Aria’s POVI hadn’t been sure of my plan when Elijah gave me approval to run. I just wanted to see if I could find him. I had questions, questions for both Ryan and Elijah and although I was petrified of seeing him again, a part of me believed that he would tell me the truth now.Finding Ryan had been easy. Almost like a gut instinct growing inside of me the further I was from Elijah. It’s hard to explain, almost like I can tell the difference between my connection to each of them. With Elijah it felt more–comfortable whereas the link with Ryan was like an itch that I couldn’t scratch. I could have told Elijah but I was certain he would just kill Ryan.Running through the forest was easy. I had already kicked my shoes off, expecting to shift, but I decided to stay in human form. I would need clothes when I got out of the forest.The green of the trees passed by in a blur, it was like my body had travelled this path but I had never been this way, I was heading in the opposite direction
Alpha Elijah’s POV“Well, where is she?” I round on Ryan half expecting him to have tricked me, but he is stood with a frown on his stupid face.“She was here!” I watch as he rushes from room to room, becoming more and more frantic as he eagerly searched for Elida. "I swear Elijah, she was here. Aria saw her and took off."“Where would she go?” I demand an answer. If it wasn’t for the fact that Aria now seemed to be missing, I would be ripping his heart from his body.“I don’t know. She doesn’t really tell me anything!”“Are you sleeping with her?”“What?” he turns around to look at me as if I’m insane, but I knew full well what Elida was capable of.“Are you having sex with the Fae?”Those amber eyes of his stare at me, shifting a shade darker. His wolf was close to the surface, maybe for the first time since my pack defeated his.“Answer me prick!” I snap at him as he tries to dodge my question.“It’s not like that!”“Let me guess, she shifted into an Aria look alike and climbed in
Ryans POVShit, shit, shit, shit!!I glance between Elijah and the tall thin thing in front of us. His features are sharp just like Elle's, only a thin amount of hair sat on his chin, wrapped around itself with a single gold bead thread on the end to keep it in place.Elijah was oddly calm but Elle had said something about this, they knew each other. Elijah had asked for his help.“Alpha, it has been a while.” His voice is deep and he doesn’t even look at me. Keeping all his attention on Elijah. The grin showing off his razor sharp teeth. It was like he wasn't even trying to hide his true form.“Who..” I start to ask but the Fae waves his hand at me as Elijah bows his head, calling him King Alwin.“Why are you here King Alwin?” Elijah appears tense, his hand balling into a fist at his side.“Well Alpha, it has been a while since we have seen you and I have been waiting for an update on my daughter. Now tell me, as I assume she is up to no good and that is why you have not returned.” H
Alpha Elijah’s POV“Don’t be so fucking stupid!” I snap at him. As usual he was being his dumbass self and making comments when they weren’t needed, comments that were not in the least bit helpful. This wasn’t anything like the ruthless Alpha I once knew. He was weak, and had fallen for some stupid Fae trick.“Unless you have something useful to say, I suggest you keep your mouth shut!” I was gearing up to break his nose,“Have you tried linking her?”“Are you fucking serious right now!” I square up to him again but this time he holds his place, unafraid of what I might do. “If I remember correctly Ryan, you have a death wish, is that why you are trying to piss me off?!”He raises his hands up to me, taking a step back. I think he knew he had crossed the line.“I want to find her as much as you!” He snaps at me. I had had enough of his comments and punch him between the eyes much to the disgust of the humans that were leaving the coffee shop. They gasp as Ryan falls to the floor, lan
Aria’s POVBiting Elida had given me the chance to get away, but she was still hot on my trail, less than twenty metres behind me as I escaped the little shop where she tried to hold me.My hand hits something sharp and I feel my own blood seep out of my hand, quickly pressing it against the wall, hoping that Elijah would find me soon.“Come back here bitch. I’m going to make you pay!” she screeches behind me as I dive towards the forest. Her hand wraps around my ankle, she was closer than I realised and she sends me crashing to the ground. Her talons digging into my skin as she drags me across the forest floor back towards her. Razor sharp teeth on show.Maybe Elijah had been right, maybe I should have taken up his offer of training, its not like I really knew how to defend myself.Her nails almost skin my leg and as I look at my hand, I realise it’s not healing. I’m supposed to heal quickly now that I had my wolf, so why wasn’t I?My jeans are torn up around my leg and I see the blo
Ryan’s POVDrifting away between the humans had been easy. Elijah was just like any other wolf. Determined to keep the truth a secret from the humans, to keep our world hidden from the weak minded, which meant that he wouldn't sttack me so openly.I dash back to my apartment, there had to be some clue in Elle’s room, something that would tell me what she was up to.Tearing her room apart there wasn’t anything that would tell me where she had taken Aria. Her room was pristine, the smell of our sex still hanging in the air. I had put Aria in danger, no one else, just me.Sitting on Elle’s bed I feel an odd lump under my ass. Quickly flipping the mattress, I find a book and realise it’s a diary.There are hundreds of entries about me. Paragraphs of her declaring her love but as the pages go on, it becomes darker. A hatred for Aria develops. Plans on what she wanted to do to her and Elijah was right. Elle was planning on eating Aria, to have her permanently removed from this world. It was
Alpha Elijah’s POVI couldn’t stand seeing her like that. Great big chunks of flesh missing from her body. Her breaths were shallow, but her hand, it was clinging to him. Clinging to the man that had put her in danger.“Elijah, wait!” Simon runs alongside me as I march towards my house. I hd to clear my head, decide on my next step.“Elijah, what is going on with you? Your mate is safe. It’s not the greatest of circumstances but Aria is home!”Coming to a halt, I stare at him.“He is with her!”“I know, but have you thought for one second that she would have clung to anyone that saved her. If it had been me, there would be no doubt that she would be holding on just as tight. Just because it's him, it doesn’t mean anything!”“It’s not just that is it? I marked her and yet I couldn’t find her. Somehow he did, somehow it was like he knew exactly where she would be.”“I’m not defending him, but it does look like he got to her just in time. Something to be grateful for!”In my anger, I had
Aria’ POVMy body ached, every single part of me felt heavy, like something was pressing down on top of me.Ryan, I’m sure I had seen him and Elijah too, were they together? How had they found me?Everything is hazy as I sit up and rub my eyes. Looking down, I see that I am in a bed, a white gown covering my body, but red marks were visible on both my arms. Images of Elida cutting my skin come back to me. I’m sure she was eating me, piece by piece, but I am here and whole too.Climbing out of the bed, it hurt to move my legs as I pushed my feet down onto a fluffy white rug. Everything in this room was white, pure and clean. Was I dead?A pile of white clothes sat folded on top of a dresser. It reminded me of how Ryan had been when he held me hostage, how he had wanted me dressed a certain way.Quickly changing, the clothes are like a linen material, long too but very freeing. Little white slippers sat on the floor but I preferred to be barefoot, until I at least knew where I was.A sm
“You won’t, you will never do it!” Athena screams as I drag her across the ground. “Shut your fucking mouth.” I yell over her whimperings.“Then just kill me. I can't bare to see you fuck us over.”“No Athena. You will see what happens. You will watch as I take over the entire world and you will hear all of it.”“Please, just let me die.”“No fucking chance.” I threw her body into the dungeon where Aria had been locked away. Athena’s body hits the stone floor as she rolls across the ground.“Please, Atlas, please just let me…”“Alpha Atlas.” I mutter. She was a traitor, she wasn’t anything other than that.“Alpha Atlas, please just let me die.” She continues to beg.“No chance.”I slam the door of the dungeons shut. Slipping the key into the lock. She would never get to see any of the pack again. All she would ever get is the information of how the world was changing. How I was becoming the King that no one could stop. How I would be unstoppable,I walk down to the gates, waiting for
Atlas’s POVI couldn’t believe what I was hearing. How could Simon be mated to Athena? It didn’t seem possible. After all, he was gay. He had been married to a man.A man that he met at my ball! Ryan mutters. He sounded almost annoyed. “I can’t help it, Simon. The Moon Goddess obviously paired us together for a reason. It's not my fault.""There could have been a chance, but I can't protect you now!""You're not even going to try?"“Shut up. Just shut up you stupid woman!” Simon growls at her, obviously having enough of her shit.“I’m sorry that I am not what you wanted. Let me guess, you wanted someone with a dick!” Athena snaps back. "Well, I'm sorry about that, so suck it up!"“Whatever is going to happen between us doesn’t matter if Atlas kills you.”The sentence was perfect timing. Stepping into the small room. I see Athena sitting on the edge of a sofa. Her face in her hands. Her chocolate brown hair draped down over her. Simon had his back to me. His hands on his hips. A red t
Atlas’s POVSimon bursts into the room. I hadn’t even realised he had followed me. He stops in front of the empty crib. “Where is he, Atlas?” I couldn’t speak. I was in shock. How had I not felt it? How had I not known that he was in trouble?“ATLAS? Where the hell is he?”“She has him. She has taken my son.” I growl“FIND ATHENA!” I yell through a link to every single wolf and Lycan in the pack. “DO NOT LET HER OUT OF YOUR SIGHT. SHE HAS MY SON!”“I can help.” Simon offers.“How? How can someone like you help.”“He is okay. Hunter is okay. That’s why you couldn’t sense him being taken. His Aunty has him. If he feels danger. You will know. You will feel it”“How can you be certain? He is the first Lycan child.”“Because you feel it when he cries. You feel it in your heart when he is upset. Whatever Athena has done. She is keeping him safe and he trusts her. The question is, what does she want in return.”“I know what she wants. She wants Bethany dead.”“Me?” A small voice cries behin
Atlas’s POVAesha drops her head, keeping herself from looking at me. I wasn’t mad at her. I already had my suspicions. The way Athena looked at Bethany. The spite in her words. I had never known someone so jealous over a child.“Thank you, Aesha.”“You’re not mad at me?”“I’m not mad with you, no! You did the right thing.” I mull over her words. Frustrated that I couldn't get a break.“I told you Aesha. It was better to tell him than not.” Simon mumbles and nods at her, giving her a smile. I wondered how long this had been bugging her. Not once had we been alone today for her to tell me. Athena was always there, hovering or Bethany was at my side. Had Athena known Aesha had overheard her?“Did she know, Aesha? Did she know that you were listening in?”“I don’t… I don’t think so.”That sounds like a yes. If Athena had picked up her scent, then it would be obvious. It’s why Athena probably hovered at the funeral.“Things are getting more and more fucked up!” Simon mutters“Why are you
Atlas’s POVGetting Aria ready for her funeral hit me hard. It made me realise just how much I missed her. She had put me through my paces, testing my patience but at the end of the day, she was mine.I'm not ready.'I know, but it is time.'Just like Bethany had said, Aria looked as though she was sleeping. Her fresh clothes hid her fatal wound. Aesha was busy putting some sort of make up on Aria, giving her a bit of colour. She keeps her mouth shut, knowing that it was best not to speak.It had been a long time since I had sent someone back to the Moon Goddess and I wasn’t ready for this. I reach out to touch her cold skin. Hoping that by some miracle, she would wake up. That this was all just some nightmare.“Everyone’s ready.” Athena mutters. I see how she glances at Bethany, but she doesn’t say anything and Bethany is oblivious to it.I nod and she leaves, taking Aesha with her. Bethany remains behind with me. She had stayed with me ever since we went to the orphanage earlier. Sh
Atlas’s POVOver the course of the next few days, it was almost impossible to get anymore information out of Bethany. The moment she felt threatened, she would clam up. Hiding herself away, never leaving the house and refusing to speak to anyone. The only thing that would coax her out of her hiding spot was hot food. Today, it seemed like the smell of food wasn’t even working. I would have to go and find her when I was done.“Some great idea of yours.” I mutter as Aesha sits at the breakfast table with Athena and I.Athena cocks an eyebrow at me. She didn’t have a clue what I was talking about, but her gaze hit me hard. I had allowed Athena and Aesha to stay in the packhouse. In some ways it helped me feel close to Aria. Yet, it always seemed like they were watching my every move.“Is this about the funeral, Atlas? Because you can’t keep putting it off forever. Aria isn’t coming back.” I heard the undertone in her voice. She was trying to be assertive but she was grieving like the res
Atlas’s POVThe small girl remains asleep for hours. Whether it was shock or tiredness that was causing her to sleep so heavily, I couldn’t tell. Her blonde hair was dirty. There were blood stains around her finger nails. Her blood splattered clothes were too small for her, torn in places too. Her feet were bare and didn’t look like they had been cleaned in days, maybe weeks.Hunter stirs in my arms, making little noises and I watch as the girl's face screws up. Like my son's sounds were causing her some distress. Calling for Aesha, she comes into my office and takes Hunter from me, casting a glance over the young girl.“Still not woken?” She asks and I shake my head.“I think she might have needed it.”“Sleep? She was with humans, surely they were looking after her, she is just a kid. At least you haven't killed her. Does that mean you are going ahead with what I suggested?"I don't respond. But I had investigated the girls feet. The hardened skin, the old scars, the clothes that wer
Atlas’s POVEveryone stayed out of my way except for one. He never spoke but it wasn’t like I could get rid of him either. His constant looks of disapproval and tutting were starting to grind on me.‘Ryan, if you don’t start keeping your disapproving looks to yourself, I will take that concoction that I made for Aria and block you altogether.’You’re losing it!‘Fuck off!’You need to talk about her!‘Will you shut the fuck up!’No. I loved her too and now, now you are just shutting down. Do you even care how I feel!‘You didn't love her, not like I did.’ There, I had said it. The overwhelming ache of my heart was almost too much. ‘But you got what you wanted, didn’t you, Ryan?’He is quiet again, because he knew exactly what I was referring to. The day he attacked her family. The plan he had made with Aria's sister, Seren. He had got what he wanted all along. A child with the woman he was mated too.It’s not like that. I made a mistake. He mutters at me, but I could feel that I had h
Atlas’s POVHuman after human, I tear them apart. Promising myself that I would get my revenge for what happened to my mate.The scent of blood swirled in the air as the humans screamed begging for their lives. They should not have come to war if they were not prepared to dieYou have to stop. This isn’t going to bring her back! Ryan pleads with me.But this is what they came for. They came for us and I had no intention of letting them leave.Humans tried to run, trying to escape their deaths and yet the Lycans and wolves seemed to have a whole new reason to kill. They wanted revenge for Aria’s death as much as I did.As the remnants of the humans laid scattered across the grounds, I instructed my men to check that no one was hiding amongst them. The last thing I needed was a human that could escape to tell the tale.Shifting back to my human form, I go back to Aria’s lifeless body. Pain exploded through my chest all over again as I held her close. She had been taken away from me, fr