CHAPTER NINE
-ANTONIO-
The Moon Goddess's Ball was ending, and everyone was heading out. I had spent the majority of my evening in the company of Lady Basia. Although I was engaged to my fiancé, my heart and soul were pulled towards my true mate, Wilhelmina. It made it difficult to focus on my current relationship. Every moment felt off, and being with the wrong person just felt plain wrong. As much as I longed to be with Wilhelmina, I knew it wasn't possible at the moment.
I watched as she chatted animatedly with Boris, a flicker of jealousy sparking within me. Seeing them t
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-The long-awaited day had arrived, heralding the commencement of the revered Alpha Games. Participating in this event was a dream come true for me. Imagine this – if I win, I’ll be crowned the Alpha of the legendary Gravemaw Hounds! It's been my ultimate dream since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I've always had my sights set on leading the pack, ever since I can remember. And now, with victory in my sight, that dream feels closer than ever.Excitement pulsed through my veins as I paced back and forth in the locker room, eagerly anticipating the start of the games. The early morning light filtered in, casting a soft glow on the empty space around me. Just a few early risers were scattered about, like eager bees buzzing before the hive comes to life. But soon enough, the place would be bustling with energy and anticipation as all the other competitors arrive. The calm before the storm, they say. Well, I can’t wait for the storm to hit!The locker room burst o
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-The Alpha Games had been going on for approximately one week now, and today marked the final showdown. The competition had initially consisted of over a hundred highly skilled and experienced alpha werewolves. But as the days passed, that number steadily decreased until only three remained. Boris Gravemaw was an expected finalist, known for his incredible strength and clever tactics. However, I, Wilhelmina Growler, was a surprising addition, using a combination of intelligence and brute force to succeed. And finally, my older brother Weldon - a master strategist - completed the trio.The final event was set at midnight during the full moon, when our transformations were at their peak. The rules were simple; whoever could retrieve the Alpha's Crown from the heart of the treacherous Dark Woods and bring it back to the pack grounds was the new Alpha. The Crown, a symbolic relic, was set deep within the forest, surrounded by traps and challenges designed to test o
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-The storm was a monstrous entity, a simmering chaos that loomed above the forest. It seemed to echo the tumultuous fury within my heart, thundering with all the passion and determination that drove me forward. Despite the storm’s rage, I pushed on, my paws sinking into the sodden earth with each determined step. Suddenly, there it was - amidst the riotous weather and foreboding wilderness - a shimmering glint caught my eye.Through the heart of the storm, nestled between the gnarled roots of an ancient oak was the Alpha's Crown, gleaming with an ethereal light that cut through the darkness. The Alpha's Crown – a legendary artifact of our kind, imbued with the collective strength of countless leaders. It was said to hold the essence of every pack leader who'd ever worn it. Now, it sat nestled between twisted roots, caught in the spectral dance of lightning that fractured the darkness every few moments. The crown was an intricate weave of silver and gold, studde
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-"Wilhelmina, you can't beat me. Just give up," His voice was grating, like stones scraping against each other. It sent shivers coursing down my spine. But his words — his taunting — only served to ignite a spark within me, a spark that fanned the flickering embers of my will into a blazing defiance. The wolf inside me snarled, refusing to bow to the likes of Boris, refusing to be tamed by the tormenting poison."Never," I spat out, my voice raspy but charged with defiance.Suddenly, without warning, my legs gave out from under me. I collapsed onto the forest floor, the icy storm soaking into my fur. My trembling muscles rebelled against every attempt to rise as the venom continued to spread its numbing tendrils through my body. Slowly, my body started to change. My fur disappeared, replaced by skin pale as the moonlight that filtered in through the stormy canopy overhead. My paws shrank, forming into hands and feet. My muzzle and ears shortened, the elongated
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-I woke up slowly, my senses struggling to adjust. The sound of a soft beeping intruded upon my consciousness, the rhythmic pulses both foreign and comforting. A faint antiseptic smell prickled at the back of my nostrils, a testament to the sterile environment I found myself in. My body felt heavy, weighed down with a fatigue that seemed bone-deep.My eyes fluttered open, assaulted by the pale fluorescent lighting, its harsh glare softened by wispy white curtains drawn around my bed. The room was unfamiliar but impeccably clean, the walls painted a soothing shade of seafoam green. Potted plants dotted every corner, their vibrant green leaves reaching out towards the sunlight streaming in from the window.I was in a hospital bed, my body covered with a soft, white quilt that felt as feathery light as a cloud. A soft humming echoed through the room, emanating from what appeared to be a sophisticated machinery nearby, laced with wires and tubes hooked up to my arm
CHAPTER TWO-WILHELMINA-It had taken approximately seven days since I'd woken up in the hospital, recovering from being poisoned by Wolf's Bane. Today, at last, I was being released. According to the doctor, all traces of the poison had been eliminated from my body and it would no longer have any effect on me.Feeling the fresh air on my face as I stepped out of the stifling infirmary was like being reborn. The hospital room had started to feel like a prison cell, and the mere sight of the towering pines and lush greenery of our territory made my heart flutter in relief.Weldon had arrived early that morning to take me home. He watched me with a protective gaze, always ready to leap to my side if I showed any sign of faltering. But I was a wolf. We were built tough and we healed fast. "I'm okay, Weldon," I reassured him as we walked to his SUV.He gave me a sidelong glance, his fingers tightened on the steering wheel. The raw concern in his gaze reminded me of how much he cared for h
CHAPTER TWO-WILHELMINA-After the dinner was finished and satisfied sighs echoed around the room, Severa and I slipped away. Raina shot me a knowing look as we quietly excused ourselves. The night was alive with starlight, painting the earth in hushed tones of silver and shadows. We began our nocturnal adventure into the forest, guided by the familiar paths that were carved into our memory.The moon, in its haunting beauty, bathed the pathway in an ethereal glow. Its light danced on the leaves, and made the dew drops twinkle like a thousand tiny stars.We meandered along the trodden trail, our steps quiet against the rustle of leaves beneath our feet. The forest was a symphony of sounds, where the occasional hoot of an owl could be heard harmonizing with the soft cadence of crickets, and each rustle of the trees was an interlude that added depth to the melody.Our destination was the Old Willow – a generous giant of a tree – older than anyone could remember. Its bark was thick and gn
CHAPTER TWO-WILHELMINA-The growl that rumbled from my chest was loud and clear this time. Weldon cleared his throat. "Mina, maybe you should rest. You were only discharged from the hospital today, and your doctor emphasized the importance of resting."With an almost imperceptible nod, I acknowledged Weldon's suggestion, my gaze remaining locked on Boris. The shadows danced across his smug face, mocking me. Grudgingly, I broke eye contact, "Just because you won the title doesn't mean you've earned it."My words hung in the air, a final punch leaving Boris's smirk faltering for a moment. I turned on my heels and strode into the house through the backdoor. Inside, the warmth of the home enveloped me, but the chill of the confrontation lingered in my bones. I moved through rooms filled with the chatter and laughter of my parents and our guests, the sound now grating on my frayed nerves. I headed up to my room, a place that always felt like an oasis amidst the chaos of pack life.Closing
CHAPTER NINE-ANTONIO-The Moon Goddess's Ball was ending, and everyone was heading out. I had spent the majority of my evening in the company of Lady Basia. Although I was engaged to my fiancé, my heart and soul were pulled towards my true mate, Wilhelmina. It made it difficult to focus on my current relationship. Every moment felt off, and being with the wrong person just felt plain wrong. As much as I longed to be with Wilhelmina, I knew it wasn't possible at the moment.I watched as she chatted animatedly with Boris, a flicker of jealousy sparking within me. Seeing them t
CHAPTER NINE-WILHELMINA-Severa and I exchanged glances, both of us relieved by Boris' temporary absence. As the crowd weaved around us like an intricate lattice of emotions and pleasantries, Severa turned her attention back to me. Her gaze was full of curiosity."Seems like you have quite a lot on your mind tonight," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper among the clamor. "What have you been thinking about?""It’s nothing I can tell you here," I admitted with a smile.
CHAPTER NINE-WILHELMINA-Trisha and I strolled down the corridor of the grand mansion, heading back towards the ballroom. She walked beside me, her steps in sync with mine. We remained quiet as we walked, not exchanging any words.Saying goodbye to Antonio, I had felt an unfamiliar void and chill settled over me. His warmth and company brought out emotions in me that I had never experienced before. Now, I felt a strange emptiness that made my heart ache in longing. This was not the life I had chosen for myself. I was being forced into a marriage with a man I didn't love. My heart s
CHAPTER EIGHT-ANTONIO-A silence fell over us; pregnant and suffocating. The wind roared around us, carrying whispers of sorrow and regret. Weldon seemed lost in the past, his face a mask of pain as he recalled the long hours waiting for his sister to wake.His hands clenched and unclenched; a physical manifestation of his internal struggle. "Even though Mr. Leon, the Alpha Father, knew of Mina's condition, he did not disqualify her. Instead, he appointed her to the role of Delta. He even postponed our first leadership meeting to ensure she wouldn't miss it."
CHAPTER EIGHT-ANTONIO-Weldon took a deep breath. "Wilhelmina never liked Boris," he began, looking out over the balcony's edge to the darkened garden beneath us. "But Boris has always had a fascination with my sister.""So it was Boris who pursued this arrangement," I said more as a statement than a question."Ever since they were children," Weldon continued, "Boris was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He'd follow her around, always trying to impress her with his petty accomplishments. He never understood that my s
CHAPTER EIGHT-ANTONIO-Wilhelmina's vulnerability, her raw honesty, touched something primal within me. It was my instinct to protect, but as her mate, it was my duty to stand by her side, sharing strength and courage in equal measures."You could never fail, Wilhelmina," I said firmly, my fingers curling tighter around her cheeks, my gaze locked onto the sheen of trepidation in her eyes. "Because even if you falter, even if you stumble, it won't be a failure. It will be a learning, a stepping stone toward becoming the leader your pack needs."
CHAPTER EIGHT-WILHELMINA-Just as he closed the distance, I placed my free hand on his chest, stopping him in his tracks. My heart pounded against my ribcage like a drum's urgent beat, its rhythm chaotic and wild."Antonio," I murmured, my voice trembling with the weight of what I was about to say, "We can't..."He froze in place, his warm breath caressing my lips when he exhaled. His eyes held my reflection in them, fluttered shut for a moment as he absorbed my words. When they reopened, I saw a flicker of pain, quickl
CHAPTER EIGHT-WILHELMINA-The mansion doors swung open, the presenter kicked off the introductions for each guest as they made their way inside. They all came forward to shake hands with Thorin first, followed by Weldon, then the Luna Mother and Alpha Father. Finally, the guests made their way over to Boris, Severa, and myself for introductions. Once the guests had finished introductions, a servant would escort them to the magnificent ballroom.Everyone who entered shook hands with Boris first, their faces carefully polite. Next, it was my turn. Rather than following Boris'
CHAPTER EIGHT-WILHELMINA-In an hour, the Moon Goddess's Ball will begin. I had been inside the luxurious Luna's suite, preparing for the grand event with Severa. Estrada and a few other maids were present, aiding us in the room. She had been assisting me in putting on the elegant ballroom gown.The gown was made of the finest silk from the eastern realms, its intricate details embodying the crescent moon and stars through precious gems. It was soft, flowing, and the color of the reddest roses. I surveyed my reflection in the grand mirror, the gown hugged my figure perfectly, accen