"Why are you here?" Keegan's voice was strained as he spoke, forcing the words past the heaviness that had settled in his throat.His eyes were cast down to one of the many parchments strewn across the table before him, though he wasn’t truly reading. Lady Mortha's words seemed to haunt him. When she had finished speaking on Sheera, he acted neutral, claiming he'd look into her. But it troubled him—troubled him to know something bad might be happening with Sheera. "The prophecy, Alpha," Mortha replied with a worried expression. "I have yet to gather more information on it, but I can feel it drawing close. Also, we'll be having the Eclipse moon in a short time from now."The Eclipse moon was a rare time when the sun usually met with the moon, causing darkness during the day or daylight during the night. It was very rare and only happened once in centuries. And indeed, it was close. "What bothers you about the Eclipse moon?" Keegan asked. "The Eclipse moon is the most powerful moon
SOMEWHERE IN THE WESTThe five Alphas stood shoulder to shoulder on the mountain, watching the incredible sight before them—a difficult sight they'd been able to pull together.Before them were very large numbers of their soldiers combined, all ready and set for the big war ahead of them. Other Alphas that didn't want to directly partake in the war had lent their soldiers, after Laycoan convinced them.Combined, it was larger than any soldiers Keegan would be able to come up with."This feels like a dream," Alpha Laycoan breathed, pride swelling in his chest."Well, you'd better wake up, dear friend, for this is as real as day and night," Otis chuckled beside him.Zarek and Sebastian's faces were marred by frowns, for it was they who had the biggest loss."You know what to do, don't you?" Sebastian
Sheera's eyes burned with fury, her gaze flicking between Malkar and Thessaly whoose faces had soured at the sight of her. "What're you doing here?" Malkar spat."Let her be," Thessaly cut in. "I'll handle her."Malkar glowered at Sheera, his scowl lingering for a long, hateful moment before he stormed past her and out of the room. Sheera barely spared him a glance as he passed, her focus entirely on Thessaly.She had been unable to focus in her room. Hearing about Thessaly's pregnancy had taken her sense of reasoning, causing her to cry. She couldn't stop herself when she stood up from the floor and began stomping towards the room."Let's cut to the chase," Thessaly rolled her eyes as she strode toward a nearby table. "You heard everything I told him, didn't you? I still stand by my word. This child belongs to the Alpha."She reached for a goblet, pouring herself a drink.Sheera's chest felt heavy and cramped. "Are you certain? Because Malkar is kind of right. I find it strange that
"Are you alright?" His voice was calm, quieter than she had ever heard it. 'Yes,' she wanted to lie. Of course, that was what everyone did when they were faced with such question. They always lied. Because no one was truly ever fine.She shook her head, same time a small tear came rolling down. Keegan's hand shot out, pulling her to himself. Her breaths were shallow as she took in the scent of him, her head resting on his broad shoulder. She couldn't even fathom what exactly was wrong with her. Was she feeling this way because Thessaly was pregnant? Or was it because she was slowly losing herself?But Keegan knew. He understood her pain, and for the first time, they sliced through him. His hand slid to the neckline of her dress, fingers lingering there for a heartbeat, and then, in a swift motion, he tore the fabric apart.Sheera gasped, instinctively pulling back from his shoulder. Her dress was ruined with her undergarments now exposed. Keegan's gaze never wavered. His finger t
Sheera was in the Alpha's chambers, reading a book. He had summoned her when he had his little break during the day, and when he finished with her amd was leaving, he told her she could stay back if she wanted. He claimed he'd be back soon and would end up needing her. The Alpha's room was always very comfortable, so Sheera had no reason to leave—not when everything in the chamber reminded her of him. She was sitting on his study table with her legs crossed when the Grand Luna walked in. The Luna froze, seeming too shocked to believe the sight before her. Sheera rose to her feet, closing the book she had been reading and keeping it behind her. "Greetings, Grand Luna," she bowed her head. Valkyrie scoffed, batting her lashes. "What madness is this? How can a filthy thing like you be on my son's seat? How dare you touch his things?"Sheera stepped away from the table, not daring to meet the Luna's furious eyes. Valkyrie was not ignorant to the development between Keegan and the gi
Tabitha dropped to the floor, blood pouring from her chest, her eyes blazed with pain and disbelief. Yet, Sheera wanted more. She craved more.She went towards Tabitha,to finish what she started, and that was when it snapped back in—her senses.Her brows furrowed in confusion, followed by her eyes widening and a scream leaving her throat when she saw the bloodied knife in her hands."Tabitha... Maya... What had she done?"She stepped away from the bodies, memories of how she had stabbed them flashing right at her. Then, she paused, realizing it was herself she needed to go away from. She was the monster here.She looked at her hands, covered in the blood of her best friend and an innocent. How could she... How could she have done this!?Her body trembled, she was too scared to even cry. Turning around, she fled the room.
After what felt like an eternity, she pulled away from his shoulders."Please, I have to go." Her wet eyes were dropped to the floor, unable to meet his gaze anymore.Her hands had left bloody stains on his clothes, and seeing it made her want to slam he head against the wall."I can't... I can't be here anymore."Keegan felt enraged. He recalled her trying to flee. Had the keepers not stopped her..."What did I tell you about leaving!?" His voice was sharp, even as it was laced with pain. "I thought I made myself clear, Sheera? I told you never to try to leave again!""I can't," her voice sounded choked with grief. "I k—killed them. I—I killed Tabitha. Masha.... I couldn't stop."The words were extremely difficult letting out. She was a monster. That was all she could think about."I didn't know what came over me," she sniffled. "I just saw them and couldn't think of anything other than having them killed. I wanted to hurt them. I don't know..."She broke down again, the sobs wrackin
A while later, Tabitha awoke. Kalaril was the happiest and tended to her needs. It was late at night when he laid next to her, cuddling her in his arms. She could hear his heart beating, and she loved it. He was still so worried, even after she told him she felt a lot better. "I want you to move in with me," he said, to her surprise. Her brows arched. "H—How?""I want you to be fully mine, Tabitha. I need you... by my side. Always."Tabitha exhaled shakily, her heart starting to race. Kalaril wouldn't deny it, he'd been a little unfair. He loved her, but there was a part of him that had not been ready to fully accept her. This was the reason their relationship remained a secret to a lot of people.But now, seeing her almost die made him rethink. He realized how very special she was to him."I chose you to be my mate," he revealed. "You'll no longer be a maid or need to work. You'll just be here, as mine."Heat rose to her cheeks. Gods, his words... they were all she's ever dreame
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