Chapter Fifty-SixArabella’s POVThe past few weeks had been a whirlwind. Between the pack house's upcoming opening day and Kate's beta ceremony on the same night, it felt like I was being pulled in a thousand different directions. There was just so much to do, so many responsibilities to juggle, and it seemed that every waking moment was consumed by pack business.I could see the toll it was taking on Leo. We barely had any time together, and when we did, I was too exhausted to do anything more than collapse into bed. It wasn't fair to him. He had been so understanding, so patient. But I knew he was feeling neglected. I could see it in his eyes, the way they dimmed slightly whenever I had to cancel our plans or when I was too tired to stay up talking like we used to.It felt like I was drowning, like I was being swallowed by a sea of responsibilities and obligations. I knew I had to find a balance, find a way to dedicate time to Leo without neglecting my duties to the pack. But with
Leo’s POVThe ceremony had gone well, the pack cheered and chatted amongst themselves with complete happiness . But as Arabella's voice rang out, calling for everyone's attention, a hush fell over the crowd.I felt a knot in my stomach as she mentioned my name, along with Susie and Sara’s. I looked over at Susie, seeing my own surprise mirrored in my sisters eyes.Arabella's words, her invitation for us to officially join the Spring Lake Pack, hit me like a tidal wave. A flood of memories washed over me - all the times we had stood by this pack, fought for them, bled for them. We had always been there, on the periphery, never truly a part of them, yet never entirely separate either. But, even after I marked their Alpha, I still felt a sliver of unease with my place here.As I looked around, I could feel the weight of the pack's gaze on us. A part of me had yearned for this, to be a part of something bigger, something that felt like home. But another part of me was scared, scared of wh
Arabella’s POVAs my eyes fluttered open, the warm rays of morning light filtering through the curtains, memories of last night flooded my mind. Leo, with his gentle hands and tender lips, had made every moment unforgettable. His touch had been feather-light, caressing every inch of my body with a reverence that left me breathless. His lips had mapped out a trail of kisses, never missing a spot, turning my skin into a canvas of his affection. Each whisper of love, each soft sigh, every shared laugh was imprinted in my memory. The way his eyes had burned with desire, the way his voice had softened when he whispered my name, the way his body had moved against mine... it all felt like a beautiful dream. I turned my head to the side, my eyes meeting Leo's. He was already awake, his dark eyes watching me with a softness that made my heart flutter. "Good morning, beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my arm, sending shivers down my spin
Arabella’s POVOnce I was downstairs, Leo was waiting for me with a playful smile on his face. He held out a silk blindfold in his hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Trust me?" he asked, stepping forward.I chuckled lightly, replying, "Always." I allowed him to wrap the blindfold around my eyes, plunging me into darkness. I felt Leo's hand gently take mine, as he led me out the foyer and towards the car.The hum of the car's engine provided a soothing rhythm to my thoughts as we drove. I spent the entire ride trying to piece together clues from the turns and accelerations, but it was futile."Come on, Leo," I pleaded, "Can't you give me a hint?"From the driver's seat, I heard his chuckle. "Nice try, Arabella," he teased, "But no. I want this to be a surprise."I pouted a little, although he couldn't see it. Despite my curiosity, I respected his wish to keep our destination a secret. The suspense was part of the fun, after all.When the car finally came to a halt, I felt Leo's ha
Arabella’s POVSeated comfortably on the blanket that Leo had spread out against the bottom of the cliff wall, I found myself lost in thought. The ring on my finger felt heavy, not with weight, but with meaning. As I twirled it around my finger, my mind began to wander.Leo had gone to fetch our food basket from the car, leaving me with my thoughts and the tranquil beauty of the lake. It was breathtakingly beautiful, much like the man I was about to marry.As I gazed at the diamond on my finger, I couldn't help but wonder about our future. Would we have children? Would we decide to not have them? Was I even ready to start a family? Would the pack expect me to become pregnant right away to secure their futures?I had always imagined myself as a mother, but now that the possibility was in front of me, I found myself questioning if I was ready.Then there was the question of Leo's role within the pack. Alphas were typically men, and their mates became their Lunas. But Leo was different.
Leo’s POVAs I blinked my eyes open, I immediately noticed the empty space beside me. Arabella was gone. But on her pillow, lay a note. I picked it up and read her neat handwriting, "Gone to the office. Join me for lunch? Love, Arabella."After a quick shower, I dressed and headed to the pack house library. I knew the importance of understanding a pack's history, especially if you were going to lead it. My father, the former Alpha to the pack that was now no more than ash, had drilled that into me at a young age.Having scoured the shelves, I finally found the book I was looking for. A thick volume titled "The History of the Spring Lake Pack." It contained detailed accounts of the pack's formation, important events, past Alphas, and much more. I settled into a corner with the book, losing myself in the rich history of Arabella’s pack.As I read, I was filled with a sense of awe and respect. The Spring Lake Pack had endured hardships, faced enemies, and celebrated victories. Each Alpha
Chapter Sixty-TwoArabella’s POVAs I put the phone to my ear and shouted for Trudy, her voice as she said my name was tinged with a tremor that sent a shiver down my spine. In that moment, fear gripped my heart, and a wave of sickness threatened to overwhelm me. But before I could conjure a list of worst case scenarios, Trudy's voice suddenly burst with joy as she screamed “CONGRATULATIONS BITCH!”Startled by the sudden shift in tone, I couldn't help but feel faint.Leaning forward, I took a moment to compose myself, my hand trembling slightly as I lifted the phone away from my ear. Taking a few deep breaths, I willed my racing heart to slow down, the adrenaline of the moment still coursing through my veins.After a few moments, I brought the phone back to my ear, my voice calmer now as I spoke to Trudy. "You had me worried. I thought something was wrong.“Trudy's congratulations left me with a strange feeling. I could tell her voice was filled with genuine happiness for my engagemen
Leo’s POV"Leo, I really don't think this is a good idea," Kate's voice echoed sternly through the room, her arms crossed over her chest in a clear sign of dissent.I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling deeply as I tried to maintain my patience. As Beta, Kate was our right hand, her opinions valuable and usually aligned with mine. But this time, we were at odds."We need to evolve, Kate. As co-Alpha, it's my duty to ensure our pack's safety and that includes adapting our methods to the changing times," I countered, my tone firm.Kate shook her head, her brows furrowing deeply. "We've managed this long with our current protocols, Leo. They've been tested by time and experience. Changing them now could put the pack at risk."I understood her concern. Change was always met with resistance, especially when it involved altering something that had always remained the same. But I was convinced this was a step we needed to take."Those ‘protocols’ didn’t do much good against my father’s pack