~Clifton~ Once Callum leaves for his pack, I relax into my seat and shut my eyes, trying to understand at what point any of this went wrong. The Moon Goddess... she made it all wrong. Yes, it's all her fault. I haven't done anything wrong if I chose to look at it from a mate's point of view. Xyana is my mate. A Blood-bite isn't a prohibited practice. Of course, I should have sought her consent before imposing it on her, but the truth remains that she's my mate! That alone cancels all wrongs, right? I hear the loud sound of a door going off somewhere within the pack house. The sound is followed by loud barking of orders. That must be Gaston. 'I wonder what found its way into his ass to get him pissed off this much.' I'm convinced he knows I'm around, my scent should have given me away by now. I don't get to wait for long when the door to the living room gets pulled out. Gaston steps into the room, scanning it carefully before walking up to me. As he's approaching, I fe
~Xyana~As I'm carried through the living room by Dion, I grab the opportunity to look into the other rooms that I've never paid attention to before now. “I think you're spoiling me too much Dion. I only had a minor wrist injury. I didn't lose a body part." I chuckle as he carries me to my new room, which has already been set up, and cuddles me into the blankets of my bed.“If I have my way, I won't let you lift a thing, Sunshine." He kisses me. "You need all the rest, Xy, plenty of it. Doctor's prescription and I'm only following his instructions." He says sweetly, as he rearranges my pillows.He plants a kiss on my forehead and I thank him with a smile and a kiss on his right cheek. He smiles, touching his cheeks.Declan had been summoned hurriedly by Alpha Gaston once we stepped into the pack and Dion told them he'll join them later. So, I know he has somewhere to be.“Can I get you something else?” He asks, and I shake my head. "I could get you water, some juice, chocolate bars,
~Alpha Kedar~--•BLACK-HAW PACK•--I've only managed to go through three pages of the latest financial report of the pack when I overhear a little commotion outside my office.A lot has happened over the past few days. The pack's food supply isn't as great as it used to be. The internet is shitty, and Adolf, the engineer, has no idea how to sort it out aside from opting for an upgrade which he said was last done by Xyana Hamilton with the funds she generates from growing and selling various hybrid plants at the clan market.'Xyana Hamilton, the fat-shapless girl?' Who would have guessed she could be more useful to the pack aside from scrubbing floors? Ignoring the noise outside my office, I stare at the sheets in front of me. Everything is falling apart. With the raging war, we shouldn't be battling with any sort of food insecurity. I push the palms of my hands against my eyes and try to stem the pounding in my head. "Shit," I mumble. I haven
~Alpha Kedar~Still, the little voice in my head keeps saying; 'Even if you didn't like her, you shouldn't have humiliated her the way you did.'The girl is nothing like my type of woman; she's not just shapeless and ugly, she's one of the pack's charity cases. Also, I'm not one to stay faithful and caged by one woman.If anything, I did her a favor. She won't get to spend the rest of her life with a mate that detests her very existence. Still, if there's some truth in what Grandpa Salzar is saying about my pack members, then I'm in a lot of shit. My late father once shared the idea of building a shelter for orphaned she-wolves, telling me how much respect and trust an Alpha will gain from his pack if he does something that honorable.So I built a shelter when he passed and it worked. Just as he predicted, I gained the trust, respect, and loyalty of the entire pack. Even the pack members who weren't in support of me becoming the Alpha finally accepted me.
~Xyana~When I wake up the next morning, I feel well-rested. I found myself tucked in under a thick velvet blanket, and the window blinds closed even though I could see from the sides that it was morning already.Yawning lazily, I tap my fingers on my blanket and wonder if the fact that I feel well-rested has anything to do with the tea Adina gave me last night.What time is it anyway? I really need to sit up henceforth. If I'm going to lead my mates on, until I get an escape opportunity, then I need them to think that I've accepted them as much as they've accepted me and I'm willing to work very hard to be deserving of my position as the Beta, Gamma and Warrior female of the pack.I smile to myself as I think back to Gaston's words to me back at the hospital; 'nothing is more important than you.' And now, I'm even more determined to prove my worth to his pack so that I can feel truly deserving of his words. Even if it'll only be temporary.I want his pack members to see that I’m tryi
~Xyana~My body leans closer to his touch like I can't get enough. I stare at him, stunned and maybe charmed by the unusual closeness and reverence. I path my lips to speak, but he stops me. "Shh," He whispers in my ear. I inhale his scent, gulping it down like it was the most beautiful thing I've ever known. He teases a smile... A very beautiful smile. His fingers find my fat thighs under the blanket and I swallow thick saliva, spreading my legs open for him on impulse."Fuck," he cusses once his fingers move up my thigh. With his second finger, he pushes the blanket aside, and first, his gaze scores down my bare flesh.I push my arms over my half-exposed body, regretting that I allowed him to see me this way. He'll see my overlapping-jiggly skin, my big stomach, my oversized breasts and thighs. I waited for the insults, but they never came. Instead, he shocks me with his next choice of words."Goddess, you're a dream. You're my dream and everything I've ever wanted." He gently tug
~Xyana~Emptying my lungs with a deep exhale, I flash a smile at Adina and ask her, "what in the Goddess name did you add to my tea last night?"She bows her head, covering the little smile on the side of her lips. I watch as she sorts out my breakfast on a tray."I told you, ma'am, it's just herbs. Healthy and safe herbs that are good for your body.""Hmmm," I hum. "Very well then. I do feel way better than yesterday." She looks up, giggling happily. "You should stop referring to me as "ma'am," Adina. Call me Xyana."Her eyes sparkle as she shakes her head. “The Alpha will have my head if I dare." She replies and hands me a small cake. "Here, this is freshly baked, I made it this morning with fresh ingredients from the farm." I sit up carefully and take the cake from her. "Thank you." Then I take a bite, "Mmm this is yum. You made this?""Yes, specially for you. It's perfect for your body.""Oh..." I let out, unable to understand why a cake will be freshly baked, specially for me. "
~Clifton~"It's worrisome to see you sneaking out of the pack." My brother's familiar voice stops me in my tracks. I don't need to look back, it's always Declan. He is the only one that can sniff me out. The handsome, strong, and smart detective of the family. "And why would I want to sneak out of the pack?" I ask him, turning around to meet his gaze."You tell me." He responds and then he asks, "where are you going, Clif? Maybe I could come with you if you need more muscle."I glance across the streets. My Aston Martin is parked just a stone's throw from where I'm standing, and the streets are clear for now. "It's going to snow later in the day," I tell him. "I'm not worried about the snow," he grumbles, tapping his shoe on the ground.I smile at the actual meaning of his words. "I get your concern, Bones. But I'm not going out there for some muscle show." I assure him. I'm not going to tell him where I'm going or what I'm going there to do. Never! Luckily for both of us, he knows
~Zegulf~Gaston takes a few steps closer to me but stops halfway. "They planned to locate the two most powerful werewolf packs, eliminate their Alphas, and turn their successors against each other.""And why would they do that?""Because..." He pauses and looks around before speaking again. "I'm yet to get the full details. But I'm working on it, I promise you.""Don't promise me shit, I don't need your promises.""Zegulf-""You want me to believe that it took you several years to find this story of yours out?" I cut him short. "You are a Warlock, Howling."He feigns ignorance like he doesn't know what I'm talking about. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I know what you are, and I'm certain you know what I am. It's just disappointing that it took you years to figure something as simple as this out. Looking at it, I believe it's your area of expertise. You–"He cuts me off with an acidic smile. "Oh, forgive me that I'm not as hot-blooded as you are. Forgive me that I take my time to fi
~Zegulf~When I finally step into my Pack's waiting hall. Gaston Howling and his brother were seated, waiting for me. Once they see me approaching, Gaston flashes that notorious sneaky smile of his. "Zegulf Landerman." He calls, extending his hand for a handshake.I'll be damned if I take his hand. I ignore him and ask instead; "what brings you to my pack, Howling?"He shrugs, "you know what. But that's okay. If you don't mind, I'd like us to discuss the matter that brought me here privately."My men have circled the room and my Pack's security toughened up. If he is planning on creating a sort of distraction, in order to sneak his warriors in, it definitely won't work.I wouldn't have let him into my pack if courtesy doesn't demand it, sadly. "Follow me," I say to him, moving ahead with five of my men following us behind.If Gaston Howling wants to attack me, my men wouldn't hold a candle to him because he would easily rip them apart piece by fucki
~Gaston~Clifton will ruin everything if we don't get to him before he acts. I had Killian confirm that Clifton's Aston Martin wasn't packed in his car garage. That explains why he left with the car. And knowing Clifton well enough, his only focus would be to rescue Xyana. So he wouldn't want to mess his opportunity up.That simply means he will wait till nightfall before making a move. That gives me less than six hours to stop him from being the reason this silent war between Zegulf and me will erupt into a physically unstoppable one.Rhenat is seated from across the room with Dion and Declan standing at the entrance. They are staring at me expectantly, wanting to know what I'll do.I tip my head towards the door. "I'll leave you alone for now," I tell Rhenat. "I need to speak to my brothers and find a way to stop Clifton from ruining everything."Rhenat nods. "Yes, Alpha. I will put a call through to you when it's done.""When what is done? Can the both of you be inclusive at least
~Zegulf~The marking is complete. At least, I think it is. But it doesn't look like she's breathing well. Her breaths are coming slowly, and I'm terrified that she might be dying on me. It's not supposed to be this way. The marking between Werewolves is supposed to be a beautiful euphoric experience. But I'm not certain it would be the same with a Moon-made. I stare at the Cabal and they stare back at me, confusion on their faces. 'Yes, I'm confused as well.' I whine internally.When I spoke to Kadila earlier about marking Xyana tonight, she told me to go ahead and mark her that her presence wouldn't be needed. Now I think I need her because I'm clueless as to what to do since Xyana is barely breathing. Panic is threatening to take hold of me as I mind-link my Beta, Xavier to bring Kadila over.I can feel all the little hairs on my body stand up as if I’m inside some giant electromagnetic field. Pressing my ear to Xyana's fairly warm chest, I listen to the barely audible heartbeat
~Zegulf~I let Xyana spend the rest of her day in my room sulking.She had thought I would finally agree to let her go, but If only she knew that she was asking for the impossible. Letting her go isn't a sentence I want to be associated with. Not when the Moon Goddess gave her to me on a platter. I have a woman any Alpha would die to mark. A woman who can easily bring even the most powerful Alpha to his knees. It's sad that she has no idea who or what she is and how much power she holds.Towards the evening, the Alpha's Cabal, Roldolf, Ezra, and Thaddeus, arrived at my private chamber. I had the guards set up the room with a round table that would bring all of us together because I asked them to bring Xyana over as I wanted to introduce her to them.Xyana stops at the door, confusion shrouding her face as she stares from me to the three other men in the room."Come on in, Firefly," I call her fondly, waving at her.Slowly, she pushes her b
~Zegulf~The next morning, I have the maids bring Xyana downstairs to the dining room to join me for breakfast. She looks well rested, and even far better than yesterday. The wound on her arm looks better, too, and I have no doubt it will take just a few more days or a week to heal perfectly.She is wearing a very pretty dress I believe to be part of the ones delivered yesterday by the personal shopper.When she sees me across the dining room, she smiles and greets me. Then I quickly pull out a seat for her. I can feel her cheerfulness surge through me."You seem well rested.""Yes, I am. My wounds are healing pretty well too. Thank you so much for your hospitality and kindness.""Oh, it's nothing really," I reply.Then I snap my fingers. The maids quickly started serving us breakfasts of boiled eggs, coffee, and wheat bread. Since Xyana came into my life, I made it known to the butler that our meals should always be healthy.Watching her ea
••PRESENT DAY••~Gaston~I'm seated in my private chamber with Rhen seated across the table from me. "Is it done yet?" I ask her checking my wristwatch for the time.She told me that Kadila was trying to unbound Clifton's and Xyana's souls as she could feel the gradual neutralization of the magic she used.So we agreed that it was best to let the soul-unbounding ritual go on, and at the peak of it, I will be able to connect to Xyana, just to see if I can pass a message to her in her dreams."Not yet," Rhenat replies. "But any moment now."I scowl as the image of a happy Zegulf appears in my head. He must be super elated and proud of himself. Does he even think that I won't know what he's trying to do and what he's really up to? Only a fool would assume that I'm clueless and Zegulf is no fool.So I have no doubt he's suspicious of my silence. Why wouldn't he be? If I were him, I would be suspicious too."Xyana is going to survive this, r
••A WEEK AGO••~Gaston~There are lots of things I need answers to. And I've tried getting these answers from elsewhere. But there are still lots of empty spaces that need to be filled.The answers aren't as explanatory as I wanted, I need more. I needed to hear them as they were. If there was a prophecy about this new Moon-made, Xyana, I needed to hear it word for word, not as hearsay, but as the absolute truth.The only person with the answer to my question is Rhenat the Witch. And even though I've tried to avoid going to her for help by exploring every other option available to me, I still have to say that she holds the complete information I'm after.So I had no other option than to get Callum to set up a private meeting with Rhenat without anyone's knowledge. I left the pack after midnight with Killian, my most trusted man, with me, we shifted to our wolves and ran all the way to Callum's pack. He was already waiting for us with a clean change
~Zegulf~Xyana and I had a beautiful day touring my pack. She did feel on edge for a while, but eventually, I was able to get her to relax and enjoy the tour.We had lunch under a cabana at the private pool behind the pack house. The view was beautiful and I had no doubt she loved it but would rather not say.After lunch, we visited a few more places within the pack before retiring for the evening. I took her back to my room and left her with a few of the maids who had already been briefed on serving her a spiked drink to put her to sleep in preparation for Kadila's visit.**Barely two hours later, I brought Kadila into my room after making sure she was properly covered.Kadila was dressed in one of those colorful outfits of hers that tells me she is in such a great mood. As usual, she attended to Xyana's wounds before taking a seat on a side stool at the center of the room."Will you mark her tonight, Alpha?" Kadila asks, rubbing a dark-c