Claire's POV "Alpha, what do we do about the matter of Sir Nathaniel?" "What else are we going to do about the matter other than to comb the human world for him? I am sure that he is confident that we would not be looking for him there, and that must be where he is currently hiding," Alex answered the man who asked the question.I sighed as I heard his response. Initially, I was all for finding the man and making him pay for trying to harm so many innocent people, but now that I was seeing and hearing how far Alex was willing to go just to catch the man, I wasn't so sure if it was all worth the effort.The search was already making Alex obsessed. I didn't want a situation where he would now turn into a hard man just because he wanted to haunt one down. Left to me, I believed it was time to let go of everything."As usual, I need you all to comb everywhere for him. Be careful while on the search. Is that clear?" He informed his men."Yes, Alpha.""Good." He answered.I was currently
Claire's POV I winced as soon as I got to the sitting room and realized my mistake. The maid had done nothing wrong and I shouldn't have taken my anger out on her. The person who frustrated me was Alex and he should have been the one I should yell at until all my anger was gone. I turned around to look for the maid and apologize to her for my uncalled-for behavior. However, the person I saw was Luna Lisa coming in my direction.There was no way for me to escape since our eyes met already. I grunted inwardly, sure that the woman was going to talk about me convincing her son to allow the coronation to push forward according to her plan."Luna Lisa," I began, wanting to tell her that I talked to Alex but he wouldn't hear any of it. She gestured with her hand that I didn't need to explain anything. That took me by surprise as I wondered what she was going to say or if she already anticipated my response and was going to get angry because I failed."I heard you and Alex arguing just now."
196ALEXAKIS "Alpha Alex!" A man shouted, tapping me on my shoulder."Huh?!" I gasped, returning to the present. I winced when I saw all the Elders of the council staring at me. We were currently in a meeting. I sighed when I realized that I must have zoned out on them. I looked to my side and saw as Kieran shook his head to let me know that what I was thinking was it."Are you okay, Alpha?" One of the Elders asked."Do you need some rest?" Another one added."Huh?" I asked again, uncertain if I knew exactly how to answer their questions. How else would I tell them what exactly was going on with me?Arguing with Claire was never one thing that sat down well with me. I was not myself, knowing that I raised my voice at the woman. While I would love nothing more than to blame her for trying to defend my brother, I knew that I was wrong too. And what was that saying again? Two wrongs could never make a right.Knowing Claire right now, I was sure that she was already regretting how she sh
ALEXAKIS I raced to the border the moment the boy gave me the information. The border? Why exactly would she go to the border when she had no business around there? No matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn't find a suitable reason. The only thought that filled my head was getting to the woman and making sure that she was out of harm's way.I soon got to the place, already heaving and panting for breaths because of how I ran. I didn't bother to pause to regain my breath as I began my search for her immediately. I looked at the long line which separated our pack from that of the next pack, thinking that she might be anywhere along the line. However, the place was as clear as crystal water. There was no one who looked remotely like the person I was in search of. Heck, there was not a single soul in sight. I quickly mind-linked Kieran just as he taught me. I was happy when the connection clicked into place and I could hear his voice in my head, happy that I finally got the mind
Claire's POV The ray from the sun fell onto my face, burning me. I blinked rapidly before I turned on my side to prevent the sun from scorching my face. I blinked when I noticed an arm wrapped around me protectively. I opened my eyes from shock and relaxed when I saw that it was none other than Alex.I got up and watched him sleep for a while. I remembered that I stood at the border for hours, contemplating whether to cross over to my world - the world of humans - or if I should just remain in the pack. It took several hours to make a decision, but I finally did.My middle finger went to Alex's forehead and I moved away the stray hair that was covering his face from my view. The reason why I stayed back was not too far-fetched. After weighing all the pros and cons of why I should either stay at the pack or return to my family, I discovered how much I felt at ease with Alex. With the man, I could be myself without worrying about what his thought of me would be. It was better with hi
ALEXAKIS The next few hours flew by with me having deep thoughts about what my mother wanted. She had actually cornered me after we were done with breakfast and demanded that she would like to talk to me. Only that the talk had resolved none other than her wanting the coronation to happen as soon as possible. I got up from where I sat and went in search of her after I finally came to a decision. "So, what do you need to see me for?" She asked when I finally found her."The coronation. Let's just do it," I told her, caving in to her desire. I smiled as she beamed with happiness at how she finally managed to hook me."Then you need to meet with the council and let them know your decision." She told me.I didn't bother to waste any more time with her. I got up and called for an emergency meeting straight. In thirty minutes, all the Elders of the council were already seated in the meeting hall. I joined them shortly after. "I would like to know your opinions about getting a new date fo
Claire's POV After Alex accused me of staying distant from him, I felt the weight of his words weighed me down considerably. The book I was reading no longer caught my interest. While I wanted to go over to see him, I kept myself in check as I was sure that he was going to be busy with the preparation of the coronation he insisted on having, just as his mother wanted. I couldn't still believe that the man gave in to his mother's desire.If he was going to do what she wanted, why had he even bothered to play hard to get before? Or was there a reason why he was giving in to the urge?Still, staying at the mansion made me feel lost. I dropped the book, got my bag and scarf, and left the house. With not many places for me to visit, I went to the cafe where I knew there would be many people I would be able to interact with and feel less lonely about my being alone at the mansion.Just as I thought, the coffee house was packed with different people who were sipping hot coffee from their cu
Evie's POV I raced all the way to my room. The steps creaked loudly, forewarning one and all of my sudden intrusion into the house. I slapped a hand over my mouth to keep myself from letting out the terrifying sound that threatened to spill forth. I didn't want anyone to see me in my frantic mood. Even though the stairs did little to nothing to quench the stealthiness I was aiming for and the odd feeling in my heart, I was still trying my best not to react in any way.If I did, I was afraid that I might be ticketed as a mad woman and bundled to rehabilitation before I could let go of my fear and act normal once again.The instant I got into my room, I clicked the lock shut. I went to the window and latched the lock into place. I also drew the curtain together to give me adequate privacy. Once I felt safe enough to stay in the house, I went to my bed and collapsed on it.What was that? What exactly in the fucking hell was that?!For a few days, after I accused Father of having men tai
Epilogue. Claire's POV A full year had passed since Alex proposed to me, and I gladly accepted to be his woman. Today, we were taking the final step and getting married.My hand went to my neck where the mating mark was. After I accepted his proposal, he carried me to our room and gave me the mark after a hot, intense sex session. He had wanted the wedding to be carried out two weeks after his proposal, but I told him I wanted to wait. I wanted the pack to accept me as a human. To gain that approval, I learned how to fight with swords and how to shoot arrows, to show them that even if I was a human, I would always be there to fight by their sides if the need ever came. Then, I went ahead to start my own restaurant at the pack.At first, I barely got any customer as they were all weary of me. But little by little, people began to troop in. Now, I had two other branches out in the human world. This helped to show the people that if we ever had the need for cash - which was very unlik
Claire's POV A week passed after the ordeal we had in defeating the man who tried to claim the lives of so many people. I sighed, praying to the God in heaven that Scott's soul would find relief wherever he was now. He deserved that much for all the trouble he went through in his life."What are you doing, Claire? Wheel me well." Luna Lisa complained, drawing me back to the present."Sorry," I apologized. I moved the wheelchair a little bit faster than the pace I was keeping before. We were on our way out of the mansion to get some fresh air in the garden. Luna Lisa had to use the wheelchair as her legs were still healing. The doctor had, however, assured us that she would be fine and it was taking long to heal because it was a demon's bite."Claire." I heard someone call my name and I turned back, only to see Evie standing behind me, her suitcase already packed and with her."Are you going to somewhere?" I asked her. After the incident, we had gotten somehow closer as we had to comf
ALEXAKIS As soon as Kieran told me through the mind-link that my mate and her sister were safely back in the pack, I felt relief wash over me. I turned to look at Scott, her ex-boyfriend, all the anger in my heart targeted at him.He had endangered the life of the woman I loved, and I was going to make sure that he paid for it. No matter what anyone said about it, I was going to make sure that he paid heavily for his action.It was with that anger that I gave him an uppercut on his chin. While he bent over at the shock, I gave him a jab at his side, making sure I went all in to ensure I broke almost all his rib bones, if not all."You..." The man growled at me. He stood upright and gave me an evil smile. I knew he was up to something and that helped me stay alert. He began to morph into something hideous in front of me. Within seconds, there was no longer a man where Scott should have been. Instead, there was a tall dark beast, with two horns on his forehead, red eyes glowing brightl
Claire's POV After waiting for what felt like an eternity, even thinking that the man I was waiting for would no longer come, I was shocked when I saw him finally make an appearance. The tears that stopped flowing before came again, afresh. My heart wrenched within me, and I struggled to breathe well. Why? Why would he come here? Why did he risk his life like that?Our eyes met, and the man smiled at me. I shook my head at him as he started walking to where I was. When he got to me, he sighed."I am here now." He consoled me. It was clear that he thought I was crying because I was happy I saw him. I shook my head at him to show him that he was wrong about his insinuation. Still, he didn't get what I was trying to say."Alex, you need to run!" I finally let out amid my tears. I looked left and right to see if Scott and his men had gotten a whiff about Alex's appearance and were now on their way in here. When I didn't see them rushed in, I sighed, a little bit relieved about that. "L
Claire's POV "Scott, I am begging you," I pleaded again. I didn't care how pathetic my voice was. All I knew was that there was no way I was going to let the man kill Alex just because of a mistake that my father made."Why do you think–" his phone rang, cutting him off. "Really? Good." He said. Then, he cut off the phone. The kind of look he gave me made me cold all of a sudden."What is it?" I asked, feeling scared already."Guess who is coming over soon?" His voice held the malicious excitement he felt. "Alex! He is going to come here soon, and I will have so much fun killing him." He let out.My eyes widened in shock, and my breath became hitched."Do you want to know how he is going to die soon?"I shook my head to stop him. He ignored me and continued anyway."I plan to corner him and hit him when he least expected it." He said with a small evil laughter."You..." My voice trailed off as I realized that the man was gone already, leaving me alone."All of you, leave the building
Claire's POV It felt like forever since I got trapped in this basement where the light was never in and made it hard to tell when it was either night or day. The horror of not knowing how long it had been since I was in this hellhole made my heartbeat pound even faster. There was also the awareness that I no longer have a father to reach out to. Even though the bridge between us was rough, my heart sank now that I was aware that it had been burned forever. What made it worse? Knowing that the man and I were not on good terms before he died. How was I supposed to live on now knowing that my father hated me?I wanted to get angry with Evie over the death of my only family and how she played a part in it, but she lost Becky also, and I knew how much hurt she was going through for that. Besides, she was my family also no matter how hard we fought with each other."Claire, we need to escape." She said to me frantically again. I shook my head at her since the bandage was still covering m
Claire's POV Scott!" There was no doubt in my heart that I was relieved to see a familiar face even if it was that of the jerk who cheated on me with my sister.After I left the car and went in, I was surprised to see the door open. I thought it was so because they - Father, Becky, and Evie - were all home. I stepped inside, but it was empty. I went to Father's study but he was not there. After I searched all the places that I could, I swallowed my nervousness and went to Becky's room to see if she was there, but then she was not in the room either. A quick visit to Evie's room revealed the same ordeal.The house felt bizarre at that point, and I had a bad feeling flushed over me. I ran out of the house to see if I would see them, but nothing of such happened. I was about to move to the woodshed to see if they were there taking care of the games they hunted the night before when I saw Scott standing in front of me."Scott!" I called again. Even though the man and I never exchanged wo
ALEXAKIS I wasn't sure what exactly was making my heart feel like it had been shattered into two. Was it how Claire left me after I thought that she was going to stop and think about the love between us? Or was it because the house now seemed empty without her?I wanted her close to me - that was a fact. If I hadn't stepped into the position of the Alpha already, I would have damned every other thing and asked her to leave with me to a faraway place where we would be happy together, without anyone judging us.But I was already one, and she felt out of place.I knew it was necessary for her to take the break as she truly needed it, but I was against her going over to her parent's house. Still, that was the only safe place I knew would work for now. That didn't make my worry lessen any bit, though.Apart from her family treating her like trash, I was worried that Nathaniel might make a move for her now that she was no longer under my protection."We are here, Alpha."I looked up and sa
Claire's POV After contemplating my decision for a while, I finally came to a conclusion. It would be better for me to leave Alex and the pack, even if it was only for a while. Maybe when I would return, the animosity these people had toward me would be gone."Alex, can I have a word with you?" I asked. We were seated in the living room. He was busy with some files while I had my laptop in front of me, but I couldn't concentrate on anything I was learning on the screen. The man looked up from his work and gave me a gentle smile."I'm all ears, love." He said, the smile still plastered across his face."I want to leave," I let out quickly. I was afraid that if I hesitated, I would never be able to say it to him. I winced as he dropped the files in his hand on the floor and rushed over to where I was, holding my hands."Why? What is it?" He asked in a very gentle tone. "I just... I need a break," I told him."I know. I've been feeling the way you keep pulling away from me recently. I