London's POVI looked outside the window of our carriage, my eyes counting the trees as I adjusted myself on my seat. I felt on edge and anticipation filled my being. We had already been riding for more than three hours now. When were we going to get there? "If I had known, we would have taken the car," I mumbled to Elsa as I turned to face her. I made to continue talking but then paused after seeing that her face was turned to the window. I stayed still, watching as she stared at the passing scenery with a distant look in her eyes. It was obvious that she was lost in thoughts as her eyes reflected the changing landscape outside. My eyes traveled down her neck to the top of her breasts that had stuck out of her tight dress and I watched as they moved up and down while she breathes. I was moved to touch them but then stopped after sighting a small stain on her neck. A small bruise had appeared on Elsa's neck as a result of the altercation that we not too long ago. I sighted it when
Ryder's POVA small metal clatter reached my ears and it stirred me up from my sleep. I made to open my eyes and stand but then a hand from the other side of my bed crossed landed softly on my bare chest, pushing me gently back onto my bed. "Aria," I whispered under my breath, a small smile falling on my face as I gently grabbed the hand on my chest. As I softly rubbed the a, a certain thought crossed my mind. Wasn't Aria supposed to be locked in her room? I shot my eyes open and brought my eyes to my chest. I wasn't dreaming - hand really was on me. But whose hand was it? I turned to the side, my eyes widening and a scream almost escaping my mouth as I saw who laid beside me. "Desiree?!" I shouted as I flung her hands from my chest. The sleep she was in seemed to be really deep as this action only caused her to adjust herself on the bed. I quickly took off the duvet that was over me and made to climb down from my bed to reassess the situation that I had found myself in when I s
Ryder's POVMy fingers curled around the alpha staff in my left hand while my other hand held tight the armrest of my throne as my gaze relaxed on the door in front of me.. The elder seats were empty and John and Desiree stood at my sides - with John at the left and Desires at the right. "Where is the son of a bastard?" I muttered more to myself than to either of them as my grip on my alpha staff tightened. "I have already sent word to the guards at the front gate to let him in," John replied, his voice steady and calm. "They should be bringing him in soon.""Well, they better," I muttered, a small growl escaping my lips as I adjusted myself on my seat. As I sat there, my eyes fixed on the door, I couldn't help but think about a certain person that I had locked away in her room. Ever since my encounter with Desiree, Aria had never left my mind and I couldn't tell why. I felt... perturbed that she had suddenly filled my thoughts and the want to know about her well-being filled me -
London's POVMy brows furrowed and my jaws clenched as Alpha London's words reached my ears. I felt a surge of emotions within me, anger being the most abundant. I slowly stood from my throne, low growls emanating from my mouth as I steadily walked down the podium. "What did you fucking say, London?" I asked the still Alpha, my voice laced with a dangerous edge. I paused on the last step and maintained eye contact with the wolf as I said, "I would love for you to repeat what you just said."Alpha London's face beamed with a smile, one that only caused the anger within me to whelm up. "Well, your Luna may not have told you, Lycan King, but we both have been in a long relationship way before you came into the picture." My chest tightened as the alphas words hit me. What did he just say? "Why do you think I was angered when you said that you wanted Aria as your Luna, huh?" Alpha London continued, the smile that he had on now slowly fading into an angry frown. "You think I just didn't
London's POVWhen I saw the expression on Alpha Ryder's face when I told him that Aria's baby was mine, I knew that the geezer still had some feeling for Aria deep down even though he tried covering up. And although it was scary to test the already angered wolf, it brought me satisfaction to see that I was winning. Ryder had now asked his butler to go fetch Aria while I sat down on one of the couches that was closed to his podium. I sank into the seat with a loud sigh and closed my eyes, enjoying the moment that I had molded for myself. "Here you go, sir," I heard someone to my left say. I opened my eyes and turned to my side just to see a maidservant standing beside my seat, a tray with a small glass and a bottle of wine on her hands. "For you, sir." "Thank you," I said with a small smile as I collected the wine bottle and glass from the tray. The maidservant bowed and walked away as I dropped bottle and glass on the table beside me. Leaning back into the plush cushions, I popped
Aria's POVMy face squeezed into a frown as I heard what Ryder said. I took a few steps back, the air around me suddenly becoming tighter as his words sank right into me. I felt light headed and the room suddenly seemed to spin around me. What in the moon goddess' name was he fucking saying? "His... his child?" I asked, my tone filled with disbelief as I moved my gaze from Ryder to London. "You... you think that the child inside of me belongs to... to this beast of a wolf?" "I don't think, Aria, I know," Ryder said with a tone that sent chills down my spine, a tone that he had never used on me for a very long time. "Alpha London here traveled from his home to come here to deliver the news to me." He clenched his fist and placed it under his chin. "Although, it angers me so much, I have no other choice but to acknowledge the truth." He paused for a moment before taking a deep breath and then releasing it as a loud sigh. "You will be taken back to Startling pack with Alpha London."
Ryder's POVI felt my guts knot and chest tightened as I watched Alpha London pick Aria up from the floor. He turned to go, to take Aria back to his pack. I should be glad that the she-wolf who lied and spat on my face was being taken away but I didn't know why I felt so... angered. I shifted my gaze from the alpha and turned my head to the side. I could not watch him take her away. I could not because... because I still loved her. "Fucking fuck this," I cursed under my breath as I gritted my teeth and clenched my jaws. I made to stand from my throne and head inside when a familiar voice spoke to me. 'Do you really want to ignore this?' my wolf, Otis, said, the sound of his voice resonating through my skull. 'You really are going to let this bastard take Aria?''I do not have any other choice, Otis,' I replied my wolf as I sat back down on my seat. I turned my gaze to Aria who laid still in London's arms and immediately felt my throat go dry. 'You know that what she did isn't somet
London's POVThe smile that I wore on my face immediately dissipated the moment I stepped out of the meeting room. My mind was troubled and no matter what I did to calm myself down, nothing worked. My plan was to come in and get Aria out but it seemed like the Lycan King's loved for Aria would disrupt the plans I had set out. But one thing that confused me though was Ryder's action towards Aria. I understood that he still had feelings for the stupid she-wolf and I expected their goodbyes to be full of tears. That happened, even though the crying was more on Aria's part. But I still could not understand why Ryder had asked for Aria to stay till dawn. What did he want to do?"Hey, wolf," I called and the guard leading me paused on his steps. He turned to me, a confused look on his face. "Is anything the matter, Alpha London?" he asked and I nodded. "I have to go get my mate," I said to him with a small smile. "She is waiting for me in our carriage outside. I can't spend the night w
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