LUCY'S POV
Was he trying to humiliate me? He was normally very kind to me and treated me far better than any previous Alpha. My previous pack was the Red Paw Pack, and I swore they were named from all the unnecessary blood they had on their paws.
They were ruthless. They often beat me; the Alpha raped me the first night and several times afterward until he found his mate and sold me to Alpha Leander.
“I’m grateful to serve you Alpha.” This wasn’t a lie; I was grateful to no longer be a part of the Red Paw Pack. There was no deceit in my eyes as I spoke these words, and he nodded at me curiously. Nia, my wolf, was stirring in the back of my mind from the odd interaction.
He knows something Lucy, Nia whispered to me. I feared she was right. When I looked back toward him after finishing refilling glasses, he was looking at me again, his eyes flickered yellow briefly before he turned back to his guest and resumed his conversation.
I stood a few feet back from the table, watching and waiting for anyone to request more to drink or an appetizer. “As you all know, Liam and Leon will be back from their Alpha training in a few days. The Alpha ceremony will take place on their 24th birthday. Since neither of them has found their mate, we will be hosting several mating galas in hopes of finding their mates before their ceremony. They must have at least one Luna when they’re sworn into their positions. We will be sending invitations to all the packs.” Alpha Leander shared with his guest.
I wondered if he meant every single pack because that would mean my father's pack. My heart started beating hard in my chest at the thought of him finding me. Alpha Leander tossed me a glance. Fuck. He can hear my heart racing.
“Every single pack Leander? Doesn’t that seem a bit excessive?” his Beta asked. I was grateful for the question because it snapped his glance away from me and my thudding heart rate. “Yes, as I stated, one of them needs to find their mate, we cannot pass them the Alpha position without a Luna. It would be dangerous and foolish for our pack not to have their full strength” Alpha Leander explained.
“The Alphas will bring all unmated she-wolves. We will host two packs at a time until one of them finds their mate, hopefully, sooner rather than later.” His Beta nodded in understanding, and no one challenged him afterward. I sent a silent prayer up to the Moon Goddess that either of them found a mate before my father made it here with his pack.
It was very rare to have two Alphas in one pack. I had heard that Liam and Leon shared a rare bond due to being identical Alpha twins. This would likely help them run the pack effectively, but I was still curious how two Alphas would manage running a pack together.
Alphas were typically very possessive and harsh. Sharing wasn’t normally in their vocabulary let alone a trait that could be witnessed. Based on Leander's kindness I assumed his sons were likely raised to be kind too, but I had yet to meet them.
After the meeting, I was released from duty. Temporarily that is. Leander had asked me to meet him in his office in an hour. I sat on my bed trying to decide if I should try to escape, tell him the truth about everything, or play stupid.
Something was up with this Alpha, and I did not want to know what it was. He didn’t seem like the type to abuse his slaves. Luna Sybil was sweet, and they always seemed desperately in love when they were together, but I trusted no one. I decided to go with option three.
I steadied my heart rate before knocking on his office door. I jumped slightly when his Beta, Seth, opened the door. He signaled me to come in, which I did reluctantly. “Sit Lily” Leander motioned to the chair in front of his desk. Fuck was my only thought as I sat down. Breathe Lucy, it’s okay, Nia whispered to me. This calmed me down a tad.
“Was there something I can help you with Alpha? Did I not serve properly tonight?” The questions flew out of my mouth. I don’t like awkward silence, and this is something he had caught onto, often causing me to say things or ask questions like a babbling fool.
He glanced down at my hands, my fingers fidgeting with each other, a nervous habit. I groaned internally noticing this. “You served fine tonight, Lily, I just had some questions and with my boys coming back soon I wanted to speak with you about some changes that will be happening,” Leander said calmly.
I nodded in understanding. When I didn’t say anything else he proceeded. “You don’t smell like a rogue so I’m assuming you belong to a pack, this is why I didn’t swear you into our pack. It’s an odd thing for a wolf, a she-wolf nonetheless, to run away from their pack.” Leander didn’t ask a question like I was expecting.
This was a statement and one that I had not once thought about. The other packs never questioned my scent, whether they took notice or not, they didn’t ask or seem to care.
It was like he was reading my thoughts when the next words came out of his mouth. “I could tell you weren’t a rogue the day I bought you from the Red Paw Pack. That pack is awful. Stuck in the old ways. I assumed after being here for a while you would ask to go back to your pack. You don’t need to be afraid Lily. I’m nothing like Alpha Zeak,” Leander stated.
Alpha Zeak was the Alpha of the Red Paw Pack. The mere thought or mention of him made my stomach turn.
LUCY'S POVOf course, I couldn’t tell him the truth. I couldn’t go back to my pack, hell, I didn’t want to. It was a death sentence. “I was orphaned as a baby to a human family. I ran away when I found out what I was. I have no idea what pack I belong to Alpha. I’m content with serving you. I have no desire to find my real pack.” The lie flew out of my mouth without hesitation. I was used to having to tell small white lies, but this one was far bigger than any others I had told. Seth was eyeing me from the side of the room. He was on the couch going over some files. He was acting busy, but I could feel his eyes on me now and again. Leander narrowed his eyes at me for a moment. “Are you sure? You should have a pack marking on your wrist, but I don’t see any. That’s odd don’t you think?” So now he is asking real questions, more topics I wasn’t prepared for. As an Alpha heir, my pack mark was above my chest, covering the skin above my heart. I was thankful that he hadn’t questioned thi
LUCY'S POVI was holding back tears as I digested what he had just said to me. Nia was howling in excitement. I had never been given choices or freedom, even when I lived with my pack. Even though my father was disgusted with my mere existence he had assigned me a trainer since I was a mere pup. He always said a wolf was no good if they couldn’t fight for their pack. It was my saving grace. Training was my outlet, my way of letting out steam, much-needed anger and frustration for the way my life had been. Did I want to be a warrior for this pack? Did I want to remain an assistant for this Alpha? Was there something else out there for me besides all of this? Then there was still the concern about my father coming to one of these galas. What would Leander think if he found out? I wondered at that moment if I should just tell him everything, but the words wouldn’t surface. I cleared my throat and adjusted myself in my seat as Leander stared at me, waiting for a response. “If I rema
LUCY'S POVOur Goddess always gifted an Alpha with a male firstborn. My dad considered me to be an abomination and claimed my mom was cursed for not being able to produce a male. I sighed internally at the thought and responded confidently to Leander. “No Alpha, that is all. I promise to serve you well. You have been kind to me, and I will be forever in your debt for saving me and giving me freedom I have never known. I will be loyal to you as I owe you, my life.” My words were the truth, aside from the initial lie. I did feel this way. He saved me and I would never betray him. I would rather serve under him than ever try to take my position as Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. “Very well Lucy, give me your wrist” Leander stated with a slightly quizzical look on his face. I reached my hand over to his. He took my hand in his own twisting my arm slightly putting my wrist upwards toward him. “I, Alpha Leander Goldvale hereby swear Lucy Knight into my care under the Cresent Moon Pack.”
LUCY'S POVThe last few days were very busy. My new room was incredible. It was the nicest space I had ever been able to call my own. Even with my father, he never allowed me into the Alpha quarters as he had to hold on to the illusion that I wasn’t his child. My new room was next to the Alpha and Lunas. Liam and Leon's rooms were across from mine and I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel spoiled. My bed was massive, covered in a silver bedspread the Alpha said suited me well. I could only guess it had something to do with my eyes and that weird flash that happened with my mark. He wasn’t shy about making comments about this and letting me know he was curious about it. I shrugged it off making it seem like I wasn’t fazed by it. I had a door in my room that led to a back patio that was surrounded by the nearby forest that enclosed the pack. This was my favorite part. I had spent the last two nights using this access to let Nia go for a run. I had never shifted in front of anyone
Mr. Shaggy shook my hand first letting me know that he was Liam and Leon followed suit but followed up with a question. “You’re the assistant in training my dad was telling us about?” His question was laced with doubt, but I didn’t let it show that the words kind of hurt me. Both had looked at the pack mark on my wrist to confirm whatever question they obviously had in their mind. “The one and only. I will be sure your things will arrive in your respective rooms. Alpha Leander is expecting you in his office, please follow me” I stated firmly. “We know where his office is, we don’t need you to escort us” Leon retorted in an irritated voice. “I have no doubt you know your way around the pack house you grew up in Alpha Leon. I am following my orders. I’m sure you can respect that and would have the same expectations of your assistant once you’re running the pack. Now follow me.” I wasn’t going to let my age or size let anyone intimidate me, not even my future Alpha and potential
LUCY'S POVWe were now at my door. I looked over to see Liam staring at me. “When do you turn 18?” His question felt intruding. I raised my eyebrow slightly at him causing him to chuckle. He was adorable when he laughed. I sighed before responding. “My birthday is tomorrow but please don’t tell your dad. I don’t want anyone to make a fuss over it being my birthday. We have a gala to worry about” I said with a curt smile. He seemed to be thinking hard about my response. He was still staring at me with a blank expression before finally responding. “That doesn’t seem fair for you to spend your birthday hosting and being part of a gala for us to find our mates. Maybe I can at least get my dad to let you sit this one out so you can do something else for your birthday.” This big tough soon-to-be Alpha was being genuinely sweet. It was probably wrong of me, but I took this as an opportunity, the only one I had had so far. “I don’t mind going to the gala tomorrow. My birthday isn’t that b
LUCY'S POVI had let Nia run her heart out the night before allowing me to be so exhausted that sleep took me easily that night. I woke up at the crack of dawn and showered quickly. I French braided my long black hair and put on some light makeup.I knew that I would have to wear a dress to the gala, but I took advantage of the tasks I would be doing this morning that required less formal attire. I slid on my black skinny jeans and blue and black flannel button-up along with my black combat boots.I changed my nose ring out to a blue gem stud. I looked in the mirror surveying the results. I didn’t have any professional clothes yet so this was as close to that as I could get with my small wardrobe. The Alpha insisted he would purchase work attire for me if I chose to keep the position permanently. “Happy Birthday to us,” I said out loud to Nia while taking one last glance in the mirror.Happy Birthday, Lucy, she responded with a small howl.This had been how it had always been. My bir
LUCY'S POVI made my way through the kitchen first, doing everything I could to distract myself and avoid my father. I had faintly smelt my dad in a few different hallways as I was preparing earlier today. Being of Alpha blood allowed me to smell greater distances which came in handy today. The kitchen staff stared at me like I had grown an extra head when I came in. “Wow Lucy, you look... beautiful,” Jason said as he looked over me, making me blush. A few of the kitchen staff whispered to each other after glancing at me. I felt on display and not in a good way. “Thank you, Jason. I just wanted to check in to make sure everything was coming along on schedule before I joined the gala.” This wasn’t entirely a lie, but I wasn’t about to share that I was avoiding the Alpha introductions, so my murderous father didn’t find me. “Everything is going perfectly as planned Lucy. No need to worry. Have you smelt anything delicious in the air today?” Jason's question had everyone's attention b
LEON:We searched until the wee hours of the morning. I was beyond exhausted.Dad had mind-linked us to come home and speak to him. I was itching to go back and see Lucy, but I knew I had duties to take care of, and it was something we would often have to deal with."We should talk after this meeting with Dad," Liam said, catching up to me. We were now reaching the tree line that separated the settlement area and the forest."About what? Can it wait? I want to talk to Dad and head back to Lucy. I need to see her at least a few hours before we get back out on the search," I say.My shoulders are slumped, my body is sore, and I miss my mate terribly. "We can wait. In fact, I could even come with you. I should probably check on Lucy," he sighs.I whipped my head around with what I'm sure looked like confusion on my face."She is my mate. I can take care of her," I say.I know I'm just grumpy because of everything I'm feeling right now so I snapped a little more than necessary."I know
LIAM:My mom quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me down to my dad's empty office. As we entered, she let go of my arm and plopped down on the couch.I watched as she put her face in her hands. Her body was trembling, but I could not see any tears falling."Mom, what is happening? Who is this man? Theodore?" I ask gently, sitting down next to her.I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, trying to peek at her face that was smooshed against her palms. She finally fixed her posture and removed her hands from her face. Her eyes were burning red as if holding back tears.She shook her head left and right before responding."He isn't supposed to be reaching out to you. What did he want?" she asks, now making eye contact with me.I turn to face her better. My eyes search her face for understanding, but I'm getting nothing."He wanted me to help Lucy. He said it was important for everyone's safety," I sigh.Her eyes go wide. I watch as she opens her mouth slightly before closing it and pursing
LUCY:I peeled my clothes off reluctantly once I got to the tree line. I shifted quickly, letting Nia come forward. She wasted no time before we were in our silver coat: white paws and white circles around our eyes.She grabbed our clothes in our mouth.'Don't worry, Lucy. We will do everything we can to find Seth,' Nia tries to reassure me.I'm not feeling confident, but I know we will do our best.We take off through the woods. I forgot how good the wind feels through our fur.'The lake first, yes?' Nia asks. She's in control. I'm shaking internally. I'm so nervous we will find Seth dead.I have to explain to her where to go. I'm not all that familiar with it.I remember being on the cliff and knowing the direction the cabin was from that point, but I can't say 100% that we are headed in the right direction once we are in the thick of the forest.'Leon is going to be furious,' Nia reminds me.'So will Jason, but they're not the boss of us, Nia. I'm tired of just sitting around and
Lucy:I feel like I could suffocate from being stuck at this cabin.Can you say cabin fever? Literally."What's the deal with Seth?" Trish doesn't exactly beat around the bush. I loved this about her, though."What do you mean?" I play stupid. No one needs to know. Leon didn't say anything, but I could tell he had an inkling there was something under the surface.Not to mention, I felt like this entire thing was my fault. Seth had been through so much, and the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt him."I can understand you are worried about Seth, but you cried, Luce. I was born during the day, but not yesterday," she says, rolling her eyes.She's intuitive. I'll give her that.It's a warmer day than it has been. We're sitting in our classic spot on the porch.Trish is gently pushing the swing with her foot; the other was curled up on the cushion.My feet barely reach the ground, so I have both of my feet criss-cross on the swing."I already have a mate, Trish. Does it really matte
LIAM:He can tell me this information is news to me.He glances at his watch and then back up to me before pushing me out of the room."Come along," he says, motioning me to follow him out the front door."You're lying! That can't be true." I yell after him before rushing out the door and slamming it shut."WAIT! HOLD ON THOMAS!" I shout when I realize something he said.He turns around, looking at me with an unreadable expression before he sticks his index finger into the air."Theodore," he corrects me. "My name is Theodore. You can call me Theo if that's easier for your small brain to handle," he says with much irritation.Gosh, this guy is grumpy.I finally caught up with him. We're making our way through the forest. It's darker now, and I'm wondering where we are, but I have to ask him my first of many questions."You said Lucy's dad. Who is Lucy's dad, and why would he kill her?" I ask.I hear a twig snap to my left right after Theo's arm extends out in front of me, making me ha
LIAM:I'm following this strange man through the hallway when I decide I've lost my mind.That has to be it.'He feels familiar now that we're around him,' Bo says, suddenly not the one panicking."That's because I am. It's interesting how similar our interactions have been each time," he responds as we enter the living room."Sit, sit," he gestures to the couch. I walk over to it and sit down without hesitation. I'm like an obedient child, doing as I'm told."We must make this fast; we don't have much time," he says, sitting in a chair directly in front of me."Uh, okay?" I say, not feeling all too comfortable about this situation."The first time I met you was in a dream state. We met twice, and after the second time, I realized you had forgotten your dream and all the time we spent together. I knew I would have to do this another way," he says firmly.His hands are thin, his fingers nimble and wrinkly. He is playing with a ring on his left-hand finger, twirling it around anxiously
LUCY:He talked about Savina being in his room like it was an every day occurence.Of course I knew I had no right to be upset but I am. I'm pissed off he brought her up like he hadn't fucked her.I had to hide the smile that creeped on my lips as his dad spit out the water in his mouth. I knew some of it had to hit the back of Leon's shirt.Good. "So that's why she has been lingering around the pack house like a lost puppy." Leander laughs making my insides crawl.This she-wolf was about to piss me right the hell off.I can hear Tricia's chair screech against the floor as I clench my jaw.Leon's eyes go wide again. "Oh no, hunny, it's okay. Leon wouldn't do anything stupid," I hear Jason say as he comes around the island in the kitchen but it's too late."I swear to the Goddess Leon," I start to say before I close my eyes.I can feel the fire erupting on my hands. It's vibrating through me but I'm more in control this time.I lift my hand up, flames flickers from my fingertips."Yo
LEON:"Is there something I should know?" my dad says looking between me and Lucy.She is sinking back into me. Normally, I wouldn't complain but I can tell she is scared.Tricia is focusing on Lucy. Her usual bravado behavior seems to have crumbled for some reason.Lucy looks up at me with her piercing blue eyes, she doesn't know what she should or shouldn't say. I respect her for leaning on me in this situation."I don't know if it's relevant to this but Seth had... developed feelings for Lucy," I say running my fingers through my hair.I lean back in the recliner thinking through the night that led up to this. I can feel Lucy's body tremble so I start tickling her back. This seems to calm her down from my experience.When we talked through the mind link, he seemed fine."Wait, Seth had feellings for your mate?" my dad asks as if I didn't make it clear already. I know what his real question is though.I close my eyes, trying to suppress the rage this makes me feel, knowing that Seth
LUCY'S POV:Leon seems so comfortable with the entire situation.I feel exposed."Leon, go put some clothes on her," Tricia says knowingly, making my cheeks flush.I look up at him, and to my surprise, he doesn't hesitate to listen."Fine," he says, grudgingly, pulling me back down the hallway and up the stairs to my bedroom."I can't wait for your bedroom to be my own," he says in a happy tone that should make me happy, but I can't help but think about my second mate."Right," I say, trying to acknowledge what he is saying. He pauses and looks at me."What does that mean?" He asks as he sets me down on the ground."Oh, nothing. We just have a lot to get through first—my Dad for starters," I say, distracting him with the reminder of what's to come."Eh, I'll just kill him," he says nonchalantly, making me whip around to look at him."I mean, I could challenge him, Lucy. That would solve all of it, right?" he asks in the sweetest voice.'No,' Nia growls at the idea.We both know that