Nicole POVThe years fly when you have a child to look after, but Michael still treats Layla with contempt. I never leave them alone together. He spends most of his time at Roses, coming home when he thinks I need to be put back in my place. I still can't help responding to his advances; he normally gloats continuously the next day, making me feel cheap and even more disgusted with myself. I moved back into Michael's room when Layla started school. Michael did not want to risk the pack hearing that their magnificent Alpha didn't share a bed with his so-called mate. I groan, rolling over; I need to get my ass out of bed; it's the first day back at school for Layla. We have a new principal at the school. I have not met him, but what I have heard from Marian does not impress me much. I feel Layla’s excitement through our bond. I quickly get dressed and go downstairs to make her breakfast.Layla povI woke up so happy. I turned eight years old yesterday, and it's my first day back at sch
Nicole POVI fucked up. Michael was furious after I chased Mr. Madden. I am not sorry; when I felt Layla’s terror through our bond, I wanted to kill him. Naturally, Michael spoke to him and assured him it wouldn't happen again. Michael doesn't talk to Layla unless he is chastising her. I know Michael is taking small doses of wolfsbane, trying to suppress Malaki. What Nalia said is true: Malaki wants to hurt me, but he stopped Michael when he went to hit Layla. Layla was terrified, not understanding what was happening, when a voice that was not her fathers yelled at me to get Layla away from him. She was only three years old at the time. I thank the goddess. She doesn't remember it.I had just picked Layla up from school when Michael bellowed,“Nicole, come to my office and bring Layla with you. I need to speak to both of you.” Michael is sitting behind his desk Beta Grayson is standing beside him. Layla looks at Grayson, asking,“Why haven't you got pups yet, Beta Grayson” Grayson sm
Layla POV Mum wakes me up early, “Layla, wake up the Alpha and Luna of the Dark Moon pack will be here shortly.” Sitting in the kitchen, I watch mum and some other females prepare food for our visitors; I can smell bacon, eggs, and toast, and my stomach growls. Laughing, mum hands me a plate piled with food; as I start to eat, she says, “They have a daughter your age. How would you like to share your room with her?” I nod yes. I am so excited. We rarely have children my age at the packhouse, and it will be nice to have someone who will play with me. Hearing the Dark moon pack arriving, my mother and Beta Grayson go out to meet them. Grayson takes Alpha Jonah and his Beta Jeremy to dad as he is waiting in his office for them. Their Alphas name is Jonah, Luna's name is Bethany, and another lady with them is called Diana. They have two boys with them and the girl, my mum said, was coming. Her name is Amy. Not wanting to wait any longer, I grab Amy's hand and race her up the stairs
Michael POV Rage twists through my gut as soon as I smell her scent of jasmine and wild berries flowing through me. It took all of my control not to go to her and take her. She is my fated mate. Malaki growls furiously, saying, “My mate, my mate is here. You couldn't wait; you had to bow to your father's demands and mate Nicole knowing she was not our intended mate, so that you could be Alpha.” Malaki is a vicious bastard suiting my nature. “Calm down, Malaki, we will get our mate. It will take me a while to work out how I will achieve it; Diana won't get away from us a second time. I can promise you that.” I know Malaki is right in everything he is saying. I killed my father not long after I mated Nicole. She suited my purpose at the time; only now, she has grown comfortable in her role as my Luna, and I no longer have the patience to deal with her disobedience. I sit in my study long after everyone has gone to sleep. By morning, I had formed a plan on how to get our true ma
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
Darius POV Ellie and Beth have just turned five, and watching my daughters interact with the other children in our pack never ceases to surprise me. Whenever the older pups get into an argument, you can guarantee that Ellie is standing in the middle of them, trying to calm everyone down. Beth always stands beside Ellie with her fists clenched, ready to step in if anyone gets too close to her sister. We always knew Ellie would be our diplomat; her calming nature can diffuse just about any situation in which the girls may find themselves. If Ellie can't get through to the other pups, you can guarantee Beth; our warrior, will take control and step in. Beth watches her mother train with the warriors every afternoon, mimicking Layla’s movements; we are trying to delay letting her train with the older pups. But it is getting harder and harder to refuse her, especially when we know what our daughter's future holds for them. Ellie and Beth are highly protective of their little brother; they
Layla POVAll the pups that Willow brought with her now have homes; it never ceases to amaze me how quickly children can adapt to new surroundings. Willow and Riley have marked each other. Willow is a beautiful she-wolf with a loving nature; Riley and Willow are perfect for each other. Darius and I are on our way to my territory; Anita has gone into labor, and Diana is there, but both Zach and Anita have asked if I could be with her in case Zach passes out as Drew did. Our baby is due in a couple of weeks; I feel like a baby elephant these days; my feet are swollen most days, and getting up off the floor never ceases to have Ellie and Beth giggling uncontrollably. We have everything set up for when our pup arrives; I don't mind admitting that I have told Diana to bring any pain relief she can get her hands on when my time comes. I smile when we pull up out front of the packhouse; Zach's pacing frantically in the front yard; he turns toward us and approaches the truck opening my door
Darius POV I wake up in a foul mood; my eyes feel like someone has tipped a bucket of sand in them. Layla is sound asleep beside me; I untangle my body from hers and throw a pair of jeans on before going downstairs. No sound comes from the loungeroom where the pups and Willow are sleeping. I go to the kitchen and make a coffee before going to my office. I go to stand when I hear footsteps getting closer to my office; the door opens, and my eyes widen in shock when Riley enters and sprawls out on the couch opposite me. He rakes his hand through his hair as he says, “I need to talk to you.” I smirk at him and reply, “That's obvious, or you wouldn't be here this morning.” He shakes his head and chuckles nervously as he says, “I need your advice.” I groan, “Please don't tell me you have gotten one of the she-wolves you sleep around with pregnant.” Riley snorts as he says, “If only it were that simple.” I frown; this is serious; it looks like I am not the only one who
Layla POV It had only been a couple of weeks since Soren, Nathan, and Teena came to our territory. It's early on a Saturday morning, Darius and I are still in bed, our pack run was the previous night, and as always, after our packs ran together, we had a bbq. It was a bit of a struggle getting so many wolves in one place, but somehow we always managed to pull it off. Since it's not safe for pregnant females to shift, I waited at home with Ellie, Beth, Amy, Abbie, and the younger members of our packs. Darius and I usually lead the run, he wanted to stay at home, but I didn't see the sense of both of us missing out on one of the things we loved. We have added two toddler beds in the nursery for Ellie and Beth; Darius and I are lying in bed arguing over baby names; we have only just agreed on Bohdi as a boy's name. Choosing a girl's name is becoming impossible. I chuckle when I hear the pitter-patter of two pairs of feet as they run toward us. Ellie and Beth have started climbing int
Layla POV I froze when Teena stood up and went to follow me inside. Did I want this woman in my home? Lea’s voice entered my mind as she said, “Teena and Soren won't harm Ellie and Beth.” I nod and motion her to follow me; Alec is playing with the girls in the lounge room. I pick Ellie up. Teena looks at me and asks, “Can I pick this little one up?” I can see the shock in Darius’s eyes when I say “Yes” Lea had already told me Teena was a witch; as long as she wasn't here to harm my babies, I couldn't care what species she was. When we entered the kitchen, Teena said, “You are pregnant. Would you like to know if you are having a boy or girl?” I shake my head and answer, “No, Darius and I are happy to wait until our pup arrives.” She nods, helping Diana, Abbie, and I carry the food to the porch. Darius has already taken the girl's chairs outside; mom pulls a chair close to her and narrows her eyes at Alec as she says, “Behave yourself, or you will be eating inside
Darius POV We knew Soren and his companions were coming; our patrols spotted them two days before they reached our border. I mind-linked our warriors and told them not to stop him from crossing the border. Alec, Beth, and Ellie were to remain inside the house with Diana and Abbie while they were here until told otherwise. Sebastian was staying on Layla’s territory with her wolves. Everyone was to remain on high alert in case of any trouble, we weren't expecting any, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Lea has already alerted Layla that Alpha Soren would arrive within the next thirty minutes. Layla has set up a meeting area on the porch, she refuses to allow him to enter our home. Zach, Riley, Jackson, Nicole, Leon, and Kyra are already here, and Drew and Amy are on their way over now. Its have been raining non-stop since yesterday, so they would have to walk a fair distance up the mountain; my patrol mind links me and says, “They have pulled the cars off the road and coming
Soren POV The wolves Teena let into my territory have been here for two days; they have recovered from the wounds, and I intend to speak to them today. Teena and I have been in my office since dawn; she sits opposite me, holding a cup of coffee in both hands. I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest and ask, “What did you see?” She frowns as she says, “Nathan was an Alpha before he came here; he has made terrible mistakes in his past and is trying to compensate for the hurt he has caused the ones closest to him.” I nod, looking at her; Teena seems tired. I growl before saying, “And you still want to claim him as your mate?” She nods her head “Yes” and replies, “Everybody makes mistakes, Soren; you know that.” I snort, “That may be so, but it's too dangerous for you to leave here without me.” She chuckles as she says, “Mark my words Soren; Nathan will denounce his title as Alpha and stay here with me.” I roll my eyes at her and say, “Your very con
Layla POVIt's been a couple of days since Josie’s visit. Darius and I have been awake for hours, I get out of bed, and as soon as I place my feet on the floorboards, the room starts spinning. I run to the bathroom, kneel in front of the toilet, and empty the contents of my stomach. I groan, resting my head in my hands until the room stops spinning. I use the vanity to pull myself off the floor and step gingerly into the shower turning the water on so I can have a shower. I stay under the water until I feel better and wrap a towel around myself as I leave the bathroom.Darius is resting against the headboard of the bed with a frown on his face as he asks,“Are you ok, sweetheart, your not making yourself sick worrying about what Josie said?” I sit beside him and rest my head against his shoulder as I say, “Maybe I don't know Darius?”He wraps his arms around me as he whispers, “I wasn't joking when I said I would kill anyone who hurt our girls, Layla.” I sigh, looking up at him, a
Alpha Soren I haven't had anything to do with my family for years; I left home at sixteen and have remained hidden for the last twenty years. The politics of my brother's court sickens me; I had many wolves loyal to me and have built my pack from two thousand wolves to five thousand wolves; we choose to stay hidden. My brother has no idea where I am, and I intend to keep it that way. My brother Phillipe is an evil prick and wouldn't hesitate to kill my mate and my children if he knew our whereabouts. I wrap my arms around Tatiana, holding her close to my chest as the sobs wrack her petite frame; I can smell the fear seeping from her as she murmurs, “What are we going to do, Soren?” I kiss the top of her head as I reply, “I will never let anyone hurt our daughter Tatiana.” My sister Teena has just placed Octavia in her cradle; she smiles at me sadly as she leaves my bed chamber. Octavia is a beautiful baby. She will grow into a beautiful woman just like her mother; the corners