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
ONE MONTH LATER. A lot had changed with Howling Ridge. Something different had taken place. Something dark. People were hardly ever happy. The Fortress was even worse—filled with gloominess at all times. There was just something that didn't feel good about the place anymore. Odessa and her mother were still missing. Keegan had searched desperately for them, but it was fruitless. It was concluded that she was either dead or had fled. A part of Keegan considered the fleeing part. He'd been very hard on her—physically, sexually and emotionally. He wondered if that was the reason she decided to run for her life. But a part of him rebelled against the notion. Odessa was not a woman to shrink from a storm. She had stood firm where others would falter. The thought that she might have run seemed like a betrayal of her very essence. He'd grown harder, the thought of everything weighing down on him—all he's lost and endured for the past year. The Eclipse moon was now but four nights awa
It had been a week since Sheera, Morginna and Ravyn embarked on their journey. The journey had been smooth, but it wasn't on that seventh day that Sheera realized her mother still had her powers. They'd been riding in the woods when they encountered bandits. Like they'd done to Sheera, they tried taking their valuables from them. The bandits outnumbered them, so confronting them wasn't much of an option. And that was where Morginna proved herself. To Sheera and Ravyn's surprise, she used her powers on them, defeating them easily. Of course she was a witch. It was just the first time Sheera was seeing her use her powers. When they'd finished with the bandits, Morginna glared at Ravyn. "I hope you know how to keep a secret." At nightfall, they camped as usual. Sheera and Morginna sat in front of the burning fire while Ravyn busied himself behind, laying on his back while munching on some berries. The mother and child were silent for a while, their eyes simply staring at the fire
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
"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