It was 6 am and I was already standing in Alpha Joash's dressing room. Pete was there fixing his regalia already. I just scampered around, wringing my palms in succession, I did not know what to do.I had said my greetings earlier and neither of them responded."I can… do it," I said politely, requesting that Pete hand it over to me. She glared down at me and I tilted back."My tea by 7 am," Alpha Joash commanded Pete and walked out of the room like I wasn't there."You're really something else… I never knew you would finish up at the laundry," Pete said delightfully. "The bitches there are awful. They must have dropped all the clothes on you… I saw them leaving the laundry early in the wee hours of the night, yesterday.""She saw them leave? Then, was she part of those that dragged me away? No way! It's not possible, right? Or did she see them too?" I was lost in thought and did not notice that she was already standing in front of me."You look pale and your bruises… Damn! I should n
"You are just a bloody traitor who no one needs. If today's assassination fails, you will be killed on the spot," A voice bellowed into my ears immediately when my eyes flung open.I only heard the voice, the whole place was dark and I couldn't see my hand. I flung myself off the floor and felt a sudden burst of energy. It sizzled through my body and almost turned me around.What the heck! I skidded around and my wolf eyes peered into the darkness, searching for an escape way. But there was none, the whole place was sealed up. Where is this place and what did they do to me? The urge to shift burned inside of me, it became so strong that I couldn't control it. I was losing my human mind. Viola pranced around in my head, she seemed to be getting the heat too. She was getting out of control."Hey! Rein it in, Wolfie, it will soon be over. Don't overdo it. Your body is just reacting to the drugs," a voice boomed from behind me and I jumped in the direction.A loud howl tore out of my mou
An excruciating pain rocked my body as my attacker plunged my dagger down my chest. "Your Highness!" Whoever was under the comforter called and flung the comforter off. I realized that I had been tricked. The man who pretended to be asleep was not Alpha Joash but Beta Derrick.Alpha Joash walked out from the room behind me, cool, calm and collected. His demeanour was casual, he licked his lips slowly, his hands balled up with a murderous glint in his eyes… I knew my end had finally come.He squatted and flipped the hood away from my face. Our gaze met and I looked wildly into his eyes, there was no hiding. It's over I said in my head, quaking. His cold gaze fell as he recognised me. I saw the enormous shock in his eyes."Aha… Vera! Who … Who the heck put you up to this?" He groaned, a little bit shaken. "Just finish me up, pleaseeee… the pain… is … excru…ciating," I lamented. At that point, the effect of the drug in my system had disappeared. Pain rocked my body like never before. A
JoashI had more foes than friends and a large number of them wanted me dead. Knowing this, I had trained my body over the years. I was a god and couldn't be found wanting. I had ingested different kinds of poisons and I was immune to many of them. But the poison laced with the dart that cut me had an unusual effect in my body. My brother must have gotten this especially to take me down.I felt the poison swim in my blood and I knew I couldn't hold it for long, I had limited time. I had to get back to my chambers and ingest all that I had stashed for moments like this. But how? I was feeling weaker and Derrick was gone. Sweat trickled down my body and for once, I detested my decision to send Derrick away.My legs began to wobble and I began to crumble. I went down and I was almost hitting the ground when I heard a call. "Your Highness…." The voice sounded jumbled and unclear and I thought I was hearing things. At the last moment when I was almost hitting the ground, a solid but soft
VeraIt had been a while since I had come around but I pretended to still be unconscious. My attempt to assassinate the almighty Alpha Joash failed and wasn't ready to face the consequences of my actions.Yes, there were consequences. Alpha Joash's wrath and the wrath of the masked men who sent me on this mission. I had blown all the chances of my survival and here I am.What the heck came over me? Who the heck were those people and what did they do to me? They made me think I could take Alpha Joash down when I hadn't even wielded a dagger before. They messed up with my head, but who would understand my plight? First, I was a traitor and now it has got to this. No one will take pity on me.Well, I wasn't completely innocent. Right, I was lured into it, but I also desired it. At some point, I entertained the thought of killing Alpha Joash and getting on the run… he had made my life miserable ever since I met him, and I wanted him gone! But on the contrary, he saved me. What is he playi
Vera"Vera, he is back." A vicious nudge from my wolf rocked my sleep."Who?" I asked as I stirred awake."Mate," she replied simply. At first, my drowsy mind was filled with the image of Blake until I felt the aura- Alpha Joash's aura, it besieged me and my body tingled."Alpha Joash, not mate!" I reprimanded her as I stirred fully awake.As his footsteps drew nearer, his aura hit me harder. I had coped better in his presence than this. Why the pain? I asked Viola. "You are in your weakest state. You are vulnerable," Viola said smugly. I knew she was downcast because I reprimanded her about Alpha Joash. I wanted to address the issue but there was no time. Alpha Joash walked in and right behind him was Beta Derrick.I quickly fell back to my knees. My forehead kissed the floor as I made an obeisance. "Your Highness," I pronounced.He settled on the lone king-sized seat in the cell and I trembled. His nearness made my hurting heart worse."Who were they? How did you know them? And si
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
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