Prologue
The war was fierce.
Everyone was in their wolf form fighting to resist tthe attack of one of the deadliest vampire groups from the North-Eastern Atlantic. They have been coming for a while now striving to penetrate the walls but the pack has been warding them off by building their walls stronger and being at alert to make sure they never succeeded.
We were caught unaware on our own. No one can tell how it happened. All I knew was that I was cuddled into the arms of my husband the Alpha in a deep slumber one night when we were yanked awake by the noise coming from down the packhouse. I was the first to stir due to my high sensibility ability. I listened for a while to make sure it wasn't one of my nightmares that I have been having incessantly for a couple of weeks now but no.
It wasn't.
I rapped Leonard up frantically with fear arched in my eyes. I was looking towards the door as I kept tapping at him. He finally showed a sign of life and growled aloud as he jerked up to meet my worried look. He looked about frantically still trafficking between sleep and awakening.
“They're here” were the only two words I could utter before the door was harshly swung open by the gamma Maxwell
“They finally penetrated Alpha. What should we do? They are eliminating everyone. As I talk, the town has plummeted and half of the pack lying dead. They are merciless. I fear the end is near for us”
“No! That can never happen! I know what Gregory wants” I looked from the Gamma to my husband who has been quiet all the while probably strategizing on what to do. Whenever he is that quiet in a chaotic situation, something was driving through his head. Before it always worked, as in the end, he often comes up with a solution. But this is beyond us and I know why
“He wants me. I know that. So I will do the right thing and accept defeat for my people and my husband”
“What are you saying Amore Mio” Leonards raspy voice rumbled beside me. I swirled around to face him with my tear-streaked face. “I won't let anything happen to you, my love. I would rather die than let Gregory do anything to you like he promised” his eyes were flickering in their orbs in disbelief at me. I saw tears gather but I didn't want to look at them for long hence am drawn into them
I jumped out of the bed and tired my robe about me. The Gamma shifted still in a state of shock. Before I would turn the knob, my husband's arms were secured around me striving to stop me from the decision I had made a long time ago even before this day came.
I have been having this nightmare during all the vampire's trials to penetrate our walls. I didn't want to tell my husband because I knew he would be worried considering the fact that anytime I had a nightmare, it meant doom anchors. I had known right from time that this day would come. That Gregory would make his way through to claim me just as he had sworn to my father.
Before I was married to my husband, Gregory had wanted me for himself which I had vehemently refused because firstly he was a vampire and secondly I never felt any pull towards him. I knew my mate was out there and would claim me one day which was why I told him I was never going to marry him not when I wasn't drawn to him not to mention that he is a brutal and heartless bastard.
On the day of the wedding, after I had met with my mate; Leonard and hadn't seen Gregory since I rejected him. We had done a ceremony which was a traditional rite performed by my father and the most elderly member of our clan during a full moon since Leonard was already an Alpha and was about to be joined to me, his luna.
What I didn't expect was Gregory to appear during the event not to mention him coming to the altar where I was standing with my father and husband with the traditional mediator who was circling the conjugal burnt fleur de rosa which signified peace, long life and blessings during our marriage.
He had stood with his hand in his front with a small parcel folded within, as he listened to the enchantments without a word. My heart was beating frantically because I knew he was a vile man and bore no good tiding.
Just after the priest finished his incantations, he had been the first to clap and cheer us after which he reached out to hand me the parcel in his hand. I took it with a shaky hand from him, all the while hoping he would leave us alone.
My husband was unaware of what was going on, due to I never discussed with him about Gregory whom I thought had left my life for good. Leonard was all smiles and had even exchanged a handshake with the devil after which he congratulated us and told us how he wished us well in our newfound union.
I knew Gregory and knew he never meant any of the words he said. If anything, I knew he meant exactly the opposite of everything flying off his mouth. He didn't take long after that, he had left just the way he came; disappeared into thin air.
I remember my eyes following his every movement prior before he left. I watched him closely my wolf perceiving he had ill up his sleeves but I couldn't read his mind because he was a vampire and I didn't have that ability yet. His eyes were on me too every time I looked at him with an evil smirk plastered on his brows. I knew everything was wrong and it was confirmed later on when I hid in my room to unravel the finely packaged parcel he had gifted me.
I remember my hand shaking vigorously when I was opening it with my heart beating in fright and anticipation. I had ripped the last strip of ribbon out and counted one to a hundred before flinging open the cover of the parcel. I froze as my eyes beheld the most gruesome thing, anyone doesn't deserve to behold in their lifetime not to mention on their wedding day.A human heart. A fresh bloodied human heart.Then inside was a note which read: ‘You won't see me coming’I was still frozen to the spot that I didn't know Leonard had entered the room until he snatched away the parcel from my hand which drew my attention back. I looked at him to see the same expression I had on his face. He has demanded who sent it and I had told him it was the parcel from the guy that met us at the altar and then I had gone on to tell him everything amidst tears and shivering“He would never stop coming.
“ Please don't do this” I cried out clamping my hands around the hand on my skirt to pull it outHe let out a guttural sound and threw his head back, two fangs sprouting out of his mouth. My eyes grew in their socket. My mouth opened and the only sound I heard was the reverberation of my voice through the dark caveI let out a piercing scream and jumped up from the bed I was lying on and held my neck. I was sweating profusely and was panting frightfully. I looked about the place in terror fear creeping up my nerves like every other day.I heard footsteps padding across the hall before my door was yanked open to let in my mother who exhaled when she saw I was alright.“Oh sweetie, the nightmare isn't it?” her face contorted in worry. I ran into her arms the minute she sat on the bed and held strong to her chest“Am so scared mummy” I squealed unto her bosom. She patted my back gently and kissed my head “it's
“Morning mum” he greeted and looked up to throw me a kiss. I gawked at him and looked away. He was fond of doing that knowing how gross I found it. “I would be tagging along mum. I want to see a friend in Louisiana” he chipped in obviously having heard our discourse“Then you can go in your car Will, it's strictly a girls outing” I looked at my mum“ Outing?”She shrugged with the spatula in her hand “What else should I call it? After all, we are returning today”“Mum I can't go with my car because it suddenly started acting up this morning when I tried to use it. Please mum I would drive if you want”My mum’s face snapped to him with her eyes expanding. I giggled softly knowing no way in hell was she going to allow him to drive us not when he drives like the devil“Fine&rdquo
Finishing with my face, I picked up my hairband and packed my red hair in a bun. I often wonder who I took my hair from since none of my parents had red hair. My mum has a blonde hair and my dad had chestnut brown hair. Each time William wanted to taunt me he would stipulate that I was adopted, that was why I looked different since he managed to acquire mums straight blonde much to my chagrinI checked up my face one last time and smiled at what I saw. The tiny freckles around my nose have managed to be covered by the powder. I sprayed in some cologne in the right parts before going back to look at my navy blue peplum hand gown. It hugged my frame like a second skin showing off my figure-eight body that mum keeps warning I show off so attract a husband. I guess she would be gooey when she sees me nowI turned and left the room with my bag bouncing at my side.“ where are you off to?” Mum asked once I reached the living room. I blushed as I saw the wa
I hugged her so tight again.“Oh my God Sandy I missed you so much!” “Me too! Look at you! just a few days away from me and you look__” she held me at arm's length and perused me about, making a low guttural sound down her throat before shaking her head in disapproval. “C’mon Sandy, I'm not that bad!”I rolled my eyes up and moved away from her. “Sit, sit we have a lot to catch up on” she pushed me to a nearby chair. “How's Mum and Dad? It's been a while,” she queried further. “They're good. Just there. Still playing the old goons.” “What brought you into town and why didn't you tell me on time? I was so shocked. By the way, you called to tell me you wouldn't be able to make it so_” Sandy flashed a suspicious grin at me catching me offhand. I knew that grin. Whenever she gave me that kind of grin, something fishy was definitely going on. “Spill it already. For
“Nothing, don't mind me, my mind just wandered off. I was asking about your Dad.”“And I said Dad is fine. He has been asking about you and hopes you come to visit one of these days,” said Cassandra.“Wow. So bad that we are soon going back to school, I can't wait. I've missed everything and everyone,” I croaked, sneaking a peek at the guy again. His eyes were on the coffee disposable which I noticed is the fourth one now. He looked so mysterious. I mean what kind of person walked into a cafe full of people and still retained his hood?Anyone Kimberly, you are just being paranoid. He may need his privacy and don't want anyone noticing him or maybe he was sick.Yeah right. I looked away to listen to what Cassandra was saying “Are you sure you are okay cupcake? You look distracted. Is it about Greg? Oh, my wide mouth I shouldn't have said those words to you about him! Now I have got y
“How is that possible? You and I both know all those are trashes and unbelievable! Why now would you want to join the entire race of disillusioned people to believe such balderdash? Sandy! Stop if you are joking” I was fast getting pissed.“I am serious, Kim. That is why I've been chugging down this milkshake. You know on a normal I wouldn't take more than one cup of this. But, as crazy as I would sound,” she leaned in again to my still shocked self “he bit me.” my eyes widened. “he said it was a form of claiming me and all that shit I couldn't make out because whenever I'm with him everything becomes blurry and doesn't make sense.” she searched my eyes willing me to believe her but, I was still in shock.“Believe me, Kim. You know I will never lie to you. Okay look at this” she pushed her round-necked swead down to show me bites scattered all around her neck. I tipped back in fright.
“Me?” I said out my thought. “No way! there's no way in hell am following you to a crazy___sorry a stranger’s house. It's more like leading us to a slaughterhouse. The only difference is that you brought this upon yourself while I'm volunteering myself as an escort to death” I waved my head at her.“Well, when that time comes Kim. For now, let's focus on the party. When the time comes, I would have to see how you would allow your one true friend to follow a stranger all by herself” she said the stranger with her two fingers crooked in the air.“Sandy, we have to decide this now before any other thing. We can't follow someone you just said bites you during” I gesticulated with my hands at her “Look at those marks. They look like snake bites. We both are like rags they could easily rumple us. We would be useless to each other. If you are deadpanned on going, then we would have to start now to