CHAPTER 7: The Bond
“Hello, my lady,” Hana turned from the bed she had been lying on. She had been in this room for weeks without coming out or meeting anyone. “I am Sasha, and the Alpha has asked me to dress you up for the event tonight,” said a lady in a blue gown. She seemed to be the designer Jarrel had talked about last night. Mia was standing beside her. “What event is that? I have no desire to be at any party. Please leave,” Hana responded. “My lady, the Alpha has warned that there is no room for refusal and not to push him further,” Mia said, stepping forward. Hana fully understood what that warning meant. He would do anything if she refused to attend. “It’s the Alpha’s birthday party, and he needs his mate beside him,” Mia said, trying to convince Hana to see reason to go. Hana looked at the pleading eyes Mia was giving her. She knew she was trying to tell her to save them all trouble and just go. “Alright, Mia. Let me wash up,” Hana said and walked into the bathroom. She wondered how far her life could go from here, and truly, she couldn’t find out anything if she stayed in this room. She clutched at the wooden wolf out of habit, but this time, Jarrel’s words echoed in her head. Who was Jarrel? After her bath, Sasha and Mia helped her into an elegant silver gown that hugged her figure and made her feel like a stranger in her own skin. While Mia carefully applied the makeup onto her flawless skin, Sasha twisted her hair into a complex design that emphasized the shape of her face. Hana was staring at herself in the mirror not knowing who it really was. She was stunning, but it felt like a mask. A mask she had to wear to survive this night and the many nights to come. As they walked to the grand hall, Hana felt a mixture of anxiety and defiance. The room was already bustling with activity. The laughing and chatter of the mingling people from different packs filled the air. With its elaborate décor, food-filled tables, and crystal chandeliers, the hall exuded an overwhelming sense of opulence. When Hana saw Jarrel in the middle of everything, surrounded by three stunning women who were drawn to him like moths to a flame, her heart fell. Their hands caressed him in ways that made Hana's blood boil as they laughed at his jokes. Although she detested him, she was jealous of him even if she didn't want to admit it. Jarrel looked up and his eyes locked onto Hana’s. For a moment, the room seemed to fade away. His intense gaze sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine, the mate bond flaring to life despite her resistance. He motioned for her to come near him and the women who surrounded him were made to follow his gaze, their faces becoming grim. When Hana approached, the three women had no choice but to let her pass but looked at her with scornful eyes throughout their glances and stares. “You look stunning,” he said, his voice low and intimate. Hana forced a smile, her skin tingling where he touched her. “Thank you,” she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral. Throughout the night, Hana stayed by Jarrel’s side, enduring the whispers and stares from the crowd. She felt like a prize on display, her presence a statement of his power and control. She tried to focus on the handsome man she was mated to, despite her hatred for him. There was no denying that he was striking, his dark hair and piercing eyes commanding attention. She found herself admiring him, against her will, noting the way his suit hugged his muscular frame and how effortlessly he carried himself. But the three women didn’t stay away for long. They circled back, their eyes gleaming with malice. When Jarrel was momentarily distracted by a conversation with another alpha, they seized the opportunity. “Enjoying the party?” one of them sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. Hana looked at them, their perfect smiles hiding sharp claws. “I’m trying to,” she replied coolly. “You should know your place,” another woman said, her eyes narrowing. “You’re just a temporary distraction. The Alpha doesn’t keep his playthings for long.” ”You should go back to the prison you came from” the third woman accused, her tone harsh. “This place has no use for people like you. ” Hana recoiled from fear and at the same time she felt angry. She wanted to scream, to explain herself, but she knew that doing so would only make matters even worse. But she only inhaled sharply and adjusted her posture. “I am his mate,” she said determinedly. “Whether you like it or not.” The ladies looked at each other, their faces darkening. “We’ll see how long that lasts,” the first one said, and they both strolled off, their snickers ringing in Hana’s ears. Hana moved from anger, sadness to being overwhelmed by a strange desire to do something. She would not allow them throw dirt at her. She had to be around Jarrel, to ascertaining what had befallen her pack and how to rescue them. As the night wore on, Hana found herself watching Jarrel. Despite everything, there was something captivating about him. She hated herself for feeling anything but revulsion for him, but the mate bond was a force she couldn’t completely ignore. She saw the way he commanded respect, how individuals were drawn to him. He had an unmistakable strength, and at that moment she dared to consider the experience of being with him fully, not merely as a prisoner but rather as a partner. The idea sent chills down her spine, and she brushed it aside in haste. She couldn’t afford to have such thoughts. Her priority was her pack, and she needed to stay focused. As the party began to wind down, Jarrel finally turned his full attention to her. “You handled yourself well tonight,” he said, his eyes searching hers. Hana met his gaze, her heart pounding. “I had no choice,” she replied. Jarrel’s expression softened slightly. “No, you didn’t. But you did well.” Hana just simply nodded her head not knowing what to say next. Even though she despised him, she could not help, but to be attracted to him in some odd way. She had to know him, to learn his vices if she ever wants to help her pack again she had to know all of this. “Come, it’s time to go,” Jarrel said, offering his arm. Hana took it, the warmth of his skin against hers sending another unwanted jolt of pleasure through her. She hated how her body betrayed her, but she knew she had to endure it. For her pack, for her people, she would endure anything.CHAPTER 8Hana and Mia strolled together through the SeaHowl pack’s grounds with the warm light of afternoon enveloping the place. The air was fresh and the flowers in the garden were blooming but none of those seemed to soften the stiffness in Hana’s heart. She was moving like a free woman while her pack members were being confined, this feeling made her feel like a fraud.It was a beautiful garden with flowers and shrubs looking neat and cut in a perfect manner including the hedge. Hana looked at the girl, who looked satisfied on the bench, her eyes looked friendly and happy that she finally had someone to talk to, while Hana felt an emptiness inside. They strolled in silence, Hana’s thoughts heavy with worry and guilt.As they approached a group of pack members chatting near a fountain, Hana overheard snippets of their conversation.“Did you hear? Alpha Jarrel subdued another enemy pack recently.”“Yeah, and some breeders were brought to the prison. Poor souls.”Hana’s heart clen
CHAPTER 9: Bravery Amid ChaosHana had just stepped into the garden when the alarm bells began to ring throughout the SeaHowl pack’s territory. The shrill, desperate sounds signaled an attack. Her heart pounded in her chest as memories of her own pack’s fall flooded her mind, the horror of that night still vivid and fresh.She saw panic spreading among the pack members, their faces twisted in fear and determination. Children were being herded into safe areas, and warriors were rushing to the front lines. Hana’s eyes fell on a small boy, no older than six, standing frozen in the middle of the chaos. His wide, terrified eyes searched for his mother, who was nowhere in sight.As she watched, a rogue wolf, large and menacing, broke through the defenses and charged toward the boy. Hana’s breath caught in her throat. She was paralyzed by indecision. The image of Jarrel’s ruthless assault on her pack flashed before her eyes—men and women slaughtered, children dragged into slavery. These we
CHAPTER 10: The Alpha's DilemmaThe rumble of Jarrel's car echoed through the trees as he approached the SeaHowl pack’s compound. His absence had lasted barely a couple of days while he was busy mediating differences and restoring peace around. With every stride that brought him near, it felt as if an electric current flowed through the atmosphere, making him restless.Dismounting, he stormed through the pack house’s main door. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the frantic movements of his pack members. His Beta, Magnus, approached with a grim expression.“Alpha, there’s been an attack.”Jarrel’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them. “Who attacked us?”“Rogue wolves. They managed to breach the perimeter and get close to the main house. My Lady... she was attacked.”The blood drained from Jarrel’s face, replaced swiftly by a seething fury. “Where is she?”“In the infirmary. She’s hurt but... she saved one of the pack’s pups.”Without another word, Jarrel pushed past Magnus and
CHAPTER 11: Nightmare Hana gasped as she thrashed about on her bed, with her mind caught up in the labyrinthine corridors of her memory.Hana was back home where it was safe and sound; a small but sturdy wooden cabin located right at the heart of her pack’s territory. The smell of pine and soil filled Hana’s nostrils; the forest itself seemed to be whispering to her. Her mother would be humming softly as she cooked dinner with the rhythmical chopping of vegetables. Around that time, Hana remembers her father’s deep voice booming from inside their meeting room during a talk with other elders.The air suddenly turned cold and Hana felt an uncomfortable shiver run down her back. She went outside and looked around, scanning all along the tree line. There was an eerie silence that fell over the serene forest which now seemed to hold its breath for some reason. Her heartbeat pounded in her chest when she heard a low growl from amongst the shadows.Without any response chaos broke out. Sh
CHAPTER 12: Fear and courage The following morning, Hana felt as though her chest was heavy and she was having trouble breathing. She was confused and dejected after what had happened the day before. She was physically and emotionally stuck, unable to escape the sensation. She could feel her circumstances suffocating her more with each breath. She made the decision to get outside and stroll since she didn't know where she was going and thought the change of scenery would help her think more clearly. The territory of the pack was covered in long shadows by the early morning light. Hana was lost in contemplation, a whirlwind of rage, anxiety, and melancholy. She was so focused on her morning routine that she hardly saw the other pack members. Their voices and movements seemed distant as if she were observing them through a thick fog. Hana’s steps eventually took her to a far corner of the SeaHowl pack’s territory. She had never ventured this far before, and the unfamiliar
CHAPTER 13: Unwavering Determination Jarrel was a monster in every sense of the word, a man with no compass in his heart who loved to cause people pain just for the sake of it. She wanted to know what really happened to him to become like this but she rejected the negative train of thought. The details of how they turned him into a monster did not matter and all that mattered was that he had inflicted a lot of pain. She tried to think of the Moon Goddess and why she had let such suffering happen in the world. Had the Goddess sent Jarrel to inflict pain on people, to suffer? Will Hana ever find it? Or is there a bigger picture that is hidden in her eyes? The questions ran through her mind and the set of them raised her increasingly uneasy feelings. Hana started to think about her own position now too. She found herself living in this kind of hell where she was a mate to a man who was known to be a brute and a cruel one at that. Nothing would change the fact that she needed to sur
CHAPTER 14: Jarrel's expressionHana was at her window, sitting in her own room, looking out into the darkness of the trees beyond the pack lands. The moon was almost touching the trees and the whole area was dimly lit by the silvery moonlight. Her thoughts were stormy waters churning in her head like an ocean. She was mated to Jarrel, the man she despised most in the entire world. And yet, there were moments when the relationship with him tugged at her emotions, leaving her conflicted, hating herself for how she felt. She folded her hands into fists and felt the nails’ tips dig into her flesh. How, in heaven’s name, could she cherish any affection but have hatred for him? He was the cause of her family’s death and the cause of her pack’s decimation. She had witnessed him slaughtering people with no concern for their fate and had even felt his hand on her neck, a sign of the horror she had endured. But sometimes his skin touching her naked skin made her feel an unexpected unspeaka
CHAPTER 15: Shadows of VengeanceHana woke up hearing the terrible shuffling sounds of metals against stones that were reverberating through the dark hallway of her room. She sprang up in an upright posture, with an intuition for disaster hammering heavily in her heart. In no time at all, there was a loud bang at her door and Mia, stepped in looking so frightened or as though she had seen something alarming."My lady," Mia whispered urgently, "the Alpha commands your presence in the hall immediately."Hana's blood ran cold. She had learned to dread Jarrel's summons, each one more cruel than the last. She quickly dressed and followed Mia through the dimly lit hallways, her mind racing with terrible possibilities.The tremors in the low murmurs of the pack members inside the hall grew louder as Hana got closer. The big doors snapped open, and an almost audible gasp escaped her lips as she stared at the grand hall in front of her.The nanny who had been a motherly figure to her since ch