As I stepped into the moonlit clearing where the pair stood, the weight of what was about to go down settled heavily on my shoulders. The night was alive, and shadows danced around as I moved, with the trees whispering secrets as the wind blew through them. Dan and Leon stood before me, their smirks showing the twisted pleasure they took in this power play. It enraged me, and I frowned and I approached them. I could feel the power of the full moon thrumming beneath my skin, an angry energy that demanded recognition. I clenched my fists, the familiar burst of adrenaline and determination flooding my veins. I had faced challenges before, but this was different. This time, it was personal to me. They had taken Erin, my friend, my family, and I would stop at nothing to avenge that, not just because they had taken her, but also because of how they had taken and treated me. My captivity had not left my mind.As they stood there, more people jumped out of the woods, men I recognized and fou
After the battle, my body still pulsing with adrenaline, I made a decision. Without a word to Brad or my pack members, I slipped away under the cover of the night. My steps were quiet as I went even deeper into the forest, away from the remnants of the battle. I needed some time to myself, a chance to gather my thoughts, away from the responsibilities of being Alpha Layla..The forest welcomed me, its weathered trees whispering secrets as I walked. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting a welcoming glow on the forest floor, and for a moment, I considered just laying there and falling asleep. My mind was a wide range of emotions - relief for Erin's safety, anger for what had been done, and a strange, unwelcome sadness for the lives I had taken in order to save my own. I needed to feel connected to myself again, needed to feel a sense of purpose beyond the battles that seemed to be all I dealt with, every single day. I found a quiet spot, a small clearing bathed in moonligh
That night, in the middle of the forest, I decided to get settled down in a small clearing. The moon was shining brightly, casting a silvery glow over the old, thick trees that surrounded me. As I made a makeshift bed of leaves and grass, I couldn't shake off the feeling of loneliness that clung to me like a shadow, which was silly, since I had chosen this life for myself. The sounds of the forest, the chirping noises of crickets and the rustle of leaves from the animals around me, seemed both comforting and scary.I lay down, my eyes heavy with exhaustion from the battle and the journey, but my mind was restless, and I couldn't get it to settle down. Thoughts of Brad and Erin played like a bittersweet song in my head. I was glad that they had made their way to the pack back, and that they were both safe, since I loved them both so completely.I could picture Erin, strong and brave, leading the pack in my absence. I imagined her telling stories of my bravery, how I had sacrificed myse
With the first light of dawn filtering through the thick canopy of trees above, I started out on the trail left by Alpha Dan and Leon. Their footsteps were planted in the soft forest floor, and the direction they winded down was leading me deeper into the heart of the forest. The anger inside me burned like a wildfire, and I turned it inwards, allowing it propel me forward with a force that felt almost primal.The forest was alive with the sounds of nature waking up. Birds chirped their morning songs, and small creatures scurried about, oblivious to the anger that was consuming me from the inside. I moved very quickly so nothing got a chance to truly perceive me for too long, my senses were alert to every sound and movement around me too, so I could avoid every indication of danger that even came remotely close to where I was. My eyes were fast and sharp, and all they did was repetitive motions, scanning the ground for any signs that would reveal the path my enemies had taken.As I f
With my senses sharp and my anger burning like a wildfire, I crept closer to the cave where Alpha Dan and Leon had taken rest in. The scent of their joy mixed with the natural musk of the forest filled my nostrils. It was a heady aroma, one that fueled my dedication to bring them to justice.Gathering thick vines from the surrounding trees, my fingers moved deftly, weaving them into a sturdy rope. Every knot I tied held the weight of my vengeance, an anger so potent it seemed to move my hands. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting a pale glow on my hands as I worked.Silently, I approached the entrance of the cave, my steps light and careful. The soft murmur of voices drifted to my ears, confirming their presence inside. I steeled myself so I would not make a foolish mistake because I was over taken by my anger, and made my grip on the makeshift rope firm.As I looked into the darkness of the cave, my eyes adjusted to the dim light, revealing Alpha Dan and Leon hunched ov
The journey back to the pack took two long, exhausting days. My body was sore from all of the fighting I had to do to get there, and every step was a reminder of the battles fought and the demons I had faced. As I approached the familiar territory, my stomach began to hurt, and anticipation and anxiety gnawed at my insides. The taste of victory from Dan and Leon was bittersweet, because I had emerged from the forest a changed person, my revenge seemed to mark me. Finally, I stepped into the boundaries of our pack, the place I had called home for so long. But as I walked through the familiar pathways, a strange aura hung in the air. Whispers followed me, carried by the wind, and I could feel the gaze of every pack member who had sighted upon me. Some people hurried into their homes, and I wondered why. Children pointed with curious eyes, their innocence unaware of the battles I had fought and won when they weren't there. I smiled weakly at them, trying to muster the strength to face
The mention of Erin being in the pack house, attending to Alpha Brad, sent alarm bells of worry ringing through my heart. I remembered the crush Erin had on Brad, how she had admired him from afar before I ever noticed or realized that she wanted to fit into the picture. The thought of her spending time alone with him, especially in his vulnerable state, sparked an uneasy feeling in my chest.A rush of memories flooded my mind, taking me back to the days when Erin would blush and stammer whenever Brad was around. She had been so obvious about her feelings, even though she tried her best to hide them. I recalled the time she accidentally spilled a tray of food on him during a pack gathering, her face turning the shade of a ripe tomato as she mumbled apologies. Brad had always been gracious, laughing it off and reassuring her that it was alright.I shook my head, trying to take away the irrational jealousy that threatened to consume me. Erin was my friend, and she had always supported m
The words hit me like a forceful tidal wave, crashing against the fragile walls of happiness I had built around my heart. Brad's eyes, once filled with love and recognition, now held only confusion and amusement. I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill, but my emotions betrayed me, and a sob escaped my lips."What do you mean you don't know me?" I choked out, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and desperation. "Brad, it's me, Layla. Your mate. The person who loves you more than anything in this world. We have been through way too much together for you to say that you don't love me. You have to, you just have to."He stared at me, his brows furrowed in deep concentration as if he was trying to grasp at a memory just beyond his reach. "I... I don't remember. I remember coming back with Erin, but your face... it's unfamiliar to me." At his back, I caught my reflection in the mirror to see if I had changed so much that I wouldn't be recognized in the few days I had
P.S: Dear readers, we've come a long way. Please don't forget to leave your comment in the comments section and your vote counts as well. See you in my next book' Winks'. Love Ya. Last Chapter. ***** The crisp autumn air rustled the leaves overhead as I stood with Brad by the edge of the clearing, my hand instinctively cradling the small swell of my belly. The pack had settled into a comfortable routine after the wedding, our days filled with moments of joy, laughter, and the expectation of new beginnings. Feeling the gentle kicks from our unborn child, I marveled at the miracle of life growing within me. Brad's hand rested on my stomach, his eyes filled with awe and love as he felt our baby move. The bond we shared seemed to have even deepened by the knowledge that soon, we would be welcoming a new member into our pack, and it would be a baby: a symbol of our love and the unity of our community. As I stood there, lost in the wonder of impending motherhood, Wally and Margot appro
P.s: Dear readers, we're coming to the end of this book. Please try to leave a review in the comments section. I really appreciate all your efforts thanks. ***** The sun set on the victorious battlefield, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Amidst the jubilant pack members and the warriors from the Black Creek pack, Brad and I found a moment of quiet to discuss our future. Erin had joined the celebrations, her eyes reflecting the relief of a battle won and the joy of newfound family bonds. We walked together along the edge of the clearing, the sounds of laughter and celebration fading behind us. Brad looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of love and determination. "Layla," he said, his voice soft yet steady, "we've been through so much together. I can't imagine my life without you. I want to spend the rest of my days by your side, facing whatever challenges come our way, just like we did today." I smiled, my heart swelling with affection for the man beside me. "Brad,
Amidst the chaos of battle, Erin stood her ground, her eyes locked onto Rame with a mixture of anger and disgust. Brad and I, observing Erin's fierce resolve, exchanged a quick, worried glance. We knew Erin's history with Rame, how he had manipulated her in the past. We couldn't let her face him alone, but we also understood the need for Erin to confront her father. A lot of the battle had been for the pack, but a lot of it had been for Erin's sake too."Brad," I said, my voice low but urgent, "we can't just leave her alone with him. She needs our help, our support. We can't risk her getting manipulated again."I nodded, my eyes never leaving Erin. "I know, Brad. But we can't just rush in without a plan. We need to be strategic about this. If we charge in recklessly, we might inadvertently make things worse for her. We have to trust Erin, trust that she's strong enough to handle him."Brad clenched his fists, frustration evident in his eyes. "I trust Erin, but I don't trust him. He's
The air in the pack meeting hall buzzed with excitement as I stood at the front, my eyes scanning the faces of the pack members. The news of the imminent threat from Rame had spread like wildfire, and now, the entire pack was gathered to discuss our plans for the upcoming battle. Among the crowd, there was a palpable sense of fear, mixed with a touch of anxiety. The arrival of reinforcements from the Black Creek pack was eagerly awaited, not just by my pack members, but by me too. I would never admit it to anyone else, but I was terrified of what was going on. As the pack settled, Brad stood by my side, his presence a source of strength. In the last few days, I had found that I needed it a lot more, because the horror of lur wntkre situationnovertook me at the most random times. I couldn't afford for that to happen right now. Right now, I needed to convey a sense of calm and confidence to inspire our pack members. I took a deep breath, my voice projecting across the room."Thank you
The journey back to our pack was a quiet one. Brad and I walked side by side, lost in our thoughts. The encounter with Rame had shaken us to our cores. As we trudged through the dense forest, I couldn't help but glance at Brad, trying to decipher the storm of emotions that must be raging within him. Finally, unable to contain my curiosity, I broke the silence."Brad, how are you feeling?" I asked, my voice gentle. "Seeing Rame, the one who took your father away from you... it must have been incredibly difficult. I know you never speak about your father. In fact, no one in the pack does. They all act like he is some taboo topic, and hearing Rame just-”He sighed, his shoulders tense. "It's... complicated, Layla," he replied, his voice heavy with the weight of his emotions. "I never thought I'd see him again after that night. I had buried the memories deep inside, trying to move on. But now, facing him, it's like reopening an old wound. Anger, sadness, confusion... it's all mixed up ins
"You can call me someone who's not afraid of delusional villains," I retorted, my voice firm, refusing to back down in the face of Rame's anger. "Your reign of darkness ends here, Rame. We won't let you destroy our pack."Rame's eyes blazed with fury, his lips curling into a snarl. "You think your bravado will save you? I've faced stronger opponents than you, and they all fell before my power. There are many things that I can do that your small brains cannot even begin to fathom. Do you really feed into the belief that your confidence will help you?"I exchanged a shared glance with Brad, our shared annoyance fueling our speech. "Rame, your power may be formidable, but it's nothing compared to the strength of all the love that there is in this pack. Erin may be an exception, but in this pack, we protect our own," Brad said, his voice steady. "Our pack stands together, and that makes us stronger than you can ever comprehend. Get it through your little head that you are not getting your
"Layla," Brad's voice trembled with emotion as he continued, his eyes fixed on mine, "Rame was once one of the most respected wizards in our pack. His fall from grace was a tragedy that was caused by his own ambition. He was a friend to my father, a mentor even. But power corrupted him, turned him into a monster."I took a hold of Brad's hand, offering him silent support as he gathered the strength to continue. "Rame's desire for power took over him," he said, his jaw set in determination. "He killed my father, believing it would grant him the Alpha position. But our pack members, out of loyalty, stood against him. We banished him, hoping he'd never return."A chilling laughter echoed through the ruins, and Rame emerged from the shadows, his eyes glowing with malevolence. "Oh, what a touching tale," he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "But you see, I've embraced the darkness. I've become more powerful than you can imagine. Your loyalty and love won't save you this time."I ti
The pack house welcomed us with its bright colors, and I felt a warmth inside that I hadn't felt before. Brad and I settled into our favorite spot in the living room, a comfortable couch where we often discussed pack matters and important decisions, long before he had lost his memory. In the distance, the fire in the fireplace burning bright. Seated close to each other, we held on to each other for long minutes at end, looking at each other like it was the first time we had seen each other in a long time. We were locked in lazy conversation and trying to figure out who could have done this in the first place, and we had tried out many different names, but one kept on coming back, over and over:Erin"I know she has a crush on me," Brad said, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "But could it be possible that her feelings took a dark turn? Maybe she couldn't handle the fact that I didn't reciprocate her feelings. Though, that would have been very counterintuitive."I nodded, understandi
The memory came rushing back to me, vivid and clear, as though it had happened just yesterday. I closed my eyes, allowing the past to wash over me, taking me back to that fateful day in the heart of the forest.Many years ago, when I was still young and finding my way as a leader, I used to roam the woods surrounding our pack territory with the forest, with its ancient trees and whispered secrets, was a place where I found solace, and the place where I enjoyed training the most. On that particular day, the sun had gone down early.I was lost in thought, my mind occupied with the responsibilities of being an Alpha. As I walked, I heard laughter, the innocent, carefree sound of a. Hold coughing. Intrigued, I followed the sound until I stumbled upon a clearing. There, surrounded by wildflowers and bathed in moonlight, were three children.The eldest, a boy with tousled brown hair and curious eyes, looked to be around ten years old. He had an air of confidence about him, his posture sugg