"Here's my judgment!," he began, as he paused to take in the moment."This doesn't smell nice," Philip whispered to Frederick. He was really worried for Miguel."Father is going to kill him," Frederick, who looked equally as worried, said to him."We've got to stop him," Philip said, his fear palpable."We can't, and you know it," Frederick reminded him.He was right.Lord Zack was as ruthless as the word. When he got into his mood, he couldn't tell the difference between a son, friend, ally or foe, for everyone was the same in his eyes, as long as such crossed his path. He took so much pride in reminding everyone, including those who didn't care to listen, that he was the alpha who had killed his wife 'because she wouldn't obey me,' he would often say with the kind of pride an Olympic gold medalist wielded when dangling his medal before his audience. His words struck fear to the heart of those it was spoken to.Philip had often wondered how he came to be the son of such ruthless alph
The Whispering Pines Forest was a place where time itself seemed to fray at the edges. Its ancient trees, their bark etched with secrets, stood like sentinels, their gnarled roots clutching at the earth as if desperate to remain anchored. The moon, a pale crescent, barely managed to pierce through the dense canopy, casting elongated shadows on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, pine needles, and something more primal—a scent that made the hair on the back of Philip’s neck stand on end.They had spent the previous night in this unforgiving wilderness, running non stop, their breaths ragged, their hearts pounding in their chests. The sun had been a distant memory, swallowed by the thick foliage. Philip’s legs ached, and his lungs burned from exertion. He could feel the raw blisters forming on his heels, but he dared not stop. Not when the alpha’s wolves were relentless in their pursuit. Even when he had not seen the sign, he wasn't a fool not to know that
The forest seemed to hold its breath, the ancient trees leaning in as if eager to witness the confrontation. Alicia’s pulse throbbed in her temples, her wolf instincts urging her to bare her teeth and attack. But she held back, her anger simmering beneath the surface.Julie’s eyes were wide, her pupils dilated. She was a delicate creature, all silver hair and moon-kissed skin, but Alicia knew better; she knew that behind that beauty was evil. Julie was a survivor, a cunning wolf who had navigated the treacherous politics of their pack with finesse. She had always known Julie would betray, but she had tried so hard to convince herself that would change her. But she was wrong. And now, here they were, standing in the heart of the forest, their fates entwined like the gnarled roots beneath their feet.“Alicia,” Julie whispered, her voice barely audible. “What are you doing here?”Alicia’s fingers curled into fists. “Don’t play innocent with me, Julia. I know what you’ve done. How could y
The party had afforded the omega slaves a rare respite. For once, they were allowed to mingle with the other wolves, their chains loosened, their collars hidden beneath the folds of their tattered clothes. They moved with a cautious grace, eyes darting, ears pricked for danger. Damon watched them from his shadowed refuge, their scars and bruises a testament to their suffering.And then she appeared—Julie. She moved with a feline grace, her laughter infectious as she danced with the others. But Damon knew her secrets—the cruelty that lay beneath her beauty, the hunger that drove her. It felt like there was no end in sight to the pain she caused him. She had nearly broken him to shreds, and now, she came for the last lap.She had been searching for him, he realized. As she approached him, her steps were deliberate, her scent a heady mix of desire and triumph.“Sad Damon,” she purred, her voice a velvet blade that cut through his heart. “Why do you hide? The night is for celebration. You
Frederick sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands, as he struggled to deal with the reality of the decision he had to make."I can't!," he let out.Ariana walked into his room and saw him looking very sad. She was surprised, especially in the posture she saw him."Hey," she said the first time, hoping to catch his attention. But he seemed oblivious of her presence."Hey, what's wrong?," she asked him. But he didn’t answer. She took a couple of steps closer to him and sat down next to him, putting her arm around him. “You can tell me anything,” she said.Frederick looked up at her, his eyes filled with tears. “It's father," he just said."What happened to him!?," she asked, her tension heightened. "Is he okay?. Please tell me."Lord Zack had asked that she shouldn't be allowed anywhere near him until he recovers. He was scared how she would react if she saw him in such a miserable state. Even though it hurt him temporarily shutting her out, he knew he had no other choice. H
Emily walked back to the room, her eyes still red with anger. Her anger intensified the moment she saw Frederick. It felt like he had suddenly become a stranger to him, one whose face she had no pleasure in."Hey, Emily," he began, as he sought her attention. But she didn't say a word to him. Instead, she laid back in bed, her back facing him.The room was silent, except for the sound of the wind outside. The curtains swayed gently, as the darkness became thicker. The night weather was beautiful, with the the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. The air is crisp and cool, with a gentle breeze blowing through the open window.Frederick laid still, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Right before she walked in, he had dreamt of them being together, in a world where they had nothing to worry about. But even he knew that dream was deception. He turned to Emily. He thought of holding her, as he was accustomed to doing whenever they lay together in bed, but he didn't know how she wo
As she approached Lord Cage’s chamber, she could hear his snores echoing through the hallway. She paused for a moment, listening intently. When she was sure he had fallen deeply asleep, she pushed open the door and slipped inside.It was very dark and eerie, with no sign of life in sight. Julie sneaked through the winding corridors, her heart pounding with fear and anticipation, carefully minding her every step.The room was dimly lit by a single candle, casting long shadows across the floor. It had those ancient setting she had read of in fairytale books. She felt overawed by what her eyes caught, but she quickly regained her composure.Quietly, she tiptoed to the side of the room, searching for the key. Her eyes scanned the room, making sure it lost sight of nothing. Finally, she spotted it hanging on a hook by the window. As she reached for the necklace, her hand brushed against a vase on the windowsill, sending it crashing to the floor. Suddenly, Lord Cage stirred in his sleep, ca
Alicia had left her pack and was wandering alone in the forest, looking for a place to rest her head. She had walked quite a distance from the pack building, making sure she was not tempted to run back there if it came to blows. She would rest somewhere and continue her journey the next day. Hungry, she had managed to pick up a mango fruit she found on the ground, not minding if it was healthy for food.The night was fast approaching, and she was getting more and more confused as she searched in vain for what resembled a house. Just as she was about to give up, she saw a hut in the distance.“Thank goodness,” she said, heaving a sigh of relief. Curiosity got the better of her, and she walked towards it. She looked around as she got close, making sure no one saw her.As she entered the hut, she was surprised to find it in good shape. Everything, starting from the few books she found lying on a small table, looked neatly arranged. The kitchen place, which could barely take two persons,
The atmosphere at the safe house was heavy with emotions as Thomas and Ariana returned, their arrival bringing a sense of both relief and trepidation. The trio of Frederick, Catherine, and Thomas reunited, their embrace exuding a mixture of love, relief, and determination. Their shared warmth and affection for one another formed a protective shield against the impending danger that lurked in their world.As they held each other tightly, Thomas whispered words of courage and determination to his companions, reminding them of their unwavering bond and the strength they possessed as a united force. Their eyes, shimmering with a combination of tears and resolve, reflected the unwavering determination to fight for what they held dear.“I feared the worst,” Frederick said, as he held on to Ariana. Turning to Thomas, he said, “You have proven yourself worthy of my trust. Thank you. I owe you one”“You owe me nothing,” he just said. “Everything I have done is nothing compared to the evil my h
Tom tossed and turned in his sleep, his face contorted with fear and pain. He was trapped in a nightmare that haunted him that night; a nightmare that he wished he could forget, but could never escape.He saw his sister, Ariana, hanging on a wooden stake, her hands and feet bound with iron chains. She was pale and weak, blood dripping from her wounds. She looked at him with pleading eyes, begging him to save her. But he was powerless, unable to move or speak.And then, he saw Lord Zack standing in front of her, holding a silver dagger. He wore a dark cloak that covered his body, hiding his wolf form. He smiled wickedly, showing his sharp fangs."Hello, Philip," he said as soon as he saw him, his voice cold and mocking. "Did you miss me? You should come join the party,” he beckoned on him.Tom felt a surge of anger and hatred, but also fear and guilt. He was scared that he would hurt Ariana if he did nothing about it. He had to react, and react swiftly."Let her go, you monster!" he sh
It was a rainy morning, and the guards of Lord Zack's camp were on high alert. They had been on the lookout for Thomas and ‘his gang of rebels,’ as Lord Zack referred to them. Worried that they would attack them anytime, he had stationed his guards at the outskirt of the pack's camp.“Bring them to me, dead or alive. I don't fucking care how you do it,” he had instructed them.That morning, as they had become accustomed to since he escaped, the guards scanned the horizon, looking for any signs of movement. They were armed with silver bullets and crossbows, ready to shoot at anything that moved. Suddenly, they saw a figure emerging from the mist, walking slowly towards them. They raised their weapons, and their leader shouted, "Who are you? Identify yourself!"The figure came closer, and they recognized him. It was Thomas, the ‘rebel’ leader. He was alone, and unarmed. He looked tired and wounded, his clothes torn and bloody. He had a bandage around his head, covering one of his eyes.
Fidelis was furious as he stormed the alpha's chamber that morning. He wasn't going to just lie low because Alicia had reminded him how brutal Lord Loc was. He had messed with his sister, and he was going to make him pay for it."Get them!," he yelled, as he demanded that Lord Loc's men be arrested and brought before him.Hunter, who had woken up to the sound of his command, tried to put up a resistance, but he was overwhelmed by Fidelis' men. They outnumbered him and his companions, and they fought with savage ferocity. Hunter felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as one of them hit him with a sharp object, drawing blood. He swung his claws at another, but missed. He was tackled to the ground by two more, who pinned him down and snarled at him."Kneel!," Fidelis commanded him, as he stood over him with a triumphant smirk. He wanted to humiliate him and make him submit to his authority. He wanted to show him he was not one to be scared of Lord Loc."You will pay for this, I swear," Hunter
The moon hung high in the star-studded sky, casting its ethereal glow upon the silent forest. The night air was still, devoid of any sounds except for the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, as if the very stillness of the night foretold the forthcoming events that would unfold.Hunter's words echoed in Alicia's mind as she walked away from him, his awkward smile etched in her memory.“Remember, no one must know of the great sufferings you have endured in his hands,” he had reminded her, smiling awkwardly. “You must know that I've got my eyes on you,” he added.“You do not need to remind me of how evil your lord is,” she said to him. Alicia felt a surge of adrenaline as she walked away from Hunter, who had just reminded her of Lord Loc’s threatHis uncompromising reminder only fueled her determination to seek justice for the immense sufferings she had endured under his cruel hands. She couldn't bear to let anyone el
The early morning sun cast a golden glow over the forest, as Alicia returned to Lord Cage's camp. She felt a surge of relief as she saw the familiar tents and banners of her father's pack. She had been away for four weeks, visiting Lord Loc's camp as his mate. It was supposed to be a diplomatic gesture, a way to strengthen the alliance between the two powerful alphas, but Alicia knew the truth. She was nothing but a pawn, a means to an end, a solution to a prophecy she had not spoken of.She was greeted by a royal entry, as the guards who had accompanied her saluted and cheered. They had been loyal and respectful to her, but they had no idea what she had endured. They only saw the lavish gifts and clothes that Lord Loc had bestowed upon her, not the bruises and scars that he had inflicted on her. They only heard the sweet words and promises that he had whispered to her, not the insults and threats that he had spat at her.Even from close range, they still could not see beyond the make
Damon had been looking forward to seeing Alicia even before he returned from the war. He knew the time for the prophecy to be gilfilled was edging closer, and he wanted to spend one more time with her before her mate came for her.It was the third day since they returned, uet he had not set eyes on her. At first, he thought she wanted the time alone to herself, to be confined to the comfort of her bed, as she would always say, but then, he became worried when he noticed that none of the maids had taken fruits to her, which she preferred having every evening. Curious, he got some of her favorite fruits and went to her room to check on her, hoping that he would find her there. But when he got there, the place was empty, devoid of any human activity for the past days. The bed was neatly made, the closet was half-empty, and there was no sign of her presence. He felt a pang of worry in his chest. Where was she? Has something happened to her?Confused, he walked out, as he looked for someon
PreviouslyJulie, who was being tied to a tree in the woods and watched over by two guards, began to think of a means to escape from them. She couldn't afford the thought of Alicia seeing her. She looked at the guards briefly, as she thought of a way to outfox them.She came up with a plan. Immediately , she pretended to be in so much pain. "Please help me," she said to the swordsmen.One tried to attend to her, but the other quickly stopped him. "She's our prisoner," he reminded him."You don't have to remind me," the other cut him short, not impressed with him. "But she's in so much pain, can't you see? We must help her.""My legs and hands hurt so much," she continued writhing in pain, trying to draw their sympathy."She's lying," the other said, not impressed with her."No! We must help her," the other responded."She's dangerous."Ignoring his partner's caution, he bent over to her, took the chains off her hands and legs. "Five minutes, and you shall be back on
Worried that he was losing them, Lord Zack dragged Ariana by the chains that bound her wrists and ankles, ignoring her cries of pain and defiance. He stopped at the edge of the forest, where he thought Frederick and Thomas were hiding. He raised his voice and shouted, "I know you can hear me, Frederick. I know you are hiding in there. I am only going to give you one chance to save your sister or she'll be dead!""You will do no such thing," Ariana whispered to him, struggling to free herself from his firm grip."You must mistake me for a weakling," he said, tightening his grip on her. "You have just five minutes to come out from your hiding, you and your friend," he shouted again."Do not listen to him!," she shouted. "Run, don't worry about me. Death is but a necessary sacrifice I must make.”"Shut up!," he tried to force her to keep quiet, but she bit his hand, drawing blood. He slapped her hard, making her fall to the ground. He kicked her in the ribs, making her gasp for air.“Run