Ryan’s POV This was it. Every part of me felt it as I watched her start to shift. This was how it was going to end. She was finally going to put me out of my misery. End my life once and for all. Her eyes are the darkest I have ever seen. Like I was staring into a deep hole with no end in sight. Her bones crack more than usual as her body lengthens. Elijah wraps his arms around her waist, trying to lock her in place. But she fights through them. He does everything he can to hold her back. My rejection, it had signalled something else. A transition that couldn't be stopped. No longer a wolf but something entirely different. Her eyes were dark and her teeth long. She was still a midnight blue but much bigger than before. Growls came from somewhere deep inside her as she stared at me. I was her target, no one else. With one swipe of her arm she sends Elijah crashing into the wall. If he had been human, he would have died on impact. He stands and charges at the monster Aria had becom
Alpha Elijah’s POVHe meant it this time. I looked on as Ryan walks across my grounds. Not even bothering to look back. Whenever he had arrived in my pack before, there was always something. An action that would signify his true feelings, but not this time. He had made his peace with it. I only hoped that he didn’t go around and spread the news about Aria.There was no need for a blood test. I had seen for myself what she had become. Though it opened up more questions. Mostly I wanted to know why the Moon Goddess kept it a secret. She had warned me, but she had never told me the truth. Payback I guess for lying to Aria.Aria’s small frame stretches out in the bed. Her bones crack as they reset and she lets out a big yawn before curling back up in a ball. I was in new territory. It wasn’t like I could ask the Fae either. The Fae were created first, chances are they had dealt with Lycans at some point, but the Fae were gone. They couldn’t give me any information. I was in this alone.“
Aria’s POVThey were lying to me.Don’t trust them. Tala mutters at me as Elijah guides me away.Tala. I hadn’t expected it. I had never heard of it. To have another voice in my head that wasn’t mine, it was just odd. It hadn't taken me long to get used to her either. It sort of felt like she had always been there.After I had shifted she had woken. Explaining to me that she had waited for a long time for me. When I asked her why now. She told me it’s because my true self had been locked away. She needed me to be free. Where had she been when Alwin had tried to kill me?Blood gave us freedom.The thought sits uncomfortably. With Tala came something else. My senses had been heightened further. I could hear Elijah and Simons conversation from the bedroom, well some of it. Simon was fleeing because of me.He is just scared.Those were the words she had used. Scared. People don’t get scared of me. I had always been the weakling. No matter what, I had never been one to be feared. If anyt
Alpha Elijah’s POVThe next few days pass in a bit of a blur. I was trying to come up with a way to introduce Aria as a Lycan. Every possible scenario ended with her killing everyone. It only made things worse when I could hear Aria talking to herself or rather this Tala.Aria’s side of the conversation never sounded good.Returning home from a run with my pack, I find her sat on the stairs. Her elbows on her knees, her head sitting in her hands. Deep in thought with her eyes closed. I wouldn’t have been so bothered if it wasn’t for the fact she was naked.“Aria?”She opens one eye and frowns at me. Before sitting up straight and looking around the foyer.“Not again.” she races up the stairs and out of sight.“Not again?” I couldn’t help but keep the amusement out of my voice. Though she didn't hear me, she was already gone.Taking the stairs two at a time, I hear the bedroom door slam shut.“Aria?” Pushing the door open, I find her marching back and forth, biting on a nail. Dressed
Ryan’s POVI had been more than pissed off when I had bumped into Simon. He wasn’t someone I wanted to see let alone speak too. But when he told me he had left the pack, I was shocked. He had stood by Elijah through a lot of things.“I know what she is Ryan.” They had been the first words out of his mouth.“That doesn’t explain how you found me.”“It doesn’t matter. But you know, don't you?”“Of course I do!” I had snapped. It was one of the major reasons I had rejected her. “Now if you don’t mind, I am trying to eat.” I had hoped that he would just leave me alone, but he stood there watching me. Waiting for me to say something.“Simon, go home.”“I can’t. I’m not going back to an Alpha that wants to be with that beast.”“Keep your voice down.” I had growled at him. For some reason. I had decided to do what Elijah had asked of me. To keep Aria a secret from the world. Deep down I had known it was the right thing to do. Wolves hated Hybrids, I could only imagine what they would do if t
Ryan’s POVAlpha Diamond moves towards us, suddenly diving into the shelves where I had thrown the scrolls. Grabbing the scroll I had just tossed away.Simon makes for the door but he isn’t quick enough and Diamond throws herself against it.“So it’s true. My sister has shifted at long last.” Her eyes run over the last entry. “Bring her to me.”“Trust me, she isn’t going anywhere with us.” Simon mutters as he repositions himself next to me.“I don’t understand. How are you sisters? You look nothing alike.” I mutter as I gaze into my new mates eyes.“Same low life father.” She mumbles, seemingly annoyed that I had even asked the question. "Spreads his seed and fucks off. He must be dead because there are no more.""It doesn't make sense. You have the same surname but thats the surname of Aria's parents."“More than one family can have the same surname. Now bring her to me.” she growls.“We can’t-”“Fine.” I snap, cutting Simon off. It was the only way of getting out of here. Diamond wa
Alpha Elijah’s POVI couldn’t believe the pair of them. They really expected me to believe that there was a whole pack of Lycans? That Aria had a long lost sister? After everything?Stepping outside the cafe, I shake my head in disbelief. I would know if there was an entire pack of Lycans running around.“Just give Aria a chance.”“A chance to what?” Ryan had followed me out of the cafe.“To learn about who she is.”“I’m pretty sure Tala can tell her.” I groan.“Tala?”“Oh, didn’t you hear? Aria can hear her Lycan…apparently.”“I don’t follow.”“Did Alpha Diamond not tell you that bit? The shift into that thing brought out something else inside of her. Aria says that Tala has been waiting ages.”“That’s because she killed that guy right, the human at Mel's?” Ryan mutters“We don’t know that for certain.”“We do. It’s what triggers the shift.”“What are you talking about?”“A Lycan comes from a Hybrid. Killing a human is what makes them shift into a monster.”“So you are trying to tel
Aria’s POVThe silence from the men was frustrating but at least I had Tala to talk too.What is White Light Pack.I shrug my shoulders.You must have heard of them before.‘No, never. Elijah thinks they can help me.’Don’t trust anyone Aria. It could be a setup. To get us away from Elijah’s pack.‘Elijah wouldn’t do that,’ I snap in annoyanceYou didn’t think that Ryan would reject you either.‘You certainly know how to make things better,’ I watch as Ryan turns to look at me. His amber eyes are unreadable.Why is he looking at us like that?‘Like what?’ Because as far as I was aware, he was just looking at meLike he knows something. Ask him..“What are you hiding?” “What do you mean?” he speaks so casually and I second guess what Tala is saying.He is definitely hiding something.“Why are you here Ryan? You rejected me. Why do you want to come one this trip?”He turns back in his seat, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. His mouth sealed shut.“To see his new mate.” Elijah answers
“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