I met Elder Elara's gaze with one of humility. "Thank you for allowing me to speak with you. I've come here seeking answers about my parents, and I'll approach this with utmost honesty and respect."Elder Elara nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Very well, Layla Quinn. Tell us your story."I took a deep breath, summoning the strength to recount the life I had known. "I was born into the Safe Water pack, or at least that's what I've been told. I never knew my parents, and I grew up as a servant in the pack. It was a difficult life, marked by mistreatment and hardship."The elders listened attentively, their eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and concern."Recently," I continued, "I discovered the truth about my parents. They were rogues who had gone rogue many years ago. They were involved in attacks on pack members, and it's said that they were killed during a purge. My world was shattered when I learned this."Elder Elara leaned forward, her gaze unwavering. "And how did you
Elder Elara led me to a spacious room in her home, and as I stepped inside, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The room was adorned with rich fabrics, intricate carvings, and soft, plush furnishings. It was a stark contrast to the simplicity of my life in the Safe Water Pack."Please make yourself comfortable, Layla," Elder Elara said warmly. "This is your room for as long as you stay with us."I couldn't believe my eyes as I took in the luxurious surroundings. A large, canopied bed dominated one corner of the room, covered in the softest furs I had ever seen. The walls were adorned with tapestries that depicted scenes from the pack's history, and a balcony overlooked a breathtaking view of the surrounding forest."It's... it's beautiful," I stammered, feeling overwhelmed by the opulence of it all.Elder Elara smiled kindly. "You've been through much, Layla. You deserve a comfortable place to rest and heal. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."I nodded, s
The next morning, as the golden rays of the sun painted the sky, I found myself standing at the threshold of a new adventure. Elder Elara's son, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a warm smile named Cedric, had offered to take me on a tour of the Black Creek pack's territory.As we ventured beyond the boundaries of the elder's residence, I was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty of the land. The Black Creek pack's territory was a place of enchantment, a sprawling wilderness that seemed untouched by time.Cedric led me through a forest that was dense with towering trees, their branches forming a verdant canopy high above us. Sunlight filtered through the leaves in dappled patterns, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the forest floor. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp soil, and the melodic symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves surrounded us."Welcome to our home, Layla," Cedric said, his voice filled with pride. "This land has been in our
Upon returning to Elder Elara's home, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The landscape I had explored, so vibrant and teeming with life, was now etched in my memory. I knew that this was just the beginning of my quest to understand my parents and the life they had lived in this pack.Elder Elara greeted me with a warm smile as I entered. "Layla, I hope your exploration went well. You look like you've found something special."I nodded, my heart filled with both tranquility and curiosity. "Yes, Elder Elara. The land here is incredible, and I feel closer to my parents with every step I take."Elder Elara's eyes held a hint of understanding. "Your journey of discovery is a sacred one, Layla. It's a path that can bring you closure and connection. And you have our support every step of the way."I thanked her once more for her kindness and understanding. Then, as the days passed, I continued my exploration of the pack's territory. Each new location held a piece of my parents' history, and
The words hung in the air, and I felt a wave of astonishment wash over me. Elder Elara's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. It was a revelation that seemed to transcend time itself.Alda continued, her voice gentle and filled with sincerity. "We lost touch with you when you were just a child, Layla. Your parents faced difficult circumstances, and we were separated. We've spent years searching for you, and it was only recently that we learned you were here."My hands trembled slightly as I absorbed the enormity of the revelation. Tears welled up in my eyes as I extended my arms toward them. "Alda, Eamon, I never thought I had any living relatives.”With joyful tears, we embraced, a reunion decades in the making. It was a poignant reminder that even in the midst of our individual journeys and the complexities of life, family bonds could endure.As Elder Elara watched us, a sense of warmth and unity washed over me. The Black Creek pack had become my new family, and wi
The journey had taken a lot from me, mentally and even physically, but I had finally managed to make it back to the Safe Water pack. Home. That is, if the outcasts were still there. Usually, I would be excited to finally get back to seeing my pack members and family, but something about the air was wrong. As I moved my feet closer to the pack boundaries, the familiar scent of my pack members and the land hit me at once - pine mixed in with solid oak - yet something was wrong. On a normal day, the entire pack was filled with sounds of life, children singing, a folksong being carried all about, something. Instead today, there was a silence that was uncharacteristic of the Safe Water pack, talk even less of the outcasts.My legs went one in front of the other in an all too familiar pattern, and I realized that the farther I went, the more that had changed. Usually, even in the night time, members of the pack were out and about, going about their business, and the laughter of the kids o
P.S; Dear readers, please leave a comment in the comments section and your vote rating matters too. Thank you.*****In front of me was illness like I had never witnessed before. In pools of their own vomit, little children lay face down, forgotten meals perched with flies. There were mini fire piles with ashes that looked like clothing remnants, and I assumed that those had come from the pile of clothes that sat beside the fire, waiting to be burnt. I looked around for the shelter that was supposed to keep these people safe from the elements, and in place of anything solid, all I saw was the makeshift overhead raffia roofs. “Is this how they live?” I asked Erin, my disapproval heavy on my face. “This can’t be comfortable for them, or anyone. Why haven’t provisions for homes been made for them?”“We cannot afford to,” came Erin’s solemn response, her serious face convincing me that was the truth. “The only men able bodied enough to build are the warriors of the pack, and if they fal
Her words hit their mark, and I coughed to hide my shock, running after her. “Wait up! You can’t just say something like that and walk away. I don’t think you get it. None of you get it.”Pulling her hand out of my vice-like grip, she turned around. “Don’t I? Really? Do you remember where you found us, Layla? In the bush, abandoned by our family. We had never known what it meant to be in a pack before we met you, Layla,” she laughed sardonically, running a hand though her hair. “I had a pack that ostracized me, Erin. You cannot lose what you never had, but I got to grow up wondering and asking myself if it was something about me that was so wrong, it made me unworthy of love. I spent hours of my time crying at night only to wake up to slave in a man’s home so I could have shelter. When I walked past people, the hid their children, and even on occasion, they threw stones at me. Forgive me if I wanted to find a place where that wasn’t the case. If you found out that the man you love h
P.S: Dear readers, we've come a long way. Please don't forget to leave your comment in the comments section and your vote counts as well. See you in my next book' Winks'. Love Ya. Last Chapter. ***** The crisp autumn air rustled the leaves overhead as I stood with Brad by the edge of the clearing, my hand instinctively cradling the small swell of my belly. The pack had settled into a comfortable routine after the wedding, our days filled with moments of joy, laughter, and the expectation of new beginnings. Feeling the gentle kicks from our unborn child, I marveled at the miracle of life growing within me. Brad's hand rested on my stomach, his eyes filled with awe and love as he felt our baby move. The bond we shared seemed to have even deepened by the knowledge that soon, we would be welcoming a new member into our pack, and it would be a baby: a symbol of our love and the unity of our community. As I stood there, lost in the wonder of impending motherhood, Wally and Margot appro
P.s: Dear readers, we're coming to the end of this book. Please try to leave a review in the comments section. I really appreciate all your efforts thanks. ***** The sun set on the victorious battlefield, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Amidst the jubilant pack members and the warriors from the Black Creek pack, Brad and I found a moment of quiet to discuss our future. Erin had joined the celebrations, her eyes reflecting the relief of a battle won and the joy of newfound family bonds. We walked together along the edge of the clearing, the sounds of laughter and celebration fading behind us. Brad looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of love and determination. "Layla," he said, his voice soft yet steady, "we've been through so much together. I can't imagine my life without you. I want to spend the rest of my days by your side, facing whatever challenges come our way, just like we did today." I smiled, my heart swelling with affection for the man beside me. "Brad,
Amidst the chaos of battle, Erin stood her ground, her eyes locked onto Rame with a mixture of anger and disgust. Brad and I, observing Erin's fierce resolve, exchanged a quick, worried glance. We knew Erin's history with Rame, how he had manipulated her in the past. We couldn't let her face him alone, but we also understood the need for Erin to confront her father. A lot of the battle had been for the pack, but a lot of it had been for Erin's sake too."Brad," I said, my voice low but urgent, "we can't just leave her alone with him. She needs our help, our support. We can't risk her getting manipulated again."I nodded, my eyes never leaving Erin. "I know, Brad. But we can't just rush in without a plan. We need to be strategic about this. If we charge in recklessly, we might inadvertently make things worse for her. We have to trust Erin, trust that she's strong enough to handle him."Brad clenched his fists, frustration evident in his eyes. "I trust Erin, but I don't trust him. He's
The air in the pack meeting hall buzzed with excitement as I stood at the front, my eyes scanning the faces of the pack members. The news of the imminent threat from Rame had spread like wildfire, and now, the entire pack was gathered to discuss our plans for the upcoming battle. Among the crowd, there was a palpable sense of fear, mixed with a touch of anxiety. The arrival of reinforcements from the Black Creek pack was eagerly awaited, not just by my pack members, but by me too. I would never admit it to anyone else, but I was terrified of what was going on. As the pack settled, Brad stood by my side, his presence a source of strength. In the last few days, I had found that I needed it a lot more, because the horror of lur wntkre situationnovertook me at the most random times. I couldn't afford for that to happen right now. Right now, I needed to convey a sense of calm and confidence to inspire our pack members. I took a deep breath, my voice projecting across the room."Thank you
The journey back to our pack was a quiet one. Brad and I walked side by side, lost in our thoughts. The encounter with Rame had shaken us to our cores. As we trudged through the dense forest, I couldn't help but glance at Brad, trying to decipher the storm of emotions that must be raging within him. Finally, unable to contain my curiosity, I broke the silence."Brad, how are you feeling?" I asked, my voice gentle. "Seeing Rame, the one who took your father away from you... it must have been incredibly difficult. I know you never speak about your father. In fact, no one in the pack does. They all act like he is some taboo topic, and hearing Rame just-”He sighed, his shoulders tense. "It's... complicated, Layla," he replied, his voice heavy with the weight of his emotions. "I never thought I'd see him again after that night. I had buried the memories deep inside, trying to move on. But now, facing him, it's like reopening an old wound. Anger, sadness, confusion... it's all mixed up ins
"You can call me someone who's not afraid of delusional villains," I retorted, my voice firm, refusing to back down in the face of Rame's anger. "Your reign of darkness ends here, Rame. We won't let you destroy our pack."Rame's eyes blazed with fury, his lips curling into a snarl. "You think your bravado will save you? I've faced stronger opponents than you, and they all fell before my power. There are many things that I can do that your small brains cannot even begin to fathom. Do you really feed into the belief that your confidence will help you?"I exchanged a shared glance with Brad, our shared annoyance fueling our speech. "Rame, your power may be formidable, but it's nothing compared to the strength of all the love that there is in this pack. Erin may be an exception, but in this pack, we protect our own," Brad said, his voice steady. "Our pack stands together, and that makes us stronger than you can ever comprehend. Get it through your little head that you are not getting your
"Layla," Brad's voice trembled with emotion as he continued, his eyes fixed on mine, "Rame was once one of the most respected wizards in our pack. His fall from grace was a tragedy that was caused by his own ambition. He was a friend to my father, a mentor even. But power corrupted him, turned him into a monster."I took a hold of Brad's hand, offering him silent support as he gathered the strength to continue. "Rame's desire for power took over him," he said, his jaw set in determination. "He killed my father, believing it would grant him the Alpha position. But our pack members, out of loyalty, stood against him. We banished him, hoping he'd never return."A chilling laughter echoed through the ruins, and Rame emerged from the shadows, his eyes glowing with malevolence. "Oh, what a touching tale," he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "But you see, I've embraced the darkness. I've become more powerful than you can imagine. Your loyalty and love won't save you this time."I ti
The pack house welcomed us with its bright colors, and I felt a warmth inside that I hadn't felt before. Brad and I settled into our favorite spot in the living room, a comfortable couch where we often discussed pack matters and important decisions, long before he had lost his memory. In the distance, the fire in the fireplace burning bright. Seated close to each other, we held on to each other for long minutes at end, looking at each other like it was the first time we had seen each other in a long time. We were locked in lazy conversation and trying to figure out who could have done this in the first place, and we had tried out many different names, but one kept on coming back, over and over:Erin"I know she has a crush on me," Brad said, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "But could it be possible that her feelings took a dark turn? Maybe she couldn't handle the fact that I didn't reciprocate her feelings. Though, that would have been very counterintuitive."I nodded, understandi
The memory came rushing back to me, vivid and clear, as though it had happened just yesterday. I closed my eyes, allowing the past to wash over me, taking me back to that fateful day in the heart of the forest.Many years ago, when I was still young and finding my way as a leader, I used to roam the woods surrounding our pack territory with the forest, with its ancient trees and whispered secrets, was a place where I found solace, and the place where I enjoyed training the most. On that particular day, the sun had gone down early.I was lost in thought, my mind occupied with the responsibilities of being an Alpha. As I walked, I heard laughter, the innocent, carefree sound of a. Hold coughing. Intrigued, I followed the sound until I stumbled upon a clearing. There, surrounded by wildflowers and bathed in moonlight, were three children.The eldest, a boy with tousled brown hair and curious eyes, looked to be around ten years old. He had an air of confidence about him, his posture sugg