ALIYAH’S POV
"You can always move the rook in a straight line, either vertically or horizontally…" Reid explained it to me while he was teaching me how to play chess.
I scratched my head. Even after watching him defeat Klaus twice in a row, I couldn't figure out how this game worked.
I moved my last pawn forward, and it was eaten by Reid’s Queen. I looked at him and noticed that he was enjoying the game and was eager to win against me.
I pouted my lips. "What are the moves that the king could make again?"
"Only minimal moves like these." He then moved his king a few times to teach me, but my forehead creased even more,
"She seems not to be enjoying the game, Reid." Klaus laughed a bit as he tapped the Alpha’s shoulder.
My eyes widened.
"It’s not that I’m not enjoying the game. I—I’m having trouble following the rules," I honestly said," and lowered my head.
I used all my w
ALIYAH’S POVReid’s eyes widened at my vehement confession. With a shuddering breath, I looked away, and for a moment I wished I hadn’t admitted my feelings for him.It was totally embarrassing...I badly wanted to scold my wolf inwardly. Because of this strong desire that engulfed me and made me vulnerable as hell, those words of admission slipped out of my mouth at the wrong time."Aliyah..." he paused, his voice sounding so sensual that it sent shivers down my spine.I waited for his proper response. In the back of my mind, a small part of me was hoping he’d say something that would make me flutter. But I guess that was only wishful thinking. Seeing the firm expression on his face, as if he was forcibly holding himself back from perhaps anger or embarrassment, made me want to take back all those words I said.If only it was that simple.‘This is your fault...’ I told my wolf as I bit my lower lip
REID’S POVRage. That was the only emotion that welled up inside of me after learning how my mate was treated by her own family. She was abused because of the lame reason of her father; tortured and starved instead of being taken care of and loved being the only daughter of former Alpha of Silver Moon Pack.My jaw clenched as I fisted my hand. Deep within myself, I knew that I would never let it slide. She never deserved to experience such horrible things. They were the sole reason why my mate turned so thin, fragile and traumatized.Those who made her suffer would pay at all costs.“However, even though they maltreated me, I still love them. They are the only family I have, and it may sound foolish but I still hope they will love me unconditionally,” she said. Her tears fell while her shoulders shuddered in high emotions.“They don’t deserve to be your family, little wolf,” I said firmly.“Still, th
ALIYAH’S POVNeedless to say, Reid did not fail to impress me every day.I watched him in excitement while he was preparing the ingredients that we would be using to bake a chocolate cake. Who would have thought that an Alpha had a thing for baking? I tilted my head to the side and smiled. My face lit up even further when he took a few glances at me. His blue eyes sparkled and indicated an emotion I struggled to name."So, you love to bake?" I asked him curiously, walking near the countertop table and taking a look at the ingredients and kitchen utensils he was preparing to bake."Not that much. But I baked muffins to feed the children a lot of times," he replied."You’re feeding them?"He nodded, and once again I was deeply impressed by his kindness. He may have looked so ruthless and uptight, but deep within lies his warmhearted readiness to help anyone in need.I couldn’t stop myself from comparing him to my own b
ALIYAH’S POVMy dream made me pant, featuring me running through the deep part of the forest and chasing after a familiar white wolf. I ran... and followed it, but it disappeared into the thin air. All I did was catch my breath. Sweats formed on my forehead as my eyes looked around the darkness of the forest.Then, all of a sudden, the sound of the bushes rustling got my attention. My forehead creased as I turned my gaze in its direction, until I saw a big black-coated wolf that came out of it. Its crimson red eyes radiated dominance and power, lust and need.My breath hitched. The mating pull washed over me like cold water. No matter how I tried to resist it and run, my body seemed to be overtaken by the base desire of the bond. I slowly walked towards the wolf, feeling the need to slide my fingers into its shiny jetblack coat."Mate," I whispered, my heart pounding violently inside my chest.The wolf howled, and I could feel my gut twisting
REID’S POVI had never been this delighted for most of my life, not until Aliyah came and changed the way I viewed the world--from dark hues, it was painted bright colors. I was used to the robotic routine as I took responsibility for my pack after my parents died, and the thought of feeling happiness never crossed my mind.But Selene seemed to have a plan for me.When the mating pull happened, the little organ in my chest, as well as my veins, were alive with its force that drew me closer to my mate. It completely changed me, my perspectives, and my life principles. Having Aliyah around gave me a sheer amount of positivity and I would trade anything just for us to stay this way for as long as we could."Are you full?" I asked her after noticing that she had already finished her dinner."I am. Thank you for the food," she replied with a shy smile.I thought it would take a very long time for Aliyah to figure out that we were mates, but
ALIYAH’S POVIt was the first time that someone appreciated the food I cooked, and I was glad it was none other than my mate. I couldn’t hide my smile as I watched him eat every pancake I made. He chewed it as if it was the most delicious meal in the world.I recalled the way my family snarled at me whenever I cooked for them. Even though I knew that the food I served them tasted good, they would always find a way to insult it and act as if I was trying to poison them. Little did they know, I only wanted their appreciation.An individual's mood is greatly influenced by appreciation. I believed I would have endured everything longer if only they appreciated me. However, they simply hated me for breathing and for existing in their sight."Aliyah, are you alright? Is something bothering you?" I heard the familiar soothing voice of Reid, which made me come back to my senses."I am!" I said, slightly startled because of his sudden question.
ALIYAH’S POVWhen Reid mentioned meeting his pack, I didn’t expect it to happen the same day around afternoon.My palms were both sweating in front of all the members of the Jewel Pack as I formally met them. I could feel the loud thud of my heart against my chest and my knees were feeling jelly. I’d fall to the ground at any moment because of my anxiety.I was wearing the white long sleeve dress that was brought by Klaus’s mate. I stood up beside Reid in the center part of the main chamber, swallowing hard and trying to compose myself."I’m glad that this day has finally come. Like I had announced prior, I had found my mate and she’d be leading the pack in the same way as I do. Together, we will work to ensure the betterment of the pack, and I look forward to doing my responsibility with my mate on my side," Reid intoned in his deep and authoritative voice.He spoke like a true and admirable leader. Despite the
REID’S POV"What is that thing that just made an enticing sound?"Aliyah moved her seat closer to me. Her eyes were too focused on my phone. My hunch that she didn’t know anything about phones was right when she questioned me about it."It’s a smartphone, Aliyah. A hi-tech device we use to communicate with people digitally. Didn’t you have one from your previous pack?" I asked.She pursed her lips while shaking her head."This is the first time I’ve seen a device like that. Was it like an analog telephone?" she asked as innocence radiated on her face."Yes, it’s like old telephones. But this smartphone will let you speak with anyone by typing messages," I explained further and had her see the phone for herself.Her eyes sparkled with amazement when she touched my phone, and all I could do was give her a more curious look. I wasn’t sure whether her previous pack was a typical outdated group, bu