ALPHA KONAN'S POV"Report," my husky voice demanded.My informant bowed slightly before me. I waved my hand impatiently, "Skip the pleasantries," I said."Alpha Konan, I followed Madeline's movements in crescent pack as you instructed.""And do you have any information about her," I asked."Yes, I have," he hastily replied."Since Madeline arrived crescent pack, her activities have been mundane until she underwent military training and became quite popular.""Military training?" my eyes sharpening."Yes alpha, my informant replied. According to my findings, she requested to join the warrior wolves of crescent pack and alpha Novare allowed it. This was happening after she had a private chat with alpha Novare."And what type of military training is that?""The 'stealth and stalk' training alpha Konan.""The what? You've got to be kidding me, right?""No a..lpha," he stuttered. She underwent the military training.I allowed him to continue."Initially, alpha Novare's mate was against her
MADELINE'S POVSeconds turned into minutes, to hours, to days, to weeks and to months. Today marked it the sixth month I arrived crescent pack and the past six months hadn't been easy.Before the break of dawn, I trudged to the pack training grounds, where Louisiana single handedly spear headed most of my trainings. Whenever she wasn't handling any trainings, she watched my every move thinly with disdain. She took pleasure in watching me struggle, smirking whenever I stumbled or lagged behind in training. She made no secret of her detest for me.The trainings were always grueling and my body often ached because of the much effort I exerted. My endurance limit was often tested each day. My social life was almost non-existent. Interactions with others were brief and strained. It started and ended with hollow hello's and hi's.The annual moon festival was today and everyone including slaves and servants were given the day off so they could celebrate with their families and loved ones. Si
MADELINE'S POVI was jarred back to reality when madam Apricot called out my name. I had spent the night in the hospital without a wink of sleep and dawn was almost here. I was traumatized. The look on madam Apricot's wasn't helping the situation. It was etched with curiosity and suspicion."Explain the relationship between you and the girl, she asked. She constantly called your name and requested only for your presence.""I don't know her madam Apricot," I replied defensively, yet calm.She stared at me—expressionless. I knew she wasn't done with her questions. Infact her suspicions grew stronger when it came to matters concerning me. She always suspected me at any opportunity she got."What about the girl?Is she dead? Is she up?" I anxiously asked."Which do you wish to hear first," her reply sarcastic.I kept mum. I didn't want to rile her up further. She noticed my silence and finally gave me a response. "The girl's up, refusing not to talk to anyone but you and that sounds fishy
MADELINE'S POVThe refusal to speak to anyone but me was mysterious. Even after I left the strange girl's room, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something sinister was going on with her. The least I could do was meet her attending doctor to know if her predicament could be explained medically."Doctor," I called as I hoped for answers.The doctor turned to me, his face drawn and tight. You could tell he was on call throughout the night."How can I help," he forced out a smile."The girl found yesterday night and brought here, what could be the cause of her amnesia?"The doctor sighed.The scans shows no sign of any form of physical damage to the brain, and yet... she's unable to remember anything except you. This is not just a simple trauma induced amnesia. It is as though someone deliberately wants her not to remember anything about herself."You mean someone manipulated her memory?""Or something worse, the doctor replied. When her blood tests came back, It came out clean, no
MADELINE'S POVI sat on the grass by the pack's training grounds, watching other warrior wolves spar, though my mind was somewhere else. I contemplated on what to do with the the strange girl.I was tapped from behind and I turned to see whom it was."Madeline," she called."Freya," I called her name unsure."Yes," she answered as she leaned back against the tree trunk, stretching out her legs."What happened to your hair," I asked."Nothing," she replied casually. "I thought I needed some hair changes."Freya had dyed her hair from its usual black color to an auburn color, the red tint giving a more intense rust colored highlights. She looked so different."You were almost not recognizable," I said."So, she began, her voice playful but looking for answers. I heard you got yourself a new house guest—one that showed up half dead. Quite the drama, huh!!!"I sighed.News travel faster than the speed of light these days."Drama doesn't cover up for it, I murmured. Between madam Apricot's
IN OCEANWOLF PACKALPHA KONAN'S POV"How is she doing," I asked."You mean grandma Catherine?" Dan asked.I nodded."Since she left the penal pier, she's been receiving treatment in the pack hospital and doing much better. She's also responding well to chemotherapy. The doctor in charge ran a few test on her few days back, and he reported that the amount of cancer cells have reduced."I grunted in satisfaction."How about making grandma Catherine my eyes and ears," I asked."That has been settled." She sent a letter to crescent pack and made sure it was delivered and handed over to Madeline. We are patiently waiting for Madeline's reply.""Alright," I sighed with a glimmer of hope.I had instructed Dan to tell grandma Catherine everything. I was going to right my wrongs. I wanted to be a step closer to Madeline and grandma Catherine was the answer. At first, grandma Catherine was unwilling to help. She was hell bent on not betraying Madeline. It took a lot of persuasion before she was
MADELINE'S POV....And Madeline!!!The sound of my name forcefully brought me out of my thoughts.Everyone's face held bouts of surprise.Freya nudged me on the side with her elbow. "She's trying to spite you, Madeline. Refuse it, no offense.""Refuse what!!!" I asked."Does anyone have any objections with the warrior wolves enlisted to go on this border patrol mission," Louisiana's voice echoed.There were murmurs within the crowd, but no one objected."This marks the end of today's training. We are to gather here before dawn to begin our journey.""Why didn't you say anything. You could have objected to going on this mission. This mission is very dangerous. The terrain isn't one to be trifled with. Most times we encounter dangers that cause grievous injuries—worst case scenario, death. You aren't yet qualified to be part of this mission. Most times, we don't know how long we will be gone for."I scoffed."My refusal to go, only gives Louisiana more ammunition against me.""And she's
MADELINE'S POVFreya was right. The terrain was unforgiving as Louisiana herself—jagged rocks that seemed to rise out of nowhere and twisted roots around the paths, gnarled at my boots making every step a challenge.I occasionally looked back at Sera to check if she was keeping up, but it was very obvious she was struggling more than the others. You could notice from her small frame that her breaths came in short, sharp gasps, her face pale and strained. But yet she made tremendous effort to keep up—refusing to fall behind.Freya fell into steps beside me. Her brows furrowed as she too, glanced over Sera. "She's visibly flagging Madeline. Leaving her behind in the pack would have been the best for her and you. I don't think she can last longer than this."I nodded. "I know, I said. There's really no going back. Is there?""Louisiana isn't going to slow down for you or anyone," Freya said as she trudged ahead."Keep up, or you will be left behind!!!" Louisiana called back, her tone lac
MADELINE’S POVIt was time. Time to return back to Oceanwolf pack. Three years had passed, yet it felt like as if i had spent a lifetime here.Memories of Oceanwolf pack came rushing back, and with them, it was a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name. Nostalgia. Fear. Anger. Courage. It was all tangled together in such a way that made my heart heavy.But I was no longer the same girl. The same naïve, servant girl that everyone could trample on. I had grown past that. I had changed. I had molded myself into something stronger. But still, the thought of walking back to Oceanwolf pack made me tremble, leaving me with uncertainties, and there was one last chain I needed to break.Alpha Konan.He was my final prison, the one tie to the person I used to be. I don’t know what would happen when I saw him again, but I did know one thing. I wasn’t going back to serve him or anyone.I thought back my time here in Crescent pack. From the first day I came in, to the Stealth and Stalk training, th
MADELINE’S POVToday is Louisiana’s Luna ceremony. I wasn’t surprised when I got a message from her, early in the morning. I wasn’t eager to go, but ignoring her wasn’t an option.Her room was bustling when I arrived. Servants swarmed around her, fixing every detail of her outfit—the rose pink dress that hugged her in the right places, the heavy gold necklace on her neck, even the tiniest strand of her hair. Louisiana stood in front of the full-length mirror, soaking up the attention. She was born for it, anyway.“Everyone out,” she commanded suddenly.The maids stood, unsure if they heard her right, before scurrying out like frightened nice. I stood near the door, watching her, until the last servant left. Finally, she turned to me smirking.“What do you think?” she asked, gesturing to her dress.I glanced at the dress. It was beautiful, no doubt, but there was something about the way she asked that made it feel more than a question.“It looks…nice,” I replied cautiously.Her laug
MADELINE’S POV The room grew eerily quiet. All eyes snapped to Louisiana, her voice cutting through the air with an unexpected force. “Why don’t we let her finish?” she snapped, her words sharp like a whip. “The general pack meeting is about addressing grievances. I, too, have something to air.” I noticed the pack elders exchange quick, uneasy glances, their expressions tense. They hadn’t expected this. Their faces were filled with a mixture of concern and annoyance. Alpha Novare, usually calm and collected, seemed confused, his eyes locked on Louisiana. I could see the questions running through his mind, but he was waiting. Louisiana, however, didn’t flinch. She stood tall, her gaze sharp, as if she were daring anyone to challenge her. “I need to clear the air about something,” she began, her tone cold. “I know what people say about me. You all think I’m a fake, don’t you?” She let the words hang in the air, watching the pack’s reaction. “That I’m not really Alpha Novare’s mat
MADELINE’S POV It was a chilly morning, and I stood at the edge of the pack training grounds, watching my breath turn into visible puffs in the cold air. I pulled my coat tighter around me, my thoughts random as I replayed the conversation I’d had with Louisiana days ago. I had told her about Alpha Novare's ridiculous demands. She had been unusually quiet since then, which wasn’t like her at all. But now, I needed her help. The plan I had in mind was simple but risky. Louisiana despised me, especially where Alpha Novare was concerned. If I could use her hatred to my advantage, I could get Novare off my back and maybe—just maybe—set myself free. As I waited, Louisiana approached, her sharp features set in a scowl. “What do you want from me, Madeline? You want another fight you can’t win?” she snapped, her tone dripping with irritation. “I need your help, Louisiana,” I said qu
"Louisiana of all people!!!" She was the last person I wanted to see showing up at my front door. But here she was, leaning casually against the frame like she had all the time in the world. For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other in silence, both of us determined to hold our ground. Then, finally, she spoke. "Meet me at the pack training grounds, now!!!" My pulse kicked up a notch, her timing was suspicious. The last thing I wanted was her knowing that her presence made me uneasy. I swallowed back the urge to argue, but I wasn't going to let her get her away easily. "Why? It is late, and there's no reason for this," I replied. Louisiana chuckled dryly." I am your leader and your superior, she said gritting her teeth. Anything involving the warrior wolves is my business. And I will call anyone for training whenever I see fit." "Oh, wow!!!" I whispered under my breath. Arguing with her was pointless. "Fine," I replied with a reluctant shrug. She gave me on
MADELINE'S POV Maybe it was all manipulation sprinkled with his touch of mischievousness. Maybe it was one of his many tactics to drag me to the abyss. Maybe this was my form of punishment for prying into his private affairs. ".....What?" I whispered out in confusion. "Why what? You didn't hear me right?" he asked. "Listen and listen attentively. I will repeat myself again just once." "I like you Madeline." That was it. I wasn't mistaken. I heard right. I sat there, my heart hammering in my chest. My mind went for a spin. He likes me? "Cat got your tongue," alpha Novare asked casually, with a grin evident on his face. The tug of shock and amusement deepened on my face and it was damn obvious. I stared at him, trying so hard to guage his intentions. His expressions began to shift back to the cold authority I was accustomed to. The casual grin he had flashed moments ago had disappeared. It was like watching him reverting to the alpha Novare I knew, but I couldn't help but b
MADELINE'S POV Ever since my confrontation with Louisiana, I haven't seen her. But I could feel her anger hovering around like the storm cloud. I could feel the way the others looked at me, quick glances and whispers behind my back. No one spoke anything to me directly. The moment the words left my mouth, I knew there was no going back. I was in for shit and Louisiana would be out for my blood. "You really gave Louisiana a hit, Freya said. You were the only one who had the boldness of a lion to confront Louisiana concerning the rumors in such manner. You are totally different now. You have finally removed the cloak of naivety. Congratulations Madeline!!!, but don't get too comfortable." Just as I had thought to take a rest, a knock was heard at the door. Alpha Novare had summoned me. My heart leapt in terror, but I followed obediently. While on my way, I met madam Apricot. She stared at me squarely and her sharp eyes never missed a detail. She walked past me and I knew she was go
MADELINE'S POVI winced as Freya dabbed the wet antiseptic cloth against the wound on my arm. I could feel Freya's eyes on me, glancing up from time to time to where Louisiana sat at the far end of the camp with someone tending to her wounds."You got something on your mind," I asked Freya."Beat me, she exhaled. There's something different about Louisiana. What happened between you two?""Nothing," I replied her. I didn't want to talk about it or talk about the mission either. "Maybe she's still rattled from the fight," I added.Freya narrowed her eyes. "You are telling me, that Louisiana is rattled because of a fight? The same Louisiana who never misses a chance to remind us that's she's the toughest in the pack? Louisiana behaves like an asshole, but she isn't one to run away or be rattled because of a fight. You know you make a bad liar, don't you?"I didn't answer right away. I knew the words I said to Louisiana had struck a chord of reflection or better still, more intense hatre
MADELINE'S POV"They are coming. Our captors are coming," I whispered loudly."Shit!!" Louisiana huffed in frustration.The poison had seeped deep into our system and transforming to our wolf form could not be attainable. "What are we going to do," I asked softly but loud enough for Louisiana to hear."We have nothing to do than fight them off physically."The surrounding flickered with a faint light from a worn out, old lamp. The faint light exposed three bulky men, thrice our size with hardened expressions. They towered over us, clearly confident in their build. The odds were against us, but that didn't matter."Seems they broke free. Feisty, just the way I love my women to be, the lead captor sneered with his folded arms across his chest. Do you really think you can take us trio on?" he asked, his fingers pointing at the three of them."Why don't you come try," Louisiana dared.Fright overcame me. "Louisiana, I whispered into her ear. We are at odds here, so I suggest we talk it ou