ELIJAHEzra looks at me with his wide eyes, his hands trembling slightly as he calls me out. “Daddy?” A rush of warmth spreads through me when I hear him call me that. My heart beats rapidly inside me. I can’t believe what I am hearing. Goddess knows how much I have yearned to hear him that way, to acknowledge me as his father. I don’t even know if I deserve it. Miss Nadia looks at Rena, “I’d leave you all here. The walls are soundproof and this place is highly secured and hidden. So you don’t have to worry about anyone finding out except us.” She says, her voice professional like she has been doing this for ages. Rena nods at her. “Thank you, Nadia.” Nadia bows at her and then leaves with the man who was guarding the door. After the meeting, Rena communicated with me through the twins, telling me to meet her at Ezra’s kindergarten. I used a disguise, this wig, beard and glasses, also masked my scent so no one knows I am here. Watching Ezra stand with Rena, seeing his little ang
ELIJAH“Of course. You being here already helps me a lot,” I say and lean into his touch, then place a kiss on his hand. “Will you tell Buzz Lightyear to lend me his powers when I’m not here?” I ask, and he nods. I smile and ruffle his hair. “Then, we’ll definitely beat those bad guys.”I look over him and see Rena standing, tears falling down her eyes. I stand on my feet and pull Ezra into my arms, holding him with one arm. Then I look at her and extend my other hand towards her. Rena wipes her tears and walks towards us. I wrap my arm around her back as she leans onto my chest and hugs my waist.Rena’s scent wafts to my nose, and I inhale it, feeling it calm my wolf who has been craving her for so long. I missed her so much.I kiss Ezra’s head before I place a kiss on hers. The two most precious people in this world. My family. When I became the Alpha, I didn't believe in ever having a family. My own family was twisted and cursed, so I didn’t know what a happy, normal family felt lik
ELIJAHHer heart skips a beat and I let go of her waist. I gently hold her hand and make her sit on the couch behind her. Then I kneel on one leg and run my hand down her right leg which was injured due to the attack. My jaw clenches and I feel the rage bubbling under my skin. I’m going to break Rowan’s legs. Make sure he turns into a cripple for his entire life. If he gets to live, that is. “Does it hurt?” I lift my head and watch her stare at me with desire in her eyes. She blinks, as if my words bring her out of her trance. “Huh? Uh, no it doesn't hurt like before. Just a little when I’m walking for too long.” I would have smirked at her reaction, knowing that she craves me as much as I do. But I have more important matters to focus on. I grit my teeth. “You could have canceled the meeting, Rena. You did not have to bear so much pain.You knew no one was coming,” I say, restraining myself from punching something. I had warned Rena through Dory that the King probably had ordered
ELIJAHI sigh, running my hand through her thighs, wanting to rip off these slacks that stand in between my fingers and her smooth skin. “Yeah. You noticed me?” I ask. As far as I remember, she was asleep at that time. She shakes her head and looks at her hands. “I had a dream. Serena was showing me a memory from that night and that’s how I realized that you were in the hospital to see me. I heard what you said,” she mutters, her voice a little breathless. “And I mean it,” I look at her, my eyes hardening with determination. “I will do anything to protect Ezra and you. Even if it means that I have to stay away from you both.” She gasps, a little louder than she intended to and I whip my head towards Ezra and Maria. Ezra has earphones plugged in his ears now as he’s playing the racing game in Maria’s phone. Maria looks over him, her gaze falls at us and she gives a nod. Rena nods back at her and though I can’t hear their conversation, I can tell that Maria is assuring us to speak f
ELIJAHThe words slip out of my mouth before I can think. Rolf growls in my head. He can’t speak to me, but I can feel what he means to say. He wanted me to ask this question for so long.I know this isn’t the best time to ask her this, neither is the secret room in the basement of a fucking kindergarten school the most romantic place for a proposal. But, I still want to know.Rena takes a sharp breath as if she’s processing what I just asked. Her eyes turn glassy, gleaming with so many emotions. Love, warmth, pain… it's like a storm.She pushes those tears back and looks at me with a serious face. “Then you better prepare a nice diamond ring for me.” She gives me a beautiful smile that just makes the room around me brighten up. My mouth opens, but I don’t have any words coming out. It's hard to speak what I’m feeling through words.A part of me thought she’d not accept it. But she said those words as if she was waiting for it.A tear rolls down her eye, and she quickly wipes it. “If
VERENAI mean it when I say those words. He has waited for me for four years, never giving up. He protects Ezra, me, and my family all these years without asking anything in return.So the least I can do is put my faith in this man who’s willing to battle the King for me and wait. I will wait for him, no matter how long it takes. Now that we are here, there’s one thing I’m sure about.He won’t betray me. Not anymore.“I’ll try to do what I can from my side,” I add while watching his eyes swirl with happiness. He must feel the sincerity of my words. I place both my hands on his. “We are in this together. Also…” My eyes harden on him. “Don’t keep these secrets from me. I had no idea you sacrificed your pack for us. Don’t do that again. You don’t have to bear everything alone.” I say softly, but there’s a rigidness in my voice. It's like a command.His brows lift and there’s a flash of amusement in his eyes. “I won’t. But promise me that you’ll stay careful. You won’t put yourself in dang
VERENA“Alright,” Miss Nadia nods and steps out of the room. Once she’s gone, I turn to Elijah.“You don’t have to stay in a hotel. You can leave the pack without getting noticed,” I say, and he arches a brow.“How?”“Daddy is going to be Mr. Invisible?” Ezra asks with an innocent face, and I smile at him.“Kind of,” I reply, and Elijah tilts his head, confused. I told Dory that night at the hospital that it's my responsibility to make sure he does not get caught under any circumstances. I’m going to keep my word. “We have a secret passage that leads straight out of the packs. You’ll take that one and I’ll send some of my trusted men with you. Norton will also go. They’ll ensure that you don’t have any problem.”“The King’s men won’t learn of it?” Elijah asks.I shake my head. “No way. It's an old secret of the Valentinos. Celestial wolves used to use this passage during the old times. It is protected by my ancestor’s magic, so you have nothing to worry about,” I say confidently.Elij
VERENAI blush and push a strand of my hair behind my ear. “He’ll know when you give it to him. Oh, but do tell him that all the boxes are not for him. There’s one for Irene, one for Josh,” I tell her strictly, hoping that my messages reach him. Or else he’ll eat all of them. Dory nods. “Got it.” She shoots a glare at Drake who’s peeking at the bag, licking his lower lip. “Hey!” She pulls the bag away from him. “This is not for you.” Drake scoffs. “I know. I’m just sniffing to know what the flavors are.” Dory rolls her eyes. “Go sniff someone’s butt like the dog you are.” Drake narrows his eyes. “Oh I get lots of hot girl butts. Unlike you, I’m actually popular.” “I feel bad for those girls,” Dory clicks her tongue and feigns concern.“Stop it, you two,” I tell them, and they both stiffen.“Kids nowadays,” Dad says as he stands in the foyer, shaking his head in disappointment.Maria throws him a glare. “You are one to talk. Should I tell them what kind of playboy you were back th
VERENAI shift back and just stare at her in silence, watching her fumble with her words. Her lips are quivering and she’s sweating profusely, her midnight blue hair sticking to her forehead. She literally copied my hair color and my hairstyle. When she realizes the coldness in my gaze, she stops and starts yelling.”You can’t kill me! Dad will end you. I did what I did and I will do it again with you!” her eyes go round as she looks up at me with a psychotic look. She starts laughing and I know that there’s no humor or happiness to the laugh. “You deserve it all! You are fucking bitch who was born in a wealthy family and was accepted. You have no idea what it feels like to be unwanted. So…so I did all of this. You needed to feel what I felt too. And I succeeded!” she throws her head back and laughs even harder. “I succeeded in ruining your life! After this battle, you’ll have nothing left for you. Everything will be taken from you. Your Elijah, your kids, your pack…everything! So go
VERENAA warm sensation takes over my body and I feel a tingling sensation in my spine. The celestial light builds within me and I aim it at the Ashwalker wolves. They take a step back as if they can sense that power within me. Serena opens her mouth and light erupts from it. It's directed at them and the moment it hits the ground, a huge explosion takes place. I hear lots of howls and the light blinds everyone in the field. When it fades, a huge crater is formed on the ground and there’s no sign of the Ashwalker wolves and the cloaked men who stood with them. The impact was so huge that it got everyone’s attention. Nixie stares at it with wide eyes. “What the fuck,” she says as she measures the depth of the crater I created. “Damn! That’s so badass!” Dory exclaims and I smirk. We approach Joshua and Irene who also are staring at the huge crater. They turn towards us and Dory steps forward, shifts back and kneels down. Joshua looks at me and I see concern in his eyes. “Rena…Irene
VERENAI run towards the main battlefield and Nixie’s petite figure comes into sight. She’s standing against my men, guarded by the Ashwalker wolves and a few of Umbra’s cult men. I watch in horror as Nixie, her eyes filled with a malicious glint, hurls a gas bomb towards Irene and Joshua. The bomb explodes, sending a toxic cloud billowing into the air. Irene and Joshua cough, their faces contorted in pain. Joshua, with his enhanced senses, manages to shield himself from the gas, but Irene, still recovering from her previous injuries, is more vulnerable. I can see her coughing violently, blood staining her lips.“Irene,” Joshua goes to her and holds her while she drops to the ground, the coughing not stopping.Nixie grins as she looks at them. “You used to call me Dumpster Barbie, right? Now what, huh? Can’t speak?” she taunts and then pauses. “Oh wait! I totally forgot to say this. This gas has a special role, you know? It can take away the vocals of the person it affects. Permanen
VERENAI grit my teeth and clench my fist in anger after I shift back. Dad shifts back to his human form too and glares at me, standing protectively before mom. “Dad? Are you seriously going to protect her? You know who she's working for,” I ask him, my eyes pleading for him to see the truth in this situation. She’s not our ally. His face contorts in anger as he hears my words and he growls at me. “I trust her. There must have been some misunderstanding.” His eyes flash and I realize that he’s not in himself. It's the mate bond that’s making him say this. My dad isn’t as strong as I am when it comes to staying away from our mates. His love for mom will destroy him. “Oh yes it is, Ray. He’s making me do these things,” Mom says and makes this sad face. I wonder who’s better at acting innocent—Nixie or her? Oh wait, I forgot that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She proves she’s her mother. I look at Charlotte and mind-link her. “You are being a total bitch! You used my fat
VERENABut my words fall on deaf ears. He lunges at me, his claws outstretched. I dodge his attack, barely escaping his grasp. I'm filled with a mix of fear and anger. How can he hurt me? How can he turn against me after all this?I draw upon my celestial power, a surge of light coursing through my veins. My eyes glow a brilliant white, and my form shifts, becoming more powerful. I face him, my stance defiant."Elijah, stop!" I shout, my voice filled with authority. But he won't listen. He's lost in the darkness, a creature of pure instinct.We circle each other, our eyes locked in a battle of wills. The air crackles with tension as we prepare to strike. The battle between the Luna Guardian and the Shadow Alpha has begun. A battle that has occurred through different generations and timelines. I don’t want this. But do I have a choice? And what will we do if we both die? I look into his eyes, and see no sign of him. Is he gone? Did Umbra take him from me? I steel myself for what I
VERENAMaria walks towards me. “What happened?” She asks with a frown on her face. “It's mom. She’s here.” I say and Maria’s eyes turn wide. “Charlotte is here? Oh my Goddess!” She rests her hand on her chest and looks worried. I can sense the conflict arising within her. Mom was Maria’s best friend. I’m sure she still cares about her. I look at Irene. “We need to go out there. I’m sure the others will need us.” Irene steps forward. “Of course. I’d be so glad to go out there and kick some—” she halts and looks at the kids. Ezra gives her a sly smile. “Aunt Irene is saying some adult words again.” He makes a tsk sound with his mouth and shakes his head as if disappointed. He does this whenever Irene has a slip of tongue. “Shut up. I didn’t say anything. I only said that I will kick them.” She argues and I roll my eyes. She’s seriously fighting with a kid. “Rena, someone should stay with the kids to protect them,” Maria tells me as she holds my arm. She looks at Elijah who growls
VERENA"You're back," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "You're really back."Ezra smiles, his eyes filled with warmth. "I'm here, Mommy," he says. "I'm not going anywhere."In that moment, all the pain, the fear, the uncertainty - it all seems to fade away. We've won. We've defeated the darkness.Irene quickly turns around and her eyes go wide as she sees us. “Oh Goddess! It worked! Fu—Sorry. I mean hell yeah!” she shouts, raising her fists in the air. She looks no less than a lunatic but that’s how she is.I turn to Venus who just stares at her with her big green eyes, her little hand clutching Ezra’s shirt as she sits on his lap. I kneel on the floor and take her other hand, then kiss it. “Thank you, thank you. You’re our savior.” I whisper to her and cup her little face. She makes a sound with her mouth, having no idea what I’m talking about. I look at Elijah. His head is tilted up towards the ceiling, pushing back his tears of joy and relief. He’s trying to act strong but I k
VERENAI feel a strong vibration at the pit of my stomach. It makes my guts muscles clench uncomfortably but then a warm sensation travels up my spine. Venus stops crying and I open my eyes to see a vibrant light form in the middle of the air. It casts its bright light on the room and reduces Ezra’s dark aura, allowing him to take a breath and relax a little. Venus looks calm too and is staring at her brother with her big eyes. I look at Elijah and he nods. Ezra lifts his head and his face looks better, a lot less pale as he stares at us. But he’s still in his dark aura. Maybe the energy that we created helped to slow down the process. He looks at Venus but does not say anything. I move towards the bed and Venus raises her arm like she did in the kids room when she saw me. She smiles at her brother, her green eyes lighting up. “Veenie…” Ezra whispers. I carefully place Venus on the bed and hold her back. In case Ezra does something, I’ll pull her back. Elijah stands beside me and
VERENAVenus squirms as she sees him and it hurts him but he does not show it on his face. “Are they still out there?” Maria asks me and I shake my head. “No. But we need to be careful. Elijah and I’ll handle everything. Let's go.” I tell them and we carefully walk out of the kids room. Elijah walks ahead, his senses alert for any incoming dangers. I look around too but Venus gets uncomfortable when I’m too tense so I’m trying to stay calm. I look at her and recall the vision I had. I couldn’t see her face but I felt the same way I am feeling right now. The feeling that you have when you are close to your daughter. Venus looks up at me with her big eyes and I give her a smile. “Don’t worry, angel. We’ll be fine,” I give her a kiss on the forehead and she giggles. We reach the bedroom and Elijah opens the door. The moment the double doors swing open, a strong wave of dark aura crashes on me, forcing me to take a step back. Venus squirms again and looks away, as if she’s afraid.