"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
"Why do you think your mother is incapable of theft?" She went on. "Is it because she is a Grand Luna? She has so many riches and doesn't need more? Do you think a lot of riches is enough to stop one from theft?"It happened fast. Keegan's hand sliced through the air and connected with her face.The force sent her reeling, but she didn't fall. Her hand itched to cradle her stinging cheek, but she forced it down as she looked back at Keegan with blue, glistening eyes. "Why do you think we have corrupt Alphas? Corrupt Princes? Pack Councils? Leaders who exploit members!?" Her voice was filled with even more agony. "Do you think they lack gold? Riches do not stop one from stealing! You know what does? Morals! That is something my mother taught my sister and I. That is how we have survived despite being ostracized by the Pack for years! If you believe your mother is incapable of theft, it isn't because she has all the riches. It's only because she has morals. And as much as you trust her
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
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
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
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
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
"Is it hot enough?""Yes, thank you."Malkar took a long swig, enjoying the taste of the steaming spicy soup. He exhaled, running his eyes around the vast space before him. It was nothing like where he came from, but it was beautiful. "You said you've been traveling for long now," the man seated beside him asked. "More than a week," Malkar answered, taking another taste from his bowl of soup. "Where are you coming from?"He hesitated, blinked and took another sip from the bowl. "I'd rather not say."It's been a rough journey for Malkar. He'd managed to get to the south. He was ambushed on the way and all his valuables taken from him. For two days, he'd gone hungry. He stopped by a market, hoping to steal something without being caught. But they did, and he was beaten by a mob. It was the old man beside him that had helped him, brought him to his tavern and served him a hot bowl of soup.Malkar hated that his life had been reduced to something so insignificant. Being banished and
"How have you been?" Thessaly asked, her voice soft. When Sheera tried to speak, she realized how heavy her throat was. She swallowed against the dryness. "What are you doing here?" Thessaly shrugged. "What does it look like? I'm visiting." She pointed at the food. "Not hungry?"Sheera was starving. They had brought her food only once since her imprisonment."You don't have to worry, Sheera. I didn't poison it." Thessaly's lips curled up. She plucked a piece of steak from the plate, taking a deliberate bite. "See? It's safe."With a hunger sharpened by days of deprivation, Sheera devoured the food, her fingers trembling as she ate, barely tasting the meal as she tore through it. For the moment, all else faded."You know, me and you are alike in many ways," Thessaly began. "I was looked down upon where I come from and really did suffer. I didn't grow up with my family. The people I grew up with, they hated me and treated me like a slave." She looked down, a shadow of old pain crossi
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,