"My Luna, they said you were missing." It was Irene, running towards Ophelia with her skirt fetched in her hands."Missing?" Ophelia narrowed her gaze when she got to her side. She had taken off the hood from her cloak, let her hair down, and washed her face in a stream and so the guards let her in, immediately she approached the gate."Yes, Alpha Finlay is out on the look for you," Irene blurted out.Oh, this was alarming and sort of amusing to Ophelia. She only sneaked out through the walls to head to Down Easton and she was declared missing? Could it be someone was stalking her? Why would she in her right mind run away? It crossed her mind during the first month of her marriage with Finlay because of his behavior and the way he treated her, but she could never summon the courage to do it. Her life was tied behind the thick castle walls, the heavy barrier from the outside world except she wanted to visit her family or the pack house orphanage because of the children.She didn't run
"Loki was impregnated by the stallion's foal and he later gave birth to Sleipnir, a gray, eight-legged horse,""Why? I thought men do not get pregnant," the boy with a missing tooth frowned at Ophelia from the floor."Isn't it rather absurd?" Another asked and then a series of questions started trooping in from the kids who were seated over the floor, and Ophelia didn't know which one to give a response to.She closed the book and raised her hand to gain silence."Calm down, kids, as I have read you, Loki was a trickster god.""And a man-" provided a girl who was stabbing her fingers into her nostrils and peeking for boogers."-who could change his gender and species with ease. I told you he shapeshifted into a female horse earlier," Ophelia explained and the perplexed and rowdy-looking children quieted down."Sleipnir ultimately belonged to Odin right after its birth.""Why?" A few were interested enough to ask."Being the best horse amongst gods and men, Loki gifted Odin, which expla
Ophelia was by the lakeshore, throwing pieces of pebbles into the lake from time to time. She was alone, temporal solitariness was required to have herself to her thoughts once in a while. This was her favorite place in terms of wanting to avoid the entire world, it felt like her own world when a single soul couldn't be found on this side. There were times she would read a series of books to live within the characters written on the pages, then she would forget about her own life with a marriage that was shitty.Tonight, she would go to Finlay be it her choice or not. He was her husband, had rights to her body but she dreaded getting intimate with a man after a year and two months. It would remind her she wasn't the only owner of her body. Her stubbornness was forming into a habit which needed to be put to stop, she was dutiful and loyal even the times he hurt her, why would she resist him now?Because Finlay would be disappointed when she would not conceive a child. And he might grow
"Tell me you don't like this, Ophelia," Finlay asked from behind, dipping his hand inside the water before placing it over her stomach.Ophelia couldn't let her brain properly align what was happening because having him pressed against her like that, was nearly driving her nuts. "I want you to know how it feels to be pleasured, Ophelia. You needn't dwell in the past where I rough-handled you during copulation," Finlay rasped out before turning her to face him."I..I.." Christ, she couldn't even let the right words out, she was falling. Falling into his charm, his blue gaze was stormy with lust that it made her breath get caught up in her throat. Because Finlay was completely irresistible right now. Her body even missed his pressed against it."I promise I'll handle you with care." His eyes, they held so much in them. She didn't know if it was lust making him speak that way or if he meant it."No, Finlay," she found her voice when her vocal cords decided they were done with the little
"She worked at a tavern in Petersburg." First man."I'm certain she must've hawked her cunt during her stay." Second man."And lost count of the men she's bedded, I'll bet they'll pass for a troop of an army," this from the third man and there was a fit of laughter inside the pub."Alpha Finlay hasn't been seen with any woman since his return." Second man."It reached my hearing that his number one mistress is readying herself to pay him a visit since he hasn't invited her over," the third man stroked his nose, placed his hand on the table, and then leaned forward to the person in his direction.From a corner, a boy was playing guitar as these men and women gossiped about Finlay and Ophelia's marriage inside a pub that was jam-packed with people. Someone in a gray hooded cloak of a fine design appeared and made his way past people and tables. His height and large physique had drawn the attention of some prostitutes, but he avoided them all. His face couldn't be seen and they kept thro
How could she ever get her mind off the way Finlay had his mouth on her cunt during the previous day's evening? His hot breath fanned into that area which made her realize what on Earth she had been missing."My Luna, you've been smiling," the voice of Lady Smiths pushed Ophelia out of her thoughts and she immediately composed herself, before letting her eyes meet the rest of the women at Thursday's meeting which was known to be held once a month. Most of them who didn't like her had frowns on their faces and Ophelia didn't mind. She was used to this, being the Luna and youngest in their midst. "My apologies, my ladies," she maintained her position on the power seat within the elites, "please carry on.""As I was saying…" Mrs. Smiths began but immediately cut herself short when the large conference doors flung open, and in came the tall intimidating woman who was tall enough to reach the ceiling.Elodie Chatterley. Finlay's lover.Ophelia's eyes widened in disbelief because the wom
"I'll bet you'll steal everyone's breath away, my Luna," Irene gushed when Ophelia stood in front of the mirror to take a look at her outfit and the way her hair was styled. "To say she's beautiful is an understatement. No one can withstand her beauty in the whole of our pack," This from lady Athena who had a bright smile on her face as her eyes admired Ophelia. "Alpha Finlay asked me to design the best dress I've ever made for any woman. I'll bet you'll be a head-turner tonight,"Ophelia forced a smile on her face.Of course, she looked pretty as they claim and it didn't seem as though they were exaggerating.But Finlay asked Athena to design that dress for her.It made her stomach churn because he was trying to be a good husband, only for the sake of taking in a second wife. Ophelia mused.The ball gown attire was made of the detachable collar of lace, ribbon, and fabric called Berthe. With an elbow-length sleeve. Smooth-fitted civil waistline just below her ribcage and not on her h
Someone announced Ophelia's presence and people started approaching them, to exchange pleasantries. Including the ones who were seated at their tables, were rising to their feet, readying themselves to approach Alpha and Luna of the Crimson Paw pack.Ophelia tried as much as she could to keep a smile on her face because these people were all the same to her. Didn't hesitate to slam her with insults after the time Cestus banished her.And now, they were acting as if nothing happened. With the fake smiles plastered to their faces and all, upon seeing Finlay holding her."I'll take it that you hate them all," Finlay murmured to Ophelia when he sensed how uneasy she was."Hate is a strong word, Finlay. I just can't help having flashbacks of how mean they were to me. It feels like yesterday," Ophelia whispered to Finlay and this time, he looked at her, not even caring if people were trying to talk to them."Do you want me to kick them all out? What's the point of hosting this ball when my