Stavros’s POVI paced the floor as I called Michael again. Why wasn’t he taking my call? After I received his frantic call earlier, I didn’t get a moment of respite. He had called, asking me to return before disconnecting the call in a rush. Ever since I had been calling him as well as Leandros and Homer non-stop, but no one had answered yet. I was sure something untoward was happening in Lucania in our absence.The sense of dread persisted, and I couldn’t relax. Orion emerged from the room where they had been waiting for an update on Hera. “Any news from Michael, bro?”I shook my head, staring at my phone. “No, none of them are taking my calls. I don’t know what to do.”“I’ll call Andre and find out.” Orion called Andre, but his phone was switched off. “Damn! What the hell is happening? Why can’t they f*cking update us?”“I’ll call Riley.” Riley Morin was our pack’s trusted scout and gave us valuable information about our neighbors. He wasn’t involved in anything else and should be f
Stavros’s POVHazel’s call disturbed me a lot as I waited for some update on the attackers. True to his promise, Orion called after forty minutes with a shocking update. I wondered how he located the enemy so fast. It only meant one thing. They hadn’t left but were lurking nearby instead.“Yes, Orion. Have you located the enemy?”“Yes, Stav. They’ve taken shelter at the foothills of Mount Richardson. I’m keeping a watch on their activities and it doesn’t look hopeful. I think they’re heading over to launch an attack on us again.”My jaws dropped with horror. I had no idea the enemy was so close. “Do you have any idea who they are and what they want?”“No, Stav, but they aren’t normal shifters like us. Their speed is the fastest I’ve ever seen. I can’t get near as they can sense anything nearby. They’ve killed two rogues trespassing nearby and five bears already.” I frowned at his description.“How do they look? Do they possess any typical physical traits?” Orion considered my question
Hazel’s POVI tossed and turned all afternoon; the pain escalating every minute. After Stavros’s call, I fell asleep from exhaustion. He still hadn’t returned when I woke up, and neither did the others. Now the dull throbbing ache in my cervix turned excruciating, and I gritted my teeth to bear it.The door opened, and Aunt Carla entered my room. “Hazel, we can’t delay this anymore. We have to take you to the hospital. Your contractions have started.”I gave her a frantic look. I couldn’t deliver without Stavros! He promised he would be there with me all along. “Please call Stavros, Aunt Carla. I can’t do this alone.” Tears pooled in my eyes and streamed down my cheeks while she gave me a hesitant look.“Stavros and the others are very busy at the borders. The enemy has attacked us and they cannot return. You have us with you, Hazel. Don’t delay this. You’re risking your life and also that of your pups.” I sighed and nodded, agreeing with their wishes.“Fine, I’ll go to the hospital.”
Stavros’s POVThe car sped along the highway that took me through the boreal forest, high Alpine, and rolling tundra until we reached a desolate village. I knew the place since I had come here before. It was the Wild Wain Village, the territory of the Wind Wolves. The place was cold, desolate, and uninhabitable, submerged in darkness because the clouds hanging low completely blocked the pale rays of the Midnight sun.Beta Velez drove on with a grim look on his face while I watched for road signs to guide me back. There was no way I would live here. After meeting their Alpha and knowing their motive, I would surely escape. I wanted to ask so many things but the gag prevented me from speaking.“Mmm!” I struggled to get it off and Beta Velez stopped the car and untied my mouth at last. I sputtered, gasping for air. My mouth felt parched but with my hands still tied up, I doubted I would get water to drink.“Why have you brought me here? I want to meet your Alpha.” He drove on in silence,
Hazel’s POVI opened my eyes to look around me. Yes, I was still alone at the hospital waiting to be discharged. I lost my senses after hearing the news of my mate’s capture. It devastated me, totally catching me unawares. I had expected Stavros to be injured, but never captured and taken away to some unknown enemy territory.I closed my eyes, unable to imagine what he was going through there. How could Zeph allow this to happen? Wasn’t it his duty to protect his Beta? Shouldn’t he rescue Stavros? I needed my phone to get some answers from Zephyrus. Somehow, I felt let down. All his life, Stavros had unconditionally stood by Zeph and now, when he was in the enemy territory, how could the pack members sit back and relax?I eased off the hospital bed to find out what was going on. I was supposed to get discharged today and planned to follow up with my doctor, but first, I needed to check up on the twins.Walking down to the nursery, I could feel the sympathetic glances thrown my way. Ob
Stavros’s POVWith the sun up all day and night, keeping track of time within the room where I was locked was difficult. It was frustrating since I couldn’t escape with the tight security all around. The wind wolves were desperate to keep me here and could do anything to have their way. I didn’t fear for myself but for my family in Lucania.By now, I was sure their Zeta had reached Lucania to abduct Hazel. Had she given birth yet?I was restless as I paced the floor. There had to be a way to reach out to Hazel. I tried to mind-link with Hazel, but I was too far away to connect to her. Neither could I connect with Zephyrus this time, although we shared a good rapport with one another. Were the wind wolves blocking me out? With their unknown powers, there was a possibility that they were preventing me from reaching out for help. Did they possess psychic powers?After the cleansing ritual, I had completely severed all ties with Dyson. So even if I tried, I couldn’t connect with him.Ther
Stavros’s POVZephyrus looked relieved to see me. “Stop the battle. They’ve released Beta Stavros,” he yelled, striding towards me. Even Alpha Alexios barked orders to stop the fight and step back.I gazed all around me at the beheaded, blood-smeared bodies lying all around the snow-covered terrain. The ground was transformed into a sea of blood, and my heart sank with despair. This wasn’t what I wanted for my father’s pack.“Beta Stavros, please save our pack. Only fifty of us are alive now,” pleaded Zeta Athlon, dropping to his knees in front of me in a sea of blood. The injury across his chest looked fatal, and nothing could save him now. They should have revolted against Beta Velez and released me earlier. It would have stopped the fight.“It’s your doing, Zeta. The fight has ceased and everyone can return home. We will leave your territory right now,” said Alpha Alexios.“Please stay the night. We want to discuss an important topic tomorrow once everyone is well-rested. It’s cruc
Stavros’s POV“That’s sorted then. I’m sure you can sort the rest by yourselves. I’ll leave for home.” In my haste, I had completely forgotten about my father’s treasure and property.“Beta, can we discuss your father’s belongings, which are rightfully yours?” asked Delta Drupal.“Oh, yes. As I had mentioned earlier, I will give away everything to the pack members. You can use the treasure and the property for the welfare of the pack. Please prepare the legal documents and send them to me in Lucania for my signature.” I wanted the entire pack to know that my father’s precious possessions belonged to them. It wasn’t the Alpha’s personal property or wealth. I wouldn’t want anyone to take undue advantage of my father’s hard earned wealth.“Yes, Beta. I appreciate your kindness. Can we transform the mansion into our packhouse to shelter the members who are homeless?” asked Delta Drupal, eliciting cheers from the pack members. I knew I had made the right decision in choosing him as the Alp
Hazel’s POVA Fortnight LaterI watched my mate in awe as he expertly tended to the twins. It had been two weeks since he returned, yet it still felt surreal. In these two weeks, Stavros has learned to take care of the pups better than me. We didn’t need my aunts at all. He has been a doting father and a caring mate to me, making up for his absence during childbirth.He explained his lineage to me, but it didn’t matter at all that he was a wind wolf. To me, he was just my mate.The treasures he brought for me were priceless, not for their worth, but because they were a blessing from his father. He told me everything about his ordeal in the Wild Wain Village. I was glad he found his closure.The doorbell rang, bringing me out of my reverie. “I’ll get it. Here, you can change Helios,” said Stavros.He walked out of the nursery while I tucked the twins into bed. I could hear the hushed whispers downstairs. Who could be here now? I was looking forward to spending some time with Stavros af
Stavros’s POVShe released my mouth and grinned at the jaw-dropped look on my face. A million questions flitted across my head as she eased off my lap and started the car.“I don’t understand, Hazel. What happened to you? Umm, I mean how do you look so thin? Your featherweight too.”She chuckled as she drove on. “Oh, come on! I was never featherweight!”I watched her, feeling even more puzzled than before. “But what about the twins? I don’t understand how you reduced so much in a few days.”She laughed as if it was obvious. “I popped the twins out, silly. That’s why my tummy has shrunk!” My mouth hung with astonishment.What does “Popped” mean? Did she deliver my pups? If so, where were they, and why was she heading to the hospital?“Popped means gave birth. The day you were captured, I delivered the twins. Today I saw my gynecologist, Dr. Sylvia, who helped me give birth. It was a routine check-up.” My heart skipped a beat and I couldn’t help but say a silent prayer to the kind godde
Stavros’s POV“That’s sorted then. I’m sure you can sort the rest by yourselves. I’ll leave for home.” In my haste, I had completely forgotten about my father’s treasure and property.“Beta, can we discuss your father’s belongings, which are rightfully yours?” asked Delta Drupal.“Oh, yes. As I had mentioned earlier, I will give away everything to the pack members. You can use the treasure and the property for the welfare of the pack. Please prepare the legal documents and send them to me in Lucania for my signature.” I wanted the entire pack to know that my father’s precious possessions belonged to them. It wasn’t the Alpha’s personal property or wealth. I wouldn’t want anyone to take undue advantage of my father’s hard earned wealth.“Yes, Beta. I appreciate your kindness. Can we transform the mansion into our packhouse to shelter the members who are homeless?” asked Delta Drupal, eliciting cheers from the pack members. I knew I had made the right decision in choosing him as the Alp
Stavros’s POVZephyrus looked relieved to see me. “Stop the battle. They’ve released Beta Stavros,” he yelled, striding towards me. Even Alpha Alexios barked orders to stop the fight and step back.I gazed all around me at the beheaded, blood-smeared bodies lying all around the snow-covered terrain. The ground was transformed into a sea of blood, and my heart sank with despair. This wasn’t what I wanted for my father’s pack.“Beta Stavros, please save our pack. Only fifty of us are alive now,” pleaded Zeta Athlon, dropping to his knees in front of me in a sea of blood. The injury across his chest looked fatal, and nothing could save him now. They should have revolted against Beta Velez and released me earlier. It would have stopped the fight.“It’s your doing, Zeta. The fight has ceased and everyone can return home. We will leave your territory right now,” said Alpha Alexios.“Please stay the night. We want to discuss an important topic tomorrow once everyone is well-rested. It’s cruc
Stavros’s POVWith the sun up all day and night, keeping track of time within the room where I was locked was difficult. It was frustrating since I couldn’t escape with the tight security all around. The wind wolves were desperate to keep me here and could do anything to have their way. I didn’t fear for myself but for my family in Lucania.By now, I was sure their Zeta had reached Lucania to abduct Hazel. Had she given birth yet?I was restless as I paced the floor. There had to be a way to reach out to Hazel. I tried to mind-link with Hazel, but I was too far away to connect to her. Neither could I connect with Zephyrus this time, although we shared a good rapport with one another. Were the wind wolves blocking me out? With their unknown powers, there was a possibility that they were preventing me from reaching out for help. Did they possess psychic powers?After the cleansing ritual, I had completely severed all ties with Dyson. So even if I tried, I couldn’t connect with him.Ther
Hazel’s POVI opened my eyes to look around me. Yes, I was still alone at the hospital waiting to be discharged. I lost my senses after hearing the news of my mate’s capture. It devastated me, totally catching me unawares. I had expected Stavros to be injured, but never captured and taken away to some unknown enemy territory.I closed my eyes, unable to imagine what he was going through there. How could Zeph allow this to happen? Wasn’t it his duty to protect his Beta? Shouldn’t he rescue Stavros? I needed my phone to get some answers from Zephyrus. Somehow, I felt let down. All his life, Stavros had unconditionally stood by Zeph and now, when he was in the enemy territory, how could the pack members sit back and relax?I eased off the hospital bed to find out what was going on. I was supposed to get discharged today and planned to follow up with my doctor, but first, I needed to check up on the twins.Walking down to the nursery, I could feel the sympathetic glances thrown my way. Ob
Stavros’s POVThe car sped along the highway that took me through the boreal forest, high Alpine, and rolling tundra until we reached a desolate village. I knew the place since I had come here before. It was the Wild Wain Village, the territory of the Wind Wolves. The place was cold, desolate, and uninhabitable, submerged in darkness because the clouds hanging low completely blocked the pale rays of the Midnight sun.Beta Velez drove on with a grim look on his face while I watched for road signs to guide me back. There was no way I would live here. After meeting their Alpha and knowing their motive, I would surely escape. I wanted to ask so many things but the gag prevented me from speaking.“Mmm!” I struggled to get it off and Beta Velez stopped the car and untied my mouth at last. I sputtered, gasping for air. My mouth felt parched but with my hands still tied up, I doubted I would get water to drink.“Why have you brought me here? I want to meet your Alpha.” He drove on in silence,
Hazel’s POVI tossed and turned all afternoon; the pain escalating every minute. After Stavros’s call, I fell asleep from exhaustion. He still hadn’t returned when I woke up, and neither did the others. Now the dull throbbing ache in my cervix turned excruciating, and I gritted my teeth to bear it.The door opened, and Aunt Carla entered my room. “Hazel, we can’t delay this anymore. We have to take you to the hospital. Your contractions have started.”I gave her a frantic look. I couldn’t deliver without Stavros! He promised he would be there with me all along. “Please call Stavros, Aunt Carla. I can’t do this alone.” Tears pooled in my eyes and streamed down my cheeks while she gave me a hesitant look.“Stavros and the others are very busy at the borders. The enemy has attacked us and they cannot return. You have us with you, Hazel. Don’t delay this. You’re risking your life and also that of your pups.” I sighed and nodded, agreeing with their wishes.“Fine, I’ll go to the hospital.”
Stavros’s POVHazel’s call disturbed me a lot as I waited for some update on the attackers. True to his promise, Orion called after forty minutes with a shocking update. I wondered how he located the enemy so fast. It only meant one thing. They hadn’t left but were lurking nearby instead.“Yes, Orion. Have you located the enemy?”“Yes, Stav. They’ve taken shelter at the foothills of Mount Richardson. I’m keeping a watch on their activities and it doesn’t look hopeful. I think they’re heading over to launch an attack on us again.”My jaws dropped with horror. I had no idea the enemy was so close. “Do you have any idea who they are and what they want?”“No, Stav, but they aren’t normal shifters like us. Their speed is the fastest I’ve ever seen. I can’t get near as they can sense anything nearby. They’ve killed two rogues trespassing nearby and five bears already.” I frowned at his description.“How do they look? Do they possess any typical physical traits?” Orion considered my question