7.Manga

As the large ancient door opened, a Man seated on a throne-like couch is revealed. His eyes shone in anger and bitterness. The air thickened with the foul, metalic smell of blood. The dark cozy room felt cold but as soon as he voiced, the atmosphere was filled with authority and power. 

“Why haven't they returned?" He questioned Ryder—his right-hand man, his voice laced with power which caused the other two in the room to tremble. 

“I don't know, my Lord. We've sent some warriors across the mountain, my Lord" the one who answered, trembled.

“Make sure they return with her, alive”He instructed before leaving the throne. 

He was the King of the Rogues. The owner of the dreadful name " Manga”-- the one who reduced packs to nothing, the great werewolf slayer. 

He never gave up on a target without getting what he really wanted. 

As he walked, his footsteps echoed in the room. All those around him shivered in fear whenever he spoke. His dreadful name and appearance terrified pack leaders. 

Some would even stutter, while some even held their breath for fear. Manga could do and undo at anytime he wished. 

He led his people with his powerful yet, dark aura. He had nothing but enemies. He was the great, merciless and ruthless werewolf slayer.

Day by day, he grew more wicked, terrifying and of all, more determined.

He'd settled his last target …and was over to the next, who was the former Luna of the Ember Wolves, Annatoria. 

He knew she was no longer under Alpha Radolf who could challenge him. So, he sent warriors to capture her.

After a day of waiting for the first batch of warriors he sent, he decided to send two of his powerful men to go and check on the first batch. 

“My Lord, .." 

“What is the problem?" His right hand man, hurried towards the men who was panting heavily. 

"They're all dead” they chorused.

" What!”Manga exclaimed as soon as the men ended their statement. 

“No!!!!" Manga yelled, slamming his hand against the wooden table before him. The wooden table broke into half, creating more tension in the room. 

Air seeped out of their Iungs as they want he'd him display rage.

“My Lord, someone must have helped her. The last time I checked, Annatoria could not defeat more than 15 men in a fight and that's why I ordered 30 men to go after her” Ryder, his right -hand man blanched.

“Leave," Manga ordered them.

He'd been defeated and seeing his defeat only strengthened him to go again. 

“My defeat is a redirection" He'd always say. Now was the time for him to plan better than he did. 

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Annatoria could no longer go out for a walk like she always did.  Even though she was a good fighter, she knew her life was in danger.

Asher tried all his best to make sure she never felt lonely. He knew she was broken….her eyes told him.

The dark, mute and neutral colors of her eyeballs always gave him concern. Her eyeballs changed frequently depending on her emotion. 

Staring at her in pain, without being able to ask why, gave him sleepless nights. He knew asking her about her life at the Ember Wolves Pack would only tear up the wounds she tries to cover up. 

 

“Who's there?" He asked, as soon as his eyes ran to the window.

Someone's shadow was lurking around the window. 

He breathed in and inhaled the scent…it was unusual.

“Manga" his brain alerted..

“Mario, lock the gates…there's an intruder”He instantly mind -linked his Beta.

“No! Get up right now!" He ran after the intruder.

" There you are!”Asher yelled.

" What do you mean?”The soft, feminine voice asked.

What!

Annatoria?

"What are you doing here?”He asked, making sure his voice wasn't raised at her.

The person he saw at the window didn't look like Annatoria. The scent was different…..Annatoria smelt of roses….It was an unresistible smell.

"I couldn't sleep, so I was taking a walk. I happened to walk past your window….I guess that woke you”She spoke gently, her voice totally different from he she normally sounded. 

"What's wrong, Ann?”Asher questioned, as he walked closer to her but, she moved back.

"Nothing is wrong. I'm just finding it hard to sleep” Her voice was hoarse and Asher didn't bother, knowing that the past days haven't been like they always were for her.

“Sir, I've locked the gates” Mario mind-linked Asher back.

"Shut it” Asher blocked him out.

" I'll just go inside. I've had enough…I think I'm sleepy" She said, before walking back into the house. The guards were all asleep and as the Alpha, Asher knew he had to tighten the security of the pack…

Intruders could have actually entered into the pack so, he needed extra security. 

“Her hair" Asher's wolf voiced, as he walked Annatoria walk off. Her hair swayed and looked longer than usual, he wanted to touch it and inhale her beautiful scent.

“Wait!" he tried to carefully pick his words together.

Annatoria waited, she turned to him and for a moment, he froze.

“The initiation" 

Annatoria had spent 7 days in the pack and of course, she needed to be initiated. She walked freely, but it gave the pack elders fear. They feared that Asher might have been bewitched and she was a spy because he didn't tell anyone about her story. 

Not even his sick Mother. She liked something about the " new dweller” in the pack. That was the name all the pack members gave Annatoria since she wasn't initiated yet.

“You have to be initiated before you can live amongst us for long. I'm talking about the members and elders" He continued.

"I don't have any plans of being under your pack. I'll leave very soon” She sniffed. 

Her words marvelled Asher. He knew she was not very outspoken but the confidence she spoke with, wasn't from there.

“Alright. Have a happy night" He smiled, watching her walk off. 

Something about Annatoria seemed different from the other girls in his pack. She wasn't one of those girls who edge freaked by his beauty of charisma. His wolf got chills whenever she was around and he couldn't resist but, stare at her. . 

He'd never seen her smile. All he ever saw were the forced smiles she would flash at him.

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“Did you get there?" Ryder asked a young lady who walked into their territory.

" Yes, I did” She responded as she sucked her tooth.

"How was it?”Ryder asked, but as soon as he finished his statement, the door opened. 

It was their boss, Manga.

“Good morning, boss" The young lady bowed deep, her wig fell out. 

"Your report” Manga demanded, his dreadfulness evident in his voice. As he spoke,the cold room became dark. 

Something was just so different about his being. 

"I tracked her scent down to the Moon Crest Pack. She was there, in Asher's house. With the way things are, she's been really sad and down”

"Give me the main points”He silenced her.

"I think Asher is in love with her. He cares so much about her and she's about to be initiated. I almost got caught so, this plan can no longer be used." She reported..

"Was your face seen?”Ryder asked her, and she shook her head.

" What's your name again?”Manga asked her.

" I'm Loreen,”The woman answered, her face glued to the floor.

"What's your relationship with my target?” 

“I was her bestfriend, but, I betrayed her"She answered, with no emotion tickling on her face. 

“You're perfect for this job….there's still a very long way to go”