STARLETTEMaximus wouldn’t leave my side as I headed to Lauren’s room. He had promised to never let me out of his sight ever again. I also didn’t plan on making dumb moves ever again. What was I even thinking, going to my father’s pack without him? I should’ve known it was a trap; I mean, no one changes overnight. But I was too blinded by my desire for even a glimmer of fatherly love that I fell for it, and it had cost us a lot. From the moment we were ambushed, I knew my father was behind it. But I deliberately pushed that thought away while I was still in captivity, not wanting to break myself even more.Anyway, I was really grateful for my newfound gift that helped me escape; if not, the rescue plan would have been more difficult and more deadly. And I planned on using that gift on Lauren. Hopefully, I would be able to tell if the baby was really Maximus’ or someone else’s.We came to a stop in front of her room and pushed the door open. She was lying on the bed but quickly sat up
STARLETTE“How did you do that?” Maximus asked, amazed and confused.I rubbed my belly gently, a small smile gracing my lips. “I think the baby came with gifts. It was those gifts that helped me escape Silas’ captivity before you rescued me. I have the ability to control minds.”After thinking about it, I had come to the realization that it was the baby who had those abilities, and it only allowed me to tap into them. I could only imagine how powerful my pup would be.“That’s... incredible,” Maximus muttered, though it was evident that he was still confused. I was still grappling with this newfound ability myself, but I planned to exploit its full potential nevertheless.“What did you do to me?” Lauren yelled as she snapped out of the trance I had put her in. Tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head. “I would never have said that. You made me lie against my will.” She turned to Maximus, begging desperately. “Please do not believe all that I just said. That wasn’t me speaking.
STARLETTEJohn Smith was taken to the dungeon afterward, leaving only Maximus in the room.He moved closer to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and leaning into my neck to take in my scent. “I cannot overemphasize how much I missed you.”“I missed you too,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck. “So very much.”“He is going to pay for this,” he said, and I could feel his body stiffen as he continued. “Silas will pay for this.”I nodded, savoring the mesmerizing blend of cedarwood, musk, and a sweet hint of lavender that I had missed so much.He abruptly pulled away and held me by my shoulders, worry saturating his features.“What?” I asked with a raised brow.“I want to ask. Did he...” His voice faltered, and he swallowed hard, unable to finish the sentence.“No,” I replied, knowing what he was going to ask. “He didn’t touch me. He wanted me to give it to him willingly.”Relief crossed his features as he pulled me in again, holding me so tightly. “I’m just glad you’re okay
MAXIMUSThe baby wasn’t mine, so I didn’t care if she was in labor or not. But what I did care about was that the baby was innocent, and regardless of its mother’s atrocities, the pup was still a member of my pack, and I wouldn’t let it suffer.I mind-linked Kade. “Lauren is in labor. Go there, take the baby from her, make sure the pup is well taken care of, and throw the mother in the dungeon afterward.”“Okay, Alpha,” he said before the mind link ended.I turned my attention to my brother and his mate. “I don’t see you both leaving. Off you go. Now.”I needed time with my mate—I had missed her so much.The witch rolled her eyes. “We missed her too, you know? And we also want to spend time with her.”Lucius dipped his hand into his pocket, and, ignoring what I had just said, he asked, “What do you plan to do with Lauren’s pup?”“I don’t know,” I said, shrugging. “Maybe find an adoptive parent for it.”Before Lucius could respond, Kade mind-linked me again. “Lauren is having a difficu
MAXIMUS“Who?” I curiously asked Tom.“The Eastern Alpha King,” he informed me. “He is here and is asking for you.”My brows furrowed as I tried to comprehend why he had suddenly shown up. The North had not associated with the East or the West in a long time. Sometimes, I even forgot about their existence. Each kingdom had kept to its own affairs, living peacefully for decades. The only exception was the ongoing tension between the North and the South, fueled by a never-ending conflict over that disputed piece of land.“Where is he?” I asked Tom.“In the meeting room, with the other Alphas,” he said.“Okay.” I returned my attention to my mate, muttering, “He says the Alphas are here to see you. If you don’t feel comfortable yet, I could tell them to leave and maybe come back another time—or never, if you never want to see them.”“It’s fine,” she told me as she took the baby from my arms and stared at her adorably. “Sorry, baby. We have to leave now.”She walked toward a nurse and han
STARLETTEI was ready to face the truth. This time, I wasn’t going to beg for his fatherly love as I had done countless times before. I was going to demand answers—to know what Silas had promised him in exchange for me, what he deemed more valuable than his own daughter. And most importantly, to spite him. Despite everything he had done, I had triumphed once again.Maximus was initially hesitant about taking me to the dungeon. After much persuasion, he finally agreed, though reluctantly. He didn’t want me to set foot in such a filthy place, especially in my condition.“Starlette!” my father’s voice rang out the moment he saw me. He leaped to his feet and rushed toward the bars, his face lighting up with excitement. “You’re alive! Oh, that’s wonderful.”“For someone who orchestrated my abduction, you look far too happy to see me,” I spat, my voice cold and unyielding. I wasn’t going to fall for his façade. Not again.“Sweetheart, I would never do that to you,” he said, his expression
“Starlette!” My father’s thunderous voice growled, jolting me awake.Fear gripped me by the throat as I sat up, wondering what I had done again. My father hated me; that was a known fact. He believed I was the cause of my mother’s death since she died giving birth to me. And to add more salt to the injury, I turned out to be an Omega, which made him hate me even more.My sisters, Maeve and Sabrina, didn’t treat me any better. They bullied and taunted me for a living, making me wake up every day wishing it was my last.I hated my life!“You useless bitch. Get up!” He growled again.My eyes still heavy with sleep, I scampered out of bed and stood before him, cowering.“Yes, father.” My lips trembled, fearing what he might do to me with the blazing rage flickering beneath his eyes.Perhaps lock me up. Or hit me?I didn’t even know what I had done.“How many times have I told you that I am not your father?!” He bellowed, taking an intimidating step forward.I recoiled, picking my finger
The Alpha King was my mate!The best thing that had ever happened to me in my twenty years of life. The moon goddess didn’t hate me after all.The mate bond was as they said. So beautiful, pure, and extremely strong. I felt like I was being pulled by a magnetic force, and all I wanted to do was bury myself in his arms. The Alpha King’s arms.I had been dreaming of a day like this to come—a day I'd finally be free from the loneliness and misery I was enveloped in. The day I’ll find someone who’ll love, cherish, and protect me at all costs. The day I’ll find my mate.And he wasn’t just anyone. He was Alpha King Maximus. King of the seven kingdoms in the north. Aren’t I just the luckiest?“An Omega?!” His voice echoed through the hallway, and the disappointment laced in his voice was palpable. “The moon goddess has got to be kidding me.”Before the bat of an eye, he was already next to me, his large palm seizing my neck and pushing me violently to the wall. I struggled to breathe, gaspin
STARLETTEI was ready to face the truth. This time, I wasn’t going to beg for his fatherly love as I had done countless times before. I was going to demand answers—to know what Silas had promised him in exchange for me, what he deemed more valuable than his own daughter. And most importantly, to spite him. Despite everything he had done, I had triumphed once again.Maximus was initially hesitant about taking me to the dungeon. After much persuasion, he finally agreed, though reluctantly. He didn’t want me to set foot in such a filthy place, especially in my condition.“Starlette!” my father’s voice rang out the moment he saw me. He leaped to his feet and rushed toward the bars, his face lighting up with excitement. “You’re alive! Oh, that’s wonderful.”“For someone who orchestrated my abduction, you look far too happy to see me,” I spat, my voice cold and unyielding. I wasn’t going to fall for his façade. Not again.“Sweetheart, I would never do that to you,” he said, his expression
MAXIMUS“Who?” I curiously asked Tom.“The Eastern Alpha King,” he informed me. “He is here and is asking for you.”My brows furrowed as I tried to comprehend why he had suddenly shown up. The North had not associated with the East or the West in a long time. Sometimes, I even forgot about their existence. Each kingdom had kept to its own affairs, living peacefully for decades. The only exception was the ongoing tension between the North and the South, fueled by a never-ending conflict over that disputed piece of land.“Where is he?” I asked Tom.“In the meeting room, with the other Alphas,” he said.“Okay.” I returned my attention to my mate, muttering, “He says the Alphas are here to see you. If you don’t feel comfortable yet, I could tell them to leave and maybe come back another time—or never, if you never want to see them.”“It’s fine,” she told me as she took the baby from my arms and stared at her adorably. “Sorry, baby. We have to leave now.”She walked toward a nurse and han
MAXIMUSThe baby wasn’t mine, so I didn’t care if she was in labor or not. But what I did care about was that the baby was innocent, and regardless of its mother’s atrocities, the pup was still a member of my pack, and I wouldn’t let it suffer.I mind-linked Kade. “Lauren is in labor. Go there, take the baby from her, make sure the pup is well taken care of, and throw the mother in the dungeon afterward.”“Okay, Alpha,” he said before the mind link ended.I turned my attention to my brother and his mate. “I don’t see you both leaving. Off you go. Now.”I needed time with my mate—I had missed her so much.The witch rolled her eyes. “We missed her too, you know? And we also want to spend time with her.”Lucius dipped his hand into his pocket, and, ignoring what I had just said, he asked, “What do you plan to do with Lauren’s pup?”“I don’t know,” I said, shrugging. “Maybe find an adoptive parent for it.”Before Lucius could respond, Kade mind-linked me again. “Lauren is having a difficu
STARLETTEJohn Smith was taken to the dungeon afterward, leaving only Maximus in the room.He moved closer to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and leaning into my neck to take in my scent. “I cannot overemphasize how much I missed you.”“I missed you too,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck. “So very much.”“He is going to pay for this,” he said, and I could feel his body stiffen as he continued. “Silas will pay for this.”I nodded, savoring the mesmerizing blend of cedarwood, musk, and a sweet hint of lavender that I had missed so much.He abruptly pulled away and held me by my shoulders, worry saturating his features.“What?” I asked with a raised brow.“I want to ask. Did he...” His voice faltered, and he swallowed hard, unable to finish the sentence.“No,” I replied, knowing what he was going to ask. “He didn’t touch me. He wanted me to give it to him willingly.”Relief crossed his features as he pulled me in again, holding me so tightly. “I’m just glad you’re okay
STARLETTE“How did you do that?” Maximus asked, amazed and confused.I rubbed my belly gently, a small smile gracing my lips. “I think the baby came with gifts. It was those gifts that helped me escape Silas’ captivity before you rescued me. I have the ability to control minds.”After thinking about it, I had come to the realization that it was the baby who had those abilities, and it only allowed me to tap into them. I could only imagine how powerful my pup would be.“That’s... incredible,” Maximus muttered, though it was evident that he was still confused. I was still grappling with this newfound ability myself, but I planned to exploit its full potential nevertheless.“What did you do to me?” Lauren yelled as she snapped out of the trance I had put her in. Tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head. “I would never have said that. You made me lie against my will.” She turned to Maximus, begging desperately. “Please do not believe all that I just said. That wasn’t me speaking.
STARLETTEMaximus wouldn’t leave my side as I headed to Lauren’s room. He had promised to never let me out of his sight ever again. I also didn’t plan on making dumb moves ever again. What was I even thinking, going to my father’s pack without him? I should’ve known it was a trap; I mean, no one changes overnight. But I was too blinded by my desire for even a glimmer of fatherly love that I fell for it, and it had cost us a lot. From the moment we were ambushed, I knew my father was behind it. But I deliberately pushed that thought away while I was still in captivity, not wanting to break myself even more.Anyway, I was really grateful for my newfound gift that helped me escape; if not, the rescue plan would have been more difficult and more deadly. And I planned on using that gift on Lauren. Hopefully, I would be able to tell if the baby was really Maximus’ or someone else’s.We came to a stop in front of her room and pushed the door open. She was lying on the bed but quickly sat up
MAXIMUSI rushed back to my mate and held her in my arms as the driver sped back to the pack. Once we arrived, I carried her straight to the hospital, where the doctor was already prepared for our arrival. Starlette was still unconscious, and my worry grew with every passing moment. If anything happened to her, I would never forgive myself for failing to protect her.Without hesitation, the doctor began examining her, and I lingered by the hospital bed, refusing to let her out of my sight again.The doctor turned to look at me. “Alpha, please, can you excuse me while I—”“I am going nowhere!” I growled. “I’m not disturbing your work, so get on with it. And make sure she survives. If she doesn’t, you will have to follow her.”Fear flashed in his eyes before he turned back to Starlette, working with urgency. He examined her thoroughly before finally addressing me again.“She is fine,” he said.“Then make her wake up!” I groaned with frustration. How could she be fine when she was still
MAXIMUSMy heart shattered into pieces the moment I saw the condition my mate was in. Scrambling out of the car, I ran straight to her, gathering Iris into my arms. She was fading fast, and before long, she lost consciousness entirely.“I never thought you’d find out she was here,” Silas said, his voice cold. I lifted my head to see him standing by his car, a smirk of defiance etched on his face.“Let me carry her,” Lucius offered, holding out his arms. Trusting my brother, I handed her over, watching as he carefully took her to the car. My heart broke even more as I wondered how much she had had to endure. Silas would pay for it with his life.I returned my gaze to Silas, growling with burning fury as I unsheathed my sword and launched toward him. “I will kill you!”Silas unsheathed his own sword immediately, ready for my attack. My sword hit his powerfully, making a loud clank. And so the war began. Every other soldier around us attacked each other, fighting with relentless vigor an
STARLETTEWhatever this was, whatever made me control Silas, I hoped it worked on Lila as well. I slowly approached her, my gaze fixed on her. “Lila, I want you to turn around and pretend you never saw me.”Her brows furrowed before she let out full-blown laughter. “Is this supposed to be a joke?”It didn’t work. I sighed exasperatedly.“What do you want?” I spat.“If you are trying to run, forget that idea. I would never allow you to escape. I need you,” she groaned.“Why?” I asked, venom lacing my voice. “Because you want to use every last drop of my blood for your evil plan? Never, Lila! Never will I allow you to harm me or my child.”Her eyes darted to my belly. “Your child?”“Yes. When I eventually conceive. With Maximus’ child, of course,” I quickly added to dispel her suspicion that I was already pregnant. “Isn’t that when you’ll need my blood? When there’s life growing inside me?”She moved closer to me, her eyes boring into mine. “You are never going back to the north. You wi