'I was suspecting it,' Maya thought to herself. She knew Elk for so many years, and her heart couldn't believe that he didn't do anything after seeing the letter.It seemed like an impossible thing, but she had her doubts too, thinking that it had been 18 years, and things could have changed without her knowing.Even today, he came here on just one call, so it showed that maybe things had changed, but one thing hadn't – Elk never left anything unresolved.As usual, he was the person who would do anything to communicate, so the issue could get closure."I'm not lying, Maya. You know me; I never run away from things. If I had received the letter, there's no way I wouldn't have come, especially when you're telling me that it mentioned how you found the royal heir," Elk's voice filled with sincerity as he looked towards Maya."I trust you," Maya answered.She could trust anything when it came to Elk because she knew he didn't lie, and that's how it was. She had been away from him for near
"You didn't just break my trust, you broke me whole, Maya. What are you expecting from me now? To forgive you? To forget this? Really, you think it's easy to do so?" Elk's eyes flared up, his wolf on edge."I know I was wrong. I know you can't forgive or forget, but the reason was clear. I couldn't take you with me because the pack needed you as a healer. I couldn't be selfish enough to take you away," Maya said as tears started falling. She gripped the edge of the sofa, trying not to break down completely.The hatred she saw in Elk's eyes was something she couldn't unsee. Maybe she could hear him not forgiving her, because it was justified, but him looking at her like this was something she couldn't take at all."Maya, have you ever thought about considering my feelings on this? How could you make a decision for me? Don't you think you should have asked me? I understand your leaving, but not telling me and leaving me behind is something I don't understand at all," Elk said, his jaw t
Elk paused for a moment, shaken by Jackson's words and Rish calling him 'dad' after so many years. He couldn't find it believable, his wolf anger simmering. No lie, he couldn't just let it go."Please try to understand, Elk," Alisha urged softly. She didn't know what else to say to calm him, hating this kind of anger.Alice's scary demeanour was why she disliked him – his violent tendencies made her feel scared.Certainly, Elk had a valid reason, but Alice's reasons didn't seem reasonable at all.Elk sighed as his wolf started to calm, glancing towards Maya, who was still pale and crying. He hated seeing his mate like this, wanting only to see her happy and smiling.Today, she cried because of him, but it was understandable – it was normal for him to be angry, though not the smashing and breaking.He didn't know what had happened, but for some time, his wolf had taken over, and he couldn't control himself.That he had broken things in someone else's house was embarrassing."Calm down,
The days passed in a blur, an entire week going by without Elk coming or informing them if he had found a safe house. But on a new day, he finally contacted them - he had secured a safe house away from the pack territory, but close enough to reach by car.As soon as everyone got the information, they wasted no time deciding to drive there without delay.Alisha and Alice had been silent toward each other that entire week, not speaking a word. Though Alice wanted to talk to her, even forcefully, he ultimately dropped it, thinking they would have time once at the safe house, so it didn't feel like a bigger issue.It took them two hours to travel to the safe house, which was situated on the bay of a river, a beautiful small cottage. Away from the pack territory."We can't come inside, Alisha, because we need to get back to the pack soon. But remember, if anything happens, call us on the landline this house has. And please, control your anger, Alice," Maya spoke as Alisha and Alice exited
"Exactly, I would love to be cursed my whole life, rather than letting you touch me," Alisha remarked bitterly.She knew she was there to break the curse, but that didn't mean she would sacrifice herself in this way.Even though Maya and the others had sent her there with Alice, it wasn't total protection. They could have just sent her alone or maybe with Levi or Rish instead.But they had sent Alice, which showed they wanted them to bond, something that wasn't happening for sure.What kind of bond could she have with him when he just got on her nerves every time they were together?Admittedly, he had shown her some warmth recently, but it wasn't enough to overcome everything that was happening or had happened."Then why did you even come with me? You should have just told everyone that you had no desire to talk with me or stay with me. It's not like I forced you," Alice rolled his eyes, standing before her with anger in his eyes."Now, if you could make me stay with you in your penth
Alice dashed out from the living hall and started walking outside, hoping the fresh air and calming river would soothe his rising anger.He hadn't wanted to get so enraged, but he felt Alisha wouldn't stop her blabbering until he threatened her - which he had unfortunately done. Though he tried to avoid bringing up their failed attempt of marriage, not just because of her but because of his own lingering hurt, Alisha's taunts had angered him to the point where he had no choice but to dredge up that painful history.He seethed as he recalled her shocked expression when he mentioned her running away. Alice had tried to bury that humiliation, but her presence seemed to rip the wounds open anew. Part of him regretted lashing out so viciously. Another part felt she deserved to feel even a fraction of the devastation he experienced that day. His love crumbling before his eyes - all because of her cowardly actions.Alice's hands clenched into fists as he paced along the riverbank. He had t
"Hello.""Who?""It's me, Mother Mary," Alisha replied as she answered the phone.As she freshened up and Alice still hadn't come inside, she decided to take advantage of it and talk on the call, something she had wanted to do for a long time, because she knew her mother Mary would be stressed out."Alisha?" The voice came from the other side of the phone, in a rush."Yes, Mother Mary, it's me, your Alisha," she answered, her heart beating thousands of times in the meantime.It had been so long since she last talked or saw her mother. It was like she had just seen her before running away from the marriage, after so many things had happened, and now she was here in a safe house with the very person she had hated."Where are you, Alisha? Are you safe? Are you doing good?" Mary suddenly threw out the questions."I am totally fine, I am at some safe place, and doing okay," Alisha didn't know what else she could answer.Because she was indeed safe, and yet not safe at the same time, as she
The name left his lips in a hoarse whisper, barely audible over the pounding of blood in his ears. The darkness closing in around him felt suffocating, each beat of his heart a thunderous reminder of his waning strength.But Alice wasn't finished yet. His resolve hardened as he fought to stay conscious. He couldn't afford to lose here—not with Alisha's life at stake.He lashed out blindly, his hand managing to catch the assassin's wrist, stopping the blade from cutting deeper into his throat. With a surge of adrenaline-fueled strength, he twisted, forcing the weapon away from his neck.The assassin grunted in surprise, momentarily thrown off balance. Alice used that brief opening to drive his elbow into the attacker's ribs. He heard a crack and the man gasped, loosening his grip just enough for Alice to break free.Stumbling to his feet, Alice turned to face his assailants, vision swimming but determination unyielding. He couldn't dwell on his pain. He had to focus on surviving—on pro
"Did you talk with Aunty Daisy?"Alice stopped what he was doing as soon as she mentioned his mother's name. How could he forget about this whole thing?He had sent his driver away that day and had been here for quite some time, which nobody knew about. His mom would have been stressed.Because of his anger, he hadn't talked to his mom, thinking she had faked her health so Alisha could have more time for her escape plan. Even though he knew it wasn't his mother's mistake—he was the one at fault—he had clearly forced the marriage on Alisha, and if he thought about it now, it wasn't right.Still, it seemed like the best option if he didn't want to let her slip. Now it was impossible for her to slip away, as he was her mate. Before, it wasn't like that, so he had been scared: what if she left? And that's exactly what happened. Alisha left him stranded on their wedding day, confirming his doubts.Now, thinking about this whole thing, his mother would have been so stressed. He had been day
"I think you should control your anger; sometimes you just overreact, as you did today," Alisha suggested, drying her hair. She had taken a bath after the whole training, and it felt way better for her sore body."That's because it's you who thinks it. Better if you stop overthinking. Jackson talked to you with such disrespect; there's no way I'm going to take it easily. Nothing is overreacting when it comes to you," Alice walked toward her and took the towel from her hands.Alisha looked at him in shock. "What are you doing? My hair is still wet," giving him side-eyes, she put her hand forward, indicating she wanted the towel back, her wet hair dripping on the top she wore."I never knew you were this assertive, but I like it now. Tell me, what will you do if I don't give in?" Alice chuckled, wanting to know what she'd do.He loves seeing her like this; it's more fun when she doesn't behave cautiously with him. Not to deny, when she crosses limits, he doesn't quite like it, but in a
"Run faster! What are you both doing?" Jackson growled loudly as he matched Alisha and Alice's running pace, jolting them back due to his sudden appearance out of nowhere."What are you both doing? Why are you running like you're jogging? Even at my old age, I can easily catch up with you," Jackson sounded pissed.Alisha and Alice both stopped running, and Jackson stopped too, glaring at them as if he would gulp them down in one go if they didn't reply to him.Here, training was not something to joke about, and they were running like it was some fun activity, not like he trained people now.He was a retired Beta, so he stayed away from things like this, but when the former queen and king were alive, he was in charge of getting the warriors ready for war or anything else.Now, seeing how Alisha was taking this so carelessly, he felt mad.She was of royal blood, the future queen. For Alice, he didn't give a lot of shit, but he was Alisha's mate, which made him the future king. Hearing t
"Why do you care so much? You behave very differently," Alisha commented, looking directly into his eyes, catching her breath. Her whole face turned red, due to the heat and her breathless self."I care because it's you, Angel. I don't give a fuck about anything in this whole world if it's not you, but if it's you, then I care with my whole existence," Alice sincerely replied, as he smiled, shocking Alisha a bit.She had seen him smile before, but not this radiantly. Somehow, in his sweaty body, he looked hot as his lips stretched into a pleasant smile.His words warmed her heart, making her speechless.Sometimes he just says things like this which totally blows her mind. She doesn't even get to react, as she is never able to figure out how to respond when he says things like this."Don't you feel weird when you say things like this?" she asked, wanting to know what runs through his head that motivates him to say such things."I feel weird," Alice paused, "when I don't say things like
"Run twenty rounds in teams. Levi and Alisha can run together, while Alice and Rish can run together in a group," Maya announced, fire in her eyes."I don't want to run with Rish. I will run with my girl only," Alice denied, unwilling to leave Alisha's side.He wanted to run with Alisha. After the attack, he may have been the one who bore it, but the fear of what could have happened to her was clearly eating him alive. Under no circumstances would he leave her alone without his protection. It wasn't going to happen.Running twenty rounds would take no less than an hour, as the place was quite big. It might even take longer than that."I am pairing Levi and Alisha because they are both girls, and you and Rish are guys, so it will help match the strengths," Maya sighed. She didn't understand why Alice always had to be glued to Alisha. She may have understood a bit, but not entirely. It was just tiring."It doesn't matter. I will run faster than Rish, so why can't I be paired with Alisha
"Maya, do you think it will be alright to teach her how to fight when she doesn't even have the wolf, and she's certainly just a human? Won't it be a bit more complex?" Elk asked as he entered the room where Maya was getting ready for today's lesson."I don't think it's the best thing, but whatever the case, there's no way she's safe. Since she's not safe, I don't think we should push her training any further. The attack was fatal; didn't you see the extent of Alice's injuries?" Maya looked into Elk's eyes and replied with determination."True, but I am scared for all four of them. Even if Alice was in the Mafia, that doesn't mean he can bear the training of our people. Alisha, Levi, and Rish are beyond prepared to handle it," Elk reasoned.Maya took a deep breath, knowing Elk was right. Although Levi and Rish had spent their whole lives with her, she had never taught them how to fight, maybe just a little self-defence, but they had never undergone real training.Thinking about it, sh
Alisha nodded, taking in the information about Alice's involvement with the mafia. It explained his fighting skills and the air of danger that seemed to surround him. Despite her reservations about his character, she couldn't deny that his presence during the training would be a valuable asset."Well, if you're willing to join us, Alice, your experience and expertise will certainly be helpful," Maya said, trying to maintain a neutral tone. "As long as you're committed to learning and working together with the rest of us."Alice met her gaze, his eyes intense and unwavering. "I am fully committed, Maya.”Maya nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It's settled then. Alisha, Rish, Levi, and Alice will begin their training tomorrow morning. We'll meet in the training grounds at sunrise. Be prepared to work hard and push yourselves to your limits."Alice nodded his head, not quite sure why he had revealed his mafia connections and his involvement in the underworld. E
Alisha looked at Alice, who showed no expression. She could understand what Maya and everyone meant; she clearly needed to learn, but that didn't mean she was ready to learn fighting.She knew she had to protect herself, and Alice had saved her by putting his life at stake, so it was kind of useless if she would rely on him when they weren't even on good terms.Moreover, if she was certainly not ready to use Alice for curse-breaking, then how could she take his help in other things? It was quite nonsensical.She didn't know how to take it as a whole. On a higher scale, it was helpful, but on a lower scale, it was not.She was scared for her life, and that wasn't going to help in any way because the attack was meant for her, and seeing the situation, she could see how there would be more of them.She just couldn't pull it off or save herself if she didn't learn to fight, but she knew her body best, and she was kind of weak to learn things like this - that's why she found it so scary."
The next day."Did you pack your stuff? We are leaving for the pack in ten minutes," Maya asked as she entered the room, where Alice was sitting and Alisha was cleaning all his wounds."Everything is packed. I am just bandaging his wounds," Alisha answered without looking back."If you are done with his wounds, both of you should come outside. We have to leave as soon as possible. This place is not safe to stay, even for a single hour," Maya spoke as she walked away."Just do everything as we planned. You got me, right?" Alice's eyes were fixed on Alisha, seriousness showing on his face."Yes, we need to keep our eyes open for whatever happens next, and I will make sure I have my eyes on Elk too. He won't slip away," Alisha nodded her head.Alice stroked her hair, his heart aching for her. "I know, Alisha. It's hard, but we can't give up.”Alice's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle of who could be behind the attack. He knew Elk was a suspect in Alisha's eyes, but he could