Alexander’s POV "So?" I asked, sitting back in the restaurant chair. "What is your favorite color?" We had just finished our main course and were waiting for our desserts. "Red," Emily said, tapping her fingers on the table. I wasn't sure if she had become bored or if something else was bothering her, but I did notice her playfulness drying up the second we stopped at the warehouse outside the city. We were not supposed to stop there first, but Luke insisted—or else the business transaction couldn't be done on time. "Mmm," Ghost muttered. "The color of fire. It suits her." "Just plain red?" I asked. "Or a deep red?" "More like a dark ruby red," she answered, finding my gaze. "What about you?" "It's hard to say," I said with a crooked smile. "It was always blue, but these days it's rose-red." "Interesting," Emily said. "And a particular reason why?" "Your intoxicated scent," I said without thinking, and my face heated up in embarrassment. Emily's face was twisted in disbeli
Emily's POVAlex's dance moves were inspiring to watch, and every time I thought he couldn't top off a specific move, he proved me wrong."Are you getting tired, Miss Parker?" Alex asked, with a teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips.I was dying to taste those lips!Wait, what? Did he call me Parker?"No," I said, feeling my breath race. "I still have a lot in me."Alex laughed and twirled me around, then pulled me back into his chest.Our eyes met, and small little devils were dancing in his gray eyes. He looked happy and relaxed, with a pinch of playfulness."I am surprised that you are keeping up with me," he said seriously. "Not many can."If only he knew how many hours I had put into dancing.I never stopped practicing when I fell in love with dancing.My parents allowed me to take after-school dance classes, and when I left Opal Pack, Xavier introduced me to a private dance teacher, Herold Henderson.Herold served on the council at White Moon Pack. He was a well-known
Emily's POVThe sound of the shower tap opening shook me awake. I blinked a couple of times against the bright morning light, and a tired yawn escaped my lips.I stretched out my body like a lazy cat, only to be reminded about what I had done last night.I sighed, with a smile forming on my lips. For the first time in five years, I felt content-Alpha Alexander Black, my mate, made love to me last night.My hand instinctively moved to the round-shaped pendant Alex gifted me last night.It was beautifully crafted in the shape of a crescent moon, with two wolves cast out of gold in the center—one cast in white gold and the other in rose gold.It was the prettiest thing I have ever seen, and I loved it. My thoughts drifted off to our conversation in the early hours of the night, just after Alex tired me out after rounds and rounds of pure hot sex."I wanted to give you this at dinner," Alex said, helping me put on the chain. "But I ran into some complications, delaying the surprise.""Wh
Alexander’s POVEmily was a goddess in bed last night. She was wild and funny, and she knew exactly when and where to touch me to drive me over the top. I just couldn't get enough of her touch, her body, and her warmth!"I wouldn't be too surprised if she fell pregnant after last night," Ghost mused. He was in a very good mood this morning."Can you imagine that?" I said, a smile following on my lips. "Me being a father.""You are already one," Ghost reminded me."You are right," I said with a sigh, my smile faltering. "But there is a difference between having a title and being one."My thoughts traveled down memory lane about last night.I was nervous, like it was the first time we were doing it. I wasn't sure if Emily would agree.When Emily pulled me toward her, there was no going back and stopping me.I just wanted to bury myself inside her and claim her as mine.I pinned her hands above her head, ripping her small, tiny black lace panties from her body."You don't need those anym
Emily's POV"Sh*t!" I gasped, feeling Alex's canines not only break the skin but also deepen it and form a bond between us.Alex just marked me!Willow grabbed control and returned the favor before I could even try to stop her!This wasn't supposed to happen!Bewildered by what had just occurred, I jumped off his lap and walked to the mirror, inspecting the two new bloody holes left in my nape.They were beautiful, and my heart pinched as I traced my fingers over the two bloody, raw holes on my nape.This is going to create so many unnecessary issues for us now, and it would hurt so much worse if I lost the duel and we were forced to reject one another.Willow, on the other hand, looked quite pleased with herself."Look at what you have done!" I spat at her. "Do you have any idea how much sh*t you just created?""It looks good on you!" She yapped back happily. "Now you just need to complete the bond!""You know we can't!" I yelled at her. "This is going to create so many unnecessary i
Alexander’s POV"Something about these invoices doesn't make sense," Emily said, slamming the paperwork down on my desk with force. "I have been over these numbers a hundred times, and it still doesn't balance back."I rose from behind my desk and went around the table."Calm down," I said, sensing her frustration over the bond, and I tenderly rubbed her arm and gave her a soft smile, hoping it would calm her down. "Angelica might have made a typing error when she captured the documentation..."I bit my tongue when Emily looked up. Hearing Angelica's name, jealousy and annoyance flared in her blue eyes.I internally chuckled, finding it amusing.It was hard to control our emotions with our newfound bond, and Angelica had made it clear that she wanted a mate with me, so I could not blame Emily for acting jealous.A dreamy smile appeared on my lips as my thoughts quickly returned to this morning when we finalized the bond.I was excited when Emily suggested we finish the bond, but I nev
Emily's POV"I am not in a position to discuss or reveal any part of the investigation," I said, feeling a knot form in my throat. "I can only tell you that the pack is under investigation.""Can't or won't?" Alex asked, his hands balled into fists, and his face turned hard and cold. The surrounding temperature started to shift, and I shivered, feeling cold.Willow came closer, her gaze pinned on Alex."You sure know how to piss off an Alpha," she chirped. "Just tell him.""Can't," I said, answering both of them, dropping my gaze to my hands, and sighed."I am your mate, Emily!" Alex roared, the coldness in his voice touching my inner core. "I have the right to know why you are investigating my pack and what evidence you have!""I know," I said, searching his gaze. This was hard for me too, but I was under orders—orders I cannot ignore.Alex narrowed his eyes, and for a second, he just looked at me.Was he trying to get a read on me?When he couldn't read me, I could feel him tapping
Alexander’s POV"I think you are overreacting." The familiar, husky voice of my father rang in my ears.My gaze snapped at the cottage entrance, where he stood with his arms folded around his bare chest. He must have traveled in wolf form; water droplets were running down the side of his face, and his bare chest was gleaming in the sun.My eyes met his; he appeared somewhat concerned but not irate or upset."How did you know where to find me?" I asked, feeling emotionally exhausted.I left the hallway leading to the exit in ruins. I tore items from the walls, shattered them on the ground, and destroyed everything in my path until I was outside.I was losing the battle against my temper, and I wasn't sure what to do!"I need to get out of here!" I muttered to myself when I reached the exit. I had never before become that uncontrollably agitated. This was not me!In an attempt to release some steam, I shifted and shot, like an arrow, toward the forest.Things were spiraling out of my co
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