Aldric woke up feeling extremely weak. He didn't realize he had slept off last night. He went to bed quite early.He had forgotten all about his meeting with Reyana, and he almost beat himself up because of that.'She must have waited for me,' he thought to himself as the thoughts sent more anger coursing through him.He jerked off the bed gingerly, but something was amiss. He fell back weakly to his bed with a sharp ache by the side of his head.He had been feeling a bit weak for some days now, and it bothered him."This is the mate bond, Aldric," Ric, his wolf, said to him in a weak tone from the back of his mind."I know, Ric. I am sorry." He apologized, guilt washing over him.He felt responsible for this. If only he had spoken up the very first day he had found out that the traitor in their midst was Visha, they wouldn't be in this situation right now.He felt responsible for everything going on in the pack - The attack, Randall marking Visha, the strange illnesses, Reyana's pred
Reyana was tired of protesting. No one was listening to her. They all busied themselves, taking out her belongings.She sighted Aldric speaking to one of the workers about two blocks away. She headed to where he stood, her anger shimmering brightly."Aldric. What's the meaning of this?" She asked, gesturing toward her chamber, "Why is no one listening to me?""Reyana," Aldric called, gesturing for the girl to leave them both. With a bow, the girl he was speaking to left both of them alone, "the Alpha has instructed us. Sorry, we can't go against him.""Really?" She scoffed, "I do not want to be anywhere around the fortress! I have made that clear enough!" She yelled."Perhaps you should talk to him some more because those workers," he gestured toward the people busily moving her things, "are not working strictly on their will but on the Alpha's command. Your yelling won't stop them," Aldric said with a shrug.She took in a deep breath, wondering what her next move should be."Okay." S
Visha had been standing outside the Alpha's chamber, knocking without getting a response.After knocking for the third time, she pushed the door open when she found out it wasn't locked.*"Let me go!" Reyana struggled under his heavy weight, feeling trapped and helpless. Her feeble hands were held together above her head by his strong hand.Randall stared down at her, amusement and hunger raging his insides.He couldn't tell what this was. But he seemed to lose his sense of reasoning whenever he was around her. It gets worse whenever he isn't with Visha. She was always his compass.Speaking of Visha, the thud of the door closing made Randall snap his head in the direction of the noise. He found Visha, his compass and consciousness, standing a few steps away from the door.She looked at him with disappointment in her eyes, which she tried to hide. But right now, he didn't really care. He found himself not caring at all. All he cared about at the moment was his mate, who was lying just
"Why did you ask?" Visha asked, her voice laced with a curious concern.Randall waved his hand dismissively, "It's nothing. I just thought I saw you arguing with Aldric a moment ago," He said, studying her reaction, but she gave none.Visha had schooled herself to always mask her emotions, including surprises. Deep down, her heart skipped a beat when Randall made that statement, but she never let her emotions betray her.She let out a small laugh, "No, not at all. I was probably somewhere in my room being sick," she said."Sick? What is wrong with you? How do you feel?" He asked, scared that she may have caught the flu already."I think I just need some rest. I'll be fine," she replied."This would mean we'll have to cancel the gathering we were arranging for those who have been infected," Randall said dissapointedly."Gathering? What gathering?" She asked."We were going to gather the sick ones and have you join Klara and the other witches for a ritual. The strange illness is spreadi
The silence in the room was shattered by the loud clang of items falling on each other in the spacious chamber of Alpha Novak.He was seething with a rage he couldn't control. He paced his chamber angrily, gripping a part of his hair with his fingers.Sweat trickled down his temple as he was visibly shaken.His door pushed open with a force that was enough to pull him out of his angry state, but it did little to affect him. He paid no attention to whoever it was that just barged in."What is wrong? Novak?" Maya called, hurrying towards him."Alpha Novak?" a sweet voice called him from behind, and he turned abruptly, sending a deathly glare toward the bearer of the voice. Naya."Leave," he said to her in a cold, dangerous voice.She stood still, not moving. Her gaze darted from the confused Maya to the enraged Novak.His Beta and Gamma also came in when they heard the noise."Everyone, leave!" he commanded when they were still standing there.They flinched, hurrying out of his sight, i
"Why would you invade my privacy in that manner? Have you no dignity?" Reyana snapped, shame burning her cheeks.Rashka chucked, "Fierce little one. I can't wait to have all these... Qualities all to myself," he said, slowly regarding her.His eyes ran over her body like a hand. It sent a shiver running through her, but she shook it off. She didn't want to give him the opportunity to read more of her nasty thoughts."Are you even real? Everyone thinks you are alive, but no one has ever seen you. No one has found you yet. Are you just a figment of my imagination?" She asked, stepping back when he moved toward her."You don't have to run away from me, little wolf.""Answer me. Please. I need answers." She spoke softly."Perhaps I am just a memory. You lost a greater part of your memory, remember? Maybe this is a part of it you lost," His tone held mockery."But everyone thinks you are alive." she pressed, now more scared than she initially was."Everyone also thinks I am dead." he chuck
It was quite a busy morning at the Blood Crescent pack. It was a day set aside by the Alpha to give free supplies to his pack members following the loss of their properties and loved ones during the unfortunate event that happened to them when he was out in battle.The crowd gathered on the field and stood in line, receiving generous supplies from the Keepers.Reyana spearheaded it. The Alpha had put her in charge of doing that."Go to the store and bring some more potatoes," Reyana instructed two Keepers. She also told Ria to go with them and give them a helping hand.It was partly a happy day. At least the joy on the faces of the people gave Klara and others a moment of relief.*"Where are you headed?" The Keepers and Ria heard someone asking when they were about to open the store to get the supplies.They turned in the direction of the voice and saw Visha walking toward them. She was walking with two female Omegas beside her.Ria recognized them as the ones who were assigned this
"You've got some nerves, Visha," Reyana approached her with quick strides."What did I do wrong other than teach the lowly slave how to know my place?" Visha asked with an indifferent tone."You call that teaching, Visha?" Reyana spat, her voice laced with a fury that crackled in the air. "That was a pathetic display of power meant to intimidate a scared girl! Why do you always feel the need to force your relevance on people? What level of desperation is this?"Visha's smirk faltered for a fleeting moment, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "Don't get dramatic, Reyana. She simply requires correction.""Correction for what?" Reyana pressed, her voice rising with each word. "For accurately following orders? While you, the self-proclaimed Luna, decide to play puppet master and disrupt the distribution of much-needed supplies?"Visha crossed her arms, a haughty expression back in place. "The pack doesn't need extravagance at this point. We are all going through a hard time," she sniffed.
"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
Mud caked her clothes. She looked weak and exhausted.Novak rushed toward her, but Randall let out a loud growl of possessiveness, hurrying to where she stood in shock at the sight before her.Randall reached Reyana first, scooping her into his arms with a tenderness that surprised everyone. Relief, raw and unadulterated, washed over him. Yet, shame painted the edges of his joy. Shame at how he had treated her all along because of Visha."Reyana, he breathed, his voice thick with a mix of emotions. "What happened? How did you..." he was at a loss for words as he enveloped her again in his strong arms.Reyana blinked, her gaze flitting across the assembled crowd. She was confused. What were they all doing there?There was Novak, standing beside her, and Maya, rushing forward with tears welling in her eyes.There was Klara, a relieved smile breaking through her worried face. And then there was Aldric, his head hung low, shame radiating from him like heat waves. "W-what are you all doin
Chantings rose, the witches' voices sounded in a powerful, ancient tongue. The leaves and branches writhed and twisted, forming a swirling light pattern resembling a celestial constellation.Just as the light reached its peak, and they were ready for the next phase of the spell, a sharp snap of a twig snapped through the tense atmosphere. All heads whipped around as the unmistakable sounds of pounding hooves grew steadily close to them.The witches continued with their chanting, not minding the disturbance that threatened them.Novak's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, "Ready yourselves," he growled, his gaze scanning the dense foliage behind them, "we need to prepare for whatever is coming."Maya moved forward, too, her hand gripping the dagger strapped to her thigh.Suddenly, the trees parted, revealing a sight that brought a jolt of surprise to Novak.Alpha Randall rode at the forefront of a battalion of warriors.A tense silence descended upon them as they drew clo