A couple of days passed, and the rogue attacks became more and more frequent.The High Council and the king decided to have a general meeting with the Alphas and leaders of different places all around the kingdom for the resolution of this common problem.I watched as cars came in and out of the gates of the pack, passing by the huge statue of Vamos, the first lycan king.I remember how terrified I was of its figure during the Offering. It felt like that happened months ago when it was barely one.“Sabrina,” I looked back when someone called. It was Deni, one of the Omegas. “You’re called by the head matron in the assembly.” “I’ll be there,” I said and walked towards the supply room.I put the broom and dustpan I was holding earlier as we cleaned the yard and streets of the pack, getting ready for what looks like going to be a huge meeting with the king and the High Council.I heard that these types of meetings only happen once every 5 years, and when something big needs to be discu
“Don’t say that, she might develop high expectations of me.” Lana smiled, and glanced at me. Ben beamed. “It is true. And you don’t need to worry about expectations. You always meet them, my dear.” She elegantly chuckled. “You’re still such a sweet talker, Ben.” They both laughed, and I just sat there, frozen at the information I just heard. He’s got a fiancè? An unfamiliar ache started spreading around my chest, making me deaf to the rest of what their conversation was about. I just stared there, so aware of the emotion I was feeling. I just saw Ben sitting on his small chair again as he started taking away the glass shards on my skin, barely even feeling anything from it. Lia was whimpering in my head, feeling twice the hurt due to our wolves’ bond. But I just kept silent, reacting and speaking as if in pilot mode if needed. As soon as Ben finished with me, I excused myself, getting out of the place like my head was floating. I let my feet lead me back towards the assembly
The event started at the arrival of the king and his associates. The rest of the High Council, including Sebastian came in with them, but the people were just indulged at the appearance of the Lady Wintour, whom they apparently have not seen for a long time. Lana was a crowd favorite. She was charming, beautiful and smart. I could see how most people listened whenever she spoke; the notion of women being behind men disregarded whenever she was the one taking the lead in the conversation. And while she was at it, King Titus stood beside her, also listening to what she was saying and letting her take part in their conversations as if she was an important figure. I stayed away from them as much as I could. I didn’t take food that was especially for them or drinks that should be taken to their table. I made an effort to make myself invisible from anyone. I didn’t want him nor Sebastian to see me, so I avoided any possible encounters with them. I mostly stayed on the back, trying to g
“I’m so sorry,” I said. But the Beta just smiled at me, his blue eyes sparkling. “You always bump into trouble, don’t you?” “Sorry,” I sighed, feeling bad for ruining the ends of his pants and shoes. He chuckled. “It’s alright. No one would notice that.” He wiped his shoes with a tissue. Feeling bad, I took more tissue in the trolly and started kneeling. “Let me.” But he stepped back, and with wide eyes, he shook his head aggressively. “No, no, no, no.” I looked up at him as he guided me up; slight panic in his blue eyes. “You do not kneel in front of me, Rina.” He looked to the side and suddenly brushed a hand on his temple as he exhaled a breath. “I’m gonna get killed…” “What?” I frowned, not hearing his last mumbled words. He looked back at me, flashing those charming dimples again. “Nothing. I’m just saying it’s okay. You don’t need to do that. I wouldn’t look less gorgeous with a stain on those shoes, I promise.” He grinned. I just sighed, not in the mood to b
I opened my eyes, seeing the still dark blue sky through my window inside my room in the Omega house.After that conversation, the night became a blur to me. I never went out of the back storage we servers have, and just helped the rest of the night there.I heard Maddie ask of me, but I told Samuel to tell her that I’d be talking to her the next day. So when Samuel got back to me, saying she just wanted to say goodbye, I felt relieved, not really wanting to ignore Maddie like that.But after that observant stare I got from the Lady Wintour, I felt like not ever giving it a chance to get out and be seen. I just don’t want to.So I busied myself all night until the event finished and we all needed to pack up and end the night.I slept as soon as I got back inside my room, feeling not just physically exhausted, but mentally and emotionally as well. But in the middle of the night, I woke up, feeling my wolf stir. I tried talking to Lia, seeing that the sun has barely risen up. But all
The Alpha King’s legs and paw were bigger than anything I’ve seen. And just when I thought I had seen the brightest those gold orbs he had could get, I was struck by a pair that almost had me blinded. They looked like headlights; shining, sparkling, as they intently watched me. Like the stories shared about the lycan king, Titus’ wolf was bigger than any wolf. He looked almost twice as big as a normal lycan. His fur could camouflage in the dark because of how black it was. And his Alpha presence…They could command anyone to bid his will even without him uttering anything. And I instinctively froze at the feel of that.The king’s wolf walked closer to us, and Lia just stood frozen there, sensing how strong and dominant his presence was.We’ve encountered quite a few Alphas that visited Madame’s House before, but none of them felt as compelling.He didn’t even grumble nor speak a word yet, but I could feel us already submitting to his presence.The king’s large wolf started circlin
“Where have you been, Ringwood?” Miranda immediately asked as soon as I stepped inside the Omega house.Her back was on me as she did things in the kitchen this early, her hair already in place with her usual black semi-formal dress on. She was alone.“The king came here earlier,” she continued, moving around the place to prepare for breakfast.“He was looking for you…” she turned to her back and her voice faded as soon as she saw me, just in a white baggy shirt.The head matron watched me with those gray eyes of hers, but instead of her usually strict or monotonous look, a flash of empathy crossed them as they watched me.Miranda’s seemingly understanding of my situation was making me emotional again. I suddenly started tearing up. I looked down. She sighed. “Come on.” My tears fell down when she walked towards me.Miranda guided me towards my room, and I continued crying silently when she suddenly opened my closet that barely had anything inside. She took a pair of pants as I s
“I lost sight of you last night.”Maddie said as soon as she saw me at the Omega House’s backyard. I turned to her and she immediately waved a hand and smiled at me, her light blonde, curly hair moving along with the wind. She held my arm as soon as she came near my spot. I was sweeping the ground out of dried leaves.“I just got busy,” I said and continued sweeping. “Samuel told you that, didn’t he?”Maddie nodded. “He did.” She suddenly frowned.“I think I saw that kid somewhere, I just couldn’t remember where.”I stood up straight and wiped the sweat on my forehead. It was already noon and lunch had just finished in the assembly where the meetings will be held later with the leaders. Some were still coming, who were not able to attend last night’s event.“Samuel?” I asked, a little distracted from her words. My mind was still present in the conversation I had with Miranda.Her words reminded me of what Sebastian told me when we were in the mansion. They basically said the same
“Make sure you’re right about this…” Nate exhaled loudly and mumbled, “the king is gonna kill me.” I sighed and nodded. “I’m sorry.” I looked at the empty entrance way of the dungeon. “And thank you for allowing me to be here. I swear I won’t be long.”Nate just nodded. Since I told him I wanted to see Lana and told him my reason, something changed in his demeanor and in his eyes. There was a bit of hope and something I couldn’t quite decipher that flashed through them but immediately went away. “I’ll look for you in the mansion after 15 minutes. If you’re not there, I’ll come back here and get you out.” I nodded. I know he’s just being careful.”Okay.” Nate once again nodded at me before he urged me to go. I turned my back on him and started walking inside the cold dungeon. The last time I was here, I was terrified. I saw probably the worst state any wolf could be in. Samuel. The last news I heard about him was he was taken to a facility to get checked. I don’t know his whereabout
“What are you thinking?”My hand that was immobile on his toned stomach flinched when he suddenly broke the peaceful silence around us. Titus looked down on me as I laid on his arm. He looked magnificent as his dark eyes reflected the sliver of sunlight that went through the glass window. It was still afternoon and the bright sun had finally braved its way through the thick clouds that had been darkening the skies of Vamos these past few days.“Hmm,” I exhaled a breath and looked down on his bare chest. My hand traced its toned skin. He caught my hand and intertwined our fingers. “Tell me,” he urged, knowing I was holding something back. The buzzing in my head never stopped since my headaches came. I realized that this also happened to me inside the laboratory just when I was starting to hear some other wolves. My head was still hurting a little, but I know now they were effects of hearing somebody else’s wolf.And I feel like there is a certain connection to that to what has been
”She was mad that all their plans were not followed. They said that Lady Lana dropped everything she had before she was betrothed to the king, even leaving her mate, but then you suddenly came into the picture… and that was the reason why she decided to betray the king… all of us.”I just listened silently at Maddie as she explained to me why Lana was arrested after seeing her the day I was abducted. I just continued staring at the large clearing of the pack before I faced Maddie who looked quite a bit down as she narrated to me what happened during the arrest.”Do you believe it?” Her light green eyes went to me. “Do you believe that she is the traitor?”Hesitation immediately flashed in those kind, green eyes before they looked down again. “I… I am in no position to disagree with the king and the Council’s judgment.”I stared at my best friend as she basically did not answer my question. “Tell me the truth, Maddie. Do you believe the accusations against Lana Wintour?” I asked agai
“Can you please tell us, what happened when you were conscious in that lab, Miss Ringwood?” One Councilor wasted no time and asked. I looked at all of them, seeing how serious everyone was. I have always felt kind of intimidated by this group of men and women, but there was something more somber and sinister in their presence today. The kidnapping and the discovery of what those rogues were up to really changed it for them.”When I…” I paused, feeling my heart in my throat. I don’t even know what I’m so nervous about.”When I became conscious, I was able to speak to one of the leading rogues inside that lab,” I said.”What’s his name? Do we know him?” I shook my head as an answer to another one of the Council people’s questions. “I didn’t get his name. But he was tagged as the leader inside that laboratory. Though, I heard him say they had a master. And I personally recognized him from years ago.” I added, wanting to be very transparent and honest about this. It’s the only way I kno
As soon as we stepped outside the Andreyev mansion, I immediately felt how different the atmosphere was. Vamos has always had this somewhat filled atmosphere around. Hundreds of years of history has already etched itself in this very land, and it housed the greatest lycan kings in history so I understand. Its atmosphere could sometimes be light, most of the time, it could be quite heavy. But this heavy was different. I looked around the wide clearing and saw many Warriors walking around. All in complete uniform and armed. Most were on lines and some were speaking as if meeting for some important mission one last time before they went out and did it. The scarce normal packmates of Vamos were merely passing by and getting back inside their homes. No one was there to walk around leisurely like how most usually do. Everyone was busy. But it wasn’t the typically busy grounds of Vamos. It was buzzing with tension. With an eager force to attack. With men in uniforms occupying the grounds
“I’ll be back before the sun gets down.””Okay,”He leaned in to give me a kiss. But what I thought was going to be a peck became a deep smooch as Titus pulled my neck towards him. I held on to his shirt as he devoured me. And I couldn’t complain as I loved everything he’s been doing to me. “Don’t go out without me, Sebastian or Nathan, okay?”“Okay,” I nodded, knowing he’d need my assurance that I will be safe. I don’t want to defy him with that again. It has been our issue, and something grave has already happened to me. It’s the least I could do to help him and to be safe. “I love you. I’ll see you later.” He once again gave me another kiss before he started walking out of the room. I watched him in his usual black pants and black long-sleeves. He said he was going to have numerous meetings today for all the investigations they’ve been doing after getting some evidence in the rogue lab they got me from.“I love you, too,” I said and waved back at him before he closed the door to
“W-why…” was all I could say as I gaped. Maddie just looked down, sensing how confused and worried I got. I closed my mouth and turned to the window once again. Titus was no longer there. Sebastian was left and he was commanding the now divided troops into who-knows-where. “You’ve basically been in a coma for the last month, Rina. And according to Sir Ben, it was least likely you could recover. We could barely feel you. When the king heard that, the troop mission to annihilate every rogue in our lands intensified. King Titus could no longer be stopped, even when it was already hurting some civilians.”My figure just froze there. Not knowing what to feel about it.The last conversation I had with Titus, he opened up about his worst fears and experiences. He had finally opened up to me and I also did to him. So, I know this must have been very hard for him. I couldn’t imagine what must be going on inside his head as he thought he was going to lose me. It was his worst fear. It was e
“… wait. She will recover. She’s strong.”I stirred, hearing voices around me.”She has too many rogue venom in her. I’m just afraid…”The voice sounded so troubled. Like they were crying. But I couldn’t recognize who’s voice it was.“You did well, Maddie. You were just in time. It’s not your fault.”Sobs echoed around the room as the girl started crying. I couldn’t move myself nor do anything. That went on for how many more minutes until the voices faded away. It’s either they went away, or I just started drifting away again.Sounds came back to my senses when I heard a loud beeping sound. It wasn’t exactly irritating to the ears, but I was bothered by what it was. I started opening my eyes.Bright light immediately greeted my vision. I was looking at a cream ceiling—my vision was still quite blurry. I blinked, adjusting to the light.I slowly looked over my shoulder, following the beeping sound that had me woken up. It was a machine that monitored my breathing and heart rate. I imme
My vision became hazy as exhaustion got to me. Sweat dripped on my forehead. I took huge breaths. I watched everyone outside—seeing Maddie getting taken away by the doctor beside her out of the bed as a fight broke inside. A constant ringing blared on my ears. I could see the people outside fighting with another group. I could make out how messy everything has become. But I couldn’t hear them—I couldn’t hear anything besides the sharp ringing in my ears and the compliant whimpers from other wolves inside my head. What’s happening? ”M-Maddie...¦” I mumbled as I saw her getting hauled up by the doctor who had been constantly beside her. After taking out the last needle in her body, he immediately ran out and took her away. Away from me. Where I couldn’t see what they’d do to her. ”M-Maddie...¦” My voice broke as tears fell hard on my cheeks. Whatever remaining strength was left in me was given to the act of just watching everything unfold. The doctors inside the lab, includ