Alisha:His barrage of questions and statements caused an uproar around us. I spotted Gerard’s reddened face as I looked around me. He was definitely furious, positively seething.“Alpha Derek,” another Elder’s voice rang clear like the crack of a whip, and silenced the others. He sounded angry. “I will implore you to not disparage the reputation of the Beta. He is not only a respected member of the pack, but a man with close ties to your late father. He would never act in such a way if he wasn’t duly concerned.”I gaped at the Elders that murmured in agreement to the statement.Did they not see it? Gerard’s malicious intent practically oozed from every pore of his!I pursed my lips and looked to the ground. I could hardly contain the anger that I felt.Was this all that Derek had to go through? The Elders clearly had more respect for Gerard than Derek. That was simply not done!I longed to come to hoss étende, to expose Gerard in front of everyone, but I knew that I myself would only
Lila:“That’s none of your business,” i shot back at Derek’s friend. I had hoped no one would come in time to see me confront this bitch. But my plans were foiled once again.I felt like screaming when Benjamin scoffed loudly at me, giving me a scornful look that seemed to say ‘You’re not even worth my time’.“Whether or not your words are none of my business remains to be said. But while I’m at it, for your sake and your father’s sake,” the flash of anger in his eyes was intimidating. “Don’t ever come near Alisha again. She’s the future Luna of this Pack, whether you like it or not.”I let out a growl and stepped forward, only to find a guard quickly move to my side, placing his hand around my arm.“Make sure she gets home safely,” Benjamin ordered the guard, who nodded and began to pull me away.I tried to struggle, whipping around to inflict an injury in the guard, and make him somehow loosen his grip. But he only held on tighter and more firmly.“Let me go!” I screamed at him, cas
Derek:After Alisha left, Gerard bowed shortly after and took his leave. Clearly he was upset, and I relished in his anger. It wasn’t everyday that I got one over the damned man.Regardless I kept a stoic face that didn’t betray my emotions and the meeting continued, with one of the Elders asking me, “What news have you heard of the Silver Moon Pack? There are rumors of their Alpha ordering them to attack our warriors.”I nodded grimly. The reports I had received from various warriors and patrol guards said similar things. Sebastian was acting odd. And his warriors were too as well.“I have not been able to pinpoint what could be causing this erratic behavior from the Silver Moon Pack,” I explained to the Elders.“Could it be that there’s an attack on our pack being planned?” Another of the Elders asked, causing a round of murmuring between the rest of the Elders. I kept my cool, knowing that the Elders were all worrying about another war.“I dont think it’s yet time to worry about th
Alisha:I was stunned to hear all those words from both Derek and Benjamin. Shivers wracked my body; I had not known I was in so much danger from that girl before, and now it was just dawning on me how lucky I had been that Benjamin arrived when he did.After Benjamin exchanged some more words and left, I was still silent. Only when Derek squeezed my hand did I look up at him. He had concern on his features, written plainly for me to see.“Alisha, what are you thinking of?” He asked me gently. “I hope our talk before didn’t scare you so much.”I smiled wanly at him, feeling my head swim with thoughts.“Not really,” I whispered to him. “I suppose I’m just a little bit thankful. If your friend hadn’t come then…”“Don’t think about such things, love,” he chastised me. “You shouldn’t stress yourself out. Leave everything to me. And never leave the house without your guards. Not even for a moment. Until I can take care of Gerard and Lila for good. Not just them too, they also have supporte
Alisha:Simon’s looked confused as he regarded me.“Whatever could you mean, Alisha?” He asked me. “What makes you so afraid? Is it Derek? Has he done something you don’t like?” He inquired, ever ready to defend me.But I grabbed his arm to stop him from whatever tirade he was going to fly into in my defense, and shook my head.“I’m afraid… because…” I paused, gazing around me, especially to the guards who were standing in the vicinity to protect me. “Could we perhaps..?”Simon got the drift and nodded.“Come,” he said to me, gently placing his arms around my back. “Let’s talk in my office.”I nodded, following him, and wondering if I was making the right decision. It was true that I had been unsettled since yesterday concerning Sebastian and the Silver Moon a pack. But surely, I couldn’t be right?It was hard not to have the feeling of dread anytime I thought about Sebastian or what might happen if Gerard and the Pack knew about me being a member of the Silver Moon Pack.Once we ente
Simon’s POV:A part of me would have thought that this was all a false story that Alisha had concocted. But I knew her very well. She was never so serious and afraid as she was now, and it was clear in the way her eyes were trained on me and the tension in her legs as if she wanted to bolt from the office.I let out a sigh, considering everything.Who would have thought that she had been through so much at such a young age. She was barely 20 now, and yet pain had been her companion.A part of me wished I could have taken her in when she was much younger. If by some date the goddess would have done that then she wouldn’t have had such a life.“Simon?” The trembling of her voice made me look up at her. Her blue eyes shone brightly with unshed tears. “Please say something.What could he do! What could he say to such a story?I had no idea, but I could tell that there was a desire to be reassured in this child’s eyes, in her countenance, and I longed to fulfill that. Just once I wanted to
Alisha’s POV:“No!” I screamed, choked up as I painted. The echoes of the dream still remained etched in my mind.I fled my bedroom, silently, only wearing my nightgown and a robe. Do I go to Derek, I wondered briefly before automatically discarding the thought. If I saw him he would ask details of my dream. I couldn’t tell him that I had fears of Sebastian coming to kill me or worse…Walking down the hallway silently, my thoughts enveloped me. I stopped in front of a portrait of an old man.‘Magnus, 11th Alpha of the Red Wolf Pack’ the portrait was titled.I reached my hand out to touch it, feeling as if it were a dream. Feeling the canvas on my fingers made me realize that one day, Derek and I might have our portraits painted like this one day.Well… at least Derek would, I thought to myself.The nightmare still stayed at the back of my mind, pulling me into despair.It was a representation of my very real fears. How was I going to be able to tell Derek about my past? How would I te
Lila’s POV:I grit my teeth as the bitch approached me, looking confrontational. I didn’t expect things to go like this, that was definitely true.Samantha, who was beside me, didn’t say anything, but I could tell she was tense and confused by it all. She was a mindless girl I could use, however I wanted. If anything happened, I would make sure she’d be the one to take the heat.All I could feel was fury as the pregnant broad stared at me, clearly waiting for me to respond. But I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction. If she thought she could get one over on me, then she had another thing coming.“What are you talking about?” I sneered at her. “Who the hell do you think you are?”“I don’t care who you think I am,” she sighed, looking exasperated. “All that is childish talk, so I have no time for that.”Her words stuck me as insulting and I took a step towards her letting out a snarl.“Repeat that,” I demanded. “You want to talk about insulting? Everything about you is insulting to
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