Chapter 62GradelGetting to Los Angeles late in the evening didn't stop me from calling for a meeting at the hotel I'd lodged into. My heart churned with guilt at the way I left Iris, but I pushed the unwanted feelings aside and prepared for the meeting.My phone beeped and quickly picked it up in anticipation. I was expecting a message from James, one of the sentinels I'd put in charge of PRO, but why did my heart skip immediately?I scratched my head and flung my phone on the bed in disappointment. What made me think that she would pick up her phone and call me?Besides, I asked for space not her.I stared at my reflection in the mirror and brushed my hair into its usual comb-over style. Satisfied with how good I looked, I waltzed out of the room and headed to the bar.James had assured me that the bar was less crowded as I'd paid for some parts of it so that our meeting wouldn't be disturbed and I saw it as a good deal because I didn't want to start driving around town.Most of my
Chapter 63Gradel"I'm very sure that my intentions are obvious," She got off her stool and drew closer to me. "I want you back Gradel. Can't you see? We used to be so good together—"I didn't allow her to finish. "Agreed, until you decided to disrespect me by sleeping with another man in my house. You could have taken your promiscuity to your apartment or even a hotel, but your teany-weany brain decided that it wasn't the best. Do you think I can just accept you into my life like that?" I spat, trying hard to keep my emotions under control.I didn't want her to think that she still had some effect on me. She fiddled with her well-manicured nails, her fake lash extensions lowered. "That happened a long time ago and trust me, I was being stupid. I don't know what got into my head,""That's fine, but don't you think I'd be married right now? Besides you wouldn't be saying all of these if I didn't come to this club," My tone was derisive.Her eyes widened in disappointment and she almos
Chapter 64IrisThe courtroom was thrown into an upheaval when I brought the young man in. Apparently, no one had ever challenged their barbaric customs that gave no chance for suspects to defend themselves.Just like they did to me."I say we lock him up and wait for Prince Gradel to come back. He should be done with the meetings by now, right?" Elder Hanson said.My body shuddered involuntarily at the mention of his name. I nearly slapped my cheek for having the hots for him when I was faced with a serious issue. His name wasn't supposed to have any effect on me.Head sentinel Silas snorted, advancing toward the young man who was already on his knees."That would be too easy for him. Who knows, Prince Gradel would return and decide to release him, but that would give other criminals the audacity to continue stealing and we don't want that to happen." He injected.My temper simmered to the surface and with all their ridiculous inputs, I was having a hard time keeping calm. Why couldn
Chapter 65Iris"Well done, Luna," I heard behind me.My eyes widened with astonishment, upon realizing that he had been watching us all along. Another shiver worked its way through my spine as I stood speechless. His sudden return brought several feelings: numbness, anger and sadness.I turned around and bowed before him. "Thank you, Your Highness."The elders and Head sentinel rose to their feet and inclined their heads, welcoming him from his trip. Seeing that there was no need for me in the courtroom anymore, I collected my shopping bag from the guard at the door and left. I hadn't gotten too far when I heard my name behind me. What did this man want? Though I'd halted on my steps, I didn't bother sparing him a glance. He could go to hell for all I cared. The heat emanating from his body told me how close he was. I don't know what it was, but I could melt if I didn't give him a distance. "How have you been?" He voiced gently. "Been good," I replied curtly. Other words were b
Chapter 66IrisLaying in the arms of the man who had marked me as his mate and told me he loved me wasn't just exhilarating, it was blissful as well.It was morning already, yet, I didn't have the energy to resume my duties as Luna just because I wanted to relax in bed all day.Gradel stirred, peering down at me with sparkly blue eyes that screamed how much he adored me. His lips grazed my forehead as he planted a lingering kiss that set my body on fire instantly.We had a marathon session last night and my thighs were sore from the constant pleasurable thrusts of his full length, so I was surprised that the soreness had reduced and I was more than ready to have him in again."Good morning, Angel. I hope you had a good night's rest?" His breathy voice felt like a caress on my skin and I couldn't help but shudder.I glanced at him shyly, palming my face. "Why are you asking when you know the answer?"His fingers trailed from my bare chest to my waist and then he began to tickle. "Well
Chapter 67GradelI watched them banter as if I wasn't in their midst. They had so much to talk about after they sensed that I'd marked my mate yesterday."Finally, His grace has officially marked our future Luna. Now he will understand what it means to have a mate and when children come... I don't want to imagine how much they'll stress our Prince," Elder Hanson chuckled."And maybe we'll have breaks like we did during yesterday's meeting." Lyros, the leader of the Beta rank injected, his lips curved in a smirk.I cleared my throat, subtly reminding them of my presence. They snapped their lips shut at once, peering at me in anticipation of what I'd say to them. "It's funny how you're all pretending to be happy about my union with Iris, yet you gave her a hard time yesterday just because I wasn't around." I snarled, clenching my fists in anger.Everything they said yesterday, I heard it all but I was overwhelmed with the need to mark my mate and that was why I didn't confront them ab
Chapter 68GradelI entered my father's room which stank badly and found Iris crouching on the floor, her eyes puffy with tears as she peered at me.Her body was taut with fear and by merely reading her body language, I knew what she was scared about. The pack hadn't completely accepted her and if word went out that she was with my father at his dying point, it would spark rumors around.Rumors strong enough to tarnish her image and I couldn't let that happen.Murmurs of regrets and consolation resonated behind me, reminding me that the elders had followed me down here. Even though I appreciated their presence, I didn't need them now."You can leave now. Send word around the pack about the Alpha's death and you all should begin to plan his burial." I ordered and they bowed and exited the room.I sank onto the cold floor with mixed feelings and the memories of the past that weren't dented by the evil deeds he committed surged into my head.As his son, tears should be pouring out of my
Chapter 69Gradel"Sure, I will. I can't keep fighting with the dead, but that won't stop him from getting the punishment he deserves." I spat bitterly and then I realized that I was far away from letting go of all the hurt he caused me if I still wished for him to be punished.Hegar could do nothing but shrug and I was glad that he dropped the issue.I trotted to the window, my hands casually folded behind my back while I drew in a deep breath. "I sent for you so that you can send a message to my brother and inform him of our father's passing. He might feel the same way I did, but I want to satisfy my conscience."He inclined his head. "I understand you and I'll get on it," A knock sounded on the door and Silas announced his presence. I motioned for him to come in and Hegar bowed again and left."Greetings, Your Grace, my condolences." He greeted."Thank you, Silas. I asked you to come here so that you can do some check-ups on him to ensure that he died naturally. I know that I cont
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