Aiden“Give her time, Aiden.” My mum whispers to me as she rests her hand on my shoulder.“What’s wrong with her? She should be happy. She should be celebrating. Linc is dead.”My mother looked sad, I know she had loved Linc like he was a brother. But he had destroyed our family.“You said he marked her. Aiden, whether you want to hear it or not, she lost her mate. She may have hated him, but the bond will force her to grieve.”“They never confirmed the bond!”“It doesn’t matter. She was still connected to him.”“We should move her.” Leighton suggests. “There is no point staying here.” He helps Katie to her feet.Lifting Bella into my arms, mum adjusts the shirt that's draped over Bella’s naked frame. I should be used to Bella’s silences but this silence came with a feeling of emptiness.Mum asks Leighton to carry Amelia as she is still out of it. She was almost identical to Bella. Though her hair was short, her bones jutted out more and there wasn’t an ounce of fat on her. I’m surpr
Aiden“You asked him? Seriously? Why the fuck would you do that?” I seethe. I was so angry but as she opens her mouth, I tell her that I don't want to hear it. Whatever fucked up reason she had for asking him. It didn’t matter, he was dead.“Aiden…” She tries. I shake my head at her and walk out of the office“I take it that not everything went well?” Eli asks. He was sitting in one of the chairs to the side of the office door.“He’s dead.” I mutter.“Good. And Bella?”“She’s resting.”He screws his face up, “I thought I saw her with Leighton.”“That would be Amelia.”“Miles’s daughter? So she is alive?” His mouth curves up into a massive grin.“Barely, but yes. Aslow is looking after her."He laughs. “So his daughter is finally free and he is locked up in your dungeons. Karma really is a bitch.”“Eli, stay away from her. She has been a hostage for a long time.”His smile fades a little.“Whatever you were planning, forget it. It’s not me you will have to worry about. It will be Bella
Bella“Is this some kind of fucking joke?!” I shout up at the sky. “Pleading with me not to die, and then you send me back to feel like this?”I knew there were guards all around me. Probably not knowing whether to approach me or assume that I have lost the plot. I didn’t care. I could have died and not had to deal with any of this shit. I could have gone where all the dead go, instead of feeling like my body was being ripped apart by my emotions. Emotions that I shouldn't even have to feel.Emotions, they make you weak.“And now I’m supposed to act like everything is normal?” I keep ranting at the Moon Goddess, hoping that she is listening to me. “With a fucking twin. Is that what you meant when you said I had left a piece of me behind?”I kick a rock into a tree and scream. "FUCKING ANSWER ME!"“Bella?” I turn to see Eli staring at me. An eyebrow cocked in curiosity. “Who are you shouting at?”“Just go away.”“Something tells me that it wouldn’t be a good idea.”“This has nothing t
AidenHow was this even possible? I could smell her, her scent is just as fruity as Bella’s. When I scented it earlier, I thought Bella had returned home, but this was why. Amy had been paired to me. I was mated to another. Bella’s twin….. It wasn’t going to happen.Bella is growling, her Wolf crouches a little, preparing herself to launch at someone, most likely me. I can imagine that right now, she wants to kill me.“Bella, I need to speak to you, alone.” I see how Amy looks sad when I say ‘alone.’. Rejected for another woman. And that is how it will always be. She will never be anything more than Bella’s twin.‘So you can tell me that you will share me?’ Bella snarls in my head. ’That I’m expected to put up with it!’I glance at Amy, if Bella wanted to do this here. Then we will do it here.‘Is that how little you think of me?’ I link her, ‘I cannot stand the idea of you with others. If I don’t like that, it’s hardly fair for me to do the same to you or expect you to just accept it
Bella“I can assure you, Alpha. The Queen is most definitely pregnant.” Aslow is grinning from ear to ear. It would be the first pup of Aiden's. The first to be born in this newly formed pack.“How?” Aiden asks in shock“Really? Do you want me to draw you a picture?” I ask with annoyance.“That’s not what I meant. I am more than happy. But you shouldn’t have been able to shift.” He smiles, “At least now it explains why you have been so tired and......” He trails off, moving around the bed and kissing my cheek, “Congratulations.”I return the smile, but deep down, I wasn’t sure what I felt.“Just the one?” Aiden asks Aslow.“Just the one.” He confirms, giving me a tissue to wipe the gel from my stomach.“At least Connor will have someone to play with now.” Aiden is still beaming as he curls his fingers around mine. His happiness is infectious and I find my confusing thoughts fading away.Aslow gives us some time alone. Aiden plies me with kisses. His smile does not falter for one momen
Bella“Before you do, we need to talk.” I mutter, once again closing the laptop, I was starting to wonder if I was going to get any peace, ever.He pushes the door open further and strides in, “Please don’t tell me you have had a change of heart? I thought this was what we both wanted.”“I do… I mean I can’t wait for her to be a thousand miles away. I wish I had never met her.” I puff out my cheeks and tell him what Lilah had said. I see a flicker of anger.“I don't mean disrespect, but why did my mother come to you?”“I’m guessing because she knows I understand. I would never want to go back to my father’s old lands. Memories don’t just fade, Aiden. They hide in the back of your mind, popping up at the most inconvenient time. Plaguing your sleep, tormenting you from the inside." I let out a sigh, "And apart from your eyes, you are almost identical looking to your father. It's hard for her.”“Well I guess I can’t force her to stay.” He glances off, mulling over my words.“She likes Am
AidenGargled sounds come out of her neck, little air bubbles creeping through the blood as it oozes out of her. I purposely hadn’t sunk my teeth deep enough. Just deep enough so that she couldn’t heal quick enough. I wanted her death to be slow and painful. And if we were true mates, I would have felt it, instead, I feel nothing.As I spit her flesh from my mouth, Amelia’s hands flap. Her eyes grew wide with fear as she scrambles at her missing throat. Her eyes flicker to Bella, looking for help. Bella doesn’t move from her seat. Her face was still, her rampant heart slows. Her eyes focus on no one but Amelia.No one moves as Amelia’s body slumps back in the chair. The light dims in her eyes as her brain starves of oxygen. Even I knew it was a cruel way to go, but protecting Bella is my number one priority and will be for the rest of my life. No one is getting in between us again.“Get rid of the body!” I order Leighton as Amelia’s heart stops. “I don’t want to look at her for anothe
AidenBella was completely still in the back of the van. She was dressed too, which was something I was not expecting. Especially as she had shifted.“She shifted back and I helped her get into some of the new clothes before she passed out.” Katie mutters as she looks around me at Bella.“At least she shifted back.” I mutter“Eventually.” Leighton peers over my shoulder. “Basically I threatened to call you. Which sounds really stupid, but it worked.”“And she crashed out?”“I had to finish putting the hoodie on her. I couldn't leave her half dressed.” Katie adds. “And she is out cold, not even stirring.”I had asked her not to shift. I didn’t like that she still could. It was unnatural.Her face, lips and hair is coated in dried blood. She is curled up on her side, the same as when she is asleep. The shift had been too much for her, it had wiped her out. Climbing in the van, I place my hand on her stomach. The pup was fine, I could still feel the movements and the strong heartbeat.“
Bella It was a strange few days, watching Aiden put plans in place. I knew where we were going, he had made that clear and I couldn’t wait. I had never felt more at peace than when we were in the forest and I couldn't wait to show the boys. “That’s all my stuff packed.” Katie whispers as she drops one last box into the back of Leightons van. I had barely seen her smile recently, unless it was a front she was putting on for Flynn. But a natural smile just didn’t seem to exist anymore. I hoped she would get past her mothers death. “You don’t have to come.” I say for the hundredth time. “Yes I do. Leighton says that he won’t leave me, but he won’t leave you either. nd you are the closest thing I have to family besides Flynn." There was a strange tone in her voice. One that I hadn’t heard from her before. “Are you mad?” “No…I just….” She tucks her blonde hair behind her ears and scans the grounds looking for someone. “Leighton’s inside with Aiden. If that’s who you are looking for
Aiden“Well she has to be wrong?!” Leighton shoves his hands in his pockets, completely unfathomed by what I had told him.“Why would she kill herself? Why would she tell me all that if she is lying and then stop her own heart? what would be the point?”“Guilt,” he shrugs his shoulders. “She knew you wouldn’t let her get away alive.”I groan and lean back in my chair, resting my hands behind my head as I stare up at the ceiling.“Bella’s with Katie?”He nods at me. “They are trying to decide on the best way to tell Flynn. Chances are, he already knows.” He studies me. “This is a good thing. The problem dealt with itself. You should be happy. But you’re not, are you?”“No.”“He’s a pup, what harm can he do?”“He won’t be a pup for long. You know as well as I do, he will be fully grown by the time his first birthday comes around. And I can’t help wondering if Eden was right.”“It’s not the first time we have been screwed over by a witch that has been spouting off a load of crap.” Leight
AidenI was grateful for the change of pace, standing guard of my own packhouse. The peace and quiet gave me time to think, to put a plan in place. To decide what’s best for my family.It was dark outside, and the clouds above us were thick. Unusually, you couldn’t see many stars. A storm was brewing, I could smell it in the air.I look at the other Hybrids, Wolves and Lycans that are standing guard. All giving up their own time to either protect my home or theirs. No one moves, everyone is as still as a statue, alert and prepared.I knew Eden was coming back. I knew this storm that was brewing above us was not a natural storm. And everyone else did too. That’s why the chatter had stopped and that’s why everyone is so alert. She was trying to mess with our senses.“You should go inside.” Rhys whispers next to me. “You are the King, and you and I both know she will target you.”“I have to do this.” I mutter back.“What about Bella and your son?”“I’m doing this for them.”He nods his h
BellaThe Omega leaves me with the three boys. While Connor and Cayden were messing around trying to bounce on the bed, Flynn just stares out the window, his small hand coiled up in the curtain.Stepping next to him, his eyes don’t leave the window. I assumed he was looking for his mother.‘You don’t need to be scared.’ I link him, knowing it was the only way to talk to him.‘I’m not.’ His small voice answers me back‘Why didn’t you tell everyone that you were still seeing your mum?’ I was curious. If it hadn’t been for Cayden, we would never have known.He wrinkles up his nose. ‘Is she in trouble?’‘She is.’I watch his shoulders drop a little and his eyes flicker up to me. ‘Katie says we shouldn’t lie.’‘Your sister is very smart.’ I smileA small smile appears on his lips. ‘She’s the best. She looks after me.'I couldn’t agree more. She was a good friend too.‘Do you know where your mum is?’ I ask calmly, hoping that if he knew, he would tell me but I didn't want to push him, he wa
AidenI was trying to keep my mate focussed. But I couldn’t help but be curious about the shifter's words. Had Bella really been born as a pup? Creedance hadn’t said anything when we had interrogated him, but then he had never said that Bella was a twin either.Looking around the room, blood was sprayed all up the walls and across the carpet. The shifters decapitated body discarded on the floor. Leighton was holding Katie against his chest, running his fingers through her blood stained blonde hair, muttering reassuring words but his eyes were on me. I knew why. Being born in pup form was extremely rare, there had only ever been a handful of recordings in history. And all were female, and all with a power unlike anyone else's. They just needed to learn to tap into it. If it was true about Bella, she was more powerful than we realised.Everything was starting to fall into place. The size of her Wolf, the delayed first shift, her need to protect the vulnerable, and why Selene was so des
Bella“Christian. Christian is fucking dead. I ripped him and his Rogues apart.” I spit“Yes, I remember it well.” She smiles. “You really are something else. He said you were special and yet I was always sceptical until I saw you that day. And what a magnificent Wolf you are, wasting no time to shred him to pieces. I was livid and yet mesmerised. You really could have provided him with a brilliant child.” she laughs, wiping her chin and spitting more blood on the floor.“You watched?” I mutter, wondering where she had been.“Like I said, I was fascinated.”“So how do you plan on carrying out Christian’s work? All those women got away. And do you really expect me to let you leave, alive?”“Did they get away?” Cassie mocks as she leans her back against the wall, smiling to herself. So much had gone on that I hadn’t even had a chance to find any of the women that Aiden and Leighton helped to escape. I had no idea about their children, I had no idea about any of them. They had been taken
Bella“Is he serious? Is he really expecting us to believe that he hasn’t done something to my Dad?”I watch Katie pace. Her arms swinging frantically at her sides, her hands are clenched into tight balls. I knew Katie, she was never angry, emotional yes, frantic sometimes, but angry is not something I usually see. If I hadn’t dragged her out of the lounge, I was certain she would have attacked someone. I wondered if it was what Aiden saw when he looked at me sometimes.“You are right.” I mutter. “Something doesn’t seem right.”“So you agree?” She stops and stares at meSlowly, I nod my head. Eli’s words, his denial, something just seemed off.“You should tell them. Flynn, Connor and Cayden are all down there with him.”“And so is Aiden and Leighton. Trust me, he is not getting anywhere near the boys.”She starts pacing again and I try to hold in the laugh. It was funny, we all did it when we were frustrated, like it was drummed into us how to react when we were overwhelmed.“He said
Leighton“What do you mean you can’t tell us?” Katie ask as I push bookcases in front of the windows.“Is it Aiden?” Bella queries.I turned around to look at them. Katie had her arms folded across her chest while Bella stood with her hands on her hips. Both of them glaring at me.“Aiden is fine. I’ve been ordered to not let you out of the room and to ensure you are all protected.”"You know I can shift, right?" Bell mutters, rolling her eyes“But why?” Katie frowns at me. Feeling all her emotions was still taking a lot of getting used too. Yes I’ve always been able to scent changes in peoples moods, but feeling them when your mate can be an emotional wreck was hard.“Yes, I know you can shift Bella. They were Aiden’s orders. I don’t know any more than what he has told me. He said he would talk to us when he gets back.”“Back from where? Leighton you are being very secretive!” Bella scowls at me.“I’ve told you everything I know. Aiden is with Rhys, he isn’t alone. You know as well as
AidenI knew Bella would be losing all sense of being calm, I just had to hope that Leighton and Katie could keep her in the house. That Leighton would use his Beta skills to stop her from coming after me.Guards surrounded the pack house while others were already searching houses, looking for Eli.Katie had said that Leighton could still scent Eden. That she had tried covering her scent but had been watching them as they talked.Sniffing the air, I can’t scent her, not immediately. I look around at the guards who are watching me with interest. Some of them were Hybrids, they would be able to scent her too, but they were holding their places as ordered.“Rhys!”I call him forward seeing as he was watching me the most. He jogs towards me, a wide smile on his face. The guards that had been stood either side of him take a step toward each other, covering the gap that Rhys had left.“Yes Alpha.”“Have there been any sightings of either of them?”“The Witch,” He whispers, “is watching at a