Keira POVI took the hand Ramos Vargas offered and was going to say welcome to my home but caught myself. "Nice to meet you, Mister Vargas," I said instead.Breakfast went on smoothly and seemed to be ending on a good note. No unpleasant talk came up. We were nearly done when the newcomer finally mentioned Liam."I feel like you ought to hear it from me," he said. "Actually, King Cyrus asked me to inform you personally as this is your household. I'm taking Liam Rudd to the Northside. We're leaving in a few minutes."My heart jerked as the news."He confessed to attempting high treason against the Prince," he went on. "That makes him an enemy of the North and the Lycan King's prisoner. Alpha Nox is not allowed to do him any more harm than he already did. The one who gave him the poison will face their punishment here. As soon as we find out who. But I've been asked to bring Liam with me immediately.""I see," I replied lamely, not knowing what else to say.I couldn't stomach the rest
Nox POVI watched as Liam was escorted out of the building. He was not my primary reason for perching by the window of my office. Keira was passing through the foyer with Pavlov behind her. She stopped shot and stiffened as she sensed her ex far behind.The fact that she could feel him like that made my stomach turn. My father resumed talking, making me recall that I had the phone to my ear. I didn't hear the last thing he said."Nox!" He snapped."I'm right here, your majesty," I returned."Good. He is MY prisoner! Now, I know this goes without saying, but Ramos knows your scent quite well. He wouldn't mistake it for another."My fist tightened on the receiver. Apparently, King Cyrus could read minds. He knew what I was thinking. That was no surprise. He was the father who raised me, so I was more like him than anybody else. He knew me like the back of his hand. "If you go after the guy to murder him on the way, Ramos will know it's you no matter how you disguise yourself. And I w
Keira POV The hallway was pitch black. That was odd. How could they turn off all the lights on such a special day? It was my thirteenth birthday. I was the Alpha heir and my wolf has just awakened, waiting for its time to emerge. My sight was great, but as my wolf was still young, it wasn't matured enough to pierce the darkness. "Who's there?" I called. "Daddy, the lights are off!" But my dad wasn't nearby. He was in a meeting at the pack grand hall. My friends were all in the living room, dancing and squealing with delights at the clown's jokes. I was missing the fun. Why did I come out here again? Someone called my name. The voice sounded like Zoey Faust's, that was why I left my party. Zoey was a good friend of the family. She was from the line of the Beta's and married into a warrior's family. Her husband died long ago, leaving her with a daughter who was inside enjoying herself right now. "Mrs Faust?" I called out. No answer came. Daddy told me to be nice and respectful to
My husband had not returned from his quick drink. It was a few minutes before 8:30. I couldn't call his cellphone because he left it in the bedroom, so I sent an omega to go get him. They didn't find him at the mini bar where I assumed he would be. Maybe he'd gone into his study to do a bit of work. It was hard to understand how a playboy could so quickly turn serious about life in general. He became a workaholic right after we got married. Whenever I thought about it, I felt proud of myself that I'd inspired such a good change in him. Not everyone could turn a ladies' man into a serious businessman.However, I got frustrated sometimes with the fact that took the business far more seriously than our marriage. Granted, ours was an arranged union, but I expected to be a priority in his life. I was his mate and wife. And today was very special. How could he think to work?With my pretty dress and makeup, I left the room to go fetch him from his study by myself, snatching his suit jacke
Nox POVLuna Keira Gray. Wife and mate of Alpha Liam Rudd. A twenty-three year old woman who was unavailable. Married! From the panties hanging on her finger and the look on her face, it was clear that she was having a busy life, indeed.Moments ago, when I walked in and our eyes met, my wolf growled,'Mate,' calling out to her.But she'd looked away. I tried to do the same now, looking everywhere else but at her. I failed. She'd acted like she was deaf to her mate's call. Or did she not hear? No, that couldn't be right. She was pretending. Which was Understandable because this was bizarre. How could we be fated?All of her attention was now on the blond werewolf who was her husband and Alpha.A dignitary from the Summer Moon stood in front of me, talking. I tried my hardest to pay attention and offer the appropriate response. Two could play this game, though not for long. Because my focus wavered again, returning to Luna Keira.Her expression was picture of revulsion now as her hus
Keira POV At his words, I stopped dancing. Or tried to. His powerful arms and body kept moving, urging us both to the rhythm of the music. "What does that mean? What could there possibly be between us?" I looked around, afraid that someone might have heard. I considered forcing him to stop the dance. Thankfully, nobody had their eyes on us. He could refuse and it was better not to attract attention, so I moved with him. "I would think you're too sophisticated for games, Luna." "What games? I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied calmly. He looked down at me and arched a brow. "Hold on, you think there's something betweeb us because I looked at you? Everyone looked at you when you walked in, Alpha Nox. Does that mean you have something going on with them?" He frowned as though confused, then said in a low voice. "I'm talking about you and me." He was almost inaudible. "I'm talking about what you felt when you laid eyes on me for the first time." I tried to stop
Keira POVThe world stopped when his lips touched mine. I was no longer Keira Gray of the Spring Moon. Neither was I wife and mate to Alpha Liam. I was no one but a woman ready to be claimed by a powerful lycan beast. Not even his taunts could bring me back to my senses as his fangs caressed my lips. My body was at his command. Before I knew it, I was sandwiched between him and the wall as his tongue tangled with mine. Then he began to slow down, his lips freeing mine. Only then did my senses slowly return. What the hell was I doing? Letting another Alpha kiss me in my own home? At my wedding anniversary. I was appalled with myself as I pushed him off of me. His brow creased, and his eyes narrowed as he murmured thoughtfully,"Something's wrong with your wolf.""Get out," I barked breathlessly. "This is an assault. You would love a war, won't you? Get out!"The fact that he just spoke my secret out loud was not as threatening as what he just made me do. Apart from pack elders and L
Keira POV Though his accusations were true and I should be trying to explain myself, I couldn't help but feel irritated by his tone. He walked very close beside me now. When I didn't acknowledge his complain, he grabbed my arm making me stop. His eyes were bright with annoyance, which surprised me a little bit. The fact that he had just cursed didn't escape my notice. In all the times I'd known him as my partner, he'd never used the F word in front of me. "Yes, Liam," I said. "I reek of another wolf. What did you expect? " He frowned, confusion creasing his smooth face. Yesterday, I may have cared how he felt right now. But things were different today. He was to blame. "I begged you to put work aside for this one morning..." "That doesn't explain the scent all over you, Keira!" I wanted to bark that it does but simply shook my head in exasperation. If he hadn't disappeared, that kiss would not have happened. It was his fault. "Where the hell did you go?" I asked. "I was looki
Nox POVI watched as Liam was escorted out of the building. He was not my primary reason for perching by the window of my office. Keira was passing through the foyer with Pavlov behind her. She stopped shot and stiffened as she sensed her ex far behind.The fact that she could feel him like that made my stomach turn. My father resumed talking, making me recall that I had the phone to my ear. I didn't hear the last thing he said."Nox!" He snapped."I'm right here, your majesty," I returned."Good. He is MY prisoner! Now, I know this goes without saying, but Ramos knows your scent quite well. He wouldn't mistake it for another."My fist tightened on the receiver. Apparently, King Cyrus could read minds. He knew what I was thinking. That was no surprise. He was the father who raised me, so I was more like him than anybody else. He knew me like the back of his hand. "If you go after the guy to murder him on the way, Ramos will know it's you no matter how you disguise yourself. And I w
Keira POVI took the hand Ramos Vargas offered and was going to say welcome to my home but caught myself. "Nice to meet you, Mister Vargas," I said instead.Breakfast went on smoothly and seemed to be ending on a good note. No unpleasant talk came up. We were nearly done when the newcomer finally mentioned Liam."I feel like you ought to hear it from me," he said. "Actually, King Cyrus asked me to inform you personally as this is your household. I'm taking Liam Rudd to the Northside. We're leaving in a few minutes."My heart jerked as the news."He confessed to attempting high treason against the Prince," he went on. "That makes him an enemy of the North and the Lycan King's prisoner. Alpha Nox is not allowed to do him any more harm than he already did. The one who gave him the poison will face their punishment here. As soon as we find out who. But I've been asked to bring Liam with me immediately.""I see," I replied lamely, not knowing what else to say.I couldn't stomach the rest
Keira POVThis was the part where I defended myself and screamed that I had no part in Liam's plan. To tell him that I intended to refuse when next the talk came up.But I did not say a word. I would hate to sound defensive. I had every right to try to take back my pack, did I not?Even if I wanted to speak up right now, my throat was closed as a result of the pain caused by his words.I did not expect him not to retaliate the attempted attack. After all, he was a wolf. A mutant, but a wolf nonetheless. Revenge was part of his genetic makeup. Moments after he went out of my private chamber, I stood waiting. Pavlov or another warrior would barge in any moment to drag me to the dungeon below the building. I would be locked up with the others like a common criminal. In a pack where everyone called me Luna.My palms grew sweaty as I waited. Maybe they would take me to the Autumn Moon. I decided that would be better than being imprisoned here Hours or what felt like it went by, and nothi
Keira POVWolfsbane and silver powder. If they found that among Liam's things, then surely, that was the poison he meant to use.Nox was waiting for my response. I searched for the words to dodge his question. When I opened my mouth, all I could say was,"Wolfsbane? Like the poison?""Yeah. Like the poison," Nox's tone was impatient and unrecognizable. I did not want to look at his face, so I kept my eyes on the tiny transparent bag in his hand. Then he closed his fist around it."I asked you a question, Keira," he said. "Or should I call you Kiki? Did you know he had this with him?""I..." My brain wouldn't work because of the way he was looking at me. Then, I grew annoyed at the intimidation. "You broke into our home, Nox!" How I hated the defensiveness in my voice. How I hated the fact that I was losing my composure."OUR home?" His eyes darkened with anger and something else that was too comfusing to name. "You're on his side, are you? In his possession is the same poison that'
Keira POVThe day was going too well it was suspicious considering all I had been through. There was only one thing wrong that balanced out the day. Nox was avoiding me. Avoid was the wrong term. He was staying away from me. After our chat three days ago, I'd considered going to see Liam again, but changed my mind. There was no need for that, and I had no idea what I would say to the ex. We also didn't have anything to talk about.Besides, I was very busy now as the person in charge of the winery. There were matters to address, and I didn't have time to see Liam Rudd and tell him plainly that I would not take part in his plan. He'd walked in on us that night. That should suffice.One pressing matter to deal with right now was Belle Faust and the fact that she was still avoiding me. That was not sustainable as she was in charge of sales and an important member of management.Because of her role in the company, dealing with her could not be helped. In fact, we had to work as closely as
Nox POVThree days had passed since I talked to Keira. I had not gone near her even though I monitored all of her movements closely. I didn't trust myself to be near her without claiming what was rightfully mine now. My feelings had grown dangerously intense at some point after I learned of her divorce.The fact that she still worried about Liam Rudd was hard to deal with. Only one thing came to mind when I thought of that. To claim her until I was the only male she knew and thought about.Her divorce papers had been notarized and now sat before me on my desk. Her Elders Council no longer existed, so the Eastside Council, which was made up of werewolves from all four packs, was happy to certify the document. Felix, Conan and Morris, the lawyer, had represented the Spring Moon.I was staring at the divorce paper while recalling our last chat as I ran my hand through my hair. She hadn't talked back like before. She did not let her hostility show, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes.
Nox POVLiam Rudd was not the criminal who had been feeding poison to Keira. He couldn't be. The timing was off. They got married a year ago. Long after the poisoning began. He was away from the pack a lot before they even got engaged. According to Doctors Servius and Ross, Keira had been injesting that poison for at least three years now. At the time, the fÞcking turd was still in school in some city doing his MBA. He was a bastard and a good-for-nothing cheating motherfÞcker, but he had no hand in the slow poisoning of his wife. Yet it gave me immense pleasure to torture him into telling me what I already knew. I watched with pleasure as the blood slid down his shoulder while the wound was sealing up. The pleasure vanished quickly to be replaced by the urge to inflict more pain. My stomach was in knots when I finally admitted to myself that he was, in fact, telling the truth. He was not the culprit!But then I knew he wasn't even before I entered his cell room to have this "cha
Keira POVAs Nox came towards me in purposeful strides, I could feel Pavlov retreat to give us privacy. A few thoughts fleeted past my mind as he approached. I imagined that he would imprison me for real this time. I would never again climpse that warmth and desire that I'd experienced from him two nights ago.His fist tightened on the paper in his hands as he came to stand in front of me. What was that?I began to think that it was one of the notes Liam and I had exchanged but quickly recalled that I destroyed all of them. Well, all except the last one where he'd mentioned poison. I fought to keep my breathing steady.No. It was ridiculous to think that was one of the notes. There was more than one paper in his grip, and they were too large to be the small pieces of papers that Liam and I used to communicate. He hadn't said a word when I greeted him. His silence was more than unsettling because just this afternoon, he'd confessed that he invaded my pack so that he could be close to
Keira POVI stood in the middle of the brightly lit, newly-decorated office, looking all around me. Nox had just left after the odd confession about his reason for invading. An outrageous reason, indeed. I should be enraged. Maybe I would once the fluttering in my stomach eased up a bit.Did he really mean this? Was he truly giving me back my family business? I finally moved, going around the desk to sit. Many times, especially after Liam showed his true colors, I had imagined myself running this place. It was what I did after my dad passed. When I got married, I had to leave it to Liam and focus on internal pack matters, which was no less fulfilling, but still, this felt like where I ought to be as much as that seat at the pack.Now, I sat at the desk, recalling the old days and picturing the future. My heart grew warm and light at the thought of returning here fully.Then, Belle's face flashed before me. I recalled how she'd stood so close beside Nox, smiling and whispering stuff t