Chapter 21IrisSince I wasn't keen on getting intimate with him, I took a stool and decided to follow my heart. They could do whatever they wanted to me, but I won't go that route, at least, not without Prince Gradel's permission."Hi, Gradel. I'll call you by your first name because we are mates and I have something to ask of you," I took in a deep breath."You've never liked me. Your hatred for me has always been evident just like the sun in the sky, but today, you did something that no one has ever done for me, not even the people I expected it from. While I was away in the Red Sea pack, I thought of how I might never see your handsome face and that scared me to death. My feelings are conflicted right now so it will be unsafe to admit anything, but one thing I'm sure of is that I'll always have you in my heart." I sobbed.My eyes darted to his thumb which jerked and slowly I reached for his hands. This was the only advantage of his unconsciousness. Being able to talk to him and po
Chapter 22GradelHer jaw dropped and she stared at me wide-eyed. Shock masked her beautiful face and her eyes simmered with sympathy for me.Strangely, I liked that she felt my pain, which was weird because I didn't enjoy having other people throw a pity party for my sake, but hers felt different. It felt proper."Oh my! I'm so sorry to hear that, "She gushed. "How were you able to cope?" She asked, pushing closer to me."I didn't try to cope, I just lived with it. There's nothing that can make me forget that night, sometimes the memories hide in the darkest part of my heart only to resurface whenever I think of her." My voice cracked.She sniffed and when I glanced at her, I realized that she was crying. "I'm sorry," She whispered, "I can't help the tears." She said, drying her eyes.I nodded curtly and drifted into the memory lane. "It all started one fateful evening. I'd just returned from the woods where I engaged in a running session with some of the sentinels that were assigned
Chapter 23IrisMy heart ached for him and I began to understand why he despised me so much from the first time he saw me. It was because I reminded him of his pain.The fact that he was telling me his story showed that his resentment for me had been assuaged, but I wasn't sure that it had gone completely so I took what he could give."According to her, the necklace should be given to my brother, and the bracelet to me. She knew that I had eyes on the bracelet, but I didn't know that I'd be getting it from her that soon." He croaked. I didn't know how to console him any more than I'd already done, but I was sure that my presence was making it easier for him to grieve. My heart bled for him when I imagined how long he had to bear the cross alone. "Do you know the worst part?" I shook my head. "He was never there in all of this. My father acted like my mother didn't matter to him and I began to wonder if she was truly his mate. It was so bad that I asked some of the elders and then
Chapter 24IrisI spun around, pursing my lips in surprise."You aren't allowed to leave without my permission, Iris," He said with a bossy tone that reminded me of his rank, but my mind wasn't solely fixated on it, rather, I was distracted by how my name sounded on his lips and how my body warmed up inside.Feeling flustered, I inclined my head to stop him from noticing the blush that had crept to my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Gradel. I thought we were done with the conversation.""No, we're not. My father would want my presence in the court, seeing that I've recovered quite swiftly so that he can scold me for going against his orders, and though I'm not scared of him, I don't think I have the energy to argue with him today." He confessed.Waves of disappointment hit me hard, knowing that he was just using me to escape boredom as he usually did."That's not a bad idea, but can I ask why you wanted me to stay back?" I asked politely, though I wanted to be anything but courteous.Then he requ
Chapter 25IrisOn hearing that, my mind drifted, pondering on how my life would be once he left the pack. I was already swooning, getting excited that he would protect me from the hatred of the pack, but then it occurred to me that I might not survive it if he left.I ran my tongue over my chapped lips and cleared my throat. I was in no position to make demands, but I'd decided that whatever happened at the Red Sea Pack wouldn't repeat itself."Agreed, but I have a request to make," I said nervously.He lowered his lashes, squinting his eyes in confusion. "Don't push your luck, you have no say in this." He replied harshly.Maybe I should have kept my lips shut that moment, but my mouth was quite faster than my brain and the words fell out before I could stop myself. "I want you to teach me how to fight."His aloof expression cracked, and then a smile broke through which slowly extended into full-blown laughter.His act of mockery should have made me embarrassed but it didn't, rather,
Chapter 26GradelIt took all the self-control I had to walk away from her without tearing her dress into shreds and claiming her, but I succeeded after conquering the innate desires of my wolf to take her right there in the garden. I feared a relapse as my body was getting weaker by the minute. I didn't know whether to blame it on Iris's absence or the poison, but getting dependent on her wasn't a part of the plan so I agreed that it was the poison. Those bastards. They thought that they could get rid of me by poisoning me, what they didn't know that I had a strong immune, capable of fighting off poisons. I might have had a death scare, but heaven knows that I'd rather fight it with all my strength than give in. After all, the Red Sea pack still had to pay for what they did to me and my mate—no, Iris. As I descended into the hallway leading to my room, my eyes caught the sight of a shadow lurking around. Angst and animosity worked its way through me when I discovered who it was.
Chapter 27IrisWe arrived at his house and my eyes ran over the brick walls that formed a bungalow. It was simple and beautiful, just like other houses that belonged to the elite and middle-class members of our pack.Hazel went ahead of me, claiming to be my escort. Though she was scared, I was happy that she didn't turn her back on me. I would face Gradel later, but seeing that Hegar was in good shape was of utmost priority to me.I slanted a stare at my sides and found people inclining their heads in my direction, throwing me into confusion. Then I remembered that Gradel's scent was still on me even though we hadn't gotten intimate recently.Just like he promised, the protection and prestige he offered were already materializing as no one dared speak rudely to me for fear of Gradel's wrath against them."Are you ready to see him?""Sure. Let's do this," I encouraged her and then she knocked.A young girl opened the door slightly, thrusting her head forward and she stared at us with
Chapter 28IrisWe had walked away a long distance from Hegar's house when he halted his steps with his arms behind him. "Rule number one," He spoke in a surly tone. "Don't go anywhere without my knowledge. I know that we haven't done the mating rites because we aren't going to do it, but have it at the back of your mind that you are still under my protection." He dished out.A very rude reply danced at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it, letting off a sigh. "I'm sorry for not telling you. You left abruptly and I wanted to know how Hegar was faring. He helped you to protect me, don't you think it's proper for me to show my appreciation to him?"He grunted and fixed a stare, reeking of undeniable jealousy. "No, it's improper. Hegar works for me and he won't appreciate what you did because he was trained to give his life for me. It's not like I don't appreciate it, but you should know your place." He stated with a very stern voice that caused my eyes to sting with tears. I coul
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