Kris’s POV “Welcome home Tilly,” I said, welcoming home the woman I was looking at. The whiny girl I once knew seems to have disappeared. Tilly has not been home since she left 2 years ago, claiming there was so much to learn at Alpha Academy. Alpha Academy has agreed with her. “Am good Kris.” She says as she reaches out to hug me. But my enormous belly was in the way. She bends down and talks to my stomach. “Auntie Tilly had to come home. She’s dying to meet you both.” I looked at her. “You don’t know you’re their aunt.” Tilly stared, “Even if Raiden isn’t my mate, they can still call me Aunt. Besides. They will need a fun-loving aunt who will be their accomplice. I am perfect for the job.” She holds her hands up and shrugs her shoulders. There’s the girl I know. Raiden walks down the stairs with Cooper behind him. Raiden’s face was a picture. He says nothing. He simply rushes over to Tilly, picking her up and spinning her around like she is as light as a feather. Tilly gig
Kris’s POV Nathan and I are going over some plans to extend the school’s kitchens. He has assumed the role of principal here. Who knew my big brother had something to teach the youth of today? Rylee has assumed the role of combat trainer for the kids. When we transferred packs, I offered Nathan and Rylee joint senior positions. But they both wanted to be close to their mates. Both of whom now work in the school kitchen. But Emily misses her bakery, which is why Nathan wants the kitchens extended. “Council Woman Erica. It’s nice to see you.” I said, greeting our Wolf Council representative. “Luna Kris. How are you? Are you up too much these days?” She asks me while smiling at me. “You know, parenting and pack stuff. Occasionally, I see Cooper at the end of the day.” I say, smirking. Life within the Kingdom has significantly improved since the Wolf Council began acting in the kingdom’s best interests. “Very good. The Wolf King wants to speak to Tilly. Do you know where she is? I
Kris’s POV You would think that as children of the Alpha, we would have had an easy childhood. But the truth is, it was far from sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. Our dad was strict, a stoic Alpha. Every bit a man’s man. He didn’t like to be seen as weak. It truly pissed him off that our mother was a kind and gentle soul that didn’t like violence. She was an amazing mother. She was always giving us affection and playing with us. Telling us stories, singing us songs. Nothing was too much trouble for her. They may have been small things, but they were the world to us. We hung onto everything she said and did. She would tell us every night that being our mom was a blessing, and that she wouldn’t change anything about her life. Because then she wouldn’t have us. We knew our dad wasn’t the best mate for her, even from a young age. He made her so unhappy. Deeply unhappy. He didn’t treat her as well as he should have. He didn’t physically abuse her, but he let her know frequentl
Kris’s POV “Are you nervous?” Nathan asked me. It’s nearly midnight. We decided to spend the evening together, alone at my house. “Nothing to be nervous about. I have the best brother and an amazing wolf.” “And a dad you can almost tolerate,” he says, finishing my sentence. We both laugh, but he’s not wrong. Once we turn 18, our wolves can establish a mental connection with the pack. They will also have the chance to recognize their mate. Their soul mate. But the truth is, neither me nor Nathan are that interested. Yes, finding our perfect soul mate is important. Having our fated mate by our side will make us stronger. But what is the rush? We are barely adults. It’s a lifelong commitment, being marked. We want to enjoy a bit of life before it becomes too serious. Dad has already increased the pressure on Nathan to become Alpha. He wants him to take over in the next few months. Surely that is enough pressure for him already? Our birthday came and went. The onl
Siren’s POV I sprinted to the edge of the forest, getting there before Ezra. Wolves were fighting fiercely in the center of the field. Noah, my dad’s wolf, was among them. He was easy to spot, as he was taller than the rest of the wolves in our pack. This also made him a target. The border patrol obviously discovered the attack and alerted Dad. Dad would have sent a message to sound the alarm while making his way to the border, ready to fight. Dead wolves surrounded him, probably members of the border patrol. They are fast and observant, but not strong. That is why we have warriors. Although we have our differences, he always taught us that an Alpha leads. They do not hide behind their warriors like cowards. I have never seen him back down from a fight, verbally or physically. I can honestly say that it’s the one thing everyone in this pack respects that about him. More rogues are running from the forest. I must be one of the first ones to arrive, as there aren’t man
Nathan’s POV I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I mean I could. But I couldn’t believe it. Dad must have acted so quickly. We only had that argument a few days ago. He must have submitted the paperwork that day. What a total douche! I still wouldn’t wish him dead. But what a damned douche. “We have to talk,” I tell Kris as we leave the pack house. Council Member Clayton has made it very clear I am never to be the Alpha of the River Valley Pack. I want Kris to know that I will support her in her role as Alpha. If it’s not me, then there is no better alternative than Kris. I feel bad for my friends. They have been preparing for the day I became Alpha. They have practically been preparing for the positions of Beta and Gamma. “Yes, we certainly do.” She answers me. “Can we discuss it after Emily has gone to bed? I think this is a conversation we need to have.” I asked Kris. She nods her head at me and grabs my hand. “We can do anything as long as we stick to
Kris’s POV We loaded our bags into the SUV the night before. We had to leave at an ungodly hour for the 9-hour journey to the Yellow Forest Pack. “That’s nine hours without stopping, Kris,” Rylee informs me. “Oh, goddess,” Lacie says, looking like someone just ate her last chocolate bar. She was no better in the morning when our alarms went off. Complaining about it being too early and that she needed her beauty sleep. “Stop being a princess.” Rylee told her, “At least you can sleep on the way.” She still looked unhappy, but it was her choice to come. We all offered to drive. But Rylee doesn’t trust any of us driving for any great distance. Telling us that our attention span was too short and that he wanted to get there in one piece. It was a long journey, but it was fun, and we stopped frequently for coffee. Eventually, we checked in with the border patrol at the Yellow Forest gates. They gave us directions to the pack house and off we drove. As we heade
Kris’s POV It was the middle of the night when we got back to the River Valley Pack. I wanted to go home. My home. Not the pack house. I wanted to be where my family was. I knew Nathan and Emily would be in bed. So I climbed on the couch and closed my eyes. Why are so many people obsessed with image and status? Are they afraid to be a strong, happy leader? That is how I want to be. That’s what Nathan did. I thought to myself as I drifted off. “Hey, Kris.” Nathan wakes me gently. I opened my eyes. It’s still dark. Nathan had put a lamp on before he came and sat beside me with a drink for both of us. I cuddled up to him and I told him about what happened. He hugs me. “The mate bond simply introduces you to your destined mate. It doesn’t make you fall in love with them.” He’s right. “I want you to be happy, Kris. Have everything in a mate that you desire. I’m glad he rejected you. I’m glad you accepted. You would never be happy with someone like him. I want you to be loved with