AUDREY'S POV“I think we're done for the day.“ Estelle yawned.“Yes. We can continue tomorrow. You look tired.““Yeah. The moving and packing are hella exhausting.““I understand.““Well, let me go see if they are done with my grandmother's room.““When will she be back?““She will come here from work.““I see.““But there's a chance that she might forget that we moved, so I'll go pick her up if she's not here by the time she should be.““No problem. We could go together. I could use the walk.““I know, right. You look close to bursting.““I know. Sometimes I look in the mirror, and I can't believe the size of this thing.““He better come out a full-grown adult because this baby is big.““Ugh. I can't wait to just push it out of me.““And I'll be there with you every step of the way.““That's sweet, Estelle.“ She smiled. I don't know which surprised me more. That she made a promise like that or that she didn't deny the comment I made about her being sweet.“Alright. Let's get going.“
AUDREY'S POV“Some women just want to have it all.“ I heard a maid say, and I briefly wondered who they were talking about.“I know, right. So what she's Luna? She should give someone else a chance.“Wait, I'm the Luna. Did they know the consort-picking ceremony wouldn't be happening? Wait, it will be holding, but none of them has a chance because it's not happened. “Ladies, I have news. The ceremony is going to be held after all.““Really?“ One of them shrilled. “How do you know that, Lisa?““I just confirmed it with Beta Mane.““For a moment there, I thought it wasn't going to hold.““What is she going to do about it? Is she more powerful than the elders?“She must think she means something because the Alpha pampers her.““It's because she's pregnant. Everything will stop once she gives birth. Men! You don't have their attention for long.“ One of them spoke wisely.“True.““You guys, I have news.““What is it?“ When she didn't say anything, they yelled at her.“Keeping us in suspe
MAGNUS' POV“Are you nervous?“ Mane asked when he came in for work.“What's there to be nervous about?““You are going to be changing the laws as they know them. You're going to be letting down a whole group of maids.““I'm not worried or scared. If they don't like it, they're free to go.““True. A bunch of grumpy maids won't change a thing.““We will just hire more girls. Their loss as far as I am concerned.““Where are we on that land border issue?““We have made progress compared to last week.““Good.““I'm sorry, Alpha. But I need to be outside to make sure everything is set for tonight.““No problem. Let me know if there's any problem.““Yes, Alpha.“He left me to my devices, and Audrey waltzed in.“What are you doing?“ She asked.“Finishing the rest of these plans.““I see.““What are you up to?““I'm taking a break, actually.“ She plopped down in front of me.“From?““Have you been outside? It's madness.“I laughed at her. “You're even more stressed than the maids.“ I teased he
MAGNUS POV“Good luck, baby.“ Audrey squeezed my hand.“Thank you.“I went to the middle of the circle and faced the maids.“First off, I want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time out to come to do this ceremony with us. To you maids gathered here today in hope of being the chosen one: Are you ready?““Yes, Alpha.“ They chorused.Before I said anything else, I went and looked at them as if I really wanted to pick one of them. They preened and smiled, hoping to sway me in their direction.I turned back and went to the center of the stage.“All of you look beautiful tonight. I'm sure you look that way during the day, too. Now I can't choose everyone of you, now, can I?““No, Alpha.““So you have to listen very carefully to what I have to say. Are you ready?““Yes, Alpha.““Good. Because I have very important information to share.“ I paused and looked around for effect. “This year, or shall I say, during my reign as the Alpha here, there will be no consort.“ I dropped t
AUDREY'S POVI have been feeling the intense urge to pee ever since the ceremony started. I don't want to seem rude, though, by suddenly standing up when Magnus was battling it out with the elders.It finally subsided a bit, but the second Magnus put me down on the bed and he left for the kitchen, I ran as fast as I could to the bathroom.“That was good.“ I was so relieved after doing my business. I managed to wiggle out of my dress and change into my regular clothing.“Audrey ?““In here.“ I met him on the floor, and I joined him. The urge to pee came again, but I held it in. I was going to eat first.“This is so delicious.“ I said with my mouth full.“Do you think he's going to have my hair?“ I asked unexpectedly.“Who?“ He took a swig of water. I reached out for it, then reminded myself of my predicament.“Earl the second.“ I know he was shocked by the turn of events.“I don't know. I hope so. But if anyone should get your red hair, I want it to be our daughter.““You wanted a daug
MAGNUS POV“Alpha?“ Estelle's grandmother suddenly appeared behind me from my spot on the balcony.“What's up?““The physician said she's ready to push.““Oh.“ My nerves spiked up, and my palm suddenly became sweaty.She led the way.Audrey was breathing very heavily.“You're almost done, baby.“ I rushed to her side.“I can't do it.“ She said to Estelle.“You can and you will.“ She encouraged her.“Baby, look at me.“ I ordered.“Hmm?““You can do it.“ “Okay.“ She whispered carelessness. Her eyes started to close. That couldn't be good.“Make sure she stays awake.“ The physician ordered. He just confirmed my fear.“Audrey.“ Estelle patted her face. She gave in to the darkness.The physician looked up. “no no no.““What's happening?“ I yelled.“Calm down.“ The physician ordered. “Make sure she doesn't fall asleep.““But she is asleep.“ I said. “What should I do?““Luna ?“ He shook her. He checked her vitals. “Why isn't she waking up?“ He muttered to himself.“Who are you asking that?
JAXON'S POV“Get me the commandants for each pack we've raided.“ I told my new Beta, Pete.“Yes, Alpha.“ Pete was one of the smartest soldiers I've ever met. He approached me once he found out that I was raiding packs and taking over the guards and warriors.“Why are you betraying your people?“ I asked him when I found out what he came for.“I'm not betraying them. I'm saving them.““How?““The pack is poorly managed. The Alpha and Beta are only interested in lining their pockets. There's nothing tangible for us warriors to do. There's no proper guidance. A reform would be good for them.““I see.“ I wasted no time. I was not an idiot; I sent someone to confirm what he was saying. I don't want to help anyone carry out their revenge plans. The spy came back and confirmed what he was saying, except it was worse than he reported.I promptly added his pack to the list of packs to be attacked. There were seven of them that have been attacked so far, and I made his pack the eighth.Unfortun
JAXON'S POVI sent my gift that evening through the same spy.“You better make sure she gets it. I don't care how you do it as long as she gets it.““Yes, Alpha.““One more thing: don't get caught.““Yes, Alpha.““You would be better off killing yourself than associating yourself with me, do you understand?““Yes, Alpha.““Good.“That was taken care of. I wish there was a way I could see her reaction when she got the gift. Would it be too much if I fashioned a secret camera into the jewelry?It's too late, anyway. I couldn't call him back now.Would I get a response? This could go two ways: a war or a war. I had to prepare and be ready to go.“Hey, Pete.““Yes, Alpha.““For the shift tonight, double the guards and make sure there are some guards at all the borders we share with other packs.““Yes, Alpha.“ Smart man. He didn't ask me any unnecessary questions. Just do the work.I know she might be doubting where the gift came from, so I signed it. As far as I was concerned, I was the