Ryan’s POVBoth Atlas and I had watched her sleep. Her face screwing up as she whimpered from the pain. The doctor kept reassuring us that it’s better if she remains asleep. That it would be better for the one remaining pup. That it would give her body chance to recover.Triplets, who would have thought it. The only thing was, it was going to have to be me that tells her what happened. It would have to be me that breaks the news.All those times that she had said she didn’t want it, may have been true once. But I saw the fear in her eyes, the moment she realised the pain was no longer from her heat, but of something much worse.She’s stirring!Atlas pulls me from the book that I’m reading. Glancing up at her, I see how she slowly turns her head back and forth, keeping her eyes squeezed shut.Giving her a moment to adjust, I break the news to her and for a moment, she seems like she is in denial, that she couldn’t quite believe that she had been pregnant with triplets. She wasn’t the o
Aria’s POVThe doctor runs over a few things with me as another nurse comes in. She tells me how they had to do a procedure that would allow the remaining pup to thrive. When I nod my head, acknowledging what she was saying. She raises an eyebrow at me.“You seem unphased.”“Shock.” I lie and I see the way she exchanges glances with the nurse. The doctor then scribbles something on the board in front of her.“Very well. The nurse is going to help you get into a fresh gown if that is okay.”I just nod. It wasn’t like I could refuse. Ryan was standing on the other side of the window along with Jacob. We were guests in his pack. I had to accept whatever it is that he decides.Just as the nurse pulls the blind shut, I see the doctor handing the board to Jacob. There wasn’t enough time to see his reaction.The nurse helps me change, but she keeps silent. Her eyes on me the entire time.As she goes to leave, I thank her and she nods her head, still not speaking. I was expecting Ryan to come
Ryan’s POVIt was wrong of Atlas to drop Tala in it like this. I couldn’t tell if Aria knew, all I could see was the fear in those green eyes.She knew something, she knew that Atlas was playing with fire, she knew that the next words out of her mouth would be the most important ones.“I don’t know what Atlas is talking about.” She tries to speak with a steady voice, a slight wobble almost gives her away. I try pushing myself back to the front, but this time, it was different. It felt like I was being held back, forced to keep quiet. All I could do was look on and plead with Atlas.“Then what is Atlas talking about?” Jacob asks quietly. His ice blue eyes dart in our direction, maybe he wouldn’t believe Atlas after all.“My Lycan hasn’t spoken to me in weeks.” Aria murmurs as she picks at the bedsheet.“What do you mean she hasn’t spoken in weeks?” Atlas’s voice rumbles through the room. “Why the hell haven’t you said anything?”“Because of this!” Aria glares at us. She was lying, sh
Aria’s POVRyan just stands there, hovering next to Jacob and another man. “Aria, I didn’t…”“Don’t lie!” I spit through my gritted teeth“Did you shift?”Is he fucking stupid. I can’t while we are carrying. Fucking idiot, why are they like this?“You’re that stupid?” I snarl, refusing to move. The wolves had backed off but they were still watching me, preparing to attack at any point.I’m not even sure what had made me so angry. I wasn’t even sure how I had trashed the hospital in no time at all.“Did Tala come forward?” He asks and I see Jacobs head turn to look at Ryan. I thought he had worked it out.How else would you do all of this“Tala? Are you fucking serious? I’m housing Tala?” Jacob is throwing his hands about in disbelief. If it had been a differnet situation, I think Atlas and Orcus would be fighting right about now.“Watch what you say!” I snap, getting to my feet“This is my pack. Do you understand? Mine, you can’t change that. If you dare lay a hand on anyone…”“What,
Ryan’s POVNothing I could say would reassure her. Aria was certain there was something fishy going on. No matter how much I tried to distract her, she would always circle us back to Jacob's mate, Daisy.“For once, I just want to trust my gut. Tala agrees with me. She thinks that there is a reason why Jacob is so eager for me to meet her. Not you, not anyone else, but me.”Of course Tala weighs in now. She keeps her mouth shut but now she has something to say. I bet its because of Orcus isn’t it? Go on, I dare you, ask her!‘Fine!’ I snap at him, but I would make sure that Aria knew the question wasn’t coming from me.“Atlas would like to know if Tala…” He growls at me “If Tala wants to meet up with Orcus?”What a surprise? I knew you would throw me under the bus.‘You asked’ I shrug my shoulders at him“Orcus shouldn’t have been such a dick then, should he!”Of course she would know, she was the one fucking him!“That was a long long time ago, when you were you, it’s not like she is
Aria’s POVRyan practically leaps out of the bath, fuming at the words Jacob spoke. He quickly grabs a towel before ripping the main bedroom door open to a smug looking Jacob.“You have to stop talking to her about like that or we are going to have some serious problems.”“Whatever, it is what she is!”Their voices go all quiet and as I climb from the bath, Tala tells me to stay.‘Why? They are clearly talking about us. That’s why they are trying to whisper.’Nothing good will come from staying in this pack.‘Well then, we need to change that. It doesn’t really help that my head is all over the place from this.’ I gesture at my small round belly.Then you need to start clearing your mind. You are becoming clouded by your own emotions.‘Says the Lycan who made me tear apart a hospital earlier.’That was….‘Your emotions!’ I snap, pulling a towel around my small frame.As soon as I step through the door, they stop speaking. Making it even clearer that they were talking about me.“If you
Ryan’s POV“You were gone for all of a few minutes. Did you run into her?”She violently shakes her head at me, chewing on her bottom lip.“I just can’t believe it.” She mutters, not quite making eye contact. “She said she hated our kind, well that was back when we thought we were Hybrids. She didn’t want anything to do with us.”“Aria, slow down.”“It’s Mel!”Who the fuck is Mel?‘Aria killed her human lover.’ I quickly remind Atlas“I killed her butler man person!” she almost whines.“Oh.” The human’s death had been what triggered Aria’s Lycan. “Are you sure it’s her?”From what I could remember, it seemed highly unlikely that Mel would be here and in a pack. She was pretty much a loner.”Well, I didn’t see her, but her voice is unmistakable. It has that weird twang to it.”She reaches for the door handle, “Aria, now is not the time.”“But I have to speak to her.”“You can, but wait until the dinner tomorrow. Jacob is obviously hiding her for some reason. He said she wasn’t here.”S
Aria’s POVI waited and waited for Ryan to follow me, but he doesn’t come. Instead he keeps himself away. Maybe it was for the best. I was angry and frustrated and as soon as I walked out the room, I knew I had overreacted, but there was no way I was going back in there.Laying on the bed, I look down at the tiny bump that had formed. I was still undecided about it. If I kept it, I would only let it down anyway, I wasn’t exactly a great role model. But it would make Ryan and Atlas happy. That was unless Frederick somehow got his hands on me.We have been through this. This is our baby. Why are you not connecting with it?I didn’t know why, but she was right. I didn’t feel anything for it.You are just not trying. Stop thinking of all the bad shit and enjoy this.‘It doesn’t help when there is still dodgy stuff going on. Like why is Mel pretending to be someone else? Does Jacob even know or is he in on it? Then don’t forget there is the small problem of my biological father oh and the
“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