Masuk꙳𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑꙳
"Have a sector of the army dispersed to scan the area and report back any activity" I barked out, my eagerness and anger bleeding out of my façade."Hunter, this is madness!" Vivian exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.I ignored her ranting, continuing my walk to my office. Pushing the door open I walked up to the leather chair, my heart thumping slowly as time seemed to still around me. Running my hand along the leather I pushed it back, dropping down ceremoniously on the chair I had despised all my life. Swaying around I smiled wickedly, pride washing over me.If only he could see me now."Hunter!" Vivian's nasal voice broke through my trance. I was forcefully pulled back, coming face to face with her aggravated features. "Don't fucking ignore me!"I smiled, cocking my head to the side, "I'm not. I'm choosing to not listen to you""You are not thinking straight Hunter!" She screamed agitated. "It will be very unwise to send all our warriors on a suicide mission! You are the new Alpha Hunter! You will bring this pack into ruins""I am the Alpha of this pack dear sister so whatever I command is obeyed" I said, slowly."So as the Alpha you want to send all our warriors to look for that foolish girl! Why?" She cried out desperately, angrily glaring daggers at me."That foolish girl is my mate" I answered simply, my low tone challenging her."She is not your mate Hunter" the Luna interrupted, walking into the room with a distasteful scowl etched on her face."She is the Alpha King's mate. You saw what happened to father when he tried to raise a hand to her" Vivian reminded me. I recalled the gruesome scene flashing in my mind. The way the King gripped the Alpha's neck, a deafening growl resonating through the hall. I could not see much soon after I had fallen on my knees, my head bowed in submission. His wolf had paid a visit, his Alpha tone dripping with dominance and authority. Even I could not withstand its power and ferocity. That had cost me my love, my mate. Audrey."Let us not forget, that Audrey girl is going to be a lot of trouble for us" the Luna added, staring directly at me."What do you mean by that mother?" I ask, an eye brow raised my tone demanding an answer."Well you know very well our pack is not the most responsible one out there. We run illegal businesses that girl is well aware of that and if she says a word to the king then" she stopped, her pupils widening with fear. "I don't know what he will do to us especially if he finds out we have been mistreating his precious mate""My mate" I growled, bringing her gaze back to me. Her eyes were cold and distant as they stared into mine, their bright blue a splitting replica of mine. "Bottom line we have to get her back and once she is back no one" I sounded, gazing between the two. "And I mean no one will treat her badly ever again""How do we get that-" I shot her a deadly glare, shutting her down instantly. "How do we bring her back exactly? I mean the king is well, the king""She doesn't deserve to even be near him and now she is his mate. Everything is going to go downhill from here" mother chimed in. For once I could see fear in her eyes.I was no where near afraid, no. I was worried. The king was a powerful old being of immense strength. He had lived for centuries, ampnsgt the first breeds of our kind. We were creatures who had the primal instincts to protect and love our mates and the king had been deprived of his mate for centuries. Now he had mistakes my mate for his and I swore he would not get away with it. "We could get the neighboring packs to team up with us to finally bring him down" I said vaguely staring at the table deep in thought."That's bullshit it would never work. The King's army is a hundred times more powerful and larger than all the packs combined!" she exploded"Well then we need reinforcements"The night air in the Grand Duke’s manor was heavy, and the torches burned low in their sconces, casting long shadows down the marble halls. Lord Sawyer’s boots echoed sharply against the stone as he strode with coiled fury. His jaw was clenched tight, his hands twitching at his sides as if itching to strike.A trembling guard followed at a careful distance. “M-My lord,” he stammered, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor, “it has been two days. The lady has refused all sustenance. Not a morsel has passed her lips.”Sawyer halted so abruptly the guard nearly collided with him. He turned, his dark eyes narrowing with cold fire. “And you thought to inform me now?” His voice was dangerously quiet, more terrifying than a shout.The guard dropped to one knee instantly, bowing his head low. “Forgive me, my lord. We… we thought she might relent of her own will. We dared not anger you with news of her stubbornness.”Sawyer’s lips curled in a bitter sneer. “Elara thinks to play games with me,” he
The chamber was silent save for the ragged rhythm of Elara’s breathing. Curled on the cold stone floor, her fiery auburn hair splayed about her like a fallen flame, she looked more a shadow of a girl than the vibrant young woman who once rode through meadows laughing, cheeks flushed with sun. Her skin, pale as moonlight, was streaked with the remnants of tears, her lashes clumped from the salt of weeping.She had not eaten in two days.A silver tray was pushed into Augustine’s hands at the door. The governess hesitated, staring at the simple meal — a loaf of soft bread, a wedge of cheese, and a thin stew that still steamed faintly. Too fine for prisoners. Too meager for a Duke’s daughter.But Elara was no guest. She was a bride-in-waiting, caged until her wedding day.“Be quick, woman,” one of the guards grunted. His chainmail rattled as he shifted, spear angled casually toward her as though she were just as much a prisoner as the girl inside. “Set it down and leave. You know the orde
The little room smelled of damp wood and old straw, but to Elara it was a palace compared to Lord Sawyer’s keep or the cold grandeur of her father’s manor. She lay nestled against Ryker, his warmth a shield against the chill that clung to the air. His arm curled protectively around her waist, palm resting lightly on her stomach as though even in sleep he could not release her.Elara tilted her head and watched him in the half-light of the guttering candle. His violet eyes were closed, his lashes resting dark against his cheeks, his brow softened in rare peace. Even his breathing, steady and deep, filled her with calm. For the first time in days, perhaps in years, she felt safe.Her auburn hair spilled across his chest, strands catching the faint glow of the flame, fiery in its dance. His calloused hand moved unconsciously against her side, a subtle stroke that drew her closer. She closed her eyes and let her body sink into his, heart steadying in rhythm with his.“Ryker,” she whispere
Hours seemed to pass before the trees began to thin, giving way to fields slick with rain. In the distance, faint lights flickered—a small town nestled at the bend of a river, its roofs glistening beneath the storm.Elara’s heart leapt. “Shelter…”Ryker’s grip on her hand tightened. “If we are careful. Inns breed questions. But we have no choice.” His eyes darted across the fields, ever wary. “Come. Stay close.”They crossed the muddy flats, the rain masking their movements, until at last they reached the outskirts of the town. Lanterns swung outside shuttered homes, their glow blurred by the downpour. The streets were near-empty, save for a lone cart rattling through the muck and a dog that slunk beneath an awning.At the center stood a modest inn, its sign creaking on rusted chains. A warm light glowed from within, and the smell of wood smoke drifted through the rain.Elara shivered, her teeth chattering. “Please, Ryker…”He nodded quickly. “A night’s rest. One night
The manor’s banners whipped in the gathering wind, the trumpets still echoing faintly down the valley. Villagers of Kareth clustered in the square, whispers darting from mouth to mouth like startled birds. They watched as Lord Sawyer, perched upon his black destrier, reined in sharply before the cluster of cottages. His face was hard, his lips pressed into a cruel line.The Duke’s sanction had filled him with new authority, and his hunger for Elara made his patience razor-thin. He scanned the crowd with venom in his eyes.“Bring forth the old man,” Sawyer barked. “The one called Rae.”Gasps stirred the crowd. Heads turned. From the edge of the assembly, a figure stepped forward, his back bent slightly with age, but his bearing steady as an oak. Rae’s gray hair caught the dim sun, his weathered hands gripping the simple walking stick he had carried for years.Sawyer’s eyes narrowed. “So. The father of the traitor.”Rae stopped a few paces before the Lord’s horse, looking up at him with
Ryker pulled Elara along the narrow path, his grip tight on her hand. She stumbled once on a root, but he steadied her without breaking stride. His breath came harsh, but his senses were sharper than ever—every shout from the village, every crash of boots echoing against stone, painted the danger behind them.They broke through a thicket, branches scratching at their cloaks, and came upon a hollow where the stream trickled downhill. Ryker halted, chest heaving.“Elara,” he said, crouching low. “We can’t keep to the open. They’ll hunt the ridges. We’ll take the streambed—mask our tracks.”She nodded, her face pale, auburn locks spilling from her hood like fire against shadow. “I trust you.”The words nearly undid him. Trust—she gave it so freely, though the world crumbled around them. He squeezed her hand once more, then stepped into the cold water, leading her downstream, careful to place her feet where his had already broken the surface.Behind them, Rae’s voice rang sharp against t







