The following morning, Nadia roused Ava from within. She slowly opened her eyes, wondering where she was. She realized that it was the day after her birthday and could hardly believe how many things happened on that single day. If someone had told her that she would experience that much within a day, Ava would have concluded that such fellow was drunk. But, here she was, without a pack, still in the vicinity of the rogues, but now with her wolf. Ava sat up and yawned lazily, her stomach growled in response and she realized she was hungry. She ought to be hungry. Her only meal on her birthday yesterday had been the one served by the bounty hunter. Looking back, she now knew that the human had been sent to her for a purpose. He saved her from the rain, reduced the pain in her leg, made fire to warm her cold body, and fed her with hot food till she could eat no more. Ava silently offered a prayer of thanksgiving in appreciation of the divine guidance. She got up, ready to search for fo
All traces of sleep and thoughts of meeting his fated mate in the dream erased from Sebastian at the mention of trouble in his company. Denizens Pharmaceuticals had been in his generation before he was born. It started as a small medicine store and got bigger as wolves of the next generations studied medicine and built it from the ground up. His father, Raphael Denizens, had pushed the fame of the company beyond their small town of Wet Creek into the city and then the capital. It was now Sebastian’s mission to make Denizens’ Pharmaceuticals the leading brand in the capital and beyond. He even planned to make it go international, if only he could make something unique, different from their present products and any competition.Before he got to the office that day, Sebastian had known the reason for the trouble. A competition company, Ravenwood Remedy, came to their town recently and had been growing by leaps and bounds. It seemed the shareholders of his company, Denizen Pharmaceuticals
Nadia led Ava through a hidden part behind their cave, into the back of the rogues’ house. Ava was surprised and yelped in astonishment. Nadia shushed her and led her to the barn at the back of the house, which served as the rogues’ store.‘There is food,’ Nadia told Ava. ‘Take what you need quickly; we must get back to our task’.‘But, it is the rogues’ food Ava. This is stealing; I have never stolen anything in my life and I will not start now’.‘They brought you to this forest and should be responsible for you. You can pay back with fruits.’‘Okay, I think you are right. I will just borrow these for now and pay back when I get those juicy oranges tomorrow. They do not even have any orange left.’ Ava responded as she took an empty box and noiselessly packed some foods inside. She took bread, biscuits, jam, dried fish and smoked meat. She was careful not to take much, in order not arouse suspicion. She did not touch their basket of fruits, for she had her own store of those.They got
‘You must journey to the Heart Tree,’ the owl replied to Ava’s question of what she could do to solve the problem. ‘It is the source of the forest's power,’ the wise owl continued. ‘There, you will find the ancient ones who can guide you on your quest.’‘I am ready,’ Ava said, her heart thumping with excitement. The owl nodded its head in approval. ‘May the wisdom of the forest be with you, Ava. May you succeed where others have failed.’With that, the owl spread its wings and took flight, leaving Ava and Nadia to begin their journey to the Heart Tree.As they journeyed deeper into the forest, the trees grew taller and the path grew narrower. Ava could feel the weight of the forest's magic all around her, a pulsing energy that seemed to be drawing her closer to the Heart Tree.‘Nadia, can you sense it?’ Ava asked, her voice barely above a whisper.‘Yes, Ava,’ Nadia replied, her voice echoing in Ava's mind. ‘The Heart Tree is near. I can feel its power calling to us.’Suddenly, the t
The scene unfolded in a dimly lit clearing, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves and the distant howling of wolves. The Bloodmoon pack gathered, their faces illuminated only by the faint light of the full moon. Colton, the alpha, stood at the center, his eyes scanning the crowd with a mix of disappointment and disdain. To Colton's right stood his beta, Ryder, his expression a mask of stoicism. On his left, the pack's elder, Akira, her eyes clouded with a mix of sadness and concern.‘Brothers and sisters,’ Colton began, his voice low and even. ‘We gather here today to discuss the decision we made regarding Ava. Her... condition, her lack of a wolf form, has always made her an outcast among us.’A murmur of agreement rippled through the pack, some members nodding their heads in agreement, while some pack members were exchanging uneasy glances. Colton's gaze swept across the clearing, his eyes lingering on each face.‘We made this decision together, as a pack,’ he continued. ‘But I
Colton felt a tender hand gently shaking him from his siesta. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Sarah. Princess Sarah was a vision of loveliness, her slender figure draped in the finest silks and satins of the era. Her golden hair, styled in intricate ringlets, framed a heart-shaped face with porcelain skin and delicate features. Her bright blue eyes sparkled like diamonds in the candlelight, fringed with thick lashes that added to their allure. A small, rosebud mouth and a smattering of light freckles across her cheeks only added to her enchanting beauty. Her elegant neck and shoulders were showcased by a daringly low neckline, adorned with delicate lace and sparkling jewels. As she glided across the room, her full skirts rustling with each step, Sarah embodied the epitome of royal grace and refinement, a true princess of her time.Who would not want to make such a beauty their life-mate? Colton knew that Sarah had it all; beauty, intelligence, power and affluence. She had been train
Nadia had taught Ava how to stealthily hide and move in oneness with the dark night. She had discovered many secret places in the gingham forest. Many of her animal friends paid her visits regularly in her cave as she worked on her major mission. Ava had just finished a hearty meal and was poring over the journal in the wooden chest, trying to understand the strange symbols which would explain other things in the chest; the portion, powder and dagger. They must all serve special purposes. She wondered how she could understand these mysteries.‘Ava, my friend, how are you doing today?’ The owl, now a regular visitor to Ava’s cave, peered into the cave and asked.‘I am doing fine. Come in.’ Ava answered. The owl flew in and settled beside Ava.‘Nadia, how are you?’ Nadia growled in response from within Ava, causing her green eyes to shine with a touch of red.‘Jealous, are you?’ The owl asked jokingly. ‘Sorry, next time I will greet you first before I greet Ava, my good friend Nadia.’ N
Sebastian Denizens’ imposing 6'4" frame radiated an aura of confidence and authority. His raven-black hair was cropped short, accentuating his chiseled features and piercing grey eyes that seemed to gleam like silver in the right light. His sharp jawline and prominent cheekbones gave him a striking, angular appearance, while his small nose and full lips added a hint of sensuality to his otherwise rugged demeanor. A scattering of dark stubble across his chin and cheeks only added to his rugged charm, as if he had just stepped away from a long, intense run under the full moon. His broad shoulders and powerful build seemed to fill the space around him, exuding a sense of strength and dominance that was impossible to ignore. When he moved, his muscles rippled beneath his skin like a predator unfolding from a crouch, ready to strike at a moment's notice.Few days after sighting the rogues in gingham forest, Sebastian had a meeting with his pack members. The pack headquarters was hidden dee