Alex’s pov: Midnight Moon Pack had come prepared. But we thankfully had gotten many hours of rigid training in as well, so we weren’t caught completely off guard. They had a greater number of fighters, but they were less skilled than ours. And naturally, the numbers tired us, but we thankfully weren’t beat… Not yet. Not if I could help it. It was utter and complete chaos for a solid couple of days, when there barely was a reprieve of a few hours when they retreated to regroup. I chose not to follow after them immediately, because my pack needed the rest as well. During said reprieve, some of Alpha Kade’s warriors came to lend a hand. Luc was the one patrolling at the time, and had thankfully recognized them before mayhem broke out again. At the break of dawn, as we chose to advance and attack them where they had regrouped to the north border, we caught them unaware. Before long, Luc had killed one of the bigger wolves they had, and I went for the prize – the biggest wolf of the
Alex’s pov: The Alpha King, who went by the name of Sebastian, was as intimidating as ever, and I almost had trouble breathing under his gaze. “Where is your mate, Alpha Alexander?” He asked after a moment of silence. “She and my third in command went to safety, to Alpha Kade’s pack,” I let out without so much as a stutter. I knew that born healers were coveted. And ever since I realized my beloved Jade was one, I did my best to protect her, and make sure the secret would remain within closed doors. The secret was however bound to be exposed… and I would like to believe I did a decent job at protecting her and the pack, despite the losses we suffered. “Why, pray tell, would you send your best asset away?” The Alpha King raised an eyebrow in question. His poor choice of words would have made me react violently had it been anyone else… But this was the Alpha King we were talking about. He took shit from nobody, and was powerful enough to put an end to the war with merely a few wo
Jade’s pov:Word had it that Alex wasn’t coming alone, the Alpha King was with him for some reason that was beyond me. Naturally, I was ecstatic to know my mate was safe and sound, and coming to get me too. But as to be expected, I was on pins and needles as I waited for them at the entrance of Alpha Kade’s pack house.I was praying, to whatever deity was listening, that the Alpha King’s business was solely with Alpha Kade, as one of Alex’s allies.For a moment there, I felt like I couldn’t breathe as I watched the sedan approach the pack house. I was extremely aware of the tension that seemed to make everything more vivid. The slight breeze was delightful. On the other hand, the noise the tires made was grating on my nerves. The sun was hiding behind dark gray clouds, and I was almost craving for a touch of sunlight to hit my face. I was also becoming thirsty out of nervousness.“Luna Jade,” Trevor began in a soft caring tone of voice, “Nothing is going to happen to anyone present.”
Jade’s pov:Luna Sherry and Alpha Kade led the way, with the Alpha King and his right-hand man following closely behind, and Alex and I right after them.I realized only too late that Trevor wasn’t following us, and I reasoned that he must have had some silent exchange with Alex. And while I would miss his undying support, I had Alex by my side now – my mate who made me feel like everything was possible.His highness was the first to settle down on one of the sofas of the office, his right hand man soon sitting to his left. Alex and I sat on the opposite sofa whereas Alpha Kade and Luna Sherry sat on the available chairs nearby.There was a sealed bottle of juice on the table, and also fruits, but the alpha king didn’t seem to be in any hurry to have any. Instead, he was looking at me intently, making me slightly uncomfortable… I tried to brush it off as his being curious to know about a born healer.Nobody dared to speak a word when facing the alpha king himself, and the tense atmosph
Alex’s pov: Jade was beyond shaken at the news of Tyler’s passing… which was absolutely as to be expected. Add to that the Alpha King’s decision to have her train at the palace, and she was a real mess. Somehow, however, by the time Kade and Sherry returned, she was done sobbing. Instead, she had this resigned look on her face which didn’t sit well with me. “It will be okay, love,” I told her reassuringly, my voice as sweet and soothing as ever. “How can you say that?” She retorted, her eyes spitting fire. “It will be tough on us both for a while, but it will be okay eventually,” I let out, as I brushed the last of her tears away. I was trying to play it cool myself. I just knew that if I were to show how unsettled I was by this separation period, her stubbornness would make an appearance… And while I was but an indulgent and loving mate, who could succumb to those teary eyes in a heartbeat, the Alpha King would not take no for an answer. Sherry soon sat next to Jade and tried
Jade’s pov: As we bid farewell to Tyler and Randall, I remained at the front with Alex, even though I felt like I was not worthy of my place by his side at the moment. Tyler’s last words, which Alex had relayed to me once we reached the pack house, only made me more acutely aware of my inadequacy. Although I teared up and cried, I did my best not to sob. Knowing the resonance issue might make the whole pack feel the sorrow I felt, I knew I needed to be in better control of my emotions. There was no denying the fact that Tyler’s early departure hit us all hard, and more particularly his family, as to be expected. However, when his mother approached me, and I froze under her scrutiny, wondering if she would blame me for Tyler’s tragic death – like I did – she offered me a weak watery smile, “I must thank you, Luna Jade. Tyler had explained in length a few weeks back how you saved him during the vampire attack. You gave him another shot at life, and he lived happily as a warrior. Dyi
Alex’s pov: Jade was leaving today. She had a sad smile plastered on her face, and I knew I couldn’t show her just how affected I would no doubt be by the separation. I schooled my expression into a neutral one, hoping it would convince her the way I wasn’t that everything would be okay. Her mother was sitting by her side on a bench, in the gardens of the pack house, and her presence alone seemed to be the reason why Jade still had it together. I hated that I couldn’t do anything to prevent this from happening. And I hated how powerless this made me feel. I felt unworthy of my title as alpha, of my role as the protector and provider, especially when I recalled the whole Camelia fiasco. Speaking of Camelia, she had been sent to her coven, with a letter which explained her transgression, and the leftover cookie which could explain everything. She was no longer my problem. And though it saddened me that we couldn’t be friends as we used to, her betrayal stung more than it probably sho
Jade’s pov:It was only when the car began to move, and I believed that Alex wouldn’t be able to catch my expression, that I began to sob – hard… as pathetic as that might sound. Mom patted my back a few times and told me sweet, soothing nothings, and that seemed to do the trick, for I soon quietened down a notch. Admittedly, my wolf was excited at the prospect of training, but also sad because of this forced separation, and that didn’t help. Nevertheless, she still found it in her to say, “Easy sweetheart. Don’t forget you’re pregnant, and these mood swings affect the baby.” That had the knack to make me calm down completely. I needed to see this training as nothing but a task I needed to complete, in order to stand proudly next to my beloved mate. It was the only way this whole ordeal would be more bearable. But then again, I knew that I would soon be so busy, I wouldn’t have much time to lament… and I was looking forward to it. For this wasn’t me, and I hated being a crybaby.
Jade’s pov: The elders were as loathsome as ever, and had made sure to tell me just how useless I was as a Luna. It was our third meeting this week, and they kept stressing over the fact that a pack without its alpha was a pack that could not function properly. As if I didn’t know that already. Luna Sherry and Alpha Kade had to leave the day prior back to their territory, but after telling me repeatedly to reach out to them should there be any news, or if I were to need any help. Looking at the elders, who were actually part of the pack, I felt bile rise in my throat. Oh, heavens only knew how much I was itching for a fight. But I couldn’t. Not only was my wolf basically dormant, nurturing the baby within me, but also because I didn’t care for the mess that would surely follow. “We are talking in circles,” one of them muttered, his eyes spitting fire at me. “We need to take action. We haven’t received any news in regards to Alpha Alexander’s trial, or any other news…” “I won’t t
Jade’s pov: Upon contacting Alpha Ian, he said that he would do his best to assist me in these dire times, just not openly so – no doubt for fear of backlash from the Alpha King. And I understood his reasons all too well. He had a pack to protect, and I would be silly to take offense at that. Alpha Kade, on the other hand, was immediately alarmed by the news of Alex’s imprisonment, and had offered to come visit the pack at once, in the hopes to talk strategy with Luc, Trevor and me. I was currently at the entrance of the pack house as I waited for his and Luna Sherry’s arrival.His mate, absurdly sweet and supportive, had declared that we would be calling one another at 7 pm tops, everyday, without fail. Our conversations varied, and I could feel that she was doing her best to cheer me up. Today marked day 7 since Alex was taken from me and his pack, and we had yet to hear any word from the Alpha King, as to when he would be facing trial. The wait was maddening, and it was all I co
Alex’s pov:The Alpha King had an unreadable expression as he looked at me, before a smirk broke out on his face. I didn’t know why but the smirk rubbed me off the wrong way. Nevertheless, I couldn’t break our eye-contact.I was no longer bound by the rules which dictated that I should be mindful of my manners when facing him. But as I remembered my sweet beloved, I averted my gaze, knowing that while he couldn’t go beyond killing me or torturing me to no end, he could hurt Jade.And that wasn’t an option.“You’re not broken,” he let out in an even tone of voice. “I am impressed.”That had the knack to make my eyebrows shoot up in my hairline. Was he taunting me or telling the truth? And to what end was he saying this to me?The sound of other footsteps soon filled the silence that had stretched between us. And before long, Marc, his beta appeared.“You’re quite resilient, Alpha Alexander,” Marc let out the moment he saw me. “But what I like the most about you is how quick-witted you
Jade’s pov:Naturally, because luck was never on my side, the first thing I had to deal with, upon reaching the pack, was the elders.Though I had expected some kind of confrontation, I didn’t believe I was ready for one just yet. I needed time to process everything that had happened over the course of the past 24h, and had many things on my plate already.But they weren’t lenient enough to allow me the time to even breathe.“Let’s talk in the conference room,” Jeremiah, the most daring one in my opinion, let out without so much as a preamble.I didn’t like the way he formulated his sentence, but now wasn’t the time to be a nitpicking wolf.“The luna has just arrived,” Luc spoke up at once, beating me to the punch… and it was for the best, because the scathing answer I had at the tip of my tongue would land me in nothing but trouble. “Surely the meeting can wait.”“It wasn’t a request,” was the retort we received.I raised an eyebrow, and felt my tiredness fade away as anger washed ov
Jade’s pov:Beta Marc was naturally intimidating – with a no-nonsense attitude which was half-frightening and half-infuriating – and possibly moreso because of the deep scowl, which only seemed to disappear whenever he interacted with Paulina and Anna.I had naturally heard the rumors. He had lost his pregnant mate a few years back, and had vowed to remain celibate since then. Though, to be fair, I believed he had a soft spot for Paulina.But now, he appeared as the most frightening foe ever.We were in the Alpha King’s territory, and Alex had had to attack his guards, seeing as they were ready to do the queen’s bidding and throw us all in the dungeons – to do heavens only knew what.I knew the situation was not in our favor, and Alex was ready to take the fall for it, provided I got the chance to leave this damned place. I wanted to do anything to prevent that from happening, but I knew deep down that I was powerless to do anything really.I hated the feeling with passion, and I coul
Alex’s pov:I was happy to see my beautiful Jade up and about. And seeing her interact with Anna, the sweet child who had warmed up to her, made something bloom in my chest. I could picture her with our own child, playing with him, cooing at him softly… The images were comforting given the circumstances, and yet bittersweet at the same time – as I might not be a part of their future.I watched her and Anna laugh merrily, almost unaware of the looming danger. She was not carrying just an alpha, but the alpha of alphas. And although the Alpha King might have taken the news well, the queen, his mother, most definitely did not… Possibly, moreso because The Alpha King had yet to be mated.There was so much to do and say, but all I knew was that we needed some kind of break and alone time too.Cole, I mind-linked the warrior who had tagged along as my driver, Watch out outside the room for any threats. I need to have a word with your Luna.Yes, alpha, was his immediate answer, as he stepped
Jade’s pov: I felt like I was at peace, and yet something in the back of my mind kept telling me I was forgetting something of great importance. Realizing I had basically passed out, in the middle of the chaos that followed the fall of the barrier, I woke up with a jolt. I sat straight, eyes wide, breathing labored, and I vaguely heard someone tell me, “It’s okay, love.” Love? Love? I mentally repeated, a little bit too numb to function or think for a moment there. That could only be Alex, and tears gathered in my eyes as I looked around for him, and saw him sitting on a chair next to the bed I woke up in. I was familiar with the room. And knowing I was still at the Alpha King’s palace made me feel anxious to leave already. “Don’t cry, love,” he drawled as he drew patterns over the top of my hand, and I felt the tingles that followed, and which were as pleasurable as ever. Heavens, I missed him! “The baby?” I asked as I put my hand over my slightly bulging belly. “The baby
Alex’s pov:Soon, I was holding Jade in my arms, bridal style, while following a servant to the hallway where her room was located. Paulina had said she would probably come to on her own, and there was therefore no need to panic. Lucille, Jade’s mother, was led to the clinic, almost against her will, but I naturally sent Cole with her. I couldn’t bring myself to relax around them now that I knew they tried to hurt my mate.Paulina’s little replica, whose name I believed to be Anna, was adamant about staying with Jade, and Paulina had trouble convincing her to go to their room.“It’s okay,” I soon told Paulina. “She’s just a kid.”“Are you sure?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.“Positive.” I assured her with a small smile.“I will be in the room across from this one then,” she declared with a nod.I placed Jade on the bed softly, and seeing the sereine look on her face, I reasoned that she wasn’t in any pain.Anna stayed by the end of the bed, her eyes locked onto Jade’s face,
Alex’s pov:My worry became my fuel as I fought off the guards with barely contained anger. I couldn’t allow myself to be consumed with fury, as I feared I would lose control, which would prove lethal.My wolf could tell that the danger was real, and recognized the witch and her daughter as people who needed our protection, in addition to Jade and Lucille – Jade’s mother – naturally.There was no doubt in my mind that there would be consequences to today’s chaos, but chances were that the Alpha King would not condemn his mother. The queen had naturally retreated along with her servants, and I was left to fend off the attackers.The guards were strong, almost as strong as Trevor, and they knew how to fight in a group, their movements in sync… But I was an Alpha, one of the strongest of the country, and this was my family they were threatening to harm.Even though the territory was foreign, I got the upper hand before long, and they laid wounded and passed out on the soil of the forest.