Callista I've never felt murderous. No, that's wrong. I have felt murderous before. But not to this degree. And I didn't know why I felt so strongly about this.It's not like I haven't been wronged in my life before, because I have been. My parents, my sister, my former Alpha, my current Alpha...all of them had hurt me at some point in my very short life of eighteen years, yet I've never felt the need to utterly destroy them as I did for Valencia. The anger I feel surprises me, and I try to find a reason for it. Perhaps it's because the others I've mentioned before had only wanted to hurt me. Only me, not others. But Valencia didn't just want to kill me. She was ready to sacrifice any amount of people to have me.Not even Ruelle did that. The guards who Valencia had drugged were still in the ICU of the hospital, where the doctors were monitoring them constantly. Wolfsbane overdose was lethal most of the time, and even when a wolf came out of it, it wasn't guaranteed that he would
Callista I rush down the hallway to the entrance of the castle, where Theon stands with a group of guards, shirtless, looking dejected and frustrated. His expression stays stoic as he speaks with Kellin in a tight, measured tone, as if he’s trying his best to hold back his feelings."I need to call the Galdine pack immediately," I hear him say as I get closer, a growl in his voice. Well, that means he’s not suppressing his feelings well. He must be really angry. "I must talk with the Alpha and ask him what the hell his daughter is doing.”"Chances are that the Alpha knows nothing about this," Kellin replies, tone bitter. "But if he does, he won't tell you anything. He will try to protect his daughter just like last time.""I don’t give a shit! I’m going to get answers one way or the other," Theon snaps. "I’m the Alpha King and his former Gamma is a threat to my pack, and he is going to have to provide me some answers if he wants to see her alive again. If he refuses, that would be tr
CallistaI don't understand this, and by the looks of it, neither do my fellow wolves. "What?" Theon demands. "I never told her such a thing!""I'm telling you the truth, Your Majesty, I swear on the Goddess," Warren replies, his face the epitome of earnestness. "Falcon died three months before the news of your mate’s unfortunate demise came by the pack, and as soon as she heard it, Valencia came to me. She asked me permission to allow her to head a diplomatic delegation to the Rexellen pack. I was skeptical, but she was stable then, and her psychiatrist had given her the green light. She told me that she didn't love you anymore and that she only wanted to visit her oldest friend and possibly mend the broken bridges. So, I gave her my permission." "And then she left, and I tried calling her. But every call went unanswered, her network was always busy or unavailable or something or the other. A day before the annual festival, I called her again. And finally, after a million missed ca
TheonWe left for the Galdine pack that night as soon as we finished arming the Rexellen pack against Valencia. We suspect that she's working with a witch, so we consider as a threat accordingly. Kellin stays behind to watch over the pack in my absence as per his Beta duties. Haden accompanies me with Alan and Terrel, a guard. The ride to the Rexellen pack is like a true-crime podcast."She somehow hacked into the CCTV cameras," says Alan. "The only thing I saw was the two guards, John and Gabe, just sitting near the door like usual. All throughout the incident that was what played on the screen."I groan. Of course, she did."Her major was computer science in college," I tell them. "No wonder she hacked the CCTV.""In that case, I need to completely revamp the security," Alan replies with a sigh. Terrel drives, silent as ever. Haden sits next to him in the front passenger seat. The night is pitch dark and starless. We'd passed a human city already. The Galdine pack is farther than t
ValenciaI run down the hill in my wolf form, days after I escaped the Rexellen pack.The night is bright with the crescent Rexellen, free from the disastrous light pollution that plagues human cities. I've been hiding in them for the last few days, and I can now confidently say I hate human civilizations. The long grass beneath my feet brushes my legs and belly as I run, and the cold of the Fall night is soothing. It helps me calm my mind more, and I desperately need the concentration to do what I have to do next. But as I run, thoughts plague my mind.I had been a fool before, I didn't plan my escape fully. Why? Because I thought there wasn't a need for one. My plan was perfect. Drug the two guards near the door. That was easy. All I had to do was dress in a maid uniform, put on a wig, and bring them coffee. They'd drunk it gratefully as it was early in the morning. The Wolfsbane had worked immediately, knocking them both out. I'd dragged them to the south tower and stashed them
CallistaWe wait eagerly in the castle until we get an update from Theon. Tension thrums within us as the screens of Theon’s office remain empty of a call or even a text telling us how his meeting with the Galdine pack Alpha, Warren Galdine goes.Seconds tick into minutes, and then hours, but we don’t get anything.“It’s been three hours now,” I tell Kellin, feeling worried about the lack of communication. “Do you think they are alright? I don’t have a good feeling about this.”“I hope so, although I must agree that this whole incident is entirely unsettling,” Kellin mutters, sounding concerned. “Warren is not stupid enough to try and retaliate against the Alpha King, but as I said before, parents do crazy things when it comes to their children. Warren had placed Valencia above everything since the start, and while that is admirable as a father, as an Alpha, it only enabled her further to descend into her madness. He even gave her a position of power, for Goddess’ sake.”“I feel like
CallistaTheon leaves the Galdine pack lands soon afterward.According to him, the team sent by the Supernatural Council promised to check the bodies for signs of magic as soon as possible. They will have to transfer the bodies to the Witches Guild, where the final autopsy will be carried out and hopefully, the answers we sorely desire will come to light. "They gave us a warning to be careful," Theon says through a video call. "Because we touched the bodies. They decontaminated us as much as possible, but you can never be too careful. If we see anything unusual on our bodies, we have to isolate ourselves and call them immediately. You guys need to prepare a portion of the castle for this. Hopefully, nothing will happen but better be prepared.”“Understood,” Kellin replies with forced mirth. “A quarantine zone for four werewolves, coming right up.”“Thanks, Kellin. They checked us over for any signs of contagiousness but we're clean so far.""I'm going to have nightmares about that fo
CallistaDays pass, but the tensions don't cease.Valencia is nowhere to be found. It's truly like she vanished into thin air. No other werewolf community reports any sightings of her. There are some alerts about red-haired women, but none of them are Valencia. They're just random women who don't even know what's happening half the time. The renovation of the western tower comes to an end. The overall construction of the damaged property in the town is complete, and the Rexellen pack looks the same way it had looked before the earthquake hit. Regarding the earthquake, no one has found the reason for it so far. Just like the massacre, it remains a mystery. As winter finally takes hold, snow starts to fall, covering the Rexellen pack with a sheet of white. Surrounded by the towering trees, the Rexellen pack towns start to look like a winter wonderland because although the wolves don't celebrate Christmas, we do celebrate the winter solstice.Evergreen yule wreathes and multicolored fa
Haden"Oh wow," as we stumble into a large hall at the tunnel's end, I utter."Are all of these...tombs?" Terrel whispers, his eyes flitting from one to another."These are indeed the tombs of the Rexellen family. Every member of our bloodline since founding this castle, except for our parents and my mate, are buried here," Elias says, passing in between us. He steps near one of the cubicles which are closed by a thick, stone slab. "If my memory is correct, this belongs to the first Alpha King of our bloodline."It’s easy to forget at times that Elias is a prince, a member of the Rexellen family who once refused the great power that came with it. He is so humble, and so down to earth that Elias never seemed to be apart from us, even when we were children. Theon always kept the air of royalty around him, even when he insisted that we treat him as an equal. But Elias? When he abdicated, he completely gave up trying to be royal in any way.But then he would speak of his bloodline, and we
CallistaTheon and I are locked in the same cell this time, which is somewhat of a relief. A very small comfort in reality, but a big deal because after what Farris did, at least I can take care of him when he’s close.It’s infinitely better than being away from him and worrying about his fate.My hands have already healed, and only a strip of pink was remaining on both my palms. Soon they will disappear as well, rendering my skin porcelain once again.But I don't think the scar in my heart will ever heal. After Farris lapped at the blood that sprouted out from Theon's neck, he'd stopped moving. I felt the pain of his power leaving him, it was like a knife to my heart. As soon as the blood touched Farris's tongue, his eyes had gleamed amber, signifying that now he had the power of the Alpha King.I had screamed for my mate until my throat bled from the effort. They threw us both in the cell afterward, and I'd lunged at Theon before his head hit the stone floor, catching his body. It
Haden"This way," Elias leads us down the stairs that slope into the basement of the castle in the west wing. This particular basement exists under the common bathrooms relegated to the castle staff, and it smells of mold, dampness, and various other odors related to a secluded, dark, underground place. We are careful not to slip on the mold and fungi that dominate the staircase. One flashlight brightens our way, and I have to spend some effort to keep myself from gagging because of the stench."Oh, Goddess," Terrel groans. "I think I just saw something move!" "Probably a rat," Alan replies. "I stepped on something gelatinous before. I don't even want to know what it is.""We really need to get the staff to clean these places," Kellin says. "And we should check them once in a while as well.""You should," Elias chimes in. "I don't think anyone has been down here since Grandpa closed the entrances to the catacombs.""Why did he do that anyway? Why did he close them?" I ask him, wanti
CallistaI wanted to kill Farris. I had no qualms about it. He was going to take Theon's power. The only way to stop him from sinking his fangs into my mate's neck was to end him once and for all.But in my haste to do it, I forgot that there was someone else in the room other than the guards, Farris, Theon, and I.For a second, I am sure that I'm going to make it. I'm sure that I'm going to triumph.But then, out of nowhere, someone throws a chair at me.The force of the object throws me off balance. I stumble out of my trajectory. The back of the chair connects with my ribcage, and I feel such an immense pain that makes me yelp. The knife falls from my grip clattering onto the floor, right after I do.My head connects with the stone floor of the room in the tower, and I see stars from the impact.Without wasting a second, Valencia lunges on top of me with her wicked sword unsheathed and holds it at my neck."I don't think so, Callista," She hissed through gritted teeth. "You think i
HadenAll three guards fall into a pile of werewolves, with multicolored darts piercing their necks. The Wolfsbane in them works fast, and in no time, they are knocked off. Terrel and Kellin appear from behind them. They'd hidden on the other side of the hallway, and while I acted as the distraction, they'd taken the first shots to bring down two guards. I finished the other one by myself"Holy crap," the adrenaline flowing inside of me makes my speech sound breathy. "I can't believe that worked.""Good job!" Alan crows in my ear. "But you don't have enough time. Hide them quickly.""Yes, sir," we mutter, and each takes one unconscious guard by the shoulders. We drag them to the intersection and dump their bodies in a place that isn't seen by CCTV cameras. Alan calls it a blind spot. "Done," I tell Alan as we rush back to Elias’ room. "How long do we have?" "Roughly ten minutes before someone comes to see what's up with those guards, so hurry," Alan nags. Kellin produces a key fro
Callista"I will murder you, you asshole!" I screech at Farris as two guards try to control me, grabbing at my shoulders. It pains me like I'm caught in a vice. But the anger and hurt I feel triumph over the painTheon squirms as the cuffs burn into his skin. The sizzling scent of meat cooking brings bile to my throat. He's sweating all over, and his teeth are gritted so hard that I am afraid they might break.My Theon is in so much pain, all because of that bitch Valencia who stands next to him, and Farris Leighwen who I am starting to hate with all of my being."Oh, it's not so bad," Farris brushes me off, sparing a lazy glance at Theon. "He'll live to see another day. Don't worry.""Do you even hear yourself? You overdosed him with the drug. How much Wolfsbane was in that dart?" I pull against the guards restraining me. "Are you fucking insane?" "Apathetic would be more apt to describe me. Some might even say ambitious." Farris says, sitting down on a chair facing me."Callista..
Haden"There are three guards patrolling the hallway that contain Elias's room in the western wing," Alan says as we crouch in a small broom closet. There is a tablet on his lap, and he's connected to the camera feed in his security room via it. As of now, the hostiles have taken over the entire eastern wing. Before they could continue to the western wing, our own guards closed off the entire section using the large metal gates that have been installed in the castle since its inception for this exact reason. Our forefathers had the foresight to anticipate traitors in the unlikeliest of positions and them knowing the structure of the castle. So, they'd installed the gates.There were two main entryways that connected the east and west wings, and as soon as this happened, we managed to close the gates. There were some people trapped on the other side, but so far, they have been safe. We don't think the hostiles will hurt them in any way, because they got Theon and Callista already. To
TheonHave you ever been in one of those dreams where you think you're looking at something, but your eyelids are too heavy to keep open? Those dreams where you know the limitations and powers that you processed, but you couldn't command your body to use them? Those dreams where you feel like there's something dreadful watching you and you have to escape, but you can't. You're tethered to something, something dark and heavy that you simply cannot break out from...That's how it feels to be drugged by Wolfsbane. My body is slightly different from the other wolves due to my being the Alpha King. The public knows that once you’re born into the royal bloodline, there would be physiological differences, but it’s not public knowledge how much I’m different from them. I have powers that no one possesses, such as the ability to smell other wolves who were not my mate, the ability to run faster than anyone and call my wolf strength when I am in human form, and many more.One of those powers i
Haden"Haden!" Bailey hisses as soon as she sees me. She scuttles out of the crowd of people she's sitting with and runs towards me.When we collide, it feels like everything is at least mildly right in the world. Half of the worry and weight on my shoulders vanish as I breathe in her scent. There was a time when I thought that I would never have something like this for myself. That I was meant to be alone, that my mate was somewhere far away from me or already dead. But then Bailey came into my life.The past few days in my life were the happiest ever thanks to her. We'd been planning to be mated soon, as soon as Theon and Callista finished theirs because we just couldn't wait anymore. We'd been waiting for each other for the longest time, and we wanted the bliss of matehood now.But with whatever the hell is going on now, it won't be possible. As soon as we saw that the hostiles had Theon with them, drugged to his gills and weak, we'd laid down weapons. Kellin and I had gone under