The cool evening air was calm, and Annatoria and Asher strolled side by side, their steps steady on the forest trail. The silence between them wasn’t heavy; it was companionable, but Annatoria eventually broke it. It was already getting awkward. For minutes, not even a word, proceeded their lips. "I want to start over," she said, her voice low but firm. "I don’t want to carry the weight of sadness anymore." She paused, then fixed her eyes on Asher. Asher turned his head slightly, surprised but pleased. "Now that’s a change no one expected. Go on, Annatoria," he teased, a sly grin playing on his lips. She rolled her eyes and gave him a playful shove. "There you go, making jokes again." It'd always been a habit of Asher. He'd make jokes even at the serious moments. "Alright, no more jokes," he promised, raising his hands in mock surrender. "So, what’s your plan?" "I’ve been thinking about resuming work," she admitted, slightly raising her shoulders. "Work?" Asher repeated,
“Gaius?" Annatoria muttered, throwing her glance on Asher. Annatoria was worried if he had heard about what she was talking about. ……No one apart from her late Father knew. What was he doing there? Spying on them?“It's me, Alpha" He admitted, bowing to the ground. He had already been caught. Nothing apart from lies could rescue him. “For how long have you been there?" She asked, taking a deep sigh, her face becoming fierce. “I've been there since some morning. I was here, making research on what herbs could treat wounds of ferals” He lied, his heart racing. "Soo?” She scoffed, as she watched him kneeling down.All the while she interrogated him, Asher stood beside her, admiring her pretty face. Everytime he looked at her, something about her beauty kept calling him but, it wasn't as easy. He had become so obsessed with staring at her for so long.“Hold on, what did you study at University ?" Asher interrupted the interrogation, noticing he was already saying something different f
Two years later……….Annatoria sat in her office, waiting for the right time to sign out. No one knows she's the owner but regardless, she has her special seat there.“Ma, the driver is ready," Jessica walked in to inform her.“Oh, that's right. How about grabbing ice cream with Gaius?" Annatoria asked, walking towards the door.Jessica nodded and a smile lit up her face. Gaius and Jessica awkwardly exchanged glances.“By the way, a letter dropped in the wolf mailbox," Gaius added, closing the magazine he was checking."Did you check what it was?” Annatoria asked."No, ma. It's yours, not mine," Gaius smiled.They handed the letter over to her. Too tired to even read any note, she threw it into her bag.As soon as Annatoria settled her butt on the new leather seat of the car, her phone buzzed. The other two had already settled in the back space in the car.“Oh, Asher!" she beamed.It was Asher. He was probably calling to check on her. The driver paused, realizing she was about to make
“Thanks for tonight, Ash. You're the best" Annatoria smiled, carelessly grabbing her bag from the back seat.A white envelope slipped out of her bag without her notice. Asher smiled then nodded playfully. “I hope you enjoy your new companion" His lips curled into a smile. The pup on her laps made a cute sound, and the two laughed.“You're his Dada and I'm his Mama" Annatoria playfully said, with a goofy smile. They both got down from the car and walked into the pack house. It fet so different…….and she felt so important for the first time.She'd always felt vulnerable and less important through out her stay in the EMBER WOVES PACK.But here she was, being treated like a queen. Asher made sure everyone treated her as family. Even his sister, Lauren. The fact that he rounded up the alliance meeting at Korea, just to mark her 26th birthday with her, made her tear up. Her other birthdays at Radolf's house were always celebrated but, she always had to suffer the pain of the matebo
“You've gotten what you wanted, haven't you?" Manga growled, his voice terrifying as if he was about to attack Loree. For 2 solid years,he'd endured Loreen's plans and persuade. “It's a long process, my Lord. I've tried and I'm still trying. The plan is going to work;only if we take our steps I e after the other" She explain, trying to keep her heart beat at a normal rate.“What plan? Huh?" Manga flared up, banging the table so hard. He'd broken over seventeen table, just because of his anger issues. In 2 years! 2 years had passed and what looked like Loreen's plan now began to seem he was her toy.She'd become the Luna of the Ember Wolves Pack just as she'd always wanted and there she was, giving filmsy excuses. “How long am I to keep waiting?" His voice raised, leaving Loreen's eyes shut and her heart racing. A word wouldn't leave her lips, because she knew better than opening her mouth. Even though she had always been faithful, opening her mouth at that moment could cost her li
“What the hell was that?" Asher's wolf charged, a tense look etched on his face as he realized he'd hurt Annatoria's feelings. Was he supposed to read the letter?! Of course, no!.“Oh! That's her luck. It's what she's always wanted" Annatoria chuckled dryly, tears welling in her eyes. The pain from the betrayal of her bestfriend bit her heart. Her heart fucking bled. All the memories she cherished and wanted to keep had been destroyed already but hearing this, broke her heart more. Two years ago, she was kicked out of her home, her comfort zone-thanks to her best friend's orchestration. “Loreen, are you okay?" Asher placed his hand in her shoulder, noticing how hard she tried to fight the tears. His question was met with a sad nod–her eye color had changed again. It shone brightly before they settled in the car. She smiled lightly but of all the times he'd seen her smile, last night's smile was the happiest of all. Her eyelids could no longer fight the tears. “I can't come with
Asher found an expensive and 5-star Michelin eatery. He'd seen it on Annatoria's Instagram page with the caption “I want to go, someday" “Where are we driving to?" She asked, her eyes glued to her phone. “Just relax, we'll be there soon." He replied with an exciting grin as he focused on the road.“We've been on this road for about 30 minutes" She complained, lowering the back seat.“Stop the car!" She suddenly yelled, when something in the woods caught her attention. Asher stopped the car abruptly, worried. “What is that?" Annatoria asked him, his eyes locating what she was talking of. For some minutes, silence dominated the atmosphere. “Rogues…..baby rogues” Asher smiled lightly.Annatoria's eyes glued at the young pups on the dumpsite….they were looking for something to feed on.No Ann! You can't cry at this moment…you can't.“Can we take them along?" She slowly blinked, not wanting the tears to fall off."I can't “Asher shook his head.Annatoria understood that he only had
Annatoria’s POVWhy do the poor have to suffer?Why do young kids have to suffer? Memories of yesterday kept colliding in my head. My brain constantly flew back to that scene at the dumpsite. Two years ago, I wandered like that, and I can tell you—it’s not an easy thing.I walked under the sun and rain, searching for food and shelter, haunted by rogues. My life was under terror and I only lived, unsure of whether I was going to see the next day. It all lasted until I met him-Asher.“What do you want?” I asked Gaius as soon as he barged into my room.“Learn how to knock on the door," I yelled.“Why were you crying yesterday?” he asked, his eyes travelling to something on my notebook.“Oh! I was just a bit stressed, that’s all,” I lied.Why on earth would he want to know why I was crying?“I want you to leave, please. I need time for myself,” I told him, pressing my index finger and thumb to my temple.“Okay, bye then,” he shrugged lightly before slamming the door shut. A smile appear
Chapter 37: His Regret. The familiar scent of blood and damp earth filled the air as they approached the scene. The search team stood in a tense semi-circle, their faces grim under the moonlight.The body lay partially covered by a thin layer of dirt and fallen leaves, as if someone had tried to hide it in a hurry.Axel forced himself to look at the body. It was a female's. Torn clothes. Deep gashes along the arms and neck. But the most disturbing detail was the missing eyes.A sick feeling settled in her chest.Axel exhaled sharply. "It’s not Jessica.”One of the scouts shook his head. " We don’t know who she is, Beta."Axel knelt beside the corpse for careful examination as his eyes trailed every single part of her body. “Pack it up," He muttered, leaving the scene for fresh air as his eyes became misty. He had his hopes high, expecting to at least, see her body but to his surprise, it wasn't even hers. “Round up and let's leave," He sighed. This wasn't the first time of buryi
Chapter Title: Radolf! The Moment That Almost Was intense….Asher’s wolf howled in his mind.“ Kiss her. I want her” For the first time in a long time, Asher didn’t fight it. He took a slow step forward, his pulse quickening as he neared her. Annatoria turned, her eyes meeting his, and for a split second, something unreadable flickered across her face.Was it longing? Uncertainty?His fingers twitched at his sides. He wanted to close the space between them, tilt her chin up, and-Boom! The doors flung open."Alpha Asher! Miss Annatoria!" Axel’s voice rang out, breathless, urgent. His eyes were wide, his usual composed demeanor shattered by whatever he had just seen but at that moment, he wasn't really concerned. .Annatoria stepped back instantly, the atmosphere between her and Asher snapping like a fragile thread.“What happened?” she asked, already on edge as she waited for his response..Axel swallowed hard. "The search team found a body. We’re heading there now.”The tension in
Chapter 35: The Haunting Past. Annatoria's eyes glared in disbelief as she held the empty envelope. It was another letter from the Alpha King.Asher smiled again."It's an invitation. We'll surely attend it. It says the Annual Alphas' party was canceled because you didn’t show up, Alpha Annatoria," Asher explained."Oh! I don't have time for this," she sighed.She sat on her favorite couch, obviously tired, rubbing her temples."Why do they keep insisting?" she asked him."Because they can't ignore you even if you ignore them," Asher murmured."But I stopped being part of their world the moment I left Ember Wolves. Have you forgotten?" She let out a dry chuckle."Oh! But you hold power, remember?" Asher countered. "More than you think," he added.She exhaled sharply, tossing the envelope onto the table. "I have more important things to do—like building my own pack and getting my son back."Asher's smile faded slightly. "I understand that, but you can't avoid them forever. Sooner or l
Chapter 33: Secrets from the deep. No one could pretend forever.A lie, no matter how well-crafted, would always crack under the weight of truth. Some took months, others years—but eventually, the mask would slip. It could not last longer than destined. The old bald wizard, wrapped in a thick black cloak, moved slowly toward the Ember Wolves' Pack. His beard, long and white, swayed slightly as the wind carried whispers of an ancient past. His journey had been long, his feet weary, but his purpose was unwavering….. delivering the message.He sought the Alpha, but for what? What message? As he reached the pack’s entrance, the guards stiffened. Their hands hovered over their weapons, eyes narrowed in suspicion as they scanned him. He carried no visible threat, yet something about him made their wolves restless.“I seek the Alpha—Alpha Radolf of this pack,” the man declared in a voice that cut through the air like steel.The guards exchanged glances. Was this an attack? A test? A chall
Chapter 33: Sparks Annatoria out of shock, took several steps away from him as he struggled to breath. He couldn't inhale, his airways were constricted. Asher walked towards him but, was stopped by Annatoria. But that was as if calling his name wasn't enough, he charged towards Manga. “He's one of us," She said sharply as soon as he raised his hand to thrust into his heart.His hand hung midway as he listened to Annatoria. “He's on the verge of death…. Please, let him go” Annatoria begged, moving close to Asher. Asher released him and in the twinkle of an eye, Manga took to his heels.He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, heavily panting. “Why can't he shift?" The question popped in Annatoria's head as she watched him run off. ________________________“My baby?" Nyx, the woman in the room kept repeating quietly as her palm rested gently on her belly. Hot sobs escaped her lips as she layed on the bed. How did she become pregnant? It was something such a person like her d
Chapter 32: Manga's Desperate Escape. Annatoria rolled from one side of her bed to the other. She couldn't sleep and now, Chingu Moon was in her arms. “What do you want, little buddy?" She said softly fondled it's fur. It made the normal cute sounds every dog made and that seemed to annoy her. "Let's go to sleep then,” She said, patting it's back. "Prepare your army. He's coming” The dog finally said something just as it was about to sleep. She stiffened. What did it mean? Of course, it was no one different from Manga. She had a feeling that they were coming but, she didn't want to rush. She wanted to take her time to reason and think about it…..to avoid total defeat. When it was daybreak, she summoned a meeting with those she'd appointed as head of army, head of Weapons storage, head of war strategies, the five elders of the pack and Asher. “How many army does this pack have now?" She asked Alaric, the head of Army. He was a tall, and muscular young man with a face and hea
Chapter 31: Manga's Forewarning “I'm sorry, Radolf" Candace muttered close to his ear, her breasts touching his chest. Radolf's eyes followed every movement of her boobs. His morning erection felt the heat between her thighs. "Leave,” Radolf ordered Candace and of course, she had no choice than to excuse him. Radolf pulled Loreen closer, her nipples becoming hard as he fondled them."I've forgiven you…..it's fine now" He pouted. She unbuckled his belt, as her hand crawled into his pants. She held his schlong, her palm stroking it. She wanted to make this one different from the other times……unique and memorable. She stroked it with one hand, packing her hair with the other hand. As soon as she was done packing her hair, she knelt beside him.Radolf moaned as she stroked his hard, bouncy, long cock. On other days, she'd ask him to penetrate into her but today, she was asking for something different. She kissed the cap with her lips, sending tingles down his spine. For a moment
Chapter 30: Hidden IDThe grand hall of Berlin’s International Medical Summit was filled with top doctors, researchers, and investors from all over the world. Asher adjusted his suit, feeling slightly out of place among humans. It was the normal way he'd always felt whenever he had business meetings among humans too. Annatoria, dressed in an elegant black dress, exuded confidence. No one suspected she was anything more than a wealthy entrepreneur.A woman approached the microphone. "And now, we invite the owner of Kenwood Animal Home, a facility that has revolutionized veterinary medicine, to the stage."Whispers filled the room. No one knew the true identity of the owner.Annatoria smiled and stood, walking gracefully toward the podium. As she stepped onto the stage, murmurs turned into shock.Asher smirked from the crowd. "And here comes the fun part.With a smile, Annatoria ascended the podium. After taking a deep breath, she voiced……”Good day everyone, I'm Annatoria. I won't be
Chapter 29: The Rebrand For Revenge3 days later…………….Annatoria had gotten better, along with the warriors but the pack was no longer like it used to be. All the dead bodies had been cleaned up and arranged for a mass burial. The children watched their parents in the coffin, tears fell from their eyes. Asher had made sure that the furniture constructors at his pack came to construct over 2500 coffins. “Scarred Wolves, I, Annatoria your Alpha, mourns with you. You all have not just lost but we all lost our loved ones, our husbands, our Fathers, our Mothers, our children, our brothers,...." She stopped when her voice became shaky. “...and our sisters. I promise that we shall avnge their deaths. We shall take revenge at all costs." She assured her people. Asher had also become her pack member from the very moment she started, ensuring that she wasn't alone. “Someone betrayed me"She yelled, angry tears rushing down her face. “It was Gaius Crystal– I slayed him. I regret it because e