LOGINThe elders looked at themselves. Each reaction was different. Some people looked at Darius in disgust, others were scared to show what they really felt. Some were horrified - who wouldn't be. But Darius… he didn't seem to care, he stood tall among them. His eyes flickering towards Tessa in measured calculation. Like he knew something. “Why's he staring at me like that? It's creepy. Make it seems like I'm the one losing when he's clearly about to lose.” Tessa grumbled. “There's nothing he can do.” Ivy assured. Darius crossed his arms across his chest and then turned to glance at Zeke who was looking at him with an unreadable expression. Lucas was nowhere to be seen. He had left the arena somehow.At the other end of the hall, other set of elders stood, this group was the one that seemed to be aware of what had been going on, but they were divided into two. One group was aware but was too scared to speak up, those were the one having the gaze of recognition. Too scared to speak up b
The door to the hall flung open and Zeke stepped in, with Lucas following behind him. “Well, well, let's the drama begins.” Tessa cheered. The elders already voting stood still, their hands stuck by the boxes while the few elders that still remained sitting looked visible relieved. “That's our mate.” Misty purred and ivy smiled. “Why is a meeting behind held and I'm not called to it?” He asked, not raising his voice. He had never raised his voice, his eyes just swept over the elders and the cowered away.“Zeke.” Darius called, stepping forward. “Don't call me. Don't even dare.” And then he turned to the Chief council elder. “Even you?” “It's for your own good, son.” The man said and Zeke shook his head, an icy smile on his face. “So continue the meeting, what were we voting for? I could cast a vote in favour.” He sat down on a chair, crossing his legs. No answer. “What? Cat got y'all tongues?” He raised an eyebrow. “The more, the merrier, right?” Darius looked at the elder
By the next morning, the whole pack had gotten to know of Zeke and Darius's fall out. Side comments were made, some mentioned that it was about ivy and the statement of Ivy bringing about only problems to the pack surfaced again, quickly becoming an heated argument.The news of the fallout was strengthened by the emergency meeting that Darius called by morning. One that Zeke wasn't informed about. Ivy found out about it late, through Tessa who had mentioned that her dad had been invited. The two girls arrived the venue and sneaked in. Darius saw them but said nothing. Then the meeting started. “I would love to thank all members of the council that made it here this early, with such a short notice.” Darius began, his eyes fixated on ivy and Tessa that stood at the very end of the hall. “This meeting had been called in good faith over my nephew which we all know is as stubborn as anything. I had earlier mentioned this to him but he failed to give me a reasonable answer but I'm also a
The door to Zeke's chambers pushed open and Lucas stepped in, his hands placed loosely on Tessa's waist was as he helped her in. He positioned her on the sofa and removed strands of her hair that was falling over her eyes and sweaty forehead, placing them behind her ears. His fingers brushed against her face and she shivered lightly. Lucas noticed but said nothing.Ivy had left them at one time and when she returned, it was with a bowl of cold water and a face towel with a block of ice. “God, your lips.” She muttered and pressed the soaked towel to Tessa's lips. Tessa tried smiling but it pulled on her injury so she winced and kept her face neutral. “I can only imagine the words you had said to him.” Ivy smiled softly. “Not as brutal as yours but indeed I learnt from the best.” Zeke nodded subtlety in agreement.Ivy was done with cleaning up Tessa's bloodied face and she placed bandages on the areas that cut deeply into her flesh while leaving Tessa to press the block of ice into
“Now!” Ivy told Zeke and he acknowledged. He turned to Lucas and gave the instruction. It was just the two of them and ivy as they were still trying to contain it as much as they could. Away from the prying eyes of pack members.Zeke and Lucas dash for the torture room and Ivy followed behind them. When they arrived there, guards were positioned at the door of the room and even on seeing Zeke arrive, they made no attempt in moving aside.“Move.” Lucas instructed impatiently. The guards exchanged glances and stood where they were, not moving.“I said move!” Zeke roared and they flinched backwards. Then one gathered the courage to speak. “Alpha Darius had ordered that no one should be allowed in, especially you.” He said. “I thought we only have one alpha in this pack.” Ivy chipped in. “Seems Darius is trying to tell you that he has more influence against you in your pack.” Lucas pointed out. Zeke frowned and brought his fingers to pinch the space between his eyes. “And he's winning
Tessa raised her head, a defiant smirk on her face. “Just get it over with.” She snorted. “I think trying to make you see the consequences of your choices won't be enough.” Darius said, folding his sleeves to his elbows. “There's no consequences, except from the one that would happen to you and you know that. Now, if you're done threatening a girl that doesn't care, let me go now. I have something better to do, exposing you.”“You're quite impressive.” Darius complimented. “You're always behind ivy, cheering her when she's being disrespectful, just there, doing nothing. No one would ever notice that you have your own selfish desires.” He said.“Selfish desires?” Tessa scoffed. “My name isn't Darius.”“If not, why are you trying to tear down the pack?” He asked, his fingers grazing her jaw. “Why are you willing to burn everything down because of one person?”“One person? You're a monster.” She yelled and struggled against the chains. “And I have nothing left to say to you anymore. I
The stench that hit Zeke when he walked him almost made him gag over. “What's this?” He asked baffled. The pack doctor walked over to him, a grave expression on his face. “Alpha” He gave a small bow. “Explain this to me,” Zeke demanded. “It's….” He heaved a sigh “Howling rot” He said, his voic
The door swung open, almost breaking it out of it's position. “Grandma,” She gasped, eyes blurring with tears. “Ivy” Grandma took slow but steady steps towards her before engulfing her in her embrace “Child” She sniffed. Ivy retreated from the embrace after a moment, forcing out a smile. “It's
A head poked out of the room, looking down the hallway, making sure no one was in sight. Alone in her room, Zeke's voice haunted her, almost driving her crazy. “I would ruin you” Like it was so hard to do. She ran a finger over her hair before stepping out cautiously. She wasn't ready to face
“Fuck Zeke” Ivy's strained voice cut through the air, sweat trickling down her temples as she scrubbed at the pile of shirts stacked beside the wooden basin. Her arms burned, her palms were raw, and the water - already murky from soap and dirt - sloshed against her wrists like it mocked her. The







