AZALEA Gray was definitely up to something sinister. I could see right through his eyes to know that he was planning something towards the new moon ceremony, but I just couldn't place my hands on what exactly it was.His smile only made things worse. It created this burning urge within me to hit him and put an end to all these already. Unfortunately, that was only going to worsen the situation at hand.I prayed to the goddess silently, hoping she would send August to save me from this bag of trouble standing before me. Could today just be any better?“Haha. Luna Azalea has surely got some nerves.” He bellowed, laughing in a weird manner. He got up and crossed his hands behind him, mischief seeping through his eyes. “Well, I really do not have anything to say right now. Let's all wait for the new moon ceremony, right?”Before I could say anything, he turned to the door and walked away majestically. I walked slowly behind him, wondering how he had managed to gain entrance into the man
AZALEA “Not so fast, brother!” Gray yelled and set his leg high in motion, hitting whoever it was he had aimed at.He accidentally lost his grip on me, and the last thing I could remember was that I slipped off his hands and came crashing to the floor.~I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and sunlight seeping through unfamiliar curtains. My stomach burned as I sat up, taking in the strange room. I looked around helplessly, yet there was nothing about the room that seemed familiar. Fear engulfed me as I restlessly began to wonder how I had gotten here. My neck ached badly as I tried to turn, and just then the door creaked open with a mighty force.I fixed my gaze at the spot, hoping I would get some help or explanation from whoever it was that would step in. A wave of disappointment and panic set in when I saw Gray walk into the room instead, having some men behind him. He waved his hand at the men and they left the room without a single word.“I see you're awake
AZALEA I froze at the spot, redirecting my gaze to the door to see who the intruder was.Panic coursed through my veins as I finally saw who it was. It was Gray. He marched into the room, glaring at me like he had been eavesdropping on my conversation with the maids all along.Of all times to show up, why does it have to be now? I slowly returned to where I was sitting, scared of what his reaction would be.But that didn't stop him from doing what he had in mind. He circled his hand around my neck, gripping me in a chokehold, his face barely an inch away from mine.“You really want to test my patience, don't you?” He asked furiously. Then he suddenly released his grip on me, turning around to face the maids. “Excuse us.”“Right away, your highness.” They muttered in unison and dashed out of the room.Gray returned his gaze on me, and his face looked nothing close to being cheerful. Maybe he was earlier, but certainly not anymore.He clutched my neck in his hand once again, his face m
AUGUST I could not stand the thought of losing my mate to that bastard — not now, not ever! I was going to find him and take Azalea back even if it meant doing so with my life.I hurriedly made arrangements with a few of the packhouse guards, and as soon as they were assembled in the manor, I walked in to address them.“Listen attentively, guards. The moment we arrive at the Silvertooth pack, I want you all to go into the Alpha's room, take out my mate and bring her to me. No matter what happens, I am never losing this fight. Am I understood?” I asked, and they all nodded.“Good. Now let's get going.”We headed out at once to Gray's pack. It was just a few distance away from mine, so it didn't take so long before we finally arrived.The guards trooped in at once, heading towards Gray's room, as I had earlier commanded, but they were soon stopped by some other hefty and fearsome men.Their legs wobbled as they moved backwards. Their hands went high in the air as the hefty men marched
AZALEA I felt so bad as I watched August heartbroken and betrayed by my decision to choose his brother over him.I wish there was a way I could go to him and tell him that I never meant those words. I wish I could go up to him and tell him that I had only taken that decision for us.“You heard her. What are you still waiting for? Leave my pack this minute!” Gray yelled at him and his guards didn't hesitate to grab him and throw him out of the packhouse. “Come with me, sweetheart.” He said as soon as August was completely out of sight, stretching his hand to hold me.He gripped my wrist and led me into the manor, his face a beam of smiles. When we had finally settled in his room, he had his maids prepare our lunch while we discussed in the comfort of his room.“You see… I still can't believe you actually chose me over him. Why did you suddenly change your mind? I thought you always loved him.” He asked, throwing endless glances my way.I returned his smile, staring right into his eyes
~AZALEA~Running back to August's pack, I couldn't help but feel so excited on how I had succeeded in fooling Gray. I couldn't wait to see the shock on August's face when he sees me in his pack, considering the fact that I had boldly accepted Gray over him earlier.I just hoped he would forgive me and understand the reason behind what I had done.As I got closer to the pack and gradually approached the packhouse, I had an undeniable feeling of being at ease. I had finally arrived at the one place where I could boldly call my second home away from home.I could feel it in my spirit that this was just the exact atmosphere I needed, and not the toxicity which I faced in Gray's pack.I was eager to see August, but as I began to approach the packhouse, skepticism engulfed me. I began to have a strange doubt about what I was about to do.What if August had moved on quickly with someone else like I had told him to? What if I get there and he doesn't welcome me? Endless doubts set in and I s
~AZALEA~“I suppose you are the desperate one the King has made his mate. And I also heard that you're human, interesting.” The stranger said boldly, slipping her hand into her hair and brushing it backwards.I could sense threat, danger. This woman wasn't smiling. She looked mean like there was something I might have done to her in the past, but frankly, I couldn't even recognize who she was.I couldn't remember having anything to do with her in my entire life. Confusion etched through my veins, and I was still trying so hard to figure out who she was and why she was sizing me up in that manner.I maintained my composure, standing firm and giving her no reason to see through my confusion. “Who are you?” I asked.“You really want to know who I am, huh.” She grinned from ear to ear, her presence taking on an intimidating aura.If a stranger walked in and saw the both of us together, they would surely mistake her for my boss who possibly even owned the house, because of how confident s
~AZALEA~August didn't budge. He knelt before me, stopping me from moving an inch close to the exit. “Please Azalea, hear me out. This woman here has only come to destroy what we have built, can't you see?” He said, a glint of desperation in his eyes, but that was not enough to convince me and stop me from leaving.I remained adamant, holding on firmly to the few things I had picked to leave. Just then, laughter filled the air, and turning, the strange woman accosted me, smiling mischievously.“The Alpha's favorite.” She said, teasing. A smile crept up in her lips, but there was something off about her smile that made me wary of her.She closed in on me, her breath hitting my face. Before she could proceed to whatever she had in mind, August quickly stepped in, blocking her path from min.“Don't you dare!” He roared, pushing her slightly. Then he turned to face me, grabbing my hands in his. “Azalea, please listen to me. You don't have to leave over this little misunderstanding.”My e
~Gray~As I remembered Zoe's words, I knew I had no choice but to say what I had in mind. Who knows, Bruce might just be of help in the best way possible. And clearly, I needed his help more than I ever have.“I’m out on my way to have her and every single thing that belongs to me which August has taken from me. I can't afford to sit back and watch him have it all.” He sucked in a deep breath, his gaze menacing and at the same time, oddly calm. His brows furrowed as his dark eyes bored into mine.“Is that so?” He quizzed, his voice barely a whisper. He took a step forward, his bold frame towering over me. “Do you realize Azalea also belongs to me? What do you intend to give to have her?”I froze on the spot, his words echoing in my head. “I… I thought—” I choked out when I heard his cocky voice.“Thought what? That I would leave her for you on a platter?” He quizzed, his voice dripping with amusement. He shook his head and cupped my jaw, tilting my head up to face him. “Listen to me
~Gray~Left to me, I would never have thought of taking this route, but they left me no other choice.Azalea and August would surely not succumb to whatever I say unless I took it the hard way. Well, maybe they would come to their senses this time and realize that I will always have an edge over them.Now I have the support of the grand alpha, and not just that, I also have them both at my fingertips, making it easy for me to crush them at will.As soon as I was out of the prison room, I went out to feast with Zoe. How could I possibly forget her? She has been a crucial part of this journey right from time, and it's only right that I take her along in every aspect.Thankfully, I met her right before the king's throne room. From the look on her face, I could tell that she had also been searching for me.“How's she coping? I hope she won't be a threat to us later on?” She asked, a bit of skepticism etched across her face.I offered her a warm smile, hugging her to myself. “Of course not
~Azalea~Amidst the heated argument between August and Gray, strong hands grabbed me from behind, pulling me forcefully out of the scene. A rough palm covered my mouth before I could scream. My heart pounded as I kicked and struggled, but the person holding me was too strong. I was hauled into a waiting vehicle, and before I could dare to raise an alarm, the vehicle zoomed off, its tyres screeching on the tarred floor.After so many minutes of moving, the car finally came to a halt, stopping in front of a strange building.The doors opened and I was pulled out, kicked towards the open gates of the building.Everything about the building spelt danger—confusion.The men held my hands firmly, their grip so tight that I could barely feel my fingers. Then they led me into a room—an empty room.As we stepped into the room, I was completely caught off guard as I beheld the person standing before me.Gray?What the hell is he doing here? Studying his face, I instantly sensed something was o
~August~It's sickening to realize that Gray had taken virtually everyone from me, including the maids and the guards. And the part which broke me was the fact that he didn't stop there; he went ahead to capture Azalea, leaving me with practically nothing and no one.My beta was literally the only one I had left, and even at that, it felt like the whole world was against me. It felt like I was all alone, forced to face all these troubles on my own.When I was back to my palace, Henry, the butler came running towards me. Apparently, he had been hiding behind the palace all this while.His breath came out in ragged gasps, his eyes flashing with anguish. “Alpha, it's a good thing you're back. Alpha Gray just left quite some hours ago and I overheard him discussing with some elders that your company must be blacklisted. He has succeeded in turning everyone's heart against you by lying to them that you tried to kill him for exposing your mate before everyone. And now, the elders had come i
~August~Before I could ask her anything, she zoomed off without notice. Just then, the palace maid returned. Her eyes flashed with excitement as she took in my frame.“Woah! How is this even possible?” She asked, her voice evident with confusion. I couldn't fathom what she was talking about until she pressed her nails into my skin–the places where I was injured.I sucked in a deep breath, surprised that I wasn't feeling any pain as usual. “What just happened? How am I not feeling any pain anymore?” I asked, turning to the maid who looked just as confused as I was.In a fleeting moment, she grabbed my wrist without thinking twice. “We need to leave here right away. I just passed by the palace and I saw some elders gathered around. I have a feeling Alpha Gray is about to say something mischievous to them.”My breath caught in my throat. Then, suddenly, my body moved on its own. I dashed out of the hut, racing fiercely towards the palace.I had barely covered a little distance when I ca
~August~Azalea was yet to return after a long hour of being away from the ward. Each minute, my eyes were traveling to the door side for any sign of her, but she wasn't forthcoming. I finally gave up waiting. Maybe the Alpha King has succeeded in brainwashing her and giving her enough reasons to abandon me right there on the hospital bed.It wasn't her fault anyways. If I hadn't betrayed her for a worthless and vile woman, this would never have happened in the first place.My heart was filled with regret, and all I could think of was a way to win her over for a second time. If I eventually do, I swear I won't let her off this time.The door burst open all of a sudden, and at once, I turned my gaze in that direction, eager to see Azalea walk in through the door. But I was greatly disappointed when the doctor stepped in instead.He marched straight to my bedside, having some nurses behind him who had some files in their hands.He wore a sad look, making me fear I was going to be dead
~Azalea~As soon as I stepped into the doctor's office, I was stunned to meet Bruce instead. He blocked my path, his countenance a clear evidence of how furious he was. But why the hell was he upset? Did he really expect me to leave August right there to die? I know August had wronged me so many times in the past, but that was still not enough reason to let him off just like that. He clearly needed my help—our help.Before I knew what was happening, Bruce grabbed my hands, lifting me effortlessly towards the doctor's table. He forced me to sit, and when I did, he clenched my face, his eyes burning with rage. I was so terrified because I have never witnessed this side of him before.“You still love him, don't you?” He asked, his gaze suddenly melting, like he was broken. My jaw dropped. “What?” How could he even think of such a thing about me? “What's the meaning of this? Don't tell me you're jealous because of a simple gesture I rendered to a helpless person.”“Your ex lover you mea
~August~“Okay? How about them?” Bruce asked, stealing glances at Azalea. There was something about Azalea's countenance that suggested that she wasn't really surprised anyways. Of course, she wouldn't be. I could remember vividly she had warned me about them, but all I did was take her words as a joke. So I never even expected her to display any form of surprise.I could see the sudden interest spewing from Bruce's gaze, and that gave me an edge to be confident and say what I had to say.“Zoe is not who you think she is.” I began. Bruce crossed his arms, his brows creased with enthusiasm as he adjusted his stance. “Okay, this is what happened. Remember when you locked me up in your dungeon for days. By the time I was released and returned back to my palace, I realized that everything had been turned upside down.”“How?” Bruce and Azalea chorused at the same time, cutting in abruptly.Their enthusiasm was palpable, and I couldn't stop thanking them in my heart for paying attention to
~August~After that encounter with Azalea in the woods, I still couldn't get my mind off her. I know I had wronged her so many times in the past, and sincerely, I was ready to make up for everything I had done to her, including when Zoe was still in the picture.The fact that Zoe and Gray had actually connived between themselves to deceive me and have my pack all to themselves was not just disturbing but also unbelievable.Like how the hell could they even think of such a thing after everything I had done for them?Now I know my palace and my pack at large was at stake, and if nothing is done on time, they might as well succeed in everything they've been planning all this while.The only right thing I could do right now was to seek help, and the only person who was capable of helping me out in this kind of situation was King Bruce.He had a lot of connections and power to himself which would give me an edge over Zoe and Gray, thereby reclaiming that which rightfully belongs to me.But