Collins’s POV Her curls framed her face beautifully, and her curves were in full display in the gown that grazed the floor gracefully. Damn, she was beautiful. I made sure I dragged her chair for her, before proceeding to sit on mine. “I've heard of the elegance of Pleasure Gardens. I must say, it beats the beauty of the Eleven by a mile.”I smiled positively. I was getting somewhere. Her telling me that she loved the location of our date was a huge step forward. I wasn't going to stop trying until I made sure that she was mine. “Exactly. It crossed my mind the first day I came here, to be honest. I was intrigued by the design on the walls. And the environment as well, very serene. It's a very beautiful place.” I replied. When the waitress came to take our order, she was telling me happily how the kids were gradually becoming themselves, even without drugs. I nodded, pleased to hear that. At least, getting her to tell me things that concerned her children was another step in the
Clark’s POVI had made sure not to disclose the fact that Mrs Alice was in the hospital and she had been shot. It was clear that he didn't want Elena to worry. Her sick children were already enough of a burden for her to bear. Trying to tell her that her mother-in-law was also injured and had nearly been riddled by bullets wasn't typical news for a woman who had sick children. Smiling at a tired looking Rex, I decided to go straight to the point. I ran my hand through my hair, then stood before him, deciding to tell him my desired destination. “Rex? I think I need to see Marie today. I can find my way to the house, take a hurried bath, then get to her place in a few minutes.”His raised eyebrow told me all I needed to know. How was I considering leaving him alone in the hospital with his injured mother? But I knew that I couldn't control the urge anymore. I needed to see the woman I had fallen head over heels for. “I can imagine what it feels like not seeing her for a single day.
Rex's POV“Doctor probably gave her some sleeping tablets and injections. She needs her rest as she has lost a lot of blood. I honestly can't believe these people went after my own mother, Clark. Thinking about it makes me want to buy a gun and start shooting at everybody in the street…”Clark had my hands, then patted me on the shoulder with a big smile. “You will do no such thing, Mr King. You're going to stay here, and drink your coffee.”I nodded. I was willing to remain calm as long as she was still alive. I could take that, I could manage it. “You went home, right? How was the visit to Marie? How is Elena, the kids?”From his facial expression, I knew that Elena hadn't even inquired about me. I was okay with it. Asking her to pretend if she cared for me when she didn't was way off the hook. Even if the feelings weren't mutual, at least thinking of her most of the time made me realize that I loved and wanted her in my life, even though I had made some mistakes in the past. “Th
Logan’s POV It was obvious that just like I was, they were all afraid and concerned, which to me, was a very good thing. At least, it made sure that we were all on the same page, the same wavelength. I entered the establishment, then slipped into the elevator. Finding the button that led to the room where we always gathered for our meetings was easier to find. In a few minutes, I was airborne, allowing the elevator to lead me on. I nodded to a few workers dressed in the Bohen family workwear. I acknowledged their greetings as well. Closing the soundproof door, I was finally alone with my friends. I nodded at Owen, who sat a distance from the huge table, a glass of wine in his hands. Next to him was Patricia and Helen. Peterson and Jack took up the center of the table, both of them looking busily into their phones. I slammed my briefcase onto the table, grateful that I was able to get their attention in one swoop. “I called this meeting because as you all know, something needs to
Logan’s POV I had made copies, so I shared it with each and every one of them. “I'm sorry that I didn't seek the team's permission before doing this, but I was really doing some thinking. And that is the reason I've called this meeting. This is the contract we're offering to the Umbra collective and the price at which we're offering it. We are not stopping until the entire members of the six know that we mean business.”Once again, Owen was quick to interrupt. “We injure a member of the six and we're in a battle with the six as well. Can't you see where this is headed? Loss of life and bloodshed?”I smiled. He was correct. At least, the meeting hadn't been a bad idea. Hearing everybody speak from their perspective was essential if we wanted to go forward. “Do you have a better idea, Owen? The six is in the past. Same goes for the moon brotherhood. We are the future. The werewolf existence must accept that we also deserve to be a group. We are clearly the founding families. No one
Logan’s POV I knew that face anywhere. He was the popular face of the Umbra collective, Dimitri Aterm, one of the most wanted men in the world. “My friend, welcome home. I can see you came with friends. We had an agreement. Come alone. Why the company? Your parents might be the founding fathers, but I tell you what, I can shoot each and everyone of you in the face and get away with it. Ask around. Everybody knows Dimitri Aterm. You don't want to joke with the slayer of men.”I swallowed hard, his voice making me want to clench the doorpost in fear. “I’m sorry Dimitri. I wanted to introduce you properly to everyone.”He touched his hair, then shook his head in disagreement. “There's no need for that. Vladimir, let them in. Let's hear what the Bohen boy has to say. Come on, allow them to come in now.”Vladimir, the man that had opened the door to let us in sneered as we entered. My heart hammering in my chest, I entered the room that was like an office. Even though the entire buildi
Logan’s POV I shook my head in anger at Owen. “The day you stop thinking only about yourself is the day you progress. For now, keep on being the deluded man that you are. The world doesn't revolve around you. Are you guys okay? I'm sorry about all that. It's their method of conducting business, I'm afraid.”We slipped into the Van, and Peterson gunned the engine. I closed my eyes momentarily. Collins Morgan, Jayson Holmes, my friends and I were coming. You have lived your life. It was time to let us live ours. COLLINS POVI made my rounds through the Eleven slowly, jotting in between rounds. Armed with a can of beer, I sipped slowly, noting that there was a lack of stock and beer in the store. It needed to be refilled. I made other adjustments, also noting that the chairs were beginning to lose their colors. They needed to be sprayed as well.Just then, I made my way to the counter where I found Marie trying her best to clean it up. “Good morning Marie. I must say, I'm impressed
Logan’s POV I shook my head. How was I supposed to tell her that I had paid and planned for the death of my own uncle? I didn't want to get known as a ruthless man yet. I was getting to that stage, but at the moment I was still a young adult. “I'm fine, mother. I don't just feel too well. I think I'll take a break from breakfast, just lie in my bedroom for some time. I believe I'll be fine.”With those words, I exited the room. The burner phone was in my pocket and I reached for it, then dialed Dimitri's number as soon as I was out of earshot. The call only seemed to heighten my anxiety because he refused to acknowledge it. I stood in my room, staring at the window silently. Was everything going to go according to plan? COLLINS POVImmediately after work, I found my way to the hotel room where Jayson was staying for the time being. I knocked once and the door opened, revealing his slender frame in briefs and a singlet. “Man, are we still on for the meeting? We're meeting with Ni
Elena's POV The early morning light filtered through the pack house windows and casted a golden glow over the kitchen, while I busied myself with preparing breakfast. It was a calm morning, but I could feel tension in the air. While the battle went on yesterday, Alphonso got captured and what was going to be done with him hadn't been decided yet, but whatever decision was going to be taken will define the pack's future.I stood by the counter, stirring a pot of oatmeal while Kanu and Kiana bickered playfully over the cereal I had given them earlier. Something about their laughter and noise felt comforting and reminded me of the simple life that we almost lost. It was hard to imagine that we managed to pull through, but as I glanced at the family photo, the realisation that we had survived set in.Then, Rex walked in, looking as if he had just woken up, his dark hair a bit ruffled. "It sure smells good in here," he said groggily.I smiled at him. "I'm preparing breakfast obviously, bu
Elena's POV The energy was electric in the pack house. Wolves in human and shifted forms moved around the courtyard with their voices conveying relief and celebration. Despite the tension everyone felt from the battle we endured, everyone felt hopeful and personally, I can't remember the last time I felt that way.Standing near the edge of the crowd while watching as pack members approached Rex to congratulate him, I noticed that he moved slowly as a result of his injuries but his presence was still as commanding as ever. He cemented his role as a leader with each nod of his head and each word he exchanged with them. "Are you okay?" A voice said from my side, breaking me out of my thoughts. Turning sideways, I see that it's Logan."I think so," I replied, my gaze shifting back to Rex."You give off this feeling of someone that's getting ready to run." Logan said with a mischievous smile, though his tone was gentle.That caused a short laugh to escape my lips, "it's just a lot. All o
Elena's POVI woke up to the morning light filtering through the blinds of the hospital room with its soft rays washing over Rex's face. He was still asleep with his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Despite how pale he looked with the bandages wrapped around his chest, he looked like a warrior at rest after fighting a long battle.Leaning back against the chair by his bed with my body still aching from dozing off in an uncomfortable position with my hands still resting on his, unwilling to let go I closed my eyes slightly but the image of Logan walking towards me with some of Rex's blood on his body replayed in my head. The door opened behind me and I turned to see Logan walk in with clean clothes and a smile on his face while carrying two cups of coffee. He smiled at me softly as he approached before placing one of the cups on the small table beside me. "I thought you would need this," he said as he sat down on the other side of Rex's bed."Thanks," I replied gratefully
Elena's POV I was in a room, praying that the battle goes in like favour when a wolf rushed in agitation."What's going on in the battlefield?" I asked hurriedly."We were able to defeat Kingsley but..". "But what?!" I asked impatiently."The Alpha was wounded in battle and is being rushed to the hospital right now." As I heard that, I felt dread overcome me and without a second thought, I grabbed my keys."Marie!" I called out, my voice shaking. "Watch the kids for me. I have to go."Maria frowned in concern, "Elena, hold on!"But I was already out the door, my heart pounding as I drove towards the hospital.The drive to the hospital was a blur with my mind focused on getting to the hospital as fast as I could. The sounds of the radio faded into the background as my thoughts consumed me with the words of the wolf being played over and over again in my mind."What if he doesn't make it?"The very thought of that happening struck me hard at my chest like a punch. I had spent so much
Elena's pov"What if you don't have to?" Alicia asked, "you don't really have to go back to how things were between you two and honestly, I don't think it's a good idea since things were pretty toxic between you two.""That is true." I said with a gentle nod of my head. "So I suggest that you both build something new." She replied.Hearing that, it was as if a door opened up in my mind as I began to seriously consider her opinion.The following morning, the Pack gathered at an open field which was the site of the meeting with every wolf on high alert.Standing before us was Rex with his commanding presence as he addressed the crowd. "Today we are here to fight for the future of our packs. Kingsley and Alphonso have both been controlling us for so long using just fear and manipulation and it's time to put an end to it."In response, everyone cheered in approval with some of them howling. I stood at the edge of the gathering with the women and children while looking for signs of troubl
Elena's POV I, my twins, Marie and Alicia had moved to Rex's pack away from New Kingston. He had figured out that if we remained in New Kingston we'd be easily attacked by Kingsley and his cohorts.His mother was so filled with joy to see us finally return to the pack.Standing at the edge of Rex's pack grounds, I felt the cool air against my skin. All around me were werewolves shifting into their forms and patrolling the perimeter with their scouts running back and forth with one update after the other. Turning sideways, my eyes rested on Rex who was barking orders with authority which was expected since he was an Alpha and knew the weight of his responsibilities.Anyone else standing on the spot I stood would have felt nervous or utterly terrified but I felt oddly calm. I knew what was happening right now wasn't just about survival anymore but about standing for something and protecting the people that matter the most.As I busied myself with my thoughts, a voice broke me out of it
Logan's POVThe air in the safe house was heavy with tension with Zachary pacing the small room with his footsteps creaking rhythmically on the wooden floor. On a table situated by the side, I sat with a map spread out before me as I observed the marked locations which represented Kingsley's growing influence across the packs.Suddenly, the footsteps stopped in front of me which prompted me to raise my head only to see Zachary staring at me. "We don't have much time." He said silently. "Kingsley's plan is already in motion and Alphonso's political might will protect him if we don't act now."Do you think I do not know that?" I asked with a quirked eyebrow. "Of course I do but if we move too soon, we risk exposing our hands too early. We need to hit them where it'll hurt the most-where they least expect us to hit."Zachary folded his arms in response, he didn't look too convinced by my reasoning. "And how do you think we should do that? Kingsley has access to Alphonso's resources, the
Elena's POV Sitting down by the kitchen table, my hands trembled slightly as I stirred my cup of tea with the clanking generated from my spoon hitting the sides of the cup grounding me. It was late in the afternoon and the sun had cast long shadows with golden patterns around the kitchen. As I did that, my mind went to the words Collins uttered the previous night with each word echoing in my head. "Rex won't see it coming. Once he's out of the way, we'll have complete control. Are you worried about Elena? You shouldn't be, She's loyal for now."I couldn't believe what I had just heard. The man I had trusted my life and the life of my kids with, the same man I let into my life had been scheming all along? I could not believe it but the weight of his betrayal pressed heavily against my chest. How could I be so blind"? Gripping the edge of my table to steady myself, I took in deep breaths and I didn't notice one of my kids come close to me. "Mom!"Kanu called, startling me, which ca
Elena's POV.Hearing the faint hum of the coffee machine in the background alongside the sound of the TV and the sound of laughter from Kiana and Kanu should have brought me a sense of peace and comfort but in the particular situation I'm in, it only brought me unease with my hand tightening around my cellphone while I stared at it.I had sent Collins a text a while ago which he had left unanswered and that made me extremely anxious. "Mom!" Kiana shouted, his voice interrupting my thoughts. "Kanu is cheating again and I do not like it!"With a sigh of exhaustion, I dropped the phone into my pocket before turning around and walking into the living room and there stood Kanu on the sofa, triumphantly holding the game controller in his hand and high over his head with Kiana by the side glaring at him with her little hands balled into fists."I am not cheating!" Kanu yelled back, while jumping away as Kiana tried to snatch the controller from him."Okay, that's enough." I said, stepping b