THANE"How is my wife doing?" I asked the doctor immediately he came out of the patient's room with some samples to run tests on her."I believe you're her guardian." He said adjusting his glasses."Yes, Yes I am," I replied nodding my head, I was so shaken when Maya had fainted back there in the woods, I didn't wait for Alpha Harold to get a car ready, I picked her up on my back and then raced for the hospital. I was able to locate one thanks to the servant Harold had sent after me."You can go in now, the samples will be sent to a lab to determine what is wrong with her." The doctor replied."Will she be alright?" I asked, I needed his response to ease the growing panic in my chest."Yes, I don't think it's anything serious though." He explained."I see," I replied."You can go in now, she's awake." He said pushing the curtains away."Thank you, doctor," I said hurrying inside.Maya was lying on the bed and a drip connected to her hand, her eyes were closed but I could tell that she
SIERRA"Hear ye, good people of this great land, our dearly beloved King is holding a banquet this evening to bring his people together, there will be lots of food and drinks for everyone!"I could hear the voice of the messenger from the third floor, he was delivering Thane's message to the people. There was excitement in the air as we began to prepare for the banquet, it was a means of bringing the people of different clans together and helping improve our relationship.The entire house was bustling with activity, the maids were in the kitchen preparing food while the male servants were busy with the decorations of the royal mansion."Sierra!" My mother called from downstairs, "The designer is here with your dress.""I'm coming!" I replied running downstairs, I wasn't left out of the excitement, it was one of the very first parties hosted by Thane that I would be attending, not just as a guest but as the family of the host."Hello, Miss Sierra." The maid greeted me with a smile on h
SIERRAThe front door opened, and the sound of heavy footsteps filled my ears as they climbed up the stairs."That sounds like Thane." Mom said getting up from the bed."We still need to be careful, who knows, the rogues might still be out there," I said standing before her to stop her from leaving. We needed to be extra careful.She smiled, "I can tell it's Thane from a mile away." She insisted."Who knows, maybe rogues now steal appearances, I'm going to keep you safe till I'm sure it's him," I replied.She shook her head but remained seated.A knock sounded on the door, "Maya?" Thane called, "Dear, are you in there?" He asked. We had moved into her room since she was finding the blood disgusting and the smell of the rogue made her nauseous.Mom stared at me with eyes that screamed, 'I told you so.'"Yes, she is," I answered opening the door halfway.It indeed was Thane, he was standing outside with clean clothes, I was expecting him to be bloody since he was coming from the battlef
SIERRAZane's face changed, "what do you mean by that?" He asked.I took in a deep breath, "There's a traitor, he's deeply connected with the rogues' attack at the palace today.""Are you certain about this?" He asked looking confused."Yes, I am," I replied wanting to move forward but was stopped once again by Zane."If there's a traitor as you said, is Dad aware?" He asked.I nodded, "he was the first person I told when I found out." I answered."You told him who the person is?" He asked.I shook my head, "No."Zane closed his eyes for a second, "Why haven't you told Dad about it?" He asked.I was getting tired of his questions already but I had no choice, I needed to speak to him so I could be on my way as fast as possible before anyone back home would notice I was gone."There are some things I need to check first, I need to speak to him before telling Thane," I replied."What has that got to do with meeting Gerald?" He asked, as soon as he asked, His eyes widened, and he grabbed
SIERRAAs soon as the words left my mouth, Alpha Harold's face turned red in anger, his hands trembled angrily by his sides, and he gripped the hand of his chair tightly."Guards!" His voice echoed around the house.The door opened and harmed warriors allowed themselves in, "Yes Alpha.""Arrest those two brats, throw them in the worst cell in the entire pack, we need to teach these rats some manners." He shouted.I frowned.Rats?He sure had guts, after what he had done, he had the effrontery to speak down at us and call us names. Anger began to boil inside me, I had given him the chance to come clean and apologize sincerely but he had chosen a different path, one that I didn't want to trod.The warriors bowed to him, "Yes Alpha." They chorused marching towards us."Step back," I muttered as they drew closer.They exchanged amused glances, properly thinking I was not in my right state of mind. They kept approaching."Don't say I didn't warn you," I said moving backward, I didn't want
SIERRAWithout holding back, I jumped towards him with my claws exposed in the air."Sierra! Watch out!" It was a little too late when I heard Zane's warning. A rogue had jumped at me, he came from the side, and his claws grazed my side.I moved out of his grasp, wanting to sink my claws into his neck but my claws had vanished.What's happening Rieka? I asked but there was nothing, I couldn't hear her voice in my head and she was refusing to come out.My eyes landed on the rogue above me, I moved out of the way just in time to avoid a blow aimed at my head. My leg was caught in between some plants making me fall face flat on the ground."So much for giving me the last chance." Alpha Harold laughed, "Get me the girl." He ordered."You better be kidding." Zane snapped, "You're only leaving with her over my dead body." Zane snarled, He shifted halfway, reaching for the rogue nearest to him.He grabbed him by the neck tearing him apart with his bare hands. The rogues stopped for a minute
SIERRAZane dropped to a limp, blood dripping from the wound. My heart stopped."N... no, no.. it can't be," I muttered dropping the stones in my hands as I walked towards Zane.His eyes were closed, and the blood had formed a map on his shirt. The shirt was torn in different places. The rogues on seeing Zane who had been taking them out like a killing machine on a spree had fallen to the ground they approached him ready to take him out fully."This looks like fun." Alpha Harold chuckled. The sound of him giggling fueled my rage, Zane was gravely wounded because of me and all he could was it looked fun to him.Psychopath."Kill the boy and bring that insolent girl to me." Alpha Harold ordered from where he sat.The rogues gladly took the order personally as they walked around Zane's wounded body."Stop! Don't you dare touch him!” I screamed pushing against the rogues so I could reach him."You stupid bitch!" One of them snarled holding my hair, I could almost hear my hair ripping out
SIERRAI felt lifeless as I called for Sierra, my heart kept pounding hard, my breathing was coming out in pants, and the wound in my stomach and shoulder kept bleeding."Let's go." The one who appeared to be the leader of the rogues ordered."But he's still breathing." Another said wanting nothing more than to snatch my life."Besides he killed a lot of us." Another opined.The leader cast a disgusting look at me, "This one is not going to survive, let him rot away here." He turned away, "He can serve as food for hungry animals." He said.The rogues turned away from me, they followed the same path that Alpha Harold took.I couldn't die in the forest like some mere animal, I had to do something to help Sierra, I could tell that Harold's greed would lead him to do anything to her.The pain in my shoulder hurt as hell, he hadn't bothered to pull out the spear. I pushed myself up, and with my free hand, I grabbed a handful of sand to get my arms dusty, and then I pulled out the spear.Bl
ARIELI was furious.My hands shook, my breath came out in short, sharp bursts, and my entire body burned with rage. Astrid. That traitor. She ran to Sierra, ran straight into the arms of our enemies, spilling my secrets like a pathetic little rat.How dare she?I stormed through the house, knocking over anything in my path. A vase shattered against the floor. A chair crashed against the wall. The vampires around me scrambled out of my way, their heads lowered, their bodies pressed against the walls like they could disappear if they stayed still enough.They should be afraid.I wanted them to be afraid.I stopped, my sharp eyes landing on one of the younger ones, a nervous-looking fool hovering in the corner. His hands twitched at his sides like he was debating whether to run.I moved before he could even think about it.One second, I was across the room. The next, I had my fingers wrapped around his throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. His hands clawed at mine, his feet kick
SIERRAI folded my arms, overseeing Astrid. Everything in me screamed not to trust her, but I couldn’t ignore what she was saying either. Ariel’s magic had already done enough damage, I knew that firsthand.Before I could respond, Dane stepped beside me, his stance tense and rigid. His distrust was written all over his face. “You’re really going to listen to her?” he scoffed. “It’s probably a trick. Ariel could’ve put her up to this.”“She’s a vampire,” Zane added sharply. “Why would she suddenly care about helping us? It doesn’t make sense.” His jaw clenched as he eyed Astrid with suspicion.Astrid let out a slow breath as if she had expected this reaction. “I wouldn’t risk coming here,” she said, her voice steady but urgent. “Not when I know exactly what Ariel is capable of.” Her golden eyes flickered with something close to desperation. “You don’t understand, if she finds out I came here, I’ll pay for it.”“She will find out,” Kane snapped. His fists curled at his sides. “She alway
ASTRIDSierra’s eyes widened at my words, but she masked her shock quickly, narrowing her gaze at me. I could see the battle happening in her mind, the way she warred with whether to believe me or not. I didn’t blame her. We had never been on the same side, and now, here I was, claiming to offer an alliance.“I don’t trust you,” she said flatly, her arms crossing over her chest.“I don’t expect you to,” I admitted. “But trust isn’t necessary. What matters is that we both have a common problem and right now, I’m offering you the truth.”Sierra hesitated for only a moment before turning back toward the house. I expected her to invite me in, but instead, she stepped outside, her mates following close behind her. I had to stop myself from reacting. Smart girl. She wasn’t going to let me into her home, not even for a conversation. I respected that.Dane and the others flanked her protectively, their stares filled with open suspicion. Dane spoke first. “What do you want, Astrid?”I took a s
ASTRIDThe moment I stepped back into the estate, fury clawed at my insides. My hands curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stormed down the hall. I had to get away from Ariel before I did something reckless.How dare she? How dare she bind us together with a spell so dangerous that a single weak link could drag us all down? And then, to stand there and smirk, as if she had all the power in the world?I should have ripped her apart.Instead, I took a deep breath, pushed down my rage, and kept walking. I had to be smarter than that.I didn’t make it far before I heard a sharp voice behind me. “Astrid.”I turned to see Celia standing at the entrance to the main hall, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her usually composed face twisted with anger. The tension in the room was thick, pressing against me like an impending storm. Behind her, the other vampires stood in tense silence, their eyes burning with barely contained fury.“You knew about this, didn’t you?” Celia de
ARIELWhen I stepped into the grand hall of the vampire estate, I noticed something was off. Every single one of them, powerful, bloodthirsty creatures that they were, stood frozen, their faces pale with something close to fear.Fear of me.I smirked, letting the silence stretch, relishing the way their red eyes darted around the room like caged animals searching for an escape. Their fangs, usually displayed in smug confidence, remained tucked away, their bodies tense, stiff as statues.“Oh, don’t all rush to welcome me at once.” My voice rang through the cavernous space, laced with amusement.No one responded.A few of them took an instinctive step back, the movement subtle but not missed. One vampire near the entrance gripped the hilt of a dagger at his waist, though he made no move to draw it. Another swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing as though the very sight of me had dried his mouth.It was almost laughable.These creatures, feared by humans and even some supernaturals, stood
SIERRAThe hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the remnants of exhaustion and frustration. I tried to hold onto my anger, to focus on the fact that Dane had made a deal with Ariel without even knowing the price. But it was difficult when his hands were on me, sliding down my arms, tracing gentle circles on my hips.“Dane,” I started, intending to scold him, but the words melted into a soft moan when his fingers dug slightly into my waist. I hated how easily he unraveled me, how his touch turned my fury into something else entirely.“I’m not leaving you, Sierra,” he murmured against my ear, his voice deep and resolute. “And I’m not doing anything with Ariel. I just couldn’t watch you suffer.”I sighed, leaning back against him as his lips ghosted over my neck. “I still don’t trust her.”“Neither do I,” he admitted, pressing a kiss just below my ear. “But I had to do something.”His hands moved up my stomach, teasing but never crossing the line. Heat coiled low in my belly, an
DANEI tightened my grip on Sierra’s limp hand, my heart pounding. Her face was too pale, her breathing too shallow. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime, and I couldn’t take it anymore.“Ariel,” I said, my voice raw. “Please. Do it now. Whatever it takes.”Ariel tilted her head, her lips curling into a knowing smile. “Begging now, are we?”I clenched my jaw. “Just save her.”Ariel rolled her eyes but knelt beside Sierra, placing her hands gently over the burn. A faint glow emitted from her palms, flickering like the flame of a candle before growing stronger. She murmured in a language I didn’t recognize, her voice steady and sure. The air around us thickened, charged with an almost electric energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.The glow spread, tendrils of light unfurling from Ariel’s hands and wrapping around Sierra’s body like a cocoon. The energy pulsed, shifting from a soft gold to an intense, almost blinding white. I clenched my fists, watching in tense si
DANEI couldn't take it anymore. Watching Sierra in agony, her body trembling as she fought against the pain, was unbearable. I felt useless, standing there while she suffered, unable to do a damn thing to help her. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my frustration bubbling over until I couldn’t hold it in any longer.“I need some air,” I muttered, turning on my heel.“Dane.” Kane’s voice was sharp with suspicion. “Where are you going?”I didn’t answer. I just kept walking, my strides long and determined as I pushed open the door of the packhouse and stepped into the night. The cool air did nothing to soothe the fire in my chest. Sierra’s pained whimpers echoed in my ears, haunting me with every step I took.Kane cursed under his breath and hurried after me. “Don’t do anything stupid,” he warned, grabbing my arm. “I know what you’re thinking.”I yanked my arm free. “Then you know I can’t just stand there and watch her suffer, Kane.” My voice was rough with frustration. “She’s i
SIERRAAriel’s smirk deepened, eyes glinting with amusement as she leaned against the tree, arms crossed. “Well?” she prompted, tilting her head. “Do we have a deal?”I clenched my fists, trying to keep my breathing steady despite the pain in my arm. “It’s impossible,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t mind giving up my powers, but I will never give you my mate.”The boys tensed beside me, their postures rigid. Dane’s jaw locked, and Kane let out a sharp breath through his nose. Zane took a threatening step forward. “You’re insane if you think we’d ever agree to that.”Ariel threw her head back and laughed, the sound ringing through the darkened woods like a twisted melody. “Oh, you poor things,” she cooed, her eyes flashing with mischief. “I was trying to be polite, but since you insist on making this difficult…”She lifted her hand and flicked her fingers.The pain was immediate and unbearable. A sudden, sharp heat shot through my entire body, like fire licking at my veins, burning