Aria’s POV“No no no no no no!”What the fuck have we done?!"No no no no no!”It couldn’t have been me. Elijah is my mate! I wouldn’t kill him!Everything around me was splattered in blood. My own bare skin smeared in it. I couldn’t remember anything other than the beginning of my own shift. Everything was dark after that.It was hard enough with my other memory issues. I didn’t need this as well.“What did we do?”How the hell should I know? I remember as much as you.I didn’t even have a clue where I was. Staring at Elijah’s face, the tears fall thick and fast. I had killed my mate, just like Diamond said I would. Hugging my knees to my chest, I start to rock. My eyes on Elijah’s wide chestnut eyes. What do I do? He had always been the one to protect me. Had he seen it coming? Had I tracked him down?“ARIA, ARIA, ARIA.”They weren’t voices I recognised, but they were clearly looking for me. Diamond's words ring through my head, ‘there are consequences.’I think killing our mate i
Ryan’s POVThere had been chaos. I still don’t know how she got out. Howls had erupted around the field. The wolves alerting one another that a Lycan had managed to get free.I knew in my heart that it was her. It had to be her. It could only be her.Diamond had reassured me that time and time again no one had ever gotten out, but she didn’t know Aria like I did. Aria was good at figuring things out, she would be the one to find a way to get out.“I can help.” I had shouted to the wolves running in the direction of the cells.“Join the others tracking.”I hurried to the group that had already shifted. Their noses to the ground as they tried to pick up scents.One of the unshifted wolves throws something on the ground.“This is hers, sniff it, get her scent and track her down. Keep your distance, alert the rest. If you approach alone. You will be killed instantly.”I stare at the guy and then to the torn clothing on the ground. It was definitely Aria’s, it was the last thing that I had
Aria’s POV“What do you want me to do, Aria? Do you want me to drag you back kicking and screaming?”“I want to be left in peace. I screwed up, I killed my mate. You lot don’t even feel sorry for me. All you want to do is punish me.I haven’t even had time to process what happened.”“Aria…”“No Ryan. It’s been almost two years of dealing with this shit. There’s one thing after another and now—now this.”“That’s not my fault!”“Isn’t it? This all of it started because you killed my parents, wanting to make me some sort of whore for yourself. If you had just stayed away.”Give it to him, Aria. Punch him in the crotch.“I was wrong.”“You were wrong? Really, that’s all you think? You destroyed my life.”“I saved you as well if you remember, more than once!”Is he for real?“Aria, we have to go back.” He crouches in front of me, his amber eyes gazing into mine.“Why?”“Because there is nowhere else. Elijah’s pack will hunt you when they realise what you have done. Moon Bay doesn’t exist an
Ryan’s POV“Please tell me you are not being serious?!”“Aria, I don't definitively know, but it seems likely.”“She shifts like the rest of us. She shifted before my own shift started. It’s the last thing I remember before waking up. She won’t be in control either.”“I’m just saying, it seems a bit odd. An escape has never happened not sine Diamond has been an Alpha. You come here under her requests and suddenly all hell breaks loose. I do believe it is something to do with her.”“And where were you?” She is staring me down.“Inside the packhouse. Most wolves go on lockdown. Only a few stand guard. Seems like you killed them though.” It was a dig. I knew I shouldn’t have said it and she huffs at me.“Okay, so let's say this idea of yours is right. She wanted me to kill some of her wolves, kill Elijah too?”“Look, she mentioned something about having a full pack of Lycans. She hopes that me and her will finally be the first Lycans to reproduce, creating more.”“And you think that's th
Ara’s POV“Soulmates! Are you fucking joking?”I slam the door shut behind me, noticing how I was getting stares from random people.I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure not at first. It’s why you still thought about him. Why it was never just Elijah!“You still didn’t tell me!” My chest rises and falls quickly. I was so angry. It was such a stupid scenario.I didn’t know how to tell you. She groans“You didn’t know how to tell me? Well you certainly have no problem giving me your opinion.”I see Ryan striding across the car park towards me. Reaching across, I lock all the doors. I didn’t need him right now. I need Tala to tell me everything.“Aria open the door!”“No.” More and more people were watching now which was only angering me. Why did everyone have to watch?I’m sorry Aria.“All you lot do is apologise to me. Have you ever thought of just telling me first?”“Aria, please open the door!” Ryan was tapping on the window.“Why didn’t he shift?”I don’t follow.“You came after I shifted into
Ryan’s POVI had been fighting with the knowledge ever since the food court. Atlas kept telling me that I would have to share the information but how could I when the sleeping pill had really knocked her out. Plus we had the blood situation too that I was going to have to figure out, especially if I wanted her to live.As I tell her, she starts shaking her head. Her feet slamming into the ugly carpet as she stomped back and forth. Clearly in some sort of argument with Tala.‘You haven’t said why, Atlas! Why would Tala do something like that?’It happens everytime. We have been around for centuries, the Moon Goddess moves us to a new host when our old one perishes. She somehow shifts before me, each and every time. I never get a chance to find her first. Never a chance to protect her until it is too late.‘But she never said anything?’It takes Tala a while to figure it out. How do you think she has had so many hosts? She always gets herself killed.Atlas’s final words ring through my
Aria’s POV Her eerie eyes were narrowed in my direction as I made my way down the steps. She had found us too easily. I should have expected it. I would have done the same if I was going after my mate. I wouldn’t have wasted any time. She starts goading me. Trying to get a rise out of me as I moved in silence. Tell her to get her scrawny hands off of him or I will rip her head off! Ryan wasn’t even trying to fight back, like he was waiting to see how I would react. “Diamond, Diamond, Diamond. You have no idea do you?” “About what?” She snarls at me while keeping an arm pressed across Ryan’s chest, holding him firmly against the wall. “You were right.” “What are you talking about?” “You don’t have a mate!” If she was going to try and wind me up, I was going to do it right back, only I would hit her weakness, her need to be wanted, her happiness. “You shut your mouth little sister. You have no idea what you speak of.” “Maybe I don’t, maybe I do.” “You shouldn’t speak about
Ryan’s POVI didn’t want to believe the mutterings of Atlas, but it was all making perfect sense. How different Aria was, the midnight blue fur. Was this her destiny all along? To lead a pack of Lycan’s?They both stare at me. While Diamond is still, Aria’s head is shaking back and forth, like she didn't want to believe it, but Atlas knew the truth and so did I!“You’re wrong Ryan!” She flips her head in Diamond’s direction and growls at her. Telling her to stay exactly where she is.Aria grabs hold of my arm, her fingers digging into my flesh as she pulls me from the smashed up room and into the tiny kitchen. Which she screws her face up at, before turning to face me.“Ryan, what the hell are you talking about? She grumbles, trying to keep her voice low.“Exactly what I said, Aria, or rather what Atlas told me!”“You are wrong!”“I'm not and you lied about the reason for killing Elijah!” Atlas knew the moment the lies started spilling from her lips. “Am I wrong about that too?”She c
“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