“What had Bailey wanted to talk to you about?” Axel asked.“I really don’t know who she thinks she is,” I responded, taking a seat at the edge of the bed.“Is common with the elders to feel entitled to things; pay her no mind,” Axel advised.“Do you think Thane did the right thing when he made a deal with her?” I questioned“No. Not really, but that was the only way we could get her to agree with our arrangements; she is indeed stubborn but also very calculative.”“How exactly does Thane plan to sidestep her? I mean, she had gone through her part of the deal.”“Are you sympathizing with her?”“No, I just feel like Thane is playing a dangerous game, but again, when is he not?”“Don’t waste your time worrying about Thane; he knows what he is doing.”“Bailey does not love Thane; all she wants is the title,” I revealed. Axel didn’t look surprised to hear that. “You knew?” I questioned.“It isn’t exactly surprising; the elders crave for power, and you would think all the power they have a
I wondered how bad his parents might have been for him to be ashamed of them. I knew Axel, maybe not as much as Thane did, but I know he was kind, even more than he would like to admit.“You don’t have to talk about it if you aren’t ready to.”“No, I want you to know,” he insisted, and I was very curious to discover more about him. “When I was younger, I thought I had the perfect family; my father was the Beta, and back then, the pack faced so many threats; he was always at war, so he was rarely around, but when he was... he spent his time on me.I hadn’t realized how jealous my brother had been; I had been so caught up in my own stuff, I didn’t realize that he spent less time with his own mate and even lesser time with my brother Adrian.”Axel had a brother; never once had he mentioned or talked about him, and that was indeed strange. There were so many questions on my mind, but I chose to keep silent until he was done narrating.“Adrian had been close to my mother; he was only three
I felt sorry for Axel. His mother truly was a sicko.I hugged him because it felt like the right thing to do, and after a few moments, his hands wrapped around me.“I needed this,” he admitted.“Thank you for letting me into your life. I feel like I had been selfish for never really asking all this time.”Axel released me from his embrace. “Let’s go to the gardens; this is a place I go to clear my mind and it’s literally the most beautiful place in the pack”.I had never really been one fascinated by nature; I wasn’t the type that adored flowers—though it would be nice to receive them, but I'd rather prefer focusing on the issues at hand, and back in the Windborne pack I had a lot of that, there was no time to be entranced by nature.But it was different this time.My mouth dropped open when I saw all the flowers of different colours. Though I didn’t know their names, but for the first time, I appreciated the beauty of nature.We were not alone.Beatrix, who I hadn’t seen since Thane’
I always thought something was off that night; I had been surprised to discover that Beatrix had tried to save me; it felt so bizarre, and I was right to suspect her, even after her ‘good deed’.I was not exactly disappointed; I’ve seen and heard more shocking things; at this point, I didn’t think anything could surprise me anymore.There must be a reason why she saw the need to expose herself.“I changed my mind; I swear, I knew it was all wrong and so I tried to make things right." Beatrix stated.“Since when did Beatrix care about what was wrong or right?” Axel asked, “There must have been a discovery, right?, Thane is about to discover the truth, so you choose to make the wise step of confessing before then, just so you could be seen as ‘less’ guilty.”Beatrix shook her head slowly. “I do feel bad; you don’t understand.”“Make me,” I said to her.“I thought you were the problem, but you weren’t; Thane was the problem, I should have seen that a long time ago, but I didn’t, even if
It felt like months since I've been to the room Thane and I shared; Strangely, everything remained exactly where I left them. I could almost believe that Thane hadn't been sleeping here."Welcome back; you know we should celebrate your return," Thane said with a smirk."Oh, we would celebrate; Hope you haven't forgotten our deal?" I said, with empasis on the last word."How could I forget?" He says with a cocky smileI walked towards him."I need to ask you a question.""Well, I am all ears.""You never told me about your mother's little hobby."“She had many hobbies, so which in particular?""Writing? I mean, she is the author of my ‘favorite’ book; how could you not tell me that?" I asked "I think I preferred leaving you in the dark.""Didn't it feel weird to you?" I asked him"Why would it?" he asked, turning the question back to me."I don't know, maybe because she is, uhm, your mother?"Thane chuckled. "You don't need to worry, I'm sure she would be glad she at least made a cont
I scanned the rows of dresses—many I had never even worn. I always find myself wondering why I needed this so many.I picked out an emerald green silk gown and dedided to curl my hair to make a change.I was late; the party had already began in full swing; This would be the first mating ball I was witnessing in this pack, it did makes sense for the ball to take place here as this pack is one of the biggest and would contain more guests and visitors. The mating ball brought back past memories, but I have finally moved on. I had promised myself to enjoy my time at the party. Thane would be here anytime soon and we would go together.Still, I had this unsettling feeling, and that might be because today marked six months since I arrived at the Nightshade Pack, so literally, today was the day my contract with Thane expired—not that we were still bound by the contract, but to think that this could have been the end...My thoughts were cut off by the knock on the door.I was only expecting
I was indeed being unreasonable.I hadn’t been thinking about the pack; I was after my own selfish goals and desires; Bailey’s death would be a loss for us all, because, just as she herself had said, she was of use.“I’m sorry, Thane; I don’t know what got into my mind.”“I shouldn’t have kept you waiting; I apologize,” he says.“What do you think happened to Bailey?”“I actually think she is dead or very close to that." Thane says, “She was spotted by one of my spies a few days ago; she should have been back now; if she is not, then she is most likely dead.”“After what she did to the rest of the elders, they would hate her to death, but they were aware that she betrayed them, right?”“Nyaos knows that.”We sat in silence, overlooking the crowd of people. Finally I was in the ‘party’ mood; just then the music slowed down, partners paired up, staring at each other with affectionate eyes.“Would you like a dance with me?” Thane offered.“Of course, I thought you would never ask. But I
I walked into the room, noticing that their scent still lingered, Thane and Axel had been in here, that I was sure of, but then what were they doing in here?This was none of my business; I should turn around right now; some secrets were just not meant to be discovered, and I was satisfied with the way things were now; I didn’t need to spoil that. I had been about to do just that—I had been about to turn away from this room when I discovered the pictures pinned to the wall.I knew these people.Some of them were at the ball at this moment, but most of them had been present in the meeting; I could spot Alpha Trent, Alpha Cain, Alpha Zack... and others.They were all Alphas, I realized, but what was more disturbing was that all the pictures pinned to the wall were marred by a bold crimson ‘X’. You only see stuff like these in movies, this was how the ‘assassins’ mark their next victim.I backed away, till the table in the middle of the room halted my movement. On the table was a map, an
I sat in front of Thane's door the whole night, pleading and begging, but he never did come, and finally I rose.I had lost him, and it took me this long to see that. I hadn't only lost Axel; I had lost Thane's love too.How did my life turn into this? One moment it all felt like a fairy tale, one I didn't want to wake up from, and now it was a complete nightmare.Some days I questioned the point of my own existence; I had no use remaining here, and yet, I didn't want to leave, maybe because I still had hope that one day Thane would forgive me.I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling, ignoring the knock on the door. I didn't want to see anyone right now, and I knew for a fact that it wasn't Thane. Whoever was behind the door persisted and it got annoying. I rose from the bead, heading for the door. I pulled it open, the frown on my face that disappeared the moment I saw my mother.She hugged me, knowing exactly what I needed. I couldn't help but be a child again and cry in her arms. "
I stared at the mirror; I looked like a mess. I sprayed some cold water on my face; a knock drew my attention.It was a maid."Can I help you?" I questioned."The Alpha sent me to pick up a file he left here. It must be that one." She said, pointing to the file on the table. She walked in, picking it up."You know what? I'll hand it to him." I said, taking the file from her hand. She seemed unsure."As you wish Luna," she said."Uhmm, where is he now?""The third room on the fifth floor," she said, and I nodded."Got it.".I knocked on the door to his ‘new’ room, and after a minute the door was pulled opened. Thane stared at me."What are you doing here?" He asked like I was some complete stranger, an intruder, but I couldn't blame him."I brought your files."He collected it, about to slam the door, but I placed a foot in the threshold. I pushed the door open and walked in."You've been avoiding me lately." I said to him, but he gave no response. He took a seat, opening the file and
The next few days I spent them with Thane; he was still in coma. The healers had to extract all of the toxin the elders had passed into his bloodstream; only then would the healing process begin, and from their report, he was doing well, but he still had a few more days to recover.I wiped his face with a wet towel; next, I gently brushed through his hair. I placed a kiss on his forehead and then his lips. I knew that when he awoke, things wouldn't be like they used to. I returned back to my room to take a bath before joining him once again.I couldn't bear the solitude of my room; I always ended up breaking into tears. I hadn't realized I was sleeping until the sharp intake of breathe jolted me awake. Thane was awake.The healers had said he would be down for a few more days, but he woke earlier than they had predicted; my heart pounded for the first time in excitement; I was so scared, I couldn't lose him too. "Thane!" I cried out, running to him to embrace him, but his cold star
A rock fell inches away from me, and I only managed to dodge it. Axel was losing a lot of blood. I knew what was about to happen, but I didn't want to think about it. It just couldn't."Riley, please listen to me." he said, and I turned to him; sweat coated his face and his breathing was laboured. "I can't make it, Riley. You know that, but if you go, you can save yourself and save Thane.""Please, Axel, we can make it alive, the both of us.""Look at me, Riley," he pleaded, and I did. "Kiss me."Tears rolled down my eyes as I leaned to him and kissed him. I wouldn't let him go; I just can't. "I love you, from the very first time I met..." he took a long breath. "But you were never mine, and yet that didn't stop me from wanting you. Don't blame yourself for this; you, Riley, were the best thing that had ever happened to me.""But Thane... he hates me.""No, he doesn't; reason with him; make him... make him understand." Axel coughed out blood. "Go now, get him, and leave this place.""
EARLIERBailey was still in here somewhere. I walked cautiously down the passage ways and I spotted yet another room. I pushed open the door and walked in. The room was similar to the one I had been kept in earlier, but she wasn't in here either.I needed a weapon; the sword alone wouldn't do to kill an elder as powerful as she was so I searched through the room. I pulled open a cabinet, and there I found more syringes filled with black serum, the very same ones used on Thane. I was almost certain of it. I would have to take a gamble with this. From what Bailey told me, this was created by the elders as a bane for Lycans, I could only hope it had some effect on her too, if it didn't work on her, then I was doomed.I strode out of the room, and there she was, standing at the very end of the passageway."So you've come to kill me." Bailey said with a smile on her face. "You know, Nyaos has been killed by your mate" She said to me.I couldn't exactly say I felt bad for that.I chose to r
THANE'S POVThe door opened, and Caleb walked in, his hands up as if in surrender. My beta, Axel followed, a gun pointed to his head."Free him," Axel said.Caleb walked to me, taking out the pipes. "The chains too." Axel said, and I could tell Caleb was not going to do that.Axel shot at his leg, but Caleb was strong—maybe even the strongest of all the elders. In the next second, Axel's gun was in his hands, and the table turned."Let him go, Caleb; it's me you want." I warned."You are right." Caleb says, "But I want him dead too."He shot at Axel. I growled, pulling at the chains; they burned my skin. He aimed for me next, pulling the trigger, but the gun was empty of bullets, and he tossed it to the ground."In every single room, I had planted a bomb; all I need to do is press the button, and everything would go 'boom'; everyone in this building would die, and I alone would be left. After a while, you will be forgotten, but for me, I'll take over from you; I will be known and fea
Axel unsheathed his sword before striding towards Nick.Nick let out his wing, flying right over us, but Axel leaped into the air, bringing him down by his wing. Axel pinned Nick down, holding both wings. I watched in amazement as Axel sliced them off, and Nick roared in pain, the bones where his wings had been attached prodded out of his back.Axel passed the blood stained sword to me. I limped to where Nick lay groaning in agony."Didn't I tell you, I will kill you?" Now kneel." I said, and he rose, falling on his knees. "Riley I..."I didn't let him say more; in a clean swipe, I incapacitated his head from the rest of his body.Axel took off his leather jacket and helped me put it on."I know a way out." Axel says, leading me out of the room, we walked down the hallways to an open space."Going somewhere?" A voice called from behind us. Bailey.She held a crossbow in her hands. "Nyaos is dead. Thane killed him. I guess this means our deal is… off."She shot the crossbow at me, bu
RILEY"It's girls time, Nick; you should leave." Bailey said to him, and he gave me a long look before leaving both of us alone. "I didn't remember telling you to stop with the dagger," she said."It fell." I lied.I didn't know if she bought that, but she spoke no more about it, taking a seat beside me."I'm going to tell you a story, one I had never told anyone before. Well, you would die in the end, so it makes no difference.I was in love once. I don't mean the casual crushes and those little feelings girls have. I was in love with Nyaos; he had always been there for me when I needed him; he helped me so many times; I can't even count the number of times he had saved my life. But Nyaos loved another; I was the ‘other woman’, and I knew that. Katara believed we were good friends; she trusted me; she trusted the both of us, and I knew what we did behind her back was very wrong, but I couldn't help myself. Nyaos said he loved us both, and though I always wanted more, I could settle
CAUTION: THERE WOULD BE VIOLENT SCENES IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS; PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION.THANE.I could do it; I knew I could break through the chains. Rage is one powerful thing. I pulled hard, and the chains broke off. I ripped out the pipes that had been used to pass the fluids into my bloodstream, and I staggered to my feet. I heard footsteps approaching, and I positioned myself beside the door. Nyaos walked in; he noticed the empty chair, I could smell his fear; he should be afraid. I shut the door behind him, and only then did he notice me; he turned, his eyes widening in terror as I plunged my hand into his chest, past the crunch of his ribcage, and deep into his heart. His mouth opened, frozen in a silent scream."The cursed weapon isn't the only way to kill an elder." I whispered before I pulled his heart out. The sight of blood was so intoxicating it ignited a lust for blood in me, I wanted to spill more blood. An elder had been brought to nothing in a matter of minutes