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 young woman who stood condemned in the heart of the frenzy.
A hush fell over the crowd as a cloaked figure emerged. Tall and imposing, his form was shrouded in a black robe that flowed behind him like a predator's cape. A black hood concealed his face, but the glint of his sword sent shivers down Sheera's spine.
This was Zandov, the hunter – a man whispered about in hushed tones.
Her gaze was riveted on him, her eyelids barely blinking.
The crowd gasped and murmured when he drew out his two - edged sword from its sheath. He turned to the young lady who was whimpering on her knees, her head dipped.
"Today, we are about to witness the execution of an enemy!" Someone declared - someone Sheera couldn't see.
She figured he was standing on a part of the stage her eyes could not see. But in such cases, she heard it was the Alpha's Beta that always did the talking.
"For centuries, we have guarded ourselves against the witches and will not fail now of all times. The North is no place for witches! It has no place for such foul magic. We do not care if you get rejected in every part of the earth. The North shall never be a place you call home!"
The crowd cheered in agreement.
"Nerfetiti, I shall give you one last chance to speak. Do you have any accomplice with you? Be rest assured they shall be sought after and executed just like you are about to."
The young lady didn't even lift her gaze.
A moment passed.
"Let the execution commence, then!" The Beta announced.
The crowd roared in approval.
The keepers went towards the lady and guided her head to the stake.
Zandov, his sword already in his hand, aimed it at her neck before lifting it high in the air. Sheera squeezed her eyes shut, unable to look any further. It'd haunt her if she did.
She knew the execution had taken place when a collective gasp, sharper and more final than the earlier one, washed over the crowd. Strength drained from her legs like water from a punctured bucket.
With shaky hands, Sheera slammed the window shut, the clatter barely registering over the roar of the wind and the chilling pronouncement that echoed in the room. She shut out the voice of the Beta who had continued talking on the dangers of harbouring a witch in the Pack.
She underwent a sudden wave of panic. She helped herself to the bed where she sat with her hand on her chest, taking very deep breaths to calm herself.
It was her first time witnessing an execution. She'd never known a witch nor been in support of one, but somehow, she felt the world was a very cruel place for them. They were banished from almost every part of the earth with execution being the penalty for anyone found. As a result, the witches were going into extinction.
Sheera felt bad for them, although she couldn't exactly blame the wolves for making such decisions against them, considering the history they shared.
Fear danced a jig on Sheera's fingertips, leaving them weak and trembling. It wasn't until a while later when she became calm that she realized she had her own problems. She'd almost forgotten the reason she was there - in the Pack's Fortress. In that room.
She looked around, her panic taking a new turn.
She cast a frantic glance around the austere room, her earlier fear morphing into a new, prickling anxiety. She had only been brought in a while before the execution, and no one had come to see her yet. Someone like her was not supposed to set foot in the Pack Fortress. But it was different.
The sudden creak of the heavy oak door sent a jolt through her. A Keeper showed up first, his face a mask of stoicism. He stepped aside to reveal a figure who stole the breath from Sheera's lungs.
The Keeper stepped away for the grand Luna who walked further and stood in the doorway.
She had all the grace Sheera had heard about - eyes of fire, aura of fear. And above all, she looked as mean as they had said.
Unlike others, the grand Luna didn't need to fake 'kindness'. She was wicked at heart and carried it with pride.
She was heavily dressed and adorned with the best jewelries. She was almost like a wonder.
Sheera scrambled to her feet, clasping her palms together.
As the grand Luna walked in, Sheera noticed two servants were behind her, holding her dress form rolling on the floor. It was that long.
She lowered her head when the woman got close, looking so intimidating.
"Gr... Greetings, grand Luna." There was a tremor in her voice.
Luna Valkyrie gave a curt nod, her lips twisting in a sneer.
She circled Sheera like a predator inspecting its prey, her fiery gaze stripping away any semblance of composure. "Hm," she finally spoke, her voice a silken whip. "So, it is you."
Valkyrie stopped in front of Sheera, careful to maintain a distance. "You bear an uncanny resemblance to your traitorous father," she spat, the word dripping with venom. "If I had known, I would have brought you here as a servant, rather than..." a flicker of disgust crossed her face, "...my son's plaything."
Valkyrie circled Sheera once more, the disdain in her eyes hardening into something akin to cruelty. "But this - this should do. At least your body would never be respected by any man. You deserve it."
Sheera flinched, the words a fresh sting on top of the raw ache in her chest.
In three seconds, relief washed over her as Luna Valkyrie turned towards the door. But the Luna, as though sensing Sheera's fleeting hope, paused right in front of the door.
"Look at you," Valkyrie drawled, her voice laced with disgust. "All shaken up. You had best not be repulsive when my son, the Alpha, decides to do as he pleases with you."
She walked back to where Sheera was and yanked off the jewelry around her neck. Sheera gasped when this happened. No! That had been given to her by her mother, and she had gotten it with all the money she had because she wanted her to look good on her first day in the Fortress!
She looked at the Grand Luna painfully and wished she could demand for it.
The grand Luna regarded the necklace with a wrinkled nose, the silver glinting like a mockery in her hand.
"I shouldn't even be touching that," she muttered, tossing it dismissively to one of the flustered servants. "Never forget your place, girl." With that final barb, the Luna swept out of the room, leaving behind a suffocating silence and Sheera trembling with a newfound anger.
Sheera exhaled deeply, succumbing to the weight of sadness as she plonked herself back to the chair. I should never have been born. All thanks to her father for betraying the late Alpha and making his family the most hated. Now, at twenty-three, she had been chosen to pay the price by becoming a plaything for a ruthless Alpha who had two mistresses.
Sheera wanted to scream. She had too much to worry about.
Out of habit, her hand reached for the only remaining necklace nestled against her skin. It wasn't much, a simple leather cord with a smooth, black stone.
She sighed in relief, grateful the Grand Luna hadn't taken that as well. She probably didn't as it looked too cheap and dirty. That was one thing Sheera couldn't let go of.
According to her mother, she's had it on from birth and was brought up to keep wearing it. Her mother always told her something bad would happen if she ever took it off.
Sheera couldn't understand back then and had been curious. But now, she had gotten to fall in love with it and seemed to find solace in it each time her heart was troubled.
A creak on the other side of the door drew her attention. A Keeper, his face stoic, stood waiting. "Come with me," he instructed, a curt nod towards the door.
Sheera rose, her chin held a little higher this time. She picked up her bags and followed him.
The Fortress was bigger than she heard. People like her never get the privilege to walk through the Fortress gates, not unless you're a servant.
It was only on rare occasions when a major festival was being held that they could be in attendance. And well, Sheera's family had always been exempted as a result of her father's crime. They'd been neglected for too long.
Perhaps, she should be happy that she was finally granted the privilege of staying in the Fortress. Only problem was, she was no different from a slave.
The Keeper led her into a small room which had really small properties. Sheera didn't need anyone to tell her it was hers. Just befitting.
"Stay here and await further instructions," the young man stated and left.
The Pack Keepers were men that worked for the Alpha and guarded the Pack. They were well - respected and feared by the Pack members.
Sheera looked around before settling on the bed. It wasn't too good for someone who was going to become a 'plaything' for the Alpha, but it was better than what she and her family had.
She clasped her palms together and prayed to the goddess of the moon, asking for her time in the Fortress not to be as difficult.
****†****†
The young Mistress Odessa only had a red transparent robe on and was lying on the Alpha's bed when the grand Luna swung the door open and walked in.
Odessa scrambled to her feet, a deep bow masking the simmering anger beneath her carefully constructed facade. She hated the Luna's habit of barging into the Alpha's chambers, especially when she was present. Imagine she and the Alpha had been intimate...
Valkyrie's cold eyes raked over Odessa from head to toe. The inspection was dismissive, laced with a disdain that spoke volumes.
"Where is the Alpha?" She asked.
"He was summoned to the court," Odessa replied, a slight frown creasing her brow.
"And if he's gone," Valkyrie pressed. "why are you here? Tell me, Odessa, doesn't the constant… intimacy with the Alpha grow wearisome? Especially since you have nothing to show for it. Don't you ever feel a pang of pain?"
Odessa couldn't hold back a scoff. The Luna's barbs were nothing new, but they stung nonetheless.
"I am sorry, Luna, but even Thessaly has been unable to conceive for the Alpha. We all know this."
Valkyrie rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut it! Perhaps you are both cursed then, unfit for this role."
Odessa dropped her head, fighting the urge to talk back at the Grand Luna. It was forbidden.
Valkyrie turned to leave, then paused as if struck by a sudden thought. A cruel smile played on her lips as she addressed Odessa.
"When my son returns, inform him that his plaything has arrived," she announced, savoring the hurt that flickered across Odessa's face,
With that parting shot, she swept out of the room, leaving Odessa alone with the bitter sting of humiliation.
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,
Eyes turned in Sheera's direction. Odessa creased her brows in surprise.Taking the deer, she never expected the low maiden would have the guts to defend herself. Sheera was panting as she stood before Keegan. "Forgive my intrusion, Alpha, but the game is mine, not hers."Odessa's emerald eyes widened in shock, a hand flying to her chest. "What... what are you babbling about?" she sputtered, voice laced with disbelief. "If it's your kill, how come I was the one carrying it?""That is because you reached it before I could. Then, you proclaimed your victory to the Alpha. I was too stunned speechless, unsure how to challenge you. But it is wrong to do this to me. I went through the labour of getting it. You shouldn't take the glory for it." Sheera expressed."By the hunt!" Odessa shrieked in another gasp. "How could you... How could you even think to accuse me in front of everyone? This is not my first successful hunt! Why would I steal from you?"She buried her face in her palms, and
For the first time since she was brought in, Keegan regarded her. He surveyed her with a detached intensity, his gaze lingering on her form like she was a curious artifact rather than a person.Still clutching the bloodstained knife, he moved with a predatory grace towards a rough-hewn table across the room. The dim torchlight cast flickering shadows that danced on the damp walls, adding to the oppressive atmosphere."How was your stay in the dungeon?" He casually asked like it was a place she was meant to be. Sheera clamped down tightly, the metallic tang of fear clinging to her tongue.Why was she even in his room? Was he going to slit her throat as well?"F... Forgive me, Alpha. I apologize for upsetting you earlier on." She managed to say. Keegan was backing her now. Taking up a strap of cloth from the table, he meticulously wiped off the blood stain from his blade, then started walking in Sheera's direction. A lump formed in Sheera's throat, and she swallowed it with a dry ras
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
She'd seen Thessaly as well and didn't tear her gaze away. Thessaly was befuddled, a thousand questions running through her mind at once. What was she doing there? She was banished. There was no way she could have made it into Howling Ridge without being spotted by a Keeper or any of the Pack members. She shouldn't even be 'here'. Only Elke knew of this location. For several minutes, the two was silent, simply staring at each other. "Hello, sister." Sheera finally said, releasing a smile that was more sad than real. Thessaly's heart caught in her throat. She knew. She gave Sheera a head to toe stare, wondering if the labour pain had somehow taken her into some sort of trance. "You do not look too excited to see me," Sheera pressed. "Too bad. For five weeks, I anticipated this moment."Thessaly was too stunned to speak. But she forced herself to composure. "What're you doing here?" Her eyes darted around, wondering if she had come with someone else. "If you're looking for Elke,
When Morginna had revealed the truth to her that day, Sheera couldn't believe it. She'd trusted Elke so much and had been hurt when she didn't pay her a visit in the dungeons.Elke's knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, her trembling hands covering her face. "It's not what you think." Her voice wavered."Not what I think?" Sheera scoffed, staring down at the crumpled figure of the woman she once loved like family. "Of course, it's what I know, Elke. And what I know is the fact that you betrayed me! You were... You were more than a friend. You were like a mother!"She looked around the room, taking in the familiar sights that now felt foreign and cruel.She recalled when she and Elke would work on herbs together. How she'd get treated here. How she would cry to the woman and get comforted. Even the nights she'd slept over.To think the woman must've been moc
It took several moments for Keegan to reign in the tempest within him. But he wasn't done with her. No, he was far from finished. He had a search to lead and also wanted to know what she was doing in Howling Ridge despite her banishment. When Sheera told him what she'd discovered about Thessaly, he snapped, being in denial. "So, you take away my will, then return six months later to accuse my pregnant Mistress of being a witch?" He had asked maliciously. "I wouldn't risk my life coming here if any of these were false.""No. Maybe your life was worth risking because you think I'd believe you and punish Thessaly.""Then find her, Alpha. Find her and see if I'm lying."After a moment of silence, Sheera had added. "I swear on the moon, I am telling the truth. Thessaly is not missing. She sent into hiding, waiting for the Eclipse Moon which is only three nights from now."It took some more argument before Keegan gave into Sheera's words. he confirmed they were going to find Thessaly an
Keegan was just about leading a group of Keepers and warrior Hounds out in search of Thessaly when he noticed the Keepers dragging someone in. There was a small crowd behind them, indicating whoever had been captured was someone very important... It didn't take him long to realize who. It wasn't one of those moments when it felt like time had stopped moving and no one else existed but the two of you. For Keegan, time seemed to be moving faster than normal—the scene unfolding too quickly in his eyes, moving in a blur with the wind. Before him was the face of the woman he's made up his mind not to see again. It was the face of the woman he 'hated'. The one he wished to punish, the one that had tormented him all these months. She had her eyes locked on him as she got closer, and in that moment, he felt a heat that ran all the way to his heart. His frozen heart. His face twisted in fury, his silver eyes turning as deadly as tempered steel.Everyone was taken aback by Sheera's appear