….5 days earlier
Never could I have imagined to feel so happy and blessed as I am in this very moment. As a rogue, the chances of being taken into a pack or let alone find a mate is nearly impossible.Yet Drake took me in, gave me protection when I needed it the most. He made me part of his pack, although we both knew I was broken goods.Did his pack accept me? Most of them weren’t happy their Alpha took in a broken rogue and even made me their Luna. I heard the talks behind my back, useless piece, a shame for our species, not even a real werewolf, unworthy. Most of them let me know I wasn’t wanted there.But I worked hard, did anything for the pack and my Alpha. Some people did acknowledge my effort. Our pack has grown to be one of the strongest and most powerful pack on this continent. Only one other pack is close to being as ruthless and powerful as ours, the arche enemy of my Alpha Drake.After Drake found me years ago, he made it to his personal mission to protect me from ever falling into the hands of his enemy Alpha Jax from the Blood-moon pack. The stories Drake told me about him made me shiver deep within.He’s the reason we had to build up our defence and be as ruthless as a pack can be. Drake never failed to warn me about the risks if I ever left our territory. Taking me, the Alpha’s Luna would weaken him immense. Losing me would be like slicing a part out of him. His deep love for me, our connection, put a target on my back, that’s why he would do anything to protect me.As a former rogue, I had no interest in leaving our territory anyway. Even within our pack to some, I was still counted as an orphaned rogue. They fear Drake too much to harm me badly, but I wouldn’t want to take the risk if they thought it was safe to get away with it.Not being able to shift, doesn’t exactly help me stand my ground. Some of them even dare to doubt I’m a werewolf at all. They say the moon goddess would never be so cruel to our species.After Drake married me five years ago, we tried everything to have a baby. A new strong future leader for the pack. Unfortunately, it seemed even with that I was broken goods, only rising the anger of the pack even more.But Drake always stood at my side and reassured me I’m not broken, and when the time was right, we would have our family. I am his loved Luna, and he makes sure I know that at every moment.The few friends I do have have always supported me, too. Alana is my best friend, the person I confide in the most besides Drake and our Beta James. She knows how the pack treats me and helps me hide it from Drake. The last thing I need is for them to hate me even more, just because Drake unleashes his anger on them.To be honest, I don’t even care anymore how they treat me. I’m happier than ever before in my entire life. Me, the woman who was and had nothing is being loved and protected by the incredible Alpha Drake. Being the mate and wife to him is an honour.Looking down to my arms, my entire body fills with so much warmth and love. A lone tear escapes my eyes for the hundredth time today as I look into the beautiful sleeping face of my freshly born baby boy. My eyes shift from him, back up to Drake, who is looking ever so proud and happy at his son. This sight fills me with so many emotions, my heartbeat increases, and the waterworks are fully back on again. Staining my face with more tears.Five years I fought for this, tried everything after our marriage ceremony, but it seemed impossible. Until one day, it wasn’t. It was like a miracle. And now I have more than I could have ever wished for.The perfect mate, a baby, a family, a home, loyal friends. I’m the Luna of the most powerful pack. That’s what I call being truly blessed by the moon goddess.Now, with finally having given the pack the future leader, I’m sure even they will finally see me fully as their Luna.Rushed footsteps echo through the hallway behind the door. Seconds later, the huge, heavy wooden doors creak open as a gasping Alana breaks through the opening.“I came as fast as I could, after I heard the labour has started," she bursts out as soon as she’s standing beside my bed. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here on time for the birth. We secured the borders even more today. It seems like someone is trying to break through our defence.” Her worried eyes shift to Drake. His big dark brown eyes narrow, and for a second, I see concern written on his face until he masks it quickly to a neutral look.It has to be Jax from the Blood-moon pack. He’s the only enemy Drake truly fears.“How was the birth? How is Adrian?” She enquires with a huge smile, looking at my baby boy in my arms. Alana helped me choose the name. She said it’s part of her duty as my best friend.“It was exhausting, and apparently I lost too much blood, but it was totally worth it," I chuckle while keeping my eyes on Adrian. “The healer said Adrian is perfectly fine. A strong healthy boy. He’s so beautiful," I gush, unable to tear my eyes off of him.“You look tired. I’m sure the healer said you need to rest. Let me take Adrian for a while so you can focus on recovering from the birth," Alana offers, stretching out her arms to take him.They all know that even my healing abilities are way slower than normal for a werewolf.I shake my head “no” in response, not wanting to let go of him just yet. I feel like I’ve been waiting to hold him forever. Ever since the birth three hours ago, I only let go of him once for his check-up.“Alana’s right. You need to take a rest. The birth has taken a toll on you. Take a sleep in peace, Alana will take care of him while you recover a little.” Drakes voice comes out in a way telling me this is not a request but an order.Reluctant, I lower my head to Adrian’s and give him a gentle kiss on his tiny forehead. “I love you so much," I whisper softly before handing him over to Alana.She cradles him softly in her arms, and she gives him the biggest smile I have ever seen on her. “You’re our pride, our future. You’re perfect in every single way," she whispers full of awe and then also gives him a kiss.Already feeling empty and missing him, I watch how she retreats and walks out of the room with my baby boy on her arms, followed shortly later by Drake.Cold and of dampness smelling air fill my nostrils while my hazed mind is trying to come to senses. Something seems wrong, but I’m unable to make out what it is. My limbs feel heavy and cold. A cold breeze causes me to shiver and goosebumps to rise all over my body.I try to open my eyes, but they seem so unbelievably heavy. It’s as if I’m in a state between being awake and sleeping and yet different. Something seems familiar about this, but I’m unable to put my finger on it.In the background, I can hear voices and muffled sounds, but my mind is too far gone to make out what it is or make any sense out of it. Trying to focus on it only seems to make things worse.Instead, my focus shifts to something else. Why does my back ache like this? Everything feels so hard and cold underneath me, causing an ache and soreness. I try to hold on to these feelings and thoughts, trying to make sense out of them, but I seem too dazed to be able to hold on to anything. In the back of my mind, I thin
Waking up once again, I can’t even remember how many times I have blacked out in the last days. To be honest, I don’t even know how many days have passed since I’ve been down here.Every single bone in my body aches, every muscle, my entire skin. My lips are cracked and swollen from the blows I’ve taken and the lack of water. The healer would try and give me little sips in between when no one was watching and would at least try and treat some of the worst wounds whenever possible without drawing attention to his treatment.By the distraught look on his face, I feel like he’s not very happy with the things happening here either. But it’s not in his power to do anything against it.My entire body is covered in bruises, cuts, and fresh and dried blood. Not that I could take a decent look, as I’m still chained down. James makes sure the restraints constantly get freshly drained with wet clothes filled with wolfsbane. Even if my healing abilities were those of a normal werewolf, there’s no
.........The sudden awakening five years before the night of death..........“Amelia! Amelia!” I can hear my name being called out repeatedly. “Amelia, what’s wrong? Get the healer here, right now," the voice calls out full of authority, obviously aiming that request towards others, while I feel I’m being shaken. My hands clutch to my throat as I gasp for air desperately. Air, I need air. I can hear my own laboured breathing, gasping for air. It feels like ice cold water is filling my lungs, and I’m drowning. What’s happening? Where am I? Questions fill my still dazed thoughts while trying to get my breathing under control.Arms wrapped around me, start shaking my upper body again. “Amelia, wake up.” My eyes snap open, and my heartbeat gets erratic as I look into the dark brown eyes of Drake, who’s currently holding me half lying on the floor and half in his arms. Images of woods flash through my mind. Blood, my body covered in mud and blood, a lake. My hands clutch harder around my
Jax’s POV: (At the same time as the wedding takes place and Amelia is being reborn.)Today’s her wedding, and it’s driving me insane. The word about Drake finally marrying his mate spread fast, striking me hard. Although he’s shielding her from the world and especially me, he made sure everyone would know the mighty Alpha is finally marrying. An official Luna at his side will only strengthen his packs position even more.His mate…… I want to punch and shred anything getting in my way right now, just for him claiming her to be that. She’s my mate, and after all the attempts I have made to come closer up to her and the way he’s doing everything in his power to prevent it, shows me he must know it too.I’m not sure about his reasons. Maybe he wants to weaken me and my pack even more by not letting me have my soulmate. Other than that, it doesn’t make much sense. Then again, even before I saw her from afar on that life changing day, I knew he’s done everything to keep her secluded. Every
Familiar air fills my nostrils, soothing my senses. Soft, warm sheets engulf my body, the mattress underneath me bedding me in the most comfortable way. I pull the covers up a little more, snuggling into them, not ready to open my eyes just yet.Enjoying the moment I take a deep breath but suddenly feel as if my throat is closing up. Desperate for air, my hands start clawing at my throat, I can hear myself gurgling. I try to scream, but nothing comes out. Total anxiety flushes my body, I’m dying, and I can clearly feel it, there's no doubt.Screams fill the air as I sit up abruptly in bed, gasping for air. My entire body is covered in a thin sheet of cold sweat. Lifting my hands to my throat, everything is normal. Besides of my accelerated breathing, I am able to breathe totally normal.The door bursts open, and rushed feet make their way towards me. “Amelia, has something happened? I heard a scream.” I look up into the alerted eyes of Drake, who is now leaning over my bed.Confused,
In the afternoon I have enough of staying in bed. Admitted I feel a little nauseous, but at this point, I can’t even say if it’s from my head or from the unsettled feeling deep within the pit of my stomach.Ever since I woke up, I can’t seem to shake off that nightmare. Even if I am only able to remember bits and pieces, my body is still on edge, totally alerted. My throat feels sore, and my body and mind are restless.I try to convince myself that the nightmare simply is a result of my sore throat. It felt so damn real. It must have something to do with it.Did I catch a cold before the wedding? Werewolves don’t really catch a normal cold like humans do, but as I’m different in every other way, perhaps even this is different. Maybe I should go to the healer. Perhaps he can check it out and tell me what's wrong with my throat.Was there anything unusual before the wedding? No matter how hard I try, I can’t really remember. It seems like everything is so long ago and these small detail
As soon as the door closes shut behind us, I get this irrational feeling of fear again. In long, fast strides, Drake moves towards our bed and sets me down onto it. Feeling the softness underneath my body, I relax a little, but I’m unable to look up at my mate.Even the word mate doesn't feel right.Instead, my gaze averts to his feet, which are now moving up and down, tipping the front to the ground in a restless manner. Besides of, two people breathing heavy and the tipping of the feet, the room stays silent. He’s not yelling at me. Seeing as he’s staying put in his place right in front of me, but not yelling, I know he must be really angry. The heavy breathing is the evidence of it and him trying to keep it at bay.Drake is ruthless and scary in every single way. He shreds our enemies into pieces without second thoughts. Yet he would never ever touch me in the wrong way. No, the opposite actually, he treasures and protects me like the most precious gem. So why am I fearing him righ
The day only seems to croach along slowly. Being isolated in my room isn’t the thing that really matters to me. I like to be alone and away from the observant eyes of the pack, only waiting for me to fail again.A lot of them know that I work hard for the pack. In the background I’m the one to work on major business deals, prepare all the papers, and work out plans. Just as our defence. But Drake is the executive to these works. Working in the background is way better and safer for me. Despite how complicated it would be if any of our allies and business partners would find out I’m actually a rogue.On events in our packhouse, Drake always makes sure to keep me safe and far enough away from others to attack me. Some of them have seen my face from afar, but that’s about it.To be honest, after hearing in how much danger I’d be if I got any closer, it makes me rather keep the distance anyway.But right now, I feel bored to the bones. No work, no James or Alana to talk to, nor my books a