Aria's POVEverything felt off. Like I was falling and flying at the same time. My bones ached, my muscles hurt and every breath felt like it was going to be my last one.My mother comes and goes, telling me it is not my time but I cannot keep fighting. My own breath is raspy, catching in my throat any time I try to take a deep inhale. It hurt alot, like I was trying to do something I shouldn’t.I had faced death over and over. Ryan, my own sister, Elida and now Alwin. Maybe the Moon Goddess had always planned for me to live a short life. Even though I was in a constant state of confusion, I could hear him. How could it be him? I had chosen Elijah. Ryan’s voice always filled my head, begging me to open my eyes, to give him a sign that I was alive but I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to be alive.In the darkness there was a light and yet it seemed that I could not move towards it. Like it was waiting for me to make my move but I was frozen.Something warm touches my hand, but I see not
Ryan’s POVThis was something different. Feeling the same thing that she was feeling, I just knew that we were supposed to be together. Watching her go through it was heartbreaking. Her body jerked around no matter how we tried to hold her down.Her eyes rolled back in her head at one point, the pain that was radiating through her should not be happening. When the nurse calls out that it’s her body trying to reject the poison. I knew I hate to fight everything that I was feeling. More nurses come in but with blocks of ice wrapped in cloth. Her body was burning up, like her skin was actually on fire. She slowly turns from white to red as the heat takes over her body but this wasn’t heat from mating, this was the work of the Fae poison.“You have to do something!” I yell over the screams coming from Aria as we try to hold her down.“There is nothing we can do. This is all on her. Her body will either make it or give up.” The doctor shouts back.Aria’s fangs are still down, her fingers
Alpha Elijah’s POV“What the hell do you mean?! How the fuck can a Fae be missing, she was locked up, behind iron bars!” I was furious. Already worried about Aria and how Ryan was suddenly so attached to her. I really didn’t need to be dealing with this Fae again.“Could she have disappeared with the others?” Simon questions“No. Alwin spoke of her in his dying words. How she was the only daughter that could follow rules and how she was basically the best thing to him.”Simon and I hurry out to the dungeons but Ryan refuses to come, telling me once again that he will not leave Aria’s side. He was really starting to become a pain in my arse.In the dungeons I scan over everything but the door to her cell was locked. It hadn’t been tampered with and I could see no evidence of Fae magic.“Would someone let her out?” Simon asks and if he wasn’t the closest thing I had to a friend, I would have ripped his head from his shoulders.“Not a chance. This has Alwin written all over it.”“What do
Aria’s POVI had to pretend. I had to make sure she thought I was out of it as she pinned herself down on top of me, trapping me beneath her. But tearing her throat out? I had acted without thinking about it. My body moving on its own. Like a fight or flight situation.Her body slides off me, her hand clamped to her neck as life faded from her eyes. Her body hits the floor with a heavy thud as I spit out her blood.“You killed her!” Elijah mutters as he checks Seren for a pulse. There wasn’t any point in him trying but he did anyway.“I beat her to it.” I mutter as I sit myself up. Seren’s blood was all over me and I quickly pull the blood soaked clothes off.“You killed your sister.” Elijah is watching me as I pull on fresh clothes.“She was going to kill me and like she has always said. I am not her sister.” I hated the sound of my casual and calm voice but it was true, it was either me or her and I chose me!Something in me had changed. I could feel it. There was no longer a desire
Ryan’s POVMy head hurt like a bitch as I rub the back of it. First I see Seren, a huge chunk torn out of her throat and then I see them. Aria has Elijah pinned down. She is also in her wolf form. A midnight blue wolf. The rarest wolf of all.Pleading with her not to do anything stupid. She turns her head in my direction. Her eyes running over me before they settle on my eyes, but as she stares into mine. I feel my own heart skip a beat, followed by a longing to protect her.“Aria, this isn’t what you want?”“How do you know?” I’m surprised to hear her voice in my head. The only time she had linked me before was to ask for my help and I had thought that was a fluke.“I know you Aria. You wouldn’t hurt anybody!”Her eyes shift to Seren’s lifeless body. “I killed her!”How was I supposed to answer that? Her first kill had been her own sister. Not only that but she didn’t seem phased by what she had done. She moves a foot so that it is pressed against Elijah’s neck. He doesn’t even fig
Alpha Elijah’s POV“You think you know where she is?” I ask Ryan as we make our way through the forest.“I don’t think, I know!” I snap back at him.“Did you mark her? Is that how you know?” If he had, I would be ready to kill him.“No.”Could I trust that he was telling me the truth? He had no reason to lie to me and we were both searching for the same person. Though this was my forest and I knew it like the back of my hand. It still felt like I was the one kept in the dark.“Where is she going?” I was hating the fact that I was having to rely on him. I couldn’t sense her in the same way that Ryan was describing. It was like I had marked her for no reason at all.“Home!”“This is her home!” I was growing more and more agitated as we moved, his short answers were the last thing that I needed.“No, there is only one place that she has ever called home.”I could already tell we were heading towards the river. The gushing of the water as it hit the surrounding rocks brought back memories
Aria’s POVI couldn’t link Elijah. I knew he and Ryan had followed me to the river. But that was as far as I wanted them to come. I tried to remember what Elijah had told me about linking someone but it was no use. It just didn’t work.Ryan, I could try with him I guess. It had worked when I almost died.“Don’t come after me. I need space.” I whisper through the link. “You and Elijah need to stay away.”I needed time alone. I needed the time to think properly. I was still coming to terms with the idea of me being used. How my life had been for one simple thing. My father had made Ryan promise to protect me, but I couldn’t shake the past. He had done some cruel things to me. He had made me suffer all for his own gain. If he had never left, things might have been different.On all fours, I charge towards my old home. Moon Bay still sat in the middle of the grounds, like it hadn’t been touched with evil.Padding towards the house. A female steps outside, bowing to me. Her eyes remind me
Aria’s POVRunning as fast as I could. My body darts between the trees, trying to move as quickly as I could. I was fast, faster than the average wolf but it seemed that she was just as quick. Her hands grasping at me and pulling out tufts of my fur.She screeches at me as we race through the forest.“I will make sure you die this time!”Trying not to look back, I keep moving. Her long fingers seemed to be getting closer and closer to my skin each time. I dare not turn around. I can’t risk biting her again, not after what happened last time.The more I run, the more I realise that I am losing my bearings. Was I running towards the river or was I going in circles? The chase was confusing my mind and I was finding it hard to remember everything.“I will make your kind pay!”Her voice is ear splitting. How Ryan had ever managed to put up with her, I do not know.I just needed a minute, I just needed time to think, to get myself back on track.There was only one option that I could think
“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