Nate Hunter, Beta Mateo and Kai Nebriski stood in the Alpha's office while they waited for the man to finish his talks with one of the alliance packs. It had been a month since Crystal Appleby had joined the pack and not a day had passed when Nate Hunter had not tried to convince his brother to send back the girl to the boonies. But his brother had not budged.When Nick heard that Kai was set to report her first month of training and Mateo was going to the Appleby mountains to bring back Juan, Nate could not help but run to his brother's office to see if he could convince his brother to send the Appleby pup back where she came from!But now that he was here, he seriously regretted it. His brother was in a mood. And the best place to be when his brother was in the said 'mood' was to be furthest away from his brother. But now, he had been thrown into the lineup in front of his brother."Stop fidgeting Nate!" Ace growled making him freeze as his icy voice rolled over him. Uhh. It had bee
Crystal turned away from Ace and hugged herself, worried if she was making a mistake in trusting him with her secret. She had observed him all the time they had been together and knew that she could be wrong about him. He was a man who had killed his own father and she had not yet discovered why. But she knew that this was the only course forward. It was better to trust the devil you know. However, before that, she would have to put forward some conditions of her own. At least that way, she could fool herself that she had some semblance of control. Sighing, she turned back to him and the pity in his eyes almost broke her before she hardened her heart and spoke," You can rest assured that I will not endanger your pack in any way. If anything, I'd rather die than harm the innocent."Ace scowled at this but he was not going to give up until he knew the truth about the monsters who had poisoned a little girl. He knew she was not happy about confiding in him and he wanted to tell her that
Ace stared into her eyes, for the first time in his life... shocked. She knew. Crystal already knew they were fated mates when he hadn't been sure until last night...when he had finally caught a whiff of her..."You knew?" At this moment, it was not just him and his wolf that felt betrayed. It was as if his whole body had been doused in ice. She knew that she was his fated mate and had chosen to not tell him. In fact, she had actively worked to hide it by not letting him get her true scent.Crystal only stared at him quietly as she said, " I knew and I have no intention of accepting it."A tearing pain ripped through him almost making him collapse to his knees so that all he could utter was," I see."Without a word, he turned to walk away, knowing that at this moment, he dared not ask any questions. She was still too young, he reminded himself. The anger, pain and betrayal, he would get over on his own and then he would ask her the questions that he wanted the answers toAs his hand h
"All in its time, Ace. I'll tell you everything in time. But not right now. I have said all I wanted to say.""And what about what I want to say?" Ace asked silkily. Ace had always been used to taking split-second decisions and even though he had been shaken by the recent revelation, he had already planned his further course of action."If this is regarding anything other than what we earlier agreed upon, then no. I am not willing to discuss this with you.""Neither am I."This caused Crystal to look up at Ace in confusion. Just now he had been furious that she had been unwilling to have him as her mate. And now he was being so blase about it? What was happening?'Ha. Dreamy is an alpha Crissy. Do you think he is going to wait around for you to accept him?' Erin whispered in her mind. And even though it was said casually by her wolf, she could feel her wolf's slight twinge of pain that mirrored hers.'Hey. You are the one who is thinking too much and rejecting our mate. So why are you
Crystal opened her eyes and almost jumped out of her skin to see the stinky face in front of her. "Hey! Nate Hunt. Get out of my face! You had to go ahead and ruin my day first thing in the morning."Nathan Hunt moved back and leaned against the dresser as he bit into an apple and smiled at the grumpy face."Well, Happy seventeenth Apple. And it is not your day that has been ruined. My brother made me come down here to bring you to him and be the first person to wish you. I had a hot breakfast date and now I have to come and look at that ugly mug of yours."You are the ugly one. And why has your brother sent for me? Doesn't he have any more rogues to kill?""Hey! Don't jinx it!"In the last six months, his brother seemed to have contracted some kind of disease or insanity. He had been going around tracking rogue wolves who attacked other wolves and humans and killing the said wolves. It was almost as if his brother had a personal vendetta against them. Thankfully, news of his brother
"All in its time, Ace. I'll tell you everything in time. But not right now. I have said all I wanted to say." "And what about what I want to say?" Ace asked silkily. Ace had always been used to taking split-second decisions and even though he had been shaken by the recent revelation, he had already planned his further course of action. "If this is regarding anything other than what we earlier agreed upon, then no. I am not willing to discuss this with you." "Neither am I." This caused Crystal to look up at Ace in confusion. Just now he had been furious that she had been unwilling to have him as her mate. And now he was being so blase about it? What was happening? 'Ha. Dreamy is an alpha Crissy. Do you think he is going to wait around for you to accept him?' Erin whispered in her mind. And even though it was said casually by her wolf, she could feel her wolf's slight twinge of pain that mirrored hers. 'Hey. You are the one who is thinking too much and rejecting our mate. So why a
The rogue in the basement had been chained to the walls with silver chains that hung from the walls. One look and she recognized the man as one of the people who had abducted her and her parents. Crystal looked at the unconscious man and then back at Ace. He had actually found this man for her. "Open the door, Ace." Crystal spoke softly. Without a word, Ace opened the door before letting her go in. Even as every instinct inside him protested wanting to stay by his side and protect her, he stepped back and let her go.Once inside, Crystal pulled out the blade strapped to her thigh and immediately slashed the man's arm. The pain caused him to wake up and groan. In the next moment, his eyes widened and he almost screamed. With a cold smile, Crystal stared at him," So you remember me? That makes things easier, doesn't it?""I don't know where your human parents are." The man screamed like a girl."Well, then you better start thinking fast or you are no use to me. Or at least quick
Happy Birthday to You...Happy birthday happy birthday.. happy birthday to you..."As all her classmates from high school and warriors sang on top of their voices, Crystal felt her heart beating peacefully. She was lucky to have found Ace and even luckier to have him as her mate. She felt proud of what he had done with his pack. This pack was like the family that she had when she was young. These people, this atmosphere, this security she hoped that she would be able to give that to her pack. The cake was passed and served, and as in all parties, the warriors were only interested in meat and drinks. Shrugging, Crystal made her way to sit with Kai and Beta Mateo. They were the only ones who were comfortable with her from what she understood. Maybe she'd grab a piece of cake for each of them to sweeten the deal when she questioned them about their Alpha. His mate had actually not shown up for the party and she had a feeling that during the next few days he was going to be AWOL. In the
"My baby?" The first thought that came to Crystal when she woke up and felt her stomach that everything had been a dream and her baby had been stolen by Indiva. As tears of agony came to her eyes and she tried to move, her hand was held by Ace. Tears in her eyes, she tried to speak when he placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Our baby is safe. She was just too small so Juan has taken her to a makeshift care unit.""She? We have a baby girl?"With a loud exhale, Ace spoke," Yes sugar. We have a little baby girl..."Crystal frowned at the weary tone of voice and questioned tentatively,"You are not happy?"Once agian, he leaned forward before placing reassuring kisses all over her face. "I am very happy. Just worried about the future...""Why? Is there some other villain posing as a threat?" Crystal asked wth a trace of fear."No! Sigh! Crystal... our daughter..." As Ace left the words hanging, Crystal widened her eyes, all thoughts of negative thoughts running through her...She held h
The silence in the night continued as scene after scene continued to change showing the siren's plan to kill the Goddess by luring Luna Crystal. A strange murmur raced through the crowd as everything continued according to the plan of the siren and Luna Crystal was separated from the battle by Ace and the siren. They watched from his eyes as he gazed worriedly at his wife who was suffering discomfort and seemed to be rubbing her belly continuously. Because the siren had been made with Indiva's magic she was well aware of the magic and easily led them to Indiva. But instead of engaging in a war, they had not expected that Indiva would disappear into the woods followed by Aenora. As Crystal would have followed them, Ace summoned Doyen and spoke to Erin with their mind link.”No. Wait here. And fight with me. Our people have already spread through the forest, she won't be able to disappear easily." They watched as the Luna Queen immediately stilled and followed the black wolf’s bidding.
“I know what they said… They said I ran away and shook hands with the enemy. I know what they said…They said that I betrayed my mate. I know what they said… They said I fell under the spell of a siren. I know what they said…They said I was lured away by the thirst for magic and power… kidnapped by lust. I know what they said…They said that I would not return to my mate…be killed by the Goddess I was meant to kill. I know what they said…”The small wisp of smoke that had arisen from the witch’s hand slowly took the image of Alpha Ace in the middle of the dark sky. With every word the smoky Alpha spoke, the chillier everyone felt. These were indeed the rumours that had been spreading through the ranks over the last many hours but to hear them from this wisp of smoke in such a voice was way too scary even for the most hardened shifters. It made them think of ghosts.The witch herself trembled and gulped as she uttered a few words, tightening the smooth lock of hair in her palm and spoke,”
Dissent spread through the army as the werewolves questioned Alpha Ace's presence beside Goddess Indiva at the beginning of the war while the foxes fed the fire of rumours. Even as most of the shifters would not dare to question either Crystal or Ace, out of sheer fear, they did not seem to have any qualms about discussing the same and spreading rumours. But nobody knew the truth of the matter as the Goddess had been defeated without any witnesses. Using this momentum the fox shifters questioned Nate," Beta Hunter. The Queen is still in labour. And the others are still in recovery but what about the Queen's consort? What about Alpha Ace? We all saw him standing there right next to that Goddess and whoever that woman was. Did he fight on their side? Has he betrayed his mate? All of us agreed to an alliance not just with the queen but also on the trust of Ace Hunter's mate and the backing of the warriors of the Moonhunter Pack. But now it seems Alpha Ace was not a part of this war. So,
As Crystal struggled to breathe through the contractions, she hoped and prayed that her baby would survive. Tears of happiness escaped her eyes. Her baby had decided to come just after the threat had been eliminated. Now they would be able to live peacefully. She would not have to constantly look over her shoulder in fear. But unknown to her, a certain threat still thrived. The fox clan were known for their cunningness but also their selfishness. At this moment, two red foxes scoured the remains of the dead. Like scavengers, they also looked for something from the dead and did not 'waste' their time in mourning their comrades. "Dam* it! Where is that box? Are you sure it is not there where that Luna buried the heart?" Grumbled the female vixen as she tried to look for the small box which held Indiva's sealed powers. The other fox glared at her and spoke sharply," Keep your voice down! I know it is not there! Do you think the Luna will be so stupid to put it in a place where everyo
As the net was cast and Indiva prepared to disappear, Aenora was not going to be easily defeated. Summoning all her powers, Aenora filled the air with pheromones so strong that the air started to feel sickeningly cloying. While Erin in her wolf form was barely affected other than feeling a bit hazy, Goddess Indiva, with little and now almost exhausted power, was forced to her knees. But Indiva was not going to let go so easily and continued to chant the spells, tightening the hold of the net on Crystal lest the wolf tries to escape or attack her. But Crystal seemed uncaring and unaware of her surroundings. Probably the shock of losing her mate and having to live with his betrayal seemed to finish her will to live. But Aenora- the siren on the other end had gone crazy as she continued to attack Indiva until finally, Indiva was unable to escape and finally lay panting on the floor as their almost exhausted powerful auras glowed faintly around them,. Seeing that she had brought the vill
"Do not forget that I am still a Goddess, Aenora," Indiva thundered. "It still holds the binding power of the heavens!" The siren snorted and narrowed her eyes, "And I don't think that you will find a way to say the words in such a way that the promise would be circumvented? No mistress. You will give me the box." Placing one hand behind her back, Indiva curled her fingers and urged, "The box is of no use to you, Aenora. It is mine. Ask for anything and I will give you." Instead of replying, Aenora let out a shriek and jumped at Indiva who was about to cast a curse at her. Indiva fell to the floor while the box slipped out of her hand. Kicking her in the stomach, Aenora jumped towards the box only to be hit by magic and thrown against the walls. As the Goddess and siren continued to fight, throwing curses t each other, two pairs of eyes continued to stare. A while later as it looked no one would be lost, a loud howl broke through the woods. The wolf's howl was filled with agony an
Aenora hurried behind the tiny bird with narrowed eyes. She needed to see where Goddess Indiva was going. That Goddess wanted nothing more than all the shifters to be eradicated and Luna Crystal to lose her life. And yet, now when Crystal was about to engage in a fight with Ace, the goddess was fleeing instead of staying to help or watch. Aenora searched the sky as the sun's rays hurt her eyes, looking for the tiny bird which had disappeared into the sky. Was Ace correct? This Goddess Indiva had only planned to use them and then kill them. But she had promised that if they succeeded in defeating Luna Crystal, she would let Ace and her leave together so that they could live happily... The beautiful face turned into a scowl and she touched the late trunk of a tree as she ordered," Tell me where the goddess has disappeared."A small hollow appeared in the tree as it spoke," The Goddess has entered the secret cave at the end of these woods. Our Goddess Siren, the Goddess Indiva is in a t
No word was spoken as the rays of the sun fell across the sand. With a single raised hand, Crystal directed her troops to march forward. While the others almost seemed to have fallen into a trance at the sight of Ace Hunter, the calm determination in Crystal's eyes and gestures seemed to re inforce their energy. Yes... Luna Crystal hadn't just spoken words about fighting the loved ones. She was also prepared to fight those she loved.Soon, the silence was broken by growls, howls and the sounds of war. Bones popped as humans turned animals and attacked those who had hurt their loved ones. For the army they fought may carry the faces of their loved ones but in the end, they were not the same instead the undead were reminders of what they had lost.As the silence was absorbed by loud noises, Indiva turned away from the battle, uncaring whether her own army lived or died. Crystal was holding up really well for someone whose mate had just cheated on her. She stared intently at Ace and Aeno