Conrad POVWe get back into the limo after saying goodbye to everyone at the country club. And I mean everyone. I talked to potential business partners, social elites, waiters, the hostess, and even the doorman as I left. Cordelia lets out a dramatic sigh as soon as the limo door shuts. "Well, that was a disaster. I will have to do some major image control when we get back tomorrow". "I think it went great". She shot daggers at me for a second before realizing it was me. I can see her scrambling for something to say. Something to turn this back to her narrative. "This doesn't just reflect badly on me you know. They will talk about how you acting as well. You need me to protect yours and the crown image". "I have done fine until now without you and will continue to do so". "Oh please. Wolves talk. You are new to this level of status and this society. Their opinions can easily be swayed with the right influence. You need a Luna Queen like me to manage all of that". "If their opini
Conrad POVI'm slowly packing a suitcase for this overnight trip with Cordelia as I can't shake this sense of dread. I haven't felt this since I joined the military and was going to battle in a war zone. This time felt even worse because there was no briefing, no orders, and no plan. I just had to do what she had planned and the thought sickened me. I carried my suitcase down the stairs to see Cordelia at the bottom practically bouncing with excitement. "As this is going to be more of an intimate night, I should call you by your first name, handsome". She reaches out to grab the lapels of my suit jacket and pulls me close. I instantly push her hands off and growl. "No". "Well it is a good thing I have champagne in the limo so you can loosen up a bit. I have prepared everything so we will have an amazing time and you can see how good we are together". I roll my eyes and storm past her. She is practically skipping as we go out to the Limo. I don't hold the door open. I don't help
Liam POVI'm talking to Conrad this morning as we have to have a solid plan for the next 24 hours when he is away with Cordelia. Honestly, the thought of being trapped with that woman for 24 hours sounds like a grueling punishment. We also have to plan for these interrogations this morning. I'm doing my best to keep him on track but I can sense the dread in him. "I have Alpha Leroy first. Figured he would be easier. Then Donovan". He nods and we go to the room we have set up where Alpha Leroy is waiting.Conrad walks up to greet him and shakes his hand. "Alpha Leroy. I know you are just a stand-in for the ceremony purpose so I am going to make this quick. Your father was a major issue for me and I believe the council so he would have faced harsh consequences for what he set up. However, it is clear you had no part in this. Any evidence you have found to conspire against the crown has been handed over and you have shown remorse for your lack of knowledge". He lets out a breath that
Arthur POVI'm not surprised Lewana either found out or worked out about Mary and me. She's always been intuitive. I still felt guilty for it though. I'm Lewana's Beta. She always comes first. My life should be dedicated to her. But Mary gave me something I hadn't had in years. Personal connection. I think back to my mate and my life before her death. I liked her and she liked me but I don't know if I would call it love. More survival. We had grown up together as pups and we were both pure Beta's. As I was Blake's Beta it made sense for us to have the next generation. The Beta to support the Alpha heir. That way they could grow up together. When my mate and the Luna got pregnant at the same time it seemed to be the Moon Goddess blessing shining down on us. Until Blake took her to a clinic and found out he was having a girl. While he demanded termination we continued as whatever the pup was would be a valuable asset to the pack regardless of gender. It didn't matter as I lost them b
Lewana POVWe stand in the compound in this tense standoff unsure of what to do with this information with everyone still looking at me for a solution. I turn and look at Queen Ember. "What are you proposing"."We reform the alliance. We call on each other if we need aid and fight alongside each other against the shadows to make sure this Light continues to live". "Agreed". I turn in surprise to see Conrad agreeing so easily. I'm worried about this. More people putting themselves at risk for me. "Are you sure". "They had me at, keep you alive. You know nothing else matters to me". I just hold him tight. King Florian is next to agree. Followed by King River. Queen Ember smiles. "Then it is settled. We will all keep monitoring the shadows and agree to send aid to each other if there is an attack". Something clicks in my mind. "There have already been three attacks. One at my old home and two here on the territory. All within the last six weeks". Everyone stops and looks at me sh
Lewana POVMichelle and I had barely made it upstairs when we felt the house shake. I grabbed Michelle and pushed her towards the doorway, thinking it was an earthquake. That was until we heard the screaming from the compound and the urgent mind-link. "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK".I tell Michelle to get to the safe room in the building and race outside to defend my pack. The heat hits me first. In the middle of the compound, there is a man in only black pants, powerful and covered in flames. A Phoenix. I have never come across a Phoenix before and this fucker landed in my pack's territory with such force he left a crater. He was terrorizing the pack members and damaging our land. The smell of fear was overwhelming. Pack members ran for cover from the flames that were shooting across the compound like a flame thrower. He smiled while he did it. I watched him and it was strange as he wasn't setting anything on fire. He was just enjoying the screams of terror. Soldiers had formed a ring