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All Hands on Deck
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Pledged to the pack Like Cats and Wolves
*Irellia's POV*The night had been long and lonely. The thunder and blaring rain had done little to drown out my fearful thoughts; my worry for Arken up there in the storm, images of him falling overboard parts of the ship falling on him, all sorts of horrible things had flashed through my mind.But now it's morning, now the roar has calmed to a pitter patter against the round window of my room. No more flashes of lightning turning each shadow into a devilish creature, no more booms from the sky making my heart leap to my throat. Just a peaceful drizzle, and yet I still clung to the foot of my bed.I'm being ridiculous, hiding here like I'm still a child afraid of the thunder. Even that excuse falls short now that the storm has passed. Arken hadn't been afraid. He'd charged right out that door to save us from becoming lost at sea.I close my eyes and slowly release my hold, sucking in a deep breath as I half expect the room to tilt and send me flying across the room. It doesn't, of co
Pledged to the pack An Offer of Protection
*Irellia's POV*"Ellia!" Arken screams up at me, his voice breaks in a way that makes my stomach drop. He's afraid. The realization sends me into a frantic fit as I swing my arms back at my capture haphazardly fighting for my release and somehow miss with every strike, every kick. My eyes are fixed on Arken, who jumps and claws his way up a nearby mast, willing him to reach me. To save me as he always does. He reaches the top, still a good twenty feet below me, his expression dark and threatening. Even I'm aware of the blood lost oozing off of him. His sleek, muscular form is crouched; poised to strike with a ferocity I feel confident would put his wolf form to shame, and I'm certain the only thing stopping him is that I'm in the way. "Let her go," he growls, baring his teeth. It's the first time I've noticed how long and sharp his canines are. More like a wolf's than a man's, they gleam in the sunlight while his golden eyes seem to grow darker by the second.My captor lets loose
Pledged to the pack Prologue
I can hear my sister outside of the cabin, listing off who will and won’t be going into battle today. Some of my friends make the list, including Kita who is only two weeks older than me. I can’t help but feel bitter, as I stand there cleaning the dishes left over from breakfast. The previous chief was laid back, he was fairly well know for bending the rules. Not that it had gone over well. But his time caught up with him, he passed peacefully in his sleep a month ago, at the ripe old age of 96. Now Sila, my sister, was the chief.It was undeniable that she won the alpha tournament. She’d out maneuvered each of the pack’s favorites and pinned them on their backs, dominating them. Not to mention everyone else who chose to go for the title. But I still couldn't believe it, each morning since I woke wondering if it was all a dreamYou would there’d be some perks to my sister being in charge of the pack, like being allowed to fight with my brethren a mere week before my coming-of-age cerem
Pledged to the pack the Youngest Princess
I take my seat on the chair opposite Father's, my gaze flickering about the room. It had been some time since he'd last requested my presence in his library, I'd nearly forgotten how vast his book collection was. The high oak shelves were crammed full."Irellia," My eyes meet his, the frown he's wearing instantly conjures one of my own. "your sisters tell me that you are still upset about your future." I scoff. "Of course I am, how could I not be?""The kingdom of Saffron has enjoyed nearly a hundred years of peace, this has been thanks to the pact made between your grandfather and the last great alpha of the wolf-men." My father explains in a grave tone.I sigh in response, I'm so tired of hearing this old story. But it seemed that, once again, he's intent on telling it.I decide to do it for him. "The pact states that the youngest daughter of the king from each following generation would become the wife of one of their kind." I can hear every bit of resentment in my voice, every ou
Pledged to the pack On the run
It feels odd sneaking around my home, dodging guards and servants as I make my way. My black silk bag is beginning to grow heavy on my arm, causing it to ache. Though I manage to avoid being spotted, it seems like hours before I get outside. I half expect the guards to be waiting for me, sure that someone must have spotted me and alerted them. They seem normal, so I quickly cower behind a stack of crates, as the merchant who owns them speaks with an arriving knight.I spot a wagon nearby, the high quality fabric it carries belongs to mother's favorite fabric shop. I think of mother, how worried she will be and feel a stab of guilt. "I'm sorry." I whisper back at the castle, I just can't stay with thing as they are. I want to be free.When the coast is clear, I hurry to the wagon and bury myself beneath the smooth fabrics inside. I feel nervous when the driver returns, but he doesn't notice me and climbs up to take the reigns. The horses neigh when he urges them to move, but they compl
Pledged to the pack the Knight's charge
I follow Princess Virina, as she leads me down the halls. When I’d asked to speak with her in private I thought we could talk in one of the empty rooms nearby, but she seems intent on another location. I just want to get this over with, the nerves have my stomach in knots.Finally, we end up outside in the royal gardens. A sweet floral scent wafts through the air, as my eyes sweep across the fancy shrubbery. Most of the bushes were artfully trimmed into animal forms, wolves more often than not. The reason Princess Irellia never stepped foot here.Still, I wonder if any of the lovely blooms would cheer her? My gaze lands on the bright yellow daffodils, I’m sure I could find some of those in town. I decide that I’ll surprise her with some, once I’m done here.“Sir, Jaron?” The third youngest Princess calls sweetly, I look at her and she smiles almost eagerly. “What is it you wanted to talk about?”My stomach tightens as I take a steadying breath, I know this can only go one of two ways.
Pledged to the pack The Wolf & Goblins
*Irellia's POV*It didn’t take me long to learn the reason for Ghost’s name, his smooth and quiet gait.He carries me through the thick brush without slowing his graceful trot, plants tickle my leg, left exposed by my riding skirt. I frown down at the unfashionable brown color, but quickly cast my eyes back up at the passing scenery.Tall, healthy trees stretch up toward the sky, as though reaching for the setting sun, a cool breeze causes the weaker branches to sway in a lazy wave. The Wind bats me in the face with my own hair, but I don’t dare raise a hand fight it. I tighten my lips, trying to keep the silky strands from slipping in.The sound of his hooves meeting the ground is drowned out by the melody of birds singing high in the canopy. Their sweet chrips bring a smile to my face. I feel like they’re encouraging me, silly as it might sound.Wild flowers, pale shades of yellow and blue, peak out at me from the shrubbery as Ghost whisks me deeper into the forest. I notice the sof
Pledged to the pack chief of the Wolf-Men
“A search party must be sent out at once,” An adviser to my left demand, his voice husky and calm amidst the babbling that surrounds us. Chestnut brown hair strikes out from his head in spikey disarray, I can’t tell whether it’s purposeful or if he’d just crawled out of bed and rushed to my home. He’s the youngest among the pack advisers, four years my elder. Though, by appearance alone, most would guess the gap closer to a decade. The dark bags and deep lines of his face carry the weight of substantial stress. What that stress is, I don’t care to know. I have enough of my own, more if truth be told; thanks to my foolish young brother. I meet his tired opal-esque gaze. “I intend to, thank you Ufari,” I tell him, keeping up pleasantries despite my annoyance. Do my advisers think me so incapable that they must state the obvious? My fingers tap against the hard, dark wood arm of my couch, gaze sweeping off to the side. I make note of the clutter gathered in the co
Latest chapter
Pledged to the pack An Offer of Protection
*Irellia's POV*"Ellia!" Arken screams up at me, his voice breaks in a way that makes my stomach drop. He's afraid. The realization sends me into a frantic fit as I swing my arms back at my capture haphazardly fighting for my release and somehow miss with every strike, every kick. My eyes are fixed on Arken, who jumps and claws his way up a nearby mast, willing him to reach me. To save me as he always does. He reaches the top, still a good twenty feet below me, his expression dark and threatening. Even I'm aware of the blood lost oozing off of him. His sleek, muscular form is crouched; poised to strike with a ferocity I feel confident would put his wolf form to shame, and I'm certain the only thing stopping him is that I'm in the way. "Let her go," he growls, baring his teeth. It's the first time I've noticed how long and sharp his canines are. More like a wolf's than a man's, they gleam in the sunlight while his golden eyes seem to grow darker by the second.My captor lets loose
Pledged to the pack Like Cats and Wolves
*Irellia's POV*The night had been long and lonely. The thunder and blaring rain had done little to drown out my fearful thoughts; my worry for Arken up there in the storm, images of him falling overboard parts of the ship falling on him, all sorts of horrible things had flashed through my mind.But now it's morning, now the roar has calmed to a pitter patter against the round window of my room. No more flashes of lightning turning each shadow into a devilish creature, no more booms from the sky making my heart leap to my throat. Just a peaceful drizzle, and yet I still clung to the foot of my bed.I'm being ridiculous, hiding here like I'm still a child afraid of the thunder. Even that excuse falls short now that the storm has passed. Arken hadn't been afraid. He'd charged right out that door to save us from becoming lost at sea.I close my eyes and slowly release my hold, sucking in a deep breath as I half expect the room to tilt and send me flying across the room. It doesn't, of co
Pledged to the pack All Hands on Deck
*Arken's POV*My shoulder crashes into the wall as I round a corner, I don't even get a second to right myself before I have to reach out and save the stupid thief from hitting as well. Unfortunately, that results in him being closer to me than I'd care for. though him being anywhere on this ship is too close for my liking.I hate that I'm stuck here protecting him instead of being at Ellia's side, but if I don't do this and he fails it'll put her in more danger. The idea of which makes me feel angry, antsy, and a little helpless. Which just circles right around to angry."Thanks," he tells me, his voice hoarse.I glance down at the bright red marks on his throat and feel my lips twitch. Serves him right for being close to her. I mean upsetting her; why would I care if another man was near her? Of course I care, that's why I wanna rip this guy's throat out, but why do I care? I'm being an idiot.Laufrey darts passed me for the staircase looking like a yellow streak in that ridiculous
Pledged to the pack Stormy Waters
*Irellia's POV*It's our second evening aboard this stolen ship and I haven't spoken to Arken since that first morning. Part of it's because he's been avoiding me, I'm pretty certain he has been anyway. Whenever we see each other in the corridor he's inexplicably ducked into whatever room was closest, or marched right back in the direction he'd come. Each near encounter has left me with mixed emotions- which is the main reason we haven't talked. I don't know how to face him when I can't even comprehend what I'm feeling.I'd felt it first several days ago when he'd fled from me like a frightened animal. At that time it was a flood of concern that washed over me, souring me after him. I had wanted to help, to sooth him, but underneath that there'd been a selfishness. A fear that he would disappear into the trees and I'd never lay eyes on him again. The relief I'd felt once he'd finally calmed down had been immense and I'd been able to dismiss my strange attachment to a man I barely kne
Pledged to the pack Word of Mouth
*Sila's POV*My nails dig into the palms of my hands, frustration erupting from my chest in a growl I pray my foolish brother can hear on that damnable ship. I'd been so close to catching him, had the knights not been slowing me down with their weak stamina and Jaron's attempts to wrangle that pale horse I'd surely have my little brother on his knees before me right now.The two knights had split up and sought out captains in hopes of gaining a vessel to pursue them, but I knew enough about Likuna to know they'd have a hard enough time with the locals themselves let alone with a group of wolves along. The odds of them striking a deal were probably as good of Arken suddenly diving into the water and swimming back here to me."He flees to avoid marrying the woman he's traveling with anyway. It doesn't make any sense," I hear Kita from my right.I'm about to agree with him but Balt speaks up first, "I don't imagine the princess would be foolish enough to disclose her identity, and Arken
Pledged to the pack Setting Course
*Irellia's POV*I roll onto my side and pull a bulky pillow to my chest. I'd forgotten how wonderous a bed could be. It made me aware of just how much my back had suffered all those nights in the forest. But this sleeping arrangement does bring with it some concern, namely exactly how I'd gotten here.A soft knock at the door jerks me up into a sitting position, eyes darting around the plain little room. Aside from the okay sized bed itself the only furniture in here is a small desk in the corner with papers scattered about. I see the rounded top of a chest peaking out from the end of the dark green blanket someone had haphazardly thrown over me, and it in the process.I bury my face in my hands as the events of last night come flooding back to me. They'd found me with the help of Arken's people, that was the most reasonable explanation. I should have known they'd be eager to retrieve their unwilling bride. I was stupid, and gods know what trouble I'd brought on Arken because of it. A
Pledged to the pack The Would-Be Pirate
*Arken's POV*Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Not only did she come herself but she brought knights with her? Gods-dammit Sila! Just pick somebody else! I don't dare to look back, if I do she'll make me submit. But the docks? I've never even been on water, let alone know the first thing about steering a whole ship. The wind is blowing my scent right at them so it's not like I can veer off, try to circle back to the city gate, they'll know my every stinkin' move. On top of that even if I do get tricky and get around my stupid sister, Ghost might lose track of us and then Ellia will be upset all because of me. But how am I gonna let him catch up without them getting on my heels too? I'm faster than Sila and the others won't dare try to outdo her even if they could, and that's about all I've got going for me right now. I have no choice but to keep moving forward so that's what I do.I plow my way straight through the city leaping over carts, signs, even knocking the occasional person out of my way wi
Pledged to the pack A Midnight Run
*Irellia's POV*We step out into the brisk, night air and I hug myself on reflex. I hadn't realized quite how thin and cheap the fabric of my new new dress was until this very moment with the wind seeming to blow right through it. I catch a flurry of white to my left and turn my head just in time to see Arken drop his thick furs over my shoulders. I'm surprised by how heavy they are, it's like a warm weight has been placed on me.He gives me a quick smile, moonlight twinkling in his eyes and sending butterflies dancing in my stomach before speaking in a hushed tone, "Water makes it windy, or that's what Balt says anyway. I've never been this far from the packlands before.""Thank you," I tell him, averting my gaze. Voices spill out from the eatery, I get the distinct feeling they're talking about us and while I'm curious as to what they're saying, what their problem with us is, Arken takes my hand with a sour expression half dragging me down the street."Just ignore them." He tells me
Pledged to the pack Something Fishy
*Irellia's POV*We'd made it to Likuna just after the sun had set, dashing my hopes of drinking the city in. It was strange how dark it was here at night, the castle would be cast in the soft glow of moon-lamps freshly recharged by the royal mages shortly before the sun had begun its descent. Yet her the moon and a few speckled torches were all that served to light the way. I wonder if Saffron itself looked the same at night? I wish I'd paid more attention while I was there.Arken takes the lead, a bundle of nerves knotting in my stomach and adding weight to my legs as we follow the sounds of laughter and mirth toward a small cottage of sorts with a broken door sitting off to the side.Our footsteps creak as we make our way across the worn wooden floor of the eatery, the chatter we'd heard from outside had come to an immediate halt the moment we stepped inside. I find myself hiding behind Arken, who doesn't seem to care about the appraising and somewhat hostile looks were receiving fr
