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
Ophelia thought the orange evening sun was capable of making expectations come to pass with speedy manifestations, although it wasn't a commonly-held belief. It was her mental acceptance of a claim as truth, contrary to empirical evidence. As a child, her fabricated thoughts were bothersome to her family members because she conversed mostly with her imaginary friends rather than actual people. Letting out a little breathy sigh, she looked away from the window to avert her attention back to finish the last knitting of a toddler's cuddly cap. Fighting against the urge to be sentimental because she yearned to conceive a child. "Irene, will this be befitting for Seb?" Ophelia paused knitting to stretch outward the cap to her maid who was sprawled over the floor, giving her foot gentle assaults. "Yes, my Luna." Irene concurred flippantly. "Bless thy hand for whatever it touches, births unexplainable magic." The corners of Ophelia's lips stretched into a tiny smile as she carried on knit
Ophelia's bad mood turned sour when she saw Finlay hungrily kissing Elodie, his mistress. His large hand cupped the swell of her butt through her skirt as they attacked their mouths like lions. She was used to this. She reminded herself. But why did she always feel pain? The only feeling she shared with Finlay was the mutual feeling of dislike. Aside from that, nothing more. There was no love or affection. Why then did she feel as though her heart was continually getting pierced with closely packed needles? It was because she knew her husband cared for his mistress more than her. She was just there to perform Luna's duties, while Elodie was the woman who had his heart. They literally did everything together. Fought by each other's side because Elodie was masculine and could easily tackle a powerful man. While she, Ophelia was the homely, fragile wife with delicate hands and a weak wolf because she came from the Omega family. Finlay backed Elodie at a wall and did so many unspeakabl
Listen to Paradise - Coldplay The tavern was booming with middle-aged and old folks. Gambling and arm-wrestling, getting drunk from an ale, or telling mythical tales. And the music was pleasant to the ears. Mournful strings from the cello accompanied by a non-stop beat of the drum and blowing of duduk and large horns. Women had their skirts held up as they did foot tap dance with men who wore high-edge boots solely for such entertainment. Cheers rose in the atmosphere when someone jumped on top of a table, shifted into his wolf, raised his fours, and released a loud howl. Ophelia walked around in a brown hooded cloak that hid her long, curly red hair as she refilled the customers' cups with ale. "Over here, woman. Cup's empty and my belly's protruding, but I'm not done drinking." Someone called the attention of Ophelia and as she whirled around to attend to the man, she felt a rough snack on her butt. Her mouth parted in shock because she wasn't expecting that. This place was k
Ophelia thought she probably misheard the boy. Finlay couldn't be alive, could he? Perhaps Hamilton had too much ale to drink and was talking nonsense. But the lad appeared clear-eyed. "My Luna," Hamilton took a step forward to her, while the crowd stared back in wonder. "Maria cannot possibly be the former Luna, could she?" Arthur asked no one in particular. He knew something was fishy about her but never thought she'd come from a place that reeked of wealth and authority. And Ophelia decided it was best she let herself be known. She took the hoodie off, revealing her long red hair, then she proceeded to peel off the fake brows and remove the fake moles. Several gasps boom through the thin walls of the seemingly heated tavern, because realization stroke through them that Ophelia was truly the former Luna over the Crimson Paw pack. "What did you say about my husband, Hamilton?" She asked the boy who gave her a firm head bow as a greeting. "Alpha Finlay isn't dead, my Luna." Hamil
Finlay let guards lead him out of the dungeon like a thief, although he wasn't beaten. They took him as an Impostor but were scared of what he could do because they knew he was an Alpha. Although no one had anything valid proof of not being Alpha Finlay, they just thought of him as an Impostor because no one thought of a man with the same face as the late Alpha, to show up. Finlay was led into the council hall that boomed with hundreds of his pack members. The crowd broke into a collective gasp. This from those who were just seeing him for the first time. There was murmuring from the entourage, Finlay used his ears to pick out statements like; "That's him, he's alive. Alpha Finlay is alive." "Poor man is being bound in chains because they're afraid of what he might do, mostly his half-brother who governs the pack uselessly." "Yes, they don't want him to claim what's rightfully his. But the moon goddess will be the dictator tonight." "I don't care if he's an Impostor or not, he
It was dawn and Finlay hadn't slept a wink ever since he was escorted to the castle with an unconscious Ophelia in his arms. The council of elders denied him of gaining full access to his home because there was still a need for proper interrogation to confirm if he was truly Alpha Finlay. His insensitive half-brother, Cestus was exasperated and ordered the guards to kill him, but the entourage was against this.Outside, the metal door was guarded because he was still under arrest, it even took some pleading before they let him take his wife into the servants' quarters at the castle's premises.Although more than half of his pack members believed he was truly Finlay, the rest were skeptical because the man who was buried a year ago had the same physique as Finlay but was without a head.Still, he knew they would believe him so time later.He was doing just fine already.Finlay remained on the only stool in the room the entire night as he stared at the unconscious frame of his wife. No
"I believe you're willing to accept the penalty of death if you answer these questions incorrectly?" Elder Festus asked. Finlay paused for a moment, from where he stood in front of the crowd. They were gathered yet again for his interrogation and today was his last straw. He knew that forgetting somethings would cost him his head. "Yes, my lord." Finlay gave the elder a firm head bow, then let his eyes rest on the council of elders. "What is the Dupree's heirloom?" "A patchwork gothic moon was crafted by my half-Scottish half-British sixth grandfather, Elrod Dupree and he passed it onto Dankworth who was next in line to the Alpha throne. Dankworth died from a plague by the moon goddess because of his cruelty, so Whitlock, his younger brother was crowned Alpha and so was the patchwork gothic moon handed over to Carnel Dupree who was the crippled Alpha. He was known to be impotent and couldn't pregnant his own wife so was he childless until the Sun God aligned with the Moon goddess t
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