Stella – POV"Oh, Cousin! How are you? Long time no see," Alpha Altair exclaimed, his grin broad, while Damon maintained a blank expression."Indeed, it has been a while," Damon replied calmly, extending his hand to meet Alpha Altair's."You always wear such a cold expression; haven't changed a bit," Alpha Altair observed, his smile unsettling as his golden orbs met mine. "And who might this be?" His sniffing seemed odd to me."A human, but pregnant with a Lycan child. You must be the wife of my other twin cousin, Kellan," he deduced with a smile that held no sorrow for his deceased cousin. His casual mention of Kellan hinted at a lack of respect."You should get going, Altair," Damon interjected."Not just yet, cousin. I need to meet this lovely lady. Is she your second-chance mate? Did June leave you?" Alpha Altair inquired, his smile persistent."Sorry to disappoint you, but I am still with Damon," June announced, stepping beside Damon and intertwining her hand with his, which he g
Damon – POVJune sat quietly next to me, and I felt Julie's glare before we hopped into the car. She was upset with me, and I don't blame her. I saw a hurt and betrayed look in Stella's gaze, wondering if she would come to the Lycan pack."We have to get her back to the Pack," my wolf Rider hissed at me in a possessive tone. I had to calm my wolf, as he was overly protective of Stella, though she was just a family member, not my mate."Rider, shut it," I snapped, and he growled."Seems like you're having a headache," June's sweet voice brought my attention back as we neared home."Of course, dealing with Altair, who tried to ruin things and left the party, tarnishing Alpha Damon's character," Dexter added in annoyance. A sigh escaped my lips in response."What about Stella? Wasn't she humiliated, not knowing Kellan's brother cast Kellan out of the Pack?" Julie defended Stella, making my remorse worse. I harbored many secrets, unsure if Stella would accept them given her current state.
Stella – POV"You lied to me, Stella," Damon accused. I blinked, his face portraying emotions challenging to decipher."What do you mean?" I asked, confusion etched across my face. His expression was so inscrutable, making it hard to catch my breath. Before he could respond, Kayden pulled me to his side, and I realized I had been standing too close to Damon. Kayden's jealousy was evident, but quickly masked."We are going home, Stella," Damon declared."What? I told you I would return after checking on the wolf pack," I reminded him."Damon, you heard her. I will drop by the Lycan Pack in a few hours," Kayden interjected calmly. Yet, I sensed something was amiss, given the toughness of his composure."Do you want me to keep Stella with you when your brother killed her parents?" Damon's words left me dumbfounded, and Kayden looked at me to check if I had told Damon about this, but he turned to meet Damon's face. "Oh, so you knew Stella, didn't you?" Damon confronted me, and guilt washe
Stella–POVI awoke with fatigue, checking the time to find it was afternoon already. Sighing, I realized I had a doctor's appointment in an hour. Rushing through my routine, I brushed my teeth, catching a glimpse of the dark circles under my eyes in the mirror. Sleep had eluded me due to Kayden and Damon's ongoing dispute about Macoy's whereabouts. Despite their reluctance, I compelled them to collaborate for justice, turning them into an unwilling team. Under one roof, they resembled a bickering old couple, exhausting the atmosphere.Getting dressed, my eyes wandered to the drawer where I hid Damon's book. Recalling his scowl when he couldn't find his diary, I felt happiness and guilt. I yearned to read the book once I figured out how to unlock the magic in his journal. Tracing my finger over the leather-bound book, I closed the drawer as a knock echoed through my room. "Coming," I called out, and to my surprise, Damon stood in black slacks and a white formal shirt, one button down,
Kayden – POVI located Macoy's whereabouts. "You're willing to kill your blood brother over a human mate carrying a Lycan child," my mother hissed, her anger evident. I had concealed things from her, and I understood her deep-seated hatred for Lycans stemming from the war that claimed half her family."Mom, I made a promise to everyone," I explained, heading towards the door. To my surprise, it remained shut, and I turned to face my mother's furious and pained expression, preventing me from stepping outside the office."Why don't you reject her and marry Kate? She genuinely cares for you, son," my mother suggested. I glared at her defiantly."We've discussed this enough, Mother," I snapped. "I want Stella; she's my mate, and I won't reject her and regret it later, like you did." I taunted, and she glared at me with anger."I rejected for the good of the wolf land, unlike you, who is putting our land in danger for some stupid, weak human," Mother retorted. Using magic, I unlocked the d
Stella–POVSitting in the chilly room after my husband Kellan’s funeral, I struggled to accept his untimely death from a car accident. The news had left me reeling, unable to accept the loss.“Stella,” my mom’s voice echoed, brimming with concern. She flicked on the bedroom light, revealing a room filled with memories of Kellan and me.“Let’s go home, sweetie. It might help you heal,” she whispered. I nodded, wiping my tears. Taking a deep breath, I left our apartment, with Dad handling my bags. Mom had packed for me, ever the pillar of support. Soon, we got in a car with a chauffeur to take us to the airport. A private jet awaited us to fly us from New York to Alaska.The draining journey intensified my yearning for my hometown, a stark contrast to the hollow vastness of our New York penthouse. Memories of Kellan enveloped me. Our dreams of starting a family, which we had hoped to realize this year, lay broken. With his startup now stable and him at the helm as CEO of Stella, the ins
Stella–POV"What did Julie mention to you, Mrs. Keller, before you parted ways? Did she say anything about going to the forest and why?" The officer inquired.I strained to remember what Julie might have shared with me. Lately, my focus has been elsewhere whenever Julie speaks to me. "I can't recall anything specific right now. I'm so sorry. This is just a challenging time for me," I admitted, sighing heavily."Officer, if you're finished with the questioning, my daughter has been under immense stress since her husband's passing away," Mom interjected. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the officer nodded sympathetically and took his leave. Once he was gone, Mom escorted me to my room. Alone with my thoughts, I pondered why Julie might have ventured into the forest."Hey, I heard about Julie," Dad said as he entered, startling me. "Sorry, Stella, I didn't mean to scare you.""It's strange, Dad. Why would Julie go to the forest?" I remarked, sighing heavily. The weight of worry and
Stella–POVI opened my eyes to a white ceiling overhead, accompanied by the steady beep of a machine nearby. To my right, Dad was asleep, and on my left, Mom was dozing with her head resting on the edge of my hospital bed.A throb of pain pulsed through my head. I blinked, trying to take in my surroundings more clearly. I noticed the IV line running from a bag into my vein. "Mom," I whispered. Slowly, she stirred, her eyes lighting up with relief and joy upon seeing me awake."Thank God you're awake," Mom exclaimed, gently hugging and kissing me."Wake up, Fenrir," she called softly to my dad. Startled, he quickly rose from his chair, approaching my bedside. He tenderly kissed my forehead and stroked my hair."You gave us quite a scare," he murmured, his voice heavy with relief. "I'll go get the doctor."The doctors came in, checking me over and asking about any pain. I mentioned not only my head but also my leg, which was bandaged."You're in good condition, but we'll observe you for
Kayden – POVI located Macoy's whereabouts. "You're willing to kill your blood brother over a human mate carrying a Lycan child," my mother hissed, her anger evident. I had concealed things from her, and I understood her deep-seated hatred for Lycans stemming from the war that claimed half her family."Mom, I made a promise to everyone," I explained, heading towards the door. To my surprise, it remained shut, and I turned to face my mother's furious and pained expression, preventing me from stepping outside the office."Why don't you reject her and marry Kate? She genuinely cares for you, son," my mother suggested. I glared at her defiantly."We've discussed this enough, Mother," I snapped. "I want Stella; she's my mate, and I won't reject her and regret it later, like you did." I taunted, and she glared at me with anger."I rejected for the good of the wolf land, unlike you, who is putting our land in danger for some stupid, weak human," Mother retorted. Using magic, I unlocked the d
Stella–POVI awoke with fatigue, checking the time to find it was afternoon already. Sighing, I realized I had a doctor's appointment in an hour. Rushing through my routine, I brushed my teeth, catching a glimpse of the dark circles under my eyes in the mirror. Sleep had eluded me due to Kayden and Damon's ongoing dispute about Macoy's whereabouts. Despite their reluctance, I compelled them to collaborate for justice, turning them into an unwilling team. Under one roof, they resembled a bickering old couple, exhausting the atmosphere.Getting dressed, my eyes wandered to the drawer where I hid Damon's book. Recalling his scowl when he couldn't find his diary, I felt happiness and guilt. I yearned to read the book once I figured out how to unlock the magic in his journal. Tracing my finger over the leather-bound book, I closed the drawer as a knock echoed through my room. "Coming," I called out, and to my surprise, Damon stood in black slacks and a white formal shirt, one button down,
Stella – POV"You lied to me, Stella," Damon accused. I blinked, his face portraying emotions challenging to decipher."What do you mean?" I asked, confusion etched across my face. His expression was so inscrutable, making it hard to catch my breath. Before he could respond, Kayden pulled me to his side, and I realized I had been standing too close to Damon. Kayden's jealousy was evident, but quickly masked."We are going home, Stella," Damon declared."What? I told you I would return after checking on the wolf pack," I reminded him."Damon, you heard her. I will drop by the Lycan Pack in a few hours," Kayden interjected calmly. Yet, I sensed something was amiss, given the toughness of his composure."Do you want me to keep Stella with you when your brother killed her parents?" Damon's words left me dumbfounded, and Kayden looked at me to check if I had told Damon about this, but he turned to meet Damon's face. "Oh, so you knew Stella, didn't you?" Damon confronted me, and guilt washe
Damon – POVJune sat quietly next to me, and I felt Julie's glare before we hopped into the car. She was upset with me, and I don't blame her. I saw a hurt and betrayed look in Stella's gaze, wondering if she would come to the Lycan pack."We have to get her back to the Pack," my wolf Rider hissed at me in a possessive tone. I had to calm my wolf, as he was overly protective of Stella, though she was just a family member, not my mate."Rider, shut it," I snapped, and he growled."Seems like you're having a headache," June's sweet voice brought my attention back as we neared home."Of course, dealing with Altair, who tried to ruin things and left the party, tarnishing Alpha Damon's character," Dexter added in annoyance. A sigh escaped my lips in response."What about Stella? Wasn't she humiliated, not knowing Kellan's brother cast Kellan out of the Pack?" Julie defended Stella, making my remorse worse. I harbored many secrets, unsure if Stella would accept them given her current state.
Stella – POV"Oh, Cousin! How are you? Long time no see," Alpha Altair exclaimed, his grin broad, while Damon maintained a blank expression."Indeed, it has been a while," Damon replied calmly, extending his hand to meet Alpha Altair's."You always wear such a cold expression; haven't changed a bit," Alpha Altair observed, his smile unsettling as his golden orbs met mine. "And who might this be?" His sniffing seemed odd to me."A human, but pregnant with a Lycan child. You must be the wife of my other twin cousin, Kellan," he deduced with a smile that held no sorrow for his deceased cousin. His casual mention of Kellan hinted at a lack of respect."You should get going, Altair," Damon interjected."Not just yet, cousin. I need to meet this lovely lady. Is she your second-chance mate? Did June leave you?" Alpha Altair inquired, his smile persistent."Sorry to disappoint you, but I am still with Damon," June announced, stepping beside Damon and intertwining her hand with his, which he g
Stella – POVI stood before the mirror, admiring my handiwork. The dress clung to me perfectly, like a second skin. My pixie haircut had grown out, revealing the natural brown of my hair beneath the blonde. Glancing at the clock, I realized I was running late."Ms. Stella," a maid entered my room, "Mr. Kayden is waiting for you downstairs.""I'll be right there," I replied, grabbing my clutch and descending the staircase. Kayden and Damon, both impeccably suited, watched me approach. I could feel the intensity of their gazes, mainly Damon's. Still, I focused on Kayden, whose amber eyes sparkled with awe."You leave me speechless, Stella," Kayden remarked, extending his hand. He kissed my back as I placed mine in his, sending me a fluttering sensation. "I knew this dress would suit you, but you've made it look even more radiant, like moonlight."I blushed at his words. "You look quite handsome yourself," I said, smiling.June's voice interrupted us. "Oh, look at the new lovebirds, so u
Kayden – POVI stepped into the pack's main hall, feeling the weight of my mother's worried gaze. "Is it true that Macoy has been captured?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern."Yes, it's true, Mom," I replied, striding past her toward the mansion to reach my office.As I was about to enter, Beta Harris called out, "Alpha Kayden." I paused, turning to see Harris, my mother, and a group of pack members gathered, all wearing expressions of worry and uncertainty."What's our plan, Alpha? Our kind is being captured by humans. What should we do?" one pack member asked, his voice filled with urgency.I took a deep breath. "I'm going to free Macoy and bring him back here as a prisoner," I declared.My mother's voice quivered as she asked, "What has my Macoy done to deserve this?"Before I could respond, my father joined us, placing a supportive hand on my shoulder. "Elora, surely your son must have done something wrong for Kayden to make such a decision," he said, trying to ease her di
Stella - POVI left the room with a plan to corner Kayden and talk to him, determined to hear the truth. Everyone was asleep as I entered Kayden's room, entering without knocking. Kayden, just out of the shower, was surprised to see me. I tried not to stare at his half-naked frame, which was usually distracting, but my grief was too overwhelming for that."You look angry," Kayden observed."I am," I replied. "I'm upset with you.""Why? What did I do?" he asked, closing the distance between us."You're hiding things from me," I said, then fell silent. "Are you reading my thoughts to find a reason?" I asked, noticing his quietness and the intense focus in his eyes."No, I don’t want to invade your privacy since you don’t trust me," Kayden responded."That's right, I don’t. Because you're keeping secrets from me," I retorted."I'm not," he insisted."Fine, then. I thought I should allow this mate bond to see where it leads, but it ends here. I don't want you around me anymore," I declare
Stella – POVI clutched the bracelet tightly and settled into the Queen Suite Damon had reserved for me. Since I couldn't return to the Lycan Pack as per officer, I had to stay in the city. Damon, insisting on security, also stayed in my room. Kayden, however, refused to be elsewhere. He argued with Damon, demanding to stay with me. As my mate, Kayden, claimed equal rights to protect me. His logic silenced Damon's protests. Exhausted, I didn't intervene in their argument. The bracelet consumed my thoughts–Kellan's bracelet. Why was it at my parents' house? I tried to recall if Kellan had worn this bracelet when his body was brought from the morgue, but grief clouded my memory."Here, have some food," Damon offered, entering my room."I'm not hungry," I replied."You still need to eat for your baby," he insisted. Sighing, I agreed, realizing he was right. I ate and drank water, then took the meditation pills the Lycan doctor prescribed for my unusual pregnancy."Did you notice any wolf