"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
The fact that Elodie was as tall as Finlay gave them this perfect match outlook. Everything about her screamed strength made Ophelia feel as though she wasn't even deserving of the Luna's position. The woman couldn't measure up to her beauty, but she seemed to have what she could never have. Finlay's love.The man had told her he wanted only one woman, her, and not anyone else. The looks he had thrown her way when he thought she wasn't looking, the way his eyes had said so many things were all false.Worst of it all, he had made it seem as though she was the only woman at the ball, even feigning jealousy when other men approached her.But what had he gained from all of it? She wondered because it was rather futile. Ophelia swallowed back bitterness and jealousy. She had felt satisfied to see jealousy over Finlay's face without even the slightest idea that hers was in front, and a lot worse. Because to Finlay, no one could measure up to his mistress.Finlay, who had been ignoring he
"Have you seen my Luna?" Finlay was asking everyone inside the hall but they were giving him the same response, 'No,' It was a few minutes after he left Elodie in the garden and was in search of his wife, Ophelia. But no one had seen her. Finlay was unsettled, ignoring his friends when they called out to him and went to find Ophelia. Could it be that she saw Elodie kiss him? It would ruin everything. He regretted letting the woman come close to him but on the contrary, it was to tell her off, nicely because he wanted Ophelia to have her peace of mind restored with him.Dancing with Elodie, kissing and holding her hand just to make her feel special because it was his intention to cut off things with her in a polite manner as possible, but the woman had said he wasn't Finlay upon hearing him.He wouldn't let that clog his mind right now, two people had called him an impostor within the space of an hour. He needed to find Ophelia and explain things to her regarding Elodie, before it wa
Ophelia had refused to let Finlay touch or speak with her. She was avoiding him like he had the plague and was as well being disobedient, like ignoring him when he sent Irene to fetch her, and refusing to join him for breakfast or dinner. He had saved her but she blamed him mostly even though he killed Catidy. Her claw bruise was still healing, it would take twenty-four hours for her to completely heal. Finlay wondered if she had chosen to run away in the rain upon seeing him with Elodie, it was way too dramatic, or so he thought. He chose to give her space and asked the cooks to send a tray of medicinal soup and fruits. A pack doctor was even called to attend to her and she reproved, claiming it was just a minor injury and she would heal. And this upset Finlay, she was being too stubborn."How long have you been fucking the cup bearer's daughter?" "My lord?" Hamilton's eyes rose in their sockets upon hearing this vulgar question from his Alpha. Finlay was seated on his Alpha throne
Ronan Castlelyrock was a young lad of twenty-six, waiting for his father to step down as Alpha so he could take over. He had the same sand-blonde hair as Finlay, something which all Finlay's paternal relatives had. He had arrived in Easton with four carriages, along with his servants.Finlay was anticipating his cousin's arrival while Ophelia on the other hand didn't seem very pleased about it. She had sent a servant to deliver the news to her parents, and they were to arrive on the morrow since it had to do with marriage. She pondered how her sister had taken the news. Of course, the family Sabrina was to be married to screamed wealth and power. Their father wouldn't let this opportunity slip them by, even though it would cost Sabrina her happiness.The guards opened the gates for Ronan and his servants to go forth. Finlay, Ophelia, and the servants were already in front waiting for Ronan to hop out of the carriage. An under butler dashed towards the biggest royal carriage and opened
Six months later…Cameron was tense the entire time he heard Ophelia's screams from her room. She had been in labor for three good hours, and he was starting to feel unsettled the entire time. Pacing to and fro with his hands right behind him and his lips in a thin grim line. He was a powerful man with exceedingly great might, feared and loved by many because he led men to war in the south, past the seven treacherous seas. But there he was, trembling like a culprit who was sentenced to death. And it was all because of his wife.No one had any idea Ophelia would be in labor that day. They had woken up beside each other, had breakfast together, and gone to take a look at the new packhouse that was being built when Ophelia stopped walking and told him her water just broke.She was rushed into a carriage and taken back to the castle, through a gurney because she couldn't walk. The contractions seemed to be coming. Cameron had never seen Ophelia look so scared in his life. And it made him
Men were carrying Cameron's unconscious body through a gurney and Ophelia was beside them, running along because she feared for his life. This was like the third time they had been through into such a position, except it was way worse. Cameron had never been beaten and injured like this before.Ophelia swallowed hard, not wanting to cry because it would make her seem weak. She wanted to be strong for Cameron because she strongly believed he would survive.It was all over, with most of Alpha Bailey's men dead and a few running off because Ronan and his men had come to join the unexpected war. Ophelia's eyes caught something that made her steps falter and the men who were carrying Cameron's body left her. It was Lewis, who was over the floor next to a few dead bodies and fire. She looked completely exhausted with blood gushing from her stomach and mouth."Lewis!" Ophelia dashed toward her side and gathered her head in her hands. She didn't even know when she did it, because seeing Lew
Ophelia wondered if the gods were against her having happiness to her fill. She had suffered in making everyone discover that Cameron was Finlay's twin and he was the rightful heir to the Alpha throne. Then she proceeded to tell him that she was pregnant, only to have Alpha Bailey show up in the middle of it all.She bit down on her bottom lip from where she was hiding behind Cameron. Because the man who had killed his twin had come for him too."I told the members of this pack that you're mine to kill," Alpha Bailey kissed his teeth as he took another step toward Cameron whose wolf was starting to surface because he wanted to fight."It seemed as though you're Finlay's twin after all and you want to claim his throne, take his woman as well,""This face is the last thing you'll see before you die a horrible death," Cameron growled and immediately took the form of his wolf before lunging at Alpha Bailey.Alpha Bailey shifted too and went crashing into Cameron, something which made Ca
Ophelia ran after Cameron upon seeing him leave. She couldn't understand why a cloud befell his face after the truth was out and everyone had bowed to him. She had expected him to be happy at least. But he surprised her and every one by walking away as if everything meant nothing to him.She caught up with him before he could reach the gate that had guards already bowing to him.Cameron.. she tried to call his name but her voice wasn't giving out. She had lost it after shouting a lot in the courtyard because of the explaining she did.And Cameron stopped because her hand had grasped his elbow. He wanted to be away from everything and everyone, and there she was.Ophelia's heart rose in her chest when he turned and let his tearful eyes meet hers. It made her emotional to see him like that because she knew why he was like that.She knew it had to do with her explanation to the crowd and she hated the fact that her voice wasn't working. This man deserved so much more than he could ever
The following day.Cestus had a wicked glint in his eyes as he put his hands together and in front of him, watching the crowd pouring into the courtyard wearing their cloaks because it was snowing. They had come to witness the killing of Cameron Snow, the man who had impersonated Finlay, his late brother and former Alpha of the Crimson Paw. It was dawn, and nearing nine. Cestus had an under butler holding onto a clock beside him, whilst he waited. He wanted the time to hit nine and then he would order for the execution of Cameron Snow. Hamilton, the head butler was perplexed. It was clearly written on his face that he didn't want the death of Cameron to take place, be him an Impostor. So many of the servants were unsettled as well because Cameron was good to them. The best Alpha they ever had. Elder Adolphus exchanged a glance with someone in the crowd and the man nodded at him. No one knew what these two had planned.Cestus kissed his teeth and fixed his gaze on the heavy wall cl
The journey to Kathleen's home was quicker than expected. Ophelia and the people who had accompanied her reached there within five hours. And on the outskirts of Silverline pack sat a small cottage that looked like it hadn't been occupied by the presence of a person in ages. To think Kathleen had lived there because of her hardheadedness. Her refusal to let her pride down and settle whatever quarrel she had with her husband. No one knew what had happened between the two, but it did seem like a huge fight which was the whole thing that made them part ways. A dull pain spread through Ophelia's chest as she hopped off her horse and neared the cottage because Cameron had lived there as a child. As a child who had no clue that he was an Alpha's first son and heir to the Alpha throne in the Crimson Paw pack, Easton. "Wait," Lewis stopped Ophelia upon seeing how she was about to make her way in, "you wouldn't know what is inside waiting for someone. Catidy perhaps," she pointed out beca
After spending the next day in search of the midwife, they found her at last. Through some wolf-less beggars along the way. Thankfully, Ronan's men had arrived so Alpha Caden couldn't send his men after then. Lewis Duncan had come in handy at the right time. She and the rest of the men were asked to wait outside whilst Ophelia was ushered in to meet with the aging woman who had gray hair and could barely see. Lady Leslie lived alone even though she was old and needed support. It seemed as though she was a thoughtful woman because she looked in Ophelia's direction for a long time. "I was told that you came to see me," she said at last, after staring at Ophelia to her fill. "Yes, my lady," came the response from Ophelia. "May I know who you are?" Lady Leslie inquired almost immediately. "I am Ophelia, my lady. From the Crimson Paw pack," Ophelia answered, rubbing the side of her arm as she looked around the small room. "Why are you here?" Lady Leslie asked quickly once more. O
Ophelia struggled to break free from where she had her hands tied to the bedpost. She was in the chamber of the cruel Alpha Caden, on top of his king-sized bed. And it was exasperating to the bone that he had his men tie her to his bedpost because he wanted to have his way with her. Ophelia knew she couldn't let him touch her, it was insane. She belonged to another. Was carrying the child of Cameron. She had come to the Silverline pack because she wanted some information that she could gather as evidence that Cameron was Finlay's twin and the eldest. The rightful Alpha of the Crimson Paw pack. Alpha Caden made his way into his chambers, with that sick smirk never leaving his face. "You'd make things easier for yourself if you stop struggling. Because it'd be of no help to you, I'd have you either way," Alpha Caden smiled sickly at Ophelia. At last, he would have her to himself. The beautiful, beautiful woman. She had caught his eyes even when Finlay was alive. But he had kept his
Cameron wondered if Ophelia was safe, wherever she was. He didn't trust those men she was with, they could try to take advantage of her upon seeing she was the only woman in their midst. He didn't like that she would feel alone, he wouldn't be there to protect her if someone wanted to touch or hurt her. But he had to let Cestus's men take him away because he had an ulterior motive. He was in his old dungeon once more, the place he had been freed from barely twenty-four hours ago. Ophelia didn't waste her efforts to bring him out, they had met and made up. It was a good thing to happen. The thought of Ophelia sending men to come rescue him still baffled him. How in the seven hells was she able to convince those men into sneaking into the Dupree's castle to liberate him from where he was locked in? Ophelia was brave since he went to Easton to impersonate Finlay. She started coming out of her shell the night she took a boat and sailed after his ship because she wanted to be with him