In his room, Kalaril waited impatiently until he heard someone knock. With a grunt, he reached for the door and discovered Mora smiling warmly on the other side. She was gorgeous by nature. Had the kind of face that would entice a man to go back for more. "Hello, Beta." Her eyes seemed to twinkle when she called him that. "You are here. Please, do come in." He moved aside to allow her entry. During dinner, while the Alphas had engaged in endless conversations, Mora had been more concerned with getting Kalaril's attention. She had refilled his plates and wine goblet when they were nearly empty. Kalaril had been irritated, of course, and thought to stop her. Then, he realized she could be a vital key in getting what he wanted. So, in spite of the difficulty, he had paid her attention. "Mora, is it?" He had enquired. Mora's cheeks crimsoned the instant he had spoken to her for the first time. "Yes, Beta." She'd replied. Kalaril noted with a flicker of surprise that she already
"Wish I did! Father doesn't even care anymore. As long as he's out there not causing harm to the Pack, he can be gone for as long as he wants," Mora slurred.Kalaril threw more questions but unfortunately got nothing else. Mora and her father didn't care much for Cleon, which kept them oblivious to his hidden agenda - if he had any. If he was even the very one they suspected.When he had nothing else to ask, he let Mora have what she'd come for. He let her take pleasure from his body. ****†****†Sheera stood in the center of the room, the moonlight filtering through the high windows as she awaited Keegan's instructions. It was late at night. And despite her treacherous body longing for him, she desired rest. Yet, she has no choice when he sent for her. A shiver danced down her spine as Keegan emerged from the inner chamber, the silky black robe clinging to his broad frame.By the Rood, she hated him in his casual outfits. He looked too good in them. Too gorgeous. Charming. Similar
Sheera, along with the seven other women, spread out in the center of the sun-drenched field. Ahead of them was a line of weathered wooden boards, matching their numbers. Keepers came up and handed each of them a bow and quiver filled with arrows. The crowd was bustling with excitement. It wasn't everyday a lot of them got to see something as unique as that. Coin purses clinked as wagers were laid, many of them presuming who would be the winner. A while later, when it was certain that each participant had everything they needed, Jenger's Beta came up to address them. He stated the rules for winning, which was them having to shoot as many arrows as possible on their board before the end of the given time. When the time is up and the drum rolls, they were to seize shooting. Then, the arrows on each person's dartboard would be counted and the participants with the highest amount will move to the next stage. In total, there would be three stages. "Best of luck, Sheera," Valda sudden
Valda and the other finalists strode back to the field, the Keepers having completed their preparations. This time, each participant had thirty arrows, and the dartboards were farther than the last. However, Sheera was nowhere to be seen. They waited a little longer, hoping she'd return. But she didn't. "How much longer must we wait?" Valda demanded, her voice laced with impatience. "We just sent someone to search for her, Mistress...""And for what reason are we expected to wait?" She cast her intimidating glare at them. "Look around, should you be confused. We have Alphas here. Lunas. Mistresses. And noble members of the Pack. Yet, you think a mere participant can waste our time? Isn't she aware she's supposed to get back here without keeping us waiting? Perhaps, she's lost her bravodo and decided to forfeit the competition."The Keepers exchanged glances. Releasing a deep breath, the Beta stepped forward, addressing the crowd. "We will now commence the final round of the chal
Air abandoned her lungs. Her body jerked like it was about to ascend to Elysium - the paradise for wolves - again.It was as tho, she'd been buried into a mountain of ice. Keegan's lips claimed hers, kissing her in the slowest way he's ever kissed anyone. They were the softest lips he's ever tasted, his inner beast growled at him, wondering why he's never thought of it. Sheera shivered under his possession. His kiss was a taste of citrus on her lips, pushing her to the edge of sweet oblivion. She felt drunk instantly, unable to restrict the hungry moan that ripped from her throat.She was completely naive to matters of intimacy, but following pure instinct, she kissed him back. Suckled a bit on his tongue like it was a source of energy. Then, as quickly as it began, the kiss ended. She let out a tiny whimper when Keegan pulled his lips away. Hers was wet and sore from the small action, and she feared she'd collapse when he hooked her bottom lip between his thumb and index finger.
Sheera fought with every fiber of her being, her body thrashing against the restraints. The chain dug into her wrists, but she ignored the pain, focusing solely on escaping Gareth's clutches. He legs kicked out wildly, aiming for any vulnerable spot. Despite how hard she tried, he was much powerful than her, and the chains bounding her hands weren't doing her much good. She was completely at his mercy. When one of her kicks connected to o his chest, he groaned and struck her hard in the face. She yelped, the force sending her head to the side. Her hair scattered all over her face in the process. "You can chose to make this difficult, Sheera. Trust me, I shall enjoy hurting you," Gareth spoke harshly, his eyes holding a promise to truly hurt her. Sheera resolved to the only solution she could. She screamed for help. Gareth laughed and delivered another blow, this time to he ribs, the sharp pain taking her breath away. Before she could gain composure, he struck her in the ribs agai
A sharp rap against her door startled Sheera from her reverie. She jerked and recoiled back, her mind believing it was Gareth. He's come to finish what he started. When she'd returned from the cellar, she had taken a bath, scrubbing her body vigorously like she could still feel Gareth's hands on her. Then, she'd changed into something else and stayed huddled in bed. But her peace was about to be disrupted by whoever was on the other side of the door. Fear gripped her heart as she remained motionless. The knock came again and again, until finally, it was forcefully opened. A small yelp slipped Sheera's throat. But her panic subsided when she found Kalaril standing in the doorway. It wasn't Gareth. Kalaril eyed her auspiciously."I was knocking," his words came out clipped. Sheera rose to her feet, dipping her head. "I... I apologize."Silence stretched between them. "The Alpha summons you. Let's go," he tilted his head. Gulping tersely, Sheera forced herself to follow him fr
Sheera had witnessed Keegan's anger before, but never like this. It wasn't the kind of anger where you go around, throwing things and laying curses. It was the kind where you are so cold, but a storm brews from within. His grip on her throat loosened, but the glow in his eyes didn't go away."He...He forced me," she added, not knowing how much time she had left before Keegan finally kills her, thinking she did cheat on him. "He attacked me with a Faelian wood, had me chained in a cellar and... and abused me. But he didn't finish. His mother came in and stopped him. I swear, that was all that happened."Seconds bled into minutes. Keegan's gaze was cold on her. His calm demeanor frightened Sheera to the bones because she knew in such situations, the worst would be going through his mind. I'm sorry, Wema. But I had to save me. Slowly, he released her. The upper part of her body was lowered as she coughed and touched her neck. "Get out," his voice was low and dangerous.She hesitate
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