LOGINZhamar's paws dug into the dirt as he came to a sudden stop, jarring Linessa out of the daze she had slipped in during the long run.As the dust settled, Linessa's arms let go of his neck, her muscles aching from staying in one position too long as she sat up.He was at his pack borders, the scent of neutral lands fading as the piercing scent of his own territory took over.Ahead of them, emerging from the dense shadows of the pine trees, a line of silent, imposing patrol wolves stood waiting in the dark. Their heads were bowed as Zhamar stepped forward, a sign of respect that Zhamar appreciated with a single nod.Linessa secured her arms around his neck again and only then did he take off, his pace slower than before, less urgent. He took a left turn and Kael and the other wolf followed close behind him. Linessa knitted her brows, curious as to where they were going. All she saw were trees, thick and tall oak trees that carried them into higher grass, veering completely away from t
"Linessa...!" From Zhamar's back, Linessa glared at Clive. "Don't call my name. If it hadn't been for the goddess, I'd have a monster for a mate." "I know, that was cruel and selfish, but I wasn't thinking. My mind was clouded." His jaws tensed. "I was blinded by the need to please the people around me." "You certainly weren't blind enough to not see that my condition was grave...but you ignored that and proposed that I die as your mate." She pointed at him, her fingers shaking as she did so. "You wanted to sacrifice my life for your own gain. Then again, you weren't the first person to try." Her gaze flickered over to Kenneth for a second and then back to Clive. "I was wrong for ever trusting you." "I cancelled the ceremony last minute. I came to my room to tell you, but I found mom unconscious and you gone." He looked away, a longing look in his eyes as he stared off into the woods. "You didn't deserve that. You're the best thing that happened to me in my entire life, and my gr
He looked away, taking three long and threatening steps towards Amora. Though she stepped back, the edge of his hand struck a pressure point on the side of her neck. She went out cold immediately and he gently lowered her to the floor. His eyes then met Linessa's again, deeply analyzing her expression just as she observed his. “I knew they'd hurt you."He walked over to her, hand hesitating as it reached forward to touch her cheek. His eyes widened. "Nessa, you're burning up."Instead of indulging in his concern for her, Linessa asked him the only question that was on her mind. "What are you doing here?""I knew you'd need me." He began. "There was this feeling in my guts that I couldn't ignore. The scar on my neck started burning moment you left. It's almost healed, it never burnt, that's why I should've known something was wrong...I should've followed you." His thumb caressed her cheek. "You trusted that Alpha too easily, I need to get you out of here before the pack is aware of t
Amora looked down at Linessa the moment the door closed behind Clive. There was pity in those brown eyes, but there was also guilt. "I'm sorry..." She whispered. "I'm so sorry for what's happening to you. Clive...well Clive..." She pulled the chair from under the desk beside his bed, taking a seat. "I'm the reason why he's doing this. It's all my fault." Tears welled up in her eyes, and though she kept wiping them, more kept coming. "You see? He's our first born. His father and I had high expectations of him. He was to rule fiercely, help our pack climb to the top...but he ended up being...kind of a disappointment." Her hands trembled as she pressed them against the bed. "He could do everything an alpha should, but his little brother always just...did it better. Levaughn was fiercer; while Clive preferred peace, Levaughn prioritized growth. We acknowledged that~ the pack did too, and we tried to steal Clive’s birthright and give it to his brother." She was completely vulnerable
Linessa woke up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat. She felt claustrophobic...The room suddenly felt small, and the air felt too thick to flow to and from her lungs. Her breaths were labored, deep and yet they felt shallow. She felt like she was under water; suffocating.Except...This water was hot~ boiling.Her chest rose sharply as she lifted herself upright, strands of damp hair sticking to her forehead. Her hands clawed at the emerald dress, the silk feeling like a magnet to the heat that scorched her. It was soaked with sweat, likewise the sheets she laid on.Linessa’s fingers trembled as she reached for her neck. The scar burned. In fact, it felt like the source of the heat that scourged her.Something was wrong...with her...with the goddesses mark...Struggling off the bed, she forced herself to her feet, staggering to the door. She wanted to call for Clive, but her throat felt so dry that when she opened her mouth, nothing came out but a breath.With violently
The cool, night breeze brushed against Linessa’s skin as they walked outside. The only sounds penetrating their senses were the sound of their own steps and the music from the meet-and-greet drifting behind them.She could hear Clive’s breathing too; deep and rhythmic. “My car is parked over there.”He pointed toward a silver sedan parked a few meters away. It lacked the intimidating luxury of Zhamar’s SUV, but under the moonlight, it looked sleek, understated…real.He led her to the car, but instead of opening the door, his thumb hovered over the handle. He turned to her, his hazel eyes holding a new weight in them; a silent acknowledgement of the war she had just declared. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. “Once we leave…then there’s probably no turning back.” His gaze held hers. “So again, are you sure about this…?” His voice dropping lower. “Sure about me…?”Linessa clutched the fabric of her dress so tightly she thought it might tear beneath her fingers. “In that room you we
Linessa's eyes slowly opened up, scanning her environment. She was no longer laying on the floor of the meeting grounds, instead she was standing on her feet in a place she could not only deem unfamiliar, but also beautiful.She found herself surrounded by towering trees, adorned with lights that h
The frigid air bristled against Linessa’s skin, a throbbing pain in her heart and weakness in her legs as she walked up the aisle of people. Each step felt heavy as though the weight of Kenneth’s betrayal rested on her shoulders. All eyes stayed fixated on her, assessing her with what she could on
Linessa sat in the cold, dirty dungeon, staring longingly at the staircase just above her cell. She'd been down here for three days, waiting for Kenneth; her fated mate, her alpha... Waiting for the man she loved to save her. Tomorrow was her trial, or rather her execution. You see, this was a
"Shall my trial begin?"He looked at her, his stare was cold, no empathy even though he was looking at his Luna. “Yes," he intoned, the word echoing across the now silent grounds. "We shall begin your trial." The elder stepped forward, clearing his throat to begin. "Linessa Raven, are the charges







