Se connecterVeil. He heard us, that's the only thing that comes to my mind while Rio speaks. It's the only reason why he'd want me to become Emma's chief maiden tonight, so I won't escape. Despite the theories formulating in my mind, Rio appears to be ignorant of the plans. It's in the way he's looking at me. Is this all a coincidence, then? “Go on, pick up the dress.” He gestures to the dress at my feet, still packaged.Bending over, I pick it up with trembling fingers and open it. A long, white crewneck satin dress falls into my vision, radiating under the sun filtering into the room.Rio got this for me? “I made sure it's a comfortable outfit that'll suit you.” I assess the dress carefully while he speaks. “Come on, try it on.” “What?” I gasp while he smirks. As if unbothered by the fact that the elders could be watching us, he reclines on his desk and crosses his legs and arms, fixing me with a look that speaks volumes. “I'd like to see how it looks on you firsthand, Veil.” Tension
Veil.“Wait, what?” My eyes widen beyond their capacity as Pudim's words circle my head again. “Why would they do that?” I've heard stories about the Cold Mountains. It's the worst place anyone can be in. No one knows exactly what devours the souls of those who have been there, but whatever it is that's out there is the reason people across the realm avoid doing anything that'd send them there.It's only the recent Alpha King that had been there and made it alive, that's why he's called the king of the dead. For every other person, it ended tragically for them. That's the same place the elders are planning to send us to? Why? I can't stand the cold out there to begin with, and whatever else I will encounter there. No, Pudim isn't joking. This trial is a death game. I do not think either of us will make it out alive. A bitter chuckle erupts from me at the obvious fact that I'll be the first to die. “Rio and Hunter haven't exactly been the epitome of great siblings. They're always
Veil. The soft knock on my bedroom door brings me to a halt, my hand clinging hard to the damp towel wrapped around me. It has not been more than five minutes since I finished taking a bath, preparing for the long day ahead. Apparently, today is Emma and Rio's wedding anniversary, and the whole pack house is a hive of activity as preparations for the celebration are being made. I'm definitely going to get burned out, hence my decision to take a bath and get a little more rest before joining the others. Well, the knock on the door seems like it'll put a little interruption to my plans. It's not every time that someone comes looking for me. When they do, it's always Emma who sends them to fetch me. Knowing it could be one of her servants at the door fills my mouth with bitterness as I wrap the towel tighter around myself and inch towards the door. The wooden door creaks under the calm swing of the knob. The person standing on the other side of the door isn't who I expected it to b
Rio. All eyes are pinned on me, glinting with curiosity, whereas I stare at the elders in confusion. Hunter called them to a meeting to rat me out? This guy is definitely the worst person to ever exist in my life. Already, Veil is squirming behind me. I don't need to look to confirm it, it's as if my beast can feel every one of her emotions. Eyes back on Hunter, I gnaw at my lip while fuming. “What's the meaning of this?” He pretentiously gasps, clutching a hand to his chest. “I don't have a problem, brother. But it appears you do. So explain to the elders why you took down the pack's internet network yesterday.” The elders look bewildered, staring between Hunter and me. “Is there a problem, Alpha Rio?” Elder James asks, clearing his throat. “No…” “Actually, there seems to be a problem, elders.” Hunter blurts, intentionally intercepting me.I’m guessing he chose to expose me to the elders once he realized the journalists wouldn’t air his story. Bold move. I hope he knows it’l
Veil. For a full-blown minute, I didn't move, my lips stuck on his. I'm in a limbo that makes it difficult for my brain to process what's happening. All I can feel is the insane tempo of my heart against my ribcage. He hasn't moved his lips yet. Rio just pressed them on mine, savoring the taste of the seam of my lips. My senses return in full force, and I try to push him away. Instead, he grabs both hands with his, raising them above my head as he delves his silky lips deep into mine. My body dissolves into a mix of tension and sweet sensations. He takes my bottom lip into his mouth, nibbling on it hard with a deep, resonant groan vibrating from his chest. His big frame dominates mine as he straddles me, giving me a consuming kiss. Shit! This is all shades of wrong. An abomination in our pack. In the realm. What's Rio thinking, kissing me like a starved man? The brush of his tongue on mine sends chills skittering down my spine. His free hand comes up to my jaw, and he angle
Veil. “Easy, easy there…” A soft, feminine voice coos to me the second I spring up awake. My eyes are owl-wide, fear rippling off of me as I look around, wondering where I am. I feel so disoriented, waking up in this strange place. The last thing I remember is Hunter pushing me off his manor's roof. That wicked asshole! The world as I knew it spun right in front of me as gravity pulled me to the ground faster than the speed of light. Five fingers wave before my eyes, pulling me away from the mess that is my memory. Blinking to clear the daze, I realize it's doctor Eliza. She has a pretty smile on her face when she looks at me. “How do you feel, Veil?” Her tone is nothing but soft compared to the rapid breaths I'm taking. I shake my head, feeling the lingering dread from that horrible experience.It's already dark outside. Just how long have I been out? “Where am I?” I blurt, looking through the small apartment. “My house. Alpha Rio brought you here.” I look away at the ment
Veil. The overlapping voices of the servants rattle the ambiance of the kitchen. They're all discussing the fight earlier, admiration clear in their tones. Apparently, this isn't the first time such a fight has occurred in the pack house. It's recurrent, and always as bloody. I refrain from join
Hunter.“I said who fucking pushed her down!?” Rio's baritone voice thunders louder. He's heaving through the blood pouring out from the wounds I gave him. His left arm dangling like dead meat at his side. Everyone is silent now, refusing to speak. Well, me? I'm just here cursing myself for reac
Hunter. The rebellious brother. That's what people call me because I don't follow rules. I never have. I never will. Rules are made for the oppressed. The poor. Never for the elites. The pack expects that term to shame me; unfortunately, I bask in it. If any of them grew up the way I did, being
Veil. “Run, Veil!” Ryder's voice echoed in my ears, dripping with twisted excitement as his dark eyes trailed down my trembling body. I'm back in the vast field of the Ghostriver pack, the crowd buzzing with excitement and eagerness as Ryder addressed them, the pack elites, about this sick game.







