A jolt of pain struck the back of Ivorie's head as soon as she regained consciousness. A low groan escaped her lips as she tried to concentrate on chasing away the pain.Her eyes soon parted slowly, squinting at the load of sudden light that fell into her eyes.Her eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings. She couldn't remember what had happened before she blacked out. The first person her eyes landed on was Shaerah who was standing close to her.“Shaerah what…”“It's okay, Luna, you should still relax.” The head healer said, motioning for Ivorie to relax.“What happened?” Immediately Ivorie asked that question, her memories began to rain in. She remembered how she got to the infirmary and what brought her there. She remembered how she lost consciousness also.“Where's Estan?” She asked as her gaze swept around only for her to see a bunch of people standing silently by the door.She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “What is going on?” She asked softly.A sense of cautiousness
“Luna?” Shaerah called Ivorie but the latter didn't hear her. She was lost in her own thoughts. Her jaw rested on her fists as the thought of her unexpected pregnancy filled her mind.It was only at that moment that she realised that neither herself nor Regan had taken prevention herbs before their sexual escapades. Apparently, they had been so lost in the bliss of the act to even think of any consequences.Consequences? It shouldn't be a consequence. Having a child, a male child, should be great news to her. A new source of happiness for her. She had conceived an heir for the Alpha of the pack. The future Alpha was lying in her womb. Yet, she still felt this hollow feeling in her gut.“Luna.” Shaerah called for the umpteenth time in a louder voice, successfully bringing Ivorie out of her thoughts.“Forgive me, Luna. Are you certain you are fine?” Shaerah asked in a tone of concern.Ivorie feigned a smile before nodding, “Of course.” She muttered.Shaerah sighed, she had tried her bes
‘Brennan, help!’ she mindlinked her guard.The door banged open and Brennan came rushing in. Having heard his Luna's agitated tone, he was on high alert.“Luna, what is wrong?” He asked.Ivorie couldn't utter a word, she only pointed her finger at the balcony, her heart palpitating against her ribcage.Brennan didn't waste time. He went towards the balcony, tearing the doors apart to check it out.He spotted the arrow on the wall instantly and squinted his eyes. He gritted his teeth then turned his gaze downstairs, where he speculated the arrow came from.There was no one there. This got him more angry and his hands balled up into fists.‘The Luna was attacked, the culprit might still be around. Check the castle grounds immediately!’ Brennan immediately mindlinked another guard.‘Yes, captain!’ the guard answered back.Brennan went back to Ivorie's room. She was on her bed, her legs folded up to her chest as her heart was still threatening to burst out of her chest.“Luna, it's okay.
“Nick,” Kiya called as she walked out of the closet of the room given to them by Alpha Johan in his castle.“How do I look in this dress?” She asked as she held the hem of her red lacy flare gown and twirled around.Nick eyes scanned her from top to bottom, his eyes obvious with disinterest and disgust. But he feigned a short smile before looking away.“It's glamorous, isn't it?” She asked, still busy admiring the dress. “It's certain that Moonbeam pack harbours the best dressmakers around.” She muttered.Her gaze turned to Nick, whose gaze wasn't upon her like she had thought. A sigh escaped her lips, realising that she was doing it again – actively deviating her attention from their sole purpose of being here.“Nick…” she walked over to her lover and sat next to him. “What did Alpha Johan discuss with you about the previous day?” She asked in a soft tone, placing her hand on his shoulder.“I had presumed you had no concern about those matters. What has changed now?” Nick asked witho
Five days later…“You need to know that, as a shifter, you only have six months till you deliver this child.” Shaerah said.“I'm aware of that.” Ivorie shot back in a slightly irritated tone.“Very well. Now, let me check your abdomen, Luna.” Shaerah muttered as she placed her healing tools on a table at her side.Ivorie, who was seated opposite her, put on a quizzical expression. She hadn't thought checking of abdomens would be among her pregnancy treatments.“Don't worry, Luna. I just want to sense the baby.” Shaerah gave her a sense of assurance.Ivorie heaved a sigh before rolling her dress up to the bottom of her breasts, revealing her bare torso.Shaerah placed a hand on it gently before shutting her eyes in concentration. She was a shifter so her inhuman hearing was intact, making her hear the little heartbeats of the foetus within Ivorie.The Luna heard it too. She shut her eyes as the heartbeat echoed in her ears lightly. Her lips curled up into a small smile. Her own child.
Smooching sounds rented the air as Regan and Ivorie were locked in a frantic kissing and caressing session. They had both rushed away from the courtroom into Regan's chamber, even leaving the door slightly ajar.They cared less as their minds were only filled with the irresistible need to satisfy each other. All the sexual build up they had both pent up inside them for their weeks apart seemed to suddenly burst open now. They need each other.Regan's frantic kisses went lower to Ivorie's neck, tickling her. She giggled as she tried to push him off vainly.“Do not deprive me of what I own!” He growled throatily, not taking his face off her neck.“I…am not, I just…I need to tell you something…really important…” ivorie said through sharp breaths and low gasps as a result of Regan's mouth assault on her.“You can tell me after we are done.” He growled in protest. He refused to allow anything to get in his way of having his mate now. He had been waiting weeks for that, fighting his heads o
Nick entered his chamber that bright afternoon, meeting Kiya lying on the bed. He heaved a sigh and settled on a chair.Kiya noticed him walking in and sat up. “And?” She asked. “What is the latest on our plot?” She asked.Without turning around, Nick answered by telling her about what he and Alpha Johan had been doing for the past five days – about the Alpha's that Alpha Johan had joined hands with to go against Regan. He told her about their promise to revoke their alliances with Cresthowl pack.“But how will that help us?” She asked, sliding off the bed and sitting on the edge.Nick heaved a sigh before relying, “Alpha Johan believes that using a political weapon against Regan will aid us greatly. So he wants to weaken his toes politically and leave him alone and powerless.”“But you're forgetting one thing,” Kiya said, “Alpha Regan is never powerless. There is a reason he is known as the Dreaded Warlord, Nick.”.“So what would you have me do? I don't know about you but that seems
Regan sat silently at the entrance of a garden, lost in his own thoughts. Thoughts about the messengers that were brought dead filled his mind. He wondered greatly why the Alphas would have done that and what level of boldness they possessed to even think of doing that at all.He didn't know what to feel. Rage, for losing his men or pain and sadness, for the same reason.‘Those Alphas should be vanquished for doing such vile thing!’ Boris growled within his mind, sending a wave of rage through him. Regan took in a deep breath to suppress the emotion. He didn't wish to be angry just yet.‘Sometimes I just wonder how many lives have been lost while following my orders.’ he thought.‘It is not your fault, don't make it sound like it is.’ Boris snarled at him.Just then, he heard footsteps behind him and his nerve ticked.“I believe I made myself clear when I said no one should…” he had turned around to see Ivorie walking towards him before he completed his statement.His emotions lighte
The throne room was filled with a heavy sense of calmness. Regan and Ivorie were seated on their thrones, their demeanor calm and collected. They looked out upon the massive gathering of the pack Elders and Alphas from the allied packs. Decorum reigned amongst them as they had their gazes on the criminals at the center of the throne room.Alpha Johan, Beta Jordan, Nick, and Kiya knelt, their heads lowered in utter shame. They awaited their judgements.“Elder Callen, begin the procession.” Regan instructed in a strong voice.Elder Callen stepped forward and bowed to Regan and Ivorie before clearing his throat."Johan Kanin, Jordan Volkov, Nicholas Jenn, and Kiyalera Sven, you have been found guilty of the following; treachery, multiple murders, massacre of warriors, abduction, and attempted usurpation. These are heinous crimes and according to the law of Cresthowl pack, your punishment will be death."The room fell silent, except for the sound of Kiya suddenly bursting into tears. Whi
Regan and Blood Grove crashed into the nearby bush, their bodies entwined as they skidded across the dry underbrush. A thick tree was what stopped Regan from rolling.Blood Grove was the first to regain his footing. A sly grin spread across his face as he faced Regan."Alpha Regan, it's such an honor to finally meet you officially," Blood Grove said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.Regan stood up and swatted dust off his body.His eyes narrowed on Blood Grove, his jaw clenched in rage.“I wouldn't say the same for me. You have been a thorn at my side for far too long, assassin. Because of you, many innocent lives were lost, including that of my Beta.” Regan seethed and his hands fisted. His desire to fight burned through his veins."I was simply following orders, Alpha. But I'm sure you cannot understand, since you’re a ruler.” Blood Grove said with hatred.“I’ll kill you, for taking my son!” Regan shot, his eyes flickering red and blue.Blood Grove chuckled, his eyes glinting with a
The courtroom hummed with several voices. Ivorie sat at the end of the long table, silently watching the Elders engage in heated argument amongst themselves. Although it was not a pleasant thing, it took her mind off the worry of her baby."Luna, we understand that you've been grieving the kidnapping of your baby for days, as expected," one of the Elders said, his voice gentle but firm. "But I believe it is time we received more information concerning our Alpha's betrayal. We need to know what happened, and why Regan would betray the pack in such a way."The rest of the elders nodded in agreement.“And most importantly, why would he want his own newly birthed son kidnapped?” Another Elder added. Everyone went mute, awaiting Ivorie's response.Ivorie's eyes darted nervously around the room. It felt like a heavy weight had been placed upon her with the Elders’ intense attention on her.She knew that she had to tread carefully, to avoid revealing the plan that she and Elder Callen had e
Ivorie paced to and fro in her chamber, her mind reeling with thoughts of her baby. It had been two days since she had sent Jenna out to find him, and yet there was no update. The thought of that alone made her shiver occasionally.No word from Nick, no message from Jenna. The silence was horrifying, and Ivorie's anxiety was growing by each passing hour.She went to the fireplace, pacing back and forth in front of it with her hands clasped together in a futile attempt to calm her racing thoughts. ‘What if Jenna has betrayed me? What if she has used the opportunity given to her to gain her freedom without the need to help me?’‘What if Nick has harmed my baby? Oh goddess! Please help me!’ Ivorie's heart beat in accordance with thoughts in her mind. She covered her face with her palms, sobbing silently Just as she was starting to lose hope, the door of the room was thrown open. Ivorie raised her head and saw her mother walking in, a look of genuine concern etched on her face. "Ivori
The streets of Cresthowl had become totally different from what she remembered. She was used to a quiet and deserted night but tonight, the streets were reeking with a lot of people. And not just regular pack members, warriors also. The pack Watchmen and even guards were roaming and patrolling every corner of the pack.It made her wonder what in the name of the Moon goddess happened in the past year.It took her great knowledge of every nook and cranny of the pack streets to evade the warriors. She had grown up in the streets of the pack and she knew it like the back of her hands.Finally, she arrived at a lonely alley, near a very busy market. There were no warriors there.Her eyes were on a particular woman in the market. Black short hair and a skinny build. She was only going about her market scouring but Jenna had other plans for her.When the woman was done in the market, she headed through another alley adjacent to the one Jenna was in. She followed her.She paced after the woma
The darkness of the dungeon seemed to press in on Jenna from all sides, the cold stone walls and damp air a constant reminder of her captivity. She had been in there for about a year now, if her counting of sunrises through the small gap above her were accurate. One year of captivity in this wretched dungeon. An entire year of living in an unfavourable condition, consuming unhealthy food and breathing pungent air.She had begged the guards multiple times to clean the other corner of the cell where decayed human dung lied for a long time. She had learnt to live with it overtime.She sat in a corner, busy playing with a small stone. In this place, that was about the most interesting thing she could do.But she knew all these conditions she found herself in, were caused by her. She brought it upon herself. She blamed herself for going against the Luna of her pack. Especially when the Alpha himself had never taken a liking in her from the onset. She had made a grave mistake and she was
“I have given you milk, I bought some cookies for you from the market, risking my own safety. I even tried to sing you a song. But you keep crying!” Kiya wailed as she sat opposite Ashken in a small ramshackle hut.They had decided to remain in Cresthowl pack for the time being. As they believed that Ivorie would do their bidding because her baby's life was at stake.Although with Kiya's experience with Ashken, she feared she’d have to end his life sooner than planned.Kiya's eyes were fixed on the baby, whose loud cries filled the entire hut. Kiya's hands trembled, her veins coursing with rage. She glared at the child intently, her mind racing with many homicidal thoughts.Her killing intent reached its peak when she sprang to her feet. But fortunately, the door of the hut was opened.Her attention moved to Nick as he walked in. Any second later and she would have done something she would regret greatly.“What's all that dreadful noise?” Nick asked with a frown.Kiya walked over to
“...may not be back anytime soon. And if I don't return at all, please do right by your Luna. She is the perfect woman for you, your life changer. You may not see it, but she has brought a new light into your life. Believe it when your Beta says it. Believe it when your best friend says it.”Regan sighed as he read the last letter he got from Estan. His hands became heavy with great despair, almost clouding his very soul. He dropped the letter on the table before him as his eyes stung with tears.He raised his head, shaking his head and refusing to shed tears.‘Get a damned grip on yourself! You're the Alpha!’ Boris scolded harshly within him.Regan controlled his breath, but it was hard. He had lost his Beta, his friend. Not only Estan, but Brennan also. They both were his friends although he didn't acknowledge one until his death and that guilt was eating him up from within.Rapid footsteps invaded the room he was in and he quickly put on a stoic face, shrouding his sad expression.
His feet crushed the dried undergrowth of the thick forest in the outskirts of Crescent Moon pack. His feet carried him as fast as they could, but even with the speed, he was still as stealth as ever. It was as though he was running on the air and not on land. He practically appeared like a blur under the dim moonlight.He glanced around frantically multiple times, hoping no one was tailing him. Until he arrived at a particular cave surrounded by thick and tall trees. He looked back once more, making sure he was alone there before walking into the cave.As he entered the small cave, Kiya looked up, worry etched on her face. "Nicholas!” She exclaimed as she sprang up to her feet. “Goddess, I was extremely worried about you," she said in relief, rushing to his side.Nick cracked a smile at the corner of his lips, embracing her. "I'm fine, my love. I just had a close call with Regan's warriors."“Oh goddess, are you okay?” Kiya asked, checking Nick out for any form of wounds.“I'm fine,