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.
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