AVA'S POV. I sat on the couch, my fingers nervously tracing the rim of my teacup. Across from me, my mother sat in an armchair, the steam from her tea curling into the air.Her sharp eyes, usually filled with locks on me as she studied me. Goodness knows what is going on inside her head.“So do you want to talk about last night," I said, breaking the awkward silence darting my eyes from Anna and my mother. “I must say, I am shocked,” she said at last, her voice tinged with pride. “You have finally gotten your lost wish, you shifted, Ava. After all these years… you have become a wolf.”I gave her a small, shy smile. “I did.”For a moment, she said nothing more, her expression unreadable. Then, leaning forward slightly, she asked. “People said it was abnormal for an impure wolf to shift…” I paused, turning to her, and locking eyes with her. "It seems that your restless teachings paid off.” “Okay,” she blurted out waving her hand before dropping the teacup on the table, she turned to
Arthur’s POVThe warm glow of the desk lamp spilled across the dark surface of my desk, lighting up the mess of papers, maps, and notes on the table. I glanced at Charles who stood near the tall window, staring out at the moonlit courtyard with his hands behind his back, a small smile playing on his lips. “Everything is almost back to normal,” he muttered, inhaling deeply. Before I could respond, the door creaked open and Aaron, my Gamma walked in. “My Lord,” he bowed as soon as he got to the table. “My apologies, I got the message late.”I exhaled deeply, nodding my head as I leaned back on the chair. “Ava is safe now, so that's what matters at the end.”He adjusted his sleeves, looking uneasy.“Give me the report,” I commanded, locking eyes with him. “There is a report right?” I frowned. Aaron stepped forward, his tone grim. “Well, my men and I have been secretly combing the town and the palace. We have checked all the elders' and servants' houses as requested but nothing has l
AVA'S POV. I watched Lady Eleanor step out of the palace, the maids walking behind her, rolling out her bags. She barks orders at them to hurry up while she walks slowly like a snail. I am just glad her episodes are over. I took in deep breaths, forcing the biggest smile I could offer, before walking up to her. “Lady Eleanor,” I called gently, waiting for her to respond but she didn't.She paused, turning her head slightly but not fully facing me. I stepped closer until I could see her expression, she was filled with rage. I swallowed hard, flickering my eyes away. Hope I wasn't the one who got her angry. I certainly wish I wasn't the one that got her all worked up. “I wanted to say…” I hesitated, clasping my hands nervously. “I hope you can forgive me. And I hope you find peace and happiness in the new mansion Arthur arranged for you.”Her lips curled into a faint, turning to me. “Peace, you say? You’re too kind, Ava.”“It’s not kindness,” I said softly, meeting her gaze. “It’s
Ava POVLooking at the man that’s sleeping beside me, I couldn't help but feel fulfilled.We have our share of heartbreaks and betrayal from people we least expected it from but we overcome every obstacle together.I can’t ask for a better mate.My very own Devil Alpha.FLASHBACK *****My bones were breaking.I let out another throat-itching scream as my right ankle twisted painfully into itself, the pull bringing me down to my knees. My hands were chained to the ground with a padlock at either corner of the dark room, the only light coming in being the bright glow of the full moon.The fucking full moon; yet another one.I hated it and I was using 'hate' very mildly. I dreaded the changes that came with it, one of which being how I chained myself to the ground in the underground basement Penny had built a couple of years ago to avoid going on a rampage and killing some innocent human.My fangs pulled out painfully and I yelled out in pain, knowing it was coming. The resilient urge to
Ava POV"Have you seen this?"I leaned forward to look into Anna’s phone. Aside from the cute picture of a green-eyed cat pouting on what looked like a very soft pillow, I didn't see anything worth gasping. "What? I don't see anything."She scoffed, shoving the phone closer to my face. "Look well. There's a ball.""Ball?" I asked disbelievingly. It was the twenty-first century. Balls weren't a thing anymore. "Be for real."But even as I looked, I could see she wasn't bluffing."Alpha Arthur James has announced he would be hosting a ball at his Villa to formally celebrate his reign as Alpha, and he has stated he would be picking a bride too." Anna read out loud. "Holy shit. He has just released a shitstorm, and he doesn't even know it."I was lost. I didn't want to seem like I'd been living under a rock since I was born, but the question begged to be asked."Who the hell is Arthur James?"The silence was deafening. After a few beats, Anna moaned. "You've got to be kidding me."I chu
Arthur POVI looked down around the large ballroom again and took a sip from the glass of wine in my hand as I leaned against the wall at one corner of the landing, wishing I was somewhere else. There were probably over two hundred women present and I didn't find one even remotely attractive.From where I was standing, no one from below could see me. The room had been built for occasions such as this as my father had liked to throw parties and organize soirees just for the heck of it.Not for the first or second time, I cursed my father in his grave. The man had never liked me doing anything fun when he was alive and I didn't want to think about how impressive it was that he still somehow managed to find a way to get under my skin even now that he was dead."That is not the face of a man enjoying his evening."I turned to see Amelia walking towards me with a sneer on her lips."That is probably because I am not," I replied wryly, emptying the glass and then immediatelyregretting it
Ava POVI watched him walk off the stage, trying to convince myself that the reason I was suddenly out of breath was that so many people packed together made the room hot and not because Arthur had looked straight at me when he'd spoken about having found his bride.Damn. I could barely hear myself think from how loud my heart was beating through my ears.Marriage? To Arthur? I hadn't even thought about getting married to anyone, talk more of an Alpha. I didn't want to. Fuck no. Getting married would prevent me from having the one thing I wanted most; a cure."He likes you."I turned to Jennifer, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the smirk playing on her lips. “You like this, don't you? I bet it was your plan all along. Bringing me here, introducing me to him. You wanted him to pick an interest in me."She didn't even have the decency to look ashamed. "And? Why is that such a bad thing?""Are you serious?" I was livid.She sighed. "Sweetheart, you're twenty-three. Most young wer
Ava POV I was floating.At least, that was what it felt like with Arthur’s hands running over my body. I couldn't explain what it was that drew me to him so deeply, but I knew I liked it. His fingers touched my face, my neck, and my shoulders, ran down to my breasts, kneaded my nipple, and then to my belly button.I sighed in contentment at having him so near, gasped in surprise when his skilled fingers entered me, and almost cried when they began administering a steady, pleasure torture.I waited in anticipation until he drove into me in one fluid movement. I felt my walls give way, break down for him. Something inside me snapped, and I let out a loud howl. His own terrifying growl came after, and as our bodies moved in perfect rhythm, it occurred to me that we were actually mating.My senses were heightened towards him, as well as my feelings. Feelings I'd never before experienced for anyone began to form inside me, and I let them, knowing it was inevitable.When he kissed my lips,
AVA'S POV. I watched Lady Eleanor step out of the palace, the maids walking behind her, rolling out her bags. She barks orders at them to hurry up while she walks slowly like a snail. I am just glad her episodes are over. I took in deep breaths, forcing the biggest smile I could offer, before walking up to her. “Lady Eleanor,” I called gently, waiting for her to respond but she didn't.She paused, turning her head slightly but not fully facing me. I stepped closer until I could see her expression, she was filled with rage. I swallowed hard, flickering my eyes away. Hope I wasn't the one who got her angry. I certainly wish I wasn't the one that got her all worked up. “I wanted to say…” I hesitated, clasping my hands nervously. “I hope you can forgive me. And I hope you find peace and happiness in the new mansion Arthur arranged for you.”Her lips curled into a faint, turning to me. “Peace, you say? You’re too kind, Ava.”“It’s not kindness,” I said softly, meeting her gaze. “It’s
Arthur’s POVThe warm glow of the desk lamp spilled across the dark surface of my desk, lighting up the mess of papers, maps, and notes on the table. I glanced at Charles who stood near the tall window, staring out at the moonlit courtyard with his hands behind his back, a small smile playing on his lips. “Everything is almost back to normal,” he muttered, inhaling deeply. Before I could respond, the door creaked open and Aaron, my Gamma walked in. “My Lord,” he bowed as soon as he got to the table. “My apologies, I got the message late.”I exhaled deeply, nodding my head as I leaned back on the chair. “Ava is safe now, so that's what matters at the end.”He adjusted his sleeves, looking uneasy.“Give me the report,” I commanded, locking eyes with him. “There is a report right?” I frowned. Aaron stepped forward, his tone grim. “Well, my men and I have been secretly combing the town and the palace. We have checked all the elders' and servants' houses as requested but nothing has l
AVA'S POV. I sat on the couch, my fingers nervously tracing the rim of my teacup. Across from me, my mother sat in an armchair, the steam from her tea curling into the air.Her sharp eyes, usually filled with locks on me as she studied me. Goodness knows what is going on inside her head.“So do you want to talk about last night," I said, breaking the awkward silence darting my eyes from Anna and my mother. “I must say, I am shocked,” she said at last, her voice tinged with pride. “You have finally gotten your lost wish, you shifted, Ava. After all these years… you have become a wolf.”I gave her a small, shy smile. “I did.”For a moment, she said nothing more, her expression unreadable. Then, leaning forward slightly, she asked. “People said it was abnormal for an impure wolf to shift…” I paused, turning to her, and locking eyes with her. "It seems that your restless teachings paid off.” “Okay,” she blurted out waving her hand before dropping the teacup on the table, she turned to
Arthur’s POVI woke to a dull ache in my head and my back felt like I had been carrying a big load all through yesterday and torn apart and then stitched back together. As my vision cleared, the first thing I saw was Ava sitting beside me. Her face was streaked with dried tears, but her eyes sparkled with relief when they met mine.“You are awake,” she whispered, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “What… what happened?” My throat was dry, my voice shaky. “When you told me that you became the devil wolf during the first full moon, you didn't tell me that you actually turned into a beast,” she joked. “Did I hurt you?” I questioned grabbing her hands to inspect her body. “Almost,” she shrugged. “But you didn't.”“Ahh,” I growled in pain as I clutched my head, the memory of last night flooding back, hitting me like a storm. I closed my eyes, guilt gnawing at me. “Did I hurt anyone?”She shook her head. “Charles tried to stop you. Amelia too. But they’re fine, just a few scratches.
Ava's pov.I stood still, my legs shaking as I glared at Arthur. I actually did it, I shifted into my werewolf form, I have been trying to even do a howl ever since I knew I was a wolf and I still couldn't do it but now I actually did it…I changed into a werewolf. I glanced around, everything seemed new, I could hear the hammering heartbeat of the people around and the flapping of wings from a long distance, my eyes were sharper and clear…almost too much. “She shifted,” someone whispered, breaking the silence.I barely had time to think about what they’d said because Arthur, or rather his wolf, shook the dirt off him and turned to me. His golden eyes glowed, but they weren’t the eyes of the man I knew. They were filled with something dark. He stared at me, clearly he didn’t recognize me.Before I knew what was happening, the beast lunged forward. I moved in time, leaping to the side as his claws swiped through the air where I had been standing. A deep growl came out of me, surpr
AVA'S POVThe night was cold and the wind made me shiver as the full moon shone brightly, the hoot of owls was heard in the distance and sometimes howls were also heard. The elders stood in a circle around me in the forest, their sharp eyes on me. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap out of my chest. This was the moment of life and death, a small leap could lead me to my death and it could also save me. I took in deep breaths staring at the moon, my hand clutching my bulging stomach as I closed my eyes. “Moon goddess,” I whispered. “I have never doubted you in my life…you are a mother, please hear my cry and protect my child…that's all I ask.”“Ava,” I heard Anna's voice, I slowly opened my eyes, and she stared at me with a faint smile, her eyes glistening with tears.Lady Eleanor sat on the side, watching me closely. Her smirk cut through me. I knew she was more than happy to be here to witness my fall. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes to block out the stare
ARTHUR'S POV. The full moon shone brightly through the high, narrow window of the dungeon, casting long shadows over the cold stone walls. I woke up with excruciating pain, it felt like my body was about to rip to pieces. It was my wolf, fighting to be free. I glanced around, but no one was there. Elena dared to attack me, has she gone mad too?I looked at the chains, trying to break free but I couldn't, I felt weak. Elena must have drugged me with wolfsbane, she knew it wouldn't kill me but a particular dosage was enough to weaken me…for a while. “Elena,” I yelled, my voice echoing in the dark chamber. Immediately the door creaked open and she walked in. She looked at me for a while. It was almost as though she was scared, well she should be, because immediately I got out of there, I swear I would teach her a lesson. “Arthur,” she said, walking closer but stopped just out of my reach. “What do you think you are doing?” I snapped, the chains clinking as I lunged forward. “You
ARTHUR'S POV. The days felt longer than ever, each one filled with fear, it seemed like time decided to move faster or skip a day. Today was the full moon, the day Ava’s fate would be decided. If she could change into her wolf form, she would survive. If not… I didn’t want to think about that.I paced the castle halls early in the morning, unable to sit still. I was really worried. Ava insisted that she wanted to prove herself to the pack but what exactly does she want to prove? That indeed she was an impure wolf or she cast a spell on me?Ava was just so stubborn, I still don't understand how I can't control her at all and why does she makes things difficult for me. My heart tells me that I fell in love with her because she was different but that is just nonsense…she clearly has a choice to save her life but no, she wants to probe herself. Fuck, at this point, I knew I was in for a big trouble. I looked at the palace walls, brushing my fingers on the wall lightly, memorizing tha
AUTHOR'S POV. I ran out of the room immediately, my heart hammering loudly in my chest, I swallowed hard leaning on the back of the door, closing my eyes for a brief moment. What was wrong with me? This was too early, this had never happened before…at least not until the full moon day. Ava opened the door immediately, I turned back, and my eyes widened in alarm as I stared at her frozen. She stared at me for a while, before reaching for my hand, a mixture of shock and curiosity etched on her face. “Arthur, what happened to you? Did you have a nightmare?”I remained silent, my mouth open slightly as I stared at her, my mind drawing a blank, I didn't want her to know the truth but how long could I keep my darkest secret from her?“Come,” she instructed, closing the door behind her. “Let's go for a walk.”“Why?” I suddenly asked, my deep voice sounding like a child. She turned to me, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Well, I also used to have nightmares growing up, Anna told me to