Alisha:I was in so much pain.Sebastian’s green eyes gazed down at me with fervor. The cruelty written within them only served toPlease don’t hurt me anymore, I tried to beg him but my words couldn’t even leave my lips. It was like there was a hand placed over them, stifling my screams that I could only hear in my head. It was torture, the worst torture, to be unable to move, as Sebastian’s blows were rained down upon me. How much he would hurt me…I wished I would fall unconscious soon.Suddenly it felt like I was jerked upwards, and I found myself rushing to stand on my feet.The sun had risen, and I was awake.Yet even as the edges of the nightmare faded away, I still felt that pressure building up inside me like I was about to burst.I choked on my spit and promptly covered my mouth with my hand.Soon I was at her bathroom sink, coughing up whatever I could.When the pressure in my throat and stomach reduced, I panted heavily, rinsing my mouth.The knock on the door of the bedro
Derek:“Damn it,” I cursed as the dart hit the outer side of the board.We were in my study, safely ensconced having eaten dinner and with enough drinks available to fell a skilled sailor.“You lost,” Benjamin cackled. “Again. Drink up, Alpha.”I cursed endlessly at him and he only handed me the half-full whiskey bottle. I took a swig and sat down on the couch, feeling the alcohol burn down my throat through to my stomach. I sighed. That was mildly pleasant.“The goddess smiles down upon you this night,” I teased my best friend. “That’s why I’m losing so much.”“Yeah, yeah, tell yourself that, Derek,” Benjamin laughed at me. Seconds later he turned to me again. “Look at us, a bunch of bachelors just having the time of our lives. I mean, at least one of us is a bachelor proper right?”I paused.“Right,” I murmured to myself, taking another sip of the whiskey. “Could you not say anything about that so loudly? The walls have ears you know.”I didn’t want anyone asides from Benny to know
Alisha.“Sit down and have some lunch dear,” Simon gently said to me. I sighed, for what felt like the hundredth time since this morning, and obeyed silently.Unlike what I expected he had not, even once, regarded me with pity or judgement in his eyes since last night. Since that news…I picked at the salad he had painstakingly made for me, and tried to eat a little.It was hard to deny the anxiety I felt within me.Just the thought of carrying a child, this child I had within me… it filled me with dread and made my heart pound so loudly I could barely hear my own thoughts.“Are you feeling sick again? I can prescribe something for you to take,” Simon asked and I shook my head.“I just don’t feel much like eating I guess,” I mumbled under my breath. He nodded, staring thoughtfully at me.“Do you feel anxious? Or is it something else?”I didn’t answer. But somehow he seemed to read my mind.I had no idea what to do now that I was pregnant.I can’t even take care of myself, much less a
DerekThe meeting with the pack elders had been grueling, and even more so with the Beta Gerard by my side. I only managed to relax once the meeting ended and I had left the meeting hall safely.I was careful to not speak to him, but he couldn’t help himself from saying the last word.“Have a good day, Derek,” Gerard sounded like he was smiling behind me. I grit my teeth and ignored him, walking away in the direction of my home.It wasn’t worth losing my temper right then.The only thing I had to console myself with was that the meeting didn’t take as long as I had expected. The Pack Elders respected Gerard, and against my better judgement, I allowed him to accompany me on these meetings rather than face their constant stream of interrogations alone.The moment I set foot in my house that afternoon I noticed the floral scent that threatened to choke my nostrils.It was way too familiar and as soon as I caught a glimpse of her seated on the couch in the living room, I knew there was tr
AlishaIt was like a scene out of those drama filled books I had taken to reading during my spare time.I gaped at Derek, recognizing him instantly.Oh no.Before he could say anything else I turned and ran.How did this happen, I thought furiously.How did I manage to meet the very man I was going to avoid and stay away f to m?How did I manage to, on this bright summers day, bump into the father of my child?“Wait!” I heard a voice behind me and I pushed more energy behind my feet, propelling me to the doors of the pack clinic.Luckily it was a quiet day and there were no patients scheduled for any appointments today.I had hoped to get some clarity of mind when I went on the walk that Simon had suggested I do. But now it seemed like it had been a setup. A grand twist of fate from the great moon goddess herself.I slipped into the quiet clinic, my heart pounding.Within seconds the door opened and he came bounding in, his eyes that looked like molten gold a stormy expression.I quai
Sebastian“Oh yes! Alpha!”I growled as the girl continued to scream underneath my grasp. It was the most fucking annoying sound I had ever heard, but I wasn’t burying my length inside her for her acoustics.All she was to me was a willing slut to screw around with, and I was in the mood to find release.I continued in the pace I had set for myself. The pressure mounted, but not quite close for me to cum just yet. I growled out, frustrated. Gripping the girl’s ass with fervor, I bore down upon her, burying myself balls deep inside her. She let out a guttural moan, her walls clenching around my leaking manhood.Not enough.I withdrew my entire length out of her throbbing quim, and re-sheathed myself fully into her again.Raising my hand to toy with one of her tits, I twisted the nipple and heard her moan loudly at my touch.But all that the sound elicited out of me was a feeling of frustration like I had never felt before. I hated it.Why was finding my climax difficult, more than befo
DerekFuck, was a word that couldn’t even describe how I was feeling.I entered my home and ignored the guards bowing down at me. With long quick strides I made my way to my study, trying to keep a semblance of calm against the raging inferno I felt.She was here.Alisha had been in this pack all this while…The first thing that I did as soon as I entered the study and shut the door behind me was to go over to the bar, grab the whiskey bottle and take a big gulp straight from it. The alcohol burned going down but it paled still in comparison to the burning feeling in my chest.The mate bond that had been sleeping since I woke up that morning after the Silver Wolf Pack party, was alive and active.There were so many questions I wish I could have asked her in that clinic, but I had no reason to rush. Thinking about our encounter gave me the feeling that she was skittish, but for what reason?I don’t know how long that I had spent sitting there and taking swigs from the bottle of whiskey
AlishaI wasn’t in the mood to style my hair today so I put it up into a ponytail, sighing tiredly. My throat was raw from all the retching up spot in the morning and by the time I came down to eat breakfast, I felt the inside of it itch. The first thing that I did once ingot to the table was to drink the enticing glass of water that was at the table.“Good morning,” I heard Simon greet me with amusement. “You must be thirsty.”I nodded, clearing my throat before bashfully replying with, “Good morning Simon.”“How are you feeling?” There was concern as he gestured to the chair and had me sit down, before he sat across me. He looked more ready to work than I did, dressed as usual in his button down dress shirt and black slacks.“I’m okay, Simon… thank you.”We started to eat and I picked slowly at the food in front of me. There was a gorgeous spread of porridge oats, fruits and sausage and eggs. I ate my fill and enjoyed every bite.As the breakfast winded down I heard him say to me, “
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