RyanIt felt good to be back in control, to have that power again. I just needed Aria on board. I may have marked her, but she still needed to agree to help take over. We could both lead the Lycan’s into a new era. To a place where we didn’t have to remain so secretive from the wolves.I knew that I had left her questioning herself, but it was time for her to accept that she was the same as us. That her once quiet life was something of the past. She was built for chaos.Lycans will rule.‘But we can’t do it alone. We need our Queen.’She will come around. Tala will be working her magic.‘And then what, we seek out the Lycan’s that are here in England?’Exactly. Then we will reveal ourselves to the world.I hadn’t realised that that would be his plan.‘To the humans?’Fucking humans, they did me wrong!Atlas had never mentioned the humans, not in this way. I could feel his anger bubbling away and I was about to ask when Aria came crashing through the door. She was shifting, but it look
AriaI could hear their voices. Travelling through the small house, echoeing through the empty rooms. They were talking about me and a young voice was claiming to be my sister. I should have gone down. There were a lot of things I should have done, instead I chose to stay here, listening with my ear pressed to the floor.There was more than one person, I could smell them and yet, this young one was the other one to speak. Was she the oldest? Were they children?Just go down and see.'No, not until I know what is happening. It's probably some sort of trap.' Tala rolls her eyes at me but quietens down.The moment the young girl said my father was alive, I was out the door and down the stairs. In the kitchen the girl was surrounded by eight men. Different coloured eyes all turn to look at me. But hers stood out the most. They were exactly like mine. Same dark hair too.“Ryan…”He stands next to me and asks how much I have heard. “Some.” I stare at the young girl, the one that looked jus
Aria’s POV“The genes that I carry? What about you? You carry the same gene, look at you, you are a Lycan person too!”Ryan’s amber eyes turn back to me. “Either way, they know that you are here now.”“And? It doesn’t mean anything. Just because they know that I am here, doesn’t mean that I want to know them.” He cocks an eyebrow at me, “You really expect your father to leave you alone or even Aesha for that matter?”“Well, what does Atlas think I should do?” I knew I was playing with fire. I could tell by the way Ryan looked at me, that he was pissed off. That he was annoyed with the fact that I had even asked.“Atlas thinks the same as I do.”“And what’s that?”“That you should go to your father, see what he wants.”I wasn’t convinced that was what Atlas wanted until he made his appearance. Ryan’s amber eyes swap for the dark ones of Atlas. “You know we are right Aria. If you don’t go to him. There is a good chance that they will just keep returning. It maybe the girl he keeps sen
Ryan’s POVAtlas had Aria doing things that I never thought were possible. Her eyes were constantly rolling to the back of her head as she orgasmed over and over. Even when she called out his name, it only made him work harder. When he was done, he retreated back, all smug. Telling me that he had finally got his way with her, that it wouldn’t be me she would want anymore.‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’“Oh you will see.’It felt like he was gaining more and more control everyday. What was worse is how she valued his thoughts and ideas more than mine.Not once did she say no to him, not once did she recoil. Was Aria only keeping me around because of Atlas?I glanced over at her as she laid sprawled out on the bed. Atlas had had her in nearly every room where she had been screaming his name. Finally ending in the bedroom.Her deep green eyes turn towards me, her smile fading from her face immediately.“He’s gone, already?”“Yes.”“Oh.”Aria rolls on her side to look at me pr
Aria’s POVRyan just sits quietly, his eyes refusing to move from me as I ate. We only went through a drive through, but he didn’t order anything for himself. He just watched me. He started making me feel self conscious about the way I ate. With every bite, I would turn away from him, hiding my face as I chewed. When I looked back, he would always be staring at me. It was always him too, never Atlas. Atlas hadn’t shown himself since we had sex. I hoped it wasn’t a bad sign because I certainly enjoyed it.As I finish my last bite, Ryan smiles at me.“Done?”I nod my head in confusion, why was he so eager to get away. He doesn’t even wait for me to answer, quickly driving the car out of the parking lot.“You’re mad.”“I’m not mad.” He snaps back at me“Then what is the matter?”He cocks an eyebrow at mw, “You don’t know?”“What? I thought you would be happy that I have agreed to see this vampire!”“It’s not…“You were the one saying that we need to find out what he wants and now that I
Ryan’s POVShe was hurt and I didn’t like seeing her that way.‘Atlas, you have to stop. You have to give her a chance!’ I force myself to the front and we almost drop Aria.“Why are you doing this? I thought…” She trails off as she looks up and realises that it was me carrying her, that Atlas was no longer in control. “Why is he doing this?”I should tell her. I really should but I just couldn’t bring myself to say anything.“At least tell me where you are taking me!”“Somewhere safe.” I mutter“Somewhere safe! Safe from whom?”“From yourself. Atlas is right. This pup isn’t just yours, it's mine too.”“That’s what you wanted all along right?” she squirms in my arms. “For you to impregnate me, for you to be able to carry on your bloodline.”“That was before when I thought I would die. Aria, you are not even giving it a chance.”“Because I’m a fine example of what a mother should be?!”I stop in my tracks, “Maybe more so than you realise.”She better start getting a grip if she knows w
Aria’s POVAesha pulls me from the road. I wasn’t expecting her, I wasn’t expecting to find anyone. My priority was to get awsy, to give myself space.“Why are you running?” She looks up and down at me. “You’re all sweaty and gross!”“Ryan…” I mutter and she nods her head like she knows.“Dad will be happy! Come with me.”“No, I just, I just want to go back to the house.” I just needed time to think. I just needed space from Ryan and Atlas, though they were pretty much the same person now, yet I somehow wanted both of them.“Aria, I can smell the difference in you.” Aesha walks in a circle around me. “But, what is it?”“I’m pregnant.” There was no point hiding it. Like she said, she could smell something different about me and it would be easy enough to work out. Especially if I start vomiting again.“Really? Are you being serious right now? Like a proper Lycan baby, created by both Lycan’s?”I glance over my shoulder, listening to the rustling of leaves. Ryan wouldn’t be far behind.
Ryan’s POVShe sways her balance from one foot to the other, chewing on her bottom lip. She couldn’t trust me. No matter what, she couldn’t find it in her heart to trust me. I had to prove to her that she could.‘This is your fault!’ I mutter to Atlas. If he wasn’t so secretive around her, she would be more willing to listen to me.I’m not stopping you from telling her anything you dipshit!“I can’t. I’m really sorry, but after everything. I’m still finding it impossible to trust you.”“Aria, you have to give me a chance!” From the corner of my eye, I could see Aesha smiling, she thought she had won. “You can wipe that smirk off your face, it’s not just me that Aria doesn’t trust.”“I haven’t done anything.” Aesha whines,“Not yet you haven’t.”I don’t think she knows. I feel Atlas roll his eyes. I knew what he was thinking, we were about to get ourselves mixed up in even more shit.“I promise Aria. I just want to get to know you.” She reaches out and touches Aria. Aria flinches, you
“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