“Restrain him!” Screamed Alex. I froze, watching Buick struggle in the hands of a strange man.
His eyes were white, no pupils, and he kept whispering something. “We didn't finish it,” he moaned loudly, fell, and started sobbing. Everyone was shaking, cries of children echoing. “What is going on?” I asked. This festival was going so differently from everyone's expectations. “Clarissa” I turned to my mother. Her eyes had turned white like Buick's. “You are going to die,” she screamed, and then collapsed. What the actual fuck? Alex signaled to two wolves, and they quickly shifted. Tieing up Alpha Buick and my mom, they shifted back to wolves, waiting for their Alpha's command. “People of Grey Wolves Clan,” Alex started, “as you can see, you've been lied to.” He looked at everyone. “I am here to set you free. Free to be shifters; there's no need to hide anymore.” We weren't hiding. Yeah, sure, we were different from other shifters, but we didn't hide. We shifted within pack lands and went on runs together within specific areas. The rule was to not go over the River Tangen. I looked at my wolf, still in shock at the sight in front of me. “What are we? I didn't have a wolf before.” My wolf replied, “You've always had me. I was just hidden.” She walked closer and went back inside. Everywhere silent, people still bowed in fear. “Mate, you have to come with me.” I looked at the man that had infiltrated my clan. As much as they treated me like shit, he had no right doing this. Not today, of all days. “I will not,” I said fiercely. I was ready to fight with him if it was needed. Alex snarled at me, “Do you want to get killed? Do you know what you are? The evil that would want your soul?” “I was thinking you were the evil.” He looked at me. “Well then, I do not care whatever you think of me; however, you are the key to something even greater than us, so you will follow me. By force if I have to.” I gasped out. How dare he? He turned towards the people. “Who can take care of the clan? We are going away with your alpha as our prisoner.” Hudson stepped forward, “I'm the beta; I'll do it.” “Good. Tie that woman too. She showed signs of the laykiri,” he pointed to my mother. Gwendolyn threw herself forward, “I am the alpha's mate, I cannot live if he died. I must follow him,” she pleaded with Alex. Alex thought about it, then nodded. He knew how powerful mate bonds were. “Ours will be more powerful,” my wolf said. “What's your name?” I asked. “Clarissa. I am you,” came the reply. “Why couldn't I shift before?” I got no reply, no response. My wolf had abandoned me. Alex was talking to Hudson, giving him instructions and telling him how to run the land. I overheard him. I didn't notice her creeping up to me. “Clarissa,” she said. Her voice sounded like she was hissing my name out. “Who are you? What did you do to me?” “I am Donae, I worship the moon too. But I am a witch.” Donae answered. “I didn't do anything to you. I just broke a cage that was holding your wolf. I expected you shifting, not you splitting.” “Why did we split?” I was getting exhausted by the minute. “Whoever laid the spell on you wanted to get rid of your wolf. They couldn't, so they put it in a separate cage. In you.” She looked with pity. “You could always shift.” I stared at the moon, wondering what I'm Luna's name was all the madness I was hearing. “Well, can it be fixed?” “I do not know.” Praise Luna, I was cursed, and the witch that was here didn't know how to fix it. My mom was getting pushed onto the back of a wolf, I ran to her. “Please, she's my mother. Don't hurt her.” The wolf shook his head back. Howled in agreement and took off. All the other wolves had started leaving quietly. “Alpha Alex,” Hudson called out. “This raid, you spared our lives. The stories said you were a cold-blooded murderer.” Alex laughed out. He walked up to me, still giggling at what Hudson had said. “When I shift, climb onto me, mate.” I stood hands akimbo, “You'll have to take me by force.” Why was I testing the big man? “Do you really want that? Okay”. He spun me so fast, I lost my breath. Donae stood in front of me and blew something in my face. “What the actual disrespect?” I started saying. Then everything went blank. Somewhere else The man swiped his knife clean, looking at the fool on the ground at his feet. He didn't want to be slow. She had proved difficult in answering his questions. This was the fifth witch that he had killed. He walked over her body, boots covered in blood. Sheathing his knife, he went to his horse outside. They all said the same thing. “You will never know, Demon, they spat at him. Witches, even when they were in death, were loyal to their coven members. He had been searching for the white wolf for 21 years. He could search longer.I opened my eyes slowly, adjusting to the light that was so bright. Where was I, and how many days have I been asleep?Blinking rapidly, I realized two things.I had been drugged. Whatever Donae blew on my face was so strong I had lost my consciousness.I was in a strange place.I heard voices coming into the room and decided to act like I was still passed out.“She has been sleeping for three days now, a female said. “What did you guys do to her?” the voice questioned.“Donae just blew some sleeping powder on her. How did we expect her to be passed out for three whole days?” The second voice was Alex.Three days?? I had been sleeping for three days.I relaxed my muscles, trying to still my heart. “She should be waking up within hours,” the voice said, sounding frustrated.“Well, they kept her pretty shielded there. She had no access to herbs before, so she is feeling the effects more.”A hand touched my face so softly that if I wasn't awake, I wouldn't have noticed.“She looks beauti
What was he saying? I stared at Alex, refusing to break eye contact. The whole dining room was silent, like everyone was waiting for the Alpha to go berserk on me. His eyes were hard, and his jaw set in stubbornness. That jaw, I wouldn't mind rubbing my fingers on it.“I did not start any war,” I slowly spoke. “I did not even have a wolf until you came into my pack, and did some voodoo on me, told me all sorts of rubbish, and drugged me-”“Nobody drugged you,” he cut in, “it was just some sleeping powder.”He corked his head at me, the sun reflecting on those pupils. “I do not care. I am not here with my permission, so refrain from referring to me as your mate.”“Are you rejecting me, little wolf?”. I felt the stare of everyone around me, but damned if I'll let him think he could control me because of some bond that I had not yet felt.“I do not know you. There is nothing to reject.”Daia chuckled a bit, obviously pleased with what I was saying. Which was good. I needed some friendly
I screamed loudly, tugging at the hand dragging me into the dark room. My hands tugged at it, somehow it wrapped tighter around my wrist.“Stop screaming, you'll kill the hilly billies.” The hand dragging me belonged to Donae.“Oh, Luna, you scared the shit out of me.” I put my hand to my chest, rubbing at my wrist. That would be sore later, for sure.“You have a strong grip,” I said. She nodded and started walking into the room, I followed closely.Suddenly, the room became brighter, rays of sun coming in from large windows at each side. It was a garden. There were many plants, trees, and little birds singing. A large tree in the middle rose up through the opening in the roof. The plants somehow seemed alive, and I had no idea what they were.Donae walked towards a table at a corner, there was a book open midair. She wore black jeans and a crop top that molded to her skin, making her runes shine even more against the reflection of the sun. Her long, dark hair was in tiny ropes behin
The shaman took my hand in her hand, pulling me to her feet. I followed her closely, observing the scenes in front of me and taking in how the coven worked.They seemed enthralled with herbs and plants; one of the triplets was trimming a bush. She threw a quick glance at me and continued what she was doing.We moved slowly, mostly because the shaman had to lean on me. Her cane clacked every time it got to the ground, the noise loud in the otherwise quiet room.We got to the stream, and she gestured for me to sit. “Long ago,” she began, “the moon came down to earth to visit.”The origin of shifters. I was aware of this.“When she came, she encountered men, a rough group of people. She had not come as the moon; you see, she had come as a white wolf. Her fur shined so brightly, even miles away she could be seen.”She looked up at the tree and dipped her hand in it, swirling it around.“Look child,” she said.I stared at the water and saw a wolf very similar to mine. I knew it was Luna.“
I threw up violently, my body spamming with pain. The shaman rubbed my back apologetically, muttering sorry under her breath.What the actual fuck?Wiping my mouth, I asked a question.“Does Yomen know the orb is in me?”“No, he doesn't,” she replied. “The witch helped him meet with the demon again. He has a more powerful way of siphoning power.”“What did he give the demon in return for that?”She wiped the tears from my face. “His mate. His true bond.”He was an evil bastard.“So why doesn't he ask the demon for more power then?” I cried out. “Why does he want me?”“Demons cannot grant power; they are cast-out beings. They can only cause chaos and destroy. Yomen wants your power to be the supreme wolf. But I fear he won't stop there.”She got up, resting on her cane. “Come with me, let me show you something.”Together we walked towards a door at the edge of the room. A cold breeze wafted from there. “Yomen had been killing witches,” she spoke. “He has been hunting for us. He heard w
My mother was lying down curled on her side, like a baby. She still refused to acknowledge my presence, looking at the wall opposite her.“I want to talk to you,” I began. Then I spoke. I told her about all the times she hit me. How much abuse! How all I wanted was for her to say she loved me. How much she was sneaking around with Buick made life more miserable for me.I asked why she hadn't come to any of my graduations. Even though they were normal schools, she should have been there for her daughter. I asked her why she hated me so much. What did I do to deserve to be treated like that from her?“You were meant to protect me, mother,” tears ran down my face. I knew Alex could hear from outside the door, but I didn't care. “You let them humiliate and beat me multiple times.”“You are a curse,” she finally answered me. Stretching and frowning, she pointed at me.“You, you were my curse,” she cried out. “He left me because of you; he said he didn't want a child.” She got up and paced
Alex's gaze didn't shift from my face, watching me take in the threat he just placed on my life.“What about the fact that white wolves are legendary?” I looked at Alpha Buick, cocking my head to the side. My heart thumped so loud I think it would burst out of my rib cage.“I really do not care for legends. I also do not care for our bond. Glad we are on the same page.” He shifted backwards, and I let out a breath I didn't even know I had sucked in.Keeping my voice cool and neutral, I turned to face him. “Well, I was confused earlier.” I looked up into his gray eyes. “You seemed like you were drooling over me in the dining room.”He let out a low chuckle. “It is not my fault; it's this stupid wolf. Every time I come near you, I smell the cinnamon and honey, and it irritates me to my bones just how much my wolf wants you.”I leveled a hard glare. “Good. The feeling is mutual. I shall add you to the list of many people after my head.”I pushed his shoulders and walked past, heading ups
I was standing in front of the hill where our temple was. I walked down, towards the river Tangen. How had I come back to Grey Wolves Land?“You,” a voice spoke behind me.It was a woman; her face was covered by the hood of her long red tunic gown. The hem touched the earth, and she was bare feet. She had gold and red runes on her pale skin. Like a witch.“The white wolf,” she spoke again, pointing at me. A sudden chill ran down my spine, and I knew this person was dangerous.“What do you want? How am I here?” I asked her, walking in circles. She was turning, round, facing the goddess.“You were hidden very well. Wait, why can't I see your wolf?” She hissed at me, still pointing.I didn't bother answering her, figuring this was some dreamscape of some sort. I started pinching myself, digging deep into my skin.“He knows about you,” she said. And started laughing.I woke up with terror, my sheets wet with sweat. Oh my God. I got up and ran out, ran towards Alex's door, and knocked fur
“I had no idea anyone knew about what had happened. The burial place of the great king was hidden”, Jerome says.“Well, the shaman told me. All the covens were alert when it happened. They tried to help.”Jerome punched the table, leaving a huge hole. “They're noatch for that witch. She sold her soul to the devil”, he says. “Same as her lover. He killed my parents you know. And I was just a boy.” He stretched and looked at me.“Pray tell me, how old do you think I was when my mate died?” He put a hand up to stop me from answering. “I had just completed. 15 full lunar moonns. She 14. My parents told me I was so lucky, to find her so early in life.”I said nothing in response. “You being a child when your parents dies doesn't move me to sympathy. I am not helping you for any reason. I want to kill her.”“Very well”, I say. “The witch will die by your hands.”He nods. “Good. Well, your men need nourishment, so do you. I'll go let them come in.”“Where would they go to?” I looked around
Alex's POV“How far have we gone?” I ask George. “We're in the middle of the lands now, where they call the whispering harrows.”It had been six day, every night I shifted and announced my presence in the Lucid lands, a sign of peace. The alpha ignored me.He didn't come out, didn't send an emissary. Straight up no answers. This part wasn't a safe place for people that are not familiar and we knew first hand. A spider bite had killed one of us already, slowing is down for a full day.“Does he want me to fight him?” I ask, talking really to myself. My pack members are exhausted, the heave sun and rains making them lethargic.“Maybe you should. I don't know why that's not your first instinct.” Previously, I would have just hunted them out. I was almost always the most dominant wolf wherever I went. This time though, I wanted to try another tatic. My aim wasn't dominance, it was a treaty.“I'll make a call tonight again. If no response, we'll homoir his wishes and go away. Hopefully Yo
The first thing I noticed as I rode into The Grey wolves pack land was the emptiness. Yesterday was the festival of lights. Surely they had moved on from the horror of Alex barging in.The normally lit road was quiet, and I could hear my heartbeat over the sound of the bike. I realized I was scared. Scared if facing them. Scared of remembering how bad the pack members had treated me.I drove straight to the temple. I parked the bike on the patch of grass that leads to the door, standing and looking at it. I had never stepped goor inside the there, always praying outside. It'll change tonight.The sound of the hinges groaning ached my ears, making me wonder when last prayers were held there. The head priest was no where to be found and I walked into the darkness.I quickly struck a light and lit up the candles that hung along the wall, watching the light illuminate the room. Then I saw them.Members of Grey wolves pack were huddled in corners, a sheet over their face. “I knew it wasn't
The shorts I decided to wear were similarly way too close to the colour of Alex's eyes. I frowned and pulled them on my legs, reminding myself I was just overthinking things. I wondered what top I'll wear and a brilliant idea came into my mind. I put on matching socks and sneakers, and opened the door to my room. Looking down the empty hallways, I darted quickly to Alex's room. I pushed the door, praying the hinges made no sounds as I sliooed inside the room. It smelt heavily like him. Cinnamon, sugar and man. Way too much testerone. I opened his wardrobe and saw my target. A huge liming of black T-shirts and I grabbed one from the hanger. It went down, passing the length of the shorts so I stuck the back into my sports bra and left the front completely covered. Afterwards, I stood in front of his mirror, pleased with my results. Next to his boots, Alex has a drawer and when I opened it, it was different keys stored in little spaces to separate them. Neat and conviently saving me
Clarissa's POV Daia kicked my chest and a loud whoosh left my mouth.“Protect your core, Rissa. Stop letting them hit you.”I gritted my teeth. “Do you think I'm not trying to do that?” I asked.The triplets sat down at the edge of the stage, watching me with so much boredom on their face. Yesterday had gone by quickly, even the festival wasn't celebrated. The shaman told me that there was war coming, no time to celebrate now. “Stop punching like a pussy.”, Crysillia drawled in her deep alto voice. “I have a pussy,” was my very pathetic retort and she let out a snort laugh, confirming it.“What's holding you back?” Another hand flew directly to my face.This morning, I was woken roughly by Donae. I would be fighting not one but three shifters today.“Rissa, do you remember what you learnt yesterday?” Donae called to me.I did. My claws had elongated for the first time ever yesterday evening. I was so excited, I hugged the shaman without retracting them in. She didn't mind, even thou
Alex POVI stood at the gates to the black blood castle, George by my side. “Have you told her goodbye?” he asked. “Yes, I did.”He hissed. “I can't believe you went back to say bye. You're falling for the girl”, he snapped out. I looked at him, “You do not tell me what to do.” I stated. “Yeah, but this is me telling you as your best friend,” was his come back.The pack had to be divided into two, half was coming with me, while half was to stay behind and watch over our lands. I trusted Donae enough to know she'll give them their fair share of work. The clan lands had to be protected. Yomen coming this close was bad.I couldn't imagine him attacking us again. I still remembered the screams from my mother when he had ripped out my father's heart, and then the silence. That was what haunted me the most, silence.Kingsley walked up to me. “We're ready to move Alpha.” He informed me. He was one of the young soldiers I had gotten from Jonathan’s pack, and he was a strong wolf. “You'll ru
My bed was hot and the room felt stuffy when I opened my eyes. I groaned loudly, my head was hot. It seemed everyday was a struggle in this place and I craved for a break badly.I brushed quickly, knowing I had to go meet Donae and work. It was Thursday already. There was no notification on my phone, which was a good sign if you ask me. My contact was still waiting. I made a mental note to remind Donae about the money and slipped into some comfortable clothes.“Hey cutie”It was Caleb, he stood outside my door. “Hey” I replied, locking my room and checking extra. Since Cassie broke into my room last times, I had become extra cautious about it.“Sorry about your friend and her mum”, he said, walking beside me. “If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here”I smiled a little at him, “I really appreciate it Caleb. I said.” He escorted me to the door of the temple.“So you know, tonight's the Festival of Lights again.”I smiled at that. “Yeah, a month since you guys infiltrated my pack a
Clarissa's POV The moonlight streaked in through the open windows. Alex's soft snores and grunts he made had woken me up. I shifted a bit and he wrapped his hands tighter around my waist.The alpha had taken off his shirt at one point in the night. A cold breeze wafted into the room and I felt my nipples stiffen a bit.My mind was full again. Susan was in a coma now and it was all because she was my friend. If I hadn't been born, her mum and her would be safe.“You're crying.” Alex wiped my face, brushing the tears away.“I didn't realize,” I whispered. “You're awake.”He sat up and stretched. “Well, you started crying. Being in close contact with you, my wolf is attuned to all your feelings. He woke me up.”Oh. That's nice.“Do you want to go for a run? You need to train and get better at shifting.” his hooded crusty eyes descended on my boobs. “Although, this isn't so bad.”I couldn't understand the Alpha. One minute he hated me, the next he's pulling me into bed and telling me he
Alex POVThey stood, all their eyes on me. My hands, my heart, and my core were tight. I was furious.“He was close to us,” I bellowed.Everyone's head was down in shame.“Yomen was just in the next town,” my nails stretched into long claws, and I hit the brick wall next to me.A deep hole was there when I let my hand come out, droplets of red on its gray color.Caleb walked towards me. “We're sorry, Alpha,” he said.“We need to protect the pack. Our people. We need to protect the shifter kingdom.” I instructed.I looked up to the skies, trying to hold back the pain I kept under a tight leash. “This week, we are going to have a conversation with the Alpha of the Brown Wolves clan. It would take at least three days to get to the Lucid Lands, but we need to do something.”“He's neutral. He has never supported any other alpha,” George chimed in.I nodded, already aware of this fact. However, the Lucid Lands was one of the biggest parts of the shifter kingdom. It would be a tragedy if Yom