“Look at all those assholes,” Gabriel said, squinting his eyes and downing another drink. The constant stream of wolf pack leaders heading towards the King and Amelia was making Gabriel sick to his stomach. One at a time they stepped forward, shook hands with the King, and bowed to kiss Amelia’s hand. “Ass kissers,” Gabriel scoffed, letting out a slight hiccup.Gabriel had been fixated on the scene ever since dinner had ended. It hadn’t taken long for everyone to forget about the little scene that had transpired between Amelia and Gabriel. The King’s last announcement was fresh on everyone’s mind.She was looking for a mate! And, with the wine flowing and the dance about to begin, everyone was excited to don their masks for the masquerade ball. Laughter filled the air as people put on their masks for the masquerade ball. “Do they think they’re good enough for her?” Gabriel asked, eyeing the King and Amelia from across the room. “Look at that one! He’s a joke! His tie’s crooked, jus
Sophia slinked back from the wolf. Asher tore off his mask, revealing himself to be Amelia’s brother.Oh shit, Sophia thought, her heart dropping. It’s Amelia’s brother and he’s fucking furious!“You poisoned my sister?” Asher growled, his eyes flashing yellow. His claws started to come out. “You damaged her wolf?”Sophia looked to Gabriel. “Gabriel, do something. This wolf is crazy! He’s lost his mind. I never poisoned Amelia. I would never do that,” she pleaded with Gabriel.Asher lunged forward but Sophia stepped behind Gabriel. “Get out of the way,” Asher growled threateningly at Gabriel. “This isn’t your fight.”“Please. NO, Gabriel. Help me,” Sophia yelled, terrified. Everyone in the room was holding a collective breath. Asher was a strong wolf, one of the strongest around, and by the look on his face, he was about to teach Sophia a lesson.Gabriel thought back to that day with Amelia, when she had accused Sophia of poisoning her. He had been to blind to see it. He’d been so bus
Gabriel grabbed another drink and swigged it back. He ran his hands through his thick black hair and sighed.The ruby acknowledged her as Luna. It shone when she picked it up…He’d seen it with his own two eyes. But how was that possible? Gabriel was a mess. He didn’t know what to do. A series of emotions swelled within him: anger, confusion, regret, embarrassment. People were snickering; they were laughing at him. The woman he’d brought as a date had just admitted to poisoning the Alpha King’s daughter. Plus, she’d stolen the ruby. This is a fucking disaster… He had to fix this. The King would be angry, yes. But he could talk to the King. Explain things. That left Amelia. He needed to talk to her. The ruby had acknowledged her as Luna… “Darling,” Vivenne said, approaching Gabriel. “I’m as shocked as you are, really! I had no idea! That liar! I guess I was wrong about her. Shall we send some men to find Sophia?” Gabriel rubbed his temple with his fingertip
Asher released Vivenne, who stumbled over to Gabriel. “Do something, Gabriel,” Vivenne ordered.Gabriel looked around the room. Everyone was staring. He said nothing. He only looked at Amelia one last time and lifted his chin. Then he took his mother’s arm and led her out of the room.“Are you crazy?” Asher asked Olivia. She was still brandishing the empty wine bottle, smug look on her face. Her wolf was still stirring within her. “I was defending Amelia,” Olivia told him. Asher took her arm and swung her around to face him. His eyes were full of concern. He held her firmly; her heart skipped a beat.“You shouldn’t underestimate Vivienne,” Asher said. His tone was warm and brotherly. Protective. “She’s a powerful wolf. She could have hurt you.”Olivia lowered her head. The last thing she wanted to do was upset Asher. He cared about her, that much was clear. Maybe not in the way she wanted, but at least it was something. She apologized immediately.Amelia saw that her brother was co
The next morning.“The car is ready when you are, Miss Amelia,” Alfred said. Amelia was working her way through breakfast, but if the car was already waiting…She slammed back the last dredges of coffee and made her way outside. A shiny, new Rolls-Royce Phantom was waiting at the gate. Amelia shook her head. “Thank you for the lovely car but I’d prefer to ride with Olivia,” Amelia told the driver. He promptly closed the door.“Sometimes I don’t understand you,” Olivia said, laughing as Amelia ducked into her Mercedes e300. “You’re a princess. Act like one! There’s nothing wrong with flaunting your tiara now and then.”Amelia frowned at her friend. “I disagree. To truly earn one’s respect, you have to prove your worth. It’s not enough to just ‘be a princess’, Livs. I need to show people that I’m worthy of that status. People don’t really bow down to superiority or high rank. They only pretend to. I was Luna, remember? I had the high title but no one was submissive to me. Not really.
Amaya said nothing further. She only glanced at her father, who shot her a look of embarrassment, and then abruptly sat down. The atmosphere in the conference room was different now – everyone clearly accepted Amelia and her new position; Magnus was not a man to be questioned. They didn’t have the slightest clue as to where she came from nor how she got this job, but no one was about to stand against Magnus.The meeting ran smoothly. The department heads were sure to include Amelia in the conversation, showing that they accepted her (or at least pretending to in front of Magnus). They asked Amelia her opinions on a number of different aspects of the company. Amelia was hesitant to respond, though. She didn’t feel fully equipped yet to answer questions about important company matters.“Jonathan will be helping Amelia while she transitions into her new role,” Magnus stated, his air of authority strong in his voice. Everyone nodded collectively.“May I have the floor?” Amelia asked her d
Amelia passed the phone back to Olivia, a pained look on her face. Olivia recognized the look. She still cares about him, Olivia sighed. She pretends she doesn’t, but clearly she does. Amelia shook her head, trying to shake away the memory of that first night. She’d been so hopeful, so sure that things would work out. But it had all gone to shit. No matter now, though. She was in a better place. And she had a company to run. Olivia took her phone and tucked it away into her pocket. She felt really bad for rubbing Gabriel in Amelia’s face like that. She hated him, yes, but she loved her friend and didn’t want to see her hurt. She decided to change the topic to get Amelia’s mind off Gabriel. “Hey, I meant to ask you. Do you remember Lily and Laura?” “Of course,” Amelia smiled. The change of topic worked. Amelia’s mind turned to the two twins from the Solas Pack. “We were in the sisterhood together. During school.”
Amelia and Olivia arrived at the bar. Amelia looked amazing in a short black Vera Wang sheath dress with red Louis Vuitton heels. Olivia was also dressed in her finest – she was wearing a strapless Calvin Klein top with a tight pencil skirt.Amelia was a little nervous as they told the bouncer their names. It had been a long time since she’d had a girl’s night out.You’ll be fine, she said to herself. You deserve this.Lily and Laura were waiting for them inside. They waved the girls over and they all embraced, clearly excited at the prospect of a fun night ahead of them. Amelia took notice of the table. There were at least eight different drinks strewn across it. “Hope you don’t mind,” Lily winked, waving at the assortment of drinks on the table. “I wasn’t sure what you drink these days, so I ordered a few options.” “You used to like cosmos,” Laura asked. “Still do!” Amelia smiled. It was so nice being with people who enjoyed her company.She picked u
A hush fell over the crowd. Jonathan stood strong. At once, he possessed the air of authority that only an Alpha had. “But you didn’t want it,” Lucas cried, shaking his finger at Jonathan. “You never wanted to be Alpha. You told me that. It’s MINE. I’m the new alpha. Not you.” “I changed my mind,” Jonathan said. Then he looked to Magnus. Magnus smiled at him and nodded. “Are you sure?” Magnus asked. “I am, your highness,” he replied. “Then it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the new Alpha of Blackseed,” Magnus declared. The crowd burst into applause and Jonathan beamed. True, he had never wanted the role before, but things had changed. His people, his pack, they needed his help. “As the new alpha of Blackseed, you have my word that Blackseed will no longer be dealing with illegal potions. We will find a new enterprise, a new business. We will become a media conglomerate, under my rule.” Amelia s
“Everyone, gather around,” Magnus said, his Alpha King voice reverberating around the room. Everyone stopped and stared in his direction. Mercy’s news had been most shocking indeed. Magnus knew that Sephora was up to something but without tangible proof, there was no way to charge her. He had planned on launching an investigation into Sephora and her Blackseed Pack dealings, but now that Mercy had come forward, he didn’t need to. He had all the evidence he needed, and he knew where to collect more.The DJ cut the music. “I have an important announcement to make.” Magnus had wasted no time. He waited for the crowd to settle, some in wolf form, some still in human form. This was odd? What announcement? Right in the middle of the party? It must be very important if Magnus was announcing it in the middle of the party. “Something has recently come to my attention,” Magnus declared. “And it is something we MUST address immediately. There is a traitor amongst us.”
Gabriel pulled Mercy back to the party. He told her to wait here, he was going to talk to Jonathan. Mercy nodded. There was something about Gabriel that made her feel safe. She didn’t know him well, but he was an Alpha, and a strong one at that. So she did as she said. Gabriel made a bee-line for Jonathan. He pulled him aside and started talking to him. Jonathan’s eyes grew wide and he looked over at Mercy, shock on his face. Then Gabriel pulled him in closer and kept talking. Jonathan’s face changed and he started nodding along, obviously agreeing with whatever Gabriel was telling him. Then he smiled. The two of them came back to Mercy. “Mercy,” Jonathan said, reaching for her hands. “You could have told me. You SHOULD have told me. You can trust me. I’m one of your best friends.” Then he brought her in for a hug. It felt so good to be in Jonathan’s arms. He was her oldest friend. She had been terrified that he wouldn’t accept her when he found out sh
Gabriel and Mercy walked over to a quiet spot by the edge of the forest. “You know, don’t you?” Mercy asked, her eyes concerned as she searched his face. “Yes,” he said. “How did you find out?” she asked, already knowing the answer. “It was while you were playing. I realized, you were enchanting us. Mercy, you’re an enchantress?” Mercy looked away for a moment and he could see the pain on her face. “Not exactly,” she said. “Well, yes. But I didn’t know. I honestly didn’t know. It was Sephora. She kept my secret and then, at the warehouse, she…she told me.” “Your secret is safe with me, Mercy,” he told her. “Don’t worry about that. I won’t say anything.” She looked at him with gratitude on her face. “Is it..is witch blood then?” Mercy sighed. He already knew, so she might as well tell him. “Yes,” she said. “Sephora told me. I guess my mother was a witch. She fell in love with a wolf and they, they had me.”
Sephora grabbed Lucas by the arm and hauled him away.“I’m very sorry, Jonathan,” Olivia said. “This must be a bit shocking.”Jonathan nodded then he shrugged. “Not really,” he replied. “I think I’ve always known, deep down, that Lucas wasn’t her real son. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything. It does explain why he was so awful to me all those years, though. I guess he knew, too, in his heart of hearts. He was afraid I would take the Alpha role away from him. I still don’t want it though. He can have it. He’s still the son of a previous Alpha, right?”“Uh, I just thought of something,” Olivia said then, her face pale. “Lucas is my half-brother.” Everyone let that sink in. Then Alfred broke the silence.“Tough break, kid.” He laughed. “But you know what they say? You can’t choose your family.”“No, I guess not,” Olivia laughed. “But you can choose your friends.” Amelia and Jonathan smiled at Olivia.“I feel like I should go,” Agatha said. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
Sephora recognized Agatha the moment she walked in. That bitch! That human that stole her husband’s heart with her seduction? What was she doing here? Sephora’s mind flashed back to the day she found her husband was cheating on her was a human! Sure, Agatha claimed that he was keeping her there against her will, but she was lying. Sephora knew it. She was perfectly content in her little love nest. The cottage her husband gave her! And now she was pregnant? If the pack found out, Sephora would be the laughing stock of the entire pack! So she had quickly devised a plan. She would keep the baby and raise it as her own. Her husband could keep his pretty little human. Whatever. It didn’t matter. As long as NO ONE KNEW! But then she’d run away and people had found out. She’d gone straight to the Alpha King himself. Sephora had rejected it all, called Agatha a liar. Why would her husband, the Alpha of Blackseed, love a lowly human. It was preposterous! Most people had b
“Davison,” Agatha smiled. “Come, sit with us.” “Oh no, I can’t stay long. And neither can you. Olivia’s friends are waiting for her at the gala. I just thought I’d check in to see how the little reunion is going.”“Reunion? Dad, did you…did you know about this? That she was coming here tonight?” “Of course. I’m the one who invited her.” “What?”“She looks just like the pictures,” Agatha said, stroking Olivia’s hair.“Pictures? What pictures?” Olivia asked. Something wasn’t making sense here. Agatha told her she had left when Olivia was little. But these two were talking like old friends? “He’s kept in the loop,” Agatha smiled. “Over the years.” “Really?” Olivia asked. This was all news to her. “Yes,” Davison confirmed. “I’ve been in contact with Agatha over the years. She made a huge sacrifice, leaving you. So I made it my mission to keep her updated on you and your life.” “He sends me pictures. And tells me about what you’re u
Lucas. Of course. Olivia nodded. There had been rumors that Lucas wasn’t Sephora’s son by birth, which is why Lucas has been so mean to Jonathan over the years. Jonathan had told Amelia that his brother had even tried to kill him once. That’s why Jonathan had left the pack. It was ironic, because Jonathan didn’t even care about being Alpha. He didn’t want it. But it made sense now as to why Lucas was so aggressive and hated Jonathan so much. Deep down, Lucas must have known that Sephora was not his birth mother. Which meant he wasn’t the rightful heir to the pack, Jonathan was. So Lucas had tried to force Jonathan to leave, to get him out of the way, so Jonathan wouldn’t be a threat. This was all starting to make sense now. “It was a secret, one that I swore to keep.” “What happened after Lucas was born?” “I stayed. For a bit. I didn’t know what else to do. But he…he got worse. Meaner. More forceful. I told him I wanted to leave, and he threatened me.
Olivia stumbled backwards, shocked. “Mmmm, mother?” she stammered. Amelia grabbed Olivia’s arm to steady her. “That can’t be.” The woman looked uneasily at everyone in the wings. “Can I talk to you?” she asked, stepping towards Olivia. “Will you walk with me? So I can explain?” the woman asked. Olivia shook her head in disbelief and turned to Alfred. He smiled gently at her and nodded his head. “Give her a chance to explain,” he told her. “Trust me, I’m just as shocked as you are, love. But she deserves a chance to explain herself.” Amelia and Jonathan agreed.“I don’t know what’s going on, but I agree with Alfred. You should talk to her.” So Olivia left the wings of the stage and followed the woman to the bench overlooking the lake.The gala was in full swing inside and they could hear the music and the people laughing. It was a calm evening, and the water was so calm it looked like glass under the light of the moon. “I know this must be quite the