**Idris** I felt my wolf settle the instant I inhaled her fresh evergreen scent. He’d been agitated when she left our sight. The chaos that ensued in the mall after her disappearance had him growling and snarling without pause. I didn’t get it. Though my wife, Saira wasn’t my soulmate. The way he behaved was no different from a Lycan who lost his mate. Strange. I sighed and gently rubbed my nose on Saira’s shoulder. This was our first real hug since our Bonding Ceremony. I wasn’t sure if it was due to the growing bond. But once I hugged her, I didn’t feel like letting her out of my arms. She felt so warm and soft, so comfortable, my eyelids drooped in bliss. Then I caught it. The smell of blood. It was faint. Barely discernible in the fragrance of her evergreen scent. But I couldn’t mistake the metallic rust. Or the sulfuric stench unique to the banished rogues. My mind raced as many questions surfaced in my heart. Pulling back, I ignored her protests, and scanned her for injuries
Huffs and groans resounded in the clearing. Red-faced and drenched in sweat, we completed the basic exercise and got into combat positions. “Split into pairs! We’ll perform one-on-one combat today!” The Lycan Commander barked, clasping his hands behind his back. I looked around the field. The early morning fog clung onto the trees and shrouded the clearing. As trainees scattered out, a large figure appeared from the side and loomed before me. “I’ll be your partner.” Einas Raed declared with a cold expression. I shivered, recalling our exchange from yesterday. “That…I’ll find another partner.” I said. “Why? Scared?” “Of what? You?” “Heh. I was just guessing. I didn’t know that would be the case?” “Commander, I’m new to the squad. Don’t you think it’s too early for me to practice with you?” I questioned through clenched teeth and crossed my arms. I still had to see the Luna in the afternoon. The last thing I wanted was to faint again. “No, you’ve already got the basics down. Tra
When I reached the Lycan Leader’s palace, an Omega led me into the Living Hall. Nearly an hour had passed since then, and the Luna…she was still nowhere to be seen. “Hehe…” I snickered, half-amused, half-disgusted at the Luna’s actions. She was showing me a demonstration of her power. But why? Was she afraid I’d replace her in her clan? The woman had nothing to fear. I wasn’t interested in becoming the Lycans motherly figure so soon. I sighed and shook my head. My butt was stiff. Sitting in the same position for so long wasn’t fun at all. I got out of my seat and walked around. The Living Hall of the Lycan Leader was made from glass. Gossamer curtains fluttered on a gentle breeze, providing an unhindered view of the tropical garden outside. Though beautiful, the sight didn’t entrance me as it normally did. And after the trip to Lycan Town, I doubted any sight would in the near future. An oil painting caught my eye. It depicted a bloody battlefield, with wolves and vampires ripping
The second I rounded the corner, the cacophonous chatter of female voices entered my ears. I stopped and surveyed the scene. In the center of the open-island kitchen, a group of she-Lycans clustered around a figure. They sounded excited, fawning even, as they praised and complimented the female of their attention. Even though I couldn’t make out the face of the female, with the cluster of she-Lycans and all, I knew who she was the second I saw them. Caira Mirza. The beloved fiancé of the Lycan Commander, the envy of the Lycan females. As the prospective Luna to the one and only Commander Einas, Caira’s current status in the clan wasn’t any lower than Luna Nazia’s. The reason was simple. Though he was the Lycan Heir, Idris Raed’s authority in the Pacific Sea couldn’t match-up to his father and brother’s. I suspected it had something to do with the Lycan Leader. His deep infatuation with Eira Haris must’ve undermined the Lycan Heir’s authority. However, their family conflict had noth
I moved the instant she stumbled. Slinging an arm over her shoulder, I steadied her body against me, and waved to the girls. “I have a private matter to discuss with Saira. If anyone asks, tell them we’re in the gym.” They nodded their heads, and mumbled something I could only interpret as yes, under their breaths. I ignored the curiosity in their eyes and guided the she-wolf towards the back door. Caira trailed after us with hesitant steps. “Sister…” “Not now. We’ll talk later.” I hissed, and dragged Saira Malivik out of the kitchen, across the flower garden, and into the woods. It was barely noon, yet the autumn chill gave the place a dark and dreary atmosphere. I liked it. It was the perfect ambience to commit a crime. “Fuck, why is she so heavy?” I huffed and crouched. Half-shifting, I pulled her on my back and raced into the depths of the woods. Sound disappeared, and trees flashed past me in a blur. About an hour later, I skidded to a halt in front of a black tree. “I’m h
“I know it’ll be hard. But we can’t drag this matter anymore. From the intelligence we gathered, the witches joined hands with the bloodsuckers, and...” I gulped and swallowed my words. Everything was only an assumption right now. Without proof, how could I convince the Clan Elders? They would call me an alarmist out to disrupt the peace of the clan. “In short, we need a Royal Court!” I finished stubbornly, praying, wishing, hoping I would get through to them. However, their following words dashed the kindle of hope I held, and sunk my heart into utter despair. “Commander Einas, I don’t mean to question you, but this matter concerns the political affairs of the Pacific Sea. You keep pushing for the formation of a Royal Court. Have you ever considered who would lead the new reign? You’re not a bad candidate. But at the end of the day, you’re only a commander. What do you know about ruling?” “And then, there’s us. As Elders, we advise the Lycan Leader and have a say in the passing o
“Did you get the manacles?” “Yes, father. Do you think it’ll work?” “Hm! We can administer the shock if it doesn’t!” My father kicked open the steel bar. Tailed by my brother and mother, they strode into the cramped space with a menacing aura. I scrambled to the darkest corner of the cell. Something in their eyes made my skin crawl and my heart quiver in terror. Fear. That’s the word. Like a razor tongue, it sliced my skin as it slithered up my back and sunk into my organs, coiling its slimy membrane around my trembling heart. I always knew they hated me. They abhorred the very sight of me with venomous disgust. At this moment, however, the waves of dark resentment flowing from their figures made me realize the depth of their hatred for me. To them, I wasn’t a family member. I was their shameful secret. And they hated me for ruining their lives. “You vile creature of sin, get over here!” My brother hollered and rushed over to grab my hair. Dragging me from the corner, he thr
A spark of disappointment shot through me at the she-Lycan’s decisive departure. When I said I wanted her, I had meant it. I don’t know if it’s the aura of command she wielded with mastery, or the wicked soul she tried so hard to hide. But something about the brunette drew me to her. It certainly wasn’t love. A meaningless feeling like that didn’t belong in our world. I glanced at the female laying on the ground and smothered a humorless chuckle. ‘Must be her vicious spirit.’ No female with an ounce of kindness in her heart would deliver another female to our hands. The restlessness of my subordinates was a testament to that. They shuffled on their feet, their entire attention focused on the unconscious she-wolf. Sweat beaded their foreheads, sliding down their naked frames. Their muscles bulged as they fought for restraint. Mating and violence. They were the two things that made us Dark Rogues. We reveled in the pain and terror of our victims, feeding on them the way leeches fed