Hiding Out Zaya POV I held my friend as she released the saddest cry I’d ever heard. It was low and yet the loudest sound I heard all day. She was heart broken. I could tell because I too was heart broken. We sat like that for at least an hour. My arm draped over her shoulders with her head in the crook of my neck. No words are needed to lighten or worsen the mood. Just us. When I felt she wasn’t going to feel any better, I released her of her duties for the day. “How about you go home and get some rest?” Anna eased her head off my shoulder and looked at me before wiping her tears. “But I still have to…” I stood up and looked around the room. “I’m sure I can get the extra room together.” She started to list all the things she had to do. And I held up my hands to stop her from speaking. “If I need any help or get stuff, I’m sure one of the house staff can assist me. Now, please go get some rest.” She started to protest again but nodded her head instead. I sat back on the bed on
The Learning Curve Zaya POVAlex follows me the entire way to the dining hall. I could hear laughter spilling out the open doors and windows.As soon as I enter and am standing next to my mate, I apologize. “Sorry, everyone. We are all set for you all to get settled into your rooms when you are ready.”Godric wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. I welcomed his touch and warmth. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until his lips grazed my cheek.The smile that crossed my lips was real and fake at the same time.“Thank you, Luna Zaya. We really appreciate you accommodating us.” Luna Tari said with an apologetic smile on her face.I wanted to tell her she didn’t have to call me Luna, but I knew that would be inappropriate. I still wasn’t used to wolves nodding and bowing to me. And now there was a human doing it.“Honey. I’m actually glad you are back. We were going to go to my office to discuss a few things before dinner.”“Ok. I believe that Anna set up the pat
Rumors Are UsGodric POVOne of Brax’s guards stood by while another guy joined us inside the office. I tried not to look too confused while trying to remember his name. He had come with Brax a few times when we were younger. But they hadn’t been here in a while.The two guys sat in front of my desk, while I sat behind it. Alex took his normal seat on the couch against the wall. He always sat with his back against the wall. Just his way of keeping an eye on things.“Alpha Godric…,” He said formally and I stopped him.“Please Brax. I know it’s custom, but in this office, you can call me Godric. We go too far back for such formalities.”He nodded and smiled. “Godric. This is my first commander of my soldiers, Trent.” Trent leaned forward and shook my hand firmly.I gave him a smile but still tried again to hold my confusion as to why he brought him. I would have thought he’d bring an Elder as I thought we were here to speak about policy.”“Is there something I should know Brax? You arri
Attack of the RoguesZaya POV“You know my story, but what’s yours?” I asked Tari.We were alone now. Audrey and the other females had since excused themselves, leaving me and Tari alone on the patio.Well, not really alone. Her bodyguard was still there. I felt bad for him having to stand guard for hours at a time.She looked confused. “What do you mean by my story?”“I mean I only heard that you were human. How did you come to be with the wolves? How did any of your humans come to be with the werewolves?”She picked up another sandwich and took a bite before answering me. “These sandwiches are sooooo good.” She said with a stuffed mouth.Anna made sure a few snacks were brought out to us as we lounged around talking. It was a combination of muffins, cakes, fruit, and tiny sandwiches. Tari loved the sandwiches so much, that she requested a full-sized sandwich with the same ingredients. Then she requested another.She was satisfying every hunger need she had, while I was trying to hid
Be Happy Zaya POV The next morning, I awoke in bed alone. Again. My mate never made it to our bedroom last night. I was almost embarrassed to say that I was waiting for him. I didn't want to admit that I was waiting, but I was. My wolf clearly needed him more than ever right now. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones. Maybe it was the loneliness. Maybe it was the jealousy of seeing the girl with her mate and her big belly. Whatever it was my wolf and I was at opposite ends of the stick. She wanted to ignore everything that happened between me and my mate. She wanted me to ignore the heart and the pain that I felt. Or maybe it was I who wanted to ignore the pain in my heart. Maybe it was I who wanted to push past all of this and just be with him. Just to be happy. From the moment I stepped out of bed to the moment I made it to the dining hall, I kept telling myself the same thing over and over again. ‘Be happy. Be happy. Be happy.’ The repeating silent mantra worked for a momen
A Nice Welcome Zaya POV Godric touched my leg. “Maybe we can discuss that at a later time. I think an announcement should be made.” Alex banged on the edge of the table grabbing everyone’s attention. And soon, everyone in the building joined in until Godric stood. The banging ceased the second he held up his hand. “Morning everyone. If you haven’t already noticed, we have guest.” The room erupted again, but this time in shouts. “The Half Moon pack with be with us for a few days. Most of them you already know. But a lot has changed since they last joined us. His eyes slightly strained for a moment. Before he continued and I knew he was reliving he past year. He was Alpha King now. I was Luna. A few members of the pack his father died helping stayed in our land, even after we rebuilt their homes. “This is Alpha Brax and Luna Tari. They arrived yesterday with a group from their pack. I don’t know everyone’s name, but there are a few I will mention since you will see them accompan
Just Another Day Zaya POV I grabbed Audreys hand as soon as breakfast was over to lead her out the dining hall. I wanted to find Anna immediately now that I knew who the mystery guy was. I needed to make sure she was okay. “Where are we going?” Audrey asked as we took the path leading toward the market. “Training is back that way?” She said as I dragged her behind me. I clenched my eyes together as I remembered I was supposed to return to training today. A simple comment made shortly after I threw up by my mother. I was supposed to take a week off. Though that was when we all thought I had overworked myself. Godric and my mom hadn’t said anything about me not being able to return to my normal daily activities. Which included combat training with Audrey and Chris every day. Then weapons training with Chris twice a week. Godric’s orders were to not tell anyone for at least another month and to act normal. Which meant keeping my lunch down when if possible and keeping an eye on my w
Let It Out Zaya POV The next day, I skipped training to take Luna Tari on a market run. She visited the market her first day here, but as Luna, I was in charge of giving her a complete tour. The wolves in the market gave her a quick once over before going back to whatever they were doing. Mostly because she was a human carrying a werewolves baby. She didn’t pay it any mind though. Just enjoyed the visit for wat it was. A chance to see deeper into our culture. I hated admitting it, but I too was still learning about the culture I was now leading. I was raised in the human society. I knew movies. Malls. F******k. Caramel Macchiatos and Chair Tea Lattes. The market was the best way to learn a lot about what my pack was interested in. There were clothing stores that showcased the latest choices among the pack. Packs from around the country would come to spend their money with our tailors. Better to keep the money within the packs bank than to spend in the human world. We grew our
Zaya POV“I won't go!!!” I shouted as I packed my bags. It was six in the morning and we were supposed to be in the car within twenty minutes ago.I was stalling, trying to get my point across.“We don’t need to visit the Black Woods pack.” “Yes, we do, Zaya.”“No…we don’t!” My voice was raised and I had no doubt we were waking the neighbors with our disagreement.He sighed loudly. “We cannot skip the Black Woods. Especially for the reason of simply not liking them.” He retorted.“Simple?” I questioned and then whisper shouted. “You think my reason is simple? He made my friend a rogue for being a victim. For defending herself.”He sighed again as if I was frustrating him. “I never said your reason was simple. It's no reason to cancel a visit.”“It is in my eyes.” I said while slowing my packing. In a more quieted voice, I said, “That man hurt our Audrey. What makes you think she wants to go back.”I was sure if she didn’t know now, she was going to know as soon as we hit the road.“I
Godric POVWe reassembled and began making our way to the next destination as if nothing had happened. But in this car, time had stopped. I could feel the surge of emotions coming from Zaya. She sat close to me, but her arms were wrapped tightly around her body as she continued to look out the window.“Are you okay?” I asked her.I could feel her vulnerability and anger. The mate bond was tearing at my heart.“Talk to me Zaya.”She shook her head as the tears filled the corner of her eyes. “I shouldn’t be mad or sad. I could only imagine how the rogue pack felt about when they….when he….I know they hate me.”“They don’t hate you. They hate us.”She turned to me just as a tear tumbled down her cheek. “They hate me. He didn’t call you names. He didn’t speak your name as if it tasted bitter on his tongue. Not like when he said my name.”She faced the window again.I had no words for her so I wrapped my arm around her back and drew her closer to me. She was exposed in ways she hadn’t b
Godric POVMy brother mind linked me to stay inside our vehicle. He was taking charge and keeping to the protocol we had gone over multiple times. I didn’t mind. There were only ten wolves I could see, and they seemed to be in a weakened state.I lowered my window to hear the conversation between him and their supposed leader. The one who stood closer to Alex. The one who crossed his arms to seem at ease as the others stood rigid.“State your business!” Alex shouted from a distance. One of his main rules was for everyone to stay at least twenty feet from any rogue we would come in contact with.Their leader huffed. “This is a public road. You state your business here.” He retorted.The male was a scrawny guy who stood with so much confidence. The others around him laughed as if he had told the joke of the year. But I didn’t see anything funny. All I could see were ten wolves looking to die.Sensing trouble in the air, I placed my hand on the handle of the door to exit the car. Then a
POV ZayaVisiting so many packs in such a short time had my mind overflowing. It was stuffed with the knowledge of the different cultures. And the many faces that came with that knowledge clouded my memories.I met five Alpha’s and four Luna’s. Alpha Christian was unmated, which is why he greeted us alone. I asked why he never took a chosen mate and he said he didn’t believe in anything the Moon Goddess did not gift him. I wasn’t sure how he remained Alpha without a Luna by his side.Many wolves believed that an Alpha needed a mate for the pack to survive. Strength through Unity is what they often require of an Alpha. Knowing that had me looking at Godric and wondering what would have happened if he had never come to get me. If he had never fought to be with me.Would I have heard of him taking a chosen mate? Maybe a political match? Maybe even making Sophia his Luna despite her attitude. She loved him and would have done anything to be his Luna. Not to mention her strength that was a
POV ZayaThe Tour to visit every pack under Godric’s reign began a few weeks after my third trimester. Evidence of my rounding belly was now noticeable beneath my clothing.We packed up a few SUVs and headed out first thing after breakfast. I would miss all of the smiling faces that lined up along the main roads leading to our borders to bid us farewell.Alex and Audrey traveled in the SUV behind us. The other vehicles carried nothing but guards and a few Elders. It was strange traveling like the president. Safely pawned from one set of guards to the next every few hours.When I saw the soldiers loaded into their respective cars, I kept wondering how all this would look to a human. Ten cars full of fighters traveling through major cities across North America. And then I realized, it wouldn’t look like anything at all.We drove around all the major metropolitan areas on the map to get to our first stop. I guess Alex wasn’t going to risk us drawing too much attention.On the way, we sto
Godric POVZaya was worried. And she had every right to be. If Mia’s attitude was any indication, Mason had a pack of wolves that hated the current Luna Queen.Who knows what will happen once the rogues find out that she is living happily and carrying the future King?“You know she could be carrying a girl.” Alex teased.“I know.”“I’m just saying, you keep referencing the baby as the future King. Like you are trying to will it so. That’s no how genetics works, brother.”“No, but I could hope.”He chuckled missing the dread behind my words. It’s not that I hoped the baby was a boy, it’s that I hoped he would actually be the next Alpha King. I hoped Zaya wouldn’t have to endure the pain that will follow we cannot make him so.“I think we should double the security team traveling with us. Just to be safe.”“You really are paranode.”“I’m Beta. I’m supposed to think of the things you do not.”I couldn’t argue with him there. It was what he trained for. To think of all the things that I n
Zaya POVAs soon as Godric entered our room, I started questioning him. My nerves had been bad since the moment he left the pack lands to meet with Mason and Mia.This would be his first time seeing Mason since the death of Evander and I was worried the meeting wouldn’t go well.What of it was a trap? What if they retaliated?Audrey kept me company the entire time, but still I remained anxious.“How was it?” I asked as soon as the bedroom door closed.He smiled slightly while approaching me. The smell of him quickly calmed my soul. He leaned down to kiss my cheek before answering.“It was okay.”“Just okay? What did you guys talk about? Were they hostile? Are there any signs of vengeance?I could tell from the look in his eyes, something happened.“Yes, it was okay. We talked about his new recruits. And the only thing hostile was Mia’s attitude.”I smirked. “Ah, yes. The infamous Mia.”I mentioned Mia while I was telling him about my life as the tribute. I told him that out of all the
Godric POVTensions ran high as the Elders debated Mason’s intentions. They held a meeting less than an hour after our return.Elder Grey yelled across the room. “We cannot assume they will start another war!”Elder Elias responded, “We cannot assume they will do nothing to avenge Evander.”One by one, they all started to shout over each other.“We’re talking about rogues here. They aren’t trained enough to lead a large-scale attack.”“You don’t need training to shift or carry a weapon.” Another said.Others agreed with him.“And you don’t need a sign from the Moon Goddess to know Alpha Mason is planning something.”Alex’s ears perked up at that comment.Elder John spoke up, “How are you going to defend the pack and we have yet to find out how Evander crossed our borders unprotected.”More whispers and more voices echoed in the room.The Elders were angry and impatient, but so was I. This unruly conduct wasn’t helping matters. Remembering my fathers words to keep the Elders in order,
POV Godric1 Month LaterIt took too long to get a response from Mason. He accepted the letters from the messengers that I sent to his territory, though he wouldn’t let them go past the border.I don’t blame him for being cautious, but I don’t appreciate my people not being able to gather any details.And I also don’t appreciate Mason’s lack of response. The first two letters, my people returned empty handed.The third letter, my people returned with a promise that he would call soon to talk.The elders were getting antsy and so was I. I expected a phone call within the week, but nothing.Then I realized, he was definitely stalling. He didn’t have a number to call. Every time we met with Evander, it was face to face. And agreeing to meet for the truce was done by letter.So I sent one last letter requesting him to meet on neutral ground today.We had much to discuss. The recent foot traffic from rogues was growing by the week and none of the surrounding Alpha’s were happy.Though none