I'm on my way to France. it's about six hour drive, so I wrote this in the car. I'm not sure how much time I will have to write there, so my updates might be sporadically.
Orion’s povNobody had told Izzy who I really was. Of course they didn't, because none of them wanted me here. Why did I need to play by their stupid rules anyway? Prophecies, Lunas, Alphas, and all this other bullshit didn’t mean anything to me. The only thing that mattered to me was the beautiful redhead staring at me in surprise."Alpha Ethan is your father?"I nodded my head at my mate. The whole concept of mates was foreign to me, but it did explain why I had this connection to Izzy from the start. She was my soulmate.Izzy was seated next to her father. Jordan and my evil stepmother sat across from them, and at the head of the table was my father."He’s not his father. Dad is nothing more than his sperm donor. I am the one who has been training to take over; I am the rightful heir. Not some bastard he made with a slu,-" before he could finish calling my mother a hurtful name. Alpha Ethan had slapped his son."Don’t you dare!"Izzy took this opportunity to sign, [I’m sorry. I didn
Izzy’s pov "What was Orion talking about?" Dad asked as soon as we got home. "I heard you, you know. You and Finn... I know how you’re sticking your head in the sand, because it’s the only way you’ll be able to trust the Moon Goddess’ plan." "Izzy, is Orion your mate? If he’s Ethan’s son, then the prophecy can still exist. Then perhaps everything that happened did happen for a reason." I laughed mockingly, "you never cared what Jordan did to me or if I loved him. Especially mom. Her only focus was to make me the next Luna, whatever it took. Apparently to the point of kidnapping Orion and trying to kill him. I never had a choice, and it’s foolish to think I do now. So what’s the point?" Dad sighed, putting his hands through his hair in frustration. "your mother is many things, but not a killer. She has never experienced that feeling of guilt, bloodlust, or anger. I would have felt it if she did. She may have had a hand in this, but she didn’t do it alone. If I had to choose, I’d po
Orion’s pov‘She’s shifting. I know it.’ Knox said. ‘We need to go to our mate.’Several soldiers stopped me as I tried to walk through the door. "You can’t leave.""I just want to go for a walk." I replied, debating whether to fight my way through or wait for my father to talk to me. I was pretty sure they were mindlinking him right now.Alpha Ethan came down a few seconds later, "can’t it wait?""No. I need to go for a walk now." I said.He shook his head, "you can’t go near her. I’m not letting you or Jordan see Isadora until the challenge is over.""She’s shifting tonight. It’s her birthday."Alpha Ethan sighed, "she has Zahra with her. There are soldiers following her. She is fine. I'm keeping an eye out for her, I promise.""I won’t go near her. I just need to be there. Please. After everything you put her through, you owe her. You owe me.""You can’t talk to her. You can’t shift and run toward her. Keep your distance, and you have to take these soldiers with you." Alpha Ethan ca
Izzy’s povDad had told me he needed to leave for a bit for work, but I had several soldiers outside my door to keep me safe.Safe... As if that was the reason they were there. They weren’t there to keep someone out, but to keep me in. I saw them escort Orion away after I shifted, and although I appreciated that he was there, it was clear he wasn’t allowed near me.‘Neither is Jordan, it seems.’ Ember said.It didn’t mean he didn’t mindlink me to keep me updated on every new threat he had come up with and new ways of torturing my family before killing them. Jordan made sure I was always on edge and always aware of what he could do to me and my family. All I know is that until that challenge was over, I was still stuck in the same situation.Suddenly Alpha Ethan’s voice rang inside my head, and I knew he was speaking towards the whole pack."….sadly Adriana passed away over a decade ago, and I would love nothing more than to accept our son into my pack."And then he stopped.There was
Orion’s pov I walked around the packhouse, pacing back and forth for what felt like hours. This house felt like a prison right now, and it didn’t help that I was the only one here. Jordan was out somewhere, and Luna Nicole was busy doing whatever she was doing. My father was handling the police, and I was going crazy. As a former criminal, I knew I should have checked in with my parole officer, but being thrown into this whole werewolf world made me forget about my previous life. I also should have called Erin to let her know I was okay. Fuck. This could have been avoided. ‘It’s not totally your fault. Half of the time you were here, you were confined to the dungeon or this house. And then you were almost killed.’ Knox said. I can’t exactly tell my parole officer that. Besides, I didn’t even ask for permission to leave.’ What kind of Alpha has a criminal record? What kind of alpha was thrown into a mental hospital? I was doing this all for Izzy, but it was clear I wasn’t the alph
Izzy’s povAfter I left Orion in the bathroom, my mind went back to after we had left the police. Dad and I were silent for most of the drive home, but he suddenly turned to me when he had parked the car in front of our house."When did you learn to lie like that?"I scoffed, "did you honestly think this was the first time I had to lie or pretend? You and Mom were both blind to what was in front of you. You still are."I wanted to say more but couldn’t. If I told him the truth about Jordan, it might make things even more difficult for me, Finn, and my mother. Although I cared more about Finn at the moment, seeing as my mother had been involved in the plan to kill Orion.‘She deserves to be locked up,’ Ember growled protectively."What was it like? Living amongst humans?" My dad asked, showing interest in my life for the first time.I smiled, thinking back to that time. "I lived with this woman, Erin. She owns a motel, where Orion worked. Her son is deaf and they taught me sign language
Orion’s povWhen I reached the house, I circled around, looking for a way inside, but before I could, I heard Alpha Ethan speak.Come, Orion; no need to sneak around."I shifted back and walked towards my father. "I needed some air.""The police are gone. Isadora helped us, but you probably already knew that."How did he know? I took a shower. I smelled my arm, and Alpha Ethan chuckled. "You look less stressed. You look happy, so I figured you must have visited her."I didn’t speak, scared of what he might do or say. I wasn’t allowed to see her, but neither was Jordan, and he had done so anyway."I understand why, Orion. But we need to be careful." He whispered.I sighed, "so, now what? We wait? I don’t join your pack. You'll cancel the challenge? What happens now that the police have shown up here? Are you going to send me back?"Alpha Ethan shook his head as he seemed to mindlink someone, "no. I don’t think it’s a coincidence they showed up today."A soldier stepped from inside and h
Orion’s pov The closer we got to our fight, the more erratic Jordan’s behavior became. He was mindlinking Izzy all day long, threatening her, pleading with her, trying to bribe her—whatever it took for her to reject me. I knew he was desperate to win and would do whatever it took. So I stayed to myself for most of the day, mindlinking Izzy to distract her from Jordan. My father didn’t allow anyone entrance into the dungeons ever since Jordan snuck in and hurt Izzy’s mom, but I was sure if Jordan wanted to hurt her, he would find a way. We weren’t out of the woods yet until I defeated Jordan at midnight. ‘What if we give Jordan what he wants?' Izzy asked about an hour before the fight would start. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘He asked if I could come see you before the fight, and he’ll be the bigger man and offer us privacy or whatever, and I reject you.’ I growled softly; the thought alone hurt. I didn’t even know what rejection was until last week, and I had no clue how it would feel,
Orion’s pov If I thought being an alpha was hard, I was in for a big fucking surprise. Being a dad is so much harder. You’d think that everything I went through would have prepared me, but it’s so different when it’s twins. It’s also so different when they’re newborns. And it's just different when they're your kids. I've helped raise my foster siblings, but they weren't this small. They could do a lot of things themselves. Mateo and Grace are simply helpless without us. Izzy and I try to take turns waking up, but most of the time we both wake up when either Grace or Mateo screams. They wake each other up, too. Especially Grace; she is the loudest baby I have ever met. But goddess, is she cute! She already has her mom’s tiny red curls. It’s adorable. I don’t think I’ll be able to tell her no. Like ever. One look with her big eyes, and I’ll give her whatever she wants. And then Mateo. He is just as cute, and he’s my twin; at least that's what everyone says. It’s so strange to se
Izzy’s pov - - One year later - - As I looked around our pack, I felt such pride. Pride in how our pack had handled the loss of so many with grace. We had come together and supported those who needed us. But we also took pride in how we had grown up together. Orion and I had decided to create a council, similar to our jury, where people from all ranks could join. We met with them weekly, to discuss everything they deemed important. This way, we always knew what was happening around our pack, and it also meant that if anybody found it frightening to speak to their alpha or Luna, they could go to their representative instead. Never again would anyone be able to get away with hurting someone in our pack because of their rank. Orion walked towards me, putting his arms around me and placing both his hands on my belly. “It’s almost time,” he said, before giving me a quick kiss on my mark. “Time for what, Oreo?” I asked, looking up to find him staring at me the way he always does. E
Orion’s pov The pack was buzzing. Everyone was waiting to hear the announcement that either me or Izzy would seen broadcast through the pack link. It was up to the parents discretion to discuss the final judgment with their kids or not. Knowing how pups are raised, there was a good chance they’d share the news anyway. Everyone already expected Nicole to be found guilty. The proof against the former Luna of our pack had been piling up. We had allowed everyone who was wronged by Nicole to speak, if they chose to. Even Izzy’s mom spoke up. After her testimony Izzy had slowly started speaking to her mother more. I wasn’t sure if she would ever forgive her mother, but she at least wanted to be cordial to her. Then there were all the people who lost someone they loved during the attack. Some of them couldn’t handle the loss of their mate and in the coming weeks there were more people dying of a broken heart of self-inflicted wounds than ever before. While we had offered help to everyon
Izzy’s pov I was nervous. I was really nervous, but I could feel everything Orion was feeling. One of us needed to be calm-headed, so I pushed my feelings down. Orion could do this; I had all the confidence in him that he lacked right now. Not only is my mate strong and capable, but he is a fierce protector of those he loves. He’s always been this way. That’s the alpha in him. It’s always been there, before Orion even realized what he really was. As much as I hate that stupid prophecy and everything it brought me, I can’t deny one thing. I am the Luna of this pack, and Orion is the rightful Alpha. He needs to stop doubting himself. ‘Once the pack rallies behind him,-‘ I stopped my wolf from finishing her sentence. It had nothing to do with the pack. Orion’s confidence had to come from within. Although I am glad he responded to my comment, it wasn’t me or anyone else that needed to tell Orion he was here for a reason. Maybe he just needed to do it. To prove to himself that he was
Orion’s pov We’ve been preparing for this day for weeks, but it’s very different to actually have it happen. Together with our soldiers, Izzy and I ran towards the border where the rogues were trying to get in. Although I didn’t want Izzy here, it wasn't really safe for her or anyone else. I couldn’t hold her back. This was Izzy’s pack, more than mine, and if she wanted to defend it, then she should. If we, as a team, run this pack, then we should also defend it as a team as well. But I was terrified of losing her. My mate, my Luna, my girl. There was no way in hell I would be able to run this pack without her or live without her. I’ve been attacked by rogues before, but that was a small group. But seeing this... This was different. Rogues don’t know how to fight fair. They are beasts, animals. It’s like the difference between people who hunt for food and those who hunt exotic animals for fun. They have no compassion, no moral compass. They don’t kill to survive; they kill becau
Izzy’s pov It took Erin a lot longer than I thought it would to get used to life here. She started working in the packhouse, helping out with cooking and whatever else needed to be done. It also helped that one of our widowed wolves seemed to find her very attractive, and he kept hanging around the packhouse kitchen all day long. Erin had not said yes to his invitation for a date, but she hadn't told him to stop coming around either. Perhaps the thought of being with someone who was a werewolf was a step too far for now. But I think she’s learning that we’re not that different from humans. Well, except for our ranks, our mates, the way we rule the pack, and our battles. Okay, maybe we do live a very different life than humans do. But it didn’t really matter what Erin and Ezra thought of life here, because it’s the only place right now where they are safe. And ever since they’ve come here and learned the truth, Orion seems to relax more too. As much as is possible while knowing an
hi,I've been having a tough week and needed a break. but I will try to write this weekend or Monday at the latest.I'm okay, just dealing with some stuff that makes it hard to concentrate. Kids are good, boyfriend too. So, nothing too serious. Maybe in time, I'll share more of what's been happening. (Once everything is settled) But for now, just know I'll do my best to go back to normal starting next Monday. Thank you for your concern and patience.Ik hou van jullie. (Love you)Naomi. p.s. too lazy to throw this through spell check program, so sorry in advance for any mistakes.
Orion’s pov“You’re joking.” Erin said, looking at me like I was crazy. I hated that look, but I knew she didn’t mean anything by it.I had been trying to explain what we were and that what she had seen Nicole do wasn't in her mind.“You were attacked by a woman who had claws. She was like me and Izzy. We’re werewolves. We can shift into a wolf.” I explained calmly.Ezra stood next to me, signing to her that it was the truth.[Show her, like you showed me.] Ezra said, and I took a few steps back before taking off my shirt and pants and shifting into Knox.Ezra stepped back; well, he practically ran back and stared at me with big eyes.‘He meant just shift partially, idiot,’ Knox said, but I needed them both to see the truth. The whole truth.I carefully walked towards the bed, my head low, until I reached Erin’s hand.She touched my snout. “It’s real?”Ezra slowly walked towards me and started petting my fur, laughing softly and shaking his head in disbelief. He knew what we were, bu
Izzy’s pov ‘She’s awake,’ the doctor mindlinked me and Orion. We both quickly put our clothes on and rushed to the hospital, where Ezra was already waiting. [Something is wrong. She’s freaking out. She keeps saying something about claws.] He signed to Orion. Erin’s wrist was still bandaged, which made it hard for her to sign using two hands. Not that she was in any state to sign. "Where is that woman? Is she here? Please, please, Orion, don’t let her get to me." Erin said, looking around frantically. She whispered towards us, as if she didn’t trust the doctor. "She had claws. I know it sounds strange, but she had claws." Ezra looked at us, reading his mother’s lips. [See. Claws. Something is wrong.] Orion shook his head, and I mindlinked my mate. ‘You should tell Ezra the truth, and I will deal with Erin.’ Orion seemed conflicted, but once I sat down next to Erin’s bed and took her good hand in mine, he nodded and asked Ezra to step out. "Do you remember that time I was sick?