ANNORACuriosity killed the cat, which was exactly why I was a wolf instead. That death had nothing on me.Lady Wendeline walked faster than she normally would. And that wasn’t the weirdest part of this situation: She had a torch with her. Why would a blind woman need light without a maid in the night?Literally, everything about this pack requires questioning. I was in the middle of accepting the truth about her being Alpha Aegon’s sister, not his Luna. I carried a pang of guilt that wasn’t mine in my chest, which pressed against it hard— without pity. It was unfair that with each moment passing by, the truth, like an eel, slipped out of my fingers. What was wrong, and what was right?My curiosity led me to walk in the opposite direction of the maid’s chamber. I tightened my toes on the rubber slippers they’d provided so they wouldn’t keep slapping the tiles and making the loudest noise as always. I followed Lady Wendeline, sneaking up behind walls every time she looked back.Her in
AEGONI leaned back in my chair, scanning the room. Annora was nowhere to be seen. Usually, she'd be lurking, awaiting tasks. Her absence nagged at me for some reason. “Gregory,” I called.He entered, bowing. “Alpha?”“The Alpha from Raven's Peak arrives soon. Prepare the guards and ensure our grounds are impeccable. We must impress our potential partner.”After me, Alpha Israel was the next man who led the most prosperous pack. I wouldn’t want to make an enemy of him— except necessary. He’d accepted my invitation to talk about business, trading in particular, and how we can join resources equally for the good of both packs.Gregory nodded and departed.Next, I needed to inform Wendeline. I rose from my chair, my boots echoing off the stone floor.As I approached Wendeline's chamber, the maid curtsied in a scared tone. “Good day, Alpha Aegon. Lady Wendeline is busy and doesn't wish to see anyone.”She didn’t dare to look me in the eyes as she spoke. I frowned. “I'll decide that.”I
AEGONWendeline’s gaze was like lasers poised to destroy when I turned. Her eyes were so expressive that I almost thought she saw me and everything. I started walking without a word or an explanation. “What was that?” She demanded as she strode behind me. “You agreed to that term?”“A small price to pay for the prosperity of our pack. If the Omega weren’t physically useful, then maybe her absence would be.”But that wasn’t the only reason I’d agreed to give her away. If sin weren’t here, she’d lose her allure, and Kairel could return to his senses. This whole mate game needed eradication as swiftly as possible.As a matter of fact, that was the only reason that drove my decision— Kairel.“Do you even hear yourself?” Wendeline’s expression twisted like she’d bitten into a lemon. “You just agreed to sell a person! You have never crossed that line. And this is no ordinary slave. She’s your Beta’s mate. Do you even care what Kairel would think?”“What are lines for if not crossing?” The
ANNORAWas he dying just yet? My reaction wasn’t nearly as brave as I’d hoped to be. How would I stab a dagger into his chest if I couldn’t even control my reaction?“Oh…look,” Alpha Aegon drawled. “It’s the slave.”I charged towards him and almost toppled over. It was a gory sight, to say the least— like he was bleeding in all the wrong places. Not that there were right places to bleed.It wasn't until I was before him, almost knocked out by the stench of alcohol, that I realized that the crimson stains around his torso were mere stains. His hand was what needed attention.I looked up at diluted eyes, not a single thought behind them. There were bottles and ashtrays scattered around. Alpha Aegon looked rather comfortable in his own filth. Still, I couldn’t help but be worried. It was an inclination.Besides, the only death that would be befitting for this demon must come from my arms.“You are bleeding excessively and drinking yourself to death.” I tried snatching away the bottle, but
ANNORAThe kiss.Yes, that. I felt my stomach flip from merely reliving the moment again. My emotions directly contrasted with what I should have felt and only angered me more. Oh goodness. I climbed out of the bed as quietly as I could. There was no sight of Alpha Aegon, and I couldn’t have preferred it more. A gnawing feeling blossomed within me, as though I was forgetting something important.Sitting at the edge of the King Sized bed, I buried my face in my palms and sighed. “Calm down, Annora. Remember everything that happened!” I snapped my fingers.Nothing more happened. The kiss was all that we shared, and even that was a mistake. Then I fell asleep in his arms, my head on his heaving chest, listening to the faint beating of his heart.I bit on my bottom lips hard, like it helped calm the storm brewing inside of me. I was sinking in a heap of disgust, and it wasn’t about Alpha Aegon at all.It was me. I was the problem. What the hell went wrong? The urge to tear my hair out an
KAIRELA sigh spilled from my lips as I stood before Aegon's door, my heart heavy with regret. Yesterday's explosive fight still lingered, and I needed to make amends. I mean, I should. I’d always been one to concede during times like this, so it had become a habit.Besides, I knew Aegon well. He’d never make the first move. Always so obstinate and unyielding. We'd been like brothers for years, sharing battles and victories, but now our bond seemed to be fraying and fast. It was hard to tell where it went wrong, but something had gone seriously wrong.I knocked once and twice, but I didn’t get a response until I took the initiative and opened the door. As I stepped inside, I was taken aback by Annora's sudden departure. She was leaving in a hurry, her arms raised to turn the knob at the exact time I’d opened the door. My brows pulled together when her eyes lingered on mine.She swept past me, oblivious to my presence, her elegant form vanishing into the hallway. My chest tightened;
ANNORAI paced the corridors, restlessness consuming me. Sora? Could it truly be? My heart raced at the possibility. Her image haunted me – the same bright eyes and wild hair.As night fell, I slipped out, seeking answers. The kitchen was warm, filled with the scent of roasting meat and lively chatter. Lady Agnes, as usual, oversees the evening meal preparations. She never rested.It almost felt like she was involved in every single thing.“Lady Agnes,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “The guards in the dungeon are asking for dinner, aren't they?”Lady Agnes turned from the stove, her expression curious. “Not yet, child. They usually collect it themselves. What makes you offer?”Did I mention that she’d become less of a wolf and more of a sheep to me? I didn’t know why or what made her soften, but she had. She could now hold conversations with me without her eyes, almost mauling me to death. I shrugged, attempting a casual smile. “Just thought I'd help. Been cooped up all day. I
KAIRELAs Annora's lips touched mine, I felt the ground beneath me shudder. The sudden spark of electricity coursing through my veins left me breathless. I stood frozen, every nook of my mimd spinning from the unexpected kiss. Her soft, full lips parted, inviting me to deepen our connection. Without thinking, I surrendered to the moment, my arms wrapping around her slender waist, pulling her closer. It felt like fireworks burst on my tongue and magic sizzled in the air.I’d never felt such a surge before. It completely owned me. Our lips danced, each glide full of passion and desire and the world around us seemed to have melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the intensity of it. The room echoed heavy breathing and her little moans that drove me insane.Annora's fingers tangled in my hair, her touch sending shivers down my spine. I felt every wall I had built around myself crumbling, every reservation swept away by my urges. I craved more.I wanted more. But just as sudd
KAIREL What to expect from this war was unknown to me. Even though this was the case, one part of me didn't care. That part of me was ready and willing to go on this war—just to see the end of a man who did this to me. So far, I have become a beast. But was I to blame for it? No, there was no way I could be blamed for turning into who I had become even though one part of me did not believe myself also. But what could I do? Waking up this morning, these and many other thoughts ran around in my head. Deep inside of me, I hoped that Annora had reached the pack and given out messages to Aegon who should ask his armies to do the needful by now. A smile came on my countenance at the thought of how Fennic made his men go out to look for Annora who was long safe and I was certain because I could feel it. The man didn't have the slightest idea who did this. I could not let him know, either. Another smile came on my countenance and I caught up with the bathroom door, walking in s
AEGON “Wh—what did you just say?” “Yes, Alpha Aegon. I saw Kairel at The Stormbringers Pack. That's where I am coming from. I got back there and there were so many people in the Pack. I didn't expect that. One part of me thought the members were dead long ago. They are all alive including the Alpha Fennic.” I watched her closely, listening, waiting for more. “And what happened next?” I could not wait to hear it all and then deal with her in my way. How could she poison me? And why did she tell it to my face that she did? “Speak up already, Annora. I don't have all day.” I cried, taking a spoonful of the meal and putting it in my mouth. “He was there. Apparently, I was locked up in a prison for more than two days when I refused Alpha Fennic my consent to go on a war with him.” More confusion ran around in my head. What was this woman talking about? “What war?” I looked around the chamber, at the men who moped at her while some had their mouths open. “What war are you ta
AEGON My eyes opened in a room I could barely recognize. Something went on inside of me but even at that, it was hard to lay my hands on it and tell what went on exactly. Where was I? Looking around the chamber, I met the gaze of men I could also barely recognize. “Aegon?” My eyes opened the more. That voice. The voice of a woman I surely could recognize. Even if I forgot the other things I should not forget, I was ever going to recognize the voice of Annora which sounded in my head. “Annora—?” “What has happened?” Someone mumbled. “Tell me. What has happened?” The person asked me who could not and would not provide an answer to the question. If not because of anything but because I didn't know the answer. How could I open my eyes in the space of a chamber I didn't recognize, with men I also could not recognize but the voice of a woman I could recognize? Someone barged into the chamber. “What is this that I hear?” The old Healer who I now recognized, walked towa
ANNORA I ran like never before, even though I knew I had become far away from Alpha Fennic and his wicked pack. Who knew? Maybe Kairel was not safe. But at the moment, I didn't care one dime about him. Not with the many things I had on my list, of which one of them was arriving back at the pack. What was I going to say to Aegon? What would I tell him as soon as I got there? Where would I tell him I have gone to? A sigh ran out of my mouth. Automatically, I stopped running. One, because of the many thoughts running around in my head and again, the fact that I needed to put something in my mouth before I could move again. There was no time to waste. Relaxing under a tree, I realized the danger I was. A pregnant woman in a wild place like this. Where did such courage come from? I could not worry less, maybe because of the many others that needed to be done. Taking the backpack from behind me where it hung all this while, I placed it on my lap—wondering at the same
ANNORA My second day in the prison came and went. It was my third day and I had yet to take a bath. How could that even be possible? I looked around the box of a room, wishing I had not come here in the first place. Maybe I should have stayed back and endured with Aegon. But how was I going to know that he was innocent at the end of the day? All of these looked like they had a purpose but I could not lay my hands on what exactly to do in order to be gone from this prison and the Pack in total. Maybe I found out the truth to die with it. There would be no way to make corrections and this was the sad part of it. Tears ran down my cheeks at the thought and realization of this—leaving me with cries. “Good morning, Lady Annora.” Snapping out of my thoughts, I met the gaze of the wicked man who watched over me since I was brought to this prison against my wish. “Get off my face.” I declared. “My lady—” he wasn't going to listen to me. “Your food will be here in a short while
AEGON It was late in the night when I opened my eyes. I should be bothered about Annora who hasn't been found since all these while, but I wasn't and that was the least of my concern as there was something wrong with me. Something I couldn't lay my hands on. What was this? I placed my hand on my chest to ascertain but I could not. Not when I didn't have the slightest idea what was wrong. Standing on my feet, I realized how weak my bones had become. So many thoughts ran around in my head and I wondered whether it was because of how much I missed Annora and maybe Wendeline who also hasn't been found. Managing to walk to the door, I walked out. Darius was on duty. He bowed with a smile. “My lord. Do you need me to do something for you?” Nodding, I walked back into the chamber with an expectation that he would follow me which he did. “Darius. I don't know what's wrong with me—” Unable to hide it any longer, I spoke up. “Pain in my body, especially my chest. Do you think I
ANNORA “Are you two joking right now?” “No one is joking with you, Annora. I'm asking you to join hands with your family so that an end can be put to this. Don't you understand the implications of letting Aegon live? News about your situation with Kairel was told to me last night and I cannot help but wonder how you feel.” “I don't feel anyway—” I mouthed, a painful smile on my countenance. “You don't know how I feel and it should be the least of your business. If there's any way I feel, then it's because of what you've done to me and my life. Leave Alpha Aegon out of him—he's done nothing at all to you.” Kairel coughed. “You love him.” “I'm not supposed to hate him, Kairel.” “After all he's done—” he chuckled and looked at Alpha Fennic who didn't speak any longer. “We can force a horse to the river but we cannot force them to drink. That's the case right here with Annora, my lord. What do we do?” “There's nothing you can do—” I cut short their thoughts. “I want to be lef
ANNORA Shock could be seen on my countenance. I didn't want to believe what I saw. Maybe it was a dream. Maybe I was hallucinating, or was I not? “Kairel—” “Annora—” he called, a smile on his countenance. “It's me. I'm not here to hurt you.” No, I wasn't dreaming. This was more than real. I reached the lock and turned it, opening the door automatically. “What are you doing here, Kairel?” I looked around the room to be certain I was not in any way seeing visions. “Is this real?” He walked in and shut the door. “It's real, Annora. I'm the one standing right in front of you. How are you doing?” Did he really ask me that? Did he expect me to answer him? “What is going on here?” I cried. “You knew all this while that my family was alive, didn't you? You knew this pack wasn't burned to the ground, didn't you?” “I didn't know. I found out the same way you did, Annora. This is why you should understand how wicked Aegon is. Can't you see for yourself already?” What was
ANNORA I had spent over a week in this pack. Even though this was another home of mine, I felt more like a total stranger. My identity, even though I knew what I looked like, became strange to me and I thought about how unfortunate I was all day in the chamber where I spent my day and night. There were so many thoughts. My eyes had been open all day. No, all night. So many thoughts went around in my head and one was the costly mistake I had made as I wondered if it was or wasn't too late for me to thwart what I had done. What have I done? What else if not poison Aegon who had done nothing at all to me? How could I be so wicked to him? Was he dead already? Why didn't I think twice before making that decision? These and more thoughts ran around in my head, especially if I wanted to have the baby. A fatherless child. What would I say to him or her was the end of their father? A deep sigh ran out of my mouth as I looked out the window, realizing the day had broken. Also, I realiz