I could feel a part of myself wanting to give up, merely out of exhaustion and anger. Once again I had cried, which is all I seemed to be doing lately. I slumped my head in my hands as I sat on the guest room bed with my knees up against my chest. I had been trying to sleep all night, but the moment I could see the sun peeping through the drapes and the birds twittering their morning call, I sat up, knowing I may as well give up getting any rest. I kept scolding myself, my mind going over and over of how I’ve become what I am! I used to believe and even feel that I was strong enough, that I could tackle and handle anything…. I never once wanted to give up on myself, or criticized my inner strength, the core of who I was as a person, but the last few months had tested me… it had pulled me back and forth, jerked me around then spat me back out and every time I thought I was coping or handling whatever situation I’d been flung into, I’d be tossed another blow and little by little I had st
Marco led the way as we walked down to the ground floor of the palace. On the east wing was a large room with a small desk and several cushioned chairs. This room was where our chief palace guard would schedule the duties of the day with any guards that were on palace patrol. Every night and day, there would always be two of our guards placed in this room, because on the left, opposite the desk was a heavy metal door. Marco commanded one of his guards to escort us and twist open the steel lock. The door creaked open and as his guard picked up a lantern next to the door, he lit it and led us through. As soon as my feet hit the stone and narrow steps I was instantly hit with the smell of dung, mould and rusted metal. We continued down the steps, with just enough light to vaguely see your own two feet in front of you. We reached the underground of the palace, and along the brick walls were loose chains with cuffs hanging from hooks, and down the long cold corridor there was only one dim
I exhaled heavily as I brushed my hair, staring out of the bedroom window as if in a trance, I must have put the brush though my hair about seventy times now. But I watched Marco like some creepy stalker as he was busy chatting to some of his guards by the new wall. Of course, I wasn’t checking him out, or ogling at him in a romantic way, I was merely gearing myself up to play a part I knew I had to do convincingly. After seeing Richard and Rorke yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Richard may still have a lot of loyalty and respect toward my father, but his faith that my father would return to save us was something I just couldn’t depend upon. I couldn’t let the days, weeks or months pass by with hope of some army my father managed to rally together, whilst in the meantime, Richard and Rorke, whom I care so much for would suffer and wilt away. But there was something else… something in my gut that was telling me not to wait, actually it was more like an urging! My instin
Over the last four days, as much as it irritated and almost pained me to get along and even be nice to Marco, I also felt a sense of smug amusement. Any time he was surprised but receptive to my new attitude, I’d smile on the inside knowing I was getting closer to my goal, that as long as I played it right and remained patient, then hopefully he would he’d agree to free my beta and guard. Being nice, kind, agreeable and supportive always came naturally to me, but only when it was toward someone deserving of it, so with Marco, I found it a struggle. I’d have to bite my tongue every time I’d see his men casually strolling around with not much to do, taking it easy whilst my people were working to the bone. Any time he ridiculed the way my father used to run the pack, or if he was smug, brash and selfish, I’d try to contain myself from snapping at him. But at least now we were getting along better, my anxiety of walking alone outside amongst his pack wasn’t as overwhelming as it had been.
Just as Marco had said, our dinner didn’t last well into the night, and as we said goodbye and headed upstairs, instead of going to the guest room, I turned right with him toward his bedroom.He looked at me in confusion as we walked side by side and he hesitantly opened the door for me to enter. “Is there something you need?” he asked as he hovered in the doorway.“What do you mean?” I replied as I gathered my pyjamas from the cabinet drawer.“Well, you’re in here and not your usual room. I figured you needed something”. “Am I not allowed to stay in here?” I questioned as I made my way to the bathroom.“Uh, yes. I just didn’t think you’d want to be back in here”. He said as he began to unbutton his shirt.“Well I’m here, so perhaps ease up on the questioning, you’ve been doing that a lot today”. I called back as I went into the bathroom to change.“I’m just a bit curious by your sudden change toward me”. He spoke up so that I could hear him through the closed door.Once I was dresse
“You have a visitor”. Nancy called out to me as she approached me coming down the stairs. She was one of our morning maids along with Lucile, however, Nancy was nowhere near as sweet and polite as Lucille was. Luckily she only worked two mornings a week, but whenever Marco didn’t eat breakfast with me, she would waltz into the room or the dining hall, roughly plonk down the tray with a huff and storm off. The only time she addressed me respectfully was when Marco was in earshot.She shot me a disgruntled look as Molly followed behind her through the palace doors. I ignored Nancy and looked past her shoulder to smile at Molly. “Molly!” I exclaimed with joy. “Well, this is a nice surprise, what brings you here today?” “Oh, I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing”. She replied nervously as she noted the three guards patrolling the hallway.“That’s so sweet of you”. I cheered as I neared her and took her hands in mine. “Marco isn’t using his study at the moment, so we can si
If things weren’t gloomy enough on an average summer day, it felt even harder now to find an ounce of joy or happiness now that the clouds were rolling in and the sun barely peeped any warmth through. I used to love autumn… it’s cool breeze, wind through my fur, running through the trees as their wet orange and yellow leaves brushed past me. I loved the smell of the damp grass, and the way the rain seemed to replenish the dry earth. But now, without the freedom to run around carelessly, or take a moment to stroll through the trees that surrounded our border, there wasn’t much left to enjoy about it, and for the first time in my life, I couldn’t wait for autumn to be over. I chucked on a thick cloak over my acceptable Luna gown and walked away from the window so that I could get on with baking the apple and pumpkin pies and deliver them all before the day had ended. I walked into the kitchen expecting to see one of the omega’s waiting and ready to help me when I suddenly gasped at the
I woke up for once not sighing to myself at the thought of pushing through another day. Last night when we got into bed, Marco had told me he wanted to show me the crops in the morning, so that I could see for myself the changes he had made from my advice. But as I got dressed, although I wasn’t sighing, I was extremely wary and suspicious of his more ‘friendly’ attitude toward me. As much as I felt our conversation in his study yesterday was awkward, I wasn’t expecting to see any eagerness from him over some crops, or especially anything concerning me.As soon as he finished in the shower, and we were ready to go, we walked out of the palace, and I instantly scrunched up my face in confusion to see a swarm of omegas rushing around putting up wooden beams, attaching twinkling lights to them and setting up two long tables with white table cloths. “Umm, what’s all this for?” I asked Marco as I watched the hustle and bustle of it.“Well, they insisted on celebrating”. “Celebrating what?”
Epilogue. Three years later:I felt as though I could hear the forest sing, as if it was feeling just as joyful and happy as I was. The sun shone along the green leaves as the wildflowers bloomed along the forest floor. Colours of blue, yellow and purple flower buds as far as the eye could see in the tall grass.I laughed again feeling like the luckiest person alive as I watched Roman playfully chasing our two year old son, Conan. They ran through the trees and Conan giggled and squealed every time Roman pretended to catch him. I’ve seen Roman smile or laugh a million times, but I never knew he could smile with his whole soul and being until he first held Conan.Every day we’re either with the earth wolves in their territory or with the sun wolves, and to Conan, both lands are his home. Both of our packs welcomed him with celebration and have adored him right from the start. They’re all so protective of him and I had noticed that my guards as well as Roman’s had become even more vigi
“Thank you for coming”. I smiled with a respectful bow as more shadow wolves walked into the ball room.Me and Roman stood at the entrance witnessing all four clans coming together for a celebration I had decided to arrange. The ball room and entrance hall was already filled with all the different pack members dressed in their gowns and suits as bubbling champagne and delicately decorated food was being passed around on silver trays. I didn’t let go of Roman’s hand as a giddiness kept weaving through my stomach and wanting to burst with excitement. What was even more breath-taking was that as soon as people walked inside, they began mingling with one another straight away. There was no wariness, no one looking uncomfortable or uneasy, it was just as sight to see, a sight I was unbelievably proud of.The idea to do this came to me a month after Henrick had spoken to each of the other three clans face to face and once we had returned to s
“I see he’s here again”. I sighed to Richard and Roman as we stepped out of the palace together.I’d been back for a week since mine and Roman’s getaway and every morning I came outside, I’d always see Henrick sitting under the trees just outside our border. All day every day he’d be there, just sitting and waiting. Any time I walked across my land, or in and out of the palace, at the corner of my eye, or in the back of my mind, I knew he was there. It didn’t concern or scare me, and I definitely didn’t see him as a threat, as far as I was concerned, being my father or not, if he stepped a foot against me, I’d kill him!“Yep! Still here”. Richard responded as he shook his head with exasperation. “Unfortunately, unless he’s on our land, we can’t do anything about it. The forest is free reign to anyone who lives there”. “I know, and I don’t think he’s planning on leaving any time soon”. I said in agreement.“Have you given any more thought about what you want to do?” Roman asked as he
We had spent the rest of the night and morning making love all over the cabin. Any time we attempted to make something to eat or drink, we’d always become distracted by one another again and I’d be against the wall with my legs around his waist, or on the bed or the floor. I knew that now I’d had a taste of what sex with a bonded mate felt like, I was now addicted to his smell, his touch and the ecstasy he gave me every time he was inside me.He smiled joyfully as he took my hand, and we headed outside and walked toward the river. We sat on the grass and dangled our legs in the water as I nestled into his side with his arm wrapped around me. The autumn sun peaked through the clouds glistening along the water as we looked out onto the horizon, savouring the peace and quiet we had alone together.He lowered himself into the water then turned to face me as he ran his hands up my thighs until they held my waist. With ease, as if I weighed no more than a feather, he lifted me from the gras
Nine days later: I bit my bottom lip to keep myself from bursting with the excited nerves that were rushing through my body. Emma smiled at me as she pinned a green and yellow flower she had made herself into my hair as my curls cascaded down my back.She had set up an awning with the help of other sun and earth she-wolves for me to get ready in for my ceremony. She’d even had a long mirror placed inside so I could see how I looked in my white lace dress with a heart shaped neckline and hugging my waist, all the way down to my feet. I looked at my reflection and I was instantly reminded of when I was last standing in another bridal dress with a different man waiting to become my mate. I let out a quiet exhale as I remembered how I had felt that day, how scared, alone and lost I was, feeling as though I had no control over my own fate. But now…. Here I was! It was only then that I really let myself think of how drastically things had changed and how everything led me to this moment. N
I walked out of the palace entrance and my lips widened into a joyful smile when I saw Roman running across our border, on his way to see me. I started walking toward him, excited for the day ahead. We had decided that together we’ll announce to both of our packs that we would be bonding ourselves together. But my gaze momentarily glanced just behind his shoulder and my smile vanished when I noticed my father standing by the treeline. He was watching me, and my people just a few yards away from our territory.“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to see me”. Roman spoke as he reached me and took my hand in his.“Oh, I am”. I quickly replied, looking at him for only a second before turning my attention back onto my father.“Then what do you look so worried about?” “You see that man…” I said as I nodded toward the trees.I looked over his shoulder until his eyes fell onto who I was looking at, then looked back at me with a confused expression. “I see him. But he doesn’t look like a r
“Brooke, sweetheart, Richard said you wanted to speak with me urgently. Is everything ok?” Emma rambled as she rushed into my newly refurbished study.“Everything is fine, Aunty Emma, you don’t need to look so worried”. I smiled to ease the anxious frown on her face.“Oh, what a relief”. She smiled in return as she took a seat opposite my desk. “But what was so important you needed to talk about”. “Well, I have some news to tell you… it’s good news though”. I said as I bit my lip with excitement to tell her.“Well, you look happy about something, so please tell me. I’m intrigued”. “Ok, so as you know, me and Roman have been…. Well, getting closer and we have now decided we want to officially bond ourselves as mates”. I blurted out, bracing myself for her reaction.Her jaw instantly dropped, and her eyes widened. “Wow! This is huge, Brooke”. She stated as she flung her hands to her mouth in astonishment. “My niece has actually found her mate! I never thought I’d see the day consideri
“I know you’re out there, but do you have the guts to face me like a man?” My voice echoed around me as I stood still in the forest, subtly scanning along the trees. “Come out, come out wherever you are”. I chimed and within a flash his body was pressed against my back as he gently brushed my hair away from my shoulder and moved his mouth along the side of my neck. I instantly groaned as I tilted my head back against him, giving him more access to trail those lips exactly where I wanted them.“I’ve missed you”. Roman murmured between kisses as I bit my lip with pleasure, not just from his touch but from the joy of hearing those words.“It’s only been a day”. I grinned as I ran my hand down his thigh then around to his buttocks, giving it a light squeeze.“A day, an hour… I always miss you when you’re not around”. He said as his
One week later:“The soil is looking much better”. I commented to Mr Ansell, one of our dedicated field workers.All morning me and Richard had been assisting with replenishing the crop fields, hydrating them and nourishing them after the fire had burned most of it to the ground.I stood back and just watched everyone, letting myself savour what we fought for. I could see how cheery everyone was now, no longer working themselves to the bone, or until they could barely keep their eyes open. For the first time, in a long time, they were all smiling as they worked, laughing and talking to one another. I felt my heart warm with gratitude that we were all finally here together on our own land and in our own homes, but still, every time I felt a sense of happiness or joy, Lacey’s face would always flash into my mind with a disheartened feeling that she wasn’t here to enjoy it with us.“You look as though you’re a million miles away, Luna. Everything ok?” Richard asked as he came to stand ne