It’s been two months since everything changed. Two months since her lifeless body has been put in the coffin and put in the tomb.Velkan stood in the Luna chambers, staring out the window and down at his pack, watching as different wolves went about their lives. He seemed to find solace being in the room, because it smelled like her.His dead mate.The door squeaked open. “Velkan, you are here.” Leia entered the room.“Mother, I beg of you. Not today.” Ever since Chanda’s death, his mother had given him the cold shoulder and when she spoke to him, it was only to yell and curse at him. He knew she blamed him for Chanda jumping off the cliff and killing herself.“I’m not in the mood to fight either.” She walked to the window and stood beside him. “I didn’t except to see you in here.”“I was just passing by and the door was opened.” He replied, not looking at her. “I can see her things have been brought back from the servant quarters.”“Yes. I ordered for them to be brought back.” Leia
“I can’t believe how peaceful it is here.” Chanda stood on a rock in the flowing river. She and Jacob had gone into the forest to gather wood for the night’s bonfire and were now taking a little break. “The birds singing beautifully in the sky, the smell of nature, this wonderful river.” She squatted down and let the water flow through her hands.Jacob looked up at her from the river bank where he laid. “You seem to really enjoy the water.”“Because it’s free!” She yelled happily. “Free to flow to wherever it desires.” She smiled at him. “Just what I always wished to be. Free.”“Until someone or something comes around, and then blocks the water’s path or changes the direction of its flow.” Jacob sat up and crossed his knees. “Or even worse, claims ownership of it.”“No, no.” She pointed at him, shaking her head. “No negative thoughts. We are not thinking like Fang today.”“Fang only has thoughts of killing.” Jacob said and they both laughed.“Why is he like that?” Chanda asked. “Alway
Okay! The sky is dark enough.” Fang called out to the three other men selected for the night’s hunt. “Get in your truck.”“It smells in here.” Chanda whispered, pulling down the top of the wrap that covered her body in the back of the truck where she hid.As she expected, Fang hadn’t even let Jacob talk about letting her accompany them, immediately shutting him down.So, Jacob had come up with the idea of sneaking her in to the back of the truck he and Fang were driving in.“Shhh. You have to stay quiet or we could get caught.” Jacob scolded her. “I don’t even know why I’m doing this.”“Because you are nice.”“Yeah, yeah.” Jacob grinned and wrinkled his nose. “It does smell in here. But please stay quiet, okay? Once we are far into the woods, you can come out. Even Fang won’t be so heartless to make you go back alone. Alright?” He asked and Chanda nodded in response.“Jacob!” Fang called out, startling them. “Where is Jacob?” He banged on the side of the truck.“Quick. Go back under t
“It’s settled, then.” Aiden’s voice echoed in the tomb, where he stood with Velkan and his mother. They had gone to check on Chanda’s coffin. “The burial will be done in two days from now.” He said, looking between them.“That’s okay.” Leia said, with her head bowed. “She has gone to a better place.”“Lycan?” Aiden turned to Velkan. Velkan just nodded absently. His mind was blank and he felt empty and numb. He has been fighting this feeling since the day they found her body. Even when his wolf, Rex turned cold to him, he hadn’t cared. But now looking at her coffin and talking about burial, he felt like he just realized it.Chanda was really gone. “Velkan?” Aiden touched his arm.Velkan cleared his throat and turned to him. “Get everything ready. So, we can finally put this behind us.”“Great. I need to prepare the official letter for the Elder’s council. I will be in my chambers if you need me.” Aiden bowed to them and left. Velkan and his mother fell into an uncomfortable silenc
The half-moon shining dimly in the sky was the first thing Chanda saw when she opened her eyes. She was lying flat on her back, hands and legs bound together.She knew she wasn’t exactly moving, but the hard surface underneath her felt like it was shaking and the sky was going by really fast.She was in a trunk of a moving van.“Ouhh.” She moaned in pain when the movement beneath her made her bump her left foot against something dumped in the corner. She bent her neck down to her left side, so as to make out what it was. It was a little dark, so she could barely see that it was the curved outline of a body.Could it be Jacob’s body? she wondered as the horror of the past few hours came rushing back to her.Sweet, kind, Jacob was killed because of her. “Sweet goddess.” She murmured in despair. What do those bastards need with his body? She squirmed on the floor, trying to shift herself closer, but she mistakenly kicked the body again.This time, it groaned and shifted.“Sweet goddess
“Unhand me, Velkan.” Aiden struggled against the shackles on his hands and feet that bounded him to the tree. “Face me like a true Lycan. Or are you scared? Pity.” He laughed.Velkan glared at Aiden, his eyes dead and his body rigid with anger, as the sounds of Aiden’s hysterical laughter taunted him.There were a few people gathered around them, including Trenton who was leaning against a tree, watching the scene.“I should have killed you by myself when I had the chance. You should be thanking me.” He mocked Velkan.Velkan took out a silver blade from his coat and admired its sharp glitz under the dim moonlight. “Why, Aiden?” He asked in a soft tone. “Why?”Aiden spat in his face and continued laughing. Velkan just turned away from him and handed the blade to a guard standing close. “Stab his heart with the blade and throw him over the cliff.”“Ha! Like your mate?” Aiden laughed louder. “You don’t want the pleasure of killing me yourself?”“You would like that, wouldn’t you? But I w
Velkan strode up to the house, feeling tired and disoriented, with Aiden’s final words taunting his thoughts.You will die for my cause. What had he meant? He wondered as he knocked on the door of his mother’s chamber.The door opened and the maid he had always seen around Chanda peaked her head from behind it. “Come in, My Lycan.” The maid opened the door wider and bowed.“Mariam, right?” Velkan asked and she nodded. “How is the queen?” He stepped into the room.His mother had fainted when she realized that Aiden had killed her husband and son. Mariam and some guards had taken care of her while he had dealt with Aiden. “Did the doctor see to her?”“Yes, Lycan.” Mariam closed the door. “She is fast asleep.” She pointed to the bed in the room.Velkan walked to his mother’s bed and crouched before her, his heart breaking at the thought of the pain she must been suffering from all over again.“Hmm.” She moaned, her forehead folding into little lines. “Velkan.” Her eyes fluttered a litt
“All hail the Lycan.” A guard bellowed as Velkan walked out of the house’s front door.“Praise to the greatest.” The gathered members responded and bowed in unison.A feeling of regret stirred through his body as he looked over the now silent crowd that had gathered in the center of the pack grounds waiting for him.The last time they had converged like this had been when he had banished Chanda to the servant quarters.“People of Great Goda. Today marks a grave day-” He started to speak but paused when a commotion happening to his far- left end caught his attention. He looked over to see some guards ordering the captured rogues to move.He snorted when one of the rogues spat at a guard in rebellion, but his main focus was on the only female captive among them.She was dragging her feet slowly on the ground, with her hands bound together and her head faced to the ground so her face was covered with her short black hair.He turned his attention back to the eager crowd.“Today marks… Sil
“My shoulder feels like it’s about to fall off.” Chanda whined as Fang, assisted by a guard, laid her down on a sleeping bag. “It hurts badly.”“Of course, it hurts, you dummy.” Fang lashed at her.“I would go get the doctor.” The guard walked out.“Tell me, Serafina.” Fang started pacing the room. “Was that stunt you pulled part of the plan or have you gone completely nuts?”“Stop yelling at me.” Chanda groaned. “I am in pain and you are making it worse.”“You haven’t seen pain. Thank the goddess, the Lycan didn’t sink that sword deep into your neck.”“Leave me be.” She pleaded. His voice was causing her a headache. “Go away if you won’t help me.”“The doctor is coming.” He said. “But really, how could you do that? Just because you have won a few battles in the training against some of the weak warriors doesn’t mean-”“I have won against you too.” Chanda murmured.“Doesn’t mean,” Fang continued, ignoring her jab. “That you can go challenging the Lycan to a one-on-one match. He could
“Velkan, wait.”Velkan turned back to see his mother, Mia and Sera running after him.“Slow down, Son.” Leia called out to him, but he just fastened his pace. He badly needed a drink to cool his anger. He barged into the house and headed for the bar, taking out a bottle of whiskey, but Mia was fast and she took it from him.“Let me pour you a glass, Alpha.” She smiled. Velkan just nodded and moved aside.“Son, are you okay?” His mother finally appeared beside him.“My lord.” Mia offered him the glass. He downed in a gulp. “Another.” He said, handing the cup to Mia.“No. You shouldn’t drink that much.” Leia took the glass from him. “Come, sit.” She led him to a chair. “Talk to me. Are you okay?”“How would he be?” Sera erupted in anger. “Can you imagine the nerve of that… that female? Daring to challenge her Luna to be, my daughter in front the pack like that?”“Mother.” Mia warned.“It is absurd.” Sera snapped. “Who knows what would have happened if the Lycan hadn’t defended your hon
Chanda stood in the middle of the ring, stalking his every step as Velkan climbed into the ring.“You want to battle the Luna?” Velkan’s voice echoed around them.“Yes, Lycan.” Chanda responded, determined to hold he ground. He wasn’t going intimidate her now. Not when she was so close getting payback. “This competition is meant for we the slaves to show loyalty to Goda. Surely you would except such loyalty from your bride?”“She isn’t as trained as you are.” Velkan stood so close to her. “Would it be a fair fight?”“One would think after your marriage to the late Chanda,” She challenged him. “You would want a brave luna by your side this time around.”Chanda couldn’t explain it, but she could swear his eyes darkened as she mentioned that name. Did he still hate her that much? “Fine.” Velkan whispered and stepped back. “Since this is about proving loyalty and showing bravery, then I will grant your choice of a change of opponent.”Yes. Chanda glanced over to where Mia sat. Payback ti
The adrenaline was high in the camp and around the pack was on the high, as everyone went about in preparation for the events of the day.Chanda too was busy getting ready for her… plan.She was hurdled at the back of the camp, carefully applying the poison she had made on every inch of her sword’s blade. She had waited till the morning of the competition to make it, so as to prevent anyone from accidently using it. That would have been disastrous, since she didn’t bother with making an antidote to the poison.There was no need. Her plan was simple.Most Alphas in the West region train their female children to have simple fighting skills, and Mia had not been exempted from said training. So, Chanda was going to challenge Mia to a duel, and all she had to do was make sure to cut Mia with the blade, ensuring the poison mixes with her blood.Then she would feign defeat and simply wait back for the announcement of the sudden death of the new Luna to be.“I wonder if Velkan would get backl
After spending most of the past few days, listening to talks about how Mia was the perfect Luna for Goda, Chanda was filled with overwhelming anger and burning desire to hurt something. Anything.And only available victim was the poor punching bag she was currently pummeling.“Evil! Evil! Evil.” Chanda repeated while throwing jabs at the bag. “Evil!”“It’s just a punching bag, Serafina.” Mariam sighed from under the tree shade where she was lounging, idly flipping through the pages of a book. “How evil could it possibly be?”“I am just so… Arggh!” Chanda screamed at the top of her lungs.“I can see that. But it’s not just you.” Mariam closed the book and sat upright. “Ever since that witch and her mother moved into the pack, I have felt the urge to squeeze the life out of everything.”Assuming the witch to be Mia, the cause of her despair, Chanda turned her attention fully to Mariam.“Witch, you say?”“She couldn’t even wait for the official announcement of her engagement to the Lyca
“I have only been here for a few days, but I think I am already in love with Goda.” Mia chuckled.“Hmm.” Velkan answered absently, as they strolled around the pack.His mother had insisted he ask Mia to accompany on his daily morning walks. She claimed it will help the pack members get used to seeing her in the pack with him, since he was yet to make an official announcement of their engagement.He thought it was her sneaky ploy to make him spend some alone time with Mia. Mia as always had been delighted to tag along.“The air here is just different. The scenery is breathtaking.” Mia continued her praises on his pack. “The people are friendly and hardworking. You must take great pride in leading them and I am deeply honored to become their Luna. Thank you for accepting me.”“You are welcome.” Velkan responded, pleased with her manner. He didn’t really mind being around Mia. She was pleasant and always said the right things, as if she was born to be a Luna. She was also beautiful.She
Chanda sat on a tree stump, legs crossed watching Fang train and trying so hard to find answers to the question she had plagued herself with all through the night.What kind of wicked game was the moon goddess playing with her?Wasn’t she supposed to find Mia and awaken the Moon powers, so they can defeat Velkan together?Wasn’t that the reason she was brought back to life?Then…“Why? why? Why?” Chanda yelled to the sky.“Okay, that enough.” Fang sat beside her. “I have had it with you. What is going on?”“Everything is wrong.” Chanda cried, burying her face in her hands. “It’s all wrong. I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.”“Is this about our plan to escape? We haven’t even gotten our positions among the selected warriors yet. There is no need for tears.” Fang rubbed on her back to comfort her. “You are doing very well already. Just work hard to get the spot and I believe we would get out of here together, Serafina.” He lifted her face up to look at him. “So, stop whining already
Velkan hadn’t slept a wink throughout the night. He had been tossing and turning in his bed, as his thoughts had continuously drifted between how much he missed Chanda, Aiden’s last words and surprisingly enough, Serafina.He couldn’t understand what was so intriguing about a mere female rogue wolf, that he felt so drawn to her. Or was he just attracted to the lowest kind of females, like Chanda?He has a beautiful Alpha’s daughter, a true royal blood, throwing herself at him and he had rejected her without a thought, under the pretense of respecting Chanda’s name. But he was almost certain, if Serafina was the one being offered to him, he would not have said no so easily, no matter how much he missed Chanda.That was what bothered him the most.“F***!” Velkan cursed, sitting up on his bed. Even though his room was pitch black, he could tell it was morning as the alarm had been blaring a few minutes ago. The maids should come in any minute now, to prepare his bath and set out his clo
We can’t go in?” Chanda asked with a puzzled look on her face Her excitement was cut short upon getting to the guest house, when Snow instructed them to stop at the front of the gates.“No, you can’t. You two will guard the house from the outside while they,” Snow pointed to the other warriors standing beside him. “Will stand guard from inside the compound.”“But-.”“We can’t afford taking any unnecessary risks now,” He eyed Fang. “Can we?”“But-.” Chanda repeated.“Don’t argue with me on this, Serafina.” Snow shut her down firmly. “I will be on my way.” Snow nodded to them and walked away. The two other guards walked into the compound and shut the door, leaving behind a stunned Chanda and an annoyed Fang outside.Thirty minutes later, and Chanda was still complaining, much to the determent of Fang.“Will you please stop whining?” He groaned.“No!” Chanda slid to the floor. “This is not fair!” She banged on the gates, loudly.“Why do you even want to go in so badly?” He eyed her. “Ar