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
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."
Alpha Keegan was discontented.Growing up, he'd been told by his father that some measures had been taken to avert the threat. A lot of people believed that. But Mortha seemed to think differently. "I had been hoping she was dead, Alpha. But I know what I saw - she is alive. The one that carries the blood."Keegan sighed. "You've said these words before, Mortha. Two years ago. Do you really believe she is alive?""Oh, I do! But I do not know where. We must make haste and carry out precautions to ensure she doesn't bring harm upon us."Seconds bled into a minute as Keegan regarded her words. "I doubt she is here in the North, tho. Zandov would have sensed her already." Kalaril chipped in. "That is correct. But it doesn't change the fact that whatever danger she causes will affect us all. We must act carefully, Alpha."Keegan nodded. "Thank you, Mortha. I shall take this up to the courtroom for discussion.""I pray only for success, Alpha." She dipped her head. Turning around, sh
For a week, Sheera didn't get to see the Alpha. Not even from a distance.Considering how she had doted on him the first time saw him, Sheera never thought she'd be so relieved to not see him.Although, she couldn't deny it was a little surprising that he hadn't bothered to see her at all, considering she had been brought all the way to the Fortress for him. It was just as if she didn't matter, or he didn't care enough.However, her fortune of not seeing him was finally about to end as that morning, she was in the room, nervously getting ready to go hunting with the royal family.It was the previous night when Tabitha had come up to her with the information, informing her she needed to be present.Sheera had tried asking if the Alpha had been the one that requested her presence, but Tabitha told her it wasn't the Alpha and didn't know who it was.Now, that morning, she was there in her room, wondering if she looked good enough. She didn't have much clothes. And unfortunately for 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,