MAGNUS' POVThe weeks after that were uneventful. I came to know who the third man was. Smith was the head of guards. He was also my father's best friend, even though these days he was always in the pack; it was for work. The man works a lot. He was always already in a clean uniform by the time I saw him the next day. Already. I wonder when he sleeps or if he sleeps at all.One day, I learned from the guards that he lost his wife to childbirth complications.“Why is he still coming to the pack house then? When he should be mourning.“ The first guard said.“Who knows? Could this be his way of distracting himself?““Could be. They said he dug the grave himself. And buried her in a place no one knows.““How do they know that, then?“I laughed at the guard's confusion. His question was valid. Since no one knows where he buried her, how did they know he dug the grave by himself? I decided I was going to send him my condolences the next time I saw him.I didn't get to see or talk to him.
AUDREY'S POV“What are your plans for the day, baby?““I don't know.““Try again?““I don't have any plans for the day.“ I pouted.“Why are you cranky this morning?““I don't know. I woke up this way, I guess.““Hmm. Does your back ache?““A bit.“ He gave me a look. “Fine, it hurts a lot.““That's what I thought.““Massage ?““Do you even have to ask?“ He got behind me and gently massaged my back.“Thank you.“ I suddenly felt sleepy after that.“Do you want me to carry you to the bathroom? Wash you?““No.“ I yawned. “I suddenly feel like sleeping now. I didn't get enough rest last night.““Alright, baby. You know where to find me.“ He pecked my head before heading out.I nodded my head, but I was already deep in sleep. The next time I came to, it was already afternoon. I stretched, and I felt better than when I just woke up.I needed that.I took my bath and freshened up. My appetite returned then. I suddenly felt bad for Magnus yesterday. I decided I was no longer hungry after I drag
AUDREY'S POV“You're taking a consort?“ I turned to him. “Tell me more.““Baby, I don't know what he's talking about.““I see. Mane?““Well, I don't know anything about it, but it just kind of reminds me now.““That what?“ Magnus replied.“I went through the pack's customs and traditions when I first became Beta.““And?““Why don't we all have a seat?“ Magnus suggested.He pulled me to the couch, and Mane faced us.“So, I read the customs and traditions, right?““You mentioned that already.“ I was impatient. I wanted to hear the part where my husband takes a consort.“Right. So, I got to the part where the Alpha has to take a consort after over six months as the Alpha. I didn't think it was important or that anyone knew about it until I heard the maids talking about it.““You didn't think it important to tell me something like that?“ Magnus replied.“No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made the judgment by myself.“ He looked remorseful.“You shouldn't have.““I'm sorry, Luna.““It's fine.
MAGNUS' POV“Honestly, do you think this whole consort fiasco will become an issue?“Estelle and Mane were moving in today. Estelle and Audrey were overseeing the arrangements upstairs.“It might be. But I've not heard anything about it recently.““Maybe they forgot about it.““Let's hope so.““Yeah.“I went upstairs to see how far. I was very impressed with their organization. They had converted two rooms to make it look like it was an apartment. Instead of a room in a whole place.“Good work, ladies.““Alpha Magnus.“ Estelle bowed meekly. It was always fun to see Estelle behave that way around me. She was always so calm and respectful around me.According to Mane and Audrey, she is very feisty and doesn't hesitate to pick a fight. I never saw her like that because she never directly spoke to me unless I asked her a direct question.I mentioned it to Mane once. “Estelle's soul recognizes true power and aura, which is why she is naturally submissive to legitimate people in power. She
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
FINAL CHAPTERMAGNUS POV"What are we doing then?" Mane asked."He will be waiting for an attack. We won't give him one.""So we are not attacking him?""We definitely are.""I'm confused, Alpha.""It's simple. We are still going to go with the strategy you drafted, except that I'll go in first. Distract him.""Oh. That's much better; the spy said he's getting passports done, so we know he's leaving soon, and he will be at his pack.""Exactly." I stood up, battle-ready. "Let's get a move on then. I would hate to miss him.""Yes, Alpha.""I'll go first. Lead the men and meet me there.""Yes, Alpha." I got in my car and drove off. This was the third time I was traveling this route in months, and I hope this will be the last time I'm going with fear and uncertainty in my heart.If our plan works, then this will be an easy win. I packed my car about ten meters from his house at the edge of the park and waited until the coast was clear."Alpha, come in." Mane's voice filled the earpiece I
JAXON'S POVI brought her back to the old place where it all started. The house at the edge of the pack was where she hid when she was still in her right senses. When she still saw Magnus for the hypocrite that he is,"Why are we here?" She was even more beautiful than before."You will see.""Is my baby in here?""Do you want to see for yourself?" Why was I answering her questions with a question?I pushed the door open. "I fixed the door. You know the one Magnus threw me into?""Jaxon, I really am not interested. I don't feel sorry for you or anything. I just want to see my baby. How hard is that to comprehend?""I'm sorry, my lady." He smirked. He finds her adorable with her smart mouth. "Your baby is right up ahead."She climbed the stairs and went into his room. There was the baby. There was a maid with him."Who are you?" She jumped up."His mother, that's who. Get out.""No, Alpha Jaxon said...""I don't care what Jaxon said. Get the fuck away from my son." She yelled at him. I
MAGNUS' POVImmediately after I discovered the note, I ran out of my room to Mane's."Mane." I pounded the door. "Mane.""What? What's happening?" He opened the door and joined me outside."This." I handed him the note Audrey left me. Soon after, Estelle joined me too."What's happening?" He showed her the note. "Oh Goddess." She groaned."What?" We both turned to her. "Do you know something?""She suddenly wanted to be alone yesterday. This might be what she was plotting.""Why didn't you say something?""I didn't think it was important. I didn't know she was planning anything. I'm sorry."I relented. "There was no way you could have known." Mane said."She obviously got a letter." "What?" We turned to her again. "What are you talking about?""She said she was going to be long gone, meaning she knew where she was going.""That's not hard to guess. She's going to go to the Blue Moon Pack.""Jaxon would not go back to his pack with a baby. No one is that stupid. He must still be nea
AUDREY'S POVLAST NIGHT"Where are the men now?" I asked Estelle. It was a rhetorical question. I didn't expect her to know."Last I heard, they were searching all the empty houses.""Why?""They say there is a possibility that the kidnapper might still be on ground." My nerves spiked up. "Is it possible?""I don't want us to put our hopes up." She said gently. "I believe the Alpha will do everything he can to bring him home.""I know."About twenty minutes later, I left her to go back upstairs. We came down earlier to see what was happening."What is happening?" I pulled one of the guards aside."The Alpha got injured.""What?""He is at the physician's already.""Oh No. Is he okay?" I couldn't afford to lose my husband either."Yes, Luna. He might be unconscious for a while because he was hit pretty badly.""Thank you for scaring her, you jerk." Estelle sneered at him, and I patted her hand."Can I go see him?""No, Luna. I have strict orders to keep you here.""I see." I sighed. "
MAGNUS' POV THREE YEARS AGO“What are you doing?“ I jumped at the sound. “Why are you so restless?“ Jaxon laughed at me.“I was just surprised, is all.“ I defended myself.“You still don't feel at home yet?““Honestly, I've never felt at home anywhere before.““Why is that?“ He sat beside me on the floor.I sighed. Was I really ready to tell him my life story?“You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.“ He said. It wouldn't hurt to tell someone.“No, it's cool. What did you ask again?““I want to know why you have never felt at home anywhere.““So my parents died in my last year of high school. Rogue attack or something like that. I stayed with a friend of theirs until I could leave for college. The point is, I've always been on the move. I never stay in the same place long enough to feel at home there.““I see.“ What did he see? “It sounds like an eventful life.““A sad, eventful life.““My life has been very boring. There's nothing spectacular about my life. My father
MAGNUS' POV“This house has been unoccupied for a while now.“ One of the guards said,“Go on.“ They broke the door down and went in. “It's all clear, Alpha.““Let's go.“The second house was empty too. Same as the third.“All clear, Alpha.“ I was beginning to think this was a futile effort.We reached Audrey's old house.“Do you know where this is?“ I said to Mane.“No, Alpha.““This is Audrey's old house. This was where she lived for the first twenty years or so of her life.““Oh. Are we checking it?““It's not necessary. I still send maids to clean this place out regularly.““Yes, Alpha.“We moved on from the house.“Alpha.“ One of the guards caught up with us.“Yes.““I think I saw a curtain move.““Are you sure?“ Mane asked.“Well, why didn't you say anything?““I'm sorry, Alpha.““It won't hurt to check it out.“ I directed them to go back.“I don't have the key, shit.““We could break it down.“ Mane suggested.I thought about it for a while. If it turns out to be nothing, I coul
MAGNUS' POV“How could she keep something like that from me?“ I asked Mane.“I'm not defending her, but I think I see where she's coming from.““Where is she coming from?““I have a question, Alpha.““Go on.““If she had told you that two days ago, what would you have done?““Gone straight to him, of course.““Exactly. That is exactly what she feared. You would have waged war against them. She just gave birth. I'm sure she doesn't want to see the father of her child injured or, worse, dead.“I thought about that. He was right. “What do you suppose I do now?““Wait it out. Let's wait for the search party to come back. We will join them in the morning and lead the search party to Blue Moon Pack.““Hmm. We can do that.““The kidnapper has the advantage of the night. Besides, the person might still be in the pack.““You think so?““I feel strongly about that.““Hmm.“ I went back to the office. Audrey was staring blankly into space while Estelle rubbed her back mindlessly.“Estelle, excus
AUDREY'S POV“I'll just head to the kitchen. I need a glass of water after all the talking I just did. I'm parched.“ I laid down Earl the Second beside Estelle.“Alright.“ “You can go up to sleep when I come back.“ I could see that she was already dozing.“Alright.“I went down to get that drink.“Luna Audrey.“ Elsa greeted.“Hi, Elsa.““I can see that you're up and about now.““Yes. What are you cooking?““Just some soup for the guards.““Give me some.“ I don't know why I was suddenly craving soup.“Yes, Luna.“ I sat on the stool and waited for her to set up the dish. “Here you go.““Thank you.“I slurped up the soup, and I was surprised by how tasty it was. “This is delicious, Elsa. How come you never make soup for us?“She smiled. “I didn't think you would like it, Luna.““Well, I do.“ I smiled. “Please include it in the meal plan.““Yes, Luna.“ I took a big swig of water. I went back up to my baby to relieve Estelle of her duty.“Estelle ?“ I shook her awake when I reached the nu
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