Layla POV When I woke up this morning, it took me a while to remember where I was and what had happened. Marian walks into my room, smiling at me, “I have made pancakes for breakfast if you want to join me, Layla.” I climbed out of bed, picking my clothes up to get changed. Marian takes my clothes from me, saying, “We are having a pajama day, Layla, no getting dressed for us today.” I looked at her properly, laughing when I saw the pajamas she was wearing; they were pink with little owls all over them. “What's wrong with my pajama Layla? I love pink it is my favorite color?” I don't answer her, following her to the kitchen. She hands me a plate; there are piles of pancakes on the table with strawberries, ice cream, and maple syrup. “Eat up, my love, and ask me anything you like; we can get to know each other better.” “What did you do when you were younger, Marian?” “I was a Delta before your father, and his father became Alpha; things were very different then.” We had bee
Diana POV The morning was like any other morning; walking into the forest, I couldn't help thinking how beautiful our land was. I watch Nathan and Drew race each other up the mountain, laughing at their antics. Suddenly I smell the coppery scent of blood in the air. Inhaling deeply, I follow the smell until it gets stronger. Walking closer, I see Damian and Anthony, two of our scouts who have been attacked and killed inside our borders. Not understanding how our sentinels didn't pick up another pack or rogues scent entering our land, I try to mindlink Jonah, But I am too far away from him. Panicking, I turn and run; I need to find Jonah. Another scent hits me, making me stop and freeze, a witch. I see a witch being pushed towards me, badly beaten and hands bound. Fear courses through my body as I know who is with her. Alpha Michael has used a witch to mask his pack's scent. Smiling cruelly, he shoves the witch towards me. Grabbing me, he tied my wrists together, then turned to fou
Diana povI have been here for a week. I am not allowed to leave the packhouse; Michael won’t let me see Amy; he said I have to prove myself as his Luna before I get any privileges like visitors. What the fuck does that statement mean?. Michael is not like normal werewolves; there is something unbalanced about him, and his behavior is erratic. The mate bond means nothing to him except the belief that he now owns me and can do whatever he wants. Michael alternates his nights between another female and me. Every time he touches me, I feel sick, and my self-loathing grows. My mind screams no, and my body melts at his touch. The bond makes it painful for me when he isn't with me.Michael's side of the bed sinks as he lays down; the stench of pineapple sage and honey clings to him. I don't say anything to him. I am a quick learner; it took me two days to heal after the first time I questioned him about her scent.I lay awake until the sun rises, then quickly leave the bedroom, ensuring I
Layla POVI have been living with Marian for three years. Amy should be here soon; she comes every morning before school. I roll over in bed, saying “NO” and covering my head with my pillow as I hear the excitement in Amy’s voice; I don’t want to get out of bed.“Wake up, Layla. It’s our first day back at school. We are going to rule.” “I hate school, Amy.”“But it's high school, Layla.”“Fine, Amy, I am getting up.”She laughs as she walks out of my room. It is not unusual for Amy to have breakfast with Marian and me; she is here early most mornings. I put on my favorite blue jeans and a t-shirt, slipping my feet into my sneakers.I can hear Amy chatting to Marian in the kitchen; Amy stops when she sees me with a horrified expression on her face.“You can't wear that; it's our first day; we need to make an impression.”Marian laughs as Amy drags me back to my bedroom; she digs through my clothes until she finds a white tank top. I snatch it off her and put it on. she hands me a pair
Jackson POVThe female wolf screams when I ask her who she is and what she does on my territory. She has bruises covering her body where someone has beaten her. Jace, my wolf, growls in my head. He hasn't stopped prowling inside me since I first picked up her scent.“What is your name?”She keeps her eyes lowered as she answers,“Nicole”“Where are you going, Nicole?”“I don't know.”I can smell the fear coming from her. She looks at the cave's opening. I smile. She is thinking of running, so I try a different approach, “My name is Jackson.” she shrugs her shoulders, putting her head down.She is not a rogue; that would have been the first thing I would have noticed. “Why don't you come with me so I can help you?”She shakes her head. “No.”“I can make you Nicole.”She glares at me, growling as she tries to stand. I put my hand out to steady her when she flinches, backing away from me. Who the fuck could have done this to her? She is terrified. I keep my distance from her as I say,
Diana POVIt has taken four years, and I finally got to know a few pack members. Michael still controls my movements by demanding I tell him what I have planned for the day. I have his permission to help out at the clinic and see if the pack's elders need anything. I can speak to Amy and Layla now, but only when Marian is with them.Michael left with Grayson and fifty of his warriors earlier this morning. I smirk to myself. He said there had been trouble with rogues attacking smaller packs. I call bullshit on that one. It is Michael attacking the smaller groups and blaming the rogues.I will make sure I am at the clinic when they get home, as they will have wounded wolves that require treatment. I watch as Amy and Layla walk through the school gates; they have become closer as they get older; watching them reminds me of Bethany, my sister, and myself when we grew up.I smile when I see Elder Josie hobbling over to me; she is a lovely old wolf. She would have been a great beauty when
Layla POVI am waiting on the porch for Amy to turn up; we want to celebrate our sixteenth birthday early. Amy was right; we rule the school; it didn't take much to put Sasha and her friends in their place; once they realized I was not going to take shit from any of them anymore, they did what most bullies do and ran. Hearing someone yelling, I see my father leaving Sasha’s house; he is pissed off about something. I duck back inside the house, hoping that he doesn't see me. I survive by keeping out of his sight as much as possible; living with Marian helps keep me safe.Marian is back from her walk, her face is red, and she looks upset,“What’s wrong, Marian?”“Alpha Michael spoke to me, and he insists you move back to the packhouse.”“Why would he want that? Michael doesn't give a shit about me.”“Don't let your father hear you call him by his name Layla. It will make him furious.”I don't intend to let him hear me; it's just my way of telling him to go fuck himself without Michael
Diana POVMichael's last raid was successful, meaning he killed any wolves that did not submit to him. We were busy at the clinic treating the wounded warriors; not one of them would answer any of my questions about where they went or what happened. A few of the older warriors had the decency to look ashamed when I asked them. Michael was furious when he returned home after speaking to Rose. She found her mate amongst the warriors he brought back. I am not sure how I feel about Rose being happy; she has done so much to make my life miserable. Michael and I can't mend the mate bond; it is fractured because of Michael's actions. I would not give Michael a second chance if he begged me.I had mixed emotions about Layla coming home; I wanted her with me, but it will be harder to protect her from Michael. Layla can't do anything right in her father's eyes; he treats her with contempt, trying to crush her confidence every chance he gets. His behavior towards Layla is disgusting.Layla com