RALPH When the council left, I strodded to my office and furiously punched the wall, drawing blood on my knuckles. Bitter grimace contorted my features as I sank onto the edge of my desk, the weight of disappointment settling heavily on my shoulders. The disapproving stares of the pack members towards me when the council made an official declaration of Keilah being a member of this pack pricked my skin, leaving an invisible mark.The fact that I don't like this but have to obey my leaders is a huge blow in the gut. The happiest one in all this was my wolf. I could feel his excitement within me. Interrupting my tempestuous thoughts, the door creaked open, revealing Zac with a smirk that grated against my raw nerves. "Not now, Zac," I growled, my tone curt. "I came in peace," he quipped, unperturbed by my hostility. "Just wanted to make sure my alpha is alright.” I gave him a pointed glare, expressing my disapproval."Trust me, Ralph, I genuinely care about you.I understand how
KEILAH I was wandering through a vibrant and bustling marketplace. The air was filled with the intoxicating aroma of exotic spices, and colourful stalls lined the narrow pathways. The chatter of the crowd blended into a harmonious symphony of diverse languages, creating a mesmerizing cacophony.As I meandered through the lively throng, I suddenly felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. Startled, I turned around and was captivated by the sight of a mysterious, beautiful woman standing there, her features shrouded in a dreamlike haze. Her blond hair flowed soothingly in rhythm with the cool wind, creating an ethereal aura around her.Before I could gather my thoughts or react, she gracefully took my hand, enveloping it with a comforting warmth that instantly eased any lingering tension."Don't be afraid," she whispered, her voice as soft as cotton. "Stay close to your mate, and never let go.”Confused but curious, I looked around and realized that I was now not in the market but in the mid
KEILAH Ralph slipped his hand under my blouse, scraping my skin, causing me to let out a soft moan as his hand came in contact with my sensitive breasts. It was very surprising that I willingly let the man who caused me experience death spread my legs wide for him. I feel ashamed of myself that I am giving in so easily. But I like it. I like the feel of his hands on me. I like his unpassionate kisses. As I moved my hands to run through his hair, he seized them, deftly securing them above my head and fastened them in his grasp as his other hand slipped back under my blouse to my breast, pinching my nipple a little rough. A moan escaped my mouth again. My mind raced with conflicting emotions as his rough touch sent swarms of butterflies in my stomach.I really don't like him, yet there was an undeniable allure in the way he commanded my body. It was a twisted dance of pleasure and resentment, leaving me questioning my own desires. Part of me wanted to push him away, to reclaim co
KEILAH Ralph's commanding voice echoed through the room, “Call Isabella, NOW!” He growled as he effortlessly lifted her and strode out. Everyone followed suit, inadvertently knocking me down in their rush, still grappling with confusion. Despite the searing pain in my foot, I gathered myself and trailed behind. Everybody made a circle around the sofa where she was laid, their faces worried. A tug of guilt poked me as I realized the girl was now unconscious. Everyone made a way for that old woman who rushed over. “How bad is it?” She inquired with concern as she knelt beside the unconscious girl. Without hesitation, she extracted a small bottle from her pocket and, with Ralph's assistance, poured what looked like slimy green liquid into the girl's mouth. The old woman sighed in relief, “Thank the heavens it wasn't that bad. She'll be fine." She then got to her feet and turned to Ralph, confusion etched across her face. “What on earth happened? I don't get it. She's a goddamn
ZACThe intensity of the human girl's gaze pierced through me, a fusion of bewilderment and disbelief etched across her features. It was evident she was grappling with the truth, her eyes betraying her attempt to unravel my intentions.Despite her shock, she composed herself, erecting a face of coldness with a forced smile."I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what you're referring to. If you'll excuse me," she uttered, attempting to withdraw her hand from my grasp. I halted her movement by clasping her hand once more."I was ordered to keep an eye on her," Dahlia interjected, her tone firm. "That means I can't leave her alone with you.""This doesn't concern you, little girl. I order you both to leave us alone," I retorted sharply."You're not my alpha to order me," both Benita and Dahlia shot back defiantly,simultaneously, their voices blending into a discordant symphony that grated on my nerves. "Say that one more time and see what I will do to both of you," I snapped, my patience wearin
RALPH As I pulled into the yard of the Blood Moon Pack, the image of the human lingered in my mind like an unwelcome specter. Her pleading eyes, desperate to convince me of her innocence, haunted me still. I couldn't seem to shake her off my mind. The fact that I could feel every emotion of hers drove me nuts.“And the fact that you refused to heal her from the pain yesterday drives me nuts too,” my wolf interjected.Before I could respond to my wolf, a sudden knock on my car jolted me back to reality. Aaron, my former Beta, turned Alpha, stood outside, a wide grin on his face.“I bet you were thinking about your mate,” he said, his tone teasing yet warm.Aaron had stepped into the role of Alpha after the passing of his mate's father, the former Alpha. It was a responsibility bestowed upon him in the dying Alpha's final moments, a testament to the trust and confidence placed in him. From what I saw here, he was doing a very good job. His pack loved and respected him. And, of course,
RALPH I looked down at her, feeling a mix of amusement and hurt that he had accepted Zac's offer. It was clear that Zac was the one she was referring to. I stepped close to her, close enough to hear the rhythm of her heartbeat. I stared into her eyes. “Why would you do that to your mate, Keilah Rivera?” I queried, taken aback by my own admission of accepting her as my mate. Yet, despite my astonishment, I reassured myself that it was the right thing to do for the time being.Her eyes widened at my question, clearly taken aback that I called her my mate or that I said her name. Swiftly, she concealed her surprise, clearing her throat before responding.“I didn't see any problem in that,” she admitted, her voice tinged with resignation. “But that doesn't mean I'm on his side. I know he's not a good man, just as you are. I'm just trying to survive in this dangerous house where everybody wants my demise.”“Are you oblivious or just reckless?” I asked. “If you made a deal, you should
DAHLIA After laying Isabella on her bed, I made my way downstairs toward the guest room where Alpha and his mate were. As I approached the door, a sense of dread crept over me. I hesitated, my eyes falling upon Alpha frozen in his majestic wolf form, blood staining his muzzle. My gaze shifted to his mate, her wounds healed but still unconscious.My heart pounded with fear as I nervously bit my nails, overwhelmed by the weight of my failure. I was supposed to ensure her safety in Alpha's absence, yet I had failed miserably.Summoning my courage, I entered the room, only to be met with Alpha's furious gaze. He opened the mind link to address the entire pack, his voice heavy with anger. "I want everyone in the foyer," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. With that, he shifted back to his human form, scooped up his mate, and left without sparing me a second glance.As he disappeared out, the room seemed to exhale a collective breath, leaving me alone with my guilt. The weight of
KEILAH I tugged at Ralph’s hand, trying to pull him toward the ice cream shop. The brightly colored sign above the door read "Scoops & Smiles," and the kids were laughing inside, faces smeared with chocolate and sprinkles. The sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones and creamy scoops of different flavours filled the air, and I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of indulging in a little treat. But Ralph, as always, resisted. "Come on, Ralph," I urged, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. "It’s just ice cream. It’ll be fun!" He glanced at the brightly colored sign above the shop, then back at me, his expression impassive. "Mate, this kind of ice cream eating is for kids and teenagers," he replied, his tone calm but firm. "Not for someone like me." I stopped pulling and let go of his hand, the sudden release leaving my fingers tingling. My heart sank as I took in his stoic face, the same face that had ruined every date we’d tried to have in the past few months. It
RALPH I shifted back to my human form, blood dripping from the gashes Zac had left. My heart pounded not from exertion but from the panic twisting in my chest. I need to find Keilah. The sound of approaching footsteps made me halt for a moment, and when I turned, it was Alexander and other council members marching towards me. As they reached me, Alexander stepped forward, his gaze piercing and authoritative. "Go get your mate and your pack, Ralph," he commanded, his voice low but firm. "And get out of this place.” I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. As Alexander turned to leave, he placed a firm hand on my shoulder, a silent gesture of understanding and urgency. Then, without another moment’s hesitation, I bolted out of the ring and dashed through the cave, my heart pounding as I searched for Keilah. Keilah, I called out through the mindlink, desperately trying to connect with her. But there was no response. My heart clenched, fear tightening around my chest like a vice. Kei
RALPH I stared at Keilah, my heart pounding in my chest, torn between rage and panic as the echoes of the crowd’s gasps faded into the background. What was she thinking? The jug clanged as it hit the ground, and in that moment, I snapped out of my stupor. Without another thought, I moved forward, grabbing her arm and spinning her around to face me. “What the hell are you thinking?” I demanded, my voice low and intense, my eyes searching hers for an explanation. “Do you have any idea what you just did?” Her eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw something in them—determination mixed with fear. But before I could process it, she broke into a laugh. It was forced, brittle, the sound of someone trying desperately to mask their true emotions. “Oh my God,” she gasped, clutching her stomach as if the whole thing were some sort of joke. “What did I just drink? I was so thirsty… I thought it was water, but whatever that was—ugh! It tastes awful! I hope I’m not going to die from it.”
KEILAH I stared at Damien, my mind whirling with a thousand thoughts. His sudden appearance left me speechless, and the raw intensity in his eyes sent another shiver down my spine. The anger in his voice cut through the night air, sharp and cold. My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to find the words to explain myself. “I—I saw something,” I finally managed to stammer, my voice trembling. “Those men… they were up to something, and I had to know what it was.” “And did you find out what it was?” he demanded, his voice sharp, cutting through the darkness. The fury in his tone was unmistakable, and it sent a fresh wave of unease through me. I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. “I was about to, but… things didn’t go my way,” I admitted, the frustration in my voice matching my racing thoughts. I could still see the shadows moving in the forest, the broad man’s hand holding the gold jug, the council member’s secretive actions. It was all so close, and yet I had nothing to s
KEILAH As we stepped into the cave, my breath caught in my throat. My mouth hung open in awe as I took in the sight before me. The cave was enormous, far larger than I could have imagined from the outside. It felt like an underground stadium, its sheer size making me feel small and insignificant. The walls stretched high above us, and the ceiling arched into a vast dome that seemed to go on forever. In the centre of the cave, where I expected to see some sort of battle ring, there was only an open space, secured by heavy steel chains forming a loose boundary. The ground was covered in sand, giving it the appearance of an arena, yet it felt unfinished, as if something crucial was missing. The emptiness of the ring added to the unsettling atmosphere, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. As we walked further inside, I noticed the variety of packs gathered around. Some were chatting quietly among themselves, while others stood in groups, their eyes trained on us. The t
KEILAH Ralph turned at the sound of my voice, his expression shifting from focused to concerned in an instant. The two men beside him exchanged glances but said nothing, clearly attuned to the urgency in my tone.“Keilah,” Ralph said, stepping closer as I hurried toward him. His eyes were searching, full of worry. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “No, not exactly. It’s just… the pack members in the kitchen, they—” I faltered, struggling to find the right words. “They were being kind of creepy.”Ralph’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Creepy? How?”Before I could respond, one of the men cleared his throat. “I’ll go check on my Luna,” he said, heading off toward the house, while the other took a different route.I continued, my voice trembling slightly. “They were acting all concerned and sympathetic, which felt strange. It’s like they suddenly cared, and it threw me off.”Where have you gone, too? I was worried. I asked, not wanting to
KEILAH Morning light filtered through the curtains, warming my skin as I slowly woke up, feeling much better than the night before. The weight that had pressed on my chest seemed to have lifted slightly, though it hadn't entirely disappeared. I reached out, expecting to find Ralph beside me, but my hand touched only cool sheets. He wasn’t there.I sighed, knowing he must already be up, preparing for the day. This day was crucial, not just for him but for the entire pack. I could feel the significance of it pulsing through the walls of the house.I pushed the covers off and headed straight to the bathroom. As I caught my reflection in the mirror, I grimaced. My eyes were puffy from crying, and the memory of Benita’s lifeless body falling off the upper floor crept back into my head, sending a rush of fever through my veins. My knees felt weak, and for a moment, the room spun.Gripping the edge of the sink, I steadied myself. I couldn’t fall apart—not today. Taking a deep breath, I turn
RALPHI was in the middle of a conversation with Derrick and his Luna, discussing the ongoing tensions with Zac's former allies and everything, when a sudden Keilah's trembling voice echoed in my mind."Ralph, help! She's here... Benita…""The urgency in her voice chilled me to the bone, sending a shiver of dread down my spine.”"Keilah is in danger," I blurted out, interrupting Derrick mid-sentence. Instincts surged through me as I whirled around, poised to race out of the guest room. What the hell is Benita doing here? I thought I made it clear when I told her and her brother to leave. I was sure they'd gone.”But before I could move, a loud, sickening thud reverberated through the air, halting my steps. Derrick and his Luna exchanged a worried glance with me, their expressions mirroring the alarm in my own heart. My heart pounded violently, almost leaping out of my chest with the terrifying thought of Keilah being hurt.I rushed through the hallway, my footsteps echoing in the hall
KEILAH I woke up slowly, my eyelids heavy and resistant to the light filtering through the room. Everything felt distant and hazy, like I was trapped in a fog I couldn’t escape. As my eyes gradually adjusted, I recognized the familiar scent of Ralph surrounding me, a comforting blend of pine and something uniquely his. It was enough to ground me, to remind me that I was in his room, safe for the moment.But the relief was short-lived. My mind began to pull at the edges of memory, dragging me back to the terrifying moment I wished I could forget where Zac punched me in the stomach. The searing pain, the shock, and the feeling of helplessness flooded back. I bolted upright in the bed, my heart racing wildly. “My baby!” I screamed, the words tearing from my throat as if voicing them could change what had happened. Panic surged through me, a torrent of fear and grief that I couldn’t control.My heart raced, pounding in my chest like a drum. The room around me swirled, and for a moment, I