DianaIt happened so fast that the man didn’t even have time to scream. One second, he’s still here, and the next, a sickening crunch sounds in my ear and then he’s gone.Warm blood splashes onto my face, flows down my cheeks and drips down my chin, but I’m too dazed to care. All I am able to do is lay there, eyes wide as I listen to the creature tearing into the man. The sounds; a cacophony of ripping flesh, crunching bones, and guttural growls, echo through the stillness of the wilderness like a macabre symphony of nature’s brutality.“Ahhhhhh!” the short one screams, turns around and runs away. He trips, and falls, but scrambles back up and continues to run. In his fear, he doesn’t even realize that rather than running in the direction we came from, he’s heading deeper into the woods.Of the two remaining men, one falls to the ground and a pungent smell starts to emit from him. He had pissed himself.The next second, we hear a piercing scream of terror coming from the direction of
Chapter 16Dominicus The air is filled with bone-cracking snaps and animalistic growls. Each movement reverberates within me excruciating agony as my muscles contract and elongate- reshaping my form. It’s a slow and laborious transition, as my body struggles to shed its lupine form and reclaim its human identity.It’s been so long since I’ve changed back that my body has almost forgotten how to do so.With each agonizing twist and contortion, guttural groans and grunts escape me. The sound of flesh tearing and reforming echoes in my ears, punctuated by the heavy thuds of my paws as I slam them against the forest floor. Thuds become slaps as paws turn into hands.Amidst the tumultuous transformation, the silence of the night is broken only by my labored breaths.And then finally, as the last vestiges of fur recede and the final bones settle into place, there is silence.Agile, my limbs slowly stretch until I’m standing on my bare feet. I flex my fingers and crack my neck. Keeping my ey
DianaThe remnants of a restless night cling to me like cobwebs. Sleep, when it finally came, offered no escape. The images that replayed were relentless, chasing me until the first sliver of dawn crept through the window. By the time I shower and dress, a knot of dread sits heavily in my stomach.I need to find a job today. No, I MUST find a job today. There are just no other options for me. The meagre sum in my pocket wouldn’t stretch further than breakfast. Stepping out into the cool morning air, I take a deep breath. The sky is barely awake and the world is hushed and still.Calculating the time, the shops should just be opening by the time I make it into town. I think about the gas station with the ‘Help Wanted’ sign that’s looking for a salesperson…NO.The thought brings a physical recoil and a surge of nausea that threatens to rise. I will never go back there.Rubbing my arm against the morning chill, I set off down the road. Before I'd taken five steps, a jolt of icy fear sn
DianaThe morning sun streams through the diner windows, casting a warm glow on the polished counter and the worn wooden tables. A steady stream of customers filled the small space, their chatter and laughter a familiar symphony to my ears. My experience at the Pack meant that in no time at all, I am moving with practiced ease, taking orders, serving coffee, and clearing away empty plates. It is a rhythm I am beginning to find comfort in, a routine that provides a much-needed distraction from the tumultuous events of the past few days.But the calm is deceptive. Beneath the surface, a constant low-level anxiety simmers. The memory of the men in the woods, the terrifying encounter with the monstrous yet gorgeous wolf, and the inexplicable dread that had gripped me this morning are still fresh in my mind.I glance at the clock above the register, my heart pounding a frantic beat inside my chest. It is almost noon. The morning rush is beginning to subside, and the diner is slowly emptyi
DianaMy mind is a tempest, a maelstrom of fear and trepidation. There is a Were in this town. A Were. The realization is chilling. From the outset, my senses had been attuned to the absence of any pack, any scent that marked werewolf territory. I had made absolute and doubly sure that there was no pack here before I had dared to venture in. I even scented no wolves. This is a purely human town. I was so sure of it.Yet, here, in this seemingly ordinary town, I had encountered one. And not just any Were, but an Alpha. A powerful, dominant Alpha.The memory of his presence, a cold, suffocating weight, presses down on me. I had survived countless terrifying encounters, but none had prepared me for this. To escape a normal wolf had been a desperate gamble, a narrow escape that had been nothing short of a miracle. But to evade an Alpha, the creature at the apex of the werewolf hierarchy, is a concept so terrifying it borders on the unimaginable. No. It is impossible.Amidst the fear, a q
DianaThere, standing by the side of the road by the tree line, is him. The Alpha. His presence is like a physical force, a wall of ice and fury. His features shadowed and made all the more menacing by shade of the trees. His eyes, those piercing honey brown eyes, are narrowed into slits of ice, and his jaw is clenched so tightly it looks like it might shatter.A low growl vibrates in his chest, a primal sound that sends a shiver down my spine. His body language is pure aggression, every muscle tensed, ready to pounce. The air between us crackles with tension, the scent of danger thick in the atmosphere.He points behind me, towards the town, a silent command. His eyes never leave mine, a cold, hard stare that penetrates my soul. I can feel my knees weakening, and it is only by sheer will that I don’t collapse to the ground. I want to run, to escape this terrifying confrontation, but something in his demeanor, a raw, primal power, holds me rooted to the spot.I clench my bag and subc
DominicusOnce she’s gone, a low growl rumbles through my chest, a protest against my current predicament. I should have finished this, and finished it cleanly. But no, my wolf had to intervene, to complicate matters.A wave of frustration washes over me and I start to pace. I had come here with a singular purpose, a cold, efficient task. But something, some inexplicable force, had derailed my plans. No. Not some mysterious power. Her. She had thrown a wrench into the works. A surge of anger courses through me. I should have killed her on sight. But no, I had gazed into her eyes… those wide eyes, hazel and enchanting, like a twilight forest where golden flecks of sunlight dance upon the leaves… and I had been disarmed.I growl in frustration and pace restlessly, the crunch of leaves and twigs beneath my feet a discordant rhythm to the turmoil within me. My wolf, that monstrous beast is silent. Usually, a whirlwind of rage and violence, he is now eerily calm. My prey had been within
DianaThe morning sun is a cruel mistress, its rays piercing through the curtains and landing squarely on my face. It was as if the world was conspiring to drag me out of the darkness of the night and into the harsh reality of the day. My sleep had been restless. My mind was chaotic, as I tossed and turned with every passing hour. Fear, uncertainty, and a deep-rooted sense of dread are my constant companions.But I have to function. The world isn’t going to stop just because I’m going through some shit. No one is going to save me. Only I can save myself. And right now, money is the only lifeline I can see. It was my ticket to survival, or at least, a better chance at it. I would never get face on foot, I know this from experience. I need to have money for buses, trains and food. And the only way to get it is to go back to work. Since I can’t escape right now, I’ll work and earn money in anticipation of when I finally get the opportunity. Also, being amongst humans gives some, though
Diana The Elders exchange fearful glances before Elder Gideon takes a trembling step forward, his thin frame seeming to shrink even further. He swallows hard, rubbing his palms together. "Alpha Dominicus, perhaps we started off on the wrong foot. Why don't we—" Dom's eyes shift to him, and his voice dies in his throat. "Why don't we what?" Dom's voice is soft, carrying an undercurrent of menace that sends chills down everyone's spine. Elder Gideon quickly shuffles back, his brief moment of courage evaporating. I take a bite of my chocolate chip cookie, watching with interest. Dominicus sighs. “I am a fair man,” he says slowly. “If you have any reasonable explanation for everything you’ve done, now’s the time to speak.” The room falls deathly silent. The Elders visibly shudder at the thought of speaking, and Diana can see the sweat beading on their foreheads. The threat in Dom’s voice hangs like a dark cloud. They don’t dare lie. Something tells them that if they do, they
Diana Three days later, we pull up in front of the massive and imposing Council Headquarters building. This time, it’s Arran, the redhead warrior, who’s driving. With the pack construction in full swing, Brodik has been left behind. An Amadeus wolf opens the door for Dominicus, and he steps out, then turns to help me out. I look around at the place. The wolves I see roaming here are all Amadeus wolves, and I take in the sight with a quiet satisfaction. I turn my gaze up at the large platinum insignia glinting on the building, my heart hammering in my chest. Last time I was here, I was under trial by the Council Elders. But today… today, it’s the Council Elders who will be tried by us. Oh, how the tables have turned. “Clyde,” Dominicus calls out, and a blonde-haired, blue-eyed warrior steps forward. “Alpha,” he says respectfully. “Report,” Dom orders. Clyde doesn’t hesitate. “The Elders are all inside. They’ve been under 24-hour surveillance since their arrival.” Dom no
Diana I pace the room, nearly threading the carpet bare. I watched as Diana’s car disappeared around the corner, the tires kicking up dust as the car sped away. Minutes later, all the Council- no, Amadeus wolves, were gone too. My heart pounds in my chest, the panic gnawing at me. I had caught a glimpse of her just before she left. She didn’t see me, did she? I quickly ducked behind the building when I noticed her eyes scanning the area. The last thing I needed was for her to catch sight of me, especially after everything that happened. I shudder just thinking about it. The last time I saw Diana, I had been watching through the cracked door of Beta Marcus’s office, my breath caught in my throat as I saw him pin her down. She was crying, begging me to help her. Fury was the first thing I felt. How dare he do that to her? To my sister? But then, just as quickly, fear overtook me. I wasn’t strong enough to fight him. What would happen if I did try to intervene? The consequences
Diana My eyes sting with unshed tears. My throat chokes up, and I press my lips together and shake my head, trying to keep my emotions in check. Brodik glances at the door again. The house is silent. Not even the sound of movement comes from within. “And please,” he adds softly, “help us tell the Alpha thank you. Thank you for letting us come home. We promise we won’t let him down.” Then, as one, the warriors bow again. Not to me this time. To him. To their Alpha. A big smile spreads across my face, and I shake my head. “Don’t mention it, Brodik,” I say softly. “I’ve never truly had a pack in the true sense either, so I think I understand how you feel.” I glance at all of them, my smile widening. “I’m really happy that you’re here.” Then, clearing my throat, I raise my voice slightly, adding teasingly, “And don’t mind the grumpy Alpha. I’m sure he’s happy you’re here too.” A deep, unmistakable snort comes from inside the house. I bite back a laugh as mirth fills
Diana The moment the cars pull into the clearing, my eyes lock onto the figure standing on the porch, arms folded across his chest, watching us. A grin splits my lips, and before the car even comes to a full stop, I’m throwing the door open and launching myself out. A squeal escapes me as I practically fly across the grass, up the steps, and straight into his arms. Dominicus chuckles, his deep, rumbling laughter sending warmth through my entire body. He opens his arms just in time to catch me as I leap, wrapping his arms tightly around me and lifting me off the ground. My legs automatically wrap around his waist, and I press myself against him as tight as I can, burying my face in his neck, inhaling his scent. Mate. Home. He pulls back slightly, just enough to capture my lips with his. The kiss is fierce, filled with weeks of longing and unsaid words. I meet him with equal intensity, pouring every emotion into the way our lips move together. When we finally pull away,
Diana As the car pulls away from the pack house, movement catches my eye- a figure hastily darts away and disappears behind a building. I nonchalantly look away, my expression remaining unchanged. The car continues along the winding road, and as we cross the border of the pack territory, I silently promise myself to never set foot in this place again. This is the last time. Silence fills the car as they drive. Soon, the Zervos territory fades from view, becoming nothing more than a distant memory behind them. Billy clears his throat, breaking the heavy quiet. Billy is the first to break the silence. He clears his throat, his voice unsteady. “Kid… my mate, my Myra… she wouldn’t do that.” His fingers twitch against his knee. “She was no dark witch. She was a light witch.” I turn to look at him, watching the way his brows pinch together, the way his jaw tightens with something like desperation. “I know I said she was mysterious,” he continues, “and that I didn’t know much about her
Diana Everyone's eyes judge him silently. He desecrated the most sacred gift the Goddess gave us—desecrated the the most sacred bond. I don't move. Don't flinch. Just stay steady and cold. "And by the way," I continue, my voice eerily calm, "that's disregarding the fact that you knew I was your mate six years before I found out." I take a small, deliberate breath. "You didn't acknowledge me. You knew exactly what kind of life I was living, and you just turned a blind eye. A single word from you, a single order, could have changed everything for me. But you didn't because I wasn't worth the trouble. Why was that again?" I tilt my head slightly. "Right—because I was 'a walking burden.'" The silence stretches between us, thick enough to cut. I don't wait for him to find his voice. "I got assaulted inside the pack house, just steps away from your office, and you didn't even know." He sways on his feet, looking like he is about to faint. "Did you even try to stop it when Marc
Diana Billy rises from his seat. "We should go. There's nothing more we can learn here." Disappointment and frustration course through me, and I have to bite back a string of curses. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I nod. "Okay. Let's get out of here." Billy's hand lands on my shoulder, warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, kid. We'll catch that bastard." His lips quirk up in a small smile. "They can't run forever." He's right. The Elders are already on their way back to the Council, where they'll be under house arrest until we arrive with Dominicus. There's nowhere for that person to hide. We leave the room without another word, Brodik holding the door open as we pass through. He and the other warrior fall into step behind us, our footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. None of us spare a backward glance at Magnus—he's not worth the effort. Outside, the scene is exactly as we left it. Both Amadeus and Zervos pack members stand in loose groups, tension thick in the air
Diana Magnus turns his glare to Billy again, his voice coming out heavy, “And how could it be a coincidence that a witch was living at the Zervos pack at the time? At the same time your mother was cursed to death- at the same time your wolf was also cursed?” I turn my head slowly, my eyes meeting Billy’s. His face has drained of color, his eyes wide with horror. He shakes his head in disbelief, and he sways slightly, as though the ground beneath him is no longer solid. He shakes again, even more vehemently now. “No… that...” “Diana…” Magnus says, “the reason you had such a horrible life. Why you lived life as an existence lower than an Omega, instead of having the high status of the Alpha you truly are, is all because of her. Everything that has happened to you wouldn’t have happened if you had your wolf. It’s all because of her. She destroyed your life.” he spits. I lower my head and look down at my hands in my lap- my face expressionless even as my thoughts race."Kid, I'm sure