Leo’s POVBy the time everyone was out and on their way to safety, I knew it was time to make myself scarce. But before that could happen, I needed to check if Arabella had gotten my message.As I rushed up the stairs that led to the observation room, my heart pounded in my chest. Reaching the doorway, I wasted no time in running to the computer I’d used to send the message. I must have refreshed the page at least five times, but still nothing.I double-checked the email I had sent it to, but it was correct. So she should have had it by now. Fear seeped into me as I began to think of the worst possible outcome.‘She’s probably preparing for the psychos, she will get it. Now let’s go.’ Shadow was convinced everything would be fine, but I knew different. I knew something wasn’t right.When a notification popped up, I knew my fears were about to become a reality.‘Target obtained, threat neutralised and on way back to base.’My entire body began to heat up as Shadow’s anger bled into me.
Arabella’s POVIt was when my head banged against something hard, that I regained consciousness. Everything was dark and fuzzy for a moment, before the faces of two men lit up. That’s when I realised the next thing. We were in a moving vehicle, a van.My wrists were tied behind my back, tightly bounding me to something on the vans inner panel. But thankfully, it wasn’t anything silver.As I tried to quickly and quietly loosen the coarse rope, my mind flooded back to the last thing I remembered. My heart hammered in my chest as flashes of being in wolf form entered my mind. The last thing I needed, was to be restrained with men… naked.Trapped and unable to break free from my restraints, I focused my attention on the sounds permeating the confined space of the van. A soft, rhythmic snore emanated from one of the men, indicating his obliviousness to the fact I was now awake. Meanwhile, the other man remained engrossed in the glow of his mobile phone, his eyes fixated on whatever content
Leo’s POVShadow's ears pricked up, detecting the distant rumble of the approaching van long before it came into view. My heart pounded in my chest, and with every breath, I struggled to draw in air, my lungs laboring as fear of what could happen, began to sink in. Yet, amidst this overwhelming dread, my concern was not for my own safety. I was willing to put my life on the line and die tonight, just as long as Arabella could live to see another day. And for once, Shadow wholeheartedly agreed.As the van made its turn, Shadow sprang into motion. We had rehearsed our strategy repeatedly, and despite its uncertainties, it was the best we could come up with to minimise any risk of our mate, becoming harmed.Shadow swiftly scaled the vehicle, positioning himself over the central hatch. As it swung open, he lunged at the man emerging, his teeth and claws tearing into him. The man's tactical gear might have been bulletproof, but it offered no protection against Shadow's ferocious attack.Th
Arabella’s POV“You do not know how glad I am to see you.” Leo’s forehead rested on mine as he whispered. “I’m sorry Arabella. I’m sorry for everything that I’ve put you through, for everything my family, has put you through. I love you, Arabella. I love you, and I’m never letting you go again.” Tears streamed down my face as I listened to his heartfelt words.I knew I loved him, and he me, but to hear him confess his feelings, even after I gave him up to the council, had my heart swelling."I love you too, Leo," I whispered, my voice choking as I tried to hold myself together. "I'm sorry too, for everything. But we'll get through this together, won't we?"“I promise you we will.” Leo lifted my head back up to face him, before placing a gentle kiss on my lips. “We have to go, there will more of them arriving any minute.” But as those words left him, what looked like lots of red dots, covered the pair of us.“Leo…”“Stay with me.” His eyes bore into mine before he stepped to my side, t
Arabella’s POVI thought I’d been dreaming. Until I woke up.Opening my eyes, I found Leo’s staring back at me. That alone bought me comfort. But to then feel the sparks that tingled my skin, as Leo's thumb traced soothing circles on my cheek, I’d missed it. The sensation sent shivers down my spine, reminding me of the comfort and security I had missed during our time apart."How are you feeling?" His voice was laced with concern as he spoke, his eyes filled with guilt.I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, despite the pain. "Like you melted my flesh," I replied, trying to lighten the mood.Leo's eyes widened in surprise, his worry momentarily replaced by a hint of amusement. "Well, I apologise for any unintended side effects," he replied with a sheepish grin.I couldn't help but smile back in the moment of silence that followed. “No worries," I replied, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I'd endure a thousand burns if it meant having you by my side."Leo's expression
Arabella’s POVI could see the surprise written across his face, but I meant it.“Arabella, you don’t owe me an apology.”“Yes, I do. I saw you holding my mother’s lifeless body, and blamed her death on you. I saw you as nothing more than the son of the people that killed my parents, and to look at you, it sickened me. After I rejected you, I knew I had made a mistake, but I was too stubborn to even attempt at fixing it.”Within seconds Leo’s lips smashed into mine, his tongue intertwining with mine before he pulled away."Thank you. Now, as much as I'd enjoy hearing you admit your stubbornness and mistakes all day, we really must get moving."Leo grasped my hand and together we left the protective shelter the cave had provided us.The morning was cold and wet, the rain flooding the pathways. I had asked Leo what it was we were looking for, and all he would tell me is that it was a purple berry.I wanted nothing more than to be able to connect with my wolf again, but with the time pass
Arabella’s POVIt took us almost all day to find the missing pack member’s amongst, the rumble. Two were dead when we found them, but the other two, were thankfully ok. They had a few scapes, but they were alive.“Alpha, I’ve found accommodation for the pack house staff. The manager at Moon Lodge has agreed to put them up.”“Thank you, Kate.” I thought that was it, that it was the end of the conversation. But by the way she stood there fidgeting, it was clear there was something else. “What?”“I know this timing is awful, and I know what I’m about to say might come off as rude because of how we’ve been. But I need to know…”“What is, Kate? I’m sorry, but I don’t have all day.”“I need to know what Harry, said to you. I know what ever it was landed him in the cells, and I’ve asked him but he said it didn’t matter…”“Then drop it, because what’s going on now, is more important than any issues you may, or may not have, in your relationship.”“Arabella, please. I need to know.” I stood th
Leo’s POVSuddenly, the machines attached to Sara began to go haywire. Each one of them making a loud sound. The doctor and nurses rushed into the room and began to inject something into Sara’s IV.“What… what’s happening?” Susie’s panicked voice rang out in the air, but her question was ignored.Wrapping my arms around my sister, I pulled her out of the room so the medical team could work.Susie clung to me, her body trembling with fear. I held her tightly, trying to offer whatever comfort I could in that moment of uncertainty. The three of us stood just outside of the room, our eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding inside.The machines continued to blare their alarms, the sound echoing in the hallway. The medical team moved with urgency, their faces showing nothing but determination. I could see the worry etched on Arabella's face as she watched from beside me, her hands clenched tightly into fists.Minutes felt like an eternity as we waited, our hearts pounding in our chests. The silen
Arabella’s POV“Sit on there.” I told Leo pointing to the suede armchair in the corner.Leo didn’t hesitate and sat down as quick as he could having left his suit trousers scattered on the floor.It didn’t matter how many times I’d seen this man naked, I still found every inch of him attractive. If anything after all these years, I loved him more.With Leo sat in the chair, his legs parted, I climbed onto his lap.“I love you.” I whispered against his lips, before lowering myself on to him.Hearing my words Leo leaned forward in the chair wrapping his arms around me, and held me close while I rode him. He matched my rhythm with thrusts of his until I fell from the cliff of pleasure. And then, his thrusts became more desperate as I felt him twitch within me.Having gotten cleaned up and reclaimed our place by the roaring fire, I feel into a deep sleep in the arms of the man I loved.Fifteen years later…15 years later…Many years had passed and our lives had changed in ways we never co
Leo’s POV As I sat there and watched the transfer of Alpha ceremony, memories of the past flooded my mind.The day that Joel came and told me that Ankaras father had chosen him to take over his position as Alpha. Proud didn’t even begin to describe how I felt.But then another, more gruelling memory gripped me, transporting me back to the hospital room where Joel lay battered and broken, fighting for his life after the vicious attack by his own father. The sight of him, bruised and bloodied, had stirred a deep well of anger and sorrow within me, a helpless ache for the pain he had endured. Just thinking about it had my knuckles instantly turning white.The journey from that dark and harrowing day to the present, where Joel stood as a beacon of strength and resilience, had been a tumultuous one. The scars, both physical and mental, bore witness to the battles he had fought, the demons he had faced, and the strength he had summoned to rise above his past.But now, to witness the young
Arabella’s POVFive years later….“We are going to be so late!” I called out, hoping Leo could hear me.“I’m out, and we have time.”“But not a lot. We need to make sure that Miles is ready, and that…” My words were cut off as Leo’s lips suddenly met mine. I had been so focused on rushing around that I hadn’t even noticed he was standing right in front of me.His kiss took me by surprise, but it was a welcome distraction from the chaos of getting ready for the ceremony. As we pulled apart, I couldn’t help but smile at him.Leo grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Just trying to calm you down, Arabella. We’ll make it in time, I promise.”I felt a rush of gratitude for him in that moment. Despite the craziness of our lives, he always knew how to bring me back to the present.Taking a deep breath I turned to quickly checked on Miles, who was surprisingly calm and ready to go. His earlier meltdown seemed like a distant memory, as he sat there watching the t.v.As we made our way to
Chapter Ninety-TwoArabella’s POV"Are you sure you're okay about not having a dress?" Sara asked as she finished curling the last strands of my hair."I really am. I love Leo, I love him more than life itself. I don’t want to wait to marry him," I reassured her, smiling at my reflection in the mirror."Well, that's good because he hasn't stopped bloody calling me," Susie's unexpected entrance startled me."I'm sorry I'm late," she added, looking apologetic."We would have been here earlier, but moving cripples me," I heard Trudy's voice before I saw her. And man did my eyes pop."You’re pregnant!" I screeched, spinning in my chair, unable to contain my surprise."I certainly am, and I don’t regret the decision at all," Trudy responded, her gaze locking with Susie's."How? When?" I stammered, still in shock and struggling to process the information."Long story short, we used a sperm donor. Because we both wanted a baby, we implanted one of my eggs into Trudy's womb before the sperm,
Arabella’s POVJoel and I were in the office for ages. At first he ignored me, but when he realised I wasn’t going to leave, he began to listen and we talked. He told me that coming into our family was a mistake, that if Leo and I truly wanted him, then we’d have allowed him to remain in wolf form until after the run. I got what he was saying, but he also had to understand that being given a wolf like Bax… a wolf that can communicate with us at will wasn’t something that happened all the time.Until Leo marked me, I couldn’t communicate with Storm.When I told him of Leo’s fears, Joel began to let up. He began to understand why we asked him to shift back. That, and the fact he was now no longer skinny shocked us.With Joel calmed down, we left my office and headed back into the garden where everyone was waiting.My eyes found Leo within seconds. I watched as he stood from his chair and walked straight over to Joel and I. With our eyes still locked, I glared at him. But thankfully, he
Arabella’s POVThe moment Joel's shift was complete, I sank to my knees. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I took in the sight before me.Joel’s wolf approached me, taking a few steps closer before gently laying down and placing his paw on my lap."Oh sweetheart, you're beautiful," I managed to choke out through my sobs, that were filled with nothing but love and pride for the magnificent creature he had become.I turned to Leo, who was standing behind me, and asked, "Doesn't he look amazing!" Leo nodded in agreement but then took a step forward. With his gaze fixed on Joel's wolf, he gently pulled me back."Can you sense it?" Leo asked, his words leaving me puzzled."Sense what? What are you talking about?" I questioned, rising to my feet."His wolf, its aura," Leo clarified. In that moment, I understood. I had felt a shift in Joel’s aura, but neither I nor my own wolf sensed any threat."Joel, it's time to shift back now, buddy," Leo's voice sounded tense as he called out to Joel.I
Leo’s POV"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Joel, happy birthday to you!" We all sang in unison, our voices filling the room.Joel's face flushed with embarrassment as Kate dimmed the lights, and Arabella emerged, carrying a cake topped with a flickering candles."Make a wish!" Kate called out enthusiastically, but Joel responded with a playful glare. We all shared a laugh as Kate playfully raised her hands in surrender, knowing that the birthday boy was not one for making wishes.Arabella had reluctantly agreed to celebrate Joel's birthday at home, but she made no promises about not participating in the traditional singing over a cake.Cheers erupted as Joel blew out the candles on his birthday cake, a small smile gracing his face. I took the cake from Arabella's hands as Miles began to cry, allowing her to tend to him, but Joel beat her to it."I'll take him, and you go get yourself some cake," Arabella suggested, but Joel declined.“I'll get some in
Arabella’s POVAs time flew by, Joel's sixteenth birthday was just around the corner. While for humans it might have been just another birthday, for our kind, it held far greater significance.His birthday coincided with a full moon, signifying that he would undergo his first shift. Leo had been preparing him for the transformation, emphasising the potential pain that accompanied it. However, we held onto hope that with Leo's Lycan blood coursing through his veins, Joel wouldn’t suffer too much.Despite our initial excitement about throwing a party to celebrate his birthday, he seemed to avoid the topic whenever it was brought up. It wasn't until we sat down as a family to discuss the idea that Joel finally opened up about his reluctance.He revealed that every party he had ever had in the past had been ruined by his father's drunken behaviour. My heart sank as I realised the pain and disappointment that Joel had carried with him from those past experiences.We understood his feelings
Leo’s POVThe following morning, I awoke to a sight that brought a smile to my face. Arabella was leaning over the baby's basket, her finger hovering near his tiny nose as she checked for signs of life. The baby was sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, his heart beating strong and steady.I couldn't help but chuckle at Arabella's motherly paranoia, her need to ensure our son's well-being even in his most peaceful moments. The love and protectiveness she felt for him were evident in every action, every gesture.My laughter caught her attention, and she turned around to find me watching her. In response, she playfully punched my shoulder. With a playful grin, I reached out and gently grabbed Arabella's shoulders, pulling her back towards me. As she turned in my arms, a smile lighting up her face, she snuggled close against me. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight, and feeling the steady beat of her heart against mine.“I suppose we should get