~ Alister's POV ~
Alister left Ophelia's house feeling uneasy. The brief conversation he had with Luciana had left him with more questions than answers. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.He had wanted to talk to Ophelia about one of their pack members but Luciana's body language, especially when she tried to block his path and stop him from entering the house, Indicated that something was going on in that house and he was not to come in. He had respected her wishes, knowing that she wouldn't do that if Ophelia was not in support.
Her scent still lingered where they had touched and it was doing something to him. He grunted, shifting in his car seat as he started the car.
He drove straight to his office and was not surprised when he entered his office and saw Elijah, his Beta and best friend sitting on his desk with his eyes fixed on the computer in front of him.
" There's a reason why the door is there Alister" Elijah said dryly.
" …Yes, to prevent people like you from coming into my private space. But no, you wouldn't take the hint" he retorted.
" The reason is so you'll knock before entering Alpha and not startle people…" Elijah said ignoring his earlier statement, rolling his eyes.
" I would be an idiot to knock before entering my own office Eli, if anyone is doing the knocking, it's you…" he replied.
Elijah scoffed, looking up at him with an arched brow, " what's got you tight in your pants" he teased.
He hated it when Elijah could read him like a book. They've known each other all their lives so it was literally impossible to hide anything from the guy.
Alister sighed as he sat down in the chair across from Elijah and leaned forward.
" …that obvious?"
" Yes Alister, so spill…"
"I think your mother is up to something," Alister said, getting straight to the point.
Elijah raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"
"I just had a conversation with Luciana. She didn't say much, but the way she acted made me think that Ophelia is hiding something, she even stopped me from entering the house." Alister muttered.
Elijah whistled as he leaned back in the chair and sighed. "You know my mother. She always has a few tricks up her sleeve."
"That's what worries me," Alister said. "We need to figure out what she's up to before it's too late."
Elijah nodded in agreement. "I'll see what I can find out. But be careful, Alister. My mother is not to be underestimated."
Alister knew that Elijah was right. Ophelia was a force to be reckoned with, and she had a way of getting what she wanted. But he also knew that he had to be just as cunning if he wanted to outsmart her.
"Thanks, Elijah," Alister said, "Let me know what you find out."
" Hold on a minute" Elijah paused, picking up his phone to check the screen. " Fuck! it's your birthday today… the big twenty one" he gasped.
Alister rolled his eyes, that wasn't exactly new news, he mused. His Beta could be dramatic at times, acting like his mother.
" So…?"
" So?, You'll find your mate today…are you nervous?" Eli asked.
He wasn't about to tell Elijah that he was nervous. He couldn't imagine getting a mate when his heart was falling for Luciana. He knew the pack needed a Luna, but if he could delay finding his mate for another year, then he would.
" Nope, waited for this moment all my life…" he said dryly.
" At least be excited" Elijah said.
" I'm excited, just not overdoing it" he said, " what's the status on the border issue?" He asked, changing the topic.
If Elijah noticed the change, he didn't point it out, instead, he taped some keys on the laptop and sighed, " we have extra warriors patrolling the East border. The rogues or whoever was sighted haven't made a move yet. It probably is just some human, sight seeing or looking for adventure…" he explained.
Alister rubbed his temple, he hoped so, because he could not tackle any threat showing now. Mentally, he wasn't ready.
" We still need to be careful, increase security and inform me of any slight development" he told Elijah who nodded as he stood up.
" I will, I'll see you later" the guy said, walking towards the door. He paused, holding the door knob before turning around sharply.
" Shit!, I think they're planning a surprise birthday party for you" Elijah said with an amused look.
Oh hell!, Not another party, he groaned, remembering the last party. He could still hear Elijah laughing at him down the hall.
The fucker.
~ Luciana's POV ~The party was in full swing after they had surprised the Alpha later that evening. Alister had acted like he was surprised, but she knew better, that was not the face of someone who was surprised. He probably found out that they were planning something when he came to Ophelia's house earlier. As she discreetly looked at him, Luciana noted his appearance: a dark green shirt with rolled-up sleeves and worn jeans, bathed in the moon's glow, he looked almost otherworldly.Luciana's heart ached, knowing that in a few minutes, at midnight, the Alpha would discover his mate, who could be any of the many women enjoying the party. She scanned the crowd of women around them, knowing one of them would soon be fortunate enough to be chosen by the Alpha.While sipping his drink, Alister found something Beta Elijah had said amusing and let out a laugh. Luciana noticed his laughter and their eyes met briefly. She thought she saw a hint of affection in his eyes before he looked awa
Alister's POVAlister and Elijah were making their way towards the gates when Alister caught a strange scent. The scent was so strange that Alister grunted, indicating his discomfort. He did not want to take any chances with the stranger who carried that strange scent. He was worried that the person might be a threat to his pack, his home. He asked Elijah, "Any idea who we're meeting?" Elijah was walking beside him with a scowl, indicating that he was also not pleased with the situation. Alister's timing could not be worse. It was the night of the full moon, and he had just found his mate. The last thing he wanted to do was to meet a stranger when he could be spending his night with his mate. He was reminded of his duties as a mate, and he knew he should be marking her right now. Instead, he found himself marching towards the gates to meet a stranger. As they neared the gates, Alister couldn't help but feel uneasy about the meeting. He was unsure of what was going to happen, and h
"I'm Noah and these are my sons. It's a long story…we just need help" the man said with pleading eyes.Alister stood there, his expression contorted into a frown as he listened to the man before him. The idea of offering asylum to strangers he knew nothing about was a foreign concept to him, especially since the council was supposed to be the ones responsible for assisting those in need. Why come to his pack when they could just go to the council? It didn't make any sense.“ Then go to the council… that’s their job. To offer assistance…” he said, turning around to leave and ready to put an end to the conversation. But before he could take more than a few steps, the man's voice stopped him in his tracks."Please," Noah said, desperation lacing his tone.Alister hesitated for a moment before turning back around to face the three wolves. The man's words had piqued his curiosity, and he couldn't help but wonder why they were so insistent on seeking asylum with his pack and not many other
Luciana's POVLuciana, who was sitting on the couch, observed the scene in front of her with great interest. Ophelia, her friend and fellow pack member, was cradling one of the babies who had been crying inconsolably until Ophelia took charge. She was amazed by how effortlessly Ophelia was able to soothe the little one. She had always been a natural caregiver, even though it's been long since she was a mother. Her son Elijah was no longer a child. The baby's cries slowly subsided as Ophelia rocked him gently in her arms. After a few minutes, the baby had calmed down completely and was now sleeping soundly.Ophelia carefully handed the baby back to his mother, who was grateful for the brief respite from the constant demands of motherhood.Ophelia then turned her attention to Lucia and asked, "How are you feeling?" as she sat down beside her on the couch. Lucia shifted her weight, trying to find a comfortable position while holding Keita, her own son. "Not exactly the kind of mating
Luciana's POV"I’m sorry… I get carried away sometimes…" Ophelia apologized for crying."No, you're allowed to remember him. You don't have to apologize," Luciana said kindly.Feeling grateful for her understanding, Ophelia sighed, "Well, I'm fine. I was just thinking that Alister would be glad to have Keita as his son. He loves the boy, you could see it in his eyes." She responded.Lucia was surprised to hear this and asked, "You think so?"Ophelia nodded, "Yes, absolutely. I've seen the way he looks at Keita since the day the kid was born and the way he looks at you since the day he brought you both into the pack. He loves you and damn well loves Keita too." She said.Luciana sighed, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. She had been worried about how Alister would react to Keita, as he was not his biological son. She knew that he liked Keita, but to accept another man's child as his own son and future heir was a lot to ask, especially from an Alpha.She also worried about the rest o
Alister's POVAlister sat at his desk, his laptop screen open on the desk, as he spoke with Elder Wilson about a recent incident involving rogue wolves and the strangers he was currently helping. As he was deep in conversation, his beta Elijah entered the room, signaling that he had helped Lucia move into Alister's house. Alister couldn't help but feel guilty that he wasn't able to assist in the move due to being swamped with paperwork. He sighed, massaging his temples in frustration."I followed procedure here... they were being chased by rogues, there was no way I would have asked them to continue their journey to the council, for all we know, the rogue wolves might have followed them here…" Alister explained to the man whose face was on the screen, frustration evident in his voice.He couldn't help but feel responsible for the safety of those in his territory, and the thought of rogue wolves wreaking havoc sent shivers down his spine.Elder Wilson listened attentively on the other
Alister's POVAlister had been enjoying his peaceful slumber, wrapped in the warmth of his mate Lucia. He cherished the comfort she brought him, especially during the cold nights. However, the blaring sound of the pack alarm shattered his peaceful slumber, and he was instantly jolted awake. He had hoped that the night would go smoothly, just like the previous few nights when he had held Lucia close in his arms. Alister had never experienced such a luxurious and comforting feeling before, and he wanted to hold on to it for as long as possible, perhaps even for eternity.Lucia stirred beside him, groggily rubbing her eyes as she took note of his alarmed state. Concern etched her features as she asked "What's going on?" her voice laced with concern tooAlister quickly got out of bed, grabbing the closest pair of joggers he could find and putting them on. "I'm not sure," he replied, his voice grave. "But I'm about to find out."The night had started off with such passion and excitemen
Alister's POVAlister's heart was racing as he listened to Elijah's report. The thought of rogue wolves invading his pack's territory filled him with a sense of dread. He knew the danger they posed, not only to his pack but also to the innocent humans who lived in the nearby town. Alister had made a promise to keep them safe and he intended to keep it, no matter the cost.He knew that his pack's security measures were at their highest, with guards working around the clock and pulling double shifts to ensure that there were no loopholes in their defenses.Alister quickened his pace, running towards the East border with Elijah by his side. He tried to remain calm and collected, knowing that he had to keep his wits about him if he wanted to protect his pack. However, the thought of his people being in danger was almost too much to bear."How many of them?" he asked, his voice firm despite the anxiety creeping up on him."About twenty just crossed the East border. Don't know if there are
I year later The wind blew again, this time stronger than the first. Alister adjusted the thick fur cloak on Luciana’s shoulders and smiled as she buried her head in the crook of his arms. In her condition, she wasn’t supposed to be there but she was as stubborn as him. “Do you think she’s looking down on us and regretting what she did?" Luciana mumbled. Alister sighed; he knew that Ophelia regretted what she did and that was why she had killed herself, but he didn't know whether she had found peace in the afterlife. “I hope she found peace after all”, he mumbled. “ I miss her…the kids too” Luciana said. Alister nodded. He wouldn’t admit it, but he also missed her. He had forgiven her for what she did and would have loved it if Ophelia knew that she was forgiven. They stayed that way for a while before someone cleared their throat behind them. He knew who it was even before he turned to face the person. Elijah was standing there with a white rose in his hands, Ophelia’s favorit
Alister’s POVThe fight is in full force, and so far, the Black Moon pack seems to be holding their own. He looked around the fighting ground once again and couldn’t spot his uncle Helster. He knew his uncle’s wolf by now. If Helster’s wolf wasn’t on the battlefield, then where was he?A rogue charged at him, and he pounced on the wolf, tearing its spine away from its body and killing it instantly. The more Rogues they fight and kill, the more additional Rogues charge out of the woods.He saw Elijah finishing off another rogue, and his mind linked to him.“Helster is not here; why?”Elijah turned around and shifted into his human form. He ran back to where Alister was standing, already shifted into his human form.“I wouldn't want to believe that he’s hiding." Alister said.Elijah shook his head and said, “He wants the pack; he’s not hiding. I think he wants to sneak into the pack from another border. Catch us unawares." he said.Just then, as Alister wanted to respond, Peter’s
Luciana’s POVElder Haruto is dead. Wilson had said to her last night after he had returned to his house. He was now the head of the council and would preside over their case. She felt relieved that things were indeed working in their favor.Luciana shifted in her chair. She was waiting for their case to be called, like every other person who was there. She looked around, trying to see if Alpha Reed was already there, but she didn’t see him.Maybe it was a good thing that they would meet inside and not out in the open, she didn't know if she could control herself if she saw him out there in the open.“Black Velvet Pack!" a werewolf standing by the door called.She saw an Alpha stand up and walk into the room where the hearing was being held. Their case was the next one; she had seen the order earlier when Wilson had spoken to her.She pulled the folder out and held it firmly on her lap. The future of their pack depended on her, and as much as she had been the one who had caused all th
Alister’s POVIt was hard. Knowing that his mate was somewhere in the council, doing what he was supposed to be doing, was hard. It had been hard letting her go, and even now, he had to restrict himself from entering a car and driving to the council." Daddy… I want to pee." Keita said, tapping his leg.Alister rolled his eyes, looking down at the boy. “You just did that like five minutes ago”, he mumbled.Keita frowned. “I know, but I still want to go. Mom would be upset if I peed on myself,” he said, pouting his lips.Alister shook his head. Either Keita was missing his mother and didn’t know how to communicate his feelings, or he was trying to be difficult and frustrate him. He suspected it was both.“Fine, let’s go”, he said, picking Keita up. The moment he moved to leave, Omar jumped up from the chair and followed them. Alister sighed. It was going to be hard trying to pull Omar away from him when the time came to defend the pack, and Luciana was not yet back.Thankfully, the re
Reed’s POVReed arrived at the council the next morning. He could feel his victory, and that gave him the confidence to enter the council building. He still had time before the hearing, so he decided to pay a visit to Veronica, his mother.Her office was not far from the academy. He climbed the stairs and walked down the hallway until he got to her door.He knocked twice and waited for her response before pushing the door open and entering the small office. His mother was sitting behind her desk, and she looked like she had never aged since he last saw her.Veronica lifted her head and the surprise on her face was obvious. He didn't blame her for being shocked at him standing in her office; he too would be shocked if he were in her position.Growing up, they never had the best mother-son relationship. She was more like a figure who was just there beside his father. He hated her for that—for not loving him like every other mother loved their children.She pulled the glasses off her fac
Luciana’s POVLuciana closed the zipper of her luggage with a sigh. She was ready to leave, but her heart couldn’t bear to see them all as she was leaving. She could hear the different voices gathered in her living room to bid her goodbye.She sighed and dragged her luggage out of the room, walking down the stairs.“Oh Lucia." Ophelia mumbled, coming up to her to envelope her in a huge hug. Luciana buried herself in the hug.It wasn’t that she was going away from the council for long. Hell, she was just going to be gone for two or three days, so she didn't understand why they were all acting like she was going to be gone for a year.“Take care of yourself and my boys,” she muttered close to Ophelia’s ears.Ophelia nodded her head and released her. “I will. Stay safe,” she said, taking the luggage from Luciana and carrying it outside towards the waiting car.Alister was the next one to come up to her. He was holding Omar, who had refused to let him go and was clinging to him.“You can
Reed’s POVReed was restless. That was the only word sufficient to describe his state of mind and how he was feeling right now. He hated when things were not within his control.He sighed, dragging his fingers through his hair for the umpteenth time as he paced in front of his desk. A few more days and he would get his heart's desire—the land he had desired for years—and even though it was now within reach, he hated the fact that it was not within his control.Helster was coordinating everything, and the rogue Alpha had warned him to stay put until he gave the command.He checked the time, and as if in sync, someone knocked on his door. He took a deep breath and waited.“ Come in," he answered.The door opened, and a man entered his office, closing the door behind him. Just the person he had been waiting for.“You're late…" Reed fired.The man sighed. “I'm sorry, Alpha, it took a great deal of trying to navigate my way to your pack and to avoid being noticed,” he replied.Reed rolled
Luciana's POVShe recoiled in shock. Even though there was a possibility that Alister must have told Elijah about Alpha Reed, she didn’t think he would tell Elijah about Keita’s real father too.Elijah shook his head and said, “I deduced it myself. Don’t think Alister told me. The day Alpha Reed visited the pack, on his way out, he bumped into Keita,” he said.Luciana felt her heart race as her breath hitched. What? Alpha Reed had met Keita. No one told her that. She felt angry that she had not been there to protect Keita from the Alpha.A different kind of fear enveloped her as she thought of Alpha Reed discovering Keita's true identity. He wouldn’t have noticed that Keita was his son, right? She looked at Elijah, noticing now that her eyes were blurry.“He didn't...” she started to ask, but Elijah reassured her by shaking his head."no, I didn't let him touch Keita. However, he noticed how their scents were familiar. Everything started to make sense then. why you would hide the lett
Luciana’s POVIt was at the break of dawn when Luciana left her home in search of the one person who could help her achieve her goal. She had not bothered discussing her decision with Alister that morning; she already knew what he was going to say to her.She was not surprised when she entered the office building and saw people already on the ground floor. They were preparing for an attack, and everyone was on alert.She strolled up the stairs to the alpha’s office floor and gently closed the gap between Alister’s office and Elijah’s office. She could see light coming out from under Elijah’s door and knew immediately that the beta was around.Luciana gently knocked on the door, and when she heard a grunted reply, she turned the handle and entered the office.Elijah was currently sitting behind his desk and had not looked up at her since she entered. She walked over to the front of his desk and stood there. When it was clear that he was busy with what he was doing, she cleared her thro