"I said I do not want this! What is wrong with you!?" Odessa yelled, shoving the serving tray of sauced vegetables to the floor.The maid had the upper part of her body lowered, her hands clasped in front of her as fear drained the color from her face.It was the second meal Odessa was being served. Yet, none of it seemed to be what she wanted. "I apologize, Mistress Odessa. Please, forgive me." The maid said, sinking into a deep curtsy.Odessa was beyond angry. She stomped her foot on the floor before stalking to her ornately carved dresser, leaving the maid to mop up the mess."You need to calm yourself," Her mother's voice came from behind with a weary resignation. "Do not tell me to calm down, mother!" She snapped, her eyes glaring daggers. Looking at the mirror, she itched her face irritably. Why in Hades will it not stop itching?"I wanted them to suffer. He overrode the Luna's order for her sake. How could he!?" Her hands dropped from her face as she frantically searched her
Sheera didn't have enough time to comprehend what was going on. The pain from her body and suddenness from Keegan's actions clouded her reasoning. Her ragged breaths echoed in the stillness, each one a desperate plea for calm as her gaze ascended to the vast canvas of the sky.Next thing, Keegan dipped into her field of view. Rough hands cupped her face, then a disconcerting sensation – the press of fabric against her eyes, blotting out the light.What?Sheera's brows pulled together in a frown as he tied the blindfold to the back of her head. By the moon! Was he going to...She wouldn't deny her naked body had continuously ached for him even while he stroked her. Caused her pain. She felt slick moisture between her thighs and was irritated with herself for being so aroused for a man as cruel as he was. How could she feel 'anything' for him even while he caused her pain?Trying to hold onto the grudge in her heart, she attempted to blindly move away. But firm hands gripped her thigh
His voice filled her with nothing but dread. He delivered one particular thrust that seemed to touch the very doors of her womb. Sheera's cry was different this time, her hands reaching out to hold onto anything. Expectantly, the only thing they could find were Keegan's clothed shoulders. He wasn't completely undressed.Yet, there she was, completely naked and blindfolded beneath him."Where should I touch, Sheera?" The question came again. She moaned deeply, not knowing if it was an effect from her name on his lips again. His hand moved along the surface of her sore skin again, threatening to press. "This?""No, please...!" She shuddered. "Then, show me."Another tear rolled out from her blindfold. What was he doing to her? Why...She feared he'd torture her wounded skin if she didn't provide him with an answer. Panic turned her blood to ice, then sent it boiling hot with a surge of adrenaline.Shallow breaths escaping her, she withdrew one of her hands from his shoulder and gui
Sheera's brows crinkled in surprise. "Why?"Suddenly, Elke smiled, letting go of the necklace. "Never mind, my dear."She rose to her feet with her bag and other belongings. "Do not forget to heed my advice. And if you need anything else, your friend knows where to find me." She glanced at Tabitha who acknowledged with a nod. Letting a smile, she vacated the room. "You should lay down," Tabitha assisted Sheera who did so with a grunt. She took a deep breath. "I think you should care less for Kalaril. He stood back with the others and did nothing while the Alpha led me away." Her voice was tight with grudge. "He is not different from him."Cold washed over Tabitha at the mention of the name. She waved it off as quickly as she could with a nervous laughter. "There was only so much he could do, Sheera. The Alpha's decision can never be argued," she muttered. "They are the same. The Alpha said him and Kalaril use to have other victims when he was prince. They are both as dark as the
Odessa was restless. The day was about to come to an end. Keegan's journey was the next day and she couldn't help but worry he'd want to go with Thessaly. The very thought sent a tremor of outrage through her.She couldn't allow the machinating crone get such satisfaction. Perhaps, she could try to convince the Alpha to go without a female companion. She set off for his chambers but found only Kalaril in, standing before a table and sharpening a Wic'ca blade against a whetstone. Kalaril only paused for a second to regard her as she stormed in. He returned his attention to the blade."Where is the Alpha?" Odessa's angry eyes looked around as she removed the veil from her face. "Not in - obviously," Kalaril muttered, not sparing her a glance. Odessa huffed at his arrogance. Despite being the Alpha's first Mistress, Kalaril had never offered her an ounce of respect. Hell, he had no respect for anyone other than Keegan! Man was as blunt as a butcher's cleaver, and she disliked that
"What brings you here, brother?" He asked with a furrow between his brows, standing in the doorway.Keegan proceeded into the room, forcing Malkar out of the way as he brushed pass his shoulder. Malkar grunted his disapproval, then shut the door.The flickering torchlight cast long, grotesque shadows across the richly furnished room. Malkar was clad in a loose silk robe. But with the goblet on his table, Keegan could tell he'd been drinking before his arrival."Is there something you require of me?" Malkar's voice was laced with icy politeness, a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within him.His brother had never spared him a 'friendly' visit. The very few times he'd come to his room was when he was there to confront him. And right there, Malkar had a hint on what tonight's confrontation was about."You're out of wine, it seems," Keegan said in a grumbling tone when he picked up the goblet and discovered it was empty."I am sure there is plenty where that came from. All you have
Kalaril reached Keegan's Chambers and after a while, they headed for the South wing where the horses as well as the others waited. "Are you alright?" Keegan suddenly asked. He'd noticed the difference in Kalaril's demeanor the instant he stepped into his chambers. His Beta was often a man of a cold demeanor - like himself. Still, Keegan could tell when he was being different."I'll be fine," Kalaril muttered under his breath. It was clear to Keegan he didn't want to talk about it. And well, he knew how to respect issues like that. As they reached the south wing, the bustle of activity greeted them. Horses snorted, pawing the ground impatiently, while Keepers hurried to and fro.Keegan reached for his big white horse, double - checking the reins and all but paused when his sight fell on something unpleasant. Ahead of him was Sheera and Ulric - walking side by side while talking and laughing about what-not. Keegan could not comprehend the disgust he felt in that moment. What was s
Once, Keegan glanced at her before looking away. "She's my companion, Jenger. Enough about her." There was a hint of impatience in his voice. Sheera swallowed tersely. She wondered if Keegan reacted that way because he was possessive or simply because he was too embarrassed to discuss her. Jenger flashed a warm smile at her - which she shyly returned. "Let's get you settled in. I've had your rooms prepared."Taking the lead, he walked them into the central hallway. ....High above, on a secluded balcony overlooking the courtyard, stood Prince Gareth, heir to Alpha Rivan, one of Jenger's guests.His hands were holding onto the railing as he leaned forward, his friends beside him. "Keegan brought someone new today. Who is she?" He asked thoughtfully.He'd been watching her from the moment they dismounted their horses. "Never seen her before," One of his two friends replied. Gareth was a year older than Keegan. And bad blood had always existed between them long before Keegan becam
Sheera never expected a visit from Kalaril the following day.When he appeared at her door, she assumed he was there to summon her to Keegan's chambers, not until he requested to come in."Is there something you need, Beta?" She asked, clearing the table of her books, trying to make the room look less clustered.Kalaril was strikingly similar to Keegan - Sheera thought. Broad-shouldered, strong, handsome, and cold, with a gaze that could pierce through steel.He took his time, scanning the room, as though searching for something hidden before fixing his eyes on her."I only have a question," he leaned casually against the table. "I am aware you're fated mates with the Alpha. What I do not understand is why you're rejecting him."Sheera's heart stuttered, her gaze falling to the floor. Had the Alpha confided in him?"He didn't need to say it directly for me to know you rejected him," he said the words like he could read her mind.He picked up a small figurine from the table, turning it
Coating her hand with his, he gently lowered it from his shoulder. "You should get some sleep."Just as he released her hand the door burst open. His scent wafted through her nose even before she laid eyes on him, and her throat ran dry in an instant.Her hands instinctively moved behind her back as she stepped away, her heart begining to hammer in her chest.Keegan took his time entering the room, his eyes fixed on Ulric. He wore no heavy regalia, appearing as he often did when preparing for bed. It was a simpler look, and in truth, it was the one Sheera loved most on him."Alpha," Ulric dipped his head.Keegan was silent, his demeanor more guarded than usual. Sheera noticed he didn't just look cold, but quiet. He seemed different tonight.Praying he stays quiet, Ulric nodded at Sheera before leaving.As the door closed behind Ulric, Sheera's heart sank into the pit of her stomach. She kept her gaze glued to the floor, until she heard him walk toward her.A small gasp slipped from he
Sheera never thought it was possible to feel her heart seize beating, but in that moment, she did. The world around her seemed to stop.For a full minute, she couldn't breath, couldn't think, and simply stared at Keegan like he held her very life in his hands.Her freedom...It was the one thing she's always craved. If he could truly free her, she and her family could go away to a place where her kind was accepted. She could finally live the life she's always wanted.Yet...why did it hurt so much thinking about it? How could she leave him now?But how could she also stay? He couldn't be serious about wanting to accept her. Gods, no...Tears welled up in her eyes.Oh, if only it wasn't so complicated! She'd have said yes to him without blinking. But how could she now, when she was different? When he'd kill her if he
Keegan's words came as a shock to Sheera. The thought of walking with him, side by side, was something she'd never dared to imagine. Keegan, one he other hand, felt a twinge of pain. He'd promised to reject her after the Peace Festival. And he didn't know if that was the reason he had kept his distance, avoiding her for the past two days. Keegan was not one to go back on his words. And now that she was before him, the time had come. he was going to do it. He was going to reject her. They walked out of the Fortress. The path they took wound down to the outskirts, where the wilderness stretched out in a vast, untamed expanse. Eamon and Wulfric tailed behind them, keeping a long distance. Sheera's heart fluttered nervously within her chest, thumping in an unsteady rhythm. She was walking with Keegan! Like she was someone.... important. The whole experience felt surreal, almost dreamlike, but also undeniably lovely. For the first time, she didn't see him as the cold-hearted monster w
Malkar and Ulric reached the woods a day after they set out on the journey. While Ulric was completely disturbed by Malkar's plan, he didn't have a choice. And neither did his brother care.He blew the rhythmic whistle, but she didn't step out. Ulric knew she was around but was still in hiding after seeing Malkar."She won't come out. Not when she's seen you," he turned to Malkar and said, frustration lining his voice.Malkar grinned. He knew he needed to be careful around her. It was just one of him, so it'd be easier for her to harm him if she wanted."Hello, witch. You can come out, I mean no harm. I simply want us to talk." He announced.Suddenly, the ground stirred beneath his feet. It took him by surprise, making him frown. But it only lasted for some seconds."Okay... message received," he lifted his hand in mock surrender. "I know you are angry. But h
Keegan rubbed his brow. Zandov wasn't giving him what he'd hoped for. Nothing was working to his advantage. "Do you think it's possible to miss a scent?" Kalaril asked, his eyes trained on Zandov. A frown marred the witch hunter's face. "Do you think it's possible you can walk past a corpse and not smell its rot? Would you fail to sense death when it stands before you? There - you have your answer." His voice was laced with scorn, as if insulted by the mere suggestion of failure. "Recall the last time I spoke to you," he continued, turning to Keegan. "I told you I had caught a whiff, but it vanished as quickly as it came. This time, I sensed nothing. So, if this witch possesses something that shields her from me, she didn't need to rid herself of it to use her powers."Keegan's jaw tightened. "Now, how is it possible? Is there something strong enough to render a witch completely invisible to you, Zandov?""I wish I had answers. But something serious is at work here.""Do you think
A storm of panic crackled through the Fortress. Heart-wrenching cries ripped through the air, Bara's family being inconsolable.The festive drums had sputtered and died. Where laughters had danced on the breeze, only howling echoes remained.They were gathered in Bara's room where his corpse laid, already ashen and stenchy. His mother rolled and wailed on him, willing him to come back. His father, tho not shedding a tear, boiled with grief and rage.Keegan's heart ached from the sight before him. It was the first time in decades that something had truly shaken him to the core."Who did this!?" Alpha Sebastian turned on Keegan, his eyes blazing with fury. "My son went to bed a healthy man, Keegan. What is this madness!?"Keegan remained still, but his face exposed the deep pain he felt.His eyes studied the body ok the floor
When Ulric returned to his room that night - after spending some time with Sheera - he was caught off guard to find Malkar already inside.Although, his brother paying him visits wasn't entirely strange, it was peculiar for him to wait around in his absence. Stranger still, Malkar stood right in front of Ulric's dresser, his back turned."Brother?" Ulric called, trying to mask his surprise. Malkar didn't move."Do you need..." his words faltered as Malkar finally turned around, revealing what he was holding.Ulric's eyes dilated when he recognized what Malkar held. No... By the good moon, it couldn't be.Calmly, Malkar looked at the bracelet in his hand, the one Ulric had foolishly left on his dresser before leaving."What is this?" Malkar questioned, his voice thick and stern.Ulric forced himself to maintain composure. No one knew it was gifted to him by Zytha. And no one had to know. To everyone else, it was just a simple bracelet, nothing more.He plastered on a smile. "It's a bra
At dawn, Keegan and the visiting Alphas went hunting. The Festival was happening the next day, and the air was already thick with the spirit of celebration.Keegan thought it'd be nice exploring the woods with them. And they did have fun.By the time they returned to the Fortress at midday, they'd amassed a bounty of six games in total.It was noon by the time they returned to the Fortress. They'd been able to get over six games in total. The Alphas of the West chatted blissfully about it."The woods surrounding my Pack have nearly withered away. I might have to move in here with you, Keegan," Sebastian jested."Do not be such a betrayer, Sebastian. I already have that plan in mind," Cyrus added with a grin, adjusting hjs leather braces.Keegan was a man that was hardly humoured by others, but he allowed himself the briefest of smiles at their remarks, his us