the shadows. “Because that someone possibly is a lone young female wolf, and despite her not being a member of our pack, we keep our own safe. Any more questions?” Everyone shakes their head and
Isabella P.O.V. I reach the cottage in no time, following my own scent in the woods. Emerald is vibrating in anger over the unfairness of it all, and I can’t do anything but agree with her. First we are mated to that good-for-nothing son of a bitch, Jeff, and then our second chance is already with someone else. What the fuck, Selene?! I shift back, part of my mind registering my clothes didn’t tear but is perfectly fine when I back in human form. I walk inside to wallow in self-pity, but decide that will do me nothing at all. Instead I go outside to work on the firepit. I go to change clothes, and start working. It needs more work then I initially thought, but the workout gives me enough to think about, so my mind doesn’t constantly swirl around my mate and his woman. Ugh! ‘We haven’t felt any pain, or anything, doll. Maybe it isn’t as we thought?’ Emerald says, trying to brighten my mood. ‘She had her hands on him, and he didn’t even remove it. He didn’t tell her to get lost. He
Isabella P.O.V. “Alpha, I.. It’s not what it looks like.” The wolf growls again, while the Beta’s eyes cloud over. He pales and swallows. “I didn’t. She. It won’t happen again, Eli. I’m sorry.” “Why are you apologizing to him? It was Isabella you attacked. And got beaten up by.” Lauren interrupts, her hands on her hips and her eyes blazing with anger on my behalf. Beta Dale turns his head to look at her, and shakes his head. “You really want me to apologize to her, sister?” He asks, and the wolf growls again. This time he also takes a step towards the Beta. I roll my eyes, walking to stand between them. “It’s enough!” I say with finality in my voice. “You are a sore loser, Beta Dale. And you.” I point to the wolf, whose tongue is hanging out now. “You are either more stupid than I gave you credit for, or more brave. And right now I can’t decide which. But I want all of you to leave. Now.” Lauren sniffs, and I giggle. “Not you Lauren. The overload of testosterone over here.” I
Elijah P.O.V. Waking in the morning I think back to last night's events. My talk with my beautiful, yet mysterious mate, and then when I came back. Jeez, this is turning into a madhouse. My mother is becoming somewhat narrow minded in her idea of marrying me to Caroline, which I found out last night is the Alpha daughters name, when she intruded on me in my room. If I hadn’t been here at the time, I’m very afraid she would have been in my bed by the time I came back. Actually now that I think about it, she did seem rather disappointed seeing me in my room. I roll my eyes while brushing my teeth. She’s been invited by my mother to stay here, and I need to tell Isabella myself, so she won't get the wrong idea. Again. Lauren, Dale and Ashton waited in my office with my dad, when I got back. I missed dinner, but my Isabella was all worth it. She promised to give me, us, a chance and intend to make the most of it. I will woo her and get her to realize we belong together. He
Alex P.O.V. I’ve been stuck at endless meetings these last couple of days, though I have made some progress as to figure out who my twin sister was. She was not who I thought she was, that one thing I know for sure. I thought Isabella was all talk, and otherwise quiet and reserved, but in town they know her as a completely different girl; funny, talkative, creative and active. She even went to the local dojo without anyone at the pack knowing. She really planned this escape from our pack into detail, making sure she would be able to defend herself. It was the owners of the local bookshop, the Aberforths, and the librarian Miss. Wood, who got me on track with my search. Neither of them seemed very cooperative at first, probably because Isabella told them about her home and how we had all failed her, not that I blamed her - quite the opposite. I admire how she has only told just enough for them to get the picture, but not at all everything that has been going on. All the unfairness
Isabella P.O.V. *Beep* *beep* *beep* The sound of the incisive beeping gets louder and louder in my ear until it’s almost unbearable. I can hear someone talking quietly somewhere near me, and I recognize the voices as Elijah and Lauren, with an unfamiliar female. “She’s stable, Alpha. But just by her reaction to your news, I’d say she must be suffering from PTSD or some other form of trauma related stress. Her body is not underweighted, but she’s a bit anemic and lacks vitamins etc. She’s been starving at some point, but seems to have found a food source somewhere in the last 4 years, that has helped her build her body again. I have given her some iron shots, some vitamin shots and she’ll need more when she wakes up.” The unfamiliar female says. “Thank you, doc. I didn’t know who else to call when she just fainted like that. To be honest that was the scariest thing I’ve ever witnessed.” Lauren chuckles, and Elijah snorts at her - I think. “Seriously, big brother. You are a b
Elijah P.O.V. I still can’t believe this beautiful creature in my arms accepted me back last night. I stayed here, with her in my embrace all night long. I haven’t slept that much, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve had my girl with me, and she’s slept so that’s all that matters. I’m still really angry about yesterday, and the way my mother has behaved. She will have to accept my mate, or get out of my pack. Does that make me sound like an asshole, probably. But She can’t stay here if she intends to work against the Luna. Then I don’t give a fuck who she is or used to be. She’ll either get in line or get out. We have a lot to do today, a lot to talk about and a lot to agree on. I need to get Isabella to agree to move into the pack, preferably into my room, but at the very least into the Alpha’s floor. I also need Caroline to get out of my pack, and I will banish her and make her an enemy of my pack if necessary. She’s not welcome as long as she is going to treat my mate
Isaiah P.O..V 18 years later “Happy birthday to yooooou!” I smile at the people gathered around the table. They are my people. My family and friends. But also only that. I have not yet met my mate, and this being my 22nd birthday, it’s feeling like it’ll never happen. Mom and dad have been very supportive of me, and they always tell me they will accept whatever decision I make regarding the mate situation. “Make a wish, Isaiah.” Mom urges, and I close my eyes and wish with all my heart I’ll meet my mate soon. I do not care who she is, what she is or where she is from, I just want to find her and love her. I know I sound soft and whatnot, but I so desperately want what my parents, aunts and uncles and most cousins and siblings have. True love to share my world with. But she is making me wait, and I know in my heart she’ll be worth the wait. “What did you wish for, brother?” Elise asks, her eyes twinkling in mischief. She asks every year in the hopes I’ll show and tell, but I will n
Isabella P.O.V. Four years later Sitting in my office, I can’t help but reminisce over the last four years. So much has happened even though there has been peace. We have lived in harmony with other species for just as long, and our bond with each other has grown stronger. Isaiah is now four, and a whirlwind of energy. He is a big brother to Gabriel and Elise. They are three and one. I told Elijah I don’t want any more children, to which he replied I had to tell the Moon Goddess. If she decides to bless us a fourth time, I will be going to her world and smack her! Grandmother or not, I don’t want any more children, and so far she has listened. It also helps that we are using protection.We have been rallying the packs to meet annually, as to prevent the events of Conan from happening once again. It has been successful enough, but we still have yet to get the border packs - those who have lands leading up to dragon territory, fae territory and demon territory, to come as well. The l
Elijah P.O.V. Two months later “ELIJAH!” I rush into the hospital room where Isa is still admitted. The doctors were not comfortable with sending her home, as she kept getting contractions whenever she over exerted herself, and she did that a lot. Even laying in the hospital bed. But here they, and I, could tell her to relax and not stress the body so much. Not that she listened very well.“Baby, what is it?” She’s out of bed, and her leggings are drenched. “My water just broke. I think.” She answers, her eyes wide and scared. We are almost to term, but not quite there yet either. Doctors said he would be early because of the trauma, but this early? This feels too early. “Don’t just stand there. Get a doctor or nurse or something!” She demands, while waddling to the toilet. Her voice and movement snaps me back to reality. “Where the fuck are you going?” I ask, quickly grabbing her arm and helping her to her destination. “My pants are soaked, and I have to pee really bad.” She an
Isabella P.O.V. “Why do you always end up in the hospital, Isa?” Lauren asks, as she bends down and gives me a hug. I stick my tongue out at her, and gesture for Elijah to help me sit up. He gives me a look, but I just plead with my own eyes. He sighs and stands. I love how he can resist me, even when I did something he did not at all approve of. I love this man to death! “Why are you always so snarky?” I ask back, as she chuckles, and sits down. Her mate stands behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. Elijah growls at the contact, and I swat him across the chest as he is helping me sit up. He just raised an eyebrow. “Shut up, and help me dammit.” I whine, and he shakes his head in exasperation. “What do you think I am doing, woman?” He asks back, and I just purse my lips in a ‘do you really want me to answer that?’ sort of way. He sighs. “Don’t answer that.” He caves and I smile. When I’m in a much better talking position, I turn my head to the couple on my left. They hav
Isabella P.O.V.We wait for another minute before Conan walks into the middle of the ground. I think he wanted Kimmie and her disturbed friends to examine nothing was amiss, but they wouldn’t know. We used magic long forgotten, on the request of Ashlee to her mother. She wanted this particular surprise to be something they never saw coming. We know Elijah and Fenris will beat Conan and his wolf in a fair one-on-one fight, but we also know he would never go into such a fight without a backup - hence Kimmie and her bag of twisted tricks. The grounds light up in a golden color when both wolves are in the middle facing each other. Kimmie screeches, holding her hands over her eyes. Her friends do the same, hissing and cursing. “What the fuck was that?” She screams, her eyes clouding over for a split second and the clearing because she can’t get ahold of Conan. Her eyes search for the golden color, seeing it goes around the whole perimeter of the ground where Conan’s wolf and Fenris are
Elijah P.O.V.I try and try again to tell Isabella to get her and the baby to safety, but she is adamant to come with me, and honestly? I cannot blame her with everything that happened the last time we were attacked. I still wonder how this can happen with the magical barrier Ashlee and Milan set up, but then I remember we talked about this the last time, and Ashlee said the enemy’s own magic user could take it down if they are strong enough, or have strength in numbers. I guess that is what happened here. We’ll have to take a look after, and see where we can do better defense wise. Isabella is riding on Fenris’s back, using her powers and her connection with the pack lands to take down enemy wolves everywhere. If I thought she was scary before, it is nothing compared to now. After she has been bound to the pack and land through marriage with me and the Luna position through my mother, she has a way better understanding of the layout and where to strike. She keeps communicating with
Isabella P.O.V. I can’t believe Thalia would show up, but on the other hand I also understand why she is here. She wants to see her son get married, but I have this weird feeling about her intentions. I wonder if she is really reformed or if she is playing the act really well. I guess we’ll see later. There is nothing I can or will do now, but I know everyone is on edge and keeping an eye out for her. I also am aware Elijah expects Conan to attack up before the day is over. This gathering of all his enemies in one place would be too much for him to not do anything. But I am just wondering if he really thinks it would be smart to attack today? Maybe he’ll wait until the morning after? I mind-link Caspar and Nestor about my thoughts, and they promise me they have everything under control. They have thought every scenario through. “Darling, are you ready?” Dad asks me, and I turn around to see something shine in his eyes. I smile. “Are you crying?” I ask back without answering his qu
Elijah P.O.V. The day has gone by in a blur of events. The most scary one by far being Isabella and the others being followed by Conan’s cronies. Luckily they all arrived safely on the pack lands, but I upped the security around the border, just in case. Around 5.30pm the guests are starting to arrive, and I make sure to be the polite host who greets them outside the packhouse, and Omegas show them to the backyard. All of the packs, Covens and vampire families we contacted said yes to come, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work we have put in to mend the bonds between our species. We might be different, but we are also very alike. Everyone wants to celebrate true love. I made sure to implore them all to ensure their families safety while they are gone, as we all agree this event will be too much of a temptation for Conan to not attack us. We are actually expecting him to. I have not discussed this with Isabella. I do not want to worry her, but I have this feeling we’re going to
Elijah P.O.V. I’m in my office with all the guys. They are not happy I asked their mates to accompany Isabella to town today. Especially when I told them to have some mate time with the girls, but when I tell them the reason they all agree this is important. They ask what they can do, and I delegate the tasks between them. Dale is in charge of getting food together - shopping, preparing and making. He is actually a genius in the kitchen, so I am confident he can get everyone to work together and make this happen. We talked about a small ceremony, but what Isabella doesn’t know is that I am planning to include all the pack, and guests from outside. We know Conan will attack soon, and what better way to gather our allies than to invite them to our wedding tonight. I just hope they can make it. I ask Cedric to be the happy messenger of invitations. He is still well respected and an Alpha. They will listen to him. I will call the Covens and vampire families myself. “Elijah, do you mi