We have lost even this twilight. Why will the whole of love come on me suddenly, when I am sad and feel you are far away? From Pablo Neruda, Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair (1924)
Keira POV "Vacuum up the cake crumbs, Keira; I don't want to say it again." If you were there, you would have a headache from listening to my brother Louis's "speech", which was really irritating. "Keira, I'll hire a housekeeper if you don't want to do it, and you'll be homeless." He spoke. Louis threatened me once more. A housekeeper? Was he serious? I needed to take action now, not later, if I didn't want things to get worse. As a housekeeper as he said, I was typically in charge of cooking, cleaning, and dealing with the messes he made, but I occasionally disobeyed him and, to my surprise, he usually dealt with it quietly on his own; the only time he didn't was when he was in a bad mood, or on the day my parents died. I don't think there is anything worse than realizing that nothing will ever change after seeing through the current quo. I deserved it. Not all siblings are like Louis and me. It's not as easy as it seems. Not only did I lose my parents, but I also lost all I ow
Chapter 2 A Kiss Or A Sex? Keira POV I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help noticing how deep and seductive his voice is. I whirled around and blinked, uncertain whether I was dreaming. The man in front of me was gorgeous. He is around 6'5" tall, so I have to look up at him. Instead, his eyes sparkle like sapphires due to his tanned skin and nicely coiffed dark hair. His powerful physique and chest appeared to have been hand-carved by God underneath his white shirt. Instead of letting me imagine his abs in vain, he ought immediately to undo two more buttons so I could see what incredible abs he had. His prominent cheekbones, sharp chin line, and piercing stare indicated that he is not a male to fool with, I was hesitant if I should tell him my name out of concern that I might get into trouble. My intuition told me that he might is a Beta or Alpha. I tilted my head a little, letting him know that the loud music prevented me from hearing him. "Don't pretend that you didn't hear what I
Keira POV When I awoke in the morning and descended the stairs, I saw Louis enjoying breakfast in the dining room. Louis told me to merely clean the house because I nearly started an explosion in the kitchen when I first started cooking. Louis was a fantastic cook, but as I sat in my chair, I really missed the BBQ gatherings we used to have. I also missed my mother's cooking and the cheese in Louis' grubby hands. "You will soon turn 18. What are your plans?" Louis questioned me while gazing into his juice glass. I quickly finished my sentence, "No." "I hope you can shift, or I'll have to spend time taking care of you. Don't forget to put the plates in the dishwasher." Louis said once wiping his lips with a tissue, then he walked to his room. I knew Louis was the Beta of our pack. He needed to prepare for Hunting & Dancing, that's what Lynede told me last night. Our traditional event, Hunting& Dancing, is only held after Alpha's 20th birthday. It started as a mean to assist Alpha
Keira POV "Lynede, come to the PARK cafe, I treat you to afternoon tea." I called her. "Oh, you are sooo sweet! I will be there in one minute." Five minutes later, Lynede showed up in the cafe. "Hey, Keira!" She looked around and finally locked on me. "Tell me why you called me here, not for an afternoon tea, right?" "Before I tell you, let's order something to drink first." I gave her a menu. "A Lemon Tart and a Matcha latte. Thank you." Lynede said to the waiter and couldn't wait to ask me, "What happened?" I paused and then questioned her, "I accidentally met a male with black hair in the bar. I mean, do you know who in our pack has black hair?" "Black hair? As far as I'm aware, Kloss and our new Alpha both have black hair, and..." "Oh my goodness, look who I met! My dear classmates!" We were rudely interrupted by Rhoda. "Rhoda, shut up. No one wants to communicate with you." Lynede's eyes rolled back, and she had a repulsed expression. "I'm the niece of the Alpha of Jupi
Keira POV In the morning. It made me sluggish because of insomnia last night, so I got out of bed and patted my face. Louis stared at me as he sat in front of me, "There are a few things that need to be taken care of today, so I have to head to the Full Moon Room a little early. You'd better dress up before the ball starts." I didn't tell him I was going hunting because it was not allowed. I nodded and stuffed toast into my mouth. "Do you have a dress for the ball?" Louis enquired of me. He had this tie in his hand when he went out of his room following breakfast. I nodded while grinning badly. He appeared to be about to say anything else, but all he did was lightly sigh. He was already attired. He looked dapper in a navy blue suit with vertical stripes and an orange tie, and I knew he was going to make an impression. "Well, I'll see you in the Full Moon Hall." He said, placing his hand on the door handle. "Okay, bye." After he closed the door, I quickly cleaned up everything o
Keira POV I couldn't see the Alpha's face because of his deerstalker, but even so, I felt silly for overthinking it when I realized this puppy lover wasn't the Alpha. I relaxed and smiled. The puppy lover looked at me when he heard my chuckle, and then he continued to return his attention to the hunting scene. Based on the serious expression on his face, I guessed he was probably a skilled hunter as well. When he saw the man raise his rifle and aim it at the buck, he frowned, as if he already knew what was going to happen, inaccurate aiming or something. The buck was still staring down and smelling the dandelions in the grass, completely oblivious to what was awaiting him. When I unconsciously sneezed, the buck alertly perked up its ears, pulled its head up, elevated its front feet, and raced quickly. The breeze carried the dandelion seeds off. The buck didn't even hesitate for a second before vanishing into the forest, and the Alpha, enraged at witnessing his prey go, beat his fist
Keira POV Rhoda was wearing a dark green low-cut velvet evening gown that displayed her cleavage and her shoulders. She looked down at me with a disgusted expression, "Except for your diamond earrings, you have no taste in fashion, and I bet no one will ask you to dance tonight." "So what, I'd rather be outside in the fresh air on the terrace." "Somebody needs to sob on the terrace." Rhoda walked to me with a whiff of perfume and grinned haughtily, "Do you suppose that there would be a Romeo who would throw pebbles at the window and take you to leave to somewhere? You wish!" She ran her hand through her hair. How can someone misinterpret someone's words? "Well, I hope Alpha declines to dance with you." I took Lynede's hand and walked away, didn't wait for her reaction. Because I didn't want to argue with her in this situation anymore. She was still cursing. "Your earrings are really pretty! When did you buy them?" We stopped at a round table, Lynede asked me. "No, they were give
Keira POV The audience, which had been calm, suddenly became boisterous as soon as he finished speaking. "What are you saying?" My voice started to tremble. "As you see, I am your Alpha and your mate. My name is Augustine Lope, don't forget your mate's name, Keira." He lifted my hand and put it to his mouth and kissed it. What the hell! I can't believe it! He is my new Alpha, my mate! Is this the way that Moon Goddess punishes me? And why does he know my name? Augustine lowered his head to see the look on my face, and said in a firm tone, "I could know everything about you, as long as I want." Our eyes met and I took a step back when I noticed his possessive gaze which was breathtaking. There's no denying that he was irritated by my actions. I saw the fire of rage in his eyes as if something mad was happening. Augustine grabbed my arm in silence and pulled me back, "Never try to flee from me, I think you've heard of me and I don't want to show you my cruelty unless it's necessary
Augustine POV As I gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, a mixture of emotions overwhelmed me. I instinctively tightened my arms around her waist, feeling her breath on my face. I feared losing her once more, and perhaps, in reality, I already had. At this moment, I found comfort in this stolen embrace. She was mine, and that possessiveness startled me. I had always considered myself a composed and level-headed person, at least, the elders and others in my pack often remarked. Yet, when it came to her, I transformed into a lovesick teenager, abandoning reason and caution. I didn't know what she did to me, making me act like all the reckless acts of infatuation from everyone's younger days. Sneaking out of the backyard before an important exam just for the chance to meet sweetheart at a rock concert. Love has a way of making us vulnerable and breaking down the walls we build to protect ourselves. It can turn the calmest of individuals into passionate and impulsive beings. As I hel
Keira POVThe only sounds in the wooden cabin were from panting and lustful water as Augustine's fingers stroked my clit quite aggressively.How could he do this to me? What could he possibly gain from the approaching forced sex, I thought as I bit my bottom lip to keep from yelling.He touched my entrance, rubbed it a couple of times, stuck his fingers in, and put it in and out slowly."Hmm? Are you protesting me, puppy?" He said in a low voice that included a touch of dissatisfaction, "Are you that unwilling to give me sex?" My nearly bleeding lips caught his attention."I'll fuck you till you scream." He said. I heard his chuckle jarring in the air as his fingertips erotically stroked my teeth."Ugh...." I'm almost about to let out a groan. Augustine straight thrust his large, thick cock into me."So tight...." He mumbled. His hand locked mine and the craziness in Augustine's eyes informed me his rationality had been burned to ashes with lust, drifting in the air and causing me to
Keira POV The bite on my lip made it incredibly clear to me that Augustine was going crazy, but he had no business interrogating me. I opened my mouth to bite him on the lip hard as I considered what he had done. He stood there frozen, didn't think that I would bite him. And if he had to choose a culprit between us, he was perfect. "I'm no longer your mate! I've said it a thousand times!! Go to hell with you and your damn veto!" I never liked looking at him with my head held high. "No one will admit that," Augustine's chest puffed up and down as he appeared to be struggling to maintain control as he said, "Do you know how many females would like to be in your position?" "Should I then extend my gratitude for that? I'm not some pawn you try to manipulate by restraining me and then casting me aside when you become enraged. Let me reiterate, in case you haven't heard: I never wanted to be in your mate's position." For the first time, I thought that was good, to add salt to the wo
Keira POVAs the morning sun filtered through my window, the melodious symphony of local birds serenaded me, rousing me from my slumber. I groggily turned around, expecting to find Owain by my side, but to my dismay, he was nowhere to be seen. With a heavy heart, I buried my face in the familiar comfort of my pillow, contemplating the events of the previous night.The haze of the evening still clung to my mind. Perhaps Owain is a drink stronger than any alcohol I had tasted before and maybe I was having a dream without thinking about the consequences. He transported me into a realm that granted me the freedom to indulge in my every desire. In that fleeting moment, I yearned to break free from the shadows that had long enveloped me, to escape and find the train that would carry me back home.Confusion lingered as I struggled to discern which addiction held a stronger grip on my soul. Was it the allure of the unknown, or the enticing taste of liberation that intoxicated me? Amidst the t
Keira POVI stumbled into the cabin, her thoughts in disarray. I had always told MYself not to care about Augustine and forget everything I saw, but now it was all I could think about. As she closed the door to her room and collapsed onto the bed, the scene of Augustine and Rhoda together kept replaying in my mind. Was I jealous or just sad that he had cheated on her? I couldn't tell which of his words were lies, and I had no idea what he and Rhoda were doing now."Keira, are you okay?" Owain's voice came through the door, and he knocked softly. "Can I come in and see you?"Taking a deep breath, I wiped my tears and tried to compose myself. I didn't want Owain to see her like this. "I'm fine," I said, trying to sound steady, and hurriedly opened the door.Owain entered the room and gave me a hug, "It's okay, Keira, it's okay. I understand how you feel; it's okay to feel that way. Since you are his mate, it's okay to feel envious or angry at this point. Since ancient times, the moon an
Third Person POV As Keira and Owain make their way towards Augustine's cabin, the sun sets behind them, casting a warm orange glow on the road. Rhoda was still hanging to Augustine and enjoying the thrill of Keira's disguise. Rhoda was attempting to remove his pants while rubbing against his waist because she was aware that Augustine was enthralled by her. "Oh, Augustine!" Rhoda was so excited and screamed that she unintentionally touched the wine bottle that was resting on the sofa table as Augustine's big hand gently went down and grabbed the base of Rhoda's leg. Instantly, the whole room was filled with the sinful scent of alcohol. Keira and Owain, who had already arrived at the wooden cabin door, were startled by the sound of smashing glass. "What's wrong—" Owain lowered his hand that was trying to knock on the door and cast a suspicious glance at Keira. Keira motioned for him to stay quiet and lead him towards the window. What they saw shocked them both to the core
Keira POVI was strolling aimlessly down the street with my head down, lost in thought when a sudden realization hit me like a punch in the gut. Augustine didn't really love me, and he was using his power to keep me tied to him. How could I escape him?Lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice Owain walking to me until he grabbed my shoulder, "Keira! I was worried about you. You didn't come back. Is everything okay?" He asked.I nodded. Maybe."Let me walk you back to the cabin," he said. "I need to talk to Augustine about something later.""What? With Augustine?" I asked incredulously."Yes. Indeed, all packs conduct business with one another, and our current contract is about to expire.""Okay, I'll go with you." Because of Augustine's temperament and nature, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous that he might take his anger out on Owain. Those around a person who lacks good temper control would suffer as a result.Owain must have noticed my apprehension because he spoke softly to
Third Person POV After Silas Ruffini sent the elders back to the wood cabin, he returned to the meeting hall and walked into a conference room without even knocking. All three males in the room turned to look at him. "Where's Augustine?" The dark-haired guy asked, his brow furrowed. "Off to chase his little mate. Can you believe he's actually head-over-heels for someone?" Silas ran his fingers through his long blonde hair and shut the door, a wicked grin on his face. "But he's too merciful. You gotta fuck her until she falls in line, right Nash?" "You scared her last night," the dark-haired guy said, his eyes devoid of any kindness. "Even if she tried to escape." "But you gave her a chance to run, didn't you?" Silas lowered his head and removed the ruby brooch, running his thumb over it. "Tonight, it's your turn, Nash." None of the guys in the room found their conversation topic inappropriate. Suddenly, someone's phone rang, and Theo, sitting in the corner, answered it. His l
Keira POV"He's just crazy! Are you okay, Keira?" said Owain, looking at me worriedly."I'm fine." I forced a smile, Augustine was the math problem I would never be able to solve, that I would never be able to guess what he would do next. And there was only one way for me to get out of it all, and that was to let it go completely.If a good girl is at a disadvantage in a relationship, what should she do? Especially when he smiled like victor and looked down on you? She better jump off the scales, get off balance with each other and jump out of the relationship. How should I do that? I thought as I watched Augustine's back.A minute later, the lights around the podium came on. Everyone fell silent and I heard a male's voice next to me whisper, "It's about to start, I wonder who's the new guy that joined. He must be someone powerful."My eyes followed the lights to the podium, where an elder of the committee stepped forward and said, "We must acknowledge the dark periods of our shared h