/Aiden's POV/
"Liam," I started, staring up at my mother with wide eyes. She was sitting by the edge of her bed, legs folded together and an arm wrapped around her belly. As a five-year-old who heard a lot of unfamiliar words, I needed to have my doubts cleared. Who better than the Luna of the Pack? "My friend said his big sister found her mate last week. They will also bond. What does that mean, mum?"
"It means that they will mate for life," She had her lips twisted. "The one she is mated bites her on the neck, severe their ties and promise to love and protect her forever. It's an extraordinary period of our life." The Luna smiled at me softly.
I chewed on my lip, mind whirling with the information that's been poured over, almost too much for my young mind to handle. But I he
I was elated at the crushed look on Ria's face, especially when Aiden didn't back her up. Maybe a tiny part of me was hoping he would take my side all along. Schooling my features, I stood up, gripping the upper part of the chair till my knuckles turned white. The betas perfumed scent almost contaminated the room we sat in, and I wanted to stop it."I am sure you have something else going on. We won't keep you waiting here." I bluntly said, hoping my voice didn't waver at the stare directed towards me.This was our cabin. A safe place for me to make my nest in future—a thought that caused my cheeks to redden. Shaking my head, I tried to focus on the task at hand. Ria needed to evacuate as soon as possible. Knowing how traditional the pack rules are, Aiden shouldn't have a problem with my decision.
/His POV/I couldn’t help but notice that Rose was quiet. Did the gift render her speechless? Or maybe it’s because I would be leaving in few hours. I didn’t know when I would be back, if at all, although I hadn’t said that possibility out loud yet. That’s why I wanted to leave on a happy note, make sure that Rose had everything she would need for a while.It’s still cold but milder than it’s been for weeks; the sun has already started to peek through the clouds, the air crisp and fresh. I chose one of the more scenic routes if it could be called that. The lawn adjoining my cabin was the only place I could think of.We didn’t have much time, to begin with.From
I stared at his retreating back, my mouth twisting in a frown. Did I say something wrong? That question lingered in my mind, but I brushed it off. No, I was done blaming myself. Besides, Aiden has been acting strange all day, starting in the morning. Shaking my head, I crouched down and started to clean up.Once everything was packed and tidied, I slipped past the door, watching Aiden descend the stairs. He was dressed sharply in a dark shirt and pants. I involuntarily licked my lips at the exposed part of his arms; sleeves rolled up to the elbow. The Alpha had a large trolley bag in his left hand, the other hand busy scrolling through the phone. My cheeks flamed as I thought back to the phone in my hand. I was afraid of tearing the package and messing around with it, but he wanted me to use it.Setting the bas
Alexander came to stand by my side as we watched Liams car engine come to life, widows rolled up. The Alpha watched me keenly, noticing my hands gripping the sides of my dress, mouth pressed together. My gaze settled on the car, my breath caught in my throat as they swivelled in a different direction before disappearing.The Senior Pack Alpha made a soft sound in then back of his throat, his eyes moist. Despite that he tried to muster a smile."You must come to the pack house for dinner tonight. Everyone will be attending and it's fun." He turned around. "Its something we have been doing whenever our guards go to fight."I went quiet, eyes still trained on the road ahead. The offer was tempting. Besides I would be bored sitting all alone with nothin
/Aiden's POV/Sloping hills lead up to the plateau with the odd speckle of green where frost still clung to the shrubs. The car wouldn't go up, so we had to walk up, carrying our bags. Damon's pack stayed by the hill, and they rarely stepped down as they did everything on their own.I couldn't help but realise turning around that this was it. Leaving Rose behind turned out to be difficult than I thought. The look on her face paired with tears she's holding back, almost wanting me to throw it all. However, I made a promise to my friend, and he needed me the most. I could not abandon him.Why would she cry for me? I thought for a split second, my mouth twisting. Ever since the first time she arrived at my doorstep, I had been nothing but horrible to her. Let my mate spend her heat alone becau
I took my bottom lip in between my teeth; hands wrung together as soon as I heard Caden talk about my powers. Looking around, I realised that we were deeper into the forest section now, where people cannot listen to us. Still, the feeling of unsettlement lingered inside me, causing me to narrow my eyes at him."My powers?" I echoed back, taking a rattling breath. "What about them?""Did you tell Aiden?"I shook my head. "No, I didn't get a chance."Besides, telling him about my powers would also entail confessing the truth. Fauna and I were at fault, and all these days, I hid it from him. It may also make him mad, which I didn't want to happen. Not after the Alpha took me shopping, got gifts for me an
/Aiden’s POV/Rose handwriting was a sight for sore eyes, and so I curled up tightly in my side of the bunk, letting the words take me away.Dear Alpha,I am sorry that there is no other way to communicate. Your father told me that he used to write letters to his family in those days, so I am doing the same. I hope you are alright and have been looking after yourself.Everything is fine here. I had dinner with the pack. Everyone is loud and loves talking about their day. It’s a nice change, so I stayed over instead of going back to our empty cabin. My stomach was upset from eating too many donuts, but other than that, I am fine. I’ll learn to handle things on my own, I promise.
The wood burner filled the entire room with warmth and a pleasant smell. It crackled and creaked but did little to lift the heavy silence that settled over the living room of the pack house. Most of them were getting ready for bed while I sat by window, watching the dim and grey clouds with a hot mug of tea.Wrapping my arms tighter around my upper body, my fingertips dug into the ribs. A sigh escaped my lips as I thought about the uneventful day and general unease that made my body thrum with it, my heart beating fast. The sound of familiar footsteps approaching me filled my eyes. It was the Senior Pack Alpha.He sighed. “You shouldn’t keep your phone so carelessly.”I cradled the mug between my
As the winter bled into spring, the sky grew more explicit and the clouds turned bright, unlike the gloomy days we had so far. I was nostalgic seeing the snow gone, but spring was a time of rebirth, a new beginning that I eagerly welcomed.Striding down the aisle, I twisted my head, staring at the faces that gazed at me and smiled. There were Alphas, betas, and omegas everywhere, and every single one of them sported an expression of joy and pride. Never in my life did I expect that this day would come, but it's happening.In the very front row, I spotted my father, my chest tightening painfully. My stepmother passed away a year ago, finally succumbing to her illness. Cara, along with her husband, had visited her in the last few days, but she humiliated both of them, not wanting to see their faces. I received the same treatment in the past, but still, it sadde
/Aiden's POV/Everything hurts. That's the first thought that dawned on me as I slowly drifted into consciousness. My hands twitched helplessly, and even though I could flutter my eyelids, they felt too heavy to open my eyes.My chest felt strange, uncomfortable sensations filling it up and throbbing in my ears, alongside horrid sounds that made it impossible to concentrate.I tried to open my eyes, just a little, and it's bright, blindingly so. It had been peaceful and dark seconds away, then an intense pressure in my chest made me hit the ground.I realised I was on a bed, covered by a thick duvet, sunlight spilling through the open windows at the opposite side of the room, so bright that it
/Rose POV/As soon as the dull thud echoed around the woods, it sent a searing pain through my skull. I was unable to move, taking a few more seconds to process that Aiden was on the floor, unconscious.With my sight going fuzzy around the edges and limbs twitching and shaking uncontrollably, I tried to work my muscles. Once that was under control, I put my body weight onto the palms, which burned and felt numb at the same time.Standing up, my chest lurched, and soon after, my stomach jumped violently. A fit of loud coughs escaped my lips, throat constricting, instinctively curling in."A-Aiden..." The sting was sitting deep inside as I finally scrambled forward, heart hammering
/Aiden's POV/My world stopped at that moment, mouth dropping open in shock, breath knocked out of my throat. I could feel the heat of my skin, feet automatically staggering back in the process. The people in front, the trees surrounding us, everything went blurry, a rush of memories surging through me, and suddenly I remembered.That strange encounter in the forest, his mark on my body and a promise to find me soon, those dreams with blurred faces and deep voices. It all made sense now."I-Its you..." My throat was burning, words jagged and breathy, tears were in my eyes. "Ronald," I uttered the name with so much venom that it made him chuckle. At the familiar sound, my hackles rose, goosebumps pricking.
/Aiden's POV/I had no idea what was it that woke me up. Suddenly, I was sitting up in bed, the sheets sliding off my chest along with my mate's arm and every last bit of fatigue that had been clinging to my body. It's still dark, no light shining in from outside and no ray of sun pouring inside.Instead, the window was still wide open, puddles of water covering the ground right in front of it.I slipped from beneath the duvet and got to my feet, mind-wiped blank and steps steady but languid as I made my way towards the window. When I looked ahead, far away in the distance, a hint of light on the horizon stared back at me, a line in the darkened sky.For a moment, I soaked the silence around me, the chilly a
/Aiden POV/I didn't know where I went wrong in my life. No. I was aware but did not want to acknowledge it for the sake of my mind. However, the problem is that I cannot change anything now. Staring into Slyvies desperate eyes only made me realise how much of a fool I have been.Rose was right all along. I sent her away in hopes that my guilt towards Sylvie would ease. When in reality, she's a pawn from Reece side, thrust into my life for my failure. Even though she had no choice but to surrender to fate, I couldn't help the resentment gnawing in my chest.I would never be able to trust her on anything again. As harsh as it may sound, I did not want to be fooled by her again.
A frown settled on her face, the hold of her hand loosening around my wrist. "Why? Do you not like chicken curry?"I let out a chuckle at her child-like pout, running my thumb across the plump of her cheek. "No, it's not that, baby. I love anything you make except for that pasta.”A squeal escaped her lips and she slapped lightly at my arm as if recalling the incident. Even though I almost died, it’s fun to tease her that the first dish she made gave me an allergy. The omega gets truly flustered every single time.“Don’t remind me of that ever again.”“Alright.” I fondly rolled my eyes.“Tell me why don’t you want
/Aiden's POV/Damon insisted on calling his mate to inform her that we were leaving for the clinic. I asked him to tell Rose about my location, not wanting to worry her. Along with my beta, we both stepped inside the room, finding Slyvie on the bed.The doctor bowed as soon as he saw, greeting politely. I waved at him, my eyes flickering towards the frail body of the omega. My heart clenched at sight, guilt swarming in my belly as I recalled the way I behaved with her in our past meetings. I should have given her another chance to explain instead of letting it go."H-How is she now?" I croaked, turning to the doctor, my hands falling by my side.
/Aiden's POV/To distract myself after the near depressing talk with my father, I decided to visit the training ground. I silently leaned against a tall pole while observing the guards shoot with a bow. Their targets were dead birds carcasses strapped up in a low hanging stand, and the goal was to hit either three or four within a few minutes.Crossing my arms together, I watched as one of the guards shot an arrow—with the wrong technique, of course, it missed and flew feet away from striking any bird. I could sense the tension in the air that vibrated in waves from the guard from being observed. With the war looming over us, we had no choice but train.I felt sick to my stomach as I watched him completely mess up the whole process.&nb