Alaya's POV
My 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
Alaya's POVI stood syringes in hand my limbs shaking as Henry untied the witch. She groaned stretching out her limbs and rubbing at the reddened skin around her wrists. Henry grabbed her hand, yanking her to feet. She held one arm under her massive bump cradling her unborn pup as he forced her back into the main room of the house."Make the potion," I snarled shoving her to the small cauldron on the stove. She nodded with tears streaming down her face."Please," she begged, "last time this spell was performed... It was a massacre. The subject lost all sense of himself. He slaughtered his coven, his family. He couldn't make the change back to his human form. This is dark magic, Alaya, it shouldn't be messed with.""Do you want your child to live?" I asked tracing my finger tip over her bump. She waddled over the kitchen counter and ran her finger down the page as she read out the ingredients needed translating them to English. Henry
Alaya's POVA week passed before news of attacks on human camps and settlements reached White Castle. The celebration ended the day before leaving the army tired and hungover. Henry, Casper, Nicholas and Nate all crowded into the office at the side of the training hall. A large map filled the table with red dots marking where humans were slain. Two pale-faced scouts trembled in the corner of the room, tears staining their face."There was nothing left," one rambled as he ricked back and forth on a wooden dining chair pilfered from the dining hall. "Not even bone. Nothing but blood." His fellow scout shuddered closing his eyes as if to block out the memory. Henry turned to me with widened eyes. He knew better than to say anything. My wolf wasn't just hungry for human flesh, she craved the chewy, muscular flesh of her fellow wolves."They're so weak," she teased as she watched their fear and sorrow play o
Alaya's POVHenry helped me to my feet, throwing his jacket around my shoulders. He brushed my blood soaked hair from my face and guided me through the castle."You can't stay here, Alaya," he said. We stepped over half eaten bodies and through puddles of blood. Death lingered all around us. Obsidian was meant to kill the Royal family and take her place as ruler of the White Wolf pack. She wasn't meant to annihilate the entire pack. Tears rolled down my face, landing on Henrys beige jacket in light pink splotches as they mixed with the blood staining my face."We'll go to the witch," Henry said. "Get him to take Obsidian away. We'll find another way to bring Fyre back."I nodded, leaning against Henry. His arm wrapped around my waist, holding me upright. Waves of nausea rocked over me. My whole body shook like a leaf in a winter breeze. I closed my eyes shutting out the terror and carnage that filled W
Maddox POVGage helped me to my feet. My legs shook. Cuts and grazes covered my battered body."Hey," Gage said as I frowned down at my injuries, "better being hit by a few rocks than burned to death in a fiery explosion, right?"I nodded, smiling at Kayla. She wrapped herself around my body, sobbing into my chest. Gage's men finished rounding up the escaped prisoners, including Graham. They were all carted back to Greystone Mansion. Will helped me into the back of the remaining truck with Lena, Blake and Kayla. Will and Gage climbed into the front. The engine roared beneath us. The truck jolted as it sped over the disturbed ground bumping over rocks and uprooted trees."Did you really do that?" Blake asked, his eyes wide and fixed on Kayla. Kayla shrugged turning her head away, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed quietly into my ches