Luna Mira came inside. I heard Apollo’s grunt of disapproval as my heart lurched in my throat. “Mother,” he said in a low voice as Luna Mira entered our house. It was the first time she had come. A fragrance of roses hit my nostrils. Maybe it was her perfume. I went to sit on the edge of the bed with anxiety. Luna Mira had made it very apparent that she disliked me. Alpha Jacob had come to attend our wedding party, but Luna Mira hadn’t come for that either. “How are you doing, Apollo?” she asked in a tender voice. I could feel that she was missing him. “I am well, Mother,” Apollo replied curtly. “Where is Natasha?” “She is in the bedroom.” “Wouldn’t she meet me?” There was a pause in which I was sure Apollo would have been completely surprised. I rose to my feet wondering if I should go and meet her. I walked to the door and then came back, not sure if I should go and meet her. After a long silence which stretched for eternity, I saw Apollo on the door. I searched for a

The whole family was rejoicing. Lucas had become an instant hit in the Black Moon pack. Alpha Jacob and Luna Mira had practically stopped going to their home and they stayed with us. Lucan had become an apple of their eye. At first, I thought it was Apollo who was so proud of his son, but I was wrong. It was the Alpha and the Luna and my brother-in-law who were prouder. Alpha Jacob gave a huge party to his people on the birth of his grandson. I think my life had more surprises and happiness that I ever thought I would have. The party was held in the packhouse. The packhouse was tightly packed with people. Everybody wanted to catch a glimpse of the heir of the Black Moon pack—the wolf who would carry the legacy forward. Alpha Jacob was standing on the dais along with Apollo and Luna Mira while I was standing on the side along with Nicole, Aunt and Uncle with Lucas in my arms. And I had no idea why Victoria had dressed him up in a baby lion king outfit with a tail and two cute ears.

Natasha POVThey say that for the world to be flipped upside down, it takes only one second. But my life had many of those seconds. When I was taken into foster care.When my aunt and uncle suppressed my memories with the help of a psychiatrist. When I met Apollo for the first time in the basement.When my mother tried to shoot me.When my father was taken by the authorities.However, this minute took away the prize—when I gazed at my father who was supposed to be dead. All I could do when he walked through that door was stare at him. I was so starved that I didn’t even blink. It was possible that the moment I blinked, he would disappear into thin air and then he would never come back. I snuggled my face into his chest and re-familiarized with his strong spicy, citrusy smell. I cried so much that I wetted his shirt, and I was sure that he too was crying because I could feel his tears on the crown of my head. Moments later, I found myself in our room. I think my father brought me i

I took a shaky breath in when my father repeated, “I had lost all hope to see my heir ever again, but now my hopes are renewed.” “Father…” I said, my voice breathy. “I am married… and I belong to Apollo and his pack.” I gazed in his eyes to see some kind of reaction, but all I saw was coldness on his face. I pursed my lips and looked away. I had to make him understand that I could never come back to him. He sipped his vodka as tense silence settled between us. When he didn’t speak, I continued, “I can't come back with you to Russia. This is the place I belong to.” From the corner of my eyes, I saw a dark figure moving behind the glass very quickly, as if hiding for being caught. I drifted my gaze back to my father avoiding it. My father swirled vodka in his tumbler as he became silent as if contemplating his next move. At this point of time, I realized that I had to be very careful. There was a darkness that spilled out of him and darkened his expression. He leaned back on the sofa

October November December was the most cruel in Russia. Ever since father had brought us back to Vyaska, our hometown in the north of Russia, he had been extra vigilant. All his energy was usually spent in taking measures that I was highly protected. He had started giving orders from home and barely stepped out even for grand political functions that he was invited to in the human world. My cell phone was snatched and smashed. The two months without Apollo seemed like eternity. I wondered if he was finding me. I didn’t feel like eating, having lost all my appetite. The only thing that kept me going was Lucas. I ate because I had to feed Lucas. I breathed because I didn’t want to leave Lucas in the hands of Olga. I stayed alert because I wanted to escape. I needed only one chance and I would leave, even if that meant running across the wilderness of snow-clad Russia. Ember wanted an out and she was aching to come out after my first shift. She was getting antsy inside me. Once I h