Richardson could not help but gloat at the sight of the left state counselor's triumphant face. The man believed he had won, believing that with a few well placed strikes he had managed to disarm Richardson, which almost caused the alpha to gloat at his beady face.“We are going to squash the Faes!” Right stare counselor yelled, his eyes alight with a fierce light, and Richardson could not help but grin at the sight before him.He knew why they were so happy, knew that it had nothing to do with submerging the Faes and everything to do with the planned coup they planned on carrying out against him, and he could not help but grin bitterly.“Alpha, this could only mean one thing.” His trusted advisor Roderick murmured in his ear. But Richardson was unmoved, Roderick was not telling him anything he did not already know, so it kind of dampened the whole dramatics.“It will be alright.” Richardson shrugged, his expression carefully blank, trying to give nothing away.He knew that any slight
Rhode was already exhausted as he could feel his thighs chapping with every move of the horse he was on. He was not a novice rider by any chance, in fact he had learned how to handle a saddle before he could even shift into the creature that resided inside of him, but even the most seasoned horse rider would have gotten sick of being on top of the beast by now.He knew that if he was feeling this tired, and yet shockingly restless, then his men must be having it worse. They had been on the saddle for three days and three nights with no breaks in between after all.“How are you holding up?” Rhode turned to ask the surprisingly young man that rode by his left hand side. The young man was responsible for holding on to his armor, and by rights should not be able to keep up with his men, but Rhode was shocked by the dogged determination the boy had been exhibiting.“I am alright, alpha.” The boy answered, his voice tight with strain, and Rhode had to smile at this. They could converse now
Rhode stared at the happy faces of his men under the moonlight. They were all at home right then, even if they were miles away from their families and loved ones. Being civilized was the price they all had to pay for the life they had, but at times they were all overcome by a deep and dark sense of nostalgia that urged them to throw everything away and become one with the moon and the untamed creature within.It was something every wolf experienced as they were often forced to suppress their primal nature in order to live as civilized men. But it was more prevalent in men, so he knew every man under the sound of his voice could feel what he felt.He turned to look at Brian and noticed the light finally coming back to his features after days and weeks of endless court intrigues.He could only hope that Megan was alright back in the palace. He felt selfish for enjoying such a feeling of freedom without her but knew that he shouldn't. It was not what she would want, he could tell.He had
Past alphas of the Jared family chose their wives from the Brighton family, where Megan was from. The case of the wife of the alpha being his mate was not a necessity for the Jared clan. Their marriages were strictly political. The former alpha, Ronald, chose Megan Brighton to be the next luna. To everyone’s surprise however, Megan turned out to be his son, Richardson’s mate. Leading everyone to believe theirs was a union of love. Richardson and Megan had been friends since they were young cubs, growing together as they were to get married in the event of the alpha’s demise. They worked together on how to rule the pack together, Megan was the perfect luna. Until this day. “I accept the divorce.” Megan said before the priest. Taking everyone in the courthouse by surprise They had heard the news of the divorce but thought Megan would put up a fight and not relinquish her role so easily. Even Richardson was surprised. Aspen tried her best to hide her smile of relief. “And I ask for
The next day came around and for the first time since she officially became Luna, she detested getting out of bed. She always looked forward to fulfilling her duties for the day as it gave her a sense of purpose but this particular day all she felt was gloom and anger.Regardless of how she was feeling, Megan got up from bed and rang for her ladies. Her duties were not going to fulfill themselves. She needed to keep busy now more than ever since Aspen was moving to the castle as Richardsons official concubine.She never thought that he would ever take a concubine.15 years ago.Megan was 12 and Richardson was 15. They were lying on the lawn after completing their lessons for the day.“Do you think you will ever take a concubine?” Megan asked, taking a bite out of her cookie. “The law allows it but what do you think?” She added.“My dad never took a concubine. The thought of that will simply break my mother’s heart.” He said.“Plus, I wouldn’t do that to you. One woman is enough for m
The meeting was adjourned in about an hour as it was only a customary visit. Rhode’s father, the former alpha and ruler of his empire, died of a disease that almost wiped out his entire family two years ago.Thankfully, Rhode was out on a mission and was not infected. Rhode assumed the role as alpha and in just a year he brought the Wales clan up the ladder and they were only second to the Jared kingdom in influence. In raw strength however, that was up for debate.Megan couldn’t shake off the feeling that she had seen Rhode before. He felt all too familiar and he looked at her often during the visit although she refused to look back at him. It was an insult to your husband as Luna to look at another male in the presence of your husband, especially one from another pack.After all the visitors had left, Megan got up to leave the courtroom.“It would do you well to have a group of reporters come see you.” Richardson said.“Why?” Megan asked. “Word has reached me that rumors have spread
“Hey!” Aspen said. Taking both the ladies attending to her and Megan’s entourage by surprise. Gasps were heard.“How dare you refer to the queen so informally!” Rosetta barked at Aspen.“I’m sorry, I’m so used to calling you informally.” Aspen said. “I haven’t seen you on castle grounds ever. It’s like you’re invisible Luna.” Aspen said with a small smile.Megan was still frozen, unsure of what to do or how to respond.“I just want to talk, Meg. Please.” Aspen pleaded.“Oh look! A little cub!” One of the women pointed. The cub ran to Megan’s feet.“Why is there a stray on castle grounds!” Brianna asked, turning around to find one of the guards.Megan was thankful for the distraction. She bent down and picked up the cub, “he’s not a stray.” She said and smiled.“You came to rescue me, didn’t you?” She whispered in the cub’s ear and it licked her hand.“Your highness! It could have some sort of disease!” Rosetta gasped.“Going to make me sick, baby?” She cooed at the cub, Aspen took the
Megan woke up earlier than usual to go to the garden. She hoped to see the little cub as she felt better whenever she held him in her arms.The sun wasn’t out yet and Megan was clear to the guards to not follow her into the garden. In a month’s time she will be divorced. She will no longer be queen or Luna and all she had lived for will be no more. She wasn’t even sure of her status in the castle after the divorce.“Do I return home?” Megan asked out loud. “The shame might be too much for my family.”“The former Luna returns home after a failed marriage due to her inability to provide an heir.” Megan laughed sadistically. If someone would have told her that her life would turn out this way at 27 she would have laughed in their face. “Where are you, cub?” She asked. “I should’ve named you.” She thought. At Least it would’ve been easier to call out to him.“Your highness!” She heard a male voice call from behind her.“I told you I want to be alone.” Megan said and turned around.“Forgi
Rhode stared at the happy faces of his men under the moonlight. They were all at home right then, even if they were miles away from their families and loved ones. Being civilized was the price they all had to pay for the life they had, but at times they were all overcome by a deep and dark sense of nostalgia that urged them to throw everything away and become one with the moon and the untamed creature within.It was something every wolf experienced as they were often forced to suppress their primal nature in order to live as civilized men. But it was more prevalent in men, so he knew every man under the sound of his voice could feel what he felt.He turned to look at Brian and noticed the light finally coming back to his features after days and weeks of endless court intrigues.He could only hope that Megan was alright back in the palace. He felt selfish for enjoying such a feeling of freedom without her but knew that he shouldn't. It was not what she would want, he could tell.He had
Rhode was already exhausted as he could feel his thighs chapping with every move of the horse he was on. He was not a novice rider by any chance, in fact he had learned how to handle a saddle before he could even shift into the creature that resided inside of him, but even the most seasoned horse rider would have gotten sick of being on top of the beast by now.He knew that if he was feeling this tired, and yet shockingly restless, then his men must be having it worse. They had been on the saddle for three days and three nights with no breaks in between after all.“How are you holding up?” Rhode turned to ask the surprisingly young man that rode by his left hand side. The young man was responsible for holding on to his armor, and by rights should not be able to keep up with his men, but Rhode was shocked by the dogged determination the boy had been exhibiting.“I am alright, alpha.” The boy answered, his voice tight with strain, and Rhode had to smile at this. They could converse now
Richardson could not help but gloat at the sight of the left state counselor's triumphant face. The man believed he had won, believing that with a few well placed strikes he had managed to disarm Richardson, which almost caused the alpha to gloat at his beady face.“We are going to squash the Faes!” Right stare counselor yelled, his eyes alight with a fierce light, and Richardson could not help but grin at the sight before him.He knew why they were so happy, knew that it had nothing to do with submerging the Faes and everything to do with the planned coup they planned on carrying out against him, and he could not help but grin bitterly.“Alpha, this could only mean one thing.” His trusted advisor Roderick murmured in his ear. But Richardson was unmoved, Roderick was not telling him anything he did not already know, so it kind of dampened the whole dramatics.“It will be alright.” Richardson shrugged, his expression carefully blank, trying to give nothing away.He knew that any slight
It felt like Aspen had been travelling on the rocky roads for days. Some days they strayed towards civilization, but her scruffy companion for some reason insisted that they kept closer to the swamp. A fact that never failed to rouse Aspen’s ire. She was with child, and more filthy and disgusting than she had ever been, and what was worse? She was expected to be okay with it! She had once tried to voice her concerns, but her scruffy companion simply stared at her with beady unsympathetic eyes that were void of any true desire to make her life more comfortable.“Wait! Slow down you bumble head!” Aspen yelled out raspily. Her voice was gone from serious dehydration. At this point she was seriously beginning to fear for the health of her poor baby.“Look, you could dawdle here all you want and wait for our captors to catch up with you, but I'm not going to do that with you, so I think we should part ways here.” Rudolph said firmly, his eyes unwavering, and Aspen gulped. She had no idea
Megan watched as Rhode and his army of about five hundred soldiers mount their horses they were intending to ride to the west. A lot of petitions were made for him to increase the number of warriors going with him, especially from Megan herself, but he did not take heed. Megan knew he did not wish to leave her defenseless so he was going without the appropriate amount of protection, and her love for him grew.Be safe out there.She nodded as he turned to find her in the crowd, he heard her, and he showed her by returning her firm nod.I will.It was an exchange of trust, so Megan tried to bite down on her anxiety as she wished she was not pregnant at the moment. It rendered her vulnerable, and Vulnerability was not entertained in the East.“He is really leaving.” Brianna whispered from where she stood behind Megan, and Rosetta nodded, her face lacking its usual cheer and awash with somberity.Megan could not help but wonder what caused such expression to overcome someone like Rosetta
Rhode glanced at Brian sideways, and he was immediately suspicious. There was a grin his friend was now sporting a glow that he did not have on a few hours ago. But he could say the same thing for himself, he thought, as he looked at Megan standing beside him, her back straight and her eyes firmly set on the Council members below. He could not be sure if he was putting her at risk by doing what he was doing, but he knew that it was a risk he had to take. He could not leave her and the rest of his family powerless. He had to protect Brianna as well, Brian was counting on him, so Rhode straightened his back as well.“As you all were previously informed, Lord Rosebud is going to be acting as regent in my absence, but there have been a few changes.” Rhode announced, and the entire council shuffled, not liking what they were hearing, but he couldn't care less. Rosebud was on board and that was all that mattered to Rhode.“What's this change about, alpha?” Lord Aldrien asked, his eyes shi
Aspen frowned as she was led outside to do her routine for the thousandth time since her kidnapping. It was the baby pressing on her bladder, and she tried to make that fact known, but they were not only not listening but were also rapidly losing patience with her.“May I request a female guard?” She murmured for the hundredth time since she got into their capture. She knew they had female guards, but for some reason she was constantly surrounded by males.“No. Move.” Was the eloquent reply she got as she was roughly prodded forward from behind, and Aspen frowned. She could not believe she was being forced to endure such indignities during her pregnancy with an Alpha.“I can take it from here.” Aspen muttered stiffly as they neared the approaching bush. She had to swallow down the approaching bile down her throat.“She said she'll take it from here.” The pack leader grunted, and Aspen turned her nose forward as she marched towards the bush with all the dignity she could muster.As soo
Brian hurried through the palace in his futile search for Brianna, but no matter how much he tried, he just could not find her. She was not with Megan in the sun drawing room, nor was she with Rosetta as he watched the bubbly woman interact with some maids, not even caring that they were below her station. The sight almost made him smile before he cleared his throat abruptly, and the room full of women turned towards him. Immediately he could see them straighten out their hair and clothes, and a few even did a quick swipe of lipstick across their lips at the sight of him, and Brian frowned as he wondered if they found his presence that imposing and unpleasant, so he hurried towards Rosetta.“I need to talk to you.” He told her urgently, before spurning on his heels to stride out, but as he left, he heard what sounded like protests behind and frowned. Women, he just could not understand them.“Sir Brian?” Rosetta gasped as she finally caught up to his uneasy figure pacing underneath
“Why did you take this decision without informing me about it?” Brian asked angrily as he bursted into Rhode's office, his wolf almost rising to the surface as he snarled, but Rhode simply smiled. He was expecting Brian after all, he knew that after his announcement in the council meeting about his decision to personally oversee the mission to the west, Brian would barge in on him, demanding an explanation.Everyone had been shocked when he dropped the bomb and announced his decision to follow the soldiers to the rescue of his rival, the western alpha, but he was determined.He knew the council were trying to domesticate him, he could sense it in the way they tried their best to put a stop to every and any activity that warranted leaving the four walls of his kingdom. They were trying to drive him insane with longing and rage, then introduce Lord Fuhler to him as a savior. He could see right through them that it was almost hilarious. Almost.But he would not be Rhode If he allowed t