SORAYAI had only been back for a short while, and all I really wanted was for things to remain peaceful. The one thing I'd dreaded since the day I arrived was running into Celeste— with her icy presence and the fakest perfect smile ever. I hoped to avoid it at all costs. I’d also hoped she'd stay far away— preferably from me and everywhere else I might be, especially at school, but my worst fear since returning to the pack materialized.In truth, the day had started out well enough. I blended in with the sea of students almost perfectly just the way I’d hoped I would— the way I always tried to. I slipped through the hallways unnoticed and no one even paid me any real attention, which was a huge relief. Classes went smoothly, and for a brief moment, I’d actually felt like I could pull it all off. I made it through the first class without a hitch, and the sense of relief was overwhelming. I might have even smiled. I should have known that the peace would be short-lived. That sooner
SORAYAShe was not close to getting done. She was going to stip me with her words now.“She found her way two years ago into my husband's bed.” She swallowed as though this was difficult for her. Students were already gasping.“Yes, she slept with your Alpha— my husband.” Her words were sharp, dripping with disdain.The furious whispers were like a roaring flood in my ears and I almost didn't realise as my mouth fell open, every part of my body going numb. No..“Then, she disappeared without a trace. Abandoning the pack and leaving her studies. I was devastated when I found out but I thought her leaving was for the best. I'd thought it was over, but now she’s back. With the audacity to walk these halls like one of you…” She sniffled dramatically, dabbing at eyes— playing out the part of the heartbroken wife flawlessly and drawing out the compassion and sympathy of the audience. "...to continue her education here as if nothing happened.” Was that an actual tear? Goddess, she was good.
XADENI spent almost the whole day with Kaylee, and everything had gone well enough— pleasantly even. We played with her toys, went for a walk, and even shared some snacks and she remained her cheerful, playful self all through— but the longer the day wore on, the more I felt something was off. Soraya hadn’t come home. At first, I told myself she might just be caught up with something at school, but as the hours passed, worry settled in. Soraya wasn’t the type of mother to abandon her child— not for an entire day, and certainly not without a word.I fed Kaylee as Soraya had instructed through the maid I’d hired and who'd resumed just that morning, but my thoughts were elsewhere— my mind distracted by the unease of Soraya's absence. Something didn't sit right. The more I paced the length of the living room, the more I was convinced. I checked my phone every few minutes. There were no messages from her, no missed calls— not even to check up on Kaylee. It was odd.My instincts kept scr
XADENThe woman was still talking, but I didn’t bother responding to her judgment. I didn’t care. I marched to my car, rage boiling beneath the surface. The drive to the home I used to share with Celeste was a blur of red— anger clouding my thoughts, rage building with every second that passed.The second I stepped through the front door and saw Celeste standing in the hallway, my patience and all my restraint snapped. I stormed toward her, grabbing her arm roughly, my nails digging into her skin. She didn’t even flinch— just looked at me with that smug, satisfied expression.“You did this,” I growled. No one else knew about Soraya. “This could’ve ended peacefully, but you just had to open your big fucking mouth and ruin everything.”“I see you've gotten my little… surprise,” she purred, no ounce of remorse evident. But of course. She was the devil herself.She turned around and walked into the living area, heading for the bar. I followed her.“For fuck’s sake, Celeste! What is wrong
SORAYAI was holding on to hope. Xaden was my hope. But only if he cares enough to look for me.Looking around the dark room made me feel nauseous. Was I going to die? No, Soraya get that thought out of your head. Remember who you are. You're Alpha Xaden's mate, and you know how powerful he is. I was desperate, scraping at positive thoughts to calm myself. "You have no idea who you're dealing with." I managed to speak, even if the lump in my throat made me feel like I couldn't. "Xaden would have your head for this." Maybe if I scare him....First, it was a simple cackle. Then it developed into an obvious laughter of mockery. I was irritated, and my fear was increasing by the minute. Where was Xaden? Get it together, Soraya. I kept trying to strengthen myself with the words in my head, but my body had betrayed me. I was shaking all over. "Am I supposed to be afraid of you?" He came closer to me and pointed his finger towards my eye. He stank of wet grass and mud, and a hint of sewag
SORAYA"Please don't hurt me. What do you want from me?" I was sobbing uncontrollably. I pushed myself backward till I hit the wall, and I realized that it would take a miracle for me to escape. I looked at the middle-aged man with tears in my eyes, and I couldn't still place where I had seen him in my head. "Stop trying to look for a way out. You're stuck with me." His voice was the kind that promised death. Slow and painful, like with a poison. He had that anger behind his eyes, but he masked it perfectly with a no-emotion look. His voice made me feel cold within, and I could swear goosebumps were appearing all over. He was going to hurt me, in a way I won't forget. He won't stop looking at me too, his eyes following my breathing and every movement. "Please." I could only beg him at that point. I was completely powerless. I had given up on reaching Xaden and decided that agreeing with my captor might be the only solution. He walked towards me slowly and his demeanor had changed t
XADENI couldn't think straight. My hands were trembling and I was boiling all over with rage. I looked at Kaylee sleeping soundly in her bed and I felt heat come up into my chest even more. She had cried a little asking for her mother and somehow I managed to put her to sleep. Celeste.So this was what having an arch-enemy felt like. I wanted to tear her into pieces and burn every piece till it was dust. I never imagined she'd go this far for a lie. She was just an obsessed freak and a sadist. I hated myself for not realizing it sooner. I couldn't get Soraya's voice out of my head. If Celeste had hurt her, then the council meeting wouldn't be necessary. I was going to kill her myself. I put a call through to one of my workers and asked her to watch Kaylee. I had to bring her mother back. Celeste was so desperate and stupid. I should have known this was going to get out of hand. My mind kept racing with thoughts on what I overheard on the phone. My grip tightened on the steering wh
XADENThe day was finally here. I had been waiting for most of my life for this. This assurance that I'm going to be with the right person. This safety and comfort of true love, granted to us by the moon goddess. This joy of finding one's forever partner and choosing to honor what one had been given. The day I defend the love of my life.A part of me wished she was here to see it. For three years I had searched for her and for two years I was starved because of her. I regretted ever having anything to do with Celeste. Soraya and I clicked at once and we had a child! A child! And yet I didn't know anything about it. All because of this stupid marriage pact.I watched as my father-in-law was dragged into the room. I gave Dax a warning look to treat him kindly now because these elders could misread things. There shall be no mistakes today. The divorce was happening, and that was final. I glanced at Celeste and I noticed she was shocked. It was obvious she didn't have a clue as to what I
SORAYAI tried to make a stance and defend myself to the best of my abilities. I wished with more than anything in me that Xaden would find me right now. I could really use the help. I watched as the Rogue continued to run at me, preparing to pounce. He came at me, claws first as he dove over a vehicle that separated us. I closed my eyes out of instinct as I waited for the killing blow. It never came. All I heard was a sharp wince that seemed to come from the Rogue as it collided with something—or someone.I opened my eyes, promptly locating the rogue on the pavement. He was been pounced on by someone. I couldn’t make out who exactly but I silently thanked them—feeling extremely lucky for their timely intervention.I moved slowly towards them and I noticed that it was a woman. She continued to beat the Rogue savagely. Clawing and biting at it with every intention of killing him. When the Rogue stopped struggling, probably from passing out or dying, I tried to thank her for coming to
SORAYAI quickly located the car in Xaden’s parking spot after a brief glance around the lot. It was a little corner spot that overlooked the faculty and I made my way to it before unlocking the trunk. I retrieved two large picnic baskets and set them down gently on the floor beside the car.It was really nice being out of the house again. Kaylee definitely needed it but I may have needed it more. The poor kid, it’s unfortunate she has to grow up in such less than ideal conditions. But at least for today, she could be happy playing in the sun and feeling the wind on her face. The atmosphere was clear and the sky was blue with very few clouds, it was perfect for a little family day out. The morning sun shone brightly, it’s golden rays sparkled with radiance. I felt renewed and content. Life couldn’t be better. Our enemies seem to have all been defeated and the pack finally accepted me as their Luna—I couldn’t explain the feeling I felt. Celeste had been banished, along with her father
MALCOLM“Can I see some Identification?”“Definitely. Uhh...let me check...” I stumbled through my jacket pocket and retrieved my business card. It still had the dark moon insignia from our previous business together.Thank the blessed goddess.She picked up the card and glossed over it intently, resigning only when she found no faults with it.“Well, it seems authentic to me Mr Malcolm. Being affiliated with a pack, especially one as influential as the Dark moon pack, gives you certain privileges.” She started as she folded her arms across her chest. “One of those privileges is free passage to and from the borderlands as long as you don’t plan to stir up any troubles there. However, it is my job to keep you informed on how dangerous a place it can be.” She said, looking up again. “Everyday, we are swarmed with reports of many going in, and only very few returning. Do you understand what I’m saying Mr. Malcolm?” She inquired as she made eye contact with me. I remained silent. I knew t
MALCOLMI mustn’t fail her. I must not fail Celeste again. I thought to myself as I made my way to the corner closet. I had to get her the yellow wolf’s bane even if it meant breaking the rules and crossing the border.Failing her would basically spell doom for me. Money was drying up fast and the business was basically dead in the water. Those spineless cowards! The community Pack leaders and the Alphas. Refusing to do business with me because they were afraid of him. Afraid of that bastard Xaden! I sighed at my impossible situation, knowing it was all my doing. This was all by my design. They would however be sorry in the end. Those spineless fools! When Xaden was finally back on my side. They would then understand the true meaning of pain.I drew out a large suitcase out of the closet. I didn’t know how long I was going to be gone. It was going to be dangerous. But I needed this. Desperate times required that I suck it up and get my ass across the border.What had I been thinking?
JEREMY“Where are you?” I asked, speaking into my phone and attempting to dust off my shoes as I entered the building. It was futile. I disposed of them and put on some hiking boots that had been left by some of the other groundskeepers. He was holed up in the basement. I found a small flashlight and went down the flight of stairs. “Cyrus..” I called out, peering in the dark and reaching for a light switch. Turning it on, the dark and dingy basement came to full view, completely lighting up. I spotted Cyrus sitting in a corner of the basement, clutching tightly to a steel black box. He was bruised and bloodied badly, looking quite roughed up.“Boss..” He managed to call out to me as he fumbled to get to his feet. He placed the box on a wooden slab, turning it to face me.“What the fuck happened, Cyrus?” I looked him over. He seemed to be healing but not quite fast enough. His jacket was completely shredded and he seemed to have lost an eye. I looked over at the box. I picked it up a
JEREMY“Take me back to the compound!” I said to the driver as I walked out the cemetery gate. I had been quiet in my arrival, slowly creeping up on him, startling him. He was leaning over the bonnet, probably smoking.“Arrgh...yes Sir...right away sir.” He said, dusting off the ashes and crushing the cigarette butt.It had such a rancid smell.“You were gone for quite sometime sir. I was beginning to worry but you’ve warned me never to interrupt you when you visited, no matter what.” He said looking at me and gesturing me into the car as he pulled the door open.“Yes I was and you were right not to disturb me.” I said, looking up at him. “I took sometime because I needed to take sometime and that’s the end of it.” I said, making my way into the car and pulling my phone out from my pocket as he locked the door.“Yes sir.” He said and made his way to the driver seat. I had indeed taken quite some time. The sun had set already and we slowly approached twilight. The autumn falls made e
CELESTEThe things I had done for him. He drove me so crazy and what was crazier still, was that I would do it all over again without missing a beat. That was how much I wanted to be with him.My train of thought were completely cut off by movements in the front porch. I heard someone stumbling against the door. It was probably my father again. He had been a loose cannon of recent, drinking himself rotten, only able to feel a little buzz with each binge. He was taking it hard. Business had basically grinded to a stop as he could no longer namedrop Xaden to the surrounding communal packs. He had become a disgrace, a pariah, almost executed even had it not been for the benevolence of Xaden and my own naïvety. The packs didn’t want to work with him for fear of Xaden and the humans would not work with him for fear of the packs. He was lost.It was his fault. I thought callously as I finished the last bit of scotch in my glass. He was a stupid man and the architect of his own misfortune. W
CELESTEThings had begun to fall pleasantly into place and it seemed like for once, the fates were finally on my side. I thought to myself as I took a swig of scotch before setting the glass on the counter. The bottle was almost empty and I let out a low growl—father couldn’t even afford to replace our liquor anymore.I poured myself another cup and made my way to the couch, kicking off my shoes and reclining into the sofa.The moon goddess was however very gracious to me. Even from the point of despair and sadness, a ray of hope seemed to burst through, casting away the shadows and banishing my worries.Jeremy. I thought to myself trying to remember the series of events that had led up to today’s meeting.I had been so down and bad, almost depressed to an inch of my life—how had things gotten so bad, so fast? I had it all. Everything I could have ever wanted lay in my hands and I lost it. I still could hardly believe it. Where had it gone oh so wrong?Soraya. I bit my lip at the thou
XADEN“Well hello Mr. Professor.” Soraya said, fondling the threads on my robe and wearing a mischievous grin. She drew me closer for another passionate kiss. “Lupine would be perfect for a little picnic and Kaylee could play with other kids.” She said as she hugged me tight. She had needed this. “Thank you Xaden. I’ll go get dressed.” And like that, she was gone. Hurriedly making her way upstairs.“And I’ll get the car ready!” I managed to call out after her before looking over to Kaylee. She was playing with her spork, messing up her leftovers.“And as for you little lady...” I begun, picking her up. She giggled loudly.“...we’re going to get you in a nice little dress.” She was on my shoulders again and we headed for the nursery. I could only stare blankly, in total awe, as Soraya made her way down the stairs. She was wearing a bright yellow maiden gown and a sky blue cashmere scarf. Both colors looked marvelous on her and she was radiant. I could fall in love with her all over aga