Rina sat in her chamber long after Maggie had left her side of the pack house. Her hands trembled, but her eyes grew steady. The poison of Maggie’s words still burned in her chest, but she refused to let it root in her heart. She pressed a hand to her stomach and whispered to herself, “I will not break. I've come this far in the midst of these people.”
The first thing she did was rise and go find Elara.She found her sitting on a bench in the hallway outside while Mira napped. Elara’s hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her face pale, her eyes a little distant.“Elara,” Rina called softly.Elara looked up quickly, her voice small. “Rina… I do not know how much longer I can stand this. Rowland’s words, the way everyone stares at me now…”Rina sat beside her, taking her hands into hers. “Alpha Simon didn't hate you. He wanted you here. He let you stay here and that can't mean anything evil. They can't do anything to you. I'm here.”<Leah’s chambers were full of movement early that morning. Her maid, Lora, folded the last of her gowns into a trunk, while Leah stood before the mirror fastening her robe. Her eyes were calm, but her mouth was set with determination.“Are the bags ready? Did you make sure to pick all my jewelry? I acquired quite a few during our stay here. Have you had them all packed ?” Leah asked, adjusting the necklace at her throat.“Yes, my lady,” Lora said. “All packed. The men Rowland sent will soon come to take them down.”Leah nodded slowly. “Good. We leave soon. I want to arrive at my father's house before the sun fully sets and night comes upon us. I hate to make my trips at night time."A knock sounded at the door. Before Lora could move, the door opened and Maggie walked in with a smile too wide to be friendly.“Well, Leah,” Maggie said sweetly, stepping into the room. “So the guest prepares to leave us. How sad. The pack will surely miss you
Leah waited for the most part of the pack to go silent in peaceful slumber before she decided to make the trip to Rowland's chambers. Leah walked down the narrow passage to Rowland’s chambers. Her steps were slow, careful. She wore a thin robe that flowed softly against her body, the fabric clinging just enough to show her shape. Her hair fell over her shoulders, and her lips held a faint smile.Rowland was waiting. He had already poured wine and pushed the table aside. He stood tall when she entered, his eyes roaming over her robe.“So you came,” he said with a grin. “I knew you would not resist me. You are dressed for me. I can see it.”Leah closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment. Her voice was soft, teasing. “I told you I wanted to see you before I leave. I came with a gift, Rowland. A parting gift.”Rowland’s grin widened. “A gift? Then let me unwrap it.” He stepped close, his hand reaching for her waist.Leah
Rowland walked into the court of the late Alpha. He as bolder with each day he spent convincing himself that he was the one the pack needed and not anyone else. Not his brother, most definitely.The wide chamber was quiet and it seemed like the place still held some sacred powers that relates to the alpha. But most importantly, walking into the hall reminded him of his father. But once the thought struck him, he pushed it off his mind strongly. He did not hesitate. He marched up the steps and sat down on his father’s seat. His eyes glowed with pride as his hands rested on the carved armrests.“This is where I belong,” he said aloud, his voice echoing. “This is the seat I must soon take over. This is the place of the Alpha, and it will be mine alone to sit on and dictate the fate of the Crystal pack and all it's members.”Maggie entered behind him, her arms folded tight across her chest. She watched him with a thin smile.“You look bold in that cha
It was soon seven days after the passing of Alpha Simon. The pack grounds were filled with silence as wolves gathered around the burial site. Elders stood at the front, their voices steady as they spoke of Alpha Simon’s death.Elder Marus lifted his hands. “Our Alpha did not fall to blade or poison. His wolf reached its thousand years in another realm. The Moon Goddess has called wolf and man home together. This is not a curse. This is not foul play. It is the way of the bond between wolf and master.”The crowd bowed their heads. Some wept quietly, others whispered prayers. The sound of mourning filled the ground like a slow song.Kendrick stood still, eyes lowered, his heart heavy. His hands curled into fists at his side. He breathed slowly, holding his grief in silence. Rina stood close, her hand brushing against his. Her eyes were soft with compassion, steady on him, keeping him grounded.Rowland stood nearby, his chest rising and falling in dr
The training field was quiet. The sky was dim with the last stretch of evening light. Kendrick stood in the middle of the dirt ground, sweat rolling down his temples. He moved in sharp motions, fists striking against the wooden post before him. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, his wolf inside restless but silent. Each hit was a way to steady his grief.After the demise of their mother when they were still little boys, this was his closest contact with grief and he was doing all he could to not break down. Training on the fields every time became a way to steady his mind and deal with the grief. Each time he thought of the fact that Rowland was actively trying to hurt him and take him out of the picture so he can be the only alpha of the pack, it made him even scared. The night his father sent him on exile on Rowland's account, he knew for a fact that there was something wrong. His father wasn't used to taking sides, but Rowland ha
Rowland sat in his chamber, a goblet of wine in his hand, his legs stretched across the fur rug. His face was set in arrogance, but his mind was restless. The silence around him grew heavy until the door flew open with a loud bang.Maggie stepped in, her eyes blazing.“Rowland!” she snapped.He raised his brow slowly, pretending to be unbothered. “What now, Maggie? Do you not know how to knock?”“I do not care for knocking when the pack is crumbling before my eyes,” she shot back.Rowland smirked, sipping his wine. “Crumbling? Do you not see me here? I will keep this pack in my hand soon enough. Nothing is crumbling.”Maggie marched forward, her dress swaying sharply with her steps. “You fool. While you sit drinking and thinking of ways to claim Rina, Kendrick moves his pieces across the board. He has brought the slave girl, Neri, into the pack house.”Rowland paused, his goblet halfway to his lips. “Neri?”“Yes