ZAYNAAs I brushed my hair and got ready to meet the girls at the restaurant, my mind was preoccupied with so many thoughts. I still haven't gotten over the dream, remembering it now made a cold shiver ran down my spine.It's been two years and I had never seen her in my dream. I had probably forgotten all about her. Is Nahla alive ? I asked myself as I stared at the mirror.I shook my head. No. It wasn't possible. Nahla.She died two years ago , and when the ambulance conveying her body to the hospital caught fire, I knew that she would never return, her body was gone and I had Lukan all to myself.I was supposed to tell my father about the dream, but ever since he went for a trip, he had neither called nor sent me a text.I was bathed in luxury to care all about that."Hey, girl." I spoke into the receiver after the third ring and Rina picked up." Zayna, where are you ?" she said in a small voice which was laced with anger ." We have been waiting for you, what's wrong girl d
Chapter 47.LUKAN."You mean you found something else on Merida case?" I asked, my voice sounding low over the receiver .it's been two days since we last spoke and ever since he had worked hard tirelessly on the case to get me the right information. And now by 8:30 p.m. my phone had rang, just as I got out of the bathroom, the white towel tied around my waist, I could hear the chattering in the dining hall downstairs. Everyone would have a late dinner today because Lemuel and Zayba had gone for their bonding ceremony and a bunch of makeup artist and designers had also be called to the Packhouse to choose a dress for Zayna out of the eight dresses she had picked for her bonding ceremony. It was just so absurd and stupid to think about it. "I went back to Frostclaw Pack and realized that Garrick and his wife Ophelia no longer live in the pack." Investigator Bartlett said and his statement hit me like a punch in the gut.It wasn't any of my business if Garrick and his wife Ophelia
LEMUEL.Finally.I just couldn't wait, it was a day everyone was looking forward to .I could have Zayna as my mate now. Our bonding ceremony could have taken place months back but in didn't want to rush things with Zayna.We had finally gone shopping, I understood her hesitance for not going for the shopping all this while. She had been so busy with with so many things and I was looking forward to the bonding ceremony.I was off the market and the news about the bonding ceremony had gone round the pack as usual.I laughed at the thought, happiness surging through me ."Why are you laughing?" Zayna asked. We had just had a late dinner and now we were standing at the balcony.My arms circling around Zayna, while she rested her head against my chest."Nothing really." I muttered." Just thinking about something, that's all." "Thinking about what ?" Zayna pressed further, she just won't let me be. " Our bonding ceremony?"I nodded, grinning." You can't wait too , right?"Zayna nodded too
LEMUEL"I think it's high time you got a mate than staring at me like that." I said to Dean as I tried for the eleventh time to knot a tie.He threw his head and laughed. " Nah, not now, besides I haven't felt the connection or have the scent of anyone waltz into my nostrils."I gave a look at the awful tie I had on now and shook my head at it. One thing was certain I could do anything, memorize anything in minutes but knowing a tie wasn't one of them.The moon goddess knew that I had tried."You can't get a mate staying wrapped up in the comfort of your bedsheet. You go out and fall in love, get a mate.""Whatever." Dean muttered." So I should go to the market or staying at the entrance of every mall."I coughed ,trying not to laugh."Better don't pressurize me. " He said waving his hands in the air. " Don't you dare."" I won't." I laughed."Thank you very much , dear brother ." He got up from the couch where he was watching me, prepare for the family dinner Zayna had invited me to.
MERIDA"So, what do you want to do today?" someone asked from behind me. I turned abruptly to see Lemuel smiling. He was wearing a loose cotton shirt, and the happiness in his eyes was unmistakable.I thought this must be how one should feel when their bonding ceremony was approaching, but I had never felt this happy before—maybe because I never really knew who Lukan was.I shook my head, as if that could rid me of the swirling thoughts in my mind."Are you happy?" I asked."What?" he stuttered, clearly surprised by my question. I slapped my temple softly; I wasn’t supposed to ask him that. It was obvious he was happy—who wouldn't be?"Sorry, I meant to ask—" I stopped, trailing off, not knowing what to say."I understand what you meant, Merida," he said, laughing."Are you laughing at me?" I asked, playfully punching him on his upper arm."I know you're asking if I'm happy to be with Zayna," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets and giving a small shrug. "I'm very happy, actual
MERIDAThat very moment felt like a movie, so unreal. Never in a million years would I think that Lukan would ever defend me or come to my rescue.I felt like I was swimming in the sky. I felt that happiness that comes when your mate defends you, when his wolf struggles to fight off those who try to bully you.I felt like a high school girl who found out her crush was her mate.But at the same time, I blamed myself.I could have waited for a perfect time to tell him, or I shouldn't have told him in the first place.I blamed myself for not telling Lukan first.He was my mate and also the alpha of the pack. He was the first person I was supposed to trust, not any other person.And now Zayna had a little idea that I knew something.As Lukan led me downstairs to the field and then to the stables, I thought about it.What if Zayna was the person in the room that day?She was a talkative too, and soon she would tell everyone what I said. But at least I didn’t finish it.I just couldn't conc
MERIDAMy mind flashed back to what I wanted to tell Lemuel , and I felt instantly that I should tell Luka when he comes back from preparing lunch for me. But I had been waiting for the past 30 minutes and there had been no sign of him coming with the food he prepared.I limped to the mirror and stared at my reflection, I looked flustered.I exhaled deeply, I had to tell Lukan about this, at least he could find out who was behind this and save the lives of Lemuel and Zayna.If only Zayna knew what I was helping her to do, she could have been so grateful me but no she was just saucy and arrogant and felt like she could bully me around.I gathered my hair and held it up in a ponytail, staring at myself in the mirror. The pain had subside now and I could manage to stand on my own. I realized that I do not feel so much pain and when I glanced at my legs, I felt that the bruises were healing up on their own. Maybe it was a sign that I was getting my wolf back. But I didn't know how sur
"I was just thinking," Lukan said behind me as I sat before the vanity, trying so faintly to have my makeup done. Not that there weren't makeup artist downstairs but everyone was crowded around Zayna .Anyways what will I supposed to think? It was her big day today so, I have to get my makeup done even when I suck at it. The makeup box was opened before me the foundation, the Mary k and the lipstick and I didn't know which color should go with my dress. I pouted at my reflection in the mirror." I can't stay alone in the Pack House." I reminded him as I picked up a concealer and held it up to my cheeks."You are not staying alone you can stay with some of the maids and guards." He said again and from the corner of my eyes I could see him rolling up his sleeves, and tucking his hands into his pocket.I hated it when he do that a lot, rolling up his sleeves , leaving them wrinkled after several minutes of getting them iron and straightened. "But the members of The Pack are going to t
LUKANThe ballroom emptied in chaos,voices whispering and eyes watching as Merida and I made our way to the car. I kept my face blank, my emotion locked away. I had done what I wanted to do and now I felt at ease .Kara and Zayna were gone, their betrayal had been exposed, and the rest of the pack that weren't present would hear every detail by morning.The air inside the car felt heavy.Merida sat quietly beside me, her gaze fixed out the window. For amoment, I wanted to speak, to say something that would lighten the weight pressing on us. But what could I say? She was in shock, everyone was in shock.Behind us, Lemuel, Dean, and Julietta followed in another car.The convoy moved through the streets to the packhouse , the soft hum of the engine the only sound. My mind was far from the quiet road, replaying the night's events.In few minutes , we arrived at the Packhouse, the scene before us was shocking. The everywhere buzzed with activity. Guards whispered among themselves, and mai
LUKANThe atmosphere in the room felt so thick and stifling.Everything had happened so fast and sudden and the worst part was that Zayna was dead Her lifeless body lay sprawled on the icy, blood-soaked floor, her face calm in death was the stark reminder of the happiness she once had. The heavy weight of shock and grief hung heavily in every corner of the hall. Some women were already beginning to sob a d some were too scared to leave the hall.My wolf stirred restlessly within me, a mix of fury, sorrow, and an urgent desire for revenge, to have Beta Thedeus punished for all the nonsense he had caused. Something in me wanted to find the culprit myself and deal with them. They tried to kill me and because of that Zayna was dead even though she didn't deserve any of this.Even though I was feeling really angry, I knew I had to stay calm. There was a big problem coming, and it wasn't too far from where I was but I had to stop it.“You!” Beta Thaddeus's angry voice shattered the ten
LUKANThe ballroom felt heavy with the tension and everything I had revealed, no one could say a single word it felt like the world had suddenly come to an end . Beta Thedeus and his bastard son felt like vanishing together with every member of the council who had supported him.The chandeliers twinkled above, showing the tension that filled the hall. Everyone was waiting patiently for my words, their gazes filled with curiosity, suspicion, and a hint of fear. Glasses held half drunk in their hands, eyes casting dirty looks at Beta Thedeus and his daughter Zayna.In the crowd, Zayna's expression was one of forced composure, and her shaking hands showed how scared she was, she was never expecting any of this She was clearly weighing her options, her eyes flicking between me and the assembled pack members.I approached her slowly, the sound of my boots sending sounds on the marble floors that made her shiver . “Zayna,” I started, my tone firm and precise. “I have something to ask
LUKANThe grand hall shone brightly under the golden chandeliers, their illumination dancing across polished marble floors and beautifully carved columns. This event was more than a mere ball—it was a display of deception organized by those eager to alter the legacy of my lineage, give my position to someone else.Laughter rose and fell through the hall, deceptively light and the sound of hushed chatters and the clicking of glasses filled the air. Council members raised their glasses in feigned joy,excited to have me discarded or so they thought.At the heart of the gathering was Beta Thaddeus, exuding his usual calm authority. His voice was measured and forceful as he addressed the assembly. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight marks an important moment for our pack. We have long awaited the return of order. This evening, we will crown a new Alpha.” His words hung in the air like a noose tightening around me. My prolonged absence had given them thus them, feeding their ego and stupidi
MERIDAIt was late evening as my personal maids got me ready for the moon meeting and at the same time I felt fear and anxiety surge through me. It was the night of the moon meeting, a significant event, but this one felt particularly heavy. I couldn't have attended if I had a say, going to the moon meeting — a meeting where some old men will have him replaced.I felt angry and at the same time as if I was betraying him. The council would be deliberating a possible successor for Lukan while he was in coma and I wished I could tell Lemuel that there was no need going for the Moon meeting.I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, feeling rather disoriented as a maid worked on my hair, styling it into a sleek twist that flowed gracefully down my back. Another maid stepped into the room, her face serious,very serious.“My Lady .” she said gently. “I need to inform you that Clara is unwell. She’s had a fever all day and hasn’t spoken to anyone. " She looked around her, at the maids
MERIDAThe next day was bright and full of hope,hope that soon everything would be fine.I wore a bright yellow, knee length dress and had my hair curled up, I was even planning on going to the beach today. I had told Lemuel and Dean had wanted to come with us.It was my first time of going to the beach, but I didn't tell Lemuel this, he would probably laugh at me. I smiled at the thought as I settled into the chair opposite Dean .Just as lunch started, one of the maids approached timidly, whispering to Julietta who reached out for a wine flute."Ma'am, your phone… It's an urgent call."Julietta answered the phone, her face shifting to a more serious expression. She spoke quietly, but her body language suggested trouble. "This can't be happening..."A pause.A long one." You can't possibly do this....it's outrageous!"Her grip on the phone tightened, and her knuckles turned white as though each word she heard drained the life from her.Lemuel looked up at her and I wondered what wa
The night was very quiet, like everything was waiting for something to happen. Lemuel and I stood on the balcony, looking down at the garden below and up at the blurry stars. I still thought about what I had told him and it was the best thing I ever did. At least I wasn't alone.My mind and heart were filled with thoughts and feelings, hoping that Lukan could still hear me and a miracle of some sort will happen and he will just wake up.I held onto the chilly metal railing, noticing how it dug into my hands. Helping me to keep calm.“I never… I never told him, Lemuel,” I whispered, struggling to speak. “I never told him how much he meant to me. And now, I fear I might never have that chance.”Lemuel turned to me, his eyes mirroring my pain. “Merida, you know he cared about you deeply. Lukan always felt things intensely, especially about you. He can be arrogant some times but he loves you."Tears flowed down my face as I shook my head. “But I never said it. Not once. I..."I stopped
MERIDAAs soon as I got home , I made a mad dash to thr bathroom and on the shower at full force allowing the hot water wash down me, it felt soothing and refreshing and I welcomed it.I had left my phone with it's broken screen on the bed and no matter how hard I try to gather my thoughts, they kept spiraling.For now I needed to be alone, to gather my thoughts.I glanced at he cracked screen, it reminded me of how my life was falling apart. I exhaled and wrapped my arms around me, suddenly feeling cold."Good evening, My lady." Someone knocked on the door and I knew it was one of the maids"What's it?""Dinner is served." She replied" I'll be downstairs soon." I said dismissing her before she could finish.I quickly changed into something cozy and joined Julietta and the rest at the dinning hall, thankfully they didn't seem to notice my late arrival as they chatted away. Truthfully I didn't feel like having anything to eat. I only wanted to be in the comfort of my room but then t
MERIDAAs the investigator walked out of the café, his figure slowly disappeared among the patrons. He seemed to be in a hurry and I wondered what just happened.I remained there, frozen , feeling puzzled and full of questions in my mind. His face showed me that there was an important piece of information he was keeping to himself. Something he didn't want to tell me.It was at that moment he was going to tell me more about my twin sister, a call interrupted us. He could have just spilled it out anyway before leaving.I wasn't seeing or hearing things, was I ?I clearly saw the name "Zayna" flash on his screen. I felt my heart race. Why was Zayna calling him? I felt a strong feeling of fear that made me uneasy and upset at the same time.I tried to calm myself down, taking short deep breath, but the worry kept getting stronger. There was something off, something I couldn't place my fingers on. I tried to relax, telling myself it was all a coincidence, that Zayna was the Beta's daug