"Visha is the chosen one."Klara's gaze narrowed down on him. Randall had always thought Visha was the chosen one. It was nothing new to them. But this time... It was different... His words carried more certainty than contemplation. It made her panic."You've always thought so," She replied, hoping that it was still a thought to him.A flicker of satisfaction crossed Randall's features. "I am certain of it now," he said, a hint of triumph coloring his voice. "She told me about her awakening. She described everything, how she used her newfound power to save the pack."Klara felt the blood drain from her face. The air grew thin, stealing the very breath from her lungs. Had she been mistaken? Had her own mind conjured the image of the Crescent Moon shimmering on Reyana's skin? She had almost began to doubt all that she had witnessed that day.Panic clawed at her throat. She was certain, absolutely certain, of what she'd witnessed that day. But Visha… what game was she playing? This went
Klara finally succumbed to sleep. She had finally managed to sleep after a restless night. She felt vengeful and hurt.Visha's presence in the pack became a worry to her. It seemed to her that Visha was doing more harm than good to the Alpha.She thought of ways to handle the situation at hand, but she wasn't coming up with any good ideas. But she would never allow Visha to bring chaos upon the pack their ancestors had built with their sweat and blood.Klara was a descendant of one of the most powerful witches of the Blood Crescent pack. Her bloodline was known to have served the Blood Crescent pack for hundreds of years. Their loyalty was always with this pack.This was her home. No one would destroy it.Sleep had finally claimed her late into the night, and she seemed to be having a peaceful sleep when she heard an urgent knock on her door.She tried to ignore it, but it persisted, pulling her out of her slumber. She grudgingly opened her eyes, wondering if it was already morning, b
A flicker of relief danced across Reagan's face, "Thank you," he murmured, "Now, tell me everything." A sweet, assuring smile formed on his lips.Her voice, hoarse from exhaustion and unspoken fear, poured out the events of the early hours. She expressed her worry about Reyana's state of unconsciousness."I am trying to be brave and to stay positive, Reagan, but I am afraid. She's been in this state for four days now. What if she doesn't come out of it?" A single tear traced a path down her cheek, but she quickly brushed it away."You have to stay positive. Reyana will be fine. She is a fighter, and she'll pull through this. I have no doubt." His words held encouragement."Together, we can help her," he continued, his gaze meeting hers, "Let's find the herbs you need for that potion. We'll do everything in our power to wake her."A flicker of gratitude sparked in Klara's eyes. His words and support were like a lifeline in the sea of her anxieties."About the glow and scar we saw... Ha
Klara slowly turned around to face Reagan, suspicion written all over her face, "What did you say, Reagan?" She asked, her breath hitching in her throat."Shota's existence wasn't the only secret my father shared," he admitted, his voice laced with a sincerity that did little to ease the knot of distrust tightening in Klara's gut. He raised his hands, palms facing outwards, in a gesture of attempted appeasement as a strand of his blonde hair brushed against his cheek. "He revealed quite a lot before he passed."Klara didn't know what to believe anymore. She was conflicted. Was she to keep trusting Reagan?"And why would he do that?" She countered, her voice laced with a sharp edge. Her gaze narrowed to slits, dissecting his face as she searched for any telltale sign of deception."I am his only child, Klara," he stated, his voice firm yet laced with a touch of impatience. "He entrusted me with his knowledge, just as I would do the same for a son of mine.""I find it hard to believe. I
A cold wind whipped through the clearing, tugging at Klara's cloak. A chill settled deep within her as Reagan finished his tale. "Are you certain about this?" Klara croaked when she finally found her voice after listening to the first prophecy about the Dark-eyed wolf, The revelation drained the color from her face, leaving her weak and trembling. "Yes, I am." Reagan replied, "My father told me everything... Everything no one else knew. Alpha Ranok, Randall's father, had confided in my father, his Beta. He said this was a long-hidden prophesy given to the Blood Moon Pack over 300 years ago." Klara felt her legs turning jelly as they couldn't carry her weight anymore. She slumped onto a moss-covered rock just beside her, listening to Reagan's tale. "When the Blood Moon pack had captured Shota for their own selfish benefit, she told them of the prophecy about the chosen one. She pleaded with them to release her, to let her bring the prophecy to the Halls of Prophecies, where all co
Reagan and Klara were approaching Klara's chamber when they heard soft sobs coming from within.They hurried inside when they realized it was someone crying."Oh, Selene! Reyana!" Klara cried, sweeping across the room and engulfing Reyana in a fierce embrace, not minding the sobs escaping her lips."Reyana..." Reagan called, not able to hide his excitement. This had made things easier for them.Tears, hot and unchecked, welled up in Reyana's eyes, spilling over and tracing a path down her pale cheeks. She clung to Klara, her body wracked with silent sobs."What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Klara finally asked when she noticed Reyana was still crying.Reyana didn't respond. Her eyes were red and swollen."How long have you been up? Your eyes are already swollen," Reagan said, drawing closer to the bed, concern etched on his face.Taking a shuddering breath, Reyana attempted to speak, but her voice came as a strangled sob. "I… I can't…" she stammered, the words catching in her throat.
Alpha Randall remained in his room all morning. He hadn't seen Klara since he woke up. He felt bad. Perhaps he was too hard on her last night.Klara wasn't just a pack member. She was more like family to him. Growing up, they had been good friends... All of them. That was before the tragedy struck, making him detach himself from any form of friendship. Besides, as an Alpha, he had to be more of a leader than a friend to everyone in his pack... Including Klara, but she was still dear to him.This warmth, however, clashed violently with her recent behavior. Never before had he known Klara to question his judgment, to cast doubt upon the future of the pack with such intensity.Visha embodied everything he believed was best for the pack. Visha was their salvation. Klara will get to understand soon that she was only mistaken.Pushing these thoughts aside, Randall forced his attention to matters more pressing. His mind drifted back to the battle at the Dark Silver border, where he lost cons
Sunlight speared through the window of Alpha Randall's chamber, casting harsh lines across the room.Alpha Randall felt bored of being indoors all morning. No familiar knock had broken the silence of his morning. No one had come in to check on him, probably because they thought he'd still be resting.Visha hadn't graced him with her presence either. Perhaps she was still unhappy about last night. He knew he should have put Klara in her place, for Visha's sake, but he couldn't.He understood it was enough to make Visha upset.He walked to the table by the window, his eyes searching the neatly arranged items on the table.A frown creased his brow, deepening as he drew closer, taking a more careful look around.He was desperately searching for something... Carefully, he began to lift every item on the table, searching intently, but it was still nowhere to be found.He had always kept it there... The silver locket. It had never left his table. That had been its position for a very long ti
"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