Klara scoffed, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. "Innocence is a luxury we can't afford right now, Alpha. She played you," she spat, her voice laced with suspicion. "Made you see what she wanted you to see.""No, I refuse to believe that. She is innocent of all these accusations, Klara." Randall defended, "Visha wouldn't… couldn't do something like that. This is all my fault. I must have misread the signs. It was a tricky one," he said, running a frustrated hand through his hair.Aldric, silent until now, shifted uncomfortably. He felt the tickle of guilt crawl up his spine, not knowing if he was even worthy to say a word in the meeting. He was as guilty as Visha. He felt like an accomplice."You can't be so certain, Randall," Klara pressed, her voice sharp."I am certain. I have been the one close to Visha since she was brought into the pack. I know her. I know what she can and can not do. She is innocent." Randall defended, "So, that is not a possibility." He added, a beat
Alpha Randall breezed into his chamber like a leaf in winter. His head felt light. He was almost choking on his own consequences.His gaze rested on the sleeping form of Reyana, and guilt threatened to strangle him. He watched how she slept peacefully, and it made his heart ache so much that it was going to rip out of his chest.He knew he had attacked packs before. He'd killed a lot of wolves. Rendered many homeless, too. He has done a lot of despicable things. But this...? This very one shattered him.He had taken away her life... Everything she held so dear. And he still had the audacity to mistreat her? What a monster he was.He couldn't begin to imagine what she must have gone through all along.Randall took slow steps toward the bed. He lowered himself beside the bed, the familiar scent of roses and sweet vanilla wafting from Reyana's sleep-tousled hair.The corner of his eye stung with unshed tears as he stared at her innocent face. He watched her chest rise and fall with each
It's been three days since the unfortunate incident occurred, making the Blood Crescent pack lose its most vital source of income.Randall had been in his chamber, hardly ever stepping out to see anyone. He only allows Reyana and Visha in. More of Reyana.The guilt of killing her parents had burdened him. But he had decided never to let her know. If they don't tell her, then who will? She would never get to know."Enter," he responded to the knock on his door.Klara walked in with a solemn mood. "Alpha Randall," she called, approaching him on the bed. "How do you fare?"Randall looked a bit pale. He had almost not eaten anything for three days now."I am well, Klara." He replied weakly."No, you aren't. You are being too hard on yourself. Crawl out of that shell." she encouraged."Klara..." He called slowly, "I am burdened by a lot of mistakes from the past. They have come hunting me.""Then let's make it right," she said."How? I am afraid I might have marked the wrong one. I should
Klara watched him, her heart clenching at the sight of his broad shoulders slumping under the sudden burden, "Alpha Rufus sent a message to you," She said after a moment of silence. She had given him enough time to think about all she had just said. "We told the messenger that you were indisposed.""Alpha Rufus?" Randall's heart gave a small thud.Had he decided to go to war with him because of the death of his daughter? The thought brought a surge of hurt, sharper than any physical wound. He never knew their relationship would turn this sour."Yes," Klara replied softly, "He claims Azura's innocence." She broke the news.Randall felt a slight relief wash over him, but another wave of concern quickly replaced it. "How is she innocent? We found the poison in her possession.""Yes. Planted, most likely, by the true culprit." she replied, " Azura claims someone else poisoned your wine at the coronation, and she suspects that the same hand that poisoned your hand must have struck down Nam
Alpha Randall paced nervously around his courtroom. Beads of sweat trickled down his temples. He was visibly shaken.There was total silence in the room. Visha's soft sobs filled the atmosphere.Klara, Aldric, and Kellan stood in silence."How? How did this happen? What is happening?" Randall asked in a breathy tone. For the first time in his life, Randall felt fear. Terror. What would become of him?He punched the nearby wall so hard that his knuckles bled."How did he die? Without a cause?" He asked again. There was still silence. No one replied.Visha's gaze rested on Aldric. She studied his expression intently before averting her gaze."I checked, Alpha Randall." Klara cleared her dry throat as she spoke, "he was murdered. His death is not of natural cause nor strange illness.""And how would you know that?" Aldric asked."I examined him. He was murdered by magic. Dark magic." she announced."But no one practices dark magic around here. Does it mean someone snuck into the pack and
"You might also be wrong." Aldric quickly countered. "The strange happenings in the pack should make us know that this could be a new illness or punishment from the Goddess or something.""The chances are very slim. I can tell dark magic from a punishment," Klara restored."Let's not leave anything to chance. We need to investigate." Randall spoke, "Klara, do all you can to get to the root of it all. I want to know what truly happened to Merikh." he instructed.There was a brief silence. Klara and Randall glanced at each other. She gave him a slight nod to go ahead and speak."Something else happened this morning," Randall broke the silence."Something else?" Kellan chuckled in frustration, "The Goddess must be having the time of her life, relishing in the events taking place here in our pack," he paced around, his tall frame looking stressed already."What happened, Alpha?" Reyana probed him to speak."Shota has escaped," he broke the news in one breath.The revelation hit everyone l
Alpha Randall sat by his study table for hours, doing nothing in particular. He took out time to wonder how he managed to get himself and his pack into this mess.It hurt him to see his pack this way. People suffering. Dying. Falling ill. Unhappy. It killed him.Klara's words also tormented him. He never wanted to believe Visha was guilty of any of the things Klara accused her of. But he had to do as she said, just to vindicate Visha.He knew that he had been feeling distant from Visha for some time now, but he felt he still loved her somehow and that as time progressed, he'd come to love her the way he used to again.He'd also treat Reyana right. He had enough love and care to go around.The gentle knock on his door pulled him out of his thoughts.He had sent for Visha to carry out Klara's instruction. He'd been schooling his mind to desire her even before she arrived, but it wasn't working. But the task must be carried out."Alpha Randall," Visha called with flushed cheeks as she en
"Here. I got it," Randall said to Klara, handing her a small vial."Thank you." she couldn't begin to express how grateful she was.Randall nodded, about taking his leave when she called him back."Alpha?"He hummed a reply from his throat before turning to meet her gaze."What do we do? Now that Shota is gone and the pack is in an unrest?""I don't know, Klara. I just need to clear my head.""There is something you need to know. Now that you are convinced that Visha isn't the chosen one...""Klara, I never said I am convinced. Like I said before, what if we are wrong and these are just part of the enemy's plan to make her seem like bad luck?""I thought you had decided to start using your head instead of your heart. What went wrong?" She asked with furrowed brows."Look... I am truly exhausted. Mentally. Physically." He so desperately wanted to believe Visha wasn't the cause of their problems."Alpha Randall. Reyana was here last night. There is so much you need to know, or else you
"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