Chapter 9Gradel "You will do no such thing, Gradel. You have to stay here and fulfill your duties!" He hollered. "And what if I don't, Alpha Cronus?" I retorted sharply, my breathing coming in hitches. I was tired of his overbearing attitude and he should be happy that I hadn't given orders to the servants to prepare for my trip. The shock on his face switched to a death scowl. It was his signature expression that made his subordinates do his bidding without thinking twice, but it barely moved me, that was why he liked me. "Gradel," He began calmly, "I know that after all these years you haven't forgiven me for what happened in the past, but can't you keep your grudges aside for the sake of this pack?" We had already met face to face and his hands were on my shoulder, gripping me strongly. The respect I had for him was what stopped me from shrugging his hands off. I was about to respond when Devin let out a chuckle, clapping his hands as his chuckle metamorphosed into laughter.
Chapter 10Gradel The information my father just dropped on us solely occupied my thoughts to the extent that I didn't even remember I had asked Hegar to bring a woman over. Going to war was the last thing I looked forward to and now it seemed like my father told me, intending to stop from returning to the human world entirely. I was torn between acting nonchalant and getting my personal effects ready and staying back to help him with this war. "Hello, Prince Gradel, I've been waiting for you." I heard the moment I stepped into my room. Still irritated by the news, I glared at her, more disgusted that she sat on my favorite chair. I snorted at her and she jumped out of the chair, bowing her head. Her face became red in embarrassment as she kept shifting from one foot to the other. The act only reminded me of the woman I'd kept in the cell which made my skin crawl. I wasn't supposed to remember that. At least not when I was about to get a little respite. "Take off your clothes.
Chapter 11Gradel I wanted nothing else, even watching Iris secretly than attending the pack's welfare meeting. I could imagine what they would talk about, and my head was already aching, by merely imagining the kind of stares the elders would throw at me. Against my wish, I found myself trudging towards the courtroom, my mind occupied with why I cared about what my father wanted. "You don't have to go if you don't want to. I doubt you will understand whatever we will deliberate on today." The annoying voice of my brother stoked the flames of anger that I'd barely squashed. I was torn between replying to him or behaving like I didn't hear someone speak, but I chose the former option and turned around. Putting on my most deceptive expression, I took a few steps towards him. "I don't believe I'm that dumb, I'm still a member of this pack and somehow I'm affected by what happens to us," "So now you care?" He interrupted me sarcastically. I snorted, as his question struck an invisi
Chapter 12Iris Returning to the cold cell was like having your warm rug of comfort being pulled out under your feet, and then left alone to deal with the cold that comes. That was my situation after the guard dragged me out from the comfortable room I'd gotten used to and brought me back to this Godforsaken hell hole. I was so sad that the tears remained in my tear ducts, refusing to roll down my cheeks. Loneliness reared its ugly head again, this time it was more real and prominent. I just wished that the Alpha prince hadn't ordered me to be taken care of, I might have been in a better place with my parents. The hinges of the iron bars clanked and I stared at its direction. My lips stretched into a wide smile as Hazel's figure advanced towards me in a hurry. "Hazel, you are here," I said warmly and rose to hug her. She patted my shoulder and lowered herself onto the ground. "If Prince Gradel finds me here, he'll have my head, but I couldn't stay back knowing that you haven't
Chapter 13Iris He froze, his gaze trained on me and for the first time, I saw him lose control. My heart fluttered and deep down I wished that he would confess that he liked me. "I'm waiting for your response," I demanded with a harsh tone. My voice was disrespectful, but I didn't care. After all, I'd die the next day so I could do as I pleased and if he wasn't comfortable with that, he could go ahead and kill me now. I batted my lashes at him and then he swept swiftly across the cell and grabbed me by the neck, pulling me closer till there was almost no space between us. "No, wench, I do not care about you. Don't feed your mind with illusions that will never materialize because you're not even up to my standard!" He spat, his nose flared while he breathed heavily. His blatant rejection caused bile to rise to my throat and though I swallowed numerous times, it remained stuck, unmoving. I'd shot myself in the foot, thinking that the Alpha Prince would be interested in me. If hi
Chapter 14Iris Hazel's idea or what she called a 'solution' took a permanent seat in my head as the guards dragged me to the execution ground. Once again, I was the object of attention, only that the attention wasn't positive, rather, it was filled with spiteful stares and snares from the pack. Within me, I was glad that it would be over soon so that I'd finally meet my late mother and ask her why she left me amongst a group of people who loathed my existence. I didn't think Hazel's solution was important because even though getting a mate could help me, who would afford to be my mate? My reputation was tarnished and no one, not even a rogue would spare a glance at me. As I neared the execution spot, I noticed that the noise had reduced to whispers and when I darted my gaze to the guard beside me, his face held confusion, fear and another feeling I couldn't define. "What's going on, Sir?" I asked, hoping he would give me a response. He didn't respond, instead, he pulled a
Chapter 15 Iris I cringed inwardly as our bodies touched and right there I knew it wasn't the prince. It wasn't the man I wished to rescue me. Oh Goddess, what have I gotten myself into? I struggled out of his loose grip and caught my breath, taking a step backward. Then I peered up at his face and a shiver ran down my spine. "Who are you?" I probed, quite satisfied that my voice didn't reveal how petrified I was. He smirked crookedly and the thick long lines that ran horizontally from his nose to his ear became more visible. Panic gradually built up within me as I wondered what kind of man he was. He wasn't from Grey Rock pack because of his facial features and his body build, and with how rugged he looked, I could tell that he was a rogue. "You want to know who I am?" He rumbled as his smirk stretched. I nodded with my lips parted widely. My fears couldn't be concealed now and if the man didn't leave my sight this minute, I'd pee on my underwear. "I'm your worst
Chapter 16Gradel "Did you find her?" I barked amidst my agitation, even my father knew better than to interfere with my ceaseless pacing in his chamber."No, Prince Gradel, but I assure you that our sentinels are presently combing through the woods to find her and they will—" Hegar responded while I sent him a murderous glare. His response further infuriated me, but it wasn't just his baseless reply, it was the confusion that accompanied my reaction towards Iris's escape. My wolf was restless, snarling incessantly so I couldn't relax as well. I should be happy that she had made good use of her brains and ran away to save both of us from the stress of being mates, but my wolf didn't share in the relief."Will they find her the same way they failed to find my bracelet, Hegar?" I snapped. "That woman is alone in the woods where the rogues can feed on her vulnerability and harm her and you're busy trying to assure me that she would be found?" He inclined his head, his shoulders strai