In sickness and in health
Star’s body jolted from the bed, her legs couldn’t carry her fast enough as she threw herself at the toilet and emptied the content of her stomach, the sun was only just rising, but the restlessness Star felt began in the darkness.
“Star, are you okay?” Max rushed up behind her and pulled her red locks into his hand as he tried to steady her figure.
“Oh baby, it’s okay. Let it all out.” he soothed, rubbing a hand up and down her back while trying hard to fight off his own gag reflex.
“Max!” Star cried and collapsed onto his chest when her body finally found some relief.
Lies and deceitStar fumed all the way home and no matter what Max said, she only grunted in annoyance.“Hey, I heard you were-” Greg was cut off by Star stomping into the house without so much as a look in his direction.“Don’t hold it against her, she’s mad at me and she hasn’t been herself since she got sick.” Star narrowed her eyes but continued her journey away from him.Locking the door behind her, Star curled up into a ball on the bed and let the hurt flow. She felt like a fool for being played by them, all this time she was cautious about the words she used and the stories she told in an effort to protect his secret and he was lying
The perfect dress “Star?” Star heard the faraway voice, “Star?” it took her a moment to register that Mrs. Robin was calling her. “Yes?” She snapped out of it, ignoring the worried look the older women sent her. “Are you sure you are up for this, we can always postpone it?” Star’s eyes widened and she nodded quickly, making her own head spin. “No, we will go ahead, I am fine.” Mrs. Robin looked skeptical but pointed to the three dresses she selected for Star after the specifications she gave her. “I’d like to try them all on and then decide.” With a satisfied nod, she was ushered into the bathroom. “I like the way it fits, but the white is too stark,” Star commented, looking in the floor-length mirror at the first dress. “It looks gorgeous on you, but we’ll put it in the maybe pile,” Donna concluded and ushered her in to try the next one. Star slipped into the dress and pulled up the zipper and without even looking in the mirror she knew she loved it. The soft netting
Surprise Standing in front of the mirror, clad in a matte black tuxedo, Max adjusted the cufflinks on his sleeves which held the initials of his father, how he wished his parents were here to share this day with him and his beautiful Luna.Max’s thoughts were interrupted by the door to the guest room swinging open to reveal a smirking Landon.“Ready, Alpha?” Max rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help the smile on his face.“I was born ready.” Landon chuckled at his arrogance, it wasn’t a display Max made often and Landon had only seen it a handful of times in recent years.
The rainbow after the stormStar and Max walked hand in hand to the meeting grounds where the pack run was set to start, both wore wide smiles which garnered curious looks and happy smiles from everyone they passed.“Lockwood pack.” Max stood on a large rock that marked the starting line to address the pack and held his hand out to help Star on with him, wrapping an arm around her waist to hold her in place. “Today not only marks the start of our journey as Alpha and Luna of the Lockwood pack but there is even more exciting news on the horizon.” Max paused for dramatic effect and Star smiled inwardly.It has been decided that Luna Star will ride on the back of my wolf for the run in the interest of her best health and the safety of our unborn pup.&rdqu
Six months later Future Alpha Lockwood “Breathe through it, Luna.” The nurse coached as yet another contraction hit, they weren’t far apart and she could already feel her body readying to push. “You’re doing so well my love, I am so proud of you my Luna.” Max leaned down to kiss her forehead, wishing he could take away some of the pain. “Max, it hurts.” Star cried, she was trying so hard not to snap at him for getting her into this predicament, but all the practice in the world wasn’t enough to maintain her patience. “I know baby, it will be over soon.” He offered sympathetically. “This is all your fucking fault!” She wailed and Max held back a chuckle. “I know, I’m sorry, I love you.” He stroked her hair softly, pushing the sweaty wisps from her face. “Ten centimeters dilated, the next contraction is going to hit any second now and I’m gonna need you to push when it does, okay Luna?” Star nodded, still cringing with pain as the effects of the contraction subsided. “Al
Eighteen years later Max and Star watched with pride as William and Azaiah Sparred, they were fierce warriors and would someday make an excellent pair of Alpha and Beta, till then, however, they were content trying to get the better of one another. “Give it up Zai, you’ll never beat me.” William laughed cockily as his friend struggled beneath him on the mat. “I. Will. Never. Quit.” He gritted tensely. “Who do they remind you of?” Landon smirked, striding up to them at the edge of the training ground. “I certainly recall you struggling for life beneath me.” Max sniggered, earning him a flat look from Landon.
William’s watched his father pace from end to end of his home office with knitted eyebrows. “Max.” Star placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a stern look, effectively stopping him in his tracks. “You’re freaking Will out.” She glanced at her son who watched them from his position on the couch. “Sorry,” Max mumbled and sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “Sweetie, you have grown up to be such an understanding and respectful young man and I want you to know that your father and I are both so proud of you.” Star took his hand in hers and looked to Max who nodded in agreement. “Son, I know it seems unfair to you that all the other pack kids get to go out without their parents and I know we had a deal that when you were old enough you would have your chance, now that you are your mother and I have decided that you deserve to know why it is we have kept you so close over the years,” Max spoke in a level tone, his alpha tone. “You know the story of or history, how your father
“Dad?” Will called in his mind as he followed his father’s scent through the darkened woods, in the distance he could see the shadow of his large wolf dodging trees and leaping over fallen trunks. “Go home, Will.” Will bristled at the order, he never took well to his father’s Alpha tone, but the last thing he wanted now was to fight, not when he finally understood. So instead of turning around, Will increased his speed and within seconds he was beside his father, matching his speed and agility with ease. “I’m not leaving you here, I promised mom I would bring you home and I will keep my promise.” Max’s wolf skidded to a halt and took an angry stance at his son who also stopped before him, Max’s growls rang through the forest scaring away any animals within a few miles. “You left her alone!” Max knew she was safe in their home, but he didn’t want her to be alone after all they revealed tonight. “I had to otherwise it would be her who came after you,” Max growled loudly at that, he h
The plane ride back to Manchester gave Kiah enough time to think about her plans. The time spent at the Lockwood pack served as a much-needed time out from both avoiding Will and trying to cope with her loss. There was nothing she could do to turn back time and living in the past only seemed to be hurting both of them more than necessary and while her decision would have been different in his position, she too would have been haunted by it the same way he was. Climbing off the car, Kiah sucked in a deep breath before walking through the grand doors of the castle. In the throne room, Will was directing the troop commanders when the doors burst open, revealing their elusive Queen. For a moment everyone just stared until the clearing of Will’s throat threw them into action and one by one they bowed to their Queen, silently rejoicing her return. “You may rise.” Kiah smiled politely and the men rose, some giving her smiles and words of welcome as she approached the throne to take a sea
Will watched from across the room as Kiah struggled with the zipper on her dress and after a moment of not realizing he was there he strode towards her, grasping the zip and sliding it down with ease. The feeling of his fingertips grazing her skin was like being electrocuted and without thinking Kiah leaped away from him, not missing the hurt look on his face. For a second she wanted to apologize, but like every time her eyes laid on him, she remembered what he’d done and her face turned cold. “Don’t touch me.” Will remained frozen, inwardly berating himself for hurting her yet again when she slammed the door to the bathroom in his face. His parents were out for the day busy with preparations for the Alpha ceremony, insisting they took the day to relax before all the rush began. With the door to their room shut, Kiah exited the bathroom to find Will with his head in his hands. She knew he was beating himself up for his earlier actions, but she squashed the instinct to soothe hi
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, we have no other choice.” “I choose her. Save my wife Kennedy.” *** The memory of the day Will’s world turned upside down would forever remain vivid in his mind as yet another night he woke to find the bed cold and empty beside him. She didn’t understand, she couldn’t fathom the decision he’d come to when faced with the impossible choice, in her mind, she was certain she would be his last choice, but when she’d woke from her slumber and found out the truth she realized there was, after all, a way the man she called her husband could break her heart even when she knew he didn’t love her. “Good morning, your Majesty.” servants of the castle greeted as he passed them on his way to his office and as he did every morning, Will nodded his head at them. “Morning Azaiah, Serenity; any news for me this morning?” Azaiah had taken the role of his royal advisor as had been decided by the Goddess and when Serenity and Azaiah mated, she moved into the palace, ea
Will’s glowing hazel eyes studied the crowd of Alphas before him, now congregated in their human forms on a floor littered with scraps of their shredded clothing staring up at their King. King William Lockwood. To the left of him stood his company of chosen advisors and to his right, with her hand clutched in his, stood his queen; Kiah Das. WIll barely had the time to comprehend the feelings rushing through him, the power, the responsibility, the primal protectiveness he felt over every person in the room. He knew if he closed his eyes and concentrated he would hear each one of their hearts beating and with that thought he knew he would tear the world apart to keep it that way. Elder Frederick cleared his throat, bringing every eye in the room to him, “Do you William Lockwood, Son of Alpha Maximus Lockwood and Huntress Luna Star Cullen Lockwood solemnly swear to wear the sacred Lycan Crown with honor, respect, and integrity?” “I do,” Will answered boldly. “Do you, William Loc
Elders from far and wide returned to the ancient Palace of the Lycan kind, summoned by the blood running in their veins loyalty of their forefathers to the crown. “The Institution is ready.” The throne room guard announced, opening the doors for Alphas to enter from the main hall. “Good evening honorable Alphas of the Council. Today, after centuries, the Royal Institution has reunited in the name of the Lycan Crown.” Elder Frederick, who was elected as Chairman announced. “We live in a future determined long ago, in a fated world where success is achieved only when the Royal rule prevails. As per the plan of succession left behind by the former King, the Alpha Council must perform a uniting ritual in which they each pledge their allegiance to the Crown and when all is said and done, a sacred scroll will be read aloud, it is only then that the holder of the crown will be revealed.” Max sucked in a deep breath, the course of action they chose was not one which may have traditiona
Will’s face had become a familiar one at Alpha council meetings, having gone from never even being a guest at them to attending them regularly was seemingly paradoxical, but none of the Alphas seemed to notice, or if they did, none had the guts to point it out- certainly not after the second round of attacks occurred based on Will’s prediction. “Commander Lockwood, is there a reason you have insisted on summoning us to the palace for this meeting, as you yourself are aware, the recent attacks on our packs have left them vulnerable, and having alphas away from their packs leaves them more vulnerable to attack.” The Chairman himself was displeased at Will’s actions and he smirked inwardly at how easy it was to upset these men despite only requesting the meeting be held at the palace and not insisting. “I have a few findings I thought it best you heard in person and a picture of what the future holds.” Will stood up and clicked the power button on the wall-to-wall screen in the boardro
Just as Will predicted, the second round of attacks came only five days after the first, but unlike the first time, he was ready. With troops stationed outside five different packs, he set the trap, waiting patiently for the attack, and at midnight when packs had settled for the night, the invasion began. Three packs, uncoincidentally all with Alphas who bashed Will’s suggestion in the meeting were targeted but this time Will’s orders were different. Troops were commanded to capture and not kill on site, unbeknownst to anyone other than himself and troop leaders and by the time the news of the failed attack reached the ears of the Alpha Council, Will’s prisoners were already in custody. “They’re ready for you commander.” Will nodded, shutting the file when the prison guard came in. “Thank you, Grant.” The interrogation room looked more like a dungeon out of a medieval movie than anything else, but it seemed to unnerve the woman sitting in the chair so Will counted it as a win.
As the distance between Will and the Lockwood pack grew, so did Kiah’s anxiety. The Lockwood pack welcomed her openly and she easily felt like she belonged despite not being a shifter which came as a surprise to her, but still, she found herself missing something. “I love you and I’m tired of pretending I don’t, I’m tired of waiting on a promise spoken of by others.” Kiah halted in her step and her eyes widened, certain she was intruding on a private moment but found herself eager to hear the response to the man’s words. “Zai…” The girl sobbed, sounding happy, yet mournful at the same time, “We can’t do this-” Her words were cut off by a startled gasp and Kiah curiously peeked around the bushes only to see Azaiah and Serenity’s lips locked in a passionate kiss. The reminiscent smile that formed on her lips only increased the ache in her heart and Kiah turned away, deciding she would come back to the little sanctuary later. “You’d be proud, Will.” She whispered to herself, chuck
With five votes still left unread the chairman looked up at the council, “By a majority vote of confidence, the Alpha council resolves to assemble a united army under the leadership of William Lockwood as Commander-in-Chief.” he announced, sounding pleased with the outcome. Will paced by Kiah’s bedside recalling the events of earlier today with eyebrows furrowed, he thought about the decision taken by the Alphas to enlist volunteers before actioning the registry and how he would go about creating an army to fight such a widespread army, he worried their mobilization would cause hunters to go into hiding amongst human communities rendering it impossible to find them. “Will?” Kiah’s soft voice broke him from his reverie and his body stilled upon seeing her almost black irises. “Hey, you okay?” She blinked, looking around the lavish room with confusion. “I’m fine, how long was I out?” she appeared disorientated when she finally focussed back on him, a sight Will wasn’t used to see