London's POVThe morning sun shone down upon me from the stained glass window above the room. I placed my hands over my eyes with a small growl before motion ing to the omega behind me to go close the window. As the omega went on to carry my orders, I turned to Elsa, my Luna, who was seated on the throne placed beside mine and asked, "and where is this trustworthy wolf, Elsa? You know I don't like it when my time is wasted.""He'll be here soon," Elsa replied me with a small smile, one that I knew to be faked. I was really maddened by the absence of the wolf Elsa had called and I knew expressing that anger on Elsa would do me no good so I decided to keep quiet and wait. The wolf still had about a few minutes before I would deem him dead.Elsa then suggested that since I was waiting for the wolf she called, it would best for us to enter the mattees that the pack had at hand. I knew this to be more stress to my already stressed morning but she was right. Me not answering my people wou
London's POV"Give me a solid reason why I should not tear you limb from limb, wolf," I muttered to the wolf as he slowly approached my throne. I held my hands up, stopping him before he could reach the steps leading to the podium where we sat. Bringing my hand down, I continued, "I prefer you say whatever excuse you have to say fast. I don't have time.""I, uh, got caught up with something last night before Luna Elsa called," the man answered with a grunt as he softly rubbed his bandaged arm. "I had to... um... take care of it before coming here.""Hmmm," I grunted. Pointing to his injured arm, I asked, "is that what made you come late? Is that what was so important that you had to take care of before answering the call sent out to you?""It... it isn't like that, Alpha London," the wolf mumbled as he lowered his gaze to the ground. "But you're right. It was not enough for me to leave your call." He fell down to his knees and placed his good arm over his head, trembling as he mutter
London's POVI stared at the grandfather clock standing beside the fireplace. The damn thing had stopped working when I was seven. I had asked my father to fix it when I found out that it was broken but my father refused to do so. According to him, old things needed to be thrown out and forgotten. I guess that was why he didn't shed a single tear or show any emotion when my mother died.I liked the ticking sound from the grandfather clock. I loved my mum."You called for me, Alpha London," I heard someone say. The voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I turned to the door. Standing by the entrance was Amanda. Composing myself, I stood from my bed and motioned for her to come in. The young she-wolf smacked the gum that she was chewing before slowly shaking her head. "I know how crazy that Luna of yours is, Alpha London" she said as she placed her hands on the door. "If that is what you're asking me to do, then I'm sorry but I don't think I can.""Amanda," I called before she could
Hudson's POVElder Parker stood from his seat and walked up to the small window overlooking the green hills that lined the borders of one of our pack territories. From the reflection of his face on the window, I could see that he was troubled. My words had finally gotten to him.Elder Parker shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed. He looked at me from the window before turning to face me. I made sure that I maintained a composed demeanor and do everything that I could to make it seem like I was telling the truth. One little slip up, and the elder would know."You are sure of what you're saying, Prince Hudson?" the elder asked as he removed his hands from his pockets and folded them across his chest. "You do know that this... this is a very, very serious allegation. And not just to anyone but to the new Luna, mated to our Alpha, your step-brother, the Lycan King.""I am one who speaks carefully, Elder Parker," I said to the elder as I crossed my legs. "I do not just talk without
Ryder's POVI placed the bottle of wine on the small table beside me and sighed. Sweat rolled down my forehead and down my shirtless body and I knew for sure it wasn't because of the heat coming from the fireplace. My mind was just filled with thoughts.I sighed again and picked up the bottle that I had dropped before bringing it's mouth to my lips. After gulping down half of it's contents, I dropped the bottle back on the table. Resting my head against the headrest of the couch I was on, I closed my eyes and tried as much as I could to discard the thoughts running through my mind and filling the empty space with happy thoughts; thoughts that would calm me down. But no matter what I did, those thoughts never left my head. They instead multiplied."Fuck it," I cursed under my breath as I reached for my bottle. My eyes shot open when I saw that I was just grabbing air. I turned to the table where I had dropped the bottle and saw that it was no longer there. Had I dropped it mistakenly
Aria's POVAlthough I sat right beside the fireplace, the air around me was chilly and I couldn't help but shiver from the cold. I looked up and saw that the windows at the top were opened, revealing the starry night sky above us. That was probably why the place felt chilly.I looked down at King Ryder who was seated a few feet away from me. The alpha was shirtless and seemed oblivious to the cold plaguing the room. He was even sweating?I quickly took my eyes away from the Lycan King's body the moment he raised up his head. I was a little bit anxious and nervous at the same time. Twirling my fingers around each other, I tried my best to look relaxed in front of King Ryder. I knew he could see behind the fake demeanor I was trying to create as he said something that caused me to pause."What are you afraid of?" he asked as he squinched his eyes. "Afraid of?" I muttered, trying my best to seem oblivious to his question. "Why would you think I am afraid?""I can see through the fake co
Elder Parker's POVThe dry leaves on the ground cracked as I walked through the dense forest. Trees towered above me,their thick canopy partially blocking out the light coming from the full moon hung above me. Their crooked branches spread across like gnarly fingers reaching towards the sky. The forest seemed to be alive as the sound of crawling critters and the rustle of nocturnal creatures filled the air. Their evasive forms darting through through the shadows of the large trees and small shrubs. A shrill hooting could be heard coming from one of the trees in front of me. I stepped on a dry twig and the hooting immediately stopped. "Finally," I muttered as I zipped up my jacket. "Some peace and quiet."I dug my hands into my pockets and removed from it a pack of cigar. Opening the packet, I pulled out a stick and place it in between my lips. After I shoved the pack of cigar back into my pockets, I brought the lighter that I had previously retrieved before the cigar pack and flicke
Elder Parker's POVI stood frozen in shock as the pace of my heartbeat increased. I tried to move but my body defied every of my command. All I could do was stare at the body laying still at the corner of the room, it's clothes soaked red with blood. The storm outside increased, raging thunder shaking the foundation of the cottage with flashes of lightning lighting up the dark night for no more than seconds. The outpour of craze outside matched the turmoil stirring up deep within me, causing my heartbeat to quicken the more. Elder Hugh, distinguished elder of the council of elders, lay lifeless before me. The once living man was now dead, a victim of a horror I couldn't wrap my mind around. I asked myself questions and searched my mind for answers to those questions but I just could not find any. The scattered place meant that there was some struggle and I knew Elder Hugh fought hard. Whoever did this was probably someone much more skilled and stronger than the elder as the old man
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