A cold sweat broke out my skin and I turned to run, but strong fingers held me by my hair, pulling me roughly to the ground. His growls reverberated through the forest, his pants getting soaked with blood from the wound I’d inflicted on him with my knife that was still buried in his thighs.I felt the power from his growl. The kind of power I knew no one in Silver Moon possessed. Not even alpha Thane. The hair at the nape of my neck stood up straight. My lips trembled. My hands trembled. My teeth chattered. My heart skipped many beats, and my body shook with fear. I couldn’t look up at either of them, so I buried my face behind my shaky palms.These men were in no way connected to Silver Moon pack. They’d not been the ones chasing me an hour ago. I’d attacked and tried to kill the wrong people in my desperation to escape. I was doomed. The uninjured man picked me up by my collar, shaking me angrily “Who sent you?” he barked in my face. I heard the other man grunt as he pulled out the
‘Let me tell you kids about the werewolf rulers,’ Madam Cora said, smiling down at us. We were seated in a large circle, ten of us, and we never got tired of listening to Miss Cora’s stories, especially about the werewolf rulers, and the ruthless Lycan Prince.I heard this story every night after the full moon since I was a child. Before everything went south. Miss Cora was Alpha Ronan’s aunt, and also the oldest woman in the pack. She gathered little children between ages five to nine the night after every full moon to tell us stories, and those nights were the ones I enjoyed the most in Silent Moon pack. ‘Many, Many, Many years ago. Thousands of years before any of us was born, the earth was dominated by shifters,' she’d started ‘Sorcerers, wizards, vampires, and so many more. But amongst others were the Werewolves and great Lycanthropes,' I still remember the smile on her face whenever she told us that story, and all the dramatic gestures she made with her hands as she did. Ever
The ruthless Lycan Prince. A vicious murderer. The blood thirsty conqueror. The devil himself. I was seated in the same vehicle with the devil and we were breathing the same air. The Royal Lycan Prince. First out of the three Royal Prince’s and heir to the throne. And I tried to kill him. A cold chill ran down my spine as the realization of what I just did hit me.This same man that slaughters without remorse, a man that would walk the ends of the earth to get what he wants, and kill anyone that stands in his way. No one ever got on his bad side and lived to tell the story. How did I get here?Vadirr has to be his best friend. I read stories about him too and how loyal he was to the first Lycan Prince. He was a faithful follower, a man who would give his life for his dear friend. The books didn’t do justice in their description of Prince Draven or his beloved friend. Especially the prince Draven. Rather than continue gawking at them or feeling pity for myself for the obvious trouble
I tried to beg him after that, but my pleas fell on deaf ears, my tears didn’t move him. Even Vadirr that was more relaxed at the beginning started to get irritated. I was handcuffed to the door of the vehicle, my legs were tied together and my lips duct tapped when I wouldn’t stop begging. I was tied like some goods and no one dared stop the vehicle as Vadirr increased his speed.Everyone knows how loyal Vadirr is to his best friend, and I didn’t exactly expect him to like me considering I tried to end his friend’s life, but he’d felt pity for me. He’d even told Prince Draven to let me go at the start, but now when he glanced at me through the rear view mirror occasionally, I saw irritation, and maybe hatred. There wasn’t any need to plan another escape, so I accepted my fate. I was a fool to think I could outrun a Lycan. The minute I started to run, he must have heard my footsteps. Even before I tried to, he must have known, because he’s the most powerful Lycan on earth. He must
“It’s time,” The deep voice pulled me out of my subconscious. I opened my eyes and cringed them at the impact of the torchlight positioned directly in my line of vision. Judging from how dark it was, I guess it’s midnight already. I’d taken a long shower after my meal before falling asleep.“It’s time for your punishment,” Mr. Scary repeated again, annoyance in his voice “Prince Draven is waiting,” My punishment. My heart missed a beat. I sat upright with so much speed that I felt the blood rush to my head. Of course they had to make sure I ate and rested well to be able to receive whatever punishment awaits me.I heard the rattle of chains, keys shoved into a padlock, as the brawny man started to open my cell but I closed my eyes and tried to calm my nerves, to still my quivering hands. Nothing worked. I was too scared to stay still. When he grabbed me roughly by my nape, pushing me out of the cell, I yelped, but didn’t say anything or try to beg. He cuffed my hands in front on
Vadirr and Prince Duron were communicating through mind link, they couldn’t be any more obvious. Their gestures gave them away, the creasing of Vadirr’s eyebrows, the way Prince Duron’s eyes kept darting to the door and back at me, the occasional rubbing of temples, the quirking of brows, and the curious looks. Whatever they were discussing, they didn’t want me hearing any of it, and why did I have a feeling that it involved me? Oh Esme! You are not that important! They stopped as soon as Prince Draven returned, turning their attention to him. The first prince had just declared to one of the kinsmen that he found his mate and if this is true, then that means a lot to our kind. It is no news that he has been on the look out for his mate for many years. After his father’s demise, the first Prince could not be king until he found his mate. The seat of the king cannot be handled by an unmated Lycan and after what the past king did to his mate, the kinsmen reinforced that law. If this i
I was handed over to a middle-aged woman, the same woman who had brought me food in the cell, and everything started to happen so fast. I was bathed by two other women, an order from the Lycan Prince. It was unusual for me and I was shy at first, but these women didn’t see any big deal in it. In fact, they did it with so much dedication, like it was a natural thing for them to do. They were gentle with me, taking their time to wash my voluminous hair, after which they dried and straightened it. I was adorned with expensive fragrance, the type only befitting of a princess, and they were quiet while at it, only smiling at me as they worked.My hair is perhaps the only thing that draws attention to me. I have long, black and thick hair, just like my mom did. Most times, it was tied in an untidy bun and wrapped to form a big doughnut at the top of my head to prevent it from getting in the way while I did my chores at Silver Moon. Apart from my hair, I didn’t think any other thing about me
DRAVEN“Why do I have a bad feeling about all of this?’ Vadirr turned from the bookshelf to study my face. It wasn’t like him to question my decisions, and repeatedly must I add. I hated being questioned and any other man wouldn’t dare to, especially given the situation. But Vadirr isn’t just any man, he’s my best friend and confidant. Along with my younger brother Duron, he’d fought with me on many occasions. We’d conquered enemies together, acquired lands and wealth, and he’d put his life on the line for me many times. We were born to be best friends, and he’s one of the few people that gets me, second only to Duron, my younger brother.Vadirr and I are age mates sharing the same birth date, but there’s a two year gap between us and Duron, although it is hard to tell. Born of the same parents, Duron and I share similar qualities unlike Donovan, the youngest. I hate to admit it, but we take after our father, the late King Cadeyrn-Ruaidhri whereas Donovan takes after our mother. Lucky
“Mommy, Darren says I’m not going to be king,” three-year-old Dayton told me teary-eyed “I want to be king like Daddy,” I glanced at Draven for help. He smiled and picked Dayton up, pecking him on the cheeks first “Oh but you are a king my little man, even better than your daddy,” “But I’m older,” Darren argued. The twin boys were exactly like their father and it made me jealous sometimes. They had his hair color, same eye color, same facial structure and they were already starting to sound like him at this tender age. I carried them for seven months! And I pushed both of them out of my vagina! Yet they didn’t look anything like me. A normal lycan or werewolf pregnancy lasts about six months but these two took their time before deciding it was time to face the world. “Yes you are, by ten minutes,” Draven told Darren. Though the twins were identical, it was not hard for me to tell them apart. I was gifted you see. Draven sometimes struggled to know who is who. “Can there be two king
My face was covered with Draven’s kisses by the time we made it to his former chambers and my stomach hurt from too much laughing. Our things had been moved to the King’s chambers and I didn’t realize how much I’ll miss this place until we got there. The King’s chambers were many miles away, so it was easier to come here. He dropped me gently once we were inside, and I moved round, noticing how lonely it felt.“Why can’t we just stay here?” I asked.“Because it is no longer befitting for a King and his Luna,” Draven pulled my hands and hauled me against his chest “I bet you will like the King’s suite better,” he assured me.“It holds a lot of memories,” I turned back to where a huge portrait of Draven used to be to find the wall empty.“We will make more memories in the King’s quarters,” he winked at me and my heart fluttered again. “Besides, you can always come here to spend some time if you please. There’s going to be a routine maintenance every year until our first son is of age to
ESMERAYIt’s happening! Hard as it is to believe, it is actually happening! If I had the power to, I would have loved to freeze this moment and bask in the joy I feel for just a little bit longer. I wonder why the goddess didn’t give me that gift. My beast howled in my head in excitement as I said my vows and took my oath, swearing my allegiance to the entire kingdom and my loyalty to the people, and my new role.A cut was made on I and Dravens right hands, and we shook hands, making sure there was exchange of blood. A charge of electricity flowed from my head to toe as we did, and this wasn’t the usual electric current I feel whenever Draven as much as touched me, it was different, making me feel even more powerful. Draven occasionally reached me through the mind link to make sure that I was okay, and I assured him I never felt better which was true. My beast felt more powerful, and my senses more alert.Soon after, we were crowned and pronounced king and Queen, and the crowd went on
DRAVEN“Where is Duron?” I asked Vadirr who was hovering behind me.“Right here,” Duron answered, casually walking into the room where I was getting ready to join the waiting guests. I have waited for this day for a long time, worked hard for it. My father had told me several stories about what to expect during the coronation and what and what not to do. Ever since I was born, I was groomed for this day. But with just a few minutes left before I am finally crowned king, I didn’t feel the joy that I thought I would.I knew why I felt the way that I did, but I convinced myself that I could live with it. Esmeray Grayson, the woman that would be my Luna Queen didn’t love me. The sparks between us had intensified more than ever. In the last two days, we have made love even more than the way we had in the past. She still reacted to me the way she usually would. I only had to look at her to get her blushing really hard. She squirms in delight whenever I called her beautiful. I heard the soun
By the next day, I had made up my mind on what to do. I took a fresh shower, washed my hair and put on a particular lingerie he’d complimented once. I covered myself in a robe and waited for him. I was not sure if he was going to come home or not, and I was not going to call his office phone to find out. But I made up my mind that if he didn’t get home by nightfall, I’d go to his office with hopes to find him there.I was feeling unusually nervous, so I picked up a book and started to flip through it. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, and frustration started to kick in. I lost the courage I had mustered and put the book away. There was no point, maybe I should just give up this ridiculous act. I’d just started to untie my robe when I started to feel his presence. Shortly after, I heard the front door open and my heart pounded loudly in my chest.I tightened the robe around me when he entered. As usual, he didn’t spare me a glance or acknowledge my presence in the room. He w
I’d tried to talk to Ailana after that, but she decided to hide in her room again and wouldn’t let me in, so I thought it best to give her some time to come to terms with it. She wasn’t the only one hiding apparently. Duron too did not show face for dinner and when I asked about him, I was told he’d left the palace unannounced.After my first shift, I found out that my visions were much more clearer and didn’t come with their usual headaches. That night, I decided to visit the oracle as I’d intended to do so a long time now but the events of the last days had not allowed me the time to.Smythe took me to her and I found Cordelia seated at her usual spot on the floor. She looked up as soon as I entered, a wide smile plastered on her face.“Luna,” she greeted cheerfully, quickly rising to her feet. I smiled back at her and looked around her room. There had been a few changes since the last time I came here, and I told her. She nodded her agreement and pointed a chair for me to sit but I
ESMERAYOn the seventh day, we laid the departed to rest. Draven had fully recovered and immersed himself in repairing the damages and compensating the families of the bereaved. He also made sure that those who had invaded his territory were apprehended. None of them went away scot free. Even those that fled, he’d sent trackers to find them and judgment was passed on them.The members of Silver Moon pack were sold off as slaves to other packs. I didn’t interfere with Draven’s decision when he passed it or try to plead on their behalf because I knew most of them probably deserved it. There were a few innocent ones though, but I could only hope that the goddess herself brings them goodwill in their new journey in life. If they were indeed good people, their innocence would vindicate them.Draven, however, avoided me like a plague since he left the hospital bed the same day that he awoke. I watched him from a distance in deep conversation with the new kingmaker and Vadirr by his side. No
DRAVENI cupped my erection as my mate did a little striptease for me. She looked absolutely beautiful and dangerously sexy in her underwear. She was shy, but with every second that passed came a little bit of confidence. She smiled at me, and her smile grew into laughter, but she stopped suddenly and started to get into her clothes hastily. Her smile was suddenly replaced by a look of fear, of worry. I watched her get into her clothes, wishing she would not stop her little show, but I started to get alarmed too at the worry on her face.My heart broke into a thousand many pieces when she started to cry, weeping like a bride who just got jilted at the alter. She was uncontrollable. A woman in distress. I reached for her hands and tried to touch her, but the more I tried to reach her, the farther away she drifted. My heart was pounding in my chest as I watched her drift away from me. “Esmeray,” I gasped, my eyes fluttering open immediately. I tried to sit up, but my whole body felt
“Drop it,” Ailana ordered her father whose gun dropped noisily to the floor immediately she said those words. Her face had a seriousness I’d not seen in them before. This isn’t exactly the type of reunion one would wish to have with ones father.“You are not going to kill your father, are you, child?” Thane’s eyes were on his daughter’s fierce ones.“You are not my father,” Ailana argued “You were never my father, never have, and never will be. I know you never wanted a girl child. The only reason you tried to like me was because you started to realize your perfect son wasn’t so perfect after all,”“What are you talking about Aila? You know you were my favorite. Zayden was a fool, which is why I was going to put you up against him for the alpha seat. You were better than him in every aspect,” Thane reached to touch Aila’s arm but she flinched and pressed the gun tighter into his forehead.“Aila-“ I stopped when a lone tear dropped from Aila’s eye. Her lips were clasped tightly. I didn