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
LEMUELI stood outside mother's door for a moment, my knuckles resting against the polished wood. My heart raced not from fear, but from frustration. The situation was spiraling out of control. I knocked once ,the sound echoing down the quiet hallway. Her cool voice called me to enter.I stepped inside, finding her as I expected, she was standing by the window with a wine flute in her hand. Her posture was tense, her fingers lightly gripping the delicate glass and her sharp gaze locked on the Packhouse grounds, I knew she was thinking about something.She didn't turn to face me immediately, but I could feel the weight of her worries. Everyone was worried about Lukan."How is he?" she asked her voice quiet but firm."He's still unconscious," I replied walking closer." The doctor is doing everything he can."Mother's hand tightened on the wine flute, the sound of her sigh barely audible." Lemuel.. it shouldn't have come to this " she finally turned to look at me, her eyes heavy with s
MERIDAI woke up with the morning sun streaming through the curtains, the warmth pulling me out of a restless sleep. Yesterday's event lingered in my mind but I pushed them aside. No time to dwell on it. I had checked on Lukan once and also felt his temperature. It was breakfast time and as usual I had no clue where the maids are disappeared to. The smell of bacon sizzling in the kitchen greeted me as I walked down the stairs and there was Lemuel — standing over looking the table mildly annoyed, spatula in hand. "You are cooking? I asked my voice still groggy from sleep.He glanced up at me and smirked."Someone has to. Apparently the maids has taken the day off. Or gone on strike."I chuckled, shaking my head as I grab the seat at the small dinning table."First you are cooking and now the maids are missing. Seems the world is coming to an end."Lemuel rolled his eyes but there was a hint of a smile in his lips."I wouldn't get too comfortable. This might be the last edible mean I
MERIDA.I sat beside Lukan's bed staring at his still face. The room was quiet ,except for the steady beeping of the machinesHis hand felt cold in mine, and I squeezed it gently ,hoping for a response, anything to tell me he was still in there, fighting. My head throbbed beneath the bandage, a reminder of the accident that put him here. I winced as I shifted in my chair, trying to ignore the ache in my ribs. It was hard to feel any comfort sitting in this room, seeing him like this.My heart twisted, the pain from the accident mixing with the fear of losing him. I sighed softly and leaned my head against the bed. "Dean and Lemuel tried to make me laugh this morning." I whispered, closing my eyes as I remembered their silly banter."Lemuel also prepared breakfast and Dean kept teasing him." I smiled thinly"They were only doing it to cheer me up."Then I left out a small chuckle, but it quickly faded. The reality of the situation weighed too heavily."But it didn't really help. How
ZAYNAI walked in, my heels clicking against the marble floors, the night air did little to calm me down.My thoughts churned with frustration and confusion. Father had given me a call on my way back and I knew he was thinking the same thing.What surprised me most, was the audacity."You called," I said. I met him at the balcony, his fingers gripping a wine flute and he didn't turned when I walked in. "How is everything at the pack house?"he asked his voice, low and intense and it seems like the question had plunged him in the chest .I knew he wasn't asking because he was interested in anything. He was angry. Someone had sabotaged our plans."Everything is under control, but Lukan is still unconscious. "I replied, my tone light, though my heart beat a little too faster I paused and then added." Lukan's badly injured. ""I know."he said almost immediately cutting me off." The car brakes." He took a sip." So I heard."There was something I wanted to say, it kept crawling at my c
ZAYNA I went back to my room after the discussion with father. I heard his car leaving and I hated the fact that he seems to care about Elisabeth this days.His words still echoed in my ears, each syllable as sharp as the chill that seemed to seep into my skin. There was someone meddling in our plans—someone willing to gamble everything to disrupt the other we can carefully crafted. I didn't know who it was but I intended to find out soon just as father had instructed. Stripping down , I left the cool water from the shower wash away the tension clinging to me.Even as the water ran over my skin my thoughts circle back to the incident.I shook my head , almost laughing at their foolishness, if only they knew, they were playing a very dangerous game.Dressed in my favorite bathrobe, I caught my reflection in the mirror studying the determination in my eyes. The absurd bonding ceremony with Lemuel had been canceled for now, it was actually a minor miracle and I was glad it didn't pu
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