London's POVThe anger that coursed through me caused the amount of adrenaline surging through me to multiply, sharpening my senses and fueling my steps as I climbed up the stairs. I heard Elsa and the guard shouting my name behind me but I didn't pay them any heed. "ARIA!!!" I shouted for the upteenth time as I finally reached the top of the stairs. I looked down the hallway as I breathed hard, my fists clenched and my jaws tightened. This place was free of maidservants too? Everything was fucking off. "London," I heard someone call and I turned to my left. I sighted Alpha Ryder's head peeking out from one of the doorways, his expression a mixture of anger and surprise. "What's with the noise? You're waking the whole--" "Where's Aria's room?" I asked, cutting the Lycan King short, the tone of my voice matching the angry expression I wore. Ryder, taken aback by how I had cut him and the tone that I had used, blinked twice before sighing and saying, "I told you that Aria will be w
Aria's POV I closed the gate behind me softly before slowly making my way to the path that traveled into the forest. As I approached it, a sudden thought hid me. If a search for me was to ever begin, they would all follow this path. I could not run fast so it would only be a matter of time before they would catch up to me. Panic began rising within but I quickly forced it down. I needed to think clearly. I scanned my surroundings, searching for any signs of an alternate route but it seemed like the one in front of me was the only option. Suddenly, I heard the sound of loud voices coming from within the mansion and I turned my head towards it. Shifting my attention to the window of the mansion, I saw the shadows of people dancing around as they ran about the place. It seemed they now knew I had escaped. This realization caused me to heighten my search. "Fuck, fuck, fuck," I cursed under my breath as tears began running down my cheeks. I shouldn't have escaped. I should have just s
Ryder's POVI stood and watched as London walked down the stairs, anger evident in his strides. I wanted to go after him but my body refused to move. It was like the impact of Aria's disappearance and Ma Levine's involvement had stunned me.My gaze shifted to Ma Levine who wore no emotions on her face. I didn't need to ask if she had aided Aria in her escape. The answer to that question was written apparent in her eyes."Why did you do it?" I asked her, disbelief and disappointment lacing my tongue as I walked up to her. "Why did you aid her escape?" Ma Levine kept her eyes on me as she slowly shook her head. "Because you wouldn't," was all Ma Levine said to me before turning and walking away. Anger filling me, I rushed to her and grabbed her hands, pulling her back. "I have told you, Ma Levine, you do not walk out on me," I growled as my grip on her hands tightened. Ma Levine, her face still stoic, looked down at my hands before bringing back her gaze to me. "A Luna was provided t
London's POV I ran out of the mansion and into the darkness of the just dawning day. Turning to the left, I scanned the area, trying to see if I could get any clue that would lead me to Aria. I knew she didn't use the front gate. She wasn't that stupid. "Where the fuck did you go, Aria?" I muttered through clenched teethas I tightened my fist. I made to turn to my other side when I suddenly caught sight of something. A piece of clothing. Slowly, I walked down the front steps, towards the discarded garment. Bending down, I picked the the piece up and brought it to my face. I recognized the designs on the clothing and the linen patterns. It was the same as the clothe that Aria wore. I placed the clothing under my nose and took in a strong sniff. Aria's scent drifted off the garment and filled my lungs. It really did belong to her. Closing my eyes, I took another sniff again, but this time, with a different purpose. After inhaling her scent five times, I opened my eyes and smiled.
LONDON'S POVI halted in my steps as I came face to face with a small gate. Looking down, I saw traces of aura emanating from the scent that I had gotten off Aria's torn clothing. Bending down, I ran my hands over the trampled grass and growled lowly. Aria had definitely gone this way. I opened the gate and rushed out, following the scent trail. I did so until the trail led me to a small undergrowth. As I reached there, the scent trail disappeared. I dug my hands into my pockets and brought out the torn clothing. Bringing it to my nose, I sniffed the clothing again and tried locating any trail from the scent. But the smell of different plants and vegetations around tangled with her scent, making it hard for me to pin down her trail. "Fuck," I shouted in anger as I threw the clothe to the ground. I ran a hand through my hair, turning to my right as the sound of Ryder's guards shouting Aria's name grew louder and louder. I had to find her before he did. I picked up the discarded cl
Hudson's POVI watched as London walked out of the mansion and towards their carriage, his precious Luna following closely behind him. Taking a sip from the hop cup of tea in my hand, I smiled, waving at the alpha as he turned to look up at me. Giving me a glare, the alpha of Startling Pack bared his teeth at me before entering his carriage after his Luna. Sighing, I took another sip of my tea, the smile on my face widening as I watched the carriage drive out of the compound. Seeing that they were gone, I turned from my window and walked towards one of the chairs in my room. I sat down on the chair with a low grunt before bringing the brim of my cup to my lips. The just rising sun casted a warm glow across the room and the aura of the morning matched the emotions that had started brewing within me. The chirping birds, the soft whistle of the wind as it blew across the open fields, the sound of the maidservants just starting their works - all these sounds melded into calming symphony
ARIA'S POVThe sun was fully out now, blaring it's bright rays down upon me as I walked through the forest. The forest trees around me did nothing to shade me from the sun's light but, fortunately for me, it was just morning sun and the heat was not much. But the light caused a headache to start forming behind my eyes. I squinted, trying my possible best to block the amount of lies entering my eyes. When I saw that it wasn't that effective, I decided to turn my head away from the direction of the sunlight. It made my neck ache a little but I preferred it so much to the headache caused by the sunlight. Adjusting the strap that I had used on my knife to hold it securely, I pushed forward, determined to get as far as I could from Ryder's mansion. I knew his guards would be searching for me by now as he must have already noticed my absence if he did not when I escaped. And this thought caused me to press on with even more urgency. My legs screamed in pain for me to stop after I had wal
Aria's POVI pushed myself deeper into the thicket as I heard footsteps heading my way. "Did you find her?" the leader of the guards asked as they all converged back at the streamside. I looked up from the bush to get a better view of the guards and watched as one walked back to where my footprints was. "I checked everywhere but could not find anything," the guard standing by the stream said as he began studying the footprints again. "I couldn't even find a single print that could aid our search. It's like she just... disappeared into thin air." The third guard, visibly frustrated, kicked at the mud, spraying it into the air. "There's no way she could have disappeared into thin air," he said as he turned to face his colleagues. "This area was given to us for us to cover. If we go back and tell the Lycan King that we found Aria's footprints but gave up on our search, our heads will be separated from our body."The leader nodded in agreement. "Jacob is right," he said with a small sig
Ryder’s POV“Hudson!!!" I growled as I stood from my hiding place. My voice boomed across the valley, echoing off the cliffs as I emerged from our hiding place, my daughter cradled safely in my arms. "You're fucking doomed." Hudson's expression twisted into a mix of surprise, anger and confusion as he saw me. The reality of what was happening then hit him as he saw my warrior wolves jumping out of the shadows and rushing out towards he and his guards. It took a lot of fighting and the loss of some of my warriors but we were finally able to bring down all of Hudson's wolves and also subdue him. As they chained him too, I walked over to him, holding my daughter close to my chest."Hudson," I said, my voice filled with disappointment as I stared at him. "All the while you showed me evil, I trusted you like a brother. Only to have you betray me by attacking me and kidnapping my daughter." Hudson didn't give me a reply as he glared at me with rage in his eyes. I could see that he had no
Ryder's POV"I.. I actually am happy that you've finally coke back to me," Aria said as she smiled for the first time since our son's adoption. I still marveled at how perfect her teeth were. "And I am happier that you took my back," I replied, extending my hands to her. As I caressed it, I stared into her eyes and smiled. "I really, really am happy." The entire room seemed to be light up as Aria softly laughed. It was a sound I so much missed.Suddenly, her smile dissipated, a slight frown replacing it. I squeezed her hands softly and scooted closer to her. I didn't need anyone to tell me why her mood had changed. "Do not worry, Aria. I would comb the breadth and depth..." I was cut short by a loud knock on the door. Laying kisses on her forehead, I got up from.the bed and walked to the door. "Who is it?" I asked, a hint of frustration in my voice as I placed my hands on the doorknob. "It's Harold, Prince Ryder," came a familiar voice. I grunted and opened the door to see who it w
Desiree's POVI quickly collected the horse from Jason, ignoring the questions he was asking me. Quickly, I mounted the horse and whipped the reins, causing it to sprint out of the compound. I quickly turned my horse down the path that I knew led to the small shed Hudson had gone to. I kept on whipping my horse, not wanting to waste any time. I needed to get there fast if I really wanted my plans to work.It didn't take too long for me as I finally took notice of a familiar row of sunflower along the pathway I rode. It has been planted a year earlier by some servants as instructed by Hudson. It had started drizzling, but the ray of sunshine remained firm and colourful. I recalled the stores told to me when I was little that when such was happening, it meant the moon goddess was punishing a pack for sins that they had committed towards her. I didn't believe sigh anymore. I finally reached the small gate leading to the shed and saw a guard standing by it. He sighted me and quickly wi
Desiree's POVMy heart raced as I rushed through the compound gate. I needed to inform Ryder about my findings.I quickly surveyed the surrounding path, and after seeing no one, I moved towards the palace. I had not notified anyone about me leaving that mansion and I knew if Hudson was to learn about that, he would be suspicious of me. I didn't want to drag any attention to me so I reduced my pace, walking stealthily into the mansion. It wasn't until I overheard a maidservants telling the other that Hudson had ridden to his shed in the woods that I finally relaxed. As I walked, I thought of what would happen once I told Ryder the good news I held for him. I wasn't too concerned about what he would do though. I was much more concerned about what Aria would do. She had promised me that she would pack and leave the moment her stupid child was found and that was what I expected from her. If she did, I'd finally have Ryder to myself. Upon arriving at the palace, I received the referenc
Desiree's POV"We were ambushed and... they kidnapped my daughter," Ryder explained to me, his voice cracking a bit. I could hear from his tone that he was pained and angered by what had happened to he and Aria. Why wasn't he thinking about me? Aria and Ryder had arrived not up to an hour ago and Aria had retreated to her room to cry her eyes out. Ryder had decided to come to his study to think and luckily, I was waiting for him. His conversation though was not one I was expecting to be having with him. "Do you know who took her?" I asked, pretending to be concerned, even though deep down, I was filled with anger. "Was there any clue left behind by the wolves that may lead us to her?" "I... I don't know," Ryder admitted, frustration evident in his voice. He grunted and ran a hand through his hair as he shook his head. He looked down at the drink I had brought for him and I could see in his eyes that he wanted to take it. "But... but I have to find her. I lost Aria once. I can't be
Ryder's POV We had long begun our journey in silence, the only sound filling the air being the sound of our horse's hooves trotting softly against grass and the racket our carriage wheels made as it made it's way through the forest. The children too added to the list as they played and laughed loudly. Apart from all these, the carriage seemed silent. My gaze turned to Aria, a sense of guilt filling up within me as I stared at her. She had turned to the window and was staring at the passing trees. It was obvious that her mind was somewhere else and I wondered what it was that she was thinking about. Was it me? Was she having regrets?I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I just didn't know what to say. Taking in a deep breath, I turned from her and began tapping my feet on the floor restlessly, trying my best to muster my courage."What is it?" I heard her say and I quickly turned to her. Her gaze had not left the window."Look, Aria, I'm... I'm really, really sorry," I sa
Ryder's POVThe morning came as quickly as the night went by and the rays of sun did more than wake me up, it also brought back bad memories. Memories of how I had treated Aria when all she had ever done was care for me, memories of how I should have heard her out a bit more, or protected her regardless of not knowing the origin of her pregnancy. I was nothing without her and her leaving ended up being undoubtedly detrimental to me. How did i not see that until now? But then, i probably did and decided on being more in denial. Due to the fact that it was already late yesterday, Alpha Kael had asked that I slept in before leaving with Aria. It wasn't something I wanted as it itched me to take Aria back home but I couldn't say nom He had taken me to my room, insisting that I don't sleep with Aria. I couldn't blame him. He was her father after all.I slowly sat up from bed, my right hand travellimg to my eyes as I began rubbing them to get them free from the haziness that had ensued th
Hudson's POVI walked out of the mansion and turned towards the path that led to the stable at the back. Sure enough, I found Jason there, attending to the horses inside. He was so focused on what he was doing that he didn't notice my presence.I made to enter the stable but then stopped as I sighted a a clump of horse dung at the front. I looked down at the ground and saw that there were a lot surrounding the area. I wasn't sure I wanted to have my shoes get stained with any. Taking a step back from the stable door, I called out to Jason from outside. "Jason," I shouted as I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jean trousers. "Jason," I called out again after seeing that he had not heard my first call.Jason looked up, startled, and turned to the cabin door. He sighted me standing outside and immediately wipes his dirty hands on his jeans before walking slowly to the barn door. "Alpha Hudson," he said as he bowed his head low. "Is there any problem, alpha?" I gave Jason a small n
Aria's POVRyder stared at me for a few moments before rushing towards me. I dropped my kids to the ground in fear, thinking he was going to attack me but, to my greatest surprise, he enveloped me in a tight hug the moment he reached me. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there motionless as he began whispering words of apology. "I'm sorry, Aria," he whispered as he placed his head on my blossom. "I really really am so sorry." I didn't know what to say or do at that moment. What was he sorry about? And what was he even doing here in the first place? I heard the shuffling of feet behind me and turned slightly to see my father stand from his throne and begin to walk towards I and Ryder. He was confused but had not reacted to Ryder's sudden hug. I assumed it was because I wasn't protesting that he kept cool. "What is happening here?" he asked with a frown on his face as he paused at the last step of the podium on which his throne sat. "Prince Ryder," he called out to Ryder and I