Kayla's POV
The sun streamed through the white linen curtains, warming my face. The soft mattress cushioned my body. Moments like this made it easy to forget but the war lingered in the back of my mind always there, always waiting to kill the mood.
"Enter," I replied to the knock on the door.
"Maddox needs you downstairs," Lena told me, grabbing my hand to pull me out of bed. She threw the soft, fluffy pink robe we bought yesterday and lead me down the winding master staircase. People paused to nod and smile as we passed. Although Maddox and I hadn't made it official or completed the mate bond I was their future Luna.
"Morning Luna Kayla," Amber grinned she skipped past me with a slice of toast hanging out of her mouth. Maddox swore to protect these people and once I became their Luna I would feel the same sense of duty he did.
"Morning," I smiled back. Lena entered the office first, pulling me in behind h
Maddox's POVKayla stood, feet hip-width apart, arms crossed, chin jutting out in defiance. If it wasn't for the sleep ruffled hair sticking out of her head at random angles she'd be almost fearsome. A silence so heavy you could slice it with a knife filled the office."The Lycans will help us," she repeated confidently.Casper shook his head. Lena raised her carefully shaped brows and pursed her lips."She's actually insane," Blake muttered."Kayla," Casper said calmly, taking her tiny hands in his massive bear paws. "The Lycans have never, ever helped werewolves.""But they will now," Kayla insisted.I glanced at the map. It would take us half an hour out of our way but no one else had come up with anything. We needed to protect Casper and Serena at all costs. My pack were fierce warriors but without Blake, Lena and myself they were leaderless. If an attack came Casper's concentration would right
Maddox's POVShadow circled in my mind. Blake and Lena held each other's hands so tight their knuckles glowed."ENTER!" The sound reverberated off the stone walls. My stomach clenched. I inhaled, closed my eyes and pushed the doors open with my eyes closed. The sound of feet shuffling came from behind me.I opened my eyes slowly. Sunlight streamed through tall, stained glass windows, casting a rainbow over the polished stone floor. Intricate tapestries hung from the walls. A red carpet led from the doors to a small set of stairs.The King sat on a large, grey stone chair, his fingers templed together as he looked down at us his head tilted."Mr Mason," He said curtly nodding his head.I stepped forward, "Your Highness.""Last time I checked, I wasn't your King," he sneered. The few Lycans who were gathered in the throne room snickered. I scanned the room. Five Lycans huddled together in
Maddox's POV The room came back into focus slowly. Kayla stood by my side, her tender hand rested on my shoulder, concern etched into her face. Blake and Lena stand behind her, hand in hand. Most of the Lycan's had dissipated into the bowels of the gargantuan stone building. The King hovers at the back of the room chatting with a younger Lycan. This one was different to the rest, leaner and cleaner with clear scar-free skin and slicked back ebony hair. He wore the obligatory black combat pants and t-shirt and clutched a glass of ice water in one hand and a small white box in the other. He turned his attention from his King to me and sauntered over to our group. I remained on the wooden chair that was shoved under me minutes ago my body still too ravaged with agony to stand. "Here," he said, tipping out two white pills from the small box he held. "What are they?" I asked, tracking my thumb over one. "Tyle
Maddox's POV We piled into the armoured truck the only sound came from the singing birds and the gentle breeze brushing through the trees. Lena, Blake, Will and Kayla crawled into the back. Kayla's wide eyes locked on me as the doors closed. Sparks of gold swirled in her hazel irises. She tugged on her hair, her face devoid of colour. Lena had the same fierce look she always did before a battle. Her jaw locked tight, her wolf stirred at the surface ready to take action. Blake held her in his lap, inhaling her scent. Will lost himself in his cell phone. And then the doors closed shielding them from my view. The King climbed into the driver's seat. "You coming or what?" He asked shrugging his shoulders as if he asked nothing more than if I was joining him for drinks. I trudged around the side and eased myself into the truck, my nerves twitching and my stomach in sickening knots. Usually, going into battle didn't bother me
Kayla's POVEveryone left, all following Maddox's orders. It was just me and Maddox standing alone in blood and carnage and the last place I wanted to be was the last place Alpha Patrick was but I had to know. I had to know for certain he was out so I could prepare myself."We'll kill him," Izzy growled. "We're stronger than him."If only I had her confidence. She wasn't there. She didn't understand how he broke me piece by piece until I believed I was nothing more than a runt, unworthy of love, of a family. The last few months I started to think he was wrong but if I saw him again..."Ready?" Maddox asked taking my hand in his. Sparks ignited inside me at the warmth of his touch. I leaned into him taking in his rich, comforting scent. I concentrated on Maddox, the safety of his arm around my waist, holding me tight against his firm body as we navigated the stairs, hopscotching over sticky splotches of blood.The dung
Maddox POV Fighting broke out all around us. The sickening sound of fangs tearing into flesh filled the silence. Graham's band of survivors scattered and then the howling and begging for mercy started. Shadow didn't hesitate. My bones crunched and bent, fur sprouted on my skin, my clothes ripped falling from my body as Shadow broke free and raced towards the sound of death. Lena's wolf was snapping his heels keen for a taste of traitor blood. A hulkish black wolf stepped from the shadows, head lowered, glowing amber eyes locked on Shadow. My heart froze. Shadow paused cocking his head and inhaled. The wolf's familiar scent hit us like a cement block, shattering our heart. I scanned my surroundings, desperate for an answer. "He's a prisoner," I told Shadow. "Alaya must have taken him years ago and faked his death. It can't be him. It can't." Emotion swelled in my chest, threatening to drown me.
Eighteen Years AgoAlaya's POV"I reject you."The words crashed into my dream, shattering the peaceful bliss of sleep. I bolted upright, kicking the sheets to the floor. Tears soaked my face and pillow. What remained of my heart shrank a little more in my chest. the space left behind was one of agony and nightmares. Those three words terrorised me every night. They were the first thing I had on a morning and the last thing at night. I'd sit, popcorn in my lap, chocolate at my side, a glass of wine in my hand engrossed in my favorite movie and they'd pop into my head. I reject you."Ally, honey, are you okay?" My mother called up the stairs."Fine, mom.""You were screaming again.""I had a nightmare.""About him again?""No, mom, go back to sleep."I lied. I always lied. I told people I was mistaken. He wasn't really my mate and the rejection didn't turn my heart to
Alaya's POV"Alaya, you have to get up," My mother dragged the blankets off my head. The sunlight pouring through the window burned my eyes."Why?" I whined burying my face into my pillow."This is not healthy. You haven't been on a pack run in weeks. You haven't been to work. King Ralph is concerned about you."I sighed, burying my face further into my pillow. Anton died six weeks ago and Fyre still refused to speak to me. Whenever I tried to shift she resisted, instead wallowing in grief in the furthest corner of my mind."No one blames you for what Anton did, Alaya," she assured me. "He shouldn't have tried to steal if he couldn't take his punishment."She didn't know he was my mate and I rejected him. No one did. He tried to tell people but they refused to believe him. I denied it all, sticking to my story of him attempting to steal from the throne room.My mother sighed, gently clicking the cl