Aurelia’s POVEleven years ago. I heard it. The loud boom echoed through the pack. My heart lurched in fright as I searched for answers. But the only thing I found was the sound of people screaming. High in the sky now was a black cloud of smoke coming from the Alpha’s palace. No. This couldn’t be happening. I knew exactly what that meant. We were under attack by an enemy. We weren’t safe anymore. If the Alpha were dead, then we would all join him in a few minutes. No. I couldn't think that. Alpha Cedric was the most powerful man I knew. If there was anybody who would survive that, then it was him. No questions. He was going to be fine. I just knew it. The earth trembled beneath my feet like a herd of rhinoceroses was heading my way. But I knew it wasn’t that. It was the enemy coming in numbers. I had to check up on my parents. They would know what to do. With that, I took off rushing towards the house. The cloud of smoke stood clear in the sky now, and the stinging acrid smell of
Kael’s POVMy body ached in pain as I stepped out of the Cadillac. I was finally home. In what seemed like a perfect long day, there had been some complications. My plan to bring Asher to the Silver Fang pack looked like it was going to succeed, but that stupid Beta had to ruin it in the dying moments.I was almost certain that Asher was coming with me. After realizing that he had a sister, Asher’s interest became genuine. There was no other way I could bring him apart from that. He was lonely even though he had Aurelia with him. The thought of having another sibling—a younger sister—was enough for him to come here. I should feel stupid and dirty for using my daughter, but I didn’t. Her purpose was great. She was going to be the lightning rod for Asher. And that was all that mattered. It wasn’t going to be long now. When we meet next, I'm going to make sure that I seal the deal. He was going to come with me. “Daddy!” I heard Eliana’s voice calling from the corridor. She sprinted ou
Rune’s POV. Kael’s words still echoed in my head. It made me feel totally useless. I couldn’t shake it off. The events of this afternoon had been a real eye-opener, but also a tough pill to swallow. The truth hurt—deeper than any cut I’d received. “You can never be the original.”He was right. I would never be him no matter how hard I tried. Asher was always going to want that real father’s love. One that I couldn’t get him to feel. Because in truth, I wasn’t his father. And that hurt so much. I slammed my fist on the wooden desk in rage. My wolf grew turbulent inside me. It was enraged by Kael’s words. He didn’t have to lay a single hand on me. His words had done the damage. The fact that he’d thought he stood a chance against me. I’d been ready to take him down, but I had to control my anger. I had to let him think he could beat me. I couldn’t expose my secrets. Not now. Not yet. I ran my fingers through my silver hair in frustration. The bandage at my temple tugged, sending a j
Aurelia’s POV I stared at the clock in my study as I took a break from pacing around the room. They were late. Rune and Asher. What would be keeping them this long? Maybe they were out together. That rarely happened. Asher was usually exhausted after school so Rune didn’t bother taking him out of school nights. Whatever it was, I didn’t like it one bit. It made my stomach churn in dissatisfaction. My wolf grumbled inside me. She was worried too. They’ll be home soon. I was sure of it. If there was anybody who could protect Asher, it was Rune. I trusted him with my life. The familiar sound of Rune’s Porsche engine came from outside and I rushed out of the study heading towards the driveway. He was finally back. There was nothing to worry about. Well, there was something he needed to know about. I’d been itching to tell him about the invitation. He was the only one I could talk to about it. He was the only one who would understand. I rushed out of the mansion and stood on the porch
Rune’s POVWas I wrong for doing this? Since he deserved this, Asher didn’t deserve to watch this. He was innocent even though he had a mature mind at such a young age. I could bring myself to hurt Kael anymore as I looked into his lemon eyes. “Rune. Please let him go,” Asher pleaded. I looked at him shocked. Why didn’t he want to save someone like Kael? Even after what he was doing? Maybe he didn’t know. He was a kid. His naivety was at its climax. One day, he was going to look back at this and realize the truth. It was better to save him from that truth before it was too late. And that was why I had to do this. Kael’s chuckle snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to him and found a mischievous smile on his face. He was feeling victorious. Asher still chose him even after what he did. “You see, Rune? You can never take the place of a real father no matter how hard you try,” he mocked. I was furious but he was right. It was the bitter truth—a hard pill to swallow. I’d tried my
Rune’s POVI was going to kill him. There was no doubt about it. My blood was boiling with rage, and my wolf was tugging at my skin, begging to be let out. But I couldn’t do it. Not here. It was crowded with humans. And that was his only advantage. I could see him through the window seated at a table, and beside him with a little boy. Asher. I sighed in relief. He was safe. And he looked to be eating a bowl of ice cream. Kael. He was trying to bribe him. That bastard. What did he think he was doing?I growled under my breath as I walked towards the cafe. I was going to show him what it meant to mess with me. I’d given him a warning. And that was the only thing I was going to say to him. No words. Just fists. I cracked my knuckles as I made my way towards the cafe. But then, two men in black suits appeared before me. They smelled of Silver Fang. This meant that they were his men. He brought his people? I scoffed in disappointment. “We are going to have to stop you there, sir,” one