Chapter 70IrisHowever, his grip on my arm was quick to stop me from going far away from him. In a matter of seconds, I was gasping for breath, my body joined with his."Don't do that, princess. I can't let out of my sight just like that," He drawled, softly, sniffing my hair.My body gave off an involuntary shudder and I fought tooth and nail to stay mute. He could say all he wanted but until he apologized I'll just act dumb."I'm sorry for how I reacted, sweetheart. You were encouraging me to do the right thing but I was blinded by my rage and I pushed you away. It wasn't my intention, please, forgive me," He persisted, his nose grazing the nape of my neck.I sunk my teeth deep into my lower lip, biting off a moan. How could my body betray me this way?He chuckled, his deep voice somewhat gentle and stimulating and then his fingers brushed through the fabric of my dress and he pinched my right nipple."You're still not going to say anything? Hmmm," He hummed, licking the side of my
Chapter 71GradelHer widely parted legs presented a delicious meal that I couldn't wait to consume. Maybe this was how the moon goddess wanted to console me for my father's death.Without a mate like the pulchritudinous woman lying patiently before me, I'd have been confused, exhausted and deeply bitter. But her presence brought healing and another thing... Pleasure in its rawest form."Oh, Gradel... You'll wear me out today," She said hazily.I giggled like a child who had been presented a candy then I kneeled before her, pressing my erection close to the mouth of her wet hole and a faint moan elicited from her small lips.She smiled, ogling at me. I laid on her, chest to chest, guiding my crotch into her tight wet cunt. She bit her lower lip and squeezed her face as if in pain.I halted, entwining our fingers. "Are you alright, baby?"She nodded with a forced smile. "I just..." She gasped, "I feel so full as if we haven't made love before," She chuckled nervously.The last thing I
Chapter 72GradelMy ears tingled at the words he spoke, but they couldn't settle in, knowing the kind of woman I was mated to. Iris had been on my case, pleading with me to forgive my father even in death and then she went off to kill him?I don't believe that."I don't ever want to hear such words from you again, Hegar. The only reason I won't detain you for treason is because of our relationship so leave before you further annoy me." I thundered, my voice hard and angry.He inclined his head and stepped back. "I'm sorry, Your Grace. Just thought to inform you of what the guards said, I'll ensure that they don't spew such nonsense again." He turned around to leave then halted.I watched him in a pensive mood as the thrills I'd felt after a hot afternoon of passion with Iris vanished. He dug into his pocket and stretched a bracelet to me.My eyes squinted in confusion as I stared at the bracelet in recognition. That was the bracelet I gifted Iris the day I professed my feelings to he
Chapter 73IrisThe soreness between my thighs couldn't beat the pangs of hunger gnawing in my stomach. Gradel fulfilled his promise by grilling me so hard I thought I'd faint, I was so sure that I wouldn't be able to walk this morning but when my stomach continued to grumble with hunger, I had no choice but to leave.Breakfast had already been prepared and if I hadn't gotten used to the mannerisms of feeding in the pack house, I'd have thought we were having a feast.Before me were different kinds of dishes, bordering towards the end of the table. I'd have loved Gradel to have breakfast with me, but I woke up to an empty bed as usual and a note informing me of how busy he'd be today.I might have pushed him to focus his attention on other important matters, but that didn't mean I wouldn't miss him. I just didn't want the pack to perceive me to be a distraction.A servant came forward and helped serve me. I requested bread toast and a large serving of scrambled eggs. She stared at me
Chapter 74IrisHaving nothing much to do in the pack house, I decided to have a tour around the market and familiarize myself with the market women and get to know what their challenges were.I knew that I wouldn't have to do that all the time, but it would distract me from the sudden desire to have a child.After ensuring that I wasn't looking too casual or formal, I wore a black shoulder bag and stepped out of our room. Elda was already standing by the door just as I expected.He intercepted me and gently removed my hand from the doorknob then shut the door."Where are we off to, My Lady?"I rolled my eyes and continued walking. Going about with another unwanted person behind me felt strange and if not for Gradel's explanation, I'd have asked him to get lost.It was more annoying because I lost my freedom and I couldn't do anything, knowing that there'd always be someone on my tail."To the market." I finally replied, hinting at my irritation.Fortunately, he got the memo and snapp
Chapter 75IrisHis body grew taut with tension and then he slumped onto the chair, running his fingers through his hair. Fear was evident in his eyes and I was momentarily thrown into confusion."Why do you want to be pregnant now?" He whispered.A gasp escaped my lips while I drew closer to him. "What do you mean by that? Don't you want us to have children?" I probed, feeling surprised.He sighed and trotted toward the window, his eyes fixed on the garden below. "I'm scared, Iris," He admitted, his voice shaky and doubtful. "I don't want to fail my unborn children,"I joined him by the window and stared at him, waiting for him to buttress his point but he said nothing else."You're confusing me, Gradel. Are you impotent? Is there any biological reason why you can't give me children?" I knew that I was sounding desperate but his silence grated my nerves and I hated being in the dark."I'm perfectly fine, Iris. It's just that I doubt my capability to raise a child properly. Take a loo
Chapter 76Iris'Dalian is dead' I had to repeat the word audibly to be sure that my mind wasn't playing games with me. I'd have silenced the man and told him to stop cracking such an expensive joke if he wasn't crying so hard over the loss of his son.How could this happen?I asked myself that question all the way to the house over and over again, oblivious to Gradel's presence beside me. Just this afternoon, I had the best time of my life, letting out some steam and playing recklessly with him and now I was to face a heart-wrenching reality that he'd never smile brightly at me again.Or he wouldn't be playing with his friends in the street and looking out for them?How could life be so fickle?I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I overlooked a huge stone in front of me and struck my toe against it. I should have landed on the floor but for Gradel's swift interception, I was bawling in his arms. He ran his fingers through my hair tenderly, and I wished he could do the same to my
Chapter 77 Gradel My father's burial was done in a hushed manner and today when I was supposed to rest from a backlog of stress that had piled up during the week and have a sober reflection, my mind was dominated with thoughts of yesterday's events. I was bothered by the accusations made at her and it was hard for me to believe that she could do such a thing. She might be innocent—no, she should be innocent but all evidence pointed toward her and sadly, I didn't know how to defend her. The guard that Hegar had spoken to concerning my father's death approached me, his gait slow and uncertain. I'd sent for him so that he could be properly interrogated. It was time to hear from the horse's mouth. "Good morning, Your Grace," He inclined his head, his hands behind him. "Morning. I have questions for you," I went straight to the point. "Tell me everything you said to Hegar about my late father's death," I ordered. He raised his face and shifted uncomfortably. His lips parte
Chapter 107IrisONE YEAR LATER"Maria, are the sweets ready?" I shouted, standing before the edge of the baluster.Gradel and I had planned a family reunion and I couldn't wait for everyone we considered family to start trooping in. Devin had gotten a mate about three months back and I kept wondering how he got her pregnant in less than two months. I'd so tease him about it once he comes around. Hazel and Hegar had been on sabbatical leave for a while so I had to plead with Hegar to release her since I was nearing at the time of delivery. I was both excited and filled with panic and I honestly couldn't understand how I managed both extreme emotions. Gradel kept reassuring me that I wouldn't encounter any issues, but after hearing stories of women who faced several complications, his words would just fall on deaf ears."Watch it, princess," A firm grip stopped me from tripping over when I swirled around without looking.I smiled and fiddled with his stubble. "Thank you for always be
Chapter 106IrisONE MONTH LATERThe sky was quite gloomy, the dark clouds threatening to turn the day into a rainy one. We should have stayed back in the house and cuddled all day, but there was something important to be done, and that was visiting the late Alpha Cronus's grave.I stood beside Gradel, whose shoulders were squared, taut, showing how uneasy it was for him to be present here. If it was possible, I'd have suggested that we return home and come back when he was more comfortable, but he was as stubborn as a mule so I let him. We stood in silence for a while and then he cleared his throat. I touched his shoulder lightly and some of the tension dissipated. "I guess I'll have to leave you alone with him. Call on me when you're done," I informed him and turned around to leave. But he grabbed my wrist swiftly and tenderly, prohibiting me from taking any other step. With a low tone, he said. "Stay with me. I want you to be here with me while I reconcile with my father," He s
Chapter 105HazelMy heart throbbed in pain as I hugged my pillow tightly, genuinely wishing that it could be exchanged with the competent arms of Hegar. I was beginning to get offended. Why hadn't he checked on me, yet? What could have kept him so busy that he didn't bother to ask after me to know if I was doing well or not? Iris kept assuring me that he still loved me and he'd come for me soon, but was it too early to lose hope?A knock sounded on the door, jolting me from my reverie and an irritated sigh exited my lips. Hunger pangs gnawed in my stomach and the last thing I wanted was for anyone to drag me out of the room unnecessarily.Sluggishly, I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open and immediately, I froze. My breathing paused for a moment and I could tell that the world had stopped rotating.Hegar stood before gracefully me, smelling like an edible flower. His lips spread into a wide grin and he splayed his arms, urging me to come closer to him. Several emotions ra
Chapter 104 Gradel Inhaling the floral fragrance of my mate and enjoying the warmth of being in her arms was very tempting, but until I took my pound of flesh and ensured that the monster Elda wouldn't be a threat to anyone in the pack again, I wouldn't be at rest. Gently, I slithered from her embrace, feeling cold almost immediately and then I pushed the covers over her body and gazed lovingly at her beautiful lips that were pouted as if she was aware of my plans to be absent for a while. My heart skipped a beat when she stirred and calmed when she turned to the other side. I giggled lightly and put on a black vest and a pair of black sweatpants. After ascertaining that she was still deep asleep, I crept out of the room and shut the door quietly behind me, veering toward the same pack cell he had locked me in. He grinned cynically the moment I stepped in though I could see the faint marks of the strokes he had received from Hegar. After the fiasco last night, I'd asked the sent
Chapter 103Iris"Not today," I murmured through gritted teeth.Tonight, I didn't need saving; not from Gradel whom I knew was seconds away from bursting through that door to fight for me or Hegar who I guessed was around.My wolf was around growling, desiring to be freed from the cage it was in and right now, I'd have to do as she wanted."Tell him to let her go right now," Gradel demanded authoritatively.Elda snorted and spat some blood on the ground. "Sure, but we have to do some trade by barter kind of business before that. First, you'll let me out of here without unharmed. Secondly, I stink and I can't walk around, oozing animal blood so your dear mate will have to clean me up,""That isn't going to happen," Gradel disagreed in the shadows.He laughed briefly and glanced at the man behind me. "Alright then. Watch her die,""Wait—"My claws had already stretched out and before Gradel could complete his statement, I'd dug them into his skin. The knife fell off his hands and I quic
Chapter 102IrisFear took a strong hold over me after he muttered those words and I instinctively clutched onto my neck, intentionally avoiding his gaze.I drew in a very deep breath and exhaled. "That's a huge accusation to lay on me tonight, Elda. We are supposed to be celebrating," I replied with a surprisingly calm tone.That was a good thing because I planned to deny every claim he'd lay against me until I found a way to reach Eliana."I thought the same until I removed the mask from that girl's face and realized that you weren't the one who seduced me. So what did you promise her? That she and her family will be safe? Come on, Iris, what power do you have without me?" He asked with a derisive tone.A deep feeling of dread stirred in my stomach, my knees weakening. No matter what happened, I couldn't allow her family to be caught up in this plan."You can't hurt her family, Elda. What fun do you have in hurting innocent people?" I asked through gritted teeth.He chuckled lightly
Chapter 101Author's POVHer eyes widened, nearly falling out of their sockets and she clamped her lips shut, her heart pounding hard against her chest in trepidation while he violently snatched the knife from her and got up. She gasped, wondering how she messed it up just at the point of achieving her goal and a tear slid down her cheek because she knew she wouldn't be getting out of this alive.Elda burst into a heavy peal of laughter that was filled with intense mockery and threw her effortlessly over him. Then he rose, zipping his slacks and turning on the light."You aren't Iris, are you?" He asked but she didn't respond.Enraged, he crossed over to her and yanked the mask off her face, her hair falling out of the messy bun she packed it in. A deep scowl formed on Elda's face and he clenched his jaw, balling his fingers into a tight fist."Eliana, you're that girl I banged a few weeks ago, right?" He barked."I wish I was fast enough in killing you," She retorted spitefully. "At
Chapter 100Author's POV She lay on the bed, still and scared, her heart racing faster than sports cars in a race but she had made her choice and that was to end the man who had wrecked her life with her hands, even if her life was on the line.Iris had told her to disarm him but she had other plans as she didn't want him to continue creating havoc in the pack.Her mask was still on her face and she wore a wig that was exactly like Iris' hair to confuse him, and the turned-off light was to her advantage. The door was pushed open and the light from the hallway shone into the room, showing Elda's drunk figure. The feast wasn't in full session yet and he had already filled his system with alcohol. It would make things easier for her, she thought. Elda squinted his eyes and his lips stretched into a cynical smirk when he caught the sight of a seductively dressed woman whom he thought to be Iris lying on the bed. "Hey, woman. I thought you wanted to tear me into pieces several hours a
Chapter 99GradelWe wandered into the forest, my body smeared with blood. Thankfully, I sustained no injuries from convincing Elda's men to defect to my camp.Along the line, my eyes caught the sight of a figure walking toward us and I paused to make out who the person was. Though I had no direction, I wasn't expecting anyone else to be there.As the person drew close, I realized that it was a man and he looked familiar."Hold your horses," I said to them and they halted behind me.I squinted my eyes, waiting patiently for him to get closer and happiness coursed through me when I noticed that it was no one else but Hegar."Hegar?" I called out his name and he peered at me, his eyes widening in surprise.He also froze on his steps and after a brief scrutiny, he broke into a run and bumped into me for a hug. We stayed glued to each other until I remembered that weren't alone."Gradel, is this really you? How were you able to leave that cell without risking your life?" He questioned wit