I'm sorry it took me so long. I was stuck and it didn't help that I had a bunch of migraines this week. But I think I know where to take this story next, so i hope you''ll stick around to find out. I gave Izzy and Orion a little moment, so they would have a break from all the drama and remember what they're fighting for.
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,
Izzy’s pov‘I’ll kill you; I’ll kill your whole fucking family,’ Jordan threatened me through the bond as we walked to the area where the challenge was being held.My dad was down in the dungeon with my mother and Finn, and I trusted he would look after them, but who knew if Jordan had people working for him.I felt a sense of relief now that everything was out in the open, but that didn’t mean we were out of the woods. Orion still had to beat Jordan. Jordan had years of experience fighting as a wolf, whereas Orion had one week.In his human form, I was sure Orion would be able to defend himself; he had worked out most of his life, and I had seen what he could do when he fought against that man that attacked us, but still, that was against humans.‘He’s also killed a bunch of rogues,’ Ember reminded me. ‘Have faith in our mate.’While I did have faith in Orion, it was Jordan that I was concerned about. He must have had a backup plan.Orion and Jordan walked to the middle of the field,
Izzy’s pov Sitting next to Orion’s bedside, I felt helpless. I had done all that I could; I had marked him, but Orion still wasn’t waking up. I thought back to when Orion was just injured. I hadn’t seen most of what was happening around me because I was focused on my mate bleeding out, but other people had filled me in on what happened. Jordan had been shouting at his father about how unfair his choice was, and he grabbed the knife blade first. The knife got embedded in his hand, but Jordan didn’t even flinch as he took it out and stabbed his father with it in his chest. The doctors explained that because it was a silver knife laced with wolfsbane, it was making it harder for the body to heal. So when you were cut with the knife, your body responded like a human body would. "Luna Isadora?" a guard asked, sticking his head through the door. "What would you like us to do with the prisoners?" It didn’t register what he was saying until he asked again. "Luna? Your brother and mother
Orion’s povAfter having Izzy in my arms for what felt way too short, it was time for her to tell me everything that happened.Jordan was locked up; he poisoned me using a silver blade with wolfsbane, and she had marked me to help me heal. But there was one thing she wasn’t telling me that I knew deep down to be true.My father was gone.There was this feeling of missing someone, and not just that, I felt so much stronger and so much more connected to the pack. Not that I had that much experience being part of a pack. I had joined just a day before the challenge, but this felt different than before.‘We are the Alpha,’ Knox said, and I was so happy he was feeling better too.The doctor came in before Izzy could tell me more, and he explained what had happened to my body.Apparently the wolfsbane was suppressing my healing, and Jordan had left me on the brink of death. Ripping someone’s throat out does that to a person, I guess. If I didn’t have the tolerance I had for wolfsbane, I woul
Orion’s pov"I will let you rest, but I’d love to talk more after Alpha Ethan’s funeral tomorrow." Danilo said.Nodding in approval while pulling Izzy even closer, I said, "I’d love that too."After my grandfather left the room, we snuggled for a bit until Izzy got out of bed to go to the bathroom. I was still attached to some wires, but most had been removed a few hours ago, and I was starting to feel restless from staying in bed so long. Especially after hearing that Izzy and her brother had been running the pack. This was my responsibility, even if I didn’t know anything about how to run a pack.I got up from the bed, being careful not to get tangled in the wires, and stood up, testing how strong my legs were. The wolfsbane may have made it harder for me to heal, but once it had left my system, my body had worked overtime to correct this. That’s why it took me longer to wake up because my body was using all the strength I had to get better.But I was better. I felt stronger than I h
Izzy’s povWhat Orion lacked in confidence, I had more than enough of. I knew he would be a great alpha, and his choice to change the way we handled our prisoners was just proof of this.Wolves weren’t cruel; they didn’t torture. We had learned that from humans. Yes, our counterparts were more savage when they fought, but what Jordan did—cheating by using a blade—was something he decided, not his wolf.Wolves kill to survive or to eat. Not to see others in pain.So while Orion might think it was a human thing to want to change the system, to me, it just showed how he was more in touch with his werewolf side than he even realized.But we had time to change this pack; first we had to focus on burying Alpha Ethan. Dad, Finn, and Zahra had helped me arrange everything, and I just hoped I made all the right decisions. The whole pack would be there, and it would be the first time they saw me and Orion as their leaders. But it wasn’t just that; I didn’t want to disappoint Orion. This was his
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?