LAUREN I was frustrated, bored out of my mind, and dying slowly. The Alpha wouldn’t let me see anyone, not even my father. I wasn’t allowed to attend Jeremiah’s burial. Did he even have a burial? I wondered. My chest ached so much from the pain of losing him. I couldn’t even tell anyone that he was my mate. Thankfully, I hadn’t allowed him mark me; if not, the pain would have been unbearable. Alone in the room, it felt like I was sinking deeper into a suffocating hole with no way out. There was no one to talk to, no one who cared. Every time a guard, a nurse, or anyone else entered my room, they responded to my questions with silence. I was slowly losing my mind. I cried every day, and each day I considered killing myself over and over again. But I was too much of a coward and couldn’t bring myself to do it. Suddenly, the door swung open, and I turned to see Maximus marching in. I scrambled out of bed and rushed toward him, but quickly halted when a deep growl escaped his throat.
STARLETTEI had already leapt out of bed, ready to go search for Maximus wherever he was, when the door swung open and he slipped inside. “I swear I was just about to go looking for you.”“Missed me that much?” He chuckled as he moved closer to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. He pressed a warm kiss to my neck, causing me to shiver. “I missed you too.”“How did it go?” I asked curiously as I pressed my body against his, wanting more of those sweet kisses. “You know, she didn’t admit to anything. I had expected that anyway. I just wanted to try.” He murmured, trailing his delicious kisses up to my temple before pausing. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” I asked. I knew how devastated he was by the fact that Lauren’s pup might not be his. “You are already making me feel better.” He whispered into my ears, and warmth surged through my body. “Your presence is enough.”He suddenly pulled away, and a frown crossed my face. “It’s been a long day. I need to sho
STARLETTEThe mark formed beautiful crescents on my neck after the wound healed, and I couldn’t stop admiring it. The stronger, more magnificent bond that had developed between Maximus and me was even more beautiful. I loved my life now. It was just... perfect. It was high time I told Maximus about the baby. He loved me, without a doubt. There was no reason to keep it a secret any longer. Besides, Bella had been bugging me nonstop to tell him. “You’re distracted,” Tom said when his blade nearly cut through my thighs, but I was quick enough to jump back, evading the attack.I was on the training ground with him, practicing. I wanted to be prepared to defend the pack when the time came. If I was going to be Luna, I had to act like one.“I have a lot on my mind,” I told him as I lifted my sword and pushed forward with it.“What’s on your mind?” He asked.There was no way I was going to tell him. “The safety of the pack.”“Women shouldn’t have to worry about that.” He groaned, our blade
STARLETTEI quickly stepped forward and blocked Maximus’ path, trying to calm him down before the situation escalated into a bloodbath.“Max, you need to control yourself. Please.” I pleaded, worried.“Starlette, get out of my way.” He growled, his intensely furious gaze still fixed on his brother.“No.” I insisted. “Please. Just stop. I beg you.”He glanced at me, his eyes glowing red with rage. “Please.” I pressed as I stared at him pleadingly.He shut his eyes closed, and when he reopened them, the blazing red had faded, returning to their usual blue shade, though they were still clouded with darkness.I turned to look at Lucius. His eyes had also returned to normal. I started to move toward him, but Maximus pulled me back to his side.“What was that all about?” I asked him, my voice a mixture of anger and concern.He looked at me for a second, or maybe longer, before sprinting into the woods without giving me a response. I couldn’t place the look in his eyes, but I could tell he
STARLETTE I stared at the mirror, the reflection before me almost unrecognizable. The girl staring back at me was transformed. I was dressed in an off-shoulder white dress, adorned with delicate touches of gold. Bella picked it out for me, promising I’d look regal in it. I did look regal in it. My makeup was flawless, and my hair was swept up into a bun with a few loose curls framing my face. Maximus slipped up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered. “You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. The most beautiful there will ever be.”My cheeks flushed with delight. “Thank you.”“Shall we?” He extended his hand to me, and I took it. Tingles jolted through my body as I turned around and followed him out of the room. A sleek black limousine waited outside, even though the venue was close enough to walk to. Maximus watched me as I slid into the backseat, his eyes never leaving me. Once we were inside, a frown suddenly appeared on his
MAXIMUS The north and the south had always fought over a stretch of land that separated us—a land rich with gold, diamonds, and many other natural treasures. It was originally and rightfully ours, but the South had always been desperate to claim it, fabricating a history that didn’t exist, claiming it was theirs. But we held on to what was ours very dearly, refusing to surrender it to them. They’d laid low about it for a few decades, way before I even inherited the throne. But now, it seems, they want to stir things up again.So it’s no surprise that who Starlette saw in her dream was Silas. I had thought it was just a dream, but now it’s a stern warning to me. Especially now that Silas was offering to do business with the north, offering a deal that seemed too good to be true. Perhaps it was just one of his devious plans. But I was ready for him. “I believe you’re stronger now that you have a mate.” Silas smirked. Yes, the bond between Starlette and me had made me stronger—stronge
STARLETTEI still haven’t finished processing, nor have I come to terms with the fact that I was now a mother wolf. Me? Starlette Cromwell? A mere omega from the Star Claw Pack, who spent most of her life being bullied and mistreated by the entire pack. It was hard to believe. My life had not only changed overnight by becoming the overly treasured mate of the Alpha King; now, I was something even bigger. It was still so hard to grasp, and honestly, I was terrified.If I didn’t regret anything else about the night everyone discovered my identity, I regretted wearing an off-shoulder dress. They only realised the truth because my bare shoulders were exposed. The crescents wouldn’t have glowed if I’d been wearing something that covered my shoulders, even under the moonlight. And, of course, it just had to happen on the night every Alpha was present, causing absolute chaos. I didn’t even know how Maximus managed to handle the situation that night, and I didn’t ask.Since then, my security
MAXIMUSEveryone wanted my mate. They all desired to be the father of the most powerful Alpha of our time. From the moment it was revealed that she was the Mother Wolf, I knew she would be in grave danger. Alpha Xavier is just the beginning, and I’m fully aware that more Alphas will come after her. Even Alphas from the South won't stay out of, it as the news has already spread like wildfire. That’s why I assigned bodyguards to protect her when I couldn’t be there myself.The rage that surged through my chest when I heard Xavier’s words directed at my mate was uncontrollable. Even Nile, my wolf, howled furiously in my mind. No one would take our mate from us. She was ours and ours alone!Before I could stop myself, I lunged at Xavier, delivering a powerful kick to his stomach. He staggered backward, wincing, but quickly regained his balance. If he hadn’t been an Alpha, that blow would have destroyed him.“Alpha, you—” He began to speak, but I cut him off with another brutal kick to his