AUDREY'S POV“Luna ?““Hi, Mane. What's up?““Nothing. Estelle told me to reach you. She says she wants to see you urgently.“My heart sank. “Urgently? Is everything okay?““I think so, yeah. I'm sure there's no need to panic because she didn't tell me anything.““Maybe she's in need of female company.““Maybe.“ He shrugged and left. What could Estelle want to see me for?“Hey.“ I hollered after him.“What?“ I beckoned for him to come closer.“Tell Magnus I'm off to see Estelle and that I've had my lunch.“He looked confused. “Okay?““Go.“ I left the flowers, and off I went.I remembered after I was a house away that Magnus warned me to always take a guard with me everywhere.“Even in the pack?““Yes.““Even if I'm going to the square to see the ladies?““Even then.“ I was dumbfounded.“You're being paranoid.“ I told him. “Isn't that too much?““You're the Luna; they will understand, and honestly, I could care less if they do or not. As long as you have a guard with you.“I grumbled.
MAGNUS' POV“What is that even supposed to mean?“ Audrey held her hands akimbo and tried to look fierce. The only thing she succeeded in doing was being cute. I'm sure that was not what she was aiming for, so I wisely kept my mouth shut.“It means I'm not getting him treated. Not on my watch.“She laughed. “You won't let an injured man get treated because you're jealous.““Jealous?““Yes, Magnus. You are jealous. Mane, tell him.“ “Leave me out of it.““Why else won't you let him get treated then?“ She turned back to me when she saw that Mane was not going to help her.“Because why should I?“ I said lamely.“See? Jealous!!“ She laughed in my face.Maybe I was a little bit jealous. In her dream, he died. Why didn't he just drop dead in real life too?““How did he know Estelle was here?“ Mane asked.“Exactly. How did he know you were here?““He didn't even know until Estelle called me. Estelle's grandmother told Elder Tella where she would go after he got banished.““What do they have
MAGNUS'POV“Did you get to see who it was?““Yeah.“ He sighed.“What? Who?““It was Alpha Jaxon.“Mane and I were stunned into silence. “Mane? Did you hear that?““Are you sure? You saw him?““No.“I got angry then. “Don't fuck with me. I'm not joking with you. You said it was him, but you didn't see him? Are you serious?““Relax. I didn't see him, but I know it was him.““How?““I saw three of his soldiers. I'm pretty sure it was them. The one that came to drag my grandfather out recognized him. I'm pretty sure that's why he killed him. If they didn't think the Alpha beat me to death, they would have looked for me and killed me too.““You are absolutely sure of what you saw?““Absolutely.“I motioned for us to leave him alone.“We are in trouble.“ He told me once we got back to the office.“I know.“ I sighed. This was not a good time at all. But an attacker wasn't going to wait until you were comfortable.“He's basically amassing soldiers to fight us.““I know.“ I know all these thin
AUDREY'S POV TEN YEARS AGO“Mom?““Yes, baby?““Will Daddy be back tonight?““I don't know. He has some work to do for the Alpha.“I pouted. “I haven't seen him in so long.““If you want, you can go and see him in the pack house.““I can?““Absolutely.““Yes.“ I kissed her on the cheek where she was knitting. “Kiss your baby brother too.“ I kissed her belly and skipped away.Since my mother's pregnancy, our house has been peaceful again. My mother always wanted to have another child, preferably a son for my father. All the physicians she went to told her the chances were slim to none. She didn't give up, though, and I'm all the better for it.We are now having dinner together again. We were starting to feel like a real family.My father was an important soldier in our pack. He was always working for the Alpha. The guards recognized me at once, and they let me in.“Daddy.“ I spotted him right away.“Audrey.“ He picked me up in his arms. “What are you doing here? Did you come by yourse
AUDREY'S POVTEN YEARS AGO“Your mother gave me a girl.“ He said it with so much disgust that one would think he doesn't have a daughter.“A dead girl.“ He completed it before he turned his back to me.I was shaken by his words. I stumbled back at his harsh words. “I have a sister.“ I whispered to myself. “She's dead.“I ran out of the room. I went back a few minutes later. I wondered if I would be able to see my mother now when I saw the physician and some nurses rushing into her room.They wrestled my father away so they could operate on her. I have never seen my father look as broken as he did in that moment.I quickly backed away from him before he saw me.My father and I waited in front of her hospital room for about thirty minutes before one of the nurses came out.“What's going on, Nurse?“ “She is being operated on at the moment.“ The nurse said.“Why? She was fine.““Her birth complications are more complicated than we thought.““More complicated?“ The nurse used his distrac
MAGNUS POVAGE FIFTEEN“Why do I have to be there?“ I whined.“Why do you have to go to your pack?“ My mother scoffed. “Boy, don't annoy me.““But…I haven't been there in so long.““Exactly. Every wolf needs to be around his pack.““I don't want to.““Well, you have no choice. Start packing.“ She ordered.My parents moved to the city when I was very young. I honestly had no recollection of ever being there. I do know that we were practically royalty over there.“Your uncle Lawson is the Alpha there.“ My father explained to me. He explained everything that was related to packs and pack business to me when I was 6.“Is Dad going, too?“ I eventually dragged out my suitcase. I filled it with things I thought I'd need. “Yeah. He will come straight from work, and we will be off.““Yes.“ The only part that cheered me up about this trip was that we were going to be driving all night. I love traveling at night.My mom dragged out two suitcases, and I stood there, perplexed. “Are we moving the
MAGNUS POVFor the remainder of the day, I refused to talk to my parents. I even refused their invitation to dinner. I am only taking up my uncle's offer to send a maid up.“Hey, champ.““Alpha..““What did we say about the Alpha thing?““Sorry, Uncle.““Much better.“ He sat down on the bed. Well, since we're staying here, it is my bed. “How do you like the room?““I love it.“ I told him honestly.“It was your father's old room. It was the biggest, and he requested I clean it up for you.““Uncle, I appreciate you saying this things on their behalf, but it doesn't take away the betrayal. How could they do that to me?““I told them it was not a good idea to keep you in the dark. They were doing what they thought was best for you.““Or they're just selfish.““Nah, kid. You can call them anything you like, but selfish, isn't it? Your parents are the most selfless people you will ever know. Did you know that your mother just gave up a promotion just to help you connect to your roots?“I lo
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.
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