The world seemed to contract around Visha. The bright morning scene faded into a dull, suffocating haze. A lone tear escaped her eye, tracing a glistening path down her cheek as the sting of the slap and the burning humiliation of Randall's words made up a very perfect recipe for shame.Just moments ago, she had enjoyed her public display of dominance, relishing the new authority she had over Reyana. But now the tables had flipped with a vengeance that left her shocked."Wh...what?" she choked. Shame, hot and acrid, flooded her cheeks.This was the man she had fallen in love with? She had fallen for him... Genuine, foolish, head-over-heels in love with a man who humiliated her in this manner?Across from her, Reyana stood frozen with a flicker of disbelief. Had she truly heard Randall correctly? Was he… defending her?Randall's jaw clenched, refusing to break eye contact with Visha. "Now, Visha," he repeated, in a low, icy growl, "Apologize."He had seen everything that had happened.
Visha paced the confines of her chambers like a caged tigress.The guards were supposed to change shifts every two hours, but she couldn't tell why there was a delay now.She clutched the silver pendant around her neck. Her mind replayed the day's events – the sting of Reyana's slap, the raw humiliation of Randall's public rebuke. His cold indifference, the way he supported the woman who dared to defy her, sent a fresh wave of fury crashing through her.Thankfully, she heard some sounds coming from the hallway before she could have enough time to wallow in her anguish. She slowly opened her door, peeping to see what was happening.It was time. They were changing shifts.With the swiftness of a predator, she slipped out of her chamber with quick strides, her black cloak sweeping behind her as she navigated the hallway into a passage on the left, away from the eyes of the guards who were positioning for the next shift.She heaved a sigh of relief as she hurried away, hoping Jasina hadn'
Silence. Nervousness. Drumming hearts. All in a tiny chamber as Ria shuddered at the close proximity of Reagan to her tender body. He sat close enough for the heat of his body to seep into hers.Her throat felt parched, her tongue thick and heavy. as she avoided his intense gaze.Reagan had asked her to pay him a visit that night, and she was eager to do so. She had grown to love his company so much that she craved it daily. But tonight... Tonight seemed different. There was a look in his eyes that sent warm fluid running through her veins."Ria..." His hoarse voice called. Reaching out, his calloused finger tilted her chin, urging her to meet his gaze. A million unspoken emotions swirled in his hazel eyes. He wanted nothing more than to stare into the depths of her beautiful hazel eyes as he professed his feelings to her.His voice dropped to a husky whisper, "I have come to love you so much. There is something about you I just can't place, but it has drawn me to the depths of love t
Reagan felt a dizzying sensation wash over him when he was done ravaging her tight center with his finger. He could hardly go in with two fingers. She was so tight that it made him fear for her. Will she be able to handle the monster she had just released in him?He positioned himself, a low groan escaping his throat when his hardness came in contact with her dripping softness.Ria let out a whimper when she felt how big he was."Don't worry. I'll be careful, okay?" he rasped, taking her lips into his again for a soft, sensual kiss as he began slow, gradual pokes at the door of her secrets.He increased the intensity of his push a little bit when it seemed difficult to get in. Perhaps he pushed a little too hard as a cry threatened to escape Ria's lips, but it was muffled by his own lips pressed against hers.She clung unto him like life itself, her fingers digging so deep into his back that she could swear she had torn into his flesh, just the way he was tearing into her tight core.
Reagan was conflicted. He didn't know how to break the news to Ria. He was hurt, but Randall made a good point. They had to find a way to stop Rashka if he truly was still alive somewhere."Reagan? What is the matter?" Ria asked when she noticed how quiet he was.She was done dressing up and ready to start her day when Reagan walked into his chamber in a gloomy mood.She was scared. Was he beginning to act up after taking away her innocence?"Ria, I'd like to discuss something important to you," he said, gesturing for her to sit.Her worst fears were beginning to come to pass. Reagan was about to break her heart. She could feel it. She thought.Ria took a seat beside him, her heart drumming against her chest as she awaited his news."The Alpha has asked me to take a trip." He began, and Ria felt her world crumble. Was this his own way of leaving her? With such a flimsy excuse?"It's okay, Reagan," she interrupted, not letting him finish, "I expected the worst. You don't have to explai
Reyana pressed her back against the cool oak of the door, willing her hammering heartbeat to slow, "Are you out of your mind?" she whispered, the words barely audible even to herself. A cold dread snaked down her spine. "What if someone sees you here? The Alpha's chamber is just next door!" Reyana hoped the Alpha couldn't hear her."I am sorry. I just wanted to see if you are settling in fine. I know how much you loved your old chamber." Aldric replied."Thank you for asking. Now, leave." She said in a hushed whisper. She didn't want anything that would cause more trouble for her and Aldric anymore. The Alpha won't smile at this."I'll... I'll be on my way now," a sad smile played on his lips as he nodded curtly before walking away.She only nodded, folding her arms across her chest as she watched him leave. A wave of grief washed over her.***Just when she thought the morning was finally going to go well, she heard a knock on her door again.Reyana returned to her chamber to calm he
THE NIGHT FANG PACK.The dungeon was silent. The only sounds that could be heard were the weak breathing of the pale-looking woman lying helplessly on the floor.Some brute-looking wolves stood beside her - about four men - holding whips dipped in wolf's bane.The woman bled profusely."Send word to Alpha Randall," the familiar voice of the man who had seen that she was tortured this way for weeks now spoke, "Tell him Azura is not the threat. She is innocent. The enemy in his pack still walks freely." Alpha Rufus said in a gruff voice.Azura has been in questioning for weeks now. She had been tortured to the point of numbness, yet she still stood by her word. She didn't murder Namsi."Also, tell him to have Merikh investigated. He is the real culprit here. Merikh poisoned his drink on his coronation. Since the same poison was used on Namsi, he surely is the one who should be in this dungeon, not this woman!" Rufus added."I think something is going on in secret in the Blood Crescent p
Reyana felt the intense heat emanating from his body. She was shaken. He looked like one who had been starved for years. Wasn't Visha quenching his hunger? Why did it always have to be her?She hesitated for a moment when he let go of her neck, sending her a glare that made her lose her will to protest. This side of him didn't seem to like resistance and arguments.She loosened the belt of her night robe gradually, pulling it off from her shoulders and letting it drop to the ground. She saw the satisfaction in his eyes when she stripped. The aura of his dominance was so potent that she wasn't willing to go against him. What had gotten into him? When she was done, she paused, looking at him.He nodded his head towards the bed. She knew what he meant. Like an obedient little girl, she slowly walked toward his large bed and lay with her back down on it, waiting for him to do as he pleased.She was numb. Surprisingly. She didn't feel anger or pain. She didn't feel happy or sad. She was j
Alpha Randall was proud of his warriors. At the same time, he was thankful for Alpha Parthe's warriors. But at this point, he saw a very difficult situation facing them. The war seemed impossible to win.His warriors were totally outnumbered, and Alpha Parthe's warriors, despite their skills, were acting based on their Alpha's order: 'Leave the battle the moment one hundred of his men are down.' Alpha Parthe likes his warriors the same way he likes his women. He doesn't tolerate losses. And if it isn't his own battle, he doesn't see why his men should risk their lives saving another pack, no matter what the deal was.A cold dread washed over Randall as he watched Alpha Parthe's warriors begin their retreat. The signal was clear: one hundred of their men had fallen, and as per their agreement, they were withdrawing.Randall's heart raced, and his mind scrambled for a solution. He couldn't blame Parthe for protecting his forces under his stringent rules of engagement, yet the sting of
Randall's vision blurred with pain and anger. He could barely process Rashka's words, his mind struggling to reconcile the reality before him. "Reyana," he called out, his voice strained. "What has he done to you?"Reyana's eyes glinted with mischief and darkness, "This is who I am, Randall," she replied, her voice devoid of emotion. "Rashka has shown me the truth. Our destiny is to rule, not to serve."Randall's heart shattered at her words, but he knew he couldn't afford to lose himself in grief. He gritted his teeth against the pain and forced himself to stand. The wound in his side burned, but he refused to let it weaken him further.Randall tightened his grip on his sword, his resolve hardening. "I won't let you destroy everything we've built," he declared. "I will fight until my last breath.""Your last breath is all I desire, brother," Rashka said with a cruel smile and walked back to the warriors he had come with.Reyana followed him behind.Randall's vision blurred with a mix
The war was a maelstrom of steel and blood, tearing through the heart of the Blood Crescent pack.The war had begun in full force. The chaos was heart-wrenching. It seemed Rashka's army had one assignment - destroy everything that made up the Blood Crescent pack.They were not soldiers fighting for honor or glory; they were instruments of destruction, their eyes burning with a cold, inhuman light. They tore down buildings with savage glee, their laughter echoing through the chaos.Women and children screamed, fear consuming them.The Ashkais barely had the time to fight. It was almost like they weren't scared to die.Of course, they weren't. Not that they were actual wolves. They were just Rashka's twisted creations."Protect whatever you can! We can't lose all our homes!" Randall yelled into the air as he lounged at one of the Ashkais who was headed toward the homes for the elderly.Alpha Parthe had sent about a thousand warriors. His armies could never be killed by mere blades, which
"Make sure every able-bodied warrior is armed and ready. We can't let them breach our borders." He ordered Xular, the new Head of his warriors, as he dished out orders to his men."Alpha! Xular!" Two men ran breathlessly toward the warriors who were warming up for the war ahead. They looked troubled."What happened?" Xular stepped forward."The armory! The armory is on fire! It's been set ablaze!" One of the men said almost breathlessly."What?" Randall asked, "Armory ablaze?" he repeated, disbelief and a growing sense of dread washing over him. The armory was their lifeline, their teeth against the world. Without it, they were defenseless pups facing a hungry wolf pack. His eyes widened in shock as his legs propelled him towards the armory without a second thought.As they hurried toward the armory, they saw the women and children coming from the direction of the Shelter."Where are you all going? You should be at the Shelter..." Randall began, but his voice was drowned out by the ch
"What?" Randall said, holding her by both arms, "How did you know?""He told me. Last night." She replied, getting Randall even more confused."How? Did he come here? How did no one see him?" Randall almost panicked, but he had to be calm."No, Randall. The Sigil. With the Sigil of possession, I am never far from Rashka. Prepare for what's to come, Randall." Reyana said, walking away into her chamber.Since she woke up that morning, she had been feeling strange. The feeling of hatred and pain she felt while at the Oasis seemed to intensify after her encounter with Rashka last night.As Reyana moved through the dimly lit corridors of the fortress, a wave of nausea washed over her. The Sigil on her back throbbed with a dull, insistent pain, its faint glow pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.She stumbled into her chambers, closing the door behind her with trembling hands. The room seemed to close in around her, the shadows elongating and shifting as if they were alive.She felt utmost
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