Apphia"Apphia!" someone calls me. I stop and turn. It's Nalani. She smiles and waves as she walks towards us. Next to her is her friend, Vivian. Nalani looks me up and down with a smile. "I heard you were back. How are you?" she's smiling hard. I can't help but reciprocate her excitement. "Hi, I'm alright. How are you?" "I'm fine. We were going to the pack to see you …" she glances back at her friend, but Vivian has frozen, her gaze solely on Chase. They are mates. Vivian, as though on autopilot. She moves towards my bodyguard and smiles, standing very close to him, "Hi," Chase steps back and quietly answers, "H—hello. " There is silence. Chelsea smacks her brother on the shoulder hard, making Vivian growl. "Are you going to stand there like an idiot?!" she barks. He finally tears his gaze away and meets his sister's eyes, lost. He doesn't know what to say or do. I almost chuckle. "Congratulations, you two," I beam. They regard me and bow their heads in thanks. "Ladies
ApphiaGavin's Lycan has resigned, whimpering in defeat. He knows what's about to happen and is filled with regret for this challenge. He did it on impulse, and now it will cost him his life. I hate Gavin so much for what he did to me, but I wouldn't want him dead because of it__ because of me."You're an unpleasant little Lycan," sneers Nicholas, ready to end him, 'No, Nicholas, please,' He doesn't turn to look at me. Please, no, I implore. 'Why?' he growls. 'I don't want another death on my conscience,' I tell him. 'It's on me,' 'Don't, Nicholas,' 'Why do you always call me Nicholas… No words of endearment,' he sounds sore and juvenile. I could laugh if this situation weren't dire. A wail resounds before I can respond to his question. The former beta female, Nancy, runs in, throwing himself before the Alpha prince, two hands rubbing together."Please don't kill my son.," she pleads, "He's all I have, please, I beg you," Nancy is crying, head bowed to the ground. I hate the sat
ApphiaNicholas is not pleased to see me here. He's fuming as he approaches me. My eyes swiftly sweep him. Okay, he's fine, with not a single scratch on him. Drake and the twins by his side also give me a worried but disapproving look. "Apphia, what the fuck are you doing here?" Nicholas growls. "Don't talk to me in that tone," I retort sharply. He stops and runs a hand through his tousled hair, his eyes glaring at me, aggrieved. Drake walks past him and checks my minor injuries. "Luna, are you alright?" I give him a tiny smile and nod, "I'm fine, Drake. Relax. You trained me well," I wink. He exhales in relief. "I told you to stay in the room, and you disobeyed me," Nicholas says sternly as if talking to a deviant child. "And I told you I wanted to c—go with you, but you left me," I tell him disapprovingly. The four shifters with us silently leave, giving us privacy. “ It’s dangerous; you could have gotten hurt__ look, you’re hurt,” "It's just a few scratches, Nicholas.
Apphia The rogues that were caught had died from food poisoning three days later. There has been a clean sweep of security details around the pack; no one can leave or enter without a thorough search and reason. Now more than ever, we suspect someone wants access to the pack. However, we still don't know who or what they want yet. It seems a spy is in the pack, and investigations are underway to find out who. Duncan and Nicholas have been in meetings, strategizing while I've been bored out of my mind. The only action I got was yesterday when Calla and her two little minions cornered me as I left the woods from my run. I was alone. They wanted to intimidate and fight me, but suddenly, they couldn't move as I willed it in my mind. I controlled their minds and managed to do it simultaneously since they were weak. After I released them from the mental hold, they came at me, but I was faster than all of them and beat them black and blue. Ziora was excited, and I got part of my revenge on
NalaniHe stands aside, talking to a few ranked warriors. I'm still paired up with Jessica. "Luna," she scoffs, throwing a punch at me, but I dodge it, "What happened to 'I could never date a manwhore like Duncan'? He's not my type," "He's my mate, and if the goddess paired us, then we must fit," "You're a hypocrite," she spites, angry tears in her eyes, "You don't deserve him__ any of this. You've never had anything good to say about the Alpha. Now you're getting praised for being a good Luna and kissing him!" "I know you're hurting, and I'm sorry, but I've given you enough grace by letting all you do against me slide. Can you exist without throwing shade or mean-girling me?" I ask. Ever since my date with Duncan, she's been the biggest bitch towards me. I tried to talk things with her, but she wouldn't hear it. "No, Nala, you were my friend and betrayed me by accepting the bond with the man I wanted," "Well, he didn't want you, Jessica. Get fucking over it, put on your bi
ApphiaMy father is not the man he once was. He has lost weight, his eyes dull, and he has a permanent scowl on his face. It seems he has lost all spark in life. I want to turn and walk in another direction, but my legs won't move. For some reason, he scares me. Why am I scared? I try to get in his head and read his thoughts. There is only contempt, no kind memories of me whatsoever. It's just hurt and hate. He still blames me for his mate's death. And then realization dawns on me: this man has always hated me; my mother's death was only the tip of the iceberg.His eyes darken, and he regards Jerry beside me, mindlinking him. " Luna, he's asking me to leave," he whispers, eyes glimpsing at his former alpha, lips pressed in a thin line." Go," my voice is barely audible. Jerry hesitates for a bit, but I give him a light smile. He bows to me and leaves, leaving me with the monster in my life." You, I heard you're back," his silver eyes survey me. If eyes could kill, I'd be dead. I cro
Nicholas What the fuck is she doing here? I know this girl. She's the daughter of the bastard Amir. She has been coming to my office to beg for her father's pardon, but all her requests have been shut down. I close the door behind me and glare at her. " Why are you here, on my bedroom door?" I ask. " I'm sorry, my prince. I came here to collect my items and heard you are visiting this pack. I wanted to implore you again for my father's release," she says. " The answer is still no," " Please, Alpha. He's a good man," she sniffs, tears filling her eyes. " Is he?" I question, reigning in my anger. She's at a loss for words. She, too, knows the truth. Amir is a bloody bastard_ a pedophile. After extensive investigation, we discovered pictures of my mate on his phones and computers. The man was obsessed with her since she was a child. " I don't want to see your face again. Your father will serve the sentence he was given," I declare and get back inside the room, shutting the
Seeker I need to get my hands on the marked wolf. The spy we put in the pack noticed a silver, purple wolf in the forest running, and after following the wolf, it turned out to be the Luna of the Sapphire royal pack, Apphia Aeson. Fuck. It would make things difficult. Her position is too high. The Luna Queen of lycans is the unique wolf with the power I need to take my crown. " What did the sisters say?" I ask my third, Shona. We've been gathering our witch allies since learning the marked wolf's identity—just two. They can cast a spell on me that enables me to siphon the marked wolf's divine powers for myself. " They are ready. Once we have Apphia Aeson, we shall call them, and then they can begin the spell," she informs me, satisfied. " Good job, Shona," I praise. " Thank you, master," " And the spy?" I ask, suddenly remembering the young man. " I paid him and released his human mate from our holding," she answers. " You should have killed them; it's too dangerous, especiall
Jamila Maximus takes his hand back, and his gaze travels to the corner of the room, where my mate is standing alone, glaring at us. " He doesn't like me very much," Maximus whispers, and I chuckle, " Me either," I whisper, grinning as I look at my mate again. He is walking towards us, and I'm tempted to flee but remain standing. Before Nicholas can reach us, Lady Anaiah announces we should go to the dining room. The dining room is large enough to accommodate everyone. I sit next to Nicholas, who is at the head of the large table, and his father, who is taking the other. I'm a little nervous again because I can feel people's gazes on me. ' Drake, where is he?' my wolf asks. She's fond of the gamma even though he doesn't like us very much. I smile at Drake when our gaze meets across the table, but he doesn't smile back at me. I press my lips in a thin line, focusing on the variety of food before me. The red, curly-haired girl glares at me, but I ignore her. My hands are getting cla
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