Sheera and Tabitha were in her room, eating some chips Tabitha had come with. Earlier that day, Tabitha had come in to check up on her. She brought Sheera some hot tea and advised her to bath with very warm water to ease the pain in her legs. In addition, she provided her with some lim'ma herbs to prevent conception. Now, by evening, as they sat in the room, chit-chatting, Sheera was already a little relieved. She was talking to Tabitha about coming to assist in the kitchen from time to time. But Tabitha was against it, insisting Sheera should enjoy the comfort of the Fortress and not bother herself simply because she was bored. "The name of the woman we answer to is Rena," Tabitha said. "She is very strict. And I doubt she shall pay any heed to your suggestion.""But why? It's not like I was brought in here as someone special. I am barely a...""Who else have you seen being the Alpha's 'plaything' Sheera?" Tabitha rolled her eyes. "Few have even laid eyes upon the Alpha's chambe
True to his words, Sheera didn't leave for several hours. She laid in his bed, face down and her breath shallow. Her lower body throbbed with a relentless ache, she feared she'd lack the ability to walk when the Alpha finally releases her to go. He was at his balcony, covered in a black robe and drinking wine from a silver goblet. His hand was tightly wrapped around the goblet as he took in the last drop. Then, he glared it at it and held it with such force like he wanted to crush it. Sheera shivered when she heard him come into the room. She heard the sound of the goblet dropping with a hard thump before his approaching footsteps reached her ears. She wanted to run away. Get down from the bed and leave the room. But she knew that would be disastrous. Unless she runs out of the Fortress, she'll be imprisoned and punished. And if she 'did' run out of the Fortress, the Alpha would come after her family and have them punished severally. Despite how hurt and scared she was, she knew
Kalaril flanked Keegan as they approached the assembled horses and Warrior Hounds. There were fifty Warrior Hounds and each had a horse and weapon to themselves. Of course, they could run faster than the horses if they were in their wolf form. But the journey ahead of them was a long one. Eventually, they'll need to shift and rest at nights. Their clothes would be torn by the time they've shifted back to human form, leaving them to roam naked - which wasn't a thing a lot of them appreciated. Unless there was an emergency. That was the reason horses were their trip partners. Kalaril had a little discussion going on with the Alpha even as they reached the horses and warriors. The Warrior Hounds - like their name - were highly trained and skilled fighters of the pack, meant and always ready to go to war. They always received special treatment in the pack while spending most of their time training. And they were never bothered for any reason until it was war time. Keegan had hundreds
"Greetings, Mistress Thessaly," she curtsied.Thessaly met her bow with a stony silence, her jade eyes assessing Sheera with cool indifference. She had a delicate fragrance clinging to her clothes - one that Sheera loved. And the lady was really pretty - much pretty than Odessa, if Sheera had a say. "Um...how are you doing, my lady?"Thessaly's response was a sharp retort, laced with impatience. "What do you want?""Oh. Nothing really. I just... I wanted to thank you for standing up for me the other day. You know, when Mistress Odessa had been trying to intimidate me before we went hunting."Thessaly gave her a puzzled look. She threw back her head and laughed. "I stood up for you?" Her eyes held amusement. "Do you even realize who you are talking to? I barely even noticed you, girl. All I did was try to get under Odessa's skin, and you were just the available tool. Listen, I do not care about you. The only person I care about is Odessa and that is trying to hurt her as much as I c
Keegan went over to the spared humans who were on their knees with their hands behind their heads. Simply because they were allowed to live didn't mean they were in a better shape. They had cuts and bruises all over their faces and bodies."Who is your leader?" He crouched in front of the first man and asked. They'd made sure to kill those who seemed 'ordinary' enough, and leave out the ones with the tendency of being in charge. The average - aged man hesitated, grounding his teeth. His rebellion was quickly doused by a surge of pain as Keegan's claws sank into his gut. He threw back his head and groaned in pains. "You better make use of those teeth and start talking. My patience wears thin as a cobweb," Keegan leaned closer, his breath hot and fetid against the man's ear. He didn't withdraw his claws from the man's stomach. "He...He is gone!" The man cried at last. "I.... I swear it! You are two days late. He already left.""Who is 'he'?" Keegan sent his claws a little deeper.
Keegan didn't leave the hamlet the same. His heartbeat morphed into an ear drum, pounding a relentless rhythm of fury against his ribs. By the moon, he wanted to crush something. Someone. But there was no enemy in sight. He'd assigned some of the warrior Hounds to go on with the mission. Few of them stayed behind at the hamlet, waiting and hoping the accursed man would return. While few others journeyed in search of him and the rest of the wolves he held. They had nothing to go on and would have to look for their own clues. Keegan instructed them to report even the slightest findings to him. As for the wolves they'd been able to rescue, they rode with the Hounds. Keegan got to learn that while majority of them were from his Pack, others weren't. Still, he took every one of them along, leaving it to Kalaril to ensure their families are reached out to later on. Of course, none of the humans back at the hamlet was spared. After giving him all the information they could, he killed eve
Keegan, Kalaril and his Hounds had dismounted their horses when Sheera and Ulric rode into the courtyard.Instantly, the small joy that had blossomed in her chest over the past week withered and died. Now, cold dread coiled in her stomach.She and Ulric reined in their horses a good distance away from the Alpha and his entourage. But the distance didn't hinder her eyes and that of the Alpha's from interlocking. An icy tendril of dread snaked up her spine in that fleeting moment when their eyes locked. Her nightmare was back. Her tormentor. Just before he turned away, Keegan's gaze flickered to Ulric. Sheera couldn't tell if the last expression she saw on his face was displeasure just before he walked away. "Well, well, look who is back," Ulric teased, alighting his horse. Sheera dismounted as well, her legs feeling like lead. Ulric offered a reassuring pat on her shoulder. "Fret not. I'm certain you shall survive this phase."****†****†Keegan indulged in a long, steaming bath,
Tabitha had been sent on an errand to get some vegetables from one of the Pack's farms. Sheera insisted on going with her. And well, Tabitha was more than happy to have some company. It was a long interesting walk to the farm. They talked and laughed the whole time, got what they wanted and headed back to the Fortress, both holding a basket containing the vegetables. Reaching the Fortress, Sheera noticed Tabitha stiffen when she saw the Beta coming. Her steps unconsciously faltered, and Sheera could notice her cheeks losing their flush, turning a sickly white. He was flanged by four keepers and moved with a deliberate arrogance and superiority. The man sure had his charms. It turned out that Kalaril was headed their direction as he stopped in front of them. Sheera and Tabitha inclined their heads. "Greetings, Beta."There was a temporary silence before Kalaril spoke. "The Alpha wants you in his chambers. Now." He punctuated the last word and left. While Sheera's skin prickled wi
"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 wanted to defend herself, to remi
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,
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
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
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
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
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