Rylee
The pack’s prison is an old warehouse that used to be a chicken pen. It still smells like chicken poop and feed. My hands are tied behind my back, and whip marks cover my body. They dumped me on a stiff, musty pile of hay. Tiny stalks of grass dig into my skin, stinging and bleeding.
I want to scream, but I don’t. I’m pretending to be unconscious.
In Greenvale pack, thieves get 40 lashes, executed by Gamma. Anto, that brutal dog, loves to play dirty. I fainted and woke up in pain several times during the torture. At the 35th lash, I thought I was going to die. But then I saw Syd rush over and pull Anto’s whip. He got another 10 lashes for that.
Thanks to Syd, I survived. Then I thought pretending to be unconscious was a good idea. Anto likes to see the look on my face when he tortures me. If I don’t react, he might give up sooner.
“Go see if she’s dead,” I hear Anto say to his men. Footsteps approach me, and I hasten to make my breathing soft and even. A hand comes up to my nose and probes.
“Still alive. She just passed out,” Anto’s henchman says.
“She might be faking it.” Anto walks over and kicks me in the face. I imagine I’m a pile of straw, a piece of turf, something inorganic. I don't need to breathe. I don’t react. I can’t feel the pain.
Then Anto kicks me hard in the chest.
I’M STRAWS! A TURF! A FEEDER!
I clench my teeth to keep from groaning. Anto’s kick sends me rolling off the haystack, landing face down on the cold, hard ground.
Terrible pain surges through my chest. Are my ribs broken?
No. He’s watching me. I can’t move.
After a few seconds, I hear Anto say, “Looks like she really passed out. Let’s go.”
The men’s footsteps fade away, and I hear the warehouse door close.
I start counting silently: 1, 2, 3... After about two minutes, Anto returns. Seeing me still in the same position, he curses and leaves.
Ten more minutes pass. Making sure it’s safe, I groan and roll over.
The wounds on my face hurt badly and my skin is burn and bleeding. Blood drips onto the floor. My arms are numb from being tied up so long. My chest aches dully. When I move, it hurts like hell; more than one rib must be broken.
Gasping for air, I struggle to move myself back onto the pile of straw. It stinks, but if I spend the night on the cold ground in this condition, it would be my corpse that stinks worse tomorrow.
I collapse into the straw, whimpering in pain. My stomach is empty and protesting.
I try to distract myself.
I try to distract myself. I think about the potatoes I didn't have time to eat for lunch. I imagine them perfectly baked and jumping into my mouth. I picture kicking Luna out of the packhouse, hogging her 4k screen, and soaking in her hot tub. I imagine people turning off the lights to surprise me with a birthday song, bringing me roast chicken and lemon cake. Wait, that smell...
I open my eyes. There’s really roast chicken and lemon cake in front of me!
Syd covers my mouth. “Shh, don’t scream, it’s me.”
I nod, signaling for him to put his hand down.
“Hurry up and untie me. I can’t feel my hands anymore,” I say weakly.
Syd’s rough movements intensify my pain. Beads of sweat break out on my forehead. I grit my teeth and say, “Be gentle. If I’m not beaten to death, you’ll waste me. My ribs seem broken.”
“Ribs? Shit, Anto dares to abuse lynching! When I become Beta, I'll make him suffer.” Syd softens his movements. He unties the ropes, picks me up, and cradles me. “I’m late. I got someone to trick the warehouse guard into drinking before I dared to come.”
“Water?” he asks. I nod. He feeds me small sips from a bottle. I can’t take my eyes off the lemon cake.
Syd understands. He picks up a piece and brings it to my mouth. I don’t mind his dirty hands and take a bite.
Lemon cake is the best thing in the world!
After a while, I feel better. My body, though fragile, recovers faster than the usual wolves. It’s probably the only good thing my parents left me. I tell Syd to let go and start enjoying the roasted chicken with my back against the wall. Syd sits next to me, eating too. In no time, we wipe out all the food.
It’s early morning, and time for Syd to go. Soon, the omegas will be up and working. He risks being spotted on his way back.
But Syd sits still. Moonlight spills over his young face through the fence at the top of the warehouse. I see confusion glinting in his brown eyes.
I know what he’s confused about. Since this morning, I’ve known it. This is a gift from the moon goddess. We have to live with it. I understand what he thinks about me. I know how he feels. I understand him. I suffer the same way he does. But I have something I desire more and I can’t accept my fate. He doesn’t know that...
“I...” He hesitates.
“Give it to me,” I whisper.
“What?” He blinks, dumbfounded.
“My birthday present.” I spread my hands. “Don't hide it. I saw it this morning in your pocket.”
“How do you know it’s for you? What if it’s not?” He grimaces but pulls the box out and hands it to me. “I was going to give it to you at dinner, but then I wanted to say happy birthday sooner. So I went to the dining hall to find you, but Anto...” He pauses. “Anyway, happy birthday.”
“Thanks.” I open the box. It’s a necklace with a moon carved from wood, rough and handmade. Clearly from an apprentice’s hand.
Syd blushes slightly. “I know you like looking at the night sky, so I thought you especially like the moon... I carved this myself...”
I look at him, and he averts his eyes uncomfortably. “How did you guess I was giving you a present?”
“Of course I did.” I sigh, stroking the still unpolished back of the carved moon. “Because I’m your mate.”
“WHAT?!” He freezes, his expression as rigid as a statue.
“You knew that a long time ago,” I turn my head and smile at his already frozen face. “Didn’t you?”
RyleeSyd sits frozen, as if rooted to the ground. Silence spreads under the moonlight.Every werewolf gains the ability to sense their mate on the day they come of age, and I was no exception. This morning, the moment I saw Syd, I felt our mate-bond. But it was weak, and I couldn’t smell Syd.My wolf hasn’t come yet.Syd came of age six months ago. He should have known I was his mate, but he never told me. I can guess the reason easily: my status embarrasses him.I am the pack’s slave, and he is the future Beta.We don’t trust each other; we don’t accept each other. That’s why our mate-bond is so weak. That’s why I can’t smell him.Syd suddenly jumps to his feet. “When did you know?” he asks, his breathing fast. “What... what are you going to do?”Without waiting for my answer, he paces anxiously. “No, this isn’t the time for discussing that. I need to get you out of here first.” He crouches down, trying to pick me up. “I heard them talking about selling you, and the buyer is... Alva
RyleeI used to wonder what "fated" meant. How can you fall in love without knowing each other and stay together forever? Now I get it. It's a soul-deep pain, like a part of you is being ripped away.I have to stuff straw in my mouth to stop myself from screaming. Syd looks in worse pain. He can't stay human, shifts into a wolf, and collapses. The brown wolf convulses, his mouth opens wide, looks about to cry, but he only whimpers silently. After ten minutes, he stumbles up, giving me a deep look. Then, he turns and disappears into the darkness.I breathe a sigh of relief, wipe my tears, and collapse onto the haystack.It's over.Great, one step closer to leaving this pack.Syd is tall, handsome, capable with a pretty-boy face. We grew up together. He’s the only one who cares about me. If I wasn't Rylee Green, I might fall in love with him so easily and deeply. But our bond is doomed. He has a bright future, and I'm the pack's sinner.18 years ago, my birth took away my high-blooded m
AlvarThat scratching sensation was back again. The closer I drew to Greenvale, the stronger my nameless desire became.I couldn't quite place it. It had only started a week ago—my wolf, Blade, had been urging me to head north, insisting there was something crucial waiting for us. But what could it be?Greenvale Pack had been settled in the north for ages. Once an ancient tribe with great renown, its glory days were long gone. Alpha Steve, the current leader, was a mere survivor whose pack’s brief prosperity was largely due to his ex-wife.There was nothing there worth coveting. So what was Blade trying to tell me?Recently, Alpha Steve had been trying to strike a deal with Carl, my Beta. He wanted to borrow money or sell us slaves. I sniffed. He’s not qualified to talk business with my pack.Carl reminded me that Alpha Steve’s ex-wife was a descendant of the Madonna and that they had a daughter who likely inherited healing powers. Our army was in desperate need of a medic, so I told
RyleeSometimes I want to applaud fate. Even on my birthday, it mocks me with its cruel sense of humor.Falsely accused, imprisoned, and then caught so easily after escaping. The man who caught me was so swift and powerful. I was tackled to the ground before I even had a chance to react.Fugitives go straight to death row. It's an eternal rule in the werewolf world. Blindfolded and shoved into the backseat of a car, I wait for my fate.Sometime later, the car door creaks open, and a man sits next to me. The space instantly feels cramped. Even though I’m blindfolded, his presence is enormous—definitely not one of Greenvale’s 67 werewolves.The man doesn’t speak. I can feel his intense gaze piercing through me. His heat is overwhelming, making me shiver. My teeth are chattering, but a small hope flickers: If he’s not from Greenvale, not killing me right away, could he possibly let me go?I clear my throat. “Sir…” As soon as I speak, he leans in, his body heat almost burning me. His hand
AlvarWhen I said my name, my kitten closed her eyes and pretended to faint. But her fluttering eyelids and rapid heartbeat gave her away.Is my name really that scary?I watch her with amusement.My mate is younger, more mischievous, stronger, and bolder than I expected.She dares to call me rude, make deals, and fake fainting right in front of me. The last person who challenged me got torn apart and fed to the dogs. But her antics don't make me angry; they make me feel... excited.‘Mark her RIGHT NOW!” Blade protests loudly. “You’re 28 and still don't have a wife! What the fuck are you waiting for? Grab her, bite her neck, make her ours! Then drag her to bed and make babies! If you can't do it, I will!’He’s really horny.Of course, I’m horny too. The moment I saw her, I wanted to fuck her. Her beautiful blue eyes made my cock swell up. I long to be inside her, to have her touch me. But her bruises and wary eyes calm me down.I reassure Blade to take it easy. She looks young, maybe
RyleeEating the bread and bacon Ruth hands me, I think about how to get out of this mess. Steve sold me, and now I’m Alvar’s sex slave.Being his sex slave won’t end well.After the meal, I look around the deck. The sea is beautiful. The waves roll in, big and small, and the sun is warm and comforting. But I can’t enjoy it. I think about jumping off the boat and swimming away, but we’re far from shore. There are about seven or eight werewolves on board, all big and strong. They’d scoop me up before I even hit the water.No chance. I have to wait.Clouds start to thicken, and the sky gets cloudy. Ruth shooes me back to my room.“Looks like rain’s coming. Damn winter rain and wind, it’s gonna be cold.” Ruth grumbles, pulling a wool coat from the closet. She says Alvar had my previous clothes and package sent ahead to Dark Moon Pack, and the ones I’m wearing are new.Whoo. Efficiency.I don’t feel cold. In Greenvale, it gets to -10 or -20°C in winter, and I’m often out in the wind and s
RyleeThe mansion’s courtyard surrounds the place, and the helicopter is parked on the tarmac in the northeast corner. As soon as we step off the helicopter, men in black rush over with umbrellas. I wade through the muddy grass and make my way to the mansion, still trying to take in the grandeur.I’m in awe. I’m sure my wide-eyed wonder looks silly, but I can’t help it.This place is incredible!It is an old-fashioned and gorgeous mansion; a style I learn a month later called Victorian. The mansion sits at the top of a hill, facing south, with expansive courtyards to the east and south. Except for the west, which is near a cliff. An iron fence encircles the property, with guarded entrances at every corner (I sigh again). In the center of the courtyard is an octagonal fountain pool, currently empty except for a small marble pedestal.To the north, there’s a parking lot. Now a few luxury cars sporadically parked in it. Beside it, there is an area that serves as a landing pad for helicop
AlvarI decide to cancel Greenvale Pack. I never cared about it before. It’s far north, poor in resources, and taking it over wouldn’t benefit our pack.But now, things have changed. I’m going to show them I don’t mess around. They’ll pay for how they treated my future Luna.Rylee’s asleep, so I ask Carl to take her back to the pack by boat. He’ll wait for her to wake up before taking the helicopter. After Carl leaves, I start digging into Greenvale Pack. By evening, all the details are on my desk.Green is an old family, but its descendants are ungrateful. The current Alpha, Steve, and his father are losers. Greenvale was in a mess. Steve has no ability, just luck. He married a good wife. Twenty-five years ago, he mated to the descendent of the Madonna, Sheila Dewey, Rylee's mother.Sheila was a powerful Luna with healing abilities, skilled in business and management. She kept Greenvale organized and thriving. She was loved by all. However, she struggled to get pregnant. So Steve che