“No one here will blame you if you choose to refuse treatment for this wretch,” Rafe growls, squeezing me tight in his arms. “Death in the cells is more than she deserves already.”“No.” I shake my head. My eyes are drawn to her. Her heaving chest, rising and falling with frantic breaths. The wild, lost look in her eyes, she’s a wounded animal that is caged and bound. Beneath the fury and desperation is a stinging fear that I know all too well. The cruel part of me is glad to see her finally reaping the misery she sowed in my life. It wants her to writhe in agony until the last moment of her pathetic life. But the curious part of me wants answers that a corpse cannot give. “Proceed with the treatment. But first, I want to talk to her,” I announce using the confident Luna voice I practiced in my lessons with Christobel. Head high, tone stern but soft. The authority I was never granted as a Beta’s daughter comes more naturally to me than I expected. The warriors and Dr. Juniper
The dam breaks loose and hot tears spill down Quinn’s face. An unholy wail breaks from her chapped lips, and she grovels at my feet.“Please! Please let me talk to Alpha Thane!” she cries, her hands pressed together as if she is kneeling in prayer.Rafe laughs. “As if.”“You have to make him let me go, Makayla. Please, if I can’t speak with him, you can! I know he’ll listen to you,” she begs, her entire body trembling with each word.“And why should I do that?”Quinn raises her head at my question, glaring for a second before fixing her face into a pathetic, teary pout. Does she really think I’m buying this piss-poor act of hers? Stars above.“Please, I have nowhere to go!”“What about your beloved pack? The Superior River Crest that you so vehemently defend?” I press. Hopefully, she won’t pick up on my scheme.“I… was forced out.” Her lie isn’t convincing, but I’ll take the bait.“You? The Future Luna forced out? Who would dare?”Full of new vigor, Quinn rises to her knees and knots
Rafe and I exit the cells hand in hand, while Quinn’s echoing wails of fury are muffled by the cell door. My body relaxes with every step we take away from her; I feel the ice in my veins melt away at his touch.We leave out of the underground prison the same way we entered, nodding to the guard at the entrance before locking them inside and ascending the stairs. It’s a different kind of quiet than before. Rafe’s energy is relaxed and he’s practically beaming beside me, squeezing my hand every few steps.“What?”“Nothing.” He grins down at me.“Tell me,” I press, matching his smile with my own.He releases my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into his side. “I’m happy.”“Because I didn’t break down and let her pathetic words hurt me?”“No—I mean, yes. That’s also wonderful,” Rafe chuckles. “But also, this was the first time you…”Rafe stops in the middle of the empty packhouse atrium. The low afternoon light cuts through the stained glass windows and paints his fac
I’m not alone for long. Shortly after Rafe leaves, dozens of people start pouring into his office to take shelter from yet another rogue attack. Their frantic, worried murmurs do nothing to ease my own fear. I need to be out there with him, where I can make sure nothing happens to him!Pacing around the room, I fight with myself. My inner voice cries out hysterically all the ways everything could go wrong. Everything I could lose. For all my suffering and heartache in River Crest, I never had to feal with feeling like this. I never had anything to lose besides my life. Now, I have everything.And I want to keep it.“Calm down, Makayla,” Christobel sighs, grabbing hold of my hand while I’m mid-step. She’s surprisingly strong and stops me in my tracks. “Rafe is strong. I know you know this. Don’t worry about him.”“Logically, I know that a few rogues are nothing compared to my mate. I know that he’s stronger than almost any other wolf I’ve ever met. But…” My voice trails off. There are
Hello my friends! I apologize for not updating this week. There were some unexpected, yet happy changes in my family and I've been with my family out of town celebrating. This time off is also helping me get my outlines for the final arc of Forsaken Mate. That's right, we are nearing the end of this story. I want to go out with a bang and make sure it is interesting for you all. I really appreciate all the support you've given me for my first GoodNovel story. I'll be sure to make a proper thank you at the end!! Until then, Elizra
When the smoke cleared, there were twenty-seven rogues in total who were either killed or apprehended and are currently being questioned. This was the largest wave in Rafe’s reign as Alpha. And the most destructive, as well.Several families were left displaced after the enemy forces destroyed their homes, setting fires and throwing explosives at load bearing walls. Thankfully, none of our people were injured or killed, but that doesn’t stop this from being one of the worst attacks in Io’s history.Several warriors tried to stop me as I fought for Io. They begged me to return to the packhouse, but how could I? When my territory was under active threat from a malicious enemy hellbent on causing mass destruction?Even now, they stand awkwardly behind me, muttering under their breaths about how the Alpha is going to have their hides. My heart goes out to them, it really does. But the displaced pack members need to be fed and given care. That is part of my responsibility as a warrior and
The first celebration happened right there in the auditorium. People brought out instruments and food, there were toasts made in my honor, and tears shed as the story of my tragic upbringing was shared. When it was revealed to everyone that I am Beta Nemora’s lost child, the celebration exploded with joyous applause.I’ve never been hugged so much in my life. It got to the point where my arms were tired from being squeezed so tightly. I couldn’t tell who was more excited for me to become the Luna, Rafe or the rest of the pack. My mate stood back, looking pretty pleased with himself while I struggled under the pressure of so much love and appreciation. At least, he did until it became more obvious that his packmates weren’t going to release me any time soon.His eyes darkened and a grumpy scowl overtook his features when the thirtieth male warrior scooped me up in a bear hug, lifting me from the ground and cheering for my safe return to Io.Rafe ended up prying him off of me and throwi
I don’t recall falling asleep. But I’m awoken by Christobel and a number of attendants rushing in to tend to me. The sun casts the room in a warm, golden glow. Rafe’s scent lingers in the air, but is slowly fading, much to my heartbreak. He must have slipped out earlier and left me to sleep in.“We’ve prepared a bath for you, Luna,” one of the attendants announces, head bowed. I don’t recognize her. I don’t recognize any of the women clamoring around me, eagerly pushing to be ahead of the group. Christobel’s kind eyes shine with pride as she stands at attention in front of all the rest.“Now ladies, I only agreed to let you assist me today because you were all so eager to serve our new Luna,” she declares, silencing the commotion. “If you continue to behave in such an immature fashion in front of Luna Makayla, I will dismiss all of you and serve her myself as I’ve always done.”Ah, I see.She’s showing off our close relationship. I struggle to conceal a smile. I’ve never seen this sid