MILDREDWHAT DID YOU CALL ME? "It was just so much that I had to bundle it over here to share the joy."Vanessa's breathy explosion of words made it plain just how happy she was with the thoughts of Chase ordering dinner for her the previous evening. She never hesitates to send some my way. I ate them all until I was full. "It made my day yesterday." I smiled merrily, "Guess what I'm learning?"Just then, there was a loud bang outside that made our hearts leap. I glanced at the clock, ten p.m."What was that?" I managed to ask when my breathing returned to normal. Before Vanessa could recover from her shock to reply to me another bang sounded in the air. I listened with my senses heightened and could hear the scrambling footsteps of people outside the mansion. What was going on?The front door flew open and a scream almost left my mouth. I heard heavy footsteps come up the stairs and before the footsteps could reach the bedroom door, Enid's voice did. "Mildred!"The urgency of h
ENIDCAELAXAs more rogues milled in with savage fire in their eyes and their teeth gnashed, their claws let loose for an attack, I gently released Mildred's and headed out in full rage. I had heard about a wolf burning full purple but I never realized it could happen especially now that I wanted to get done with this outlander just so I could get help for Mildred. I moved with deadly precision at the plunging rogues and in no time I took them all down and the few that were left Chase and the rest of the defenders had mowed them down. I shifted back to my human form. I went back to Mildred who was now in Vanessa's arms and the poor girl was sobbing from fear. I lifted Mildred and headed back into the old house. I placed her on the bed and watched just how much she was bleeding and how white harder face had become now. Courtney arrived as quickly as she could and straight ahead went on to see what needed to be done. She was not alone, she came with her medical team and they bega
ENID"Don't cry!" Chase placed his hands on her pulling her to comfort her in his arms, "She is going to be alright.""I don't understand, none of those rogues struck with arrows and bows but how did this happen?" I finally voiced the question in my head unsure of how it all happened. "What does the result of the test say?" Chase asked Courtney. I was not sure if I was braced for any news. I was not sure if I was ready to hear any disheartening news because it was unlikely that was the only news I was getting. "It's Caelax just as suspected by the medical team." Courtney handed the test results to me. She paused and turned it over to Chase who quickly darted his gaze around the sheet. His eyes bore the gear that had been surging through me and his jaws instantly hardened. "This can't be." Vanessa began to sob all over again. "Things would have been a lot easier if she had a wolf. But we will need higher intervention to make this happen." She suggested. "What do you medically su
ENIDIN A COMAAll through the morning, my mind was out the window from where I stood and it swirled around the elders' decision. How long was it going to take before Keegan got here? I had met all the criteria they shoved up my face before bringing a foreign healer to the Pack.It was for the safety of the pack members. A wrong healer could go a long way to pose a problem to the pack. Also, my territory would be held accountable should anything happen to this healer. It was why the consent of the elders was sought first before bringing in a healer from another pack. Then it occurred to me that yesterday the pack had been raided by bands of Outlanders, but my defense was as strong as ever. My mind roved around what would have happened if the Xairz had fought on their team. I heaved a sigh.My mind returned to the wolfless girl lying before me and she was my wife. Of course, she was my mate we were married in the sight of the goddess and the sight of the law it was my duty to prote
MARCELLAONE LESS PROBLEM The rumors were true. Ximena was a victim of the night attack. It was true. From what I could hear the elders discuss with Enid, her condition was critical. She was just a thin line away from the dead. Something needed to be done.This was my even chance at getting off this mansion forever. This was the only chance the goddess could toss my way to have Enid forever. All I needed to do was to visit Ximena. I waited on the terrace for Enid to finish with the elders. I waited with with I was going to say to him fresh in my mind. I needed Enid to know that I cared not just for him but for his wife. Trust was a powerful thing. Enid's trust was the only powerful tool I could use against Mildred. My eyes narrowed at the girl coming toward the terrace with her face sullen, her shoulders slouched and get head hung. I needed to look just exactly as Vanessa did to convince Enid I cared. "Vanessa," I called out firmly.But she didn't seem to hear me. She was far of
ENIDYOUR WIFE SAVED YOUR LIFE I watched Courtney as confirmed the machines and charts. She glanced at me and nodded."All good. She's hanging on perfectly.""Hanging on?" I watched her with sneering eyes. I heard Alexis. I heard everyone and only what piqued my interest struck my brain and having Alexis say Courtney knew Mildred wasn't able to make it out alive rendered me weak. "Courtney I don't imagine you would lie to me," I muttered as quietly as I could when we stepped out of the room Mildred was lying in. She looked up at me and a glint of fear was in her eyes. She watched me looking as uncertain as ever. "You know Mildred's never going to make it out alive!" I watched her face to glean any sign of deceit. "What? There's hope if Keegan can get here." She looked surprised at my question. "Courtney I'm going to ask you one more time. You know what could be involved in deceit?"She nodded and swallowed hard watching my face with every bit of attention. "What are Mildred's
ENIDSHE HAS NO WOLF Mildred had saved my life? I didn't even have an idea. I didn't even know if I could learn from the footage I just couldn't watch her get struck by the arrow.I was counting on Clover. He was my only hope now to get Keegan here in the next fifteen minutes. He just needed to pick Keegan up. Courtney was able to resuscitate her. She was able to support her breath but it wasn't a guarantee Mildred was alright. I could lose Mildred any second. It was almost eight p.m. and Clover did not call to let in on any progress. The entire Pack seemed empty and quiet from the attack.I could not leave Mildred. Courtney had suggested I stay with her. My wolf was somehow keeping her from tipping off the edge. I was afraid of what could happen if I left. I glanced from her pale face to my phone trying to get to Clover again. "Is Keegan here yet?" I asked desperately wanting to get a yes. "Keegan's on his way. How is she?" Clover announced over the phone. "She's holding on
ENIDEvacuation? I sat stroking Mildred's hair. I wanted her to feel my presence with her. I wanted her to know I was by her side through it all. I had no idea how this evacuation was going to be done but I was all out to get into it already. "I'm never going to hurt you ever again. Give me this one chance to make things right. Please? The goddess was certainly never going to forgive me. I heaved a sigh and just watched her face. And in no time, Courtney was back with Keegan."Enid it's best if you wait outside." Courtney cast me a sullen gaze. "Why's that?" My eyes bore into her and my heart thrashed frantically. "Her blood is going to be drained. I'm not sure if it's a sight you'd love to witness."My heart ceased beating and my lips quivered. My brain failed to interpret what Courtney meant by these words. "It's the only way to get caelax out of her system.""Mildred doesn't have a wolf they could kill her!""It could also work."My fears were overpowering and I didn't wan
MILDREDTHE END.I sat on a bench at the burial ground, surrounded by the peaceful silence of nature. In front of me lies the grave of my beloved sister, Ximena. I took a deep breath and began to speak, as if she's still with me."Ximena, it's been a year since you left us. I know you're no longer here, but I need to tell you everything that's happened. I need to make sure you know how much we've accomplished, how much we've healed."Elias and Naveah, they thought they could get away with taking you from us, but they were wrong. Enid and I worked together to bring them to justice. They're now serving life sentences with hard labor. Molly, who was sheepishly helping them, was released and came to me asking for forgiveness. I forgave her, and we've moved on. Marcella, who was also involved, was released but left the pack in shame. Elder Remy, Elias' accomplice, was given a one-year jail term and was banished from the pack as soon as he was released.I paused, looking at her grave."Toda
MILDREDFINALLYI woke up to a knock on the door, my heart was still heavy with grief and I didn’t expect that anyone would be at my door this early. My heart still aches badly. I had only met my twin sister,the Ximena I thought I was impersonating all along, I didn’t know that she was my other half, I had the opportunity to meet her, how could she even be gone already? This doesn’t even make sense!She was taken from me in an instant, by a bullet meant even for me. I felt very guilty even until this moment. I grumbled as I got out of bed and made my way to the door. Vanessa stood outside, her face looking really somber.I looked at Vanessa for a moment, then nodded and walked back to my bed. She suddenly hugged me tightly and burst into tears. I tried to hold back my tears, but I couldn't. We both cried for a while. Then, she held my hands and looked at me with sad eyes. "Someone is here to see you, Mildred," she said softly. "Who is it?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "Just c
MILDRED RIP XIMENA "Oh no, Ximena! Please wake up! We've just found each other, don't leave me now!" I screamed, my voice shaking desperately. Ximena's body lay limp on the ground, her eyes closed, her chest bleeding from the gunshot wound. "Take this madman away!" Enid yelled, and the police dragged Elias away, wresting the gun from his hand. Ximena's eyes flickered open, and she gazed at me with tears streaming down her face. "I'm so glad I found you, sister," she whispered, her voice weak. "Navaeh took me from our mother when we were babies. She used us being twins and that fact that it was a taboo and we will be killed if disclosed to blackmail me, but I'm free now." I held her hand, my heart breaking into a thousand pieces. "Don't worry, Ximena, you'll be okay. We'll get you to the hospital, and you'll survive this." But Ximena's smiled, even though I could see how sad she was through her eyes. "It's too late, Mildred. The bullet hit my heart. I'm sorry...there's nothi
MILDREDHE PULLED THE TRIGGER!"This is it, Marcella! You're going to pay for all the suffering you've caused me!" I snarled, my hand cracking against her cheek in a resounding slap. "And that's for Ximena! I turned my icy gaze on Navaeh, my eyes blazing with pain and fury. "Navaeh," I spat, my voice dripping with venom. She cowered, her body trembling like a leaf, as she beheld the wrath in my eyes. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the moment of reckoning."You treated me like dirt, Navaeh! You made me feel worthless, always favoring your own daughter, Molly, over me. You never cared about my well-being, only your own selfish interests."“Errmm, I…I…” Navaeh tried to speak, but I wouldn't let her. "No, you don't get to talk! You sent me out into the night, alone and vulnerable. If not for destiny, I would have never met Enid. You would have gotten me killed by gunmen or kidnappers because you obviously wouldn’t have paid a dime to get me out of there"My voice cracked w
ENIDMILDRED AND XIMENA ARE TWINSElder Remy's face turned beet red with rage. "You've betrayed the pack, Enid! You lied about Ximena! You're a disgrace to the throne!"Mildred dropped to her knees, pleading with the elders. "Please, have mercy! Enid had no part in this. I deceived everyone, I pretended to be Ximena. I'll accept my punishment, but spare him!"I watched, frustrated, as Mildred took the blame. Didn't she realize she was making things worse? I thought she had learned to think before acting, but apparently not. I felt a surge of annoyance, wanting to tell her to stop, to let me handle it. But I kept my cool, knowing that would only make things worse.Remy's harsh words towards Mildred ignited my anger. "Shut up!" he barked, and my blood boiled. How dare he disrespect my mate?Mildred's attempts to take the blame only made Remy more furious. "You're not fooling anyone, this was a plan between you and Enid. You'll face a harsher punishment," he snarled, ordering the guards
MILDRED OFFCOURSE SHE IS NOT XIMENA I paced back and forth in the room, my mind racing with questions. Why did Enid look so worried? What could be so important that he had to cut our night short? We had plans, plans that didn't involve returning to the pack's headquarters until whenever. I felt a knot in my stomach, my wolf senses tingling with unease. As I paced, my feet carried me to the window, where I gazed out into the night. The stars twinkled, but my eyes saw only darkness. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, my emotions raw. I couldn't believe what Enid had just revealed - that my stepmother, Navaeh, had locked my wolf away all these years. The pain and anger I felt were overwhelming. Eventually, my back ached from pacing, and I collapsed onto the bed, covering myself with the duvet. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I let them fall, my body shaking with silent sobs. I didn't know how long I cried, but exhaustion finally claimed me, and I drifted off into a f
ENIDMILDRED HAS A WOLFI couldn't contain my excitement. Today was going to be very beautiful and I just couldn't wait. I don't want to spill the tea to Mildred so I just asked her to get dressed but has been trying to ruin the surprise with too many questions."Where are we going?" she asked for the upteenth time, her eyes sparkling with curiosity."Somewhere special," I replied, my smile growing wider. "Just trust me."She laughed and chatted as she got ready, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy being around her. I helped her into the car and asked her to stay quiet.I signaled Courtney and she injected her with a sedative. I thanked Courtney and we drove to the forest, where Danda, a powerful shaman, was waiting for us.*"Mildred's wolf has been locked away," Danda revealed, his eyes looking serious. "Her stepmother's doing, no doubt." I was so shocked, how can someone penetrate such cruelty? What could she have done for him to have done that? She deserves to be punishe
ELIASTHE CAT’S OUTTA THE BAG!I swirled the wine in my glass, the rich aroma filling my senses as I sat in Elder Remy's cozy sitting room. The warm glow of the fireplace lighting the room and it made it exude an aura of wealth, but my mind was far from at ease.I summoned the Elder himself, elder Remy had so much power and influence in the pack and I knew he would be the best person to help me with this. My thoughts raced with the weight of the secret I carried - the truth about Ximena. Or rather, the imposter who had been masquerading as her.I took a sip of the wine, the flavors dancing on my tongue as I gathered my thoughts. How could I break the news to Elder Remy, to the entire pack, that the woman they believed was their beloved Ximena was a fraud? That Enid, of all people, had been deceiving them all?I began to have double thoughts. What if that scares them and they deny me the throne too since we are related and have same bloodline? Not possible! They will trust me and see
MARCELLAPLAN BI sobbed like a child who had been denied chocolate, feeling helpless and defeated. Elias's betrayal cut me really deep, and I couldn't bear the thought of him ruining my reputation with whatever video he took of me, but Alexis's warm embrace and gentle words of encouragement comforted me. "Marcella, it's not the end of the world," she said, trying to make me feel better. "We'll find a way to make it through this without Elias soiling your name."I looked up at her, tears streaming down my face. "But how? He's going to ruin me, Alexis. I've come too far to let him win." My voice cracked, and I felt fresh hot tears tingling at the corners of my eyes.Alexis' facial gesture changed, I could tell an idea had clicked. "We'll set him up, Marcella. I'll act like I want to get down with him, and then I'll raise an alarm, saying he tried to molest me. We'll turn the tables on him, and he'll be the one who's left looking bad."I sniffled, considering her plan. It was risky, bu