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
The first light of dawn crept into the room, casting a gentle glow on Sheera's face. The warmth of the sun stirred her from sleep. Her forehead crinkled with perplexity. Something didn't feel right. She sat up, touching her face. The dream from the previous night surged back into her mind with startling clarity.Keegan had been with her. His touch lingered on her skin like a shadow, his kiss as vivid as the breath she now drew.Gods, it felt so real...She left the bed and crossed the room, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion. She sought out Elke who she found in the second room, busy at work with a mortar and pestle, grinding herbs into a paste."Oh. You're awake. How're you feeling, girl?" Elke swept her eyes over her. "I feel better," Sheera replied, though her back still hurt a lot, it wasn't as severe as before.Sheera knew what she was about to ask was silly, but she didn't have a choice. "Um... Did someone visit me at any point, Elke?" Elke paused, her hand stilling ov
The room was thick with the sound of impassioned moans. Laboured breath mingling with the sound of flesh meeting fresh filled every corner of the room. When their bodies were well spent, Morshella climbed down from the man's body, laying next to him with her head on his chest. "I must confess, Wystan, you do not act your age at all," she was still breathing heavily, drawing an invisible line on his chest. He laughed with satisfaction. "Well, what can I say? Your body is very tempting, Morshella.""And it's going to be yours for a long time. As long as you please, actually."A moment passed. "Do not get me wrong, but I'm afraid you'll have to leave now. My mate only wanted to roam round the woods for a short time. I think she'll be back soon," he said, but Morshella made no move."You know, if only you'd taken my suggestion and agreed to go somewhere far with me, we'd have spent this night together, undisturbed. But you insisted we did it here," he added. Smiling, she lifted her h
"Have you been relieved of your duties?" Those were the words she heard that jerked her around to see him striding towards them. Her eyes widened like saucers as she regarded him. Kalaril followed closely behind him. Sheera's heart resumed it's usual drama. Seeing him made her weak in the legs, in a way she couldn't explain.His long gold hair wasn't in braids today but fell freely on his shoulders. His silver eyes had her frozen in place. How could a man be so unnaturally handsome? Sheera would never stop to wonder. "Welcome, Alpha," she lowered her head, thankful her voice didn't crack under the weight of his presence.Keegan's eyes bore the cold, hard edge of steel. "I believe I asked a question," he said in a tone that was hard enough to cut through rock. It effortlessly caused Sheera to shiver. "N...Not exactly. I've been...""I asked her to join me," Ulric interrupted, stepping forward. "I plan to inform Livia about it later."Keegan's eyes, hard as ice, never left Sheer
The horses thundered beneath them, kicking up dirt as they raced through the dimming evening light. Keegan, Kalaril, Zandov, and four Keepers pushed their mounts to the limit, Zandov riding ahead with an almost reckless determination. Keegan's heart burnt with fresh rage as he thought about catching the witch. It was likely the same witch that had killed Sebastian's son, the same witch that had been wrecking havoc in his Pack. He was already thinking of the many ways he would make her suffer, make her yearn for death - which he'd gladly give in the end. He understood that Zandov enjoyed killing witches, but on this one, he'd have to let it go. As they rode through the darkening landscape, something gnawed at Keegan's mind. It was a thought that made him freeze momentarily, provoking an abrupt thump in his chest. His brows gathered together in a frown as Zandov's words from earlier replayed in his head. 'I can smell her. Whatever guise she had on is gone.'His mind went to the nec
The revelation was a blow Keegan had never anticipated. It struck him so fiercely in the heart, he felt as though the very air had been stolen from his lungs.Releasing his grip on Kalaril, he stumbled backward, his hands clenching into fists beside him, needing to hold tightly to something. His horse stood nearby, and he gripped its saddle tightly, his knuckles white, as if it could somehow anchor him in the swirling storm of confusion. The images form that night came flooding his mind - Sheera bleeding from the eyes and nose. It never was a dream. Every bit of it had been real. Sheera was a witch. ......Sheera knew she was running out of time. She was still bleeding, and while she could easily heal herself with a spell, she decided to cast a spell that could buy her some more time. Living amongst wolves as a witch had sharpened her instincts to a razor's edge, leading her into countless researches and study. Using the blood that dripped from her arm, she recited a spell under
Of course, the thought of taking a different route and fleeing crossed Sheera's mind, but she already knew that'd be useless. He always caught her. And using her powers on him was not even the last thing she was going to do. So, helplessly, she followed him. They rode for a long time, and Keegan didn't stop until they were deep into the woods. When Keegan finally halted his horse, Sheera did the same. They dismounted it together. Fear was still gnawing at her insides. She was certain he was going to kill her. Perhaps, it was time she started pleading. "I'm sorry," her throat tightened, her head lowered. "I... I know I deserve death for what I have done, but if you would just allow me to explain—"Keegan spared her only a fleeting glance, his face impassive, as if her words hadn’t even reached him. Without a word, he turned to his horse and took his bow. He tossed the quiver of arrows to the ground at her feet. "I'll be needing you to hold those. Come on," he inclined his head tow
Keegan looked at her with shock, and something akin to disappointment. Betrayal. Only then did the weight to Sheera's actions settle in on her. Her breath lodged in her throat, her mind reeling with images of the Luna being stabbed by her. The people, the places she'd set on fire.The Luna!Her hands trembled, the blade clattering to the ground.The look in Keegan's eyes - it wasn't of anger or hatred, but of pain. Hurt. He looked at her as though, she had wounded him.Two keepers approached, carrying the Luna. Sheera dropped to her knees when she saw that it wasn't just the Luna but her corpse. She had killed her!"No..." A sob rose in her throat, her entire body wracked with guilt. The world seemed to blur around her.Keegan's mother. She killed her! She killed her!She buried her face in her palms, crying profusely. She was a monster.
Sheera regained consciousness, not knowing how long had passed. At first glance, she discovered she was in a dim, cramped room that smelled of stale air and dust. Rough stone walls surrounded her, and cold, uneven floors pressed against her palms.Her head throbbed with the ache of fresh wounds. She felt... different."You!" Someone growled behind her. Sheera turned swiftly to find Luna Valkyrie on the floor, mere steps away. Her eyes flared in shock, her mind reeling. The Luna was hurt, her neck bleeding. "Explain this! What are we doing here?"Valkyrie barked. Sheera was as confused as the Luna, but she was more terrified of the blood running from her neck. Ohgods. Ohgods. Ohgods. She couldn't be here. She couldn't be here. She scrambled to her feet, running to the door, but it wouldn't open. And without her wolf strength, she couldn't break it open. She turned to the Luna, breathing heavily. "You... We need to break the door. You need to get out of here."Valkyrie rose slowly,
It's been three days since the war. The air at Howling Ridge was still thick with grief, but the bodies had already been cleared and burnt—although it had taken a lot of effort. Keegan's Ravagers had long been returned to their cave. Ulric had managed to get out of the Pack without being caught. Malkar, serving his banishment, had left already. Things should be back to normal, but they weren't. Their loss still lingered in the air. In addition, Sheera missed her best friend, Ulric. She wished things had turned out differently. The Fortress didn't seem the same anymore. As she left her chambers, her head was lowered as if weighed down by her thoughts. She froze when she felt a familiar chilling presence loom before her. Lifting her gaze, her heart seemed to shift from its original position when she discovered it was Zandov. She stopped walking. The man was dressed heavily, like someone ready for a battle. He had his gaze pinned on Sheera as he took slow steps. Sheera was unset
Zandov narrated what had happened with Ulric to Keegan. He told him how the Prince had reacted when he killed the witch. He was certain they knew each other.Keegan was shocked that Ulric had a relationship with a witch. Since the witch was in the pack, he figured she had been with the enemies and meant no good. So, he gave Zandov the go-ahead to search for Ulric. Retiring to his chambers, he met Sheera who tearfully explained what had happened during the fight—the urge that had consumed her when blood touched her. She was so scared, telling him she had tried sticking to his a mental picture of his face, but it didn't work. Keegan pulled her in an embrace, comforting her. That was all he could do as himself couldn't understand why that had happened. Their moment was interrupted by Thessaly who made her way into the room. "Oh, Alpha! You're well!" She breathed in relief, running over to meet him. She put a hand on his, her expression softening. "You cannot begin to imagine how ver
"Please..." he begged, his voice hoarse and fading. "Please."Keegan cocked his head, as if evaluating Malkar's crumpled form. "Now, who's fault is it that this became a fight to the death?" His voice was low and mocking.Morshella finally forced her way in. She dropped to her knees, shielding Malkar with her body."Please, stop this!" Tears streamed down her face. "Please, you can't do this! You can't..."Keegan looked amused. "If you think shielding him will stop me from killing him, you probably don't know how long I've been waiting to kill you."Morshella's gaze shot up, wide with fear. "I beg of you, Keegan. He is your brother! I... I understand you never go back on your word, but this once, this once," she sobbed, holding Malkar's hand tight. "You share the same blood. How can you possibly take the life of your own blood? What to you think your father would thin
Her vision clouded with red as she ran, climbing down from the rooftop. Once she was on the ground, she mixed into the crowd, killing everyone that stood in her way. And that was the problem—she didn't even know who was in her way. Was it a friend? Or a foe?She didn't stop running until she was far away from the battlefield, far away from the people she desperately wanted to kill. .........The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity. At some point, the tide shifted completely. Soldiers on the opposing side began to retreat, fear overtaking them. The Alphas had tried to fight but soon discovered they'd lost the battle. Their forces were being decimated, and their numbers dwindled rapidly. Realizing the battle was beyond saving, the Alphas attempted to flee. But when they reached the gates, they found them locked. Trapped. Panic set in as their soldiers crowded around them, also seeking escape.Merilyn, who was with them, tried desperately to use her powers to unlock the g
By the time Keegan, Kalaril and the Ravagers reached the Fortress, the war had already been brought in.His people had been fighting, doing their best, although he saw some lying lifeless among the chaos."Kalaril, make sure the gates remain shut," he ordered coldly, his anger simmering to a boil.The Ravagers growled hungrily behind him, awaiting his command. When the enemies saw him with the wolves, they knew instantly they were no ordinary wolves.The Ravagers looked different from normal wolves. Their furs were a mix of black and silver, and their eyes always glowed gold."After them!" Keegan's voice was like a whip crack.They set out, lunging at the men without the red ribbons.The men almost showed fear and tried to retreat, but they held onto the promises of the Alphas that the Ravagers would be
The Pack Members who had survived the attack from the outskirts found their way into the Fortress, making the Fortress crowded and chaotic. The Keepers didn't try to stop them. One of the people that had made their way in was Zytha. She had been at her usual spot when she spotted the soldiers marching. She knew it was war, and the only person she could think of was Ulric. So, she ran there, determined to find him and keep him safe.Locating him would take considerable effort, considering the crowd, but she didn't stop looking........Outside the Fortress, the five Alphas and the witch stood together, behind the men. They were at the very last row and hadn't taken part in the war yet. But now, they were about to. "I knew this would be a success," Alpha Laycoan sneered. "I knew with our combined strength, it'd be inevitable!""This is the final phase," Zarek said. "We've pushed them to the Fortress as planned. The fight ends here.""This is where we win," Sebastian chipped in. "We m
Keegan and Kalaril returned outside where the horses and warrior Hounds were already waiting. The Hounds were above two hundred in number, but those were the numbers he liked to take for the first time. The horses couldn't be enough. So, him, Kalaril and a few other Keepers mounted the horses while the others followed on foot.The people around stopped and watched, whispering amongst themselves. They knew something was wrong. Keegan led the way, riding out of the gates. They others followed in their numbers. ....They hadn't yet reached the mountains when the sounds of battle carried on the wind. It came from the outskirts of the Fortress. The moment Keegan saw the smoke rising, his heart twisted in fury.They rushed toward the commotion, only to find their people already engaged in a brutal skirmish. The attackers were not as much as the Keepers had warned, which meant these were only the vanguard. The rest were coming.Keegan's rage boiled over. His people had done a good job def