Donna soon arrives with our pancakes, and gently places them in front of us with a cheerful, “Enjoy, girls!” We thank her and dive into our food, enjoying the quiet comfort of the diner.After a while, I notice Moon’s mood shift, her eyes filled with worry as she stares down at the table."What's wrong, princess?" I ask softly. I set my fork down, ready to listen. I don’t like it when she’s upset, but thankfully, she trusts me enough to talk to me.Moon’s frown deepens. "Are you mad that I'm friends with Ava?" "Why would you think that?""I know you hate her big brother.” She searches my face for a reaction, but I remain composed.I shake my head. "I don't hate him, it's just...complicated."Okay, that’s a lie. But she doesn’t need to know that. "Is it because Daddy is nicer to him than you?" she asks, her brown eyes wide with curiosity."Something like that," I mumble, finishing the last bite of my pancakes. Moon is more observant than I give her credit for. Sometimes, I forget that
Mel's POVThat was the last conversation I had with my mom where she was actually fully mentally present for. I think after that day, Dad started abusing her because she couldn't give him a male heir."Maybe if you weren't such a shitty father, you would have been there to name her, but since you weren't, it was a special name that me and Mom picked out."He glares at me with dangerously black eyes. "Melanie, this is the second time today that you've disrespected me. I won't tolerate this any longer!"He stands up and stalks towards me. My heart begins thudding in my chest, but I can't force myself to move.As he raises his hand to hit me, Mom jumps in the way. "Damon, don't-" she screams. The force of his slap is so hard that she falls to the ground."Mom!" I crouch down to check on her. There's a huge, red handprint on her face, and her eyes are filled with shock and shame."You're a monster!" I scream, looking up at him with hatred burning in my eyes.Dad’s expression hardens, his e
Jaxon’s POVI slowly button up my blue dress shirt and tuck it into my black slacks. Tonight, Alpha Damon is announcing that I am the next Alpha, with the formal ceremony in just four days. I can’t believe that this is finally happening.Excitement buzzes through my veins. I’ve waited years for this moment, ever since Alpha took me under his wing after my dad died in a rogue attack when I was just twelve. Back then, Ava was just a baby, and now she’s growing up in a pack where I’m about to become Alpha.“Jaxon!” Mom calls from downstairs. “Alpha Damon is here!”I check myself out in the mirror one last time before heading down. Alpha Damon is sitting on the couch, his massive arms crossed over his chest. He is wearing a black suit that is tight against his muscular build.“Alpha,” I greet, baring my neck before sitting down on the forest-green love seat across from him.He nods, his expression impossible to read. “I am very proud of you, Son.”“Thank you, Alpha,” I reply, sensing there
Jaxon's POVAfter she calls Ava from her room, we get into my car and head to the dining hall. All I can think about is what to do about Melanie. Although she is a potential threat, I don’t want any harm to come to her. I want to…protect her? No, that can’t be it. I just don’t want her death to be forever on my conscious. Yes, I’ve always had a little crush on her, but she can never be mine. I’ll eventually find my Luna, and If I’m successful at getting her safely away from the pack in time, she’ll meet her Alpha and live happily ever after.We arrive at the dining hall, and I make a beeline for Kaylee. She’s surrounded by a group of her friends, her tight, red dress drawing everyone’s attention. Her cleavage bounces with every movement, and it’s so short, I can nearly see her ass cheeks.My jaw clenches. It isn’t a dress she should be wearing for this kind of occasion. It makes me look bad as her boyfriend, but I’ll address that later. Her eyes light up when she spots me. “Oh, my Godd
Jaxon's POVI look across at Melanie, surprised to see her oddly calm. She’s chewing on her bottom lip, gazing out one of the windows on the wall in front of her. It’s like her mind is elsewhere. What could she be planning? Maybe Alpha is right, should I prepare for a coup?As the applause subsides, I stand up and give a somewhat awkward nod to my future pack members, even though I’ve known them all my life. Heat travels from my neck up to my ears, my cheeks turning redder by the second. I’m pretty sure everyone can see how much I’m blushing and sweating like a moron.“You can sit down now,” Alpha chuckles, noticing my discomfort. I quickly retake my seat, trying to mask my embarrassment. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Melanie smirking to herself. I choose to ignore it, pretending to listen to Alpha’s speech.“His Alpha ceremony will be on Friday. Attendance is mandatory,” Alpha announces. “That is all. Enjoy your dinner!” His voice booms through the dining hall, and the pack res
Mel’s POVI try to calm my nerves as I place my hands on Jaxon’s taut shoulders, and he holds my waist. At first, we awkwardly sway back and forth, but after the first time he spins me around, I find myself flawlessly gliding across the wooden floor. We move in sync, letting the gentle music guide us.He looks good. He smells good, too. That slutty breakfast aroma mixes well with his cologne. Also, I have never realized that his eyes remind me of the forest in spring; they are bright, gentle and beautiful. I can’t help but get lost in them as we waltz around the room. For a moment, everyone else disappears, and it’s just him and I floating on a cloud.Wait…I’m not supposed to be enjoying this. This is my rival, and I have a mission to accomplish. I don’t have time for this distraction.On the way over to the dining hall, I considered just turning around and leaving this pack for good. But I promised Mom she could have this last night with her. I didn’t know where we’ll go, but I’m adam
Mel's POVI stop dancing and stare at him in shock, my jaw dropping to the fucking floor. “Are you fucking serious right now?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.His eyes widen, and he quickly shushes me. “Shh! Come outside with me for a second,” he mumbles, grabbing my hand.As he pulls me through the crowd toward the foyer, I can feel several eyes drilling into my back. I know Dad is watching us for sure. Maybe Mom, too. And Kaylee, probably thinking I’m trying to steal her man. I grimace at the thought.Never. Jaxon drags me past the double doors into the dark woods, and we walk for a while, far enough that Dad can’t pick up our conversation. Jaxon abruptly turns, causing me to smack right into his muscular chest. “Oh fuck, sorry,” I mumble, catching my balance. “You didn’t bring me out here to kill me, right?” I don’t know why, but being alone with him makes me nervous. Maybe it’s because I don’t trust myself not to fall for his charm.Amusement dances in his eyes, but he does
Jaxon’s POVI can’t stop myself from watching Melanie walk away and join her friend. A part of me wants to grab her right now and take her far away from here, somewhere her father could never find her. I think back to when Alpha Damon mind-linked me in the woods:Good boy. Continue gathering all the evidence you need against her before Friday. The more everyone sees her alone with you, the more believable it will be.Yes Alpha, I simply replied. I figured that if he actually believes I’m planning to get rid of Melanie, he wouldn’t take matters into his own hands.I don’t know what he’ll do if he finds out before the ceremony that I picked her as my Beta. She doesn’t need to be in any more danger than she already is, but I’m hoping her being a high-ranking werewolf will guarantee her safety, at least for a while. He won’t be able to lay a finger on her without getting through me first.As I make my way back to the table, I notice that Kaylee’s seat is empty. I can still pick up her scen