“Any chance you could ask for some comfy pillows”. Tyra smiled as she wrapped the blanket around her, trying to get comfy on the floor once we’d finished our breakfast.
“Or some meat with our dinner would be good. Even some new shoes”. Toby joined in as he wriggled his foot, eyeing the damp and brown stains.
“Mmm, yes, I could really go for some deer or fox”. Tyra moaned dreamily.
“That’s enough you two”. Molly reproached them, shaking her head in annoyance, as I sat quietly trying to let their demands go over my head.
“What? it won’t hurt to ask him, right?” Tyra shrugged as she sat up to lean her back against the wall. “Ask and you shall receive… it seems to be working so far”.
“And that’s probably what he wants. For her to ask him for all these things, hoping he can buy her off”. Molly rebuffed with irritation, completely against the idea of me playing into his hands.
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I resumed my chore, picking up the clothes and chucking them down the laundry chute after I had made the bed. Marco was still supervising, but he leaned against the wall, staring at the floor and hadn’t spoken a word or looked up since our heated battle of insults and attempt to belittle one another. I sighed heavily thinking of how different things might have turned out if we could rewind time and fix the past.“I am sorry about your sister”. I broke the silence with an apologetic tone, and he whipped his head up to look at me with an unexpecting expression. “She was young and innocent, she didn’t deserve what happened to her, I know that, and I don’t condone what my father did”. I expressed, hoping to draw a temporary line through our constant infuriating squabbles.“Then why do you keep defending him?” “Because I love him. He’s my father, he doted on me and my mo
“All of you, to your feet!” One of the guards demanded and I rolled my eyes as I stood up, knowing that one of us would be stuck with the curly headed man. All five guards walked in, with the stern curly headed guy scuffing his feet toward me and cuffing my wrists, whilst the other guards cuffed my cell mates. ‘Eugh’ I groaned in my head, realising I would be the one stuck with him today. He hadn’t guarded me yet, but I heard stories of him being the most brutish of them all, and after the low I had already hit yesterday, agreeing to give myself over to Marco, all I could think was, ‘how typical!’ How typical, that today of all days, I couldn’t have had one of the guards that left you to do the work in peace!He pushed me out of the cell and kept knocking me forward during our walk to the palace, demanding I move quicker, but even when I listened and tried to hurry, it didn’t stop him from pushin
I woke up for the first time in weeks not in total discomfort. The hospital bed, although hard and thin was a huge step up from the prison floor. The blanket was fresh, white and clean and I snuggled under it attempting to get more sleep. Bandages were still wrapped around my stomach, and although I could feel the wound had already healed, I didn’t dare to tell their doctor, I was planning on making the most of my short stay here while I could. Even though they had put me in one of the smaller, older rooms that hadn’t been repainted or maintained in years, it was the peace and quiet that I appreciated the most. Once the doctor had patched me up last night and gave me a medicinal drink, he’d left me alone since, mostly because I wasn’t one of their own, but I didn’t care, if anything I was glad. No one probing me with questions or guilt, no one goading me into an argument or watching me like a hawk! The silence was utter bliss and I dreaded being back ou
Twelve days… Twelve very long, slow and never-ending days I have been sitting in this cell, no chores, no summons or demands, just sitting here, spending most of the time alone whilst everyone else got cuffed and taken out to do their daily duties. But from what I had been told, the wall was still far from finished, the patrolling had doubled and apparently the guards had stopped harassing and mistreating the prisoners out of fear I’d lash out and kill them, like I did to the one that is now lying six feet in the ground. Six days ago, Molly had told me that she worked alongside another member of the Sun pack whilst they cleaned the palace dining and sitting rooms. She said that many of the Sun pack members heard of what I did, and it was also the first time they were aware I was even here being held captive like them. According to her, the sun pack members were overjoyed and now had hope that I’d get revenge on the moon wolves and rid them from our lands. Even though I was touched that
I stood looking in the long mirror that allowed me to view my full length white dress. It was silk, and cuffed off the shoulders, with lace trimming down the bodice and along the hem that flowed onto the floor. It was pretty and tasteful, so elegant and fit for a Luna, but I felt neither of those. Nothing but trapped and lost inside of its thick material, just a former shadow of what and who I used to be. My eyes had lost their excitable spark and my face was void of it’s sunny smile. ‘what would you say to me now mother?’ I whispered in the silence of the tea room. One of my mother’s favourite places in the whole palace. Everything in here was all cream and white, with the ceiling made of glass so the whole room lit up under the glow of the sun. With her little white table still sitting in the middle of the room where she sat for hours with her friends, and on many occasions, me and her would sit there, talking and gossiping over hot drinks, cakes and biscuits. ‘Would you understand,
At midnight, Marco finally ended the celebrations and as we stood next to each other at the palace doors, so that he could shake everyone’s hands, one by one as they left, whilst I solemnly said goodnight, not even bothering to fake a smile. The looming dread of what Marco would expect from me on our wedding night made my legs shake underneath my dress, my mouth became parched as I anxiously gulped, the trepidation starting to make my body flush in hot and cold sweats. I kept fidgeting with the neckline around the nape of my neck, that was now itchy and sticking to my skin. The only people I bothered to muster a smile for were the few Sun pack wolves that bowed their heads with a heavy look of pity in their eyes. Molly and Ronald both squeezed my hand with a warm and supportive smile as they whispered a thank you. As soon as we finished saying our goodbye’s for the night, Marco gave instructions to the guards on patrol to do a border check then ordered several Sun pack members to cle
My eyes felt like sandpaper as I begrudgingly blinked them open to see the daylight shining into the room. I carefully turned my head to see if Marco was still on the other side of the bed, but the place next to me was empty. I tiredly moved onto my back and looked up at the ceiling, taking comfort in the quietness of the room and the relief of waking up to have it all to myself. I dozed in and out of sleep when a light tap at the door stirred me from my peaceful slumber, to see a rotund middle aged lady walking in, carrying a tray with pancakes that immediately filled the air with its mouth-watering aroma. “Alpha Marco asked me to bring you your breakfast, miss Luna”. The rosy cheeked lady informed me as she shuffled over and placed it on the bed. “He thought the flowers might cheer you up”. She added as she motioned to the little glass vase on the tray, that had a few stems of Lavender and Daffodils. “Thank you”. I replied glumly through my raspy throat. She must have noticed h
As we began to tuck into our meal, I knew I wasn’t the only one that could feel the animosity radiating from Levi against everyone at the table, and especially toward Marco and myself. Levi kept cutting irritably into his meat as he continuously side eyed me with a disapproving and stern frown. “So, Luna Brooke!” He spoke, his tone full of hostility. “I’m surprised you even agreed to bond with a man that set out to kill your alpha and take over your pack”. He scoffed with indignation. “It doesn’t exactly paint you as a good-willed Luna. I can only imagine what your people must think, or at least what’s left of them. Did you leave any alive, Marco?” He slammed, his eyes bouncing back and forth between me and Marco. “Yes brother we still have Sun wolves on our land”. “Wow, how merciful of you”. Levi quipped with sarcasm. “And what about you, Luna. Would your parents have approved of the man you’ve chosen as your mate?” He scorned. “I do have my reasons for taking the roll as Luna
Epilogue. Three years later:I felt as though I could hear the forest sing, as if it was feeling just as joyful and happy as I was. The sun shone along the green leaves as the wildflowers bloomed along the forest floor. Colours of blue, yellow and purple flower buds as far as the eye could see in the tall grass.I laughed again feeling like the luckiest person alive as I watched Roman playfully chasing our two year old son, Conan. They ran through the trees and Conan giggled and squealed every time Roman pretended to catch him. I’ve seen Roman smile or laugh a million times, but I never knew he could smile with his whole soul and being until he first held Conan.Every day we’re either with the earth wolves in their territory or with the sun wolves, and to Conan, both lands are his home. Both of our packs welcomed him with celebration and have adored him right from the start. They’re all so protective of him and I had noticed that my guards as well as Roman’s had become even more vigi
“Thank you for coming”. I smiled with a respectful bow as more shadow wolves walked into the ball room.Me and Roman stood at the entrance witnessing all four clans coming together for a celebration I had decided to arrange. The ball room and entrance hall was already filled with all the different pack members dressed in their gowns and suits as bubbling champagne and delicately decorated food was being passed around on silver trays. I didn’t let go of Roman’s hand as a giddiness kept weaving through my stomach and wanting to burst with excitement. What was even more breath-taking was that as soon as people walked inside, they began mingling with one another straight away. There was no wariness, no one looking uncomfortable or uneasy, it was just as sight to see, a sight I was unbelievably proud of.The idea to do this came to me a month after Henrick had spoken to each of the other three clans face to face and once we had returned to s
“I see he’s here again”. I sighed to Richard and Roman as we stepped out of the palace together.I’d been back for a week since mine and Roman’s getaway and every morning I came outside, I’d always see Henrick sitting under the trees just outside our border. All day every day he’d be there, just sitting and waiting. Any time I walked across my land, or in and out of the palace, at the corner of my eye, or in the back of my mind, I knew he was there. It didn’t concern or scare me, and I definitely didn’t see him as a threat, as far as I was concerned, being my father or not, if he stepped a foot against me, I’d kill him!“Yep! Still here”. Richard responded as he shook his head with exasperation. “Unfortunately, unless he’s on our land, we can’t do anything about it. The forest is free reign to anyone who lives there”. “I know, and I don’t think he’s planning on leaving any time soon”. I said in agreement.“Have you given any more thought about what you want to do?” Roman asked as he
We had spent the rest of the night and morning making love all over the cabin. Any time we attempted to make something to eat or drink, we’d always become distracted by one another again and I’d be against the wall with my legs around his waist, or on the bed or the floor. I knew that now I’d had a taste of what sex with a bonded mate felt like, I was now addicted to his smell, his touch and the ecstasy he gave me every time he was inside me.He smiled joyfully as he took my hand, and we headed outside and walked toward the river. We sat on the grass and dangled our legs in the water as I nestled into his side with his arm wrapped around me. The autumn sun peaked through the clouds glistening along the water as we looked out onto the horizon, savouring the peace and quiet we had alone together.He lowered himself into the water then turned to face me as he ran his hands up my thighs until they held my waist. With ease, as if I weighed no more than a feather, he lifted me from the gras
Nine days later: I bit my bottom lip to keep myself from bursting with the excited nerves that were rushing through my body. Emma smiled at me as she pinned a green and yellow flower she had made herself into my hair as my curls cascaded down my back.She had set up an awning with the help of other sun and earth she-wolves for me to get ready in for my ceremony. She’d even had a long mirror placed inside so I could see how I looked in my white lace dress with a heart shaped neckline and hugging my waist, all the way down to my feet. I looked at my reflection and I was instantly reminded of when I was last standing in another bridal dress with a different man waiting to become my mate. I let out a quiet exhale as I remembered how I had felt that day, how scared, alone and lost I was, feeling as though I had no control over my own fate. But now…. Here I was! It was only then that I really let myself think of how drastically things had changed and how everything led me to this moment. N
I walked out of the palace entrance and my lips widened into a joyful smile when I saw Roman running across our border, on his way to see me. I started walking toward him, excited for the day ahead. We had decided that together we’ll announce to both of our packs that we would be bonding ourselves together. But my gaze momentarily glanced just behind his shoulder and my smile vanished when I noticed my father standing by the treeline. He was watching me, and my people just a few yards away from our territory.“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to see me”. Roman spoke as he reached me and took my hand in his.“Oh, I am”. I quickly replied, looking at him for only a second before turning my attention back onto my father.“Then what do you look so worried about?” “You see that man…” I said as I nodded toward the trees.I looked over his shoulder until his eyes fell onto who I was looking at, then looked back at me with a confused expression. “I see him. But he doesn’t look like a r
“Brooke, sweetheart, Richard said you wanted to speak with me urgently. Is everything ok?” Emma rambled as she rushed into my newly refurbished study.“Everything is fine, Aunty Emma, you don’t need to look so worried”. I smiled to ease the anxious frown on her face.“Oh, what a relief”. She smiled in return as she took a seat opposite my desk. “But what was so important you needed to talk about”. “Well, I have some news to tell you… it’s good news though”. I said as I bit my lip with excitement to tell her.“Well, you look happy about something, so please tell me. I’m intrigued”. “Ok, so as you know, me and Roman have been…. Well, getting closer and we have now decided we want to officially bond ourselves as mates”. I blurted out, bracing myself for her reaction.Her jaw instantly dropped, and her eyes widened. “Wow! This is huge, Brooke”. She stated as she flung her hands to her mouth in astonishment. “My niece has actually found her mate! I never thought I’d see the day consideri
“I know you’re out there, but do you have the guts to face me like a man?” My voice echoed around me as I stood still in the forest, subtly scanning along the trees. “Come out, come out wherever you are”. I chimed and within a flash his body was pressed against my back as he gently brushed my hair away from my shoulder and moved his mouth along the side of my neck. I instantly groaned as I tilted my head back against him, giving him more access to trail those lips exactly where I wanted them.“I’ve missed you”. Roman murmured between kisses as I bit my lip with pleasure, not just from his touch but from the joy of hearing those words.“It’s only been a day”. I grinned as I ran my hand down his thigh then around to his buttocks, giving it a light squeeze.“A day, an hour… I always miss you when you’re not around”. He said as his
One week later:“The soil is looking much better”. I commented to Mr Ansell, one of our dedicated field workers.All morning me and Richard had been assisting with replenishing the crop fields, hydrating them and nourishing them after the fire had burned most of it to the ground.I stood back and just watched everyone, letting myself savour what we fought for. I could see how cheery everyone was now, no longer working themselves to the bone, or until they could barely keep their eyes open. For the first time, in a long time, they were all smiling as they worked, laughing and talking to one another. I felt my heart warm with gratitude that we were all finally here together on our own land and in our own homes, but still, every time I felt a sense of happiness or joy, Lacey’s face would always flash into my mind with a disheartened feeling that she wasn’t here to enjoy it with us.“You look as though you’re a million miles away, Luna. Everything ok?” Richard asked as he came to stand ne