The chamber was quiet with a single candlelight illuminating the room.The figure on the bed tossed weakly, eyes fluttering open, taking in the familiar environment.Disoriented, she took in the familiar surroundings, a frown creasing her brow. "Where is everyone?" she rasped, her voice cracking with disuse. Like a lost pup, she darted her gaze around the empty room, "How long have I been out?"Reyana stood up frantically when she realized she was alone. In her room."Reagan?" She called, wondering why he wasn't back yet, “Didn't he say he was just stepping out? Did I sleep for so long? Did Klara come back and find me sleeping?" A torrent of questions bombarded her mind,She felt a dull headache hitting the side of her head. Sitting up, she tentatively massaged her temples, the cool linen sheets whispering against her skin.She wondered how late into the night it was because the entire place seemed way too quiet.The quietness was broken by the collective shouts of joy erupting from a
A crimson rage contorted Alpha Randall's face, the veins in his neck bulging. Every muscle in his body screamed at the unexpected sight of Reyana as he wondered why Reyana always had to embarrass him on essential occasions, every single time."Reyana?" he roared, the word scraping against his throat like a curse. "What in the name of the Moon Goddess do you think you're doing?"This was not one of those mere gatherings where she gets to try to steal the spotlight. This was right in the presence of the Blood Witches, for Selene's sake!"Reyana? What are you doing?" Randall asked with frustration in his tone. He had already had enough frustration for the night. He'd lost two vital treasures of his pack. That's more than enough to deal with.Reayan stood unmoving. She didn't care about the eyes that glared at her. Some looked at her with disdain. Those who had already seen her as an opportunist who always wanted to steal the spotlight from Visha hated her even more."Take her away," Rand
"Why do you keep doing this to her? She has done nothing but love you, Novak. Enough with the punishment already," Maya flared up at her brother, Alpha Novak, who stood against the cold wall, listening to her blab about whatever.He seemed lost in his own thoughts."Say something!" Maya half-yelled, pulling him out of his reverie."What do you want, Maya?" He asked calmly, "What does Naya want this time?"Maya's fury simmered down, replaced by a wave of deep sadness for her brother. He looked like a man burdened by an invisible weight, his eyes clouded with a worry she couldn't understand. "Novak… please," she pleaded, her voice softening. "Naya has been through so much. She's your mate, for Luna's sake! She deserves your love, not this… this hatred!"Novak let out a harsh, humorless chuckle as he pushed himself away from the wall and stalked towards a heavy oak chest, "Okay." He replied, hoping to end the conversation.Maya noticed he was in a bad mood. Something was definitely wrong
It's been three days after the blood ritual. Everything seemed to go back to normal in the Blood Crescent pack.Visha was already the most loved woman in the pack. Everyone bowed to her everywhere she went, singing songs of praise to her.It twisted Reyana's insides, but she tried her best to mask it, even though it was a bitter pill to swallow.Reyana was now an insignificant shadow. Almost no one paid attention to her, and she felt empty and alone.She had been waiting impatiently for her sister, who promised to send a potion to Klara, but she still hadn't gotten a word from her.Randall demanded to know where she had gone the other day, but he didn't believe her truth when she told him what had happened.Whatever it is that is going on around her was surely happening against her favor.She also hadn't heard from Shota after their last meeting. It was almost as if everyone who held answers for her deserted her.She walked through the pack, heading toward the fortress to see Klara. S
Reyana sat quietly in her room, a new determination brewing in her. It was time she stopped being a fool for Randall. The mate bond had done her more harm than good.She thought of ways to get him to reject her so she could move on with her life.He had told her it was time for her to bear his Lunar Scribe mark. She'd be damned to accept it wholeheartedly.He wanted so hard to cage her when he knew he didn't want her. She was never going to subject herself to such a life - a life of loneliness.Reyana reached out for the potion Shota had given her. She looked at it momentarily, contemplating what to do with it.At this point, she didn't care anymore about being the chosen one, or not. She didn't care about anyone else but herself. She wanted to become selfish. Caring for others hasn't exactly done her too well.To hell with every other person, including Randall.She opened the vial in her hand and emptied its contents into her mouth. It tasted bland, but she swallowed it up in one gul
Reyana angrily walked toward the fortress. She had an important meeting to attend to. She didn't care what the consequences would be.She was in such a hurry that she didn't notice the person coming ahead of her."Watch where you're going!" A familiar voice snapped, laced with a hint of amusement when she was about to stumble on a small rock just at the entrance of the fortress.Reyana blinked, her anger momentarily forgotten, "Oh!" she gasped, snapping back to reality, "Klara..." she called with relief.Klara's sharp eyes immediately scanned Reyana's face, taking in the tightly drawn features and the repressed anger radiating from her every pore. "What's happening with you? You look like a storm cloud about to burst.""I am fine. Your attention is needed, right? Everyone is waiting, including the Alpha." Reyana said urgently.Klara's gaze narrowed. "You seem… tense. And where exactly within the fortress are you headed in such a hurry?"Reyana hadn't anticipated this line of questioni
Reyana stepped into the familiar chamber gingerly. She looked around it, and it still held the same deceiving look as the first time she had visited.Then, suddenly, everything began taking shape, and Shota emerged from her usual spot - the garden. Her hair was as white as freshly fallen snow. She looked up, her smile as sharp and knowing as ever."I thought I'd never see you again," She said."Not a chance," Reyana replied, "I need answers, Shota. I have too many questions.""And I assure you, child," she said, her voice laced with a hint of mischief, "I'd answer them all, as long as I have the answers myself.""I took the potion you gave me," Reyana pressed, her voice tight with frustration. She crossed her arms, jerky and abruptly. "Nothing happened. Did you lie about it?"Shota scoffed, "Of course not, child," she said, her amusement morphing into something akin to pity. "I see you are desperate to reclaim what you've lost," she said with a smile of amusement."I am. I want to red
NOTE: From here on, this book takes a drastic turn. It is the full introduction of Rashka, and he is as dark as he seems."Please, forgive my mother. She is getting old and her memories fail her sometimes," a young girl in her earlier twenties stepped forward, clutching onto Briana's arm as she bowed her head in apology to Visha and Randall.Visha heaved a heavy sigh of relief. She was already scared and thinking of the next best action to take. Thankfully, this timely intervention came."I thought so," Visha replied with a nervous smile."I am certain about what I saw. I do not mean to disrespect you, Alpha Randall, but I am certain. The Luna was the one who made his fingers twitch. It all happened right before you walked in," Briana insisted, a frown creasing her brows."That's enough, Briana. Just like your daughter said, you must have seen wrongly," Randall intervened, his tone leaving no room for further argument.Klara watched without saying a word. She was done thinking for him
Visha was dragged from the dungeon, her wrists bound in iron shackles that rattled with every step. Her heart raced. She knew this was the end for her.Memories of how she had lived her life and how she was meant to live came flooding her. Regrets had become her best companion throughout her stay in the dungeon, but there was nothing she could do to save herself.Her sister had warned her. But she was blinded by stupid feelings. Feelings that they had been taught never to let get in their way.No one is coming to her aid. Not Novak. Not the Master. Not even her sister. Because she had gone against everyone just to be with Randall. The same Randall who was going to be her executioner today.Reyana stood beside Randall in the middle of the crowd, her gaze fixed on Visha. A cold satisfaction crept into her heart as she watched her former tormentor face her ultimate fate. The woman who had caused her so much pain was finally going to pay the price.A cruel smirk played on her lips.Randal
"So, what's your condition?" Alpha Randall asked Reyana as soon as they were inside his chamber."Tell me, Randall. Visha is guilty of all the crimes she confessed to, right?" Reyana asked, sitting at the edge of the bed."Yes. She is. She confessed to it all, including being responsible for the death of Valerie." Randall admitted, wondering where this was all headed."Why haven't you executed her yet?" Reyana asked, searching his face for any expressions. "Are you still in love with her?""The Goddess forbid! I have nothing to do with that wicked, cunning witch anymore!" Randall said in fury. The thought or mention of Visha made him enraged."Then what's taking so long? Were you waiting for me to grace the occasion?" Reyana asked.Randall gave it a thought. He realized that he couldn't tell why he hadn't executed her yet."I don't know... I've been very occupied with bringing you back. She was not a priority. You were." He replied, leaning on his study table."Okay, then. Now that I'
"Reyana. Please. Don't go. You can go another time. Please," Randall had to bring down his ego and plead. He couldn't afford to lose her. He felt like if she ever left with Novak, he'd lose her forever.Seeing the look on Randall's face touched a part of her heart she never knew was still alive. Reyana thought all that was left in her heart for Randall was pure hate. But now she was wrong."I want to spend some time with my family. At least, you owe me that," Reyana said calmly."You will. But not just yet. I need you around, Reyana. The pack needs you. Please, don't go." Randall pleaded.She was conflicted. Randall was speaking to her heart."Novak. I'd send her over in a few days. But for now, I really do need her around," he said in a calmer tone, surprising everyone around, including Novak."Maya won't be happy with this. Besides, you brought us to this point. I've tried to see her for days, but you prevented it." Alpha Novak protested, but his anger was subsiding."You wouldn't b
Reyana drawled, her voice echoing in the confined space. "The Alpha's most precious jewel, reduced to this."'Visha quickly sat up; her eyes, which were once filled with arrogance and malice, went wide with shock. "Reyana? How?" She had expected that since Aldric hadn't had the audacity to kill her, then the master would have laid hands on her and killed her already."Funny question, I must say, Visha."Visha's lips curved into a bitter smile. "You look well, Reyana. Almost radiant."Reyana laughed, "Thank you. Being a prisoner of my mate has its perks." She said, her eyes slowly raking over the pathetic state of the woman who had made her life a living hell.Visha's face contorted into a mask of rage. "You dare mock me?""Why not? What would you do? Run to the Alpha and cry to him?" Reyana scoffed, "Only this time, the Alpha is slightly out of your reach.""What do you want? I had my peace before you showed up," Visha said, looking away in shame."Is there any peace for the wicked? R
"Alpha Randall isn't entirely to blame here," Reyana began, stepping forward to stand before everyone, "He never knew I was the fourth Necro key. He was blind and foolish. Selfish and ignorant. I also never knew what I was until it was already too late." She paused, letting it sink in before she continued."You relaxed, thinking everything was fine when you were meant to find a solution before the problem became such a concern." She added with a scoff. "I guess it's too late for you all now. Rashka can't be stopped anymore. He's gotten what he wants, and now he is coming for all those who betrayed him," she said and turned to look at Randall.Randall wondered what Rashka had told Reyana. She seemed to know so much but let out a little."What do we do to stop him now? He is a monster that needs to be stopped. According to the prophecy. And you are the only one who can stop him." Elder Tad asked."It is a little too late now, Elders. Rashka can't be stopped. Neither do I want to stop hi
Reyana lay crumpled on the bed, her sobs filling the chamber. The silky sheets wrapped around her naked body were covered in sweat and tears.Randall had taken her against her will. It was a sin to her. She no longer bore Randall's mark; therefore, she couldn't feel okay letting him touch her the way he used to.He lay beside her, feeling victorious, reveling in the thought of Rashka being in severe pain, knowing that his 'mate' just got fucked by another man.Reyana felt movement behind her. She knew it was Randall leaving the bed. She didn't make any effort to look in his direction."Prepare. Tomorrow night, that cursed mark will be taken off you. You belong to me. Not Rashka." Randall said in an icy tone as he put on his tunic."I will never be yours, you monster!" Reyana spat, bolting to a sitting position. "You think you can just seize your way into my life without as much as making a move for redemption? Are you even sorry about all you did?""Look, Reyana. I have been paying fo
"There are some people here to see you, Alpha," a guard reported to Alpha Randall while he was trying to cool off after the heated argument he had for the fifth time with Reyana since she arrived at the pack."Who are they?" He asked. The guard hesitated for a moment before replying."They said they are from the Green Oasis."Randall's gaze snapped in the direction of the guard, "What?" he sat up from his relaxed position."Yes, Alpha. They are from the Green Oasis. And they want to speak with you. They said it's urgent," he reported.Alpha Randall strode into his courtroom, his face set in a grim expression. Kellan and two other guards walked behind him, with Klara trailing behind."What the fuck are you doing here?" He demanded when he entered the courtroom.He saw three men and a woman standing, waiting patiently for him."Greetings, Alpha Randall. My name is Kaito. We come in peace." Kaito spoke with a small bow."Speak. What do you want within my pack?" Randall asked, ignoring th
"The dungeon? How? What did she do?" Reyana asked with furrowed brows. If anyone had ever told her that Randall would ever throw Visha into the dungeon, she'd never have believed it."Let's go inside. I'll tell you all about it," Randall said, attempting to lead her toward the fortress but she resisted."No. I don't care about you or Visha." She raved, turning around to leave but Randall's strong hand grabbed her arm, pulling her harshly."Stop this madness!" He yelled, lifting her off the floor onto his shoulder. "You will do as I say!" He warned, walking into the fortress."Let me go!" She struggled against his firm grip but it was all futile.*"Shota!" Odessa's worried voice rang with panic as she ran into Shota's chamber. "Reyana... She is gone," she announced, trying to catch her breath.Shota bolted upright, sleep instantly banished. "Gone? Where? How?" she demanded, her voice a rasp from disuse. Panic clawed at her throat."We don't know," Odessa stammered, her hand flying to
"No, Randall, you can't do that. I have to go. Rashka..." Reyana was trying to say when Randall cut her mid-sentence."This is about Rashka? You now choose him over me? Is that it?" Randall's tone bore hurt and anger at the same time.Reyana shot him a quick glare but maintained her composure. She didn't want to confront him in front of everyone.She couldn't bear to leave just yet. Not after she hadn't seen Rashka for days now. It'd kill her. No matter what happens, she is now his mate, and the bond she feels with him is stronger than whatever she feels for Randall at this point. She only feels empathy for Randall and his people right now. Nothing more."I now belong to another, Randall. You can't take me against my will. You have to let go! I only came to warn you of the impending danger," she said hastily when she saw that the barrier was almost closed.She tried to wriggle her wrist out of his firm grip, but he held her firmly. So firm that it hurt."Reyana," Alpha Novak finally sp