The entire Royal Council was in an uproar when Malakai revealed his intention to attempt to mark his wolf-less mate."Your Highness," one of the council members spoke up, "no she-wolf has ever received a mate mark without first shifting. The Lycan and the wolf both have to accept it; everyone knows that. Marking your mate binds not only your soul to hers, but the souls of both wolves. Without your mate's wolf, we cannot predict the consequences. It could be excruciatingly painful if she doesn't have her wolf to accept it and brand the mark.""I understand this completely," Malakai asserted, "but Amani is the strongest she-wolf I've ever known, and I know you all can agree with that sentiment. We all know she shouldn't have survived Jax's attack, but she did. She has strong, resilient Lycan blood, the blood of an Alpha. If there is any chance that marking her can awaken her wolf, then I have to try."“There is still the matter of her being barren, Malakai,” the King pointed out.“We do
Amani headed towards the stables, instructing the three servants to go ahead of her. This way, nobody would be able to inform Malakai that she had been seen with them before her disappearance. To outsiders, it appeared as if she was simply taking her usual daily walk. Daniela was well versed with all matters concerning the stables. Steph would often ride the horses and bring Daniela along with her, so she was well aware of the stables' cleaning and feeding schedule. She knew there was a small window of time between the two tasks when nobody would be present. Additionally, Daniela was familiar with the guards' shifts and how long it took them to complete their rounds before returning to the stables. Amani confidently stayed on route, reassured by Daniela's knowledge that no guard would cross her path.Upon reaching the stables, Amani hurried inside and swiftly changed into the clothes provided by Steven and Penelope. Meanwhile, Penelope and Steven patiently waited behind the stables
Not only was Malakai acutely aware that Amani was missing, but he had also become completely unhinged. He had ordered a thorough search for her throughout the palace, with all the guards tirelessly combing every nook and cranny. Not stopping there, he had even dispatched his own patrol to venture beyond the palace gates. He left no stone unturned in his efforts to find her, spreading the word far and wide about her disappearance and emphasizing the urgency of her safe return. To sweeten the deal, he put forth a generous reward for anyone who could bring her back unharmed.As he followed her elusive scent, it took him on a meandering path throughout the palace, tracing her every step and lingering presence. The frustration mounted as he found himself going in circles, until a more distinct aroma of hers caught his attention. It beckoned him, growing stronger and stronger, until it guided him to an unexpected location - the stables. Despite the overpowering stench of horse dung, Amani'
When the guards brought Daniela to Malakai, she immediately dropped to her knees, bowing before him. Malakai's gaze bore down on her, but Daniela kept her eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to meet his intense stare."Why were you at the stables this morning?" Malakai's voice cut through the silence, demanding an answer.Daniela remained silent, her head still bowed in submission."The Prince is asking you a question, Slave!" Phineas barked, his impatience evident.Malakai shot Phineas a warning look, silencing him with a mere glance. Phineas meekly lowered his head, understanding the gravity of the situation.Returning his attention to Daniela, Malakai's voice grew colder and more menacing. "Your entire story about Steph was nothing but a diversion, wasn't it? I am well aware that you were in the stables with Amani this morning. You will either give me the information I seek or face severe punishment."Still, Daniela remained stubbornly silent, trembling on her knees, her gaze fixed u
The next morning, Amani awoke to find Robert unloading merchandise at one of his stops. Glancing around the wagon, she noticed that it was practically empty, with just a few items remaining. Robert informed her that he only had one more stop to make, which was as far as he could take her. This last stop lay just outside of Blackclaw territory, offering a clear path to the border. Although Amani would have to walk about ten miles alone, Robert assured her that there were no Royal Guards patrolling that area.Just before reaching his final stop, Robert let Amani out of the wagon. He kindly provided her with fresh water and bread for her journey. Filled with gratitude for everything he had done, Amani bid him farewell, expressing her heartfelt appreciation. With a final wave, she set off along the path that led to the Rogue Border.The journey proved to be a long one, and Amani paused only briefly to rest along the way. Her determination pushed her to minimize any wasted time, urging her
Amani fought desperately to break free from the wolf's tight grasp beneath the churning water. With a powerful kick to the snout, she finally managed to escape and propelled herself upwards, gasping for air as her head emerged above the surface. Her chest heaved as she struggled to fill her lungs with much-needed oxygen after the intense struggle.No sooner had she caught her breath, Amani felt the relentless force of the current pulling her downstream, her body at the mercy of the raging river. Determined to fight against the relenting force, she kicked her legs and moved her arms with all her strength, striving to make headway against the powerful flow.Witnessing her plight, the rogues scrambled along the riverbank, frantically searching for anything that could serve as a lifeline for Amani to grab onto. They desperately threw out branches and vines, hoping to provide some means of rescue. Meanwhile, the guards, including the one who had taken his wolf form, swam towards Amani with
Malakai secluded himself in his chambers for the remainder of the day. The guards were scheduled to arrive with Amani the following afternoon, leaving him increasingly restless as the hours crawled by. Tempted as he was to embark on the mission to retrieve her himself, his turbulent emotions deterred him, afraid of the unintended verbal onslaught that might escape his lips. Since her departure, he had barely slept or eaten, and each time he attempted to find solace in slumber, he found himself in an endless dance of tossing and turning.The fact that Amani had attempted to cross the Rogue Border still confounded Malakai. If she had managed to cross, she would forever be barred from setting foot in the Pack Lands. Once you go rogue, you can never go back. It infuriated Malakai that she was so ready and willing to turn her back on him like that. In reality, though, under the guise of his anger was nothing more than a profound ache that pierced his heart. As the early hours of the mornin
Amani desperately ran after Malakai, her voice filled with pleading, begging him not to punish them. Tears streamed down her face as she poured her heart out, but it was as if her words fell on deaf ears, or worse, a heart that didn't even care. Malakai seemed like a stranger, a person transformed into something unrecognizable. Even the way he moved was different, like a predator stalking its prey. Amani reached out, hoping to grasp his arm and bring him to a halt, but he forcefully pulled away, warning her not to touch him, as if her very presence repulsed him. Regret consumed her, knowing that she had made him this way.Upon reaching the dungeon, Amani was met with a horrific sight. Her dear friends appeared frightened and helpless, unsure of the dreadful fate that awaited them. The guilt within her tore at her heart, shattering it into countless pieces. She sobbed uncontrollably as they stared back at her, their eyes filled with profound sadness."Open this cell!" Malakai's comman