CHAPTER NINE
-ANTONIO-
The sleek black limousine stopped at the entrance of the Alpha's estate. The driver emerged from the front and swiftly opened the door for us. As we made our way inside, our coats were gracefully taken by a team of attentive servants.
We were each guided to our individual suites on the second floor. I entered mine, shut the door, and made a beeline for the bed. The events of tonight had been overwhelming.
I had met my mate, who would soon be the Luna of the Gravemaw Hounds. Thankfully, the
CHAPTER NINE-ANTONIO-I sat alone in the dimly lit room, the deafening silence ringing in my ears. A sigh escaped my lips, a deep and pitiful sound that echoed across the stone walls and filled the room with my regret.A soft knock echoed through the room, breaking the stillness. The door creaked open and Thorin walked in, his face pensive, "Are you alright, Antonio?" he asked, coming to sit next to me on the bed.I shook my head, watching the flickering flame of the candle. "I feel terrible for deceiving Lady Basi
CHAPTER NINE-ANTONIO-Thorin nodded, his stern expression softening. He rushed over to Kinnsion and Eris, and for a brief moment the two broke off their make out session."Prince Kinnsion, Eris," Thorin said urgently, "we need your help with something."Kinnsion frowned, meeting Thorin's gaze before glancing at me and Lady Basia. "What's wrong? Can't you see I am busy with my mate?" he asked, his eyes flickering with annoyance.
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 NINE-ANTONIO-Thorin nodded, his stern expression softening. He rushed over to Kinnsion and Eris, and for a brief moment the two broke off their make out session."Prince Kinnsion, Eris," Thorin said urgently, "we need your help with something."Kinnsion frowned, meeting Thorin's gaze before glancing at me and Lady Basia. "What's wrong? Can't you see I am busy with my mate?" he asked, his eyes flickering with annoyance.
CHAPTER NINE-ANTONIO-I sat alone in the dimly lit room, the deafening silence ringing in my ears. A sigh escaped my lips, a deep and pitiful sound that echoed across the stone walls and filled the room with my regret.A soft knock echoed through the room, breaking the stillness. The door creaked open and Thorin walked in, his face pensive, "Are you alright, Antonio?" he asked, coming to sit next to me on the bed.I shook my head, watching the flickering flame of the candle. "I feel terrible for deceiving Lady Basi
CHAPTER NINE-ANTONIO-The sleek black limousine stopped at the entrance of the Alpha's estate. The driver emerged from the front and swiftly opened the door for us. As we made our way inside, our coats were gracefully taken by a team of attentive servants.We were each guided to our individual suites on the second floor. I entered mine, shut the door, and made a beeline for the bed. The events of tonight had been overwhelming.I had met my mate, who would soon be the Luna of the Gravemaw Hounds. Thankfully, the
CHAPTER NINE-WILHELMINA-Our kiss ended abruptly as Boris pulled away, his eyes full of desire. In one smooth motion, I was suddenly lying on the floor of the limo. Severa was next to me, also lying down. Boris's eyes bore into us, as he loosened his tie.Even in the fog of the potion's effect, I felt a bolt of fear shoot through me. Boris's predatory gaze traveled from me to Severa, who was blinking back the heavy haze, her chest rising and falling with rapid breaths."Boris," her voice trembled, but there was defiance
CHAPTER NINE-WILHELMINA-It was not a soft peck, nor was it a quick peck meant for show. It was a passionate, lingering kiss that sent ripples of shock through the atmosphere in the limo. Severa melted into him, her fingers curling in the lapel of his jacket. A soft moan escaped her lips as if she had been waiting for this very moment. Their bodies pressed together.The sight of them kissing stunned me for a moment, causing my mind to go blank and temporarily distracting me from the heat and dizziness. "What… what are you doing?" I asked in a breathy whisper, my voice coming
CHAPTER NINE-WILHELMINA-I witnessed Thorin escorting Antonio out of the building. A feeling of sadness and emptiness washed over me. My instinct was to call him back, to stop him from leaving but deep down, I knew I couldn't. There were too many curious eyes. If either of us disclosed the truth about our relationship, it would only add more complications to an already delicate situation."What the hell is his problem?" Boris snarled."Calm down, Boris," Weldon advised, placing a hand on the agitated man's shoulder. "Pr
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