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 1Iris "I swear I didn't take the money," I argued tiredly as the crowd thickened with each passing second. "I'm sure if you search properly you'll find it, or maybe someone else took it," I added in my defense. If I'd known that today would turn out this way with me being accused of being a thief, I would have listened to my instincts and stayed back at home. But then, there was no food in the house, no money, and my lazy sister wasn't keen on doing anything to provide food or other supplies that we had run out of. "It's a lie, you wretched hag!" Giga, my boss, snapped. "You took the money. I purposely left it there to test you and you just showed me that you can't be trusted!" He accused me vehemently. I go by the name Iris, but no one remembers that because I'm an omega without a wolf, and very unattractive as well. Maybe if I'd obliged my boss's wishes and had a good night with him as he demanded, I wouldn't be in the middle of the market, surrounded by little childre
Chapter 2Iris With those glassy blue eyes trained on me, it was hard for me to remain composed, but I figured out that any wrong answer could send me straight to the cell. He chuckled, but his voice rang hard with disbelief and scorn. "I wasn't born yesterday, Iris. You were dragged to the market square because you stole, yet you say you did nothing?" Something snapped inside of me at his accusation. Yes, I had a deep crush on Prince Devin, but I wouldn't be ridiculed this way. Maybe I was a weak wolfless omega who found no better job than keeping records for a man who was interested in defiling her, but I had my self-dignity to protect. At this point, I didn't even care about getting arrested, but if they were to arrest me, it would be for the right reasons— that I stole from Giga. "Everything is an accusation, Prince Devin. You are not even sure that I stole from him." I shot back, fuming. I'd risen to my feet so that I could stare at his face squarely. "Yes, I was dragged ou
Chapter 3Gradel "Prince Devin?" I chuckled silently in amusement as I fixed my gaze on the bushy path leading to the pack house. She thought I was Prince Devin. It wasn't her fault. Most people her age didn't know I existed since I'd just recently returned to the pack. All thanks to my father who always saw me as the black sheep of the family because I didn't care about being his successor. Devin was more interested in being the Alpha king and that irked my father so much since I was the older twin. Let's say I had more concerns about changing things in the human world and not here until I met this beautiful omega who was in bad shape at the market. I knew that she didn't steal the money, but I didn't want to give her any ideas and that's why I acted like I didn't believe her. The car stopped at the driveway so that I could get down before the chauffeur would park it properly in the garage. Left to me, I'd have stayed longer at the market or gone for a run as my wolf was ge
Chapter 4Iris "I shouldn't be here," I whispered to myself... as I dragged my feet along the staircase. My head was bowed as I made my way to the pack's hall, and my heart galloped wildly in my chest as I imagined what would happen if I was found out. No. I couldn't afford to be seen. I pulled down on my hood and tugged at my sister's sleeve. "Remind me again why we are here, May?" I whined. I was secretly mad at myself for letting her cajole me into something this silly. A couple walked right past us, and from the looks on their faces, I could tell that they just found each other. Mates. Ugh!! "Don't be such a party popper, Iris. Be optimistic, who knows you can find your prince charming here." She replied with so much confidence that stirred up glints of jealousy within me. "And what about you? Aren't you scared of not finding a mate today?" She halted on her steps and slanted a nonchalant look at me. "I think you should be more worried about your shabby appearance, than my
Chapter 5Iris"I thought I asked you to leave, what are you still doing here?" He thundered as whispers and gasps from the crowd filled the hall, displaying their confusion. His smooth voice wasn't the cause of my confusion, his face was. How could I explain what I felt? What I saw yesterday?My mind was a jumbled zone, so I said the only thing that kept ringing in my head. "Your eyes. They… they are different," I forced out, my fingers itching to pinch my skin to be sure that I wasn't dreaming. He scowled, furrowing his brows in irritation. "That shouldn't bother you, lady. Do I have to remind you that I'm not supposed to ever set my eyes on you?" His voice deepened by the minute, and the noise that had thickened because of the prince's rejection died down.My hands fell to my side. "You aren't Prince Devin, are you?"I knew that my probing was of no use to me, if anything, it would only make the man standing in front of me angrier; but I was already in trouble so it would be bett
Chapter 6Gradel The lady was a born liar, I could sense it, but that was one of the many things I felt. The thrills of desire that worked through me when my thumb connected with her chin made me tense. I shouldn't feel this way for someone I hated. For a wrench who disgusted me, so I shrugged off the distasteful feelings and watched her shift from one foot to the other in uneasiness. Her brown eyes were like a blank screen, displaying her uncertainty and fear. I could smell both of them. "I-I don't know about any bracelet," She denied, her voice low and unconvincing. My temper was beginning to simmer, but I had to be calm if I wanted to retract my bracelet from her. "Look, woman, I didn't accuse you just for the fun of it and I don't have the time to visit people who don't matter for no reason. That bracelet is worth more than your existence so I need to have it back." Maybe I should have told her that the bracelet was the gift my late mother gave me before she died, but she di
Chapter 7Iris My eyes flashed open with my breaths bursting in and out heavily. I shrank backward with fear pounding hard in my chest. My body felt clammy and then I noticed that I was drenched with a cold liquid—water. How that happened I didn't know. A scary-looking guard strolled in, his gait intimidating. "You're not going to sleep all day, lady." "I'm sorry," I muttered, wondering why he came to visit then I heard light footsteps behind him. That couldn't be a man's step, I thought. May approached me, clutching onto the skirt of the dress she wore to the mating ceremony earlier. "Hi," She waved at me, keeping a long distance. I wanted to ask her why she couldn't come closer, but I already knew the answer. I was filthy and probably stank worse than a crate of rotten eggs. "You're here," I acknowledged quietly. I didn't want anyone around, not even my sister. Ever since the bracelet went missing, my ability to trust people wilted. "I'm sorry that you're in this condi
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