Keira POVIt was the middle of the night. Pavlov was nowhere near, so was all other Autumn werewolves. At least, it seemed so. I had successfully opened the door and was now out in the hallway. The tiled floor was cool beneath my feet as I tiptoe towards the library. Why had I never thought about that door until today? It was a door that was hardly ever used. I should have snuck through it to the guest quarters many times. After all, the place was not out of bounds to me, like going outside or around the pack.If they had been letting me sit there to read, that meant the door was locked. Or they didn't yet know about it. The latter was unlikely.Well, if it was locked, that shouldn't be a problem as U continued towards the library. I tightened my grip on my tiny pocket knife. Liam and I needed to talk. We had to discuss all the consequences of his plans. Apart from that, I couldn't sleep tonight. I was restless as hell. My body felt different. I felt so not myself ever since Nox t
Keira POVNox did not stop as Liam's wolf snarled at us. In spite of the situation before me, I could not prevent my feminine core from tightening around his manhood, let alone push him off me. He slammed into me one last time as he breathed,"Exquisite." His eyes were on Liam, who now charged towards us with claws and fangs hanging out.I rose up, struggling to cover myself with the torn pieces of clothes all around me. Nox pulled out of me, then bared his teeth at the approaching angry wolf.Then he half-shifted. At the same time, Liam lunged at him, but he caught the blow, wrapping one strong hand with thick claws around Liam's throat."Monster! Rãpist!" Liam cursed. His voice was hoarsed as he struggled to breathe while bleeding and healing. And bleeding some more."You forced her." He gritted.I should be trying to put an end to the fight, but I couldn't look at the both of them. Not only that, the fight didn't last longer than a moment. Liam dropped to the floor, panting for b
Keira POVI watched Pavlov, checking for any indication that he knew about my attempted treason with Liam. His face remained gentle as he said, "Decide where you'd like to go, and I'll take you there." "I'd like to go to the hospital," I said. "Dandelion. I need to see the doctor." The smile faded from the warrior's face. All expressions vanished. I knew then that I was on track about where to find Liam. He was hospitalized. Of course, he was. "You said I can go anywhere, Pavlov!" I reminded him. "Anywhere but near the former Alpha," he replied. "That's the order.""Uh, I wanna go to the hospital, not to meet him!""He's getting treatment after an... accident last night. Once he's better and they bring him back here, I'll take you to Dandelion." "I'm not going there to see him," I argued. It was partly true. I needed to have Doctor Glass check me out. Surely, she would have something to say about this feeling inside me. The fact that Nox called out my wolf's name yesterday too
Keira POVTen years ago, I was attacked, and my wolf took ill. My dad didn't stop at torturing all of the warriors on duty that day. One of the warriors went missing before the torturing began. After the heavy interrogation, the other five were demoted to mere guards and not allowed near the main house to date. Two amongst the warriors on duty were still locked up in the dungeon to this day.The culprit was never found. From the chilling news that I had just learned, that evil one was not done with me yet. I sat silently across from the doctors, thinking of all that happened after my accident. The two seemed to be waiting for me to take in the news.My mind continued to shuffle all of the faces I saw often around my house. Then something occurred to me.Rita Glass. My doctor. She was around my age and took over after her father retired four years ago. I'd had my regular checkup with her for the last four years now."How long have you known?" My question was directed at her. Fear
Keira POVAs Nox spoke, a calm assurance settled upon me. I couldn't shake off the feeling. His tone rang with intimacy and tenderness. Last night's incident returned to me in the midst of the turmoil as I watched him. I did not feel weird or ashamed about what we did at all. In this moment, it felt right that he was telling me these things. It felt like he was my male, taking care of me. Of course, these thoughts and feelings may all be Aria's. But it only proved that she felt the bond. She recognized him as Mate. If only she would summon the strength to rise and call out to him."You won't put anything in your mouth. You don't touch anything. Until it's cleared!" He said. "Conan and one of mine are checking your room. They have a poison detector.""Conan? My Gamma?""Yes," he replied gently. "He begged to help."Not long ago, I'd considered that he might be an accomplice. But the news of him helping lift my spirit slightly. "How did you know?" I asked him. "You got here before we
Keira POVAt some point, after all the others had gone, Nox left to go oversee some things. I was happy to be alone in the quietness of my thoughts, but his absence brought an emptiness that made my heart ached.After washing up for the evening, I climbed the bed and sat there, thinking about my whole life until I fell asleep. My dreams were bittersweet, but I lost all memories of them the moment I opened my eyes the next day.I had freshened up and was combing my hair when a gentle knock came on the door. I stood up from the dresser as Nox's voice came through,"Keira, it's me. The doctor is here.""Come in," I replied.The door opened, and he walked in with another werewolf. A tall but lanky male around his age. He had warm brown eyes and a friendly air about him. "This is Doctor Jack Servius," Nox said. The male gave a gentle smile and came forward, holding out his right hand."Hi, Luna," he greeted. "We've actually met, but you were asleep then."I raised a brow, and Nox suppl
Keira POV After the meal, Nox had to leave to handle pack and business matters immediately. The doctor stuck around, sharing a few jokes about his Alpha and Autumn Moon. I felt much more clear-headed and less shaken after the meal and chit chat. Then I went to look for Uncle Felix, who was also detained as he was a member of the house and one of the few who had direct access to me.Pavlov was with me all the time. As I made my way to meet my uncle, I decided that the person I really wanted to look in the eye was Liam. The one who was my husband for a whole year. I couldn't believe that he had a hand in poisoning me. But then he had the most to gain from keeping my wolf weak and in hibernation.Uncle Felix was detained in one of the cells on the second floor. Other elders were also held in some of the cells. I had no interest in talking to any of them except my blooded relative.I stopped when I reached the door of the cell. The warrior had already opened the small gate for me to g
Nox POVTheo gave me a look that meant that he could see my anticipation and restlessness. I didn't care that it was showing. I looked around the conference room. Everyone else was focused on the projector.Then I stood up, causing the human to pause his presentation. All eyes turned to me in the conference room."Oh, carry on," I said to the guy. "Mister Crowe is right here. Oh, Miss Faust, you may see me briefly for the rest of the introductions.""Yes, sir," she replied, rising eagerly. I preferred Alpha, but for the sake of the few humans in our midst, the wolves referred to me as sir sometimes. It was hard to get used to it. Why in the hell did that good-for-nothing Liam put humans in management? I shook the thought of him off. He was irrelevant now. Keira and I had bonded. Their marriage was already void as far as I was concerned. Now, all that was left was for her wolf to show up and call me Mate.That would happen soon. Her healing had begun. It could even happen before the
Nox POVWhen Aria first spotted me, she snarled viciously as she struggled to get up and defend herself.I ran to her, vaguely noting the blood trails that led away from her spot into the woods. She seemed too weak to move."Aria," I dropped to my knees before her.She began to relax. There was blood all around her. From the scent, some of it was hers. My heart was in my throat. I was shaking from fear and rage, and unsure what to do.She looked toward the woods, and I glanced Pavlov's way, who immediately shifted and took off in that direction. I ripped my shirt as she began to shift back into her human form. It strained her to do it. She gave up trying and sighed, shutting her eyes. I let out my wolf, then lifted and carried her into the woods to race back to her pack.I could feel her healing from whatever wounds were inflicted on her. But she exerted herself in the process. It was too much of an effort.When I entered the pack's main building, Doctor Servius ran towards me. I wh
Nox POVMy heart dropped at the news of Liam's escape. My fist tightened on the cellphone. Ramos' breathing was heavy on the other end of the phone. I knew he was anxious about my reaction and enraged by his mistake."He's coming my way, you said. Which way? The Autumn Moon?" "No. Spring!" He replied. My mind immediately went to Keira. She was out in town. Outside the pack, though not too far. I recalled the look on Liam's face when I told him that Aria was awake. A she-wolf whom he would never have the pleasure of knowing even though they were once mated. If he was on his way here, rather than to take revenge on me, which would be foolish and suicidal, he was definitely coming to get Keira. "I don't understand, Ramos," I said. "How's it possible that he escaped? He had two werewolves guarding him." Not to mention that one of them was Ramos Vargas, a warrior of the North. "I am ashamed, Prince Nox," he replied. "We were distracted by those damned rogues. I let my guard down. B
Keira POVI stood a few feet inside the large office, staring at Liam Rudd, my ex-husband. The sound of the door latching behind me was a distant, irrelevant sound at that point. Even the Winter Moon's elder's voice was insignificant. My mind raced with various explanations for Liam's presence."How are you here?" I asked him.The smirk faded from his face and was replaced by a look that made me recall the days before the full moon, when he'd assaulted and tried to force himself on me. I remembered how I'd locked myself up in a guest chamber to avoid him until the full moon. The look on his face now was exactly the same as that time. I grew anxious and quickly looked behind me, only to find the elder standing with his back to the locked door. As if were standing guard."It is so good to see you again, my wife," Liam said. "My Luna. And I'm glad you're happy to see me too."I heard the door give another click sound behind me and turned. The elder was smiling at Liam's sarcastic remark
Nox POVKeira was a hard worker. Efficient, too. She was focusing on her family business and did not seem bothered by my existence. I was highly bothered by her walking around like I didn't exist. I had spent the whole morning shamelessly following her about. I didn't bother peeking this time. There was no point. I'd let everyone know that I was watching and following her, hoping to earn a reaction.But she had not even spared me more than a few seconds' glance. The time flew by too fast, and Theo came to find me, reminding me of the pressing matters that demanded my immediate attention. At the same time, my phone rang. It was Conan, who had just delivered my message to the former members of Spring Moon Elders Council.Zoey Faust, who was not a former member but was grouped with them, had caved first, according to Conan. She was ready to meet me face to face and talk. I decided to return to the pack for now. Keira Gray didn't live at the Pine, I consoled myself. She would return to
Keira POVNox was here. Not just in the building, he was nearby. Every now and then, I would feel him watching me. Today was the first time he came in here since the day he handed the wine company back to me.My morning had been going on smoothly when I sensed him. I'd almost forgotten that my arrest could come at any time. Blame that on the fact that no one stopped me from leaving the building this morning. Not only that, Liam had been taken far away to be punished. All thoughts of my troubles at home were far from my mind. After Nox's cruel words to me, spying on me was the last thing I expected from him. So when I first spotted him, I thought he'd come to kick me out of here. Maybe he would order the warriors around to drag me back to my chamber. Or the prison he'd prepared.I'd spent every single minute of the early hours with the nagging thought that I could be escorted out of here any moment. But until the middle of the day, work continued to go on smoothly despite his watchful
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'