Xander's POV:Lucas's hands were shaking with fright as his eyes traveled between me and Stella. For 100 years of his life, he must have thought about this very specific moment when he'll finally meet his fated mate.For sure, things changed after he fell in love with Adeline but still, he must have constantly been thinking about the moment he was going to meet his mate and what he'd do after meeting her. But I was sure as hell that never even in his wildest dreams had he imagined meeting his fated mate like this where his Alpha was a moment away from ripping her apart. His eyebrows dipped lower as he asked in a hoarse whisper, "Who are you?"My lip curled up as I bit out with venom, "A traitor," at the same time Stella whimpered, "Your mate." Of course, now she was trying to gain his sympathy.Lucas lingered in the doorway and seemed too shocked to step inside. His thoughts were all over the place and as an Alpha, I could feel the storm brewing inside him. He must be feeling a rush o
Xander's POV:As the life was seeping out of Stella, her eyes flashed to Lucien still wriggling in my clutches. That was the moment she finally realized how bad her choice was to join hands with someone unable to even help himself.Then her gaze moved to Lucas who was hugging Adeline and shielding her from the gruesome and bloody view. Lucas didn't give a damn about her as he comforted Adeline. Regret glinted in Stella's eyes, probably thinking about what she could have but chose to miss.The injury proved fatal, indicating that the dagger was made of silver. My head flung to the door where Asteria was smiling with satisfaction. Lifting her chin, she said with zero remorse, "I feel no shame in destroying those who betray me."Deborah crippled her way into the room just in time to retort, "And what about those whom you have betrayed?"Asteria's eyes moved to me as she answered blankly, "I know what is coming for me and I am ready for it." She took a few steps toward the lifeless body o
Xander's POV:The mansion gates flung open and a swarm of my pack started pouring out to welcome us. There were hootings and tears of gratitude all over the place. Families hugged each other closer together on the safe return of their loved ones.After a few nods, I left them to it and ordered the guard, "Ask the pack doctor to be in my room immediately."He scurried off toward the pack clinic whereas I passed by everyone and entered the mansion. I could not help stealing a glance at Delilah every once in a while. It was hard to believe that she was finally in my arms with her cheek pressed against my chest.My heart swelled as I realized that she was now safe and sound. Even though she was not in her consciousness the peace adorning her face made it clear that she knew it too. She knew she was in safe arms now.I kicked open the door to my room and walked over to the bed. With great gentleness and care, I placed her on the mattress. Hovering over her, I took a good look at her. My ey
Xander's POV:Standing in front of the window, I stared at the dark, moonless night beyond. Wind rustled the leaves and clouds were scattered all over the sky, indicating the storm coming our way.My hands coiled in tight fists as I replayed the recent events again and again in my mind. Even though Asteria and Lucien were defeated in their cruel and ridiculous plan but was it the end of all of this?No, I didn't think so.The fact that Delilah was the Healer was enough to set me on edge. It was only Asteria who knew about it and look how she planned to use it for her benefit. It didn't take a genius to understand the extent of damage this truth could cause once other powerful alphas knew about this.I was well aware of the wars they fought against their own race just to get their hands on Healers. I also remember how wicked games were played to capture the Healers and when nothing worked, they didn't even hesitate to kill them.It was sick but many thought that Healers were public pro
Xander's POV:My lips lifted in a lopsided grin and my eyebrow quivered, "What a change of events, Asteria. I like it."Her menacing gaze turned to Lucien as she bit out poisonously, "I want you to kill him first. I want to watch him die in front of my eyes."My head tilted to the side and I said amusingly, "Consider it a parting gift then."With that, I turned around and started to walk away. I had just taken a few steps when curiosity nudged at the back of my mind. When it got hold of me, I finally turned around and walked back to Asteria, "Do you regret it?" She did all that for Lucien, I wanted to know whether she regretted it now or not. Would she have taken a different path, and made different choices had she known that she was going to be betrayed like this?For once, her eyes saddened as she mulled over my words. Millions of emotions flashed in her eyes as she said in a broken voice, "If you are to take my heart out of me, I'm sure you'll find it brimming with billions of crack
Delilah's POV:When my eyes fluttered open, I felt a pounding headache. With a manically beating heart, I took in my surroundings and jerked up with a gasp. I was in a mansion, in Xee's room, sleeping on his bed.What the fuck happened? A moment ago, I felt like I was floating in the space. Was I drugged? And then, bit by bit, it all strung together. The shadow realm...lycans coming to rescue me...abducted by Lucien while going down the stairs...Stella, trying to give me injections...Xee, breaking the door open...Stella, plunging the syringe inside me...and then...then it was all black afterward.A shiver ran down my spine as the flashback after flashback swirled in my mind. Feeling my throat dry as the parched paper, I climbed out of bed. I stumbled sideways and gripped the side table to straighten myself.Slowly walking to the coffee table, I poured myself a glass of water and gulped it down like a fish. I clutched my heart and relished the feeling of finally being back home. My eye
Delilah's POV:I felt grogginess when I came back to my senses. My eyes snapped open and I jerked up in the bed. I was back in Xee's room. Adeline, who was sitting on the couch, rushed to me and asked worriedly, "Hey, are you okay?"The piercing headache of the morning was replaced by a mild one. I stayed like that for a long minute, slowly breathing in and breathing out as the events of the morning replayed in my mind. I glanced out the window and frowned at the soft glow of the sunset, "What time is it?"Adeline glimpsed at the wall clock before telling me, "It's almost 5 in the evening."I rubbed my temples, "Did I just sleep the whole damn day?"She brushed my hair out of my face and murmured, "After the shit you had gone through, you deserve a week's worth of sleep at the very least."She was sounding so off. I lifted my face to look at her and I surely didn't like what I saw. Dark circles, sad eyes, fake smiles, tensed shoulders. The usual brightening demeanor of my jolly friend
Delilah's POV:Panic clawed at my chest as the unsettling thought nudged at the back of my mind. It was a full moon; the night of horrors when dozens of rogues were roaming around in search of prey. What if something horrible had happened to Xee? Why else the whole pack would be filing out of the mansion with ruthlessness shining in their eyes? It must be bad.Adeline and I exchanged a worried look, none of us had any clue as to why the whole pack was howling in loss and anger. She opened her mouth to say something but I was already sprinting out of the room. Fleeing down the stairs, taking two at a time, I reached the landing and frantically looked around in search of anyone who could have information.A bunch of women were standing at the door, bare feet and in their sleeping gowns. Some were clutching their chest whereas others were gawking out the door in utter horror. For a fleeting moment, I wondered how bad it would have felt to see off your man time and time again for the war
EPILOGUE AFTER 7 YEARS: Delilah's POV: "But Mommy, I asked for the chocolate cake. I do not like pineapple one." Elina stated with finality. "Why does it matter, Ellie? It's okay if mommy couldn't get a chocolate cake," responded Liam. At that, Elina narrowed her eyes menacingly at her brother and reprimanded the innocent soul, "Some of us do have tastes and standards, Lee. It's my birthday, I get to have all that I want today." "As if that doesn't happen every other day of the year," Adeline chuckled. Elina pretended to gasp and hooked her hands on her hips, "Aunt Addy, that's not fair. You ought to be on the girls' team." Liam reminded her as an afterthought, "By the way, it's my birthday too." Eline tried to roll her eyes, another thing she had learned from her beloved Aunt Addy, "Ugh, please don't keep reminding me that. I don't like the fact that I even have to share a birthday with you, Liam." I have no idea how I got to have two kids with completely different personali
Delilah's POV:A moment later, the whole lawn glowed in the soft, golden glow. The whole setup was looking even more beautiful at night, exceeding all of my expectations. His footsteps halted as Xee was taken aback by the arrangements. Tilting his head to the sides, he assessed the whole area twinkling in the fairy lights and fresh flower decor. And then, his eyes widened as they landed on me. He took his time to gawk at me from head to toe multiple times, reincarnating all the butterflies in my stomach. Resuming his steps, which were slower now, he walked over to me. Grabbing my hand in a gentle hold, he lifted it and placed a soft kiss on its back, "I am 100% sure that I am not forgetting any important date. It isn't your birthday today nor any important day for us." I let out a soft chuckle, "You are kinda right." Letting go of my hand, he wrapped his big palms around my waist and whispered in my ear, "Then to what do I owe the pleasure to behold such a glamorous beauty today?"
Delilah's POV:It was that time of the year.The Claiming Ball was to be held by the Lycan/ Werewolf Council so that all the unmated males and females come in proximity and have a chance to meet their fated mates.As a member of the council, I and Xee were invited to attend the Claiming Ball and we had a good chuckle at the remembrance of our bittersweet memories of the last Ball.I was standing at the side while unmated males and females indulged themselves in the dance as per ritual. My eyes spotted Xee busy in a conversation with the other members of the Council.I was just about to make my way over to him when a tall figure blocked my way. I lifted my head to find a young man whom I had never seen before.I tilted my head to the side, "Have we met before?"He kept staring at me and then finally shook his head, "I hate to say this but no, we haven't met before."My eyebrows creased together. He was probably from some other territory who was attending the annual ball in the hope of
Delilah's POV: The next morning, I woke up to the sound of commotion. My eyes peeked open and I yawned, already feeling the soreness in my body. I winced at the pain when I stood up and slowly walked to the window. My eyes widened with shock as I saw Ethan standing in front of the mansion, hollering at the top of his lungs, "I don't give a fuck. Let me go inside this instant or otherwise..." He clamped his mouth shut when a new guard stopped by the gate, "The King said to let him inside." The guards opened the gate and Ethan huffed angrily before making his way inside the mansion. What the hell was he doing here? Quicking donning my PJs, I made my way downstairs slowly, thanks to the soreness. I arrived in the hall just in time to see Ethan entering. Xee was sitting on the couch in a suit, sipping his black coffee whereas Ethan was looking all disheveled and upset. He stopped in front of Xee and yelled, "What the hell is wrong with you?" Xee kept his calm and only raised his eye
Delilah's POV: As a wedding present, Xee had gifted the Europe tour for Luke and Addy. Due to some issue with tickets, they had to leave the night of the wedding day. After the reception was over and the guests were gone, we returned to the mansion. Everything seemed to happen in a fast motion and none of us rested until after bidding farewell to the newlywed couple for their honeymoon. It was only once they were gone had I returned to my room. It was such a hectic day and I couldn't wait to don my comfortable PJs and hit the soft mattress. Standing in front of the vanity, I was removing my makeup when the door flung open. In came the Lycan King, looking heavenly gorgeous in the black tuxedo. Hot lava spilled inside me as I noticed his eyes traveling down my body. His hand curved around the nape of his neck and he smiled, "You were looking so beautiful today that it was practically impossible to peel my eyes off of you." I knew he was right. I had constantly felt a pair of eyes g
3 Months Later: Delilah's POV:"I am really getting concerned about you, Delilah," I heard Xee behind me.I looked over my shoulder and found him with a tray in his hands, "Why is that?"He placed the tray holding a glass of milk and cookies on the coffee table and walked over to my desk, "Because for the last 3 months, you've been working nonstop."I let out a soft chuckle, "Now you are exaggerating."His eyebrow quivered higher, "No, I am not. Can't remember the time when I've not seen you hunched up on the desk, sticking your nose in all those books, jotting down your notes, and whatnot."Well, he was kind of right about that. Lately, I have been having a really hectic routine. After waking up early in the morning, I'd go to training. After breakfast, I'd be in the clinic that Xee had recently built me in his territory. I have been working hard to polish my skills as a Healer.I have started treating patients and I loved interacting with all the people. Occasionally, I'd even go on
Delilah's POV:Once again, I became the target of everyone's attention but I didn't let the nervousness or panic get hold of me as they all turned their eyes toward me.Instead, I took a deep breath and got up from my seat. Addy rushed in my direction, "What happened, Dee? Why are you interrupting?"I made a mental note to have a proper talk with Addy after returning to the mansion but for now, I had something more important to take care of.Without responding to her, I turned around and jumped down the stage. Gasps chorused around me as I landed on the Duel Ground but I paid none of it any heed.I kept walking to where Xee was pinning Ryan to the ground. The frown between Xee's brows deepened. He opened the mindlink, "What are you doing here?"He didn't sound pleased at all. Well, we were on the same page then. Shutting the mindlink down, I reached him. I tried to keep my calm but my nostrils still flared when I ordered Xee, "Get off of him, Alpha."A flash of betrayal shone in Xee's
Delilah's POV:"What have you been doing all day?" Addy asked curiously.I closed the journal I was writing on and shrugged lightly, "Just working on a few important things."Her gaze shifted to my study table but she passed no comment. Nodding her head, she said, "I am waiting downstairs. Be quick."Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I turned toward my closet and took out a pair of black jeans and a black shirt. It took me no more than fifteen minutes to get ready.When I climbed down the stairs, I noticed that the mansion was eerily quiet and empty. My eyes swept the area, "Has everybody gone to the duel?"Addy raised her eyebrow and remarked, "Who exactly would want to miss the chance to experience such a duel?"At this point, I was confirmed that my best friend had gone crazy just by living among the lycans for a few months.The car was already waiting for us outside the mansion. As soon as we settled inside, the driver revved up the engine and started driving toward the Council
Delilah's POV:In the room, I kept pacing the floor restlessly with a thousand thoughts swirling in my mind. It was only when I heard a knock on the door I took a breath of relief.I rushed to open the door and inhaled sharply at the sight of Isabella standing on the other side with a cup of coffee.I ushered her inside and closed the door behind her. She smiled lightly and placed the cup on the coffee table. She was about to go back when I blocked her way to the door.She eyed me nervously. I wondered whether she was thinking the same thing that I was.My eyebrow quivered higher as I inquired, "What do you know about Ryan Hooper, Isabella?"Her eyes widened as she swallowed the lump in her throat, "We are not to talk about him in this mansion."I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to make her understand calmly, "I don't care about that, Isabella. Just know that it is very important for me to know all that you do."She fidgeted her fingers together nervously, weighing her options.