★ELAINE★After Alpha Damon left, I solemnly perched on the edge of the lake, watching the ripples on the surface and the crashing tides. My mind wandered to what life would be like for me after the competition. Would I have to continue keeping my relationship with Beta Adrian a secret? Should we hide the fact that we are mates from everyone? What would happen if they eventually discover the truth? A part of me also wondered if things would have turned out differently if Tania was still alive. Damn, I miss her so much. By now, she would be talking my ears off about how much winning this competition would mean. And that's why I wanted to do my best. Sometimes I wished there was something I could have pulled to save Tania from dying. Perhaps, an ointment, herbs, acupuncture...just anything. It's been months. Yet, it felt like yesterday when she was cheering me on during my archery practice with Beta Adrian. Why is life so unfair? No! Why is death so cruel? Picking up a stick, I bega

★ELAINE★“I have been searching around for you, my lady. Where have you been?" Amy asked me. “Out. Clearing my head." I replied as I made my way into the dorm. “Please, Lady Elaine. If anything is bothering your mind, do not hesitate to discuss it with me.” I turned and offered her a small smile. “Yes, thank you.” Amy stared at me cautiously as if she was skimming through me then she picked up the folded linen on the bed. “You did very well today. Other servants were jealous that my lady came in second.” I arched a brow. “Oh, is that so?" “Yes.” she breathed. “Anyways, I will keep rooting for you to win the competition. I cannot wait for you to clinch that title and take it back to the Lycanfrost pack.” I cannot wait for that too, I thought to myself before crashing onto the bed with a loud thud. To say I was exhausted was the least. Unknowingly to everyone, I was up throughout last night practicing my grip and precision, so it was understandable for my body to feel weary. “Th

★ELAINE★“Ezekiel, Philippe.” The Alpha queen summoned two of her warriors and they stepped forward immediately. “Go into the woods and fetch me, Joanna. What's the color of her hair again?"“Auburn,” Tara answered. “You hear that. So I'm giving you ten minutes to comb through the woods and come back with her.” “Yes, Your ladyship!” They stooped before strutting off to carry out her order. I wonder what Joanna was still doing in the woods up till this moment. I understand she's thirsty for victory. However, it'd be right to play by the rules. Anyways, Joanna has always been that way, rebellious and a nuisance. “I don't think there is any reason why we should keep them waiting. Since it's just one person missing, we can record the score points, considering their number of kills. When the missing person returns, we will know how to shuffle it up.” Alpha Damon suggested. “He is right!" The jury chorused. “Besides, the ladies need to wash up.” Alpha Shinara pointed at me. “That on

★ELAINE★“I want to go and confront Lilian. She has no right to accuse me of Joanna's death.” More tears cascaded down my cheeks as I pulled out of Alpha Damon's embrace and made to walk away, but he held me back. “There is no need, Elaine. Confronting her would only make others believe you are this paranoid. As long as you didn't do it, act unbothered until everything is sorted out.” I scoffed. “Paranoid? After being outrightly accused of murdering someone in cold blood, do you think I should just let this slide?” I demanded. Already feeling offended that he could say such a thing to me. Alpha Damon shook his head. “You are not letting this slide, Elaine. Trust me on this. I want to remind you that you are here as a guest and I want you to stay still until I sort things out.” He said this time. “But I can't just sit around and remain silent as none of this happened. What if they keep trying to sabotage me and in the end, they make me look like the culprit?" I asked him, snifflin

★THROWBACK TO THE NIGHT TARA DEPARTED FROM ELAINE ★Smiling sheepishly as she made her way to the other side of the woods, Tara felt proud to have gifted Elaine that squirrel. She hoped to keep making Elaine smile and wished Elaine was her Luna instead of Joanna. To be truthful, Tara doesn't know why she liked Lady Elaine, but she knew she adored the young lady so much. There was something about her that was just so likable. So accommodating and so charming. But then a rustle among the bushes made her discard her thoughts as she tried to capture whatever animal made that noise. Crouching her posture, she moved quickly in that direction then steady her spear, ready to strike the animal. And just when she parted the bushes and was about to strike, she met Joanna there instead. Joanna jumped, startled. “How dare you aim a spear at me?” Joanna bellowed after regaining her wits. “I am sorry. I didn't mean to... I thought it was a—” Tara made to apologize but Joanna shut her up with h