LUCY'S POV
Of course, I couldn’t tell him the truth.
I couldn’t go back to my pack, hell, I didn’t want to. It was a death sentence.
“I was orphaned as a baby to a human family. I ran away when I found out what I was. I have no idea what pack I belong to, Alpha. I’m content with serving you. I have no desire to find my real pack.”
The lie flew out of my mouth without hesitation.
I was used to telling small white lies, but this one was far bigger than any others.
Seth was eyeing me from the side of the room. He was on the couch going over some files.
He was acting busy, but I could feel his eyes on me now and again. Leander narrowed his eyes at me for a moment.
“Are you sure? You should have a pack marking on your wrist, but I don’t see any. That’s odd, don’t you think?” Leander says, obviously suspicious.
So now he is asking real questions, more topics for which I wasn’t prepared.
As an Alpha heir, my pack mark was above my chest, covering the skin above my heart.
I was thankful that he hadn’t questioned this possibility as he looked at my wrist.
If I didn’t let my Alpha aura slip after I turned 18, this would be a secret I held to my grave.
He stared at me while I pondered his questions for just a moment. That’s all it took for me to think of my next lie.
“It must have faded when I was younger, maybe from being away from my pack since birth.” I had no idea if that was a real possibility, but he nodded at me, accepting my answer.
I sighed internally with relief until Seth decided to open his big mouth.
“I’ve never heard of a pack mark fading unless a wolf rejects their pack and becomes rogue. If the mark faded, don’t you think that she would also smell like a rogue?” Shit, Seth made a good point.
Leander nodded.
I could tell he was thinking hard about what Seth had said. I had to stop his thoughts before they went to something else that I couldn’t explain.
“Alpha Leander, you mentioned you wanted to speak to me about some changes that would be happening. Does this have to do with your sons arriving in a few days?” While this was my way of distracting his thoughts, it was a question I had had since he brought up his son's Alpha ceremony in the meeting.
I was essentially Leander's assistant. I served at meetings, got him coffee and food, ran mail, made appointments, etc.
A stark contrast to the things I was forced to do for other packs.
If he was going to be stepping into retirement, what did that mean for me?
When I finally drew from my thoughts and looked up at him, he had a shit-eating grin on his face.
“My dear Lily, have you noticed that we don’t have slaves in this pack? The wolves in this pack are here because they want to be here. They are all given the freedom to live a life that pleases them. Even the maids and kitchen staff here at the pack house chose those positions freely. Some people enjoy serving, and others find different work more fulfilling," Leander said softly.
I looked him over, searching for any sign that he was telling a lie, and found nothing, yet I was still at a loss for words.
What did he want me to say to that?
He must have caught on to my first-ever loss of words. Not even my need to shut down any awkward silence was winning.
“I have a feeling that bringing me coffee and running my errands isn’t what you dreamt of doing your whole life. I can easily find someone else to fill that position, Lily. While Leon and Liam would likely keep you as their assistant once they’re running things, I want to make sure that this is what you truly want." He pauses for a moment before adding to his thought.
"I would of course pay you if you decided to stay in this position. However, as my assistant, you would have to remain living in the pack house next to the Alpha room so that you’re available when needed.”
He finished this speech and glanced over to Seth, who I could see smiling in the corner of my eye.
LUCY'S POV I was holding back tears as I digested what he had just said to me. Nia was howling in excitement. I had never been given choices or freedom, even when I lived with my pack. Even though my father was disgusted with my existence, he had assigned me a trainer since I was a pup. He always said a wolf was no good if they couldn’t fight for their pack. It was my saving grace. Training was my outlet, my way of letting out steam, much-needed anger and frustration for the way my life had been. Did I want to be a warrior for this pack? Did I want to remain an assistant for this Alpha? Was there something else out there for me besides all of this? Then, there was still the concern about my father coming to one of these galas. What would Leander think if he found out? At that moment, I wondered if I should just tell him everything, but the words wouldn’t surface. I cleared my throat and adjusted myself in my seat as Leander stared at me, waiting for a response. “If I remai
LUCY'S POV Our Goddess always gifted an Alpha with a male firstborn. My dad considered me to be an abomination and claimed my mom was cursed for not being able to produce a male. I sighed internally at the thought and responded confidently to Leander. “No Alpha, that is all. I promise to serve you well. You have been kind to me, and I will be forever in your debt for saving me and giving me freedom I have never known. I will be loyal to you as I owe you, my life.” My words were the truth, aside from the initial lie. I did feel this way. He saved me, and I would never betray him. I would rather serve under him than ever try to take my position as Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. “Very well, Lucy. Give me your wrist,” Leander said with a slightly quizzical look on his face. I reached my hand over to his. He took my hand in his own, twisting my arm slightly and putting my wrist upwards toward him. “I, Alpha Leander Goldvale, hereby swear Lucy Knight into my care under the Cresent
LUCY'S POV The last few days were very busy. My new room was incredible. It was the nicest space I had ever been able to call my own. Even with my father, he never allowed me into the Alpha quarters as he had to hold on to the illusion that I wasn’t his child. My new room was next to the Alpha and Lunas. Liam and Leon's rooms were across from mine and I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel spoiled. My bed was massive, covered in a silver bedspread the Alpha said suited me well. I could only guess it had something to do with my eyes and that weird flash that happened with my mark. He wasn’t shy about making comments about this and letting me know he was curious about it. I shrugged it off making it seem like I wasn’t fazed by it. I had a door in my room that led to a back patio surrounded by the nearby forest, which enclosed the pack. This was my favorite part. I had spent the last two nights using this access to let Nia go for a run. I had never shifted in front of anyon
Lucy:Mr. Shaggy shook my hand first, letting me know that he was Liam.Leon followed suit but followed up with a question.“You’re the assistant in training my dad was telling us about?” he asks. His question was laced with doubt, but I didn’t let it show that the words kind of hurt me.Both had looked at the pack mark on my wrist to confirm whatever question they obviously had in their mind. “The one and only. I will be sure your things arrive in your respective rooms. Alpha Leander is expecting you in his office. Please follow me,” I stated firmly. “We know where his office is; we don’t need you to escort us,” Leon retorted in an irritated voice. “I have no doubt you know your way around the pack house you grew up in Alpha Leon. I am following my orders. I’m sure you can respect that and would have the same expectations of your assistant once you’re running the pack. Now follow me.” I wasn’t going to let my age or size let anyone intimidate me, not even my future Alpha and pote
LUCY'S POVWe were now at my door. I looked over to see Liam staring at me. “When do you turn 18?” His question felt intruding. I raised my eyebrow slightly at him causing him to chuckle. He was adorable when he laughed. I sighed before responding. “My birthday is tomorrow but please don’t tell your dad. I don’t want anyone to make a fuss over it being my birthday. We have a gala to worry about” I said with a curt smile. He seemed to be thinking hard about my response. He was still staring at me with a blank expression before finally responding. “That doesn’t seem fair for you to spend your birthday hosting and being part of a gala for us to find our mates. Maybe I can at least get my dad to let you sit this one out so you can do something else for your birthday.” This big tough soon-to-be Alpha was being genuinely sweet. It was probably wrong of me, but I took this as an opportunity, the only one I had had so far. “I don’t mind going to the gala tomorrow. My birthday isn’t that bi
LUCY'S POVI had let Nia run her heart out the night before, leaving me so exhausted that sleep took me easily that night.I woke up at the crack of dawn and showered quickly.I French braided my long black hair and put on some light makeup.I knew that I would have to wear a dress to the gala, but I took advantage of the tasks I would be doing this morning that required less formal attire.I slid on my black skinny jeans, blue and black flannel button-up, and black combat boots.I changed my nose ring to a blue gem stud and looked in the mirror, to survey the results.I didn’t have any professional clothes yet, so this was as close to that as I could get with my small wardrobe.The Alpha insisted he would purchase work attire for me if I chose to keep the position permanently. “Happy Birthday to us,” I said out loud to Nia while taking one last glance in the mirror.'Happy Birthday, Lucy,' she responded with a small howl.This had been how it had always been.My birthday was never
LUCY'S POVI made my way through the kitchen first, doing everything I could to distract myself and avoid my father. I had faintly smelt my dad in a few different hallways as I was preparing earlier today. Being of Alpha blood allowed me to smell greater distances which came in handy today. The kitchen staff stared at me like I had grown an extra head when I came in. “Wow Lucy, you look... beautiful,” Jason said as he looked over me, making me blush. A few of the kitchen staff whispered to each other after glancing at me. I felt on display and not in a good way. “Thank you, Jason. I just wanted to check in to make sure everything was coming along on schedule before I joined the gala.” This wasn’t entirely a lie, but I wasn’t about to share that I was avoiding the Alpha introductions, so my murderous father didn’t find me. “Everything is going perfectly as planned Lucy. No need to worry. Have you smelt anything delicious in the air today?” Jason's question had everyone's attentio
Lucy:For Goddess's sake, why didn’t I think about the obvious touching factor of the mate bond? Either Leon was in denial or the fact that he couldn’t scent me was really throwing him off. I needed to get out of here. “This will only take a moment Lucy. Go, now!” Leon slipped his Alpha aura out as he spoke to me. Normally this would cause a wolf to submit. Either the fact that I was his mate or that I had Alpha blood caused little to no reaction on my part. He looked at me bewildered before growling at me. Geez, what has gotten into this guy today? He was far grumpier than yesterday. Why would the Goddess mate me with such an asshole? One thing was for certain, I was about to see my father for the first time in four years. Bile rose to my throat as we walked toward the small group of Alphas and Betas. My stomach felt like it was tearing into pieces, and my short-lived freedom was slowly coming to an end as I got closer. Leander smiled at me as I approached, Leon walking ne
Lucy:A gentle hum vibrated from my connection with Rosie before everything went black.Am I the only one who can hear her this way?"Hello?" I ask into the darkness.A blue light illuminates the darkness. I shield my eyes with my arm momentarily until the light dims, and I'm left sitting on a garden bench."You're okay," I hear Liam's voice.I jump, startled by his presence in my space.My space? Where am I?"What? How?" I ask, turning my body to face him fully now.Liam just smiles at me and pulls me onto his lap to straddle him."This doesn't-" I'm cut off by Liam's lips softly pressing against mine.He gently wraps his arms around me, pulling my body closer to his in the process. For a brief moment, I let myself go, bringing myself into this moment with Liam."Wait!" I pull away."This isn't real. You aren't real!" I say, tearing up again.I had a horrible feeling about Liam going on that mission.How do I get out of here? I need to find Liam. Real Liam.Dammit, Rosie, what did
Seth:'What do we do?' Leon links me.Lucy has been crying in his lap for at least five minutes now as we drive to Rosie's.Goddess, why did she have to live so far out of the way? A large spot on his shirt was soaked with her tears. He's been doing a great job soothing her, the best anyone could, but she's not being receptive like she normally is.I can tell even Leander is getting nervous. Lucy's mood seemed to sway anyone within 20 feet of her.'Maybe it's a good thing we're going to Rosies,' I link back.Honestly, I have no idea. I had never seen Lucy act this way.Liam's leaving broke her into pieces. At least a million of them."Lucy!" Leander speaks up before clearing his throat.I watch as she hiccups and clears her throat, wiping her tears as they continue to flow steadily down her cheeks."Liam has been on a lot of scouting missions. This is his specialty. He managed to make it to Kragen's facility, find you, and come home in one piece. He will be okay," Leander states, s
Lucy:'Lucy! Wait for us!' Liam links me, but Nia isn't listening.Neither am I.I gave Nia complete control; she needed this. We should have gone for a run first thing this morning.We're gaining on him. I can feel the strength running through our blood, supplying us with more energy.The sound of his heartbeat sounds like rocks beating relentlessly against a drum.He's scared.Good.'There he is!' I say, even though I know she can see him too.The sound of paws is now beating heavily against the dirt ground, echoing off the solid oak and maple tree trunks. Of course, he had headed straight towards the forest. Anyone trying to get away would run in this direction but an unanswered question pops into my head.Where is he running to?'Wait! Nia! Let him get away!' I shout as loud as I can.I feel her growl vibrate through our entire presence as she leaps over a fallen oak log, our paws nearly brushing against the bark.I force myself forward, shifting mid-air against her will. My body
Lucy:"We'll have to take a car to Rosie's," Seth says as we head out the front doors of the pack house.For the most part, everyone understood what I had explained to them earlier about the connections, but if there was one thing I was holding very close to me, it was Hecate telling me to trust my gut.I had a third sense for things. It wasn't my core gift, but it acted very close to it.At some point, I needed to get Seth alone to help me plan for my other mate's birthday.While the ceremony would be on their actual birthday, I had a small idea of what I wanted to do for them as my gift, and it wouldn't be able to be on their actual birthday.The typical black SUV pulled around with a driver I hadn't seen before. It wasn't their usual guy."Can I take the passenger seat?" I ask, feeling oddly uncomfortable with this new driver for some reason unknown to me at this moment.While it may seem odd to take the passenger seat with how I'm feeling, it's really not. The closer I am to this d
Savina:"What took you so long?" I hiss.They left me for dead; I just know it.My throat feels like sandpaper as I sit up in the cot I had been in for the last several days."Be thankful we came back for you at all," Kash says.I have no clue where we are. The room is dark, and they haven't let me leave since I got here.They lied to me. Lucy wasn't supposed to have her magic. It was supposed to be an easy task.Although my plan was never to take her out in a challenge, I was improvising.The goal was to separate her from her mate's bond so that if her magic ever came to fruition, she would not gain her full strength.Kash never told me why we were doing it. Some might think I was a fool for following his orders blindly, but I trusted him.I loved him.I never wanted Leon the way that I had made it seem. It was a means to an end."How could you say that, Kash?! I did what you asked of me!" I defend.His comment nearly shattered my heart into a million pieces."You are a fool, Savina!
Lucy:We had lunch and revisited the plan we had made with Zeak after getting blood samples. There were still many things to do at this point, and I wasn't sure which direction to take next.We decided to have lunch at the pack house cafeteria. I told my mates we needed to start being more present in the pack."This doesn't mean that Savina is a demi, does it?" Liam asks."No, there weren't enough markers. She was given a gift somehow. That means we're working against magic that we hardly know anything about," Theo explains.Nadia looks worried, even though she is trying to pretend otherwise."Are you not going to explain to me why you want my blood tested?" I ask Nadia for what has felt like the millionth time.I know she isn't being completely honest, but what I had said to Seth was true.I want to build her trust and guidance, but I don't want to push for answers because I know sometimes we just don't know what the answer really is.I gave Theo another sample of blood—a fresh one.
Lucy:"How did you think of that?" Seth asks as we walk to the city building.The air was cool, fresh, and crisp. The combined scent of pine and lilac lingered about the pack as it always had, but today, it was different.The rain the prior night had wafted the earthy scents further into civilization. I couldn't breathe in enough of it, and it relaxed my soul."Think of what, mate?" I asked. His question was random, as we had been walking for a few minutes now in silence."Doing a reverse Luna ceremony," he explains as if I should already know.I stop in my spot and look over at him, trying to gauge his emotions fully and independently.I hadn't considered that there was typically a Beta female, too, and being mated with Seth made it all the more complicated.He never mentioned me being a Luna or a Beta female, and I hadn't thought to ask either."It just made sense to ensure the pack is connected to me and has their full strength. This way, I'm not a Luna or a Beta female. I'm just m
Lucy:"Her position is next to us!" Seth speaks up.He's protective in a way that's different from my other mates. He knows I'm insecure about my place amongst others.Or... at least I was. I'm not anymore.My mom knew I was going to have power that was bordering on unimaginable and most certainly unreasonable.No one needed the kind of power I had, yet here I am.She knew I would gain strength one day, so that I wouldn't be able to be so easily cracked. I was starting to understand how the Fae functioned and understood themselves with their magic.It was different. I wasn't the same, and I would never be the same again.I didn't want to be."Calm down, that wasn't what I was saying," Leander starts.The longer he takes to explain whatever's on his mind, the more the room feels like it's losing oxygen. I'm having a hard time controlling my feelings, sitting here waiting."I need you all to start considering what the pack's impression will be when Lucy has marked both the Alpha's of thi
Lucy:"The stronger the magic within a person, the harder it was to control myself," Zeak admits.I watch as he sits down on the cot in the corner of the cell now.I hadn't felt my magic back then but I guess he could.I wanted a better answer but I guess it could be that simple."Rosie would do something. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but for a moment, I would see clarity. I started having her be there all of the time, and I saw clearly the more she was around. Kragen said she was an abomination and needed to be killed. I sold her instead," he admits."You're going to go back to your pack. Tell them you escaped somehow. I don't care what lies you have to come up with; it needs to be believable," I state.I feel Leon's grip around me tighten, and a growl elicits from each of my mates.'We didn't talk about this, Lucy. You can't make that decision without Dad,' Liam links me.He's right. I need to talk with Leander, but my mates will soon be taking over the pack, and we also need to