Xzen's POVIf there's anything that differentiates me from my younger brother, it will be my tentativeness but I've failed to live up to my expectations for myself. How did I fall so low? I lift the jug and drink the water I've been staring at for the past ten minutes. No matter how hard I try, I still can't figure out what exactly made it impossible for me to resist the Omega's sweet seduction. I'd found it hard to tear my gaze away from her eyes, the depth of them as vast as an ocean, captivating yet terrifying. I'd felt almost drowned in her sweet scents. Goddess, even without knowing a thing about who she was then, I had still jumped her like a hungry beast. I close my eyes, reminiscing her sounds, those moans of pleasure. The way she writhed within that soft nest of hers as I pounded her tight heat. Her silent tears while her eyes rolled back in ecstasy, her fingers clutching tightly my biceps. The only audible word I heard through my blinded pleasure was her plea for more. I
It's been several days since my arrival at Blackvine and although I'm trying to keep my hackles up, it's so hard not to let my guard down amidst such loving people. I smile as I step into the cold night, my bare feet absorbing the chill from the carpet grass leading to the backyard of the pack mansion. I've only been outside twice since my stay here and I'm only outside now because Hanna is fulfilling her promise to me. I don't want to do wrong in the eyes of the same pack that rescued me from the claws of my previous mate. So I promised Hanna to put my all into my physiotherapy and now that I can walk with only a little limp, she owes me a bath in the famous hot pool. “You will love it, trust me. I would have chosen to be a healer but I lack enough concentration. The last time I mixed a herb for a rabbit, it died within five minutes. Apparently, I'd mistakenly mixed in a poisonous mushroom.” Hanna chats excitedly. She swings her arms around animatedly as she continues to share her
Chapter 8I stand frozen as my surroundings echo the shout of the woman in pain. My heart trembles at the memory of that night. The night I lost my family. The night I lost all that mattered to me. I can still hear my mother's scream of agony. I can see the blood-soaked body of my dead father, his lifeless eyes gazing in terror at me. The worthless daughter of his. The one who brought them nothing but pain and heartache ever since her birth. “Aura?” This pathetic excuse of a werewolf, this useless, rejected omega.“Aura! You need to breathe!” Hanna's frantic plea reaches my ears and for a moment I cease to hear the angry howls of my past pack mates.I gasp with an intake of breath, feeling my chest tighten with the effort it takes to get air into my lungs. My eyes water as I choke on air. Through my teary eyes, I can see Hanna's lips moving like she's trying to tell me something.“W…what?” The strain it takes me to mutter that one word causes me to push my heavy head against the wa
Chapter 9Xzen's POVThe sound of cheerful children fills the pack house and I stride out in quick step outside the house. I can't concentrate with all this noise. Why mom keeps letting these little pups into the house baffles me. That it's children's day doesn't mean all children in Blackvine should be granted access into our house. A low groan leaves my throat when I encounter more pups outside. Some are even in their wolf form and baring their teeth playfully at their friends. It kinda reminds me of I and Ace when we were much younger. We would play around like this, chasing each other in the woods and talking about any and everything but all that stopped three years back when we lost our Dad. He doesn't talk about it and I don't either. What I told Ace the day of our father's burial was all I planned to tell him and I don't regret it one bit. He deserved to hear every word. It was his fault, no matter how mother tried to convince the whole pack it was an accident. Ace has always
Chapter 10Xzen's POVThere are only a few reasons why my mother might call me into her study and all of them revolve around my duty to the pack. So as I push open the heavy wooden doors and step into my mother's study, my heart beats with anticipation. The low lighting envelops me, giving me the familiar feel of walking into a cave. Dark walls surround me, adorned with ancient tapestries that whisper secrets of our pack's history. The air is thick with the scent of old books and leather, a familiar smell that doesn't fail to bring me both comfort and unease.My eyes adjust quickly to the darkness, and I take in the familiar sight of my mother's domain. Her massive wooden desk sits at the far end of the room, polished to a high shine from years of use. Behind it, the high-backed white chair looms like a throne, casting a long shadow across the floor.Long shelves line the walls, packed tightly with dust-free books bound in worn leather. The flickering candles cast shadows on the walls
Chapter 11My body trembles as the large guard leads me down the dimly lit hallway, the cold air of the high-ranking pack's den envelopes me like a shroud. The walls are adorned with ancient tapestries that depict the pack's history. They seem to loom over me, casting long, taunting shadows on the floor. The chill of the night seeps through the stone, making my skin prickle with goosebumps.The footsteps of the guard echo off the walls, the only sound breaking this oppressive silence. I quicken my pace, trying to keep up with his long strides, my heart racing with every step. The hallway stretches out before us, lined with doors leading to the private chambers of the pack's elite. I know because this part of the hall is way too elegant to be given to any lesser. I wonder why I'm being brought here.The air is thick with the scent of wood smoke and damp earth, an underlying scent of this pack. I shiver, despite myself, feeling the weight of these Pack's history and power bearing down o
Xzen's POVShe's been avoiding me. I can tell by her every move. I look away from her for a moment, wanting to test my theory, but when I catch her staring the third time, she swerves around, showing her back to me. I stand by the pack temple, watching as Aura is led by a distracted Hanna outside the pack temple. While Hanna chats with whoever, the little omega avoids my gaze. I notice how the sunny weather today compliments the Omega's blond hair, causing it to appear beautiful and inviting. Those wild locs are literally begging for a release from the forceful black band around them. My eyes trail the last lacs of baby curls on her neck. Her flawless skin has gained a slight tan as the warm light casts a glow on her skin, making her look radiant and vibrant. Just like Amila.I feel a pang in my chest, a sense of longing that I instantly suppress.The fuck am thinking about her like that for? She's a potential threat to our pack, and I need to keep my focus. I tear my gaze away fro
Chapter 13In Xzen's POV it's a baby's first walk and the two of them witness it. I watch silently as the baby boy with raven black hair staggers over to Aura's outstretched, eager arms abandoning my brother's spread out hands. The pack children giggle while the adults watching, including Hanna, coo as the baby pulls curiously at Aura's hair. It shows I'm not the only one who wishes for those curls to be let down.A boy of about four years old, races off into the temple screaming, “Mummy! Dada! Jayjay is walking!” He must be the little pup's brother. I glance at Ace, he'd always been fancinated with any new stunt and adventure so much that he'd run off to tell Dad whenever anything happened. My jaw clenches and anger soils my emotions when Ace meets my gaze for a brief moment. Aura attempts to hand over the baby to him but the boy starts crying and clings to her lilac sundress. She giggles, her cheeks blushing with joy and Ace stares at her like like the stars are hanging on her fa
Aura's POVAt first we don't notice the sky darkening, too lost in the heated kiss to realize. But then raindrops begin to fall, gently at first, then it intensifies into a relentless downpour. “Hmm,” I moan against Alpha Xzen's lips a second before he pulls me up to wrap my legs around his waist. My fingers tangle in Alpha Xzen's hair while his hands roam my curves like a starved man. But our bliss is short-lived. A squeak leaves my lips when the rain suddenly becomes a torrent, forcing us to seek refuge. Alpha Xzen grasps my hand, “follow me!” He shouts under the rain, pulling me along with him. Laughter escapes my chest as we run like two pups in the rain. Xzen glances back at me, his eyes warm. I run after him, feeling my heart lighten as I'm led back to my shelter. Our footsteps splashing in puddles.Michel and Henry must be in their outside rooms on both sides of the small house, as they are nowhere to be found when we burst through the shelter's entrance.The door barely ge
As I walk up to meet Alpha Xzen, my heart pounds heavily in my chest. He stands a few feet away, two guards standing beside him but not too close. His eyes are fixed on me as I step closer, expecting him to say something– anything that'll give me some indication of why he's waiting for me. But instead, Alpha Xzen's eyes shine as he simply gently tugs me away from the rising murmur of the small groups of individuals standing and sitting in the green field. A kind shiver graces my spine at the warm contact. I inhale, noting how good he smells. Alpha Xzen's thumb rubs softly the back of my tensed hand and I instantly relax, feeling a calm heat course through my hand to my heart. I stumble slightly, caught off guard by his sudden quick movement, like he's scared I'll refuse to follow him. "W...where are you taking me?" I ask, trying to hide the uncertainty in my voice. No, it's not that I'm scared of Alpha Xzen, but because I'm not sure what to expect from him. He doesn't respond resp
Aura's POVThe grass is wet today. Wet drops quickly slip into my sandals as myself and Bay stroll down to class. Today's our exam. It's our final practical class, one that I and Bay have been studying hard for. Like every other day, Bay came to wait at my door so we can stroll to class together but I don't believe that's the only reason. Considering how interested in Henry she was when I got out, I'd say he's the main reason she keeps showing up. As we stroll, I silently listen to Bay rant on about how Michel is always ruining her fun with Henry and how unfair it is. “I mean, I'm no longer with that cheating count so why can't I mate with a mateless beauty?!” Bay unsurprisingly yells.Yes, she's is... a lot. She's loud, blunt, and very dramatic, but somehow it all just works. Most days she's like a breath of fresh air to my worrisome mind, stirring things up and keeping me in the present.I realize, as we walk, that I've never known anyone like Bay. Someone who's so unapologetical
It's been days since I last saw Alpha Xzen, and weeks since I moved out of the pack house. Through out this time a lot of things have been inconsistent. Although I hate to say it, I'm better off within the pack house where every thing is set in motion for me. Here at the shelter I can hardly coordinate myself. It's only now that I've tried living on my own, without the help of the pack that I realize just how much was being done for me back there. I never had to make my own meals, never had to wash the dishes, never had to worry for anything materialistic, Alpha Elena ensured I had it all even before I asked. It saddens me to remember I never once really thanked her before moving out. I'd been too blinded by hurt. Also I have noticed how most pack members tend to stare when I pass by. At first I'd quicken my pace and hurry off but ever since Bay made it her duty to walk me home, I've realized they all are simply curious about me. Most times whenever Bay waves at them they run up
Xzen's POVOne look at Aura and I'm suddenly transported back to that evening…when I saw her with Ace. My frustration rises as I remember how close they both were to each other. I felt a pang of jealousy then, and I feel it now.I've tried so hard to get her to open up to me but she chooses to share space with Ace. Someone who's barely in the pack these days. How could she spend time with him so easily, when every time I take a step towards her, she takes a hundred back? It doesn't make sense. Hell, I thought I knew her, thought I understood her fears and her boundaries. But now, I'm not so sure.Aura's expression is confused, her brow furrowed in concern. She takes a cautious step back, her eyes darting towards the door like she's reminding herself of the available escape. Her stance is frightened, her weight shifting on to a leg as if she's ready to flee at any moment.I also notice how her tiny hands are clenched into fists, her knuckles white with tension. She's trembling, ever
Xzen's POV"And where is he?!’’ I glare deadly at the guard, my demand shaking the room. The man, a tall, confident figure with chiseled features and a strong jaw line, bows submissively, but answers calmly, ‘'I do not know, Alpha.’'I take a step closer, my anger escalating. ‘'When last did he report to duty?!'’ I question, my chest heaving. I'm hit with a pang of irritation when I notice Collins sitting at a corner of the room, frowning.'’Relax, Alpha,'’ Collins says as he tries to intervene. '’It's just a training session. I'm sure someone else can stand in for Ace.'’I whirl around, directing my fury at him. '’You've been gone for a while, you have no idea just how lackadaisical he's been,'’ I snarl, my eyes flashing with anger.The guard seems to sense ann opportunity and speaks up, '’Alpha Xzen, I could fetch Ace if you desire.' He lifts his head a bit, his confident demeanor permanent. Just as trained.I frown, my eyes darkening. ‘'From this day forward, he ceases to be the Pa
Ace's POVI'm aware that whatever I'm about to say will possibly make no sense to Aura at this moment. My words might hold no value to her but I must at least try. I've tried getting her alone, in a quiet setting where my thoughts would be more organized but if I keep waiting for that time, I may never find it. That bright and radiant eyes or the petite omega now look dull. The sight causes an unpleasant feeling in my chest, and although I'd like to wipe it off with a joke, I know now's not the time. We are sitting on a bench in the open filled outside her healing class. I notice some trainees checking us out but I pay them no mind.As I prepare myself to speak, I notice how Aura's shoulders are slumped, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, as if trying to hold together the shattered pieces of her heart. I should have been there for her. I would have been there for her. I still wish to be there for her, if she'd let me.. I take a deep breath, my own heart racing with a mix of
My heart drums in rhythm with my feet pounding against the damp earth, mud coats my bare feet, slipping through my toes just like my breath coming in ragged gasps as the wolves close in around me. Panic claws at my heart when I spare a glance behind me. Their eyes glow like lanterns in the dark, the zeal to kill burning like wild fire in their orbs. I move faster, my soul freezing, blood curdling as my mother's scream pierces the air. I don't see him at first but as I get closer, the trees around me blur and I see my father standing in the direction I'm heading. Blood pours down his eyes and the open slit in his throat. My steps falter as hot tears break free. “P…Pa!” I scream. He gazes at me with accusing eyes. His voice is barely above a whisper, "You caused this." Those words sear into my mind like a branding iron, the guilt and horror boldly threatening to consume me.“NO! NO!” I scream in fright when sharp claws dig into my skin, scraping against my bone. Alpha Mich pays me
With a drop in my aching shoulders, I step out of the warm pack house, and the silence itself is deafening. No one speaks, not even a whisper. Everyone's eyes follow me, their faces etched with sadness and…guilt. Some gaze down, unable to meet my eyes, while others watch with muted emotions that mirror my own.I feel like I'm walking through a sea of regret, their unspoken words hanging in the air like a challenge. But what's there to be sad about? I'd been the one to make the wrong decision of running away. I'd caused the death of my unborn pup. I'd caused it all and now that I think of it I feel I've mistaken their pitiful stares for guilt. But they have every reason to pity the weak omega. The fool who lost her pup when she tried to find a better route in life. Two guards approach me, their expressions calm. They both offer to help me move my belongings. I nod at them, grateful for their assistance, as I'm still a bit tired. It's been over a week but my body is still recovering.