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
The dungeon was as cold as it was meant to be. Cold and deathly. The smell of acrid blood filled the premises.A single flickering torch danced manically, casting ugly shadows that writhed across the uneven floor.Curled on the damp flagstones, Ria looked like a lost child. She looked pale and weak.She sat helplessly on the floor before Alpha Randall with her head bowed.The dungeon was huge. It was the Blood Crescent pack dungeon. No one ever prayed to find themselves there. It also had a small section for torture. That's where Ria found herself.The Alpha sat on his semi-throne as his gaze narrowed down on her.Kellan stood beside the Alpha like a statue. Guilt gnawed at him, while shame clouded his sight. He felt utterly ashamed of himself that the woman he loved was in such a situation and he couldn't even put in a good word to save her.Enforcers surrounded her with long silver whips that gleamed wickedly in the flickering light.The whips had signs of torn flesh and fresh blood
Alpha Randall barged into Reyana's chamber, the wooden door slamming shut with a bang behind him. Fury pulsed through his veins at the way she has spoken to him. He came to confront her about it.He was the Alpha, the leader of the Blood Crescent pack, and to be questioned in such a manner, especially by a woman, was an insult that demanded a reckoning.Just as he stepped in, the sight that greeted him stole the breath from his lungs, a certain wave of calmness washed over him and he felt a little bit of remorse for the first time in a long time.She was curled in her bed, her unbound hair spilled across her shoulders. She was crying uncontrollably. Her sobs were muffled by the thick furs covering the bed.A wave of unexpected remorse washed over Randall, momentarily extinguishing the flames of his anger. He hadn't meant to hurt her. He knew he'd broken his promise, at least in her eyes.True, the interrogation of Ria had been brutal, perhaps more so than necessary. But that was the w
Keir staggered back, still looking at her confused.Everyone in the room was both relieved and shocked at the turn of events. They never expected him to have let her go that easily. It was a big relief as they thought he was going to kill his mate.The big black wolf stormed out of the chamber, running faster than the speed of light, knocking down everything in his way as he made his way deep into the woods."What happened?" Klara stammered, her voice barely a whisper. She reached out a tentative hand, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from Reyana's tear-stained cheek.Kellan and Aldric ran after Keir. They feared he might do something stupid to himself. Whatever Reyana did to get him to this point definitely wasn't good.Reyana could only manage a choked sob, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know, Klara..." she stammered, clinging to Klara's hand like a lifeline. "I... I just..." The words wouldn't come,Klara wrapped her arms around Reyana, offering the comfort and solace
The oppressive cloak of night clung to the ancient woods, amplifying the rustle of leaves and the hooting of owls.Kier, stained with mud and exhaustion, finally came to a halt at a familiar clearing bathed in an eerie, moonlit glow. A wave of nausea washed over him at the haunting memories this place held."Could the night possibly become any worse?" he rasped, barely containing the growl that left his throat.With a shudder that racked his entire body, Kier shifted. Human skin stretched taut over his muscles, his broad chest heaving with ragged breaths.Alpha Randall, his midnight black hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, felt his heart hammering against his ribs.He'd been running for what felt like an eternity, the taste of metallic fear clinging to his throat.Escape from the world that crumbled behind him led him right back to another world he desperately tried to bury.His gaze dropped to the cliff below the hill where he stood.Images flooded his mind, vivid and horrify
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
"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