I woke up to the sound of my alarm. With my eyes still closed, I pressed the snooze button, afraid it would disturb the baby’s sleep. Turning to the side, I looked at the glass windowpane and saw blackness covering the skies.Gingerly, so as not to wake Alaric up, I sat up in bed, my feet reaching the floor, but before I could stand, a pair of muscular arms wrapped around my waist from behind. “Where are you going this early?” Alaric said, yawning. I patted the back of his hand that rested on my belly. “I am going to train,” I said simply. Alaric sat up in bed, legs spread before him. He was naked from the waist up, showing me the contours of his hairy chest. His long hair was in disarray. My mate looked delectable this early, but I had to shake my head off the lustful thoughts and focus on what I set out to do.Alaric, on the other hand, kept a watchful eye on me as I padded to Cirala’s cot. Cirala’s angelic face greeted me. He was awake and cooing. Every day, on the
How do you mourn the loss of a mother? Someone who had been cruel to you all your life? “No!” A guttural cry was torn from me as Alaric held me in check. He tried to console me. He became the wall I depended on as I cried my eyes out. “Why didn’t she wait for me? I am trying my best to get her.” I asked, my voice filled with grief. He tightened his arms around me and pressed my face to his chest, not bothered that I was soaking his shirt with my tears. “Love, it was not that she could not wait. It was her time.” He said, running his hands on my back. Death was like a thief in the night. It comes and goes with none of us the wiser, leaving only the remnants of memories behind. For years, I resented her, but I realized she suffered as much as I did. She had to bear with me - a reminder of her mate and sister’s betrayal. She had to swallow her pride to be the Luna that her people needed, regardless of the damage to her own dignity.After a while, I pulled my head away from
“How could you?” I snarled as I grabbed Alpha Leo by the lapels of his crisp white shirt and pulled his head closer to mine.“Erin!” From far away, I heard Alaric’s voice calling out to me but shoved his voice away. Right now, anger, as I had never known, consumes me to take notice of anything else. Not even my mate could stop me as I released a punch, hitting Alpha Leo in the face. It was a hard punch, and he fell backward due to the impact. I lunged forward, unsatisfied. Reason fled me at that moment. The only thing I ever wanted was to rip Alpha Leo to shreds along with his favorite daughter.How could they do this to me? They did not even give me a chance to see her! I took a step, only to be impeded by powerful arms wrapping around me. Those same arms pulled me from the dark abyss I sank myself into. Then, I heard his gentle voice telling me."It is going to be alright, love. We are one in this fight." I could feel myself relenting as I clung to the promise. He murmu
I woke up with a start. I turned my head to the side to check on Cirala and Alaric. Both were sleeping soundly in bed. Cirala was sprawled in the middle, planked on both sides by Alaric and me. His cute little mouth twitched at the same time I felt a heaviness in my b*east. I picked him up, knowing it was his feeding time, and settled on the recliner near his cot. Then, I prodded my b*east toward him. He opened his eyes at the same time he opened his mouth to take my n*pple and started feeding. My child is hungry. I watched in awe at Cirala’s contented face. He was looking at me while his little hand reached out to pull the tendrils of my hair that escaped the scrunchie tied on it. After some time, Cirala fussed. I switched him to the other n*pple. When he was full, he let go of the nub too quickly that droplets trickled down and wet my dress. I took a fresh cloth from his drawer and put it over my shoulder up to my chest area to cover the wet spot. Then, I put Cirala’s
I opened my eyes to see Alaric hovering over me. Turning my head to the side, I realized I had not left and was still in our bedroom, half-lying on the bed with my head resting on the back of my overlapping hands. “You had been dreaming,” Alaric told me before pulling up, giving me space. “It seemed real, though.” I sat up in bed and pulled my knees up with a dazed look on my face. The bed sagged on Alaric’s weight as he sat on the edge. We are now facing each other. “What was your dream about?” He had a curious look on his face. I licked my lips. “I could not sleep right after I put Cirala to bed, so I took off and went for a run. I broke through the woods and arrived at the lake where we disappeared previously and met Xavier.”Alaric’s forehead creased in a frown. “Xavier again? Why does he keep popping up? What does he want?” I shook my head. I, too, was baffled as I tried to recall the details of my dream. “He said something to me.” “What is it?” Alaric had his ful
Alaric’s POV Chaos. That was the scene that confronted us when my crew and I surveyed the surrounding area around the burning hotel that Ben, Fabian Gray, the warlock chief, and I had built as a token of our friendship that spanned over the years. The moment I heard about the hotel burning, my crew and I ran. We came here as fast as we could to check the damage and see what we could save. From the look of things, there is no use saving it now. From our distance, just a few meters away from the hotel, we could see red-hot tongues of fire licking the building as it danced around in glee, spilling over windows and other openings. It was like a monster taunting us with its power and authority. Smoke billowed around us, making the air crackle with heat. It was so hot, scorching our furry covering. I watched as it made an upward assent until it reached the skies, spreading through the clouds, making them appear darker - much like how it looked with a storm brewing. “Let’s check
Erin’s POV“Daddy will be home soon.” I crooned at Cirala, all the while fighting the urge to overthink. I am worried. Alaric had been gone too long, and I haven’t received any word from him yet. It had been hours since we last heard about the distress call from the hotel, and as time went by, I was getting increasingly worried.Alaric shut off the mind link between us. I contacted him several times, but he had yet to open our communication. I tried to mind-linked Ben and the others, but they all shut me out. They conspired to keep me in the dark, and it’s da*n frustrating!I am annoyed not knowing what is happening. I could only hope they were safe. To keep from thinking, I focused on other things, especially on Cirala. From time to time, I would pause to look at the time. I hummed a tune while br*astfeeding Cirala, giving him all my attention, but Cirala is an observant child. He must have sensed my distress. That is why he had been fussy all afternoon. It was just now th
Erin’s POVI was struggling when we appeared at a place that looked like a hospital. It was all white and smelled of antiseptic.“Where is this place?” I asked in confusion, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar area.Lyla was ahead of us. Boris, on the other hand, held me in a tight grip. He was almost hugging me. I recoiled inside, detesting his nearness.“Don’t worry, sis. We are still within the Red Stone Pack.” Lyla told me, whipping her head around to face me.Right after she delivered that bit of information, Lyla turned her back to us to resume walking. She sashayed her way inside, leaving Boris and me behind.Boris is standing at my back. He was almost hugging me.Inwardly, I recoiled when I felt our skin making contact.“Let go. I can walk by myself.” I ordered, my voice full of loathing.Boris chuc
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