MAGNUS' POV“It will be done soon. You can rest assured.“ I escorted one of the elders of the pack out of my office.“Thank you.“He came to remind me that I still don't have a Luna or a Beta.That was the wake-up call. I needed to stop thinking about Audrey. I buried myself in work instead. I sorted the affairs of the pack and made changes when necessary.The next thing to do now is to choose a Beta.That morning, I sent out a message to the people that a contest was going to be held in the evening to choose the Beta.Evening rolled in fast, and I could feel the excitement palpable in the air. I could see the different families prepping their candidates for the contest.They bowed as I took my seat and I could see them eyeing Alexa curiously as she took her seat beside me.“Aren't you going to introduce me?“ Alexa whispered.“I'm only going to introduce them to their Luna, and you're not the Luna.““Yet,“ She added. “I'm not the Luna yet.“ “Let's get this started, shall we? Let all
THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY“Such a great party, Alpha Magnus.““Thank you for inviting us.“ I recognized some of the people who came over to where I was standing with Alexa in my arms.“Magnus !“ A sweet old woman from The Blue Moon pack came over. “Mrs T. I didn't know you would make it.“ The delight was evident in my voice.“And you, dear, congratulations.“ She turned to Alexa. “Snatching the eligible Magnus before anyone. Good for you. I don't see your brother anywhere.““Oh. He had some things to take care of in the pack house.“ Alexa said, as politely as she could.“Hmm. Well, I'll see you later.““Speaking of your brother, he didn't tell me he had things to do. He just sort of disappeared into thin air.““Well, that's my brother for you. Always doing as he pleases.““Weird.“I want this party to be over soon, but werewolves will party until the last drop of alcohol and I don't see the alcohol finishing anytime soon. I paraded Alexa around and introduced her to everyone who looked imp
AUDREY'S POV“Good evening, Jaxon.““Hi, Audrey.“ He was exhausted, and he sounded like it.“Do you want to eat? I can throw something together.““No.“ He yawned. “Just sit with me a bit.““OK.“ I put something on the TV, so the silence wouldn't be uncomfortable. He scooted closer, so he was resting his head on my shoulder.“Do you want to talk about it?““It's nothing. Just the monotony is getting to me. Doing the same thing every day can be very tiring.““Tell me about it.“ I sighed.“What do you use to entertain yourself?““In the middle of nowhere?“ I teased.“Do you want to come live in the pack house then? We can lord it over people together.“ It was a subtle invitation, but I dodged it.“I don't know the first thing about lording it over people. I'd cry if they didn't do as I said. I don't think that's a good quality in a leader.““It isn't.“ He laughed. Our position was intimate, and we were speaking in low tones. Magnus' gray eyes flashed in my mind and I suddenly felt guilty
AUDREY'S POV. “Audrey?!“ I thought I heard Jaxon's voice. “Jaxon? What are you doing here?“ I was happy to see him because I was dreading having to walk back by myself. “I stopped by the house, and I saw that you weren't back, so I thought I'd come walk you back.“ “Thank you.“ “Let's go.“ “Oh, lest I forget.“ I dragged Paul to Jaxon. “This is Paul. He was incredibly supportive today.“ I gushed. “Alpha Jaxon.“ Paul bowed respectfully. Jaxon didn't say anything. I noticed what caught his attention—me and Paul hand in hand. I quickly dropped his hand. “Paul. Thank your grandfather for me when you see him, yes." “Yes, Alpha.“ “Now be a good little boy and be on your way.“ I frowned at his demeaning tone, but I said nothing about it.I couldn't take it, so I said, What's on my mind? “You didn't have to speak to him that way.““What?“ I could tell I caught him off guard. “Paul. I wanted to introduce you to him because he was so supportive today when he didn't have to be, but the
ALEXA'S POV. If asked to recount the details of that afternoon, I wouldn't be able to give an accurate response because one minute I was whipping an insolent maid, and the next minute, it was as if a wolf leapt at me. It was not a wolf, however. It was Magnus. I tried tapping and wriggling out of his hand, but I was no match for his gigantic hand. His gray eyes had turned black, and I was seeing spots. I tried to turn, but my wolf suddenly seemed to be in a coma. “Alpha, please, you'll kill her.“ Words filtered into my ears, admonishing him on my behalf. “My Alpha, her death would cause more trouble than she's worth. It would cause war, and you just barely established your reign.“ His beta said: That was when he eventually dropped me. I took a much-needed breath of air, and I coughed violently. The maids made no move to help me. Only looking at me makes me gasp for breath in amusement. “Consider this your last warning.“ Magnus said it as if he just didn't try to kill me. “Mane's
JAXON'S POV“Do you want to go back to him?“ I asked quietly. I doubted if she heard me. “I…” she hesitated. Why was she hesitating? “You want to, don't you?“ My tone was accusing. “It's not like that.“ I could see tears run down her face. I wanted to console her, but I didn't. Not when she's considering going back to him. “What is it like, then?“ “I can't do it alone.“ She sobbed. “I have no idea of what to do with a baby. What am I going to do? I can't hide his baby from him forever.“ “You remember what he put you through, don't you?“ “I do, but maybe he'd treat me better now that I'm carrying his baby.“ My heart broke all over again at this news. She was carrying his baby. “He will, and can you guarantee that after you give birth, he won't revert to his old ways?“ She mumbled something incoherently. “Plus, Audrey, he's engaged to get married soon.“ I could see that she still loved him from the way her eyes widened at the news of his engagement. “I know.“ She muttered sa
AUDREY'S POV“Are you really not going to change your mind about working?“ Jaxon asked in a hopeful tone.“No, Jaxon. That's final, okay?“ We both found out that I was pregnant a week ago, and he insisted that I rest. I rested for a week to keep an eye on my reactions, and I stopped retching after food three days ago. Plus, I now have supplements to make sure I'm healthy.“I'm just worried about you and our baby.“ I didn't want to remind him that the baby was Magnus'. I didn't want to ruin the mood.“I'm okay, Jaxon. Thank you. I'll be off now." He even sleeps over now. I'm afraid he's getting too attached. I sound like an ingrate; thousands of single mothers would kill for someone to take responsibility for their baby, and here I am, not wanting him to get attached.There was just something unsettling about the whole thing. I pushed the nagging thought to the back of my mind. I'll worry about it later.“Audrey.“ I grinned and jumped into his outstretched arms.“Paul, it's so good to
AUDREY'S POV“Let her go, man. Where are you taking her?“ Paul's panicking voice was the first one I heard when I came to my senses.“If you say one more word, I'll rip out your tongue.“ Magnus threatened. I opened my eyes and tried to wriggle out of his arms.“Stay still.“ He commanded.“No. I'm going to scream if you don't let me down.“ I guess he doesn't want to make a scene because, surprisingly, he gently let me down on my feet.“What are you doing?““You ran.“ He accused.“I'm not yours to do with as you wish.““You are until I'm done. Now, you'll go back to your boyfriend and tell him not to say a word of this to anyone or else," he sneered.I didn't need to be told twice. I went back to Paul.“Who is he? Are you okay?“ He met me halfway.“I'm fine. I was just shocked by his appearance.““You don't look safe with him.“ He protested.“I'm fine. He won't hurt me.“ Physically, at least. “But please, don't say a word of this to anyone, okay?““Yeah, sure.““I got you, Audrey.““Whe