ALPHA MARCUS' POVThe day has been so stressful for me. Being an Alpha King is not about authority alone. It comes with great responsibility. Taking care of the pack is one thing, and observing the welfare of the people of Alacia is another thing. I take off my royal regalia, changing into my nighties. The nighties is not just any nighties for a common being, but made of quality materials that's meant for only the royals. I'm about to retire for the night, but I just can't. Not yet. A lot of things are going through my mind and making me worried. I close my eyes, sending a message to my Beta, my best buddy and confidant. "What?" his voice replies like a roar, a muffled moan. I know it's time for him to rest, but I just need him beside me. We need to talk about the problems at hand."You're screwing a pussy?" I want to ask, but I change my mind. His voice yells me all about it, but it would be embarrassing to him. He's one sex freak who won't want to quit his pleasure session just for

EMAL'S POVThe sound of door opening startles me and I jolt up from my laying position quickly. Hold and behold, it is the Alpha King, my father. I never expect him to be in my room at such late night but I didn't say a word or show any expression. I dare not! Slowly, I try standing up despite the pain my knees. "Welcome father, I greet him politely, looking down at the floor to avoid eye contact with him. He looks at me for a while before telling me to sit and I obey. Well, it's not like I have the strength to stand for long anyway.With his hands behind him, he walks closer to me. I could notice the fact that he's trying to pick up nice words to prevent me from getting angry, but I can see through him so well. He doesn't have to pretend like he's a good father of some sort. "How are you doing?" He stretches his hand to my face, rubbing my bruises with his thumb gently."Can you just say whatever you have to say and leave? How the hell do you want to know how I'm doing?" My subconsc

EMAL'S POVThe voices of my father and Blake rings consecutively in my ear and I can't contain my pain any longer. I need to do away with the welled-up emotion in me. Else, I might die of anger suffocation. I thought of leaving the castle again to calm myself, but it would attract the attention of the guards. I'm very sure father would have given them a strict instruction after what happened the previous day. My thought drops on Matilda and I can't help but head for her room. I need someone to soothe and calm me before I can sleep. The boiling emotion in me is making me feel full and frustrated. Upon reaching her room, her maid tells me that she was in the bath. I guess it's a wrong timing on my part. I should have thought of that before heading over. Giving my legs the chance to fulfill their purpose, I find myself out of her castle at last, though without any specific direction or place in mind. All I need is some calmness.I continue my walk through the empty field across the cast

EMAL’S POVThe first thing Lilly asks me is what happened to me. Minutes passes, I remain locked in the hug with her. The closeness with her makes me feel different, it is just as consoling as the affection of my sister. Patting my back, she pushes me back away from her gently, sitting me down on a close by chair.“What happened?” she asks again.I narrate everything that I encountered to her and she sighs after I end my story.“That’s so deep. What do you intend doing now?” “Sincerely, I have absolutely no idea about what I’m supposed to do. Right now, I can’t bring myself to think of learning the facts as it is. I don't think I'm ready, Lilly" My voice breaks while I speak."Wait...take it easy. Did you say she mentioned you having another mother asides her?" Lilly asks.“Not exactly! All I heard her say was that she can never be my mother and my face remind her of that woman.” I answer her question. “That’s not enough reason to be paranoid. You should try sorting things out by as

LILLY’S POVEmal waits till I enter my house before he turns to leave. Watching him from the window, I wave goodbye at his behind as he disappeared into the distance. Heaving a sigh, I prepare myself for what is to come. With the slightest sound, I make sure to walk around the house carefully not wanting to accentuate my presence to my grandma. I drop my bag where it is supposed to be and tiptoe to my grandma’s bedside. Her eyes were close which means she is fast asleep. Happily, I close my eyes with relief, in appreciation. “Where are you coming from? And who followed you here?” I hear grandma’s voice query behind me before I leave her bedside completely just when I thought I had escaped her notice. My heart leaps into my throat, and I stand there in shock, at a loss for words. She catches me off guard and I should have known Grandma will not go to sleep without setting her eyes on me except on rare occasions. The darkness of the night seems to intensify, casting an ominous shadow o