MADELINE'S POVThis was the night I had chosen, the nights of all nights, the night I had chosen to regain my freedom by hook or by crook. I had finally decided to abscond from Oceanwolf Pack. My heart raved with pure excitement and vivid fear.I had devised a plan to slip away unnoticed, a plan no one knew of. I was convinced that I had done my homework and accounted for any obstacle that would come my way.When the household were all asleep and inactive, I gathered the little luggage I had and headed towards the crooked gravel path leading to the western borders. The western borders were more at peace compared to the other borders, and was not heavily armed with warrior wolves. Although the border led to the dense forests which was home to brutal rogue wolves, I was ready to take the risk for my happiness.As I approached the western borders, my hopes were dashed by the sudden appearance of a group of wolves whom I recognized as warrior wolves. They detected me with their keen senses
MADELINE'S POVIt's been days since I started working in the alpha's mansion. I had little or nothing to do compared to when I was stationed at the servants' quarters. Even now that I was close to alpha Konan, he was rarely seen around. But I could tell he had people watching my every move.Sometimes I sit and wonder why alpha konan could take a liking to me, or was he joking? Liking for what exactly? That was his own cup of coffee anyways. I hadn't given up on my plan to leave the pack. I was only an obedient servant so I could plan my next strategy and leave the pack for good.This fateful morning, I went about my normal business as I cleaned off the dust on the staircase railings. I overheard some of the servants discussing alpha Novare's arrival coming in two days time. They also enlightened me on the state of alpha Konan's and Alpha Novare's relationship. They were always at loggerheads with each other.Alpha Novare's arrival day could be the perfect time to abscond from the pack
ROSALINE'S POVShock rippled through me as I found Gabriel, my mate beside alpha Novare. I was aware he was a beta, but never in my imagination did it occur to me that he was second in command to alpha Novare of crescent pack.All through the welcome dinner, he stole glances at me to the point he made it obvious, making the few observant ones around the table to take note. For everytime he did that, I made sure I averted his gaze. It made me inexplicably unsettled. I was used to being the one in control, the one whose single glance could intimidate anyone, male or female alike. His gaze held a warmth that I couldn't quite comprehend, a depth that made me feel exposed and vulnerable.Instead of thinking of Gabriel, I busied myself with the task at hand. I was at the pack's training grounds, trying to settle the scuffle between different ranks and Gabriel strutted in."Talk of the devil," I scoffed and huffed.I signalled the warrior wolves present to leave and give us ample privacy, wh
MADELINE'S POVRosaline pulled me out of the meeting room forcefully. She didn't let me go until we came to a secluded part of the hallway."What was the meaning of what you did back there Madeline? Do you know the gravity of what you have done? You could have just kept your mouth shut and maintain your place as the servant girl that you are."The word servant girl drove me to the brink of insanity."What would you gave expected me to do? Stand and watch how I was been ridiculed and embarrassed and none of you lots from Oceanwolf pack could say a thing. You all are a whole bunch of hypocrites trying to save your asses whilst turning me to a sacrificial lamb," I retorted. My voice could be held several miles away."Listen Rosaline, this wouldn't have happened if alpha Konan had just left me to abscond without holding me back."Rosaline face showed signs of surprise."Wait Madeline, I don't get you. You mean you tried to abscond from the pack?"I withdrew for a while, then it dawned on
MADELINE'S POVI woke up and everywhere was pitch black."Shit!!!"I was still in my wolf form, I cried and slept in my wolf form. It was all peaceful and quiet, the best sleep I have had in a long while.The scent of the pine, mossy ground and damp soil filled my senses, the earth cool beneath my paws, lulling me into blissful tranquility. The worries of my human life faded. In that split moment, I simply aligned myself as a creature of the forest, one rhythm with nature. I felt a sense of freedom. No deadlines, absolutely no expectations, just the primal joy of been alive.I remembered suddenly that I had alpha Konan and Oceanwolf pack to deal with. I let out a soft howl, my voice blending with the anxiety I felt within.What was I going to do? I couldn't shift back to my human form. I had absolutely nothing to cover up my shame. I resolved to walking back to Oceanwolf pack in my wolf form. With each step I took, I was overwhelmed with anxiety.Panicking, I glanced around, my heart
ALPHA KONAN'S POv Seated opposite Alpha Novare and his pack members, we listened intently as the pressing matter of pack security unfolded. We both proposed a plan to boost patrols both within and outside the pack borders, and it was met with unanimous agreement. Amidst nods of approval, the importance of emergency preparedness and first aid training for werewolves was discussed and underscored. With everyone coming to a consensus, the diplomatic meeting came to an end. "Konan," alpha Novare called. "We will be leaving your pack in two days, and for whatever discussed in this meeting to take effect from my end, your-whore-of-a-servant-girl needs to come with us." I bubbled with anger. I knew he was planning to poke on my pride and rile me up. "Need I help remind you that she goes nowhere with you? My decision is final Novare. There's nothing to discuss about that anymore. The only sole thing I can do for you is to give you another servant girl in replacement of Madeline. I w
ROSALINE'S POV This wasn't time to pretend selective amnesia. I remembered vividly the events that lead me to the pack hospital. The steady rhythm of the IV drop, the beeping of the heart monitor and the smell of anaesthetic and disinfectant added to my throbbing headache and churning stomach. I stood up from the bed and it was almost impossible to guide my steps. "Shit, this dizziness!!!" The door opened and my attending nurse came in. "You've regained consciousness miss Rosaline. How are you feeling," her face beaming with smiles. "How long have I been out," I interjected. "Uhm..." "If I am to be precise, you were out for a day and half," she replied. I rolled my eyes. "Hope you are feeling better," she asked once again which I found annoying. "You should know from my looks that I am far from being okay." "Alright. So I suggest you take more rest," the nurse replied. "I beg to differ. I might as well get worse or catch some nosocomial infection if I stay a t
GODFATHER'S POV "Nurse Maude, why would you carry out such expedition on Oceanwolf pack without anyone's consent?" She rolled her eyes. Really? I was seething with my barely contained rage. I don't take delight to being summoned by alpha Gritus without prior knowledge of Maude's actions. With her wrinkled middle aged face, she stood her ground, unwilling to answer me. "I believe I am talking to you Nurse Maude. Answer the god-damned question," I retorted almost losing my cool. "I don't have to answer to you. Do I ??" she replied rudely. "Bitch..." A clear of the throat interrupted me. There stood Braco, giving us both a questioning look. "Alpha Gritus is ready and waiting for you both in the grand hall." Beads of sweat broke on my forehead as we made way to the grand hall. There sat alpha Gritus in his usual seat, his look expressionless. "I remember telling you all to take a pause on everything to re-strategize. Now which one of you attacked Oceanwolf pack wi
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
MADELINE'S POVMy eyes stung as I blinked them open, the dull ache in my head throbbed at every slight beat of my pulse. Darkness hovered around me. The air was thick and stale, carrying the scent of damp earth and rot. My body felt heavy, as if I had been dragged through the forest for miles.And yes, I remembered been dragged before I blanked out.It wasn't until I tried to move that I realized my wrists were bound tightly behind my back. My vision cleared immediately. The more I moved, the more the coarse rope bit deeply into my skin. It weakend me the more and I winced , feeling the painful strain on my shoulders. I perceived a familiar scent coming from the rope. I racked my brain for a while...I had perceived that somewhere. And wolfsbane, the rope was laced with Wolfsbane. It only gave me an insight. Our captors were definitely the same kind as us.Then I realized I wasn't alone. My back pressed against someone else's.Louisiana.The memory came rushing back. The border expedit
MADELINE'S POVAs the night deepened, the air around the camp grew colder. The camp fire crackled, casting shadows on the faces of the warrior wolves present. Sera, sat in a corner and Freya talked to a group of other warrior wolves. I kept glancing back and forth at Sera, and I couldn't help but think that something went wrong when she went to gather firewoods in the woods."Everyone gather up," Louisiana said. Immediately everyone pulled together. When she was sure everyone was together, she divided us into two groups. One group which was headed by Freya, would stay behind to monitor the camp, manning the perimeter to ensure no threats crept up unnoticed. The other group, led by Louisiana, would push forward into the dark, rough terrain to patrol and check for any signs of threat or danger.And guess what, I was in the group led by Louisiana. Honestly, I had expected Louisiana to pick me. It was just the kind of thing she would do, dragging me along to test me, without rest, to see
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 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
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