Arabella’s POVAs my eyes fluttered open, the warm rays of morning light filtering through the curtains, memories of last night flooded my mind. Leo, with his gentle hands and tender lips, had made every moment unforgettable. His touch had been feather-light, caressing every inch of my body with a reverence that left me breathless. His lips had mapped out a trail of kisses, never missing a spot, turning my skin into a canvas of his affection. Each whisper of love, each soft sigh, every shared laugh was imprinted in my memory. The way his eyes had burned with desire, the way his voice had softened when he whispered my name, the way his body had moved against mine... it all felt like a beautiful dream. I turned my head to the side, my eyes meeting Leo's. He was already awake, his dark eyes watching me with a softness that made my heart flutter. "Good morning, beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my arm, sending shivers down my spin
Arabella’s POVOnce I was downstairs, Leo was waiting for me with a playful smile on his face. He held out a silk blindfold in his hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Trust me?" he asked, stepping forward.I chuckled lightly, replying, "Always." I allowed him to wrap the blindfold around my eyes, plunging me into darkness. I felt Leo's hand gently take mine, as he led me out the foyer and towards the car.The hum of the car's engine provided a soothing rhythm to my thoughts as we drove. I spent the entire ride trying to piece together clues from the turns and accelerations, but it was futile."Come on, Leo," I pleaded, "Can't you give me a hint?"From the driver's seat, I heard his chuckle. "Nice try, Arabella," he teased, "But no. I want this to be a surprise."I pouted a little, although he couldn't see it. Despite my curiosity, I respected his wish to keep our destination a secret. The suspense was part of the fun, after all.When the car finally came to a halt, I felt Leo's ha
Arabella’s POVSeated comfortably on the blanket that Leo had spread out against the bottom of the cliff wall, I found myself lost in thought. The ring on my finger felt heavy, not with weight, but with meaning. As I twirled it around my finger, my mind began to wander.Leo had gone to fetch our food basket from the car, leaving me with my thoughts and the tranquil beauty of the lake. It was breathtakingly beautiful, much like the man I was about to marry.As I gazed at the diamond on my finger, I couldn't help but wonder about our future. Would we have children? Would we decide to not have them? Was I even ready to start a family? Would the pack expect me to become pregnant right away to secure their futures?I had always imagined myself as a mother, but now that the possibility was in front of me, I found myself questioning if I was ready.Then there was the question of Leo's role within the pack. Alphas were typically men, and their mates became their Lunas. But Leo was different.
Leo’s POVAs I blinked my eyes open, I immediately noticed the empty space beside me. Arabella was gone. But on her pillow, lay a note. I picked it up and read her neat handwriting, "Gone to the office. Join me for lunch? Love, Arabella."After a quick shower, I dressed and headed to the pack house library. I knew the importance of understanding a pack's history, especially if you were going to lead it. My father, the former Alpha to the pack that was now no more than ash, had drilled that into me at a young age.Having scoured the shelves, I finally found the book I was looking for. A thick volume titled "The History of the Spring Lake Pack." It contained detailed accounts of the pack's formation, important events, past Alphas, and much more. I settled into a corner with the book, losing myself in the rich history of Arabella’s pack.As I read, I was filled with a sense of awe and respect. The Spring Lake Pack had endured hardships, faced enemies, and celebrated victories. Each Alpha
Chapter Sixty-TwoArabella’s POVAs I put the phone to my ear and shouted for Trudy, her voice as she said my name was tinged with a tremor that sent a shiver down my spine. In that moment, fear gripped my heart, and a wave of sickness threatened to overwhelm me. But before I could conjure a list of worst case scenarios, Trudy's voice suddenly burst with joy as she screamed “CONGRATULATIONS BITCH!”Startled by the sudden shift in tone, I couldn't help but feel faint.Leaning forward, I took a moment to compose myself, my hand trembling slightly as I lifted the phone away from my ear. Taking a few deep breaths, I willed my racing heart to slow down, the adrenaline of the moment still coursing through my veins.After a few moments, I brought the phone back to my ear, my voice calmer now as I spoke to Trudy. "You had me worried. I thought something was wrong.“Trudy's congratulations left me with a strange feeling. I could tell her voice was filled with genuine happiness for my engagemen
Leo’s POV"Leo, I really don't think this is a good idea," Kate's voice echoed sternly through the room, her arms crossed over her chest in a clear sign of dissent.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling deeply as I tried to maintain my patience. As Beta, Kate was our right hand, her opinions valuable and usually aligned with mine. But this time, we were at odds."We need to evolve, Kate. As co-Alpha, it's my duty to ensure our pack's safety and that includes adapting our methods to the changing times," I countered, my tone firm.Kate shook her head, her brows furrowing deeply. "We've managed this long with our current protocols, Leo. They've been tested by time and experience. Changing them now could put the pack at risk."I understood her concern. Change was always met with resistance, especially when it involved altering something that had always remained the same. But I was convinced this was a step we needed to take."Those ‘protocols’ didn’t do much good against my father’s pack
Arabella’s POV"I'm here now, Trudy. And I'm not leaving until you let me help you," I said firmly, determination shining in my eyes.Trudy's gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her features. But then she shook her head, her walls going back up. "I don't need your help, Arabella. Just leave me alone.""I know you don't mean that, Trudy," I said softly, reaching out a hand towards her. "I'm only trying to help, even if it's hard to see that right now."Trudy's frustration was obvious as she turned around, storming past me towards the door. I followed her outside, and called for her to stop but she ignored each call.As she reached her car, and opened the driver's door, my eyes widened in shock as several empty whisky bottles tumbled out onto the ground.My heart sank as I realised the extent of Trudy's pain and how she had been coping with it. I knew then that she needed help, more than I alone could provide."Trudy, please," I pleaded, my voice filled with
Leo's POVI nodded at Sara, accepting her logic, but there was a hard edge to my voice as I added, "But if Arabella's health takes a turn for the worse, there won't be anything anyone can do to stop me from getting to her."Sara's eyes widened at my words, but she didn't say anything. She knew me well enough to understand I meant what I said. Arabella was my mate, my other half. And I would move heaven and earth for her.I moved towards the window, the crunch of broken furniture under my feet a harsh reminder of the chaos that had reigned in me just moments ago. The moon hung high in the sky, its silver glow illuminating the night.Sara joined me by the window, her presence a comforting warmth beside me. "Tell me what happened, Leo," she said softly.With a deep breath, I recounted the events that had unfolded. I told her about the call from Trudy's pack's gamma, about the fight, and about Arabella's injuries. My voice remained steady, but inside, my heart ached with each word.As the