GIA O'LEARY
The tall and imposing doors of the grand hall went open and Keegan led the way in with Madeleine, his pride and joy, clinging to his side, looking more beautiful than ever.
"Here comes the High priest and his holy maidens!" Emory Rhode, a gregarious man plunged forward to welcome us.
I instantly recognized him. The slightly balding man was a regular at the strip club. A pervert to the core. Although I performed every night with my face concealed, I still hid my face with my shawl, afraid of getting recognized.
A few pack nobles came forward to welcome us, treating us like we were daughters of the moon goddess.
Alpha Levi was a recluse, none of my sisters and I knew what the ruler looked like yet, my sisters were already wedded to him mentally.
I chuckled.
Just then, the babbles and cackles in the hall ebbed and this made my soft chuckles ring loudly.
"Excuse me?" Emory asked, "Is something funny?"
His condescending tone and cold eyes made it plain he already knew I was Keegan's runt.
Keegan shot me a death stare. I didn't mean to laugh so loudly. If things escalated then I'd be whipped afterwards for sure.
"My apologies," I spluttered, "I'm just overwhelmed to be here." I lied.
The lecherous Sir. Ferren, one of the pack Elders, the sickening old man who had demanded and got denied on several occasions at the club for a private session, shook hands with father, appearing more holy today than he did every other night in the strip club.
He repulsed me more than anything. These two-faced men in the hall tonight repulsed me just to think of their solemn appearances compared to their boisterous and leering remarks at the bar.
More Elders came forward to greet and welcome us, the more faces I recognized from the club. Was there any decent man in this pack?
Could Emory at least conceal his lustful gaze as they wandered my body? To think I was adequately covered from head to toes.
His perverted features stirred up a wave of disgust in me. How could I escape this? How long was it going to take to save up enough money to leave this all behind?
He shook hands with my sisters in total respect welcoming them but when it reached my turn, instead of a handshake he leaned into me with his hand grazing the small of my back. My guards instantly skyrocketed.
I didn't appreciate people touching me so I swatted off his hand from me with a deadly scowl on my face.
Father's face fell in disapproval of my attitude. We were bound to put on a show if this man kept on with this attitude. It didn't matter if Keegan ordered I get whipped afterwards with a silver whip.
"A pretty feisty one!" Emory made light of the situation.
The other men including father roared into laughter as though this man didn't just touch me in a way that made me feel violated. Even in the strip club, the manager went all out to protect his girls from men like Emory but father couldn't protect me from his subtle assault.
Not like I had any faith in Keegan to protect me.
The smiles instantly dropped off their faces, fear suddenly seized their features at the sudden aura in the hall. Emory snapped from my side and bowed his head stiffly at the man who just entered the scene in gallant strides exuding an air of dominance with his broad shoulders pulled back, haunted gaze scanning the scene before him.
My face dropped, the anger abruptly snuck out of me. Someone else from the strip club.
I quickly pulled my shawl to conceal my face.
The man I kissed. No, the man who kissed me.
His dark exterior clamped and jaws clenched as though grinding rocks with his teeth, my eyes dropped on the perfect set of green eyes that were oddly familiar.
Oh no!
A shrill rose and died in the hollow pit of my soul. This felt like an attack on me. My sins were catching up to me.
"Emory," His steely tone resonated off the now quiet hall.
Emory stood as though he'd been placed on death row. Shaky to the core.
"My alpha!" The older man nearly faltered.
"Clear your desk and vacate the treasurer position, your action towards a maiden is quite inappropriate."
"I apologize, Alpha Levi." Emory spewed, frightfully.
All the air left my vision.
He was Alpha Levi?
Our gazes snagged and I instantly averted mine, pulled the shawl to cover my face the more, afraid to get recognized by the man who had ignited a fiery flame that was burning ravenously on my inside from just a kiss.
"My apologies, my holy maiden." Emory redirected his apology to me.
For the first time I was actually getting apologized to. The first time anyone ever stood up for me. But my fear of getting recognized by this handsome pack ruler made it hard to react to Emory's apology.
"We are most honored to be here, Our Alpha!" Father stiffly bowed, Tilting everyone's attention to himself. Easing the tension in the air. Looking somewhat nervous.
How could father be nervous? Why was everyone acting like they were scared to breathe?
But Alpha Levi's amused gaze was pinned on my face. No, he couldn't have recognized me as black swan from the strip club last night. My shawl covered most of my face. I'd be killed if he did for sinning against my body.
My face grew white and my gaze dared not leave the floor beneath my feet.
A nightmare was unfolding before my eyes.
GIA O'LEARYThis certainly was the part where I'd get exposed and put to death for I was no holy maiden. I was an exotic dancer who kissed a man the previous night. His coat in my room a constant reminder that kissing this man who turned out to be the Alpha was never in my head. "I'm blessed with your appearance and that of your holy maidens."The way Alpha Levi said this must've been with a smirk, it was how I pictured his amused tone. My sisters didn't help things, they clustered to themselves as we were ushered to a seat leaving me as the odd one out. The ceremony began with Keegan taking control of the first ritual of the night. This gave me an opportunity to look in Alpha Levi's direction. He looked nothing like he did the previous night. He looked more pale and a bit frail than he was when we first met. Something was wrong. I looked across my sisters and thought of which to pry into a gossip mode with. Sadly, there was none. The first daughter, Beth had been married so she
GIA O'LEARY Keegan tried to persuade Alpha Levi into reevaluating his options but whatever this was about, Levi had already made up his mind. Nothing in Alpha Levi's perceptible mild exterior suggested he recognized me from the previous night. Wth the embroidered loose gown flowing to my ankles and hair covered with the shawl, it was hard to tell I was the same girl twirling around the pole last night. But what were those twinkles at the corners of his eyes whenever they regarded me? "What are you waiting for?" Keegan chided me, his displeasure plain in his manner and tone. I left the chair, towards Levi's outstretched hand. But chose to ignore his hand, I couldn't bear to know what they felt like another time. I couldn't risk his touch exposing me before the scrutinizing gazes of these men. I went straight ahead towards the inner room where the final rituals were to take place. Amusement seemed to twitch at the corners of his sensuous lips, his sweet patchouli tempting, almost
LEVI EDELMAN I had thought it was a burglar at first, but when she retrieved the shawl from her hair I recognized it immediately. What the hell was she thinking, trying to jump off the window at this time of the night? She was probably drunk; was the thought I harbored in my mind when I reached forth my hand to stop her. But the pair of frantic eyes staring back at me was nothing close to drunkenness.Annoyance sipping into me at the unnecessary chaotic disorder her crazy action had sparked in me, I yanked her off the window. She gasped, managing to shield her weight with a guide. Unfortunately, her elbow got on the hard floor and left a whimper off her lips. I regretted my action immediately. I didn't mean to hurt her. Just what in the hell was she about to do just now?I bent to her level. Like a repelling force of magnetic opposition, she swatted over with the hurting elbow in her palm. I didn't derive pleasure from her constant refuting, but I wouldn't say it disturbed me ei
GIA O'LEARYI froze. Blanked. Busted. Forgetting every previous thought I had in my head. He cheesed out with a smirk. A smirk that suggested he found delight in my incapacitated mode.“W-what?’’ I stuttered, unsure how to place his outburst yet. He really did recognize me? It amazed me at how surprising this profound realization caught me. I undoubtedly suspected ninety-five percent out of a hundred possibilities that he recognized me but it had been better staying in just an assumption. Coming to the scary face of reality that indeed, he recognized me as the licentious stripper he had involved in a quick-and-dirty kiss was unnerving. “Holy maidens was it?’’ He further implied. He didn't need a scoff at the end to express his sarcasm. I lost my stance. Shame draping over me like a flowing garment. I crashed to my knees, tugging his pants, refusing to meet his condescending eyes. “You can't tell anyone about that. I promise I can explain. It's not as bad as you may think.’’ I spr
GIA O'LEARY The necessary rites were immediately brought into action. I was made to sit on the floor in the Hindi praying position, except that the exercise didn't require me to glue my palms against each other. Keegan pranced around me, reading out the conjugation mantras with the guests chanting the backup phrases rather too enthusiastically each time Keegan left a half statement. I bit my lips underneath my veil, hoping this time went by fast without involving any revelation sessions since the goddess seemed to completely be on my side. Finally, I was made to take the Luna’s oath of indebtedness and read my vows to Alpha Levi. My lips trembled with every word I spelled out and made it almost impossible to completely make out my sentences. “Will you be audible?’’ Keegan jibed me, his deadly eyes forcing a flinch from me. It was too much to handle. Though I commanded quite an audience at the club, it was always during nighttime and I usually had a mask that made no one recogniz
GIA O'LEARYMy heart thrashed against my chest as he flung me roughly to the side, tears blinding my vision as I forced my trembling lips to speak.The goddess had probably had enough of my deceit and revealed my true exhibitions to him. This was the destructive end of my fate.“I'm sorry, father.’’ I sobbed.‘‘Do you have that evil mark covered up?’’ He inquired, taking me aback for a moment.‘‘H-huh?’’“You clumsy little brat!’’ He cursed, irritated by the mere sig
LEVI EDELMAN I looked up from my phone, swatting a glance into the rearview side mirror for any sign of her, growing impatient. I cursed underneath my breath, pushed the door open, and stepped out of the car when I saw her approaching. She halted immediately, her gaze trailed at me, acknowledging my figure. She contemplated in her head on if to proceed or retract. ‘‘What are you waiting for?’’ I threw at her, my impatience dissipating momentarily at the sight of her. She lowered her gaze from mine, taking in her bottom lips as she resumed her strides, faster, to take the other side of the car. An awkward silence shook the air after the sound of the revving engines subsided. I chose to center my attention on the road and the clothes store we were driving to.“Could you roll down the window a bit please?’’ She spoke, appealing enough.I stared briefly at her, while she strictly avoided making contact. I sighed quietly, reached for the control, and did as she requested. “Have you h
GIA O'LEARYHis eyes regarded mind ridiculously. My question was somewhat puzzling and it got him puzzled.“Why will you do that for me?’’ I asked again, hoping to exclude the required clarity until my intentions hit the balance.“I don't get it. You don't want me to?’’ He was unsure if I was telling him not to help me or not.“I'm asking why you are bent on keeping me even if you're completely aware of me. What I am.’’ I surprisingly maintained contact with his eyes. Something I struggled the whole of two days with, I was currently doing it effortlessly.
ALAN WOOD. I watched everything. Every sound, every scream. Redrine’s voice still rang in my ears, even though the punishment had ended hours ago. She screamed like something was being pulled out of her soul. At first, I thought I’d feel nothing. After all, I usually warned her not to get caught because if she did, I couldn’t help. Levi, yeah, I know, and everyone thought he was weak, but he’s not. His body might be failing him, but his mind, his judgment, and his control? Still very much alive. Still powerful. And worse, ruthless. I had underestimated him. I wouldn’t do it again.I got dressed quietly. Nothing special, just jeans, a plain dark hoodie, sneakers. I didn’t want eyes on me. Not even the guards. I made sure my scent trail was mixed before I left the territory. Too much was at stake now. One mistake and everything I had been building for years could crumble. I wasn’t afraid, no. But I was no fool. I couldn’t afford to be sloppy, not when things were finally aligning.I
GIA O'LEARY I couldn’t stop staring at Mia. It was like my mind needed a few extra seconds to even process what she had said.How could she have taken such a big risk all by herself? What was she even thinking? If someone had caught her in the act of stealing the ring, it wouldn’t have been a simple punishment. It could have been something worse. The image of her locked away like Redrine, or worse, made my stomach twist painfully.I folded my arms tightly across my chest, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. My heart felt heavy, my mind filled with a thousand questions.Finally, when I couldn’t hold it anymore, I asked, “Why, Mia? Why did you take such a big risk all by yourself?”My voice came out sharper than I meant. I saw her flinch a little, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her dress. She looked down, avoiding my eyes, her voice barely above a whisper.“I knew you thought I stole the herbs…” she said slowly, almost like it hurt her to admit it. “I just… I just wanted
GIA O’LEARYI stared at her for a long time, trying to understand what she was doing.Something was wrong. I could feel it deep in my gut.“Stand up,” I said firmly.She looked up at me with wide, nervous eyes, but she didn’t argue.She got up slowly, dusting her palms against her dress like it could hide her guilt.I turned sharply and started walking toward my room, not even checking if she was following, even though I already knew she would.Inside my room, I shut the door behind us and turned to face her.“Talk,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “What are you up to?”Mia bit her bottom lip hard, her hands twisting together in front of her like she was barely holding herself together.For a second, she didn’t say anything. She just looked at me, her eyes filling up with something that almost looked like regret.“I didn’t mean for it to go this far,” she said, her voice shaking. “I swear.” Her voice cracked. I stared at her, my heart beating harder. I refused to reply to her
GIA O’LEARY The way Alan reacted when the herbs fell… it didn’t match. He got so angry, like he couldn’t control it. But when my herbs went missing, he barely reacted. He was too calm.I wasn’t a fool. I could feel it; something was wrong.Maybe Alan wasn’t as clean as everyone thought.I didn’t know what exactly he was hiding yet, but one thing was clear to me now.I couldn’t let Levi hand over his position to Alan.No matter what, he seems suspicious, and something must be wrong somewhere. That thought stayed in my mind the whole night.Even when I lay down, pulled the blanket over myself, and tried to close my eyes, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.I turned on the bed again and again, my pillow feeling too hard under my head. My heart kept beating fast, almost painfully, like it was warning me.You have to stop it, I told myself. No matter what it takes.I stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours.Sometimes I closed my eyes, hoping to fall asleep, but the moment I did, Al
ALAN WOODS I walked straight toward her and grabbed her arm, pulling her close before she could even think to run.She gasped and tried to pull back, but I didn’t let her. I tightened my grip, pulling her body harder against mine. I didn’t care how much she fought.I pressed her closer, grinding her soft ass against me.Her body stiffened right away, like she couldn’t believe what I was doing.“Let go,” she snapped, pushing against me with both hands, her voice sharp and angry.I loosened my hold just a little… but I didn’t really let go.I kept my hand wrapped around her wrist, feeling her pulse race under my fingers.She glared up at me, her chest rising and falling fast.I could see the fire in her eyes, the wildness that always drove me crazy.“You need to hear this,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Gia is up to something.” Her eyes narrowed, sharp like a blade.“You’re just noticing that now?” she said, almost laughing but with no humor in her voice. “That girl is a witch.” I
ALAN WOODSI could feel it. Gia was up to something.Either her sweet, innocent face, I could tell she was up to something. But I wasn’t going to confront her just yet. I needed to figure out what exactly she was planning.What really bothered me, though, was Levi, he was defending her, and that… pissed me off.“Are you really doing this?” I questioned, my eyes held his. “Just accept the fact that you’re wrong.” He replied coldly. I couldn’t recall the last time Levi pulled this cold attitude toward me. Was all this because of that Gia of a girl? My eyes darted to her, still crawling beside the broken cup, blinking eyes repeatedly. How I wish this little thing would not get on my tail? It won’t take more than a slip of a finger to get rid of her. But now, let's just go with the flow. “I need to speak with you,” I said, the words calm but firm, as I turned to face Levi. “Alone.”I could feel Gia's gaze on me, but I wasn’t ready to give her the satisfaction of what she wanted.
GIA O’LEARYAlan’s eyes flickered when I spoke. He didn’t expect me to say such, I could tell by the flicker in his eyes. But he quickly masked it up, clearing his throat. “The herbs are working,” he said. Calm. Too calm, which tells me something is wrong. “You’re just not paying attention.”I stared at him, so that was all he could come up with?I tilted my head slightly, watching him. He was avoiding eye contact now, his eyes darting to the back of me like he was looking for something. But I wasn’t fooled. My gut was screaming. Something wasn’t right. The herbs hadn’t changed a thing, and I wasn’t the one who was blind here.Still, I didn’t argue. I could’ve called him out, could’ve pushed, asked questions, demanded answers. But I didn’t. Because Alan was lying, and when someone lies, it means there’s something worth hiding. I just needed to wait. So instead of pressing, I gave a soft nod, playing along. “Maybe you’re right,” I said quietly, forcing a smile. “Maybe I just didn’t
GIA O'LEARY I was pacing the length of my room, my fists clenched, my jaw tight, the heat in my chest refusing to cool down, not even for a bit minutes. I wasn’t angry at Levi. Not really, it was Alan.How dare he? How dare he talk to me like that in front of everyone? How dare he talk to me like I was the one causing trouble?I let out a frustrated breath and threw the nearest pillow at the wall. It hit with a soft thud and dropped to the floor.The sound of it was followed by a gentle knock on the door. “Come in.” My voice was barely above a whisper. The door creaked open, and Maddison walked in like she owned the room, closing the door behind her as if that would trap me inside with her nonsense.“Not now,” I said sharply. “I’m not in the mood.”She didn’t move. She just stood with her arms folded, eyes fixed on me.“I won’t take long,” she said. “I just want to ask you something.”“Maddison, I said not now.” I rolled my eyes.“Respect yourself when I’m being respectful,” she
ALAN I didn’t understand it either.The ring… I saw Maddison wearing it just yesterday. It was on her finger the whole time. I remember because she kept fidgeting with it while we were talking. So how the hell did it end up inside the storeroom?I stood there for a moment, stunned. The pieces weren’t adding up. My heart was still pounding from everything. And Maddison? I turned slowly to her, already seeing the fire in her eyes.“You planned this?” she yelled, her voice shaking. “Did you plant it there? Did you do this to me on purpose?!”“What? No!” I said quickly, my hands up. “Maddison, I swear….I have no idea how that ring got there.”She was breathing hard now, her chest rising and falling like she was about to explode. “Don’t lie to me! Maybe this is your way of finally getting rid of me!”“For Goddess’ sake, listen to yourself….” “I am listening!” she shouted. “And everything sounds like a trap!”Her voice was too loud. Loud enough for anyone outside to hear.“Shut up,” I