Chapter 3
Cassy walked into the room and she saw Alpha Lino sitting by the edge of the bed.
His gaze rose from the cackling fire hearth and he stood, towering well above her. He took soundless steps towards her and Cassy's breaths came faster.
Unable to hold his hazel gaze again, Cassy's head dropped. The aura about him was domineering. She had never stood close enough to an Alpha before. It felt like being crushed under a boulder. Her shoulders curved in and she trembled with fear. She gripped the light silhouette of her gown hard enough to crumple to soft material, as she tried to control herself. Her fear."Look at me," Alpha Lino said.
Cassy couldn't. She couldn't raise her gaze. His aura was crushing. A whimper escaped her lips and the pressure lessened. Her gaze lifted, slowly, and met with his hazel eyes.
They were softer than they were earlier but something else shimmered there. Something she didn't understand.His gaze raked her body once more and he mumbled something so low, she couldn't hear it.
His hands rose to cup her cheeks and when he leaned in, Cassy jerked away from him, until her back hit the door. "Wha--What are you doing?" It was the closest a man had ever come to her. Cassy didn't like the way her blood rushed to her head and how her knees had nearly buckled from that small touch. It was strange. She felt weak to the knees.Alpha Lino turned from her, slender fingers diving into his flaming hair. "Do not make things difficult. You must know why you're here."
He turned in time to see her shake her head with confusion. No. She didn't understand. She'd been stolen from her home, bundled in a useless piece of cloth, thrown into scalding hot water, scraped and picked from head to toe until they'd deemed her primed and clean, after which she had been escorted here without any explanation. Now he was touching her face and expecting her to understand what was going on.
He blinked and the light in his eyes winked out. "No matter. You'll find out soon enough."
He closed the distance between them and his lips slammed atop her. It was nothing soft or loving like she imagined her first kiss would be.
It was rough, devouring, and claiming.His canine bit into her lower lip and Cassy tasted blood. She slapped at his chest, murmuring against his lips but his hands gripped her waist tighter.
Dread settled in her stomach and her eyes stung. Not like this. She didn't want it to happen like this. It was meant to be slow and passionate. Not forceful.
He pulled away from her panting for long enough to dump her on the bed. He shrugged off his pants and Cassy's lips wobbled.
"Please," she whispered.
His eyes were empty and void of emotion. Glassy. It was like he couldn't hear her. Like he wasn't even there.
"Please," she pleaded again and tried to scuttle off the bed in a blind panic.
His hand wrapped around her ankle before she could make it halfway across and she kicked at his hold with all of her might. She screamed, kicking and yelling in painful outrage.
"Stay!" Alpha Lino bellowed and it was the order of an Alpha. Cassy's body went limp and she couldn't control her body as he gripped her and pinned her underneath him. Her mind trashed, again and again, telling her to move, telling her to fight, but she couldn't.She couldn't move. Or speak.
Tears slid down her eyes and she could have sworn she glimpsed helplessness in his eyes also as he ripped the gown without a moment of hesitation. The expression was gone when she blinked, as though she had imagined it.
Cool air kissed her skin and her bare breasts and Alpha Lino's nostrils flared as he stared at them.
He blinked and looked away from her, just as she felt him nudge at her entrance. Like he couldn't stand looking at her face as he took her by force.
Her nails dug into her palm as he pressed in, his full length plunging in. It hurt and the tears flowed. His power prevented her from crying out or speaking but it couldn't stop the tears that flowed as he gained entry into her, inch by inch.
It felt like she was being impaled in places she hadn't known existed before. She felt it when his full length pressed into her, shredding the thin wall that was her maidenhead.
Alpha Lino went wholly still inside her and when his eyes met hers again, they were wide with surprise and perhaps...remorse. She tore her gaze from his, unable to look at him and she closed her eyes, seeking solace in the darkness, even as he moved inside her.
Release found him and he shuddered against her, spilling inside her. He rolled over once he was done and said nothing as he turned away from her and soon fell asleep.
She cried herself to sleep.
*********
Alpha Lino came out of the bathroom, gripping his shirt and he stopped short when he saw the woman sleeping in his bed. The kohl stained her eyes and her cheeks and he knew she'd cried the entire night. Had woken up to the scent of her tears and...her.
His jaw ticked and he looked away from her, unable to stomach looking at her. He had assumed they were told before they were brought to him.
But she had not been informed. She had looked at him with so much fear that it had taken disengaging from his emotions to even touch her.
It didn't help when he realized she was a virgin, but it had been too late to stop. Perhaps, he should have been slower, gentler. However, his duties were beyond cuddling a woman.
For five years now, he had been trying for a child, an heir, but none of it had worked. He'd tried severally with his mate and it hadn't come to fruition. He had to seek help from a sorcerer who told him that in his lifetime only a low-class Omega would be able to give him a child.
Chapter 4 With the word from the sorcerer, Alpha Lino had taken to purchasing slaves, Omegas, and mating with them to produce an heir but none of them had given him a child. None of them could. He was starting to think the sorcerer had lied to him.He sighed and the woman stirred at the sound of it. Her eyes snapped open and her red-rimmed eyes darted about until they focused on him and widened. The fear in her eyes was a punch to his gut and he immediately apologized. "I'm sorry," he said.The woman blinked and her cerulean blue gaze narrowed, feeling him out. The fear disappeared and it was replaced with curiosity. Alpha Lino found it strange but he only extended the shirt to her. "I'm sorry," he said again, hoping it was enough for everything he'd put her through. Surprisingly, she nodded slightly and stretched to take the shirt from him. She paused and her cheeks burned when she realized she was naked."You could use the bath and change into this. I would li
Chapter 5 Two months later, Cassy's father brought her before Alpha Lino. She had taken in. Alpha Lino had taken Cassy into his arms and spun her around, howling in delight. Cassy, despite herself and her waring hormones, she laughed. Alpha Lino had realized what he was doing and he'd dropped her, murmuring an apology, with his face beet-red. And Goddess help her, Cassy found the Alpha oddly handsome when he was flustered. Cassy's pregnancy had been a surprise to everyone. Most had believed that the Alpha couldn't have a child. Or rather, couldn't father a child. However, she had proved them wrong. If her constant morning sickness and dizzy spells in the castle were any indication. Eleanor watched Cassy from afar. Watched how the woman grew closer to her mate with each passing day. Watched how Alpha Lino doted on the woman and visited her chambers frequently. She couldn't remember the last time her mate had graced her chambers since the news came. Every eye that tu
Chapter 6 Alpha Lino shot her a knowing smile and placed a hand on the small of her back, urging her forward. "Come." Cassy scowled, even as she walked with him. "Remind me again why I must be in attendance?" "It is important you be there, Cass." Cass. He called her that every time she became annoyingly inquisitive, and every time he was being cryptic. Though they had only known each other for a couple of months, it felt like she knew him like she knew her name. "Tell me something, Lino. Anything." Lino. She was the only one who he allowed to call him that. He preferred to be just himself around her, he'd said. "You'll find out soon, Cass. No more questions!" He chided as they took the left turn to the Grand Hall. Cassy nibbled on her lower lip nervously as the voices of the pack leaders escaped the Hall and teased her ears. Nervous. She was nervous. She'd never been to any such gathering in her life. Over the past months, Lino had taken to introducing h
As Cassy followed Eleanor through the forest, she stole glances at the woman. Her posture was stiff and she didn't so much as spare Cassy a glance. "You don't like me much, do you?" Eleanor smiled. "I'm sure we can set aside our differences for the better of the pack. For the Alpha's child in your womb." Cassy's shoulders caved. "I'm really sorry, about all of this. I really didn't want any of it." Cassy meant it. She felt for Eleanor and she was going to give Lino a piece of her mind when they returned. "It's alright. I understand," Eleanor answered and flashed her another bright smile before inclining her head to a different path. "This way. People rarely come here. Only Lunas can walk here. " Cassy nodded, following her deeper into the forest. The walk was refreshing and the chirping of birds filled the air. She felt the slight change in the aura when they stepped foot into it. The serenity of it. The strength in the air. The way time seemed to sti
The rain poured down relentlessly, beating down on the wolves who tried and failed to pick up on Cassy's scent. "Cassy!" Alpha Lino bellowed and a roar of outrage followed. He'd never been so scared in his entire left. So helpless. He would've picked up on her trail, had the rain not washed it away by the time he noticed she was gone. He had searched everywhere he thought she would be, her hiding spots every time she didn't want to be found gobbling down more food. To keep the baby happy, she'd said. He'd searched the gardens, and her chambers, he'd torn apart the castle in search of her. He'd found nothing. All of her things were accounted for. He'd made sure to ask the maids, just to be sure she hadn't run-- though he'd seen no reason why she would. Yes. He should've spoken to her about naming her Luna before announcing it to the whole world. She had been furious and he would never forget the anger that shone in her eyes when he had made the announcement. But th
The moon goddess watched the woman on the floor, angling her head with the grace only an immortal could attain. The woman was already dead, and the baby in her belly dead long before she did. The goddess would have struck the woman who had dared to spill innocent blood on her sacred grounds without mercy dead but it the woman's life was not hers to claim anymore. Eleanor Badminton's life was Cassy Benson's to claim. The Moon Goddess frowned as she mulled over a thought. The dead woman's last moments surfaced. Blue eyes filled with pain had looked to the skies and to her and the woman had pleaded. For once chance. To live again. To make it right. To avenge the life of the child she had loved so much. The Moon Goddess wasn't prone to violence. She detested it. However, she could see the lines of the future falling into place. She had blessed Cassy with the child, therefore blessing her favored Alpha, Lino. What had occurred was a fluke that needed to be corrected and th
Cassy threaded the halls in her plain white robe. The sentries at the gate had taken one look at her face, her garments, and the ice in her eyes and they let her in, gaping at her in awe. The castle seemed the same. Smelled the same. The maids loitered about, gossiping about things that piqued their interest, the sentries and wolves trained on the grounds, and overly dressed females wandered the halls, hoping to catch the eyes of the unmated males of the pack. It was just like it had been a month before. Before she died. It was the same, but Cassy was not. And they noticed it. The moment they noticed Cassy, a hush fell over them. Then they started to whisper and point at her. She recognized her handmaidens amongst them. They stared at her with surprise but she didn't spare them a second glance as she walked past, that stoic expression glued to her face. "Lady Cassy?" Cassy paused and tilted her head slightly. She noted the maid, Jessica. Jessica
Cassy ignored the Alpha's roar of fury and crossed the hall, gown trailing the ground before her as she neared the council. Someone blocked her path, deeming her a threat to the Alpha and her eyes narrowed at the Beta as he fell into a defensive pose in front of her. His eyes widened with glaring intensity and his nostrils flared as he realized the same thing she'd noted for months. That she no longer bore the scent of a lowly Omega. She had the scent of a Luna. An Alpha in her own right. "Impossible," Beta Kayden breathed, tossing furtive glances toward Eleanor's standing form. "The power didn't shift to her. It chose you." Cassy didn't bother to rid him of his ridiculous theory. Her being alive, the change in her body and her soul, it was all the Moon Goddess's gift. One she planned to use to her advantage and take her revenge on those who brought her pain. She had a life to claim. And she would make Eleanor suffer before she made her claim. She would
Eleanor dashed through the woods, panting and cursing under her breath. It wasn't supposed to go this way, she thought. She was sure she had not been followed. But now, the guards were after her, hot on her tail and she could not seem to outrun them. Her parents would be disgust if they saw her now. What had become of her. Cassy and Lino would probably laugh their heads off if they saw her. She was a thief. She had been living from and to mouth for years, taking shelter in empty barns or cottages, stealing food from moving carriages or from travellers. She had walked and moved and tried to make something of herself for the past few years, but all anyone wanted from her was to bed her or turn her into a whore, and while she knew she was a despicable person, there were things she could not allow. From the ears of one of the travellers, she had heard of a castle in the North, with plenty or riches that were untouched by the Alpha who seemed to have no intere
Two years later... "No. Not that one. Do not put that in your mouth, Fenris," Cassy said, lifting her son off the ground and throwing the sand stained pebble he had been about to put in his mouth. "Where is your brother?" She questioned, and he smiled at her, pulling her hair instead and giggling. "Asher?" She called out, looking around the playground Lino had built just for his twin sons. She heard Asher's answering giggle emerge from the other end, and a smile graced her lips when she saw Lino holding him and tickling him. He loved them. There was no surprise there. Over the last two years, she had gotten to see sides to Lino that she had never thought she would again, after she'd lost their first child. He was kind, loving and stern when he needed to be. Maybe scratch the last part out. When it came to the boys, there was not a single stern bone in Lino's body. All they had to do was smile at him and he would lift them up and tickle them. Cassy
Cassy and Lino sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped tightly together, awaiting Gerald as he gathered he shrugged out of his gloves. She began to fidget and Lino rubbed her knee to soothe her, even if he was also fidgeting. Cassy felt her stomach twist and tighten with nerves as she thought about it. She pressed her free hand against her stomach, trying to feel for something, anything at all that said that it was there. She hadn't felt funny in the past few days. Other than the need to sleep. Her last pregnancy had been somewhat hectic and she had been a horrible mess before she even found out she was pregnant. She supposed it should be the same. The nausea. The morning sickness. The cranky mood. The obtuse emotions. It was the only reason why she didn't think she was. That too and the fact that she looked absolutely normal. She hadn't gained extra weight or anything. She'd lost some. She stole a glance at Lino. His expression was calm but she could tell from
Cassy peered around, in the familiar darkness and she immediately knew where she was. It had been a while since she had been summoned by Selene and she had quite a lot of words to say to the wolf when she graced her with her presence. "Selene?" Cassy called out, turning in a spin, searching for the familiar figure, but she couldn't find the wolf. "I see all is finally in order," a voice that sounded both ancient and young said, and Cassy turned to find the big wolf approaching her. "Yes. No thanks to you. You left me with nothing but scattered clues here and there. I didn't understand a single thing." "But you have come out victorious," the wolf said drily. Cassy scowled. "Again, with no thanks to you. Julian's the only reason why we won. You picked me up and then abandoned me--" "And who do you think sent the sorcerer your way?" Cassy's lips pursed and she kept quiet, listening to Selene and her 'explanation'. "The Goddess's interfere
Lino sat in his throne, head leaning against his fist. The day had only just begun and he was already exhausted. He always hated the aftermaths of squabbles and war. Deaths and meetings and hard decisions had to be taken. It didn't make it any better that Cassy was not with him today. His mate had slept the entire day away yesterday and she was today as well. He understood that she needed the rest, especially after the ordeals they had gone through. It was absolutely normal for females to fall into deep sleep after a weight like war had been lifted off their shoulders. He had been telling himself that the entire day, just so he could get his mind off the possibility of Cassy being pregnant. He was excited and extremely anxious as well. He had known the joy of expecting a child once before, but this was different. Perhaps, it was because she was his mate and he was in love now. He couldn't stop fidgeting and thinking about it. Truth be told, he wanted nothing m
Julian strode over to where Sasha laid on the ground, head severed from her body. He had not thought it would be so easy to end her life. He had not wanted it to be easy. He had wanted her to suffer for it. Every day. For everything she had done to him. For every atrocity she had committed. For all the wrong she had caused him. He had wanted her to suffer. But he had killed her too quickly. And...saved the day. His unusual eyes overlooked the battle field and what little of the sorcerers that were left and we're still being killed. His eyes wandered over to the Luna and Alpha seated off to the side, holding each other and crying. His eyes then wandered back to Sasha's unseeing eyes. He let it truly sink in that she was dead and gone. Slowly, it sank in, like a stone would in the middle of an ocean. It settled within him. Standing in the middle of a battle field with his armour coated in blood and his fingers wrapped around the sheath of his sword, J
Cassy panted, peering down at the blade and the minute distance it was away from her heart. No no. The woman was not bluffing. The back of her head hurt terribly, no thanks to Sasha's blow, and the tiniest movement had her wincing in pain. It was nothing though, compared to the obvious panic in Lino's eyes. A burden in her chest lightened a little. He was fine. He was covered in blood and gore, but he was fine. Taller, hairier and scary. He was in between this wolf form and the other. His red hair made him look all the more stunning. She gave him a sharp look that all but said, "You should not have left me inside." Lino ignored her, baring his teeth instead at Sasha. "Touch her, I'll end you." The woman had the audacity to chuckle and Cassy marvelled at her boldness and lack of fear. "Before you move, she'd already be dead. You're at my mercy, Alpha," Sasha said, piercing Cassy's skin with the dagger for effect. Not the other way around. I suggest you w
"Think we might make it back?" Lino asked asked Kayden as he jammed the rock into the sharp edge of the sword. Kayden shrugged, staring up at the sky. "I have no choice. Ayla will throttle me out of the afterlife if I do not." Lino smiled. He could think of a couple of things Cassy would also do to him for leaving without her. He had better make it back home. He had no other option. Night had fallen and they had chosen to make camp. It was more like...laying in wait and resting while the enemies rode toward them. Lino wasn't the type of Alpha to move things in a rush. He would wait for her. Sasha. And by the spies he had dispatched a few moments back, he knew that they weren't far off any more. And leading them his way was the hybrid, Julian. Whether or not he would fight on their side when it mattered, Lino couldn't tell, but he had seen the hybrid and looked in his eye. He had seen the hatred for Sasha and even if he trusted nothing else, he trusted in those
Cassy placed outside the yard, trailing the line of defense the guards had formed, laying in wait for their enemies. Just in case. She had no doubt that it was Lino's instruction too. The man always thought and prepared ahead for the worst case scenario. There were more than a hundred scattered about in various defense formations and Cassy marvelled on how they blocked every entrance into the castle. But... wasn't a hundred too many to guide the amount of women inside? Perhaps it was because of her or it could be the fact that they were the weaker and more vulnerable sex. A sudden shout came from the front, by the towering gates of the castle and Cassy believed it to be, "Close the gates!" The shouts increased and Cassy ran up to the gates where the guards were frantically trying to lock them. There were still people trying to get through. Late arrivals from the houses around the castle. If the gates were suddenly locked, they would have no where else to