Calhoun's POV
Two hours earlier…I wasn't planning on cheating on Natalie, no. It never crossed my mind since I met her, she's like the best thing to ever happen to me in a long while, despite the six years age gap between us two. We're to get married tomorrow and she's to be my Luna, but I messed up. Threw away eight months of our relationship because I couldn't control my wolf to stay still.It was meant to be my bachelor's night. I had my beta and some men from my pack with me. We drove two hours away from our town just to have one last night of fun, but everything changed when she came.At first, I smelled her before I saw her. Being Alpha of the Greyhound pack, I have a heightened sense of smell and keenness than the rest of my pack members.She smelt of scented lavender and lemon shampoo. I heard her throaty little laughter and just as I snapped my gaze in her direction, I lost all touch of concentration, and then my wolf screamed 'Mate!' in my head. Something I thought I'd never hear until I grew gray-haired and wrinkled.Why would the moon goddess bless me with a mate when I already have a woman I love? It made no freaking sense to me.My mate was a young blonde in her early twenties, with big-rimmed glasses hanging loosely on her tiny-button nose. Something which she seemed to be nudging up a lot because her nose wasn't big enough to maintain the stance of her glasses.She had her blonde hair in a fish braid and she was putting on a white T-shirt with a short loose skirt with polka dot designs. She looked young, the typical good college girl, straight A's and one boyfriend. Her friends were so unlike her, dressed like sluts but that was no business of mine.It was clear the moon goddess hastened her footsteps into the club tonight. She even seemed a bit unsure of herself until she began drinking alcohol with her friends at the bartender's tabletop.It was hard to concentrate on everything in front of me when my mate was eight feet away from me, with my wolf threatening to surface from me and go to her.He was excited upon witnessing the first time of me having a mate.My attention was divided, although I didn't make it seem that obvious. I kept staring at my mate who seemed to be ten years younger than me. I wondered why the moon goddess did this when I already had someone I wanted to marry the following day.And I was stunned when my mate approached me half an hour later, looking completely tipsy and the exact opposite of the innocent girl who had arrived earlier.Worse, she asked me to hook up with her, without having any knowledge that she was mated to me. Out of all the men in the club, it was me she approached.My first instinct was to turn her down, but I could not.My whole body was completely drawn to her. She was irresistible because somehow the moon goddess decided to ruin things by making her mine.I did touch her. My mind said no but my body and wolf said yes. She was skinny with ample breasts. Tantalizing body with delicate skin like a baby's. She felt so warm and tight as I pounded into the thick, wet walls of her honeypot.And the fact that she didn't show any form of attraction to me, was a relief. She was yet to know I was her mate. She talked a lot during the entire copulation and told me it was the alcohol.And then something sparked within my brain when I stared into her almond eyes… like I could never let her go even if I wanted to. My body craved her entire being. To hear the sound of her soft and breathy moans and feel her puerile skin against mine.And It was strange because I had never felt so drawn to anyone like that before.I should be regretting this, but I couldn't. Do I have any feelings for her? Of course not. But when she was close by, all my focus averted to her like a magnet.I asked her her name because I knew I would look for her but she refused to tell me. Told me we were over and she wanted me just for a fling. I doubted she went around sleeping with men. And maybe, just maybe we were fated to get intimate tonight.PresentI should be relieved that she refused to give me any details about her because she's yet to know we're mates and it's not like we'd meet again. Plus there's my marriage with Natalie tomorrow, so I'd try to not bring this up. Even though it's cheating on my part.But I'm not satisfied. A part of me feels guilty for cheating on Natalie and I don't even know if I'd look her right in the eyes without feeling bad.And then there's this other part of me that is filled with longing and desperation to be with my mate again. To have her legs spread out to me, whilst I go deep into her.This isn't even about what we did. It's wanting to be in contact with her. To connect with her, because mates are two souls aligned together."What did you do to that girl?" Bruce, my Beta throws me this question, slipping me from my disturbing thoughts. He's driving while I am seated in the shotgun."Which girl?" I feign as if I have no idea who he's referring to."Don't act like you don't know," he casts me a wry glance before returning his attention to the road, "Blondie with the loose skirt.""Nothing. She was drunk and wanted me to get her water," I am in denial right now and it makes me clench my jaw.Bruce throws his head back and bursts into a fit of laughter. He's not just my beta but also my best friend, that's why he has the balls to find me amusing."You know I found some buttons in your car and I've checked your suit jacket and shirt to find none of them missing. Only to see little Blondie with almost all her buttons gone and your affix pin hooked around her shirt," Bruce drops this bombshell amid laughter.And I ground my teeth until my jaw begins to hurt. Because he's frigging right. He knows how to detect lies, which is one of the reasons I made him my Beta five years ago."You hooked up with her, didn't you?" This time, he looks at me with all forms of seriousness.Upon figuring I can't lie anymore, I just stay silent and glare at him."Look, I know you want to shift into your wolf and bite my head off, but I'm only looking out for you. Tomorrow's your wedding to this beautiful woman who you love, and I don't want you to do something you'd regret later," Bruce tells me with concern laced in his voice.While I just facepalm and sigh because things are just messed up right now.Kristen’s POVIn the midst of the Alpha gathering, as discussions about the Moon's Veil unfold (A disease afflicting werewolves across different packs, causing loss of control during transformation and weakening their abilities), I catch sight of Ben Gregory for the first time in ages. His presence is a reminder of the Game of Alphas, where he betrayed Calhoun, leading to a dangerous confrontation with sharks.As Ben's phone rings, he excuses himself from the Alphas' table. Curiosity piqued, I notice Calhoun rising from his seat and following Ben. Intrigued and sensing tension, I decide to trail after them, wondering about Calhoun's intentions.My suspicions prove right when I witness Calhoun cornering Ben, pinning him against a wall. The boy struggles, attempting to free himself from Calhoun's formidable grip, but Calhoun's strength is overpowering. His eyes glow with a fierce red intensity, reflecting the lingering grudge from their past encounter."You thought you could get away wi
Kristen’s POV"It's a girl," the midwife announces, pulling the child out of me, leaving me exhausted and perspiring, helpless on the bed. All the pains wear out from me once the woman places the crying child in my arms.Baby number two.I smile through my tears as I kiss the child.Shortly after, Calhoun and Nana Joyce enter the room to take a look at our newborn.Calhoun, his eyes filled with warmth, approaches me and the baby. "She's beautiful, just like her mother," he says, his voice filled with affection. Nana Joyce stands beside us, a smile playing on her lips."Our little girl," I murmur, my eyes shining with a mix of exhaustion and joy as I look at Calhoun.He gently takes the baby into his arms, cradling her with utmost care. "Hello, my princess," he coos, his deep voice soothing the newborn. "You've got the best mom in the world right here."Nana Joyce, her eyes brimming with tears of happiness, adds, "She's a blessing, Kristen. A beautiful blessing."Calhoun looks down at
With Calhoun back, the pack feels more alive. People are taking their duties seriously, and we've resumed the search for Bruce's murderer. But Calhoun is different now, just half the size he used to be. His clothes hang loose, showing the toll of the curse.Despite his changed appearance, Calhoun doesn't bother with new clothes. He dives into managing the pack, tirelessly addressing the chaos that unfolded during his three-month absence. A man on a mission, determined to make things right.In the middle of all this, our one-year-old son, Aiden, doesn't recognize his father anymore. Calhoun's presence, comforting to me, confuses Aiden.Trying to help Aiden understand, I say, "Look, Aiden, it's Daddy. He's been away for a while, but he's back now."Calhoun, bending down, extends his arms to Aiden. But our son hesitates, eyeing him with curiosity and uncertainty. Calhoun smiles warmly, coaxing, "Hey there, little buddy. It's me, Daddy."Aiden ignores him and runs into the arms of his nan
Calhoun's POVBefore Kristen can lose her balance and fall off, I'm already at her side, steadying her to her feet. Her eyes flutter, revealing her impending faint, and her breaths come out sharply, her mouth parting."Kristen..." I tap her cheek repeatedly, but she's already lost consciousness. Cursing under my breath, I gather her in my arms, carrying her in a bridal style.As I raise my head to look around, everyone stiffens. The shock in their eyes mirrors the astonishment I expected. It's been a week since they last saw me, a week of torment for Kristen and the pack.Gregory, with eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, stammers, "Is that really Calhoun?"I shake my head at them, my gaze hardening as I respond, "Yes, it's me. I heard everything. Trying to replace me and marry off my pregnant wife, calling me a dead man."The elders, attempting to explain, are met with my stern silence. Raising my hand, the room falls into an immediate hush. I take a moment to look at Kristen, m
Kristen’s POVA full week passes, and I find myself paralyzed by emotions and fear, reluctant to face the possibility of witnessing Calhoun's last breath. The elders, sensing the weight of the situation, gather all pack members and call for my attention. Reluctantly, I make my way to the gathering, where they confront me in front of the entire pack."We've consulted the pack doctors, Kristen. Calhoun has only a few days left," Elder Festus declares, his tone somber.The weight of their words hangs heavily in the air as the elders present an ultimatum. I must either step down as Luna of the Greyhound pack or marry Gregory, the chosen successor to the Alpha throne.Disagreeing swiftly, I say, "Calhoun will not die. I won't entertain such decisions."The elders, resolute in their stance, continue pressing me. Gregory, a mix of sympathy and determination on his face, steps forward and implores me to consider the proposal. But I know it’s all a facade. He’s not truly who he claims to b
Kristen’s POVWhere is Alpha Calhoun?The question keeps popping up and spreading within the pack.Until I decide I’ve had enough, and so I called for a meeting with the council of elders."He's sick, okay!" I burst out, my patience exhausted, tears welling up in my eyes."What do you mean, Kristen?" Elder Festus inquires, concern etched across his face.Taking a deep breath, I begin the painful revelation. "It's a curse. Calhoun is bedridden, reduced to a skeleton. We've been trying to find a way to break it, but it's relentless."Gregory, the ever present pain in the assinterjects, "A curse? Are you serious? This sounds like nonsense.""It's the truth," I retort, frustration evident in my voice. "I've been trying to handle things, but it's not easy. The pack needs to know what we're dealing with."Expressions of shock and disbelief rises through the council of elders. Gregory scoffs, "A cursed Alpha? You expect us to believe that?"Elder Adolphus, usually calm, leans forward, "Kris