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 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 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 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 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 "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
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
MADELINE’S POV The room grew eerily quiet. All eyes snapped to Louisiana, her voice cutting through with an unexpected force. “Why don’t we let her finish?” she snapped, her words very 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, as 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 falter. She stood tall with a very sharp gaze as if she were daring anyone to challenge her. “I need to clear the air about something,” she began with a cold tone. “I know what people say about me. You all think I’m a fake, don’t you?” She allowed the words to hang in the air, watching the pack’s reaction. “That I’m not
MADELINE'S POVEven though I had done everything to the wound, it wouldn't stop bleeding. There was no other option than to send him to the Pack Hospital.As soon as we entered, it unfolded into chaos. Doctors and nurses rushed towards him. Without a word, they whisked him away leaving me standing in the hallway, my hands still sticky with his blood. I stayed outside the door as I waited for him to be treated.Finally, the door creaked open, and the pack doctor stepped out. His face was calm, and I rushed to meet him halfway."How is he?" I asked."He is stable now. If it were a normal human, he would have died," the doctor said flatly. "But surely, it will take time to heal. You can go in and see him now if you want to."Did I want to? I wasn’t sure. My feet stayed rooted to the spot even as my mind screamed for me to turn around and go back to my quarters. After all, he had others who would come to check on him. He didn’t need me.Yet, my feet betrayed me, carrying me toward the doo
MADELINE'S POVAlpha Konan had been gone for weeks. I hadn't seen him since the day I rudely told him off at the Pack hospital.Those words had come from a raw place inside me, and once they were out, there was no taking them back. In fact, I didn't want to take them back. I thought they would make me feel better, and make him distance himself away from him, but all it had done was leave a bitter taste in my mouth.And then, he was nowhere to be found.At first, I noticed his absence in small ways—empty study, his commanding voice during pack meetings. But as the days stretched into weeks, the emptiness became worse. My wolf was always restless, pacing inside me like a caged animal.I tried to ignore it, to shove the ache down and focus on my daily life and life as a diplomat, but it didn't work.I couldn't stop thinking about him. One day, curiosity got the better part of me and I asked Rosaline about him. I tried to sound normal, though I doubt I pulled it off."He's out of the pack
MADELINE'S POVThe air in the pack hospital felt unnaturally still. Since I woke up, Alpha Konan hadn't left my side. At first, I thought nothing of his presence, but as time went on, it became overwhelming.Every time I opened my eyes, he was there, watching as if I might disappear if he blinked. The sight of him sleeping in that uncomfortable chair, head tilted awkwardly, warmed my heart and displeased me at the same time. I needed to make him leave."Alpha Konan," I called softly.His head shot up immediately, scanning my face."You are awake," he said in a groggy voice. "Do you need anything? Water? Or should I call the pack doctor?" He asked intermittently."I need nothing," I replied. "I am fine, better actually. You don't need to be by my bedside all the time."He frowned."I am not leaving, Madeline, until I am sure you are fully rested."His words sent shudders of unease through me. The last thing I wanted was to be a burden to Alpha Konan."I will be very fine on my own. Yo
MADELINE'S POVI couldn't listen to Sera's confessions anymore. I left the room. As soon as I stepped out, the impact of what she had said hit me. When I reached the end of the corridor, I could barely focus.I didn't realize that I had wandered so far. I hadn't escaped my past. It still haunted me, as clear as day. Everything around me blurred. It was like I was hearing double.The world tilted.I tried to steady myself, but it was no use, and everything went dark.When I opened my eyes again, the sterile white ceiling of the pack hospital greeted me. The scent of antiseptic increased my headache. I tried to sit up, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me."Don't push yourself," Alpha Konan's deep voice said beside me.I turned my head slightly and found him sitting on a chair by my bedside, his gaze fixed on me.I rolled my eyes. Why would he sit here? Doesn't he have anything or any pack documents to review?""You slumped, came his voice. The doctor said it was fatigue. You are going
MADELINE’S POV I was struggling to keep my eyes open, as I adjusted to the rhythm of the border patrol. I had just shifted my focus back to the task at hand, when I was told that the messenger was here for me. It’s about Sera, the messenger had said, offering no further explanation. I didn’t bother to ask. I fell into step behind him as we trudged the road that led to the pack mansion. “Why Sera? What had happened to her? What could she have done that required me to be pulled out from border patrol?” When we got to the park mansion, we stopped in front of the interrogation room. Why here? Rosaline stood waiting, her arms crossed, her gaze very serious. “Go in, she said with an edgy tone. Sera’s waiting for you.” I wanted to question her, but her expression silenced me faster than any command could have period I turned toward the door, my fingers turning the door knob. Pushing the door open, I was met with Sarah sitting on her chair in the centre of the room period
SERA’S POVI inhaled sharply, my breath shaky, but I forced myself to stand tall. My legs trembled, and the flood of fragmented memories threatened to overwhelm me. But I couldn't show weakness—not in front of the Godfather.The man who’d brought me here stood silently to the side while Godfather and his men watched me. Godfather's eyes were intense, like they could see right through me. I felt exposed, but I didn’t look away."You know why you’re here, Marilyn—or should I say Sera?" he asked, a dark grin playing at the corners of his mouth.The word revenge made my heart race. That was what they thought I was here for, but they were wrong. Before I could think of revenge, I needed to remember who I was.I straightened my back and met his gaze. "Yes. I’m here for revenge.""Good," Godfather said, his smile never leaving his face. "Then you’ll do as I say. No mistakes. I get what I want, and you get your revenge."I nodded, trying to mask the unease gnawing at my insides. I couldn’t af
ALPHA KONAN’S POVThe air was crisp and clean, tinged with moisture from the late afternoon rain. My paws sank slightly into the earth, the leaves crunching beneath me. The familiar feeling, which usually grounded me and connected me with nature, wasn’t working today.Nothing felt right.I pushed myself harder, forcing my legs to move faster. But no matter how much I tried to outrun it, she was there, in every step, in every breath I took. Her memories from breakfast clung to me, following me through the day. They wouldn’t leave.Elyan, my wolf, snarled in frustration. His thoughts tangled with mine, making it hard to focus. He was restless, hungry for something I couldn’t give. His growl of protest echoed in my mind, but I couldn’t let him take over again, not like he had during breakfast. I was glad she hadn’t noticed.She had been bold in the pack meeting, I’d give her that. Wearing that same dress—the one she wore when she first attended. Back then, I’d seen her as nothing more th
MADELINE’S POV I closed the door behind me. Alpha Konan didn’t say a word as he strode to his desk and sat down, not even sparing me a glance. His face was serious and stoic, like was ready to snap at any given second. “Was it because I spoke to Uncle Damien?” Well, I don’t care. They should do well to sort their issues between themselves and also do well not to involve me. I decided to settle on the seat across from him, and then his voice came, sharp and commanding. “I never gave you the permission.” My body stiffened as my body was already halfway to the chair. I straightened myself back up and obeyed. This was not the time to play defiance. Alpha Konan pulled a stack of documents towards him and began flipping through the page. As I stood opposite him, I studied him. He had become more tanner than before. More alluring and sexy. He had now developed a new behavior, running his index fingers on ever-present creases on his forehead. Each crease signifies the burden of his pos
MADELINE'S POVAfter the weird breakfast with Alpha Konan, I prepared for the pack meeting. Then a thought crept in. Since Alpha Konan had decided to introduce me as the diplomat in front of the pack elders, the same pack elders that prejudiced me, how about I make a statement?I stared at myself in the mirror, the emerald green open-back gown. The dress was as good as new. I made sure I packed my hair and my make-up in the same way, just like that time. As I stepped into the corridor, Alpha Konan was already on the way there. His eyes landed on my dress, and for a moment, I saw something shift in his expression. It was either amusement or admiration."The dress still looks good on you, just like that time. Fall into step beside me, he subtly commanded."I did and stepped beside him."Right now, the story's different. We are walking into the great hall as Alpha and diplomat. Quite fortunate and amusing," he remarked.I said nothing. Instead, I lifted my chin.The door to the great ha