Surprisingly, even to Ivorie, no one, including the guards, stopped her as she walked stealthily through the corridors and alleys.She didn't take that as an advantage and still kept her stealth, walking along the walls like she could blend with it.There was a handful of courage in her that evening, one she didn't possess before. It was what made her bold enough to leave the safety of her castle.Getting out of the castle walls was easy, but as soon as she stepped into the compound, she realised it wouldn't be easy to get past the gates with all the guards stationed there.Still, she strode calmly towards them. At first, it seemed none of them were going to stop her and just let her walk past. But beneath her veil, she could see a particular tall guard eyeing her with the corners of his eye. His eyes darted on and off her like he was trying to decide if he should stop her or not. Ivorie hoped not.But to her disadvantage, “Hey, stop,” the guard called, waving his hand at her.She cur
“Those people can be very cruel at times,” the man who had rescued her from the steak seller said while they both walked along a narrow alley.Ivorie didn't say anything in response. Only nodding and humming to his words. She didn't know his name and although she knew she shouldn't be following him, the fact that he had just saved her made her to.“By the way, my lady, what do I call you?” He asked suddenly, forcing Ivorie to open her mouth finally.But she closed it quickly. She couldn't mention her real name, she mustn't. Especially if she hoped to head back to the castle in one piece. The attempted assault back at the castle was still fresh in her memory and she wouldn't allow it to repeat itself. Not in this open area.“I…you can call me Lena.” She answered after a prolonged silence, hoping it sounded real enough.Fortunately, the man didn't shoot her a perplexed look.“Well, Lena, my name is Otto. I work at Raven bank.” He introduced himself.Raven bank was one of the four banks
Ivorie struggled with her assailant’s tight grip but to no avail. They were too strong and no amount of thrashing and yanking she did was enough to break them.Her vision was suddenly covered, bringing her to total darkness as something was wrapped over her head. Before she knew it, she felt herself being lifted off the ground.As the hand was removed from her face during this time, she had time to scream. “Help! Let go of me! How dare you lay your filthy…” but strong hands quickly wrapped around her lips again, muffling her screams.Her legs were held together and so were her arms. It was obviously two people kidnapping her.Her heart banged against her ribcage in a frenzied mode, threatening to burst her bones open. She was fear ridden, many terrible thoughts raced through her mind at the repercussions of sneaking out of the castle alone.Tears began to fall from her eyes. Was this how she was going to die? Was this the end for her? All the hopes for a better future for her were go
“Are you okay?” He rasped, his eyes searching hers in desperation. Ivorie stared back at him. She was amazed by his care and concern, by his agitation and panic over her safety. Somehow, it filled her heart with warmth.Clearing her throat, “I’m fine,” she answered, also checking herself to see if she sustained any injuries.“Good.” Regan remarked before glancing around. Ivorie's gaze followed him, from the corridor, she saw Estan standing before the now unconscious men.Ivorie's eyes swept around the room, taking in all the unconscious bodies of her kidnappers. It irked her that her husband and his beta were responsible for this. And it was all for her.She was jolted back to the present by Regan shaking her.“Let's go home.” He muttered, the corner of his lips raising into a real actual smile. Ivorie couldn't help but to smile back.She nodded. Regan pulled her up. Unexpectedly, he scooped her up, carrying her in a bridal style. She instinctively clung to him, heat rising on her che
Rays of sunlight fell through the drape openings of her room. Ivorie squinted her eyes as she yawned, stretching like a lazy cat.She opened her eyes slowly, squinting it as the bright rays flashed into her eyes, almost blinding her. She had totally forgotten to shut the drapes before she slept.She had been so tired to do that. Being kidnapped wasn't a child's play.Although her body still ached minimally from last night, she managed to sit up. A groan escaped her mouth as she rubbed her upper thigh, which had cracked a little when those kidnappers threw her on the ground.Looking at the sun through the parted drapes, she knew it was already late in the morning. She had to get up, whether she liked it or not.She forced herself out of bed, limping towards the egress window. Instead of shutting the drapes like she had intended to, she decided to walk out to the balcony.Warm breeze greeted her skin as she stepped on the smooth concrete floor. She held the railings and watched her gard
“Hello, Luna.” Jenna greeted with a sly smile. Ivorie's breath caught in her throat for a moment, shock still evident in her expression.Composing herself, she faced Grace. “Have my breakfast prepared, I'll dress up myself.” She said smoothly.Grace who opened her mouth to speak closed it instead, bowed and left.Folding her arms over her chest and turning her attention back to Jenna, she smiled. She used the smile to cover her shock and nervousness.“So, how can I help you, Duchess?” She asked in a tone she hoped was confident enough.A smirk tugged Jenna's lips, “Well, nothing much Luna. I just wanted to check up on you since I heard you were…kidnapped the night before.” She said.“Well, thank you then, although I wonder why you weren't amongst those who came to my bedroom last night when I just returned.” She said, clicking her tongue like she was in thought.“I…I had other things doing before you returned Luna, I would have been here if I could.” she defended herself.Ivorie humme
The loud sound of a gong echoed in the castle, causing sleeping Ivorie to roll and groan on her bed.The unfriendly sound had successfully jolted her out of her sleep, but she still tried to get some more.Suddenly, she remembered what she had to do today and she sat up slowly. Rubbing her eyes, she stood up from the bed and opened the drapes. First thing she did every morning.As she gazed out at the castle compound, thoughts of the day before, when the kidnappers had been questioned flooded her mind.‘Who would've thought?’ she mused thoughtfully.“What?” Regan had asked, obviously confused. Even the kidnappers had looks of apprehension and shock on their faces.“Yes, I saw her heading to the direction of where I was taken to, when we were coming back to the castle.” She had attested, looking defiantly at Regan.She remembered how Regan had looked straight into her eyes and asked her if she was sure of what she was saying. And how she had nodded defiantly.Regan had Jenna summoned f
Her finger was still pointed to the particular brown haired warrior at the back of the line. Estan's gaze travelled to him before narrowing at him.Turning his attention to Ivorie, “Luna…” he drawled, “he…he is but a newly recruited warrior.” He said, his voice laced with concern.Ivorie arched her brows at him, “And?”“And um…well,” he faced the warrior, “he may have proven himself to be a formidable warrior among his peers but he is still very new.” He said.Ivorie shrugged. “I don't see why he shouldn't be chosen still, perhaps the newly recruited ones have the strongest wit.” She stated.“Luna, I don't know him like the others. His integrity might be questionable.” Estan stated, turning his whole body to face her.A smirk tugged Ivorie's lips as she also turned to face the Beta.“And what makes you think these ones’ integrity isn't questionable?” She asked, gesturing to the warriors he had called forward.Estan raised his brow, his jaw clenching. He had no idea that the Luna was s
Meanwhile, Ivorie was in her chamber, fiddling with the old parchment she had stolen from Elder Sherman's chamber back in Blackwood pack.She went through the content again, still finding it difficult to grapple with the truth that it held.‘Is this real?’ She thought.‘You’re holding the parchment in your hands.’ Maia’s smug tone filled her mind. Ivorie was sure she was rolling her eyes but she ignored her.‘Do you think I should tell him?’ She asked Maia.‘It’s your choice to make, Ivorie. If you really want to live the rest of your life as Alpha Clawn's sister, then tell him.’ Maia replied.Ivorie sighed, her shoulders slumping. She shifted her position as she felt slightly uncomfortable in her lower belly. Her baby was always stirring.She contemplated the difficult decision further.‘Maybe I should tell Regan, instead. He’ll know what to do. Or perhaps we'll be able to come up with a solution together.’ She thought.She looked up, determined. “Yes, that's what I'll do.” She decla
The golden rays of the sun upon the pack shrine illuminated the solemn faces of the gathered pack members. Five days have passed since Estan's tragic demise. Five days of absolute pain for his loved ones. Especially Regan. The Alpha hadn't just lost his Beta and most trusted advisor. He lost a friend, a brother. And the thought of that weighed on him for days.The burial ritual for Estan had begun, and the air was thick with grief. Regan, his eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep, stood at the forefront, where the priests were lined up and chanting. His jaw clenched in a mix of despair and rage.Soon, the priests were done chanting and one by one, members of the royal family and Estan’s own extended family, moved forward to the wooden platform his body was tied to.One by one, they poured handfuls of red sand on his lifeless body. Some wailed, some simply couldn't utter a word.Regan moved forward after Ivorie, he was last to pour his sand. He stared longingly at his lost friend. Memori
“Estan?” Regan muttered in a soft tone, etched with shock. His eyes widened in shock as Estan and Ivorie stood before him, their faces etched with exhaustion and worry. With the dirt that enveloped their bodies, it was apparent that their journey had been rough.“Regan…” Ivorie sighed as she ran to her mate, throwing her arms over his shoulders. She pulled him into a tight embrace, snuggling closer into his warmness.Goddess knew how she had missed his touch.“Wha…how is this possible? I…I thought…” Regan stuttered, trying to maintain his emotions between the exhilarating joy of having his mate in his embrace and the genuine shock of seeing his supposedly comatose Beta right before him.He sighed and submitted to the sparks that Ivorie's touch sent through his veins. He cuddled her and sniffed her white hair. Although it smelt like wet leaves and mud, he could still find her intoxicating lavender scent in there.He finally pulled away from her and asked with a quizzical look. “What
“Let them through.” Regan ordered the guards that were questioning a coachman at the castle gates. He already knew who it was -a witch. Not just any witch, but one of the special ones he had requested from every pack that was allied with him.‘Alpha. That's the witch from Moonbeam pack. The twelfth witch that has arrived.’ A guard informed him through his mindlink and Regan nodded.‘That leaves just one more Pack to send its witch.’ he responded.‘Its Blackwood pack, Alpha.’ The guard informed.Regan sighed and turned around, heading back into the castle. He went to the hall where Alpha Clawn and a few other Alpha's were discussing casually. The rest of them were in their chambers, patiently waiting for the witches.Regan had told them to remain in his castle until the witch has been located and their actual enemy has been discovered.“What is it?” Clawn asked as he followed Regan out of the hall.“The witches. They're all here except for your pack’s.” Regan informed.Clawn's eyes nar
It was night, the moon hidden behind the blanket of clouds in the sky. The entire pack seemed as silent as a graveyard as no sound was heard. Even the animals in the forest were silent -no chirping, howling or barking. Just silent. A deafening silence.Ivorie sat on a chair in the small cottage that served as her temporary home. Her eyes were shut but she wasn't asleep. The night air clung to her skin like a damp shroud as many thoughts raced through her troubled mind. It was truly a hard day for the white haired Luna.“Luna,” Estan's husky voice called from across the room, shattering the silence that cloaked them. She looked up to face him.“It's time to go back to our home.” He said. “It's time to head back to Cresthowl.” He added with a straight face.Ivorie sighed heavily as she sat upright. “Estan…I know you want to get me somewhere safe in time and I appreciate that. But you have to understand that we can't just leave.” She said.“No, Luna, we have…” Estan began but Ivorie cut
''Careful at the entrance, Luna.'' Estan cautioned Ivorie as she neared the entrance of the small thatched roof cottage.''I'm pregnant, Estan. Not blind.'' Ivorie retorted as she pushed the weak door open, the hinges creaked irritably.-evidence that they were entering a very old house.Before they arrived here, Estan had gone to a peasant pack member to request for a place to crash. Obviously, the Beta had friends all around this pack. She should have, however, expected something of this caliber.Ivorie turned around to face Estan as he also walked in. She sighed, ''And I know you are only caring for me.'' She remarked softly. She took Estan's hands in hers, ''Thank you so much for your help.'' She appreciated genuinely.Estan simply nodded with a warm smile.While Ivorie settled down, Estan went to a corner in the shabby cottage and took an empty cup, then he went out of the cottage. After a few minutes, he came back in and handed Ivorie the already filled cup.The Luna collected
Her lungs gave in, throwing out shallow breaths out of her. Her heart beat at an unimaginable rate and with each step she took, it felt like it would pop out of her mouth any second.Ivorie glanced around as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Her lower belly ache excruciatingly, but that was the least of her problems. According to Estan, she ran still.“Luna Ivorie!” She gasped out of extreme fright. Even the mention of her own name was terrifying to her now. But it was just a guard.“Get to your chamber, Luna. We’ll take care of the intruders!” The guard instructed.Ivorie could barely utter any words so she simply nodded and kept on running.As she went nearer to her chamber, she saw more guards running back to where she was coming from.Why did it seem like the entire castle guards were ‘taking care’ of Nick and Kiya?“Ahhh!” Ivorie let out a heavy gasp as she arrived at her chamber. She rested on the door to catch her breath. All the pain she had ignored seemed to return
Ivorie stared blankly at the old parchment in her hands. The parchment that held the greatest secret in the entire pack that she was dwelling in. The parchment that held the secret to her true family.What will she do with it?She gulped hard, feeling the room getting stuffier. Sweat drops tickled down her face onto her chest. Her dress was getting soaked.“Alpha Clawn is my brother.” She muttered, the words heavy in her mouth.It felt so unreal, so unbelievable.She read the contents of the old parchment again just to confirm what she had read before. But the words remained the same.Her mother was Clawn's mother. Or is, to be precise. So her father wasn't actually Alpha Johan.‘I think that explains why he has always been so hard on me.’ she thought as she remained rooted to the spot, taking her time to gather her thoughts.‘He has?’ Maia asked.She had arrived late and thus, unaware of all of her host's life before her emergence.‘Right from childhood, he has always treated me like
“That’ll be okay. Leave him there.” Liliana’s voice echoed through the thick walls of the dimly lit dungeon of Moonbeam Pack castle. The guards with her dropped Estan in a harsh manner, grunting as they marched out and left them both alone.Estan, who was still strapped to the chair, raised his face and shot Liliana a glare.“You're a traitor! After Alpha Regan brought you out of your peasant life, he gave you shelter and clothing. And this is how you repay him!”He spat with utter disdain.“He was also the one that killed my family!” Liliana shot back at him. Her eyes flared at him.Estan was visibly taken aback by her words and stared at her plainly.“During those years of his incessant wars and conquests, he didn't think about us peasants. He didn't care which innocent soul got in the way of conquering his so-called enemies. He just fought and killed.” She expressed heavily, her voice dripping with pain.Estan remained speechless but had a look of pity.“Aiding his enemies won't bri