~ Amira ~As soon as she was thrust from the dream, sleep escaped Amira as she fluttered her eyes open. There it was, the luxury bedroom she was getting accustomed to. The elegant ceiling, free from any imperfections, displayed a pristine, unblemished coat of white paint. This was her current reality.It was all so surreal, especially after that dream. Amira’s hand went to her lips and then scoffed at the shimmering sensation on her lips. Lips that were not her own. She dropped her hand as a cloud of unease and anger settled over her.Alpha King Rhys was currently in her body and was in the Wilds, most likely learning everything to do with the rebels' organisation. Sooner or later, Rhys was going to figure out where he was and where their traps were. Eventually, they were going to return to their bodies. Artemis didn’t tell them they would, but it was evident they would return to their former selves at some point. However, the Goddess didn’t tell them much besides what each of them h
~ Amira ~“It is an important matter to discuss-”“No, it is not. And nothing more than idle gossip,” Amira snapped, interrupting them before they would continue to talk among themselves and silence her. “I’m here to discuss about plans to build shelters for the poor. We do not have enough set up to help those in need.” The men looked at her like she’d lost her mind. It really pissed her off how they didn’t care and seemed to think their Alpha King, who was in charge of everyone, would not care. He didn’t… Amira cleared her throat and added, “The streets are looking increasingly rotten with them begging and dying on them. It’s time to clean them up.”She was waiting for someone to suggest they kill the poor to clean it up, but nobody did. They all seemed overly nervous the more she spoke. “We should set up shelters in each of the towns and cities. Provide the Alphas of each territory with the resources they need to make this done.”“And how will these shelters be paid for?” Another m
~ Rhys ~Marching down the stairs, Rhys grinned as his thoughts remained on the dream he had the night before. Amira’s flustered look after he kissed her kept repeating in his mind. Sure, she’d bitten him after like the feisty little she-wolf she was, but it had only aroused him further.That was all he felt for Amira, though. She’d also angered him with what she had done whilst in his body. Why did she think it was okay to create a rumour about him?! Even if the she-wolf wanted him dead, rumours were only going to target her more. What was she even doing whilst acting as king?Now that he knew his body was safe, or as safe as can be, and Amira was the one to reside in it, his purpose was to learn more about the rebels before he could return to his body. He didn’t know much about Amira since she became a rogue, but if her purpose was to kill him and start a revolution with the rogues, then he needed to figure out what he could do to prevent this. The rogues hadn’t been an issue until
~ Rhys ~Nisha started to pace on the fringes of Rhys’ mind, and he realised then that she was ready to run free. After being stuck for a week, she seemed agitated, as any wolf would be. Honestly, Rhys didn’t know if he could shift.Turning around, Rhys kicked off his boots before undoing the laces of his corset and unbuttoning his trousers before focusing on the shift. It didn’t take long before his body rippled with the same feeling he got when Demon overpowered him and ripped through his body. However, this transformation wasn’t as painful and was like a dull ache in comparison as his bones broke and reshaped, elongating as black fur sprouted out from his pores, and Nisha jumped forward to take control.Rhys didn’t mind letting her free, though it was such a nice, softer approach compared to Demon, who made it feel like a ripping sensation in his mind and body. Nisha sprung forward instantly, following Zayyan and the others. Whilst she was in control, Rhys watched, intrigued with A
~ Rhys ~Rhys watched in awe and shock as Nisha jumped, dodged and attacked werewolves guarding the city gates. She was nimble and only attacked enough to injure her opponents to the point they could no longer get up but were not dead. Others followed in her bloodied path as she led through the white paved streets that were slowly growing red and with the bodies of wolves collapsing by the sides.Those who weren't warriors or unaccustomed to combat panicked, their screams echoing as they hastily scooped up their children and sought refuge within their homes or the nearest shelter. Nisha refrained from attacking individuals who obstructed her path or those who posed no apparent danger. She gracefully vaulted over a family attempting to escape the chaotic streets.Zayyan was close to Nisha’s tail, looking directly at the Elixora building that was like another fortress in the middle of the city. As she ran forward, more wolves twice her size charged towards her, but other rogues took the
~ Rhys ~“We do what we are ordered!” Another replied. “Grow up, Cove!”“Yeah!” Many agreed, then quietened after Rhys looked at them, and a number of the rogues started to make themselves known.“People are dying!” Cove hissed back. “It’s not right to keep the medicine from the poor.”“So, you teamed up with the likes of them?!” The other man growled back, his eyes glowing in anger as he knocked his head back in the rebels’ direction.“Yes!” Cove shoved the man back hard enough that he almost lost his footing. “They will help-”“They are weak. It is better they die and are put out of their misery of a life- Ugh.”Another man didn’t finish his sentence before Oclan snapped his neck.“Anyone else have such wise words to say in front of us?” Zayyan growled, silencing the room. The man who pushed Cove against the wall backed away wide-eyed.“Amira!” Cove waved at Rhys, and he nodded back, noting the boyish charm of this man. How old was he? Nineteen, possibly twenty? He had dimples and c
~ Amira ~Amira’s eyebrows shot up after hearing the news from Baltir that Elixora was invaded and word had spread about Amira leading the charge. Now she knew Rhys was hosting her body, it came as more of a shock that he was the one to complete the mission. How did that go? What happened?The report in her hand and what Baltir told her was not enough to gauge how it went. All they knew was that the rebels had taken over Willowbrook and Elixora. They now had access to the medicines and were in control of Willowbrook.“Alpha Evander must be raging-”“If he cannot handle some rogues, then how is he an Alpha?” Amira interjected, making the Beta sigh and place his hand on his head. “Pathetic.”She couldn’t help herself.“Please watch your tone when we are within earshot of others, Your Majesty,” Baltir scolded, glancing at some courtiers passing by. They were walking to the library, servants following them carrying all of the heavy ledgers from the elders and some of the Alphas nearby.Am
~ Amira ~Amira swung the doors wide open and marched confidently to her designated seat at the head of the table. As soon as she settled into her chair, the two stacks of books were presented before her. Her dramatic entrance should have induced a sense of unease, should have caused them to shrink back in dread, for she had uncovered those who were manipulating the system to their benefit. And their exploitation would come to an end.The Alpha King had killed before because they irritated them, so they should have been trembling in fear or, from three of the vacant seats, left before he could do anything to them. The guards stayed at the doors under Baltir’s commands, which irritated Amira more.They were his pack members. Not Baltirs.Huh? That wasn’t significant right now when the elders were discussing among themselves about the Alpha Evender’s territory being attacked by the rebels and how they now had control over Elixora. Amira watched them, feeling sicker the more she saw and
Xenos was executed within a week of returning to the palace. Amira was there but didn’t watch the execution after it reminded her of her fathers. The weight Amira had been carrying around lifted even at the expense of Zayyan’s father’s death. Zayyan wasn’t there to witness it due to the new position he held as the only leader of the rogues. Alpha Dashiell’s name was also cleared, and his name and pack reinstated, though there was none to accept it besides the last living pack member, Amira Desai, their Luna and Alpha Queen. The land that had been abandoned and weakened the kingdom since was given to the next Desai heir- Amira- who wanted to give it to Zayyan. Her cousin refused the offer and remained in the Wildlands, not wholly trusting the government or the rogues and remaining neutral within the ongoing politics. After Amira’s coronation and introduction to the kingdom as their new Queen, the rules were established for packs and rogues to coexist peacefully. Zayyan ensured his p
On the other side of everybody fighting and almost finishing their fight because of the lack of numbers or will to continue hurting and killing each other, Amira flung one of her blades at Xenos’ face.Xenos blocked with his metal-cuffed arm and grinned as it bounced off. “Cheap shot, Amira.” He jumped forward and kicked through her blocked arms and square in the chest. Air rushed out of her lungs while her body flew back; instead of falling to the ground, though, Amira pushed off with her hand and flipped back until she was on her feet once more. Amira dusted her shirt down casually. She was in her usual black assassin attire today, minus the mask and cloak, but her black leather corset was thicker, more like a layer of armour. That kick still hurt, though, and she knew there would be a bruise. “I didn’t think you still had any moves, Xenos,” she grinned, pulling two daggers from within her sleeves and prowling forward.“Watch it, kid,” Xenos warned, green eyes so similar to her fat
“Not a chance,” Xenos sneered and signalled for those behind him to attack. Amira’s eyes widened. She didn’t expect him to use them. Their numbers were so much lower than theirs.‘Well, should have expected that,’ Nisha commented.Frowning, Amira took a step in Xenos’ direction, but something flashed out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head and blocked an air assault by none other than Nova. At the same time, Caz had attacked Rhys. “Shit,” Amira growled, glancing at her uncle, who began stepping backwards as his men charged forward. “I didn’t want this!”She didn’t want them fighting among themselves. Asking Xenos to fight was the perfect chance for her revenge and to stop what was now happening!“Sorry, Mira!” Nova attacked again, slicing her claws towards Amira’s face. But she was far too slow for Amira. “Is there a reason you are trying to kill me?” Amira asked in a bored tone as she blocked another strike from she-wolf and uppercut her chin. Nova stumbled backwards afte
At the Alpha King’s words, the rogues turned to face him. All were shocked to see Rhys there. Even those who didn’t know what he looked like could tell who he was from the power emanating from him. Some wanted to bow their heads in submission to him even though they were rogues.“I am Alpha King Rhys Quintrell,” Rhys announced. Some of his guards remained behind him, looking onward like they weren’t in enemy territory. “And this is not a trap. I do not have an army outside these doors nor wish to destroy you all. Amira is my mate. What she says is true. I want to improve our land, how people live, the system that cruelly acts against rogues…” Rhys walked forward, and the crowd, in their shock, surprisingly parted ways for him. Amira shared a glance with Zayyan when her mate walked past Caz, who pushed Nova from him and stepped towards the Alpha King. But another rogue held him back. Caz growled, trying to get out of his hold. Everyone knew about Caz and Amira’s past relationship. C
Amira hadn’t thought about the Wildlands since she’d been body-swapping with Rhys and stayed in the palace. Of course, she thought of the people, but she didn’t think ahead when she would return to the place she’d once called home. Now, some of her memories felt a little tarnished, a bit icky because of how she came to be with her uncle. Now, after a few days of travelling, they were almost in town. The building where the guild was located stood out the most compared to the other structures. Or perhaps it only stood out to Amira because it was where she grew up. Amira’s little party mainly were on horseback, except for a few who remained in their wolf form. They weren’t a large group. That would mean getting spotted quicker.They weren’t large, but everyone was a skilled fighter. Rhys was beside her as well, wearing his usual expensive outfits. She didn’t want him to dress down, not now when she needed to convince others that they were working together. That was the priority of the
The meeting was tenser than Amira had anticipated. Yet, through the mate bond, Amira could sense Rhys held no hatred towards Zayyan. After spending time in Amira’s body, he saw Zayyan as a close friend already, but her cousin had no idea about their body switching. To him, this had been the first time they’d officially met.Alpha Evander had also been extremely grumpy throughout their meeting. Once they came to a resolution, which didn’t take much, the hybrid was first to leave. Elixora would distribute to everyone, not just the rich, and the rebels who had overthrown Willowbrook would remain in charge under Zayyan’s care. Amira didn’t trust anyone else. Alpha Evander agreed that his pack would back off, but if there was any foul play, then they would step in and take it back. Although Evander was eager to leave and find his mate, he took the meeting seriously. It still involved his pack, and although he looked fierce and icy, the Alpha cared for his pack members. Not just his pack m
“Amira? What’s wrong?” His voice hardened, glancing behind her. “Come inside. We’ll talk there.”Amira nodded once and followed. “Zev, stay outside,” she ordered nonchalantly.“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Luna,” Zev replied, and his words made her freeze. Zayyan stopped walking, and he looked over his shoulder at her wide-eyed.“Luna?”Amira cocked an eyebrow. “Like I said. Much to discuss. Sure thing, Zev. Come in. But everyone else stays outside.” She’d prefer Bash, but this would put Zev’s trustworthiness to the test. Would he tell others what was discussed between Amira and Zayyan before the meeting?The door closed behind them, and Amira went straight to the sofa, eyes flicking across the room as was her usual routine in any room. Zev did the same, but he was her guard. Flopping down on the sofa, Amira waited for Zayyan to join her. She felt impatient, needing to know if he had been deceiving her, yet at the same time, she wanted to keep this comforting illusion up a while longer
Slamming the journal shut, Amira glanced at the door after Beta Baltir announced Zayyan’s arrival at the palace through a mind link. Her mind still spun with the information she just learned from the journal. It had everything, every little detail about what happened. The later entries revealed the King’s regret and his attempts to find Amira to give her the life that was taken away from her. Theon knew this would never make up for his rash decisions, the loss of the lives of his closest friend and a powerful pack that guarded the kingdom well. But he couldn’t let his friend’s daughter die on the streets. Obviously, Amira was never caught. She thought everyone was out to kill her and remained well-hidden until she made it to the rebels. ‘Where is Zayyan?’ Amira mind linked the Beta back, rage swarming her chest and tightening her stomach until it felt sick. ‘Where is my cousin?’ she almost spat. Her claws started growing, and she had to breathe slowly to return them to normal. ‘He
The moment Rhys felt pain shoot through the bond, he left the old goats to their fighting and sprinted in his mate’s direction. Amira was injured?! And inside the palace where she should be safe!The pack mind link was loud, the urgency in his pack member’s voices cutting straight through his mind. They knew Amira had been attacked? He hadn’t crowned her yet; how did they know they had a Luna and Queen? Obviously, they’d met her at the banquet, but he hadn’t officially introduced her as such yet. No, something happened earlier. Rhys remembered this mechanism that seemed to click into place. A tension that nobody had been aware of within the pack faded away, and now he knew it was because Amira had joined them. They knew their Queen had arrived and were rushing to her side.He’d entered the library to discover Amira fought an assassin and was interrogating him, not at all bothered by the state of her right side. Blood was seeping through the side of her torso. For a brief moment, Rhys