Kiera POV
"Luna?" Andy looked at me in fear, washing away my own. I needed to protect my pack."Find Devon, save as many as you can," I ordered him. Andy nodded obediently and took off."Jackson!" I called desperately through our mind link, temporarily forgetting about his encounter with that woman.When I was met with a thick cloud, I knew Jackson had his mind link blocked, and rage began consuming me again."Forget that pathetic Alpha!" Athena demanded of me. "We are the true strength of this pack.""Athena, we need our Alpha." I scolded my wolf as my head looked around, surveying the area for any attackers."Not so tough anymore." The man that I brought to his knees mocked me.I shook my head, not having time to deal with him. "I'm tough enough to take care of you." I spat out just as I grabbed a candle stick and knocked him over the head with it. The giant man fell to the floor with a loud thud and eyes tightly closed."Jackson!" I tried again to reach my husband, but again, I was met with a thick cloud. "He better have a good excuse, or I swear I'll kill him myself," I muttered as I walked back to the grand hall.Too much was happening that I couldn't allow myself to wonder what he was doing or why he blocked me out of his head.People were scattering everywhere, screams and fear filling the air around us. I climbed on top of a table to better scan the area, but I saw nothing other than a few small explosions went off."Luna! We need to get you to safety." Andy grabbed my hand to pull me off the table, but I pulled back."What happened? I don't see any threats?""I don't know, and I can't find our Beta or Alpha. Your lead warriors are escorting as many as we can to the training grounds. We need to get you in your chambers.""You can't be serious? We aren't hiding! If the Dark Wolves want a war, here on my territory, then let's give them one." I spoke confidently, Athena strong in my words. My wolf would never let me back down from a battle."The Alpha is going to kill me." Andy sighed, resigning any efforts to hide me away for safety."Kiera! The Second Lunas are out by the old pack house." A familiar voice that sent annoyance through my bones shouted."What are they doing out there?" I shouted back."They were having their own little party while their husbands paraded around their fated mates." Katherine, my younger and very manipulative sister, explained as we ran out of the ballroom"Own party?" I questioned."Well, they don't exactly find your little get-togethers all that amusing. It's a reminder that they are no longer first in their pack or husband's desires." Katherine noted.I had nothing to say back to her, knowing she was right. I couldn't help but feel a deep cut by her words, too. Would I become a Second Luna? No! That won't be my future!Screams echoed around us, and I quickened my pace, Athena pushing her way through me to transform.'Not yet, Athena." I warned her. She was too eager to fight, and I didn't trust her not to kill first and ask questions later.'They are in danger!' Her words rammed inside my head.'And we will save them.' I fought against her, preventing my body from shifting.Just as we arrived at a large opening in the field, we were met with six women surrounded by three feral wolves encircling them.My eyes sharpened, noticing at least a dozen more wolves in the forest not too far off. We were under attack and currently outnumbered."Luna, we need reinforcements," Andy whispered beside me, his body ready to shift at any second."They are on their way. Ten minutes out." I told him, but we both knew that wasn't fast enough. I almost rolled my eyes noticing that Katherine had disappeared. She was never one to put herself in harms way to save others."I'll take the two on the right; you take the larger one," I ordered Andy, creeping closer to the wolves drooling over their victims."Luna, you can't take two on. Plus, there are more enemies just outside the border.""Then we die trying." My eyes heated, black fully encompassing my irises. I couldn't just walk away, leaving six helpless women at the mercy of these feral wolves."Luna!" Andy growled, not so willing to sacrifice me. It was ingrained in pack member's soul to protect their Alpha and Luna, just as it was rooted in mine to protect my people.I growled out just as a wolf lounged at one of the crying women they had trapped. My tone was deathly, stopping all the attackers in their tracks.I was met with another growl though. One that came out through the forest, one deep with an ominous pitch, sending waves of fear around us all. My eyes softened, darting around the area to locate where it came from. I knew it was a threat, but something ignited within me. I needed to know who it was."Dark Wolf!" Andy's voice trembled. He felt the profound evil behind that growl, as we all did.'Athena, he is too powerful.' My voice cracked inside my head—fear coursing in my veins. I looked at the six women huddled together, all crying in distress. They looked to me to save them, as if I were their unwavering hope, but in this moment I felt utterly hopeless. There was no way Andy and I could take on the infamous Alpha of the North.'He is powerful.' Athena swooned in my head, making my eyebrows furrow in confusion. She can't possibly be drooling over our enemy?The three wolves circling the woman turned towards the woods, growling along with their pack members. Soon, yelps and terrifying cries echoed through the air.Seeing the wolves distracted by all the commotion, I ran to the women, prepared to defend them with everything I had.Andy, get them out of here!" I ordered him, Athena behind my words to make him compelled to listen."Luna, we all need to get out of here." He pleaded, knowing I would be the last to leave the battle.Just as I reached the women, one of the wolves spun and snapped at my dress. I twirled from his sharp jaws and landed a kick swiftly in his snot with my heel. Blood rushed out of the wolves face, and the other two jumped at me. I hit the ground and rolled away from their advances, but now I had three very angry wolves growling over me.I slowly stood, taking a defensive stance and drawing a blade I had concealed around my thigh. The first wolf lounged, meeting my blade straight through his stomach. The second wolf was already in the air, only inches from my face when a massive black wolf bum rushed him mid-attack.My eyes became glued to the glorious midnight wolf. He was enormous, strong, and seemed almost godly. The wolf slammed his victim hard to the ground and quickly ended his life, sending the third wolf whimpering into the woods to retreat. No one would be foolish enough to take on this creature before me.I couldn't speak as I watched the most gruesome yet amazing display of strength. His fur shimmered in the moonlight, and his dark eyes seemed to sparkle at me."Who are you?" I whispered, bewildered by this strong beast before me.I was met with only a dark growl. This man wasn't happy with me, but I didn't feel an ounce of fear, only intrigue. His large paws stepped to me, canines long and dripping blood."Luna, we should retreat." Andy pulled at my arm from behind, and the black wolf growled viscously at him."Leave him!" I ordered the mysterious werewolf, standing before Andy and feeling an overwhelming need to protect him. Oddly, I also felt like I had the power to stop the Dark Wolf with just my command.His wolf growled again, deep and foreboding. His black eyes bore deep into mine, and I felt waves of his hate for me. I thought he would do something, but he just turned and took off in the wind, disappearing into the shadows."I told you to retreat." I scorned my Delta."You told me to get the Second Lunas out of here, and I did. Then I came back for you." Andy gave me a half-smirk on how he outsmarted me."You're foolish, Andy. That midnight wolf was ready to attack you.""And you. I won't abandon my Luna." He proudly spoke, and I gave him an appreciative smile.I disagreed with him though. I felt no danger from that wolf, and he actually saved me. Whoever that man was, he couldn't have been who we thought. He wouldn't have saved his enemy. Would he?"I think they are all gone," I said as we began to walk back to the training grounds. The whole thing didn't make any sense. It all happened so fast, then suddenly, it was over.Andy and I settled our pack members while scouts surveyed our grounds for any additional threats. No one heard a peep from Jackson or Devon the whole time.Everyone returned home, and I ordered extra guards to watch our parameters. There was nothing else I could do; it was well into the middle of the night now. I finally headed to bed, alone and worried. Jackson had never returned, and the woman I saw him with no one seemed to know who she was.After hours of self-loathing, I finally cried myself to sleep, but it was restless. I tossed and turned with nightmares of being cast aside for his fated.Blackness took over my vision and my soul. I reached for my wolf for comfort, but she was too angry with Jackson and myself. I had no one left.When morning came, I laid in bed for a long time, staring out of my window. The sun was high in the sky, and its rays bathed my bed in its warmth. I felt no comfort, though, no happiness.Jackson's scent was faint in our bedroom, so I knew he hadn't returned. Thinking of him in her bed all night made my stomach turn. Her red lips on his, his hands on her body, them tangled in the bed sheets. It was too much for me.I finally made my way downstairs when I was hit with his scent. Jackson was here, but I wasn't ready to face him. I wasn't prepared to let go of the perfect life I thought we had.Don't forget to drop a gem!
Drake POVNight after night, I lurked in the woods of the Nightmare pack, remaining just outside their borders. I was an Alpha of the North, the Alpha of the North, yet for some reason, I was here. I was stuck in the South, prowling my enemy's territory, searching for something, but I didn't know what.My wolf form scented every inch of the ground, looking for a clue as to what had drawn me to this territory. I already knew they were having a large gathering in their pack house. Hundreds of people came from miles away to attend this so-called celebration.Then, halfway through the festivities, an explosion went off. I remained on the outskirts of the territory, watching and observing my surroundings. Three unknown wolves emerged from the woods nearby, stalking six women dancing and drinking around a small fire away from the party inside.I faded my wolf into the shadows, concealing myself from anyone nearby. Not a bone in my body cared what would happen to these women. I wanted to know
Kiera POVI finally made my way downstairs when I was hit with his scent. Jackson was here, but I wasn't ready to face him. I wasn't prepared to let go of the perfect life I thought we had.I didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't seeing the man I loved sitting on the couch looking wholly destroyed.His brown hair was disheveled, a clear sign of him pulling on it. Elbows rested on his knees, and his head hung low. He wore the same suit we had left in last night, now a wrinkled mess, with his white shirt left unbuttoned.After staring at him for a long while, I shouted, "Just reject me!" My soul felt like it was being torn apart, caught between his betrayal and the love I still held for him."What?" Jackson quickly lifted his head to meet my gaze. His eyes were red and swollen from crying, mirroring the same despair that clouded my own."I saw you and..." I swallowed hard. "I know what you did. Just reject me, Jackson. I don't want to know how sorry you are or that this wasn't what y
Kiera POV As sleep enveloped me, my mind drifted between the realms of dreams and deep slumber. Darkness seeped into my thoughts, signaling the onset of a long night filled with vivid night terrors.A blurry vision of a little girl in a red dress with red bows pranced before me, her voice muffled and hands waving for me to follow. I stepped carefully, knowing I was in a dream, but not why or how I knew."You're being foolish, Aunty. I thought more of you.""Who are you?" I asked nervously."That is not important. The question is, who are you?'""I don't understand. Tell me, why am I here?""Because you wished to escape, to understand.""That doesn't make sense.""Nothing rarely does." The little girl giggled demonically. She was adorable, but creepy. "You are being fooled, and deep down, you know it." Her words left an uneasiness inside me.A dark voice called for me. My head spun, searching for who it came from. "Kiera!" He called again."Jackson?" I asked, recognizing his tone, but
Kiera POV -For weeks, I tirelessly rallied support to clear more land in our territory. Jackson was often away, working to convince the Green Forest pack to join our forces.After so much time spent preparing for war, tonight I arranged a celebration for the expansion of our territory, and Jackson promised me he would be home for it.I enlisted help from the Second Lunas, to whom we provided safe housing to. Given the ongoing internal conflicts, I saw the festivities as a welcomed distraction. At least, I thought it would be until the gossip circle started. "Have you seen poor Karen today?" Becky asked with her mischievous smile, addressing the other women hauling logs to the bonfire. She was an instigator and loved drama. "Just for breakfast. She looked absolutely miserable." Sandra, another Second Luna from a pack nearly destroyed by the Dark Wolves, answered. The women all tsked at the sheer sadness of the situation.I usually didn't pay them much attention, but I didn't like how
Kiera POV -I planned to locate my husband and force him to reject me, but as I walked down the street, I saw Devon entering his house with a large bag slung over his shoulder. I hadn't seen him in days, and I needed to know what he knew about all of it: Marcus, the Second Lunas, Jackson. I marched up to his porch and pounded on the door."Kiera!" Surprise filled his voice as he opened the door. "You're still here?""Of course, I'm still here. Where else would I be?" I snapped at him.Devon looked around nervously. He seemed out of place, maybe even frightened."Do you know what the other Alphas are doing to these poor women? What Jackson has done?" I shouted at him, more like an accusation than a question."Calm down, okay. Come in." He opened the door for me to enter.My body trembled, my mouth felt dry, and my heart raced angrily. So many emotions swirled within me that I couldn't think clearly anymore. The memory of what I had just witnessed between my husband and that woman threat
Kiera POVExhausted from running all night without food or sleep, I came across a quaint inn in a small town. The weathered, cobblestone exterior radiated charm, and as I entered, the nostalgic scent of aged wood and the faint aroma of a crackling fireplace welcomed me.After sleeping a few hours, I powered on my phone to discover a multitude of missed calls. Jackson had persistently called, leaving me over fifty messages. He knew I found out about his dirty little secret, and I didn't want to hear his excuses. I never wanted to see his face again.He would either be furious, demanding my return or pleading for forgiveness. The thought of hearing his voice or seeing his face again filled me with hate. Memories of our shared past, from childhood to being mates, swirled in my mind.Believing his words made me feel like a naive idiot. Yet, the realization that I would never feel his arms around me again weighed heavily on my chest. I had never loved anyone like Jackson and couldn't envisi
Kiera POVThe dark man grabbed my ass and lifted me to wrap around him. His body was so wide that I felt like a small girl in his massive embrace. The second our bodies melted to the other, I was done thinking about anything other than letting go tonight. I was a little intoxicated, and definitely not in the right mind. Right now, I felt good though. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was just living for me. No responsibilities, no precautions, and no preplanned steps. I was just a young woman needing to release her deep-rooted frustrations."I'm not a gentleman, Doll." He broke our kiss and threw me to the bed. The dangerous glimmer in his eyes made me even more wet to have him."I wouldn't be at this shitty club if I was looking for a man to take care of me. I want you to fuck me, and that's it.""You want me to make you forget about this disgusting man who dared touch what is mine." His nails scrapped my mark, sending more pain through my body. I didn't like pain, but kno
Kiera POVI woke, laying sideways on a round bed in a sleazy club. My body ached a little and between my legs was not only raw, but humming in bliss.I smiled to myself. I never thought I would enjoy a dirty one night stand with a complete stranger, who was also an arrogant Alpha. I did though. I would never see him again and no one would know exactly what happened last night. This will be my dirty little secret that I knew I would fantasize about the rest of my life.I stood and searched for my clothes. My underwear was in pieces and it made me moan remembering how he tore the fabric from my body. I slipped on my dress and washed my face. I didn't want to wash his scent completely off me though. I smiled in the mirror knowing how pissed Jackson was going to be. Good!Athena was a blissful little puppy, swimming in happiness deep in my soul. She wanted more of the dark stranger, but we had other matters to deal with. I called a taxi to bring me back to my soon to be ex home. It hurt t