Chapter 32Ryker:The way to Dane’s cottage on the outskirts of the pack was quiet and filled with nothing but the sounds of nature. I had chosen now, when it was dark and silent, to come here because I didn’t want anyone to find out I was here in the first place.As I neared the small cottage I heard a soft sound of a woman singing, and a baby’s cry.A smirk tilted my lips up as I approached the cottage, and deliberately let my feet make as much noise as possible.Soon, I knew he would come out to see who it was disturbing his family’s peace.And true to my predictions, he did that. I spotted the dark silhouette of the man in the porch, stepping out from the cottage and meeting me halfway before stopping, as he recognized me.“Alpha,” the gravelly voice of Dane met my ears and he bowed deeply.“At ease,” I ordered the former warrior. His cane supported his weight and he looked every bit as harmless as a regular elderly man, but I knew he was once the most powerful warrior who helped
33:Ryker:Arnold was silent too for some time and I could tell he was probably waiting for a response from me as well. After nearly a minute of silence from both of us I gave in.“What are you saying about a mating ceremony, Arnold?” I asked and it seemed to be the trigger he needed to get to the crux of the topic.I felt exhausted and not ready for this sort of game and yet my twin brother was content to play it.Sometimes I wondered why I indulged him too much.“Yes, of course,” he waved his hand about carelessly. “Don’t you think it’s time we finally marry, Ryker? The Elders and the rest of the pack must be waiting for good news by now. We can’t wait any longer.”He was still dallying about, I thought with a soft groan leaving my lips.“Arnold. Brother,” I said with a hard voice. “You can get to the point of the matter now.”“Well, how in the name of the goddess am I going to, when you are sure to get heated upon mentioning that girl’s name?” He snapped at me. “What I’m GETTING at
34:Keleigh:I sat staring out the window feeling content and peaceful from my restful night. The morning sun streamed in through the windows and gave a warm ambience to the bedroom. That, in combination with my restful state, made me feel calmer than I had been in a long time.However it wasn’t to last, as the knock on the door jolted me right out of that state. The maid bowed to me as she carried a basket full of towels and sheets. The scent of fresh laundry filled the air as she greeted me and then went into the bathroom to prepare my bath.My gaze the turned to the flowers I had seen the first thing I woke up this morning. It must have arrived when I was asleep, for I didn’t recall receiving it personally. The note that accompanied it told me who it was from - Ryker.A sigh left my lips as I thought of the enigmatic but utterly pleasant Alpha of the Nightclan Pack I had begun to make myself comfortable in.If I had known that things would have turned out this way, I might not have
35:Keileigh;In the end, Ryker and I had a peaceful breakfast which was equal parts as pleasing and confusing for me.I prayed I wasn’t already falling for him because I didn’t know if I could handle it. He had left after breakfast to attend to pack duties which thankfully left me to my own devices.I decided to spend some time out in the sun today and went down to the courtyard. The air was warm and the sights of nature and sounds of the birds chirping lent to the peaceful atmosphere which distracted me from my thoughts for quite a bit.At some point however, my eyes trailed down to the other side of the courtyard and I wondered if I could go around where the pack members were.Well, i shrugged to myself. It was such a nice day and I might as well do that.I had been avoiding most people from this pack like the plague and only stuck to the area I frequented for necessary reasons: my bedroom, the courtyard, Ryker’s study…But as I went further past those area I could hear the sounds
Keileigh:“An outing? In the forest?” I asked Kara who had come that morning right as I stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy robe.“Yes,” the older woman replied, “Alpha Ryker have strict instructions for you to be ready in an hour.”The way her voice sounded sarcastic upon saying ‘strict instructions’ was a bit humorous and my lips quirked up a little.“Okay. I’ll get ready. Thank you for telling me, Kara,” I nodded at her.I had become aware of the way Ryker respected the older maid, and I even heard a maid tell me that Alpha Arnold felt the same way. Both men had been raised in part with her help, if what the maid that attended to me was to be believed.I was a little surprised however, that Ryker had asked for me to go out with him.Things had definitely gotten better between us, but what was the Alpha trying to do? Was this his way of courting me?I got dressed with the help of the maid, trying to not think of the dates that I had with Alpha Jake. Then, I had settled
KeilieghAs Ryker tightened his grip on my hand and led me through the forest, I relished in the quiet, letting my thoughts wander.I wondered if I was being too docile and letting Ryker win and woo me as he liked. My eyes flickered to the strong back that faced me as he took the lead.Then I looked away, as I didn’t want to gain his attention.Or perhaps I had fallen too quickly for him just like I had fallen for Alpha Jake, despite my trying. It was difficult to keep my heart at bay and there was no other way to describe it. But I was truly attracted to him.“By the goddess,” Ryker spoke up and made me alert. “I didn’t expect you to be this quiet.”I clearly heard the humor in his words.“I… sorry. I was thinking a lot again,” she managed to say, feeling like a heel for not even making conversation. “I… where are we going?”He chuckled knowingly.“I’m glad you tuned in long enough to ask that, then. And as to where we’re headed… well… I am going to show you a little corner of the pac
RykerThe picnic was going well, I thought, as I watched my mate linger at the edge of the lake.She looked more relaxed than I had ever seen her, and as I packed up the utensils into the basket, I privately reckoned that choosing to go on this picnic out of the eyes of everyone, was definitely the best decision I had made.“I wish I could just stay here longer,” Keiliegh murmured, to my hearing. “It reminds me of my home. The stream I used to play by. And the hills and fields I’d run in,” she sounded full of nostalgia.As she reminisced about her home, I longed to know what her childhood had been like, and what could have happened to cause her to cross paths with the rogues that brought her here.However I knew that I couldn’t push her to tell me anything that she didn’t want to.I was willing to wait until she was ready to trust me with that information.I turned to her.“I get what you mean. I used to sneak out of the house to come here all the time when I was younger,” I confessed
ARNOLD. I began to grumble under my breath at the strangeness of my twin brother. Kara informed me he had gone out with Keiliegh, but that was ages ago! They should be back by now, right? It was already fucking dinner time!As I thought that I heard some footsteps that made me pause and turn to see my brother and HER walking hand in hand looking pleased as fucking punch.“He’s actually not so bad,” the girl was saying and I couldn’t help but rove my eyes over her. Regardless of whether I liked her or not the truth was that she was a looker.“Oh?” Ryker didn’t seem to notice me as he walked her to her bedroom door, while I watched them with narrowed eyes from beside the pillar. “And what about me, my lady?”Had Ryler always sounded that teasing and joking?My chest rumbled in a low growl as I realized he was trying to impress her. Whatever. It had nothing to do with me.But then, hearing the girl’s tinkling laughter out that thought to rest. Her laughter was just as charming as the re
KeleighI looked at Arnold and even though he was injured, I felt little to no pity for him, I stared at him with no remorse in my eyes, eyeing him disdain my. Jake was arrested and we headed back home. Jake was beyond shocked that things would take a turn like that in such short time.A couple of minutes ago, I was doubting if I would live again and he was acting all powerful, just like the same way he did in the beginning, making everyone asides him look like a weakling only to end up as one. A few hours ago, my life was in his hands but in such a short time, his life ended up in my hands. How sweet it was for the tables to be turned!Arnold was not comfortable throughout the journey and Ryker did try to ask what was going on with him. I wished I could expose him but I wanted him to confess his own sins himself.The whole pack jubilated the moment we returned. We had left sorrowfully, not on our own accord but now, we were returning victoriously and happily.Arnold barely smiled as e
KeleighI was not myself anymore. I wished death would embrace me with its cold arms but I also wished to see Ryker one last time. I had gone through so much in just a short time of being there.I had been ill-treated and locked away from everyone else. Alpha Jake did confess to me that the only purpose why he tried to come back for me was because he knew the type of power that was in me and had come for it. I was dazed.I guess Ryker was the only one who genuinely cared about me. I had continually wait each day for death when I suddenly got to know that the pack was being attacked. I had no idea what was going on but my heart raced so hard as I feared something could have happened to me.All the guards that watched over the prisoners had gone out as well to check what was going on and had begun to battle just like everyone else. We were however able to release ourselves.My joy knew no bounds the moment I got to know that Alpha Ryker was up and healthy once again. To my greater surpr
~KeleighEverything did seem off and strange. First, it was Arnold’s confession down to his actions and now, Roman's speech?I was confused and I was beginning to lose my mind. I had no idea of what was going on but I sure did know that I was not going insane.They were trying so hard to make me feel like I was losing my sanity and I knew I was not. I was heartbroken at the fact that everyone had decided to make me feel miserable.I wanted to thank Roman for advising me the first time about the brothers even though I had turned deaf ears to him but again, I remembered he had played a great role in making everything complicated.My whole world was spinning and it felt like I was not going to survive it. I was just not myself. I did not feel so good. I looked up at Roman. How could he betray me once again? I guess I had been such a fool to trust him that much. I should not have listened to him. I had no idea what the arrangement between him and Arnold was but seeing Arnold on the floor,
~KeleighMy whole seemed to be coming to an end the moment I got to know that he had been abducted. I had never felt so scared and worried in my entire life like I did over the few days that passed. First, it was Selene trying to hurt me and kill me.My soul had left my body the moment the knife was placed on my neck. I was even more shocked or perhaps, startled when I got to know that she was the one. She was the last person I expected to see. How had she escaped? How had she come into my room? How had she know where I was staying? How had she been able to access me?I had so many questions ringing through my head at the same time but the one that yelled at me the most was if I was going to die without seeing Ryker ever again. I would be so hurt and so shattered never to see him again.That had however given me the strength to fight her back and it had turned into a wrestle. I would rather die trying than not attempting at all. That would hurt me the most.Thankfully, Arnold and Ryke
~ArnoldI had not been happy with the development that was happening at the pack.“Alpha Arnold….” Roman had called out to me one night. I had begun to contemplate on what to do but nothing seemed to cross my mind. I just could not let her go so easily. I had to do something about it.“What do you want?” I questioned, turning my back to him. I expected him to leave but he was hell bent on coming to me even further.“I do not want you here. You should leave now while you have the chance. I just want you to…”“I can help you.” He suddenly spoke, causing me to arch my brows. I did not expect to hear any of what he had just said.“Help me? For what?”There was definitely no way he would have an idea of what was going on with me so what help was he talking about?“I know everything. I know you want Kaleigh to yourself. Not because you like or love her but….” He looked around suspiciously. “only because you are interested in her power.” He whispered. I feigned ignorance at first. I could no
KeleighHis words were quite surprising but I decided not to take it to heart. I tried so hard to not think of all he had said but the words kept coming and resounding over and over and over again. He could not be kept behind bars no matter what he did?My mind drifted off to the day I asked Ryker to put him behind bars and how much he had defended him. Could it be true? I shook the thoughts out of my mind immediately. It was not possible. I could tell Ryker cared for me more than Arnold did or was it the other way round?Perhaps, because I liked Ryker even more, I believed he cared for me more? No, not at all. I shook my head. I wasn’t going to let him manipulate me. I knew he was quite manipulative but what could be his gain at that point?He claimed he was no longer interested in me. Being with Arnold would not be of any help to him neither would me being with Ryker be of any disadvantage to him. Was he really acting that way because he cared about me as a friend?Roman was quite d
~KeleighI missed him so much. I hated the fact that I could not see him when I wanted to. I had no idea why he suddenly became so busy but I was quite hurt that he was away from me. Arnold did try to make me feel better numerous times but it just could not compare.I didn’t feel the connection I felt with Ryker. The bond just wasn’t there. He did try to send me gifts to perhaps, make me feel better but it just wasn’t working. I missed Ryker so much. I would constantly stay close to the court even though the guards would sometimes try to stop me from going any closer. If they hadn’t stopped me most times, I could have gone in there to meet him most of the times. I wasn’t comfortable with his absence anymore.“Ryker is trying to get his mind off you.” Roman suddenly walked up to me one afternoon while I was all alone in the garden. I rolled my eyes, immediately disgusted by his presence. Why was it so hard for him to understand that I did not want to have anything to do with him? Why c
~ArnoldI had been quite busy with all that was going on in the pack yet all I was doing was in the interest of the pack. Ryker had been unresponsive like before and had left all the major tasks of the pack to me. All he did was stayed with Keleigh while leaving me with all other important things.Keleigh on the other hand was no longer interested in me. She paid even more attention to Ryker and treated me like I did not exist. I tried so hard to make her see me even more but she seemed to be very busy to not care about me, not even for once.“The necklace sure does look quite good on me, does it not?” Keleigh questioned, a smile on her face. She seemed quite excited but it did shatter my heart. With excitement, she zoomed off.I watched in silence as she walked away and Ryker did have a smile on his face as he watched her walk away.“She is very beautiful, is she not?” he questioned, probably still daydreaming. I was not in the mood for all that so I crossed my hands behind him and w
~RomanI was quite disappointed in the fact that things were not going my way. I could not get Keleigh out of the pack. The security had been quite tighter and I could not get close to her.Every of the maids and guards were being monitored. No one was allowed to go out of the pack neither was anyone allowed to move freely. A lot of thoughts crossed my mind all at the same time.I had to get her out no matter how hard I tried. Keleigh had tried to keep an eye on me and I could tell I was being monitored by her hence I tried everything within my power to make sure I stayed out of her reach. My appearance in public had reduced. I knew I had to do something to get out of the whole mess I had gotten into.When she was attacked and claimed I knew about the attack, I was quite surprised. Of course, I had the intentions to get her out but I had not done anything. I just wanted her to be safe as well. I had to do everything within my power to make sure I got her out.At first, I believed Jake