CHAPTER 4- ARTEMIS
“Alpha Silvercrest,”
Killian turned in surprise to look at the woman— no, the she-wolf who had called his name.
He was late for a werewolf council meeting— something that rarely happened.
But that was because one of his wolves had been attacked by the Curers— a faction of Werewolf hunters who saw the wolf’s curse as a threat and sought to destroy everyone who had been affected.
And now the she-wolf was going to take up more of his time.
“What is it?” He barked harshly.
The wolves standing with him looked on, feeling sorry for the she-wolf who had approached the Alpha at such a bad time.
The wolf, a redhead with striking green eyes and a tall, slender frame met the Alpha’s gaze, not looking the least bit intimidated. “I am Artemis Landon, Kendra sent me here for you, but I see now that you are busy so I shall call on you another time.”
Killian was impressed.
The wolf was not from his pack, so maybe that explained her brazen nature. But even then, her head was slightly bent in recognition of his position as Alpha. Most wolves could barely meet his gaze.
And she was beautiful.
But why would Kendra ask her to come and see him?
He had a hunch as to why, but he wasn’t going to think about that now.
“Very well. Make yourself at home.” He said curtly, gesturing to one of the wolves beside him. “Dante here will show you around and keep you company until I’m done.” He walked off without another word, his entourage close on his heels.
Artemis sighed deeply.
The Alpha was handsome.
Kendra didn’t mention that in her letter?
Turning to Dante, she said, “Can we skip the tour? Please take me to Kendra Sullivan instead.”
She had a lot to tell that friend of hers.
****
Kendra Sullivan was in the sparring room overseeing a couple of pack warriors train when she saw her friend waltz in, capturing everyone’s attention with her feminine elegance and grace.
The female-beta grinned albeit painfully.
She would never be that kind of woman.
Killian needed someone who was a silent pillar… not a crazy bulldozer like her.
Someone who was content with playing house and bearing children and taking care of the pack like a mother should.
Kendra wasn’t that type?
She liked freedom.
For her, marriage was a chain… a chain that would hinder the freedom she so loved. She was glad Aphrodite hadn’t granted her love yet.
She had more time to make more name for herself.
“Beta Sullivan,” Artemis teased.
Kendra snapped out of her thoughts at that, brushing her friend’s acknowledgement off with a flip of a hand along with an accompanying grin. “You sly dog, I didn’t know you were coming?”
The red-head chuckled. “Well, I wanted to surprise you,” Her gaze shifted to the man who had brought her to her friend. “Thank you, Dante. I think Beta Sullivan will take it from here.”
The wolf nodded at the two she-wolves and left.
“So, Beta huh? I really can’t believe you managed to achieve such mighty feat.”
Kendra shrugged. “It doesn’t feel so mighty to me.”
Artemis chuckled mirthfully.
Trust Kendra to get to the very top and still want more.
They had known each other for quite a long time, having hit it off instantly when they had bumped into each other in a market square in Kreiway.
“So…”
Kendra grinned. “So?”
“You didn’t tell me the Alpha was such a snack!”
Kendra blushed. Something she rarely did. “I-I-He looks normal to me.” She finished lamely, the words causing a fit of giggles to attack Artemis.
“Now either you’re blind or you’re lying. I mean have you seen him? Those cheekbones, and those lips...”
Kendra was feeling hot all of a sudden.
Her brain replayed how his nose had brushed against her jaw, how his breath had been hot against her skin, how she had wanted so desperately for him to claim her lips…
“Kendra!”
The she-wolf jumped up with a start.
“Wow, you should have told me I was boring you with my fan-girling.” Artemis pouted. “You really don’t see him in that way at all?” She asked curiously.
He’s honestly all I can think about.
Kendra didn’t say that though.
Instead she said, “He’s just my Alpha and a friend.”
“Oh, good!” The redhead declared gleefully.
Kendra took Artemis to her chambers, and the female changed out of her travelling gown into breeches and a fitting shirt. Then they went back to the sparring room to train for a while.
Kendra was really enjoying the female companionship.
It was just right.
She honestly couldn’t relate with the women in her pack. They were all about the male wolves, and marriage and gossip. They didn’t share the same interests she did and she didn’t theirs.
But Artemis was an assortment of both, and so she could fit in both worlds.
Kendra wished she was like that sometimes.
Sometime later in the day, Killian stormed the sparring room, looking for Kendra.
He had forgotten all about the red-head, wanting to see his Beta’s beautiful face and spar with her.
He liked their sparring sessions, as he got to see her in more fitting clothes instead of the bulky gowns she wore when she wasn’t training.
He also loved the feel of her pressing against him as she struggled to dominate him.
It always made his wolf roar in pleasure.
The Alpha snapped out of his thoughts and approached the women, his attention on Artemis this time as he tried to think of an excuse to give her for forgetting all about her.
“Miss…” His tone was enquiring.
“Landon, my Lord. Artemis Landon.”
“Right, right. My apologies for not seeking you out sooner.” He apologized. His attention shifted to Kendra, and they held each other’s gaze for what seemed like eternity until it was ruined by Artemis.
“That’s fine, my Lord. I understand that you do have other commitments. You can make it up to me by showing me around though, if you aren’t busy, that is.” She declared coyly, her eyes shining, hinting that it was just an act.
Killian ran his hand through his hair as he gave her suggestion thought. This woman was interesting, nothing like the women he had courted so far. He was sure that if nothing at all, they’d have a very nice conversation.
Plus, Kendra had gone through the whole process of setting this up. He couldn’t quit on her now?
“Alright, Miss Artemis. Come along then. I believe I have a few minutes to spare.” He bent his elbow and she slipped her arm through, turning to shoot her friend a discreet wink. “Call me Artemis, my Lord.”
Killian nodded. “In that case, it’s only fair you call me Killian.” He chuckled.
He fucking chuckled.
Kendra felt a pang she couldn’t really explain.
Killian never laughed at her jokes. And there was nothing in the least bit funny in the conversation he was having with Artemis.
So what the fuck was that?
Killian gaze finally sought her out.
“I’ll come see you after this, Beta Sullivan,” He told her, “We really have to talk about something important.”
Kendra nodded, but didn’t say a word.
She watched her friend and the Alpha walk off after saying their goodbyes. In the proper ton, Artemis would have had to change into a gown before going out, but the werewolf community didn’t mind so much.
Kendra moved on to other activities, her eyes keenly following the sun’s movement as she ticked task after task off her list.
What was keeping them so long?
Kendra retired to her chambers when nightfall came. She took her bath and dressed in a blue fitting gown that really complimented her eyes.
She wanted to look nice for Killian.
As she combed and untangled her waist length kinky curls, she felt that pang again, but this time she knew what it was…
Pure, unbridled jealousy.
That night, she waited and waited for Killian to show up at her doorstep,
But he never came.
CHAPTER 5- THE BALL- (part 1)Kendra was seriously starting to regret inviting Artemis over to spend some time with them.It wasn’t any fault of the redhead really, it was just… she and the Alpha were hitting it off very well,Perhaps a little too well.Kendra knew that was supposed to be good news, because it meant that there was a chance at redemption for both Killian and the entire pack, but why did it hurt so badly then?Killian barely spent time with her anymore. They didn’t spar as often as they used to…They didn’t talk much, only making time to talk if it was related to pack business and affairs,Heck even Artemis barely spent time with her as well. It was quite sad really, for aside her duties as Beta of the Silver Crest Pack, she didn’t have much of a social life.“Why don’t you go out and try to have fun, my dear?&rdquo
CHAPTER SIX- THE BALL (Part 2)Killian saw her first.No amount of camouflage or mask could hide Kendra from him. He knew her both inside and out,Well not exactly inside, but you get my drift.She looked so ravishing, dressed in a strapless burgundy ball gown, her face concealed by a black, elegant lace like mask. For the first time in a really really long time, her curly hair had been styled in an intricate chignon.Only her mum used to plead with her to wear it like that.Killian was mesmerized,What was she doing here?The Beta didn’t do balls.He basically had to blackmail her sometimes to tag along with him, and even then, she never took the time to look this… lovely.The feeling he felt was so foreign that he stumbled in his dance routine a bit, the action causing Artemis to look up at him in concern. “Hey, it’s everything all right?&rdqu
CHAPTER SEVEN- THE KISSA growl escaped Killian’s lips as he closed in on the couple obliviously dancing to the sound of the lively music.“Kendra!”Well, he’ll be damned.Of all the wolves present at the gathering that his Beta could have danced with, she had to go and pick the one that he hated most,Tyrone Riverdale.Alpha of the Riverdale Pack, who took great delight in causing mischief and encouraging excessive violence among his wolves.His Beta had the decency to look like a cat that had been caught trying to swallow the family mouse, with her wide eyes and lace-masked face.Good. He’ll deal with her later.“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Killian Silvercrest.” Tyrone boomed, his voice taunting as he held on to a frozen Kendra. “You know, I was wondering when you were going to show up, since you somehow always manage to keep your Beta o
CHAPTER 8- The Ultimate SacrificeKillian didn’t even make it out of the building when he shifted into his wolf form, the action causing his clothes to tear into mere rags, into shreds.He dashed off, heading into the forests, a shortcut that would take him straight to the pack borders.Back at the grand hall, Kendra was cursing the Alpha,In her head, of course.She had barely managed to bark the words Wait, we need to plan first, when the infuriating beast had burst out of the grand hall, heading for the borders.Kendra knew how important the pack was to the Alpha… he was as possessive of it as a mother wolf was of her cubs, but he didn’t know how many of the curers were out there, and granted… he was a very powerful wolf, but a few Silver weapons too many, and he would be just like a normal human being— completely mortal and at the mercy of the evil humans.Now a l
CHAPTER 9- THIS WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DO “Any changes, Maymunah?” Kendra asked for the umpteenth time as she observed the comatose Alpha. “Still nothing, child.” The Oracle confirmed. “Honestly speaking, it’s a miracle he’s still alive, Kendra. No wolf should be breathing after having that much silver in their system.” If it was a miracle, why wasn’t the brute fucking awakening then? Kendra didn’t ask the Oracle this though. She already knew what the answer was going to be. Only the Gods knew why. At this point, and with everything that had been going on, Kendra wasn’t even sure she believed in them anymore, but for the sake of her best friend, she prayed to all of them… Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Athena… she prayed to whoever cared to listen to save her friend who was simply put, nothing but a pure heart. It had already been three days. Three days since their clash
CHAPTER 10- Wet Killian was trying to work out, but he couldn’t concentrate. What in the fuck had he gotten himself into? He couldn’t really explain it, but it was like now that he had gotten a taste of Kendra… gotten a taste of her lips, of her skin, he just couldn’t seem to stop himself and his thoughts. He wanted more! But that did not even make any sense. He had never felt that way with anyone, not even Artemis whose company he was growing to appreciate more and more each day, the feelings just… confused him. Was he feeling this way because inwardly, she was the one he wanted to be with? Or was it because he was afraid that she would find her love in the arms of another man from another pack and leave him all alone? At this point, he didn’t know anymore… and he didn’t care. All he knew was that he was a very stubborn man, and that he was goi
Chapter 11- Tyrone RiverdaleKendra Sullivan was in the pack gardens, tending to a patch of vibrant, red roses.It was one of the little things she loved to do when she wasn’t playing Beta, or taking her wolf for a run, or sparring, or drawing…Yeah, the she-wolf was quite talented.It was early morn, that time of day where the sun was out, but not too hot or shiny.It really was a beautiful day to be out.Kendra felt at peace in that moment, it was a much welcome respite after being so tense for days.She had spent the whole week avoiding Killian, because after his recovery, it became apparent that the very air they both breathed was charged with some indescribable force.The Alpha wanted to talk about the kiss, but she surprisingly didn’t, because she had a hunch as to what he was going to say.And she wasn’t sure it was going to be something that would make her heart flutter with
Chapter 12- Sheer will For the whole period of the council meeting, Killian did not say a single word to Kendra. Everything he wanted to say that required him addressing her, he threw to their gamma, Miguel, instead. He had seen how much that had unnerved her, but he literally didn’t care. It wasn’t like she had cared about his feelings when she had turned up late to the meeting with his worst enemy anyway. By the time the meeting had ended, Killian was a complete thinking mess. Was Tyrone courting his Beta? It seemed like the only logical explanation… the only reason why they were suddenly spending so much time together. But if that were so, why hadn’t Kendra told him about it? Of course she knows you’re going to blow your fucking fuse, you arrogant brute! His conscience mocked darkly, but he brushed the thoughts aside. He didn’t care. Kendra could do wha