Still buzzing from our earlier conversation about the upcoming ceremony, we stepped inside the Spa unit.The cheerful atmosphere, however, quickly dissipated as a heavily made-up middle-aged woman approached us, her presence radiating a distinct chill. Her aura was dominating, her smile failing to reach her thickly lined, cold eyes. She was garishly dressed, her intricate gown trailing along the floor like a scene from a historical drama.“You must be Joanna,” she greeted me, her voice laced with a distinctly hostile undertone. “The woman who Alpha Abel brought to the pack.”She paused, her gaze sweeping over me from head to toe, her lips twitching disdainfully.“I'm Lily,” she continued, her tone dripping with condescension. “Your hostess at this Spa. Let me take a good look at you.”She reached out and grabbed my arm with two fingers, as if she was picking up something dirty.Her touch irritated me, violating my personal space. I wondered where she got the audacity t
Alpha Abel’s Point of ViewToday was my mating and Joanna's Luna ceremony.But throughout the day, a nagging feeling persisted, a sense that something was amiss, as if this idyllic scene could shatter like a fragile balloon at any moment.It was all too perfect, too good to be true.Joanna had been so agreeable lately, the resistance she had shown upon her return had suddenly vanished. She even initiated our touches, our kisses, as if she had fully accepted our mate bond and was ready to spend her life by my side.But something was definitely not right. Even Hex was suspicious.My Head Warrior and the Beta of Moonlight Seekers ran in their wolf forms beside me, we were on border patrol. I wanted to ensure safety myself tonight, nothing could go wrong, not on this momentous occasion. Though I didn't expect the Crown Prince to risk the wrath of the Council by committing any drastic acts on my territory, it still was better to be safe than sorry.We approached the northern border, the ar
Alpha Abel’s Point of ViewA rising unease gripped me as I stared at Ludwina.“Ludwina, where is Joanna? Why aren’t you at the Spa with her? What are you doing here?”I grabbed her arm, trying to control the sudden surge of panic. The premonition I’d carried all day was starting to take shape, solidifying into a tangible fear.Had Joanna left? Had she changed her mind at the last minute? And why hadn’t the guard at the gates notified me?A thousand unsettling thoughts raced through my mind.“Calm down, Alpha,” Ludwina soothed, offering a reassuring smile. “Everything is fine. The Luna has gone to the lake with her friends to relax. A warrior is with them, nothing can go wrong. Let her unwind, I’ll send for her as soon as it’s time. This is a picnic basket I'm sending for them. Relax, Alpha.”Relief washed over me, so potent I almost staggered.Damn! My fears almost got the better of me.“I came back because I have a few more things to put in order so that the Luna will be properly pre
Joanna’s Point of ViewPuzzled, I stared from one to the other, my head spinning.This sudden turn of events was completely unexpected, I no longer understood anything what’s happening at the moment.“Someone mind telling me what’s going on here?” I demanded.The warrior stopped the vehicle and turned to me. All three of them - Alia, Janice and Rubio - had their eyes on me now, their expressions stern and unyielding.“Princess, you have to tell us now,” Alia said firmly. “Do you want to be the Luna of Woodland, or do you still choose to be with the Crown Prince? I need your answer now to determine which way we go.”A sudden surge of joy welled up inside me, a feeling that seemed to originate from the very depths of my soul. Was it still possible to go to Clyde? The thought filled me with an overwhelming sense of longing. I wanted nothing more!‘Tell her we want to go to the Crown Prince, Joanna. I'm dying here. We really need to leave,’ the voice inside me urged, startling me with it
We stared into each other's eyes for a few timeless seconds.I couldn't believe he was finally here, in front of me again. How many nights had I dreamt of this precious moment? I had thought I’d lost him forever, already resigned myself to the inevitable, to a life without him.But here he was, my Prince, my husband!“Clyde,” I whispered, the name a sigh of pure happiness, a feeling so profound it made my heart ache with longing. My eyes, I was sure, reflected all the love I felt for him, a love that had never wavered. For a fleeting moment, I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes, those beautiful blue gems I could never get enough of. Holy goodness, how I had missed him, his warmth surrounding me, the sense of security he always offered.I wrapped my arms around the magnificent wolf and buried my face in his thick fur. I took a deep breath, mimicking a gesture I had often seen Clyde do to me, and a soothing sense of calmness swept over me. An incredible sensation of belonging and secur
Three days on the yacht, and we were all having the time of our lives.We jumped and played in the open sea, savored delicious food, watched movies together, chatted, and sunbathed on deck. The men sometimes tried their hand at sport fishing, but so far, there had been no catch, something we women teased them about mercilessly.We had since sailed out of the Hudson River and into the vast expanse of the Atlantic. At the moment, we were bobbing in the open sea, but yesterday, I had spotted a green blur in the distance that looked like an island.We were sunbathing on deck again, me wearing one of those minuscule bikinis I had found in the small closet in my room. Clyde had thoughtfully ensured I had plenty of clothes on board, mostly bikinis and casual wear.Next to me lay Alia and Janice, both also in swimwear, though a lot more decent than mine.Their mates were implacable, they insisted that they cover their bodies completely, despite their fervent protests. I guessed mated wolves
Crown Prince Clyde’s Point of ViewListening to my woman beg for my affection was heartbreaking.Never before had she needed to do that, a single touch from her was enough to make my head spin. Hating to see her like this, she put aside her pride and offered herself to me, fiercely and totally. I would have liked to give her everything she asked for and more, but it was crucial that I held my ground until she was willing not only to desire me but to choose me, to keep me. This new Joanna must love me if she wanted me, it was a package deal, a complete and unbreakable deal.In her subconscious, she knew how we were together, and her body yearned for that connection. She wanted me, and I wanted her more than words could say, but not unconditionally. I knew I was playing her dirty, manipulating her emotions, but I didn't care, the end justified the means.Joanna is mine, I am willing to fight for her with every weapon at my disposal, and in war, all tactics are allowed. The Alpha had los
Joanna’s Point of ViewAfter some time, I heard the wolves approaching and knew that the moment I had waited for so long had finally arrived.Janice and Alia sat beside me, sipping cold drinks and chatting airily.“Girls,” I whispered to them. “As soon as your mates arrive, I need you to take them from here. I need some private time with my husband. Also, try to get Jace to come with you.”Two pairs of eyebrows shot up, and their eyes stared at me curiously.“What are you up to?” Janice asked, a sly smile playing on her lips. “The expression on your face promises something fierce. Whatever you're planning, make sure we can get out of our hiding soon and face the Alpha. It's time to settle things once and for all.”My sad mood had completely dissipated, my thoughts now laser-focused on my plan.Clyde had given me a hint of his preferences in our intimate moments, and I had carefully considered the options. Now was the time to take action, to get him to want me back. No matter what, I h
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