Tabitha had been sent on an errand to get some vegetables from one of the Pack's farms. Sheera insisted on going with her. And well, Tabitha was more than happy to have some company. It was a long interesting walk to the farm. They talked and laughed the whole time, got what they wanted and headed back to the Fortress, both holding a basket containing the vegetables. Reaching the Fortress, Sheera noticed Tabitha stiffen when she saw the Beta coming. Her steps unconsciously faltered, and Sheera could notice her cheeks losing their flush, turning a sickly white. He was flanged by four keepers and moved with a deliberate arrogance and superiority. The man sure had his charms. It turned out that Kalaril was headed their direction as he stopped in front of them. Sheera and Tabitha inclined their heads. "Greetings, Beta."There was a temporary silence before Kalaril spoke. "The Alpha wants you in his chambers. Now." He punctuated the last word and left. While Sheera's skin prickled wi
"Good," came Keegan's curt reply as he withdrew his hand from her chin. A smear of blood clung to the nail that'd gone into her skin. He regarded her for some seconds before stepping away, headed back to his table."Undress." It was an order. Releasing a deep shaky breath, Sheera did as she was told. The chill air seeped into her exposed form, leaving her feeling raw and vulnerable. Keegan leaned on his table before her and watched her as if she were a piece of art, his gaze more an evaluation than an invitation. Sheera kept her gaze glued to the floor as he did. His predatory gaze on her was more than intimidating. And shame began to claw at her neck at a point. What Sheera didn't know was that Keegan wasn't looking at her bare form because he wanted to be 'entertained'. Or because she was his for the time being and he wanted to exert that superiority on her. He studied her because he was trying to understand 'how' she was different. What was it about her that got him aching fo
Odessa blindly walked into her room, her fingers brushing instinctively. Everything around her didn't seem to exist, including her mother who was knitting."Where have you been? I have been here a while now," Nailah said casually, not really looking at her. Odessa hardly heard her question. All she could hear were the pleasure moans that had emanated from the Alpha's chamber.She was on her way to see him but hadn't even gotten close to the door when the pleasure moans filled the air. It tortured her when she heard the Alpha's grunts. It tortured her because she's never heard him grunt that way on her. She stood, facing the window, her gaze vacant as it traced the blurry shapes outside."Mother, once, you made mention of my great-grandparents being fated mates. What was it like?" She asked.Nailah paused in her knitting, her brow furrowing in surprise. Then, a knowing smile curved her lips."Yes. My grandparents were fated. Oh, dear! Being fated is the best thing that can happen to
"I thought I told you to note this face?" Her voice was dangerously low. "I told you I could show you mercy, as well as bring you doom. The audacity! You presume to ridicule me? Do you really think you'll be any match for me if I decide to make your life doomed?"Sheera held her gaze, her eyes betraying no fear.A moment passed. Odessa took some steps back. "Get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness. Only then will I forgive and forget your foolishness."It sounded like a joke to Sheera. Obviously, the proud mistress was used to people bowing to her. Kissing her feet.Were they ignorant to the fact that hunters were fearless beings? They must've mistaken her initial politeness and respect for cowardice.The only person that could make her shudder even without uttering a word was the Alpha. He was naturally dominant, her fearlessness was no match for him."Why should I do that?" She feigned a concerned look. "It is I who has been struck twice by you, yet has not retaliated. If tha
The words sounded foreign to Keegan. It's been years since he last heard of it. And that was because there was hardly a reason to make use of it. It never happened. "It's hard to believe in something that never happens," he answered curtly, passing a cold stare at Kalaril. "You know it happens. Just rarely."Keegan's eyes darkened. "What are you playing at, boy?"Kalaril was tempted to laugh. Keegan only used 'boy' on hm when he intentionally wanted to get on his nerves. "I have heard a thing or two about it. And from your experience with Sheera, it looks more like....""Don't you dare," Keegan cut him off, shaking his head slowly and showing his threat. Schooling his agitation, he added after a moment. "She is nothing to me. It is all in my head and I am positive I will get over her with my mind in it. So far, I have survived a week.""Barely," Kalari added. He was the only one that could drag words with the Alpha without risking a blow to his face. Or worst. Keegan's gaze grew
A long time passed with Sheera sitting alone. As much as she tried to push them away, thoughts of the Alpha wormed their way into her mind. The last time he'd summoned her was a week ago, and while a part of her felt a wave of relief, another, a smaller, more shameful part, couldn't help but feel a flicker of…curiosity. Despite her annoyance to the the humiliation and pain of their forced encounters, a tiny, traitorous part of her 'missed' it. Sheera hated the foolish part of her that missed such moments filled with nothing but her own pain. He was a cruel man, and she should be happy he was avoiding her. What felt like an eternity passed before her mother and sister finally returned, their faces alight with joy."Oh! Madam Nailah is simply delightful! I haven't had such a delicious meal in ages," Naya gushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You are truly lucky to be here, Sheera. The Fortress is magnificent!"A frown creased Sheera's brow. "Lucky, you say? Would you like to
Sheera frantically asked around for Nailah's room until she found it. Barging into the room, she found Nailah by the window. Surprise flickered across her face at the sudden intrusion."Mene! That was startling," She exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest.Sheera, her face pale from how much she'd been crying, rushed towards the woman and clung to her arm like a drowning sailor grasping at a life raft."Madam Nailah, you need to help me. I...I don't understand what's happening. The Grand Luna suddenly showed up with some Keepers and took my mother and sister away. They found some of her gold jewelry in my sister's bag, and the Grand Luna insists a maid saw them entering her chamber. But they didn't, did they? All they did was dine with you. They wouldn't... They couldn't have gone anywhere else!" Fresh tears traced a path down her cheeks, her voice laced with a frantic desperation.Nailah stared intently at her until she finished. Slowly, she turned away, her expression unreadable.
Keegan finished late from the courtroom. He desired rest, but the unease in his body stopped that from happening. Just as it had been for the past two days. For three nights, he'd not been able to get an hour of sleep. Initially, when he started abstaining from Sheera a week ago, he could fall asleep after tossing for a long time. But two days ago, it grew worst. Images of her tormented him. He felt the tease of her hands all over him and yearned to feel them physically. The middle part of him was painfully hard, always. Aching for her. His eyes wanted to see her. His nose wanted to sniff her - her chamomile scent. His lips wanted to feast on her skin. And his hands, they wanted to do the cruelest things to her. In a good way. He'll be damned if he hadn't been tempted to summon her just so he could bury himself deep into her and never withdraw.By the moon, he was losing it. But he wanted to keep fighting. Although, the word wasn't so strong in his head any longer. But if there w
ONE MONTH LATER. A lot had changed with Howling Ridge. Something different had taken place. Something dark. People were hardly ever happy. The Fortress was even worse—filled with gloominess at all times. There was just something that didn't feel good about the place anymore. Odessa and her mother were still missing. Keegan had searched desperately for them, but it was fruitless. It was concluded that she was either dead or had fled. A part of Keegan considered the fleeing part. He'd been very hard on her—physically, sexually and emotionally. He wondered if that was the reason she decided to run for her life. But a part of him rebelled against the notion. Odessa was not a woman to shrink from a storm. She had stood firm where others would falter. The thought that she might have run seemed like a betrayal of her very essence. He'd grown harder, the thought of everything weighing down on him—all he's lost and endured for the past year. The Eclipse moon was now but four nights awa
It had been a week since Sheera, Morginna and Ravyn embarked on their journey. The journey had been smooth, but it wasn't on that seventh day that Sheera realized her mother still had her powers. They'd been riding in the woods when they encountered bandits. Like they'd done to Sheera, they tried taking their valuables from them. The bandits outnumbered them, so confronting them wasn't much of an option. And that was where Morginna proved herself. To Sheera and Ravyn's surprise, she used her powers on them, defeating them easily. Of course she was a witch. It was just the first time Sheera was seeing her use her powers. When they'd finished with the bandits, Morginna glared at Ravyn. "I hope you know how to keep a secret." At nightfall, they camped as usual. Sheera and Morginna sat in front of the burning fire while Ravyn busied himself behind, laying on his back while munching on some berries. The mother and child were silent for a while, their eyes simply staring at the fire
Thessaly shrugged, resting a hand on her belly. "After the hunt, she said she needed to go somewhere. She said she'd come to the Fortress later." Kalaril appeared surprised. "Did she mention where she was going?" "She wouldn't say. When I insisted, she snapped at me. I feel a little bad that she might have used me to get out of the Fortress without raising suspicions. You know, it was her idea that we didn't go with any of the Keepers or maids." A Keeper came forward, taking the deer from her horse. Thessaly took a deep breath. "I am exhausted, Beta. What I need right now is some soft hands on my back." Kalaril chuckled, nodding. "You go ahead, Thess." She bowed before walking away. .... By nightfall when Odessa was still not back, it became a cause for concern. Her mother wasn't questioned, but she claimed she didn't know anything on her whereabouts. Keegan ordered Keepers to go look for her. It was a thing to worry about as Odessa had never stayed out that late before. Thes
"Kathryn, you must think carefully about this." Morginna urged, walking at a fast pace beside Sheera."There is nothing to think about. I must go back and warn them." Sheera's voice was resolute, not looking at her."But you told me you've been banished. They'll kill you if you set foot there!""I'll find a way."They were almost out to the part where people could see them when Morginna grabbed her hand, bringing her to a stop."Think about this. You do no longer have a wolf. Whatever Thessaly does will not affect you. You'll be fine, Kathryn.""So, what?" Sheera scoffed, pulling her arm free. Her face contorted in a mix of frustration and pain. "I have friends, people I care about! I can't just... I can't just leave them there to die!"She attempted to leave, but Morginna grabbed her hand again."Wh
In all her life, Odessa had never heard anything more shocking—more unnervingly alarming.Releasing the arrows, Thessaly sent one sinking into Odessa's shoulder, and the other piercing her thigh. Odessa crumpled to the ground with a painful grunt, the rough forest floor biting into her knees."How does it feel, Mistress?" Thessaly's voice dripped with venom, the title 'Mistress' twisting cruelly off her tongue. "It feels like death, doesn't it? This is the pain you wished upon a pregnant woman. Anyway," she strode forward, her movements casual, as though she strolled through a field of flowers rather than toward her dying foe. "I will not blame you. I was indeed, an obstacle in your way and I'd have done the same. I have done worse."Odessa shook her head. The pain was fierce but not as scorching as it should have been, and something in her guts told her it had to do with Thessaly. "This whole time," the words were strained. "It was you...""Yes, dearest." Thessaly got close enough t
Odessa and Thessaly rode side by side, their horses' hooves muffled on the mossy ground. Once they reached a small clearing, they dismounted, each taking their bow and arrows in hand."You know, as much as I enjoy this hunt, Odessa, I still find it strange that you wouldn't let the Keepers or even a maid come with us," Thessaly remarked, her eyes sharp and scanning the shadowed trees ahead with her arrow aimed.Odessa was only a few feet from her, her own gaze darting around the surroundings. "We are being watched all the time, Thessaly. Don't you miss this? Being able to roam freely without the fear of being watched and judged?"She heard a crackling twig and turned swiftly, only to find a lone squirrel scurrying into the underbrush. She exhaled, lowering her bow."Don't worry, we're strong. We can defend ourselves. And even if you are unable to because of your condition, I'll protect you." Odessa added with a smile.Thessaly laughed. She lowered her bow to touch her round belly. "Th
Sheera and Morginna retreated to a quiet alcove beside the garden.Morginna had instructed the guards make sure no one disturbed them.She returned to Sheera with the cup of water she'd asked for, sitting next to her on the bench."Thank you," Sheera muttered, drinking from the cup, the cool water soothing her parched throat.They were calmer now, although it had taken time and tears to reach this peace.Sheera's burden was slowly being replaced by relief—relief that that she had found her mother.Elke was right. She felt lucky that she did come from her. The woman was strong, beautiful, smart, brave. It was rare to see such qualities in a woman.Sitting next to her, inhaling her edible scent... it was like a dream come true."I still can't believe it's true," Morginna shook her head, staring into the distance. "I had to leave Howling Ridge after giving you to that woman. The Alpha of Howling Ridge then—Alpha Samael—was a very ruthless one and was desperately looking for me because he
The whispers from the people grew louder, all of them amazed at her audacity.Morginna rose her brows, tilting her head."Please," Sheera added. "It's very important." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears now, one that Morginna noticed."Quite the nerves," Morginna muttered.Seconds passed. Sheera held her breath, starting to think the woman wouldn't grant her request."Everyone out!" She commanded, her voice revealing a veiled anger.The people scurried out, whispering and casting curious glances over their shoulders as the grand hall emptied.****†****†****†HOWLING RIDGE****†****†****†"This is not a good time, Thessaly. He's resting and believe me, you wouldn't want to bother him." Kalaril spoke calmly to Thessaly as he guided her away from Keegan's quarters.There was a maid following closely behind, holding a tray of treats which Thessaly had brought to offer the Alpha."I understand," she sighed wearily. "I just wish things were different. It's obvious Sheera took his heart wi
"Where do you come from, Sheera?" She laid emphasis on the name, drawing it out as if to measure its worth.Sheera wondered if she could as well hear the racing of her heart."Thalentis," it took Sheera a heartbeat too long to respond.For an odd reason, she held the woman's gaze, not looking away even though it was like staring into the depths of the sea.Thalentis was one of the villages she'd come across. She'd spent several weeks there and had contemplated staying there due to the good acquaintances she made."Thalentis," The Governess repeated, her eyes lowering to other parts of her body. Slowly, she began pacing. "I have been there. The river was one of my favorite places to be. It's water was sparkling and...." she sighed. "There was always something so peaceful about it."Sheera cocked a brow. "Is that so, Governess? Because the Thalentis that I come from, the river is not so sparkling. It's one of the major concerns of the people. Majority of the time, we have to rely on rai