IN the arms of a liar, I found my truth. Alexander’s arms were wrapped protectively around me. Being lied to for so long was draining. Everyone’s lies kept ringing in my ears, reminding me of all the reasons why I should never trust other people again.But a big part of my heart was whispering to me, telling me to give this thing between me and Alexander one last try.Because in a world full of lies, there was only one truth.When I thought of running away, I thought of him. He was my escape when everyone around me seemed determined to trap me. He was my freedom when they wanted to shackle me. He was my strength when they wanted to weaken me.Alexander kissed my temple and brushed my tears away with the back of his hands. I rested my head on his shoulder.“Get me out of here,” I whispered.“Where do you want me to take you?”“Home.”Alexander froze for a couple of seconds. And when I heard dad’s footsteps, I clutched his jacket and said, “Hurry.”And just when dad had stepped out of
(Katriona)“TOMORROW, the Council will decide who they want as the kingdom’s future queen. They will announce their decision the night of your sister’s birthday. But with Dominique’s scandal, the scores between you and your sister are now even. It’s fifty-fifty. Alpha Bradley, on the other hand, had completely lost the chance for the crown with his uncle’s betrayal making Alpha Alexander the sole heir to the throne,” Willow reported to me.Alexander’s wary eyes remained on Willow while I talked to her through the video call. I was sure he was remembering the same thing. And it was the explosion she created in the North which nearly killed us.When I was in the hospital, Willow visited me and apologized to me. While my wolf normally snarled at everyone, she didn’t do it with Willow. Maybe it was because I saw the number sixteen mark on her neck. She was originally a shifter but had become a hybrid due to an experiment. The day she came to me, she told me just escaped from her master.A
“WHERE are you, sis? The program has already started! Everyone needs to see us united. I don’t have to remind you again about how important this is to me, right? Tonight, my destiny will change, Katriona. I can feel it. You need to be here to see it.”I smiled as I watched Chantal through the control room. She was wearing a diamond studded crown fit for a queen. She paired it with that sparkling white lace gown, smiling brightly and waving at the guests as she sat on her throne.She looked so confident, so ready for her dream role.Her backer, R, must have pulled some strings to ensure that she would get the role this time.“I’m still preparing for my performance. I will be there with you and dad very soon, don’t worry.”“Wait. Don’t tell me you’re still in the makeup room?” Chantal suddenly sounded annoyed. “Look, you don’t need to prepare too much. You are not the celebrant. I am. Don’t try to stand out.” When I didn’t answer, she cleared her throat. “I’m so sorry, little sis. I did
DANE’S lips parted as he watched the daughter he unknowingly mistreated. Even the men behind the drums had paused as Katriona let out the loudest roar this kingdom had ever heard, making the wolves inside them whimper. The guests' hands tremble while holding their phones. Their screens broke with the impact of Katriona’s roar.I grinned. That’s my woman.The betas staggered. Their wolves shrunk while the alphas had instantly recognized the descendant of the moon goddess and their true alpha queen. She was as big as the alphas. And when she roared, everyone’s wolf was affected. Including mine. Under the moonlight, the specks of brown and crimson on Katriona’s white fur looked like blood.She was beautiful, the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen.This was her dream. Seeing her finally become the best version of herself filled my chest with so much pride. She had been denied this her whole life. She had made the ground her stage. The little wallflower was now turning into the brightes
“WHAT kind of game are you playing, Katriona?”Chantal’s voice was low.I flicked my eyes back to her who was now being dragged by the warriors. I motioned them to stop for a while. Her legs were still bleeding from the bite and it would continue to bleed and ache for a long time unless I gave her my blood which I had no plan of doing.Every day, she would beg to just die because of the pain but she wouldn’t die. I will make sure of that. Chantal still had more than two decades to make it up to me. So, even if she dies, I will revive her if I have to. Only to make her go through the same helplessness over and over again until her mind gives out. And I will make her mother watch just like how I made her watch through her cell as her daughter’s birthday surprise unfolded in front of her.Chantal would never be able to use those legs to stomp on people anymore. After this, she would not get to look others in the eyes with the same arrogance she had before.I stared at her for a minute. T
‘HE may not be the alpha you will choose in the end. But he will always be the alpha who will love you the most… even after you are done choosing.’Those were Clyde’s words when we met the other night for the blood contract. Before that, he asked to speak with Willow through video call to make sure that she was safe.‘I know you have no reason to believe me but that day, you were not the only one who was wrecked, Katriona. I hope you will regain all of your memories for your sake and for my best friend’s as well.’I met Alexander’s eyes while Clyde’s words were still playing in my head. My hands instinctively reached out to touch his cheeks but at the last minute, I clenched my hands and put them inside the pockets of the coat I was wearing. He made sure that I was decent enough to face everyone. That's why before the warriors arrested Chantal, I was already wearing a dress, his coat, and a pair of sneakers.So many things have changed between us now. These days, I was the one doing t
HIS SHOULDERS shook.Dad had always been a proud man but tonight, he looked defeated, like somebody had taken all his hopes and dreams away. I clenched my hands.My expression hardened when I spoke, “What did I do this time, dad? Where did I go wrong again? I’ve manifested as the wolf you had always wanted me to become so why do you still look like that? Is it because of Chantal? Look at me and see who is here for you right now! See me for what I am! I am your only daughter! Chantal is never going to come back! I will not allow someone who tried to kill you to ever step foot into this estate again!”Dad looked at me and my stomach twisted at the agony in his eyes. “I had hurt you so much, didn’t I?”“Yes, you did.” My voice cracked. “And I want to hate you so much for it, dad.”He lowered his head. “I’m so sorry.”“I tried telling you about it, dad. You didn’t believe me. You lied to me. You said you would be my protector. You swore to be there to chase away the monsters under my bed.
I COULD not tell how long I had been running. I just knew I needed to escape for a while and calm myself because I didn’t want dad to see me have a meltdown in front of him once he woke up. I didn’t want him to worry again.I was sure he would already worry about breaking his promise to me again.I ran and stopped only when I was in the middle of the woods. I howled and howled until my throat burned, until the nearby wolves had awakened and howled with me.Clyde’s last words were still echoing in my head.‘We found two kinds of poison in your father’s body. I was only able to get rid of the one affecting his wolf. It was no doubt the poison your wolf had detected. The second poison, however, seemed like it had been in Dane’s system for years. It has already spread in different parts of his body. I’m sorry but you need to prepare yourself, Katriona.’‘How much time do you think we have left?’ I asked, my voice was shaking.Clyde sighed. ‘To be honest, I don’t think your father can make