Kayla's POV
Everyone left, all following Maddox's orders. It was just me and Maddox standing alone in blood and carnage and the last place I wanted to be was the last place Alpha Patrick was but I had to know. I had to know for certain he was out so I could prepare myself.
"We'll kill him," Izzy growled. "We're stronger than him."
If only I had her confidence. She wasn't there. She didn't understand how he broke me piece by piece until I believed I was nothing more than a runt, unworthy of love, of a family. The last few months I started to think he was wrong but if I saw him again...
"Ready?" Maddox asked taking my hand in his. Sparks ignited inside me at the warmth of his touch. I leaned into him taking in his rich, comforting scent. I concentrated on Maddox, the safety of his arm around my waist, holding me tight against his firm body as we navigated the stairs, hopscotching over sticky splotches of blood.
The dung
Maddox POV Fighting broke out all around us. The sickening sound of fangs tearing into flesh filled the silence. Graham's band of survivors scattered and then the howling and begging for mercy started. Shadow didn't hesitate. My bones crunched and bent, fur sprouted on my skin, my clothes ripped falling from my body as Shadow broke free and raced towards the sound of death. Lena's wolf was snapping his heels keen for a taste of traitor blood. A hulkish black wolf stepped from the shadows, head lowered, glowing amber eyes locked on Shadow. My heart froze. Shadow paused cocking his head and inhaled. The wolf's familiar scent hit us like a cement block, shattering our heart. I scanned my surroundings, desperate for an answer. "He's a prisoner," I told Shadow. "Alaya must have taken him years ago and faked his death. It can't be him. It can't." Emotion swelled in my chest, threatening to drown me.
Eighteen Years AgoAlaya's POV"I reject you."The words crashed into my dream, shattering the peaceful bliss of sleep. I bolted upright, kicking the sheets to the floor. Tears soaked my face and pillow. What remained of my heart shrank a little more in my chest. the space left behind was one of agony and nightmares. Those three words terrorised me every night. They were the first thing I had on a morning and the last thing at night. I'd sit, popcorn in my lap, chocolate at my side, a glass of wine in my hand engrossed in my favorite movie and they'd pop into my head. I reject you."Ally, honey, are you okay?" My mother called up the stairs."Fine, mom.""You were screaming again.""I had a nightmare.""About him again?""No, mom, go back to sleep."I lied. I always lied. I told people I was mistaken. He wasn't really my mate and the rejection didn't turn my heart to
Alaya's POV"Alaya, you have to get up," My mother dragged the blankets off my head. The sunlight pouring through the window burned my eyes."Why?" I whined burying my face into my pillow."This is not healthy. You haven't been on a pack run in weeks. You haven't been to work. King Ralph is concerned about you."I sighed, burying my face further into my pillow. Anton died six weeks ago and Fyre still refused to speak to me. Whenever I tried to shift she resisted, instead wallowing in grief in the furthest corner of my mind."No one blames you for what Anton did, Alaya," she assured me. "He shouldn't have tried to steal if he couldn't take his punishment."She didn't know he was my mate and I rejected him. No one did. He tried to tell people but they refused to believe him. I denied it all, sticking to my story of him attempting to steal from the throne room.My mother sighed, gently clicking the cl
Alaya's POVMy packmates all piled into the packhouse to stuff their faces with whatever the paid kitchen staff prepared. Pre-Ralph the Omegas prepared our food and there was more to go around with those highest in rank eating first, the way it is supposed to be. Now, we scrambled for food like common animals, each grabbing what they could fit into their grubby paws. It was enough to put me off my appetite on a good day.I waited until they'd all gone inside before sneaking back into the clubhouse. The gloves still lay on the floor where they landed when the stupid Omega threw them in my face as if I was a common wolf. My lips curled as I strode past them towards the lockers.My key clicked in the lock. Stale, musty air slapped me in the face. My training gear, still unwashed from the day I rejected Anton was in a crumpled heap in the bottom of my locker. I had to wash my own clothes now. We all did. We all carried around our
Alaya's POVThe crowd brayed and cheered, all dressed in their finest rags. Not an inch of the white cobbled square in front of White Castle wasn't filled with an Omega. They huddled together like cattle, not just our pack but all packs. The higher-ranking wolves were allowed into the walled garden. Alphas, Betas and Gammas lined up on fold-out seats on the grass gazing up at the balcony in their three-piece suits and ball gowns. The Royal's inner circle was granted access to the Castle, their annoying pups with them.Nicolas and Henry, Alpha and Beta males of the Moutain Ridge pack stood at Nate's side both congratulating him for managing to get his wife pregnant like it was some massive achievement. Their wives simpered at Kayleigh's side, cooing over her newborn pup.Henry's son Blake, Maddox, son of Alpha Nicholas and some runt called Lena, who as a child of Omegas, had no right being there raced around the throne room throwing
Alaya's POVThe Alphas and Lunas of neighbouring packs piled into the grand dining hall of White Castle. Their ballgowns and cheap satin suits glittered under the candlelight. Laughter filled the room. Pups raced between the tables, all as wild and undisciplined as the three mutts in the throne room.They all appeared to respect the young Maddox Mason, at least. Even the older ones submitted to his will if he suggested a game. The younger ones clung to him, hanging on his every word. He was a true born leader, that much was obvious. It was a shame that his father raised him to be weak and show respect to those who did not deserve it, like the runt Lena and the Omegas serving his dinner.Princess Serena was passed from werewolf to werewolf-like a howling game of pass the parcel. They all admired the thick crop of flaxen hair covering her head and the intense blue eyes staring out of her doll-like face.My job, as always, was to stand at th
Alaya's POV"Lycan blood?" a panicked expression replaced Henry's growl. He stood, shaking his head as if the witch had just asked us to deliver her the moon a stick. "Where are we supposed to get Lycan blood?""The Lycans," I sighed. "Where else would get it?""Alaya," Henry inched back towards the door shaking his head. "You have no wolf and I can't fight Lycans, not on my own. This is... it's madness."Anger balled in the pit of my stomach. I looked between the witch and Henry. We had no choice now, not now the witch knew I had no wolf."Then what am I supposed to do?" My rage erupted. I screamed so hard the walls of the hut shook. More glass bottles fell to the floor. The stench of essential oils mixing together on the rotting wood floor assaulted our senses. The witch sobbed covering her ears. Henry's face turned as pale as the silver moonlight on a crisp winter morning.Fuck. I need him. Without Henry I did
Alaya's POVWe trudged back to the witch's cabin in silence the crickets teasing us with their happy song, the moon low in the sky as the sun threatened to break dawn from behind the mountain. Maddox Mason, the annoying pup from the throne room held Lycan blood in his veins. It would be a mercy to take it from him. Everyone knew Lycans lived a tortured existence, barely able to control their own wolves. I pushed open the door to the witches cabin. She lay where we left her, tethered to her bed, sweat covering her body. Henry snatched the grubby sock from her mouth and she heaved in a massive breath of air."Did you get it?" She sniffed. Henry shook his head. She exhaled. The deep creases in her forehead smoothed as she unfurrowed her brow. Her shoulders slumped."Would half breed blood work?" I demanded. Sheshook her head. "Can you make it work?""Alaya," she pleaded, "the spell is already dangerous and it's never