DELSANRA I opened my eyes, it took me a moment to adjust. The smell of blood that covered the ground… The pain in my body… The flames that surrounded me and the chains that bound me. Something I was used to… Everything came rushing back with full force. My heart pounded. Raihana! Did I hurt her in the fire? Was she ok? I looked around only to see her tied to a post up ahead, unconscious. Luckily, she seemed in a better state than I was. Glancing around, I saw that we were in some abandoned building. My eyes flittered around and I realised I had been here before… a long time ago… I gasped when something hit my back. "She’s awake, keep her down." A voice that I recognised spoke. Reginald? What was he doing here? "We need to do this fast, I don’t trust the Rossi’s" Blake’s deep voice came. My heart hammered, his scent filling my nose. Why hadn’t I smelt him before? The day he brought Raihana’s dress in? I c

RAYHAN NO! It was like watching a horror movie from behind a screen, I could do nothing. I was stuck fighting off the wolves, most of our people were down. Only Dad, Chris and I remained, and we were all losing. The spell in the air was poisoning us, I heard Raihana whisper that the spell was done before she collapsed on her knees, coughing up blood. I was finally able to rip Blake to pieces, but just when I thought we had victory... I heard Mom shout. I turned to see Delsanra working on the spell around us, Mom jumped in front of her, shielding her, my heart was in my mouth as I rushed to shield them both from the attack, but I was too far. I saw Raihana raise her hands, ready to cast a spell, but she had no time… Everything was too late… Just then, Dad’s wolf landed before them, seconds before the spell hit him, obliterating him on the spot. The smell of blood filled the air along with Mom's scream, one I would never forget.

DELSANRA Three weeks had passed since Papa Raf left us for a better place. The pain of his loss was felt across the entire country. Alphas from all around came to pay their respects. I also realised Rayhan had made a reputation for himself as a dangerous Alpha, one who would defy every law of the council if need be. I knew the king – or as he told me to call him ‘Al or whatever shit I wanted to’, so I settled for King Burrito. He had a lot to deal with, but he had been here for us all. That day he was talking to Mama Mari, Kiara and I had heard the end of it, but we had walked away, leaving them to their moment. They had needed it and both of us had been so happy that it had taken place. Life had changed for us all, Papa Raf was someone who would never be forgotten. Although we had overcome all our troubles, never had we imagined that we’d lose a king in the process. I wanted to blame myself for Papa Raf, but I know it's not what anyone would

RAYHAN I had been itching to see my kitten all afternoon, but Mom, Ri and Kia refused to let me. "The documents and passports are here… and your stuff is all packed." Rose said to me, holding out an envelope. She was dressed in a green evening gown. "Thanks." I said to her. She gave me a smile before lifting their two-year-old son, Shane, that they had via surrogacy. "Hey kiddo." I said, ruffling his blond locks. He looked a lot like his mummy. Lola came over, wrapping her arms around her mate and kissing her lips. "Rayhan, go get Delsanra, and then both of you make your way outside." Mom said, she was dressed in a dusky blue gown with sequins all over it, with a slit and ruffled sleeves. I was glad as the years went by she returned more to her usual self. Although I know losing Dad was hardest on her and still affected her. "Looking good, Mom." She gave me a smile, "Thank you, ya Hayati." She said softly, cuppi