"Come here, Mandy. We have to go get the fruits for momma."
"We can go hunting today, Jonas. I've always dreamed of killing a deer."The voices of the wolves in the pack rang through my ears as I stared through my window. I placed my hand on the burglary proof and brought my face a bit forward to get a clearer view of what was happening. Everyone went on with their different businesses. The children chattered and danced around in circles with little ropes around their necks.This was as close as I could get to most of the wolves. I wasn't the most liked wolf in the pack. That title had never been for me. No one loved to be close to me. They seemed to also forget that whenever there was an errand to run. Then, I'm suddenly needed."Riley! Riley!"I tiptoed to my bed from just beside the window. I was already worn out from watering the gardens only a few minutes earlier and I didn't have the strength to do anything else. I lay still, feigning sleep and hoping no one would find out.I didn't need a reminder to know what would happen if they found out that I wasn't sleeping. The red marks on my back were the only reminder that I needed. I had come back from fetching some water ten minutes later than I was told. Mother was already in front of the house, with a whip in her right hand, waiting for me to drop the bucket of water."Ahh! Mother!" I screamed as I felt a sharp pain in my lower back as soon as the bucket touched the ground. She didn't want her precious water to waste. Again, I felt it, and yet, again.I screamed and hoped that it'll stop but it didn't. She kept flogging me as hard as she could, so much so that I could see my flesh fly up into the air as the whip was withdrawn from my body. Blood oozed from my back with every stroke and tears gushed like a river from my eyes. Yet, my assailant was not to be moved by my tears. She was only going to be done when she felt like it.I went back inside, feeling like someone who had been inside boiling water for many hours. I turned around to see what my back looked like and fresh tears began to form. What on Earth did I do to deserve such treatment? When would this ever end?I carried with me a stroke of bad luck and a few marks from the strokes I had received. Yet, here I was, on the verge of another round of abuse if they caught me lying. I shut my eyes and even tried to hold my breath. "Maybe they'd let me be if I were dead already. Perhaps, there was love for the dead and none for the living." I thought."Ouch!" I screamed as I felt a hand land hard on my left cheek. It didn't matter whether I did sleep or not. My head was in a world of its own. I quickly opened my eyes and even the sleep that I feigned was gone too, leaving me all alone to fight for myself."How are you sleeping by this time Riley? Is there nothing else for you to do?" My mom asked, hands on her waist, as she took short, quick breaths. It was clear she was angry, far from impressed with what she saw generally."Uhm...mom, I…""Shut up! Who's your mom?" She asked, cutting me short as soon as I mentioned the word."Get up. The dishes won't do themselves, would they? Don't be lazy, you brat!"I quickly stood and almost walked past her to the kitchen, before realizing that I had to wait for her to leave first. I felt her hand on my cheek again for that insolent act and I bowed my head. "I'm sorry," I muttered as she turned around and left the room.My hands shook as rage got the better of me. I was nothing but a slave here and I was just tired of it. As I did the dishes, I couldn't help but wonder when all these would be over. I tried to imagine a world where I'd be accepted, just like everyone else. I sought a world, where I'd be seen as something more than just a slave. Perhaps, it only existed in my mind.Exhausted, I got back to the room, feeling the effects of the beating I had just received. I tried to lie on my back but quickly jumped as soon as my back made contact with the bedsheet. I wished it'll all end; the suffering and Ill-treatment. I wished I could just wake up to see that all I've known all my life was just a terrible dream and that it was all going to be alright.Well, that wasn't happening but something else was; something huge,.a glimmer of hope. Iheard that the full moon was approaching. I was told that wolves usually found their mates during the full moon and I thought, maybe, just maybe, a mate would help me get out of this mess that I'm in. I could go from being a miserly maid to being a protector of the pack. It was an amazing prospect, yet, I wasn't dumb enough to have any tangible hopes worthy of being held on to. Being the mate of someone prominent was never an easy feat, even for royal wolves. Talk more of a miserly peasant like me.Yet, I had to hope. It was all I had. I had to think that someday, I'd be free of these shackles. I looked forward to it, and to the man that would help me get that freedom."Riley! Riley!"I was the name on everyone's lips for the wrong reasons. I wondered what I'd done this time.Riley's POV"Yes, mother.""How many times do I need to remind you that I'm not your mother?"I stood still, brought up my right hand, and held my lips together. "Good," she said. "You're learning fast."She always told me to hold my lips whenever I said something she didn't like. It was something like a sign; one that depicted acknowledgement of a fault and a promise to do better. I didn't think I was wrong. I just had to do it.I lost myself in my thoughts as I wondered why she hated me so much. There wasn't a day when I wasn't reminded that she wasn't my mom."We found you by the witch's pond.""We picked you up and saved your miserable life.""You'd have been better off dead by the witch's pond. Perhaps, we made a mistake bringing you here, you worthless girl."It was all the same. Same thoughts. Same meaning. Same reaction. Just a different way of saying it. I was already getting fed up with all that was happening to me but what was I to do?"Don't tell me you're ignoring me, Ril
"Get down! Get down!"I ducked as a silver spear almost went through my head. Lucky man, I was. It just grazed my hair as it flew. I wish I could say the same about the pack member behind me, whose throat provided a resting place for the speedy arrow.The rogues had grown a lot of wings over the years. A bunch of rebels who simply didn't know their place. Things could have been a lot better if only they had resorted to pleading their case in a better way. There was no need for bloodshed. They didn't need to capture women and children from the pack to set an example. They didn't need to chop anyone's head and drop them at the square to pass a message that the mouth could have passed.Do I blame them? They were simply cowards. They must have feared what would happen to them if they challenged the alpha to his face. I was pained that they didn't even try. They just went ahead to make their grievances known in the way that they deemed fit. They went against the authority. Now, they had to
"Please guys, you don't have to do this.""Why shouldn't we?""I didn't steal the book," I replied. "I swear, I didn't."One of the warriors knocked and when I heard, "Come in," I knew I was in trouble. If only they'd just let me be. Those warriors never passed up an opportunity to torment me and this was no different.They dragged me in as soon as they opened the door. I thought about kicking my legs as hard as I could to break free of their hold but I decided it wasn't worth it. I was already right in the same room as Sharon, the alpha's daughter and I needed a good explanation that would convince her that I didn't steal her book."What seems to be the problem?" Sharon asked, turning towards me. "What has she done?"Sharon was a very beautiful lady. There was this charm around her that couldn't be denied. As she turned to look at me, I couldn't help but have my mouth wide open in awe of her beauty.Her long, golden hair and deep brown eyes just stood out for me. I always thought the
Lita's POV"Owwwww!" I yawned as the warming brightness of the sun touched my skin. "It was morning already?" I asked myself.I groaned as soon as the sun caused its light to hit my face, slightly o ending my eyes in the process, and forcing me to turn the other way.I looked across the bed and found no one, no one at all. Darrius was never that way. He had never left me on the bed all alone in the morning. It was so unlike him.It was already bad enough that he let the sun wake me up instead of him. He'd usually kiss me on my forehead, causing me to wake up to his reassuring smile. Then we'd cuddle. Yes, we'd cuddle for a minute, two minutes or even more. I never wanted to let him go on those occasions but I knew I had to. I loved the way that I felt whenever I was engulfed by his powerful arms. I felt like he was all I could live for. That feeling of security was pure bliss.Yet, here I was, with nothing else to cuddle but these little pillows, consumed by the thoughts of he, who ha
Chapter SevenRiley's POVI felt something moist on my skin in a very small amount, and then in larger amounts and I wondered what it was. Then, I felt it again, this time, all over my body as I jumped to my feet in record time."Wake up, you sloth!""I'm sorry, ma'am."I fell asleep on the floor as I worked for the alpha's daughter. Close to me was the rag Iwas cleaning the windows and the furniture with. I couldn't remember sleeping though. The last thing I could think of was the fact that I felt really weak but was determined to finish up the task given to me. It was true, what they always said, that you can't cheat nature.I was so cold. I couldn't tell if it was the water that was poured on me, the clothes that I wore, which had become very soggy or the fever that was building up within me. All I knew was that I was very cold.I clenched my teeth as I stared at Sharon, hoping she could take pity on me and let me rest for just a while. I had hoped that deep down that outward beau
Darrius' POVI opened my eyes to see that the darkness remained. Yet, it wasn't as it was before I went to bed, so I guessed it was quite early in the morning. I yawned, still feeling a bit weak from the intense sex that I had with Lita.I stared at her as she lay right next to me and caressed her hair gently. I didn't want her to wake up. She looked so beautiful even as she slept and I wondered what kind of man would leave a woman as beautiful and charming as Lita for anyone else. Yet, Iknew she wasn't my mate and I wasn't willing to be with anyone who wasn't mine. My father married his mate, his father too and his grandfather also. I wasn't going to be the exception, as tempting as it was. Lita was truly tempting.She was all that any man could wish for. She knew just how to do things and exactly when to do them. I would have said that I fell in love with her but if I did, I wouldn't be thinking about being rid of her. Yet, I did feel something for her, something very strong and if
Darius’s PovI stood up and left my secret chamber immediately. I got to do something real quick. The affection I had for Lita has just been destroyed by her.“Tell Danny to meet me in my chambers.” I said to one of the wolves guarding the palace: He bowed and left immediately, while I headed for my chamber.I opened the door and went in.The scent of Lita still lingered. I am an alpha, and I can pick up the tiniest scent from anything or anyone.I looked at the bed and was reminded of the hot moment I had last night. I still admired her, but not anymore. That scent and the bed disgust me now.She involved my mom in this. I wouldn’t forgive her for that. I always made sure not to get my mother involved in anything I did so I wouldn’t cause her any trouble at all. She is the only family I have left, and I wouldn’t put her in trouble for any reason.Danny walked in and closed the door behind him. “Darius, what did you do to Lita?”“Nothing. I just cut ties between the both of us. "I am
Riley’s Pov I rushed out of the house, heading for the Alpha’s house, dressed in one of my rags, but at least better than others, even though the yellow gown was much better. It got torn yesterday while working. I was able to finish up my work at nightfall and rush back home, but here I am, rushing back to the Alpha’s house because Sharon called and said my service was needed at the Alpha’s house. How miserable can my life ever be? I am feeling very sick, but no one would even give me a stare or ask why I was so sick. I am worthless to them and mean nothing. “Riley…” Mother called behind me. I halted and turned back with my head bowed. “Yes mother?” I felt dizzy at that moment and so had to close my eyes, trying to get stabilized. I heard footsteps walking towards me and then stopping right before me. What does Mother want again? I opened my eyes and wanted to raise my head, but a hand connected to my face and forced me to shut my eyes again. I should receive the award for bein
“What am I going to do?” she silently mumbled to herself as she frantically tried to come up with a plan to avoid facing her own wrath. All of a sudden, she felt a firm grasp upon her arm, pulling her back behind the safety of a pillar near a nearby window, away from prying eyes. She felt relieved and surprised – until she realized who exactly had grabbed her and whom she recognized.. Her heart sank slightly. Of course. Why wouldn’t it? It was Rachel. She had heard rumors that there was a consummated marriage between Darius and Rachel after her mating ritual to Darius. Apparently she’d had no intention of marrying either of them, much less Darius, but Rachel had always loved Darius anyway. Now, it seemed like they were having problems reconciling their differences over Darius. That didn’t matter anymore though, she supposed. Rachel hadn’t shown herself to be happy or supportive during Darius’ mating ritual, which was why she’d refused to speak to him when she’d returned
For the longest time, she hadn’t even thought about whether or not her feelings were reciprocated. To hear such heartfelt reassurances was definitely overwhelming…but what was she supposed to tell him? That she wasn’t interested in anyone right now, even though he was the one person she most desired to spend time with? How could she possibly confess something like that without sounding like she was lying to him? And yet…how could she convince him otherwise? Couldn’t he tell she was just playing along? Hadn’t she been doing the exact same thing? Before she could respond, a knock came to her door, effectively cutting short their discussion. Both of them turned to find a servant standing outside her chamber door. “Excuse me Your Highness, but your chambers are ready,” the servant informed her politely. “Please follow me.” Darius glanced in her direction briefly before nodding his consent. Once the servant had withdrawn, he released Riley’s hand and made his way inside his room w
Darius’s expression hardened once again, and he motioned towards the door. “Go to your chambers,” he instructed, his voice distant. “We’ll talk more later. But for now, I suggest you start by apologizing to the guard at the door for your behavior.” Feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension, Riley nodded and stood up, her legs feeling weak beneath her. She made her way towards the door, aware of the lingering gazes from the pack members around her. Whispers filled the air as she passed by, and she couldn’t help but feel the weight of their judgment. As Riley approached the guard at the door, she noticed the hesitance in his eyes. He seemed wary, as if unsure of how to react to her presence. She mustered up a small smile and spoke softly, trying to convey her sincerity. “I’m sorry for my actions,” she said, her voice filled with remorse. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” The guard’s gaze softened slightly, but there was still a hint of caution. “Just don’t let it happen
Finding Clyde.Jason:Clarissa’s resilience was the strongest I had ever come across, to apologize for an offense she had it committed, to hold back her anger and pain as though she too did not need to be taken care of. She was in so much by the conversation concerning Clyde’s pack, It worse obvious that we were digging up old wounds that had clearly not healed. Maybe that was why she was distant from me, and ask why she channeled her pain into trying to build a family for the lost ones like her. She inspired me so much, and I felt her pains so much that I wanted to pull her into my arms and ease all the pain away with my warm embrace, but I knew I could not do that, so I just watched.Apart from the stories they told, I was also very concerned about the whereabouts of Clyde. There’s no how he would have survived the dungeon for that long alone, without food, water. We had brought back all the war prisoners with us and we were slowly planning to begin a plan for a bigger and better p
Darius blushed furiously, averting his gaze. “Uh, yeah. Well, um,” he stumbled and cleared his throat nervously. “You see, I just…uh,” he struggled to find words as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “What I mean to say is…um…” he muttered, glancing back up at her. His pale cheeks flushed even deeper red as his eyes met hers. “Well, um, I’m just…hmm…I guess I like talking to you.” His face grew impossibly more crimson as he spoke, his blush becoming nearly unbearable as he attempted to justify himself. Riley giggled, enjoying the way he floundered. “Well, Dai, how come you never spend time with me?” I asked. “ I’m busy” he abruptly replied her. “Besides, why do you care anyway?” Riley’s eyes narrowed as she gazed sternly at him. “I know what kind of life you lead,” she told him bluntly. “We’re not really friends, are we? You never ask for my advice or my help. In fact, your attitude towards me has always been completely hostile.” A frown m
She was no stranger to the hurt she felt after each rejection. Her heart ached as she realized that Darius didn’t feel the same. She smiled as she gazed at Darius’s beautiful blue eyes, a smile so tender that Darius felt his heart tighten. ‘No, it isn’t you.’ She thought with a bitter laugh. ‘How could he possibly return my love if he cannot bear the burden of keeping secrets?’ She glanced away. ‘Perhaps I should just leave him and live out the rest of my life alone.’ Her voice cracked slightly, as though her resolve was crumbling. As tears brimmed in her eyes, she fought the urge to cry out, ‘I’ve lost everything! Why should he care? What does he see in me? A sudden, sharp pain erupted in her chest, as if a dagger had pierced it. She gasped sharply as she doubled over in agony, clutching her injured heart. It felt as though someone had stabbed her repeatedly, rendering her unable to breathe or move. Pain shot through her entire torso, threatening to ri
“Darius, I have received some distressing news,” the elder began, his voice laced with concern. “Your father’s sudden withdrawal has put our community in a precarious position. We have made commitments to Rachel’s family, and we cannot afford to break them.” Darius’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean, commitments? I thought my marriage to Rachel was already arranged.” The elder sighed, his gaze fixed on Darius. “Yes, it was. But your father’s decision has created a complicated situation. We need to salvage the agreements and ensure the stability of our community. There is an alternative plan we have devised.” Darius leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “What is this alternative plan?” The elder’s voice dropped to a hushed tone. “We can arrange a consummated marriage for you with Rachel, in secret. This way, we fulfill our obligations to her family while maintaining the appearance of your marriage with Riley, as was originally planned.”
She needed someone who would guide her. Someone who would help her. Her head snapped upright suddenly as a loud, deafening sound filled the air. The noise pierced her ears, making her wince. The sound continued to grow louder and louder, shaking her whole being, until it became impossible for her to hear anything else except for the terrible shrieking noise that was echoing around her and reverberating inside of her skull. Suddenly it stopped, leaving a painful emptiness in its wake, as she lay on her side, panting heavily. She opened her eyes wide and stared blankly into space, her hands covering her ears. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she struggled to breathe. She looked up, searching blindly for the source of the sounds; the sudden silence made her panic and she screamed for help. She waited for several minutes, trying to make sense of the events surrounding her, trying to grasp what was happening. Suddenly she realised that a door had creaked open somewh
She pressed a soft kiss against his lips. “Me too.” She whispered. He turned his body so they were lying on their sides facing each other, mirroring each other’s position. He gazed down at her with pure adoration in his deep brown eyes. “I love you,” he whispered. She raised herself up on her elbow, reaching out and stroking his stubbly chin with her finger. “I love you, too.” Their gaze locked into each other, feeling the same overwhelming emotion. They both leaned forward until their lips were only millimetres apart. Rachel’ eyes widened as he began to lean towards her, pressing their bodies together. Their lips met in slow motion as their tongues mingled together in an intense, sensual embrace. As their lips parted they remained connected as they savoured the moment, breathing heavily. He moved his arms underneath her bottom and picked her up, carrying her over to the bed and laying her down gently. She s