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
RALPH As our lips met, I felt her tension begin to melt away, replaced by a hesitant surrender. Her hands found their way to my shoulders, clinging to me as if seeking reassurance. Her lips, soft and yielding, tasted of vulnerability and desire intermingled. In that moment, I vowed to make this experience different, to erase the memories of pain and replace them with ones of pleasure.Gently, I deepened the kiss, savoring the warmth of her response. Each brush of our lips sent a ripple of electricity through me, igniting a fire that threatened to consume me. Yet, I held back, mindful of her fragile state.Breaking the kiss, I gazed into her eyes, searching for any sign of discomfort. But all I found was a glimmer of longing, masked by traces of apprehension. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to hers once more as I walked to bed. With utmost care, I lowered her onto the soft sheets, ensuring her comfort before leaning over her, my gaze never leaving hers. Beneath me, she seemed delicate,
KEILAH Morning arrived, but I hesitated to open my eyes. I knew Ralph was sleeping beside me, and I couldn't bear to face him. I feel deeply ashamed and embarrassed for giving myself to him, considering all the terrible things he has done to me. Sometimes, I wonder if I've lost my sanity. OH, LORD HAVE MERCY, for I enjoyed everything he did to me last night. I cautiously placed my hand on my neck where he had touched me last night, and my entire body responded to his every caress. Suddenly, an electric sensation jolted through me, causing me to jerk my hand onto Ralph's side of the bed. To my surprise and relief, his side was empty and cold, which meant he'd woken moments ago. Quickly, I sprang out of his bed, wrapping myself in the sheet as I navigated through his room and into mine, sidestepping the discomfort between my legs—it was bearable this time, not as jarring as the first time. Upon entering my room, I noticed something different – the window had been replaced. Discar
KEILAH His words hung in the air like a dark omen, filling me with a sense of dread that threatened to consume me whole. But despite the fear that coiled in my chest like a serpent, I squared my shoulders and met his gaze. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. It felt as though he was peering into the depths of my soul, searching for something that even I didn't fully understand. Seconds stretched into eternity as we stood locked in a silent standoff, the tension in the air thick enough to suffocate.Unable to bear the weight of his gaze any longer, I broke the silence with a trembling voice. "What... What are you staring at?" I managed to muster the courage to ask, my words barely audible in the stillness of the chamber.The bastard's lips curled into a predacious smile, revealing the glint of his sharpened fangs. "Oh, my dear," he murmured, his voice a seductive whisper. "I am merely admiring the beauty before me, savouring the anticipation of
DAHLIA Three weeks had passed since I delved into Keilah's memories, and the weight of what I'd discovered consumed me. Each day felt like a battle against time and the turmoil within me. I sifted through every detail, every emotion, desperately trying to piece together the puzzle that could either spell salvation or destruction. The burden of knowing bore down on my shoulders, a relentless weight that threatened to crush me. But I couldn't afford to falter.In frustration, I scattered my hair, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. How could I prevent it from all coming back to Keilah, potentially turning Alpha's heart into a dark stone forever? I was a witch, damn it. I had to find a solution before it was too late. "I need to figure this out," I murmured to myself, the urgency of my task gnawing at my insides.“What would my witch be thinking about?” Zac's voice startled me from behind, and I gritted my teeth in irritation. "It's nothing," I replied curtly, attemp
RALPH As I writhed against the silver chains, every fibre of my being screamed in agony. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as I gnashed my teeth together, trying to suppress the primal urge to tear into the vampire's throat.My vision blurred with the intensity of the pain, but through the haze, I could see her. My mate. Helpless in the vampire's grasp, her eyes wide with fear as he sank his fangs into her delicate neck.A howl of anguish tore from my throat, mixing with the vampire's cruel laughter. With every ounce of strength I possessed, I strained against the chains, desperate to reach her, to protect her from the monster that was draining the life from her.But the silver chains dug deeper into my flesh, their insidious power sapping my strength with each futile struggle. The searing pain lanced through my veins, rendering me powerless as I watched in horror.Her body went limp against the vampire's chest, her breaths shallow and weak. I could feel tears welling up in
RALPH Keilah's sudden movement caught me off guard, my heart pounding with confusion. I instinctively moved to intercept her, my every fibre urging me to shield her, but she held up a hand, halting me in my tracks. Surprisingly, I did so. "Ralph," she said, her voice surprisingly calm amidst the chaos surrounding us. "I need to talk to him."Her words sent a shiver down my spine, a sense of foreboding settling over me like a heavy blanket. But before I could voice my protest, she stepped forward, her gaze unwaveringly fixed on Damien."Damien," she began, her voice resonating with a quiet authority that demanded attention. "I understand your pain. I know you've suffered unimaginable loss. But seeking revenge will not bring your wife back. It will only perpetuate the cycle of pain and suffering."Damien's expression softened slightly at her words, a fleeting moment of uncertainty crossing his features. But it was swiftly replaced by a steely resolve, his jaw tightening with determin
KEILAH I observed Ralph's handsome face intently, waiting with patience as he wrestled with the words, his reluctance palpable in the furrow of his brow. As he struggled to find the words, I felt the urge to reassure him, to let him know that he needn't share if it caused him distress, but curiosity was gnawing at me. I needed to understand the source of his deep-seated aversion towards humans, even if extracting the truth caused him evident anguish. With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes briefly, gathering the courage to delve into the depths of his pain, to expose the raw wound that had festered within him for so long."My hatred for humans..." he started, his voice trembling slightly. "It's rooted in the betrayal I witnessed, the betrayal that shattered my world and tore my heart asunder.""It was my mother," he confessed, and I could feel the bitterness of his words. "She was everything to me, the light in my darkness, the one who showed me love and kindness in a world filled
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