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
RALPH As I entered my room, I wasted no time in grabbing my phone and dialling Andrew's number. He answered promptly, but I didn't waste any pleasantries."Come over right now," I commanded, then hung up before he could respond. Turning my attention to the blood staining my body, I quickly made my way to the bathroom to wash it off. Once cleaned up, I dressed quickly, my thoughts lingering on the human lying unconscious on my bed."She's out of danger. She'll be fine," my wolf assured me, but my mind was still consumed with thoughts of the pack member I had just killed. Had I really just taken the life of one of my own pack members over a human?"Of course he deserved it. My wolf started. No one messes with or insults our mate and walks away with it," It justified, the anger still simmering beneath its soul."What you did back there gives me hope," my wolf interjected, its voice cutting through my turmoil."What hope?" I questioned, unable to grasp its meaning amidst the chaos of my t
KEILAH I squinted my drowsy eyes open, the warmth of the rising sun gently hitting my face as I stirred. Through the haze of sleep, I caught a glimpse of Dahlia slipping out of the room. "Dahlia," I whispered, but she had already gone. Was she sent by her alpha to check on me or if it was something else entirely? I wondered, my mind foggy with sleep.As I tried to stretch my limbs, I realized I was ensnared in the tangled folds of the covers. "You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, frustration creeping into my voice. How on earth did I manage to get myself into this predicament? Did I unwittingly twist and turn in my sleep? I pondered, attempting to extricate myself from the fabric trap.With a determined effort, I struggled to free myself from the fabric's grasp, wriggling and rolling until I finally halted against a solid, unyielding form. Startled, I opened my eyes fully. My heart skipped a beat as I realized I wasn't alone in bed—I was with Ralph. And he was shirtless. Panic
KEILAH I writhed beneath him, my body convulsing with a mixture of pain and terror. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as I clung desperately to the faint hope that this nightmare would end. But each thrust only drove me deeper into the abyss of despair, shattering any semblance of resistance I had left. His grip on me was relentless, his movements fueled by a dark desire that overshadowed any trace of humanity. I felt like prey ensnared by a predator, powerless to escape the relentless onslaught of his lust. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to block out the torment, assaulting me from every angle. But the images seared into my mind, haunting me with their brutality. As the torment continued, I felt a surge of anger rise within me, defiance burning like a flame in the depths of my despair. But even as I summoned the strength to fight back, I knew it was futile. He held all the power, and I was nothing but a helpless victim in his grasp. And so, I surrendered to the agony, allowing
KEILAH After uttering those enigmatic words, Dahlia's eyes reverted to their usual state. With a gentle yet firm grip, she led me to sit beside her on the bed. Despite my lingering apprehension, a sense of trust began to settle within me; somehow, I instinctively knew she wouldn't harm me. Yet, my curiosity burned brighter than my caution, prompting me to interrupt her silence. "Who are you, truly?" I inquired, meeting her gaze.Dahlia's expression softened, her tone tinged with a hint of urgency. "Whatever happened just now, whatever you witnessed... it must remain between us. You must promise not to breathe a word of it to anyone—especially the alpha."If you wish to keep this secret from him," I countered, "then you must reveal your true nature to me. Back there, you seemed... otherworldly. As if you hosted a presence from beyond our reality. And those words you spoke earlier... what significance do they hold?”Dahlia's eyes held a mix of resignation and reluctance, as if she we
KEILAHI blinked rapidly, hoping I might still be under the sway of Dahlia's witchy magic, I stole a glance back at the driver who seemed intent on avoiding eye contact with me."Why am I here?" I blurted out, the mixture of awkwardness and surprise clawing at me."It was the alpha's orders to bring you back to your house," he replied tersely, still avoiding my gaze."Excuse me, he what?" I exclaimed, shifting in my seat and leaning closer to him, causing him to flinch away. "Like I gave a damn. But Dahlia never mentioned anything about that. In fact, I was around when—”My protest was abruptly cut short as he abruptly swung open the driver's door and then mine. "Please get out. I need to head back to the pack house."I couldn't help but feel a surge of indignation as I stepped out, the chilly homey air doing nothing to quell the heat of my irritation. This was certainly not how I had expected my day to unfold. Despite yearning for this moment day and night, the abruptness of it all l
RALPH Never in a million years had I imagined myself lurking on a human doorstep, yet there I stood, consumed by uncontrollable urges. It was all the fault of my wolf, succumbing to the irresistible scent of her purity and driving me to claim her. And damn him, I savoured every moment of it. But now, the consequences haunted me, gnawing at my sanity. All I could think of was her—Keilah Rivera. Sending her away to her family was supposed to cleanse me of the crime I committed against her, but it only amplified the feelings I didn't know I harboured. Are they really genuine emotions or mere longing? Regardless, I craved her presence like air, and nothing would stand in my way.I pressed the doorbell, and the door swung open almost immediately. Her smile vanished, replaced by sheer terror as she laid eyes on me instead of whoever she had expected. Was she expecting her new or childhood boyfriend? The thought stirred a pang of jealousy within me.I had believed I possessed the strength to
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