ShaneThe next two weeks went by the same way. I woke up weak and my sister fed me. I tried to stay up to converse with her, but would go back under. I would sleep for two, maybe three days before I awake again. Mave tended to my back and made sure that they were cleaned and changed to stop infection from spreading.I wanted desperately to believe that when I woke up I would be ready to leave this place and head towards the place we’d once called home. Healing was unbelievably slow and I could feel Max chomping at the bits. Whatever the whips had been soaked in had slowed our recovery time by a lot. My wounds had begun to heal, they itched at this point, and I knew that was a good sign. The cage around Max had weakened and I knew he was ready to be free, ready to run, and ready to take back what was ours.A little more than three weeks had passed since we’d left. I growled as I paced back and forth in the cave. It was time for us to leave, but Mave insisted that I needed a few more da
ShaneI only had three days, three days until I could make my next move. It was only three days, but why did it feel like an eternity? The days were long and the nights dragged on and on. The cage that had kept Max trapped had been lifted and my body had fully recovered. The raised scars were the only proof of what had happened. Three more days and I would be able to challenge him. My sister saw to it that I had three to four meals a day and I made sure to work it off. This is the only time I had left, as much as I wanted it to fly by in a flash, I made full use of it.On the third night, I was more than ready. My health restored, healthy food in my veins, and the only way forward in front of me I was ready. One last night and we would be off. As soon as the sun rose, we would be on our way. Mave was quiet as she cleaned up and made it look like no one had been in here. She was determined to make sure it look as if no one had been here. The only things that were left in the cave were
ShaneI couldn’t stop thinking about her as we took off. The sun rose over the horizon and I chased it as if she would disappear if I didn’t keep up. I clung to her scent in my memory and smiled at the memory of how her hair was almost translucent under the morning sun. The ghost of her presence haunted my every waking second, her memory a vibrant reminder of what I wanted, who I wanted. No matter what I did, Adealine was on my mind.Maximus’ powerful paws pushed off the ground and propelled us forward. We were running through the forests in the direction we knew was home. It was only a few hours away now and I knew we would get there before noon. If we kept this pace, it was a guarantee. Mave’s legs squeezed tight around me, her fingers gripped my hair tightly as a strong gust of wind pushed against us.The three days that had felt like an eternity had gone by quickly. It was unusual not being apart of a pack. My sister and I were rogues as we rushed back to where we’d been born. The
Shane“Where have you been all this time?” The Warrior repeated. “Ever since m—… ever since the incident with the Alpha’s previous Beta, the two of you disappeared.”“Am I obligated to answer your every question?” I spat.“No, I suppose not. Is the Alpha expecting you?” He asked.“Of course not,” I answered.“I cannot permit you entrance. It is our duty to protect the pack members. I can’t let you loose—”“Trent…” Mave said from behind me.Trent’s blue eyes darted to my sister and I saw a softness there for her, reserved only for her. I didn’t have to look at her to know that the look was reflected in her own. I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone either of us knew. We had been young when we left and before then, we had never been permitted to leave the castle often.Only ranked members were allowed near us and on rare occasion, their children. I had so much hate in my heart that being back and so close to where everything had happened had me on edge. Flashes of my father’s morning “lesso
ShaneAs we made our way past the gates, I took in the large open courtyard where many warriors stood guard, double if not triple the amount of what stood outside. We passed under an archway that had more warriors stationed on top. Just past the archway was a bridge that led to the castle walls.I remember watching as the carriages crossed over the stone bridge. I looked ahead and my gaze locked on the castle walls that led up, up, up. The burning sun shone behind it and cast long shadows along the floor.When we made it over the bridge, there was a small walk toward the castle doors. Tall black doors made of an dark metal stretched up for at least twenty feet. My father’s crest was carved into the stone above the doors; a wolf and a sword.I’d stood here many a time with my father to greet guests. The doors creaked as warriors on the inside pushed it open. I stood beside Trent when they came to a stop. Everything inside the castle looked so much smaller than I remembered.It wasn’t a
Shane“I look forward to seeing the future you create,” Alpha Joshua said.Whatever motivated him to make this decision, whatever made him so willing to lower himself and offer me my birthright as if it were something simple, something small like a cup of water, it mattered not. Too many time has passed and many things had changed since I’d left. Not only here, but with me. I could not take any chances, nor would I be made a fool. He had already declared in front of all of these people that I was the next heir.I was the Alpha.He admitted defeat.I take one last step forward and it brings me right in front of him. We’re face to face now. I extend my claws and in the next breath, I slice his throat open. Their are shouts of anguish, gasps of shock, and the dropping of women’s bodies as they faint. His eyes widen as blood spurted and splattered across my face. He releases the crown and it drops to the floor with a thud. He blinks and makes a gurgling sound as his hands come up to his t
Shane“Please, forgive my boldness, Alpha,” an elder man stepped forward. He wore a gown that fell to his feet and had white hair that peppered the top of his head. I didn’t have to hear him to know what he wished to speak on.“I refuse to have my sister be questioned on her ability just because of her sex,” I said.“Yes, Alpha, I understand. As I said, please forgive my boldness, but woman do not hold ranks. There isn’t a pack around that does this. Women can only hold two titles, one of which your sister already holds; Luna and Heir,” the old man said.“I am aware of this,” I said.“There is no logic to it. A woman cannot hold rank,” the old man said.“Do you defy me? Do you question my choice?” I asked as I dropped.“No, Alpha, I wouldn’t dare. Please understand that this will cause friction within the pack,” the old man said.“Noted, Old Man. My sister shares my blood and despite the thoughts of those beneath her, that’s what they are. Beneath her. Next to me, she holds the most p
ShaneThe new few hours consisted of reviewing the offerings from the Lord’s in attendance and assuring them they would be compensated for it. I always thought about claiming my birthright, but I never thought of what kind of Alpha I wanted to be. I demanded loyalty and obedience, but I didn’t want the people to think they had to pay me in order to be safe in their homes. That didn’t sit right with me.Had I just killed my father in cold blood?Yes. Had I just killed his ranked leaders as they mourned over him?Yes.Would killing other ranked members give me pause?No.They were men who were in charge over the territory and pack members.They worked under me and carried out my orders.The men who held those stations… must be loyal.Even though I was determined to rule with an iron fist… I didn’t want my people to fear for their safety.“Is there anything my brother needs for the Alpha’s Table?” Beta Mave asked, cutting through my thoughts.Good question.“The other times the Alpha has