Ryan’s POVFuck! Fuck! Fuck!Her father, he had known about this and Alwin had known about Aria all along. Her father had done everything he could to keep her safe, including making me vow to protect her. Everything was just so fucked up, I wish Aria’s father had just told me the truth. All the bits with Seren wouldn't have happened. I most likely wouldn't have killed her parents. We could have been happy! I was so fucking stupid!“This has always been the plan!” I shake my head at Simon “I had been so caught up in this plan of making Aria mine that I failed her entirely. I missed the most important thing.”“I take it you’ve come up with something then?” He takes his feet off the desk and folds his arms across his chest.“Alwin has had this in place for years, it’s just been a huge benefit to him that Aria is mated to Elijah as well as me. It made it easier to trap her.”“Elijah will find her!”“What if he doesn’t, what if Alwins plan involves taking us down completely? Her wolf is po
Alpha Elijah’s POV“WOW!”I turn to look at Chepi who was busy spinning in circles, her face tilted up towards the dark sky and her eyes closed.“You’ve really never been outside?!”“He never allowed it, but this. I just can’t believe that I have been missing out on this for so long.”The house was surrounded by hills, like it sat in a valley. From far away it would make the house look tiny but that was far from the truth. The house had many floors, dieen spaces everywhere and I was certain it was bigger on the inside than what it appeared to be from the outside.The smell of rotting bodies was just as strong out here. Almost eye wateringly strong but at the same time I could still scent Aria, but only a little.“This way." I let the mate bond lead me, pulling Chepi along with me. She was in awe of everything around her. Her eyes constantly focussing on the starlit sky. This was nothing, here it was always like this, the sun never shone. It was constant darkness, another way for Alwin
Aria’s POVOpening my eyes, something didn’t look right. It took me a moment to realise that I am upside down, my head bobbing inches from the grass. A hand is clasped around my ankles and my hands are bound behind my back.The cream shirt I was weraring was drenched in blood. My own I assume and as I look at the grass and see a trail of red droplets following us. My wounds had opened up again, it explained why I felt so spaced out and off.Willing myself to shift, nothing happens and instead I am left with the dull throb in my head. How long had I been upside down?I’m sure I heard Ryan speak back to me. Had he or had I imagined it? He had no idea where I was anyway. Elijah couldn't hear me either, I was on my own.“Care to know where you are going?”I hadn’t spoken so how did he know I was awake? Again, I choose to keep my mouth shut, it was better for him to think that I was out of it. Alwin suddenly drops me to the ground. My neck cracked as I hit the floor head first sending a s
Ryan’s POVAfter telling Elijah everything, we agreed to split into two parties, it would make searching for her easier. Simon came with me so he could pass messages back and forth between us if needed, letting one another know if she had been found. I’m not sure what Elijah’s plan was but I was following my nose.It was the first time I had ever scented her, if it was her. So I was taking a huge risk in believing it was Aria, but there had to be a reason why I could suddenly scent her.“How can you be sure Aria is what you are smelling?” Simon questions me as we move.“Gut instinct!”“What if it is someone else that you are mated too?”“It’s not.” I was certain of it, it had to be Aria. It didn’t make sense for it to be anyone else but I was still confused as to why I could suddenly scent her.We moved through the darkness and I glance at the watch on my wrist. It was reading 2:20pm so how was it night here.Like he knew what he was thinking, Simon whispers, reminding me that time wa
Alpha Elijah’s POVI hated what I was seeing, the way she was curled up in his arms, the way her lips were locked onto his wrist as she fed but I knew that right now, he was the only one that could help her. My blood was not enough, me holding her wouldn’t have been enough. She may hate him, but Ryan was saving her.I didn’t disagree when Ryan said he was taking her home. It wasn’t safe for Aria here and I had no idea what was about to happen. All I know is that Alwin would pay for this. I would make sure of that.My pack doctor links me to tell me that he has Aria. At least Ryan had kept to what I had asked him. She was in my pack and hopefully that would be enough to keep her safe.“What do you want us to do Alpha?” Simon glances from where Aria had been laid to look at me. He was calling me Alpha. That wasn’t a good sign. He was afraid of something, it wasn’t like him. Simon was so confident but we were about to fight the unknown.Chepi just looks at me with wide eyes. She had bee
Alpha Elijah’s POVAlwin starts to laugh, pressing his own neck against the knife Chepi held until it was cutting into his throat. Any deeper and he wouldn’t be able to tell me anything.“What did you do to her?” He must know that he is out of time, that he cannot escape this.His lips curve up as he smiles at me. He somehow swings out of Chepi’s grip, reversing the pose so that the blade is now pressed against her throat. He wipes his own blood away with his free hand.“Dearest daughter. I thought better of you. But it appears that I have only one faithful child, one child who is loyal no matter what.”He rips the blade across her throat, splitting her skin and causing her blood to spurt everywhere. It takes Chepi a moment to realise what is happening. Her hands frantically grabbing her throat, her eyes search mine but the light quickly dims as her body falls to the floor. He had killed his daughter without hesitating. Dropping the blade, he spits on his daughter.“You won’t find he
Ryan’s POVIt had been almost a week since bringing Aria back but I knew time worked differently there. It most likely wouldn’t even be half a day there and I hope Elijah had put Alwin in his place, or whatever he was planning. Maybe he would have killed him, it was the least he could do!Aria hadn’t moved, well, apart from the nurses moving her to check and redress her wounds. They were sort of healing but not enough to know that she was cured. The doctor had managed to get more blood from the human hospital and I hadn’t asked how. It wasn’t something that I was overly concerned about, as long as he was able to able. Aria was my priority and she always would be from now on.The nurse comes in to change the blood bag and she shoots a smile in my direction.“I’m sorry there has been no change. We are doing what we can!” She rubs my back, like she was reassuring a child.“I know.” I move away and sit down, I wasn’t interested in conversation either. I just wanted Aria to be better. To k
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
“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