Ralph The crowd parted, and a familiar figure stepped into the light. His hair was silver with age, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, and his face creased with lines of wisdom and experience. It was Jasper, My elder brother, believed to have perished in the war between the Greyhound and Moonlight packs. My mouth fell open in shock, my heart racing as I tried to make sense of this impossible scene. "Jasper?" I whispered, my voice hoarse with disbelief. Jasper, dead for years, yet here he was, as real and alive as ever. My brother, my right hand, the one I had lost to that accursed war. How could this be? I could feel the gazes of the pack burning into my skin, watching and waiting for my reaction. But I was frozen, my heart in my throat, as I tried to reconcile this reality with the one I thought I knew. "Jasper," I repeated, my voice stronger now. My mind drifted to Otsana, I noticed as she collapsed to the ground, her body quaking with relief. She buried her face in her hands, wee
~RalphI downed my eighth glass of whiskey, the burn doing little to quell the anger simmering inside me. The situation at hand was infuriating, and I tried to pour myself another glass, only to realize I'd finished the bottle."Callan!" I yelled.He rushed over quickly. "Yes, Alpha?" he responded, his voice respectful but tinged with concern."Get me a new bottle of whiskey. This one is finished," I demanded.He looked at me with a mix of worry and hesitation. "Are you sure, Alpha? Not that I'm questioning your wishes, but you've already drunk an entire bottle. You have a meeting with the elders soon," he reminded me gently.I groaned at the thought of the meeting, feeling my frustration mount. "Are you defying me? You know the consequences, right? And yet, you dare to go against me?"Callan's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't back down. "No, Alpha, I would never defy you. I just thought you might want to be at your best for the meeting. But if you want more whiskey, I'll get it f
~Otsana *TWO WEEKS LATER*Everything in the pack had settled back into a routine, and it had been two weeks since Ralph last called for me. I was relieved and secretly hoped things would stay this way forever. He barely seemed to notice me these days, lost in his endless work. I often found myself bored and yearning for something to occupy my time. Being a maid was challenging, but it had its moments of camaraderie with the friends I had made.“You should get down from there, Otsana. The Alpha will be upset if he sees you up here,” Kate said, her voice filled with concern.I was lounging on the balcony, and her warning made it sound like a grave offense, but I knew she was just looking out for me and trying to keep me out of Ralph’s way.I nodded in agreement and headed back to my room, only to find a sparkling, glittery bag placed on my bed. I stared at it, puzzled about who might have left it there for me.Turning to Kate, I asked, "Who brought this bag? I don’t remember ordering a
~Otsana*AT THE PARTY*We got out of the car, and immediately, everyone’s attention was drawn to us. The stares from all around made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I clung tightly to Ralph’s arm, as if afraid the wind might whisk me away if I let go.I swallowed hard, trying to process the situation. The way people, especially women, were looking at us made me feel self-conscious. I knew Ralph was popular, but I had never realized just how much until now.I felt Ralph’s breath on my neck as he leaned in and whispered, “Don’t overthink it. Just stay close to me, and we’ll get through this night together.”I nodded in response, realizing I had no choice but to follow his lead. With no one else around and everyone’s eyes on me like I was an outsider, it felt like I had no other option.We walked into the main hall where the party was taking place. Since it was a charity event, the room was filled with wealthy and influential people.“Welcome, Alpha Ralph,” came a warm greeting.We turn
~RalphThe auctioneer stepped up with a list of items to be auctioned off for charity. As he entered the room, everyone, including me, applauded. He held a microphone in his hands, and the items he presented were stunning.“Thank you all for the warm welcome,” he said into the microphone. “As you know, this charity event is a well-established tradition, so let’s get started with the auction.”The crowd clapped again as he moved to the first item. He raised the microphone to his mouth and announced, “Our first item is a very rare vase. This piece has been passed down through generations and is considered an antique.”“Oooh!” the audience responded in awe.It was no surprise that people were excited; antique items always attracted a lot of interest. I could tell that everyone had heard the news and decided this was the perfect occasion to showcase such a valuable piece.“I’ll start the bidding at $250,” the auctioneer announced, addressing the audience. “Who’s willing to bid $250 for th
~OtsanaWe both flinched at the sound of Ralph's loud voice. I must have been so caught up in my emotions that I hadn’t even noticed he was there. The last thing I wanted was for Callan to get into trouble because of this.Ralph marched toward us, his footsteps heavy and filled with anger. It was clear from his body language that he was on the verge of losing his temper.“Um… I was just trying to protect her from the cold,” Callan said, his voice slightly defensive. “It’s really chilly out here, so I offered her my jacket to help her stay warm.”Ralph’s expression made it obvious that he wasn’t convinced, even though Callan’s explanation was entirely truthful. Ralph didn’t say a word at first, instead slowly raising his eyelids to regard us with a look of frustration.After taking a deep breath to steady himself, Ralph finally spoke. “Just get the car ready. We’re leaving anyway.”His tone left no room for argument, and it was clear that we needed to wrap things up quickly.Ralph walk
~Otsana "Excuse me?" he repeated, his tone laced with confusion. In that moment, I felt completely foolish. My mind went blank, and I couldn't string together a single coherent sentence. Embarrassment washed over me, especially after my impulsive outburst. Before I could even attempt to recover, Ralph appeared, walking over with an air of authority that only added to my anxiety. “What’s going on here? I hope you’re not bothering my guest, Otsana?” he asked, his voice sharp enough to make me jump. Guest? My mind reeled at the word. Just yesterday, Ralph and this man had seemed like sworn enemies, yet here they were, acting like old friends. The shift was so sudden that I struggled to comprehend it. The man beside me chuckled softly, diffusing the tension. “Oh, she’s not bothering me at all,” he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. “We were just talking about the bracelet. I wanted it, but I suppose losing to you wasn’t so bad after all.” I looked up at him, surprised by his unex
~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’
~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