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 fo
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
Thessaly shrugged, resting a hand on her belly. "After the hunt, she said she needed to go somewhere. She said she'd come to the Fortress later." Kalaril appeared surprised. "Did she mention where she was going?" "She wouldn't say. When I insisted, she snapped at me. I feel a little bad that she might have used me to get out of the Fortress without raising suspicions. You know, it was her idea that we didn't go with any of the Keepers or maids." A Keeper came forward, taking the deer from her horse. Thessaly took a deep breath. "I am exhausted, Beta. What I need right now is some soft hands on my back." Kalaril chuckled, nodding. "You go ahead, Thess." She bowed before walking away. .... By nightfall when Odessa was still not back, it became a cause for concern. Her mother wasn't questioned, but she claimed she didn't know anything on her whereabouts. Keegan ordered Keepers to go look for her. It was a thing to worry about as Odessa had never stayed out that late before. Thes
ONE YEAR LATER"I therefore, crown you, Sheera Ashbourne Cipher, Luna of Howling Ridge, to rule beside our Alpha, Keegan Cipher for as long as you live." The Elder proclaimed, resting the Luna crown on her head just before the crowd exploded into a madness of applause and revelry.Sheera's heart pumped faster. Her stomach was filled with too many butterflies, she felt she wouldn't need to feed for some months. Her cheeks were pink as she looked at the Alpha who stood in front of her, wearing a proud look. Her Keegan. Tears stung her eyes at the realization that they were finally going to be together forever. She had always hoped for a day like this, and now it was finally happening.The Elder turned to the throng. "People of Howling Ridge, I present to you—your new Luna!"The applause and jubilation grew louder. Sheera turned to face them, a smile on her face. She didn't know if it was the baby hormones again, but she was so close to shedding a tear. Not a Luna-ish thing to do, She
Sheera thought her happiness was complete, not until she got some visitors at the Fortress.She was beyond shocked when she saw her mother—Dasha—and Naya come over to visit her. They spent a long time embracing and asking each other questions. Apparently, Dasha and Naya had been hiding in a friend's barn since six months ago, when Sheera's secret was revealed. They'd been scared when it happened and contemplated fleeing, but knowing Zandov and a lot of Keepers would be searching for them, they figured it would be impossible leaving the Pack without being seen. Thankfully, the one friend Dasha had and trusted took them in and hid them in her barn. They'd been there since then, still afraid of fleeing and getting caught. Sheera was beyond relieved to know they've been alive and safe. For the past six months, she'd been hoping they managed to escape to a better Pack.She took Dasha to Morginna who was glad to be able to meet the woman that had helped her. She thanked Dasha once more
Keegan suggested they used a locator spell on Odessa to know where she was. With what Thessaly had done, he wouldn't be surprised if she had something to do with Odessa's disappearance. When Morginna did the spell, using one of Odessa's belongings, she was able to trace her and it led them to a tomb, deep in the woods. Odessa was found unconscious with a rotten corpse beside her. It took them a while to realize the corpse was Nailah. They took Odessa to the Fortress where she was immediately attended to by a healer. .........Zandov requested audience with Keegan in his room where he expressed his displeasure over the new law he'd implemented. "This is a mistake. We cannot have witches living amongst us all in the name of protection. Every problem we have encountered that you believe this witch of yours have saved us from were all caused by this same witches. If it wasn't for her kind, she wouldn't need to save us from anything." Zandov grumbled. Keegan had been writing in a par
There was a crowd outside. The people of Howling Ridge gathered around the raised platform, most of them having sore eyes from long torturous hours of crying. The loss of their loved ones ran deep. Keegan walked up to the platform, his eyes scanning them. He'd called for the gathering as soon as he returned to the Fortress. He granted access to every one of his Pack members, wanting them to bear witness to what was about to happen.The people had been looking forward to him, wanting to hear what he had to say. It was as though, his words could provide any form of closure for them. "To the strong esteemed people of Howling Ridge," Keegan began, his icy voice cutting through the crowd that had turned very silent. "I want to thank every one of you for making it here today. I know you all are grieving. So, thank you for coming as requested."As you all already know, something strange happened to us during the Eclipse Moon. It is the first time in history that something this powerful ha
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