Ryans POV I know what I saw, I don’t care if she wants to deny it. She has her wolf. She has met her mate. He was at the Moon Ball and I had let him leave. There is pure fear in her green eyes as she peers up at me. Her body was trembling, I hadn’t seen her this way before, even when I punished her. She was truly scared. Aria drove me mad. I don’t know why, but she did, I wanted to punish her and care for her at the same time. Here in this moment, she really thought she was telling me the truth. Reaching down I grab her hand. There were no marks, no signs that she had shifted before, but she definitely had claws. To be able to partially shift, she needed to have fully shifted.. “I will ask you once more, Aria. Did you meet your mate at the Moon Ball?” She shakes her head, her dark hair fanning out as she bites on to her bottom lip. I wasn’t going to get answers from her, not now. Not why she was refusing to tell me anything.. Rolling my eyes, I drop her hand, and walk to the bat
Aria’s POV He leaves me standing alone, as he hurries from the room. I was gobsmacked, not only was Ryan my mate, but he was hiding something from me. Wolves couldn’t heal other wolves, it was just impossible. So how had he done it? I take a moment to look in the mirror, confused by how easily I had healed. Thin pink lines sat on my skin which were quickly fading. Rummaging through Ryan’s closet, I pull out one of his t-shirts, and hastily yank it on. It was big on me, almost reaching my knees, but it did the job. I had to get out of here! Hammering on the door, no one answers, not immediately. I start screaming for help when I hear a female voice on the other side, a voice that I recognised. “Please stop Aria, you will make it worse” “Bea?” I didn’t understand, the Doctor had told me that Kyle had gotten away with Bea. How was my best friend here?. “Yes, please just keep your voice down!” “I thought you escaped with Kyle” I whisper through the locked door. “I did, but they fo
Ryan’s POV I try my hardest to move us away from the rocks but the current was strong and was quickly dragging us along. It’s Aria that hits the rocks instead of me. Her head colliding with them with a massive bang and a large gash appears on her forehead. Blood spills quickly, the red bleeding into the clear water. Her body stills instantly, her head falling to one side as she slips under the water. Struggling to keep her afloat as well as pull her towards the river bank, I let my wolf take over. Strength surges through me as I shift, but I finally manage to get us out. Hauling our bodies out, Aria remains still, her chest unmoving. Quickly shifting back, I start compressions, begging that she makes it through. Now was not the time for her to die. As water spurts from her mouth, she takes a deep breath, one that makes her whole body shudder as she coughs and splutters. I could not believe how stupid she had been, but I still sigh with relief as she breathes. “Fuck Aria, why would
Aria’s POV Glaring at Ryan, I was annoyed that he had decided that now should be the time to talk. “So you are finally going to tell me? Explain why you killed my parents, why you disappeared in the night, why you whipped me?” I snap at him, my arms folding across my chest as I feel my heartbeat quicken. I was confused and annoyed by his sudden change of interest, his sudden need to talk to me. “Your father fucked up!” “What?” “I am just trying to tell you what happened!” “My father did no such thing. He was a good man, he let you stay, you’re the one that screwed him over!” I wasn’t listening to this, my father was a good man who would do anything for his pack. “Aria, the Blood Oath, it isn’t what you think it is!”. “What are you trying to say Ryan?” my foot was now tapping on the floor. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, otherwise I may just attack him. “The Blood Oath your father made me take, it wasn’t what you thought it would be, it was one where I was forced t
Ryan’s POV I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her as she leaves. I was confused that she hadn’t asked more questions about the news of me being a Hybrid. I was certain she would have more questions. She also hadn’t pushed the matter when it came to Bea, but I had no plans of letting them see each other, even if I did tell her that I would think about it. Remaining in the office, I think over our conversation. Aria was in complete denial over the news of her father. Yet she hadn’t really said much when I told her that I was a Hybrid and for some reason, it bothered me. It wasn’t like her, Aria liked to know the ins and outs of everything, so why had she been so quiet about my identity? After a few hours of no commotion, I head back to the bedroom with food for Aria, maybe I should have checked on her. Though I believed her when she told me that she would go back to the bedroom. Passing Bea who was carrying a pile of sheets, her head drops as soon as she sees me “Alpha” she quietly ackn
Aria’s POV The knock at the door makes me jump. If it had been Ryan, he would have just walked in and so would my sister. Frowning, the knock comes again, this time more urgent. Pulling the door open, I’m shocked to see Bea standing there, a small smile on her face as but her skin was dull, like she hadn’t seen sunlight in a while. I throw myself at Bea, knocking the plate of food to the floor. Tears appear in both of our eyes as we hold on to one another. I just couldn’t believe it. I thought I was never going to see her again. “Bea, what happened?” I question her as I beckon her into the room Bea scoops up the plate and the fallen food, she closes the door. “Don’t worry about me, Aria are you okay?” I shake my head at Bea “My head hurts, I don’t understand. Seren hates me, I have no idea where Kyle is and my parents are dead!” Bea hugs me again, apologising that she hadn’t been there for me. “Look, Kyle has gone to his mates pack, but I had to tell Ryan. He wouldn’t have
Ryan’s POV I listen to them for a while. It wasn’t hard, I didn’t even need to be close to the room. Their voices travelling along the hallway. They both squeal when I knock on the door. As I step in, Bea immediately gets to her feet and bows her head, something that I expected all my slaves to do. “Bea, your time with Aria is over. Leave!” Bea runs by me and I notice the plate of food on the table. It hadn’t been touched. I was concerned by the lack of food Aria was consuming lately. “Feel better?” I ask as I walk by her to the bathroom, deciding not to bring up the topic of food, she already hated me as it was. I’m surprised when she follows me, her face wrinkled up in annoyance. “You are really a hybrid?” “Yes” I turn back to the basin and remove my top. Taking a cloth, I wash my face and catch her reflection in the mirror. Her green eyes were darkening as she stared at me. Something that would only happen if she had her wolf. I knew I hadn’t imagined seeing her claws. “
Aria’s POV Sprinting back to my old room, I slam the door and somehow find the strength to push the wardrobe in front the door, barricading myself inside. He had killed my best friend! He had killed my best friend, all because he couldn’t sense that I was his mate! The scream tears through me as I finally let out all the anger I had been holding in. Ryan was a cruel man, a man that didn’t deserve to have a mate and yet it was getting harder and harder to fight the mate bond. I just didn’t know if I was coming or going anymore. Sitting on the end of the bed and jiggling my leg. I chew on a nail trying to figure out my next steps as I wait for the door handle to be tried. I was fully expecting Ryan to come back and whip me again. I had nowhere else to go, if I tried to run again, he would just come after me, dragging me back here. I couldn’t even cry, I was just so angry. Bea had done nothing wrong, she didn’t deserve to die. It was all because I kept a lie, refusing to let Ryan kn
“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