Aria’s POV Rolling my eyes, I shake my head at Alpha Diamond. She was really desperate to make me stay and was now spewing the same crap to Elijah. Elijah’s head turns between us, finally stopping on me. His brow deepens. “Is this true Aria?” Shit! We should have just told him. Tala mumbles in my head It wasn’t because I didn't believe Alpha Diamond. Tala had already said that it was true, but she had also told me that we would be okay. That we wouldn’t be a monster like Alpha Diamond was making us out to be. “Why didn’t you tell me? Do you not think something like this is important?” “Yeah, but she is making it out to be a bad thing.” I shoot a glare at Alpha Diamond “Because it is. Aria you have no idea what you are dealing with. You said yourself that you don’t remember shifting.” Her voice grates on me, and the idea of ripping out my so-called sister's vocal chords seemed like a good idea. I agree, that seems like a brilliant idea. Tala is practically dancing with happine
Alpha Elijah’s POV“Let me see, “ I don’t give them a chance to hand it over. Instead ripping it from their grasps.His name was there, King Alwin, clear for all of us to see. It sat at the top of a long list of names. Names that I had never even heard of.“What is this shit?”“I don’t understand?” Aria mumbles from behind me. Her eyes running over the names.“This is a list of Lycans. Exactly what Ryan told you.”Alpha Diamond shakes her head at me like I was stupid.“You expect me to believe these are names of Lycans? Aria’s name isn’t even on it!”Alpha Diamond threw another scroll at me and there at the bottom was Aria’s name, but there was a name after hers. Ryan Conri!Only it didn’t have any details like the others, just his name.“What even is this?” I didn’t want to believe what I was seeing.“This is your problem Elijah!” she snatches the scrolls back out of my hands without looking at it. “You have trouble seeing what is right in front of you until it is too late.Alpha Diam
Aria’s POV“I’m not following.” I had just watched the man that I had once been in love with almost fall over himself to leave with my new sister.“Oh Aria. We have a lot to work on.” Elijah mumbles, his eyes still on the pieces of tatty paper.Even I’m not following. Tala muttersRolling my eyes, I followed Elijah out of the room, hoping that he was actually going to share some information with me.“King Alwin was looking for a Lycan, not a wolf. He never shifted so he needed an allie.”“He made a deal with my mother.” I mutter, remembering the words. He had killed my birth father.“Exactly. He knew what you were, Aria, he was just waiting for you. Hoping that you would have shifted.”“But he is dead now?” It was more of a question for myself. I was sure but not absolutely certain. I hated how my memory was fading, how I was having to listen to others and hoped that they were speaking the truth.“Yes!” He lets out a sigh. Almost like he was irritated by my questions. I couldn’t help
Ryan’s POVHow could she not know who I am? She was staring right at me, she had said my name moments before. Now as I watch her push the bottle of blood away, all I see is a sadness. Something that hadn’t even been there when she watched me kill her parents. She lets out a heavy sigh as she announces she no longer knows who she is. Elijah immediately tries to comfort her but she bats him away, like she wanted to make herself suffer. Her deep green eyes flash up to meet mine as tears begin to flow. Again, Elijah tries to put his arms around her, only this time, a growl escapes her.“She needs to drink the blood.” Diamond murmurs in my ear.“I won’t force her.”She scowls at me and grabs my arm. Pulling me from the kitchen. Aria’s eyes are on me as I’m pulled away.“The poison is going to kill her.” Diamond snaps at me.“Maybe that is what Aria wants, maybe she has had enough of this life, all the secrets that have been kept from her. Maybe she has decided enough is enough.”Diamond
Aria’s POVMy entire body cracks as I stretch out, my hand hitting Ryan. What was he doing here? He is sat, staring at me with those wide amber eyes of his.“What are you doing here?” I snap as I rub my head.“You asked me to stay?”“Why would I ask you? We aren’t mated anymore. You are with Diamond!”He frowns at me as he stands. Did I ask him?I think we did!“I was doing you a favour. At least that bit of blood has made you remember who I am!”Ryan storms from my room as Tala lets out a sigh.‘You tricked me!’ I grumble, climbing from the bed.You were going to let us die.‘I didn’t realise you could take over!’Only when you let me, but it was still nice to speak to him and not through you. I think he might actually care about us more than Elijah!‘No, I’m not playing this game Tala.’Come on! Are you not a least bit curious?‘No Tala. We are not having this conversation. He killed our parents, he killed Bea!’I feel her eye roll as she starts to sulk.When the door opens, I was h
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
“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