Chapter 1
Lydia’s POV
“WATCH OUT!” Lily yelled as her blow hit my stomach, and the force threw me back to the floor.
I blinked in surprise that she had actually managed to get in a hit and burst into laughter.
“I- Can’t believe you actually managed to hit me!” I said, wheezing as I took in gulps of air to ease my laughter.
“I’m still in shock too!” Lily said with surprise in her voice as she stretched out her hand to help me stand, while some of the wolves who had been watching us train began to clap.
This was the first time anyone had managed to land a hit on me in six years.
“Let’s go again?” I asked her enthusiastically as I got to my feet.
“What? No. Please, let’s take a break. It took everything in me to land just one hit on you, and you’re not even awakened yet,” Lily said, panting, but I could see the pride in her eyes.
I chuckled as I linked my arm through hers.
“You know, people assume the thing I’m most excited about is the heightened senses that’ll come from my awakening tonight, but honestly, I’m just excited about my mate bond. Finally, Wilson and I can be together,” I whispered in her ear as blood rose to my cheeks.
Lily stopped walking and turned to face me with a slight frown on her face.
“But what if he’s not your mate? Getting superpowers was by far the best thing that happened to me after my awakening. So you might prefer the new speed to the mate bond,” She said as she tugged on my arm gently and we continued walking.
She still doesn’t understand me.
I rolled my eyes and replied with a small laugh.
“I’m already fast, Lily. So what if my speed increases? No, I’m definitely most excited about Wilson. Besides, his mother had the gift of sight, and she told me that I would be a very powerful Luna. I’m certain Wilson is my mate. I can just feel it here.”
I held her palm to my chest gently and smiled happily.
I had waited for my eighteenth birthday for what seemed like forever. And the fact that Wilson hasn’t met another woman as his mate yet, despite being awakened for six years now, just shows that the moon goddess is on my side and has ordained us to be together.
" Well, I think he’s not. Even if he is, he’s a terrible choice for a mate, Lydia. He’s cold and strict, and he has possibly the worst scowl I’ve ever seen, permanently gracing his face. He doesn’t even treat you nicely.
Why on earth would you want the moon goddess to curse you by mating you to a man like that?” Lydia asked with a scoff as she shook her head.
I untangled my arm from hers immediately and frowned in annoyance.
She’s judging him so hard when she barely even knows him! It’s so irritating to watch.
So what if he always has a frown on his face? She would too if she returned from a ride on her birthday to find her parents and everyone she loves murdered in cold blood.
So what if he’s strict and cold? She never knew him when all he did was crawl into spaces, lost behind a book with a playful smirk on his lips.
She doesn’t know that his laughter is like chiming bells. So like his mother.
She doesn’t know that he only treats me coldly because he’s afraid to let his love for me show, just in case. He has lost so many people that he loves, and he doesn’t want to lose me too!
“Lily, you shouldn’t judge people you don’t know. You might not like Wilson, but he is my mate, and I will not tolerate you talking badly about him. Remember, he was my mate before you became my best friend. Besides, he’s only like this because he’s always thinking about our revenge against the Black Fur Pack,” I hissed at her as I folded my arms and strolled away.
So annoying!
“Lydia wait! I’m sorry!” She called out behind me, but I was done listening to her.
I deserved to enjoy my birthday, not spend it listening to her slander my mate.
I had barely gotten to the palace with Lily trailing behind me when I spotted Wilson.
Sometimes, I get surprised by how much he takes my breath away.
Years had passed since that night that we ran away, sobbing and taking comfort in each other as we sought refuge among the rogues, and yet our love for each other hasn’t waned.
Anytime I see him, my heart still races, and a stupid big smile just finds its way to my lips.
He stood at the mouth of the palace with one hand in his suit pocket and the other wrapped around the phone he was speaking into.
The sun glinted on his face, making the olive tone of his skin stand out, and I might have drooled if I wasn’t subjected to this yummy sight every day.
“WILSON!” I yelled happily.
I haven’t seen him since I woke up to train this morning. And while I’m certain he would never miss my awakening, I still want to invite him because he’s always busy and I can’t risk him having some kind of business tonight.
I raced over to him with happiness and laughter bubbling in my chest. Something about him just makes me so happy.
He ended his phone call with a sigh and raised an eyebrow as he faced me.
“Lydia, you need to stop shouting while running. You’re no longer a child,” He said with disapproval lacing his tone.
Of course, I’m no longer a child! I’m a woman now. And he noticed.
Heat rose to my cheeks as I considered the possibility that he had been checking out my boobs while I was running.
Yes, I’m no longer a child! I knew you would remember my birthday! You would definitely show up for my awakening. Right?” I asked tentatively as I clutched my arms behind my back and smiled shyly.
Of course he would come.
“Umm, happy birthday, Lydia. But No. I have business tonight, I can’t be there,” Wilson said as he glanced at his watch and began to walk away from me.
He’s lying. He’s definitely lying.
I know Wilson, if he speaks and looks away like that, then he’s lying.
Is he planning some kind of surprise for my birthday?
“Are you planning something?” I asked him with mischief playing in my eyes as I walked fast to keep up with him.
“Lydia, I have to go. Bye,” He said as he opened the door of his car, got in, and shut it in my face.
“He’s definitely planning something!” I squealed in excitement as I spun around to face Lily.
She rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips.
“I really doubt it,” She said with a laugh.
“But he is. I wonder what it’ll be,” I sighed dreamily as I linked my arm back with Lily's.
“Stop thinking about that. Come on, let’s go back home. You need to get ready for your awakening,” She said with a laugh as she tugged me to walk faster.
With a bright smile on my lips and my heart pounding from excitement, I let out a stream of happy laughter and followed after her to get ready for the best night of my life.
***
“Okay, now feel the power of the moon in your veins and shift,” Elder Maribel said with a smile as she let go of my hand and pushed me to the middle of the circle.
I smiled widely as I stood on my tippy toes and searched around to see if I could locate Wilson and his surprise among the pack members that had come to watch my awakening.
“Sorry- I I’m just waiting for Wilson,” I said to Elder Maribel with a shy smile.
Was he going to present a ring? The excitement over his surprise was driving me crazy.
“Isn’t he here yet?” She asked me with concern etched on her face.
“ No. He’s pl-” I started to reply, when Lily pushed her way forward and gave me a not so subtle nudge.
“Please ignore her, Elder Maribel. The moon is messing with her head. I’m sure Lydia would never miss the chance to shift and gain her powers. Right?” Lily said to me with a menacing smile.
Fine!
Maybe he’s waiting for me to shift anyway.
I gave an excited nod. The ceremony had been beautiful, and shifting was the last part.
With a smile, I moved to stand at the center of the circle, directly under the moon, and raised my head to howl as loud as I could.
The change was immediate, almost like I had done this all my life.
My bones popped and cracked as they conformed to my wolf, and I almost sobbed from pleasure when my wolf spoke to me for the first time.
“Hey Lydia, I’m Drusilla.” She whispered, and I howled loudly from joy.
Lily burst into tears, clapping as she howled, and the rest of our little pack of rogues howled at the moon along with her.
“Wow, that is the biggest pure black wolf, I’ve ever seen. So rare,” Elder Maribel gasped with pride as my eyes sharpened and adjusted to the darkness in the woods.
“Mate!” Drusilla growled within me, and joy flooded my bones.
Without thinking twice, I jumped out of the circle and ran free and fast, following the scent trail of my mate that Drusilla had picked up.
This was everything and more I dreamed about the day I awakened.
I raced through the palace doors, to the shock of the guards, straight towards the meeting room as Drusilla gave me clear instructions.
The doors of the meeting room swung open automatically as I ran inside.
Wilson stood at the side of the long table in the room with a beautiful girl at his side, but I couldn’t focus.
Not when Drusilla kept growling mate at the man seated at the head of the table.
Chapter 2Lydia’s POVI paused in surprise. The man seated at the head of the table was very handsome to be sure with a powerful presence but he was old.Well, he wasn’t old like rickety, and if I’m being honest he was insanely attractive but he was probably around alpha Mike’s age when he was still alive!No. Absolutely no way, Drusilla must have made a mistake. I meant, Wilson is standing next to him so it’s easy for her to get confused.“What’s going on!” The girl standing next to Wilson squealed at the sight of me. I guess in my big pure black wolf form, I must have looked intimidating but as she clutched Wilson’s arm, I growled in annoyance and shifted immediately.Several of the officials in the room yelled in outrage at the naked crazy-looking girl who had interrupted their meeting.“Wilson!” I yelled as I made to stand up and claim him from the silly girl holding his arm but Drusilla turned to the man at the head of the table and growled loudly again.“MATE!”No, she’s making
Lydia’s POV.“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” I gasped as my tears flowed.Why would he think it was okay to coerce me into marrying t..that…man! Just because of revenge!Fear lanced through me as Wilson’s face grew cold and hardened in displeasure.Oh no! I know that face.He was going to do it! He was going to walk out of my life without a second thought if I didn’t do something!I watched in horror as he adjusted the sleeves of his shirt, slid his hands into the pockets of his pants, and turned away from me silently to walk back into the meeting room.Fear, anger, and desperation rose in me as my tears fell so fast that they temporarily blinded me.“Wait! Wilson, please don’t go!” I yelled as I angrily swiped my hand across my face to clear my vision and went after him.Because I had lost my pack, I had lost Mamma and the people who loved me, but I absolutely could not afford to lose Wilson too.Wilson didn’t slow at my plea but kept on determinedly walking towards the meeting room. And I just kn
Lydia’s PovHis words seemed to wake some fire in me, and I rushed to quell it. What am I doing? Drusilla’s handwork no doubt.I drew back from him suddenly with a hiss.“No, thank you, Control yourself, big pervert,”He chuckled in amusement, and Drusilla begged me to draw him back in and beg him to make good on his offer.“You too, little pervert,” I murmured, and his smiled as he heard me.“You know, our wolves are the truest, purest form of our desires. They say and want the things we’re too scared to go after. If your wolf likes me, then that’s a pretty good indication you like me too. That makes me happy,” He said softly, still staring at me with those eyes.No. I shook my head in rapid disagreement as the thought of liking him left a bitter taste in my mouth.“It shouldn’t make you happy because it doesn’t matter. I don’t like you because I’m not into OLD men,” I said, emphasizing the old so he could understand that this marriage was to be in name only.“Wow, that’s hurt.” He m
Chapter 5Panic went through me as a scream tore from my throat, and I shifted into my wolf on instinct mere seconds before his large wolf crashed into me.Together, we went sprawling across the floor, with me crushed beneath his weight. My wolf was large, but his was larger. And much heavier too, I pushed against him with all the strength in my limbs, but he just grunted and didn't budge. Not even an inch!He lost his grip on me, though, and I used that opportunity to land a blow on his side and try my best to scamper out from under him.But I didn’t get far as he latched onto my leg and pulled me back, only to cage me underneath him again.I grew frantic, landing blows and kicking him as much as I could, but without a proper grip on my wolf form, I wasn’t matched for his experience.As I struggled, Dahlia tried to alert me to the fact that he had stopped making any move to actually attack me or shield himself from my attacks, but I was past all points of reasoning and finally manag
Chapter 6Lydia’s POVKing Darwin’s voice sent thrills through me, but I was still reeling from the news, so I glared at him hotly.“Yes. Really! I don’t care what you expect. I’m never going to-” “LYDIA!” Wilson yelled in warning as I whipped my head sharply to stare at him.Even though I wanted to please Wilson desperately, I was too angry about King Darwin to stop, so I turned my head sharply to give the king a piece of my mind.“I’m… NeverRRR”As soon as I whipped my head to yell at him, I felt a wave of nausea hit me.It must be because of how hard I hit my head when the King attacked me. This bastard!The King chuckled as I shut my mouth and struggled to swallow the bile in my throat.How dare him! “You’re crazy! I’ll… NeverRRR,” I couldn’t control it and retched again as bile rose in my throat.Wilson and Freya sniggered alongside the King, their chuckles making me angrier.Angry tears stinged my eyes and I wanted to do was yell at them but I just knew that if I opened my mou
Chapter 7Lydia’s POVI swallowed nervously as I considered taking back my question. What I asked was too personal anyway. It’s not worth him going crazy and attacking me over.Before I could decide and tell him I didn’t want him to answer the question anymore, The door of the infirmary burst open, and Lily ran inside panting.“LYDIA! I heard what happened. I heard that crazy King attacked you!” She was panting as she walked down to me with worry in her eyes.“Erm… Lily. This is King Darwin. King Darwin, Lily,” I said in amusement as Lily froze and her face turned red.“Your majesty!” She bowed low before King Darwin.“I I- didn’t! I… I had no idea. T..Truly, I I’M Ssorry,” Lily stuttered in shock as she looked from me to the King in alarm.Feeling a bit self-conscious, I dragged my hand away from him and nervously put some space between us.“That’s alright, Lily. Lydia was about to leave for the palace anyway, you can go with her,” King Darwin replied.I turned to him in surprise. Pa
Chapter 8Lydia’s PovAs my attacker dragged me back from the meeting door and pulled me down the hallway, I knew two things.One: I could totally beat up the person if I wanted to.Two: I had no such desire.Because it was Wilson.At first, dread filled me, and I had been prepared to use all the fighting skills I spent hours learning with Lily, but the sweet cinnamon smell of Wilson hit me, and I realized I was being abducted by my beloved, so I let him take him.Drusilla grumbled as Wilson held me tightly, my back flush against his chest. But I was giddy with happiness.This was it! This was his plan for us to elope and be happy together! Finally.“What the hell do you think you’re doing!” Wilson hissed harshly as he entered some sort of alcove and released me.I blinked in surprise as I tried to figure out why he was cross with me.“I don’t understand?”“What part about eavesdropping on the King’s meeting seemed like a good idea to you?!” Wilson whispered hotly as he took a step b
Chapter 9Lydia’s POVI stumbled in shock and would have planted my face on the cold tiles had King Darwin not reached out and immediately steadied me.“What the HELL are you doing here!" I hissed in irritation as my heart thundered, both from the shock at seeing him and the feeling of his hand around my waist.I swallowed audibly as a slight fear went through me at the thought of triggering his psychosis again.“Your majesty?” I asked weakly as a show of respect. But even to my ears, it sounded fake.“Darwin. Always Darwin, only to you,” He whispered, his voice sending tingles straight between my legs as I suddenly got very self-conscious about being in a towel.“Um, you can let me go now. And you didn’t answer my question,” I replied as a blush darkened my cheeks and I pulled back from his hold.He let me go with an amused smile and pushed his hands into his pockets.“This is my room, Lydia,”I blinked in surprise and briefly stared around to confirm I hadn’t walked into the wrong r