RIEKA Lucas, Asher, and Sebastian showed up at the house with Ace a few minutes before Aleksandr arrived. I heard the side door open, and I ran to greet him, only to find him naked and panting with his eyes looking dark and intense. I could see that his wolf was still close to the surface and being worried that the kids would follow me around the corner and see his nakedness, I walked over to him to both block the view and lay my hands on his chest to help him calm down. I’ve never seen him this upset before, but the moment my hands landed on his skin, his eyes softened ever so slightly. “Aleksandr, dear, what’s wrong?” He wrapped his arms around me, and I could feel his heart rate slowing as he relaxed a little, but never completely. After grabbing clothes from the closet and getting dressed, he led me down the hall, nostrils flaring as if he was checking the house for something. We entered the living room and he relaxed a little more when he saw all the kids sitting there with L
ALEKSANDR We made it to the airport with no issues, and once we had all boarded one of my larger private jets, we took off without delay. My wolf and I have been on high alert since the moment we stepped out of the pack house. If the Nightshade Pack was as close as Silas claimed, they could have already been watching us. If they saw us leave, then we’ve already lost some of our lead time. Scenting every wolf that came near us, I insisted on a very specific flight crew who I had known and used for years. I wanted to make sure everyone who knows where we are or where we are heading could be trusted. Even if the Nightshade Pack was watching us, once we took off there was no way for them to know our destination. The kids had never left the country before, but thankfully my connections were able to expedite passports for all of them. Now, we’re cruising above the clouds as we cross the ocean, and everything seems quiet but tense. Ace and Aria are sitting in the back whispering quietl
ALEKSANDR When we finally landed in Amsterdam, the kids were wide awake and well rested. Rieka and I were a bit tired but sated, which was good because we had to focus. It was still a little more than an hour’s drive before we would reach the Night Stalkers Pack territory. They were set up just outside the border on the western side of Veluwe National Park, the largest forest in the Netherlands. Since we wanted to keep the kids close, and we had all of the Luna’s Guards with us as well, we rented a large 15 passenger van and Sebastian drove. A part of me expected the kids to relax and enjoy the trip once we landed, but I also wasn’t surprised when they opted to stick close by their mom, with the exception of Eden who decided she was going to be my shadow for the day. She’s grown quite attached to me and I can’t say I’m disappointed by that. She’s a sweet girl, but she’s also a firecracker! She has so much spunk and personality, if she were a wolf, she would absolutely be consi
RIEKA My eyes slowly open and I glance around the room to gain my bearings as I remember where we are and why we’re here. My husband’s strong arm is draped over my waist, his strong chest pressing into my back as he holds me close. It’s a rare occasion for me to wake before him, but I can tell from his breathing that he’s still sound asleep, so I remain still to avoid disrupting his rest. I turn the dream over in my mind as I try to make sense of it. My son isn’t a coward, but he also knows not to instigate anything with wolves. They have a supernatural strength that we as humans will never be able to compete with, no matter how much we work out. But Ace wasn’t taunting him either. The wolf charged at him, but all Ace did was stand his ground. For that, I was proud of him, even if it was just a dream. Aleksandr began to stir, and I was thankful because I knew I would need to use the toilet soon. ----- Breakfast was casual again, and Cornelis didn’t even join us this time.
RIEKA “I’m sorry,” I break in, “I’m still learning the dynamics of the packs, but there is no such thing as an Alpha over all packs, is there?” “No, the packs are all independent, and for the most part diplomatic with one another,” Fleur answered, “We had an Alpha King many generations ago, but considering how long we wolves live, and how long ago it was, the idea of the Alpha King is just as much legend at this point as the stories about your family.” Aleksandr snorts beside me. “Sorry Love, but I don’t see how that’s possible. We’re mated, and I’m no stronger than I was before. I love you, and I don’t care about being Alpha over all werewolves. But the rumors just aren’t true.” I couldn’t argue with him. He knew his own strength and if being mated to me didn’t change anything then maybe there really was nothing to these rumors. Maybe it was just a legend. Then Cornelis spoke up again, but he directed his comment at me rather than Aleksandr. “The legend is that you have the ABIL
ALEKSANDRThe young pup immediately bared his fangs at Ace, and my protective instinct kicked in. Just as I was stepping forward to warn him off, Cornelis barked “Gerrit! You will be polite and welcoming to our guests!”Rieka’s eyes were wide, and I wasn’t sure if it was because this was Cornelis’ son, because he was growling at Ace, or both, but Cornelis immediately apologized for his son’s outburst.Gerrit bows his head in submission as he side-steps around me to take the empty seat next to his father.The evening was a bit tense, but eventually we all relax enough to make it through dinner. Rieka had a haunted look on her face the entire time. I tried to mind-link her to ask what was going on, but she brushed it off and said we’d talk later. Was she just stressed about Gerrit being aggressive towards Ace or was something else going on?As soon as it was acceptable to excuse ourselves, we did, and we all headed upstairs together as Cornelis began lecturing his son about his beh
ALEKSANDR When Gerrit crashed into the room like he did, I almost took his throat. The pup should know better than to surprise an alpha who is on edge trying to keep his mate safe. “Where is your father?” I growl. “He’s interrogating the spy now, but we need to prepare you all to leave if any information has gotten out.” Rieka gasps and whispers that we need to go get the kids as Fleur glances out the window and moves toward the door of the library. “Follow me,” She commands without glancing over her shoulder to confirm that we’re complying. Pulling Rieka close to my side, we briskly walk down the hall with Ash and Gerrit following close behind us. ‘Oliver, get the kids to safety.’ I mind-linked, ‘There has been a security breach of the Night Stalkers territory.’ ‘Yes, Alpha,” Oliver immediately responds. Fleur turns to head upstairs, and Rieka hesitates, “What about the kids? Don’t we need to get them?” “Danique and your guards are escorting them up to their rooms now,” A
ALEKSANDR Cornelis led us down the hall to an empty guest room while Ash and Fleur stood guard outside. Gerrit was nowhere in sight, but I wasn’t concerned about his whereabouts. Rieka and I waited for the Alpha to speak, but he just stood there looking calm, as if he was waiting for something. The only indication of his stress was the flexing of his jaw. After a few more seconds his shoulders relax a hair, and his face softens slightly. “The spy was well trained, but I managed to break him. He wasn’t able to get his intel out to his pack, but it seems I have a traitor in my pack.” Cornelis clenches his fists at his sides as he reveals the last part. “I assume you’ve identified the traitor and delt with them.” I glare at him. I trusted this Alpha with the protection of my family, and he can’t even keep his own pack in line. “Unfortunately, the traitor has been smart enough to protect themselves. The spy didn’t know who it was. They communicated anonymously through hidden
ALEKSANDRAs eager as I was to see Rieka, my mother had already made it clear that she was stable, and Dustin, my best friend and my Beta, was awake!I turned down the hall towards the room where Drea and little Link had been staying with him.It was a joy to hear his voice as I approached the room.Although I am the alpha and this is my pack house, I didn’t want to walk in and interrupt the moment this family was reunited.I slowed in the hallway as I approached the door, and as I raised my hand to knock, Dustin’s voice broke through my mind.‘You don’t need to knock Alpha!’Laughing, I lowered my hand to grab the handle and open the door.I’m not usually an emotional male, but when I saw Dustin sitting up in bed with Drea beside him and Link in his arms, my vision blurred from the tears welling up in my eyes.“It’s good to see you up!” I smiled“It’s good to be up!” He answered with a twinkle in his eye.“What happened? How did you get out of that?”“Jacinda released me.” Dustin
EMMETT A game? I turned to look at the alpha and, on the surface, he looked bored, but there was something in his eye that felt like a warning. He’s planning something. If I want to figure out what it is, I need to play along. Who knows, maybe I do have some special abilities that this crazy little she-wolf can help me unlock. “Okay,” I smiled cockily, “How do we play?” “Oh, yay! This will be fun!” Devan jumped up and down excitedly. There was something very child-like about her. It seemed odd, but then again, she was working with an interesting pack, so who was I to judge her behavior. “We can’t play here. There isn’t enough space,” she grinned, “Follow me.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and disappeared between the curtains. Slowly, I stepped forward, attempting to appear confident but unbothered to rush. I still couldn’t get a good read on this alpha and I was unsure if he expected me to listen to Devan and do as she said or wait for his instructions. Whe
EMMETTStartled by the sound, I spun around to see a petite female with wild, curly red hair standing next to the curtain that framed the shadows beyond.She was wearing a bright, cherry-red pantsuit with a white blouse and black heels. Her clothes looked much too clean and professional to be in a place like this, however, her wild, unkempt hair and pale, almost translucent, skin fit perfectly with the vibe of this underground labyrinth.She was pretty enough, albeit very small for a wolf. The things that unnerved me though, were her eyes. Framed with dark makeup, they were such a light grey that they almost looked like they had been drained of life itself. There was a vacancy in her gaze that made me feel like she wasn’t fully here.I realized I was staring, and a slow, devious smirk made its way across her red lips.“It’s been a long time since I saw another red wolf,” her voice was higher than I expected, but not childlike.“This is Devan,” the alpha gestured towards the female
ALEKSANDR As I rushed towards the house that I’d been told was where the mother of the pup lived, my natural instinct was to scent the air. I knew that Jacinda didn’t have a detectable scent, but that didn’t stop my wolf from searching for her with every sense he possessed. Glancing through a window as I approached the house, I thought I saw two women standing inside. I rushed to the door and thought about shifting, but Jacinda had already had me in compromising situations too many times before, so I remined in my wolf form to avoid being naked in front of her. My weight slammed the door open with such a force that it hit the wall and I heard a loud crack. I would apologize later and make sure the door was properly repaired. Turning in the room, eyes searching, I saw a she-wolf standing there in shock with her mouth open, but there was no one else with her. I opened my mind through the pack link to the she-wolf before me. ‘Where is she?’ I demanded. ‘I know I saw her through
ALEKSANDRPanic, anger, and fear flowed through my body like I’d never felt it before. Why does the moon goddess taunt me. All the strength and power I possess as an alpha, and it’s all worthless. I hated that my mate was once again in danger, and there was literally NOTHING I could do to save her.Here I am, one of the most powerful alphas in the world, and I’m powerless to save and protect my own mate.Leaving my mother with Rieka, I had to move. I had to do something, to take action.Flinging the door to the pack house open, and smelling the forest outside, I immediately shift into my wolf and took off towards the homes of the pack members. I only had one idea left for who could help, and as much as I didn’t want to go there, I was desperate.The challenge was how to find her. Jacinda has a skill for staying hidden when she doesn’t want to be bothered, but she had to know what was going on.With only one idea of how to find her, I went to the only place I thought she would be
ALEKSANDR After several minutes of trying to rouse Rieka without success, I began to panic. My natural instinct was to shake her harder to wake her, but I knew that wouldn’t help. I would be extremely frustrated with myself if I ever hurt her, but even more so at a time like this when she was unconscious. ‘Mom, something is wrong with Rieka!’ I linked, ‘Please come to our room immediately!’ ‘I’ll be there in three minutes,’ she responded promptly. ----- I was pacing the room growling to myself when the door opened, and my mother flicked the lights on before rushing over to the bed. Lightly placing the back of her hand over Rieka’s forehead she asks, “How long has she been like this?” “I just came in and found her like this about 10 minutes ago. What is going on?” My mother remained silent as she examined my mate. Then she clasped both of Rieka’s hands together, closed her eyes, and bowed her head until her forehead touched Rieka’s. I watched in awe as my mother began to ra
I'm so sorry that I didn't post this sooner to keep you all updated, but my mental load is streched beyond capactity right now and I am forced to take a short break for both my mental and physical health. I will do my best to keep writing over the holidays and will continue publishing in January as we come to an end for this novel. You all have been so patient, understanding, and supportive of me over the last year as my family has faced some MAJOR changes and challenges, I promise you will not be disapointed with the ending to this story. I'm just sorry that it's being delayed. Check back by Wednesday January 3rd for more updates! Much Love,Anja
JACINDA I couldn’t believe how much Maeve was opening up to me and sharing with me. The more I learned about this alpha, the more I wanted to end him, but I didn’t dare interrupt her story. “I was doing everything I could to be cooperative, to make him and the guards trust me. My pregnancy was easy and even though I knew the alpha didn’t care about me, he was very interested in the pup I carried, and he visited me regularly. He had the pack doctor monitor my pregnancy very closely to see how strong the pup was.” “Before I gave birth, I started having recurring dreams of me and a baby girl. I would be holding her, and she would smile and giggle, but then the alpha would show up, and she would begin crying. The alpha always wanted to hold her, but she would just cry louder, so he would get frustrated and hand her back to me.” “A few weeks later, the alpha left the territory. I didn’t know where he was going but I knew he’d be gone for at least a week. He left the doctor with s
RIEKA The moment I stepped into the space between the curtains, I was enveloped in cold darkness. I couldn’t see a thing, and besides the cold I could only feel the ground beneath my feet. Slowly shuffling my feet forward, feeling for a drop or a wall, I pushed myself to keep going. After moving straight ahead a few feet, my toes felt something warm and I knew I must have found the other side. I reached my hands forward and my fingers felt the warmth as well. One bold step and I found myself in a small warm room that looked vaguely similar to my mate’s office. There was a desk where the alpha was sitting comfortably; his chair reclined, and his feet propped up on the desk. There were two chairs in front of the desk, but Emmett was standing beside them rather than sitting. This space was darker than the large room we’d just come from, so I stayed close to curtain hoping I would not be noticed by Emmett. “Tell me, red wolf, what is it that you’re hoping to gain by coming here?