Authors povThe warm glow of the lamp on his bedside table spilt across Derrick’s desk as he reclined. Papers were strewn in small heaps across its surface, all of them open or bearing the marks and underlinings of close, exhaustive reading. Not a muscle moved in the man’s face, not even when hefty sounds made him turn from what he was reading as this was equally important.Anna was getting ready for bed, carefully untying the ribbons that held her gown together behind her back and humming a wordless lullaby as she smiled at herself for achieving what so many women out there couldn’t get.“Have you moved your things into the closet?” The alpha asked with a gaunt voice as the woman nodded.“I have. “Your closet space has so much space that I could get lost in there.”The alpha smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “What’s mine is yours, baby.”Suddenly, there was a loud rap on the door as Anna stopped what she was doing with Derrick doing the same with his papers.He looked at Anna and
Authors povThe battlefield was cast in the cold light of the moon, thick with blood and howls. The wolves were losing this war. They just didn’t have the strength or numbers of the Lycans. Each swing and swipe was a bit too desperate as the lycans who were sure of their strength tore through Derrick’s soldiers like butter.In the fray of the fight, hooves of a horse hammered against dirt. It was a heavy sound that drew attention. The Lycans twisted their heads; their ears flickered back as they started to cheer the person on the horse the wolves around shivered as they knew this fight was over.Greg, the ruthless Lycan King was here. He sat on a black warhorse, his armor shining so brightly under the moonlight that everyone couldn't help but squint. A long silvery cape billowed behind like a flag being thrown by the wind as he rode past them at an easy trot. It was almost too bright to look at him when his eyes, which happened to be glowing gold with power and mercilessness, scared
Lyra’s povI woke in the stable that morning feeling rather odd. My body hurt because I had worked it to death over the last few days – but it didn’t ache as much as it should as I had already started healing up. I dug my fingers into my sides and stretched out my arms before curling them back into my chest, rubbing at the sleep in my eyes with cupped palms. The light in there was soft and cool, streaming through the gaps between wooden slats – faintly grey and crisp.It took me a minute to work out where I was. If I was in my own room in the palace, by now someone should have tossed cold water on me and gotten me up that morning. But there had been no jug of water thrown over me this morning. It made me smile. Maybe I would start sleeping in the stable to have peace.I got to my feet and yawned as I removed pieces of straw that had clung to my body and clothes.I sighed as I thought of joining the main palace but I knew I had no choice. I would have to do it.I opened the door leadin
Authors povKing Greg slowly walked the wolf pack’s throne room as his heavy boots made the stone floor echo. His eyes looked around with joy and his mouth had a slight grin as he was thinking of how he was better than everyone else around.He was the strongest Lycan and the most powerful and no one dared to come against him or they would perish. No one dared to come against him as they knew they would meet their gods by the end of the day.“So small,” he muttered to himself as he looked around the throne room, running a hand over the back of the wooden throne that once belonged to the Alpha, Derek. It was nothing compared to the grand throne he had back in his kingdom—an imposing structure carved from the bones of his enemies, adorned with gold and encrusted with jewels. This one, by contrast, looked pitifully plain.Greg let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Wolves… so weak, so simple.”The doors creaked open behind him and in strode his general, Victor. The General made quick s
Lyra’s povI was standing before the alpha while my hands were shaking as I couldn’t look at him. I was so afraid I kept my eyes on the ground. The alpha was not an ordinary Lycan. He was a monster. No one could tell what he was thinking and it was scary to see that this error had taken over the pack.But I could feel his eyes roaming over me. Eating up every inch of my battered self. My scraggly form, clad awkwardly in this dirty skin and poorly fitted in the tattered rags of clothing that hung limply along my undernourished body. My hair was knotted with dirt and looked like a place for a wild bird to nest in. I was not impressive to look at and I knew it.He waved me closer, and I paused before moving hesitantly toward him. I tried to steady my heart as it raced I didn’t know what he wanted or what he would do to me.“Why are you dressed like a slave?” he demanded.I gulped, lowering my head. “Because I’m a slave, Alpha,” I whispered.For a while there was silence, and then he spok
Lyra’s povThe minute we got back to the throne room, I held the blue gown to my chest and felt its fabric being so soft to me. It was still like a movie to me as I couldn’t behave this was truly happening to me.When we reached the palace, the Alpha was waiting. He looked at me and saw how I was holding onto the gown. I could sss him roll his eyes before he spoke.“Give me one good reason why you are holding it like that?” He asked in a low voice as I gulped. I expected him to yell at me but he didn’t and it made me even more scared than I would usually be.I stuttered. “I-I’m sorry my lord.” Before I knew it, he turned to the guard standing beside me. “Go back in there and grab all of her clothes from where she took this and bring them out here too,” he told him. “let me go through them myself and choose a better one for you. I’m sure there should be more that should suit you.”I gasped in shock. “Alpha—”He held up his hand to silence me. “Everything the lady owns, you will take
Authors povKing Greg gazed down from his balcony of the grand packhouse. The sun was starting to set, painting everything in a golden light which only made Greg's eyes become piercing daggers for the wolves that were labouring in the fields below. He made sure to scrutinize all they did while looking at them. He wasn’t going to give any of them breaks. No. They don’t deserve it.Greg smiled as he saw them afraid of displeasing him as he liked how it was going. These wolves needed to be taught who was at the top of the food chain and it was the Lycans at the top of that chain."Has dinner been prepared?" he asked in his deep, commanding voice.The maids looked at each other nervously. They were all clearly frightened, and their hands shook as they clumsily twisted the aprons around their waists.Finally, one of the shorter maids, a pretty young girl with unusually wide-set eyes and a mass of thick black hair, stepped forward and stammered out her answer. "N–Not yet, Your Majesty," she
Author’s povThe minute the meal was done, Greg the king got to his feet and waved everyone around away with his hand.“You can all go,” he said as they all scurried off. Lyra hurried to her feet as she was ready to leave when just as the alpha grabbed her by the wrist to stop her in her steps.“You…” he said to her in a deep voice with his gaze fixed on hers. “Stay.”Lyra’s breath hitched, but she nodded, trying to mask her nervousness. She was scared beyond words.With the maids and guards gone, yea was now alone with the lycan king as she held her breath to prevent herself from falling to the ground. Her heart pounded in her chest as she gulped once or twice to control its beating sound.Greg tipped his head, interest pulling at his brows. “Are you scared of me, Lyra?”Lyra’s throat dried up. “Yes,” she managed to rasp.Greg’s smirk broadened. “Good,” he repeated, letting go of her wrist. “Fear is what makes people obey. Just as I’ve given you all of this doesn’t mean I can’t take
Lyra’s povI faced the Alpha, angered and confused. I had been holding it together, but everything—the Lycans, the comments, me being a pet—was wearing on me. I couldn’t delude myself into thinking this was home; I was an outcast here—a freak.“So,” I asked, my voice calm as still water over jagged rocks. “Am I interesting?”The Alpha, who had been silent for a moment, glanced at me with his brow raised, as if he was going to reply. I then cut in again with, “As a pet?” as he let out a long breath that spoke of frustration. I was asking too much—probably even crossing the line. But I didn’t care. If we were all going to be living in this pack, then I needed to know exactly where I fit in… and who better to ask than the most powerful wolf in it?“You’re not a pet.” He replied, in a tone so neutral it got me mad. “But that doesn’t mean you aren’t a part of something much bigger now.”I arched an eyebrow at him as I wrapped my arms around my middle. Somehow I wasn’t reassured by his word
Lyra’s povI was pacing the halls, getting a feel for the place while they finished up my room. There were so many people around! So many Lycans of all shapes and sizes. I could hear their hushed whispers as they talked about me. I smiled and nodded at a few but the looks they gave me in return made it clear that making friends won't be happening any time soon. I felt their gazes burning into my back as I walked by and couldn't help but catch pieces of what they were saying.“Who does she think she is?” one muttered."She's just a wolf, she doesn't belong here." another voice said harshly. "She's nothing. Even a baby Lycan could tear her apart." someone else sneered.I gritted my teeth, keeping my head straight ahead. I wouldn’t let their insults get to me. It stung like hell, but they couldn’t see that it did. I had to be strong here. The Lycan King brought me here, and I wouldn’t allow anyone to treat me as if I were beneath them. I still had some pride left in me whether they chos
Author’s povLycan King Greg made his way down the long corridor of his castle, boots sounding against the stone. He hadn’t stopped thinking about it since he’d returned. He had spent weeks travelling all across the land, announcing himself and more importantly, getting stronger. It was a long hard journey, but it would be worth it in the end. Now he was back home to where his real power source emanated from and he wanted to feel it running through him again.The double doors leading into the throne room swung open for him as Greg approached and entered without hesitation.Tom, his Beta was already there waiting for him.Tom stood tall with respect. His broad shoulders were hunched forward under black slicked hair with sharp high cheekbones features.“Your Majesty, welcome back,” Tom said with a smile that reached his eyes as he held out his hand to shake Greg’s.Greg smiled at him and took the offered hand in a firm grip. “It’s good to be home,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I
Lyra’s pov The drive to the Alpha’s pack lands was taking forever. I sat quietly as my mind flooded with all the possibilities of what might be in store for us when we got there. Each gallop in the road made me even more nervous, more afraid of the unknown future that lay before me. Helga sat beside me, her face blank, but I could sense she wasn’t any more excited about this than I was. She had agreed to come with me but that didn’t necessarily mean it was a good thing or she wouldn’t resent me for this later. The carriage came to a sudden halt, pulling me out of my thoughts. I peered out the window and found us before the packhouse. It was a large structure much bigger than I had anticipated it to be. Voices were filtering through and the sounds of a pack going about their day in preparation for opening for that day. My heart skipped a beat; was I ready? The door swung open and the Alpha stood aside, taking his time in stretching his limbs. When he cast a gaze at me, I could read
Authors povThey moved to stand, gathering the sparse choice of weapons they maintained—daggers and shortswords, a few spears among them—and several of them transformed into their wolf form, eyes shining above the light of the fire as they prepared for whatever lay ahead.Derrick turned to the mouth of the cave, peering out into the black expanse of trees. He felt his heart begin to thud within his chest. Tonight, he would reclaim it for himself.And he would prove to anyone who didn’t support his fight against the lycans and make them all sorry.***It was a quiet night other than the sound of leaves rustling as Derrick and his rogues made their way through the darkness. The pack was in sight, torches barely lighting up the walls. They were unguarded as he figured. The pack was too at ease, too confident that no one would try them and this made the alpha narrow his eyes. Something was wrong.Derrick crouched low, his men close around him, Garret to his right; they swept their eyes ov
Author’s povAnna stood at the centre of the pack grounds, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched King Greg and his Lycans vanish. The entire pack had congregated to see them off, and now a heavy silence blanketed the area. No one had expected this. Most assumed the Lycans would stay forever and govern over them. But no sooner had they taken control than they’d abruptly departed–leaving an even bigger problem in their wake to solve.Anna’s thoughts were racing at lightning speed. Alpha Derrick was gone; he’d disappeared after King Greg’s takeover–whether dead or still hiding somewhere most couldn’t be sure yet, but missing all the same–and until someone did step up, their leadership crisis wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. In Anna’s mind, there was no one else for the job.She smiled as she stepped forward, coughing and drawing everyone’s eyes. The elders gathered not too far off, their gazes sharp with disapproval as she started to speak.“I will assume command of
Lyra’s povThe first light of dawn seeped through the cracked blinds on my window. I felt something heavy on my chest and wondered why I was feeling this way. I blinked and immediately remembered why a leaden weight had taken up residence in my chest. Today was the day I would abandon my pack, something that hadn’t been done before, and head off to parts unknown with Lycan King Greg as part of some bargain for the safety of those I loved.I shivered at the sickness curling in my belly at the thought of going with him and pushed aside the not-so-obvious truth that claimed it was because Greg’s freedom had only been one part of that bargain.Sitting up, I stretched before hearing a quiet knock at my door. Grief swamped me.Greg already?“Come in,” I muttered, knowing who it would be, but I was relieved when the door opened and Helga stepped in.“Good morning," she said in a voice both cheerful and real.I mustered a half-smile, my body still unaware of itself. “Morning, Helga. What’s th
Author’s povThe forest was silent, except for the sound of leaves blowing in the wind. Inside his pit-like cave, Alpha Derrick huddled deep beneath the soil and rock. Darkness surrounded him, mirroring the darkness in his soul. His pack—his people—had been stolen by King Greg; now he had nothing left but pride and vengeance.Before him, was a makeshift fire which caught his glowing eye. He was roasting a large pig he had caught in the forest. He was going to have a feast tonight and he was excited at how he was living: a bit rugged but he felt okay. Footfalls vibrated through the loose dirt before him as he heard low rumbles and whispers outside the cave.Someone… or something… was wandering toward his home.He was going to defend his abode with all his power and it would cost them their life. He was too angry to even act. They had stolen his first home, and anyone close to his second one was looking for trouble.Derrick stood; hand moving to the knife at his side. When he stepped ou
Lyra’s povFor a long time, we stayed there in silence. The sheer gravity of my decision was overwhelming and causing me to second-guess myself. When Helga finally broke the embrace, her hands still rested on my shoulders.“You are the strongest woman I’ve ever known, Lyra,” she emphasized. “And no matter what comes your way… you will survive it.”Her words gave me some semblance of comfort—but they didn’t come close to casting off the feeling of complete terror that lined my insides. That filled my pores with fear.Was I being naïve?I didn’t know… I just didn’t know what would greet me on the other side of this thing called change. But for them… I had to be strong.She hugged me before leaving me alone and I was left with nothing but my confidence.In the final hours of the night, I stood by the window gazing at a pale moon. I was leaving home – to say goodbye… forever.***Author’s povHelga walked down the dark hallway, her mind laden with the feelings she had just felt in Lyra’s