Kris’s POV We must have driven for at least 30 minutes. “I can’t see anything. It’s too dark.” Erin says. Siren is letting me use her eyesight to look out the window. The others don’t have that luxury, as they aren’t an Alpha. “They have to be here,” Tilly says loudly from the back seat. “They just have to be. I’m sure Kris. I mean Alpha.” The insignificant gesture of Tilly calling me Alpha means she respects my position. But it’s me who should show her respect. I couldn’t have figured out this location with the information she had. She is a lot smarter than me and in years to come, she will be an asset to my pack. Her and her beautiful mind. Rylee is driving slowly down the narrow road we have found ourselves on. There is no moonlight at all here. “There, close,” Rylee comments, gulping between the words. How could he know that? I looked over at him and was about to ask. But I saw sweat beads running down his face. Rylee’s body then slumps against the steering whee
Tilly’s POV “My Alpha will be here in a minute,” I said as I placed another person in the middle of the road. My arms and legs are throbbing. My back feels like it is breaking. Every single one of them is bigger than me, but they’ve been breathing in wolfsbane and are struggling to walk. I only knew something was in the air, as I could taste it when I entered the container. Given that they haven’t ingested any wolfsbane. I hope that with time, their lungs will clear up in the fresh air. I saw the headlights approaching. It’s going to kill me to lift them in. Thankfully, Kris has brought help. Both she and a man called Raiden, fight against their wolves to lift all three of them into the SUV. He’s either an Alpha like Kris or has Alpha blood in him. “One container is empty. Three more to go.” I said sternly. Kris hands me a bottle of water before climbing back into the car. “Have you seen a girl? Long dark hair.” Raiden asks me with sadness in his eyes. I star
Kris’s POV With her beautiful mind and determination, Tilly has saved over a dozen lives. But as she sits on Erin’s lap, she looks so young and innocent. Trucks and vans have arrived to pick up the survivors and take them away. “We stole them from a nearby human town.” Someone says when they see me looking. “Kris,” Lacie calls. I didn’t look. There is chaos all around, and I am trying to piece together what is going on. “It’s Rylee.” She then calls. My focus is immediately directed towards both of them. “Alice.” I heard Raiden then shouting. As I made my way to Rylee’s side, I glanced over at Alice. That’s when I see it. What is affecting her is affecting him, or to a degree, anyway. She had to be Rylee’s mate. “Kris.” Erin’s voice calls to me. But I’m too busy trying to care for Rylee’s seizing body to be messing around with whatever Erin wants. I tilt his head backward, making sure his airway is clear. “Kris,” Erin shouts again. I looked over at
Kris’s POV I oversaw Alice and Rylee overnight. They both stabilized according to the pack’s doctor. But neither one of them had woken up yet. Their mate bond is extremely strong, especially since they have never met before. Raiden came and went throughout the night. Telling me he had matters to deal with. Erin and her mate walked into the hospital room. Erin introduced me to him. “This is Mateo.” She said happily. “As in Alpha Carlos’s brother Mateo?” He looked confused and confirmed that yes, his brother was Alpha Carlos of the Southern Sands Pack. The coincidence made me smile, especially as Erin loved that pack. Or the food from it, anyway. Erin promised to tell Mateo how we visited his home pack a while ago. He was off-tracking some kidnapped pack members from another pack. Mateo shook his head, telling Erin he hadn’t been home since then. If he had been there and caught her scent, he would have tracked her down. They then started kissing. “Where is Tilly?” I asked, t
Siren’s POV I look down at Raiden as he stares up at me. “You’re an Alpha?” He says. It’s a good job I can’t mind link him. My response may be along the lines of. Really? I never noticed. But the boy is out of his depth and stressed. If Nathan got taken, Kris would search the world for him. She wouldn’t care about the pack. Family is what’s important. We both agree on that. Now, not only Raiden knows I am Alpha. The Ponderosa Pack knows it too. They know I am an ally. This makes me the Alpha in charge — temporarily, of course. This pack’s own Alpha is on his way. I heard howling coming from the woods. As soon as I did, I heard gunfire. The howling stopped. Kris and I committed to protecting this pack as if it was ours. The border patrol is out there unprotected. Snarling, I ran into the forest, knowing the rest of the pack would be somewhere behind me. I make my way through the trees, not looking back to see if anyone is behind me. Then, I spotted the human hunters, gath
Chase’s POV “We’re nearly home,” I told Cooper, who'd been harassing me the entire journey to run faster. He is doing my head in. Does he not think I want to see my sister, too? Raiden was vague when I called home. Telling me Alice was alive but in a bad way. Abandoning all of his human possessions, Cooper told the away party that Alice was home and alive. That he had to get home immediately. The away party hasn’t kept up with my pace. I am faster than them as I am an Alpha Wolf. But I am also more motivated. As I cross the border into my territory, the amount of mind links hitting is crazy. I shut them out when I heard the one word that infuriated me. “HUNTERS.” Without knowing where the hunters were, I pushed myself to run even faster than I believed possible, all to defend my pack. “It shouldn’t have gotten to this. I should have been here.” I snapped at Cooper. “We were trying to find Alice.” He snaps back at me. “Not at the cost of losing our pack members to hunters.” I
Cooper’s POV Nathan and I burst through the hospital’s doors. Where is she? I shouted. “First floor Alpha,” someone responds. There are only two hospital rooms on the first floor. They are next to each other. “Follow me,” I instructed Nathan, who followed me to the stairwell. I raced through the door of the first hospital room. But it was empty. “She has to be in the other room,” I told Nathan as I rushed past him. I paused at the door of the second room. My mate is on the other side, dying. “Go on.” Nathan snaps at me as he tries to push past me. I should be by her side until the end, I think to myself, when I don’t let him by. I entered the room, not sure what to expect. It’s quiet. I wasn’t expecting that. A couple is standing by the window. Looking around, there are also a couple of people lying on hospital beds. “Erin, where is Kris?” Nathan asks the woman. “I don’t know.” She responds. “We have been watching over Alice and Rylee.” “Alice?” I looked at the people i
Kris’s POV “You look better than when I last saw you?” I said to Rylee. This is the first time I have seen him in a while. Cooper delayed his briefing until I felt up to taking part. I was a key player in what happened, after all. As we took a seat, Rylee turned to me. “Kris, you need to get home. It’s been nearly a week since you left.” “Oh, crap. Freddie will be panicking.” I respond. I hadn’t realized it had been that long. “What was that about?” Cooper asked while staring at me. Rylee then explained to him. It was one of the many rules the Wolf Council had enforced upon me. I shake my head at the mention of the useless Wolf Council that governs our kingdom. Cooper looks disgusted. “The Wolf Council and I are not on good terms. They stay clear of this pack now.” Rylee nudges me. “It seems we’ve found an ally in our mission to replace the Wolf Council.” He says. I am glad me and Cooper are on the same page. I don’t want our relationship to start with a d
Kris’s POV Nathan and I are going over some plans to extend the school’s kitchens. He has assumed the role of principal here. Who knew my big brother had something to teach the youth of today? Rylee has assumed the role of combat trainer for the kids. When we transferred packs, I offered Nathan and Rylee joint senior positions. But they both wanted to be close to their mates. Both of whom now work in the school kitchen. But Emily misses her bakery, which is why Nathan wants the kitchens extended. “Council Woman Erica. It’s nice to see you.” I said, greeting our Wolf Council representative. “Luna Kris. How are you? Are you up too much these days?” She asks me while smiling at me. “You know, parenting and pack stuff. Occasionally, I see Cooper at the end of the day.” I say, smirking. Life within the Kingdom has significantly improved since the Wolf Council began acting in the kingdom’s best interests. “Very good. The Wolf King wants to speak to Tilly. Do you know where she is? I
Kris’s POV “Welcome home Tilly,” I said, welcoming home the woman I was looking at. The whiny girl I once knew seems to have disappeared. Tilly has not been home since she left 2 years ago, claiming there was so much to learn at Alpha Academy. Alpha Academy has agreed with her. “Am good Kris.” She says as she reaches out to hug me. But my enormous belly was in the way. She bends down and talks to my stomach. “Auntie Tilly had to come home. She’s dying to meet you both.” I looked at her. “You don’t know you’re their aunt.” Tilly stared, “Even if Raiden isn’t my mate, they can still call me Aunt. Besides. They will need a fun-loving aunt who will be their accomplice. I am perfect for the job.” She holds her hands up and shrugs her shoulders. There’s the girl I know. Raiden walks down the stairs with Cooper behind him. Raiden’s face was a picture. He says nothing. He simply rushes over to Tilly, picking her up and spinning her around like she is as light as a feather. Tilly gig
Kris’s POV I stop by the school on my way to visit my baby niece Jenna. She is so beautiful. Nathan practically kicks me out of his house every day. Reminding me I have Alpha responsibilities to attend to. Which is why I do a few of them on my way over to his place. Today I have to have a word with Tilly. “What have I done now?” she asks, totally unaware of what she has done. I pull her out of the classroom and the children laugh at her. “Tilly, have you been doing any experiments with the children?” “No,” she says while crossing her arms. “That’s not what I heard. Now tell me what you did.” “I wanted a baseline for the kids. So that when they are older, I can compare the results. I wouldn’t call it an experiment. It's research I'm conducting for an upcoming experiment. Does being the fastest child now determine their speed as they get older?” Since the merger of the two packs, the majority of people have adapted well. Freddie stayed at the River Valley Pack to b
Kris’s POV Tomorrow, there will be a significant announcement from the Wolf King. Attendance is mandatory for all Alpha’s in the Kingdom. A warning at the bottom of the letter stated that if an Alpha doesn’t attend, the Wolf King will accept that as their resignation. With immediate effect. Cooper and I plan to travel to the Palace together. But that is a new problem for a new day. Tonight I have other things on my mind. Tonight is the night Cooper and I plan on marking one another. Cooper takes me to what will be our new home. “It’s a shell at the moment. I thought we could decorate it together. Make it ours.” He tells me. He’s so thoughtful. He leads me into an almost empty kitchen, where a pot of stew sits on the stove. “Chase caught it this morning. He wanted to show you what a good provider he is.” He informs me while I chew. We laugh and joke the night away. Then, as we make our way to our bedroom, I get nervous. I excuse myself and go to the bathroom, where I loo
Kris’s POV It’s stupid o’clock in the morning when the Wolf King and I release all the people the Alpha and his brother had tied up. The Wolf King had his eyes open throughout the experience. Especially when they told him how long the abuse had been going on. “Why didn’t anyone tell the Wolf Council?” He asked. “What? And be banished when the Council Member told our Alpha we had reported him. No, thanks. I'd take a beating over being made a rogue any day.” “I am taking Lacie home,” I told the Wolf King. He doesn’t argue with me. He simply lets us climb into a car, so I can take my friend home. Which is surprising, as a few hours ago he wasn’t willing to let me out of his sight. What surprises me even more is that the Wolf King remains in the Mountain Crescent Pack. I helped Lacie upstairs to my bedroom. “I’m fine Kris. Honestly,” she tells me. Not once did I ask on the journey home what they did to her. “They didn't hurt me that much. I’m more annoyed that they s
Siren’s POV “Bloody hell, Kris, the Wolf King is fast.” He has been ahead of me every step of the way to the Mountain Crescent Pack. The only time I overtook him was when he slowed down, waiting for me. “He is the Wolf King though Siren. He is supposed to be the fastest and strongest among us.” She reminds me. “He is also supposed to rule the land with fairness and justice. Caring about every member of his kingdom. But he sits in his ivory castle being fed lies from those he trusts.” I snap at Kris, still annoyed I had to heal her. After he assaulted her earlier in the night. I had been running for hours. “How can they have gotten so far ahead with Lacie?” There is no way they have outrun us. “Lacie may have been miles away when she mind linked us. Clayton caused some delays. I don’t know the answer. What I know is where they are heading.” Kris pauses. “Siren, I can’t lose her,” Kris says. This spurs me on. “No, we can’t.” As we get closer to the Mountain Crescent Pack
Kris’s POV The night is winding down. It’s been great except for that one interruption from Clayton. Both me and Siren are still on edge though. He gave up too easily, even if Zackary encouraged him to leave. He is not one to back down that easily. I was dancing with Aaron when there was a loud bang from outside the doors of the grand hall. All activity in the grand hall stopped. Everyone’s attention shifted towards the doorway. I could see men loosening their ties. Preparing to shift. Uniformed men burst through the doors. The uniforms bore the emblem of the Wolf King. “The Wolf King is here. I can sense his aura.” Siren informs me. I can’t even see the man and she is already sensing his aura. It must be powerful. More guards made their way into the room just before a huge man walked in. Accompanying him was a breathtaking woman, dressed impeccably. I knelt in submission. Every person in the room knelt in submission. Our king and queen had arrived. “Kristen Ste
Kris’s POV “Who knew a tux could look that good?” Aaron says when I walk into the grand hall. I smiled at his compliment. But my attention kept shifting to different parts of the room. “This place looks amazing,” I told Aaron. “Dillon organized it, all of it. All I had to do was sign some paperwork.” Aaron looked around. “He did a good job.” Dillon shows up and pins something to my shirt. “The security cameras will be recording the entire night, Kris. This.” he points to the small flower pin he has just attached to my shirt. “It’s a microphone, Kris. I want your every interaction recorded.” I nodded, smiling. Since we both expect Clayton’s overreaction, I must embody my sweet, kind, and pleasant Alpha persona. I waited inside the grand hall with Lacie. We welcome guests as they arrive. Dillon and a small group were providing security at the building entrances. I intended to stop uninvited individuals from gaining access. Uninvited guests such as those from the Wolf Council
Kris’s POV The day before, the Alpha Ball, Freddie, rushes into the pack house, wanting to see me. “Z has been in touch. Kris. Z said the entire Royal Guard has been deployed.” “Very good,” I said casually. “Kris. You don’t understand. The Royal Guard accompanies the Wolf King wherever he goes.” I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe he is going shopping. Picking out a present for the Luna Queen.” I suggest. Freddie stares at me like he knows what I am up to. “I will fight beside you, Kris. But the royal guard is formidable. There is no winning against them.” I think that’s Freddie’s decree of loyalty to me. Even in the face of the formidable royal guards, he is loyal to me. He deserves a place in my new pack, if he wants one. A thought suddenly struck me. Why hadn’t I thought about it sooner? “Freddie. Can you ask Z if Clayton records what he hears on the listening bug? If he does, can Z possibly destroy anything from this month?” “I can ask, but no promises.”