Sheera passed the night with Elke. Before bedtime, Elke had expressed her worry. "Your body still seems intact. The Demon King didn't take any physical part of you."Sheera laughed, her tone light as if the very idea amused her. "Do you think he decided to just let it go?"She was drunk with happiness on that night and didn't want to bother over consequences. "No! He never gives without taking, Sheera. It is a part of him."Sheera looked away, eating from the bowl of meat the woman had prepared for them. Elke grabbed her hands, forcing her attention to her. "Listen, I am very delighted that the Alpha is back, but I wish we had achieved this in a different way. I fear for you, Sheera. Since no physical part of you was taken, I fear the Demon King might have taken something far more precious. Something personal.""And what could that possibly be?" Sheera narrowed her eyes. "Aside my body, I believe my powers are the only things I have. Maybe, he took them. And oh, I'll be the happies
Sheera felt as though her heart had frozen in her chest, unsure if it'd ever beat again. Yes, she was glad the Alpha was back and had been longing to see him - but not like this. There was no way he was summoning her to the Courtroom for pleasure like the last time. No, this was something different. Something worse. She breathed shallowly as she followed the Keepers, knowing it was only going to get worst if she resisted. They walked into the courtroom which was occupied by just Keegan and Kalaril. Keegan. Her heart gave a startled leap, then stopped mid-throb. He was there, looking so alive. Healthy. The last time she had seen him, he had been at the brink of death. But there he was, healthy. The sight of him filled her with so much joy, she wanted to cry. She sniffed, lowering her head as she stood before him."Greetings, Alpha."Silence greeted her words. He was still so cold towards her. Memories of when and how he used to touch her teased her mind. She's missed it, she woul
It was a long day for Keegan. It was nightfall by time he retired to his chambers in the company of Kalaril. They spoke idly of the day's events as Keegan removed his heavy regalia. They shared a drink afterwards, the conversation drifting from trivial court matters to lighthearted jokes. But Kalaril's next words shifted the tone abruptly. "Don't you think you should let her go?" Kalaril asked.Keegan took a deep drink from his cup, not bothering to look at Kalaril until he had emptied it. "Who?""Sheera." He clarified. "The mate bond is gone now, and I understand that you want to punish her for hurting you. But don't you think it's more painful seeing her around? I was thinking it'd be best to let her go."Keegan's nose twitched in irritation. He poured more wine, the liquid swirling in the goblet like his unspoken anger. "No." His voice was hard. "I don't want her gone, Kalaril. Not yet. I still want her to suffer.""You used to like her. Love, maybe. Is it really necessary to k
A WEEK LATER.It was midday, and the sun hung heavy in the sky, casting a warm hue over the farmlands of Howling Ridge. Sheera, along with Tabitha and a lot of workers were working on some of the farmlands.Howling Ridge was known for it's abundant lands, and this very farm was one of the prized estates of Keegan's ownership. The rich, expensive field stretched out as far as the eye could see. It wasn't the first time Sheera was working on the farms, but never had they received guests while at work. That day was different. Six carriages arrived. Sheera couldn't breath as the riders drew nearer, her heart racing with an overwhelming mixture of fear and longing when she recognized the figure at the head of the procession. It was Keegan, his tall form regal atop his favorite black horse. What was he doing there?His golden hair caught the sunlight, gleaming like molten metal, and his cold silver eyes glanced the lands as if weighing it's worth with each glance. Sheera
Odessa's moans filled the room as she straddled Keegan, her hips moving fervently, her skin slick with sweat. Her breath came in ragged bursts as she bounced atop him, her nipples grazing his chest with every rise and fall. Keegan's hands rested loosely around her waist, his eyes closed. He was seated in his chair, a single bead of sweat trickling down his neck. It was supposed to feel incredible. Odessa was giving it her all, but even her guts told her something wasn't right with Keegan, as it had been ever since he regained consciousness. This is the third time they have been intimate since then, and the last two times, his mind seemed distant, and in the end, he didn't finish on her. Now, he sat there, his eyes closed. It looked like he was enjoying it this time around. Odessa desperately hoped he was. But she was far from the truth. As Keegan closed his eyes, all he could see were the memories of a certain lady on him, a lady with long black hair, vivid blue eyes, and a scent
It was late at night when Malkar knocked on Thessaly's door. The Mistress opened up and was taken aback to see the Prince standing before her. She was dressed in her night robe, a sheer, transparent garment that left little to the imagination."Prince Malkar?"He chuckled lightly. "Come on, let me in."He attempted to step inside, but Thessaly stood firm, barring his path."I'm sorry, but it's late. Do you need something?"Malkar looked around, uncomfortably. "Come on, Thess, someone might see us. Let me in."Worried that indeed, someone might see them and misconstrue the situation, she allowed him into the room. However, she stopped him at the door, refusing to let him venture further inside."What is it?" She demanded, her voice husky.Malkar drew a long breath, taking in ev
Keegan went towards her, his steps heavy. His aura was oppressive. "What were you looking at?" Sheera kept her head bowed, praying to the moon she wasn't the one he was referring to. But who was she deceiving?He stepped into her space and grabbed her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze?"I asked you a question," he hissed through gritted teeth. "Have you no idea you're not supposed to look me in the eyes?"The raw fear in Sheera was palpable. She wondered if he could feel her trembling as he held her jaw, if he could hear how hard she swallowed. She tried to speak, but the words died in her throat."I'm... I'm sorry..." She finally managed to stammer. She didn't know what else to say. She was terrified. For a while, Keegan glared at her. His face was twisted maliciously, his nails biting into her skin. He thought of so many words he could hurt her. So many ways he could make her weep. She had no right to be in his head. With a rough shove, he released her, sending her stumbling ba
Sheera was equally surprised when the Alpha took her to his chambers. She'd expected somewhere far worse, somewhere terrifying. As soon as she stepped into the room, her muscles twitched involuntarily. This room... Being away from it for so long made her realize it was her favourite place. It felt as if her lungs forgot to breath as her eyes darted around on their own. Everything was just like she remembered. The air was thick with his rugged, earthy scent, the very scent she's missed.She was lost, staring at the room and wasn't prepared for being hurled against the wall with such force that her head spun. Her eyes squeezed shut from the impact, and pain shot through her bones. When she opened them again, Keegan stood before her, towering over her like a dark tempest ready to consume her whole. His hand was clamped around her throat - unyielding and merciless.She closed her eyes again, the grunts of pain and protest stifled in her throat. She rekt the walls of her lungs constrict,
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,
It's been three days since the war. The air at Howling Ridge was still thick with grief, but the bodies had already been cleared and burnt—although it had taken a lot of effort. Keegan's Ravagers had long been returned to their cave. Ulric had managed to get out of the Pack without being caught. Malkar, serving his banishment, had left already. Things should be back to normal, but they weren't. Their loss still lingered in the air. In addition, Sheera missed her best friend, Ulric. She wished things had turned out differently. The Fortress didn't seem the same anymore. As she left her chambers, her head was lowered as if weighed down by her thoughts. She froze when she felt a familiar chilling presence loom before her. Lifting her gaze, her heart seemed to shift from its original position when she discovered it was Zandov. She stopped walking. The man was dressed heavily, like someone ready for a battle. He had his gaze pinned on Sheera as he took slow steps. Sheera was unset
Zandov narrated what had happened with Ulric to Keegan. He told him how the Prince had reacted when he killed the witch. He was certain they knew each other.Keegan was shocked that Ulric had a relationship with a witch. Since the witch was in the pack, he figured she had been with the enemies and meant no good. So, he gave Zandov the go-ahead to search for Ulric. Retiring to his chambers, he met Sheera who tearfully explained what had happened during the fight—the urge that had consumed her when blood touched her. She was so scared, telling him she had tried sticking to his a mental picture of his face, but it didn't work. Keegan pulled her in an embrace, comforting her. That was all he could do as himself couldn't understand why that had happened. Their moment was interrupted by Thessaly who made her way into the room. "Oh, Alpha! You're well!" She breathed in relief, running over to meet him. She put a hand on his, her expression softening. "You cannot begin to imagine how ver
"Please..." he begged, his voice hoarse and fading. "Please."Keegan cocked his head, as if evaluating Malkar's crumpled form. "Now, who's fault is it that this became a fight to the death?" His voice was low and mocking.Morshella finally forced her way in. She dropped to her knees, shielding Malkar with her body."Please, stop this!" Tears streamed down her face. "Please, you can't do this! You can't..."Keegan looked amused. "If you think shielding him will stop me from killing him, you probably don't know how long I've been waiting to kill you."Morshella's gaze shot up, wide with fear. "I beg of you, Keegan. He is your brother! I... I understand you never go back on your word, but this once, this once," she sobbed, holding Malkar's hand tight. "You share the same blood. How can you possibly take the life of your own blood? What to you think your father would thin
Her vision clouded with red as she ran, climbing down from the rooftop. Once she was on the ground, she mixed into the crowd, killing everyone that stood in her way. And that was the problem—she didn't even know who was in her way. Was it a friend? Or a foe?She didn't stop running until she was far away from the battlefield, far away from the people she desperately wanted to kill. .........The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity. At some point, the tide shifted completely. Soldiers on the opposing side began to retreat, fear overtaking them. The Alphas had tried to fight but soon discovered they'd lost the battle. Their forces were being decimated, and their numbers dwindled rapidly. Realizing the battle was beyond saving, the Alphas attempted to flee. But when they reached the gates, they found them locked. Trapped. Panic set in as their soldiers crowded around them, also seeking escape.Merilyn, who was with them, tried desperately to use her powers to unlock the g