The air in the conference room crackled with tension, thick and suffocating.My father, the King, sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of barely contained fury. Alpha Abel, his eyes burning with a rage, leaned forward, his hands clenched into fists on the polished wood. The young woman beside him, her face pale, shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the collective gaze, while the man stayed unfazed.Alessandro, Zane, and Natali sat beside me, their aura was not very friendly.“Clyde,” the King began, his voice low and dangerous, a growl rumbling in his throat. “Where is Joanna? She was supposed to be at Woodland, preparing for the mating ceremony with the Alpha.”His words were like a physical blow, a reminder of what I had lost, of the future that had been snatched away from me. I met the Alpha’s gaze, my own anger flaring, a desperate need to deflect the pain that threatened to consume me.“Joanna is not here because she chose not to be,” I replied, betraying none of th
Jace’s attention, usually laser-focused on the intricacies of courtly matters, kept straying to the woman beside Alpha Abel.The green-eyed beauty had captured his attention weeks ago during a clandestine visit to Woodland with Clyde. He remembered the precise moment he’d first seen her, she was issuing instructions to Abel regarding the summons of the Council.The memory of her quiet authority, the subtle power she wielded, had lingered, an unexpected and persistent pull. It wasn't just physical attraction, though she was undeniably stunning. It was something deeper, a fascination with her composure, her intelligence, the secrets he sensed hidden beneath her calm exterior. It was, he admitted to himself, love at first sight.Even now, seated beside her Alpha, her quiet grace, the understated confidence in her movements, held him captive. He watched her from across the room. Now, seeing her again, the memory was even more vivid, a fierce, unexpected attraction pulsing through him, a d
In Jace’s apartment, Elena was fast asleep, her breathing soft and even, the exhaustion of a thoroughly satisfying day evident in her relaxed posture.Jace, propped on his elbow, observed her for a while, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The last hours had been breathtaking, a whirlwind of passion and intimacy. Once he had initiated her in the game of lovemaking, Elena had transformed, her initial shyness melting away to reveal a fiery, demanding lover, eager for his touch, pleading for more. And he, ever the indulgent partner, had willingly satisfied her desires in every imaginable way, exploring the depths of their passion until they collapsed back onto the bed, utterly exhausted, sated, and content.Jace reached out to Alessandro in the mind link, a pang of guilt tugged at his heartstrings. He knew his absence, especially at a time when Clyde needed him most, seemed selfish and irresponsible.‘Alessandro,’ he began with a hint of apology. ‘I need you to cover for me at Clyde
On the deck of the luxurious yacht, Joanna, Alira, and Carlo reveled in the sun-drenched tranquility of their secluded island getaway.Laughter, light and carefree, echoed across the turquoise water as they playfully chatted with each other, a welcome, albeit temporary, escape from the unease that gnawed at Joanna. The warm Caribbean sun kissed her skin, and a gentle breeze rustled through her hair, yet her thoughts remained tethered to Clyde, a constant ache in her heart.Alira and Carlo, still radiant from their recent honeymoon, were locked in each other's embrace, their joy infectious. They were a picture of contentment, their love palpable, a bittersweet reminder of what Joanna longed for. She watched them, a wistful smile playing on her lips, imagining herself in Alira’s place, Clyde’s arms around her, their laughter mingling with the sound of the waves.But the idyllic surroundings couldn’t mask the underlying anxiety that plagued Joanna. She turned to Mariam, who was lying nea
Alpha Abel’s Point of ViewGoddess! I don’t trust that Crown Prince one bit. He’s hiding Joanna, keeping her from me, dangling her just out of reach like some cruel game.As this thought festered, a venomous poison seeped into my veins, fueling a burning rage that threatened to consume me. I needed answers, and I needed them now.I summoned Kenrick, my Head Warrior, barely containing my impatience.“Kenrick,” I growled. “Why isn’t Elena here? Where has she gone?”Kenrick’s face was carefully neutral, his eyes guarded, betraying nothing.“Elena, Alpha?” he replied, feigning confusion, his voice smooth, way too smooth.“My private Secretary, Kenrick. Where is she?” I leaned forward, my gaze piercing his, daring him to lie.A smirk, barely perceptible, tugged at Kenrick’s lips.“Ah, that Elena. Well, she’s gone, Alpha. She just left. The last time I saw her, she was with the Crown Prince’s Secretary, Jace. They left the conference room together. Seemed quite close.”My blood ran cold, a
Alpha Abel’s Point of View stillSybille leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a smirk dancing on her lips, utterly unconcerned by my barely contained fury.“You think your yelling can intimidate me, Abel?” she countered with condescension, a silken thread of mockery woven through her tone. She stared back at me, unfazed, her eyes glittering with amusement and defiance. This was all a carefully orchestrated performance, and I was growing increasingly tired of playing along.Long forgotten memories, buried deep beneath layers of pride and denial, flooded my mind, resurfacing with a vengeance, unwelcome and intrusive. Over a year ago, I had indulged Sybille, treated her well, even as I knew she wasn’t my fated mate. I’d acted like I cared, feigning affection, all for the benefit of the pleasure she offered, the convenience she represented. But eventually, I had to let her go. Her demands were too much, she aspired to own me, and I wasn’t having any of that.And now she was back!Back t
“Abel, let’s focus on how we can move forward,” Elder Nicolas’s voice cut through the tense silence. “We can’t ignore Sybille’s position, the influence she wields, the power she holds within our species.”“And we can’t ignore the chaos she brings,” I countered, fury bubbling beneath the surface, threatening to erupt like a volcano.Sybille leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, her words laced with venomous sweetness, a calculated attempt to manipulate me. “Isn’t it funny, Abel? You’re so focused on the past, on your precious human, while I offer you a chance for strength, for power, for a future you can control. I won’t betray you. I’ll elevate you, make you stronger than you ever imagined. You need a strong Luna by your side, not a weak, human one.”I shook my head, wrestling with the conflict within me, the agonizing pull between my burning desire for Joanna and the pragmatic reality of the situation. Sybille was right about one thing, Joanna was human, vulnerable, a poten
In the weeks that followed, the reports I received from my intelligence unit were utterly disappointing, leading to nothing, a frustrating dead end.No trace of Joanna was found near the Kingdom, no whisper of her whereabouts, no clue to her disappearance. There were notes of the Crown Prince becoming a ghost of his former self, gaunt and depressed, a shadow of the powerful Lycan he was. The monarch was buzzing with rumors, speculation running rampant, since the Royals had never released an official statement about the matter, their silence fueling the gossip mill. And since Joanna had never been formally introduced to the werewolf community, the King was undoubtedly trying to save face, to control the damage from this entire, messy episode.The Prince had kept his mate a secret, failed to formally announce their engagement.He hadn’t even had the chance to reveal his true nature to Joanna, their wedding night was stolen from them by my actions. So, consequently, the Royals were in a
Twenty years later... "Come on, Clyde, the boys could arrive at any moment. Why are you dawdling today?"Queen Joanna expressed her irritation at her mate's sluggishness, who seemed in no rush to welcome their sons.The Princes had spent two years in Latin America, undergoing rigorous training alongside the sons of Joyce, Alira, Alia, Elena, and Janice. The younger generation had received basic combat and strategy training, a biannual rite of passage overseen by the Council, while the older ones immersed themselves in advanced studies of logistics, business, and management. Among them was Crown Prince Joachim-Georg, his return eagerly awaited. His triplet sisters, however, remained in the Kingdom, much to their displeasure.The eldest, Princess Ciciane Taylor Mariam, had made such a fuss that Clyde had no choice but to allow her to take martial arts training under Chief Warrior Rubio. This girl was a true rebel, known in many packs as the "warrior Princess of trouble."However, she w
As if he had been waiting for this precise cue for an eternity, Xin surfaced, taking over from his human.Clyde's head took on a shape as if carved from wood, the golden fur shimmering as it manifested on his face. Possessively, he cradled Joanna’s face in his hands, lifting it toward him and kissing every inch of it, a fervent declaration of his love.Caught off guard by the strong, untamed power that enveloped her, Era stiffened, her senses reeling. She closed her eyes, savoring the intoxicating rush flowing through her, a wave of pure, unadulterated energy.“No need to panic, love,” Xin whispered to her, his voice a soothing balm against her surging anxiety. “I have never given you reason to doubt me. What is this?” Era leaned against his chest, surrendering to his silent, persuasive power, her resistance melting away like snow in the summer sun.“Joanna is insecure,” she confided in a low murmur, a confession whispered on the edge of a sigh. “She fears that a fated mate might sudd
As they stood before the grand, imposing doors of the Palace, Butler Clark came before them, his presence as steady as the ancient stones of the building itself.Clark was the same age as Alpha Maceo, but unlike the Alpha, who retained a youthful vigor, the signs of aging were etched deeply into the butler's face, revealing his years of service and loyal duty. Moreover, the butler was not as athletically built, nor did he move with the same fluid grace as Maceo.“Alpha, are you here to speak with the King?” he asked the visitor icy calm, his tone devoid of any warmth. “Please, follow me, the family is on the back terrace, enjoying a moment of respite now that Queen Joanna needs her strength.”Before the Alpha could offer a reply, Clark turned on his heel, clearly expecting the pair to follow him without question.The Alpha and his granddaughter exchanged a surprised glance, before stepping into the grand foyer. They walked through a long, winding corridor, passing a bustling, fragrant
"What did you say?" Alpha Maceo of the Falcon Crest pack thundered, his voice reverberating through the sterile confines of the Royal doctor's office. "Man, run the tests again! This… this cannot be true!"His face, normally a picture of composure and quiet strength, was now flushed crimson, a mask of disbelief and rising fury. He glared at Doctor Andrew, who sat calmly across the polished mahogany desk, his expression carefully neutral. Andrew held out the thin sheets of paper with the results.He read the conclusions aloud, his voice steady, each word a hammer blow to Maceo's bewildered mind, shattering the carefully constructed facade of his reality."Alpha, these are simple English words, and I assure you, I read them correctly," Doctor Andrew sighed, his eyes reflecting a quiet understanding of the turmoil raging within the older man. "And I assure you, I have run these tests five times. I could hardly believe it myself. But your wolf knows the truth. During the collaboration to
Nervously Sybille stepped into her new mate's apartment.Even though they had spent hours together in the vehicle returning to the pack, he had barely spoken to her. Kenrick had worked on his iPad the entire trip. He checked news channels reporting on events in the Kingdom and Woodland. He was meticulous, his brow furrowed in concentration.His phone also constantly buzzed and vibrated.His colleagues worldwide wanted his personal account of the events surrounding Alpha Abel and the Royals. He answered them with clipped, precise words, his voice a low rumble.Although he always treated her respectfully, she could clearly feel his underlying power.Kenrick was definitely Alpha material. His dominance and confidence radiated from him. The intense look in his eyes demanded obedience. His strong grip on her hand, when he did touch her, revealed his inner strength.Sybille knew she should not underestimate him.She had not interacted much with him before. Her attention was constantly focus
In Woodland, a convoy of vehicles, somber and silent, rolled to a halt before the imposing, massive gates.Three vehicles peeled away from the main group, one of them a hearse carrying the body of the fallen Alpha Abel. A lone warrior approached the lead vehicle, where Kenrick sat in the back with Sybille.As the guard drew closer, he inhaled deeply, his senses sharp, and his eyes widened in shock."Alpha Kenrick," he stammered, disbelief thick in his voice. "We received no word of your arrival. We knew Alpha Abel was defeated since the pack link with him was severed, but the circumstances were shrouded in rumors."The warrior sprinted back towards the gates and pressed a button.The heavy gates began to slide open, granting the cars access to the pack lands. He sent an alert through the mind link, informing the pack of Kenrick's sudden arrival.A flurry of activity erupted within the packhouse.There was no time for formal celebrations or to prepare a grand welcome. Everyone rushed t
“Clyde,” Joanna murmured weak as she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his.The Crown Prince, his face carved in relief and overflowing with joy, kissed her all over her face as his heart is overflowing with gratitude. The past few minutes had been a terrifying ordeal for the entire family, a roller coaster of emotions that had left them breathless.“Yes, I’m here with you,” Clyde beamed emotionally. “You scared the hell out of me, my love. What would become of me without you by my side? If you ever decide to leave, don’t forget to take me with you, this life is nothing without you.”Joanna smiled, her eyes filled with a deep, unwavering love.With difficulty, she lifted her hand to stroke his face, her touch feather-light, her eyes shining with an affection that transcended words.“Will you mark me now? Make me your legal wife and my werewolf mate?”The Crown Prince laughed, a sound of pure, unadulterated relief, and pulled her tightly against him, his tears glistening in the
Crown Prince Clyde stood at the head of the large Council Board table, his posture rigid as the hall began to fill with spectators, their eyes eager and whispers buzzing with anticipation.Everyone was curious about the recent, chaotic events, and it was crucial to provide clear explanations, to dispel the confusion that hung heavily in the air. Once everyone had taken their seats and the Royals stood at some distance in front of him, Clyde addressed the attendees, his voice resonating with a solemn gravity.“As you all know, my wife, Joanna, was the fated mate of Alpha Abel,” he stated the obvious. “With his death, the bond was broken, not only with the marked mate but also with my wife. But Joanna is human, and she carries my twin pups, which adds an immense burden to her already fragile state.”He paused, letting his words sink in, as he heard gasps of shock ripple through the room.Some whispered among themselves, their voices laced with accusation, blaming him for what had happen
"Jace, I can’t bear to lose her," the Crown Prince softly growled with anguish, as he leaned heavily against the cold, sterile wall outside the ward where Joanna was being examined.His knuckles were white, his body trembling with suppressed terror."What could have caused all this? Was it the breaking of the bond with Alpha Abel?""I believe so. Sybille went through the same experience, but her Lycan helped her through it," the Secretary replied gravely. "Joanna is only half-transformed, and her wolf is still too weak. And the pups, man, this is dire."Fifteen agonizing minutes later, the doctor emerged from the examination room, his face a mask of grim concern, his shoulders slumped with a heavy weariness. Clyde and Jace rushed towards him, their hearts pounding with dread. The doctor's posture alone spoke volumes, painting a bleak picture."Doctor, my wife…" the Crown Prince stammered with fear. "Will she be okay? I beg you, do everything in your power to save her. Joanna must reco