I was sinking in a sea of soft silk, stuffed pillows and cotton candy, skating across the edge of consciousness and unconsciousness.
"Red." A firm, gruff voice called from somewhere in the murky darkness.
I felt fingers trace my face, a palm cupped my cheek and a calloused thumb stroked it softly.
I turned in my sleep, squeezing my eyes shut stubbornly, trying to cling on to my peaceful sleep and mumbling something unintelligible and grumpy under my breath that sounded eerily like ‘go away.’
The hand disappeared and as much as I loved the touch, I loved my sleep better and I clung to it like I was holding on to my dear life.
"Red. Wake up."
Something was tugging at my subconscious. Reminding me that I knew that voice, that I had to respond to his call but I turned to my side, hugging my pillow.
"Red. Do not make me call you again." He growled.
My eyes snapped open at that commanding, authoritative voice. I knew who
Whatever existed between Alpha Alexander and me up in my room had successfully fizzled and died out the moment I crossed the threshold of the door. We were sitting together in the matte black limo with bulletproof doors and tinted windows and an engine that seemed to purr instead of roar.I have never been in a limo before.In my hands was a sweating can of coke. Diet coke; Alpha Alexander had said before plopping it into my lap. The kind that wouldn't make me get fat.He was back to his usual steely self now. A preoccupied scowl marred the clean-cut beauty of his face and his forehead was scrunched up in deep thought as he looked at the device in his hand, tapping briskly on the screen and a hologram appeared, a picturesque map of West Crescent Valley, it seemed, with areas in black, white, blue and green to signify the various packs in the valley.I have never seen a device like that and I had to fight against every cell in my body that strained to look
Contrary to what you might like to believe, I don't go fainting like a helpless damsel at the sight of every powerful Alpha turning his powers against disrespectful strangers.I knew that beyond the powers that was assigned to each pack, Alphas were blessed with other immense gifts that rivaled a regular werewolf, but seeing Alpha Alexander in action had triggered a dormant fear in me. It was easy to forget just how explosively mighty the Alpha’s powers were, especially since the man hardly used it in his everyday affairs.As shaken as I was, I was also quite pleased with the fact that he had done that for me. He hadn't done it to make a show of how powerful he was, he was just trying to protect me and make sure that I wasn't disrespected.My heart melted at that fact as I recalled last night when he had come to see me after the mall incident."Are you okay?" He had asked, a worried scowl marring his beautiful face. His blond hair was out of t
I cried until my throat ached and my body quaked with sobs. I had never cried so hard. Not when Ivy tortured me. Not when my step siblings tormented me. Not when I was ridiculed by my peers back in Whitefang and not even when I learned that my father had died.Seconds dripped into minutes, which bled into hours and slipped into night.Alpha Alexander put the fury in furious, angrily banging on my door and yelling at me to "OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR, RED!"I squeezed myself harder, fat tears streaming down my cheeks and soaking up my pillow."Red, you do not keep the council waiting! This is unprofessional and uncalled for, unfit for the a Luna! This drama has to stop now! Red!"I waited as he kept pounding on the door, wriggling the door knob and letting me know how thoroughly unpleased he was with my over-dramatic attitude. And I think that was what hurt the most. The fact that he couldn't see that I was hurting. That I was suffering.In the en
I swear he whirled in like a blistering hot sand storm, his expression mad as hell, his eyes blazing with fury."Leave!" He growled at June who squeaked, terrified, and scurried away, shutting the door behind her."You!" He looked at me, wrath pouring out of him. " Do you have any idea what you did? How stupid you made me look in front of my entire council?" He roared, getting in my face. "I had to apologize! Me! The alpha of the esteemed Silver Dawn pack apologized for your insolence!"My heart stuttered in my chest. But instead of fear, instead of terror, I felt something darker, sharper, fighting to break free in my chest and snap back at him.He ran his hands frustratedly through his thick golden hair and looked at me desperately. "I have tried. I am trying to make this transition smooth for you. Why won't you meet me half way? Why won't you take my hand? Do you think I deserve this? Do you think I deserve any of the shame and embarrassment you put me
I took the first step and everyone seemed to track my movements with their eyes as I descended the grand steps but my eyes remained on one man only.My alpha.My mate.His eyes pulled me in alluringly, like in that moment, I was all that mattered. I let him guide me all the way to him until I was standing in his presence.Alpha Alexander was a beautiful man, I'll give him that. And tonight, he looked like he just stepped out of a fairy tale book. He looked like a prince of light his white tuxedo, with lapels embellished in rich gold. His shoulder length golden blonde hair was swept back from his face and tied into a neat man bun at the nape of his neck.He looked so clean and polished, I was honored to hold his attention. I was humbled to be in his presence. And if he was prince charming tonight, then I was Cinderella.His Cinderella.A nervous swarm of butterflies were fluttering restlessly in my stomach and anxiety inche
"Alex!" A voice bellowed delightedly and Alpha Alexander whirled around, cutting short his discussion with an important council member.An uncharacteristic smile stretched his lips as he acknowledged the man before him.Except, I didn't notice the man because the lady standing right beside him, with the poise and regalia of a queen, swallowed up his presence.I couldn't look away from her daunting presence if I tried. Even the air seemed to still around her. She wasn't the most beautiful woman I have ever seen but she carried herself with a grace and charm that made her appear so.She looked like the goddess herself, in a luxurious silver flowing gown that billowed around her waist and shimmered and shone under the light of the room. Intricate designs were stitched into the bodice and she wore a circlet of silver on her white blonde head and made it look a crown. Calm gray eyes that made me think of a peaceful cloudy morning looked at me with so muc
Feeling hungry and tired of looking like the bored miserable girl waiting in the dark and hiding in the shadows, I made my way to the table from earlier that Alpha Alexander had shown to me. The one with the half moon cakes.My stomach flipped happily at the thought of consuming those beauties. With a new intent and purpose in my life, I made my way to the food stand, browsing for the half moon cakes and finding them.My heart jumped with glee as I stuffed one into my mouth and fought the urge to moan out loud at the sweet creamy taste that exploded on my tongue.Divine.I eyed them greedily, wondering if I had room in the pockets of spaces between my dress to hide some for myself and maybe for June if she would decide to take it. It seemed like a hideous crime to never taste this at least once in a life time. I was still contemplating when a grating laugh scraped against my spine.I stood upright, my spine straightening at the poisonous sound and
I stopped crying a while ago. I looked at my trembling hands, shame and embarrassment perched on my shoulders.All… All I ever do is mess things up and cry. It seemed like it was the only thing I was good at. My entire body was still trembling with the aftermath of sobs, my fists clenched in righteous anger.Why was I so weak? Why did I always mess things up? Why couldn't I do anything right? Why was I made like this?I felt angry sobs bubbling in my throat again and I wiped my tears angrily, refusing to let it flow. Refusing to succumb to it. I was getting sick of crying so freaking much!Perhaps that was my gift. I was given the powers of crying like a helpless child. For some reason, my heart bubbled with a tinge hatred against…myself.Straining against my pathetic emotions, I groaned and leaned my head back against the library’s bookshelf behind me, my head going up harder than it should have and I gasped as pain exploded in
Ophelia was heaving, livid and angry and I was about to ask what I did wrong now when she shoved me, her eyes, greener than I've ever seen them sparked with rage."You're such a goddamn slut!" I stopped breathing for a moment, catching myself and leaning against the sink to stop myself from falling. My throat tightened around the lump wedged there. "W- what are you talking about?" "I can see right through your pretensious face, you annoying fucking whore."I swallowed, "look, Ophelia, I have no idea what any of this is about. And you're one to talk, seeing as all you did was sleep with Alexander for favours-"I didn't expect it. Didn't see it coming. She lurched at me, completely overtaken by rage and slapped me hard across the cheek. So hard that I slammed against the mirror.I heard the distinct sound of glass shattering, an almost far off sound, like I had detached completely from my body.I heard her turn the lock on the door, locking us in, completely seizing the breath from
His strong hand immediately clasped around mine and I felt the raw, electrifying power thrumming from his soul.It was exhilarating. Intoxicating. Making me want to share in his obscene amount of power. He smiled a twisted smile at me, almost like he could hear my thoughts and I swallowed and tried to school myself into cool nonchalance.He pulled me to his side, "not with me. You don't have to pretend with me.""I'm not pretending," I lied, swallowing a nervous lump.His knowing look told me that I was full of shit.I frowned, glowering at him and he only laughed and grinned contently to himself, leading us to the middle of the dancefloor.My breath stuttered out of my throat and I noticed everyone had stopped what they were doing and were now staring at us, collectively holding their breath. Even the music stopped for a second, and started again, taking on a darker, more rapid and chaotic edge.The entire room seemed to have been swallowed by darkness, with a single spotlight shinin
Alexander's lips traced a fiery path across my jaw bone, reaching up to whisper into my ears. "You look very lovely, tonight, Venus."I let out an incomprehensible whisper that was a cross between a moan and an incoherent mumble and one of his hands pressed into the curve of my waste, pressing me to him, his other hand disappearing under the slit of my dress to caress my thighs.My entire body was trembling with delirious need. I wanted to melt into him but I didn't know what to do with my hands that wouldn't stop shaking."I wish I could show you how much I appreciate you in that dress."Another unintelligible groan escaped my lips as his fingers travelled upwards.You know, in hindsight, I blame June for all of this.While prior to now, she had chosen ball gowns with tight bodices and bogus skirts, tonight, she dresses me in a stunning silver gown that clung to my body in all the right places, leaving very little to the imagination. The backless dress and edgy slit all the way up my
"You're mine, Venus." The voice was dark, familiar and far away. "I will raze this goddamn pack before I let any harm come to you."A solemn oath. The whisper of a promise.I floated in and out of consciousness, not sure if Cassius had really said those words, or if they were broken remnants of my shattered dreams.I finally roused awake the next morning, nauseous and sick to my stomach, my head spinning wildly. The sun rays slashed across my skin, pricking me like a thousand tiny needles. I pried my eyes open only to be hit by a wave of nausea so strong, I shut them back immediately."Ouch," I moaned, my hands coming up to hold my head, my heart pounding in my head, a headache starting to cant a new beat in my skull."Venus," I heard a familiar voice, the sound of someone scampering over to my bedside in a rustle of tulle and fabric.I opened my eyes slowly to see June staring back down at me, obstructing the biting sun rays. Her beautiful face was pinched into a worried look, concer
I swallowed audibly as Alexander considered my request, his forehead furrowing a bit, deep in thought. "You said he just wants to show you around?" He asked for the umpteenth time. "Yes," I fumbled with my finger. "I think I need some fresh air and time away from this house. I've been cooked up in here too long and I don't know what the rest of Silver Dawn looks like." A guilty look flashed across his eyes and I winced as a wave of uneasiness washed over me. I felt horrible for lying to him but Sean did say that I wasn't supposed to let him know. And the last thing I wanted to do was put my potential friend in trouble. "You're right," he sighed, rubbing his forehead. "You should feel free to go out as you please, but does it have to be this late at night?" My eyes widened. I hadn't thought that part out. He was leaving for an important business trip to a neighbouring pack tonight and he wasn't going to be around to see me return late. Something I was thankful about. Still, 5pm
I didn't quite believe it when I first heard it. But the visiting alpha taking over his former room had all but confirmed everything;Alexander had asked his brother to stay behind and even went on to prepare a banquet in honour of him... The brother who insisted that everyone call him the devil.Except you though, a voice slithered into my head, sending shivers snaking down my spine.I rubbed my elbow and chewed on my lip nervously, worried about his weird fixation on me. And mine on him.He made me feel things, stirring something in that part of me that should be numb to anoher man's advances. He would catch my eyes and give me a knowing look, mischievous fire sparking in his eyes. As if I was in on a secret he was keeping from the others.I was aware of his presence in a way that made me feel antsy and anxious. My gaze dragged to him whenever he was near, even when I didn't will it, and there was a ball of desire churning tirelessly in my lower abdomen whenever our eyes met, even i
Cassius' PovI never thought I'd be back here. It never occurred to me that they'd deliver themselves up to me like an offering and play right into my hands.We had retreated back into the house to draw up a better binding contract to solidify our agreement and sign on it to keep our ends of the bargain.I scoffed internally. Like a fucking piece of paper and some ink would hold me back from the havoc I was going to wreck on this pack. This dreadful pack was a blight that bled spite and bigotry from its pores. That puffed their chests with pompous pride and importance. That bred its pups to do the same.The idiot actually thought that the other packs will pay him heed.He had always been so full of himself, even when he was just a kid. Affecting more importance than he was worth.Hopeless, naive fool.Nobody will come to Silver Dawn's aid. The others will wait until the proud pack has fallen. They'll even be too happy to stand on the sidelines and watch. And by the time I'm done with
My ears were ringing with the absurdity of that statement."Well, hello, brother."I couldn't believe it. My ears were playing tricks on me. This must all be part of a dream I hadn't waken up from. Because Alexander's brother was dead. Or supposed to be, at least.I looked at Alexander and a myriad of emotions washed through his face. Disbelief. Guilt. Relief. Dread. And finally, fear.I had never seen him at a loss for words, completely frozen and so pale, he looked like death. Finally, his lips cracked open and he whispered one word, "Cassius."Even the name rocked me to my core, eliciting a shiver that trotted down my spine.I looked at the man only to see annoyance flash across his wickedly beautiful face. "Diablo," he corrected with a voice so deceptively smooth, I almost lulled at the tone of it. "The name's Diablo now."Alexander's lips split into a relieved smile, "oh my god, it IS you. How is this possible?" His face contorted into an incredulous look, relief, pouring from h
The entire atmosphere in the mansion didn't lighten up even after news spread of Alexander's verdict and his decision to chose peace. If anything, everywhere grew more tense and pensive and snatches of conversations made it clear to me that I was nobody's favourite person at the moment.Just yesterday, I had heard snatches of gossip from the kitchen maids as they washed up the day's dishes, their tongues sharp and poisonous and slashing cuts into my skin."She has him wrapped around her fingers, I'm telling you." One of them had hissed, soaking up a charred pot to wash up later. "She's not good for our Alpha.""She's actually going to get us all killed and Alpha Alexander should be wiser than that. Who invites their own enemy to a tea party?""We're all doomed, I'm telling you. I would have left Silver Dawn but my indenture isn't up yet.""Me too. We're stuck here together, Clair."I had sighed and walked away, pretending I didn't hear them,