Alyson's POV
I received a note from Ryan: The Elders shared important news with me today. I need to see you and tell you everything. If I've learned anything from our history, it's that secrets create walls between us, and I want nothing between us.
I clutched the letter to my heart as I paced around my apartment. I wished we could write to each other with love, but we always kept anything written short and to the point without any obvious romantic inclinations.
I could not stop thinking about Diana, feeling sure that the Elders had called Ryan to tell him about her.
The other night, when I'd been with Ryan, I felt more in-love than ever, more desperate to hold on to him. He made promises to love me always plenty of times, but I still fretted over what he might do if he could live as a full Alexander with a blood provider. He could have a Clan Clark she-wolf of his own and b
I closed the door behind him.He gave me a light peck on the lips, but I knew him well enough that something major was on his mind. He hardly looked at me, but his face was darkened with concern."How were the Elders?" I said. While he paced, I stood watching him my hands tightened to fists, and fear gripping my heart. I knew the nature of the news but it would still hit me like a blow to hear it from Ryan's voice, and I dreaded knowing his reaction to it.He swung to face me, and took my hands in his. "I'll start with good news. The Elders have officially declared that I could be an Alpha candidate. I accepted. They even said that Jacob is showing some signs of deteriorating health all of the sudden."Despite my turbulent mood, that lightened it ever so slightly. "Then the poison is working already."He nodded. "My thoughts exactly. And they do assume it is the curse taking its
A knock at the door surprised me. I doubted it was Ryan, and when I answered, to my delight, it was Dylan. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. He was grinning at me, squeezed me tight for one moment, then released me. I slid away from him, my hands lingering on his forearms for a second. "Dylan! I'm so happy to see you! What a great surprise," I said cheerily, inviting him into my apartment. We wrote to each other often about business, but I had missed his happy demeanor. Even as he entered, the entire room lightened up by his aura. He greeted Michelle kindly as I had him sit down at the table to serve him some tea and a bite to eat. 
After playing some games with Dylan and Michelle all afternoon, I was in better spirits than I had been in a while. It had given me some reprieve from wondering about Diana being Jacob's blood provider, and being offered as a future mate to Ryan. That last part really ate away at my soul, I was not sure what I could do to prevent it if Ryan would be Alpha. And I kind of believed that he would be the best Alpha the Alexanders had ever produced. I knew that he wanted to, no matter what he said, I hardly trusted that when the time was right, he would give that all up to be with me as a non-mate lover with hot and cold flashes of affection. I sighed as I snuck up to Ryan's side entrance, expecting him to be waiting for me as usual. When I had to knock, I f
Dylan would be terrible at sneaking around. I had considered for a moment that he could go to Ryan, and I could hide myself and arrive another time, but that all seemed too complicated. Plus, since it was a secret that Dylan's stash of the herb was actually on Starstream territory, I asked Ryan to come over to my apartment for the meeting. All the secrecy and sneaking around was becoming tiresome to me, especially after deciding to come out as Clan Clark someday. It was not the time to do so yet, but I could hardly wait for the time to come where Ryan and I would no longer hide our relationship. The only downside was my reservation to admit what that could mean for us. Dylan was eating breakfast at my apartment even if he did not stay here. I joined hi
Ryan's POV I was heading off to see Elder Fritz with high nerves. I had a feeling that he wanted me to meet Diana Clark today, even though I had no desire to meet her this soon.As I proceeded down the boulevard, my mind wandered back to the interaction with Dylan and Alyson. I had to keep reminding myself that Dylan had been a good friend to us, and a good trading partner. It was hard to see him and Alyson interacting again, especially since I'd told him to take care of her if anything happened to me. Part of me wondered if he'd wait around until my early death and swoop in to find her. I hated the idea, even if I would rather have her happy and safe than lonely and depressed for the rest of her life once I died. The curse of Alexanders was truly oppressiv
Alyson's POV Michelle called from the front door, "You've received another invitation from the Luna." I jolted from my chair; all hair raised on my body. Ariana snarled inside me. Jennifer had wanted me to consider her proposal last time we spoke. I had not thought about it at all, my answer was the same firm no as before. Entering the main room, Michelle held a letter folded three times. "She's invited you over again for tea." I rolled my eyes back in my skull. Tea again? As if we were cordial. The last thing I wanted to pass my time having tea and treats with the sister who betrayed me in my past life. "I su
Chills were still sweeping down my body as I approached Ryan's. I made sure that no one was following me, but I was extremely paranoid after how Jennifer was staring at me. What had she seen? What could she guess? Ryan opened his door to me as soon as I was about to knock. I breezed by him with a delicate kiss, but I could sense that something was bothering him too. We circled each other, both of us wound up and ready to talk. "What happened?" Ryan finally said. "Jennifer invited me over again, and she wants me to be a blood provider for Jacob. She's a little desperate now, so I think his health must be really bad." I did not mention the last part of the conversation about my mothe
Jennifer agreed to me visiting Jacob the next day. I had sent the message with Michelle saying that if I were to ever consider her proposal, I would have to speak with the Alpha first. I worried that she would want to test my blood, but she said nothing about it. Dylan was walking with me to the Alpha's lair. His prancing gait loped beside mine, he was beaming at me as if I'd invited him to a dance. "This is a strange meeting, isn't it?" He said. "Yes, thank you for escorting me. I feel so nervous meeting the Alpha, and as you know, Ryan could not come." "Oh, he's not so bad," Dylan said. "I've never had any problem with Jacob the few times that we've met."&nb
Alyson The pain is insurmountable. I fight through it, thinking of the pups that need me, that are clinging to the hope that I will always fight for them, and I won't disappoint them now. I turn over, laid out on the floor of the bathroom, the healer working at the cramps in my spine. I grab the towels, grab my own shirt, desperate to get through this sooner than later. My wolf whines and my heart hurts. "RYAN!" I need him, I want him, and I fear I can't do this ordeal without him beside me. I lay out, exhausted from the agony, crying inconsolably until I hear heavy steps parading through the bedroom. Soon, they find the healer and I in the bathroom, my eyes dizzy as I spot Ryan, naked and drenched in rainwater. My breath catches, curious if I am dreaming. "Right here, Alpha, come help me with this," the healer grunts. I feel my mate hold my head, pushing deep into my spine as I straighten my back out in reflex, feeling th
Ryan "Damn this weather," I mutter. The storm has yet to let up and in fact, I believe it's started pouring down harder, with more vigor, and still shows no signs of slowing for my benefit. "Have you tried linking to the healer?" Olivera asks, his antsy attitude not helping my worried state right now. "I mean, if you can't reach through the link to her, she might just be asleep and everything is okay—that could be possible, right? I mean, if you think about—" "Hush," I beg. "You're rambling again." "I'm sorry that I'm flustered," he grovels. "I'm just trying to keep calm." I raise my brow, trying to stay focused on my mate but I can't seem to shake this infatuation Olivera has had for my mate. I should ignore it, as I have in the past weeks, but something about being stuck in this small cave with him has my mind tethering off too many emotions at once. "Enlighten me, please," I sigh, shaking my head out at the storm. "What is this weirdly possessive, sympathetic binding you thi
Ryan I fight through the winds, the rain cascading over my warriors and me. It wasn't the best idea coming out during this type of storm but we lacked one natural ingredient that grows just south of the waterfall trail and then the cure would be complete for the last facility of rogues. I have healed slowly in my weeks of developing the cure, but I could use a dose myself. Thankfully it hasn't affected my poorly mate, spending most of her days passed out in bed until I force her to get up and move around a bit. It's been exhausting for her, but she is the patriarchy of a new family, the strongest she-wolf I know who is capable of carrying these pups. "Dammit, lover boy! Where are you?!" I barge out of the mouth of the cave where my warriors have been taking shelter from the monsoon outside. I see that rogue alpha in the distance, throwing his hands up in a small fit of rage. It's almost amusing if he didn't also sport a petrified look of angst as well. "Over here," I call out. H
Alyson It's hard to feel not included in the cure development, but I watch Ryan and Olivera get along for many consecutive weeks. At least I have that peaceful energy around, watching them work with the palace pack healers to help the rogues locked up in the facilities, still sick. Thankfully there wasn't an enormous outbreak and everything seems to have worked out. I can't help the feeling of doom, though, thinking about every time things were perfect, something horrible happened. I thought once we defeated Jacob and sent away Jennifer, everything would have worked out forever. I was wrong, but if none of that bad stuff happened, I wouldn't be pregnant. I fear these pups won't be okay, the healer making a daily visit, sometimes twice a day, at least to check on my progress. I worry everyday he will say something bad has happened and they're hurt, or worse. I would give my life for these two pups but I hope I don't have to. "Morning, sweeth
Alyson "Relax," Ryan coos, brushing my hair back. He has finally come to my side, forcing my eyes to stay on his, even as he paces his attention back and forth between me and the healer. I squeeze my mate's hand, feeling pressure build in my abdomen. "There you go, he's done." The healer removes his gloves, my eyes catching a glimpse of Olivera in the hall, seeing him pace frantically fast back and forth in the hallway. I look at my mate now, glimmering with sadness as he peers down at me. I know he feels like I've grown feelings for the rogue Alpha, and I haven't, but I can be sympathetic to the wolf who lost everything; just like I had. "Are the pups okay?" I breathe. Ryan flinches. "More than—more than one?" He watches the healer as though waiting to hear so magical, good news. "What is going on? Are they okay? How many are there? I—" The healer settles his hands together before his body, like a man with bad news. "It's hard to tell
Alyson Whatever causes the fight, I'm not exactly sure, but it breaks out anyways. Every single wolf in the courtyard has shifted, the movements so fast that I don't even release that I've been thrown out of the hecticness, my side slamming against the brick wall and my head smacking right up against it until I feel the blood flow from a cut on my temple. I curl into a ball, my hands instinctively curling to my stomach, so dazed that instead of being able to see what has caused this fight to break out, I only spot wolves tearing into one another, biting into flesh and blood being poured. Ryan, I reach through the mind link, not capable of spotting him through the haze in my eyesight. What the hell is going on? Rouges came from the pack lands; they must have been waiting to ambush. Where are you, mate? Get out of here! Go inside, now! I aim to sit up, my head so discombobulated that I can't even dictate which direction would take me bac
Alyson It only takes a moment for me to catch my breath, and another for me to sprint across the hall, watching Olivera struggle to stand, instead melting to the floor where he slams his fist against the tile floor—it cracks instantly under his bold knuckles. I dare flinch, seeing him so angry almost a warning for me to be careful, but I instead charge forward anyways. I grab his cheek, forcing him to meet my eyes, and he relaxes ever so slightly. When he does, I drag my palm across his face in a single, sharp slap. He jolts upright, standing suddenly and staring me down with a pure look of surprise written across his face. "What the hell was that for?" "That's for doing something so stupid," I growl, my fists trembling at my sides. "You could have died from that cure, Olivera, how dare you try something that risky in my palace?" "You might be the Luna, but you're not my Luna," he says, snide. "I am free to make any decision I want if
Alyson I find myself sitting in the hallway between office and bedroom. In one, my mate suffers with an ill mark on his shoulder and back, and in the other sits an enigma of a wolf. He has kissed me, he has fondled me, and unknown to us both, he has poisoned me while I was newly pregnant. If anything, I should hate the rogue Alpha, but I don't have it in me to leave him completely. So I sit in the hall between them both, curled up with my hands resting on my stomach as if I have already blossomed outward, waiting for one of my favorite Alpha's to wake up. If I leave here to be with one, and the other wakes, I'll feel guilty forever. For now, I wait, hearing steps breach my silent mediation between Alphas. "My Luna, why are you out of bed?" I hear Fritz hum, my eyes watered and wide, shocked to see him here of all places. We didn't exactly part on the most amicable of terms. "You're still looking pale." I wave off his words and
Alyson I try to fight Olivera from going into the office, but he easily grabs my wrist, twists it, and nudges me out the doorway. He's too smart and too strong for me right now, my head blotted with the sleepiness that I can't seem to shake. I grab at his arm, at his shirt sleeve, and dig my heals against the ground. He drags me a few paces before finally stopping. "You're a persistent little bug," he snaps, releasing my hands off of his shirt and giving me a stern look. "We have to find out what this cure does to an Alpha and as it stands, I'm the one best capable here of verbalizing the aftermath of taking this cure. If it makes things worse, so be it." I feel my heart patter to a screeching halt. "What does worse contain?" He looks to the healer, the vial on the desk nearby, and then back to meet my eyes. "I could die, of course, or I could only loose my wolf. I'm happy to put both on the line to see if this stuff is worthy of fixing Ryan, fi