~RalphAt 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 over
~Otsana"We had a deal, and I'm not backing down until he shows up," Cabin repeated, his voice cold and menacing.As much as I wanted him gone, a part of me was torn about Ralph's return. It wasn’t that I wished him harm, but the thought of him coming back didn’t exactly fill me with excitement either.Cabin, the head of the rogues, was seething with anger. His rage was palpable, and he looked ready to lash out at Jasper and Callan, who stood before him, unfazed. They were clearly not intimidated by his fury."Are you going to say something?" Cabin demanded, his patience wearing thin, each word dripping with venom.I cringed, fearing what might come next. Callan, however, remained unfazed, ignoring Cabin as if he wasn’t even part of the room or the conversation.Suddenly, in a fit of rage, Cabin swept everything off the desk, sending papers and objects flying. I gasped, shocked at his outburst, anxiety gnawing at me as I imagined how much worse this could get."I'm not stepping down f
~RalphThe 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 Cormac 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," Cormac’s voice broke the silence.I turned to face him, curiosity mixed with a hint of irritation. "What is it, Cormac? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of backing out now," I said
~OtsanaFLASHBACKI 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 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 Ralph was not with them
~OtsanaIt'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 somewha
RALPHI couldn’t shake the thought of Cormac’s men lurking out there, planning their next move. Every fiber of my being screamed that they were waiting, biding their time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I sat in a dimly lit room with Callan and my brother, Jasper, discussing strategies. My frustration was reaching a boiling point. They had betrayed me, gone behind my back, and for that, they would pay dearly.“We can’t let them escape,” I yelled, slamming my fist down on the bed, the anger consuming me. “We need to find them before they come for us again.”I tried to get up, to do something, anything. But my body, weakened from the brutal journey back, betrayed me. I collapsed back onto the bed, my muscles trembling with exhaustion. I hated this—hated feeling so powerless, so vulnerable. Every part of me wanted to get out there and hunt them down myself, but I was still too weak from the battle, the long, arduous trek back that nearly killed me. My mind was sharp, but my bo
~OtsanaEver since I discovered that Alpha Ralph enjoyed the coffee I made, I’d been secretly sending him a cup every morning, though I had to use another maid to deliver it. He disliked me—no, he hated me—and I was sure that was the reason he never wanted me near him. Still, I wasn’t trying to force myself into his life or expect a sudden change in our relationship. I just wished he would acknowledge me like he did with others. Even a little recognition or a small nod of approval would’ve meant the world to me. Instead, he always kept his distance, treating me like I was invisible or worse, a nuisance. I couldn't help but wonder what it was about me that made him despise me so much. But still, I sent him the coffee, hoping that one day it might change his view, even if just a little.“Hey!” Kate’s voice broke through my thoughts like a splash of cold water. “Are you alright? You’ve been cutting that same vegetable for way too long. You’d better focus before you accidentally hurt your
Otsana I stood at the edge of the forest, the soft earth muffling my footsteps. The shadows of the trees enveloped me, a dark cloak of solitude. The clearing emerged from the undergrowth, and I could see the grave marker of my beloved mother. "Mother," I whispered, my voice faltering. "It's me again." My fingers trailed over the smooth stone, as if trying to recapture a memory long since faded. Grief welled within me, like a tide rising to consume my heart. Tears flowed freely as I gazed at the headstone, longing to see her again, to share my struggles since her passing. My hand reached out, tracing the marble surface as I whispered: "Mom, it's been three years since you left me. Your absence has been incredibly hard. My stepfather, Alpha Grayson, and stepsister, Sophia, have made my life very difficult. They treat me like a servant, and sometimes I feel like joining you would be a release from this pain." My mother's grave has been my sole solace in times of distress. She was my