ITHRAI watched in horror as Zadok took on the wolves that suddenly poured out of the bushes. He leapt to the air and midway transformed into a gigantic wolf that scared the wolves to a still. Within seconds, the air filled with bone-cracking sounds as the wolves transformed into their beast one after the other.What in the world?!My back found the oak tree behind me as I watched the confrontation between the wolves and Zadok's wolf. It was clear which wolf belonged to Zadok because it was the largest and most commanding. Not to talk of its demon-red eyes that struck a chord inside me. It's just training. I remembered the words of Shilhi and swallowed hard. If this was indeed the test she spoke of, I had every plan of acing it. She mentioned it would be a beastly test, but I didn't take her word to mean that. Without further contemplation, I joined Zadok in the fight, throwing myself in harm's way as I dragged a knife into the bowels of a wolf. Everything stilled as the wolf
ZADOKâThey are coming! We need to run.â Ithraâs voice was panicked. As well as concerned. I managed to get on my feet, holding the bleeding gash on my stomach. With my movement, I felt pain all over again. âWhy the hell was this taking so long to heal?â I mumbled, gritting my teeth in pain. âAt this rate, you'll die before we get help.â Ithra's eyes fixed on my wound, which poured out blood. I could understand her concern, but I didn't have it in me to remind her I was an alpha and I couldn't die from loss of blood. With my delayed healing, I was losing blood and getting weak fast. The rogues used a silver weapon. Ithra helped me to an oak tree, and I relaxed, trying to preserve my breathing. âI'll just find some herbs to stop the blood.â She said and got up, âTry reaching out to the others with what you guys do in your mind.â My eyes perked at her words. Before I could ask what she meant, she was gone. Grudgingly, I tried to reach the others via mind link, all to no avail.
ZADOK âItâs a dream. It will be over soon.â Ithra said, tapping her face. My eyes narrowed at her, and she didnât seem surprised. She didnât seem like this was strange to her. It seemed like it was business to her. I walked to her and held her by the arm, âHave you been here before?â She struggled out of my hold and continued pacing, âItâs all a dream, Ithra. Focus.â Irritated at her constant pacing and refusal to speak, I walked to her and pinched her cheeks, and she let out a screech. âDo you still think itâs a dream?â I deadpanned. I watched as her eyes grew large, and she took in the environment again. âW-what? H-How?â She stuttered, looking around like she was only finding out where she was. âI should be asking you that,â I said, holding her again. âHave you been here before?â âLeave me alone,â she pulled her hands and put some space between us. I didnât like the sound of that. But I persisted nonetheless. âWe need to figure out a way out,â I said, and my des
ZADOKWhere is she? I wondered as I trudged through the dark forest alone. I heard the snap of a branch, and turned to see a giant spider walking towards me with the intent to kill me. Not today. I thought and immediately picked up a large, strong tree branch. Before it could get to me, I charged towards it and hit it severally till it reduced to tiny pieces on the floor. I threw the branch as I continued my search for Ithra. I canât believe she wandered off on her own. What exactly did she think going off to her death? I followed her trail eastward, carrying a decent tree branch, just in case anyone else tried something funny, hoping I got to her before danger did. âZadok...â I heard a voice behind me, and I turned around with a swift movement. Nobody. There was nobody behind me. I continued my journey with vigilant eyes. I had heard stories about the deadliness of the dark forest. And how it reduced even the greatest to a delusional moron. I was determined to make a mess of t
ITHRAI knew I shouldnât have gone. I knew it wasnât the right call. But I did it anyway.After our little fight yesterday, we decided to stick around for the night and go our separate ways at the crack of dawn. However, I got another vision, urging me to find my book and begin the journey to the heart of the forest. I didnât want to get into another fight with Zadok concerning my decision. While I trudged farther away from him, I contemplated telling him of my vision and getting him to work with me, but I remembered what a controlling arse he was and decided against it. I believed I was ready for this. I spent the last few months of my life getting strong for this journey. There was nothing I couldnât face. I hoped. Shaking off the fear that plagued me, I headed deeper into the forest. Dark shadows cast on my path as I walked forward, moving eastward. Just last night, Sarai visited me, telling me to find the ancient witchâs book I lost during my transition here. According to he
SHILHIâS POVI threw the last mandrake into the cauldron pot as I prepared another set of potions for Alpha Zadok. Joy filled my heart at the thought of his face when he finally realised what a fool he was - A joy I planned to share with the exterminated clan of witches after I sacrificed them at the heart of the dark forest. Poor Ithra. I wondered how she would feel knowing she was but a means to an end. The potâs content boiled under the threshing fire, and I put in the secret ingredient of the Alphaâs potion - A sealing spell. My mouth moved, and murmurs of chants filled the air. The pot grew green, and a wicked smile touched my lips.Everything was perfect. It was only a matter of time before I took my revenge and made the werewolf race pay for the evils wrought against the witches. After 12 years, everything was finally coming into place. I dished the potions into small bottles and left them on a table in the greenhouse, just beside another bottle that held the consciousnes
ZADOKIthra stayed glued to me in a tight embrace. I tapped her back as she held tightly to me. âItâs okay,â I managed to say, âItâs over.âWe remained like that for a while, and slowly, her breathing normalised. I fought against asking her why she left without a word, but I knew it wasnât the right time. Shilhiâs words strongly reverberated inside me. I couldnât scare her away If this thing would work between us. I needed her. And with the looks of things, she needed me to survive in this forest and get our desired results. We needed to work together.I knew that, seeing her nearly give up to the Sirion told me just how vulnerable she was to the beasts that lurked in this forest alone. It scared me how easy it was for them to kill her and bring doom to my mission. There and then, I vowed never to let her out of my sight. She needed me as much as I did her. I just had to make her see it. âThank you,â Ithra said after stepping away from me. Her voice was so low. I almost didnât
ITHRA Zadokâs words struck a chord within me. It was the first time I had heard about such a thing. Not only was the forest hostile to witches, but it only gave one opportunity to visit. Which meant I only had one chance to achieve my goal - one chance to get my power. I couldnât fail. If I did, I might as well kiss my powers and clan goodbye. The only way I could be free from the Blood Hound pack was if I got hold of my powers. âWhat do you say? Are you willing to put the past behind you and work together?â Zadok asked. I could hear the desperation and vulnerability in his tone. He wanted me to choose him. He wanted me to help him break the curse and get the ghost orchid. I wondered how he would feel if he knew that the ghost orchid he needed to break his curse was the same way I needed to protect my clan. There was a conflict of our interests. As much as Iâd love to help, I couldnât do that to the detriment of my people. âThis alliance cannot work.â I finally said, â
ITHRAâS POV I woke up with a moan. Zadok was between my legs. This has been the case since I was declared ready and fit to go home. I couldnât believe I survived. And that with Logan intact - my little fighter. When I woke up, I was unable to use my body or legs properly, I remembered the relief I felt when the news broke that my baby had survived the poison given to me by Cole. They said he had a will to fight and three months down the line, he was still kicking and ready to come out - our hybrid baby. Zadok licked me and I let out a soft moan, âBaby...â âGood morning, Amore.â He said with his face between my legs. His breath caused a vibrating feeling down my cooch and I bit my lips in ecstasy. âZadok,â I muttered, and his finger slipped into my core. A shiver passed through my body and I felt my baby kick. âI want you.â He said, âI want you in all the way possible.â I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his hands on my body. His fingers went in and out of me, increa
ZADOKâS POV I held Ithraâs hand while they attended to her. âHow is she? And my baby?â I stuttered, unable to swallow. She looked too thin. Our baby bump was showing but she was yet to wake up. Itâs been three days already. âHer body is weak, and the baby has been poisoned. We are trying to save their lives but the odds are not in our favour.â I got on my feet and held the shirt of the doctor. âYou will save both their lives!â I roared in his face and he looked scared out of his wits. âYou will save them both or I will have your head.â Azriel stepped in front of me, holding me back. âAlpha. You need to let them do their job. Staying here and scaring them out of their wits will only hinder the smooth operation and speed recovery of the Luna.â âWhat am I supposed to do?â I asked, breathing heavily. âWhat am I supposed to do when my mate is lying lifeless and I risk losing her and my baby?!â Azriel maintained silence. He knew I was at my wit's end and was capable of doing a
AZRIELâS POV I figured out the best way to rescue the Luna that night. You can imagine my shock when I came to share my progress with the Alpha and found him gone with a note that he was taking a head-start. My shock grew when my spies in the Moon Light pack informed me of Zadokâs arrest and his close execution. I was already on my way with the warriors when Athaliahâs message of Zadokâs impending death was delivered. We got to the pack at midnight, and according to my three-month-old plan, we infiltrated the borders, clearing the guards while keeping a low profile. The heavens must have smiled at us because the entire pack was gathered for an announcement, making our entrance, swift and painless. By the time they were done crowning Athaliah Luna, we were mixed in the crowd, and brushing the dungeons for signs of the Alpha and Luna. Soon enough, news of our arrival spread and warriors were dispatched to the dungeons, seeking us out. It soon became a warzone, and I killed ever
ATHALIAHâS POV I was one step closer to my goal. I walked down the aisle with a faux smile, while Cole stood in the portal with an impatient look on his face. He couldnât wait to get his hands on the prisoners and I could understand that. A sudden assembly had been called to welcome me as the new Luna of the Moon Light pack. I heard the whispers. They couldnât believe that I had climbed my way up to snagging the position of Luna. Thanks to Ithraâs sudden pregnancy, Cole decided she had been tainted and could not serve as his luna. However, he had every intention of making her his slave after killing the bastard that grew in her stomach. But of course, his crazy obsessive mind couldnât deal with the thought of killing Ithra with her baby, so he sought ways to kill the growing child while keeping its motherâs life. Hence, her imprisonment in the dungeons, coupled with the timely administration of abortive potions. Live long enough and you will see a lot of things. In the thic
ZADOKâS POV âThis is useless!â I banged my fist on my office desk. âI need to leave. I need to get her out.â Azriel, the ever voice of reason spoke first. âI understand your reasons. But we need to cover all bases before we rescue her from Coleâs hold. Itâs one thing to sneak you into the pack, but Itâs another to take her out in one clean try.â âI donât care! I donât care anymore.â I said, getting up on my feet. âIf it will take a war to get her out, then rally the warriors. Because Iâm done with this shit!â âWe canât go to war.â Azriel's tone was levelled. âThat would be us sending people to their deaths with the risk of coming up empty.â âI donât care what you think. I need to go back and retrieve her. If you are unable to come up with a plan, then rally up the warriors, we move in three days.â âWe canât go to war.â He said and I saw red. âAnd why the hell not?!â âAthaliah.â He said and my anger rose to an all-time high. âShe is the new beta of the Moon Light pack and
ITHRAâS POV Itâs been three months. Three months since he visited me, promising to return and save me from this insanity. Every day I woke up with hope, waiting for him to save me like he promised - only to be disappointed when night fell and there was no appearance of him in my room or the Moonlight pack. A lot happened this past few months. After my sizzling night with him, I decided to prepare. I woke up that morning, wore my clothes and pretended I couldnât feel the ache or hollow between my legs that yearned to be filled by him. I went about my life like a docile bride, doing everything within reason to convince Cole I had submitted to him. The first few weeks were tricky, seeing he didnât believe my act and thought I had something planned. However, as we approached the third month, Cole was convinced of my acts and took every opportunity to show me off as one whom he managed to bend to his standards. Kissing up to Cole had its ups and downs. For starters, I was no long
ITHRAâS POV I returned to my room from dinner with Cole, escorted by two guards. Dinner with Cole was painful. Listening to him yap about how I needed to be good to enjoy more of these âprivilegesâ with him made my stomach churn. I sat there like a moron while he fussed over me like he didnât beat me a while ago. I could feel my sanity dwindling the more I remained here. Much more than anything, I craved freedom. Freedom that Cole has vowed never to give me. I was trapped in an insane nightmare that was my life. One would think I have suffered enough to experience peace but whoever wrote my story thought otherwise. We arrived in front of my door and they opened it, silently urging me inside the dark room. I walked in and the door was shut and locked. I sighed and felt the walls around me, looking for a light switch. Soon enough, light flooded my room, or should I say - my prison and the first thing I saw was a dark shadow standing by my window. Startled, I blinked, grabbing
AZRIEL’S POVThis madness ends today.I thought as I marched to Zadok’s office with proof of why we must rescue Ithra.Yes, I was beyond convinced she was the one. My instinct had once again been proved right and if the Alpha refused to take action this time, I would do so myself.She was my half-sister after all.I knocked on the door and Zadok ordered me in. His face was a wreck as always. I didn’t care. I was done doing things on his terms. If there would be any further proceeding with us, then he needed to get out of that self-depreciating slum or I would yank him out myself.Damn the consequences.
ITHRA’S POVThe sound of the metal door opening stirred me awake.“Rise and shine, Luna,” Athaliah said with a smile.I felt weak. Too weak to say a word to her.“Thankfully, your mate is better and he has ordered to have you out of here.” She said with a clasp and some men entered my cell. “Seeing you can’t help yourself, I thought to bring some guards to speed the transfer.” She added with a smirk and the guards picked me up roughly.I felt pathetic. I couldn’t even fight back as they roughly dragged me through the concrete floor, leaving me with bruises and scratches.By the time I returned to my room