Chapter 43IrisTwo days later, I still felt like life had been snuffed out of me and even Gradel couldn't cheer me up no matter how he tried. I'd pushed him away because I feared that he might find out the truth.I would tell him everything, I just needed to find the right time.Still sprawled on the bed, he came inside with a tray in his hands, his face thick with concern."You shouldn't have bothered," I sighed and turned to the side, evading his piercing gaze.If he probed too deeply, he might discover my darkest secrets."You are my friend, why shouldn't I care for you?" He sank onto the bed and dropped the tray on my thighs.The word 'friend' caused my heart to plummet. If he discovered the truth, he wouldn't even consider me an enemy. I should have stayed away from him before things got this complicated."And friends know when to give each other some privacy. How many times do you want me to tell you that I need privacy?" I quickly sprang up from the bed, forgetting that there
Chapter 44Author's POVIn the middle of a thick forest, that no one knew existed, roars rang so loud that the tall trees around them shook and anyone who was three miles close could hear them. Unfortunately, no one could.A young man, whose black robe were torn in different places stood with his head inclined, and his subordinates bowed before him on their knees.They had just witnessed the rarest thing ever; a man shifting from his human form to a mountain lion that they were ignorant of its existence.The young man himself who didn't know that he could change into such a form was in awe of his strength which caused him to roar in excitement. "You don't need to be afraid of me, everyone. I won't do anything to you. Please, get up," He said to the men who shivered visibly. They did as he asked for the fear of being torn into pieces. He could be merciful sometimes, but knowing the strength he possessed, no one wanted to be used as a scapegoat."It is time to claim what belongs to me
Chapter 45IrisSongs blared from the speaker as Hazel and I made our way into the club. If someone had told me that I'd be here tonight, I would have accused the person of lying, but here I was, ready to party and get drunk.After witnessing such a heart-wrenching scene, I rushed down to Hazel's house. Thankfully, her parents weren't home so I informed her that I'd changed my mind.Just like I hoped, she didn't ask any questions even though she kept throwing interrogative glances at me at intervals. We were almost the same size, so it wasn't hard to fit into the slutty body-con dress she'd laid out for me to wear.I tucked my hair underneath a blonde wig and she helped conceal my face with a smoky makeover. It wasn't enough to hide my identity, but no one would realize I was the one at a glance.We navigated through the sweaty bodies and stopped at the counter. I took a cursory glance around, surprised at how jammed the club was during this time."Have you ever been here before?" I y
Chapter 46GradelShe snatched her hand away from mine as the surprise that was earlier on her face disappeared. She scowled at me, retreating into the darkness while I followed."What do you think you are doing?" She fumed.I scoffed in disbelief, plunging my teeth into my lower lip to keep myself from punching the man who had dared to touch her.In fact, I was going to find him and hit him. Her eyes were squinted in confusion as I veered past her and dragged the man up, throwing an aggressive punch to his jaw.I rode through the waves of satisfaction when I heard a crack and then he began to plead."I'm so sorry, Prince Gradel. I didn't know she was yours," He begged, falling onto his knees.His pleas further infuriated me and I glanced at Iris who glared at me disapprovingly. Her short dress rode to her upper thighs and her massive curves which had always been hidden by the flowy dresses were visible.My length began to harden as my eyes stopped at her chest which rose and fell in
Chapter 47GradelMy head went blank immediately as confusion seared through me. I racked my brain, trying hard to remember when I spoke to another woman or even going further to bring her home but nothing came to my mind.Instinctively, I checked her pulse to be sure she was running a temperature and immediately she swatted my hand away, maintaining her death scowl."So now you think I'm making things up, huh? You think I'm sick?" She gritted and I shrugged, unsure of what to say.Nothing made sense to me. Iris might have betrayed my trust before but being with her for some time made me realize that she wasn't a liar.If she said I slept with someone, then it meant that something happened while I was away and I wasn't aware of it. Come to think of it, there was only one person who had access to my room and could impersonate me if he tried.Devin.It was no one else but him. But what could be his motive?"I can explain, Iris. Just listen to me," I persisted, my voice soft and shaky.A
Chapter 48IrisI shut my eyes while I let the cool evening breeze cascade down my skin. I was feeling cold already, but being with Gradel once again topped the cold.I nearly slapped myself for overreacting. My act of foolishness glared right in my face and if it were possible, I'd disappear but with how Gradel kept throwing glances at me, I knew he wouldn't let me out of his sight. "Look, I know that you have a lot to say about how I reacted, but I want you to know that I'm truly sorry. These past few days have been tough on me and when I saw that..." A pause, "It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. I just had to let it all out," I explained in a rush.His silence was unnerving but I couldn't complain because I deserved any punishment he decided to give me."You don't have to apologize. I'd have done the same if I were in your shoes," He confessed after a long moment of silence.My curiosity spiked. "Why will you do the same?"My heart thumped hard against my chest as I
Chapter 49IrisMy heart plummeted, but it wasn't out of fear, instead, I was thrilled to learn the lessons he had to teach."What kind of lessons do you offer?" I gulped and sunk my teeth into my lower lip when he led me to the wooden chair by the pond and made me sit.He hovered over me, his warm spicy scent creating a fog in my brain that left me dazed. He hadn't even touched me yet and I was already jittery.I recalled the times we were intimate and realized that we hadn't done anything serious asides from kissing, and the blowjob I gave to him when I wanted him to heal faster.But that was all.His hands landed on my thighs which he caressed softly, locking my gaze against his. "Many of them, but tonight, I'm going to show you what my mouth does aside from talking. You're going to feel the pleasure that comes from having my finger inside of you, stroking you till your mind becomes numb and the only thing you'll yearn for is a release that you wouldn't get except I command it." He
Chapter 50Iris"Goodness, Iris. Your beauty is blinding." Hazel gushed over me when she stepped into the room.It was our Alpha's birthday party and Gradel had asked that I look the part. I decided to surprise him by wearing a black velvet dress with meshed sleeves that stopped at my wrists.The length of the dress covered my legs with a slit by the side. It had a low neckline that showed a generous amount of my boobs.I didn't care if it would spark up some gossip around the pack, what mattered was how good I looked in it. Before Gradel left to take care of some errands, he had presented a diamond jewelry set to me, pleading that I wear it to the party."Thank you, my dear friend, and you don't look so bad at all." I smiled at her.She patted my hair to keep it in place and I muttered a word of appreciation to her. She was always there to cheer me up and look out for me and one day I hoped to pay her back."I try my best," She replied modestly. "Now, I want to know why you haven't m
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