Jakeโs POVI watched keenly as the animals were being counted. This was not meant to be. How did he get all those animals? I gave my Beta a death glare as he evaded my eyes. Michael and his pack were not meant to see those. I clenched and unclenched my palms.The announcer took the microphone. He cleared his throat. โNow we will count the animals,โ he said to the public."Shit,โ I muttered. I instantly knew that we were not winning this.โThirteen! Fourteen! Fifteen!โ The announcer smiled. โThere we have it. The Nexton pack has won this yearโs Wolf Fest.โThe crowd erupted in applause, and cheers came mostly from Michaelโs pack. Right now, all I wanted to do was grab my beta and strangle him. Michael smirked as we exchanged looks. I smirked back. This is not the end of it. I was about to walk away when my eyes caught sight of someone.Claire? What was Claire doing in the Nexton pack? That traitor. I knew I shouldnโt have trusted her. But then I turned and saw Mila hugging Claire. What
Milaโs POVYesterdayThe announcer called the result of the wolf festival, and I leaped up. My lips spread out in a smile that could reach my ears as I was casually hugged by someone I knew next to nothing about. I hugged some more people as the audience drowned us with their clapping.Finally, Nora would be away from that monster. The happiness in the Nexton pack washed away the questions of why and where Zen had gotten his wounds. What mattered now was that they had won.Nora slammed her body into mine as she helped me tightly. She squeezed me as I fell over with laughter. I sensed that she was about to cry when she put her head on my chest."No, no, we will not do that here. Now is not the right time to do that,โ I threatened. She sniffed and chuckled."But,โ she began."Sshh, donโt speak,โ I say into her hair."Nora,โ Michael beckoned for her to come. She stared at me and sniffed.โGo to him. Get a room if the both of you canโt handle it,โ I said, and she laughed. As I stood there
Michaelโs POVLast night was a blur of euphoria and victory. Drinks, cheers, and fireworks were up in the air as I cradled Nora close while stealing kisses at her. She was quite tipsy; she wasnโt shy as usual.Nora and I basked in the afterglow of our triumph, our bodies entwined in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window as we engaged in a game of passion and moans. But as the morning sun pierced through the curtains, I woke up alone.Where is Nora? I checked the bathroom; she wasnโt there. I checked our son's room, which was in my quarter, and still couldnโt find her. Then my anxiety kicked in.A gnawing unease settled in the pit of my stomach. It reminded me of a memory I thought I had quietly tucked away. It was the night she fled. Nora loves me. I mean, why would she want to leave? I shook my head as I brushed my teeth. I promised myself that I would not always think the worst of every situation. When I got back to my room and Nora had not come back, I became wor
Mariaโs POVI woke up to a twirling ceiling fan and the faint smile of disinfectant. Where am I? I sat up a little. It was when I heard the beeping sounds and looked outside to see people working around in white coats and scrubs. Hospital. I am in the hospital. Oh, maybe I might have passed out.How long have I been sleeping? Is it morning yet? What happened? My head was like a market place.โGood morning, Miss Amanda,โ a nurse said as she walked into my room with a bright smile. I frowned.Amanda? My name is not Amanda, but Maria. I was about to tell her that I was the wrong person when I remembered everything.How I crossed over to the human side and changed my name to Amanda, and now I am dating this wealthy billionaire named Logan. So I smile.โGood morning, Missโโ I smiledat her.โMiss Maureen,โ she said. โExcuse me, if you donโt mind, Iโll check your vitals.โ I smiled and nodded. She went ahead to read and check around me. I looked around and realized something was off. Out of m
Noraโs POVThe door was yanked open, and some men pounced on me.โLet me go! Donโt touch me!โ I kicked and pushed, but it was useless. I was no match for their strength.They tied up my hands and legs. They also gagged me. I turned frantically from left to right, hoping that the maids would help, but I could also see fear in their eyes. What was happening?My heart beat loudly as they took me away. I felt as helpless as a bird that couldnโt fly. It was just the same way I felt when I was crying in the rain and Jake kicked me out of the pack.************************I awoke to a bright light on my face. I shut my eyes. The leaves and stones itched and hurt my skin.โWake up, little princess,โ a deep voice kicked at my feet. My eyes flung open. It took me some minutes to realize that I was tired of a tree, and there were five men around.โSheโs awake, your highness,โ one said. A guard who looked 4 years older than me came into view. I recognized him as the one who used to follow Michae
Michaelโs POVDonโt come closer. What the hell does that mean?I took one step closer, and my eyes widened.โNora!โ she had collapsed beside the tree. I ran to the tree and began to untie the rope that used to bind her hands."Nora, open your eyes.โ I shook her vigorously. Her lips spread in a low smile as her eyes were half open. โI told you not to come close. You just wouldnโt listen.โโOh babyโ I kissed her on the head. โI thought I would never see you again. Come, letโs go home, okay?โโWhere is Dylan?โ she coughed.โHe is with us. He is on his way to the Nexton pack. He is on his way home, as we speak.โ I showered kisses on her face.โThat is good,โ she croaked. โNow I want you to leave. I want you to leave me here. Go away.โ She used her frail hands to shove me, but she was weak.โNo! I am going nowhere without you.โ I hugged her tighter.โDo you know?โ She looked up at me as her eyes watered.โWhat! What happened, baby?โ I asked as I egged her to speak.โHe killed her. He fucki
Noraโs POVMichael and I danced to a romantic song. My feet were moving up and down along the floor as the bass of the song reverberated through our bodies. I was wearing my white shirt sleeve shirt today with black shorts, the same as yesterday as well. Tonight, though, I wore a red short gown, which screamed lust.Pressed close to Michaelโs body, I felt his erection. He put his arm around my waist, pulling me closer, while his other hand gripped my ass tightly. His lips grazed mine for a second before he turned towards my neck and bit it gently. I moaned into his mouth at the sensation. He chuckled softly against my skin when I moved away from him, panting lightly. We resumed dancing, but now it was a slow, sensual dance with a slow rhythm as we both tried out new moves. My hand traveled down his back, and I rubbed circles there, feeling his muscles shift under my fingers. I could feel his dick against my thigh.I pulled him closer so he couldnโt move away any further. He groaned qu
Mariaโs POVI kicked the shoes off my feet and let the smoothness of the rug stroke my feet. It was like bliss on earth. In the hospital, standing and sitting were the same thing. With the common denominator being concern, Logan had not woken up when I decided to leave and get some fresh clothes. The doctor cleared me after I was given vitamins and folic acid for the baby. I had to keep visiting Logan.Damn, taking care of Logan can be annoying. I mean, I know he is a billionaire who can have anything with the snap of his fingers, but he has never had a good family. They all want his money, just like me. I looked around like a robot. Everything has been as I left it. With tired eyes, I walked into my room and collapsed down on the bed. I badly wanted an embrace. I wanted someone to tell me that everything was alright. My brain threatened to shut down, but I sat up. I was Maria. I lived most of my life alone. I donโt need anyone.Inhaling my armpits, I squeezed up my nose. โA bath wil
Noraโs POV5 years laterโNora! Come on, we will be late,โ Michael yelled from downstairs.โComing!โ I ran downstairs. But at a slow pace, โplease hold her,โ I handed Danielle to her father.Today was a game day for Dylan. He had begged us all to come. And when I mean all, I mean me, Michael, Hercules, Mia, Malia, and Zen.Michael cleared his schedule, and for the others, they didnโt have much to do in the park. I was also lucky that my 1-year-old daughter was not fussy today.A lot has happened since I got married to Michael. After I was made Luna, my previous pack came to apologize for some of the things they had done to me. I forgave them. Michael had pity on them; instead of taking ownership of the pack, he made one of them an Alpha, and the moon goddess did the choosing. Hercules and Mia had their child, Arla. Four years ago, she was the most beautiful child I had ever had. She keeps Hercules on his toes, just like her mother. As for Zen, Malia is 5 months old. We also cannot wai
Noraโs POV6 days later.I was woken up by a pesky mosquito that wouldnโt stop screaming in my ear, no matter how I tried to swat it away sleepily. It was on my third attempt that I mistakenly smacked myself across the face. I felt an excruciating pain in my head.โAargh!!!โ I cried. It was then that I took in my environment. I recognized the room. I tried to move more, but I couldnโt. I realized there was an IV drip connected to my wrist."Guys, sheโs up,โ I heard someone say from outside of the room. Then they all come in. Malia, Zen, Hercules, and Mia. They had a huge grin on their faces.โHi guys,โ I smiled back. โWhere is Michael?โโ I blurted. They all turned their gazes to the side, and there he was. Sleeping on a small cushion. He was a giant in that chair."Aww,โ my heart melted. The girls chuckled as the guys laughed. I think that was what woke him up. He stirred around and was about to fall off the chair, but he caught himself. He peaked an eye open as he stared at everyoneโ
Michaelโs POVAll through the night, I felt like someone was calling out to me. My wolf was awakened. I had to do something to calm him down. I had to go towards where I heard that voice. I stood up and began to walk.โWhere are you going?โ Hercules turned to me. Someone was going into the underground house. The one we saw Zen go into last night.โI need to go in,โ I said as I began pacing.โIf you do, we would get caught. We still have no plans yet,โ Hercules said. I nodded. He had a point, but the longer I stayed without going towards where my wolf was leading me, the more agitated I was. I kept pacing till I had it up to here."Okay, fuck this shit! I need to go inside. Now this is the plan. Once I go in and make sure the coast is clear, I howl out to you guys,โ and with that, I left.The moment I walked into the house and found someone kicking Nora to the ground and trying to claw Dylan on the throat, anger rose to my head, and I lost it. I jumped in the air and immediately transi
Noraโs POVThe first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was a cat. It was staring intently at me, or rather, at me and Dylan. My heart began to race as I thought of what next to do. I wanted to scream, but then I remembered. I was not at home. I had been kidnapped. I stared at my lap, and there he was. Dylan. The son I thought I had lost. I fixed him properly on the carton we lay on and stretched my leg. When I turned back, the cat was gone. I breathed a sigh of relief. I wasnโt too sure of what the time was, but I think it was 4 a.m.ish. I was up, and I couldnโt sleep any more. So I stayed up, watching the sun rise from the little reflection of the sun in the small room.Sitting there, yesterdayโs event rang fresh in my mind. I was this close to getting killed. I feared for my life and that of Dylan. Zen looked hell-bent on exacting his revenge on Michael. My eyes went to the door. What if he still tries to kill me again? What am I going to do? I sighed and began to bite my nails. Wha
Miaโs POVThe next thing I know, I am being dragged out of the car, and the car zooms off. I turn my head around. No one was in sight. All I could see were trees and grasses. Tears began to well up in my eyes. Where am I? I stood up and limped to a corner. It was an abandoned building. I took shelter under it. Not wanting to go in, danger might be lurking, or you might stand outside the building for fear of being attacked. My legs were swollen. Partly because of my pregnancy and also because they made me walk half the way. I squinted. I saw no one. Just then, a car sped past me.Wait, was that Nora? Yes, that was Nora. Immediately, I began to jump.โNora!โ I ran after the car, and just before I rounded the corner, I bumped into someone.โWatch whereโโwait a minute. I knew that smell came from somewhere. Hercules? I looked up, and it was him. I jumped on him, screaming and crying. Hercules kept wiping my tears. I tried to speak, but he put his hand on my lips.โItโs you. Itโs really you
Noraโs POVMy heart raced at the thought of what had just happened. I had been forcibly dragged into the backseat of a car, my screams muffled by a hand over my mouth. Panic surged through my veins, and my mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion. I struggled against my captors, but their grip on me was firm."Let me go! Help! Someone, please!" I cried out, and my voice choked with terror. Oh no. This was all shades of wrong. And so go all our plans and what-ifs. Nothing matters now."Shut up, you little brat!" one of the kidnappers growled, his voice harsh and menacing. "You're coming with us, whether you like it or not."My eyes darted around the dimly lit interior of the car, searching desperately for a way to escape. But the windows were locked, and the doors were sealed shut. I felt trapped, helpless, and utterly alone. I wanted to cry, but I blinked back my tears. It was as if I had left all my courage and determination on the ground while being shoved into the car.As the car
Noraโs POVImmediately, sleep vanished from my eyes. I blinked a couple of times before it all seemed so real.A letter for me.That could be the answer to my questions. My closure. Was my Dylan dead? Is this a torture letter? Maybe they have a picture of my dead son. Oh, Zenโs brother, you must hate Michael so much. So much that he had to hurt a child to drive home a point. My heart stomped in my chest. Maybe it would not be a good idea to open it yet.The letter trembled in my hands as I stared at it. I stared so long at it that it began to look like another object. I put the letter in my other hand as I rubbed the clammy, shaky one on my dress. Suddenly, everything had changed. The memories of the previous night with Michael.I looked from Michael to the letter. It might look like some piece of paper, but to me, it was as heavy as a rock. Was it blank like the last time, or does it mean my son is still alive? My Dylan.โI... I think I should open it." I looked at Michael. He nodded
Michaelโs POVHercules rose up and charged towards Eleanor. The guards were fast, as they grabbed him before his hands could touch her.โWhere is she?" Hercules demanded. I grabbed him.โHerc, be calm, please,โ I said.โ What? Did you just hear her? She said she knows where Mia is!โโPlease be calm, Herc. We will find Mia, I promise you,โ and did my brother sit still? He glared at the Eleanor girl. She ducked. I told her to stand aside.โTell me what you know," I said. She looked scared.โSome days ago, I saw Nyla leave the pack.โโNyla?โ I asked, and she nodded.I always knew that girl had something to hide. โGo on!"โShe was headed towards the side of the white oak forest. I told Luna... I mean Miss Nora. Then, later, after the attack, when we were saved, she was angry. I decided to follow her. It was there I saw Zen.โ My eyes widened.โYou did?โ she nodded.โAre you sure? Did you take pictures?โ She shook her head, and all my hopes fell.โThen, your highness, I had told Miss Mia abo
Michaelโs POVโWhat do you mean you canโt find her?โ I walked in on Hercules, grabbing the neck of one of the search guards.โHerc!โ I called out to him.โWhere have you looked?โ Hercules released him as he glared down on him.I walked to him and pushed him aside. โDonโt touch me,โ he snapped as he shoved me away. My blood began to boil.โEverybody out!โ I barked. All the guards scramble, like little children, out of the house. Hercules stood with his hands on his hips, and he sighed deeply. Then he ran his hand over his hair.One word. Frustration.โhey Herculesโ I tried to touch him, but he slapped my hands away. โI mean it, Michael. Don't touch me!โ He pushed me aside.Oh hell, naw.I grabbed him by his hands and landed a blow on him. He fell to the floor. He struggled to stand, and when he did, he checked his nose. Thereโsblood running.โHas it kicked in yet?โ I asked. I am not prepared for what Hercules does next. He grabbed a chair and broke it on my back. The broken chair falls