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
True to his words, Sheera's life was never the same after the rejection.She was evicted from her room and sent to live in the servants' quarters. Now, she worked tirelessly with the servants, eating only when they were supposed to.Unlike before when she'd get bored being in her room all day, she barely had the time to take a rest now.The mate bond was gone. The constant pull to be near him, the sexual urge, the connection that one pulsed through her veins - they were no longer there. All that remained was a hollow gnawing pain that festered deep within her, accompanied by an overwhelming sadness that weighed on her every step.Her life had become a shadow of its formal self, and it was pathetic.Sheera suspected the Alpha had ordered the Head maid to make her life as miserable as possible. Because by the second day, she was swamped with endless tasks. From working the fields, doing the laundry, scrubbing the floors and serving meals, there was no end to the chores assigned to her,
Sheera was pouring wine into a goblet when, compelled by some ill-fated urge, she glanced at Keegan. It turned out to be the biggest mistake she made that day.The moment she found his silver eyes locked on hers, a sharp current jolted through uer, electrifying the air between them. Her hands quivered, and the wine spilled over, staining the tablecloth crimson."What in Hades!? Are you blind!?" The offended council member barked, pushing his chair back in anger.Sheera gasped, immediately scrambling to wipe the spill."I am so sorry. Please, pardon me." She pleaded, her voice edged with panic.The man continued to curse until Sheera was done wiping it.Her heart drumming in her chest, she turned to leave with the others."Get me the head maid," Keegan's voice cut through the room like a whip, freezing everyone.He spoke to the servants, but none in particular.With their heads lowered, the servants whirled around to him.His tone devoid of warmth, he continued. "One of you isn't suppo
Sheera's heart drummed in her chest as she stood beside the window, her eyes feeding on the crowd gathered just outside. It was as though, the entire pack members were present, because the crowd was like none she'd ever seen.The high position of the room she was in gave her an advantage of a panoramic view of the unfolding scene. At that moment, she forgot all about her predicament and focused on the predicament of the one that'd been found guilty.Shortly, the young lady was dragged out by the Pack Keepers to the center of the gathering on the raised platform. She was roughly dropped on her knees, her hands bound behind her with Moly ropes.Moly was their weakness. It was often used on her kind to weaken them. The girl, barely more than a wisp of a thing, knelt on the raised platform. Her unbound dark hair hung limp and tangled, framing tear-streaked cheeks. Shame and terror leeched from her hunched form.Sheera felt a tremor course through her. Fear, not for herself, but for the yo
His name was Keegan - the most powerful Alpha King that ruled the North.Shouldered with the responsibility of leading the largest Wolf Pack to ever exist, Keegan was one of the most feared and respected Alpha alive.Long before he became Alpha, when he was still a prince, his name was already known. And he did much worst when he finally became Alpha. The eyes of 'common' people rarely saw him. And those who were opportuned to always considered themselves lucky. To some of the wolves, he was a god.He was as charming as you could imagine. Hair was long and gold in color. But most of the times, he had it in two backward braids. He had silver eyes - extremely pretty eyes that could charm their way into the heart of anyone.He had the body of a warrior - tall and muscular with scars that spoke of won battles that gave him his name. And when he walked, you could feel the fear from the people around him. At twenty-eight, he had so much to his name.But beside his charms, he was known for h
"Uh...no. Greetings," She dropped her gaze.The young man flashed a thin smile as he looked down from the balcony and saw the Alpha walking away. He fixed the puzzle instantly."I see. You are one of my brother's admirers, are you not?"Sheera's jaw dropped slightly with surprise. He was the Alpha's brother?! The Alpha had two stepbrothers. Sheela was certain the one in front of her was Malkar. "Greetings, my prince." Her head went lower.He passed a scrutinizing stare. "You didn't know who I was initially. And... I do not think I have seen this face around here. Who are you?"Sheera bristled under his scrutiny. An unpleasant chill snaked down her spine. There was something about Malkar, something dark and unsettling that lurked beneath the surface of his youthful charm."I am...I am actually new here. My name is Sheera.""Hold on!" He clicked his fingers. "I have definitely heard of you! The Alpha's toy. Am I correct?"She didn't respond. How many others knew of her? And was that a
They reached her room where Tabitha set the tray down on a stool. "Thank you, Tabitha." Sheera smiled. "Oh. It's nothing. If you need anything, you can just check me out in the maids quarters." She replied and headed for the door, but suddenly stopped in front of it. "By the way, you are so beautiful," Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she said. Sheera's heart warmed up. She dipped her head, and finally, Tabitha left the room. ***†*†Sheera spent the rest of the day alone in her room.For hours, she remained in bed, tossing and wondering if her life would remain so boring.How much she missed her family! She missed the mornings when she went hunting with her mother and sister. She missed fighting and making up with Naya. What she wouldn't do to get back to them. But this was probably for the best. At least, Naya wouldn't have to suffer.It was almost evening when she decided to go for another stroll. She felt imprisoned being in the room alone.As she walked, she considered the
Shallow gasps hitched in Sheera's throat as her terrified eyes locked on the Alpha. Just that morning, she had admired him when she saw him from afar. She had no idea it'd be so fearful getting to see him from close proximity.The glint of the sword in his hand, still wet with the man's blood, churned her stomach. Revulsion threatened to overwhelm her, but fear held it in check. She stumbled back a trembling step, punctuated by the erratic tremor of her lips."Kalaril, who is she?" Keegan asked, his impassive gaze on her."I have no idea, Alpha. I found her spying through the window." Kalaril answered.Dread coiled in Sheera's gut as Keegan drew closer until he was only three inches away from her. She began to wonder how she had admired him earlier on. The man before her had the looks of a god - literally. He was handsome, yet had an aura of danger that clung to him like a shadow. Instead of wanting to kiss his feet like she had desired that morning, she wanted to go far from him."
Sheera was pouring wine into a goblet when, compelled by some ill-fated urge, she glanced at Keegan. It turned out to be the biggest mistake she made that day.The moment she found his silver eyes locked on hers, a sharp current jolted through uer, electrifying the air between them. Her hands quivered, and the wine spilled over, staining the tablecloth crimson."What in Hades!? Are you blind!?" The offended council member barked, pushing his chair back in anger.Sheera gasped, immediately scrambling to wipe the spill."I am so sorry. Please, pardon me." She pleaded, her voice edged with panic.The man continued to curse until Sheera was done wiping it.Her heart drumming in her chest, she turned to leave with the others."Get me the head maid," Keegan's voice cut through the room like a whip, freezing everyone.He spoke to the servants, but none in particular.With their heads lowered, the servants whirled around to him.His tone devoid of warmth, he continued. "One of you isn't suppo
True to his words, Sheera's life was never the same after the rejection.She was evicted from her room and sent to live in the servants' quarters. Now, she worked tirelessly with the servants, eating only when they were supposed to.Unlike before when she'd get bored being in her room all day, she barely had the time to take a rest now.The mate bond was gone. The constant pull to be near him, the sexual urge, the connection that one pulsed through her veins - they were no longer there. All that remained was a hollow gnawing pain that festered deep within her, accompanied by an overwhelming sadness that weighed on her every step.Her life had become a shadow of its formal self, and it was pathetic.Sheera suspected the Alpha had ordered the Head maid to make her life as miserable as possible. Because by the second day, she was swamped with endless tasks. From working the fields, doing the laundry, scrubbing the floors and serving meals, there was no end to the chores assigned to her,
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