**Laura POV**
My eyes suddenly sprung open and in shock, I slapped my hands across my entire body expecting to feel the excruciating pain from the multiple stabs, but surprisedly I felt nothing.
“What is happening?” I whispered to myself, looking around the empty void i was now engulfed in. Even Alex and Sonia were nowhere to be found.
“Is anyone there!?” I screamed, but my voice echoed back to me, which made me realize I was truly alone. ‘How did I get here?’ I muttered to myself. From a distance, I could hear a shuffling sound from a distance moving in my direction.And when I spun round, I saw the most beautiful female I have ever laid eyes on.
She had long straight dark hair that pooled down to her back, her skin was as smooth as porcelain. Her emerald eyes glimmered in the dark and was a stark contrast to her plump red lips.
One thing was quite strange about her though. She was sitting on the moon.
“Hi, where am I?” I called softly, looking up at her radiant face. As soon as she caught me staring, she smiled at me.
“You’re in the abstract world, a point between life and death. At this point, you aren't alive or dead until I proclaim it so” she replied, making me gasp in shock.
Her voice was the most beautiful sound I have ever had. It was so soft, it felt like a group of orchestra playing melodious tunes. Soon it occurred to me. “I was stabbed to death” I quivered in fear.
“ I know,” she replied, beaming a smile at me. When she got up to move, to my utmost surprise, she glided through the skies towards me . I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.
“Who, what are you?” I asked in astonishment. Moving away from her imposing figure which towered over me.
“You really don't know who I am? Well child, it's me Selena. The moon goddess and I'm here to take you back.”
“I don't want to go back” I deadpanned.
“Has it occurred to you that Sonia could have the throne if you don't go back?”
In an instant, the thought of Sonia ascending my throne filled me with so much rage. I had no choice but to nod my head in agreement.
“I'm going back,” blurted out.
“Now come here child” she said, spreading her arms in order for me to embrace, her arms were many feet wide apart. I was skeptical at first but soon summoned the courage to walk towards her.
“I will give you this opportunity to go back child, to mend your wrongs and you, you have the right to choice between good and bad and an edge over every other mortal that would cross path with you.” she said in a chant-like manner. I immediately felt an electric surge coursing through my body, I felt empowered. In shock I looked up to her, about to ask why I had felt that way when she pushed me back into the void.
***
I jerked uncontrollably for a few seconds, making a lot of people sitting around me stare with a look of both pity and shock. Seemingly confused myself, I surveyed my environment when I realized I was at a funeral and Sonia’s hand was clasped against mine. “Fucking bitch” I muttered to myself. I was about to pull my hand from her firm grip when the priestess voice rang in the air, quickly snapping me from my reverie.
“We are gathered here today to pay our tributes to this loving family, the family of Alpha and Luna Carlson Blackstone.” I quickly snapped my head in the priestess direction when it dawned on me that this was my parents' funeral.
But how is this possible? My parents died two years ago. My gaze trailed off to the pyre that had been created up front, I discovered that a lot of my parents' pictures were scattered on top of it as a show of respect. I couldn't breath, I felt suffocated. I felt like I was reliving the moment. Everything seemed the same as it all happened before. With swollen red eyes, Sonia asked” Are you okay?” “I am fine,” I answered with a smile.
“Laura “ she started but was immediately cut short by the priestess voice.
“ Receive blessings children ,” “May the Moon goddess bless you, protect, keep you safe and grant you peace.”
The crowd roared in unison. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Alex, as he stride into the hall. That was where I first saw him two years ago. Sonia had introduced him to me as her only cousin, who had wanted to come see life from a different perspective. As they two made their way towards me after speaking with a few elders . Sonia led the way and Alex followed behind her. I could smell the mating bound emanating from his body; but whenever I looked into those dark eyes of his, all I saw was the love flickering in his eyes when he first saw me and how he gagged and stabbed me countless times.
“Hey Laura, wait up!” Sonia waved her hand in my direction. “ Sorry, I wanted to introduce you to my cousin Alex”
I rolled my eyes and muttered to myself ‘Dear Moon Goddess, why are you letting me relive my past?’.
“Oh , nice to meet you,” I furrowed my brow towards him as he spewed out his name. “Alex”
“Alex, nice to meet you” I smiled at him.
“I am Laura'' I said. As we shook hands, I felt a jolt of shock wave go through my body. But I paid no attention to it.
“My cousin says you two are mates!” she yelped in excitement. I looked at her with resentment etched in my gaze.
“Yeah, I just felt it.” I deadpan my face glazed over.
“Laura , you used to be overly excited and crazy aboutf inding a mate” she said as her jaw dropped.
*Laura POV*“Hey Alpha” I heard someone call me from the crowd. I turned around only to see that it was the Beta’s son.“Hi Maxwell” I smiled. In the past, I was rude to him because of my blinded love for Alex but this time around, I paid more attention.“Wow you know my name?” he uttered in shock, biting his lower lips.“Who doesn't know Beta's son?” I blurted out. “Awww, I didn't know I was popular.” he said, with a shy look creased on his face.“I have to go now,” I said to him. “ Why so fast Laura, where are you going?” he said, reaching out to grab my hand. I halted in my tracks as he walked closer. “ I've got lots of activities to tend to. Remember I'm the pack's new Alpha.” I beamed a smile towards him.“Okay, I was worried about you, with all that has happened, you might need a friend by your side through these trying times.” His words made my heart race with excitement but I wasn't going to let my emotions get in the way of my revenge, and almost immediately, my look changed
**Laura POV**“I don't want a mate, I want to rule my park, myself.”my voice thundered in the room as Sonia gasped rapidly.“I concur with them you know, you've already seen your mate, Alex my cousin is your mate.its unclear to me why you don't like him. Regardless of the mating bond between you two being conspicuous. He loves you and with him by your side, you'll need all the assistance you can get.” Sonia said, cupping my tender cheeks into her hands.“I don’t feel anything for him sonia. I don't feel the mate bond” I lied.“Your change is so sudden and alarming Laura” she scoffed. “ I thought you've always wanted this, why pulling out at the last minute?” she said through gritted teeth.“I can do this myself Sonia, except you no longer have fate in your best friend” I said, tapping her shoulder.“But Laura..” I cut her off abruptly.“But what sonia… You’re no different from the elders, I thought you would help me in convincing them to see reasons with me. But it's obvious whose sid
Maxwell POVThe girl's eyes are wide and alert with pure anxiety. I watch as she rips her hands off the hood and darts into the woods.I hook my fingers into the door handle. “Wait!”Her knobbly knees attempt to carry her as fast as she can move. The smell of fear drips off her with every step she takes. It blends with her scent and leaves a sour taste in my mouth.The last thing I want is to scare her further, but it’s clear she needs medical attention.It doesn’t take long to catch up to her with my long legs. She’s strong, but she’s full of adrenaline and is likely using every last drop of energy. Her brunette hair is a matted mess as it cascades down her back and over her shoulders.“Please, stop,” I say gently. “I want to help you.”Her breathing hitches at the sound of my voice echoing across the trees. Somehow, her legs pick up speed, her feet dodging the roots that have overgrown and are protruding out of the ground.I managed to catch up with her, but I knew better than to tou
Maxwell POVI twist my body slightly to face her, and Ava immediately looks past me to see the girl sitting against the tree, crying her heart out. “Oh my Goddess,” she gasps quietly. “Are you okay?”She pushes herself further into the tree, digging her heels into the dirt. I watch her mouth, but she says nothing. She flicks her eyes between Ava and Sebastian hesitantly.“Are you hurt?” Ava tries again. It’s obvious she’s injured, but making small talk is better than nothing. The presence of a woman might help her trust us.The girl shivers against the tree from the crisp night and lack of clothes on her body. “I just want to get away,” she murmurs again.“Then, let us help you,” Ava says softly. “We can get you all the help you need. You’re safe with us. You’re injured. We can help get you cleaned up, and then we can get you to wherever you need to go.”For a moment, I see her guard drop. She’s battling with herself whether she should believe us or not. I get it; trauma doesn’t go aw
Maxwell POVOn my way. Gemma is coming now.“I’m not going to harm you,” I raise my arms in defense. “We want to help you heal and get better. That’s all. We’re not here to hurt you or to make you do anything you don’t want to.”Those big brown eyes are swimming with tears again, and I can’t fathom how tired she must be. I want nothing more than for her to see the pack doctor, have a hot meal and a bath. It won’t solve everything, but it’ll be a start.Ava emerges from the hall, and my mate jumps, her gaze flicking between us with quick intensity. “Hi,” Ava says gently, smiling towards her as she pauses by my side. “What’s your name?”Those saddened eyes cloud with terror. She clamps down on her lip so hard it almost draws blood. I don’t like the sight of it; it’s like she’s trying to harm herself, and it sets my wolf off into a murderous frenzy. My lungs take down as much air as possible to calm these waves of fury.“I’m Ava,” she introduces herself as she presses a hand to the cente
Laura POVWhen the lunchtime school bell rings, we all stand up from the bench we’ve made our home for the last forty-five minutes. “Are you coming to study hall?” Kayleigh asks.I shake my head as I slide my bag over my shoulder. “Not yet. I’m going to meet Danny in the car park quickly—he said he wanted to see me. Stall Miss Lowe for me, please?”Kayleigh rolls her eyes, but she can’t fight the smile that creeps onto her lips. “Alright, lover girl. You owe me.”“Thank you,” I exhale gratefully before giving her a half-hearted hug. I don’t have long to see Danny. He's always busy playing football at lunch.I dart off to the sports block and approach the car park. My eyes scan the area, hoping I’m not caught by a teacher for being out of class.My legs carry me to the other end of the car park, where I spot Danny’s car, but he’s nowhere to be seen. I check my phone, and surprisingly, I have no messages either. I huff out a breath and slump against the side of his door when a van pull
Laura POVI’m living in hell on Earth instead.My gaze zeros on him. “Do you know how embarrassing it would be to bring out a pathetic, Stronger Luna like you?”“Just let me go,” I say through gritted teeth.Alex pouts and twists his head, his evil eyes flashing at me without an ounce of remorse. “Oh, sweetheart, but that’s no fun!”His fingers dig into the flesh on my cheeks, which makes me wince, but I refuse to make a sound. I don’t want to give him that satisfaction. I want to fight. “You still owe my Beta and my male wolves a show.”Immediately, my skin runs cold, and goosebumps invade my arms. I clench my throat to stop the bile from rising, but the mention of his pack has my body triggering its fight-or-flight instinct. Except I have nowhere to go, and the only choice I have is to play by their despicable, unfair rules.“You even think about showing me up, and I swear I'll make you wish you were never born.” Alex's eyes are lifeless as always, but today they seem deadlier, and
Maxwell POVFor the past five minutes, I’ve been watching Ava intently as she whimpers and grimaces. And she doesn't know I have been seeing her for a long time. I know better than to snap her out of her trance. I’ve seen what it can do, and it’s not a pleasant experience. I have to let her ride it out–even if she didn’t want to dive into Laura’s mind in the first place.Her facial expressions twitch and change almost every second, her lips trembling with what looks like pure fear. My heart pounds in my throat as I wait. Patience is not my friend right now.After what feels like an eternity, the white film casting over Ava’s eyes finally dissolves to restore her natural blue. Her lips part to take a huge gulp of air, but it’s not just one breath, it’s multiple. She’s panicking. Never in my twenty-six years of life have I ever witnessed Ava have a panic attack.“Hey, hey,” I say softly. I press my hands to her shoulder to remind her she’s safe. “Ava, slow down your breathing.”But s