Drakken’s temper had been awful since the argument with his mate. Awful was putting it mildly. The situation kept him up the whole night until the early hours of the morning when he headed to his study to look for something to distract himself as his friends weren't awake yet to fence with him. It was almost midday now and Drakken's bottle of whiskey had already emptied.He had hoped alcohol would do something to reduce the pain in his chest as it always did. But no, his mind kept replaying last night's activity. Had he been too harsh on her?Sighing, Drakken moved to his window and pulled back the curtain, staring outside. The first thing he saw was his father guiding a horse which Gregory was perched on top giggling heartily. The mere sight of his father increased Dtakken’s anger. He was the bane of Drakken's life. An annoying obstacle responsible for the misfortune he was going through.Drakken swayed slightly on his feet, the alcohol in his veins taking its course. He was drunk b
Eleanor went hunting with Benjamin and watched him send an arrow flying toward a deer. Impressed by his perfect aim, she applauded him as he walked over to take out the arrow from the dead animal, nursing a proud smile."I did not realize you were that good," Eleanor commented."I have been hunting since I was a boy." He beckoned for her to come closer and she did. "What did you get to do as a child? Play dress up and wear makeup?""My childhood was not exactly a normal one," she admitted."It depends on what you view as normal.""I was homeless and slept on the streets."His reaction told Eleanor that was not what he expected to hear. She could not blame him. "Fine. I will take your word for it." Eleanor opened her mouth to say something in return but he placed a finger over his lips, hushing her. "I hear another deer running this way. It is your turn to have at it.""Are you nuts? I have never held a bow and an arrow."Benjamin handed them over to her regardless. "Today is your luck
Eleanor was not in her room when Drakken swung her bedroom door open. He hated being the first to give in but his wolf was driving him to the point of insanity. Drakken felt like a pup all over again with little to no control over his wolf.He had come running only to find her room empty, causing disappointment to wash over him, then he remembered Eleanor worked at the healing school and was probably there. Drakken made a mental note to return that night and went about his daily business.He drove out of the palace and away from the suburbs to have a meeting with his real estate workers. It had been a while since he kept track of the activities there. Drakken could not blame himself. The workload in the pack and the expectation from the twelve Kingdoms as an AlphaKing was beyond draining. Moreso with matters of his mate and the burdening pressure that came with the wedding of the vampire princess.He had foolishly blabbered on about his mate the previous day to Gwendolyn after getting
The sun had almost gone down when the game was over. Eleanor spent more than half of the day listening to Benjamin tell tales about the werewolf kingdom. They had a rich history that was not recorded in the history books she had read about them, Eleanor realized.She told him about the human world too even if he was familiar with it, sharing stories, and making jokes along the way. Her carefree laugh rang loud in the forest and his blended along with hers.Eleanor was still laughing at something Benjamin said when Emma stormed up to them, looking very pissed. The rest of the crew had changed back to their human forms and assembled. Eleanor sensed something was wrong. The air around them felt different, uncomfortable."Leave us," Emma told Benjamin, her eyes still trained on Eleanor. "I need to speak to Eleanor alone.""What is this about?" he questioned, seeming confused too."Nothing that concerns you. Leave while I am still being nice." The two siblings engaged in an intense stare o
The bonfire ahead of him sparked with flames into the night and Drakken knew he had gotten to his destination. He had picked up the smell of burning tinder wood before he saw the fire, and heard the voices that sounded distant.There were eight tents in total, Drakken noticed when he neared the campsite, all circling the large bonfire in the middle. The hospital crew that chattered and laughed amongst themselves immediately stopped their activities at the sight of him, some of their mouths agape in surprise.He had never involved himself with the likes of them, let alone show up to their camp activity. This was a first."What are you doing here?" Emma asked what was on everyone's mind, walking up to him. "Did father also tell you to watch over me?""I came here on my own will and it is not to watch over you." He looked around. Eleanor was the only one missing from the crew. "Where is she?""Who?""You know damn well who I am talking about. Where is Eleanor?"Emma shrugged nonchalantly
Drakken and Benjamin both waited for what felt like forever outside the camp tent, pacing back and forth in anticipation of what news Emma might bring. Good or bad as she tended to Eleanor inside the tent. Eleanor had gone overboard with stabbing herself. Although it stopped the fight, they now had bigger issues to worry about.Drakken threw Benjamin a deathly glare. He was not quite finished with him. He thought he was going to lose his mind when he met their lips locked at that stream, and his wolf had taken full charge without restriction. He still heard his wolf growling when Emma finally walked out of the tent, her facial expression very somber."Can I see you for a minute?" she asked Drakken. "In private.""Why? I want to know if she is alright too," Benjamin said and received glares from them."You should feel lucky you are still alive," Drakken growled. "I am not done with you."He walked to the back of the tent with Emma, making sure they were out of everyone's earshot."
Eleanor lost count of the hours she'd spent laying quietly in Drakken's arms. She could lay there forever if given the chance, but Emma came into the tent and cut their moment short. Eleanor pulled away from Drakken when she joined them.Their recent argument back there at the stream made Eleanor avoid eye contact with her. She was grateful to Emma for saving her life and at the same time, the words Emma had said to her were too hurtful to just let it slide."You're awake." She sounded relieved. Emma dropped the herbs she'd picked up in the woods and moved to hug Eleanor, surprising her.Was she going to forget their argument so soon? This reaction wasn't what Eleanor expected, especially from someone like her."Thanks to you," she murmured back in response, slightly wincing in pain. "Don't hug me too tight. It still hurts."Emma withdrew from her. "Sorry. I brought Dandelion herbs to help reduce the pain since I don't have much of my medicines or equipment here. We would have to impr
Emma didn't need to look back to know who it was. She'd recognize her favorite scent anywhere. Warm and floral, like fresh cut flowers. It engulfed her as the person got closer and dropped down beside her.Sophia. Daughter of the shaman in the pack and Emma's mate. No one knew about their relationship but the two of them. They wanted to keep it that way until either of them dared to tell their families. Mostly her father. Emma could predict what his reaction would be. Her mother, on the other hand, was the more reasonable one out of them and she hoped her arrogant brother too. Eleanor had seen them fucking once when she walked in on them that night and promised to keep her lips sealed about it. Emma appreciated her for being discreet with it. She didn't act like it, but Emma was terrified Eleanor might blabber her secret out to someone someday.Time had proved that the human was trustworthy.Emma reached out to intertwine her fingers with Sophia's as they sat in silence, Sophia's hea