Every bad situation will have something positive. Even a dead clock shows the correct time twice a day.
—Anonymous— With a darkened expression, Grant stared at his beta for a while without uttering a word. His mind was a wandering mess. “The seer?” Grant asked, and Leornado gave him a look with his brows raised. “Where is she?” He asked, rising to his feet. Without waiting for Leornado. He marched for the door, and Leornado had to run after him due to his long and fast strides. If there was one thing that they all knew was that the woman's words, though always twisted and probably exactly on point, she was never truly wrong. Whatever she saw, there must be some truth to it. He knew something major was about to transpire. “She is in her tower, your Majesty,” Leornado replied, finally able to match Grant's pace. Grant didn't speak after hearing that and rather increased his pace. The maids and guards they came across bowed respectfully to the alpha king, but he didn't acknowledge any as his mind was solely focused on what he would be hearing soon. In a matter of minutes, Grant and Leonardo were standing in front of the door of the said seer. Leonardo opened the door, and Grant walked in even without knocking. “Your Majesty,” the woman who seemed to have been expecting his presence rose to her feet and greeted with a respectful bow which was only replied to with a curt nod and a hum. “What did you see this time, Calista?” Grant asked immediately. He walked over to the tower's window where he could see the rest of the castle. The servants were already up and about to prepare for the day even though the sun was yet to rise. Leonardo and Calista came to stand on either side of him, also staring out the window. “Trouble, your Majesty. I see trouble,” she began, casting a glance at Grant, who also briefly glanced at her, and their eyes met for a fleeting second. “Somewhere in the east, something out of the ordinary would happen. Creatures unlike any we have ever seen will appear,” she continued, and Grant frowned. “Many will be lost to this unknown threat. The east was quite far, and there were numerous packs there. Would they all be affected by whatever this attack would be? “narrow down the place, Calista,” he said. His voice and demeanor were much calmer than either of the two had anticipated. Did he already anticipate something like this? They thought but knew there was no way that could have been possible. “Forgive me, Alpha,” she said, and Grant's expression hardened as he realized what that meant by that. Feeling the shift in the king’s aura, she lowered her head till her chin touched her chest. “What else should we know about this?” Leonardo stepped in, knowing Grant was now in a foul mood. “A few days from now. I can't tell when either—I am sorry,” she felt helpless here, but she also knew she had said all that she knew. Her vision came in vague images without any clarity. It was all up to her to piece the fragments together to get something decent and present it as a warning. A feral growled wrapped from the man in the middle, and the other two bowed in submission. Both fell on their knees and showed their necks. They had managed to catch a glimpse of Grant's eyed thay had suddenly turned blood red, and that was not a good sign. For someone who had been antsy lately, this news must have pricked all the wrong nerves. His calm earlier now made sense. It was Grant trying to rein over his beast, but it appeared he was losing now. [Alpha, please calm down. We need to find a solution to this] Leirnado tried to reach him through the mind link, but he received a growl that silenced him and also left him shrinking lower due to the direct impact of the alpha directed at him. [“Alpha, please,” ] he pleaded. Something seemed to snap within Grant as he took control again and then rein in his aura. He knew it wasn't only Leornado who felt it but every shifter within the castle walls, and he didn't want to torture his people without a reason. But lately, his control was slipping off his fingers. “Prepare for departure at the first ray of the sun light,” he said, directing his words to Leornado, who sighed in relief, knowing alpha beast had retreated. “Understood, Alpha,” he replied but still didn't rise to his feet until he headed to the door close behind them. Calista and him shared a look, and both sighed in relief before standing up. “Save travels, Beta, Leo,” Calista said even before Leorna ciuod asked her to go with them. Leornado could only look at her and sigh. ▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎ Meanwhile, Grant returned to his bed chamber, pacing back and forth as he tried to gain full control of his wolf, but the damned beast just wouldn't submit. It had always been cooperative, so what was wrong this time around? He could feel his canines fighting to grow, and the that was sparsely spreading all over his body. “Shit!” he cursed as he clenched his fist but regretted it immediately as his claws stabbed into his palm, drawing blood. Grant felt his beast demanding to be let out, but he couldn't. He knew just what his beast was capable of doing when allowed to run rampant. Unlike him, his beast still maintained his primitive, primal instincts, and that was to dominate. Brute force. was his way. He could cause more harm to the kingdom than good. That is unless there was a target to take it out on, but right now, a target was the one thing they didn't have, so anyone and everyone they came across would become a target. “Maybe a run is what you need. It's cold and windy. It might help. Your beast hasn't been let out in a long time,” Leornado, who had just come in, said. He flinched and took a cautious step back when he saw the king’s red eyes staring at him and the protruding fangs that seemed ready to pounce.Hello, everyone, Thank you all for reading this far. I truly appreciate the time spent. I would also like to ask that you add this to your libraries, subscribe, vote, and comment. your comment would mean a lot to me. Do also leave your reviews, and don't hesitate to point out where you think improvements are needed and I'll do my very best to improve. Thank you all once again!
A low and ferocious erupted from deep within Grant that had Leonardo backing away from him, taking backward steps until he was out of the door and his back pressed against with his bowed and eyes staring at his feet. “Alpha…” Leonardo uttered, respect and submission dripping from his voice and stance. Grant staggered forward. The battle between them and the beast in him, visible. After almost two minutes of battling it out mentally, Grant leaned on the wall and slid to the ground, sitting with his elbow propped on his right knee while his palm covered his face. “I didn't mean to do that,” he said. Even without referring to anyone in particular, Leonardo knew it was him his king was talking to. Leonardo finally raised his head and looked at Grant. He sighed in relief, knowing the man had won over the beast. He then sat down beside Grant in a similar posture. “I know that very well, your Majesty,” Leonardo replied. “Have you figured out what he wants? The alpha beast, I mean.”
“Her pulse is weak, but she will make it,” the pack healer said as she examined Esme. Her face contorted when she saw the many scars on the body of Esme, but she was quick to mask it before the wrong set of people saw it.“Give her the medicine and apply the herb to her wounds. She will recover faster that way,” she said again as she packed up her stuff. She knew the girl was maltreated qnd abused by everyone, but seeing her like that and the result of the actions, the marks on her body were equivalent to being branded. Such scars would leave a lasting effect on a person. The physical ones might fade with time, but the emotional scars might never fade, especially if she keeps on being subjected to such cruel treatment. She felt bad for her but there was nothing that she could do. Not unless she wanted to offend the alpha and his family as well as all of the NightCrawler Pack.“Thank you, Lucy,” Alicia said, truly grateful that woman could make it in time. Lucy nodded her head at t
WARNING!! THIS CHAOTER CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL!******************Esm only regained consciousness just before sunset. As soon as her eyelids fluttered open, she immediately wished her timing had been better. At least after the two people in her room were gone.She could barely make out their images, but she knew without a doubt that they were right there, staring at her without an ounce of pity, despite her close brush with death.She didn't want to look at them, so she turned her back to them, her eyes once again shut tightly. “And here I thought you were dead,” Dawson was the first to speak out of the two siblings. She didn't need to look at him to know what kind of expression they had on their faces.“I told you she is just feigning her illness,” Ophelia said, her tone laced with irritated as if she couldn't stand the sight of Esme. The smell of herbs filled the room, but these siblings acted as if they couldn't perceive it. Even Esm
WARNING!! THIS CHAOTER CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL!******As the reality of what was about to happen to her dawned on her, Esme sobbed. She couldn't fight him even if she wanted to, and even if she could, her body was too weak for that now, and he knew that all too well. “Let me go…” she said, but her voice was barely above a whisper and lacked the power in it to stop him. “You should learn to be more obedient, Esme,” he said, ignoring her pleas as he added more strength to his hand and pried her legs apart. “You are meant to be mine sooner or later. There is no difference seeing you now or seeing you later.” Dawson continued, and more tears streamed down Esme's eyes. Esme didn't know which hurt more. Was it the physical wounds on her body or the torment she was facing at the moment? All she knew was that the pain was unbearable. The humiliation was too much for her t9 maintain her composure, and she cried. Pleaded even, but he only smiled,
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” — Virginia Woolf******************Meanwhile, The closer the deeper they drove into the South, the more restless Grant became. His beast was no longer willing to be caged and wanted to assume control. They didn't even have the time to rest because the king wouldn't let them. They also didn't visit every pack as they had originally planned, also because the alpha wouldn't let them.“Do you feel anything now?” Leornado asked. They've been driving for hours after leaving Sunset Pack. It was one of the two packs that they were able to visit before the alpha decided against stopping at every single one.“Just keep driving,” Grant said. His eyes were closed and hand on his forehead. He was fighting his beast internally as all he wanted to do was burst out of the car and run. Doing that would just terrify the people. A rampaging lycan was no joke.“Understood,” Leornado replied. He was getting tired of hearing the s
The night was lively as all pack members of the NightCrawler Pack gathered to witness the first shift of the pups who had come of age. Tonight, under the moonlight and before their goddess, they will witness this life changing event. Children between the ages of five and eight have all awaited this day along with their parents. The night of the blood moon, which comes once every four years, was finally here, and the children couldn’t wait to meet their wolves. Once a shifter gets a wolf, they will immediately be considered full-fledged members of the and one who can bring great contribution to the kingdom and realm at large. Esme once experienced this adrenalin that came with that anticipation. How long ago was that again? Yes, that was eleven years at the age of seven when she also stood along with children her age before the goddess to be blessed with a wolf. That ritual had ended, and only she was left standing on her two feet while others walked about in their new skins. On
Esme rushed to her room to clean up, and that was when she realized how much blood she had lost. Her body felt heavy and eyes dizzy. Rest was an order, but she knew she couldn't have that. The guests were still around, and the pack was still in a celebratory mood. If she sleeps now, then she is only courting more punishment and public humiliation. She stood before the mirror, although covered in cracks. It was all she had. The dimly lit room illuminated only by a few candles was her not so safe haven. Now, before the mirror, she could see the crimson stain on her snow-white hair. A sharp contrast to the rest. Her clothes were also ruined, and although they wouldn't be considered worthy of wearing anymore, she would wash and sew them because she didn't have much to throw away anything. “It'll be midnight soon,” she said to herself, a gentle reminder of her eighteenth birthday being only minutes away. Many girls find their fated mates at hours like this. A girls eighteenth bi
Dane sensed the gaze of Esme directed at them, and he frowned. Searching for her, he found that she was indeed staring at them. No, to be more specific, she was staring at one of the youngest alphas of the kingdom, Julius Carter, alpha of Midnight Pack. His frown deepened when he turned and found Julius staring at her with curiosity brimming in his eyes. But he could also see the conflict brewing within them. It was not hard to tell what was going on when he knew that the brat down was of age now. Tonight. A small smile crept up his lips at the realization. He didn't need to do anything now. His deal with Midnight Pack would become a reality now. The girl has truly proven useful after all… Who would have thought? “Shall we join…” Dane began but was interrupted by Julius, whose gaze was still on Esme. “Who is she?” He asked. The scent of chocolate and vanilla had him surrounded, drowning out every other scent, and his sole focus at the moment was her. Everything around him se
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.” — Virginia Woolf******************Meanwhile, The closer the deeper they drove into the South, the more restless Grant became. His beast was no longer willing to be caged and wanted to assume control. They didn't even have the time to rest because the king wouldn't let them. They also didn't visit every pack as they had originally planned, also because the alpha wouldn't let them.“Do you feel anything now?” Leornado asked. They've been driving for hours after leaving Sunset Pack. It was one of the two packs that they were able to visit before the alpha decided against stopping at every single one.“Just keep driving,” Grant said. His eyes were closed and hand on his forehead. He was fighting his beast internally as all he wanted to do was burst out of the car and run. Doing that would just terrify the people. A rampaging lycan was no joke.“Understood,” Leornado replied. He was getting tired of hearing the s
WARNING!! THIS CHAOTER CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL!******As the reality of what was about to happen to her dawned on her, Esme sobbed. She couldn't fight him even if she wanted to, and even if she could, her body was too weak for that now, and he knew that all too well. “Let me go…” she said, but her voice was barely above a whisper and lacked the power in it to stop him. “You should learn to be more obedient, Esme,” he said, ignoring her pleas as he added more strength to his hand and pried her legs apart. “You are meant to be mine sooner or later. There is no difference seeing you now or seeing you later.” Dawson continued, and more tears streamed down Esme's eyes. Esme didn't know which hurt more. Was it the physical wounds on her body or the torment she was facing at the moment? All she knew was that the pain was unbearable. The humiliation was too much for her t9 maintain her composure, and she cried. Pleaded even, but he only smiled,
WARNING!! THIS CHAOTER CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL!******************Esm only regained consciousness just before sunset. As soon as her eyelids fluttered open, she immediately wished her timing had been better. At least after the two people in her room were gone.She could barely make out their images, but she knew without a doubt that they were right there, staring at her without an ounce of pity, despite her close brush with death.She didn't want to look at them, so she turned her back to them, her eyes once again shut tightly. “And here I thought you were dead,” Dawson was the first to speak out of the two siblings. She didn't need to look at him to know what kind of expression they had on their faces.“I told you she is just feigning her illness,” Ophelia said, her tone laced with irritated as if she couldn't stand the sight of Esme. The smell of herbs filled the room, but these siblings acted as if they couldn't perceive it. Even Esm
“Her pulse is weak, but she will make it,” the pack healer said as she examined Esme. Her face contorted when she saw the many scars on the body of Esme, but she was quick to mask it before the wrong set of people saw it.“Give her the medicine and apply the herb to her wounds. She will recover faster that way,” she said again as she packed up her stuff. She knew the girl was maltreated qnd abused by everyone, but seeing her like that and the result of the actions, the marks on her body were equivalent to being branded. Such scars would leave a lasting effect on a person. The physical ones might fade with time, but the emotional scars might never fade, especially if she keeps on being subjected to such cruel treatment. She felt bad for her but there was nothing that she could do. Not unless she wanted to offend the alpha and his family as well as all of the NightCrawler Pack.“Thank you, Lucy,” Alicia said, truly grateful that woman could make it in time. Lucy nodded her head at t
A low and ferocious erupted from deep within Grant that had Leonardo backing away from him, taking backward steps until he was out of the door and his back pressed against with his bowed and eyes staring at his feet. “Alpha…” Leonardo uttered, respect and submission dripping from his voice and stance. Grant staggered forward. The battle between them and the beast in him, visible. After almost two minutes of battling it out mentally, Grant leaned on the wall and slid to the ground, sitting with his elbow propped on his right knee while his palm covered his face. “I didn't mean to do that,” he said. Even without referring to anyone in particular, Leonardo knew it was him his king was talking to. Leonardo finally raised his head and looked at Grant. He sighed in relief, knowing the man had won over the beast. He then sat down beside Grant in a similar posture. “I know that very well, your Majesty,” Leonardo replied. “Have you figured out what he wants? The alpha beast, I mean.”
Every bad situation will have something positive. Even a dead clock shows the correct time twice a day. —Anonymous— With a darkened expression, Grant stared at his beta for a while without uttering a word. His mind was a wandering mess. “The seer?” Grant asked, and Leornado gave him a look with his brows raised. “Where is she?” He asked, rising to his feet. Without waiting for Leornado. He marched for the door, and Leornado had to run after him due to his long and fast strides. If there was one thing that they all knew was that the woman's words, though always twisted and probably exactly on point, she was never truly wrong. Whatever she saw, there must be some truth to it. He knew something major was about to transpire. “She is in her tower, your Majesty,” Leornado replied, finally able to match Grant's pace. Grant didn't speak after hearing that and rather increased his pace. The maids and guards they came across bowed respectfully to the alpha king, but he didn't acknowl
There was something special to being a Hawthorne. The Hawthorne name was respected throughout the country because of this one reason, and that reason was that they were blessed by the goddess. Their silver hair, believed to bear semblance to the moon goddess, was what identified her as a Hawthorne and nothing more. While her family, though late, were remembered for the gifts—her father had great strength, one that rivaled the lycans despite being a wolf shifter if not surpassing most of them. Her brother possessed the ability to heal, not just himself, but others too. His battle prowess was sung by many. While, Esme, had not even a wolf of her own. Her mother, though not Hawthorne by birth, was a skilled warrior, but she—Esme, was weak. For someone born into a family of warriors, she was a disgrace, and if her family were alive to see her now, they would be greatly disappointed. Esme cried for herself for so long that she lost track of time and didn't even know when she fell asle
Dane sensed the gaze of Esme directed at them, and he frowned. Searching for her, he found that she was indeed staring at them. No, to be more specific, she was staring at one of the youngest alphas of the kingdom, Julius Carter, alpha of Midnight Pack. His frown deepened when he turned and found Julius staring at her with curiosity brimming in his eyes. But he could also see the conflict brewing within them. It was not hard to tell what was going on when he knew that the brat down was of age now. Tonight. A small smile crept up his lips at the realization. He didn't need to do anything now. His deal with Midnight Pack would become a reality now. The girl has truly proven useful after all… Who would have thought? “Shall we join…” Dane began but was interrupted by Julius, whose gaze was still on Esme. “Who is she?” He asked. The scent of chocolate and vanilla had him surrounded, drowning out every other scent, and his sole focus at the moment was her. Everything around him se
Esme rushed to her room to clean up, and that was when she realized how much blood she had lost. Her body felt heavy and eyes dizzy. Rest was an order, but she knew she couldn't have that. The guests were still around, and the pack was still in a celebratory mood. If she sleeps now, then she is only courting more punishment and public humiliation. She stood before the mirror, although covered in cracks. It was all she had. The dimly lit room illuminated only by a few candles was her not so safe haven. Now, before the mirror, she could see the crimson stain on her snow-white hair. A sharp contrast to the rest. Her clothes were also ruined, and although they wouldn't be considered worthy of wearing anymore, she would wash and sew them because she didn't have much to throw away anything. “It'll be midnight soon,” she said to herself, a gentle reminder of her eighteenth birthday being only minutes away. Many girls find their fated mates at hours like this. A girls eighteenth bi