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,
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
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
"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
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
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
"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 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
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