HayleyAs I stumbled back, my heart drumming against my ribs like a trapped bird, I struggled to catch my breath. The sudden wave of nausea had taken me completely off guard, leaving me vulnerable and exposed during dinner. My clammy hands had to seek refuge on the edge of the sink, as it desperately clutched the rough surface. Somehow, I felt it could anchor me against the turbulent tide of emotions that swept through me.In my eyes, the bathroom spun, and the scent of earth and damp leaves aligning with the tension that I felt, filled the air. All I could focus on was the desperate need to keep my secret hidden, which was now threatening to unravel in the most public of ways.My mind raced, frantically sifting through excuses and justifications. I had to come up with something that could explain my sudden illness without revealing the truth. The reality of my situation crashed down on me like a wave, and I felt a shiver of dread crawl up my spine. The last thing I needed was for a
HayleyThe room around me seemed to cave in on me and all my mind could dwell on as I picked up all of my stuff, folding every piece and parcel of clothing into the box was how life had been when I had driest moved into this room. I remembered how in love I was with Damon at the start of our relationship and how we had vowed to be together forever. I should probably be grateful that I could leave this place with my life as opposed to being killed for a crime that I did not commit.But at what cost? A sinister voice whispered, reminding me of all I had lost. My husband, my title, everything. Yet, I knew that now I had someone I needed to live for. I was pregnant and even though all I had ever wanted was to share this moment with my husband, alas it seemed I would be doing it alone.Amidst my preparations, there was a harsh knock on the door that threatened to remove the door from its hinges and I jolted in surprise, wondering what could be happening again. Could it be that something bad
Hayley. Texas. So many places in the world, so many packs that I could run to, but my instincts kept pushing me here. I doubt it was the best place in the world, or if somehow, being here was going to help me forget the hurt and torture that Damon had put my life through when he could not control himself on that night - the night that brought a drastic turn in my life - but as I stepped my foot into this city that I had never been in my life, I felt this hope and this joy brewed within me, that everything I had faced was not the end of my life and that I was going to find a purpose here. “Did you manage to find an apartment here?” Lanie, my grandmother’s voice called me back, and I smiled before nodding. “Yes, I did. Thankfully, the agent made everything easier, and if I am right, in less than twenty minutes, we will be there.”“Okay then, I hope it’s a good beginning here.” I heard Lanie say, and my thoughts wandered again, empty. I did hope it was a new beginning too. My last
DamonI was a confused man. I did not need to be told. It was crazy how I was the reason why Hayley had to leave the pack, and I still wanted her around. The exact emotions that I felt for Hayley, it was tough to get it with Annie and I wondered if I was ever going to feel that way for her. But on second thought, it felt to me as though my conscience just somehow enjoyed that I felt guilty. I did not deny that I was the reason why everything started, a mistake that was way beyond my control, but in her very conscious state, Hayley had plotted very terrible things. The murder of her maid, and an attempted murder of my unborn child, the only rightful heir to the throne. What callousness! I cursed within my breath, only realizing that my beta had been waiting for me when he let out a cough. Raising my face to his, “Is there anything left to sort out?” I probed. “Yes. There’s still a meeting on your schedule, with the elders, and another with Annie’s Father.”“Annie’s Father? Can it n
Damon“Damon… You?”Maybe I had not heard well, but did my eyes also fail me too? “It was not really a tough thing to do. With all my plans in place, Hayley lost everything and was accused of what she didn’t do. Such an innocent fool.”Really?If I had not heard well, then why would the wine glass in her hands shatter? And I was well aware that there was nothing on my face that was scary, I definitely was not putting on an ugly mask that made her scared. Why exactly would Annie fidget this much just by my presence?“I can explain, Damon. It’s really not what you think.”She panicked towards me, with her hands trying to rub on her chest and I stopped her immediately. But outside her figure, Annie’s, there was another. A really familiar figure, but it was a struggle to decipher where I had seen that person. The lady, who I had no idea what her name was, immediately lowered her face to avoid my gaze, but I decided to not focus on her at that moment. There were more pressing issues th
Hayley So far, Texas was living up to the expectations I had for it. It was a lively city, filled with lots of excitement and memories, and with all of its bustlings and rumblings, I didn’t find it noisy. They weren't people trying to monitor my life and I was loving the quaint life I was having as an observer here in Texas. “Dear, what are you doing out there?” Lanie’s voice called me out of my thoughts.Raising my face, “Oh, you are back already.” I replied. “How long ago have you been here?”Lanie wasn't exactly like me in character. She knew how to socialize. She was like a master orator. So, naturally, she had already made a few friends in the neighborhood and had gone out today also, but I didn't know exactly what she had gone out for. “Not so long. But I’ve been here for a few minutes, quite enough for you to notice me. Tell me, where has your mind been all along?”“Nowhere. I think it’s just me immersing myself in the solitude here. Is it not what you wanted? I voiced out,
Damon“So you mean that we are experiencing a 9% decline in our revenue this month?”“Yes, Alpha,” Liam nodded, placing the last file he had come in with on my table. “Okay, you may leave now.”Just as Liam left, I exhaled deeply. Everything was going south, and way beyond my control, I hoped that I could trail back to when everything started. I really needed to correct them.There was nothing that I could lay my hands on to blame for everything that had been going on with the company, even as I earnestly searched for one.“I’m sorry for disrupting you, Alpha. But the Luna asked that I remind you of the appointment that you have with her and the doctor.” A guard that had just barged in on my thoughts said, and I nodded. It had been roughly three months since I and Annie’s wedding, and the pregnancy was advancing too. Could the distraction I was having be because of Annie’s pregnancy?That was too harsh an accusation to make, and as much as trying to be around her as the doctor had
DamonIt was a joke. It sure had to be a joke. I was not going to pay attention to whatever trash it was, the caller had cooked up. He wanted to get me at my worst, and he knew my unborn child was my weakness. I was not going to let him get the happiness that he sought, and with a firm resolve, I retorted. “You should do better for real, as your lies hold no ground. And for friendly advice, I’d say that you wash your words. It is a criminal offense to claim that my child is yours. It’s the rightful heir to the throne that we are talking about.”“Rightful heir to the throne,” he scoffed, and I could hear a chuckle that followed. “You don’t have a child. Don’t believe the lies that Annie has fed you with. You are probably impotent, take my words seriously. And like I promised, I’d come for my child.”I was stunned, and before I could continue, the call had disconnected. My legs were too weak to carry myself and I collapsed back to the couch that I was on. What trash did he just spil
Epilogue It had been a week since Hayley passed out, the exact time the war came to an end. In a rage, Damon had strangled Gazel, going as much as killing by snapping off his head. From the onset, it was not part of his plan to kill Gazel even as he had agreed to a duel. He was hoping that Gazel could be imprisoned at least, and given some time to amend his ways. But after seeing what Hayley had to go through, he could not bear it. The wolf that had shot at Hayley was also caught by Alex, and he and all of Gazel’s other warriors were imprisoned. “Is she up yet, Daddy?” Adriel who had just met Damon coming out of Hayley’s room asked, and disappointed, he shook his head. “Not yet.”Adriella who was walking some distance away from Adriel heard their conversation, and sad, she ran to her room. She had been trying her best to be calm about everything for the past week. But it was killing to know that her mother was still unconscious from the attack. The best doctors had attended to
HayleyAfter further investigation, we discovered that the message hadn't been about Gazel and Damon, but between Alpha Mathews and Gazel. Since I had reported about the coup d'état and not the war, the council had responded to the coup. I felt bad for what Alpha Mathews was going through, but all I could do was sympathize with him. There was nothing we could do from now onwards, and only a duel between Alpha Mathews and Gazel could settle the conflict. The winner would become the alpha, and the loser would be tossed in the dungeon. The council would have punished Gazel for the coup d'état, but because Alpha Mathews had made a public announcement denouncing his claim to the leadership of the pack, the council could no longer do anything about the coup. It might have been forced at the beginning, but Alpha Mathews' speech and handover had covered up for Gazel's crime. Gazel was a trickster, and that much was known. He was a man who thought ahead, and that was exactly what made him ve
Damon I steadied my footing, and with a powerful swipe of my claw decapitated three opponents at once. These men were weak, a lot more weaker than I had anticipated, but they were definitely larger in numbers. I was yet to spot Gazel, and not seeing in front of the army made my fears return once more. I knew Gazel was a cunning man, but I hadn't expected him to be a hypocrite as well. Leaping to the side, I let out a loud howl before chowing down on a smaller Wolf's head. It let out a stifled cry before I tossed it into the body of its comrades. I had been taking things easy at first because I wanted to believe that they were under mind control. But that mistake had cost me during the earlier stages of the war. Now, I was going on full throttle, and I was willing to take down any opponent that crossed my path with full force. If pitied, these men were going to destroy the entirety of my kingdom, and that was not a sacrifice I was willing to make. I tackled a young wolf and slammed
Hayley"The walls have been breached!" A guard yelled out and my heart immediately sank to the stomach. It was just as Damon had predicted, Gazel had sent some of his men to attack the pack. "Archers fire!" Another order was yelled and soon flaming arrows were being rained on the invading enemies. "You shouldn't be out here, my lady. It's best to remain underground where it's safe. Damon would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you." Liam urged while doing his best to make me follow him into the underground chambers that had been prepared in case of this situation. "No, I'm the Luna, and I will not cower in fear in the face of my enemies. If they think Damon is the only person they should be afraid of, then they are heavily mistaken. I am a mother and a leader, and I'll do anything to make sure that no harm comes to my children and subjects." I made it clear to Liam. He watched me in awe, and I was sure the idea of me being a weakling disappeared from his thoughts. "What
Damon "I won't stay back Damon! I'm marching to the war front with you!" Liam opposed. I had just ordered that he remained at the pack to take care of things while we were at war. I had barely finished when he began to yell out his own opinion. It was the first time Liam was speaking to me without any sense of formality in his voice and character. It was obvious he wasn't going to let me go, not while he wasn't part of my troops. "You have to be here, you're the only one I can trust with Hayley and the children's lives. Alex will be with you, please do this for me." I pleaded rather than order. At this point it was obvious Liam wasn't speaking to me as my beta, but as a friend who wanted to support their friend at all cost. He wouldn't obey orders even if I gave him one, the only way I could possibly get to him was by exploiting his kind heart. "You need me by your side, in stronger than all of them—" "And that's exactly why I want you here. If Gazel has men ambushing the pack, I
Damon"We've managed to camp a few kilometers from Wolfsbane field. The soldiers can begin their march now." Liam informed me. I stared at him for a while before giving him a reassuring smile. I could see the fear and concern in his eyes, and even though he fought hard to hide it, it was as bright as day. "There's no need to hide your fear, Liam. I feel the same way, and I'm sure everybody else does. It would be foolish to be happy and unbothered during the times of war." I said before giving him a pat on the back. "You've done well with preparing everybody, you should take some time to rest. I'll handle everything from here onwards." Liam shook his head fervently in disagreement. "I can't rest, not when there's much to do. Gazel is marching here with an army by his side. We need all the help we can get. I'm not exhausted yet, I'll continue to help in any way I can." He argued. "If you exhaust all your energy now, then you'd be useless when the need comes. I know you want to do mor
Gazel"What do we do about those two? Isn't this bad? Those two could spill all our plans to the enemy." Frederick said in a frantic tone. He was fidgeting in both fear and rage, and his reaction was completely understandable. Lisa had just escaped, and alongside her was a spy I never noticed early enough to dispose. I had to give Tim props, he had been extra careful, and was without a doubt the most dangerous man to me at the moment. I had no idea how much he knew, and there was no telling how much he had stolen. If he exposed much about my plans to Damon, I was sure to fail, but regardless I didn't halt the preparations for war. "Aren't you going to do something? They might have valuable information." Frederick asked with an inquisitive look in his eyes. "There's nothing we can do at the moment. Those two would have probably reached Damon's pack by now. Chasing after them is meaningless at the moment. Focus on getting more men into our troops and forget about those two." I instru
DamonThere was no denying the fear that crept into my heart each time I remembered that I was going to war. I was confident that we would win, but there was no predicting or preventing casualties in war. If I could do anything to prevent it, I definitely would have done it, but that was impossible when Gazel was involved. He was determined to bring me down at all cost, and he had made that fact abundantly clear. He was out for blood, and I too wanted to match his energy. There was no way I was going to let him have his way and do anything he wanted, especially not when it had something to do with Hayley. "Have the walls been fortified? Any reports of ambushes?" I questioned one of the guards that walked with me as I inspected the preparations being made for the incoming war. We had received reports from one of our scouts that Gazel would be marching north with an army of twenty thousand in two days. If we began our match on the same day, our armies would meet on the fields of Wolfs
DamonIt was tough to get everything out of my mind, but with Hayley and the children's help, I've been able to keep my mind off the things that threatened my mental stability. We were yet to hear from Tim, but I didn't let it bother me anymore. Thanks to Hayley's help, I was convinced that he was doing alright, and I wanted to trust in her words more than my fears. "Dad, when will you take us horse riding?" Adriella asked as she brushed the hair of her doll. She had been watching a lot of horse riding shows with her mother and now she wanted to try out the sport for herself. "Once you're old enough to ride a horse." I answered softly before rubbing her head gently. The little girl pouted her mouth in disappointment, but I gave her a smile to comfort her a little. There was too much going on, the last thing I wanted on the long list of troubles was a crying child. "How are their lessons going?" I asked Hayley who was helping Adriel with his assignment. "It's been going smoothly, t