A silent Watchman My heart pounded as those words left my mouth. Although I was afraid of what he would do to me, the sincerity and the genuineness belaying my request made me shiver. Yes, I wanted to serve him to prove myself. But more than that, I wanted to serve him to help him and to keep his foes away.What a pathetic fool I was. Nobody, like me, wanted to be a silent wrestler that kept the almighty Alpha Joash safe. The thought was hilarious, but despite knowing how foolish I was, the urgency of the matter burned inside of me. My single experience with those who set me up to kill him was enough for me to know that he wasn't safe. And the other time… Pete said they did something to him. What the hell was that?Why am I acting like this? Am I sired to him? Is it because he saved me? Is it because of the mate bond? Common! He didn't even know that we were fated mates. I groaned inwardly as conflicting thoughts rose in my head.He was already by the door and he had stopped walking
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
VeraWhen I came around, it was daytime. The sun seeped in through the blinds, lighting up the whole place.I looked at the strange room and bed then it all came back rushing. My mate saved the day and I was back in my pack. I was in the palace clinic. And I was treated.I didn't know how many days I had spent there, but I felt refreshed and energetic like never before.“You have come around,” Fred’s voice boomed and he walked in with a white lab coat and oversized glasses hanging on his nose “Nice to meet you. I am doctor Fred. Yuu sure have a long life!”“Get the hell out of here. Get my mate and get me some food. I am desperately hungry,” “Your wish is my command, Luna Vera,” he responded.The door flicked open and my mate walked in. Behind him were two maids. One with a try and a filled tea cup. The other was with a covered dish.Seeing them reminded me of my days of little beginnings. When I served tea in uniform and I was manipulated by forces that I didn't even recognise. It
It's been two days since we laid Silas to rest. I was just returning from his side when Derrick rushed towards me.“Your Highness!” Derrick yelled and fell before. He looked disgruntled and apprehensive.“Your Highness! It is lady Vera!” He trembled. I wanted to disregard him as usual but his theatrics somehow got to me so I gave him an audience.“What is it about her? Do you know where she is? If she wants to talk, she knows the palace.“I am sorry your Highness. I didn't let her Ladyship out of my sight since she left the battlefield… She was in critical condition and had nowhere to go. Targon had been with her all along…“Traitors!” I yelled angrily.“Why are you telling me this now? I guess you need my help…”“Her Highness’ condition has worsened. Her wounds were not well treated. They festered and have become life threatening.“You bastard! Why are you just telling me this now? Where is she!? Lead the way!” I thundered and they made my horse ready.Derrick led the way and I was s
JoashI declared myself as the interim Alpha King and all packs that were under my father's rule answered to me. It's been two weeks of renovations and realignment. I released most of my father's prisoners who were unlawfully detained.I also dissolved his chain of concubines that were locked up in his quarters. I set them all free and they went their own ways. I had the remnant of my people relocated to the palace while we began to renovate the moonlight pack that was demolished.I clenched my fists when I remembered what Silas said my father would have done if I had died and Vera lived. What abomination!?Everything was falling into place except Vera. I felt her connection as she tried to link me up on Steve's occasions but I shut her out of my head. Until she decides to return on her own accord I wasn't going to entertain any discussion with her. It was a special day. The day I had set aside to lay Silas' body to rest. I wanted him to lay beside Pete but at the same time it felt
VeraMy body seemed to be shutting down and the closest place for me to hide was the Shifters pack. This time, I didn't give a damn about my connection with the pack. I stumbled in through one of its openings and threw myself on the floor. Blood trickled down different cuts on my body and I felt feverish. To cap it up, I began to hear some rustling in the bush just behind me.Whoever it was, I didn't care. I just laid sprawled on the floor, waiting for whatever was coming. I had resisted all along and I was tired.I laid there but nothing happened. I must have heard wrongly, I said to myself and put my mind at ease.I was beginning to doze off when I heard the sound of swords. Someone was coming to attack me while the other must have shown you to defend meWho could that be? Targon? Did beta Derrick send someone after me? I let it all go as I was too weak to think. Slowly, my eyes closed up and I drifted into slumber while the sound of combat continued in the background until it was
DerrickThere in my hideout, I watched all that transpired in the King's camp. How Silas was killed and how Alpha Joash took the advantage of the distraction to get his father.Silas death was a painful one, but it wasn't my place to cast blame. It was proper to say that he sacrificed himself for the course that he believed in. He wanted his father's demise. When I saw the opening, I fired a twin arrow that took the King down. I couldn't let him slip out of our fingers again. We have had enough. Vera was caught up in the whole saga and I couldn't help but feel sympathy for her. The guilt in her eyes after she realized what she had done was heart rendering. I hope she forgives herself and that her mate won't hold it against her. It was an understandable misconception.After the cruel King took his last breath, I and the two other men who were with me burst into the camp. We dealt mercilessly with the soldiers who were planning to strike back after their King's unexpected death.They
Joash A twin arrow flew past me and landed on my father's back. I recognised them immediately. They were arrows from my men. Derrick! I muttered and didn't bother to find him.I looked behind me and my gaze settled on Vera. With a cold glare in her eyes, she threw another dart. I tried to deflect it, but I missed. I stood there and watched helplessly as the poisoned dart flew past my father's arm, cutting through it.“Aha….” Father groaned and tumbled to the ground with Silas’ body still hanging in his arms. He turned over his shoulders and looked at me. A proud laughter escaped his lips with blood sipping out by the sides“ We are not different! You used me against my son and my son against me. I will haunt…”“I call you Father,” I said, swallowing hard.“I'm not your father! You bastard! A son can never kill his father!” He continued to blabber but I had regained myself. I picked up his sword and slashed him on the neck. Silas’ body tumbled out of his arms as he held his neck a
JoashThe dart that came from behind almost cut Vera's neck but it didn't. I could tell that it was thrown by a skillful archer. Not until it landed, I didn't realise the target. The target was one of my father's men who had almost released an arrow to take me out.My eyes widened as I realized what was to come. Drinking the toxic wolfsbane was just a show, my father had another plan in mind. He wanted to take me out all at once. Just like Silas said. My death indeed has nothing to do with Vera's salvation. Wait. Who threw the dart? Is it Silas? Did he just save me?One of Vera’s darts landed on the bottle of wolfsbane in my grip, shattering the bottle. The second dart flew past me, I didn't know its destination.“Aha!!!” I yelled as the wolfsbane from the bottle spilled. It splattered in my hand and body, burning me up. I groaned in pain.“Who dares!?” My father thundered and stood up from his seat. No one knew it was Vera except me. Father grunted as he saw the man who was suppose
JoashA heart rending pain squeezed my heart and my vision turned red. It felt really hard to breathe and I coughed out loud. My body felt sore and I felt all that Vera was possibly feeling.With my hands still lifted up, I rose up to my feet and took heavy steps down the hills.“Do not go with me!” I gritted and Derrick stopped.“We have your back,” he barked.“Don't do anything silly,” I grunted and continued down the hill.“Don't come, mate. Save yourself,” Vera's whisper distilled into my mind.“Shut it!” Argh! That wasn't what I was supposed to say. “You wait for me. I'm coming to get you,” I said to her and shut her out of my mind.Just then, a weary but familiar voice broke into my head. It was Silas. “You fool. Hasten up. Come get you girl before it is too late. Father is a mas dog. If you stall for a second, he will kill her,” he said.“You loser! You should have kept her safe but you lost her.” My heart skipped a beat as I descended from the hills. Two soldiers grabbed m
The sound of battle on top of the hills ceased. I heard Derrick and my men shout if victory. It implied that the battle has been won and the King has stopped sending in troops. Now, this marked the beginning of my battle with my father. I remained there waiting for Derrick's summons. And all I could think about was Vera. How sweet my reunion with her would be. I was lost in thought when I heard Derrick's voice.“Your Highness,” He called me out of my reverie.I sprang up to my feet immediately, all dreams vanished out of my head.Derrick was bathed with blood. The look in his eyes broke my heart. I knew what it meant. It meant most of our men were slain.I rose up and parted his shoulder. I have been there before. I knew how it feels to lose one's men. Moreover this is our loss, not his alone.“How many are remaining?” I asked “Five,” he whispered.“It will be fine,” I said and climbed up the hills.“Victory at last.” I cheered him up.Suddenly a cry of joy sounded from my father's