MasukRAINA’S POVValen’s voice came like a crack of thunder. “The coyolxauhqui stone at the ritual temple responds to my fated mate. That alone should secure her position.”“You cannot blow off the Alphas now against your bond,” Elder Sybil contended, gesticulating with her hands. “Strength on the throne is what they crave, and so, the position of our future queen is of grave concern.”This was as insulting as it was infuriating. I have been patient. I have been understanding, but now, my blood is just boiling.“Why can’t you understand?” I asked, dropping my hand from Valen’s torso and turning to them. “It's not about the title. It's not about power. It's not about position. It's about love. Valen and I will fight for each other,” I asserted and vowed, “Because we’re carving out our own place in the world, on our own terms. That’s what our bond stands for. We chose each other, and we are standing together. Literally.”“Excuse me?” Elder George’s eyes sharpened in warning when we looked at
This chapter contains a discussion of the whole pregnancy matter. Discretionary reading is advised…..RAINA’S POV“Elders,” I greeted demurely.It was a wide room, the Elders looming above on a raised platform, their seats arranged so they could look down on you like judges. They rolled their eyes over me, looking already set on a verdict.On either side, ten cold chairs lined the space like a jury. All were empty except for Connery, who was seated to the right. The fact that the man was sitting there with a file folder was unsettling, as if the energy in here wasn’t already stifling.“I am aware of why you summoned me. I came to hear you out.” I stood alone in the center with a clear space carved out before me, while the audience chairs behind were split in two, leaving a walkway running straight down the middle.Alpha Connery coughed and gurgled something in his throat in an earnest attempt to announce himself.After yesterday’s event, I refused to acknowledge him.Why was he here,
RAINA’S POVThis time, no one could stop my mate.Valen’s murderous gaze locked on Connery. He moved lethally fast, and his claws slid free with a metallic shikt.“She's the red…” Connery never got to finish, as a stronger force bulldozed through us like a death god.Alpha King Vance was on Connery before anyone took their next breath. His powerful hand clasped around his throat, lifting him clean off his feet.“You disrespected my Luna Queen and me when you disregarded our command and barged in here,” Vance growled, low and final, and slammed the man’s back against the wall. It cracked, spidering out from the impact. “Such audacity!”Patients gasped and thrashed. Breaths turned sharp and ragged as fear rippled from bed to bed under the king's billowing aura.Connery choked, kicking, fingers clawing uselessly at the iron-blooded strength of the king.“There's a limit to your insolence,” Vance roared, his voice like flint striking steel as he dragged Alpha Dick out.I could picture his
VALEN'S POV“You announced our mate's pregnancy in the worst way possible!” Zeus cursed me, adding to my headache and guilt. “People will think we're ashamed of her or something!”‘Screw them!' I spat, not giving two shits about these gossip hounds.“You're not the one who suffers from their gossip!” My wolf growled, irked by my short-sightedness.I hated that they were right, but they were. Everyone was cautious about what they said to the king, but they always whispered open judgments and criticisms about his mate.Everyone had an opinion on everything, and these Elders would speak theirs regardless of whether you wanted to hear them or not.For once, I didn’t know how to begin.Almost as though the bond alerted me, my gaze wandered down the ward and caught Raina walking towards our small huddle. Her eyes drifted from left to right, taking in each patient as she passed, whispering heartwarming assurances.By the time she tried to go around our group, I extended my arm and carefully c
VALEN’S POV“Clear a bed!” I barked, bursting through the doors of the cramped quarantine ward.Heat, antiseptic, and a metallic mixture hit my nose all at once. The high scent of disinfectant barely masked the musty smell of sweat and sickness.Nurses in white biohazard suits rushed back and forth. Voices overlapped in a frantic chorus in the flurry of activities. Groans, hurried footsteps, and the clatter of metal trays pervaded the room.“Another one coming in!” announced the nurse, dashing past me with an armful of supplies.“It’s Alpha and the Beta!” another exclaimed, crouching by a patient on the floor, checking his pulse.“Move! Hurry!” sounded like Grandma, although I couldn’t see her.Beds lined the walls. Others were dragged into the center. Some of the warriors, rangers, patrol, and Elites were lying on the floor with IV bags hanging from makeshift poles.The Worgens arrived after me with Raina and Penn. Gustav had a convulsing Mercedes in his arms.Venus, standing near a r
RAINA’S POVSomething, no, someone came out of nowhere as my butt hit the ground.A powerful high kick struck the rogue’s rib. The rogue’s body sailed sideways with a sharp yelp. It crashed hard into the dirt, skidding in a spray of gravel and leaves.Gustav landed before me in one smooth motion, and I nearly let out a sob of relief. He squared his shoulders and watched the unmoving rogue for a moment before turning to me. He didn’t even look winded.That’s when he rushed over to me. He bent to stretch his hand out to me.“Time to go, Kokkino.” His words jolted me out of my catatonic state.In that moment, I channeled all of my fear and panic into something else called courage.“I want to save the rogues, like we did with the Bolivian wolves,” I said, raising my hand and grasping his.Gustav shook his head slowly as he tugged me up. “That was mental interference. This is corrupted blood. Vast difference.”I stood on my feet and raked my hair back, staring him in the eye. “Take me to t
RAINA’S POVPeeved, Alpha Vance glanced from me to Connery. His sharp slits seem to pierce our souls, like slicing us up would make his day.However, Elder Victor took matters out of his hands, stating, “The council cannot be at ease to leave such suspicion hanging. I, for one, would like to know.”
VALEN’S POVAll twelve of us sauntered into Isaac's house. Even on a bad day, this brightly lit dwelling beats Miriam's gloomy basement.Devin dragged me and Raina here. The gang wanted to see the new me. They couldn't wait, and since the voices and noises in Raina's head stopped, she thought it be
RAINA’S POVOuch! I woke up alone and groggy in the sunlit bedroom. I was lying on my back with the cover drawn up to my waist. I raised a heavy hand to my forehead. Pressure pumped steadily at the back of my eyes.My eyes hurt. So did my head.Great, another headache. I groaned as I got out of bed
RAINA’S POV“Where's Valen?” It was the first thing that spurted from my mouth upon entering Alpha King Vance's home.Venus and I rushed into the somber foyer after Devin opened the front door. My heart thudded with panic in my chest. Valen’s vague message was burning in my mind. It was very unsett







