AUDREY'S POVMagnus and I have been seeing less and less of each other. I only feel him when the bed dips as he joins me in bed late at night. He leaves before I wake, and I wake up to his cold side of the bed, so I know he's been long gone.This morning, though I woke up earlier than him, I could at least see his face. I never get to see him during the day either. He has been following guards on patrol trips and just generally tightening our security. As Luna too, I've been spending more time with the women of the pack. They readily accepted me, and I feel more comfortable in the pack even though I have lived here all my life.“Good morning.“ I watched him squint in the morning sun.“What time is it?“ He hurriedly rolled off the bed.“A little after 8.““What? I'm so late.““You're the Alpha.“ I chuckled.“I have a lot of things to oversee. I promised to train with the guys.““Wow.“ I muttered and stood up, too. “Are you okay?““Bloody hell no.“ I spat at him. “Doesn't it bother yo
AUDREY'S POV“You won't believe what he said about her.“ I smiled in glee at the thought of him discussing me with Mane. I wondered what they were talking about.I didn't have to wonder for long because my world shattered at her next words.“He wished she would be less whiny, and he doubted if he wanted a baby at this stage of his life.““Nah. You can't be serious.““I am. He told Beta Mane he should have thought about it carefully before making a decision on whom to make Luna.““He did not.“ The other maid gasped dramatically.“He did. I was so shocked. Now I'm not in a hurry to meet my mate.“ “It still feels like something out of a story to me. Are you sure you heard correctly?““Why would I lie?““They are mates, aren't they?““Makes one doubt it. What man would not want his mate to have a baby for him?““I don't believe it, Freya. I simply don't. They love each other too much. No, he loves her too much to do that.“ The maid said.“He even cooks for him. I want to make Audrey her
MAGNUS POV“Let's talk about this: What is Alexa still doing here?“The direction the conversation took completely blew my mind. I stood there, speechless. I didn't know what to say to that.“You have nothing to say? I knew it!““Knew what? I was just surprised.““Surprised that I was able to figure it out?““Audrey, what? What is going on? I know you have all the right to be mad at me for standing you up, but you keep talking about things I don't understand. I don't like how much you're working yourself up. It can't be good for our baby.““Our baby? This baby is mine.“ She declared. She wrenched her hand free from mine before storming out of the room.I stood there for a minute to take in what just happened.An hour later, Mane entered my office.“My Alpha.““Mane.““Did Luna take it well? I'm sure she can't be angry at you for long.“She's not only angry, Mane. She was completely irate.““What? She didn't believe you.““I didn't even have a chance to explain the things that happened
ALEXA'S POV“I have decided that you are free to go.“ He dropped the bombshell, and I felt my world rock a little bit. I was starting to enjoy myself.“No.“ “What? What do you mean, no?“ I didn't know I said that out loud. He looked confused.“I…”“You don't want to leave anymore? You seemed pretty devastated when I told you that you couldn't leave just last week.“ He was starting to get suspicious. “I thought you'd be happy to hear that you can leave now.““That's not what I meant, Alpha.“ I tried to stall him.“What do you mean, then?“An idea popped into my head. “I said no because I'm not leaving without my friend.“ “Oh.“ He looked impressed. “That is very thoughtful of you, Alexa. I can see how much you've grown in the months you have been here.“ I was impressed with myself, too, and I couldn't deny the shiver of delight that went through me when he praised me. No matter how badly he treats me, I know I'll never not have feelings for this man in front of me.“Thank you, Alpha
AUDREY'S POVLater that day, after I met the women and they all went back to their houses, I didn't want to return to the pack house, so I wandered around the pack.I came onto the path that led to my father's house. Shakily, I took a step closer until I was close enough to the door. I stood there for a long time, working up the courage to open the door.When I did try the lock, it was locked. Very firmly. I was disappointed and trudged back to the pack house because I thought I'd be able to see some of my old paintings.I was even going to sleep in there. Some sort of way to get away from Magnus. I was not ready to hear his explanation. Might never be.The house was quiet when I got in, with only the guards at their strategic location. I climbed up the stairs. I wanted to go into the kitchen, but I feared I was going to hear something more unpleasant.“Baby.“ Magnus jumped up as soon as he heard me enter.“Magnus, please; I just want to sleep.““But I want to clarify some things to y
ALEXA'S POVI hurried back to my room after I assured Jaxon that I was definitely going to get it done tomorrow. So I was securely back in bed before Johnny came back. He grunted in satisfaction, and I gave him a little wave.I was excited for my new plan. This is me taking back my power. This is me refusing to let anyone use me as a pawn or as a second chance.The next morning, I woke up bright and early. All the men in my life wanted Audrey. Well, they could go to her in death! If they really wanted to, they should go take her from the cold clutches of death.I had my bath. Put on a nice gown with little pockets attached to it to hold both poisons. I hummed an excited tune as I made my way to the kitchen.“Good morning, Johnny.“ He grunted. It seems like the only language he understands. “Your shift is over.“ I told him. Today is the day I leave this godforsaken pack. I was done trying to compete with Audrey for my brother's affection and for the love of my life. I win!“Good mor
AUDREY'S POV“You promise to tell me why you're so angry with me?““Yes,“ I promised.“Good. Let's dig in.““You can have the pancakes.““How generous of you, baby.“ He laughed. “If I'm eating the pancakes, then I'm having the juice.““What, no? It's my juice.““It's only fair.“ I pouted. “If you share the pasta, then I'll share the juice.““No way. You know what? You can keep the juice. It's just going to ruin my taste buds after having the meatballs.““Suit yourself, baby.“ We are in silence after that.“Are you sure you don't want any of the juice? The pulp looks extra chewy.“ He smirked at me.“I'm not sharing my pasta.“ I said defiantly as I hogged it closer.He drank every drop, and I glared at him. “What a bully!““Now I'm a bully?“ He laughed. The next thing I knew, he was on the floor.“Magnus.“ I whispered and rushed to him. He was convulsing, and he was jerking around the floor. Then he was foaming at the mouth.“Magnus!“ I yelled and shook him. I ran out of the room to get
AUDREY'S POV“Elsa, is that right?““Yes, my lady.““Who squeezed the juice, then?““My Luna, I…” She stuttered, and I narrowed my eyes at her.“The Luna asked you a question, didn't she?“ Mane boomed.“I…I prepared the food, but I didn't squeeze the juice.““You know who did?“She kept quiet and said nothing. I blew out an exasperated sigh.“Take her.“ I motioned to the guards. “Lock her up until she's ready to talk.She willingly went with them, which made me wonder who she was protecting.“Are you okay?“ Mane asked me when the whole ordeal was over.“I don't know.““I know this must be hard for you to hear, but you're going to be doing the Alpha's work until he wakes up.““What?““Yes. By tradition, since his accident was so sudden, he didn't ask anyone to step in for him, so it falls on you.““Oh Goddess.““It's nothing scary. You just approve and sign everything he does on a daily basis. We leave the major decisions until he wakes up.“We were discussing the deferment of the thro