In a remote corner of the countryside, nestled among towering trees and lush greenery, stood the imposing silhouette of a grand mansion. This was the home of Seth Griffin, Alpha of the Moonlit pack, and Alpha of Alphas on this continent.
Seth sat in his study, hunched over as if his shoulders literally felt the burden of the responsibilities of his leadership. His features etched with determination as he dialed a familiar number on his phone. He had been putting off this conversation for far too long, but the time had come to pass the torch to the next generation. Even Seth could no longer deny this fate.
The phone rang several times before it was finally answered on the other end. A masculine, deep voice answered him with an annoyed twinge to it.
“Granddad.”, it stated.
Seth sighed heavily, knowing that he was to blame for the strained relation between the two. One of many that he wronged along the way for his greed for power and wealth. He knew that his grandson tolerated him merely because of the lifestyle granddad’s money could provide him.
“Sebastian.”, Seth greeted his grandson.
“Seth.”, Sebastian’s voice was curt, his tone reflecting the strained relationship between them. He was aware that his granddad was proud of everything he achieved although he rarely showed it, but Sebastian couldn’t help but feel bitterness for the way Seth allowed his dad to act.
“Sebastian, I need you to come home.”, Seth said, cutting straight to the point. He didn’t have time for pleasantries, not when the future of their pack was a stake. Besides, small talk wouldn’t fool Sebastian at all.
Sebastian scoffed on the other end of the line.
“Come home? Why? I’ve told you before, granddad, I have no interest in playing Alpha. I have my own life here in the city.”
Seth’s jaw tightened at his grandson’s defiance but fought to stay calm.
“This isn’t about what you want, Sebastian. It’s about what needs to be done for the good of our pack. You are the heir, and it’s time you took on your responsibilities.”
Sebastian laughed loudly.
“Call dad.”, he answered curtly.
Seth sighed. “You know your dad wouldn’t be a good leader for this pack and all other packs. He won’t be able to take on all responsibilities.”, he answered as politely as he was able to.
Sebastian’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Responsibilities? Like the ones you’ve been shirking all these years? No thanks, granddad. I’d rather not follow in your footsteps.”
Seth clenched his fists, struggling to contain his frustration. “Watch your tone, boy. You may not care about our pack, and the alpha of alphas title, but I do. And I won’t let you ruin everything we’ve built.”
Sebastian’s laughter was bitter. “Ruin everything? From where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve already done that yourself.”
Seth felt a pang of guilt at his grandson’s words, knowing there was truth in them. “This isn’t about me, Seb. It’s about the pack. The Moonlit pack needs a strong leader to guide them to the new generation, and you’re the only one who can fill that role. You and I both know your father is not capable of that.”
He wasn’t used to this level of honesty from his granddad. It almost sounded like regret or guilt. Sebastian’s voice softened slightly, a hint of vulnerability seeping through his usual bravado at the honesty of his granddad.
“I’m not like you, granddad. I don’t want to be tied down to some outdated tradition. I have my own dreams and ambitions.”
Seth’s gaze hardened, his resolve unwavering. “Dreams and ambitions won’t protect our pack from the threats that lurk in the shadows. It’s time you put aside your selfish desires and think about the greater good. I’ve tolerated your behavior for too long.”
Sebastian sighed heavily, his frustration evident in his voice. “And what if I refuse? What then, granddad?”
Seth’s voice turned cold and unyielding as he delivered his ultimatum. “If you refuse to come home and take your place as alpha, then I will have no choice but appoint someone else, maybe Adam. Every penny and all the power belong to the alpha title will then belong to him. You will have no claim to our resources or protection.”
Sebastian’s heart raced at the implications of his grandfather’s words. Yes, he built a successful company, but what most didn’t know is that Seth owned most of it. If all that money was pack money, then the ownership of his company would shift to the next alpha. Sebastian would rather die before answering to Adam.
“Fine.”, Sebastian finally relented, his voice heavy with resignation. “I’ll come home. But only to discuss the handover of power. Don’t expect me to stay.”
Seth’s expression softened slightly at his grandson’s acquiescence. “That’s all I ask, Sebastian. We’ll discuss the details when you arrive. But remember, this isn’t just about you. It’s about the future of our pack.”
Seth ended the call with a heavy heart. He hated that he had to fall back on threats to make his grandson listen to him. He wished that he would have the time to make things right, but his time was up, and he had failed in more ways than one.
A few days later, Sebastian’s journey back to the Moonlit pack territory was fraught with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he resented his grandfather’s insistence on him taking up the mantle of alpha of alphas. On the other hand, he couldn’t deny the sense of duty that tugged at his heartstrings. Too bad for Seth that he wasn’t an emotional man.
As he drove through the winding roads that led to the pack’s territory, memories of his childhood flooded his mind. He recalled the long summers spent running through the dense forests and swimming in the lake.
But those memories were tinged with bitterness, tainted by the knowledge of his family’s dark history. His grandfather, once alpha of a different pack, had succumbed to the allure of power and wealth, and had challenged the alpha of the Moonlit pack, because he wanted the alpha of alphas title. A bloody war had followed because no one really wanted Seth on that throne. His own father had done nothing but obey Seth’s demands and let his fated mate wither away in pain. Knowing his mate, he had chosen another for Seth and had killed her slowly and painfully. Sebastian had vowed never to follow in their footsteps, but to forge his own path far away from the suffocating confines of the pack.
Yet here he was, returning to the pack territory under duress. His future was hanging in the balance. He couldn’t help but feel resentment towards his grandfather for forcing him into this role, for denying him the freedom to pursue his own dreams.
But beneath the resentment lurked a flicker of curiosity, a glimmer of hope that perhaps he could bring about change. That he could steer the pack towards a brighter future. As much as he resisted the idea of becoming alpha, he couldn’t deny the allure of power and the opportunity to make a difference.
Lost in his thoughts, Sebastian arrived at the outskirts of the pack territory. The familiar sights and sounds of the forest greeted him, stirring a mix of nostalgia and apprehension within him. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the inevitable confrontation that awaited him.
Sebastian parked his car near the mansion where his grandfather lived. At first glance, the mansion was stunning and monumental, but taking a closer look, Sebastian saw the flaws hiding in plain sight. They were telling him that maintenance had not been done in a long time, that innovations had not been made. He had heard rumors that his grandfather despised the ‘new’ innovations and regarded them as a distraction, but he had never thought it would be this bad.
Sebastian knew that his arrival would be met with mixed reactions from the pack members. Some harbored resentment and hate towards him and his family, while others viewed him as their rightful leader.
Pushing aside his doubts and insecurities, Sebastian squared his shoulders and entered the mansion. His footsteps echoed in the cavernous and empty hallways. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the tension was palpable as he made his way to his grandfather’s study, where no doubt Seth would await him.
A man walked towards him, and judging by the slamming of the door, he was not in a good mood. The man looked up and was surprised to see Sebastian walking in the hallway. Sebastian looked at the man and felt a pull towards him.
“Adam?”, Sebastian asked surprised, and the man looked at him. The look made him feel the same pull towards Sebastian.
“Sebastian, of course.”, Adam answered with a twinge of bitterness in his voice. Adam kept walking on, denying that he felt his mate bond to Sebastian.
Sebastian was confused at both feeling the mate bond to another person, as well as Adam’s behavior towards him. He shook it off and entered his grandfather’s study.
Seth stood by the window, his back turned to Sebastian as he gazed out at the sprawling grounds of the mansion. He turned as Sebastian entered. His expression unreadable as he took in his grandson’s appearance.
“Sebastian.”, Seth greeted him, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Sebastian nodded curtly, and his jaw clenched with tension as he braced himself for the conversation that lay ahead. “Let’s get this over with, granddad.”, he said, his tone clipped and businesslike.
Seth’s expression softened with understanding; his gaze filled with remorse.
“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I know I’ve put you in a difficult position. But the pack needs you now more than ever. You have the strength and the wisdom to lead them.”
Sebastian’s jaw clenched with frustration, his fists balling at his sides as he fought to contain his anger. “And what about you, granddad?”, he demanded, his voice laced with accusation. “You had your chance to lead and look where it got you. A pack torn apart by greed and ambition.”
Seth’s gaze faltered under the weight of Sebastian’s accusation, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest.
“I’ve made many mistakes, Sebastian.”, he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. “I wish I had time to set every single one of them right, but I don’t. I need you to set things right again.”
“Fine.”, Sebastian relented, his voice heavy with resignation. “I’ll do it, because you forced my hand.”
Seth nodded solemnly.
Enora had always prided herself on her independence and self-reliance. She was a strong woman, both physically and mentally, but hearing how worried her parents were for her, living alone in the city.To please them, and to find an outlet for her frustrations, Enora decided that she wanted to sign up for self-defense classes. She still believed it wasn’t necessary, but if it got her parents of her back, it might just be worth it.As she entered the gym, Enora was greeted by the sound of weights clanging and the faint hum of conversation. The atmosphere was charged with energy, and she felt a surge of excitement course through her veins. Making her way to the front desk, Enora introduced herself to the receptionist and expressed her interest in the self-defense classes. The receptionist, a friendly woman with a warm smile, handed her a registration form and explained the class schedule.Enora quickly filled out the form and handed it back, her anticipation growing with each passing mom
Sebastian sighed heavily, feeling the weight of his decision settle over him like a heavy cloak. He knew that agreeing to take on the role of Alpha meant sacrificing his own desires and ambitions. He just couldn’t stand by and watch the pack suffer under incompetent leadership, no matter how reluctant he was.As he turned to leave the study, Seth’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “Sebastian, there is something you need to know.”, Seth said, his voice grave.Sebastian turned back to face his grandfather, and a sense of apprehension gnawed in his gut. “What is it, granddad?”Seth hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Your Beta, Adam… he’s been challenging my authority, always questioning my decisions. He is trouble is you ask me.”Sebastian’s eyes narrowed in disbelief. “Adam? But why? He’s always been loyal to you.”Seth shook his head, his expression pained. “I don’t know, Sebastian. But whatever his reasons, he’s become a threat to the stability of the pack. I need you to be prep
Enora’s heart raced with anticipation as she drove towards the pack grounds, her mind buzzing with excitement at the prospect of finally being allowed to visit and to meet with Seth and Clovis. She couldn’t wait to see what it was like in one of those close-knit communities.She looked at Google Maps and saw that she should be almost there, though there was nothing that was telling her that she was near civilization. There were all dense forests around her. And then she felt her car lurch suddenly, the engine sputtering before coming to a complete stop. Panic surged through her veins as she realized she was stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no idea how to fix her car, and no signal on her phone.Enora was in despair when she finally saw a car approaching her. She got out immediately and started to wave towards the driver, hoping that he would get the message and would pull over. Fingers crossed that it wasn’t some creep!“Hello, do you need help?”, she heard before the man got o
Enora was excited as she stepped out of the sleek black limousine, curtesy of Natalie, with her friends Sophia, Lisa, and Levi. They were all dressed to the nines, ready to attend one of the exclusive events hosted by one of Enora’s colleagues. It had been a while since they had all been able to spend time together, and Enora was looking forward to catching up and having a good time. As they made their way through the bustling crowd towards the entrance of the venue, Enora couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building in the air. The event promised to be lavish and extravagant, with all the glitz and glamour befitting a high-profile affair. Once inside, Enora and her friends mingled with the other guests, sipping cocktails, and enjoying the luxurious surroundings. The party was in full swing, with music pumping and laughter filling the air. Sophia pulled Enora with her to the dance floor, both happy to let their hair down for a night and to shake off the stress from a wee
As the pulsating beat of the music filled the air, Sebastian navigated through the crowded dance floor. His eyes fixated on Enora as she swayed to the rhythm of the music. She had an intoxicating grace and was a vision of sensuality that he couldn’t let go. After gulping down the last of several whiskeys, he slammed the empty glass on the bar. With a predatory glint in his eyes, Sebastian closed the distance between them and pulled Enora into his arms, his hand trailing possessively over her curves as they moved together in a sensual dance. The heat between them was palpable, their bodies moving in perfect harmony as they surrendered to the intoxicating rhythm of the music. But just as the passion between them threatened to ignite, Lucas appeared. His grey eyes were dark and stormy with desire, he was pulled towards both his mates on the dance floor. His own thoughts were scaring him, but the mate bond was controlling him now. He swept Enora away from Sebastian’s embrace, and Enora
Enora had sought refuge in the anonymity of the gym’s self-defence class, hoping that the physical exertion would provide a temporary escape from the emotional turmoil that had consumed her since the events of the night of the event. Several days had passed, but she couldn’t get over the fact that she had let herself go like that. It was so unlike her! Enora felt embarrassed at what she did and what she let Lucas and Sebastian do to her. The attraction she felt towards both was strong, but still, it wasn’t in her personality to get off in public, with two men nonetheless! Shaking the thoughts off, she moved through the motions with determination, the repetitive drills offering a momentary reprieve from the whirlwind of conflicting emotions raging within her. She had gone out of her way to find a class that wasn’t taught by Lucas, in order to avoid seeing him. As she sparred with her partner, Enora found herself channeling her frustrations into each strike, the rhythmic movements he
The journey to the pack grounds was a somber one for Sebastian, his mind preoccupied with the weight of the responsibilities that awaited him. Seth had summoned him, and he didn’t like it one bit. As he approached the familiar territory, Sebastian couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. The dense forest looked daunting instead of its usual comfort.Meanwhile, Lucas was making the same way towards the pack grounds, unaware of what and who was awaiting him. Seth had summoned him, and his grandfather, Clovis, had begged him to obey and come down.Lucas raced down to the mansion where his grandfather’s office was, and his brakes screeched as he halted in front of the door. Lucas took a deep breath before pushing the heavy oak door open, the familiar scent of cedar and leather greeting him as he stepped into the dimly lit office. Clovis sat behind the ornate desk, his expression tense and weary, as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.“Lucas.”, Clovis greeted him sounding
After the tumultuous day they had, Sebastian, Adam and Lucas found themselves sitting together in the kitchen of the mansion. They just had dinner in complete silence, because all of them were lost in their own thoughts. The air was heavy with anticipation as they prepared themselves for the conversations to be had. Conversations that required them to be honest and vulnerable.Sebastian, even the diplomat, took the lead, his piercing blue eyes fixed on his companions with unwavering determination. “Gentlemen.”, he began, “we need to talk about many things. Let’s start with the easy, I need more drinks to discuss the hard.”Lucas snickered. “Is anything easy?”“Well no, but let’s compare stories of the past first. I think our grandparents told us different things.”, Sebastian said. He looked at Adam. “Can you share, you might know most?”, he asked him. Adam nodded, and he took a big gulp of his bottle of beer.“The war was started out of petty greed from Seth. He was Alpha of a differe
As the days drew closer to the much-anticipated celebrations in the Moonlit pack, Enora found herself back on the pack grounds, immersed in a whirlwind of final preparations. She had wanted to come back here early, because she knew there was still a lot to do before the place would look as she had envisioned it.She had expected there to be a buzz in the air of excitement, but there was nothing. The community continued to do as they always did, and nothing hinted at celebrations that were happening in a couple of days. Enora found it strange and decided to pay a visit to Grace.She knocked on the door and heard a reply coming from inside the house.“Grace?”, Enora asked as she stepped inside tentatively.“Yes, my dear?”, Grace answered, as always coming from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Enora! Good to see you again, my child.”Enora was enveloped in a big hug from the smaller woman, but it made her
Leonora hung up the phone with her daughter quite suddenly. She had heard enough for all the dots to be connected in her mind, and she hurried outside to find her husband.“Elio?”, she asked loudly. He came out into her view wiping his hands on some cloth.“Yes, what’s wrong dear?”, he asked, confused by the panic he saw in his wife’s eyes.“It’s Enora… Her work, the event… Moonlit.”, Leonora tried to get out, but she was hyperventilating out of fear for her daughter. Elio tried to calm her down and walked her back to the house to get a glass of water for his wife. He sat her down on a chair and knelt by her knees.“Now, tell me. What’s wrong with Enora?”, Elio asked kindly.“Last time Enora was here, she mentioned that she was feeling the mate bond, you remember?”, Leonora started. Elio nodded. “Well, she had mentioned that it was not one man, b
Enora breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped out of her car and onto the bustling streets of the city. After spending a week in the community, she welcomed the change of scenery and the familiar sights and sounds of urban life. The anonymity of the city had always been her sanctuary.Her first stop was to meet up with her friends at their favorite café. As she walked through the door, she was greeted with warm smiles and cheerful greetings. It felt good to be surrounded by familiar faces, and she quickly settled into a comfortable rhythm as they caught up on each other’s lives.Over cups of steaming coffee and plates of decadent pastries, Enora shared her recent experiences with her friends. She told them about the progress of the event planning in a close-knit community like Moonlit, and about the struggles to resist the pull of desire that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.Her friends listened intently, offering words of comfort and
Sebastian had taken up residence in Seth’s office. He didn’t care where his grandfather would spend his last weeks as the grand Alpha, because Sebastian had forbidden Seth to do anything anymore. Even though they were waiting for the full moon for the celebrations, the change of leadership was already in effect.The office was filled with antiques and shelves stacked with leather-bound books. It was too dark for Sebastian’s liking, but it was not his priority to change right now. Instead, he focused his attention on Adam, who was reading some report. He was glowing, so surely, he had sex with Enora again.The jealousy was eating away at Sebastian, and he wanted to know. He didn’t know what exactly he wanted to know, but he wanted Enora more than anything. Yet, she continued to run away from him. Sebastian knew that Lucas wanted the same, but he had mentioned earlier that for now he was okay with being able to touch all parts of her at the gym.
Enora stepped out into the crisp morning air, the sun casting a golden glow over the community as she made her way towards Grace’s cabin. It had been a day or so since the encounter with Sebastian and Lucas, and the tension between them was transforming from hatred to desire.Even though Enora was still confused and unsure of how to handle the desire and longing she felt, she felt comfortable with it when she was out there in the community. It was like it made sense to feel all that in this place.Enora found herself wanting to skip down to Grace’s cabin. She felt good and was grateful for Adam for helping her to connect to Grace. She really knew almost everyone in the area and has been a great help so far.Knocking on the door, Enora waited patiently until Grace appeared, a warm smile lighting up her face as she greeted her.“Good morning, Enora. Come in, come in.&rdq
Enora stood at the edge of the forest, the cool breeze rustling through the leaves as she gazed out at the sprawling expanse of the community. She had tried to talk to Natalie to get reassigned, but that had been useless. Everyone in the team had shivered at the idea of having to leave the city. So, Enora was stuck with this assignment, and stuck with Sebastian, Adam, and Lucas.This time it was going to be easy to remain professional, because Enora was still livid with Sebastian and Lucas for punching Levi. There was no way she was going to give in now!Enora marched up to the mansion where the three men should be waiting for her. She was going to present her plans to them before she was going to find local suppliers to get everything she needed. Enora had really tried to get suppliers from the city to deliver out here, but no one had been willing. It had given her a headache because Enora couldn’t understand the hostility.“Well, here goes nothing!
Enora sat at her favorite café, nursing a cup of coffee as she waited for her friends Sophia and Lisa to arrive. She felt a sense of relief wash over her as she watched them approach, their familiar faces bringing a much-needed comfort in the midst of her turmoil. Work was still a great distraction. Too bad that the work that she was doing was also a constant reminder of her turmoil. Enora hoped that her friends could provide her with some perspective. “Hey Enora.”, Sophia greeted with a warm smile, sliding into the seat across from her. “How are you? You make me worry with your message.” Enora forced a smile, though the weight of her emotions threatened to crush her. “I’m so confused.”, she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. Lisa joined them, taking a seat beside Sophia with a sympathetic expression. “We’re here for you, Enora.”, she said, reaching out to squeeze her hand in a gesture of solidarity. Enora nodded gratefully, feeling a lu
The two men crashed to the ground in a tangle of limbs, grappling with each other in a frenzy of violence. Sebastian could feel the heat of Lucas’ body pressed against his own, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they fought for dominance.Adam tried to intervene, but Sebastian was lost in a haze of anger and desire. He wanted to hurt Lucas for disrespecting Enora, but he also wanted to feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins.As the fight raged on, Sebastian became aware of another presence in the room. He turned his head to see Adam watching them with a mixture of shock and arousal, his eyes dark with desire.Without a word, Adam stepped forward and joined the fray, his body colliding with Sebastian’s in a whirlwind of passion. Sebastian could feel the heat of Adam’s skin against his own, their bodies moving in a perfect synchrony as they fought for control.The three men grappled with each other in a frenzy of desir
Sebastian stood at the window of his apartment, staring out at the city skyline as he contemplated the challenges that lay ahead. He and Lucas were preparing to move back to the pack grounds, a decision that came with its own set of complications, meaning that he now needed to find a quick way to lead his company from the pack grounds.It was a daunting task to lead both the pack and his company, but Sebastian was determined to make it work. He had begun negotiations with the leadership in his company, trying to convince them that it was a good idea. It wouldn’t be easy, but Sebastian was confident that he could make it work.Lucas had been busy interviewing potential candidates to take over his gym. It was important to him that his gym continued to thrive in his absence, and he was determined to find the right person for the job.Despite the challenges they faced, Sebastian couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of returning to