Ryan’s POVI left when Mel asked me too. There was no point in me staying. Instead I make my way back into the town, I wasn’t going home, I had to be close by just in case. I had given Mel my number and was surprised when she actually called.“Elijah has taken her home.”“When?”“Yesterday. I made her leave. After what she did, she is lucky to be alive.” Her voice was cold and unforgiving.Mel fills me in on the murder Aria had commited. It didn’t sound like her, but then she had killed her sister when she felt threatened or maybe it was self defense.“You let him take her?”“She isn’t welcome in my house. I thought I was doing a good thing, but I’m right, nothing good comes from bringing multiple Hybrids together.”“You don’t understand Mel. I am going to die if she goes with him.”“Pfft. You are having a laugh right? What the hell gave you that idea?”“It’s in our history. Male Hybrids can’t survive without having an heir with their mate.” She bursts into laughter“You talk some shi
Aria’s POVThe red fog starts to lift. I could just tell that I had shifted multiple times. There was always an ache, after one shift. Now, my body ached like I had done ten rounds in a boxing ring. Sitting up right, I realise that I am completely naked. Why could I never remember? It was like the blood did something else to me. Like my brain blocked out anything from the moment I consume blood.The bathroom door swings open and Elijah steps out. Fresh claw marks on his face were quickly healing, same as the wounds on his body. But why was he here? The last thing I remember is being in the kitchen.“Ah, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”. He pats his body down with a towel, not making eye contact.“You’re right,” I mutter through clenched teeth. I was a monster.“Pardon?”“You’re right. I am a monster. Elijah I told you to get out. Now I’m here!”“And that is exactly where you will be for the next few weeks.”“You’re locking me in?” This could not be happening again.“It’s for your
Alpha Elijah’s POVRyan had arrived the day after I had shut Aria away. I hadn’t been sure when he would turn up. I just knew he would, especially after what happened at Mel’s. Not only that, he couldn't stay away as mush as I couldn't. Almost like she was constantly calling to our souls.He had arrived in my pack like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. His head low, his shoulders hunched, hands shoved in his pockets. He only asked to speak to me. He never requested to see Aria, which I had found odd.“I know what happened at Mel’s,” he sighs as he sinks down into one of the chairs in my office. We were only down the hallway from Aria but he still didn’t say anything. It made me feel uneasy.“So why are you here? Do you want to see her?”He shakes his head at me, frowning.“There is something you need to know about her.”This time he glances over his shoulder and deeply inhales.“You don’t want her anymore?” I was a little confused. He had been fighting for so l
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
“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