VeraIt's been over a month now and I have been kept locked up in my cell. It was not like I had anyone to check up on me or expect anyone, but there was no sign of Alpha Joash, Beta Derrick and Pete. The familiar stranger also didn't show up either. Only those who came to serve me food and herbs came.No doubt, I had overstepped my lane.For some reason, it felt good that I was locked away. It kept those who wanted to take advantage of me away. Since I was locked away, I was of no use to them.Two days ago, the guard who replaced the dead guard manning my cell, came straight to me. Without hesitation, he said, "You should be prepared for the project ahead… Alpha Joash will release you in a few days. Be ready."Wow! He was one of them. I was too dumb to have missed that. Wasn't he replaced by the familiar stranger? Of course, he must be one of his men. And one more thing, how did they get access to such information? They must have an insider…It was late in the evening, I was sitting
VeraAs I was thrown back into my cell, memories from the past flooded my mind. I remembered the night that I was almost executed on the same gallows. I remembered my parent's execution too and my heart sank.It was a horrible night for me. The gory sight, the blood, and all haunted me and plunged me into a series of nightmares until dawn. At dawn, two guards walked into my cell and called. "Hey! Wake up!"My eyes flipped open immediately as I wasn't deeply asleep. I rose to my feet and followed them out of the cell house.I was led to my room which was beside Alpha Joash's chambers. I put a few things in place and by 6 am I was ready. I requested to serve him again but I didn't know what to do and where to go. With what I experienced the previous night, I realised that I wasn't ready for this… I wasn't sure anymore… I was scared and the cell suddenly felt safer than being out here.Slowly, I walked towards Alpha Joash's chambers. After spending a few minutes outside, unsure of what
VeraI reverted and retraced my steps back into the office. I crumbled to a corner, wallowing in my misery. Why did he take me back when he wouldn't even assign any work to me?Shutting my eyes, I reflected on the discussion between Alpha Joash and his Beta. I didn't know why, but my heart bled for Blake. He just lost his father to the cold hands of death and he is left with a heavy responsibility. He didn't deserve my pity but here I was, hurting. I remembered the day he shoved me out of his presence, calling my father a traitor. Who could believe that his father, Alpha Simpson could be assassinated?But by who? Before I left the Pack, everything seemed perfect except Alpha Simpson's irrationality.With the way things turned out, I was tempted to think that Alpha Joash was on a good course. He had approached Alpha Simpson and wanted to dissolve the pack for its instability. I didn't see his good intentions then but I can see it now. I doubt that Blake would understand him. The Shifte
VeraDespite the cold, I wandered around, lost in my reverie. When I became aware of my surroundings, I was just a stone's throw from the Pack's clinic. I had wandered far from my place. I turned around, hoping that Alpha Joash would have been through with his indulgence, but Viola spoke up."Stop!" She alerted me."What is it this time?" I grumbled."Why don't you go see the Psych doctor? I think we should take up his offer." "Which offer? My chest is healed up and I am okay now.""No, I don't mean your health… He promised to help us train… in the face of all this, we need to be empowered. We need to become fortified. You can't continue to be a spinless girl amidst all of this. You can't avenge your parents' death in this state, either.""You intend that I should train as a warrior just like the doctor prophesied?""Yes. You have it in you… Don't you?" Nice try, Viola. But! Don't go there. Now isn't the right time. What will Alpha Joash say if he finds out that I am training in sec
JoashI understood Pete's concern and her hatred towards Vera. She had every reason to be hostile towards her. I usually don't have mercy on traitors but I feel different about Vera… something about her kept making me look the other way. She ought to be part of the prisoners that were executed, but I removed her name from the list and made her watch what her end would be like. Yeah, I wanted to sniff the life out of her, I hate traitors, hypocrites and liars with no reservation. I wanted to treat her like every other traitor, but there was something about her that made me look the other way. Her boldness, fire and resilience spirit shouldn't be wasted. A part of me wanted her to be innocent.But my desire was just a wish. She wasn't innocent! Her father had deep dealings with Alpha Woods, Laura's father, the man whom I had found to be one of the land's opportunists. Although Alpha Woods and I maintained a seemingly peaceful co-existence, If he had the chance, he wouldn't hesitate to
Joash "Get my tea!" I yelled at Vera as soon as I walked into the office. I was seeing red and her presence was the last thing I needed. I wanted her out of my sight. If I continued to see her, I could strangle her to death.It turned out that Pete was right about her. She was beyond salvation! I forgave her first assassination attempt and while I was wishing that she turned out to be innocent as she had claimed, she was busy plotting my death again. This time, I won't spare her.While I was on my way down, Beta Derrick joined me, bearing heartbreaking news. He had noticed Vera going into the office all by herself and had spied on her. He informed me that he saw her clearing my desk but at a closer look, she was smearing the edges of my logbook with a white substance. Of course, I know what that means.As she launched out to get the tea, I summoned one of my men. I ripped out a page of the logbook and had them test the substance. Once confirmed, I would be forced to take drastic acti
VeraSilence raged in my ears and I lowered my head until I kissed the ground. The suspense was killing me. It's been a few minutes since Alpha Joash had entered my room. He neither made a move nor a sound. He just stood there rigidly like he wasn't there.He should do something! Hit me, snap my neck, break my back … anything… anything would be better than an unending silence.Like he heard my turmoil, I saw his feet move and slowly he took firm steps towards me. As he drew nearer, my heart beat faster, I could hear my heartbeat.He bent down and pulled me up gently. Now, that is not how it is supposed to be… I expected him to drag me up, shove me into the wall and punch me till I became breathless. And whilst that was painting in my head, I felt his fingers under my chin and I flinched.He disregarded my panic and slowly, he raised my head up until I was looking into his eyes. His face was cold and bland. It was expressionless and unreadable. He held me at arm's length and stared un
VeraHe is gone, I said to myself repeatedly, until my breathing became even. As the adrenaline rush in my blood began to dwindle, my apprehension subsided and I was able to think straight.Alpha Joash's scary stare remained in my head. It was a warning and I wasn't a fool, I knew what he was capable of doing or let's say I hadn't seen it all.Now, who took back the poison? From the turn of events, I was sure it wasn't Alpha Joash. If he was the one, he wouldn't have let it slide. He would have had my head. With Alpha Joash out of the picture, it left me with just one option, the men who sent me and I didn't even know them.My gaze trailed up the innocent coat hanging in my room. Now, that's the only link to whoever is using me this time, Dr Fred. I'm not backing down. I will walk straight to him and ask him questions. If I were to be used by anyone, isn't it decent that I know who they are?A knock came at my door startling me. I wasn't expecting that, so I jumped to my feet and ope