Emily's POV A week flew past quickly, and I found myself on my way to the Opal Pack territory. I needed to keep my promise to Alex; he expected to be visited, and I wasn't going to go back on my word. I felt quite excited about seeing him, and I couldn't wait to see the joy in his eyes when he noticed me. On my last visit to the club, it became unbearable to stay any longer; I had a hard time focusing. Alex's intoxicated apple crumble scent was driving me wild inside. It urged me to touch him, feel him, and hear him. My thoughts had spiraled out of control, and my hormones were happily adding to my dilemma. Thank the Goddess, Willow could hide my scent; otherwise, we would have ended up on the office table f*cking each other's brains out. I sighed. Willow didn't help much either; she added to the discomfort. She kept on whimpering and whining in my mind, wanting to let Alex's wolf connect with her. "Ghost is begging for me to answer him," Willow said. "He is scratching and h
Alexander POV "Alpha!" One of the border patrol guards mind-linked. "We have picked up an unknown scent crossing the border." "How many?" I asked, dropping my pen on my desk. I was working through the pack report. "Only one, Alpha," he replied, sounding worried. "That's odd," Ghost said. "The rogues usually attack in numbers." "I know," I said, finding the situation confusing. "Maybe they have sent only one rogue to create a diversion." "We need to sound the alarm and have every warrior ready to protect the pack," Ghost said, and started pacing up and down my mind, ready to rip anyone who dared cross our boundary to pieces. "Agreed!" I growled. In the last four years, the pack has suffered the loss of over thirty pack members due to rogue attacks; none of their bodies were recovered. That made me believe that the rogues might have taken them hostage for some odd reason. "Sound the alarm and get all the women and children to the safe house," I ordered. "I don't want any casua
Emily's POVAlex's body and scent had hypnotized me, and I couldn't force my eyes away from his perfectly sculpted body.I wanted him.I wanted to taste him.I wanted to feel him inside me.I wanted him so much that the desire to have him burned deep inside my core.My juices spilled over, running down my legs.I had only pulled a black shirt over my head, knowing it would cover all of me. I never expected to be blindsided by the mate bond, and Alex's scent.My gaze snapped at Alex opening his arms to me, and I took an unwilling step forward.The bond was making me feel things and want things that were out of my reach.My insides clenched, seeing his precome glitter in the dim light. His manhood is already standing vertically, ready for my touch.Was it wrong of me to just want to taste it?Another step closer, and I could already imagine feeling Alex's hands moving down my back, his cock buried deep inside me as I rode him as if there was no tomorrow.Doing the deed with your mate wa
Emily's POVThe beeping sound of the heart monitor was driving me insane, and Alex had been unconscious for almost eighteen hours. I was pacing up and down like a mad woman, worried that something serious was wrong with Alex."How is he?" Luke asked, entering the infirmary room. He was running the pack in Alex's absence.It spread like wildfire that Alex was in the hospital, and before long, his room spilled over with flowers and get-well-soon cards.The pack members loved him, and it made me so proud, but that didn't calm my nerves. He lay way too still for my liking on the hospital bed, and even his scent had lost its intoxication."The doctor says that Alex will wake up soon," I replied, yet I didn't believe a word I had just uttered. "His body is just taking the needed rest to heal himself.""Mmm," Luke said, pulling a sour face. "Alpha hasn't slept much the last couple of weeks. It is expected that he will take the needed rest."I flinched upon hearing the hidden messages behind
Alexander POV"Urgh!" I moaned under my breath. The smell of disinfectant burned my nose.My head was pounding uncontrollably, and my eyelids felt heavy and welded shut.Where the hell was I?What the f*ck happened?Why does everything smell like the infirmary?I tried to lift my hand to my face, yet I noticed that something warm was preventing me from lifting my hand.I slowly forced my eyes open, blinking a couple of times against the bright white light, before I could get my eyes to focus.I moved my confused gaze, confirming that I was in the infirmary, and then down, seeing a girl sleeping and holding my hand.What the f*ck? How dare she!"Morning, Alpha." Luke's voice rang in my ears, cutting my wrath short."Morning?" I answered, narrowing my eyes. I was pretty sure it was just after midnight.Luke got closer to the bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping girl. He gave her one small glance, and a soft smile followed on his lips.What the hell is going on?Why isn't Luke removi
Emily's POVI couldn't help but stare at Alex's peaceful face while he was sleeping. He was so handsome under the dim hospital light.My gaze started to trace every line of his handsome features, memorizing every line of his perfectly crafted face.My gaze landed on his full, kissable lips, and my hand unwillingly moved to my own, feeling my face heat as I recalled how his mouth made love to me."What's wrong with me?" I suddenly growled under my breath. "I can't do this!"Yet I couldn't drag my gaze away from his sleeping features.Everything inside me called me toward him, and my body happily complied with the silent call.I closed my eyes just for a bare second, yet memories flashed before my eyes, reminding me of his tender and warm touch.Alex was so careful-Was it wrong of me to want to spend some time with my fated mate?Would I hurt him if I learned to know him and then left?Will that make me a bad person?I had this need, deep inside me, to touch him, even when my mind scre
Emily's POV"Luna, let's get you freshened up," Luke said, standing at the entrance of the hospital door.I had refused to take any clothes from him the night before, and I was still wearing only my shirt."Go with Beta, Luke," Alex said. "I'll be waiting for you in my office."My face warmed under his gaze. The last time I was in Alex's office, things spiraled out of control.I nodded, dropping my flustered gaze, and followed Luke out of the infirmary.Luke took off in the opposite direction I expected he would, and I followed him in silence.The pack house was surprisingly quiet at this time of day, and I had noticed a lot of changes made to the interior."Where are you taking me?" I asked when Luke took the stairs."Alpha Alexander's quarters," Luke said, turning to look at me."Why?" I asked hesitantly, yet I couldn't help but be curious."You will see," Luke said, smiling.When we reached the fifth floor, Luke took an unfamiliar turn-off and headed again in an unexpected directio
Emily's POVI found a blue pair of jeans, a white shirt, and some underwear, and made my way to the bathroom.There was already a soft, fluffy white towel set out for me on the sink, along with a hairbrush and other necessities.I picked up the soap, noticing that it was my favorite flavor."How did he know that?" I gasped, amazed.I shook my head in wonder. "It must be a coincidence."Yet, everything else was spot on."Maybe you left some clues in your room," Willow said, explaining."Maybe," I said, opening the shower taps and waiting for the water to run warm before getting in.It didn’t take me long to freshen up; I wasn't someone who enjoyed long baths and showers.I dried off, got dressed, wrapped the towel around my head, and went to the bathroom."Finally!" Mila's voice startled me, and I froze wide-eyed. I wasn't expecting her to be there."Dammit, Mila!" I growled when I got to my senses. "Why do you always sneak up on me like that?""Why do you always disappear and not tell
Emily's POV I was getting dressed for tonight's proceedings. We were celebrating the first anniversary of the fall of King Xavier and his rogue kingdom, and I was exceptionally excited about tonight. The event tonight was expected to draw in all the packs. Everyone heard of the battle, and they were thankful for having their pack members back. Not only was it the first anniversary of Xavier's passing, but it was also the first commemorative anniversary of the Lycans' ascent to power. I heard a faint knock on my bedroom door, and Sasha peeked her head around it a moment later. Sasha discovered me applying makeup at the vanity, her gaze lingering over me. "Luna," she uttered as she pushed open the door. "You look amazing. Alpha Alexander will fall deeply in love with you once more." "I appreciate it, Sasha," I said, reaching for the brush and giving it to her. "It means so much to me." Sasha moved in closer, grabbed the brush from me, and began fixing my hair. I could sense som
Emily's POV "You are back!" I reached out to Willow in a tired whisper. "I thought you were gone." "I never left," Willow said as she slowly made her way toward me from the depths of my mind. She looked terrible. Her fur was matted, her eyes had lost their brilliant spark, and she appeared to be in excruciating pain. "I am happy you are here with me," I said. "At least you will be by my side when we are dying." "Don't even think about it! It's not your time!" Willow growled, but it sounded more like a whimper than a growl, which made me laugh and cough. "I am too weak," I said. "It would be ineffective even if you attempted to heal me. I am aware of your state, and you are incapable of curing me. Xavier won. It's over! I desire a peaceful death." The outside world quieted down to a murmur, and I felt peaceful for the first time in several days. After stumbling over to my side, Willow rested her head on my chest. I reached over and started petting her behind her ears. "He will
Alexander’s POV "Alpha Alexander Black!" Xavier's voice shot out from behind me when I was crouching next to Emily's body. "Were you really thinking that I would not see you and your beta slinking closer?"While my father went back to my mother's side, Luke helped me get back to Emily sooner than I had anticipated. My parents proceeded to help Sasha and Lula free the pack members."It is over," I said, flinching unwillingly at the sight of his beast up close. "It ends now. You will not win this!"Xavier's ability to remain upright despite the blood spurting from his side shocked me. His neck and chest were covered in a few badly broken scratches and claw marks that would not heal.Was it Basilia who had done that to him?And if she did, where is she?Xavier's thin lips turned up into a grin as he raised his eyebrows."She's dead," he declared. "By the way."Furrowing my brows, I was unable to comprehend his words."Emily is fine," I argued.Xavier laughed and tossed his head back."N
Alexander’s POVI gripped Emily's limp body while I extracted my canines from her nape. I swear, I saw a brief flash of light in her dull eyes.Was I successful?Was she getting any better?Is she going to be okay?"Emily," I whispered as I softly stroked the side of her face. "Return to me, please!"A roar sounded behind me, then a loud rumbling noise, and in the blink of an eye, I was launched into the air and separated from Emily. I came down, crashing into a massive tree, and dropped through the branches to the ground.Am I dead?I let out a moan as a sharp twinge of pain shot through my arm."That confirms it," Ghost yapped angrily. "We are very much alive!"A painful hiss that sounded more like a chuckle crossed my lips as I reached for my arm."Sh*t!" I muttered, realizing that the bone had snapped in two and had broken through the skin. I will require medical attention—a doctor must realign my arm—before Ghost can heal the bone.I yanked my eyes open, seeing leaves and other d
Alexander’s POVIt only took me a second to realize who and why I was called.Sarah stood outside the pack house, holding a body in her arms."Mate!" Ghosts howled in my mind, grabbing control of my body and mind."They found her!" I muttered in disbelief. "Emily's mother managed to find and save her."Ghost shifted, responded to Sarah's frantic cry for help, and swept through the sea of rogues.My lips released another howl that shook the air and summoned all the wolves to come to my aid.The rogues were diving toward Sarah at an incredible speed in an attempt to reach Emily; their famished expression sent shivers down my spine. Their only goal was to get hold of her and destroy her.The heads of my parents jerked in my direction. They appeared relieved for a brief moment upon witnessing me approach Sarah. My call was answered, and the groups of wolves gathered together with short, urgent howls.My parents' thoughts were audible to me while they gave their next orders.The wolves adv
Emily's POVI waited for the impact to come. I waited for the sensation of Xavier's claws tearing through my body, taking me with them.My last cry would come from that. The only scream that would ever be heard in this horrifying room.The vile, lethal expression in Xavier's wolf's eyes briefly caught my attention. My soul was deeply pierced by the coldness that resided within him.That was it!My final moments.The last seconds of my life on Earth!At least I had my mom with me.My life abruptly flashed before my eyes in those milliseconds.Do we go to a better place after we die?I regret things so much now.I should never have left the pack after I discovered Alexander to be my mate. If I had stayed and spent more time with him, it would have been better. Life is so short. He will make a wonderful father to Lex.My heart ached thinking of my unborn pup. There was no way he could be hanging on this long. My body was not strong enough, and the agony was too much.I looked up at the c
Alexander’s POVThe fighting behind the pack house was getting out of control.Luke had succeeded in releasing me from Axel's grasp. He had flung me to the side like a worthless rag doll, leaving me with an open slash back.Not only was I in terrible pain from the wound on my back, but the poison was also slowly seeping into my veins. I had to shift back into my human form to conserve energy."That is going to leave a hefty scar," Ghost hissed in agony. He was trying his best to heal us, but the process was slow and painful."Battle scars," I replied, with a playful undertone. "This pain is nothing compared to the agony we will be in should we lose our mate."A fierce roar grabbed my attention, and I shifted my gaze toward the sound.Luke's beast was roaming next to me in a protective stance, defending my broken and bleeding body. His posture looked strong and dominant, while his face was twisted with different emotions."He appears... angry," Ghost said."Too angry," I replied. "Whic
Emily's POVThe door swung open with such force that it knocked Xavier off his feet and flung him against the wall. He came crashing down on top of the table with his precious toys.A fierce growl erupted from the entrance, shaking me to my core. This was no normal werewolf at the door."You are too late!" Xavier yelled, stammering to his feet with a silver knife embedded in his side. "She will-""Over my dead body!" The familiar female voice blew some life into me.With all of my remaining strength, I lifted my eyes and looked for my rescuer."Mom?" I whispered. "You came for me?"My mother looked different. She had shifted into a dark gray, almost black Lycan wolf. She was surrounded by a gentle, warm breeze that gave her a mythological appearance as it lazily ruffled her fur. Yet her demeanor looked fearless and strong, and her aura was suffocating.My mother stalked closer to me, reaching out to the shackles around my wrists."Honey, everyone came to find you," she said in a reass
Alexander’s POVThe task of attacking the open area below was given to the werewolf packs. They were instructed to create a diversion to lure the rogues out, while the rest of us went around and entered the buildings.It ended up being a bloodbath.Before we even reached the pack house, rogue bodies were scattered around us, covering the surroundings in a river of blood.However, this did not halt the rogue invasion; an increasing number of rogues emerged from all available hellholes, striking from every direction.Compared to the average wolf, they were more skilled in combat."We are surrounded," Ghost grumbled, annoyed. He wasn't scared; he was just irritated that it was going to delay us getting to Emily."Head towards the pack house," my father linked. "Your mother and I will keep them off. Locate Emily and ensure her safety."I hesitated, seeing the rogues stalk closer and nip at my father's tail.That did not sit well with my father's beast, and like magic, a ray of ice materia