AlishaI paced up and down the length of my bedroom. This morning Simon had sent me home as soon as I got there, because Derek had sent word to him.Silver Moon Pack warriors were at the border.I shuddered, wondering why I felt so uneasy at the thought. I had not done anything wrong, right? So why did I feel so upset?“Oh goddess,” I prayed aloud, clasping both of my palms together. “Please let this not be a bad thing. I don’t want to lose Derek.”Still the feeling persisted and by the time I heard a knock on my door I was beside myself with worry.“Who is it?” I called out only for the door to open and I saw a warrior I didn’t recognize.“Miss, the Alpha calls you to the border,” the warrior greeted me with a short bow and relayed his message.What?What did Derek want me to do at the border?My brows were furrowed as I nodded and followed the warrior out of the room, unable to figure out what exactly was the matter. Was I walking into a trap?Had I done something wrong?I waddled do
Derek:Hearing Alisha scream my name over and over again even in the distance was lkke having daggers pierce my heart, but I stood still and coldly, not even making a move.I felt heavy, filled with woes and wounds so deep no one could heal.I felt betrayed, for lack of a better word.And now I had lost her.I shook my head minutely, trying my best to dispel that notion. I had not lost her - she had never been mine in the first place. She had been Sebastian’s all this time. Nothing but Sebastian’s.Still staring straight at the empty spot where Sebastian and the Silver Moon Pack had occupied, I ordered the warriors to disperse and to not say a word of anything to anyone in the pack. These warriors were ones that I could trust completely, not loyal to Gerard in any way.It took a long time before I could bring myself to leave the forest, as echoes of her voice still stayed stuck in my head.I was going mad.I hated her for this; I hated myself even more for falling for someone like her.
Alisha:I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange bedroom. The painful memories flooded my mind and I sat up immediately, quaking upon seeing the bars on the windows. I looked down at myself; I was only in my underwear.Who had undressed me? What had happened?I didn’t know, but one thing was certain.I was back in the Silver Moon Pack. This was a nightmare, one that I hoped would never come to pass. Yet here was I living it in reality.Just as I processed that, the door opened and a maid walked in, bearing a tray of food.She walked towards the table and dropped it, before turning to me and silently gesturing.“Please,” my voice was steadier than I expected. “Can you help me? I need to leave this place. I… I can’t stay here.”The maid looked saddened for a moment before then shaking her head. Then, she opened her mouth.My eyes widened; she had no tongue.Just that action of hers left me shaken and she gestured again, closing her mouth and pointing to the tray, trying to convince
Alisha:Sebastian’s next words as he zipped up his pants were, “What the fuck are you wearing? A bathrobe? To see your Alpha?”I grit my teeth, briefly closing my eyes a opening them. In as measured a tone as I could have, I said, “Incouldnt wear any of them. In case you weren’t looking, I’m not in any shape to fit into them.”He took a step closer to me, chuckling.“Interesting,” he said. “You’ve grown a bit brave, haven’t you? You normally wouldn’t talk back to me much less look me in the eye.”I wanted to tell him that I was anything but brave. In truth, I was afraid, so much so that I was trembling. But I knew I didn’t want to quail at his attempts to cage me now. I wasn’t going to let him do whatever he wanted with me.Now more than ever, I remembered Melissa and her tearful story of how Marcus, Derek’s father had mistreated her throughout his life. I wasn’t going to give Sebastian, my FORMER mate, a second time to do so.“Are you done?” I asked him, keeping my gaze on him as he p
Alisha:“I don’t want this,” i pushed away the food, feeling resentment boil up more and more as the maid without a tongue looked pleadingly at me. “I said that I don’t want it! Leave me be!”It had been three days now and i counted every day slowly. I had not yet taken more than water m, as my appetite had been affected by everything going on.She gazed down at me with sympathy and fear, and she then pointed at my rounded belly.“What about it?” I asked her in a snappy tone. “Can you let me rest for a moment? I don’t have the energy to argue with you.”It had been the same song and dance we did every breakfast, lunch and dinner. She would bring in a tray of food, i would refuse it and only take water, and she would argue with me through her gestures and expressions. I was getting used to her mannerisms more and more, and could carry on a conversation with her easier than ever.“Look,” i sighed, not intending on giving in to her demands,, no matter how no e she was being. “This isn’t a
Alisha:The second girl died with tears flowing down her cheeks, staring at me unblinkingly as I prayed inwardly for her soul to Rest In Peace.My eyes prickled with unshed tears as Sebastian made his way over to the third girl. She looked to be a lot younger than the rest, perhaps she just turned 18.She looked more than scared - she was absolutely terrified.My heart ached for her. Was there any way that I could even hope to save her? Could I even save myself?“You’re a monster,” I said to him before he could get his hands on her. Upon hearing my words, he stopped and looked at me again.His eyes spoke of something worse than madness; it was the glee in them that made me shiver.“I’m a monster you made, Alisha,” he said with a smile. “You only have to do one thing. Forget that man and come back to me. And you’ll be able to have everything you want. You wanted to be my mate, didn’t you? The Luna of the Silver Moon Pack.” He stretched his hands towards me. “You only have to say yes.”I
Alisha:I saw a small bowl of dirty water (likely for drinking) and began the task of cleaning the man up. Working in the pack clinic with Simon had taught me a lot about first aid, and more. I was glad to utilize the knowledge now to help this man. As I finished wiping his face and hands with a rag from my torn dress, I noticed he had a fever, and so used the rest of the water and the rag as a cold compress.Minutes turned to hours and I was glad as the fever broke, sweat beads forming on the man’s forehead.The night had become silent, with the guards leaving the cells, save for one that I heard snoring in the next room.I wrung the rag and began to wipe the sweat off the man’s forehead again, and as I did that I heard a gasp.I stiffened and whipped my head around to find a girl with hazel eyes gazing with shock at me. Her curly hair was tied up with a scarf, but a few strands stuck out from under it.“What…?” She asked in a breathy, whispery tone. “What are you doing?”I felt expos
AlishaHearing Mischa say that made me astounded. Everyone else I had seen seemed to have no hope left for them to leave, but here was Mischa brimming with that same hope.If she had that much hope, then what right did I have to give up on myself like that? I had to stand my ground, and find a way to leave this place as well.A spark was ignited in me and I smiled at her.“I think you should,” I replied to her words. “If i could, then I would as well.”She opened her mouth, looking conflicted, when we heard footsteps approaching. Immediately, she stood and covered her face with a hood.“I’ll come find you again, soon,” she promised.“Wait,” i stoped her briefly. “Can you help me check on a maid? She’s got blonde hair. Her tongue was taken out, so she doesn’t speak. If you find her please tell her I wish her well.”“I will,” Mischa said and I smiled as she turned and left the prison through another passage.Before anyone else could show up I quickly hid the bundle of food Mischa had br
EPILOGUE IIIALISHATWENTY YEARS LATER“Mmm,” I grunted as I sat up, my back hurting after using Derek’s body as a pillow.He had woken up early and left the bed, I remembered, after giving me a kiss as usual.I shouldn’t have drank so much.We were all getting on in years now, and though I had clocked forty-one last night, I still had a long life ahead of me.I smiled to myself as I remembered the way Misch, Benjamin, Hilda, mark and Derek had coerced me to take not one, not two, but THREE whiskey shots.Damn them all for being able to hold their liquor while I, barely used to drinking even at my age, had NOT.“So damn unfair,” I muttered under my breath, and thought briefly about postponing the training session I had with Mischa, Markson and Erika.The two children had grown up so fast, and were already 19 and 20 respectively, already becoming accomplished warriors at their age.Erika was much like her mother, a consummate warrior. I smirked as I remembered the way that Mischa and I
EPILOGUE IIHilda:I opened the windows of the kitchen to let in the fresh air, and enjoyed the beautiful scents of spring. My nose in the air, I sniffed, and ended up my twitching a little.I had grown sensitive to the scent of pollen around the air ever since I had given birth to Alis, my lovely daughter.She was five now, and a delightful little one to have. I began with the task of preparing lunch, as breakfast had long passed. The children would be coming over today and I also needed to go out to get some herbs and meats for dinner and breakfast tomorrow.Somehow, my role in the Red Wolf pack had settled into becoming a part-time assistant for Doctor Simon, who was soon retiring, and handling the children. Meaning, Alisha’s and the Alpha’s four children, Mischa’s and the Beta’s daughter, and mine.That was often a lot to handle, but I many ways I enjoyed it. I loved having children around me and hearing the sounds of their laughter. It reminded me of my own voice which had been s
EPILOGUE IDerek:“…And they all lived happily ever after,” Alisha finished, smiling at the dozing faces of our twins.Finally, I thought with a light chuckle. Some peace and quiet.The head of my son killed on my chest and I gently carried him out of his sister’s bed, and took him over to his own bed.Meanwhile Alisha strengthened, and I heard her take a deep breath.Her abdomen had rounded delightfully, growing our baby in her.Her due date was soon, according to Simon the last time he checked over her. And each day I prayed I wouldn’t have anything that would take me out of the pack long term, because I didn’t under any circumstances, want to be out of the pack when she gave birth. I had missed the birth of my older two children due to my own foolish mistakes, I didn’t want to miss this next one at all.“What are you thinking about?” Alisha asked me, as though she could read my mind.I smiled at her, knowing the best way to rile her up.“Our bet,” I replied with, and felt y grasped
Alisha:I opened my eyes to the sound of birds chirping. The sheets were warm underneath my body and I felt peace within me.There was finally a conclusion, I thought, to the pain and suffering, the hiding and secrecy that had been occurring for ages now.Now I could calmly walk down the streets of our pack with my twins in hand and not fear that Gerard would show up. I could embrace my relationship with Derek fully without needing to second guess myself.Sebastian was Gone.And Gerard, was Gone.Everything was well.“Hello, love,” i felt an arm I knew to be Derek’s worm its way around my waist and I smiled at the contact.It had been several days since I moved back into his home- now OUR home, and I had never felt more complete in my life.“Good morning,” I murmured to my mate, feeling his lips on the back of my neck. I turned my head and met his lips with mine, and I close my eyes as my body felt alive, wrapped up in his.“What are you thinking of?” He asked me as our lips parted an
Benjamin:“Oh goddess,” Mischa’s sigh made me smile. “That was some workout.”We lay side by side facing each other in the dark, sweat sheen over our naked bodies.“I’m glad you feel that way,” I chuckled at my mate’s words, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her closer.The scent of her hair drove me crazy, and I wondered like so many times before what kind of oil she used on it. She was always taking care of her curls with expert ease.Only the bathroom light was on in the entire house, leaving a trail of light towards our bedroom, and I enjoyed the sounds of silence, thinking about how the day had gone so quickly with all the happenings. I was glad that finally, Gerard was condemned for execution, and Sebastian, the thorn in our sides that had troubles us so much, had eventually been taken out.“Things are going to go smoothly from here on out,” Misch murmured and I marveled silently at how we always seemed to think the same thing. Almost like we knew each other since we were
Derek:I turned to glance at the Silver Moon Pack warriors who watched me and Sebastian as their Alpha lay curses on them.In their eyes I saw defiance and weariness, and I smirked inwardly.“Do you think they would come to your aid now that you’ve finally been taken off their hands?” I sniggered at Sebastian, who flared up at me. It wasn’t very much effective as he probably hoped it would be, for his eyes were swollen form the best down I had given him.“YOU ARE ALL TRAITORS!” Sebastian was livid, baring his teeth maniacally at his men. “I will KILL YOU ALL!”“Not if I have anything to say about it.”Kaiden’s voice reached me and I smiled. So the Beta did arrive.Sebastian’s face upon hearing Kaiden’s voice was nothing compared to his expression when his Beta entered the scene with the rest of their pack’s men.“You!” Sebastian spat in Kaiden’s direction, and the Beta only regarded Sebastian with indifference. “What the duck are you doing here? Disobeying my orders?!”“Your orders me
Alisha:Sebastian’s declaration made me want to retch hi whatever was left in my stomach since last night’s dinner.Well, he hasn’t changed one bit I thought. He was every bit as reprehensible as I remembered. The sense of entitlement he still had over me made me furious as well.However I was content to let Derek fight this battle for the both of us. Talking with him would only give me a headache.“Is that so?” Derek said, a calm look on his handsome features. “I had no idea you can still lay claims on someone who has absolutely nothing to do with you. And your threats, Sebastian, are nothing more than words to me. You know you will never win against me.”That served to drive Sebastian more into unbridled rage and frustration.“Alisha is mine!” He growled.Derek took a step forward, and I saw the tension in his jawline and neck as he all but spat out, “She was NEVER yours! She is MY mate, and mine alone! You made that very clear with the way you treated her when you had the chance! A
Derek:The trial had filled me with pain and guilt from the get go. Knowing that my mother had to reveal her past with my father brought me no measure of relief.But thanks to her and Alisha,The door suddenly opened and a guard rushed inside, panting as though he had run a full mile.“What is this?!” The Elders were incensed upon the trial’s interruption.“Silver Moon Pack warriors are out our gates!” The guard blurted out in such a loud voice.Immediately I went rigid. Alarm filled my body and I looked to Alisha who met my eyes at the same time.Sebastian was at our door. And that news brought a chaos that shattered the peace of the meeting hall.I could see the Pack Elders themselves had begun to lose their heads and it made me grit my teeth in frustration.“Everyone please be calm,” Alisha’s voice was like a steady lighthouse in the storm. “Now isn’t the time to panic. We can’t let this distract us. I believe we have to move against Sebastian at once. But Gerard must be put behind
Alisha:I looked to the Elders, all of whom were shocked into silence at Melissa’s confession.“Things got so bad, that I had been unable to have another child. Or rather, I couldn’t carry the pregnancies to term. That was because, due to many of Marcus’ actions, I would end up having a miscarriage before long. There were several times…” she swallowed heavily. “That I had to deal with those losses without any support.“Hearing that shocked me to my core; she had never told me this before! Turning to glance at Derek, I saw pain on his face, and knew he hadn’t heard of this either.How badly he must feel, I thought, to see his mother this way.Every part of me longed to comfort them, but I knew I couldn’t put a stop to this trial just yet.Melissa took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing. “That night Marcus died, was another of his worse nights. Derek stopped him, and Marcus tried to attack him. No… he tried to KILL his own son. And Derek had no choice but to defend himse