MARAMy heart sliced through me as Ria cried out, "Our mate is injured!" Panic swelled within me—could it be Kael, my former mate from Ravencrest Pack? Fear rippled through my veins, imagining his wrath if he found me, he will either drag me back to face the pack as a fugitive, or worse, KILL ME! which was his best option. I knew how much Kael hated me.“MATE!” Ria kept purring.“Shut up Ria! Do I have two mates now?!” That is not Kael, can’t you see?” I snapped back at her when I soon noticed something about the scent we’ve been perceiving."Not Kael!" I gasped. Ria purred in agreement. This scent was different—not the familiar honey and jasmine, but a tantalizing blend of caramel and rosemary.“A new mate?” Confusion and curiosity mingled as I studied the injured wolf before me, caught in a vicious boar trap.I realized why the beast couldn't shift—doing so would tear its leg apart. Rival packs often used such traps to catch and interrogate enemies.Despite its shattered leg and
3 YEARS AGO MARA “The Moon Goddess has decided,” the sage of Ravencrest Pack announced after a while of silence, his gaze zoning in on me and making me want to sink into the ground from all the attention I was getting. “You, Mara, are destined to be the next Alpha of the pack.” ~ “Your coronation is drawing closer by the day. How do you feel?” Alpha Kalen, the man who had adopted me as his own, said. It all felt surreal. Ever since I had been announced as the rightful heir to the throne of someone who wasn’t my biological father, things had gone off the rails. I felt eyes on me every single time I moved, and Kael—Alpha Kalen’s own son—now had hatred for me. We were having dinner now, and I couldn’t help but notice Kael glaring at me from the other side of the table as Alpha Kalen waited for my answer. “I feel…” I sighed, not sure what to say. I couldn’t tell if I was more happy than scared or vice versa. “I don’t know, it doesn’t feel real enough for me to believe just
MARA “What do you think you’re doing!?” Kael yelled at me, his grip on my wrist tightening even more and causing me to yelp in pain. “Stop it. Whatever you think you’re doing, stop it right now!”I understood that he found it hard to believe as well, but thinking I had something to do with it was only strange.“I’m just as confused as you are, Kael! I’m not doing anything to you, I swear. I don’t… This doesn’t make any sense. Let go of me.” As an attempt to get him to let me go, I grabbed his hand and tried to pry it off of me, but he let me go immediately as if my touch burned him.“Get in,” he ordered, stepping away from the doorway so that I would enter his bedroom.I stood there, unable and unwilling to move. I couldn’t go in there when I knew that he had so much reason to kill me and pretend like it didn’t happen. I shook my head, and as if he knew what I was thinking, he snapped:“I know what a mate bond does to people when their mates die. I’m not willing to do that to myself
MARA“What are you talking about?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat as I looked at Kael, the same person that I had practically grown up with. Even some pack members would not believe that we were not of the same parents, and now…“I told you it doesn’t have to mean anything. It wouldn’t mean anything, Mara. It’s starting to bother me more than I can take, and you’re unfortunately the only person who can take it away.”“No.” I shook my head. I walked to the door and opened it, a gesture that he was to understand immediately. “You need to leave. I’m not going to do this.”“I don’t feel anything for you, Mara. This doesn’t have to be weird. Just this once to set my head straight, and I’ll be out of your way.”With each word that he said, I only realized just how selfish Kael was. He hated me with all his guts, never hid it for once, and now he wanted me to be the one to help him out with whatever restlessness he had.At least he was kind enough to let me know that it still wouldn’t mea
MARAKael had not said a word to me in three days since I had played him the recording of him begging me to mate with him. It was something I was absolutely grateful since he never passed up on an opportunity to taunt me or throw a snarky remark my way before.But I didn’t know what that meant—had he finally given up, or was he waiting for the perfect moment to strike?He had been stepping out of my way, refusing to interact with me. He never showed up for breakfast or dinner with me and Alpha Kalen, who didn’t seem worried about it as the only thing he talked to me about was my coronation.And now, it was here. The night before my coronation, and I was with Alpha Kalen in the training room for the last time before I would be Alpha Mara.“I got in touch with the chancellor of Voltex university,” he said after we finished training.My body went rigid, and I turned to give him my full and undivided attention. I had refused to pressure him over something that I wasn’t sure about, especia
PRESENTMARA I was now a lone wolf in a human and rogue world. If it weren't for Kael, I wouldn’t have a cause to run away from my pack. My so-called brother was all over me, determined to force me to sleep with him because of some silly believe- we were ‘mate’. And besides that he wanted me dead because I was chosen to be the crown alpha of Ravenclaw. Even when he tried hard to hide it, it was so clear that he was behind the attack on Ravenclaw a night before my coronation as alpha. "Disgusting, huh?" I muttered to Ria. As I moved through the woods, loneliness engulfed me. "I once had a family, a home. Now I’m alone living among dangerous rogues, fugitives and lone wolves like me." “No," Ria snapped. "We're survivors. Kael can't break us." "I miss him," I confessed. Ria snorted, "Alpha Kalen of course." I retreated. My heart ached as memories flooded in. Alpha Kalen, my guardian, had raised me after my father died in pack war and my mother after she gave birth to me offer
ROLANGoddamn! That Nyx, my wolf, and I could fall into this damned boar trap is unbelievable. Nyx was raging with rage inside of me, moving up and down as though he were trying to tear out. "Fucking Kael!" I muttered a curse at Kael, who had placed the trap to try to get away and take the upper hand after he fled the battlefield. For that reason, I was running around his escape path in an attempt to catch up to him before I entered the trap. I would run to unalive him with my last breath. Kael knew I'd race with my last breath to unalive him.There has been conflict between my pack, Ashclaw, and Ravenclaw for a few months now because of the abrupt disappearance of my pack members that could be linked to him. I've heard of an underground slave trade, but I've never been interested in it, so I don't understand why my pack should be dragged into that mess.For what seemed like forever, I was left abandoned and defenseless as our packs engaged in a furious combat. I know that my beta an
ROLANA trespasser that I’m convinced was from Ravenclaw had traced Zander and my warriors down to the middle of the woods where I was trapped before Doctor Pretty rescued me.Without a second thought, I lunged forward, feeling my bones agile and muscles surge. I didn’t even feel the pain in my injured leg as I cut off his neck cleanly with my sword, sending his lifeless body crumpling to the ground at my feet.She gasped, stumbling backwards, her eyes wide with shock as she took in what just happened. I knew what she must think—that I was demonic and ruthless. Well, I knew that was not much of a romantic thing to do in front of one’s mate but he was a threat, that is what a trespasser deserves. And I would do anything to keep my pack safe even if it means cutting as many heads as possible that I can.My gaze met hers, steadily and unwavering. I moved a bit closer to her from the back because she was now standing in front of me, interestingly looking at the lifeless body in the pool
MARAI startled awake with a cold shock, my body pressed against the hard, freezing floor of a place that smelled bad and was totally dark. I blinked quickly and squinted to make sense of what was going on around me, but the room was as dim as void.My head throbbed, and as I struggled to sit up, I felt the cold bite of metal against my wrists and ankles.Chains. I was chained to the floor.“Where am I?” I whispered, my voice barely above a tremble. My eyes instinctively went to my wrist, checking my watch. 8:00 p.m.My chest clenched due to panic when I remembered where I was supposed to be—Rolan's surgery should’ve started an hour ago.Rolan… I imagined him there, helpless, counting on me to save him. And here I was, tied up like a lamb for slaughter.A faint and hoarse chuckle echoed from one corner of the room. “Hello, Mara. Long time no see.”I turned my head towards the voice. A dim yellow bulb dangled from the ceiling, casting a faint shadow and illuminating just enough of the
MARA"No, Rolan! Don't listen to him!" I gripped his hand tightly, shaking my head as Doctor Allen's ominous words still rang in my ears. "I’ll fix this. That doctor doesn’t know what he’s talking about."“I’ll fix you, Rolan!” My voice echoed across the room.I could barely hold back the flood of frustration. The moment Doctor Allen had dropped the bombshell about Rolan’s leg, he’d left peacefully as if he had not just painted the world’s grumpiest storm cloud exiting a sky. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady."Get me a nurse! And where's the radiographer?" Even I was pleasantly surprised by how loud and authoritative my voice was.Soon, Lach, the radiographer, walked in, his face a mix of worry and calm. "You called? My name is Lach and I’m the radiographer here.""Yes, I need you to run the lateral view of his leg," I instructed."I want every angle you have. And any possible fracture details but start with the lateral view," I rattled on, aware of how crucial it
ROLANA trespasser that I’m convinced was from Ravenclaw had traced Zander and my warriors down to the middle of the woods where I was trapped before Doctor Pretty rescued me.Without a second thought, I lunged forward, feeling my bones agile and muscles surge. I didn’t even feel the pain in my injured leg as I cut off his neck cleanly with my sword, sending his lifeless body crumpling to the ground at my feet.She gasped, stumbling backwards, her eyes wide with shock as she took in what just happened. I knew what she must think—that I was demonic and ruthless. Well, I knew that was not much of a romantic thing to do in front of one’s mate but he was a threat, that is what a trespasser deserves. And I would do anything to keep my pack safe even if it means cutting as many heads as possible that I can.My gaze met hers, steadily and unwavering. I moved a bit closer to her from the back because she was now standing in front of me, interestingly looking at the lifeless body in the pool
ROLANGoddamn! That Nyx, my wolf, and I could fall into this damned boar trap is unbelievable. Nyx was raging with rage inside of me, moving up and down as though he were trying to tear out. "Fucking Kael!" I muttered a curse at Kael, who had placed the trap to try to get away and take the upper hand after he fled the battlefield. For that reason, I was running around his escape path in an attempt to catch up to him before I entered the trap. I would run to unalive him with my last breath. Kael knew I'd race with my last breath to unalive him.There has been conflict between my pack, Ashclaw, and Ravenclaw for a few months now because of the abrupt disappearance of my pack members that could be linked to him. I've heard of an underground slave trade, but I've never been interested in it, so I don't understand why my pack should be dragged into that mess.For what seemed like forever, I was left abandoned and defenseless as our packs engaged in a furious combat. I know that my beta an
PRESENTMARA I was now a lone wolf in a human and rogue world. If it weren't for Kael, I wouldn’t have a cause to run away from my pack. My so-called brother was all over me, determined to force me to sleep with him because of some silly believe- we were ‘mate’. And besides that he wanted me dead because I was chosen to be the crown alpha of Ravenclaw. Even when he tried hard to hide it, it was so clear that he was behind the attack on Ravenclaw a night before my coronation as alpha. "Disgusting, huh?" I muttered to Ria. As I moved through the woods, loneliness engulfed me. "I once had a family, a home. Now I’m alone living among dangerous rogues, fugitives and lone wolves like me." “No," Ria snapped. "We're survivors. Kael can't break us." "I miss him," I confessed. Ria snorted, "Alpha Kalen of course." I retreated. My heart ached as memories flooded in. Alpha Kalen, my guardian, had raised me after my father died in pack war and my mother after she gave birth to me offer
MARAKael had not said a word to me in three days since I had played him the recording of him begging me to mate with him. It was something I was absolutely grateful since he never passed up on an opportunity to taunt me or throw a snarky remark my way before.But I didn’t know what that meant—had he finally given up, or was he waiting for the perfect moment to strike?He had been stepping out of my way, refusing to interact with me. He never showed up for breakfast or dinner with me and Alpha Kalen, who didn’t seem worried about it as the only thing he talked to me about was my coronation.And now, it was here. The night before my coronation, and I was with Alpha Kalen in the training room for the last time before I would be Alpha Mara.“I got in touch with the chancellor of Voltex university,” he said after we finished training.My body went rigid, and I turned to give him my full and undivided attention. I had refused to pressure him over something that I wasn’t sure about, especia
MARA“What are you talking about?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat as I looked at Kael, the same person that I had practically grown up with. Even some pack members would not believe that we were not of the same parents, and now…“I told you it doesn’t have to mean anything. It wouldn’t mean anything, Mara. It’s starting to bother me more than I can take, and you’re unfortunately the only person who can take it away.”“No.” I shook my head. I walked to the door and opened it, a gesture that he was to understand immediately. “You need to leave. I’m not going to do this.”“I don’t feel anything for you, Mara. This doesn’t have to be weird. Just this once to set my head straight, and I’ll be out of your way.”With each word that he said, I only realized just how selfish Kael was. He hated me with all his guts, never hid it for once, and now he wanted me to be the one to help him out with whatever restlessness he had.At least he was kind enough to let me know that it still wouldn’t mea
MARA “What do you think you’re doing!?” Kael yelled at me, his grip on my wrist tightening even more and causing me to yelp in pain. “Stop it. Whatever you think you’re doing, stop it right now!”I understood that he found it hard to believe as well, but thinking I had something to do with it was only strange.“I’m just as confused as you are, Kael! I’m not doing anything to you, I swear. I don’t… This doesn’t make any sense. Let go of me.” As an attempt to get him to let me go, I grabbed his hand and tried to pry it off of me, but he let me go immediately as if my touch burned him.“Get in,” he ordered, stepping away from the doorway so that I would enter his bedroom.I stood there, unable and unwilling to move. I couldn’t go in there when I knew that he had so much reason to kill me and pretend like it didn’t happen. I shook my head, and as if he knew what I was thinking, he snapped:“I know what a mate bond does to people when their mates die. I’m not willing to do that to myself
3 YEARS AGO MARA “The Moon Goddess has decided,” the sage of Ravencrest Pack announced after a while of silence, his gaze zoning in on me and making me want to sink into the ground from all the attention I was getting. “You, Mara, are destined to be the next Alpha of the pack.” ~ “Your coronation is drawing closer by the day. How do you feel?” Alpha Kalen, the man who had adopted me as his own, said. It all felt surreal. Ever since I had been announced as the rightful heir to the throne of someone who wasn’t my biological father, things had gone off the rails. I felt eyes on me every single time I moved, and Kael—Alpha Kalen’s own son—now had hatred for me. We were having dinner now, and I couldn’t help but notice Kael glaring at me from the other side of the table as Alpha Kalen waited for my answer. “I feel…” I sighed, not sure what to say. I couldn’t tell if I was more happy than scared or vice versa. “I don’t know, it doesn’t feel real enough for me to believe just