Alexander's POV.
"How could she even consider leaving the mansion after everything I've done for her? I wasn't harsh to her last night, and yet she wishes to flee?" My voice reverberated with anger, the intensity of my emotions filling the room.The fact that she was my mate, yet was attempting to leave, stoked my frustration. It made me feel foolish, as if I could never be enough for her."Alpha Alexander, please try to stay calm. Remember, she's still within the mansion, and she's still mated to you," Beta Liam appealed, positioned near the door in an attempt to suppress my rising temper.He attempted to soothe me, to reason with my fury, but my feelings were overwhelming.The understanding that she was my mate had initially brought me excitement and tension, but witnessing her plead to leave in front of the guards ignited a darker side within me, a side that I'd fought hard to control."Don't even say that, Liam! She's nothing but a gold-digger, a lowly opportunist after the money her family could get. She doesn't truly care for me!" My voice rose in argument as I closed the distance between us."Alpha, please, you must calm yourself. Your health is weak right now. Any rage could lead to serious consequences, and that's not what either of us wants," Liam urged, his posture firm as he averted his gaze.He knew how much I hated discussing my health; he understood it all too well."Never bring up that topic again, Liam! You're well aware of how I dislike it," I snarled, fixing a stern glare upon him."I apologise, Alpha Alexander," he responded, his voice softening as he maintained his respectful pose.I wheeled around, intending to retreat to my bed for some rest. But then, that all-too-familiar, searing pang struck my chest, causing me to instinctively grip my heart and release a pained cry."Ahhh!" The groan escaped me as I tried to conceal the inner restlessness, but Liam noticed it instantly."Alpha, are you alright?" Liam rushed over, his voice framed with worry, his face a mask of concern.For a brief moment, I stood frozen, seeking to calm the rapid beat of my heart as the pain gradually faded away.I drew in a deep breath and opened my eyes, only to be met with the anxious and nervous gaze of Beta Liam."I'm fine. It's not like I'll drop dead this very moment," I muttered, accompanied by an eye roll laden with sarcasm."But Alpha, your health…" Liam began to argue, his concern evident, but my discomfort was overwhelming, and I needed to ignore him."Go get Summer immediately!" My command was firm as I stood upright, pretending to be unaffected. I didn't want him to be more worried than he already was.Liam nodded with a lowered head, leaving my room without any further words.As soon as the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto my bed, closing my eyes and massaging my chest in an attempt to rid the lingering pain.The truth was, I had been diagnosed with a genetic heart condition that had no definitive cure.Temporary treatments were available, but a permanent solution remained inaccessible.The condition was hereditary, and I was determined not to pass it on to any of my children.But now, I was being forced into having an heir or surrendering the pack to Alpha Jackson, my stepbrother.This was a development I absolutely refused to accept, something I'd fight tooth and nail against.As I tried to steady my throbbing heartbeat, the door suddenly crashed open, pushed forcefully from the outside by Beta Liam.My body jolted in response, my heart accelerating again after having finally calmed down."What the hell is wrong with you? Don't you have any sense of...!" I was about to unleash my frustration with a loud growl, but his next words stopped me cold."She's... Summer Hills… Your contracted breeder, she's gone!" He blurted out, panting and clearly out of breath, as if he'd sprinted to reach me."What? What do you mean she's gone? Gone where?" My voice maintained a pretence of calmness, masking the intensity of my concern."Alpha Alexander, she's disappeared!" Beta Liam's words were direct, his posture composed as he delivered the news.His statement ignited a sudden surge of anger within me. My eyes widened, veins pulsing beneath my skin.My fist involuntarily clenched. The intensity of my fury was overwhelming, and all I could think of was capturing her, securing her, and making her pay for disobeying me."How dare she try to make a mockery of me? How dare she!" I growled, ignoring the gnawing pain in my chest, the rapid beating of my rebellious heart."No matter what," I seethed, whipping around to face Beta Liam standing at the door, the rage within me almost noticeable."Track her down! Find her, and bring her back to this mansion, no matter what it takes. Is that clear!?" My teeth were clenched as I declared my command, and Beta Liam's swift response indicated his understanding."Yes, Alpha Alexander!"With that, he spun on his heels and exited the room.The sound of roaring engines and hurried footsteps echoed from below the mansion, all working to ensure Summer's return.I was determined to bring her back, to make her face the effects of her actions."She signed the contract; she must stick to it!" I growled furiously, my steps pacing incessantly across the room.The drive to reclaim my mate, now that I had finally found her, consumed me entirely, and I had lost track of time in my relentless pursuit.After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open behind me, revealing Beta Liam's presence once again."Why didn't you go with them?" I questioned him, my expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty, hoping it wasn't as fierce as I feared."I did, Alpha, but... Your breeder seems to have vanished without a trace," he confessed, his tone hemmed with unease.Hearing those words ignited an intense fury within me, causing my eyes to transform into a blazing crimson red.My claws extended from my fingertips, an indication of my heightened rage. A surge of possessiveness, protectiveness, and urgency coursed through my veins."You mean you couldn't find her? What a shame! I'll take care of this myself! Stand aside!" I ordered, my gaze piercing into Beta Liam, who was clearly taken aback by my abrupt shift in behaviour."But Alpha, maybe we can wait until tomorrow before a thorough search within the pack," Beta Liam suggested, attempting to reason with me.My anger flared even brighter at his audacity to challenge my orders. "How dare you question your Alpha's authority? I said, leave now! Don't make me repeat myself, Beta Liam!"I barked with a seething intensity, making it clear I wouldn't tolerate disobedience."I'll escort you if you're determined to go," he persisted, but I didn't respond with words.Stepping past him, I exited the mansion, and he followed suit. We both climbed into my black SUV, and with an abrupt start, I ignited the engine.The car roared to life, and as I sped up, I paid no mind to seat belts."She won't ignore me and escape this way! Even if it means risking everything tonight, I won't let her slip away!" I growled fiercely, my decision unwavering as I sped off into the night.We searched for her, my eyes still glowing crimson red as I scanned every path of the pack. But Summer was nowhere to be found. She was nowhere to be seen.We were still trying to get a sight of her when suddenly, my heart began to thump rapidly again."Ahhhh!" I roared in pain as I clutched my chest, leaving my wheels."Alpha!? Alpha?" Beta Liam called out, panicking as he turned to me, the car going out of control, but he held the wheels and somehow stopped the car.I wasn't focused, so I wasn't sure how he did it."Arrrrrgghhh!!!!!" My wincing became louder than the last at every second.My body convulsed with pain, and my cries filled the air as my heart pounded erratically within my chest.The agonising sensation was overwhelming, and I felt myself losing control over my surroundings."Alpha! Hang on, I'm calling for help!" Beta Liam exclaimed, panic lacing his voice as he fumbled for his phone.But even amidst the excruciating pain, I managed to push out the words through gritted teeth, "No... don't call... Just let me... endure it."My vision blurred, and my body trembled uncontrollably. I knew that my heart condition was worsening, and I could feel the life draining out of me.Yet, despite the pain, there was a stubborn will within me to find Summer and make her mine."Alpha Alexander, we need to take you back! You need the doctor's attention!" Liam implied, but I was still reluctant about my health."No way! We must find her. We must find Summer! I can't live with her! I love her, Liam!" I confessed, sweat trickling down from my face as I suffered in intense pain."Don't do this to yourself, Alpha... you should…" Liam was going to say, but then I was instantly shot by the pang from my chest, stretching out to my head."Arrrrrgghhh!!!" I yelped in pain, and seeing Liam's face was the only thing I could remember before giving in to the cold grip of darkness.A Trip Back…Summer’s POV.5 years later…"Do you really think it's a good idea, Summer? It's not going to be simple once you run or bump into him! He might even want to harm you if he gets the chance to!" Jordan attempted to persuade me with a serious and troubled tone, but I had already made up my mind.No matter what he said or how convincing he tried to be, nothing could deter me from returning to the Ravenwood pack this time.In the past, I had heeded his advice and followed every instruction he gave me, but not this time! Not anymore!"I have to, Jordan! It's the right thing for both him and me!" I replied politely as I rose from the sofa and went to the table to gather the rest of my belongings.We were leaving the Moonlight pack to get back to the Ravenwood pack, my pack. It was the same place where I was betrayed and manipulated, the very pack that held my painful history.The idea of returning to the Ravenwood pack wasn't something I had ever considered, but the circumstance
Jayden!!!?Summer's POV. Still in the midst of trying to catch a few more minutes of sleep, I found myself abruptly wrenched from the clutches of dreamland by the distinctive noise of shouts outside my room. Instantly, my eyes flew open, and a sense of urgency took hold of me. "The kids!" I exclaimed, hastily making my way out of the room. Opening the door, I was confronted with a scene that left me utterly confused, wondering how I could have been so compelled to leap out of bed.Amidst the chaos in the living room, Jason, clad in nothing but his white underwear, was energetically darting around, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Mr. Cuddles incoming!!!" Meanwhile, Kayden was in hot pursuit, desperately pleading, "Give me back my toothbrush, Jason! Give it back!"In the midst of this uproar, Jason, undeterred, responded defiantly, his voice reverberating through the chaos, "No way!!!! Mr. Cuddles needs it! He needs to get ready to leave!"Dealing with their mischievous and trou
Summer's POV.As soon as we wrapped up our breakfast, I promptly issued the command, "It's time to leave!" The children, sporting smiles, promptly vacated the premises, laden with fully-packed backpacks.Due to the unavailability of a car, we decided to hail a cab. After boarding, we wasted no time and set off for Ravenwood Academy, the new school my boys were about to attend.Throughout the journey, I held my sons close, sensing a mixture of fear and excitement emanating from them. Despite some tension, it was evident they had a genuine desire to go on this new chapter of their lives."We are here, ma'am!" the cab driver announced abruptly, his voice interrupting my thinking.This sudden declaration jolted me back to the present moment.Raising my gaze to the window, a sense of joy washed over me as I beheld the school's magnificent building.A smile involuntarily graced my lips; this guild stood as a pinch of hope, a clear difference to the challenges my kids faced at the Moonligh
Alexander’s POV. Standing before the window in my room, my gaze fixed on the outside world, a flood of thoughts and memories engulfed my mind. It had been more than five years, yet every waking moment seemed to be haunted by her, and she lingered in my thoughts as I drifted off to sleep each night relentlessly. It frustrated me that I couldn't seem to let go, and I often found myself angry at my own inability to move on. I knew I should forget her, stop thinking about her, but here I was, lost in contemplation about her at every second of the day, about my breeder, about Summer Hills. "Get a hold of yourself, Alex... you don't need her! It's time to choose another breeder! It's time to move on!" I murmured to myself, attempting to convince myself that I could live without her in my life. That, as it stood, would be the best course of action. Still staring out the window, my back turned against the door, my hands folded behind me, I found myself lost in my internal struggle when s
Alexander’s POV. "Your Summer is in trouble, Alpha Alexander, and if you don't arrive soon, I might be forced to jump in and save her. I can't hold it back any longer!" Beta Liam's urgent text flashed across my screen, injecting a sudden surge of urgency and fear coursing through my veins. The atmosphere in the hall seemed to tighten as I grappled with the information. Turning back to the picture, I strained my eyes, attempting to catch even a fleeting glimpse of Summer. However, the image was shrouded in darkness, revealing nothing. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind, leaving me uncomfortable in my seat. Was Beta Liam genuinely sincere about seeing her? Could he be certain that the lady he saw was Summer and no one else? Was my mate truly back in the pack? These questions echoed inwardly, resonating with a deep uncertainty. Zooming in on the picture, I examined it more closely. In the dimly lit scene, someone was held and captured in between towering and scary men, bu
Alexander’s POV. As she was on the verge of walking away from me, an overpowering surge of emotions compelled me to act. Swiftly, I reached out and grabbed her hand, halting her departure and pulling her back towards me. In that moment, her body collided with mine, sparking memories of a day, a night when she was intensely close to my skin. A rush of thoughts flooded my mind, recalling the intense feelings she had stirred within me. "You can't leave now, Summer, not when you left my heart racing for you and only you! I won't let you slip away this time!" I confessed silently, my gaze locked onto hers, a silent plea for more. At this point, I wasn't interested in being the nice guy, the benevolent Alpha, especially not after she had run off in such a manner. The connection between us, surprisingly strong even after five years, left me in disbelief. Finally, my relentless search had reached its conclusion. "Let go!" She began to struggle, attempting to free herself from my grasp, b
Summer’s POV. "Mommy, when are you coming back home? We miss you!" Jason's innocent voice echoed through the phone in Alexander's hand, sending a wave of fear and dread through me. My heart raced as I stood frozen, unsure of how to react or what to say in this unexpected moment. Alexander's intense gaze bore into me, revealing his thoughts and suspicions about the children. It was evident that he believed they were his, and questions about how I got them filled the air. "Hello! Mommy?" Jason called out again, his voice soft and tender. Feeling a surge of urgency, I quickly reached and grabbed the phone from Alpha Alexander's hand. "Hey kiddo! I'll be back soon! I'm just on my way, okay?" I reassured, trying my best to maintain my voice so as to avoid raising suspicion. They were smart and sensitive kids, and it was important to act at my best. "Okay, Mommy! See you soon!" Kayden chimed in, and the call ended. Although they were capable of taking care of themselves, they w
Summer’s POV. "Who are they, Summer?" His voice echoed through the darkness, a question loaded with curiosity and perhaps a hint of concern. This time, I found myself incapable of restraining my emotions; they surged within me, demanding expression. The need to break the silence overwhelmed me, compelling me to act impulsively, without the safety of looking back. I felt an urgency to reveal the truth. "They are my kids, Alpha Alexander," I declared, the words leaving my lips with a raw honesty that startled even me. The air became charged with tension as I responded to him, daring him to challenge the reality I presented. In that moment, my heart pounded, unsure of how he would react. "Do you have a problem with that?" I threw the question at him, my tone laced with a daring challenge. It was as if I had unleashed a storm, and just then, I sensed his grip on my wrist gradually loosening. His face mirrored a blend of shock and disbelief. He stood there, momentarily frozen, unabl