I wake up to the scent of cinnamon and strawberries and a slow smile spreads on my face. With my eyes still closed, I pull the warm body towards me and breathe in her perfection, the heaviness leaving my heart as quickly as it sets in. Opening my eyes, I see that she’s asleep and I spot my healed mark on the nape of her neck just as I tilt my head to kiss her shoulder. That slow smile now grew into a triumphant one, knowing that I claimed the one person who loved me for me. I trace the mark with my tongue, tasting her distinctive scent, and the sound of her sleepy moan heads straight to my cock. “Niko…” she whimpers, tilting her head to offer more of her neck to me, but then she suddenly turns on her back and narrows her eyes at me. “No, we are not doing this right now!” Frowning, I brace myself on my elbow and raise my eyebrow at her. “Your reaction makes me think that you didn’t miss me one bit, little rabbit,” I say. She shakes her head, gets to her feet, walks over to my side
Things have been suspiciously quiet in our pack; no attacks, no demands, no threats or anything of the sort since Nikolaos killed Mikhail. He has been working tirelessly to get the entire city under SilverCrest control and with a few packs refusing to submit to their new Alpha, he’s had to make examples of them with exile.Yet even after he did that, there’s been no pushback. I know that I am sounding like a worrywart, but seeing as even the Elders were against Nikolaos, you never know what might happen. That, and it’s a week before my due date.I moved into Nikolaos’ room when we got back from Bastien and we’ve been sleeping in the same bed ever since. Things don’t even feel out of place, it’s like I was always meant to be here next to him.I’ve taken to walking through the back gardens on my own, a hand on my belly and a smile on my face. Autumn will be here soon, so I’m enjoying the last bit of greenery before the garden is no longer green and full of life.Niko insisted on guards
When the limo comes to a stop, Niko gets out first along with the five warriors following us, then he walks over and opens the door for me. Two warriors walk ahead and stand at the door, then he walks me inside the restaurant with three of them at our backs. I have never felt like a mafia queen as much as I do now. Another sliver of pain shoots up my belly and I breathe through it, making sure not to worry Niko or he’ll take me home. It’s normal…just normal.“Alpha Nikolaos, Luna Mia, welcome,” the beautiful blonde hostess greets us with a bow of her head. “I’ll lead you to your table, follow me.”The restaurant is fancy and in Mediterranean decor, not too fancy but not too cliche. Black, golds, and various shades of blue adorn the decor and it gives me a warm feeling instead of an out-of-place one. The hostess leads us to a private table in the back and Niko pulls out my chair for me before sitting down. “I’ll send Marta over shortly, she’ll be your server this evening,” she says
The second I set my eyes on the blood-soaked baby on Mia’s chest, I found myself kneeling at her bedside. This is my heart split into two people, my entire life in front of me and I knew at that moment that I would kill anyone who tried to hurt them.A burst of pride shot through my chest, chasing away all the bad, all the shame and doubts that I would be a good parent. In its place stood steely determination and a fierce, overprotective love I have never felt before.Did my father not feel this when I was born or was it only reserved for my brother? Did my mother feel the same love and pride shining in Mia’s eyes? How could they not feel this way about their own children? How cold do you have to be to not love the little person you helped make?“Would you do the honor, Alpha?” Lilah asks me as she holds up the umbilical cord. I don’t even have to think twice, forgoing the scissors and using my teeth as Knox feels immense pride for using him to bite through the cord.I wipe the blood
There’s warmth everywhere and I’m floating on a cloud of bliss. Sunlight touches my skin and it feels like it’s penetrating every inch of my skin, filling me up with nothing but contentment.I haven’t felt this happy since Niko told me he loves me, and the memory alone brings a smile to my face. Closing my eyes, I allow myself to drift some more, knowing that this happiness won’t leave me wherever I end up.Then I feel a shift in the air, and a crack of lightning splits the sky. That warmth is now replaced by a chill, and my blue skies are now tainted with black clouds. “Mira, wake up!” I hear a voice calling me, It sounds like a whisper, then it swells. “Mira, wake up! There’s danger! An enemy is close!”My eyes shoot open and I sit up in bed too quickly; a dizzy spell threatens to pull me under again and I blink the hazy feeling away. I take a few breaths, placing a hand on my heart to steady myself. What had woken me up? Oh, it was a voice, wasn’t it? Wait…was it Star’s voice? Da
“Mia, wait,” Niko pulls me back and a look of concern slips into his eyes. “Please don’t do anything rash, okay? These women-”“Are nothing but cowards,” I say and pull my arm out of his grip. “The only thing they know how to do well is corrupt children; they’re cowards.”His lips are a thin line and I know he’s a ball of anxiety right now, so I get on my tiptoes and give him a chaste kiss. “I pull my strength from you, my love, you can do the same to me. Let me help you through this.”If we’re right and his abusers are in there along with Lilah, then this will be the first time he’ll be facing them since they left him for dead. How will he react to seeing them, and is this wise?Nodding, he takes a deep breath and takes my hand in his before calling the Gammas and Maxim over the mind link. /“We’re heading towards them now; surround them and stay back until my go-ahead,”/ he says and they respond with ‘Yes, Alpha.’ Then he takes my hand, kisses the back of it and we walk to where I c
“Kneel, dog.”Two words spoken in my mother’s voice and the dormant memories come hurtling toward me at full speed. I can clearly feel the lick of the whip on my back, the cigarettes put out on my skin, the way her dagger separated my flesh…And the guilt coursing through me when one of her clients brought my body to climax./“Get to your feet, Nikolaos! You cannot let her win!”/ Knox urges me, but his voice becomes fainter and fainter until I can see his mouth moving with no sound coming out.Shameful thoughts keep me prisoner even as I hear Mia call to me, begging me to get to my feet. But how do I tell her these thoughts are like silver chains holding me down and forcing my submission? How do I explain that I can clearly remember - no I FEEL everything I went through at her hands?I thought I was over the fear; I thought Mia’s love had pulled me out of the depths, but I was so, so wrong. My soul is still ruined and my mind is still trapped in the past. Right now, I am not the Alpha
I look over at Niko with a frown on my face. We’ve stopped in front of the gilded gates where the Elders supposedly live and from what he’s told me, they don’t know he’s here. I suspect he’s about to retaliate for what happened, but I cannot be sure. “Are you going to tell me why we’re here?” I ask, a sliver of unease slipping down my back. “You haven’t mentioned a thing and to be honest, this is all freaking me out.” It’s nearly 8 PM; the Gammas are on foot, Maxim is overseeing things back home and Ares is asleep on the backseat in his little chair. Why would he have the Pente out here with us if it wasn’t an infiltration? What does Niko have planned? Niko reaches over and touches my chin. “Do you trust me?” I scoff. “What kind of question is that? Of course, I trust you!” I say, then he leans over to place a kiss on my lips. “Then trust me now. No matter what you see or hear in there, trust me and my words,” he says cryptically and gets out of the car. Walking over to where Are
Epilogue Armata / Levi Six months have passed since Calista and I tied the knot, and now it’s time to take her home to my pack. I can sense her nervousness as we drive toward the estate, her hands fidgeting slightly. I reach over, taking her hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, Princess,” I say, trying to ease her anxiety. “You’re going to fit right in. They’re going to love you.” She gives me a small, nervous smile. “I hope so, Levi. I just want to make a good impression.” “Where’s that kick-ass attitude from when I met you, hmm?” I tease her with a wink, and she hits my shoulder lightly. “Don’t make fun of me! This is all new to me, okay!” she says, biting her bottom lip. I sigh. “I know, baby, I’m just trying to make you smile.” As we approach the estate gates, I feel a familiar sense of homecoming. I squeeze Calista’s hand again as we drive through, her grip on my hand tightening slightly. When the car pulls up to the main pack house, my heart swells
CalistaAs Levi and I drive towards the hotel for our mini honeymoon, my mind races with a mix of emotions. I’m excited, of course, but also undeniably nervous. The idea of what’s to come, this new chapter with Levi, is both exhilarating and intimidating. Levi, with his rough edges and protective nature, has opened up a part of me I didn’t even know existed. He’s shown me that beneath the façade of the spoilt heiress, there’s a tenderness, a vulnerability that I’ve never exposed to anyone else.As we pull up to the hotel, it’s like stepping into a dream. The hotel is elegant and understated, its ambiance a perfect reflection of our relationship.Walking into the hotel room, I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. The room is beautiful, a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. The soft lighting and the plush bed seem to beckon us, promising a night of intimacy and connection.Levi pulls me close, his front to my back as his lips brushing against my ear. “Are you okay, Princess?” he wh
Armata / LeviThe day of our marriage officiation is a mix of nerves and understated excitement. Calista didn’t want anything big, which initially struck me as odd. She just wanted it to be a simple affair, something intimate and personal. In a way, it suits us – no grand gestures, just a true union of hearts and souls.Standing in the small, elegantly decorated room, a sense of anticipation courses through me. Today, Calista and I are taking a significant step forward, embarking on a journey fraught with challenges but one we’re both fiercely committed to.The door swings open, and Alpha Nikolaos strides in, his presence as commanding as ever. But it’s the man following him that stops me in my tracks – Liam; my brother, not by blood, but in every way that counts. We haven’t seen each other in months, and his appearance here, now, is both a shock and a profound relief.“Liam!” I exclaim, my voice a mix of disbelief and joy.“Fuck, Levi!” Liam responds, his voice echoing my own warmth.
CalistaClutching onto Levi as we sit in my father’s office, I feel a whirlwind of emotions raging inside me. My heart is still racing from the shock and relief of seeing him return, and the realization of how much I’ve missed him hits me like a tidal wave. I refuse to let go of his hand, needing his grounding presence as we face my father together.“Calista, Levi,” my father begins, his tone serious, “you both seem to have reached a decision.”I tighten my grip on Levi, my voice steady despite the tears that had just subsided. “Yes, we have. We accept the proposal.”My father’s gaze shifts to Levi, his expression scrutinizing. “Levi, you do understand that this means Calista will be leaving with you to join Alpha Nikolaos’ pack?”Levi meets my gaze for a brief moment, his eyes searching mine for any doubt. Turning back to my father, he replies with a firm resolve, “Yes, sir. We’re aware of what this entails, and we’re prepared for it.”My father leans back in his chair, his eyes neve
Armata / LiamRiding back towards the mansion, the steady roar of the bike beneath me is the only thing keeping my racing thoughts at bay. These past two weeks without Calista have been a relentless hell. Every day felt longer than the last, each moment stretching into an agonizing eternity. Being away from her didn’t just bring clarity; it fucking intensified everything I felt for her – every longing, every goddamn unspoken word.I replay our moments together in my head, over and over. Every laugh, every intense stare, every godforsaken time she looked at me and didn’t even realize how much she affected me. Being away from her wasn’t just about missing her physically – though I ached for that too – it was the profound, gut-wrenching yearning for the connection we have. The way she challenges me, pushes me, fucking complements everything I am..Every night away was a goddamn battle against the urge to just say ‘fuck it’ and come back to her. Lying awake in the cabin, I’d think about
CalistaThe following morning, I wake up with a sense of purpose, my mind clear and my decision made. I know what I want, and it involves Levi. Despite everything surrounding us, my heart is certain. I want to be with him, not because of any arrangement or obligation, but because of how I truly feel.As I get ready for the day, I can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement at the thought of seeing Levi, of telling him my decision. I wonder how he’ll react, whether he’ll share my feelings, whether this could be the start of something beautiful and real between us.Heading down to breakfast, I expect to see Levi waiting for me, as has become our routine. But instead, I find Marcus, one of Levi’s men, standing by the door.“Good morning, Marcus. Where’s Levi?” I ask, trying to hide my disappointment.Marcus seems a bit uncomfortable, shifting on his feet. “Good morning, Miss Calista. I’m not sure where Levi is. He asked us to accompany you for the day.”My heart sinks a little. “He’s no
Armata / LeviAs Calista dresses and heads back towards the mansion, a sense of foreboding settles over me. Watching her walk away, a part of me wants to follow, to keep her close. But I know she needs this space, this time to think and decide for herself.I stand there for a moment longer, lost in thought. The simplicity and honesty of our interaction in our wolf forms, it’s a stark contrast to the complexities of our human lives. Out here, in the wild, things are clear, primal. But back there, in the world of duties and expectations, everything is muddled.Turning away from the path she took, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head. I need to think, to plan. Whatever Calista decides about us, about her father’s proposal, it will change things. And I need to be ready for that.I take out my phone, contemplating calling Liam again. He’s been a grounding presence in the chaos of my emotions. But I decide against it. This is something I need to work through on my own.As I walk ba
CalistaTwo days have passed since that conversation with my father and Levi, and the weight of their words still presses heavily on my heart. In need of clarity and space to think, I find myself drawn to the edge of the forest, where the natural world always seems to offer solace.I stop at a secluded spot, away from prying eyes. The transformation is something that always brings me a sense of power and freedom. I close my eyes, feeling the familiar tingling sensation as my body begins to change. My bones shift and reform, my senses heighten, and my skin gives way to a thick, white fur. The transformation is swift, a fluid transition from human to wolf.As my white wolf form takes over, I feel a release from the human complexities that have been burdening me. I take a deep breath, the scents of the forest filling my nostrils, and I begin to run.The ground feels different under my paws, more alive, as I dart through the trees. The wind rushes past me, and I relish in the freedom and
Armata / LeviI watch Calista walk away, her figure retreating into the distance of the house. The conversation we just had with her father lingers in my mind, a storm of emotions and possibilities. Needing a moment to myself, I head outside to patrol, a routine that offers a semblance of normalcy amid the chaos.Standing under the open sky, I pull out my phone, my thumb hovering over a contact I haven’t reached out to in a long time.The one person who might understand the turmoil I’m feeling. I hesitate, my mind racing with doubts. We haven’t spoken much since... everything happened. I know I shouldn’t bother him, but right now, he’s the only one who might understand.Finally, I dial his number, the familiar ringing echoing in the silent night. When he answers, his voice is laced with surprise. “Levi?”I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Hey, Liam. Yeah, it’s... it’s been a while, I know.”He laughs, a sound that eases some of the tension in my chest. “You could say t