AvaThis was too big of a decision to make on my own. If it was just me and Kai that I had to worry about, the decision would have been simple, but I also had to think about the safety of my people. I had read everything there was to read about the war between the packs, but something told me that the history books were pretty one-sided.I was sure that if I read Daniel’s pack’s history books, I would see an entirely different picture. Then there was also that mate bond thing my grandmother told me about. Suddenly, I knew that I had found the one little loose thread I needed.My only hope was that I could find a way to unravel whatever this tension was between the two packs. I called them all together in our square, and I was again surprised by the sheer number of pack members. From what I saw while I was Daniel’s prisoner, we outnumbered their pack two to one.“I have called all of you together to remind you of something. Daniel isn’t just Kai’s father. He is also my destined mate.”
Ava“Just hear me out…” I could tell from the look on his face that I probably wasn’t going to like what he had to say, but I still had to listen.“I know you won’t believe me, but I believe if you and I stood together as one, we would be able to save all of our people.” Something sparked in his eyes.“What are you saying?” I believed I knew what he was getting at. I just needed to hear him say it. I had no idea how I was going to respond. I didn’t know what it was that I really wanted. That was the crux of my problem. Did I do what my heart told me to do? Or did I follow what my mind told me was the right thing?“I’m saying that if you and I were official mates, neither of our packs would be able to fight the other. We would force them into a peace agreement.” It was the first time I saw hope in his eyes.“Are you being serious? After the way you treated me, you still expect me to accept you as my mate?” I stood up and was about to leave, when he gripped my arm. In one swift movement
DanielThe law that I grew up with, that we couldn’t be mated to our destined mates, had to have a history. I needed to find a way to change it, and the only way I could think of was by researching how it started. I wasn’t even sure if I was barking up the wrong tree, but I had to try.It would help me to also find a solution to my biggest problem, or at least that was the hope. I wasn’t sure how I was going to convince Ava that I wasn’t a monster. I also had to work through the last feelings I had about the fact that she killed my brother.I knew that she probably acted in self-defense. Since I was the one who sent my brother after her, knowing who he was, there was the very real possibility that I was to blame for his death, far more than she was. The problem was not how I saw things, but how my pack was going to see it.My father was definitely going to try and convince the pack that it was Ava’s fault, no matter how he felt about me. If he went as far as blaming me, I would know t
AvaI was shocked by the scene in front of us as soon as we arrived in town. My animal side pushed to take over, and I had to fight with every part of me to keep my human side conscious. All around us, in the streets, the bodies of the people who used to bring life to the town were strewn.The scent of blood was thick in the air, and not a single light was burning. There was no sign of Daniel’s pack, except for their scent that mixed with that of the blood. It was clear that this was a trap, and they were probably hiding in the shadows.It was shocking to see what lengths they went to, to draw us out of hiding. My heart stopped as I found my two best friends, still holding each other’s hands in the middle of the street. As if their lifeless bodies weren’t bad enough, my wolf hearing quickly told me that neither of them had a heartbeat.Before we could even process what was happening, the Blackridge pack attacked. On the one hand, it was a good thing that all the humans were dead. Our
Ava“What are you doing on the floor, dear?” Grandma rushed over frowning and Daniel was right behind her.“I tripped.” I was still very lost, and my mind couldn’t wrap itself around what Bastet had said. I was convinced I was going mad. The last thing I remembered from my nightmare that Bastet told me was my past life was incredible pain. It felt so real, that for a moment I was ready to scratch out Daniel’s eyes.“You should be a little more careful young lady.” Daniel held out his hand to help me up, and I resisted the urge to smack it out of the way.“Oh, honey! This is Daniel. He is a scout from one of the colleges, and he has an offer to make you.” Grandma’s eyes sparkled the exact same way they did the first time she introduced him and me. I glared at Daniel as I found my footing.“You know that I’m not interested in college, besides, we are leaving early tomorrow morning. Neither of us can be out late tonight.” Bastet told me that this was the moment that changed everything. I
GrandmaDaisy was the only one who ever gave me a hard time. The other ladies were happy with the progress report, and even more so at the prospect that Ava might be destined to be mated with a werewolf. The transition to her life as Alpha of the pack would be a lot easier if her partner was of the same race.I wasn’t surprised, however, to find Ava fast asleep by the time I returned to the hotel. While my darling granddaughter was still young, I tried to push her out into the world a little more, so she could make friends, and at least experience life a little.But Ava was just as stubborn as my son, and the only thing that ever mattered to her was becoming the champ. We were lucky enough that the pack could financially support us while we lived in the human world. I was able to pay for all of Ava’s private lessons, both on and off the ice.Because of this determination, she not only finished high school, but had also made some friends, and was on the verge of achieving her biggest d
Ava“You have been lying to me all my life!” I felt a little guilty when my grandmother jumped with fright, but this time around I was going to get the truth out of her, before anything happened between me and Daniel. Not that I wanted anything to happen.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Before she could look away, I noted the look of surprise in her eyes.“Oh, come off it grandma. I know that you have been faking this fragile image you portray.” My hand waved around the air wildly as I pointed at my grandmother. “I know that we are werewolves.” This time the look of surprise lingered a little. “I also know that Daniel is a werewolf. Do you know that Daniel is the Alpha of Blackridge? Could you smell him?”From the way she was gaping like a fish out of water, I could tell that she wasn’t just shocked about the fact that I knew, but also about the information that I had just given her about Daniel. Grandma started looking a little pale, and I helped her to sit down at the di
AvaIt quickly became clear that nobody in the pack had ever physically met someone who had been reincarnated. If you asked any of them anything about the moon goddess, they could answer you, but they knew nothing about Bastet. This meant when I couldn’t find anything in our library I was forced to do my research on the internet.Of course, I believed every word, because really, it was on the internet, so it had to be true. I rolled my eyes at my own thoughts as I paged through all the myths and legends I could find about the cat woman. I made sure to spend enough time on the ice to also train for the world championships.This time I was not going to let go of my dream so easily. I knew that the moment I got onto the ice at the championships, Daniel would know where to find me, but I hoped I would be able to get away before he did. I knew it was probably just a dream, and that I probably wouldn’t be able to realize it, but I still hoped.“Has there ever been a cat in our pack? Is it e
HelenaAt first, I thought they were all insane. I couldn’t possibly be who they said. Yeah, okay, fine, so males listened when I spoke, but to call me the alpha of alphas was just weird. In time, however, it slowly started to show. I started to figure out how to use my power without harming anyone.The last thing I wanted to do was upset any of the males. I didn’t want to be the one ruling everyone. I just wanted to keep my promise to Nagaara. I wanted to make sure our people didn’t break my promise. I wanted to make sure everyone lived in peace.“You know, I think you might just be the reincarnation of your ancestor.” Max looked amused.“Not that again.” I frowned, but amusement was playing around in my eyes. We had discussed it a lot over the years. Even our children believed I was the reincarnation of Luna Ava. It could very well be possible, but I just couldn’t completely wrap my mind around it.The werewolves lived in peace with the dragons from the day I made the promise. Nagaa
HelenaWithin the first couple of days, the guests started to arrive. My family showed up within the first twenty-four hours and each time I had to explain what the promise I made meant. It was the general consensus. It seemed that I shouldn’t have done it. That I couldn’t speak for all the packs. They felt, they being the alpha males, that I didn’t have the right to make a promise on their behalf.“That is what none of you seem to understand!” After being spoken to as though I was a second-rate citizen for more than a week, I finally lost my patience. Max had been doing his best to defend me, but the hits just kept coming, and my sudden growl silenced every alpha in the room.“I didn’t make the promise on your behalf. I made it to save our pack. Where do you think she would have gone once she was done with us? You can’t tell me that all of you think she would have stopped with our pack! I believe she was on her way to doing exactly what she promised me she would do if we attacked aga
HelenaThe fact that there was the very real possibility that Nagaara could have killed me didn’t hit me until it was all over. While I was talking to her, I felt safe. It was only when I saw how worried Max was that I realized it. Nagaara just had to breathe too hard, and she would have melted my skin clear off.Tears started to run as Max took me into our home. Huge sobs ripped through my entire body as he clung to me, whispering sweet words to try and calm my racing heart. I had no idea how long I had been crying but my tears finally stopped.We got cleaned up and when we walked out, most of the damage had been cleaned up. It would take some time to rebuild the homes that were destroyed, but as long as we had peace, we could all live with what had happened. I could see relief and gratitude on all the faces.“You reminded me of something I heard about your family. It was a story my mother told me when I was a very young pup.” Max smiled as we found a seat and two omegas brought us s
NagaaraI wasn’t entirely sure why I was sitting in the dirt listening to a wolf, but Helena had been kind to me when we met. I also read about what her pack went through so many years ago. How they were also persecuted by the other wolves because they were different and how they found a way to peace thanks to one wolf called Ava.I knew that Helena was a direct descendant of Ava’s. That’s probably why I was willing to sit there in the middle of the open square in the dirt. I was curious as to why someone with her lineage would bind herself to the people who nearly wiped out my kind.I knew she would try to convince me not to attack, but I still wanted to hear her out.MaxI was going out of my mind as I paced back and forth just beyond the edge of the forest. I could see Helena and Nagaara in the square. Both were seated, and I could tell that they were talking, but we were too far off to hear what was being said.I was so scared! Why did Helena do that? Why the hell did I leave her
NagaaraI felt pride as I watched my babies take their first flight, and then anxiety set in, and I instantly called them back. They needed to learn how to fly and how to defend themselves, but they also needed to learn where it was safe. They might be fully grown and might have some of the knowledge of our ancestors, but they were still only babies.It was my duty as their mother to protect them. The same way that my mother tried to protect me. My babies had to learn a lot before we would be able to take on the beasts. I sighed as they gathered around me and I showed them where they could fly and where not.They learned quickly and within a day, I could tell that they were ready. It was shocking, since I thought we would need months, but my babies were breathing fire and the quicker we got rid of the threat, the sooner they could take to the skies at will.MaxI never knew I could feel the kind of happiness I felt whenever Helena walked into a room. Sadly, our happiness was still ove
NagaaraFor months, I waited patiently and tended to my eggs and on one clear and beautiful night with the moon shining bigger and brighter than I had ever seen it, I heard the first crack of a shell. Moments later, I was helping my firstborn out of his egg. He was so beautiful that I almost forgot about the others who promptly started to hatch.It was the most beautiful moment of my young life. They were all instantly hungry, of course, but I didn’t mind. I gave them the love I was never able to get from my mother and by morning they were grown. Thanks to a very ancient spell and to protect our kind, we grew to adulthood within hours after being born.I promised myself as I watched them during the night that I would make sure they never had to experience the loss that I had. I promised myself I would guide them and teach them in a way I never got to have. I promised myself again that I would get my revenge on the beasts so that my children could live in peace.HelenaMax and I agreed
MaxShe said yes! Okay fine, so she didn’t actually say yes, but she might as well have! My heart soared on the drive home. I had never felt like that. I felt like a young pup in love and it was simply wonderful. Ridiculous that a man at my age was acting like a young pup, but still. It was probably one of the best days of my life.The second we arrived home, I started to plan. She said that she didn’t think it would be a surprise, but I fully intended on surprising her. Whatever I did on the day we accepted each other had to be spectacular. I thought about the young dragon girl only for a moment before pushing all thoughts of her to the back of my mind.There had been no reports or sightings. We even went as far as checking their old home, and she hadn’t gone there. At least, I was told by my warriors they had been there, but I trusted them. They wouldn’t lie to me knowing how dangerous she was.I actually felt as though life could finally begin. We weren’t in the middle of a war, an
HelenaI had given Max a lot to think about. Hell, I had a lot to think about. So, it wasn’t a huge surprise when I didn’t hear from Max for a couple of days. I couldn’t help but giggle whenever I thought about him, and it was honestly becoming a royal pain.So, by the time my brother showed up at my doorstep to inform me that Max had requested another visit, I was ready to burst out of my skin with excitement. It was not how a woman of my age should act. I couldn’t damn well help myself.My second visit with Max went better than the first and I found myself actually laughing at his odd joke. Things unfortunately turned serious right before our time was up when Max asked if I could see myself sharing a future with him.“I could. I wouldn’t lie about that, but your future …” I thought about it as a frown formed on my face. “As a matter of fact, all of our futures still hang in the balance. We don’t know where the young dragon went or what her plans are. I couldn’t possibly have childre
HelenaI had been going back and forth about why I should reject Max for the second time and my mother was telling me why I shouldn’t. She had one point that I couldn’t deny. I didn’t really know him all that well. I had judged him in a very difficult time when he was probably not himself. I shook my head and frowned.“NO! I can’t be with that man! He is infuriating.” I pouted and crossed my arms over my chest like a young child who didn’t want to do something.“Well, I’m afraid you will have no other choice. He has requested an official meeting with you through your brother. You know the law. You have to give him a chance.” My mother huffed before storming out and I sighed deeply. I should have known that Max would do his research about that! That was if he didn’t already know the laws about mates.An hour later, my brother showed up at my front door and right behind him Max was grinning at me. I didn’t even greet him, as my brother explained the rules to the both of us. Max wasn’t a