"Wish I did! Father doesn't even care anymore. As long as he's out there not causing harm to the Pack, he can be gone for as long as he wants," Mora slurred.Kalaril threw more questions but unfortunately got nothing else. Mora and her father didn't care much for Cleon, which kept them oblivious to his hidden agenda - if he had any. If he was even the very one they suspected.When he had nothing else to ask, he let Mora have what she'd come for. He let her take pleasure from his body. ****†****†Sheera stood in the center of the room, the moonlight filtering through the high windows as she awaited Keegan's instructions. It was late at night. And despite her treacherous body longing for him, she desired rest. Yet, she has no choice when he sent for her. A shiver danced down her spine as Keegan emerged from the inner chamber, the silky black robe clinging to his broad frame.By the Rood, she hated him in his casual outfits. He looked too good in them. Too gorgeous. Charming. Similar
Sheera, along with the seven other women, spread out in the center of the sun-drenched field. Ahead of them was a line of weathered wooden boards, matching their numbers. Keepers came up and handed each of them a bow and quiver filled with arrows. The crowd was bustling with excitement. It wasn't everyday a lot of them got to see something as unique as that. Coin purses clinked as wagers were laid, many of them presuming who would be the winner. A while later, when it was certain that each participant had everything they needed, Jenger's Beta came up to address them. He stated the rules for winning, which was them having to shoot as many arrows as possible on their board before the end of the given time. When the time is up and the drum rolls, they were to seize shooting. Then, the arrows on each person's dartboard would be counted and the participants with the highest amount will move to the next stage. In total, there would be three stages. "Best of luck, Sheera," Valda sudden
Valda and the other finalists strode back to the field, the Keepers having completed their preparations. This time, each participant had thirty arrows, and the dartboards were farther than the last. However, Sheera was nowhere to be seen. They waited a little longer, hoping she'd return. But she didn't. "How much longer must we wait?" Valda demanded, her voice laced with impatience. "We just sent someone to search for her, Mistress...""And for what reason are we expected to wait?" She cast her intimidating glare at them. "Look around, should you be confused. We have Alphas here. Lunas. Mistresses. And noble members of the Pack. Yet, you think a mere participant can waste our time? Isn't she aware she's supposed to get back here without keeping us waiting? Perhaps, she's lost her bravodo and decided to forfeit the competition."The Keepers exchanged glances. Releasing a deep breath, the Beta stepped forward, addressing the crowd. "We will now commence the final round of the chal
Air abandoned her lungs. Her body jerked like it was about to ascend to Elysium - the paradise for wolves - again.It was as tho, she'd been buried into a mountain of ice. Keegan's lips claimed hers, kissing her in the slowest way he's ever kissed anyone. They were the softest lips he's ever tasted, his inner beast growled at him, wondering why he's never thought of it. Sheera shivered under his possession. His kiss was a taste of citrus on her lips, pushing her to the edge of sweet oblivion. She felt drunk instantly, unable to restrict the hungry moan that ripped from her throat.She was completely naive to matters of intimacy, but following pure instinct, she kissed him back. Suckled a bit on his tongue like it was a source of energy. Then, as quickly as it began, the kiss ended. She let out a tiny whimper when Keegan pulled his lips away. Hers was wet and sore from the small action, and she feared she'd collapse when he hooked her bottom lip between his thumb and index finger.
Sheera fought with every fiber of her being, her body thrashing against the restraints. The chain dug into her wrists, but she ignored the pain, focusing solely on escaping Gareth's clutches. He legs kicked out wildly, aiming for any vulnerable spot. Despite how hard she tried, he was much powerful than her, and the chains bounding her hands weren't doing her much good. She was completely at his mercy. When one of her kicks connected to o his chest, he groaned and struck her hard in the face. She yelped, the force sending her head to the side. Her hair scattered all over her face in the process. "You can chose to make this difficult, Sheera. Trust me, I shall enjoy hurting you," Gareth spoke harshly, his eyes holding a promise to truly hurt her. Sheera resolved to the only solution she could. She screamed for help. Gareth laughed and delivered another blow, this time to he ribs, the sharp pain taking her breath away. Before she could gain composure, he struck her in the ribs agai
A sharp rap against her door startled Sheera from her reverie. She jerked and recoiled back, her mind believing it was Gareth. He's come to finish what he started. When she'd returned from the cellar, she had taken a bath, scrubbing her body vigorously like she could still feel Gareth's hands on her. Then, she'd changed into something else and stayed huddled in bed. But her peace was about to be disrupted by whoever was on the other side of the door. Fear gripped her heart as she remained motionless. The knock came again and again, until finally, it was forcefully opened. A small yelp slipped Sheera's throat. But her panic subsided when she found Kalaril standing in the doorway. It wasn't Gareth. Kalaril eyed her auspiciously."I was knocking," his words came out clipped. Sheera rose to her feet, dipping her head. "I... I apologize."Silence stretched between them. "The Alpha summons you. Let's go," he tilted his head. Gulping tersely, Sheera forced herself to follow him fr
Sheera had witnessed Keegan's anger before, but never like this. It wasn't the kind of anger where you go around, throwing things and laying curses. It was the kind where you are so cold, but a storm brews from within. His grip on her throat loosened, but the glow in his eyes didn't go away."He...He forced me," she added, not knowing how much time she had left before Keegan finally kills her, thinking she did cheat on him. "He attacked me with a Faelian wood, had me chained in a cellar and... and abused me. But he didn't finish. His mother came in and stopped him. I swear, that was all that happened."Seconds bled into minutes. Keegan's gaze was cold on her. His calm demeanor frightened Sheera to the bones because she knew in such situations, the worst would be going through his mind. I'm sorry, Wema. But I had to save me. Slowly, he released her. The upper part of her body was lowered as she coughed and touched her neck. "Get out," his voice was low and dangerous.She hesitate
Wema hurried to Gareth's room and relayed Sheera's information to him. In a frenzy, she began packing up his things. "Hold on, mother. What are you doing!? Why do we have to flee like some cowards?" Gareth asked with irritation. Wema did not stop. "You seem to have lost your mind, have you not? I just told you that Keegan is aware of your foolishness, and you dare to ask stupid questions?""I...I doubt that," Gareth said with a huff. "It is impossible for the scent of a wolf to get noticed in that manner. Clearly, the lady is bluffing.""You really want to stick around and know if she's bluffing? Problem is, you will not live to regret it because Keegan will have your head!" Wema paused to glare at him. "Do you truly desire to lose your life, Gareth? Are you so tired of living? You never should have touched that lady in the first place."Resignation burnt brighter than shame in his eyes. "Well, I didn't finish!" He took a deep breath. "Fine. I shall gather the rest of my things. Y
Keegan chuckled, glancing up at her with a half-smile before returning his gaze to the flowers he trimmed, plucking a rose with meticulous care."You only impress someone when you want them to like you. That'll mean they actually have a choice. But for you, Sheera," he plucked another blossom, examining it briefly. "You don't have a choice. You're stuck with me either ways."Sheera huffed. "You are joking, young man, if you think you have me in bondage here. Because you see, All I have to do as a lady is scream and a thousand men will come to my aid."Keegan turned from his flowers, dropping the small blade he'd been using as he strode over to her. His hand slipped around her waist, pulling her close. A small smile flickered on her lips."You must be totally clueless, lady in distress, that we're the only ones here for miles. You're, indeed, stuck with me."He leaned in, giving h
The sun warmed Thessaly's face as she stood at the balcony, staring down at the flurry of activities. Her hand was on her belly, caressing it even if it was still flat. "Must be so lonely for you, right?" Odessa said, joining her. Thessaly rolled her neck and let out deep breath, her hand still on her belly. "Go away, Odessa. I'm not in the mood to talk.""I mean, imagine being pregnant for a man who ran off with a witch that killed his mother," she tsked. "How pathetic that that lady is more important than you and your son."Thessaly looked at her, offering her beautiful smile. "I'm not bothered. Unlike you, I am used to being ignored by the Alpha."Odessa cocked a brow. "Is that so?""Yes. And if you ask me, I'd say you are more affected than me. I am sure you've been having sleepless nights about it. It is you who fell low, Odessa."Odessa glared at her for a moment, before her glare melted into a laugh. "Oh, Thessaly," There was still laughter in her voice, but it was thin, col
Time drifted by, and by the time Sheera gathered herself enough to search for him, the sun had dipped low on the horizon, casting shadows that stretched long and still across the land.She found Keegan by the lake, seated and seeming lost in the rippling waters. For a long time, she stood behind him, simply watching.Alright, he looked frigid and detached, she didn't need anyone to tell her he was battling with his thoughts. She'd cried enough, her eyes swollen, the sting of it numbing her.She didn't know which was more painful—the memory of what she'd done to the Luna, or the realization that even now, after all she'd caused, the Alpha still cared for her in some incomprehensible way.Luna Valkyrie may have been a torment to her, but she was still Keegan's mother, his family, his blood. She didn't deserve to die that way, especially not by Sheera's hands.Sheera's anger b
For seven days, Sheera and Keegan journeyed, stopping only at nightfall for food and rest. They could count the words they'd spoken to each other the whole time. Most of the time, it was "we're stopping for a break." Or, "You can eat this."Or other little customary statements. Sheera was still on edge, and there was a part of her that wondered if the Alpha had only saved her from the execution because he wanted to kill her himself. Because why else would he save her? He didn't have a reason to. On the second day when they'd left Howling Ridge, Keegan had removed the chains and Moly ropes from her. Gradually, her strength and power returned. On the seventh day, they got to their destination—or Keegan's, rather. It was a place that was so beautiful, it left Sheera stunned for a moment. It was a cottage by a gleaming lake, a small farmstead complete with a modest barn and a bustling coop of hens. The serenity of the scene left Sheera breathless, the place resembling a world remov
Silence blanketed the crowd as every gaze turned to Keegan. They looked up at him as he stood on the raised platform, their ears itchy."The lady before us is a witch," Keegan began, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd. "And I was aware of it."Gasps ripped through the crowd, necks craning as Keegan's words struck them.He continued. "For long, I knew of it but did nothing. I protected her, kept her close to me, even though I was aware she was a threat to the Pack."She wanted to leave. Severally, she sje tried to escape me. But I was selfish and wouldn't let her go. I let my feelings for her get in the way that I overlooked the danger and kept her close."Whispers stirred among the people, his confession coming as a betrayal to them.Kalaril stepped closer to him, shock carving deep lines into his face."What're you d
"Is it hot enough?""Yes, thank you."Malkar took a long swig, enjoying the taste of the steaming spicy soup. He exhaled, running his eyes around the vast space before him. It was nothing like where he came from, but it was beautiful. "You said you've been traveling for long now," the man seated beside him asked. "More than a week," Malkar answered, taking another taste from his bowl of soup. "Where are you coming from?"He hesitated, blinked and took another sip from the bowl. "I'd rather not say."It's been a rough journey for Malkar. He'd managed to get to the south. He was ambushed on the way and all his valuables taken from him. For two days, he'd gone hungry. He stopped by a market, hoping to steal something without being caught. But they did, and he was beaten by a mob. It was the old man beside him that had helped him, brought him to his tavern and served him a hot bowl of soup.Malkar hated that his life had been reduced to something so insignificant. Being banished and
"How have you been?" Thessaly asked, her voice soft. When Sheera tried to speak, she realized how heavy her throat was. She swallowed against the dryness. "What are you doing here?" Thessaly shrugged. "What does it look like? I'm visiting." She pointed at the food. "Not hungry?"Sheera was starving. They had brought her food only once since her imprisonment."You don't have to worry, Sheera. I didn't poison it." Thessaly's lips curled up. She plucked a piece of steak from the plate, taking a deliberate bite. "See? It's safe."With a hunger sharpened by days of deprivation, Sheera devoured the food, her fingers trembling as she ate, barely tasting the meal as she tore through it. For the moment, all else faded."You know, me and you are alike in many ways," Thessaly began. "I was looked down upon where I come from and really did suffer. I didn't grow up with my family. The people I grew up with, they hated me and treated me like a slave." She looked down, a shadow of old pain crossi
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,