~Otsana I stared at him, puzzled by his strange response. His voice had carried an unsettling tone, and I was unsure how to react. Suddenly, he burst into laughter, shaking me from my confusion. Seeing his amusement, I couldn’t help but laugh along, though I was still bewildered by his behavior. “You should have seen your face,” he chuckled. “You looked like I was about to eat you or something. Seriously, calm down. I don't have time for all this drama.” With that, he dropped the bow and arrow and walked away, leaving Kate and me exchanging puzzled glances. His odd behavior was starting to get on my nerves, and I wondered how long he’d be around. “Such a weirdo,” I muttered under my breath, returning to my practice as I tried to shake off the strange encounter. “You're getting better at this,” a familiar voice said, causing me to turn and see Ralph walking toward us with his hands tucked into his pockets. Oh no! Was he going to punish me for practicing archery? He had no idea I’
~ Ralph I felt a surge of anger building up inside me as I watched her intently. She was staring at him while he cooked, and a familiar sense of irritation took hold. I didn’t like the way they were looking at each other, nor did I appreciate the way she smiled at him. The sight of her expression only fueled my anger. “So, you really like this, huh? A man who can cook for you and do things that you enjoy?” I asked sharply. She turned to me, confusion evident on her face. “I don’t mean it like that,” she said quickly. “I just think it’s nice that he can do things on his own and isn’t just waiting around for someone else to do them for him.” “So you think the others can’t do things for themselves?” I interrupted, not giving her a chance to finish. She tried to clarify, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen. Instead, I grabbed an apron and tied it around myself, ready to jump into the situation. “Let me show you what a real man can do in the kitchen,” I said with determination. She loo
Otsana "You absolutely have to teach me how to make this dish! I need to know the recipe because it tastes just incredible," I exclaimed, savoring every single bite as the flavors danced on my tongue. Alec chuckled softly, watching me with a look of amusement in his eyes as I devoured the meal with enthusiasm. His gaze lingered on me longer than I expected, and I suddenly felt a bit self-conscious. Was I eating too fast? Did I have something on my face? Or maybe I was doing something wrong that I hadn’t noticed? "Is everything okay?" I asked, unable to hide the growing unease I felt under his steady, almost intense, stare. He shook his head slightly and smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'm just... fascinated, I suppose. It's not often I see someone enjoying my cooking this much." I couldn't help but laugh, finding it hard to believe that anyone wouldn't appreciate his culinary skills. "You must be joking! This is absolutely amazing," I said, my voice filled with genuine admiration.
~Ralph At that moment, I felt completely lost. The weight of everything that was happening was pressing down on me, threatening to crush me under its sheer force. The situation was spiraling out of control, and despite all the power I wielded as the alpha, I felt helpless. There was only one person I could think of who might be able to help, and the thought of relying on him made my stomach turn. Alec, with that insufferable grin plastered across his face, sat down across from me. It was as if he was enjoying my misery, relishing the fact that I was now the one coming to him. The smug look in his eyes made me want to rip him apart, but I couldn’t afford to let my emotions get the better of me. I had to play this carefully. “What’s up?” he asked casually, as if we were old friends catching up over drinks instead of facing a life-and-death crisis. His nonchalance only fueled my anger, but I forced myself to remain calm. Losing my temper wouldn’t do me any good right now. I glanced ov
~Otsana "A day into the Rogue attack" I felt my heart racing as I ran through the forest, with Kate by my side. The sounds of battle echoed around us as the rogues attacked our pack. I could hear the snarls and growls of the enemy wolves, their vicious attacks on my fellow pack members. I knew I had to find somewhere to hide, but where? Every direction I turned seemed to lead to danger. I looked at Kate, her eyes wide with fear. "We have to find somewhere to hide," I whispered, my voice shaking. "They're everywhere." We ran deeper into the forest, branches and leaves scratching at our faces as we tried to escape the chaos. The sounds of battle grew more distant, but I knew the rogues were still close. Suddenly, I heard the rustling of leaves behind us. I spun around, my heart in my throat. There, standing just a few feet away, was a rogue wolf, its fur matted with blood. I let out a scream and stumbled backward, tripping over a root. As I fell, I caught a glimpse of the rogue lun
~Ralph The tunnel was darker and more foreboding than I had ever imagined. Shadows seemed to swallow the dim light from the flickering torch I held, leaving everything else in a thick, oppressive blackness. Each step echoed ominously against the damp walls, a constant reminder that danger could be lurking in any corner. I was thankful I had brought Callan with me—his presence behind me provided a small comfort in this eerie place. He had stayed close throughout our journey, silent but steadfast. There was no other light but our torch, no sound but our breathing and the distant, unsettling whispers that seemed to come from the walls themselves. The uncertainty of time gnawed at me; I couldn’t tell whether it was day or night anymore. The darkness in the tunnel was all-consuming, leaving me disoriented. "Alpha," Callan's voice broke the silence. I turned to face him, curiosity mixed with a hint of irritation. "What is it, Callan? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of backing out now," I s
~Otsana I gazed up at the faint sliver of sunlight that pierced through the small peephole in my dungeon. It was a cruel reminder of the world outside, a world I hadn’t seen for nearly three days. My throat burned with thirst, and my stomach twisted painfully with hunger. It felt like an eternity since I had tasted food or water, and my strength was rapidly fading. Cabin, the man who held me hostage, was a monster. That much I knew for certain. The mere thought of him filled me with a deep, seething hatred. He was the kind of man I couldn’t stand to be around for even a second. The resentment I harbored for him was overwhelming, and it only grew with each passing hour in this miserable place. Suddenly, the heavy door to the dungeon creaked open, and I squinted against the sudden influx of light. My heart skipped a beat when I saw who stood in the doorway. It was Callan and Jasper. Relief surged through me at the sight of them, but a pang of disappointment followed when I realized R
~Otsana It's been two days since Ralph returned, and I couldn’t shake the persistent urge to check on him. I didn’t exactly know why. It wasn’t like he cared about my sympathy or would even acknowledge it, but the need lingered. Maybe it was my subconscious trying to connect with him in a way that defied logic. Regardless, I found myself standing outside his office, heart racing. The thought of entering his office made my nerves jangle. I wasn’t sure what kind of reaction I’d get from him. Would he be cold? Dismissive? Or worse, angry? Still, I couldn’t seem to let it go. I had already brewed him a cup of coffee, something simple, yet it felt like an offering, a peace gesture that I wasn't even sure he would appreciate. I took a deep breath, then another, gathering my strength before knocking on the door. When the door finally opened, my anticipation plummeted. It wasn’t Ralph who answered, but Callan. He stood there with a welcoming smile, his presence immediately putting me somew
~OtsanaTWO YEARS LATERThe sound of laughter echoed through the large packhouse as my twin boys darted past me, their tiny legs carrying them with surprising speed. They had inherited Ralph’s boundless energy and my mischievous spirit, a combination that kept the entire house on its toes. I leaned against the doorframe, a soft smile tugging at my lips as I watched Ralph chase after them, his deep laughter filling the space.“Gotcha!” Ralph exclaimed, scooping one of the boys up in his arms while the other giggled and tried to hide behind the couch. “Daddy’s too slow!” shouted Liam, the braver of the two, sticking his tongue out before Ralph mock-growled and lunged for him, sending him into fits of laughter.Life had changed so much in these past two years. Ralph’s curse had been broken the moment he marked me as his mate. The dark cloud that had once loomed over him dissipated, leaving behind a man who was capable of love, laughter, and boundless devotion. Together, we rebuilt what
~RalphThe hospital room was too quiet, save for the faint hum of the machines monitoring Otsana. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest as I paced the length of the room. We needed to leave before Noah arrived. Every second wasted was a chance for him to track us down. I turned to Otsana, her pale face pulling at something deep inside me. “Come on, Otsana,” I said gently, touching her shoulder. “We need to go now.” She blinked at me, clearly exhausted, but she nodded weakly. I helped her sit up, her body frail and unsteady. She was strong—too strong—but even she couldn’t fight against the poison wreaking havoc inside her. “Ralph, hurry up!” Jasper hissed from the doorway, his eyes darting down the hallway. “We don’t have time for this!” I ignored him, focusing on Otsana. Her breathing was shallow, and just as I was about to help her stand, her body jerked violently. “Otsana?” I froze, watching in horror as she started convulsing. Her head snapped back, her
~NoahThe trembling maid stood before me, her knees almost buckling under the weight of her guilt. She couldn’t even meet my gaze. "Who sent you to poison Otsana?" I asked again, my voice as sharp and cold as a blade. Her lips quivered. “It… it was Dara, your betrothed.” I froze. Time seemed to stop as her words sank in. Dara. That manipulative, power-hungry witch. My fists clenched so hard I thought my knuckles would crack. "Dara?" I repeated, my tone low, dangerous. "Y-Yes, my lord," the maid stammered. "She... she paid me to do it." I cursed under my breath, anger flooding my veins. My vision blurred with red for a moment, and it took every ounce of restraint not to lash out. That woman… she dared to attack Otsana, my queen-to-be? The maid’s trembling grew worse, tears streaming down her face as if she knew her confession had just sealed her fate. I turned to one of my guards and made a subtle hand gesture. "Take care of her." The maid’s eyes widened in horror. “N
~RalphThe guesthouse was quiet, eerily so, as Jasper and I crept through the shadows. The soft rustle of leaves from the open windows barely masked the pounding of my heart. Every corner we turned seemed to be occupied by Noah’s guards. Their positioning was methodical, almost suffocating, as if they anticipated our every move.Jasper nudged my arm, his expression grim. "We can’t keep skulking around here. How are we supposed to get out with all these guys loitering like statues?"I shook my head, my mind racing. "We need to find a way out without alerting them. I already called Otsana… but she’s not answering her phone." I clenched my fists, the thought of her in danger fueling my frustration."You called her again?" Jasper whispered, his tone skeptical."Three times," I replied, my voice low but laced with tension. "No answer."Jasper frowned. "You think Noah’s got her locked away? That bastard would pull something like that."I exhaled sharply, trying to keep my emotions in check.
~OtsanaI woke to a piercing light stabbing through my eyelids. Groaning, I turned my head away, the sudden brightness making my head pound. Where was I? My body felt heavy, like I’d been weighed down by sandbags. My fingers twitched as I tried to push myself upright, but a wave of dizziness forced me back onto the soft mattress beneath me. I blinked several times, my vision slowly adjusting. White walls. The sterile smell of disinfectant. Machines softly beeping in the background. A hospital. My mind scrambled to piece together how I got here. “Otsana?” The familiar voice pulled me from my haze. I turned my head and saw Jessica sitting beside me, her face pale, her eyes rimmed red as though she’d been crying. “You’re awake,” she said softly, relief flooding her features. “You scared us, you know that?” I blinked at her, trying to make sense of her words. Scared? Why would she be scared? Then, like a dam breaking, fragments of last night rushed back to me. The dinner. The fo
~RalphSitting in the SUV parked a short distance from Noah’s mansion, I adjusted my seat for the fifth time. My nerves were on edge, but I kept my face calm. Outside, the night was dark and quiet, except for the faint hum of crickets. My men were silent, their eyes fixed on the mansion as if staring hard enough would give us a way in. Jasper, sitting in the driver’s seat, broke the silence. “So, Ralph,” he began, turning his head slightly to glance at me, “congratulations on the baby.” I froze for a moment, caught off guard. My throat felt dry, but I managed a shy, “Thank you.” He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “The mighty Alpha Ralph, my little brother, speechless. Never thought I’d see the day.” I gave him a small smile, staring out the window. “I saw it in my dreams,” I admitted quietly, almost to myself. “Otsana… she’s the only woman who could give me a child. I knew it would happen. I just didn’t know when.” Jasper grinned, leaning back. “Well, the Moon Goddess cle
~OtsanaA knock startled me. I froze in place, staring at the door, every nerve in my body on edge. Noah wouldn’t knock again. He’d been here moments ago, and he had no reason to knock again. If it were him, he would have burst in like he owned the place—because, in his mind, he did. Another knock came, softer this time. Could it…Could it be Jessica? My breath caught in my throat, and I rushed to the door. If it was her, there was no time to waste. My heart thudded as I cracked it open cautiously. Relief washed over me like a wave. It was her. She slipped into the room quickly, her movements sharp and hurried. “Close the door. Now,” she whispered, her voice low but firm. I slammed it shut and locked it this time, double-checking to make sure it was secure. Turning to her, I saw her sharp gaze sweep over me, taking in my tense posture and trembling hands. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone softening. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” I exhaled shakily, tryi
~Otsana“Pick up, Ralph,” I whispered, biting my lip anxiously. When the call abruptly ended, my chest tightened, panic clawing at me. Jessica’s eyes darted to me. “Did he pick up?” I shook my head, my voice shaky. “He ended the call.” Jessica’s brows knitted together. “Try again.” With shaky hands, I redialed his number. This time, the phone didn’t even ring. Instead, a robotic voice informed me, ‘The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off.’ My stomach sank. “No, no, no,” I muttered, my voice cracking. I turned to Jessica, my eyes wide with fear. “His phone’s off. What should we do now?” Jessica exhaled sharply, placing her hands on her hips. “Calm down, Otsana. Panicking won’t help.” I couldn’t calm down, not with my thoughts spiraling into every worst-case scenario imaginable. “What if Noah forced an abortion on me? What if Ralph doesn’t know what’s happening here? Jessica, what if—” “Stop,” she said firmly, grabbing my shoulders. “We’ll figure thi
~RalphThe car sped down the dark road, the headlights slicing through the night like twin swords. Jasper sat beside me, his hands resting casually on his lap, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the horizon. Behind us, two more vehicles followed, packed with my guards. The silence in the car was thick, broken only by the occasional hum of the engine. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles whitening. The thought of Noah’s smug face flashed in my mind, and my grip tightened further. I swear, if he so much as touched her— "Ralph," Jasper said, breaking my thoughts. "You're gonna crack the steering wheel in half if you keep doing that." I let out a heavy sigh and loosened my grip, though my mind remained restless. “Jasper,” I began, my voice low, “what do you think Grayson’s up to?” Jasper turned to me, raising an eyebrow. “Grayson? What about him?” I shrugged, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. “His silence. It’s unnatural. The man doesn’t know how to stay quiet. It feel