ALPHA ASHAI found myself in the empty gym once again, dragging one of the heaviest punching bags to the chain that swung from the rafters. I hooked it up with a grunt and stepped back, rolling my shoulders.The gym had always been the best place for me to unwind and release my frustrations. It had just been a long while since I was frustrated enough that I needed the solid weight of a punching bag threatening to split my knuckles to distract me from my thoughts.I refused to feel guilty for wanting to protect my mate.We may have only spent a short amount of time together, but I knew that seeing Amber this early would have shattered Pixie , and that wasn’t something I was willing to put her through.I threw quick, sharp jabs at the punching bag, unrelenting until my arms burned and my hands ached.And I punched through bag after bag, my frustration only mounting with every torn bag, the sand spilling out onto the gym floor.I growled and yanked the last one down, the chain breaking a
ALPHA ASHAA few hours had passed since I had holed myself up in the gym, and I figured I needed to settle things with Pixie, who hadn’t left the medical ward at all.I walked in late in the afternoon, meeting Jonah, who looked a little worse for wear as I fussed about.“Any updates?” I asked, noting the frazzled gleam in Jonah’s eyes. The doctor shook his head and sighed.“Your Luna has been talking to her,” Jonah informed me. “And she has stopped growling at least, but she hasn’t shifted back. I really don’t think there’s a way for her to recover mentally, the damage has been unthinkable.”I nodded, thinking about how the news might affect Pixie. She wouldn’t take it easily, and she’d do everything in her power to find a way to bring her best friend back. I was worried that she would end up losing herself in the process. But I already knew that only way to bring Amber back was her mate, who was no where to be found.Just then, she emerged from the back rooms, eyes tearing up the sec
PIXIEI stared in complete disbelief at the wolf cowering on the bed in the far corner of the room. There was no way that Gloria was there, I had to be seeing things.“What is she doing here?” I whispered, not wanting to alert Gloria to my presence. She looked so different from the last time we’d spoken; her usually shiny hair was a matted, tangled mess, her cheeks hollow and eyes sunken. She looked as though she hadn’t slept in weeks, with her last meal being even longer.“When my sentries attacked the wolves and saved Amber,” Ayla explained, glancing back at Gloria with deep mistrust in her usually warm eyes. “We found her cowering in grasses. She hasn’t sustained injuries like Amber has, so we’d been trying to interrogate her to find out what she was doing there. We’d hoped to get information on Griffin’s whereabouts but she’s, well…”“Penelope?” Gloria suddenly breathed, making me jump in surprise. I looked back at the wolf, her blue eyes wide with recognition. “It is you, thank G
PIXIEAsha had been called away for an update on Griffin’s whereabouts soon after they’d left Helldog’s cottage together, promising that he would see her at dinner. I made her way back to the packhouse, wondering if Ayla would be interested in taking a walk with me.It was busy, as usual, various members of the pack milling about in the kitchen and living room areas, trying to escape the blistering heat outside. I found Ayla among them, lounging on one of the recliners with her bare feet up, and another wolf braiding her long hair.“Good afternoon, Your Majesty,” I said with a mock bow, biting down my smirk. “Might I request an audience with you?”Ayla rolled her eyes with a chuckle and winked at the wolf who had just finished braiding her hair.“If you insist,” she teased, getting to her feet gracefully and linking arms with me. “Where to?”“Anywhere,” I murmured, smiling at the wolves who waved happily. “I just want to walk.”“After you.”We strolled through the forest near the pack
PIXIEThe medical rooms were quiet this late in the evening, with only Jonah there to supervise. I knocked and waited for him to open the door, smiling when he did."Luna!" he said, clearing his throat quickly. “Sorry, I mean Penelope."I grinned wider. I'd told him he didn't have to call me Luna all the time, especially since I didn't really 'feel' like a Luna just yet. But he was having some trouble with it."Hi Jonah," I said, stepping in when he invited me. "Have you eaten yet?"He shrugged. "I'll get something to eat a little later.What can I do for you?""I'm here to see Amber," I explained. "I have something to tell her.""Sure," he said, gesturing down the hall to the concealed room. "Go right ahead.""Thanks!"I walked down the now familiar hallway and stood outside Amber's door, laying a hand on the metal, palm flat."Amber?" I called, not wanting to scare Amber by bursting in unannounced. "It's me, I'm coming in, okay?"I waited a beat before dismantling the complicated lo
PIXIEI had no idea how much time had passed since I'd managed to feed Amber the last bit of food on the tray, but I was startled awake by Amber's vicious growls, reverberating through my chest and into my ear.I'd fallen asleep against Amber's side, my fingers curled in the mess of fur. I blinked in confusion, trying to figure out what had woken Amber when Asha's scent hit my nose."It's me," he said needlessly, standing at the door. He observed Amber and the way my body coiled defensively around my sleeping form while I slowly woke up.Sensing Amber's fear and aggression, I reached out to calm my down but was interrupted by Asha, who growled once, his Alpha dominance slipping free and forcing Amber down."It's okay, Amber," I said again, hating the way Amber whimpered in Asha's presence. "That's Asha, he won't hurt you, you can trust him."But Amber only huffed and crawled back to my bed, huddling in the corner and ignoring both I and Asha."It's late," Asha said, his eyes fixed on
PIXIEI watched Gloria warily from my spot at the door.Ayla stood beside me, the sentry exuding a cold, threatening aura that raised the hairs on my arms despite the warm weather.Gloria sat curled on the bed, her knees pulled to her chest in a fetal position. Her wild eyes darted around the room, never once landing on me or Ayla.With a cautious glance at Ayla, I cleared my throat."Hi Gloria," I said softly, with just volume for the scared wolf to hear without frightening her. “How are you?"She only whimpered, rocking back and forth and looking for all the world like she expected Griffin to burst through the door and kill her. I tried again."We need to ask you a few questions, Gloria," I said, hoping that I would get the answers I needed. "It's about Griffin."Nothing.I heard Ayla grumble impatiently beside me. I understood her frustration: Ayla had been chasing down a potential when Asha had called her back, instructing her to accompany me to Glorias’ room. I knew that Ayla tru
Hours had passed since I'd kissed Pixie goodbye earlier that day. I hated being away from her, especially since she insisted on spending time with dangerous, unpredictable wolves. Both of whom, I might add, were unstable and prone to lashing out, even at those they knew.I hadn't been this worried for her safety since those three days she had spent out of my sight with Dwight.I hadn't been able to focus much on my work, and Jaden had stepped up more than once to cover for my inexplicable silence that morning in their briefing. I couldn't help it; my mind continuously strayed back to Pixie, my thoughts filled with her. I wondered if she was okay, if she'd eaten enough before locking herself away with her former pack mates, if she'd get enough rest before dinner. It was maddening, but I chalked it up to the mating bond between them, having amplified the subtle communication that had already existed between them before.I was aware of her emotions now, more attuned to how she was feelin
PIXIEThe sun casted its golden rays upon the south, blessing it withs its divine touch. Today was no ordinary day, for the first time in history, the South, the West and the North all sat around one large round table. My father, though not looking totally impressed sat beside grand-Alpha Asha. Dwight, who looked like he had had better days, sat beside his father, the orange haired Alpha that had betrayed my father looked just like I had last saw him so many years ago, except this time he hah shaved his beard and thus looked years younger.I sat beside Asha, my hand on his arm, the metals of his wheelchair sheening under the soft light from the chandelier, his wheelchair was always scrubbed clean by Tristan. We were all present, all ruling parties under one roof, a treaty so big the parchment stretched from one end of the table to the other was lay on the table.The treaty was a declaration for peace, though not covering eternity but for as long as the grand-Alphas and Alphas after th
How waging war against my pack was a solution for the Alpha Silva to bring his daughter to him was still a mystery to me, though it also brought a lot of answers. Griffins attack had not only proven that the Silva pack had nothing to do with the attack that led to the death of Naomi, it had also proven that it was wolves from Griffins pack that had attacked.It gave me a sick feeling in my gut just thinking about it, I had been so blinded by rage that I had actually considered killing Alpha Silva when he was innocent of any conflict that had led to Naomi’s death, instead, the wolf I should have held responsible was held securely in a cellar, immune to death from my maw and awaiting a brawl.It was like these last few hours had opened my eyes and changed my view on anything I had thought to be true. Keeping my mind on the sentries that tried to kill me while also processing the magnitude of fucked everything truly seemed impossible and I found myself in an awkward situation of wrestlin
PIXIEI could feel the smirk on griffins voice as he spoke, a smirk that was just as threatening as his growls and I wanted nothing more than for Asha to end the wolf once for all just like how Amber had ended Gloria.I stared at Asha from behind, we all did, waiting for him to do it, to deliver the finishing blow and finally put an end to this long fought war.‘Release him!’ Asha said and I could relate to the defiant growl Ayla gave in protest, Griffin was no pup, he was far too dangerous to be given any sort of leverage as he could take the slightest advantage and take a killing blow at soneone’s throat.‘Release him…’ Asha said again and I could feel his aura upon us, commanding Ayla to do as he said.Ayla and Jared released their hold on Griffin, and he ruffled like a cold bird when he stood.‘Make a move and I’ll destroy you!’ Asha said,‘I know…’ Griffin retorted.Asha turned his attention to me and his eyes went soft, Amber backed away slightly when he came closer to me and he
ALPHA ASHAThe I could feel the smirk on griffins voice as he spoke, a smirk that made the urge I had to break his neck intensify a hundred times fold.It was rather stupid not to have ended him on the spot, but at the same time I could feel the stares of Pixie and Amber boring into my back, waiting for my next move.‘Release him!’ I said at once, drawing a defiant growl from Ayla.‘Release him…’ I said again, but this time my words were laced with venom.Ayla and Jared let go of their hold on Griffin, the Alpha ruffled up when he stood.‘Make a move and I’ll destroy you!’‘I know…’ he said.I turned my attention back to Pixie, Amber backed away slightly when I came closer to my mate and I nuzzled at her sides, the cuts on her sides were still very fresh and I guessed her healing was slowed almost to a halt because of the exhaustion, the fact that she had even survived Griffin alone was still a mystery. My attention was drawn to a hulking form that lay a few meters in the shadow.It o
PIXIEI tried to blink the dark spots from my vision, trying to understand that the pain wasn't from Griffin sinking his teeth into my neck; it was his weight that had slammed into my injured body.Amber had charged at him, breaking free of the fear that he held over her and tackling him to the ground. Griffin howled in shock, his pain splitting into a snarl as he spun mid-fall and tore into Amber's exposed throat. He ripped her off of him and threw her across the room, staggering away from me. I spotted the silver glint of a scalpel protruding from his broad back.I fought to get to my feet again, my side bleeding heavily where Griffin's claws had torn through my skin.Pain riddled my body as I stood, shaking and icy from the loss of blood. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep going for much longer. And it didn't seem like help was on its way, either. I was alone, facing Griffin and his crazed eyes as he circled me once more.I had an unsettling sense blanket down over me, and I underst
PIXIEWhimpering as she crawled to my side, Amber nosed at my snout.I was panting, breathing hard from the exertion, the pain from shifting too fast, only adding to the agony of Gloria's claws. I couldn't shift back just yet, knowing that the pain would be far worse in my human form.And I did not know what was happening outside. I didn't know if more wolves were approaching to attack or if Gloria and her plan had failed.So I stayed in my wolf form, cuddling against Amber, who had curled her body around me protectively. All her wounds had finally healed, much to my relief, and Gloria hadn't been able to land a single blow. Amber had always been talented in battle, and she'd successfully taken on most of the males back home and come out victorious.Amber glanced at Jonah, who was still lying motionless on the floor. I hoped with all my heart that it was only a sedative that Gloria had forced into his system. I could pick up his faint breaths, his heartbeat slow but definitely still t
PIXIE"Not so dumb after all," Gloria applauded sarcastically. "Yes, Griffin is the son of a murdered Alpha, the Alpha that Asha killed in blind rage and cold blood.""They were rogues," I defended, refusing to allow Gloria to speak lie upon lie about Asha. "They attacked Asha's pack and slaughtered his mate!""And Asha should have died with his mate," Gloria growled. "But no matter, that's all in the past. Now, Griffin has the perfect plan to make him suffer for what he did.""What the hell have you done?""He made me a deal," she grinned. "If I helped him infiltrate Asha's pack, he'd kill you. And I would be the only one who could help Dwight through the pain of losing his stupid lover, and Asha would suffer the same agony twice before Griffin ended him.""You're a monster," I whispered, tears hot on my cheeks. "Both of you.""I think we're pretty clever," Gloria shrugged. "You have to admit, it's an excellent plan. I just can't believe how easily you fell for my act. But I knew you
PIXIEWith Jonah's full weight slumped against me, I could barely breathe."Jonah," I groaned,whimpering in pain. "Jonah, are you okay?"He didn't answer, and I felt his body sliding to the floor, my gut clenching in fear. "Jonah, what the hell is going on?"His body finally collapsed to the floor with a subdued groan, and I cried out, falling to the floor with him. I spotted the syringe sticking out of his neck and gasped, my eyes flying up to find Gloria standing over us."Gloria?" I whispered, getting back to my feet very slowly, my thoughts running wild and fast, maybe a little too fast for me to even focus on one thought for long enough."Useless doctor," Gloria spat, kicking Jonah's ribs viciously with a nasty leer on her face."He should have known better than to interfere."An icy fear settled in my gut as Gloria glared at me, hatred sparking in her eyes. I desperately tried to open Amber’s door, but it was still locked. I searched around for the keys, finding them inches fro
PIXIEThe rogues were all around us, closing in as Asha howled his warning to the pack. I could hear them dropping their kills in a rush to support their Alpha, but I did not know how far out they were, or if they'd make it in time.I dipped low and lunged forward without a thought, snapping my jaws at a rogue who got too close to Asha's throat. I handed control over to my wolf, desperate to protect my mate, my Alpha, from the surprise rogue attack. My wolf sprang into action, my thoughts devolving into a steady string of "protect, defend, protect, defend', and my movements became more fluid. I was able to take in more information this way, with my wolf at the wheel. I counted the incoming wolves and watched each of them fall at Asha's feet. The only command I gave my wolf was to deny the urge to crawl under him to protect his exposed throat.I had to stay out of his way; I could already sense his panic and concern for my wellbeing through the bond. And I knew that he be better equipp