MERIDA.Slowly , I opened my eyes and the only thing I saw was darkness around me. I couldn't understand what was going on, the sound I heard previously had increased in my head.And no matter how hard I tried, the pain in my head throb as if a thousand drummers were having a festival and my eyes felt so heavy like they had been shut tight with a nail and hammer. I tried to turn to my side and a thousand pain shot up my spine, making me breathe hard, and I couldn't move my body from the awkward position I was in. I tried to remember what happened few minutes ago but the only thing I remembered was me screaming Lukan's name.But the fragments of my imagination, came with worst headache.But I remembered it now, the vehicle coming closer to us, and Lukan trying to gain control of the steering wheel and the last thing I remembered was screaming his name.Finally I opened my eyes, slowly and painfully at first. I felt something wet and sticky trickling down the side of my head. I tu
LEMUELThe day should have been the start of something new for me and Zayna. It was as if I had seen this day coming and I had waited patiently. I couldn't contain my joy. Guests gathered around us, laughter floated through the air along with the soft hum of music, and people walked about, talking and sipping on their champagne. It felt so real like a normal human wedding which I had once attended with Lukan —except it wasn't. It was a day I and Zayna will seal our fate as mates.The bonding ceremony could have started long ago. But something was wrong. We were all waiting for Lukan. We just couldn't start the bonding ceremony without him present. He was supposed to give his blessings, supposed to stand with me in this moment and his absence was making everyone uneasy.Zayna stood beside me, looking perfect in her dress but her hands felt stiff and cold in mine. She was anxious, I guess. And once in a while she had looked back at the double grand doors.As the minute rolled by, the
LEMUEL I stepped out of Lukan's ward, my heart heavy with fear. The smell of antiseptic clung to my skin, the bright lights of the hospital hallways doing little to calm my nerves.Why them ?The question had been gnawing at my mind since the accident. I couldn't shake the sight of Lukan, bruised and broken, hooked up to machines that kept him alive. Who could have done this? I quickened my pace as I headed towards Merida's ward. Rosita and Kara we already inside standing by her bed. I slowed down at the door, pressing my hand against the cool metal as if I could somehow prepare myself for what I could find inside. Merida. She had to wake up. Everything happening was just so strange. I took a deep breath and entered the room. Merida lay there, still unconscious. Pale, fragile like she was already halfway to another world. It had been three days. Three days of not hearing her voice , of not hearing Lukan's voice tooRosita glanced at me, worry etched on her face ."Any news on th
MERIDA "Mother you need to stop all this." Lemuel yelled clenching his fist I had never seen him this angry before." This is a hospital in case you don't know."Julietta eyes twitched up and she regarded him like a spoiled 6 year old, slowly she turned to Kara and Rosita who had their head bowed, trying to avoid her gaze."What are you two still doing here?" She bellowed, they stood up immediately staring at each other in fear."Do you want me to spell it out? Get out!" She yelled stamping her feet and they both scurried out of the room.Julietta stared at their departing figures in disgust before she turned her angry eyes on me and i felt like disappearing forever.She took a step towards where I was sitting on the bed and immediately, Lemuel stepped between us again and she glared at him."What are you doing, boy?" She said giving him a hard dirty look and I was thinking he had step away but he didn't. "Mother." He called softly holding her hands." We can't be arguing here, what if
MERIDAI still couldn't think properly, couldn't bring myself to believe that I was the one who had defended myself, and also talked back at Julietta ,like I had known her all my life. It felt so out of this world, and I still couldn't believe it, but I felt something in me that made me happy. I was getting stronger now, courageous, I was no longer the same Merida who everyone looked down on and spoke to like they wish.It felt like a new found power had settled in me, and I just couldn't stop it from surging through my body. I would never forget the shocked expression on Julietta's face even Zayna didn't see it coming. I wanted to see Lukan, wanted to know how he was faring, if he was getting better just as Lemuel said.I buried my face in my palms, I prayed something to the Moon Goddess that Lemuel wasn't lying to me to make me feel better. A nasty thought crept its way into my mind, clawing at my heart telling me that something bad had happened to Lukan . But I shook my head,
MERIDA."Oh, that's true." I said and Zayna looked from I to Lemuel and then back again , she was kind of confused wondering what was going on.I was expecting Zayna, the old Zayna to ask what was happening but no she didn't say anything, the confusion was still in her eyes.And when Lemuel's words registered, she forced a smile and bobbed her head in agreement."I thought it was supposed to be tomorrow?" She asked packing the box of pizza and I saw a glint of anger in her eyes but she said nothing."No. I think the doctor changed his mind." Lemuel said coughing nervously ."besides I think it's high time they get discharged because it's been three days already."I sat back on the bed, the little slice of pizza I had, was enough to sustain me until I had something else to eat. "I got your drugs, Merida." Lemuel said and I i nodded my thanks.There was a slight knock on the door and Kara with another maid who I couldn't remember her name, came in."You will be going with them I and Zay
The echoes of my scream still lingered in the room ,when the door burst open. Rosita and Kara rushed in first, followed by Lemuel, his eyes scanning the room widely. "My lady," Rosita's voice was filled with panic as she hurried to my side, gripping my arms tightly and it was the first time she was addressing me as such."Are you all right? What happened?"I shook my head, forcing myself to sit up . My chest rose and fell rapidly, the terror still gripping my heart. "it.. it was just a bad dream," I whispered forcing out a lie, glancing at Lemuel whose gaze remain fixed on me.Rosita's shoulders slumped in relief, and Kara offered a soft smile."it's okay. We are here now."I nodded, swallowing hard."Thanks, both of you. I just need a moment. Please go and rest I will be fine."Kara hesitated, looking at Lemuel for approval before she and Rosita eventually left the room. Once the door clicked shut behind them, I turned to Lemuel. I could see it in his eyes, he knew there was somethi
MERIDAI couldn't sleep, I was too scared too, I was thinking of so many things at the same time.Finally I got out of bed, my troubling thought couldn't let me sleep, I had to check on Lukan.I stepped into Lukan's room, The familiar scent of antiseptic mingling with the midnight air from outside where it had rained, few minutes ago .The guards at the door had nodded respectfully, their eyes conveying silent understanding of my worry, they had let me in and I couldn't care less if Julietta had given them an instruction not to let me see Lukan .Lukan lay still, his face pale, a slight frown creasing his brow even in unconsciousness.Seeing him like this made my chest tightened. I took a deep breath and quietly approach his bedside, sinking into the chair beside him. For a few minutes, I just watched him, willing him to wake up. He looked almost peaceful, except for the occasional twitch of his fingers as if he was locked in a dream he couldn't escape. I reached out , my fingers sli
MERIDA It's been three days since Zayna'sdeath, and today was the day we buried her. The funeral felt heavy in the air, like the weight of everything that happened over the past few weeks was pressing down on me. Everything was in order now, but it felt wrong-wrong that she's gone, wrong that her father was the reason she's dead, and wrong that so many things wereleft unsaid.I stood near the edge of the clearing, the wind tugging at my hair as I look over the gathering of people. There were few of us-those who truly care, I suppose.Zayna's father, a once proud man, had committed suicide in his cell. The betrayal he caused to our pack, the treason, was too.much for him to bear, and he ended it all before facing the consequences. It's a strange feeling, standing here knowing the death of his daughter had led to his end.Queen Luna Julietta refused to attend. She hasn't spoken to anyone since that day, still angry overeverything that has happened. It'shard for me to blame her. Za
MERIDAI hadn't expected tonight to change anything. But then again, I hadn't expected him to change my life either."You're quiet tonight," he said, hisvoice low and rough. I looked up sharply, startled by the way his gaze pierced through me. There was no anger in his tone, no impatience-justcuriosity."l... I was thinking," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. He raised an eyebrow, leaning back on his elbows with an ease that belied the tension in the air."About what?"About you. About how you've become my everything. But the words wouldn't come. How couldI possibly express what he meantto me when even my own thoughts felt inadequate?Instead, I hesitated, the silence stretching between us. Finally, Ilet out a shaky breath. "Lukan, doyou ever feel like... ike you're living a life that doesn't belong to you?"His expression softened, and hesat up, his focus solely on menow. "I did. For a long time."That simple admission caught me off guard. Alpha Lukan wasn't the kin
MERIDAAfter dinner, I made my way to our room. The grand halls were eerily quiet, the only sound the soft echo of my footsteps. My mind was racing, replaying every moment of the evening. Lukan's sudden silence during dinner had been unsettling, his gaze distant and his posture tense. Whatever he had to say, it was heavy. I could feel it in my heart. The evening had been filled with so much suspense.Too much of it.When I pushed the door open, I saw him standing by the window, bathed in moonlight. He stood so still, his hands behind him and I wondered what was going through his mind.At first, I was just watching him. There was something about the way he held himself that made me hesitate.Perhaps he just wasn't ready to say anything yet. Maybe I should just let him be but I felt I needed to speak to him."Lukan?" I called softly, steppinginto the room and closing the door slowly behind me.He turned slowly, his sharp features showed signs of worry andsomething else I couldn't pl
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