The attack felt like a bad nightmare that Harper wasn’t sure if that really happened or not. The black and the white wolves clawing at one another’s throats, blood everywhere, the smell of sweat and blood in the air. Everything at once.
Harper woke up with excruciating pain all over her body. She has little memories of what happened the day before, but her dream last night reminder her of a mysterious white wolf who came to her aid. Right before death can have its ruthless grasp on her throat.
“She’s awake. Someone tell the king.” – she heard someone said
Even when her eyes hurt, she forced them to open. She was lying down on a soft and feathery bed, which she sure is not the one she’s used to lay down at her grandmother’s cabin. Back there, she was lying down on a wooden bed with a sole pillow. That wasn’t what she feels right now.
She opened her eyes and what welcomed her was a sight of at least ten men around the room, each was doing different things. Two were sharpening their knives, one was brewing something over a low fire. A pair was playing with stones and sticks on a game board and one was standing at the foot of her bed, holding a white towel with blood stains.
One look at him and she guessed she was the stranger that came to her aid from the attack.
“Hello? Who are you? Where am I?”
Harper’s questions felt like succeeding bullets shot at the same time.
“You’re safe now.” – the man in bald head and a huge hoop pierced through his lower lip answered.
She sat up and held her forehead. A terrible headache stopped her from getting up.
“How did I get here? and who… who are these people?!”
Her eyes looked around the place. Some of the men stopped what they’re doing and paid her attention. Right then, the wooden door creaked open and the men stood up. A sound of footsteps heading her way.
Harper’s eyes found the door and she stared, confused.
As if to answer her question, a tall and muscular man with black hair, round eyes and full red lips entered the room. He looked familiar but Harper couldn’t remember exactly. Just his presence alone signifies his superiority over the rest as he gave a single nod and the others left the room. This confused Harper more and she stared directly at the stranger.
“How was your rest?” – the man said.
“Who are you?” – for the third time, she asked. She couldn’t understand why none of the men seemed to be concerned of answering her question.
“I’m your alpha.”
This sudden declaration made her eyes dilated. What was she saying, she thought? She doesn’t have an alpha. The last mate she has despises her more than anything in the world.
“You’re kidding.” – was all Harper said. This made the strange man frown.
He came closer to Harper, slowly, in few long strides. When he was finally standing at the side of her bed, he held her chin lightly, raising it a little higher so he could look straight at her eyes.
“Yes, I’m certain as hell. You look exactly as what was in the prophecy.”
Whether it was the headache or the pain she was feeling on her wrists, none of what the stranger said made sense to Harper.
Not to mention that the man’s touch was cold as ice.
“Again, who are you? and where am I?” - Harper said through gritted teeth. Slowly, the intended neglect of the question she was asking makes her uneasy.
Her memory of what happened in the woods was hazy, but for now, she wanted to know whether she was rescued by the right pack or captured by the other.
A slight grin appeared on the man’s face.
“I already answered your question. I’m your mate now. I’m claiming you.”
She gulped. Could this be true? Could this really be why she was feeling a bit comfortable with this strange man rather than with Brayden?
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m the Lycan King, Harper. My name’s Wolford Damon. Call me Damon.”
Her confusion quadrupled on the fact that the man calling himself Damon knew her name. How can he? She was certain the day before was the first time she met him.
“Do you believe me now?”
Damon released her chin and placed his both hands on the front pockets of his pants.
“I… I don’t know.”
And then a sudden ringing on her ears made her scream. It was deafening and it continued for more than a minute. Damon, as if knowing what or why this was happening, stayed on his spot, observing what was happening to his newly-claimed mate.
“aaaaahhh! Make it stop!” – Parker was screaming with her eyes closed. The ringing came with voices and deep screams she don’t know the source of.
When it was over, she was panting and grasping for air.
Damon stood unshaken. His gaze as cold as stone.
“That was normal. It was the first time I touched you. Now everyone in the pack and all the wolves know you’re mine. They all felt that too.”
A man she recognized as the one who was standing at the foot of the bed before Damon walked in came back with a glass of purple-looking juice. He got closer and handed it to Parker who looked at it questioningly.
“What is this?” – she asked, shaking the glass a little to see what was the liquid
“It’s for your cuts and bruises.” – Damon answered.
She looked at Damon. How can I trust this stranger I just met?, she thought. However, in between her doubts and distrusts, she knows she has no choice.
With four big gulps, she emptied the glass.
A peculiar sensation consumed her body as the liquid found its way to her circulatory system. She waited until the feeling was gone… but it took minutes. Once the wait was over and the warm feeling of being under the liquid’s influence, she looked at her body under the wolf fur blanket and saw that it was back to being flawless. The sores, the bruises and the cuts she endured from the chase in the woods disappeared as if they weren’t there in the first place.
She was amazed, but she showed no sign of it.
Damon whispered something to the guard and he came forward to retrieve the glass. Once again, there were only him and Harper inside the room.
She was still checking her body for possible signs of the attack but found none. Observing this, Damon couldn’t help but look at her. She’s a Redmayne, one of the earliest werewolf family. When the prophecy revealed that she would be the perfect mate for him, he knew it wasn’t a mistake. A powerful king like him only needs a rather perfect mate to be his wolf queen.
And there she was in front of him, after months of tracking her down and finding the alpha that maltreated her.
Remembering it now, he wished he had finished him off, not let him escape and keep his life. Who knows what will happen in the future? The black wolves would be back with his lead and try to get Harper again.
The thought made him shake his head.
He knows that won’t happen again. He’s here to protect her now. Whoever touches her, that person should be ready to meet death.
Damon knew Harper needed rest. Even after drinking the healing tea, her body would feel tired and exhausted. The tea would only heal the outside signs of the attack but the feeling that it brought would cost her days to recover from. After letting her rest for another half hour, Damon convinced Harper to get out of the room to see what was outside and to meet the people under his command. She changed her clothes first with a loose white gown that one of the guards handed her. It was knee-length and has long sleeves. While Wolford Damon stood at the door, she combed her long hair as well. When she was done, she climbed down of the bed. She wobbled for a bit, but her feet found her balance quickly, like a child rediscovering how to walk. “I’m ready, my king.” – she said and Damon turned.For a moment, his eyes found her to be beautiful. Now looking presentable for some of his pack to meet, she stood beside him and let him hold her forearm to guide her out. As soon as the door opened
Just as Wolford Damon turned his back, the shadow behind the trees reemerged, looking back at him with a grin. He knows where Harper was taken now, he could tell Brayden as soon as he gets back. A man from the camp saw him as he neared, but he managed to kill him, only gaining a small cut on the shoulder. With the realization that he now has the information he needed,he ran away victoriously. He knew Brayden would grant whatever he asks as a reward.The shadow figure didn’t notice but there was someone else who saw him lurking around the camp. Her name’s Shahila Ruben, a she-wolf who was expected by everyone as the new wolf queen. She has been in love with the Lycan king all her life, and he has no clue. What she knew is that someday, he’ll come to realize she’s the perfect match for him.As soon as he announced Harper as his mate, she knew she gained herself a new enemy.And she isn’t the type that would give up on things she wants. Especially if it’s Wolfard Damon. A grin emerged
Back at the other division of the Red blood pack, Brayden Lucas welcomed the spy he sent to the other camp with enthusiasm on what news did he bring. On a long table, the black wolves sat down and waited for their alpha’s further instructions. “Tell me some good news, brother.” – Brayden said to the panting man The man was given water by a woman from the pack. He drank it like a hungry beast, water trickling down the sides of his mouth. The beard above his upper lips were soaked. Brayden was impatient and repeated his question. The man drank faster, emptying the cup of water and gave him a long stare.“She was there. I saw them. I also saw that strange man again, alpha. He was guarding her.”This was enough for Brayden to lose his temper. He has been in intrigue on who was the man who came to interrupt them the other night. His ego was crushed by his attack and Brayden knew the next time they see each other, they have to finish the match they started. He’s the alpha of the pack, th
Brayden taught of it well. He figured this could be something. This could actually amount to something significant on his plans.“How can I know you’re not toying with me?” – Brayden asked. A part of him knows that to form an alliance with the enemy can come with multiple consequences. Bad consequences, if he can’t be careful.“My word?”Brayden shook his head. “That’s not good enough. Give me something more.”Shahila’s chin clenched. She sure has something else on her mind. She’s only unsure if she’s ready to lay it down on the table. “What do you want?”Brayden stood up and stepped closer. Shahila didn’t move a muscle. She stayed on her place and waited until the alpha wolf stopped in front of her, only inches away from her angelic yet bold face.“Give me something worth taking.”Shahila gulped. She should’ve known to come here with only her words as security would amount to nothing. This is Brayden Lucas she’s talking to. His reputation says it all. Shahila thought for a moment.
Alora Denmark could only glance at the man she loves from afar. She sat outside her own quarter, her long, straight silver hair combed by two of her servants. She noticed the girl in red hood enter the main common room. She knew it wasn’t Harper at first glance. Being her best friend since childhood, she knew Harper by very first glance. Now, half an hour later, she saw the same hooded woman get out of the room. She was holding her forearm. It was bleeding.“Leave it.” – she said to the two women who’s now braiding her hair.“What’s wrong, miss Alora?” – one of her hand maiden asked. “None of your business. Please leave me for a moment.”The two girls got up from their seat and left their master. Alorastood up and saw the hooded woman meet her girls. They assisted her to a different chair and there, they treated her wound. She neared, and her eyes widened. She knew that bruise. It was utterly familiar. It was one made to seal an alliance.“Hi.” – she started the conversation first.
When someone tells you you’re doomed, you’d find it hard to sleep at night, even for a short nap. It’s like to do so would give you a free trip to the nightmare it gave. Everything seemed to be a hell loop, all leading to one definite end.The death the witch was talking about. The one end that she’s bound to head to.Harper realized it would take her long to recover from what she heard from the witch. It was an abstract, yet she knew few things which she believes is true and absolute about the witch’s reading. The two men refers to the two wolves claiming her to be their mate. Brayden and Draco. Black and white men chasing her. The red wolf was she, perhaps on her most powerful state. That part was still unknown to her. or at least for now. The pond was her life, going deeper and deeper, until some happenings would drown her. Then she needed someone to pull her up to the surface. Only one from the two. The burning cabin was her past. What she didn’t know was why she was running
Harper’s wolf senses were sensing danger and she couldn’t concentrate on her feast. The intruder was somewhere in the woods, looking at her with a grin. She has no idea what the prowler wanted, nor why was it here to stalk her. Another rustling of the leaves on the left and she turned just in time to see a part of the prowler’s clothing. It was blood red.That confused her more. She knew no one wearing such. “Come on. Whoever it is, show yourself, don’t be such a coward!”And then she was answered with a laugh. Harper frowned. It was someone she didn’t expect at all. It was a woman’s laugh.Feeling less scared, Harper retransformed to her human form. The remains of the deer was on the ground, now with only bones and spare muscles on other areas.“I heard that. Show yourself.”And then slowly, a woman stepped out of the wide truck of a tree. She has short blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She was smirking at her, showing one deep dimple on her right cheek. Her lips were thin, the upper
Harper thought about the entire happenstance on her way back to the camp. She does not have a watch but she guessed it was already 1 in the morning. The night has deepened, making everything look pitch black. A large cloud has also covered the moon and with it, the only source of light she can have at this time. The late-night stroll caused her about 13 minutes until she reached the camp. Now, everything was brighter with the torches at the trunk of the trees, placed sturdily. However, everyone’s asleep. It was only her that was awake. She doesn’t recognize the tent where Shahila was staying but every tent in the area looked the same. And every tent’s light was off so Harper guessed Shahila has gone back to sleep as soon as she arrived. The window where she passed when she gone out was now closed, locked inside. A small worry crossed her mind. That only meant one thing: someone knew she was out of the camp. She clicked her tongue and looked at the door. She wondered if someone woul
“Alpha Draco requests your presence, sir.”The messenger talked in a slow fashion, careful that the Virgo Alpha would hear it properly. Marion just finished settling on an old room inside the common room. It looked like it belonged to a royal she-wolf, based on the expensive paintings on the wall and the hand-sewn dresses inside the closet. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”“He said it’s urgent, sir.”Marion nodded. There’s no excuses with the Great Alpha. Besides, he’s not in his territory. He’s at the Red Blood’s, the first time he got out of the roundhouse and housed in a different setting actually. The messenger left the door open. Marion put down the third pillow case he packed with him and followed the former to the main room of the common room. Inside, Alpha Draco was waiting. He’s sipping jasmine tea from a small teacup. A lady in waiting was at his side, holding the kettle by its handle. With a plain breakable plate placed under it.“You called for me, Great Alpha?”He lo
“I… I don’t understand. What do you mean, officer?”Harper was biting the edges of her nails in anxious anticipation. Surely, there’s nothing good that will come out from the end of this conversation. To mention the word “victim” mid-sentence doesn’t constitute good news. “You have no idea, do you?”Harper shook her head… then realized that the person she’s talking to is on the other end of the line. So, her nodding of head is not counted as a response.“I have no idea of what this is about. Please, just-“Harper couldn’t finish her sentence. She’s not even sure if she wants to. what has been unfolded before her eyes the entire day are facts - quickly given facts that either surprise her or catch her in the moment. And these facts aren’t even good news at all. “I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t think you are clueless about what happened in this house. It’s all over the news this past week.”What is?, she thought. But then, it’s Mrs. Keevah’s house. There’s no one else in the house that cou
In front of them were the men, the woman and the little baby that they all hated: the ones they denominated as “rebels”. They were on the front of Marion and Alpha Draco.“We meet again…” – said Damon.Harper and the rest of the group stood behind their alpha. The men were carrying their own choice of weapons, their own poison against the enemy. They stood gleaming at the site of fresh dead bodies on the floor. Proudly. The look on Alpha Draco’s face says it all. He wanted the war to be over. He wanted the war to begin as soon as it can. Right in this moment. Right in this spot. “Finally… I’m tired of chasing after your tail, Damon. You and Brayden can come here and let’s finish this once and for all. I’m tired of chasing and of canceling this to another schedule.”Damon licked his chapped lips. He has the same ideas. He didn’t come here to visit his father. He didn’t come here for peace. None of them believes in peace anymore. “I cannot agree more. Later, then. Once and for all.
Just when the silence stretched between Harper and Brayden, Damon got up from his sleep and pulled Harper closer from the waist.Brayden’s eyes followed where Damon’s hands were and gulped. In a moment, he turned to the other side and tried to forget what he has seen. He managed to turn and keep his eyes and body that way.“You’re up early…” – muttered Damon with a raspy voice.“Yeah… my body clock’s messed up these days.” – replied HarperThat was a lie. Her body clock has nothing to do with it. It’s always her thoughts that keep on saying something to her. It feeds her negative ones instead of empowering her to think of solutions. And of course, the place and the ambience did help with the thoughts. It even made the way for it. It even made her feel worse.“Is that because of the war?”“No, something else.”Harper looked at the ring that’s still on her finger. If Anthony didn’t cause a distraction, would that scary man really cut off her finger? For the sake of proving a point?Are
“Elias! You wouldn’t believe it!”Elias was cleaning the Great Alpha’s office when one of the guards from the office went to approach him. The guard was panting, his sweat rolling down his temples down to his neck and chest area. These droplets of sweat blurs his vision as they get past his eyes. “Do you have some news?” – Elias already has some expectations in his head. Hopefully, this is going to be good news. And hopefully, this is about the Great Alpha too. “Yes. you should go outside to see what’s up.”Elias nodded and then he got up to check if there’s really someone inside waiting for him. As it turned out, there’s a small crowd gathered outside over something. The question is, what’s the cause? Who is there that everyone seemed to be alarmed?“Is that…”The rest of the sentence got drowned in the air. the guard who brought Elias the news did not even let him finish. Whether it was excitement or worry, none of them can tell. However, it’s clear from the circumstances that the
“…and here we are!”Everyone of them looked around, expecting a tavern or a cabin in the woods. None of those things were present. They were only surrounded by different trees and the dark moon above them. “Here?” – Anthony repeated, confused“Yes. Over there.”Brayden pointed on the cavern behind him. The boys walked closer to see what he’s pointing to. Then, Harper followed. She already knows what it is, she only got closer so the others won’t speculate. They cannot know she’s been here before. “This is where your safe place is?” – Asher asked with a huge question mark on his face.“Yes. This is what I meant by that.”They all didn’t look impressed. But then again, they’re hiding from Marion and their men. Anything safe that they can use will do. Just not to be caught. Anything. Just not that. They cannot be captured. Not this time. With Brayden leading them, they approached the mouth of the cave and got inside one by one. Among them, only Hector seemed to be enjoying the show.“H
“Goddamn it, you have a knife! I don’t care if you cut her finger!”Harper’s eyes widened when the huge man on her right got a knife from his back pockets. It’s a new one and surely sharpened just before they went to the roundhouse. The slight shin of the knife reflected the fear in her eyes. Damon’s hip still hurt with the hitting. He was held by four men, struggling as he throws all sort of cure words upon Marion.The man with the knife neared Harper and she stepped back, pulling the two men with her. They can’t be serious. They surely cannot just cut off her finger when Marion tells them to. Or she could be wrong. It’s also possible that these men are Marion’s puppets and would do anything he tells them to. No matter howbrutal or illogical that can be. “Damon, just go… “ – Harper’s vision blurred as the tears welled on the corner of her eyesDamon shook his head. No, he’s never going to leave her. Not this time. Not ever. The man pulled her hand as one man from the side brought
Damon kept on looking behind him. He hasn’t seen Harper yet, the entire time that they were inside. The last time he did was when they were sitting on the benches. Back when nothing seemed strange yet.Aside from that, he hasn’t seen her yet. The thickness of the crowd barred him from doing so. However, he’s sure she’s still inside. The slight gap on the door cannot hold a person going out yet. Whoever attempts may be squeezed. “Harper? Harper, where are you?!” – the question roared in the air. They were stuck in the main room with lots of the Virgo aiming at them. Not to mention that the great number of its members were clawing their throats to make their way out. Aside from that, there are two Virgo men who’s at his back as he shouted. They were trying to catch him and bind him with a thick rope. The rope was too thick and Damon noticed that if that will be used against him, he cannot break it with his fists. He cannot set himself free from those.“Harper!”And then, like a mira
Hearts flutter in a negative manner. This isn’t good. It couldn’t be good.Harper sensed Damon’s tenseness. She looked at his brother and it’s clear that he’s also in his fight-or-flight mode. Any minute now, something is about to happen. She’s positive about that.“I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling there’s something odd here, right?” – Asher voiced out and Damon shushed himAsher nodded slowly. He has confirmed his statement. “… and it is the duty of the alpha to put his pack’s safety first. Even at the middle of the war, the safety of the pack shall not be compromised nor put aside. The safety of the pack has to be the paramount consideration. It is because of that that any threat, no matter how small or insignificant, needs to be gotten rid of.”- Marion ended his speech with a dangerous stare at the Red Blood pack’s direction. “This is not good. Come on. We have to get going.”“What’s going on?” – Norton saidHarper and Damon looked at each other’s eyes. They already understo