Amalthea's POV Just that single look seems to break at whatever confidence I was trying to muster, and soon enough my nerves came knocking. Alpha Nicholson was seated at the head of the table and on his left hand side was Mikayla, who has an expression I couldn't quite place and in his right hand was a man who looked like Jade, and if I guess right he was her brother. He had something like a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, and I seriously don't know how to feel about. “Come sit beside me,” Jade beckoned with a wave of a hand and a bright smile on her face. I forced a smile of my own trying to mask my nerves, but I'm sure my beating heart was a dead giveaway. “Good evening everyone,” I muttered, and took a seat beside Jade. “I had no idea we'd be having guest at dining,” Jade's brother said, his smile more pronounce. “Well I needed company, before you guys bore me to death with Pack affairs,” Jade said nonchalantly. “I don't think we've been properly introduced,” the
Amalthea's POV We arrived at an open field, and Jade did not even waste time in shifting into her wolf, Aria. Jade's wolf was brown just like Callum and I got to find out also that their wolf's were twins also. Seeing Aria, Jade's wolf run out the one field without a care in the world should be exciting, but instead a nasty feeling slowly began to make it's way up my belly–envy. If only I had a wolf like everyone else, maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't have been sold off so easily. “That's enough Amalthea, you're being too hard on yourself,” I muttered under my breath, and decided to focus on other things. Wishing and thinking wasn't going to change anything anyways so why worry over already spilled milk. Just as I was lost in thought, Callum's wolf slammed into Jade's, and without giving her a chance to recover he pounced on her once more. Soon after both their wolf’s began to fight, seeking dominance over the other but it was painfully obvious Callum's wolf was much bigger and bet
Amalthea's pov “I don't need your pity!” I barked, and stormed off again, my footsteps fueled by my anger, which I couldn't exactly place why I was angry, but I just knew I was. Callum's reason was valid–i was in a foreign land and a few friends would go a long way. But for someone who has been through what I've been through in the hands of so called ‘friends’ I needed to be extra careful. Mostly in a strange land that I didn't willingly walk into. But despite all that, I didn't need anyone piting me. I wasn't some charity care that needs pity, and I… Someone bumped into me, which sent me crashing onto the ground. “Are you blind or something?! Can’t you–” I stopped mid sentence as my eyes landed on Alpha Nicholson's. “You're the blind one, don't you think?” He furrowed his brows, as he looked down at me like I was beneath him and not worthy of breathing the same air as him. I scoffed inwardly, and got on my feet, as I brushed off leaves from my clothes "Nic." Callum called o
Amalthea's POV My lungs burned within me but I kept pushing. I took deep breaths and kept up the pace with the other pack members. Like Nicholson had ordered, today was my first official day back on the training grounds and I was informed it all began with a pack morning jog. Even though I was out of breath and sweaty beyond belief I was glad it was a jog in human form and not with our wolves. At least this way I didn't have to cook up some lies. We jogged around the pack borders two whole times and I was ready to drop dead when Mikayla announced we were just warming up. Several pack members eyed me wearily, no doubt thinking I was weak and waiting for me to drop dead. That was what kept on pushing me...the urge to prove them wrong. "Alright everyone, pair in twos and begin your basic combat sparring." Mikayla announced as we got to the training grounds. Everyone started pairing in two and I was at a loss. "Would you like to be my partner?" I awkwardly asked the woman beside
Amalthea's pov I stared down at the light which seemed to be shining from my chest. What the hell was that? I gripped my chest and it was uncommonly warm. "They are coming for it." A voice called out to me and I turned to face a woman who looked strikingly like me. "Who are you?" I asked with furrowed brows. "That's not what's important." She said with a sad smile. "What's important is that you protect it." She said cryptically. "Protect what?" I questioned. "Can't you feel it beating in your chest?" She retorted. This woman was crazy. "Keep it safe or else the consequences would be dire." She called out to me as I began walking away from her. "Keep it safe." She screamed at me in a panic. I bolted up from my bed as I woke up. I looked around me and sighed when I realized it was just a dream and I was in fact still in my room. I tried to calm my breathing and blinked the sleep out of my eyes. What kind of dream was that? Was it merely a dream or was someone trying to
Amalthea's pov Nicholson's smile slowly slipped away from his face as he stared at me and my heart dropped as our eyes met and held. Good, he didn't deserve to be happy and all smiled around me when he was making my life miserable. "Thea, so glad you could make it." Callum smiled at me. He was the only one who genuinely looked happy with my presence at the picnic. "Thea?" Mikayla arched a questioning brow at Callum. "It's our little nickname for her." Callum explained as Jade and I took our places on the mat. I strategically positioned myself as far away from Nicholson as possible, just as I had at the dinner. "It's nice to see you too Beta Callum." I offered him a small smile. "Just Callum is fine." He retorted. "It's Beta Callum to her." Nicholson gritted out and I furrowed my brows. "Just Callum then." I purposefully ignored Nicholson's words, wanting to get on his nerves. He stared at me with fire in his eyes but I ignored him. "So what did we miss?" Jade asked, clearin
Amalthea's POV I intended to head back to the pack house but somehow I had lost my way. I wandered aimlessly in the forest, trying to find my way back. It was then I noticed the darkening clouds and the earthy scent of rain in the air. I looked up to the sky and it was obvious a storm was coming. I hastened my footsteps, although I wasn't sure if I was headed in the right direction. My eyes scrambled to find the nearest building or anywhere at all I could take cover under as the first angry raindrops fell onto my face. All I could see were trees...for miles to come. The rain began to fall in all earnesty and my clothes slowly began to cling to my body. I screamed as a thunderclap boomed in the air, startling me. The winds rose and blew with vigour and I had to hold on to a tree before I would be swept off. Pure fear and panic gripped me as it only got worse. I had never imagined this would be how I would die. Why had I let Nicholson's words rile me up and more importantly
Nicholson's pov "You dare to cut me off?" I sneered as I gripped the armrest. I had never in my life met anyone as aggravating and irritating as the little woman who sat in the middle of the bed. "Look Alpha." Almathea gritted out my title. "I already know it was stupid of me to leave the picnic when I didn't know my way back but you were the one who got me angry in the first place." She accused, her voice considerably more calm. "And while I'm grateful you somehow found me and saved me, that doesn't mean I'll let you bite my head off." She finished off and plopped back down on the bed. I remained silent as I observed her. Did this woman realize I had the power to crush her? The power to kill her within seconds? "Where are we anyways?" She arched her brows as she took in her surroundings. "A cottage not too far from the pack." I replied quietly. "How did you find it?" Almathea asked, she was so ignorant. "It belonged to my mother." I revealed and she looked up at me sharply
Amalthea's POV "I think Callum needs me." Jade announced, rising to her feet."What?" I looked at her in disbelief while she looked anywhere but at me."I'll see you later Thea." She said with a tight-lipped smile and zoomed out the door.Jade had just thrown me to the wolves."Your friend is very subtle." Alpha Sebastian muttered and I slowly faced him."Alpha Sebastian." I rose from my chair."Just Seb is fine." He retorted and I blanked.The use of his nickname would imply a level of intimacy between us."I don't think that would be proper Alpha." I pointed out."I insist." He replied with a smile.I nodded, not having a word to say in response, as the level of intensity in his eyes when he looked at me was making this whole conversation awkward. It's either he's oblivious to that fact or he simply doesn't care."Did you need a book?" I asked, breaking the silence."No." He answered."I wanted to talk to you." He announced.I blinked.He chuckled. "You don't have to seem so surpri
Amalthea's POV "Where have you been?" I asked Jade when she walked into the library.She remained silent and leaned against the closed library door with a dreamy sigh as she clutched her chest."Jade?" I called out to her and slowly her eyes met mine. "Are you alright?" "I'm better than alright Thea." She composed herself and walked towards me."What has you in such a good mood?" I questioned."I'm always in a good mood." She replied almost defensively and I knew something was up."Hmm, where have you been? You were meant to be here an hour ago." I queried.A blush slowly crept up her face and my lips parted in shock."Jade, why are you blushing?" I shut the book in front of me and placed it on the side table."I'm not blushing." She muttered attempting to hide behind her hair."You are clearly blushing Jade. Spit it out, what happened?" I probbed.She remained silent and I waited."It's alright if you don't want to talk about it now, I just-" I began to explain."I met someone." S
Amalthea's POV "We have a dinner to get ready for." Jade announced as she strolled into my room."What?" I closed the book I was reading and turned to her."Surely you know we have guests." Jade said as though that would be enough explanation.I furrowed my brow. "How does that have to do with me?" "We are having dinner with the alpha of the visiting pack, of course you are attending with me." Jade shrugged as she moved towards my closet."No, there is no way I'm attending another dinner with you." I frowned."But it will be fun." She whined and I rolled my eyes."Like the last dinner was fun?" I asked her pointedly and she immediately averted her gaze."Look, this is different. Nic will be busy handling pack affairs with the other alpha and we will have the whole night to ourselves without any interruptions." She tried to persuade me.I knew nothing would make Jade relent but I didn't want to be in the same space with Nicholson and she knew that."Jade-" I began but she turned to
Amalthea's POV "Think fast." Mikayla announced before she attempted a jab to my side which I quickly sidestepped and retaliated with a punch to her gut. She staggered back, looking at me with predatory eyes as she struggled to catch her breath.When next she lunged for me I half expected it and I positioned myself and waited and just when she was close enough my leg struck out but to my surprise she caught it and dragged me towards her before delivering a punch right to my face.Mikayla released me and I fell to the ground with a groan."You have to be quick and on the tips of your feet. You need to learn how to carry yourself so as to move swiftly and maneuver whatever situation you might find yourself in." She explained. "Never be overconfident." She added and I clutçhed my bloodied nose but smiled regardless.Mikayla trained me as though she had a bone to pick, she was always relentless and never held back and even though it resulted in many injuries on my person I wouldn't have
Nicholson's POVStanding by the window, as I stared out into the open with a bottle of whiskey in hand, as I took slow deliberate gulps, I heard a knock on my door.I sighed, already knowing who was at the door, but I wasn't in the mood to see anyone or entertain any form of conversation.So, I chose to ignore it, hoping that Callum would finally take the hint and leave me alone, but he was stubborn as a horse, and Instead of leaving, he chose to invite himself in."I don't recall telling you to come in." I said, not bothering to look at him."Isn't it a bit early to be drinking?” Callum said, ignoring my earlier statement."I desperately need it." I replied, but minding that it was just a few minutes past 6 am. “What do you want?” I finally turned to look at him.Callum narrowed his eyes. "What's on your mind?” “Nothing,” I muttered. “Why are you here?” I asked irritatedly, as I wasn't in the mood for one of his lectures."This is about her isn't it?" He asked quietly."About who?"
Nicholson's POV "How did you find the letters?" I asked Mikayla as I leaned back in my chair, scanning the contents of the notes once more.I was considerably more calm now and I had to admit I was ashamed and sickened by my outburst. I always prided myself on my ability to school my features and remain calm despite every situation but I always seemed to be out of character wherever Amalthea was involved.I cringed as I recalled how I had blatantly accused her and worse, threatened her without waiting to hear what she had to say. I wondered what she must think of me at this moment."Nic?" Mikayla called out to me, drawing me out of my thoughts.I stared down at the piece of paper in my hand and yet I didn't recognize the messy scribbles but then again I didn't know Amalthea's writing style."Did you say something?" I asked, focusing back on Mikayla."Yes. One of the maids was cleaning and she informed me she found something that seemed out of sorts on Amalthea's dresser. She was scar
Amalthea's POV It had to be today. I had to leave this horrid pack today, I refused to spend another minute in the same vicinity as that blackguard.I clenched my fists as I tried to blink back the tears that were rapidly making their way to the front of my eyes.I felt like it was happening all over again.I was being framed for something I didn't do for the second time and soon I would be thrown out."Thea, are you alright?" Jade made her way back into the library."Why wouldn't I be?" I asked. My voice betrayed me and Jade walked briskly to where I stood by the window."What happened?" Jade asked, gently caressing my arms."That...that despicable-" a sob tore through me."Hey, it's alright. Just take a deep breath." Jade comforted me.I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves."Your alpha somehow believes that I am in contact with the werebears." I explained."Why would he think that?" She asked, with wide eyes."Apparently he found some incriminating letters on my dresser
Nicholson's POV "The seer was unable to provide any useful information." I informed Callum. "How is that possible? He knows everything." Callum looked as confused as I felt. "He said some nonsense about not wanting to alter fate but the main thing is he couldn't tell me anything." I explained in frustration. "What are you going to do now?" Callum asked and I rubbed my hand down my face. "I don't know." I admitted and it was true. I was at a loss for what to do. "Would you consider handing the girl over?" Callum asked. "That is not an option." I said with finality. Callum looked at me for a few seconds, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "What's so amusing?” I gritted out. "Nothing at all." Callum shrugged. "We better find a way around this, and early,” he suggested, and just then a knock came on the door. "Come in." I said, as I could already tell how as at the door. Mikayla strolled in. "What is wrong?" I asked. "I have something to show you Nic." She said and
Amalthea's pov "Is everything okay?" Jade's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "I'm fine." I muttered, not looking at her as I flipped a page of my book absentmindedly. "You have been reading the same page of that book for the last fifteen minutes." She pointed out. "I'm trying to dissect the text." I said lamely. Jade snorted, not believing a word I just said. But I couldn't care less at the moment, since we got back from the seer, my mind hasn't been at ease. Different thoughts were racing through my mind but mostly one bothered me the most. If the werebears indeed came for me why hasn't he given me up yet? I definitely meant nothing to him and he had nothing to lose but everything to gain from stopping their attacks on his pack. If the attacks persisted would his decision waver? Would he eventually hand me over to them? I was losing my mind at this point. "You know you can talk to me, right Thea?" Jade said, her face etched with worry. I sighed, dropping the book to th