Nox POVI did not care how pathetic I sound. She asked a question and deserved an answer. More than that, I had just learned that she and Liam never consummated the mark on her neck. My heart was still racing from the joyous revelation.The mark was beginning to fade after she slept with me only once. That was proof that they never consummated. Right now, I refused to imagine how he branded her and didn't claim her afterward.I glanced at her neck again and decided that it was okay to sound as pathetic as they came."So you brought battle to me and my people because I wouldn't talk to you.""Yeah," I nodded."You killed people, Nox," she said."It was a war. There were casualties. I'm sorry they died. It was them or me.""No, it wasn't!" She rolled her eyes."You're right. But they stood in my way of coming to you. Do you understand what that means, Keira?"I could sense no anger in her. She was amazed. And confused. I sensed another feeling that I didn't dare hope for. Not till I cou
Keira POV The hallway was pitch black. That was odd. How could they turn off all the lights on such a special day? It was my thirteenth birthday. I was the Alpha heir and my wolf has just awakened, waiting for its time to emerge. My sight was great, but as my wolf was still young, it wasn't matured enough to pierce the darkness. "Who's there?" I called. "Daddy, the lights are off!" But my dad wasn't nearby. He was in a meeting at the pack grand hall. My friends were all in the living room, dancing and squealing with delights at the clown's jokes. I was missing the fun. Why did I come out here again? Someone called my name. The voice sounded like Zoey Faust's, that was why I left my party. Zoey was a good friend of the family. She was from the line of the Beta's and married into a warrior's family. Her husband died long ago, leaving her with a daughter who was inside enjoying herself right now. "Mrs Faust?" I called out. No answer came. Daddy told me to be nice and respectful to
My husband had not returned from his quick drink. It was a few minutes before 8:30. I couldn't call his cellphone because he left it in the bedroom, so I sent an omega to go get him. They didn't find him at the mini bar where I assumed he would be. Maybe he'd gone into his study to do a bit of work. It was hard to understand how a playboy could so quickly turn serious about life in general. He became a workaholic right after we got married. Whenever I thought about it, I felt proud of myself that I'd inspired such a good change in him. Not everyone could turn a ladies' man into a serious businessman.However, I got frustrated sometimes with the fact that took the business far more seriously than our marriage. Granted, ours was an arranged union, but I expected to be a priority in his life. I was his mate and wife. And today was very special. How could he think to work?With my pretty dress and makeup, I left the room to go fetch him from his study by myself, snatching his suit jacke
Nox POVLuna Keira Gray. Wife and mate of Alpha Liam Rudd. A twenty-three year old woman who was unavailable. Married! From the panties hanging on her finger and the look on her face, it was clear that she was having a busy life, indeed.Moments ago, when I walked in and our eyes met, my wolf growled,'Mate,' calling out to her.But she'd looked away. I tried to do the same now, looking everywhere else but at her. I failed. She'd acted like she was deaf to her mate's call. Or did she not hear? No, that couldn't be right. She was pretending. Which was Understandable because this was bizarre. How could we be fated?All of her attention was now on the blond werewolf who was her husband and Alpha.A dignitary from the Summer Moon stood in front of me, talking. I tried my hardest to pay attention and offer the appropriate response. Two could play this game, though not for long. Because my focus wavered again, returning to Luna Keira.Her expression was picture of revulsion now as her hus
Keira POV At his words, I stopped dancing. Or tried to. His powerful arms and body kept moving, urging us both to the rhythm of the music. "What does that mean? What could there possibly be between us?" I looked around, afraid that someone might have heard. I considered forcing him to stop the dance. Thankfully, nobody had their eyes on us. He could refuse and it was better not to attract attention, so I moved with him. "I would think you're too sophisticated for games, Luna." "What games? I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied calmly. He looked down at me and arched a brow. "Hold on, you think there's something betweeb us because I looked at you? Everyone looked at you when you walked in, Alpha Nox. Does that mean you have something going on with them?" He frowned as though confused, then said in a low voice. "I'm talking about you and me." He was almost inaudible. "I'm talking about what you felt when you laid eyes on me for the first time." I tried to stop
Keira POVThe world stopped when his lips touched mine. I was no longer Keira Gray of the Spring Moon. Neither was I wife and mate to Alpha Liam. I was no one but a woman ready to be claimed by a powerful lycan beast. Not even his taunts could bring me back to my senses as his fangs caressed my lips. My body was at his command. Before I knew it, I was sandwiched between him and the wall as his tongue tangled with mine. Then he began to slow down, his lips freeing mine. Only then did my senses slowly return. What the hell was I doing? Letting another Alpha kiss me in my own home? At my wedding anniversary. I was appalled with myself as I pushed him off of me. His brow creased, and his eyes narrowed as he murmured thoughtfully,"Something's wrong with your wolf.""Get out," I barked breathlessly. "This is an assault. You would love a war, won't you? Get out!"The fact that he just spoke my secret out loud was not as threatening as what he just made me do. Apart from pack elders and L
Keira POV Though his accusations were true and I should be trying to explain myself, I couldn't help but feel irritated by his tone. He walked very close beside me now. When I didn't acknowledge his complain, he grabbed my arm making me stop. His eyes were bright with annoyance, which surprised me a little bit. The fact that he had just cursed didn't escape my notice. In all the times I'd known him as my partner, he'd never used the F word in front of me. "Yes, Liam," I said. "I reek of another wolf. What did you expect? " He frowned, confusion creasing his smooth face. Yesterday, I may have cared how he felt right now. But things were different today. He was to blame. "I begged you to put work aside for this one morning..." "That doesn't explain the scent all over you, Keira!" I wanted to bark that it does but simply shook my head in exasperation. If he hadn't disappeared, that kiss would not have happened. It was his fault. "Where the hell did you go?" I asked. "I was looki
"Oh, Uncle. He's not to be trusted!" "Yes, he's lycan, but he's not a bad person, Keira," he replied. "Even if he is, being on our side benefits us greatly, I tell you." I didn't say anything further because I feared that Uncle Felix would sense something and figure out that we kissed. "Now I think you should take a quick shower before Elder Paula or Zoey comes near you. You don't want the latter spreading false rumors or the elder making a case out of nothing." I nodded as he walked off. Then I rushed to quickly wash off before returning to the party. Once I entered the grand hall again, Nox was gone. **** Sometime later, all the guests had left and the servant were cleaning up. I sat by the window of my bedchamber, feeling spent. Good thing the day was finally ending. Liam strode out of the walk-in closet with his eyes on me.We hadn't said a word to each other since my uncle interrupted us. Even though I was the relatively quiet type, one year of marriage must have taught h
Nox POVI did not care how pathetic I sound. She asked a question and deserved an answer. More than that, I had just learned that she and Liam never consummated the mark on her neck. My heart was still racing from the joyous revelation.The mark was beginning to fade after she slept with me only once. That was proof that they never consummated. Right now, I refused to imagine how he branded her and didn't claim her afterward.I glanced at her neck again and decided that it was okay to sound as pathetic as they came."So you brought battle to me and my people because I wouldn't talk to you.""Yeah," I nodded."You killed people, Nox," she said."It was a war. There were casualties. I'm sorry they died. It was them or me.""No, it wasn't!" She rolled her eyes."You're right. But they stood in my way of coming to you. Do you understand what that means, Keira?"I could sense no anger in her. She was amazed. And confused. I sensed another feeling that I didn't dare hope for. Not till I cou
Keira POVTina Paulson was an omega and a member of the Spring Moon. She worked as a clerk here at the Pine. Her job was mostly coffee runs and other menial errands around the office. Apparently, she had been promoted to the position of Nox's own secretary. That was not the first change I noticed when I walked into the company moments ago. Everything looked different, especially the faces. Thankfully, there weren't that many humans around. I didn't want to deal with them. Tina had bowed excitedly at the sight of me. It was Pavlov who told her to announce our presence before we went inside. As she knocked and opened the door, another unexpected and highly unpleasant sight awaited me inside. Belle stood beside Nox, who was sitting down and staring right at the door. The two were only an inch from each other, that she might as well be sitting on his lap. And she had one hand on his shoulder. Or the chair? It seemed like her hand was on the back of her neck.My stomach knotted at the
Nox POVTheo gave me a look that meant that he could see my anticipation and restlessness. I didn't care that it was showing. I looked around the conference room. Everyone else was focused on the projector.Then I stood up, causing the human to pause his presentation. All eyes turned to me in the conference room."Oh, carry on," I said to the guy. "Mister Crowe is right here. Oh, Miss Faust, you may see me briefly for the rest of the introductions.""Yes, sir," she replied, rising eagerly. I preferred Alpha, but for the sake of the few humans in our midst, the wolves referred to me as sir sometimes. It was hard to get used to it. Why in the hell did that good-for-nothing Liam put humans in management? I shook the thought of him off. He was irrelevant now. Keira and I had bonded. Their marriage was already void as far as I was concerned. Now, all that was left was for her wolf to show up and call me Mate.That would happen soon. Her healing had begun. It could even happen before the
Keira POV After the meal, Nox had to leave to handle pack and business matters immediately. The doctor stuck around, sharing a few jokes about his Alpha and Autumn Moon. I felt much more clear-headed and less shaken after the meal and chit chat. Then I went to look for Uncle Felix, who was also detained as he was a member of the house and one of the few who had direct access to me.Pavlov was with me all the time. As I made my way to meet my uncle, I decided that the person I really wanted to look in the eye was Liam. The one who was my husband for a whole year. I couldn't believe that he had a hand in poisoning me. But then he had the most to gain from keeping my wolf weak and in hibernation.Uncle Felix was detained in one of the cells on the second floor. Other elders were also held in some of the cells. I had no interest in talking to any of them except my blooded relative.I stopped when I reached the door of the cell. The warrior had already opened the small gate for me to g
Keira POVAt some point, after all the others had gone, Nox left to go oversee some things. I was happy to be alone in the quietness of my thoughts, but his absence brought an emptiness that made my heart ached.After washing up for the evening, I climbed the bed and sat there, thinking about my whole life until I fell asleep. My dreams were bittersweet, but I lost all memories of them the moment I opened my eyes the next day.I had freshened up and was combing my hair when a gentle knock came on the door. I stood up from the dresser as Nox's voice came through,"Keira, it's me. The doctor is here.""Come in," I replied.The door opened, and he walked in with another werewolf. A tall but lanky male around his age. He had warm brown eyes and a friendly air about him. "This is Doctor Jack Servius," Nox said. The male gave a gentle smile and came forward, holding out his right hand."Hi, Luna," he greeted. "We've actually met, but you were asleep then."I raised a brow, and Nox suppl
Keira POVAs Nox spoke, a calm assurance settled upon me. I couldn't shake off the feeling. His tone rang with intimacy and tenderness. Last night's incident returned to me in the midst of the turmoil as I watched him. I did not feel weird or ashamed about what we did at all. In this moment, it felt right that he was telling me these things. It felt like he was my male, taking care of me. Of course, these thoughts and feelings may all be Aria's. But it only proved that she felt the bond. She recognized him as Mate. If only she would summon the strength to rise and call out to him."You won't put anything in your mouth. You don't touch anything. Until it's cleared!" He said. "Conan and one of mine are checking your room. They have a poison detector.""Conan? My Gamma?""Yes," he replied gently. "He begged to help."Not long ago, I'd considered that he might be an accomplice. But the news of him helping lift my spirit slightly. "How did you know?" I asked him. "You got here before we
Keira POVTen years ago, I was attacked, and my wolf took ill. My dad didn't stop at torturing all of the warriors on duty that day. One of the warriors went missing before the torturing began. After the heavy interrogation, the other five were demoted to mere guards and not allowed near the main house to date. Two amongst the warriors on duty were still locked up in the dungeon to this day.The culprit was never found. From the chilling news that I had just learned, that evil one was not done with me yet. I sat silently across from the doctors, thinking of all that happened after my accident. The two seemed to be waiting for me to take in the news.My mind continued to shuffle all of the faces I saw often around my house. Then something occurred to me.Rita Glass. My doctor. She was around my age and took over after her father retired four years ago. I'd had my regular checkup with her for the last four years now."How long have you known?" My question was directed at her. Fear
Keira POVI watched Pavlov, checking for any indication that he knew about my attempted treason with Liam. His face remained gentle as he said, "Decide where you'd like to go, and I'll take you there." "I'd like to go to the hospital," I said. "Dandelion. I need to see the doctor." The smile faded from the warrior's face. All expressions vanished. I knew then that I was on track about where to find Liam. He was hospitalized. Of course, he was. "You said I can go anywhere, Pavlov!" I reminded him. "Anywhere but near the former Alpha," he replied. "That's the order.""Uh, I wanna go to the hospital, not to meet him!""He's getting treatment after an... accident last night. Once he's better and they bring him back here, I'll take you to Dandelion." "I'm not going there to see him," I argued. It was partly true. I needed to have Doctor Glass check me out. Surely, she would have something to say about this feeling inside me. The fact that Nox called out my wolf's name yesterday too
Keira POVNox did not stop as Liam's wolf snarled at us. In spite of the situation before me, I could not prevent my feminine core from tightening around his manhood, let alone push him off me. He slammed into me one last time as he breathed,"Exquisite." His eyes were on Liam, who now charged towards us with claws and fangs hanging out.I rose up, struggling to cover myself with the torn pieces of clothes all around me. Nox pulled out of me, then bared his teeth at the approaching angry wolf.Then he half-shifted. At the same time, Liam lunged at him, but he caught the blow, wrapping one strong hand with thick claws around Liam's throat."Monster! Rãpist!" Liam cursed. His voice was hoarsed as he struggled to breathe while bleeding and healing. And bleeding some more."You forced her." He gritted.I should be trying to put an end to the fight, but I couldn't look at the both of them. Not only that, the fight didn't last longer than a moment. Liam dropped to the floor, panting for b