RILEYAfter leaving Anders, I hid somewhere and observed him as he went back to his tent and came out to buy things at the market. I instantly understood that he was going to escape. Did he think I was a fool?Now I regretted not going with my earlier plan. Perhaps Zara might have fallen for it and run away and she would have ended up being caught at the neutral grounds by Brandon. I should have known that Anders was too hard and would not give in to my demands.However, if he thought I was going to let him leave quietly then he was in for a big surprise.I went to my dad and said, "Father, I have something to tell you about Anders."My dad regarded me for a while and said, "go ahead, I'm listening.""I found out today that Anders' mate, Ruby is not a lycan. She is a werewolf from the Black Arrows Pack. Her real name is Zara, she is the daughter of the alpha and also a warrior in her pack.I sent Kyle, one of our warriors to confirm this and Zara beat him up so badly that he could no
ZARAThe alpha asked Anders to kill me and he turned and stared at me. I smiled reassuringly at him which was in contrast with how I had earlier cried. I knew there was a storm in Anders' heart, having once been in a somewhat similar situation.I wanted him to know that it was okay, no matter what happened in the end, it was okay. Even if we did not make it out because we were outnumbered, it was still okay.He turned his attention back to the alpha and his warriors. He tried to tow the path of peace even though the possibility of it was slim."I am very sorry, Alpha," he apologized. "Zara is my fated mate and I cannot live without her. I understand that what I did was very wrong, I was desperate and I took advantage of your love and trust. Please, forgive my deception. For the sake of the relationship we shared in the past, please, let Zara and me leave peacefully. I promise that we will never appear in front of you again."The alpha's eyes darkened and the anger in them was unmistak
ANDERSI had never given any fight my all as I did when fighting the lycans, perhaps because I fought for a different reason; Zara's life. I knew that if I fell, Zara would not be able to take on all the warriors.The werewolves were good with their arrows, without them, Zara was at a disadvantage, so I fought with everything I had.I didn't want to kill the lycans, I trained some of these warriors and as for the others, we grew up together. I focused on paralyzing them, making them unable to fight so I went directly for their backs.It was stressful though, it took more time because I had to aim for the right spot. Killing them would have been much easier, with just one strike to the heart or neck.My alpha stood in front of me watching as I beat almost all the warriors to the ground. I saw the anger on his face but I couldn't care less about his feelings at this point. Whoever wanted my Zara dead deserved to die. More warriors arrived from outside the gate and I still gave it my all
ZARAWe ran out of Anders' pack as quickly as possible without looking back. I touched my face where the alpha had punched me. He had scratched me with his claws as well and the pain had been sharp but my face had healed and I could feel my smooth skin when I touched it.That was more than I could say for Anders who was slowing down due to the injury on his right belly. He was bleeding and it made me worry. I knew how dangerous it was for a lycan to push himself when he was injured.Lycans needed to rest after severe injuries until their wounds had healed otherwise, they may not heal at the right time. Some unfortunate lycans had been known to spend months healing because they pushed themselves too hard when their injuries had not healed.I stopped moving and stared at Anders. He wanted us to keep going but I took the bag he was holding and said, "your injury will not heal until morning and it's risky for you to keep running so fast with it. Let us hide somewhere for now, we can leave
BRANDONI waited for Zara while hiding at the boundaries but there was no sign of her. Minutes and hours ticked by and I began to wonder if the alpha's daughter had lied to me.I kept waiting nevertheless until my patience paid off. I heard footsteps from where I was hiding and when I looked, I saw her, the object of my desire, my obsession.I knew she was going to look beautiful in a dress. It was short and it made her so sexy. I didn't like the fact that she had cut her hair but I didn't mind. I was going to have so much fun tearing that dress off her body and pulling her short hair with so much force while she choked on my d*ck.I reminded the warriors as I realized they had become aware of us, "target only the lycan, I want Zara alive." The warriors began to shoot their arrows but they were very careful. They could not all shoot at once because Zara could be hit as well but this did not mean they were allowed to give up.I suddenly realized the lycan was injured in his right abdom
ZARAAnders and I ran away from the werewolves and were heading toward the river so I could get my weapons. However, Anders suddenly stopped and said, "go ahead, Zara, I will buy you time." "No," I refused. "You're injured and not in a condition to fight them all. If their arrows touch you, that's the end. Please don't make me leave you."Anders nodded and we continued running but he asked, "do you trust me, Zara?""More than anything," I replied.He stopped and said, "I promise you, Zara, that no arrow will touch me. Take these arrows which I caught and protect yourself, go."Anders quickly ran into the bushes after speaking while I took a curve and continued to the river.I turned my back and stared at the bush where he entered, I was so afraid for his life but I knew that the best way I could help him was if I were with my bow and arrows so I increased my speed and stopped looking back. I soon arrived at the river and went to the side as I dropped the bag that hung on my back. I q
ZARAI was not going to plead for Brandon. Anders could go ahead and kill him for all I cared. It was beneficial for us if he was not alive but I noticed Anders was hesitating. I wondered why and finally recalled that he had once promised me that he wasn't going to kill Brandon. Was Anders holding back because of me?I moved closer to tell Anders that he could go ahead and kill Brandon but then I heard footsteps, the sounds of warriors approaching.At first, I thought they were more werewolves but after listening to the direction they were coming from, I realized they were not. Anders' attention was focused on Brandon and he seemed not to have heard the sounds so I said, "Anders, lycans are coming." He turned to look at me and when he turned his attention back to Brandon, the latter had disappeared. That was the least of our problems at that point.Anders quickly said, "get on my back, Zara."I stared at him as I hesitated. I knew that only big wolfs like Anders could be ridden, with
RILEYI watched the fight between Anders and our pack warriors from where I hid and was filled with dread, mostly for Anders. I had hoped that the werewolf would be killed easily and Anders would be subdued. I knew he was strong but there was no way he could take on so many warriors. That darn werewolf just stood watching the fight while Anders took all the risk.The more the fight got intense, the more my body began to shiver. I was in awe of Anders and also impressed that he was doing his best not to kill our warriors but they seemed out to kill him.I wondered if my dad gave the order since I had specifically begged him to leave a way out for Anders. My dad watched the fight with arms folded and I did not need to see his face to know that he was fuming at how his warriors were easily defeated.Anders was amazing, I had never seen a warrior like him and I felt even more jealous of Zara. I wished he was fighting for me instead. Then I saw my dad charge at Anders when he had his bac
ZAANWe stood—all four of us—at the edge of the cliff; Me, Walker, Zander, and Rey. The past month had been rough initially, but it turned out to be eventful. At first, breathing the same air as Rey seemed impossible, given her ill intentions toward us from the start. However, witnessing her genuine efforts to please everyone and seeing the happiness she brought to my brother, I decided to let go of my resentment and be free.However, that did not mean I would turn my back on her. I remained wary, just as I would be with any untrustworthy person. My mom had also become more accommodating. She occasionally smiled at Rey and engaged in conversations, but I knew her watchful eyes never left her. Rey was aware of it too. The pack had come to accept that she was likely to be the next Luna. She was my brother's love, and thanks to her, he had become more lively, socializing more and spending less time sleeping.Carter had also changed since his fight with Walker. Realizing he was no matc
ZANDERSeeing Rey so injured and bleeding, broke my heart completely. I didn't know who was attacking us or why, but something occurred to me. Perhaps these were enemies who had been lying in wait for me.Over the years, a few had actually attempted to come against us, but they always waited along the roads. So either these were sent by someone who knew that I was leaving, or they had been keeping watch over us.It was an attack, and the fact that they were using arrows meant they were werewolves. As I stared at Rey, I was upset that they did not mind that she was one of their own. Perhaps they saw her as a worthy sacrifice for a great cause, but I wasn't one to let go so easily.I came out of hiding as more arrows were shot at me. I jumped, and all the arrows passed below me. Afterward, I began to crawl on the ground.Seeing I had gotten close, the men who were earlier shooting; who were now close to me but could not see me because I was concealed by the bushes, turned around and wan
WALKERI knew that Carter was going to confront Zaan, and I wasn't wrong. It was better he found out the truth. That way, he would back off and know his place.It was funny hearing him talk about how Zaan was his mate when I had just marked her the night before.If not for the promise I made to Zaan, I would have shown off in front of him. He stomped away angrily, and I walked after him. But I kept a little distance between us. I stood somewhere, watching as he confronted Zaan, and I heard the words he said to her. I shook my head, knowing that his words were the rambling of a man who was angry because he had lost. It wasn't my fault. I was just fortunate that he was too stupid to let go of something as precious as Zaan.After he left, I came out of hiding and walked up to Zaan, but I saw that she was unhappy."What is the problem?" I asked.She ignored me and turned to walk away, but I held her hand and pulled her back."Are you upset with me, Zaan?""Why wouldn't I be? I clearly to
CARTEREver since that night, I threatened Walker, I noticed that Zaan had been avoiding me. The following morning, I walked toward the cliff hoping to talk to her, but then I saw Walker. His eyes were gleaming, and his face held so much joy. I felt sick to my stomach. What was he doing here?If anyone was allowed to be there, it was me because I had been in this pack for years. The fact that he kept lingering around Zaan made me so upset. I knew what he wanted, but I was convinced that Zaan would never give him the time of day, not when she had such strong feelings for me. So, I wanted to ignore him. However, something surprised me. Zaan's scent was all over his body. It was so strong, as though she was the one standing in front of me.This could only mean one thing. As I realized what had happened, I rushed toward him, grabbed him by his collar, and pushed him to the ground."Hey, what do you think you're doing?" he asked, getting up. "You know you're lucky fights are not allowed h
ZANDERAfter my mom left, I kept hiding but continued staring at Rey as she conversed with the man whom I believed was her father. The way he treated her, though, and the fact that she did not react to his actions, showed she had a lot of respect for him. I kept clenching my fists in anger.When he finally turned and walked through the gates of the pack, I realized Rey was crying. I came out of hiding and walked toward her, and right at that moment, she turned. When she saw me, I could see the surprise and fear in her eyes. She stood for a while, staring at me in shock.I thought about what my mom had said. The best punishment at this point was to take her life. That was what she deserved, and that was what was expected of me.She remained rooted where she stood and couldn't take another step while tears kept falling from her eyes. But I walked toward her slowly until I was standing a few inches away from her. I stared at her for a while before grabbing her neck with my hand as though
REINAEver since that first night, I spent in Zander's room, something in me changed. I became a different person. Not that I had become a saint overnight, but I had become someone who genuinely loved Zander. Each moment I stared at him, I convinced myself that I would not be able to part from him, much less be the cause of his demise. He was patient, kind, loving, and everything wonderful I never thought I would find in a man. What were the chances that if I successfully destroyed this pack, I would be able to live with myself? No, if I destroyed the pack, how would I be with Zander? And if I destroyed Zander, how would I live?I had fallen head over heels in love with him. I was a hopeless case. There was a way he stared at me sometimes as though he had something to say. Other times, he looked at me with so much love and so much faith. I could not imagine ruining the faith he had in me.I soon became scared. Each time I was outside, I would look around the pack. I would see the ch
ZANDEREver since my mom exposed Rey to me, my life had not been the same. I was constantly thinking about it, wishing and hoping that somewhere there was a mistake. Each time I looked at Rey, her eyes held so much love for me. She spent most of her time by my side, and at night she was always in my room.Sometimes, I was tempted to get upset at her for playing me for a fool and treat her the way I thought she deserved. But I couldn't bring myself to do so. I didn't know why I loved her so much despite knowing her for such a short time. I was restless, and it kept eating at me.There were times when I would make eye contact with my sister when addressing the warriors, with Rey by my side. From the look on Zaan's face, I would know what she was thinking. There were other times too when I made eye contact with my mom, who always had her eyes on Rey. I knew what she was thinking as well.Though my mom had told me not to expose anything to Rey, I kept my eyes on her. Not because I wanted
WALKERFor the first time in my life, I felt as though the universe was within my reach and I could grab it and give myself the life of my dreams. This was all possible because of Zaan. Her confession made me feel on top of the world, although there was turmoil in my heart. It made me believe that this moment was surreal; somehow, it felt like a dream.Zaan had just met me, so her confession that she also loved me was a miracle. Yes, I had come after her with hopes that she would accept my proposal, but hearing her admit everything without holding back, I didn't know how to react. I wanted to be sure that this moment was real. I held her cheeks and said, "Look into my eyes, Zaan, and tell me that you aren't joking. This isn't a plan or a trick, right? Do you truly love me just as you've said?"She smiled, "Will I joke about something as important as this? This is how I feel.""So, for how long have you felt this way?" I asked, still not believing it."Well, ever since I realized th
CARTERI knew what Walker was up to and it scared me. I loved Zaan, more than I could imagine and I hated myself for pushing her away from me. At the time, I had not realized how deep my feelings for her ran. Also, I had been under the impression that Zaan was madly in love with me but did not know how to back down when she needed to.Now I had to compete for her attention. Walker wanted her and as a man, I could tell. I was threatened by the fact that Zaan seemed to have a soft spot for him. This was evident in the way she gave him preferential treatment.I had been searching for her for a while, only to see her coming out from the direction of the unclean river and Walker did the same almost immediately.It was at this point I decided to have a conversation with Walker but he was too arrogant for his own good. I was merely marking my territory but a rookie like him dared to disrespect me. He was about to learn how things really worked around here.I watched him walk away and had a