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,
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
The revelation was a blow Keegan had never anticipated. It struck him so fiercely in the heart, he felt as though the very air had been stolen from his lungs.Releasing his grip on Kalaril, he stumbled backward, his hands clenching into fists beside him, needing to hold tightly to something. His horse stood nearby, and he gripped its saddle tightly, his knuckles white, as if it could somehow anchor him in the swirling storm of confusion. The images form that night came flooding his mind - Sheera bleeding from the eyes and nose. It never was a dream. Every bit of it had been real. Sheera was a witch. ......Sheera knew she was running out of time. She was still bleeding, and while she could easily heal herself with a spell, she decided to cast a spell that could buy her some more time. Living amongst wolves as a witch had sharpened her instincts to a razor's edge, leading her into countless researches and study. Using the blood that dripped from her arm, she recited a spell under
The horses thundered beneath them, kicking up dirt as they raced through the dimming evening light. Keegan, Kalaril, Zandov, and four Keepers pushed their mounts to the limit, Zandov riding ahead with an almost reckless determination. Keegan's heart burnt with fresh rage as he thought about catching the witch. It was likely the same witch that had killed Sebastian's son, the same witch that had been wrecking havoc in his Pack. He was already thinking of the many ways he would make her suffer, make her yearn for death - which he'd gladly give in the end. He understood that Zandov enjoyed killing witches, but on this one, he'd have to let it go. As they rode through the darkening landscape, something gnawed at Keegan's mind. It was a thought that made him freeze momentarily, provoking an abrupt thump in his chest. His brows gathered together in a frown as Zandov's words from earlier replayed in his head. 'I can smell her. Whatever guise she had on is gone.'His mind went to the nec
"Have you been relieved of your duties?" Those were the words she heard that jerked her around to see him striding towards them. Her eyes widened like saucers as she regarded him. Kalaril followed closely behind him. Sheera's heart resumed it's usual drama. Seeing him made her weak in the legs, in a way she couldn't explain.His long gold hair wasn't in braids today but fell freely on his shoulders. His silver eyes had her frozen in place. How could a man be so unnaturally handsome? Sheera would never stop to wonder. "Welcome, Alpha," she lowered her head, thankful her voice didn't crack under the weight of his presence.Keegan's eyes bore the cold, hard edge of steel. "I believe I asked a question," he said in a tone that was hard enough to cut through rock. It effortlessly caused Sheera to shiver. "N...Not exactly. I've been...""I asked her to join me," Ulric interrupted, stepping forward. "I plan to inform Livia about it later."Keegan's eyes, hard as ice, never left Sheer
The room was thick with the sound of impassioned moans. Laboured breath mingling with the sound of flesh meeting fresh filled every corner of the room. When their bodies were well spent, Morshella climbed down from the man's body, laying next to him with her head on his chest. "I must confess, Wystan, you do not act your age at all," she was still breathing heavily, drawing an invisible line on his chest. He laughed with satisfaction. "Well, what can I say? Your body is very tempting, Morshella.""And it's going to be yours for a long time. As long as you please, actually."A moment passed. "Do not get me wrong, but I'm afraid you'll have to leave now. My mate only wanted to roam round the woods for a short time. I think she'll be back soon," he said, but Morshella made no move."You know, if only you'd taken my suggestion and agreed to go somewhere far with me, we'd have spent this night together, undisturbed. But you insisted we did it here," he added. Smiling, she lifted her h
The first light of dawn crept into the room, casting a gentle glow on Sheera's face. The warmth of the sun stirred her from sleep. Her forehead crinkled with perplexity. Something didn't feel right. She sat up, touching her face. The dream from the previous night surged back into her mind with startling clarity.Keegan had been with her. His touch lingered on her skin like a shadow, his kiss as vivid as the breath she now drew.Gods, it felt so real...She left the bed and crossed the room, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion. She sought out Elke who she found in the second room, busy at work with a mortar and pestle, grinding herbs into a paste."Oh. You're awake. How're you feeling, girl?" Elke swept her eyes over her. "I feel better," Sheera replied, though her back still hurt a lot, it wasn't as severe as before.Sheera knew what she was about to ask was silly, but she didn't have a choice. "Um... Did someone visit me at any point, Elke?" Elke paused, her hand stilling ov
"Release her," his voice was low and taut as he gave the command. "Take her to Elke." He turned to Odessa, his gaze as cold and sharp as ice. "With me." Odessa swallowed hard, the fear of what awaited her eclipsing her rage at seeing Sheera set free. She hesitated but then hurried after him, her cheeks burning with shame under the watchful eyes of the gathered crowd. Once inside his room, Keegan moved with binding speed. He seized her throat, and with a force that knocked the breath out of her, he slammed her against the wall. The impact rattled through her bones, and a strangled gasp died in her throat, her eyes widening in shock and pain. His grip tightened, iron-hard fingers digging into her delicate skin. She struggled to breathe. Her lips parted, wanting to plead for his mercy, but no words escaped—only the faintest, pitiful wheeze. "How dare you?" He gritted through clenched teeth, his face inches from hers. "How dare you do that to her?" Odessa wa
Her vision blurred with red, and she felt herself teetering on the edge of something dark and dangerous. She wasn't sure what she might do next if not for the sudden interruption. "Greetings, Mistress Odessa," the maid bowed in respect as the imposing figure of Odessa stormed in, flanked by several stern-faced Keepers.Only then did Sheera snap out of her illusion. She sucked in a painful breath as if emerging from deep waters. Good Hades! What was wrong with her!? What had she almost done!?She was breathing heavily, fear prickling her skin. Something wasn't right. The last time she'd felt that way was when that Keeper had tried to force himself on her months ago, in his room. Back then, she concluded she'd been triggered, but now, she didn't even know what to think anymore. She was so lost in her frantic thoughts that she didn't notice Odessa striding towards her, fury blazing in her eyes. She only snapped back to awareness when a sharp slap struck her cheek, sending her reeling
Otis led Zarek through the winding hall, the scent of damp stone and the faint aroma of meat wafting from the chamber ahead. As they approached, the murmur of low voices ceased. Otis pushed open the door, revealing a room and a table untouched food and goblets of wine. Albany Sebastian and Cyrus Rose on their feet as the two Alphas entered. When news of what had transpired during the Peace Treaty reached Zarek's ears, he sent a letter to Sebastian, seeking a team up. He couldn't see a more befitting partner than a man who was as hurt as he was. Their pleasantries were brief, their formalities clipped and hollow, before they shifted the conversation to what truly mattered. "I should have listened to Laycoan when he warned me not to go for the Peace Treaty," Sebastian began, his jaw tight with the bitterness of hindsight. "Now, he mocks me for my blindness, and I think I deserve it. Keegan took something very dear to me - my most precious possession. He never intended to make peac
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,