Isabella
“Daughter?” I ask her, and she nods while looking down. A simple tear slides down her cheek. She wipes it furiously, not wanting me to see - but I did.
“What do you mean by daughter?” I ask her, and she looks me in the eyes. There. I feel the same feeling as when I was a child, and I was in her arms - safety, warmth and love.
“How?” I whisper for the third time.
Luna Michelle takes a deep breath;
“When I was young I found my mate, but he rejected me at first. He already had a chosen mate, and she was the jealous type. She watched our interaction and instantly knew what was going on. She taddled to her parents, who were high ranking in my pack. They went to the alpha, who had just taken over and was mateless, and lied to him about me. They told him I was trying to ruin their daughter's mate bond because of jealousy.” She starts.
“He demanded to see me and hear my side of the story, much to their dismay because they knew they had lied. I told him the truth, and he gave me an out - become his Luna and forget about my true mate. I jumped at the opportunity to become the Luna of the pack, because I wanted to do better. Just before my announcement, my mate, your father, came back to me and rescinded his rejection. He accepted me as his mate, but I was about to be announced as the mate and Luna to his alpha. He was heartbroken, but nonetheless we kept seeing each other. The mate bond intact, we weren’t able to stay away from each other.” She continues. I have an inkling of where this is going, but I can’t be sure before she says the words.
“You need to understand, my parents and I joined our pack when I was 16, because our old pack was destroyed. They were the alpha and Luna, but no one in the new pack knew that. We were away on business when the attack happened.” Tears are streaming down her cheeks as the story comes along.
“When we came back, the pack had been destroyed. The few survivors told us how a big group of rogues had attacked during the night, and how the Beta had surrendered without fighting. It was like he knew this would happen, and had a plan to make the rogues spare him and his family. He wanted to be Alpha, but my father, your grandfather, was too strong. He knew he had to do something else, so he talked my father into going on this business trip, taking me and my mother with him. He arranged for the rogues to attack, and kill all who would oppose him to take over. It didn’t work, as the rogues did their own bidding, and they killed him and his family.” I nod.
“What does this have to do with me and my father?”
“Your father was not from the same pack as his chosen mate. He was an Alpha of a smaller pack near ours. The girl, however, was from our pack. She wanted the prestige and power of becoming Luna.”
“So, you are saying I am an Alpha twice over?” Michelle nods. Emerald purrs in my mind, her tail wagging from side to side.
‘I told you we are special.’ She says, a smug tone to her voice.
“But I still don’t understand what this has to do with you disappearing? Why didn’t you take me with you? Why did I have to suffer? You were my protector, my guardian angel.” Tears stream down my cheeks by now, again. I’m getting really tired of crying, but I can’t help feeling cheated somehow by all of this. Cheated of a normal childhood, love and affection.
“As I said, my mate rescinded his rejection and we became lovers. Hidden in the night, hoping someday to be together. I fell pregnant with him - with twins. You and Alex. The Alpha knew you weren’t his, and he ordered our Beta’s to take you in as their own when you were born. They couldn’t have children of their own, so this was the perfect opportunity. Afterwards I became pregnant again, and Jeff and Janelle were born not long after another. We kept everything a secret, so in the eye of the pack, you and Alex were the future Beta and sister, and Jeff was the future Alpha.”
“How can Jeff and I be mates, if he is my half brother?”
“Because only Janelle is my biological offspring from the Alpha. Jeff is adopted, because we needed an heir, and I refused to get any more children than her.”
“Where did Jeff come from?”
“He was found at the border as an infant. We took him in and never told a soul. The pack knew he wasn’t ours by blood, but they accepted him to be the next Alpha in line when he got older and showed a lot of potential.” My head is spinning from all this information, and the night has gone darker, the moon being the only source of light.
“I know it’s a lot to take in, but I planned to disappear when my mate’s Luna died in childbirth. We had pack members pose as rogues, and ‘attack’ that day at the picnic. I had in mind to take you and Alex with me, but we agreed to wait and come get you when you were older and would understand what happened. I never planned to wait so long, or how much I would miss you!”
“So, you’ve been living in another pack just dandy all these years, while the pack tortured me and treated me as a leper. You don’t know what I’ve been through because you decided to leave and let me take the brunt of it, instead of fucking owning you didn’t want to be with Alpha anymore.”
“I know you are angry.”
“Oh I am far beyond angry at this point, Luna! I am fucking livid. What did you think would happen? They had to blame someone, and HE KNEW I WASN’T HIS! HE KNEW! AND HE BLAMED ME. HE TURNED THE WHOLE PACK AGAINST ME.” Heaving for air, I stand to walk to my car.
“Isabella, please. Come to my pack with me. They’ll welcome you as one of their own.”
“Will they also welcome me when they know that Alpha will do everything in his power, including wage war, to drag me back for rejecting Jeff and walking away?” She sighs.
“Didn’t think so.” I yank my hand out of hers, not caring if I hurt her. She was my idol growing up, and I so badly wanted to be like her when I grew up. Now? Not so much.
“If you change your mind, we are the Grey Lake pack, and our borders start just beyond those treelines.” Michelle says, and I look back to see where she is pointing. I nod once, before getting to my car and driving off.
‘Where are we going, doll?’
‘Somewhere far away from this hellhole and these crazy people.’ I answer, and drive off.
Isabella P.O.V. I’ve been driving for what feels like a year, but it’s only been about two weeks. I don’t know exactly where I’m going, but something inside me tells me this is where I need to go. Emerald agrees with me, and both she and I are relieved to finally be somewhere, where we both feel kind of safe. I don’t have any proof, but in my heart I know Alpha will not just let me leave like this, especially when he finds out I rejected his lowlife of a son. Ugh! ‘Emerald, why the hell did the moon goddess pair us with that son of a bitch?’ ‘The mother’s works in mysterious ways, little one.’ I chuckle, as I park outside a diner. I’m starving and tired, from having lived off food from gas stations, sleeping in my car and driving like crazy. As I enter through the door, a thought suddenly strikes me and I stop dead in my tracks. ‘What is it, Isa?’ Emmy asks in a worry. ‘I’m a rogue now. We’re a rogue. We.. There are other wolves here.’ ‘Don’t worry my child, you had an
Elijah P.O.V. I’ve been working on pack business as well as the family business. I have missed a lot of paperwork because my parents thought it was more important for me to attend tedious parties and balls with self-centered Alphas’s daughters. Goodness me. If I have to look at one more entitled, snobbish and boring Alpha’s daughter, who can’t talk about anything other than themselves, fashion or make up, I am going to die a slow death or boredom. Knock, knock, knock. I know that knock. Mother. “Enter.” I say, gritting my teeth for her nagging attitude regarding my lack of a Luna. “Elijah, what are you doing?” I raise an eyebrow at her question, finding it rather obvious what I am doing. “What does it look like, mother?” She scuffs. Thalia Jackson, my esteemed mother, seemingly does not find my sense of dry humor amusing today. My father is Desmond Jackson, and his grandfather founded Jewel City and our pack; the Jewel Pack. He worked hard in the real estate business, and i
Isabella P.O.V. Driving from the diner putting that idiot to a beta into his place, I smile to myself. I would never have dared doing that a couple of years ago, knowing I would have to take the beating without complaint or risk showing everyone what I’ve learned in the dojo. I couldn’t risk it, because knowing how crazy Alpha and my so-called parents are; they would have gone there to beat the shit out of the instructors for teaching me. It feels good to be free, independent and without fear for once in my life. I’ve always tried to keep my head down, keep quiet and let everyone forget I’m even there, which I succeeded most of the time. I have a big mouth on me, and my sass knows no boundaries when I’m met with stupidity - which has been a learning experience with having Janelle and Jeff come and go in my childhood home. In the grocery store I take a cart and make my way down the isles. I’m using the money Mr. Aberforth gave me, plus my salary. It’s been more than eno
Alex P.O.V. It’s been over two weeks since Isa left the pack. I don’t know where she is, or if she’s okay. The only good thing about this is that the Alpha can’t find her either. He has had men go out to look for her ever since that night where she came to my room and rejected Jeff. He’s been a sulking mess ever since, and if I disliked him before, then I fucking hate his guts now. I’ve kept them close, Jeff and Janelle because I know unpredictable Jeff can be, and Janelle is borderline psychotic at this point. She will not leave me alone for a minute, and I am beginning to go a bit stir crazy. The only time I get time to myself is at night, and even those are getting harder and harder to get for myself. They were not kidding when they said they wanted me to be her mate. The thought gives me nausea. ‘Twin is fine, Alex. Relax.’ Thunder says as Janelle keeps droning on and on about what a traitor and ungrateful bitch Isa is. I’m demanded to be here, as there are other prominent g
Isabella P.O.V. I wake to a knock on the door, and when I look at the time on my phone it says 10.30am. I have never slept this long in my life, or this good. After going inside last night, I made myself mac n cheese with bacon. It was absolutely delicious, and I’m so happy I can actually cook. Poor Alex if he ever has to cook for himself or someone else. He can burn water. I laugh to myself at the thought, but then a tear slides down my cheek. I wish, not for the first time, that we had been close still. I love him, no matter what he did, I love him. He’s my twin. There’s a knock again, and I groan as I get out of bed. I throw a hoodie over my PJ, going out to open for whoever is here. I then wonder who would visit me? I live in the middle of the woods, and no one knows I’m here. I reach the front door, and when I open it Lauren’s smiling face meets me. “Morning sunshine.” She says in a cheerful voice, laughing when I yawn. “Did I really wake you?” She asks, suddenly worrie
Elijah P.O.V. I made sure to have Aston and Dale station guards near the cottage, with the orders to keep the perimeter safe. Dale knew the reason, as he confronted me when we got home and I reluctantly told him the truth. Instead of making fun of my already possessive ways, he just padded my shoulder and mind linked Ashton to get a plan underway. Ashton and the guards were only told we needed to keep an eye on the border and the cottage right outside, as we had had intel for rogue sightings, and someone new had moved into the cottage. Dale implored the importance in making sure no one neared the cottage, but everyone kept an eye from a distance. “Why are the Alpha interested in someone in that old cottage, it’s outside our borders.” One of the guards asks. He clearly hasn’t noticed me in the shadows. “Because that someone possibly is a lone young female wolf, and despite her not being a member of our pack, we keep our own safe. Any more questions?” Everyone shakes their head and
Isabella P.O.V. I reach the cottage in no time, following my own scent in the woods. Emerald is vibrating in anger over the unfairness of it all, and I can’t do anything but agree with her. First we are mated to that good-for-nothing son of a bitch, Jeff, and then our second chance is already with someone else. What the fuck, Selene?! I shift back, part of my mind registering my clothes didn’t tear but is perfectly fine when I back in human form. I walk inside to wallow in self-pity, but decide that will do me nothing at all. Instead I go outside to work on the firepit. I go to change clothes, and start working. It needs more work then I initially thought, but the workout gives me enough to think about, so my mind doesn’t constantly swirl around my mate and his woman. Ugh! ‘We haven’t felt any pain, or anything, doll. Maybe it isn’t as we thought?’ Emerald says, trying to brighten my mood. ‘She had her hands on him, and he didn’t even remove it. He didn’t tell her to get lost. He
Isabella P.O.V. “Alpha, I.. It’s not what it looks like.” The wolf growls again, while the Beta’s eyes cloud over. He pales and swallows. “I didn’t. She. It won’t happen again, Eli. I’m sorry.” “Why are you apologizing to him? It was Isabella you attacked. And got beaten up by.” Lauren interrupts, her hands on her hips and her eyes blazing with anger on my behalf. Beta Dale turns his head to look at her, and shakes his head. “You really want me to apologize to her, sister?” He asks, and the wolf growls again. This time he also takes a step towards the Beta. I roll my eyes, walking to stand between them. “It’s enough!” I say with finality in my voice. “You are a sore loser, Beta Dale. And you.” I point to the wolf, whose tongue is hanging out now. “You are either more stupid than I gave you credit for, or more brave. And right now I can’t decide which. But I want all of you to leave. Now.” Lauren sniffs, and I giggle. “Not you Lauren. The overload of testosterone over here.” I