Snapping back to reality, I stepped aside and went to rest my back against a piece of bark so I could watch my pack members go at it. I wondered how I had made the transition on a few days. I already thought of them as my pack, even though I had made a resolution not too long ago not to belong to one. The irony was not lost on me. Just then, I got a vision of the pack having a lot more members, thinking of how fast word spread and how many more people were being thrown out of their packs every day. I felt a little bit giddy at the thought. Sure, it was a terrible thing to be thrown out of your pack and the family you thought you had, but look at me, the same thing had happened to me, and my chosen family was leagues better than the set I had been packed with initially. We made our way back to our settling grounds that night, and everyone set up camp, making plans for our futures. There were a lot of trees beside us, and with the river, we could construct huts. From nearby towns, we
In a month of belonging to the pack and doing the things I had started to, my strength had started to develop even more, and the respect I got from the pack members was even greater than it had been before. I had worries about my mate and my former pack, and how they were faring, but whenever I needed a reminder, I would tell myself some of the things they had told me before. I was becoming someone else, free from them, and now I felt the need to talk about it with someone, which was why I went to find Lee. “Hey,” I said, smiling at him. He was seated in between quite a number of men and women at a corner of our land, just watching them talk, and I was trying to get him away from there.“Hey,” he smiled, taking my hand. “Do you want to sit down?” he asked, shifting over. With a smile, I shook my head no. “No, can you come with me please? Are you in the mood to talk?”“Sure,” he said, expression morphing into a frown. I considered assuring him it was nothing too serious when I turn
Over the next few weeks, word spread to the other nearby packs, and my reputation as a warrior grew. There had been an increase in gifts from suitors, and I had reached a point where the influx of gifts were simply being gifted to other people. I had gotten sent some things that we needed from our neighboring pack, and at the same time gotten so many gifts that I did not know what to do with them. That aside, the number of suitors asking for my hand in marriage had doubled, if not quadrupled. They had been accosting me on my way to the river, at night, and even during shifts, approaching me with the promise of a future with them, yet, each time i declined their offers and propositions, fully aware that there was no one for me but my mate. He had rejected me, but holding out for him seemed to be in my best bet. I could not imagine a world where I ended up with someone else, and it made me feel selfish, hurting so many other people for the sake of someone who did not have any regard o
The moon was full, and it was time for another shift. Normally, the shifts were led by an alpha or their mate, but I had quickly realized that their only option was me and sucked it up. Without the moon, I could not transform, but with most of them also being Omegas, no one held it against me, waiting patiently until I had begun before beginning themselves. I am a big person, I realized. I am important to the pack, big enough to make a difference, big enough to lead them all to shifts, and I could see myself even better, I get that would have been impossible in the darkness of my former pack. That night, the crickets were whistling, a silence taking over the pack, and making it more evident that something was going on. Worried, I called out for the original outcasts I had met; Luke, Lee, Kimora and David, needing to see them with immediacy. Something was off, and without them, I would not continue. Eric, Erin and Remy came over to me too, and I pulled them into a quick hug, wonde
I was sure that many people died, but I had not been there to witness enough of them. It was funny; although none of it was my fault and I was not in control of it, I told myself that Luke was just temporarily away, and sometimes, I found myself looking out for him when the day started to come to an end, wanting to make sure that he was in the pack safe and sound. It was probably quite infuriating, and was probably driving everyone to their wits end, yet they remained gracious to me. Lee especially worked very hard to be kind to me, alongside Kimora. On occasion, I would overhear them talk about how terribly I was taking the news, and although I agreed with them, there was no way in hell I was going to admit it to any of them. “Do you guys think it's okay to talk about Luke as often as I do? Am I doing too much? Overshadowing you in my grief?” I heard myself ask once, worried about the pain that I was potentially causing them. I did not want them to be in any pain whatsoever, and I
The weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders as I knew it was time to address the pack and reveal the marker I had made for Luke. Since his passing, we had all been in mourning. But, I strongly believed this marker would be a symbol of remembrance and a tribute to our beloved elder.Gathering the pack around me, I took a deep breath to steady my emotions. Kimora, David, and Lee stood there with understanding and support in their eyes, ready to listen to whatever I had to say."Thank you all for coming," I began, my voice firm but tinged with vulnerability. "These past days have been tough for us, and I know we've all felt the void left by Luke's absence."Kimora nodded, and David placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Lee remained stoic but attentive, a manner very unlike him.I continued, "I wanted to create something that would remind us of Luke's importance and the love he had for each of us. This marker represents the bond we shared and the legacy he left behind.
In the heart of the wilderness, I, representing my pack, approached the leader of a neighboring pack with a nod of respect. Seeking an alliance, I understood the need for caution in our dealings. It was a decision I had decided upon without input from anyone but the main outcast gang, and now it was time to present my case.The neighboring pack leader was a friend, but he regarded me warily as I walked in his direction, his eyes scrutinizing my intent. They knew about the death of one of our members, and had shown us nothing but support. I wasted no time in explaining our purpose, sharing that recent encounters with rival packs had underscored the necessity of unity and strength. I believed that by forming an alliance, our packs could defend each other, secure territories, and create a safer environment for our kin to flourish.As I approached the clearing, my heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. The leader of the neighboring pack, Dan, stood there, his expre
Kimora nodded, "Agreed, and we should also ask for assistance during periods of vulnerability, such as during our little's births or when we face a significant threat."David added, "Their knowledge of the surrounding territories could prove invaluable. We could ask them to share any information about potential dangers or resources."With our plans laid out, we assigned tasks to various members of the pack. Kimora would draft a proposal to present during the meeting, outlining the terms of the alliance and the benefits for both packs. David would prepare a detailed inventory of the resources we could offer, while Lee would organize training sessions to showcase our combat techniques.As the day of the meeting approached, anticipation and nerves intertwined within us. We had prepared diligently, but the outcome was uncertain. However, we trusted that our sincerity and genuine desire for cooperation would shine through.The day for the next meeting finally arrived, and we set off to mee
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