BLAISE The healer arrived after what felt like an eternity. She was a dark, roly-poly woman with long brown locks, dressed in a sage green, flowing linen robe that was embroidered with mystical symbols. A red cord was tied around her waist, and her eyes were ghostly white. A turquoise amulet hung from her neck, which I suspected possessed healing powers. Her wrists and legs were adorned with tiny wooden beads. Their soft rattle accompanied her movements as she stepped into the room, barefoot, carrying a tote bag. She bowed to me. "You requested my presence, My Lord," she said in a hoarse voice that hinted at years of whispered incantations. I nodded and gestured toward Lila. "She's unwell, and I can't get her to a hospital." The healer smiled slightly and shook her head. "This is not a hospital sickness, My Lord." She approached Lila placed a single cowry on her fevered forehead, and proceeded to use her thumb to pry open Lila's eyelids and took out another cowry from
BLAISE I woke up before Lila did the next morning, quietly slipping out of bed in hopes of not disturbing her. She had fallen asleep only a few hours ago. As much as I hated to admit it, she was growing on me, and I couldn't keep resisting. The way she had fallen asleep in my arms last night felt like something out of a dream, a dream I wanted to avoid at all costs. There was certainly no happily ever after for Lila and me, even if the wolf bond played its part in this. There was no way I would live with her, knowing she had a connection to the death of my Luna and pup. Could I truly share my life with someone linked, however indirectly, to their untimely demise? Maybe the best thing to do was to let her go. I would forget about the heirs I wanted from her, reject her, and send her away from my pack, far away from here so I wouldn't have to see her anymore. That seemed to be the only remedy because it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay mad at her. Apart from the g
BLAISE Leo, Erick, Patrick, Ken, and a few other trusted members of my inner circle were waiting in the winery when I entered. Beyond my role as the Alpha of a prestigious pack, I also ran the biggest winery in the country and beyond. Callo Wines had endured for centuries, since the era of the early werewolves, and had remained the biggest and best wine suppliers, except for a few wineries in Italy. It had evolved into more of an heirloom than a mere business, each heir striving to elevate it to new heights. As the current heir, achieving excellence was my forte. However, my winery was more than just a haven for wine production; it doubled as my chamber of torment. It was here that I subjected those unfortunate enough to earn my wrath to extreme suffering, much like the rogue we had captured two nights ago. "What's the latest?" I inquired, observing the tension in my men's expressions. "The production of the new wine is proceeding smoothly, but we have encountere
LILA It had been three days since I revealed my intention to escape to Erick, despite his reluctance to support my plan, he had lent a helping hand in gathering the necessities for my escape. Surprisingly, fate seemed to align with my desires when Alpha Blaise decided to host an unexpected ball for the pack. The reason behind his decision remained a mystery, but the timing couldn't have been more perfect. As the pack gathered inside, revelling in merriment, I saw my opportunity to slip away unnoticed. By the time they realised I was gone, I would be well on my way across the seas. The sleep inducer I had carried with me, had become unnecessary, but I kept it hidden within my dress, just in case. The servants buzzed around the kitchen, busy with preparations for the event. To avoid arousing suspicion, I lingered, assisting with various small tasks. My hope was to seize the moment to sprinkle the sleep-inducing powder into the large pot of stew simmering over an open flame.
LILA Blaise's private chamber differed from the one he usually takes me to. This one was more spacious, bathed in a soft, dim light, exuding an air of cosy intimacy. The warriors escorting me to our so-called matrimonial room treated me with unexpected tenderness, a marked change from the years of torment I endured before being declared Luna of this pack. How could I become Luna to a pack that had inflicted nothing but pain upon me for two long years, stripping away everything I held dear? Tears welled up as the warriors gently guided me into the room, only to exit swiftly, locking the door behind them. The bedroom resembled a regal chamber from the Victorian era. Indigo walls were adorned with intricate gold leaf patterns, while a magnificent chandelier, studded with sapphires and diamonds, hung gracefully from the ceiling. Velvet drapes in rich hues of burgundy and emerald cascaded from tall, arched windows. At its centre stood a grand four-poster bed, and to one side of the room,
LILA Gothic, black wedding dress, a short dark veil adorned with feathers, and accessories—it all seemed surreal. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. It had been a lifelong dream, imagining finding my soulmate, the love of my life, and savouring the joy of my wedding day. But life had a way of throwing curveballs, and my dreams lay shattered. I didn't even bother with makeup; dressing up for Blaise was the last thing on my mind. I had explicitly instructed the beautician not to bother with it. Now, I stood before the vintage mirror, staring at my reflection. Blaise had kept his distance since the previous night. He hadn't slept in the same room with me, and I couldn't care less. I wished to keep him far from me; he was dangerous in more ways than I could fathom. But I had made a solemn promise to myself that I would make life unbearable for Blaise. I would frustrate him to the point where he would regret ever meeting me, let alone marrying me. I had agreed t
LILA Blaise didn't share the room with me on our first night. As I lay in bed, my thoughts revolved around the kiss we had shared earlier in the day. While part of me yearned for his presence, another part remained adamant. I tossed and turned in the luxurious bed, wrestling with my curiosity about his absence. So much for presenting a united front, I had thought. Eventually, exhaustion claimed me, pulling me into a dream where Blaise and I were lost in another kiss. Morning arrived with a gentle rattle at my door. It was bright and sunny, even with the heavy drapes still drawn. Surely, it wasn't Blaise. He has a tendency to forgo knocking on his own door, I called for the person to enter. Cassie and another girl stepped inside. Cassie carried my toiletries, while the other girl brought a clothing rack. Both bowed, and the other girl moved to part the heavy velvet curtains, letting in even more sunlight. "We will prepare you for breakfast now, Luna," the girl with the
BLAISE I released the sheet of paper from my grip, gazing at the scattered sheets on my table. Our new wine production was progressing smoothly. Despite our partners' hesitation due to rumours of my kidnapping and coercion of young women, our advertisement alone had attracted numerous business opportunities. Restaurants, wine shops, and affluent members of society planning lavish parties across the country sought our wine. The demand for our latest production was soaring, even before we had conducted any wine tasting. The wine production process was still in the sanitization phase, and the wine hadn't been bottled yet, but everyone yearned for a taste of it. I had spent the entire night awake, approving requests and carving out strategies to destroy Drax, my arch-enemy. It was my wedding night, and I should have been in bed with my Luna, but I couldn't bear staying in the same room with Lila without succumbing to my carnal desires. That woman drives me insane. It was
BLAISE I burst into the dimly lit room where Richard was tied up around a chair. I had not physically tormented him, but he looked exhausted. I couldn't help but wonder if it was the weight of guilt that had drained him so. It was incomprehensible that Richard, of all people, would become entangled in the web of those seeking to bring about my downfall. But I heeded Lila's counsel and resolved to approach this encounter with the grace of composure and hear him out. I gestured for a chair and signalled the guards to leave us alone. "Keep vigilant watch over Mrs. Pierce and her son," I instructed them, to which they replied in unified affirmation. My focus returned to Richard, who had steadfastly avoided meeting my gaze. Delicately, I retrieved my penknife, its blade shimmering menacingly as I flicked it open. "Listen closely, Richard. I'm giving you a final opportunity for redemption. Should you withhold what I seek, I shall not hesitate to strip your very skin from your
AUTHOR'S P.O.V. Dr Richard concealed himself beneath the inky depths of a black hoodie and robe, his movements quick as he vacated the hotel room. He stood still at the garage, his ears straining for even the faintest of sounds, but all remained eerily silent. His eyes darted thoroughly surveying his surroundings, but no discernible presence lurked nearby. Satisfied, he slipped into his car, ignited the engine, and eased out of the hotel's garage. Meanwhile, within a dimly lit room, two men hunched before their computer screens, their eyes tracking Dr. Richard's car as it exited from the garage. One of them, with a finger pressed to an earpiece, relayed a terse message. "He is on the move." Dr Richard accelerated, his foot heavy on the gas pedal, as the monotonous road stretched endlessly before him, bereft of other vehicles. The moon had chosen to withhold its luminous presence that night, yet his headlights carved a luminous path through the obscurity. An ho
BLAISE In a frenzy, I scoured my office, turning over papers and rifling through drawers in a desperate search for my signet ring. Its absence was a growing concern – the documents I had just approved were sitting on my desk, demanding the ring's unique imprint. The deadline was near; they needed to be submitted by tomorrow morning. Finding nothing, I ventured into our bedroom, combing through every corner with equal fervour. Yet, the ring remained elusive. I stood, defeated, in the middle of the room, eyes closed, straining my memory for the last time I had used it. But my thoughts were a tangled mess, muddled by the whirlwind of recent events. Lila's sudden interest in Aurora's family had left me puzzled. I had secretly set a trap for Drax, a plan I had shared with no one, not even Lila. The recent revelation about Hart potentially being the elusive 'Ghost'. further fuelled my frustration. Why would he target me? I bore no responsibility for his sister's tragic death, and
AUTHOR'S P.OV. In the stillness of the night, Amanda's sleep was abruptly interrupted by the insistent buzzing of her phone. Groggily lifting her head, she glanced at the glowing screen with an annoyed sigh, deciding to ignore the call and nestling back into her pillow. "I would answer if I were you," a deep, male voice resonated through the room. At first, the intrusion didn't fully register in Amanda's sleep-fogged brain, her drowsy state clouded her comprehension. She groaned, turning over to bury her face in her pillow, her desire for rest overpowering her curiosity. Then, the startling reality hit her like a cold wave: she was supposed to be alone. Her eyes flew open, her brow furrowing in confusion and fear. A man had spoken to her within the sanctuary of her bedroom. Panic surged through her, and she abruptly sat up in bed, reaching for the bedside lamp. In its soft glow, a figure materialized, concealed within dark robes and a hood that veiled their ident
LILA Blaise stormed into our room. "You keep giving me reasons not to trust you!" he barked, his voice echoing with a mixture of anger and betrayal. I followed Blaise into the room. We had just returned from the hospital where Tim was admitted. He was unconscious and in a bad shape, but he was still alive, which was a glimmer hope for me. "I'm sorry, Blaise, but—" "But what?" He spun around, his gaze piercing into mine. The muscles in his jaw twitched in barely contained frustration. "You made me promise to tell you everything going on, but you went ahead to do this on your own." His fingers raked through his hair, a gesture of sheer exasperation. He turned away momentarily, as if gathering his thoughts, then faced me again. His voice softened, tinged with worry, yet the undercurrent of irritation was unmistakable. "Lila, what if you were in that car? What if this tragedy had struck while you were returning from the Autumn Pack?" "I'm sorry." My words were a
AUTHOR'S P.O.V. Tim, dressed in the shadows with his all-black attire, stealthily navigated through the dense underbrush, determined not to alert the ever-watchful Mrs. Green. Fortunately, the moon had chosen to hide its luminous face that night, shrouding him in obscurity. His silent footsteps led him closer to the backyard of the house, which lay veiled in profound darkness, with only a faint glimmer from a lantern casting feeble light into the hallway. With deft carefulness, Tim picked the lock of the kitchen door, and within moments, the door yielded to his skilled touch. As he entered, he closed the door with painstaking care, but it let out a faint, protesting creak. A sudden crack from within the house prompted him to hide himself, holding his breath. Moments later, Mrs. Green emerged, gripping a shotgun, and sweeping it vigilantly from one corner of the house to the next. Tim knew that her senses were keen, and she could recognise his scent in an instant. Drawing
LILA As Tim drove me home in the dimming twilight, my mind swirled with thoughts of my earlier discussion with Mrs. Green. She had been evasive with her words, and it was evident that she possessed knowledge she wasn't willing to divulge. The only way I saw forward was using illegal means to obtain information, so, I contemplated enlisting Tim's help to infiltrate her abode, scouring for hidden secrets, while I confronted Dr. Richard regarding his involvement with Hart, who was from a pack two hours away from his own. "Tim," I began, my voice firm yet tinged with apprehension, "I need you to visit Mrs. Green's apartment tomorrow, discreetly, when she's absent. Search diligently for any trace of evidence—photographs, letters, tapes, whatever you can find." "Roger that, Luna," Tim acknowledged with determination, stepping down on the accelerator. Upon reaching home, I was greeted by Blaise, who was on the porch, waiting. His slung arm and sombre countenance hinted at
LILA The following day found me once more standing before Mrs. Green's doorstep, this time alone and imploring. Tim, my bodyguard, was not with me today. I thought that perhaps presenting myself alone would engender a greater sense of comfort and empathy from the woman. "Hello, Mrs. Green," I greeted, infusing my voice with a touch of desperation and plea. "Could you spare a moment to listen to me?" As she remained silent and motionless, I decided to appeal to her conscience. "Mrs Green, please understand that I'm a mother, and I've been separated from my two-year-old since yesterday. If you could kindly grant me access to complete my job and return to my waiting child, I would be immensely grateful. I cannot leave until the task is done—." Before I could complete my plea, the door swung open abruptly, revealing Mrs. Green's stern countenance. I met her gaze, silently pleading for entry. She scanned her surroundings before stepping aside, permitting me to enter. Initially
LILA Blaise had received strict instructions from Dr. Richard to rest until he fully recovered. However, I knew Blaise all too well to believe he would heed that advice. He was keen on dealing with his enemies and so was I to unmask them. Following a thorough sweep of the entire packhouse, we discovered concealed listening devices in both Blaise's study and the room he had allocated to me. Leo proposed that these bugs might have been the tools intruders employed to siphon information from the pack. Yet, I harboured doubts. I sensed that the truth lay beneath the surface, and I prayed that my solitary quest to unmask the mysterious 'Ghost' wouldn't lead me astray. My only wish was that my plan would unfold seamlessly. With unwavering determination, I informed Blaise that I intended to visit Randolph and Teresa at the vineyard. In truth, I had a different destination in mind. My true objective was the Water Side neighbouring pack, where I aimed to meet with a woman known to Teres