KaiThe ride to Bridewood stretched to three hours and fifteen minutes, thanks to a checkpoint that bottlenecked traffic on the outskirts of the county.When they saw who I was, they waved us through without much fuss, but the delay was unavoidable. Fifteen minutes lost to bureaucracy—a minor inconvenience, but it prickled at my nerves all the same.By the time we arrived at the Council, the tension in my chest had solidified into a sharp edge. Darius and I stepped into the grand reception hall, the cool air inside doing little to ease the simmer of frustration in my veins. And there he was—Austin.He stood at the far end of the room, his posture straight and rigid, a smug grin plastered across his face. My eyes flicked to the man at his side, a legal representative from the look of him. What game was Austin playing now?Whatever it was, I had no patience for it. He was my enemy in this moment, and I had no intention of pretending otherwise. A polite greeting wasn’t just unnecessary—i
KaiJust as we were about to follow, Ingrid and Laura arrived, looking flustered. From the state of their composure, I guessed they’d been delayed at the checkpoint. Fitting, I thought.My aunt could use a reality check—a reminder of her place. She wasn’t royalty, no matter how much she pretended otherwise.Ingrid wasted no time airing her grievances. “Those guards were insufferable,” she snapped, her voice brimming with indignation. “They searched our vehicles, even after we told them we were with you.”Her words were aimed at me, but I didn’t bother responding. The guards were only doing their job, and truth be told, a little inconvenience might do her some good.My silence seemed to irk her further, but I brushed it off. I had no time for petty tantrums.Austin, his lawyer in tow, disappeared into the chamber, and Darius and I followed shortly after. Behind us, I knew Ingrid and Laura would trail in, their self-importance likely fueling their steps.Inside, the chamber was an impos
Kai"I’ve decided to let fate run its course," I said, my voice steady but laced with cold finality. "Besides, I have no desire for an incompetent and conniving person as my Luna.”The Chairman frowned, his gaze sharpening as he leaned forward slightly. “Elaborate, please.”I shifted in my seat, my posture firm, unyielding. “I was away for one day,” I began, my voice carrying the weight of suppressed frustration, “and in that short time, Miss Westwood, in collaboration with my father’s sister, managed to destabilise the delicate balance of my pack. They bullied pack members, workers, and even my guests. These are not the qualities of a true Luna. Unleashing her on my people would not just be irresponsible—it would be an act of insensitivity.”The Chairman sighed, his expression unreadable.“Those are not strong grounds, Alpha,” he said, though his tone was less dismissive than resigned.“To me, they are,” I replied firmly, refusing to back down.I leaned forward slightly, letting the
Kai“Kindly verify the signature,” the lawyer said, his tone cool, almost triumphant.I took a steadying breath, my eyes scanning the document again.“This is a peace document,” I began, my voice firm but measured.“My father asked me to sign it before handing over the regions to me. It was meant to ensure I maintain peace and remain loyal and fair to both regions in terms of safety, leadership, and opportunities. There is no oath supporting the claims being alleged here today.”The Chairman sighed, his expression unreadable but heavy with the weight of his authority. “Section eighteen, sub-section ‘a,’” he said simply, his words carrying the finality of a gavel striking down.I flipped through the pages with increasing urgency, dread pooling in my chest. When I reached the section in question, my stomach dropped. There it was, written in black and white—undeniable.I, the undersigned, hereby agree and affirm that I shall not renege on any obligations or statements contained herein,
KaiUnable to contain my shock, I blurted out, “Wait—what? Father-in-law?” The words hit me like a slap, my disbelief evident in my voice. My gaze darted to the Chairman.“What are you even talking about? I don’t remember marrying Laura.”The Chairman met my gaze calmly, though his expression carried the weight of authority. “Yes, Alpha Redwolf,” he replied, his voice steady but firm.“All marriage rights have been fulfilled by your family. Some were completed by your father, and others were carried out by your aunt on behalf of your family.”My blood ran cold, disbelief giving way to a simmering rage.“The mating and marking right is all that is left,” He continued “And the responsibility of fulfilling the mating right falls on you. The only remaining components are the consummation and claiming, which, based on your stance today, appear unlikely to happen anytime soon.”The room seemed to shrink around me as his words sank in.The implications churned in my mind, each revelation mor
Kai“Now that this is established, we have our demands,” Austin’s lawyer said, his voice calm but with an edge of arrogance that set my teeth on edge.My wolf stirred restlessly, urging me to retaliate, to put him and everyone behind him in their place. But I forced myself to remain seated, my fists clenched beneath the table.Losing control now would only play into their hands.“The Council is listening,” the Chairman said, his tone neutral, though his gaze flicked briefly toward me.The bastard lawyer stood, straightening his suit with practised ease before delivering his so-called demands.“First, we request a formal apology from the Regional Alpha for the pain and suffering the Westwood family has endured under his leadership.”His voice was steady, but I could hear the deliberate weight in his words, designed to needle and provoke.“And,” he continued, “we demand that Miss Westwood be reinstated to her rightful place as the Luna of both the South and East, as well as Alpha Malachi
Kai“No one is threatening you, Alpha,” the Chairman began, his voice calm but unyielding. “However, we must uphold our laws. Without them, we risk descending into the lawlessness we once endured under the rule of the Mad King—a tyrant whose words were law, who believed no one’s rights existed except his own.”His words were measured, a reminder of the Council’s authority, but they held no weight for me. I didn’t care about their comparisons or their subtle warnings.My patience was wearing thin, and my wolf bristled beneath the surface, the urge to break free growing stronger with each passing moment.“Since all rights have been performed,” the Chairman continued, his tone carefully neutral, “Laura will remain with you as yours. What you choose to do with her is entirely up to you. You may refuse to touch her—that is your prerogative. No one can force that. But as this document stands, she is rightfully the Luna of both the East and the South.”The room fell silent, the implications
Kai“What nonsense,” one of the councilors snapped, his voice carrying the weight of centuries-old tradition. “A widow or a mated wolf cannot serve as the Luna of a Regional Alpha. It is unacceptable, and I’m certain Alpha Redwolf knows this well.”The room stirred slightly, a few murmurs of agreement breaking through the silence. The Chairman raised his hand to quiet them before continuing, his tone measured but resolute.“However,” he said, his gaze fixed firmly on me, “there is no law against a Regional Alpha having a mistress—or several, for that matter. In some cases, mistresses are even favoured above the Luna. It falls to the Luna to win her husband’s heart, should she desire it. That is her burden to bear. As for the Council, we have instated Miss Westwood in her rightful place. We cannot, and will not, force her husband to favour her.”His words were final, yet they only seemed to add fuel to the fire. The Chairman turned his attention to Austin, his sharp eyes narrowing.“An
Adasha“Even you, Magnus?” Laura said, her voice trembling with disbelief as she turned to him.I had expected her to say that—Magnus was from Rivercreek, her home, after all.Magnus looked genuinely pained, his expression filled with regret, but he didn’t waver.“Sorry, Luna,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “But Alpha’s word is law.”Laura’s eyes darted back to Kai, searching his face for any hint of hesitation.“You’re serious about this,” she said, her tone incredulous. “You would actually throw me into a cell… for her?” She spat the word with venom, her gaze flicking to me with a mixture of contempt and desperation.But Kai didn’t respond.He didn’t even look at her. His silence was deafening, a clear statement that he was done talking. The weight of his unspoken words hung in the air, suffocating and final.“Malachi, this is extreme!” Ingrid interjected, rising from her seat. “Laura is legally your wife. You can’t humiliate her like this! What will her people say? This is wron
AdashaThe room was deathly silent, but Laura wasn’t done. Her voice sliced through the tension like a jagged blade, oblivious to the storm brewing in front of her.I could feel Kai’s rage, simmering and raw, and I wondered how he would handle this. Laura, blind to the signs, pressed on, her words brimming with fury and indignation.“You brought this upon yourself,” she said, her voice trembling with both anger and unshed tears. “By the time I’m through with the Easterners in the South, you’ll regret what you’ve done to my people—simply because they refused to serve your whore.”The venom in her tone stung, but the room was charged with something far more dangerous. Kai was vibrating with fury, his jaw tight, his entire frame coiled like a predator about to strike.The foolishness of Laura’s inability to recognise the line she had crossed was staggering.“Darius,” Kai said suddenly, his voice so cold and calm that it sent a shiver down my spine. “Did you get that last part?”“Yes, Alp
AdashaBreakfast was served in the dining room, a larger, more formal setting than usual. Kai had insisted on addressing his officers after the summons, and though it made me uneasy to eat in a room with other people, I understood the necessity.Normally, Kai would have adjusted his routine for my comfort, but this was one of those times where duty took precedence.As we entered the room, I immediately noticed there were five people seated instead of the three I had expected. The extra two—Ingrid and Laura—were impossible to miss. My chest tightened at the sight of them, but I quickly reminded myself of Kai’s promise. His assurance was all that mattered.With measured composure, I took my seat beside him. Darius and Gabe greeted me warmly, their respect evident in their tone and demeanor.Magnus followed suit, though there was an unmistakable hint of confusion in his expression, as if he was piecing together a puzzle no one had explained to him.I returned their greetings, extending
AdashaKai’s eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and intense, as he gently brushed my cheek with his thumb. The touch was soft, almost reverent, but it carried a weight that made my heart ache.“You worry too much, Adasha,” he said, his voice steady, soothing. His gaze didn’t waver, as if he were trying to reach the deepest part of me, the part that was still scared, still unsure. “You need to learn to trust.”I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me.“I know you’ve been through so much,” he continued, his tone softening even further. “But not this. I’m not Randy, Adasha, and I never will be. I don’t aspire to be like him. What we have… it’s rare. Scarce. Ordained.” He let the words settle between us, his hand never leaving my face. “I’d be a fool to throw it away—or let anyone take it from me.”His eyes darkened, a fire kindling in their depths. “I’ll find a way to make this work, I promise. And I won’t have a Luna other than you, Adasha.”His words were a vow, s
AdashaMorning crept in, the soft light painting delicate patterns on the walls. Kai was still beside me, his presence a quiet weight on the bed. It was unusual—he was always the first to rise.Perhaps the journey had drained him more than I realized. My thoughts swirled around the summons he attended with Laura and Ingrid, and unease pooled in my chest.It had to be about his bond with Laura. The idea tugged at something deep within me, a quiet ache I tried to bury.I hated the helplessness of it all, the knowledge that this was beyond my control.I turned my gaze to him, his face soft in sleep, the tension he usually carried smoothed away. For a moment, he looked almost vulnerable. I slipped out of bed carefully, the cool floor grounding me as I moved toward the shower.The steaming water offered a temporary reprieve, washing away the tangled emotions I couldn’t name. When I emerged, toweling my hair, Kai stirred. He blinked lazily, his sharp eyes focusing on me.“Why aren’t you in
RandyMarvin’s tears flowed freely, his face a mask of despair. He knew—knew deeply—that he was in immeasurable trouble with me.He had violated our agreement, shattered what little trust I had given him, and, worst of all, placed a target squarely on Adasha’s back.If she hadn’t run away, none of this would have unraveled. I wouldn’t have needed to arrest Jason, wouldn’t have discovered the full extent of their treachery.These two were evil—loyal to no one but their own selfish interests. Adasha was no longer theirs.They had sold her to me years ago, and now they had tried to sell her again.They weren’t just failures—they were scum. Fraudsters. Betrayers.There was no excuse for what they had done.I shifted my gaze to Lois, who was trembling as she cried, and motioned for her to continue. I needed every piece of information before I decided how to act."Jason tried to get Marvin to tell him who the person was," Lois said, her voice shaking as she spoke. "But Marvin refused. He sa
Randy"So, you decided to reach out to your regional Alpha—me—and offer her to me for a fee, as if you were some bounty hunters," I said coldly, my voice cutting through the heavy silence."That way, you wouldn’t get in trouble for it… right?"Lois didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. Her silence was confession enough.The memory burned fresh in my mind.They’d offered her to me as if they were doing me a favour, presenting her as though she was a prize to be claimed.To them, she wasn’t a child—they saw her as a way to avoid danger and even profit. After all, the Twelve Families’ prerogative was clear: eradicate the Mad King’s bloodline at all costs.Adasha was no ordinary child. She was premium prey, a direct descendant of the Mad King himself.But when I laid eyes on her, everything changed.I knew, in that moment, that I couldn’t let anything happen to her. Not her.Instead of handing her over to the council, I did something I thought was right at the time.I paid Marvin and Lois mo
RandyI could see Lois was nervous, her hands trembling as she wiped at her tear-streaked face. But I didn’t interrupt her.She needed space to speak, to breathe.She knew she had no other choice—she had to tell the truth, and she knew it."The woman told us she could help us adopt," Lois began, her voice quivering. "She said there was a child available… but the child wasn’t in the system. I didn’t ask why."She paused, her gaze darting to Marvin before lowering to her lap."I guess… I guess my desperation clouded my judgment. She told us she could arrange everything—papers, custody—all of it. There was only one condition." Lois swallowed hard."We were never to return to the southern border. Ever."Her voice faltered, and she wiped her eyes again."At the time, it didn’t seem like much of a condition. We weren’t from the south. We had no ties there. It felt like such a small thing to agree to."I watched her intently, every word she spoke deepening the gravity of their situation."It
Randy"I swear that’s the truth," Marvin said, his voice shaky, eyes pleading for mercy. I turned to Jacob, my expression unreadable."I’ll give you some time to think it over," I said coldly, releasing the chain in my hand. It clattered loudly, a sound that seemed to echo Marvin’s faltering confidence."In the meantime," I continued, my voice firm, "you’re going to tell me everything about how you adopted my wife. I want to know why you adopted her, which Alpha sanctioned it, and whether you’re still in contact with the people who gave her to you."I shifted my attention to Lois, her nervousness written all over her face."I’ll give you a chance to answer, Lois. And believe me, what’s about to happen to your husband for lying to me will happen to you, too, if you don’t start talking."Her eyes widened in terror, but the weight of my words didn’t seem to fully register until two guards stepped into the room, their presence commanding and grim.They moved with quiet efficiency, their i