《Chasing His Betrayed Luna》


 1. Wanna-be Luna

    AURELIA


    "Look at me." He grunted out an order, sending shivers down my spine as he mmed into me like a beast.


    "Look into my eyes, mate!" Another order came and this time, I obeyed him even though it was hard to fight against the need to let my eyes roll to the back of my skull while he tore me apart with every thrust.


    I looked into the mesmerizing gray pair of eyes that I hade to love. I felt every part of him sinking into me roughly and pleasure and pain apanied each thrust. For some minutes, the pleasure outweighed the pain but my body still recognized the pain my mate... the man I loved with every bone in my body was causing me while he chased after his pleasure.


    Despite the dull difort between my legs, I still found myself moaning when my mate drove himself into me the minute our gazes locked, "Alpha." I itched to cry out his name. I wished I could give in to my desire, let my fingers sink into his dirty blond hair, and guide his head downwards until our lips lock in sync as well.


    Oh, how I wished.


    Yet, I dare not.


    In fact, I couldn''t, not when my hands were pinned above my head and definitely not when my mate jerked above me, releasing his seeds into me as he came down from his high.


    "Mmh mm..." I winced not because of the rough sex that seemed to have ended but because once again, I had been denied the pleasure of experiencing an orgasm by the one man I would do anything to please.


    He was my Alpha. My mate. My husband.


    He was my everything. He was Raiden. My Raiden.


    I kept my eyes on Alpha Raiden, hoping that he would return to me and push me over the edge of pleasure but he detachedpletely, left the bed, got dressed, and exited the room without sparing me another look. He was done and gone.


    Like a rag doll that had just been used, Iy in the one bed I was allowed to be in with Alpha Raiden. Like an emotionless sex toy, I stared at the white ceiling of the only room in the entire world that I was allowed to share with Alpha Raiden. It was a room I had named three years ago and I call it, "Sex Room"


    "Always be in this room when I need you." Alpha Raiden had gritted to me three years ago after our wedding ceremony. "I don''t need you anywhere else but here. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Raiden. I won''t be-" I had begun to respond with excitement and desire.


    But he snarled ferociously, "Never!"


    I recalled staggering backward towards the bed as I watched the man I had loved for years stare down at me with nothing but disgust. The kind that I had never seen in his eyes before. "Never say my name, mate! I''m Alpha to you and don''t go about acting like we are madly in love, woman!" He had said with a tone of finality.


    Yes, my heart broke that day three years ago but Alpha Raiden wasn''t always like that. He was a good man and I couldn''t give up on the beautiful mate bond that the moon goddess had blessed me with. Alpha Raiden was the only person that I could boldly call my person. He was mine.


    I had no one else so I thought he would one day understand that he was all I had.


    I had hope and I''m still hoping that he would one day look at me with love in those gray eyes. I was hoping that I would be able to prove that I was worthy to be his Luna and goddess knew that I had tried. I was doing my best to support him and love him even though he still wouldn''t kiss me.


    Huh!


    Three years of answering to his sexual call whenever he needs me as his mate yet it''s been three years of no kiss and three years of little to no emotional connection between my mate and I.


    "He hates you. He will always hate you." A tiny voice inside my head chimed.


    No.


    Alpha Raiden didn''t hate me. He was just angry about the fact that he had to mate with the lowest wolf in the pack. He was stuck with an orphan and to top it all, this orphan couldn''t shift or ess her wolf yet he had to mate with me. Even if he wanted to form a stronger bond with me, I wouldn''t sense it because I was wolfless and weak.


    I knew that much and I hated myself more than anyone in the pack... And there were so many who hated me. Countless to be honest.


    After several minutes of self-pity, I pushed myself off the bed even though my body resisted. Sex with Alpha Raiden always leaves me tired and bruised and today wasn''t any different. I could see the red marks on my body as I made my way to the bathroom to clean up. I soon made my way to the kitchen of the Alpha Mansion which has been my home for the past three years, to make breakfast for myself because no one would. I was the Luna of the Dark Moon Pack yet no one served me. It wasn''t new and I was used to doing everything myself.


    After all, I used to be one of the Alpha servants before Alpha Riaden married me.


    Just as I started whisking the eggs I had broken into a bowl, I heard the front door opening. Of course, that couldn''t be Alpha Raiden. He is usually out of the mansion during the day so I suspected that whoever was in the house with me wasN?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    What I didn''t expect was to see two female servants and two armed warriors walk into the kitchen, approaching me.


    My brows furrowed and I blurted, asking the familiar female servant a question, "What now, Nina? Are you here to speak down on me again?"


    Nina was the head of every servant that worked for the Alpha. She used to be my mean boss and let''s just say she didn''t like the fact that I was now her superior.


    I assumed Nina would say something mean to me but she stunned me as her frown deepened and she faced the warriors, hissing, "Drag the wanna-be Luna out!" And to me, Nina smirked, "This is your end, Aurelia. I have waited three years to witness this."


    servant.

 2. Uncontrollable Balls

    AURELIA


    I have always known no one in the pack respected me as their Luna but until now, no one except Nina had the guts to disrespect me to my face. They usually murmured andughed at me behind my back but they wouldn''t darey their hands on me. But that changed the minute Nina gave the warriors an order that I didn''t know would change my life forever...


    "What are you doing? You can''t do this!" I yelled, struggling to free myself from the stronghold of the warriors whose hands were crushing my shoulder as they attempted to yank me out of the kitchen.


    My struggles were futile, of course.


    I was pulled out of the kitchen like a lightweight paper by the warriors despite my screams of protest.


    "What are you nning to do with me?" Are they kidnapping me, I asked myself but quickly blurted another question. "What gives you the right to touch me? I belong to the Alpha and he would have your head for everying your hands on me!"


    Ninaughed hysterically. She told the warriors to pause for a minute, showing her twisted face before mine. "You really think you mean anything to him? He despises you, Aurelia and we all do-" That was old news.


    "Tell me something you haven''t told me before, Nina." I tried to be the strong Luna. I really tried. "What gives you the right toe into my matrimonial home, give orders, and treat me like a mere ve?"


    I wasn''t so sure I could handle the answer that Nina would give but what the heck was going on?


    "You mean who gave me the right, huh?" Nina corrected me, emphasizing the ''Who'' like she was trying to prove a point.


    Actually, she was.


    My heart constricted sharply as it drew on me that there was only one person who could give such right to Nina and the warriors. But he wouldn''t-


    "The Alpha wants you out of the Alpha Mansion. He ordered your removal, Luna." Nina broke to me, her voice carrying mockery. "And to rify, you are just a mere ve, Luna."


    My world tumbled and crashed instantly. At least that was what I thought was happening to me as the warriors resumed pulling me out of the mansion. While Nina''s words resonated in my head over and over again, it became difficult to fight against the warriors. Alpha Raiden wanted me out of our home?


    Why? Why would he do that?


    I knew he didn''t love me but still, he needed me. He needed our bond to remain the strongest Alpha and one of the promising ones in our world.


    Although I asked myself questions just so I''d understand the situation, I couldn''t. So I asked Nina another question just as I was dragged through the entrance of the mansion, "Where are you taking me?"


    Nina nced at me briefly, muttering, "Where you belong. Where you actually belong."


    Her response was meant to taunt and break me further but unfortunately for Nina, even I didn''t know where I belonged without Alpha Raiden.


    The fear and curiosity that zapped through my body intensified when Nina gave out orders to some of the servants that were outside the mansion, waiting to witness my fall from grace to grass, "Why are you standing around? Get in there and remove every bit of trash she owned."


    A bile rose in my throat but I pushed it down. It was hard not to cry. My eyes were stinging and the fact that I was being watched by some of the pack members wasn''t helping. I was embarrassed. Getting dragged out of my matrimonial home like this was nothing short of disgraceful. "Why would you let them do this to me?"


    That question was for my mate but I asked myself, tears swelling in my eyes. I let my gaze shift to the floor and didn''t struggle with the warriors anymore. I lost the will to fight, sadness creeping into my body like it was created to be a part of me.


    The Raiden I fell in love with wouldn''t let anyone treat me like this. He used to be a sweetheart. A kind-hearted person.


    Five years ago, when I was just sixteen years old, Alpha Raiden had barked at some of my bullies, "You will treat her with respect unless you have a death wish."


    Back then, he was the Alpha Prince and he always stood up for me even though I was the rootless and wolfless servant in the pack. I fell in love with that eighteen years old boy but clearly, Alpha Raiden wasn''t that boy anymore.


    Sniffing back tears, I could only wonder what changed.


    Like a bag of spoiled grain, I was tossed into an unfamiliar room. "Where am I?" I asked.


    I would have known If I paid attention to the paths I was dragged through but I had been lost in thoughts. I didn''t even notice that Nina was no longer with us until now.


    One of the warriors, the taller one of the two, answered gruffly, "Somewhere far away from the Alpha''s mansion just like we weremanded." His eyes sparkled with mischief as they raked down my body. "You and I could have some fun, you know? Since the Alpha is done with you. You know I have always wanted to feel those cheeks of yours-"


    The warrior rattled on. I didn''t even know him... How would I have known that he had such thoughts about me? His supposed Luna?


    The second warrior chuckled, "I should give you both some privacy then."


    "No! Don''t leave!" I cried out, scared for myself as my eyes shifted from one corner of what I supposed was a room in the servant residence.


    The second warrior whose name I didn''t know as well, retorted amusingly, "Oh! You want me to stay? She wants me to join in the fun, Leo. Who knew the Luna was a kinky one."


    The taller warrior who must be Leo,ughed loudly, "It''s a good thing the Alpha doesn''t want her anymore, Mateo, because I want her so bad-"


    Fearfully and with tears trickling down my face, I yelled, "I want to see the Alpha. Now!"


    However, Leo and Mateo began to take steps towards me, their tongues rolling over their lips and eyes darkening with what I knew was desire. With every step they took forward, I took three backward but I knew I had nowhere to run to. Mateo eventually uttered, "But the Alpha doesn''t want to see you. That''s a shame."


    My heart swelled with pain and anger. Those two emotions colluded with each other as I roughly cleaned my face, getting rid of the betraying tears that had been rolling down my face. "Stay back! Stay away from me!" I screamed, hating how weak I was and how pathetic I sounded. The warriors closed in on me and while I was trapped between their stinky bodies and the in wall of the room, they chuckled, reaching out for me. I closed my eyes, expecting the worst that could happen, tears pouring out of my eyes.


    Look at what you have subjected me to, Raiden... How could you? What did I ever do to deserve-


    "What do you think you are doing?"A familiar voice barked at the warriors as the door opened, in time to save me just as I felt Mateo and Leo''s callous fingers on me.


    Unfortunately, the voice that saved me wasn''t Alpha Raiden''s. When I opened my eyes again, I didn''t see my mate seething at the warriors. Instead, I saw Nina, standing akimbo with her eyes shooting daggers at the warriors. Nina barked angrily, "Have you lost your minds! Do you want me to drag you through hell with your uncontroble balls?"


    One would have thought she cared about me as she gritted at the two men who were close to assaulting and molesting me sexually.


    Without another word or look, Mateo and Leo scurried out of the room. If only I could be as strong and threatening as Nina. Although she didn''t like me, Nina could stand for herself and Icked that ability. Sadly.


    "Crying again? When will you stop acting like the entire world is meant to run to your rescue? No wonder the Alpha doesn''t want you." Nina growled at me, reminding me that we were not buddies.


    I wiped my face again and prepared my mind for more of Nina''s tongueshing session but to my surprise, Nina simply shook her head before stretching her right hand forward, revealing a stack of papers, "This is for you. Do the needful and give it back." Along with the papers, she gave me a pen as well.


    My face furrowed, curiosity setting into my mind as I took the papers. "What is this-" I started asking with a low tone.


    But the rest of my words died in my throat when I saw the heading on the front page - Dark Moon Pack''s Court Issued Divorce Papers.


    My eyes widened, my jaw hit the floor hard and my heart shattered just as my hands began to tremble. I thought I wouldn''t cry anymore, at least for the day but my eyes stung with tears and there was no stopping them.


    "D-divorce." I blurted, my blurry eyes shifting to Nina''s emotionless face. "H-ow can t-this be f-for m-me? W-what am I-"


    "Can you please do the needful and stop wasting my time with your stupid questions!" Nina cut me off without batting an eye.


    I shook my head vigorously. This shouldn''t be happening.


    Alpha Raiden needed me. Right?


    He can''t- I can''t lose him. He is my everything. The only person that was mine. He was my constion gift from the goddess for crying out loud! My legs gave out as I sobbed like the devastated woman that I was. "Sign the damn papers, Aurelia!" Nina hissed at me.


    "No!" I hissed right back, surprising both Nina and me. "I won''t sign this. I want to see my mate. I demand an audience with Alpha Raiden."


    Nina stared at me like I had grown two heads for a minute before she burst outughing. She voiced, clearly amused, "Who are you to demand an audience? Who do you think you are to not sign the papers that the Alpha already signed? He ordered you to sign them immediately-"


    I cut in, my pain turning into anger, "I''m his mate!" Nina frowned but I didn''t let that stop me. I had nothing to lose. "That''s who I''m, Nina. His mate and I demand to see him this instant because I sure as hell won''t be signing these damned papers!" Even though he had signed them.


    Whether it was awe or anger in Nina''s eyes, I couldn''t tell but I soon sensed that she was talking to Alpha Raiden through the mental connection that everyone with wolves in the pack shared. I wasn''t a part of that connection for obvious reasons.


    I wasn''t surprised when Nina announced, "The Alpha will see you in his office."N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    However, the biggest shock of my life hit me right in the chest the second I stepped into my mate''s office for the first time in my life.


    She was right there in his office, on hisp, in his arms and he was kissing her passionately.

 3. Hated Prisoner

    AURELIA


    It was her.


    I knew her.


    Although I was yet to see her face as she was cooped up in my mate''s arms and her back was to me while her face was getting loved on by the man that was supposed to be mine- by the man who didn''t give me as little as a peck on the cheek despite being married and mated to him for the past three years.


    First time in my mate''s office and this was what I saw? Huh?


    The familiar shiny long blond hair was enough to let my crashing self know that the woman in my mate''s arms was no other than Princess Larisa Wellington, his ex-girlfriend.


    My lips trembled, my entire body shook as every part of my already shattered heart broke into tiny pieces and my puffy eyes were filled with hot tears once again. I wasn''t usually a crybaby even though everyone around thought so but how do I stop crying when I was witnessing the end of my life?


    Heck! He had never kissed me.


    I had never gotten the opportunity to be kissed by him... by anyone at that.


    Yet, he was kissing her so passionately.


    Alpha Raiden was so lost in the kiss and in Larisa. Lost to the point where he didn''t notice that I had been standing there in his office for an eternity. I was frozen on the spot but couldn''t he sense me?


    I watched as my mate groaned into the kiss, getting off his seat to pin Larisa against a wall and to kiss her even deeper. He only broke the kiss to say to her, "God, I have missed you so much, Isa."


    He said her name so fondly and all I could do was cry silently. My heart died when Larisa giggled like the fulfilled woman she was, responding with love, "I missed you even more, Raid." Raid?


    Alpha Raiden smiled, his eyes twinkling with pure love as his name rolled off his lover''s tongue... He wouldn''t even let me, his wife, mate, and Luna call him Raiden not to think of a pet name. But clearly, his lover could do that and more.


    It killed me to call her his lover but that was the truth. I could see the love Alpha Raiden and Icked flowing between him and Larisa. Larisa was his childhood lover. She was the beautiful daughter of the previous Beta who served Ronald, Raiden''s dad, during his time as Alpha. and she was loved by all. They all wanted her to and believed that she would be their Luna but that didn''t happen because on the day Larisa turned eighteen, I also did and I turned out to be Raiden''s destined mate much to their disappointment.


    Princess Larisa, as they always call her, was broken and she disappeared, leaving the pack with no trace while Raiden was left with no choice but to mate and marry me if he wanted to be the next Alpha. So he did. He mated with me, became the Alpha after Ronald, and spent every day of the past three years hating me...


    He hated me.


    I have epted that now. I mean, if he didn''t hate me, he wouldn''t have been shoving his tongue down another woman''s throat.


    "Oh, Aurelia. You''re here." Princess-no! She was no princess to me; Larisa gasped, beaming at me like she didn''t just kiss my man. Like she wasn''t being held by my man like she was some delicate flower.


    Raiden had never held me like he was holding her.


    He usually handles me like he has the desire to break me even in the sex room.


    Gosh, how was I so blind to the fact that he didn''t want me and he never would?


    My mate''s gaze fell on me momentarily before he shifted his dted eyes back to the woman he had always wanted and loved. "You asked to see me?" Alpha Raiden asked that question like he couldn''t stand the sight of me.


    He wasn''t bothered by my tears nor did he feel sorry for all he had done to me today... for the past three years, in fact.


    He wasn''t sorry and he would never be.


    "Why won''t you sign the papers? Do you need me to sign on your behalf?" Alpha Raiden seethed, his anger brewing rapidly.


    I was certain that he would haveshed out at me if Larisa wasn''t in his arms. He would have lost his cool if she wasn''t touching him in ces no one else but I should have ess to.


    He was a cheater! Yet I couldn''t bring myself to hate him or be as angry as I was supposed to be.


    Goddess, why did you have to give him to me when he wasn''t even mine? Why? I cried again but at this point, I knew what I had to do.


    "You don''t have to cheat on me to be with her," I uttered softly.


    I heard my mate scoffing, "Then why won''t you sign the papers? You are even making demands now, huh?"


    How could he not feel my pain? How could he not tell that he was killing me with his words, his look, and the fact that he was still holding Larisa despite my presence? He must really love her...


    I couldn''t believe this was happening but I knew my greatest wish was to see Raiden happy even if I couldn''t be his source of happiness and he was happy with Larisa.


    I stepped closer to the desk, taking my eyes off the duo that were causing me pain and I ced the divorce papers which I had brought with me on the t surface. I muttered, "If signing these papers will free you and make you happy, then I''ll dly sign them." With a million reasons to hesitate in mind, I signed the papers. With tears in my eyes, I legally let my constion gift go.


    Alpha Raiden eventually took his hands off Larisa just to take the papers from me and check if I had truly signed them. My gaze lingered on his face as I bottled my emotions in. I thought I should take a good look at him because this was the end of us... and the end of my life.


    However, when Raiden met my gaze, he raised his brows, asking with no remorse, "What are you waiting for? Are you expecting a thank you?"


    "No. I''m freeing youpletely." I responded, unbearable emotional pain coursing through me.


    "Then take your leave. I have better things to do with my time than whatever this is." Alpha Raiden etched, referring to my lingering gaze with obvious disgust.


    I nodded, "I won''t waste your time."


    Alpha Raiden frowned. He was impatient. He wanted me gone so he could return to eating Larisa''s face and I would be gone as soon as I let our weak and useless bond go as well.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Rejecting him was harder than signing the legal papers but I had to do it to clear the path to his happiness.


    I inhaled deeply and let out the word as I exhaled slowly, "I, Aurelia, reject you, Alpha Raid-"


    "Stop!" Alpha Raiden yelled ferociously. I jumped backward, shocked by his reaction. "Stop right there!"


    W-what?


    Why was he angry? Did I say it wrong? Or was it because I didn''t include my family name? I never knew my family so how was I supposed to know what name to add? Why was he being so unreasonable-


    Alpha Riaden stunned me even more by growling, "How dare you think of rejecting me!" He took threatening steps towards me, leaving Larisa behind.


    I had wanted his full attention and now that he was giving that to me, I wanted nothing more than to run the other way.


    "How dare you try to sever the bond we share, woman!" He asked again.


    With a shaky voice, I asked, "Isn''t t-that wh-what you want?"


    "Who are you to decide what I want or even question it!" Alpha Raiden barked in my face, causing my body to shiver like it was getting buried in ice.


    My mind failed toprehend him. I also couldn''te up with a response since he was confusing me.


    Severing the bond was necessary if he wanted to be with Larisa and if he wanted me gone. So why was he-


    "Warriors!" Alpha Raiden called for the men outside his office and two of them rushed into his office, dropping to their knees to avoid facing his rage. "Grab this insolent woman, return her to where she belongs, and let me warn you..."


    The warriors could feel his anger in their bones even though Alpha Raiden''s anger was directed at me.


    He voiced the warning, "If she escapes, you lose your heads."


    "Yes, Alpha." The warriors answered.


    My mate''s- was he still my mate? After all, we have severed the marital bond. What we have left was the mate bond he wouldn''t let me sever. Alpha Raiden looked at me onest time before his men dragged me out of his office and he said, "You are mine to keep." Yet he went back to Larisa.


    I had never felt more confused.


    But when I was tossed right back into the in shabby room and locked up, I realized that I was no longer a married woman but I had be the Alpha''s hated prisoner.

 4. Stormy Blue Eyes

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    I could feel rage still boiling inside of me even though several hours had passed since the woman I was forced to marry and mate with tried to sever the same bond that I sacrificed my happiness to create.


    The nerve of her!? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Who does she think she is?


    Some goddess in charge?


    Tsk...


    My eyes caught the dark sky of the night as I emptied another shot of the strongest tequ in my bar, kinda hoping that it would kill my anger and stabilize my spiraling emotions but drinking didn''t help me. Within a few minutes, I was drunk yet I didn''t stop drinking. "Why am I still sensing anger from you, Raid." The soothing voice of the woman my heart beat for, echoed through the bar and my eyes eagerly searched for the beauty of her face. "Don''t tell me you are drunk because of her."


    I couldn''t stop myself from smiling sheepishly when Larisa''s face popped before mine. She left to meet up with her old friends a few hours after the woman I was forced to marry vexed me. I might be drunk but I could still see difort and a bit of jealousy shing through my Larisa''s eyes.


    "Not entirely, Isa, I''m angry though. She vexed me." I said to her, turning around on my high bar stool to pull Larisa in between my legs.


    She stood tall like a ss of wine, her elbows resting on my thigh, "Same difference, Raid. I fear that you don''t want me here nor do you need me. Perhapsing back after all these years is a mistake-"


    "Hey..." I cautioned her, frowning drunkenly. "Why would you say that? You know I have missed you? I have spent thest few years trying to find and bring you back home. Why would you call this a mistake, Isa?"


    My heart clenched painfully. I thought Larisa''s return would heal my broken heart. I thought she would be happy with me now that I had be the Alpha. I had the power and authority to protect her now unlike three years ago. "Because you are acting like she means the world to you. Like you have fallen in love with her." Larisa stated, her lips trembling.


    Without hesitation, I hissed, "I do not love that woman, Isa."


    Larisa''s frown deepened, her eyes searching mine for what I assumed was reassurance.


    "You are the only woman I have ever loved and I have never stopped loving you, babe. You''re the one who means the world to me." I voiced those words slurrily, my sight getting blurry as the alcohol I had consumed began to kick in fast. "I still love you too," Larisa muttered but her eyes sparkled with tears when she looked at me.


    "What''s wrong, Isa? Talk to me, Please." I was worried about her... about us.


    There was nothing more that I wanted. Being with her was all I have ever wanted. She was my biggest desire and having her in my arms was a three-year-long dreame true.


    Larisa pulled away, taking a few steps back before she said, "I''m scared, Raid."


    I left the stool, staggering on my feet for a few seconds. I cursed myself for drinking so much. I knew that if Larisa had been around, I wouldn''t have had any cause to drink. She would have relieved me of the anger that woman sparked within me.


    Larisa continued before I could get to her, "I was forced to leave my home, my pack, my friends, my entire life, and the man I loved three years ago. I was forced to live a lonely life, struggling through each day with a broken heart, Raid. It was hard to survive without you but I knew better than to be in the way of your duties as the Alpha. You didn''t need me around to be a great Alpha and as much as it kills me to say this, the truth remains, you needed Aurelia to be your best-"


    "Please stop talking like that, Isa. I didn''t need her then and I don''t need her now. You and I would have led the pack better. My parents didn''t understand that but-"


    Larisa cut in, tears rolling down her pretty cheeks, "Then why are you so angry about the fact that she tried to sever the bond? Why are you holding on to her?"


    My drunk mind failed toe up with a good enough answer. I could have just told Larisa that I was keeping Aurelia around because I had already created a bond with her and breaking that bond would be risky. It would kill me and my wolf but I didn''t tell Larisa that for some unknown reasons. Perhaps I thought that would hurt her more.


    "I am not asking you to divorce her, Raid. I don''t want you to be weak because of me. All I want is to stay by your side, be with you, and make up for the lost years. That''s all I am asking of you." Larisa cried.


    Finally, I said, "I want that too. I want that very much, Isa-"


    "You don''t seem to want me like I do. You don''t seem to love me like you used to, Raiden." Larisa countered and I shook my head, hating that I couldn''t open my heart to her and show her just how much I wanted her. "I think I should stay at my parent''s home for a while." "No! I want you here." I disagreed strongly, trying to hold Larisa.


    But she avoided my hands as she said, "It would give us time to know what we actually want. I also don''t want to cause any problems for you. You know where to find me when you sort out the mess with your mate."


    Larisa didn''t wait for me to respond before she walked away and out of my mansion. I yearned to rush after her but my heart tightened, causing anger to swell within me again.


    "This is all her fault! This is that woman''s fault!" I gritted audibly but there was no one around to hear me.


    I didn''t like saying her name or even thinking about it.


    I married her because I needed to just like Larisa pointed out and I was keeping her around for the same purpose... I needed her body and the bond to keep me sane.


    "She might as well serve her purpose now," I muttered ferociously before sending orders to the warriors guarding her to bring her back to the mansion and take her to the only room I had ever shared with her.


    Maybe it was the alcohol in my system or the anger coursing through me like burningva, I stormed to the room and sat on the bed. My eyes were stinging and my nose ring as I waited for Aurelia to be brought to me.


    The second she stepped into the room, her familiar flowery scent drove me crazier. My brief tightened and I let out a one-wordmand, "Strip!"


    I expected her to shakily obey mymand like she had been doing for the past three years of our loveless marriage. I expected her to shyly look at me with her bewitching stormy blue eyes that always get me undone whenever we are in bed together. However, to my greatest surprise, I received the biggest shock of the day when she looked at me with empty eyes and responded with one word as well.


    "No."

 5. A Passionate Song

    AURELIA


    "No"


    I let out that word despite knowing that it would only fuel Alpha Raiden''s anger.


    He could get angry but I had the right to say no to him. I was done with him. I was done giving him every part of me without asking for parts of him in return. I was done loving him with all of me even though my heart was kicking against the idea of that. "What was that, mate?" Alpha Raiden asked, his voice low and challenging.


    I inhaled sharply, finding it hard to repeat that single word. I averted my eyes and took steps away from him and the bed. He shouldn''t be able to keep me around while he wants another woman- but he could do that. He was the Alpha. He could have his cake and eat it.


    "Do you need me to repeat myself, woman!" Alpha Raiden growled impatiently and I nearly jumped out of my own skin as he pumped fear into my bloodstream.


    He started peeling his shirt off without caring about me and angrily, he hissed, his eyes burning holes into my face, "Strip this instance!" That was amand.


    Yet, shakily, I retorted, "I won''t be doing that. If you want sex, get it from the woman you are passionate about. I''m no longer your wife and left to me, I would have ended this wretched bond that keeps us tied to each other. I would have freed you-" "ENOUGH OF YOUR NONSENSE, MATE!"


    Alpha Raiden snarled like the beast he was.


    Gone was the man who showed passion to Larisa this morning. He wasn''t that man with me. He had never been and he would never be.


    "You think you can defy me just because we are no longer married legally? Because we are divorced? I''m still your mate and Alpha and you will obey me." He spelled out, dropping his pants to the floor and standing before me in all his naked glory.


    I shook my head, shoving the urge to take a minute and look at his well-sculpted body for what might be thest time as tears threatened to spill out of me, "You are not happy with me. You can no longer be my mate, Alpha Raiden. Make this easier for us all and-" The rest of my statement was cut off when I was suddenly swept off my feet not like some angel but like a weed... I was uprooted like a weed and thrown on the bed without much effort on Alpha Raiden''s part.


    I yelped, "No. I don''t want this. You can''t do this." Tears streamed down my face.


    "You don''t have to want it. I want it." Alpha Raiden seethed. He ran his hand over his length and my eyes fell to the thick piece of flesh that I had always been drawn to since the day we officially became mates. Heck, I was addicted to that part of him but now? Now I was scared. "I can do this because I am your mate and I will do it because you do not get to say no to me, mate."N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    "Please, D-don''t d-do t-his-" I cried, folding my legs into myself as I sobbed and voiced my refusal.


    Alpha Raiden''s gray eyes dted and I thought I saw him hesitating but he tugged at my feet, yanking me t on the bed and before I could let out even a cry, he flipped me over, my chest t on the bed.


    As he gripped my hands, holding them on the low of my waist, he whispered into my ears, "You will soon beg me to give you more, mate. You cry now but you will only moan out ''Alpha'' in a few minutes."


    I wanted to call him out so bad and let him know that it was wrong of him to kiss another woman this morning only to return to my bed. I wanted him to know that he shouldn''t want the woman he divorced earlier today the way he wanted me.


    His want for me... or should I say, his want for my body was obvious from the redness of his balls. I had sighted that before he flipped me over and as much as I didn''t want him to touch me, a bigger part of me loved that he wanted me badly.


    A part of me wanted him to rough handle me in bed and for him to kiss me while he imed me as his mate over and over again... I wanted him to see no one else but me, not even his dearest childhood lover.


    Alpha Raiden ripped my dress from my waist downward and just like he said, my cry was reced by a loud moan when he pushed himself into me. His hold on my hands loosened with every move of his waist and he groaned into my ears, singing a passionate song to me. "How could he not see how we fit beautifully?" I thought to myself while my mate devoured me and I took all he had to give, making myself believe that he was here in bed with me not just for my body but for me...


    I mean, there was something different about the way he hit my sweet spot repeatedly, making me scream as orgasm washed over me like an angry wave. It was almost as if he was making sweet rough love to me... like he was punishing me for wanting to tear us apart by rejecting him yet apologizing for making me sign the divorce papers....


    "You like that, don''t you..." Alpha Raiden said, jerking within me. "You''re mine to keep, mate. Your body and soul belong to me and you dare not reject me. I''m in charge of you..."


    It was hard to tell if that was him or his wolf but those were thest words I heard as another orgasm hit me hard... hard enough to make me lose my consciousness and slip into a sweet terrorizing nightmare.


    By the time I woke up, it was morning, and Alpha Raiden was gone as always and I had bruises and hickeys on my body. As always.


    "Maybe Larisa was a dream. Maybe there were no divorce papers..." That thought flickered in my mind as I stretched my sore body and pushed myself off the bed, walking to the door in my ripped dress and hoping that yesterday was one bad nightmare. But when I turned the doorknob, I realized that I had been locked inside the sex room. This was when it urred to me that I had not only be the Alpha''s hated Prisoner but I had also be the Alpha''s hated sex ve.


    Like he wanted to prove that to me, Alpha Riaden didn''te to the room again until he wanted sex again and he didn''t let me out of the sex room for days. Each time he came for me, he rode me to bliss and I let him because there was no other choice... at least not for me.

 6. A Weak Bond

    AURELIA


    ~<>-


    The next few days went in a blur. Much to my relief and dismay, Alpha Raiden stoppeding to the room. He hasn''t been here for the past two nights. He didn''t let me leave the sex room and I also didn''t know what was going on out there in the pack. I also didn''t have the energy to do anything more than shower in the adjoining bathroom and wrap myself in the sheets that still smell like Alpha Raiden and I.


    I was crazy for and about him. As stupid as that might sound.


    Usually, my meals were delivered to me by servants who would push my tray of almost disgusting food through the space that I woke up to find underneath the door. The space was just big enough to let the tray in and out of the room.


    Clearly, I had been living the life of a prisoner yet I dared not reject Alpha Raiden and free myself from the torment he was putting me through. The fear of what he was capable of doing to me if I tried to reject him again kept getting in the way... or maybe I was too scared of losing him just as much as I was scared of meaning nothing to him.


    I was lost in my own thoughts when the bedroom door swung open, disrupting my thoughts as hope sparkled within me.


    "Alpha Raiden..." I breathed, stupidly excited about seeing him. I jolted off the bed with the sheets still around me.


    No one else had opened the door to the sex room. No one but Alpha Raiden. Well, until now.


    "Oh, sweet Aurelia." Larisa''s malicious voice resonated in the room even before she stepped in, showing her face before me. "You must be disappointed to see me instead of the man who you desperately yearn to see." Yes, I was disappointed.


    But I shoved that feeling to the deepest part of me as I asked, "What are you doing here, Larisa?" That question popped out of me even though I could see the food tray in her hands.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    There is no way she was here to give me food. The pack might see her as a saint but I have experienced firsthand that Larisa was more of a demon than a saint.


    Larisa''s face scrunched into a frown and she barked, "Larisa? How dare you call me by name?"


    I rolled my eyes mindlessly, "How dare you raise your voice at me? I am still your Luna, Larisa."


    That was a bold move... a bold move that I didn''t expect from me. Of course, Larisa was stunned but she covered up byughing.


    "You are such an idiot, Aurelia." She spat, throwing the food tray on the floor. I watched as what I assumed was my food for the day sttered all over the floor. "Luna? Is that what you think you are?" "Larisa, please just-"


    My attempt to plead with my mate''s lover to leave me alone was cut short by Larisa''s palm as it connected with my right cheek, sending my head sideways as my cheek stung from the hard impact. "You''re not worthy enough to say my name, bitch!" Larisa snarled, pulling at my hair just so she could look into my red eyes.


    She pped me again and this time, I staggered backward. I didn''t have the strength to fight back nor could I hold back the tears that rolled down my cheeks. I have been deprived of good food for many days. I had been tormented by my own mate and now? Now he sent his lover to strip me of what was left of my sanity.


    "I thought I should bring you food- aah. That''s a lie." Larisa confessed to me. "I came here to let you know that Raid is mine. He has always been and he will always be."


    To keep my strength and save myself from any more assault, I kept my tongue in my cheek, listening as Larisa told me about the Luna ceremony that would being up tomorrow.


    My eyes widened and my body shook as sorrow zapped through me when Larisa announced, "Raid wanted to hold the ceremony so he could officially name me Luna. He said he wanted to strip you of the honor of being called Luna publicly. He wants to choose me publicly, Aurelia."


    He never chose me publicly.


    A Luna ceremony? Tomorrow?


    Larisa''s voice found its way into my head when she continued speaking. She etched, smiling, "You must feel weaker than usual, Aurelia and you must have noticed that he stoppeding to you for sex. You arepletely useless to him now, Aurelia-" "W-what are you saying?" I stuttered, fear gripping my heart as I already knew the answer to that question.


    "I am saying that Raid has been making sweet love to me for the past two nights. He holds me, kisses me, worships my body and he doesn''t care about what our steamy moments do to you. It''s time you give up, Aurelia because I can tell you are holding on to him." Larisa answered, each of her words stabbing me in the gut.


    "Liar!" I eximed, crying profusely. "I would have felt it if he made love to you. I didn''t feel it-"


    "Then your bond must be weaker than I thought." Larisaughed in my face. "What''s the point of keeping such a weak bond, Aurelia? In fact, you are no match for me so you will never be apetition. You were never one, anyways."


    My legs gave out under the weight of my body as mental pictures of Alpha Raiden and Larisa in bed, tangled in the sheets andpletely entrenched in every way possible, shed through my mind, killing me rapidly. Something twisted in my stomach and a new kind of pain rocked my body.


    "You will die soon, Aurelia. There would be nothing left of you when I be Luna tomorrow, mark Raid, carry his mark, and im all that was rightfully mine... all that you took from me. I can''t wait to see your dead body." Larisa muttered to me, kicking me in the ribs just to watch me suffer.


    She left the room after stomping on the food she brought in and I was left alone to not only cry my eyes out but also dread what the nearest future had in store for me.

 7. For The Baby

    AURELIA


    Iy in bed... in agony.


    My eyes were swollen and my body burning from the intense and unbearable pain that I had to endure all through the night. It was a new day - the day Larisa would be crowned Luna of the Dark Moon pack.


    The day I would be dethroned and publicly insulted. Perhaps I should be out there fighting for my title and my mate but I was still suffering from all she and Alpha Raiden spent the night doing. I felt it all this time.


    Maybe it was because Larisa already told me about their steamy moments, I couldn''t tell but I felt the effect of every thrust, touch, and kiss that my mate pleased Larisa with over the night.


    For some reason, the bond carried Alpha Raiden''s betrayal to me.


    Iy in bed lifelessly.


    "Please take my soul now, Moon Goddess. Let me die now. I can''t take this anymore." I thought to myself, hoping that the moon goddess would hear my internal cry as I couldn''t part my lips to speak. I just wanted to die.


    If I died, everyone would get their happy ending.


    Everyone except me, unfortunately.


    Slowly, I closed my eyes, praying for my soul to be snatched. There was nothing else for me to live for. For the past three years, I had been living for my betrayal of a mate. I had lived for the same pack that hade to stab me in the back many times even as I served them.


    All of a sudden, I heard a knock on the door of the same room I had been locked in for many days. I didn''t bother to move an inch because that would not only cause me pain but also lift my hope. Plus, the door could only be opened from outside with a key that I knew Alpha Raiden wouldn''t give just anyone.


    It was best to keep my eyes closed and wait for the moment I would stop breathing-


    "Relia.." The familiar name echoed.


    My breath hitched because there was only one person who called me that and hearing that person so close broke my already shattered heart. Not to mention the fact that my head ached as another knock came from the door.


    "Relia, are you in there?" Dakota''s old shaky voice came again.


    I whimpered in response, unable to form a single word. I wanted to tell her to leave because she shouldn''t see me like this. She would be devastated if she was to see me in this shape.


    Dakota was the only person in this big pack that genuinely cared about me. While others pretended to care, Dakota really loved me. Dakota was the oldest doctor in the pack and she found me when I was a baby, raised me as her own, and has always helped me until she retired some years ago.


    "Answer me, stubborn child." Dakota''s shaky voice came again.


    I knew it was only a matter of time before her old nose perceived my stench, agony, and will to die and that killed me even faster than the pain my mate inflicted on me by sleeping with another woman without breaking off our useless mate bond. Then, I heard clicking sounds that made me know that Dakota was picking the locks of the door like some rebellious teenager. I found my voice and muttered as loud as my weak lungs could allow, "Go away, Dakota."


    "I brought you food as no one else seems to care if you live or die." Dakota voiced adamantly. She seeded in picking the locks to my dismay. Although my back was to the door, I could tell her jaw dropped to the floor when she saw the state I was in. "Dear me! Look at you, Relia..."


    "Pl-please. Leave. I don''t want you to see me like this, Dakota." I cried my eyes out despite the sharp ring in my head.


    Dakota abruptly responded, "I''m not leaving you to die while they all feast out there."


    "But I want to die. I don''t want food. I don''t need you here." I cried louder, holding my aching head with my eyes still closed.


    I felt Dakota''s presence before me, her warmth embracing my soul even though she made my burning body hotter.


    "I want to die, Dakota..." I whispered still in tears.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    My eyes fluttered open and they met with Dakota''s dark teary eyes.


    "How can you say that to me, Relia? Death isn''t what your mother wanted for you in her dying moment. She asked me to make sure you lived." Dakota knelt beside the bed, bringing her wet face close to mine.


    Dakota was the only person I knew who saw and spoke to my mom before she gave up the ghost. ording to Dakota, my mom was fighting to live when they met in the woods but she died a few minutes after birthing and naming me.


    "What am I supposed to live for, Dakota?" I whimpered, reminding her that I no longer had a mate and that I would eventually die if Alpha Raiden kept sleeping with Larisa...


    Dakota sighed, holding my gaze and my hands. Her eyes scanned my body as she inhaled deeply before announcing, "I think you will be relieved to hear that you have plenty to live for, Aurelia."


    I was about to tell Dakota to give up and stop trying to change my mind, but she dropped a bomb that shook the foundation of my life, "You will live for the baby in your womb, Aurelia just like your mother lived on for you to be born into this world."


    I blinked rapidly, my heart racing as I inhaled sharply. "B-baby I-in th-the wo-" I stuttered, shocked and trapped in a state of dilemma.


    "Yes, Relia. I smelt it on you the minute I stepped into this room. It''s a shame that your mate, the father of this child, is too shallow-minded to sense his growing child." Dakota hissed when she spoke of Alpha Raiden. "He might be blinded by rage but that doesn''t change the fact that you are pregnant, Aurelia and you will live on for the sake of that child."


    "I''m pregnant," I whispered, tasting those words on my tongue. "I''m going to be a mother..."


    An unknown feeling began to spread from the death of my shattered heart and for a minute, I forgot that I was supposed to be in pain and miserable.


    Dakota confirmed, smiling at me, "Yes, my child. You''re going to be a mother."


    And I smiled back, happiness blooming in my dark miserable soul.

 8. Mate And Alpha

    AURELIA


    I couldn''t remember thest time I was this happy. No! No, I actually do. Thest time I was exceedingly happy was the day I found out that the charming Alpha Prince who had saved me from bullies countless times was my destined mate. Gosh, I was so happy. I foolishly believed that he would be good to me and that we would have a great family.


    That was thest time I felt real happiness.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    And to be honest, even right now, I felt something more than happiness. I felt fear. Fear for the life of my child if anyone finds out that I am pregnant. Larisa would have me killed and from his past reactions to me, Alpha Raiden would definitely get rid of my child and me just so he could have a clear path back to his lover.


    I gasped, "I need to get out of here. I need to go far away from all of them."


    In haste, I tried to push myself off the bed but I failed miserably, falling right back on the bed when the pain I had forgotten seized my body again. "Aahh..." I cried out, seething as beads of sweat trickled down my face from the root of my hair. "Help me, Dakota." I cried for help.


    Dakota grabbed my weak frame gently and helped me sit, wiping my sweaty face with the bed sheets. The next thing I knew, she ced a tray of well-cooked meals on myp and assured me that she would help me escape. "Eat up child and drink the herb in the jug. It''s medicinal and it should help you gain enough strength to get to safety."


    "Thank you." I managed a smile and began to eat.


    Dakota excused herself, saying, "The mansion is empty. No one is watching you or guarding the mansion because they are all celebrating the return of their favored Luna. They are at the party but still, I should find the right path for your escape. I''ll be right back." Favored Luna? I pretended those words didn''t make my stomach twist as I ate the food and drank the herb till the jug was empty not just because I was hungry but also because I needed energy to keep my baby safe.


    Dakota returned, helped me to my feet, dressed me, and led me out of the room, guiding my steps even though I wobbled. Each step caused me to wince but eventually, Dakota and I made it out of the mansion through the back door. We both came face to face with the woods behind the mansion and two paths that led to different parts of the pack.


    "The Luna Ceremony is that way." Dakota gestured to the right path. "We better go this way," Dakota stated to me, steering us to the left.


    My eyes shifted towards the right path and I heard myself saying, "Let''s take the right, Dakota. I want to see him for thest time." "That''s dangerous, Aurelia. Please-''


    I countered with trembling lips, "Please. I need to see him choose her over me. I need to see for me to let him go. I need this closure."


    Or maybe I was just being in stupid.


    Dakota nodded. She didn''t take me to the party or close to it but she helped me get close enough for me to see Alpha Raiden kissing Larisa in the middle of the biggest party the pack had ever had in many years. I watched from afar yet I wasn''t far enough to not see the affection in Alpha Raiden''s eyes when he looked at Larisa who was about to be his Luna.


    It hurt but good riddance to bad rubbish.


    Larisa can have him because I have someone better than him within my womb and I would live for it, my baby.


    "We should go." Dakota said to me.


    With onest look at Alpha Raiden, I vowed that he would never hurt me again. He would nevere close to me again nor would he get to know my baby. I promised myself and turned around, following Dakota through the woods until she had to leave me to journey alone. "Here," Dakota said to me, her ck eyes glinting with tears. She handed me a brown bag and chimed, "There''s food, water, and medicine that will help you survive the next few days. Stay safe, child. Hopefully, I will get to see you again."


    I thanked her in tears and we hugged goodbye, not knowing if we would ever get to meet again but I would forever carry Dakota in my memories.


    "Thank you for everything," I muttered as Dokata turned her back to me. I will forever be indebted to her.


    She helped me live and now, she has helped my child escape the clutches of death. How do I ever repay her? These thoughts echoed in my head while my fragile legs carried me further away from the source of my sorrows.


    Several minutes after Dakota and I separated, I made it to the pack boundary. I saw the huge sign with warnings, one standing out the most- DO NOT CROSS THE BOUNDARY WITHOUT PERMISSION.


    Yet I had every intention of crossing but before I did, I looked back at the path I had been walking. There was no one in sight but that didn''t stop me from muttering, "I, Aurelia, daughter of my dead mother, reject you, Alpha Raiden Flockhart of the Dark Moon Pack as my mate and Alpha."


    As those words left my mouth, traveling with the air, I crossed the boundary with a sad smile and a dead heart... unaware of the dangers thaty ahead in my lonely journey.

 9. Other Half

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~>~


    Without warning, my heart tightened, and my breath hitched, causing me to gasp in pain and shock as the wind carried those words of rejection to my ears.


    ... Reject you, Alpha Raiden Flockhart of the Dark Moon Pack as my mate and Alpha.


    Her words of rejection.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    I heard them in my soul and I felt the impact in my bones instantly.


    Pain coursed through my body and god did I hate the way my soul cried out for losing its other half yet I was furious.


    "Are you alright?" Larisa questioned, her voice sounding so far away even though she had been beside me, clinging to me since the party began. "Raid!" She eximed out of what I assumed was genuine concern. However, I snapped ferociously, ignoring Larisa, "How dare she!"


    My outburst was triggered by the rage and pain that was rapidly taking over my body and even though it was all Aurelia''s fault, I ended up ruining Larisa''s party when I barked out orders to my warriors, "Bring her to me!"


    I didn''t have to mention her name for my men to know who I was talking about. They scurried off to drag Aurelia out of my mansion while my blood boiled immensely.


    "She had the audacity to reject me despite my warnings? Tsk! I would make an example of her." I growled to myself, jolting off the exquisite chair that I had been sitting on for hours just to endure the big and loud outdoor coronation party that Larisa had pestered me to hold in her honor.


    I wasn''t enjoying the party... Even before I felt my mate''s rejection killing my spirit, I wasn''t enjoying this party but I was able to pretend and roll along with it in order to please my Larisa.


    But I couldn''t hold back my raving emotions after what Aurelia had done to me.


    "That tramp..." I heard Larisa hissing. ''We can''t let her soil your mood and ruin the party, Raid. Please calm down-"


    "How am I supposed to calm down when I just got rejected! Can you take a minute to think about something else other than the party you have been demanding for all week!" I snapped, clenching my teeth and my fists. Larisa''s eyes widened and she gasped, hurt shing through her eyes. "Raid..." She whimpered.


    At this point, the loud music and banter from the pack members in attendance had faded and I was certain they all heard me yelling at the woman I loved. The raw emotions in Larisa''s eyes failed to break through my anger and pain and even though I did think of apologizing to Larisa, I couldn''t bring myself to.


    I would be lying if I said that I was pleased with her. She has been demanding all week and no matter what I did for her, sheined. Even now that I was throwing her the biggest outdoor party to make her coronation, something Aurelia didn''t get three years ago, Larisa stillined.


    She alsoined about me being in the sex room with Aurelia even though she knew it was just sex... at least that''s what I made myself believe. The steamy moments with my so-called mate grew to be more intense and enjoyable but I still did everything in my power to guard my heart for Larisa''s sake just like I had been doing for the past three years.


    Fuck!


    Yes, I didn''t like Aurelia but does anyone even understand how difficult it was to be intimate with her all these years and still hate her? It was so damn difficult because of the bond we shared and recently, it has been harder to stay away from her and also consider the feelings in her captivating eyes whenever I was buried in her.


    Heck! Sex with my mate was all I could think about and look forward to all week even though I had denied myself and my wolf the pleasure and instead focused on making Larisa happy because I loved her and wanted her to be happy.


    "That bitch! She did this intentionally. She chose this moment to reject you because she knows we are about to create a bond as the Luna and Alpha of this pack. This is what she wanted, Raid. Please don''t let here between us again. I can''t bear to lose you. Not again." Larisa cried profusely, bringing up the past like she had been doing since she returned.


    Of course, I pitied her and wouldn''t want to lose her again but at the moment, finding Aurelia and making her pay for uttering those soul-draining words of rejection was my priority.


    "I would rather die than watch you choose her over me once again, Raid." Larisa whimpered, tears rolling down her cheeks. Perhaps my heart would have ached for her if it wasn''t hurting because of Aurelia''s rejection. She added, "Just end my life now. Kill me, Raid-" "Alpha." My lead warrior, Jacob interrupted Larisa''s sobs, panting as he dered, "She is gone, Alpha. We couldn''t find her."


    I pushed past Larisa, staggering closer to Jacob who had clearly gone with my other warriors to get Aurelia out of the room she was supposed to be in. "Who is gone? Who is it that you can''t find!" I yelled, failing to realize the underlying fear and desperation rocking my body like a dangerous wave.


    "Luna Aurelia, Alpha. She is gone." Jacob answered, avoiding my gaze so he could avoid my wrath.


    However, rather than wrath, the emotion that took over my body next stunned me because never in my wildest dream did I think that I would be devastated because of Aurelia-A woman I neither loved nor cared for.


    I found myself dashing towards the mansion even though Larisa called after me and I ran as fast as my strong legs could carry me. I ran, struggling to ept how much the rejection was killing me.


    Still, it was killing me, and even though I didn''t find Aurelia in the mansion and for many months, it continued to kill me... and I never remained the same nor did I ept her rejection much to Larisa''s dismay and my surprise.

 10. Stay With Me

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    She was nowhere to be found.


    It''s been three months of searching for my destined mate who chose to reject me and somehow escaped the room, my mansion, and my pack without notice. My soul was still hurting and my heart still bled on a daily basis even though it''s been three months.


    "It''s high time you give up on finding her, Raiden. She is gone." Andrew, My Beta and closest friend said to me as he walked up to me in his overflowing dark brown robe.


    I frowned, ring at him, "Why would I give up, Drew? You know what''s at stake if I don''t find her."


    "No, I don''t. Perhaps you should tell me." Andrew retorted with a shrug.


    Although this will be the umpteenth time I will be telling him this since the search for Aurelia began three months ago, I still voiced, "No one rejects me, escapes my pack, and goes Scott-free. I have to find her to make an example out of her and make it known that I am not to be disrespected."


    Andrew chuckled, stopping dead in his tracks and veering around to look me in the eyes, "So it''s your ego and Alpha pride that''s at stake not your heart, your strength, and your bond with your wolf. Alpha Raiden?"


    I had known Andrew since the days of diapers and goofiness and I knew he didn''t call me ''Alpha Raiden'' unless he was making a sarcasticment.


    "Are you trying to be funny?" I scoffed, scanning the same woods my men had been searching for weeks, hoping that I would at least sight Aurelia as I believed that she couldn''t have gone far. Rejecting me would have drained her strength as well as it did mine and she was never the strongest of us. "My heart belongs to Larisa and mate bond or not, I have always been a strong Alpha male. My wolf and I would be just fine."


    "Is that what you tell yourself?" Andrew shook his head while I scowled at him but that didn''t stop him from speaking his mind. It had never stopped him. "If that''s the case why have I not sensed your wolf for the past three months? It''s almost like he has stopped talking to you and existing within you. Also, why haven''t you epted Aurelia''s rejection and made Larisa, the love of your life, the Luna since her party was interrupted three months ago? Why have you-"


    "That''s enough, Andrew!" I snapped, cutting my friend off as his words began to unravel me.


    I had managed to hide the fact that I was hurting from everyone and only showed the anger I felt towards Aurelia but it was no secret that I was yet to ept Aurelia''s rejection and to be honest, I had no ns to ept it, and break the bondpletely. Before I could get buried in my confusing feelings and right before Andrew could voice hiseback, I announced, raising my voice so all my warriors in the woods could hear me, "We are heading back to the pack. The search continues tomorrow."


    No one dared argue with me even though I could sense their fatigue. They were probably wondering why I was still searching for the Luna I never loved and who was never epted by the pack. Unfortunately for them, I wasn''t about to give up on finding Aurelia... not now and not ever.


    I put a mark on the woods to indicate where the search would kick off from tomorrow before we left the woods and we made it back to my pack territory in time for dinner. My men and Andrew joined the rest of the group in the warriors'' dining hall while I went straight to the mansion not to eat or sleep but to make calls and follow up with other Alphas if any of them had seen my runaway mate.


    At least that was my n but that went out the window the second I stepped into my living room.


    At first, I was shocked but I pulled myself together, sighing, "What are you doing in my living room naked, Larisa? It''ste."


    Larisa, who I met lying on my sofa in her birthday suit, rose to her feet and walked over to me. I kept my tired eyes on her face as she approached me with one of her brightest smiles.


    "I have been waiting for you, my love. You haven''t been home in weeks and we never have fun together anymore-"


    I cut in, chiding, "Go home, Larisa. I have things to do."


    Her smile dissipated and her facial features hardened. "This is home, Raid. This is where I should be, with you. Why are you casting me away-" She began.


    "I do not have time for this!" I raised my voice, watching as her eyes glinted with tears. I closed my eyes, sighing and cing my hands on Larisa''s cheeks as I spoke with a gentler voice, "Please, Isa. I need time to myself right now. I need to-"


    "Do you still love me?" Larisa threw that question in my face as sobbed.


    I held her gaze for the longest minute, saying nothing to answer her hanging question.


    Tears trickled down her face and I could feel her body shuddering as she whispered, "Answer me, Raid. D-do yo-you still love me or I should leave."


    My heart ached. Memories of the sweet past and love that I enjoyed with Larisa flooded my mind as I stared down at her shaking and naked frame. With every second that passed without a response from me, the light in Larisa''s eyes dimmed and she folded her arms around her naked body out of embarrassment.


    I was breaking her.


    Why was I breaking the woman I loved over a stupid bond that I was forced to create in the first ce?


    Goddess why?


    "I apologize foring into your home and for showing my face to you. I apologize foring back to the pack, Alpha Raiden. I wished I had known that there was nothing... no one waiting for my return." Larisa muttered, her voice breaking as she took steps away from me, picking up her clothes and the shattered pieces of her sweetheart. "I''ll take my leave."? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    I stood there, watching her as she dressed up, and eventually headed for the door without looking at me. The woman I have loved since I could remember walked past me in tears and it was at that moment that I realized that I had to make a choice now.


    I had to choose between my lover and the mate a part of me yearned for.


    And I made a choice that night when I uttered, "Stay with me, Isa. Don''t leave."

 11. A Hefty Price

    AURELIA


    Hiding in in sight has always been one of my few talents. Although I have always been singled out, I have also perfected the act of blending in and making sure I was not seen by the prying eyes of anyone who could prey on me...


    And by anyone, I meant everybody that I hade across in the past months, including Alpha Raiden''s men.


    Alpha Raiden...


    For someone who doesn''t give a shit about me, he was quite persistent to find me. I knew he was sending his men out to every corner and small town so he could trap me again and punish me. That was his style.


    But I beat him this time. After all, I had survived the harsh world that I found after I escaped the Dark Moon Park. I survived for eight months, moving from one rogue territory to another, from one small dangerous town to another. I discovered that there was a whole different world beyond the territory of Dark Moon Pack where I have been all twenty-one years of existing as my pathetic self.


    "Move it!" Someone snarled behind me, breaking my chain of thought and causing me to stagger. "It''s a dangerous ce for a pretty pregnant woman to be walking alone at night, don''t you think?"


    "I''m not alone." I stuttered, holding my belly as I pulled Dakota''s old coat around me to shield my baby bump from the world.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    "You wish." The man behind me snorted before walking ahead of me, blending with the dark and leaving me to navigate the familiar path with my terrible eyesight.


    Actually, I did wish I wasn''t doing this alone.


    I wished I could have a partner who would experience this with me and support me while our baby grows in my womb. I wished I didn''t have to walk alone at night, carrying bags of junks. I havee across many refugees in the past months and most of them had their mates traveling the brutal world with them. I have settled in towns with some of them but at the end of the day, we all had to move and go our different ways because being together for anything longer than two months would attract rogues or even Alphas who didn''t want any refugee group to grow stronger and likely stage an attack.


    It''s been crazy out here and even though I was currently staying in a small town with less than twenty wolves around, I was grateful to be here with my baby and away from my ex-mate.


    Eventually, I arrived in my current hideout- an abandoned hut house in the middle of a town where dangers loom around like air itself. The Goddess knew that I didn''t know where I was and how far I had traveled.


    This world and lifestyle aren''t what I want for my unborn child.


    I only have a few weeks left to find a pack that would be willing to ept someone like me as its member.


    "You will get the best of the best, baby. I promise you that." I whispered to my baby, caressing my belly after Iid on one of the nkets that Dakota had packed for me.


    Taking a stroll at night has been the only way I could stretch my legs for the past few days. I didn''t want to be seen in town so I preferred walking at night and doing my small shopping at night as well.


    I munched on the stiff pastry I called dinner, flushed it down with water, and fell into the arms of sleep, resting even though I was still conscious of my surroundings. Letting my guard down would be a mistake. A mistake that would most likely cost me my life and that of my baby. That was a price I wasn''t willing to pay.


    "Tomorrow will be a better day." I chanted those words to myself just like I have been doing for the past eight months, shutting my eyes for the day.


    Or at least that was what I thought.


    However, hell broke loose sooner than my stiff and heavy body could handle. One minute I was snoring softly, the next minute had me frowning in my sleep due to themotion outside, and before I could even open my eyes or hide from whatever was causing the noise, I was yanked off my nket in one swift motion by an unknown force.


    "Gotcha." A rotten smell invaded my nose, that one word resounding in my ears just as my eyes flew open, horror clouding them.


    Perhaps keeping my eyes closed would have helped me assume that I was having a bad dream but I knew better than to keep them close because not only were my feet dangling in the air, but my heart was beating fast enough to rip itself out of my chest.


    "You were hard to find, sweetheart." The foul smell attacked my nostrils again and while I struggled to make out the face of the person whose strength could hold a heavily pregnant woman in the air like I weigh nothing, the feminine voice boomed again. "I won''t enjoy killing you but I have to kill you because there is a hefty price on your head-"


    "Please, don''t." I whimpered, still unable to make out her face in the darkness of my temporary home. She was here to kill me. I didn''t bother to ask why nor did I ask her who ced a price on my head. "Spare me. For my baby''s sake."


    I felt her eyes shift to my stomach as she slowly let me down on my feet. She would let me live. She is a woman as well and I have nothing to worry about- I thought to myself despite my pounding heart and trembling frame. "You are pregnant." She stated, stepping closer to me.


    "Yes." I breathed unevenly, taking a mental note of the woman''s strong physique, my eyes scanning her with every step she took towards me. "I''ll never go back there and you can im the price on my head but please don''t kill me." She could have the money. Alpha Raiden sure has a lot of that to give and he clearly hasn''t given up on finding and killing me.


    "You shouldn''t be pregnant. How are you-" Her voice broke and she stopped walking when my back hit the wall, trapping me. Her fingers settled on my belly, causing me to inhale sharply and hold my breath.


    Silly me held on to hope as those fingers essed me but all hope was lost when the woman before me began tough heartily. My eyes widened in shock when her fingers dug into the skin of my stomach, hurting me as she announced, "Even better, sweetheart. Ripping the baby out of you and taking its body along with your head will earn us more money."


    Us?


    She wasn''t alone?


    My world stopped spinning when I heard more cries and grunts from outside. I shook my head, begging as I crumbled, squatting against the wall in order to shield my baby from the vicious killers Alpha Raiden had sent my way. Why wouldn''t he give up on me?


    What have I ever done to deserve the hell he was hellbent on locking me in?


    "I won''t be dying today," I muttered, my free hand searching the floor for anything that could save me.


    The womanughed, "Oh, sweetheart. You''ll be dying and I''ll be presenting your head to-"


    The rest of her words died in her throat when I sprang to my feet, threw myself on her, and stabbed her in the neck with the rusty fork I found on the floor when she was gloating.


    Adrenaline crackled within me, turning my fear into rage as I pushed the fork even deeper, with the intention to kill because no one else could know about my baby... she wouldn''t live to tell that story. I gritted, pushing the metallic fork even deeper, ignoring her blood as it gushed all over my body and the floor.


    I didn''t realize that I had killed someone until a voice yelled from outside, "She is in here. June found her..."


    June... That has to be her name. The name of the woman I killed to keep my baby safe.


    I didn''t wait around to be found by June''s friends.


    Leaping over the window of the hut regardless of my weight, I left everything I owned behind and jumped out just as the door opened again. I didn''t look back to count but I knew more than four people were hot on my heels as I ran.


    I ran blindly and it didn''t surprise me when I stumbled, crashing to the floor with zero hope of rising again.

 12. Black Fur Pack

    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    Against all odds, I rose again, pushing my legs against the floor of the forest and pushing beyond the limit of any pregnant woman. "That bitch killed June. Don''t let her escape." An angry masculine voice roared somewhere behind me.


    Their determination to catch me wasn''t shocking but the energy I suddenly obtained, the energy pumping through my veins as I ran, my hands on my lower belly, was rming. Although I couldn''t see clearly in the dark forest, I let my legs carry me despite the fact that I kept falling over and over again. Every part of me was hurting, including my belly. The scratches from June''s fingers stung as my beads of sweat trickled over them. June...


    I killed her.


    She was the first person I would ever kill and as much as I hated it, her name has been etched in my memory. It would have been easier if she had remained some faceless and nameless woman... but now I knew her name and I would have to live with that for the rest of my life which might not be very long considering the fact that my legs were bing weaker and probably bleeding from hitting the ground so many times in the past five minutes.


    Plus, they were catching up to me and it was only a matter of time before they snuffed my soul out of my body, killing my baby in the process.


    "ck Fur Pack is barely thirty steps away. We can''t let her get there." One of the hired assassins sent by my ex-mate shouted to the rest of his crew and my heart almost stopped.


    It couldn''t be.


    ck Fur Pack?


    There was no guarantee that I would make it into the pack''s territory but even if I did, there was no guarantee that I would live past a minute before the deadliest warrior in the realm shot me down like a bird.


    ck Fur Pack was known far and wide. Its members are strong warriors and even their youngest pups were allowed to wield weapons and learnbat. Obviously, I was running from the messengers of death into death''s trap yet I couldn''t stop running. Someone else hissed behind me, making it a total of three men that I have been able to recognize by their voice, "Surrender yourself and I will make your death quick but take another step and you will have to beg for death in the hands of the ck Furs." He was right.


    I was going to die either way.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Hot tears clouded my eyes, my heart clenching as it drew on me that I had failed as a mother even before I became one.


    Being surrounded by death meant I had no way out... not for myself and not for my baby.


    "What choice are you making? Peaceful death or the ck Furs kind of death." One of the familiar voices questioned and the wind carried those words to me just as the sounds of their footsteps came to a stop.


    They stopped running after me which could only mean that I was dangerously close to the ck Fur border. It was time to make a choice. If I couldn''t escape Alpha Raiden and cheat death, then I might as well choose how I die with my baby.


    I thought of halting and taking a minute to catch my breath but fate took the decision out of my hands when my left foot slipped and I fell, face first,nding on my stomach. "Aaah." I cried out as pain jolted from the center of my stomach, traveling down my spine rapidly. Gritting in raw agony, I tried to roll over- to save my stomach from taking any more blows- but to my dismay, I found myself rolling over and over again, down a steepndscape that I didn''t see beforehand. My stomach bore the impact more with every uncontroble roll that had me screaming my lungs out in pain.


    "There is no way she would survive that." I heard one of the assassins saying to the others. "It''s a pity we can''t take her head back as promised."


    No. It''s a pity I wouldn''t get to meet my baby or give him or her a good life.


    My eyes began to close even before my body came to a stop at the bottom of the steep hill and as much as my heart cried out, I didn''t feel the pain when my head crashed against something hard, perhaps a rock but I was too weak to tell.


    Another wave of unfamiliar kind of pain built up in my stomach and as the unbearable sensation spread through my body, I could onlyy down on my back, crying silently.


    "We have a trespasser." I didn''t know how long it took for someone other than the assassins to find me but when they did, I knew I had fallen into death''s trap... into the ck Fur Pack.


    My suspicion was confirmed when a gruff voice stated tantly, "Kill it."


    It? Like I was some animal.


    Death shed through my blurry eyes as I heard the sound of a sword or maybe it was a knife, shing through the air. This was it. I believed I would be dying by a sword until another wave of pain sliced through me. "Aaahhh..." I screamed again.


    Something popped within me and I felt liquid slipping out of my core. It has to be blood.


    But it wasn''t.


    "Sh-she appears to be inbor, Alpha." Whoever was standing over me with a sword in the air, stuttered.


    My water just broke.


    It was earlybor and I cried even harder when I realized that I was about to push my baby out only for him or her to be killed and there was nothing I could do about it... not when I waspletely weak and drained. "Is that supposed to make a difference?" This voice carried authority as the owner snarled viciously.


    "No, Alpha..." Came the response.


    And I knew without a doubt that this would be the end of the pathetic Aurelia yet I whimpered, "P-please he-help. For goddess''s sa-sake, s-save my ba-ba-"


    The rest of my useless plea died in my throat as I fell fast into unsettling darkness, noting that the sword could have been lowered to stop my heart. This was my end. Sadly-

 13. My Buried Past

    AURELIA


    ~>~


    *FIVE YEARS LATER*


    "This is just the beginning, Lia. Get your ass up!"


    Alpha Tristan''s voice echoed through the sparing section of the field. My ringing head and sore muscles protested as I pushed myself off the floor.


    "Clear your head and focus on your opponent. She won''t go easy on you just because you have fallen a thousand times in thest fifteen minutes." His voice hit my eardrums again and again, I obeyed him, forcing my gaze to stay focused on the fierce brte who had used my body as a mop to clean the field floor since we started sparring fifteen minutes ago.


    The fierce brte, Jessica, smirked at me, "Listen to the Alpha, Lia. Going easy on you isn''t an option in my cookbook."


    "I can only hope killing me during training isn''t in that book of yours as well, Jesi." I retorted with a plea but amusement shed through Jessica''s eyes as she threw another punch my way.


    I dodged.


    Yet I found my body crashing to the floor again before I could protect my legs from Jessica. "Gosh, you''re fast." Imented, getting up before Alpha Tristan interfered.


    "You can''t keep giving me the chance and expect me not to take it, Lia." Jessica countered with a shrug and a smile that told me she was pleased with herself.


    I braced myself for another hit and hoped that I would take her down this time but Alpha Tristan announced, "That''s enough for the day,dies." His gruff voice still carried the same amount of authority it did the day I stumbled into his pack.


    Or should I have said the day he ordered his men to kill me even though I was inbor and this close to bleeding to death?


    "Awn. I thought we were just getting started, Alpha." I pouted, smiling sheepishly at the same man who had ordered my death five years ago.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Alpha Tristan''s brown curls bounced with every step he took closer to Jessica and me, his muscr body taking up the space but I wasn''t surprised when he returned my smile with one of his mesmerizing ones. "Take it easy, Lia. Jessica is still the best female warrior in the pack for a reason."


    Jessica bowed her head in respect to Alpha Tristan before she said to me, "To take my crown, you have to regain your strength." Jessica''s eyes lingered on Alpha Tristan''s frame but she soon excused herself to join the other warriors in the field. I knew she had a thing for Alpha Tristan who had never looked at any woman with affection since I opened my eyes in the hospital room and saw him for the first time five years ago.


    Who was I kidding? He hardly looked at any woman even though he was a handsome, wealthy, and powerful Alpha of ck Fur Pack except one who had him wrapped around her fragile fingers.


    I couldn''t be more grateful to him, after all, I owed him my life.


    While Alpha Tristan looked at me, probably thinking about how to grade my performance in the sparring field this morning, my mind floated through memories and back to that night... the night I dined and drank with death herself.


    "P-please he-help. For goddess''s sa-sake, s-save my ba-ba-" I had begged him before I lost consciousness on the rough floor of his pack border five years ago and even though I assumed that would be the end, I discovered it was just the beginning when I regained consciousness and opened my eyes to see Alpha Tristan watching me closely in a private room in the pack''s hospital.


    He could have killed me or locked me up or even left me to die in the forest but he took me to the hospital, cleaned me up, and let me live after I underwent surgery.


    "My baby..." That was the first word I said to Alpha Tristan who was nothing but a terrifying stranger to me back then. I had jolted off the bed when I touched my t but stitched belly. I didn''t remember pushing out my baby and the thought of surviving while my baby died sent me into shock.


    Alpha Tristan had moved closer to me, pinned me to the bed, and said to me, "The babies are fine. Rx."


    Never had a man been that gentle with me. It was strange yet it was what I needed.


    "Babies..." I had muttered to him with tears in my eyes and with a constant throb in my lower belly.


    "You had two of them. You were passed out but the healers performed a cesarean surgery and saved your lives." Those were his exact words as he reassured me that my babies were fine.


    But his words weren''t enough to soothe my mind. Once bitten twice shy, right? I demanded to see my babies,pletely oblivious to the fact that he could have snapped my neck and thrown my lifeless body to the rogues. "I want to see them now!" Even now, five yearster, I still wonder why Alpha Tristan had been so careful with me as he led me to the strange room with tubs that had my babies'' tiny bodies. Since they were born prematurely, they had to stay in the incubator for days while I recovered. "What''s your name and where are you from?" Alpha Tristan had asked me.


    With fear and hatred in my heart, I buried my past that second and answered, "Lia and the ce Ie from is dead."


    Aurelia died five years ago and Lia was born. As the years went by and with the help of Alpha Tristan and the friends I had made here, I have been able to sculpt Lia into a woman I never knew Aurelia could be.


    I was different now. I had be a mom and a warrior-


    "Come with me. I have something to say-" Alpha Tristan''s words pulled me out of my memories.


    However, before he could finish his statement, a feminine voice that I knew so damn much eximed right in the middle of therge field, "Tristan...".


    No one would dare to call him without his title except her and she didn''t hesitate to run straight into his arms even though all eyes were on them. "I have missed you, Tristan." She muttered into Alpha Tristan''s neck.


    "I did too, Katie, even though I saw youst night before bed." Alpha Tristan chuckled, hugging the female who had him wrapped around her fragile fingers.


    The duo shared their moment before Katie stormy blue eyes fell on me. She etched, "Oh, I didn''t see you there, mom."


    Yes, that was my five years old daughter. Her legs were dangling as she held onto Alpha Tristan and I could only roll my eyes. "Where is your brother?"


    I usually leave them in our room every morning so I can train but Katie would make sure she drags her brother to the field the second she wakes up so I knew he would be around here somewhere.


    "Kyle has his nose buried in one of his books over there." Katie responded, rolling her eyes as she returned her attention to Alpha Tristan. "Only my brother reads books in a sparring field, Tristan. I can never understand his mind."


    Alpha Tristanughed heartily and I joined him, wondering what my life would have be with my sassy little girl and of course, Kyle.


    After a few more minutes with Katie, Alpha Tristan called everyone in the field toe together and he announced, "In a week time, we will be hosting the first round of Pack Games and I need-"


    Other warriors cheered but my heart mmed into my stomach at the mention of the quinquennial packspetitions that would definitely bring me face to face with my buried past. Goddess no!

 14. A Better Man

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~>~


    "Pack Games?" I asked nonchntly.


    Andrew, who has been walking back to my home with me, scoffed. I could see him rolling his eyes despite the darkness surrounding us. "Yes, Alpha. The same one thates up every five years. Please don''t act like you haven''t seen the publications-" Of course he was about to start scolding me.


    "I have seen them and I chose to ignore them, Drew. So can we stop talking about it now?" I cut him off before he could even begin.


    But still, Andrew retorted, "We can''t drop it because you have to be there."


    "I don''t have to. You''ll travel down to ck Fur pack with anyone that wants to participate in the games and also represent me. I have got better things to do with my time." I voiced out the ns I had made in my head.


    Andrew didn''t seem surprised but he was able to surprise me when he countered me, stopping dead in his tracks, "I won''t be representing you, Alpha Raiden."


    He has got to be kidding me? Representing me was his duty as my Beta.


    I looked back at him as I gritted out of disbelief, "Are you defying a direct order from your Alpha?"


    Andrew dropped his gaze to the floor but still responded boldly, "Yes."


    "Andrew!" I snapped, barely keeping my anger in check.


    If he was anyone else in the pack, he would be dead by now but this was Andrew, my Beta and my friend. He wouldn''t act irrationally. Ever.


    "Thank goddess you know that. Perhaps you''ll listen to him for once." My wolf, Lex, chided into my mind. The hostility in his voice resonated, bouncing off the walls of my mind.


    Before I could respond to Lex, Andrew voiced, exining his utter disrespect, "For the past five years, you have avoided all gatherings of Alphas. People are beginning to talk. You have to show them that regardless of what happened five years ago, you''re still the most powerful. You can''t continue like this-"


    "Almost six years." I corrected Andrew even though that wasn''t the point he was trying to make.


    "What?" Andrew queried, his brows furrowed as we both continued walking towards my home.


    "It''s been almost six years since she rejected me and made a fool out of me." My fists balled tightly as I snarled.


    Even though Aurelia should be dead to me, I still couldn''t get her out of my head. Memories of her were fresh in my mind and as annoying as that was, I couldn''t let go of those memories. I just couldn''t.


    "She is dead, Raiden and you have Larisa just like you have always wanted. I honestly don''t understand why you haven''t officially crowned her Luna and mate with her. It''s been almost six years just like you said, man." Andrew uttered, convinced that Aurelia was really dead.


    But I''d be a fool to believe that she was dead.


    I could still feel a part of her blooming through the broken bond I still carried around with me.


    She rejected me but I didn''t ept her rejection.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "She is alive, Drew and I''ll find her. I don''t care about how long it would take." I muttered just as we arrived on my front porch.


    "Alpha Raiden-" Andrew called out of concern.


    He probably thinks I''m crazy.


    "Goodnight, Andrew-"


    The front door swung open to reveal Larisa, her smile bright as always. Her hair was in a bun and she was wearing an apron over her blue dress. "Wee home, Raid. Dinner is ready. I made your favorite." Larisa announced, wrapping her arms around me as she pressed herself into me.


    My heart sank at the mention of dinner because unlike Aurelia, Larisa was a novice in the kitchen. The only thing Larisa could cook perfectly has to be disaster and trouble... not dinner.


    "Will you be having dinner with us, Andrew?" Larisa asked, her eyes glinting with excitement.


    Andrew coughed softly, shaking his head without thinking twice, "No, Larisa. I won''t want to intrude and I have to-"


    Clearly, my Beta was trying to escape the torture Larisa had called dinner. Andrew and I knew better than to eat Larisa''s meal after the long day we both had.


    Quickly, I chimed, "Andrew and I have to go back to the office, Isa. I came home to see your face but I have to go back now. Isn''t that right, Drew?"


    I looked at Andrew, expecting him to save me as well but the second our eyes met, I saw mischief in his orbs. Andrew folded his arms around his chest, opening a mental link between our minds. "Say yes to going to ck Fur Pack for the first round of the Pack Games and I''ll dly save you from dinner, Alpha Raiden." Sarcasm dripped in his words as they filled my mind.


    Larisa''s gaze shifted between Andrew and I repeatedly, disappointment clouding her features. "Are you sure you can''t eat dinner with me before leaving?" She asked, pouting. "What will it be, Alpha Raiden?" Andrew pushed through the mind link.


    I scowled at him, responding without masking my emotions yet giving in, "Fine. I''ll attend the first round at ck Fur."


    Andrew grinned like the idiot he was but he answered Larisa, saying, "We can''t. We have to return now, Larisa."


    Larisa''s shoulders dropped as I kissed her cheek softly."I''ll see you in the morning and please, don''t make breakfast, Isa. Just rest."


    "I just want to do something nice for you." Larisa frowned, causing my heart to ache for her.


    I haven''t been treating her right if I was to be honest but how do I show her the love and affection in my heart when darkness has consumed my heart for almost six years.


    My heart ached for the woman I spent my teenage years loving...


    "You don''t love her anymore." Lex stated rather than ask and I failed to respond. For someone who has been hostile towards me for the past six years, my wolf definitely had a lot to say tonight.


    Andrew cleared his throat in an attempt to save me from what could have been an emotional moment for Larisa and I. "We should go, Alpha."


    I nodded at my Beta and said to Larisa, "I''ll make it up to you. I promise."


    Larisa didn''t seem convinced but she let me go and Andrew and I went to join the warriors for dinner. While eating, I concluded that the trip to ck fur pack would help me clear my head and by the time I return, I would be a better man for Larisa. Oh, little did I know.

 15. Those Gray Eyes

    AURELIA


    For a pack that has been thriving on military power and ability, ck Fur looked festive for the first time since I became a member of the pack. The pack hasn''t weed anyone into its territory in the past five years... no one except my kids and I. Even for us, it took more than a year after I had my babies for the pack members to fully trust and ept us.


    But the Pack Games which will be kicking off tomorrow have changed the system of the pack. Ever since Alpha Tristan announced thepetition to the packst week, every pack member has been preparing to be a part of thepetition.


    The warriors, the healers, the kids and even the older wolves have been assigned to carry out various duties and unfortunately for me, I have been assigned to the guest house that Tristan had prepared for all visiting Alphas and their men. I was to wee them and help them settle in with some other warriors and omegas.


    Although I was no longer an omega because I had be a warrior, I still worked with the omegas and in fact, my best friend, Hazel was an omega but unlike Dark Moon pack where omegas are treated like shits, ck Fur made sure they are respected and safe. "You''re zoning out again, Lia." Hazel uttered, bumping her shoulder into mine.


    My eyes cut to hers and I noticed the lines on her face as she stared at me, expecting answers but I shrugged as I stated, "I''m fine, Hazel."


    "You don''t seem like it." Her hazel eyes held questions and worry and I sighed. She has gotten to know me better than anyone in the past five years and I was grateful for her. "Are you missing the kids today as well?" Aah!


    That was the excuse I had given to Hazel yesterday and the day before that and the day... you know? I''ve been lying to her while we work together to wee the arriving Alphas to their rooms for the past three days.


    "Yes." I lied again. Or perhaps it wasn''t entirely a lie. I did miss my babies. I would have preferred spending time with them than staying here and dreading the arrival of the man I never wanted to see again. He hasn''t shown up and I was beginning to think he wouldn''t since he and his people haven''t shown up despite the time. "I haven''t been able to spend enough quality time with them and I can''t help but worry."


    My eyes scanned the open area in front of the guest house where different cars have been parked. Most of the Alphas have arrived and they are all settling in but my heart still anticipated yet dread the arrival of one-Alpha Raiden.


    "Goddess, keep him away from me and-" I started saying to myself.


    But a tiny voice that I was yet to get ustomed to despite the many years I''ve had to cut me off, muttering softly in my head, "I sense him."


    That was my wolf.


    Although she surfaced after I had my babies, she doesn''t speak to me much. I was still strange to me that she only surfaced after Kyle and Katie were born but I wouldn''t want to change that. She was a part of me that I havee to love dearly. "What?" I gasped, using the mindlink between my wolf and I.


    Her soft voice reverberated again, "He is here, Relia. He is right there." She broke that news to me just in time for me to notice the luxurious ck car that just arrived in front of the guest house.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "Lia? Are you sure you''re alright?" Hazel''s voice hit my eardrums but my eyes were glued to the car as its doors opened.


    I found myself hyperventting as four men alighted from the car. Two of whom I recognized immediately. Beta Andrew and him... Raiden. He really was here and I had nowhere to hide.


    "You''ve no reason to hide, Relia. We despise him." My wolf gritted, her raw anger pumping into my veins while my gaze refused to see anyone else but Alpha Raiden as heughed at something his Beta whispered to him. He appeared happy and my heightened senses could finally sense the real power he carried. My wolf, Inara, voiced clearly, "I despise him and I have been waiting to see him. He''ll regret what he did to you. I''ll make sure of that so stand firm and show him who you have be."


    Inara''s rage boiled underneath my skin yet my heart clenched painfully while Hazel stood before me, holding my arm and standing in between the oblivious Alpha and I. "Lia? You''re scaring me." Hazel called for me, shaking my body gently.


    My tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth. My breath was uneven yet I could tell that my face waspletely void of emotions even though Inara''s anger had triggered mine as well... I wanted nothing more than to jump Alpha Raiden and snap his neck in one swift move just like Alpha Tristan has been showing me. Clearly, it would be harder to kill an Alpha especially on another Alpha''s territory yet the desire to split Alpha Raiden''s blood burned within me...


    However, I also couldn''t deny that I felt the intense need to dash in the other direction as he began to walk towards the entrance of the guest house where Hazel and I were standing. The world suddenly felt too small and my frame trembled as anger, hate and grief coursed through me.


    One second, he was oblivious to the fact that I was only a few feet away from him but the next, his eyes met mine and the rest of the world ceased from existence. Those gray eyes that I used to cherish like a fool widened and his nostrils red. Hazel who was still unaware of the cold hearted man behind her touched my face in an attempt to shake me out of the daze I was trapped in but I staggered backward, giving in to the urge to run in the other direction but my back hit a solid wall- "Lia?" Alpha Tristan''s voice reced Hazel''s worried one and Alpha Raiden''s legs froze just as Alpha Tristan turned my rigid body around so he could gaze into my soul. "I''ve got you, Lia."


    "Alpha Tristan." I muttered nkly despite the emotions waging wars inside of me.


    Alpha Tristan etched, "I came to get you because the kids wouldn''t stop asking to see you and you know how Katie can be-" His voice broke when he sensed and saw the man who had dug into my skin just by showing up. "Aah, Alpha Raiden!" He called with a stiff smile and pulled me to his side while Hazel stood behind me. "Tristan." Alpha Raiden muttered with no ounce of respect for Alpha Tristan as his gaze burned holes into my body but I refused to meet his gaze.


    Alpha Tristan''s body tensed beside mine and his hold on my shoulder tightened but still he responded, "Wee to ck Fur Pack, Alpha Raiden. It''s an honor to-"


    Alpha Raiden cut past all formalities, stepping closer to Alpha Tristan and I and saying, "Aurelia."


    I hated the way my body immediately reacted to the sound of my name from him. No one had called me that in Five years, not even Inara who had chosen to call me Relia instead of Lia. I pulled myself together, ignored him because I no longer answered the name of the weak omega he killed five years ago and excused myself, walking away with Hazel right behind me.


    "What just happened?" Hazel asked me when she caught up with me.


    "Nothing that matters." I answered but why was my heart kept beating erratically?

 16. Most Cunning Alpha

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    I watched her walk away, chasing after her being my first instinct.


    That was her.


    Aurelia.


    Or was I seeing things again?


    "You aren''t seeing things. That''s her and I have been trying to tell you since we entered ck Fur Pack. I sensed her but-" My wolf began, his voice spreading disbelief through my system.


    "But I thought it was a fluke." Ipleted my wolf''s statement.


    Truly, after we drove past the borders of ck Fur Pack, my wolf stirred within me and I felt closer to my mate than I have ever felt in years but this wasn''t the first time I would feel Aurelia like she was beside me even though she had been gone for years. Sensing and craving her was a regr urrence to me but seeing her in flesh wasn''t.


    "Aurelia," I whispered with a shaky voice, my legs moving to catch up with her.


    Andrew''s hand shot out to grab mine as he said into my mind, "You can''t lose control here, Alpha, and not before the most cunning Alpha in the realm."


    I snatched my hand from my Beta, almost snarling at him. "She''s mine. That''s my mate!" I used the mindlink to respond because Andrew was right, I needed to control myself.


    "Is there a problem, Alpha Raiden? You seem shaken?" Tristan''s voice was low and to most people, weing, but I knew him better than to be fooled by his pretense. His eyes traced my gaze which was still on Aurelia''s back as she bounced away like she wasn''t the same woman who shivered each time I touched her and made her scream in that bedroom. "Oh, I see Lia caught your eyes. She''s my most prized-"


    "She''s not yours." I gritted, barely stopping myself fromshing out as I red at Tristan.


    Lia? Aurelia is Lia. I was sure of that. I could feel our broken bond burning softly within me, making it hard for me to concentrate on anything but her. I wondered if she only changed her name or perhaps lost her memories because there was no recognition in her eyes when I stared into them earlier.


    Her eyes used to carry her emotions but-


    "You killed the light in her eyes. me that on yourself, asshole." Lex murmured to me, more hostile than ever.


    Tristan got my attention right after Aurelia disappeared. He chuckled, a bit of his hatred for me slipping into hisughter. "She is in fact, mine, Alpha Raiden." Tristan spelled out to me, hitting me where it hurt the most. "I''ll see you during dinner tonight or tomorrow. Wee to ck Fur Pack, Raiden."N?velDrama.Org content.


    My blood boiled when my name rolled off Tristan''s tongue and I wanted nothing more than to smash his face on the nearest wall just to get rid of the evil smirk he had on his face before he turned around, jogging to probably catch up with Aurelia. Saying I was angry would be an understatement and it wouldn''t fully describe the emotions surging through my mind and heart.


    Aurelia was right before my eyes.


    She walked away from me.


    That bastard called her his and-


    "He also mentioned kids, Raiden. Do you think they are married? Could they have-" Lex spewed that rubbish into my mind while my body trembled visibly.


    "Enough!" I cut off my wolf, shoving him to the deepest part of my mind despite knowing that it woulde back to bite me in the ass. I faced Andrew, silently sending a prayer to the moon goddess as I said to him, "Find everything you can about her and the rtionship she has with that bastard."


    "Alpha." Andrew shook his head. "I don''t think we should snoop around in Alpha Tristan''s pack. You already stepped on his toes and the goddess knows what you''ll do before we leave his pack. You promised to keep your head low and-"


    "Find every detail or I''ll do the snooping myself, Drew!" I snapped, ignoring the curious eyes of everyone around the guesthouse that we had been directed to from the border. So much for showing up and proving to these people that I was still the same Raiden whose name resonated with power. "You don''t want me to do that, right?" That wasn''t a question.


    But still, Andrew nodded, his lips tight as he chimed, "Yes, Alpha. I''ll get you all you need but first, we have to settle in and not stir up rumors."


    I might not be bothered about the eyes around us but my Beta was and I would have been thankful to him if my heart wasn''t throbbing and yearning to have Aurelia close again. Bing a better man for Larisa was the goal I was meant to achieve for this trip but as we were led to the chambers I would be staying with a few of my men, taking Aurelia back home with me became the new goal.


    "This is your chambers, Alpha Raiden. I am avable to provide all you''ll need during your stay and..." Someone said beside me but I zoned out without acknowledging the person and I stepped into the chamber with no one else but Andrew.


    Andrew closed the door behind me while I stood in the center of the room with zero interest in looking around. I couldn''t care less about the interior of the room nor could I bring myself to stop staring into space.


    "Are you sure that''s her, Raiden?" Andrew asked me, rxing because we were finally alone after driving for almost thirty hours just to attend a sillypetition in my enemy''s territory. "That woman looked like Aurelia but she''s different. There is power in her stance and I could have sworn-"


    Although I understood what Andrew was saying, I still snapped at him, "Cease wasting precious time and get me the details I need before thepetition begins tomorrow, Drew."


    My Beta stiffened beside me, shocked by my outburst but he bowed to me and left me alone in the room to struggle with the raw emotions that ate me away rapidly as time skipped past me. Before I knew it, it was nighttime and the thought of my mate married to Tristan kept me up all night.

 17. A Bleeding Mess

    AURELIA


    ~<>-


    For the umpteenth time, I tossed in my bed, ignoring the sun rays on my face. Somewhere in the corner of my mind, I knew I should be up and getting ready for the games but I remained in my bed, dreading the reality that would m into me the second I stepped out of


    bed. He was here, after all.


    The man who did everything he could to kill me was here in the same pack with me.


    The pain and hatred that the sight of him arose in me yesterday at the guesthouse kept me up all night even though Inara tried to talk me into rxing and preparing my mind for the duel I would be participating in today.


    "I can''t believe you wasted your energy worrying about that prick, Relia. You could have had a good night''s sleep and saved your energy for whoever you would be up against in today''s challenge." Inarained, stirring in the back of my mind.


    "You think I want to be like this?" I asked my wolf, hiding my face in my pillow. "I loathe that man, Ina and he tried to kill Katie and Kyle. I can''t let him get to them. I can''t break before him yet I don''t know how to keep my demons locked away while I''m around him."


    Having a heart-to-heart conversation with Inara was a daily routine. I never hide anything from her which is why I was certain she knew my heart was hurting at the moment. Alpha Raiden traumatized me. He broke me and I thought I had healed with the arrival of my babies but seeing him again revealed that I was still a bleeding mess-


    "Mama?" My little boy''s morning voice echoed in my room as he slipped past the door, making his way to my bed.


    I didn''t have to open my eyes to know that he just woke up but my eyes still fluttered open as my heart swelled with love. "Hey, baby," I muttered with affection, holding out my arms for him to crawl in for a hug.


    Kyle, who has always enjoyed my affection, smiled shyly as he settled in bed with me, in between my arms and chest. His dirty blond hair had been a constant reminder of a certain gray-eyed man. Kyle got all of his physical features, except his stormy blue eyes from him but my little boy was nothing like that heartless monster.


    "Katie said you have an important game today, Mama." Kyle looked into my eyes, curiosity glinting in his. I nodded, kissing his cheek softly. "Can I join you? I love games! But why are you still in bed?"N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Kyle''s excitement for the games decreased the minute he realized I wouldn''t be in bed if I was excited about the game.


    "You don''t like the game?" Kyle asked, his voice dropping.


    "I love the game, baby, and I''ve been looking forward to kicking some ass- I mean, winning." I quickly corrected myself.


    However, Kyle chuckled, his small fingers caressing my face, "It''s okay to say the word, mama. You''re an adult and even Katie says it when you aren''t around to scold her."


    "That sassy girl." Iughed with my son, having a rare moment with him before Katie showed up to take over like she always does.


    "She''s a good girl even though she acts otherwise, Mama. I love you both so much." Kyle defended his sister and also expressed his pure feelings.


    This right here reminded me of the woman I had be. I was a strong mother of two amazing kids. I healed for my kids and they have been healing me with their littleughter and heartfelt bond. Alpha Raiden had nothing on that and I''d face him a million times to prove to him that I wasn''t the same broken woman.


    Inara scoffed in my head, "Like I haven''t been telling you the same thing. Kyle has his ways though." I could hear the love in her voice as she mentioned Kyle.


    Kyle was the gentle bookworm but he was just as adorable as Katie and loved by almost everyone while Katie had managed to earn a few enemies because of her dominant attitude. My twins were different but theyplemented each other just fine.


    "Mama loves you even more, Kyle. Katie is a pain in Mama''s butt," I intentionally used a more suitable word for my baby''s ears but he was smarter than that and hisughter told me he found my attempt amusing, "But I love her too. What do you say to waking her up with kisses?"


    "She''d hate that." Kyleughed harder, his eyes mirroring the mischief in mine.


    I rolled off the bed,ughing, and with his small frame in my arms, "Then let''s do it!"


    My son freed himself from my arms and dashed towards the room he shared with his sister, screaming, "Herees your torture, Katie..."


    If Katie wasn''t a deep sleeper, I''d have thought Kyle was warning her but he soon jumped on his sister''s bed and showered her with kisses. I joined him until Katie''s eyes flew open,pletely horrified.


    "Kyle! Mom!" Katie screeched. "Get off me!"


    Pinning Katie to the bed was easy but bringing out the affectionate little girl in her was almost impossible. After promising to get both Kyle and me back, she eventually rxed and startedughing heartily, enjoying the love.


    My mind eased and my heart felt lighter after the sweet moment with my kids. We got ready for the games before Hazel showed up in our small apartment- a gift from Alpha Tristan. Hazel took the kids from me as soon as we arrived at the Game Arena. "Let''s kick some ass, Relia!" Inara said to me as I approached the warriors'' section of the Arena.


    But there was only one ass I was dying to kick. Hard.


    As if the universe was agreeing with me, my gaze shifted to the Alphas section and he was sitting in the front like the king of Alphas. Before our gaze could meet, I looked away, determined to not be a loser today.

 18. Warrior Lia

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    My senses intensified when her gaze burned holes into my head and lingered. I knew it was her and my eyes quickly shifted to have a glimpse of her.


    There she was, walking confidently towards the warriors'' section and dressed like one as well. Her ck leather pants fitted her beautifully but it also made her appear stronger than I could remember.


    Heck! I couldn''t remember Aurelia as strong.


    She used to be everything but strong.


    But clearly, Andrew was right again. Aurelia was different. She has changed physically as well. The subtle curves that only I used to see in our sex room were much more visible and something inside me twisted when I realized that I wasn''t the only one looking at her right now.


    She used to wear her hair long and free but now, the ck long hair I used to pull each time I push myself into her sweetness has been cut short, defining Aurelia''s jawline.


    Fuck!


    "Funny how you''re pissed yet horny. You want her badly but you can''t have her." Lex didn''t hesitate to make fun of me as desire red within me, battling to dominate the anger I couldn''t shake off.


    Ignoring my wolf''sment, I kept my eyes on Aurelia even though I could feel Alpha Tristan''s eyes monitoring me like I would behead him any moment from now. Tristan and I had a history and he wanted something I would never let him have.


    I would soon take my woman back as well... even If I have to drag myself through hell to make sure she returns home with me.


    "Your aura is bing terrifying, Alpha. Can you tone it down a bit and maybe look at someone other than that woman?" Andrew''s words vibrated in my mind.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "That woman is Aurelia, Drew. The earlier you ept that the better." I grumbled, sending my response to My Beta who was sitting behind me and right beside Tristan''s Beta.


    "ording to the research I carried out overnight, that woman is Lia and she has a close rtionship with Alpha Tristan. Please don''t brew trouble by-" Andrew started.


    "I need someone to believe that I''m sane, Drew, and you are the only person I have. That''s Aurelia, trust me and everyone in this pack is hiding that fact even Tristan. There is no way he epted her into his pack if he didn''t know that she was the woman who rejected me. He is definitely keeping her here so he can use her against me." I said to Andrew, sharing the theories I''de up with over the night.


    "Or she is staying here because it''s better than the home you provided for her. Have you stopped to consider that fact? Why would she give two fucks about the man who abused her and kept her locked up? Wake up, Raiden." Lex etched tantly, calling me out of my delusion.


    Andrew also said to me, still using the mindlink to keep our conversation private, "I trust you, Raiden but I am also scared for you. You''ve been disoriented these past few years and having that woman back might ruin everything for you. You''ve Larisa at home. Perhaps it''s high time you cut off the bond by epting her rejection and moving on. She has moved on here with Alpha Tristan and-"


    "Don''t evenplete that statement!" I found myself barking at my Beta and letting out a growl that caused every Alpha to turn their heads but I didn''t care. "She is mine and I''ll get her back."


    If I was to even let Aurelia go, it wouldn''t be to someone like Tristan. Never.


    I was still thinking of the best way to get Aurelia home with me when a little girl who looked oddly familiar crossed the sections and ran into Tristan''s arms, grinning from ear to ear.


    For the first time since I have known Tristan, he smiled genuinely and picked up the little girl who muttered, "Hi, my darling. How''re you doing today?"


    Tristan responded fondly despite the presence of other Alphas, "You''re here so I''m doing great."


    I wondered if Tristan had found his mate and started a family during the years I had spent secluding myself from rting with the council of Alphas as I watched him interact with the little girl.


    "He did mention kids to Aurelia yesterday. What if she is theirs?" Lex grumbled.


    She better not be his kid with Aurelia. Andrew didn''t get news about any romantic rtionship between Tristan and Aurelia. They couldn''t be together...


    My heart clenched tightly as envy set into it. My eyes lingered on the little girl who had made herselffortable in Tristan''sp. She was the only person who had caught my attention and taken my gaze off Aurelia.


    I couldn''t help but envy Tristan. He probably has a family but I was barely keeping my life in order even though I was powerful. Tristan had it all. More reasons he shouldn''t get to keep my Aurelia. She was still my Luna, in fact. With jealousy in my heart, I tear my gaze off the little girl and quickly open my mind to Andrew once again. "I don''t know how but make sure the next rounds of thispetition happen at home. Make sure she goes home with me."


    Yes, that wasn''t a decision for Andrew to make but he didn''t argue. If I can''t take her back here for obvious reasons, I''ll take her back to my territory and make sure she stays there this time. That was my thought as the games began officially.


    To my surprise, the opening duel was to happen between a muscr woman whose name was announced but I didn''t hear... I wasn''t listening until I heard the next name.


    "Warrior Lia of ck Fur Pack."


    My Aurelia stepped forward, her features hard and her steps confident. My heart skipped because I knew there was no way Aurelia would defeat her opponent. I gasped and my eyes cut to Tristan as I wondered if getting Aurelia killed during the games was his way of using her against me. However, the little girl in hisp cheered for Aurelia louder than the fear beating in my heart. "You''ve got this, Warrior Lia!" She chanted boldly.


    But I could already tell Aurelia would get hurt and I would lose my shit right here before everyone. Fuck, Tristan!

 19. In A Real Duel

    AURELIA


    ~<>-


    My eyes locked on my opponent, a female from Crescent Glow Pack. She was clearly one of their strongest and It was obvious that If I let her, she would break me within a minute and end the opening duel.


    My legs were used to the hard floor of the arena as Jessica and I had trained here in preparation for the games. Alpha Tristan made sure I trained regrly because the pairing of warriors wasn''t something he could predict.


    "You might be called upon at any time and paired with the deadliest of them all so I need you to be ready unless you want to sit this year''s game out." Alpha Tristan exined this to mest week.


    Although I knew about the Pack Games even before I became a warrior, I didn''t know enough to participate in a duel. I med that on my previous pack.


    "You can defeat her as long as you maintain your speed, stamina, and smartness." Jessica stated the three S before I stepped into the arena to face my opponent and when I stood before her, I heard my sassy little girl screaming at the top of her voice, "You''ve got this, Warrior Lia!"


    I sent a silent plea to Hazel, asking her to shield Kyle from the fight as my eyes found Katie in the highest section of the stands. Katie would be fine with Alpha Tristan who sent a curt nod my way and Ipletely avoided looking at Alpha Raiden who was sitting close to him.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "This must be a joke." My opponent smirked. "I know ck Fur warriors are supposed to be the best but a Puny like you are not up to standard. I''ll break you..."


    I rolled my eyes even though my heartbeat became erratic. "To break me, you''ll have to make use of something other than your mouth." I retorted.


    The rules state that the opening duel is to entertain the audience and also motivate them and the duel has to end with one of us giving up or in the worst case, death. From the way my opponent snarled in response to my words, I sensed she wouldn''t hesitate to snap my neck just to prove her point.


    Way to poke the bear, Aurelia...


    "Time to focus on surviving, Relia." Inara cautioned me, pumping her strength into my veins. I felt my senses bing sharper and my breathing became steady just as the bell rang, announcing themencement of the duel.


    Like a bull, my opponent lunged at me, going for the offense. She was eager to have me on my back as fast as possible but I swayed out of her reach using her size against her. I initiated the first S- speed, making sure that I was faster than my opponent as I yed defense.


    I soon realized that even though my opponent was stronger, she wasn''t faster. I was able to dodge the first few attacks until she caught me off guard with a triple attack. One to my shoulder, the second to my legs, and thest to my ribs. I dodged the first two but winced when her tight fist connected with my ribs, sending me a few feet back.


    Pain broke free from my ribs as I lost bnce. Keeping my guard up became difficult as my ribs cried for attention but I dared not drop my hands. That would go against everything I have been taught.


    "Stamina, Relia. Keep your bnce no matter what and focus. The pain will cease soon." Inara encouraged me and as she promised, the pain in my ribs faded fast. She has a way of taking my pain away within seconds and I was grateful for that.


    My opponent smirked, closing the distance between us fast and expecting that I wouldn''t gain my bnce before she got to me but it was my turn to stun her. I steadied my legs and dashed for her, meeting her halfway and propelling my small body upward, delivering a blow to her face while I remained mid-air.


    "Fuck!" She cursed.


    But I quickly twisted my body to the right angle, using my leg to smack her cheeks beforending on my feet effortlessly. One thing I have learned about being small is that I could easily jump and twist in the air, unlike my opponent who grunted and lost her bnce. "She has a weaker knee. Find it, knock her off her feet, and make it known that you are no puny." Inara said to me.


    Although she could have pointed out the weaker knee, Inara trusted me to find it and I did, making use of thest S, smartness. I noticed that my opponent was putting less weight on her left knee and I went for it, kicking that leg as hard as my smaller legs could with popping.


    "Yes!" Jessica yelled with pride.


    But I wasn''t done, not until my opponent tapped out.


    I kicked that same knee again before attacking the stronger leg so she could lose her advantage. My opponent retaliated by grabbing my hair. My scalp stung in protest while her other hand moved to strike me.


    Twisting, I yanked myself out of her hold, losing a few strands of my short hair and also avoiding her other hand. Her frustration rolled off her after I broke loose but that couldn''t save her from crashing to the floor after I knocked her off her feet with one swift move of my leg. The crowd erupted when she fell on her back.


    Within a twinkle of an eye, I had her pinned and short of breath. To save herself, my opponent tapped out, making me the winner.


    The crowd erupted again, cheering as I was proimed the winner.


    "Your first win in a real duel." Inara chimed in my mind.


    I smiled, thankful that none of my babies were screaming "That''s my mom" as they celebrated my win. I wouldn''t want Alpha Raiden to find out about them. Perhaps I shouldn''t have brought them to the arena just to be safe. "Our first win in a real duel." I corrected Inara and even though he was thest person on my mind as I fought for the win, I looked into Alpha Raiden''s eyes in time to see his shocked face.


    I smirked, pride zapping through my body as I walked back to the warriors'' section and into Jessica''s open arms. "You did great." She murmured into my ears.


    However, that was just the beginning for me. Before the games for the day ended, I was called to the dueling ground three times more. I won one more but lost the other two, sustaining injuries and inflicting some on others. Throughout my fights, I could sense four different pairs of eyes more than others, one being his.

 20. My Dreadful Past

    AURELIA


    After four days of wins and losses for every pack that attended the Pack Games, it was time to announce the result and know the packs that would be going head to head in the semi-finals. The celebration has been going on for four days and while some packs already know they wouldn''t qualify for the next rounds, some of us were simply dreading what the next rounds would bring into our lives.


    I mean, ck Fur would qualify as we were one of the best and I would be foolish to think that Dark Moon Pack wouldn''t qualify. That saddened me because even though I had found a way to put distance between Alpha Raiden and me these past few days, I wanted nothing more than to see him leave the pack with his men... and never run into him. Ever again.


    That would keep my kids safe and I would be less worried about breaking before him.


    But of course, the universe ignored my desires and cry for help.


    "ck Fur Pack, Crescent Glow Pack, Dark Moon Pack, Moon Stone, and Howling Wolves Pack." Beta Louis, Alpha Tristan''s righthand man, read out the names of the packs from a scroll and he continued, addressing everyone in the arena, "These packs have qualified for the next rounds."


    The cheer in the arena sent vibrations through the floor and I smiled despite the mixed feelings gnawing deeply within my stomach. The other warriors from ck fur jubted and I joined them, happiness flowing through my being.


    However, that soon ended when Beta Louis announced with a stiff voice that had me frozen for what seemed like forever. "The semi-finals and finals of this year''s Pack Games will be held in Dark Moon Pack so each qualified pack will have to choose their representatives who would...."


    Ipletely zoned out, my sight blurring momentarily as old wounds scratched open.


    I can''t go back there. Returning to Dark Moon Pack would most likely kill me and reveal the truth I have hidden from everyone I havee to love. I weighed my options quickly and soon realized that the only thing I could do was hope that I wouldn''t be one of ck Furs representatives for the next rounds of games.


    That would be my way out.


    "You can talk to Alpha Tristan. Tell him you don''t want to go." Inara suggested, hating the possibility of us returning to Dark Moon Pack even if it was just for the games.


    There was nothing for me in Dark Moon Pack. Although I missed Dakota and wished she could see who I have be, meet my kids, and get to know them, I would rather not return to the past.


    Without hesitating, I went in search of Alpha Tristan after the games came to an end. I saw the other packs that didn''t qualify packing up to return to their packs while the qualified five prepared to move to Dark Moon Pack for the next rounds as I walked towards Alpha Tristan who just happened to be standing with my ex-mate and his Beta.


    "Shit!" I muttered under my breath, changing course hastily before any of them could see me.


    However, Alpha Tristan''s voice stopped me dead in my tracks, "There you are, Lia. Alpha Raiden was just talking about your skills on the field."


    Inhaling deeply, I let the side of my cheeks stretch into a fake smile and faced Alpha Tristan, avoiding eye contact with Alpha Raiden whose eyes were now on me. I walked closer to the small group, mouthing, "I was trained by the best."


    I boasted before I could sense the trap Alpha Raiden wasying before me.


    "But you clearly aren''t the best, Warrior Lia. I can already tell that you won''t be one of the skilled and trusted representatives that would be traveling down to my pack for the next rounds." Alpha Raiden said to me. This was the first time he was speaking to me directly since his arrival and he chose to look down on me like always.


    I scowled, meeting and holding his gaze. "You''re still a heartless asshole." Of course, I didn''t say those words out loud but god did I want to kick him where the sun doesn''t shine.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "I don''t see any reason for her not to represent my pack in the next rounds, Alpha Raiden unless you''re scared she would take the trophy right under your nose." Alpha Tristan stood up for me, his chest puffing with pride as he spoke.


    "It''s a trap. He''s ying games with your minds." Inara warned just as I caught the smirk stered on Alpha Raiden''s face but it was toote to fall back.


    My stomach tightened and I sent Alpha Raiden a re, ready to tell everyone that I wouldn''t be going even if it meant bruising Alpha Tristan''s ego after he vouched for me. I would do anything to keep my babies and me out of Alpha- "Why call him Alpha? He''s a prick. Pricks do not deserve respect!" Inara snarled at me.


    "Old habits." I thought back to my irritated wolf.


    "Trash that habit, girl," Inara stated and I couldn''t agree more.


    Raiden beat me to speak, his eyes glinting with the same mischief I see in Katie''s eyes every day. "I said she was a skilled fighter, not the best one, Tristan. I have warriors that will have her on her back in a second and I can''t wait to witness her-" "Get ready to be wrong, Raiden." Alpha Tristan cut in rudely. The tension between both men was ring.


    Raiden blurted, "Oh, I have never been wrong."


    I''d have argued that he had never been right about me but I was more concerned about the fate before me.


    I''d be going back to my dreadful past.


    As horrifying as that was, a part of me began to look forward to seeing Dakota again, introducing the kids to her, and showing everyone in my past who I had be despite the way they treated me. But again, the unexpected happened in Dark Moon Pack.

 21. Replica Of You

    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    "We''ve crossed the border, Relia." Inara''s worry was etched into each of those words as the car moved slowly along the bumpy road that connected Dark Moon Pack''s borders to its civilization.


    My guts twisted and I felt my heart beating rapidly as my eyes shifted from side to side, taking in the less familiarndscape of a ce I once called home. Clearly, a lot has changed since I left. For one, I had to travel for almost nine months on foot before I made it to ck Fur Pack five years ago but with the luxury of cars, it only took four days to make it back to where I started.


    Just four days!


    "But you aren''t alone this time. You''ve me, friends, lovely kids and I bet Alpha Tristan would kill anyone to keep you safe. That man adores you so you''ll be just fine-" Inara began to fill my head with encouraging words as we drew closer and closer to my past. But I''d to cut her off, "Adores me? Don''t start spewing nonsense about him, Ina. He''s simply being my Alpha." An Alpha I have been lying to for five years.


    My chest tightened because I knew Alpha Tristan would feel the brunt of my betrayal when he found out that I was once a member of Dark Moon Pack, once mated and married to Raiden who he detested, and-


    "He wants to be more than that. I can sense it. Plus why else would he provide a separate car for you and the kids? You could have joined the other warriors in the bus." Inara chimed to me and quickly added before I could counter her assumptions. "He doesn''t have to know, Relia. Focus on the games and return home as soon as possible."


    But how soon would that be?


    With Raiden ying games, how soon would I be able to escape again?


    I ignored Inara''sment not because I wasn''t curious to know why she''d think Alpha Tristan wanted more from me but because I needed to go over some ground rules with my kids who were sitting quietly beside each other. Their initial excitement had faded due to fatigue but I could still see their eyes sparkling as they looked out the windows.


    "Katie," I called for the most difficult child first and she looked at me with a tired smile. "What did we agree on before we left home?"


    My daughter rolled her stormy blue eyes, looking a whole lot like the intimidating version of me that I never got to unlock. "If I knew you''d be like that, I''d have rode with Tristan, Mom. You-"


    "She asked you not to call her mom, Katie and I also can''t call her mama as long as we are away from home. You''re breaking the rules." Kyle cautioned his sister who shook her head and facepalmed like the dramatic queen she was.


    Katie voiced, "I already promised not to call you mom or tell anyone I am your daughter. I also promised not to get into any trouble, Warrior Lia."


    Hazel who was the only one in the car with us aside from the driver Alpha Tristan provided,ughed heartily. "Are you sure you can stay out of trouble, Katie? You''re trouble yourself." Hazel said to Katie and looked my way, "I must say she doesn''t have to tell anyone she is your daughter for them to know, Lia. She is a replica of you."


    "Which is why I trust you wouldn''t let her out of your sight while we are here." I pleaded with Hazel with my eyes.


    "Of course, I''ll keep them safe from your opponents. I won''t let anyone harm the kids just to win some games." Hazel answered innocently, rubbing Katie''s shoulder and I felt an instant guilt in the depth of my stomach.


    Before we left ck Fur Pack, I had pleaded with Hazel to keep an eye on the twins and when she asked me why I was being overprotective and nervous about the trip, I lied to her again. What a friend I was.


    "It was a white lie, Relia. We can''t tell anyone the truth about Raiden and the kids. It''s better that way." Inara supported my lies but I didn''t feel any better. I was a liar and a bad friend to Hazel who had shown me nothing but love and true-


    Kyle''s voice cut off my thoughts when he muttered, "I''ll keep my mask on each time we are out and won''t call you mama even though I love calling you that." My son pulled out his handmade mask and put it over his face just like I had told him.


    That was the only way I could hide the fact that he shared the same facial features with Raiden. Although it might not be obvious to everyone, I couldn''t be careless, not with my kids.


    "Thank you, Kyle. I''ll make it up to you guys when we return home." I said to both of them and while Kyle nodded excitedly, Katie couldn''t be bothered.


    My heart was heavy with worry and fear sunk its icy fingers into my mind. Still, the car came to a stop and it was time for me to face my fear. Alpha Tristan alighted from the car in front of mine and Katie ran to him the second she was let out even though her twin chose to stay with me. Kyle put his mask on even before we left the safety of the car but I was still worried. A lot could go wrong in this pack.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I mean, what if Raiden made mee back because he still wanted me dead?


    "He''ll be dead before I let him hurt you." Inara snarled, her rage booming in the back of my mind.


    My response died in my throat when Raiden stepped out of the unfamiliar building which I assumed was constructed after my escape, and beside him was his Luna... the woman he chose over me.


    Larisa''s famous fake smile lit up her fake ass face as she walked towards us. "Wee to Dark Moon Pack-" She began but froze when her gaze settled on me, blood draining from her face at an rming rate. Her mask of pretense fell in that instant as she blinked rapidly as if doing that would change the fact that she was seeing me... like I was an illusion or a ghost.


    It appears Raiden hasn''t told his Luna that he ran into me.


    "Y-you are h-he-here..." Larisa stuttered in disbelief,


    Perhaps I would have smirked at her loss ofposure If I wasn''t reliving a nightmare in my mind as memories of the past attacked my mind without an ounce of mercy. My legs wobbled and I stumbled backward, unable to stop myself from copsing.

 22. Secretly In Love

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~>~


    Although there was a car behind Aurelia as she stumbled, Tristan dashed to her side, holding her as she regained her bnce. An unknown feeling swelled in my heart... or maybe the feeling was known after all. I just didn''t want to admit to myself that what I felt was jealousy.


    "Are you alright, Lia?" He asked softly, his grip firm on her lower back while Larisa inhaled sharply beside me, her face oddly pale.


    Aurelia voiced in response, "Yes. Just a little bit dizzy. I''m sorry-"


    Alpha Tristan faced me before she could finish speaking and he asked rhetorically, "Can she be led to her room? We''re all tired from the trip and I was told we wouldn''t be staying with other visiting Alphas." Fuck that!


    If I could have my way, I would have kicked Tristan out of my pack the minute he got to the border but to take Aurelia back, I must tolerate his presence and keep him close.


    "Yes. We''ve prepared this building for you and your entourage, Alpha Tristan." Andrew answered Tristan, making his way forward with a set of maids behind him. "They''ll help you settle in."


    Trust Andrew to save the day while I was burning with jealousy and though my eyes were glued to the spit where Tristan''s hand met with Aurelia''s back, I could still see the shock on the maids'' faces as they peeped at Aurelia who they must all remember. It''s only a matter of time before the news of her arrival spreads through the pack.


    Tristan led Aurelia past Larisa and me, guiding her toward the door of the building that was right behind my home. I chose this building for a reason and I was here to wee no one else but Aurelia back to the pack yet we didn''t get to have a moment.


    "Thank you." A little masked boy with curly dark blond hair said to one of the maids before taking another woman''s hand. I didn''t know what to think about the light blue face mask as my attention shifted to the little girl I once saw with Tristan. "You don''t seem surprised to see her." Larisa''s malicious voice resonated in my mind before I could get over my cloudy feelings. "That''s Aurelia, right? You knew she was alive? Heck, you knew she would being?"


    The usation in Larisa''s voice was clear. She stood before me, her hands on her hips and her pale face twisted in anger.


    "You knew she would being yet you brought me here to wee her back? To humiliate me?" She shouted at me through the mindlink.


    "I told you not toe but you insisted." I chased under my breath and started walking back to my home even though a huge part of me longed to stay in front of that building just so I could have a moment with Aurelia. Larisa stormed after me but she didn''t say anything to me until she shut the front door of my home behind her. "How can she be back? She''s supposed to be dead!" Larisa snarled.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "Well, she isn''t dead. She went missing that''s all." I stared at her nkly, hating the idea of Aurelia''s supposed death but I also didn''t want tosh at the woman who had stayed by my side for many years just because she was in shock. "Why is she back, Raid? Please tell me she''s just here for the games and you aren''t still longing to be with her." Larisa murmured, her eyes searching mine as she moved closer to me. "Please, Raid."


    Larisa held my gaze, silently using me with tears in her eyes.


    Gosh, I didn''t want to lie to her but heavens knew was still struggling with the truth myself. I was still in denial despite the heavy feeling in my heart. I wanted Aurelia back. F wanted her back in my arms, back in my life... I have missed the tasty


    meals she used to prepasty


    for just


    me even though I never acknowledge her nor her efforts.


    I missed everything about my destined mate.


    "While you''re admitting your feelings, perhaps it''s time to ept that you''ve fallen in love with Aurelia even before she escaped and also


    define your rtionship with/Soe


    Doing that will make life easier for us alt." Lex pointed out, feeling less cranky for the first time in a long time and it was definitely because Aurelia was in our pack.


    In love with Aurelia? I wasn''t sure about that but I was certain my feelings for Larisa had gradually faded over the years despite her efforts to run the pack with me and take on the role of Luna even though I hadn''t installed her to that office officially.


    "Say something Raid!" Larisa raised her voice, tears of frustration rolling down her cheeks despite her efforts to stay collected. "Tell me her return means nothing to you and-"


    "She''s is here to represent her pack in the games, Isa. There''s no reason to cry from your assumptions." I lied through my teeth without blinking.


    I wasn''t sure she would take my


    words for what they were as her eyes searched into mine. I could only hope that the newly discovered feelings in my heart would remain hiddenfor Larisa''s sake because as much as I craved to have Aurelia back, a tiny part of me didn''t want to keep hurting Larisa. I was indebted to her and she deserved so much more than-


    "Pathetic. You''re fucking pathetic and selfish!" My wolf gritted, scratching my mind just to express his displeasure.


    Larisa on the other hand, smiled and closed the distance between us, wrapping her arms around my neck as she embraced me tightly. She sniffed, "She should be punished for running away, Raid and why would Alpha Tristan make her a member of his pack?"


    It amazed me how Larisa could quickly switch personalities. One second she was a crying mess and the next a scheming vixen.


    "To use her against me," I whispered before I could think of how those words would sound to Larisa.


    She pulled back from the hug, her brows furrowing, Obviously, she had questions but Andrew walked into the living room with a bowed head, unknowingly saving me from myself once again.


    "Your attention is needed in the general pack house, Alpha," Andrew announced to me and I seized that opportunity to escape Larisa''s questions. For now at least.


    "Now that she''s here, what''s next?" Andrew asked, whispering as we walked towards the pack house.


    With zero doubts, I answered, "Make sure she never leaves again."


    But how do I achieve that without destroying Larisa and provoking a war? I asked myself but little did I know that I would willingly sacrifice everyone else to reunite with the woman I was secretly in love with.

 23. A Weak Princess

    AURELIA


    I dunked my face in a bowl of water, hoping to kill the anxiety that had settled in the center of my mind. No, I wasn''t scared of Raiden neither was I bothered about the killer re that Larisa sent my way before Alpha Tristan led me away from the couple. However, I was scared I''d break down before them like I almost did earlier.


    I felt weak. I felt trapped, in fact.


    And it was all because of the traumatizing memories that had been flooding my brain ever since I stepped out of the car. Inhaling the almost familiar air of the pack that broke me, had me gasping for my breath, and seeing Raiden with Larisa reminded me of the cruel things those two did to me.


    My memories were fighting against theposure I was dying to keep up because I''d rather die than break before any member of this pack.


    A sharp knock on the restroom door had me jumping back to reality. I took a few seconds to inspect my appearance in the bathroom mirror, noticing that I was as pale as a ghost. Perhaps Larisa was right to look at me like I was one.


    "Are you alright in there, Lia? You''ve been off these past few days." Hazel''s concerned voice slipped through the locked door.


    Lo and behold, her face expressed the same concern when I unlocked the door, letting her in. I tried to smile and assure her. "Fatigue, Hazel. I''ve participated in more duels than ever this past few days and I have more to-"


    "I understand but I''m still worried. You''re suddenly so close off and anxious." Hazel looked at me like she could tell that I had been lying to her since the very beginning of our friendship. "You know you can talk to me right? I''m here for you, Lia."


    "I know, babe, and I''m grateful," I uttered, pulling my friend into a genuine hug.


    Hazel patted my back and we both walked back into the spacious and obviously luxurious room that we would be staying in as long as we were in Raiden''s pack. I could tell that this building was built recently as I couldn''t recall its existence and the space seemed untouched by anyone.


    Since the room was big enough, Hazel, the kids, and I decided to stay together. Thankfully, we could all fit in the king-size bed.


    I found Katie and Kyle snoring softly in bed when I entered the room. They looked so adorable as they slept, somehow staying connected to each other even though they were deeply asleep. Kyle''s hand was on Katie''s shoulder while Katie''s foot rested on Kyle''sp. I felt a pinch of relief just by staring at them yet I was worried Raiden would find out about them.


    "He wouldn''t. You made sure of that when you killed that stinky assassin he sent. She was the only one who saw you pregnant and even if he finds out, he has no right over them. They''re ours." Inara chided confidently, with a deadly tone that sent shivers down my spine. June...


    I will never forget that name-


    My quiet thoughts were cut off when a knock resounded from the bedroom door. Hazel and I were just about to settle into the room but a feminine voice came after the knock, announcing, "You''ve been invited to have dinner with the Alpha in the pack''s dining hall." By Alpha, I knew she was referring to Raiden and the pack''s dining hall was a big hall dedicated to feasting. At least that was how I remembered it.


    "Thank you. We''ll be there soon." Hazel answered.


    The voice came again, "I''ve been sent to help you get ready. If you''ll let me in and-"


    "We''ll get ready ourselves. Thank you." I didn''t hesitate to say that to the person on the other side of the door. She has to be one of Raiden''s servants and there was no way in hell anyone would be seeing my kids at their most vulnerable.


    Hazel gave me a suspicious look but I shrugged, "It''s not like we''re royalty. We can get ready for dinner ourselves."


    I heard the receding steps of the maid before rxed. Hazel didn''t question my obvious paranoia and we both took turns in the bathroom while giving the kids more time to sleep. It broke my heart to interrupt their sleep but I couldn''t leave them alone in the room just to honor


    Raiden''s invitation to dinner.


    "I hate that dress, Mom. I''d rather wear my leather pants." Katieined about looking like a weak princess, staring at the purple dress I picked for her with disdain in her blue eyes.


    "I think princesses are awesome, Katie. You''d make a fine one if only you stop acting like a boy." Kyle muttered to his sister as Hazel dressed him up.


    "Nunya." Katie retorted.


    I cautioned her attitude immediately, ignoring the fact that she called me mom because we were alone in the room, "Don''t be mean to your brother, Katie. You can wear whatever you want to dinner but not this attitude, young Lady."


    Katie''s lips quivered but sheN?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    apologized to Kyle who did the


    same. They usually have their cute


    fights but was used to that. Together we all head to the living room where Alpha Tristan, Beta Louis, and Jessica are waiting and we leave the building together. We made it to the pack''s dining hall in no time and I handed the kids to Hazel after Kyle making sure Kyle''s


    mask was in ce.


    I thought I''d be sitting with the warriors from ck Fur but Alpha Tristan grabbed my arm tenderly, saying, "Sit with me, Lia."


    He gave no room for argument as he led me to the front of the hall. I could feel eyes on me as Raiden''s pack members began to murmur and in fact, some from other packs joined them because Alpha Tristan had never been seen with any woman in public. But why me?


    "He wants you," Inara answered my unspoken question just as Raiden waved Alpha Tristan and me to his table where he was sitting with Larisa and a few other Alphas.


    "He doesn''t." I denied my wolf''s statement.


    But Alpha Tristan pulled out a chair for me, causing my heart to skip two beats. He was being unusually nice to me yet I didn''t have the guts to question in. I sat down quietly and he took the seat beside me.


    Raiden clicked his cutlery against


    the ss of wine he was holding and the servants strolled into the hall with trays. The ptable smel of dinner almost calmed my nerves but Isoon found myself screaming in pain the second a certain head of servants imed a spot beside me.


    Nina...


    I met her gaze but my eyes soon rolled to the back of my skull, pain taking over my senses.

 24. To End Her

    AURELIA


    Dishes shattered on the floor and I gritted, jolting to my feet, hot pain burned into my skin as hot liquid trickled down my arm.


    Nina who had been shocked to see me, gasped, "I''m so sorry. I didn''t mean to." Oh, was she sorry now?


    She was never sorry when she treated me like I was a piece of trash back then. She was never sorry when she disrespected me even when I was her Luna but now she was sorry? And I could sense that her apology had something to do with the fact that Alpha Tristan was towering over us both, snarling at her.


    "Such unprofesssionalism!" Alpha Tristan barked ferociously, holding my burning arm.


    Nina dropped a te of hot soup right on my arm when she saw me. I''d have thought she already got a whiff of my presence in the pack but she seemed genuinely surprised to see me. The mighty Nina trembled before me and apologized repeatedly. But her apology didn''t change the fact that my skin was burning and to my surprise, Larisa walked over to where Nina was standing and struck her in the face. "Have you gone blind? How could you embarrass our guests!"


    Nina''s knees kissed the floor instantly and she began to apologize profusely. Saying I was shocked to see her in such a weak state would be an understatement. I vividly remember wishing that I was as unbreakable as she was but now? Oh, how the mighty has fallen. Larisa was about to hit Nina again when I intervened, "That''s enough! Please stop. The word isn''t that serious."


    I tried not to seeth at Larisa''s aggressive method. There was no need for that and my burning skin was getting better thanks to my wolf''s ability to heal me faster than others.


    "But she ruined your dress and your arm would scar from-" Larisa''s words died in her throat when she noticed that the redness on my arm was fading rapidly. "H-how is that p-posible? The soup was steaming hot." She gasped.


    "Can you be less fast with healing me this time? I don''t want to be the center of attention." I pleaded with Inara who scoffed but agreed that showing off her skills wasn''t important right now. I muttered to Larisa, "I guess it wasn''t as hot as you assume. I won''t leave a scar." "But she still needs a healer." Alpha Tristan demanded.


    I thought this was the best time to see Dakota without raising suspicion but before I could voice my desire, Larisa chimed, "Let me help you, please."


    My left eyebrow quirked in question. She offered to help. Funny.


    But I didn''t argue because I wasn''t scared of her. If I wanted, I could break her like a twig within two seconds. I didn''t question her intention as I followed her out of the dining hall. She took me to the hall''s restroom but rather than help me like she offered, she stood akimbo in the middle of the restroom, ring at me.


    "Is that re supposed to intimidate you?" Inara let out a wolfyugh at the back of my mind. "Katie can do better than that."


    I chuckled at my wolf''sment, causing Larisa''s re to deepen.


    "What''s funny?" She yelled at me.


    "Your face." Inara voiced, amused.


    I chuckled again. I just couldn''t help it and I bet Larisa would have been more irritated if she could hear my wolf''s response.


    "Is this funny to you?" Larisa''s irritation red. "You think showing up here alive to destroy everything I had worked tirelessly for is funny. You''re a leech and I-"


    "Can you stop acting like a child?" I snapped but quickly corrected myself because no child would act like Larisa. Not my kids. "That''s an insult to children if I''m being honest."


    "What did you say to me?" Disbelief was clear in her eyes as she asked, stuttering.


    "You heard me, Larisa. It''s stupid to bring me here if you''d no n to help me. You pretended out there only to act like a bitch in here? Come on." I shook my head and strolled to the hand basin in the restroom to wash the remnants of the soup off my healed arm.


    My skin was still red from irritation but the cold water was soothing and I sighed in relief but Larisa yanked at my shoulder. I was forced to face her but while I rolled my eyes, she raised her hand, aiming to p me.


    I let her believe she could p me until her hand was close enough to my face. I grabbed her wrist and twisted it backward, earning a cry from her. "Aahhh... Let go of me, bitch!"


    "I''m the bitch? Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" I snarled at her, a bit angry but a lot more amused.


    For emphasis, I grab Larisa''s head, fisting my hand into her blond hair, and made her look into the nearest wall mirror. "Take a look at yourself, bitch. You''re still as disgusting and spineless as you were six years ago." I knew my actions were confirming my identity as Aurelia but it wasn''t like she didn''t know that already.


    "If you think you cane for me,


    Larisa, think again because I won''t think twice before snapping your neck," I said to her, holding her head firmly even though she was struggling to break free. I looked at her through the mirror and added, "The Aurelia you knew is dead and this girl, Lia, isn''t a pushover. Don''t force my hand or I''ll drag you


    through the deepest part of hell. Do I make myself clear?"


    I didn''t wait for her response before shoving her body away from me. Her red face was a good enough answer. I raised my arm again and swatted the soup stain off my pants before strolling out of the restroom without taking another look at a shocked and disheveled Larisa. "You should have snapped her neck," Inarained even though I could feel her happiness bubbling in my bloodstream.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "I bet I''ll get the chance to do that one of these days but for now, I''d like to enjoy dinner," I responded.


    As I settled beside Alpha Tristan, I


    made a mental note to see Dakota


    the next day since she wasn''t in the dining hall. She was the only family! had here Larisa returned to her seat a few minutes after I started eating. She had taken her time to fix her appearance and also acted like she hadn''t been shitting herself earlier but I would be a fool to not know that the battle line between us has be more defined.


    Larisa wasing for me and fuck was I fully prepared to end her.

 25. Larisas POV (1)

    LARISA''S POV


    ~<>-


    She was supposed to be dead.


    She wasn''t supposed to return looking healthier than she was even before she left the pack.


    Fuck!N?velDrama.Org content.


    I was going to kill her.


    She wasn''t supposed to be alive and I''d make sure she remained dead. She has to die after what she did to me in the restroom. The humiliation. Goddess! I''d kill that bitch.


    I tried to look at anyone else but her as I shoved dinner down my throat, my hands shaking despite my efforts to rx. There was no way I''d give her the chance to see me rattled. She was nothing but a man snatcher, a useless bitch who would do anything to keep my Raiden was mine and he''s forever be mine. I''d go to any extent for him.


    man.


    Thankfully, dinner ended and I was able to excuse myself while most of the pack members and our guests remained in the dining hall. My blood was boiling likeva as I walked down the dark corridors that led to the kitchen where I knew the servants would be, cleaning up after everyone else.


    My nostrils red when I stepped into the kitchen. There were a couple of them around and their fear invaded my nostrils but I wasn''t here for all of them... just one.


    "Get out! All of you but her!" I barked out orders, anger pumping into my chest as shes of what Aurelia did to me in the restroom bombarded my mind.


    Fuck! I''d kill her.


    The servants in the kitchen rushed past me, escaping my wrath and leaving just one of them behind. She trembled before me even though she was the head of every servant in the pack. Nina. Stupid silly Nina.


    "How dare you disobey me and ruin my perfect n?" I bellowed, pulling at my hair as I drew closer to where Nina was standing, her head bowed. "Answer me!"


    She dared not look me in the eyes as she stuttered, "I d-did as y-you told me, Princess Larisa."


    Princess Larisa?


    The rage within me crackled like electric sparks as those two words hit my eardrums. Nina was digging her grave deeper by annoying me even more. "How many times do I''ve to tell you that I''m not a princess? I''m your Luna dammit!" "Forgive m-me, Luna. It was a slip of the tongue-" Nina gave me her silly excuse but that didn''t stop my hand fromnding on her already bruised cheeks.


    Do I care that she was bruised? Hell no!


    That''s what she gets for not carrying out my order.


    Nina stumbled backward, her eyes still glued to the kitchen floor. I pushed her chin upward so she could look into my eyes as I spelled out her mistake. "I told you to dump the soup on the bitch''s face, Nina not her damn hand. I told you where she would be sitting and my instructions were clear, weren''t they?"


    Nina fidgetted, her eyeballs red, "You didn''t tell me it was her, Luna. I didn''t expect it to be Aurelia. She was-"


    "What difference does that make? Do you think she''s still your Luna because I haven''t been installed officially?" I yelled out my fear in Nina''s face.


    Every pack member must be thinking they could stomp all over me just because Raiden has refused to make me his Luna, mate with me, and marry me despite all I have done and sacrificed for him. If only he knew the length I had gone just to return to him six years ago. "No, Luna. I was just shocked to see her and the te fell out of my hands before I could pull myself together." Nina exined to me, avoiding my gaze despite the presence of my fingers under her chin.


    I sucked in a breath, trying to regain myposure but it was hard to keep the fact that Aurelia was back out of my mind and it was messing with me.


    "P-please forgive me, Luna. I''ll do better next time." Nina pleaded to be spared from the brunt of the punishment she knew I would dish out to her.


    "How am I supposed to trust you next time?" How was I supposed to even trust anyone after Aurelia showed up alive when I precisely ordered her death... when I was told that her head was served from her neck to make sure she didn''t miraculouslye back to life? Heck! Those assassins clearly lied to me.


    And I would have loved to find them just to make them pay for deceiving me but that wouldn''t be possible because I had them killed the second they confirmed Aurelia''s death. I stupidly thought killing those assassins would keep Aurelia buried forever. But now, she was back and she had the effrontery to threaten me in the bathroom.


    "I know how to get Aurelia. I''ve studied her for many years even before she mated with the Alpha and I''ll help you get rid of her. Please trust me." Nina promised.


    Yet her promise wasn''t enough to ease my mind.


    Aurelia has changed. She wasn''t the same woman Nina knew and there was no way Nina could destroy Aurelia alone.


    However, I nodded, "Yourst chance, Nina and if you fail, your heart will fail as well."


    Nina''s eyes widened in fear but she nodded regardless. "Understood, Luna."


    I left the kitchen after that but rather than return to the feast, go home, or start preparing for the games that would be starting tomorrow, I ventured into the pitch-ck night, heading to the one person I knew I I could always rely on during difficult times like this.


    He''ll help me just like he helped me return to the pack six years ago even though Raiden''s parents did


    me


    everything in their power to keep away from Raiden and the pack. It''s a good thing Raiden''s parents haven''t been around since my


    return... they would have revealed


    my lies to Raiden.


    I pushed the door of our secret meeting ce and entered. He was already waiting for me. He voiced before I could speak, "We have a problem."


    "Yes, we do. Aurelia is back and although he denies it, Raiden is wavering. We can''t let them be together-" I started saying.


    But my secret helper interrupted sharply, "Her return isn''t the only problem, Larisa. There is more and I''m here to warn you." Curiosity colluded with fear in the depths of my stomach but I managed to whisper, "Tell me everything."

 26. A Heated Kiss

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    The semi-finals of the pack games kicked off two days after the arrival of every other qualified pack to mine. I took pride in the fact that my arena was so much bigger than the one at ck Fur and I''ve worked closely with Larisa to provide entertainment for the games. So far, It has been fun.


    But for the millionth time that day, my eyes scanned the arena in search of Aurelia. She was all I could think about these days. Unfortunately, I rarely get to see her anywhere except in my dreams.


    "Well, there she is," Lex said to me right in time for Aurelia to step into the arena in the same dueling leather she had that made me twitch in my pants-


    Larisa snorted beside me, cutting my train of thought, "There''s no way she would survive dueling with Tara."


    Tara was from my pack and she was a strong warrior with muscles in all the right ces even though she wasn''t bulky. Perhaps I''d have agreed with Larisa if I hadn''t seen Aurelia defeat opponents who were bigger and stronger than Tara.


    "She will," I said to Larisa whose eyes cut to mine. I''d made the mistake of doubting Aurelia''s skills at the beginning of the game but I knew better now even though I didn''t want my pack to lose any aspects of the game to ck Fur. "She''s stronger than she looks." "I''d prefer you don''t sing her praises, Raid. Please." Larisa hissed into my mind yet she maintained her bright smile.


    I ignored her and focused on Aurelia''s duel after sighting Tristan who was sitting with other Alphas a few sections from where I was sitting with Larisa. Watching Aurelia''s games helped me learn some of her tactics and I must say, she was impressive. Initially, I wondered how she managed to be such a skilled warrior but after seeing Tristan''s interest in her, I got my answer.


    "H-how... She d-didn''t just-" Larisa struggled with her words as she watched Aurelia prove me right.


    Within a few minutes, Aurelia has Tara in a chokehold and on her back. During the previous rounds of Pack Games, I''ve seen warriors kill their opponents in the dueling field without giving them a chance to tap out but Aurelia had not killed anyone despite having won most of her duels.


    Larisa was shocked beyond words when Tara tapped out, making Aurelia the winner. Although Tara delivered a number of hits on Aurelia, she still wasn''t a match for the new woman Aurelia had be.


    The next game was called Tug Of War and while participants lined up, my eyes were on Aurelia as she left the field. She had this smile on, causing my heart to flutter momentarily. Despite her presence in my pack, I still haven''t been able to get her alone. The thoughts of her keep me up most nights and when I do get to sleep, I dream of the days we were married.


    Gosh, I need to have a lengthy discussion with her... I need to find a way to keep her here when the gamese to an end.


    "Less talk, more action, Raiden." Lex scoffed into my mind. "Quit wasting time and grow some balls."


    "You think it''s easy?" I threw that question at my wolf, oblivious to the activities urring around me. Even Larisa''s hands on me couldn''t distract me neither was I affected by the holes her eyes were burning into the side of my face.


    "I know it''s not supposed to be this hard. Who am I kidding? None of this should have happened if you treated her like a decent person... If you weren''t hung up on a childish love that had ceased existing-"


    "Okay! I heard you loud and clear, Lex." I snapped before my wolf could rub my mistakes in my face any more than he had already done these past few weeks. "I''ll approach her after today''s games."


    "Oh, your balls are finally growing," Lex grumbled but he stopped being a pain in the ass for the rest of the game.


    I tried to pay attention to the games? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    and to Larisa who was being a bit touchy... a lot more than usual but I didn''tin or detach until the games ended for the day. I and other Alphas descended from the high section, joining the warriors and other participants on the field to congratte those who had won but we didn''t forget to acknowledge the others.


    "Now is the time." Lex reminded me after I dismissed everyone.


    My eyes found Aurelia among the warriors without much effort. I waited till she was alone before making an attempt to approach her. I inhaled sharply with every step I took toward her, my heart beating rapidly like I''d been racing. "Aurelia," I called her mindlessly but nervously.


    Her shoulders tensed and her head


    snapped to me, her eyes were wide with shock as they darted around. It was at that moment that I realized had made another mistake. Of course, she didn''t want to be called Aurelia. After all, she had been living a fie in her new pack.


    "Can we talk?" I asked quickly as I didn''t want to miss this opportunity. "We''ve nothing to talk about." She muttered through tight lips.


    I took a step closer, "We do, Aurelia and-"


    "Don''t ever call me that and stay the hell away from me." She seethed, taking two steps backward to create more distance between us.


    Before I could think of what to say to her, I was yanked backward and came face to face with Larisa who stared at me with raw mischief in her eyes. Not now, please. I pleaded in my mind.


    But Larisa chimed affectionately,


    acting like she didn''t notice Aurelia, and without hesitation, she tiptoed, pressed her lips against mine in a heated kiss that had me frozen for a few minutes, and by the time she broke the unexpected kiss, Aurelia was gone.

 27. Childhood Home

    AURELIA


    I could strangle them both and kick them into the hot furnace of hell... the deepest hottest part of it.


    My heart ached as I stormed off with stinging eyes that had me questioning myself. Why the hell was I furious? Was it the kiss they happily shared right in front of me while they had stolen every reason I had to be happy? Hell no!


    It wasn''t the kiss.


    Although the kiss was a reminder of the day I entered Raiden''s office only to see him fucking Larisa''s face even though he was still married to me, I wasn''t bothered about it. I was fuming because they had the nerve to be happy in front of me. There was no iota of guilt or remorse in their eyes as they foolishly shared a passionate kiss.


    The only thing they didn''t seed in taking away from me was my kids. Every other thing was stripped away including my honor and my heart. I''d never forgive those two. They have to pay for ruining my life. They must pay.


    "I agree with the aspect where they have to pay for what they did to you, Relia, but I backed off when you said they ruined your life." Inara''s voice resonated. She took some of my raging feelings, easing my mind and clearing my cloudy eyes. "Look at how far you''ve grown, girl. They never had the chance to ruin your life. You fought and won and you''ll win again if you decide to seek vengeance. I''ll support you."


    Seek vengeance? Was that really what I wanted?


    Yes, I hated Raiden and despised Larisa but do I really want to sell my soul to revenge? What would happen to my kids if I were to choose that path?


    I sighed, an overwhelming feeling growing with me. I felt defeated even though Inara just told me I was a winner. I could feel the eyes of curious pack members on me as I ventured further away from the arena. They most likely recognize me as their former Luna. "Ignore theirme asses. None of them stood up for you when you were down. Only Dakota did." Inara said to me, reminding me of my intention to see Dakota.


    Although I failed to visit her yesterday, I''d thought she would attend the games and must have heard that I was in the pack but I didn''t see her in the arena today. I had paid attention to everyone in the arena despite therge number, hoping to see Dakota. Without thinking twice, I started walking towards her house, taking the paths that I struggled to remember. Who was I fooling? I took the wrong turn at least three times before I made it to the familiar isted bungalow building... my childhood home. Sighting the small courtyard brought a smile to my face and I forgot about Raiden and his woman. This house was where all my happy childhood memories were made. Dakota made sure I was happy even though I never fitted in even as a child and god did I miss that


    sweet woman.


    I had so much to thank her for.


    My smile widened when I knocked on the wooden front door because I knew seeing Dakota again would make returning to Dark Moon Park worth it. I couldn''t wait to hug her, tell her about my new life, and introduce the kids to her.


    "Seems like no one is home," I muttered to myself, knocking again before Inhaling deeply, thinking I''d pick up Dakota''s warm scent but the scent I perceived was so different... so unknown. It was as if I was in the wrong house. My knuckles hit the door again before an annoyed voice boomed from behind it, "What do you want now? I told you to leave me alone!"


    The door swung open, revealing a brte who appeared to be in herte teens. The irritation in her eyes dispersed when she saw me standing outside the door just as confused as she was.


    "Who''re you?" I asked her, wondering why she was in Dakota''s house.


    Inara stated, "The whole ce smells like her. I don''t think anyone else has been here in a long time."


    The teenage girl rolled her eyes


    kinda giving me a glimpse into my future with Katie as she retorted, "I should be asking you that question, Ms. You showed up at my door uninvited and if this is about the stupid pack games, I''m not


    interested in attending it c


    alone."


    leave me


    She made an attempt to m the door in my face but I stuck out my foot and voiced, "Forgive me for disturbing you but I need to see the owner of the building. Can you tell me where to find her?"? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    I didn''t question why she had no interest in the games because I probably would have felt that way if I hadn''t be a warrior.


    "You''ve found her." The teenage girl answered calmly. "I own the building. My name is Pheobe. What can I do for you?"


    If I didn''t know Dakota was the owner of the building, I''d have fallen for her acts. "Quit ying around, Pheobe. I''m here to see Dakota. She owns this ce and-"


    "Dakota?" Phoebe repeated, surprised for some reason I didn''t know. "You knew Dakota?"


    "Yes, I know her and I''d really love to see her," I answered, trying not to sound impatient.


    Pheobe opened the door wider, her curious eyes aking over my body. She eventually asked, "Are you her? It was my turn to be confused since her question wasn''t precise but she rified, "Are you Aurelia? Alpha Raiden''s destined mate and Luna?"


    "I''m not your Alpha''s mate nor am I his Luna but yes, I''m Aurelia." I corrected without ring. Thankfully. "Can you tell me where to find Dakota?" I considered that Dakota


    could have moved to the Pack''s


    home for elderly wolves while I anticipated Pheobe''s response.


    However, Phoebe went mute, sorrow etched in her brown eyes. She gazed at me like I was a missing piece of a puzzle she had been waiting toplete for many years but I soon became impatient. "Pheobe?" I called out to the dazed girl, hoping that she would stop wasting my time.


    But the next words she uttered had me wishing she had remained mute. "Dakota is dead. She was found motionless in the living room five years ago."


    My world spun and everything became blurry.

 28. July 25

    AURELIA


    I thought I knew sorrow and understood the feeling of loss. I thought life had knocked me down a couple of times and that had made me better at predicting what would hit me next. I thought I''d find peace here in Dakota''s house but all that was given to me was sorrow which was too bitter a pill to swallow. "S-stop pl-ying g-games, kid." I stuttered, grasping for something. Anything to keep me stead... but there was nothing.


    Pheobe grabbed a hold of my outstretched hand, stepping out of the house with a facial expression that had my heart sinking further. "Trust me, I wish I was ying games with you. I wish Dakota was still alive to see the young woman I had be."


    She sniffled, blinking rapidly to hold back the glinting liquid in her eyes. I knew Dakota to be a kind woman who loved leaving a mark on everyone she rted with but I didn''t know any Pheobe before my escape.


    "I''ll get you a ss of water. Please don''t pass out before-" Phoebe said to me, scanning my face which must have been red and stered with every emotion coursing through me,


    I shook my head, tears slipping out of my eyes, "Tell me how... when. Please t-tell me what ha-happened." There was a silent plea in my voice. I was dying to know more yet scared to hear more.


    epting that Dakota was no more would kill me drastically. Goddess! Why take away the only person who knew me down to my roots? She was my mom, for crying out loud.


    There was pity in Pheobe''s eyes when she nodded. The looks she was giving me broke me more than Raiden and Larisa''s torturebined. She sighed, wiped her teary eyes, and sat on the edge of the front porch, patting the space beside her while holding my gaze. I staggered to her, sat beside her, and did my best to not break into tears. Inara was quiet within me but I knew she would feel the emptiness spreading through me... she''d feel the dreadful loss in the center of my heart.


    "I can tell from the look on your face that she didn''t tell you much about me but she never stopped bragging about you even after you escaped the pack." Pheobe began but that wasn''t exactly what I wanted to hear. Yes, Dakota was old and weak when I left the pack but elderly wolves live for many years before they eventually pass on. "I was a trainee to her. She taught me everything I know as a healer but I never got to know enough to save her five years ago. I couldn''t heal her frozen heart. I c-couldn''t sa-save-" Pheobe broke into tears, creating room for me to cry openly with her without feeling an ounce of shame. Dakota must have meant something to her just like she meant the world to me.


    I murmured amidst our wailing moment, "W-what day did she d-d-"


    I just couldn''t say the word ''Die''. It was difficult to voice it especially when we were speaking about Dakota.


    Pheobe understood my question even though I was unable tomunicate properly. She whimpered, "July 25. I left her in the living room the night before but when I returned the next morning, she was out cold and everything I did didn''t bring her back."


    Aside from the fact that no healer could bring back the dead, I couldn''t think of anything else but the date...July 25. That was the day I gave birth to my twins... the day I was given a new life and a whole new reason to live.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me." I cried to the moon goddess for the sick games she was ying with my life.


    How could she sit wherever she


    existed and ruin a good day for me? July 25, which was in three months was supposed to be a good day because my babies would be


    celebrating their sixth bis


    but


    that has changed now because that day would also be Dakota


    sixth


    death anniversary.


    "I''m not," Phoebe answered in defense, reacting to my outburst, assuming that my words were directed at her.


    Oh, how I wished I could sit beside the moon goddess like I was sitting with Pheobe. How I wished I could see the moon goddess and make her exin the cruel fate she created specifically for me. What I''d give to change my destiny.


    Pheobe suddenly rose to her feet


    and walked back into the space that


    used to be Dakota''s, leaving me to


    cry my eyes out for the woman I''de never get to see again. If I had known it would be myst time with her I''d have hugged her tighter and longer the day we parted ways.


    But it was toote now.


    She was gone.


    I couldn''t stop the tears as my heart bled sorrowfully. Even when Pheobe returned with an old medium-sized box that I recognized to be Dakota''s immediately, I still couldn''t stop the tears.


    "You''re Aurelia. She''d want you to have this." Pheobe handed the box to me and while I stared at it, she continued speaking, "I sort of imed her home to feel closer to her and you''re wee toy a im on it because you''ve more right to it."


    "This home is your''s to keep, Phoebe. Thank you for taking care of it." I uttered, assuring her that I wouldn''t take the house from her.


    We both sat down in silence but with hearts that were as heavy as Mount Everest for what seemed like forever but also wasn''t enough to properly mourn our losses. After an hour ofplete silence, I left Dakato''s home, staggering back to the ce Raiden provided. I sighed in relief when I entered my room and found it empty. My kids and Hazel were still out and that gave me the chance to grieve.


    "You should open the box to get some closure, Relia," Inara muttered to me and even though I knew she was right, I took my time because I didn''t want to stop grieving now.


    I just found out about her death even


    though it''s been years since she passed away. I was allowed to grieve like it just happened. After


    many minutes of uncontroble


    tears, Ofinally went for the box sat on the floor beside the bed, inhaling deeply to prepare myself for what I was about to find in the box.


    However, my nostrils picked up the scent of my kids and Hazel as they approached the room. I quickly pushed the box under the bed and ran into the bathroom to hide my puffy face from Hazel and the kids.


    In the bathroom, I wept even more. The tears wouldn''t stop flowing no matter how hard I tried and at this point, Raiden and Larisa were the least of my worries.N?velDrama.Org content.


    Oh, Dakota....

 29. Away From Her

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    Frustration had mixed with my blood and became a part of me. I sleep frustrated and wake up to more frustration... that''s even if I get any sleep. These days, she has been haunting me in my sleep. "She isn''t haunting you, Raiden. Your past actions are. You brought this on yourself." Lex defended Aurelia and called out my bluff.


    He was right. Each time I close my eyes, I see the wrongs I melted out to Aurelia. I see her cooking for me without receiving appreciation, I see myself seeking pleasure from her body and through our bond while denying her pleasure. I see myself punishing her when all she did wrong was love me and the memories of our past have done more harm than good to me ever since she told me to stay away from her...


    And it''s only been five days. Five days of torture from my dreams and Larisa who has been on my neck for intimacy-something we haven''t had since I started searching for Aurelia.


    "You survived not having sex because of the broken bond you still carry. Larisa on the other hand must be some sort of hybrid because no adult unmated female wolf should go that long without sex." Lex''s words wouldn''t have bothered me if they didn''t make me realize that Aurelia could qualify as an unmated female.


    "Are you saying Aurelia has been intimate with someone else?" Although I already suspected that there was something between her and Tristan, I''d never want to confirm my suspicions.


    Lex snorted, being a prick, "No, I''m saying she had been sexing Tristan these past few years. Have you seen how he looks at and protects her? I bet the masked boy and the little girl are their kids-"


    "That''s enough, Lex." I gritted at my wolf,pletely oblivious to the crowd around me. "Shouldn''t that bother you? You''ve always loved her."


    "She''s my destined mate. I love her but so do you. You''re simply too stupid to realize that earlier." Lex etched, finally admitting that he was just as frustrated as I was but of course, he found relief in torturing me even more.


    Lex shared his vulnerable feelings with me for the first time in a long time and it was hard not to get overwhelmed by them as the seconds ticked away. "We''ve to get her back even if she''s with the other bastard." He said to me, indirectly calling me a bastard.


    I shook my head, slightly amused and ready to continue the mental conversation with my wolf but the loud cheer from the crowd had me redirecting my focus.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "We won! We qualify!" Larisa jubted beside me, caressing my arm.


    I shifted my gaze from one part of the arena to another and soon realized that my pack had qualified for the finals. My pack members were celebrating the win against Moon Stone Pack, the third strongest pack in the realm which was led by a peace-loving Alpha, Clinton, who happened to be a good friend of mine despite the difference in our age.


    Of course, I was happy my pack qualified for the finals but my happiness doubled when I found out that the pack we would be going against in the final round was none other than ck Fur Pack not because I wanted them around but because I wanted Aurelia to be around.


    I joined Tristan and Alpha Clinton in the field.


    "Congrattions to you both. I''ll stay for the finals to see who ims the trophy if you don''t mind, Alpha Raiden." Clinton said to Tristan and I, his older eyes brimming with pride.


    "You can stay as long as you want, Alpha Clinton. You know you''re always wee in my pack." I responded to him while Tristan maintained his unfriendly attitude.


    I ignored him and faced the people


    in the arena, announcing, "You''re all


    wee to stay for the finals whether your pack qualified or not." They cheered louder but I wasn''t done "The finals would be starting next week and-"


    Tristan gritted under his breath, "Next week? Why not tomorrow or the next? Some of us have a pack to return to, Alpha Raiden."


    Gosh, I loathe him yet I smiled at


    him, whispering in his ears alone, "You can go back to your pack,


    Tristan. You don''t have to be here t


    for the finals. You can take your representatives with you, in fact, and just let my pack im this year''s trophy. In five years, you''ll have the


    chance to try again-"


    "In your dreams, Raiden." Tristan retorted calmly while I was barely stopping myself from punching him in the face. "You want to have the finals in a week? Fine. Get your ass ready to be whooped."


    He agreed to my terms unknown to him that I was buying myself more time with the woman he adored... My mate. My Luna. I''d get her back no matter what.


    "See you all in this arena next week. Until then, enjoy thefort of Dark Moon Pack." I said to the crowd and watched as they began to leave the arena.


    My eyes looked for one person in particr as the crowd moved in different directions but she wasn''t there. Aur¨¦lia wasn''t in the arena which meant I could have caught her alone while the games were ongoing.


    en FindNovel


    Dammit!


    "She''s probably still alone in her room. You can go to her before-" Lex started saying to me.


    But Larisa showed up behind me, murmuring, "Come with me, Raid. I''ve something to show you." Her seductive tone and the way she trailed her fingers over my lips gave me a good idea of what she was up to. "Can it wait? I''ve to meet with the warriors and celebrate with every rep-"


    Larisa countered, her eyes dimming, "No, it can''t wait, Raiden unless you want me to make a scene."


    "You wouldn''t." I gritted. How dare she threaten me?


    "Juste with me, Raid," Larisa said with a more respectful tone and tugged me towards my mansion... And I let her. A decision I soon regret.

 30. Fell In Love

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    I was wowed beyond words when I stepped into my home. The whole ce has been decorated for a feast I had no idea about. Larisa smiled at me, pulling me into the living room where her dad, Nn, stood with his mate, Helen. Andrew was also there and so was Jake, my best male warrior, who was also my gamma.


    "What''s the asion?" I asked Larisa through the mind link as she pulled me closer to her parents who I hadn''t seen in years.


    I stayed away from her parents because I didn''t want them to pressure me into marrying Larisa or remind me of my parents, who had decided to abandon me and the pack since they heard that I divorced Aurelia.


    I see Andrew and Jake every now and then but seeing them in my living room with Larisa''s parents seemed unusual.


    "Rx. I just wanted to surprise you with a nice dinner with family and friends. It''s been a rough month if you ask me." Larisa''s words bounced off the walls of my mind as she responded.


    Helen''s face popped bright when Larisa stopped before her. "It''s lovely to see you Alpha Raiden and to be in your home."


    My response was interrupted by Nn who scoffed, "Larisa had turned this ce into her home too, darling even though she isn''t married or mated to the Alpha." Although Nn offered me a grin, I didn''t miss the subtext in his statement. "It''s my home, dad. I''m Raiden''s mate and Luna even though we''re taking our time to make it official." Larisa answered with augh but she also had a subtle message for me.


    I would be a fool to not understand that the so-called surprise dinner with family and friends was to remind me of my duties to Larisa who has been living with me for almost six years. No doubt, this has something to do with Aurelia''s presence in the pack and her new qualities. Larisa felt threatened by Aurelia...


    That fact resonated in my head as we all settled at my dining table to eat. At first, I was worried about how I''d have to spend the next few days in the toilet if I were to eat any of the meals on the table because I assumed that Larisa had prepared them. However, Helen voiced to me, Andrew, and Jake, "Rx, young men. I prepared the meal. It''s safe to dig in."


    Andrewughed and Jake exhaled audibly before they started making a te for themselves. Larisa didn''t take offense even though it was obvious that we all knew she was a bad cook. She simply made a te for us both, beaming at me like she was bitten by a lovebug. All through dinner, Nn madements about how Larisa was unmarked yet performing the duties of a Luna. Helen tried to ease the tension in the room while Andrew and Jake were awkwardly silent. They knew better than to rile me up in the middle of this.


    I opened a connection between my mind and those of Andrew and Jake. "You knew about this arrangement but you didn''t tell me?" I snarled at them through the link while maintaining a neutral face.


    Jake''s timid eyes shot to my face. Unlike Andrew, Jake still feared me because we weren''t close.


    "Your woman ordered us to show up in your house without reason, Raiden. We didn''t know she had a surprise for you." Andrew exined, defending himself and Jake.


    Jake chimed through the link, "Yes, Alpha. We knew nothing about this."


    This was all Larisa then. She was backing me against the wall-


    "When will you hold a ceremony for her, Alpha Raiden? She can''t keep living here and doing these things without official recognition. People are beginning to talk about her honor" Nn finally spoke directly to me.


    Helen interrupted him with a sweet voice that almost made me believe she wasn''t in on this with her mate and daughter, "Darling, rx. Alpha Raiden loves Larisa and he''ll do right by her."


    Nn countered, raising his voice at my table, "The question is when. When will he do right by my daughter? When his ex-mateys a im on the positions he promised my daughter-"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Remember who you are


    questioning and fix your tone,


    Nn." I hissed venomously,


    meeting his shocked gaze. I held it seething. "I''m the Alpha and I never made your daughter do anything she didn''t choose to do. I never asked her to take on the responsibility of my Luna and Mate. If you were this bothered, you''d have taken her away long before now."


    I cut my eyes to Larisa and used my Alpha authority on her, "You pull this stunt again and I won''t hesitate to ban you from performing the said duties. Do I make myself clear?" Shakily, she bobbed her head, "Yes, Alpha."


    I was done taking bullshits from her and her family. I brought this upon myself but I wouldn''t sit there and be disrespected by my father''s Beta or anyone at that regardless of his influence in my pack. "Alpha Raiden-" Helen attempted to use her tactics on me.


    But I pushed my seat backward and rose to my feet. "Thank you for dinner, Helen. Now, if you''ll excuse me."


    Andrew and Jake stood up as well and they followed me out of the dining room. We made it out of the house in no time and I could barely keep my anger in check.


    "Putting the former Beta in his ce will invoke reactions from his allies, Alpha Raiden. Perhaps we need to tread carefully to avoid an internal strive for power." Jake spoke like a true war expert.


    Nn might be retired but he


    remains influential in the pack and


    even beyond. He and my dad were the reasons Dark Moon Pack was known as the home of power and I didn''t think about how getting involved with Nn''s family would affect me before I fell in love with Larisa.


    I was so stupid.


    "You were a child so it''s allowed but you can''t remain stupid now," Lex said to me.


    Andrew was about to chip in his own two cents but I uttered, "I need to be alone."


    Without another word, I pulled off my shorts and shifted into my gigantic ck wolf who picked my shorts from the floor with his paw, tossed it over his neck, and dashed off into the night with no destination in mind.


    At least that was what I thought but Lex had other ns for me. ns I only realized when I spotted Aurelia''s familiar frame in the middle of the forest.


    "You need alone time with her? Here it is." Lex stated and my bones cracked, rearranging into my human form. "Don''t mess this up."


    I put on my shorts as quietly as I could before approaching Aurelia, hoping that she would hear me out this time.


    "Aurelia..." I breathed, unbelievably eager to see her pretty face but I got a puffy one instead. "You have been crying?" I asked, taking steps closer to her. But she snarled like a wounded lioness, "Stay back!"

 31. You Want Me

    AURELIA


    I left the room I shared with my kids and Hazel because I was overwhelmed by raw emotions that threatened to tear me open even though my kids were sleeping peacefully in between Hazel and me.


    I came deep into the forest because I needed to be alone not so I could run into a jackass who had grown nosy with the years.


    "Stay back!" I repeated those words when Raiden took another step closer to me.


    I''d have taken a thousand steps away from him if there wasn''t a body of water behind me. He was closing in on me and had me cornered. I wiped my face angrily, refusing to appear weak before someone like him. "Stay the hell back, Raiden. I''m warning you." I barked at him, tears threatening to spill out of my swollen eyes once again.


    "How do you expect me to stay back when you have obviously been crying, Aurelia?" Raiden asked like he actually had a heart. "What''s wrong?"


    I chuckled, unable to believe his audacity. He must think I was still dumb. "The same way you stayed back during our marriage, jackass." I spat at him, the sorrow in my heart switching into rage.


    Knowing that Dakota was dead was killing me and these past few days, I had stayed away from training or participating in the games because I needed time to sort out my feelings but clearly, I wasn''t doing a good job with that.


    The reason I came out here was for some sort of peace and control over my spiraling emotions but that was no longer possible with Raiden''s presence. I thought about walking away but then I didn''t want my body toe in contact with his at all and there was no way to avoid contact if I wanted to escape him.


    "Move out of my way." I breathed as I took steps towards his body, determined to get as far away from him as possible but he didn''t move.


    "Shove him in theke!" Inara growled within me but rather than take her advice, I used a single hand to shove Raiden out of my way, grateful for my upper body strength.


    Raiden was hot on my heels but he didn''t touch me and I didn''t stop walking either, even when he said, "Okay we don''t have to talk about why you are crying in the middle of nowhere, Aurelia."


    Hearing him say my name infuriated me like crazy yet I didn''t stop walking.


    At least not until he muttered, "Let''s talk about us, Aurelia. Please."


    I halted, anger bubbling underneath my skin. I could feel Raiden''s hot breath on the back of my neck. My mind betrayed me as shes of the days he used to have me t on my chest and bury his face in my neck, consumed my mind momentarily.


    My body reacted to those steamy memories but Raiden''s next words snapped me out of my unrealistic trance. "You left and rejected me, Aurelia. How could-"


    "How could I reject a man who didn''t give two fucks about me?" I snapped, cutting his statement short. I made a quick turnaround, spinning to face Raiden so he could see the undiluted fury zing in my blue eyes.


    "Your audacity irks me, Raiden. You''re full of shits." I spelled out to him, turned away, and continued walking down the path.


    We were over so there was no reason to go down thatne with him. He should be thankful that I hadn''t already stuck a dagger in his cold heart. I''d be doing the rest of the world a favor if I killed him.


    Raiden put himself in front of me


    again, stopping me dead in my


    tracks because I didn''t want to


    collude with his naked chest. His et


    very naked chest. "You''re still my mate and this pack''s Luna, Agrelia. That should mean something to you."


    "That''s impossible because we both signed the divorce papers you threw in my face and I rejected you, Raiden. I know your ego is bruised but get over it and leave me alone!" I snapped.


    He raised his voice an octave higher, "I never epted your rejection, Aurelia. We''re still bonded even if you can''t feel the bond. You belong to me and I''ll have you back."


    He didn''t ept my rejection?


    Why would he carry a broken bond for so many years and still mate with another woman?


    "To manipte you, obviously. He''s not just a cheater but a psycho." Inara bore her canines in my mind pushing against my skin so we. could shift even though she knew we should never shift before Raiden or anyone at that.


    We made a promise to Alpha Tristan to keep my wolf a secret... Inara was a rare breed. Thest of her kind and despite not knowing how I got to have a special wolf, she was still mine. The moon goddess kinda did some things right in my life.


    "You''re my mate and Luna, Aurelia. Please let''s-"


    "The same mate and Luna you sent assassins after because you wanted to get rid of her just so you could enjoy your life with another woman? I snarled to Raien''s surprise.


    Stupid man. He clearly thought I would fall for his manipting words but I knew better now. He was a good-for-nothing bastard.


    "Assasins?" Raiden yed dumb and frankly speaking, I wasn''t shocked. "What assasins, Aurelia?"


    I shook my head, wondering why the moon goddess tied me to this man in the first ce... I couldn''t even remember why I fell in love with him or see the person I used to love dearly within him.


    "You know what? I''m sick of you, Raiden. Don''t bother to approach me with whatever rubbish you cooked up. You didn''t want me when I was your woman but now that I''ve be a woman of my own, you want me, right?" "Aurelia-"


    "Just get yourme ass off the path, Raiden." I cut him off and tried to slip past him.


    However, he grabbed my hand, holding me tightly as he asked with an emotion that had me grasping for dear life, "You''ve said a lot of things but you still haven''t answered my question, Aurelia."N?velDrama.Org content.


    "What question?" I inhaled sharply, my walls cracking slowly.


    "What assasins?" He questioned, his silver-gray eyes holding me captive.

 32. His Lying Mouth

    AURELIA


    I was this close to forgetting how to breathe when I stared into the silver-gray eyes that I used to love... those eyes that used to make mee undone, shattering underneath him while he overpowered my fragile body like-


    "Focus, Relia." Inara snapped at me, bringing me back to my senses.


    "What the hell was that?" I asked my wolf, breaking eye contact with Raiden.


    There was something. Something seized me and took control of my mind for a moment. There has to be an exnation because I didn''t want to believe I was just admiring the same man who made me understand the real meaning of emotional torture... I didn''t just feel an intense sense of sexual hunger for him.


    "Please tell me there was something, Ina." I pleaded with my wolf, staggering away from Raiden.


    Inara replied, "He carries a bond you broke, Relia, and what you feel now is the effect of getting close to the mate bond. You broke it but your body is designed to want it."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Fuck. I''ve to stay away from him.


    He had me overpowered andpletely captivated just by standing close to me. I''d be in trouble if he found out about how being in close proximity with him affects me. My kids would be at risk...


    "I''ve to go." I stuttered, mostly to myself but also to Raiden.


    "You still haven''t answered the question, Aurelia. You can''t leave until you provide answers" He chided like he was the boss of me.


    "I won''t say this again, Raiden," I murmured sternly. "Get yourme ass off the path, Raiden."


    "Just answer the question, Aurelia! Dammit!" He almost sounded like he was pleading with me.


    Exining how the assassins he sent after me almost killed me and the twins was stupid. Why should I be the one to tell him what he did? It wasn''t like he lost his memories due to an ident or battling with dementia at his age.


    Yet, I answered his question but I wanted nothing more than to return to my room. To my kids without having to jump the bones of the man who had betrayed all three of us. "You seriously think I don''t know you sent the assassins after me? You asked them to kill me and bring my head back to you as evidence to im a supposedly hefty price."


    "I did no such thing, Aurelia. I''d never!" Raiden denied the obvious truth.


    "I don''t need you to admit it, Raiden. It''s in the past and look, I survived." I shrugged. "You and Larisa failed to kill me. Let''s all move on-"


    "Larisa?" Raiden asked me like he


    didn''t orchestrate the whole thing


    with her. For someone who was feared across the realm, he was an idiot. "We didn''t try to kill you, Aurelija. In fact, we were searching everywhere for you."


    I chuckled, "Oh, please. You searched for me to kill me."


    "No. I searched for you to bring you back home. I sent my men out for a whole year and I didn''t stop searching for you even after that." Raiden uttered.


    "We both know you were searching for me to punish me for rejecting you and leaving your pack. You can''t deny that." Iid out facts.


    "Yes, you''re right. Punishing you was my initial-"


    "I don''t want to hear it, Raiden. I''ve answered your question so get off the path." I let out fiercely.


    Raiden argued, "But you aren''t listening to me. I never sent assains to kill you and I have been searching for you, Aurelia. Let''s make this work. Let''s talk more to resolve the misunderstanding between us. I want you back." He took a step forward, I took five steps backward.


    "You''ll never have me back, you lying son of a bitch." I snarled before I could stop myself from making insulting reference to his mom. She was a good woman even though she went wrong with her son.


    "Let me prove to you that I didn''t do any of those things. Let me investigate and give me a chance. It''s all I''m asking for." He stubbornly pushed his case, taking another step closer to me.


    He was beginning to aggravate the anger I had tried so hard to bury. Inara was also snarling within me, making it hard for me to control my rising rage.


    "I never stopped looking for you,


    Aurelia. Believe me, please." I had


    lost count of how many times he had tried to shove that lie down my throat. Even if he was telling the truth It didn''t make any difference because we were done.


    Raiden failed to understand that reality because despite my efforts to keep distance between us, he kept moving closer and the second my back hit the rough bark of one of the trees surrounding us, I chose to fight my way out of here. "I''ve changed, Aurelia. I''ll keep working-" Raiden began, standing right in front of me.


    But I didn''t want to hear any more of his lies. I balled my fist as tight as I could and drove it towards my target- His lying mouth. I missed a little as my fist hit closer to his jaw. Pain shot through my knuckles but heck was it satisfying to punch the famous Alpha Raiden of dark moon pack...


    As a matter of fact, it was addicting and I could see myself doing it again and again... and again.

 33. The Intense Battle

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    I''d be lying if I said I didn''t feel my jaw shift out of ce as Aurelia''s unbelievably strong fist connected with it. I could feel the ache but it wasn''t something I had never felt before. The pain wasn''t new to me.


    What was new to me was getting punched in the face by a woman.


    And not just any woman. It was Aurelia. The same woman who couldn''t look me in the eyes back then just hit me in the face without flinching and she looked like she was ready to do it again. I was too stunned to speak while Aurelia stared at me with nothing but hate and anger in her orbs.


    If I had been blind, I''d have been able to smell her scorching anger from miles away.


    Goddess! How do I go about this?


    What words would sound right to her? I knew how I felt and In my mind, I knew the right words but each time I opened my mouth to speak to her, I ended up saying the wrong words. Heck! She unraveled me.


    "Don''t mess this up, Raiden. Please. I need her back." Lex pleaded with me. Even my wolf could sense that I was losing the intense battle between raving between Aurelia and me.


    "How can I make her less angry? I know I''ve not been saying the right words to her but even If I did, she wouldn''t have listened or believed me. You of all people know that I didn''t send anyone to kill her." I cried out for Lex''s help, my chest rising and falling as I breathed heavily.


    "I wish I could help you figure her out, Raiden. I''ve tried to but something within her keeps blocking me out. It''s like there is a protection over her mind and it''s not letting me in even though we carry a broken bond." Lex exined to me, confusion etched into each of his words.


    Lex was confused. That wasn''t a good sign.


    Aurelia''s re didn''t tter as we both stood in silence. While I thought about how to break the protection over her mind and how it could have been there in the first ce, I could sense the clocks ticking in Aurelia''s brain... she didn''t want to be here with me.


    But she also didn''t want to risk walking past me because her skin would most likely brush against my naked upper body. I might not be able to read her well enough but looking into her stormy blue eyes had made me realize that she would rather drown than brush her skin against mine...


    "Perhaps her wolf is the one locking me out." Lex chimed, considering the odds.


    Still holding Aurelia''s gaze, I responded to my wolf, "She never had a wolf, Lex. This has to be Tristan''s doing."


    "What are the odds that she found a way to trigger her wolf''s consciousness to life? Think about it, Raiden. A wolfless warrior wouldn''t be as strong as Aurelia has be and don''t forget that Tristan doesn''t know about her past. I see no reason for him to put a seal on her mind." Lex pointed out, exining his thoughts.


    To be honest, my wolf was making so much sense. However, If Aurelia now has a wolf, shouldn''t the mate bond be stronger? As her mate, I should be able to sense her wolf and connect to her on a deeper level-


    "How long do you n to keep me here, Raiden?" My name rolled off her tongue again, hitting my eardrums and creating a sweet harmony I couldn''t have ever imagined.


    My breath hitched and my eyes widened as it urred to me that each time she had said my name, my mind made a quick jump back to those steamy moments when she squirmed underneath me, moaning every word but my name.


    Gosh! How my name would have sounded melodious in the sex bedroom if it wasing from her.


    Now I wanted to hear her moan my name-


    "Raiden!" She snapped harshly.


    Rather than a melodious moan, that was what I got from Aurelia and I had better get used to it.


    "For as long as it takes to convince you that I know better now and that I didn''t send anyone to kill you," I muttered, pouring out my emotions as I answered her question.


    "Liar!" Sheshed out. "You think I''ll fall for your lies? I''m not stupid anymore, Raiden."


    She said my name again. Sweet goddess. If only she knew what she was doing to me just by saying name. If Only she could feel the


    desire she was calling out of


    each time she said my name, maybe she would consider taking me back.


    Fuck! I wanted her back so badly.


    I love her...


    I fucking love her.


    Relief flooded my whole body the second I stopped fighting my feelings for the woman I had been privileged to have once but stupidly let go.


    I love Aurelia. I have always loved her.


    Larisa and her feelings were thest thing on my mind as my gaze flickered from one side of Aurelia''s face to another. I couldn''t believe it took me this long to fully ept the way I felt about her.


    "Believe me or not, Aurelia. I want you back and I''ll get you back no matter what I had to go through." found myself confessing without hesitation and for most women, my words would make them speechless and emotional.


    But Aurelia broke into a fit ofughter, telling me that she wasn''t like others.


    "I''m not trying to be funny-" I voiced but she cut me off yet again.


    "You forced yourself on me six years ago, dammit!" She yelled in my face, bringing up the past that had haunted me every night for the past years. "You treated me like I was nothing but your sex ve."


    "I was a fool-"


    "Then remain a fool, Raiden because I would never believe that you changed. I will never forget all you did to me and getting back with you will happen in, let me see." She took a second to decide and voice, "Never."


    I let my jealousy get the best of me as I gritted at her. "Never?" I asked, feeling bitter. "Does this have anything to do with Tristan? Don''t tell me you''re in love with that pretender-"


    "What if I''m in love with him? He''s a


    million times a better man than you''d ever be in a billion years. So ept my rejection and stay with Larisa because I''ll be leaving as soon as the games end." She spat and stormed past me.


    Aurelia didn''t look back even when her arms brushed against my stomach and this time, I didn''t go after her because I was short of words. What more could I say to her?


    "Tell her you love her. Perhaps that will help." Lex suggested but I knew Aurelia would never believe me if I confessed my love now.


    It would sound like another lie and I couldn''t me her.


    I was in love with her but she already chose Tristan over me. I''ve lost her forever. Perhaps.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Lex stirred to disagree even though the truth was ring at us both but a rustling sound in the bush to my left caught our attention. "Someone is there," Lex announced instead. But then when I went over to check, there was no one there.


    Yet, I sighted some shoeprints that confirmed a risky reality-someone overheard the argument between Aurelia and me.


    Which left me to wonder who the person was. Larisa? Or someone lurking in the dark to cripple me?

 34. Alpha Tristans POV (1)

    ALPHA TRISTAN''S POV


    "You left and rejected me, Aurelia. How could-"


    Raiden''s words echoed in my mind as I strolled back to the apartment he made avable for reasons I didn''t know back then. I''d asked myself why he was acting nice and suspicious but it wasn''t until now that I got my answers.


    I heard every word, starting with Raiden''s im... starting with how he called her Aurelia instead of Lia as she told me that day in my special hospital room where she delivered her babies... Raiden''s babies, I supposed.


    I might not have heard every word because I just happened to stumble into the duo but I heard enough to justify the roaring me of anger underneath my skin. I heard enough to make me understand that I''d been a fool for almost six years. She lied to me. She deceived me. She yed me for a fool.


    Despite the grace I showed her and her kids? Hell! I provided her with a ce to stay, a home, a pack, a family, and a new life because I thought she was from a dead ce. That dead ce. She made me believe that she was special. No, she''s actually special. Special enough to make me spare her life that night. Special enough to fool me.


    "She didn''t fool you, Tris. She never lied to you." My wolf, Dolf, came to Lia''s defense.


    Lia... That wasn''t even her real name.


    "Aurelia. Lia. Connect the dots, Tristan. She told you a part of her name because she didn''t want to be reminded of this ce and that asshole. He broke her." Dolf has always liked Lia even before I discovered how special she was.


    My wolf was the reason I didn''t have Lia killed when she stumbled into my pack but her unique abilities were why I let her stay in my pack. Why I gave her a home.


    "Just like she told me part of the truth." I seethed, contemting going into the apartment even though the building was right before me. I wouldn''t want to go in with the fury rocking my body because I wouldn''t want to act rashly, snap Lia''s neck, and ruin everything I''ve worked for.


    She yed me but I still needed her alive.


    Dolf chimed, "You would have discovered the truth sooner if you weren''t focused on your selfish ns, Tristan. You''d have investigated even before now but you didn''t not even after you noticed the tense energy between the both of them back home. You fooled yourself, Lia didn''t."


    Dolf''s words only fueled my anger. Having him in my head is fighting against myself every day. Dolf has different principles and priorities while my priority was simple- Get my revenge by destroying Raiden''s family and bing the authority everyone in the realm bows to- and every principle I hold dear was simply to achieve my goal.


    "I''ve told you to stop seeking revenge. Let the past be in the past and move on. Lia can help you move on. She can heal your heart if only you''ll let her know how special she is." Dolf repeated the same words he had been telling me for the past fifteen years. I growled, "How do I heal a heart that has been ripped out of me by the Flockhart of this same pack? They destroyed my family and I''ll do the same, Dolf."


    "Tristan, You can''t-"


    I seethed, "No, Dolf. I can and I will."


    My wolf grumbled but I put a mental wall up before he could counter me and piss me off even more. I med the moon goddess for giving me such a fainthearted wolf after all the hardship she had thrown my way. For goodness''s sake!


    I was only fifteen years old when Ronald Flockhart, his son, Raiden, and their minions took my family away from me... they took everything I loved and forced a fifteen years old boy to have his first shift even though my body still had a year or two to prepare itself for the


    torturous pain that usually


    apanied the first shift.


    I wasn''t allowed to grow fully and happily.


    "Shit..." I groaned shoving my painful past back into the deep dark box at the depth of my mind and locking it up because ns were in ce and dwelling in the past could destroy my ns.


    I was out tonight because I had to


    personally spy on Alpha Clinton ofN?velDrama.Org content.


    Moon Stone Pack. He and his pack were crucial to the sess of my fifteen-year-long n but only started falling in ce with the


    arrival of Lia in my packel


    Stone Pack is known for its rich resources that would help me


    finance and control the realm after I take down Dark Moon Pack.


    Standing before the front door, I took a deep breath to keep my emotions under control. Losing control had never been an option and it shouldn''t now.


    Dolf words rang in my head as I turned the doorknob, pushing the door open, "She told you a part of her name because she didn''t want to be reminded of this ce and that asshole.."


    My wolf wasn''t wrong to say those words to me. After all, I allowed myself to be fooled. Lia wasn''t to be med. I brought this upon myself but this is good. Raiden wanted Lia back but she hated him. I could use that to my advantage.


    "This is good," I smirked, stepping into the building to call Louis for a meeting but I came face to face with my secret weapon who just made my n easier to execute just by being Raiden''s destined mate.


    Lia gasped, her voice thick with shock, "Alpha Tristan. You''re up."


    Her voice, her eyes, the way she sucked in her lower lip to hide the fact that she was nervous and the way she naively stared at me melted the anger I had been struggling with. She calmed the storm within me just by looking at me like I was the best man on the surface of the earth.


    "She did say you''re a better man


    than her ex would ever be in a billion years toe." Dolf was able to say to me as had unknowingly dropped the mental wall between our minds. "You can be the best man for her if you choose to. Revenge would ruin


    you but Aurelia will heal you."


    "I couldn''t sleep so I decided to take a walk," I answered Lia. I couldn''t bring myself to be mad at her because she had grown on me and I could see that she was genuinely sad at the moment. I shouldn''t let Raiden make her sad. "Are you going somewhere?" "No. I also took a walk but I''ll return to bed now. I hope you''d be able to catch some sleep too-"


    I cut in, "Why not sit with me and tell me about what''s bothering you?"


    "Nothing serious, Alpha." Lia forced a smile. She wasn''t lying yet she wasn''t telling the truth either. "I just want to go back home with you."


    Thest part of her statement hit me hard as I realized that Raiden would do everything in his power to keep her here. Now it was clear to me that Lia was the reason he shifted the final round of the Pack Games. That annoying snake!


    "You''ll go home with me, Lia." Nothing could change that.


    However, I was stuck between using Lia and the secrets I just discovered to strike Raiden dead and taking her for myself because she brings out the best in me.


    Time will tell. I suppose.

 35. Through The Mud

    AURELIA


    ~<>-


    A yelp escaped my mouth when a cold hand wrapped itself around my leg, yanking me off the bed in one swift movement. I hit the cold floor of the room with a thud. I was genuinely terrified until I perceived and came face to face with Hazel''s amused face. "For goddess''s sake, Hazel. You just killed me." I yelled not finding her stunt funny.


    However, Hazelughed, "If I did, you wouldn''t be yelping, girl."


    My best friend shrugged, the sound of herughter echoing in the bedroom while I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off the floor. Hazel threw herself on the bed and supported her head with her hand so she could look at me as I struggled to get back in bed. "You look like shit, Lia." She pointed out, her tone neutral but her hazel eyes flickered with the genuine concern that I knew her heart carried.


    I rolled my eyes again, settling into bed with Hazel. "Tell me something I don''t already know." I tried to sound unaffected but deep down, I was barely holding back tears.


    It''s been almost ten days since I found out that Dakota was gone and I''d be lying if I im to have my emotions under control. It''s been a real struggle and somehow, Raiden''s words from four nights ago have remained in my head like a tumor,plicating my life even "Let''s see." Hazel pretended to think but soon blurted, "Ah! How about the fact that the twins miss you?"


    more.


    I felt a sharp pang in my chest at the mention of my kids. I haven''t been able to spend time with them even though I had asked Alpha Tristan to take my name off the names of warriors that would be representing our pack in the final rounds which would be kicking off in three days. I hadn''t been training as hard as Jessica and a few others who would be participating in the games yet I had been miserable.


    Well, In my defense, none of them lost a Dakota. I did.


    "Lia," Hazel called for me, taking my hands in hers as she scooted closer to me. "Don''t think I haven''t noticed your swollen face and heard your silent sobs. You''ve been crying for the past ten days and I''ve been waiting for you to say something about it but I can no longer wait, Lia."


    Her hazel eyes held my stormy blue ones and I could already tell that she was about to ask questions that I wouldn''t be able to answer.


    "Talk to me, Lia. Please. I can''t bear to keep watching you suffer while I pretend to be asleep just because I don''t want to intrude. Tell me what''s bothering you, Lia." Hazel requested with the softest voice.


    I was about to shake my head and tell her nothing was bothering me but she said, "And please don''t tell me it''s nothing. Let me in."


    Do I have to lie to her again? Fuck, this was torture. I finally had people who cared about me yet I had been forced to lie to them for many years. When Alpha Tristan asked me why I couldn''t sleep four nights ago, I lied to his face too.


    I can''t continue like this.


    I shouldn''t keep holding all my problems in when I''ve people who want to listen and offer their shoulders to me so I could cry on them if I wanted.


    "Then open up to Hazel, Relia. You need to talk to someone and she can be trusted, right?" Inara stated, trying to calm the raging war of emotions within me by making a suggestion.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "I can trust Hazel but letting her in is


    too much, Ina. I can''t risk Katie and I Kyle''e lives just to feel less


    miserable. This is a phase and it will pass. know it." I responded to my wolf despite knowing that I wouldn''t get over Dakota''s death for a very long time.


    Inara muttered another suggestion, "What if you tell her something real withoutpromising the kid''s lives? Think about it, Relia. I want you to be less sad and the kids need you to be happy too."


    My babies actually need me now more than ever and Dakota would want me to be anything but miserable and sad. Perhaps it''s time to share my sorrows with someone-


    "You know what? You don''t have to tell me, Lia." Hazel sighed in defeat and hurt shed in her eyes as she released my hand. "I''ll take care of Katie and Kyle while you pull yourself together."


    Hazel left the bed, heading for the bedroom door without sparing me another nce. Sometimes, I wished she would just shout at me. Spat words at me and made me feel guilty for treating her like she wasn''t the only friend I have ever had in my twenty-six years of living.


    "My mom''s death anniversary is fast


    approaching blurted out just as Hazel turned the doorknob. Hazel froze, her back tensing while my eyes brimmed with hot tears. I continued, my eyes fluttering-shut, "I feel so alone, Hazel. My heart hurt and I can feel life knocking me down


    again and again."


    I broke into tears, sorrow gripping my heart as memories of the good times I had with Dakota drowned my soul, blurring out all the reasons I had to be happy... which were just a few if I was being honest.


    "Oh, Lia." Hazel breathed, her arms engulfing me before I could sense her warmth beside me. "I''m so sorry, sweetie. I shouldn''t have made you talk about that. I''m so stupid-"


    "N-no, you ar-aren''t s-stupid. You are a g-good fr-friend and you deserve to k-know these things, Hazel." I sobbed as I uttered those words, burying my face in Hazel''s stomach.


    I should be the one apologizing, not her.


    "How can I make you feel better? I hate seeing you like this, Lia." Hazel whimpered, patting my hair as my body shook with tears.


    The bedroom door swung open before either Hazel or I could perceive Kyle who strolled in with wide eyes and his mask in his hand. His brows furrowed, "Mama. You''re crying." My son stated with disbelief.


    I was about to pull myself together


    and save from the sight but Katoe strolled into the room next, looking like she had been dragged through the mud and punched in the face a couple of times. My little girl had unshed tears in her eyes but the second her eyes met min she burst into tears.


    "Katie. Baby..." I sobbed, rushing to my kids.


    What the hell happened?

 36. Out Of Trouble

    AURELIA


    My daughter wailed out loud, failing to hide her feelings like she would have done on any other day. Seeing Katie like that broke me even more. My heart tightened as I forgot how to breathe and soon enough, Kyle broke into tears as well.


    "Shush, babies. Shush." I said amidst tears. I crouched to the level, pulling Kyle and a muddy Katie into my arms. "Enough of the tears, babies."


    Kyle spoke up, his voice shaky and muffled, "Yo-you and Katie s-st-tarted it."


    Katie countered, pulling away from my hug and wiping her muddy face, "Mom s-started it. I came in and s-saw her c-crying in Auntie Hazel''s a-arms."


    My heart tightened even more as I watched them both argue about me instead of telling me what the hell happened to Katie. Her lower lip was busted for crying out loud. I cried bitterly, realizing how bad of a mother I''ve been these past few days. What has gotten into me!


    Hazel came to my rescue when she asked, sniffing back her own share of tears, "What happened to you, Katie? You don''t look good, baby."


    "Nothing happened, Auntie Hazel-" Katie began, clearly lying.


    "Do not lie to me, Katie Anne," I yelled, cutting my daughter off, wiping my face clean with the he of my shirt. "You''ll tell me what happened without holding a single detail back. Do I make myself clear?"


    Katie looked into my eyes, her lips quavering while her nose red in anger. She was angry? Sweet heavens!


    "It''s all because of the stupid mask, mom!" She revealed, her voice tight with anger.


    My brows furrowed, "What do you mean? Did you swim through a muddyke to get the mask?" I shifted my gaze to Kyle''s mask to figure out how it had anything to do with Katie''s state but there was nothing different about the mask. It wasn''t wet, or muddy. "C''mon, mom. The mask isn''t even the problem." Katie voiced, contradicting herself as tears trickled down her muddy cheeks.


    Perhaps I should have let her freshen up before having this discussion but that didn''t ur to me as my daughter shifted the me from the mask to me.


    "Katie-" I was this close to pleading with her.


    But Kyle announced, "Katie got into a fight with a bigger kid because he tried to take off my mask, Mama. Please don''t be mad at her. She just didn''t want me to take the mask off like you instructed."? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "Oh, goddess." I cried, falling on my butt as my legs gave out.


    It was a good thing that I was already crouching before this happened but that fact didn''t lessen the painful pressure on my heart when realization hit me.


    I told Kyle to keep the mask on at all times and to make sure he doesn''t take it off, my little girl had to fight someone who had to be not just bigger but stronger than her. It was clear from her busted lip and the scratches on her arm. That was why Katie med me instead of the mask.


    After all, the mask wouldn''t have been an issue if I didn''t make Kyle wear it around.


    "Those kids have been picking on Kyle because of the mask, Mom. They call him a freak as well as many other names and earlier, one of them tried to snatch the mask off his face. I couldn''t let them do that. I couldn''t let anyone harm my brother." Katie''s face was stoic as she said those words, voicing her emotion.


    She was pissed, I could tell.


    I was pissed too but at myself.


    My son was being bullied


    underneath my nose while I let myself rot away. I didn''t even


    perceive what had been going on el


    with them nor have I been paying attention to them. I nced at Hazel who had gone quiet behind me and she shook her head, silently telling me this wasn''t my fault.


    But it was my fault.


    I shouldn''t have let Raiden bring me here with his sick games.


    "Beating yourself won''t help any of us, Relia. What you should be doing is picking yourself up." Inara''s words were etched in my mind.


    Kyle touched my shoulder at that moment, saying, "Can I stop using the mask, Mama? I don''t want to be called a freak and I don''t want Katie fighting the bigger kids for me. She could get hurt."


    The lovely bond my babies share made my heart flutter and I smiled even though I couldn''t let Kyle walk around without a mask. If he does that, everyone in the pack will know that Raiden has heirs with me and my babies will be taken away from me.


    "Baby, you and your sister are banned from wandering off alone. I can''t let you take the mask off now but make sure you don''t roam around the pack without adult supervision and by that I mean, Hazel and I. Okay?" I exined to the duo but they didn''t seem pleased. Kyle appeared to be mad about the mask but he didn''t disagree with me. He simply pouted but Katie expressed her displeasure instantly.


    "But I have friends, Mom. I want to see them without you and Auntie Hazel." Katie muttered.


    "You don''t have any friends here, Katie. Please don''t argue with me." I begged her.


    However she etched, "I do have friends, mom and I want to y with them while we are still here."


    "Katie Anne!" I snapped at her but soon regretted it. I inhaled deeply, calming myself before uttering another word to her. "Three more days, Katie, and we''ll leave this pack. Please obey me for three more days."


    "I''ll consider that if you stop calling me Katie Anne." She wrapped her small arms around her equally small body.


    I smiled sadly and pulled both her and Kyle into my arms again. "Alright, Katie. As long as you stay out of trouble."


    Katie promised to stay out of trouble and Kyle agreed to keep the mask on for three more days. Hazel volunteered to wash Katie up but I insisted on cleaning her up myself as a way of spending time with her.


    But that wasn''t enough to make up


    for lost time. should have known Katie wouldn''t be herself if she stayed out of trouble after what those bullies did to her and Kyle. By the time I discovered what she and her brother had really been up to, it was toote to keep them out of trouble.

 37. Away Forever

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    My efforts to keep Aurelia in my pack were proving to be futile. Despite shifting the final rounds of the games so I could have more days with her and also figure out how to make sure she never returned to the ck Fur pack with Tristan, I have failed. In three days, the final round of this year''s pack games wille to an end and the next day, Tristan will take Aurelia away forever. Fuck!


    "You''re giving up? So soon?" Lex snorted within me.


    I retorted sharply, "What else would you have me do? It''s not like I can tie her down when it''s time for her to leave."


    "I don''t expect that but you could at least try to find out who tried to kill her after she escaped the pack. You know she isn''t lying and finding the culprit might help to lessen the hatred she bore for you." Lex said, forgetting that I had just three days left. There was no way I could trace down the assassins from six years ago in three days. Especially not when I had to oversee my warriors and other representatives'' training in preparation for the finals.


    "If you have a better idea than this, share it with me, Lex because this one is highly impossible." I sighed in defeat.


    But Lex snarled, "Why don''t you ask Larisa if she was the one behind the assassins? I remember that she wasn''t pleased with the way you were obsessed with the search for Aurelia. What if she did this?" Lex brought up a theory that I had considered in my head many times in the past few days.


    "Larisa isn''t a killer, Lex. All she wants is to be my woman." I defended Larisa even though I had epted that I no longer loved her like I used to.


    My love for her might have faded but I still saw the good in her.


    Lex hissed into my mind before blocking me off, his anger pumping into my veins, "You''re more stupid than I thought if you believe that woman doesn''t have the gut to kill someone for the Luna position. She has secrets, dammit!"


    Secrets? Everyone has secrets yet I was curious to know what Lex meant by that but my wolf had put up a mind barrier, cutting offmunication between our minds. I inhaled audibly, taking a minute to scan my surroundings.


    I was standing under the shake of a magnanimous tree very close to the outdoor training field. Warriors, sprinters, and other athletes were training in various sections of the field and Jake was shouting outmands to every one of them. "Tara, you can do better. We don''t want you to be defeated by warrior Lia in the finals." Jake shouted while Tara struggled to get back on her feet after being knocked off her feet by her training partner.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    To my utmost surprise, Tara replied, oblivious to my presence on the field, "You mean Aurelia, right, Gamma Jake? You can tell us the truth. Everyone in the pack already knows she is back." Tara''s training partner whose name I didn''t know scoffed, "I''m certain she came back to kick Princess Larisa out. I heard some of the servants jubting because of Luna Aurelia''s return." Tara asked, throwing a punch at her partner, "Why would they be jubting? I thought everyone in the pack hated her or are we pretending to adore her now because she returned stronger?" "She did kick your ass, Tara but most of them are happy because they would be saved from Princess Larisa''s maltreatment." Tara''s partner dodged her attack as she responded.


    I stepped closer to the duo to hear more but Jake shouted at them, "Quit gossiping and learn how to defeat ck Fur warriors. We have to make sure they don''t take the trophy from us." But that didn''t stop me from asking Tara and her partner who still hasn''t noticed my presence, "What maltreatment?"


    The duo jumped when they heard my voice and their eyes widened as they realized that I overheard their little conversation.


    "Alpha." They both bowed their heads, tilting their necks to the side as a sign of submission.


    "Answer the question," I ordered, leaving no room for either of them to change the topic.


    Tara nudged her partner to speak but the redhead shook her head trembling before me.


    "I know nothing about it, Alpha. Olivia was just telling me." Tara removed herself from the conversation, shifting to the side while I walked closer to her redhead partner.


    Olivia looked everywhere but


    avoided my gaze, however, she stopped avoiding my question. "I heard the servants talking about how harsh and brutal Princess Larisa has been with them since the Luna left. They must have been lying, Alpha. Please forgive me for


    Pel


    sharing such dirty lies."


    Of course, I noticed how she still referred to Aurelia as the Luna while Larisa remained the princess of her father''s household but that wasn''t enough to take my mind off the possibility that Larisa had been maltreating my people. Servants or not, no one should be treated poorly-


    "But you confidently let everyone treat Aurelia like shit when she was married to you. In fact, you treated her like she was nothing but garbage." My wolf seethed at me, dropping the barrier between our minds.


    I stormed off the field to ask Larisa


    the thousands of questions that were flooding my mind at a rapid


    pace and replied to my wolf, "Butet


    defended her against bullies many times before we got married. She knows I hate the silly act of bullying and maltreating the weaker wolves."


    Lex didn''t have to tell me how stupid I sounded but he still did, "Aurelia was right about you. You''re an idiot."


    Arge bile rose in my throat as I


    walked towards the one ce I knew Larisa would be at this time of the day... My home. In my bedroom and on my bed which I had avoided since the dinner with her parents and since I found out that I was in love with another woman,


    Larisa was lying in my bed as I predicted, snuggled against my pillow, her naked body calling for attention.


    She was naked.


    That part, I didn''t predict.


    The second she sensed me in the room, her eyes fluttered open and she purred, stretching before me like she wasn''tpletely naked. "Raid, good morning. Would you like to join me in bed?"


    Her eyes twinkled with excitement because she knew I found her irresistible... because she knew I''d never say no to her captivating body... I took a step closer to her just like I did after Aurelia''s escape.

 38. Larisa’s POV (2)

    LARISA''S POV (2)


    I knew he wasing home to ask me questions. Although I didn''t know why he wasing home to question me after he had spent thest four nights and days away from me, treating me like I was one of his home servants. However, I was told he was on his way to me and Iid out a trap for him.


    Yes, my body.


    Raiden has always been weak to his bones when ites to my body and even though he hasn''t touched me or made love to me in years, I knew just how to make him crumble... how to make him say, "Stay with me, Larisa. Please." Raiden stepped closer to the bed and I smiled, stretching my hand out to pull in t over my body. I just knew he would make love to me today and maybe mark me. The dinner with my parent failed to push him to take the final step but this would. "I''ve missed the feeling of your hands on me, Raid. Please-" I started, staring at him with lust in my eyes.


    But rather than take my hand, Raiden picked up the thick ck duvet I had kicked off the bed the second I got the information about his possible arrival at the mansion, and to my surprise, he dropped it over my body, barely staring at my naked state. What?


    "Raiden?" I called out of shock and what I knew was humiliation.


    "No, Larisa."


    The second wave of shock hit me when he uttered the word ''No" and the third knocked me down when I heard him say my full name instead of the pet name he gave me on the very day he confessed his undying love to me in my childhood room after he managed to convince my dad that I was the girl for him.


    "No?" I tasted that word in my mouth, still unable to believe that Raiden said no to me.


    Yes, he hasn''t been making love to me or even touching me like he should but I just felt like he had been busy with maintaining the image of the pack... until Aurelia showed up looking all powerful and beautiful as much as I hated to admit.


    And yes, I felt threatened by her which was why I called my parents to our home for dinner. I thought my dad would be able to scare Raiden into marking me like he did with Raiden''s love confession when we were much younger.


    "Put some clothes on, Larisa. I''ve questions and I need honest answers." Raiden said, unaffected by the fact that he just turned me down. His gray eyes held little to no emotions as he looked down at me, expecting me to scurry out of bed just to dress up.


    I swallowed the humiliation he just shoved down my throat, digested it as fast as I could, and turned it into pure rage. "Do I look like I am in the mood to answer your questions, Raiden? You rejected me, Raiden!"


    "Don''t raise your voice, Larisa or-"


    "Oh, I''m Larisa to you all of a


    sudden? Does this have anything to


    do with what my dad said to you that night?" hissed, holding the duvet tight to my chest as I couldn''t bear another dose of humiliation from him. "You''ve to understand him. He''s my dad and you can''t deny that your refusal to mark me isn''t tarnishing my image, Raiden. Why are you doing this to me? What have


    I done to deserve this from the man


    I loved and who ims to love me?"


    I didn''t hesitate to rub his shorings in his face. He failed to love Aurelia because he imed to love me yet he has failed to love me properly.


    "Just how much longer do I have to


    endure being your unimed


    woman? Tell me, Raiden. How much longer do have to be insulted by th


    Kel


    members of the same pack I have


    been serving for years!" I gritted,


    watching as Raiden''s facial expression switched from mild


    anger to what I assumed was pity.


    I shook my head, picking to stay angry rather than ashamed. "You pity me now? You must be kidding me, Raiden. If only you know the dirty ugly lies that these people have been passing around about me. They call me names just because I love you... just because I stood by you."


    Raiden sighed, "This is my fault. I''m sorry, Larisa. I should have known you would never maltreat the servants or anyone at that."


    My eyes widened but I was quick to make them narrow before Raiden could notice, faking pain while anger breeds within me. "What do you mean?"


    Raiden told me he heard that I had


    been maltreating the lower-ranked wolves. I said a big fat thank you to


    the moon goddess for helping meet


    say the right words even when


    didn''t realize I needed help. I might have cursed the moon goddess out loud when she made Aurelia


    Raiden''s destined mate but now, she


    was on my side. Clearly.


    I felt at ease because Raiden chose to ask me instead of going to the servants. That could only mean he still trusted me and saw me as the sweet little Larisa he fell in love with. Awesome!


    He was right where I needed him to be... if only he would just mark me and name me his Luna, our lives would be perfect.


    "You came to me because you believed that lie, right?" I asked, biting my lower lips until tears brimmed in my eyes. "You might as well strip me off what''s left of my dignity and kick me out of your home. Or better still, say it to my face that I mean nothing to you."


    Perhaps I should have waited to see the sh of emotion in Raiden''s face but I walked out of his room to mine without looking at him and I quickly dressed up, running off to the one ce I could get answers and most importantly, pleasure.


    "Thank you for the heads up," I said to him when I saw him sitting on the only wooden chair in our little hideout. "But why didn''t you tell me what he heard so I could prepare myself?"


    "Because I trusted you to be prepared always." His raspy voice had me holding my breath. "By the way, are you here to question me or to getid?"


    "Both," I muttered but like always, I gotid before moving to questions.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

 39. Happy Family

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    Larisa didn''t return to my mansion that day and while a part of me felt relieved that she had gone back to her dad''s home, a bigger part of me felt like I was the asshole Aurelia and Lex had been calling me.


    I shouldn''t have treated Larisa like that and while it was a good choice to reject her body because I didn''t want her, perhaps I could have found a better and less insulting way to do it. And Aurelia?


    Nothing could ever make up for the way I treated her in the past. She made me realize I wasn''t as perfect as I thought I was. I said I hated bullies but I bullied Aurelia emotionally for the three years she stayed married to me.... Until I literally pped her with divorce papers, running into the arms of Larisa... who I had been treating poorly as well.


    Maybe I was under a curse- To never love any woman like they deserved to be loved.


    "Curse? Hell no! You''re just in stupid." Lex countered my thought even though I was already feeling like shit.


    He added, "You shouldn''t feel like shit." He emphasized the word feel and continued, "You''re shit. Own it, asshole."


    "You look like shit, Alpha. Is everything alright?" Andrew asked, emphasizing Lex''s words even though he couldn''t have heard my wolf.


    We were both sitting in the pack''s general office after dismissing a meeting with the council of Elders and of course, Nn was there, shooting daggers at me all through the meeting. I assumed his daughter already told him about what happened between usst night and he most likely despised me even more than he did after the dinner we had.


    "Everything sucks and you know it," I confessed to Andrew, closing my eyes in hopes that I''d feel a sense of peace even if it was for a mere second but Aurelia''s face popped into my head, stealing my peace.


    Andrew asked with interest, "Is this about Aurelia or Larisa?"


    "Actually, it''s both, Drew," I revealed.


    If I was going to be a better man and Alpha, I might as well start owning up to my mistakes and feelings. I was in love with Aurelia but I didn''t deserve her and Larisa was still in love with me as seen yesterday before she stormed out of my home but I also didn''t deserve Larisa''s love... not anyone.


    "You are still confused about how you feel about both women?" Andrew asked me, his beta senses kicking in.


    I looked around my office, taking a minute to think before voicing my response with conviction, "I''m not confused, Drew. I know I love Aurelia. I''ve been in love with her even before she escaped and rejected me but-"


    "You were too blinded by your childhood love to realize that." Hepleted for me. "Or you were probably just longing for what you were used to because you were terrified of your new feelings."


    It made so much sense when Andrew described it like that but it also made me look like the victim which I wasn''t. In this story, I''m the viin.


    "Aurelia hates me." I filled Andrew in, telling him about the long argument I had with Aurelia after the dinner with Larisa''s parents. "Larisa also despises me. She didn''t return home yesterday and I haven''t heard from her all day."


    Andrew''s jaw hung loose as he stared at me in disbelief. "Who could have tried to kill Aurelia while you were searching for her? About Larisa, we both know she wille around soon. It''s left to you to decide how you want to end the long rtionship you have been maintaining with her or do you n to keep stringing her on?"


    "Hell no!" I replied, utterly disgustedAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    by the idea but isn''t that what I''ve been doing these past few years? Tsk!. "I don''t want to keep leading Larisa on but telling her I no longer love her will break her, Drew. She still means so much to me even though my heart beats for a different woman and what if the


    assassination attack on Aurelia was just random? She was alone and an easy target for predators."


    "Ending it with Larisa is the right thing to do at this point. Take your time but don''t take too much time. Her honor would be questioned but she would be fine." Andrew advised me and I nodded but he wasn''t done yet. He continued, "Aurelia will leave soon, Raiden. You either get her back or lose her again. Whatever


    happens, I''ll be here to support you."


    That was a true friend right there but again his words left me confused. How I wished I could be told how to make amends with Aurelia and how to end it with Larisa without hurting her. Heck!


    "Thank you, Drew." I appreciated my friend and we both left the office.


    Andrew patted my shoulder before excusing himself as he had to be in the arena to prepare the ce for the finals that would be happening tomorrow. I decided to head back to my mansion to catch a break from everything going on in my life.


    However, I sighted Aurelia in a small


    enclosed garden close to my home. My heart lept for joy when I saw her but Tristan also stepped into sight holding the familiar little girl who kept screaming, "Look at me. I can throw Kyle over my shoulder could hear her excitement from where I was standing as she


    dragged Tristan around with her.


    I masked my scent, wanting to hear more even though eavesdropping was wrong.


    The masked little boy walked over to Aurelia who picked him up, and whispered some words into his ears before responding to the little girl, "Be nice to your twin brother, Katie, or this little y date will be over before it even begins." They were twins... and they seemed to have a close bond with both Aurelia and Tristan.


    The sound of Tristan''sughter cut my thoughts short and little Katie retorted bluntly, "Okay, mom. I''ll be nice."


    Mom? My heart sank as it all began to make sense or should I say my greatest fear and suspicion had been confirmed.


    "I don''t want to y, Mama. I''d rather stay in the library." Kyle was his name... He called Aurelia Mama, causing me to stagger backward while Tristan drew closer to Aurelia, Katie in his arms.


    "Don''t be a nerd today, Kyle. I thought this was supposed to be a family time for us all. Let''s y and we will read all the books you want together afterward." Tristan muttered fondly. There was no doubt. He was their dad.


    I stopped listening to the conversation because every word they uttered broke me, shattering my chances with Aurelia.


    Goddess, no! No, please.....


    I cried to myself, my legs shaking as I retreated, taking many steps back from the happy family that would never be mine.


    I''ve lost her... everything was lost and I, Raiden Flockhart ept this defeat.

 40. The Twins Secret

    AURELIA


    It ddens my heart and blessed my soul to see my kids having a good time after sulking around the room throughout yesterday. I''ve also created time to spend with them. Alpha Tristan decided to join us for our family y date after his training session with the representatives who would be taking part in tomorrow''s finals.


    And here we all are, in a small garden close to the apartment building and a bit private.


    "I''d love to read with you, Alpha Tristan," Kyle replied respectfully and with a wide grin.


    Alpha Tristan muttered to him, adjusting Katie''s weight in his arms, "You know you are allowed to call me just Tristan like Katie does, right, Kyle? You both are my favorite twins in the whole world."


    Kyle''s smile widened as he nodded eagerly. What I would give to have a stable family with my kids... Hell, what I would give to have a father figure in our little family. The way Alpha Tristan rtes with them makes me want that for my babies.


    As If Katie could read my thoughts, she eximed, giggling as she wrapped her arms around Alpha Tristan''s neck, "I wish to call you dad instead of your name. I wonder why you aren''t my daddy, Tristan."


    Okay, I never said Tristan has to be their dad but of course, Katie had her own thoughts.


    "Katie." I cautioned her.


    But Alpha Tristan took words out of my mouth when he queried my daughter with a light smile on his face, "And who said I can''t be your daddy, Katie? In fact, you can call me Dad henceforth and you too Kyle."


    My mouth hung open as I stared at Alpha Tristan like he had grown two heads. He was raising my kids'' hopes but who was I toin? If he wanted them to call him dad, I would dly allow it... he could take Raiden''s ce in their lives for all I care. Kyle muttered shyly, "I kinda prefer Papa since I call her Mama." My son gave me a quick look. The revealed part of his lower face turned red as he flushed.


    Any stranger would think Katie would be the shy and collected twin but Kyle had taken that crown since they were tiny babies.


    "Papa sounds nice to me, Mask boy." Alpha Tristan chuckled, melting my heart but I soon inhaled harshly when he added, "I have been meaning to ask, Kyle. what''s with the mask? Are you practicing for a costume show?"


    Before Kyle could give his subtle answer, Katie chimed, "Mom makes him wear it even though he doesn''t like it wearing it."


    "I like my mask, Katie." Kyle countered but that didn''t stop my heart from hurting.


    He clearly said he liked it because he didn''t want me to feel bad about making him wear it around Raiden''s pack.


    "No, you don''t. You just want Mom to be less worried because I already give her enough to worry about." Katie rolled her eyes and Alpha Tristan set her down, holding my gaze for a second.


    I did the same with Kyle who rushed over to his sister, cing his small hand over her mouth. "Stop bbering out the twins'' secret, Katie," Kyle whispered to her and pulled his twin towards the blue pic mat I had forgotten was even there in the first ce. "How did we get so lucky with those two? They are smarter than any soon-to-be six-year-olds I have seen around." Inara said with pride despite the ache in my heart.


    I was proud of the twins too but


    sadness crept into my heart when I realized that Kyle had been suppressing his childish side so his sister could be more troublesome and so I would be less worried. Such a huge sacrifice on his part.


    My little boy.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "They are precious, Lia." Alpha Tristan said to me as we both stood side by side watching the twins y.


    Fortunately for me, Alpha Tristan didn''t ask to know why I insisted on a mask for Kyle and I could only hope he hadn''t noticed the striking resemnce between Kyle and Raiden.


    "They are." I smiled. "Thank you for tolerating their disrespect, especially Katie''s. She is something beyond my understanding."


    "Who a I to say no to that sweet pie? She seems rough on the outside but she is just as soft as you are, Lia, and I love her for that." Alpha Tristan etched, looking into my eyes as the subtle message hit my senses. Did he just say he loves me without saying he loves me?


    "I''ve always known he had something for you!" Inara''s happiness hit the roof of my head. "Seems like he''s ready to take a step closer to iming you and bing the father the twins need."


    iming me? No freaking way. Bing the twin''s father figure? Hell, yes.


    "Let''s see how long you can survive his approach without saying yes to him." Inara chuckled wickedly,pletely won over by Alpha Tristan.


    And true to Inara''s words, before the


    y date ended, Alpha Tristan sent close to a thousand subtle signals and at one point, he even held my hand, squeezing it softly like I was a sort of tiny thread connecting him to any form of sanity.


    There was also something about the way he was staring at me...


    I didn''t know how to feel about his advances because he was who he was-Alpha Tristan of ck Fur Pack.


    As much as I couldn''t wait to return


    to his pack with him, I also didn''t


    want him to fall in love with me


    because didn''t have a heart to give him. My heart was dead. Raiden strangled the life out of it, stealing my ability to love man, including himself.


    "We''ll see." Inara chided in my mind.


    I had no words for her so I simply enjoyed the date with my kids and we all returned to the apartment building after ying and snacking for hours. Alpha Tristan went straight to his room while I led my kids back to ours. I thought Hazel would be there but when I pushed the door open, I found someone else sitting in our bed.


    Thankfully, Kyle hadn''t taken off his mask.


    "What are you doing in my room?" I asked, failing to be civil and pushing my kids behind me like she should snatch them from me.


    Like she snatched my life many years ago.


    "I''vee to warn you, Aurelia." Her response was loud and the threat was clear.

 41. Stay And Save

    AURELIA


    I chuckled, shaking my head while still maintaining eye contact with the woman who had made my life a living hell even when I was the Luna of this pack.


    "Did you say you are here to warn me, Nina? Are you kidding me?" I asked, seizing her up with my eyes.


    She pushed herself off the edge of the bed and took a step closer to where I was standing with my kids. I didn''t even bother to ask her how she made it into the room without getting questioned by ck Fur warriors scattered around and within the building. "I''m dead serious, Aurelia. I know you don''t trust me but you need to... just this once-"


    "Stop shitting yourself, Nina, and get the hell out of my room before I make you regret sneaking around." I spat at her.


    I was damn sure she already nted something dark and evil in the room or perhaps a spy camera. I would be damned to trust her. I did save her from Larisa in the dining hall but I wouldn''t hesitate to stab her in the heart if she posed a threat to my babies'' life. "Please, Luna. Please just give me a minute-" Nina tried again.


    But I quickly cut her off, "Don''t call me that!." My eyes darted to my kids who were paying close attention to Nina to my dismay. Katie would not hesitate to ask questions as soon as Nina left and Kyle was most likely putting two and two together in his head right now. And why the hell is everyone hell-bent on having a minute to talk to me these days?


    "Do you think he sent her here?" Inara asked me, snarling at the possibility of Raiden having a hand in Nina''s unwanted presence. "He does have a history of sending her to do his dirty work."


    Oh, he does...


    I red at Nina, gritting, "I''m not your Luna and my name is Lia. Now, leave."


    Nina shook her head and surprisingly, tears glinted in her eyes, the same broken woman I saw in the dining hall that night emerged. I stood frozen, watching her intensely and wondering what could have gone wrong with her. This wasn''t the Nina I knew.


    "Don''t fall for those crocodile tears, Relia. Aside from Pheobe, no one in this pack can be trusted. Kick her ass out and start parking because we''re leaving this hell hole tomorrow." Inara warned me.


    Perhaps I would have listened to her if a tear hadn''t trickled down Nina''s face, bringing my attention to the red bruise on her face. As if she could tell that my resolve was breaking, Nina took a step closer to me.


    "We need you here," Nina mumbled. "We need you to stay and save us, Aurelia but none of us deserve you and you''ve to leave as soon as you can before shees for you too."


    What the hell was she talking about?


    My brows furrowed. I was mad curious but I shook my head, telling myself that whatever she was saying wasn''t my problem. Everyone in the pack could be dying for all I care. "She''s evil, Aurelia. If you don''t leave soon, she''lle for you and them." Nina pointed at my kids, triggering my maternal instincts.


    I snapped, "Who the fuck are you talking about?"


    Now it was my business because nobody is allowed to threaten my kids.


    "Larisa, Aurelia." Nina gasped out as she responded, closing the distance between us just to grab my hands.


    I snatched them from her, snorting, "You might want to warn me about something I don''t know, Nina because Larisa is old news." "You''re saying that because you don''t know what she''s capable of neither do you know what she has been doing to the pack-"


    I barked, "I don''t care!" Nina''s eyes


    searched mine in a way that told me she didn''t believe that I didn''t care about what was happeningN?velDrama.Org content.


    theel


    pack sex told her how I felt. "Why" should I care about what she has been doing to all of you? You chose her over me, remember? You all did!"


    Raiden wasn''t the only one who chose Larisa back then, his pack members did as well, causing me pain among other dreadful feelings. "We didn''t know better, Aurelia-"


    "I don''t want to hear it. I''ll be out of


    here tomorrow regardless." I interrupted firmly, stepped away from the door so I could do what Inara had told me- Kick her ass out. "Get out and nevere back to


    this room while I''m still here or I''ll


    make you pay for everything."


    A part of me felt bad for threatening Nina like this but I consoled myself with the fact that she had done so much worse to me in the past and she probably would have continued treating me like shit if I hadn''t returned stronger.


    This time, Nina didn''t argue. She


    gave me a sad smile and walked to


    the door."As long as you are happy with ck Fur pack, please stay there and never look back. No matter what happens. This isn''t a healthy ce for you nor is it for


    them. A good mother at for


    knows


    what''s best for her kids."


    She didn''t wait another second after saying those words to me, causing my heart to skip a million beats.


    She knows...


    She knew I-


    "Mom," Katie called for me as soon as Nina stepped out of the room.


    I tried to remind my frozen brain that I needed to breathe as my eyes fell on my little girl. "Hmm..." I hummed in response.


    "Who''s that woman, Mom and why do you look like a scared ghost?" Katie questioned, making gestures towards my face which I assumed was pale.


    If Nina already knew that I was a mother, who else knew? Raiden? Larisa? Everyone in this goddamn pack?


    Goddess no-


    "Mama." Kyle held my hand to get my attention. I sucked in a deep breath because I knew what wasing and I was tired of lying to my kids. "Why did she call you Aurelia? Is that your full name? Do you know her? She also called you Luna." Please please-


    "Auntie Hazel once told me that you were not born in our pack, Mom. Were you born here? Are these people your pack members?" Katie threw her own questions at me as well.


    My eyes shifted from one twin to the other. Three pairs of storm blue eyes in a staring contest as I thought of how to answer their questions without lying to them or avoiding giving an answer.


    Unfortunately, I found none but fortunately, the bedroom door opened to reveal Hazel. I sighed in relief, hoping that her arrival would take the kids'' focus off the answers they were expecting from me.


    However, Hazel''s next words affected me instead. "Lia, you''re needed on the training ground. Jessica had an ident. Alpha Tristan wants you to take her ce in tomorrow''spetition." "ident?" I was more worried about Jessica because I knew she would have still participated in thepetition if she hadn''t been severely injured. "How?"


    "Just go to the training ground. I''ll stay with the twins and please be careful." Hazel said to me.


    I thanked her before dashing out of the room towards the training grounds which was right behind the building.


    Gosh, I need a break!


    But clearly, I wouldn''t get one. Not anytime soon.

 42. Alpha Tristans POV (2)

    Alpha Tristan''s POV


    ~<>~


    Everything was unfolding ording to my n.


    I felt at peace knowing that I had put Raiden in his ce after he witnessed the pic yesterday. Yes, the pic with the kids was part of my borate n to ensure Lia returned to my pack with me.


    But I enjoyed the fun time with Lia and the kids.


    It was heart-


    "It''s time for the final duel!" The funny-looking guy who almost never leaves Raiden''s side announced on the podium, smiling as if his park had already won the cup. "The result determines which pack would im the cup. Are we ready for this!" The crowd cheered, causing my ears to hurt. Noise. I hated that shit-


    "But not Katie''s high-pitched shrieks and whatever the annoying sound swords make is called." Dolf chimed, calling out my bluff.


    I couldn''t help but smile. How could anyone not like Katie''s melodious screams? She''s a bundle of joy-


    "Yet you feelfortable using her in your ridiculous n. What''s wrong with you!" My wolf wasted no time as he expressed his displeasure for the millionth time in twenty-four hours.


    "She asked me to y with her brother and her, Dolf and I did just that. I don''t see how-" I started defending myself, my eyes on Lia''s frame as she stepped into the dueling arena with a face that had my heart racing.


    Damn, she looked good in those leathers... in anything she wears, to be honest.


    "She asked you innocently but you took advantage of her request. What was that stunt you pulled with Raiden? Teasing Lia like that when you still don''t know what you want is also not cool, Tris." Dolf gritted.


    He was beginning to get on my nerves. Why was it so hard for him to understand that Raiden deserves every bad vibe he gets from me? That bastard was no saint-


    "But Lia and the kids are and they certainly don''t deserve to be toyed around with by you. They trust you." Dolf growled within me, infusing rage into my system.


    The fact that he was right irks me so much and I had no choice but to block him off my mind. Guilt was thest thing I needed to feel when it came to Raiden- No. The guilt was because I wasn''t doing right by Lia and the twins but I wasn''t doing wrong by them either. After all, even Lia wanted to leave the pack and I was helping her.


    "Warrior Lia would bepeting with thest standing warrior of Dark Moon Pack. do you think she''s capable of defeating him?" The funny-looking-Andrew announced.


    My fists balled as his words echoed in my mind.


    Did he just say him?


    Lia has topete with a male warrior? That''s insane!


    "Let''s wee the famous warrior of the Dark Moon Pack, Warrior Jake!" Andrew announced,pletely unbothered by the fact that he was calling their pack''s Gamma out against Lia.


    Jessica yelled from the warriors'' stands, limping on her good leg, while my fists tightened even more, "That''s not fair. That''s cheating!"


    Her eyes cut to mine and I could hear her ming me for this.


    Fuck!


    I didn''t know Raiden would bring out his best card before breaking one leg of mine at training yesterday. Jessica was the best person to go against Jake. She knows better than Lia because she has been training since she was a child. However, to perfect my ns, I dislocated Jessica''s leg yesterday... just to get Lia back in the game.


    Shit!


    "There''s no cheating, Warrior. Or are you saying your female warrior can''t duel against a male? I didn''t know you discriminate against and expect little from females in ck Fur Pack." Raiden gritted from his seat which was too close to mine for my liking, making it clear that he was doing this intentionally.


    His ego was bruised.


    He had lost the girl... but he didn''t want to lose the cup as well.


    I should have known as I''d have done the same thing if I was in his shoes.


    "BEGIN.THE.DUEL." Raiden gritted again, punctuating each word with anger. "Or give up the damn cup now, ck Fur."


    I matched his energy without hesitating, "We won''t give it up, Alpha Raiden. If you win it, so be it but we both know who the loser is."


    My voice was low as I jabbed him where it hurt the most- his bruised ego and perhaps his heart, if he truly loved Lia.


    But I didn''t care.


    Raiden scowled at me, his eyes swollen and red with rage. Yet I mouthed, "I believe in her. It''s a shame you and your pack never did."


    His face hardened just as his jaw clenched hard. Realization shed through his eyes as it drew on him that I knew everything. "Let''s see what your belief looks like against mine."


    At that point, I didn''t understand the true meaning of his words. I knew he was threatening me but it wasn''t clear to me that he was saying, "I''ll fight for her," without saying it.


    Lia didn''t seem fazed as the duel began and goddess did she made me proud as she delivered perfect attacks, earning points faster than the Jake guy could. However, Jake wasn''t the gamma of Raiden''s pack just on paper.


    He soon proved that he was stronger and more skilled than Lia, having her on her back faster than she could ever imagine. Lia still had a long way to go even though she hade a long way. I knew her potential yet none of these people should know that she could actually defeat Jake.


    "Fuck! I didn''t rip Jess''s leg off to see Lia lose to this guy. I still don''t understand why she dropped out of thepetition because of Raiden." I said to myself, watching as Jake


    threw Lia off bnce again.


    I hated this oue but there was nothing I could do as Jake walked up to the podium to im the cup... right after he won, leaving Lia on the floor or maybe she stayed there because she was ashamed. How do I rectify this amidst the annoyingly loud celebration of Dark Moon members? Fuck, we lost and Raiden won.


    But he could have the cup... while I keep the girl.


    I sent a smirk toward Raiden who had been ring at me even though he won the damn cup. I made sure his eyes were on me as I left the stands and walked to Lia, helping her to her feet.


    "I failed you. I let you all down. Jessica should have been here instead-" Lia began, casting her eyes to the floor as she struggled with tears.


    "Shsush..." I said to her, raising her face. "Look at me," I muttered, wiping sand off her face.


    She did.


    "You didn''t fail. He barely won." I muttered to her.


    "You''re just saying that to make me feel better, Alpha Tristan."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    I smiled, "Maybe. I need you to be better because I need you."


    "What?" Of course, she was confused.


    Lia stared back at me, her brows furrowed but that didn''t stop me from repeating those words to her, my heart throbbing in a way that I''d never imagined possible, "Yes, Lia. I need you."


    I ced her hand over my racing chest, hoping that she would feel how badly I needed her... hoping that she would help me get back at Raiden.


    "Alpha Tristan-"


    "Will you marry me?" I blurted out, stealing the spotlight from Riaden''s win... but that wasn''t all. I mean why the hell was my heart racing so fast? "Will you marry and mate with me, Lia?" And just like that, hell broke loose... in my heart and Lia''s eyes.


    And perhaps, in Raiden''s soul.


    Regardless, I anticipated Lia''s response because my entire n depended on it.

 43. Luna And Wife

    AURELIA


    Did he just ask me to be his mate and wife?


    "Yes, girl!" Inara shrieked within me. "I told you he wants you. I just didn''t know he needed you as well! This is so romantic."


    Romantic? Kinda


    But terrifying? Absolutely.


    Alpha Tristan shouldn''t be doing this doing this-


    "Doing what? Asking you to marry him and mate with him?" I could feel my wolf rolling her eyes as she asked me sarcastically. "This is exactly what he should be doing. Think about it, Relia. The kids love him, he''s powerful and he''ll be able to protect you and the kids from Raiden for the rest of your lives."


    "Seems like you''re forgetting that Raiden is known to be the most powerful of all Alphas in the realm. If he decides toe for me, I''d be putting Alpha Tristan and the ck Fur members at risk. I shouldn''t marry him, Ina. I shouldn''t be his mate when I''ll only be a burden-" Alpha Tristan cut my line of thoughts when he went down on one knee, holding my hands and gaze while everyone in the arena gasped. "I don''t have a proposal ring at the moment not because I haven''t been nning to spend the rest of my life with you and the kids but because I couldn''t wait to get back to our pack where your ring is waiting. I''ve always wanted you to be mine."


    Saying his dark orbs were glinting with a breathtaking amount of raw affection would be an understatement but damn did he take my breath away. I just couldn''t decide if it was good or bad.


    Huh. I could only imagine Jessica''s shock right now. In fact, what would happen if Alpha Tristan eventually finds his fated mate? What would happen if I marry him by the time she shows up to im her ce in his life?N?velDrama.Org content.


    "Say something, Lia. Please." Alpha Tristan voiced, his eyes darting around the arena for a split second before they rested on me again.


    I imitated him, looking around to see the shocked expression that I assumed would be on everyone''s face and perhaps pain on Jessica''s but to my surprise, I found Jessica smiling and she mouthed, "Say yes, Lia."


    But how could she say that when I knew that she had always wanted to be with Alpha Tristan and to be sincere, she would make a better partner for him just like she would have made a better representative for ck Fur pack during thest duel... which I just lost. "Stop thinking less of yourself, Relia. Jessica is great but we''re great as well and Alpha Tristan wants us." Inara scolded me while the heat of Alpha Trstna''s gaze burned into my face. "And in case you''ve forgotten, you''re keeping him on his kneel before the entire realm... before Raiden and his dumb mate."


    I made the mistake of letting my eyes find Raiden and right beside him was Larisa. Of course. Larisa whispered some words into Raiden''s ears, smiling like she''d hit the jackpot. Completely oblivious to me, Raiden''s face stretched into a smile, causing my heart to tighten for some unknown reason.


    Gosh! I hated those two.


    "Saying yes to Alpha Trustan is the best way to get back at those two. You don''t actually have to sell your soul to the devil-" Inara whispered.


    But I countered, "I don''t want to use Alpha Tristan like that. He deserves better than a woman with a dead heart and two kids."


    On clue, Katie ran into the dueling area, screaming, "That''s my mommy and daddy!"


    My jaw dropped just as Kyle joined her and they both ran to us, standing beside Alpha Tristan like his little supporters.


    "What do you say, Lia?" Alpha


    Tristan asked again. "Let''s make this official and my knees are beginning to hurt." He said thest part jokingly and heughed heartily along with


    the kids.


    My heart fluttered as my face mirrored their happy expressions. If anyone was still thinking about the result of the duel, I wouldn''t know because I wasn''t. This moment was all that mattered.


    "His knees are hurting, Mama. Don''t keep Papa on his knees." Kyle chuckled, reminding me that I still needed to give Alpha Tristan an answer.


    Katie muttered, her hands in the air, "Come on, Mom."


    "Yes, Relia." Inara supported as well.


    And to my surprise, a few of the warriors I have spent thest three years training with joined us on the field, showing their support for Alpha Tristan and me in a way Raider and


    his pack members never dide


    past.


    They chanted in unison, "Will you be our Luna, Lia?"


    the


    I couldn''t stop myself from chuckling as happiness blossomed in the core of my soul.


    Jessica stepped closer to us with Hazel beside her and together they both muttered, "Say yes."


    It was only a matter of time before people from other packs, except the Dark Moon pack, joined ck Fur members as they chanted, "Say Yes... Say Yes... Say Yes."


    "Seriously, Lia, my knees are killing me." Alpha Tristanughed again, capturing my dead heart with the sound of it.


    "You can get up, Alpha Tristan." I tried pulling him up but he was rigid.


    He shook his head, holding on to his captivating smile, "Not until you ept to be my Luna and wife, Lia."


    He sounded so sweet and genuine


    enough to make me believe that he


    could revive my dead heart and make me love him. At that moment,


    I believed that with Alpha Tristan, I


    could give my kids a happy andplete family.


    Clouds of doubt cleared from my eyes and with a smile on my face, I parted my lips and voiced my response.


    "Yes, I''ll marry and mate with you."


    The reality of those words hit me when Alpha Tristan stood up and imed my lips in a slow passionate kiss that had me melting for the first time in years.

 44. A Broken Bond

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    I wore the fake smile regardless of the blinding pain eating me away.


    I kept my eyes on them even though seeing them and their kids together broke me. I felt a painful twitch in the depths of my soul when she muttered, "Yes, I''ll marry and mate with you." Don''t break right here. Don''t, Raiden....


    I chanted to myself while almost everyone in the arena cheered in celebration of what I never had with Aurelia... No. I had it. I just threw it out the window with my own hands.


    My eyes stung as pain and anger mixed perfectly together within me when Tristan pulled her into him, kissing her deeply and slowly... as if they were oblivious to the presence of the rest of us.


    I could sense my pack''s grief as my members witnessed another man iming my destined mate whose rejection I still haven''t epted. Gosh! My soul hurts. It has been since yesterday. I tried to but I couldn''t put an end to the grief. "This is your fault! We shouldn''t be feeling this pain-" Lex didn''t hesitate to put the me on me once again.


    His hatred for me has grown even deeper since the devastating discovery that made it clear that Aurelia would never give me another chance... not when she is the mother of Tristan''s kids.... Not when he was kissing her like that. Fuck!


    "I agree. It''s my fault." I muttered to my wolf, turning around to save myself from the pain of watching Tristan eat Aurelia''s face... Heck! I had never kissed her but that asshole got to kiss her. I should be the one holding and kissing her. "We lost her-"


    "You chose not to kiss her even when you imed her body over and over again just like you chose not to mark her. If you had marked and cherished her, the bond wouldn''t be punishing us." Lex growled, sharing his pain with me and causing my legs to buckle under my weight. "Can you make it stop? I can''t bear it."


    If wolves could cry, Lex would have broken down in tears sincest night. In fact, if I could, I''d wail right here while the little masked boy jumped energetically around Tristan and Aurelia who were still clinging to each other like fucking lovers...


    "There''s one way to put an end to this pain. Only one." I uttered to my wolf, embracing our emotions.


    Lex gritted in response, "Don''t even dare, Raiden!"


    Although I hadn''t voiced my thoughts to him, he could tell. "But that''s the only way. She''s lost to us forever, Lex and I can''t keep holding on to a broken bond."


    "You won''t be epting her rejection, Raiden! I won''t let you!" Lex growled ferociously and my skin pricked as he tried to dominate my mind.


    It was obvious that I''d suffer greatly if I was to ept Aurelia''s rejection. I could lose my wolf and strength.


    "No, Raiden." Lex chimed, still very much angry. "You''ve to fight for her."


    "I''ve fought enough if you ask me. This is the point where we both ept defeat. She''s a mother and she just epted to marry that fool." I was getting angry too. It was almost impossible to know if I was angry because of Lex or because of the wave of happiness rolling off Tristan and straight into my nostrils. "She kissed him and she-"


    "I recall you kissing Larisa''s face many times in the past but you still don''t love her... you didn''t even mark her." Lex argued.


    "What is that supposed to mean?" The mental argument between my wolf and I was bing unbearably long but it was the only thing keeping my mind off Aurelia and her happy family.


    Lex responded instantly, "Aurelia is still unmarked and that makes her ours, Raiden. You can still get her back before he marks her."


    Maybe... I thought to myself.


    Even if I somehow manage to win Aurelia back, what will happen to her kids? What-


    Lex cut in, "You''ll raise them with her. We still have a chance and raising Tristan''s kids is good enough punishment for the maltreatment you dished out to Aurelia in the past."


    My wolf''s words were a direct hit to my ego. Raise Tristan''s kids? Hell! Winning Aurelia back would be harder than raising the kids of my enemy.


    "Just get her back-"


    I barked at Lex, "Enough! I''ve heard enough."


    Before my wolf could counter or put more unachievable ideas in my head, I put a strong mental shield between our minds, blocking him out.


    But the universe was against me because the next second, I heard Larisa''s voice resonating through my mind, "You don''t look good, Raid. You can''t possibly be jealous."


    I couldn''t find the energy to re at her as my eyes rested on her twisted face.


    "Please don''t make a fool out of us and embarrass yourself before these people." Although she used the word ''please'', her tone was harsh.


    "Stay out of my head." I gritted before blocking her out too, focusing on the despair in my heart.


    Larisa''s face twisted into a frown


    but was soon reced by a mischievous grin that had me scowling at her. Before I could warn her, she managed to get the crowd''s attention despite the cheerso


    swnc


    Larisa announced without sparing me another look, "As the Luna of this pack, I''d like to celebrate Alpha Tristan and his family."


    "What are you doing?" I whispered, grabbing Larisa''s hand to stop her but she simply shed one of her fake smiles.


    "And of course, Dark Moon''s victory in the games." Larisa continued. "My mate and I will be hosting a celebratory feastter this evening. Make sure you''re there."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    If I didn''t have a history of getting bewitched by Larisa''s fake smiles, I''d have wondered how anyone in the arena couldn''t tell that she was pretending. The cheers that followed her announcement made it clear that she had won the hearts of many.


    At the expense of myfort.


    "How dare you make such an announcement without consulting me first!" I blurted angrily as soon as Larisa and I were alone.


    She rolled her eyes, "I tried to but you blocked me out, remember? Moreover, It''s just a feast. No big deal."


    It was a big deal for goddess'' sake!


    But the deed was done. Thanks to


    Larisa, I had to be in the same breathing space with the woman I loved but would never have... This could just be the end of our story as


    Cas I was concerned.


    But thanks to Katie and Kyle, this was just the beginning.

 45. Special One

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~>~


    Although the feast was impromptu, I could sense everyone''s contentment as they celebrated the union of the man I detested and the woman my heart ached to have more than the win my pack representatives earned at thepetition.


    For some reason, Larosa went all out to celebrate Aurelia even though it has be clear to me that Larisa wasn''t as kind as I used to believe.


    If I hadn''t blocked Lex, he would have said something along the lines of, "Told you so."


    But to keep my head clear and not act emotionally before my members and guests, Lex had remained subdued in my mind. Yet, my mind was a mess and my emotions were just as messy as my eyes settled on everything... everyone but the duo. Larisa rose to her feet with a ss of wine in her hand and I barely stopped myself from groaning out in frustration. If only I knew that I was about to make a great discovery that wouldpletely chnage the odds.


    "I''d like to make a toast to Alpha Tristan and his woman," Larisa announced, instantly securing everyone''s attention. Tristan managed to send a grin like smile her way before she continued, "But before we do that, I''d like to hear a word or two from the lovers... I''m sure we''re all dying to hear them confess their love for each other."


    Larisaughed melodiously along with a few other people but I rolled my eyes, knowing that I was about to be tortured by their words again. My heart was heavy and my throat was dry as a desert despite my efforts to stay calm. This was all wrong... this doesn''t feel right.


    "This feels so right." Tristan voiced, contradicting my thoughts as if he heard them. "Lia and I started a family six years ago and each day with our family has been a a blessing to me. I''m lucky to have someone as unique as her as my mate."


    As he spoke, he held Aurelia''s gaze, sounding genuine and fueling my raging emotions.


    "Cheers to our union, Special one," Tristan concluded, raising his ss.


    Special one? Tsk!


    Hatred brewed in my soul, blinding my eyes as everyone but me raised a toast. Yes, Aurelia was special. I couldn''t counter that fact. I just hated that Tristan got to know just how unique my destined mate was.


    Fuck! He had been sleeping with her for six years...


    He got to know how she taste, how she squirmed and how her eyes rolled to the back of her skull whenever she get lost in ecstasy-


    "It''s your turn, Lia. Don''t be shy." Larisa muttered, bringing me back to reality.


    As much as I didn''t want to see Aurelia speak about Tristan or even hear her, my gaze shifted to her face and my heart silently pleaded with her. I tried to push my emotions through our broken bond, hoping that she would feel me... hear me, at least. But there was no effect. Unfortunately.


    "Alpha Tristan has been my pir-" Aurelia began.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    But Tristan cut in, "Just call me Tristan, darling. You''ll get to do that and more as my wife and Luna."


    Gasps could be heard around the hall. The cold Tristan we all knew had melted to be warm and sweet with Aurelia.


    Aurelia smiled shyly, her cheeks crimson red as she flushed. My fists balled and my nostrils red yet that didn''t stop her from chuckling. "Tristan," Aurelia called out affectionately, provoking another round of sweet sounds in the hall.


    All I could see was red. Anger, pain, hatred, grief... those emotions mmed into the core of my being without sparing me a second to catch my breath.


    "You saved me six years ago,


    Tristan. You saved me from a life that tore me apart. You make me feel safe. You gave me a home and now you are gifting me aplete family. If anyone is special, it''s you." Aurelia announced.


    She said a lot of words but "Tore me apart" stuck with me.


    I did that to her and Tristan rescured her.


    Why on earth would she want to return to me?


    She had no reason to consider giving me another chance. None at all.


    The realization sank into me, taking away my reason to breathe. My chest tightened as if Lex was trying to punish me for blocking him and putting us in this position.


    From the way her lips were moving, I


    could tell that Aurelia was still confessing her appreciation and feelings for Tristan but I didn''t hear a word.bjolted to my feet, pushing my seat backward despite the O Screeching noise it made.


    "Alpha-" Andrew''s voice broke through the agitation that has captured me.


    "Excuse me." I stated stiffly, storming out of the hall without wasting another second.


    I needed to get out of here and far away from Aurelia.


    I needed to ept her rejection and severe the bondpletely-


    Just thinking about it, killed me slowly.


    Lex whimpered at the back of my mind but I ignored him. Severing the bond was the right thing to do and I''d release Larisa from all the duties she had been shouldering afterwards.


    I felt Andrew''s presence in my head before his words bounced off the walls of my mind, "Do you need me toe out too? I''m worried about you, Raiden."


    "Stay put. Represent me there." I sent those words to him without sharing my emotions with him.


    Andrew understood the message. He stayed out of my head while I dashed towards the back of the hall, intending to find sce in the forest... and also ept Aurelia''s six-year standing rejection.


    "I, Alpha Raiden Flockhart of Dark


    Moon Pack." started when I found an isted spot in the forest. Lex struggled to break free within me fighting against my will but I kept him locked away as I continued with a burning heart and a shaky voice, "Aept m-my des-destined


    mate''s, Aurelia-"


    I had just a few words left to make the rejection official but a soft whimper for help hit my eardrums.


    "Help me." The whimper came again. "M-mom. Ky-kyle...."


    My eyes widened as I muttered, "Katie."


    Her soft cry hit my eardrums again. Without hesitation, I ran towards the direction I sensed her from, forgetting about my bleeding heart. "Katie, is that you?" I raised my voice, calling out to her to be sure. "Y-yes..." Came her response.


    What the hell was she doing in the middle of the forest while a feast was going on in the pack? That was the question I had before I found her on the floor, lying in a pool of what I knew was her own blood. "What the fuck happened?" I yelled, cursing out even though she was a kid.


    "I want m-my mo-mommy...." Katie cried before she passed out, leaving me in shock.


    "Please don''t be dead." I chanted, picked her up and ran towards the pack hospital.

 46. Unexpected Twist

    AURELIA


    Raiden was losing his shit.


    Somehow, I could sense every bit of his emotion before he walked out of the hall. An unmissable tight knot was in my chest as he stormed off. I hated that feeling, but it grew stronger by the second even though I was surrounded by happy people.


    In fact, I saw some of Raiden''s pack members cheering Tristan and me on as we were called to dance. Apparently, Larisa included a Couple Dance in the ns.


    "I wonder why she''s being all nice and pretentious," Inara stated into my mind while Tristan and I danced.


    I sneaked a peep at Larisa and found her grinning from ear to ear. "She''s suspicious. The entire arrangement is but we will be leaving tomorrow. I''m not worried about her-"N?velDrama.Org content.


    "But you''re worried about the asshole that broke your without thinking twice." Inara chimed, reminding me of the knot in my chest.


    "Why would I be worried about it?" I blurted, holding on to Tristan whose hands were gently guiding my movements. "What I feel is guilt, Ina. I know I deserve to be loved by someone like Tristan but I''m not certain about-" "Don''t doubt your decision, Relia." Inara interrupted. "I feel uneasy as well but it isn''t about Raiden or Tristan. I just can''t ce my hands on-"


    Before my wolf could finish, I felt a persistent tug on the white dinner dress Jessica and Hazel had picked out for me some hours ago. I looked behind me and found Kyle. "Hey, baby," I muttered, bending to pick him up.


    "I can''t find Katie, Mama," Kyle mumbled, causing my hands to freeze on his ribcages. "She went out to pee but she hasn''t returned."


    "To pee? You were supposed to stay with Hazel, baby. Where is Hazel?" I asked, my face squeezed into a frown.


    "I don''t know, Mama," Kyle answered, his eyes searching my furrowed face.


    Alpha Tristan bent over our frames as he whispered, "What''s going on? Is Kyle here to join the dance? Katie should join us as well." The loud music sting within the hall must have hindered him from hearing the exchanged words between Kyle and me.


    "Kyle doesn''t know where she is, Alpha Tristan." I voiced, unable to stop fear from slipping out of my mouth along with those words. "Just Tristan, Lia." He corrected.


    With time, I''d get used to calling him by his name. Tristan grabbed my hand, leading me off the dance floor and I pulled Kyle along with my free hand. Tristan didn''t stop until we were far from the stereo. "I can''t sense her in the hall. Where could she have gone?" Tristan asked me, looking at Kyle too.


    "She told me she was going to the restroom. I offered to go with her but she said boys aren''t allowed in thedies'' room." Kyle exined to Tristan before shifting his gaze to me. "Is she going to be okay?" My frown deepened. Yes, I was worried about Katie not being in the hall but she should be in the restroom and I don''t see her getting hurt there. "What do you mean, Kyle?" I asked my son.


    Kyle''s hold on my hand tightened and to my surprise, I noticed the glint of unshed tears in his eyes. Fearfully, he announced, "My heart hurt, Mama. I don''t think Katie is okay. We have to find her, Mama..." I gasped as it suddenly drew on me that the pain in Kyle''s heart must be caused by the Twins'' bond. The knot I had been feeling in my chest for the past hour was also because of the bond Katie and I shared. Goddess, No!


    How could I have missed the warning or even mistook it for-


    "Focus, Relia. We''ve to find her now." The urgency in Inara''s voice didn''t help loosen the knot in my chest.


    "Lia?" Tristan called out to me.


    Unlike Kyle and I, Tristan was still confused.


    Tears filled my eyes as I murmured shakily, "K-ka-katie i-is in t-trouble."


    "Hey. Look at me." Tristan cupped my face. "Tell me everything I need to know. I''ll find her."


    Despite my teary eyes, I saw


    affection and a bit of fear in Tristan''s eyes. It was relieving to know that he loved Katie but before I could utter a word, Hazel''s voice announced her presence behind me.


    "Kyle, I''ve been looking everywhere for you and your sister. Jeez1" Hazel snapped at Kyle for disappearing on her. "Where''s Katie?"


    I didn''t bother to ask Hazel how she


    lost the kids in the first ce


    because it should have been me


    looking after them if I didn''t get


    carried away by Larisa''s suspicious feast-


    I inhaled sharply suddenly.


    Larisa.


    Everything about her and the feast has been suspicious. What if she did something to my daughter... Just like Nina warned?


    No! No! No!


    "Lia?" Hazel tapped my back to break the daze I was trapped in perhaps.


    However, I dashed towards Larisa like a blinded and wounded lioness. "You bitch! What did you do to my daughter because I know damn well she isn''t in the restroom!"


    I didn''t have to check the restroom to know that Katie wasn''t there. I could feel it.


    "What? Your daughter?"Larisa asked putting on her fakeness.


    I went straight for her hair, pulling as hard as I could despite the many eyes watching us. "I won''t ask you again, Larisa. Where''s my daughter?"


    "I don''t know bitch! Get your hands off my hair!" Larisa yelled right back.


    Maybe I should have listened to her but I didn''t. I couldn''t.


    "I''ll snap your neck if you don''t fucking tell me." I gritted, anger pumping through my veins.


    I was ready to choke the life out of


    Larisa but Nina put herself between Larisa and me. She tried to free Larisa''s hair from my grip but I


    shoved her as hard, sending her


    flying@few feet. "Stay out of this, puppet! I know you both nned this and if you hurt my daughter, you''ll live the rest of your days regretting-"


    "Your child is at the Pack''s hospital," Nina eximed.


    I let Larisa go as my eyes cut to Nina who was still on the floor. "D-did yo-you say hospi-"


    Nina etched, cutting me off, "Yes, I saw Alpha Raiden carry her into the hospital and he told me to inform you-"


    I didn''t wait to hear the rest of her words. I picked Kyle up, held him to my chest, and began running. If anyone called for me, I didn''t hear and to be honest, I didn''t care.


    I just wanted to see my girl in good shape.


    However, my arrival at the hospital marked the beginning of another unexpected twist in my destiny.

 47. A Great Shift

    AURELIA


    ~<>-


    The twist began the second I stepped foot in the hospital and with Kyle''s mask falling off even before we got there but I didn''t pay attention to that. I was more worried about Katie caring about a mask or even about Raiden finding out that he was their biological father. However, it was only a matter of time before I regretted that.


    "Aurelia. You''re here." Raiden had said to me when he saw me dash into the hospital waiting room.


    At this point, Kyle''s face was still hidden in my chest and I still hadn''t noticed that his mask had fallen off.


    "Where is my daughter? What happened to her?" My voice was barely a whisper. To my dismay, I caught sight of Raiden''s bloodstained sky-blue shirt which made my legs weak. "Tell me that''s not her blood."


    I cried, shaking my head as fear gripped my heart, suffocating me.


    "I''m sorry, Aurelia." Rather than tell me it wasn''t Katie''s blood on his shirt, he apologized, pushing me beyond my limit.


    I broke into tears, holding Kyle tight but my son struggled to be freed from my hold after he heard about the blood. "I want to see her, Mama." Kyle whimpered and I put him down, still oblivious to his bare face. Gosh, I wasn''t thinking.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Not until I faced Raiden, asking him, "Can we see her? What happened to her? Will she be okay?"


    I asked him those questions because ording to Nina, he brought her into the hospital and even though I hated him, I could vouch that he wouldn''t have hurt Katie just to get back at me... not that he had any reason to get back at me.


    "I found her in the forest. She was bleeding out but the healer said she''d be-" Raiden started answering my questions but his tongue froze the second he let his eyes fall on Kyle''s face... and fuck did I hear him inhale sharply.


    Still, I didn''t realize what was happening. "What did the healer say?" I questioned impatiently, looking around the waiting room to see if there was any healer or doctor around who could answer my questions.


    But there was none which left me with Raiden.


    It was at this moment that I followed his gaze and it led me straight to Kyle''s unmasked face. My breath hitched and I quickly stood before Kyle, hiding his face from Raiden. I cussed myself when Raiden''s eyes shifted to mine, a thousand and one questions shing through his orbs at an rming speed.


    "Is h-he..." Raiden started but his voice broke as his face twisted with disbelief, denial, and a bit of rage. "Aurelia?"


    "Don''t call me that and just tell me what room my daughter is in-"


    "Don''t you dare try to change the topic!" Raiden roared surprisingly, causing me to jump out of fear.


    Undoubtedly, he looked like he could kill me right now and even though I had yet to confirm his suspicions, the truth was crystal clear. After all, Kyle was a replica of him.


    "Can you not yell in front of my terrified son? He just needs... we both need to know that Katie is okay. We need to see her." I might have pleaded with him with my voice, my eyes, and my bodynguage.


    My heart was racing as a part of my brain wondered what would happen next and then the other part worried about my daughter''s condition.


    Raiden''s eyes softened a bit and he hissed, "She sustained a deep wound to her stomach and lost consciousness because she lost a lot of blood before I found her but I was sure she would be fine as long as we get a blood donor for her which is why I sent Nina to fetch you."


    "Oh, my goodness. I''ll donate my blood. Please get someone, Raiden. Please." I pleaded, tears trickling down my face as I wondered what could have happened to my little girl.


    "Perhaps I should have donated my blood instead of waiting for you. It certainly would be a match-"


    "You don''t know what you are talking about." I cut in, pulling Kyle towards the other side of the hospital in hopes of getting a healer.


    But it seemed like most of them were at the feast.


    Raiden yanked me backward, "Are you telling me that he isn''t mine? He fucking has my face and she''s his twin sister!"


    "Just shut up for a minute and focus on saving Katie!" I cried out.


    There was no hiding the truth from him now but was he that selfish? Selfish enough to ignore my daughter... our daughter''s medical needs just to get the obvious answers? Godddess! Why did that mask have to fall off?


    I didn''t have the energy and time to deal with Raiden''s selfishness right now. Katie needed me.


    "My daughter needs me and you''ve no right to keep me away from her," I muttered.


    Raiden was about to respond but Tristan, Jessica, and Hazel entered the hospital: To my surprise and relief, Tristan was holding Kyle''s mask and he was quick to put it over Kyle''s face before Jessica and Hazel could connect the dot...


    And that action made me realize that Tristan had already connected the dot.


    He knew that Raiden was the twins'' father...


    And if he knew that, he most likely knew every other detail and truth that I had omitted and hidden while telling him about myself. Another scary truth mmed into me, taking my breath away.  en


    "Hazel, take Kyle back to the apartment and look after him." Tristan let out a stiffmand to Hazel.


    "I don''t want to leave without seeing Katie, Mama. I want my sister." Kyle cried, protesting against Tristan''s order.


    Removing Kyle from the scene after


    he witnessed the argument between Raiden and me was the best course of action but I also couldn''t deny my son the relief of seeing and confirming that his sister would be


    fine.


    "He can stay," I mumbled, pulling Kyle closer to me.


    §Ö


    Tristan didn''t argue and I didn''t stop to wonder if he was pleased about how I defied his authority....


    But Kyle was my son.


    And if he could hide the fact that he already connected the dots, what more could he be hiding- No. I shouldn''t me Tristan. He adored the kids and he asked me to be his Luna and wife- "Can someone just donate the damn blood and get Katie back to her feet!" Inara growled at me just in time for Pheobe to step out of the inner part of the hospital. "Who''s donating the blood, please?" Pheobe asked professionally.


    I was certain I could donate because I was a universal donor and Katie was too but Raiden stepped forward before I could answer, saying, "I believe I''ll be a match."


    "No, you aren''t." I didn''t hesitate to counter him and before he could argue, I followed Pheobe into the inner parts of the hospital, taking Kyle along with me.


    I didn''t need a seer to tell me that my life was about to experience a great shift.

 48. The Twins Father

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    They have got to be kidding me!


    The kids are mine?


    Fuck the question! That boy is mine which makes the girl mine as well.


    How could she keep that from me?


    "How did we not perceive them as ours?" Lex voiced out his concern, sounding just as shocked as I was. "The boy looks like you but he doesn''t smell like ours, Raiden."


    My thoughts returned to Kyle and I could vividly see his face in my mind. He was a younger version of me. I inhaled deeply, picking up the scents in the room, hoping to get a whiff of Kyle''s but I got nothing.


    "How''s that possible, Lex?" I asked my wolf, sharing my thoughts with him.


    If Aurelia would just tell me the truth.... The truth has to change our already existing dynamic. I might have thought of raising Tristan''s kids just to get a chance to be with Aurelia but there was no way in hell I would let him raise my kids.


    Lex scoffed, "He has been raising them, Raiden. You were not a part of their lives and if Aurelia wants, you''d never be "


    "If they are mine, I''ve got the right to be in their lives. She can''t deny me that any longer than she already has!" I countered, crackling my knuckles to contain my emotions.


    "Do you?" Lex asked sarcastically.


    I thought of arguing with my wolf but a twitch in the depths of my stomach made me realize that there has to be more to everything I thought I knew. God I''ve questions-


    "I know you do. I also have questions but you can''t be selfish right now. Nothing matters more than Katie''s well-being right now." Lex interjected and I tried not to think about how my daughter almost bled to death in the middle of a forest where she shouldn''t have been in the first ce.


    "Dammit!" I cursed out loud, attracting the eyes of the two women who came into the hospital with Tristan. I knew one of them was a warrior and I''ve seen the other one with the kids countless times. Perhaps she''s their nanny.


    My mind was a battlefield at the moment and I considered walking into the inner part of the hospital to get answers and of course, check on Katie. After all, no one could stop me. I remain the Alpha of this pack.


    However, Tristan uttered amand to thedies with him, "Return to the apartment and start packing for our departure. Hazel?" The nanny looked at him, her head bowed as he continued, "Don''t leave anything behind. Jessica will try her best to help you." "Yes, Alpha." The nanny answered.


    The other woman who might be Jessica nodded to acknowledge Tristan''s words. She picked up her wooden crunch and walked out with the nanny.


    "You''ve to be crazy to think I''ll let you leave my pack with them." I gritted as soon as those two were out the door.


    Tristan pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against and he chuckled, holding my gaze as he retorted, "You''ve to be delusional to think I''ll leave this pack without my family, Raiden."


    A low rumble shook my frame as I growled at him, "That''s my family!"


    "No, Raiden! They have been mine for the past six years and you''ve no im over any of them-"


    I barked, "They''re my children and I''ve every right."


    Tristan scoffed just like Lex had done earlier, "Do you?" He shook his head, staring at me with mockery in his eyes, "I don''t have to argue with you, Raiden. I''m certain Lia will put you in your ce as soon as Katie gets back on her feet."


    "You do know she is no Lia, right?" I snapped, trying to hide the fact that he was getting to me. "She''s Aurelia and she''s still my destined mate and Luna. She lied to you because she doesn''t trust you-"


    "Enough, Raiden," Tristan muttered


    calmly, fueling rage within me. "Aurelia or Lia, I don''t care and she didn''t lie to me because she didn''t trust me. She lied about her past because it didn''t matter and she didn''t want to relive it all because of you."


    Tristan didn''t stop here. He carefully picked every word just to rile me up and he seded. "You broke her trust and she buried everything about you in the past so she could have a new chance at life with me and the kids. You were not in the picture and you''d never get to be."


    I''d be lying if I said he didn''t hurt me with his words and I became speechless as I processed Tristan''s statement. I avoided his gaze due to embarrassment which was cutting through me. Fortunately, Aurelia strolled into the waiting area with Kyle in her arms.


    She walked straight to Tristan who opened his arms to receive and engulf both her and Kyle in a hug. Tristan didn''t act angry or strangely despite the lies Aurelia had told him. He handled her with affection, whisperingforting words to her.


    "Do you mind filling me in? I''m worried about her too." Tristan murmured, caressing Aurelia''s face.


    "She''s unconscious but Pheobe assured me that she will be up by morning. Her wounds would be healed." Aurelia replied, leaning into his touch.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    How could she trust him so much? Tristan was a maniptor and a pretender-


    "Sounds like you''re describing yourself." Lex chimed smugly.


    "Give me a break." I retorted to my wolf, my eyes on the trio.


    Tristan asked, "So we can still leave in the morning?"


    No


    "Yes," Aurelia answered with certainty.


    "No, you aren''t leaving." I finally voiced my disagreement.


    Aurelia turned to me. Her eyes were puffy and the broken bond within me tightened, tapping into Aurelia''s pain. "Whatever you think you know doesn''t change anything, Raiden. ''I''ll be leaving with my kids tomorrow and there''s nothing you or anyone can do about it-"


    "Don''t force my hand, Aurelia. You left the pack with my kids in your womb and you hid them from me. You should be sorry at least!" Why was she not sorry? She denied me the right to the twins'' father.


    I thought she would apologize or even exin but Aureliapletely ignored my outburst and said to Tristan, "We leave tomorrow."


    And I clearly didn''t have a say despite the power at my disposal.

 49. The Bigger Kids

    AURELIA


    Of course, I knew Raiden wouldn''t give up.


    Knowing him, he would use the kids against me... he''d want to use them to tie me down in his pack but I wouldn''t let him.


    Alpha Tristan and I definitely have to talk about my past. I''ve toe clean to him before we can proceed with our wedding and mating ritual. It would be difficult but I''d choose that a thousand times over exining myself to Raiden.


    Kyle stirred beside me, throwing his hand over my stomach. Katie was snoring softly on the other side. She hasn''t regained consciousness even though it''s only an hour before daybreak. Kyle and I spent the night in Katie''s hospital bed which happened to be bigger than usual thanks to Pheobe.


    In two hours, I''d be leaving this pack and I''d never return-


    "Mom." Her soft voice healed my soul even before I looked at her.


    I smiled, "Baby."


    Katie yawned and tried to sit up but her body was still weak. I left the bed to help Katie who looked confused as she asked, "Where are we, mom?" "We''re in the hospital, baby," I said to her.


    I fetched her a cup of water and she emptied the cup within seconds. With worry, I scanned Katie''s body for any sign of difort.


    Katie interrupted my search session when she asked, "Why are we at the hospital? Is Kyle sick again?" She curiously looked at her brother''s sleeping form. "Your brother isn''t sick, Katie," I answered, wanting nothing more than to roll my eyes. "You''re the sick one and I''d like to know what happened, youngdy."


    Katie stared back at me, confusion glinting in her eyes. I pulled her in for a hug, muttering, "Are you feeling okay, Baby? Any form of pain?"


    "There''s no pain, Mom. I feel okay but I''m sad." Katie replied with a sad pout.


    "Talk to me, Katie. What happened in the forest? Why were you there and how did you get injured?" Perhaps the questions were a lot for a little girl who just regained consciousness but I''ve been dying to get answers. Alpha Tristan and others had left the hospital to start preparing for our departure and hell was I ready to leave but I still needed answers.


    "I left the hall because I had to pee but the bigger kids that teased Kyle the other day found me and dragged me to the forest. They kept picking on me and they didn''t stop until a sharp-" Katie''s voice broke as she began to wail. Katie''s loud sobs disturbed Kyle''s sleep and the first word he uttered was her name. "Katie?"Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "K-kyle..." Katie muttered amidst tears.


    Kyle reached for her and she detached from me, holding her brother as she sobbed. I didn''t know what emotion to embrace first. Anger or sadness? Angry at the bullies that left my baby bleeding out or embrace how sad it was that my baby had to experience such brutality. She promised me she''d stay out of trouble a few days ago-


    "You can''t me Katie for what happened. We should get going! This is no ce to raise the twins. How could this happen?" Inara snapped into my mind.


    The pack has gotten worse in my absence. There were more bullies and of different ages as well. What has Raiden been doing for the past six years? How could they have remained oblivious to the cankerworm that was eating the pack from its root?


    My babies cried together and I


    battled with my feelings and


    on


    §ï§ä


    thoughts. Thankfully, Phoebe and a doctor entered the room to check Katie and decide if she could be discharged. Doctors and naturally born healers have been known to work hand in hand to sustain the health of werewolves which was why Katie was pronounced fully healed even though it hadn''t been twenty-four hours since she nearly lost every pint of blood in her system.


    "She still needs to rest to get back to full strength but she''s good to travel back home." The doctor gave me a tight smile before he walked out of the room, leaving us with Pheobe. "Thank you for healing her." I appreciated Pheobe whose eyes were on the twins, particrly Kyle.


    God, his mask has fallen off again.


    However, Pheobe didn''tment on Kyle''s face I assumed she didn''t notice the striking resemnce but even if she did, she didn''t make an issue out of it. Instead, Pheobez uttered, "It''s my duty to heal without expecting rewards, Aurelia but I do have a request."


    My brows furrowed, "What can I help you with?"


    Pheobe hesitated before voicing, "Take me with you, please. This pack doesn''t feel like home and-"


    Before she could finish, Raiden stepped into the room, appearing rough. He was still in the same shirt I saw him wearingst night... with the blood stain as well. "Good morning, guys." Raiden chimed, forcing a smile.


    Phoebe nced at me briefly as she excused herself quickly. I wondered why she would want to go to ck Fur Pack with me. Her entire life was here in Dark Moon-


    "You found and saved me!" Katie squealed as if she hadn''t been crying some minutes ago. "Thank you, Raiden."


    "You can''t go around calling everyone by their name, Katie." I corrected her not because I cared if Riaden felt disrespected by her but because I didn''t want her to build any form of rtionship with him. While Kyle put his mask back on, Katie pouted, "But he saved me, Mom and you taught me to be grateful or have I done something wrong again?"


    "No, baby." I smiled and picked her off the bed. I carried Kyle as well, bearing their weights pretty well and I stated without looking at Raiden, "It''s time to go home, guys."


    Katie was excited about the news but Kyle didn''t react like I expected and I knew he was still struggling with what he heardst night. I better have a private talk with him- "Can you please stay?" To my surprise, Raiden begged.


    The strong emotion in his voice had my legs freezing.


    "Give me the chance to be their fa-"


    I cut in before he could say


    something that would trigger Katie''s unrestrained curiosity. Kyle I could handle but Katie? Nah... she''d flip if she found out that Raiden was the dad she had always wanted to meet. "Why don''t you focus on uprooting the bullies in your pack before you ask me to stay in it with my kids? I can''t have a repeat of yesterday, Raiden so the answer is-" I looked into his eyes and concluded, "Never."


    And just in time, Tristan arrived to pick me and the kids up. We went back to the apartment to freshen up and as we did, I sighed in relief because we were finally going home.

 50. Forceful Backup Plan

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    "They are yours!" Andrew gasped, his mouth hanging wide open.


    I sighed, "I believe so. She won''t admit or exin to me but the boy is a replica of me and that exins why he had been masked since they arrived in my Pack." I facepalmed, digging deep within me to find any residual bond that could connect me to the kids, but again, there was nothing. "I''m in shock and I can''t seem to connect the dots, Drew."


    My Beta and I were in my home office. Larisa was out of the house doing goddess knows what and I called Andrew toe over to mine after I left the hospital feeling unsure and defeated.


    Andrew who had been sitting on one of the couches in the office, muttered in response to my emotional statement, "She must have been pregnant before she left if the kids are truly yours, Raiden. I don''t understand why Alpha Tristan would want to raise the twins if they were yours. He must really love Aurelia if he''s-"


    "He doesn''t love her!" I snapped, pacing around the office. "He wants to use them against me. He must be nning to bring me down with my family."


    Andrew blurted, "What if this isn''t about you at all, Alpha? I know your family has a twisted history but we have to consider other possibilities."


    Although I heard Andrew''s words clearly, my mind kept going back to the fact that Tristan had stolen my family... My family... Aurelia and the kids are mine. It was bad enough that I hadn''t heard from my parents in years and I could barely feel any connection to them. I was alone... Lonely-


    "Raiden?" Andrew called me out of my thoughts, staring at me with visible worry. "I don''t know what words to say to you and-"


    "Tristan has always wanted to be the Alpha King even though the realm has agreed that each pack should be solely ruled by its Alpha. He wants to be the leader of Alphas and we all know I''m an obstacle in his path." I blurted out my thoughts and perhaps mere assumptions. "When he found out that Aurelia was my runaway mate, he took her in, gave her and my kids a new home, and proposed to her just to send me a message. He''s ying games."


    "What would you like me to do? What have you decided?" Andrew questioned.


    He was one to support even my silliest ns. He''d do anything for me but right now, I didn''t have any n. Silly or not.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "I''m in a loop here, Drew. I shouldn''t let them leave but I also can''t keep Aurelia here against her will like I did in the past. That''s not a good way to start afresh." I voiced my confusion to Andrew.


    "They leave in thirty minutes ording to the information I got, Raiden. You''ve to make up your mind and know that your decision might lead to a massive war between our Pack and Tristan''s. You should ask yourself if what you feel for Aurelia is worth going to war for and If you want the kids-"


    "I''d go to war for them, Drew. Having them in my life is worth more than that." I didn''t hesitate to utter.


    "Then what''s stopping you? They are


    in our pack. You can give out amand to keep Aurelia and the Kids from leaving. We can


    overpower Tristan and make bi


    take an oath that would keep him from provoking a war. He didn''t travel with enough men to risk going to war with us, Raiden. Just give us the order and we''ll-"


    Andrew was spewing facts but my heart ached because I knew what would happen if I was to give that order. "Aurelia won''t forgive me if do that, Drew. They will be in my territory but she''d never be mine. don''t want that. I love her, Drew, and I want her to love me again."


    Silence settled between Andrew and me with my words hanging in the air. There was nothing logical about how I felt. I was an emotional mess and my heart was hurting with every second that ticked away.


    I was dreading the minute I''d have to watch Aurelia and my kids leave with Tristan.... Yet, what can I do to stop that from happening?


    "Does she know?" Andrew asked with a low voice that had me shifting my gaze to him.


    Confused, I asked, "Who?"


    "Larisa." Andrew chimed. "Does she know that you are the twins'' father?"


    "She doesn''t," I replied.


    I haven''t thought about how Larisa would feel about this new development. I haven''t even told her about how my feelings for her had died way before she returned to the pack and how I had fallen in love with Aurelia during our marriage but was too angry at the moon goddess to realize.


    "Talk to her as the friend you im she is, Raiden before it''s toote. We don''t want Larisa and her family as an enemy if we would be going to war with ck Fur Pack. We need them as allies." Andrew advised, leaving his seat to hold my shoulders. He gazed into my eyes and asked, "What do you want me to do for you in the meantime?"


    I sighed before responding. "Get the troops stationed at the border. I''ll go to Aurelia and try to be diplomatic onest time. If she refuses, we can use force."


    Andrew nodded and patted my shoulders again before leaving my office to carry out my order while I took a minute to consider the words I''d be saying to Aurelia when I faced her. I left my home office, stepped out of the mansion, and headed for the apartment Aurelia had been staying.


    I let my nostrils guide me to her room and I knocked, praying I wouldn''t have tounch the forceful backup n.


    Aurelia opened the door, seething, "What are you doing here?"


    "We''ve to talk. Now."


    Or we go to war...

 51. Goodbye Raiden

    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    I perceived his presence before opening the door to seethe at him.


    Did I expect him to show up? Yes.


    Was I willing to talk to him about anything? Hell no!


    "You should have gotten tired of trying to talk to me, Alpha Raiden." I snapped under my breath, considering my kids and Hazel''s presence in the room. "We''ve nothing to talk about. Please leave."


    "I won''t leave until you listen to me and give me a chance." He ran his fingers through his hair as he retorted.


    "Then you can stay here and talk to yourself-"


    Raiden countered, "If you refuse to talk to me, I won''t just stand here. Remember you''re in my pack. I can start by telling everyone that your kids are mine and tell your beloved ck Fur family that you''ve fooled them. Tristan might understand but his members will never ept you to be their Luna-"


    "Are you threatening me?" I asked, unable to believe his nerves.


    Maybe I dread what he would actually do and what would happen to my rtionship with the people of ck Fur... to Hazel and me if the truth was publicly announced. However, I couldn''t let Raiden see through me.


    "That''s not all," Raiden said stiffly, his eyes void of emotions. "I''ll also keep you and the kids here even if it''s against your will. I''ll go to war with your beloved ck Fur and-"


    "Enough, Raiden!" I gritted. "You im to have changed but look at you! I hate you!"


    "I hate you too!" He snarled at me, kicking me into shock. How could he hate me? Why would he hate me? I asked myself but Raiden soon provided answers, "You kept my kids from me for more than five years of their lives and you still want to take them away. How much more would you punish me?"


    His words tugged at my emotions but Inara was quick to remind me that I had every reason to punish him even more than I already have.


    "You haven''t even punished him," Inara muttered angrily into my head.


    I stepped closer to Raiden, closing the bedroom door behind me. "Punish you? I-"


    "I''m not here to argue with you, Aurelia. I just need to know that I can have a life with the kids and you-"


    "If you are asking me if I''d consider staying in your pack full of bullies and haters with my kids just because you threatened to expose me, the answer remains the same, Raiden." I paused and took another step closer to him as I uttered, "Never."


    Raiden''s face fell and his lips parted only to close again. He was short on words and before he could find the right words to say, Hazel opened the door with Katie in her arms and Kyle beside her. Hazel looked at us suspiciously but she didn''t ask any questions. "Alpha Tristan and everyone else are waiting outside. It''s time to leave, Lia." Hazel announced to me.


    I forced a smile, "I''m right behind you guys."


    Hazel nodded while Katie offered Raiden a bright smile before they walked down the corridor. Again, Kyle didn''t react despite knowing more than he should.


    "Don''t make me do the worse, Aurelia-" Raiden begged as soon as the kids disappeared.


    I cut in, "You did your worst six years ago, Raiden. I''m leaving and I''m not scared of you. Goodbye, Raiden."


    I didn''t wait for him to say another


    word. I went back into the room, checked if the kids had forgotten


    any of hack iOriginal from N?velDrama.Org.


    r properties, and picket


    up thest bag on the bed.


    Confidently, I walked out of the room


    again and Raiden was still there.


    I walked past him and didn''t stop walking. Not even when he said, "Whatever happens next is as a result of your stubbornness, Aurelia. Don''t me me for fighting for our family in the best way I know." Inara cursed within me, "Fuck you, asswipe."


    Alpha Tristan was waiting outside his car when I exited the apartment. He smiled at me and held the door open for me. "You''re riding with me, Lia."


    "With pleasure, Tristan." I smiled, looking forward to building a new life with him or maybe we wouldn''t be a thing by the time we arrived home because I nned to tell him about my past and secrets during this trip.


    If all Raiden cared about was iming the kids instead of finding the bullies that almost killed Katiest night, then he wasn''t fit to be known by the kids as their father.


    I entered Tristan''s car and found Katie already sitting in the back seat. My brows furrowed and I blurted, "Where is Kyle?"


    Katie shrugged, "He wanted to ride with Auntie Hazel."


    That was strange. Kyle doesn''t like being away from Katie and me for longer than five hours and the trip we were about to embark on was longer than that.


    "He probably needs some alone time." Inara etched.


    Perhaps my wolf was right.


    It pained me that my son felt he needed to be away from me and I could only hope that he wouldn''t hate me for separating him from his biological father as the car began to move down the road.


    Katie was snuggled between Tristan and me in the back seat, as peacefully as she could until we were close to the Dark Moon border.


    I was relieved to be leaving but my daughter cried out, "My chest hurt, Mom."


    I was about to ask her if she was


    tga


    feeling pain fromst night''s incident but the question died in my throat when I felt a sharp pain in my chest too. The closer we got to the border, the pain intensified and Katie began to cry.


    "What''s going on?" I asked Inara, avoiding Tristan''s questioning gaze.


    Inara took a second to examine the pain in my chest before she responded, "It''s the bond you share with Kyle." Why was my bond with my son stretching? Inara chimed, fear in her voice, "I don''t think Kyle is


    in Hazel''s car, Relia."


    "What?" I gasped out loud.


    Tristan queried, "Is something wrong?"


    Horrified, I answered, "Kyle is missing. We can''t cross the border without him or the pain will be unbearable for both Katie and I."


    "Stop the car!" Tristan ordered ferociously because he could already tell that Kyle''s disappearance was Raiden''s way of proving that he could keep me in this damn pack.


    We checked all the cars for Kyle but he wasn''t in any and Hazel confirmed that he wanted to ride with Katie and me.


    To my greatest dismay, I uttered, "We''ve to go back."


    Never had I wanted to kill someone as bad as I wanted to kill Raiden right now.

 52. Good Or Very Bad

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    I stood in front of my mansion, pacing as I deeply considered my options. I have been standing here ever since I watched Aurelia drive away with my kids... with Tristan who she should never have trusted.


    I pulled at the root of my hair when I felt Andrew''s consciousness in my head again. He has been asking me for permission to attack as we both felt Tristan and his entourage drawing closer to the border where Andrew had stationed troops. It was hard to make a decision that I knew woulde back to bite me in the ass.


    But my failure to give thest order would also tear my ass off as soon as Aurelia and my kids get past my borders. It would be hard to get them back.


    I allowed Andrew into my head and said to him through the mind link, "Keep Aurelia and the kids safe during the attack-"


    "They didn''t make it to the border, Alpha." Andrew''s voice echoed in my mind.


    My feet froze and my breath hitched as I said, "They didn''t?"


    "Yes, Alpha. I''ve been trying tomunicate that to you for the past ten minutes but you didn''t allow me ess to your mind." Andrew exined.


    I muttered, "Ten minutes? Are you sure?"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Certainly, Raiden and I''ve been informed that the cars are driving towards the apartment. I believe you''re still there. She''sing to you, Raiden." Andrew filled my mind with more information.


    But they didn''t quite quench my thirst for exnation. Why did she turn back? Could she have changed her mind about leaving? But why? These questions echoed in my head before Andrew''s voice resonated again. "Brace yourself, Raid. This might be good or very bad. I''ve asked Jake to send more men to you just in case you need protection." Andrew said.


    I was about to respond when I saw the cars fast approaching. Dust filled the air due to how fast they were moving and my heart sank because I could just tell that whatever was bringing Aurelia back to me was very bad. She proved my thoughts right when she stepped out of one of the cars with Tristan hot on her heels. Her face was red and her stormy blue eyes had changed to an almost white shade, dting as she drew closer to me. Aurelia bared her teeth at me, growling and snarling. That was a clear indication that she was about to lose her shit and give her wolf full control of her senses.


    "This isn''t good," Lex mumbled, pushing himself deeper into my consciousness. That was his way of protecting himself from what we both perceived as Aurelia''s wrath. "You son of a bitch!" Aurelia growled, stopping in front of me. I thought of reminding her that my mom was a loving woman but that thought was pped out of me. Yes, she pped me.


    Firmly and precisely, causing pain to erupt from my cheeks. I could have sworn I heard my jawbones cracking but regardless of the pain, Aurelia didn''t hesitate to strike that same cheek again, her face as red as the deepest shade of red. "How could you think of doing this to me!" Aurelia screamed in my face.


    Of course, she was angry but my nostrils picked up the awful smell of pain as it rolled off her. She grabbed me by the cor and she cried out, "You''re heartless. I know that but I never expected that you would prove your point this way."


    I presumed she and Tristan had sensed the troop of men waiting for them at the borders even though they didn''t get there before turning around. With this assumption in mind, I uttered, "I warned you, Aurelia. I told you it would be your fault. Are you ready to reconsider? Stay with me with my kids-"


    "They are mine! Not yours!" Aurelia snarled.


    We were beginning to attract a small


    crowd made up of ck Fur


    members who were once settled in the cars. Little Katie was also watching as Aurelia roughly


    expressed her displeasure. I diel


    want her to find out I was her dad the same way her brother did


    because I didn''t want to hurt her...


    I never intended to hurt Kyle as well and I craved to make it up to him.


    "We both know that''s not true," I whispered because of Katie. "They are mine as they are yours and I need to be a part of their lives. I won''t let him raise them, Aurelia."


    "You did this because you can''t stand him raising them?" Aurelia scoffed, her anger still evident in her voice. "He has been doing that for over five years of their lives-"


    "That''s more than enough, Aurelia!" I snapped, peeling her hand off my cor and holding them tightly. "I did wrong by you and I''m sorry. I admit my mistakes. What more do you want from me-"


    "I want nothing from you except my son," Aurelia interjected. "Bring Kyle to me and I''d be out of your hair."


    Kyle?


    What nonsense was she spewing now?


    "Why would you ask me to bring


    Kyle to you-started, asking her to clear my curiosity but it suddenly drew on me that If Aurelia was


    asking me for Kyle, he must be


    missing. "Kyle is missing?" I I queried out of shock, searching her eyes for answers but all I saw was pure rage.


    "Don''t y games with me and return my son to me this instant!" Aurelia eximed, mindless of the crowd watching us.


    It was clear that she couldn''t bring herself to be cautious at the moment.


    "I don''t have him, Aurelia! Dammit! You saw him leave with the nanny before your departure-"


    My words of defense were cut short as Aurelia smacked my other cheek with her balled fist. She delivered another blow to my face, making it known that she hated the sight of me. Again, she didn''t stop there. She kept kicking and punching me and I let her. I didn''t know what else to do.


    "Give me back my son!" She repeated again and again while inflicting pain on my body.


    Alpha or not, Aurelia''s hit hurt me physically. It took determination to not grunt as she attacked me yet I didn''t try to stop her.


    "I don''t have him and If he is really missing, you''re wasting precious time. We should be looking everywhere for him-"


    "You kidnapped him so give him back!" she snarled at me, cutting me off again.


    Tristan kept his distance, an amused smirk on his lips as he watched us. My brows furrowed and before I could stop myself, I blurted, "Have you considered the possibility of your beloved fiance kidnapping our son? Or you simply assumed the worst of me-"


    "Shut up and give me my son!" Aurelia barked.


    Of course, she didn''t think Tristan could be the bad guy.


    As much as I could let her hit me all day long, Kyle had to be found. I initiated a move to stop Aurelia''s punches but she chose that moment to kick me and she didn''t stop... not until Katie began to wail.


    Aurelia''s balled fist froze in the air when Katie''s cry invaded her ears. She turned to Katie who stunned us all by stuttering these words with conviction, "S-stop hu-hurting my Da-dad, Mom..."

 53. Pit Of Hell

    AURELIA


    My heart skipped and a part of me sort of died when I saw my daughter''s terrified face. Beads of tears escaped her eyes as she blinked rapidly. I could hear the murmurs from the small crowd behind Katie and Ipletely avoided Hazel''s gaze for obvious reasons. "Dad?" I asked with disbelief loud in my voice. How could she call him dad?


    Why would she call him-


    "I know he''s my dad, mom." Katie cried, sniffling as she added, "Kyle told me everything, Mom."


    Her heart plummeted to the bottom of my soul. Two of my fears were manifesting before my eyes. One is Katie''s reaction when she finds out the truth and the second is ck Fur members finding out the truth about my past.


    However, my focus remained on my wailing child. "Baby-"


    Katie muttered an objection, "Can you stop hurting him? He didn''t take Kyle."


    Although I had many other questions, I settled for one to avoid overwhelming Katie. "Where is your brother?"


    Katie wiped her wet face as she began to exin, revealing some shocking facts. "While you were in the bathroom, Kyle told me about the argument at the hospital. He has also told me that he knows you make him wear the mask because he looks like Raiden just like how I look like you. Kyle said I resemble you because you''re our mom and he resembles Raiden because he is our dad-"


    "Where is your brother, Katie!" I snapped at her as I failed to contain my emotions.


    Inara''s rage was still dominant in my mind and hearing Katie''s exnation wasn''t helping.


    "Be gentle with her, Lia. Please." Alpha Tristan interfered, pulling Katie close to him and rubbing her back as she cried.


    I inhaled deeply, grateful for Tristan''s calmness and understanding. I still owed him an exnation even though he didn''t seem like he needed one anymore. I crouched in front of Katie, holding her hands, and asked as gently as my racing heart allowed, "If Raiden didn''t keep your brother, where is he? Tell me everything Katie."


    I was tempted to make use of her middle name but doing that would only spook her.


    Katie sniffed back tears, her lips parting as she started exining, "Please don''t be mad at Kyle, Mom. I made him do it." My daughter''s shaky voice loosened the messy weave of fury within me and as she continued speaking, I only listened. "He was about to get into the car after he told Aunt Hazel that he would be riding with us but I brought up an idea because we didn''t want to leave, Mom."


    "You don''t want to go back home to your friends? No one has ever bullied you at home, Katie but you''d rather stay here?" I queried a bit harshly.


    Katie sucked in a breath. Perhaps I shouldn''t have used the word bullied because Katie broke into tears again and I could sense thatst night''s incident still horrified her.


    "We just wanted to stay with our mom and dad. We don''t want to be separated." Katie sobbed.


    My soul cried with her. I pitied my kids not just because I knew what it''s like to grow up without aplete family but also because they assumed Raiden was a good person just because he was their biological father but that was far from right and I detested seeing Katie in pain because of the messy rtionship between Raiden and me.


    I should never have returned to this pack... I should have stayed tucked away in Tristan''s pack, keeping my kids from Raiden and his hellhole of a pack.


    I sighed, "You still haven''t told me where and how to find your brother."Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Can we please stay and get to know Dad if I tell you-"


    "You''re in no position to bargain with me, Katie." I cut her off. "Where is Kyle?"


    With obvious displeasure, Katie announced, "We agreed that he would hide in Dad''s office. I didn''t know there would be pain¡ª"


    Will she stop calling him dad like he


    has been a part of her life? Heck, Raiden doesn''t deserve that title! didn''t even bother to ask how the two little brats of mine knew where Raiden''s office was and how to ess it.


    I faced Raiden whose face was bruised from my attacks but I didn''t feel sorry for him nor was I nning to apologize to him. This was what he deserved.


    "Your office, Raiden," I uttered.


    Raiden looked past me, staring at Katie when he asked, "Home office or the one in the middle of the pack? I''ve been standing here since you left but I didn''t get a whiff of his scent."


    I also couldn''t perceive Kyle''s presence in the vicinity-


    Inara interrupted my thoughts, saying, "He can''t perceive the twins'' natural scent because I masked them from his sense of smell the day we arrived in his pack."


    "And you didn''t tell me?" I scoffed at my wolf.


    "You didn''t ask why Raiden had not perceived them as his, Relia." My wolf defended herself.


    I chimed to her, "Thank you."


    Inara did her best to protect the kids'' identity but I messed it up. I


    abandoned that line of thought as it drew on me that if I couldn''t


    perceive Kyle here, he must be


    hiding in Raiden''s pack officeel


    I


    was about to ask Tristan to take us there when Katie dropped another bomb.


    "He was supposed to be hiding in Dad''s home office. In this mansion." Katie said.


    That''s strange but I didn''t question her. Raiden dashed into his home, leaving the door open but I couldn''t bring myself to step into the same building where my life crashed Six years ago. Memories of how was treated like a prisoner shed


    through my mind, momentarily


    affecting my senses.


    I shook that feeling off, saying to myself, "This is for Kyle. You never have to do this again as soon as you get Kyle="


    "Are you alright, Lia?" Tristan asked, his hand settling on my shoulder when he arrived at the entrance of the mansion, standing beside me.


    "I just hate it here," I answered before I could filter my words.


    Tristan murmured, "I''m here with you. Whereas, we just need to get Kyle and we would be home in no time."


    How did I get so lucky with this one? I asked myself as Tristan guided my steps, helping me break free from my dark memories. Together we ran after Raiden and we arrived in his office in no time. However, Kyle wasn''t there even though his scent was still fresh in the space. All we found was Kyle''s mask and a letter.


    Sadly, the letter wasn''t written by Kyle and its content made it known that my son had been kidnapped... for real this time.


    My legs gave out under my weight as my eyes scanned the note. Tristan tried to help me up but no one... absolutely no one could rescue me from this pit of hell.

 54. Kidnap Stunt

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    My son was kidnapped within the walls of my home...


    I was still getting used to having a son but there was no getting used to the fact that my home was not safe for my son and neither was my pack safe for my daughter.


    How did anyone get into the mansion without alerting my senses? For fuck''s sake, I''ve been standing in front of the mansion for what seemed like forever. Even though I couldn''t perceive Kyle for some unknown reason, I should have perceived the person who kidnapped him.


    But strangely, there was no scent to lead me to the kidnapper...


    Just a flimsy note with words that were obviously scribbled hastily.


    "You want to see your son again? Await further instructions. Your ability to obey the instructions given would determine if you''d see him alive or dead, Alpha Raiden.... And oh! Congrattions on finding your long-lost destined mate."


    Those were the words in the note left in my office by whoever took Kyle. I held on to Kyle''s mask as I fumed. How did I go wrong with this pack? Bullies were terrorizing under my nose and now kidnappers?


    "Someone on the inside must have done this. We can still find them if we hurry, Raiden." Lex barked into my mind, his anger steaming as it collided with mine.


    I strolled past Aurelia who was on the floor, crying while Tristanforted her. I thought about leaving Tristan in my office. That could be dangerous if he goes sniffing around but since Aurelia was there with him, he wouldn''t risk blowing his nice guy cover.


    When I entered the living room, I opened the mind connection between me and my warriors... every one of them. My words poured into their minds as I ordered fiercely, "A little boy was kidnapped in my mansion some minutes ago. I do not want to hear any excuses. Just find him and bring the kidnapper to me!"


    They didn''t have to respond. I trusted they would carry out my order-


    "We can''t just stay here and await further instructions. We''ve to find Kyle fast, Tristan. We have to find him and get out of this pack before I lose both of my kids." Aurelia cried to Tristan who had seeded in getting her off the floor of my office.


    Tears were rolling down her face as she spoke and the sight of her made my heart tighten. I loved that I was still connected to her even though our bond was barely alive.


    "I''ve sent out a search party for him, Aurelia. He''ll be found. I promise you." I informed her, hoping my words would ease her worry.


    But she cried even harder,shing out at me, "This is all your fault. Someone is out to get you and they are using my son as bait. You bring nothing but misery into our lives, Raiden but yet you''re selfish enough to ask me to stay in your pack with my innocent kids. They don''t deserve to be treated like this-"


    Tristan cut in like a hero, "I''ll find him, Lia. Trust me."


    She gazed at him with fondness despite how sad she was. I''d be lying if I said it didn''t break my heart but I gave them space. Even if I lose Aur to Tristan, I shouldn''t lose my son to a faceless and spineless kidnapper.


    "Katie needs you to be strong andposed when you step out. Don''t let her sense that Kyle has been taken. Can you do that?" Tristan asked Aurelia, cleaning her wet face with his personal napkin.


    Although I hated him, I couldn''t disagree with him. Katie shouldn''t see Aurelia in this state.


    "But I''ve to tell her. We''ll both feel excruciating pain as soon as Kyle is taken beyond the borders of Dark Moon Pack. She''ll find out sooner orter-" Aurelia muttered.


    I cut in, "If you aren''t feeling the bond stretching, that means Kyle is still within my pack territory."Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "And that makes it easier to find him." To my displeasure, Tristanpleted my statement, causing me to re at him.


    "We can use this knowledge to our advantage." I etched before turning my back on the lovers.


    I opened a mental connection with Andrew and linked it to Jake''s mind as well. "The Kidnapper is still within the pack Aurelia and Katie can sense otherwise so search every nook and crannies of the pack and


    ???:


    get back to me with nothing but


    good news. Do I make myself clear?"


    "Yes, Alpha!" They both answered.


    I assured Aurelia by saying, "We''ll find him before nightfall. Stop worrying and look after Katie."


    To my surprise, she acknowledged my statement by nodding before she inhaled deeply. Aurelia wiped her face again and walked out of my


    home afterward, clearly going t


    Katie. Tristan waited behind,


    watching her until she closed the entrance door and he snarled at me, "I swear to the goddess that I''d kill you myself if you''ve anything to do with this kidnap-"


    Disrespect from Aurelia, I can take that.


    But from Tristan?


    Hell No!


    "Remember who you are talking to and in whose house you are, Alpha Tristan of ck Fur Pack. I might be weak to her but you do not get to assume that I''m weak." I interjected, snarling right back at him. I didn''t miss the way his eyes flickered as I let my energy loose, dominating the air around us.


    "Show him who is boss around here," Lex growled in my head, ready to sink his canines into Trsistan''s neck and watch him bleed to death.


    "Aurelia might not see through you but I do-"


    Tristan scoffed, "No one cares about what you think of me. Despite this kidnap stunt, they will be leaving with me. Like it or not."


    "If that''s what will keep them safe, it''s okay. I obviously have to take care of some issues before-" I started but Tristan walked out on me, mming my door as hard as possible.


    "That son of a bitch. It''s no wonder his parents were publicly executed." Lex gritted.


    "He isn''t worth the energy. Focus on helping me find Kyle so I can make her less sad." I was referring to Aurelia and Lex knew it.


    However, there wasn''t much Lex


    could do, not when he couldn''t perceive Kyle or feel any connection to him. put my faith in my men but after many hours of search, Kyle wasn''t found and he was stilbwithin my pack.


    Rather than get news about Kyle, I got a pissed Larisa as she stormed into my office, screaming, "What did I hear about you having a son with that bitch!"

 55. Larisas POV (3)

    LARISA''S POV


    I was aware that Aurelia returned to the pack with a powerful Alpha and a strong pack behind her. I was also aware that she had kids with this powerful Alpha which was Tristan... not My Raiden.


    Finding out that Raiden was the father of Aurelia''s twins put a glitch in my ns. I mean, after Tristan proposed to Aurelia publicly, I assumed I wouldn''t have to kill anyone to keep Raiden... at least not anymore which was why I threw Aurelia a party to send her off my territory and life.


    But this new development meant that I had three new obstacles to knock down-Aurelia and her two bastard kids.


    I have to kill them. No other option.


    It killed me to find Aurelia''s son in Raiden''s office when I returned home, hoping that Rauden had not noticed that I had been gone all night. I hid my scent and went to his office intending to surprise him and hopefully, get him to mark me since Aurelia was on her way out of the pack. Heck, that was the n!


    But instead of Raiden, I found a little boy, sitting in one corner of his home office. I didn''t see his face at first but when I did, the realization hit me like an angry wave. He was a copy of my Raiden. At that moment, I didn''t realize that he was Aurelia''s masked boy until I saw the family mask in his hand.


    I stuttered, "Wh-what ar-are you do-doing here? W-who are y-you?"


    The little boy answered nervously and innocently, "I''m Kyle. I''m hiding here so my mama won''t separate my sister and me from my Papa. Katie and I want aplete family."


    Fuck that!


    Complete family my fucking ass!


    "Aurelia is your mother?" I asked, close to losing my mind as my eyes shifted from one part of his face to another.


    The boy answered with a sad pout, "Yes, she''s my mama but Mama has been lying to me. She didn''t want me to know we were in Papa''s pack. She made me wear the mask to hide my resemnce to Papa but even though Papa couldn''t see my face, I could see his and I knew he was-" "Shut up!" I snapped, hating Aurelia even more than I did before.


    The little boy sucked in a sharp breath, recoiling into the corner like that would save him from me.


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to offend you. I''ve read about stepmothers and I know some can be nice. Please be nice." He muttered, his lips quivering.


    "Stepmother?" My words wereced with disbelief.


    Did he just call me his stepmother?


    "You''re my stepmom. I know who you are." The boy replied, his eyes wide like Aurelia''s.


    I shook my head, searching my mind for the best way to handle this situation. I''d never be anyone''s stepmother and even if I''m forced to be, I''ll be the most evil stepmother ever recorded in history.


    I should have known that it wouldn''t be easy to get rid of Aurelia. I didn''t waste any time thinking about how she managed to hide her pregnancy and delivered the two devils without Raiden feeling connected to them-


    No. Raiden couldn''t have known and hid it from me.


    I sensed Raiden''s presence outside the mansion and I knew I needed to act fast. Still maintaining the strong mask over my scent, I grabbed a paper and pen from Raiden''s table and wrote the words I coulde up with, trying not to slip any clues that would link the letter to me. When I finished, I faced the little boy and forced a smile. I finally responded to hisst statement, "I''ll be nice, boy but you have to give up your mask."


    He appeared confused but he didn''t try to hold on to the mask. He must hate the mask. Silly Aurelia. Making her son wear a mask just to trick everyone. I''ll make sure she regrets having Raiden''s babies.


    I ced the note underneath the mask before offering the little boy my hand with another fake smile. "Come with me."


    "Katie told me to stay here so she can find me when Mama turns the car around." He replied sharply.


    I could tell Katie would be a big problem. Not only was she a living copy of Aurelia but she has a strong spirit... How I''d enjoy breaking her spirit.


    "Do you always listen to Katie? Is she your boss?" I asked him.


    He frowned, "She''s my twin, not my boss and I listen to Katie whenever I know she is right. In this case, she''s right-"


    "Do you want me to be nice or not?" I interjected. "Come with me if you want to spend time with your nice stepmother."


    Saying that word made me sick but I


    had to tricked him out without


    alerting Raiden who was still standing outside the mansion for some reason. Fortunately, the little boy desired to have a nice stepmother. He followed me through the backdoor without making a sound and I took him straight to my hideout.


    Of course, I kidnapped him.


    Who else would have done that?


    All of these happened about seven hours ago and I didn''t leave my hideout until I drugged the little boy. He fell asleep and I locked it away in the basement of my hideout, where I have always hidden people I couldn''t kill immediately. Satisfied with myself, I left my hideout and returned to Raiden''s mansion to finally react to the news of him having children with Aurelia and the fact that he had men searching everywhere for his son and the kidnapper- little old me. "What did I hear about you having a son with that bitch!"


    That was how I began, disying anger with restraints.


    Raiden sighed, fear and frustration rolling off him as he uttered, "It''s true, Larisa. I''ve kids... Aurelia had them after-"


    "Do I look like I care? What are you going to do about this mess, Raiden?" I barked.


    "They are no mess, Larisa!" He snapped in response. "They are my kids and it''s not like I can get rid of them to make you happy just like I did with Aurelia!"


    I stumbled, imagining the various ways I would make him regret yelling at me because of Aurelia and the devils he called his kids.


    "You regret choosing me over her,


    right?" I whispered, taking the emotional route. "Is that why you have refused to mark me? You''ve been using me to pass the time all these years, right? How could you do this to me after I went through hell to be with you."


    Manipting Raiden has always been easy. I made sure of that but he was bing difficult. It started when he traveled down to ck Fur Pack for the first rounds of the games... It was all because of Aurelia.


    "I know, Isa and you''ve every right to yell at me but can you please not do this now? My son is missing and need to find him. Use the resources you have to find him and we can talk about ourselves afterwards. Please." Raiden pleaded.


    But he only seded in pissing me off even more. How dare he ask me to use my family resources and influence to find his bastard son? He must take me for a fool... I was no Aurelia.


    Yet I muttered in tears, "The boy is innocent. I''ll do all I can."


    "Thank you-"


    "I''ll be doing that from my parent''s house. I can''t stand the sight of you!" I seethed, creating a reason for me to spend more time at my hideout that Raiden''s men would never find even though it was situated within his pack. Just like I came in, I stormed out of his home with a contented smirk.


    Pack games were over but the real game was just beginning and I was excited for this one.Original from N?velDrama.Org.

 56. A White Wolf

    AURELIA


    ~>~


    It''s been over twenty-four hours since Kyle went missing and even though neither Katie nor I could feel the bond we shared with him stretching, Katie was bing restless and worry was eating me away as seconds ticked into hours.


    Although Alpha Tristan has been receiving calls from ck Fur Pack because he was needed back at the Pack, he has refused to leave me and the kids behind. He and the little group of warriors that traveled down with us were out all night searching for Kyle together with Raiden''s men yet my son hasn''t been found.


    Where could he be? I cried to myself.


    "Katie is watching, Relia. Please don''t break down now. Kyle is missing but he is alright. I can sense that." Inara consoled me.


    "I just want to see him and hold him. He must be scared, Ina." I whimpered to my wolf.


    I thought since Inara could sense Kyle, she''d be able to trace him and lead us to him but after so many failed attempts, we''ve given up on that method.


    "I still don''t understand why I can''t trace him, Relia. It''s like he disappeared from the surface and there is something potent keeping me from perceiving him. I know he is fine but-"


    You''ve exined this to me countless times, Inara. I get it. Kyle is fine but you can''t find him... no one can." I mumbled to my wolf, smiling at Katie.


    We have both been in the same room I had said goodbye to yesterday. Being here made me sad but not having Kyle here with us was devastating.


    "When will Kyle be back, Mom? I miss him. Can Dad bring him back now?" Katie stated, ending her statement with a question.


    After I realized that Kyle was missing, I told Katie that Raiden wanted to spend some time with him and added that Raiden would bring Kyle back before nightfall... and that wasst night.


    "You said I''d have my turn to have fun with Dad before we leave his pack but I want to be with him and Kyle. Why can''t the three of us have fun together, Mom?" Katie expressed herself, crawling into myp.


    I pulled her closer, massaging her scalp as I rested my back against the headboard of the bed. "You don''t want to spend time with mommy, huh? Is that what you''re saying?"


    Katie stared into my eyes, shaking her head. "I want that, Mom but I know you aren''t happy. Do you want to tell me why? Did Dad hurt you badly? Is he a bad person?"


    I had gotten over Katie referring to Raiden as her dad. He was her dad and there was no point lying to her anymore. Everyone in Raiden''s pack and ck Fur already knows about my past.


    But telling Katie about how Raiden hurt me was something I didn''t want to do. I''d rather die with that story.


    "Yes, I''m sad, Katie but this has nothing to do with Raiden and no, he isn''t a bad person, Baby." I lied without batting myshes.


    "Then why won''t you stay with him? Families stay together, Mom and Kyle and I hate the idea of stepparents even though I love Tristan." My daughter announced, causing me to frown.


    Stepparents? Since when exactly have these two been discussing Raiden being their father? When did they find out? I asked Katie that question.


    My daughter answered, "Hmm, Kyle kinda figured it out the first few days we spent here and I kinda followed Raiden around secretly to have a good look at him.


    I tried to hide the shock zapping


    through me but Katie sensed it and she etched, "Don''t be surprised we figured it out, Mom. You know


    are smart and we gave you the


    confirmed it to Kyle at the hospital. He was disappointed in you, Mom. I was too but I trust you had your reasons."


    chance to tell us about it befomet


    My eyes watered. They were not only smart. They were considerate as well and I failed to be a good mother to them.


    "I''m sorry, baby." I apologized, hugging my daughter.


    Katie hugged me back and we remained like that until the bedroom door opened to reveal Alpha Tristan, Hazel, and Jessica. Katie broke free to run into Tristan''s arms and he caught her swiftly.


    "That''s my favorite girl." Tristan cooed, earning a loud giggle from Katie. Despite how he rted to Katie, I could tell that his presence meant he had something to say to me. Soon, Tristan muttered to Katie, "Can you meet the warriors outside and monitor them until I join you guys?"


    "dly! Mom had been a boringpany." Katie squealed and ran out of the room excitedly.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    With Katie gone, the smile on Tristan''s face fell and he gazed at me sadly.


    I uttered shakily, "Y-you don''t know where he i-is, d-do you?"


    Tristan shook his head, "No, we don''t, Lia. But that''s not why I''m."


    I avoided looking at Hazel and Jessica because I was scared they wouldn''t be as understanding as Tristan. They should be mad at me but I wasn''t in the right state to deal with their disappointments.


    "I promised not to leave you behind


    but I''ve to return home to deal with some urgent matter. Louis and I have to be on our way now but Jessica and Hazel have agreed to stay back with you. If I have toe back, I''ll but I hope you will make the trip home with the twins, soon."


    Tristan exined.


    Who was I to keep him back? In fact, who was I to keep Hazel and Jessica away from their home after I lied to their faces for six years?


    "I understand, Tristan." My heart


    clenched hard but I maintained a


    steady voice, "It pains me that we all can''t leave together but Hazel and Jessica don''t have to stay. The twins and I will find our way back as soon as Kyle is found. I can''t wait to get back home too so it won''t be fair to keep Hazel and Jess away from-"


    "I''m staying, Lia... or Aurelia." Hazel blurted, stunning me.


    With my shocked expression, I looked towards Jessica who snorted, "I''m not as nice as Hazel, Lia. I''m mad at you and I''m only staying because Alpha Trustan believes you need protection... not that you can''t defend yourself but I''ll stay just because of that." I burst into tears, mumbling how sorry I was to both women. While Hazel moved to hug me, Jessica remained beside Tristan, folding her arms. Tristan said his goodbye stiffly before leaving me in the care of my best friend and an angry Jessica.


    Tristan''s parting words to me were whispered into my ear and it was a warning that would keep ringing in my head for the next few days.


    "No one can find out you''re a white wolf, Lia. Keep your wolf and abilities a secret, especially from Raiden. You can''t trust him."

 57. Alpha Tristans POV (3)

    ALPHA TRISTAN''S POV


    I fucking hate the thought of leaving Lia here in Raiden''s pack but that thought just became my fucking reality because I had to return to my pack.


    "I can''t believe you''re choosing the smooth running of your n over staying to find Kyle. You im to love Aurelia and the kids but you''re-" Dolf began to lecture me like always.


    "Do you ever get tired of advising me knowing that I won''t listen?" I interrupted my wolf as I stepped towards my men.


    Louis grabbed the door for me and I entered the car before Dolf retorted, "Do you ever get tired ofing up with stupid ns that would simply ruin your life?"


    I blocked Dolf out of my head as Louis made himselffortable behind the wheel. He and I would be driving home in the same car and even though Louis and I were pretty close, I''d have preferred traveling with my shy Lia, loud Katie, and reserved Kyle.


    It would have been a memorable trip because I nned to enlighten Lia about her powers as soon as she opened up to me about her past which I knew she would do during the trip. Opening up to each other was supposed to happen naturally so we could move on to the next phase which would be our mating ritual but now, she has to remain in Raiden''s pack.


    Creating a mind link, I sent myst order to the one person I''ve entrusted Aurelia to. "Keep me updated and don''t forget to keep her from forgiving that bastard."Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You can trust me, Alpha. I''ll make you proud." She assured me and I cut the link, believing that she''d be both my eyes and ears in Raiden''s pack during my absence.


    "Are you certain you want to leave her behind?" Louis questioned as he started to drive. Other cars followed suit. "I can take care of whatever it is you want to do at home and give you feedback, Alpha."


    "Thank you, Louis but I''ve to do this myself. I''ve to be home for this." I replied with conviction despite the ache in my heart.


    Louis chuckled to my surprise. "It''s good to know that you are focused on the pack''s ambition regardless of how you feel about that woman, Alpha. We have been worried, to be honest."


    I frowned at the manner Louis spoke about Aurelia but he didn''t seem to notice that his disrespectful tone annoyed me. My Beta continued speaking, "Rumours have been spreading that you''ll forget what the pack stands for because you have fallen in love with that woman but I finally understood why you chose to mate with her and raise her kids when I discovered they were connected to Alpha Raiden. It drew on some of us that you were simply using her and the kids to take out Alpha Raiden-"


    "You will not talk about Aurelia like that!" I found myself seething at my Beta, catching both him and me off guard. "She is to be your Luna and those kids are precious to me. Respect them or shut up about them. Understood!"


    Louis stuttered, "Y-yes. Yes, Alpha. Please Forgive me."


    Dolf had once told me that I was using Aurelia and the twins to perfect my n and a part of me knew that was true but hearing Louis talk about it made me feel disgusted. I detested it.


    "Does that mean you would put an end to your craziness and stop using them? We both know the only reason you allowed Aurelia to stay in our Pack was because you saw her hair change to white when she was about to pass out." Dolf''s voice broke through the mental shield I had put between our minds.


    Yes. He was right.


    I''d have killed Aurelia that night despite the fact that she was in activebor if she wasn''t a white


    wolf and mating with her would


    make me the strongest Alpha in the


    realm, making Raiden less of


    obstacle in my path....


    Mating with Aurelia would give me the best I needed to avenge my parents.


    That was the n...


    Until my heart started beating for her and the twins.


    "You are in love with her... with them," Dolf said to me just as we drove past Dark Moon territory, entering the dangerousnds beyond.


    "Yes, I am." I epted even though it killed me.


    "So what about the n?" Dolf queried. I could hear his hope vibrating through my body.


    But I disappointed him by saying, "I''ll still be the Alpha King. I''ll conquer packs right after I mate with Aurelia and I''ll wipe Raiden off the surface of the earth." "Trist-"


    "I''m sure Aurelia will agree with me. Raiden deserves to die and the twins are better off without him. I''ll make Aurelia understand me and she''ll pursue my dreams with me. I know she will." I believed in those words.


    I have seen how much Aurelia hated Raiden and even though Katie and Kyle felt some sort of connection to that bastard, they loved me more than they would ever love him. They might have his blood but they have been mine since they were born.


    "What if she doesn''t want to be a part of your revenge scheme?" Trust Dolf to always nip my buds.


    I couldn''t bring myself to think of what I would do If Aurelia refused to take my path. I''ve fallen in love with her and never wanted to be her enemy. So I said, "She will want it, Dolf. I''ll make sure of that." My wolf scoffed before leaving me to my thoughts. Louis also drove in silence, giving me the chance to go over every discovery I have made about the various packs that attended this year''s pack games.


    I was returning home to put the piece together. I was pleased with myself because I discovered so many ways to conquer some packs and also realized how to weaken the richest pack in the realm- the Moon Stone Pack.


    With Moon Stone''s riches, I''d be able to fund my mission but to take over Moon Stone, I''d have to go through Raiden because he shared a close bond with the pack... and to defeat Raiden, I''ve to get stronger. And to get stronger, I''ve to extend my authority and territory...


    "Call for a council meeting as soon as we arrive home. We have packs to take over." I informed Louis.


    "Noted, Alpha."


    The real game really just began... regardless of my heart.

 58. Puffy-Eyed Raiden

    AURELIA


    "How much longer do I have to lie to her? She has lost trust in me, Hazel." Ipalined to my bestfriend.


    It''s been three days of unending search yet Kyle hasn''t been found. From what I heard, Tristan and the others had arrived in ck Fur territory earlier today, and hearing that filled me up with a bittersweet emotion.


    I was happy and relieved to know Tristan was home safe but it broke me each time I think about how my kids and I should have been with him.


    Although I hadn''t seen much of Raiden in the past three days, I still hated being here. Katie was beginning to hate me for keeping her from Kyle just like I kept her from Raiden all her life. Although she hasn''t voiced her hatred, I could see it in her eyes, and goddess did it make me feel awful.


    "Have you considered telling her the truth? Katie is a bright child." Hazel took her time before she let out those words.


    We were both in the living room. The apartment has be too big for just us but even the space wasn''t enough to make mefortable.


    "Bright or not, Katie is still just a child and Kyle is her brother. She''d find it hard to cope on her own if I tell her that her brother has been missing for three days." I whimpered, trying not to burst into tears again. It''s been three days of crying while Katie wasn''t watching and to be honest, I was beginning to feel useless.


    "I know, Lia. Let''s hope to get some good news before the day ends." Hazel smiled even though her eyes reflected the sadness in her soul. "While we wait for that, please eat, Lia. You can''t keep starving yourself."


    "I can''t eat, Hazel. I don''t even know if my son is eating wherever he is being held. Kyle must be so scared." I whimpered, wiping tears right underneath my eyes before they could trickle down my cheeks and leave marks.


    "Katie can''t notice that you haven''t eaten in three days, Lia. You''ve to be strong for her, remember?" Hazel encouraged me.


    I stared at the already cold breakfast that Hazel took her time to prepare earlier today. I knew eating would be the only way to appreciate Hazel''s effort but I just couldn''t bring myself to do that. Katie was currently with Jessica in the backyard. They mentioned something about raining before they left the living room where I had been spending most of the day.


    I stayed in the living room because it was closer to the entrance door and it would be faster to get news from Raiden''s men if I stayed in the living room


    "Eat, Relia. I need you to stay strong physically because I have been storing a lot of our spiritual energy for a task I believe would help us find Kyle." Inara''s words motivated me.


    However, I sighed because I promised Tristan I wouldn''t use my abilities. "We can''t do anything that would reveal my powers, Ina-"


    "He asked us not to reveal that I''m a


    white wolf and we can keep our promise to him but it doesn''t have hinder my ns. We can''t go


    another day without getting Kya


    back Think about it, Relia. I''ve spent three days preparing for the task." Inara exined without pushing.


    One of the abilities I have unlocked ever since I knew that my wolf was special was foresight. I wasn''t a seer but I often have a glimpse into the future or get a vision about what has already happened. I haven''t


    ove


    developed the ability much because Tristan told me that I needed to improve my physical strength to gain control over the gift.


    In fact, I discovered that Inara didn''t surface during my sixteenth birthday like most wolves because I wasn''t physically strong enough to have her strong presence in my mind but the birth of the twins strengthened me physically and triggered Inara''s eventual appearance... All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    At least that was how Tristan exined it to me years ago.


    "You''re stronger than you know, Lia. Trust me to help you be the best version of yourself." Tristan had once said to me.


    "I''ll guide you as best as I can, Relia. Tristan didn''t get to help us sharpen this ability but I can help. Trust me." Inara stated while Hazel stared at me with expecting eyes.


    To Inara, I voiced, "I trust you." and to Hazel, I muttered, "I''ll eat, Hazel. You don''t have to babysit."


    Hazel smiled, "If that is what it takes to make you eat, I''ll dly babysit you."


    Iughed for the first time in three days as I started eating my cold breakfast. Hazel offered to heat the food but I refused her offer, eating as much as I could to boost my physical strength.


    "If we don''t get Kyle back tonight, find a spot that we can use for the spiritual process in the forest. Let''s bring Kyle home." Inara announced. My wolf was confident in the ability that we had never utilized and she sounded hopeful.


    Soon, the sun set and we didn''t get any news about Kyle. Katie asked about her brother again before she went to sleep and yet again, I lied to her. However, I snuck out to find Kyle that night after Katie, Hazel, and Jessica fell asleep. I trusted Inara to guide me like she said but after many attempts, I still failed to unlock the spiritual strength needed to perform the process.


    I failed to find Kyle and I could only cry as I wondered how many more days of separation I and my kids would have to endure.


    "You have a thing for crying in the middle of the forest at an ungodly hour, Aurelia."


    Those words hit my eardrums. I swiveled around,ing face to face with puffy-eyed Raiden...


    He looked like shit... just like me.

 59. Into My Arms

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    I saw Aurelia walking out of the apartment for the first time in days that night and I followed her, careful not to spook her as she mindlessly navigated the forest. I''ve made it my duty to stand guard of the building for the past few days even though I had men stationed around the building.


    If Kyle was kidnapped under my nose and Katie bullied to near death, it was only right to strengthen the security around the building. I have also begun to look into the kids that almost killed my daughter. I''d use them as examples to others when I get to punish them. The search for Kyle had taken over my time but finding the bullies was also important. I need to make my pack a better and safer ce for anyone to reside.


    After watching Aurelia sit by the still water, moving her hands around and eventually burst into tears, I apparached her. "You have a thing for crying in the middle of the forest at an ungodly hour, Aurelia," I announced my presence.


    Aurelia''s eyes were swollen and she had huge dark bags under them.


    The truth was she looked like shit-


    "Have you taken a minute to look at yourself in the mirror?" Lex countered not to insult me but to make fun of me.


    My wolf and I had been on edge these past few days. I was sleep-deprived and starving as well. I tried eating a couple of times but I couldn''t bring myself to stomach anything. How could I?


    "Do you have any news for me?" Aurelia asked expectantly.


    Her swollen eyes looked like they were about to pop out which made me curse myself. How I wished I had Kyle with me right now. How I wished the boy had been found so she could be happy. Fuck, it''s been three days and my pack has been turned upside down... yet, Kyle has not been sighted.


    I shook my head, avoiding Aurelia''s gaze, "I''m sorry, Aurelia. I have failed you once again and-"


    Her muffled sobs disrupt my words. Aurelia''s body shook visibly despite the darkness around us as she cried harder. I stood there for minutes as I didn''t know what to do. I contemted pulling her into my arms to console her but I knew she wouldn''t want that- "Are you sure about that?" Lex asked me, pointing out, "She needs to be held right now, Raiden. No selfish intention just hold her. Be here for her. It''s the least we can do."


    With Lex''s words ringing in my head, I close the distance between Aurelia and I. Carefully and slowly, I wrap my arms around her, giving her enough time to push me away if she wanted to but she didn''t. Aurelia didn''t resist not even when I pulled her flush against my chest.


    No selfish intention... just be here for her.


    Lex''s words resonated in my head while Aurelia sobbed into my chest. She cried her eyes out without minding my presence. She also didn''t react to my arm around her for the first three minutes.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Afterward, her arms slowly crept over my back, her sobs bing louder.


    "What do we do, Raiden? Kyle... My ba-baby-" She cried loudly.


    As I didn''t know what to say, I just nodded, patting her back gently.


    After a while, Aurelia pulled back, breaking the hug. I immediately missed the feeling of having her in my arms because as much as the hug was to offer Aureliafort, it also helped me rx for the first day in many days.


    "I''m not trying to talk down on your efforts but it''s so strange that we haven''t found him. He''s in the pack. Why can''t we get to him?" Aurelia sniffled, shaking her head as she spoke.


    I nodded, "I agree with you. This is a strange case and it makes me wish my mom was around. She would be of great help."


    "How?" Aurelia asked, letting her guard down around me for the first time.


    "Oddly, my mom used to have these unexined powers. She once told me it has something to do with her mom''s lineage." I exined to Aurelia despite not knowing the full story myself. "Perhaps we can call her back to the pack. I''m sure she will be willing to help if we tell her Kyle is her grandchild." Aurelia voiced hastily.


    "I wish we could, Aurelia but my


    parents cut ties with me after they found out that you left the pack and I held a mating ceremony for Larisa Although the ceremony didn''t go through because you rejected me


    just in time to put an end to it,


    my parents have refused to speak to me ever since. I don''t know where they are."


    "Oh..." That was all Aurelia said.


    However, I perceived her shock briefly and it made me wonder if she was stunned that I haven''t officially mated with Larisa or if her surprise was as a result of my parent''s reaction to our separation.


    I thought the conversation would end there but Aurelia chimed, "Is there anyone you suspect? Having a list of suspects will help us track Kyle-"


    "If you are asking me to make a list of those that hate me, you''d be on that long list, Aurelia." I interrupted her question with the best response I could give.


    "But I won''t kidnap my own son-" Aurelia rolled her eyes before she suddenly paused. Her face twisted into a deep form as she asked, "How about Larisa? I know she doesn''t hate you but she hates me and-"


    "And you hate her too but trust me


    when I say Larisa has been helpful during this search. Just like you, she hasn''t been speaking to or seeing me but she has been helping." Aurelia didn''t hide her disbelief nor did she attempt to argue. I also didn''t correct her about how Larisa felt about me.


    She settled on the grass, resting her back against a tree. To my surprise, she mumbled, "I''m sorry for hitting you and-"


    "You don''t have to apologize." I countered and made gestures to the dark bruises on my face, mouthing, "This is nothingpared to the pain and injury that I inflicted on your soul six years ago." "True." Aurelia chipped in.


    A chuckle escaped my lips for the


    first time in days and I sat on the grass with her, staring at nothing in particr. Although Aurelia was close to me, I''d be a fool to think this moment changed how she felt about forgiving me.


    Aurelia broke the silence when she announced, "Can you do me a favor?"


    "I''ll do anything for you, Aurelia. Just name it." I answered, meaning every word.

 60. A Big Mistake

    AURELIA


    Anxious blue eyes stared back at me, curiosity and anxiety deeply etched within them. Katie shifted her gaze from my face to Raiden''s. We were sitting in the living room in ufortable silence.


    Raiden''s presence was unusual and I wouldn''t have allowed it if I didn''t need his help as I revealed to himst night.


    "I''ll do anything for you, Aurelia. Just name it." Raiden had answered, clearly convinced that he had the full capability to help me.


    Tell me why he looked extremely nervous and ufortable now that he was sitting in the presence of Katie. It''s been over five minutes of silence and Katie was beginning to assume the worse. I could sense that from the way her heart was throbbing loudly. Since Raiden seemed incapacitated, I decided to start the process myself. "We have something to tell you, baby," I announced, twisting my body on the sofa so I could stare directly at my daughter who was sitting on the other end of the dark brown sofa. Katie''s breath hitched, her eyes widening a little. "Is Dad here to spend time with me?" She asked but her eyes darted around in confusion, "But where is Kyle? Shouldn''t he be here with Dad?"


    "Hmm..." Raiden started, sounding just as confused as Katie looked which wasn''t a good way to start a conversation with a five-year-old. As a mom, I wasn''t allowed to be confused or scared before my kids. Kids need to feel safe with their parents but in Raiden''s case, huh... Regardless, he continued, "Your mom and I need to talk to you about Kyle, Katie."


    At least he managed to get thest set of words out without stuttering. From where I was sitting, it was almost as if the mighty Alpha Raiden was sacred of little Miss Katie even though she was on her best behavior currently.


    If Kyle wasn''t still missing, I probably would haveughed in Raiden''s face.


    "I haven''t seen him in four days, Raiden. I think Kyle is trying to avoid me because I stress him all the time. I can''t even sense him within him like I used to." Katie''s lips quavered as she let out her feelings. "Kyle doesn''t like me anymore, Mom..."


    Tears sparkled in her eyes and my eyes stung as well as I slid on my butt, closing the space between my daughter and me. I held her hands, sensing she was on the verge of bursting into tears, I shook my head, "Kyle loves you, Katie. I''m sorry I kept you in the dark about what has been going on with your brother. He hasn''t been with you because he can''t be. I-"


    "You said he was with Dad." Katie blurted a little confused but with a lot of underlying anger. "Did you lie to me again, Mom?"


    The usation in her young voice broke my heart. I opened my mouth to speak words that would ease her aching heart but words failed me as my eyes stung painfully.


    Katie cried, "You promise not to lie anymore, Mom." She didn''t hesitate to ask about her brother despite her feelings. "Where is Kyle? Just tell me where he is, Mom! I want to see my brother-"


    "Hey, hey, hey..." Raiden kinda came to my rescue when he noticed that I was short of words. He got Katie''s attention and she stopped yelling, giving me the chance to catch my breath. Gosh, this was harder than I imagined.


    For the first time in years, I was thankful for Raiden''s presence as he lifted Katie off the space beside me, pacing with her in his arms. Katie was still upset. Her loud wails were evidence of that. Thank goodness Hazel had gone to the pack market to get some fresh vegetables for dinner and Jessica was engrossed with training in the backyard since she was aiming to get her injured leg back in good shape.


    "Take a deep breath, Katie. Please." Raiden cooed to Katie who has always been known for her temper.


    That girl would be the end of me... and it''d be my fault.


    "I don''t want to. I just want to see Kyle." Katie demanded, "Now!"


    I jerked off the sofa to tell Katie the


    truth. Tell her that her brother has been missing and even though I have lied to her, I did it to protect her from the kind of pain I have been enduring. I was ready to let my daughter in and trust that she''d handle the news like Hazel presumed.... I prayed Katie would be fine.


    "Katie-" I began.


    But Raiden spoke faster than my teary self could, "You can''t see Kyle now, Sweetheart."


    Katie was stunned as Raiden gently declined what could pass as her order. She stopped crying, looking at him like he had grown three heads out of nowhere. "Why not?" Katie whimpered, trying to reason with Raiden.


    I thought this was the best time to tell my daughter the truth. "Because your brother has been taken-"


    "To the hospital." Raiden quickly chipped in,pleting my statement with what I knew was another lie.


    I was dumbfounded but Raiden continued, "Your brother has been in the hospital and your mom didn''t tell you because she didn''t want you to worry."


    Katie looked at me, sobbing, "Is Kyle sick again? Did his lung fail again, Mom?"


    Prior to Katie''s question, I had been staring at Raiden waiting for him to exin why he would lie to Katie when I asked him to help me tell her the truth about Kyle''s kidnap. But the second Katie mentioned Kyle''s lung disease, Raiden looked to me for an exnation.


    He had a look that said, "Lung disease? And you didn''t think to tell me?"


    Maybe Raiden and I would have ended up yelling at each other and arguing before Katie if she didn''t voice a plea, "I''ve to see him, Mom. You know my presence helps him breathe better whenever he is experiencing an episode. Take me to him, Mom-" Raiden was quick to pull himself together and he said to Katie, "Kyle''s lungs are fine, Katie. He''s in the hospital for a different issue and the doctors warned us against bringing you to him because you might get infected as well."


    "It''s amunicable disease? Like a flu?" Katie queried smartly, her nose slightly scrunched.


    Raiden nodded, "Yes. A very bad flu and I''m sure you don''t want that."


    "Hmm hmm." Katie shook her head, wiping her face and sniffling.


    "Good girl," Raiden muttered,


    hugging Katie and quietly promising to get her back with Kyle as soon as he could Before he let her go, he asked, "Now what do you say to your mom for raising your voice at her even though she was trying to protect you?"


    Katie walked up to me, hugged my legs, and breathed, "I''m sorry, Mom."


    We had our moment before she ran off to join Jessica in the backyard. As soon as Katie was out of earshot, Ished at Raiden, "You lied to her! I didn''t call you here to have you lie to my daughter-"


    "Our daughter, Aurelia!" He seethed a correction. "And maybe you should thank me for protecting Katie and saving your ass="


    I couldn''t believe he was talking to me about protecting and saving when he couldn''t do that when Kyle was kidnapped from his home and Katie was attacked within his pack. Furiously, I gritted, "Get out!" "I still-"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Just leave!" I snapped, shoving him towards the door as I realized that asking him for help and actually trusting him to help me was a big mistake.


    I should have listened to Tristan...

 61. Finding Kyle

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    She has got to be kidding me!


    "Are you bipr?" I blurted before I could stop myself from offending her even more. I did her a favor. Telling Katie that Kyle was kidnapped was clearly a bad idea and it would have caused more issues for her to worry about but rather than thank me, sheshed out at me. In fact, she''s kicking me out.


    Aurelia''s eyes widened and Lex chimed in my head, "Wrong move, Man."


    "What did you say to me?" Aurelia asked. Her stance and scent made it known that she was more than ready to rip my head off.


    "I asked if you have ever been diagnosed with Bipr Disorder, Aurelia." Rather than take back my words as my wolf advised, I kinda made more emphasis.


    Aurelia''s eyes narrowed as she stood akimbo, ring at me, "You''re the crazy and mentally unfit one, Raiden. I should have known better than to ask you to help. When have you ever done anything right?"


    Her words stung. I lost control and barked, "Yes, I fucked up. I messed up our lives but I won''t sit back and let you traumatize our daughter by telling her that he dearest brother was kidnapped. I won''t let you break her-"


    "You can''t tell me how to raise my daughter, Raiden. You don''t even know her nor do you know how to rte with her. I know those-"


    "Agreed. You know her better but you won''t let me get close enough to know her as well nor would you tell me just like you didn''t think it was important to tell me that Kyle''s lungs aren''t healthy!" I used without holding back. Aurelia snapped, "Why should I tell you? It''s not like you can heal him and it''s not like it wasn''t your fault he was born with weak lungs!"


    My fault?


    What was with this woman and ming me for every bad thing that had happened to her? Yes, I wasn''t a good mate and I was sorry but how could she me me for Kyle''s disease? Why would she do that?


    I didn''t bother to ask her those questions because I was tired of being the bad guy in Aurelia''s story. I chose to respond to her first question though. "You should have told me because the boy was kidnapped! Dammit! His lungs could fail and I wouldn''t know-" "Would it have changed anything? Aurelia interjected. "Would telling you have helped you find Kyle? It''s been four days, Raiden, and you still haven''t found him!"


    Her voice wavered as she drew closer to tears with every word she threw in my face. I felt her emotions like they were mine as she stepped closer to me. Gosh! "Aurelia-"


    "You haven''t found him, Raiden and you just lied to Katie that you''d bring her to him. Have you stopped to think about what would happen to Katie if you fail to take her to Kyle in another four days?"


    "I will find him before-"


    She ignored my words and continued, sobbing, "Or in four weeks or four years? Or perhaps four decades? How will you break the news to Katie if Kyle can nevere back home to her... to us-"


    This time, I wasn''t the one who cut Aurelia off. Her sobs did. Tears trickled down her cheeks and I finally understood why sheshed out at me... why she was pissed about the white lie I thought was best for Katie-


    She was preparing herself for the worst case scenario and she nned to prepare Katie as well.


    "She can''t be thinking that far." Lex whimpered to me. "We won''t let Kyle die. He''ll be found..."


    Although my wolf didn''t know how Kyle would be found, he was confident However, I sensed it wasn''t about finding Kyle to Aurelia. It was more about how long Kyte wouldst in captivity with the condition of his lungs and without proper care.


    She was scared we would find him d-dead...


    With that realization mming into. me, I staggered backward, my legs growing weak while Aurelia let herself fall as she crouched, folding into herself with tears pouring out of her eyes. "He hasn''t had his


    medications in four days. He


    probably isn''t eating well. He''s most


    likely locked up in a duste


    and dirty room... All of these are bad for my baby. H-he w-will be in p-pain a-and I wo-wouldn''t be there to h-help him


    feel be-better-" Aurelia bawled.


    I tried to move towards her, thought of holding her, and considered offering her some reassuring words but I had none. My legs were frozen on the spot and my mind was nk.


    "I''m sorry to have failed you, Aurelia. This is all my fault. I should have let you remain in Tristan''s pack and-" I began to me myself just like she would.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Crying was the only way I could


    console Aurelia. My eyes watered in a way thatmunicated that we shared the same pain despite the difference in intensity. The pain felt was small inparison to what Aurelia had been enduring for four days.


    "Please find him before we have to break the news to Katie." Aurelia breathed. "I d-don''t want to tr-traumatize my girl."


    I nodded in understanding, "I better go. I should tell my men about this new development. It''ll help them understand the urgency tied to finding Kyle."


    Before Aurelia could respond, the nanny walked into the living room with a few bags in her hands. The moment she saw Aurelia''s broken state, she dropped the bags and rushed to Aurelia''s side, pulling her up.


    "What happened? Is Ky-kyle O-kay?" She asked fearfully but rather than respond, Aurelia hugged her and cried on her shoulder. The nanny faced me, demanding answers, "What did you say to her? Has Kyle been found?


    Clearly, she was also expecting the worst due to my failure to find my son sooner but the worst won''t happen.


    I promised myself that as I turned around to make sure Kyle wasn''t found lifeless.

 62. Larisas POV (4)

    LARISA''S POV


    "Why won''t he stop coughing!" I groaned. Completely frustrated.


    The little boy has been more of a pain in my ass than I thought he would. Fucj that! I thought he was the safer twin to kidnap because he was gentle and sweet unlike his sister but I''vee to realize that it would have been better to take the girl instead.


    After all, I could easily knock her out with drugs and seal her mouth with a tape just to keep her from talking my ears off.


    The little boy has reminded me why it is safer for me not to have kids even though I still desire to carry Raiden kids in the future.


    I was nice enough to give him freshly made meals from my parents'' mansion yet he refused to eat. I bought him snacks, but he didn''t take them and each time he wakes up from the drug-induced sleep, he wails about his mom and sister.


    Somehow, I managed to endure him until he started coughingst night. Before the cold started, I noticed his cries became less loud and frequent. I assumed he had lost his strength. When the cough fits started, it wasn''t serious or should I say I didn''t take it seriously until


    now.


    "I''m sick and tired of you, boy! Stop making that annoying noise. You can cry all you want but don''t infect me with that cough of yours." Iined, standing in front of the cell I provided for him.


    He had a makeshift bed and a nket to keep him warm but even that didn''t stop him from coughing like his lungs would split any moment.


    "I. Want. My. Mama." He whined, punctuating each word with a cough.


    He looked paler than yesterday which made me yell, "Your need is more important than your want, boy. You need to eat or you will pass out and never see your dearest Mama or your sister ever again."


    I silently hoped my threats would work this time despite failing many times in the past four days. To my dismay, the little boy coiled up in his bed, ignoring my words and the food I brought for him.


    "Suit yourself. You can die for all I care!" I snapped and stormed away from the cell.


    A tired feminine voice from the next cell called out to me as I walked past it. "Have you lost your mind to the point of holding a little child hostage? You don''t even know how to take care you him, Larisa." She spoke to me with hostility and familiarity.N?velDrama.Org content.


    Her ckish-gray hair stood out among all of her features, reminding me of how much she had aged in the past years.


    "Mind your business or you won''t be fed today." I spat at her, moving forward hastily.


    I hateding down to the basement because these people usually gave me the irk. Smelly rats!


    As if they were all sent to get me, another soft voice cried, "I want to go home. Please let me see my mom."


    And no, that wasn''t Kylie or whatever Aurelia''s son was named. That was another one of my prisoners. A teenage female to be precise and keeping her hostage has helped me maintain my reign of control over her so-called mom.


    "You better getfortable, girl. Your mom hasn''t been of much helptely so you aren''t getting out of that cell anytime soon." I shrugged as I informed it.


    If I was to be honest, I pitied some of


    my prisoners. Two of them have


    been here the longest and they would remain locked away as I wasn''t ready to kill them just yet. If Kidnapping Aurelia''s son fails to help me those two would be used as my backup n.


    Some might ask, "How many people are you keeping in that basement and how do you keep them concealed from the world? From Raiden?"


    Well, I have long lost count of the


    number of people in the basement. Some were taken for leverage and most of them died before they could be released.... If I wanted to release them My trusted man has been tasked with keeping tabs on these people while I focus on the outside world.


    And about how I keep this ce concealed and away from Raiden''s sniffing nostrils, it''s a secret.


    I might not be a magician but I''m not about to reveal my tricks... my power.


    I inhaled deeply as soon as I stepped into the ground floor of my hideout where I had spent most of the hours of the past four days, looking after Aurelia''s abomination. My relief was cut short when I sighted the familiar frame of my aide storming towards me, rage clearly written on his face.


    "I told you, Larisa! I warned you against keeping that boy!" He snarled, his muscr chest rising and falling faster than usual.


    "Care to tell me why you have your head shoved far up your ass? It''s not like anyone can find him orbel me the culprit-"


    "But he could die!" He countered.


    "I won''t let him die. I still need him-"


    "You have to release him now, Larisa. You can put up an act that would make everyone believe that you found him. They will believe you because they already think you''ve been searching for him-"


    I interjected, "Why would I release him after what his mother did? She humiliated me on two asions for crying out loud!"


    He shook his head, brought his hand to my shoulders, and announced, "You have to let him go because the information I received a few minutes ago says he is sick. The boy''s lungs are weak and he won''t survive the cell-" No wonder!


    That exined the coughing fits.


    "Move him up here if the cell is not conducive for him. I can''t let him go yet." I concluded.


    "But that''s dangerous. The boy could just walk out and he would be spotted immediately. Don''t forget he knows you took him-"


    "Nothing will happen if you watch him. Take care of him. Get him drugs for his lungs and keep him stable." I left no room for argument.


    He argued still, "But I''ve to be out there. No one can notice my absence or I''ll be a suspect and you-"


    "That won''t happen. Raiden trusts you and I''m sure you can handle yourself." I said with a tone of finality.


    Disbelief clouded his eyes yet he had no choice but to keep helping me. Assured that Kyle would be taken care of, I left the hideout to show myself to Raiden so I wouldn''t lose him to Aurelia during this emotional time.

 63. To Find Kyle

    AURELIA


    ~<~


    Keeping my wolf''s breed a secret has been difficult. Sometimes, Inara experiences a dominating boost of her spiritual energy and if I fail to be on guard, she would force me to shift and do as she pleases. Although I usually find a secluded ce to shift and let her roam around while no one is watching, I haven''t been able to do that in over a month.


    Precisely, I haven''t been able to let Inara out since I arrived in Dark Moon Pack.


    It was safer that way.


    But after a month of keeping her locked in, I could feel her energy crackling within. Inara was also doing her best to remain at ease because neither of us could risk getting discovered and Kyle was still missing.


    Six days. My son has been missing for six days.


    Yet I stood before the mirror in the bathroom, mixing a hair dye. Dying my hair was one of the many things I had to do to keep my wolf''s breed hidden.


    "To think you used to believe your natural white hair made you a freak." Inara made fun of me, speaking to me for the first time since our failed attempts to use our gift to find Kyle.


    "I was bullied because of it, Ina. I was even called Young Granny on many asions just because my hair was white." I retorted, forcing a smile.


    Since Kyle was kidnapped, there has been little to no reason to smile genuinely. Even as I dyed my hair, I could feel a lump in my chest. I wondered if dying my hair was what I should be doing but on second thought, keeping Inara''s breed a secret was important. I couldn''t neglect this till my hair turned white-


    A knock from the other side of the door broke my chain of thought. I quickly applied the rest of the dye when I heard Jessica call out to me.


    "A moment, please," I stated.


    When Inara surfaced after the birth of the kids, she shed light on some dark spots in my life, including my hair. Alpha Tristan was the only person in the ck Fur pack who had seen my natural hair and he did by ident. Jessica and Hazel knew me to be a ck haired woman and that wasn''t about to change today.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Alpha Tristan dropped a cell phone for you before he left. He asked me to give it to you if we are still here after five days of his departure so you both canmunicate." Jessica announced her voice void of emotions.


    She was still mad at me and I haven''t had the time to apologize to her as she deserved.


    "You can leave it on the bed, please. I might take a while here." I replied.


    Sounds of her residing footsteps echoed through the bathroom and I let out a sigh when I heard her close the bedroom door after her. Since Hazel had taken Katie out on a walk, I nned to dye my hair, freshen up, and take a walk around the pack myself, hoping I would perceive Kyle somewhere.


    Yes, he was still in the pack.


    Perhaps it''s time I take matters into my own hands.


    17.


    After several minutes of staring at myself in the mirror and getting lost in thought, washed off the dye, freshened up, and got dressed for my walk. My eyes fell on the cett phone Jessica left on the bed, a part of me longed to hear from Alpha Tristan but I resisted the urge.


    "You should call him. Cell phones aren''t popr among our kinds yet he got you one because he wants to keep in touch despite the distance." Inara etched.


    I retorted, "I don''t know what to say to him, Ina. I don''t feel like making small talk at the moment."


    "You can talk a walk now, Relia but when you return, you''ve to put a call through to him. Perhaps he might guide us on how to use our gift to find Kyle. Tristan could help us-"


    "I won''t be so sure about that. He won''t trust me to carry out the steps without revealing to the world that you are a white wolf. We''ll be putting ourselves in danger and Katie too." I pointed out to my wolf.


    "Are you worried about Tristan''s trust or you are scared of failing again?" Inara called me out by snarling those words into my head.


    "Is that wrong?" I asked without arguing with my wolf.


    Inara chimed, "No, Relia. What''s wrong is how you have decided to give up on Kyle."


    "I haven''t given up on him. That''s not fair, Inara!" I countered.


    "Then why won''t you try again? We have to use every power at our dis[osal to find Kyle and Tristan can help us to call him." Inara gritted. was about to say no to her demands when She added, "Or I''ll assume we are giving up on Kyle and if we are, we might as well pack our bags and begin the journey back to ck Fur Pack without Kyle-"


    "I''d never do that!" I grunted in anger.


    "Prove that to yourself by calling Tristan. Now." Inara stood her ground.


    My wolf''s harshness was her way of pushing me toward what she believed would help us all. Inara wasn''t just a special wolf. She was also smart. I''d be stupid to not listen to her. "Fine, stubborn ass." I concurred with a growl.


    Inara sent a mental picture of her


    rolling her eyes to my head, forcing a


    subtle chortle out of me as I picked the cell phone up, momentarily forgetting about the walk I nned to take. I sat at the edge of the bed and soon found out that contrary to my initial assumption, the cell phone was easy to operate.


    Within a twinkle of an eye, Tristan''s voice filled my ears, along with his excitement "Lia, I have been expecting to hear from you."


    I couldn''t share in his excitement but I muttered, "Please help me, Alpha Tristan."

 64. Mateo And Leo

    ALPHA RAIDEN


    Aurelia had sessfully stered fear all over my heart.


    I didn''t know Kyle well enough. Yes.


    I have no bond with him. Quite alright.


    If anything was to happen to Kyle, I wouldn''t feel the pain but that wasn''tforting. Katie would feel it and Aurelia would as well and that is the reason I have been even more restless since I found out about Kyle''s lung disease. I was scared.


    "This is crazy, Raiden." Andrew blurted, throwing his hand in frustration. "I can''t believe the boy is within the pack and we still haven''t found him. Six days down the drain. Sox days of wasted efforts. We''ve searched everywhere, man. Every house has been turned upside down."


    My Betained. He had dark circles under his eyes and his hair looked like a brush hadn''t touched the strands in days. Andrew and I haven''t been seeing each other for the past three days. We mostlymunicated through the mind but seeing him now, it was obvious that he had been searching for Kyle restlessly.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "I can''t face Aurelia and Katie. It''s been two days of avoiding them, Drew. I''m ashamed of myself." Imented to my bestfriend.


    Both Andrew and I were in my pack office to restrategize since the strategy we have been using has failed to yield results. Jake was invited to join us as we needed his military expertise but he was runningte which I knew was because of the search he was leading on the eastern part of the pack.


    "I''m ashamed too." Andrew breathed. "I just found out my best friend has kids. It was supposed to be my chance to be the best godfather. Fuck that! I should be the happiest uncle right now but look at this mess we are in." "Did I neglect the pack that much?" I asked Andrew despite knowing the answer myself. "Was I too blinded by my feelings that I didn''t focus on the pack?"


    "You trusted me and a few others to handle the pack while you were healing from Aurelia''s rejection, Raid. we failed you. I failed you." Andrew was the only person who hasn''t med me for anything despite how shitty I was. He was always supportive.


    "Look, Raiden, I think it''s time we ask for external help. I know you''re worried about your reputation but-"


    "If asking for help will help me find Kyle, fuck my reputation, Drew. Finding the boy is more important." I countered. "But who can help us?"


    "Alpha Clinton can. He has ess to other realms and species because of the wide trade system Moon Stone operates. He can link us to other supernatural species that will find Kyle with a snap of their fingers-"


    I cut in, "You think we haven''t found Kyle because whoever took him is using magic?"


    "More like dark power, Raid. That''s the only exnation I cane up with. Please tell me you believe in dark powers and witches." Andrew pointed me in another direction that might help.


    "I know dark witches exist but they were banished out of the realm many decades ago as they were provoking a war among werewolves to cause our extinction," I answered my Beta.


    My words reminded me of my parents because they were one of the major forces that fought to achieve the banishment of dark witches. How I wished they could be with me during these hard times.


    "What if one of them found a way to sneak back into the realm? Into our pack, in particr, took Kyle because they perceived your family blood in him?" Andrew exined, providing an excuse for why I didn''t sense Kyle being taken.


    "I''ll reach out to Alpha Clinton tonight and while we wait for his response, let''s follow another lead," I assured Andrew before pulling my seat closer to him.


    "That would be great, Alpha. The warriors are tired of repeating the same fruitless routine." Andrew sighed when I pulled up a graphic n.


    "I will throw them a party as soon as


    Kyle is back safe. Pass that message across to them." I made promise and Andrew bopped his


    head in acknowledgment. I ste


    exining the new n, "I know Aurelia and Katie believe Kyle is still in my pack but I think it''s time we search beyond the borders a bit."


    "Won''t that be a waste of time?" Andrew frowned.


    "Not if we focus on the parts of the pack territories that extend slightly beyond the recognized borders." I chipped in.


    Andrew nodded, finally understanding my point. "Those ces that are not officially recognized as part of Dark Moon but are still under the pack''s control." He broke down the n in his own words. "Exactly, Drew., I confirmed.


    "I''ll take this to the warriors and hold a meeting with them," Andrew assured me before changing topics. "I found leads on the kids that bullied Katie."


    My nostrils red instantly, "Whose kids are they?"


    "Do you remember Mateo and Leo?" Andrew questioned but I shook my head. He exined, "Those two warriors you stripped off their honor and duties as warriors because they were on duty when Aurelia escaped the pack-"


    "Yes! The dimwits that were meant to make sure she didn''t leave the room-" My voice broke as I felt ashamed of my past actions.


    That room... where I locked Aurelia like she was a prisoner-


    I was a bastard!


    I still don''t know how I managed to be so cruel-


    "Yes, Raid. The two boys are Mateo''s Kids and the girl involved in dragging Katie out of thedies'' room is Leo''s daughter." Andrew saved me from drowning in my thoughts by providing names. "Pass this message to the warriors and assign someone to bring their entire family to the pack''s square tomorrow. They need to be taught a lesson." I gritted.


    "Understood, Alpha." Andrew bowed to me and began to fold the graphic I showed him.


    He was still doing that when the office door opened and Larisa walked in. Like Andrew, she looked unkempt and perhaps a little worried when she had a glimpse of the graphics Andrew was holding. Larisa asked, expressing her interest, "What''s that? A new n? Let me have a look, Andrew."


    Andrew was about to handle the graphic to her but I stopped him with one word, "No."


    His hand froze in the air


    momentarily but he quickly retracted it before Larisa could snatch the n from him. Andrew took his leave afterward while Larisa snarled, "No? What has gotten into you? Has Aurelia put me on the suspect list?"


    "She didn''t. I''m putting you on the resting list though." I started with a low voice. "You don''t look good, Isa and I can''t keep-"


    Larisa took words out of my mouth when she suddenly closed the distance between us, hugging me.

 65. Larisas POV (5)

    LARISA''S POV


    After tending to Aurelia''s abomination alone all night, I decided to visit Raiden without taking care of my appearance. I thought it would be good for my ns if he saw me looking haggard... I thought his heart would beat for me again if he realized that I was under a lot of stress because of his missing son...


    Which was true even though it wasn''t in the same sense.


    "... I''m putting you on the resting list though..."


    Those words were a testament to the fact that he still cared about me... that he still saw the good in me and that I was happy. I got carried away by the love I had always carried in my heart for him and I hugged him, kissing his neck even though his skin reeks. He clearly hasn''t showered today.


    Yet I loved him.


    "I have missed you, Raid. I''ve missed us." I sighed, inhaling his musky scent as I held him, hoping that he would wrap his arms around me as well.


    But Raiden tried to push me away instead of holding me.


    "Larisa." He called my full name despite knowing that I didn''t like hearing it from him.


    I preferred him calling me Isa.


    "Can''t you just hold me for two minutes, Raid? I''m hurting and exhausted." I blurted, manipting him again.


    Raiden sighed but I won. He wrapped his arms around me, filling me with memories of the good old days when Aurelia wasn''t in the picture and the twins were far from being a threat to my ce in Raiden''s heart. Everything would be fine as long as Raiden still loves and chooses me.


    However, the blissful moment was cut short when Raiden muttered close to my ears, "We need to talk, Larisa."


    "I just want to be in your arms, my love. Can we talkter?" I mumbled, closing my eyes to enjoy the moment.


    Who knows? If he treats me better and makes me happier, I might return Kyle to Aurelia and have her leave the pack-


    "We should talk now, please." Did Raiden just beg me? Oh, dear goddess! Today must be a good day for me.


    I pulled back just enough to gaze into his eyes, "Are you about to tell me to stop looking for you bastard son because I look like I''d drop dead any second from now?"


    Raiden''s face knitted into a tight smile before I realized that I might have been a little too honest with myst statement. Before I could ease the tension, Raiden etched, "Yes, you can stop looking for my son since he is a bother to you." He pushed me off him, turning his back to me but that didn''t stop me from responding, "Of course he is a bother to me, Raiden. Don''t you get it!"


    "Larisa!" He raised his voice.


    But I went three octaves higher, "You have kids! The man I love and will be spending forever with has two kids with his ex and he has been acting like I''m just supposed to be okay with that. You haven''t even marked me. What''s the assurance that you would mark me and crown my efforts by making me your woman? That''s all I have ever desired. Being yours, Raiden."


    "Larisa-"


    "I just want to be yours! I want you to be mine as well-"


    He countered, "But the moon goddess didn''t want that, Larisa. We are not meant to be."


    His words sent shock waves through my body and I stuttered, "Since when do we care about the moon goddess arrangement? You know we are meant for each other and that''s all that matters." Raiden hit my heart with an invisible sledgehammer as he uttered with conviction, "I don''t know, Larisa. We made a mistake due to our childish infatuation. We should know better-"


    "What are you trying to say?" I voiced that question fearfully. "Are you br-breaking up with me?"N?velDrama.Org content.


    That question would only be valid if Raiden and I had been in a rtionship and to be honest, I don''t think what we have could pass for a romantic rtionship... not after Aurelia''s return. "It''s time we let it go, Isa. Please understand that you mean a lot to me but we can''t keep forcing things-"


    "But you love me." I heard him but I refused to understand those silly words nor ept them.


    "As a friend, Isa." Raiden swept the floor off my feet with those words.


    My mouth dropped wide open and I found myself losing bnce. Tears brimmed in my eyes and I wished those were fake but they were fucking real. He was making me cry without remorse. "No!" I shook my head. "You love me as a woman, Raid. You are just saying this because you are under a lot of stress and pressure from Aurelia."


    He has to love me. I confirmed that before returning to the pack from where his parents sent me. In fact, I sealed his love for me with everything I learned while I was away-


    "Yes, Aurelia''s return made me


    realize what I felt for you wasn''t love


    but she has nothing to do with my decision to let you go. You deserve a man who loves you-" Raiden started but I zoned out.


    I zoned out when I recalled how I ripped out the heart of the only man who could genuinely love me because was in love with Raiden. I kill the man Raiden believed I deserved to return to this pack but


    this is what I get?


    I fucking sacrificed my destined mate for Raiden, including my wolf when she wouldn''t stop bitching about her dead mate... yet, this is what I get?


    "Are you listening to me, Lari-" Rauden shook my frame.


    However, I snatched myself from his hold, running as fast as my legs could carry me and intending to make Raiden pay...


    He either pays a heavy price or gives me back his heart!

 66. Like Their Mothers

    AURELIA


    ~>~


    Alpha Tristan and I spoke at length. He assured me that Kyle would be alright even though he was far from us and he exined how I could use my gift to track Kyle after I promised him I would be careful and not get discovered.


    "Call me when you find a ce to perform the process. I''ll be with you." Alpha Tristan had said those words to me before ending the call because he had something to do.


    I noticed how versed Alpha Tristan was when it came to my abilities and during the call, I asked him how he knew so much about me when I knew little to nothing about myself.


    His answer still had me blushing even though the call had ended hours ago, "I had to study you, Lia because you stole my heart."


    Tristan also told me that he acquired some books that exined the biology of a White Werewolf and he promised to give them to me when I return to the pack with the twins. I looked forward to that moment and even though I was hesitant to call him at first, I felt at ease after speaking to him.


    "Told you." Inara chided as I slumped on the bed.


    "He has a way of making me feel better. I see myself falling for him with time." I confessed to my wolf.


    "It''ll happen sooner than you think. We just have to get back to ck Fur with the kids and the pieces will fall in ce." Inara reassured me when she felt sadness creeping back to the surface of my mind.


    I sniffled back tears, stating, "We will find a ce tonight and find Kyle with Tristan''s help. Hopefully, Raiden won''t find us this time."


    "He better not show his annoying face." Inara snarled but her foul mouth soon switched as she released a happy growl into my head. "Katie is back!"N?velDrama.Org content.


    Within seconds, Katie burst through the bedroom door, jumping on the bed to enjoy some cuddle time. While my daughter wrapped my arms around herself, I recalled how much Kyle used to enjoy cuddling with me. It broke my soul to think he was probably in a cold dark room at the moment.


    However, Katie snapped me out of those dark thoughts when she uttered, "Auntie Hazel and I enjoyed the walk, Mom. You shoulde with us tomorrow."


    "I''d love that, Katie." I smiled.


    Katie talked about the walk and everything she noticed. I paid attention to her words but none had me sitting up until she mentioned running into Larisa on her way back.


    "You saw her? Did she try to hurt you?" I queried, checking Katie''s body even though she was with Hazel throughout the walk.


    Katieughed, "No, mom. Why would she try to hurt me?"


    "Because she doesn''t like me much, baby. Please stay away from her whenever you see her." I warned Katie. Raiden might have removed Larisa from the list of suspects but I haven''t. I didn''t have any proof but Larisa would always be suspicious to me.


    "Okay, Mom. I know she doesn''t like you because she sees you as her rival." Katie would never cease to amaze me.


    "What do you mean by rival? How do you even know such words?"


    Katie rolled her eyes, "I''m not as smart as Kyle but I do know these things, Mom. That woman doesn''t like you because she is interested in Dad but Dad seems to have eyes for just you."


    My mouth hung loose. Staring at my daughter was all I could do. I didn''t correct her about Raiden''s feelings but I did think she should have seen him drolling over Larisa before I ran off with her and Kyle in my womb.


    "She was crying when I saw her. She smelt like she was with Dad before I saw her." Katie supplied more details.


    I didn''t want to worry about what could have happened between Larisa and Raiden so I told my daughter to stop talking about her. We discussed our options for dinner and while I made dinner, I thought of ces I could use tonight.


    "How about Dakota''s home? I


    sensed a lot of spiritual energy there


    thest time we visited. I believe Phoebe will help and we both know I need to burn some energy before I go ballistic." Inara suggested and also reminded me of her dominating energy.


    "Noted. I''ll go there after putting Katie to bed." I replied, knowing that Pheobe would be a good ally.


    However, while putting Katie to bed that night, I gave in to my body''s demands for sleep. I haven''t slept well in five days for obvious reasons but that night, despite my ns, slept deeply. I didn''t wake up until Hazel shook my body the next morning.


    Even Katie was up and running when Hazel woke me up.


    "I''m sorry to disturb your sleep but Alpha Raiden has requested our presence in the pack''s square by noon which is only two hours away," Hazel informed me.


    If I could beat myself up, I''d have


    done that as prepared for whatever Raiden had nned. Knowing that I had missed a perfect chance to find my sonst night, I followed Jesica and Hazel to the pack''s square Katie was running around us as we walked and she immediately went to join Raiden on the podium when we reached the square despite the crowd that had gathered.


    "Join me." Raiden mouthed.


    But I hesitated until Katie rushed down to drag me to Raiden. I considered asking him why we were there, however, I forgot how to speak when my eyes found two familiar faces in front of the crowd. "I know them..." I let out a whisper.


    Leo and Mateo, right?


    The two men that tried to...


    Raiden announced while I battled with my memories and rage, "Today, I called you all here to witness the punishment bullies deserve and to send out a warning to others who haven''t been caught yet-" Bullies?


    It was at that moment that I realized that I wasn''t the only one seething with anger. Katie was too and when I followed her sight and saw three kids shaking like water lilies, my rage tripled.


    "Katie, darling, call the bad kids forward." Raiden permitted Katie to let out her rage and my daughter didn''t hesitate.


    What is that saying about daughters being just like their mothers?

 67. Killed My Heart

    67. Killed My Heart


    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    Katie called the terrified kids out and I watched them move forward like spineless chicks. Two boys and anky girl. They appeared to be about ten years old each and from the striking resemnce between them and the two useless men I sighted earlier, I could connect the dots.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    The kids that bullied my kid were Matoe and Leo''s kids.


    They were just as rotten as their fathers.


    Of course, the kids weren''t trained properly which was why they chose to bully a girl who was five years younger than them.


    Shameful!


    "Are you sure they were the ones that dragged you to the forest and left you thereafter injuring you, Katie?" Raiden asked Katie not because he doubted her but because he was trying to enlighten the pack members that had gathered to witness the punishment the bad kids would receive. Katie nodded, "Yes, Daddy. Thank you for finding them for me."


    My daughter was really happy and neither she nor Raiden seemed to care when the crowd gasped in response to Katie calling Raiden daddy. I was used to it by now but it didn''t change my decision to leave the pack with my kids as soon as Kyle was found.


    Raiden offered Katie a wide smile that disappeared from his face the instant he faced the crowd again. He took a minute to tell the story, careful not to upset Katie by going into details. When he finished, Raiden gritted, "What do you have to say, former warrior Mateo and Leo?"


    Former warriors? What the hell happened to them being two of Raiden''s best men?


    It''s no wonder they reek of weakness. They had been demoted.


    The two men fell to their knees simultaneously. I noticed two women sobbing behind them as they looked at the kids with worry. Those women have to be the kids'' mothers. Despite their tears, they must have contributed to the kids'' rotten upbringing and after my daughter nearly died, I couldn''t bring myself to pity them.


    "We failed as warriors. We also failed as parents. Punish us instead, Alpha. Please punish us." If the man that spoke was Mateo or Leo, I couldn''t tell. The other man added, pleading as well, "We are to be med, Alpha. Please show mercy to the kids and punish us for their_-"


    Raiden snarled, "I should show mercy to your kids? Did they show my daughter mercy when they almost killed her!"


    Katie flinched while the three bad kids broke into tears. I pulled my daughter closer, shielding her from what I knew would be too harsh for her young mind to handle. However, when Raiden saw how Katie reacted to his outrage, he inhaled sharply, walked up to us, and knelt before Katie.


    "I know it''s scary but I also know you want them to be punished, Katie," Raiden muttered softly and Katie nodded. ¡°Good, baby. I''ll step back and let you determine what punishment is best for the bad kids. Is that okay?"


    Katie contemted for less than a second before she happily agreed toe up with a punishment. "I like that very much, Dad. Thank you." ¡°Anything for you," Raiden replied, earning a smile from Katie.


    "I just wished Kyle wasn''t at the hospital. I''d have loved for them to see that my brother isn''t a freak under that mask. He looks better than any of them." Katie''s smile fell at the mention of Kyle but she still stuck out her tongue at the bullies.


    "They will get to know that someday soon, Baby. Think about the appropriate punishment. We are all waiting for your decision." Raiden called Katie''s attention to the body of people standing before the high podium we were standing on.


    Katie didn''t waste any second as she announced what she hade up with. She pointed to the bullies, "You three will apologize to me now and apologize to Kyle when he is out of the hospital. You were bad but I''ll be friends with you after you apologize genuinely."


    While I felt proud seeing my daughter disy the pureness of her heart, Raiden questioned, "Is that all?"


    "Yes, daddy. Asking for a genuine


    apology is a good enough


    punishment for bad kids." Katie shrugged yet she added, "Well that''s what Kyle believes. I''m doing this for Kyle Left to me, I''ll like to beat these rascals until they shit themselves."


    The crowd roared withughter as Katie expressed herself with a small roll of her eyes. She waspletely real and that made me chuckle too. That was my girl.


    Raidenughed, his eyes twinkling, "You can make them apologize and still beat them till they shit themselves, baby. You can do both.¡±


    "Really?" Katie gasped, jumping when Andrew stepped towards her with a cane.


    I didn''t think it was right for Katie to use the cane on the bad kids but I knew Raiden would do the flogging himself if I tried to stop Katie and that would be so much worse.


    "This will be fun." Even Inaramented as the bullies were made to lie on their stomachs.


    Katie started with the boys, whooping their asses until both of them peed in their pants. Although she didn''t get them to shit themselves like she wanted, my daughter stillughed heartily, letting go of the traumas of that night.


    Rather than use the cane on the girl, Katie stunned us all by pulling the girl up with her hair. I stepped forward to stop her but did otherwise when Katie stated, ¡°Now you know how painful it is to get pulled by one''s hair."


    The girl did the same thing to her...


    Katie didn''t release her hold on the girl''s hair until her face turned red. My daughter returned to the podium with a lighter heart and she smiled at the kids after they apologized, offering to be their friend if they promised not to hurt anyone ever again.


    I wasn''t sure I''d let her hang with them. Heck! I wasn''t sure I could stop Katie from doing whatever she wanted.


    "As a way of showing their remorse, the kids are to actively engage inmunity services for the next month together with their parents Raiden announced and dismissed the crowd with a warning, "Dark Moon Pack doesn''t support the chronic disease called bullying. You won''t get off as easy as the kids if you are caught."


    Right, that was the man I fell in love with many years ago. I could see him resurface on that podium.


    It''s a pity the man he became after our marriage killed my love for him... Killed my heart too.

 68. A Strong Hero

    68. A Strong Hero


    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    Katie''s giggles were loud and melodious to my ears as we walked back to the apartment together. My heart swelled with pride and love for the little girl. It pleased me to know that getting justice for her was the reason she was happier.


    "I can''t wait to tell Kyle all about this, Mom. He''d be extremely happy to know that our dad is not only an Alpha but he is also a strong hero." Katie squealed.


    I maintained a happy face for her despite my clenching heart as I recalled that even though I was able to make Katie happy today, this happiness wouldn''tst if Kyle didn''t return to her soon. What kind of hero would that make me?


    The issues of the bullies have been sorted but the kidnapping case was still unresolved.


    I reached out to Alpha Clinton yesterday after Larisa stormed out of my office in tears. I had to hurt Larisa yesterday to put an end to our so-called rtionship that would only hurt her more in the future.


    Alpha Clinton was shocked to hear from me and he sympathized with me when I informed him that the missing boy happened to be my son. Since he was the closest thing I had to a father, I opened up to him and asked for his help.


    Alpha Clinton promised to get back to me with good news before the end of today. Also, my men have been searching ording to the new ns Andrew and I agreed on yesterday.


    "He would be found very soon. There is nothing to worry about." Lex''s encouraging words bounced off the walls of my mind.


    I let those words into my heart with hopes that it would ache less.


    "Thank you for doing that for her. I haven''t seen her happy since Kyle was taken."Aurelia whispered to me right after Katie ran out of earshot to join her nanny and the female warrior. The duo had been walking ahead of us. "It makes me happy to see her happy."


    "You don''t have to thank me for trying to be a good father and a better Alpha." I retorted with a smile. "I''ve failed you countless times. I better start making up for that."


    To my surprise, Aurelia chuckled and etched, "I hope you aren''t trying to impress me and Katie so I can change my mind about leaving. There is no hope for us. I''m also engaged to Tristan-"


    "As much as I still want you back, this isn''t about you. I just had to get justice for my daughter." I countered with nothing but the truth. "Tristan is an obstacle but I''m willing to-"


    "My fiance is not an obstacle." Aurelia cut me off, defending Tristan with no hesitation. "You can stop trying to impress me and find a way to take care of the woman you have by your side. You have a long history of doing the opposite of that."


    "Are you telling me to take care of Larisa after I confessed that I''m in love with you?" I questioned not knowing how to feel.


    Aurelia had every right to say no to me for the rest of our lives but he doesn''t have the right to decide who my heart wants-


    "Yes, Raiden. You should stop making the women who support you cry. I don''t like Larisa but Katie mentioned running into her yesterday and she-" "Can we change the topic or walk in silence instead of talking about Laria and me? It''s ufortable." I interrupted.


    "Oh, I never knew talking about the woman you chose over me would be ufortable! You can go back to whatever-" Aurelia started gritting at me.


    But the nanny who had reached the apartment door called our attention to an envelope that she found underneath the entrance door. Aureliapletely forgot about our argument, running straight for the door and I did the same.


    It has to be it-


    "The kidnapper has sent another note." My wolf stated hopefully.


    I got to the door before Aurelia and took the note from the nanny. "Thank you, I muttered to her before ripping the envelope open. My eyes scanned the letter as fast as they could. I couldn''t read the content out loud because of Katie''s presence.


    YetAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "You want to get your son back badly. I see how you have been searching. Ksee how worried you have been. I pity you, Aurelia. You even had to lie to your daughter about her brother''s whereabouts. Tsk! Hospital? Not bad for idiots like you guys. Come get your son, Aurelia. Come alone or you won''t get him back alive."


    A small map was added to the note and there was a clear mark on the meeting spot the kidnapper had chosen.


    "What does it say?" Aurelia asked impatiently before snatching the note from me with shaky hands.


    The nanny led Katie into the house while the female warriors stayed behind, watching Aurelia like a hawk. Aurelia read the note quietly. I expected her to dash toward the marked spot immediately after she finished reading the note.


    As if that wasn''t shocking enough, Aurelia boomed, leaving no room for argument, "It''s her. Larisa wrote this note. She is the kidnapper." Shock was clearly written all over the warrior''s face as she stared at Aurelia who somehow looked different yet still the same. I tried to get over the energy radiating around us and wrap my mind around Aurelia''s usation.


    But there was no wrapping my head around this... all of this... whatever it might be.

 69. Jessicas Plan

    69. Jessica''s n


    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    For a split minute after reading the note, the world around me faded, and it was almost as if I was pulled into a real yet subconscious world where I vividly saw Larisa sitting in an unfamiliar room, seething as she poured her anger into the words.


    I could swear to the goddess that I saw her. I could still sense her on the note even though I couldn''t exin how.


    As if it hadn''t happened at all, I was shoved back to reality, Jessica''s usual unreadable face twisted as she stared at me as if my head had suddenly been reced with an ugly hippo''s.


    Raiden on the other hand has his mouth wide open. I didn''t miss the mistrust in his eyes after I blurted out what I saw and sensed without thinking twice. Honestly, I didn''t stop to think until Inara etched, "That was a clear vision, Relia."


    "A vision?" I asked my wolf out of shock.


    Although I''ve had visions in the past, there has never been a clear one and why was I suddenly getting a vision after countless failed attempts? "Yes. Larisa has Kyle." Inara responded, growling with rage.


    My heart sank as unexinable pain swelled within me but pain wasn''t all I felt. Fury. I was boiling with it and it wasn''t even Inara''s. It was purely mine.


    "We''ve to go, Raiden." I blurted again but suddenly remembered the warning in the note. She didn''t want me toe with anyone. I knew she wasn''t nning to give Kyle back and she''d try to kill me as soon as I''m sighted. If only she knew who she was dealing with. I corrected myself, "I''ve got to go now."


    Raiden who hasn''t said a word since I told him that the crazy woman he stubbornly chose over our predestinated bond was the kidnapper we had been searching everywhere for, eventually muttered, "You can''t just assume she is the viin after reading a note, Aurelia. Larisa wouldn''t kidnap Kyle. She isn''t that kind of a person-"


    "Oh, she isn''t? Then what kind is she, Raiden? Please enlighten me!" I snapped. I couldn''t believe he was still defending her telling him about the vision. "You don''t even know her. She''s evil. Nina warned me "


    "Nina or no Nina, we can''t justbel Larisa as the bad person without evidence. How do you know she is the one? I have hurt her and I won''t do more of that just because you suspect her, Aurelia." Raiden gritted. "And you''d be crazy to think I''d let you go into the forest alone."


    He snatched the note from me as if that would stop me from dashing towards the marked spot... the spot I knew Larisa marked.


    I was about to yell at Raiden. Call him all sorts of names, in fact. However, Inara chided, "Don''t argue with him, Relia. He''s right and since you can''t tell him how you got to know the truth, hold your tongue."


    "Evidence or not, Ina. This shows that he would always protect Larisa over my kids." I scoffed. "He doesn''t want to hurt her again? Coming from the same man who repeatedly hurt me without remorse. Fucking hypocrite!"


    Raiden stared at me like he had questions for me but suddenly changed his mind because he could tell that I wouldn''t provide the answers he needed. Instead, he breathed, "I''ll take this note to the warriors and we will find a way to lure the kidnapper out."


    Honestly, I was tired of arguing with this man but how could I stop when he was this stupid?


    "The warriors? Are you crazy?" I


    barked at him, snatching the note back from him. ¡°None of them can see this! If Larisa can kidnap my son, keep him within your pack without anyone sighting him, and also deliver a threatening note to my door, you should know that there is a mole among your men. What will they do to my son if you go against the instructions given in the note by sharing the details with your


    warriors? She will fucking find out, Raiden-"


    ¡°Fine!" Raiden seethed. "I won''t show them but can you please stop using Larisa without proof? Tell me how you came to be so sure. Help me understand you, Aurelia."


    Thest part of his statement


    sounded like a plea. His eyes


    scanned my face expectantly and at that moment, a part of me yearned to trust Raiden so I could find Kyle and get back to ck Fur Pack as soon as possible but telling Raiden about my ability would do more


    harm than good.


    I just have to find Kyle myself. Go to the marked spot when no one is watching and get my son back... after tearing Larisa apart.


    "I thought I perceived her on the note, Raiden." I shrugged, hoping that he wouldn''t ask any more questions and that he''d take my words... believing me for once in his life.


    "This note carries no scent, Aurelia. You can lie to me all you want but please keep Larisa''s name off your lips and stay put-"


    "I can keep your lover''s name out of


    n


    my mouth but don''t expect me to stay put white the instructions given were clear! I''ll go into that forest alone and there would be nothing you or anyone can do to stop me!" I barked, my chest rising and falling


    as red at Raiden.


    I assumed he was the only one who would be against me. However, Jessica muttered, "I can''t you go alone, Lia. It''s obviously a trap and I promised my Alpha that you would be protected-"


    "Jess, you of all people shouldn''t try to stop me." I whimpered.


    "I can and I will." Jessica retorted before he whispered, "Whereas, as much as you both feel the need to constantly be at each other''s throats, matters like this shouldn''t be discussed outside. Just like you pointed out, Lia, the kidnapper is watching and listening."Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Jessica continued, "To get Kyle back safely, we have to carefully n. We have to fool the kidnapper and we can''t bring anyone in. Just the three of us."


    Raiden and I gazed at each other before returning her gaze to Jessica who asked, "Can we agree to work together without fighting like kids?" Clearly, the kids in this situation were Raiden and I.


    Raiden put his ego aside as he nodded, agreeing to Jessica''s n.


    However, it was much harder for me to agree because of the knowledge I already have thanks to the vision. Yet I chimed, "Alright", kinda lying to both Jessica and Raiden.


    Inara was the only being I couldn''t deceive and she was ready to follow my n which was very simple- Make them believe we are working together but sneak out to save my son without them.


    "We can''t risk Kyle''s life by wasting time with ns. We can do this alone." Inara''d words reverberated in my head.


    Yes, that bitch was no match for us... or so I presumed.

 70. A Third Option

    70. A Third Option


    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    I was no fool. Aurelia might argue otherwise but I wasn''t a fool.


    I knew Aurelia was hiding something from me and she was lying to me.


    Aside from the weird but strong energy that surrounded us before shebeled Larisa as the kidnapper, I''ve noticed a few other unexined actions of hers. The nights she sits by theke, moving her hands around like she was trying to channel or tap into some sort of unseen energy, the cries that came after what seemed like failed attempts to channel and-


    ¡°Don''t think too much, Raid. Aurelia definitely knows something and I bet she has ns to sneak out of the apartment again tonight." Lex interrupted my thought as I walked out of the apartment after hours of nning secretly with Jessica and an absentminded Aurelia.


    "Do you think I should believe her? A big part of me wants to trust her but I would be condemning Larisa after breaking her heart. I don''t want to hurt anyone else and who knows, Aurelia could have used her out of spite. She did confess her hatred for Larisa to me before we found the note." I expressed myself to


    "You don''t expect Aurelia to like Larisa, do you? At least she is sincere about her feelings, unlike Larisa who pretends to like Aurelia." Lex responded. ¡°Larisa is no saint and I don''t mind trusting Aurelia. After all, getting Kyle back is the top priority.


    My wolf''s words resonated in my head. I felt torn between doing right by Aurelia and Kyle and protecting what was left of Larisa''s honor after I ended our rtionship.


    "Perhaps we can ask Nina some questions. Aurelia mentioned her earlier." Lex suggested even though he didn''t seem to care about Larisa''s feelings. "Or we can find evidence. Aurelia doesn''t have one but if we can link Larisa to the kidnap, finding Kyle would be easier." I thought back to my wolf despite how much I hated the idea of painting Larisa as the kidnapper.


    I didn''t wait for Lex''s response before I started sprinting towards Wellington''spound despite knowing that I wouldn''t be weed there. But I couldn''t let that deter me from investigating as I couldn''t shake Aurelia''s usation off.


    "Don''t tell me you are going there to ask Larisa if she kidnapped Kyle?" Lex asked, his voice dripping into my mind with sarcasm and disbelief. "That would be foolish and Kyle could be-"


    "I won''t ask her but I have to confirm her whereabouts. If she dropped the note, she must have left her parents'' home at some point today and if she has Kyle, she will have to be with him." I responded even though I was confused.


    "That''s a messed up n but okay. Just remember that Jessica''s n kicks off at dawn. You have to be there." Lex reminded me just as I stopped before Nn''s home.


    I didn''t hesitate to knock neither was any second wasted before the door was yanked open by a furious Nn.


    "To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Alpha." He tilted his head as a sign of respect but his voice carried the opposite.


    I ignored Nn''s attitude, announcing, "I''m here for Larisa. Kindly-"


    "Apologizes, Alpha but she doesn''t want to see you." Nn cut me off. "She specifically asked to be left alone and I don''t think that''s too much to ask after you dishonored and abandoned her."


    "Fair enough." I nodded but smartlyunched my n by asking, "But is she at home and fine at least? We might have failed as a couple but I still consider her a friend."


    Another reason why I didn''t want to believe Larisa was the kidnapper might be closely associated with the fact that I didn''t want to provoke internal strife between the two most powerful families in my pack- Flockhart and Wellington.


    Nn didn''t seem to perceive my


    intention. He was blinded by anger as she muttered, "She has been home all day. My daughter has turned herself into a prisoner ever since you mercilessly ripped out her heart. Please leave, Alpha. My daughter needs me to be with her."


    Larisa has been home all day?


    I asked myself as I turned to leave without making Nn suspicious.


    "She could have sent someone to deliver the note if she is the kidnapper." Lex voiced, stopping me dead in my tracks.


    My wolf was right and the thought of


    that made me look around thepound to see if anyone was watching but it was eerily quiet which was strange. Where were the family guards? Several questions shed through my mind as I found a good hiding spot across thepound.


    I blended with the night, hiding my frame behind a tree. Although, I wasn''t expecting to spot Kyle in one of the rooms or see him walk out. In fact, I still didn''t believe Larisa had him... not until I was proven wrong.N?velDrama.Org content.


    Sooner than I expected, I saw Larisa. To my surprise, she ran into thepound like she was in a hurry to get into the house. That


    contradicted Nn''s statement and meant Larisa hadn''t been home all day and aside from Aurelia''s suspicion, Larisa''s absence from home made her a qualified suspect.


    "Nn lied to your face. They''re all liars." Lex snarled, forcing the idea of punishing Nn into my head.


    I also considered going into thepound but before I could step out of my hiding ce, I saw Larisa again. Just like she ran into the house, she rushed out but this time, she was holding a dangerous weapon.


    A silver gun.


    I would recognize that no matter how far away I was.


    "Why would she need a silver gun? That is dangerous to-"


    Lex stated, "To kill Kyle and Aurelia if she is the kidnapper but if she''s just a heartbroken woman, she might be off to kill herself."


    Lexid down two options. Either way, I masked my scent and followed Larisa as I couldn''t let her do any of the two. Little did I know that there was a third option and when I discovered that, it was toote to stop Larisa.

 71. Time For War

    71. Time For War


    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    ¡°Get up. It''s time." Inara announced. "They are asleep. Let''s move before Raiden shows up."


    I jolted from the bed, grasping reality as my eyes flew open, quickly adjusting to the dark state of the room. I heard Katie and Hazel snoring peacefully and I quietly got off the bed, hoping to get out of the room without disturbing their sleep.


    "How many hours do we have till dawn?" I asked my wolf through the bond we shared while I threw on my leather training suit before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind me.


    "Two hours," Inara answered.


    I inhaled sharply, "Two hours? How did I sleep for so long? Fuck! Jessica must have woken up to prepare-"


    "Rx. Jessica is still asleep. I can''t sense her consciousness in the house and I helped you sleep longer because you need enough physical strength to bring Kyle back. We only have one chance and we can''t mess it up." Inara exined, urging me to stay calm.


    "You induced my sleep?" I queried in shock.


    "I did what I had to and you''d thank meter." My wolf etched. "Now let''s move before Jessicaunches her n."Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    I didn''t bother to argue with Inara even though I wasn''t pleased with how she had chosen to manipte my mind. It was clear that I still needed to learn how to tame her or I''d lose control of my senses to her one day or in other words, she''d tame me.


    Steadily, I tiptoed into the living room, rushing over to the door without making any sound that would definitely wake Jessica from her sleep. She was already mad about the lies I told her in the past. It wouldn''t be good for either of us if she found me sneaking out after I agreed to work along with her and Raiden.


    Jessica would be crazy mad-


    Every thought I had flew out of my mind as soon as I pulled the entrance door open and came face to face with the devil herself and hell was she fuming as she stared down at me.


    "Jess..." I breathed, swallowing my fear because I couldn''t allow myself to appear weak... not even to Jessica.


    "I don''t need to ask you where you are off to not only because I already know but because you''d simply lie to my face again," Jessica said through clenched teeth.


    The moonlight illuminated on her face, revealing her emotions to me like the daylight would.


    ¡°Should I y defense or offense?" I asked myself, holding Jessica''s gaze as if I was ensuring she didn''t lose herself and attack me out of anger. Inara mumbled into my mind, "Offense, Relia. Jessica doesn''t like the sight and smell of weakness."


    "I wasn''t asking you, Ina." I retorted. "Why should I listen to you after you made me believe she wasn''t awake? Stay out of this."


    "I was wrong to have underestimated Jessica''s ability to evade my sense and I''m sorry but you also know that I''m right." Inara countered and without saying another word, she left me to take the lead.


    Although I was still mad at my wolf for leading me straight into what I assumed was Jessica''s trap, I couldn''t deny the truth; Inara was right. Therefore, it was time to y my cards right and I began by saying, "You have been waiting out here for me, haven''t you?"


    "Obviously. I''d be a fool not to know you would pull this trick after our agreement and ns." Jessica hissed.


    "Do you even trust me?" I questioned with a frown and I exited the apartment, standing on the balcony with Jessica.


    "Trust you?" Jessica repeated with a roll of her eyes. "Hell no!"


    "You should have gone back with-" I thought ofshing out... anything to get her out of my way.


    But Jessica interrupted with a shrug


    and words that had me eating mine, "Although I didn''t trust you to sleep all night while you seemed sure about your ex''s lover''s involvement in Kyle''s disappearance, I trusted you to go after your instincts as I taught you and bring the poor boy back."


    My eyes furrowed in question, did she just say she trusted me, or was that speech about how I broke her trust by lying to everyone who has done nothing but support me?


    "I know you, Lia. Alpha Tristan might have done most of the training but I''m your trainer too which is why I have been waiting out here for you." The hostility in her voice had faded into nothingness.


    And that confused me as I asked, "What are you saying, Jess?"


    "I''m going with you. That''s all I''m saying and that''s final." Jessica revealed her intention and I must say, it was unexpected.


    "Why would you do that after I broke your trust?" I kinda teared up as I sensed her unfailing support.


    "Because I''d rather trust you than


    trust the man who broke you and that devil he chose over you. Regardless of your lies, I care about you and the twins and I understand why you had to lie. I''d have done the same." Jessica responded


    Tears trickled down my cheeks and I forgot about ying offense. I apologized to Jessica again before she gave me a tight smile and muttered, ¡°Let''s move towards the marked spot before he shows up. I intentionally made him believe we would be working together because I knew his huge ego would obstruct your n."


    "You tricked him?" I gasped.


    Jessica smirked, ¡°Anything to save Kyle from the devil''sir.¡±


    I chuckled as Jessica and I began to walk into the forest. I admire how she thought ahead and I was grateful to have her with me yet I was scared she would get hurt because of me.


    "If you''re worrying about me, stop," Jessica muttered as if she had suddenly be a mind reader. Truly, she knew me well. "I can handle myself and no one has to know I''m with you until we confirm Kyle''s safety."


    She patted my shoulder and concluded, "Go on. I''ll be hiding but in in sight."


    With that said, Jessica and I separated but I could still feel her presence. If Larisa wanted me to show up alone, I''d give her that.


    But she can''t have my son''s life nor mine.


    "Time for war," Inara announced into my mind, returning with full energy to support me,


    And I couldn''t agree more. "Yes, time for war."


    However, Kyle has toe out of this war unharmed. My son''s wellness was up for bargaining.


    "Show yourself, Larisa. I know you are here. I know you took my son." I yelled at the top of my lungs as soon as I arrived in the area that was marked


    on the map.


    And I got ready because I knew she would show up ready for this war as well.

 72. Larisas POV (6)

    ?


    LARISA''S POV (6)


    ~<>~


    That sneaky bitch!


    Did she just yell out my name?


    Of course, I knew she suspected me but how could shee out here and yell out her suspicions when her son''s life was in my hands? Crazy bitch!


    My already frustrated aide muttered to me, "Did you reveal your identity in the note you adamantly sent to her?"


    He looked at me as if he was contemting whether to rip my head off or abandon me in this dire time.


    "I wasn''t named Stupid, for goddess''s sake!" I eximed. "It''s either she knows or she doesn''t. Whatever it might be, I don''t care. It doesn''t make any difference."


    Aurelia already made a mistake by showing up here. It shows that she cared about her bastard son but I didn''t care about them. This morning, before daybreak, Aurelia and her son will be killed. I''ll deal with the daughterter and there would be no one left to confuse Raiden. Love me or hate me, I''ll be the one beside him when they are all gone.


    "This is crazy, Larisa. Very crazy and this n can backfire if we are not careful. It''s not toote to reconsider. We can kill the boy but please don''t reveal yourself to that woman." My sweet loyal aide tried to persuade me for the hundredth time.


    ¡°I have a silver gun, silly. There is nothing she has no advantage, not when she is alone and out here. Plus, I have to look her in the eyes as I kill her. The boy can have a painless death but Aurelia? Hot agony is all I wish for her." I retorted, hissing out my feelings.


    But he countered, "Regardless of her venerable state, this is still a dangerous n."


    "Quit worrying. Just inform the men we took from my day''s home to weaken Aurelia as nned. I believe they have been in position." I raised my brows in question.


    My aide sighed, epting defeat, "Yes. Some have been watching her and it has been confirmed that she came down here alone. I''ll kickstart the n."


    He walked deeper into the hideout. Aurelia was also standing in front of the hideout but she would never see the building. It''s invisible to everyone except a few loyal ones and me. Thanks to all I learned after Raiden''s parents sponsored me out of the pack. Raiden''s parents imed they sent me away from the pack so I could have a good life after Raiden found out his destined mate was someone else but the truth was, they kicked me out of Raiden''s life so he could be with Aurelia.


    They kicked me out!


    But I fell into the right hands and I learned more than enough before I returned to be with Raiden.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    And for my invisibility cloaking, Aurelia was no match. She underestimated me. I could tell. Such an arrogant idiot-


    "What''s stopping you froming out, Larisa! I can sense you." Aurelia''s voice boomed through the forest again. My brows furrowed. How could she? She has got to be bluffing. Yet she added, "I know it''s you. I know you are watching me. I can feel your eyes and it''s only a matter of seconds before I find out how you..."


    "Just shut up," I mumbled, staring at Aurelia through the closed window of my hideout.


    I was damn sure she wouldn''t hear me but the second those words slipped past my lips, Aurelia''s head snapped in my direction and her eyes dug into my face. In fact, our eyes connected, and I gasped.


    Aurelia smirked in the dark forest with just the moon as the source of light, "I heard you bitch! I knew it was you!"


    No...


    She couldn''t have heard me.


    Shock rippled down my body and Aurelia''s smirk grew bigger as she stepped closer to my hideout building. The front part was more of a hut and Aurelia took another step and another until she was just a few steps away from the entrance.


    "What the fuck?" Despite the disbelief coursing through me, I didn''t make the mistake of voicing those words.


    Without wasting any more time, I barked orders at my aide through the mind link before things could go south. "Why is it taking this long? Shoot the freak down!"


    "Something has gone wrong. Some of the men are not responding and-" He tried to exin something to me but looking into Aurelia''s stormy blue eyes had unnerved me.


    So I yelled, "Get someone to shoot her down! She might not see the hut now but five more steps in this direction and she woulde in contact with


    it."


    "Stay out of my head so I can concentrate." He seethed and broke the connection between our minds.


    I was still dreading Aurelia''s next


    step when she etched, "If this is


    about Raiden, you can have him. What am saying? You already own I don''t want to be in your lives so give me back my son so I can leave. We can both be happy. No one has to get hurt."


    That was where she was wrong.


    As long as she and her kids are alive, I''d never be happy because even if I managed to trick Raiden into wanting me again, I''d still have to share him with Aurelia and her kids. Moreover, Raiden doesn''t love me anymore but Aurelia has a man who loves her.


    She doesn''t deserve to be loved after she trapped my man with her bastards!


    As if I was cursed to fail today, the little boy''s soft cry broke the eerie silence that dominated after Aurelia''s plea. I saw Aurelia''s eyes widen and her lips parted as she screamed, "Kyle! Where are you, baby! Mama is right here."


    Kyle cried even louder, "Mama!"


    Fuck. I had made sure to knock the boy out by pumping excess drugs into his system. Wondering how he regained consciousness would be a waste of my time. I dashed away from the window to grab the boy from the corner I left his


    Unconscious body a few minutes ago.


    I covered his mouth, muffling his screams for his mom and I braced myself for Aurelia''s entry. She won''t see the hut but if she can make it to the entrance and step into the space, she will see Kyle and I and every other item or person within the hideout.


    But instead of her entry, I heard her screams of pain right before my aide''s voice bounced off my mind, "Four poisonous arrows have been fired. It''s enough to weaken her and leave her defenseless for you to kill."


    Just what I wanted.


    I exhaled audibly and dragged the little boy behind me, walking out of my hideout to kill Aurelia myself.


    It''s high time I put an end to this silly game.


    Aurelia would be dying for real this time and she''s stay dead.


    The cool breeze of the early morning hit my face as I strolled into the forest. I found Aurelia on her knees with two arrows sticking out of her thighs and the other two in her back.


    Weakly, she muttered, "Kyle", stretching out her hands to reach him.


    "Oh, hello there, Aurelia." I chuckled, feeling pure happiness for the first time in forever.

 73. Lorita Or Whatever

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    Following Larisa was the best decision I have made in my entire life... well aside from getting justice for my daughter.


    I got to discover the truth about her even though I still couldn''t exin some things like how she walked out of the air. One minute I couldn''t see her and the next, she walked out with Kyle staggering and struggling weakly behind her.


    "What the actual fuck!" Lex gasped, shocked.


    Despite his suspicions, my wolf was still shocked to see Larisa drop her mask, revealing her real face as she stepped closer to Aurelia whose pain flooded my system.


    It took a while to get here. Larisa walked around in circles for a while before she disappeared. I didn''t know where she had entered but I could still sense her presence in the vicinity which was why I decided to hide and wait for her reappearance.


    I had thought to myself, "Where could she have gone? It''s an open forest. There is no building in this area."


    It took seeing Aurelia after many minutes of waiting for Larisa to reappear for me to realize that this area was the marked spot on the map we received with the note. I fucking lost my mind when I saw Aurelia and I knew for sure at that point that Larisa had something to do with my son''s disappearance as well.


    It was hard to not leave my hideout and approach Aurelia who seemed to be speaking confidently. I even saw her smirk a couple of times, taking steps like she could tell where to go. This wasn''t the n yet I let Aurelia do her thing and she was fine until arrows were fired out of nowhere and at Aurelia.


    The way she fell on her knee made it known that the arrows wereced with some sort of poison. Aurelia''s screams broke me and I was quick to let my eyes scan the forest, hoping to find the shooters so I could make them pay for hurting the woman I loved... even though she never ceases to disobey me.


    Lex''s eyesight became one with mine and soon, I found two shooters. One was hanging on the branch of a tree which was far from me and the other was leaning against another tree, hiding in in sight.


    After getting over Larisa''s reappearance and seeing her with Kyle, confirming that she was indeed the kidnapper... Truth be told, there was no getting over that but I sprung into action regardless, quietly moving towards the shooter closest to me.


    "Take them out and help Aurelia before we lose her to the witch you chose to love!" Lex snapped at me.


    This wasn''t the time to argue with him or let the guilt he was trying to ster all over my mind take over me. I needed to be focused but a question lingered in my heart- Was Larisa a witch? Witches were banished many years ago and it''s rare for a werewolf to be a witch but it wasn''t impossible as long as the werewolf gets initiated and invited into a coven by a powerful witch.


    Larisa couldn''t have been initiated-


    My thoughts were cut short when I arrived by the tree and found the target lying on the floor,pletely knocked out.


    How?


    "The second one is out too," Lex announced into my mind as my eyes cut to Aurelia and Larisa.


    "That can only mean there is someone else here. I can''t sense-" I started talking to my wolf while keeping my eyes on what was transpiring between Larisa and Aurelia.


    Lex interrupted, "There are more of them."


    "More of what," I asked him, hoping that I''d be able to save Aurelia and Kyle from the evil incarnate that Larisa had suddenly be.


    Perhaps it wasn''t a sudden change. Perhaps I had just been stupid and blind to who she really was.


    "More fallen men. Unconscious


    bodies are everywhere within this vicinity." Lex rified and true to his words, I sensed other unconscious men in the forest the second I let my senses loose. I didn''t do that earlier because anyone in the forest would have sensed my natural energy and even now, I was putting Aurelia and Kyle in danger.


    I could only imagine how fast Larisa would use the silver gun I saw her taking out of her family home if she sensed my presence but fortunately, Larisa didn''t notice me as she was engrossed in whatever she was saying to Aurelia while keeping Kyle at arms length.


    "Sniff out the person taking these men out. I need to locate-" My words to Lex died in my mind as I perceived the looming presence of someone who was undoubtedly a skilled warrior. "He is behind me."


    I made the mistake of assuming that the warrior was a male and that he was working with Larisa and simply taking out everyone I could take in for questioning to help Larisa escape my wrath... which she would get. There was no escaping that!


    However, I was proven wrong when a strong yet feminine pair of arms skillfully grabbed my neck, pressing the right angles that would hinder blood flow to my brain. I tried to be quiet as I twisted out of her hold, turning my body to face who assumed was the enemy until I came face to face with Jessica.


    "You?" I was shocked to see her.


    Rather than respond, Jessica''s eyes shed with recognition and her face rxed a bit as she ced a finger over her lips, shushing me and pointing towards Larisa who happened to be staring into the forest.


    I must have attracted her attention.


    "You came with someone, didn''t you? Bad, Aurelia. Here I was thinking you cared about your son." I heard Larisa as she raised her voice.


    She wanted me to hear even though she didn''t know it was me, and Jessica in the forest.


    "Show yourself or she dies now." Larisa''s voice rang through the forest and she pulled out the silver gun, pressing it against Aurelia''s head. "I''m not bluffing."


    Aurelia chose that second to rip out one of the arrows in her thigh despite knowing that would do more harm than good. She knew doing that would lead to loss of blood but I assumed she did that to protect Jessica who she knew was in the forest...


    It drew on me that the duo came together just like I realized that the men Jessica was busy knocking out were Nn''s personal guards.


    The pieces were beginning toe together and I concluded that I should put an end to Larisa''s insanity. I pushed her into this crazy state by leading her on so I should end it-


    "Call your trusted men and save us. I''ve done my part. We''re trusting you from here on." Jessica whispered to me and she showed herself to Larisa without giving me the chance to stop her.


    Fuck!


    "You might not know this but I hate threats, bitch, especially from spineless wimps like yourself, Lorita, or whatever you''re called." Jessica didn''t hesitate to strike.N?velDrama.Org content.


    And with her actions, I knew if I didn''t step in soon and end this madness, Larisa would kill them all. Quickly, I called the men I trusted, oblivious to the ring truth- among my trusted men was Larisa''s faithful protector.

 74. Spineless Wimp

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    No. No. No.


    Jessica shouldn''t have revealed herself so that she could poke the bear. I could have handled Larisa and distracted her long enough for Jessica to arrive with help. She should have gone in search of help.


    Heck! We needed help.


    Larisa had a gun... not just any gun. A gun with silver bullets and one of those bullets could end Jessica''s life and mine... and Kyle''s. Still, Jessica wore her pride like a second skin... like I hadn''t been shot by Larisa''s men who I failed to perceive until I crashed on my knees.


    This was one of the countless times I wished I could ess Jessica''s mind like a pack member but spending almost six years in ck Fur Pack wasn''t enough to make me an official member¡ª


    "You''ve got guts," Larisa mumbled, disbelief loud in her voice.


    Rather than keep her mouth shut, Jessica snorted, her footsteps sounding closer by the second, "What can I say?" She paused just as she stopped beside me, holding Larisa''s gaze without flinching, "I''m not a spineless wimp."


    Saying Larisa was pissed would be the understatement of the century. She pulled the cold tip of the gun off my head, pointing it at Jessica who remained calm while my son was yanked along with her.


    My heart broke and I cried for my son. Since the second Larisa brought him out of nowhere, I wanted nothing more than to tear him away from her and hold him in my bosom. Gosh, I have missed him. Kyle seemed weak, malnourished, and in pain... in a crazy amount of pain. I could just tell that the pain I was feeling right now couldn''tpare to the one eating my son away yet Larisa didn''t release him as she hissed at Jessica, "Initially, I thought you would be alive to bury your supposed to be Luna but I see you have a death wish."


    Of course, Jessica responded without hesitation but my mind was too foggy toprehend her responses or the next set of words that Larisa spat her way. Pain took over my senses when I tried to push myself off the floor. Kneeling before Larisa made me look pathetic and defeated but despite my attempts to stand, my knee remained glued to the forest floor and my blood soaked the floor beneath my bleeding thigh.


    While Jessica and Larisa bantered, I cursed myself for ripping out one of the arrows even though I did that to keep Jessica safe but now, I realized that I hadpromised my chances of saving Kyle before my poor baby copsed.


    I cried internally, "Please, Ina. I need you."


    But again, Inara was quiet. She has been since I felt the tips of the arrows pricking my skin and tearing it to dig deeper into me. Inara''s silence and my dizzy state were evidence that the arrows had introduced poison into my system.


    I couldn''t tell what kind of poison and I could only hope that it wasn''t the kind that would take my life right before my son''s eyes.


    ¡°Come on, Inara. Jessica is clearly


    Ine


    distracting Larisa with her crazy methods. I need you to heal me. We need to save Kyle. We can''t let Larisa''s silly games stop us from saving Kyle, Ina." I whimpered, closing my ears to Larisa''s and


    Jessica''s wordspletely.


    I search deep within me to find Inara with my eyes on my son''s fragile frame. Once again, I felt alone. I recalled the days I didn''t have a wolf within me. What if I never get Inara back? What if- Oh, dear goddess. Please don''t let this happen-All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Are you kidding me? You seriously think Larisa''s tactics can vanquish me?" My moment of self-pity was interrupted by the serene voice of my wolf.


    I gasped out loud as the wound on my bleeding thigh stung, sharp pain spreading through my body. It was as if a force was sucking life out of me yet I managed to voice my relief to Inara, "Thank goddess you a-are ok-okay..."


    "I was mute because I had to focus


    on stopping the poison from spreading through your body and I


    did that within a few seconds but since I couldn''t find a less obvious I path to expel it from your body until you created one by yanking one of the arrows and opening a path for me." As soon as Inara finished exining, I felt my mind bing less foggy.


    "The poison is out of my system?" I asked, unable to believe how fast my wolf worked.


    "Yes," Inara answered. "To avoid suspicions, I won''t seal off the wound and neither will I encourage you to remove the other arrows but I''ll help you endure the pain till Kyle is saved and Larisa is struck dead.¡±


    Inara''s voice drastically became hostile as she stared at Larisa through my eyes. I wasn''t surprised to see Jessica was still arguing with Larisa as if she was the one holding a gun. Unlike Larisa who was lost in the banter, Jessica was still very conscious of the surroundings, and she sent me a signal I didn''t understand before pushing Larisa off the hill with these words, "I bet you don''t even know how to use the gun. From what I can tell, that''s your daddy''s gun."


    ¡°Is she trying to get herself killed?" I thought to myself but I soon understood her signal when she fooled Larisa into turning her back to me.


    Inara confirmed Jessica''s intentions by saying, "No, she is creating an opportunity for you to take Kyle and that''s what we are going to do!" Immediately, I put pressure on my legs, rising without alerting Larisa. Of course, I felt pain but I clenched my teeth and held back the miserable groan that threatened to burst out from the depth of my soul.


    As she promised, Inara helped me endure the pain by shoving it into a mental box and locking it in. Quietly, I drifted closer to Larisa, steadying myself with the intention of knocking both Kyle and the gun out of her grasp by hitting her shoulders simultaneously.


    However, I failed to foresee the way I''d react after I sessfully weakened Larisa''s left shoulder and saw Kyle falling. In short, I forget the second shoulder.


    ¡°You bitch!¡± Larisa yelled in pain as I rushed to save Kyle''s body from hitting the hard floor of the forest, forgetting that Larisa was still holding the gun.


    As Kyle''s body fell safely into my arms, Larisa pulled the trigger. The booming sound had me folding my body around Kyle and my back cried in protest, blood trickling down my spine.


    Screaming, Larisa fired again and I could only cry out as Jessica''s body fell backward and perhaps, lifelessly...


    "No!" I screamed, forgetting the burning pain in my back. "Jessica!"

 75. Larisa’s POV (7)

    ?


    LARISA''S POV


    ~<>~


    I pulled the trigger. Twice.


    While Aurelia screamed, ¡°Jessica", I cried out, "Raiden¡± as he held on to his side, his eyes wide open.


    Prior to the second shot, I was fuming with anger because I let myself get tricked by the female Aurelia called Jessica. I had seen her a few times but I never cared about her existence until she walked up to me like she had a death wish.


    Jessica got me with her words. There was no denying that but nothing got me perplexed like seeing Raiden race toward me as I pulled the trigger for the second time, intending to put Aurelia out like I did with her friend whose body had hit the floor like a fallen tree.


    "H-how did you get here?" I cried out feeling a sense of grief as I watched Raiden fall to his knees.


    My eyes fell to his side. I could see his blood leaking out of him even though he was trying to add pressure to the wound. My head began to ache at the sight just as my chest constricted. I shot Raiden.


    I released a silver bullet into Raiden and he would die... there was no way he would recover from the deadly silver he took for the woman who didn''t seem to care about him. Heck! Aurelia didn''t even see him as he fell, groaning silently.


    Rather than look at Raiden who was closer to her, Aurelia pushed herself off the ground with her son''s limp body in her arms, and she dragged her bleeding and obviously weak legs to the spot where Jessica was lying. "Jess. Look at me, Jess. Please-" Aurelia started crying despite the obvious truth.


    Jessica was dead. I killed her so it was only right to break the news to devastated Aurelia as I thought about the same fate befalling Raiden. "She is dead, idiot. I blew her brains out because of your selfish ass!" I snarled.


    True to my words, there was a bullet hole in Jessica''s forehead. Even the most powerful witch or healer would never be able to fix her.


    "No. she can''t be dead." Aurelia cried,pletely broken as she stared and shook her stupid friend''s dead body.


    I scoffed, "You chose to save your son from falling rather than save her from dying. The ball was in your court and you kicked it foolishly!" Despite my words, Aurelia didn''t pay any attention to me but it didn''t matter. She would be joining her friend soon.


    But before I kill her, I decided to call her selfish ass out onest time. "You never cease to amaze me, Aurelia. How could you not see the man who put himself between you and a flying bullet? He fucking took the bullet for you. A silver one for goodness sake yet you didn''t bat ash in his direction."


    Aurelia still didn''t budge. She was immensely focused on her dead friend and that irritated me as my head snapped to Raiden whose face had be as red as his visible blood.


    "Is this the woman you choose to die for?" I spat at him, barely able to keep myself from cussing at him. How could he? After everything we had been through? Everything I did for him? This was how he chose to die. Raiden''s eyes were shifting aimlessly and for a minute, I assumed it was the effect of the bullet which must be dissolving in his system. "She doesn''t even see you, Raid. I see you and I want you but you gave up your life for this bitch! How could you?"


    "I d-don''t kn-know what happened to you or h-how you tu-turned into this person, Isa but I k-know I contributed to-" Raiden coughed, struggling with his words as he choked on his blood before spitting it out.


    I countered, "I didn''t turn into this person, Raid." I paused, letting my words sink into his mind. "I''ve always been this person but you loved me regardless and you tamed me until this bitch came along and you started looking at her even though you imed I was the woman for you. I''ve always been this woman. You didn''t see it but your parents did, especially your mom which was why she had me sent to the human world. To weaken me even though she innocently made everyone believe she sent me out of the pack so I could have a better life. Goddess, I hate that woman and I still do!"


    Yes, I was confessing.


    There was no need to hold back


    anymore because I could see death looming over Raiden, ready to snatch what was left of his soul after I tainted it with dark magic... have been doing that since I


    n


    returned to the pack and et


    first, it


    was effective. I was able to tear him and Aurelia apart but for some reason, the dark magic began to wear off from the moment Aurelia rejected him. I didn''t know that until Aurelia returned to the pack and made it obvious that I was losing my grip on Raiden.


    "But you know what, I did get a better life in the human world. I got to make friends with the banished folks from the realm." I uttered with a small chuckle, finding the twist of fate funny. "Perhaps if your parents had not sent me away, I wouldn''t have found a way to destroy what you had with Aurelia. In the real sense, your parents helped me, Raid. They helped me get you back until now."


    Despite his weak state, Raiden stuttered, "You ma-made friend with the banished wi-witches? Why? You told me you were alone while you were away/ You didn''t me-mention the human wo-world¡ª¡±


    "I lied to you, Raid! Deal with it! I manipted you, reduced your IQ with dark magic, and tried to kill Aurelia when you wouldn''t stop looking for her after she left and rejected you." I scoffed. "I still don''t understand how you could hate her and still hold on to her, Raid."


    While Raiden looked like his own disbelief would suffocate him, Aurelia was stillpletely focused on her friend. It was as if the rest of us didn''t exist at that moment.


    "You made it difficult to love you after my return, Raiden. I tried to make you hate her, tried to wipe her off the surface of the earth, and also make you mark me but every effort was pointless. You didn''t even flinch after had your parents d so no one could interfere in our affairs. You didn''t care! All you cared about was stupid Aurelia who I


    assumed was dead until sheAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    resurfaced with fucking twins!" I


    laughed at the end of my outburst.


    Saying those words out loud made me realize that the moon goddess had been toying with me all along. I thought fate was on my side but in fact, it has been mocking me.


    "Y-you-" Raiden groaned.


    "Don''t stress. I''ll end your misery and kill your parents as well since keeping them alive is now pointless. I mean what would I do with them after your death?"


    Raiden breathed, "Where have you been keeping them?"


    If he wasn''t on the brink of death, I sensed he would have barked at me. Perhaps It was a good thing that Raiden was dying. I could take over the pack with my family and be the first female Alpha in history.


    "They never left the pack, Raid. They have been in the same ce I held your son-" I thought I should let everything out.


    However, my aide''s voice broke into my mind, "Dammit, Larisa! You''ve to run as fast as you can. I can''t hold them back anymore. I''ve been trying to tell you that Raiden''s men are on their way but your mind was sealed and we''re close. Run! Run, Larisa!"


    No. I can''t leave without killing Aurelia and finish everything I''ve started.


    "Instruct my family''s men to engage them. I need more time." I seethed to him.


    But he broke to me, ¡°They are all down. I found them knocked out. You''ve to leave now, Larisa. Trust me to finish what you started. This is our fight. Let me be of help to you."


    For a moment, I was unsure but knowing that I had no choice, I ran, thinking that I would be able to show myself after Raiden''s funeral.


    If only I knew that son of a bitch called fate was mocking me again.

 76. In The Heart

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    My side hurt like a bitch!


    But that wasn''t what hurt the most.


    My brain, mind, and perhaps a huge part of my heart hurt as Larisa''s words sank into me faster than the bullet could have. I was groaning in pain and close to losing my life but I knew Larisa''s words would stop my heart before the silver bullet.


    I was an idiot.


    I clearly chose to trust and protect the wrong person. I was blinded. Heck, I was foolish.


    Even my mom- my parents knew something wasn''t right and they tried to protect me but I only hated them for their genuine efforts. Now I was alone. My warriors, who I had ordered to march over many minutes before I had to stop Larisa from killing Aurelia, were still not here for some unknown reason.


    The truth was ring- I was a useless son, man, Alpha, mate, and father.


    I have failed in all aspects of my life and fallen for the tricks of the dark people that my father spent many years fighting.


    Fuck! I took us right back to the beginning.


    As Iy on the forest floor with Larisa''s confession threatening every belief I ever had and the credibility of everything I knew to be true in the past few years, my world copsed. It wasn''t shocking to see Larisa running off after she voiced those heartbreaking words to me and despite my foggy sight, I could see her deliberating as her eyes shifted from me to where Aurelia was crouched over Jessica''s body.


    At that point, I could only pray that someone... anyone would show up to stop her from killing Aurelia and Kyle who could be de-dead for all I knew.


    Thankfully, Larisa ran off, her parting words echoing and causing a painful ache in my head, "It pains me to see you die for her but don''t worry, she''ll be dead soon as well and I''ll finally get everything I''ve ever wanted."


    It wasn''t until she left that I heard Aurelia muttering incoherently. Or perhaps the silver has spread through my body and affected my hearing just like it affected my connection to Lex. I couldn''t feel my wolf nor could I feel my legs or my tongue anymore.


    So this was how it felt to be betrayed, humiliated, and maltreated by the one we trust and love?


    This was what I made Aurelia endure for three years of our marriage. Although I didn''t use a silver bullet, I shot Aurelia in the heart many times just because I was foolish and blinded by infatuation and unwarranted hatred.


    "I thought I had figured it out and understood my mistakes." I thought to myself while fighting the urge to stop breathing but with every breath I took, my punctured side hurt and bleed even more. "But I was wrong. I don''t deserve another chance and Aurelia should never forgive me."


    I knew that now because I''d never forgive Larisa for all she did, not even in my grave. Where I knew I would be in a few hours.


    I''d die without bing a good


    father to my kids or a good mate to the woman was destined to love and protect. I''d die without knowing what Larisa had actually done to my parents or find out where she had been keeping them.


    I''d die...


    The thoughts of how I spent the past few years of my life brought tears to my eyes.


    I was a failure.


    Jessica had to lose her life because I failed. She fucking put her hands in my life before she stepped out to distract Larisa and buy me time to get my


    men.


    And Kyle-


    "Fuck! They are over here, guys! I found them." If the voice I heard was truly Andrew''s, I couldn''t confirm until he fell on his knees beside me, tapping my face as he bellowed, "Raiden! Alpha!"


    Was that worry in his eyes or relief?


    I couldn''t be sure. I wasn''t sure about anything at the moment. Oops, except that I was going to die.


    "I''m sorry for showing upte, Raiden. Please hold on. Don''t close your eyes. Don''t-" Andrew begged me.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    I knew he was holding me but I felt nothing.


    "Why are you justing now?" I wanted to ask him but I failed to utter a word as my tongue became stiff.


    Soon the sounds of hasty footsteps hit my aching eardrums and I guessed I winced before coughing out spurts of blood.


    "I need some of you here. We''ve to get the Alpha to the healers." Andrew yelled as he struggled with my weight.


    Jake soon joined him and together, they both helped me to my feet despite my spinning head and blurred sight. "You''ll be alright, Alpha," Jake muttered a promise as he and Andrew bnced my weight on theirs.


    However, I didn''t feel like I would be alright. I could see my end and when my eyes found Aurelia who was stil holding on to Kyle and fighting to keep Jessica''s body out of the reach of some of my men, I realized that taking a bullet for her wasn''t enough to make her hurt less.


    In hopes that I''d seed in doing something right before I ceased existing, breathed out myst order, using every bit of energy that I had left, right into the ears of


    el


    Larisa''s loyal protector, "Save them first. Sa-save them all."


    If I was understood or not, I stopped fighting and let my eyes roll to the back of my skull, embracing the void of nothingness... and death.

 77. A Single Touch

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    "Let her be!" I shouted despite themotion around me. "Leave her to me."


    I recognized them as Raiden''s men but how could I ever leave Jessica to them?


    "We''ve to take her so you can focus on getting the boy to the healers. There''s no hope for her but your son is still breathing and you need to get treated-" One of Raiden''s men voiced with a bit of frustration and concern.


    "How many times do I have to tell you that I can fix her? I can fix all of these so just leave us alone." I barked with tears streaming down my face and I held on to the hope that despite the time that had passed, Inara and I could find a way to make Jessica''s heart start beating again.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Yes, there was a fucking hole in the middle of her head and blood was leaking out of her in a way that made my heart constrict. Kyle was unconscious and my back still ached from where the arrows were of course still poking out. No one would rip them out.


    ¡°Alpha! Alpha!¡± I heard someone screaming from behind me and that scream reminded me of Raiden and the fact that he took a bullet for me.


    My mind raced back to him and I recalled some of the words he and Larisa exchanged before she disappeared again. I didn''t hear all of it as I tried very hard to block Larisa''s bitching voice out so I could concentrate on bringing Jessica back but I failed at both.


    I thought I could save Jessica first and then help Raiden before Larisa could finish me off but as I turned my face towards thest ce I saw Raiden, I found him in Andrew and Jake''s arms and he was just as limp as Kyle.


    My heart thumped, "Is he dead?"


    Inara was the only one who could answer my question and her voice spreading over my restless heart, "He will die if we don''t hurry. A touch from you will help me gain ess to his body. We can still save him, Relia. I hate to be the one saying this but we can''t let him die."


    I sobbed, "But we can''t save Jess? Why can''t we save Jess?"


    Raiden men stared at me, hoping that any moment from now, I''d ept the help.


    While Inara answered defeatedly, "Jess died the second the bullet went through her head. We can''t raise the dead but we can at least try to save Raiden and Kyle-"


    "She can''t be dead, Ina. I can''t let her die." I cried out loud, ignoring the eyes on me.


    Inara mumbled, her sorrow colliding with mine, "She is gone, Relia. Jessica is gone. I''m sorry."


    How do I move on from this traumatic reality? I thought to myself as my wolf''s words resonated through my head. It''s no doubt that Jessica died because of me. She gave her life for me- no. she trusted me to save her.


    Larisa was right.


    Jessica put her life on the line, trusting me to knock the gun out of Larisa''s hold but instead, I selfishly chose to save my son alone.


    "I killed her." I cried over Jessica''s body.


    Her face had started losing its color and I couldn''t perceive life from her. Goddess, this hurt.


    "I know you won''t forgive yourself if


    l.ne


    Raiden who took a bullet in our ce dies as well even though he kind of deserves to die." Inara''s words might seem harsh but the way she sounded when she uttered them,municated her true feelings. "I wonder if he would have put himself between you and the bullet if he


    knew that you are immune to silver."


    My wolf''sst statement had me freezing yet I stuttered, "I''m immune to silver?" Inara hummed in response and that made me ask, "Since when?" "Since I became a part of you, Relia. I''m a white wolf remember?" Inara etched, subtly urging me to just touch Raiden.


    There''s so much I don''t know about myself and It was obvious that if I didn''t start learning, people around me would get hurt. Now it was Jessica. Soon, it might be my kids or other people that loved me.


    "Please handle her body with care. She is going back home with me." I finally epted the men''s offer to help me with Jessica''s body.


    I finally let go despite the tight clench in my heart and the huge bile in my throat. They didn''t hesitate to lift Jessica off the forest floor and I watched them take her away before moving to Raiden.


    I didn''t know how to feel about his


    decision to save me but I knew I was grateful so followed Inara''s instructions, touched Raiden while Andrew asked Jake to put him on his baek so he could get him to the hospital and I kept my hand on him until I heard him cough, blood staining Andrew''s shirt.


    ¡°Thank goddess." Andrew breathed in relief.


    Neither he nor Jake realized that I had just saved Raiden with the help of my wolf.


    With a single touch.


    I tried to run after the men who took Jessica because I felt the need to be by her side but Jake stopped me. His eyes burned into mine as he said, "Leave the dead to them. You and Kyle have to go to the hospital with Alpha Raiden."


    "I''m fine-" I started arguing.


    "But Kyle isn''t and Raiden asked me to save you so please don''t make me drag you three to the hospital." Andrew countered, leaving no room for argument.


    And just like that, I lost a good friend to the demon my destined mate groomed unknowingly and I spent the next two days in the hospital in between Kyle and Raiden''s bed, taking care of them and mourning Jessica.


    But that wasn''t enough to erase Larisa''s ugly prints in my life. Yes, we''ve all been scarred and it was left to me to heal us all.


    Hopefully, I won''t fail this time although my time in Dark Moon Pack should be ending soon.

 78. Rage And Hatred

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    Thest two days in Dark Moon pack have been chaotic. The situation in the pack is what can be described as unpeaceful due to many factors. The most important factor is Raiden''s unavability.


    Yes, Raiden was still unconscious.


    I didn''t expect Raiden to stay unconscious for two days. It was expected on Kyle''s part because my son was malnourished and had been deprived of good sleep but since Inara healed Raiden and helped get rid of the silver in his body, I thought he would be awake by now.


    "I might have left some of the toxic in his body to teach him a lesson," Inara muttered into my mind, causing my eyes to snap to Raiden who I had never seen in such a peaceful state, not even during our marriage years.


    "You''re kidding, right?" I queried.


    "Yes, Relia. I''m not a toxic wolf and since I know you are dying to leave Dark Moon Pack as soon as Kyle is fit to travel and Raiden is up, I wouldn''t do anything to disrupt your ns." Inara retorted and I sighed.


    It was good to know that we were on the same page.


    I''d most likely lose my mind if I were to stay in the hospital for another day. My heart longed to see my son regain consciousness and reunite with his sister who I hadn''t seen ever since I left her in the room with Hazel before I went in search of Larisa with Jess-


    My heart clenched for the millionth time in two days as I recalled myst moments with Jessica. I don''t know If I would ever get over her death- "Howdy, Aurelia." Phoebe''s voice cut through my thoughts and I gazed at her,pletely lost for a minute. She strolled closer to Kyle''s bed where we had both been lying and asked, "Are you ready to be examined this afternoon and what would you like to have for lunch?"


    I smiled sadly, looking at Kyle''s face as I responded, "I told you, Phoebe, you don''t have to examine me. I''m alright. Kindly check on Kyle and the Alpha."


    ¡°And I believe I''ve also told you that all Kyle and the Alpha need is enough time to rest and recover. They are both fine but you look like you''d drop dead any moment from now." Pheobe countered.


    Inara muttered to me, ¡°Let her examine you, Relia. We don''t want to appear suspicious."


    I listened to my wolf and Phoebe used her healer skills to scan my body. It felt good to be taken care of for once but that didn''t lessen the ache in my chest. Perhaps I would feel better when I return home to Alpha Tristan and give Jessica a befitting and honorable burial.


    Perhaps I''d be able to live with the ache-


    "You''re fine," Phoebe concluded after her assessment.


    I mumbled, "I told you so."


    But she voiced, "But your heart isn''t fine, Aurelia." She ran her fingers over the fresh scars on my back and she let out, "Dakota once told me that you''re a special one and it''s evident in how fast you heal but I''m worried about the state of your heart.¡±


    Confused, I questioned, "What do you mean?"N?velDrama.Org content.


    Before Pheobe could reply, Inara


    wolves


    answered my question. "You said it yourself that your heart died years ago. To some extent, you''re correct, Relia. Your heart is weak and it''s started degenerating the day your found out about Dakota''s death. When Katie was bullied, Kyle kidnapped and Jessica''s-" could suck in a breath, I''d say Inara did that as she paused, mourning Jessica in her own way. "These urrences have weakened your heart even more and although I''m trying to fix it, you have a part to y as well."


    "What''s my part?" I asked shakily while Pheobe moved on to examine Kyle after she mouthed some words that I didn''t hear.


    "You''ve to be willing to heal. Let go of the sorrows of your past loss, starting with the failed marriage with Raiden, and open your heart to new rtionships." Inara exined to me.


    But how could I let go?


    How could I even consider forgiving myself-


    "This is why you''ve been eager about Tristan, right? You think my heart can heal if I let him in." I gasped to my wolf.


    Inara didn''t try to deny it. She simply said, "That among many others. Tristan is a kind man and you deserve someone who would do anything for you."


    Really? Even though I knew Jessica had feelings for him and she died before she could express them?


    Despite her words, even Inara


    couldn''t disagree as that thought crossed my mind. We both became silent as Pheobe spoke about lunch. When she realized that I wasn''t about to acknowledge her words, Phoebe left the room and I was about to coil back into the same sorrows that were killing my heart.


    Ret


    However, a soft cough caught my attention, saving me from the darkness looming within me. My heart raced as my eyes shifted to Raiden whose eyes fluttered open as he let out another cough. Within a twinkle of an eye, our gaze met and I''d be lying if I said his first statement didn''t leave me shocked.


    "Y-you sa-saved me."


    Those three words echoed around the room and my eyes widened when he added, his voice low and croaky, "I f-felt y-you snatching me from the tight gr-grasp of death itself."


    That''s impossible. He couldn''t have sensed me healing him-


    I thought to myself but Inara''s words proved otherwise, "Fuck the broken bond! I should have known."


    "Known what?" I could only ask my wolf while Raiden stared at me like he could see through me.


    "I should have known that the bond he refused to break would allow him to sense our power differently. He felt you heal him in the forest, Relia. What do we do?" Inara panicked.


    So much for keeping my abilities to myself.


    I also panicked as I thought of how to get myself out of this mess. Although I failed to find the right words, thankfully Raiden jumped out of the bed, realization shing through his gray eyes as they settled on Kyle''s sleeping form.


    "Larisa..." Raiden gritted with a mixture of rage and hatred.


    And that marked the beginning of a war we all sawing.

 79. A Deadly Trap

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    I didn''t realize what the first set of words that escaped my dry lips meant or perhaps my mind chose to forget them as memories of how Larisa kidnapped my son, shot me, and confessed to every bad thing imaginable, flooded my mind, leaving no room for me to think about how I was saved from the grasp of death.


    "How long have I been here?" I didn''t hesitate to ask Aurelia as my mind registered the fact that I was in my pack''s hospital. Aurelia rubberneck at me, making me question myself for a second. "Say something, please.''


    She blinked rapidly and stuttered, "T-two days. You were out for two days."


    Considering the fact that I assumed I''d be dead, I was amazed that I recovered from a silver bullet within two days. How on earth is that possible?


    My wolf''s gruff voice echoed in my head, confirming that I was truly free from the silver, "She did something to us that day. I could feel it but I can''t exin it."


    At that moment, I could only stare at Aurelia with suspicion zing in my eyes but I was quick to snap out of it, redirecting my mind to the issue at hand- Larisa, and of course, her family. Although I was grateful for the second chance at life and knew that I had to do well by Aurelia, my kids, and my parents, I let anger zap through me and I headed for the door, despite the slight difort under my right rib cage.


    "Where do you think you are going?" Aurelia stunned me with that question.


    My feet froze as I tried to rx my already tense muscles, whispering, "To make her pay."


    "You don''t even know where she is. Your warriors have been looking everywhere for her and the pack has been a mess these past few days-"


    "I''ve to find her!" I snapped, letting my rage loose but I soon regretted it, not just because Aurelia red up as well but also because of the pain in my side.


    "We''ve to find her, Raiden!" Aurelia countered, seething with anger as she left Kyle''s side and stood between me and the door. "Yet I''ve spent the past two days in this room looking after you and Kyle. You can''t run off the second you regain consciousness-"


    "Are you saying I should sit idle and not do anything? If Larisa can''t be found, her family has to pay! They can''t keep living in my pack after they betrayed me, my parents, and everyone else." I interjected, each word forcefully uttered through my clenched teeth.


    "I''m saying even though Larisa deserves to be punished, we''ve to look after the kids first." Aurelia breathed frustratedly. There were dark heavy bags under her eyes and her words made me realize how unreasonable I had been. "I haven''t seen Katie in two days nor have I spoken to Hazel about Jessica''s death. I need to do those things but I also can''t leave Kyle here-"


    Jessica...


    Dammit!


    She died.


    How could I forget that?


    My legs wobbled as memories from that night resurfaced, mming into my mind without giving me a minute to catch my breath.


    "I''m aware that Larisa and her family have to be punished but all I ask is a day," Aurelia muttered to me. "I can''t trust anyone but you with Kyle. Stay with him for the next few hours so I can see Katie and prepare her for this sight while your men keep looking for Larisa. Just a day, Raiden."


    Each time Aurelia has mentioned Larisa''s name or heard me say it since I woke up, she inhaled sharply as if the sound of it burned her eardrums. The thought of her mourning Jessica, while she was stuck in the hospital and away from Katie, sent another wave of emotions through my body. I sighed, knowing that Katie and Kyle should alwayse first in situations like this and I most likely needed to strategize before heading out to find Larisa. "I''ll stay with Kyle. Please check on Katie and bring her in to see Kyle as soon as she is ready. I''m sorry I lost my mind for a moment."


    Aurelia whispered sadly, "If only you know how many times I''ve lost mine in the past two days- Who am I kidding? More like the past month." "You can take your time, rx, and trust me to take care of Kyle," I murmured, strolling back to take Aurelia''s ce beside Kyle.


    She nodded my way, gazing at Kyle


    onest time before leaving theAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    room. With a heavy heart, I opened my mind to the pack, announcing my presence to every member of the pack as I navigated through;


    the


    mind links, finding Andrew somewhere in the middle,


    Andrew gasped in my mind, ¡°Alpha! You''re awake!¡±


    His relief traveled to my mind through the link but I cut all formalities as I responded, "What have you been up to for the past few days? I need updates and don''t leave out a single detail."


    Who said I couldn''t multitask? Look everywhere for Larisa while still taking care of my unconscious son?


    Andrew didn''t hesitate to fill me in


    l.n


    and I must admit, he and the men have been doing a good job during my time out. However, I wasn''t. satisfied with their results. I couldn''t let Larisa hide in in sight like she did after she took Kyle.


    "How do we find someone who has mastered the art of dark magic?" Lex asked me.


    I answered without a doubt, "By searching for her with the same force."


    Alpha Clinton would be of great help this time but for now, I settled for the next avable solution. "Head over to the Wellington''spound, arrest every member of that household, and lock them up."


    That was an order and Andrew knew better than to argue even though he also knew that carrying out my order would lead to war within the pack but I was done running from the inevitable.


    Larisa has to be fished out-


    "Dad!" To my surprise, Katie''s voice broke into my mind as it filled my ears.


    I was shocked to see her run towards me as the nanny closed the door behind her.


    Despite my shock, I opened my


    arms to receive Katie in my arms. Within a twinkle of an eye, Katie detached herself and rolled over to hold Kyle''s body. While the twins had their moment, I asked the nanny, "Where is Aurelia?"


    She stuttered, ¡°I thought she''d be here."


    But she told me she was going home to Katie about an hour ago-


    Fuck! She went back there.


    Lex urged me, "We''ve to go after her. Larisa might not be visible to natural eyes due to the power she possesses but she could still be hanging around-"


    I didn''t wait for my wolf to finish before I voiced to the nanny, "Look after the kids. I''ll be back."


    However, I didn''t make it to the door before Kyle let out a horrifying cry as he fought the demons Larisa created in his mind on his way back to reality. "Dad, why is Kyle screaming? His eyes are still closed. Is he going to be okay?" Katie cried out as well, reminding me of my obligation to both her brother and her.


    "Get the healers!" I instructed the nanny and raced back to Kyle''s side while I hoped that Aurelia hadn''t walked into a deadly trap.

 80. Underground

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    I lied to Raiden and I wasn''t sorry.


    I couldn''t bring myself to be sorry even though my heart ached to be with my son or at least see Katie for the first time in days. I felt sorry for my kids but my legs didn''t stop moving towards the same ce Larisa wed at my already fragile life.


    The same ce Jess had herst breath.


    "Are you sure about this?" Even Inara asked me.


    My wolf knew I was determined to check every corner of the forest. I''ve to find Larisa and skin her alive, bit by fucking bit before anyone else finds her.


    "I''ve no doubts. Killing that bitch is important and I can''t put anyone else at risk." I responded the second I arrived in the vicinity. I could feel the strange energy I felt that day radiating, however, I couldn''t see the source. I added, giving the control of my senses to my wolf, "I trust you to help me find her."


    "I''ll help but I don''t think we''ll find her here. I can''t sense her." Inara exined, sniffing the air through my nostrils. "You''re right about the strange energy though. It''s still here but weaker than it was three nights ago."


    Despite my wolf''s words, I hoped that Larisa would still be around. Goddess, how I would make that bitch suffer before kicking her into the furnace of hell. That would be my way of protecting everyone I''ve ever loved from her.


    If Jess was gone because of her, she shouldn''t remain alive.


    It wasn''t fair-


    I quickly caught myself before tears rolled down my cheeks. I''ve to be focused if I wish to resolve the mystery of Larisa''s hideout.


    Clearing my thoughts, I looked around the forest and said to my wolf, "If it''s weaker, we should be able to prate, right?"


    "Absolutely." Inara chimed confidently.


    "What do I do first? Guide me through the process." I practically pleaded with my wolf.


    Inara replied, "It''s simple. I''ll release our umted spiritual energy and you will let it out. Since Larisa mentioned that she learned and practiced dark magic, our energy would bounce off her darkness and that''d lead us to the source."


    My wolf tried to be as clear as possible and I trusted her to guide me as she released our aura. My eyelids fluttered before closing and my mind opened, energy tingling at the tip of my fingers.


    "Open your eyes," Inara instructed, surprisingly calm while I struggled with containing and getting used to the energy crackling like wild current within my veins.


    Regardless, I opened my eyes and realized that I was seeing the world differently. This new view was simr to the sharpness I usually experience whenever I shift into my wolf form and look around through Inara''s eyes.


    I could see the smallest ants on the floor, hear sounds that I didn''t sense before now, and perceive thousands of scents from the forest.


    "Don''t get carried away by other details. Concentrate, Relia. This won''tst long." Inara cautioned me, making it known that we''d burn out soon. "Find the dark energy."


    A huge part of me felt the need to ask Inara how I was supposed to do that but I simply inhaled deeply, tasting the different scents on my tongue and listening for any weird sound. If I couldn''t see, I might as well use my other senses just like I did thest time I was here.


    I was close to giving up and doubting that my unsharpened abilities would help me find whatever it was I was supposed to be looking for but all of a sudden, among the thousands of sounds in the forest, I found one that shouldn''t be there.


    "Did you hear those..." I breathed to my wolf.


    Inara didn''t disappoint me when she replied, "Heartbeats." She added, "And what''s that smell? It''sing from the earth... down below, Relia but also straight ahead."


    I gasped, "Underground."


    "With an entrance on the surface." Inarapleted and my legs grew a mind of their own as they began to move forward, carrying me towards nothing until I came in contact with something, an invisible surface. In fact, I collided with it, head-first.


    "Ouch." I wince, rubbing my forehead but I forgot about the pain when I felt a force pushing me backward... away from the invisible structure. Inara shouted, her words ringing in my head, "That''s it! It''s herir!"


    "But I still can''t see it," Iined, pushing against what I assumed was the dark force Inara mentioned earlier.


    Inara was quiet for about two minutes before she instructed, sounding breathless. "Find an entrance. You will see as soon as you gain ess to the structure. Just go around and find an entrance-"


    Her voice broke and I immediately felt fatigue kicking against my determination. I didn''t have to be told. It was clear that I didn''t have time on my side.


    Without wasting another second, I


    began to move around the repelling force, tracing it with my fingers. It took a few seconds for me to find a loose part and I assumed it was the entrance. I pushed against it but while my fingers went through, my lower body came in contact with a hard surface that wouldn''t budge.


    "It''s a w-window." Inara stuttered. ¡°J-jump, Relia.¡±


    Quickly, I lunge upward, blindly jumping through the space myAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ???


    fingers found. Instinctively, my eyes closed and didn''t open until I crashed against another hard surface. "It really was a window." | breathed as my eyes took in the state of the unfamiliar room I found myself in.


    From within the structure, I could see the forest through the window and I also realized that if I had taken three more steps, I''d have found the entrance but those thoughts flew through the window the second I


    inhaled deeply and got a whiff of Kyle''s scent in the room.


    My heart fell to the depth of my stomach as I traced my son''s scent to a small, t bed. I saw a bowl of rotting meal by the side and blood-stained napkins. Knowing that was Kyle''s blood broke me, tears rolled down my cheeks and I clutched my chest.


    "It''s indeed herir but she isn''t here." Inara chimed.


    I was about to tell her there was no one there when I heard a barely audible grunt of pain.


    My eyes widened, "Underground. The heartbeats."


    "The entrance is right behind you," Inara announced, sniffing the air.


    I swirled around and I came face to face with a corridor. Who on earth would believe that this was here? I questioned myself as I walked down the corridor and soon, I found a stairway that led me downward and towards the weak heartbeats.


    I noticed the temperature changed faster than the metallic cells built into the walls.


    The stench invading my nostrils was choking but it didn''t stop me from hearing the weak whisper that had me gasping and left me wondering. "Aurelia... Is t-that really you?"


    That didn''t sound like Larisa... so who could that be?

 81. A Filthy Prisoner

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    My curiosity hung in the air as I let my legs carry me towards the voice. With every step I took, my broken heart fell piece by piece. With every cell I looked into, I hurled, the foul smell irritating me.


    "How heartless is she really? She clearly had people locked in here." Inara heaved without hiding her disgust.


    In spite of her words, my wolf''s curiosity coursed through me and it only intensified when the same soft whimper reached my ears again, "I can smell y-you. It''s really you..."


    Strangely, a tiny part of me seemed to recognize that voice. The feminine ring sounded familiar but I couldn''t ce my finger on it.


    "Who''re you?" I questioned, taking cautious steps as the space became darker.


    As my voice echoed, sending waves back to my eardrums, there came no response from the oddly familiar voice but to my surprise, another voice, not a familiar one, cried out, "Please let me out. Please."


    I inhaled sharply, ignoring the foul smell around me. Inara''s sense of smell also picked up the undying scent of people before their voices resonated, leaving me shocked.


    "Please let me go..."


    "I won''t tell a soul if you let me out..."


    "W-water... I''m thirsty."


    Those cries ovepped and I couldn''t point out just how many people were locked up. The loudness made me wonder how no one had ever found this horrible ce. If I was sad before walking into Larisa''s underground prison, my sorrows tripled, and the hate I felt towards that heartless wrench multiplied.


    I halted, stopping in front of the first cell with an upant. A teenage girl. She scooted closer to the metallic door of the cell but distanced herself from it, making me realize that the cell wasced with silver.


    Her


    young face was pale and her eyes pleading, "You aren''t her. Please release me. I''ve to be with my mom."


    I found my voice in the midst of the emotional chaos and asked, "What''s your name? Who is your mother?"


    "M-my name is Maya. My mom is the head of servant." The teenage girl cried, putting effort into raising her voice above every other.


    ¡°Nina? Your mother is Nina?" I gasped, putting my hands on the locks without thinking of how Maya would react to me touching silver.


    Thankfully, she was too weak and disheartened to notice as she muttered breathlessly, "Yes. Please save me from the Luna. She has been keeping me captive-"


    "Save your breath," I uttered gently, offering her a smile as I broke the lock. "I can see you''re tired but I need you to help me release the others. Can you do that?"


    "I can try." Maya nodded despite her state and that made me realize that she was nothing like Nina.


    Without wasting time, I moved on to the next cell and the next, breaking lock after lock without feeling a sight burn from the silver. Inara was right about me being Immune but that was the least of my concerns as I set those people free.


    "Thank you." I heard those two words repeatedly as I broke the locks and I nodded, asking everyone to stay put so I could lead them out of here safely.


    It wasn''t until released about ten of Larisa''s prisoners that I found the owner of the familiar voice I heard earlier. Her tangled gray hair caught my eyes first and when she etched, "You made it her, Aurelia," my eyes widened. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Focusing on breaking the lock of her cell proved to be difficult and my grip on the door loosened when she raised her head, revealing the face behind her overflowing hair.


    Disbelief clouded my senses yet I murmured, "Iris..."


    ¡°Hmm mm.¡± She hummed, gazing at me with nothing but sadness in her eyes. "I never thought I''d see you again after my son lost you.¡±


    I ignored her words about how Raiden and I ended and quickly broke the lock, rushing into the cell. "How... How did this happen?" I asked, shaking my head as I took in her condition.


    Iris used to be a beauty for all eyes to behold and I''ve never seen her with gray hair. She used to have ck hair and the wrinkles on her face didn''t have a ce thest time I saw her which was many years ago.


    Iris Flockhart, wife and mate of Ronald Flockhart and mother to Raiden Flockhart... How on earth did Larisa turn her into this?


    "I don''t think we''ve enough time to discuss how I was once a respected Luna but now a filthy prisoner," Iris answered, her gray eyes reminding me of Raiden''s.


    "Let''s get you out of here," I stated and tried to help her up but her legs were weaker than jelly.


    Iris chimed sadly, "I thought my son would be the one to save us from here. His father and I have been waiting but he never came-"


    "Ronald is here too?" I couldn''t believe my ears.


    "He was here," Iris answered sadly. "And what''s left of his body must be here somewhere."


    Ronald was gone... just like Jessica.


    Although I wasn''t a fan of Ronald as we never had the chance to rte like a family even when I was married to Raiden but even he didn''t deserve to die in a ce like this.


    Tears rolled down Iris''s face as she sobbed quietly. If my heart was still in one piece, it''d have broken for her but at that moment, I could only help her on my back and assure her, "We''ll find him. I promise."


    While Ronald made himself a target the few times I saw him after I married Raiden, Iris had always made herself avable even when I was simply a servant in the Alpha''s mansion. She was kind to me... to everyone.


    "Regardless of the circumstances, It''s good to see you again, Aurelia." Iris chided as I stepped out of the cell, bringing her to the others. "Likewise, Iris-" I tried to smile.


    But my attempt was interrupted


    when a loud crash came from above. I looked around as everyone else panicked, muttering their pleas to be saved. Some even sent a prayer to the goddess, hoping it wasn''t Larisa but hell, did I want it to be her.


    I positioned myself between the end of the stairs and the shaky people after putting tris down. The foul smell from the cells made it impossible for my nostrils to pick the scent of whoever wasing towards us but I could hear footsteps, sounding closer, and closer by the second.


    ¡°Oh, let it be Larisa, goddess. Just this once, favor me." I sent my prayer to the moon goddess.


    However, shock rippled all over me when I finally saw the masculine frame of someone who actually wasn''t Larisa.


    I mouthed his name, my voice carrying my surprise, "Andrew? What are you doing here?"


    Perhaps the question I should have asked him was, "How did you get here?" but that didn''t cross my mind... not immediately.

 82. Flesh and Bones

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    "I came here to fetch you," Andrew responded after he recovered from what I presumed was the smell and the sight of those behind me. "Alpha Raiden asked me toe after you after he realized that you were missing."


    Fuck! Raiden knew I wasn''t with Katie. How did he find out?


    "How did you find me or this ce?" I finally asked the question in my subconsciousness.


    Andrew''s eyes shifted from one dark corner of the basement to another, shock glinting in his eyes. "Raiden told me you''d be around here but I didn''t expect to see a hut or whatever this ce is. I''ve nevere across this structure. It was never here."


    It was clear to me that Andrew was still trying to wrap his mind around the very existence of this ce and he further confirmed it when he said, "What the hell is this ce?"


    Iris''s weak voice broke out, beating me to respond, "A dark ce Larisa created to keep innocent people... just to use them as leverage."


    Andrew''s brows furrowed and he stepped closer, tilting his head to the side to have a better view of the people behind me. He gasped audibly, "l-iris?" That was more of a question than a statement.


    "In the flesh. Wrinkled and smelly but still me, Drew." Iris answered with familiarity and fondness.


    "How is this possible? You left the pack and cut any means ofmunication-" Andrew began.


    But Iris shook her head and corrected, "Larisa cut any means ofmunication, Drew and Ronald and I never made it out of the pack. We fell into Larisa''s trap and she has been keeping us here for the past-" Iris''s voice broke and she seemed to be lost in thought.


    "She lost track of time, Relia." Inara chimed within me.


    Iris didn''t get toplete her statement as Andrew crouched before her and pulled her into his arms, saying, "Goddess, I''ve missed you. We all have."


    "I would say the same, child, but anyone would miss the outside world if they have been stuck here for years," Iris answered but she hugged Andrew back.


    While the duo had a moment, the others appeared scared and impatient. If I was in their shoes, I''d want to escape this ce as soon as possible. Realizing this, I voiced to Andrew, "We need more hands to get everyone out of here and return them to their families."


    "The warriors are on their way, Aurelia," Andrew responded, breaking away from Iris''s arms with tears in his eyes. It''d be inhuman not to feel sad after discovering a ce as soulless as this. "Thank you. We can''t thank you enough, Aurelia.¡±


    ¡°I was chasing after my own-" I was about to tell Andrew about my desire to peel Larisa''s skin off her body but I changed my mind as this wasn''t the ce. "Let''s just get out of here."


    Andrew nodded and he took his gaze off me, walking to the cells. He stretched out his fingers to ess the metals before I could warn him about the silver. "Ouch." He hissed.


    His head snapped to me and he blurted, "How did you get them out of the cell? It''sced with silver-"


    "I know Andrew and that is why we need more hands. I believe more people need to be let out and Iris mentioned that Ronald is here." I quickly babbled to divert Andrew''s attention.


    Fortunately, my efforts paid off. Andrew forgot about the cell as he remembered that Ronald was indeed mentioned by Iris. He eximed, ¡°Oh, Ronald..."


    On clue, five warriors made their


    way to the basement of Larisa''sir, holding tools like chainsaws and nkets for the people. More people were let out and the total number overwhelmed me. I couldn''t believe Larisa would go to these lengths just to enact control.


    Iris offered to be thest person to leave even though the warriors wanted her to be the first. She sat quietly on the floor beside my legs and I pondered on the thoughts that were zapping through her mind.


    "There''s no one here but there are rotting pieces of flesh and bones." A warrior announced from down the corridor.


    "Ronald." Iris''s muffled cry caused my chest to tighten and seeing her struggle to get to her mate''s remains was torture.


    "Hey hey." I tried to calm her. "Stay put. He''ll be brought to you."


    Tears rolled down her cheeks as she blinked. I was curious about the rest of the cells because I''d been asking myself if Kyle was also kept here but I sacrificed my needs to stay with Iris while Andrew oversaw the extraction of Ronald''s remains.


    "Please take Iris out, Aurelia. This is not a good sight." Andrew pleaded.


    Iris didn''t bother to resist as I carried her on my back and took the stairs back to the ground level. Upon exiting Larisa''s liar, I was met with arge crowd. I saw people crying and hugging. I saw broken family. members struggling to get in the arms of those who had been left behind and tortured by their absence.


    "Andrew must have asked their families toe for them," Inara mumbled into my head, each word carved out of pure emotions.


    ¡°What the pack has be after you left." Iris whimpered, resting her head on my upper back.


    I held back my tongue as these words threatened to roll off it, "It was like this seven when I was the unrecognized Luna. Worse now but started way back."


    Iris didn''t need to hear those words from me not when she just escaped a dark hole. I didn''t fail to notice how she closed her eyes and let the sun hit her face or even how she inhaled fresh sweet air deeply.


    Iris remained on my back even after Andrew and the men came out of their. Andrew exined the situation to Iris, telling her that she would see Ronald''s remains after they had been cremated. Iris agreed but I still felt her tears soaking my blouse.


    "Thank you." Iris sniffled.


    Andrew nodded before he faced me, ¡°Ah! I forgot to mention. Alpha Raiden asked you to return to the hospital. Something about Kyle breaking down."


    "Kyle..." I suddenly felt guilty for leaving my son''s side just to chase after revenge but on another thought, I was grateful. If I hadn''t left the hospital, I wouldn''t have found all these people.


    Families wereplete because ofN?velDrama.Org content.


    Ket


    that decision and I was certain Larisa would be losing her shits wherever she was hiding herself the news get to her. A small smile graced my lips despite my worries about my son''s well-being as I r back to the hospital with Iris on my back.

 83. Deep Hatred

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<~


    I was pacing outside Kyle''s room with Katie in my arms. I could still hear Kyle''s cries and sense my daughter''s fear as she buried her face in the crook of my neck. I didn''t know what was taking Andrew so long to get Aurelia back to the hospital and I was too worried to begin tracing Andrew through the mind link.


    In fact, My mind was full of nothing but worries.


    "Please, Dad. Let me stay with Kyle. My presence in his room would help him rx." Katie whimpered.


    "But the healer and doctor asked us to leave, Katie. We''ve to stay here until they let us in." I patted my daughter''s back


    "But why? Mom always lets me stay beside Kyle when he is ill." Katie cried out.


    I didn''t know how tofort her as he small body shook in my arms and I tried my best to not wince each time her leg hit or move over the bullet wound on my side. If only Aurelia was here-


    "She''s here," Lex announced into my mind the second he perceived Aurelia''s presence in the hospital. However, I felt his heart race rapidly as another scent hit our noses. A very familiar one but also coated with other scents. Lex called out right before Aurelia ran into the corridor, "Mom..."


    My mom...


    My breath hitched when I realized that Aurelia was holding someone on her back. The whitish strands of hair seemed unfamiliar and known at the same time, causing my heart to leap.


    "Mom..." I tasted that word on my tongue as it rolled out.


    The person on Aurelia''s back raised her head and my eyes connected with a pair of identical orbs. My eyes stung as Larisa''s words rushed back to my mind. That was my mom on Aurelia''s back. I had many questions but I was too emotional to even consider asking one of them.


    "Raiden. My child." My mom''s voice hit me hard and I let out a sob, taking steps to meet her and Aurelia halfway. Her gray eyes watered just like tears rolled down my own cheeks.


    My hold on Katie tightened even after I reached Aurelia and cupped my mom''s face while she remained on Aurelia''s back. So much had changed about her. The color of her hair, her face, and even the unending joy I used to see in her eyes were gone.


    I shook my head, a new wave of anger building up within me but this time, I was mad at myself. How could I have let my mom suffer in Larisa''s hands? How did I miss the red gs she constantly shed my way?


    "I''m so sorry, Mom." I apologized, struggling with tears.


    Katie twisted in my arms and cried as well, "Mom."


    Of course, Katie doesn''t know my mom and when she uttered that word, she was referring to Aurelia who was quick to stretch her arms to receive Katie. "Oh, My baby." Aurelia breathed, using my arms to hold Katie while her other hand supported my mom''s weight on her back.


    The show of strength would have


    captivated me if I hadn''t focused on relieving Aurelia by lifting my mom off her back. I immediately noticed how weak my mom was when her feet touched the ground and heldAll content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    her against me, super


    weight as she stared into my eyes, affection shing in hers.


    "Look at you...." My mom said to me without holding back her tears.


    Unlike me. If I were to let my emotions loose, I''d be a wreck, and as much I year to be one for a couple of minutes, I couldn''t break down like that in a public ce and not in the presence of my sad daughter.


    Katie''sint to Aurelia also reached my ears, "They won''t let me see Kyle, Mom. He needs me. I want to be with him."


    "Shush, baby." Aurelia consoled Katie before saying, "Stay with Hazel while I go inside and ask if you can stay with Kyle. Is that okay?"


    I didn''t have to look at Katie to know


    that she wasn''t okay with that but I also knew she''d agree to stay outside heard Aurelia open the door and close it behind her while I remained outside, staring at my mom''s wrinkled face.


    She shouldn''t have aged this much if she wasn''t locked up.


    I med myself for her condition-


    But it suddenly urred to me that she was the only one I was seeing. I breathed, "Where''s dad?"


    She was silent for a second but blinked as she replied, "He''s gone, Raiden. It happened about six months or a year ago...I can''t be sure-"


    My mom''s lips quavered as she spoke and I found my body responding to her words in ways I couldn''t imagine. Bad shivers ran down my spine, my heart pumped like it was about to explode and my skin felt like it was on fire.


    "He died where she kept you?" I asked, managing to speak without stuttering.


    Andrew would definitely tell me


    everything I needed to know and show me where my mom was found but for now, I could only imagine how lonely my parents must have been. How sad my dad must have felt when he realized he would be taking hisst breath as a prisoner in the same territory that he ruled.


    "Yes..." My mom sniffed before her puffy eyes settled on Katie who was also staring at us.


    I pulled myself together and chimed, "Introductions are due but we should get you cleaned up and assessed by the doctors before that."


    My mom hummed in agreement. I took another look at Katie before leaving, carrying my mom to another room in the hospital and while she got medical attention, my mind crept back to Larisa.


    I swore to find her no matter how far and long I had to search.


    She''ll pay and I''ll use her family to teach the rest of the realm that I wasn''t to be toyed with. My family wasn''t to be messed with either.


    "Just wait and see," I murmured with deep hatred.

 84. Larisas POV (8)

    ?


    LARISA''S POV


    ~<>~


    It''s been three days of no news from Dark Moon Pack.


    The news I expected to hear the most was the death of Raiden and Aurelia because even though I didn''t shoot her with a silver bullet, the poison I asked my men to soak the arrows in wasn''t exactly curable...


    I believed Aurelia would die slowly and I''d be able to return home.


    However, after days of silence from my aide, I was beginning to get impatient. I stared at the phone he and I had exchanged years ago in case of emergencies such as this one, hoping to hear it ring and see his name sh on the screen.


    "Aahhh..." I screamed.


    I have been staying in one of my father''s storage houses on the outskirts of the pack. I didn''t see myself spending two nights here not to think of more. I wantedfort and this ce wasn''t giving me that-


    My raging thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my cell phone ringtone. The sound red through the small space I had made for myself in the storage and I rushed to pick it up from.


    "What took you so long? I''ve been waiting to hear from you!" I snapped into the speaker of the phone.


    From the other side, my aide tried to speak, "You won''t believe what-"


    ¡°I don''t care. Just tell me I cane home and that they are all dead!¡± I interrupted.


    "You can''te home, Larisa. You would be killed-"


    "Why can''t I?" I snapped, jolting off the hard wooden chair. "What do you mean?"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Alpha Raiden survived. Aurelia did too and-"


    "Impossible!" I barked. "How could they''ve survived? It was silver. He should be dead."


    This can''t be happening. I didn''t want him dead at first but Raiden has to die. He knows almost everything. Heck! I confessed to him. With Raiden alive, I''d never be able to return home. Who was I kidding? I''d never be able to live. Raiden would search underneath the earth if that is what it takes to find me and punish me-


    "I don''t know how he managed to survive but he did even before we left the forest after your escape. It was unbelievable and I thought he would give up the ghost in the hospital but to my greatest shock, he sent an order just two dayster. He ordered the arrest of your family members and everyone else in your household-"


    ¡°He can''t do that!" I cried out, my heart tightening for my parents.


    They did nothing wrong! My parents knew nothing about my ns!


    "He can, Larisa and he already is. He''ll do everything to smoke you out." My aide stated, his emotions filling my soul despite the distance between us. And I''d do everything to suck the life out of him!


    I loved him once but now, he''d be my enemy.


    There was no going back.


    "This isn''t the end. I won''t let him treat my family like trash." I seethed. "It''s a good thing I still have his mother and the stinky remains of his father. I''d make him beg!"


    I believed I still had the upper hand in this fight until I realized that my outburst was meant with silence on the other side. My aide eventually sighed and broke the most heartbreaking news to me, "They found the hideout, Larisa."


    My hands fell to my sides as those words rang in my head, shattering my hopes for the future I wished to have with or without Raiden by my side. I had never felt more defeated in my entire life.


    "H-how?" I literally tripped on each letter of that word.


    "Remains a mystery to me but


    Aurelia found the ce. She saw it and entered. I just knew that the ce became visible after she entered and by the time I got there, she had already set the prisoners free." He exined to me and my world crumbled.


    He said defeatedly, "We don''t have any more cards to use against him or anyone, Larisa. You''ve to run far away from the pack. Run as far as to the human realm if you have to because soon enough, Alpha Raiden would have me and the men search every property that belongs to your family, within or outside the pack and I wouldn''t want you to be discovered."


    Deep within me, I knew he cared about me. He must have fallen in love with me during our years of plotting and pleasuring each other and he''d make the perfect insider and informat.


    With a smile, I countered, "No, my darling. We still have onest card."


    "We do?" He asked, underestimating my ability to make a solid and fataleback.


    "Yes and that card is you," I informed


    him. "I''ll go as far away as I can travel without getting spotted but you''ve to promise me that you''d be


    my eyes and eyes in Dark Moon Pack Since I can''t return, please take over and carry out my ns from within. We''ve to save my family."


    "I''d do anything for you, Larisa. You should know that." He replied without hesitation.


    How a woman can bring a mighty man to his knees without trying...


    "I know that and we''ll begin by making a big statement," I smirked even though I might never forgive myself for missing thest chance I''d to end Aurelia, her bastard kids, and Raiden,


    The rest of the call was used to n out how my parents would be saved from Raiden''s wrath and the call only ended when I was satisfied with the n but I soon realized that nothing would be easy for me henceforth.


    I mean, Raiden was out for blood and I wasn''t ready this time, in spite of my ns.

 85. Damaged Heart

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    Sadly, I had to spend another night at the hospital but this time, with Katie. My daughter has refused to leave Kyle''s side even after Phoebe and the doctor taking care of Kyle had sessfully put him to sleep.


    Before Phoebe and the doctor left the room for us, I was told that Kyle was suffering due to the treatment he received while in Larisa''s captivity. That brought tears to my eyes and I could only imagine what staying in Larisa''sir for almost two weeks would do to anyone... and Kyle was just a kid.


    He was my sweet little boy.


    "I''d kill that witch." Inara snarled within me, radiating with rage.


    While I felt pity for my son since I was informed that he was being haunted by the dark memories Larisa imprinted on his mind, Inara had been boiling with rage despite the fact that she was still weak from burning her energy to find the invisibleir.


    "How do we help Kyle forget? I need him to be carefree and happy again, Ina." I cried to my wolf, staring down at my kids.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Katie was holding Kyle tightly as they both escaped into dreand. Gosh! I wondered what kind of dreams Kyle was having at the moment. What if my son was still suffering even in his sleep?


    "I don''t know how but it''s high time we speak to Tristan. He might be able to tell us something we don''t know." Inara retorted.


    My fingers brushed Kyle''s hair, detangling them as a wild thought popped into my head, "Something we don''t know? Like taking the bad memories off Kyle''s mind? Can we achieve that?"


    "I d-don''t know, Relia and I won''t want to give you the wrong impression,¡± Inara responded, sounding unsure.


    Although that was a p on my cracked hope, I couldn''t give up on Kyle. I made a mental note to ask Hazel to bring me the cell phone Jessica passed to me before- oh, will I ever get used to her being gone?


    I shook my head, wiping off the stray tear on my face. Hazel had gone back to the apartment for the night and she promised to return with breakfast in the morning. At the moment, I was alone in the room with the kids and in the same bed.


    My eyes shifted to Raiden''s empty bed and a part of me wished he was still in his bed but I knew he was with Iris. thest I heard, she was also admitted for care in the hospital and clearly, she needed her son by her side.


    I have been taking care of the twins alone for almost six years of their lives, I can definitely survive another night of many toe.


    "You should rest as well, Relia. Finding their was no easy job and you''re just as exhausted as I am. We did that together." Inara kinda yawned through our bond.


    As much as she was right, I muttered, "How can I sleep when Kyle can wake up any moment from now? I''ve to be on watch."


    Inara yawned again, ¡°It''s a good thing I sense Raidening towards the room then¨C¡±


    ¡°He wouldn''t leave Iris just toe here." I snorted, knowing if I was in his shoe, I''d stay with my mom as well.


    However, the door opened and Raiden''s frame slipped into the room, worry boldly written on his face. He breathed as my wide eyes connected with his, "Hey. How are you holding up?"


    I was speechless for a second or perhaps two. "Just fine," I muttered, holding back the urge to ask him why he was here.


    Rather than move to his bed, Raiden walked up to me without breaking eye contact. My breath hitched not because of his undeniably fine features but because of the burning curiosity in me. What does he want from me now?


    I got the answer to my question when Raiden went on his knees beside the bed, still holding my gaze. "Thank you, Aurelia."


    "F-for wh-what?" My mind went nk.


    There was something in his eyes as he said those two words together with my name. Something I couldn''t grasp yet he maintained that look and his low tone as he answered, "For saving them.... For bringing them back to me."


    And that was when I realized what was in his eyes. It was tears. Raiden had been trying to hold them back but they betrayed him, rolled down his cheeks, and revealed his heart to me.


    "I''ve always been a failure. A


    disgrace for a son, a husband, a mate, and a father. It''s no longer surprising but I feel blessed to have them back regardless of my


    foolishness." Raiden couldn''t on


    his tears at this point. Each stroke trickled down his chin as he murmured so as not to wake the kids. "My dad is dead but you still found him. I couldn''t even do that when he was alive and my mom-"


    His voice broke and he sobbed quietly, causing my heartstrings to stretch in ways I didn''t know my damaged heart could handle.


    I didn''t know how to react or what to


    say to him. I just watched him pour his heart out and cry without shielding himself from me. Raiden remained on his knees for what` seemed like forever and while he sobbed, I remained silent until he r¨¦se to his feet, cleaning his wet face.


    "You must be tired after everything you did today, Aurelia," Raiden stated like he wasn''t just crying a second ago. "You and Katie can


    I


    have the other bed. It''s bigger and I''ll


    stay with Kyle while you get some


    rest."


    I was about to disagree but Raiden shook his head, "Please, Aurelia. Can we agree just this once and not argue? You need the rest and rest you''ll


    get."


    "You won''t get a wink of sleep though," I said as Raiden detangled the twins, carrying Katie to the bigger bed.


    "I''ve slept enough these past few years." Raiden retorted, silently urging me to move to the other bed.


    And I did just that after kissing Kyle''s forehead. As I settled beside Katie, I found the strength to rub these words in Raiden''s face. "You did sleep through the years."


    His chuckle was thest sound that filled my ears before fatigue imed me.

 86. Heal His Mind

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    I didn''t realize how much I needed to sleep until I did.


    To be honest, I couldn''t recall thest time I had such a deep sleep without Inara having to induce my sleep. It was way before I brought myself and my kids to Raiden''s pack out of my stupidity.


    As my eyes fluttered open that morning, I wondered what would have happened differently if I had stayed back at ck Fur... I wondered what life would be like for my kids.


    Katie wouldn''t have been bullied.


    Kyle wouldn''t have been kidnapped.


    The twins wouldn''t be traumatized.


    And of course, Jessica would still be here if Kyle wasn''t kidnapped in the first ce.


    But If I had stayed back, I wouldn''t have known that Dakota was gone or heard about how Larisa manipted the bond between Raiden and me even before she returned.


    Yes, I heard that part of her confession in the forest. I just didn''t know what to do with that piece of information and I haven''t had the time to let it sink in or make a difference. It shouldn''t even make any difference, right?


    After all, I was engaged to Alpha Tristan and would be gone from Raiden''s life soon-


    The door opened for the first time that morning, breaking the chain of my thoughts and letting Hazel in. She smiled and mouthed, "Good morning..." I didn''t miss the food basket Hazel was holding and the way Raiden jolted up from his slumber. He clearly dozed off while he was meant to keep watch and I couldn''t me him. He must have been up most of the night.


    "Good morning, Alpha Raiden. I didn''t mean to disturb your sleep." Hazel tilted her head as she acknowledged Raiden.


    "I shouldn''t be sleeping in the first ce," Raiden responded gruffly, avoiding my gaze. Thankfully, Kyle didn''t experience any episode during the night and he was still sleeping soundly.


    Hazel didn''t seem to understand Raiden''s reaction as she offered to take Katie to the restroom and clean her up for breakfast. "I brought enough food for everyone, a change of clothes, and the cell phone in your room. It has been ring continuously since yesterday."


    Oh, Tristan.


    I did say I''d call him today.


    "You''re a darling, Hazel," I muttered with a smile.N?velDrama.Org content.


    "I know," Hazel replied with a smile of her own and lifted Katie from the bed without waking her up.


    After Hazel left the room, Raiden announced that he had to check on Iris. "I''ll be back before the nanny returns with-"


    "She''s not a nanny. She''s my friend." I corrected with a frown. "Her name is Hazel."


    "I didn''t mean to sound rude." Raiden chimed ufortably. "I should go."


    The second he left the room, I sighed audibly, letting out a breath that I didn''t realize I was holding. I took out the cell phone in Hazel''s back and moved over to Kyle''s bed, whispering, "Mama is here, baby."


    Kyle didn''t react to my touch but I still pulled him into my arms as I unlocked the cell phone, seeing


    several missed calls from Tristan et


    Without hesitation, I dialed his number, wanting nothing more than to speak with him about Jessica and ask him if I could help Kyle get better.


    "Oh my goddess, Lia! I''ve been trying to reach you. I thought I''d have toe to Dark Moon pack tomorrow." Alpha Tristan''sforting voice filled my soul, causing my emotions to spiral out of my control.


    Tears brimmed in my eyes as I skipped all formalities and whimpered, "Je-jessica is g-gone."


    "To where? She wouldn''t leave you and I haven''t seen her here-"


    I cut in, clearer this time, "She''s dead, Alpha Tristan."


    I heard him inhale sharply after my words hit him.


    "She died-"


    Tristan interrupted with a tight voice, "That exins the crazy twitch I felt a few days ago. How did it happen? Did that bastard try to hurt you and kill Jessica while-"


    "No. It wasn''t Raiden." I quickly


    corrected Tristan''s assumption


    because I knew what would happen


    between both packs if I let it linger "It was Larisa. A silver bullet to the head and..." Although my voice broke, I exined how Jessica lost her life and everything that had happened afterward to Tristan.


    "She died a hero," Tristan muttered after listening to me.


    I countered, "She died because of my selfishness."


    "You can''t say that, Lia." Tristan disagreed but he didn''t push further. Instead, he stated, "Tell me, how is Kyle doing?"


    "Not very well, Alpha Tristan." I sobbed. "I want toe home but I can''t travel with the kids like this. Can I make Kyle better? Can I heal his mind or take some of his memory out?"


    I cried for his help and even though he couldn''t help right away, he promised to do some research and help me.


    "I''ve missed you and the twins. I


    can''t wait to have you back with me." Alpha Tristan exhaled into my ears and t could only smile sadly,


    failing to reciprocate hi


    Again, he didn''t push but he added,


    "I''ll send a few men toe get you alband Jessica when you are ready toe home."


    "I can''t thank you enough." I chimed.


    "You don''t have to. I''d do anything for my family." He responded.


    But that was how Jessica lost her life and I didn''t want to lose anyone else to death. I''ve had enough.


    "I''ll be expecting words from you," I said into the speaker just as Hazel returned to the room with Katie wrapped in a towel.


    Katie and Tristan chatted for a while before he had to end the call, promising to find a way for me to cure Kyle''s mind. All I had to do was wait and trust him but for how long can I trust my so-called fiance?


    Or wait without risking my son''s active mind?

 87. Alpha Tristans POV (4)

    ?


    ALPHA TRISTAN''S POV (4)


    ~<>~


    ¡°Argh!¡± I groaned angrily, flinging my cell phone against the nearest wall.


    A shattering sound reverberated in my bedroom as pieces of the cell phone scattered across the floor. Blood pumped fiercely in my veins and I could have sworn that the world had suddenly turned red because that was all I saw.


    "I told you not to leave her there but you didn''t listen." Dolf seethed within me.


    My wolf believed this new development wouldn''t have happened if I was still in Dark Moon pack with Aurelia. Perhaps he was right. I couldn''t be certain but I was sure as hell that Jessica wouldn''t have died in a strange territory if I was there.


    And Aurelia wouldn''t be there alone with the bastard that brought this doom into her life... our lives.


    My fists clenched as I recalled thest time I saw Jessica. I also recalled breaking Jessica''s leg intentionally just to get Aurelia to perform in the finals of the stupid pack games! Stupid! I was so stupid!


    Of course, I was used to losing my warriors to death but Jessica was one of my most valued. I had big ns for her. Raiden''s bitch has definitely put a hitch in my already progressing n and that riled me up.


    "Are you crazy! Are you worried about Jessica''s ce in your n instead of Aurelia and the twins? They are suffering in that pack, Tris!" Dolf yelped, losing his usual calm tone as he shoved his anger down my throat.


    I facepalmed myself, my conflicting interests doing more harm than good. I promised Aurelia that I''d find a way for her to heal Kyle but I honestly do not have the time to carry out research at the moment. I had my hands full and-


    "Your hands are full of shits if you ask me and I''m sick of it!" Dolf bellowed before putting a mental wall between our minds, restricting any form ofmunication.


    Although this wasn''t the first time Dolf and I''d argue about my feelings for Aurelia and determination to avenge my parents, it felt different... more intense. However, I couldn''t ponder on the issue because my Beta knocked on my bedroom door and I let him in, stepping on shards of my phone screen without flinching.


    "Good morning, Alpha Tristan," Louis uttered as he closed the door behind him. The second he noticed the mess on the floor, he froze by the door, remaining there as I returned to my bed, staring at him in a way that expressed my willingness to listen to whatever he had to tell me. "I came bearing news."


    I sighed, trying to clear my mind because I could perceive Louis''s happiness and if he came with good news, I shouldn''t let my foul mood ruin the moment. "Speak, Louis."


    "I received news from our men." Louis began with a smile. "They have sessfully captured three other smaller packs without attracting unwanted attention or alerting the bigger packs of our mission."


    I scorned, "Three? Just three?"


    "Y-yes, Alpha-" Louis was stunned by my reaction.


    But I wasn''t quite done. "How long do I have to wait before we move on to the bigger packs? Do I have to do everything myself!" I snapped, losing control over my emotions as Aurelia''s words shed through my mind.


    Fuck! I was a mess.


    After trying to reach her countless times in the past few days, this was what I got. Hell!All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Just pick a side already and stick with it, asshole." Dolf lowered the mental wall enough for those words to slip into my mind along with his rage. Louis read the room urately before he carefully muttered, "Did something happen, Alpha? You are not one to lose control regardless of "


    ¡°Jessica is dead." I cut in with a good enough answer and continued with everything Aurelia told me.


    Since I couldn''t speak with Dolf, I might as well open up to my Beta.


    "They killed one of our own." Louis snarled.


    "I''ll make sure they pay for that,¡± I murmured, my voice dropping octaves lower than normal. "From what Aurelia told me, Raiden''s bitch could use dark magic and she is currently in hiding. I want you to lead some men, search for her, and bring her to me before Raiden gets her. Be careful and bring her alive. She has to die at my hands."


    Louis grunted sharply, both of us forgetting about the three packs he came to me to discuss. My Beta was about to take his leave when he suddenly paused and gasped, What if this is the opportunity we have been waiting for?"


    He faced me as I raised a brow. "What opportunity?" I questioned.


    "Getting betrayed by the woman he chose to love must have crippled Alpha Raiden in many ways and he''d be focused on catching the betrayer, punishing her, and-"


    Before Louis could finish exining,


    I inhaled sharply, realization


    any


    ???


    mming into me with full force. "Raiden is distracted by his pack affairs so he wouldn''t have the time and resources to interfere in external affair. We can use this time to take down some of the bigger packs. Most importantly, Moon Stone Pack."


    Taking over Clinton''s financially buoyant pack with active trade routes to other realms would increase my chances of achieving my goals. "Yes, Alpha.¡± Louis smiled. ¡°This is our chance. We all know Moon Stone can''t stand against our military force and win without Dark Moon''s support." "Moon Stone will fall into my hands and Raiden will lose one of his allies," I muttered, loving the sound of that.


    Louis continued, "After taking Moon Stone, we can move on to Dark Moon Pack-"


    It was at this point that I cut him off, "We won''t be doing that until Aurelia and the kids are back home... where they belong."


    I couldn''t risk losing them in battle.


    Whereas, if this new n works out, my love for Aurelia would have all the time in the world to blossom.


    "It''s time we bring them home." Louis, who already knew better than to badmouth Aurelia, said to me, offering his support.


    ¡°That, I agree....¡± I etched. ¡°But first, find the witch and bring her to me."


    Louis nodded, bowed, and left my room after he stated, "I''ll get someone to clean the mess."


    With Louis gone, I immediately saw a future with Aurelia in my arms, wearing a beautiful crown that only I could give her.


    She''d be mine.... My Queen.


    I just have to bring her home and to do that, Kyle has to get better. Without any more doubt, I moved to my private library to find the help Aurelia needed from the pages of books only I had ess to.

 88. Make or Mar

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    My chest rose and fell rapidly and tears streamed down my face. I felt useless. Completely useless and broken, I struggled to get a glimpse of Kyle who was surrounded by healers and doctors, collectively restraining him as he kicked vigorously and cried out, horror loud in his voice.


    Kyle was experiencing another episode. One of many in the past two days and I was losing my mind.


    Thankfully, Katie wasn''t in the hospital to witness this particr one but sadly, my daughter had witnessed more than enough to know that her brother was suffering and the hospital wasn''t helping him.


    "What''s taking him so long?" Inara sniveled and I instantly knew she was talking about Alpha Tristan who still hadn''t contacted me in the past two days.


    I was bing anxious and very scared. Seeing Kyle fight with unseen demons was killing me and I couldn''t help but hate myself for putting my son through this torment.


    "Perhaps he is taking his time because there is no hope for Kyle," I muttered back to my wolf, tears rolling down my cheeks as Kyle''s muffled screams beat my eardrums, inflicting pain all over my body.


    "You don''t believe that." Inara whimpered but even she couldn''t argue with me. We both knew Tristan was an efficient man. If he had found anything, anything at all, he would have called me and helped me heal Kyle.


    After several minutes of futile efforts, Phoebe walked up to me, leaving the rest of the team look after Kyle. She avoided my gaze as she said, "We don''t know what to do, Aurelia. We''ve tried everything. We tried the same treatment method that we used on everyone you found in the basement but even that has not made much difference for Kyle."


    I let out an audible sob but Phoebe still had more to say, "In fact, after everything we''ve done, Kyle''s system is beginning to resist treatment."


    "W-what next?" I cried, longing for hope even if it was a tiny shard of it.


    "Kyle''s mind has to heal on its own. We can''t keep administering medicine or we will hurt him-"


    "Oh, my baby..." I cried out, staggering backward but Phoebe''s hands caught me before I could lose bnce.


    There were no words to describe the ache in my chest and the difficulty I experienced when I tried to breathe. I could see a part of me dying yet there was nothing I could do. I mean, what if Kyle''s mind doesn''t heal?


    What would be of my son?


    He isn''t even six years old yet.


    Tears blurred my sight and my struggle to breathe didn''t go unnoticed by Phoebe who pulled me into her arms without hesitating. I cried in Phoebe''s arms until I heard Raiden clearing his throat behind me.


    When did he get here?


    He had left me alone with Kyle earlier this morning to attend to Iris.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I swirled around to face him, thinking I would see Raiden but my eyes found Iris before they settled on Raiden. I quickly wiped my face, assuming it was best not to show Iris my sadness as she was still recovering herself.


    "You don''t have to act strong, child. You''re his mother and no mother wants to see their child suffering." Iris stepped closer to me and took my shaky hands in hers.


    If I wasn''t crying, I''d have noticed the changes in Iris''s appearance even though it''s only been a couple of days since I found her in the basement. She was recovering but my son wasn''t-


    "I''m here to help, Aurelia. I''m old and rusty but let me see what I can do." Iris shocked me, cracking her knuckles What can she do to help? As far as I knew, Iris wasn''t a healer and even if she was, many other healers have been trying to help Kyle but to no avail. "Can we have the room to ourselves, please?"


    Iris spoke to the medical doctors and the healers in the room and they exchanged looks but didn''t try to argue with Iris.


    "Are you sure about this, Mom? You are still healing-" Raiden began when it was just us in the room with Kyle. even Phoebe left with her colleagues.


    Iris countered, trudging towards Kyle, "Even on my dying bed, I''d take my grandson''s demons away. You can''t stop me from trying."


    Saying I was lost would be an


    understatement but I swallowed my question and paid attention as Iris sat beside Kyle who was still kicking and whimpering to himself. She ced one of her hands on his


    forehead and the other on his chest. She closed her eyes, silence


    dominating the room as P


    anticipated.


    Right there before my eyes, Kyle stopped kicking. He rxed into Iris''s touch and within two minutes Kyle stopped whimpering. In fact my son fet out a sigh before his eyes fluttered open like he hadn''t scared three decades out of my total


    lifespan.


    I chortled, simultaneously sobbing when I saw my baby''s blue eyes. It''s been forever since I saw those pair of orbs. Although Katie has identical ones, it wasn''t quite the same.


    "Ba-baby..." I sobbed, emotions crashing within me.


    Kyle looked past Iris whose eyes were still closed. I saw fear in his eyes before recognition shed through them and my baby mouthed, ¡°Mama..." Funny how one word could make or mar us.


    How I''ve missed that word.


    I can''t recall how I reached Kyle''s side but I knew I had my son in my arms in a jiffy.


    "M-mama, w-why are you crying?" Kyle''s voice was low but his emotion was louder than ever.


    My baby seemed confused. Hell, I was confused but before I could ask Iris what she did to Kyle, Iris copsed and it took Raiden''s intervention to save her body from hitting the hard floor of the hospital room.


    Raiden eximed, "Mom!"


    But silence was all he got.

 89. The Extinct Pack

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    Why are the women in my life stubborn and annoyingly strong?


    From the oldest, my mom to the youngest, Katie, they find a way to drag me through hell without lifting a finger.


    "Mom..." I called out again, carrying her unconscious body to the second bed in the room.


    Aurelia''s eyes were still wide and teary as she watched me ce my mom in the bed and Kyle just seemed confused. I wouldn''t me him. After all, he had just woken up from a long disturbing sleep to see an unfamiliar woman copse by his bedside.


    Within a minute, a doctor and a healer stormed into the room as I had already asked them to stay close. It''s safe to say that I knew this would happen. I predicted that something would go wrong because my mom wasn''t fit to use her rusty abilities but she was hell-bent on saving Kyle from the dark dreams had been enduring for many days.


    And for that, I was grateful.


    But again, why do the women in my life have to be stubborn and unreasonable?


    "What happened here? Kyle is conscious and calm?" The healer I have heard Aurelia call Phoebe several times, stuttered as she stepped into the


    room.


    ¡°Quit asking questions and attend to my mother!" I wanted to yell at her so bad but I inhaled deeply, restraining myself as she hurried over to my


    mom.


    I stepped aside for the duo to heal my mom... I hoped they would be able to bring her back. I just got her back, I couldn''t afford to lose her again. "She will be alright. She burned herself out but a few days of rest will restore her strength." Lex assured me.


    I could feel my heart getting lighter by the second. The emotional burden that had been weighing me down was gradually lifting as the thought of Kyle and my mom making a full recovery crossed my mind.


    It would be nice to have them both out of the hospital and I was looking forward to holding an honorary funeral for my dad, officially weing my mom back to the pack, and also making Nn and his family pay for Larisa''s crimes if she doesn''t surrender herself soon.


    Well, even if Larisa was to surrender, I''d still punish her family. There was no escaping that.


    "I know Lady Iris is a spectacr healer and whatever she did has saved Kyle''s life but I advise she doesn''t use her abilities until she recovers fully or she won''t make it out alive next time." The doctor chimed professionally.


    I muttered, ¡°There wouldn''t be a next time." I''d make sure nothing like this ever happens again.


    Kyle would be safe. Katie would be protected. My mom would be taken care of and Aurelia would be happy because I''d make sure of that.


    Phoebe continued from where the doctor stopped, sharing her healer''s insight. "She needs rest. I suggest she stays in the hospital for a few more days so we can look after her. Kyle needs to be examined as well and after that, you all will be discharged."


    I nodded in understanding, appreciating them for the services they provided for my family. The duo left the room after screening Kyle and pronounced him well. I could see questions swimming in their eyes but they didn''t voice them.


    However, Aurelia did after Kyle fell asleep. His first peaceful sleep in weeks. "What did she do to Kyle?"


    "She healed him, I suppose," I answered with a sigh, holding my mom''s hands while staying beside her bed.


    Aurelia on the other hand was in Kyle''s bed and he was sleeping in her arms. "How did she do that? knew she was a healer but so is Pheobe. There has to be more.¡± She stated obvious facts.


    But was it my ce to tell Aurelia about my mom? I guess I could but I also didn''t know the full story and-


    "You are right, child. There is more." My mom breathed almost inaudibly as her eyes fluttered open.


    I mumbled, keeping her in the bed when she tried to sit up, "No, Mom. You need to rest or I''ll have someone tie you to this goddamn bed." I left no room for argument.


    But my mom red, "You don''t curse in my presence, Raiden. Alpha or not, I''m your mother."


    "Agreed," I stated firmly and added just as firmly. "But I''m your Alpha and I mean it when I said I''ll have you tied to this bed if that is what


    I''ve to do to ensure that you get enough rest, Mom." Content belongs


    My mom was about to argue but Aurelia cut in, "As much as I''d enjoy watching you hand his ass to him, Iris, I''m dying to know more. Please focus on me for the time being."


    Aurelia nced at Kyle and from her expression, I could tell that she wanted to discuss the topic before Kyle woke up.


    "It''s simple, Aurelia." My mom


    smiled, taking her attention off me


    while I listened to her as she


    continued. "I used my healing abilities to take all the memories that traumatized the kid."


    Aurelia inhaled audibly. "You wiped his memories?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "More like, I healed his wounded mind. I mean, I tried the best I could do. I might have to take a look at him tomorrow so-"


    I countered, ¡°You can''t, Mom. I appreciate you trying to heal my son but you''re also sick. I can''t lose either of you."


    My mom parted her lips to most likely argue but Aurelia interrupted, mouthing with disbelief, "You healed his mind? I still don''t understand how you managed to do that."


    My brows furrowed when I noticed Auelia''s facial expression. It was almost unreadable because aside from curiosity, I couldn''t decipher what the dull glint in her blue eyes meant.


    "You don''t have to be surprised, Aurelia." My mom uttered. "After all, I''m thest living werewolf with ties to the extinct pack."


    I was quite familiar with the tale of the extinct pack but Aurelia doesn''t appear to have a clue. She whispered, "Extinct pack?"


    "Yes, the White Shade Pack." My mom answered. ¡°Although I''m a half-breed, I have the blood of a white wolf and that makes me special, I guess.¡± Aurelia''s eyes widened and her mouth fell open.


    If I didn''t know my mom''s origin, I''d have been shocked too but in Aurelia''s case, she was more than shocked.

 90. Last White Wolf

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    "You''re a white wolf?"


    I didn''t know when those words slipped past my lips. I was experiencing the biggest shock of my life and yes, I called it that despite the crazy shocking experiences I''ve had in my twenty-six years of living.


    "Partially a white wolf, child," Iris responded. "My mom was a white wolf who was born in the extinct pack and my father was a member of this pack. My parents met each other during one of the quinquennial pack games. They realized they were destined mates and my mom moved down to dark moon pack to start a family with my father. I''m their only child and instead of giving me one simple wolf, the moon goddess decided to bless me with a mixture of both worlds I originated from, Dark Moon and White shade."


    I couldn''t believe my ears.


    In fact, I didn''t know what to make of her words.


    Despite my silence, Iris continued speaking, telling me more about a world I didn''t know about, "I was born with ck hair but with visible white strands and I''ve had to dye my hair ck all my life until Larisa locked me up."


    That exined why her hair had turned gray over the years.


    "I''m also fortunate to have some of the special abilities white wolves possess. Although I can''t see visions and I''m not immune to silver like my mom, I can heal and predict the future among other things." Iris announced randomly... as if she wasn''t opening my eyes to a new world.


    "White wolvese from the extinct pack-White Shade pack..." It was more of a statement than a question.


    Yet, Iris answered, "Yes. The white shade pack is believed to be the first werewolf pack to exist and the goddess took her time to create white wolves. They are the purest breeds. It''s a pity their pureness led to their extinction."


    Aside from the fact that I just discovered that I might have been a descendant of the white wolves from the extinct pack, my head was swelling with more information about my possible background. "How did they go extinct?" I asked Iris, struggling to hide the intensity of my curiosity so I wouldn''t reveal myself to Iris and Raiden.


    I know... Iris has been nothing but kind and honest with me but I still shouldn''t break my promise to Alpha Tristan. I''ve to keep my identity a secret and who knows, Raiden might still be as cruel as he used to be.


    All of these could be one of his schemes to trap me in his pack-


    "It doesn''t seem like it, Relia. Iris is speaking nothing but truth." Inara countered softly.


    My wolf''s voicemunicated the level of truth and respect she had for Iris but that didn''t quench my thirst for more answers and the war to know what was true and otherwise within me.


    Iris''s voice broke the war though and she replied to my question, "White wolves were unable to adapt when corruption, darkness, and all sorts of negative energy started creeping into the world with the emergence of new packs and enemies they didn''t perceive until it was toote. You won''t find a white wolf chasing after revenge until they are strongly convinced but while rting with ck Fur pack, the white wolves realize toote."


    My ears rang at the mention of ck Fur... that was my home and the people of that pack were my family. What do they have to do with the copse of a pack that used to be full of wolves like me- white wolves?


    "ck Fur?" I queried and had to ignore the way Raiden sucked in a deep breath.


    He knew I was engaged to the Alpha of the pack his mother just mentioned but Iris wasn''t aware and that meant she''d tell me the truth, right? Or maybe Raiden had told her about my ties to ck Fur pack during his countless visits to her room-


    "ck Fur pack used to be more


    secluded and powerful, in a bad way, than it has be after the fall of White Shade. Simply put, ck Fur is the biggest factor that crippled White Shade. With the help of the dark witches that were banished from the realm, ck Fur milked While Shade, taking advantage of their abilities and weakening them from the core. Gradually if I may add-"


    "Tristan wouldn''t do that." I shook my head, raising my voice about Iris''s steady voice.


    Iris frowned, "Oh, this happened way


    e


    before Alpha Tristan became the Alpha of ck Fur but it''s no news that his family backstabbed the more important family of the White Shade pack. I can''t recall the name of this family. I suppose I''ll check my journal but one thing remains a fact and that is, White Shade died as a result of ck Fur''s greed and selfishness."


    My head could explode and I wouldn''t notice.


    Too many information...


    Or was it my fear to ept that ck Fur was actually capable of taking out a whole pack for the benefit of its members? I knew ck Fur would do that but Tristan wouldn''t. He had changed the pack-


    "That''s enough for now, Mom." Raiden said to his mother before looking at me and muttered, "You should rest as well, Aurelia. Katie will be here soon-"


    I etched, "She''s already here."


    n


    A small smile graced my lips as my daughter''s scent tickled my nostrils seconds before she walked into the room with Hazel behind her. My smile widened when I saw the small frown on Katie''s face as her eyes found her brother''s frame in my arms.


    "Y-you are smiling, Mom. Does t-that m-mean-" Katie''s excitement caused her to stumble over her words.


    She could sense the peace in her brother and my smile gave it away even before I affirmed, "Yes, Katie. Your brother is fine but currently sleeping. Don''t wake him-"


    Before I could finish, Kyle stirred in my arms. His senses must have perceived Katie''s presence despite his peaceful slumber. ¡°Katie..." Kyle mumbled.


    And Katie responded with a squeal that shattered our eardrums before she raced over to wrap her arms around Kyle. "I''ve missed you..." Katie voiced happily.


    "I didn''t go anywhere, silly." Kyle chided.


    Oh, if only he knew he had been gone for way too long...


    While Katie and Kyle exchanged words, my mind drifted back to Iris''s words. Evidently, regardless of the limited time I had left in Dark Moon Pack, I still had a lot to learn from the woman who imed to be thest of the white wolves...


    Oh, If only she knew I was thest white wolf.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

 91. Path of Reconciliation

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    "Gently, Mom."


    I whispered, holding her gently and guiding her steps as we walked out of the pack''s hospital. It took two days for my mom to regain the energy she used to heal Kyle''s mind and Kyle was also fully recovered which meant we could all go home.


    Kyle was in Hazel''s arms and Katie walked hand in hand with Aurelia. I felt at peace knowing that this was thest time any of them would be at the hospital because of me or as a result of my failures.


    "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but now that Kyle is healthy and discharged from the hospital, Aurelia would begin nning her return to ck Fur Pack. They would be gone, Raiden." Lex imprinted each word into my mind.


    My breath caught in my nostrils as his words echoed in my head and knowing that he was right killed me but I didn''t react. Instead, I helped my mom down the sloppy exit of the hospital and sighted Andrew and a few of my men standing beside two cars.


    Although my home wasn''t exactly far from the pack hospital, I asked my Beta to arrange transport for my family- Goddess, I hated that they would be leaving me soon. How would they be my family if they are leaving for ck Fur and to be with that son of a goddamned bitch?


    "Let me, Alpha." Andrew etched when he reached my side, asking to walk my mom to the car. I let him and he said to my mom, "You look pretty today, Iris."


    "You mean to say I look less horrible, don''t you?" My mom faked a re.


    And just like always, Andrew fell for it. He stuttered, "Of c-course no-not, Iris."


    My mom burst intoughter, patting Andrew''s hand. "How do you always fall for that, son? You are not five anymore."


    "Oh, goddess, Iris." Andrew exhaled, relieved and reliving our childhood days when my mom started pulling pranks like this on him. "You haven''t lost your powers, I see."


    "I look older and seem rusty but I''m still that woman, Andrew." My mom winked at Andrew, earning a deep growl from me.


    Andrewughed with my mom before he said to me, "Don''t worry, Raiden. She''s always your mom. I won''t try to steal her." "You already tried but you failed, Drew." I retorted with a light chuckle.


    Andrew ignored me to help my mom into the back seat of the first car and he quickly got behind the wheels. "Are youing with us?" Andrew asked, staring at me as I stood beside the door without entering.


    "Yes, as soon as I make sure they are settled in the car," I replied, my eyes on Aurelia, the kids, and Hazel as they apparached the second car, one of my men holding the door for them.


    "I want to be a daddy soon." Andrew faked a whimper, making silly faces at me.


    I scoffed, ¡°You aren''t even a mate yet. One step at a time, I suggest.¡±


    Those words escaped my mouth


    net


    before I remembered that I wasn''t a mate either. At least not anymore and I might stop being a dad the second Aurelia leaves my pack with the twins. My heart ached at the thought of my future but I


    no


    swallowed the pain, and silently


    epted my loss. Content belongs


    "You won''t try to stop her from leaving? Or earn her back?" Lex asked anxiously.


    My wolf already perceived my answer but I confirmed sadly, "Yes, Lex. She''s free to go if that''s what she wants. I won''t try to stop her or trap her. She''s free to decide."


    I wasn''t sure I could recall the exact moment I made up my mind to let Aurelia and the kids go but there was no doubt in my mind as I said those words to my wolf. However, my heart was drowning in unfathomable sorrow.


    As if she could feel my gaze on her, Aurelia''s head turned in my direction and our eyes connected. Despite the state of my mind, I couldn''t help but think about her beauty and regardless of my sorrows, even my heart leaped for joy.


    But it didn''tst.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Aurelia entered the car, joining the kids at the back while Hazel sat at the front, beside the driver.


    Sighing, I entered the car as well,


    choosing to sit at the front with Andrew while my mom enjoyed the back seat. I knew it was only a matter of time before I''d have to formally introduce the twins to my mom as their grandmother but What''s the point of that if they would be separated soon?


    Hell yes,


    I was scared to see them leave.


    I wished they wouldn''t, in fact.


    ne


    But I''ve epted my fate. Or should I say the fate molded for myself? That sounded befitting after all I had done to ruin my chances and life, These thoughts clouded my mind all through the ride to my mansion. Andrew and my mom chatted all the way but I could only dread the inevitable.


    "Wee home, Iris," Andrew murmured as he killed the engine.


    "Home will be the mansion Ronald and I lived in while we ruled the pack and the ce Raiden grew up but this will do too. It''s my son''s home and I can see myself loving it here with the twins and Aurelia around." My Mom smiled as she let out those words.


    But her smile soon turned into a frown when she found out that Aurelia and the kids had been staying in the apartment behind my mansion and not with me.


    ¡°Are you kidding me, Raiden? You made her stay there and allowed Larisa to live with you?" My mom gasped, anger and disappointment burning in her gray orbs.


    "It''s a long story, Mom and I know I''m a disgrace but it''s better this way." I sighed. "Aurelia would be leaving soon with the kids."


    ¡°Leaving to where?" My mom asked. ¡°I thought she has returned and you guys are on the path of reconciliation."


    ¡°That''s far from reality. Her home is at ck Fur and the kids love it there¡ª"


    My mom eximed, "ck Fur? Are you out of your mind?"


    Maybe I have but nothing was going to change even if I hadn''t lost my mind. I had given up but my mom said, hell no!

 92. A Private Dinner

    ?


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    Despite being back in the apartment, I still didn''t feel at peace. Yes, I was happy to have my son with me, hale and healthy. It ddens my heart to see Kyle and Katie ying together again.


    I was happy my daughter didn''t have to worry and my son didn''t have to deal with trauma.


    But a lot doesn''t seem right.


    There was a void in the depth of my soul.


    "Are you yearning to kill Larisa?" Inara asked, trying to understand the void in our soul.


    She could feel it as well.


    "I do but that''s not all. I have tons of questions, Inara." I responded, confusion oozing off my pores.


    Fortunately, Hazel entered the bedroom, saving me from myself as she uttered, "So when do we start packing?"


    "Packing?" I asked, blinking my confusion away.


    "Packing to go home, Aurelia. We have to return, right?" Hazel rified.


    I nodded quickly, "Yes, of course. We are going home. Jessica needs to be buried properly and in her homnd."


    Mentioning Jessica stirred buried emotions in both Hazel and me. I didn''t miss how her eyes fell in an attempt to hide her sadness from me. Kyle and Katie have been asking about Jessica and I couldn''t bring myself to tell them that she was gone.


    I couldn''t break their little fragile heart. After all, I knew too well how that felt. Nothingpares to the pain of losing one''s loved one to death. "So when can we leave?" Hazel muttered, her voice dropping.


    I didn''t know how to answer that question. Left to me, I''d move out of the pack this instance but I wasn''t certain Kyle was fit to travel that far, and selfishly, I still wanted to hear more of Iris''s tale. If only I could get my hands on the journal she mentioned two days ago.


    "Don''t let that keep you here. You can get answers from Tristan. He''ll willingly and happily help us out?" Inara''s words were meant to help me clear my mind.


    But I found myself feeling angry after she mentioned Tristan. "You mean the same man I''ve been trying to reach but to no avail? The same man I called for help about five days ago and still haven''t heard a word from? He fucking ghosted me."


    I was mad at Tristan for the first time since we met.


    I felt abandoned by him and I hated the feeling that apanied that.


    "He must have a valid reason, Relia. Don''t make assumptions." Inara defended Tristan in a way that made me speechless.


    She should be on my side in this case. Why was she always so defensive when it came to Alpha Tristan?


    "I''m not always defensive, Relia. I''m just being logical. Your mind is clouded by emotions and I-"


    "My mind is clouded by emotions


    you should be feeling as well. How buys could he have been? He could have picked up his cell phone and answered the damn calls. I''m going home to him but I''m angry and that''s okay. Don''t make me feel bad about my emotions." I snapped at Inara, transferring aggression to her.


    She was unbelievable... Or perhaps I was overreacting.


    I was just sick of her taking his side when she should be on my side.


    "I''m always on your side-" Inara began to defend herself but I was too angry to listen to her.


    I put a mental wall between us, keeping her out of my head. With Inara''s voice gone, I finally noticed Hazel who was sitting quietly and expectantly in front of me. Heck, she''d think I zoned out again.


    "I''m sorry, Hazel. I just have a lot on my mind-"


    Hazel cut in, ¡°I understand. Does it have anything to do with Alpha Raiden? Are you falling for him or do you wish to stay here with him?"


    "Fuck no!" I countered without hesitation, cursing even though my kids could be within earshot. "I''m not falling for anyone."


    "Not even Alpha Tristan?" Hazel asked,ing off a bit more inquisitive than usual.


    I frowned as I tried to make sense of


    her inquiries. Alpha Tristan is the man I''d be marrying when we get back home. I''m currently mad at him because he ghosted me but rest assured that we''re going home." I answered, hoping that would be enough for Hazel.


    Fortunately, Hazel nodded. "I guess I should start packing then." "Yes," I answered, ignoring the small twitch in my heart.


    I wondered if Hazel could sense the unknown feeling but a knock from the door distracted us both. I quickly left Haze on the bed to answer the door. sighed before pulling it open and raised a brow when I saw a servant standing outside the bedroom.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Lady Aurelia.¡± She chimed.


    Lady Aurelia? That was new but I didn''tin.


    The servant continued after I responded to her greeting, "Lady Iris asked me to inform and invite you all to a private dinner that would be happening in the Alpha''s mansion tonight."


    Private dinner in that house?


    Nah... I didn''t want to be in that house again.


    As if the servant could read my mind, she etched, "Lady Iris also said she''d be happy if you could ept the invitation."


    Of course, she would. She didn''t know how her son abused and traumatized me in that same house.


    "What will it be, Lady Aurelia?" The servant asked for my response which she''d probably ry to Iris.


    I guess I could let her enjoy some time with the twins and take the chance to ask her if I could go through her journal before we leave in a few days. I exhaled sharply but muttered, "We''ll be there."


    It''s just dinner, right?


    What could go wrong during a private dinner?


    I returned to Hazel and the twins, broke the news to them, and started preparing to honor the invitation.

 93. Alpha Tristans POV (5)

    ?


    ALPHA TRISTAN''S POV


    ~<>~


    My cell phone ringtone red loudly as the device vibrated in my pocket, creating a distraction during an important meeting.


    My men and the elders of the pack looked at me while I ignored their gaze, taking out the device and saw a familiar name shing on its screen. I exhaled, thankful that it wasn''t Aurelia calling again.


    A lump raised in my chest as the thought of her crossed my mind- Fuck! This is exactly why I''ve been ignoring her calls and avoiding speaking to her even though it was killing me. Talking to Aurelia would take me back to the library and I couldn''t afford to be stuck there right now.


    My pack needed me.


    Of course, it pained me to know that Kyle was still suffering because of my inability to help as Aurelia asked. I haven''t been able to find any means to help Kyle in the library and I didn''t know if I could tell Aurelia that without breaking her heart-


    "Stop lying to yourself." Dolf seethed within me. "You would have found something if you weren''t focused on setting up this special unit of warriors in the hope of conquering Moon Stone Pack. You and I know that so stop fooling around!"


    Clearly, my wolf was still mad at me but he wasn''t seeing the bigger picture.


    I can always find a cure for Kyleter but if I miss the chance to attack Moon Stone Pack now, I might never get another chance. I couldn''t risk that. "But you can risk Kyle''s life? What if he dies?" Dolf asked angrily. "Perhaps Kyle''s death would be a dreame true for you. After all, you want nothing more than to end Raiden''s bloodline, and Standing by while the little boy dies is a good way-"


    "Enough, Dolf!" I snapped, unable to take any more of my wolf''s crazy words. "Kyle isn''t dying. I won''t let him. I care about him and-"


    Dolf growled, "Stop lying, prick! You don''t care about anyone but yourself. I hope Aurelia stays the hell away from your manipting ass."


    With those words shoved ferociously into my mind, Dolf blocked me, keeping himself from me. My blood boiled as my wolf''s anger coursed through me. A deep growl forced its way out of my mouth and some of my men trembled visibly, the smell of their fear invading my nostrils.


    The cell phone had stopped ringing but my head was still ringing.


    ¡°You are all dismissed. The n remains the same." I said gruffly, my voice echoing through the meeting hall. Everyone left except Louis who received a re from me. I gritted at him, "You should leave as well."


    "Yes, Alpha." Louis bowed but painfully continued, "I was just wondering if I might be of help to you. You seem angry-"


    "You want to help me?" I seethed. "Find that bitch! That''s all I ask of you, Louis."


    "We''ll find her soon, Alpha. She''s good at hiding herself and her tracks but I''m certain we are closing in on her-"


    That wasn''t good enough for me.


    I wanted Larisa now! Not any minuteter.


    "Just leave," Imanded and this time, Louis didn''t dare defy me.


    If I get Larisa, I''d prove to everyone that I genuinely care about Aurelia. I''d prove to Dolf that I wasn''t a manipting asshole-


    The ringtone of my cell phone broke my thought and I realized it was the same person. Eagerly and angrily, I answered the call. "What took you so long to get in touch with me?" I snapped into the speaker of the phone.


    "I''m sorry, Alpha. I haven''t been able to gather enough information before now-"N?velDrama.Org content.


    I cut her off, ¡°Just tell me what''s going on. How''s Kyle doing?"


    With a shaky and low voice, she answered, ¡°Kyle has recovered, Alpha.¡±


    "Recovered? How is that even possible?" I couldn''t believe my ears.


    "Ye-yes, Alpha." She chimed. "I didn''t know how but I was told that Alpha Raiden''s mom healed him and now we are back to the apartment."


    "And you are just telling me now?


    I''ve been worried sick about him. The only reason I let you stay back was so you could keep me informed, Hazel." seethed, recalling the day I called Hazel to the side and made her my ears and eyes in Dark Moon after I realized that I''d have to leave Aurelia and the kids there.


    Jessica would have been a good option but a warrior like her wouldn''t want to taint her rtionship with Aurelia. Hazel was a fragile one, easy to manipte-


    Manipting asshole...


    Dolf''s words resonated in my head and realization mmed into me. Dolf was right about me.


    "Forgive me, Alpha. Katie has been


    with me a lot these days and I didn''t have the privacy needed to call you." Hazel mumbled, her voice low. "Not even now but I needed to let you know that Aurelia confirmed that we would be returning to the pack soon. l''assume she meant before the week runs out." Content Belongs to


    Thest part of Hazel''s statement brought a smile to my face and I realized that I might have to attack Moon Stone pack sooner than nned. "Very well, Hazel. Keep me updated-"


    Hazel interrupted, adding more information. "Aurelia also told me that she''s mad at you. She seemed very angry, Alpha but that wouldn''t stop us froming home."


    "Hmm... I know what to do." I mumbled.


    No doubt, she was mad because I


    net


    hadn''t been answering her calls nor did I return any. I made a mental note to call her. It''s a good thing already made sure Aurelia can never hate me. No matter what, she''d always feel the need to forgive me.


    Before I could hang up, I heard Aurelia calling out to Hazel. "It''s time to go, Hazel." She said.


    "Coming," Hazel replied and she tried to end the call.


    But I asked, "Where is she going?"


    Hazel whispered a response, "To dine with Alpha Raiden and his mother. We were invited for dinner. I''ve to go Alpha or she''d hear me."


    Hazel ended the call immediately and I was left to eat dinner alone while Raiden had all the fun or so I assumed.

 94. My Dads Mom

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    Hazel gave me a stiff smile as she stepped out of the bathroom. I smiled at her, feeling guilty because a part of me assumed she couldn''t wait to return home.


    I should have given her a specific date, instead of making her wonder when exactly "in a few days" meant. I couldn''t deny the truth that my desire to find answers was clouding my sense of decision.


    Hopefully, I''ll get more answers from Iris tonight.


    "Let''s move." Katie sing-song, performing a little dance to show her excitement.


    I chuckled at my daughter''s happiness and quickly nced at Kyle, ruffling his hair as I asked, "Are you okay with walking or do you want Mama to carry you in her strong arms?"


    "I''m fine, Mama. I can walk and my only issue is my stomach." Kyle responded, rubbing his belly as we all strolled towards the front door.


    My brows furrowed, "What''s wrong with your belly? Is it aching?"


    "No, Mama." Kyleughed. "It''s grumbling. I''m so so hungry and my tummy wants some delicious food."All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Iughed at his silliness. "It''s a good thing we were invited to dinner, baby."


    The rest of the walk to Raiden''s mansion was used to chat and I''d be lying if I said my heart wasn''t beating faster with every step I took towards his home. I hated it there and I promised myself that this would be thest time I''d be stepping into that house.


    "Wee..." We were ushered into the mansion by a servant and she led us to the dining area.


    It was hard not to think about the days I used to prepare meals for Raiden, leave them on the dining table, and take myself away from the space before he returned home. Back then he didn''t want to see me or have me in the same space except that room-


    I sucked in a sharp breath, wondering what that room had be after I left the pack.


    Not like it mattered.


    Fortunately, Iris and Raiden walked into the dining area, hand in hand, and interrupted my thoughts before I could lose myself in its interwoven maze. "It''s good to have you all here." Iris cooed, giving everyone, including Hazel, a warm hug before she sat beside me. Raiden simply nodded my way and kissed the twins before walking to the head of the table and taking his ce.


    "Thank you for inviting us to dinner," I said to Iris and she waved, telling me it was her pleasure.


    After a few minutes of chatting, Raiden called the kitchen servants in and three of them entered with massive trays in their hands, Nina right behind them. Sensing my gaze on her, Nina looked at me, and to my surprise, she smiled at me.


    A genuine smile that had me questioning her sanity.


    "You saved her daughter from Larisa''sir." Inara reminded me and I finally understood the glints of appreciation in Nina''s eyes.


    Inara and I were still not on good terms since the argument that urred between us earlier but I was no longer mad at her. I have considered the fact that she could be right. My mind was clouded and I wasn''t thinking from a logical perspective.


    "Starting without me?" Andrew''s voice resonated, hitting my eardrums as he entered the dining room with a huge smile on his face.


    Iris scoffed jokingly, her eyes sparkling with affection. "We would have, Andrew. I see you still don''t know how to keep to time."


    "Your lovely son has me working


    extra hours for the pack so he can spend time with you, Iris. I dare not say no." Andrew retorted, kissing Iris''s cheek before moving to the twins who were sitting on the other side of the table, beside each other. Seeing the re on Katie''s face and Kyle''s folded arms, Andrew apologized with a smile, "Sorry I''mte, darlings. I had to take care of something."


    net


    No one asked any more questions as we began to eat in silence. Of course, Kyle and Katie shared some inside jokes, giggling a couple of times while the rest of us just stared at them amusingly. Raiden was the first person to clear his te and soon enough Kyle joined him, belching.


    "Someone is full," Raiden muttered and Kyle didn''t hesitate to nod, filling my heart with joy.


    It felt good to see my son eating after many days of undeserved suffering.


    Dinner in Raiden''s mansion was going well until Katie mouthed, grabbing our attention with the words she directed at Iris. ¡°Are you really my Dad''s mom?"


    My body stiffened. I''ve been avoiding this topic but leave it to my kids to dig out the truth no matter how ugly. Thankfully, this one wasn''t ugly.


    "Yes, Katie. He might look big but he is my baby." Iris responded fondly.


    "Just like I''m my mom''s baby," Katie muttered, oblivious to the tension in the room.


    Iris matched her energy as she chimed, "You sure are. You are a replica of her."


    While Katie giggled, Kyle mumbled, "So you are our grandmother?"


    "Lucky for me, I am, child," Iris answered.


    "Why are we just meeting you? Did you just return from a trip? I also saw you at the hospital. Are you sick too?" Kyle threw questions at Iris, barely having the time to breathe properly.


    I was about to cut in but Irisughed, "I see you have a sharp mind, Kyle."


    Without dying or thinking twice, Iris continued speaking. As if life hadn''t been hard for her, Iris held on to her smile. "I kinda traveled, Kyle but I''m back now and I''d like to get to know you and your sister."


    "But we''re leaving soon. Tristan has been waiting for us at home." Katie chimed innocently, looking at me before shifting her gaze back to Iris. "How do you intend to know us when we won''t be together?"


    Before Iris could utter a word in


    response the loud sound of the front door mming caught our attention. Raiden was quick to jump to his feet


    and Andrew did the same while rushed over to shield my kids without having a clue about what was about to happen.


    The question of who mmed the door was answered when Jake appeared in the dining room, panting like he had been in a long-distance race.


    "Jake! What the hell?" Raiden eximed.


    And Jake dropped a huge bomb on us.


    "T-they escaped." Jake panted, his eyes as wide as the mouth of a wallet.


    Raiden growled, "Who!"


    But It was clear as day that he already knew the answer to that question.


    Yet, Jake still replied, "Nn and Helen."

 95. Start Over

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    You''ve got to be kidding me!


    No! They have got to be fucking kidding me!


    "What did you just say to me?" I growled, losing every restraint I had put on myself just to enjoy dinner with the family I''d be letting go in a few days.


    If Jake knew what was good for him, he better not repeat those words or tell me he was just trying to pull a prank on me.


    As if he could read my mind, Jake opened his mouth, only to close it again, like a confused fish. I stepped closer to him, snarling, "Answer me!" "Nn and Hn... and a few of their men escaped the cell, Alpha," Jake answered instantly and fluently.


    I wasn''t surprised that he spoke without stuttering. At least he had that going for him but that didn''t reduce the intensity of the rage swelling within me as his words echoed in my head. "Tell me you don''t mean that, Jake."


    Jake shook his head, holding his hand at it shook uncontrobly. "I''m sorry I let you down, Alpha. I was supposed to be on watch and I let you down. Please-"


    "I''m not listening to that shit you call apology, Jake!" I seethed. Who the fuck cares about his apology? What was I supposed to do with it?


    Nn and Helen were the means via which I nned to find Larisa or make here to me. All through dinner, I had been trying to keep my mind off how I''d make Nn beg for his life and use Helen to destroy the family just like Larisa did with my parents.


    That was the n.


    But now?


    "How did this happen?" Andrew asked a trembling Jake.


    Perhaps I would have cared about Jake''s response if I wasn''t losing my mind and considering bashing his head into the nearest wall. However, I couldn''t do that not in my kids'' presence. So before Jake could say another word that would push me to the edge of fury, I opened up the mind connection and spoke into both Jake''s and Andrew''s minds.


    "Outside! Both of you and now!" Imanded fiercely.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Jake led the way and Andrew followed but I looked back at my soon-to-be broken family, trying my best to keep my raging emotions at bay as I uttered, ¡°Everyone of you should remain in the house. I''ll have men surround the ce. Please stay together until I return."


    I trusted Aurelia to protect the kids and my mom. I didn''t know if Hazel could defend herself if anything went wrong but knowing she was there for Aurelia and the kids kinda assured me that Aurelia had someone to watch her back.


    I stormed after Andrew and Jake and when I caught up with them outside my home, my fist connected with Jake''s cheeks before he could even see iting. "How could you let that happen!" I snapped,nding another solid blow on him.


    Jake lost his bnce, staggering


    backward until he tripped and fell on


    his side. Angrily, I drove my foot his side, seeing nothing but red Andrew didn''t dare to stop me and I didn''t stop until I was satisfied.


    swnow


    f.n


    "Since when did they escape?" I gritted that question.


    Jake had difficulty talking after the beating he just received and


    Goddess knew that I didn''t pity him He shouldn''t have cked and let


    those betrayals escape thirty


    minutes. I tried to reach both-


    through the mind link but I


    was


    you


    blocked out so I had toe to the


    mansion."


    Jake finally answered, wise enough to tell me why he was just telling me about an escape that happened thirty minutes ago.


    "Did you at least send out troops to find them?" Andrew asked, his voice low.


    "Y-yes. They are looking everywhere for them-" Jake answered.


    But I snarled, ¡°Like they have been looking for Larisa? Like they were looking for Kyle but never found him! Are you trying to make a fool out of me?" "I wouldn''t dare, Alpha. I swear to you." Jake voiced in defense.


    But I wasn''t convinced. The thought of Larisa and her family going scott-free after everything Larisa did to my family made my skin crawl and my mind explode.


    However, Andrew interfered before I could waste any more time on Jake. "We should spread out, Alpha. We can still find them and I''m sure they haven''t crossed the borders."


    Cross the border or not, I wasn''t pleased.


    Kyle''s case has taught me a painful lesson and the case of my mom has made me know that a whole world could be hidden in my pack and I wouldn''t find it... not even with my men.


    But I listened to Andrew, sending both him and Jake away. I stayed behind to guard the mansion until some of my men arrived and took over. I searched aimlessly untiLex popped an idea into my head


    swnow


    "I think I know where they might be hiding." Les gritted to me.


    "Where?"


    "In in sight... in a ce, no one would expect them to be..." Lex answered.


    Yes... and I knew where that could be.


    I dashed towards the ce with two words in my mind.


    "Kill them."


    Which would be fun. It''s been a while since I yed anyone. Killing Larisa''s parents would be a good ce to start over.

 96. In Your Heart

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    I didn''t let my gaze off my kids even though I could sense Raiden''s men around the house. To me, his men were useless and it has be clear to


    me that Larisa''s parents'' escape could only have been possible if someone from the inside let them out.


    Exactly, there was someone on the inside pulling the string for Larisa and her family.


    Raiden must have realized this by now, I supposed... but he could only be too livid to use his senses and put two and two together.


    Tale of a proud and arrogant Alpha.


    "I don''t like this." Inara chimed into my mind. She was on high alert even though we were sitting in Raiden''s sitting room.


    I responded, "I don''t as well. I wish we could just have dinner and leave immediately or after I speak with Iris. I hate being stuck within these walls." My eyes scanned the living room and I had to force myself to not think about the past for the thousandth time this night.


    That was what staying in Raiden''s mansion did to me.


    I hate it here.


    "I know how you feel about this ce and we can always leave for the apartment," Inara said to me, in an attempt to help me rx.


    I recalled Raiden asking everyone to stay put while he chased after Larisa''s parents but I wasn''t staying here because of his words. I was still here because I was waiting for the right moment to approach Iris andy out my questions.


    In fact, I was hoping Hazel or anyone else, aside from my kids, wouldn''t be around to hear Iris and I talk.


    Like a miracle, the opportunity was presented to me when Iris excused herself and walked towards the stairs. It was difficult to seize the opportunity because I didn''t want to leave the kids alone even if it was for a second.


    But Inara muttered to me, "They''ll be fine with Hazel and just like you said, I''m on high alert. Go find answers so we can leave here."


    I appreciated my wolf but with that out of the way, I began to worry about taking the stairs just like I saw Iris did. I was worried I couldn''t handle the surge of memories that would flood my mind as soon as I stepped toward the first floor.


    Despite my struggles, I also excused myself but before I could reach the top of the stairs, I ran into Nina, and the same genuine smile that I saw on her face earlier reappeared.


    "Luna Aurelia." She muttered emotionally.


    "Don''t call me that." I wanted to say or snap but I held my tongue in my cheek. The emotions in her eyes had me swallowing my words.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Nina continued, tears rolling down her cheeks, "I''ve been meaning to talk to you. To express my gratitude but time hasn''t permitted me. Thank you for making it possible for me to see my daughter again and alive. You saved my Maya-"


    Her voice broke as she broke into tears. My heart cried for her. I knew that feeling too well. I had been in her shoes and I could tell that it wasn''t afortable one.


    I thought of saying something to ease the pain in Nina''s heart despite the toxic history between us, but she also began mumbling her apology. "I was so bad to you. I had no reason to be wicked yet I was and I made life even more difficult for you-"


    ¡°It''s alright, Nina. It''s all in the past and I''m happy your daughter has returned. No mother deserves to feel the loss of a child.¡±


    Nina countered, "It''s not alright,


    Luna. Even before Maya was taken | was a good person. I misused her powers. I didn''t realize how bad I was until Larisa misused her


    powers, kidnapped my daught


    so


    she could have me under hep control, and used me to subdue other servants in the pack. She is a tyrant. She abused her power-"


    "She abused you too and everyone she took." I was surprisingly calm as I said those words to one of the people who made my teenage years a living hell.


    "Just like I abused you when you


    were working for me and even after you became the Luna. I''m not any different from Larisa." Nina shook her head, her words sticking to me as soon as they left her lips. She didn''t bother to hide her tears from me as she continued, "I don''t deserve to be forgiven but I ask you to find a ce in your heart, Luna.


    Please."


    I exhaled audibly, taking two steps closer to Nina. I held her shoulders gently and whispered to her, "You are forgiven and you''re a hero despite the odds. You once saved me from two men."


    Nina chuckled amid tears, causing me to chuckle as well.


    "Those pricks.¡± Ninaughed, sniffling back tears. "Thank you for everything, Luna and I''m sorry I couldn''t protect your boy from Larisa even after she sent me to threaten you the other day. I couldn''t even protect my own child."


    ¡°Bygones are bygones. We can only move on with our lives now and try not to repeat the same mistakes.¡± I responded, squeezing Nina''s hands.


    My own words kept ringing in my ears even after I let Nina and continue my search for Iris. Bygone are bygones... but that didn''t apply to Raiden. His past actions were still fresh in my memory. Although I''ve tried, it''s hard to let go of those memories-


    "Looking for me?" Iris''s voice distracted my thoughts. I blinked rapidly, catching my breath as my eyes quickly racked the corridor.


    Iris smiled, ¡°Come with me. I know you''ve questions and I might be able to provide answers."


    ¡°Well, that''s good enough." I thought to myself and slipped into one of the rooms in Raiden''s mansion, following Iris.


    She sat on the edge of the bed and


    pointed at the couch closer to her. I rxed my nerves as I sat down but Iris unnerved me when she said, §Ö "Before you ask your questions, I''ve one of my own, Aurelia." Iris didn''t wait for my permission before she asked, "Care to tell me how you ripped the silver-coated cells open with your bare hands?"


    Instantly, cat got my tongue. This cat stole my tongue, in fact.

 97. Light of the Realm

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    "We can''t be honest with her. You''ve toe up with a lie." Inara chimed her argument into my head as I fought a mental battle in order to decide the path I would be taking with Iris''s words echoing in my mind as a reminder of my situation.


    "But for how long would I keep lying? Think about it, Ina." I countered my wolf despite the battle going on within me. "Iris seems like the only person who can help me get answers. She''s partially like us and she can lead us home, help us get better with our abilities, maybe, I can know my parents.¡±


    "They are dead, Relia. What''s the point of digging up the dead past? Whereas we have Tristan to do more than Iris could ever do. He brought us this far." Inara argued convincingly.


    I frowned, annoyance zapping through me. "I thought you were on my side this time. You motivated me to find answers."


    "What''s wrong with you! I''m always on your side and yes, I support getting answers but not revealing who we are. Think about the risk we''d be taking-" Inara stood firm, her anger colliding with mine.


    I was about to snap at Inara. She wasn''t listening to me but Iris got both our attention when she blurted with squinted eyes, "You are immune to silver aren''t you?"


    I sucked in a sharp breath, still finding it difficult to make up my mind. Should I just tell her?


    "When Raiden found out you were his destined mate, we all knew you were wolfless and I assumed you were ate bloomer but now, I think I''ve you figured out," Iris stated, her eyes narrowing as she used them to seize me up.


    I sighed, "l-iris, you won''t understand-"


    "Oh, I think I do, Aurelia." Iris scooted closer to me, her butt barely on the bed. "The only wolf I knew who was immune to silver was my mom and she is a white wolf which means you are one as well."


    My breath hitched.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    She really has me figured out...


    "How is that possible?" Iris asked herself but her eyes didn''t leave my frame. "The pack perished in the great war and all white wolves were believed to be dead."


    It took a few minutes of silence before I found my voice and I muttered, ¡°I''ve been asking myself the same question since you told me about the extinct pack in the hospital."


    Iris managed to smile amidst the confusion, "So you admit? You''re a white wolf?"


    With fear in her heart and doubts clouding the eyes of my soul, I nodded, "Yes, I am, Iris but you can''t tell Raiden or anyone about me, please." "Why, Aurelia? Why do you feel the need to hide who you are?" Iris questioned with a frown but I could have sworn that I saw understanding in her gray eyes.


    But of course, she wouldn''t know. I have lived in a dark world... treated like garbage. Iris had always been loved by everyone. She had the support of her mate and the biggest pack. She even had her parents to help her through her formative years. Sadly, I didn''t.


    I was seen as a weirdo instead and I had to dye my hair because of that.


    Should I mention how life treated me even after I left this pack?


    Heck, Iris would never understand.


    "You are unique and I can help you be the wolf you are destined to be. I can help you trace your origin, find your parents-" "They are dead, Iris." I countered.


    She frowned, "Huh?"


    "My parents are dead." I rified using the same words Inara fired at me some minutes ago but my face fell the next second. "At least my mom is." Since I was already on the path of revtion I decided to tell Iris about Dakota and how she took me in after my mom died. "I never knew her but Dakota told me she was injured and died after I was delivered and named."


    "Hmm. The great war happened around the time of your birth and from what Nn and I discovered before we interfered and made the leaders of Dark Moon pay, a few. members of the elite family survived and went into hiding but we never found them." Iris exined, taking my hands in hers and squeezing gently.


    ¡°Are you saying I might be one of them?" I asked Iris, as hope sparked up in my soul.


    Iris tilted her head to the side as she replied, "Those that went into hiding were badly hurt and yes, I think one of them is your mother."


    Although Iris was opening my eyes to some possibilities, those weren''t enough to lead me to my origin.


    What if there are still some of my kind left out there? What if I am not thest white wolf?


    Iris squeezed my hands again,


    ne


    bringing me out of my thoughts. She voiced, "I understand that you don''t feel safe which is why you have been hiding your identity but Aurelia, you are meant to be the light of the realm. You are meant for greater things and you could be the one to revive White Shade Pack.


    "I doubt that," I whispered, closing my eyes. "I''m engaged to the son of the people that destroyed White Shade Pack-"


    "Alpha Tristan. I heard about that." Iris etched with disdain.


    I shook my head, defending Tristan, ¡°He is not like them. He''s a good man."


    "Are you sure about that? Or are you just like the rest of the White Wolves?" Iris asked rhetorically


    "I''m not wrong about Tristan." I can''t be wrong. I told Iris about everything Tristan and I had experienced together. Tristan definitely didn''t seem like the best one out there but he had a good heart...


    But he still hasn''t reached out to me... It''s almost as if he had stopped caring about me... about Kyle who could have died if Iris didn''t step in to save him.


    "Whereas, I can''t be the light of the realm." Not when I could be dying...


    Iris sighed. ¡°Whatever you decide, Aurelia but know that I am here for you. I can help you heal your heart or teach you how to heal yourself and your son''s lungs. You have potential and it is my duty to warn you that Tritan might just be using you for your ability."


    "I''m not that strong, Iris. I am a liability to him." I retorted, wondering how she knew about my dying heart and Kyle''s fragile lungs. I didn''t recall telling


    her.


    But she scoffed, "You''ll be a fool to


    It


    believe that." iris stood from the bed and walked to her a small wardrobe beside her closet. "If I can''t give you all the answers you seek before you leave, Obelieve this journal will contains everything a White Wolf needs to know, including the names of the survivors that were never found."


    My heart leaped for joy as I rose to my feet and joined Iris beside her closet. I took the brown journal from her and let out, "Thank you. This would be of help."


    "Keep it safe and feel free to return to me whenever you need a teacher or someone to talk to." Iris offered me a kind smile as she opened her arms to hug me.


    I hugged her back, saying, "I will but promise me you won''t tell anyone about me... about everything we discussed not even your son. Especially him"


    "I promise, Child. Even though you are separating my grandkids from their grandmama, I know how dangerous the realm can be for a white wolf." Iris chuckled, patting my back softly.


    I felt the need to apologize to Iris but she could me her son for the fact that she wouldn''t get to know her grandkids. With the journal in my hand, curiosity ate me away, thinking about the information hidden in its pages.


    But regardless, I was ready to leave Dark Moon Pack once again.


    Hopefully, this would be thest time.

 98. Cobras Tail

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    After what seemed like a split second but most definitely not, I arrived in front of the one ce I knew Nn and his wife would be hiding... the one ce no one else would think to check.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    The Wellington''s mansion.


    Nn''s home.


    The idea could sound silly to anyone and perhaps that was why I didn''t inform my men about my suspicions, not even when I forcefully kicked down the front door. After Larisa yed me, I was certain Nn would try to as well but unfortunately for him, I was prepared.


    Alone, yes but still prepared to face whatever was thrown at me.


    On clue, Lex sniffed the house as I stepped inside and he instantly announced, "They are here. I knew it!"


    They must take me for a fool...


    "At least this one time you aren''t stupid." Lex mocked despite the seriousness of the moment.


    For goddess''s sake, I could be walking into a trap that would kill me.


    Lex scoffed, "Like Nn could kill you. That would be an insult."


    "Well quit chitchatting, we''ve got to find them," I said firmly.


    But Lex growled as I took another step, "I already found them. Nn is hiding behind that pir and he''s probably holding a weapon and Helne is somewhere upstairs, guarded by three men." Lex didn''t hesitate to give me an overview of his conclusions after he sniffled the area.


    And boldly, I called out without hiding my anger, "Reveal and surrender yourselves or you''ll have yourselves to me."


    Nn''s voice was shaky as he responded, fear radiating off him, "W-we did n-nothing wrong, A-alpha. Wh-why should we be detained or treated like criminals."


    "Because your daughter is a criminal," I answered with a deep growl. "Or have you not heard that she killed my father and left his corpse to rot? Or how about how she locked my mother up? My parents did nothing wrong and they were locked up so why shouldn''t you and your wife suffer the same fate? It''s not like I didn''t capture your personal warriors on the crime scene."


    Whatever Nn could have to say, I didn''t care. He was dying and his wife would too. I wouldn''t spare either of them.


    "My daughter wouldn''t do that. She''s a sweet-"


    ¡°A pretender is what she is!" I snapped, throwing myself in front of the pir Nn had chosen as his hiding ce.


    Nn swung the metal rod he was holding, aiming to attack me but the only thing he achieved was fueling my anger. I let out a growl as I dodged, twisting the rod out of his hand.


    "Aahh..." Nn screamed as I popped out his wrist.


    "How dare you think of attacking me?" I gritted, adding pressure on his broken wrist.


    "Pl-please-" Nn started.


    Whether he was trying to plead for forgiveness or mercy, I didn''t want to hear him out. With one precise move, I out his airflow, knocking him out. I used one of the curtains in the living room to tie Nn to the pir before moving to the second floor.


    "Don''t make me sweat, Helen. Surrender yourself and tell me where to find your daughter." I called out as soon as I perceived Helen''s scent.


    I stood before the door, giving her a chance to surrender but she chose the hard way when she ordered the men with her, "Make sure he doesn''te in here. Protect me at all cost."


    The disrespect!


    I didn''t hesitate to break bones as I subdued the three men with her and that was when Helen began to beg for her life. I scoffed, "You should have done that before you made me sweat."


    One jab to her neck and she went


    limp. I carefully took her and the three men downstairs, binding them together while restraining myself from killing them instantly. I took a sit before their unconscious body and opened my mind to connect with Andrew''s and Jake''s,


    "Get your asses to the Wellington''s mansion." I cut the link off, leaving no room for questions even though I could feel them lingering.


    While waiting for my men''s arrival, Lex and I began to discuss what had been on my mind since I heard about the prison break. I chimed to my wolf, "Who could the snitch be?"


    "Someone powerful and trusted. I''m sure." Lex answered but even he couldn''t point out one person. "Andrew is the only one who isn''t a suspect because he was with us when it happened."


    "I''d never suspect Andrew. we go way back, Lex." I informed my wolf.


    Lex countered, "After the disgraceful betrayal Larisa pped us with, no one can be trusted. Keep your eyes open this time."


    I couldn''t believe Lex but that wasn''t


    all. I mean, I couldn''t believe that for a minute, I tried to suspect Andrew.


    "I''ll find the snitch after these traitors are punished," I said to my Wolf and I sat in silence afterward.


    After five minutes, my men made it to Nn''s mansion and shock was evident on their faces. Andrew was quick to pop a question while Jake and the other men grabbed the unconscious bodies.


    "They were here all this time?" Andrew gasped.


    "Yes, Drew and I think we have a snitch among us." I let out my thoughts after the other men stepped out and Andrew gasped again.


    "Are you saying someone let them out? Someone is working with Larisa?"


    I nodded, "Yes and I need you to find him."


    Or maybe it''s a woman...


    "I will, Alpha," Andrew promised but I was about to regret my decision to let Andrew in on my suspicions.


    However, that feeling of regret didn''t sink in until the next day which I deem to call Wellington''s Public Execution Day. It was time to smoke Larisa out


    or at least let her know that she had stepped on a deadly cobra''s tail.

 99. Now or Never

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    I was invited to the public execution of Larisa''s parents but since the scene wouldn''t be appropriate for kids, I decided to stay back at the apartment and pack in preparation for the journey back home.


    Hazel was helping me pack while Katie and Kyle yed a game in the corner of the room.


    "What do you think he''d do to them?" Hazel asked me, folding her clothes into a duffel bag,


    Instantly, I figured she was talking about how Raiden would handle Larisa''s parents. I wasn''t certain but after Ronald''s death and Iris''s near-death experience, I knew Raiden wouldn''t go easy on Larisa''s parents.


    Was I okay with their possible death?


    Yes, I was.


    Larisa was okay with killing my friend and almost killing my son and me, so why should I care about what happens to her crazy parents?All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "I hope he kills them. The world doesn''t need people like them and Larisa deserves to feel the pain thates with losing someone she loves. She damaged so many families." I said to Hazel.


    But she snorted, "Liar. You don''t want anyone dead no matter what they could have done. You are Aurelia-"


    ¡°Well, I''ve changed. I no longer care about people who would hurt me at any length or stab me in the back." I retorted.


    I wanted to correct Hazel by telling her that I was Lia but I realized it''s high time I epted myself. Aurelia was who I was after all. Lia was just a small part of the whole- Aurelia.


    Hazel moved ufortably, shifting on her feet as she muttered, "If you say so." I thought of asking her if she was okay but she blurted before I could, "So what day have you chosen?"


    My brows furrowed, "Day?"


    "For the journey, Lia. When will it be?" Hazel uttered precisely.


    I thought about it for a minute. I had gotten the journal from Iris, and even though I hadn''t read it, I knew it would help me. Kyle was in very good shape, which meant he was fit to travel back to the ck Fur Pack.


    Nothing was holding me back now.


    I still wanted to find Larisa and watch her suffer for what she did to my son and Jessica but I could do that from home. In fact, bing Tristan''s Luna would give me the power I need to fish Larisa out and with Iris''s journal, I could take my abilities to the next level.


    "I believe tomorrow will be a good day to journey back home," I uttered, smiling at Hazel whose face dropped as shock took over her body. "Seriously?" Hazel gasped.


    "Yes, Hazel. We''re going home tomorrow." I confirmed,ughing at Hazel''s facial expression.


    While Hazel jubted and began to tell me about how she needed to get Jessica''s body prepared for the journey, Katie and Kyle rapidly closed the distance between us, and Katie blurted, "We''re going home tomorrow?"


    ¡°Hmm hmm,¡± I answered casually as I didn''t know what was going through my daughter''s head.


    I realized when she let out rudely, "But that''s too soon, Mom. We just met Grandma and we need time with her. Why can''t we just stay here with our biological family?"


    Kyle seemed conflicted as his gaze shifted between Katie and me. Katie pushed her luck when she started crying, "I want to stay here with them. ck Fur is no longer home but here is. We can move in with Dad and since the stepmom is gone, we can be a family again-"


    ¡°Enough, Katie Anne!" I snapped, throwing the folded jeans I had in my hand into the open box on the bed, and gosh did I re at my daughter. "I''ve had it up to here with you!"


    If she was shedding crocodile''s tears before, her tears became real. I could tell from the way her lips trembled.


    I could barely hear Hazel excuse


    herself from the room but I kinda


    expected that she would do that to give my kids and me some space. I didn''t drop my re as Ished at Katie, Be a family again


    you say? When were you ever a family with him? When was he ever in the picture? Our biological family? Tsk! I and Kyle are your biological family and the people of ck Fur are the family that raised you. Have you suddenly forgotten that because you like the idea of having a biological father?"


    "Mom..." Katie''s lips quivered but I wasn''t done with her silly ass.


    "Don''t mom me, Katie Anne. Yes, life is unfair. Some of your mates have aplete family but you don''t! Deal with that! We won''t be staying in this pack." I said with a tone of finality hurting my daughter but making it crystal clear to her that she wasn''t the boss of me. I loved her and I always will but she has to understand at some point. "And you both better not pull the crap you did thest time. Do you understand me, Kyle?"


    I faced my son to make sure he was following. Kyle averted his gaze as he responded, ¡°Yes, Mama.¡±


    Just to be sure I uttered, "No one is


    set


    hiding and no funny ns. We don''t want a repeat of thest time, do we?" The twins seemed a bit confused but that didn''t stop tears from rolling down Katie''s cheeks. I sighed with a heavy heart but didn''t hesitate to announce, ¡°The n to hide Kyle in Raiden''s office is the reason Kyle ended up in the hospital, Katie and you witnessed how your brother suffered. Do you want a


    repeat of that?"


    Katie''s eyes widened and she shook her head, "No, Mom. I never want to see Kyle like that. Never ever."


    Oh, she learned something from that after all.


    If Katie wasn''t on board with anything silly, I knew Kyle wouldn''t dare disobey me. Kyle looked at me with questions in his eyes and I knew he didn''t have memories of what happened after he followed Larisa to herir.


    And I hoped he would never remember.


    "Whereas, your dad might be a good father to you both but he was terrible to me," I added thest straw without batting ash. They needed to know. It''d hurt them but at least they would finally understand me. "Your dad never treated me right and that was the reason I had to leave the pack in the first ce. To protect myself and you both. Don''t make me the bad guy just because I don''t want to stay with him."


    I was done covering up for Raiden or hurting internally while my kids fell in love with him. Yes, he was changing but that doesn''t change shit.


    For the first time since the scolding began, Kyle spoke up, asking me emotionally, "Did he hurt you, Mama?"


    I sniffled but answered, "Yes, baby. He hurt my heart, my body, and my soul."


    Was I breaking my kids?


    Most likely.


    But it''s now or never.

 100. Bad To You

    ?


    AURELIA


    ~<>~


    "Come sit with me," I muttered to the twins, feeling the weight of the past crushing my mind as I let the painful memories flow.


    "Are you sure you want to tell them?" Inara asked me, worried about the same thing I have been worried about- Protecting the kids from the darkness I experienced in the past.


    "If not all, they still need to know some. I can''t keep lying to them. Especially Katie. She already thinks Raiden is her Hero." I snorted, feeling a bit jealous.


    Was I doing this because I was jealous of the rtionship the kids were building with Raiden? Maybe.


    Despite the few good he had done during our forced stay, I still didn''t want him to steal my kids from me. The Raiden I married always had an ulterior motive. I was finding it difficult to believe that he had really changed.


    I moved some of the clothes on the bed to another side, creating a ce for me and the twins to sit. Katie had stopped crying but her eyes were wet and Kyle stared at me with interest as he sat beside me. I pulled Katie closer as well, feeling the need to show her love after scolding her like that.


    After all, she was still a kid... my kid.


    "When I found out your dad was my mate, I was the happiest girl because he was a good man. I knew him to be a good man but he changed after he realized that he wouldn''t be ending up with the woman he loved." I began the tale.


    ¡°Do you mean Larisa?¡± Kyle asked, holding my gaze.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "Yes, baby. Your dad and Larisa were a couple before we both discovered that I was his mate. Your dad didn''t like that but he was forced to marry me and chose me over Larisa but he never liked me or marked me like most mates do to their partner." I exined, trying my best to not reveal any traumatizing details to the kids.


    "But you are a beautiful, kind, and brave person. Why didn''t he like you?" Katie asked with a frown.


    "Sometimes, we can''t choose who our heart wants to love but we can always choose to be kind to others regardless of who we love," I muttered, cleaning my daughter''s wet face.


    Katie''s frown deepened, "But Raiden wasn''t kind about it. He was bad to you."


    "Sadly, yes," I confirmed. "I tried to express my love to him but I was met with a brick wall. He kept being mean even though Larisa was sent away from the pack. He med me for the separation and immediately went back to her the second she returned to the pack three years after your dad married me."


    "That''s bad," Kyle said stiffly. I had never heard him use such a tone.


    "Yes and since he couldn''t let me go, I was forced to stay in Raiden''s house with little to no food. However, Grandma Dakota helped me realize that you both were growing in my womb and she helped me escape the pack while Raiden and Larisa were distracted by the huge coronation party that was put together for Larisa-"


    e


    "He wanted to make her Luna?¡± Katie suddenly snapped, disbelief clear in her eyes. I nodded and that made Katie snarl... well her soft version of a snarl. "How could he? The ceremony is important to every girl want to have one with my mate When I grow up Dad was really bad."


    "And you will have that, baby. You deserve the world." I assured my daughter, kissing her cheeks.


    ¡°And you deserve the world too, Mama." Kyle etched, hugging my side.


    A warm feeling spread in my stomach as his words echoed in my ears. "Thank you, baby."


    "Why did you tell me Raiden wasn''t a bad person when I asked you?" Katie asked, pouting.


    I sighed, "Because I didn''t want to


    ruin your chances. You needed to get to know him yourself and from the look of things, he has been a good father to you both." I


    el.ne


    confessed. "He already asked me to forgive him and I have but I can''t trust him or love him like once did. I can stay with him either."


    "I''m sorry for being a bad girl, Mom. I didn''t know better." Katie apologized, hiding her face in my side as well.


    "You are a brave girl, Katie, and I love you." I assured her once again before including Kyle, "I love both of you."


    "We won''t disobey you ever again, Mama. We love you and want you to be happy. We all can be happy with Alpha Tristan. He''s a good man." Kyle muttered, unknowingly reminding me of Tristan''s failure to get back to me as he promised.


    "Yes, baby." I replied regardless but also added, "You don''t have to hate Raiden because of the past. He is your dad and he is trying to make it up to you-"


    "He should try making it up to you first." Kyle retorted coldly, holding me tight.


    "Yes. We don''t want him as our dad." Katie supported him and I realized I had created two monsters.


    Was this what I wanted? Or have I made another mistake?


    Before I could get trapped in my thoughts, Kyle etched, "You never told us what happened to Grandma Dakota. Why haven''t we seen her since we arrived even though she lives here?"


    My kids still don''t know about Dakota''s death even though I have mentioned her to them a few times in the past. Now how do I break the news?

 101. Deaf Ears

    ?


    ALPHA RAIDEN


    ~<>~


    I felt at peace as I looked at Nn''s lifeless body while his wife screamed her lungs out. She was clearly experiencing the pain of losing her mate but I didn''t care. I couldn''t bring myself to care.


    Nn for Ronald.


    Larisa''s father for my father.


    It was simple. An eye for an eye.


    ¡°Take his body to one of the cells. Let him rot there like my father did in his daughter''s captivity." I let out that order without a single emotion slipping. My men rushed to carry out the order while my pack members silently watched. There was no kid around to witness the gruesome scene.


    I continued speaking, "Let this be a lesson to you all. If you are caught with the traitor, you will be stripped of your honor and dealt with in ways you can''t even imagine. It''s either you give up on helping Larisa or never get caught. This is myst warning."


    I wanted whoever was working with Larisa to know that I was onto them. That would push him or her to make a mistake and reveal himself or herself. Maybe lead me to Larisa too. That would be the best because I was dying to teach that bitch that she messed with the wrong person.


    She wouldn''t know the kind of demon I could be because she had always been on my good side but now that she was an enemy, she''d understand that.


    My mom was standing beside me and she didn''t flinch when Nn''s life was taken. She must feel at peace too. That was for my dad... her mate. "You can''t do this to us! We are a respectable family!" Helen screamed, tears pouring out of her eyes like she had a dam inside her orbs.


    I seethed, "I already did, Helen, and you are only respectful when I say so. If I say otherwise, you are ruined."


    For Helen, I had a different n. Nn was dead but Helen would live as bait for her daughter and she would also live like a rat just like my mom did in her daughter''s prison.


    Convincingly, I called Nina out and she stepped forward, bowing her head to me as I started speaking, "I hereby strip Helen of her authority, strength, and rank. I demote her and her wolf to the lowest rank. She is below the omega as from this instant and she will be one of the unpaid servants that her daughter maltreated while she acted as the Luna of the pack."


    I watched Helen scream in agony as my words took effect. I felt her energy leaving her body and her wolf''s aura diminished. She was born into a gamma family but as her Alpha, I had made her lose her natural power.


    "Understood, Alpha." Nina acknowledged my words.


    "You''ll be held responsible if she escapes the pack, Nina. Do you understand me?" I asked.


    "Yes, Alpha. She won''t escape me." Nina promised and I could tell that she meant every word.


    "Drag her away and put her to work." I sealed Helen''s fate.


    I got a feeling that I had handed Helen over to the right person as I was aware of Nina''s child being one of Larisa''s captives.


    "You can all return to your home, keep your eyes open for any traits, and report them immediately. It''s time we make our pack a safe ce for us." I addressed the crowd before dismissing them.


    I faced my mom and she smiled sadly, saying, "We should give your father a proper burial soon. His spirit needs to rest peacefully."


    "Arrangements have been made for that, Mom. In fact, I n to invite Aurelia and the kids to the funeral as soon as I leave here. The pack will be informed afterward."


    "I hope she would stay that long." My mom stated even though she didn''t know the day I had chosen for the funeral.


    I didn''t ask her any questions as she


    and Andrew walked towards the mansion and I gave Jake onest order before strolling towards the apartment where I knew Aurelia and the kids would be. "Put all the men we captured to hard work. They have all been demoted and as the gamma, you are responsible for them."


    "Yes, Alpha." Jake bowed to me.


    After two minutes of walking, I finally arrived in front of the apartment and I knocked, before attempting to open the door. However, the door was yanked open before I could turn the knob and I came face to face with the twins.


    "Hey, guys..." I was happy to see them and I put on my dad''s face instead of the serious Alpha face that I had on earlier.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    But the kids didn''t seem pleased to see me. Katie folded her arms around her chest and Kyle red at me like we didn''t have fun togetherst night.


    "What are you guys up to this time?" I chuckled ufortably but neither of them answered me. I scratched the back of my head as I added, "Where is your mom?"


    "My mom doesn''t want to see you, Raiden." Katie blurted.


    Raiden?


    This wasn''t the first time she would call me that but I was getting used to her calling me dad.


    Kyle confirmed, "Yes, you can leave. We will be leaving tomorrow too,"


    "Leaving tomorrow?" I asked, my heart beating rapidly. I could sense that my greatest fear was about to be a reality.


    "We''re going home to Tristan and we''ll nevere back here," Katie announced, her words killing me faster than Larisa''s silver bullet.


    I got tongue-tied, wondering when


    Aurelia decided to leave tomorrow and why the kids were suddenly unfriendly. My eyes threatened to release tears as I thought of the little time Thad left with the kids... with Aurelia... With my family.


    Goddess, No!


    I can''t stand this punishment... punish me another way, please.


    I begged the goddess but my plea fell on deaf ears.

 Must Read Note From Kiki

    ?


    Hi, dearest readers.


    I should probably begin this note by apologizing for my inconsistency this month. I''m certain some of you already hate me. Please don''t. I have been busy and panicking about writing as well. Regardless, I''m sorry and I promise toplete this story within the next week.


    Yes, Aurelia''s and Raiden''s story has a few chapters left and I''m so excited for the ending. Alos I want to use this medium to thank you all for your support and love. I started writing this book ending of June 2024 and I must say, it''s been a journey. A sweet one but also one that makes me worry as I plot and try to figure out whates next in the story.


    However, your contributions,ments, votes, and kind words have helped me to the end. Thank you so much. I will always thank the heavens for you and this book. To be honest, I didn''t expect my first book to perform this well. I was so scared when I started and I would be lying if I said I am no longer scared.


    But worrying is part of life, I guess.


    Once again, I''m sorry and thank you. All of you.


    Now to the biggest news I have to share...... haha.


    Like I said, Aurelia and Raiden''s story will end within the next five chapters and while panicking about the ending, I have decided to keep the story going but with another character''s story. This new story would be written within this book.


    et


    Yes, I won''t be creating a new book as I already have a new book titled, "The Alpha King''s Hated Mate". Please check it out. I''ll be updating this new book every day starting next month but updates have started so you can add it to your library now.


    For the new story that will continue within this book, I''ll be updating it at least three times a week with as


    many characters as possible,


    net


    depending on how much you like the story Yes, you will be a major part of the decision-making process which is why I''d like to hear from you.


    What character story would you like to read next within this book? Katie and Kyle''s, Otis and Benji''s, Ross


    et


    and E''s? Just tell me in thements. I need your help to make this decision so please don''t ignore this. The character with the highest mention in thements would get a story... so race over there and mention your favorite character. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    I would stay glued to my phone. Haha.


    Thank you for doing this with me. Love always, Kiki Jones.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!