Chapter: Chapter 76Riley's POV One week later.I stood beside Norman on a raised platform, the soft, rich fabric of my gown rustling around my ankles. It was a beautiful gown, made of the finest white silk, woven with silver threads that glittered in the sunlight filtering through the grand hall’s stained-glass windows. On my head, a delicate circlet rested, not heavy with jewels, but elegant and symbolizing my new role.Today, Norman was being crowned King of the whole kingdom, and I, his mate, was being presented as his Queen and Luna. My heart beat a steady rhythm against my ribs, a mixture of nerves, pride, and an overwhelming sense of wonder. Just a few months ago, I was a runt, a troubled past. Now, I stood before thousands, about to be declared Queen. It felt like a dream.The grand hall was packed, a sea of faces stretching back as far as I could see. The air buzzed with excitement, with the low rumble of happy chatter, and the anticipation of the ceremony. HornSide warriors and pack members wh
Last Updated: 2025-07-24
Chapter: Chapter 75Riley's POV For a moment, he just stared at me, his eyes wide, unblinking. His jaw dropped slightly. The pain, the remorse, the exhaustion, all seemed to vanish, replaced by pure, utter shock. “Parents?” he whispered, the word barely a breath.I nodded, tears streaming down my face, a shaky smile blooming. “Pups. More than one, he thinks. He said it’s early, but…”“Pups?!” he roared, a genuine, joyful roar this time. He pushed himself up, ignoring his bandages, ignoring the pain, his arms reaching for me. “Riley! Pups! We’re having pups!”He pulled me into a fierce, surprisingly gentle embrace, despite his wounds. I nestled against his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart, the warmth of his skin. The scent of him, filled my senses, comforting and familiar. This was where I belonged. This was what I had almost lost.He pulled back slightly, his hands cupping my face, his eyes shining with unshed tears of happiness. “A celebration!” he declared, his voice booming, filled with an
Last Updated: 2025-07-23
Chapter: Chapter 74Riley's POV Hours passed, or maybe it was only minutes; I lost track. Damon was eventually stabilized, taken to a separate, more secure room. The doctor had been grim but said he would live, if barely. Eventually, the medical room emptied, leaving me alone with the quiet hum of equipment and the lingering scent of blood. The initial shock began to wear off, replaced by a deep, aching despair. I had to talk to Norman. I had to. This couldn't be how things ended. Not after everything. Not when I had such important news.I found him in a smaller, quieter recovery room. He was propped up on his bed, looking pale and drawn, his chest heavily bandaged. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. He looked exhausted, perhaps even more exhausted than he had looked when he was bedridden. I stood at the doorway for a long time, my heart pounding, gathering my courage. What do you say to a man who just stabbed his brother because he thought you betrayed him? How do you even begin?I took a d
Last Updated: 2025-07-22
Chapter: Chapter 73Riley's POV The air still smelled faintly of smoke and blood, a grim reminder of the chaos that had swept through HornSide. A day had passed already, a long, agonizing day filled with hushed reports and the distant sounds of clean-up. The outlanders, by some miracle, had been pushed back, defeated. Our warriors, though battered and grieving, had held the line. HornSide was safe, for now. But the cost had been heavy.My own body ached with a deep, weary exhaustion, but it was nothing compared to the knot of dread that had tightened in my stomach ever since I’d seen Norman fall.Now, I stood beside Norman’s bed in the medical wing, a cramped, sterile room that smelled of antiseptic and lingering fear. The light was dim, softened by the heavy curtains drawn across the window. My gaze was fixed on his still, pale face. The slow, shallow rise and fall of his chest was the only assurance tha he was alive. That was all that mattered.Dr. Walker, with his tired eyes and steady hands, leaned
Last Updated: 2025-07-21
Chapter: Chapter 72Norman's POVThe BANG that tore through the air was not a sound of celebration, nor a training drill gone wrong. It was the raw, brutal roar of war. My mind, still reeling from the devastating scene with Riley, snapped into immediate, terrifying clarity. I spun back towards Riley, who stood frozen in the training field, eyes wide. Her face was pale, streaked with tears, a mix of heartbreak and dawning terror. For a split second, my eyes locked with hers, and I saw the vulnerability there, the shock. My wolf gave a sharp, urgent whine. Despite the burning betrayal that still gnawed at me, despite the picture seared into my brain, the urge to keep her safe, to shield her from harm, was overwhelming. She was my mate. No matter what had happened, that bond, that instinct, was ingrained.“Riley! To cover! Now!” I roared, my voice cutting through the rising clamor, sharp and commanding. I didn’t waste time with words of comfort, couldn’t bring myself to. My hand, still trembling from the f
Last Updated: 2025-07-19
Chapter: Chapter 71Norman's POVThe drive to HornSide was a grinding nightmare. Every mile felt like a hundred, every turn in the road a cruel delay.The few warriors in the truck were sensible enough not to engage in any conversation that might get me irritated. Their ability to keep shut is a clear evidence they knew something was boiling inside of me.The image was seared into my mind. Her face, tilted up. His lips, pressed to hers. The soft light of dusk. It looked… intimate. Consensual. It was a betrayal that ripped through me, tearing apart everything I thought I knew, everything I believed we had. The urge to hit something, to smash my fist through a wall, through anything, was a constant, vibrating tremor in my hands. When the truck finally pulled up outside the HornSide pack house, I barely registered the sounds. The greetings from HornSide warriors, the excited murmurs from my own troops, all faded into a dull roar. My vision was tunneled. My focus was singular. I stepped out, my boots hittin
Last Updated: 2025-07-18
Chapter: Chapter 170Gwen's POV“Rickard Gilbert. You have been found guilty of all of the charges against you. You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor” The judge gave his final verdict.I sighed with relief as I realized that all of my problems were gradually coming to an end.A month has passed since the incident. During the struggle between Andrew and Rickard at the warehouse, a trigger was pulled and a bullet went through Rickard's left leg.The case didn't hold immediately because Rickard needed to recover before he could face the court.Jake and Dr. James both testified against Rickard, and Fred presented the court with evidence indicating Rickard pulled the trigger on Brody.Elena's statement also helped with the case but unfortunately, she slipped into a coma.She was closely monitored by the police. As soon as she regains her consciousness, she will also pay for her crimes.Hopefully, she receives a lighter sentence because she was the only reason my sons were healthy and wi
Last Updated: 2024-07-30
Chapter: Chapter 169Gwen's POVNanny Rose's memorial service was held in her hometown, and Granny and I attended to pay our final respects.We boarded the next flight to Oklahoma and returned home later that evening. The house felt incredibly empty without the children and Nanny Rose.It seemed like I was in a completely different place. I walked to the sofa and shut my eyes tightly.It has been quite an awful month for me and I don't think I will recover any time soon.As soon as I picked up my phone, I received a call from Andrew asking me to come to the hospital. My heart skipped a beat because I knew the hospital spelled bad news.Granny insisted on tagging along but I didn't let her. She has also been through a lot, which has had a negative impact on her health.I tried reaching Ricky to drive me there but he wasn't picking so I decided on taking a cab there.******“What's wrong Andrew?” I asked as soon as I saw him in the waiting room.There were numerous police officers patrolling around the area
Last Updated: 2024-07-30
Chapter: Chapter 168Rickard's POVI stormed into the room where I had kept the children captive. Their instant sobs and screams became a nuisance to my ears.“Would you both shut up for fuck sake?” I yelled, throwing a wooden chair across the room, and the kids shook with fear.I made the room comfortable for them, I mean, I still remain their favorite uncle right?"I want to go to my mummy," Ethan stated, rubbing his cheeks with both hands.“Shut up you little brat, mummy is not coming” I yelled, slamming my hand against the wall vigorously.Elena rushed into the room as Ethan's sobbing became louder."Oh, poor child, do not cry," she said, stepping closer to Ethan. She sat on the room's bed and cradled Ethan in her arms.“You really don't have to scare them like this Rickard. They are our key to a good life” Elena said, staring at me intently.I scoffed audibly.“Since when did you start to care about the children and their well being?” I asked sarcastically."I am not a monster, Ricky, I have always h
Last Updated: 2024-07-30
Chapter: Chapter 167Gwen's POV I watched how Andrew's face turned pale. I had no doubt that Rickard was on the other end of the phone. Andrew lowered the phone from his ear and stared at me without saying anything. “What happened?” “He threatened to harm the children, but I won't let him Gwen, I promise” Andrew said, taking my hands into his. "I know you won't," I replied, smiling lightly at him. He was the only person I fully trusted to bring my kids back. He was their father, he had the money and influence and I knew he was willing to give Rickard all his properties. He loved the boys that much. “Let me drive you home Gwen” Andrew offered. “I came with Ricky, it's only right I go back with him” I declined politely. “Alright Gwen, I will meet you at the house” Andrew said, softly planting a kiss on my cheeks. I got into the car with Ricky and he drove me home. On the way to the house, I could not stop thinking about how Rickard learned about our plan to ambush him. It only meant one thing, so
Last Updated: 2024-07-29
Chapter: Chapter 166Andrew's POVI impatiently stared at the footage that captured how Rickard bulged into the house and came out with my children.“How could you be careless? You were assigned to look after my children," I yelled angrily, slamming my hands against the table.My phone began buzzing just as the chief of police was about to speak. It was an unknown number. I had an immediate suspicion that it was Rickard calling.I picked my phone and placed the call on loud speaker. The chief of police quickly asked his assistant to connect my mobile phone to the cellular location system in order to track down Rickard's exact location.“Hello big bro” Rickard said over the phone.“You scoundrel, where are you? Where are my children” I yelled vehemently over the phone.“Oh big bro, why are you being aggressive? The kids are having a little fun time with their favorite uncle” Rickard said sarcastically over the phone.My anger surged, and I could feel my blood crackling. If I ever get my hands on Rickard, I
Last Updated: 2024-07-29
Chapter: Chapter 165Gwen's POV“No! No! No!” I continuously kept on saying. With every word I said, I took a step back.I almost lost my balance if not because of Ricky who supported me from behind.Nanny Rose lay on the floor in her own pool of blood, and the room's window was wide open.Ethan and Evan were not in their beds, and I could feel my heart breaking into little pieces. I released myself from Ricky's grip and ran towards the window.“Ethan! Evan!” I yelled at the top of my voice.Granny rushed into the room and was taken aback as soon as she saw the scene. She quickly took out her phone and dialed the ambulance.Ricky dashed out of the room to inform the cops about the kidnapping.I was left in shock and I kept on calling out to my boys, magically hoping that they would appear in front of me.I sat on the floor and burst into tears. My children were my weakness and if anything should happen to them, I don't think I would ever move on.I wished I had put them to bed myself, then maybe all this
Last Updated: 2024-07-29