A WEEK LATER.It was midday, and the sun hung heavy in the sky, casting a warm hue over the farmlands of Howling Ridge. Sheera, along with Tabitha and a lot of workers were working on some of the farmlands.Howling Ridge was known for it's abundant lands, and this very farm was one of the prized estates of Keegan's ownership. The rich, expensive field stretched out as far as the eye could see. It wasn't the first time Sheera was working on the farms, but never had they received guests while at work. That day was different. Six carriages arrived. Sheera couldn't breath as the riders drew nearer, her heart racing with an overwhelming mixture of fear and longing when she recognized the figure at the head of the procession. It was Keegan, his tall form regal atop his favorite black horse. What was he doing there?His golden hair caught the sunlight, gleaming like molten metal, and his cold silver eyes glanced the lands as if weighing it's worth with each glance. Sheera
Odessa's moans filled the room as she straddled Keegan, her hips moving fervently, her skin slick with sweat. Her breath came in ragged bursts as she bounced atop him, her nipples grazing his chest with every rise and fall. Keegan's hands rested loosely around her waist, his eyes closed. He was seated in his chair, a single bead of sweat trickling down his neck. It was supposed to feel incredible. Odessa was giving it her all, but even her guts told her something wasn't right with Keegan, as it had been ever since he regained consciousness. This is the third time they have been intimate since then, and the last two times, his mind seemed distant, and in the end, he didn't finish on her. Now, he sat there, his eyes closed. It looked like he was enjoying it this time around. Odessa desperately hoped he was. But she was far from the truth. As Keegan closed his eyes, all he could see were the memories of a certain lady on him, a lady with long black hair, vivid blue eyes, and a scent
It was late at night when Malkar knocked on Thessaly's door. The Mistress opened up and was taken aback to see the Prince standing before her. She was dressed in her night robe, a sheer, transparent garment that left little to the imagination."Prince Malkar?"He chuckled lightly. "Come on, let me in."He attempted to step inside, but Thessaly stood firm, barring his path."I'm sorry, but it's late. Do you need something?"Malkar looked around, uncomfortably. "Come on, Thess, someone might see us. Let me in."Worried that indeed, someone might see them and misconstrue the situation, she allowed him into the room. However, she stopped him at the door, refusing to let him venture further inside."What is it?" She demanded, her voice husky.Malkar drew a long breath, taking in ev
Keegan went towards her, his steps heavy. His aura was oppressive. "What were you looking at?" Sheera kept her head bowed, praying to the moon she wasn't the one he was referring to. But who was she deceiving?He stepped into her space and grabbed her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze?"I asked you a question," he hissed through gritted teeth. "Have you no idea you're not supposed to look me in the eyes?"The raw fear in Sheera was palpable. She wondered if he could feel her trembling as he held her jaw, if he could hear how hard she swallowed. She tried to speak, but the words died in her throat."I'm... I'm sorry..." She finally managed to stammer. She didn't know what else to say. She was terrified. For a while, Keegan glared at her. His face was twisted maliciously, his nails biting into her skin. He thought of so many words he could hurt her. So many ways he could make her weep. She had no right to be in his head. With a rough shove, he released her, sending her stumbling ba
Sheera was equally surprised when the Alpha took her to his chambers. She'd expected somewhere far worse, somewhere terrifying. As soon as she stepped into the room, her muscles twitched involuntarily. This room... Being away from it for so long made her realize it was her favourite place. It felt as if her lungs forgot to breath as her eyes darted around on their own. Everything was just like she remembered. The air was thick with his rugged, earthy scent, the very scent she's missed.She was lost, staring at the room and wasn't prepared for being hurled against the wall with such force that her head spun. Her eyes squeezed shut from the impact, and pain shot through her bones. When she opened them again, Keegan stood before her, towering over her like a dark tempest ready to consume her whole. His hand was clamped around her throat - unyielding and merciless.She closed her eyes again, the grunts of pain and protest stifled in her throat. She rekt the walls of her lungs constrict,
Otis led Zarek through the winding hall, the scent of damp stone and the faint aroma of meat wafting from the chamber ahead. As they approached, the murmur of low voices ceased. Otis pushed open the door, revealing a room and a table untouched food and goblets of wine. Albany Sebastian and Cyrus Rose on their feet as the two Alphas entered. When news of what had transpired during the Peace Treaty reached Zarek's ears, he sent a letter to Sebastian, seeking a team up. He couldn't see a more befitting partner than a man who was as hurt as he was. Their pleasantries were brief, their formalities clipped and hollow, before they shifted the conversation to what truly mattered. "I should have listened to Laycoan when he warned me not to go for the Peace Treaty," Sebastian began, his jaw tight with the bitterness of hindsight. "Now, he mocks me for my blindness, and I think I deserve it. Keegan took something very dear to me - my most precious possession. He never intended to make peac
Her vision blurred with red, and she felt herself teetering on the edge of something dark and dangerous. She wasn't sure what she might do next if not for the sudden interruption. "Greetings, Mistress Odessa," the maid bowed in respect as the imposing figure of Odessa stormed in, flanked by several stern-faced Keepers.Only then did Sheera snap out of her illusion. She sucked in a painful breath as if emerging from deep waters. Good Hades! What was wrong with her!? What had she almost done!?She was breathing heavily, fear prickling her skin. Something wasn't right. The last time she'd felt that way was when that Keeper had tried to force himself on her months ago, in his room. Back then, she concluded she'd been triggered, but now, she didn't even know what to think anymore. She was so lost in her frantic thoughts that she didn't notice Odessa striding towards her, fury blazing in her eyes. She only snapped back to awareness when a sharp slap struck her cheek, sending her reeling
"Release her," his voice was low and taut as he gave the command. "Take her to Elke." He turned to Odessa, his gaze as cold and sharp as ice. "With me." Odessa swallowed hard, the fear of what awaited her eclipsing her rage at seeing Sheera set free. She hesitated but then hurried after him, her cheeks burning with shame under the watchful eyes of the gathered crowd. Once inside his room, Keegan moved with binding speed. He seized her throat, and with a force that knocked the breath out of her, he slammed her against the wall. The impact rattled through her bones, and a strangled gasp died in her throat, her eyes widening in shock and pain. His grip tightened, iron-hard fingers digging into her delicate skin. She struggled to breathe. Her lips parted, wanting to plead for his mercy, but no words escaped—only the faintest, pitiful wheeze. "How dare you?" He gritted through clenched teeth, his face inches from hers. "How dare you do that to her?" Odessa wa
When Morginna had revealed the truth to her that day, Sheera couldn't believe it. She'd trusted Elke so much and had been hurt when she didn't pay her a visit in the dungeons.Elke's knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, her trembling hands covering her face. "It's not what you think." Her voice wavered."Not what I think?" Sheera scoffed, staring down at the crumpled figure of the woman she once loved like family. "Of course, it's what I know, Elke. And what I know is the fact that you betrayed me! You were... You were more than a friend. You were like a mother!"She looked around the room, taking in the familiar sights that now felt foreign and cruel.She recalled when she and Elke would work on herbs together. How she'd get treated here. How she would cry to the woman and get comforted. Even the nights she'd slept over.To think the woman must've been moc
It took several moments for Keegan to reign in the tempest within him. But he wasn't done with her. No, he was far from finished. He had a search to lead and also wanted to know what she was doing in Howling Ridge despite her banishment. When Sheera told him what she'd discovered about Thessaly, he snapped, being in denial. "So, you take away my will, then return six months later to accuse my pregnant Mistress of being a witch?" He had asked maliciously. "I wouldn't risk my life coming here if any of these were false.""No. Maybe your life was worth risking because you think I'd believe you and punish Thessaly.""Then find her, Alpha. Find her and see if I'm lying."After a moment of silence, Sheera had added. "I swear on the moon, I am telling the truth. Thessaly is not missing. She sent into hiding, waiting for the Eclipse Moon which is only three nights from now."It took some more argument before Keegan gave into Sheera's words. he confirmed they were going to find Thessaly an
Keegan was just about leading a group of Keepers and warrior Hounds out in search of Thessaly when he noticed the Keepers dragging someone in. There was a small crowd behind them, indicating whoever had been captured was someone very important... It didn't take him long to realize who. It wasn't one of those moments when it felt like time had stopped moving and no one else existed but the two of you. For Keegan, time seemed to be moving faster than normal—the scene unfolding too quickly in his eyes, moving in a blur with the wind. Before him was the face of the woman he's made up his mind not to see again. It was the face of the woman he 'hated'. The one he wished to punish, the one that had tormented him all these months. She had her eyes locked on him as she got closer, and in that moment, he felt a heat that ran all the way to his heart. His frozen heart. His face twisted in fury, his silver eyes turning as deadly as tempered steel.Everyone was taken aback by Sheera's appear
ONE MONTH LATER. A lot had changed with Howling Ridge. Something different had taken place. Something dark. People were hardly ever happy. The Fortress was even worse—filled with gloominess at all times. There was just something that didn't feel good about the place anymore. Odessa and her mother were still missing. Keegan had searched desperately for them, but it was fruitless. It was concluded that she was either dead or had fled. A part of Keegan considered the fleeing part. He'd been very hard on her—physically, sexually and emotionally. He wondered if that was the reason she decided to run for her life. But a part of him rebelled against the notion. Odessa was not a woman to shrink from a storm. She had stood firm where others would falter. The thought that she might have run seemed like a betrayal of her very essence. He'd grown harder, the thought of everything weighing down on him—all he's lost and endured for the past year. The Eclipse moon was now but four nights awa
It had been a week since Sheera, Morginna and Ravyn embarked on their journey. The journey had been smooth, but it wasn't on that seventh day that Sheera realized her mother still had her powers. They'd been riding in the woods when they encountered bandits. Like they'd done to Sheera, they tried taking their valuables from them. The bandits outnumbered them, so confronting them wasn't much of an option. And that was where Morginna proved herself. To Sheera and Ravyn's surprise, she used her powers on them, defeating them easily. Of course she was a witch. It was just the first time Sheera was seeing her use her powers. When they'd finished with the bandits, Morginna glared at Ravyn. "I hope you know how to keep a secret." At nightfall, they camped as usual. Sheera and Morginna sat in front of the burning fire while Ravyn busied himself behind, laying on his back while munching on some berries. The mother and child were silent for a while, their eyes simply staring at the fire
Thessaly shrugged, resting a hand on her belly. "After the hunt, she said she needed to go somewhere. She said she'd come to the Fortress later." Kalaril appeared surprised. "Did she mention where she was going?" "She wouldn't say. When I insisted, she snapped at me. I feel a little bad that she might have used me to get out of the Fortress without raising suspicions. You know, it was her idea that we didn't go with any of the Keepers or maids." A Keeper came forward, taking the deer from her horse. Thessaly took a deep breath. "I am exhausted, Beta. What I need right now is some soft hands on my back." Kalaril chuckled, nodding. "You go ahead, Thess." She bowed before walking away. .... By nightfall when Odessa was still not back, it became a cause for concern. Her mother wasn't questioned, but she claimed she didn't know anything on her whereabouts. Keegan ordered Keepers to go look for her. It was a thing to worry about as Odessa had never stayed out that late before. Thes
"Kathryn, you must think carefully about this." Morginna urged, walking at a fast pace beside Sheera."There is nothing to think about. I must go back and warn them." Sheera's voice was resolute, not looking at her."But you told me you've been banished. They'll kill you if you set foot there!""I'll find a way."They were almost out to the part where people could see them when Morginna grabbed her hand, bringing her to a stop."Think about this. You do no longer have a wolf. Whatever Thessaly does will not affect you. You'll be fine, Kathryn.""So, what?" Sheera scoffed, pulling her arm free. Her face contorted in a mix of frustration and pain. "I have friends, people I care about! I can't just... I can't just leave them there to die!"She attempted to leave, but Morginna grabbed her hand again."Wh
In all her life, Odessa had never heard anything more shocking—more unnervingly alarming.Releasing the arrows, Thessaly sent one sinking into Odessa's shoulder, and the other piercing her thigh. Odessa crumpled to the ground with a painful grunt, the rough forest floor biting into her knees."How does it feel, Mistress?" Thessaly's voice dripped with venom, the title 'Mistress' twisting cruelly off her tongue. "It feels like death, doesn't it? This is the pain you wished upon a pregnant woman. Anyway," she strode forward, her movements casual, as though she strolled through a field of flowers rather than toward her dying foe. "I will not blame you. I was indeed, an obstacle in your way and I'd have done the same. I have done worse."Odessa shook her head. The pain was fierce but not as scorching as it should have been, and something in her guts told her it had to do with Thessaly. "This whole time," the words were strained. "It was you...""Yes, dearest." Thessaly got close enough t
Odessa and Thessaly rode side by side, their horses' hooves muffled on the mossy ground. Once they reached a small clearing, they dismounted, each taking their bow and arrows in hand."You know, as much as I enjoy this hunt, Odessa, I still find it strange that you wouldn't let the Keepers or even a maid come with us," Thessaly remarked, her eyes sharp and scanning the shadowed trees ahead with her arrow aimed.Odessa was only a few feet from her, her own gaze darting around the surroundings. "We are being watched all the time, Thessaly. Don't you miss this? Being able to roam freely without the fear of being watched and judged?"She heard a crackling twig and turned swiftly, only to find a lone squirrel scurrying into the underbrush. She exhaled, lowering her bow."Don't worry, we're strong. We can defend ourselves. And even if you are unable to because of your condition, I'll protect you." Odessa added with a smile.Thessaly laughed. She lowered her bow to touch her round belly. "Th