Sheera whimpered. She knew whatever he had in mind couldn't be good.
But she had no choice.
She forced her gaze to meet his. They weren't so charming now; they were deadly.
"I want you to look me in the eye while I ruin you."
Those were the last words she heard before he indeed, 'ruined' her.
He thrusted in and out of her with such ferocity, she feared he'd break her in half.
Her cries were loud enough to take down the room, but they did nothing to faze Keegan who continued slamming in and out of her.
He wasn't being gentle. He intentionally wanted her to feel pain.
Sheera couldn't keep up with his command. Her eyes closed as her head fell on his shoulder.
"Look at me!" He rumbled with anger.
Sheera screamed as she felt his sharp claws dig into her back. By the moon, he was go
Keegan was disturbed.He couldn't explain it. But every fiber of his being didn't feel good. His wolf stirred restlessly, an unease that neither reason nor will could quell.He was in the midst of an ongoing meeting in the courtroom but had to dismiss everyone when he couldn't bear the distraction any longer."What is wrong?" Kalaril asked as they exited the courtroom after the others left."I cannot say. I just know there is something wrong," he answered impatiently.They reached his chambers where he tried to distract himself with some books, but if wasn't working. Something was not right within him.It was as tho, a part of him was empty. Hollow. It was the same emptiness he had felt when he journeyed to the Hamlet weeks ago and had to be far from her. He'd felt empty the whole time. And now, he was feeling it agai
The night was dark.Sheera stopped by an inn and went in today request a room."Traveling somewhere, eh?" The inn keeper chuckled as he counted the coins she placed before him.Sheera offered no reply, her head heavy with exhaustion.He pulled out a key and slid it across the counter. "Fifth room on your right, second floor.""Thank you," she murmured, taking the key and turning away.She was on the staircase when a young man joined her."Now tell me, what's a pretty lady like you doing all alone, eh? Need some company?" He slurred, his breath reeking of ale.Sheera glanced at him. And in that moment, all she could think about was the Alpha delivering him a slow but painful death for daring to look her way.She rolled her eyes and continued up the st
The inferno within Keegan raged hotter, threatening to erupt in a violent display. Finally, he could see her. But how could she keep running from him? How dare she!?'Mine' the word snarled through his thoughts. She was his to own. His to possess. Only he could decide when to let her go. She couldn't make that choice herself. Still on his horse, he reached for his bow and arrow, nocking the weapon. He aimed at her. Pulling back the string, Keegan let the arrow fly. It sliced through the air, striking the leg of Sheera's horse. The horse let out a pained whinny and stumbled, its legs collapsing beneath it. Sheera was thrown violently to the ground, landing with a painful groan. "No," she whimpered. Looking around, she found Keegan and his companions fast approaching. But her horse was useless now. As she struggled to her feet, she saw Keegan and his men approaching at a rapid pace. Her horse was down, useless now. She turned and sprinted deeper into the woods, her breath coming
The words scraped raw against Sheera's throat, each syllable a fresh wound from the pain of revealing one of her most burdensome secrets. Now, she felt empty. Vulnerable. Weak.Keegan's grip loosened in her hair. The flames of anger in his eyes dwindled to embers, replaced by a mask of surprise.For what felt like an eternity, the only sounds were her whimpers and the ragged breaths she took between sobs. His gaze remained fixed on her, even as fresh tears coursed down her cheeks."What did you just say to me, Sheera?" His voice, now softer, sent a shiver down her spine."I'm sorry," she sniffled. "I know it is wrong, but I was defenseless against my heart, Alpha. I found myself wanting you, liking you, even when I know you can never be mine and I can never be yours. I am simply a hunter's daughter paying for her father's crime and would be dumped as soon as you've had your fi
Odessa was seething with rage.She stormed towards the Alpha's quarters but was halted by the Keepers guarding the entrance."The Alpha is not in his bedchamber, Mistress," one of them informed."But Sheera is there, is she not? I desire to see her," Odessa snapped, her hands clutching the overflowing fabric of her dress."I am afraid you can't. The Alpha has instructed us not to let anyone in. His prisoner is not to receive visitors."Odessa's cheeks flushed a serious red. By the sky, this had to be a joke!"Prisoners are kept in the dungeon, not in his quarters!" She couldn't stop herself from yelling our the words. "How could he... How could he punish her by letting her stay in his chambers!?"The Keepers remained silent, unmoved by her anger.Her chest heaved as she struggled to control her emotions. Her beast was almost coming to the surface. The contemptible swine couldn't even execute out a proper escape! And as if the Alpha going after himself wasn't enough, he decided to puni
Her throat went dry instantly. She opened her lips to speak but feared the only sound that would come out would be choked gasp. By Hestia, she could hardly breath! Her skin suddenly felt like it was scorching."You're supposed to remove every piece of ornament before a bath," Keegan added, his eyes scrutinizing the necklace as his finger idly rolled it between his fingers."I... uh..." She paused, coughing to clear the lump in her throat. "It's um... I have just become accustomed to wearing it always, Alpha. It was gifted to me by my grandmother before she passed away, and I keep it on to feel her presence with me."She feared Keegan could hear the frantic beeping of her heart. She had no control over the fear that gripped her. "Hm," he mumbled, still focused on the necklace. "It doesn't get damaged by water. And I worry it might weaken if I keep removing it and putting it back on. I wouldn't want to lose it, Alpha," she added quickly.Slowly, Keegan's finger drifted from the neckl
The courtroom erupted into chaos. Kalaril and the Keepers charged at the lady, but with a simple gesture, she sent a powerful wind that sent them crashing into walls and pillars. All the while, her gaze remained locked on Keegan, who stayed seated, watching her with an unnerving calm. There was confusion etched in her face. She'd been casting the spell long enough for it to take effect, yet nothing had happened to Keegan. He seemed untouched by her powers. Keegan didn't know what was happening, and neither did she. He rose to his feet and the lady lowered her hands. Panic flickered across her face. She looked around, searching for any weapon she could control to hurt him since she couldn't directly. Her eyes settled on a blade strapped to one of the Keepers. With a wave of her hand, she ripped it free and sent it flying toward Keegan - but it missed. Keegan stepped away from the table, his eyes burning with fury. The lady summoned another blade and directed it at him, but Kalaril
His question made Tabitha feel stupid. She felt a flush of heat rise to her cheeks, her gaze dropping to the cold stone floor beneath her feet.Kalaril took a step closer. "I am a man who can care for himself, Tabitha. I have no need for your concern."His words were harsh and biting. Tabitha's heart ached as he brushed pass her."Why do you hate me so much?" She whipped in his direction, her question bringing him to a stop."What did I ever do wrong, Kalaril?"She wasn't supposed to call him by his name, but in that moment, she wanted him to know she spoke to the man who had once been her closest friend, not the Beta who now treated her with such disdain."I... I understand that you've been raised to a high position and I am but a servant," she pressed on, her voice breaking slightly. "But is that reason enough to treat me
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