Axton I sat on the couch, weighed down by worry and sadness. Dakota had stormed out in anger, and I regretted my actions. I knew it was going to backfire, yet I went ahead and l went ahead and listened to Elias. Dakota was perceptive, and she couldn't have missed the fact that we had sex without using condoms. I had pushed her too far, and the realization that she might not forgive me hit me hard. Sighing, I absentmindedly traced patterns on the coffee table, replaying the argument in my mind. Every word she spoke, every gesture she made reflected her anger and hurt. I was the last person who should have caused such pain to my own mate. Aimlessly wandering in the pack house, I heard angry voices downstairs, indicating that Dakota still hadn't returned. I wondered who was causing such noise. "What's going on?" I asked with a commanding tone. Hugo, the head warrior, and Jackson, the head guard, were engaged in a face-off, raising their voices in heated arguments. I commanded
Dakota Today was the D-Day. The evening descended upon the pack house, and a tense atmosphere filled the air. Everyone, including the maids and servants, was dressed in black. Today was Xavier's execution. Axton stood frozen in the middle of the bedroom while I tied my hair in a messy bun. "Will Imani be coming?" I asked him. "I don't know," he replied in a monotone. "Oh, she better not come. I can't imagine watching my maids being beheaded." Axton didn't say anything. "You need to get dressed. We're getting late," I urged him. He nodded, his hands trembling. "Just give me a minute. I'll be downstairs with you." I sighed, my eyes glistening with unshared tears as I silently wished for him to have a change of heart, to spare his brother from the fate that awaited him. His hands trembled again, and my gaze bore into him. "Axton, you know you have the power to stop this. You can change Xavier's fate. You're just being resolute," I pleaded. Axton's brow furrowed, and he wiped be
Dakota The morning sun rose over the mountains, casting a warm glow over the training grounds as I joined Axton and the warriors. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing swords and the grunts of exertion. Desert Canine's warriors were a tough sight, their muscles rippling with each movement as they practiced their swordplay. I picked up a wooden sword, feeling its weight in my hands. It was heavier than I had expected and I swung it clumsily. Axton watched me from the sidelines, a small smile playing on his lips. He was still shaken by everything that had happened but I saw the pride in his eyes as he watched me. Elias stood beside him, giving me a wink. When the hotness of the sun became unbearable, we took a break. Axton handed me a skin of water, and the cool liquid quenched my thirst. After the intense training with the warriors, Axton and I hit the desert oasis for a much-needed bath. We walked hand in hand, our feet sinking into the warm sand as we made our way to
Axton The pack house buzzed with a continuous stream of visitors, coming and going like a revolving door. Hushed whispers and curious glances filled the air, as people eagerly sought the latest gossip surrounding my decision not to execute Xavier. Some arrived with genuine concern etched on their faces, genuinely wanting to understand the unfolding situation. As Alpha, I couldn't turn anyone away, so I attended to them. My mother looked healthier and radiated a subtle glow, her eyes reflecting relief and happiness. Elder Timothy, still in shock, expressed his disbelief, "I never expected you to let him go." He added, "But they say blood is thicker than water. Since you have spared his life, he must be punished. And you have to be extra careful because people don't change overnight." I acknowledged his advice with a grateful nod. Just then, the door swung open, and Imani entered the room, her countenance heavy, holding the hand of my niece, Lila. The spirited five-year-old rushed f
Dakota Sloane walked in, mocking me. "The one and only Luna Dakota. Fancy seeing you back in the pack. You look like a raccoon with those big dark bags under your eyes." My hatred for her grew like a tumor. "What do you want from me?" I said with the last of my strength. "Isn't it enough that you stole my staff, killed my family, and banished me?" "Oh, shut up," she snapped and I raised my head to meet her eyes. My heart constricted like a vice grip as I couldn't believe that my fun-loving, supportive, strong best friend since we were little girls could turn into such a heartless monster. Looking at her storm-grey eyes, my childhood memories with her filtered into my brain, the times we snuck out to watch the sunrise, the times we made a fort out of blankets and pillows and pretended to be princesses, and the time we swore to protect each other no matter what. She threw all of that away just because she was jealous and wanted my position. "You know why I'm here," Sloane said wi
Axton Elias and I sat in the tavern, a half-empty bottle of whiskey in front of me. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering candles on the tables. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this way, not even when my dad died. Elias sat across from me, concerned. "Axton, you need to pull yourself together," he said, his voice low. "You can't abandon your alpha duties. The pack needs you now more than ever. There are lots of disputes among pack members and you need to visit the border patrols." I took another swig of whiskey, not caring about my duties. I couldn't think about anything else but Dakota. "It's been two days, Elias. Two fucking days. What if something's happened to her? Do you think I'll forgive myself." "Okay, slow down. First of all, I believe we'll find her. You can't give up on her or yourself." I missed her. Her touch, her scent, her everything. I couldn't imagine my life without her. I walked up the stairs in the pack house, my min
Axton I lay in bed, struggling to open my eyes. My body felt heavy as if it were being pressed down by an invisible force. I tried to move my limbs, but they felt like they were made of lead. Panic began to set in as I realized that I was experiencing sleep paralysis. The room was dark and silent, the only sounds coming from my labored breathing. I felt trapped as if I were stuck in a nightmare that I couldn't escape from. I tried to scream for help, but my voice came out as a barely audible whisper. The minutes felt like hours as I lay there, trapped in my mind. Eventually, I managed to force my eyes open, and the feeling began to dissipate. I sat up in bed, drenched in sweat, my heart still pounding in my chest. As I slowly came to, confusion and disorientation washed over me. A wave Beside me, in the bed, lay a naked woman. Her ringlets splayed out around her, her body exposed. I sat up quickly and looked down at myself, realizing with horror that I too was completely nake
Dakota My eyes shot open after a restless slumber. I woke up in the dark confines of my cell. It was past midnight. My blood had become and icy sludge and my heart jumped like a fox. I needed to escape this dreadful place. The music from earlier had stopped and everywhere was eerily quiet. I fixed my eyes on the ceiling, hoping for a miracle. Axton will find me. He has to do so, because I knew Sloane and her cohorts were planning to kill me. The door creaked open with a soft whisper, and I fixed my gaze on it, wondering who was coming in. Sighing in relief as the girl who gave me food earlier walked in swiftly, it morphed to curiosity. Her eyes darted around frantically like a mouse in a trap and she kept checking behind her. "Here," she whispered, handing me a bottle. "This will flush the poison in your system." I hesitated on whether to take it or not, but she looked genuine, and I was desperate to get out of here. Swallowing the potion, the bitter taste lingered on
Sara Four months later. With my pregnancy showing, I wore a loose beach-colored gown together with other bridesmaids. Pumped and happy for the big day. Today was Dakota's wedding, and I was so happy as though it were my wedding. Dakota was experiencing back-to-back victories, and my emotions overflowed with tears streaming down my cheeks. It was a good decision for me not to wear makeup because I knew in the end, it was going to get smudged. My hands roamed my belly. My tiny miracle was growing every day, but the cravings that hit me were often crazy. While Dakota was getting ready with Olivia, Imani, and Sloane dolling her up, I reached for a slice of cake nearby and stuffed it into my mouth, enjoying the smudges of frostings. "Goodness gracious," Dakota laughed. "Somebody remind them to take my wedding cake far away from you." The wedding was the biggest talk in town as the merging of Wild Fangs and Desert Canines. It was the biggest event I had ever encountered, filled with
Sara My mornings were filled with overwhelming nausea washing over me. Getting sick in the morning had become my constant companion, and I felt a change taking place inside me. Everything was happening so fast, and Axton's betrayal threw us off balance. I couldn't believe that he cheated on Dakota with that bastard, Erika. I had never liked her, although I didn't have the guts to tell Dakota. The pain Dakota was experiencing was unfathomable, and I hated that bad things kept happening to someone with such a good heart. Axton, her own mate, had hurt her deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, and my stomach churned as I emptied its contents. Dakota watched me as I lay on the couch, covering myself with a blanket. "Are you okay?" she asked softly. I could see the sadness in her eyes, yet she was concerned about me. She had lost so much weight and was looking like the ghost of her former self, reminding me of the sad times before she met Axton. "I don't know," I managed to say. "I f
Elias My honeymoon with Sara was a fucking disaster. I was frustrated, confused, and annoyed that no matter how I tried to salvage the situation, nothing worked. All she wanted to do was return to Desert Canines to meet Dakota. The bond between both ladies was unbreakable, but I needed my time alone with my wife. It didn't help that I was getting blue balls after the failed attempt to make love with Sara. Sex had never been a problem for me. Although I was quite big, the girls at the Academy and my ex-flings had no issues with my size, but Sara freaked out when she saw me for the first time, making it seem like I was abnormal. She still hadn't returned from the pack house. I needed an outlet and went to Axton. He was busy with alpha duties, but when we took a break, I shared my feelings with him, hoping he would provide some relief. Instead, the idiot was amused and burst out laughing, which only fueled my annoyance. "It's not funny, dude. I don't think I can handle it a
Sara My wedding day had arrived. The whole thing seemed like a dream. I couldn't believe that I was getting married. I was ecstatic and scared at the same time. I sat in front of the mirror, and Dakota and Imani stood by my side, helping with my makeup. "I can't believe my baby girl is finally getting married," Dakota beamed, curving my brows. "You, my dear, are such a beautiful bride." "Adorable," Imani agreed. "I'm nervous, Dakota," I said to her. "What if something goes wrong? What if my wedding isn't perfect? Or what if I trip on my dress? What am I even going to do after the wedding? I know nothing about sex." Dakota and Imani exchanged glances, chuckling softly. "You're worrying too much. Everything will be fine. It's your day, and it's going to be amazing." I slipped into my wedding dress, a shimmery soft tulle gown adorned with intricate beadwork. Imani had gifted me the dress, and I had to work on it considering that it was meant for someone chubby like her. It turned
Sara I sat with Dakota in the back of the van, my heart racing with raw fear that compressed me like a vice, making me faint and feverish. Our hopes of escaping were shattered. Axton looked so pissed, like an angry bull. His reaction confused me, making me wonder why he was angry, considering that they had already labeled us murderers. But knowing how strong the mating bond was, I couldn't blame him, because somewhere in the back of my mind was dancing and rejoicing that we weren't leaving anymore. Now we had to face the consequences of our actions. Dakota sat beside me, her mouth on a white slash and anger simmering beneath the surface. Elias had no emotion on his face, and I wondered what he was thinking. He must hate me so much now. We returned to the cabin and Axton headed upstairs with Dakota, leaving Elias and me alone. The silence felt as though somebody had just died. I couldn't meet his gaze. I stared at my feet instead. He stood opposite me, not moving or saying anyt
Sara All night, I couldn't sleep. My limbs weakened, feeling Dakota's raw betrayal. I couldn't believe she would think so low of me. She blamed me for her circumstance and I didn't think I'd ever forgive her. The next morning, I sat outside the cabin, staring at the desert landscape. A small part of me wanted to run away because it took her getting angry before she said what was on her mind. If she didn't trust me, why were we pretending to love each other? Despite how angry I felt, I knew I couldn't leave her. We were all we had. I felt her presence behind me and went completely still. When our gazes met, I saw the remorse etched on her face. "Sara, I honestly didn't know what came over me last night. I'm so ashamed of myself. I shouldn't have said what I said. You know that I didn't mean any of those things, right?" My tongue lay like a stone in my mouth and a thick silence passed between us. "Sara, please say something. I was so worried when I returned to the cabin and cou
Sara When Axton drove us to the cabin. I was so scared and silent tension filled the air in the van like gas, choking me. I watched helplessly with nerves fluttering in my tummy. When Elias's fingers brushed my thighs, I luxuriated in the sweet sensation and the wave of desire hit me from my head to my foot but I'd rather fry my brains out than admit it. We all headed inside. Dakota looked away from Axton and avoided meeting his gaze like the plague. Axton seemed more pissed than Elias and didn't fail to show it. He shot Dakota a nasty look, his eyes like flint stones. Elias tried to infuse some humor and cleared his throat. "Anyone hungry?" No one answered him. Silence descended upon the cabin like a black-winged bird. "I want to speak with you alone. Upstairs," Axton said in a stormy voice to Dakota. The Dakota I had known and lived with for years would never acknowledge anyone who spoke to her in such a rude tone. But now, she did the opposite of what I expected.
Elias POV In my wildest dreams, I never knew the moon goddess would give me a mate. I'd always felt different, like an outsider. This mindset developed when I was a student. I didn't give a crap about school at all. It was worthless, soul-sucking, with distant monsters as teachers who ignited any spark of passion within me. It didn't help that I was doing very badly in school. Axton, my best friend, always thought I wasn't dumb, and always consoled me whenever the teacher yelled at me for having a coconut for brains. "You're street smart," Axton always said to me. "You're very good at solving problems most of the time. Maybe you're not functioning well because this place is a regimented learning system, or maybe the teachers are crap sacks." Axton was very different from me. He was a genius, loved by everyone. He had a dad, mum, and brother even though his brother was an asshole. My mum died while giving birth to me and my dad mourned her by busying himself with work. I was alwa
Sara Days and nights passed. Hopeless and defeated, Dakota and I continued our nomadic existence, surviving each day as it came. Our lives had been forever altered and we were stripped of everything we had. I watched Dakota sadly deteriorate from an Alpha to a rogue and after a series of rejections, we had no choice but to seek refuge in the northern deserts. My mind raced like a clock when we stepped into the brothel. I hated the place with everything in me and felt a bitter tang of disgust in my mouth because of their questionable character. It was a whorehouse. Somewhere I wasn't used to. The ladies of the night did their business here, making their rounds around. They were all young girls of varying ages. I had never had sex before, nor did I want to have sex in such a disgusting way, where my body would be on full display, fucking different sizes of dicks, ranging from the ones as tiny as my thumb to long as my forearm. I didn't want to be used as an animal. No female's