ALEXA'S POVTW: SELF HARM.“I think the Alpha is awake.“ I heard one guard tell the other. They were on their nightly patrol.“How do you know that?““Beta Mane just brought in the physician now.““That, or his condition, is getting worse. If he is awake, there is no need for the physician to come in this late at night.““You are right.“My heart raced at the information I just heard. If Magnus dies, there is no way I'll be spared from death.Magnus better not die, and I might have the actual chance of leaving the dungeon alive. If I do leave the pack alive, I'm sure my brother will be patiently waiting for me.I thought about my situation and how I got here. I've been in the dungeon for three days now. My wolf was slowly fading away. I was forcefully fed a potion that would kill my wolf bit by bit. I was in so much pain that I could not eat or perform. I could only sit there and let life exist.The next day, I waited patiently for news that the Alpha was awake or, worse, dead.I coul
JAXON'S POVThe news reached me that Magnus was awake. The news I really wanted to hear was news of my sister's whereabouts.A knock interrupted my thoughts.“Come in.“It was the last spy I sent out in search of my sister.“Yes, Earl?““I tried my best, Alpha. I couldn't find her. I searched everywhere.““That's okay.“ I sighed. “You can go.“ Wherever Alex was hiding, I hope she was hiding well, because the moment I laid my eyes on her, she was toast.She ruined a simple plan. How could anyone but an idiot ruin a plan as easy as that? Poison the girl, but she ended up giving it to the man. I shook my head in disgust.I have no words for her idiocy. I should be with Audrey now, comforting her on the loss of her child… I stood up and stretched. Life is just so boring nowadays. Maybe it's time I shake things up a bit. I decided to go for a run; maybe that would ease my worries a bit. I walked into the woods and let my wolf take over. I didn't run for a long time when my nose picked
MAGNUS' POVThe next morning, I carefully selected a team of warriors—not more than five of them—so it wouldn't look like an attack.Our convoy consisted of just two cars. I drove myself and three soldiers because I was the only one who knew the car route. The other two soldiers stayed in the other car with her body. It was a short trip. We were soon entering the pack. I drove straight to the pack house. I drove past the house where he put Audrey the last time. I reflected on how far I have come since that time.“You guys stay in the car until you sense any sign of trouble.““Yes, Alpha.“I went in. I was stopped by the guards in the main house.“Where do you think you're going?““To see Jaxon. Sorry, Alpha Jaxon.““No.““Trust me, he will want to see him.““How about you go tell him that Magnus is here to see him, huh?““No,“ he said.I was starting to get pissed off. “Why don't you be a little good dog and get me your Alpha?“He growled. I know I disrespected him by calling him a d
AUDREY'S POVThe following week went smoothly, with the smallest bit of tension in the air. The only people that felt the tension were the main leaders in the pack.Everyone was kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop. “I feel like there's something going on, you know?“ I was with the ladies at the square when one woman commented.My heart jumped. What does she know? Did her husband tell her anything?“Me too.“ You, too?“Everyone is walking around on eggshells. It just happened all of a sudden. I mean, the tension has been there since the Alpha got poisoned.““Meaning we are all thinking the same thing.““They didn't tell us what happened or what caused it.““We have the right to some sort of explanation, don't we?““Accountability, much?““The only thing you have the right to know is that you are not in danger. Not today, not tomorrow.“ I cut in. “The Alpha was poisoned, and he is fine now, and it didn't affect any packmate in any way.““Isn't it because we have never gone this
AUDREY'S POV“Audrey ?““Estelle.“ I smirked at her.“You know her?“ He looked between the two of us, confused.“Yes.“ She was still looking at me. She glanced at my bulging stomach.“How do you know her?“ She asked Mane.“She's the Luna here.““Luna?“ She balked, then laughed.“What's so funny? You're being disrespectful.““It's fine. I understand where she's coming from.““That doesn't excuse her disrespect.“ She rolled her eyes.“Could you please excuse us for a moment?“ I told Mane.“Are you sure?“ He looked between the two of us.“Yes, Mane.““Be good.“ He squeezed her hand affectionately.“Always.“When he was out of earshot, I turned to her. “Fancy seeing you here. What are you doing here?““I could ask you the same.““This is my pack.“ I answered her. “Why did you leave the Blue Moon Pack?“ I looked at her from the corner of my eye.“I can move if I want, can't I?“ She bit back.“You can, but you better start talking if you don't want me to accuse you of being a spy.““What? T
MAGNUS' POV“She's not from here.““Where is she from, then?“ And how the hell did Mane meet a foreigner?“She's from the Blue Moon Pack.“ I froze. “And I know what you're thinking.““And what am I thinking about?“ I tried to play it off.“That, she has a motive to be here. Mane and I discussed that possibility. Well, I can assure you that she's not.““You know that, how?“ “Because I knew her while I was living there.“ Great, it just gets better.“Really? How?““At the art school?““Oh. The one you taught at?““Yes.“ With Paul, but I didn't say that out loud.“What was the boy's name again?“ I feigned disinterest.“Paul. Matter of fact, babe, this girl was super aggressive to me because she thought I had something going on with Paul at that time.“Maybe because there was indeed something going on. I didn't say that either.“Oh? Why would she think that?““She had a massive crush on Paul. He's so clueless. Paul can be cute like that.“ She giggled. I wondered if she was being clueless
MAGNUS POV“I think we should actually make his judgment public.“ Mane said.“You think?““Yeah. That would probably clear the people's doubt.““Yeah. I feel so too.““Tomorrow is the day then, my Alpha?““Yes. So tell me.” I turned to him. “Why were you so late to come to the pack house this morning?““Well, there was nothing urgent going on, so I thought I'd have some me time, you know?“ He must have anticipated that I'd ask him because he didn't even stop to think about it.“Me time?“ I laughed. “Is that what you kids call spending time with your mate these days?“He groaned. “She swore she wouldn't tell you until I was ready.““And you believe her? We are married, and she's also my mate. There are no secrets between us. You will understand now that you have your own mate.““So you aren't pissed?““I'm pissed, alright. How come you told her first? It was me who introduced you guys. Me! Now you're both keeping things from me.““It isn't like that at all. I was going to wait until I
AUDREY'S POVMagnus led me down the stairs carefully. My heart pounded in my chest at what I was about to witness.I know I said I didn't care what happened to him, but there was still a part of me that would always feel for him. He was my father once, after all.“Are you okay, baby?““Yeah, I'm fine.“ It looks like all the members were here to witness the fall of their former Beta. I hope no one will connect me to him or say Magnus was being biased because I'm Luna.Everyone bowed as Magnus and I made our entrance. “Rise.“ Magnus waved at them. I could only concentrate on not tripping over thin air.Magnus sat me down before he took his seat next to me.“Baby, are you okay?““Yes, Magnus.““Because I can take you back right now.““I'm here, aren't I?“ I gave him a smile. He looked relieved at my smile.“Yes, you are. My brave Luna.““Thank you.“ I squeezed his hand.“Silence!“ Mane got to work. Everybody became silent. “Since the Alpha and Luna are here, we will start with today's p
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