Mia's POV"Are you sure?" She asked, the corners of her lips twitching. I immediately got suspicious. "Yeah?" I replied cautiously.Maya smiled sweetly. "I need an answer dear. That doesn't count for one." I cocked my head as I contemplated her. What new horrors did she have in mind? I must admit that Mason's training was always boring, but they were never as tasking as Maya's. And I always knew what to expect. But not Maya. "What do you have in mind?" I asked suspiciously. The sweet smile remained firmly in place and I got even more suspicious. "Oh, the usual. The good old running to build your stamina that you've been used to." Maya's sweet smile betrayed the mischievous undertone beneath it.I instantly knew there was nothing usual, or good, or old either about the running. Maya had a knack for turning the most basic activities into grueling challenges. My previous experiences with her made it clear that her version of "running to build stamina" was more likely a marathon thro
Maya's POVI listened to Mia speak, and didn't know what to tell her. She had valid reasons to be riled up. It turned out that the previous night, she had had a little chat with Mabel, who didn't think she was doing her absolute best.The fact was, Mabel was too hard on Mia. And sometimes, I am tempted to think that I am too. Maybe, I am. But we're all anxious about her, and us as well. She is the only hope we've got if we ever have to redeem our loved ones.All of us in this branch of Sulfur Hands have had our loved ones corrupted. It was another kind of pain, watching our loved ones in a fate worse than death.Our only hope of them ever recovering was in the savior prophesied. So, we're naturally hard on her.I made up my mind to let up on Mia for the next few days though. She needs it. Though the prophecy had clearly stated she wouldn't have a wolf till the blood moon, she still couldn't let go of the mindset that she was inferior to us that already had our wolves."Sorry dear," I
Mia's POVWhen I came out, they were walking towards the chasm. As I watched, they transformed into their wolves and leaped over the chasms. There was something suspicious about the way they looked back to the cottage before bolting away and I instantly decided to follow them. It seemed I would be needing those stealth tricks Maya taught me sooner than she thought. Just as I reached the chasm, I had second thoughts and went back to get those claw gloves they had made me formerly. Who knows, but I might be needing them.Curiosity and a sense of exclusion washed over me when I returned to the chasm and couldn't find them. Why must they keep protecting me like I was some weak stick that would snap at the slightest touch? And worse, they insult my intelligence by thinking that I don't know about all the time they sneak out on some assignment or the other. I had always let them get away with it because I had always felt, despite my indignation, that I might be a burden. But not today.
Unknown POVI thanked the lady for her troubles, then walked to the counter."You want more milk?" The bar man asked me in that grating tone. I smiled."I might. Depends on what you can do for me.""Sometimes, I'm lame. And sometimes, I'm blind. Depends on how far your purse is," the man replied without even looking at me.I dug in my sack and found a small horn, which I slapped on the counter. His face lit up, and I finally had his attention."That's a fat purse alright. Are you looking to buy the pub?" he asked me. There was amazement and awe on his face."Nah. Just your time, and network," I replied.He looked at me, confused. "What do you mean?" he asked me.I smiled, then leaned on the counter. "I need to gather some information. Apart from Mia, do you know if there is any other lady that was rejected by her mate this past few months?" I asked him.The bartender's eyes widened with surprise. "You're asking about rejections? That's rare. Most folks are interested in the alpha king
Damian's POV"This is going too far!" I lost my cool and yelled at Hazel. Alpha King Hazel. I had to remind myself he was more the weak prince I had known, and easily manipulated to turn dark. He was now the alpha king, with all the authority to do whatever he wanted. I could still remember how I had manipulated him into turning into the worst version of himself. That day he declared his luna and finally became a bona fide alpha king. When I had spoken to him that way, it was for the purpose of using him for the greater purpose of the Silver Hands. I had planned to use him as our tool for conquest, and to further our ideals. But Hazel had quickly gotten out of hand, and not even his father seemed to be able to reign him in. He had gone about, inciting the commoners against himself. I hadn't wanted him to be kind to the commoners in the first place, but he was supposed to be able to control their fear of him, use it to our advantage. Instead, he seemed intent on just creating ch
Mia's POVThe first sensation I felt when I woke up was the excruciating pain in my fingers. I winced and tightened my lips, stopping a scream from erupting just in time. Gingerly, I sat up, taking care to avoid leaning on my fingers while pushing myself up with my palms. I walked out of the room and opened the door across mine, where Maya and Mason stayed. Standing at the door, I could see Maya where she was still sleeping peacefully at the other end of the room. I felt pain burn in my heart. There were scratches on her face and other visible parts of her body, and a shallow gash on her forehead. Even as I watched, she turned in her sleep and her eyes tightened in a wince. She must have pressed on one of the many deep scratches that filled her back."Sorry," I muttered to her, though she couldn't hear me. If she hadn't been trying to protect me as she fought the Corrupted, she wouldn't have ended up in this state. When she turned and winced again, I walked across the room and l
Mia's POVMason looked down at me in surprise. "Really?" he asked, disbelieving. I couldn't blame him. Mabel had pressed on me many times to take The Oath, but I had always shied away. "Yes," I replied firmly. He looked into my eyes for a long time, as if trying to determine if I was joking. I held his gaze, trying to let him see how desperately I needed The Oath to be my strength now. "Have you thought this through?" He asked me. I nodded firmly, and he sighed. "Oh, well. I can't discourage you. It's what we've always wanted. If you're sure about it…" his voice trailed off. I nodded. "I'm sure about it," I said in a firm voice. He sighed again. "Well, we need to wait for Mabel to return then. She went to her shack, you know that's where she keeps some of her more precious potions. She sent me on to administer these ones in the meantime…" he waved the bunch of herbs in his hand. "You can help me do that while we wait for her," he finished. I was a little bit disappointed that
Unknown POVAs I walked to the city's edge, I felt as if I was being followed. I looked back several times, but couldn't find the source. So, I transformed into my wolf form and started running. But still, the feeling persisted. I knew better than to distrust my feelings. As the alpha had told me, if I had trusted my feelings ten months ago, that thing wouldn't have happened. It would be a putting I distrusted my feelings again this time and led the Silver Hands to the lair of the Sulfur Hands in this pack. I would never be able to forgive myself, and I don't think any other Sulfur Hand would be able to either. It would be such a catastrophe. So I decided to turn back and walk to the pack. Perhaps, I will go watch the execution and try to do something for those poor souls. Perhaps, I would lose whoever might be trailing me there, if indeed, there was anyone. Or, they might get tired and decide to leave me alone. So thinking, I turned back and without shifting back into my human f