SIERRAThe front door opened, and the sound of heavy footsteps filled my ears as they climbed up the stairs."That sounds like Thane." Mom said getting up from the bed."We still need to be careful, who knows, the rogues might still be out there," I said standing before her to stop her from leaving. We needed to be extra careful.She smiled, "I can tell it's Thane from a mile away." She insisted."Who knows, maybe rogues now steal appearances, I'm going to keep you safe till I'm sure it's him," I replied.She shook her head but remained seated.A knock sounded on the door, "Maya?" Thane called, "Dear, are you in there?" He asked. We had moved into her room since she was finding the blood disgusting and the smell of the rogue made her nauseous.Mom stared at me with eyes that screamed, 'I told you so.'"Yes, she is," I answered opening the door halfway.It indeed was Thane, he was standing outside with clean clothes, I was expecting him to be bloody since he was coming from the battlef
SIERRAZane's face changed, "what do you mean by that?" He asked.I took in a deep breath, "There's a traitor, he's deeply connected with the rogues' attack at the palace today.""Are you certain about this?" He asked looking confused."Yes, I am," I replied wanting to move forward but was stopped once again by Zane."If there's a traitor as you said, is Dad aware?" He asked.I nodded, "he was the first person I told when I found out." I answered."You told him who the person is?" He asked.I shook my head, "No."Zane closed his eyes for a second, "Why haven't you told Dad about it?" He asked.I was getting tired of his questions already but I had no choice, I needed to speak to him so I could be on my way as fast as possible before anyone back home would notice I was gone."There are some things I need to check first, I need to speak to him before telling Thane," I replied."What has that got to do with meeting Gerald?" He asked, as soon as he asked, His eyes widened, and he grabbed
SIERRAAs soon as the words left my mouth, Alpha Harold's face turned red in anger, his hands trembled angrily by his sides, and he gripped the hand of his chair tightly."Guards!" His voice echoed around the house.The door opened and harmed warriors allowed themselves in, "Yes Alpha.""Arrest those two brats, throw them in the worst cell in the entire pack, we need to teach these rats some manners." He shouted.I frowned.Rats?He sure had guts, after what he had done, he had the effrontery to speak down at us and call us names. Anger began to boil inside me, I had given him the chance to come clean and apologize sincerely but he had chosen a different path, one that I didn't want to trod.The warriors bowed to him, "Yes Alpha." They chorused marching towards us."Step back," I muttered as they drew closer.They exchanged amused glances, properly thinking I was not in my right state of mind. They kept approaching."Don't say I didn't warn you," I said moving backward, I didn't want
SIERRAWithout holding back, I jumped towards him with my claws exposed in the air."Sierra! Watch out!" It was a little too late when I heard Zane's warning. A rogue had jumped at me, he came from the side, and his claws grazed my side.I moved out of his grasp, wanting to sink my claws into his neck but my claws had vanished.What's happening Rieka? I asked but there was nothing, I couldn't hear her voice in my head and she was refusing to come out.My eyes landed on the rogue above me, I moved out of the way just in time to avoid a blow aimed at my head. My leg was caught in between some plants making me fall face flat on the ground."So much for giving me the last chance." Alpha Harold laughed, "Get me the girl." He ordered."You better be kidding." Zane snapped, "You're only leaving with her over my dead body." Zane snarled, He shifted halfway, reaching for the rogue nearest to him.He grabbed him by the neck tearing him apart with his bare hands. The rogues stopped for a minute
SIERRAZane dropped to a limp, blood dripping from the wound. My heart stopped."N... no, no.. it can't be," I muttered dropping the stones in my hands as I walked towards Zane.His eyes were closed, and the blood had formed a map on his shirt. The shirt was torn in different places. The rogues on seeing Zane who had been taking them out like a killing machine on a spree had fallen to the ground they approached him ready to take him out fully."This looks like fun." Alpha Harold chuckled. The sound of him giggling fueled my rage, Zane was gravely wounded because of me and all he could was it looked fun to him.Psychopath."Kill the boy and bring that insolent girl to me." Alpha Harold ordered from where he sat.The rogues gladly took the order personally as they walked around Zane's wounded body."Stop! Don't you dare touch him!” I screamed pushing against the rogues so I could reach him."You stupid bitch!" One of them snarled holding my hair, I could almost hear my hair ripping out
SIERRAI felt lifeless as I called for Sierra, my heart kept pounding hard, my breathing was coming out in pants, and the wound in my stomach and shoulder kept bleeding."Let's go." The one who appeared to be the leader of the rogues ordered."But he's still breathing." Another said wanting nothing more than to snatch my life."Besides he killed a lot of us." Another opined.The leader cast a disgusting look at me, "This one is not going to survive, let him rot away here." He turned away, "He can serve as food for hungry animals." He said.The rogues turned away from me, they followed the same path that Alpha Harold took.I couldn't die in the forest like some mere animal, I had to do something to help Sierra, I could tell that Harold's greed would lead him to do anything to her.The pain in my shoulder hurt as hell, he hadn't bothered to pull out the spear. I pushed myself up, and with my free hand, I grabbed a handful of sand to get my arms dusty, and then I pulled out the spear.Bl
SIERRAI opened my eyes groggily as I took in my surroundings, my head ached painfully, Harold had hit me with a stick so I could lose consciousness.I was in a damp and poorly lit basement, the air was dry and a heavy smell of decay filled the air making it impossible for me to breathe. I stared around, the doors were made with strong iron bars that made it impossible for me to escape when if I wanted to.I tried to move but it was impossible to do so, my arms were tightly tied with a strong rope that dug deep into my flesh any time I moved. After the chains, I was wrapped with a sliver chain that held my legs and hands bound. My mouth felt dry and sticky."Harold sure did his best to restrain me." I couldn't help but murmur.The stinky smell of wolfsbane hit my nostrils, it made my head pound painfully. The sick bastard had laced the chains with it, it burned anytime the chain came in contact with my bare skin.I closed my eyes trying to reach for Rieka, she was the only one who cou
SIERRAA sudden burst of light erupted from the doors, almost blinding me."Get your filthy hands off her, you bastard!" An angry voice shouted.It sounded like Kane, freedom at last. I felt as though a sudden load was lifted off my chest, my breathing came out in loud pants.He got up with a frown on his face, "Who do you think you are to tell me that?" His eyes were raised mockingly.The triplets stepped into the room with so much strength and glory radiating from them. Their faces seemed to scream, we will not hesitate to kill whoever tries to stop us.Harold scoffed, "Do you think you can overpower me?" He sneered.Kane drew closer to him grabbing him by the collar, "If you try as much as touching a strand of her hair, I promise that I will rip out your tongue and feed you with it." He threatened.Alpha Harold burst into hysterical laughter, "You amuse me." He said dipping his hand into his pocket, he brought out a handkerchief, "I have laughed so hard that I might cry." He was la
SIERRAI sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor, my thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and reluctance. The idea of transferring the bond to Dane unsettled me. I didn't want any deeper connection with him and Ariel than they already had. Yet, everyone seemed to think it was the best course of action."Sierra," Alpha Thane said gently, "we understand your reservations, but this might be the safest option for everyone involved."I looked up, meeting his concerned gaze. "I just... I don't want to burden Dane with this. It's not fair to him."Dane stepped forward, his expression resolute. "I volunteered, remember? I can handle this. If it means keeping you and your sister safe, it's worth it."His voice was steady, full of calm conviction, and yet it sent a ripple of guilt through me. I stared at him for a moment, wondering how he could be so sure of something I still wasn't entirely ready to accept."You shouldn’t have to do this," I said quietly, barely able to meet his gaze. "Th
SIERRA"Then it’s settled," I said firmly, standing up straighter, lifting my chin with determination. "I’ll learn. I’ll transfer the bond to an animal. Something harmless. A rabbit or a bird, anything."For a moment, the warlock just stared at me. Then he let out a loud laugh, an honest, surprised, borderline mocking kind of laugh that made my stomach twist."Your lack of magical understanding is quite admirable," he said, still chuckling, wiping the corner of his eye with a bony finger. "You truly are brave, I'll give you that. But no, Sierra. You can’t just toss a blood bond onto a bird like it’s a coat. That’s not how this works."My eyebrows furrowed as the bubble of hope that had been fluttering in my chest deflated completely. "But… why not? Why can’t I? I don’t understand."He shook his head and folded his hands over his lap. His voice turned softer now, more like a teacher speaking to a stubborn student. "Because blood bonds require something animals don’t have. A soul capabl
SIERRAI stormed into the warlock's study, my chest tight with frustration and my fists clenched at my sides. The room smelled like old paper and burnt herbs, the air thick with the scent of magic and mystery. He looked up from the book he was reading, his brows already furrowed as if he knew why I was there."Tell me everything you know about blood bonds," I said without wasting a second. My voice was sharp, determined. I didn’t care how it came out. I needed answers.The warlock paused, his long fingers lingering on the weathered pages of the book he had just been flipping through. Slowly, almost dramatically, he closed the book and leaned back in his wooden chair. The silence between us stretched a little too long.“Why do you ask?” he said at last, his voice calm, but I caught the tension under it."Ariel mentioned it," I replied, trying to stay calm. "She said what she has with my sister is a blood bond."The moment the words left my mouth, I saw his expression shift. The color d
SIERRAI stood frozen, my eyes wide and my stomach turning. The rabbits weren’t moving anymore. The white one had stopped twitching first, then the brown one slumped beside it. My hands were still outstretched, fingers trembling as the energy from the failed spell faded into the air like smoke.The silence that followed was unbearable. It was as if the whole world had paused to judge me, to make me feel the weight of what I had just done. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even blink. All I could do was stare at what my magic had done.The warlock didn’t say anything at first. He just walked up to the small wooden pen, stood over the lifeless bodies, and looked down with a heavy sigh. His face gave nothing away, no anger, no sadness, just quiet acceptance of the outcome. Then he slowly turned to face me."This," he said, his voice low and sharp like a blade slicing through still air, "is what would have happened to your sister and Ariel if you had jumped into this blindly."The words hit
SIERRAI had just finished spending time with my mates. My body still felt warm, and for once, my mind was quiet. I was finally beginning to feel like myself again.But then I heard shouting from outside.My heart jumped. I threw on a robe and rushed out.I barely made it past the hallway before I saw everyone gathered in the courtyard. And in the middle of it all… Ariel. Screaming. Crying. Holding a knife.“What the hell?” I whispered under my breath, my eyes widening.“I said let me in!” she yelled, her voice cracking. “You’re not the only one who loves them! I deserve to be in there too!”She was pointing the knife at her own chest, trembling like she was seconds away from doing something stupid.I didn’t even think twice.I raised my hand and whispered the first protection spell that came to mind. A shield burst around her in a dome of blue light. The moment it closed around her, the knife fell from her hand and clattered to the floor.She looked around in confusion, then rage.“W
ARIELI paced the hallway, scowling, my arms folded tightly across my chest. For the fifth time, I tried to step forward, right into the damn hallway, and for the fifth time, it felt like I’d slammed into a wall. But there was no wall. Just… air. Heavy, invisible, and impossible to pass through."What the hell is going on?" I growled, pushing again, harder this time. Nothing. It was like the space itself refused to let me through. My breath hitched as anger flared in my chest. I wasn’t someone who got denied things. Not rooms. Not people. Not Dane.I turned on my heels and stormed down the hallway, heading straight for Maya’s quarters. If anyone knew what kind of stupid magic trick was being pulled, it had to be Sierra. I knew her mother was always around the others. Always listening. Watching, and I needed to see her, and I asked what the hell was going on.When I got to her door, I didn’t knock, I kicked it. Hard.“Ariel?” Maya’s voice called out, soft and hesitant. She opened the d
SIERRAThe warmth of their arms around me made it easier to breathe. The tension that had wrapped around my chest like a tight rope was starting to loosen, bit by bit. Zane’s steady heartbeat under my cheek, Dane’s arms around my waist, and the calmness in Kane’s eyes, everything felt safe here. I felt like I was finally home.But it wasn’t just the comfort. It was the way they looked at me. The way they held me was like I was the most precious thing in the world. Like they’d fight the stars if it meant keeping me safe. I hadn’t realized how much I needed them until this moment. I needed to feel wanted, needed to be touched, loved, needed to feel alive again.“I’ve missed this,” I whispered, glancing up at Zane, my fingers gently resting on his chest.“We’ve missed you more,” he replied softly, brushing his lips over my forehead.“I don’t like seeing you this stressed,” Dane murmured behind me, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. “Let us help you relax.”Kane was kneeling beside me ag
SIERRAI ran out of the room angrily and frustrated. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t want to explain how I felt, not even to Alpha Thane. I just needed to get away, to let the frustration and fear out in a way that made sense. And that’s why I shifted.The air felt cold on my fur as I ran, my paws pounding the earth beneath me, my mind barely able to process anything except the need to escape. My heart was racing, and the adrenaline pumping through my body only made the anger and fear swirl together like a violent storm.I ran deeper into the woods, ignoring the world around me, just focused on the rhythmic pounding of my paws. The trees blurred by in a mixture of green and brown, the earth beneath me firm and solid. But even in my wolf form, the worry gnawed at my insides, and all I wanted was for the weight to lift, even if just for a moment.Eventually, the tension in my body started to ease just a little, but I wasn’t running anymore. I slowed down and then stopped, my b
SIERRAI walked into the room, my mind racing with questions. The man, the warlock, was standing by a table covered in books and strange artifacts. His eyes flickered up when I entered, and I could feel the weight of his gaze. He knew why I was here."You are here," he said, his voice calm but heavy with something I couldn't place.I didn't waste time with pleasantries. "I need your help," I said bluntly. "I need to learn how to use my powers. And I need to do it fast."The warlock raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Binding spells," he said slowly, almost to himself, "are tricky. Especially one like the one you're asking for."I didn’t have the patience for his caution. "I don’t care about how tricky it is," I snapped. "I need to stop her. Ariel is... she’s going to ruin everything. I can’t let that happen. I just need to know how to make it work."He looked at me, the seriousness in his eyes growing. "Binding spells are not something to take lightly. They tie you to someo