Astra's POVI was alone in my room, the moonlight streaming in through the windows, casting a soft glow on the walls. My hands gently cradled my swollen belly, the life within me kicking and squirming as if in response to the turmoil that had enveloped me.The silence of the night was broken only by the soft rustling of leaves outside, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to drift into the memories of happier times, when the weight of secrets and betrayal had not yet burdened our hearts.For some reason, my thoughts drifted to Noah. I sighed as I stared out of the window of my room, my eyes darting across the moonlit courtyard. Noah had been absent from my thoughts for a long time: I wondered why I would suddenly think about him now. My heart had healed since he banished me from the pack, and Ramsey had mended the pieces, filling my life with love and happiness. Ramsey was the one who truly mattered now.So why was I still thinking about Noah?I shook my head, relentlessly trying
Astra's POVThe dining hall seemed to close in around us as Ramsey jumped into action, his protective instincts in full force. I watched as the maid promptly went to her knees, pure fear on every inch of her pale face.My heart beat with fear and disgust at the maid's behaviour. Fear about the fact that someone, somewhere wanted me dead, and disgust at the homicidal behaviour of the young maid. I could not imagine that someone who had served me a plate of food could actually attempt to have me killed.I stared down at the plate of food before me—the lamb chops of death. A sudden wave of anger came over me as I glanced up at the maid again, and I swore right there and then to end whoever had tried to have me killed.The maid was practically trembling now, drop after drop of tears falling from her eyes. "Please...." She whispered. "Alpha, please show mercy!""You do not deserve mercy!" Noah snarled, the bridge of his nose crinkling with barely-concealed anger. I watched, my heart still
At that point, I had absolutely no doubt that this woman absolutely hated me.I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of unease as she walked towards the stand meant for the accused, her head regal and her eyes full of a sense of pride.She paused halfway to the stand, and her eyes fell on her son. "You are an absolute disgrace to me, the royal family and this entire pack!" She spat."Move on, mother!" Ramsey snapped, and she continued walking.Ramsey remained standing at the head of the courtroom, his gaze locked onto his mother with a mix of anger, disappointment, and sorrow. The air in the room felt heavy with the weight of the accusation, and I couldn't imagine the turmoil he must be feeling, torn between his loyalty to his pack and his blood ties to his mother."Let the trial begin!" Ramsey declared, his voice firm, as his eyes roamed around the room.The Council of Wolves, along with the gathered pack members, watched with bated breath as the trial commenced. Lady Eleanor stoo
Ramsey's POVSix months later...."Ramsey, the contractions are getting harder!"My head shot up at the sound of Astra's voice. I turned back to see her sprawled on the bed: legs wide, face full of fear, and my own heart jumped in fright.I turned back to Colin. "Find the pack's physician, stat!" I ordered. "Tell him the Luna's contractions have started.""On it." Colin replied, then gave me a short bow and turned to leave the room.I turned and crossed the room to my luna in two quick strides. I slipped to my knees, crouching before the bed and gripping her hand tight."You'll be fine," I whispered in reassurance. "Remember our breathing lessons....""Oh, Ramsey!" Astra wailed as tears slipped down her cheeks. Her fingers gripped mine, as I pushed all my strength and resilience into her.I stayed with Astra until Colin burst into the room again, followed by the pack's physician and a few frantic wolf nurses. "Step aside, Alpha!" The physician called out, pushing past me to crouch be
Astra pov..."I demand to be let in." I said again, staring daggers at the guards. "I'm his mate, for crying out loud! This is preposterous!"My cheeks were already heating up in embarrassment, as I could see other people being let into the pack house. My feet were killing me; I'd been standing under the sun for literal hours.I just needed to see Noah. I just needed to fix things between us.I stood in front of the guards in Noah's pack house, their eyes trailing my every movement. I could feel the tension radiating off of them, almost as hot as the sun beating down on me."Who gave you this instruction?" I asked, hands on hips. "Surely not the alpha, because I'm his mate, for fuck's sake!"The first guard looked over at his partner, who answered me. "Miss Kylie made the request to not let you in, and the alpha consented to it."That bimbo again?What in the name of the Moon Goddess did she want this time?I stared at the men in front of me, my eyes narrowed. I could see that they di
Astra pov ...Again, the fear that I'd experienced when Noah had pushed me at the stairs was back again, gripping my heart for all it was worth. I stood glued to the spot, watching as Kylie sashayed out of the room, my heart thundering in my chest.What in the name of the Goddess had she told him?!"Miss Astra?" The guard called out. "Miss Astra!"I snapped out of my thoughts and took a tremulous breath. I'd been fisting my fingers, and my nails had been digging painfully into my palms. I closed my eyes and took another quivering breath, then opened my eyes and walked towards the door. "Sure," I murmured. "Let's go and see the alpha."****Rage was a dangerous emotion, and yet it was so powerful when channelled well. My heart was simply pumping ember-hot anger through my body. I wanted to turn around and sniff Kylie out within the pack house, make sure she had a few scratches on her face, curtsey of my nails. But on the other hand, I wanted to face whomever she had managed to buy with
Astra pov...Hopelessness was an almost alien feeling, something I thought I would never come across after I got mated to Noah. Now it had happened again, and it had wrenched my only source of joy away and left me adrift and alone, like a flightless bird on a deserted island. I wanted to scream at the misery life was forcing on me, to scream and scream until I lost my voice the way I'd lost my mate.Noah had been my support system. Without him I felt naked; a plant starved of sunshine and warmth.Somehow, in the midst of my hopelessness, I found myself at the door of the room I usually occupied in Noah's house. A guard was standing at the front of the room, his face grim and unwelcoming."Please..." I said, gesturing weakly at the door. The guard shook his head and stepped in my way as I moved forward."No can do, Miss Astra." The guard almost snapped at me. "The alpha specifically ordered thay we shouldn't let you into this room to take aby personal effects."I stared at him with eye
Astra pov ...I promptly inclined my head as the two men who had captured me walked forward. From the corner of my eye, I watched as they bowed, then one of them said:"She was found loitering at the border of our pack, my alpha. We guessed she was a spy, trying to gain information about our security at the perimeter."I heard the alpha grunt as I stared at the grass close to his feet. "And you think bringing a spy into our borders was the best choice? Don't you think you are giving her more opportunity to learn about our security inside the perimeter?""I...we didn't think—" I felt rather than heard one of the men shuffle uncomfortably."Shouldn't one of you have sent word to me while the other stayed by the "spy" at the border? Couldn't you have, oh I don't know, killed her there, perhaps?" I heard the alpha continue. His voice had a mocking edge to it now. I could almost see the half-smile on his beautiful face."We're...sorry, alpha—""That's alright," the alpha said. "Leave her b