All Chapters of Once In The Dust: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Willow The commotion was much outside. News had gone around that the bears were challenging us. If it became a full-on battle, women and children would be taken to safety. Although the Medical staff were being taken to safety, I wasn't among the people they allowed to hide. I was glad because I would not have hidden if they had asked me to. Leeana, who was now my assistant, and I went to where the commotion was, and I saw Christopher trying to dialogue with the angry alpha. According to the man, Christopher had sent warriors to slaughter his people. I automatically knew it was the king's doing, but why didn't it lead to him? "Okay, take part of the land in the north as retribution," Christopher offered, and Aida exclaimed. "You have no right to give what belongs to me, Christopher. That land was given to me by my mother," she exclaimed. "We will just be giving a portion. Would you rather they attack us? I do not want bloodshed. It isn't necessary, especially over a misunderstandin

Christopher. Aida banged on my office door while I was about to sleep, so I got up to open the door for her so she won't disturb the sleep of the pack members living in the house and create a scene. I opened the door, and she was wearing red lace lingerie with a short silk robe; I cringed. Realising Mark and I had been screwing the same woman for three years made me cringe. I wouldn't have been mad if she had told me she wanted Mark. I would have divorced her and fought for her to join Mark. This was very low of both of them. Here I was, fighting the mate bond just to be faithful to her, and she was cheating on me with my Beta. I was such a fool. "I have needs, Christopher. Don't you know pregnant women have a huge appetite?" She said, trying to sound seductive, and I cringed. She did not need me to satisfy her appetite; she had Mark for that. "I can't touch you tonight, Aida and I doubt I will be touching you anytime soon," I said and left my office to go to my bedroom. I did not

Willow I thought Christopher had brought me with him to settle his debt with the bears. Hearing the Alpha bear demand for me made me feel like an object; it hurt me. The way Christopher tried to avoid the scenario also annoyed me. In those moments, all I was thinking was why he brought me along if he knew he wasn't planning on giving me to them. I thought he was only trying to see if he could avoid the situation and, if not, hand me over to appease the bears. My eyes were misty, and Raya and I felt betrayed. Here I thought he wanted me to accompany him for something important, but instead, I was just an object he would have to use for payment. My heart was still breaking when he went to his knees. No Alpha does that, but he did it. When he confessed that I was his fated and begged them not to take me from him, I could not help but let my tears fall. "He wants us," was all Raya could manage. Christopher was degrading himself to avoid war and keep me. He was doing this for me. I did n

Christopher. The king and I stared at each other for a bit, and he studied my eyes. There was a look in Aaron's eyes that showed he knew my response would not be pleasant. He had asked for it, and it was time to give it to him. "As long as no one goes behind my back to attack the bears and as long as no one tries to stylishly start a war, I won't give in to any demands for peace. But if this incident should repeat itself and they ask for Aida, I will willingly give her up to save everyone's lives. You might want to take King Lucien out of the way, but we both know the Lycans would never let you ascend the throne. Most people in the shifter's community loath you. I am hated because I am married to your daughter. But I guess you do not see it. All you can see is your ambition. It hasn't even occurred to you that the bears have the same might as us, and if we go to war with them, we might end up cancelling ourselves. Do you want the lycan king's throne so badly that you do not see the

Christopher. We arrived at the Rain pack sometime in the evening before sundown. I rushed to my room, and to my dismay, Aida followed me. It was her room too, but I did not want her near me. I was running out of patience with her and Mark. I had made up my mind but needed to be wise about my moves so I do not create a problem for my people and Willow. I entered my room and took a deep breath to prepare for Aida's banter. "Really?" She asked, and I sat on the couch. "Really, what?" I asked, and she sat at the foot of the bed. "You will give me up if they demand you give me up? Why will you say those things to my father?" She asked, almost in tears. "He meant what he said, you know. He meant it. He will place another alpha above you to succeed him," she said, and I began to laugh. "And you think I care about being the werewolf king?" I asked her, and she was in shock. "I want peace, Aida. I know your father was behind the bear attack. He won't succeed at forcing my hand. I would