*PHOEBE’S POV*Hudson did not come up last night. I laid in the empty bed alone until sleep lulled me, and waking up in solitude was disappointing. I missed his scent and his skin against mine. My concern seems unshakable and won’t dissipate until Charles comes home and the Vampire situation is settled.I scuffled out of bed and had a quick shower. I wanted to make sure that he was okay. I threw on my army green mid-rise shorts with cuffed hems and side pockets and topped it with a sleeveless tunic blouse in simple black. My first place to go was his office but when I opened the door, no one was there and the desk was neat. No evidence that he had been there this morning. He didn’t leave a note or anything and I was bothered by his going off without telling me. I made it into the kitchen. I might as well eat and get my stomach filled before I do further inquiries. Omega Beatrice smiled at me. “Good morning Luna, what may I get for you this morning?”I sighed, unable to make any par
*HUDSON’S POV*Half an hour before the sun started to set, we reached the Big Sioux River. While remaining undetected, our troops scoured the area for traps and vampires. A group of ten people was waiting near one of the Cadenzas. Also, another set of fifty warriors was in a nearby town as backup, if needed. Additionally, we were strapped with guns and had goldenseal echinacea in our system to combat silver bullets and wolfsbane.The suitcase containing the cash was on the car's passenger seat. All fifteen million dollars were about to be wasted because of Charles' reckless pursuit of having a good time. Apparently, he chased after fun, no matter where it took him, and has been breaking too many laws. It was clear that he did not give a rat's ass about how his actions affected our pack. While I watch Dwayne pull on his cigar, I could use something strong even though I didn’t smoke.This money could have been used to expand our territory, or catered to fulfill some of the plans that h
*HUDSON’S POV* Chad and Dwayne were still not by my side as yet. All my warriors were preoccupied with their own battles against the vast number of rogues that ambushed us. Nonetheless, it would be nine against one. I could overpower them, but I could not help but wonder, had it come to this? Must I kill my brother? Oblivious, I did not even know what the fuck this was about. “What’s this about Charles?” I questioned irately. On the condition that I died today, I must know the rationale behind this. At least I would die with a clear conscience if this betrayal and my death were sincerely justified. He scoffs and revealed, “It’s time to rid the pack of you and your commanding officers. The Vampires will be blamed and I get to be Alpha.” “Why?” Baffled, my brows crunched. In me, the transmitted heat energy was gradually growing, expanding, and converting into explosive rage. A sick sort of triumph shone in Charles' eyes. “I have been giving you Monkshood in your meals for years.” He
*PHOEBE’S POV* Casting the Sherpa blanket from my body, I doddered to the window and opened it for the morning's crisp air to sting my face and chill my nose. The sun was not up as yet, and sleep had forsaken me. It had been another night spent without Hudson. Today marks the first day of training with Melody but I was not up to it. Due to the fact that my mind was constantly on Hudson. Melody never ceases to astound me with how level-headed she could be in the midst of an adversity. I ponder whether I will ever be even a fraction of the Luna she was. I thought that Hudson would have been home by now and he was clearly not in the pack. “Hudson, where are you?” I attempted to mind-link him for the first time since we mated. Wolves from different packs cannot mind-linked unless mated. Hudson’s mark connected me to him and his pack so I could now communicate with them through this channel. However, if he was too far away from me, the connection would be too far-stretched for the min
*PHOEBE’S POV* The blazing ball in the sky was now letting the earth's surface be touched by its yolk-yellow rays, and I’m watching the hours for Hudson to call me. The mate bond has developed me into a chronic obsessional girlfriend. He was the remedy to drive away the dark cloud that hovered over my mood. Silva gently stroked my black hair with her fingers. I laid on the couch with my head resting in her lap with the intent to take my mind off what was happening. Earlier she had given me tea and a sandwich as I related what the omega had told me. Silva sighed after dispelling the shock of the news and allowed me to get dressed as I borrowed her clothes. “If it’s Monkshood that was being fed to Hudson, I can work up an antidote for him,” Silva suggested to help us. “I can’t believe that a sibling could be so wicked,” I said bitterly, “I can only imagine that he might want to kill his own brother. And then what would his parents think of the situation?” “You will have to be there
*PHOEBE’S POV* Hudson glares at Silva who appears to be furious with us. She storms into one of the bedrooms and brings an orange Halter dress that she throws at me. Hudson growls at her hostility but at this point, the pink-haired witch is not bothered. Before she curses, she waits until we properly cover ourselves. “Someone better replace my dining table,” she points angrily at us. “There is no way that I will be eating on that table with all the fucking that you just did!” I frowned, knowing how wrong it was that we got caught up in our sex session right in front of her. My heart plummeted even more as I noticed the inflicted bruises on her neck, knowing that Hudson was to be blamed. “Look at what you did to my bloody door!” She motioned her hands toward the damaged door that lay on the floor. “What the hell is wrong with you people?” “I’m sorry, Silva. We will send over warriors to get that fixed,” I apologized as Hudson protectively pulls me into his chest. She inhales deepl
*Two weeks later…….*PHOEBE’S POV*“That girl keeps glaring at me from the make-up counter. What’s her problem?” I observed with great bewilderment. If eyes had the power to kill, she would have slaughtered me a thousand times over.We were at the mall at the boutique store since I requested Melody to let me handle the flowers for the Luna Ceremony that was coming up. I couldn’t help but notice that we were being stalked by the two strangers. Feeling uneasy, I decided to confront the issue rather than dismiss it.Due to Charles' moral conundrum, the High Alpha summoned Hudson for face-to-face discussions, which kept him so busy that the Luna Ceremony had been postponed. Apparently, the vampire Barabbas Lorcan struck the council's interest. Hudson did not go into great detail about the matter because some facts had to be kept confidential.Nevertheless, Melody and the girls have been adamant about coordinating things in advance for when Hudson gave consent to move forward.Mauve, accor
*PHOEBE POV* The ceremony that should have begun at six this evening has been delayed. I’m attired for the event and angrily pacing the bedroom floor. It’s been over ten hours and no one has seen Dwayne or Hudson. Now it was past eight o’clock and I’m rattling on nerves. My outfit was a rose-gold long mermaid gown with a sophisticated v-neckline, sweeping cape sleeves, and floral lace trim. My hair was a tousled half updo with flowing curls, adorned with a fabulous 14-karat gold long pearl, crystal, and silver hair vine as a hairpiece accessory. Wendy, Joana, and Fiona helped with make-up and hair but I’m here by myself because I needed some alone time. I do not wish to show my face downstairs to the awaiting crowd, uttering apologies again. Melody, Joana, Mom, and Dad popped in a few times but I told them to give me some space. “Hudson, where the fuck are you?” I have said this a million times through the mind-linked and he does not respond. And every time that he becomes like th