The golden rays of the sun streamed into the stables. The stables were dry and warm, filled with the earthy scent of hay, damp wood, and fresh manure.Hooves clopped softly against the concrete floor. As one of the horses shifted its weight, another swatted and flicked its tail at a buzzing fly.The stable door creaked open, and a servant stepped in. The smell of sweat, hay, and manure hit him full in the face. His boots sank slightly into the straw-covered floor as he made his way towards the stall.The horse inside stamped a hoof and snorted, tossing its head as if already sensing trouble.Without a word, the servant unlatched the stall and stepped in. he grabbed the lead rope and clipped it to the horse’s halter with practiced hands. With a sharp tug, he pulled harder, dragging the horse out.The saddles were already secured on the horse’s back. Thick bags bulged on either side, strapped tightly.Bethar walked out of his quarters that morning, his steps were steady and assured. Bu
"Jarred. This is all shades of wrong. I didn't tell you about Bethar's secret to use it against him," Rufus growled. "With the way you're approaching this situation, you'll end up gathering enemies for yourself! And this doesn't suit our plans."Jarred glared at the old man, his most trusted ally. "But what will you have me do? I had no choice. I'm running out of patience. I must become the next Alpha. No one deserves it more than I do."Rufus was seated calmly, watching him intently as he paced the length of his living room in agitation. "You need to calm down. What makes you think Bethar will do exactly what you told him?”Jarred paused for a second and turned, facing Rufus. His face is a mask of fury. "That's because I have him backed in a corner. If he doesn't do as I want, his wife will learn the truth about his foolish actions. Bethar loves his wife and would do anything to keep her happy. Why do you think he went to such lengths to keep the girl far from him?"Rufus stroked his
Bethar was motionless, leaning against the door that Estelle had slammed. His entire body shook. He was speechless. He lacked strength. His thoughts were disorganized. “Oh goddess. how did she know?”He had spent so much time hiding it. Even he was almost unaware of the past because he had buried it so deeply. But now, it had risen like a ghost and ruined everything. Stumbling back into the study like a drunk he turned slowly. “This needs to be fixed,” he said in a low voice. His gaze swept across the room settling on the books and scrolls strewn all over the table. He shoved them out of his way and leaned heavily on the chair. He was oppressed by the deadly silence. He dipped his quill in ink, reached for a blank scroll and started writing, his hand trembling with each stroke. He had delayed this moment for years. It wasn't the right time he had always told himself. He hid the past because of Estelle. Her happiness was important to him.Now that she knew the truth, he had noth
“How dare you!” As though he had been burned by the seat, Bethar leaped out of his chair. He was breathing heavily and quickly and his eyes were filled with wild rage. The veins in Bethar's neck swelled as he clenched his fists, indicating that Jarred's words had a profound effect on him. Arms crossed, Jarred stood a few feet away, his face smug and unconcerned. Although he spoke in a calm tone there was a cold undertone. “Say whatever you want, Bethar. It's a valid offer. I will protect your secret and you help me.” Bethar’s body shook with anger. He found it hard to believe what was going on. “ I will never do as you wish. You believe you can use blackmail to force me to betray the council and all I've stood for?” His eyes were dark and gleaming with bad intent as he slowly turned to face him fully. “I believe you're making a mistake,” he said in a quiet, almost derisive tone. “Estelle loves you very much and you know it. When she discovers the truth, what do you think will hap
The cool night air blew gently, filtering into the open windows. Which was partly covered by ornate curtains.In his study room, the shelves were lined with different volumes of leather-bound books, documents, charts, and other important items.Under the flickering flames of candles placed on a candlestick, Bethar scribbled in his journal. He paused slightly and rubbed his mustache thoughtfully.Since the last meeting with members of the Ridgewood council, he had yet to hear anything about Ravena.How possible is it? That Ravena will abandon her duties to go on some silly trip. That's unlike her.Ravena was a great leader. Focused and fierce in her duties. To her, the pack comes first.And those two: Ethan and Daemon. It seems they're hiding something. He knew he had given Ethan and Daemon an ultimatum to give them details of Ravena's whereabouts or face the consequences of their foolishness.Secretly, he has been conducting investigations, but he has yet to get anything solid.Witho
He watched her tenderly as she became sad. That look, he had seen it before. When he lost his younger sister, Lira's mother.And now another woman will die if he doesn't act quickly. “You must perform a binding ritual. To do that, you need something that belongs to Ravena. A piece of jewelry will do.”Tilting her tear-streaked face toward him, Selene sniffed. Her chest began to feel lighter. The crushing fear of dying vanished instantly.With a flicker of hope in her eyes, she wiped her cheeks. She repeated, her voice hardly more than a breath. “A piece of jewelry? I can do that if it will keep me alive.”Lance nodded slowly. “Your soul will be permanently linked to Ravena's body. No more imbalance. But you have to move quickly, Selene. You must return to Ridgewood.”Selene stiffened when that name was mentioned. She gasped, her heart pounding in fear. “No! I….I can't,” she stuttered. “I don't want them to know that I am alive.”Lance's tone stayed calm, but his face darkened with wor
Selene's eyes flickered open. And settled on the glowing light from the lamp. At the other end of the room.She felt the gentle touch of air that caressed her skin.“She’s awake!” Lira exclaimed with delight. Lance immediately turned from where he had been standing near a boiling kettle at the far end of the room. He hurried over to her side without any delay. For the very first time, Selene saw him genuinely smile at her as his blue eyes glistened with relief. Standing close to the bed, he smiled warmly. “I'm glad you made it. I was beginning to fear that the worst must have happened. The Moon Goddess appears to still have plans for you, though.” Selene felt heavy as she attempted to sit up. Her head ached dully, and she was breathing sharply and quickly. As she reclined, the plush fur blanket began to slide down to her waist. Lira moved swiftly, helping her rest against the headboard.Selene took another look at Lance, perplexed by the warmth in his face. He had always given off
Anger filled Selene's heart. She fixed the man holding Lira hostage with her piercing fire-filled eyes. With her voice cutting like a blade through the tense air, she said icily, “ Don't touch her again.”The man disregarded her warning. “Hey, old man. Gather all the swords and place them near me,” he barked harshly at the lance. “Now listen, if you try anything stupid, I will kill her.”Lance stumbled to his feet, weak and bruised. Even though his knees trembled under him, he followed instructions. He gathered each of the bloodstained weapons that were strewn all over the ground. The weight of each sword served as a reminder of his helplessness, causing his fingers to shake as he touched the steel. He couldn't look at Selene. When he finally got to Selene, she also dropped her sword in silence. And when he got close to the man, he dropped the weapons close to him.He then sat heavily with his head bowed on the ground. Selene cocked her head. “Fine, you win. What next?”The man
Selene had touched a nerve with her defiance. Women had never dared to touch him, much less take him by surprise.His eyes were ablaze with bloodlust as he charged at her. His grip tight on the sword was driven by sheer rage. He hurried ahead, the dry leaves crackling under his boots. He held the sword high, intending to slay her. But Selene's movements were quick and accurate. Her body moved effortlessly as she sidestepped him at the last second. And he sliced through the void with his sword. She whirled on her heel and violently struck his wrist before he could respond. Clang! The sword escaped his grasp and hit the ground, clattering on the little rocks scattered about.He widened his eyes in shock. Selene didn't hold back. He stooped to pick up the blade, but she lifted her leg and kicked him hard and sharply across the face. He was thrown backward by the impact, screaming and gripping his bleeding left eye. In a moment of fury, the other two men moved in swift action to