After the wedding ceremony was over, everyone was moved through to the receiving room where we would take photos, thank the attending guests, and accept gifts.
Despite how uncomfortable I felt being the center of attention and under the scrutiny of some of the most powerful names in our world, I smiled through it all because Ryan stood at my side with my hand tightly clasped in his.
I took a moment to marvel at just how incredible my new husband was as he handled the social interactions with a grace and composure that proved just how good of an ALpha he was. He could be fierce when needed, and he had indeed earned his fearsome reputation, but he could also be gentle and the very image of diplomatic proficiency.
Each Alpha and Luna that approached us with their blessings and gifts, hoped to increase their diplomatic relationship with us, from smaller packs to larger packs, and Ryan treated them all equally. It made my heart swell with pride to see him act this wa
“Who the hell does she think she is?!” Lilly exploded once Viola was out of sight and I sighed heavily.“She’s always been this way, Lily. It’s nothing that I’m not used to. In fact, this is mild compared to what I had to put up with when I lived with them.”Lily snorted incredulously and shook her head.“She’s so rude! I knew she had a reputation but seeing it first hand…it’s really something else!”“Don’t let it upset you, Lily,” I laughed, “I try not to take any notice of her when she’s like this. Besides, she was only just mated to Prince Peter and for her to then have him exiled so publicly for trying it on with her own step sister, well, it's not exactly ideal is it? There’s bound to be an escalation in her behavior. She can’t exactly lash out at King Andrew, can she? So I’m the perfect person to shoulder the blame.”
“Wait a minute, hold on.” Ryan said as he shook his head in disbelief, “Your mother was here? When?!”“Just before the wedding. I thought that you knew because Lilly showed her inside.” I answered.“No, I had no idea. I already reprimanded the team for not having freed her in time to see you before the wedding, so they were going to move the operation forward and bring her here tonight so that we could surprise you in the morning.” He explained with a frown, “Obviously, someone else got there first. Was it your father? Did he finally come to his senses?”“No, it definitely wasn’t him.”I replied, shaking my head, “I already thought about it and if it was, I think he would have held it over us somehow.”“Then are you sure it was your mother?”I stared at him with wide eyes as I considered his words. It had never crossed my mind to question her identi
Viola’s PoVAs soon as I heard that the Alpha King and Luna Kelly were leaving, I was hit with panic. I quickly excused myself from the conversation that I had been engaged in and hurried through the crowd of people, shoving them out of the way rudely as I hastened to catch up with them.They were just about to leave the pack house when I finally caught up with them.“Wait! Please!” I shouted out frantically across the entrance hall, wincing when Luna Kelly’s death glare landed on me and I came to a stop in front of them slightly out of breath.I wasn’t made for running in heels, my athletic ability was less than zero if I was being totally honest with myself.“Ah, Viola, isn’t it?” King Andrew said amenably with a look of curiosity, “Can we help you with something?”“I didn’t want you to leave without letting you know how sorry I am for everything that happened with Peter.” I rushed out as I fought to catch my breath.“My dear girl, there’s no need to apologize at all. What Peter did
Alpha Luke’s PoVI couldn’t believe how rude Viola was being and I was forced to apologize profusely to the Alpha and Luna that we had been talking with when she suddenly ran off in the middle of the conversation with a half-assed excuse.I glared after her as I watched her elbow her way through the crowd and shove important people out of her path, making a mental note to knuckle down on her punishments when we returned home.It was glaringly obvious that I had been too soft on her and she was in dire need of being put in her place. She was doing nothing to help neither her nor our pack’s reputation and that needed to change.Gradually the room began to empty as people began to bid each other goodnight and make their way home and I soon realized that not only had my wife disappeared from my side, but Viola had still not returned.I swore internally at the disloyalty of my own family while keeping a benign smile plastered on my face as I made my way out towards my car. If they weren’t
Kelly’s PoVI waited patiently for Andrew to return to our room at first, but the more time that passed, the more impatient I grew.I had even gone so far as to set out a table with snacks, two glasses, and the bottle as a centerpiece. I was sure I could coax him into sharing a drink with me under the pretense of celebrating the union privately and with a shared hope for my own son Peter and Viola.I pushed the bottle of wine around the table moodily as I waited and finally, my patience paid off.Andrew breezed into the room looking tired and I smiled warmly up at him.“My love,” I greeted him with a soft kiss and he smiled down at me indulgently, his eyes drifting across to the table I had prepared and chuckling softly.“What’s all this?” He asked as his eyes lit up.I didn’t often do things like this, not unless I wanted something from him and right now, I needed him to drink the wine.“Just a little something I put together for us to enjoy.” I smiled coyly up at him, running my han
Amber’s PoVRyan sighed in frustration as he waited for Tom to get back in touch with him with more information. He had reached out multiple times but received the same answer.They hadn’t found her and nor did they have any information on who the unknown woman was although honestly, if all of what she had said was true, I couldn’t see it being anyone else other than my mother. She simply knew too much.“Ryan,” I said gently, “Let’s not think about this now. I’m sorry I brought the mood down. It’s our wedding night.”“You didn’t bring the mood down at all, Amber. Don’t ever apologize for being honest with me.”I shifted closer to him and he reached for my face tenderly, brushing his finger gently across my cheek. My eyes closed as a pleasurable shiver of anticipation ran down my spine and I reached for him, my hands running along his well-defined abs and down to the belt of his trousers as he sucked a sharp breath in.“Our first night as man and wife,” He murmured, allowing his finger
“What the fuck did you just call her?” Ryan snarled furiously.“Why? What are you gonna do about it?” The guard laughed as Ryan’s eyes flashed dangerously.“Keep going and you’ll find out.”The guards that held him by the arms were suddenly thrown forward as Ryan’s snarl of fury rippled through the room. Shouts of surprise filled the air as he lunged forward and shifted mid-air, his jaws closing around the now horrified guard's throat.I didn’t scream. I should have been horrified, but I wasn’t.These men had burst in here, into our sanctuary at the worst time possible. Of course, Ryan was going to be aggressive and protective, especially with the way he was being spoken to.“How could we have murdered him?!” I yelled angrily as Ryan shook the now deceased guard's body left and right, blood spraying across the faces of everyone gathered close as they tried to pry him off him, “We were both here, consummating our damn marriage!”“He was poisoned, by your hands!” someone yelled furiousl
Amber’s PoVI couldn’t believe that this was happening…on our wedding night of all nights too. But then, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Kelly had quite obviously had it in for me since the beginning, she had just hidden it well.I was angry that she had managed to pull this off though, in Ryan’s home, and rallied the other Alpha’s behind her.How could they believe this so easily? He had done nothing but support King Andrew and he had worked hard to get his pack to where it was now. Did I make him a target by association? Or had he been a target all along?They had put us in separate cells but thankfully, we were still able to utilize the mind link that our wolves shared to communicate. It was tiring, as I hadn’t ever had the need to use it too much before, but Ryan was proficient at it.“Amber?” he probed gently, “Are you okay?”“Yeah, I’m fine.” I sigh, “I’m just irritated that we didn’t see this coming before now.”I could feel his brooding silence as he contemplated the same