I wasn't sure if I was quite ready for such an important role in the pack, but I also knew that there was no escaping this moment. I had come of age, but I wished the occasion had come at a later time. My father prepared for the journey and it reached a day before they both were to depart. I did tell myself I would try my best to lead our pack in his absence. Though, I didn't know how hard this was until I actually got my first case when the boundary keepers complained about the navigators. Now how the hell was I supposed to fix that? •••••••••• After a grueling afternoon with the boundary keepers, later that day, as the sun began to set, everyone was busy with their duties and I was satisfied that I had completed my tasks for the day. Adrian was confined to his chamber so I couldn't go visit him without suspicion from the guards. I became bored out of my senses so I found myself drawn to my father's study. I had so many questions that I wanted answered from my parents, but my mo
The riddle or prophecy or whatever it was I read the previous night couldn't leave my memory. I kept on saying it to myself. I was almost turning myself to a self-indulged lunatic. Was I making progress? Nope. I asked Sarah to help me search it up, but she gave no results. I also checked it online myself but there was no sensible result. It was on my call with Sarah she had told me something which would go on to disturb me throughout the day. — I noticed Don was awfully quiet that day and less of a nuisance. That was definitely a bad sign. He was busy talking to a Beta beside the detached building and I decided to approach him. I wanted to ask him about what Sarah told me - that he knew about the secret Adrian and I were hiding and why I was protecting Adrian. What exactly does he mean by that and what does he know? I walked towards Don, my heart pounding with anger and frustration. Whatever he was up to, I needed to find out. I couldn't let him get away with it. I needed to con
I flinched, "Of course not." "Then there's nothing to be scared of. Don's just being his usual self. Just ignore him." I knew Jax was telling the truth, but something about how Don said what he said to me made me think further. Whether it was a joke or not, it didn't sit well with me. "Okay, maybe he was joking with me but still I don't like the fact he goes around eavesdropping on my convos. Nobody does that to him, so he should respect himself." "I'll tell him to stop." "Like that will be enough…" I sighed. "Just don't overstress yourself on trivial matters. You're literally as light as a feather these days." He took my hands in his and squeezed the flesh in my palms softly. "Look. Are you even eating again?" "What are you even talking about?" I smiled, "I don't normally eat much. It's just things that have been happening." "Things like?" "Dad and Mom put a huge responsibility on my shoulders when I can barely take care of myself." "And you're doing a great job at it." "Ye
The sun was beaming down as I walked up to Jaxon on the training field, my head still spinning from the mystery of the artifact Aunt Belinda told me about the previous night. I was trying to act carefree, but my excitement about uncovering the truth was written all over my face. "Hey, Jax," I greeted with a playful smile, hoping to catch him off guard. "Had a good night's rest?" He was busy arranging some firearms. "Hardly." "Why?" He raised an eyebrow at me. "Hey Jax, have you ever heard of an ancient werewolf artifact?" Jaxon stopped what he was doing and our eyes connected for a second. He chuckled lightly, obviously amused by my sudden interest in artifacts. "Why are you suddenly so interested in that?" "Cause I am." He looked at me with a sly smile, "Are you sure you've not been snooping around?" My cheeks flushed, "No, what are you saying? Just tell me if you have or not." "Fine, the artifact…." he replied, contemplating. "People used to talk about it a lot before bu
I followed behind my father as he stormed to his study room. I thought of what to do to resolve the issue because I knew it would turn to something worse very soon. Nothing came to my mind and that made the desperation I felt grip me harder. "Father, please, hear me out. Please forgive me for this. It was my fault. It was all my fault. I'll take all the punishment. Adrian is not to blame please…" I pleaded with him, but my words fell on deaf ears. "Do you even know who that man is?! You have no idea who he is and you were there kissing him? So shamelessly?! Do you know his family, where he came from?!! You're acting so loose!" My father yelled at me. "Father, please just hear me out…" "Hear what?!" "Please just spare his life. I'll take all the punishment. I admit I did wrong…" All my pleas were drowned out by my father's furious shouts. "Why do you have no shame? To embarrass me like that in front of an elder?!" he bellowed, his face twisted with anger. "I…I'm sorry, Father…"
And he rose up abruptly, "I am the leader of this grove and my say is final. Guards!" They rushed as soon as he beckoned. "Keep her in her room." I didn't try to fight or struggle. Two of the guards held my hands on either side and led me to my room. How could he believe that subjecting Adrian to such pain and suffering was the solution? I tried to reason with him, to explain that Adrian wasn't manipulating me, but my father dismissed my words. In his eyes, Adrian was the one who had deceived me, and I was merely a foolish girl who had fallen for his tricks. I had silently prayed for a different outcome but I guess those prayers were futile. Adrian didn't deserve such a fate, and my heart ached at the thought of him enduring the torment that transformation process came with. But my father's decision was final. I hated every single moment of my life thereon. The news had already spread throughout the pack like wildfire. Whispers filled the air as people spoke their minds of the
There was nothing I could say in defence. She grabbed my hand and shook my limb, "Get a hold of yourself! What is this man turning you into?! I know we raised you better than this! If your father finds out about this, you know he'd ground you for weeks.., why be foolish, Lily?!" She yanked her hand away from me and turned to Adrian. "I don't know what kind of magic you used on my daughter, but you're gonna pay for the trouble you're trying to cause here. We gave you a place to stay and food, and this is how you repay us?" Adrian looked down and stepped aside from me. My mouth and heart were tied. I realized the consequences of my actions. Adrian was right…I didn't even think things through. I had made the situation worse. I thought I could outsmart the watchful eyes of my parents, but I had been caught in the act. I knew my mom was still going to ground me anyway, so I just took a step back, ashamed to look at Adrian. "Guards!!" Some men came rushing in minutes later to take ho
It had been days since "that stuff" occured. I had not been able to sit with, needless to say, see Adrian. He'd been in his chambers or on the docks/field with the generals, excluding Jaxon. I had been confined to my room, as my mother would have it, and had been trying to make due with it, even though every single day felt dragged and boring. The day Tyler visited, after being away on a mission, he had already heard of the news and started his cockiness. Though, my dad let me out that day, it was even worse because I had to meet Tyler and watched as he behaved like a dick towards Adrian throughout the day. With Adrian transformed into a Limean werewolf, the dynamics within the pack began to shift. Tyler, sensed an opportunity to assert his superiority over Adrian as he was always seeking dominance and power over everything and everybody, just like Don. Don. The bastard. I hadn't been able to see him since the day he last smirked evilly at me. If I were to set my eyes on him,
Hey Pack, Wow, you made it to the end! Huge virtual fist pumps to you. 🌟 Thanks a million for all the howls of support and the crazy enthusiasm you've shown for this story. Seeing your reactions has been better than getting a call that a lecture has been cancelled on a Monday morning, lol. Now, drumroll, please... anticipate Book 2! It's coming and it's coming hard. We're talking more drama, more twists, more romance, more tension, and a few surprises that might just make your jaw hit the floor. You won't want to miss this. Seriously, your excitement is like fuel to my writing engine. Thanks for giving this story a chance. There are more adventures, more drama, and more 'what the heck just happened?' moments coming your way. This is just the beginning of the howl-fest. Stay awesome, keep those pages turning, and get ready to dive into Book 2 real soon. Until then, my pack, take care, and may your days be as thrilling as the full moon nights. Bye-bye till Book 2 drops! Howling l
~ LILY'S POV~ I sat upright on the bed. I could hear my heart beating wildly, and felt beads of sweat clinging to my forehead. The dream, the same recurring dream, had invaded my sleep again. I felt a chill creeping through me as those words in the Lythian language echoed in my mind. Adrian, still half asleep beside me, sensed my restlessness and gently kissed my forehead. His voice was soft and soothing as he asked, "What's troubling you, luv?" I turned to him with widened eyes. I recounted the details of the dream. It's the second time I had that dream. I saw Cathro in the dream warning me about a certain "Darram" but she was speaking in Lythian language. Saying, "Beware, Darram comes soon and we fear you will be the last Guardian this realm will ever know." Adrian's concern was evident, but he didn't want to add to my distress. He pulled me close into his strong arms, and reassured me with the warmth of his presence. "You shouldn't think too much about it, at least not now. You
Jaxon found himself behind a runty herb stall in the hidden market. The canopy above offered shade from the scorching sun. The cloaked man stood in front of him, carefully arranging an assortment of herbs in clay pots and glass bottles. Jaxon had come to appreciate the familiarity they both shared with nature's offerings.Jaxon took a deep breath and finally spoke, "The salves you've been giving me have been a great help to Tiana. Her scars are slowly healing, and I can't thank you enough for your help."The cloaked man nodded, his deep and wise voice always leaving Jaxon in wonder. "It's an honor to assist."Jaxon's eyes never left the cloaked man. He spoke with a sense of urgency in his voice. "Tiana's scars are fading, but her new wounds... they keep reopening. I know it's as a result of the remaining dark magic that's around her. I need something to ease her pain until I take her to the healers at the Cave"The cloaked man nodded, "I have just the thing, but be cautious. These her
×××××××××In the quiet of the night, Audrey was preparing herself for bed, or really, for Leo. She sat, fixing her hair while looking into the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, and behind her, she sensed Leo watching. He lay on the bed, his eyes never leaving her.The night's silence was broken only by the gentle rustle of her clothing. As Audrey gazed at her own reflection, she couldn't help but remember the image of Leo's lifeless body. It was a haunting image that often crept into her thoughts, and tonight was no different.A shiver ran down her spine as she realized how frequently she feared his death. Audrey couldn't quite understand why his demise, or the mere thought of it, was such a constant source of dread for her. What would she do if he were to die again?Leo sensed the worry in her posture and voice, prompting him to ask, "What's the matter?"Rather than revealing her deep-seated fears, she shifted the conversation toward their recent meeting with Viktor. Audrey
×××××××××As Leo and Audrey stepped out into the courtyard, the air was filled with residual tension from the meeting. Leo nodded to his henchmen, silently instructing them to move forward and prepare the car for their departure. As they scurried off, leaving the two of them alone, Leo's demeanor changed.He swiftly pulled Audrey into his embrace. Her lithe form fitted perfectly against his own. It was a gesture that had become all too familiar between them. There was always a genuine attraction and the thrill of their dangerous partnership. Their flirtatious banter began as he gazed into her eyes, wanting to start something."It's about time I commend you for your loyalty. What you did back there -""Was nothing. I was tired of being in the midst of three grown-up men bickering like kids."Leo laughed and pulled her closer, "Oh, Audrey, you've been holding out on me. You've got a sense of humor buried in there."Audrey kept a straight face but he tightened his grip around her waist.
×××××××××The room was covered with such a thick tension as Viktor and Leo threw eachother assertive glares as they sat opposite eachother at the roundtable. The flickering chandeliers gave enough light to the polished wooden surface below it, and their henchmen stood behind them, ready to leap into action at any given moment.Leo's calculated move broke the silence. He nonchalantly tossed the Bodessa medallion onto the table, its precious metal clinking against the wood. His piercing eyes bore into Viktor's as he opened his mouth, "I brought this," Leo always sounded ambitious and too cocky, despite who he was addressing, "in exchange for men. I need more troops to raid the werewolf pack. It'll benefit the clan, and I know you've been planning a raid on one of their lower towns too. I could help with that."Viktor, the more composed and legitimate senior of the two, regarded the medallion for a moment. He gestured for one of his men to give it to him to which the latter did. His fin
THE WORLD OF "FORBIDDEN MATE"Someone once asked me about the world setting of the story since they saw elements of modern and mediaeval worlds in the story.This is your answer, dear:In Story 1, the setting and world are a blend of supernatural elements and modern-day life. The narrative features caves and packs, which are key components of the werewolf culture. These caves serve as communal spaces and dens for rebel groups, where they hold meetings, make important decisions, and discuss their strategies. The packs, as you already know, represent a strong sense of community and hierarchy.Amidst the supernatural background features, modern elements are also included into the story. This includes the presence of everyday technology like phones and digicams, used for communication and recording events. Weapons such as daggers are also part of this world which reflects the need for self-defense and conflicts that arise.The characters frequently visit bars, where they socialize, and so
Out of nowhere, Audrey appeared. She was surrounded by a dark and eerie aura. Her eyes glowed with evil as she summoned the powers of her devil goddess, Ashtarah. The air around us crackled with strange energy.When she saw my present form, she seemed to rethink facing me but she proceeded still, "So you're a Guardian? An unworthy bitch like you?"I studied her."Why did you always have the good things, hunh?You should have never been born, Lily! You're my bane and I want you cut you off once and for all!""Your hatred will only lead you to your grave, Audrey!" I was trying to get to her."No! I will send you to your grave, right here!" But alas.With a furious battle cry, Audrey lunged at me, her claws extending like sharp blades. I quickly used my wings spreading wide to shield me from her attack. We clashed in mid-air, feathers and fur flying as we struggled for dominance.Ashtarah's power flowed into Audrey, making her incredibly strong and quick. She easily dodged my attacks wit
The air felt heavy with anticipation as the BlueMoon pack and Shadow Clan armies stood facing each other. Their eyes locked in a fierce confrontation. The clearing, once a peaceful neutral space, had now transformed into a battleground.Tyler stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Leo, "This ends here, Leo. We won't let you harm our pack any longer," Tyler declared with a resolute tone.Leo smirked, his fangs glinting in the moonlight. "Oh, dear Alpha boy king, you're so naive to think you can stop us. This is just the beginning of our dominance," he replied with a sinister chuckle."Chargeeee!" Tyler's voice echoed through the crowd."Make me some blood!" Leo shouted out and burst into incredulous laughter.As the armies clashed, the forest became a battleground. The air filled with fierce sounds of bodies colliding, claws slashing, and fangs biting. Both sides were driven and determined, expressing it through battle cries and roars.Tyler led his pack with courage, giving his all in the