Bella“What are you doing to me?” The icy cold of his touch was spreading through my arm. He had touched me before, but it wasn’t like this. He had done something by gripping my wrist. Some kind of poison from his touch.“Let go of me!”“Call him!” Linc demands.I try to peel his icy fingers from my skin.“Call him!” He demands again. “Let him see what happens to you.”I close my mouth and stare into his insanely dark eyes. I had to keep calm. If Aiden felt one ounce of my worry he would be out here. I couldn't think about it either or he would know.“Do as you are told!” He snaps and tightens his grip on my wrist.My heart rhythm steadies as I stare at him. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me in pain. “Why did you kidnap Amelia?”His lip twitches as he glares at me.It had to have something to do with me. Something Aiden said, about us being the same age. But if she was kidnapped when she was two, there would be no way that she would know her full name. Unless th
AidenSelene disappears before I get to ask her more about Linc’s family. I had witnessed his wife’s death. I was there the moment my father ripped out her throat. He had done it for what she had done to his children. Their children.I didn’t even have a chance to ask my father if it were true. But surely the Moon Goddess wouldn’t lie to me. “Is she ever wrong?” Bella mutters from the sofa. She was studying her own wrist, the black hand print was almost gone, just leaving an ashy tone to her pale skin.“I….”“I don’t understand why Linc is punishing you. If your father was the one who killed her, then he has already got his revenge.” She mumbles. “It was my idea.”She gazes up at me. “You wanted them dead?”“Not the kids. It’s true that my mother was worried. It’s true that Linc’s wife was trying to stage something, but we caught on to it early. Bella, she was committing treason by plotting against the King. Death is the standard punishment.”“It seems like death is everyone’s punis
BellaThe men talk like I’m not even in the room. Aslow keeps his arms folded across his chest. His green eyes remain focussed on Aiden. Rhys has his hands jammed into his pockets. He had yellow eyes like Leighton. Every now and then, they kept flickering to me and then back to Aiden.After the tricks of those around me, I wanted to keep my distance from others, until this was over. But Aiden's words had reassured my mind. He could link them, it was how he was certain it was them.“I’m betting that in twelve hours he is going to expect Bella to be dead.” Rhys glances at me again. “His deal wasn’t even a real deal. Just a trap.”“You’re wrong.” I mutterAll three sets of eyes are on me.“He said that he is a man of his word. Why would he offer a deal if he is expecting me to be dead?”“Bella,” Aiden takes my hands in his. His warmth spreads nicely through my soul. “We both know a lot of people say things that they don’t mean. Or things that they never intend to follow through on.”“He
BellaArrows whizz past my head, close enough to my ears that I hear them whistle. Rhys had dropped to the floor in front of me, an arrow sticking out of his chest.He grabs my leg, pulling me to the floor. “Get your ass down!” He yanks on the arrow that is in the middle of his chest and with his teeth clenched, he pulls it out and tosses it to one side.More arrows fly past our heads. I hear moans of pain and the lights go out, plunging everyone into darkness.The arrows made it clear who was attacking us. The Hunters and they were stupid if they thought we couldn’t see in the dark.“Where are they coming from?” I ask Rhys.“There’s no time, I need to get you to safety.”I glare at him in the darkness as more arrows fly past us and he throws his body on top of mine.“Get the fuck off of me!” I snap, pushing him off. Through the open front door, I could see a machine that was loaded with arrows. It fires them off again, sending a dozen arrows our way.Screams and moans come from thos
Aiden “Do you want me to go and check on her?” Rhys asks as everyone gets back to work. “No. Sometimes, she just needs her space.” She was overwhelmed. I had seen how wide her eyes were as the new pack members made their way towards us. I had felt every flicker of her emotions. Becoming a Queen was one thing. But to have an entire population bow down to her was entirely different. She didn’t grow up with this expectation from her family. She needed time to adjust. “She has a lot of responsibilities now.” “I know Rhys. She just needs time to find her feet. I wasn’t the perfect Alpha when you lot made me yours. Give her time, I have no doubts about the type of Queen she will be.” He bobs his head. “I like her. She’s feisty.” “And just what we all need.” He looks at Connor who had fallen asleep in my arms. “You happy about him?” “He’s fine.” I had gotten used to Connor. His smile always made Bella smile, even when she was feeling like crap. “He thinks you're his dad.” “I know.”
Bella“I thought she didn’t have long left?” Aiden asks as everyone stares at me.“I hear her.” I mutter, pointing to my head. “It’s weak, but I hear her. Linc hasn’t fed from her, he’s been feeding her, letting her recover.”“Would someone like to share who Amelia is?” Eli asks. The light catches his blue eyes as he stares at me.“Amelia Carrington.” Aiden replies. “The girl who went missing as a kid. Linc has her as a hostage.”“Wasn’t she something like two years old?”“Yes, and apparently she is alive after all these years.”I didn't like the way he said ‘apparently’. It made it sound as though it was a lie.There were whispers among the men. They all appeared to know her story. I had never heard of it until Aiden told me. My father never mentioned it, he didn’t even mention he had a brother.“Have you told Miles?” Eli asks Aiden.“When I realised he was still alive, I tried, but he doesn’t want to believe me. He thinks it's some kind of hoax.”Eli leans back in his seat, his blue
BellaI had sat with Eli for a few hours. We didn’t talk much and it was nice, there were no expectations. Every now and then we would do a loop of the house. He always insisted that I come with him because he would never forgive himself if he was responsible for my death.By the time I returned to bed it was almost dawn and Aiden had settled down. Oblivious to my absence. Yet, the moment I slide into bed, he did his usual thing of sleepily pulling me in against him. His lips lazily find mine.“Can’t sleep?” He asks with his eyes closed. I was certain he wasn't even awake, it had just become his auto response when I got up in the night.“It’s almost morning and I needed some water.” I lie, not wanting him to worry. He refuses to let go of me as I eventually drift off.By the time the alarm goes off, I was the one in bed alone. Sprawled out with the bedsheets loosely draped over me. I still had my clothes on from when I went outside and hoped that Aiden hadn’t noticed when he got up.
AidenMiles lets out a muffled gasp as Bella shifts into her large Wolf. She crashes down onto my desk, splitting it down the middle and everything falls to the floor as she leaps forward. Landing in front of Miles, she snarls. Her golden eyes locked with his, yet he doesn’t move, almost frozen to his seat. ‘I take it that I’m not allowed to kill him.” she links me as her snarls deepen.‘Not yet. I think we can get more out of him.’ I wasn’t convinced that there was much more for him to tell us, but still, I had to try.She slams her body into him, knocking him and his chair backwards, sending him tumbling to the ground. Giving him a kick as she struts byAslow opens the door for her and she makes her way through the large door frame without even looking back. She was so angry that I was surprised she had restrained herself enough to walk away.Miles gets to his feet. “What the fuck was that?”I grin at him, “That would be your niece.”“That is no niece of mine!”Every word that came
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