Chapter 20 - An Anxious Miss.Lyra's POVEverything that happened did not make sense. The speed with which everything was happening all seemed surreal. From the fight that made Lumi seem underpowered to the sudden rain of arrows from the trees, almost like someone had set a trap for us to walk right into. Only it wasn't already set traps. There were people in the trees and I could only tell by the dark flashes I could decipher as I looked to check where the arrows were coming from. It was only a moment's notice before I started to dodge for my own life as well. Beatrice was screaming while running around with her ears blocked by her palms. How she was successfully evading these things will forever remain a mystery. Before I had a chance to start with the speedy running, I was picked up. The blurry passing of trees and the loud woosh of the wind as we moved, told me that we were running. As much as I would have loved to feel relieved, the hairs on my arms rose in their frightened glor
Lyra's Pov"There stalls the wretched sibling!"I dropped my earrings on the table in front of the mirror as I heard the door to my room spring open. I immediately stood to my feet and turned to the girls that had intruded into my room.Expensive party dresses with smooth luxurious hair and red lips. How could I not recognize them? The higher class of our pack's hierarchy."Luna," I bowed my head to the woman in the royal blue dress and I heard her scoff in response.Although she wasn't officially announced Luna yet, she was the new Alpha's mate."So you do know hierarchy," I was pushed to the floor and I did not resist as my side hit the ceramic cold floor."Do you know what day it is today?" How could I forget?"Leah's indoctrination as the Beta of the pack," I muttered bitterly. As much as I didn't want to admit it, this realization stung me. My little sister was becoming Beta… The title that was supposed to be mine."Exactly!" I felt the Luna's kick on my back, stirring my irri
Chapter two- The rogue king When I woke up, my body didn't feel as stuffy anymore. That was the first thing I noticed. I rubbed my eyes and accessed my surroundings. One glance and I could tell that I was away from my pack's territory. Does that mean… I made it?I sat up and winced as I felt an unbelievable pain shoot up my spine."Oh— Fuck!" I cursed as I felt my body automatically force itself back to the ground."Oh, you're up. Better not to move, your spine is fucked." I hear a gruff voice nearby. I turn my head and see a man in at least his late thirties, sharpening a knife. He smiled and dropped the steel before standing on his feet. "... Fixed it but you'll probably still feel pain for the next twelve hours or so," he continued while approaching me.I grabbed onto the grass I was lying on with my weak fist and forced myself to crawl back. Now that I was completely sober, my senses were picking up on inconsistencies such as my clothes… I wasn't wearing my tunic and my long-sle
Chapter three- His cute side Only after being taken in did I fully realize the influence of Mason, the reason why his men called him king. He had forcefully taken authority over thousands of wild rogues outside many packs' territories and have them listen to his orders. Along those many thousands of men, many were loyal to him. This was a phenomenon I didn't expect. In Mason's hut, there were few women who resided there and praised Mason as they dressed me up. "The king is a very kind man!" "Yes," the other woman agreed, "Just like you I was chased from my pack but then, I met King and he took me in. It's been three years and I'm happy living here. It's better than being like a stray dog." "Exactly!" "So… pretty lady, you're going to enjoy living here, just don't betray the king. As long as you don't betray him or do anything to make him angry, you'll enjoy peaceful days here and not have to worry about your life being constantly threatened. Also, you're slightly different f
Chapter four- You're the king's womanFLAPI exhaled as my arrow successfully shot an antelope in its spine causing it to fall to the ground without a struggle. Mason sped past the antelope and I got another bow ready to be engaged.Without fail, I shot down a wild pig in its neck, fatally ending its life.Closely behind us were Mason's men picking up the kills.As we entered a more open field with multiples of deers, I grabbed three arrows and shot at once. Two deers down.Mason and I continued, with me shooting down animals until I suddenly felt dizzy and fell off his back."Lyra!" He cried, and I heard the faint sound of him shifting into his human form. The last thing I saw were his light brown eyes before darkness enveloped my body.***When I woke up, I was in a dim room surrounded by dark curtains. I sat up in bed and breathed deeply.I felt tired, but I couldn't bear the stuffiness of the room. So I took the courage to stand and walk out of the room. As I moved aside the cur
I woke up early the next morning. I kept drifting in and out of sleep. I was restless. As I stood by the bank of the river close to the village watching Cara and some other females draw water for use, I couldn't help but think about what Mason had said yesterday. He had no plans to let me go anywhere any time soon. While I was grateful that he saved me from that rogue, I couldn't be kept here against my will. The Golden Arm pack was my destination. "Boo!" Someone yelled from behind me.I turned around to find Beatrice grinning at me. Seems she had a knack for scaring people because what the hell?"The other girls always scream their heads off when I do this. Yet," she leaned closer to me, her eyes narrowing, "you didn't scream.""I don't scare easily."Beatrice lifted a brow. "Really?"I nodded warily as her scrutinizing gaze turned into a broad smile. She took my hand and moved towards the ladies by the river. "I found someone to tell scary moonlight tales by the bonfire tonight!"
Mason patted my back and handed me a cup of water to drink. I took the cup and drank the water, still coughing, tears in my eyes as I looked at him and said, "w-what?" I don't know why I'm even surprised. The rogues have been calling me the king's woman or Lady with respect. I should have known and expected that he'd make it official and ask me to be his at some point. I was flattered and honoured that he'd want someone as weak as me by his side but I felt nothing for him. Not in that manner. He was a kind man, a warrior who led his people with love and discipline when needed and he had saved my life. That was all. Nothing else. As Mason rubbed the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed about having to repeat himself, I silently prayed to the goddess what he said wasn't really what I heard. I must be dreaming. There was no way he asked me that, right? I wouldn't have to refuse the rogue king and possibly end up dead or hated or something, right? "Be mine, Lyra." Suddenly I lost my
The next time I opened my eyes, it was dawn. There was a commotion outside. I stood up, my bed was soaked in my sweat and my heart ached no more. I walked outside to see guards parading about. "Seeing a beauty this early spices up the morning." I looked to my side to find Mason approaching me. I wanted to look away, run and hide, but he would find that suspicious."Hello Mason," I greeted him, trying to keep the uneasiness out of my voice as he stood in front of me and leaned in. No way would I let this guy kiss me. Hell no!I took a back. He chuckled at my reaction and reached for my forehead to wipe a sheen of sweat. "Did you sleep well?" He asked.I wondered if he was the same person I had overheard last night. " I did sleep well." A blantant lie. "What's with the rowdiness?" I gestured to the guards rushing about.Mason stood beside me. "An intruder was sighted in our territory last night. There's a search," he said with seriousness. "The person had no scent until later but it co
Chapter 20 - An Anxious Miss.Lyra's POVEverything that happened did not make sense. The speed with which everything was happening all seemed surreal. From the fight that made Lumi seem underpowered to the sudden rain of arrows from the trees, almost like someone had set a trap for us to walk right into. Only it wasn't already set traps. There were people in the trees and I could only tell by the dark flashes I could decipher as I looked to check where the arrows were coming from. It was only a moment's notice before I started to dodge for my own life as well. Beatrice was screaming while running around with her ears blocked by her palms. How she was successfully evading these things will forever remain a mystery. Before I had a chance to start with the speedy running, I was picked up. The blurry passing of trees and the loud woosh of the wind as we moved, told me that we were running. As much as I would have loved to feel relieved, the hairs on my arms rose in their frightened glor
Chapter 19 - TailedLumi's POVThe electric feeling I had when I had held Lyra's neck at the wheat field some nights ago had not been a mistake. We had a connection which felt special. One that allowed me to accept her jealousy with an open mind. It also heightened my urge to protect her...while giving her more reasons to be jealous so she could keep doing... what she did before."I'm tired." Beatrice complained and I couldn't blame her. We haven't rested properly. My shuffling about last night had kept Lyra on edge. As a formerly trained Beta, she was on high alert just like me.We were being watched...The journey we had started on after our escape was beginning to look tiring. I enjoyed the quiet moments more because the sound of their heartbeats were loudest in those moments. I would stay awake listening while on the lookout. "We'll rest soon, it's almost noon.""We've been walking for four days since we left the rogue king's pack," Beatrice whined again. Honestly, I never regret
Chapter 18 - The land of the undead I only had to blink twice and Lumi was right back with a speechless Beatrice shaking from fright. The fear coming off her was enough to get my wolf agitated. Seeing Lumi with his fangs out was the only explanation. "What did you do?" Hearing the accusation in my tone, he frowned. "Saved her from getting her head bitten off." He grabbed my hand. "We need to go." His voice was hard and his expression was serious. There was none of his usual charades and taunting. "We're not the only ones here." I scoffed as I held Beatrice's hand. "Thought you said there's no one here?" If left to Lumi, he would leave her here. "I said there's no one living here." I frowned. "What?" My head snapped to the side when I heard loud footsteps. My jaw dropped when I saw them. Skeletons... moving skeletons. There was a cloud of dust following them as they rushed towards us. "Hang on," Lumi said. I guess he used his speed again because I couldn't see shit. The more my e
Chapter 17 - Vampire tales LYRA'S POVBeatrice kept holding my arm and walking beside me the farther we got from Mason's pack. We were behind Mele- Lumi... Right. We made sure not to get too close to him. Although something told me if he wanted to kill us, the distance we put between ourselves wouldn't help our case at all. I saw how fast he had moved when he held my neck. There was no way we'd escape alive if he decided he wanted a snack. "I've never seen one before," Beatrice whispered into my ears as she let out a shuddering breath. The night was cold and the moon was bright. We could see everything around us but the silvery light rays gave everything an eerie look. "What?" I frowned at her as she nodded at Lumi who was walking slowly. His hands were crossed behind his back and his steps were light as he looked around the forest as though we were all taking a pleasure stroll. The cold didn't seem to affect him one bit."Him. I've only read about vampires. I never thought I'd mee
Lumi's POVFor two years I have been trapped in this dungeon, refusing myself escape even though I was capable of it. Two years before she was locked up with me. Separated by iron bars, I dreamt with her about a world of freedom, gripped by her ridiculous plans for the escape until this night when that plan became a reality.I dared to ignore my hunger, fighting the more feral side of my existence as I pried my head for memories of my past. The blank slate I always drew was what helped me stay under the chains of the rogue king. Mason has always thought that he had me under control, feeding me lean meat with no blood; food substantial enough for my existence but not for my health as well.When the door to the dungeon opened and Beatrice came in, I smelt it. The familiar metallic smell that ignited my soul and flamed my hunger. It was blood in those animal skin bags she held but something more inciting beckoned me more than the items in her hand. It was the sound of her beating heart,
Lyra's POVLooking up at the sky, amongst the swaying grasslike crops, I waited patiently for Beatrice and Meleon. I had promised to get him out of that dungeon and that promise was coming to pass. My wolf howled in the ecstatic freedom we were yet to experience and I made sure it stayed an internal howl. Shifting would not do me much good in my deteriorated state. I had left a bit of the makeup on my face, just so I wouldn't appear deathly pale after running. That could end up frightening Beatrice and goddess knows I wasn't ready for such a situation. We didn't make use of Beatrice's plan because Cara helped us. It was our added advantage and yet, I didn't feel too good. Leaving her behind might kill her but she had so adamantly refused to leave this goddess forsaken place with us. She had to stay and distract Mason which had been the original plan. Still, Beatrice couldn't stay anymore. She had been the only one Mason had told of my imprisonment in the dungeon which was why she cou
Cara's POVI sighed as I stood by the river. The younger ladies were fetching water and chatting hapilly about the wedding that was going to happen today. I smiled sadly at them. There would be no wedding today. Not Beatrice, Lyra and I had anything to say about it. "Cara."I took a deep breath and bowed to the king when he came to stand beside me. He smiled when the women giggled and gave him a lotus flower. He took it politely and walked away. I could see his hands were full of different kinds of flowers. Each flower had different significance for different regions but they all meant one thing. They were all blessings for newly weds. I sighed shaking my head. Everyone was really getting ahead of themselves. It was noon. The cooks already knew what to do. Everyone did their jobs efficiently. I didn't have to stick around to supervise as much as I had thought I would. Moreso, I didn't have the heart to see all that effort crumble before midnight."The pack has taken a new look," Maso
Chapter 13 – An Added HelperMeleon's POVLyra had been in the middle of teaching me how to break my wrists and get out of my chains when the door burst wide open. Bloody hell, what was the rush? Did the person want to break the door down? Not that it wouldn't be a good thing considering how dark the dungeon was but still, it was cold enough at night with the door closed. It would be a disaster with the door wide open. The only way to keep warm would be to shift and sleep in our wolf form. The thought of seeing Lyra in her wolf form made me smile briefly. I imagine she'd be small and probably have the same fur colour as her hair - black."Lyra?" A strange voice called.I could see the woman squinting her eyes, trying to make out the figures in the dark. She was old. She had grey hairs on her head mixed in with black. There were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. Her face squeezed the more she narrowed her eyes. The woman was panting. Had she run here?"Cara?"I watched Lyra stand up
Cara's POVI walked into the cooking hut, coughing when my face was enveloped by smoke. "Miroh! Open the windows wide, the broth is burning!" I yelled, still coughing as the flustered male Omega rushed to do as I said. My eyes went to the middle aged woman sitting by the fire, blinking rapidly. She seemed to have just woken up from sleep. "Tell me you didn't fall asleep while watching the food, Yadah." It was no use. Her guilty expression told me I was right. "Dear goddess," I sighed, rubbing my forehead. What a headache! "How much sleep did you get last night?""None, ma'am." She shrunk into herself, blushing like a bashful pup caught in the act of something troublesome.I noticed the dark circles under her eyes. I couldn't blame her for sleeping. Our king's wedding was a big deal. All the women and some males that cared to assist had been working on decorating the clearing that was meant to be used for the wedding in a week's time. When Mason had informed me of Lyra's attempted esc