Alexander’s POV
I thought I would be able to get over Alyssa easily, it wasn’t like I knew her anymore and I already committed myself to Freya. But my chest ached with a dullness that was hard to ignore. Maybe it was just the broken mating bond. I was in my palace, trying to regulate my emotions with servants scattered around tidying and making noise. “Everyone get out!” I grumbled, throwing my handout, not wanting to be around anyone at the moment. I heard ‘sorry’s and ‘excuse me’s but it wasn’t as if I was going to hurt any of my servants. Caspian was the hot-tempered ill-mannered one between the two of us. For once I was grateful he was not here. He’d tear down the walls of my room as punishment for what I did. And if any servants got in his way… I wouldn’t want to be them. I wondered where he had gone too but tried not to think of him too much. Quickly, I went to the cabinet where I kept my wine and took out a fresh bottle thinking that maybe the alcohol could calm the thudding in my heart. I barely swallowed when I heard the thumping of feet echoing through the palace getting closer and closer. People yelped and hurried to get out of the way just before Caspian lept through the doors, almost taking them off the hinges as he growled. I glared at him, taking another sip of my bottle before placing it back down. “Caspian! I did not let you out for you to cause havoc!” I yelled, getting gradually angrier. There was splintered wood scattered across the floor and I could’ve sworn I heard someone crying in distress. “Get ahold of yourself, you’re a royal wolf.” “There’s no time,” He growled back at me. There wasn’t just fight and defiance in his eyes, but also fear. Something was wrong. “Are we under attack?” Caspian shook his head fiercely, “No, worse! Your bastard of a brother has taken our mate and you are going to get her back.” He was already headed towards the door before I yanked him back and stood in front of him, my heart hammering at his words. “What are you talking about?” “He took her away from me!” Caspian growled, pattering at the floor impatiently, “He said she’s his. That our mate belongs to him now!” Kai and I had rarely gotten along, we were in constant competition with each other to ascend the throne. Could this be part of it? I felt fury run through my veins. If he hurt Elise just to get to me I would tear him apart. Kai was the general of the Skeleton Army, the most ruthless force our kingdom had and there was hardly anything that could stop him from getting what he wanted. He could hurt her, torture her or forcibly mark her and there was nothing anyone would do to stop him. Maybe it was the mating mark still aching from the break, but I could feel myself getting angrier and more protective with each passing second. Without another word, I lept onto Caspian’s back and he ran like the wind to find Alyssa. Caspian caught Alyssa’s scent quickly as he ran to the forest behind the palace, practically flying over the ground. He slowed down as we caught sight of them, Capsian waiting for me to make a call. Alyssa was sat on a rock, hand by Kai’s face staring at him with an expression I couldn’t describe. They looked like a couple in love working each other out. Kai had always hated his scar since he’d come home with it one day, killing people who mocked it and refusing to talk about it, yet here Alyssa was, touching it so intimately like a lover. Caspian whimpered, feeling the same kind of jealousy that I was feeling. Alex, she’s ours. I urged Caspian forward shouting furiously, “Don’t touch her!” They broke apart quickly, Alyssa looking at me with shock whilst Kai just rolled his eyes. He stood from the rock, holding his hand out to help Alyssa. She thanked him and left the rock with him, neither of them let go of the other’s hand. “Alex!” Kai greeted me with false friendliness, “What brings you here?” I growled, looking at their hands still gripped together. Alyssa looked down and tried to pull away, and Kai obliged, only to grab her by the waist and keep her close to him. “Let her go, Kai. She’s got nothing to do with this.” “Nothing to do with this?” Kai asked, smiling mockingly at me, “Why that’s quite a rude way to address your sister-in-law.” My heart shattered hearing those words. I didn’t care if I’d rejected her and was already engaged, she was supposed to be mine… Wasn’t she?Alyssa’s POVAlexander was looking at me with hurt and betrayal in his eyes and my stomach wracked with guilt. But what right did he have to look at me like that? He’d rejected me first. He was engaged to the step-sister who helped make my life a living hell.Besides, it’s not like I had much of a choice but to let Prince Kai pretend we were engaged. The punishment for escaping the Red Maple camp was death, even if I had returned in the end.I didn’t know when or how the first prince found out, but there was nothing I could do except play along with his game. A favour for a favour. He wouldn’t spill my secret if I managed to heal him. How I was going to do that was a completely different story.I looked between Prince Kai and Alexander as I shuffled closer to Prince Kai and nodded.“It’s true, Prince Kai has just proposed to me… I accepted.” I lied, feeling the tension growing between the two brothers. Alexander looked like he wanted to murder his brother, but Kai simply looked at hi
Alyssa’s POVKai rolled his eyes but he didn’t put up a fight. Carter lowered his head and Kai lifted me by my waist, causing me to gasp, as he placed me by Carter’s neck before sitting on his wolf behind me.“Kai!” Alexander objected to the touching.Prince Kai only offered his brother a small salute before Carter was off running. He ran so quickly that I was thrown against Prince Kai’s back and felt myself blush. Shaking my head, I tried to ignore whatever girlish feeling was churning in my stomach, now was not the time to be self-conscious. “When will we get there?” I asked, focusing on the path ahead. Hopefully we got there before Caspian could hurt too many people. Kai’s mouth was suddenly by my ear, making me stiffen up, “Don’t worry about it, we’ll get there when we get there.” I tried to swat him away from me and almost lost my balance. He grabbed me by the waist and kept me upright, looking at me like an idiot. Maybe I was, to get in the middle of this after everything I’d
Caspian’s POVMy vision was glazed with red and my mind was spinning fast so that one moment I was watching that bastard with his arm wrapped around my mate, the next I was ushered through The Colosseum, ready for blood.Alex was an idiot, an absolute, utter, fucking idiot. Ever since I saw Alyssa and her wolf Carys, I knew she was mine and not only did Alex chase her away, but now Kai had taken her as his own and there was nothing else I could do about it.The Colosseum was ancient and had been around as long as the kingdom itself. It was created as a way for Alphas to challenge one another or to resolve conflicts. It was still used for that, but it was also a way of entertainment now. Prisoners would be retrieved for competitions, sometimes allowing their freedom, other times for the royal family to vent their anger out on. Those ones would’ve stayed in the Red Maple Camp for the rest of their lives. This was a mercy.Members of the court had spotted me as I raced through the forest
Alyssa's POVIt was horrifying to see. I’d seen fights in the Red Maple camp before but this was different. This was brutal. Caspian was surrounded by prisoners and though lots of them had big builds and previous scars, they all looked tired and beaten down.They were like me, they hadn’t been fed properly during their time in the Red Maple Camp, and they would’ve been made to do so much labour that it would’ve hurt their joints. I pictured myself in that lineup with the rest of them. How many of them might have been innocent? How many had been in that camp for years, only to be released into a bloodbath?We’d just gotten to The Colosseum when I saw the scene. The sweet golden wolf who saved me and tried to look after me was now on a murderous rampage.“Caspian!” I called desperately, hoping he could hear me through the bloodlust.He looked up, noticing me but he was still on top of the prisoner, unaware of his claw digging into the man and drawing blood,“Caspian, please stop!” I did
Alexander's POVI hated seeing the two of them so close together. I hated the way my brother touched her in front of me and I hated him even more when I saw that she tried to move away and he pulled her back. I felt a growl erupt from my throat and Caspian was immediately at my side.“Get your hands off of her,” I ordered, taking a step towards Kai. Brother or not, I wouldn’t let him hurt her or force her to do anything.Kai smirked at my demand, almost laughing like a child trying to order his parents. But instead of doing what I told him, he pressed a kiss against her cheek, despite her obvious discomfort and the crowd wolf whistling at the display.Carter was standing in front of my brother and so close to Alyssa that she would be touching him if she took a step forward they would be touching. The only person that Carter was close to was Kai, he always kept a firm distance from anyone else and was only around people when necessary. Why was he so attached to Alyssa already?Carter a
Alyssa's POVI looked to the floor as my blood ran cold at the messenger's words. Of course I would be expected to see the Alpha King, not only was I ‘engaged’ to one son but I was rejected by the other. I felt so stupid that surprise had rocketed through me.What was I supposed to say? What was I supposed to do? I hadn't had any formal experience for the last five years considering where I'd been and the last time I had, I was a child. I would make a fool out of myself.Slowly, I lifted my head and saw Alexander looking back at me, worry coating his face and Caspian looked like he wanted to step forward and comfort me. But Kai’s arms were still wrapped around me and I doubted he would let go of me, especially with the announcement.“Wasn’t she in the Red Maple Prison?” Someone from the crowd called and both princes looked up to glare.“Ah, so she’s a whore and a criminal, wonder how many people she was with in prison?”I felt my cheeks burn and my eyes water at the insinuation. The R
Kai's POVShe was small. That was one of the things I noticed about Alyssa as we rode Carter to the royal palace. I didn’t mean small for her height, which was quite average, but small enough that it was clear she was practically starved at the Red Maple Camp.I avoided holding onto her for too long, opting to hold onto Carter’s fur. I wasn’t one for touch or affection, so the times I had touched her were either necessary or to piss Alex off. I preferred the latter, entitled prick. But I’d touched her enough to feel her bones poking through her skin and it made me wonder just how much she would’ve suffered in that camp.I knew of people being cruel and manipulative, I’d lived in the Royal Palace all my life, surrounded by vipers, so I believed Alyssa when rumours spread that she hadn’t hurt her stepmother. The girl couldn't have hurt someone even if she tried. It didn't seem her time at the Red Maple Camp had toughened her up either.Those rumours were quickly shut down by Alpha Henry
Alyssa's POVI stood at the foot of each throne, trembling as I watched the Alpha King and the Luna Queen briefly inspect me. The Luna Queen looked at me with obvious distaste, wondering how a wretch like me had caused trouble in the Royal Family. The Alpha King, however, looked indifferent, partially curious but it seemed like he hadn’t formed a particular opinion on me yet. Caspian and Carter now stood on either side of me as if they were ready to defend me. The Luna Queen’s glare deepened, but neither wolf backed down.“And may I ask, father, what is it my wife-to-be has done?” Kai asked, almost bored as gasps filled the throne room.I could’ve strangled him for that, revealing it at a time like this. Murmurs began between guards, maids and even between my own family as my father looked shocked and Vivian demanded to know what was going on.Freya looked as if she was ready to storm down the steps of the throne pedestal and grab me by the hair to demand what I thought I was doing,
Alyssa's POVAwkward was the only way I could describe the encounter.I was sitting in a big armchair in what looked like an office, silent as I observed everything around me. The colours of the room were brown and green themed, like nature. There was a big window behind the Alpha's desk that allowed the light in in beautiful rainbows. Opposite me, standing behind his desk and looking out of the window as he poured himself a glass of whiskey, was Alpha Evan. He hadn’t spoken a word to me since he’d invited me inside and that’s what made things both awkward and unnerving.He hadn't looked at me since either. It made me feel like I was doing something wrong. I wondered if I should’ve said something, it was obvious he hadn’t forgotten I was there, but I wasn’t entirely sure what the game he seemed to be playing was.So I waited patiently, hands folded on my lap, looking at him looking out the window. Maybe it was a test to see how long I could go without talking to him or demanding som
Kai's POVI was never one to enjoy the parades that came with being a prince. Being on show with everyone staring at me and thinking I was up for grabs wasn’t my idea of fun. It helped that as I had gotten older my people began to fear me as a General rather than love me as a prince, the scar on my face definitely helped, but Alexander was the opposite. He bathed in the warmth of the attention and lapped it up like a dog.He smiled and waved to our people like he had all the time in the world. He had people crowded around him and was smiling at every word they said and shook hands with everyone we passed. I almost worried that he’d lose track of why we were there. “This is a beautiful pack, Beta, a credit to yourself and your Alpha,” My brother praised, side-eyeing me as if to tell me to play along.I didn’t need his direction, I'd been in more strategy meetings and diplomatic situations than he could imagine.The Beta smiled with pride and bowed deeply, “It is an honour, Your Highne
Alyssa's POVWe had a plan, even though Alexander begrugingly agreed to it, I wasn't taking no for an answer. We began heading towards the Sirius Pack to get some questions. It wasn't too far as the princes rode their golden wolves and Carys took over. We ran fast before stopping just outside of the pack.Carys allowed me to take over again but the golden wolves stayed still at their prince's side."Go through the plan, one more time," I stated, just wanting to be sure we all knew what was going on.Kai rolled his eyes but Alexander nodded, "We enter under the idea that we are on an 'engagement' tour," He started."It's not too suspicious as the Lunas aren't typically formally intodruced to the pack until after the marriage," Kai added."You two distract the pack and try to find some extra information and I'll go straight to Alpha Evan." I stated, feeling more confident with the plan. The boys had both volunteered to talk to Alpha Evan, but it was something I knew I had to do.I was
Alyssa’s POVWas it cruel to tell him that I didn’t know? Because it was the truth. I know it would’ve been easier to say “Yes, without a doubt, absolutely, I understand,” but those would’ve been lies.Even now I didn’t understand how he could discard me, his mate chosen by the Moon Goddess for his crown. I was tired of lies. Lies from other people and even my own to try to keep some semblance of peace in the farce my father called a family.Adding to that, Alexander hadn’t spared my feelings the day he rejected me, the day he used his powers on me to bend me to his will. Unfortunately, those wounds were still too open for me to forgive him, even with his apology and confession.But Alyssa, he loves us now, Carys tried to plead in my thoughts and I knew she was thinking of Caspian, the wolf who had protected us from the beginning. If Carys was an extension of me like Caspian was for Alexander I would be more than happy for her to accept her mate, but that wasn’t the case, was it?He
Alexander's POVI could see the way Kai was looking at Alyssa, my mate. Caspian growled inside of me as Kai lifted her off the ground and carried her body, but I wasn’t going to wrestle my brother to carry her, not when she was already injured. I could smell the burning from her body, the blood and hear the whimpers she made every time her arm moved too much.If we had arrived any later she might’ve been dead.I tried not to think about that. Because we hadn’t been late. I resented the fact that it was because of Kai we’d gotten there on time. Caleb might have never opened up to me about where she was, but Kai knew how to handle the kid. Kai had gotten ahold of her scent quicker than I had. Kai had raced off, hearing Taylor’s threats before I did.Why was Kai always first?Why was he always so much better than me?Why was I always one step behind him?But Kai had surprised me when he listened and hadn’t killed Taylor despite how much we’d both wanted to, but it was only a matter of ti
Alyssa's POVTaylor stood with a blaze behind him, grinning like a devil and I knew exactly what he wanted to do with me. I’d embarrassed him not only in public but also in front of the Royal Family and in a very public setting where he was expecting to win. Where everyone was expecting him to win.This was revenge.But how did he know I was here?As if reading my thoughts, Taylor purred sinisterly, “If you didn’t want me to find you, Alyssa, you shouldn’t have come so close to the Pack House. Your scent is one I wouldn’t forget for a long time.”I shivered at the thought. I had been careless, hadn’t I? I’d gone straight for the centre of the pack instead of using my head and asking around first. I should’ve known better, especially with how angry Taylor and his father had been. Of course they would kill me and try to cover it up in their own territory.Surprisingly, Evelyn stood in front of me, arms wide as if to defend me. This woman who hardly knew me, who was in danger because of
Kai's POVI managed to get to the Ice Heart Pack quite quickly and Carter had done his hardest to carry us both here. He was panting with shaking legs by the time we got to the territory so I let him rest inside of me as I continued on foot.I didn’t want to draw too much attention to myself because I didn’t know who was to be trusted in this pack or, worse, who was after Elise.I had a hood over my head to cover my blond hair and travelled as inconspicuously as I could throughout the pack. Gradually, I finally found the Pack House where I knew Alyssa lived. The place smelled of her even though she’d only been back here a short while. However, as I reached a backdoor which looked like it led to a kitchen, I felt a presence behind me.With one sudden and swift move I grabbed the knife attached to my belt and spun on the presence, the sharpened edge of my blade against his throat.“Why are you following me?” I growled, pressing hard enough that I drew the slightest droplets of blood to
Alyssa's POVShe had no tongue. The woman, Evelyn, who served my stepmother with such loyalty, had no tongue. I couldn’t stop myself from staring at her before she looked around hastily and dragged me inside the house.As quickly as she pulled me in, she locked her door and dragged me to a small living room with only two chairs and a small table. There were some knitting supplies on it and a piece of half-eaten toast on the side. Evelyn lived in squalor as if she didn’t even exist in the pack. It made me wonder if anyone even knew she was here.“What’s going on?” I asked gruffly, feeling uncomfortable being locked in the house with a stranger.She placed a finger in front of me to tell me to wait and shuffled around the room until she found a notebook and pen before gesturing me to sit down.Cautiously, I did as instructed and waited as she scribbled down something in the notebook.Sorry I can’t offer you any food or drink, I wasn’t prepared for visitors.I hadn’t expected that. As Ev
Alyssa's POVIt didn’t take me long to get to the Fire Bone Pack since it bordered on my own, but I took a lot of precautions necessary. I had a hood covering my hair and perfume scattered over my body to hide my true scent.I didn’t have much to go on other than my memory of the maid and the brief discussion about Evelyn that I had with Clara, but I had a plan to find out.Clutched in my hand was my father’s seal which signified he was an Alpha. Typically those seals were given only to family and trusted envoys of the pack if the Alpha was unavailable to deliver news or things himself. Luckily for me, my father hadn’t needed it.So with a deep breath, I followed the path that would lead me to the centre of the pack.The Fire Bone Pack was different to my own, whereas my father took care to ensure all people in our pack lived comfortably, the Alpha of the Fire Bone Pack seemed more concerned with his welfare than that of his pack.As I passed buildings many of them were derelict like