“Iridessa!” A loud desperate voice called from outside. In shock, I peeled my swollen eyes open, wrapped my bodice around me and ran to the door. As soon as I pried the door open, one of our maids whose name I never knew rushed inside and shut the door behind her with a speed that signified that something was wrong.
“What’s wro—” I was about to voice my confusion but she cut me off abruptly.
“Iridessa, you have to come out right now! The luna said you should go through the secret tunnel right now; there is no time to explain, just follow me please.” She rushed out. I knew something was absolutely wrong because she just called me by my name, and also due to the fact that my mother wanted us to meet at the secret tunnel because it was never used.
“What about what I’m wearing?” I asked, pointing at the lacy nightie that I was forbidden from wearing out of my chambers.
The maid eyed my clothes quickly, then answered with a wave of her hands, “just forget about it, let’s go!” The urgency in her voice urged me to start moving; I wasn’t sure what it was that caused her attitude but there was no time to ask her. She opened the door stealthily, looked around and signified that I took the lead.
“Run my princess, and do not stop no matter what!” She shrieked fearfully as soon as I stepped out; and following her instructions, I fled.
The first thing I noticed when I started running was the state of chaos in my pack house, everyone was running in different directions, mothers were screaming and wild fires were flaring in different places. Even a few dead bodies laid haphazardly on the floor. It was too gruesome to look at.
“What’s happening?!” I screamed at the maid over the noise coming from different angles.
“It’s Alpha Adrian, princess.” The maid answered from behind me, her voice sounding so teary and scared. I hadn’t had enough time to fully decipher what she said when I heard her take in a sharp intake of breath. And who was Alpha Adrian??
“Run!” She screamed again, but this time she sounded strange, like she was choking on something. Curiosity got the better part of me and I stopped to check, only to find her choking on her blood, with a huge spear jutting out of her chest and her clothes were drenched in her own blood.
“Oh my goodness—!” I screamed in shock but was abruptly cut off by her sharp voice.
“Just go, before they get to you,” she whispered, pushing me away as if in a bid to get me to start running. “Go!”
“I can’t!” I yelled back, “I can’t leave you here, I have to take you to safety!” I cried with hot tears beginning to blur my vision.
She smiled, a sad smile, as she fell to her knees, “can’t you smell it? It’s laced with silver, I wouldn’t make it.” I crouched beside her and let her hold my face with her bloodied hands, “go Iridessa!, avenge me,” I wanted to try to reassure her, maybe tell her everything would be okay, but as soon as I opened my mouth to speak, her hands fell limply from my face.
No! No! No!
“Wait!” I screamed, “Wait please!” I cried, shaking her open eyed lifeless form with tears pouring out of my eyes. “Don’t die on me!” I yelled at her but no reply came forth. She was dead!
Feeling a surge of anger suddenly fill my veins at her death, I passed the palm of my hands quickly down her face, took in her pretty face that smiled in even death; and ran, ignoring the loud shouts and the arrows flying here and there…
***
“Iridessa!” I heard my mother scream as soon as I got to the tunnel. The place was in total chaos, I could hear the frantic voices of mothers screaming out their children’s names and that of children who were looking for their parents.
“Mother!” I screamed back, running to her. As soon as she got into arms length, I engulfed her in a warm embrace and cried out. “She’s dead! The maid you sent to me, she’s dead!”
As if sensing my frantic state, she cupped my face in her hands, smiled sadly and whispered, “I know, I know, but you need to calm down,” cleaning off the tear droplets that had fallen from my eyes with her fingers, she continued;
“I want you to run from here. They would not stop until everyone is dead—"
"Who mother?? Who?"
"Alpha Adrian. He is here for revenge but that's not important right now, I want you run far far away from here."
I shook my head in negation but she ignored me and continued to speak;
“Listen to me, Iridessa you have to survive, you hear me?” She cupped my face in her palms.
“What about you mom?” I asked, feeling surges of fear course through my veins. I was visibly shaking.
She smiled again, but this time it looked less reassuring than the last, “I’ll be right behind you”
“No!” I whispered so only she could hear, “I can’t let you do that, come with me now!” I wanted to drill some senses into her, to try talk her out of this madness; but instead of listening to me, she simply stared at me for the longest of time, shook her head, "I can't lead them to you,"
and pushed me into the arms of one of our guards.
“Alex, lead her to safety, make sure you do not return to this kingdom until I send out a word,” she commanded the bulky bodyguard who pressed me against his chest with a kind of aggressive force. “And baby…” she turned to face me with her signature smile plastered across her porcelain face “…never forget how much I love you.”
“But mom, why can't you come with me? And where's father? Come with me!” I yelled, tears beginning to blur my vision.
“I will be fine.” She said with that reassuring smile still plastered across her face, “now tell me you love me, just as I love you.” I was about to tell her how much I loved her too when I noticed a bodyguard stealthily creeping up behind her.
“Mom! Mom!” I shrieked, fighting against the hard grip of the bodyguard behind me.
“Run, Iridessa, Run!” She shouted back.
“Look behind y—” I yelled, but as soon as the words left my mouth, I saw the jagged end of a sword appear suddenly in front of her chest, with her blood dripping down it.
“Let go of me! My mom’s dying!” I screamed at Alex who stood unmoving behind me. “Let go of me!” I shouted again but he wouldn’t even bulge; and then it came to me. He was one of them!
“You psychotic son of a bitch! I said let go of—” my sentence hadn’t even finished when I felt him press a white handkerchief against my nose. I pushed against him hard and then jabbed an elbow into his side, weakening him for a moment. It was when I got out of his grip that I saw that this wasn't Alex at all and that wasn't our coat of arms on his uniform…
I didn't even think about it and began to run. I didn't look back either, my feet carried me faster than it ever had and soon I was heading for the woods where I was so sure that no one will get me there.
My feet splashed mud on my dress as I ran through the trees. I clawed and felt my way through the trees and vines until my hands turned bruised and dirty but I kept on running,my blonde hair flying with the wind as my heart kept beating hard.
Heavens! I was being followed, I could hear the growls and the barks behind me.
Occasionally, I would stumble for a few seconds and in that moment, turn my head and look behind me only to run faster as she saw the faces of pursuers.
An arrow passed over my head, the swooping sound startling me as I watched it hit the tree right in front of her and in shock, I fell backwards.
This time, I didn't get up fast enough and I felt myself being pulled up by men, soldiers that did not belong to my pack.
"Let me go!" I struggled as I screamed but the men held on tight, dragging me back there. What even is going on??
"I said, let me go!" I don't know why it's always hard for me to shift wolf. If I had done that, I would have escaped already. They dragged me, ignoring my pleas and saying nothing.
The sight that met me inside was enough to turn my blood cold.
Sweet heavens. Everyone…. Every single person was..dead.
There was blood everywhere and limbs…heads.
It was so gruesome that I felt a wave of nausea overwhelming me. Who…what kind of monster would do this??
"Why are you doing this??" I said to the men that kept their hold on me.
Poor innocent people just murdered. We headed for the throne r
oom and the first thing I saw when I stepped in was….no,no. It can't be. No…. heavens please, no.
The bodies of my parents and brothers lay on the ground, covered in blood and bruises….I don't know when or how the piercing scream left my throat. The pain, the anger, everything hit me.I removed myself from the mens grip and rushed down to see…to…God. I couldn't, I couldn't even touch them. "Mother…father…" the tears pooled down my face as my insides churned and hurt,"Leo…Stephen…"None of them answered me…none of them heard me.Why was this happening? Why?! A few days ago we were all happy as I celebrated my eighteenth birthday, they were laughing and smiling and now…now.."So you're Iridessa." A deep and cold voice echoed in the room and I turned, cleaning my teary eyes so that my vision would stop being blurry. The man, whoever he is was dressed in black, completely except for subtle gold highlights, he was backing me at first and facing the huge family portrait that sat on the wall. "Iridessa…" he called my name again before turning around. His..his eyes were a deep bla
Adrian's POV: “Monster?” I repeated, reaching to grab her frail hands that kept hitting at my chest. Immediately I touched her, I subconsciously realized how soft her skin was. Almost silk-like. “I'm no monster, Princess.” My voice sounded hollow, even to my own ears. She yanked her hands away, her blue eyes wobbling as she stared at me, tears streaming down her face like a river of grief. "You killed my family!" she yelled, her voice cracking with anguish, the sound echoing off the walls like a curse. "You murdered them all!" Her hands went to her throat as she turned to face the horror behind her. The dead bodies lay on the bloodied floor, their faces frozen in death, their eyes seeming to accuse me too. I watched, feeling a pang in my chest, as she shivered and her hair moved slightly in the silence, like a dark cloud hovering over her shoulders. She took a step back, her eyes never leaving mine, and then she collapsed to the ground, her body wracked with sobs. She wailed like
Iridessa POV My wrists burned as the ropes bit into my skin, binding me helpless. I glared at Adrian, sitting across from me in the carriage, his eyes fixed on me with an unreadable expression. He had basically bundled and kept me here. Hatred and anger boiled inside me, my mind reeling with the thought of my family's brutal fate. How did my life change so suddenly? From a princess to an orphan, with no home, no family, and no future. Even my suitor,was gone, taken from me by the monster sitting before me. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give Adrian the satisfaction of seeing me weak. The carriage wheels creaked and groaned, echoing my own despair. I was trapped, at the mercy of a man who had destroyed everything I held dear. My thoughts raced with memories of my family, their smiles, their laughter, their warm embraces. All gone, taken by Adrian's cruelty. I can't help but wonder what my father did to Adrian. What could
As the carriage rattled along the cobblestone streets, I couldn't help but wonder who Asher was and why he seemed to have a personal vendetta against me. His eyes had flashed with anger, and his jaw had clenched in frustration when Adrian announced that I was his prisoner. I shivered at the memory, my heart racing with fear.Why did Asher want me dead? What had I ever done to him? The questions swirled in my mind like a maelstrom, making my head spin. I glanced around the carriage, trying to distract myself from the ominous thoughts. But the opulent decorations and plush seats only seemed to mock me, reminding me of the stark contrast between my former life and my current predicament.The carriage slowed to a stop, and my heart skipped a beat. We had arrived at the Alpha Palace. I could feel Adrian's eyes on me, boring into my skin like cold steel. I didn't dare look at him, fearing what I might see in his gaze.The door opened, and Demitri's imposing figure loomed in the entrance. "O
Adrian's POV I tie the last lace on my boots and walk out of my dressing chamber, into the dimly lit hallway. The sound of my footsteps echoes through the silence, and I can sense the weight of my presence, the fear and respect that precedes me. A knock echoes through the silence, and I call out, "Come in, Demitri."The door opens, and Demitri enters, his tall frame and imposing presence commanding attention. He bows low, his head almost touching the floor. "Alpha Adrian," he says, his deep voice a low rumble.I nod, my expression neutral, and he rises from his bow. His eyes are cast downward, never meeting mine directly. I know it's him without even looking - only he is allowed in my personal chambers, and only he would dare to enter unbidden."Alpha Adrian," he says again, his voice laced with reverence. "I've assigned a maid to deliver food and clothing to the prisoner."I nod, my expression still neutral. "Very well, Demitri."Demitri hesitates, then asks, "May I speak, Alpha Adr
I stand in silence as I watch the flames consume Kya's body. The heat from the fire is intense, but it barely registers against the pain and anger that consume me. I can feel my wolf's rage simmering just beneath the surface, ready to burst forth at any moment. But I force it down, knowing that losing control now will only make things worse.Kya was my mate, my other half, my everything. She was my best friend.And now she's gone, taken from me in the prime of her life. I can't help but think of all the things we had planned together, all the future that we will never have. The thought of living without her is almost too much to bear. We were supposed to rule together…But even as the sadness threatens to overwhelm me, the anger is always there, burning like an inferno in my chest. Someone did this to her, someone took her from me, and they will pay for it. I promise her that much.I watch as the flames begin to die down, leaving behind nothing but ashes. I feel a hand on my shoulder
As the carriage rolled into the palace, I could already see someone waiting at the entrance for me. Someone I told earlier to go home, rest and….mourn.My would-have-been-brother in law, Asher. "Alpha…" his voice cracked as he stood before me. His face reminding me so much of his sister. I didn't know what to say or offer condolences. We have both lost something. "It was Riverton," I said and saw his brows raise before settling into a frown. "Johan did this?" He said, his breath becoming heavier as his eyes constantly shifted from his to his wolf's. "Johan murdered my sister?!" "Calm down, Asher—" Demitri tried to say but was instantly stopped by Asher. "Calm down? Are you fucking serious Demitri?" His anger was elevating as he took hard steps towards Demitri who didn't flinch for a second, "My sister just got murdered and you're telling to calm down?? Are you—" "Enough." I said. This wasn't the time for arguments at all. Asher sighed as he ran his fingers through his
The day of the attack arrived. I am dressed and ready as I step out of my chambers and make my way to the door. It was snowing,the whiteness spreading every where and my thoughts went to how blood would look on this snow. "Greetings, Milord" Demitri said as he walked towards me, bowing as be did. "Ready?" He nodded. I walked over to where the men waited and I was pleased with what I saw. All the men arranged properly, each with a look of resolution at the work ahead. "Greetings, Alpha Adrian!" They all greeted, their voices thundering loud and clear. Their bright gold and black uniforms standing out even more in the white and snowy background and so did the flag that was held. The flag which was the image of a full moon with the crescent part of it highlighted.As I looked around and examined the men, I suddenly realized that someone was missing, I wondered why Asher wasn't here. "He said that something very important came up." Demitri said. More important than this? I w
Adrian's POV I tie the last lace on my boots and walk out of my dressing chamber, into the dimly lit hallway. The sound of my footsteps echoes through the silence, and I can sense the weight of my presence, the fear and respect that precedes me. A knock echoes through the silence, and I call out, "Come in, Demitri."The door opens, and Demitri enters, his tall frame and imposing presence commanding attention. He bows low, his head almost touching the floor. "Alpha Adrian," he says, his deep voice a low rumble.I nod, my expression neutral, and he rises from his bow. His eyes are cast downward, never meeting mine directly. I know it's him without even looking - only he is allowed in my personal chambers, and only he would dare to enter unbidden."Alpha Adrian," he says again, his voice laced with reverence. "I've assigned a maid to deliver food and clothing to the prisoner."I nod, my expression still neutral. "Very well, Demitri."Demitri hesitates, then asks, "May I speak, Alpha Adr
As the carriage rattled along the cobblestone streets, I couldn't help but wonder who Asher was and why he seemed to have a personal vendetta against me. His eyes had flashed with anger, and his jaw had clenched in frustration when Adrian announced that I was his prisoner. I shivered at the memory, my heart racing with fear.Why did Asher want me dead? What had I ever done to him? The questions swirled in my mind like a maelstrom, making my head spin. I glanced around the carriage, trying to distract myself from the ominous thoughts. But the opulent decorations and plush seats only seemed to mock me, reminding me of the stark contrast between my former life and my current predicament.The carriage slowed to a stop, and my heart skipped a beat. We had arrived at the Alpha Palace. I could feel Adrian's eyes on me, boring into my skin like cold steel. I didn't dare look at him, fearing what I might see in his gaze.The door opened, and Demitri's imposing figure loomed in the entrance. "O
Iridessa POV My wrists burned as the ropes bit into my skin, binding me helpless. I glared at Adrian, sitting across from me in the carriage, his eyes fixed on me with an unreadable expression. He had basically bundled and kept me here. Hatred and anger boiled inside me, my mind reeling with the thought of my family's brutal fate. How did my life change so suddenly? From a princess to an orphan, with no home, no family, and no future. Even my suitor,was gone, taken from me by the monster sitting before me. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give Adrian the satisfaction of seeing me weak. The carriage wheels creaked and groaned, echoing my own despair. I was trapped, at the mercy of a man who had destroyed everything I held dear. My thoughts raced with memories of my family, their smiles, their laughter, their warm embraces. All gone, taken by Adrian's cruelty. I can't help but wonder what my father did to Adrian. What could
Adrian's POV: “Monster?” I repeated, reaching to grab her frail hands that kept hitting at my chest. Immediately I touched her, I subconsciously realized how soft her skin was. Almost silk-like. “I'm no monster, Princess.” My voice sounded hollow, even to my own ears. She yanked her hands away, her blue eyes wobbling as she stared at me, tears streaming down her face like a river of grief. "You killed my family!" she yelled, her voice cracking with anguish, the sound echoing off the walls like a curse. "You murdered them all!" Her hands went to her throat as she turned to face the horror behind her. The dead bodies lay on the bloodied floor, their faces frozen in death, their eyes seeming to accuse me too. I watched, feeling a pang in my chest, as she shivered and her hair moved slightly in the silence, like a dark cloud hovering over her shoulders. She took a step back, her eyes never leaving mine, and then she collapsed to the ground, her body wracked with sobs. She wailed like
The bodies of my parents and brothers lay on the ground, covered in blood and bruises….I don't know when or how the piercing scream left my throat. The pain, the anger, everything hit me.I removed myself from the mens grip and rushed down to see…to…God. I couldn't, I couldn't even touch them. "Mother…father…" the tears pooled down my face as my insides churned and hurt,"Leo…Stephen…"None of them answered me…none of them heard me.Why was this happening? Why?! A few days ago we were all happy as I celebrated my eighteenth birthday, they were laughing and smiling and now…now.."So you're Iridessa." A deep and cold voice echoed in the room and I turned, cleaning my teary eyes so that my vision would stop being blurry. The man, whoever he is was dressed in black, completely except for subtle gold highlights, he was backing me at first and facing the huge family portrait that sat on the wall. "Iridessa…" he called my name again before turning around. His..his eyes were a deep bla
“Iridessa!” A loud desperate voice called from outside. In shock, I peeled my swollen eyes open, wrapped my bodice around me and ran to the door. As soon as I pried the door open, one of our maids whose name I never knew rushed inside and shut the door behind her with a speed that signified that something was wrong.“What’s wro—” I was about to voice my confusion but she cut me off abruptly.“Iridessa, you have to come out right now! The luna said you should go through the secret tunnel right now; there is no time to explain, just follow me please.” She rushed out. I knew something was absolutely wrong because she just called me by my name, and also due to the fact that my mother wanted us to meet at the secret tunnel because it was never used.“What about what I’m wearing?” I asked, pointing at the lacy nightie that I was forbidden from wearing out of my chambers.The maid eyed my clothes quickly, then answered with a wave of her hands, “just forget about it, let’s go!” The urgency i
The day of the attack arrived. I am dressed and ready as I step out of my chambers and make my way to the door. It was snowing,the whiteness spreading every where and my thoughts went to how blood would look on this snow. "Greetings, Milord" Demitri said as he walked towards me, bowing as be did. "Ready?" He nodded. I walked over to where the men waited and I was pleased with what I saw. All the men arranged properly, each with a look of resolution at the work ahead. "Greetings, Alpha Adrian!" They all greeted, their voices thundering loud and clear. Their bright gold and black uniforms standing out even more in the white and snowy background and so did the flag that was held. The flag which was the image of a full moon with the crescent part of it highlighted.As I looked around and examined the men, I suddenly realized that someone was missing, I wondered why Asher wasn't here. "He said that something very important came up." Demitri said. More important than this? I w
As the carriage rolled into the palace, I could already see someone waiting at the entrance for me. Someone I told earlier to go home, rest and….mourn.My would-have-been-brother in law, Asher. "Alpha…" his voice cracked as he stood before me. His face reminding me so much of his sister. I didn't know what to say or offer condolences. We have both lost something. "It was Riverton," I said and saw his brows raise before settling into a frown. "Johan did this?" He said, his breath becoming heavier as his eyes constantly shifted from his to his wolf's. "Johan murdered my sister?!" "Calm down, Asher—" Demitri tried to say but was instantly stopped by Asher. "Calm down? Are you fucking serious Demitri?" His anger was elevating as he took hard steps towards Demitri who didn't flinch for a second, "My sister just got murdered and you're telling to calm down?? Are you—" "Enough." I said. This wasn't the time for arguments at all. Asher sighed as he ran his fingers through his
I stand in silence as I watch the flames consume Kya's body. The heat from the fire is intense, but it barely registers against the pain and anger that consume me. I can feel my wolf's rage simmering just beneath the surface, ready to burst forth at any moment. But I force it down, knowing that losing control now will only make things worse.Kya was my mate, my other half, my everything. She was my best friend.And now she's gone, taken from me in the prime of her life. I can't help but think of all the things we had planned together, all the future that we will never have. The thought of living without her is almost too much to bear. We were supposed to rule together…But even as the sadness threatens to overwhelm me, the anger is always there, burning like an inferno in my chest. Someone did this to her, someone took her from me, and they will pay for it. I promise her that much.I watch as the flames begin to die down, leaving behind nothing but ashes. I feel a hand on my shoulder