ANITAThe door banged open, my heart racing at the sudden intrusion. After my last encounter with Maverick, I had expected him to be the one.“What is going on?” I asked the soldier, my heart racing as I noticed the panicked expression on his face.“Where is Maverick?” he asked, looking around the room.Beats me, the last I had seen of the man was before Rosanne had given birth, and after that, things have been on a hush-hush around here. No one was saying a thing.“What is wrong?” I repeated my heartbeat spiking at the way his hand trembled.“They are coming,” he replied, with a slight tremor in his voice like he couldn’t bring himself to say the name.“Who? What?”“The Golden Rise pack, they are marching down here, Alpha Knox leading the troop,” he said, rushing out of the room.I staggered, my breath caught in my throat, it couldn’t be.The world tilted. It was spinning out of control.“Rosanne!” I gasped, rushing towards the room she had been holed up in.There was no time for ple
ROSANNENo one was brave when it came to war. No matter how hard you plan or prepare something is always going to go wrong.“You have to go with the women,” I said to Anita, placing soft kisses on my baby's head.Anita shook her head, “Come with us, I can’t let you fight,” she said, tears gleaming in her eyes as she held onto my children.I understood her fear, she couldn’t image me out there fighting, but I had to. I had to step up and protect my children. I needed to prove to them that I could do it. I could be strong.“Anita, they are here because of me, if something happens to me, I need to be sure that they are safe,” I said, my voice cracking as I thought about the possibility of not being around them when they learn how to take their first step.My voice croaked, "You are their godmother, protect them," I said.Axel moved forward, an unreadable expression on his face, “Take care of yourself, I will see you soon,” he mumbled, placing a kiss on her lips.I smiled, watching the wa
ROSANNEMaverick’s call to action was to storm into the room and expose the traitor. But I knew we couldn’t do that, not when we still needed the upper hand.“This is perfect,” I smiled, snapping my fingers as I plotted out a new plan in my mind.“What is perfect?” Maverick hissed, his eyes burning with hurt from the betrayal he had just discovered. “These men have been with me right from time, and now, one is a mole? That is if the whole crew isn’t corrupted,” he spat shaking his head in disapproval.It hurts, and I knew that. But he had to face it, nothing lasts forever not even friendships and loyalty.“I am sorry about all this, but now isn’t the time to stand and mourn some lost friendship. Now is about making sure that your people are safe,” I said.“What do you have in mind?” he asked, staring at me with slumped shoulders.I wasn’t scared of the way he had subconsciously handed me the reins of leading his group, “The defence plan that we had set up still stands, but rather than
ROSANNEThe elders froze, their eyes wide as they watched Maverick drag me into the room, screaming and kicking.“Let go of me you rascal!” I yelled, my eyes wide as I looked around the room.Just like I had expected, the mole had been the first to move forward, “What is happening?” he asked, looking at me with an unreadable expression on his face.“I am doing what I think is best for my people. Alpha Knox only wants her, I see no reason in trying to harm my people,” Maverick replied.Something struck me, his tone, he addressed me with some much venom in his tone like he hated the sight of me. I must say, he was really playing his role right.“You can’t do that!” the man hissed. “We have a solid plan, a fail-proof one,” he hissed.Something didn’t sit right with me. The mole wasn’t meant to defend me, he should be excited about this plan.“Would you rather, Alpha Knox and his men massacre our people for some bitch?” he spat, his ring digging into my wrist.The man tried to speak furth
ROSANNETrust is a luxury, and now I have learnt the hard way that it is one luxury that I can’t afford, “I am sorry,” I mumbled in a low tone, my hand pressing his side trying to stop the bleeding.Ryan smiled a bitter smile, his lips paling as he struggled to speak, “I know, you wouldn’t have thought of me any less,” he said.His words were meant to comfort me, but rather they sliced through my chest like a dagger had been plunged through me. I had been so blind with anger that I had failed to see through Maverick’s façade.“We are going to get out of this,” I swore, my voice filled with determination.Ryan’s eyes were closing, from the way he was losing blood, I could tell I was going to lose him, “Stay with me,” I said, my hand gently tapping his cheeks to keep him awake.The silver chain burned into my hand, and I hissed at the pain. Not only was I bound with silver but I was locked in a silver cage, it was like he was trying to make sure that I suffered through my last minutes w
ROSANNEThe air in the room felt thick with tension, coupled with the tangy smell of blood. Derek was dead, the game had changed right before Maverick’s eyes. Gone was the smug-looking man who thought he had everything under control, now, he was reduced to nothing; kneeling before Knox with his head hung low in shame.Knox stood beside me, the aura around him felt smug, and the large grin on his face showed the obvious truth, he had won and no one could contend with him.“You have the girl and her blood mage, please leave,” Maverick moaned, clutching his hand that Knox had stepped on.Knox chuckled, the dry laugh sounded like a bunch of hyenas roaring in the night, “But I want something more,” he mused, smiling broadly at him.“There is nothing here,” Maverick coughed.“You don’t see it? The land you have accumulated all through these years, the vastness, the fertile grounds, I want it all. And I am sure you have enough ladies to keep my men warm at night, huh?” he mocked.Maverick st
ROSANNEThe warriors barely had time to grasp what was happening, with their swords drawn it did nothing to protect them from the wild beast that had been set free.Axel tore thrown the men, his eyes burning with molten fury as he made sure that they all felt the vengeance of his claws.It was carnage, a scene out of a grotesque book, and I dwelled in it, enjoying it.“Rosanne! Look out!” Ryan yelled, pushing me out of the way as an arrow whizzed past my ear, its tip missing my head in an inch.“Thank you,” I breathed, my heart slamming through my chest.“Just be careful,” he mumbled, picking up a sword as he blocked the next arrow that was shot at us.Axel was surrounded, his eyes fixed on the lost souls that dared to fight him. The only difference about the scene was that, while they were fighting to defend their lives, Axel was hunting to kill.Axel let out a roar, the primal sound of it vibrating through the walls of the room.“Save the rest of your elders,” I commanded Ryan, pick
ROSANNEMaverick coughed, the sound drawing my attention from Knox, who lay at my feet, blood pooled around him. His heartbeat was faint, in just a matter of seconds he was going to die a slow painful death.Maverick was afraid, his eyes flickering between Axel and me, trying to put as much needed distance between us.I moved away from Knox, my eyes glaring at the man, who had betrayed his people, “What was that promise you made again about my children?” I asked, my blood-stained hand tapping my chin just like he had done a few minutes ago.Maverick winced, his hand holding his rib tightly, hoping to dull the pain that was forming, “Rosanne…” he tried to plead.“Remind me, or should I say it?” I hissed, cutting him off.Maverick stared at the floor, fear etched on his face. I loved this power, the control that I had over him was next to nothing. “Oh! I remember you were going to cut them piece by piece, right?” I mused.I dropped to my knees, keeping my gaze even with his, as I looke
LANDON“Aurora,” I repeated the name, smiling softly at the way it rolled softly off my tongue.It sounded like heaven, peaceful, calming just like her.“Forgive me, but I am not the best cook,” she whispered, blushing slightly as she dropped a plate of burnt pancakes in front of me.I could hear just how loud her heart was slamming against her chest, she was nervous, scared of what I would say.“This looks lovely,” I said, my eyes fixed on her face.“Really?” she asked in wonder, her eyes lighting up at my words.Even her reactions were precious, like some gemstone that should be treasured for eternity, “You don’t think it is too burnt?” she asked, her fingers fiddling with the hem of my shirt.After the attack last night, which I am now calling a blessing in disguise. She had offered to come home with me, her words, “You just got hit in the head, you can’t be alone, what if there are complications?”Her worry had warmed my heart. There was nowhere that I could ever tell her no, not
LANDONIt had become a tradition, she would serve me coffee, and laugh as I grimaced, before introducing me to a drink she liked for the day. Through our banter and games, one thing remained, she had yet to give me her name.I never bothered to ask, I just enjoyed the way she blushed, each time I called out to her with a different pet name. I was searching, hoping to find the one that resonated with her and my wolf.“Are you going to tell me your name?” I drawled, my finger touching her hand slowly. I hummed, enjoying the slow buzz feeling, the fire that ignited in my soul the second our skins touched.She shivered, her body moving closer towards mine, seeking my warmth. Her movements were unconscious like she couldn’t handle the distance between us.“And have you not returning if you knew my name?” she whispered, her tone soft, jovial. But beneath her eyes, I could see the truth— fear, that I would grow bored of the chase the minute she tells me her name.My wolf snapped, rage flowin
LANDONHiding away in the human world wasn’t going to make me forget about her. Her smiles, her eyes, even her scent; they drove me crazy. Or at least they did.“Would you like another coffee?” a soothing soft voice serenaded my eardrums and filled my body with warmth.I had thought that I would never be able to get over Rosanne but I was wrong. After her escape from my brother, I had done the only right thing I could have imagined. I decided to leave too. Staying back at the pack would have led me to destruction; I would have chased after her, trying to claim her as mine.But she was Mikhail’s, I could see it in her eyes, beyond those layers of hate, was a glimmer of love. As the saying goes, there is a thin line between love and hate.“Excuse me, do you need any other thing?” the voice called out, snapping me out of my reverie.I smiled, shaking my head as I cleared the fog that had gathered, “I am sorry,” I said in a low tone, my eyes staring into her soft blue orbs. “A cup of coff
ROSANNE“I don’t know what to say,” the nurse muttered, her voice dripping with surprise as she stared at my daughter Aria. “I think the blood mage’s power in flowing through her too,” she mumbled, her fingers touching her face as she spoke.Aria cried, her wails breaking my heart as I watched the nurses poke her arm, trying to draw blood from her veins. At nine months, Aria had two discoloured pupils, one bright brown like mine and the other red, burning brightly like fire.Her tantrums were different, loud, cruel, like her soul was hurting, “How is that possible?” I muttered, my hands wrapped tightly around Ace and Aiden.The nurse shrugged, we were short on medical facilities, and her theories would be abstract. My heart ached, there was nothing that I could do to help her. Returning to Mikhail was out of the question. I had thought about seeking help from any pack who was willing to look our way, but I knew the dangers I would be putting her through. Axel had spent his whole life
ANITAA year had passed, but the journey was unending. Watching Rosanne grow into the woman she was now filled me with pride. Gone was the scared girl, who lived a manipulated life, but standing now, strong with a fierce aura surrounding her was a different person; grown, better and most importantly a mother.Watching her with her kids filled me with longing. Axel and I have barely talked about our future, we were mates, but the constant running and fighting hadn’t given us a chance to decide our path.The door creaked open, the room was instantly filled with the strong smell of cedar wood, “How was the meeting?” I asked.Axel sighed, tired lines forming on his forehead, he wouldn’t say it, but he was stressed. Teaching the warriors how to fight, and being Rosanne’s guard. It was taking a toll on him. But I knew Axel, he enjoyed every moment of it.“Reading through files of people is a kind of torture I never knew existed,” he mumbled, his lips brushing against my neck as he spoke.My
HUDSON“Don’t touch me!” Jade screamed, her eyes shut as she cried.It has been like this, constant nightmares right from the first night I had brought her here. I had made the mistake of rushing to her the first time, trying to hold her back from harming herself, but the minute she felt my touch, her screams became louder, her claws drawn as she fought to free herself from my hold.The truth had cut deeper than the whipping I had received— I was her terror, the one thing she feared more than death.My wolf was restlessly, howling in pain as we watched our mate scream, unable to reach out to her to hold her. Be her protector. The one thing we had been designed to do, and we had failed.“I can’t,” I rasped, my chest tightening as I stared at the scene before me.“You can’t leave, she needs you,” Blair said, her voice filled with pity as she stared at Jade.It was nice, their blossoming friendship made me feel somewhat fine. She wasn’t alone, she had Blair, the quirky witch.“How is my
MIKHAILIt’s been a year and ten months, the world had spun through moons and suns, but still there was no sign of Rosanne. The bitter taste of defeat cloaked me, no one knew a thing. It was like she had vanished.The tail had gone cold, colder than the lonely path to Hades. Knox screamed louder, his pleas echoing through the walls, “I have told you everything that I know, please,” he cried, his voice muffled from how swollen his lips were.“Tell me again!” I snarled, the silver blade cutting through his back.This was the pattern. Torturing Knox until he was at the brink of death, and just before he crosses over, I stop; giving him the best medical help he can ever have.“Lycan King,” a guard called out, his eyes fixed to the ground as he avoided my gaze.“What!” I barked out.I had one rule, no one interrupted my section with Knox, if the kingdom was burning, and they were to keep it standing till I came out.“His heartbeat is dropping,” he said, his tone quivering.I growled, Kno
ROSANNEONE YEAR LATERThe fresh smell of pines and citrus danced in the cold morning breeze. The sweet melody of birds singing in the trees echoed around.Gone was the burning smell of wood and blood; everything smelled fresher— warmer. “Morning, Alpha Rosanne,” some kids greeted, running through the cornfield, obviously playing a game.Alpha Rosanne. The name that had stopped sounding after a few months. It had been tough, leading a group of broken souls, all lost but hopeful. It wasn’t an easy road, there were moments of breakdowns, fights, and pain. But we had gotten stronger— a family.It had been tough, months spent in fear, wondering when Mikhail would show up. Breaking down the fences we had made, demanding for his breeder and heirs.Some months were dark, the constant battle with myself, breaking the invisible chains that had caged my mind.I doubted myself, spent nights crying, praying for the goddess to have mercy on us, keeping us safe from Mikhail.“I knew I would find
MIKHAILI stared at my phone, trying to decipher the text, Landon had sent, “Will be staying longer than expected, something came up,” The words made no sense, “Xavier, have you heard a word from Landon since he travelled to the human world?” I asked.“Xavier!” I growled, throwing a book in his direction.“Would it kill you to use your words?” he hissed, his hand rubbing the part the book had made contact with.“If you had paid attention, rather than stay fixated on that device, maybe you would have seen it coming,” I snapped.I was angry, not at him but at the way things had been in the past few days. Knox couldn’t be tortured until he had fully recovered, and until then I had to sit on my hands waiting for something— a sign to drop from the sky pointing to where Rosanne could be.“You need to get laid,” Xavier grumbled.I growled, the sound snapping him into shape, “You will lead the next war,” I threatened walking out of the room.I was lenient on him, letting him enjoy the privil