***INSIDE CRANEWOOD PACK******NATE***I was dragged into the gates of Cranewood in chains like a prisoner by the human hunters who carried tranquilizers that I knew were filled with wolfsbane, they could take me out anytime and render me powerless. “Who is heading this attack?” I asked, but neither of the two hooded men that were leading me away answered and even if they did, it wasn’t as though I understood anything or knew any name they’d mention. I forgot about the duo and just continued walking with them, everything in here seemed fine, with no casualties but I could see the fear in the eyes of the inhabitants, meaning something had happened here, possibly, someone had even died and now fear was a consistent tenant in the hearts of the people of Cranewood. The two men further led me away, we’re approaching the castle of Cranewood, and so far, from the outside, it looked great enough, and hopefully, the insides wouldn’t be bad as well.“Here, we caught him with a White flag roa
***NATE*** “So, what do you want me to do for you?” I asked and he just smiled. “Have you ever done a man?” He asked in a seductive manner that made my skin crawl. “No?” I answered, unsure why he was asking such a question when I was here for dialogue and nothing more. “Well, I would love to have you, and maybe if you let me, you could get me to sit with this alpha king of yours,” he said and I just turned around and began to walk away, this man was sick and I shouldn’t be giving him my attention, what he wanted itself was sick. “But if you leave and I burn everyone here down, of course, you should know it’s not my fault, but I can’t let wolves leave on my land,” he said and I stopped in my tracks. He wasn’t going to burn the whole of Cranewood down, sicko of the year just went to Captain Morgan. “Any other options?” I asked immediately I turned around, “I’m not gay,” I said and he just smiled. “Wel, you’re not one, yet!” He added and I knew that’s all I could do. I closed my e
***BACK IN RAVENCLAW******CARLA***I paced in my room, reliving my time in the courtroom over and over again, his face, his countenance, everything screaming at me. “Carla?” I flinched as the sound of his voice calling my name in that sweet and calm manner hit me, I spun around immediately. “What are you doing here?” I seethed out and he made to come closer to me but I held a hand back. “No, don’t you dare, stay back,” I said, then took a step back also. Thankfully Ellie and Simone weren’t anywhere around when I got back, they must have gotten to work and somehow I was so happy about that. “I can explain Carla,” he said and I just shook my head ‘no’, tears I had bottled in for the last 8 years since he left me began to spill as memories of us and what we’d share or what I thought we’d shared begin to flood my brain all over again.“No,8 I don’t need your explanation, Phil, eight years, that’s how long you’ve been gone and buried, and that’s all, I’m not interested in you, at leas
***FLASHBACK TO 8 YEARS AGO******PHIL***“Why are there so many cars outside Grandpa?” I asked my pops as he led me to the castle of Ravenclaw. “Don’t worry lil’ man, you’ll be finding out soon,” he said and I just giggled, I loved it when he called me lil man even though I was no longer a kid. Kayla and Sheila, the two tightest sisters I knew joined grand pops and me on our way by the sidewalk of the castle.“Elder Boyd!!” They both called and greeted and Pops smiled at them. Both sisters were older than I was, but Kayla wasn’t at all very much older. “Why are we going to the castle sister?” She asked and her sister shushed her up. “Guess I’d be asking lord Boyd then,” she said and turned to my pops who just chuckled, looking at how she was trying to pry information out of those older than her. “The alpha king is coming to Ravenclaw,” Grand Pops declared, but I could sense there was more, he sounded more excited, but what could I say, he wasn’t going to reveal and I didn’t care
***FLASHBACK TO 8 YEARS AGO******PHIL***“I would be leaving tomorrow, but I must say, it’s been a pleasure spending this night, with you,” Carla said as she shyly turned away and I just smiled, arranged marriage hasn’t ever felt so right. “Thought since we’re engaged, we’d be getting married soon?” I said and she just playfully hit my chest. “Of course not, I’m only 17, father wouldn’t let me out of his sight yet,” she said chuckling. “Your father must love you so much,” I pointed out and she giggled. “You have no idea,” she said and I just smiled, this woman’s smiles were beginning to drive me insane. “What if we kissed?” She asked all of a sudden, taking me off guard. “Well, I sure as hell wouldn’t tell,” I jested and she laughed. “Come on Phil, we’re engaged, we’re official,” she said. “That’s your justification for kissing a stranger you just met? Tell me beauty, should I be scared? Do you kiss a lot of strangers?” I asked her and she just chuckled more, a beautiful sou
***BACK TO THE PRESENT DAY IN CRESCENT PACK******KAYLA***I paced around my room, unsure how best to go forward from here, Sheila had been on my neck in the last few days we’d been together and I couldn’t reach Caleb and now, Carla was not okay, well not from the sound of her voice. Then I heard the door to my room opening and someone came right inside, a strange girl. “Who are you and what do you want?” I asked immediately, I wasn’t sure she was a maid since I’d never seen her but she was in the maid’s uniform. “Your Highness, lady Tina sent me here, I’m your new maid,” she explained and I nodded, oh yes I did need a personal maid, I remembered ordering Tina to get me one. “Are you new?” I asked and she nodded shyly, she was new and not even used to the castle yet. “Well, come on,” I said and she moved closer to me while “you’re to be with me at all times, you know that’s your job right? You don’t need to serve different royals or cook or do the laundry, all you have to do is o
***CONTINUATION OF FLASHBACK TO 8 YEARS AGO******FIVE MONTHS AFTER YHE ENGAGEMENT PARTY******PHIL***“Pops?” I called, my face giving away all emotions I couldn’t speak out loud. “Yes boy, you have to do as the alpha says,” he said to me with finality in his voice, there’s nothing both of us could do, I was going to be shipped away to the human world as ambassador.“Can’t someone else go? My wedding is in two months,” I yelled as tears began to well up in my eyes, but I knew better than to cry, I’m a man and a man should never cry because of a woman, but the feeling I was feeling right now was away above any upbringing I received from pops. “You’ll be back in a month Philip, and I will be here, getting your wedding ready, nothing will go wrong, as long as you return when you’re supposed to,” Pops said, then he turned around and faced the window, he’d rather look out there and look into my face, I swallowed hard, knowing fully well there’s nothing I could do, my kingdom called and
***FLASHBACK TO 8 YEARS AGO******PHIL***My eyelids fluttered open, but I couldn’t see a thing, everywhere was dark, no windows, no lights or anything. What was happening? I thought but the last thing I remembered was taking tea. “You are awake,” a voice sounded in the room, from everywhere, my super wolf hearing driving me insane. What the hell was happening? “Where am I?” I yelled back, I wasn’t going to give up now or show fear, I couldn’t, I was raised by the oldest wolf of Ravenclaw, and I had a lot up my sleeves. Then the lights came on, and I saw where I was in, I was in a glass box and it only had space enough to accommodate me, a tiny translucent glass box. I crawled into the corner in fear, I had never been in such a small space. “Why? Are you scared little wolf?” The voice spoke into the microphone and again, I heard it everywhere, almost driving me mad. I tried to punch the glass open, but I couldn’t, my fist broke, had I lost my wolf abilities?” I fretted as held m
***KAYLA*** I ran as fast as my leg could take me, clutching my belly, just like the first time I was hunted by members of the Ravenclaw pack, only, this time, I was heavily pregnant and could feel my baby with every step I took while I ran. I was getting tired, Caleb was nowhere, everywhere was in smoke and even Carla had been separated from me when it all went into shambles. I stopped for a while to catch my breath and I could hear the steps of the one who had been chasing after me get closer and closer, I knew I had to continue running, save myself and my baby, I had to run, I was thirsty but I had no choice, I started running again, only this time, I wasn’t as fast, my energy was burning out and I was getting slower and slower, then, I felt someone grab me. “Haaaa…” I yelled but was cut short as someone placed their hands on my mouth, burying my cry for help. “Shhhh, it’s me,” Caleb said, his voice soothing and making me calm down, I heaved out in relief and tapped his han
Nate and the blondie turned around and left while Toria followed behind, looking back as she walked away. I turned to look at Philip, we shared a knowing look and he nodded. “Maybe the blondie thinks he’s human?” Philip shrugged speaking my mind. “Maybe,” I shrugged too, and went back to take my seat. “You should inform the rest and gather more information on the blondie, but inform everyone to not relate with Nate, or rather, send a message,” I said, that’s the quickest way to reach all alphas and maids in the castle. “Sure,” Philip said and glanced at his phone that’s just beeped. “Alpha Derek has arrived, and with his Luna,” he announced and my head went blank, what the hell was Sheila doing here when we only invited Derek, I sighed. “Come on, send the message, and let’s go welcome them,” I said to him and he started typing on his phone very fast. “Done!” He announced and we started walking out of the room. We took the elevator down just in time to see Derek standing in fro
***CALEB***“The alphas are already arriving for the competition,” Philip filled me in as we briskly walked around the hallways of the castle. “Well, as expected, is Nate still coming today?” I asked I didn’t really want to face him now, but by the time I’d realized, I knew I couldn’t rescind my order. “I guess so, but he’s not arrived,” Philip answered and I just nodded. “Who is the first alpha I’m seeing?” I asked, Philip turned to the file in his hands and scanned it. “Alpha Sonya, she’s arrived and she’s the only person you’re seeing today,” he said and I nodded. “Lead the way to her room,” I ordered and he started walking in front while I followed closely, in no time, we were standing in front of a room, Philip knocked and we heard a ‘come in’ and so we entered. Alpha Sonya was sitting on the bed with her brother right beside her, the duo must have been discussing something of importance, but they rose to their feet immediately they saw me and bowed. “Your Highness,” they
***MORGAN***“We found a new place, sir!” Vinny said as he entered the room. I stood from my bed where did sat after the call with Nate since I had nothing to do. “Okay, do I need to check it out first?” I asked him, of course, I needed to check it out. “Oh, we paid already,” he scratches his head never pushy as he answers. “What?!” I walked closer to him, maybe I heard him wrong, but why would he pay for a house that was to be mine when I hadn’t even taken a look at it? “We paid for it immediately because the broker explained someone else was ready to make payment and that’s the nicest place on the market,” he said and I just rolled my eyes, he’s been victimized by the realtor who knew exactly what he was doing, I wondered what Vinny did with his life before he came out here. “Anf how many houses did you check out?” I asked. “2,” he said in a tone barely above a whisper, I felt my head rise literally. “You checked out two houses and bought one, outta the two? No other options
***NATE***“Come in Robin,” I yelled as I stood up, walked to the door, and unlocked it, I went back to my chair immediately after it was opened. “One would think you’re hiding away from something if you keep locking yourself in like that sir,” she said as she walked to my desk and dropped a file on it. “Well, they wouldn’t be completely wrong now, would they?” I smirked and she just wore a vague expression. Grrrrg! Grrrrr!! My voice vibrated just as Robin was about to say something, I held a hand up to her and she shut her mouth, it’s Toria, I picked up. “Hey!” I calmly said into the phone. “Guess what?!” She squealed into the phone rather loudly. “What? I really do not have the strength to guess right now, I’ve a lot to do,” I said to her in a tired tone, so as to sound somewhat convincing. “Well, Caleb agreed to you coming to Crescent Pack, you’d be at the contest and also at Carla’s wedding,” she said and my stomach knot in discomfort, for a while there, I’d totally forgott
***NATE***“Thank you!” I said to the guard who opened the car door as we got to the front of the company building. Grrrrrggg! Grrrggg!!! My phone rang, I stared into the name of the caller and it was Morgan, great, he must be back in New Orleans by now, I thought, I picked up the call. “Nate, I’m here,” she shouted into the phone elated, I instinctively pushed the phone somewhat away from my ears. “You’re so loud man,” I said. “Sorry, I’m just so happy,” his voice was now known and better. “It’s fine, so how are you finding the place?” I asked, but then remembered I had to get inside the building instead of picking the call out here and making the guards wait for me. “You know what? Let me call you back once I enter the office?” “Of course, I’d be expecting, bye love,” I heard the beep, indicating he’d cut the call, keeping my phone in my pot, I strode into the building with my head held high, while the guards followed closely. I entered the office, took the private elevator,
***KAYLA***“Hey,” Caleb called as I slowly opened my eyes, my hands were in his, and he was kissing them fondly. “The baby,” I said and immediately touched my stomach to see if it was still there. “It’s fine,” he answered with a senile. “What happened?” I managed to ask alas, I’d thought I was having my baby and would be holding the baby by the time I woke, but the baby was still in me, what was going on, l wondered. “You’ve been stressing yourself, way too much and that’s been putting a strain on the baby, it’s literally a wonder that it made it this far,” Alfred, the pack's doctor spoke up, making me realize I wasn’t alone with Caleb but with the doctor, Carla, aunt Olivia, Freya, Toria, and Philip, everyone was here, I instantly felt guilty, stealing away precious time from Them like this when there’s a lot they could be doing. “I’m sorry…” “Come on Kayla, we are sorry, not paying enough attention to you? That’s supposed to be my thing but I’ve been so wrapped up with my wed
***KAYLA***“Caleb?” I drawled as he just stared at me, I knew he was lost, with how blank his eyes were. “Nothing,” he finally managed to say after swallowing hard and I just smiled. “Come on now, out with it,” I poked him playfully and he just kind of flinched and smiled. “Derek is coming back,” he said and I froze. “What?!” I half yelled, his eyes widened as he looked at me, trying to find out why I was so shocked or rather appalled by the thought of Derek coming back here. “Is there something I don’t know?” He asked, then I remembered, he didn’t really know about the fact that Sheila kow knew of my identity and I hadn’t really got the chance to tell him, maybe now is the right time, I thought. I swallowed hard then began, “Sheila knows about me,” I simply said but that didn’t seem to register to him since he just stared at me blankly trying to understand what I’d just meant. “She knows we’re sisters Caleb, she knows I’m the Kayla,” I said and I could see he now understood w
***CALEB***“I guess so,” I shrugged, didn’t really feel like I was responsible for anything, but guess I was now that he was mentioning it. “So quit the beating around the bushes Lucian, why are you here,” I couldn’t wait any longer, I needed to hear it since Lady Lena could be here any moment from now. “I mean, lady Lena is to come by soon enough, I’m sure Philip is escorting her towards this place right now,” I said and his look changed, of course, he was here without his mother finding out. “Well, I wanted to ask you to make me your beta,” he said, although, the news didn’t surprise me, I was expecting something of the sort since he was here. “This is wrong,” I simply said as I stared at him dead in the eye. “Yes, yes I know that,” he nodded and started rocking his lap with his hands, “I just, I just need it,” he said. “Why?” That was all I could voice out, I needed to understand why he was so desperate to become my beta, it’s obvious he didn’t know the relationship his mothe