MAGNUS' POV“Good morning, my Lord.“ I cracked my eyes open to see Audrey propped up on one hand, looking at me with a mischievous smile.“What's happening?““What? I can't call you my Lord.“ She brushed a hand down my chest and rubbed it all over. “Have you been working out?““No. It seems like someone woke up on the right side of the bed.““Yes. I feel oddly excited about today.““Hmmm. I wonder why.““I know. It's because my able mate delivered on his promise.““Able mate, huh? He sounds amazing. Tell me more about this able mate of yours.“She laughed, and I felt my day had already begun. “Seriously, though, Magnus. Thank you.““I'd love to take all the praise, but Mane did the most work. He was the one that pointed out the flaw in the woman's work.““I'll thank him too. But I'm thanking you for reassuring me. Not letting me go without a fight, and lastly, I'm proud of how far we've come.“I tugged on her closet and draped her body over mine, so she was straddling me.“You make it
THIRTY SEVENAUDREY'S POV“Congratulations! You're going to have a baby boy.“Tears welled up in my eyes. I'm going to be a boy's mother. I'm going to have a baby boy for Magnus. I have never been this happy in a while. I turned to look at Magnus.“We're going to have a boy.““Yes, baby. He's going to be the most perfect pup ever. I hope he gets your red hair.“ I'm sure he'd shed a few tears if we weren't in public.“Me, too.““Thank you, doctor.““Anytime, Alpha.“He guided me out of the hospital. “Thank you, baby.“He hugged me. We stood like that for a few minutes. This was a new level of intimacy for us.“I love you.““I love you. With every cell in my body.“I smiled at that. He was such a softie deep down.“That reminds me. You never told me who was behind the whole prophecy fiasco.““Don't worry about it.““Who?“ Maybe he noticed I wasn't going to drop it. He sat me down on a log near the pack house.“Fine.“ He relented. “It was Alexa.““That bitch.“ He explained how it all wen
MAGNUS' POVI have never seen Audrey look this radiant. She seemed to be glowing under the moonlight. Her red hair was fiery and laid beautifully against her white dress.I couldn't bear to look at her when the hot rod touched her skin, but I knew she wasn't going to cry. My girl was stronger than that.When the priestess declared her Luna, I was there by her side as she took in the scene before her, which is why I knew immediately that something was wrong the minute she caught sight of someone.She dropped my hand and gasped softly. I looked around to see what she saw. I saw nothing out of the ordinary.“Baby, are you alright?“ She seemed to be transfixed to a spot. I shook her, and she snapped out of her reverie.“Yeah. Of course.“ She kept looking at the same spot.“What happened? What were you looking at?““Um…” she said, looking around once more. “Nothing. I thought I saw something. It must have been my imagination.““What?““Pardon?““Who did you see?““It's no one.““Okay.“ I d
AUDREY'S POVI woke up very early the next morning to feed my growling belly. Magnus was wound around me like a snake. I smiled and tried, keyword being tried to wriggle out of his arms. In vain.“Baby, where are you going?“ He murmured in his sleep. He pulled me tighter to him, and I chuckled.“Gotta pee, babe.““Oh.“ He released himself and went right back to sleep.I tiptoed out of the room to get food. That was when the memories of yesterday rushed back to me. I was finally Luna.“Good morning, Luna.“ Two maids stopped and bowed as I passed.“Good morning.“ I responded shyly. I would have to get used to the bowing part.“Elsa.“ As usual, she was already in the kitchen, overseeing the maids.“Luna Audrey.“ She bowed too.“Come on, Elsa.“ I waved her off, but she refused to stand.“Rise.“ I sighed, and she stood up. All the other maids, too, followed suit.“Congratulations on your coronation, Luna.““Thank you, Elsa. I'm starving, please.““Pancakes or waffles?““Waffles, please, an
MAGNUS' POVI was in the office working when, in all honesty, I was hiding from Audrey. I don't know how to tell her that her father escaped from prison.I had sent out all the guards on the ground to search the surrounding woods. Even sent spies to codedly enter some packs.Nothing was forthcoming.I tried to concentrate on anything else. I told myself I was going to tell her by myself before she heard it from someone else.A knock on my door had me sitting more upright in my chair. “Come in.“In came Mane. “Any update?“ I asked immediately.He didn't answer me but stood aside to reveal Audrey. She was as confused as I am. What was Mane playing at?“Luna has something to say regarding what she saw yesterday.“ He gave her a look, and she huffed before perching herself on the couch.“I'm not sure if I saw anything at all.“ She insisted.“What's going on?“ I interrupted their banter.“Luna?““Well, I thought I saw Jaxon at the pack yesterday during my coronation.““What are you talking
MAGNUS' POV“So we know he was taken so he could deliver a message?““Yes.““The same message we got from the previous rogues. There has to be a connection.““There is. I'm done with this cat-and-mouse game. Tomorrow, you gather all the guards and soldiers for me.““Yes, Alpha.““Audrey wants us to hold a befitting burial for them.““Good thinking.““Yes. I wonder why I didn't think about it sooner.““That's why you have a Luna, my Alpha. Because you can't think of everything.““You're right. Inform all the elders and pack members. Make sure they're gathered for the burial.““Yes Alpha.““You're going to tell the priestess too. She knows what to do.““Yes, Alpha.““You will also bring me their widows. I want to talk to them personally.““Yes, Alpha.““Lastly, you'll bring me Alexa.““She's off her house arrest?““No. She's going back after I speak to her.““Yes, Alpha.““Get to work.“ I waved him off and concentrated on my work too.****ALEXA'S POVDays rolled over each other till I
MAGNUS' POV“I don't forgive you.“ She says, shocking us both. Audrey was not a vengeful person. She couldn't hold a grudge to save her life. Which was why I was deeply shocked to hear her say that.Alexa looked at me for help. I simply shrugged. I don't know what to do, either.“But…”“You know why? Because you almost cost me my happiness, and I didn't even do anything to you. You just thought it'd be okay to do those things to me. You want something that will never be yours, and you don't mind who you hurt in the process. I've been through a lot with Magnus, and you almost made me run to protect my baby, so yes, I don't forgive you.““Babe.“ “You can apologize. You can even be sincere about it, but I don't forgive you. That, I can do. You don't deserve it, and I won't do it. I'm not that magnanimous, sorry.“She was apologizing for not forgiving someone. This was the type of behavior that made me more obsessed with this woman.“Alpha Magnus.“ She whispered as if I had any say in it
MAGNUS' POVThe funeral went well, and in a way, the funeral was a consolidation of Audrey's position as Luna.“So that went well.“ I stripped and joined her in bed.“Yes.“ She yawned and rubbed her eyes.“Tired?““Very.“ I chuckled. “How do you do this every day?““Do what?““Be Alpha.““I have motivation right here,” I said, rubbing her belly. “You and our baby. The mere thought of any harm coming your way because I was too lax with security is enough reason for me to wake up in the morning.““Aw, that's sweet.““I guess it is.““I forgot to tell you earlier, but we found your father.“ I felt her stiffen in my arms.“Where?“ She said in a small voice. I know what she really wanted to know was if he was still alive.“The guards found him near the north creek.““That is unclaimed territory, isn't it?““Exactly. So we can't pin the kidnapping or break-in on anyone.“She fell silent for a while. “Did he say anything?““Nothing.“ I didn't tell her about the threat or the bullet shell.“H
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