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CHAPTER 31
ALISA’s POV
The rain has finally stopped but the night is far from over. A full moon hangs in the sky, casting ghostly shadows amongst the trees as Ryder and I make our way through the dense forest to reach the pond.
I have no idea why I had the dream. Could it have been a memory buried deep in my mind from long ago? Or could it be a prophecy, showing me the way to the pearl? I do not know.
I shake my head, willing myself to focus on the walk ahead but of course, me being me, I stumble over the protruding root of a tree. And I would most definitely have fallen had it not been for Ryder who catches me by my waist with his lightning-quick reflexes.
“Careful,” he says quietly and I nod.
He takes my hand in his, tightening his grip and leading me like how one would lead a child as we continue our journey. According to Alec, the pond is not too far off from the cave. It’ll take us at most a day to reach it; two if t
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ALISA’s POVI am dragged under the water by a pair of hands and I trash wildly, trying to kick off my assailant. But my attacker is strong and does not loosen his grip on me.I open my mouth to scream only to swallow a mouthful of air, drowning myself further. Heavens! I need air!And that is when the assailant quickly yanks me out of the water. My eyes are clenched shut in fear and I swat the air until I touch flesh to feel Ryder’s familiar hands. He pulls me toward him and shouts, “Alisa! It’s me, Ryder! It was me, that was just a prank!”I cough violently, gasping for breath.“It wasn’t funny!” My voice is hoarse and I try to smack him only for him to grab my hand and pin them to his naked chest.“Sorry, not sorry. You need to loosen up Alisa.” He grins and for the first time since I met Ryder, I notice his boyish smile. It’s strange how I never noticed that.
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ALISA’s POV This is a miracle. I stare at Ryder with my eyes unblinking and my mouth agape like a fish out out of water. He is standing in the middle of the pond where the whirlpool has subsided and is staring at his hands. “Ryder?” He looks up from his hands, our eyes meet and I gasp. “Your eyes….” His brows furrow and he cocks his head. “My eyes?” “They’re scarlet red…” “Scarlet red….” He frowns as if confused and slowly brings both hands to his cheeks as if he is having trouble believing me. Then suddenly, a smile appears on his face and he asks, “Do you know what that means Alisa?” I shake my head. The only time that Ryder has scarlet eyes is when he - “Oh...you’ve gotten your wolf back!” I jump to my feet and squeal. “Yes!” He strides back to me with a grace almost lyrical and with movements that scream strength and power and in a blink of an eye, he climbs out of the pond and
The Alpha's Temptress CHAPTER 34
RYDER's POV Bane’s howl tears through the forest. Alisa sits on my back, clinging onto the fur of my neck as Bane races through the trees at breakneck speed. We move and weave through the forest, swift as a coursing river but with the force of the juggernaut himself. And with the force of a raging fire, we leap across boulders, never stopping even once to rest. It took us nearly two days to reach the village, but with the power of the pearl, it will take us less than a day to get back. The power of the pearl still eludes me, it is as mysterious as the dark side of the moon. Not that I am complaining. I love how strong Bane and I have become and this will put us at a great advantage when we come face to face with the traitorous Zion. Our journey will come to an end soon. In less than half an hour, we will reach where Hayden and the rest have camped out and from there, we will plan our attack to take back what rightfully belongs to us. Th
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ALISA’s POVHayden’s wolf shivers in Ryder’s arms and I look at his face. The change in him is frightening but I can understand why. He is consumed by rage and the need for vengeance for his pack, for his family and for his friends.Hayden’s wolf whimpers again, he can no longer see but his mind is still sound. He knows what is at stake and I see Ryder tell him through gritted teeth and tear-filled eyes, “We’re not beaten yet. I have the pearl of power now. And once this is over, we’ll find a way to heal you.”Ryder’s voice is full of conviction but I have my doubts. Contrary to what Julianne had told me, we found only one pearl. There should have been more, but there wasn’t.If there was, we would have been able to use the pearl to heal Hayden. I make a mental note to go back to the pond once more when all this is over. By hook or by crook, we need another pearl. Hayden does not de
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The Alpha's Temptress CHAPTER 37
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