Alpha Prince Kyle’s POV~~Last night was intense, which is perfect for explaining why I didn’t get a wink of sleep and why my heart kept racing all through the night.While the mate bond remained a constant issue, my primary concern at the moment was how my actions and words had affected my family. Though I was overwhelmed by my emotions last night, I took the time to reflect and realized that I had overreacted and acted impulsively.The Kyle that shouted at his Ma last night wasn’t me.The Kyle that made his baby sister cry wasn’t me either, and the mean-ass elder brother who condemned his younger brother was not me. Even Katie. Gosh, I hurt Katie too. My twin sister was close to tears last night, and she was no crybaby.Guilt and regret flooded my mind, body, and soul as I lay on my bed, intending to stay there until all arrangements had been made for me to leave the realm. I couldn’t bring myself to face my family or even apologize.“You don’t want to apologize because even thou
Princess Katie Anne~~“He can’t leave.”Davien exclaimed the second he understood the message I was trying to pass as we both got ready for breakfast after Elora left our room that morning.Although Davien and I had agreed to talk about our personal issues after eating with my family, I thought it was best to tell him about what was happening because I perceived the air in the dining hall would be thick with tension.Or should I say Davien forced it out of me when he noticed that I was still brooding, even after he assured me countless times that I had nothing to worry about when it came to us?So I told him about the argument and the effect it had on everyone last night, and that was his reaction.My mate’s eyes widened, and he shook his head. “This isn’t the time for him to leave, Katie.”I was quick to recognize the fear and doubt in Davien’s eyes, and even though I didn’t expect him to react like that because his relationship with Kyle was still as fragile as our mate bond, I co
DAVIEN~~Despite not witnessing or being a part of the argument that Katie told me about before we came down for breakfast, the tension in the dining hall as we ate in silence was enough to make me understand just how delicate this situation was.For me, I might never understand Kyle fully, but I knew I wouldn’t want to be with Katie if it wasn’t right and if I would be depriving her of a life she should experience. Camila was a very young girl, and if we were in the human world, Kyle would be tagged as a criminal if he dared to let anyone know that he was attracted to Camila.Even in our world, where bonds and ties were more intense, it still seemed very wrong, and my heart went out to Kyle because he was a good young man. He didn’t deserve to be hurting like I knew he was.“Being a possessive Alpha male makes it ten times more intense,” Dolf said, lamenting Kyle's situation as well.The Royal Beta chimed in before Dolf and I could get lost in our thoughts, “This is weird, guys. I
Princess Katie Anne~~This could end badly.If I said one wrong word, I would turn my family against Davien. Although it wouldn’t last longer than a minute as my mom would be able to tell that Davien was on our side, I still feared putting my mate in that position.But this has to happen.“I know you don’t want me to leave, Katie, and I am sorry about the pain I am causing, but this isn’t acceptable.” Kyle sighed, despite the deep frown etched on his face. “You can’t talk about a dangerous topic just to keep me here—”“If you are accusing me of lying, say that. Don’t beat around the bush, Kyle.” I countered, rolling my eyes at my twin brother before I looked at my anxious mate. I took Davien’s hand and breathed, “I meant it when I said a war is brewing. This isn’t the time for us to be divided. We need to stand strong together.”As I uttered those words, my eyes shifted around the table. The adults had the level of curiosity that I needed, but the kids seemed scared. To avoid traum
ALPHA PRINCE KYLE’S POV~~A giant cat got my tongue twisted.All eyes turned to Auntie Susanna, but yet I couldn’t breathe. Everyone had been looking at me since breakfast started; the one time their attention shifted, I still couldn’t exhale with relief.Instead, I stood frozen, my eyes struggling to focus as my heart raced.“She doesn't look angry, Kyle,” Rio muttered into my head, encouraging me to look at Auntie Susanna.Truly, she had a small smile on her face. However, Beta Andrew had the opposite of a smile. His face was hard and pale. His eyes shifted between his mate and me. The second our eyes locked, he murmured, “Are you serious?”Auntie Susanna nodded and uttered, “He will be her mate, Andrew. I saw it the day Camila came home crying about how Kyle has been withdrawing since his birthday. I suspected he had perceived her as his mate, so I read Camila’s memory, going into her future while she was asleep—”“But she is only twelve. How is that possible?” Beta Andrew gaspe
Princess Katie Anne~~“Rejecting Camila is the best solution.”Auntie Susanna’s words echoed around us all, and my heart clenched painfully for Kyle and Camila.Her statement brought about questions, one being, “How is that the best solution?”Although I was too dazed to spark or ask questions, my mom wasn’t. She kept a straight face as she asked, “What do you mean, Suzy? We are looking for ways to prevent the kids from hurting. The pain of rejection is ten times worse than the pain of separation, Suzy.”Right? How on earth does rejection make sense?Even Uncle Andrew muttered, “That’s too extreme, Susanna. Camila’s wolf spirit could get hurt, and that would affect her. She might never get a wolf or shift if Kyle rejects her, and Kyle’s energy would also depreciate, which means he would become less worthy to become the next ruler.”We all looked back at Auntie Susanna, but as her lips parted, Kyle etched, leaving no room for argument, “I won’t reject her. I can never do that to her.
ALPHA PRINCE KYLE’S POV~~Despite thinking for the past two days, I still couldn’t come to a conclusion. Clearly, I had to break the bond between Camila and me, or more appropriately, I had to pause the bond. That was the best option.Yet I couldn’t seem to accept it.Instead, the bond was fighting against the thought of pausing it.However, it was only a matter of time before my family, including extended family like Camila’s parents, began to pester me. With that knowledge in mind, I forced myself out of bed that morning and decided to participate in the morning training with my family.Usually, we train on the field behind our home. Just us. Once a week.They were surprised to see me walk out through the back door, but they quickly pulled themselves together. At least everyone else did, but Ronald didn’t. My brother glared at me, burning deep holes into my head.He was such a good friend. Right?“We better have a talk with that one soon,” Rio said those words to me, and I could
DAVIEN~~Every time I felt like I was understanding this family, they shocked me without trying. This morning, it started with a family duel. If that was normalized in my family, Damien and I would have killed each other, and maybe my dad would have ended my life long ago.I didn’t know what to expect when we got to the field behind the palace, but when the duel began, I realized that it was more of a fun bonding time than a violent moment.At least, that was what I believed as we cheered for Ronald and Kyle. However, that belief shifted when the tip of the wooden sword with Ronald tore Kyle’s skin enough to cause bleeding.The fun was sucked out of me even though I saw Ronald smiling genuinely for the first time in days. My eyes widened when Kyle launched another attack that seemed more intense than the previous ones.Yet, every member of the royal family cheered them on.“He is going to hurt him, Katie. Shouldn’t we stop this? I think it has gone too far,” I whispered to my mate
Princess Katie Anne~~“You are a healer, Katie. Please help Cole before you go.”Alpha Jarrett’s voice stopped me from following Davien, whose mixed feelings surged within me. All of this was a show, but Davien’s tense emotions weren’t, and I was genuinely worried about him.He needed me. I could lift his spirits if we celebrated this successful ruse together—without his family. But I had to stay back and maintain the facade. I rushed over to Cole, who couldn’t stand up straight due to a few broken ribs.But the pain from his broken ribs and swollen face wasn’t enough to keep Cole silent. Sadly.I resisted the urge to punch him when he began to speak. “You see what he did to me? He’s an insecure brat, Katie. You don’t deserve to be his ego booster every time he’s feeling down.”“Shut up, or I’ll walk away without healing you,” I seethed, holding his gaze so he’d see my seriousness reflected in my eyes.I hadn’t healed anyone before, but I could use the practice—especially on Cole—a
DAVIEN~~Disrespect from my family members was one thing, but getting the same from Cole, a man who was after my mate, was a whole different game, and my ego just wouldn’t have that. It was more than raging to think about Cole in the same space as Katie alone.Hell, it was a miracle that I didn’t go after Cole the second Katie told me about his visit. By miracle, I mean Katie’s reassuring words and magic touch. She calmed me down.But unfortunately for Cole, Katie wasn’t around to save him now, and the group of ladies around us just weren’t strong enough to get me off him—if they even cared.“My mate is off-limits!” I seethed, raising my tightly balled fist and forcing it down with a force that burst Cole’s lip on impact.Cole tried to fight back, but my second hand was holding him against the wet patio, and with Dolf’s strength pumping through my veins, he was no match for me.Cole proved to be the sneaky bastard we all knew him to be when he chose another method to fight me. He c
DAVIEN~~Having that talk with Katie made me realize that the path I was supposed to walk was already in front of me. Or maybe I knew it was there, and I was just doubting whether I wanted to walk that path.But with Katie’s words and the fire I saw in her eyes when she told me she was willing to become the Luna of my birth pack, give up staying with her family, and stay here with me, I knew what I wanted for myself. For us.Not only did I get a clearer vision, but the path before me also became clearer.“We have to become the Alpha of Black Fur Pack and Katie the Luna,” Dolf said within me as I walked through the corridors the very next morning after planning how to beat my family in their selfish games, with the smart-ass woman that the goddess decided to bless me with.My wolf’s words were meant to be a reminder, even though he knew I didn’t forget that I had made up my mind to stand against my family for the first time in my life.I would become Alpha, and the plan to achieve t
Princess Katie Anne~~Davien stared back at me like I had lost my mind, but soon, realization began to glint in his eyes. He went from angry to conflicted, and that broke my heart because I could tell that his family had once again gotten to him.“Oh,” he muttered, his shoulders falling.I stretched my hands to him, and he took them, joining me on the bed. I opened my mind to Dolf, asking him to create a mental link between Davien and me, even though a part of me wanted to keep the realization I had after Cole left to myself so I could protect my mate.“No, we have to tell him,” Zuri encouraged me.Zoe did the same when she said, “Yes. If we have been dancing to their tunes, it’s high time we changed the tune to ours and made them dance. We can’t do that without Davien.”I could feel Dolf agreeing with my wolves as he created the link between Davien and me. I then smiled at my mate, cupping his face as I sent words through the link: “He was glad we hadn’t marked each other. If only
DAVIEN~~A waste of time.That’s what I would call this meeting with my dad. For goddess’ sake, we have been here for what? Almost an hour, yet all he has done is look down on me and try to intimidate me. He was beating around the bush.Even a blind man could see that.I could feel regret in my bones because staying with Katie, who needed me, would have been a better and more efficient way to spend the hour than sitting here listening to my dad.“That’s it. I am leaving,” I blurted, cutting my dad’s statement short.He grumbled, “But I am not done. Sit down.”“Done what exactly?” I seethed, seeing shock flash through his eyes for the millionth time. I would be stupid not to realize that he suspected I had a wolf now. “Reminding me that I am your unloved son isn’t doing it for me. If you don’t want me here or need my help, just let me know, and I will be out of your hair.”Damn! I just needed him to let me in on the plan. I needed something tangible to tell those who had trusted me…
Princess Katie Anne~~“Why won’t anyone answer their damn phones?” I gritted, resisting the urge to throw my cellphone against the wall.Before I left home, we agreed that my family members would be accessible and that they would call me at least once every day, but even though this was my second morning in Black Fur, that agreement seemed to mean nothing.“There’s no special occasion. No ceremony or ritual that could have kept them busy since yesterday. I am beginning to worry,” Zuri said to me.However, I was too angry to be worried. I felt like my mom was screwing me because she already knew I would discover the truths she had tried hard to hide from me during my stay in Black Fur. Hell, I am certain she knew why I was trying to reach her.“Are they ignoring the calls intentionally?” Zoe queried, her confusion mixing with Zuri’s. “That’s far-fetched, Katie. We might have to be patient and—”A sharp knock on the door disrupted Zoe’s statement.I made the mistake of assuming that t
DAVIEN~~Seeing Cole last night at the welcome party confirmed that my parents were trying their best to rile me up. The party wasn’t enjoyable for either Katie or me, but we didn’t leave until it ended. While I spent the entire night thinking about when my dad would tell me why he asked me to come home, Katie spent it wondering why no one from Dark Moon was answering the countless calls she put through.I could feel her troubled mind as if it were mine, and it pained me that all I could do was hold her.“You should talk to Jade. Perhaps she might be able to shed more light—” Dolf started, but he cut himself off and sighed. “Never mind. What she needed was to speak to her parents. She needs answers that Jade or anyone else can’t provide.“I still have to have a word with Jade. She shouldn’t have accused Katie like she did yesterday,” I said to Dolf, even though I agreed with his conclusion.Looking down at Katie’s restless face, I made up my mind to keep her far away from Cole, who
Princess Katie Anne~~“I won’t let them treat you like this.”I seethed as the tension around us thickened, even though the crowd was still cheering. Davien’s hold around my waist became tighter, and I knew he didn’t want me to lash out, but I had had enough of this.How could they treat him like he didn’t exist, even in a ceremony? Amber had a seat to herself, and so did Damien, who wouldn’t stop staring at me like the creep he was. His parents also dared to flash those false smiles my way, walking over to clearly show me to my seat.“Thank you for joining us, Princess Katie,” Alpha Jarrett uttered with a light voice, and cheers echoed through the hall as members of the Black Fur Pack jubilated.However, I wasn’t merry like the rest of them, and with every second that passed, it became harder to pretend.“Please sit, Princess.” As expected, Luna Cynthia pointed at the only empty seat on the higher platform in the hall.Zoe barked within me, “The audacity!”My wolf’s anger only fuel
DAVIEN~~“That can’t be,” Katie whispered as she staggered into the bedroom, her face pale and hands trembling.I picked up the bag Jade had dropped, followed Katie into our bedroom, and locked the door behind me.“She really is dead?” She asked me, horror etched into her stormy blue eyes.I nodded, shocked that Katie didn’t know that Aunt Jessica had died thirteen years ago. My mate collapsed on the bed, and I knelt before her, holding her hand and telling her to breathe.“To protect Katie and Kyle, Aurelia hid the news of Jessica’s death from them. I also don’t know the full story, but I am at fault because of the part I played. Larisa might have pulled the trigger that killed Jessica, but I put her in the position to get killed for my selfish desires,” Dolf said to me, taking on the blame even though we all knew he had nothing to do with everything that went down thirteen years ago.“You mean it’s all Tristan’s fault. You can’t take the blame, Dolf, and it wasn’t right for Jade