I stood still, holding the picnic basket in my hands, waiting for Theran to bring the chariot around. Evening was cooling the air, a soft breeze rustling through the grass as the sun dipped below the horizon. Alexander was a few feet away, talking in a low tone, his broad shoulders outlined by the failing light. I looked at him, at peace. Moments like those were fragile treasures I wanted to hold onto in the wake of everything we'd been through.Then, something changed. A shift, a movement in the bushes, and my eyes had darted toward it. My eyes narrowed, peering deeper into the thick foliage. For one brief moment, I thought I might have imagined it, just the wind, perhaps-but then it happened again.My heart skiddled. Not again."Alexander." I breathed, my voice low. He turned to me in an instant, catching the alteration in my tone."What is it?" he asked, his voice low and ready, his entire body tautening as his piercing eyes followed my gaze to the bush.There it was again. A flash
As soon as we passed through the gates of the kingdom, Alexander's sharp voice tore into the silence.Guards!" he roared, his voice an order. "Double the watch and keep patrols going throughout the night. The rogues are near, and we'll not let them one step closer.".The guards, who were already suspicious when we arrived, immediately jumped into action; their eyes enlarged as they saw the blood still on Alexander's clothes. They knew the urgency without asking any questions. I heard them rallying their men as they spread out in formation, armor clinking in ready preparation for battle.I felt this bizarre sense of relief knowing the kingdom was safe for now, but my own heart was still in turmoil. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily upon my chest. I just needed to get inside, away from the open, away from the fear."Elora," Alexander said softly, his gaze turning to me. "Go inside. The maids will take care of you."I nodded, my legs trembling a little as I stepped off the c
"We can't just let this go," one growled, his voice low and venomous. "He destroyed our brothers. He slaughtered them like they were nothing."A murmur of assent ran rife as at the circular ripples on a pool; the glint of a mutual rage blazed in their eyes. Well did they know the force that Alexander had been given to wield: his swiftness, strength, as in a storm he cut through them in the field. Still, this thirst for revenge was deeply in their bones, and none was willing to let it slip their minds-the blood that had flown upon that field.Standing among them was the leader of the rogues-a large wolf, scarred fur and his piercing eyes saying a million words while he stood in silence. He was the one they looked up to for guidance, the one who led them through numerous battles, surviving at places where others fell. His name was Kade, and though his face was composed, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts."Alexander is to
The gentle tap at the door was almost not audible, but Elora heard it through her thoughts. She lay on her bed, her hands gently resting on her swollen belly, her mind very far away, replaying the events of the day over and over again. The door creaked open and Caroline, her maid, came into the room with a tray of food. The sweet smell of hot soup and freshly baked bread filled the air, but Elora didn't even notice it."Elora?" Caroline was gentle as she came closer with the tray to the bed and set it on the small table next to her. "I brought you something to eat.Elora blinked, dragging herself from her reverie. She turned her head and glanced toward Caroline, returning a small smile that did not quite reach her eyes. "Thank you, Caroline," she said softly, but made no move to sit up.For a moment, Caroline studied her, the furrowing of her brow showing her concern. Elora had been distant since they returned from the picnic,
Alison burst into her room, angry. She slammed the door shut behind her, her hands were trembling as she paced the room. It was unbelievable. How was it that Alexander, her Alexander, would fall in love with someone like Elora? The very thought sent her blood boiling."Why didn't they just kill her?" Alison muttered through gritted teeth, the anger in her voice trembling. "Those rogues-what was the point of them if they couldn't even do the one thing I needed them to?" She was losing control, and she knew it. Her heart pounded against her chest as she turned away from the mirror and began pacing once more; her footsteps heavy and erratic.Alison's thoughts spiraled even more out of control. She had been patient, waiting for Alexander to come to his senses, to realize that she was standing right there, waiting for him. But now, Elora was in the way and it felt as though all hope had been shattered.
Alexander stood at the door of Elora's room, the soft moonlight pouring through the windows. He smiled to himself feeling relieved. After all that had happened, she was finally at peace-sleeping soundly in her bed.He stepped softly into the room, his movements were guarded so he wouldn't break the stillness of the night as he drew near her. Her chest rose and fell with regular breathing. She looked more beautiful than ever-innocent, calm, and so utterly dear to him. He could not help reaching down, smoothing a wayward lock of hair from off her face. His heart swelled with affection as he pressed a soft kiss onto her forehead."Rest, my love," he whispered softly, barely audible, as if speaking any louder would shatter the fragile peace wrapping the room. "I'll keep you safe."As he straightened up, his eyes stayed on her, an overwhelming feeling of contentment, washing over him. This was everything he had ever wanted: being her protect
When she came to the edge of the city gates and paused a moment, looking into the surrounding darkness. When no guards or casual passersby were in view, she entered into the darkened tunnel just outside the city gates. The passageway was narrow and dark. She reached under her cloak and pulled out a torch, striking it against the stone walls until a small flame flickered to life. Shortly after, it had brightened to a steady light, and now the tunnel was dimly lit. She went further down, deeper into the shadows.The flame danced, casting strange shadows on the walls of the tunnel, but Alison forged on, her steps were sure and steady. She came to the end of the tunnel and stopped. The time had come.She took a deep breath and whistled low and sharp. The sound reverberated off the walls of the tunnel, echoing back in the eerie silence following. For a few tense moments, there was nothing—only the sound of her breathing and the flicker of the torch in her hand.Then, a soft rustling.The
The morning sunlight came in through the curtains, giving a warm glow in my room. I sat at the window, staring out aimlessly, my eyes were fixed on the soft rays of light that reflected on the floor. It felt like I had been lost in my thoughts for what felt like hours.I wanted to feel different. lighter. I wanted to see those places that I never had a chance to visit in this kingdom.Besides, Alexander was out on some important business, and I was left alone.A gentle knock at the door brought me back into my present. My loyal maid, Catherine, entered my room, carrying food on a tray."Good morning, my lady," she greeted with a soft smile while placing the tray on the table beside me. "I've brought your breakfast."I smiled back, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "Thank you, Catherine." I wasn't hungry, but I knew I needed to eat something. I pushed the thoughts aside and took a small, mechanical bite of the bre
CAYDENI gave them a puzzled look as the all stares at me. "What?" I asked. "How do you expect me to lure him out? The guy hates my guts. He's basically starting this whole war simply to ruin me.""That's exactly the reason why you are the best person to lure him out," Marcy replied. "He seems to be holding a deep and terrible grudge for you. All you have to do is tug on that grudge.""What?" I asked, confused. "I don't understand.""I'll be straightforward with it then," she said. "We can't win against that guy when his brain and mind are functioning properly. He is incredibly smart, cunning and overly cautious. He might make a mistake in battle but not one that we can exploit. He might also have a vast army by now considering all of the deaths he's caused. He's even had time to turn them into his minions. There's no telling the amount of abominations he can unleash on us.""I still don't understand what any of that has to do with me and how it helps me anger him," I replied, lookin
CAYDENI stared at Marcy, at her beautiful eyes as they stare back at me."You're right," I nodded. "He must going around and talking to anyone he believes would be strong enough to be a threat to him.""He won't be simply convincing them either," Rafael added. "He threated me with death when I refused. I believe the others would be getting the same offer I got, both the good and bad aspects of it. He gave up on killing me for reasons I wouldn't disclose but I don't think the others will get that luxury."We pondered it for a bit and Marcy started to speak."What do yo-""Switch," Raphael suddenly said, looking beside him. It took me a while to figure out that he was talking to one of the women he was sleeping with. "Oh, and pass the gag as well. I'm still having a meeting.""Oh, so you remember you are in a meeting," I hissed. "Couldn't you do this at a more convenient time?""You know me, Cayden," Rafael smiled. "I'm actually showing a bit of decorum here. At least give me some cred
MARCYFor goddess' sake, these two would never stop bickering. I couldn't help but sigh at Cayden's blatant response to her name, obviously angering Beatrice who stared back at him with resolute indignation."And I couldn't be bothered that this bastard is an Alpha," she retorted."Okay, that's it," I said. "Beatrice, you would have to excuse us for this conversation.""The Beta too," he added as Alex silently perused the documents, choosing not to involve himself in their conflict.Ever since Cayden accepted Bella back for the sake of my children, Alex had developed a form of respect for him. He still hates him with a passion but just like me, he has learned to tolerate him as well."I don't think it would be a good idea for Alex to not be present," I replied. "If this is about nobody, that is. He's been doing a lot of research on him and the kind of creature he is. I believe he would have some important information to share."Cayden seemed... displeased?It might just be my imagina
CAYDEN"What was I thinking?" I chastised myself under my breath, mentally facepalming at my impulsiveness. "This is all Jace's fault. That bastard."Jace's words had plagued me after he said them. He wasn't wrong. All I needed to do hear from Marcy was call her. It was as easy as that.But that was incredibly tough for me. I don't think I've spoken to Marcy since we started walking together. In fact, we've never talked on the phone from the day I knew her. Calling her now would not only put of character, but it'll be awkward as well.I couldn't bring myself to do it.I also couldn't deny the fact that I missed her presence in the pack. Hateful as she may be of me, she brightened up my mood when I saw her. This only increased after our imprisonment in the Bloodless Pack. She had grown to tolerate me and at least give me a chance to talk to her without it divulging into an argument about my horribly stupid past mistakes. She even allowed me interact with her children who strangely ca
MARCYHectic.That's the only word that best describes my return to the pack.It turns out having a competent Beta cam only make your work harder when you leave for a long time. Alex handled everything and being the man that he is, decided that there are some decisions that require my exclusive input and they were too sensitive to be discussed while I was in the Blue Heart Pack because of the possibility that we were being watched.That has only served to complicate my life more now that I'm back as I had a plethora of meetings, hours of perusing documents and even more hours of signing such that my wrists hurt.Knowing I would be going back, Alex was making sure I did all that could be done before leaving.I groaned audibly as I read through yet another document. Alex is in the chair opposite me as he silently read and sorted out other documents. We've been at this for five hours now and I am both exhausted and bored.A knock on the door attracts our attention and I hope against all
CAYDEN"Jace!" I yelled as I rummaged through my office in search of a particular document. "Jace!"Jace calmly walked in on my second call with his usual expressionless face. "You know, you could easily call me through the mind link. You didn't have to yell.""I do what I want," I retorted as I continued to rummage through my shelves while Jace stood there calmly, watching me.After a few minutes of fruitless effort, I turned to look at him. "Well?" I said with annoyance in my eyes. "Help me out, will you?!""You still haven't told me what you are searching for, Alpha?" He replied calmly. "I can't find it if I don't know it.""The contract we drew up with the Nightwalker Pack. I want that contract," I replied as I continued to check through numerous files and documents."May I ask why?" I looked up at him again, this time my annoyance turning into anger."No, you may not! Just fucking find it!""That's why I said you could have just asked me through the mind link instead of going
CAYDENJace's words bit deep. All I could do was stare at my Beta as he quite calmly admonished me for my foolish mistakes. I had no words for him as I stared at my table, unable to even look at his face."Well, who am I to chastise you," he shrugged. "I don't know what it's like to be Alpha and I've never ruled a pack. You probably were desperate at the time and I can understand that desperate times call for desperate solutions.""Jace," I sighed after a few seconds of silence between us. "What do I do to get out of this mess?"He didn't reply for a few minutes before taking a deep breath."Solve it."I finally got the courage to look up at him."What?" "First of all, get that weird sorry look off your face," he said. "An Alpha must never falter. You know that better than I do."I continued to stare at him, puzzled."I've never been in your situation before because I've never had to kill a woman I impregnated, so I don't have a set path I could advise you to follow," he continued. "
yCAYDENI tapped my fingers restlessly on my table as I sat at on my office. The atmosphere is quite relaxing with rays of sunlight illuminating the office through the window and a tranquil silence that would easily put anyone to sleep.Yet, I was restless.The door opened and Alex walked in distractedly as he eyes were glued to a few papers in his hand."Good day, Alpha," he greeted, still distracted. "You called for me.""Yeah," I nodded. "Take a seat."He promptly obeyed but still didn't look up from his papers. They seem to have him entranced."Eyes up ahead, Jace," I said as I tapped louder on the table to get his attention.He finally looked up at me with a question in his eyes, obviously displeased for having to look up from whatever he is reading."What do you have there?" I asked out of curiosity."Documents of our expenditure and a few other observations the scouts and administrators reported about the pack. Apparently, we might have neglected quite a bit in the past year."
MARCYThe atmosphere was tense in my office. I was on high alert and I scanned my surroundings carefully for any sign of his invisible minions. He knew they couldn't escape my eye so he brought none. Even still, I wasn't exactly at peace around him.There was something inherently wrong about his entire presence. Except for the obvious scent of death surrounding him, I can feel there was something else but can't quite place my hand on it.I don't want to admit it but he gives me the chills."A warning, huh?" I asked coldly as I tapped my fingers on my desk. "Are you gonna threaten me in my own pack?""I wouldn't be dumb enough to do that, would I?" He chuckled. "I'm hoping not," I replied."So, if I do warn or threaten you," he said as he leaned forward. "It's because I am confident that I can."I stared at him for a few minutes and leaned forward as well."Then you must be the most foolish being on earth, whatever you are."He chuckled for a bit and then leaned back."I like you, Al