December 3rd
Lenny's shift was very exciting. I had never been to any shift party. By the time Connor and I had our first shift we didn't have any werewolf friends and besides our Mom, no family either so my Mom just cleared the furniture in the living room and we had a slightly larger than usual celebratory meal afterwards. Nothing like what the Rosa had for organised for her son.
His wolf was a beautiful honey brown like colour with warm blue eyes- just like a lot of the family. So
December 3rdThe next morning, I woke surprisingly early with an overpowering scent of bacon in the air. I didn't have much trouble getting out of bed and heading straight for it.Leo was in the kitchen, stood shirtless over the sizzling stove. He grinned widely as he saw me and I wrapped my arms around his waist as he plated up the food before he handed me a beautiful plate of bacon, eggs and toast a few minutes later.
December 3rdWhen Marco and Carlos pulled up in front of Leo's house, he waiting on the doorstep.As I hurried up to him, he pulled me into a tight hug."What the fuck is going on?" I asked.
Half an hour later, I walked into the kitchen and slammed a leaflet onto the kitchen worktop where Leo was kneading some pizza dough."I thought I heard the printer. What's this?" he said, picking up the slip of paper. "Couples pregnancy yoga?""It's too late to say no. I already signed us up," I said with a mischievous grin.
December 17thTwo weeks later and my stomach was enormous. Like I could hardly walk huge. I continually needed a pee, I continually needed to eat and I continually needed to sleep. Pregnancy: 0/10 donât recommend.But there was one person particularly excited about it.Milly.
Half an hour later we were in the bedroom and Leo and I were both packing. Leo for his trip to the Southern territory and me for my stay at the Loren's house twenty minutes from here."You've put your shirt on backwards, sweetheart," I said, trying to resist giggling at him as he began putting his trousers on with the V-neck of his shirt on his back."Shit," he cursed, finally realising.
December 18thLeo's point of view:"Are you done texting your girlfriend yet, Leonardo?" one of the hooded men asked.I switched off my phone, swept away my warm smile only meant for Ella and turned to face the men, who stood awaiting me amongst the gloom of the forest at night.
I got out of thecar and marched to the front door to ring the doorbell. A light soon turned on upstairs."I was thinking a kick the door down and drag her out of her bed approach might have been more fun," Luciano said."If we wake the kids I might end up murdering one of the little rats," I said, just before the door opened.A woman w
December 18thLeo's point of view"Mess her hair up a bit more," I ordered Luciano as I held up my phone with the camera app on. We were in the southern territory prison and having chained Hestia up we were ready to send Achilles the news."Duct tape or cloth gag?" he asked.
December 23rdCatoâs point of viewI stood by my office window in the base, my Dad beside me. In the street below, a nurse walked Adelaide out of the hospital. When she flew in from Vermont two days ago, she couldnât walk, her skin sickly white and her body frail and weak.Now we watched as she sprinted across the street to where her father was standing. She leapt into his arms as he squeezed her tight and swung her around, kissing her head repeatedly.âYou may come to regret letting him walk free, Cato,â Dad said, âBut must say, Iâve never seen him love anyone, let alone that much.âIâd spent all morning speaking to Adelaide. Everything she and Luciano said matched perfectly, giving me no reason to suspect any malicious intent.âMaybe he had no one to love until Adelaide came along,â I said, âWith no parents and you as his only friend, it must have been lonely.&rdq
December 20th Catoâs point of viewWhen Dad and I came home, I was greeted by Jess striding down the hall. She grabbed my face in my cheeks and kissed me, clutching my shirt in her fist.âThank you,â she said as I pressed my forehead against hers, âIâm so glad weâre all safe.âI glanced over her shoulder. Her parents sat in the living room, wrapped in blankets, watching us.âHave you told them about us?âShe nodded as she took my hand to lead me into the living room. My Mom and Grandad sat with them, steaming cups of coffee in their hands.âAlpha,â Jessâs father said, getting to his feet, âThank you again.âI nodded, but I couldnât bring myself to smile. The last time I looked into those eyes, he was punishing Jess and me for loving each other.â... I also owe you an apology. I sho
December 20thCatoâs point of viewLuciano sat on the opposite of the table, his wrists shackled and four guards in the room. My Dad sat next to me, staring at Luciano, not saying a word.âWhy didnât you just ask?â I said.Dad scoffed, âBecause he knew the answer heâd get.ââI would never refuse to help a nine-year-old with terminal leukaemia,â I said.âThen your father failed to raise you well,â Luciano said, his eyes shifting from Dad to me, âYou donât help your enemies.ââHe has his motherâs heart,â Dad said, âShe helped you even after you gave Andrea Martinez the coordinates of the bunker all our children hid in.ââAnd if she hadnât, you would be drinking champagne with your Lunas tonight. But here you are in a dark prison cell with me.âI res
December 20th- at duskCatoâs point of viewI walked through the forest with Elias and Milly, only our heartbeats pounding in our ribcages to fill the silence. After crossing the border, we soon reached the designated meeting point.âAre you ready, Milly?â I asked.âI havenât used my powers for anything other than healing in years,â she said, looking at her hands, âLetâs hope itâs a force of memory.âTwo figures emerged from the shadows of the trees, the fading light falling on their faces.âGood evening, Alpha,â one said.He looked as Elias had described. An unsettling smile and dark boring eyes. A couple of feet behind him stood Nicolos Jones.âGrandfather?âWith his face stony and cold, he didnât utter a word.âYour Grandfather has decided I can offer him more than y
December 20th Leoâs point of viewElla and I were in the kitchen opening a bottle of champagne, awaiting all our family and friends for a party.âIs that the one weâve been saving?â she asked.I drew behind her and rested my hand on her hip.âYes. We have a lot to celebrate. I have finally retired, our son is successfully Alpha, and has found his Luna. Elias is also remarkably alive and maybe wonât be an entirely useless Beta.âShe grinned as I leant in to kiss her.âI also have a beautiful mate and a reason to celebrate every day.âThrough her sheer cotton dress, my fingers pressed against her curves. I had to drag my lips away and take a deep breath.âIf I touch you any more, I wonât stop.âShe turned and rested her hands on my chest.Her lips were millimetres from mine as her fingers
December 20th Catoâs point of viewWhen Elias, Jess and I escaped the crowd to a quiet part of the forest, I lifted Jess and spun around. She giggled and grabbed my face, pressing her lips against mine.âMy handsome Alpha,â she said, running her hands down my chest, âAnd Elias, you never told me you were going to be Beta!âEliasâs lips twitched, âWell, we were busy running for our lives.âI put Jess on the ground as Elias held his shoulders tense, worry etched on his face.âWhat?ââI found Jess in Vermont,â he said.Vermont...âAlongside men with dark markings on their skin like those who attacked-ââLili,â I whispered, âThe ones after something from Stella.âJess nodded, âWe didnât know until it was too late. When the Alpha learnt of my relati
December 20th - forty-five minutes before Cato becomes AlphaCatoâs point of viewAfter a lot of hugging, crying from Granny, and congratulations from my Grandads, my Dad looked at his watch.âShit, we donât have long,â he said.My Mom glanced at Jess and Elias, her eyes wide. The forest entwined with their hair, rips left their clothes in ruins, and mud and dirt covered them head to toe. She took Jessâs hand.âI have a dress that will fit you,â she said, pulling her toward the stairs. âCato, sort your Beta out with a suit.âElias and I ran upstairs. He just had time to wash the mud off his face, comb his hair and slip into one of my old suits.âVery dapper,â I said as he came out of the bathroom, buttoning his sleeves.He gave me a twirl, a grin on his face, âDo I look like a Beta?âI cocked my head and examined him.âM
December 20th - the day Cato becomes AlphaEllaâs point of viewCato stood in front of the mirror, dressed in his finest suit as I tied his tie. I wound the silk fabric around and tucked it underneath, finishing with a perfect knot. After smoothing his collar and straightening his jacket, I looked up.âHow are you feeling?â I asked.His cheeks were taut, a mechanical expression holding his lips, and his eyes glazed.âLike this is going to be the worst birthday of my life,â he said, not taking his eyes off the reflection in the mirror.It was 11 am. The ceremony was just after midday at the time of the solar noon, but still no sign of Elias.âHeâs not going to be here, is he?âI shook my head as he took a shaky breath.âBut everyone else is. Theyâre all waiting downstairs.âI walked with Cato to the top of the stairs. In the ha
Ten days ago...Eliasâs point of viewThe bus left me in the middle of Vermontâs most remote forest.Iâd been travelling for eleven days, avoiding towns and main roads so Alpha Loren couldnât track me. I only turned my phone on to text home when I could get a fast ride away from where the signal would trace to, and every time I rode the bus or train, I covered my face with my hoody.My plan was against Catoâs wishes. The Alpha and Luna would never allow it either. But this is what Cato needed, and I couldnât let them stop me.I glanced around. That was the final bus I needed to take, meaning my destination was a short walk away, yet there was nothing except a rusty bus stop sign and trees for miles. But the coordinates led me here. This had to be it. So taking a deep breath, I stepped off the single-track road and headed West.The trees loomed over me, casting distorted, shadowy shapes on the ground