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 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