CHAPTER SIXTEENTAYLOR’S POVFEW HOURS AGO“Come on Taylor, don’t do this, tell me what happened in there, I beg you.” Daisy was distraught, following me around in her up stair balcony in the private room she had her father attach to the Store.“Jezz Daisy, I already said I will not help you. I’m not opening up about what went down in that room.”“Come on, it can’t be that big of a deal. Pleeeeese, I want to know so badly.” She grabbed the hem of my dress as I tried to run.“I can’t you little weasel. Let go.” I yanked on the dress; surprisingly the pull dragged her right off her feet. She slumped, face down on the floor. The force messed with my balance. I slipped, lost footing and landed on my bottom.“Aaaaaw!!!!!” I screamed. Daisy burst out, laughing with difficulty. A hand on her side. I kicked her face, she dodged it, laughing some more. The young body guard by the door held up his face hiding a grin. We looked like little pups in a playground.It took a while before we wobbled
CHAPTER SEVENTEENZEPHYR’S POV‘Zephyr, save me. Zephyr. Zephyr.’“Taylor!” I sprung from bed, a sharp pain piercing my head instantly. I groaned. Holding my head down and staying still. Droplets of water trickled down my chest and wet the waist of my inner wear. I tried to breathe through my mouth and slow my thumping heart. “Zephyr, are you awake?” Theodore’s voice cut through the silence. I heard his strides on the floor boards.“Dude, you are covered in cold sweat.” He turned the fan on, putting it up to full blast.“Taylor. Taylor . She is… why is she…” my speech kept breaking off with the heavy gasps. “She is not here. Taylor never came here.”“I know.” I said amidst a pained squint. “She is in trouble. She is hurt.” I leaned forward but I couldn’t get myself off the bed“What? Wait… hold on a second. Calm down. How did you know that?” Theo held me, pushing me gently back to the bed. He had that, ‘Buddy, are you losing it?’ look on his face.“No, you don’t get it. She is b
CHAPTER EIGHTEENTAYLOR’S POVHave you ever felt like a Popsicle before? Like you are melting away? Well, me neither until I woke up in that white room full of light. The world was blinking and It felt woozy like I kept falling asleep and waking up again. Faintly, I remember what I did then. I must have figured out a way out of the room because people were mouthing voiceless words at me when I walked down this place that looked like an aisle. Some grabbed me, I fought them and I think I did more than that. Then I remember getting tied to the bed. I didn’t fall asleep immediately probably because I developed a weird craving for banana flavored Popsicle. Eventually, the sedatives kicked in and I slipped into a dream. When I woke up again, I felt more solid. I rolled my eyes around the white room and then to the door. Someone was standing there with a cold look on his face, staring down at his cell phone. A grim settled on my lips. I may be light headed and short of memories but I kn
CHAPTER NINETEEN TAYLOR’S POV“That's not possible.” Father cut in immediately. The alpha stood up from his seat. Zephyr adjusted, clearing his throat and avoiding my gaze. I looked at him, at my father, at my mother. Something was terribly wrong here and I was in the dark about it. “Wha… wha… what's going on? Did I say something wrong?” My eyes darted back to mother, they glittered from the tears. My face was sullen and my gaze begged for an interpretation to soothe my fears.“Baby, it's not what you said. It's what you didn't say?” She gave me a gentle rub on the back, I shoved her hand off immediately “No. No, I want to know what's happening. Why am I talking funny? Why are my memories telling me crap? Please somebody explain.” I caught hold of Zephyr's gaze and I held it in a glare. Demanding for answers with my lips sealed. He sucked in a breath and said. “Daisy is in the other room right now. She is bruised up and beaten badly. We found her where we found you.”“Which means
CHAPTER TWENTYZEPHYR'S POV “Hold still man, I have to fit you into this…. thing.” Theodore whined, pulling hard on the blue plain polyester pants I was wearing for the wedding.“I think you should stop, it's not elastic, it will rip apart if I dare to stand up.”“Well, it wasn't me who picked a size too small.” He snapped at me, literally. I rolled my eyes.“Cut me some slack. I always wear this particular size as of this year. How am I supposed to know it's too small for me now.” Theodore paused, let go of my hand and walked around so he could get a good look at my face or I would get a good look of the pissed off grin on his lips.“When was the last time you bought anything you wear, Huh? Buddy that knows his size as of this year.”I smiled sheepishly. He huffed in exhaustion and walked off. “Wait buddy where are you going?” I sprang from my seat. The shirt tore instantly. Theodore turned to look at me, he waved his head and muttered. “You are hopeless, man.”“I know that's why I
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE ZEPHYR’S POVShe landed on my torso immediately I pulled her down. The next thing we heard was something metallic hit the wall and then the crowd went haywire.Before my eyes I saw fear crawled up her spine and suddenly she couldn't move. There is this thing where you know before hand that something is going to happen but that alone still doesn't prepare you for it. Three guests in the hall took off the skin masks they had worn over their faces and then they transformed. I pulled Taylor off the floor and pushed her forward, to run. She staggered, unable to find her footing the instant she set her eyes on the lady in their midst. She didn't have a face, hovering above ground with darkness as her feet. The giant black cloud she had described as to be what hit their car, was swooping into the wedding hall. This was the first time she realized how frightening it must have been when the Alpha still battled the witches. I guessed that she wasn't going to move any faste
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOTAYLOR'S POVThe pictures were becoming too much. I was standing on a two inch heel, half supporting myself on Zephyr and half trying to smile when I hate the thought of it.I know mother has supposedly prepared me for this but I bet she didn't expect it to last this long. My eyes were beginning to spin from all the flashes of light. Thankfully the alpha came running to break the press up or more like chase them away. Immediately they left, I fled to the winery and snagged a bottle all for myself then I returned to the room to drink it alone in a secluded corner of the hall. I cocked the wine and looked at the brand name.‘Landel’s whiskey.’I let out a sad exhale. Realizing this was the Ashwood family's product. Why did that asshole never come back? I can't believe I actually had faith in an SOB like that.I sighed, pouring myself a glassful. I gulped it down slowly. While the wine preoccupied me, some chattering girls came flopping by. They shrieked at the sight o
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE ZEPHYR’S POV I disappeared behind the glass door of the shower and she went to the next room, closing the entrance and bolting it shut. I took everything off, sinking into the Jacuzzi. The warm water submerging me under. I stayed, holding my breath and staying extremely still. The daytime nightmare crept back into my mind like a horror film. Every moment still seemed so real although I was picturing it. The rush of pain, of fear when Taylor’s throat was slit. Father lying in a pool of his own blood… I let out a breath, bubbles forming in the water. I felt my body quiver, although I was under water. The feeling was not wavering even now, in this situation. I had to shake it off or I would be traumatized. Today, I was crowned Alpha. Father has no control over this territory anymore. When anything happens the whole pack will look up to me. If I cannot stay still in here even with the gnawing desire to find oxygen, then I will crumble under the weight of respon
CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHTZEPHYR'S POVI never thought walking away from Taylor would be harder than lifting a boulder. I knew her well, she wasn't going to listen to me. She wasn't going to leave that boy alone either. She loved the attention; to look obtainable and be untouchable. I didn't know how else to make her understand that I hated it when they looked at her.I heaved, turning a page on the manuscript I was holding. My mind far away from its contents. What could I possibly do anyways? She and I are not really a thing. She wouldn't let anyone come close to her, that was for sure but she wouldn't stop them from ogling. For some reason it was different when it came to me. Frankly, I didn't mind. I didn't want anyone near me. She was just enough. A handful in fact. Which is why I keep wondering why she is okay with that. Aren't I enough for now? Aren't I a handful?“Alpha Zephyr. Alpha Zephyr.” The voice broke right into my thoughts. I looked up, to see who was calling. The Lycan ki
CHAPTER NINETY-SEVENTAYLOR'S POV The Lycan king requested Zephyr's presence almost immediately after we left the garden. Zephyr declined of course, proudly telling the messenger to convey to the Lycan king that he , Zephyr, is too busy doing nothing to have his time.I stopped the messenger and then compelled Zephyr to go. It would not do this treaty any good if he was not cooperative but instead, insultive. It took him a while to finally take my advice and leave but not after he made a clear order that I return home straight away.When he left, I shook my head. He was such a grumpy little boy sometimes. Did I do what he said after he left? Nope. I was so going to enjoy my stay here whether the Lycan king and his dumbass behaviour liked it or not. First of all, I had to find my handsome tour guide - Zulu. I glided gently down the pavement leading away from the garden. I wasn't looking anywhere in particular because I knew I didn't have to. “Zulu. You can come out now. I know you a
CHAPTER NINETY-FIVETAYLOR’S POV “Is it something I said?”I turned sharply, searching for the voice that just spoke to me. Zulu made me a small smile, indicating that it was him.“Are you talking to me?” I asked, touching my chest lightly.“Can I?” He replied with a question. His tone sounded a bit worried. It was understandable why.“Yes of course you can. I'm not as hard core as Zep… my husband.” I corrected myself immediately. I can't be going around calling him by his name.“That's very good to know.” He said. He was still asleep stiff as I remembered him except this time he was making some effort to loosen up a bit. I found it quite flattering.“It's not something you said, by the way. He does that whenever he has something to say and he doesn't want to look like a joker.”“It is a rather frightening way to do so.” Zulu remarked. I only smiled, looking away from him. My gaze went to the closed doors. Who knows how long they will be there. It's best if I find something to do ins
CHAPTER NINETY-FOURTAYLOR’S POVThe night passed and day broke, the Lycan king sent a convoy to bring us to the palace. Beautiful carriages and beautiful she-wolves as escorts. They brought apparels for us to clothe ourselves. The Lycan king wanted us to look more dazzling than himself. Zephyr rejected them all. He didn't want the attention. Instead he only let one carriage and then some guards escort us. It made perfect sense to me why he did that. He was going to show the Lycans he wished to make peace with, he was a pompous proud bastard who showed off at every chance he got. Although I felt there was more to it and so I asked him. “Zephyr, why did you reject the convoy?” “I didn't want to sell the wrong image to these Lycans. They are quite on edge because they know the king of the creatures that has massacred them for years, is in their land for peace matters. They don't believe it's why I'm really here. They don't trust me. All these fanciful stunts will only make them seem
CHAPTER NINETY-THREETAYLOR'S POVI sucked in a breath and exhaled. I could feel the lascivious gazes of all the guards burrowing into my skin; undressing me even before I did it myself. I drew closer to Zephyr,. placing my hands on his lap. I calmly pointed out to the guards everywhere. I wasn't doing anything with these people. He whispered to me. “If I tell them to go then you have to agree to takes your jeans off too.”“No!” I sprang away from him immediately. “Alright then, I won't tell them to do anything.”“You are being a pain in the ass right now.”I beamed. It only made my anger worse. “Why are you being so difficult?” I couldn't help but ask him.“Because it's more fun this way. Humor helps with the pain.”“Your pain sure is picky.” I said, sarcastically.“Yes it is.” He replied me like it was an ordinary observation.“You suck.” I snapped. “No I don't. But I have what you can suck.” My eyes widened. It was his words were slaps smacking my face back to back with embar
CHAPTER NINETY-TWOTAYLOR'S POV The sight that met us when we rode into the Lycan kingdom was not at all like anything I had seen before. I stared about the window, my eyes wide in disbelief. The houses were built in different delicate shapes and sizes. The architecture was ancient but magnificent. The passing Lycans who trended the roads, were all wrapped in silk like fabrics with dazzling embroidery that seemed to always match the tattoos that all had. The men were hefty and handsome looking. I couldn't spot one who wasn't. The women were breath taking with their alluring curves and their unique choice of attire. Their tattoos were bolder, running down their neck and probably over their chests. I couldn't help but I stare so hard I forgot I had to put on airs until Zephyr gently pulled me away from the window. He whispered into my ears.“You should be a little more pompous than this. We will have plenty time to stare from the comfort of our place here.”“Oh, yeah. Sorry about tha
CHAPTER NINETY-ONETAYLOR'S POV “I like the way your tongue feels in my mouth.”My eyes grew wider. I pulled away from him instantly, my cheeks flushing. He chuckled devilishly, his fangs revealing in the most seductive way. I stared at him with my eyes wide open. He lay on the bed like a delicious predator. Everything about the hot way he looked made me want him; made me want to forget he was hurt and take off the rest of his clothes. But I wasn't letting him use his charm to deceive me. I massaged my temples, easing out the anger that was threatening to come up. I looked at him. “Noce stunt but I'm not buying it. What's wrong with Zephyr? What do you want to tell me?”“I already said it. What-” he leaned forward, painfully; a groan escaping his lips. “Do you think I don't mean it? I can show you how much I do.”I sucked in a breath and exhaled. “How much does it hurt, Zephyr? Why are you trying to pretend you are not in so much pain? Why are you trying to hide that…. That…” my vo
CHAPTER NINETYTAYLOR'S POV I hid anywhere I could. I was freaked out. The outside was saturated with growls and roars; the stench of blood was in the air and all up my nose but that wasn't the worst. I could feel the stabs that Zephyr was taking, faintly, but it was still enough for me to know it was painful. I muttered a prayer to the goddess, begging her to keep Zephyr safe. He had been hurt not long ago and now he was taking another hit. There really is so much an alpha can take, especially an Alpha whose power is repressed because he has not mated. I bit down on my quivering lips and tried to calm my heart but I couldn't. It thumped so hard against my chest that I just had to spring out from behind that bed and rush to the door. I banged against it immediately, yelling.“Open this door, I need to help him. I got to help Zephyr, open this goddamn door!!” Evan appeared in my face immediately. He was scared but he was going to be fine.“I can't do that my Luna, I'm so sorry!!” H
CHAPTER ZEPHYR'S POVI had Taylor stay inside while I sat at the door with Evan. Ivan is somewhere as backup. I opted to play an old high school game with Evan while we patiently awaited our faith. To be honest, Taylor's idea wasn't just hers alone.Her idea has crossed my mind actually. The moment I wandered into this village, before I knew that they were going to just come and go, we would be writing out names in the history of this place, as one of its problems. Back then, when I came here and got robbed, I learnt from Father's beta that father and the village were in some kind of peace pact so he could do his dwindling business and father would get a percentage of his earnings. I admit, my father wasn't the best man. Apparently, the small pack had gone from shady business to harbouring rogues and using them to steal and kill. I lost good wolves in that forest and I wasn't going to let it go.“Alpha, if the attack tonight, what will be our fighting strategy.”“Protect the forth.