My whole life has been harsh. I have no purpose but to serve my pack, who constantly abuse me because they blame me for the death of my mother, the pack's beloved Luna Harper. My father, alpha Thomas Aeson, and brother, Duncan, don't care about me anymore. They don't defend me from the bullies. I cook and clean; on top of that, I'm their punching bag. I've been abused verbally and physically by everyone who could. I don't always let them mistreat me; I fight back, but when I do, the punishments I receive are harsher. My name is Apphia Aeson. I'm seventeen years old. I belong to the werewolf pack called Ivory Moon pack. I haven't shifted yet, so everyone is stronger than I am "Apphia!" I shudder when I hear the voice that calls me. He walks in with angry-filled eyes on me. He approaches me and slaps me across the face. I fall to the ground. "Where the fuck were you?" he roars. I shut my eyes, waiting for the burn on my cheek to dissipate. "I was- doing my assignment," I
Apphia"Hey, freak, chef is looking for you," Rory, one of my greatest assailants, says. He is evil and once beat me to a pulp because I rejected his advances. He left me in the cold streets, bleeding. I still don't know how I survived that night. I found myself in the hospital the following day. However, I couldn't continue with treatment because I was not allowed any medical care. " Dickass," I growl. His eyes flash. Damn, I angered him again. Rory grabs my hair and pushes me against the wall. He raises his fist to punch me, but I kick him in the balls with my knee. He doubles over, cussing at me, and I run to the kitchen."Where the fuck were you? Dinner isn't going to make itself!" Jeff shouts as soon as he sets his eyes on me. "We have many dishes to prepare. Alpha Amir, and his daughter, Aya, is coming early to attend young Alpha Duncan's inauguration next week," I frown at the mention of those two. Alpha Amir is an insufferable, creepy Lycan from a neighboring pack who d
ApphiaSapphire blue eyes, jet black hair, and the loveliest smile I've ever seen. He is perfect in every way, yet I can't make out his face. I'm lying on my back, my body trembling as his fingers tease their way to my core. "You're so perfect, Apphia," the stranger whispers in my ear. "I want to mark your neck and make you mine for real," His delicious lips descend on mine, and he pushes his tongue between my lips, exploring my mouth. His long, slender fingers are caressing my skin delicately, and I feel a burning sensation throughout my body. My pussy is pulsating and dripping for him. "You're mine, baby," he murmurs, eyes consumed with lust. His lips are subjecting me to more pleasure as he leaves trails of kisses on my skin. My breath is irregular. "Say it," "Hmm," a moan bubbles from my chest as I rock my hips back and forth against his massive hardness. "Say it," he orders. I shiver, and then warmth spreads as his delicious scent shrouds me. "I'm... Yours," His slow
Apphia"Y- you're my mate," my voice is unrecognizable to my ears. I feel a lump growing in my throat. "Shut up! I'm not your mate," he commands. My eyes widen in shock, and a whimper escapes my mouth at his harshness. Gavin grabs my elbow; sparks erupt over my arm again. My heart sprints as he discreetly drags me away from the packhouse into the forest where no one can see or hear us. "No," I whimper, knowing what he is about to do. Fear settles in my stomach at the thought of not being wanted by my soulmate. Even though mates are given by the moon goddess, they can still reject each other and break the bond. There is no doubt Gavin brought me here to reject me. I feel a burning pain in my chest, and tears fill my eyes. "You've dragged me here to reject me, " I say, my voice quiet. "Of course. What choice do I have?!" he growls, running a hand through dark brown hair, " You are the reason Luna, your mother, is dead. Because of your selfishness," Those words from his
ApphiaOn my way outside, I see Gavin in the common area. He's making out with the pack slut, Calla. I almost puke at the sight, and the pain in my chest intensifies."Hey, slut, stop," Calla calls me in her nasal voice. I don't stop walking. "Apphia!" she shouts. I stop and cock my head to look at her. "Did you not hear me call you?" she asks, getting off Gavi's lap and walks to me. "You said slut, and the only slut I see in this room is you," I say, making Nalani and Vivian burst into laughter. The two girls are never mean to me. Nalani tries to make conversation with me, and even go as far as to defend me from bullies. Calla gasps and attempts to slap me, but a growl from Gavin stops her hand in mid-air. I stare at my ex-mate; he has a blank expression. "Don't fucking dare hit my- her, Calla," "I won't fight her. Apphia needs to reserve her energy for Amir. He is taking her to his pack tomorrow, "Calla laughs. My eyes widen with fear. "What?!" Gavin, and Nalani boom, th
Apphia My eyes flutter open, and I feel the weight of someone on top of me. Sheer terror runs through me. I can't breathe properly. I fight to no avail. He's so much stronger than me. "Don't be a tease," he pants as he thrusts into me. A sob escapes my lips. "You're so dramatic, Apphia. I know you like it," "Stop it, please!" I cry. I hit Rory's chest, hoping he'd get him me, but he pins my hands over my head as he continues his assault mercilessly. "Help me!" I scream at the top of my lungs. He attempts to cover my mouth but fails. He smacks me, and I feel my lip split. I can taste blood in my mouth. "Why don't you just stay still!" he hisses, choking me. I feel like passing out again. I see a rock through my peripheral blurred vision and grab it. I hit him with a large rock against his temple several times. "Ahh," he screams, rolling off me. I use this change to stagger to my feet. There's a painful sensation between my legs because of his forced entry, and there is stic
ApphiaI'm running as fast as I can. I don't know where I'm going, but I keep running for my life, tears rolling down my cheeks. I hear their thundering paws and footsteps behind me, their growls and snarls of excitement piercing through the forest as they enjoy the chase. I run faster. I hear a clap of thunder roll through the dark sky, and lightning strikes the ground. I lose my footing and fall to the dirt, landing on my knees and hands, but I get up instantly, dragging my legs and running again. Slowly, raindrops fall on me, and I get soaked. I'm so cold. I'm shivering uncontrollably. But the harsh cold and rain are unimportant right now. I need to get further from the men hunting me down. I can see the light not far from me. I'm thankful for the rain because it covers my scent and makes it hard for them to find me. My lungs burn with exhaustion, and my legs can't carry me anymore. I'm panting for breath. I need to hide, but there is nowhere to hide. I begin to slow d
Nicholas The wait is killing me, and my heart is cold. We wait while my mate is in the surgery room. My parents are talking to Blade, whispering while they send worried glances at me. A few hours later, the door opens, and the doctor walks out. Everyone jumps to their feet. " Doctor! Is she going to be alright?" my mom asks. The doctor gives her a pitiful smile. My heart drops to the floor. It isn't going to be good news. Doctor White glances at my youngest siblings. " Can you grab something to drink at the cafeteria?" she says. She doesn't want them to hear what she has to tell us. A shiver goes down my spine. They scowl and hesitate, but one glare from my mother, and they leave. " Prince Knox, please go with them," Dr White says to my seventeen-year-old brother. " I'm not a child," " Knox, please," Dad says sternly. He grumbles something unintelligent and leaves. Blade's pov I had stumbled to my feet when Prince Nicholas stood up, panicking. " What's going on?" He ig
NicholasMistress? Morgana wasn't my mistress. She does fulfill my desires, but they don't go beyond that. Jamila is determined not to attend my parents' dinner with me, and it's frustrating. I can smell her anger in the air. Why the fuck is she so mad at me. Could it be because of how I lost my shit when I saw the mark on her neck? I glare at the damn mark again, it's still there. "The dinner is in your honor," I tell her. " I don't want to be honored," she snaps. Oh, goddess. She's doing this on purpose. She stands, penetrating gaze through me and arms crossed against her chest. " Will you force me?" she challenges. I take a step towards her, towering over her. " You will attend the dinner with me, and that's an order," I command. Jamila scoffs and rolls her eyes, " Um, no thanks," No? I gave her an order, and she defied it. How was this possible? I'm her superior, yet it didn't affect her. Alpha couples can not command each other after completing the marking process. But wit
Nicholas' povJamila is angry. She's usually so smiley that it's annoying yet pleasant to witness, but now she is mad__ mad at me after she saw Morgana in my bedroom. Why would she be angry at that when I made it clear that I didn't want a mate or her around me? She has locked herself in the bedroom and refuses to eat. She actually thought I'd poison her. It had been a fucking damn week, and she still locked herself in. After my run with Shai, I watch her bedroom window for a while. MeowI look down at the feline. For some reason, she has been fascinated by the woman in that room. I couldn't blame her. Jamila Clark is inviting. Even though I spend my time ignoring her, I think about her. I hate it because it feels like I'm betraying Apphia. "Shai, wait here," I say, jumping to her balcony. I see her lying in bed, reading a book through the glass window. I hate that I find her attractive. But most of all, I hate that when I look at her, I see her… Apphia. She notices me and abruptl
JamilaMorgana's words repeat in my head: 'He won't for so many reasons, and one of them is that you look like her,' What did she mean by that? Who do I look like? Nicholas' first mate?I sit up, wipe my tears, and grab my phone. I type in Luna Queen, and many pictures and articles about the former Luna come up. I carefully look through each one. Apphia Aeson_ the beloved mate of the lycan Prince Nicholas. My breath lodges in my chest. She was ethereal! She had stunning features. We are the same height and have the same nose and skin tone. But her eyes, damn, they are beautiful. One is silver, like my eyes. Is that what she meant?" Apphia Aeson," I whisper—my wolf whimpers.'Hey, you okay,' I ask, concerned, but she only continues to whimper, and I'm getting a headache. I spend the whole day in my room, either sleeping or reading a book. With my wolf's sharp ears, I can tell that Morgana and Nicholas are still in the house so I don't leave. I'm not ready to face them after the bre
The mall is large and full of people. Drake is a step behind me as I browse the stores, picking what I want. I get a few casual dresses, shorts, shirts, and shoes. Drake gives the cashier his card despite my disapproval when it's time to pay. "I have my own money," I murmur. "The alpha told me to pay. He gave me his card," he says. I shove the shopping bags in Drake's hands and enter a Victoria's Secret store, leaving him outside. I smirk. See how you pay for this. I take my sweet time in the store, picking what I like and trying them on. I pay for my items, and when I return, Drake is talking to a very pretty woman. She seems to be my age and has very curly red hair. She seems to be annoyed with him. "You don't have the right to be angry, Vicky; you have a fucking fiancé," Drake's angry, it's the loudest I've heard him speak. "Oh, was I supposed to wait until you're ready? When Josh was down on his knee with an engagement ring. Why the fuck am I even speaking to you right now,"
Jamila"Go away, go away!" I scramble out of bed but fall face-first on the ground. Meow"HELP ME!" I scream. I struggle to get up, but I do. The door opens just as I charge towards it. I hit into a warm body. Sparks shoot through me. I look up. It's Nicholas, of course. I jump into his arms, clutching him as tightly as I can and burying my face in his neck."There's a cat in my bed. Please, kick it out," I beg. "Shai,"Meow"She's gone," he says. I pull away from him and face him. His beautiful eyes immediately suck me in. I swallow thickly. For a moment, we stare at each other. "Get off me," he whispers. I oblige instantly, getting to my feet and staring at him.He's not wearing a shirt, and I'm entranced by the sexiest chest I've ever seen. His body is made up of muscles, and his skin is smooth. This man is a masterpiece. While I'm gaping openly, he turns and leaves the room. I rush after him and grab his arm. He spins around so fast, taking his arm away from my hold, that I i
JamilaI pick a room on this floor. The room is massive, with a black bed. This one is well-furnished, with an ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet. It has dust. I take a shower with the products available, which are not so many. Leaving the bathroom, I apply moisturizer, wear a large white T-shirt, and crawl into bed. Sleep eludes me tonight. I grab my phone and text my family in the group chat, I'M WITH MY MATE. I'M SAFE. I'll call when I can. I put the phone on the side table, but it beeps, I grab it. I'm distraught with you, Jami. How could you just leave without a word to us? - Mom. Why are you not answering our calls? - EricI'm happy for you, sis. Our little Jami is the Luna Queen - Zizi. I turn my phone off after reading the messages and close my eyes, but Nicholas' face keeps returning to my mind. Gosh, he's so fine. How do I feel so strongly for him already? And why doesn't he feel it?'He does, he's just ignoring it,' my wolf says, the first full sentence I've heard h
NicholasI feel anxious today, and that woman's face still plagues me. The way she fell from that damn tree into my arms, how she hung onto me, and her smell, she smells nice_ like lavender and peppermint. She fucking hit me with a shoe, I suddenly recall. Does she know who I am? I'd punish her for that, but I didn't want to waste my breath on her. Mate. I snort thinking about that. That brat can't be my mate. But she is, my subconscious barks. No, I don't want her. I wasn't even attracted to her.Blade had asked me if she was telling the truth, but I said she was just crazy. What did Clark call her again? The name is there at the tip of my tongue, but I can't remember it, 'Jamila,' Nico whispers. He's been too quiet since we left the Clark manor last week.Yeah, Jamila.Julius Clark has been trying to meet with me, but I've denied all his requests. He wants to discuss what will happen with his last-born daughter, my second-chance mate. Frustration starts to boil, and I feel my
I'm walking a step behind the Gamma, my heart pounding loudly. I'm going to see my mate. Will he kick me out? Ignore me like the last time? The grand doors open, and we enter the house. It's lovely. We walk through wide corridors; I follow him. We are both silent. The Gamma takes me to a large office and gestures for me to sit on a couch. I do that. He leaves the room. I take out my phone from my bag. Ten missed calls from my Dad, fifteen from my mom, and three from my brothers. I text them in the family group chat, I'M ALRIGHT. GOING TO MY MATE. I'LL CALL YOU WHEN I SETTLE. I switch off my phone and, put it in my bag, and wait. I wait and wait. Has the Gamma forgotten I'm here? I fidget in my seat, debating whether to leave or be patient. While in my dilemma, the door opens, and the Gamma is back, he's not alone. I get to my feet and bow my head to all of them. The gorgeous woman with curly hair and blue eyes gives me a small smile, while the good-looking man is stoic; he looks
JamilaOnce adequately clean, I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a white, fluffy towel. I take a long look at myself in the mirror. My mom always says how much I look like her, but I don't see it. I'm slender, yet I have some curves. My mom has an hourglass figure to die for. I have long curly hair almost reaching my waist, while hers is coily. My eyes are brilliant silver that glints another color if you look closely, while hers are chocolate brown. I have plump, pouty lips, and she has full lips. Lastly, my nose is small and straight, while Mom's a button and cute. "I just don't see it, never have," I exhale. I wear black jeans, a black tank top, boots, and a coat. I also wear a black beanie and grab my mobile phone and large handbag. My wolf is purring in excitement. I'm going to my mate. I have his name and position. It wouldn't be too hard to find him. My parents and siblings refused to give me any information about him for a week. Determined, I leave my bedroom