Even with the stinging scent of ammonia, alcohol, and iron attacking her senses, Selene continued pretending to be asleep. She’d been awake for half an hour, but could not bring it upon herself to open her eyes in fear, hearing the number of individuals around her, along with being naked.From what she caught during the entire conversation, they were fighting over her about something, though she didn’t catch the gist of it all.One thing is for sure, in her mind, there were people who didn’t want her there. She could not understand what she’d done wrong this time, since she had been keeping to herself.The thought of that cause a surge of terror and panic in her.Each breath she took became heavier, faster, and stingy with each inhale. Her eyes, even though remaining closed, heated when tears formed and wish to escape.It was at this moment the calming voice echoed through her thoughts again.‘Be strong, little one.’These words hummed inside her head, like a soothing music which put
Tired and weakened, Selene hardly notice she’d lost consciousness again. The pull of sleep was too much for her to bear, only waking when she noticed the itch in her throat.Somehow recovered, she now had the strength to open her eyes. A frown immediately appeared on her face upon gazing at where she was in.Dust floating everywhere, sticking to the walls, floors, and ceiling. A single small window gave the room light, making the entire place dim.She hugged herself when the coldness prickled her skin, steam coming out of her with each breath. Her hands instinctively brushed the side of her bed, searching for a blanket or something to cover herself, realizing her nakedness.Unable to find anything, she sat up to get a better look around, groaning from the jolt of pain piercing through her joints.“Hello? Is anybody there?”Her voice echoed through the empty room, yet it did not seem to leave the place she was in.She frowned at the wooden door at the far end of it, having a small slid
Duncan Vondeer’s face wrinkled from the deepness of his frown. His eyes, half open, not wanting to fully see the person walking around in front of him.He and a few others gathered in the study, discussing the reason for his current decision. He wasn’t supposed to be there, if it not for George, his father’s beta and second in command forcing him.It left him with no choice but to groan and grumble at his dissatisfaction and annoyance. His ears were ringing from the squeaky high-pitched voice, bantering nonstop for half an hour already.“A debt? That’s the best you can come up with?”Valentine Sage’s face looked like it was about to explode. Its color had turned beet red from all the huffing and puffing she’d been doing.Unable to endure the continues nagging. Duncan finally let out a growl, hand wiping his face to keep what little patience he had.“Can we not talk about this?”His voice was firm, gritting his teeth after slamming his fist on the chair’s arm, almost breaking the thin
After years of being passed around, disregarded, and shunned. For the first time, Selene could genuinely smile with glee.The sensation of being needed and relied upon brought about an insurmountable energy and reason for her. Especially since it was her aunt Penelope who was in need. It was now her chance to return the favor for the new life she had given her.She does a quick turn in front of the mirror, making sure she’d properly put on the uniform provided to her by an attendant there.It was a black and white maid outfit, complete with an apron and the headdress.Though shorter than the supposed design, since she’s certain it should reach up to his ankle, not her knee. Even if it wasn’t the style, she thought, she remained giddy, wearing such frilly kind of clothing.The way it flaps in the air when she moves and its softness on her skin was something she’d never experienced before.Footsteps coming from the stairs caused her to straighten, immediately turning to face the entrywa
Duncan couldn’t remove the grin on his face, having achieved something none had ever tried before. It was a long shot, but somehow, the discovery elated him.He looks out the window from his father’s study, closely watching Selene watering the flowers on the other side of the maze garden.The girl was alone, yet she had this smile on, all the while vigilantly doing her task of tending the plants there.“You actually did it!”It was Ben, his beta, jumping in cheer after hearing what he had done.He gathered his two most trusted aid to tell them about the situation, since they remained wary of their ward. The woman wasn’t just another hapless victim; she was the niece of Penelope Hallow. The so-called moonlight wench.Also, her sudden recovery after getting attack puzzled many of them. As he too was certain she had died when they brought her to the infirmary.“Was that necessary, young alpha?”Julieta bit her lip, hands clasp together in worry.She was aware they were dealing with someo
The confused, brooding, and gentle gaze hidden beneath a hardened exterior of Duncan continued to plague Selene’s mind. This was the image that got stuck in her. After having seen the man’s eyes in such clarity, she could discern the shadows cast upon by his broody composure.At first she thought it was just him being young, but the moment their gaze met, everything became clear to her.Sadness, pain, and longing. All of those things were familiar to her. So it was easy to spot the same in the guy’s eyes.She can’t help but be empathetic towards the guy. Though the fact remains he is better off than her, she now had this sense of connection with him.Also, there’s the part she cannot remove the man from her head, his face popping up in her mind once in a while, along with the distraught and giddiness in her insides.It’s been days since that incident, and yet the memory of it continued to linger like it was yesterday.She tussled and turn on her bed, frantic with those unknown emotion
Duncan couldn’t hide his rage, his wrinkled in such a fashion, his teeth showed. Blood boiling from having no way to release all his pent-up emotions, it left him with nothing to do but freak out.His only place of solace was now being used by the person who’m he despises. Not only that, he hated the fact he got affected by what he saw.His crotch continued to throb and would not calm down, having that weight and twisting in his privates only added to his frustration.That’s why he didn’t hesitate to summon his two subordinate, wanting to find some sort of way to let out his irritation.“Of all the places, you had to put her there.”He bellows, causing the beta to flinch and lower his heads. While the maid remained bowing the moment she got there.“I’m sorry, young alpha. It was the only area where there was a working lavatory.”Julieta stayed stoic, unaffected by his master’s bantering. Not bothered by the intense murderous gaze being thrown their way.“Have you even considered the c
Selene took one last look at the cell she’d been staying in, making sure she had everything back to its original state.From removing the covers, she placed over the pile of logs, curtains, and make-shift vases. She removed all of it, including the pieces of flowers. Though she had cleaned up most of the place, she’s positive it wouldn’t be an issue, considering she didn’t touch the other rooms since they remained locked.With nothing else to do, she hastens upstairs, carrying the remaining stuff she had brought there. The head maid greeted her the moment she emerged from the depths of the lower floors.“Are you certain that’s the last of it?”Julieta raised a brow, seeing the lump of tattered fabric sewn together.“Yes, mistress. I’ve done everything you’ve told me to do.”Selene gave a curtsy, copying the other maids’ action whenever they answered the woman. She was becoming accustomed to it after observing quietly for the past few days.“And those are the remaining curtains, corre
Duncan was huffing with each bone crackling, muscle spasming, and skin ripping. He kept his gaze glued to his father, not daring to look away.This was a crucial moment, so he did not notice the change in himself, being too occupied by the thoughts of how he was going to take his father down.But the others who’d witness it first had been well aware of of the problem, seeing the change in him.“What’s wrong with the alpha? He looks smaller than last time.”Ben frowned, swallowing hard when the two alphas finished their shifting. It was clear that there was something wrong with their young-alpha.“I told him about this.”Julieta couldn’t keep herself from nibbling her nails from the tension. She knew this would happen, but no matter how much she explained it, their young-alpha remained steadfast in his decision.Now, they got left with a predicament that could impact not just their future, but also their pack.“About what?”Ben turned to the head-maid with shaky feet, unable to keep hi
The fated day arrives, and at alpha Jame’s behest, all the leaders of the pack were there to witness the duel between father and son.The event was a big deal, since it was a fight to decide who gets to be the head of the Shadow bane pack, which is one of the three biggest packs in their town.Alpha James couldn’t hide his smirk, confident of his upcoming victory. It hadn’t been that long since he’d spar with his son, and from that information alone brought about his confidence.Other figures who were present there were some of the townsfolk whom were curious about the outcome.“What came over Duncan to challenge his father to a duel? He’s going to take over the pack in a few years, so why bother with this?”Valentine heaved a sigh, pressing a hand on her temple while she frown at the two alphas standing side by side in front of the elders.“Maybe he finally gained the balls for it.”Lucas snorts, resisting the urge to laugh. But then a thought crossed his mind, causing him to rethink
After finishing cleaning the attic, Selene took the chance to take a few minutes of rest, since she’d done all the chores given to him by the head-maid.Because of the recent conflict, there were now only three of them there taking care of the house. The head-maid, Ben, and her. She didn’t think that most of the maids working there were under Duncan’s father.She took a deep sigh, looking out into the circular window into the horizon, remembering the incident. Part of her felt sad for the young-alpha, but another side of was envying him.Selene was still staring outside, mop in her hand, while deep in thought when Duncan came in. This got the young-alpha’s face twisting in irritation.“Do you always need to intrude on my personal space?”Duncan roared, letting his rage take over.The walls shook as his voice echoed through the entire room.Caught by surprised, Selene jump in panic, causing her to tumble. Her mop hit the bucket on her feet, spilling the murky water in it, making her sl
Duncan’s rage continued to rage growing inside of him, unable to calm his nerves from the scene a moment ago. Though he now sat on the table, being served by Selene, his face remained straight, eyes sharp, while staring upfront.“Everything good with you, alpha?”Ben’s face twitch with worry, an inexplainable fear creeping into him because of the young-alpha’s murderous expression.‘Was it because of the upcoming fight? Or perhaps it was because they didn’t call him to eat?’ These were the thoughts playing in Ben’s mind. Unable to understand the cause of his alpha’s mood.“Yeah, just swell.”Duncan snorts; it was clear his words was lace with sarcasm.In truth, he had this uncontrollable itch to snap Ben’s neck. He wanted to rip him apart, piece b
Selene sat on the bed, her thoughts lingering on her head on things. With how things were going with her life, she didn’t know where to turn to or what to do next.Her aunt was missing; their house had those odd shadow figures lingering in them, and she was miles away from civilization.She felt so helpless, not knowing how long she’ll be allowed to stay in the pack this time. Her uncertainty stemmed from the fact that everyone there seems to have a problem with her, along with how Duncan reacted to her a while ago.The young-man’s demeanor confused her, shifting from good to bad in a second without a notice. It made her think if her situation would be the same if she went with Lucas instead.She stops pondering when she hears footsteps from the stairs; she rushed to greet whoever was going down to the cellar.“Hey Ben.”She waves the moment she saw the guy. He was wobbling, careful not to fall from the ladder as his legs were unbalanced.“Oh, Selene. I thought you were with the alpha
James Vondeers grumbled in his chair, his expression darkening with each passing moment. His gaze kept shifting from the clock then to the empty seat beside him.The alpha’s silence created this heavy tension in the room, as the others who were seated at the long table barely made any noise, avoiding even the slightest clink of their utensil.“I hope everything is to your liking, James?”Connor Sage, alpha of the Blue snow pack, was the one who gained the courage to break the silence through the room. He gave a sympathetic smile at the other alpha on the other side of the table, as it had been an hour, but he remained alone, barely touching the food they’d prepared.Duncan was nowhere to be found; even his beta, George, was absent on that occasion, though the alpha promised they’d arrive momentarily.This brought murmurs among the others gathered there, as they tried to make conversations to remove the awkwardness.“Alpha James, are you certain Duncan will be joining us today?”Valent
Beta George struggled with each step he made, yet he persevered, continuing to move in painful strides. He needed to inform his alpha about this recent discovery, knowing full well it will affect the future of their pack.He was panting from the wound the young-alpha gave him, his blood gushing out, leaving a trail because it would not heal.A rustling from the nearby bushes made him stop; the waft of a familiar scent forced him to change his stance, crouching in preparation for a fight.“Come out, I know you’re there!”George shouts, gritting his teeth. It’s been years since someone manage to get past his detection.Though wounded, his senses remained as before, which meant the person who followed him was no doubt skilled. And from that, he already knew who it was, since there were only a few who’d managed to elude him.From the shadows, a tall, slender figure emerge, walking in such a graceful fashion and fluidity, it was like the person was gliding through the air.“You seem to be
Thankfully, Julieta and Ben were there to assist Duncan, as midway up the stairs, he lost any remaining strength he had, almost collapsing when his legs gave in.The two carefully help the young-alpha into his bed, while Selene followed in silence, afraid she might get in the way.“You sure you’re okay, alpha?”Ben asked after they’d put him in bed, seeing as Duncan’s breathing was slow and he could barely keep his eyes open.“We can still call your mother’s doctor. He hasn’t left town yet.”Julieta was tucking him in, patting his forehead to make sure nothing was wrong with him, as this wasn’t considered normal for them.“I’m fine! I just need to rest.”Duncan grumbled, turning to his side to make himself comfortable. Though he was weakened, it was actually from a sense of tiredness, nothing more.Though he didn’t want to admit it, avoiding to sound pathetic in front of them. Also, he wanted to understand why he ended up like that in the first place.Julieta and Ben looked at each ot
Selene, Julieta, and Ben hurried towards the door to open it when they saw Duncan walking for the entrance. They didn’t wait for him to knock, as Julieta unlocked the door the minute she got there.“Alpha!”Ben and the head-maid screamed in unison when Duncan stepped inside. Selene wanted to come closer, but ended up stopping in her tracks the moment she saw he had no clothes.“You’re bleeding!”She muttered unconsciously, before averting her gaze.Crimson liquid covered the young-alpha’s entire body. Some had dried up, but most of it remained glistening from being fresh.“The blood’s not mine.”Duncan huffed, heaving a sigh as he wiped some from his face.“Are you all right, alpha?”Ben frowned, swallowing hard when his gaze shifted outside.Most of the werewolves there were still unconscious, while some who withstood the young-alpha’s attack were now patching themselves up to the best they can because regenerating was impossible, since the wounds they received came from an alpha.“N