ELEANOR I stared wordlessly at the ceiling, waiting patiently for the tell tale signs of Zane's breaths evening before slipping out of the room. I felt something break in me with every step I took away from him. My palm quickly fell over my lips to prevent the sobs from leaving them.I felt my skin crawling with disgust at every part his hands touched -which was quite literally everywhere- the smell of his pheromones still clinging to my skin nauseated me and I wished I could claw the feeling of his hands and body on me out of my brain. I still found it hard to believe this was what fate held for me. Zane was my mate. The one person I would give everything to see dead. The one who broke and destroyed my whole life. The moment I shut the door after myself, I broke into a full sprint, unable to stop myself. It was well into the night outside but that didn't stop me from running all the way to the slave's quarter.I couldn't head straight to my room looking like this, I was a mess and
JASMINENo matter how challenging life became, there was always a driving force that kept me going, a flicker of hope that urged me to hold onto my faith, believing that someday I would escape this wretched existence. Once upon a time, I too possessed hope, but it withered away rapidly in the face of the chaotic circumstances that surrounded me. I deemed it meaningless as the future appeared increasingly bleak until I crossed paths with her—the girl who resembled the person I once was, during my earlier years. She exuded an immense passion for her pursuits, a passion I could only yearn to achieve.She possessed an unwavering determination that seemed to burn within her, an inner flame that showed no signs of extinguishing until she found her path to freedom. She harbored no fear of sacrificing her own life in the pursuit of her revenge, believing that as long as she attained it, all would be well. If I hadn't been naturally drawn to her from the start, her unyielding resolve alone wou
JASMINEI sat still, looking at her without saying a word. Her eyes revealed a mix of fear and dread, which alarmed me. It was the first time since we met that I saw her in such a state. She seemed scared, uncertain, and exhausted. It felt like she was a different person standing in front of me. I had been reflecting on how she brought a fresh sense of hope into my life, and now that hope was flickering weakly before my eyes.Until now, she had been the pillar I relied on and drew strength from. Her resilience inspired me to keep trying. But now, it seemed like that dream was crumbling away, just like Eleanor herself.What was I thinking, depending solely on her to keep us going? She was just like me, facing the same fate and suffering, maybe even worse. This wasn't typical of me. What happened to my rule of not trusting anyone, let alone placing my hope in them?"She's different. She's not like the others who betrayed you. She's genuine, and you know it. Now isn't the time to questio
EASTONI have always wondered why things sometimes deviate from my carefully crafted plans. They either go awry or simply fail to materialize.Once upon a time, I believed I was bestowed with blessings from the Moon Goddess, granting me everything my heart desired. However, as of late, it seems that nothing is aligning as it should.It has been a month since my last encounter with my beloved. One would assume that she would come running back to me, but instead, she has distanced herself even further.Never before have I witnessed someone as obstinate as she is, which leads me to wonder why she chooses to endure such torment within that dreadful pack, rather than allowing me to rescue her and whisk her away from her misery.Initially, her indecisiveness kept me on edge. Every time I contemplated storming the Blood Moon pack to claim my mate, her words echoed in my mind. Yet, the fury in her eyes conveyed a different message, as if she was silently pleading for my intervention.Undoubte
EASTONI knew soon that Zane's next plan of action was to attack another park after the party. I knew that the purpose of organizing the party was to properly identify his victims, the weakest pack that he could easily ambush. I wasn't surprised for a moment that he kept track of his target, but what left my jaw dropped was that it was too soon. Usually, it takes him four to five months to completely execute a plan for his attacks, but I guess he was running low on resources or something for him to be in haste.“What are you going to do about it?" Black asked, bringing me out of my reverie. “Are you going to stop him now or permit him to attack the pack?" I stared at Black blankly, not sure of the next step to take, my message to the alpha king had not seen any response yet and going on such a mission without being granted access was deemed treason.Although I wouldn't mind the consequences, but my Luna's life would be on the line. Notwithstanding, I would be saving the day; seeing t
EASTON“You have guests. Alpha Zane of the Blood Moon pack and his Beta, Mark, are here to see you," Alice informed me, and my brows furrowed in confusion. It wasn't exactly a usual occurrence, nor was it a good one, for Zane to visit my pack or any pack for that matter, unless it was with malicious intent. Of course, maybe he was thinking of adding it to his long list of potential packs to infiltrate and was here to try and collect vital information. Well, if that was the case, then I had every reason to thank the moon goddess because he would be giving me more than enough reasons to wage a war against him.“We're going to have to adjourn this meeting for now, Black. You can leave through the emergency door, " I said, and Black smiled before slowly getting up from where he was sitting, dusting invincible dirt off his clothes.“Guess that's my cue to leave. I would have loved to sit and watch the drama unfold, but we can't risk getting exposed. You can contact me whenever you need my h
ELEANORIt's been three days since getting fake marks from Zane and almost loosing my mind in the bathroom until Jasmine came along and even the relief of her assurance of what it really was didn't last very long. I hadn't been myself since the last few days and have gotten yelled at for making mistakes and messing even the littlest of things up. My mind was in disarray because, even with how I continued to mess up, I hadn't exactly faced any punishment: no getting flogged or dragged to the dungeon. Nothing except maybe a tongue-lashing when I was caught.The thought of Zane being my actual mate was another reason why I couldn't collect myself no matter how hard I tried. I was still in disbelief at the fact that it took so long for me to find out. The fact that he'd always known too and still went ahead with his usual torments. The fact that he still had the heart to force himself on me even with the way I reacted after finding out. Looking back now, even if I wasn't marked on that nig
ELEANORI felt a strange tug in my chest at the mention of his name. Easton. The memory of our first and last interaction was not exactly one to write home about, neither the start or end of it was pleasant and it ended with me rejecting him -quite rudely, now that I thought about it.Jasmine sounded confident in her description of him, the information I had just supplied, one that said he hated Zane a lot, probably just as much as I did. I knew we did not part on friendly terms, but I wouldn't mind seeking his favor and getting on his good side if it really did happen that his hate for Zane would be enough to have him join forces with me to take that brute down.If the hatred wasn't solid enough, then I would have to resort to other measures. If he held grudges owing to my rejection, then I would just have to go about it in a more level-headed way, apologize for my words and probably give him the reasons why I acted the way I did. Even if he wasn't that inclined to wage war against Za
ELEANOR‘Try and enjoy the party’ Those were the last tangible words I could make out as my mind and thoughts took a downward spiral into a place I struggled to get it out of. Occasionally, I remembered being jolted back to reality by the head of slave's loud yells and Clara or Jasmine's whispered pleas for me to get my head on straight and not bring unnecessary punishment upon myself, but I still couldn't. My mind seemed to have a mind of it's own and my wandering thoughts could not be stopped, even when I knew they were but a fever dream.Gory details of Zane gagging and choking on his own blood flooded my mind. I would stand back and watch in joy and fascination after having spiked his drink, his last agonizing moments as he struggles to draw each breath whilst coughing up his own organs, stained crimson Sure, it wouldn't be as satisfying as watching his head hang off a stake, completely drained of blood, but it was enough to keep me sated for now.Obviously I couldn't act on thos
ELEANOR“Hello? Earth to Eleanor,” Clara’s voice brought me out of my reverie, and I blinked back to reality to find fingers snapping in front of my face. I winced, pushing her fingers away from my face as she offered me a concerned look.“Jeez, you would have been in deep trouble if she hadn’t dismissed us. What’s wrong, El? You haven’t been yourself since you came back from Easton’s Pack. Is this still about what we discussed?”“What? What did you both discuss?” Jasmine perked up from where she'd been surprisingly quiet, and I huffed quietly, knowing what would follow.“She wants to end Zane’s life without following the plans,” Clara supplied, and I could see the exact moment it sank in for Jasmine.“Are you crazy?!” She whisper-yelled, her mouth opening and closing incredulously. “That's like asking to die! Do you have a death wish?!”“Apparently, yes,” Clara deadpanned, and Jasmine continued before I could manage a reply.“Why? What are you thinking? Did things not work out betwee
ELEANORI knew that much could be expected when the drive back to the pack felt like a different kind of torture that even Zane himself hadn't been able to put me through yet. The feeling of emptiness that only grew wider in my chest with the growing distance was not one that could be easily ignored. I had gotten a taste of freedom and deny it as I may, experienced happiness in the warmest possible shades in just a few hours spent in Easton's pack. I wish it wouldn't come to an end. I wished I didn't have to go back and that this day would never end, but alas, all of it had just been wishful thinking.I heaved a sigh as I took a seat on my bed, slowly taking off the uniform we'd been given for the party, which was now to be submitted back to the kitchen head and promptly burnt. It hurt to think about something so beautiful meeting such a terrible end, but luxury was nowhere synonymous with slavery in Zane's eyes. We couldn't be allowed to keep clothes that were obviously made not for
ZANE“What!?” I yelled out in anger, finding it inexplicably hard to comprehend what I'd just heard. My fingers ball up into fists and I could feel my entire body brew with maddening anger at the thought of Eleanor with another man. I give her even the slightest taste of freedom and this is what she goes and does behind my back? And Easton….. How dare he touch what I'd made clear was mine in every sense of the word? Eleanor was mine! Mine to possess, mine to own and mine to do however I please. I wouldn't have forgiven him for laying even a finger on her after my very clear warning, but kissing her? He had gone way over the line and there was no way I was going to let this slide. He knew Eleanor was off limits. As if my warning the other day weren't enough, I'd sent Mark over with a clear message that Eleanor was not to be touched. Yet, he ignored every single one of them and claimed what was mine. I couldn't swallow down the weight of his disrespect, the sheer audacity to do somet
UNKNOWNI couldn't watch her being happy, the sound of her laughter and thought of her excitement grated at my skin, annoying me to no end. She had the perfect life growing up, while I was forgotten, thrown to the side and left to rot. She had everything a girl could've wished for and when that was gone I thought it would finally happen, and that she would taste life like I'd always known, but she just had to go and find favor in the eyes of that monster that wouldn't even look at anyone else twice.Was I jealous? Hell yeah, I was. I hated the fact that she was always living better than me, no matter the situation. Despite losing her princess life, she still had something while I had nothing. I was made to work like a donkey while she seeks favor in Alpha Zane and warms his bed.She was yet again enjoying the luxury I've always ever wanted. She should have been killed the day I leaked the news she was an Alpha. Alpha's were meant to be killed at first sight but for some reason, she c
ELEANORThere was no way this was happening right now. I shouldn't be feeling my body thrum with excitement and raw need with every move of Easton's tongue in my mouth. His movements had started out slowly, just a press of lips that grew more insistent as he looked to grow more excited and confident as time went on without any form of refusal from me. When his hand comes up and trails down my face ever so slowly until he reaches back up to grip firmly, yet so gently in my hair, a soft, wanton moan is ripped out of my throat and that had been when his slick tongue probed in to draw even more embarrassing sounds out of my lips. This was supposed to feel wrong, wasn't it? I could hear the more rational voices in my head screaming at me, reminding me why exactly I was here and how that was the exact opposite of what I was currently doing, but, how could it be wrong when it felt so right?My body yearned to be closer to him and I could feel myself arching further into his strong arms aro
ELEANORI felt my body go numb, my entire world pulling to an abrupt halt. Left with no other choice, I had followed him with a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts making rounds in my head and at the last minute, I'd decided on the one that seemed the most safe and believable. If he was as much of a gentleman as Jasmine and Clara believed he was, then there was no way he would be able to ignore a defenseless woman's tears, especially not one they'd been so certain he still harbored feelings for. That had been the plan, pretend to be weak, show him a tear or two and leave it up to his reaction to decide my next line of action. It was full proof, at least it had been in my head, that there were not a lot of things that could go wrong. The worst-case scenario, he'd agree to punish me or throw me out of his presence, none of which I couldn't handle. But in the most unexpected turn of events, I'd been pressed tightly against his firm chest with his low voice whispering soothing words that
EASTONDespite my tough front in her presence on the day I had been so brutally rejected, the following days had been nothing short of hell. There was the denial phase where I just sat around and wallowed in disbelief, refusing to come to terms with the fact that my mate wouldn't want anything to do with me. I'd done nothing to be deserving of such a fate. Anger had followed, flipping tables and cursing at everything and anything, but really, the main focus of my anger had been Zane because, first and foremost, how dare he? What right did he have to lay a claim on my mate and, what's worse, she was nothing more than a slave to him, the woman who was my destined other half. Just the thought of it had me reeling, and it was going to be the final push I needed to wage a war against Zane and everything he stood for. I was more than ready to assemble my men and go to war immediately, but Black had a different idea, one that was as ridiculous as they came, but with a promise of less bloods
ELEANORThe drive to the Crescent Pack is unsurprisingly quiet, the air peaceful but filled with an anxious energy, radiating from the girls who are still very unfamiliar with the idea of leaving the pack in its totality for whatever reason, myself included. Everyone looked tense, except for Jasmine and Clara. I could see the excitement on their faces as they stared outside the window of the moving bus, taking in everything they could with their faces glued to the windows like an excited toddler. To them, this was a huge step towards freedom, and as much as I wanted to share the same sentiment, I couldn't shake off the dreadful feeling that something could go horribly wrong. The fear of failure and its consequences sat above my head like a thick cloud, causing me to bite my lip nervously as I fought back the imagery conjured up by my very restless mind, one painted red, with the blood of my friends and every single one of my pack members, with me at the very middle of it, hopeless,