HAERAShe was coming.... Just when I thought my life was finally getting better. It's obvious my life wasn't actually getting better but at least I had people I could call my friends. I also started having fun in the kitchen since the three old maids weren't around to bully me and I spent most of my time in the kitchen which made it nearly impossible for the other maids to get to me without annoying Dina. But she was coming. The scheduled arrival of the woman who had done everything in her power to make me a worthless piece of shit wasn't the height of my problem. When I woke up that morning I had promised myself not to think about it...about my destined mate and about what I felt last night after I walked away from him, leaving him in the dark corridor without an ounce of regret. Well, I did regret it a few minutes after I lay on my bed to sleep last night. The usual but excruciating pain I felt whenever my mate was making love to his marked mate had me gritting my teeth for hours. A
I tried to pull myself together as I left the kitchen, walking behind the young maid. I also tried to reach out to my wolf but she was still mad at me for yelling. The young maid and I rounded the corner and we soon arrived at the maid's meeting hall. Other maids were there before we arrived but Dina wasn't there yet. I almost sighed in relief but then her scent infested my nose like a plague. She was really here and she was coming this way. I was about to see the woman behind most of my nightmares. Gennora was the inventor of my nightmares. She started it all. I sensed her entering the meeting hall. I sensed her standing in front of the maids like she was the head maid. I sensed Gennora's eyes scanning the maid's face in search of mine. I sensed Gennora everywhere but I didn't meet her eyes when her bitter ones rested on my face. I sensed her but I didn't verify her presence. Gennora and Dina stood next to each other but none of them said anything to address the gathered maids. We al
HAERAGennora walked into the kitchen with the aura of a woman who knew what she was doing and how much power she wielded. Even with her scent gone or just merely faint, she still managed to evoke the nightmarish feeling in me when she had only just arrived. Our relationship had gone past me respecting her or not being able to call her out on her shits. Not like I ever respected her anyway but ever since I realized she and the princess had something to do with my mate failing to recognize me, I loathed her. I didn't even need to look at her to Know why she was here in the kitchen with me. I had been expecting her and there she was, her signature scowl on her face which seemed to have gotten more wrinkled since the last time I saw it. She stood about a foot away from me while I waited for her to get it over with so I could go crawling into my bed while trying to console myself that her words don't hurt one bit and they aren't worth crying over even if I'll end up with tears staining my
"Oh you did...what you don't know is how fast they grow again after each clip." Gennora's eyes burned with rage and I could tell she was resisting the urge to hit me. I was prepared for anything as long as I was able ruffle her feathers just like her coming here ruffled mine. She smiled suddenly. A sick, twisted smile that made me feel frightened for a moment. "Good thing I never get tired of clipping them . I'll do it over and over again before they can even get to fly. What use are wings that can't soar?" She threatened me so smoothly with a smile on her face. She then stepped away from me and let her eyes wander around the kitchen again before landing them on me. "This is the only place you matter and what you are now is what you will ever become." With that said, she turned around and sauntered out of the kitchen. I lost my balance the moment she left and had to grip the kitchen table tightly to keep myself from falling. No matter how hard I try to fight back Gennora, I still end
ALPHA ZACHARYNever had I anticipated an occurrence as much as this. I had experienced my fair share of anticipation but what I was feeling that morning before breakfast was different. I was yearning to see her. I was also hoping that she wouldn't be there....for my betterment. But the moment I stepped into the hall, my eyes found her effortlessly like they were made to gaze at her alone. I had sat on my sit like I usually do, anticipating the food Haera had made for me and when I finally tasted it, I wasn't disappointed. I had wanted to ask her what the dish was called but I told myself to savor the burst of flavor first. Breakfast had been going smoothly on my part. Or sincerely or more appropriately, I was barely hanging on due to the scents I had to perceive. The alluring scent of my mate. It was stronger than ever which was supposed to be a good thing but not when it was emitting from two different sources. My pregnant mate and The chef...Haera. I was barely hanging on but it had
ALPHA ZACHARY The order was put into effect immediately and Haera's punishment began. I didn't bother to confirm with my eyes if she was really getting punished as much as I wanted to. Deep down, I was afraid I would do something I am not meant to do if I see her suffering for the offense she supposedly committed. Even as I walked to my mate's Chambers to check on her, thoughts of Haera's teary eyes clouded my mind. Her eyes begged me to believe her and I was torn between whatever it was I felt for her and my duty as a mate and as the Alpha of a pack. Haera was the one getting punished but I was getting my own fair share of it from my Wolf who wouldn't stop growling in my head. He has grown so out of control that I was unable to block mind-link and he abused the opportunity as if knowing he'd never find one like that again. "Pathetic..." I must add that, that particular word has become the one I hated the most and as if Serge knew–because he knew, he kept piercing through my heart wi
HAERA If 'tired' was a person, I'm not so sure it would be me because that word failed to convey the depth of what I was feeling. Dina had severely depleted all of the energy I woke up with that morning. I must give her accolades for performing her duty as my supervisor with utmost zeal. I was unable to feel my bones by the time I finished filling the reservoirs with water from the lake and all through my journey back and forth between the lake and the reservoirs, Dina sat close to the reservoir to inspect what I was doing. "With that done, you have to pull out the weeds in the garden behind the Alpha's palace." Dina had announced when I poured the water from my last trip into the last reservoir, filling it up completely. My weak legs turned to jelly and my mouth fell wide open. The distance between the lake and the reservoirs should have been referred to as "the journey from the surface of hell to the bottom of it". "Relax, Haera. She isn't even watching right now." Dezra said when
HAERAThe days that followed my punishment were nothing short of hell for me and really, even if I've said it more than I necessarily should, the Alpha should have just killed me instead because having to walk around the pack with everyone pointing accusing fingers at me as the maid who tried to kill their Luna,was a greater punishment on its own. And as if getting pointed at and having my name being chewed on everyone's lips wasn't enough, Dina became a personal watchdog for the Alpha or so she claims because in reality, it seemed like she was the one who ordered herself to watch my every move like a hawk. Every ingredient, every seasoning, spice and all, was duly checked and monitored by her and I knew she was just being careful so there wouldn't be such an occurrence as the last time again. "I'm not going to let anything you do pass by me unnoticed. Who knows what you'll add into her food next." Those were her exact words. Dina wouldn't even let me add water without checking to see
EPILOGUE. HAERA.(A year later)Where in the world is he?I paced the length of the room with frantic and erratic steps. Up...down.Up...down. Just like that. My covered feet made tapping sounds on the ground with how I took more than a step in a second out of worry and fear that something might be terribly wrong somewhere.Opaline was behind me and probably looking at me with more worry than I felt now. In her arms, was my days old baby boy whose traditional naming ceremony as a new pup born into the werewolf clan was today. My little son came as a bouncing little blessing to me and my mate. It was just what we needed to complete our perfect family and our perfect life. Life over the past year has been nothing short of that for the both of us and even the people of the pack at large–perfect. With Tybalt gone and the peace of the pack restored, all I and my mate had to focus on was our duties as the leaders of the pack. I was officially the Luna and I never imagined the acceptance
ALPHA ZACHARYThat kiss was different.To be candid, everything was different when I was doing it with my destined mate.The marking process, the ritual, the coronation ane every damn thing in between was special.But the kiss was different in a good way.Why wouldn't it be when it was our first kiss. The very first kiss we shared as destined mate.It was our first even though it wasn't my first.Saying I regretted every moment I spent with Ilvira would be an understatement and even though I was at fault too, I couldn't stop myself from hating her and her biological mother for coming in between Haera and I.They came into my life to ruin this.I should have been enjoying this bliss ever since I became Alpha but Gennora just had to ruin it.I decided it was time to stop thinking about my past and what I had missed with Haera when she moaned into my mouth during that heated kiss. A kiss that left me hungry for my mate.For my Amanisa.I loved her new names but it was Amanisa for me and
HAERAThis kind of news was great but at the same time unbelievable. Before the arrival of the news, Basil had been complaining and whining about how he felt useless by staying with me."I thought he was jealous of our relationship. Why entrust your safety with me?"Basil had complained as he termed "protecting me" as "babysitting me". I kept hitting him on his back to shut him up but what harm could my fragile hands do to him?"He doesn't like you but he trusts you to protect me."I had tried to clarify but Basil gave me a silly response regardless, earning himself another slap on his back."Will you feel safer when you kill me, your supposed protector?"Basil had barked at me and I was close to hitting him again but Alan's arrival saved him from me. I wasted no time showing my worry and also asked Alan about the situation."Everything is under control, Princess Haera."Alan responded without a hint of what actually happened. His face was void of emotions which made it difficult for
ALPHA ZACHARY. That feeling was clear and certain. I sat in front of the mirror, looking at myself and my features, the changes and the parts that didn't change as well in the past few days. I was reminded of this moment by that feeling that tells you you have been in a place before with only a few things being different in the situation of things. The last time I sat in front of a mirror like this; with that somber expression on my face, was the day of the duel months ago. The very day that changed my life and my fate. I recognized the look on my face that day as that of a man who wasn't willing to fight. I didn't need anyone to tell me and I didn't need my wolf to remind me even if he took it upon himself to do so. I remembered how the maids prepped me up and prepared me like I was attending some ball and not a battle that would determine my faith. I was simply like a ram that was being taken to the slaughter; fattened and all dressed up for my blood to be spilled. All the feel
HAERAWe were stuck in the wilderness and in time as well.This place is the perfect definition of timeless and unchanging. Except for the usual nightfall and daybreak, there was nothing that signifies the time of the day. It was morning again and to be honest, I have lost track of time.The first few days were traceable but I got tired of keeping tabs on the number of days and nights that we had spent in this strange place when there were other things to worry about.Perhaps it was the thought of how Alpha Zachary and I would escape this open prison that made me forget how many days we had spent walking, searching for a new way out, going around in circles, and being each other's strength.Or perhaps it was as a result of the growing bond between my mate and me. Either way, it was all Tybalt's fault.I must commend his quick thinking though. He found a way to make sure Alpha Zachary and I never get out of here alive if we manage to survive the fall like the other time.My mate had b
HAERAThe anger boiling inside of me as I yelled at Zachary was one whose reason was unknown to me;not entirely unknown but just strange because I was angry about a lot of things yet relieved at the same time. It was dangerous for him to have followed me and then try to save me by jumping in. It was stupid and even though it reminded me of my own self, it didn't make me less angry. He never listens to me and does things his own way, that's the only reason he could have tailed me all the way to the cliff. How the hell did he even do it? My relief was only from the fact that he was right there, in front of me, safe and looking confused as hell. I had thought of the worst after Tybalt drugged me and had me brought down here but seeing him out of danger and safe was what made me feel relieved. But I wasn't near done yet. His presence might bring me relief but still, it was dangerous for him to have followed me. "Why the hell did you come all the way here with me?huh? You never listen! You
ALPHA ZACHARY The light but severe weight on my head was crushing my skull painfully. I wasn't fully conscious of my environment but I could bitterly sense my discomfort in every part of my body. My eyes were clenched tight as I groaned out in pain due to everything that felt painfully out of place. Naturally, I tried to reach for my wolf as I rubbed my head but I couldn't feel Serge like I was supposed to. My mind was blank of every other emotion that wasn't pain and uncertainty. I wanted to keep my eyes closed and remain in the same position but I was uncomfortable due to the rocks that were pricking my back. I changed my position slowly but without gritting my teeth in pain. The process was slow but thankfully, I was able to control my arms which had been laying limply beside me. I used my hand to reposition myself into a sitting posture as I fluttered my eyelids with caution. All of my other senses as an Alpha seemed to be failing me because I was unable to sense the scent of my
HAERAI pried my eyes open but it was still dark all around me like I still had eyes tightly closed and like I was still back in that darkness that consumed me when I fell to the floor and the one I've been in for longer than I can remember. I knew I was knocked out for a long time because of how weak and rigid my body felt. I closed and opened my eyes a few times, trying to assure myself that I was really out of the blackout moment which time frame I had no idea about. It was all the same, no matter the number of times I opened and closed my eyes. Nothing changed and I was convinced that it had nothing to do with my eyes. It has to be where I was huddled at. The thought of it brought about my next question. Where was I? The memories of my last moments before now haunted me and echoed in my head, making a sharp pain that I had paid less attention to, sear through my head. It made me wince and try to sit back but I couldn't even move a muscle. Not because I was weak and tired but becau
HAERA Shouldn't it be a crime for news to affect living creatures' emotions? The annoying part is that the word "news" has been subdivided into good and bad which are usually out of our control. As much as I understand that some things just have to happen, I still didn't like the news I received a few seconds ago. Why couldn't we always get those things we wanted? Everyone knew that the best news that I wanted to hear at this moment was about my mate regaining his memories but that didn't happen. I was standing in front of my Papa, forcing myself not to show him how much his information affected me even though I wanted to act like a child...his child. "Are you with me?" My papa questioned when I didn't react to his announcement. He just told me that he has to return home because something urgent came up even though I still needed him here...with me. He was an Alpha after all and Alphas shouldn't stay away from their pack longer than necessary. "Yes, Papa but do you have to leave toda