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
"How did you get entangled in this?" Maya asked, concern flickering in her eyes. "The rumored Rashka is the one you've been secretly working for?""Yes, Maya. But that's not important at the moment," Novak said, examining the item he held in his hand."It is important. Now, what happens if Reyana turns out to be Kayla? You wouldn't want to go against Rashka." She asked with creased brows."I'll do anything to protect her. I don't care about consequences." Novak replied nonchalantly.Maya let out a sigh. "You are treading dangerous grounds, brother. Now I am worried.""And if this turns out to be true, I'll kill Randall with my bare hands. He was the one who sent his army to attack Reyana's pack. This would mean that he killed our mother." Novak was seething with rage.The reality dawned on Maya. That was true. And she knew her brother. He'd take war to Randall.After a moment of silence, she asked, "How is she?""She is fine... She seems better than she used to be. I can't tell why."
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