Stavros’s POV I could feel Hazel’s presence beside me all night, but couldn’t open my eyes and reach out to her. The sedatives and dizziness took a toll on my body. Vyros was restless, too. Despite rejecting her, we still considered her our mate. There could be no other female in our lives. Dykos growled with jealousy for the first time since I wore the pendant. It was a warning to not mount and claim her tonight. As if I had forgotten! How did he stir? Wasn’t the pendant working? Panic gripped my heart, and I opened my eyes to check. I needed it badly now to keep Dyson in check in Hazel’s presence. I had so many plans to woo her back. The room was dark, and the pendant sparkled beside me on the bed. When did it come off? I didn’t remember taking it out. Maybe Alexandrios did while checking me up! I reached out, but Hazel’s sleeping form beside me got my attention. With her facing me, I was dumbstruck by her radiant beauty.A deep sigh of regret escaped my lips. If I hadn’t panick
Hazel’s POV I stilled, coming back to reality with a jolt. How did I agree to kiss Stavros? “No, we shouldn’t do this, Stavros.” I pushed him away in a state of panic and ran towards the door. Who could it be so early in the morning? I opened the door to see Andre, one of the pack members, waiting to meet Stavros. He followed me out and I stepped backward to allow them to interact. “Yes, Andre, is there something you want?” asked Stavros, his tone impatient. Was it because of the kiss that couldn’t happen? “Beta Stavros, Orion called to say he saw Hera and Felixe in Downtown Yellowknife last night. Gamma Leandros had already left for Yellowknife last night. He wants Alpha Zephyrus to join him there as soon as possible. I’m leaving on an errand. Can you inform Alpha Zephyrus?” “Sure. I’ll inform him.” I left them to go inside. While I was happy that Hera had been found, it also meant Stavros wouldn’t rest anymore. With both Zephyrus and Leandros away, he would be busy managing the
Hazel’s POV Stavros stormed inside my house as if he owned the place and me. As if he hadn’t thrown me out of his house a couple of days ago! “Why are you here, Stavros?” I asked in the same tone as he had. He gave me a worried look and stopped right in front of me. “Why do you need a doctor? What’s wrong with you?” He placed his feverishly hot hand on my forehead and I jumped backwards. His hand was hotter than my forehead! “Stop. I’m fine. You can go home, Stavros. I’m not in the mood for a conversation.” I gritted out in the same tone as he had. He froze and then rolled his eyes. “Then who’s sick? Why did you call me?” asked a clueless Alexandrios, giving me a wary look. “It’s Aunt Cassie.” I led him into Aunt Cassie’s bedroom only to see her lying on the bed, shivering as her temperature soared. Alexandrios immediately sat down beside her to check. “How did you fall sick, Aunt Cassie? Where were you for the last two days? We were so worried about you,” scolded Stavros. I ga
Hazel's POV “I’ll escort Lena to Zephyrus’s room first. Can’t you wait?” He scoffed but followed us to Zephyrus’s room. Now I was suspicious about his intentions. What help did he need? The gash across his forehead looked raw and painful. That required more attention than any other thing around. Why didn’t he tend to it? He looked quite worn out right now. I felt a little upset at seeing him overworked. Why should I react? He wasn’t my mate! After Lena disappeared inside Zeph’s room, I was free of my responsibilities. “Done now? Come with me.” Stavros gripped my arm and led me to his room in the packhouse. It was a death grip, and I was sure it would leave a mark on my skin. “Leave my arm, Stavros. I’m following you, anyway.” He scoffed and shook his head. “There’s no trusting you.”Once inside his room, I glanced around the ransacked place. What had happened to his room? Who had ransacked it? “Gosh! What happened?” He gave me a grave look. “The property papers of my father’s
Stavros’s POV I stood at the window and watched Hazel escape as if the devil was after her. Was I the devil? How long would she escape from reality? The truth was, the mate bond between us would never die. Despite everything, I still want her, and need her to live. Michael walked into my room and slumped into a chair with exhaustion. “Gosh! That was so tiring.” I withdrew from the window and sat down beside him. He had gone to supervise the construction of the hospital, helipad, and mall, which had started in full swing. “How’s the progress?” He gave me a detailed description of everything happening at the construction sites. “I was at the helipad when I saw Felixe’s helicopter airdrop Hera at the highest peak of the Astral Mountains.” I was stunned by the news. “Are you sure it was Hera and not Felixe himself? He might be here to rescue Lyra?”Michael shook his head, and I knew what was to come. Now there’ll be a war with Felixe Andreadis. He wasn’t one to let this go, although
Stavros’s POV We tried our best to convince Leandros for the next two days but failed. He tried every trick possible to evade us. Finally, Zephyrus returned with Lena and convinced him to see Felixe. They would go to Felixe’s house in Hay River and solve the issue amicably. I released a sigh of relief that finally things were settling down. It was evening when they drove over to the helipad to fly to Hay River, where Felixe was staying. Zephyrus and Hera left with Lyra and Leandros, and I finally drove home. I had been living in the packhouse the last two days to help Hera.I wondered what Hazel was up to. I hadn’t seen her since the day she escaped me. Was she avoiding me? As I walked towards my car, I saw Aunt Cassie emerge from the packhouse. “Can I drop you, Aunt Cassie?” My heart skipped a beat at the prospect of meeting Hazel. “Yes, please. Hazel has taken my car to Lena’s house.” She got in while I frowned at the information. So, was Hazel staying the night there? “She’s st
Stavros’s POV I ignored Dyson, curbing his aura deep inside me. While I was still abiding by the curse rules, he had no business interfering in my matters. I didn’t f*cking care about his jealousy. I was tired of waiting, tired of battling with my urges. Now my primal instincts were in control as I slammed my lips to hers, gliding into the sweet recesses of her mouth just like she had done a minute earlier, only with ten times the passion.My canines ached to mark her, but I knew the consequences of my actions. It would be over before it even started. No, I wanted more from her. I wanted to emerge victorious in the battle and return to Hazel for more.As our tongues swirled and danced together, a whirlwind of emotions surged through me. A tangled ball of love, pain, remorse, and tenderness swept over me. Although I had hurt her immensely, she still reacted at the thought of separating from me forever. I wished I could rewind the hands of time and go back to the fateful day when I had
Stavros’s POV My phone buzzed with an incoming call from Michael, and I was saved from answering aunt Cassie. “I need to take this call, please.”“Sure, but you’ll have your dinner before you leave,” said aunt Carla.I left the table and accepted the call warily. Did Felixe attack us already?“Yes, Michael? Tell me.”“Beta, can you take the delivery of the weapons arriving tonight? I’m on my way to the battlefield with Dante. We’ll keep vigil at the highest peak to monitor the approaching enemy.”I had completely forgotten about the weapons. “I’ll be there.”I returned to the table and excused myself. “There’ll be a delivery of weapons tonight and I need to be there, aunt Carla.”My glance went to Hazel as I turned to leave. She took it as a cue and followed me to the door.“Please be careful, Stavros. After the battle, come home to me. I’ll be waiting for you.” Although I wanted to resume the kiss from where we left off, I restrained myself. I had a mission to fulfill.Yet I couldn’
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