There was a gathering in the hall. The grand hall was a breathtaking architectural marvel that commanded attention from the moment one stepped through its towering entrance. It sprawled out in every direction, its lofty ceiling seemingly reaching for eternity.At the far end of the hall was a grand throne made of dark wood, inlaid with silver. But there was no one on the throne.Sheera saw a woman, standing before two men. The others gathered around, as if witnessing the scene.There were a lot of people in the room, but the woman before the men... there was something about her. And in that instant, Sheera knew she was the Governess.She was a striking figure, exuding an aura of both beauty and authority. Her hair was colored orange and flowed into silken waves down her back. Her skin had a warm, sun-kissed glow, enhanced by a sprinkle of freckles across her high cheekbones.Despite her beauty, it was her sharp emerald eyes that truly commanded attention—intelligent and shrewd, they s
"Where do you come from, Sheera?" She laid emphasis on the name, drawing it out as if to measure its worth.Sheera wondered if she could as well hear the racing of her heart."Thalentis," it took Sheera a heartbeat too long to respond.For an odd reason, she held the woman's gaze, not looking away even though it was like staring into the depths of the sea.Thalentis was one of the villages she'd come across. She'd spent several weeks there and had contemplated staying there due to the good acquaintances she made."Thalentis," The Governess repeated, her eyes lowering to other parts of her body. Slowly, she began pacing. "I have been there. The river was one of my favorite places to be. It's water was sparkling and...." she sighed. "There was always something so peaceful about it."Sheera cocked a brow. "Is that so, Governess? Because the Thalentis that I come from, the river is not so sparkling. It's one of the major concerns of the people. Majority of the time, we have to rely on rai
The whispers from the people grew louder, all of them amazed at her audacity.Morginna rose her brows, tilting her head."Please," Sheera added. "It's very important." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears now, one that Morginna noticed."Quite the nerves," Morginna muttered.Seconds passed. Sheera held her breath, starting to think the woman wouldn't grant her request."Everyone out!" She commanded, her voice revealing a veiled anger.The people scurried out, whispering and casting curious glances over their shoulders as the grand hall emptied.****†****†****†HOWLING RIDGE****†****†****†"This is not a good time, Thessaly. He's resting and believe me, you wouldn't want to bother him." Kalaril spoke calmly to Thessaly as he guided her away from Keegan's quarters.There was a maid following closely behind, holding a tray of treats which Thessaly had brought to offer the Alpha."I understand," she sighed wearily. "I just wish things were different. It's obvious Sheera took his heart wi
Sheera and Morginna retreated to a quiet alcove beside the garden.Morginna had instructed the guards make sure no one disturbed them.She returned to Sheera with the cup of water she'd asked for, sitting next to her on the bench."Thank you," Sheera muttered, drinking from the cup, the cool water soothing her parched throat.They were calmer now, although it had taken time and tears to reach this peace.Sheera's burden was slowly being replaced by relief—relief that that she had found her mother.Elke was right. She felt lucky that she did come from her. The woman was strong, beautiful, smart, brave. It was rare to see such qualities in a woman.Sitting next to her, inhaling her edible scent... it was like a dream come true."I still can't believe it's true," Morginna shook her head, staring into the distance. "I had to leave Howling Ridge after giving you to that woman. The Alpha of Howling Ridge then—Alpha Samael—was a very ruthless one and was desperately looking for me because he
Odessa and Thessaly rode side by side, their horses' hooves muffled on the mossy ground. Once they reached a small clearing, they dismounted, each taking their bow and arrows in hand."You know, as much as I enjoy this hunt, Odessa, I still find it strange that you wouldn't let the Keepers or even a maid come with us," Thessaly remarked, her eyes sharp and scanning the shadowed trees ahead with her arrow aimed.Odessa was only a few feet from her, her own gaze darting around the surroundings. "We are being watched all the time, Thessaly. Don't you miss this? Being able to roam freely without the fear of being watched and judged?"She heard a crackling twig and turned swiftly, only to find a lone squirrel scurrying into the underbrush. She exhaled, lowering her bow."Don't worry, we're strong. We can defend ourselves. And even if you are unable to because of your condition, I'll protect you." Odessa added with a smile.Thessaly laughed. She lowered her bow to touch her round belly. "Th
In all her life, Odessa had never heard anything more shocking—more unnervingly alarming.Releasing the arrows, Thessaly sent one sinking into Odessa's shoulder, and the other piercing her thigh. Odessa crumpled to the ground with a painful grunt, the rough forest floor biting into her knees."How does it feel, Mistress?" Thessaly's voice dripped with venom, the title 'Mistress' twisting cruelly off her tongue. "It feels like death, doesn't it? This is the pain you wished upon a pregnant woman. Anyway," she strode forward, her movements casual, as though she strolled through a field of flowers rather than toward her dying foe. "I will not blame you. I was indeed, an obstacle in your way and I'd have done the same. I have done worse."Odessa shook her head. The pain was fierce but not as scorching as it should have been, and something in her guts told her it had to do with Thessaly. "This whole time," the words were strained. "It was you...""Yes, dearest." Thessaly got close enough t
"Kathryn, you must think carefully about this." Morginna urged, walking at a fast pace beside Sheera."There is nothing to think about. I must go back and warn them." Sheera's voice was resolute, not looking at her."But you told me you've been banished. They'll kill you if you set foot there!""I'll find a way."They were almost out to the part where people could see them when Morginna grabbed her hand, bringing her to a stop."Think about this. You do no longer have a wolf. Whatever Thessaly does will not affect you. You'll be fine, Kathryn.""So, what?" Sheera scoffed, pulling her arm free. Her face contorted in a mix of frustration and pain. "I have friends, people I care about! I can't just... I can't just leave them there to die!"She attempted to leave, but Morginna grabbed her hand again."Wh
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
"Kathryn, you must think carefully about this." Morginna urged, walking at a fast pace beside Sheera."There is nothing to think about. I must go back and warn them." Sheera's voice was resolute, not looking at her."But you told me you've been banished. They'll kill you if you set foot there!""I'll find a way."They were almost out to the part where people could see them when Morginna grabbed her hand, bringing her to a stop."Think about this. You do no longer have a wolf. Whatever Thessaly does will not affect you. You'll be fine, Kathryn.""So, what?" Sheera scoffed, pulling her arm free. Her face contorted in a mix of frustration and pain. "I have friends, people I care about! I can't just... I can't just leave them there to die!"She attempted to leave, but Morginna grabbed her hand again."Wh
In all her life, Odessa had never heard anything more shocking—more unnervingly alarming.Releasing the arrows, Thessaly sent one sinking into Odessa's shoulder, and the other piercing her thigh. Odessa crumpled to the ground with a painful grunt, the rough forest floor biting into her knees."How does it feel, Mistress?" Thessaly's voice dripped with venom, the title 'Mistress' twisting cruelly off her tongue. "It feels like death, doesn't it? This is the pain you wished upon a pregnant woman. Anyway," she strode forward, her movements casual, as though she strolled through a field of flowers rather than toward her dying foe. "I will not blame you. I was indeed, an obstacle in your way and I'd have done the same. I have done worse."Odessa shook her head. The pain was fierce but not as scorching as it should have been, and something in her guts told her it had to do with Thessaly. "This whole time," the words were strained. "It was you...""Yes, dearest." Thessaly got close enough t
Odessa and Thessaly rode side by side, their horses' hooves muffled on the mossy ground. Once they reached a small clearing, they dismounted, each taking their bow and arrows in hand."You know, as much as I enjoy this hunt, Odessa, I still find it strange that you wouldn't let the Keepers or even a maid come with us," Thessaly remarked, her eyes sharp and scanning the shadowed trees ahead with her arrow aimed.Odessa was only a few feet from her, her own gaze darting around the surroundings. "We are being watched all the time, Thessaly. Don't you miss this? Being able to roam freely without the fear of being watched and judged?"She heard a crackling twig and turned swiftly, only to find a lone squirrel scurrying into the underbrush. She exhaled, lowering her bow."Don't worry, we're strong. We can defend ourselves. And even if you are unable to because of your condition, I'll protect you." Odessa added with a smile.Thessaly laughed. She lowered her bow to touch her round belly. "Th
Sheera and Morginna retreated to a quiet alcove beside the garden.Morginna had instructed the guards make sure no one disturbed them.She returned to Sheera with the cup of water she'd asked for, sitting next to her on the bench."Thank you," Sheera muttered, drinking from the cup, the cool water soothing her parched throat.They were calmer now, although it had taken time and tears to reach this peace.Sheera's burden was slowly being replaced by relief—relief that that she had found her mother.Elke was right. She felt lucky that she did come from her. The woman was strong, beautiful, smart, brave. It was rare to see such qualities in a woman.Sitting next to her, inhaling her edible scent... it was like a dream come true."I still can't believe it's true," Morginna shook her head, staring into the distance. "I had to leave Howling Ridge after giving you to that woman. The Alpha of Howling Ridge then—Alpha Samael—was a very ruthless one and was desperately looking for me because he
The whispers from the people grew louder, all of them amazed at her audacity.Morginna rose her brows, tilting her head."Please," Sheera added. "It's very important." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears now, one that Morginna noticed."Quite the nerves," Morginna muttered.Seconds passed. Sheera held her breath, starting to think the woman wouldn't grant her request."Everyone out!" She commanded, her voice revealing a veiled anger.The people scurried out, whispering and casting curious glances over their shoulders as the grand hall emptied.****†****†****†HOWLING RIDGE****†****†****†"This is not a good time, Thessaly. He's resting and believe me, you wouldn't want to bother him." Kalaril spoke calmly to Thessaly as he guided her away from Keegan's quarters.There was a maid following closely behind, holding a tray of treats which Thessaly had brought to offer the Alpha."I understand," she sighed wearily. "I just wish things were different. It's obvious Sheera took his heart wi
"Where do you come from, Sheera?" She laid emphasis on the name, drawing it out as if to measure its worth.Sheera wondered if she could as well hear the racing of her heart."Thalentis," it took Sheera a heartbeat too long to respond.For an odd reason, she held the woman's gaze, not looking away even though it was like staring into the depths of the sea.Thalentis was one of the villages she'd come across. She'd spent several weeks there and had contemplated staying there due to the good acquaintances she made."Thalentis," The Governess repeated, her eyes lowering to other parts of her body. Slowly, she began pacing. "I have been there. The river was one of my favorite places to be. It's water was sparkling and...." she sighed. "There was always something so peaceful about it."Sheera cocked a brow. "Is that so, Governess? Because the Thalentis that I come from, the river is not so sparkling. It's one of the major concerns of the people. Majority of the time, we have to rely on rai
There was a gathering in the hall. The grand hall was a breathtaking architectural marvel that commanded attention from the moment one stepped through its towering entrance. It sprawled out in every direction, its lofty ceiling seemingly reaching for eternity.At the far end of the hall was a grand throne made of dark wood, inlaid with silver. But there was no one on the throne.Sheera saw a woman, standing before two men. The others gathered around, as if witnessing the scene.There were a lot of people in the room, but the woman before the men... there was something about her. And in that instant, Sheera knew she was the Governess.She was a striking figure, exuding an aura of both beauty and authority. Her hair was colored orange and flowed into silken waves down her back. Her skin had a warm, sun-kissed glow, enhanced by a sprinkle of freckles across her high cheekbones.Despite her beauty, it was her sharp emerald eyes that truly commanded attention—intelligent and shrewd, they s
"What is wrong, Sheera?" Ravyn took her hand, finding her mood worrisome.She blinked rapidly, her lashes damp with a sudden intensity as she forced herself back to the present.By the moon, she needed to pull herself together. Anyone could answer Morginna. She wasn't the only Sheera in the world. Once, she had seen someone in Howling Ridge bearing Naya's name. That didn't make them the same person."I'm—I'm sorry. I was—" She cleared her throat. "Let's just go."She continued walking, her pace faster now. Ravyn caught up with her. "Do you know the Governess?""No! Of—Of course, not," she replied too quickly. "The name, it just—It used to be my late sister's name. My younger sister. Hearing it again just...you know?" She chomped down on her inner cheeks. Her heart wouldn't stop pounding."Oh. Sorry for your loss, Sheera.""It's fine. Can we just move faster?"She suddenly wanted to reach home and bury herself in the pillow. She was shaking now.Morginna. The name wouldn't stop ringing
Her tender moment was shattered by the door suddenly creaking open. She jumped. It turned out to be Ravyn who was coming in with a tray of sweets."Don't you knock!?" She snapped, quickly putting the shirt away into her bag."I do. Forgive me. This is my sister's room and I'm used to entering without knocking."Done stuffing the shirt away, she straightened up, her brows crinkling. "You come into your sister's room without knocking? What if—""I have been seeing them naked since the day they were born. Don't worry, it means nothing to me now."Sheera scoffed. Well, she never had a brother, so she couldn't relate."I brought you some treats," He set the tray down on the table. "Hope you enjoyed the food?""Yes. Thank you—for all these," she gestured around the cozy room."Oh, it's fi