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
ANNORAReplaying the previous day's events. My plan was finally in motion. Kairel was already hanging on to every word of mine.Despite the hole in my stomach, a larger part of my mind understood that this was necessary and if I kept this up, I could control him like a puppet, bending his actions to serve my ultimate goal— making Aegon pay.But my triumph was short-lived. My heart twisted when the memories resurfaced, and my breath hitched—it never hurt less, does it?How could he? How could he do that?I picked myself up the mat and stretched my back. The cold, hard floor was never better. This morning, my first concern was Sora. I rushed to the kitchen, my stomach growling, though I intended to find a way to give Sora whatever breakfast was left for me. But when I arrived, my heart sank. There was nothing.Either there wasn’t food, or someone had taken it. At least I didn’t find anything filled with sand. A small sigh slipped out of my mouth.Desperate, I scanned the room. The gu
ANNORAThief?What was she talking about? My eyes darted around all corners of the room as I looked to see if I was the one Elara had her finger pointed at.“Elara,” Lady Agnes called out as she stepped forward. “Let me handle this.”I understood nothing of what was going on. I was too exhausted, too mad, to even think. What was this about? Alpha Aegon, with an expression I couldn’t decipher, asked what was going on,and Lady Agnes bowed before him.“There has been a little problem,” She said. “Some of the jewels that were shipped in for Lady Wendeline’s birthday had gone missing and Elara thinks she knows who’s stolen them.”My brows pinched together. She didn’t mean me, right? That would be absolutely ridiculous. I couldn’t move from my spot because I had my arms around Sora to support her. She was too tired to be involved in all of this.“And who might that be?” Alpha Aegon asked.“Annora, Alpha!” Elara snapped. “She definitely did.”A small chuckle ripped out of my mouth. “You’re cr
ANNORA“You’re pretty creative, aren’t you?”It felt like I’d been hit on the head with a rock. Her smirk and the judgment in her eyes crashed on me like waves breaking cemented barriers.“What?” I questioned loudly, lurching forward to reach for the necklace. Elara stepped back, her accusatory eyes still fixated on mine. “I- didn’t put that there! Why would I?”“Is that even a question?” Elara jumped on my question. “You are a spiteful, spoiled brat filled with desperation. What can you not do?”Ignoring her, I turned to Lady Agnes to see if I could get through. “I didn’t steal that!” I said in a raspy voice, hating how fast I shed tears. “I am being framed! I didn’t even know about the birthday party. This…is all a ploy to incriminate me. You need to see that!”From the corner of my eyes, I watched Alpha Aegon’s frame linger by the door. His not saying anything drove me madder than I thought it would.I was no petty thief. I have owned more expensive necklaces.Lady Agnes stepped fo
AEGONEveryone held their breath, including me, when Kairel’s revelation dropped, and I wondered if he’d gone mad.He grabbed Sin by the waist and pulled her closer to him. The look in her eyes was the only confirmation I needed to know that Kairel was telling the truth—she was in his room last night.Anger dawned on me, and I squeezed my palm. Why would he reveal such to everyone? Whispers plagued the air, nervous gasps from the onlookers who’d just heard that a mere slave was my Beta’s mate.I had to ask, slowly yet menacingly, “Have you gone mad, Kairel?”He looked up at me and shook his head, a smile on his face and a determination in his eyes as though he was ready to risk it all. “Unfortunately not, brother.”“Annora is the Beta’s mate?” Agnes questioned, alarmed.“Oh my god!”“Did you hear that!? The maid is his mate…” Whispers flew around.The impulsive little kid didn't know how much trouble he’d just put her in, especially regarding his reputation in the pack. How many more
ANNORAMixed feelings.As we walked down the hallway with Kairel’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me through like I was the most pathetic creature he’d ever set eyes on. I couldn’t tell what it was I felt.The shock was underproccessed and I barely held on by a thread. Who tried to frame me and why? It made no sense at all. It made no sense. And Aegon having all of them leave the scene only made it worse. Jeez. What the hell was happening? Kairel had played directly into my plans, but he’d done it too fast.Announcing us and outing me so easily would do nothing but put targets on my back. His reputation called for that and more.“Amoral?”I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up at Kairel’s skeptical eyes. Feeling like my soul had just crashed into my body, I mentally noted the surroundings and found that we stood directly in front of his chamber.“Come on,” he ushered. My heart thumped, then sank into my stomach. Kairel’s touch suddenly felt like rubbing against steel— a to
ANNORASora sat up, taken aback by the utter madness in my statement. “You are going to marry him?”I nodded. Did I have a choice? I cocked my head to the sides to ensure no one could hear our discussion. Snuggling closer to her, I brought my voice down a notch and started explaining to her how I didn’t have a choice.Kairel was the only way we’d survive in this pack; only then could I avenge the death of my parents. “Do you really have to do that? Can’t we find a way out of here together and start afresh?” I wish I could do that, but starting afresh while Aegon lived like he hadn’t stripped me of the happiness in the world would always keep me up at night. I needed to hurt him the way he’d hurt me, and more.Marrying Kairel was a decision I made at the spur of the moment. A part of me had not fully sunk into it— understanding all that it entailed. Marriage was no easy feat; at all.Sora took my hands and asked if I was sure for the umpteenth time. I couldn’t let her see the doubt
ANNORAThe fire has licked off a nice portion of the dress, stealing its beauty away by a considerable amount and I just stood there, oscillating between thoughts and actions.The maids looked at me like a mistake, their judgments so heavy that I could almost trip over it. Lady Wendeline glared at me and oh, I was glad no knives were near.Those eyes looked like she wouldn’t hesitate to kill. “I am sorry…” I said in a squeaky voice. “It was never my intention to…do that to you. I am so sorry.”My words lingered in the air and a cold chill took over the room, making bumps rise on my skin. The next words from Lady Wendeline only sent my fear through the roof. “Leave us,” She ordered, leaving me to wonder if I was a part of the ‘us’ she’d mentioned. Oh, jeez. Lady Agnes spared me one last sympathetic look before heading out quietly.I clenched my toes in fear, feeling a rumbling sensation at the depth of my stomach and lump in my throat. Still, I tried to maintain a stoic exterior, not
AEGONEventually, I became a better man. How could I not be with the woman of my dreams next to me? Life was beautiful with Annora, and the seed she's given to me. My son. Our son. The prince of this Pack. I walked into the living room one morning, dressed for the occasion. It was the day when the name of our son will be given to him. With Annora by my side, I heaved a sigh. She was better. Better than the worst I saw that night in the Healer's abode. “Are you ready?” Her voice cut short my thoughts. In her arms was the baby, our new son. The name I would give him was known by myself and the woman I loved. Not just others. Except of course, Darius who I trusted so much, despite everything that happened long before now. He was the man I should have trusted long ago, not Kairel. “I'm ready,” I turned. “Where is Darius?” “On my way,” his voice sounded from behind. He reached the living room space in moments and together, we walked out of the living room. The pack was filled up w
AEGON It was exactly one month when I heard noises from the room, on the same bed where I lay. I opened my eyes and sat up, turned to look at the Luna who sat up with her hand on her waist. “Aegon, I think the baby is coming.” She announced and I was alert, jumping on my feet with fear that could be seen on my countenance. “What?” I asked even though I clearly heard. “Darius?” “My lord.” The man sounded from the door. Without permission, the man walked into the room and there was me who sat next to Annora who shouted at the top of her voice. “We must take her to the Healer's abode.” I tried to stand her up from the bed. She was quite heavy. I've never had a reason to do this until now. Together and with aid from Darius who was almost as strong as myself, we walked towards the door, out of the room, and were leading our way through the stairs, a hard task that scared me more than any other thing. “My lord. Hold her well.” He knew I was beginning to get tired. I gripped Annora
ANNORAOur arrival was a success. Instead of a wicked welcome, members of The Stormbringers Pack welcomed us more than well. At some point, I looked in the direction of Aegon to be certain we had not walked into a trap. “Welcome home,” the Luna said. She smiled as she was seated at the extreme end of the room. “We didn't know how to come to you after everything that happened between you and your father, Annora. One thing you must know is that I never was in support of what he did to you.”How would I know? I nodded, heaved a sigh, and watched her. “How have you been since his death?” I asked and looked around. “How about Lila? Isn't she supposed to be around? Did she leave the pack?” I didn't know what to think and so I asked. “She'll be here shortly.” Aegon nodded. I did the same. There was nothing more I knew I would say, so I leaned with my back on a chair I had grown up seeing. “There's a lot we have at hand before my wife puts to bed.” He began. “One of them is coming over
ANNORAA week later, after Sora was kept in the dungeon, I had gotten over her and everything that happened even though there still was a sting. There was a plan. It was taking over the Stormbringers Pack. Aegon had suggested it and on second thought, I was supposed to be the next Alpha and Luna since the late Alpha was no more. Today was the day. I woke up in my new bedroom, my new home and looked at the other side of the bed. Aegon had left the room, or maybe he was in the bathroom but I didn't know. There was a lot to do rather than sit and think so I jumped to my feet and walked to the entrance of the bathroom. There and then, I could hear sounds coming from inside. “My lord?” I walked back to the bed. “Are you in there?” I took a seat and looked at the time before looking at the closet when I recalled I had yet to select an outfit for this trip. “I'm here, my lady.” He was there. Getting ready. We didn't have much time on our side and I understood that. By the time Aegon
ANNORA “Wh—what?” The words that came out of her mouth shocked me more than anything. What did she say to me? Did the woman standing before me recall I was the same woman who should be her best friend? “You heard me right,” Sora chuckled. She walked closer and moved farther from me the next time. “You don't want to know how much hate I have for you, Annora. You don't want to know.” “What's going on?” “A lot. A lot you don't know about.” Now it dawned on me. It dawned on me that this woman could be guilty and that Wendeline was right about what she said. How could I not believe Wendeline at this point? I did before now but with doubts, if not because of anything but the trust I have for Sora. Looking up, I asked. “You did something with Kairel, didn't you? Wendeline was right about it, wasn't she? You wanted Kairel to kill Aegon. Did you know about his plans to create a war?”“Why not?” Sora laughed. She looked around the room before facing me again. “Why wouldn't I have known
ANNORAIt was three weeks since the wedding and then the coronation when Aegon announced to me that I would need to move into the royal quarters. Since the event, without moving into the royal chambers, there has been no sort of respect I didn't receive from the members who did not hesitate to show me their good side. Before the wedding, there was no such side from them, and I could not blame them. I wasn't married to the Alpha, at least not yet and there was no need to waste their time showing me a side I didn't know existed, not until now. What more could I ask for? This morning, I woke up in a room that won't be mine any longer; not when I was moving into the Luna chamber and from there, the chamber where myself and the Alpha will live, a chamber that's his. A chamber that's mine already. Someone knocking on the door woke me up from my thoughts. I looked up to notice it was Sora. She was the only one who knocked that way on the door of my room. Without any hesitation, I snappe
WENDELINE After a few days, I walked out of my room with a smile on my countenance. My legs walked through the hallway. I reached the living room in moments. Everyone who passed by me looked in my direction, greeted me, and walked away. I reached a couch and was seated in moments, relaxing my nerves as I let the feeling of home sink in. It was beautiful, beautiful to be here. But it didn't change the fact that I was going to leave. Yes, I was going to leave soon enough, before the end of the week and if not this week, next week. “Good morning, my lady.” “Good morning,” I looked up at the maid who was standing before me. “How are you today?” “I'm very well, my lady. I came to know what you would love to have this morning. The Alpha told me a while ago that you're awake so I am here. What will you love to eat, my lady?” I thought about it. What would I love to eat? “Anything will do.” I relaxed my back and sat up. “Anything will do,” I said again to the woman who bowed and tu
ANNORAThe good feeling that ran around inside my belly. Wendeline's return was good news to not just me, but the Alpha and everyone in the Pack. As soon as Aegon finished changing, he walked through the door that would lead him into the hall, a smile on his countenance. He caught up with me and we kissed even without the priest's permission. Why should we care? Tears did not fail to gather in my eyes. There were just so many thoughts that ran around in my head and one of them was what could have happened to the man I loved so much. If not for the intervention of the woman who made me poison him once at a stage of my life. Crazy. Very crazy. The world itself was a crazy place and I could not wait to be done with the wedding so that some time could be spent with Wendeline who needed to tell me what had happened so far since she left us in the Pack for wherever she went. “Does anyone have anything against the union between Annora and Alpha Aegon?” My heart started to beat. Anothe
WENDELINE “That was smooth.” I walked out of my hiding place. “Hello, brother.” The Alpha only moped at me as though he had seen a ghost and I could not blame him. “You're not going to stand there and act as though you've not seen your sister who has been away for long.” My words caused him to move closer. Tears gathered in his eyes. Whether it was the tears of seeing me or being the winner of a challenge between himself and a man who should be his friend, I didn't know. But I knew deep down inside of me that I was happy to step into the picture and save the man. “I am so happy to see you, Wendeline.” He hugged me. I hugged him back. Tears ran down my face as well and we let each other go moments later. “I'm glad you're okay, Aegon. I'm more than glad the man did not touch you.” And to think that he was ready to die. What did he mean by that thing he did? Why did he allow Kairel to take over? What did he mean by allowing Kairel to kill him? Why would he ever d