[Arissa's POV]
I woke with a start to find myself in an all-too familiar bed and room. It was my childhood room, and again I was reliving the day that my life went to hell.
Standing, I watched the door, waiting for Annemarie, my nanny, to come bursting in to wake me. Just like clockwork, she showed, her face in a fluster.
"Arissa," she beamed realizing I was awake. "Today is the day!"
I felt my heart tug at her excitement because I already knew what was to come. We would head to the ceremony for coming of age wolves only t
[Arissa’s POV] I watched the boy as he made his way towards me. It seemed that I was going to end up dying here, but then suddenly I heard an odd voice. "Get up," it muttered urgently. "Get up and fight!" Confused, I jumped up just as the boy lunged at me. Moving out of the way, I whirled and jumped on him as he slammed into the ground. Reaching around, I wrapped my arm around his throat and began to squeeze as hard as I could. This would be the first time I ever killed someone, and there would be many more after him. Three years of this: fighting, killing, growing stronger and harder. Then I would be brought back to the pack and find that my father had died and my mother had remarried. Her new husband would mark me as an omega and I would be sent to live in their quarters until I turned 18. I would ultimately stay there until a few nights before the blood moon. After being dosed with wolfsbane in my meal, I would be taken to the breeding house, where I would inadvertently cause my
[Arissa's POV] I made my way across the grounds of Ivan's estate, not bothering to look behind me. If he wanted to follow, he could, but I wasn't going to wait. Just ahead was a line of trees and dark woods. It seemed that one thing he and my father had in common was the need to remain secluded and hidden. In a way, I guess I couldn't blame them given we needed to remain unknown to the humans and hidden from hunters. Not that it helped, given the attack two months prior. Stopping, I let a shiver rush through me as images o
[Ivan’s POV]A burst of roars broke from the hunters as they all began to shoot. However, Arissa was quicker than their arrows, easily dodging, causing them to begin shooting at one another.I had to admit that I was pretty impressed with her. She was handling it on her own like it was nothing. Not even my seasoned fighters were as agile."GET HER!" One of the hunters bellowed as they grew wise to what she was doing.Dropping their weapons, they lunged forward in an attempt to grab her, but she jumped up and landed on one of their backs, causing him to fall. Then she grabbed
[Ivan's POV]I didn't know what to say as Arissa's words hit me. In a way, she was right, but hearing that from someone so young was a little unnerving."Anyway," she continued, "I appreciate you helping me escape that hell, uncle. But I don't want to live with you."Turning, she began to make her way deeper into the forest as I tried to get myself together."What have I told you about using that word?" I growled, moving forward and grabbing her.I lifted her, heaving her over my shoulder, and
[Ivan's POV]I kept my gaze firmly fixed on the man that was making his way towards me.He was right; it had been a long time since the last time we spoke or saw each other. If it was left up to me, I would hope to never have to see him again."Why are you here?" I asked coldly. "I don't remember welcoming you.""Now, now," he pouted, closing the distance between us and hugging me to himself.Tensing, I tried to control the urge to punch him for even touching me.
[Arissa's POV]The next few days went by in a blur of being trapped in a room and kept on twenty-four hour surveillance. It was clear that Ivan expected me to attempt another escape, and he was taking precautions.It wasn't all bad since I had cute maids to flirt around with, but by the third day, I had grown bored and wanted a change of scenery.After waking up early and showering, I decided to attempt venturing out. I was surprised to find that my usual guards were gone and I could actually leave. However, I stayed on alert since I wouldn't put it past that bastard Ivan to trick me.
[Arissa’s POV]I continued to laugh as I watched the woman disappear back into the estate. It was only when she was completely gone that I remembered that Ivan was still here.Cursing, I pulled myself together and plastered a fake smile on my face. Turning, I fixed my gaze on his amused one."Well, now that she is gone, I should get going." I announced, attempting to move.Ivan held strong, keeping me in place as a smile spread across his lips. Shit, he wasn’t going to let me off for this, and I immediately regretted taunting that woman.
[Ivan’s POV]I had to hold back the bark of laughter that wanted to escape at how quickly Arissa retreated from my hold. It was clear she still didn’t trust me, and I found her being flustered funny."I don’t give a damn if you’re jealous." She hissed, shivering. "AND STAY FIVE FEET AWAY AT ALL TIMES!""Are you going to continue to flirt with others?" I asked, threatening to take a step forward.Instead of responding, she narrowed her gaze and pursed her lips. Was it really that hard of a decision for her?