VeraThe walk was as long as I had expected. It was just like the way it was when I was brought down there.I was wary of Blake. I was not just following him blindly, I was alert. But after following him for a while, I simmered down."He won't try any trick now. He knows that you will overpower him easily." "Viola!" I yelled. It's been a long time since my wolf spoke up. She whimpered wearily inside of me and went quiet again. The recent turn of events must have been overwhelming for her.Suddenly, Blake came to a halt. I also halted and clenched my fists as I waited for him. He turned around slowly and looked at me, his eyes were filled with hatred and disdain."We should go our separate ways from here. Follow the next turn on your left, it will lead you to a familiar path… We will meet again," he said with a chilling voice.I was about to speak up when two men jumped out of nowhere. I froze and thought they were aiming for me but I wasn't their target. They fell in front of Blake
JoashSilas tried to mind-link me several times but I shut him out of my mind. I didn't want to speak with him. He put my mate in the lion's mouth and wanted me to speak with him, no way!My men and I were done and it was time to leave. The one who was costumed to look like me sat confidently on the horse like he was winning an award. He was wearing my robe and his face was well covered. His frame on the horse looked just like mine. The resemblance forced a bitter smile on my lips."What is your name?" I asked him as I walked towards the horse. "Yobe Yasmine," the man responded tightly."Yobe…" I called but became speechless. I could feel my heart in my mouth… my heart was pounding fast. I had conquered lands and packs but I wasn't immune to this. It was the first for me. No one has ever willfully died in my place."I can't protect you… but from this day on, your people have become my people," I said in a whisper. He heard and nodded. He drew his right fists to his chest. I did the s
Vera's POVIt was Saturday morning and I was ready for my morning jog. I walked briskly into the sitting room to greet my parents as usual."Mother. Good morning." Mother turned around at the sound of my voice. With a big smile plastered on her face, she walked closer to me and hugged me. Just then my father walked out of his room, he must have heard my voice too. “Father…” I greeted but the main door burst open and my words died in my throat.Startled, I turned in the direction of the door only to be greeted with the sight of an angry Alpha Simpson. Behind him were half a dozen guards who were holding their swords with menacing looks.“Your Highness…" My parents and I saluted with a curt bow.“Keep your greetings, you traitors!” Alpha Simpson yelled and I veered backwards in surprise. Turning in the direction of my parents, I discovered they were also staring at him with confused looks on their faces. My father, the Beta of the Shifters Pack, took a step forward and said with a calm
Vera's POVThe nearer I walked towards Blake's room, the more painful my pain was, but I wasn't deterred. As I pushed myself along, I wondered what was happening to me.The urgency of my assignment propelled me and I ignored my pain. In no time, I was standing in front of Blake's room.Without knocking, I pushed the door open and my eyes fluttered crazily as I entered the dimly lit room. I heard hushed voices. One was Blake's and the other was feminine. My heart beat fast as I brought my vision to focus."Blake…" I was just about to call when I heard Blake's cozy voice."Laura…I have missed you… hmm!" Blake's voice was followed by a light crackle and soft smacking of lips. Laura? My eyes widened and I covered my mouth in shock. That bitch!"You're sweet baby… hmm," Laura groaned, breathing sweetly. "Honey, I need you to fill me now, " Laura begged, opening her legs wider.I could see them clearly now. Their naked bodies rammed into each other rhythmically and I staggered backwards.L
Vera's POVIt's been a week since my parents' unexpected demise. The images of their shredded bodies haunted me day and night and I couldn't bring myself to eat nor sleep. I languished in a corner of my cottage, crying day and night.Revenge burned inside of me like burning embers of coals, but my misery was eating me up. Realising I had to get back on my feet, I pushed myself up. I took a bold step out of my cover and the sun rays bathed my damp body.My strength was gone and I took baby steps until I could manage to start erect. My stomach burned with hunger and I clutched it tightly. I wished I could defy nature and burst out on an empty stomach to fix my mess, but it was all a dream, I needed to eat.I dragged myself into the pack house. Remembering that I must not be caught, I avoided the palace."I can do any kind of work, please hire me," I muttered, knocking at every door but I got nothing. Everyone shut their doors as soon as they saw me. Tears fell from my eyes as I realised
Vera's POV What!? I was spared! We can live! I yelled at Viola, my wolf, but she whimpered sorrowfully. My happiness vanished immediately as realisation dawned on me. I was dragged out of my house and now I belong to no pack. I knew no other pack apart from the Shifters Pack where I grew up. Does that mean I just become a wolf without a pack? I just became a rogue wolf! My heart pounded in my chest. I didn't know the ways of the rogues. All I knew was that they lurk around in the woods and they are saboteurs. Tears cascaded down my face as I made my way sluggishly out of the Pack mansion. I took a last look behind me and all that I had lost dazzled through my mind. "One day I will return and I will surely recover all that I had lost. I will avenge my parents and crush all those who crushed us," I muttered. "The chest!" I almost forgot. "I have to take it with me!" I turned around and rushed back to my cottage. I burst in and grabbed the chest. I smashed it angrily on the ground,
Vera's POVSlowly, I rose on my feet and began to sway away. My route was in the paths within the woods, now that I knew that they were after my life, I couldn't be more cautious.The chest! I dropped it when I wanted to attack the wolf earlier. I can't leave it behind, I must get it! I looked behind me with determination. Turning around, I began to drag myself back. With each step, I felt weaker and my vision became more blurry, my bleeding wouldn't stop either. It wasn't an easy choice but I had to do it. Luckily, I found the chest. It was lying just a few inches from the body of the wolf that I had killed earlier. I flipped it up and my heart skipped a beat. It was cracked open and empty! This can't be!" I lamented looking around for the unknown contents. I was sure that it wasn't empty when I found it in my father's bedroom.No! I yelled out loud and stormed about as I began a search for it. Not too far from the chest, I saw a stack of neatly folded papers. I found you! My heart
Awestruck, I staggered along as the guards dragged me on. My head rumbled in confusion and shock. How could this be? My chosen mate was a jerk and my second chance mate turned out to be my captor. He was no other person than the well-feared Alpha Joash! There was no escape from this. Loathing in the fury fire of hell would have been better! I was caught as a traitor and pieces of evidence were found on me. If all that I had heard about Alpha Joash was true, I did not stand a chance to come out of this alive, he would definitely kill me!"Viola…" I began to talk to my wolf but I was cut short as my back crashed against a rugged floor. The guards had hauled me into a tiny cell and thrown me on the floor. I groaned as pain sizzled down my spine. Shutting my eyes, my mind reverted to my father. I remembered all that he had taught me. He was my hero and his uprightness transcended my imagination. But things didn't add up… I raked my fingers through my hair as I remembered the letters aga
JoashSilas tried to mind-link me several times but I shut him out of my mind. I didn't want to speak with him. He put my mate in the lion's mouth and wanted me to speak with him, no way!My men and I were done and it was time to leave. The one who was costumed to look like me sat confidently on the horse like he was winning an award. He was wearing my robe and his face was well covered. His frame on the horse looked just like mine. The resemblance forced a bitter smile on my lips."What is your name?" I asked him as I walked towards the horse. "Yobe Yasmine," the man responded tightly."Yobe…" I called but became speechless. I could feel my heart in my mouth… my heart was pounding fast. I had conquered lands and packs but I wasn't immune to this. It was the first for me. No one has ever willfully died in my place."I can't protect you… but from this day on, your people have become my people," I said in a whisper. He heard and nodded. He drew his right fists to his chest. I did the s
VeraThe walk was as long as I had expected. It was just like the way it was when I was brought down there.I was wary of Blake. I was not just following him blindly, I was alert. But after following him for a while, I simmered down."He won't try any trick now. He knows that you will overpower him easily." "Viola!" I yelled. It's been a long time since my wolf spoke up. She whimpered wearily inside of me and went quiet again. The recent turn of events must have been overwhelming for her.Suddenly, Blake came to a halt. I also halted and clenched my fists as I waited for him. He turned around slowly and looked at me, his eyes were filled with hatred and disdain."We should go our separate ways from here. Follow the next turn on your left, it will lead you to a familiar path… We will meet again," he said with a chilling voice.I was about to speak up when two men jumped out of nowhere. I froze and thought they were aiming for me but I wasn't their target. They fell in front of Blake
Vera I was very close, so close to the shrubs- a precise long jump would take me out of the grass less terrain. But I was already out of breath. My heart was beating fast and my strength was no more.I couldn't dare to look back anymore, the sound was so close. I knew if I continued to linger in the open, I would be caught.With the last ounce of strength in me, I lifted myself up and pushed myself forward. It was my last try but I didn't make it. Instead of stumbling into the grass, I landed just by the side.Without looking back, I felt the arrival of the horde. They were still at a distance but I was sure that they would be able to see me since that had emerged. The hair on the back of my head stood up and I choked up. Fear gripped my heart and I couldn't look behind me. I swayed to the right and to the left as I tried to maintain my balance and surge forward. I just needed a few steps to get out of the way but my legs suddenly felt heavy. They were so heavy and I couldn't lift t
Vera Blake rose to his feet and swayed here and there. I couldn't tell if he saw me or not but as he rose up, he began to limp in my direction. This was my chance, he was broken and I could kill him now. If I killed him, I would be helping my mate who had vowed to kill him and at the same time, I would be disrupting whatever Prince Silas had in mind for keeping him alive. But he was once my mate… Even if I had rejected him and our connection had been severed, I still couldn't kill him. No, I can't do it.Seeing my timidity, I jumped ahead and went my way. One thing was sure, I must not be caught by him.The sound of the on coming armies was getting closer. I lifted my head and took a long look into the wild. My heart skipped a beat as my wolf eyes caught some sparks of dust from a distance. I felt light headed as I looked in front of me. The armies were closing up on me, and not only that, I seemed to be running in their direction. Quickly, I changed direction, my destination was th
VeraBlood trickled down my wrist as the guard dragged me on. This can't be happening. Am I really escaping from here? I must be dreaming.The guard stopped in front of the door, pushed the door open and threw me out like I was an unwanted piece of garbage.I didn't resist him as my strength was non-existent compared to his. He flung me out and I landed on the ground with a great fall. With my eyes shut, I remained sprawled on the floor and groaned in pain. It felt like all the bones in my body were broken. Heavy breath escaped my lips and I shuddered and continued to breathe until my breath became stable. Slowly, I shook the dirt from my body and began to rise up. Cold and thick darkness had descended into the night and I was in the middle of nowhere.I staggered off the ground with my eyes seeing stars. When my vision cleared out, I turned around in circles as I looked here and there. I didn't know where I was and nothing looked familiar. The only familiarity was the disguised ent
JoashThere on my seat, I watched Derrick and others return. I could tell that the hunting went well as their hands were not empty. Each one of them had games in their hands and hanging over their shoulders.At the same time, those who went to get water returned. They had some crooked jars with them and I could tell that they were filled with water."Yay!!!" The men making fire shouted as they sighted them. They all teamed up and got ready to debowel the meat.As I watched them jubilate, my heart sank. In my head, I could hear the hooves of my father's army lurching towards us. I should send them away, I can't beat my father with the number of men with me. If I was the only one, I could play hide and seek with my father just like I did in my early days. I should send them away. Vera… she came to my mind and I gritted. The fact that she was in the palace made me giddy. That bastard! Silas! What the heck is he up to? If Vers falls into the hands of my father, Silas will pay with his li
Vera "Where the heck is this place? Am I a prisoner here?" I charged at the guard who now stood rigidly against Blake's door. The guard remained unfazed and ignored me. Seeing that my ranting wouldn't yield any result, I let him be and retired to my bed. I should conserve my strength. "Think, Vera," I muttered to myself. I needed to escape from this hell hole, but how? I didn't even know where we were and how to navigate. I remembered the dangerous steep wall and the tunnel. How do I get to safety? I tried to mind-link my mate but all I felt was blankness. I must be far away from him. Blake then came to my mind again. Hatred surged up within me immediately. But I had to convince myself, I needed him now. If we escaped together, he might know how to navigate… But as sweet as the idea was it was still dangerous! Escaping with Blake with his level of injury was almost impossible. Moreover, who knows where he would lead me after getting him out of here? "Argh! Where are those b
Joash Swords clanked, arrows danced and gunshots rocked the air as the combat peaked. The few soldiers who escaped the explosion battled hard with my men, but they couldn't beat us. Either way, they were going to die. They either die at my hands or die at my father's hands for losing me. Their fate was decided since they were assigned to this battle. Derrick and I pounced out of our hiding places alongside our subordinates. We charged along the open space making us visible to the enemies. Seeing me, they went mad! Yes, I was their target and it was their chance. Their strength doubled and they attacked without mercy. While they battled with my men to get through to me, I dodged every shot, dart, dagger, and arrow that came my way. Simultaneously, I fired my muskets, taking some of them down while Derrick and the two men who were with us covered me on every side. Speed was an essential tool, our enemies were well-trained but we outshone them with our incredible speed. In a brief
Silas My heart bled as I peeked at the ex-lovers. Having them together was more intense and heated than I had thought. I felt sorry for them, they were caught in a web of conspiracies and were victims of circumstances. What if the adults did their job? What if they weren't greedy? Those two might have been together and their love would have blossomed. When Vera accepted Blake's rejection, I saw him quake and my heart bled. The tiny bit of humanity that bound them together was shed off. In that instance, the anger in Vera's eyes turned murderous. Blake became nothing but one of the bastards that she wanted to kill to avenge her parents' death. But with a brave restraint, she stopped herself and walked out on him. "Vera!!!" He yelled her name but she was done. Love has always been complicated. As for me, I had seared my emotions and love was out of the picture. No love, no fated mate, just the throne! Heaving a sigh, I lifted the lid to the dungeon to return to my bedroom.