Part one. Next part will be from Izzy's pov. I'm very slow today, even though I've already had a cup of coffee so we'll see how far I get.
Izzy’s pov I was nervous. I was really nervous, but I could feel everything Orion was feeling. One of us needed to be calm-headed, so I pushed my feelings down. Orion could do this; I had all the confidence in him that he lacked right now. Not only is my mate strong and capable, but he is a fierce protector of those he loves. He’s always been this way. That’s the alpha in him. It’s always been there, before Orion even realized what he really was. As much as I hate that stupid prophecy and everything it brought me, I can’t deny one thing. I am the Luna of this pack, and Orion is the rightful Alpha. He needs to stop doubting himself. ‘Once the pack rallies behind him,-‘ I stopped my wolf from finishing her sentence. It had nothing to do with the pack. Orion’s confidence had to come from within. Although I am glad he responded to my comment, it wasn’t me or anyone else that needed to tell Orion he was here for a reason. Maybe he just needed to do it. To prove to himself that he was
Orion’s pov The pack was buzzing. Everyone was waiting to hear the announcement that either me or Izzy would seen broadcast through the pack link. It was up to the parents discretion to discuss the final judgment with their kids or not. Knowing how pups are raised, there was a good chance they’d share the news anyway. Everyone already expected Nicole to be found guilty. The proof against the former Luna of our pack had been piling up. We had allowed everyone who was wronged by Nicole to speak, if they chose to. Even Izzy’s mom spoke up. After her testimony Izzy had slowly started speaking to her mother more. I wasn’t sure if she would ever forgive her mother, but she at least wanted to be cordial to her. Then there were all the people who lost someone they loved during the attack. Some of them couldn’t handle the loss of their mate and in the coming weeks there were more people dying of a broken heart of self-inflicted wounds than ever before. While we had offered help to everyon
Izzy’s pov - - One year later - - As I looked around our pack, I felt such pride. Pride in how our pack had handled the loss of so many with grace. We had come together and supported those who needed us. But we also took pride in how we had grown up together. Orion and I had decided to create a council, similar to our jury, where people from all ranks could join. We met with them weekly, to discuss everything they deemed important. This way, we always knew what was happening around our pack, and it also meant that if anybody found it frightening to speak to their alpha or Luna, they could go to their representative instead. Never again would anyone be able to get away with hurting someone in our pack because of their rank. Orion walked towards me, putting his arms around me and placing both his hands on my belly. “It’s almost time,” he said, before giving me a quick kiss on my mark. “Time for what, Oreo?” I asked, looking up to find him staring at me the way he always does. E
Orion’s pov If I thought being an alpha was hard, I was in for a big fucking surprise. Being a dad is so much harder. You’d think that everything I went through would have prepared me, but it’s so different when it’s twins. It’s also so different when they’re newborns. And it's just different when they're your kids. I've helped raise my foster siblings, but they weren't this small. They could do a lot of things themselves. Mateo and Grace are simply helpless without us. Izzy and I try to take turns waking up, but most of the time we both wake up when either Grace or Mateo screams. They wake each other up, too. Especially Grace; she is the loudest baby I have ever met. But goddess, is she cute! She already has her mom’s tiny red curls. It’s adorable. I don’t think I’ll be able to tell her no. Like ever. One look with her big eyes, and I’ll give her whatever she wants. And then Mateo. He is just as cute, and he’s my twin; at least that's what everyone says. It’s so strange to se
Izzy’s pov The fish caught my eye immediately. I had never seen so many fish; the fish tank was filled with beautifully colored fish. They were small and moved in groups, reminding me of home. They move as one, a beautiful school of fish. It was similar to one of the traditions we had at the pack. On every full moon, the ones who are blessed with wolves go out and run as one, sending praise to the Moon Goddess. Do fish have a goddess? Nah, that would be silly. I was so busy staring at the fish that I didn’t even feel the eyes of someone staring at me through the back of the tank. It was his smell that drew my attention to him. I had never smelled anything like him; I didn’t even think humans could smell this good. I looked up, and his eyes found mine. Was I secretly trapped in that movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, "Romeo and Juliet"? This man staring at me was far more handsome than Leonardo was in his younger days, which was saying something because Leo was a bit of a hottie back the
Orion’s povThe moment I saw her stare at the fish tank, I felt an instant connection. It was fucking crazy how drawn I was to her.I stopped myself. No, don’t use those words, I reminded myself. Erin told me plenty of times I should stop calling myself crazy, but it wasn’t easy. Especially since doctors clearly did find me mentally unstable.I stepped back from the fish tank, needing to distance myself.They tested me while I was locked up in a psychiatric hospital, and their conclusion was that I had a psychosis when I turned eighteen, most likely due to genetic reasons. I didn’t know much about my mother, but some of the delusions I had were directly linked to the stories she used to tell me when I was young.Perhaps that’s why Mom left—because she was dealing with her own mental health. I wish I knew, but she didn’t say a word to anyone. My mother just disappeared without a trace, and although Erin and I both told the police it was unlike my mother to leave like that, they refused
Izzy’s povFor years, Jordan has called me names. It started with making fun of my hair—the obvious carrot jokes. Jokes about how ugly I was or how dumb. And since he was supposed to be my future mate and he was saying these words, others would join him. Even my brother Finnegan would join them for a bit and then usually try to distract them with something else. I think it was his way of protecting me while still making sure he kept his beta position. Finn couldn’t go against Jordan.People would say he was teasing me because he liked me. But I knew that was bullshit. No girl would fall for someone who called them names, right? Or maybe they did, but I wouldn’t. So many girls and women tried to sleep with Jordan. Maybe he was different with them, or maybe they didn’t care, because the idea of him choosing them over me was enough to ignore his behavior.But Jordan never kept any girl longer than a few weeks. And then, when I became older and started looking more like a woman than a gir
Orion’s povIzzy sounded like she had cried but came down to eat a few minutes later looking fine—well, still bruised, but fine. Better than fine, actually beautiful.It was hard to take my eyes off her. With her red hair and green eyes, there was something almost fairylike about her. I don’t think she even realized how good she looked, which was sad. Did someone make her believe she was less? Is that who hurt her? A part of me wanted to find out who hurt her and go there and kill them, but I pushed it down, knowing these thoughts were dangerous.Ezra tapped on the table in front of me. [Orion, you have to actually look at me to see what I’m saying.] He signed with a wink. [I get that this woman is much more attractive than I am.]I stopped Ezra. [Sorry. What were you saying?]Ezra smiled, [How was your day? But I have a feeling I already know the answer.][Don’t start. She’s just a guest.]"Boys, it’s not polite to sign in front of people who can’t understand you." Erin said and sign