Chapter 3
POV: Someone
A loud crashing of an antique vase broken on the floor echoed throughout the whole receiving room. Three tall and bulky men started to tremble as their eyes were laced with undeniable fear. Their heads bow down and their legs shake, for they knew that with one mistake their loving life was at stake – or worst, they had to say goodbye to it.
“What the hell did you say?” A woman in her late forties was holding three sharp and long daggers in her hands, asked violently as she narrowed her eyes and looked at them with pure irritation and ferocity.
The woman was sitting on the single black sofa wearing a silky delicate red maxi dress that flowed down and reached the floor – emphasizing her fair skin. It was paired with red three-inch pumps.
Her straight light ash blonde hair flowed freely at her back. Her narrowed eyes were decorated with dark black mascara and black eyeliner that contoured and defined her gray eyes. Her pouty lips are covered with deep red lipstick, causing the three men to be intimidated more.
The woman entirely screamed of high authority, class, and power, and no one could ever break loose once she unfolded her true color. She was well-known for that – indisputably wicked and ruthless.
She held her head high and raised her brow as her face laced with a sarcastic smile – waiting for an answer while playing with the daggers in her hand.
The bulky man in the blue jacket cleared his throat – trying to find his own strength and ease his trembling voice before speaking.
“The lady had escaped,” he nervously answered.
His forehead was slightly damp with bullets of sweat due to his intensifying fear.
In an instant, the man who had just spoken lay down on the floor – his breathing hard and uneven – gasping for air and whimpering in pain. A pool of warm crimson red blood streamed down from his chest – as he stopped breathing and lost himself from this world.
The two men who were left standing shut their eyes tightly – feeling sorry for their pack companion but couldn’t do anything for him at the same time.
“Find. Her.”
That was just what they needed to hear and eagerly dismissed themselves out of the room, or else they’ve might also meet their tragic demise at the hands of the devilish woman.
POV: Tamara
Meanwhile, it took a couple of minutes more before the three men in black shirt finally left the poor man on the ground. He had endured a few more kickings – making her realize that he might already be dead.
That possibility made her shiver down to her spine – her chest clenched tightly. She wouldn’t had wanted to witness any of that, for her mind was now haywire.
Tamara heaved a deep slow and inaudible sigh – as she tried to calm her raging nerves.
Everything was all she heard was the shaking trees in the woods caused by the strong wind – also embracing her and sending her further chills.
Tamara clenched her fist tightly – finding her strength to finally face the barn.
The three men were already gone – but she wouldn’t take any chances. She observed and looked around the passive place for a matter of minutes more before completely finding the courage to step closer to the man lying on the ground – dead… or hopefully not.
Tamara gently walked forward – her slow-paced tracks contradicted the fast beating of her heart. She took out a long stick to defend herself if anything happened – as if it could do something for her.
She saw a small blanket resting near the barn and used it to cover the man’s nudity. Her cheeks turned red as she tried to put the blanket on him while her eyes were looking at the other side.
Her forehead creased as she studied the lying man, whose face was badly beaten – almost unrecognizable at that.
She slightly shook her head – feeling sorry for the poor man.
His left eye was swollen and started to get dark circles around it. His lips were bloated a bit and had a cut at its side – his left arm had a long scratch of a claw, which she deemed were the splattered blood on the ground came from.
He was quite slim, and having three men as opponents, he was definitely outnumbered.
“Is he dead?” Tamara whispered to herself as she tried to reach for the man using her long wooden stick – tapping his feet to at least get any reaction from him.
She saw him whimpered as he whispered inaudible words. Tamara didn’t try to move closely at him to understand what he was trying to say. Knowing that he was not dead was enough for her, for she was still shaken and uncertain about him – the only thing that was making her stay was her conscience.
She heaved a deep sigh and bit her lower lip. She was thinking of what to do next. Of course, she couldn’t bring the man to wherever she wanted to go, because even though he was slimmer than an average man, he was quite tall… and he was a man she didn’t even know.
Tamara decided to look for any medicinal plants around – to cure the man’s arm, which was continuously bleeding. She found a white cloth inside the empty barn, some arnica flowers and river water to treat his wounds.
She couldn’t carry him to the hay, so she decided to put some hay under him instead – to at least keep him warm. She tended to his scratched arms and covered it with a white cloth.
She also found some fruits from the trees and shrubs around the barn to relieve her starving stomach.
While eating some wild berries, something caught her eyes – something that brightened as some light rays hit it. She instantly went up and moved closer to where it was – a golden tag necklace that had the word ‘Aeron’ written on it.
Tamara’s forehead creased and looked at the lying man, then shrugged. Maybe she would just give it back to him once he was already awake. And maybe he could also help her find her way home to her parents.
She heaved a sighed as she sat up and bent down the huge tree near the barn.
The sky was already filled with different hues – shades of mauve, deep orange, wine red, grey, beige – all were enveloped by darkness.
Time flies passed, but Tamara still couldn’t comprehend what was truly happening to her.
Her mind was floating in the midst of the night. She watched how the crescent moon formed from the dark and lonely sky – she bitterly smiled. The stars glistened so brightly – the same with her eyes – which were now moistened with tears, which she immediately wiped as she tried to stay strong.
She missed her parents so much that it made her realize that she needed to contemplate a plan on what to do next. But nothing came up to her mind – it was null – she heaved another deep sighed and continued watching the stars.
Her eyes flew to the man, who was already sleeping soundly while she was wide awake. The soughing of the trees swayed by the wind, didn’t do good on her. The owl hooting and the birds shrieking sounds made her flinch to the ground where she was currently sitting.
Tamara braced herself for the moment of deafening silence – as her sobs came out painfully. She was soothing herself from the cold wind brushing her skin – making her feel so petrified and so alone.
***
POV: Rania
At the same time, in the Lunar Mansion, the Vikesh Family who led the Lunar Pack, was settling down in the receiving area of their huge place.
“I’m so sorry, Alpha Lorenzo, Luna Rania. I failed you,” Benson held his head down as Doctor Dreyson – the salutary or official herbal wolf of the Lunar Pack – treated his wounds.
Benson needed to break the news to them before letting the physician take him to his barn house near the mansion.
Benson, being the Beta of the Lunar Pack – headed by Alpha Lorenzo and his Luna Rania – was tasked in fetching Tamara from Winston and Ameia’s house. They learned that their enemy had already made their move to attack them, so they needed to protect Tamara – at all costs.
It was one of his vital and crucial missions and he failed to execute – now, all of their plans were already crumbling down to ashes. Tamara escaped and was nowhere to be found.
“It’s okay Benson. We just hope, she was safe, and the Dark Wood Pack doesn’t have her either.” Rania answered firmly.
Her hands were in tight closed fist and her jaw clenched – trying to compose herself.
Benson kept his head down a little bit more by hearing the Luna’s tone of voice.
Rania and Lorenzo quietly stayed to where they were sitting from as the intense silence enveloped them. But Shahara immediately broke it by letting out a heavy sigh and clearing her throat.
“I saw one of Aeron’s hunters running after her.” Shahara infuriatingly informed them.
Rania’s eyes widened at the sudden news while her hand flew in front of her agape mouth.
“And I’m sure he is there when the attack happens. I can smell him in the air. That shameful coward,” Shahara added while gritting her teeth and nodding her head with her raised eyebrow.
“Shahara,” Rania’s tender voice gave her a hint of warning.
Rania – being the Lunar Pack’s female leader – didn’t tolerate any ferocity and wickedness at any form – even in words – towards any person as much as possible, even if that person was one of their enemies.
“Sorry,” Shahara cutely smiled at her mother and made a peace sign.
Rania just sighed, “Are you certain at that?” She patiently asked for her daughter’s confirmation.
Shahara nodded, looking directly into her mother’s eyes, who massaged her temple lightly and squeezed her eyes shut – taking in what she had just said.
“I just badly hurt one of his hunters, though,” Shahara proudly said as she smirked evilly.
Rania snarled in protest, and Shahara just pouted.
Lorenzo cleared his throat. “Anyway, let’s all leave that to the moon’s fate. I have important and urgent news to announce.”
All of the eyes in the room darted to the Alpha of the Lunar Pack – Lorenzo – waiting for him to continue his words.
“The King announced an urgent meeting. All members of the pack holding a high position needed to be at his castle tomorrow afternoon.” He seriously uttered.
Their eyes widened in surprise as Lorenzo, on the other hand, clenched his jaw. Their minds suddenly bombarded with diverse questions – all the same. The King abhorred gatherings in his castle, and if they needed to have a meeting, Arlan, the second in command, always did it in the Pack Meeting House just near the castle and not inside the castle.
So, why now? – They thought.
“H-how come?” Rania curiously asked.
Lorenzo shook his head – even he couldn’t decipher what was in the King’s mind right now.
“I just hoped it wasn’t about the ‘Regina,’” Lorenzo whispered lowly, but low enough for the people there to hear him.
“The Were Elders’ Council was asking him to settle down already. As if they could do something if the King didn’t want it to happen,” he added, and laid his back on the single forest green sofa where he was sitting.
All of them now were seriously contemplating something on their mind – all was hoping it wasn’t about the ‘Regina’ – but the possibility was making them more agitated.
“We need to find Tamara as soon as possible.” Shahara pressed her lips together as those words escaped from her mouth.
No one contradicted her because all of them were thinking the same thing.
***
POV: Tamara
She woke up with a stiff neck and back ache. It was still dark and cold. She believed she slept on the wrong side of her bed – but wait, she wasn’t on her bed, nevertheless on the ground inside the barn.
She inspected her bruises – which were swiftly healing as she tended to them, too, yesterday – while slowly walking out of the barn.
She decided to go inside to keep her warm from the icy cold gushing wind.
But her forehead creased as she stopped her tracks and looked at where the man was lying – now, all she could see was empty hay.
Tamara scratched the back of her neck as she heaved a deep sigh.
He didn’t have the guts to thank her. – She thought as she shook her head in disappointment. Then, she suddenly remembered the golden tag necklace that she had forgotten to give the man.
She was about to look for it in her pants’ pocket – but before she could make a move – a glimmering extremely large black wolf appeared in front of her, making her jump a bit in shock. She began to panic as she looked at the two pair of pitch-black eyes – making her tremble in fear.
And once again – darkness consumed Tamara as she fell into the cold ground.
Chapter 3 entitled Treat and Run...Happy Halloween everyone! Don't forget to vote and comment please. Thank you in advance! XOXO
Chapter 4POV: TamaraTamara woke up with a tremendous headache – her temples throbbed in pain, and she kept her eyes shut tightly. Flashes of what had happened to her immediately woke her senses up.She got up in an instant with wide eyes and her vision spun for her sudden move – so she instantly shut her eyes to collect herself and opened it again. She was welcomed with a stinky smell of dead rodents. Her stomach churned and she almost gagged – she covered her nose as she looked around.She was now sitting on the cold and filthy floor – thank God she didn’t see any rodents around making it tolerable for her or else she would really freak out – but it still stinks though.She was like in a prison cell with brick walls – well, it was more like a box with a locked rustic metal bars enclosing the cage where she was jailed.Jailed?!She blinked her eyes and unbelievably stared at the metal bars.
Chapter 5POV: ArlanDillion gave him a sign that all the packs were already complete. He sighed in relief as he looked at the vast quiet crowd gathered in the Great Hall, sitting at their designated tables ignoring other packs.His eyes slightly stopped towards the two anxious and well-driven packs sitting in the front row of the room.The Lunar Pack sat in the left side corner of the area – quietly and seriously talking at each other – and the Dark Wood Pack sitting on the right side of the room – who was intensely glaring at the former pack.Arlan disappointedly shook his head at the latter pack and went near the King to inform him.It was the day of the Pack Meeting. Even he, couldn’t comprehend what was in the King’s mind right now. He was also surprised as to why the King held the gathering inside his palace. It was the first time, and everyone was looking forward to his annou
Chapter 6POV: TamaraDeath is one of the inevitable things in this world – you couldn’t run from it even if you wanted to. Once it knocks on your door, no matter if you’re ready or not, whether you accept it or not, it would eventually reclaim your life.“Hey, you, stand up,” a loud adenoidal voice snapped her eyes wide open.It was already a sultry late afternoon – well, she guessed it. Tamara was still sitting on the cold floor as her upper body was leaning against the brick wall.Her mouth was dry as she tried to swallow the bile lump on her throat.She couldn’t find any strength to stand up for the hopelessness she felt, knowing that she would be facing her miserable death tomorrow.Will she be gun fired? Or hanged? Or put into a deep sleep and would never wake up?She shook her head swiftly as she pressed her eyes shut tightly, then opened it again – trying to erase the nega
Chapter 7POV: TamaraTamara woke up by the golden sun rays passing through the large glass windows of where she was lying – making her eyes shut once again. She was about to move when she felt her entire body ached – she whimpered.She was just thankful that she could feel she was lying in a soft and comfy bed – not on a cold concrete floor or filthy ground.“Don’t move and stay still, you needed to rest.” A tender soft voice made her eyes snap wide open – she wanted to scream suddenly because of the anticipating flashes of what happened to her in the court room instantly became clear in her mind.She was welcome with a woman with a wavy auburn hair that wasn’t familiar to her.The woman was simple but perfectly gorgeous in her plain white shirt and navy-blue jogger pants matched with white and black high-cut shoes!She got a glass of water with a straw in it – giving it and assis
Chapter 8POV: AeronThey were in the living room of the Dark Wood Pack Mansion – and the tension was floating in the air was nearly suffocating him.His head was low while he was fidgeting because of too much fear and disappointment to himself.A loud crashing of a black antique ceramic vase reverberated throughout the entire room.Aeron’s eyes shut tightly as his heart speeded up. He bit his lower lip to keep himself from flinching.The ruthless and cunning Luna of the Dark Wood Pack – which was also his mother – Lamina Darkwood, was so mad for what happened in the prisoner’s trial that she almost turned red due to her maddening fury.She was walking back in forth in front of them – and he could feel that she was so close to shifting into her wolf form – but he hopefully not.“What the heck happened, Aeron?! You are at a barn? For what? I entrusted you with the mission to find a
Chapter 9POV: TamaraShe spent her entire day just inside her room. She wanted to have time for herself and mourned for her parents’ death. Aunt Rania and Uncle Lorenzo – as they told her to call them – were so patient and considerate towards her actions that she was so grateful for them.She knew that she was indebted to them big time.And in time, she would pay their kindness to her.She went out of her room – didn’t even touch her dinner given by the servant. She was not starving and just wanted to tend to her devastated self.She slowly walked down the stairs – ignoring the curious looks from the guards, who just remained stagnantly glued to the ground as she passed them.Tamara found herself in the middle of the garden maze in front of the Lunar Mansion. She saw a mix of wood and concrete Victorian style gazebo – defined by a complex and luxuriant ornate detail with decorat
Chapter 10POV: TamaraTamara plopped down and sprawled in her comfy bed – her arms spread, and she closed her eyes.It was a tiring day for her – yet she was so happy that she had Shahara patiently mentoring her by her side.All in all, she had a lot of things to learn, and she was totally enjoying it. She was now discovering a lot about herself – which was hidden by her parents.She heaved a deep sigh – remembering her parents. It was still tough for her, but she needed to continue her life and be strong.Tamara shook her head lightly.Shahara taught her about shifting into her wolf form today – she said that needed to know how to connect her human link to her inner wolf, and so far, she’s doing great.It just that her entire body was aching – but not the same as she first shifted as a wolf.Tamara felt her cheeks turn pale pink when she remembered her question to Shahara earli
Chapter 11POV: Prince Raven Pierce“Let me guess, he didn’t listen to you.” He let out a soft chuckle at Arlan, who went to the study room where he was spending most of his time.Prince Raven was holding a book and didn’t even bother to look at him, who forcibly plopped down to the black sofa bed while gently rubbing his injured neck.Arlan just scoffed at the prince, making him laugh at him more.He was close to everyone in the castle, even to Arlan – his brother’s second in command. He was told that he was the one creating a balance in the castle – his older brother, King Hades, being the yin, and him, being the yang.They were the total opposite.With all of those things, he didn’t mind it, though – like how deaf his brother was it those things, too. Besides, being compared wasn’t a trending news to either of them already.“Why wouldn’t he