Semua Bab THE ALPHA’S RELUCTANT BRIDE: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Ember's POVIt had been days since Darius had rejected me. But it still felt like yesterday.I was starting to believe that heartbreak smelled like something in between dust, stale air, and leftover antiseptic. Since getting back from training that morning, I had hardly moved and had curled up in bed as if it were my only refuge from this awful, awful world.I was weak and beyond exhausted. It still hadn't gotten easier. The training. It still hurt.In movies, after the first two days, everything seemed to turn easy but it seemed to be getting worse. I was aching in a place I didn't even know I could ache from.Gamma Griffin had dismissed me before we ended the training with fist sparring. He probably was scared that I'd drop dead and something about my mechanical precision being too disturbing to watch. I had left with a frown. I had wanted more, anything that could get my mind off Darius would have helped. Even if it was being beaten or beating someone. But he can go ahead and ch

Darius' POVSleep kept knocking at the door of my subconscious as I signed another paper of agreementfrom The Wolfhowl pack. They were the only packs I could tell a little about my currentpredicament.They had promised to bring extra warrior wolves so the day of the tournament wouldn't bedisrupted.I could feel my brain lagging and the strength I had over my eyelids depleting. Ink had dried onmy fingers already. I held the quill loosely in my hand, giving my all in holding on to it whileholding on to my consciousness. I was beyond tired.The lamp on my desk kept flickering—it was driving me nuts—throwing weird shadows all over the mountain of paperwork I still hadn’t touched.In front of me, Kellan was in no better shape. He was snoring softly on the chair in front of meWith a book half-open and resting over his face like a sleep mask.It pained me that I lacked the strength to move, I'd have taken a picture of him, have it framed, anddelivered to him as a birthday

Ember's POVBreakfast at the pack house was... awkward. Painfully awkward. Like sitting through a familyreunion with exes, enemies, and one very angry-looking alpha whose wolf still hadn’t gone backto sleep. Or forgotten the drama that seemed to happen the night before.Although, we didn't use the dining table very often—or I didn't sit with them for dinner—I couldtell it was fuller than usual and thicker with tension.Everyone was seated, a grumpy Darius, a calm Kellan, a hungry-looking Maia, a gamma with acrooked nose, and me. Gamma Griffin's nose had already healed but with the way his noseseemed slightly bent, I knew it'd never be the straight, pointed nose it had once been.…two—piled high in front of them. Except for him. He just sat there, stabbing his pathetic piece of toast like it owed him money or something with his stomach practically screaming at this point. I could hear it over the chatter. Somebody hand this man a stack of pancakes before he shrivels up an

Ember's POV"Again."Griffin yelled out across the field behind the pack mansion. We were out there on the field, squinting ’cause the sun was just obnoxiously bright. If it weren’t for that breeze coming through every so often, I’d probably have melted right into the grass. I was wearing a tank top and my training shorts. Maya had come to drop it earlier. Sweat trickled down my brow and my breathing was faster than I would have liked."You're still resting way too forward when you throw your hands," Griffin said as he came in behind me and tapped my arm. "That's gonna throw you off balance. Keep your spine straight. Like this."He stepped back and spread his legs as he demonstrated the move with a sharp twist of his torso. His movements were actually clean and precise. His movements and teachings were accurate and actually good. He had a patience not many had and I secretly loved that about him. There had to be a good reason he was chosen as Gamma of the pack, right? Even though h

Emily's POVEverywhere was a mess.The moment we burst out of the woods in the direction of the pack clinic, pack members were beginning to move closer, trying to see what the problem was. Gamma Griffin had to growl and shove some of them away violently a few times before they knew he was serious about them leaving the way.It was then that the pack warriors and guards knew what was expected of them. They form a line, giving way for Kellan to continue carrying the alpha. Everyone could feel it. It was the way of pack members, they are connected to one hive mind, the alpha so they feel his intense emotions. It was possible to block it out but I was sure they were too curious to do that. Maia held on to my arm tightly, growling at anyone who tried to touch me or question me.Kellan didn’t wait for the nurses or a bed to be brought out. He kicked open the doors of the clinic and I could see the strain it caused him by the veins on his neck. The smell of drugs and blood, a typical hospit