The hallway was dark as he sauntered down with a tiny basket hanging low in his hand. Kaizen did not look back, knowing no one was following him. Darkness swallowed him. The hallway looked as if time itself had forgotten it. The walls were lined with ancient wood that were cracked and warped from decades of neglect. This was a place no one ever came to, a place that almost seemed like it was forbidden and lost from existence, but not for Kaizen; this was a place he visited regularly, as if it were another part of his world.Finally, he reached his destination; at the end of the decaying hallway stood a prison cell, its rusted iron bars twisted from age. He looked at the inside; no matter how dark it was, he could still make out the inside because slumped against the rusted wall sat a woman, her hair was tangled and gray, clinging to her gaunt face, her clothes were tattered; they hung loosely from her frail frame, her hands were trembling, and her eyes were sunken and hollow, focuse
Roxanne woke up with a groan. Her body was heavy and sluggish as she slowly sat upright on the familiar mattress she had been sleeping on since she came into Blood Moon Pack against her will. She felt like she had been hit by a truck; every muscle ached, and her limbs were weighed by exhaustion. It was that kind of fatigue that no amount of sleep could fix.“What the hell happened?” she gritted, bringing her hand to her forehead. Her mind was covered in a fog. it sounded like a buzz, and lastly, she couldn’t think of anything; her mind and memory were as blank as a sheet.“You are awake!” Bloom came rushing into the room, looking like she was being chased. She sprinted to Roxie's side on the bedside and enveloped her in a tight hug. “Thank the goddess, I was getting so scared!”“What the hell happened? Why do I feel like I have been hit by a truck?” Roxie grunted again when Bloom broke the hug. Slowly, she laid back on the bed, feeling the need to sleep and never wake up, because what
Something was wrong. That was the first thing Roxanne discerned as soon as she woke up from bed that morning and joined the other girls for training. She hovered at the edge of the field, staying back as the others watched excitedly what was happening at the middle of the field, being taught by Kaizen and Ciel, while Alpha Oizys watched the champions with an amused grin on his face. Why was here? She almost growled.Roxie was distracted with her heart pounding erratically. Just two days ago, she felt powerful and amazing, and now, something inside her felt…wrong. A strange sensation crawled through her veins, like there was something simmering just beneath her skin, eager to break free.Her muscles were tense, her senses were heightening almost painfully as she fought to keep herself in check; she strived to hear the words coming out of the Sage's mouth, but her vision suddenly began to spin. She shook her head to clear the fog."Are you okay?" Isleen jabbed her with an elbow, only
Day breaks, and then came another day of awful training that was mind-exhausting and draining—Roxie wasn’t allowed to complain. Her mind was blurry; it was like there was something in her memory that was missing, and she couldn't seem to grasp it. The events of the previous day were in haze; all she remembered was standing before her opponent, and then everything went blank. She woke up the next day to find herself on her bed, and now, in the forest alone, with no one other than the man who broke her heart—not that she was giving up on him; Kaizen was looking at her funny.It had been 30 minutes since she arrived at the forest, and he hadn’t uttered a single word; he studied her like she was a puzzle he was having difficulty solving. Roxie grew weary of the silence. She was tired, and she needed her bed!"You keep staring at my face; don’t tell me you find me that attractive." She smirked flirtily, and that seemed to break the trance he was falling into as he rolled his eyes.“Don’t f
Kaizen stood rooted at the side of the cell with the rest of the Sages, watching the brutal scene playing before him. The sight of an unlucky lycan wolf lay with the heaviest chains and locks, bleeding profusely from the vicious cuts done to his body by Alpha Oizys.The unlucky lycan was bloodied and beaten to the point his features could no longer be recognized. His father moved calmly and methodically, with a gaze that was more terrifying than any frenzy of violence could have been. The smirk and look in his eyes said he seemed to be enjoying every moment that passed. He was taking his time, as if savoring the suffering of the lycan like a twisted form of art.Kaizen clenched his fist as the wolf's labored breaths filled the air, each exhale of strangled cough that seemed to echo through Kaizen's bones, tearing him with every moment he stayed without moving.Kaizen clenched his fists so tight that his nails dug through his palm. He could feel his pulse in his ears, and every instinc
Roxanne needed time to think. She needed time for herself and away from the bustling and craziness of the pack. She found herself on a cliff and sat with her legs dangling off the edge. From the cliff's edge, she could see the pack below spread out like a hidden city cradled by the forest. Small houses clustered together, connected by winding paths that buzzed with people moving between homes, a market, and a training field. The sunlight bathed the rooftops while the dense and towering forest surrounded the entire pack, like a protective wall of green; there was no end to the forest, and that just destroyed her hopes of ever getting out of here.Getting out of here? Roxanne laughed. It had been so long since she had thought like that, and it was starting to sound so unfamiliar in her head. How long had it been since she was brought to Blood Moon pack? One month, two months? She lost count of the days that had been filled with nothing but training, training, and more training, and cha
One thing Roxanne liked and hated about being dragged into a mare's nest and a world of dementia in Blood Moon pack were the elegant and elaborate ball parties they threw, where the champions looked their best and Roxie got to feel beautiful and a princess.Just like the other girls, Roxie was dressed pretty, in a glamorously red gown that flowed to the floor, her hair was done and her makeup was nicely touched by Bloom who fortunately didn't bake her face with too much makeup, unlike the other girls who looked like they had eaten up makeup and was overly dressed.Roxie stood at the corner of Grandhall, feeling like an outcast. Even if she had been in this pack for nearly two months, everything and everyone still felt unfamiliar. Isleen and Will had done to their various pack alphas and that left her all by herself. She was a lone wolf. The background sound of laughter and soft music was getting on her nerves. Everyone was happy while she was miserable and she didn't even know why. P
Revna tried not to scream as pain coursed through her veins. She tried not to show her weakness as the taunting laughter of her pack rushed through her ears. She chested every pain. After all, it was almost something she was getting used to by now. She only needed to endure this a little more and this day would be over.“You are getting better at this, Revna. Shame, I used to enjoy the sound of your cries and the pain in your eyes.” Beta Pete tsked in annoyance and withdrew the hot and streaming piece of iron from her skin and helped her arrange the hand of her shirt back in its place. He placed his hands on her shoulders from behind and whispered in her ear like a snake. “I hope you understand why we are doing this, Reyna. We need to keep you in check so you don't forget why you are in Blood Moon pack in the first place and also as a way of punishment for not bringing anything reliable about Alpha Oizys' champion back to us.” he patted her on the shoulder and walked back to his seat,
Roxanne felt like the world was crashing as the whip went across Kaizen's back more times she suddenly lost count.Kaizen fell to his knee at the impact of the whip; blood ran from the corner of his mouth while the whip tore through the clothes on his back and just through his skin.Roxie saw red. Her jaw tightened and her hands clenched into fists. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed that Revma was looking restless and pained as she watched the scene, while the rest of the crowd either had concerned looks or looks of pure glee like the likes of Lucien and Maverick, smirking as if they are watching their favorite. Roxie almost left her seat but Willow held her by the arm and she shit her eyes, trying hard to stop herself from making things worse than they were, but when the sound of Kaizen's pained cry reached her ear, Roxie's eyes flew open and she had enough.“STOP!” She roared and everywhere went silence, heads reeling to her as the only thing that could suddenly be heard was
Roxanne had been head in the clouds lately. It'd been three days since Revna came to her room, revealing things that were unbelievable yet believable; Roxie was only finding it difficult to question Kaizen.Roxie had always wondered why Alpha Oizys wanted her to win so badly and how he was so sure she would make the perfect champion when she had lived her whole life believing she was human.The only thing that got stuck in her head was the fact that her father was killed by Oizys and her mother was alive but imprisoned. Nothing made sense. If Kaizen was trying to protect her, why would he join his father in lying to her?“Hey, are you okay?”A jab on her side brought her back to reality, and the real world that welcomed her was a large feast.The grand hall was bustling with people seated at large tables, filled with varieties of food, clanking their cutlery on their plates, laughing, and chatting while a live band played on the stage. Roxie had barely touched the food on her plate, p
Roxanne assumed she understood Revna, but the redhead had proven to be a challenging riddle to unravel. She thought they were friends, but Revna was playing a game of hot and cold.“What are you doing here?” As soon as Roxie walked into her room, her brown gaze fell on Revna, who was sitting in her bed with arms arched over her chest.“I'd like us to talk.”“About what?”Revna's lips curled into a scowl. “About why you are really here in Blood Moon Pack; why Alpha Oizys brought you back, what he intends to use you for, and why the Sages are hell-bent on protecting you from him. Take it as a little help from a friend and a sister-in-law that cares.”Roxie would have believed her if the look in her eyes were anything but good, but Roxie was going to indulge her. One thing she had learned while being in this pack was that everyone had a scheme up their sleeves.“Tell me then,” Her eyes glinted as she stood up from the bed and approached Roxie. "How would you feel if you discovered your
"How dare you!”Kaizen's face fell to the side as the palm of his father's hand struck his face. If Kaizen had been a normal wolf, the presence of alpha pheromones in the room would have been his doom. He lifted his head and stared at his father, whose eyes were brimming with rage and hostility, while Lucien stood in the corner, an ass-eating grin on his face. Kaizen didn't need to be a genius to figure out what was going on. He knew.“As a Sage, you think I won't banish you because you are my son? Here I thought Lucien was the one who lusted after Roxanne. How could you be involved with a champion!" Kaizen didn't know how Lucien found out, but he was glad it wasn't Rune; things wouldn't have looked pretty.“I do not have an intimate relationship with a champion.” He stared at the floor and clinched his teeth to contain his rage.“Oh brother, do you deny?” With a sarcastic and heckling look, Lucien teased. Kaizen had the impulse to punch him across the face.“I overheard you and you
Roxanne was getting frustrated. She couldn't shift into her wolf no matter how much she strived. It was beginning to get on her nerves.With an irked sigh, she slumped against a tree in the forest after what felt like the hundredth try. She needed a break and water; the sun was scorching hot.The Sages stood in front of her with their arms crossed over their chests, sporting unimpressed looks.“What are we not doing right?” Azriel tilted his head and then looked at Jarvis. “Is she ever going to shift?”Roxie looked at Jarvis. He had always been a quiet one; most of the time, he looked like he was in pain. She studied him—his eyes didn't speak, but a smile curled on his face.“That depends on her.”“No, it doesn't depend on me. I can hear her speak in my head; she won't shut up abou—” She immediately cut herself off as she looked at Kaizen, who raised a challenging brow, daring her to complete the sentence. Roxie resisted the urge to show him a middle finger. “She won't keep quiet, but
“We have guests, and you two dare to fight like little children!” Alpha Oizys' voice thundered throughout his office as he glared daggers toward his sons, who stood before him. Lucien wiped his bloody lip with a thumb which, for some reason, had refused to heal. He glanced at Kaizen—the white-haired male was still fuming with rage. “He came at me. I was only trying to have some fun.” Kaizen faced him, his hands clenched into tight fists that he felt like throwing against Lucien’s face. “You call attempted rape fun? I didn’t think you were that twisted, Lucien.” He could barely contain his rage, as it was evident in his voice and his crimson eyes, which looked like there was a fire catching in them. “What is it to you? She’s not your mate, is she?” the pig barked. “As a Sage, I will not stand by and watch any of the champions get molested by you or anyone. Your behavior will not go unpunished.” Lucien let out a laugh that was loud and unrestrained, and his wicked eyes took a few l
After what felt like an eternity of training, it was finally time for the champions to showcase what they have learned from the five Sages to the packs.The arena was a massive circle, it was surrounded by high stone walls with rows of seats stacked in layers, where the crowd watched eagerly.Roxanne and the other champions stood in a line, all dressed in a dark-gray tunic that reached their mid-thigh, with leather straps across their shoulders and waists. Their slim pants tucked into knee-high boots and leather bracers on their wrists, and their hair was pulled back tightly, with arrows on their back and their bow at their side.They stood in the middle of the large arena, in front of Alpha Oizys who sat on a high seat, his gaze sharp and calculating as he watched all their faces while the Sages stood at the side, watching. Everyone was watching.“Are you nervous?” Willow whispered.“Are you nervous?” Roxie whispered back; she didn't know what to feel or expect. She wasn't even thinki
Roxanne was in a bad mood. Kaizen's rejection after that kiss stung her heart so hard she felt like punching through a wall till it cracked.He had brought her back to the pack house as if he couldn't wait to get rid of her. Roxie had never been so insulted her whole life by one person repeatedly. If she wasn't so scared of hurting his pretty face, she would have slammed it against the nearest wall and made sure it hurt. But still, slowly she reached out and touched her lips, she felt a shiver travel down her spine as she recalled the way he kissed her. They way he held and squeezed her waist like he was addicted to the way she fitted against him. The intensity of the kiss made the butterflies in her stomach dance in rejoice knowing she had finally be gotten to kiss him and fuck! He tastes heavenly.That kiss was the best thing she had ever had in her life and she craved for more, only if Kaizen hadn't been such a bastard and broke her heart further when he broke the kiss, he was cru
Roxanne was in the forest with Kaizen; as much as she didn’t wish to see the male at the moment, she had to learn how to shift into her wolf form and get it over with. The evening sun dipped on the leaves of the forest, casting a glow over the clearing of the forest where she stood, her breathing unsteady."Focus," Kiazen’s voice came behind her, firm but calm. She almost flinched at the closeness. When did he get behind her? How creepy, she thought, trying not to feel the warmth of his body that was close to hers. "Feel the shift; let it take over."She cleared her throat and closed her eyes. She reached deep within herself to find that spark but she was getting distracted. Kaizen was too close and his scent puncturing through her nostrils wasn’t helping. Why did he have to be that close?She reeled her head to look at him. “Can you please move back a little? I need to concentrate.” She didn’t want to boost his ego by saying he was alluring and distracting but she just wanted to get