Emily's POVAs soon as I was inside my house, I extended my claws and sniffed around. Mila and the pups' scents were hours old. I attempted to mind-link Jax and Mila, but their links were closed.Did someone get in and take all of them?I stepped deeper into my home, checked the door separating us from Mila's, and found it locked by my side.My eyes narrowed. When I left, I was positive the door was still open.After confirming that the kitchen was secure, I made my way to the dining area, where nothing seemed out of place.My gaze caught the living room area, and I headed there, yet everything was grave still; not even a scent lingered in the air.Did my eyes trick me earlier?Was everything I saw a result of my fear of losing Lex?Nevertheless, I could not get rid of the feeling that someone was still inside.I cautiously made my way down the hall to check on Lex and then my room, but as I got closer, I noticed that the door to my office stood open.Lex was aware that he was not per
Alexander’s POVI looked down at the golden envelope I was holding; it was addressed to me and had arrived by hand a little while ago.Turning the envelope over, I saw the royal seal on the reverse side and found myself reluctant to open it for some reason."I wonder what it could be," Ghost said, interested in its contents."It is probably an invitation," I answered. "What more might it be?"There aren't any upcoming festivals," Ghost said. "Open up; I'm curious to see.""To be honest, I am not sure if I want to," I said. "The envelope comes from the White Moon Pack.""What's your point?" Ghost asked, confused."It could be a letter stating that Emily had changed her mind," I said, and the thought saddened me."Are you serious?" Ghost asked, rolling his eyes and sighing. "Emily likes you and only you.""You can't be sure," I argued, and that thought sent a painful pinch through my heart."I am fairly certain of my facts," Ghost stated gravely. "Willow told me that although numerous w
Alexander’s POV"Let me help you with that!" Angelica said, grabbing my bow tie."Don't! Touch! Me!" I growled, extending my canines to warn her.We were getting dressed in our assigned room, and the situation was already awkward with her and me sleeping in the same room.I requested a different room, but the omega in charge just shrugged, telling me there were no spare rooms available, and called Paul.Paul just laughed when I pleaded my case to him. He thought it was hilarious, and that just pissed me off."The wheels have turned in my favor," he said. "Now you're stuck with a Luna you don't want, and I can take our precious Gamma and make her mine."Luke must have heard what Paul said and quickly stepped inside, dragging my ass out of the office before I had the chance to put my hands on Paul.The audacity!Who does he think he is?Emily is MINE!"You do know I am just trying to help!" Angelica hissed. "That's what mates do! They help each other!"Luke peeked his head into our room
Emily's POV"You look beautiful, my dear," Xavier's voice echoed through the quiet foyer of the ballroom, and I turned to look back at him."So do you," I complimented back. He was dressed in a black silk tuxedo and a white dress shirt.He came closer and looked me in the eyes."Are you ready?" he asked.I reached out and fixed his bow tie and pulled my lips in a thin line, nodding.I wasn't particularly in the mood for this social gathering, but it was my duty to attend and be at Xavier's side as an official."Then let's get this party on the roll," he said, extending his arm for his blond-headed date to take.The girl had a scowl on her face and didn't look too happy about Xavier offering me attention and not her.I internally sighed.I had no romantic feelings towards Xavier; he was like a father to me, and this girl should know that. I even rejected Xavier's offer to be his date at the event.Xavier glanced in the direction of his sons and gave them a nod. They were standing patie
Emily's POV"I would love to," I said, smiling up at Luke as I placed my hand in his.Xavier tried to stop me, shaking his head and indicating he wasn't pleased by my decision."I'm just going for a dance," I told him. "I'll see you in a bit."Xavier nodded with a sigh, and Paul growled under his breath, yet I gave him no attention and followed Luke happily to the dance floor."You look breathtaking in that dress," Luke said, making me twirl under his hand to get a better look at my beautiful, delicate, and low v-neck navy-colored dress.The v-neck was complimenting my full bust, and the skirt looked like flowing water moving around me.To complete the look, I chose a pair of silver round strappy 6" stilettos, giving me the much-needed height among all these huge wolves.Sasha was tasked with braiding my hair and left some loose curls to softly frame my face. The hairdo wasn't something special or wild, but it did look natural and complemented the look."So do you, Beta," I said, plac
Alexander’s POV"Snow?" Emily squealed out in disbelief. "It is snowing!""It's not just any snow," I said, looking at her face with a grin. "Close your eyes and focus on the snowflakes."Emily hesitated with a wary smile, yet she obeyed and closed her eyes.Her eyebrows knitted together as she concentrated, and then her eyes flew open and her lips parted."Unbelievable!" She whispered in awe, her blue eyes full of wonder. "I can hear them. They are humming a melody of some sort. H-h-how, how are you doing that?" She stuttered in disbelief, her blue eyes growing wider."Something I read in a book in my father's library," I said proudly.I have spent some time looking through the old manuscript in the library, and I got stuck on a book on how to unlock and use my abilities. Some techniques were quite easy to learn and achieve, but others were a bit more complicated and needed proper focus.As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and something this small yet so beautiful took a lot
Alexander’s POV"Why the hell did you come here?" Angelica's screeching voice filled the quiet surroundings. She appeared quite distressed upon seeing the figure watching the waters from the riverbank.After tailing her through the forest, I was shocked to discover that she knew exactly where she wanted to go. A few yards away, someone was waiting for her.I could not help but feel that she was familiar with this place.Does she know the Royal Pack?Was she part of it?"I couldn't go another day without seeing you," the familiar voice answered. "It's been too long...""Do you know who Angelica is talking to?" Emily linked me, keeping her eyes pinned on the two figures standing in the dark.We found a good hiding place behind a large boulder, a short distance from the figure and Angelica's position.We had additional cover from a massive bush that was growing in front of the boulder."That sounds like someone we know," Ghost growled, spiking my interest."I can't say for sure," I repli
Emily's POVThe screeching sound of the alarm clock on the bedside table wasn't the thing that woke me this morning, but the soft and peaceful snoring of Alex next to me. He had managed to find a way to sneak out of the pack house unseen last night and surprised me by waiting for me in my office.I still had so many unanswered questions about last night, and I wished I had all the answers.My mind kept on replaying Axel's toxic words: "If it wasn't for that middling mate of his, Alex would have been dead by now!"What did he mean by that?Did Axel try to do something to Alex?My mind raced back, trying to remember if there was anything more Angelic and Axel said about Alex, but all I could remember was the conversation that followed thereafter."Is everything prepared?" Angelica asked.Axel nodded."Everything is arranged," he said. "The warriors have been divided into two groups. They will cover more ground that way tomorrow night.""Are you sure?" Angelica asked, her eyes widening.
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