The ride back to the pack was quite a quiet one. Alpha Randall and Reyana avoided each other's gaze all through.They both felt embarrassed. No matter how hard they fight it, the mate bond has its way of making them act stupid each time they are close to each other.Soon, they arrived at the pack and were welcomed by those around.Some pack members still shot glances of disappointment at Reyana because of the incident that had occurred earlier. But she paid no attention to them. She already had enough to worry about in her life. A few more dislikes and disappointment wouldn't hurt."Randall!" The excited voice of Visha rang in the air, attracting everyone's attention as she ran towards Randall and wrapped her slender arms around him, "You are back!" she was bubbling with excitement.Reyana felt a pang of jealousy hit her hard as she felt the urgent need to use the toilet. She stepped down from her horse and quickly walked away from the scene, trying her best to mask how she was truly
Klara had administered some herbs to Reyana and she was now resting. The fever was gradually calming down, but it was a very slow process."Tell me, Reyana," Klara started as she placed the Arcane bind on Reyana's wrist, "When will you open up and tell me all that's going on with you?""There isn't much to tell, Klara. I'll be fine," she replied weakly, a small smile escaping her lips as the effect of the sleeping potion was beginning to take effect."I feel something around you, Reyana... Something really strange and strong. I don't want to pry into your privacy, but I'd appreciate it if you see me as a friend and tell me what's going on with you. I am here to help..." Klara's voice gradually faded as Reyana let herself succumb to the warmth of the sleep that enveloped her.Klara watched her keenly as she slept peacefully. Reyana had this strong wall built around her that made it impossible to truly perceive her inner turmoil and it only fueled Klara's curiosity.Giving up was never
Visha immediately stood up from where she sat beside Reyana's bed. She was taken aback by the turn of events.She had tried to pry into Reyana's mind, but there were huge walls surrounding her. It was a very hard one, which got Visha even more curious.She had only been able to take a sneak peek at Reyana's dream and even that was still all guarded and blurry. The only thing she saw was Reyana crying and asking ‘her mother’ not to leave.Perhaps, she missed her dead mother that much."Reyana. I was just passing by and came to say hi," Visha put on a fake smile, still trying to regain her composure. She hadn't expected Reyana to wake up the way she did. It was almost as if she felt her presence there. But she was meant to be in a very deep sleep, Visha pondered."I do not need your sympathy, Visha. Leave," Reyana said in the calmest tone she could but her tone held rage and resentment and Visha noticed it."Oh, Reyana. Why? What happened to us? We used to be friends. How did we get here
Regret, cold and sharp, dug into Reyana's stomach. Maybe she should have drawn things out a touch longer, let him lose himself a little further in the haze of pleasure, before bringing her request before him.Silence stretched, thick and suffocating. She stole a glance at Alpha Randall, but his gaze remained fixed on her, almost as if a storm was brewing behind his granite mask. Panic gnawed at her as a shiver danced down her spine.She waited for him to say something but he just kept staring blankly at her.Shame burned in her cheeks as she met his icy green eyes. She averted her gaze when she couldn't look at him any further."Look at me," his voice, a low rumble, counted his words, "now!"She quickly turned her gaze to meet his. She was tempted to apologize instantly, but she held herself back. She wanted to see where this all ended."And how do you know she is innocent?" He asked, regretting the words he said earlier. As an Alpha, he couldn't go back on his words. He had told her
A cold sweat clung to Reyana's skin as she found herself in the familiar environment of the Blood Crescent pack. The only difference was the fact that it looked a bit old, like in old times. A cold dread seeped into her bones.Disoriented, she blinked, finding herself in a grand chamber that had clearly seen better days.The large chamber felt like it belonged to very influential people. Perhaps an Alpha and a Luna.The acrid smell of blood greeted her nose, making her dart her gaze around. At the far end of the large room, she saw a young boy kneeling before two bodies in a pool of crimson - A man and a woman.His ragged sobs echoed in the empty space, each one a fresh stab of pain as he held onto the two figures that lay sprawled before himSilver stakes were sticking out from their hearts as more blood pumped out of the spot. It looked as if the bodies were freshly murdered.She walked closer to the scene, fear and panic gnawed at her, but she summoned up courage.Reyana's breath c
"No, Alpha," Reyana choked out, her voice raw with a mixture of disappointment and a strange vulnerability she couldn't explain. "You can't do this to me."Not after she had endured all his torture last night, even though it was pleasurable, she still felt the impact of his insane drive.He walked back further into the room, his footsteps leading to where she stood, "Why, Reyana?" His voice sent a chill down her spine. "Was that your intention? To seduce me?" His dark eyes searched her face.She shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "No… No, Alpha."He took a slow step towards her, his every movement calculated, predatory. Reyana instinctively took a step back, the worn flagstones cold beneath her bare feet.He was too close. The heat radiating from his body, a potent mixture of cedar and smokey vetiver, threatened to consume her.He sensed all her emotions. The hatred. The suppressed longing. The silent desire. All in one.The pad of his finger tilted her chin to look him in th
The pack was busy with everyone going about their usual activities. They nodded curtly when they came across Reyana. Some did it out of respect while others did it out of obligation. They still looked at the Luna as one who practices dark magic, and it didn't speak well of her.Reyana paid no attention to them as she continued walking. She had experienced worse.She decided to stop by the garden to get some herbs as she was going to see Klara. She needed to prepare some healing herbs. The scar she had woken up with the other day was giving her a sensation she didn't like.She had also been able to recall an old memory that was also lost due to her trauma. The memory came back to her when she had gone back to sleep after Randall's nightmare.She recalled some herbs her mother used to make back then for her father. The Mandrake seeds and the Woodruff leaves.They have very good calming properties used in solving insomnia and anxiety. Just what the Alpha needed. She can add them just lik
After searching the entire garden, Reagan couldn't find anyone around. He took it that Reyana was just being paranoid. Perhaps, she was stressed.Reyana had gone to see Klara, but Klara wasn't in her chamber. She decided to wait for her for a few more minutes before leaving.As she waited, she busied herself with the herbs she had gotten for her scar. The pains seemed to have aggravated that morning when she was in the garden. She couldn't tell why.Thoughts of her late father came flooding in as she squeezed the herbs. That was her father's favorite recipe for pains.She wished her father was there to see how grown up she was. She could even make his favorite potion.She quickly brushed off a lone tear that ran down her cheek.At her wish to see her father again, the scar on her back stung her a bit. She winced in pain. It was time to take the potion and make it stop. She thought.She gulped down the potion, and it immediately gave her a soothing relief.She closed her eyes and heave
"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