Noah's POVIn the early morning light, I sat behind my desk. Sun was filtering in through the window behind me, warming my back.However, what I felt inside of me was a scary coldness. A cold that had been ever since I left the Moon Stone pack without Astra.I groaned and shook my head vigorously, trying to dispel thoughts of her from my brain. Now was not the time for sentiments. Now was the time for action.I stared at the littered desk in front of me, the scattered papers reflecting my internal turmoil. My eyes were bloodshot from a sleepless night, and I couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at my conscience. I glanced up: six men stood at attention before me, including Jasper my beta, watching my every move. The room was tense, and I knew they were waiting for instructions or information.I muttered to myself, my voice strained and ragged, as if I were on the brink of madness. "Where is she? What has she done?" The papers beneath my trembling hands were filled with lists, plans,
Eleanor's POVI stood on the porch upstairs, my eyes fixed on the dense forest that surrounded the pack house. My heart was heavy with anger and disbelief. How could my son, Ramsey, have committed such an atrocious act while I was still alive? He had finally gone through with his wishes. He had finally married that girl and tainted our family line forever. The nerve!As if marrying that gypsy girl, Astra wasn't bad enough, he'd had to engage in a brawl with her former lover on his wedding day in front of hundreds of guests.I had watched the faces of the invited royal guests as Ramsey had fought with that alpha. They had been horrified—of course, they had to act horrified to look like they were on our side—but underneath the horror, I had seen amusement and jest, as clear as day on their faces.They were making fun of us in secret, I knew. They also wondered, like me, why Ramsey had ignored all the eligible women in his pack and gone for a mere commoner instead. A woman who was made
Ramsey's POVI stormed out of the pack house, leaving my mother on the porch. Anger coursed through me like a tempest, fueled by her stubborn refusal to accept Astra. But beneath the anger, a gnawing worry and fear for my mother's well-being lingered.She was a stubborn woman, my mother. But this seemed to be the height of it. She would rather starve than accept Astra!As I walked through the halls of the pack house and out into the open, I couldn't shake the image of my mother's sad and haggard appearance. She looked as if my wedding to Astra was taking a toll on her, and it pained me to see her in such a state. Yet, I knew that I couldn't reject Astra because of her. Eleanor was my mother, but Astra was the love of my life.I reminded myself that Eleanor hadn't eaten for days, which explained her pallor and sickly appearance. She needed nourishment, and perhaps, once she ate, she would feel better. At least, that's what I hoped.I couldn't lose either of them. They were the two mos
Ramsey's POVColin's words rang in my ears like an alarm bell. I stood rooted to the spot, staring into his eyes as if they held unknown secrets. "Alpha?" He called out to me, and I gave a small start."How is the situation of things at the border now?" I asked. "How are our soldiers holding up?""We're taking the lead, Alpha." Colin replied. "But you have to come, fast.""I always knew Ramsey would make good on his promise to come back for Astra," I muttered savagely, anger coursing through my veins. "No, Alpha." Colin muttered quietly. "These aren't Noah's men."I glanced up at him. "Who are they, then?""They're...." He paused. "They seem to be rogue wolves. I don't know where they're from or who sent them, but they're here."Rogue wolves?!Astra appeared at the door, a worried frown on her face. "Did you say rogue wolves?" She asked Colin.Colin opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted. "Astra, it is nothing you need to worry about." I grabbed her shoulders and tried to turn
Kylie's POVMy heart was thudding against my chest. Relentless and merciless.I couldn't rest; no, I couldn't. Not until I heard news from Kenneth himself.As I paced the perimeter of my room, my mind went back and forth, exploring several possibilities of what might have happened on that battlefield. The fact that I hadn't heard any news from Kenneth all night was extremely worrying.After I'd instructed him to go all the way to Moon Stone Pack to kill Astra, Kenneth had gathered all the rogue wolves he could find. That wasn't exactly hard, as he was a rogue wolf himself, an outcast from another pack. Nobody knew about that, except for me.He'd come here last night to bid me a last goodbye, before climbing out of my window, blending into the night like a dark shadow. Now it was high afternoon of the next day, and the sun was already floating across the sky. It would soon be evening, and still yet there was no news from him.Had he been captured?Was he dead?I stopped short in the mi
Noah's POVAs I gave that last command, my beta nodded in understanding, his face grim with determination. I saw a flash of gold in his eyes, and I knew his wolf was also preparing for battle.Mine was too; I could almost feel the beast rearing its head within me, aching to burst out and take to the battlefield. The time was now, the time to finally reclaim my mate. That Ramsey had drawn the first blood, and it would be a show of weakness to back down now."Your battle is our battle, Alpha." Jasper murmured, eyes locked on mine.I nodded in solidarity. "Which of our soldiers did that man capture?"A frown appeared on Jasper's face. "I am not aware, alpha. In fact, I do not think it is one of our troops, or we would have noticed his absence before Alpha Ramsey even sent this message to us." He waved the parchment in his hand for emphasis. "But do not worry, alpha. I would make my findings.""Ignore that for now." I ordered. "Rally the troops for battle first. We cannot afford to worry
Ramsey's POV"They're here." I repeated. "Astra, Noah is here!"Astra rushed to my side and glanced from Colin to me. "So what now?"I turned to her, fear and urgency evident on my face. "We have to get you to safety, Astra. Noah is here for you, and we have to keep you somewhere he can never reach."I watched as she furrowed her brow. "And what about you? Where will you be?""I will be on the battlefield, Astra. We talked about this, didn't we?" I murmured. "I'll be fine, I promise.Fear flashed across Astra's face. "Will you be safe, Zey?" She asked."Yes, I will. I'll come back to you, I promise." I reminded her. "I always do, don't I?""Yes, Ramsey." She whispered. "I love you.""I love you too, Astra." I whispered back. Then I pulled her into a tight hug, not wanting to let go.I heard her sniff as her arms wrapped around my back. I could almost feel the terror and the fear of losing me. I knew she would rather avoid a battle, but I had to do this for her. If we were to be togeth
Ramsey's POV"You killer!" I bellowed, hot anger coursing through my veins like blood. "You deranged fool!"Noah was also running in Astra's direction, a look of alarm on his face. But as he got closer to her, he stopped halfway across the field, too scared and weakened by what he had done to move any closer. I stopped too, shielding Astra with my body and facing him squarely. The harsh sounds of the battle around us seemed to fade into background noise, as though it was just Noah, Astra and I on the grassy field."No...." I heard him mutter loudly, eyes on Astra's unmoving body. "No!" He yelled again, as tear after tear slipped from his eyes."Do you see what you have done?" I bellowed. "Do you see what your anger and you delusions have caused?""No!" He roared. "This is all your fault. If you hadn't stolen her from me, she would still be mine! She would not be here now—none of us will be!""Can you hear yourself?" I spat, feeling hatred and pain deep within me. I tried not to think