~Anthony~ Everything had gone to shit in a blink of an eye, and none of us were the wiser. The moment that footage was on the screen in the council hall, I knew something was up. Sitting down and waiting around wasn't going to cut it, but we had hit a dead end with Kelcy, and right now, only a miracle could help us. One thing was certain: I was sure that Mosess was shady, but with the eastern alphas against my cousins, it would be hard for us to investigate properly. Regardless of the situation, we hoped we would prevail. "You seem restless," Luis asked me, and I turned to look at him. Noah and Sebastien were going through documents and making calls. It was a lot of work: searching for their folks and trying to find the culprits simultaneously. I had ordered warriors from Greenville to start coming to the East, I was also hopeful that some Alphas would lend a hand, but it seemed no one wanted to be near this out of fear of being implicated. As things were we might not have the
~Anthony~ The medical team sprang into action swiftly, and I silently thanked my lucky stars for Luis and Noah's insistence on visiting the Zherdevs. Without their promptness, Aspen might not have survived. As I pondered the situation, it dawned on me what kind of life Aspen must have been enduring in that household. Her earlier demeanour towards me, her urgency to leave the East, suddenly made sense. I couldn't help but feel utterly disappointed in myself for not helping out. Though Luis opted to depart, I resolved to stay a while longer, awaiting Aspen's recovery. It wasn't until two hours later, following her treatment, that she finally regained consciousness. Tears welled in her eyes as she beheld me, though she managed to sit up. The sorrow evident in her gaze pierced me deeply, extinguishing any remnants of brightness. "I specifically told you not to disclose anything, Alpha, but you did," she accused, her voice tinged with betrayal. "What do you mean?" I inquired, puzzl
~Anthony~ As I stepped into the alpha's office building, I was taken aback to find everyone already present. How had they all gathered on such short notice? Then it dawned on me—I had spent quite some time at the hospital. "Done playing the hero?" Ethan's snide remark cut through the air, but I chose to ignore it, knowing it was likely a dig about our agreement regarding Chelsea. "Where's Li?" I inquired, directing my gaze at Noah. Exhaustion was evident in Noah's eyes, and Sebastian didn't look much better. It then occurred to me that Ethan was also struggling to keep it together. "Liam, Adrian, Justin, and Jacob went to the packhouse. They should be back soon," Miles informed me, and Noah shook his head. "They won't be returning. We're heading there now. We need to confer and devise a plan," Noah declared, closing the file on his desk and rising to his feet. We returned to the pack house, and instead of going to our rooms, we headed to the lounge. There was no point in going t
~Sylvester~ The night was so hectic that I didn't sleep until the early hours of the mourning. The scouts I sent weren't successful. They hadn't even gotten anything that would give us hope, and my heart was heavy. I was worried and scared. Alexei and Clay had joined the scouts. They didn't want to think or strategise. They just wanted to search for Amelia and Leo. It was a mess. Even Tamia was overworking herself, and it all seemed as if we weren't doing enough. My biggest concern was Leo's children. Although our children were with them, I still knew it wasn't enough. I didn't know who or what we were up against. Throughout this entire ordeal, we had been playing right into the hands of our adversaries. I dreaded the possibility that we were still playing into their expectations, further entangling ourselves in their scheme. I struggled to comprehend why anyone would go to such lengths to overthrow the Alberts—it simply didn't add up. It appeared to be either a longstanding feud
~Sylvester~ Theo, Marcel, Dominic and David joined us in the hall, and we organised ourselves, waiting for the invited parties to attend. "We are all set," Marcel told me, letting me know we were set to leave. I knew I had to temporarily hand over power pending our return, so I chose to hand it over to Dominic. Vino was too emotional and could be irrational sometimes. Dominic would balance them out. David would have been the best candidate, but I knew my older brother wouldn't sit idly by while we were out there trying to find Leo and Amelia. I knew once we found them, we'd find Andrew and Kevin, too. I just had that feeling. Before long, all the invited guests had arrived. Stepping up to the podium, I prepared to deliver a concise speech to avoid further delays. My brothers and cousins flanked me while our wives positioned themselves at the rear of the platform. The event was being broadcast live, and the rioters had subdued, eagerly anticipating our address. "Good day, citize
~Noah~ It had finally happened. I knew we should brace ourselves for attack the moment the King said he would order our arrest. Although I knew there would be no effort on the part of the royal family, I knew the perpetrators and the stupid eastern alphas would seize the opportunity to move against us. Starting a riot everywhere was a wise move by the enemy; it meant reinforcement wouldn't be coming, and we would have to rely on what we had in the East. The curfew would tie down the military in all regions because they will need the manpower to ensure it is enforced. Although we all knew that was what the enemy wanted, it was something that could not be avoided. We all convened in the Alpha's office, ready to plan and prepare for an attack because it was inevitable. Sebastien, Ethan and I needed our father's guidance in this crucial moment, but it seemed we had to rely on each other. I was grateful for how our cousins rallied around us. I was grateful that we weren't alone
~Noah~ As things were between us, I knew Winter wasn't bluffing and even if I said hurtful things to push her way, she'd know. She was too smart to be fooled by such a tactic. I knew I had to respect her wishes. Pulling her to my body, I kissed her passionately, drinking her in, hoping to take away the nightmare that had become our reality. She hopped on me, and I carried her, supporting her weight. The little bed in the room would have to suffice. Our wolves needed to be assured, and so did we, too. I peeled her clothes off her and delved in. I had never wanted to get her pregnant as I did at this moment. As I pumped into my mate, I prayed that the goddess would grant me this wish even if it would be my last. Soon, Winter and I returned to the office, and I was surprised to see Brandon, Lilly and Eleanor. Lillian had Brandon's mark now. Unlike us, they weren't wasting time. But Brandon was always hasty when it came to laying claim. I was happy for my cousin. "Hey, Noah,"
~Noah~ While strategising for a potential battle, Chelsea and Aspen surprised us with snacks. Muffins and orange juice were laid out before us, and I recognised Aspen's baking handiwork. It was a relief to see her well, yet I felt a pang of shame for not checking on her sooner. Despite the chaos, we should have ensured her recovery, especially since her injury stemmed from our actions. If only we hadn't discussed her situation with our father, she might have been spared trouble. Nonetheless, I was grateful she was safe. I couldn't help but notice Aspen wearing a shirt that likely belonged to Chelsea, emblazoned with the words, "Don't look at me; I don't want to be here." Meanwhile, Chelsea sported a shirt declaring, "Sarcasm is my love language." As I observed Aspen's presence, I wondered about the circumstances that led her here. Luis had provided some details, but Anthony remained tight-lipped afterwards. "How are you feeling, Aspen," Winter said, and the girl smiled and n
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,