BLAISE In a frenzy, I scoured my office, turning over papers and rifling through drawers in a desperate search for my signet ring. Its absence was a growing concern – the documents I had just approved were sitting on my desk, demanding the ring's unique imprint. The deadline was near; they needed to be submitted by tomorrow morning. Finding nothing, I ventured into our bedroom, combing through every corner with equal fervour. Yet, the ring remained elusive. I stood, defeated, in the middle of the room, eyes closed, straining my memory for the last time I had used it. But my thoughts were a tangled mess, muddled by the whirlwind of recent events. Lila's sudden interest in Aurora's family had left me puzzled. I had secretly set a trap for Drax, a plan I had shared with no one, not even Lila. The recent revelation about Hart potentially being the elusive 'Ghost'. further fuelled my frustration. Why would he target me? I bore no responsibility for his sister's tragic death, and
AUTHOR'S P.O.V. Dr Richard concealed himself beneath the inky depths of a black hoodie and robe, his movements quick as he vacated the hotel room. He stood still at the garage, his ears straining for even the faintest of sounds, but all remained eerily silent. His eyes darted thoroughly surveying his surroundings, but no discernible presence lurked nearby. Satisfied, he slipped into his car, ignited the engine, and eased out of the hotel's garage. Meanwhile, within a dimly lit room, two men hunched before their computer screens, their eyes tracking Dr. Richard's car as it exited from the garage. One of them, with a finger pressed to an earpiece, relayed a terse message. "He is on the move." Dr Richard accelerated, his foot heavy on the gas pedal, as the monotonous road stretched endlessly before him, bereft of other vehicles. The moon had chosen to withhold its luminous presence that night, yet his headlights carved a luminous path through the obscurity. An ho
BLAISE I burst into the dimly lit room where Richard was tied up around a chair. I had not physically tormented him, but he looked exhausted. I couldn't help but wonder if it was the weight of guilt that had drained him so. It was incomprehensible that Richard, of all people, would become entangled in the web of those seeking to bring about my downfall. But I heeded Lila's counsel and resolved to approach this encounter with the grace of composure and hear him out. I gestured for a chair and signalled the guards to leave us alone. "Keep vigilant watch over Mrs. Pierce and her son," I instructed them, to which they replied in unified affirmation. My focus returned to Richard, who had steadfastly avoided meeting my gaze. Delicately, I retrieved my penknife, its blade shimmering menacingly as I flicked it open. "Listen closely, Richard. I'm giving you a final opportunity for redemption. Should you withhold what I seek, I shall not hesitate to strip your very skin from your
LILA The guard shoved me out of the dark, dank cell, and I staggered and almost fell face-flat, but Erick, one of the guards, caught and steadied me. My legs and hands were bound in fetters, a large chain was snaked around my neck, and it had an extension where the guards pulled me forward as if I was a plague. I was infected to them, and they did not know what to do. I did not defile The Alpha; neither am I a criminal. I was not even strong and had not even wolfed out. I am just a sister to Markus McKenna. Markus was my brother who almost raped the pack's Luna and killed her when she exposed him. Now, I am serving his punishment. "Move your lazy ass, you mutt!" one of the guards yelled at me while dragging me with him. The chain around my neck gnawed into my flesh, sending pain down my spine. Two years ago, I would have broken down. I would have fallen on my hands and knees, cried and begged for mercy, but two years of unending torture and pain only made me stronger and able t
BLAISE I stared back at the men surrounding my bed. Their faces were long, and their eyes were down, refusing to meet mine. They all put their hands behind them, none daring to speak. When I awoke the previous day, I was told I had slept for two years, and this was like a second chance to live. I have not seen my Luna or my pup since yesterday. I knew Aurora would not hear I was awake and not come to me. She would stay by my side for the whole two years. My eyes scanned the men and rested on my beta. "Leo," I croaked. He stepped forward and bent on one knee, bowing his head. "Yes Alpha." "Tell my Luna that I am awake." His eyes looked uncertain, and his body movement was uncomfortable. I decided to ignore it and continued. "I want to see her and my pup immediately, and I want a huge banquet in the pack. The people need to celebrate the return of their king." "My lord, arrangements for a banquet are going on at the pack as I speak to you. The whole pac
AUTHOR’S P.O.V. Lila’s eyes flared open at the distant noise. It was in her dream at first, but being wide awake, she could see it was real. The noise was coming from the south side of the pack, enthusiastic praises for someone beloved or feared. The cell was dark and reeked of urine and blood. She heard shuffling and low murmurs from other prisoners as they all moved to the bars of their cells to find out what was happening in the pack. But Lila did not need to get up and look. She already knew her nemesis was here. There was no point acknowledging his arrival when he was her sender to the afterlife. Even Cassie was standing by the bars of the cell, looking out of the cell. The throng drew near, chanted past the dungeons and soon, their voices became distant again. Lila watched Cassie as she walked back to the cell. “Lila, are you awake?” her voice was hoarse from so much weeping. Cassie and Lila had come to love each other and were like sisters. They we
BLAISE I yanked my jacket away from me as I entered my study. I do not know what came over me, and I do not understand why I speared the Rogue that her brother killed my Luna. I had been filled with so much wrath that I never thought of a second chance, but what have I gone and done? The worst of it all was that she was my mate. How could the moon goddess make her my mate? Out of all the women, and after all these years, she chose to give me my supposed enemy as a mate. I yanked at my tie, too, and sat down. Not a minute longer, Agatha barged into my study, giving me a disapproving look. Her expression was a definition of disappointment. Slim nose upturned, lips twitching, and arms folded across her chest. She was the only one who dared barge in on me like that, especially when I was this mad and confused. Knowing what she was about to say, I raised my hand, stopping her. "I do not want to hear it." But Agatha has a reputation for being disobedient. She knew I wa
BLAISE I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in my room, clutching a glass of wine and looking out over the beautiful greenery of the pack lands. I had stood at this spot many times, but the difference today was that Aurora was not here to wrap her angelic arms around me to give me that spark of life. I miss her and Evangeline so much. Anger brewed in me at the thought of my little pup. She did nothing to deserve death, and here I was, sparing the sister of my enemy, who deserved to die a hundred times and more. I remember Markus very well. He was one of my warriors. I had viewed him as a good lad, and he was one of my trusted ones. I whirled the amber liquid in the glass and took a sip. I never knew he had other motions and intentions towards me. How dare he try to have his way with my Luna? And after that, he went ahead to kill her and my innocent pup. I squeezed my eyes, and the memories of the accident came back to me like cameos. I saw my Aurora's face; I heard