ANNAI WOKE UP the following morning. My back ached but my head was feeling much better. The wound had healed up, leaving small crusts of blood behind.I stood up and stretched before walking to the door. I opened it and stepped into the morning sun.This was a sight I never thought I would see again. The pack I was born in.There were new faces all around, and new buildings too. The inn I was staying in had not been here when I was still Luna. The people walked by me, some of them gawked openly while some peeked discreetly. I had not yet seen anyone I recognized so I went back into my room. The beta Jones came in a few minutes later. He stood awkwardly at the entrance to the room and shuffled his feet uneasily. He could not look me in the eye as I stared at him. "I am sorry for -" He said.I cocked my head."I didn't know who you were," He said."You didn't know I was the Luna of this pack for close to 3 years?" I snarled. "You didn't know your alpha discarded me like a worthless p
MITCHYOU HAVE TO take the children to school.Those were the thoughts that rang in Mitch's head and forced him out of bed. He shuffled to the bathroom and woke himself properly with a cold blast of shower.He dressed casually before heading downstairs to get some coffee. He could hear the children being prepared for their new school as a cook poured him a cup of coffee just how he liked it - black. No cream. No sugar.He was on his second cup and midway through his breakfast of eggs and bacon when Draco came in. "Good morning," Draco greeted, pouring a cup of coffee for himself too.Mitch grunted in response. "You're up early." He muttered."I'm always up early," Draco retorted. He glanced at Mitch and then said, "Let me guess, with your crappy mood, casual clothes and scowl on your face... I take it that you are taking the children to school."Mitch grunted and nodded."Better you than me," Draco chuckled, accepting the plate offered to him by one of the cooks.Mitch snorted, stabb
MITCHHE MADE SURE the children were strapped securely before he drove out of the garage. Pups waved at Addison and Aiden as they drove off.After they were away from the kingdom borders, Addison crossed her arms, perplexed. Mitch caught her gaze through the rear view mirror and asked, "What is it?""What if we don't make any friends in the new school?""Of course, you will make friends," Mitch said."I don't mind if we don't," Aiden said in a sullen tone. "You have me as your friend."Mitch smiled."You are a bore sometimes," Addison complained."Don't call your brother a bore," Mitch said. But he agreed with her inwardly. Aiden was too reserved to keep up with the energy level of his sister."Sorry, Aiden," Addison sighed."I do have a question, Dad," Aiden said as they merged with the highway and picked up speed."Yeah?""What will happen when we get our wolf spirit?" He asked. "Will we keep on going to a human school, or would we then transfer back to the kingdom school, where we
ANNAHEARING MITCH'S DISGRUNTLED snort made me smile. He sounded like he was really going to demolish whoever was responsible for my abduction, and I didn't doubt for a second that he would. The feeling gave me a warm sensation in my chest."So Alphonso has called you," I said.I heard him nod. "He did. Just a few minutes before you called.""I want you to know," I brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear. "It wasn't his fault. I should have said something before I went into the woods alone."He snorted again. "Mitch!" I added strength to my voice. "Do not punish Alphonso for what wasn't his fault.""I've heard you," He grunted. "Now, tell me what happened. Where are you?"Beneath the harsh growl, I could hear the concern and worry lacing his questions."I also want you to promise me another thing; don't freak out or take this the wrong way..." "When have you ever known me to take things the wrong way, Anna?!"I scoffed, not wanting to mention the times when I was new to his kingdom
RICK FORSON"YOU?!" BETH'S AGGRAVATING voice shrieked.Rick chuckled inwardly. He had intentionally not told her that her sister was the doctor, he wanted to see her initial reaction, and he was not disappointed.Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as her brain tried to process what was going on.His brain was also having a hard time processing the elegant beauty of Anna, his dick jumped in response. She smiled coldly at Beth and said, "Hello, sister.""You?!" Beth asked again after a few more seconds of gawking at Anna. Rick quickly stood up like a gentleman and pushed the chair beside him back, "Have your seat, Anna." He said in a sweet tone. "Feel at home."Anna flashed him a smile that didn't reach her eyes, but she sat down on the offered seat. "Thank you." She folded her hand on her lap and looked around the table. There was just Rick, Beth, and Jones there. Jones cleared his throat subtly and said, "Let's eat."Beth still sat, frozen as she looked at Anna. "Y
ANNAMY SUSPICIONS WERE confirmed, I nodded to myself as I took a walk along these familiar streets. Not even Beth's fake facade had hidden the tension and blister that was festering in their relationship. Something was off between them, not that it was any of my concern but I needed to know exactly what was going on.A little child bumped into me, startling me and making me snap to attention."Sorry, miss," The boy said, bowing deeply.He looked to be around the same age as my children. I rubbed his hair fondly. "It's fine dear," I said. I looked around. "Aren't you supposed to be in school now?"He shook his head enthusiastically. "School is out. My teacher says it's because of the sickness."Has it gotten to that? I asked myself."Mama said the sickness almost took my sister," His voice was sad."I'm sorry to hear that," I said in a soft tone."We are waiting for the alpha to call in the doctor to help us," He said, looking up at me. "But my teacher said that the doctor is -""Clau
ANNADOCTOR MARCUS'S GAZE ran over my body, and he quivered. "You're... you look good..." he stammered."No thanks to you, Marcus," I muttered.He coughed uneasily. "B-but why? I didn't think I would see you anymore... after...""Yesh, after you gave me pills that would abort my baby..." I completed the sentence for him. Blood drained from his face as soon as I said it. "Oh yeah, I know. It makes me wonder... what type of doctor are you? And what other of your... prescriptions were actually real..."He swallowed. "It's not like that, Luna..." he said. "It was, uh...""It was what?" I asked.He opened his mouth to say something but changed his mind and closed it. He shook his head vehemently."It was what, Doctor?" I pressured. I knew he wanted to say something, but he was afraid to.He shook his head again, refusing to say anything to me. "You should not be here," he finally said. "You don't have any right... this hospital is only allowed to people whose loved ones are patients, the a
RICK FORSON JONES WHISTLED AS soon as Anna was out of earshot. "She is quite a woman, don't you think?"She is, Rick nodded to himself. I have made a very big mistake by sending her away."Are you here with me, Rick?" Jones waved a hand over his friend's face.Rick blinked hard and nodded. "Yes. What did you say?""I said she's quite the woman," Jones repeated. "And to think that you sent her away... damn.""I didn't send her away," Rick muttered, pushing his plate away. "She left on her own free will.""My father should have advised you better," Jones said.Rick scoffed. When Jones was in Barcelona studying, his father who had been Rick's father's Beta, Alex, had stepped in to counsel Rick in Jones's stead. When Jones returned, Alex had stepped out and retired."Nobody knew when she left," Rick stood up and stretched. "Or why she left."Jones raised an eyebrow. "She said something about you discarding her for her sister."Rick snorted. "That is nonsense.""Is it?" Jones asked, he d
320LORNA DID NOT know her next move, or why she washed the mind of this vampire, but she knew she had to do something, and this seemed like the first step.“Rise,“ she commanded.The vampire stood up robotically and looked at her with his soulless eyes.“What are you doing here?“ she asked him.“Keeping watch on the borders of this kingdom,“ he replied.“Why?““I was just following orders,“ he said.“Whose orders?“ Lorna asked, even though she already knew the answer, but she wanted to be sure.“The king,“ the vampire replied.Lorna scoffed under her breath. Vladimir. She turned and looked at the way she had come from, considering her options. Should she take this vampire back to the kingdom where he could be interviewed by Mitch for information, or should she take the more riskier option and tell the vampire to take her to where Anna was being kept prisoner?She looked back and forth a couple of times, then she made her decision. She was not going back to the kingdom. She and they w
LORNA LOOKED OUT the window and watched as Mitch addressed the guest from the Red Moon pack; she saw the way they looked at him with awe and adoration. They were here out of respect for him and love for Anna.She turned away from the window and went to the bed where Aiden was sleeping, brushing her hand across his forehead. He mumbled something inaudible and shuffled slightly, but he did not wake up. She sighed sadly, wondering what the medical personnel were going to make of this. Aiden was not entirely in a coma. He responded to touch, and she had seen his flicker in his eyelids when Mitch had whispered something in his ear a few hours ago. It was just like he was in a deep slumber without being able to wake up. She imagined it to be like he was trapped in his own body.“If only your mother were here,“ she muttered in a small voice. “She would know what to do to bring you back.“ Lorna spoke gently to herself. She sighed and leaned in to kiss Aiden's forehead. She felt very connected
MITCH CHESTERMITCH COULD FEEL the animosity in the tense air as soon as they walked in. Draco was behind him, and Delta Adam walked beside him as they walked to the front of the hall. All heads followed their movement. Mitch stopped and overlooked the senate; he cleared his throat to stop all side talks and make sure all the attention was on him before he said, “We have some guests in our midst,“ he said in a strong voice. “And I expect us to be hospitable and treat them well.““They are from the inland pack,“ a small, stubby man muttered.“From the lunas former pack,“ Mitch nodded. “And they are here to help us in rescuing her. I hope we will be able to put aside your differences and work together.“The hall was silent for the next few seconds, so Mitch continued, “And they brought some weapons to give us an added advantage,“ he said.“We will be fighting with weapons now?“ Sil asked, astonished, “Like the humans?“Mitch cocked his head and nodded. “I'm afraid so,“ he said. “We need
MITCH CHESTERMITCH SAT DOWN heavily and examined the faces of the members of the Senate before him. They knew something was off in the balance of the kingdom. He cleared his throat and said, “What called for this meeting?““I think the meeting is long over due, Your Highness,“ Lane said in a small voice. Mitch looked around at the nods of agreement around the table.Mitch snorted.“We got the news that we had guests.“ a fat man muttered. “Guest. Warriors from another pack. As if the military in this kingdom is not enough.““So it means there is a heavy war coming,“ Sil said. She paused and continued, “A war that would mean we are accepting help from other inland packs.“A ripple of murmuring went round the pack again.“It is not just any inland pack,“ Mitch said. “They are from the red moon pack. Luna Anna's former pack.““Talking of Luna Anna,“ Sil cut in. “Where is she?“Mitch sighed. Truly, there are so many things that they need to address. Where would he even start? He asked him
MITCH CHESTERMITCH HAD BEEN waiting for the past 20 hours. All the pent up and nervous energy was making him agitated. He hated waiting, but that was what he had been forced to do for the past 20 hours. When he could not take it anymore, he went upstairs to Aiden's room, Lorna was still there. But up in Aiden's room was another waiting session as they waited for him to wake up.Lorna sat up when Mitch walked in. He looked around and noted that Elijah and Oliver were absent. “What of the boys?“ he asked.“They left an hour ago," she replied. “They had to eat and wash up, but I think they will be back here anytime soon.“Mitch nodded and sat down heavily with a sigh. He rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palms.“How did the meeting go?“ Lorna asked after a few seconds of silence.“As fine as it can get,“ he said.“You and Enrique did not clash heads?“ she asked. Everyone knew about the both of them.He shrugged, “We did. But we came to an agreement.“She smiled softly. “That is good
315ANNA KYLIN CHESTERI HAD NO idea how long I had been locked in the cell when the door opened. I sat up expecting it to be Vorenus; instead, it was the skinny, sick looking mistress of Vladimir. Her name was Janet or something like that.She stalked to the front of my cell and pouted at me. “So you are a woman… and pretty too.“ If that was meant to be a compliment, it did not sound so, as it was laced with venom.Gathering some energy, I stood up. I was taller than her and was pleased when she tilted her head to look up at me. She took an involuntary step backward. I smirked at her.“You are never going to take Vladimir from me,“ she blurted.“What?“ I gagged. Who was this dumb lady? “If you are thinking I am here of my own free will to snatch your undead boyfriend, you have the brain of a 15 year old high schooler.“She placed her hand on her hip and frowned. “And what? You have the brain of a mature woman…“ She frowned and leaned closer to me. “Wait a minute, don't I know you?”I
MITCH PACED OUT of the mountain with Draco and Alphonso closely behind him. He paused outside the mountain. Darco came to stand beside him. He could feel his beta brewing with questions, but he ignored it.“That is a high profile prisoner,“ Mitch said to the guards outside. They all nodded with slight frowns on their faces. They could already sense that something was wrong.“Good,“ Mitch muttered and went to a buggy parked by the side.Draco gestured with his head to Alphonso, who immediately jumped into the driver's seat and started the car.“Take us to the palace,“ Mitch said.Alphonso pursed his lips and eased the car out of the snow. Mitch could feel Draco throw him some subtle glances as they made their way to the palace, but he chose not to say anything as he prepared his mind on how he was going to tell them everything.Half an hour later, they pulled into the front gates, and Mitch got out. Draco followed and Alphonso started to drive away but Mitch said, “Come with us, Alphon
MITCH CHESTERDRACO WALKED BEHIND Mitch as he stalked to the dungeons. He could see the path where Charles had been dragged through on the snow. Draco looked at Mitch and saw the tautness of his shoulders and anger in his step, and he knew that Mitch was about to do something drastic.They got to the foot of the mountain from where the dungeons were dug out from. There were two guards standing outside the entrance. They saluted and bowed as Mitch approached.“The traitor?“ Mitch asked in a gruff tone without answering their greetings.“Alphonso took him in, sir,“ one of the guards replied.Mitch grunted and went into the dark hallway. His eyes adjusted quickly, glowing red faintly as he picked his way through the rough terrain, stones and rocks that lined the floor. Draco caught up with him and said, “I can’t remember the last time I was in here.“Mitch chuffed. “I do,“ he replied. “The time Anna threw up on my shoes.“ A slight chuckle bubbled up in his mind, but it dampened when he r
MITCH CHESTERMITCH'S MIND WAS divided. He stood up from his chair, where he had just called Rick and was assured that they were going to receive some more help from the Red Moon Pack. He walked out of his office and saw Draco standing there, alongside Alphonso. His eyes took in the ragged and sweaty look on Alphonso, and then he said, “Are you not going to rest?“ he asked. “I would not want my mate's bodyguard to collapse due to fatigue.“Alphonso chuffed and shook his head. “No. Sir,“ he bowed. “I wanted to ask for permission before I head back to the red moon pack to be with the Luna.“Mitch sighed. The poor man did not know that she was taken, and Mitch was still having trouble breaking the news to them.“Your Highness?“ Draco said, calling Mitch from the trance. Mitch shook his head slightly and looked at Draco, who said, “Alphonso is about to leave; is there anything else?“Mitch frowned and nodded. “One more thing,“ he said, “Where is Charles?““We have had him on watch since A