Derek:“Damn it,” I cursed as the Benjamin finished stamping in the dirt to flatten the ground. “I hate doing this.”“What part of it do you hate?” He grunted, looking exhausted. “Finding the spies or having to take care of them afterward?”I didn’t respond; every part of this was a hated thing.I hated having grown used to the idea of looking over my back for anyone that would be watching. I hated that Gerard was like a problem that had no end. Like the head of a hydra, cutting down one of his spies only led to two more taking their place.We made our way out of the forest and back towards the main compound after a few more minutes, covering our tracks on the forest floor and making sure no scent of blood was on our body.“I’m sure that Gerard would soon start suspecting something, if he doesn’t already, that is,” I spoke up as we made our way back.Benjamin hummed, combing his fingers through his hair.“It may get harder to hide Alisha as time goes on,” he finally said. “But for now
Derek:The way to the pack meeting hall was quiet and I was able to mentally prepare myself for whatever would face me this meeting.The guards bowed deeply to me as I walked through the open French style doors, and when I saw Gerard there as well as the pack elders gazing with disapproval in their eyes, I knew something was up.I stood at the topmost part of the elevated podium facing them and spoke, “Pack Elders. I greet you all. For what reason have you summoned me for?”One of the Pack elders stood and began to speak, “Alpha Derek. You must know the reason we have summoned you. Why have you waited for so long before coming to report to us of the new members of the pack? Why would you think to accept rogues who were one of the strongest ones in the region, into our pack like it was nothing? And why would you make this decision on your own without even bothering to discuss it with us? What do you take us for?!”I noticed Gerard smirking to himself. It was clear to me that the damned
Alisha:Ares and Aria were playing on the carpet under mine and Melissa’s watch.“So, I really am sorry for everything I said. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I finished. I felt bad truly; I never wanted her to get hurt because of my anger. I had lashed out and it wasn’t right.As I tendered the apology to her, she was silent. And when she finally spoke her words were full of relief.She finally spoke, “I’m glad you’re not so upset with me. I didn’t mean to dredge up the past like that. I suppose…” she clasped her hands together, wringing them. “I just didn’t want you both to be unhappy. I know it’s a selfish thing but… I know now that it’s best to stand aside. I don’t want to cause any more problems between the two of you.”As she finished, I noticed Ares stand and walk up to Melissa with a toy in his hand. I smiled as he handed her the toy. It was clear by the way that Melissa’s face lit up that she was pleasantly surprised.“For you,” he said in his soft, adorable voices and then ran
Alisha:I was tense, trying not to let my nerves show.The Beta of the Red Wolf Pack looked confused at seeing hs there, but he didn’t seem to notice me as his eyes brushed over everyone. I ducked my head and busied myself with something, feigning so his eyes wouldn’t catch mine.Finally Simon spoke, to my relief.“Gerard,” he didn’t sound very pleased. “I was attending to a patient.”“I can see that,” the Beta sneered in that sibilant hiss of his that showed he was pleased. “You must be the rogues I heard about. Coming to take up space in our pack now, aren’t you?”I bristled, as did everyone, but I held myself back in the silence. No need to start trouble now when my identity was meant to be hidden. I could see the urge to say something in Mark’s and Mischa’s expression as well but they also knew the situation.Simon was good at redirection, for he let out a small cough and then gestured out the door.“Come, let’s talk in my office,” he said gruffly to the Beta who nodded and walked
Melissa looked absolutely weary as she took my hand in hers. Her warmth seeped into mine and I don’t know why but it made me relax a lot more.“You see,” she sighed. “Simon… he was always there for me. He was Pack Doctor even when… the former Alpha, was still alive. He saw how I was treated by them. He was the one who healed my wounds, who would be called on in the middle of the night when Marcus got a little too heated. He was sworn into secrecy. But he never liked it. He always encouraged me to stand up for myself even then. and because of that, Gerard always considered him… well…”I was beginning to understand even more now. Simon was seen as against Gerard for a long time since he never liked the way that the previous Alpha treated Melissa.I wondered briefly if that might have carried over into the reasons Simon protected me even more when he took me in. But I brushed those thoughts aside, and instead focused on Melissa’s words. She had begun to speak again.“He would always find
DerekI got up early in the morning, just before dawn, like clockwork. My body worked on autopilot as I stretched, before picking out a black t-shirt and sweatpants, putting them on so I could go for my morning run.The chill of the air was colder than before. And it reminded me that autumn had fully set in. Though many of the trees of the forest were evergreen, there were still piles of fallen leaves on the forest floor that crunched every time I stepped on it. It was a fun challenge every time this season came around, to build my stealth during my runs.And just like every other time I went for a run I couldn’t help my thoughts going to Alisha, and our children. It had only been about a week since she returned, but I was getting so impatient to have her in my arms again.She had filled out well in the last two years. Her hips were rounder, her breasts fuller. Her face had more defined cheekbones, and her skin flowed. She had also gotten an inch or so taller.Yet her eyes were colder
DerekThere was a look that her face had when I said that, and she didn’t look pleased.“You can feed them like this, right?“ I asked her, feeling a tad awkward. How did one handle having his mate coldly looking at him like this?Finally she let out a grunt and reached for a small stool, placing it before me and sitting on it.She began to feed the twins, barely looking at me.However I didn’t mind at all. Just being there, having her warmth close to me, and holding my children as she fed them. It was the closest to a perfect day I ever had.I would make sure I had more perfect todays like this in times to come.When she was done, she reached for a small cup filled with water and handed it to me.“Let them have it,” Alisha instructed, glaring as I reached to take the water from her. Our fingers brushed and she immediately snatched her hand away.After Ares and Aria drank their water, i noticed they had begun to yawn. Their weights became heavier as they rested their bodies on mine. I a
SebastianI let the crying girl collapse on the carpet after I rode my orgasm out, and stood up to my full height. Finally I had released some of that pent up energy.It was becoming harder to deal with the girls my men brought me, but at least they were use for something.I entered the shower, turning the water to the coldest possible. Each of my actions were on autopilot, and I finished toweling off and left the bathroom just as the sun began to rise.I put on my pants and a cotton t-shirt before staring at the lump on the carpet. She was still not awake.Or was she unconscious? I didn’t care.“Guard!” I called, and within a second, the door of my bedroom opened and the guard walked in, bowing to me. Without giving him a glance, I ordered, “Send this chit away. I don’t want to lay my eyes on her. And i will not be disturbed.”“Yes Alpha,” the guard took my commands and quickly moved to pick up the girl from the floor where I had left her.As he left, a yawn took over and I covered m
EPILOGUE IIIALISHATWENTY YEARS LATER“Mmm,” I grunted as I sat up, my back hurting after using Derek’s body as a pillow.He had woken up early and left the bed, I remembered, after giving me a kiss as usual.I shouldn’t have drank so much.We were all getting on in years now, and though I had clocked forty-one last night, I still had a long life ahead of me.I smiled to myself as I remembered the way Misch, Benjamin, Hilda, mark and Derek had coerced me to take not one, not two, but THREE whiskey shots.Damn them all for being able to hold their liquor while I, barely used to drinking even at my age, had NOT.“So damn unfair,” I muttered under my breath, and thought briefly about postponing the training session I had with Mischa, Markson and Erika.The two children had grown up so fast, and were already 19 and 20 respectively, already becoming accomplished warriors at their age.Erika was much like her mother, a consummate warrior. I smirked as I remembered the way that Mischa and I
EPILOGUE IIHilda:I opened the windows of the kitchen to let in the fresh air, and enjoyed the beautiful scents of spring. My nose in the air, I sniffed, and ended up my twitching a little.I had grown sensitive to the scent of pollen around the air ever since I had given birth to Alis, my lovely daughter.She was five now, and a delightful little one to have. I began with the task of preparing lunch, as breakfast had long passed. The children would be coming over today and I also needed to go out to get some herbs and meats for dinner and breakfast tomorrow.Somehow, my role in the Red Wolf pack had settled into becoming a part-time assistant for Doctor Simon, who was soon retiring, and handling the children. Meaning, Alisha’s and the Alpha’s four children, Mischa’s and the Beta’s daughter, and mine.That was often a lot to handle, but I many ways I enjoyed it. I loved having children around me and hearing the sounds of their laughter. It reminded me of my own voice which had been s
EPILOGUE IDerek:“…And they all lived happily ever after,” Alisha finished, smiling at the dozing faces of our twins.Finally, I thought with a light chuckle. Some peace and quiet.The head of my son killed on my chest and I gently carried him out of his sister’s bed, and took him over to his own bed.Meanwhile Alisha strengthened, and I heard her take a deep breath.Her abdomen had rounded delightfully, growing our baby in her.Her due date was soon, according to Simon the last time he checked over her. And each day I prayed I wouldn’t have anything that would take me out of the pack long term, because I didn’t under any circumstances, want to be out of the pack when she gave birth. I had missed the birth of my older two children due to my own foolish mistakes, I didn’t want to miss this next one at all.“What are you thinking about?” Alisha asked me, as though she could read my mind.I smiled at her, knowing the best way to rile her up.“Our bet,” I replied with, and felt y grasped
Alisha:I opened my eyes to the sound of birds chirping. The sheets were warm underneath my body and I felt peace within me.There was finally a conclusion, I thought, to the pain and suffering, the hiding and secrecy that had been occurring for ages now.Now I could calmly walk down the streets of our pack with my twins in hand and not fear that Gerard would show up. I could embrace my relationship with Derek fully without needing to second guess myself.Sebastian was Gone.And Gerard, was Gone.Everything was well.“Hello, love,” i felt an arm I knew to be Derek’s worm its way around my waist and I smiled at the contact.It had been several days since I moved back into his home- now OUR home, and I had never felt more complete in my life.“Good morning,” I murmured to my mate, feeling his lips on the back of my neck. I turned my head and met his lips with mine, and I close my eyes as my body felt alive, wrapped up in his.“What are you thinking of?” He asked me as our lips parted an
Benjamin:“Oh goddess,” Mischa’s sigh made me smile. “That was some workout.”We lay side by side facing each other in the dark, sweat sheen over our naked bodies.“I’m glad you feel that way,” I chuckled at my mate’s words, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her closer.The scent of her hair drove me crazy, and I wondered like so many times before what kind of oil she used on it. She was always taking care of her curls with expert ease.Only the bathroom light was on in the entire house, leaving a trail of light towards our bedroom, and I enjoyed the sounds of silence, thinking about how the day had gone so quickly with all the happenings. I was glad that finally, Gerard was condemned for execution, and Sebastian, the thorn in our sides that had troubles us so much, had eventually been taken out.“Things are going to go smoothly from here on out,” Misch murmured and I marveled silently at how we always seemed to think the same thing. Almost like we knew each other since we were
Derek:I turned to glance at the Silver Moon Pack warriors who watched me and Sebastian as their Alpha lay curses on them.In their eyes I saw defiance and weariness, and I smirked inwardly.“Do you think they would come to your aid now that you’ve finally been taken off their hands?” I sniggered at Sebastian, who flared up at me. It wasn’t very much effective as he probably hoped it would be, for his eyes were swollen form the best down I had given him.“YOU ARE ALL TRAITORS!” Sebastian was livid, baring his teeth maniacally at his men. “I will KILL YOU ALL!”“Not if I have anything to say about it.”Kaiden’s voice reached me and I smiled. So the Beta did arrive.Sebastian’s face upon hearing Kaiden’s voice was nothing compared to his expression when his Beta entered the scene with the rest of their pack’s men.“You!” Sebastian spat in Kaiden’s direction, and the Beta only regarded Sebastian with indifference. “What the duck are you doing here? Disobeying my orders?!”“Your orders me
Alisha:Sebastian’s declaration made me want to retch hi whatever was left in my stomach since last night’s dinner.Well, he hasn’t changed one bit I thought. He was every bit as reprehensible as I remembered. The sense of entitlement he still had over me made me furious as well.However I was content to let Derek fight this battle for the both of us. Talking with him would only give me a headache.“Is that so?” Derek said, a calm look on his handsome features. “I had no idea you can still lay claims on someone who has absolutely nothing to do with you. And your threats, Sebastian, are nothing more than words to me. You know you will never win against me.”That served to drive Sebastian more into unbridled rage and frustration.“Alisha is mine!” He growled.Derek took a step forward, and I saw the tension in his jawline and neck as he all but spat out, “She was NEVER yours! She is MY mate, and mine alone! You made that very clear with the way you treated her when you had the chance! A
Derek:The trial had filled me with pain and guilt from the get go. Knowing that my mother had to reveal her past with my father brought me no measure of relief.But thanks to her and Alisha,The door suddenly opened and a guard rushed inside, panting as though he had run a full mile.“What is this?!” The Elders were incensed upon the trial’s interruption.“Silver Moon Pack warriors are out our gates!” The guard blurted out in such a loud voice.Immediately I went rigid. Alarm filled my body and I looked to Alisha who met my eyes at the same time.Sebastian was at our door. And that news brought a chaos that shattered the peace of the meeting hall.I could see the Pack Elders themselves had begun to lose their heads and it made me grit my teeth in frustration.“Everyone please be calm,” Alisha’s voice was like a steady lighthouse in the storm. “Now isn’t the time to panic. We can’t let this distract us. I believe we have to move against Sebastian at once. But Gerard must be put behind
Alisha:I looked to the Elders, all of whom were shocked into silence at Melissa’s confession.“Things got so bad, that I had been unable to have another child. Or rather, I couldn’t carry the pregnancies to term. That was because, due to many of Marcus’ actions, I would end up having a miscarriage before long. There were several times…” she swallowed heavily. “That I had to deal with those losses without any support.“Hearing that shocked me to my core; she had never told me this before! Turning to glance at Derek, I saw pain on his face, and knew he hadn’t heard of this either.How badly he must feel, I thought, to see his mother this way.Every part of me longed to comfort them, but I knew I couldn’t put a stop to this trial just yet.Melissa took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing. “That night Marcus died, was another of his worse nights. Derek stopped him, and Marcus tried to attack him. No… he tried to KILL his own son. And Derek had no choice but to defend himse