~ LAYLA ~I will not die today.The shackles of the cold metal biting into my wrists are cruel and unforgiving. A dull ache is throbbing mercilessly deep inside the base of my skull.I still do not want to believe the truth I currently feel deep down inside my very being, but that harsh truth keeps hitting me like a painful blow to the gut.I am chained. I am a fucking prisoner once again, despite everything I did to ensure that I will never be in this dirty, worthless position again.But…. something is different now.I do not fully know where I am.All I know and feel is that I am not in Kaliq's cage again like some rabid animal he locked up and almost turned me into.But, I am a new prisoner in another cage nonetheless. Another cage much bigger and colder than Kaliq's.I am in a fucking dark and stale prison cell.Pain shoots through my wrists as I yank at the chain restraints binding my hands upwards to the wall, the clinking of the chains echoing in the small, dimly lit space. I w
~ LAYLA ~I yank at my restraints again.“I see you’re awake.”The haunting tease in the voice of the male still approaching me is evident, followed by a dark chuckle that sounds like a deep rumble from his throat.I stay still and say nothing.For now, it will be better and safer for me not to speak rashly.The approaching footsteps get closer and closer, and then, they finally deliver my new company, or should I say my new captor, into the light puddle right there at the center of my cell floor.When the light illuminates his face, I gasp.Raelin Michaelson. The infamous Midnight alpha.I feel it. I know it. I can't be mistaken.The pack crest.The alpha aura around me and almost choking me.Even the ‘M’ engraving on the signet ring I now see around his left index finger all point to the realization that I am indeed in the presence of the alpha who loathes and despises the likes of me.The alpha who I just discovered seconds ago…. is my mate.Silence descends down on us once more. C
~ LAYLA ~His question hangs in the air between us, waiting to be answered.“Yes,” I finally speak, my voice barely above a whisper. “You have to believe me. I would never just wander into your pack territory despite knowing how cruel you are to the likes of me.”“Is that so?” He asks, still giving me the deathly stare.For a moment, I pray inwardly for him to believe me and stop asking me more questions.I don't know if I can keep talking any longer with the intense pain I am feeling deep inside my throat.Unfortunately for me, I watch his teal eyes as they instantly switch to a fierce red, burning into mine. I feel the unleashed power of his alpha aura wrapping around me and pressing down on me, suffocating my mind at the same time. Dear Selene.He does not believe me. I am a rogue. Of course he will never believe whatever comes out of my lips.I have never felt so small and so dejected in my entire life, but now is not the time for me to drown in my helplessness.I need to stay a
~ LAYLA ~Fucking little rascal.Raelin smiles. “Come on, Cupcake. I don't have all day. Your secret is safe with me.”His tone softens when he speaks to the girl, and despite the subtle tension hovering in the air, he is still fucking smiling at her.The expression tugs at something deep within me. Even the way he looks at her is heartwarming. A huge difference contrasting to the cold glares he has been unleashing on me since the moment he stepped in here.Anyway, he may be a two-faced asshole, but I can't deny that maybe, just maybe, he is not really that heartless like I thought.At least, he is giving me water. Maybe I am not going to die so soon.I watch the girl closely as she finally releases the water to Raelin. She is probably no more than eight or nine, with ash grey white hair curls tumbling down her small back.Ash grey white curls just like mine.But hers are shorter. Mine are longer, and now that I stare at my locks lazily draping over one of my shoulders, I can see that
~ RAELIN ~I slam the door of her cell behind me, the harsh sound reverberating through the walls.And then I walk away.Damn that stupid rogue.She is stubborn far more than I expected. I definitely know that she is hiding something from me.But I will find out. Whatever that is, I will find out. She is delusional if she thinks she can hide the truth from me.The cold air of the prison hallway wraps around me as I leave, but it does nothing to cool down the fire of anger and frustration blazing deep in my veins as I walk past a couple of cell guards standing at attention.They greet me, and I simply nod and hum in response. I barely even notice them.I can't pay attention to them when my mind is forcing me to pay undivided attention to my thoughts that are consumed with Layla.Rogues are not welcome in my pack, and Layla's presence here is posing a threat that I do not like.In situations like this, when it comes to matters of my pack, I prefer things to be simple. Straightforward.C
~ RAELIN ~Wes and I are just about a hundred meters away from the water fountain right in front of the Packhouse, where the current thorn in my flesh is waiting for me.The Bloodhounds Packhouse, my home, is huge, standing tall and domineering like it always is right in the middle of vast hectares of land.It is a fucking estate, built and equipped with high tech gotten from our numerous favors and trade deals with humans and other neighboring packs. Kira Gandall should not be here.Wes and I pass through the gates, the guards greeting us as we walk by. I take a deep breath, trying to stop my mind from wandering back to my rogue mate still locked up in one of my cells.However, the storm of emotions swirling inside me is strong, both tugging and forcefully pulling at my mind.I feel the anger, the frustration… and something else.Something else I still don’t want to acknowledge that has been taking up every part of me since the moment I held Layla's bleeding body in my arms on that
~LAYLA~It is getting dark outside.I look away from the window above me and exhale, rubbing my left wrist with my callused right palm.I still can't believe that I am unshackled.For now.The grumpy guard who unshackled me called me filth and said his Alpha gave him the order to have me freed from the chains binding me to the wall.I really contemplated on taking that chance; knock the guard straight out and escape.But then, I held back because I couldn't risk taking that move. At least not yet.Being rash could cost me my life. I am not stupid, and I don't want to die.Nevertheless, I am still locked up in here. Still not free.The cold floor beneath my bare feet is uncomfortable, but I have grown used to it. Right now, I am sitting on the small bunk bed right at a corner of my cell, staring down at a plate containing my dinner before me.Six loaves of bread, two hams, and two thick sausages.My mouth waters at the sight of the meal. To be honest, I am really grateful for the food.
~LAYLA ~ She is fucking gone. I unfold my arms, turn around, and head back to my bunk bed. Reaching it, I settle down on the bed. My fingers dig into the foam as I curse, venting out my pent-up desperation. “Fuck!” I am really trying so hard not to lose my mind in here, but I am realizing that the longer I stay in this cell, the harder it will be for me to hold onto the last strings left of my sanity. I hate this feeling. This feeling of always being trapped. Of being powerless and incapable of being free. And now, on top of that, a crazy shewolf is dying to rip me apart. Isn't that amazing? My stomach growls, still hungry, and I take a look at my supposed dinner. My fingers graze the soft crust of the loaf of bread on the plate. It is cold now. I pull back my fingers. My life is in danger in here. Anyone, especially that crazy shewolf, can easily slip poison into whatever food that will be brought to me. Thankfully, I know this precious food right in front of me is not p
~ LAYLA ~AN HOUR LATER….I am already settled on the cushioned chair near the vanity table in my room with Aunt Gaia gently brushing my silky hair with a glass-like comb.Staring at the mirror before me, I admire my calm facial expression reflecting back to me from the mirror despite the truth that my heart is malfunctioning deep inside my chest. Today, this morning, the pack council of the Bloodhounds Pack will decide my fate here. Life or death. Acceptance or rejection.And I have no fucking idea which side the scales will tip for me.All my life, I have been running. First from the fire that consumed my home and family, and then running away from Kaliq and his ruthless scumbags that parade themselves as men. I have been running, only to find myself here and bonded to Raelin. The Alpha of this pack.Should I run? Should I plot an escape again? Is running every time even going to give me peace or solve anything? A huge discomfort settles inside my chest and answers the questions fo
~ RAELIN ~Just as I try to get closer and reach out to her again, she raises her hand, stopping me immediately.Fuck...Her reaction is justified, but it still cuts me deeper than I ever thought it would hurt me.“All I wanted was to protect you and figure out how to handle this without putting you in any danger,” I confess with all honesty. “I understand that you're angry now but—”“Being discovered in your pack is already a danger to me, Alpha Raelin,” She cuts me off, my stomach sinking further with the way she spurts out 'Alpha Raelin' like she doesn't give a fuck. She laughs bitterly. “Now that I am going to attend my death ceremony, how is that working out for you? I had told you to reject me and let me go but—!”“Just stop!” I both hate and love the command in my voice, but what is most important is that I move to tower over her, destroying the distance between us in an instant.The rest of my retort that had risen to my mouth dissolves as I helplessly stare down at this fiery
~ RAELIN ~"Fuck Fuck Fuck…"I quickly climb up the stairs heading for Layla's room in this wing section of the packhouse. Every hurried step seems to be worsening the thumping inside my chest and the ringing in my ears. My weight and speed makes the stairs creak, but I don't stop.To be honest, I want to ignore the symptoms of anxiety that I am currently feeling, but my body can't. The thought of Layla being dragged into this tribunal still fills me with so much annoyance but there is no way in fucking hell I am letting Markin win this. I am the Alpha. I will be there. Layla will be there. And I am not going to let that tribunal end the way Markin thinks it will.Finally reaching her room, I pause in front of the door for a moment to brace and prepare myself and my mind. I hate that I am hesitating, but fuck me if I lie to myself. I have already held back enough.I think of everything that could go wrong if I decide to turn around and leave now.The tribunal. The elders. Markin. Kira
~ RAELIN ~I think I fucked up…A couple days have gone by since Theron came to complain about my mate. Something else happened, and today, this morning, I woke up feeling like total shit.Having my morning exercise drills here in the gym has always been daily, and even now, the thuds of my fists hitting my training bag that is dangling before me is almost the same as my heavy breathing that I am trying to control right now.It is another new day. Yet, I feel drained, but despite my muscles needing a break this early morning, I just can't stop. I need to let off the heat.My knuckles sting from the last punch I just landed against the bag, and my mind is elsewhere and far removed from this gym and everything within it.Protecting Layla by hiding the truth, is it the right thing? I can't believe I am the one that is even chickening out on—“Hey,” Wes calls out to me as he turns up his face towards my direction."What?"“You’re distracted," he grunts as he throws a weak unfocused jab at
~ KIRA ~As I digest his words, I look up at him, meeting the same mismatched eyes I inherited from him.In those eyes, I see no compassion. No sympathy. Dad is no softball for anyone. Well, no one except for me. His precious pumpkin.He is willing to do anything in his power to make sure I become the Luna of this pack. To make sure that we take our rightful places in the helm of this pack's affairs.“Dad, we need to force Raelin's hand. And we need to do it fast.”“Easy. Let's not be reckless now.” He smiles as he takes another drag from his tobacco pipe. That smile was slow and so fucking predatory.He blows the thick white smoke out from his nostrils and parted lips. A happy shiver dances down my spine. He is already thinking of something. Something definitely nasty.“Spill it dad.” I narrow my eyes at him, my mind already spinning with excitement. “What are you suggesting?”“First of all, a council tribunal." He reveals in a dark serious tone, “We send out letters to officially su
~ KIRA ~I fucking hate that bitch who thinks she can take Raelin away from me. Just because she is staying at the packhouse doesn't mean she now has the fucking temerity to feel entitled and insult me.That filthy rag doll!I am trying to control my temper, but I just can't. My hands are curled into fists, and watching Dad from where I am standing in the doorway of his study office isn't helping me calm down either.Elder Markin Gandall, my dearest Dad, is the Head Elder of the Bloodhounds Pack.My father.He is the legacy I admire. The only man I wholeheartedly emulate. Ever since mum passed years ago, he became the only one who shaped me into the bold, daring woman I am today and the fierce Luna I know I will become very soon.He is power personified, and I am born from that power. If I want something, I don't fucking beg for it.I take it.Being the Luna of this pack is my fucking birthright, and if someone else tries to take that birthright away from me, I swear they will be fuck
~ LAYLA ~“Kira doesn't have, and will never have the right to make you leave. That choice is up to Raelin. But most importantly, it is up to you too.”A part of me can't help but believe that she is kind of right.“I just…." I pause and breathe out for a moment. Instantly, what happened between Kira and me in the morning right after I helped Aunt Gaia and Mrs Chen with the dishes all flashes inside my mind.I remember what they did to Nora, and I decide to tell Brie and Zuby everything.“This morning right after I helped Aunt Gaia and Mrs Chen clean up the dishes, I saw Kira's friends bullying a girl named Nora." I adjust my ass on the mattress and brace myself to say more.“Nora?" Brie asks curiously while turning her attention to Zuby and then right back at me, "Nora is one of the Omegas that live and work here in the packhouse. Her work shift wasn't supposed to start until this afternoon."“Wait, did you just say that Kira's friends were bullying Nora this morning?" Zuby cuts in s
~ LAYLA ~The late afternoon sun that is dipping lower in the sky outside keeps reminding me time and time again that I have been inside this room past afternoon already.Also, I didn't step out of this room after coming back from my encounter with Kira this morning. I didn't step out not even for once.The faint sound of the wind rustling the trees outside filters in through my windows and curtains. I have been lying here on my bed for what feels like hours and trying to distract myself with the silence and all, but the thoughts inside my mind is so jagged unlike the room ceiling that is currently right above me now. Looking so white and nothing more than a blank pale canvas that stretches out up there.My back is pressed against the mattress with my arms folded loosely over my stomach that keeps growling occasionally from time to time. Well, I skipped my lunch a few hours earlier. Suddenly at the thought of food, my stomach growls again, and the feeling is so annoying and fucking p
~RAELIN~Shit.“Fuck you Cal." I grit. "I didn’t give you permission to drink that.”"Come on Ray," He whines, "I'm just going to have a tiny little sip...."Before I can protest any further, he is already grabbing a few shot glasses from the shelf and handing some out to Wes and Derek.He dumps one onto my desk, making me growl as he pushes the glass cup towards me, “Come on, just a tiny sip won't hurt...” He has that stupid smirky grin still plastered all over his face.This shithead has got to be kidding me.Despite my hesitation, I take up the glass he dumped in front of me and resign any further protest. It is useless refusing Cal after all.I am pissed watching him as he proceeds to pop the bottle open and pour himself a glass.Wait, he is pouring himself a full glass. Why is he pouring himself a fucking full glass?!I am such a fool to believe that he, of all people, will take just a tiny little sip.With a satisfied grin, he pours the rest of us half glasses. Fucking cheater.