~Noah~ There was a brief silence as we tried to reason through the situation. I knew sitting idly wouldn't make the matter go away, and neither would hiding Winter and Summer from the world's work. We had to face this head-on, and we needed to act fast. The longer we remained silent, the more damage would be done. Letting the matter fester would cause more harm than good, but I was confused. I honestly did not know what to do, and looking at my brother and cousins, I knew they, too, were stuck with the dilemma. "This is serious," Luis stated plainly, breaking the silence and snapping us out of our thoughts. "Yes, but I am most worried about Brandon and Lilly. As for Winter and Summer, we could get them out of the shit eventually, but what will happen to Brandon and Lilly? Will Lilly follow him to Hayland and live with him there? She won't be under our protection there, and anything can happen. One thing is certain, we can't discuss the lifting of the embargo or else we would hav
~Noah~ After hashing out our plan of action, we all breathed a sigh of relief and decided to unwind. However, with limited space at my place, Anthony and Luis would have to crash at the Packhouse. Anthony was all for us bunking together under one roof, but I couldn't bring myself to agree, not with Brandon in tow. Sebastien and I shared a silent understanding that bringing Brandon home was risky business, but we kept our concerns to ourselves, hoping it would all blow over smoothly. As we mulled over our options, Anthony and Luis took it upon themselves to settle into the living room for the night. I didn't mind; the couch was pretty cosy. As long as the suggestion came from them, it was easier to accept. To unwind, we opted for some video games to pass the time until dinner was ready. We were well aware that dinner would be a tad delayed; the prep hadn't kicked off early enough. Plus, I wanted Winter to have ample time to recuperate. She'd been through a lot, and even though she tr
~Noah~ Brandon entered the living room a few moments later, just as Ethan excused himself to his room in search of his phone. I was pleased to see that both Anthony and Luis welcomed Brandon warmly as if the earlier tension had never occurred. It was a reassuring sign that they had fully accepted him into our circle, setting aside any previous misunderstandings or conflicts. "Want to join in?" Luis offered to extend the controller to Brandon. Brandon hesitated for a moment, a flicker of nervousness betraying his otherwise relaxed demeanour. "Lilly?" Sebastien inquired, prompting Brandon's response. "She's sleeping," Brandon replied, a hint of weariness evident in his voice, suggesting they might have had a busy day. It was unmistakable that he carried the scent of her on him. Finally, Brandon spoke up, his tone serious. "Could I have a word with you?" he requested, and I sensed the gravity of his request. "Of course," I replied, and we all set aside our controllers, pausing the ga
~Noah~ As dinner was finally served, albeit later than expected, Lilly, Winter, Summer, and Ethan joined us at the table. I couldn't help but notice the calm and rested demeanor of Winter, Summer, and Lilly. It was evident that each of them had reached some form of resolution on a personal level. I couldn't help but wonder about Winter's thoughts and plans. Was I part of her strategy moving forward? As we gathered around the table to enjoy the meal and each other's company, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation, curious to see how the events would unfold in the coming days. "So, what's on the agenda for tomorrow?" I inquired of Winter as she served herself some food. Her gaze met mine, her icy blue eyes sparkling with a newfound brightness that betrayed a sense of contentment and joy. I couldn't help but marvel at the transformation in her mood—it was as if she had undergone a complete turnaround. Winter exchanged a glance with Summer, a smile gracing her lips, and I couldn'
~Leo~ As we lingered in Greenville, I could sense Theodore's tension, thickening the air around us like a storm brewing on the horizon. His desperation for us to start our journey to Mountain was palpable, yet he remained steadfast, patiently waiting for us to depart. Despite our efforts to delay, Theodore remained resolute. Amelia and I found ourselves in a hushed conversation, seeking solace in the confines of our room before setting out. She voiced her concerns about Theodore's potential involvement, fearing he might act impulsively and come to regret his decisions later. "We can't let him join us. Theodore might do something he'd regret," Amelia confided in me, her voice tinged with worry. I agreed, understanding her apprehension yet feeling conflicted. "I can't say no, either. You know how Theo and Linda will get. Besides, this is their daughter in question," I reasoned, knowing the delicate balance we needed to maintain within the family dynamics. Amelia pointed out the ob
~Lilly~ The moment Noah linked me, telling me it was time, my heart began to pound in my chest. I knew it would come to this eventually, and there was a possibility my folks might be unreasonable about it. Regardless, I braced myself for the worst of it. I knew what I wanted, and I wouldn't look back. Knowing that what Lesley had with Brandon was contractual put me at ease. The fact that he did not have her mark meant he was telling the truth. I had all the evidence I needed to know I wasn't making a mistake. Regardless of the press and the people, I would choose him. Dressing up, I looked at Brandon sitting on the couch in the room. I could see he was nervous. I wouldn't blame him. Everything was against him, but he needed to understand that I wasn't, and he would always have me. I approached him and crouched down, positioning myself at eye level to ensure he could meet my gaze as we conversed. "I understand that you've been carrying this burden alone," I empathised, noticing th
~Brandon~ I was afraid. I tried to mask it, but fear had engulfed me. What if they take Lilly from me? What if the time we spent in the room was the last time we would spend together? Lord Orlov could order his daughter to follow him home. They could threaten and scare her. They could ask her to choose. I wasn't worth shit, and I came with a lot of baggage. The thought that swam in my mind did not help matters, but I held on to what Lilly told me. She said I should trust her, and that was all I had now: her words, and I planned to hold on to them with all my heart. Arriving at the Lord's house, I was surprised to see the small bungalow. It was old and beautiful, but it was well-kept. The only thing that gave the age of the building away was the design. People didn't build things like this anymore. Other than the design, it looked new and simple, but the house was impressive. I wouldn't mind sharing something like this with Lilly, that is, if she would like it. I plan to only d
~Brandon~ The tension in the room was high, and since Lord Orlov did not interrupt me, I continued to speak. "It may seem impossible to you, but Winter wasn't the only person to whom the goddess smiled. She smiled at me, too, leading me to meet Lillian. She is my second chance," I confessed, and they all gasped. Lady Linda looked at Lillian in shock, and Lillian nodded. "He is telling the truth. We are fated," She said, and Lord Theodore did not know what to say. There was a silence in the living room, and then Lord Theodore spoke. "Why didn't you reject her? If you love her and are a good person, you won't put her through what she is going through right now. People are calling her a home wrecker. How can you have that on your conscience?" he asked me, and his words stung. "Maybe I am not a good person," I responded, and he growled at me. Rejecting Lilly wasn't an option, and he needed to know it. "I won't have accepted it, father. So don't even bother asking him that," Lillian
I want to start by saying I'm truly sorry for the short chapters. It seems there are now "ideal word count limits" to adhere to. I deeply regret the prolonged silence, but I've been grappling with severe health issues lately, and I'm still in the throes of recovery. I couldn't bear to leave this book neglected for too long, so I pushed through to the end so you all could move on. I do hope to return with a new story soon, and hope you will all be there, but for now, I must concede and focus on recuperating. The silence weighs heavy on me, and I truly hope you enjoyed the story and its conclusion. This marks the final instalment in the DSOF series. Perhaps one day, I'll pen Eleanor's tale, but I'm hesitant to make any promises I may not be able to fulfil. Please bear with me, dear readers and co-writers, and know that I cherish each and every one of you dearly. I will miss you all immensely. I love you all.❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🤗🤗
~Winter~ A year passed, and all the struggles were a distant memory. Now, we were hosting the gathering in the East, and Summer, Chelsea and I had gone over time. Chelsea was a new mother now. She and Ethan had wasted no time. They claimed each other and got married the next month. Normally, we all thought they would wait, but two months later, she was pregnant, and a lovely girl named Evangeline was the product. Evangeline was a beautiful blonde baby, and we all loved her. We were new moms ourselves, and Summer and I couldn't carry Evangeline as much as we would like. I had twins, and they were adorable. Both of them looked like Stepanovs, and I wondered if my genes ever stood a chance. My daughter's name was Michelle, and My son's name was Frederick. They were adorable, and I loved them so much. Summer had a son, and she and Sebastien named Him Leonardo after Sebasteins's father. He was cute and looked a lot like his grandfather, but he had green eyes like Summer. She w
Ethan I was nervous about seeing Chelsea. Although we said it wouldn't matter if we weren't fated, I didn't know why I was suddenly nervous. I had never cared for anyone the way I cared for her, and I knew it was the same for her. So I wondered why I was unwilling to see her tonight. Her eighteenth birthday was in a few hours, and I had promised to be the first person to see her, but my heart was beating fast. I had stayed away from the house all evening, avoiding her. She said she would spend the time with me, and Noah had confirmed that she was in our home. Though not showing, we found out after the wedding that Summer and Winter were pregnant, and they were very peckish, so Chelsea always brought them snacks. Although Summer and Winter had planned a party for her, it wasn't going to take place until the evening of her birthday. It had been torture waiting these months, and now it was finally time for me to make her mine. I never planned to be with anyone except for her, so
~Gemma~ It had finally come to this, and after the crowd and everyone had left, Lucas and I drove home from the estate. Although our wedding took place at the estate, I was now at Rivers, and my man was taking me home. How could I have tried to make it difficult for him? He was genuinely in love with me. Our union was embraced by both families, and Katalina was a thing of the past. The fact that nothing had ever transpired between her and Lucas made me relax. I didn't feel guilty one bit. Lucas had had some girlfriends, but he was mine now. He pulled me to his body in the back seat of the limo that was taking us home. Lucas crashed his lips on mine, drinking me in. Our wolves had claimed each other in the eyes of all and the moon. He was mine through and through. The moment the bond formed, I knew I had found my forever love. I kissed him. Every fibre of my being was burning with desire. I wanted him. My body craved him. He had made love to me severally since we returne
~Winter~ The day of the blue moon had finally arrived, and I was consumed with nerves like never before. I'd been down this road once, and it hadn't ended well. As I veiled my face, my eyes met Summer's, resplendent in her wedding attire. Her touch on my hand offered reassurance. "It won't be like last time, Winter. This is real," she whispered, her words calming my racing heart. I nodded, believing this time would be different. Noah's love was steadfast. Lady Amelia entered the tent, her eyes alight with happiness. In her hands were two ornate jewellery boxes, undoubtedly meant for us. "You both look stunning tonight," she beamed, her words touching my soul. Lady Amelia loved us as a mother would her child; she cherished us as much as her own sons, a rare bond that set her apart. Approaching me, she unveiled the contents of the box meant for my adornment. A breathtaking gold necklace adorned with sapphire stones and dazzling diamonds lay nestled within. It was a masterpiece. "I
~Noah~ Three weeks passed, and the dust finally settled when the fugitives were apprehended by an angry mob of people eager to prove to their monarch that they were sorry for allowing themselves to be used and deceived into hindering progress. They had killed Kane and Ramos, leaving Gavin and Moses. I could bet that the only reason why they left Gavin and Moses, judging by the state they were in when they brought them, was because they wanted to deliver them to the authorities. They were battered, and silver was clamped on their wrist. I wished I had witnessed the mog action. Some parts of it were in the news. With the way the people surrounded them. They had no choice. It was a battle lost before it started. They had sprayed them silver dust to incapacitate them and then beat Kane and Ramos to death while they chained Gavin and Moses for judgment. I guess the King's words, coupled with my father's words and show of disappointment, got to them. Indeed, they had unknowingly helped
~Anthony~ My wolf was urging me to bridge the gap and assert our claim, but I remained dumbfounded. Frankly, I never imagined it would happen, especially not with Aspen. Here I was, enamoured with Chelsea, even competing with Ethan for her attention, when all along, it was Aspen who held my heart. Was Aspen the catalyst for my feelings for Chelsea? I realised I often encountered her before seeing Chelsea, yet I was too preoccupied with Chelsea to consider Aspen. I remember my first time at the orphanage; she was the one at the door greeting us, and she was particularly nice to me. On the second occasion, I went there, I ended up spending time with her. She opened up to me, telling me what she wouldn't dare tell anyone. The bond had been rearing its head, and I was too stubborn to realise it. She was the one who came to celebrate the victory with me when I was feeling lonely. It was her all along. Fate threw me her way severally and put her in my face, but my desires did not allo
~Anthony~ I waited for Aspen to pack her belongings in the evening so we could leave. I was going to leave the next day, as I had told Ethan, but my father had urged me to leave immediately. Everyone had gone back home, so waiting was pointless. Luis was around, though, and he planned to leave the next day. I was the only one still in Mountain, so I could understand when my parents asked me to go home. I escorted Aspen to her father's house so she could pack her belongings, and I went there with warriors just in case the man was being funny. I knew this was the right thing for her. If she stayed there any longer, she would end up dead. One day, he would take it too far and leave the silver on her a little too long for her body to recover. I had no obligations towards her, but I could not ignore her cry for help. Kirill was outside, and he looked at me, angry and powerless. He knew it was over. I was a lord so there was nothing he could do but just stew in his anger. "You c
~Leo~ As we made our way there, Ethan and Sebastian, accompanied by Summer and another girl who seemed to share the same origins as Summer and Winter, clung to Ethan. The girl wore a t-shirt with the words "Victory: because Adulthood is overrated" printed on it. Seeing how the girl and Ethan clung to each other, I knew they were together. They walked to me quickly, and Summer let go of Sebastian and hugged Amelia tightly. "We missed you; we were worried and scared," She confessed, and Amelia rubbed her back lovingly as a mother would hug her child. "I heard you fought well, Luna," she teased Summer, and Summer broke the hug with tears in her eyes. She was overjoyed to see us. She hugged me, too, but she didn't say anything. I looked at Ethan, and he had a straight face, but I could tell he was hiding his emotions. Amelia pulled him to a hug. "I am so proud of you, son," She said, and he held on to her; his hands shook, and I could tell he had feared the worst. Breaking the hug,