**HUMAN WORLD**
The softness in his voice makes her turn to look at him. He is still staring at her intently, a serious look on his features. She does not think he understands the importance of her actions, or maybe he doesn't care what she is doing. He just wishes to make sure that she had listened to him, although he probably thought that it was too late when she had already ran away. It makes him feel better knowing that he had been the only one who cared, even though no one else does.
"Can I give you something?" The Prince asks in a low whisper, and then holds out something that looks suspiciously similar to his crown and as soon as she sees it, she understands, and her eyes widen in shock.
"Is that what I think it is?" Noelle asks, swallowing hard and feeling like she had just been dragged and dropped into a crime thriller that she had no business being in in the first place. She closes her eyes
**SCARLETT'S POV**I am very pissed at Atlas. I cannot even believe that he would actually still think of going ahead and getting down even after Atlene had just caught us in a compromising position. I left him standing there and talking in his room, while I ran after Atlene, trying to explain everything to him, even though I had absolutely no idea what I was going to say to him. But of course it is still raining, and I do not want to get soaked, even as I can see Atlene running down the forest path, wading angrily and swiftly through all that mud in his angry haste.I stand in the doorway, watching how much water has accumulated in the compound, and hoping that the cars that I had ordered, have been sent out to transport my people down to the underground mansion for protection. This is also very necessary, because I do not know if the trembling is going to happen again, and whether or not it was indicating an attack. Eit
**STORM PACK'S STATEGY ROOM**A MEETINGAlpha Akin had called a meeting of his elders to discuss the trembling that had woken him up from his precious nap, and Luke and Annabel happened to be invited to the meeting as well. And they deliberate on what it could mean for them and how it changes their plans to attack Scarlett's pack.As well, because Alpha Akin wanted all of the available information in a way to make decisions on their future strategy. That is why he brought them into the room, where they sit around a big round table with six chairs. It is a long table that is big enough to fit twenty or thirty people comfortably. Alpha Akin has a very important position here among his clan, so everyone has to pay attention when he talks. So far, not one person is taking a full interest, though.Akin sits at the head of the table like always. He takes his place next to the alph
** HUMAN WORLD**Noelle allows her fingers to roam on the Prince's face, pulling his face closer to hers. This time though, it’s no longer a peck on the cheek in the afternoon or even a quick brush of fingertips across her shoulder. It is not a kiss to distract the raggedy man from noticing the stars in the Prince's hands, or the guilt in her own eyes. This time, Noelle is kissing the Prince for herself. With the stars and the moon missing from the sky, anything can happen. The world could erupt and burn down, or even just come to an end, so she might as well enjoy the moment while she has it; solidify her place in the Prince's head, so that leaving the cabin, would not be the end of this magnetic fire that they have raging between them.There are teeth clashing this time – not a gentle kiss at all, but an urgent and passionate kissing session that makes them both feel breathless and dizzy, and c
**HUMAN WORLD**Noelle opens up her eyes slowly, as light hits her face. She had fallen asleep seated in the chair and placing her head on the wooden table. Her neck hurt badly. She must have twisted it in her troubled sleep. She looks over at the Prince, and sees him sleeping peacefully on the blanket, beside the still snoring raggedy man, and she smiles softly. The smile dies once again on her face as she notices the light walking towards her somehow. She screams, hoping it is a dream as she feels herself floating, but she is simply not so lucky. Or is she? She passes out.Her dream continues, until they are no more, and then there is darkness. There is only blackness. No sound, and no sight. And then, a figure, floating just above her like an apparition. He holds out his hand like a beggar or someone who has lost their way. But this person has something else to offer. Something that glistens red, dripping down from bet
Atlene follows Ruby to where she claims her car is parked. They both walk farther and farther into the forest, and he is not sure exactly where they are going or for how long they have been walking, but he can feel the burn in his thighs, his shoulders, his neck and his feet."Are you sure we have not lost our way?" Atlene asks, feeling very tired and hungry already. He was yet to have breakfast before leaving the mansion, and he regrets it then. His clothes are soaked through, and his head hurts badly.Ruby looks back at him from under her umbrella, smiling devilishly. "We are almost there, my precious. Don't you get all impatient and give up on me now…" She says, looking ahead and walking at a fast, consistent pace. Atlene has no choice but to keep up with her pace, lest he wants to fall behind, and he feels weak enough as is.They keep walking until the sun goes dow
**RUBY'S LAIR*The presence of Atlene's late sister who had died in his arms when he was ten years old, deeply troubled and rattled Atlene. For his was a deep family secret wrapped up in lies and buried in deceit. Atlene wished he was older back then, so he could protect Saphir over something that had never even been her fault. A situation that had been swept under the carpet by Atlene's parents, because they would have been excommunicated from the pack if anyone had found out that Saphir had been raped, impregnated, and had died giving birth to the bastard pup inside her.But he had not known about any of that in the moment – it had all been a secret kept even from his ten year old self. It made him feel terrible for how little he understood of the situation, but at the time, being ten years old was not anything more than a vague memory from another time and place, one that only reminded him of why he still l
**SCARLETT'S POV**I still cannot believe that my cousins are actually lying dead before my very eyes. Atlas calls Shantel and Daniel, and they return in twenty minutes with the people of Scarlett's pack. Atlas leads them to the underground mansion through another entrance, in order to give Scarlett her much needed privacy to mourn her cousins."What did you say happened to them?" Shantel kept asking, touching all their bodies in Scarlett's room, where Atlas transfered them to be checked by a physician."The physician says that they seem to have been poisoned." I hear someone say in reply to Shantel. It is my personal maid. I look up at them through hooded eyes, trying to understand how my entire world had come crashing in just a matter of minutes.How could I have been so careless? I was supposed to protect my cousins, what was I going to say to my Uncle? As if on cue
**SCARLETT'S POV**The man raises a shaky hand to touch his face after there is no sound at all. The man falls silent, and the candles flicker out with an echoing ‘pop'. Only the duct tape on my lips, hands and feet shine shockingly brightly. Nothing provides any light through the large glass windows behind the man, but my duct tape illuminates the bloodstains on the stone floor as well as the brand new diamond encrusted dagger still lying beside me, untouched. I reach out tentatively with both taped hands, moving on the floor on my butts, and aiming towards the dagger. A dry cackle from the bleeding man shocks and stops me midway into trying to navigate cutting through the duct tape with the dagger. I look in his direction in the dark room, feeling a little more scared and a little more nervous. He stays silent again, so I keep struggling with the dagger until I get it in a hold that starts cutting into the duct tape. It takes three attempts before I finally manage to cut through.
SCARLETT'S POVMy wedding day came, and it was glorious. I woke up bright and early, happy beyond understanding, to be alive and well on my own wedding day. A real wedding, that was not fake or a lie or a trap. This was my real life wedding dream.The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was blue with just a few fluffy white clouds. It was a perfect day for a wedding. I got up and went to the window to look outside. The view was breathtaking. The ocean was calm and still, the beach was clean and beautiful, and the trees were swaying in the gentle breeze. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and thanked God for this beautiful day and for bringing Atlas into my life.I then turned to the room, which was already bustling with activity. Nader was busy putting the finishing touches on the decorations, Paula was helping Lillian with her hair and makeup, Camille was making sure everythi
With Annabel dead and Luke gone far away in search of his own life, Scarlett finally felt like it was time to let go and allow herself to wed Atlas and be a Luna instead of an Alpha."It is definitely time to get married and settle down, have little pups running around here and live out my own happily ever after. What do you think, Atlene?" Scarlett asks Atlene on a cool leisurely evening in the gardens.Atlene sighs and looks over at her with a vague expression on his face. "I feel like you deserve all the peace and happiness in this world, Scarlett," he said wistfully, looking away quickly from Scarlett's face."What do you mean, Atlene? Please talk to me. What exactly are you talking about? You seem very sad too. Are you alright?" Scarlett asks near tears."You deserve to be happy with my brother, Atlas." He pauses and looks at Scarlett. "I know
"I think it is high time that Scarlett and I had a sit-down to talk about our differences and squash them once and for all. I cannot go on living like this, where I'm looking over my shoulders and waiting to be attacked or planning on attacking whatever battalion she has on her side." Scarlett says quietly, and Atlas looks lovingly at her."Are you really sure that it is what you want?" Atlas asks and she nods in agreement."Let's fight once and for all and end this. I am exhausted with the whole charade. Aren't you? If the moon goddess wasn't involved the last two times, I would be dead right about now. It is enough with the cat and mice games. Let's get on with this and settle it forever." Scarlett says, and Atlas nods in agreement once again.The sun had set, and the sky was covered with shades of orange and pink as Atlas and Scarlett walked towards the designated meeting
SCARLETT'S POVWe expected an attack from Annabel and the Storm Pack, but nothing prepared us for the sudden attack that occurred. I was blindsided, and it broke my heart to see my wolves being killed randomly.I went out, fighting hard beside Atlas, Atlene, Ken, Nader, Kenji, Paula, Lillian, Camille and Daniel. It felt like deja vu, as if we were back in the war against the Storm pack that had threatened our territory years ago.The sound of snarls, growls and screams filled the air as we fought fiercely. I could see the determination in my wolves' eyes as they fought to protect their home and their Alpha.I fought with everything I had, my claws and teeth tearing into the flesh of our attackers. But for every enemy we took down, two more would take their place. They were relentless, and it seemed like they had an endless supply of warriors.
As they returned to their den, Annabel couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the pack that she had found. They were strong, loyal, and brave, and she knew that they would always be there for each other, no matter what challenges lay ahead.Together, they had faced their enemies and emerged victorious. Together, they had shown kindness to those in need. And together, they would continue to thrive and grow, building a brighter future for themselves and their pack.As Annabel settled into her spot by the fire that night, she felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over her. She was proud to be a part of this pack, and she knew that she would do anything to protect them and keep them safe.The war had been tough, but the pack had come out stronger than ever before. They had proven that they were a force to be reckoned with, and they had shown the world that they would not back down in the face of danger.
The day that they had planned on attacking Scarlett's pack finally came. Scarlett was super excited even as she and Luke were going to be in the shadows mostly."After today, Scarlett and her pack will be a thing of the past. How does that make you feel?" Scarlett asks Alpha Akin, and he smiles widely at her.Alpha Akin grinned at Annabel's question, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "It's time for justice to be served," he said. "They have caused too much chaos and destruction in this region for far too long. It's time for them to pay for their crimes."Annabel nodded in agreement, her own excitement bubbling inside her. She had always been loyal to Alpha Akin and his pack, and the thought of taking down their enemies only added to her sense of purpose.The plan was simple: Alpha Akin and his strongest warriors would lead the charge against Scarlett's pack,
Alpha Akin is confused with the story about his having forced himself on Denise and gotten her pregnant."What do you mean that I forced myself on her?" He asks, anger and confusion visible on his dark face.Denise's hands are shaking as she stands with her hands held behind her and her face lowered in shame. "Denise says you forced yourself on her and she is pregnant as a result." Annabel reaffirms confidently.Denise looks back at Luke, and he gives a sign for her to relax and stick with the script with his eyes. "Repeat the statement right on front of me here!" Alpha Akin orders Denise rudely, his eyes appraising her beautiful body with a hint of lust underneath all the anger."You… You forced yourself on me that evening when you were drunk, after the council meeting…" Denise says, acting scared although she is also actually scared.
"There's a problem, Luke. There's a very lightly problem." Denise says, looking very scared as Luke meets up with her in the wine cellar. "Okay, but please calm down and stop pacing, Baby. It's driving me crazy over here." Luke says, and Denise stands at a spot, biting her nails hard and spitting them out of her mouth, while tapping her right leg energetically on the ground at the same time. "How are we going to take care of this, Luke? How?" She cries, still not exactly what the problem is. Luke walks over to her and holds her firmly by the shoulders, stopping her from panicking. Looking deeply into her eyes, he says, "What exactly is the problem, Denise? Please talk to me, and let's see if there is a way out. Your panicking and pacing and nail-biting is not helping anybody. Let's just get to the root of the problem and see how to solve it." Denise looks at him doubtfully with a full pout while Luke nods his approval for her to speak." I am… I think that I am pregnant," Denise bl
"Big sis, I really need to talk to you about something important." Paula says to Scarlett, and she sits up on her bed to listen to her youngest cousin."What is going on, Paula?" Scarlett asks, scanning her face to help her guess what it is that she wants to talk about. "You seem very worried about something. You know you can trust me with everything, Baby." She adds in trying to gain Paula's choice and make her feel comfortable enough to talk."I don't know how you're going to take this, big sis, but I think Atlas is cheating on you." Paula says pint blank and Scarlett stares at her, sitting quiet and frozen in shock. "She is blond and curvy. I only saw her back when they were kissing behind the kitchen, but I thought to tell you about it." Paula adds looking very scared.Scarlett takes a deep breath, trying to process what Paula just said. She knows that she shouldn't jump