JAKE’S POV“Gosh! This is one hell of a heavy leash,” the first guard sighed, throwing down what seemed like a ton of heavy, intertwined rods. “What does the Alpha really need them for? Dragons had gone extinct, I would have said he wanted to use them to bind one down here in the dungeon,” The second guard responded. They both burst into a peal of laughter, careful not to let me hear them but I guess they forgot I was an Alpha and I could hear spoken words from an unimaginable distance, and second of all, I could use my mind link to hear thoughts.“How about I use those chains to suspend you both in the air? Maybe you’d learn how to be more competent and focused !” I snapped at them.“I’m sorry, we are sorry, Your Grace!” They both shuddered as they bowed to apologize before scattering out of the dungeon to continue preparations for today's event. Finally, the long-awaited full-blood moon ceremony was here.Damon walked into the dungeon, wearing a pair of baggy shorts and a matchin
CHAPTER 50JAKE’S POV“All Hail the moon goddess! The giver of life and hope! The protector of our realm!” Selene proclaimed, bowing before the temple.“All hail the mother of light!” Everyone chorused in unison, bowing to their knees with their foreheads pressing against the floor.In no time, the prayers were over and immediately followed by loud music and chants echoing through the night. I sat back in my chair, watching the event unfold before me. The pack members were jumping and twisting their bodies in rhythm to the melodious beats from the speakers.It was indeed a grand ceremony! I ought to be happy and flow with the spirit of the night but unease tightened my chest. Fear, doubts, and guilt all crept through my mind at once. I shifted my gaze to Damon who sat adjacent to me, signaling him to come over to the podium where I sat.“Have you seen Lyra since the event started?” I asked Damon, screaming aloud because my voice was almost drowned by the noisy environment.“Yes, Your
LYRA’S POVLast night was nothing short of unease. I had made myself a warm glass of milk hoping it would help but for every time I closed my eyes, voices, nightmares and unsettling thoughts kept my eyes peeled. "56, 57, 58, 59, finally 7am!" I muttered, slamming shut the alarm before pushing myself up from the bed. I had been staring at my digital alarm clock counting along with every tick sound it made till it was finally dawn.My body ached in a way I couldn’t quite explain, like I had run for miles in my sleep. My bones made a cracking sound, fixing into place as I stretched out myself, yawning. Something about this day felt cold and off as though an unseen force was pressing down on me. Ignoring the gnawing feeling in my mind I headed to the shower, before joining others to prepare for the day.I scanned to the many faces walking back and forth around the house in search of Jake but couldn't find him. He had explained the significance of the ceremony earlier. Nonetheless, I fel
LYRA'S POV"Arrh.." I grunted as a sharp pain stabbed me in my ribs. I gradually sat upright on the bed, holding tight on my side. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was being sucked up by the moon's energy and then transforming into my wolf. Its thick white furs swayed as I shook them, seeing the surroundings from Tara's view was indeed the highlight of the night until Lucio struck. My head pounded so badly against my skull and my throat was as dry as sandpaper. As the daze gradually cleared off my eyes, I shifted my gaze to see those standing around me in the room.A pang of anger cut through my chest as their faces came into focus. Lisa and Tessa stood by the foot of the bed with what seemed like remorse or perhaps regrets in their eyes. One more person was remaining. Where is that Liar? I screamed in my head as my eyes darted to the other side of the room to see him standing stiffly by the window with his arms crossed. Patches of plaster stuck to his face with banda
LYRA'S POV“Oh my God…” I shuddered. My heart seemed like they were about to fail at this point. I clutched tight, holding it together as I took, slow, deep breath. “The maids were right." I muttered to myself. "They were not gossip after all,” My voice broke. “You were going to do the same to me too, didn’t you?”Jake shook as if my words physically punched him. “No,” he whispered almost inaudibly. “I would never—”“But you did.” I retorted, my eyes burned with unshed tears. I bit hard on my lips to stop it from trembling."And you!" I barked, turning to Lisa, who stood frozen, tears finally streaming down my cheeks. “I believed you! You were meant to be my friend but you lied to me,” I accused, my voice breaking. “You told me she died in childbirth.” My fists clenched. “You all lied.”Lisa opened her mouth, but whatever excuse she had, I didn’t want to hear it. The weight of betrayal was unbearable. Everything I had believed, everyone I had trusted stabbed me right in the chest.I b
LYRA’S POVI was caught In a dilemma; walking out of the door or going back to get answers. My gaze shifted to Lisa who stood completely stunned. Just a few weeks ago she had suspected I was pregnant but I waved it off. I instinctively held my hand over my belly not sure what to feel or say. Why is everything going into total disarray in the twinkle of an eye? I was about to walk out that door and never return, now this? What if this was another lie to keep me from leaving? A jumble of thoughts clashed in my mind like the waves of a troubled sea.I shifted my gaze to Selene. She had been in charge of me since I started noticing these changes but I felt it was just my wolf abilities stirring it up. If this was true, she could have told me before now, I thought.Secondly, somehow Lisa had seen it, but I refused to believe it. What have I gotten myself into? “Tell me this is not true. Jake is lying right?” I asked with my brows furrowed and my voice low and etched with mixed emotions.
LYRA'S POVMy hands shook as I pressed them against my belly, a subconscious act of protection, trying to feel my baby's presence.I'm such a terrible mother. How couldn't I have known I had a life growing inside of me? "I'm so sorry my sweet little pea," I muttered to my foetus, clutching on my belly.A knock at the door snapped me from my thoughts, breaking the mother-child moment I was having. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Her ayurvedic scent already gave her off. Selene. I redressed myself in an upright position.She stepped in without waiting for me to grant her access, her expression unreadable as always. I clenched my jaw with a serious look. I wasn’t in the mood for another lecture, and I certainly wasn’t in the mood to hear her try to justify Jake’s actions“I don't want to see anyone!” I snapped at her.“I guess there are exceptions to who you wouldn't want to see,” Selene responded as she walked into my room.“Why are you here?” I retorted, visibly angry.“We
ALPHA LEO’S POV>>>>>>“Where is she? I say where is she? My uncle, Logan's voice thundered through the night.Logan was my father's junior brother whom I grew up to know as a man of the people, a peace lover, and most of all, my father's trusted Beta. He had taught me my combat skills and today, I stand face to face with him, not as my loving uncle but as a villain who wanted so dearly to rule over the werewolf clan.“What do you want from my sister?” I shot back at him, ready to pounce at any moment. My hands trembled as he slowly walked towards me with a sinister smile on his face.“This is not your fight, boy. All you have to do is tell me where Lyra is and I'd walk away and you'd still have blood running through your veins,” he said, tapping my shoulders. His voice was low but laced with every bit of evil. My stomach twisted, swirling violently, and I almost threw up. The metal scent of blood oozed all over him as he drew closer to me. I looked around to see the whole p
LYRA’S POV“Traitor! May the gods forbid! You deserve to die! Witch!” The clamor of the people echoed in my ear as the Chariot rolled slowly behind the scene unfolding before me.I sat on the open-roof royal chariot with Jake by my side, our fingers interlocked with each other on his thigh watching the crowd boo and throw garbage at Ella who was dragged along the road by mean guards.Partaking in the procession was Selene, who was dressed in her traditional long black robe. Her wavy silver hair cascaded down her shoulders. In her hands was the cup of shame from which Ella must drink from and forever be damned till death calls. Amidst the booing were chants of acknowledgements and praise from the people. “All Hail, Luna Lyra, The first of her name, The queen of shadowclaw!” The voices rose so loud that one would think it was my coronation day. My cheeks were as pink as those of a Barbie doll when a little girl broke through from the crowd, screaming my name and reaching towards me wi
LYRA’S POVThe mention of the name Caspian hit me like a punch in my stomach. Caspian? What would Jake likely be having with Jake? I saw the look on his face when he mentioned Caspian’s name early. It was clearly streaked with Jealousy. On second thought, what could the truth be? Are they brothers? Hell no! Because that would be totally ridiculous.I shot Jake a side-eye long look. “What could that be?” my brow rose as I queried.I felt unease beginning to creep up under my skin as Jake hesitated in giving me a response. His face fell to the ground without a word for what felt like a century. “Come on Jake! You don’t have to kill me with suspense before you let the cat out of the bag,” I nudged his shoulder slightly, with a soft smile slowly appearing on my face.Jake finally looked up, meeting my face with an unreadable expression. “I can see you’re in love with this guy. I can hear the excitement in your tone at the mention of his name, but you don’t have to rub it in,” he threw the
AEMOND'S POV “Sir..sir, I think we have a big problem!” A guard rushed in, panting like he had escaped an attack from a polar bear.I spun sharply. “Are you out of your damn mind?” I snapped, walking towards the guard. "How dare you barge into my chambers without knocking? I'm sure you want this day to be your last here in the pack house as a guard, right? I yelled into his face.The young man recoiled his eyes wide with fear. His face was pale, sweat gathering around his temples. “I…I’m sorry, Alpha Aemond! But it’s urgent. You need to come. Now,” he stuttered, leaning in a bow.I heaved a sigh, seeing how his body shook in fear. "And was that why you had to badge into the chambers like a mad man?” I queried him. My voice, softer and calmer than before.He didn't say another word, just words of apology. Took a long look at him and eased him off the tension in his body. "You may go. I'd be out there in a minute," I waved him off like a housefly, turning back to my seat. He wasted no
DON CARLITO'S POVI stood at my usual spot- The rooftop of my estate overlooking the city. It was past mid-afternoon, but today the weather wasn't harsh. It was windy, though not storm-like, but I couldn't sense it brewing, making me uncomfortable.Today seemed quiet, too damn quiet for a man like me. In my world, silence does not mean peace; it meant tension. It meant something was about to snap and I hated not being ahead of events.I viewed the city through my massive periscope, swaying it left and right, observing the street, which was the breeding site of chaos. "Any news from the head of the shadow boys?" I asked in a carefree tone, still looking through the periscope."Nothing, Sir. The last time I heard from Perez, he informed me the shipments are yet to arrive at the port," my assistant, Quavo, responded sharply. Quavo had been my eyes and ears around the city, sometimes I wonder why I hadn't given him the task of getting me the girl and the damn pendant."We are expecting
AEMOND'S POVWalking through the halls of the pack house felt different this time. I could hear the whispers of my name through every wall I walked past. No one dared to look me in the eyes. Everyone scrambles off at the sight of me.I was headed to the cell when one of the guards ran up to me, hastening his steps to meet up with my pace.“I was informed you called for me Beta Aemond!” He said, gasping for breath.Did he just address me as Beta? What insolence! I stopped abruptly, clenching my fist with a twisted face and slowly turning around with my jaw twisting.“I am going to forgive your ignorance,” I said slowly, raising my eyes to meet that of the guard. “Next time!” I continued with a slow, dragged tone. “You don't address me as Beta! I am Alpha Aemond! And you, along with everyone else, will address me as that!” I hissed.The guard trembled as he bowed his head, apologizing for the misconception. “I am sorry, Alpha Aemond!” He pleaded.I scoffed, waving it off. “I need you to
AEMOND'S POVI paced up and down what remained of the temple, my mind racing with words Valkyrie had told me in the trance. I had to get everything from that little bi**h. I never thought things would go south and now I have to go an extra length to get her. I growled in frustration, turning to Zephyr who stood motionless staring at me.“He offered me everything, Zephyr,” I muttered, sitting on the stone ledge beside the large window, staring into the dying twilight. “All, I have to do is get the damn bond broken and everything...I mean everything will be mine!" I voiced out with every sense of certainty.Zephyr shook his head in what seemed like disbelief.“You are totally out of your damn mind!” he barked, clawing his head in frustration. “No one strikes a deal with Valkyrie and walks out whole! That’s like shaking hands with the goddamn devil. You will lose everything and I mean every single thing!” he growled in a low tone, cautious not to have anyone hear him.A low growl rumbled
LYRA’S POVJake's face twisted in anger as he sprang from his seat, pointing towards Alpha Benson. Veins, lining the side of his forehead. His eyes, once filled with warmth, now brimmed with something heavier; rage, hurt, and betrayal. I could feel it roll off him like a tidal wave. Every person in that hall instinctively held their breath.Hauling Alpha Benson in what seemed like an arm drag, Jake stepped forward slowly, his voice deep and controlled, echoing through the grand hall. “Alpha Benson of the Arrakis Pack,” he began, eyes locked with Alpha Benson. “You were once considered an ally, a partner, and a friend," he growled with a low, yet steady tone. "A father figure in diplomacy. A man I once trusted to walk beside me in strength and wisdom,” he said, holding up his chin.Alpha Benson looked up from where he knelt, sweat pooling on his forehead. He didn't dare speak. Nobody dared intervene at this moment, not even me.“But instead,” Jake continued, squeezing hard on Benson's
LYRA'S POVMy sight blurred, I could feel something dripping down my nose but I barely paid attention to it. I bent down over Ella, my hands gripping her neck. She squirmed beneath me, making gurgling sounds, her hands feebly hitting my wrists. I didn't mind I had just gone through a painful evacuation process, I damned every sting of pain I felt in my body. All I sensed was the fire within my soul, the sting of betrayal seeping through my fury."LYRA! STOP!"Selene's voice struck through the thick rage in my head like a clap of thunder. My head jerked up, hair tousled around my face, nostrils widening. I turned towards the direction of the voice and noticed her sprinting towards me. Her face was drained with fear of what I might do to Ella."Stop Lyra, You're bleeding!" she yelled, pointing down.Bleeding? The words got to me. I must have stressed my healing body with magic. I noticed my body has been slow to heal likely due to the fact Aemond was wielding part of my powers and the
LYRA'S POVI watched Jake snatch the medical reports from Selene, frantically. His eyes scanned through each line and paragraph. As soon as his hands and shoulders dropped, I realized this was not a joke.“No, No!,” I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. "This is not true," my voice broke as I spoke. "Nothing is wrong with my child. He's healthy and fine," I stuttered, placing my hand over my stomach, hoping to protect my baby from the unbelievable news I was hearing.My vision gradually began to blur as warm fluid rushed into my eyes. I pressed down on my lip trying to stop it from rolling off my eyes but my lip trembled. I felt a string in my heart snap, as my chest constricted. The weight of Selene's announcement pressed on me, sinking me into an abyss.“Wh…What did you just say?” I asked in a low tone, my voice shaking. Somehow I hoped Selene was mistaken, maybe the scan results weren't for me.I slowly turned my attention to Jake, staring into his eyes. For the first time, n