"Christ, you look pale. Have you been eating? Why do you have a bandage on your knee and ankle?" Ophelia's mother took a step back to examine her daughter after wrapping her in a bone-crushing hug."I am fine, mother," Ophelia smiled at her mother, "it's been a year, I was expecting you to show up during Finlay's return, but you didn't.""We had so much on our plates already... but you needed to see the look on your father's face when we heard the news." She paused and pulled closer to her daughter's ear "have you taken in yet?"Ophelia frowned a little because it was her mother's favorite question for her. She couldn't even bring herself to tell her mother that she hadn't gotten intimate with Finlay."Alpha Finlay," Ophelia's father and mother chorused, bowing in respect when Finlay made his presence known, with his Beta right behind him."Welcome," Finlay had a genuine smile on his face upon seeing his in-laws who had just arrived with their whole family, "Ronan is still grooming him
"What will you do?""Give him what he wants.""You mean war? But you only just got back.""You don't expect me to sit here like a fool whilst someone is plotting my death."It was the first time since Finlay's return that Ophelia had followed him to his room. She was scared, so scared for his sake that she couldn't fail to hide the unending tremble in her body.They couldn't carry on dining anymore since he received the letter from the three-eyed Raven. The whole castle had carried the news and everyone was frightened to the bone."What are you doing, Finlay?" Ophelia was following him everywhere. She couldn't stay in one position because it felt like her knees would give out underneath her. Finlay, who was stripping himself naked, paused and took one look at her, and was astonished in return because those emerald eyes of hers were red with tears. She was afraid."I need to prepare for war. I won't have Alpha Williamsburg and his men attack my pack, kill my men and hold their women ho
"Crimson Warriors! It has reached my hearing that the Dark Claw pack has been killing a few of our pack members that live within them. And plotting to attack and kill us all," Finlay was addressing thousands of men who had gathered in the courtyard."We cannot sit back, act like fools, and let it happen!""No!" They chorused, fully prepared for war with black and red paints on their faces, hands carrying different arsenals of weapons. A few were in the wolf's form, growling, looking entirely pissed with bared fangs."We have to attack and kill them all before they conclude with their plan to strike." Finlay was looking so war-driven and bloodthirsty that his veins were beginning to bulge out along his neck. The light wind gusted through Ophelia, making her hair fly over her face from where she stood with her hands behind her. The orange evening sun was starting to disappear and soon darkness would take over. "Alpha Williamsburg has been an enemy of mine for five years, he's vowed to
Pain sliced through Ophelia's chest as she watched the ship leaving the seaport with Finlay in front, holding the wooden stick of fire, his eyes that had so much yearning in them, never leaving hers.Ophelia's small fist that was clenched was pressed to her heart. She never gave this man the chance to be close to her since his return, but it felt like he had taken a part of her along with him. And how he was staring at her with his gaze never leaving hers, made her breath get hitched up in her throat.Would she let this man go to war like that and live without the sight of his face for two solid months? Or go along with him and pass through every nook and cranny? It was a tough decision to make.But knowing she would never have him look at her, near her side with heat radiating from his big body was rather unsettling.She had never felt so empty having Finlay leave for war, this was certainly the first time. Maybe because they had changed. She would miss him and she hated that she had
Ophelia woke up at the sound of the blowing horn and matching footsteps. It was dawn, with the morning sun tearing through the window and the small partings of the wooden floor above her. She sat upright and stretched, yawning in the process."Finlay?" She called out to her husband as she looked around the small resting place, and realized he wasn't in. It didn't look like he slept. Everything was in order, she couldn't even recall how she had fallen asleep last night. The bed was made for just one person and it was obvious he had stayed up all night or found somewhere else to sleep.Ophelia didn't know how to feel. If she was inconveniencing him not. She rubbed the side of her arm and stood up, before staring at her body only to figure she was wearing his shirt as a night dress. It was so loose-fitting that she felt lost inside. And she blushed a little because she had never worn his clothes before.Barefooted, she climbed through the steps and made her way out of the tiny resting pla
"To trespass, the walls of Williamsburg castle is a tough puzzle that requires brainstorming to be solved, my lord," "One thousand men cannot tackle down these thick walls and if they try to climb through, the men guarding the walls will send a word to the castle and they'll have men come at us in a manifold." "Now what would you have me do?" Finlay put his fingers in his chin as he looked across the large table that sat the wisest men in the Crimson Paw pack. They were a group that contributed ideas spontaneously in terms of war."Giants, my lord. We'll be needing them." Wesley Gallagher responded after a short pause. He was on Finlay's left."That's impossible, we never get along with them. They're always looking for one way or the other to eat us." Finlay was already reproving this idea. Going after Alpha Williamsburg was getting tougher than it seemed the more he seeped into it, except he could sit and wait for the man to come at him with thousands of his men because he wanted h
Finlay's jaw was clenched as he climbed up to the ship and it was at that moment they put his wife down. Ophelia upon sensing he was upset left everyone else and went to meet him."My lord," she called him quietly but he ignored her and left immediately. However, she had no choice but to follow suit. She hadn't seen this man since last night and now that she had, she didn't look pleased with his mood. She wondered if he had an argument with someone, but who could that be? No one had the balls to challenge him. Then how was it possible he looked so pissed in a way she hadn't seen before?She made her way into the room and shut the door behind her, before pressing her behind against it.Finlay was standing and he had his back to her, it seemed he was waiting for her to show up. He was so mature and wanted them to speak in private alone."May I know what is upsetting you, Finlay?" A part of her wanted to hug him like that but the other part restrained her, upon feeling the tension from
Warning: This Chapter is lengthy as it ranges with powerful emotions. You will be able to understand things from Ophelia's perspective and that of Finlay's. I wanted to halve it, but I figured everything is best staying in one chapter. _______Finlay returned in faster than Ophelia had expected and he closed the door and locked it before approaching her."It's a good thing you came quick, my lord. I was about to wear my clothes on," Ophelia stood up and discarded the sheet covers, revealing her bare body to him once more."Thank God you didn't," Finlay murmured and balled his fingers because he was a bit confused. He didn't know if she wanted him to touch her or if she would like to undress him by herself.His cock pulsated between his tights and he held his breath because the whole time he cautioned his men and requested they give Lewis respect, he couldn't help thinking about her body."Come," he beckoned and Ophelia immediately obeyed without hesitation."What will you have me do,
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