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
MAXIMUS“What are you doing here?” I asked, perplexed as I darted my gaze between Kaelin and Amelia. “And most importantly, how did you get here?”“We were cloaked, and that’s how we got through the border. Obviously.” Kaelin replied.I knew the answer to my question even before he spoke, and I didn’t like it. They could infiltrate our pack at any given time without our knowledge, and that was a serious cause for concern.“You really have no right to come here, especially into my bedroom without my consent.” I groaned out my annoyance.Amelia rolled her eyes. “Would you rather bitch about it or we get down to business?”"You will not talk to me like that!" I growled as I took threatening steps towards her, but Starlette was quick to hold me back.“Please…” She whispered, her voice soft. “Let’s hear them out.”My nose twitched as I continued glaring at Amelia for a few more seconds, fighting the urge to rip her apart. After a sharp breath to ease my frustration, I turned to her father,
AMELIA"The candle didn’t go out after you left.” Starlette said, and my suspicion grew immediately. “Which means…”“They are here.” I finished for her, feeling a sudden surge of dark magic. Even though he wasn’t here physically and was only present through vessels, his magic was overwhelmingly powerful. I could only imagine how strong he truly was. I feared he might be even more powerful than my father, the clan leader.“We’ll wait for you at the spell circle.” My father glanced at me. “Amelia, let’s go.”Flicking my gaze toward Starlette, worry filled me. "Please be careful," I urged, dropping my gaze to her belly. It was a bit concerning that she wasn’t showing yet, but that was a discussion for another time. “You know you can’t stress yourself.”She nodded with a tight smile, and I followed my father, taking his hand as he led me out of the room and through the halls of the packhouse. It was total chaos—women and children were panicking, finding their way to safety, while the warr
LUCIUSWe all gathered around the spell circle, all eyes locked on the dozens of men trapped in it. I was supposed to stay focused, but my gaze kept shifting to the witch. The force pulling me to her was strong, and I was barely able to hold it together. All I wanted to do—all I could think about was rushing over and claiming her as mine. My wolf was no help, either—he was practically vibrating with excitement, urging me to get closer. He craved to be near her as much as I did.“She`s beautiful.” Kai mumbled. I couldn’t agree less. Dressed in a black lace dress that hugged her figures, Amelia was mesmerizing. She had wide green eyes that captivated me and rosy lips that were so tempting. She wasn’t too tall, nor was she too short; she just had the perfect height. Oh, my mate was indeed beautiful. But everything was still too hard to fathom. And with the way she was also stealing glances at me, I could tell she was as shocked as I was.“Amelia, darling. Let`s begin.” Her father said, b
STARLETTEI had truly hoped this would work; we all did. But despite our best efforts, we were outmanoeuvred by the very person we sought. Despite our plan, he was one step ahead of us. And when did he even enter the park? The thought of that was troubling. He knew where we lived and could strike whenever he pleased. But we knew nothing about his whereabouts or what his mission really entailed. If we don’t act faster and smarter, it was only a matter of time before he succeeded.My gaze settled on the dozens of men before us. “What would we do with them now?”“Kill them. They are all useless.” Maximus unsheathed his sword and was about to lunge towards them. But I held him back.“Max.” I called after him. “They could still be useful.”He paused and thought it over. “Okay. Warriors. Take turns guarding them. Tom, you’re in charge.”My gaze shifted to Lucius, who was still unconscious on the floor. "Please, some of you should take him to the hospital.”I couldn’t help but wonder when he
MAXIMUSWhatever truth she intended to reveal, I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear it. I dreaded the possibility that that pup might not be mine. After years of hoping, it had felt as if my wish had finally come true—only to risk being taken away from me again. The truth terrified me, but I couldn’t avoid it; I had to face it.Folding my arms across my chest, I asked. “What do you have to say?”“The warrior you killed—Jeremiah—was my mate.” She admitted. Before I could say anything, she continued. “But he is not the father of my baby. I only met him after I had conceived, but I couldn’t tell anyone. I tried to stay away from him.”“That doesn’t seem like it!” I growled, rage building up within me. I hated her with everything in me.“What would you have had me do when you neglected me?” She shot back. “I was bored, frustrated, and depressed. I didn’t have anyone to talk to. That was why I started entertaining him.” She burst into tears. “Max, please believe me. I am not lying. The baby i
LUCIUSI opened my eyes to find Amelia by my side. Thinking I might be dreaming, I closed my eyes briefly, trying to erase her image from my mind. But when I looked again, she was still there, her beautiful face warming my heart. The scent of honey and cinnamon drifted to me, soothing and comforting. I loved this feeling, yet at the same time, I was confused. What was she doing here? In my room?A wide smile spread across her lips. “You are awake.”“What are you doing here?” I voiced out my thoughts.“I was just making sure you are okay. But since you are awake, I’ll take my leave now.” She stood up and turned to leave, but I quickly stopped her.“No. Don’t leave. Not yet.” I muttered. She turned to look at me, her wide green eyes mesmerising me. “How was it? Were you able to trace the magic?”She shook her head disappointedly. “Gabriel was one step ahead of us. He altered the spell and made it that the invisibles’ magic would seize to exist the second they step into the circle.”“Dam
VIOLETNo doubt, I was attracted to Axel, but he was forbidden to me. I kept repeating that mantra in my head the entire way to the South. Sitting beside him in such close proximity made it really difficult for me to control my desire. It took everything in me not to throw myself at him. I asked him to park the car before we got to the pack’s border because I didn’t want my father knowing that Axel was the one who drove me here. “I’ll be right back,” I told him as I opened the door and jumped out of the car. “And I’ll be right here,” he replied with a grin. I walked towards the pack border, and the guards at the gate were surprised to see me. “We weren’t expecting you, Princess,” one of them said. “It’s an impromptu visit. I’ll be leaving soon. I believe the king is around, yes?” I asked. He nodded. “Yes, and welcome.” I made my way to the pack house afterward, going straight to my mother’s bedroom since she was the reason I was there. But she wasn’t there. Just as I
VIOLET Ring ring ring. The sound of my phone ringing woke me up from my deep sleep. I groggily reached for it from the nightstand, and without even glancing at the caller ID, I picked it up and placed the phone to my ear. “Hello…” my voice dragged into the phone. “Violet, dear, did I wake you up from sleep?” A familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line. “Mom?” I called. “I will call you back when—“ “No, it’s okay,” I said, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand and sitting up. “I’m up already.” “Happy birthday, darling!” she exclaimed enthusiastically. “Wishing you a long life and prosperity.” A smile curled on my lips as realization dawned on me. It was my birthday. “Thank you, Mom,” I replied with a smile on my face. “Are you sure you don’t want us to throw a party for you? If you change your mind—“ “Mom—“ I interjected. “You know how I am with parties. I hate them.” My parents had proposed throwing a birthday party for me here at school, and I ha
VIOLETThree hours of detention seemed like an eternity. Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly hate this school more, I found myself trapped in yet another unbearable situation. I needed to get out of here, but that was just wishful thinking. My father wouldn’t let me leave until he accomplished whatever mysterious goal had led him to send me here in the first place.After we left the principal’s office, I quickly pulled out my phone and sent Zara a text, letting her know I wouldn’t be able to make it to practice. With a sigh, I shoved my phone back into my pocket and made my way to the library, where the other three were already seated around a single table.Axel sat directly across from me, making it nearly impossible not to look at him. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and for a long while, no one spoke until Emily broke the silence.“Axel,” she called, staring at him. “I’m sorry about the… inconvenience.”Axel didn’t even bother to lift his head, let alone respond to her,
. VIOLETAxel’s eyes blazed with fury as he lunged toward the boy and pushed him hard on the chest until he stumbled backward.“You are so dead!” the boy yelled, aiming to push Axel in return, but he dodged. Swinging around, Axel hooked his leg around the boy’s and knocked him to the floor.Just when Axel was about to jump on him, the boy sprang up and charged at Axel, wrapping his arm around his waist and pushing him down with him. But Axel was quick to react, rolling over until he was on top.“Wow!” A loud clap suddenly echoed, and I turned to see the trainer slowly walking into the middle of the circle that had already been formed by students. “That was a great demonstration of what you were taught. Excellent!”The crowd erupted in cheers, but it was obvious that Axel and whoever the boy was weren’t having it as they continued glaring at each other.“Enough!” the professor growled, gesturing for silence. The noise quickly died down, and he continued, “But that behavior isn’t allow
AXEL“Axel?” Aunt Amelia crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to the side.“Uhm…” I scratched the back of my head, thinking of what to say. “I— Uhm— was just serving justice.”“Elaborate,” Uncle Lucius chimed in.“Why are you guys here?” I quickly changed the subject.“Hmm-hmm.” Aunt Amelia shook her head. “You can’t do that here. Don’t change the subject.” She turned her attention to Mason. “Mason? I believe you’re a good boy, and you’ll talk.”Mason and I made eye contact, and we burst out laughing, knowing that Mason was way more stubborn than I was.“The thing is—Uhmm—” I scratched the bridge of my nose, deciding to tell them what happened. “Those boys did something terrible. They terribly assaulted one of my classmates, and because Emily was involved—”“Emily?” She cut me off, raising a brow. “The Eastern Princess?”“Yes.” I nodded before continuing. “Because she was involved, they were only suspended when they should have been expelled.”“Who’s this girl that was
AXELMason met me at the school gate, and after catching up on everything that had been happening in our lives and discussing my plans for those boys, we proceeded toward the school gate. Of course, the guards there stopped us from leaving."I was also suspended for one week and asked to go back home. And I’d like to leave with my friend here," I told them, hooking my arm around Mason’s shoulders."We were informed," one of them said, unmoving. "There are only three students who were asked to leave today with their parents. And you aren’t one of them.""There is something I must do. Can you just let us pass? We will be back before you know it," I pressed."Control their minds already. Why are you wasting time when there’s an easy way out?" Mason mind-linked me, his voice impatient."I like playing games, you know," I replied. But I had to do what I needed to do now before the boys’ parents started taking them out of the school. They were around already.Straightening my shoulders, I c
AXELWhen I arrived at the library, I spotted Emily browsing the tall shelves, her fingers trailing across the spines of the books.“Emily!” I called out, my voice booming as I strode toward her.“Oh, Axel,” she said, turning to face me with a wide, almost mischievous smile.“What did you do in Violet’s dorm room?” I growled, keeping my voice low but firm.“Oops,” she gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her chest as if she were truly shocked. “I got caught?”“Don’t play games with me, Emily. What did you do there?” I demanded, my patience wearing thin.“Axel.” Her expression suddenly turned serious. “What is it about her? She’s not prettier than me. Why do you seem to be so interested in her?”I raised my brow. “And who told you I was interested in her?”Confusion crossed her face. “I thought you were—”“What if I was?” I cut her off quickly.“I am just jealous,” she admitted. “When we were together, you never defined our relationship. It never even went public. You just kept me h
AXEL“What was she doing there?” I asked Daisy as I began descending the stairs to leave the arena.“I don’t know. I walked in, and her scent was everywhere,” she replied.“Alright. Do something to mask the scent before Violet gets back. I don’t want her panicking. I’ll deal with Emily myself,” I told Daisy before cutting off the mind-link.“Axel!” Indie called from behind, hurrying after me. “What happened? Where are you rushing off to?”I had almost forgotten I didn’t come here alone. Turning back, I stepped closer to her, planting an apologetic kiss on her cheek. “I’m sorry, Indie, but I have to go. Something’s come up.”“What’s going on?” she asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.“Bye,” I promptly said, intentionally ignoring her question, before turning around and whisking out of the arena.It seemed Emily wasn’t satisfied with getting away unscathed after what she did to Violet. Unlike the boys she hired, who I had ensured endured excruciating pain, Emily had walked away witho
AXELRage burned through me after Violet told me those things. Just when I thought I was getting somewhere with her, she tossed all my efforts away and demanded I stay away from her. That’s exactly what I would do. I’d ignore her until her eighteenth birthday, when she sees her wolf and the mate bond fully develops. Then, the tables would turn, and she’d beg to be with me. I wouldn’t take it easy on her.Staying away from lacrosse was like depriving my lungs of air. And now, thanks to Violet, I was stuck with another one-week suspension. I didn’t regret protecting her. I would do it over and over again, but that didn’t make her any less infuriating.Since I couldn’t play, I decided to at least watch practice. I hoped watching would ease the maddening itch to get back on the field. Indie accompanied me to the arena, and the moment we got there, my gaze met Violet’s, but I quickly looked away.“Okay, spill it,” Indie said as she plopped down on one of the stadium seats. “What’s going on