MITCHELL’S POV I turned to look at Athan and back at Damien. Athan was holding me tightly by the waist. I felt my throat tighten and the air putrid. This can’t be happening. The atmosphere was now stifling. All I wanted to get out of my dress but Athan held me close.‘Please. I allowed this for a reason, trust me.’ He begged; his voice gentle as always.‘Why?’ I asked, looking at him and seeing a certain pain in his eyes.‘You shouldn’t have brought him here, not now.’He pursed his lips and the smile was gone. The pain in his eyes became evident.‘I wanted him to apologize for the pain he caused my woman. No one who messes with anyone whom I care about can go scot-free.’ I felt the cold in his voice, like the one I heard the first night we met.‘But not in my father’s house and not when we are about to plan our lives together as a couple.’He was silent for a while, then said,‘No harm will come to your father’s house, I guarantee it.’I was silent and looked away. I brought his ha
CHAPTER TWENTYATHAN’S POV‘I never said that I wasn’t happy to see. You can’t bring that man into my father’s house without prior notice. That’s all I am saying.’I have been talking for twenty minutes, trying to convince her that everything is under control. She wouldn’t listen.‘Trust me’. I barked‘I want to but you give me reason not to. You bring him, to my house?’‘You need not fear.’‘You don’t get it. That man was the bane of my existence. He treated me like something worse than rags. He beat me with iron rods, so much that I wished for death. Until you came I never believed I was going to be saved from him. His family forced me to lie to my family and tried to deceive my father into merging his pack with theirs. I slept on the hard floor, a Luna-like. I slept on the cold hard floor, do you get it? Even thinking of his name brings back all the memories and makes me shudder. And you invite such a person into my house at a time like this, when I am still in the process of heali
ATHAN’S POVI met Mitchell on the terrace on the second floor facing the valley. The sky was a golden yellow and the sun felt like a warm touch to the skin. She turned to look at me but turned back. it was evident she was still upset about last night.‘I am sorry, Mitchell.’I went to stand beside her. A car truck had just pulled into the courtyard below. Its noise drowned what I had said before.‘I am sorry, Mitchell.’ I repeated.‘Why are you sorry’? She said to me without looking at me. I tried to get close to her but she didn’t budge. I stretched my hands to touch but almost immediately, I withdrew my hands. However, I continued, determined to get my point across. ‘I am sorry because I didn’t consider your feelings before I asked Damien to your father’s house. I didn’t consider how it would offend you if I brought him here. I was selfish.’ I tried hard to avoid it but my voice trembled. I saw her flinch subtly, and look at me‘No you are not selfish, sir.’ Her voice was low and
MITCHELL’S POVThe doom to my room flew open suddenly, startling me to the point of dropping my comb on the dresser.‘Oh Jissa, come on.’Ignoring me completely, she walked straight to my bed and lay on it, rolling from side to side.‘Someone seems totally in love after yesterday’s debacle’.‘Be a different person for once Jissa. Please try.’Jissa let out a laugh so hysterical it rivaled all those I had heard before. Miranda chose a settee close to the dresser, sat, and crossed her legs.‘Isn’t that why you love me? I have always been this crazy, from the very first day we met.’‘You get crazier by the day, Jissa. Don’t blame this on me.’‘I am only happy for you. Soon I will be an aunty and godmother. Can’t wait.’‘You are not serious. All these expressions of happiness and why do I feel you are mocking me?’ She stood up from the bed and started gesticulating. ‘How? I am happy for my friend, who has held on to love, despite all odds; a shiny example of love conquers all.’She ende
DAMIEN’S POVWith the events of the night before, I felt confident that my plan was in place. Jubilant over my double achievements of winning myself over to Athan’s side and getting into the golden leaves pack, I decided to inform the master. After listening to my achievements, he will be proud of me.The phone only rang once, when the gruff voice picked up and answered answered. ‘From the blood of the pure.’That voice always sends chills down my spine. Can this man not be a little less frightening?‘For the sweat of the cause.’ I answered. ‘I have gotten into the enemy camp. Soon I will bring you victory.’I waited to hear something commendation or appreciation, but silence. Since my kidnap and rehabilitation at the camp, the master kept his distance from me. I was only to call him to make reports or ask for help. And to protect our identity we had to use a password, ‘from the blood of the pure, for the seat of the cause’, before we spoke. It was only invented right before I left c
ATHAN’S POV‘I called you both to renew my intentions for your daughter. I love her and want to have her as my wife. And I wanted to ask you formally and respectfully to let me have your daughter to take as my wife.’Mister and Misses Harris laughed lightly. They were seated opposite me in their family study. The afternoon was turning a golden brown and dinner would be served any moment. ‘You have marked her already and if it is the will of the moon goddess, who are we to refuse? She is on the way to your house now because she too can’t wait to be with you. So you see, it relies on the both of you alone.’ Mr. Harris said and his wife nodded enthusiastically.‘I know we are mated. I wanted to make it formal and ask her hand as someone who comes from a revered lineage as yours and an alpha of a mighty pack.’‘Thank you Mergec.’Misses Harris continued.‘I have spoken with Mitchell and since she wants you too, my husband and I have nothing to do but give our blessings.’‘Thank you. I pl
MITCHELL’S POVToday is the day. I didn’t imagine this day would be like this. The flowers were more beautiful and the sun smiled dimly on us. Even the birds composed a little song for me and sang it endlessly from high up in the trees. Family and friends stood at the opposing sides of the aisle as I glided ceremoniously through it to meet the love of my life. He was standing at the other end, resplendent in all his manliness. His beta stood proudly beside him and Miranda watched at the head of the assembly. She was the ordaining minister. The floor was strewn with petals of Castilian roses. I have never seen that much in one place. And then, with a hot slap to my thigh, it vanished. My head felt as though it had been hit by a thousand bricks. I couldn’t see anything. Something seemed to press on my back. I tried to move, but it was not possible. I couldn’t move my hands and legs. They seemed to be held together by something rough and tight. I was on a cold surface. It felt like met
MIRANDA’S POVI made a lot of mistakes on the afternoon of her abduction. That afternoon, the journey was going so well at first. After a night full of rain, the day was bright and sunny. We were on our way to the Athan’s palace. White clouds passed over greenery and white-peaked blue mountains stood stoically on the horizon. Mitchell wanted to visit and familiarize with her soon-to-be home. When the journey began, her car led our entourage. Consequently, our car seemed to overtake or her car slowed down, I don’t know how it happened. However, later that evening, one of the drivers said Damien had claimed that his car shouldn’t be in front because the Supreme’s Luna was in there. While we were on the journey, I felt a premonition but chose to ignore it; mistake number one. ‘What happened? I don’t see their car anymore.’ I was holding my hands over my eyebrows and scanning into the black monk's forest.‘Something is wrong. I can feel it.’ Jissa said. Her car had stopped and her driv
MIRANDA’S POV I made a lot of mistakes on the afternoon of her abduction. That afternoon, the journey was going so well at first. After a night full of rain, the day was bright and sunny. We were on our way to the Athan’s palace. White clouds passed over greenery and white-peaked blue mountains stood stoically on the horizon. Mitchell wanted to visit and familiarize with her soon-to-be home. When the journey began, her car led our entourage. Consequently, our car seemed to overtake or her car slowed down, I don’t know how it happened. However, later that evening, one of the drivers said Damien had claimed that his car shouldn’t be in front because the Lycan Supreme’s Luna was in there. While we were on the journey, I felt a premonition but chose to ignore it; mistake number one. ‘What happened? I don’t see their car anymore.’ I was holding my hands over my eyebrows and scanning into the black monk's forest. ‘Something is wrong. I can feel it.’ Jissa said. Her car had stopped an
VERUCA’S POV‘Any word from him yet?’The guard shook his head. I have tried to reach Athan since yesterday, to no avail. He was supposed to be back from Golden Leaves yesterday for the meeting. It was supposed to discuss the hunting rights decree by the new mayor who is human and does not know our ways and customs (given my way I would have eaten him up a long time ago), the vampire-werewolf uprising in the north, and Athan’s marriage to Mitchell. The whole tribe depended on the answer.‘Call his phone number again and let me know the outcome.’‘Yes sir.’ The guard responded and disappeared.The phone began to ring again. It was Elan, one of my new boys at the camp. I had recruited him specially to spy on the other boys. Sometimes those boys can make very foolish decisions that could undermine the brotherhood’s effort. I will not allow that.‘What is it?’ I didn’t wear my mask as usual.‘Mitchell is gone, and Damien too.’I hoped I had heard wrong. So I paused and waited for him to
JISSA’S POVWhat had just happened?I could feel my legs shaking. Scenes from the incident flashed through my mind in quick succession: the peaceful ride, the times I fell in and out of sleep, and the moment the car stopped and our driver announced that Mitchell’s car was gone. Even with these scenes, my mind tried to find a logical reason for the disappearance or how it took place.‘I want to go and find her.’ I declared suddenly, loosening myself from Miranda’s embrace.‘Where do you know you are going to start? I have already called Golden Leaves. They should be here anytime soon.’I didn’t pay any attention to Miranda. Her voice grew faint by the minute.‘Where did you stop seeing the car?’ I directed at one of the drivers, Miranda’s driver, I guess.‘Over there.’ the stout man pointed at a distance not far from where I stood.‘Jissa, you can’t.’ Miranda drew close to me and tried to take my hand.I turned to her and fired.‘Miranda, our friend is missing. My friend of many years
MIRANDA’S POVI made a lot of mistakes on the afternoon of her abduction. That afternoon, the journey was going so well at first. After a night full of rain, the day was bright and sunny. We were on our way to the Athan’s palace. White clouds passed over greenery and white-peaked blue mountains stood stoically on the horizon. Mitchell wanted to visit and familiarize with her soon-to-be home. When the journey began, her car led our entourage. Consequently, our car seemed to overtake or her car slowed down, I don’t know how it happened. However, later that evening, one of the drivers said Damien had claimed that his car shouldn’t be in front because the Supreme’s Luna was in there. While we were on the journey, I felt a premonition but chose to ignore it; mistake number one. ‘What happened? I don’t see their car anymore.’ I was holding my hands over my eyebrows and scanning into the black monk's forest.‘Something is wrong. I can feel it.’ Jissa said. Her car had stopped and her driv
MITCHELL’S POVToday is the day. I didn’t imagine this day would be like this. The flowers were more beautiful and the sun smiled dimly on us. Even the birds composed a little song for me and sang it endlessly from high up in the trees. Family and friends stood at the opposing sides of the aisle as I glided ceremoniously through it to meet the love of my life. He was standing at the other end, resplendent in all his manliness. His beta stood proudly beside him and Miranda watched at the head of the assembly. She was the ordaining minister. The floor was strewn with petals of Castilian roses. I have never seen that much in one place. And then, with a hot slap to my thigh, it vanished. My head felt as though it had been hit by a thousand bricks. I couldn’t see anything. Something seemed to press on my back. I tried to move, but it was not possible. I couldn’t move my hands and legs. They seemed to be held together by something rough and tight. I was on a cold surface. It felt like met
ATHAN’S POV‘I called you both to renew my intentions for your daughter. I love her and want to have her as my wife. And I wanted to ask you formally and respectfully to let me have your daughter to take as my wife.’Mister and Misses Harris laughed lightly. They were seated opposite me in their family study. The afternoon was turning a golden brown and dinner would be served any moment. ‘You have marked her already and if it is the will of the moon goddess, who are we to refuse? She is on the way to your house now because she too can’t wait to be with you. So you see, it relies on the both of you alone.’ Mr. Harris said and his wife nodded enthusiastically.‘I know we are mated. I wanted to make it formal and ask her hand as someone who comes from a revered lineage as yours and an alpha of a mighty pack.’‘Thank you Mergec.’Misses Harris continued.‘I have spoken with Mitchell and since she wants you too, my husband and I have nothing to do but give our blessings.’‘Thank you. I pl
DAMIEN’S POVWith the events of the night before, I felt confident that my plan was in place. Jubilant over my double achievements of winning myself over to Athan’s side and getting into the golden leaves pack, I decided to inform the master. After listening to my achievements, he will be proud of me.The phone only rang once, when the gruff voice picked up and answered answered. ‘From the blood of the pure.’That voice always sends chills down my spine. Can this man not be a little less frightening?‘For the sweat of the cause.’ I answered. ‘I have gotten into the enemy camp. Soon I will bring you victory.’I waited to hear something commendation or appreciation, but silence. Since my kidnap and rehabilitation at the camp, the master kept his distance from me. I was only to call him to make reports or ask for help. And to protect our identity we had to use a password, ‘from the blood of the pure, for the seat of the cause’, before we spoke. It was only invented right before I left c
MITCHELL’S POVThe doom to my room flew open suddenly, startling me to the point of dropping my comb on the dresser.‘Oh Jissa, come on.’Ignoring me completely, she walked straight to my bed and lay on it, rolling from side to side.‘Someone seems totally in love after yesterday’s debacle’.‘Be a different person for once Jissa. Please try.’Jissa let out a laugh so hysterical it rivaled all those I had heard before. Miranda chose a settee close to the dresser, sat, and crossed her legs.‘Isn’t that why you love me? I have always been this crazy, from the very first day we met.’‘You get crazier by the day, Jissa. Don’t blame this on me.’‘I am only happy for you. Soon I will be an aunty and godmother. Can’t wait.’‘You are not serious. All these expressions of happiness and why do I feel you are mocking me?’ She stood up from the bed and started gesticulating. ‘How? I am happy for my friend, who has held on to love, despite all odds; a shiny example of love conquers all.’She ende
ATHAN’S POVI met Mitchell on the terrace on the second floor facing the valley. The sky was a golden yellow and the sun felt like a warm touch to the skin. She turned to look at me but turned back. it was evident she was still upset about last night.‘I am sorry, Mitchell.’I went to stand beside her. A car truck had just pulled into the courtyard below. Its noise drowned what I had said before.‘I am sorry, Mitchell.’ I repeated.‘Why are you sorry’? She said to me without looking at me. I tried to get close to her but she didn’t budge. I stretched my hands to touch but almost immediately, I withdrew my hands. However, I continued, determined to get my point across. ‘I am sorry because I didn’t consider your feelings before I asked Damien to your father’s house. I didn’t consider how it would offend you if I brought him here. I was selfish.’ I tried hard to avoid it but my voice trembled. I saw her flinch subtly, and look at me‘No you are not selfish, sir.’ Her voice was low and