Sera’s POV“What?!” I exclaimed, unable to believe my ears.Max had delayed his return to the pack for so long that when we’d received a letter stating that he was close to the pack just before I got summoned by the Council, I’d brushed it off like it was another one of his reassurances.The harsh sound of screeching chair legs against the floor came from the side of the meeting room as Grace exclaimed with excitement, “My brother is back!”Like a whirlwind, she ran past the panting enforcer towards the exit, all thoughts of the ongoing meeting long forgotten.Miles and I exchanged glances.Max was back just in time before we begun big changes to the pack.I couldn’t help but be curious about the outcome of his investigation into the backgrounds and origin of the new pack members we had.It was just as well that we cleared out the spies before setting up the new pack.“Thank you, Joseph. You may take your leave,” I said to the messenger enforcer with a small smile.“Yes, Alpha.” He t
Sera’s POV“You mean Alpha Draco of the Silva Moon Pack? The strongest shifter in all the Werewoods?” Max couldn’t keep his mouth closed as he stared at my mate, looking amazed.I fought hard to hold in my laughter, and the looks on Miles’ and Millie’s faces betrayed their amusement.Max had always been a fan of strong shifters and always raved about them. It was no wonder that he was also a fan of Draco, an Alpha who’d accomplished so much while we were all still playing around in the pack, merely pups.He’d become the young Alpha in his teenage years and built the strongest team of enforcers the Werewood has ever seen.That team was now going to move into this pack and become a part of us.I could already see Max’s reaction when he found out.Draco had a smug look at Max’s reaction to his identity. I hit him on his arm discreetly, while no one else was looking. He was having fun at my friend’s expense and I could have that.“Yes, in flesh and blood.” Draco responded with a slight
Sera’s POVThe Still Moon Pack, Werewoods, NorrwickThe dreaded day is finally here. The day I appear before the Alphas and the Council as Alpha of the Still Moon Pack. Lots of people would like to see me fail my first appearance. Many await an opening to swoop in and claim my Pack for themselves.Glancing at my outfit in the mirror makes me wonder if I am making the right choice. I am wearing a casual black top and grey pants. I aim for a relaxed, effortless look; this outfit should do the trick. My green eyes reflect through the mirror, and I wonder how I would survive the scrutiny of everyone. Today is the mating festival, and I must appear before everyone as the Alpha of my Pack.I exit my room to go downstairs for my meal and meet Millie, my Beta, on my way down. “Morning, Millie.” I smile, taking a seat at the table.“Good morning, you mean?” She stares at me in disapproval, arms akimbo.“There is nothing good about mornings, especially not today of all days,” I said, groaning a
Sera’s POVMating Grounds, WerewoodsI turn to find Alpha Lucian and his men watching us with disdain. He is the major Alpha opposing my position as Alpha. Lucian has eyes on my pack and hopes to add it to his ever-expanding territory. He has been challenging weaker alphas and taking over their territory. He is the Alpha with the largest territory.“Are you also here to find a mate, Alpha?” He had a frown on his face.His men all burst into laughter. They are his usual crew, and he takes them everywhere he goes. Their job is to boost his prestige and intimidate others whenever appropriate. I roll my eyes at the thought.“What’s with this dreary outfit? Are you still in mourning?” He eyes my outfit in distaste.My plain clothes must look lame to such an over-the-top individual. He dresses in grand attire that announces his presence at every event. My outfit must look like rags in his eyes.I ignore him and wait for Millie to pack the van properly. She comes down, and we proceed to the
Sera’s POVMating Grounds, WerewoodsAs we venture deeper into the woods, everywhere becomes silent. Suddenly, a branch breaks behind us, and we turn to look. Lucian appears from behind an immense tree, a smug look on his face. His sidekicks appear one after the other and surround us in an ambush.“I promised to make you my mate, didn’t I? Well, I am here to fulfill that promise,” Lucian said. He had a benevolent smile as if he was doing me a favor, but he just wanted my pack to boost his ego further and enlarge his pack.“A woman need not be an Alpha. Just sit pretty as my Luna and let me take over.” He had a condescending look on his face. “Or I could just kill you and take over your pack.” His gaze changed, and he looked menacing.Amary stared at Lucian in disdain, a bored look on her face. I had seen her fight only once, and that was enough to tell her prowess in battle. I had been strong since I was a pup, even before I could shift. Although Marc was the older twin and male alpha
Draco’s POVSilva Moon Pack, WerewoodsI am running in the woods, the evening breeze brushing against my fur, when I smell a sweet scent of lilac drifting from afar. Beautiful singing accompanies the delicious scent, and I approach in anticipation as unspeakable joy wells in me.My wolf, Noble, wags his tail excitedly as we get closer to the scent. I turned the corner, and the sight before me took my breath away. My wolf howls in recognition, “Mate!” She turns around, and her face is blurry—my mate's face. Yes, I don’t recognize my mate.I open my eyes and look around my room in the pack house. I had been having the same dream every night since the mating hunt. As I rise and pull the drapes, letting light fill the room, my mind wanders back to the events of that day.As a powerful Alpha in the Werewoods and a respected member of the Shifter’s Council, I can skip the mating hunt. I’ve done that for five years, but this time is different. I’d intended to skip the hunt, but Elder Derek,
Sera’s POVStill Moon PackI stare at myself in the mirror as I brush my teeth. It had been three weeks since I ran away from my mate, and I still couldn’t get him off my mind. Thoughts of him occupy my head day and night. The tantalizing scent of wood and musk follows me as I attend to my pack duties. It is my mate’s scent, the mate I abandoned.I shook my head to steer those thoughts away.I had more important things to do today than to be plagued with thoughts of my mate. A mate I
Sera’s POV “Alpha, the new members are here.” Miles mind linked me from the pack’s border, disrupting my thoughts. Moving to my closet, I pick out a sleeveless brown top and black shorts appropriate for carrying out pack duties. I move to the mirror by my bedside and ruffle my hair with my hand. My medium-length, thick, chestnut brown hair was always unruly. I brush it into a temporary shape and head down for my meal. I arrive at the table just as the pack’s cook, Cindy, comes out of the kitchen with my meal in her hands. Cindy has been the pack’s cook for as long as I can remember. She watched Marc and me grow up; she is like my mother. “You are up. I was about to look for you in your room. Everyone else has had their meal except you.” Cindy places a plate of bacon and eggs with a cheese sandwich on the table.
Sera’s POV“You mean Alpha Draco of the Silva Moon Pack? The strongest shifter in all the Werewoods?” Max couldn’t keep his mouth closed as he stared at my mate, looking amazed.I fought hard to hold in my laughter, and the looks on Miles’ and Millie’s faces betrayed their amusement.Max had always been a fan of strong shifters and always raved about them. It was no wonder that he was also a fan of Draco, an Alpha who’d accomplished so much while we were all still playing around in the pack, merely pups.He’d become the young Alpha in his teenage years and built the strongest team of enforcers the Werewood has ever seen.That team was now going to move into this pack and become a part of us.I could already see Max’s reaction when he found out.Draco had a smug look at Max’s reaction to his identity. I hit him on his arm discreetly, while no one else was looking. He was having fun at my friend’s expense and I could have that.“Yes, in flesh and blood.” Draco responded with a slight
Sera’s POV“What?!” I exclaimed, unable to believe my ears.Max had delayed his return to the pack for so long that when we’d received a letter stating that he was close to the pack just before I got summoned by the Council, I’d brushed it off like it was another one of his reassurances.The harsh sound of screeching chair legs against the floor came from the side of the meeting room as Grace exclaimed with excitement, “My brother is back!”Like a whirlwind, she ran past the panting enforcer towards the exit, all thoughts of the ongoing meeting long forgotten.Miles and I exchanged glances.Max was back just in time before we begun big changes to the pack.I couldn’t help but be curious about the outcome of his investigation into the backgrounds and origin of the new pack members we had.It was just as well that we cleared out the spies before setting up the new pack.“Thank you, Joseph. You may take your leave,” I said to the messenger enforcer with a small smile.“Yes, Alpha.” He t
Sera’s POV“What? A union of both packs? Mates? This is absurd!” Elder Philips exclaimed while the rest of my pack remained silent.“How is that possible? They can’t just command two shifters to get mated on a whim, right?” Max’s sheltered little sister, Grace, looked downright confused as she glanced around the room.We all knew that the Council could do whatever it pleased as it reigned supreme in the Werewoods, but no one was going to upset the she-wolf by telling her that.“The idea of uniting two packs is ridiculous. I mean, no one has ever tested it in the Werewoods,” Steve said, shaking his head slightly.“Which is why the Council has placed the union on a three-month probation. If either of the packs feels that strongly that things are not working out, they can secure a reversal by putting forth a convincing argument to the Council,” I said, hoping to reassure them.There was an inaudible sigh of relief that filled the room.Everyone looked relieved at my words, and the frown
Sera’s POV“Just in time,” Cindy said, as she watched us walk into the dining area. Her face showed her disapproval as she stood arm akimbo in the large dinning.The Omegas assigned to the kitchen, Lydia and Aria, were clearing the dishes used by pack members during their breakfast and cleaning up the tables.We didn’t make it in time for breakfast with the pack.“Had you been a minute late, you would have had to microwave your meal yourself,” she said without a hint of a smile.The pack’s meal time was sacred to Cindy, and we always tried to ensure we made it in time every day. As the pack’s cook and the one in charge of our everyday meals, she hated food wastage even more.“Hello to you too, Cindy. I had to urge them to come down earlier. If not, they wouldn’t be out until noon,” Draco said as he moved forward to take a seat.I glared at him in mock outrage while Millie just looked from one person to another, confused by Draco’s statement.I ignored the snitching wolf and turned to
Sera’s POV“What do you mean?” Millie had the grace to look confused and I would have fallen for her act if I didn’t know her so well. I smiled in amusement, about to open my mouth and drill the truth out of her.But she beat me to it.“You should go get ready now. Cindy is making breakfast, and the pup is hungry. You don’t want to waste time.”Just as she said that my belly gave a loud rumble.I watched Millie, helpless, as she gave me a triumphant smile.Then I turned to enter the washroom, leaving Millie reveling in her purported victory.“This conversation isn’t over,” I promised in a loud voice as I shut the door behind me.I took a long bath, then found Millie asleep in my bed.How nice, I thought, shaking my head in disbelief.While being as silent as possible, I proceeded to my large dresser to apply my long-abandoned skincare and brush my hair.I took out some slacks and an oversized top, which helped to cover up my baby bump, making it unnoticed.I stared at my outfit in th
Sera’s POV“Sera, are you in there? I’m coming in.”I was lost in bitter memories, unable to find my way out, when Millie’s familiar voice sounded from afar off, snapping me back to reality.The familiar velvet colors of my room’s window blinds and the cozy warmth of my enormous bed reminded me I’d moved past the nightmarish events from a few months back.11 months, 2 weeks and 6 days, but who was counting, right?I chuckled warily.Who was I kidding?“Coming in, Millie. I’m in here,” I replied, after checking through my fashionable dressing-table mirror to make sure that there were no signs of tears on my face.Tears I hadn’t even realized were there.The doors burst open and Millie strolled in, looking worried.“What were you up to? I called your name a thousand times and was considering whether to reach out through the mind link or go down to the office to check you there.”Millie threw her hands up in the air in surrender and settled into one of the cozy seats near the small table
Sera’s POVI remained in a daze as the pack collected the bodies of dead pack members and arranged for their burial.They were buried two days later in the woods, which was home to all shifters.We shifters are the most happy and fulfilled when racing in the woods in our wolf form and one with nature. Therefore, dead shifters were buried right in the woods, which was a gift from the moon goddess, Selene.The ceremony was held at night, with the uninjured pack members in wolf form as a sign of respect to the dead.The Still Moon Pack was going to bury its Alpha that night, and the woods filled with mournful howls.Sometimes during the wee hours of the morning, after remaining clear-eyed throughout the past two nights and not sleeping a wink, my tired body had given in and I’d finally fallen into fitful sleep.I’d woken up to find my claws gone and my eyes back to normal. I’d unknowingly left my half-shifted state.Now, I stood at the edge of the woods, watching as the large procession
Sera’s POV My conversation with Draco at the pack’s office once Millie and Miles had left about the new name of the pack remained at the forefront of my mind as I went around the pack for the rest of the day.Even spending time with the twins and hearing about Ruby’s latest adventures had done nothing to purge my mind of such thoughts.Though we hadn’t been able to come up with a suitable name for the pack, Draco had helped me realise the importance of picking a suitable name for the new pack.We’d keep it on hold for now and focus on getting the packs to accept the new situation and learn to accommodate each other.Which was why I was up even earlier than usual this morning. I lay awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling above my head, lost in thoughts.The window by the right of my queen-sized bed remained open throughout the night, and the tree just beyond the window swayed in the gentle morning air.I sighed as thoughts of today’s meeting streamed into my mind just as the wheels
Sera’s POVMiles and I turned to look at Draco.“I already arranged things with my Beta, Sebastian, back in the pack. They should be on their way soon. That end is all settled,” Draco announced with a smile.“Wait, on their way? You mean your entire pack members?” Millie glanced at him in horror while I threw him a murderous look.The intensity of my glare could have buried him alive, if possible.All his talk of coming to inform me about his plans before the Council summons situation was just bullshit.I swore under my breath.He’d intended to do things his way, regardless of my opinion.My look must have been telling of my state of mind, because a sudden strange voice sounded in the sea of my subconscious.A strange, familiar yet unfamiliar voice.“Of course, I care about and respect your opinion, my heart. I was just very determined to do nothing else but convince you.”I stilled in shock at the strangely familiar voice in my head.It was unmistakably Draco’s voice in my head.The