Xander's POV It didn't feel right leaving Ember but I knew I had too, I really messed up, I realized that as I sat at the driver's seat gripping the steering wheel till my knuckles whitened. Hopefully I'll be able to fix things before it's too late. I put the car in reverse then drove away heading back to the pack. Soon I pulled up to the house and saw Ellie standing by the front door, arms folded tightly across her chest. Her face was set in a scowl, clearly waiting for me. Not this again! I sighed contemplating if I should get out the car or just drive away Ellie took a step forward growing impatient. Would she chase me down if I drove away? I wasn't going to find out tonight I turned off the ignition then I stepped out of the car, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible. “Where have you been?” she demanded as soon as I approached. I blinked back wanting to tell her I owed her no explanation she wasn't my mom. I took a deep breath trying to remain calm. “Just had to chec
EMBER's POV I was sitting on the couch reading when I heard a knock at the door. I jumped up since I was in the book, I groaned a little and went over to peep through the little window. It was Xander. The corners on my lips turned to a frown and I held the handle contemplating if I should let him in or not. He knocked once more, “Ember please open up” his baritone voice came melting the ice a little making me open the door. “Hey,” he said, holding up a bag of food. “Surprise, I thought you might be hungry.” “Thanks,” I said, taking the bag from him. “But you really don’t have to worry about feeding me.” He stepped closer, his arms outstretched as if he wanted to hug me. I took a step back frowning. “Xander, do not make me look like the bad person here, It’s okay you don't have to do all this, I'm fine all by myself” He looked a bit taken aback but quickly recovered keeping his expression neutral. “I’m sorry. I just... I don’t know. I want to make things right.” He seemed s
Ember's POV. I couldn't help but feel very remorseful when he came close to me. I was a bit skeptical in the beginning but after a while I finally realized that there might be something missing which I wasn't taking into cognizance. Xander reclined into the seat as he stared at me but I maintained his glare. He wasn't going to unnerve me. So what if he didn't sleep with her? All of this was still his fault. If he had not taken those steps when he finished getting her pregnant, then maybe I wouldn't resent him this much. "You didn't defend me when I needed you the most, I don't think you remember that incident, or do you?" I asked him and he shook his head. "I don't think I do. Why would I purposely not want to talk to you? I was under an influence and believe me when I say that it's something that I regret till this day because of this now we are in deep shit. Call me sentimental, but as much as I hate this man I don't feel like harming him at least not yet, do you underst
Ember's POV. I wasn't moved by her words because I knew that I had a higher backing that would help me out when it was time. All she just needed was the go-ahead from me. Then I knew that she would be able to go ahead to focus on getting the answer. I chuckled softly and looked at her. "Did you want us to respect you, Ellie? You should accord yourself some respect." I told her and she looked at me. "Who the hell are you?!" She challenged me. Her eyes flared at me and I smiled at her. "Are you my husband's concubine?" She asked and I held myself from saying just like you were. That would be a big slap on her face which I didn't really mind though. I liked the fact that she was really struggling to make it work. I didn't care about her and all that she was doing. All I wanted to know is that there would be a need for us to just stay for a while and rest before finally talking about our past life. In just a few years she would be controlling the whole arena but if I stood up rig
Author's POV. Xander walked hurriedly towards the port. He had booked a safe passage through the tunnel for Ember. It had not been cheap, but he knew it was going to be worth it since he was sure she would appreciate his efforts in helping her get her complete freedom. He arrived at the spot they had both agreed that they would meet. The port was mostly deserted at this time of the day so it was going to be relatively safe and easy for her to wall around without being found by people who work for Trent. He stood around for the next ten minutes, stifling the anxiety that was quickly growing in his chest. After ten minutes, he started to call her name as he looked around the area. It could have been possible that she had missed her way and was staying at another spot instead of the one they had initially agreed to meet. She was supposed to have been here. They had agreed that they would meet at that spot and he had been exactly on time. If there had been any delay or anything t
Ember's POV I walked down the hallway slowly, this part of the house seemed to be more empty than the path I walked through once I reached the end of the house. I frowned wondering what wild goose chase Ellie sent me on. Xander wasn't here. Why would she send me here for no reason had she completely lost it? angry I turned to leave when I spotted Trent standing there with a wicked smile on his face, holding a sword. My stomach dropped knowing there was no way this was going to end well. “Trent! What are you doing here?” He smirked, the glint of the sword reflecting in the fading light. “Hello, Ember. Fancy meeting you here.” I took a step back, feeling panic rising. “Where’s Xander? He’s supposed to be here, did you do something to him?” Trent chuckled, his voice dripping with malice. “Oh, Xander isn’t coming. Ellie sent you her for me. I’m the one you’re dealing with.” Realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Ellie must have played me, setting me up for Trent. My instinc
Xander's POV. I was seated in my palace when an emissary holding a sealed letter was brought before me by one of my pack guards. As the emissary approached, I could sense a mix of curiosity and unease from my pack members "Greetings, Alpha Xander. I bring a message from Trent's pack." He fretted going down by reclining his head onto his knees. I took the letter, breaking the seal. My eyes scanned the parchment, and my gut twisted with every word. Trent was declaring war on us. I called a gathering with my elders. We sat in a circle, the letter passed among us. "This is madness," One of them growled. "Trent knows we won't back down." "We need to prepare for battle," Another suggested, her voice steady. "Gather our strongest warriors, Xander. We'll show Trent the strength of our pack." "I'll start scouting for allies. We can't face Trent's pack alone." I looked at my elders, determination burning within me. "We'll defend our pack" The elders nodded in unison, and I k
Ember's POV. A pang of headache hit me as I felt my eyes open, my legs shaking beneath my gown. Everywhere seemed black, but the sun rays through the barred hole on the door shone brightly. I strove to stand up, taking what felt like an eternity to raise a leg. Something that felt like shaped iron clashing against each other rang in my ear, and I felt compelled to know what was happening outside. I sprinted toward where the backdoor was, my legs shaking after every step, my heart racing faster with every step I took. The sound of crashing iron and steel and the rise of cries grew closer and thicker with every step I took. I had no idea what was happening outside, all I sought was to escape from this dungeon. Most of the guards were distracted by what was happening outside, none were looking my way. I guess it was lucky, and a chance for me to escape. I walked toward the exit door, but just as I reached there, the roar of a wicked smile halted me in my spot, and I was force