Ramsey's POVColin's words rang in my ears like an alarm bell. I stood rooted to the spot, staring into his eyes as if they held unknown secrets. "Alpha?" He called out to me, and I gave a small start."How is the situation of things at the border now?" I asked. "How are our soldiers holding up?""We're taking the lead, Alpha." Colin replied. "But you have to come, fast.""I always knew Ramsey would make good on his promise to come back for Astra," I muttered savagely, anger coursing through my veins. "No, Alpha." Colin muttered quietly. "These aren't Noah's men."I glanced up at him. "Who are they, then?""They're...." He paused. "They seem to be rogue wolves. I don't know where they're from or who sent them, but they're here."Rogue wolves?!Astra appeared at the door, a worried frown on her face. "Did you say rogue wolves?" She asked Colin.Colin opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted. "Astra, it is nothing you need to worry about." I grabbed her shoulders and tried to turn

Noah's POVAs I gave that last command, my beta nodded in understanding, his face grim with determination. I saw a flash of gold in his eyes, and I knew his wolf was also preparing for battle.Mine was too; I could almost feel the beast rearing its head within me, aching to burst out and take to the battlefield. The time was now, the time to finally reclaim my mate. That Ramsey had drawn the first blood, and it would be a show of weakness to back down now."Your battle is our battle, Alpha." Jasper murmured, eyes locked on mine.I nodded in solidarity. "Which of our soldiers did that man capture?"A frown appeared on Jasper's face. "I am not aware, alpha. In fact, I do not think it is one of our troops, or we would have noticed his absence before Alpha Ramsey even sent this message to us." He waved the parchment in his hand for emphasis. "But do not worry, alpha. I would make my findings.""Ignore that for now." I ordered. "Rally the troops for battle first. We cannot afford to worry

Ramsey's POV"You killer!" I bellowed, hot anger coursing through my veins like blood. "You deranged fool!"Noah was also running in Astra's direction, a look of alarm on his face. But as he got closer to her, he stopped halfway across the field, too scared and weakened by what he had done to move any closer. I stopped too, shielding Astra with my body and facing him squarely. The harsh sounds of the battle around us seemed to fade into background noise, as though it was just Noah, Astra and I on the grassy field."No...." I heard him mutter loudly, eyes on Astra's unmoving body. "No!" He yelled again, as tear after tear slipped from his eyes."Do you see what you have done?" I bellowed. "Do you see what your anger and you delusions have caused?""No!" He roared. "This is all your fault. If you hadn't stolen her from me, she would still be mine! She would not be here now—none of us will be!""Can you hear yourself?" I spat, feeling hatred and pain deep within me. I tried not to think

Noah's POVI was no longer aware of my surroundings, and yet somehow I found myself on my feet. It was as though I blacked out for a few hours, as though the agony of losing Astra was so great that I was no longer aware of where I was anymore.That final news of her carrying Ramsey's child was the last straw that my fragile mental health certainly did not need. I could almost feel the last of my resolve slipping away like a comforting blanket. Without Astra and the determination of getting her back, I was like an exposed baby with no protection. I was like a sheep without its fleece, like a house with no roof.I was sad, broken and alone. So, terribly alone.I felt Jasper's hand slip around my waist as he held me firmly to my feet. "Come on, Alpha." He murmured to me. "Your troop is waiting for you.""Fuck my troops!" I snarled under my breath, feeling anger spiral inside of me. "They could not help me get my mate back, could they?"I heard Jasper sigh beside me. "I believe the situat

Kylie's POVWhen Noah was done, I felt him pull away, a sigh slipping from his lips. I lay against the cold, hard surface of the table for long seconds, as the memories of our steamy sex lingered in my mind."Are you ever going to stand from that desk?" Noah spoke up finally, breaking the silence. "Or have I completely immobilized you with our...ah, act?"I smiled, betraying the raging emotions I felt within me. "No, Noah. I am fine. I'm just taking a moment here."I felt, rather than heard him pause. "Alright...."The room seemed to hold its breath as I listened to the soft rustle of fabric, knowing that Noah was dressing behind me. Every passing second only intensified the strange mixture of emotions swirling within me.This was happiness, I thought. This was what it felt like to own Noah, to finally have him to myself.After what felt like an eternity, I finally stood up. I turned to face Noah, who was now fully dressed. There was a poignant silence between us, a moment when words