HERA
The powers shimmer from my fingertips, white flames lapping upwards. I closed my eyes and chanted. It was yet another forbidden spell; faking a mate bond. With great personal repercussions. But I had to do it. I have to do anything to survive. This arrangement with Atticus is evidence of how desperate I am to survive. In the whole of the Red Valley, no one hated me more than he did. I could see the glee in his eyes, the wheels turning in his head as I signed my life away to him. He must be thinking of how much he was going to take from me, how much he was going to make my life a living hell. I knew he'd do anything to ensure that. Yet, I wasn't going to stop. I needed to stay alive to fulfil my promise to Wanni. My chants increased. The white flame on my fingertips burnt brighter. I grabbed his free hand without opening my eyes and merged our souls with my spells. The flame broke out on his fingertips too. I pressed my palm to his chest. I pressed him to mine. We both winced in unison as the powers wrapped around her heart and mind; creating the illusion of that sacred bond, the mate bond. I opened my eyes. He was still looking down at me, pure malice and hatred brimming in his eyes. I wasn't fishing for him to be impressed but I wasn't expecting that he'd be this outrightly disgusted too. "One of your many disgusting powers, hmm?" his hold on my neck tightened, "do you guys do this all the time? Manipulate bonds like this?" I tried not to wince at the pain he was causing me, "I'm your lifeline now, you should be nicer to me." "More like I own you now and I can do anything I want to you." His hold tightened. I winced this time around. "Are we going to remain like this?" I injected a bored tone into my voice, "You naked and trying to strangulate me?" The reminder that he was naked did nothing to him. The hatred in his eyes only burnt brighter as he appeared to think about something; probably weighing his options on how we were going to get out of her. He slowly released his grip on my neck. The pressure of his thing brushing against my upper thigh disappeared when he moved back. "I'm going to shift now," he stated, the anger still evident in his voice, "you'll climb onto my back and hold on for your dear life if you don't want to fall to your death." I didn't have time to process his words when I heard the cracking and shifting of bones. It didn't take a second for him to land on all fours, for his wolf to appear, all sparking white and mighty with a beauty that was second to none. He howled as I climbed on. I didn't even get to settle properly before he took off, running wildly, throwing me sideways, upwards, and nearly sending me tumbling to the ground. And yeah, I had to hold on for my dear life. I've never been to the Red Valley Palace before. And despite my state, both physically and mentally, I was awestruck by the beauty in front of me. Red Valley was made up of six packs inclusive of The Feral Blood Pack that produces the royal family and The Shadow Claw Coven, my pack; ultimately the most powerful and most feared in Red Valley. The leaders of each pack regularly meet up at the palace for a monthly meeting, more like a monthly report to the alpha king. Mother used to attend before she died but I put an end to it once I ascended to the throne. It made no sense for the most powerful she-wolf to cower before a King. That was the start of my enmity with Atticus. It worsened when his mate was killed and he blamed my Coven for such a ridiculous crime. Now, I was standing in front of the palace and I was blown away by its beauty. The castle was in black and gold and the combination never looked more royal. The entrance's architecture looked like a throne. Without giving the context or even knowing where you were, everything screamed elegance and power. The guards bowed their greetings to Atticus as we entered. They hesitated when they saw me and even though they were royal guards, trained to mask their feelings, I could hear their thoughts. Isn't that Hera, the fallen head witch of the shadow claw? What's she doing here? Did he bring her here to torture her? "My Prince," a man suddenly appeared in front of us. I recognized him to be Kai, Atticus' second in command, and the Beta of the pack. He glanced at my direction and he paled for a second. His hand instinctively went to his sword. "Gather everyone now," Atticus' voice diverted his attention, "I have an announcement to make." "Yes, Alpha Atticus." Then he was gone like he was never there. I walked side by side with Atticus and by the time we got to the entrance of the main palace, a large entrance raised almost two stories above the ground, a lot of people were already gathered, looking up at us. Murmurs and whispers were being exchanged amongst them. I knew I was the cause and it didn't bother me a bit. Kai and another she-wolf welcomed Atticus. The she-wolf wrapped her hands around him and pulled him into a hug he didn't return. She was dressed in all silk, a heavily made-up face, and a gigantic hair that just made her head hurt. She didn't regard me at all. Even when she spoke about me, she didn't look at me. "Have you brought her here to be tortured? Is that what the announcement is all about?" Kai didn't reply to her. Instead, he faced his people. Again, I took my place beside him. "I found my second chance mate," he announced, "Lady Hera of The Shadow Claw Pack here," he pointed at me and I raised my hand in a little wave. Their increased murmurs and whispers didn't deter me. "She's my mate and you'll all do well to address and treat her as such. That's all." The crowd dispersed and when we turned around, the lady was looking at me, her eyes full of hatred that made Atticus look like a child play. "She's your mate?" the question was directed at Atticus but she didn't tear her eyes off me, "she must have done something to make you think so. For fuck's sake, Atticus, she's going to die in four days if she doesn't get into a new pack. She must have used her spells to do this." She gestured in between the both of us, frustration sharpening her voice into harsh edges. Atticus ignored her again. Instead, he snapped his fingers and a maid appeared in front of us. "Take her in and get her settled." The maid bowed and gestured for me to follow her. I obliged and followed her into the interior which made a complete joke out of what the exterior looked like. This was a beauty that couldn't be described with words; each pillar, each curve, each bend was just too surreal. Maids and guards alike bowed and made way for us. The lift took us to the top floor. "Here," she opened a room, one almost twice as big as my room, "you can have your bathe while I sort your dress out." "Thank you...?" "Agatha ma," she replied. I noticed that she was trembling, that she couldn't meet my eyes. "Thank you, Agatha." I walked to the bathroom, took off the lousy gown the elders gave me last night and a sigh of relief left my mouth when the water touched my hair and my skin. I washed my skin, washed away what happened yesterday. This was a chance to start again, to re-strategize and really make a crown out of Wanni's skull. I was thinking about that, plotting that when the memories attacked me out of nowhere. Aiden giving me flowers. Aiden giving me handwritten notes. Aiden cooking for me, setting up dates, doing all those little things that made me fall in love with me. A bitter taste took over my mouth as I drowned in those memories. The back of my eyes burnt and I pretended that the liquid rolling down my cheeks was just water. Almost two hours later, I stepped out of the lift and was surprised by the sight that welcomed me. I thought I was stepping into the first floor but I stepped into a dark long room. The air here was colder and stiffer. The interior was sharper and the gold a darker shade than the rest of the house. It was the throne room. I realized why I looked straight ahead and saw my new mate sitting on the throne like it was specifically made for him. I started to walk towards him when the main door burst open and a group of angry elders stomped in. They were six, each bearing the aura of old age, power, and prestige. I didn't need to know them personally to know that they belonged to the council of elders. "What is this that we hear about that fallen witch being your second chance mate?" the first one spat venomously. It wasn't going to take a guess to know that she loathed the idea. "She must has used a charm on you. The whole Red Valley knows she'll die in four days if she doesn't get another pack to take her in," another one added. They share the same opinion and it wasn't surprising. "You should have rejected her on sight instead of bringing that tainted soul into our sacred palace." They still haven't noticed me even though I was standing right in front of them. "I insist that there's black magic in play here. Isn't it surprising that you'd feel a mate bond towards her the same day she was banished from her pack?" "I found it surprising too," Atticus spoke for the first time, his voice loud and authoritative, "That's why I brought her here so she'd be tested." He gestured towards me and the elders turned to me, finally noticing my presence. The malice in their eyes shone so bright my body would have shaken if I wasn't Hera Volkov. "From this moment, she'd be subjected to Tanzu to confirm if the mate bond is true or falsified." I tried not to freeze and tried not to show any reaction while the elders rejoiced openly at Atticus' words. Tanzu was a rigid procedure that was done by other packs to check if the black magic hadn't been on something. It was basically created to curtail The Shadow Claw's members. And it has never failed before.ATTICUSI paced back and forth in my study, trying to find the right words for what I needed to say. It wasn’t every day I sought counsel—especially from someone who had known me since I was a boy.A knock at the door broke my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, straightening my posture.The door opened, and Kai stepped in, his stance firm but relaxed. Behind him, Elder Aaron followed, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp, always taking in more than he let on.“Elder Aaron,” I greeted, stepping forward.“My Alpha,” he replied with a slight bow, though his tone held a hint of warmth. Then, with a smirk, he added, “I see you’ve finally decided to call on me. I was beginning to think I have retired from being the Royal adviser without notice.”A laugh broke from me before I could stop it, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. “I wouldn’t dare, Aaron. The council would fall apart without you.”“That’s what I like to hear,” he replied, clasping my hand in a firm shake. Kai ste
HERAGasps ripped through the chamber. The clang of metal echoed as guards rushed to restrain him, but the damage was done. Blood seeped through his robes, spreading across the stone floor in a dark, growing pool.Rowan staggered, his knees buckling, but somehow, he remained upright—long enough for his mouth to twist into a dark, victorious grin. His voice came out as a ragged rasp, loud enough to chill everyone to the bone.“You’re all going to burn,” he spat, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His gaze fixed on Atticus, hateful and triumphant. “It will all come crashing down. And it will be because of you—because of your weakness.”Rowan’s body convulsed once before collapsing to the ground, the sword still embedded in his stomach. Silence swallowed the room, heavy and stifling.Elder Malik looked as if he would faint, his face pale and sweaty. Elder Zahrah and Theo were completely mortified. Elder Aaron’s stoicism remained, his eyes wide as he stared at Rowan’s lifele
HERAI stepped through the heavy double doors of the council chamber, my heels clicking against the marble floor and my regal outfit flaying behind me as I strode forward. Every pair of eyes shifted to me. Some looked curious, others impassive, but Rowan… Rowan’s gaze carried a flicker of challenge.I stopped at the head of the table, opposite him, my chin tilted high.“You are rather early, Lady Hera,” his lips curled in a smirk, his voice dripping with condescension. “The Alpha isn’t here and we can’t start the meeting without him,”“Atticus won’t be coming for this meeting.” I simply responded. “But it was him who called for this meeting.” He retorted.I arched a brow, my stare locking with his. “Actually, Elder Rowan,” I said sharply, my voice slicing through the room like a blade. “I was the one who summoned you here. I used Atticus’ name because I know the likes of you wouldn’t respond if it had been mine.”The smugness on his face faltered ever so slightly, but he quickly re
HERAIt started soft, almost tentative, as though I were trying to coax him into letting go. But when he responded, his lips opening up and moving against mine with a hunger that sent shivers down my spine, the kiss deepened.Passion sparked between us, hot and consuming, and I let myself get lost in it.His tongue slipped into my mouth and I moaned softly, my hands sliding down to his chest, tugging lightly at the open edges of his shirt, and he groaned softly against my lips, pulling me even closer, until I was straddling him completely, my silk robe pooling around me. I pulled back suddenly, just enough to break the kiss, and he groaned in protest, his breath ragged as he leaned in to reclaim my mouth. His fingers fumbled with the loose knot of my robe, but I caught his hands, pressing them firmly against my sides.“No,” I shook my head, my voice soft but commanding. “Let me take care of you,” I whispered.His reaction was immediate. I felt him stiffen beneath me, his thick membe
HERAThe soft glow of moonlight seeped through the curtains as I stirred awake, sleep leaving my eyes gradually as I tossed. The bed felt colder than it should have, emptier, and my hand instinctively reached out to the other side. It was empty.A ripple of worry shot through me. Atticus wasn’t in bed. And it didn’t seem like he just slipped out, the bed was too cold for that.He has been out for a while.Sighing softly, I pulled on my silk robe, tying it loosely around my waist as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The events of the day flashed through my mind: the rogue attack, the council’s accusations, the unsettling revelations that I was a target for whoever was orchestrating all of this. Atticus must be worried sick for him not to be in bed. I thought he’d gone to sleep after putting me to bed. He made sure I slept in his room tonight for safety reasons. He’d been so tender, holding me close and stroking my hair until the tension in my body melted enough for me to dr
HERAThe rogue wolf’s claws were mere inches from my face when I thrust my hand forward, my magic in a surge of golden light that exploded from my palm. It slammed into the creature, halting its attack mid-air and throwing it against the wall. The rogue growled, snapping its jagged teeth as it struggled against the invisible force holding it at bay. “You won’t escape me, Luna. I’ll rip you apart!”“Bold words coming from an animal that is about to eat the book shelves,” With a flick of my wrist, I hurled the wolf across the room, crashing it into the towering shelves, breaking it in the process. Wood and books rained down as the rogue tumbled to the ground in a heap.The door burst open, and Atticus, along with Kai, the Alphas of other packs, and the Elders. Their eyes darted to the wreckage and then to me.“Hera!”Atticus made to lunge forward but I created a barrier between us“Stay back!” I commanded. “I’ve got this.”The rogue staggered to its feet, its green eyes blazing with