Alari's pov Damien's scent was the first thing I perceived when I began to awaken from my slumber. Curling my fingers, I felt the softness of his fur and opened my eyes to find his big Lycan head on my lap, snoring softly.A sense of warmth washed over me as I watched my mate's majestic, sleeping, Lycan form. He looked so cute, I wanted to bite him!I could also feel him more distinctly, and we seemed to be feeding off of each other, off of our bond. I could feel his life force pulsing through me so strongly, I wondered if he could feel me the same way. “Yes, I can” Roman growled softly, his eyes still closed but his subtle rubbing gave his state of consciousness away. “Hey! I thought I put up a wall so you couldn't invade my mind” I playfully rolled my eyes but was genuinely curious to know how he was able to break through my mental wall. Could it be the current state of our bond? It felt a lot more powerful, and I'd never felt so connected to him. I could literally feel his

Alari's pov “Oh my fucking Goddess!” Pearl screamed, getting up from her chair. “Language” mom teased and I smiled at her, rubbing my flat stomach. “You said godmother, she said godmother!” She screamed the last part, looking at everyone else to confirm. Jumping up and down, she finally skipped her way to me and hugged me… a little too tight.“There won't be any godmothering if you choke me to death” I exaggerated my choking, to which she quickly let go.“Sorry, I'll be gentle” she said, hand stroking my hair, smile still big as ever. She looked like a ray of sunshine on a cold, cloudy day when she smiled like that. “Congratulations sweetheart” dad said with tears in his eyes, which brought tears to my eyes.“Congratulations Alpha, Luna” Mason bowed, smiling fondly.“Thank you Mason” I smiled back.“Do we all understand that this can't leave this room? We have a spy problem and we can't have the wrong people knowing” Damien said, putting a hole in the bubble I was floating in. “Y

Alari's pov The meeting was going as good as I'd hoped and I felt like I was finally taking the right steps towards being the person I'm supposed to be. And boy was Damien bragging about how strong I am, almost like saying he has the best mate and Luna. It was quite amusing. And again, everyone looked at me as if asking themselves, what else I can do.“I think we need a strict training regime, what the warriors his highness sent to Silverlake have done to my pack's warriors is incredible” Alpha Lilly Anders said, and I thought it was a good idea. It would sharpen the Kingdom's warriors.We were busy discussing how we can prepare for war and strengthening our warriors up should be our first priority, if we're going to fight those things and win. “Yes, that is an excellent thought young Alpha” Raven said with an approving nod. “We'll have about five warriors sent to each pack to help with training then” Damien said, making the Alphas nod. A sudden wave dizziness washed over me an

The mistress's pov“Phantom!” I yelled in frustration for about the hundredth time, focusing all my magic on that one, small, insignificant spell that was proving impossible for me. “Damn it! What am I doing wrong?!” I whisper yelled at myself, watching my hands like they weren't doing what they were supposed to.“I never thought I'd see the day you failed at something” Minerva's taunting cackle scared the living day lights out of me.“Don't sneak up on me like that!” I growled, tilting my head to the side to look at her through the corner of my eye. “Seriously?! The sound of my voice is what scared you? Not this creepy, dark cave, miles into the dark woods that belong to fucking Pixies?” Her sarcastic questions made me roll my eyes.I didn't bother responding or explaining myself, knowing her, she'd find a way to use it against me. Keeping my gaze focused on the scroll before me, I ignored her, and why wouldn't I? I didn't owe her anything!“How did you find this shit hole anyway?

Alari's pov Damien literally carried me to bed when we arrived at the castle, even when I said I I only wanted to show Pearl the scan and then I'd go nap.Insisting that I sleep first before anything else, he went as far as quoting Martin. Even promised to stay with me until I woke up. We cuddled up on the bed and it only took a few minutes for my eyes to feel heavy, his heartbeat like a lullaby. I felt myself drift, a sudden heaviness drawing me deep into the arms of darkness. “Hey!” Came a sharp whisper, making me jump awake only to be met with darkness and the feeling of multiple eyes on me. My mind was moving fast and I knew I'd returned to that wretched place. My heartbeat was the loudest thing I'd ever heard and I couldn't calm down enough to hear anything else. “Sapphira!” I called out her, even though I knew she couldn't come to me. I just didn't want to be alone, and vulnerable, in this dark place. “Prinnnnceesesssss” that horrible voice sang, causing a wave of nausea