Alaric’s POVI could feel Erin attempting to open our communication channel, but I continued to shut her out. I am so pissed off with her right now. After several tries and getting no positive results for her efforts, she stopped trying, leaving me in peace.When I did not feel her presence in my head any longer, I looked around me, realizing I was deep into the woods and was very near the lake where the water sucked us in to meet Xavier, the legendary forebears of the Crescent Moon State. According to historians, Xavier used to own all the lands, air, and water that make up the state. When he passed away, the high-ranking members of his pack drew lots to split the territory among themselves to make up little packs of their own. It was obvious the people he trusted wanted to be little Alpha of their own pack. They do not want to follow orders anymore. They wanted to lead. They wanted to elevate their status to the highest rung, not contented with being second or third to anyone
Alaric’s POVI watched in horror as I saw two Erins before me. The sight of them together confused me. Who is the real, and who is the fake between the two? That was what came to my mind when I saw them together. Then, the intoxicating smell of lavender wafted in the air as an angry Erin leveled me with an icy glare. I knew that smell from the heart. It was my mate’s!Eric leaped in my head as he called out to our mate. He purred, showing his excitement. If I didn’t pull him back just in time, he would come out of confinement and run off toward our mate. My gaze shifted from the angry Erin to the one near me. If that was my mate, then who was the one in my arms who looked exactly like her?I watched in horror as my real mate approached me in quick angry strides and realized I had been duped. It made me angry, but it was no match to the expression registered on Erin’s face. She was so livid. She was a Luna on a warpath as she crossed the line that separated us. From the bla
Erin’s POVThe morning light cast a warm glow on my skin, and for a moment, I let myself soak up the warmth it bestowed upon me freely.Last night, I was in pain.Seeing my sister and mate together was a nightmare from the past. If given a choice, it was something I would never go back to revisit at any time in my life.It reminded me of Boris’s duplicity and the excruciating pain it cost me. I almost died in his hands.More than that, Boris' rejection has taught me that I would never have any place in my family. It dug up years of repressed hurt. For a moment, it blinded me.I almost killed my sister!Without Alaric's intervention, I would have strangled Lyla to death, bringing insurmountable repercussions for Alaric and his pack. If I succeeded, I would have unwittingly given my father another reason to cause trouble for Alaric's pack.It could trigger a war. &
Erin’s POVThe next few days were crazy.Ever since we learned that I was with a pup, Alaric had been acting over the top. He followed me around like a dog on a leash and refused to leave my side. Alaric even waited on me hand and foot, and it actually drove me crazy. This morning, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and decided I had enough. I yelled at him to get out and do his job.He had been neglecting his duties and delegated most of his tasks to Ben. I heard from Ben that the pack officials were looking for him, too. There was so much to do with so little time - what with the construction of new school buildings and the ongoing expansion of the hospital.The training for new warriors continues, as well.There is so much to do, and Alaric is slacking off.“I am fine. I won’t break. Please, give me some peace and get away from me.” I glared at him
Erin's POVOne of the magical things that can happen to a person is that of welcoming a new life into this world.The pain notwithstanding, childbirth is one of the most precious miracles in life. To bring another creature into this world, conceived through love and nurtured by love, gives purpose to our existence. It allows us to create meaning in our world. “Push!” Dr. Martin ordered. I pushed in time with the contraction that hit my stomach, gnashing my teeth in a pain that no other could rival, in my opinion. It is like being torn apart. I was strapped in a birthing chair, panting while my belly contracted within seconds of each other in preparation for the birthing process. “Arggh!” I screamed as another pain shot through me. My body trembled as I tilted my head back to gather strength. Tears mixed with tears and mucus coming from my nose covered my face while I tried to push the baby out. “Come on, one more push! We are almost there. The baby is almost out. ” Dr. Mar
Months passed by, and without realizing it, we arrived at the changing of the seasons. It was now raining outside. The dark sky loomed over us, but it did not cast a shadow to dampen our moods. This is a special day for our family.At last, the construction of new school buildings and the hospital expansion is completed. Alaric had been too busy lately and barely had time for relaxation. At night, he would help me tend to Cirala because the baby’s routine changed, and he would be awake from midnight to dawn. When I told him I would watch Cirala so he could go to sleep, he told me gently that those moments watching me for me are the only times he gets to bond with our son. Most of the time, he was out doing so many tasks. Cirala is growing up fast. I want to be there every step of the way, he said to end our argument about who needed to rest and tend to Cirala at night. So what more can this momma do? I let them bond while I catch some precious zzz. “Are you ready?” Alaric
“Do not tell me you are letting her get away just like that father?” Lyla’s shrill voice echoed in the vast hall halting Erin in her tracks.Alaric, not partial to the possibility of a confrontation between Erin and her family escalating, chose the best course - to leave. He guided Erin out of the hall, arms wrapped protectively around her waist while the other held their baby. His first plan was to mingle with other guests for a while, but seeing Alpha Leo and the effect of his presence on his mate, he chose to pull back.Today is Cirala’s celebration. They would not let anyone dampen it and cast a glow on the event. Let Alpha Leo make a fool of himself. They would not be a participant in his show. But Erin’s sister was the one causing a scene, putting shade on her character in front of everyone else. Lyla was painting an ugly picture of Erin for the guests to feast on. “Erin blatantly disrespected you. She disregarded your position as the oldest Alpha in the council.” Lyla
Erin’s POV“Is he asleep?” Alaric asked, referring to our son. I was holding Cirala in my arms, rocking him to sleep. He was a bit fussy earlier and would not want to be put down and placed on his cot. He had been like this since the day of his presentation. He clung to me more than ever. Maybe he knew that I would be leaving him temporarily, and this is his way of letting me know the impending separation did not sit well with him. Since he was born, Cirala never left my sight. I promised myself that I would take care of him myself despite Alaric’s constant reminder that I could ask a slave’s help in tending to my child. I preferred doing it alone.Alaric, when he has the time, helps, too. But for most of the day, it is just Cirala and I. It is our bonding time. I wanted my child to know that he was well cared for by his mother - that he was loved. As the weeks go by, I was amazed by the connection we established between us. Cirala seemed attuned to my thoughts and feelin
Erin’s POV How do you recover from the death of a loved one? One who had been an integral part of you and who had greatly influenced what you had become? How do you cope with the loss, at the gaping hole they left in your heart? They say that for werewolves, losing a mate means eventual death. I never fully understood it until now. I scattered the ashes in the air and saw specks mingled with the wind. They danced together, intertwined like some old lovers until that far beyond. While I watched them go, I murmured in the air, hoping it would reach the ears of my loved one. “Luna, it is time to go.” I turned around and met Boris’ shadowed face. We nodded at each other before my gaze locked with my mate. We do not need any words between us. One look from him is all it takes to calm the storm within me. “I love you.” He mouthed. His words were enough to puncture the dam in my eyes and it burst. In quick strides, Alaric reached my side. He wrapped my trembling body in his arms as
Alaric’s POVThrough the help of Fabian Gray, we unbound the spell cast on Lyla. A cloud of smoke appeared, and out came Lyla, who at first looked disoriented upon seeing herself surrounded by too many people. We were inside the courtroom. Alpha Douglas, as head of the council, was presiding over Lyla's trial. There was a general look of amazement, and everyone seemed to hold their breath when Fabian Gray started reversing his spell. Fabian's movements were precise and meticulous. It was no wonder he was the best of his kind and the undisputed Warlock chief. My gaze scanned the whole room until it landed at the back of the courtroom where Luna Bella and Erin were seated. Luna Bella insisted on witnessing the trial. Erin came in support of her mother. I guess it would be hard to tear Luna Bella at bay. Lyla is her daughter, too. After Fabian broke and retracted the spell, Lyla appeared before us in her human form. She looked around, surprised to see the Alphas surrounding her.
Alaric’s POVI shouldn’t have walked away from her. I shouldn't have let my emotions get out of hand. It was just that the mere mention of my mother reminded me so much about Alpha Leo’s crimes against my family. Compounded by her sister’s crimes and her mother’s demands, I could not hold back my temper and snapped at her. I looked back in remorse to where I last saw her, but Erin was already gone. She has probably gone inside the house. Taking my frustrations out on her is uncalled for. Alpha Leo and Lyla's actions are their own. Erin has nothing to do with it. Having the same family name does not make one responsible for the other member's mistakes.Shedding off my human form, I started galloping into the forest. I let the speed and the wind clear my head as I put distance between me and my mate. I stopped at the lake Erin, and I frequented panting. For a while, I looked at my reflection in the water. Dark, guilty eyes stared back at me. I snarled my frustratation. I loo
The following morning saw us atop the highest mountain lining the border of Red Stone and Black Water territory. Luna Bella chose this spot specifically. “I want to have a vantage view of our territory.” She explained when she requested that we bring her to this place. We arrived here before dawn. Now, the skies that were previously covered in darkness slowly lighten up as the first light appears. The sun is breaking. I watched Luna Bella contemplating in silence. Her shoulders hunched like she carried the weight of the world on them. “Even in death, your father cheated me.” I knew what she meant. Alpha Leo died ahead of her, thus, leaving her behind. Sometimes, I wonder, who hurts more: the one who left or the one left behind?Alaric and I stood a little distance from my mother to give a quiet moment with her thoughts. But she let her nurse, Dana, and personal slave Beth flank her small frame as she looked beyond the mountain range. The wind slapped against our faces as
The next few days are hectic. Mother and I went back to the Red Stone Pack to meet with Gamma Alexander to discuss pack affairs and to keep tabs on what has happened since Lyla and Gavyn took the reign of the Alphaship. Upon Gavyn’s death, the remaining pack officials elected Gamma Alexander to handle its affairs temporarily.With my mother sick, Lyla missing, and me in the hospital, the position of Alpha was left vacant.“Here are the books detailing the income and the expenses these past months.” Gamma Alexander showed us an updated version of Red Stone's cash position. In addition, he gave us a rundown of everything that has happened since Alpha Leo's death. Mother had no concern over that. She was impatient to know one thing, and so did I. “Where are Alpha Leo’s ashes? I did not give him my proper respects.” Mother’s voice almost broke in the end. She was trying to hold back her tears, and I knew she had never mourned his death yet. Or maybe, that is our way of coping. Gri
“Erin Acklen…” The sound of someone calling my name woke me up.Still cloaked in a sleepy daze, I pried open my eyes only to shut them close immediately when bright lights glared at me. “It hurts,” I complained to the voice, ignoring whoever it was calling me and letting sleep take over, only to be roused, yet again, by that same mysterious voice to wake up. Again, I ignored it, but it persisted. It kept badgering me until I was too irritated by the constant harping. Super annoyed with whoever has the gall to disturb my sleep, I opened my eyes and angrily bolted out of bed. Even with my disorganized thoughts, I was surprised to find out I was not inside our room back in Black Water Pack but somewhere else.Chin jutted forward, I scanned the area around me before my head tilted down. It was then that I realized I was in the middle of what looked like a forest, and the bed from which I rose earlier was a bed of moss-green grass. It felt ticklish under my bare feet. “Where am I?
It took Alaric not more than fifteen minutes to process my discharge slip and pay my hospital bills. Then, Alaric returned to tell me we were ready to go. I was excited to leave. In the past weeks, I was not allowed to leave the confines of this hospital, nor was I allowed to walk outside. Alaric posted bodyguards everywhere I turned, annoying me no end. It was a refreshing change to see the bodyguards’ unmissed presence. “Let’s go?” He asked, eyes drifting to the bag beside me on the sofa. In his absence, I collected all my stuff lying around to deposit them inside a travel bag I saw on the bottom of the cabinet.I stood and took the bag, but he knocked my hand off. “Just lead the way, ma’am.” He said playfully, making me laugh so hard. We were silent inside the elevator. We did not speak, but the silence was not a strained one.“Stay here,” Alaric instructed, placing the bag beside me on the floor after submitting to a security check and exiting the lobby. I did not argu
“Luna.” Ben struggled to get up from his hospital bed. I saw the pride and respect reflected in his eyes when he saw me. How do I know it was him? I don’t know. I just do. When I started to take in Alaric’s word and accepted the idea that I am his Luna, things began to clear in my head. My memory still eluded me, but maybe it was the acceptance that made me see things in perspective. My head turned to the side to see the other bed’s occupant. He was still asleep, but from what I gathered earlier, it was safe to presume he was Blake, the pack’s gamma. Both Ben and Blake were muscular like their Alpha, and I am quite sure they could hold their own on the battlefield, as good as Alaric. I still don’t remember anything about them, but there was a sense of rightness in seeing them. “Ben.” I drew close to his bed and reached for his hand. Ben’s eyes twinkled when our hands clasped, but later, it was fixed somewhere behind me. I do not have to make a wild guess to know he was
Erin’s POVIt was the sweetest kiss!My eyes snapped open when I realized what I was thinking. It was like crashing back down to earth after a spine-tingling explosive kiss.“W-what did you do that for?” I stammered when Alpha Alaric released my lips, only to venture south and nuzzle my neck. He darted out his tongue, sending glorious tingles of sensation that spread out all over my body. What is happening to me? Desire shoots up to every corner of my being. Wide-eyed, I stared at him. “This can not be!” I pushed him hard, but he would not budge. He pressed his body against mine, effectively trapping me to the wall. And his stare. Gosh! Why does it make me weak? “Do you understand what I was trying to tell you?” His muffled voice carried its weight to my ears, causing me to shiver involuntarily at the promise in them. I hate it! I hate how my body melted so naturally in his arms. “Stop!” I cried before I pressed both palms to his chest and shoved him off of me. I app