Chapter three
The leader of the pack is never the loudest
***ROXANNE***
I WAS GROUNDED. I had no idea how long it would be but that was the Alpha’s declaration as a punishment. I observed my brother had been giving me the cold shoulder ever since the training camp and several times I tried to start a conversation with him but he ignored me and left me in the dark until he gave the order that I was grounded.
I wasn't allowed three square meals, just a once in a day thing but of course, my duties were intense. I still had to do the chores— a lot of it. But I was confined to my room till whenever. Chloe didn't make it any easy for me. Her taunts went on endlessly and I had to bear it all. I detested everyone.
As the week progressed, the bullying intensified. My very move was scrutinised and every drawback was highlighted. It was either Chloe messing up the kitchen after I made it neat or some pack member asking me to do twice my work. Other times they sang songs of mockery and made me dance to their tunes. I couldn't reject it because I was powerless.
I was losing myself daily but it didn't matter. No one cared. Sometimes I wished my parents were alive. I had few memories of my childhood but I knew I used to be
treasured when my parents were alive. I was loved and protected and no one could hurt me. But I had lost them and I had to bond with the only person I had as a family— Zane. But he stopped caring when he realised my flaws at a young age and he focused on himself.
I wasn't mad that he put himself first. That was the right thing anyway and I would do the same. But I hated that he threw me into the cruel hands of the pack members. I was downtrodden by his mate and it hurt that he stood aside and watched her treat me badly when he could've done something about it.
Lots of preparations were going on in the White Moon pack— the lunar peak Festival was fast approaching and a lot had to be done. The Lunar Peak Festival was an annual tradition where wolves gathered to find their mates. Every year different packs took turns to do it and now it was White Moon’s.
“I guess I've assigned your roles. Thanks for your suggestion, Nelly. We're getting a sacred altar. I want this to be different from every other Lunar festival. I want us to stand out, so please let's be creative with our ideas,” Chloe said.
“What can she do?” berth asked pointing at me, “She had to assist us in something.”
All eyes turned to me and I sat up straight. I was trying to figure out why multiple pairs of eyes were boring into mebecause I had been zoning in and out of the meeting, waiting for it to be over.
“She could help with the decorations. Or maybe the altar,” someone suggested.
“No! She’s impure, she shouldn't touch the sacred Altar,” Bertha countered.
Chloe rolled her eyes at me, “What can you do?”
Run away.
I swallowed hard, “Any role assigned to me. I'll do it.”
Chloe burst into laughter, “You think I was asking for your consent? Of course not. Whatever role you're assigned you're doing it. I don't care that you have to cook the whole day. Just don't mess it up for me and yes, for now, I need you to write out the letters that would be sent out as invitations. If it is reviewed and there are errors, maybe you'll just have to sleep in the basement. Get to work. Pronto!”
As much as I wished I could bring suggestions I kept my mouth shut because I knew no one was going to give me a listening ear. Chloe was in charge and we just had to go by her rules. I wasn't as zealous as the rest of them because I was spending it indoors. It was supposed to be my first but I was grounded.
***
RED MOON PACK
(Home Of The Warriors)
***ALPHA RYKER***
I sipped my coffee as I flipped through the papers. A picture of White Moon Pack appeared with a little story about how they healed a woman with a damaged bone. I closed the newspaper and tossed it away. I needed something different. Something that wasn't about Blue Moon and White Moon, all the time.
There was a gentle knock at my door and my ears perked up.
“Come in,” I ordered.
The door opened and my beta, Miles, entered. He bowed before me as a way of greeting me before blessing me with the details of what we had successfully won this time.
“You seem to be in a good mood,” he pointed out.
I shrugged, “Once it's victory. It's a positive energy.”
“Before I forget, Alpha, an invitation came through today. From White Moon Pack,” he said.
I stopped pacing my office and turned to face him, “What are the contents?”
“They are having their Lunar Peak Festival and I think you're invited.”
I pursed my lips as I mulled over it. White Moon, the pack I detested with my every being. For two decades my pack had remained isolated after the rebellion which had claimed the life of both my parents and it was all his fault. The Alpha of White Moon. The rebellion had birthed grudges and a thirst to settle old scores. After two decades I was invited to their festival. I had never attended the Lunar festival— I didn't care about mates nor did I care to find one. All I wanted was revenge for the evil done and on the day when all the packs would be gathered for the festival was the best day to strike.
It would be the best closure gift ever.
“Alpha, do you want me to get rid of it like the others?”
I shook my head, “We're keeping it, beta Miles.”
“Huh?”
“Inform everyone and tell them to get prepared. On Saturday, July tenth, we will be at the White Moon Pack.”
My beta nodded in understanding, bowed and took his leave. Left alone, a smile tugged at my lips as I began counting down in anticipation.
Thank you, White Moon.
Chapter four No one is as dangerous as those who play victims of the crimes they committed***ROXANNE***IT WAS FINALLY HERE. The day everyone had been anticipating— the lunar festival. Decorations hung from tree branches and twinkled like stars. It bathed white moon pack in a mesmerising glow. Lively chatter filled the air, laughter intermingled with the sound of a distant waterfall and the atmosphere was charged with vibrant energy. Excitement buzzed through the pack as they prepared for a night of celebration under the radiant moon. I was everything but excited. I pressed my nose against my window frame— the only place I could get a view of the festival. The vibrant colours and joyous sounds didn't make me feel any better, it only deepened my sadness. I was still grounded by the Alpha, I was confined to the walls of my room, left to wallow in bitterness while the pack revelled in the merry of
Chapter five “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future”***ROXANNE***NEWS OF ALPHA RYKER’S ARRIVAL sent shockwaves through the festival. The atmosphere shifted from anticipation to fear in a twinkle. The once vibrant celebration descended into chaos as pack members, caught off guard, exchanged alarmed glances. Alpha Ryker had never attended the lunar peak’s festival and for ours to be the first he was coming to, there was bound to be chaos. For he was the Alpha of Red Moon and there was also rivalry between our packs. I had heard about Alpha Ryker. He was the most feared and cruel Alpha of Lunar Peak. Anyone who fell into his trap had to suffer his wrath. Pack members huddled in anxious clusters and their conversations were heavy with worry. I knew he was a deadly man when I saw my brother’s face fall. “Zane, do something about it! My nails and hair. It took me months to get my dress ready. I can't let this get ruined.
CHAPTER 6ROXANNEIn the state of panic and animalistic sounds that filled the vicinity, I wondered what a hapless woman — like me—with a weak wolf could do in the middle of all of these catastrophes. Sounds of growls and snarls filled the air and all of a sudden everything stood still for a minute. I stood there dazed, unable to turn my gaze away from the man who was standing right there before me…Looking all fierce, handsome, and what else?“You?" His gaze was transfixed right on mine and I fluttered my eyes confused. I had gotten that look a thousand times, but no one had looked upon me with so much intensity as he did at that moment. " This is not possible,” He muttered. A lot of questions crossed my mind and I found it more difficult to answer any, the most prominent of the questions was centered upon why he had looked at me that way.Does it have anything to do with who I was, or the color of my hair?The question like a million others at the back of my mind was left unanswe
CHAPTER 7RYKERPushing the other man to the ground, I listened to his wolf whimpers as my fist was clenched and outstretched to land a blow that would end this damned other Alpha life… My mind was thrilled with killing him and claiming the aura of his wolf as mine, at the same time I couldn't ignore the urge to see if the woman who had fallen into the ravine was fine.All efforts to ignore that urge proved abortive, In annoyance at the entire situation, my eyes narrowed slightly at the man who had his eyes closed and was expecting to breathe his last before glancing at the body of the woman lying haplessly about twelve feet below.“The next time we cross paths, I will be slaying your damned wolf."He pulled away as soon as I backed off and scrambled on the ground before making his way back to his defense. “Fall back!” He growled heavily enough that I could hear the impact of his voice as it trembled even while finding my way down the cliff.The woman was covered with blood, yet e
CHAPTER 8ROXANNEIt was going to be solitary confinement…Hearing those words I fell to my knees pleading to deaf ears as the guards seized me as instructed, my screams stretched in the distance at the doorway stood the same woman that I had seen when I gained consciousness looking back at me with pitiful eyes.“Be careful with her." I heard her voice as she faded away out of view. Some part of my mind wondered if she truly cared…Were they not birds of a feather?It was all like a moment of madness, one moment I was hoping that I had finally had my redemption and was freed from the shackles of my brother, and in the next, I was facing another man's wrath. I was starting to think there was something about me that repels men—As I was dragged all through the way tossed and turned by these same genders, who laughed heretically at each opportunity they had, when I was tossed Into the cell finally it came to me more as comfort and a happy ending from all the psychological torture.I sank
CHAPTER 9ROXANNE“What in the hell are you doing?"The sound of the guard entering the room startled me, with my head swirling and my heart thudding heavily I let the metal clatter to the ground.The sight of the tall man with dangling keys sent jitters through my nerves, I sat still not sure of what to do or the right words to say at that moment.“I … I .” I stuttered confused about what to say at that moment. " What were you trying to do?” He questioned.His eyes came down to the spot that had a bit of red where it had barely pierced through. The realization of what was about to happen hit him as he stared into my rather flustered face.His palm swiped across my face and I could feel a stinging pain on my chin."Do you know how complicated this would have been?” He spat the words out immediately and I could see how furious he was.I muttered only words I could at the moment hoping that the whole issue doesn't become more escalated than it already was." Please, have mercy I… " Th
CHAPTER 10RYKERI stood over the body of the dead guard and I couldn't help but feel disgusted about the entire situation. “Have there been any signs of her?" I questioned looking furiously at the man that was behind where I was.I most definitely knew what the answers were at that moment as there was no way anyone would commit such an atrocity and still hang around.“FIND HER!” I ordered. Filled with fury, I watched as the men walked away from the dungeon, I stood there for a minute trying to replay the whole scenario at the back of my mind.Her weapon of choice was still stuck into the man's neck, she could be naive and weak, but twice has this woman surprised me with how impressive she thinks.“I hope they find you infidel, I hope they do." With that, I let out a low growl and walked out.Finding sleep that night wasn't as peaceful as I had thought it would be, it was the other night since I had brought the woman under my roof filled with the heavy thoughts of her and urges fro
CHAPTER ELEVEN ROXANNE Tomorrow, my fate will be decided.His words lingered on my mind as I was being hauled to a room by the guards. They had exchanged worried glances when the Alpha asked them to take me. I overhead one saying to the Alpha, “what If she kills one of us again?”“Pee in your pants,” He had said. “She's only but a woman!”They were quiet as they dragged me but from time to time they exchanged glances. Worry was evident on their faces and frustration lurked in their eyes.I couldn't protest. I was weak and they could hurt me. Even when their nails dug deep into my skin I bit my bottom lip, afraid to utter a sound. They were still furious I killed one of their own.I was still perturbed. I knew nothing about weapons. How did I make one of a spoon? How did I kill him? I had killed someone! It was sick but for the first time I had actually done something that made people wonder.Oh Zane! Your weak sister took the life of a hefty man. He would never have believed though