It's been two days already, and they still had no luck in their search. Alpha Randall and Alpha Novak had set aside their differences for the time being, since they had one goal - finding Reyana.Novak had tried to get his messages across to the Master's witches, but no one was replying. They had all gone silent.In all his dealings with the Master, Novak had never set eyes on him. He had never visited nor known where Rashka was located. He only communicated with him through his witches.Novak never knew a day like this would come when he desperately needed to know where Rashka resided.Aldric was dying of guilt. Wasn't it best if he had just killed Reyana like Visha wanted? Perhaps he'd know she wasn't in the hands of that monster.Only the Goddess knows what Rashka might be doing to her now. He was a sadistic monster."Tonight, you must help me escape. I have a feeling that Klara is up to no good." Visha's voice pulled Aldric out of his thoughts.She had been moved to the dungeon, a
The last sliver of daylight bled from the horizon, painting the sky in hues of bruised orange and fiery purple.The night was almost here. Reyana hadn't seen Rashka all day. She had been locked up in his chamber for the past four days. Four agonizing days trapped within these cold stone walls with no hope of getting out. She had to help herself.She wondered why Randall hadn't come looking for her yet. Had Visha gotten into his head? The thought sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over her. If that were the case, then it would be difficult to convince Randall to believe her. But that would be taken care of once she leaves this place.She didn't feel safe there. Rashka was a mystery, a chilling embodiment of darkness and secrets. He knew something she didn't, and he was refusing to spill it.Reyana didn't know how much longer she could withstand his darkness. Goddess! He terrified her.She had barely slept well because of fear of Rashka. He knew what she was thinking each time, making
She was terrified to her bones. The voice, cold and mocking, seemed to seep from the very stone walls themselves. Was it in her head? Was fear playing tricks on her? But the metallic smell of blood, the caged creatures – those were undeniably real. She knew that.Ignoring the terror that threatened to consume her, Reyana focused on the single task she had ahead - escape.With a desperate breath, she turned and sprinted deeper into the cavern. The uneven floor scraped against her feet.The scream of the monstrous creature faded behind her, replaced by the pounding of her own heart.Suddenly, blessed relief! The passage opened abruptly into a vast landscape. Moonlight, unfiltered and bright, bathed the space in a beautiful glow. The air was fresh and cool on her sweaty skin – the unmistakable scent of freedom.Reyana stumbled to a halt, momentarily disoriented by the sudden change. Could it be? Had she somehow found an exit? She prayed.Squinting into the moonlight, she saw the jagged o
Driven by a frantic need to still escape, Reyana scrambled out of the plush bed, the silken sheets slithering around her ankles.Ignoring the throbbing pain in her head, she bolted towards the window, flinging it open with a gasp.But the sight that greeted her wasn't the vast, desolate landscape she remembered. Instead, a bustling marketplace filled the space, with people moving around and going about their usual daily activities.Food stalls lined the square, men, and women buying and selling, children chased each other, young women in small groups, probably gossiping...Where had they come from? She hadn't seen anyone around there all through her stay in there. She had always checked outside the window but had never seen a single soul around.Had she been transported to some other realm during that terrifying ordeal last night? Her mind reeled, unable to grasp the sudden shift in the environment.A chilling voice sliced through her confusion, freezing Reyana in her tracks. "Welcome
Aldric paced restlessly in his chamber. He might have to revisit the tavern tonight in order to drink and get drunk. His guilt was killing him.He had thought Reyana would somehow be found and saved by a good-hearted person. But he was wrong. How foolish of him to have never considered the possibility of her being found by a wrong person?He had indeed been a pawn in Visha's games. He lets her do the thinking always, while he regrets his actions after doing her bidding.He was pushed to tell Alpha Randall that Visha mentioned something about Novak working for Rashka. But he was still being... Stupid... Considering Visha's threats, as always.Perhaps it was time to stop being a coward and expose Visha fully. Whatever consequences come with it, he'd bear it. He deserved it.Aldric left his chamber and headed to Klara's chamber. She might be the best person to talk to about this."Aldric. What brings you here? You look... Troubled," she asked, observing him."Klara. I... I think I know s
"How do you do this?" Reyana scoffed, "How do you just turn your back against Randall so easily? Why should I believe you weren't working for Rashka all this while?""When I left the Blood Crescent pack, the outside world seemed so strange to me. I was lost. Almost couldn't find my way." Shota began, "I was lucky to have been found by Rashka, who brought me here.""I can't deal with this, Shota. He sent you here to cajole me into listening to him and doing his bidding, didn't he?" Reyana stood up angrily."He already performed whatever ritual he said he performed on the sigil. Why is he worried about my compliance when he can control me whenever he wants?" She said, almost yelling.Shota stood up, meeting her angry glare, "You are special. Rashka needs you in his quest for redemption. Your mating ceremony happens tonight, child. You'll finally be a part of the greater good," Shota said with a small smile before turning to leave."What did you just say? My mating ceremony? Is this what
Reyana called out to her sister with shock in her voice, but Odessa busied herself with what she had been tasked to do, just like on the day of Randall's mating ceremony.Hooded figures, their faces obscured by shadowy cowls, began chanting in an unfamiliar tongue. Incense filled the air, its acrid scent stinging her nostrils.In the center of the chamber, a raised platform stood. A chalice, filled with an unsettling crimson liquid, sat upon it.Reyana's gaze darted around. Suddenly, a flicker of movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention. And there, another choked gasp left her lips when she saw Fenris. "Fenris?" She breathes out. He was standing not so far from Rashka.What was happening? Had she gone mad? Was this some cruel illusion conjured by Rashka's dark magic?Reyana was going crazy with the turn of events here. What other surprise awaited her here?Wasn't Fenris 'Sacrificed?' what was he doing alive...? Not worried about trying to get out of this place?What had
Regrets filled Visha. She should have listened to her sister when she had the chance. Instead, she stayed back because of what she felt for Randall.She should have upheld the teachings she had undergone about love and affection. She wouldn't have been here now.Randall seemed like a totally different person at that point. Visha was hurt to see him act this way, without even an iota of the love she thought he had for her.She knew her sins were grave. But... Wasn't his love supposed to cover it all? Was she expecting too much?Randall stood up, slowly walking toward Visha. As he was about to ask further about Rashka's whereabouts, suddenly, an icy grip seized his chest.He stumbled, a strangled gasp escaping his lips as a searing pain ripped through his chest. It wasn't a physical pain but a soul-deep agony, a raw tearing sensation that left him breathless.He clutched at his chest, his vision blurring as he sank to his knees. The world around him seemed to warp and distort.This wasn
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