Ashen faces greeted her as she strode down the stairs, her face the picture of indifference. She didn’t doubt that most of the ladies, who were preparing the hall, had heard her altercation with Daniel and they all stopped their activities to watch her descend. Maddie was eager to get out of there, but she didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye to her friend. Rose rushed up to meet her at the base of the steps, her eyes flitting between her and the stairs behind as she blocked her path.
“Please don’t leave.” She whimpered. “I’m so sorry you found out like this but...”
Maddie’s stomach dropped. “You knew?” For the first time, her voice weakened as she looked at her friend of three years. She had been the first friend she had made when she first moved to Red Dawn. Regret lined Rose’s expression, but there was no trace of a lie as the truth finally surfaced. She took a step back, white knuckling the strap of her bag. “You knew?” The words dripped like poison from her lips, tainted with the anger she tried to keep in check.
“I’m sorry, Maddie, but he’s my future Alpha.” Rose mumbled, her eyes dropping to the floor.
She snorted. “And I was your friend.”
Her chest clenched, but as she turned away from Rose, she found every other woman in the hall looking at her with that same expression. That same sympathy rendered useless with the traces of guilt behind each one. Bile clawed up her throat. They all knew. Maddie didn’t know how many Red Dawn wolves had covered for their future Alpha, but if the civilians in the hall were aware, then so would everyone above them; the upper ranks, the warriors, their families. Hundreds of wolves keeping his secret and letting her walk blindly into becoming his mate.
Maddie had never been a Red Dawn wolf, but the familiarity and connection she felt from them snapped in that moment.
Suddenly, their eyes move off her and Maddie didn’t have to guess who had swept into the hall by the way every eye dropped to the floor. Someone had told the Luna Eleanor what was going on. Despite it still being hours away, Daniel’s mother had already donned her ball gown and was the pinnacle of grace as she floated across the floor, reaching them in moments.
Instantly, Maddie felt her back straighten. Luna Eleanor was the perfect depiction of a Luna. She always looked beautiful, like she had spent hours on her hair and makeup, and Maddie had never seen her in anything other than a dress or a skirt. She was always composed and was the perfect host when the pack had guests. Though Maddie had come to Red Dawn to learn from her auntie, Luna Eleanor had taken her under her wing when her relationship with Daniel had started. She trained her to take over the duties and be the perfect Luna.
Without taking a moment to take in the tight lines of Maddie’s features, the Luna swept her into a hug, that had her cheek crushed against her bosom. “There, there, Dear.” She cooed as if Maddie was crying. “You know how Alphas can be.”
Only her many years of training kept her from breaking and wrenching herself from the Luna’s arms as a shiver crawled down her spine. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that his mother also knew about his indiscretions, especially under her own roof, but the condescending tone, that tried to belittle the rage inside, sickened her. How could she say such a thing about betraying the very vow a mate bond promised.
“How Alphas can be?” Maddie asked slowly, pulling herself free.
“Yes, it's in an Alpha’s nature to take other women, but it's you who will bear his pups and rule at his side. As it should be.” She nodded sagely, like it was a reassurance. “Don’t worry, Dear, you will get used to it.”
In that moment, Maddie hardened to them all. Not only was her fiancé a lying, cheating bastard, but his family and pack were too. Not only did they hide the truth from her, but they wanted her to accept it as a way of life. Fuck. That. She refused to become the Luna of wolves who would disrespect her. Of course, they had put their own before her and she was certain that would never change. How many other secrets would they keep to protect their precious future Alpha, if it meant they could reap the benefits out of her and Silver Moon?
“Have some self-respect.” Though shorter, Maddie looked down on the woman, her tongue sharp. The Luna reeled back as if she had been slapped. Good. “I know how Alphas should treat their Lunas and this is not it. You should be ashamed of your son and yourself, Luna Eleanor.”
Her reprimand rang in the hall, with the authority of the position that echoed her future role. A flash of anger crossed the Luna’s eyes, but she held her tongue for the same reason everyone else had done the same. They feared the consequences of angering their future Alpha and Eleanor feared the consequences of damaging the relationship with Maddie’s pack; the pack she would rule within the year. The knowledge made her stand taller, with the pride of her family, and without another word, she glided past the Luna and out of the packhouse.
It was only when Maddie was in her car, and far away from the Red Dawn territory, did she let allow the first cracks of her composure to break her mask. A single tear slipped down her cheek as she released the constraints on her emotions and let them all flood free. There was no one to pretend for anymore. She could break now that she was alone, and she really was.
Darkness wrapped around her car; its silence only punctured by her sobs and the heartbreak anthems blaring around her. For three years, she had lived at that pack, and had her whole future planned at Daniel’s side, but it had been torn away in one moment. Maddie had thought it had been a home to her. She had been foolish. Silver Moon was her only home and the further she went the more she looked forward to seeing the familiar island of her territory. She just hoped her dad wouldn’t be too pissed.
“That bastard.” Jess growled. Maddie cheered and downed another shot, though her numb lips didn’t quite catch all the liquid and she had to wipe a dribble of tequila from her chin. She watched the blurred shape of her friend grimace as she downed her own, and then shakily topped up both of their glasses. The bottle spluttered out the last of its contents but the night was still young. Aside from sending a curt mindlink to her father to explain the ball and her engagement had been called off, Jess’ house was her first stop. They had barely seen each other in the past three years, but their childhood friendship had never died. “I always hated him you know.” “No you didn’t.” Maddie crooked an eyebrow at her. “True.” She grumbled. “But now I do! And his mother? If I meet that bitch, I’m going to give her a piece of my mind” Her growl dissolved into a hiccup as Maddie forced another shot down her neck. Between their take-a-shot-every-time-Jess-swears game and the room full of Silver M
Despite her pounding head, Maddie was in the Alpha’s office, and standing before her father’s desk, five minutes before he strode in from the morning training session. With a bit of makeup and luck on her side, she could cover most of the effects of her late night drinking, but she knew he would know anyway. His warriors had been on her for a reason, and she had done her best not to disappoint his low expectations of her. When the door to the office opened, her back pulled straighter and her shoulders squared, as she waited for his scrutiny. The Alpha barely gave her a cursory glance, as he passed by and pulled the curtains behind his desk wide to let the morning sunlight pierce into the room. Maddie winced as the bright light cut across her vision, but she resisted turning away from its glare. The darkness had been a comfort against the storm in her head, but she hadn’t expected it to last. A thick silence held in the air. She supposed most families would greet each other with hugs
Her eyes were closed to the rough wind whipping around her, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Stood at the cliff’s edge, on the highest point of the island, Maddie was home. Those rocks were as familiar to her as her childhood bedroom and, if she wanted to, she could walk the edge blindfolded without a single stumble. Many times, those cliffs had wiped away her tears and that day was no different. Below her, she could hear the swells and breaks of the sea against the rocks, churning up white foam that skittered across the surface before the next wave lapped again. The sea was relatively calm, its movement a gentle shimmer in her ears. The salty air was bitter on her lips, and she inhaled it like a life force. Too long she had been away from its comfort. Too long she had been on the mainland and away from home. The sharp drop, a mere step before her, was one of the many reasons for Silver Moon’s long lasting strength. It was a thirty metre climb for whoever dared to approach from the
“Come on, Mads.” Lewis chuckled, his breath even. “Did you completely stop training at Red Dawn?” “For your. Information. I worked out. Every. Day.” She panted, keeled over with her hands planted on her knees. “It’s not. My fault. That you warriors. Are freakishly. Fit.” Maddie tried to growl her frustrations, but her lungs wheezed instead. They had only been sparring for thirty minutes and she was already buggered. Every muscle ached like she had been running for hours, and everywhere he had landed a hit already hurt and she knew she’d be covered in bruises. Despite her best efforts, she could see that he was barely trying. Not only was he fit enough to run circles around her, but he was taking it easy on her; slowing down his movements and reducing the force behind his hits. It's no wonder he had struggled when he first joined the warriors. Back then he was the same level she was, but there was a vast change in him now. The difference was staggering and made her reluctant to cont
The weight of the finery she had been dressed in, before being thrust into a room off the grand hall, held Maddie in place. It made her shoulders ache to wear so much jewellery and she struggled to keep the distaste of it off her heavily painted face. It had taken a group of three women all morning to make sure that she looked like the perfect Luna. However, Maddie couldn’t help but wonder how any of the game entrants were supposed to know what she truly looked like beneath it all. It would be a shame for the winner to change his mind once he saw the real her. With her corset too tight, her heels too high, her hair too straight and every blemish on her face covered, she’d barely recognise herself either. It was all a part of the games though and she had been thoroughly prepared for it by her father. Maddie was to attend each event, dressed in the same finery and be on her best behaviour. Outside of each trial, she was to stay in the packhouse or with a guard. That empty room was the c
A trail of wolves came and went. Some she was definitely compatible with, giving her a modicum of relief against the dread Daniel’s presence had planted in her stomach, and some she definitely wasn’t. There were more entrants than Maddie expected, but she did her duty each time; acting exactly as she was required, befitting her future role and her father’s expectations. The only times she had broken her steadfast composure was when Lewis and Jess came into the room. Lewis was first, early on in the process. Immediately, she recognised his scent and gave him a smile, or at least she tried to aim it in his general direction. Knowing her friend was with her gave Maddie a rare moment to relax as she released her pheromones. Growing up together it was inevitable that they had smelled each other's over the years. Before wolves matured, pheromone release was difficult, leading to more than a few embarrassing stories for both of them. Once a wolf turned eighteen, everything became easier. Unl
Maddie jumped. She tumbled forward to get away from the sudden voice behind her. Adrenaline spiked in her veins, but her body wasn't used to wearing heels when trying to escape a threat and she felt herself tipping. Before she could fall, a hand wrapped around her arm, keeping her steady until she found her balance again. It’s palm was warm, and she noticed its rough callouses against her skin, though his hold was gentle. “You’re jumpy.” Amusement rolled around the word, bringing Maddie back from her shock. She snatched her arm from his grip and glared, her fingers twitching to remove her blindfold. “Of course I’m jumpy, you just scared the crap out of me.” She hissed. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you answer me?” There was no reply for a few seconds and her eyes narrowed further at the presence before her. “Did you just fucking shrug? I can’t see dip shit.” “Sorry.” He rumbled, but she could hear the smile in his voice. “For which part?” She growled through gritted
All Maddie wanted to do was retire for the day. Her soft bed was calling to her, promising to make the stress of the day melt away as she sunk into a restful sleep. It was so tempting to simply slip away from the grand hall and the mass of wolves who had come to celebrate the start of the Alpha Games. However, her disappearance would be quickly noticed, and she’d be dragged back to face a sea of disappointed faces. It was better to face the crowd now that they were smiling at her. Not that it mattered. She couldn’t leave until she followed through with her plan. Only her and Jess knew what was to happen, and despite knowing it would work, her stomach rolled with waves that would rival the sea at their borders. The room was full of the higher up wolves of Silver Moon with a few guests spread among them. Maddie chose to focus on the strangers, trying to guess where they were from. There were only a few she recognised from the days her and her father would visit their allies, but others