Alpha Joash"This is just the beginning," I said more to myself than to my mate. In every conspiracy, there is always a bigger picture.Blake must have joined forces with Alpha King Jason before the clash. It was a calculated move when he appeared on the battlefield in the guise of saving Vera.From the beginning, he must have planned to use Alpha King Jason's influence to get rid of me and to encapture Vera— To him, I was the only hindrance between him and Vera, little did he know that Vera chose him over me, and was going for him. He must have been aware that my father also wanted to take Vera into custody, as it was the surest way of luring me out if I survived the attack.Given my father's intelligence, he must have seen that Blake wanted Vera for himself. He knew the fool would abscond with her and he did. He was just playing Father's scripted game. But I wondered why Father didn't kill him when he showed up in his presence. He must have other designs for him.A series of quest
Alpha JoashVera and I didn't sleep in the castle tonight. Better days seemed to be gone. We slept in the room prepared for us in my chambers.While I watched Vera fall asleep, I couldn't get any wink of sleep. My heart was troubled and after trying so hard, I gave up.Carefully, I arose from the bed. I flicked away the strands of stray hair on Vera's face and pulled the quilt up her shoulders. She stirred a little but remained asleep.With a faint sigh, I stood erect, gave Vera's sleeping form another look, and glided out of the room without making any sound.Quietly, I closed the door behind me and leapt into the dark. The moon was bright tonight and the stars in the skies were worth a thousand.I smiled sheepishly thinking about how I would spend my first full moon with Vera after all this is over.My reverie soon stopped as I heard footsteps approaching from behind. The sound of the steps and the scent gave the intruders away. It was Beta Derrick and two other guards."Your Highne
The Alpha King's PalaceSilas' POVI shut off my cloaking ability immediately when I was halfway through my journey back to the palace. Instantly I became self-aware and I knew that the king's men had their eyes on me again.Carelessly, I pulled the horse's rein and it neighed. Its speed shot up as he galloped through the wild.Soon the lofty gates of the palace stood tall in front of me. "I am back in my bondage… it will be over soon," I muttered to myself as I rode in.The guards at the palace gates bowed and opened the gate as I drew closer."Welcome back to the palace, Your Highness!" Everyone chorused; the palace guards, maids, and other workers. They stopped all that they were doing and paid their respects as I rode in slowly. That was about all I got as a Prince.I dismounted from my horse and some of the guards led it down to the stables."My Prince, where have you been? You put me in a tight spot with the King," my personal guard scurried towards me, grunting."I guess it wa
Silas"Son. Do you think Joash is dead?" My father asked again, looking piercingly into my eyes. I couldn't hide."I… mmmm… I… think, I, we should presume that he is dead. We haven't heard anything about him after the battle. He was wounded by a poisoned arrow and It's been months now, we haven't heard anything about him."And you believe that? Joash is a beast. He sure has a long life. Do you think, after all that he has accomplished, a single arrow soaked with poison would take him down?" Father asked, his unwavering stare boring into my mind.Hearing him insist, it was obvious that he had his answers and I had to tread with wisdom."... Hmmm … Given all that we know about Joash, he might still be somewhere breathing," I said blankly, looking into my father's cold stares. I had to act like I was with him, or else he would notice an anomaly."The only assurance is the potency of the poison. Although Blake, who supplied the poison, vouched for its potency, I can't trust him blindly. I
SilasIf there was anything we were short of, it was time. Things were getting heated with my father and I needed to act fast.I had always lived under my father's shadow, doing his bidding and living by his rules. If he felt threatened, he would cut off my head without batting an eyelid. Why the heck is Joash stalling? He ought to have reached out to me. I could reach out to him easily if I wanted, but I wouldn't do that. I needed to see his enthusiasm about the matter and his willingness to join hands with me. That was why sneaked out of the palace and risked the consequences of meeting him.If the bastard rejects my offer, it will be his undoing!With my gifts back, I could take Father down on my own. But do you know why I involved Joash? It is because he needed it the most.He had run all his life. With father gone, he would finally be free. I'm not a saint, I wouldn't just give him such peace on a platter of gold. He must play his quota.Call me petty, but I felt that it was the
SilasI shut the door to my living room and walked to my bedroom. I didn't know when my father's bodyguard would resume and I didn't know the extent of his assignment. I prayed he wouldn't follow me all around, guarding me in my rooms.My bedroom was a single room but very large. Two rooms could be comfortably created from it. Behind one of the doors was an opening on the ground. It was disguised as a continuation of the floor but it wasn't.I worked through the camouflage overlaying the opening until I held up a lid. I pulled it open to reveal a staircase. Carefully, I let myself down the stairs and pulled the lid shut.Slowly, I climbed down the stairs into the underground dungeon beneath my bedroom. I had built it several years ago for security reasons."My Prince…" Blake's voice broke through as I landed in front of him. I was holding him captive down there."...Why art thou forsaken me? I have been here for days without food and water," he complained."You are a prisoner. I'm no
SilasWhen I climbed out of the dungeon, I was sweating profusely. My whole length shivered as I replaced the lid and redressed the floor, giving it it normal look. I had to use my legs as my claws were still out. Blake's blood dropped from my hands and I tried so hard to resist the urge to turn.A rage so raw was tearing me apart. Intense pain gripped my heart as I stared at my reality… All that Blake said was true. He was right, I was plotting to kill my father. At a time I had wanted to kill Joash but now I am rooting for him. I wanted the throne after conquering my father and I wanted to reign without interference. But I had to let Joash live! Knowing fully well that he was the only one who could interfere in my regime. ,Apart from his prominence, he is the son of the rightful man entitled to the throne.I had all I needed to get rid of him, especially in his fallen state but I couldn't. I don't go back on my pledges.Tiredly, I sat on the edge of my bed, shaking slightly as I pu
At Alpha Joash's HideoutAlpha JoashThe day was still young but the sun was an early riser. It intensely kissed our bare backs, burning us up with its fury. Every hole in our bodies dripped with sweat as we continued to train.Just like I had ordered, Derrick had relocated every other member and only fifty of us were remaining.That was a reasonable number of people to cope with in a hideout. Although if I had my way I would send more people away. The smaller the number the better.About thirty of us were able-bodied men. We were out in the sun where I was putting them into all manners of bizarre training. I was raising them into elite soldiers. I needed to build an army if I would win the looming battle."No pain, no gain!" Vera yelled. Cheering others on. She was the only female among us. She refused my orders to stay out of this. She had been training with us and I must say that she was doing great. She surpassed my expectations."My Alpha!" She waved at me as she broke out of the
SilasMy father stood tall in his human form and snatched up his sword again. He began to point it at me. But I didn't fidget. I lowered my head in surrender. Since he couldn't do it at his first attempt, I knew he wouldn't do it now."Do not underestimate me son," he laughed like a maniac.Wait. What if he also has supernatural abilities? What if he can hear my thoughts?… No way."Prove to me that you have nothing to do with Joash!" Father yelled and brought his sword to my throat.He snarled at me and with the look in his eyes, I knew he meant business. If I messed up, he would cut me into two.Why is he overly angry? Heat flowed from my head to my toes. I felt cold inside but I stood tall and remained unshakened"Prove to me son!" He yelled.I needed to do something. I needed to do something to clear whatever doubt that was in my father's head."White Wolf Army!" I called my army."Responding! Commander!" They echoed back."Go into the woods. Slay everyone that seemed suspicious. A
Silas I rode towards my father, wondering what was going on in his head. "What do you think? We blew up the wrong place in our first attempt. What do you think about this time?" Father asked."This time?" I asked, looking at his soldiers as they galloped towards Joash's location."Yes, the latest information about Joash's location. Do you think we can get him for good?""Oh!" I thought carefully before speaking up. "Yes! Even if we miss him, he can't continue running, he would eventually be caught. But since he was already aware that we are coming after him, it is safe to assume that he is well prepared for us. We can't underestimate him," I said and a tight smile played on my father's lips."Why are you always guarded around me? It makes you suspicious," Father said and I swallowed the lump in my throat."Wait for me, let us conquer Joash, then the world will be under our feet. And it is now, our victory over him." He said and rode briskly into the wild.Slowly, I rode from behind
Joash"Let's talk. You should speak up! You son of a gun! Good move to have left your hideout. We razed it down only to discover that you are not there. Good move. Anywhere you are, do not stay static, be on the move, we are coming after you." Silas' voice boomed into my head and I grimaced."We have been made. We should be alert," I mind linked Derrick, telling him about the new development. I also informed the guard who was with me. We became more alert and held our weapons tightly.We had just walked some distance when I felt a connection inside of me. It was Vera. My wolf recognized her immediately and leapt for joy. I was engaged too but I didn't speak to her, for me, it wasn't the right time."It's Vera. Let's speak with her," Jack said into my mind. But I didn't need such a diversion now, I had to be more alert now if I wanted to return to her alive. "I can't respond now," I said to Jack and matched onwards. Jack became grumpy. He whimpered and laid down quietly without utteri
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