Derek I led the object of my ire and frustration to the guest bedroom not far from my mother’s room. She was here to take care of her after all - therefore she shouldn’t be staying too far. “Clean up the room for her,”I ordered the maid which was nearby, and the maid bowed. Then I turned around and walked off, not wanting to say any more words to Alisha. Just having her near me caused me a strange sort of feeli mg that I didn’t like. I hated it; hated being near her. With a sigh I entered my study and shut the door firmly behind me.I had work to do - work I had been avoiding since I barely stayed at home yesterday. Not as well get it done now. I worked through the paperwork all through the rest of the morning.And in each second I tried to focus through the work, there would be the image of her face, of her eyes and beautiful figure.It was only when a knock came on the door that I raised my head, my thoughts full of conflicting and turbulent emotions. “Enter,” I ordered, and
AlishaThe warmth of the sun’s rays peeking in through the white curtains combined with the comfortable, soft sheets on the bed that felt like heaven on my skin, only served to drag me deeper into the arms of Morpheus.I closed my eyes, breathing in and out with ease, my hand over my baby bump.That was until the sharp knocks on the door.I sat up, just as the door opened.My eyes were wide with shock at Derek’s intimidating form storming in and shutting the door firmly behind him.He looked angry, my mind supplied. My anxiousness only intensified.“What right have you?” He snarled at me as I slowly got up from the bed, feeling disoriented.“What..?” I asked him only to be immediately put on alarm as I found myself roughly yanked from where I stood and my back pressed to the wall. “Derek!”“Do not call me by my name! I am your Alpha and you will address me as such, or else!” The promise of punishment made me shut my mouth with a click, even as tears welled in my eyes.He gazed down at
AlishaI shifted, keeping my eyes closed and trying to fall asleep.Yet…I grunted, shifting again. It was uncomfortable sleeping in so many positions these days. The book that Simon had given me from his library had mentioned something like that, but I didn’t expect it to come so soon.I sat up finally, frustrated and tired.I was thirsty.Just when I was close to sleeping.The ground was cold as my feet padded down from the bedside to the door of the room.I’d just go to the kitchen and take a sip of water, I reasoned.The nightgown I wore was a pastel blue cotton one which I assumed belonged previously to Simon’s mate. He had been kind enough to drop off some things for me this afternoon, but I’d have to return to the clinic tomorrow. Work awaited, and I still didn’t feel as comfortable here as much as I did at the clinic.Derek being the main reason why I wasn’t comfortable in the first place. I sighed to myself; I had to try and forget about him. Giving him space would make thing
DerekI couldn’t, for the life of me, fall asleep.Instead I was left pacing the hallway in quiet footfalls, trying to get my mind settled.And it was all because of her.A sigh tinged with frustration left my lips as I turned around at the end of the hallway and began another lap of pacing.Damn her.Damn this.Even my own mother had turned against me.I had spent most of the past two days outside to prevent myself from even running into Alisha or taking in that scent of hers in my home. I had been forced to this by my mother and her.But I was done. I was done playing this game.Why couldn’t she see that I wasn’t interested in accepting our mate bond? I hadn’t once lied to her about it! I had even been kind! Yet she dared to blindside me and make me the villain.Well I was done.If she was going to make my life hell, then I could always do the same.I turned and entered my study, a plan forming in my mind.…It was just barely 4am, when I entered Alisha’s bedroom.She had forgotten
DerekThe doctor arrived about an hour later, to find that his ward was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t care, though, and stayed silent as Melissa and Simon talked about her.She looked much better, I thought, seeing how she looked happier and full of life in the past two days than the previous week. Perhaps this rest had done her some good.“Alisha must be very tired,” my mother remarked to the doctor who nodded. “The maid only saw her later this morning and she looked exhausted. So I think we should let her rest.”“I’ll check on her later,” Doctor Simon commented but I cut in.“Actually she is on an errand,” I stated. “And it will be long before she returns.”The doctor and my mother looked aghast at my statement, much like I expected. They treated her like she was made of glass, I thought angrily.“But she needs some rest! Derek, why did you do that? The poor girl must be so tired,” my mother declared.“There was work that needed to be done and she was available,” I shrugged, not in t
Alisha’s POVIt was dark, and I was in the water, swimming endlessly. Everywhere was dark and cold and I felt lost.Where was I?I heard a sound and turned to see two lights. Suddenly it became clear.I was in a dream and I had to wake up.Putting all energy behind my strokes, I swam towards those two lights. The cold began to thaw and I felt warmth envelope me.Mother, the lights called me.My children. Not one, but two.I had to wake up for my children.I reached towards the warm lights, which seemed so far away. But then, it was all around me in a flash, and I was blinded by the magnificence of its glow.I was safe.I opened my eyes, my vision blurred for a few seconds, and found myself looking up at a familiar ceiling.The scent of cleaning fluids and home made me realize where I was.The pack clinic.I sat up slowly, looking around in wonder. The sunlight peeked through the curtains. How long had I been asleep?Looking down at myself, I found I was still in the clothes I had worn
DerekIt was eating me up inside.How could I have known? How had I not been present of mind to see the signs? Was it my anger or the pain of being thrust into a mate bond out of my control? Regardless of what it was, I had to get her back by all means.“I don’t know what to do,” i sighed, full of frustration. Benjamin sat beside me, having listened to my story in silence. “I really fucked up this time, Benny.”“That you did,” he nodded, sipping a little of the whiskey from the crystal tumbler he was holding. We were in my study, and the sun was high up in the sky. “But this was really a surprise. You’re going to be a father, Derek.” He let out a breath, shaking his head. “I’m not sure if there’s a way to undo what’s already been done.”I shook my head. I wasn’t willing to accept that. That Alisha was not going to come back to me… now I had full realization of what I had done, the thought was torture.“There has to be a way,” i growled out, clenching the crystal tumbler I held tightly
AlishaI groaned as I sat down. My feet were killing me; I had been moving about attending to patients since morning.Given that there were a lot of paediatrics cases of flu in the pack this week, it was bound to be a busy time for the foreseeable future.Still I didn’t expect to be on my feet for practically all morning and afternoon.Thank goddess the last patient had been seen off.“You okay?” I turned as I heard Simon exit his office, and I gave him a wan smile.“I’m fine, Simon,” I said to him. “You look super exhausted yourself.”“Ah, I’m used to it,” he responded just as he grabbed a pitcher of water and poured sole into a glass to drink. “It’s nearly time for dinner. What do you say to-““Alisha.”I stiffened, looking over my shoulder to see Derek standing there. What was he doing here?Just seeing him brought back the feeling of unease and anxiousness into me. It had been over two days now since I left his home, just like he wanted. I had no intentions of disturbing his life
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