Very far away from my thoughts, I was surprised as my mind began to play a fast one on me. The tall, lean and dangerously looking young man with a smooth shaven face, transported me into another word.
A world of fantasies.
My eyes widened in amazement as my gaze walked around his body.
The thick blond mane he had was bound in a neat low ponytail. His broad chest was well defined and muscular.
Thomas glared at me as I gasped, then I recovered myself back again.
“Master, this is Elise Hatherleigh, daughter of Lewis and Kai Hatherleigh.” Said Thomas, and the man motioned for him to leave.
I felt the hair on my neck rise, leaping my heart into my throat at the mention of 'master'.
"He's the Overlord..?" I muttered, almost completely voiceless.
This man looked like danger personified with his quiet and brooding looks. I noticed he had a scar on his right ear and one of the nails of his fingers was missing as I drooled over him.
Suddenly the dimmed light brightened and I could not hold back my mumbling words of surprise.
By the heavens, the Overlord was gorgeous.
His aristocratic look obviously came from a Greek bloodline. I had to clench my thighs as I sat up. It was like lust zapped through me.
“Miss Elise! It is a pleasure to meet you!" Carl looked at the demigoddess in front of him and groaned, his wolf howled in victory as he caught my scent.
“MATE! MATE!!” Carl heard his wolf growl in excitement again, and my beauty was not helping matters. It was obvious I found him attractive by surprise and my body’s response was not so subtle.
I stood up to shake his hands and he caught sight of the way the sweater and jeans hugged my slim yet full figure, as I looked like something from a magazine. He must have heard I was always in magazines and fashion journals. Even without makeup, my beauty shone almost running his wolf mad with excitement.
For me, I could not help myself, and nothing on earth could have prepared me for this. I shook his hands, ignoring the little shivers I received and then I sat down.
“This is definitely going to be harder than I thought. He looked like a Greek god with a measure of violence and silence. How would I even outwit him?” I wondered as I waited for him to speak, not trusting myself to saying anything.
“I believe you are here for the Luna stone?" He said, furrowing an eyebrow, with a fake grin spreading across his lips, pressuring them together.
I nodded.
"The truth is that, we have seized it, and we will not allow such a powerful totem to go back to being controlled by just one family again. That stone has so much power and you all do not realize this, and that was why you sold it off.” Carl pointed out, shaking his head in pity.
Pity for me..?
For my family…?
Or for the Luna Stone?
Which?
I rubbed my face and grimaced, literally feeling some hate for my cousins from my dad’s side except for Melissa, uncle Gregory's only daughter. They always needed money for one of their major failed scamming deals and after failing to try to get money from her siblings and her, those bloody liars stole and sold off the family totem and omen to no other person but this pompous Overlord.
This same man bragging about my own birthright right before me now!
They did not even sell it to the wolf priest, who could tend it. Senseless and desperate fellows!
“That is the reason why I am here actually." I said, feeling so pathetic as I twisted my fingers together. "It is rather a long tale and I really would not want to bore you with the details of the stupidity of my cousins." I paused, waiting for his words to spill, but none did. And I had to continue.. "Actually we do realize the importance of the stone, we need it for the Moon drawing ceremony and festival in a few weeks. It was very foolish of them to have sold it off. Please…” I explained, hoping to get a positive reply from him.
“Your explanation was not logical enough, Miss Hatherleigh. How can something as valuable and priceless as the Luna stone be sold off just like that, for such cheap reasons..? You are the guardian for goodness sake, so how was it stolen under your watch? It shows that you are irresponsible, and cannot be held accountable for things, especially something as important as the Luna stone?! Do you know the implication of what that means to all werewolves?” He blasted, as he flung his hand in the air, bitterly, then a strike on the table followed as his hand landed on it. Furiously.
I was taking none of this, was this man’s skull made of lead, or what?
“Please Sir, mind the way you address me! I am a very busy woman, so you do not expect me to leave under a cave, guarding a stone, no matter what importance it is! I have got my own life to live, and my responsibilities are in joint conjunction with my family members, and not just mine alone! I had tried explaining in details in the mail I sent before now, how it was stolen, so what then do you want to hear again?” I barked back at him, standing up and pointing at him in fury.
Who the fucking hell does he think he is?
“I see what you mean. Then you can go out of here without the stone, and get on with your busy life, Miss, Hatherleigh!” He stressed, pulling his hands away from the table, and gripped onto the edges with his finger tips.
Slowly, Carl sat, leaned back on his chair as he watched my expression change from anger to shock at his reply. My face reddened and I almost spluttered.
“This belongs to the Hatherleigh's territory. You can not even tend it. It is not even morally right by the way! And also, werewolves and the entire wolfpack are in danger because of this!” I spat, rage swelling me up without any mercy as my eyes turned red.
“The wolf priest is helping me out with that. So… you can take your leave now. Our discussion has ended.” A smirk- wicked smirk plastered on his lips as he spoke, softly, accompanied by a tone of finality in his voice.
“What the…, you can not do this to us! We are the original guardians, and our ancestors have watched over that stone for centuries now. So how on earth are we going to perform the festival and ceremonial rites if the stone isn't with us?” I could not believe my ears.
And who does this pompous, self righteous man think he is? Everyone would be in danger if the ceremony is not carried out as it's supposed to. Every life, and I mean, every single life in the pack would taste from the wrath, and none would be spared here!
I could not help myself as I slammed his table rudely.
“You do not know what you are toying with." My tone became a bit cool as I spoke, smiling like I had to be cool with him now. I took a deep breath, and gulped in a generous amount of mouth fluid, and sighed. "So you mean, you are trying to move an ancient landmark, a tradition of tens of thousands of years ago, all because of this minor incident that could easily be redeemed..? Are you truly for real right now..?” The rage in my being was what my body couldn't control anymore, as I felt I was burning inside of me, literally, as I groaned and immediately, Carl stood up, and gripped my hands with full force, holding them together like I was some sort of prisoner being prevented from escaping.
“For a reputable person such as you, you have highly disappointed me so far. You lack finesse, and it is obvious you are not seeing the danger in what just happened, all because of your carelessness and nonchalance. I definitely will not leave the Luna stone in the hand of an irresponsible guardian who seems to have a lot going for her!” His enraged baritone said it all. And then, he lifted my hands, swept them through the weighty air filled with rage, and they landed on my sides, leaving my eyes popped in surprise as I felt helpless, standing there like a statue.
I couldn't have let go just like that. I struggled with him as we pushed each other and fought angrily.
As I pushed him a few centimeters away from me, he picked me suddenly and threw me on his shoulders.
“Leave me alone… let me go… you overblown moron!” I yelled, striking him on his back with my fists as he carried me into a private room.
“Would you keep quiet? I promise you, you would regret this!" He spat. His stiff finger pointing to me, giving me a federal warning, as it danced before me to the rhythmic sounds of his hot tone. "No one tries to mess with Carl and goes free with it!” He growled, shaking his head in pity for me.
As if that was going to change anything.
I looked around and I noticed we were going to uncharted territory; this was definitely not what I wanted. I suddenly kept quiet and sobered up.
“Please, please… I am so sorry.. We can talk about this in a more better way than this, and with maturity too.” I pleaded.
“Really..? He questioned as he paused, glaring at me with a look of shock. "You want to be diplomatic and mature now, right?”
There was little or nothing I could do to savage the situation; the best and only way I thought out was, 'dialogue', we needed to dialogue, but from the look of things, nothing seemed to be happening.No chance for me!No hope for a better way!“I am willing! I'm willing!" I screamed, practically increasing the tone of my voice. "Please, let's be logical about this. There must be a way we can go around this. We can actually find something to do about it.” I begged endlessly as he pulled me across his chest and down to the bed. Our breaths hovered around each other as we fell in unison. I struggled with him, and all of a sudden, he kissed me.Hot kissed me!Shock drained me from my inside out as my eyes widened in amazement. The taste of mint, coffee and a hint of whiskey immediately swamped my senses as I opened my mouth involuntarily. His tongue darted around quickly like it was having a taste before twirling around mine. He pushed me down, pressing my stomach far deep into the bed
As we both waited for the answer that would change our lives forever, my phone rang and I quickly shoved my hand into my mini bag, brought out my phone, and immediately took the call. It was the alpha of my pack. He was probably making an enquiring call as touching the meeting and whether I was making it out alive at least.“Elise what is going on at the moment? You have spent more than a quarter of a day there. What does he want in return for the stone?” Alpha David asked, and I sighed. Then I looked at the Alpha Carl in front of me and groaned. “It is a marriage proposal, right? We have imagined something like this would happen, and you just have to make the right decision especially as the guardian of the pack. You have a right to choose whichever way you want this to turn out for us all.” David said, soberly.I knew my alpha was gifted enough to know what was going on, that was one of his powers. “Alpha David, I believe that the right decision is to actually marry him. I have n
“Your mate..?!” I cringed as I felt shivers crawl down my spine as he spoke. The bathroom suddenly became smaller and I wished I could put an end to the call. “Who exactly is your mate?” I asked surprisingly, for it was in fact a very rare thing for one female mate not to be aware of her other soul mate. And if Carl really was my soulmate, I would definitely know. I was taught about the various signs of recognizing one’s future life partner, and this was obviously off it.What was really wrong with me? And no one told her about the tattoo when I went to see my pack after the initial meeting with the Overlord. Was I really that tired that I didn't notice how people looked at me when I entered? Everything was definitely not falling into place for me, and I didn't like it.“Really? I thought you would have known by now sweetheart; everyone in your pack knows that by now." He halted, looking even more surprised than I was. Or maybe not. "Okay! Have you checked your left arm or your lef
Carl had become a regular in the three days to the wedding. After the chocolates, he sent in an all exclusive black credit card that I took generous advantage in planning to get my things, I met him almost twice and the experience was almost pleasant and even sensual.I was picking the venue with him; we went to see the owner of the cathedrals and while we were waiting for the vampire billionaire, who had an odd penchant for acquiring church buildings, Carl asked, “So what are you wearing under that coat?” I looked at him in surprise at the naughty trail my mind went to and clenched my thighs as I imagined what it would be like for Carl to really see what I was actually. He laughed when I didn't notice when the secretary called us into the office.“Honey! I think you should pay more attention to your surroundings.” he commented loudly and I blushed. “Never mind, I will soon get to the bottom of what is really under that coat. Very soon!” He whispered as we entered the office and sque
The scent of fresh baby breaths and roses filled the cathedral as I marched in line with my bridesmaids, with my dad by my side. My friends looked gorgeous in the light blue dress made into different styles and my father looked very dignified with his navy blue tailored suit and red bow tie, and his gray streaked black hair slicked back.He had offered words of comfort when I confessed that I was feeling nervous and nauseous too.The church looked splendid with the banners and sprigs of flowers decorating every corner. There was an intricate web of fairy lights and what looked like vines around every arm of the church pews. Everything looked so dreamy that evening.The organ hummed as the bridal march song began and I looked at the crowd sitting. The groom’s family and friends on the left, sat gracefully, beaming with smiles with a spray of bluebells and gardenias decorating their pews. The sole cameraman was busy taking pictures rapidly as we reached the altar. My family and friend
The Overlord!I jumped over a root as I ran for my dear life. I had never been a strong fighter but like the deer, I was a great sprinter, feeling really so light on my feet. I had never been more frightened in my entire life as the three wolves were hot on my heels, sprinting endlessly with so much heightened sense of speed. All on fours…I just kept hopping around; the forest was luckily my domain, so I had home advantage and I knew the territory like the back of my palm. Every part of it and me was not going to let any macho wolf defeat me or catch me.I jumped over another entangling root and decided to save my neck; I could easily take care of my cousin and Lincoln. There were some things that could never change and I suddenly howled as I ran, increasing my speed, far deep into the muddy part of the woods. The mud was slippery and I was banking on using it against the three slower and heavier wolves.I was sprinting, with my head lifted up as the bright, silver moon shed it's gl
Mr. Mystery disappeared as soon as I asked that question. I became lost in my reverie, wondering who he was and where he had gone to in such a swift manner, as my pupils wandered around for him.Still trying to find him, Bianca came in, squealing.. “It is midnight cupcake, time to leave with your mate; I am so happy for you.” I rolled back my eyes and cocked my head, as I checked the watch in my hand; it was past midnight, at five minutes past two in the morning, precisely.Luckily for me, the agency I worked with gave me a two weeks honeymoon leave, and I was going to spend the days judiciously. Glaring at my already intoxicated friend, I spread my arms far apart, welcoming her into my arms, as I tugged her into a hug. "I'm going to miss you.." I voiced, rubbing my palm on her back in soothing confidence. Obviously, she didn't respond. The power of alcohol! So I thought though.And in a jiffy, I pulled away, took a quick glance around as I searched for my new husband and mate.As
I could sense Carl walking down the passageway, and all of a sudden, he clenched onto his chest, so hard like his heart was being ripped out of his body as he struggled to walk down the corridor.His wolf had been groaning and practically howling. He quickly halted, and glared into the empty air, and in a blink, he spoke."My mate…!" Obviously, he understood his mate was in pain, but he wasn't sure I would like to have him bedside me after our misunderstanding, as he shrugged, ignoring the pain in his chest as a man that he was.He took some few quick steps and then clenched harder onto his chest again, quivering in anguish as he struggled to move over to my doorstep. With the pain doubling in his chest, he clamped on the door knob, clicked it open, and then the door slammed so hard on the wall behind it as he pushed. His eyes shot wide as we locked gaze right as he met me on the floor, writhing in pain and he almost fell to the floor in shock as he missed his steps. He rushed in, a
I shook off the dead grasses lying helplessly on my cotton gown, plastering most part of it. Some stubborn one refused to fall off, so I let them be. Sprinting out of the compound, Deryl called out to me, "Irisha…!" I halted abruptly, and wheeled my head back to them. "This way, not that way!" He gestured, showing me the correct way to follow. I quickly retraced my steps, running through the right path, my mind raced. "Why would I even be bothered about him when I know he doesn't even care about me like a mate is supposed to do to the other? Am I not being stupid here?" I questioned the air as I continued in my dishonored gown, sullied with lots of mud as I looked down on me. "Yes Irisha, you're only acting like a fool here!" Someone said and I stopped briskly, looked around but saw no one. Maybe that was my thought. I confirmed, and continued. I was actually right, it was my thought playing a fast one on me there. I felt a force directing me to where I knew not. I kept moving-
Words are weighty, but some are far weightier than others. My heart leaped into my throat, hammering right in my chest, pounding so hard as terror stabbed my heart. Her words felt like thunder down me as they were uttered, my defiant words marked my fear as my feet became numb, and suddenly wobbled like I just stepped on a heap of jellies as I walked. "Hang on Irisha…!" I could hear someone say, probably one of them, either Irialah or Lavel, but I just couldn't detect whose it was. I saw myself going down each passing second, not that I was sick or losing my balance, but I was actually experiencing it. My fears have finally come to play in my life now, every spoken word of prophecy is gradually and automatically coming to pass now as it was said, even by the old-young witch of the cauldron and fire furnace. Still trying to get back my balance, and abruptly, I began to hear swift and sudden movements, echoing from behind us. I struggled to twist my head, glared ahead and then I not
I blinked, trying to process the words as they escaped from their roots, down to my being. I blinked again, like once, twice, thrice; "his name is Suavil..?" My mind wondered where he's from as I stared into his being. "Confused..?" His cold words drew me back to my view before me like a map being sketched on a piece of cardboard paper on a drawing board. He creased his forehead like he was upset, maybe he was. It was when he smiled, letting out those soft chuckles from his lips, I realized he actually wasn't. "I'm from South-" he paused. His lips partly opened, as he stared in one direction. I waved my hand across his face, and he slid it away, but gently. "Look, Irisha; he is here!" Suavil mentioned, motioning his head ahead forward, in the empty air.I quickly looked in the direction, Alpha Grey..? Gosh! I adjusted myself immediately, looking at my toes, as I watched them wriggling. An instilled silence suddenly erupted from nowhere, and even the drop of a pin on the ground c
The sudden silence that engulfed the woods drenched me as I stared into Naellin's palm. Just a few chirpings of birds and insects could be heard, not even the rustling of dead leaves as others walked upon them, made any sound. My eyes trailed up to his face, that funny smiles were something I just couldn't comprehend. My eyes back again to his hand, "You can call me Irisha." I said, accepting his handshake. "I can..? Like, that's not really it?" He questioned and I wondered his reasons for asking such. "That's my name; Irisha." I confirmed, with a nod. Double nods. I glanced around, for I wasn't prepared to accept any whip from any fucking, goddamn guard, I was sure we were still in the crowd. "Hi," Naellin said. Wondering why he said 'hi' again, I turned and he wasn't the one. It was Irialah. "Oh, Irialah.. Good to see you looking cool today!" I said as I tugged her into a warm hug.She smiled."Naellin, meet Irialah.." I said, facing Naellin. "Irialah, Naellin." I introduced
The hallway to Ariana's room seemed dead in silence and deserted; with no noise of traffic; you can literally hear the chirping of the birds from outside and the rustling of leaves as they released their rhythmic voices and sounds transmitted through the heavy waves. So soothing to the ears…I paused and looked ahead, far deep into the place, my mind racing to different angles, not knowing what or where exactly to do or go. I tried to listen to my thoughts, yet nothing was forthcoming. Everything seemed blank, no matter how hard I tried to eavesdrop. I just couldn't mindlink her."What if someone catches me here, what would I say I'm doing here?" My heart leaped in terror instantly, I took a deep breath, took a step- two steps, glanced around, there was no one. "Well.." I shrugged and continued. Few seconds into my walk, a shrill cry pierced my eardrums, and I screeched, contouring my face. "What the fuck are you doing there? Would you get back into your quarter?!" Someone blasted f
Still soothing my aching head, looking around for help, I felt so weak and I had to sit. "Do you think Alpha Grey would tolerate any form of delay, should you stay back here for the next two minutes?" Someone spoke from behind me, and I quickly turned to see who it was. A strange face. "It's me, Irisha," she tapped me, "Irialah." She spoke. I looked back at her again, she was thesame middle aged woman. "Never knew your name was Irialah, sounds so much like mine." " Yeah.. and that's one that attracted you to me, for you bear thesame name as my daughter.""Your daughter..?" I became more interested in her story. "Please can you tell me more about this daughter of yours?" I held her hands. "Oh sorry, it skipped my mind.. I'm so sorry…." I quickly withdrew my hands, seeing that I just got hers stained with my blood. "No no no no… you've done nothing wrong, Irisha.." she said hurriedly, maintaining a stable gaze into my being, as she tried to wipe her hands on her dresa. "Please, d
Ariana..?Oh, moon goddess! My eyes loomed, as I saw it was Ariana. "Why would you ever think of doing such a thing?" I asked, giving her a small but a bit hard slap on her left arm. She screeched. "I thought it was a rogue initially." She bursted into a heavy laughter, cracking out her ribs as her pretty looking set of teeth flashed into my eyes like the sudden flash of sunlight in the dark. I never knew she'd got such a good sense of humour. I hissed. It took her some time to get a hold of herself, as she fell on the bed, sprung up again on her feet, and back to the bed, concurrently, clapping her hands against the bed and on her thighs. "You're such a funny girl! Imagine how you were so prepared to strike back!" She cackled again. I couldn't say anything any further, I just stood by, watching as she displayed. And,"Why did you have to shift into your wolf? Just to scare me I guess!" My words cracked out of my throat. I looked down to my feet as I felt a rope like stuff circli
Alpha Grey…?The stiff gaze on my face would explained it all; I was gripped in terror, as his sunny colored glare dashed into my popped ones, and then scanning all over my body. And in a swift glare, his eyes pierced mine, the connection began to flow. All of a suddenly, there was a huge silence in the room as his gaze shifted from serious to being concerned. He twirled his hand on my palm, my waist, and then he cleared his throat, snapping me back into my world of reality."What were you doing in that bowl, or.. is that how you take your bath?" He furrowed his eyebrows. His usually husky voice turned low, and soft.I didn't know what to give to him as an answer. Just my glare wasn't enough. "Do you know you don't just have to sit in here without looking outside of your environment, especially once it's getting dark out there like this?" He pointed out through the window.Yes, he was right. Feeling too relaxed wasn't the best. I needed to ask, but how dare I question an alpha?! I p
My anger suddenly doused down, a bit, as I saw Alpha Grey walk in. I looked up to the sky- the ceiling, "oh moon goddess, thank you so much for being there for me; even though I think it's just this once." I appreciated, and let out a sigh of relief. Back again to Alpha Grey, the shock in my eyes said it all, as he stared brazenly into my eyes. I studied him with a predator’s unwavering attention; "this isn't going to be funny…" I concluded as he walked closer to me, with fury blazing and oozing from all over him. Surprisingly, I wasn't quivering. I stood firm, watching, and waiting for his touch. His countenance immediately changed, his hands clenching and loosening at intervals, chest pounding, and his nipples grew harder. That broad chest.Those abs.. "Here you go… and I've been searching everywhere for you." Ariana said as she was walking in, running her fingers on the wall as she strolled.I snapped."You don't seem okay, Irisha; what's going on with you?" Ariana twirled her