~Ralph Seeing Otsana walk away so easily made my blood boil. Every step she took felt like a slap to my face, her retreat as effortless as if I meant nothing to her. Anger churned inside me, a relentless storm I couldn’t contain. “I opened my heart to her,” I muttered under my breath, the bitterness in my voice thick and sharp. “And she repays me by making me look like a fool in my own pack.” Boris, my wolf, stirred in the depths of my mind. His presence was steady and unshaken, a stark contrast to the chaos raging within me. He spoke with a tone both firm and calm, a voice meant to ground me. “You’re too quick to anger, Ralph,” Boris said, his words cutting through my storm of emotions. “You need to learn control. This rage will only cloud your judgment.” I gritted my teeth, every muscle in my body taut with frustration. My hands curled into fists at my sides, the only outlet I had for the fury clawing at my insides. “She should have begged for my forgiveness,” I growled, m
~OtsanaAs I walked down the corridor with my tray in hand, the faint sound of my footsteps echoed off the stone walls, a rhythm that seemed to match the quickened beat of my heart. The corridor was dimly lit, with only a few torches flickering at intervals, casting long, wavering shadows that danced along the rough stone floor. But my attention was drawn away from the flickering light by the presence of the Lycan King, Noah, standing with an air of quiet command. His eyes, sharp and intense, were fixed on me, and I could feel the weight of his gaze even before I met his gaze. My pulse jumped, a mixture of surprise and a strange thrill coursing through me as he pushed off the wall and approached. There was an effortless grace to his movements that belied the power behind them. His smile was enigmatic, charming in a way that left me uncertain of his true intentions. “I believe this is yours,” he said, his voice a low, resonant rumble that seemed to wrap around me like a velvet cloa
~OtsanaI closed my eyes, taking in the apology that felt more real than I had expected. The tension I had been holding onto began to loosen, and my chest ached with the need to forgive him. Pulling back slightly, I met his gaze, searching the depths of his dark eyes, looking for something more than just words.“Ralph, I forgive you,” I said, my voice soft and steady. The words were simple, but they carried more weight than I could express. “But you shouldn’t be here right now. It’s dangerous out there.”His expression shifted, and I saw a flicker of determination in his eyes. “Otsana,” he whispered, his voice low and urgent. “I need to show you something.”He reached out, his hand finding mine and clasping it with a firmness that seemed to say more than words ever could. “Please, trust me,” he said, his eyes locked onto mine. “I promise it won’t take long.”My mind swirled with hesitation. What could be so important that he would risk sneaking into the night? But there was something
~OtsanaWe shifted back into our human forms, our naked bodies steaming in the cool embrace of the night air. The silence around us was broken only by the faint rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl."I found her just a few days ago," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Ralph's piercing gaze fixed on me, his brow furrowed deeply, disappointment etched into every line of his face. "Why didn't you tell me you found your wolf?" he asked, his tone laced with hurt and confusion. His voice struck a chord in me, each word laden with emotion that made my chest tighten. I bit my lip, unable to meet his eyes. My heart felt heavy, a storm of guilt and regret brewing within me. "I was going to tell you, Ralph," I murmured, my voice soft and filled with contrition. "That’s why I came to your chambers that night." I hesitated, the memory of that moment still raw. "But you asked me to leave, and I didn’t get the chance." Ralph exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging as though the
~OtsanaAs I closed the door behind me, the quiet of the room enveloped me, a suffocating stillness that heightened my unease. The familiar sense of dread crept over me like a shadow, making my skin prickle. "Otsana, wake up from your slumber," a deep, guttural voice growled, cutting through the silence like a blade. I froze mid-step, my breath hitching as I recognized the unmistakable voice of Ebony, my wolf. "What do you mean?" I whispered into the darkness, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound composed. "Ralph is not our mate," Ebony snarled, her tone sharp and commanding. "The Lycan king is our true mate. You must sever this false bond you share with Ralph and embrace your destiny." Her words echoed ominously in my mind, igniting a spark of defiance deep within me. I squared my shoulders, determined not to let her dictate my life. "I don't care if Noah is my destined mate," I snapped back, my voice resolute and unyielding. "My heart belongs to Ralph, and
~NoahI stood frozen, my mind struggling to process what had just happened. Otsana was walking toward me, her eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made everything else blur. In that moment, it felt like the world had disappeared, leaving only the two of us.From the first time I saw her, I knew. She was my mate. She awakened something deep inside me, a feeling so strong and unfamiliar it scared me.The room fell silent, the kind of silence that felt heavy, like every single person was holding their breath, watching. My thoughts were a whirlwind, unable to settle or make sense of the storm inside me.Time seemed to slow. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, and each breath felt like a struggle. It was as if the world had stopped, waiting. But then, just as quickly, the moment broke.Otsana’s expression changed. Her brows furrowed in confusion, and she glanced at the crowd. Suddenly, realization washed over her, and her cheeks turned red with embarrassment. “No, no! This can’t b
~OtsanaAs Noah turned to leave, my gaze fell back to Ralph, his body limp and bleeding in my arms. His usually strong frame was now frail, his breaths shallow and uneven. “Ralph, please,” I begged, my voice breaking with emotion. Tears blurred my vision as I clutched him tighter. “You need help. Let me take you to the physician. Please, Ralph.” He weakly shook his head, his movements barely noticeable. Blood stained his lips as he struggled to speak, each word a painful gasp. “Otsana… don’t… please…” His voice was barely a whisper, fading with every syllable. My chest tightened, panic clawing at my throat. “Callan!” I screamed, my voice slicing through the murmurs of the shocked crowd. Callan appeared, his face pale with horror as he stared at Ralph’s battered body. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. “Help me!” I shouted, my voice shaking with desperation. “We need to get him to the physician! Callan, please!” Snapping out of his daze, Callan knelt bes
~OtsanaThe small maid quarters felt colder than usual. I sat on the edge of the bed, clutching my knees to my chest, tears streaming down my face. Noah’s words echoed in my mind, each one a blade slicing through my heart. He had left . The mate bond we shared felt like a curse, chaining me to someone who could tear me apart so effortlessly.A soft knock on the door broke my thoughts. Before I could answer, Kate and a few of the other maids bustled in, chatting animatedly.“Did you hear?” one of them began, her voice filled with excitement. “Otsana’s mated to the Lycan King, Noah!”Kate’s face lit up. “Is it true? Are you really mated to him, Otsana?”The other maids chimed in, their voices overlapping with congratulations and hushed awe. But then, they noticed me. Kate’s smile faltered as her eyes fell on the tears staining my cheeks.“Oh, Otsana,” Kate whispered, rushing to sit beside me. “I’m so sorry. We heard… we heard about what happened to Ralph.”The others murmured their agre
~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
~OtsanaThe garden was peaceful, a sharp contrast to the storm raging in my mind. My feet dragged me along the stone path, the soft crunch of gravel beneath me echoing louder than it should. Noah’s words played on a loop, haunting me. Abort the baby. The phrase cut deeper every time I thought of it. I paused and placed my hand protectively over my belly. “No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “No matter what, I will protect you.” My hand lingered, and I could almost feel the faintest flutter from within, as if the baby was agreeing with me. A weak smile formed on my lips. “Ralph,” I murmured, tears streaming down my face. “We have a bundle of joy now. Where are you? Come save us.” The plea hung in the air, but the silence that followed felt suffocating. Reality crashed down on me—I was alone. The mansion’s security was tight. Even if Ralph somehow managed to get here, how would he break in? How would he get to me and take us away? I sank onto the edge of a stone bench, the weight o
~NoahWe sat in the doctor’s office, a quiet tension in the air. I leaned back in my chair, keeping my face calm, though my mind was anything but calm. Otsana sat beside me, stiff as a statue, her hands trembling on her lap. She refused to look at me. I didn’t blame her; this entire situation had spiraled into something neither of us wanted.The doctor, a tall man with glasses perched precariously on his nose, finally entered, flipping through a file. He looked up with a smile. “Ah, Your Majesty,” he said, nodding at me respectfully. “Congratulations are in order.”My brows furrowed. “Congratulations?”The doctor gestured toward Otsana with a warm smile. “Yes, King Noah. Your queen to be is pregnant. Approximately ten weeks along. You must be very pleased.”I froze. The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Pregnant? I forced myself to nod, offering a tight smile. “Yes, of course. It’s…” My throat felt dry. “Wonderful news.”Beside me, Otsana shrank into her seat. Her face was pale, h
~OtsanaSitting at the long, polished mahogany dining table, I stared down at my plate. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and a vibrant assortment of steamed vegetables were arranged neatly, but I had no appetite. Across from me sat Noah, his piercing eyes fixed on me as he ate in silence. I could feel the weight of his gaze, but he hadn’t spoken a word to me since we sat down.The tension between us was noticeable, lingering like a storm cloud. After what had happened between us—his sudden Nate oull, the forceful way he brought me here—I knew he was struggling to bridge the silence, but I didn’t intend to make it easy for him.Noah’s fork clinked against his plate as he set it down. He gestured to one of the chefs standing nearby. “Bring more food,” he ordered. “She needs energy for the mating ceremony ritual tomorrow.”I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth. “What mating ceremony?” My voice was sharp, my heart hammering in my chest.He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as if th
~RalphThe knock on the door was sharp and insistent, jolting me out of my brooding. I turned sharply, already irritated. “Who is it?” I barked, my voice carrying the edge of frustration that had been simmering all day.“It’s Lilith,” came the soft reply from the other side of the door.I froze. Lilith? I hadn’t seen her in dsys, not since the debacle with Grayson. What the hell was she doing here? I yanked the door open, and there she stood, a shadow of the woman I once knew. She had lost so much weight; her once-bright eyes now seemed dimmed with exhaustion. “Can I come in?” she asked softly, her voice almost timid. It was a far cry from the fiery woman I remembered.I nodded stiffly. “Sure.”She stepped inside, and I couldn’t help but stare as she walked past me. Her frame was frail, her movements careful, as if she feared breaking. She made her way to the sofa and sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She took a deep breath before speaking.“I know you’re surprised to s
~RalphIt had been seven days since Otsana disappeared. Seven excruciatingly long days. I kept replaying the last moments I saw her, hoping for a clue, something I’d missed. Each passing second felt like a failure. The guilt gnawed at me like a ravenous beast. Now, driving back to the Greyhound Pack after helping Jasper secure the Silverwaters Pack, my patience was wearing thinner than ever. The car hummed softly as it sped down the winding forest road. Jasper, seated next to me, had been trying to strike up a conversation for the past twenty minutes, his voice grating against my already frayed nerves. “Ralph, I appreciate you stepping in back there,” he said cautiously, testing the waters. “I couldn’t have claimed Silverwaters pack without you.” I didn’t respond, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. He tried again. “It’s good to see you in action, you know. Reminded me of the old days, back when—” “Stop,” I snapped, cutting him off mid-sentence. My hands tightened around the st
~OtsanaThe mate bond between us was undeniable, pulling me toward him with a force I could hardly resist. But my love for Ralph, my commitment to him, held me back.I quickly broke free from him, and gathered my clothes, my hands trembling as I dressed. "Noah, you need to leave," I said, my voice shaky but firm. "We can't do this."Noah's eyes searched mine, a mixture of longing and regret. "I'm sorry, Otsana," he murmured, standing up from the bed and dressing up. "I didn't mean to overstep."I avoided his gaze, clutching my clothes to my chest as if they could shield me from the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Please, just go," I whispered.He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, turning to leave. As the door closed behind him, the weight of what had just transpired crashed over me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I sank onto the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.Ebony, my wolf, stirred within me. "Why did you push him away?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion. "We both felt t
~NoahThe moment Otsana stormed out of the garden, I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. My heart felt like it had been split in two. How could she reject me like that, especially after the connection we just shared? My wolf, Fridolf, was restless, pacing in my head like a caged animal. "We can't let her go, Noah. She belongs to us," he growled, his voice edged with desperation. "Not now, Fridolf," I replied sharply, trying to keep my composure. "Now is the perfect time! Did you see her? Ebony wants me as much as I want her. You’re being ridiculous." Fridolf was in heat, and his longing for Ebony was making him impossible to reason with. I tried to calm him, but he wouldn’t stop. "You’re ruining this. Calm down, Fridolf! She’s not ready. I won’t scare her off," I said, trying to walk away from the pull I felt toward her. But Fridolf wasn’t having it. The mate pull between us was like a magnetic force, yanking me back every time I tried to resist. His thoughts becam