☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ Maeve's bow is of complete mockery. Her chin wobbles as she struggles not to chortle. I contemplate if Saskia detects that she greets her in jest until I catch the contemplative countenance on the Luna's face convert into the portrait of indifference. I'd underestimated her emotional intelligence once again. "I am no lady." "Forgive my blunder. Tell me, what are you, human?" "My name is Saskia, Luna of Guttenbrieg. I demand I be referred to by my proper title in the future." Saskia gives her a sickly sweet smile that earns a frown in repose. "Now, who are you?" "Pardon me, Luna." She grins so wickedly that I want to block her gaze of my wife, but I know that the Luna can handle herself. I should give her a chance too, for I will not always be readily available to shield her. Not omitting the times of trouble I've been at her side, the tide has not changed its course at my wish. My presence has made matters worse in enough instances. It's the reason for the s
☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ "You knew him then, but you don't now. And don't worry about him hurting me. I will decide for myself who to trust and who not to. Just so you are aware, you currently fall in the latter category. I do not know you, Maeve. And I'd appreciate it if you stopped treating me like I'm stupid. It's clear that I'm not the one who doesn't have a clue how things work." It is apparent when she snaps. Her vial of anger cracks and then explodes in smithereens. The damper she placed on her strength flies off in one blast, and the bestial power she ordinarily conceals flares as her orbs transform into gold. "Back away—" My warning comes too late as a taloned hand captures its prey. My claws are drawn out instantly, but my wife, brave as she invariably is, needs not my help. Against Maeve's throat is a knife riveted to a pulsing artery. The grasp that was previously a shackle on a wrist falls off unceremoniously. Saskia scoffs as the fine blade vows to sink into flesh more m
☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ There is warring within me, but I hold back. It is not my call to interfere. Saskia can choose for herself how to collect her debt or whether she forgives the debtor of it without my influence. "What you decide will be done." "Thank you," her gratitude shines forth through the haze of my murky world, and her warmth spreads through me, a billowing mass of radiance dispelling dismalness. "You know, your sister, Maeve... she is quite something." She comments as we commence a walk that leads nowhere. "I could not disagree if I wished to. Maeve and I...we have a tumultuous history, a turbulent past, that I have not forgiven her of." She fixes her bun as it's become lopsided before admitting: "it was obvious that you had a lot against her." "Is that why you backed me up?" "I mean, it's common sense, isn't it? How can I side with a stranger over my husband? I literally have never glimpsed her in my entire life until today, stunning as she is." "She has no home in N
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ When Mikael said Kaleb was in the stocks, I did not think it would be an actual torture device complete with clasps and fasteners to lock limbs beneath heavy posts. Yet, that isn't what drops my jaw. The cause of my appalled awe is the fact that every object the seething werewolf is connected to has been fashioned from silver. "Woah." I breathe out the last vestiges of the cold as Mikael swiftly closes the latch behind us. The icy gust screams at the barred door, incensed at not getting a chance to breeze in, and I sigh in relief because I don't think I have it in me to shiver one more time. It's warmer inside. Honestly, if the conditions of this barren place were better and the lodging itself was dedicated to a different cause, I may have contemplated making it my bedroom for at least one night. Sleeping in my room is a pain, as it becomes Arctic cold at night, and the fire built in the hearth often dies off too early. The frost in my bones becomes unbearabl
☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ Kaleb might not be aware, but it's his fault that whatever this power inside of me is awakened. The emptiness that still yawns within was triggered by our encounter. "And lastly, that slap is for that distasteful comment." Mikael locks his arm on my waist as if on signalling, his voice as smooth as velvet as he addresses Kaleb. "The Luna was willing to give you a chance to be free, but I see that youse not interested in so a fine favour. I suppose it is good that you've proved me right, as I was on board for you completing your punishment without clemency before." A cruel smile wanders onto Mikael's lips as he pushes his weight forward so he's not concealed behind me. "You will remain here till further notice. Or until you learn respect for my wife." "Do you now care for her, Alpha? I thought you were not to be associated with such a female." Kaleb sneers at the Alpha, fangs drawn. Beside me, Mikael stiffens, transforming into a plank wood, rigid and inflexib
☾☾☾SASKIA'S POV☽☽☽There's just something about today; it's almost as if I'm more prone to losing my shit than on other days. If this continues, I might explode.Could everyone simply let me be before then? Before I detonate like an atomic weapon? I'm beyond tired of the BS. To imagine that I'd been on his side less than an hour ago, ready to take down his sister for insulting him? Presently, I want to bash his nose in with my knee. Maybe that would be going too far. Too much violence. Let's say I desperately want to kick him in the shin—without a shin guard in place, of course."As I said, I do not care. Get out!""This is so frustrating." I about scream my lungs into deterioration. I'm trying to be rational and logical, but he's not making a single effort to do the same. It's making things extensively harder than they should be. Perhaps, a compromise. "Okay, I will leave, but—""After you depart, do not forget to ask the Alpha about Cadhla's death, Luna." Kaleb gibes again.Hell b
☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ "He betrayed my trust. I am yet to believe I can forgive him for it." The gentle werewolf stirs uncomfortably in his seat. I am well aware of how he detests disharmony. Quarrels are not things he ever partakes in. Yet, he is all whom I have to unburden myself. Who else but him will be willing to listen? To hear with rapt attention and offer an input not rooted in misjudgment? I know none in existence. Furthermore, there is not many like Jerald to have earned my sincerity in even the slightest of matters. It is why he was my first call to the bar after the altercation between Saskia and I. It did not occur to me that the visit to the cell would turn out that way. I suppose I was too blinded by her charms to take the pain to envision a later event where Kaleb turned on me, loosening his tongue and running his mouth into the ground. "Another?" Jerald's stood over me behind the counter where a bartender would be if this was a bar available to the public. His eyebr
☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ "Ah," I sigh, running a hand over my face. "The witchery... She's making me give a shit." It's an appalling thing. I'm turning soft, considering compassion from heeding her wishes. Say, a heartless were would not know how to treat a woman right, would they? Yet, that is what she desires of me. I cannot win her over otherwise. Ultimately, caring is a scary thought, for it hinders plans that should be set in motion. I cannot let that happen. There is no other plot to save the wolves in my fold. If this fails, all else does. And as it is, my family comes first. Jerald clears his throat loudly to invite my attention to the following query he asks. "For how long do you think to keep Kaleb bound, Alpha?" Without missing a beat, I reply: "as long as it would take my anger to dissipate and more for afterward to teach him a lesson." Jerald nods, understanding why I must go to such great lengths. No one challenges the Alpha, and though 'tis but for a short while, as lon