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
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
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
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
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
Kalaril had been handling some court proceedings when news of Keegan's return reached him. He ended the meeting immediately and rushed over to his quarters.Keegan was in the room when he arrived, taking off his coat. For sometime, Kalaril stood by the door, simply studying him, while Keegan, though clearly aware of his presence, said nothing."You're back," Kalaril said at last, breaking the silence. "Took longer than expected."Keegan remained silent as he draped his coat over the arm of his chair. "How has the Pack been?" He asked after what seemed like an eternity. Kalaril hesitated before nodding, not like Keegan was looking at him. "Things have been fine, although the people have been saying a lot of things. Zandov is still locked up."Keegan didn't even look up. "Release him."He walked to his study table, grabbing a random scroll and quill. Kalaril watched him but could hardly get an expression. "How is she?" He finally asked, getting the question off his mind. "What happene
For five months, she'd been on the road, going from one Pack to the next, one village to another, one town to the other. And finally, as she stood at the border, staring at the sign post, she couldn't stop the smile that touched her lips.Welcome To Eldermoor.It was boldly written on the sign post, and it was the first time Sheera was relieved since the start of her journey.Eldermoor was a small successful village, belonging strictly to humans. But they didn't discriminate against witches or wolves, or anyone else.It was where she and her mother always planned on moving to if they were to escape the Pack. From what her mother had told her, she'd been to Eldermoor once when she was very young, and it was quite peaceful, successful and calm. It was one of the best places to live.Sheera had gone through a lot locating the place. First of all, she had to g
"Get off me, you rat bastard!" She cursed, writhing beneath him. He was too strong. Gods, she needed her powers. "Rat bastard?" He laughed hard. "Now, that's a foul mouth. One that I like."He was about tearing off the fabric of her dress when someone struck him from behind. Sheera had seen the person coming and when the strike was successful, she sighed in relief. "Son of a... By the beard of Odin!" Her assailant groaned painfully, his hand clutching the back of his head as he scrambled off Sheera. Turning around, dread replaced the lust in his eyes. It was a young man, holding a wood, not looking a bit fazed but disappointed."Again? You're doing this again?" He asked with a heavy sigh.Sheera's assailant, now trembling, cast a nervous glance before turning back to her rescuer. "I—I—It's not what you think. We were just... me and her, we were just—you know?""Spare me your empty excuses. You can take it up with the Governess. She’ll be quite eager to meet you come tomorrow,"
ONE YEAR LATER"I therefore, crown you, Sheera Ashbourne Cipher, Luna of Howling Ridge, to rule beside our Alpha, Keegan Cipher for as long as you live." The Elder proclaimed, resting the Luna crown on her head just before the crowd exploded into a madness of applause and revelry.Sheera's heart pumped faster. Her stomach was filled with too many butterflies, she felt she wouldn't need to feed for some months. Her cheeks were pink as she looked at the Alpha who stood in front of her, wearing a proud look. Her Keegan. Tears stung her eyes at the realization that they were finally going to be together forever. She had always hoped for a day like this, and now it was finally happening.The Elder turned to the throng. "People of Howling Ridge, I present to you—your new Luna!"The applause and jubilation grew louder. Sheera turned to face them, a smile on her face. She didn't know if it was the baby hormones again, but she was so close to shedding a tear. Not a Luna-ish thing to do, She
Sheera thought her happiness was complete, not until she got some visitors at the Fortress.She was beyond shocked when she saw her mother—Dasha—and Naya come over to visit her. They spent a long time embracing and asking each other questions. Apparently, Dasha and Naya had been hiding in a friend's barn since six months ago, when Sheera's secret was revealed. They'd been scared when it happened and contemplated fleeing, but knowing Zandov and a lot of Keepers would be searching for them, they figured it would be impossible leaving the Pack without being seen. Thankfully, the one friend Dasha had and trusted took them in and hid them in her barn. They'd been there since then, still afraid of fleeing and getting caught. Sheera was beyond relieved to know they've been alive and safe. For the past six months, she'd been hoping they managed to escape to a better Pack.She took Dasha to Morginna who was glad to be able to meet the woman that had helped her. She thanked Dasha once more
Keegan suggested they used a locator spell on Odessa to know where she was. With what Thessaly had done, he wouldn't be surprised if she had something to do with Odessa's disappearance. When Morginna did the spell, using one of Odessa's belongings, she was able to trace her and it led them to a tomb, deep in the woods. Odessa was found unconscious with a rotten corpse beside her. It took them a while to realize the corpse was Nailah. They took Odessa to the Fortress where she was immediately attended to by a healer. .........Zandov requested audience with Keegan in his room where he expressed his displeasure over the new law he'd implemented. "This is a mistake. We cannot have witches living amongst us all in the name of protection. Every problem we have encountered that you believe this witch of yours have saved us from were all caused by this same witches. If it wasn't for her kind, she wouldn't need to save us from anything." Zandov grumbled. Keegan had been writing in a par
There was a crowd outside. The people of Howling Ridge gathered around the raised platform, most of them having sore eyes from long torturous hours of crying. The loss of their loved ones ran deep. Keegan walked up to the platform, his eyes scanning them. He'd called for the gathering as soon as he returned to the Fortress. He granted access to every one of his Pack members, wanting them to bear witness to what was about to happen.The people had been looking forward to him, wanting to hear what he had to say. It was as though, his words could provide any form of closure for them. "To the strong esteemed people of Howling Ridge," Keegan began, his icy voice cutting through the crowd that had turned very silent. "I want to thank every one of you for making it here today. I know you all are grieving. So, thank you for coming as requested."As you all already know, something strange happened to us during the Eclipse Moon. It is the first time in history that something this powerful ha
The Eclipse Moon was over. The sun rose brighter and earlier than usual, as it always did after such nights.The wolves had shifted back to human form, but a lot of them were dead.Keegan—though unable to do anything about it—had watched as some of the wolves around him died slowly and painfully, bleeding through the nose and eyes. He didn't need to do a deep thinking to know it had to do with Thessaly. But strangely, it hadn't affected him. The only pain he felt had come from the Eclipse Moon.Keegan feared it was the end for the wolves as prophesied, and there would be no stopping it.But fortunately and surprisingly, it stopped.When the Eclipse passed and they'd regained control of themselves, he looked for Kalaril, hoping nothing bad had happened to him.Fortunately, he found him, not far from where he was.
Their hearts were racing in their chests. For a moment there, they were too weak to run. Too hopeless to do anything. "Is this it?" Ravyn stepped forward. "Are we just giving up?""There is nothing that can be done anymore!" Sheera's voice rose in anguish, trembling with frustration. "She's started it already. We didn't get there in time. The wolves...they are all going to die!"Sheera fell to her knees, her head spinning. It felt like air was being drained from her lungs. Keegan. Keegan. Keegan.That was all she could hear. All she could think about. "No." Morginna shook her head. "We must find her.""To what end, mother?" Sheera shouted, her tears running down. Morginna paled. Turning to Sheera, she felt anguish for what she was about to say.****They followed the blood trail, faster this time. Finally, it ended. They looked ahead at the temple where the trail had ended. "You sure she's still there?" Ravyn asked. "She can't leave until the Eclipse is complete. She's the one
Sheera thought deeper. Fought harder.The sun was setting. The Eclipse moon was only moments away.It was obvious they might never find Thessaly before it's too late. She was good with covering her tracks, and she'd also created a barricade around herself, blocking any witch from tracing her with a spell.This method was clearly not working. They needed to devise another solution.Sheera froze when something replayed in her mind. 'Thessaly had created a barricade around herself, blocking any witch from tracing her with a spell.'Hold on...Her mind raced as she called out and ran after Morginna. She was panting when she found her with Ravyn."Sheera, are you...""You mentioned once that the reason you couldn't seek refuge with the witches after you gave me away was because they might want to find and
Sheera's eyes stretched so wide they felt as though they might escape their sockets. Despite how terrified she was, there was a ball of heat forming low in her abdomen. The Alpha had a hundred reasons to kill her, and he could do it so easily now. "I do not care about the silly excuse you gave." His voice was a low growl, his hand still pressed over her mouth. "What you did was an act of betrayal. You played me for a fool, and that goes to show that you are a horrible person."His silver eyes burned with fury, their intensity a flame threatening to consume her whole. His face, shadowed and taut with rage, seemed carved from stone, every line of it etched in hatred.Sheera didn't dare to utter a word, knowing none could satisfy him.Slowly, he released his hand from her mouth. His gaze raked over her, dark and menacing.He brushed his fingers around her neck, causing the ball of heat to spread wider in her abdomen. She closed her eyes, awaiting the moment he'd strangle her. "You 'hu
Hours passed.Sheera awoken on the ground, amidst a jumble of overturned carts and crates.She was bleeding from too many parts of her body. That was because she had crashed into some weapons from the cart.She grunted in pains, sitting up. She couldn't get to her feet. The pain was too much, and she was losing too much blood.Looking around, she noticed her horse was gone, which could only mean one thing—so was Thessaly.She remained there on the ground, waiting and hoping for help.After several hours, Morginna came just like she had hoped for.Before leaving Elke's place, she had gotten her necklace back—which Elke had been in possession of. Ravyn had been waiting outside the Fortress. She met with him, gave him the necklace and described where Thessaly was.Good thing Ravyn was smart and knew how to fo