Offered to the Lycan King by misha k Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
River was shocked. She looked at Hector and Victoria incredulously.
On her eighteenth birthday, River had smelled her mate as soon as she
entered her school. The mouthwatering smell of her mate made her run in
the direction of the main ground of the school.
Excited, she opened the door and realized that her mate was none other than
Hector, son of Alpha Maxim. Standing in the middle of the school’s ground
he looked gorgeous. She was attracted to him like Icarus to the sun.
She started to walk towards him when suddenly she saw that Hector’s arms
were wrapped around Victoria’s waist as he glared at her with furrowed
brows and clenched teeth, warning her to come any closer.
Upon seeing her coming closer, Victoria swept her dark hair on the other
side, pressed her hand on his chest, and strategically upturned her neck for
him.
River halted in her tracks, her stomach getting twisted into knots. All the
students had their eyes on Hector and Victoria. Anticipation rippled in the
air.
After a few seconds of glaring at her, Hector turned to Victoria and sank his
teeth in her neck, marking her as his mate.
Air punched out of River’s lungs as excruciating pain blasted in her chest.
She sank to the floor, unable to believe what just happened.
Every student broke into applause and started cheering Hector and Victoria.
The whole school, including the teachers and headmistress, congratulated
the Alpha’s son and Victoria for being the future Alpha and Luna of the
pack.
A sob worked its way up, and River’s throat choked with emotions
associated with the worst kind of betrayal she had ever experienced. River
took shaky steps back, receding into the shadows. Eyes burning with tears,
she turned and ran outside towards the greenhouse at the end of the school’s
perimeter.
“This can’t be!” River ran through the woods as she rasped. “This is not
possible!” She ran as fast as she could,
summoning her wolf, Gia, to come out, but Gia was so stunned by her
mate’s rejection that she was numb. Frozen inside her.
As compared to Victoria, River was nothing, being an omega’s daughter.
And Hector was the most handsome boy of the pack. He had alpha blood in
him. Tall and muscular, he had features like that of a Greek God. Golden
hair and gray eyes. Victoria was the most beautiful and curvaceous she-wolf
of the Crescent Pack and Hector’s favorite since forever. They were sure
they were each other’s mates and behaved as such.
Daughter of an omega and a human, River’s mother abandoned her after a
torrid love affair with her father, Kirk, saying that the child would be a
****in the human world. Little did she know that River would be a ***in
the werewolves’ world too. Everyone hated her because her wolf was
scraggy and weak.
When River was a year old, her father met his mate and married her. After
that, River’s life took a serious downturn. Her stepmother, Hazel, hated her.
Since they couldn’t throw her out of the house, Hazel ensured that River did
every work of the house like a maid. If she would make a mistake, Hazel
and Kirk would beat her up severely.
At school too, she was bullied and harassed by other students. River was
waiting to find her mate on her eighteenth birthday, hoping to be relieved of
this agony because mates took care of each other, but she was not ready for
this.
She ran through the woods towards the greenhouse. When she could no
longer do it, she leaned against an oak, wheezing and sobbing, rubbing her
hand against her chest to ease her pain. Her shoulders wracked as loud sobs
burned the back of
her throat.
She was an abomination that the Moon Goddess had created. Her body was
full of black and blue marks that she received from her parents’ beating, but
the new pain she felt right now paled all other pains in her body. She felt as
if her world was falling apart and that someone had wrenched her soul on
the inside.
“Why me?” she looked up and asked the Moon Goddess, blaming her for
every ****. “What have I done to you?” River dragged her feet inside the
greenhouse towards her corner, where she had grown numerous roses. She
leaned against a shelf of tools, trying to breathe. She didn’t know for how
long she stayed there, but suddenly, from behind someone grabbed her
throat and squeezed it hard.
“Hector!” she choked as he came in front of her. She grabbed his wrist and
tried to wrench it away, but she was no match
to him.
He peeled his lips back and bared his fangs as he towered over her. “If you
dare to speak a word to anyone that you’re my mate, I’m going to kill you
and then rip your body into so many pieces that your father won’t be able to
recognize you! You get that?”
River stared at him with wide eyes, as tears continued to roll out. “B- but I
am your mate,” she reasoned, hoping to see compassion in his eyes. Mates
loved each other. Madly.
He scowled as disgust etched all over his face. With his fingers around her
throat, he pulled her and then slammed her against another shelf, drawing
out a cry from her. Stars burst in her vision, but she managed to look at him
through her dazed state.
“Did you think that a scraggy half human half wolf would be my mate?” he
scoffed as he glowered at her. “You’ll never be my mate. Victoria is the one
for me,” he snarled.
River whimpered when she felt his dominant aura slipping out of him and
affecting her. “Hector-”
Angered, he hurled her towards the pots of roses. She crashed on them,
shattering a few in the process.
The thorns and shards of ceramic bruised her skin.
He snarled at her and then stomped out. As she watched him disappear in
the woods, she felt her vision faltering. Now. she remembered as to why
Victoria would often mess with her. She would simply bump into her or
corner her and bash her for the slightest mistake, and Hector would do
nothing but laugh at her.
She didn’t know for how long she lay in the greenhouse surrounded by the
roses she had so lovingly grown, but when she saw a star peeping out of the
sky through the trees above, she heard her friend Lena shouting her name.
“River! River!”
Lena was her only friend at the school. A daughter of a gamma, she was the
only one River could lean on.
“Hector is my mate…” River whispered.
“I’m so sorry,” Lena whispered as she lifted River in her arms and cradled
her head in her lap. “That Hector is a ****!” She understood the situation
and couldn’t help but pity River.
After River had again cried in Lena’s arms, she got up. Along with Lena,
she walked back to her home, knowing she would be beaten all over again.
However, when she reached home, a surprise was waiting for her.
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Chapter 2
Hazel, Kirk and her stepsister, Brianna, were sitting with Alpha Maxim.
They were having a hushed conversation. As soon as River entered with
Lena, the two bowed to him. All of them became quiet the moment they
saw River, River glanced at her half-sister, Brianna, who smirked at her,
jealousy written all over her face.
River was surprised the Alpha would actually come to her house. If he
wanted, he would have called her parents to his place.
“Go inside!” Hazel said in a harsh voice, snapping her out of her reverie.
“And don’t come out unless allowed!”
River was sure Alpha had come to negotiate terms with them so that the
word didn’t leak out that she was Hector’s mate. River lowered her head
and along with Lena went inside her bedroom wondering how much would
her parents ask for. She didn’t know what her worth was in terms of money,
but she was sure that, as Hector’s mate, her worth increased quite a lot.
“Oh, River!” Lena said and wrapped her arms around her shoulders when
they were in her tiny bedroom. “Now what will happen?”
River leaned her head on Lena’s shoulder and said, “What if I escape?”
Shocked, Lena pulled away. “Are you *******?” she scolded her. “If you
are going to run away, you will be termed as a rogue. Do you know what
they do when they catch hold of rogues?”
River bit her lip and trudged to her bed. She was feeling both ****and
physically exhausted. “I know…”
she said in a hoarse voice. “They are put down if found, and the packs find
them without fail.”
“If you know, why are you even thinking of escaping?” Lena chided her.
“It’s better for them to decide your fate, River.”
“I know what they do to the rogues!” River cried. “They are going to
***me in a day or two and make it look like an accident!” She plopped on
her back on the bed. “If I escape, at least I will have one chance of survival.
I will go to the human world and find my mother.”
Lena came to sit on the edge of the bed. “Only if it was so easy to leave the
pack, River…”
The door of her room opened, and Brianna entered. Brianna was two years
younger than River and left no stone unturned to make her miserable in the
house. She was half of River’s problems.
River had to clean her room, iron her clothes, make dinner for them and
sometimes, when Brianna would be tired, she even had to massage her legs.
If Brianna wasn’t happy with her work, she would complain about it to her
mother and then the beatings would start. It was a normal scenario in their
house because Brianna was never happy. At school too, she ridiculed River
openly..
Brianna leaned on the door and crossed her arms across her chest. She
sneered at River.
“I’m amazed at the Moon Goddess. She didn’t do her job well this time.
How could a scraggy and a
*****wolf like you. could be mated to Alpha’s son?” She waved her hand
at River in repugnance.
“***has asked you to stay inside, so don’t even think of stepping out of the
house. Alpha Maxim has decided that tomorrow, you will be offered to
those in the Veil. They are coming here for you.”
“What?” Lena said, her eyes going wide with fear. “How do you know
about the Veil?”
“Didn’t I just say that Alpha told us about it, ***?” Brianna snapped.
No one knew about the Veil. It was a guarded secret that only few knew
about. And those who knew, never talked about it. “There must be a
mistake, Brianna! How can they offer River to the Veil? It’s practically
***her! In fact, it’s better you ***her here rather than offering her to those
ruthless ***.”
Brianna laughed, feeling excited. She scoffed, “There isn’t a mistake. And
you better get out of our house as soon as possible, Lena. ***and Dad don’t
like that you are here with her.” She turned to walk out of the door. She
flicked her hair, saying. “You deserve it, ***!” and then swayed away,
closing the door behind her.
River was confused and terrified.
“What does it mean?” she asked Lena. She had never heard of the offerings.
No one had ever
mentioned her about the offerings or the Veil.
Lena grabbed her shoulders. She was looking so panicky that her anxiety
affected River.
She said, “By the Moon Goddess! River, you should escape!”
“But why?” River asked, her gaze darting between Lena’s gray eyes.
Lena’s lips quivered. She removed a lock of red hair from River’s forehead
and said, “Lycans live in the Veil. They come every ten years out of the Veil
to take away she-wolves who are then used as their breeders because Lycan
females are unable to give birth to pups.”
As if her miseries weren’t over, another shockwave rippled through her.
River stared at Lena as blood drenched from her
face.
Lena continued, “Every ten years, an offering is made to the Alphas of the
Veil in which a girl from the werewolves pack is offered to them. It is
mandatory for every pack to make that offering. This time it’s Crescent
pack’s turn. However, from what I know, this time a Lycan will be coming
out of the Veil after a gap of fifty years. The last time an offering was made
from the Crescent pack was two hundred years back.”
“How do you know so much about it?” River asked.
Lena sighed. “One of my aunts was offered to a Lycan more than sixty
years back. No one saw her after that. It’s a well kept secret of our family.”
Lena held River’s hand as sympathy washed over her for her best friend.
She continued, “Lycans are even more powerful than werewolves. A Lycan
can take over and ***a dozen werewolves. easily. They live deep in the
forest in a place called Veil. No one dares to go there. A thousand years
back, the Lycans. would raid the werewolf packs and take away the most
eligible she-wolves to mate with them. After mating with them and having
pups, it was said they threw the girls into dungeons to spend the rest of their
lives inside.
“Werewolves were no match against the Lycans in protecting their shewolves. In order to stop the mindless kidnappings, a treaty was drawn
between Lycans and werewolves in which every ten years the werewolves
offered a girl to the Lycans. And because the process was nicely
streamlined, it resulted in a growth in the healthy population of the Lycans.
They had stopped coming, but-” Lena looked at River.
“They are coming again. For you.”
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Chapter 3
River pressed her hand against her ****to stifle a shriek. A chill of dread
seeped into her bones. A knot formed in her throat. So this was how Alpha
Maxim was going to get rid of her. Offer her to the Lycan and remove her
from his son’s life. He would **two birds with a stone.
“I need to escape,” River said, her voice low. Dread pumped inside her,
alive and crushing. She dragged her hand on her tangled red hair. “You have
to help me,
Lena.”
Lena threw her arms around River. If she helped her escape, and if they
were found, she was sure not only River, even she would be ***. Her
family would be disgraced and become a center of humiliation.
Alpha Maxim would snatch away her little brother to make him a gamma
warrior and ***her parents.
But her brother would forever live in guilt and stigma for he would be
related to someone who helped escape the Alpha’s mate.
Her name would be tainted forever and so would her parents. Her father
was very loyal to the Alpha. He was one of the respected warriors in the
Crescent Moon pack. She just didn’t know how she would be able to help
River without coming. into the eyes of the Alpha. A shaky breath left her
lips.
“I will try, River,” she said. “But I won’t promise.”
River removed herself from Lena. “I can understand.”
“I have some money stashed in my piggy bank,” Lena said. “I will break it
and give you whatever money I have. Take that and run away.”
She received that piggy bank as a gift from her mother on her tenth
birthday. It had grown in size with each birthday. She was going to break it
after eight years.
They heard heavy footfalls outside the door.
From her memory of her father’s documents, Lena added quickly, “I will
come tonight. Keep your window open. You have to head to the north of the
pack. From there, turn north-east after you see a dilapidated building.
Keep-”
The door opened and Hazel stepped in.
“What are you doing here?” she yelled at Lena. “Go away!”
Lena gave one last knowing glance to River before picking up her satchel
and heading out.
“Alpha will be sending you to the Veil,” Hazel said with a glimmer in her
eyes as soon as Lena was out of earshot. “Pack whatever you have.
Tomorrow, we will take you to Alpha’s mansion where you will be handed
over to the Lycans.” Hazel scoffed and then looked her up and down. She
left, closing the door behind her. River heard the click of the lock, River
was… exhausted. She slumped on the bed, hating her life, hating her
mother and hating her father. But what she hated most was Hector, her
mate.
Weren’t the mates supposed to give each other the much needed emotional
and physical protection?
Was Hector so consumed with his fake prestige that he shunned her in a
second? He didn’t even give her one chance. His betrayal was what hurt her
the most.
She stayed in that position for a long time until her stomach grumbled. She
got up and saw that it was midnight. Still feeling ***on the inside, River
dragged herself to the bathroom. She washed her face and came back. She
was going to escape, no matter what.
She packed the last set of clothes and tied her bag ********. She looked
around wondering if she had left anything behind. She didn’t have too many
possessions. Her bag was half empty. She never had too many things
because her father would smash her stuff in his fits of rage. She kept most
of her documents on her phone anyway.
River had a half-eaten apple left in her satchel. She took that out, ate the
fruit, and then waited for Lena.
River didn’t have. any money on her. If she escaped, she would be like a
beggar when she reaches the human world. So it was important that Lena
gave her some cash. She was going to take a bus to the nearest town.
From her memory, she remembered where her mother was from. Her old
picture was lying in her bag, at the back of which was written, ‘From Ellie
to Kirk. With lots of love.”
River waited for an hour, and then another and then another. Lena didn’t
come. It was 3 AM, and she was growing impatient. She peeked outside her
window, scanning the backyard through the glass and trying to pierce her
vision to see Lena.
All of a sudden, a wolf attacked her through the window, sending true terror
down her spine. River screamed and fell on her back. It was her father. He
scratched at the glass of the window with his nails, growling and snarling at
her. She scrambled back, suppressing her cries. This was a nightmare. They
were keeping a watch on her.
River went to sit on her bed, dazed, scared and completely out of her
element as a bolt of fear sent shivers through her. She pulled her knees
against her chest and hid her face in between her knees. A wail left her.
There was no way she was
going to escape. If Lena tried to come here, she would run away.
The door of the room opened with a loud bang. River jerked her eyes open
and bolted to sit upright. Her mother was standing akimbo near her bed.
“Wake up, dimwit!” she cursed her. “It’s time to dress you up and take you
to the Alpha’s house.”
River looked around and realized she had slept for a long time because
bright rays of sun filtered through her window. It was past morning.
Hazel made her wear a **dress, like a bridal gown.
This has come from the Alpha’s house for you. It’s customary for the
offering to wear it,” Hazel informed.
River caught Brianna’s reflection in the mirror, watching her with pure
jealousy and hatred. Throughout her life, Hazel had never once touched
River except when it was for beating her, but today she was dressing her up
in excitement.
“Good riddance!” she muttered.
“Why me?” River asked her as Hazel applied blue shade over her eyelids.
Hazel chuckled. “Because the sacrifice is supposed to be of someone who is
pure and willing.”
“But I’m not willing,” River stated, feeling the crawl of anxiety in her
chest.
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Chapter 4
“It doesn’t matter. You are willing, as it is either this or the dungeons.”
Hazel finished and looked at her work. “When the Lycan comes, you have
to greet him and accept him. If he refuses you, you will be taken to the
dungeons where you will live for the rest of your life.”
Hazel tied jingle bells on her flower corsage. They chimed, singing the song
of her doom with each step she took outside her house. She was going to
meet the Lycan.
“The drive is going to take about an hour,” said her father as she climbed
into the backseat, lifting her long dress up. She was so afraid that she was
looking just as pale as her ***dress. Brianna too climbed next to her.
“Do you have your bag ready?” Kirk asked her, his blue eyes meeting hers
in the mirror.
She had her father’s eyes, but whenever he looked at her with his, he didn’t
see her as his daughter.
Rather he looked at her as an abomination and his biggest mistake..
“I have it,” she replied meekly.
“I hope you have everything in it.” he growled at her.
“Yes,” she said, clutching her bag.
“Good, I hope the Lycan accepts you. If he doesn’t, you won’t come back to
us.”
“I just can’t wait for her to get out of our house,” Hazel said in a loud voice.
In a last attempt to save her life, River said, “Daddy, can I go to ****-in the
human town? Please?”
In a blur of shock, Kirk grabbed her throat. He shook her wildly as she
choked and coughed. Hazel had to force him to remove his hands from her
throat.
“What are you doing, Kirk? She is an offering. Alpha won’t like to see
marks on her throat. Her looks have to make an impression on the Lycan.”
With a menacing snarl, Kirk removed his hand from her throat. He turned
back to the wheels and started the engine. River coughed and *****in a
sharp breath of air.
Brianna watched her with a smirk. “Wipe those tears, ***,” she said, rolling
her eyes.
As their car rolled through the winding path towards the Alpha’s house, she
realized that she would be leaving the Crescent pack forever. If the Lycan
refused her, she would never be able to see her pack again because she
would be spending her life in the dungeons.
When they closed into the Alpha’s mansion, she practically vibrated with
fear. They ***down a small road through dense woods before emerging into
a huge clearing.
Her breath was caught in her throat when she saw a large number of shifters
there. They were crawling everywhere, right from the roof to the ground,
guarding Alpha’s house as if an army was about to invade. She noticed a
black tinted sedan parked in the portico, and there were two very handsome
and muscular men with dark glasses leaning against it.
Her father **to the driveway and parked the car beneath the portico. As
soon as she got down, her gazes locked with Hector on whose arms Vitoria
was draped like a viper. She looked at River with an emotion akin to
jealousy. They both watched her from the landing of the staircase with
loathe and repulsion.
Hector’s gaze heated her insides, and the ***attraction set in. Even though
she was full of spite and ***, she couldn’t help the delightful shivers that
ran down her spine and the craving she had for him.
However, what surprised her was that her wolf, Gia, wasn’t responding. In
normal circumstances, Gia should have wagged her tail seeing her mate.
The absence of her wolf worried her.
Kirk grasped her upper arm, sinking his fingers in her flesh painfully, and
pushed her to move, snapping her out of her reverie. Hazel and Brianna
followed them.
River lowered her head as she was dragged inside the house. She could feel
the eyes of those two men on her back.
As soon as they were in the main hall, River noticed Alpha Maxim sitting
along with five more men, and all of them seemed like they had seen a
ghost. They were sitting, tightly wound up in their seats, looking slightly
perturbed. Behind Alpha Maxim there were two armed guards.
A tall man with a strong physique was standing by the window with his
back towards them, chewing the temple tip of his black goggles. He was
wearing blue jeans with a black shirt that fitted perfectly over his shoulders.
His longish black hair fell in big curls till his collar.
“Ah, there she is!” Maxim breathed a sigh of relief.
River’s heart was pounding against her ribcage so loudly she could feel the
blood thrumming in her ears.
Her father rounded the table and came to stand in the center of the room.
The Lycan turned to look at her, and River’s heart started
beating like the wings of a trapped dove. Her lips parted as a rough exhale
left her when her blue eyes locked with his sharp green ones.
He was heart-poundingly sexy. If Hector was a Greek God, this Lycan was
The God. He was taller and so handsome that it was criminal. His
penetrating gaze fixed her in her place until Kirk nudged her forward.
“This is River, daughter of Kirk Johnson,” Maxim introduced her to him.
And suddenly River felt extremely *****in her bridal dress. Kirk stood
there along with her as the Lycan sized her up. as if looking at his cattle.
“And this is Alpha Hunter, the Lycan King of the Veil,” said Alpha Maxim
to River as if such details mattered to her.
Hunter closed the gap between them, approaching her like a predator with
confidence in his steps. River had thought she was going to meet some
barbaric and kind of a caveman, but here he was. So beautiful and standing
out. Yet, the Lycant looked like a ruthless, cold killer. Lena was right. River
was ready to bolt if the Lycan came anywhere near her. She winced.
Goosebumps prickled and danced throughout her skin, sending shivers
throughout her body.
No one was brave enough to meet eyes with him or be in his vicinity. Even
her father stepped back.
River froze in her spot as Hunter leaned towards her. His scent of cedar and
mist surrounded her as she struggled to keep her mind clear.
He saidOceanofPDF.com
Chapter 5
“Get the documents ready. I will sign them,” said Hunter, his eyes assessing
her profile, traveling down the length of her body. When his gaze landed on
her neck, he saw red imprints of fingers over there. A growl emanated from
him. “How did you get those?”
Like a deer caught in the headlights, she looked at him with doe eyes,
unable to reply to his question because her father was standing right next to
her and she was in no mood to get another beating. She brought her hands
to her neck and slightly rubbed her skin over there, glancing at her father.
“It is nothing, Sir,” she replied in a low voice.
Hunter narrowed his eyes. “Did someone try to strangle you?”
River’s eyes flung wide open and she looked at her father, terrified. Her
father lifted his hand like he was about to strike her, but then checked
himself immediately when Hunter whipped his head towards him.
“Watch yourself, Kirk,” he spoke in a low growl. There was so much power
in his command that it was vise-like on his mind. Kirk was forced to obey
even though Hunter wasn’t his Alpha. It was clear that Lycans had power
over the werewolves. But Hunter was the king of Lycans. He had power
over all the Alpha werewolves too. Kirk was just a small fly in the
community.
Hunter turned to look at Alpha Maxim and said, “I will be leaving now. I
will come to collect her by evening. She looks very pale for the journey.
Make sure that she has eaten well. We will start for the Veil
by 5PM.”
Alpha Maxim was thrilled. The Lycan had accepted his offering. He was
sure that Hunter would reject this ***girl. And in that case, he had his plan
B in place. He would have offered Brianna to him. He rubbed his hands
with excitement and said, “Sure! I will take good care of her till you come.”
“And make sure that she is unharmed,” Hunter added. “Because if she is, I
won’t like it!” Then he muttered, “She is too
thin.”
Alpha Maxim was scared that Hunter would reject River, so he quickly
said, “If you like you can take Brianna with you.” He pointed at River’s
younger sister.
River snapped her gaze at Alpha Maxim and then at Brianna, and for some
reason, Brianna seemed…
surprised but willing. Odd. Brianna looked at Hunter with expectant eyes
and shifted on her toes under his gaze as a pale blush rose on her cheeks.
Hunter gave her a cursory glance and then reverted his attention back to
River. Ignoring Alpha Maxim’s words, he growled, “Just get the papers
ready. I will sign them when I am back, and the money will be transferred
after that.”
Alpha Maxim winced. “Of course! Please don’t worry.”
Money? River was aghast. So Alpha Maxim will be receiving money from
the Lycan king. And she was thinking that her father would receive the
money from him for leaving Hector. The irony was not wasted on her. She
was basically sold, masked under an offering.
Weird colors blasted in her vision and her head reeled so fast that her knees
gave way. She thought she would fall on the floor when strong arms caught
hold of her in a protective embrace and balanced her.
His cedar and mist scent enveloped her and she realized that she couldn’t
move or didn’t have the energy to move. Her head tipped up as his head
leaned down. Their gazes locked-his green one with her bright blue ones.
Her cheeks blushed. She felt as if she was melting under his gaze. His
hands traveled up to her neck where he gently caressed the imprints of
fingers. River was taken by surprise, frozen in her spot.
A low growl from somewhere behind made her snap out of her reverie. She
straightened herself and took a step back away. from his personal space.
She sensed Hunter’s irritation and instantly lowered her gaze.
Hunter gulped audibly. With a rough exhale, he said, “I will take my leave.”
Hunter left in a hurry and the werewolves seemed to relax.
As for River, her tension multiplied ten folds. She was being sold by her
Alpha to the Lycan king who was considered to be ruthless and who was
taking her away only for breeding purposes. Now she didn’t know what was
the better of the two evils. On one hand, Alpha Maxim would throw her in
dungeons if she didn’t go with him. In the dungeons her life would become
a living ***. And on the other hand, Hunter would also throw her in the
dungeons but, after having pups with her.
Her only chance to survive this ordeal was to escape somehow. She needed
to call Lena over here and
run away. She looked like a trapped bunny in the midst of wolves, all of
whom were staring or glaring at her. Now knowing what to do next, she
grabbed the sides of her bridal gown with clammy hands.
“Great!” Alpha Maxim announced. “Now that the sacrifi-” he checked
himself. “The offering is accepted, you can take her back to your home! Get
her over here before 5PM.”
“I don’t think we should let her go from here,” said Hector, staring at River.
His hands were closed in tight fists. “If Alpha Hunter comes before 5PM
and she is not here, it would become chaotic!”
Victoria was surprised but she didn’t speak a word against Hector. But if
looks were daggers, she was throwing them at
River.
Maxim mulled over what Hector just said. “Okay, she can stay here!” he
said with a shrug. “But she has to stay in the guest room and Brianna will
have to stay here as well with her.” He looked at Kirk and Hazel. “You both
can leave. I will wire your money once Hunter transfers it to me.”
River’s ***fell to the floor as she watched her jubilant father and
stepmother. They had sold her. Rather they had only gained from this deal.
Her parents left without goodbyes. River was hoping that her father would
glance at her now that he would never see her again, but it remained a
wishful thinking. They rushed out as if happy to offload their burden. As
soon as they left, Hector came to her. He grabbed her upper arm and said,
“Come!” He pulled her towards the guest rooms with Brianna and Victoria
following them.
“What the ***are you doing?” Victoria snapped at him the moment they
were alone in the corridor that led to the guest. wing.
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Chapter 6
As soon as they reached the guest wing, Hector pushed River into one of
the rooms with Victoria and Brianna following. The moment he was inside,
he slammed River into a wall. River winced as pain shot through her head
but it quickly faded. He raised his palm to slowly caress her cheeks and
down her pulse point. River’s body reacted in response to him and shivers
ran down her due to the mate bond.
River started telling herself on the inside that his touch was not right. She
just couldn’t give in so easily.
She turned her face away from him as she bit her lip. He scowled and
pinched her chin to make her look back at him. Then he trapped her with
both his hands. He leaned over her and whispered over her ear,
“River, listen to me.” His lips brushed her ears. He wedged his thigh
between hers.
“Hector!” Victoria snapped. “What the ***are you doing? Stop it!” Her
hands were on her heart as she watched Hector near River and her eyes
were bloodshot. Her heart was pained as **and she wanted to wrench River
away from Hector. She couldn’t believe her eyes. How could he do this to
her just because of the *** who was mated to her by the moon goddess?
“Yes Hector, this isn’t right,” Brianna added, rife with jealousy. If it had
been for her, she would have removed both Victoria and River from that
place and surrounded herself with Hector’s smell and body.
She desired him madly. Lusted after him. However, right now she couldn’t
do much but side with Victoria and belittle her ****sister,
Heat traveled all the way up in her body and she clenched her thighs as
desire blasted through River.
She hated Hector and wanted to push away from herself, but when she
glanced at Victoria, she couldn’t help but feel that she had stolen him from
her. In order to teach her a lesson, she arched her body and
touched his. Hector growled in approval.
Victoria cringed and cried, “Hector!” She grabbed his collar and tried to
pull him, but Hector snapped his face towards her and peeled his lips to
bare his fangs.
“Stay away!” he growled a command and Victoria was forced to step back.
Then he turned his face to look at River and said, “Before you leave for the
Lycan King, I have a proposition for you.” Tears came in her eyes and she
started crying. Brianna came to her and started stroking her back gently.
“She is a wretched ****,” she murmured into Victoria’s ears.
Seeing Victoria’s reaction, River was pleased momentarily. But the next
moment his betrayal bit her sharply. She wanted to do nothing with him or
his proposition. All she wanted was him to leave with his mate whom he
had marked in front of the entire school.
He continued, “If you agree to be my mistress, I will ask my father to stop
you from sending to the Veil.”
“What?” River rasped.
Victoria’s eyes bulged out in shock. Covering her ***with her hands, she
ran out of the room.
Brianna seethed with more jealousy. She would have happily stepped in
Hector’s mistress’ shoes also.
Hector thought that River liked the proposition. He said, “Yes, I can
convince my father to cancel the documents with the Lycan King and he
can go and find a bride for himself somewhere else.”
Heat crept up her throat and face. She hated the shameful thing that he said
right now and caused it.
She felt so humiliated that her self-respect got a ***. Her ***dried that he
could actually ask his real mate to be his mistress. She placed her hands on
his chest and using all her power, pushed him away from her. “No!” she
said. “I will never be your mistress! Tears threatened to burn behind her
eyes.
He grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. “You know that I can make
you submit to me.”
River winced as she tried to remove herself. Her scalp was burning with
pain and tears slipped out of her eyes. “Leave me!”
“Hector!” Alpha Maxim’s voice startled them both. He was standing there,
snarling at him.
Hector left River grudgingly as he glared at his father.
“Are you ***mad?” Alpha Maxim spat. “If Hunter comes to know, he is
going to **half of us and that would include. you. Just let me ***deal with
this problem in peace!”
Throwing one last glare at River, Hector stomped out of the room.
Alpha Maxim turned his attention to River. “Till evening do not come out
of this room.” Then he said to Brianna, “If she gets anywhere near Hector, I
will skin you alive!”
Brianna started shaking in fear. “I will make sure she is right here, Alpha!”
she said hastily.
Alpha Maxim spun and exited the room.
River was so emotionally strung that she sagged on the floor sliding against
the wall. She curled her legs up and placed her head on her head on her
knee. Fresh bout of tears poured out. Brianna closed the door as soon as
Alpha Maxim left and then looked at her older sister. Slowly, she walked to
her and said,
“What is your problem? Do you want me to die?
Can’t you just leave without causing trouble?”
“But I-” Before she could complete her sentence, Brianna slapped her hard
across the face. River’s face twisted down. Pain seared her skin. She was
sure that Brianna’s fingers got imprinted on her cheek.
“Shut up!” Brianna growled. She got up and walked away from her.
All River wanted was to escape from this madness. But how to do it? She
just wanted to meet Lena once and then she knew she would sort it out. She
heard heavy footsteps that came to a stop on her door.
Guards.
After a long time, when she could no longer cry and when her cries were a
dry retch, she rose to her feet shakily. Shel glanced at her sister who was
now in the balcony of the room and reading a magazine, totally
unconcerned. Picking her bag up, she went to the bathroom and dug her
phone out.
River had very few numbers in her contact list. She dialed Lena’s number
and waited nervously for her to pick up.
“River?” Lena picked up on the last ring.
In a very hushed and hoarse voice, River said, “I need to escape Lena. Can
you help me?”
After a long silence, Lena said, “Where exactly are you?”
River explained to her the location of her room.
“I’ll see what I can do,” said Lena. “Be there in an hour.”
With trembling hands, River stashed her phone back in the bag.
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Chapter 7
River washed her face as she looked at her gaunt reflection in the mirror.
She felt like all her blood had drained from her body. Her red hair framed
her face in curls as her blue eyes stared back at her. What had she gotten
herself into? Had Hector not been her mate, she would have been leading
her life quietly.
Her gaze went to her ***bridal gown that was hanging over her shoulders.
She looked like a wraith in it.
She wanted to change her gown but Hazel had said that it was customary
for the offering to wear it especially when offered. If she changed it now,
she was sure that Brianna would make a lot of hue and cry over it.
River went back to her room and sat on the only bed with a huff. She
looked at the clock and realized that only fifteen minutes had gone by. Lena
said that she would come in an hour. She plopped back with an exasperated
sigh and closed her eyes. A heavy knock on the door made her sit upright.
Her eyes darted to the clock and she realized that she had slept. all this time.
She got up to open the door but
Brianna nudged her to stop and went ahead to open the door.
“Lena!” Brianna almost squealed in anger. “What the ***are you doing
here?”
Lena narrowed her eyes at Brianna. “I have come to meet my friend.”
Brianna folded her arms across her chest and in a cold voice said, “Well,
you can’t.”
Lena pushed her aside saying, “This is not your home and you can’t order
me around here!”
Shocked, Brianna balanced herself on her feet. Lena had never dared to
even touch Brianna and now she pushed her? She lunged at Lena to push
her down, but Lena was quicker. She jumped out of Brianna’s way and she
fell flat on her stomach. The next moment Lena straddled her on her back,
twisted her hand back and grabbed her hair. Yanking her head back, she
said, “Just because I never touched you, didn’t mean that I couldn’t. I am
older than you and have my wolf. You don’t. It means that I am stronger
than you. The reason I never tackled you before was that I valued my
friendship with River. I knew that if I touched you, your parents would hit
River all the more.”
Brianna winced in pain. She hissed, “Wait till I tell this to Alpha Maxim,
***!”
Lena pulled her hair more sharply. “Go and tell him. I came right in front of
him and he acknowledged my presence when I bowed to him. What will
you tell him? Huh?” With a violent shove, she left Brianna’s head. Her
forehead hit the floor and stars burst in her vision. Lena got up from her
back as she kept lying on the floor and cried in pain. “Now that River is out
of the equation, I don’t fear you!” She had spoken a lie to Brianna. She used
her previous knowledge to enter Alpha’s house. She couldn’t make her
presence known to anyone.
Brianna scrambled away from Lena, with her face full of fear. There was a
big bump on her forehead.
When she touched it, she cried in pain.
“Stay the heck down, else I will chop you into a thousand pieces and send
them flying across the woods,” Lena snarled at Brianna which ****her up
for a long time. Scared that Lena would hurt her again, Brianna got up and
walked back to the balcony. She took her phone out and dialed her mother’s
number.
Lena looked at River who was watching her with awe. Lena winked at her
and chuckled. “I am so happy that I gotta put that piece of ***in her place.
More is to come! Muhahaha!” She let out an evil laugh.
Then she picked up her black satchel and gave it to her. “It contains a pair
of clothes and my cash. Take it and run.”
“Oh my God! Lena!” River got up with stifling a shriek of happiness and
hugged her friend.
Lena laughed softly as the two friends hugged each other tightly. “You look
***in this gown,” Lena joked. “Just go and change!”
“What about you?” she asked, her gaze darting nervously at Brianna who
was talking to someone on the phone.
Lena winked again. “I am a ghost, darling. I know how to slip out of here
without being detected. I have done this a thousand times. In fact, I have put
a map for you. Follow it and you will reach the nearest bus station in an
hour. And don’t forget to apply that lotion on your body. It will hide your
scent.”
“Thank you, Lena!” River said, her eyes full of gratitude.
Lena hugged her again. “Let’s meet in the human town!”
River giggled. “Yes, let us!”
With one last look at Brianna, Lena left, picking up River’s satchel. She
knew that she had scared her enough not to enter the room for at least half
an hour. That would be enough for River to escape.
River went to the bathroom. She opened Lena’s satchel and hurriedly took
out the ***slacks and black shirt. She removed her bridal gown, applied the
oil on her body to hide her smell and changed into the fresh clothes. She
wore the jacket over her shirt and pulled the hoodie over. There was a small
folded paper at the base with a wallet. When River opened the wallet, she
was surprised to find a thousand dollars in it. Her chest squeezed with a
warm feeling. Lena had given her a large amount to travel comfortably.
“Thank you, Lena,” she murmured in appreciation. “I hope the Moon
Goddess give you the best mate ever!”
napter/
Suddenly, gray ***gathered on the outside, startling her. Thunder struck
deep into the forest and a heavy deluge followed.
She unfolded the paper. It was the map of Alpha’s Maxim’s house along
with the town. There were red arrows in it that showed her the direction to
follow.
River took a deep breath. After memorizing the map, she stashed it all in
the bag. She was finally going to escape. She walked to the bathroom
window and opened it to jump down Chapter 8
River jumped out of the window. The rain was pounding relentlessly and
there was no one patrolling out there. She had to quickly find her way to the
tunnel that led to the rear of the mansion towards the north where a
dilapidated road surrounded by dense woods, opened. Her road to freedom.
Opening the small, rusted iron gate of an abandoned garden, River
splotched her way to a small cabin.
She walked around the perimeter and noticed a hatchet at the base of a wall.
She had to apply some force to open it, but it opened soon enough with a
groan, the sound getting washed in the rain. She crawled through the ***
and saw a vertical staircase. Without wasting time, she switched on her
phone’s torchlight and started climbing down. She landed on soft ground at
the bottom. She scanned the area. There was a tunnel to her left. Half an
hour later, she felt like she was walking forever. Down here, it was so cold,
dark and damp. The path was too narrow and she felt as if the walls were
closing in on her. The air smelled of moss and damp earth. She shivered in
her wet clothes, hoping that there were no critters down here as she moved
ahead.
She had memorized the exact route after seeing it once on the map.
Thankfully the tunnel didn’t have any diversions. She wondered if Brianna
had already created a noise about her missing. Her worries went a notch
higher. “Please God, let me run away. I promise not to come back,” she
muttered a small prayer.
She came to a landing which then ascended into a steep stairwell. She
climbed it and came across a wide opening with a tall ceiling. It seemed like
a secret hall in which hundreds of people could collect safely at times of
emergency. She looked ahead and found the door that would lead her to the
dilapidated road.
As she trudged ahead, her shoes would fall over dry twigs or something
which would burst with a sound of splatch.
The silence around her was unbearable. She wondered if this place had
ghosts too. Just the thought paled her and she walked faster. She reached the
end of the hall to a tall arched wooden door. Thanking every god in the
world, she grabbed the handle and pulled it open. The moment she did that,
a gust of chilly wind, smelling pine and mist, gusted by her. Her hoody
came down, ruffling her hair. She took in a lungful of air, trembling and
pulling her hoody up. The rains had stopped but the sky was gray and dark.
There were woods surrounding the mansion and according to the map, she
had to go straight, looking
for red arrows that led to the road. River started to sprint, scared that they
may have already started looking out for her. As she ran, she heard the thick
screech of an owl somewhere followed by a loud howl. “***!” She
increased her pace, going in the direction of the red arrows which
eventually led her to the broken-down road.
Yes. “Freedom!” she whooped. She caught the sides of her stomach because
they were hurting and looked around her to see which side was north.
Unsure about it, she dug the map out and saw the arrows that marked the
path. She turned to her left.
River started walking fast on the road trying to take advantage of the
daylight. According to the map, she had to walk at least a mile before she
would get to the bus station which was in a small human village.
As she trudged, she heard soft footfalls of animals beside her. Scared that
they may attack her, her walk broke into a sprint. Every now and then she
would check the forest surrounding the road and she would meet with a pair
of amber, yellow or green sparkles of eyes in a blur of movement. “Please
God, don’t let rogues follow me.”
If the rogues got hold of her, she was doomed. She had heard scary stories
of how rogues had ***and mauled other wolves. They stole money from
them and sometimes raped young girls, leaving them for dead. The thoughts
were enough to make her heartbeat go wilder than ever.
It was only a mile she had to cover and after that she was sure that the bus
station was populated. The rogues barely showed amongst humans.
The footfalls of the wolves sounded nearer than before. Tears burned her
eyes. Were they from her pack?
“I have to make it!” she said to herself. She dashed as fast as she could, but
all at once, something jumped in front of her. She shrieked, closing her eyes
as she came to a sudden stop and fell on her ***.
When she opened her eyes, she saw an outline in the shadows of the men in
front of her. Their breathing sounded more like snarls, as their shoulders
rose and fell. Their pale green eyes narrowed on her.
She trembled with panic bubbling in her chest.
“Running away?” said one of them in a deep raspy voice.
They had long black claws that could pierce her in an instant, robbing her of
life. Their fangs were long and dripping with blood. They were growling at
her. They started nearing her and as they neared, they changed back to their
human form. One crouched in front of her while the other walked behind
her.
“Miss River?” said the one in front.
River swallowed a gasp of surprise as she focused on the Lycans. She had
seen both of them at Alpha Maxim’s house, leaning against the black sedan
in which Alpha Hunter had come.
Gnaptera
She froze when comprehension weighed upon her, panic slowly overtaking
her senses. “Please don’t hurt me,” she managed to croak. She was sure that
they would beat her or hurt her because she escaped from their Alpha.
“Miss River, we are here to take you back to Alpha Maxim’s house,” said
the one in front of her in a soft voice.
“No!” she rasped. If they wouldn’t ***her, Alpha Maxim would.
The Lycan behind her gently pulled her satchel out. “Please let me carry it
back,” he said.
“Please,” she squeaked. “Let me go! Don’t ***me. And who are you?”
“There is no need to be scared, Miss River,” said the one in front of her. “I
am Elijah and this is Asher.
We are here to escort you back. Alpha Hunter asked us to make sure that
you are safe till he comes back. We had come to check upon you in your
room and found your sister. She had offered herself in your place for Alpha
Hunter saying that you had escaped, but that was impossible. Alpha Hunter
wants you.”
River was frustrated as ***, but her primary emotion was that of surprise
and fear. As Elijah and Asher escorted her back, she couldn’t help but feel
helpless and desperate about her situation. How would Brianna react to her?
She was sure that she must have called Hazel and Kirk and now they would
beat her up like anything. Her worries escalated despite their
assurances.
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Chapter 9
When River had left, Brianna was panicky at first. She was sitting in the
balcony and reading a fashion magazine. She was too afraid to enter the
room for the fear that Lena was there. Lena had never shown her
aggressiveness in the school or at home, but the way she attacked her was
more than enough to scare the life out of Brianna. She had called her
mother and related the news to her Hazel had asked her to be quiet about it
because Lena’s father was a respectful warrior in Alpha Maxim’s army.
Besides, it was only a matter of a few hours.
It was after an hour that Brianna dared to enter the room. River wasn’t
inside. She sniffed the air but it had a faint smell of her sister. It should have
been stronger, because that meant she was in here.
Dreading, she opened the bathroom but River wasn’t there either. Full
blown panic bubbled inside her.
She rushed out of the room only to find two guards who stared at her with a
growl.
She closed the door with a loud bang, feeling extremely scared of what was
going to happen next. Alpha Maxim would simply ***her for not taking
care of one small thing he had asked her to take care of.
Blood drained from her face and she sat with a thud on a chair. “****.” She
cursed River. “What do I do?”
Suddenly, an idea came to her. What if she went instead of River with the
Lycan King? That thought was enough to send a rapture down her body and
liquid heat pooled in her belly. The Lycan King, Hunter was gorgeous. He
was so stunning that when he stood in the main hall, it was as if the whole
earth gravitated towards him and he was unaware of his charming.
personality. She was jealous of River that she was being offered to the king,
when it should have been her.
Brianna knew that she was more beautiful than her sister. River was so
skinny. And she was curvy.
River’s hair was flame red which was odd, but hers was a beautiful
sunshine blond. River was not acknowledged by Hector and was an
abomination to the werewolf community whereas she was a full-blooded
wolf. Yes, Brianna knew that she was superior to River in every manner.
Initially when Lena had mentioned that Veil was dangerous, Brianna was
scared. However, after seeing Alpha Hunter her opinion changed. Instantly.
His clothes screamed of wealth. And how could a man be so handsome?
She was ready to be with Hunter, if he wanted it. In fact, she was planning
to ask him if she could accompany her sister or visit her soon. If not Hunter,
there would be other rich Lycans for her.
She chuckled when the solution to this problem was right in front of her
eyes. So, she waited for Alpha Hunter to call River in the evening. She was
ready with her plans.
When Elijah and Asher came to the room to ask about River, she was
surprised. But she dutifully informed them that River had escaped. She
slouched her shoulders and made a droopy face. “I am so sorry to inform
you that my sister, River, has escaped. I am so ashamed of her. She has put
us through so many embarrassing situations, but this one fades them all.
She had always been a trouble-maker.”
She wiped the tears that had pooled in her eyes. “I didn’t know that she
would run away and put Alpha Maxim in so much jeopardy.”
“Why didn’t you inform Alpha Maxim, Elijah asked in a cold voice.
Brianna gulped at his coldness. “I was afraid that he would ***me,” she
said in a trembling voice, sinking on the floor. Then she looked at them
with doe eyes. “Please don’t tell him about it. He would send his warriors to
find River and make sure that she is ***for the defame she would bring on
our pack. Even though she had behaved terribly with us in the past, I really
can’t put her in a dangerous situation.”
There was worry written all over the faces of Lycans. Taking advantage of
the situation, she said, “But I also have a solution to this problem.”
“Which is?” Asher asked, clearly displeased.
Brianna lowered her face with her lips downturned and in a very low voice
said, “I can offer myself to your Alpha. I can. sacrifice myself. I promise
that I will go with you, if you allow it. I am ready to bear the
repercussions of my sister’s escape. I will take her place and sacrifice
myself for the sake of the Crescent Moon pack, and for the sake of Alpha
Hunter’s happiness.” She clasped her hands in front of her to plead with
them. “I will do everything in my power to salvage the situation. With the
back of her hand she wiped her tears that she was forced to roll out and then
glanced at the bridal dress that River had abandoned.
Elijah and Asher looked at the bridal dress and then each other. There was
tension in the air.
“Stay here,” said Elijah. “And don’t get out. We will be back soon.”
Brianna nodded vehemently. As soon as they were out, she let out a little
whoop of joy. Excited that the two Lycans had taken the bait, she went to
the bathroom and took a bath. Then she came out and wore the bridal dress.
She gazed at her reflection in the mirror and imagined the Lycan King
beside her.
Tipping her chin up, she said, “You **** Go as for as you can and never
come back.”
Brianna didn’t even call her parents for the fear that they might ruin her
plans. When they would discover what she did, they would be very sad, but
who cared. She was going to get all the riches of the world. Finally, she sat
on the bed and waited for her king to come to her.
Hrs Ghapter
As the afternoon gave way to evening, her excitement increased.
A soft knock on the door made her jump with a squeal. She ran to open it.
She calmed herself and then opened the door and stared right into the face
of River. “You?”
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Chapter 10
River was shocked to see Brianna in the bridal dress that was meant for her.
When her gaze drifted to her sister’s face, she found that blood had drained
from Brianna’s face. Soon her expressions turned as if she had eaten bitter
lemon.
Brianna snapped her eyes to Asher and Elijah who were standing behind
River. She flushed, embarrassed when they scanned her. Elijah raised his
eyebrow. “Why are you wearing that dress? And move aside!” he snubbed.
Brianna immediately stepped aside to let them enter. River clutched her bag
and walked inside with the two Lycans behind
her.
“You should take a warm bath, Miss River,” said Elijah politely. “And you
can wear something comfortable. The bridal dress isn’t necessary to wear.
Alpha Hunter will be arriving in less than an hour and we shall leave.”
River nodded and stepped in when she heard Brianna closing the door
behind her. Brianna rushed to River and grabbed her painfully by her upper
arm. She sneered, “You miserable dimwit! See how much trouble you have
put everyone in.” She turned her head to the Lycans, changing her
expressions to sadness. “Who knows that she has ***someone while she
escaped? I think Alpha Hunter would want a pure, virgin bride for himself.
I will inform Alpha Maxim about her debauchery and also that I am ready
to take her place.”
“What are you even saying, Brianna?” River said, aghast at her accusations.
Elijah tilted his head and scratched his chin as he gave an assessing gaze to
Brianna. “How is it possible that Miss River ***someone while she was
escaping? She escaped through the forest and we caught her very far away
from here.”
“How would you know?” Brianna argued. “She is a ***she-wolf! Her
intentions of running were to become a rogue so that she would indulge in
non-stop ***!” Brianna now sounded desperate.
“Brianna!” River snapped. “Why are you spouting nonsense?”
Elijah was… stunned. He crossed his hands across his chest. “We followed
Miss River through the trail and we didn’t sniff or see any rogue or wolf in
those abandoned parts. As a she-wolf I am sure you are aware that the
Lycan senses are pretty hyper-aware of everything. They are better than the
werewolves.” He walked to them, grabbed her hand and shoved it down
from River’s. “Now that your lame analysis is over, it is time that Miss
River gets ready.” He held River’s hand and guided her to the bathroom. He
lowered his voice and said, “Don’t think of escaping please. We won’t let
you and besides it will delay our journey back to Veil.”
River blinked in a daze as Brianna’s ***fell to the floor.
After River locked herself in the bathroom, Elijah turned to Brianna and
mocked, “You may take that bridal dress out.” River took a long bath and
when she came out, she saw that a servant was standing there with a new
bridal dress. “Wear it! These are Alpha’s orders.”
Surely, Brianna must have made noise about her escape and return. River
glanced at Brianna who still had a pinched. expression on her face and was
still in the old bridal dress. Then she took the ***bridal dress from the
servant and changed into it. What was it with these bridal dresses and Alpha
Maxim? Did he think that by offering a bride to the Lycan King, he was
warding off some kind of omen? She felt like a sacrificial lamb.
The dress hung loosely on her. It pooled at her ankles and had butterfly
sleeves. As soon as she wore it, a loud knock on the door sounded.
Brianna opened the door. It was Elijah. Alpha Maxim had summoned her to
the main hall. River knew that he had called her to scold her severely. With
a heavy heart she got up “Would you like to carry something from here?” he
asked.
River nodded. She picked up her satchel and came to him.
“Please give it to me, Miss River.” He slung it over his shoulder and gave a
tight nod.
She walked out of the door to him. She followed him downstairs and every
werewolf who they came across sneered and glared at her River’s heart
warred with ***and anger. She had one chance of escape and it was
snatched by these wretched people.
Before she entered the main hall, she was feeling utterly miserable. As soon
as she stepped in, she saw Alpha Hunter standing in the middle of the room,
his hands across his chest, his brows furrowed and his stiff posture giving
him an aura of authority. His hair was slightly disheveled and his black shirt
was crinkled. Even though there were dark circles under his eyes which
showed how tired he was, he looked stunning. If looks could ***, then
River was sure that she was being stabbed by the daggers he was throwing
with his emerald eyes.
Alpha Maxim was standing beside him, looking ferocious and barely able
to contain his anger. “Had it not been Brianna’s timely intervention, you
would have left no stone unturned to ***us,” he snarled.
“And poor Brianna was ready to offer herself instead of you!”
River winced as Alpha Maxim spilled his aura. Her throat seemed to be
gripped in a vise-like grasp.
Alpha Maxim turned to Alpha Hunter and said, “I am very sorry for the
inconvenience caused. The documents are ready
and once they are signed, you can take her!” He waved his hand forward to
lead him to a desk in the corner where there was a pile of documents.
Hunter signed all the documents one by one. He said, “I have wired the
money to you already a few minutes back. You can
check.”
There was a noted relief on Maxim’s face. “Thank you,” he said and shook
hands with Hunter.
“Let us go,” Hunter said and walked out.
River was about to leave when Alpha Maxim said in a cold voice, “In case
he decides to leave you, don’t return to the Crescent Moon pack.”
She trembled at his cold command and with a heavy heart crossed the main
hall to the portico where the black sedan was. Its rear door was held open
by Hunter for her to sit in.
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Chapter 11
As soon as River sat in the car, Hunter closed it in a definitive way. He
rounded it and came to sit on her other side. Elijah and Asher sat in the
front, with Asher driving it. Tension rippled in the air.
As the car rolled out of the portico, River saw Hector standing with Victoria
with her arms wrapped around his arm. She felt a terrible heartache. She bit
her lips to stop herself from feeling this heartache and reminded herself of
his betrayal. They had driven out of the mansion and were now on their way
to
the forest on the other side of a large, mostly snow-covered ground which
separated the town from the woods which surrounded it.
With a whimper, she looked behind over her shoulder at the trees that were
beginning to shield her vision of the town, as the car took her away from it.
Even though River was mistreated every day and not welcome in her town
anymore, shel couldn’t help a feeling of forlorn. In a few minutes the town
disappeared from her vision, forever.
“Give me your feet,” came Alpha Hunter’s voice and she practically
jumped out of her skin. The man looked… intimidating. She blinked her
eyes with fear when he asked for her feet. She pursed her lips and then
meekly lifted her feet on the car seat, away from him.
Hunter pulled it in his lap. He dug his pockets and took a small red velvet
box. He opened it. There were two dainty silver chains with a red ruby and
a jingle bell on each. Very delicately, he tied it on her feet and clasped the
hook. Then he pulled her other feet in his lap and tied the second one out
there.
When he touched her feet, shivers ran down her body. How could it be? She
snapped her head to look at him but found him deep in focus as he tied the
silver chains on her ankles. She thought that she was imagining it.
Warmly, he said, “Keep wearing these always. I don’t want you to remove
them.”
She bobbed her head as he gently placed her feet down. The jingle chimed.
River was startled by his actions and intimacy. What was it with the Lycans
and jingle bells?
Alpha Hunter was a busy Lycan. Even though his people lived in the Veil, it
didn’t mean that he didn’t have businesses in the human world. He had
numerous businesses out there. In fact he was a tycoon in the business
industry. It was just that no one really knew about it, especially the
werewolves. The Lycans were a close-knit wealthy community who stayed
in the Veil for reasons.
When he had come to the Crescent Pack to meet his breeder, he had gone
directly to Alpha Maxim’s house where the exchange was supposed to take
place. He had to sign a few documents, transfer a hundred thousand dollars
in Maxim’s account and then take the breeder with him.
He was talking to Maxim when all at once, a mouthwatering scent of
elderberry mixed with roses reached his nose. His eyes dropped to a half
mast and his beast growled with pleasure. He gulped in the smell deeply
and held it in his lungs, wanting to hold it right there forever. A soft moan
caught in his throat, as the pleasure that he felt, tingled all the way down to
his ***, making it painfully erect, and further down to his toes. His heart
pounded against his ribcage, threatening to explode. He shuddered with
anticipation.
At the same time, he heard a gentle heartbeat. It was like a metronome for
him. A lullaby that was only created for him. Assaulted with too many
thrilling emotions, he couldn’t sit in his place. He got up all of a sudden and
walked to the window where the smell was stronger. He could now almost
taste this mouthwatering smell on his tongue. Out of anticipation, he started
to chew the temple tip of his
goggles, watching people on the outside. Hunter felt like jumping out of the
window and then reaching out to the person who was the owner of this
smell.
His mate.
His beast howled inside him, ready to shift. But Hunter shoved him down
for the fear that if they came to know that his mate was somewhere so near
and in the Crescent Moon pack, they might take his advantage. He knew
how depraved Alpha Maxim was. It was best to wait for the breeder to
come. Then he would reject her and go out to find his mate using an excuse.
All at once, the door of the room opened and his gaze locked with the most
beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen in his life. His breath stuck in his
throat. His entire world zeroed on the little, thin girl standing on the door in
a bridal dress.
She looked so pale and scared and malnourished that his heart squeezed.
Immediately, he wanted to hold her and calm her.
The girl came with her parents towards him. “This is River,” Alpha Maxim
introduced her.
Hunter looked at her as if searching for her reaction, but she didn’t react.
She should have smelled him.
It was bizarre. But he kept this to himself.
From his sources he had heard that she was Hector’s mate, but the ***had
sunk his fangs in his old school sweetheart instead of the mate the Moon
Goddess chose for him. Hunter couldn’t deny that it made him happy. But
the way Hector looked at her made him jealous as ****.
He had one more reason not to reveal to anyone that she was his mate. At
least not until he took her to the Veil.
If Hunter didn’t have business in the human world, he would have never left
her. And so he appointed his beta, Elijah and gamma, Asher to keep an eye
on her. And thank God he did that. The girl was a runner.
When he had finished his business meetings, he had bought these anklets
for her as his first gift to her.
He clasped them on her and placed her feet gently on the car’s floor. He was
so happy to be near her that his entire body was humming like a plucked
guitar. But the fear that he could sense from her was not boring well with
him. He wanted her to relax and be happy with him, but just the opposite
was happening. He managed to scare her further.
In order to start a conversation, he said, “May I ask you one thing?”
“S-sure,” she was surprised by his politeness. River was sure that he would
be very angry with her and might even beat her, but his politeness threw her
off.
“Do you have your wolf?”
River’s eyes widened with shock. Now she was sure that he would also
think of her to be weak. Panic bubbled in her chest.
“Have you ever shifted?” came his next question. Hunter knew that some
werewolves shifted late. They were late bloomers.
River gulped audibly. “I have shifted.”
Hunter was shocked. If she had a wolf then why didn’t it sense him as her
male?
“But right now, she has stopped responding completely.”
“Why…”
River didn’t know how to answer that question. It was so shameful that her
mate rejected her and sank his fangs in someone else. She knew that Alpha
Hunter would detest her, but she didn’t want to speak a lie. In order to hide
her tears. that were a mark of her humiliation and hurt, she turned her head
away.
In a hoarse voice she said, “She went off to sleep when my mate marked
someone else and-” she choked.
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Chapter 12
Hunter was… shocked. Her wolf was so numbed by her mate’s rejection
that she had gone off to sleep.
As such she was a mere omega and that too a half human. Her wolf must be
extremely weak. After Hector’s rejection, the wolf must have suffered a
huge ****trauma and so must have decided to go off to sleep.
A werewolf without a wolf was so rare and it was like the werewolf didn’t
have a soul. The body was like an empty ***. Such werewolves usually
became so depressed over the time that they were of no use.
Even the rogues didn’t like them.
All of a sudden, Hunter now wanted to hold his mate and caress her and
calm her anxieties. He wished
to tell her that he was there for her, but he didn’t know if he could take the
risk of telling her that she was his mate. What if the girl who had already
suffered so much in a day, gets another shock.
He was sure that her trust levels were at the bottom. She would never trust
him if he said that he was her mate because she wasn’t feeling the bond.
Panic bubbled in his chest and he rubbed his face wondering how he was
going to tell her that she was his mate. Also how was he going to help her
get her wolf back. Maybe there was something in his library about it. He
took a deep sigh and turned his face to look at his beautiful mate. Well, one
thing at a time.
“Why were you running away?” he asked, and he immediately snapped his
****for asking the wrong question. The girl flinched.
“I-I-” she stuttered. Then she looked at him with doe eyes that were full of
fear. She wanted to speak the truth that she was scared of the barbarians
called Lycans. “I wanted to go to my mother!” she blurted. That was half
the truth, so it wasn’t a lie.
“I see. How do you know she is alive?”
“I don’t know, but I was taking my chance anyway,” she replied in a low
voice, scared and huddled up in her place. Suddenly, the car sputtered and it
came to a stop. Her body jerked forward but before it could hit the front
seat, Hunter caught her in his arms and saved her from hitting her head.
It all happened in less than a second and River found herself wrapped in his
arms. She gasped, feeling extremely awkward. Hunter left her reluctantly,
hating the absence of her touch. He coughed on the side and asked Elijah.
“What is happening?”
“I don’t know Alpha,” Elijah said as he stepped out of the car. “Please stay
in the car while I check this
****machine!” Elijah trusted Lycans speed over the machines any day.
It was already getting dark and chilly. Further ahead in the forest towards
the Veil, there were many rogues. Not to mention the demons who hunted
for prey. If they smelled River, Hunter was sure that they would simply eat
her.
Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose. This was one of the reasons why he
never really removed the demons from the forest. They protected the Veil in
their own way. Having said that, he had got a road constructed all the way
to the Veil under his protection. And this was where the car came to a stop.
Elijah opened the bonnet and shook his head. He opened his mind link with
Hunter and said, ‘Sorry, Alpha Hunter, the engine is fried. And I don’t
know how that happened. I got it serviced in the human world a few days
back.’
This was an excellent opportunity for Hunter.
“We have the option to‘There is no other option other than to walk; Hunter cut him off.
Elijah peeked his head to look at his Alpha with wide eyes.
“It seems that the car has broken down, River,” said Hunter. “We have to
walk all the way to the Veil.”
“Oh!” she responded, shaping her cute little **in the shape of O. She
gathered her bridal dress and stepped out of the
car.
As soon as she was picking up her satchel, Hunter said, “Leave it. Asher
will pick it up.”
“Yes Alpha.” Asher picked up her satchel.
“But Alpha- Elijah started to say something and Hunter glared at him to
***up. Elijah snapped his ***.
He closed the bonnet and locked the car, exhaling a rough breath. He didn’t
know what Hunter was up to, but as his Beta, he had to follow him. So what
if he was his friend? Just yesterday, together they were in a pool party with
half a dozen she-wolves in his house. And every girl wanted a piece of
Hunter.
Hunter rushed to River’s side and said, “This way” He showed a rough
terrain to the right of the road..
“But why not take the road?” she asked, slightly confused, looking at the
vast expanse of rolling hills that looked dark under the velvety sky which
was now dazzling with stars and waxing moon.
“It is a shorter route,” he replied.
“But the road is better, Alphal’ Elijah argued via mind link. ‘The terrain is
so rough that she will get tired.
She doesn’t have her wolf anymore.”
Hunter grunted and Elijah became quiet once again, clenching his teeth.
River glanced at the road which was straight and beautiful and then at the
rolling hills that were dotted with trees. ****in a sharp breath, she hung her
shoulders. She was already so tired of running while escaping that she
didn’t want to traverse the rough paths again, but did she have a choice?
She walked towards the direction that Hunter suggested Being an omega
and that to a lowly one, she was never given choices, so this was nothing
new.
Hunter started to walk and she followed with Elijah and Asher behind them.
Elijah took his phone out and called someone, ordering him to get
mechanics to fix the car.
They moved fast. Half an hour later, she was literally sprinting with them,
her warm breaths coming out quickly, clouding in front of her due to the
chilly air.
‘For the love of Goddess, can you walk slowly, Elijah said to his Alpha.
‘Can’t you see that she is unable to walk so fast?”
“Yes! he replied as he glanced at her. ‘And don’t you **help her!”
Elijah was shocked.
They were so ****fast that River was finding it difficult to keep up with
them. They were much taller than her and her shorter legs couldn’t really
keep up the pace with them. To add to it, her ****bridal dress was
hindering her speed.
It didn’t help that she kept eyeing around, worried that a beast might show
up. It wasn’t safe at all. Chill crept to her bones. Suddenly, her foot caught
in a clump of snow and she fell down, a cry wrenching from her throat.
Elijah rushed to her side when he heard a loud growl from behind. He
stopped, mortified. It was Hunter.
Exhausted as **, she tried to get up shakily on her limbs, when a large hand
grabbed her around waist and picked her up in the air. She yelped.
Elijah’s ***dropped to the ground.
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Chapter 13
Hunter said, “You are very tired and it is rough terrain. I will carry you.”
Her lips parted in a surprise exhale when he cupped her bottom and put her
on his strong bulging forearm.
Hunter pulled her back so that she was now settled in the ***of his elbow
and his other arms curled her waist to stop her from falling. She felt his
hand right below her breasts.
As his Beta, Elijah and gamma Asher watched him with complete surprise.
River asked, “What are you doing?”
Very nonchalantly, Hunter said, “You have very short legs and I am walking
fast. With those short legs you won’t be able to run as fast as we can. I think
your bridal gown is also hampering your movement.
Moreover, I can feel how cold you are feeling. He adjusted her in his grip as
she looked up at him with wide eyes. “Because we have to reach as fast as
possible, I will have to carry you all the way to the Veil.”
River bit her lip as her cheeks heated up till her ears. Her heart started
beating fast at the familiar tingles she felt all over her body. She held onto
his arm as her fingers dug deeply in his flesh. “I am heavy,” she countered
sheepishly.
He gave her a bemused look. “No, you aren’t. You feel… feather-light to
me.”
Despite her anticipation, butterflies stir in her stomach. She hesitated a
little, so he added, “You are…
light.”
She didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or a comment. When
she was firmly settled, he started to walk. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“You are pretty fragile. I want you safe by the time we reach the Veil.”
There was very little space between their bodies. River was highly aware of
the two men who were walking behind them and so she sat straight and was
desperately trying her best to ignore the feeling of Hunter’s arms around her
waist and beneath her buttocks, but the Lycans were walking very fast. Her
stiff position became very painful. So with every passing minute, she ended
up being closer to Hunter’s torso, and ultimately her back was pressed
against his chest.
This close, she could feel his warm breath against her cheek. His body was
warm against hers. Her eyes became hooded when the warmth of his chest
seeped into her skin where his body touched her.
River never expected anyone to be this kind to her. And Alpha Hunter was
known to be merciless and ruthless. So she kind of expected a very harsh
treatment. She thought that he may look intimidating, but at least he was
considerate and… had a sinful voice. Gruff, rough, dark with an unusual
warmth. And then the way he smelled. It was intoxicating. Even now she
could smell the cedar and mist aroma from him.
Her thoughts ran to whether she would be brutally treated in the Veil. She
couldn’t forget her main purpose of going there. He was taking her as his
breeder.
What Lena said about the Lycans made her restless. Terrifying thoughts
crossed her mind. But then why was she feeling positivity? And why was
Alpha Hunter being so… nice? She wasn’t used to such care.
At the same time, although she was very angry at the fact that she couldn’t
escape, she decided to stay level-headed. She was surely going to find a
way to escape.
The landscape around her was passing swiftly and she knew how fast they
were all walking or running. It was making her. slightly dizzy.
“How far is the Veil?” she asked. Her hand went to his upper arm and
through his shirt, she realized that he was wearing a band just above his
bicep
“At this speed, it will take at least four hours,” Hunter replied. As if
understanding her predicament, he added, “We are going to run. I will keep
you safe, but you will have to trust me.”
Did she have a choice? “Will you carry me all the way?” she asked, tilting
her head. Her red hair cascaded over her shoulders onto her breasts.
“Yes, I will, River” he breathed, watching her flame red hair, tinting darker
in the moonlight. Her hair was flying in an unruly manner. He imagined his
hands raking through them and playing with them. She turned her gaze
away and his jaw clenched as he stopped an urge to make her head turn
back to him.
He was becoming increasingly fascinated by her. There was a battle raging
inside him and he was trying his best to tamper it down. His beast was
River swallowed. The way he rumbled her name, made her melt. Ever since
she had met him, there was an aura about him that was staggering to her.
She was struggling to keep her mind clear. She didn’t know much about
male sensuality, but if there was any, this Lycan had it all For the whole
world.
Even Hector was nowhere close to him and he was her destinated mate.
Who betrayed her. The thought brought back a flood of ****memories and
bile coated the back of her throat. Hector knew that she was his mate
because he was a few months older than her. And he kept quiet. River
fought with another wave of ***that gushed through her. “Why
Moon Goddess, why me?’ she thought. ‘Why would you give me a mate
like that ****? Why couldn’t you give me a mate
like… Hunter?’
River shook her head. Hunter? He was going to use her as his breeder. Gods
above! She didn’t like the concept. He was going to use her and throw.
“Is everything fine?” his deep voice rumbled from behind as he tucked her
closer.
“Y-yes! I am fine,” she stuttered. Somehow, it was difficult to judge the
man who was carrying her to the Veil. She was so conflicted. So she ***her
mind and focused on the journey ahead.
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Chapter 14
–
Ever since the car had stopped, which Hunter wasn’t expecting, he was
thinking of only one thing how to keep her close to him. Her elderberry and
rose scent filled the space in the car. It was so intoxicating and he really
wanted to touch her at
all times.
And then the idea struck him. River was already so tired. If he made her run
fast, she would be all the more tired and then he would offer himself to her.
Earlier, he thought he would make her sit on his shoulder, but then he
decided to make her sit on his arm. She was feather light and her buttocks
fitted perfectly in his arm, as if made for him. Moreover, she was freezing.
With her against his chest, he could give her some of his warmth.
As River sat on him, his eyes hooded when the smell of her hair reached his
nostrils. Elderberry mixed with roses. It was intoxicating, and he never
wanted to be away from it. It was so good to have her in his
arms, near him. It calmed his wolf, Volt, who had been raging to be with his
mate.
Suddenly, River said, “If you are tired, I can walk now. I feel rested.”
Hunter grimaced. On an impulse, he commanded his beta, ‘Push me down!’
He was already shocked by the action of his Alpha. ‘Why would I do that?”
Elijah said, flabbergasted.
‘You are just being ****. The girl is sitting on your-
‘Push me down. Now!’ he ordered with anger. And an extremely puzzled
Elijah bumped into his Alpha as he sped ahead of them, while an extremely
shocked Asher stared at Elijah for his audacity.
Hunter stumbled down but grabbed River closer to him before purposely
falling on the snow.
“Goddess!” she shouted as he pressed her into the snow beneath him,
holding her against his chest even more tightly.
“I am so sorry!” he rasped. Even in the snow, his body reacted to her.
River heated up like a thousand suns. He got up and extended his hand to
pick her up. “You must be hurt,” he said and started checking her body from
top to bottom.
“I am fine…” she replied quietly, feeling utterly embarrassed by his touch.
“The whole journey to the Veil is pretty rough. You will have to be with me
if you want to reach in time,”
he said after removing his hands and with a smile donning his lips as if
there was no other option. He seemed satisfied at his plan, but looking at
her guarded expression, he said, “There are demons around the Veil. It
would be difficult to keep you protected if you don’t come back to me.” Via
his mind link he shouted another order to Elijah. ‘Howl. Loudly
Seconds later River heard a loud howl from somewhere. She gasped in fear
and stepped closer to him.
“Okay!” she replied with trembling lips.
Hunter fisted in the air in his mind. The effect was desired, as if obliging
her, he extended his arm for her and then picked her up. He settled her again
in the ****of his elbow and started running. Soon, he reached his
companions with a wide smile on his lips. Elijah wondered if the mighty
Lycan king had become… ****.
As they neared the Veil, the mist became denser. The crunching sound of
the snow beneath their feet was enough to disturb the peace of the night and
also attract demons. The gargling sounds of demons that were lurking in the
darkness. would come once in a while. Hunter was sure that the demons
would detect her presence because of her delicate smell, but they were
afraid of the Lycans. However, he was under no illusion that they wouldn’t
try and steal her. He had taken a big risk by coming like this to the Veil, but
it was worth it.
He was sure that if he separated from her, the demons would ****her
immediately and devour her flesh within minutes. A. shudder passed
through him.
As they walked further, the three of them stayed close to each other. Hunter
realized that River’s head was lolling on his chest. He looked down at her
and saw that she was sleeping. He slanted her position a little to make her
more comfortable in his arms.
The Veil was barely an hour ahead when all of a sudden, they heard growls.
There were at least three to four demons waiting for them in the mist. They
walked further, being hyper aware of the demons. These were the hungry
and desperate ones. They walked ahead a little, only to find yellow eyes of
the demons glinting through the mist and darkness.
“Give us the girl,” one of them growled and we will let you live.
Hunter snarled. “Go away before I rip your heads off!”
Sensing the commotion, River woke up.
The demons emerged from the mist. Tall and heavily built. “Give us the
girl, Lycan,” said their leader.
She stifled a shriek, seeing those demons.
He leaned over her ear and whispered, “Stand behind me.” He set River on
her feet.
“Move,” Hunter replied coldly to the demon once she was behind him.
“You touch even a hair on her body, I am going to make you pay.” His beast
was rising slowly.
Suddenly, the leader of the demons attacked and Hunter lunged at him
shifting into his beast midair. He grabbed his neck, sunk in claws in it and
snapped it. The demon fell on the ground, dead. River shrieked, trembling
at the sight.
Other demons were tackled by Elijah and Asher. In a matter of minutes, the
whole thing ended. Rest of the demons were lying dead on the snow with
their limbs ripped apart or their heads torn from their
bodies.
Hair rose on her nape as River watched the streams of crimson on the snow
with horror and her gaze drifted to Hunter.
His beast was…. beautiful. His arms were bulging and his shoulders were
so massive. She should have been terrified, but she wasn’t. Yes, she was
horrified by all the bloodbath that took place, but…
He tipped his head to the moon and let out a loud howl. Other two Lycans
did the same. It was a warning of sorts to the rest of the demons in the area.
Hunter looked at her with his golden eyes and shifted into his human form.
He was only wearing jeans, his shirt ripped off. He retracted his claws and
walked to her, sure that she would back off from his beast, scared as ***.
What happened next was not what he expected.
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Chapter 15
River’s lips parted as she let out a rough exhale. Her gaze locked with his
beast’s. Her throat became dry when she saw him coming towards him. She
wanted to run, but she stood there, rooted to her spot. It was too much for
her to take it all. She had never thought that she would encounter real
demons in her life and that the encounter would be this close. She felt dizzy
and shocked from all the adrenalin rush.
She fainted. The last she knew were strong hands gripping her against very
warm chest. Someone covered her with a shirt.
When River opened her eyes, it was very dark. She didn’t know where she
was. Moonlight was filling the room with its soft rays. She inhaled the
cedar and mist scent around her. Warm blankets covered her.
She turned to look around her and saw a dark silhouette sitting on a chair.
When she had her wolf, she could easily pierce her eyes through the
darkness and see things clearly, but now…
She raised her head to see as she tried to support herself on her elbows.
“Please keep lying down,” his deep cello-like voice came to her.
“Alpha Hunter?” What was he doing with her? “Where are we?” she asked.
And how long was he sitting over there. He looked… disheveled. He was
just wearing jeans and there were dark circles under his eyes.
Hunter came to sit beside her. “We are in the Veil and right now you are in
my castle.” He switched on the bedside lamp. Their gazes locked, his green
ones in her blue ones. “This is the breeder’s living space,” he added.
River winced at the word ‘breeder’. She bit her lip and tore her gaze away.
She got up as her hand traveled to her chest. Something out there didn’t feel
good.
“How are you feeling, River?” he asked softly. “Please keep lying. Don’t
get up.”
“I am feeling fine,” she replied with lowered eyes.
When she didn’t speak further, Hunter touched her forehead to check her
temperature. She jerked her head back but he still touched her. “I think you
are fine now.” He pointed to the bedside table. “Your food is right over
here. Eat it. You will feel better.” He leaned over the table and gave her a
glass of water.
She took it from him and gulped it down. “Thank you…”
Hunter pursed his lips. He didn’t want to leave her, but the girl was too
scared. She was away from home and must be feeling awkward. He was
happy that she was in his castle. Near him. “I will leave you alone for now,”
he said, getting up. “There is a maid assigned for you. She will assist you if
you need help.”
Not used to this kind of attention, she blurted, “No, I will be fine.”
“No, you wouldn’t know what to do in this castle initially.” He rose to his
feet.
Her gaze went to his torso that was covered in a buttery glow. A pale blush
rose on her cheeks. He looked at her for a long moment and then grabbing
his shirt from the chair, he walked out of the door.
River took a deep breath in. Her stomach growled and she looked at the
food. She slept after eating a sumptuous amount of two varieties of chicken
and mashed cheese potatoes.
“You must be River!” an excited voice jerked her awake. She got up
immediately and rubbed her eyes. A very beautiful and timid girl was
standing there looking at her with her sharp green eyes. “Hunter told me
about you!” Her blond hair cascaded wildly around her shoulders.
River blinked at the maid who was in her night pajamas.
“Hi! I am Mia, Hunter’s younger sister!”
River blushed, embarrassed. “Hi,” she replied softly. Mia looked… very
young. Almost her age or maybe younger.
A maid entered after Mia. “Mia, you have to go to school. Go get dressed.”
“Ugh!” Mia’s lips downturned.
“Go Mia. Lady Rosalie will not like it otherwise.”
“Double ugh!”
“You know she wants your best,” the maid explained.
Mia rolled her eyes. “No, she wants her best. She has been after Hunter to
send me to a boarding school!”
The maid gave River a quick look and blurted, “Please go to your room and
get dressed. I have to help the breeder over here to make her presentable for
the Alpha.”
Mia pursed her lips as her shoulders dropped. Then she turned her face to
River and said, “How about we both have breakfast together?”
The maid sighed. “Rosalie won’t like it. You must be there in the dining
hall with your brother and Rosalie, okay?”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Okay, but get her to the dining hall.”
“But she’s a breeder-”
“I don’t care!” Mia said. “Just get her.” Saying that she stomped out of the
room.
The maid shook her head as she closed the door behind her. She came to
River who was still trying to make sense out of the conversation that took
place in front of her.
“I am Faria,” the maid finally introduced herself. She looked middle-aged
and was wearing a black shirt paired with black. pants. On her pocket was
embroidered a golden rose. Her black hair was neatly tied in a low bun. “I
have been asked to attend to you.”
“I am River.”
The maid shrugged. “I don’t care about your name. You are just a breeder.
But if you like I can call you River.”
River swallowed the humiliation. Obviously, the breeder was considered
too low. “I would very much like that,” she replied. Faria shrugged again.
“You have to take a bath now. Alpha Hunter will be out for half of the day,
but Rosalie would like to see you. She has asked me to dress you up and
take you to her.”
River felt like she was some dog to be taken to the owner for show
purposes. “Who is Rosalie?”
Faria took a deep breath in. “She is the future Luna of the Lycan King,” she
said condescendingly implying that she would be used and thrown. Soon.
“She will be marrying the Alpha as soon as you are pregnant.”
River felt… ****. And she was surprised as a ***notion flashed through
her that she was also… jealous.
She pursed her lips.
The queen of the Veil wanted to see the mistress of the Veil. Her heart cried
at the word ‘mistress’ but that was the truth. At least mistresses lived. But
breeders?
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Chapter 16
River’s room was a cozy little place. There was a small four poster bed in
the center. Cupboards and wardrobes lined the brick wall on the other side.
There was a small fireplace. The bathroom door opened in the corner.
Faria helped her take a bath as though she was a mutt who was supposed to
be present in a breeding show. She brushed her with hard bristles till her
skin started burning. Then after helping drying, she applied a lot of body
lotion on her and blew dry her hair roughly.
River felt… miserable. What had her destiny brought her into? She had one
chance to run away and that was ruined. The maid made her wear a simple
deep blue polyester dress that fell till her knees and had a round neckline.
The full length sleeves added to its drabness.
“We have already gotten very late, murmured Faria as she brushed her hair.
“I was supposed to take you to his room, but let us go to meet Alpha Hunter
in the dining hall itself. I hope he doesn’t get angry.
He needs to go to train the warriors now.” She tossed the comb on the
dresser and dragged River with her to the dining hall. While going there she
said, “Be polite. Keep your head low and be submissive. If Lady Rosalie
asks you questions, you are supposed to answer them, okay? But don’t
show your aggressiveness. We wouldn’t want to be on Lady Rosalie’s bad
side.”
River nodded, not liking it one bit. But did she have a choice? She was just
an omega who was treated far worse in her own
home.
When they reached the dining hall, River noticed how big and plush it was.
A large dining table that could seat at least sixteen people was set in the
center. Lavish food and flower vases decorated the top.
A chandelier with a gold chain was hung right in the center, illuminating the
whole place brightly. There was exquisite deep mahogany polished
furniture. Servants buzzed around, carrying trays of food or
other things.
Her gaze went to Hunter who was sitting at the head of the table. He looked
refreshingly young and handsome. When their gazes locked, she forgot to
breathe. With difficulty, she dragged her gaze away from his piercing one.
Right next to him on the left was Mia who beamed to see her. And on his
right sat a blond woman in pink. Rosalie. Her beautifully brushed hair
cascaded over her shoulders. She was wearing a pink silk dress. Her lipstick
was pink and even the pins in her hair were pink.
Rosalie gave her a condescending look and in a very soft voice said, “Oh,
so she is the breeder?”
“Yes, Lady Rosalie,” said Faria.
Rosalie narrowed her eyes and said, “Take her to the servants’ quarters. She
can eat food over there.”
River’s eyes filled with tears at this blatant insult. She was being treated so
terribly. It was like falling from the pan into the
fire.
“Sit here, River,” Hunter growled, giving Rosalie a withering look as he
pointed to a chair next to Mia.
Rosalie jerked her head back, stunned. She stuttered, “B- but Alpha Hunter,
breeders don’t sit with the royals,” she pointed.
Hunter placed his spoon on the plate. He wiped his ***and said, “When
was the last time you saw or encountered a breeder, Rosalie?”
Rosalie was flustered. “I-I haven’t met any breeders before this one, but-.”
Hunter continued, “The last breeder who came to the Veil was some fifty
years back. How would you know how they are
treated?”
Now Rosalie was completely flabbergasted. Rage bubbled inside her at
obvious humiliation. How could Hunter speak with her so rudely? She was
going to be his future wife. She gulped down her humiliation, feeling
extremely awkward. Then she lifted her eyes and gave a murderous glance
to River and said, “I have read about them in the library.” But she only read
what their purpose was. There was nothing about how they were treated.
But according to her, the breeder was a lowly being. Like groveling in the
hierarchy The Alpha had to use her womb to have his pups and then she
would be thrown. Maybe she would spend the rest of the days in a dungeon.
“Go read more,” he said. Ignoring Rosalie he pointed with his chin to River
to sit. Faria nudged her and River walked to sit next to Mia, loosing a tight
breath.
The servants served her breakfast, and River noticed how Rosalie was still
glaring at her without eating food, while Hunter’s gaze was caressing her.
After a few minutes, Hunter said, “We have a charity ball tonight. The
money will be going to the orphaned pups. Would you like to join it,
River?”
“What?” Rosalie snapped. “How can she join? It is only for the elite
Lycans. She is an omega werewolf and that too your breeder! People will
gossip about us. It can become a full blown scandal!” It was her idea to
organize the charity bail.
Rosalie had prepared the guest list tediously. Having River in the ball was
going to be scandalous. She wanted to impress Hunter and show him her
capabilities as a hostess by organizing such a huge and important party. She
had called only the royals and elite Lycans. Hunter wasn’t even ready to
host it but then she got an idea of making it a charity ball. And Hunter
couldn’t refuse it.
Hunter took a deep breath and pinned her with a glare. “No one will
gossip.”
Rosalie winced. She couldn’t believe that the Lycan king was giving so
much importance to an omega breeder rather than her. She clenched her
teeth as her fists curled tightly.
There was no point in saying anything more now. Hunter was probably
feeling pity for the breeder. She would dig the thorns of pity slowly out of
him. As for the breeder-she would show her, her right place.
Hunter dug his hands in his pocket and took his wallet. He picked up a gold
card from it and placed it on the table. “Take it and go to the market to buy
evening wear for you.”
Seeing the card, Rosalie was feeling extremely furious. Hunter was going
out of the way for a mere breeder. He had never given his card to her.
Mia squealed. “Yay! Can I also go?”
“You already have way too many dresses, Mia,” Rosalie corrected her, and
Mia’s lips downturned.
“You can go, Mia,” Hunter chuckled. He glanced at River who was sitting
quiet during the whole conversation. A pale blush had come to her cheeks
and he sensed her nervousness. He wanted to trace it fondly, slowly, and
calm down her heartbeat, but in time. He didn’t want to scare her off.
Seeing him staring at River, Rosalie fumed. She interjected, “You must be
getting late for warrior training, Alpha.”
Hunter’s reverie broke. He wiped his ***with the napkin and got up to
leave. Before leaving, he slid the card to River. “Don’t lose it,” he said and
then left. River picked it up with some reluctance.
As soon as he was out of the earshot, Rosalie rose to her feet. Rounding the
corner table she reached River. “Give that Gold card to me, breeder,” she
growled. “You are not qualified to take that card.”
River looked at her with surprise and fear. Eyes wide, she said, “But I
can’t.”
“What did you say?” Rosalie growled.
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Chapter 17
River flinched. She gulped as Rosalie repeated, almost snarling at her,
“What did you just say?”
She looked at Rosalie with her big blue eyes that rounded at her corners. “II can’t,” she stuttered.
“Do you even know what that card is?” Rosalie spat. Rosalie couldn’t
digest that Hunter gave his no-limits card to the breeder. If anyone would
get it, it would be she-the future Luna of the Veil. She had been trying for a
long time to grab that card, and he hadn’t once encouraged her. And this
lowly breeder comes and he gives it to her just like that?
“That is a black card which is worth millions of dollars. This card has
unlimited money access, and Alpha Hunter has given it to you just because
he is feeling benevolent. Have you ever seen a card in your pack, let alone
own it?” “Bu-but- River stuttered as Rosalie grabbed the card from her
hand and yanked it off.
She bent over River and said, “Know your place, breeder. You are nothing
but someone who will be tossed out of this castle and thrown into dungeons
once your womb is used. So don’t even think of getting used to this place or
this wealth!”
River gasped. Her **became as wide as her eyes as she gaped at Rosalie’s
rudeness.
“Rosalie,” Mia said. “That is brother’s card and he has given it to River.
You can’t just snatch it from her!”
Rosalie rolled her eyes. “Well, I have. What are you going to do about it,
Mia? Go, tell it to your brother?
I don’t even expect anything else from a sissy like you. You are a princess
and yet you are so…
timorous.”
Mia’s face shrank as helplessness spilled over her face. She lowered her
eyes so that no one could see.
“Go, shed your crocodile tears elsewhere, Mia. We all are tired of your
constant acting an ‘I-am-a-victim’
attitude.” Rosalie knew that Mia would never tell her brother because she
liked putting Mia down on occasions and Mia never complained. Mia was a
thorn in her eyes. As soon as would marry Hunter, the first thing she would
do is to pack Mia off to a boarding school far away from here. So far that
she
wouldn’t return. She had already got prospectuses from several elite
boarding schools in the human world. With humans, Mia was going to be so
miserable that she would become useless.
Rosalie started to walk towards the door, swaying her hips, loving her sass.
She flicked her blond hair back and winked at Faria. Just as she was going,
she heard River.
“Okay, I will go and tell Alpha Hunter that the card is with you,” she said
softly.
Rosalie stopped in her tracks. She spun. “What?”
River wiped her ***with the napkin and repeated. “I will tell Alpha Hunter
that the card is with you. I am happy that now it is your responsibility to
take care of something as valuable as that.”
Rosalie was in front of her in a second. She peeled her lips back as her
beautiful face morphed into an
**one. “You have the guts to snitch against me?”
River leaned back. “I-1-just want to be clear on this. After all, if the card is
lost, where will I get the money to replace it? And why do you say this is
snitching? I thought you took the card because you are entitled to it.”
“Are you acting smart with me?” Rosalie lifted her hand to hit River for
arguing with her when Faria stopped her.
“Lady Rosalie! If you hit her, your fingers will get imprinted on her face.
Would you want Alpha Hunter to see that?”
Rosalie closed her hand in a fist and growled. Hunter would not be happy to
see that she defied his order. The ****had come and hadn’t been for a day
also and was showing her smartness? She knew how to tamp her down.
River watched her with horror. She was bracing herself for the impact.
When Rosalie took a step back, she let out a ragged. breath of relief. With
reluctance, Rosalie held the card in front of her.
“Here, take it ***!” she sneered. “But-” she glared at her. “I will go
shopping with you. You will not buy a thing without my approval!”
River took the card from her and lowered her face, her breath getting
rougher, her body shivering. She swallowed the breakfast that was
threatening to rise in her gut. “Okay…” she said.
“We will go in an hour!” Rosalie said. “Be ready!”
“But I also want to go with you,” Mia whined. She was about to leave for
school.
“You have way too many formal dresses, Mia!” Rosalie dismissed her.
“Besides, I will only buy one dress for the breeder and will be back. I don’t
have time to waste. I have a party to host in the evening.” She turned and
strode out of the dining hall, fuming.
As soon as she left, River felt lighter. She sighed a breath of relief. She
glanced at Mia and saw that her face was crumpled. “Do you want a dress?”
she asked.
Mia nodded. “But leave it. I have way too many…”
“I am so sorry..” River muttered.
“It’s fine,” Mia said, wiping her tears. “It’s no big deal.”
“You are getting late, Princess Mia,” Faria reminded her.
An hour later, River was bunched up in a small car along with Faria and a
driver and two more she-Lycans, Mina and Gina, who were twins and
Rosalie’s close friends. They scrunched their noses at River who was made
to sit in the front with the driver while they sat with Faria at the back.
Rosalie was going alone in her sedan, driven by her personal chauffeur.
“She is so scrawny,” said Mina. “These days the werewolves have stopped
sending good breeders!”
Gina tittered. “Werewolves are such a ***race. If only we could give birth
to pups.”
“Hmm…”
After a few more remarks in which River didn’t react to them, the twins
became quiet, when they thought they were just speaking to themselves.
They reached the boutique where they had to buy the dresses from. Rosalie
was waiting for them in the boutique.
The salesgirls had already started hovering around her. The moment they
saw River, they smirked. River realized one thing-being a breeder was one
of the most insulting things in the Veil. Breeders were worse than mistresses
whom everyone hated. They were an evil necessity. They were wanted, yet
shunned by Lycan society. But what if the Lycans. didn’t find their mates
within their own society? What happened to such people?
Sighing, River hated every moment of being a breeder. She knew that the
moment she got a chance, she would escape. To **with the demons outside
the Veil. She was going to find a way and run away.
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Chapter 18
The salesgirls were catering to Rosalie because she was the most important
person in the Dark Moon pack. After all, she was betrothed to the Alpha.
And so she was the most powerful she-Lycan who had a say in everything.
River sauntered down the aisles of dresses. She had to pick only one dress
and so she was looking for something that was simple, yet unique and not
too garish. Since she was alone, River decided to pick up a dress for Mia
too. She noticed that Rosalie was picking up as many dresses as she could,
mindlessly.
River walked down to the last aisle and saw a fuchsia gown with pearls
adorning the neckline. It had a tulle skirt that fell until the knees. She took
the dress out of the hanger and was evaluating it when all at once, she heard
an excited gasp. When she turned to look over her shoulder, she found
Rosalie looking at her.
“That dress! I love it,” Rosalie said to the salesgirl, pointing at the fuchsia
dress River was holding.
River was taken aback. Was Rosalie keeping an eye on her? As far as she
remembered, she was isolated and walking down the aisles on her own. Not
a single sales girl was interested in her because they were all catering to
Rosalie. Rosalie strode to her and started admiring it as she brushed its
skirt. “This is so beautiful! So many layers of fabric.”
“Oh, yes, Lady Rosalie,” the salesgirl agreed, nodding vehemently. “In this
dress you will look like a princess.”
“I want it!”
“But-” River said.
“Of course, Lady Rosalie!” The girl cut her off, glaring at her. “Don’t you
know that she is the future Luna of our pack. She will have priority over all
the dresses here.
River gaped at the two of them, but she gave the dress to Rosalie. “Yes, you
are right,” she said in a meek voice trying her best not to garner attention.
“This dress is appropriate for a princess like you.”
River’s gaze swept on the fuchsia dress in her hands and thought how
gaudy it would look for the party.
She wouldn’t have worn it in her pack even if she was called for an April
****Day party.
Rosalie grabbed it from River, flipped her hair in style at the back of her
shoulder and walked out of that aisle.
Taking a deep breath in, River trudged to another aisle that was filled with
evening gowns that were even more extravagant. Just to check her intuition,
she placed her hand on an orange dress with gold
embroidery all over. And as she predicted, Rosalie came running for it and
said, “This one is even more beautiful than the first one! Can you please
pack it
for me?”
“Sure, Lady Rosalie!” the salesgirl chirped. Then she glared at River and
snatched the hanger from her hand.
River pursed her lips to stifle her laugh and turned to the next aisle. For a
long time, she just kept roaming and not picking up anything. She knew that
whatever she would pick up, Rosalie would end up taking it from her. It
was as if Rosalie was not going to let her buy any dress for the evening and
make her go in the same dress that she was wearing now.
River had been through these situations so many times with her sister that
she understood how psychology of girls like her worked.
The twins, Mina and Gina were admiring Rosalie’s dresses while they too
had picked up dresses for themselves which River knew would all go on
Alpha Hunter’s card. Though, in the morning she had saved his card from
Rosalie, she couldn’t save his money. Well, it wasn’t her business either….
“Have you picked up a dress for yourself?” Rosalie asked in an irritated
tone after a while. “I don’t have all the time in the world for you. If you
haven’t, we are leaving. You can kiss your dress goodbye!” Saying that she
walked to the counter where the twins were already standing and glowering
at River. “Get that card here!” Rosalie shouted.
River gave the card to Faria, who took it to the counter. Rosalie plucked it
from her rather rudely.
Happy with her purchase and her plan to sabotage River’s shopping,
Rosalie gave the card to the brunette on the counter. Few moments later, the
brunette peeped over Rosalie’s shoulder and said to someone behind her,
“Will you be adding the bills of those two dresses to this card?”
Rosalie whipped her head back and saw River standing with two very
beautiful dresses. One was a light sapphire blue and the other a carnation
pink. Both were silk and had delicate embroidery on them.
Rosalie’s face looked like she had eaten lemon.
“Yes please,” River said, giving the dresses to the girl.
“Sure!” The brunette replied cheerfully. “Lovely choice,” she grinned.
“They had just come yesterday.
You picked up the trendiest ones.”
“Thank you,” River said softly.
She knew that Rosalie was picking up every dress that she liked, so she
placed her hands on the most outrageous ones. Rosalie grabbed away all
those dresses from her. River had already seen these two dresses in one of
the aisles and
thought of getting them in the last. Her strategy worked. Now she had one
for herself and one for Mia.
Rosalie was growling and with a very bad temper when she came out of the
boutique. If looks could
****, she was sending daggers to River.
As for River, she sat in the car meekly with the card that was returned to
her. Mina and Gina decided to travel with Rosalie. As Faria sat down, she
said, “When did you choose those dresses?”
“Long back,” River gave a short reply.
“They are elegant,” she murmured.
“Thanks.”
They all ***to the castle back in absolute silence. Rosalie, along with the
twins left in a huff. “I have so much to do, unlike breeders who only have to
bake babies in their ovens.”
River’s mood dipped at pure ****. Rosalie was just like Brianna She didn’t
leave a stone unturned to humiliate her. All River hoped was that she wasn’t
beaten up by Alpha Hunter when Rosalie complained.
At the castle, Faria escorted River back to her room and said, “I will be
taking you for the ball in the evening. For that I will come to prepare you.”
River gave her the pink dress and said, “Please give it to Mia.”
Faria looked at her with wonder. She became quiet and a moment later said,
“You should give it to her.
She will like it.”
“Oh, okay. But when will she return from school?”
“She will be back by 3PM.”
It was only 1PM.
Faria didn’t stay long. She hung the dresses in her small closet and went
away.
What happened next was something River wasn’t ever prepared for.
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Chapter 19
Since she had the whole day with her, River thought of taking the tour of
the castle. Although Faria had said that she would take her, River was
growing impatient in her room. Additionally, she had to find routes of her
escape. And this she couldn’t do with Faria. As if Faria would tell her.
She intended to go to the library as well where she hoped she would find
the map of the whole castle and the surroundings. The castle was a large
place. Without a map, she would be lost.
So, at first, River sneaked to the library after asking directions from the
servants. As she entered the library, she realized that it was mostly vacant,
apart from a man who was busy cleaning the shelves. She walked in,
smelling of leather and paper and candle wax. With tall shelves that were
filled with numerous books, River couldn’t help admiring it. She found her
way to the history section where she searched for a book about the castle.
As she read through it, she gleaned that the court was in the form of a
semicircle with numerous flower beds around it. It was a medieval castle
standing tall and proud. There were about 150 rooms and that
fact was overwhelming. She found the map at the back of the book. She
studied it properly. Feeling a tad guilty, biting her lip, she tore the page and
stashed it in her pocket. Satisfied, she placed the book back on the shelf and
walked out triumphantly.
The Castle of Dark Moon was atop a hill. It was like the crowning glory of
the Dark Moon pack. Winding roads down the hill led to the town.
She wandered through the palace, admiring its glory. It became evident that
the castle was renovated.
She reached the roof of the tallest tower. She gasped at the view of the
surroundings. It was… stunning.
Alpha Hunter was a king. She wondered if any of the werewolf pack
Alphas came near him.
Suddenly, Lena’s words came to her mind. There were dungeons so deep in
the castle where the breeders were thrown. She had already seen the map,
memorized it, but there was no mention of dungeons in it.
Taking a deep sigh, River started to come down, exhausted and tired. She
was sure Faria would be throwing a fit about her absence. So she hurried
back to her room. However, she stopped in her tracks, looking around
utterly confused, hearing a soft cry
“Where did that come from?” She rubbed her neck and whipped her head
around. She took another step down and there it was again. A soft, muffled
cry. Her eyes flew wide open as chill ran down her spine. The place was
deserted when she had
come.
She touched the damp wall of the staircase and more muffled cries came.
Cold sweat broke on her face as her heart started to beat wildly when she
realized there was someone there behind those walls. River rushed to the
other side with a heavy lump in her throat. Were these the infamous
dungeons where the breeders were held?
She hugged herself and then took a couple of steps towards the stairs that
bifurcated and went to the left. Walking on her tiptoes, she came closer to
the sound. Another step and she came in front of a tall, thick wooden door
right in the middle. of a ****wall.
Her ***was paper dry. The sound was more like a sob now.
“Who is there?” she asked, scared to hear her own voice.
After a long silence, a soft and weak voice came from the other side. “Who
are you?”
“I am River,” she replied. “The new breeder,” she added on instinct.
“Ah!” The girl let out a sigh. “I am Ella, one of the old brides who is a
captive now.”
“Oh my God!” River rasped. Her hands covered her ***in pure panic. So it
was true.
“River?” Ella said.
“Yes?”
“Run away from here. And if possible, help me also. I know the way out.
Both of us can escape together.”
All her nightmares coalesced as River stood right there, frozen.
“Promise me you will help me,” Ella pleaded.
River croaked a “Yes!”
“How old are you?” Ella asked.
River didn’t have the time to talk more. “I-I don’t have time to talk to you
more, but I will come tomorrow, okay?” “Okay, but please come,” Ella
pleaded. “I am so lonely here.”
Her throat choked with emotions and now she was all the more determined
to find a way and escape.
Along with Ella.
***and physically tired, River came back to her room and slept restlessly.
Mia’s voice woke her up with a ***. “I heard you got a dress for me!” she
squealed and hurried to the closet. She opened
and quickly found the dress that was hung in there. “Oooo!” she plucked
the hanger out as her eyes
popped out. “Such an elegant dress,” she breathed, looking at the
embroidered carnation pink silk gown.
River woke up with a start but the moment she saw Mia, she couldn’t help
laughing. Mia was a bundle of energy.
“Thank you, River,” she said excitedly. “I really appreciate it.”
“You are welcome.”
Mia giggled and came to sit beside her. “I heard from Faria what you did at
the boutique.”
River stifled a laugh. “I didn’t do anything.”
Mia continued, rolling her eyes, “I am so happy. Usually Rosalie dominates
this place as if she is going to marry my brother the next day, but my
brother hasn’t even given her a date.”
River curled her arms around her knees as she listened to Mia. But Faria
said that she was betrothed to Hunter.
“He keeps delaying it and I have no idea why!”
“Maybe because he is waiting for an auspicious day,” River suggested.
Mia rolled her eyes. “I highly doubt it! Anyway, please get ready for the
ball as soon as possible!”
River tilted her head. “I will.”
Mia whispered, “I really like you, River. Don’t go anywhere. I will talk to
my brother to let you stay here for as long as you want.”
Suddenly, Mia hugged her tightly. They were quiet for a long time. Mia
removed herself and then got up, wiping a tear, which puzzled River. She
gave her a sad smile and went back to her room.
Moments later Faria came in like a hurricane. “Where the ***were you in
the afternoon? You are not supposed to walk. around the grounds on your
own. What if the Alpha learns about it? I will be punished!”
“I was just looking at the stunning castle, River replied, hiding that she met
Ella and surprised that Faria came for her.. Faria pursed her lips. “Well, get
dressed now. I have some work to do!”
“Yes.”
However what happened next wasn’t what River anticipated.
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Chapter 20
River wore her sapphire blue dress as Faria helped her with her hair and
makeup. She left her auburn hair down in waves. They cascaded over her
shoulders and bounced softly around her breasts.
“You have beautiful hair,” Faria remarked softly. “Let them stay like this.”
River’s hair was so voluminous and red that sometimes she felt God had sat
down for a long time in crafting them. “Thank you,” she murmured. “What
is the ball all about?” she asked, still feeling anxious to go there. River had
never really been social. Not because she didn’t want to, but mostly because
her parents never took her anywhere in social gatherings and at school also
she stayed in the shadows, scared of the bullies. Her social skills were
limited and the fear that she would make mistakes, made her nervous.
So, going to a ball was a big leap for her and hence social anxieties flooded.
Though she knew that the ball was a charity ball, she actually wanted to
know how to behave there.
“It is a ball that Lady Rosalie is organizing for charity purposes,” Faria said,
understanding her question.
“I suggest that you be there but stay in the fringes. You are a breeder and no
breeder has even been allowed in elite ***. I am sure Rosalie wouldn’t like
to see you there. However- Faria made her wear sapphire earrings. She
continued, “-I am sure that Lady Rosalie will not reveal who you are. So, as
long as you stay quiet, she won’t bother you.”
River took a shaky breath. Apprehension skittered down her spine and she
wondered if her brain would snap from all the tension. She decided that she
would come back as soon as possible.
A heavy knock sounded on the door. Faria went to open the door. A servant
poked his head inside and handed a red velvet box to her. “Alpha Hunter
has given it for the breeder.”
Faria raised her eyebrow as she looked at the box. She closed the door after
taking the box and giving the servant a tight nod. She returned back to
River and gave the velvet box to her. “Alpha Hunter has sent it for you.”
Astonished, River blinked at it incredulously. With trembling fingers, she
opened the box and her eyes went wide. River let out an audible gasp at
what she saw inside. There was a beautiful diamond and sapphire necklace
that matched her dress. She let out a rough exhale as she glanced at Faria
who looked equally bewildered. There was a small note in the corner. River
picked it up. It read:
“Small gift to wear for the evening.
Hunter”
River touched the diamond necklace with her trembling fingers, tracing the
diamonds and the gems in it.
“Wear it,” Faria goaded her in a soft voice. She took out the necklace from
the box and made River wear it. Faria turned her towards the mirror. The
diamonds reflected the intense colors of light on River’s creamy
complexion. “This looks stunning on you, Faria remarked and started to
cover the necklace with her hair. “Be careful with it. It is very expensive
and I am sure Alpha Hunter trusts you with it. That’s why he has sent it.”
River couldn’t help a blush that rose on her cheeks. This is totally out of the
blue. Why would Alpha Hunter do this?
Faria stepped back saying, “I am going to get Mia ready for the ball.” She
walked over to dresser’s table and picked up the invite. “The ball will take
place in the Emerald Hall of the castle,” she said, handing over the red and
gold invite that a servant had placed a long time back. “Be there in time and
if you feel awkward, just come back. Stay away from Lady Rosalie. Okay?”
River nodded. That was her plan anyway. She took the invite from Faria
and opened to see the instructions. For a moment she thought she would ask
about Ella to her, but she went against it. What if Faria went and snitched to
Alpha Hunter or Lady Rosalie. From their morning talk at the breakfast
table, it seemed that Lady Rosalie never interacted with the breeders earlier.
As Faria closed the door behind her, River looked at the invite and the map
that led to the venue. Her brows knitted. She grabbed her fur jacket from
the chair and wore it, buttoning it to the top to hide her necklace.
Half an hour later, River went to the Emerald Hall, where she saw groups of
young girls and boys entering. All were wearing. such chic and expensive
clothes that River was amazed. She had seen the girls in her pack wearing
expensive silks, but this was a different level. Money screamed all the way
up.
Rosalie was standing on the door, receiving the guests. She was smiling at
all of them as welcome words poured out of her ***. As soon as her eyes
went to River, she stiffened. River climbed the steps that led to the entrance
of the Emerald Hall. When their gazes met, Rosalie’s disbelief was apparent
on her face.
“The Emerald Hall wasn’t too difficult to find, Lady Rosalie,” said River as
she bowed to the future Luna with a soft smile. “The invite had wrong
instructions.”
Rosalie narrowed her eyes at her, sneering. She didn’t say anything and
soon focused her attention on others, ignoring her completely.
The invite that Rosalie had sent to River contained a wrong map. It led to
the outskirts of the castle and if River would have followed it, she would
have ended up in the forest that surrounded the castle and possibly had
demons. However, thanks to the map that River had stolen from the library,
she cross-checked the location and came to the right place.
She didn’t know why Rosalie was being so mean to her, but River decided
to be on guard from now on.
She wished that she had come with Mia, but she didn’t know if that was
even an option.
River walked inside and after giving her fur jacket to the buller, she noticed
the end of the hall where there was practically no one. Her eyes scanned the
place to see Alpha Hunter or Mia, but they hadn’t come. Feeling very
nervous, she clasped the side of her gown tightly. She didn’t know anyone
out here and no one knew her either. She intended to remain inconspicuous
until she escaped. With Ella.
She could feel several eyes sliding her way as she crossed the hall to go to
the far end. When she lifted her gaze up, she saw inquisitive glances
coming her way.
She realized that the Lycan males were all very handsome, muscular and
tall. All of them wore black suits and watched her keenly as she tread across
the hall. Her heart thudding hard, she went to stand at the end of the hall
and picked up orange juice. She had just taken a sip when a group of four
men approached her.
“Hi!” One of them waved.
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Chapter 21
River shrank when she saw the Lycans approaching her. They were so tall
that she felt puny in front of them. They were so muscular that she looked
like a child.
“Hi,” said one with long blond hair that fell to his neck. “I am Decker.” He
introduced his friends. “This is James, Lucas and Noah.”
River’s lips quivered as anxiety filled her. She said “Hi,” to them. Back in
the Crescent Pack, not a single hoy greeted her. They avoided her like a
plaque because Hector and Victoria hated her, because her own parents
hated her. So no one wanted to even be her friend.
“Are you new here? We haven’t seen you in the Dark Moon pack,” Decker
said, his eyes roaming over her
“Yes, I am,” she said quietly. She didn’t want to tell them that she was a
breeder. The word was so derogatory even for her that it made her feel
ashamed of herself.
“Have you come alone?” he asked.
“Yes.”
They all relaxed around her and then started to talk to her jovially. They
joked with her and she came to know that they were all Gamma warriors of
the pack.
“This I got when we fought against the werewolves,” said Lucas who was
now showing off the scars on his neck. He pointed to a different one on his
chest. “This too!”
“Fight with the werewolves?” River asked, as she stared at his chest. She
was not sure as to what he was saying because there was no war between
them and the Lycans.
“Yes!” he said as if surprised by her statement. “Why? Don’t you know that
Alpha sent us for the last fight against the werewolves a year back?”
River was dumbstruck. She stared at him with a blank expression. There
were simply no fights between the Lycans and the werewolves that she
knew of.
“Well, it was a good lesson we gave them,” James added. “I don’t know
why they are trying to go to war despite the peace treaty that was signed
between us.”
“It’s not all of them. It’s just a faction that thinks that they have the right to
occupy the Veil and surrounding areas,” Lucas said. “But they forget that
they can’t win against us!”
The rest of them laughed, smirking at the werewolves.
“That’s true. There’s a faction of werewolves, rather a few packs who keep
sending their warriors to fight us,” Decker said. “After the last Alpha King
of the werewolves, Alpha Lowell, was killed by some of these b*stards just
because he wanted peace, the fights have increased! It’s like they don’t
want peace.”
“And I am glad that Alpha Hunter is doing everything in his hands to keep
them at bay,” James sighed.
“The last time I went for the war,” Lucas said, “I heard that Alpha Lowell’s
entire family was massacred by a group of Alphas.”
“Yes, they killed everyone in his family and then declared independence.
Now, instead of being under one king, they have formed small packs, which
each of them runs according to their own whim and laws!” James scoffed.
River was stunned. All her life she knew that werewolves remained in
different packs and were never under one Alpha king. She wanted to ask as
to what times they were talking about, but she refrained.
“But I heard something very interesting, you know,” Decker said with a
gleam in his eyes.
“What?” River asked.
“Come closer,” Decker whispered.
River was about to go close to Decker as if hypnotized by his words when
Noah rolled his eyes. “Forget it. He speaks too much!”
“That’s right!” James chuckled and gave a hard pat on Decker’s back.
Decker became absolutely quiet.
James looked at River and said, “Why don’t you join us at the lakeside
tomorrow? We are going fishing.”
The boys looked at her expectantly. River liked the way they cozied up with
her. It was the first time she felt good in company. River rubbed her neck. “I
am not sure…” She didn’t know why these Lycans were interested in her,
but she liked the attention. Not many paid her attention anyway, so this was
a refreshing feel. “I will have to ask-”
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Chapter 21
“Ask whom?” James said, rather bewildered.
River pursed her lips as a pale blush appeared on her cheeks. “I mean I have
to-”
Suddenly a sharp voice came, cutting her off. “Where did you get that
necklace from?” Rosalie was standing behind the men with her arms
crossed across her chest. She was glaring at River, her eyes focused on her
necklace.
River jumped, whipping her head towards Rosalie. “This was a gift.”
Rosalie stepped closer and growled in a low voice. “This was a gift or you
stole it?”
Aghast at her words, River stared at her for a moment. “No, why would I
steal it? It is a gift from Alpha Hunter.”
“Oh my!” Rosalie sneered. “A gift from the Lycan King? Do you think I am
so blind that I don’t know what you are up to? You little b*tch. You stole it
and now you are adding Alpha Hunter’s name in order to get away with
your thievery?”
“No!” River shook her head. “You are accusing me wrongly. Alpha Hunter
gave it to me!”
“Enough!” Rosalie growled. She grabbed River’s wrist and dragged her
away from the Lycans who were standing around her. “This necklace was
meant for me. Alpha Hunter had kept it for me, not you!”
River felt so humiliated. “Please Lady Rosalie. I haven’t stolen it. Why
would I do that?”
“Oh sht up!” Rosalie snapped. “I know the likes of you. You all pose to be
that innocent and distressed girl. You are nothing but an abomination.” She
dragged her out of the hall with everyone watching them. As soon as they
were out, she roughly snatched the necklace from River, eliciting a cry from
her.
She pushed her down the stairs and growled, “Leave, b*tch! If you come
here again, I will have you skinned! Bl*ody thief!”
Dumbstruck, River watched Rosalie going into the banquet hall while
wearing the necklace. Tears burned the back of her eyes and she couldn’t
help them from pouring out. With a sob that she stifled with the back of her
hand, she ran away from the hall. The skin on her neck burned from being
hurt.
When she ran her fingers there, it felt as if it was peeled. Her mind and her
body both felt abused. She crossed the main hall of the castle and was
running back to her room when she bumped into someone.
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Chapter 22
“River?” Faria said, holding her so that she didn’t fall. “What happened?
You were supposed to be in the ball, weren’t you? Why have you come
back and why are you crying? And where’s your necklace?”
Feeling too dejected, River shook her head. “I-Lady Rosalie” She couldn’t
speak further, her throat choking with
emotions.
Faria pursed her lips. She gave a cursory glance around and then grabbing
River’s wrist, she dragged her out of the
main hall.
River was humiliated as h*ll. She couldn’t stop crying even though she
wanted to. It was getting too much. Her life su*ked at this point of time.
She cursed Alpha Maxim for throwing her into a place where she was
doomed to be insulted and then thrown into dungeons after being used. She
didn’t know where Faria was taking her, but she was happy to be away from
the ball and be as far as away as possible.
They came to stop in a garden that was beyond the kitchen. River noticed
that the garden was occupied by servants who were bustling around.
Several tables and chairs were set over there on which vegetables,
condiments, knives and other things were strewn. Several of the servants
were sitting and chopping vegetables, talking amongst themselves
with excitement.
“Sit here!” Faria said and made her sit at the nearest table where two more
omega girls were sitting.
They watched her curiously as she sat there with her head hung low. Faria
left her and she wiped her tears, feeling awkward.
“Are you new here?” asked one of the girls as she chopped potatoes. “I am
Neel.”
River nodded. “Yes, I am br- new.”
“Why aren’t you in the ball?” Neel asked, eyeing her suspiciously. “You are
wearing a beautiful dress.
And why do you have those marks on your neck?”
A fresh bout of tears flooded her eyes when River remembered how Rosalie
mistreated her in front of others. “It’s nothing,” she said, shaking her head
lightly.
Taking a deep sigh, Neel said, “Sorry, but we all know that Lady Rosalie
can be… nasty.”
River whipped her head up. “How do you know about Lady Rosalie and-”
her voice drawled away.
Neel laughed. “One of us brought the gossip back to us from the ball after
serving. He watched what Lady Rosalie did to you. I just connected the dots
that the girl must be you because you are wearing a lovely dress.”
A pale blush rose on her cheeks. River looked away feeling all the more
embarrassed. Now everyone knew about it. “Hey, it doesn’t matter. Have
some coffee!” Neel got up and got a mug of coffee for her.
And by the time she came back, two more girls had joined River at the
table. They all were so sweet to talk to that River forgot her humiliation
soon. She started to giggle at their jokes. Faria came in fifteen minutes with
a medicine. She smiled at the girls and boys who were jovially chatting
with River.
“Come, let me apply this ointment on you,” she said kindly to River and
then lifted her hair up. When she lifted her hair up and saw the damage, she
felt a tug at her heart. River’s skin was peeled off badly and it had become
red. Small streaks of caked blood were cutting through the back of her neck.
Carefully, she applied the ointment on her skin. River hissed with pain, but
she closed her lips and eyes tightly. “There you go,” Faria said. “I am sure it
will heal by tomorrow.”
Wounds healed very fast on werewolves, but on River, it took a double the
time. “Thank you,” River said.
“It’s fine,” Faria replied with concern. “I suggest that you go back to your
room from here.”
Hunter was getting late for the ball. He was impatient to see River. He
wanted to go to her room, but if he went there, he was sure that she would
get startled and that would be a bad impression. And so he decided to meet
her at the
ball.
Rosalie had organized this st*pid ball for charity purposes. It wasn’t needed
because he would have given that money away even if there was no ball. It
was just that Rosalie wanted to show off her skills as the best hostess in the
kingdom. Hunter was aware of her real purpose for the ball. He wanted to
pass it, but Rosalie was after his life to organize it. He planned on going
there, and coming out quickly. With River.
When Hunter opened his closet, his eyes went to the drawer where he had
kept gifts that his mother had given him to give to his bride. He took out
one of them, a sapphire and a diamond necklace and as he traced its gems,
all he could think of was to give it to River and see how she looked in it.
Thinking that, he called a servant and asked him to send it
to River.
He got busy in a phone call as his butler made him wear the tuxedo and
knotted the black tie. It took him over an hour to finish the conversation. It
was from one of his business associates in the human world with whom he
was planning on expansion into the world of shipping.
“You look handsome, my lord,” said the Butler once he adjusted his tie and
brushed a crinkle from his tuxedo. “I am sure Lady Rosalie would love it.”
Hunter scoffed. “Thanks David,” he said. “Lady Rosalie would love to see
me even if I go in night pajamas.” He didn’t say who he was getting dressed
up so impeccably. It was all about first impressions and he wanted to make
a thousand first impressions on River.
David coughed on the side and didn’t comment. He was well aware of what
Lady Rosalie was up to, but then who was he to speak in the royal matters.
Hunter picked up his phone and left for the ball. He walked as fast as he
could to the Emerald Hall.
Rosalie came running to him as everyone else in the ball bowed to him in
pure submission and respect.
“Alpha Hunter!” Rosalie exclaimed as she instantly came to hang on his unextended arm. “We all were waiting for you for so long!” She pressed a kiss
on his arm which was nothing more than a show in front of all that he was
very close to her and that he belonged to her. “Look, the musicians are
waiting for us to start the first dance so that the evening can roll.”
Hunter’s eyebrows furrowed deeply as he stared at Rosalie who was now
hanging on his arms. His gaze traveled lower to her neck.
Rosalie blushed, thinking that Hunter was appreciating her beauty.
But Hunter was looking at something else. He growled menacingly, “Who
gave you that necklace?”
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Chapter 23
Rosalie’s eyes became wide, not with anger but with fear. She gulped as she
stared at Hunter as if the question he asked was too insulting and as if she
was caught stealing something when it was clearly River who had stolen
this necklace. Maybe Hunter didn’t know what had occurred in his absence.
And that notion dispelled her fears.
“Oh, Hunter!” she said. She grabbed his hand and dragged him to the far
end of the Emerald Hall so that no one would hear what exactly happened.
When she reached there, she lowered her voice. “This necklace was stolen
by River. She went into your room and she stole it from there. Do you know
that that blo*dy breeder is a kleptomaniac? She not only stole this necklace,
she even stole the dress that I bought for myself at the shop. You should get
rid of her and get a new breeder!”
Anger blasted in his chest as he heard Rosalie pouring her venom.
“That breeder is such a bit*h that the moment she came here, she attracted
four men. And all of them were hovering around her like moths to a flame.
They were giving her suggestive looks and I am sure that she has gone out
with one of them and is now whoring her way out! I showed her the way
out of this hall. But you must send warriors to catch her. Who knows that
she is trying to run away from here?”
A menacing growl emanated from his chest and the next Hunter knew was
that his long fingers had tightened around Rosalie’s neck. He slammed her
to a wall as his fangs lengthened.
“Hunter!” Rosalie shrieked, shocked at what just happened. “What are you
doing?”
Grabbing her necklace, he snarled, “This necklace belongs to my mother
and I gave it to her. Who are you to determine that she stole it? Did you see
her stealing it?”
The entire hall went silent at their Alpha’s action. They watched him on
Rosalie’s neck in stunned silence. The music that had earlier started to play
softly, paused.
Rosalie grasped his wrist and tried to free herself, sputtering and coughing.
Tears came in her eyes at
the lack of air. Hunter was just too powerful for a she-Lycan like her. She
found her feet dangling a foot above the ground. “N-no!” she rasped.
“Then how dare you accuse her without evidence?” he growled.
“–” Rosalie couldn’t speak at all as her mind became numb with Hunter’s
tight grasp on her throat.
Hunter was too pis*d at her for accusing his mate. All he saw was blood.
He wanted to ki*l this little bit*h but years of practiced control made him
leave her. Rosalie slipped to the ground on her a*s. She got up on her fours
and crawled as she coughed and wheezed. Hunter got down and unclasped
the necklace from her. Shoving it in his pocket, he snarled at her in a
warning to stay away from her. He walked out of the Emerald Hall not
concerned about the curious looks he received which he knew were mixed
with fear.
Rosalie watched him leave with tears coming out of her eyes. And at this
moment she hated River more than anyone or anything in this world. The
damage she did to her carefully planned party was irreversible. Hunter
didn’t even look at her once while marching out of the hall. Mina and Gina
came rushing to her as soon as Hunter was out. They helped her get up and
made her sit on a chair. Rosalie was so humiliated in front of all the guests
that she didn’t know how to react. However, it was Mina who came up with
a plan to salvage the situation.
Gina smiled when she looked at her sister and said, “Leave it to me. You
take care of Rosalie.”
Soon gossip went around and Rosalie was seen as a lesser devil. Mina
asked the musicians to play the music. Some women sneered at Rosalie for
being such a snob but they also admired her secretly.
Hunter walked out of the hall, feeling terrible. His evening was ruined and
he wondered where River had run. He followed her smell all the way to the
corridor and then towards the kitchen. Her smell was mixed with that of
metal, which meant that she was also hurt. Once again, he saw red. He
wanted to hurt Rosalie so bad that his claws elongated.
He rushed to the kitchen where the cooks were working for the ball. As
soon as they saw him, all of them stopped working and bowed to him.
Hunter avoided their inquisitive gazes and went to the garden following
River’s smell. As he approached nearer, he heard her soft laughter. He
opened the door that opened in the backyard and was taken
aback.
River was having a small party with all the omegas. Faria was sitting on the
same table as her, smiling as she peeled oranges in front of her. Seeing
River calmed his nerves. He was so scared that she would have run away
towards the forest full of demons that his heart was thudding against his
ribcage wildly.
He took a careful step towards her, mesmerized by her laughter and the pink
that crept on her cheeks when someone
joked. However, the moment he came, everyone stopped talking or
laughing.
He coughed lightly at the silence and approached River who was also now
staring at him with wide eyes, surprise evident in them. Faria got up and
bowed to him and did the others.
“Alpha Hunter!” River rasped as she too stood up.
“Why are you here?” he asked. “You should have been in the ball.”
River pursed her lips and lowered her head. “I am so sorry, Alpha Hunter,
but I was-” she stuttered. “I was-” Bile rose in her throat when she
remembered what happened at the hall and she couldn’t speak further.
Hunter noticed the scratches on her beautiful neck and a growl vibrated in
his chest. “Never mind,” he said. He walked up to the table and sat down
over there. “I will have my dinner here,” he announced.
“With all of you!” All he wanted was to sit with River. It didn’t matter that
he was with the omegas who were lowest in the werewolf hierarchy.
Never ever in the history of Dark Moon pack had the omegas had the
pleasure of the king having dinner with them. So when they heard it, there
was a collective gasp. Seconds later, the servants were all active. Their king
wanted to have dinner with them. And they were going to make sure that it
was the best dinner of his life. Some of them looked at River with
appreciation in their eyes while some were pure jealous. Why was she so
important to him?
Soon orders were shouted and more tables joined the one at which Hunter
was sitting. A group of omega girls were so eager that they performed a
small dance for him. Dishes were arranged on the table. The omegas
prepared a five-course dinner for their king.
River couldn’t help but feel giddy. Alpha Hunter had left the ball and came
here to find her? Somehow, she couldn’t digest the fact. So, she continued
to sit there and blush as he watched her.
Meanwhile Rosalie was too embarrassed to stay in the party. It was a
charity that she had organized and she ended up being insulted. She was
going to make sure that she would drive the breeder out of the castle. But
first she had to ask for Hunter’s forgiveness. One thing at a time. She
excused herself from the ball and went to search him.
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Chapter 24
Hunter had never insulted her in all the years she was with him. She had
been trying her best to get in his pants and even self–declared that she was
very close to him. Over the time, she knew that Hunter had accepted her as
his future Luna and that was why everyone in the castle and the Dark Moon
pack were afraid of her. However, one little breeder comes and ruins her
plans? She was going to give the breeder a lesson of her life.
Rosalie had carefully built her reputation and now she was living in the
castle. She was not in the same wing as Hunter but moving in his castle was
a victory on its own. She had meticulously crafted every lie, every move to
enter the castle, eliminating competition.
Rosalie walked all the way to the kitchen and then the backyard, after
asking servants as to where Alpha Hunter was. But what she wasn’t
expecting was that Hunter was sitting amongst the omegas and having
dinner with them. Snakes crawled in her chest when she saw that River was
also sitting at the same table as Hunter was. The Lycan King who was the
most powerful of entire werewolves and Lycans combined, was sitting with
the lowliest omegas and having dinner with them? And that too because
River was here? Anger blasted in her, but Rosalie knew that this was not the
situation to be angry.
As soon as she was in the backyard, the loud banter morphed in murmurs as
everyone glanced at her with caution. Slowly, Rosalie walked to where
Hunter was sitting, ignoring a wide–eyed River. She noticed the bruises on
her skin. “Alpha Hunter?” she said in a soft voice.
Hunter was so engrossed in looking at River that the world around him
faded. She was so beautiful but too skinny. His beast wanted to feed his
mate and so whatever chance he got, he would pass on the food to her on
the pretext that her wound would heal faster. Hunter realized one thing–it
didn’t matter where he was sitting or in whose company, he was having
food. She was more beautiful than any woman–human, werewolf or Lycan–
that he had ever encountered.
Her auburn hair was up in a messy bun and some loose, unruly curls had
come to bounce on her neck.
The lights of the lamp posts around them caught the red color of her glossy
man, complementing her deep emerald eyes. He was so mesmerized by her
that he didn’t even realize when Rosalie arrived. So when she called his
name, his chest filled with a dangerous growl instinctively. He whipped his
head towards her and his eyes flickered amber as his beast surged forward
to protect his mate from potential danger. Every omega kneeled on the
ground in pure submission with their head low.
Immediately Rosalie sank on her knees and lowered her head in
submission. She was shivering under his gaze. Her voice was a mere
whisper when she said, “I am very sorry, Alpha Hunter. I shouldn’t have
judged so soon. Please forgive me.” Her voice choked and she started
sobbing. “Please don’t be angry with me.”
When Rosalie entered the backyard and saw what was going on, she knew
that right now omegas were all favoring River because it was rarely, they
were given any importance and she was the last one to give them any. The
situation wasn’t in her favor but at east she could draw some sympathy
from them.
Sobbing was the best way.
Hunter’s beast growled at her, but in that process, he sensed River’s fear. He
settled his beast just so that River calmed. “See that this doesn’t happen
again,” he said to her in order to dismiss her.
“This will never happen again, Alpha Hunter,” Rosalie said. She was going
to strike River when Hunter wasn’t around.
Hunter waited for her rise and leave and when she didn’t rise, he said, “You
may leave.”
Rosalie snapped her head up at his rudeness. Tamping down her anger, she
said, “I know that you are very upset with me, but could you please come
back to the ball. Afterall it is a charity ball and since you would be donating
the money, you should be there.”
Hunter didn’t want to leave River at all. He withdrew his powerful aura and
released the omegas from it.
All of them scurried out of the backyard, leaving the three of them along
with Faria.
“Please Alpha Hunter,” Rosalie pleaded him. She didn’t invite River
because that would mean that her decision to throw her out wasn’t right and
it would also mean that her grasp on the Alpha was loosening.
He looked at River as if asking for her permission, but the girl was feeling
too awkward. She gazed at him with eyes that rounded at the corner. Hunter
had this crazy urge to get up and kiss her. She looked so innocent and
adorable that he wanted to squeeze her in his arms.
Hunter did what he thought would be the best to dispel her awkwardness
and satisfy his urge. He got up from his place and walked behind his mate.
He dug his pocket and took the necklace out. He dangled it in front of her
and murmured, “I would like you to wear it, but I know that you are hurt,
so, I am keeping it with me for now.” His fingers
brushed her neck and she felt tingles all the way down to her toes which
curled in anticipation. “Come, we have a ball to attend.”
Rosalie clenched her jaws tight when she saw that way Hunter was treating
the breeder. She couldn’t believe that he was giving her that precious
necklace to wear. And she was certainly not expecting him to take her back
to the ball because she had insulted her in front of everyone.
River nodded lightly as her lips curled up. She curled the arm he offered to
her and together with him walked back to the ball. With Rosalie following
them. And that’s how the insulting River boomeranged
to Rosalie.
When they reached the ball, all the guests looked at Alpha Hunter with the
girl who Rosalie had thrown out. No one uttered a word and once again
bowed to him. Without a single word, Rosalie walked behind them with her
head dipped low, trying to show that was a victim.
When Hunter reached at the end of the hall, the musicians began to play.
The evening rolled out.
However, what happened next, came as a shocker to River.
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Chapter 25
As the music drifted in the air, River saw the men and women dancing with
their partners. Since she had never been to a ball, she didn’t know how to
dance, but she enjoyed seeing others dance. She watched Rosalie mingling
with all other guests as if nothing happened at all. With a ragged breath, she
drew her eyes away from Rosalie because every time she looked at her,
River was reminded of how she behaved with her.
Hunter was standing with River and glanced at her once in a while because
he couldn’t resist himself. All at once, a bundle of energy came rushing
towards them.
“River!” Mia shouted. “Brother!” She came darting towards them from
across the hall, looking excited.
She hugged River and then spun in her dress, “How do I look?” she asked
River, her face beaming with happiness.
River chuckled. She was looking pretty in her pink dress. “You look
beautiful!” she said softly.
Hunter was grinning at his sister and she launched herself in his arms. “It’s
nice to see you here, Mia,” he said, stroking her hair affectionately.
Mia was about to say something when Hunter’s beta, Elijah came over.
“Alpha, can we talk for a moment please?” He glanced at Mia who
immediately blushed under his gaze.
River noticed Mia’s blush and raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t say
anything.
Hunter frowned. “Can’t it wait?” He didn’t want to leave River’s side.
Elijah was surprised because usually Hunter listened to him if it sounded
urgent. “Of course, it can,” he said and stepped on the side where Mia was
standing. Mia was beaming with happiness a moment ago and in Elijah’s
presence, she became quiet and blushed all the more.
River saw that while Elijah was standing beside her, his jaws were clenched
and he was trying his best to keep his hands in tight fists, as if he was
resisting himself to reach out to Mia. She wondered what was going on
between the two of them. “Would you like to dance with me, Alpha?”
Rosalie’s voice snapped her out of her reverie.
“No!” Hunter growled rudely.
Rosalie shrank with fear. Embarrassed at his rejection, she walked to stand
on the side with her lips downturned. She stepped back into the shadows
and wiped her cheeks that were wet with tears. She took a deep breath and
watched others dancing on the floor.
Moments later, a few she-Lycans came to Hunter. “Alpha Hunter, you must
dance with Lady Rosalie,”
said one of them. “It is for the charity gala!”
One of them giggled animatedly. “If you like you can dance with me!”
It was Gina who pulled Rosalie out of the shadows and said, “Since Rosalie
has organized this event and you are the main guest, it would be really nice
of you to dance with her.”
Rosalie lowered her head and said, “Please girls, it is fine. It is not
necessary. I am sorry that I misinterpreted our Alpha. He was being so kind
and I-” her throat choked as she blinked away her tears.
Gina wrapped her arm around her. “Rosalie, it is so nice that you have
apologized.” After that she became silent and
gave Hunter an accusatory glance.
Hunter was feeling guilty, not because he shunned Rosalie, but because of
the fact that he was the main guest of the event and he was behaving rudely.
He looked at River as if asking her if it was okay for him to dance with
Rosalie. River pursed her lips, not understanding what he was trying to
convey to her. So, she stood there without reaction. When his eyes went to
Mia, she mouthed, ‘You should’
He grunted and said, “Okay, one dance.”
But the moment he held Rosalie’s hand, River felt this strong pang of
jealousy that was so out of the blue. She hadn’t felt like this since Hector
pierced his fangs in Victoria. The feeling left her… shaken.
At the same time, Mina urged Elijah to go and have a dance with Mia.
Mia’s cheeks pinkened but she grabbed Elijah’s hand the moment he
offered it to her.
River was left alone as people with whom she felt comfortable were gone.
The girls who had come to be with Rosalie surrounded her. Mina said, “Did
you think that you could pull the Alpha away from Lady Rosalie?”
“What?” River was shocked.
Gina added, “Rosalie is going to be the future Luna of the Dark Moon pack.
Don’t ever cross your lines, breeder!”
Another one said, “We all know why Hunter attacked Rosalie. It wasn’t
because she took that necklace from you, but it
was because she refused to have sx with him earlier in the day. And it is
normal in our society to be upset when your mate refuses to have sx with
you, so Alpha’s reaction was natural.”
Blood drained from River’s face when she heard those words. Sx? Mate?
“Rosalie and Alpha Hunter are very close to each other,” Mina hissed. “If
you try to ruin their relationship, you are going to be thrown into the
dungeons! Do you get it?”
“You don’t belong here,” Gina scoffed. “And you never will. Don’t hurt
Rosalie, else we are going to hurt you so bad that you will beg to d*e!”
River gulped. She didn’t know that these vipers were waiting in the
shadows to attack her like this.
Intimidate her. While dancing with Hunter, Rosalie turned her face to look
at where River was standing, surrounded by her friends. She smirked at her
when their eyes met. Did the breeder think that she could take Hunter
away? Look how she grabbed Hunter and left her alone. In order to show
River her authority over Hunter, she leaned on his chest.
All this was Rosalie’s plan. She had staged her act of looking sad and
miserable in front of Alpha Hunter to get his attention. She had roped in
Mina and Gina and three more girls for the whole act. She was the one who
started the gossip that Hunter was upset because she didn’t have sx with
him, when the reality
was that she had never had sx with him. In fact, when she ‘accidentally’
blurted about sx, her reputation only went a notch higher. Rosalie stifled a
giggle as to how easily she maneuvered Hunter.
While dancing with her, Hunter was hating every moment of it. And when
she leaned on his chest, that was it. He pulled away from her mid-dance and
she faltered in her steps. Without another word, he walked away from her
towards his mate who was surrounded by the girls. His sharp ears caught
what they were saying from a distance through the music that hit the
crescendo. They were threatening his mate. How dare they? He saw red. He
wanted to
rip their heads off.
Anger flared. River’s face was pale and she looked… hurt. With rage
building inside him, he closed the gap between them in long strides. “Are
you threatening her?” he snarled at them, releasing his aura.
The girls winced as his aura compelled them to submit. He was so powerful
that if he wanted, he could ment*lly cripple them with his command.
Scared as h*ll, they started shivering.
“N-no Alpha,” said Mina as her head hurt with acute pain. “We were
talking-”
“Silence!” he snarled. Then he grabbed River’s hand and said, “Let’s get
out of here, River. Tonight, you will be sleeping in the room adjacent to
mine!”
Chapter 26
River’s m*uth fell to the floor when she heard Alpha Hunter’s decision to
take her to sleep in a room next to hers. The girls around him were
trembling with fear but that didn’t mean that they didn’t pass dir*y glances
at her. And in the midst of all of them, Hunter pulled River with him across
the busy hall that was teeming with activity, towards the exit. Rosalie
watched him leave the banquet hall all over again and her stomach twisted
into knots. Mina and Gina came rushing to her. “You have to be very
careful Lady Rosalie,” said Gina. “The breeder loves to play a victim card
and that is why Alpha Hunter protects her so much. She is the typical
damsel in distress.” And at the moment Rosalie knew that she had to act
like a damsel in distress to attract Hunter’s sympathy. She gritted her teeth
as she saw how Hunter’s hand was intertwined with River’s and how he
was dragging her with him.
Seething with fury at the behavior of the she Lycans, Hunter exited the hall
and took River right to the wing of the castle where his room was. When
they reached the landing, he turned to her and found her panting heavily.
“Oh! I am so sorry,” he said, feeling guilty that he didn’t even see how tired
she was.
She was so thin that running wasn’t a good idea with her. Without leaving
her hand, he opened the room that was adjacent to his. He switched on the
lights and took her to the bed.
“Sit down,” he said and then rushed to get a glass of water for her. He
brought the glass, gave it to her and knelt in front of her as she drank from
it. He took the glass and placed it on the bedside table. “I am so sorry for
how they behaved with you out there! I don’t know why they are
conducting themselves so improperly.” He looked into her eyes as if asking
for forgiveness.
River was dumbstruck. At first, Alpha Hunter dragged her to this room and
now he was kneeling in front of her as if some puppy. He looked extremely
concerned. “Please don’t be worried. It was nothing.” She remembered
what the girls said in the ball. He was upset with Rosalie because she
refused to have sx with him. While that hurt her terribly on the inside, she
said, “You must go back to the ball. Lady Rosalie must be waiting.”
Hunter’s brows creased in a deep furrow. “I don’t want to go there,” he
replied gruffly. He placed his hands on both her sides as if caging her. Then
he looked deep in her eyes and said, “From today onwards you will sleep in
this room, okay?” And soon he would bring her to his room.
River blinked at him once and then twice. Pursing her lips, she nodded
slightly, unable to help the blush that rose on her cheeks. “I will have to
bring my clothes here,” she said in a low voice, feeling awkward in his
close vicinity.
“You don’t have to. Faria is going to bring them for you.” His eyes went to
the dusty lining of her blush on her cheeks and he felt like tracing it. His
heart began to beat wildly when his gaze traversed to her plump lips which
were meant to be wrapped around him and su*k and su*k till his eyes rolled
back in his head. His mind nosedived into all the possibilities.
“Th- thank you,” River replied as she peered into his sharp green eyes. The
moment froze for both of them and she didn’t know if they sat captivated in
each other’s gaze for minutes or for hours. Finally when she was able to
pull her mind away, she said, “You can go and rest in your room.”
But Hunter was in no mood to go back. “Have you had your food?” he
asked.
“We did have it. In the kitchen’s backyard.”
Hunter realized his fo*lish excuse to stay back. “Perhaps you would like to
have coffee?” He was looking for a way to spend time with her because it
was impossible to stay away from her.
River… nodded.
A wave of excitement surged in his chest. “Let me bring it for you. I make
some great coffee. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”
“But I have to change,” she said.
Hunter’s mind again went into gutters. How he would help her change her
clothes or maybe undress her completely and see her like that on bed. He
gulped at the whirlwind of his thoughts which seemed never to control
themselves when he was around her. Pointing to the closet on the left wall,
he said, “You can find my shirts there. You can change into them, but don’t
go to your room. Faria must be coming any time soon with your clothes.”
He would have opened his mind link with Faria and asked her to bring her
belongings, but how could he miss the chance of seeing his mate in his
clothes.
River lowered her head in pure abashment. She nibbled on her lower lip in a
silent yes. Feeling satisfied, Hunter got up and slowly walked out of the
room, closing it behind him. It was then that River released her tight breath.
She got up and took the room in. It was beautiful. It was drenched with
luxurious silk draperies and gorgeous antiques and a large terrace that
extended out over the garden below and offered a spectacular view of the
hills that were dotted with forests beyond, but were covered in darkness at
this point of the hour.
River let out a sigh as she walked towards the terrace, wrapping her arms
around and inhaling the misty and woodsy air. She leaned over the railings.
The moon hung over the forest like a giant snowball. She loved the feel of
this place as if she belonged here, but sadness soon marred her emotions
when she reminded herself that she was just a breeder and won’t have the
luck or luxury to stay here longer.
Emotions swirling in her mind, she walked back to the bedroom and
changed into one of the shirts that belonged to Hunter. She realized that she
didn’t have a bra because she was wearing a corset beneath her dress.
“D*mn!” she rasped and quickly jumped into bed and pulled the blanket up
to cover herself.
Meanwhile Hunter walked in the kitchen to prepare coffee for her, which he
had never prepared in all his life. To the chagrin and complete astonishment
of the omegas in the kitchen, he spilled milk, burned coffee, broke a few
cups, added heaps of sugar and then ended up breaking the coffee espresso
maker.
After half an hour, he finally churned out a cup of coffee and to impress
River, he made a smiley with chocolate powder on its surface. Impressed
with himself, he walked to her room with it.
He opened the room to find her sitting in his shirt with a blanket. His throat
slid when their gazes locked.
He was going to keep that shirt next to him for the next few days just to
smell her. “Coffee. For you,” he managed to say in a hoarse voice, his eyes
hooded.
“Oh, thanks!” she said and extended her hand for it. The blanket fell.
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Chapter 27
If Hunter was feeling anything for her, now his mind became numb. Every
thought from his head vanished as he looked at her. He sagged on his knees
on the rug beside her bed much to her surprise.
“Alpha Hunter,” she said in her babyish husky voice with wide eyes.
“Please sit on the bed. Why are you there?” Hunter didn’t know what she
was speaking, so he managed to mumble something that even he didn’t
understand. River tilted her head, her eyes going round. “Okay…” she said,
and Hunter knew that he was saying something incorrigible.
She lifted the cup to her lips and had the coffee. Her face turned red as she
held the liquid in her mouth and then eventually gulped it down. She
released a hot, ragged breath and said in a meek voice, “It is good. Thank
you”
Hunter wasn’t listening to what she said because he was focused on the
creamy layer that had formed over her lips. She looked… like a siren, her
love song written over her upper lip. He didn’t know why he did that, but he
leaned over and then kissed her on her lips, licking away the creamy layer.
When he pulled away, he licked his lips as River watched him, frozen at her
place, her face flushed.
“There was cream over your lip,” he said, unabashedly. “I thought I should
have removed it.”
Tingles spread in her body that went straight to her stomach where a nest of
butterflies fluttered wildly.
Her breath lodged in her throat. The sensation of his lips on hers was so hot
and sensuous that she hadn’t felt like that in all her eighteen years. She
should have backed down and felt disgusted, but she found herself saying,
“Th- Thank you.” Pleased with himself, he backed away a few inches from
her and smiled. “Pleasure is mine.” His eyes went to her neck and then her
pulse point where he imagined sinking his fangs and marking her. Just the
thought of it made him restless.
What? River was flummoxed. She pursed her lips and lowered her gaze,
feeling nervous.
“Won’t you have the remaining coffee?” he said. He had prepared it with so
much enthusiasm.
“Y–yes,” she bobbed her head and took another sip. The result was the
same. The coffee was a disaster, but how could she break his heart? Slowly
she took another sip, gulping it down with an effort.
“I will be sleeping in the adjacent room. If you need me, you can call me,
okay?” he said as he got up.
“I will,” she replied politely, thinking that he was leaving. But Hunter
turned and then sat on her bed.
Taken aback, she said, “Won’t you be going to sleep?”
Hunter raised an eyebrow. After musing for a few seconds, he said, “I am
not sleepy. Are you?”
River was sleepy. After the day’s activities, she was both physically and
mentally tired. So she answered honestly, “I am.”
“I see,” he said, disappointment flickering over his face. “Have your coffee
and then you can go to sleep.”
River nodded, thinking now he would leave, but Hunter continued to sit
there and watch her. His gaze raked over her body and she noticed that he
crossed his legs, a groan slipping from his mouth. He looked
uncomfortable.
She wasn’t used to this kind of attention. She felt very awkward but she
focused on having coffee. She couldn’t have more than half of it, so she
placed the cup on the bedside table. Smiling, she announced,
“I will be sleeping now.”
As if pulled out of his reverie, Hunter jerked his head back. “Oh, okay,” he
murmured. He rose to his feet, walked to the door, grabbed its knob and
looked back at her. He switched off the lights and now only the soft light of
the bedside lamp spread in her room.
When River looked at him, she mouthed a good night. However, she was
thunderstruck with what she saw next. Hunter closed the door but he didn’t
go outside. He leaned with his arm over it and took a deep breath in. He
turned towards her and walked back to the bed. River got up with a jerk and
said with terror in her voice, “Won’t you be sleeping in your room?”
He narrowed his eyes. Removing his jacket, he shook his head. “I think you
need to be protected. I am not sure of those she Lycans. They can harm you.
Soooo…” his voice drawled as he came to the other side of the bed. He sat
down and gave her a cocky smile. “So I will be sleeping here.
The truth was that there was no way that the girls had the audacity to come
to this side of the castle. He would have ripped them apart.
River was… aghast. She grabbed the blanket and held it around her tightly.
She thought of protesting but then held her tongue back. She was, after all,
a breeder. How could she think of protesting? But she didn’t like it. What if
Alpha
Hunter forced himself on her? She saw him lying on the far end of her bed.
And as soon as he hit the pillow, he closed his eyes and crossed his arms
over his chest.
“Don’t worry, River,” he said as if he read her mind. “I won’t be doing
anything to you until you like it.”
Her cheeks pinkened. She understood the reason why she was here and was
expecting ill treatment from the Alpha, but here he was, not even touching
her. Feeling relaxed at his assurance, River turned to the other side, pulled
up her blanket to her neck and closed her eyes. Even though she was
sleeping with a man in the same bed for the first time in her life, she was
now feeling protected, even happier. Her mind was too conflicted about the
emotions swirling inside her, but they seemed… natural. She wished her
wolf was still there inside her. Soon she slumbered off to sleep.
When she fluttered open her eyes the next time, she was surrounded by a
delicious cedar smell. The morning light filtered through the curtain of the
window and dappled over her face. She closed her eyes again and nuzzled
into something hard and warm. She patted her hand over the ‘thing‘ she was
lying on and observed that her mattress had turned harder. She picked up
her head and stifled a shriek when she found herself looking straight into
the sharp green eyes of Alpha Hunter. River was lying over his chest, her
legs over his thighs.
“Do you always sleep like that?” he asked, staring at her with a smirk on his
face. “And by the way, that coffee was
terrible.”
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Chapter 28
River got up pushing against his chest, with a j*rk. When the h*ll she
crawled up to him and then climbed his chest? That was the last thing she
would have done. No one ever slept in her bed. She wasn’t used to it. Then
how did she seek him at night? Flustered, she stared at him for a moment
and then something hard poked her right at the apex of her thighs. Feeling a
thousand shades of embarrassment, she mumbled an apology and then
slipped off him.
She was sure that the bed sheets were going to catch fire for all the heat that
had pooled in her belly and then sunk below. Her mind was saying that this
was such a h*rrible and a bad thing she did, but her body was singing as if
approving of her climbing and sleeping on Alpha Hunter.
She glanced at Alpha Hunter only to find him smirking. He had crossed his
hands and took them beneath his head as he looked at her. River scrambled
away from him and got out of the bed. She shook her head
and said, “I have never done that. I mean- no one has ever slept with me!”
She slapped her m*uth with her hands when she realized the words she
spoke.
Hunter couldn’t help but laugh. He really liked the way she was blushing.
He was trying his best not to jump on her and pin her on the bed and kiss
her senseless or do something more. Last night when he went to bed, and lie
down beside her, she had slumbered off to sleep quickly, but he ended up
looking at her for most of the night.
River was a breeder and that was the reason why he had brought her to his
pack. It was her duty to produce pups for him so that he would marry a she
Lycan and continue with the tradition. But he didn’t want to force himself
on his mate. Even though she wouldn’t have protested, she would have
festered h*te inside her throughout her life. And that thought did not bode
well in him. So, all he could do was watch her sleep and that calmed him.
At least he was next to her and that was progress.
He went off to sleep much later but his eyes snapped open when he found a
soft hand on his chest and her face buried in his side. His heart beat wildly
as he traced the hand and found himself looking at his mate. She had tossed
the blanket away and since she was feeling cold, she had snuggled into him.
He was so bewildered by it that he didn’t move a finger, lest she would
wake up. Very slowly, he inched towards the blanket and somehow
managed to cover her with it. However, soon she kicked it away and
climbed over him for more warmth. Hunter thought he was going to d*e out
of pure happiness. His mate sought for him even when she was sleeping. He
couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around her. Her weight was assuring for
him and his wolf. For the first time, he felt… full. He wondered what it
would be
when he would claim her. That thought of sinking his fangs into her while
sinking himself deep in her core was more than enough to make him rock
hard.
It was hard for him to control his need for her and he stayed like that all
night. He couldn’t sleep a wink.
He had to do something to bring her wolf out so that she would recognize
her mate. And for that, he started planning on various
things.
“I am so sorry, Alpha Hunter,” River said. “Please forgive me.”
“I won’t!” he replied with a tease in his voice.
She snapped her eyes at him in anticipation as a frown crossed her
forehead.
“I want you to come for training with me. Will you?”
River blinked a few times. She couldn’t believe that Alpha Hunter would
call her for training. “You mean like warrior
training?” she asked incredulously.
He nodded and turned to his side. He lifted his forearm, resting it on his
elbow and cradled his head in his palm as he
watched her with interest.
River gulped. Even in her own pack she was shunned so much that no one
called her for warrior training.
Before Hunter revoked his decision, she bobbed her head excitedly. “I
would love to!” she said.
“Great! Then get ready in an hour and meet me downstairs in the dining
hall.”
“I will!” she nodded vehemently. Then she stood there waiting for him to
leave for a few minutes, but he didn’t. He just tumbled back on his belly. “I
would like to change,” she said, exasperatedly. No answer. “Could you
please leave?” she said in a low voice so that he wasn’t offended. Again no
answer.
River walked to his side cautiously and found that Alpha Hunter was in
deep sleep. She stood there akimbo wondering why he was sleeping now,
but she didn’t have the heart to wake him up. So she went to the bathroom
and changed there after taking a hot bath. When she came back, he wasn’t
there.
At the dining table there was no one except Alpha Hunter. They had
breakfast quickly and he led her to the training
center.
There were about thirty males and females in the center. The training center
was a vast area where she also saw Asher.
Hunter had already established his mind link with Asher and told him about
River. He was pairing up the werewolves to practice with each other. As
soon as they saw Alpha, they bowed to him.
“Good morning, Alpha,” said Asher as he came to him. “I can pair up with
River while you look at the warriors overall?” A low growl emanated from
his chest but it was enough for Asher to step back in fear.
“I will be training with her,” Hunter replied, almost possessively.
Asher gulped and bowed to him. As soon as he left, Hunter grabbed River’s
hand and pulled her to a corner where he began training her with soft
punches.
For two days he was asking her to punch him on his body. Her punches
were so soft that he enjoyed them. “Why aren’t you reciprocating?” she
asked him as she punched his hand.
How could he? He was never going to injure her. “I will,” he replied, “Once
you are good with these.”
They would go on long runs together before the training and after a week,
River could see changes in her body. She used to feel hungrier. She started
developing muscles and she felt more energetic.
It had been a week since Rosalie or other girls had crossed her path again.
Once she heard from Faria that Rosalie was busy shopping for her
impending marriage with Alpha Hunter. Those words hurt her more than
she had imagined. She decided to meet Ella and form a plan to escape. But
why was it that she was not able to finalize anything?
For those seven days, Hunter would find one or the other excuse to sleep in
the same bed as hers. River had tried her best to keep distance from him.
She had even kept a lot of pillows between them so that when she moved to
the other side, she would be stopped by them, but she found them tossed on
the ground and herself on him. Every d*mn night. And every d*mn
morning she woke up, too embarrassed about her position.
Mia was turning out to be quite a cute one. She would take her to various
places and rooms in the castle when Hunter wasn’t there. Overall, River
was enjoying her life.
It was the next Monday, after her usual training, she had come to grab some
food in the dining hall, when she met Rosalie. She was sitting at the table.
“Have you had sx with him yet?” she snapped at her.
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Chapter 29
“What?” River rasped, shocked at Rosalie’s question.
“You heard me,” Rosalie shot back. “Have you had sx with him? It’s been a
week and don’t tell me that you haven’t even been able to seduce Alpha
Hunter.” She moved her neck right and left. “Or is it that the Alpha is no
longer interested in the breeder?”
River was now really irritated by her. She suckd in a sharp breath as anger
flooded her. Something inside her snapped and she just couldn’t take
Rosalie’s sht any longer. “It is none of your concern whether I have had sx
with Alpha or
not!”
Rosalie got up and charged at her. She came to stand right in front of her
and hissed. “It is my concern that you have had sx with him. The moment
you get pregnant, I will send out invitations announcing our marriage. So
hurry up or you will be tossed out of this castle soon!”
“If you are so desperate, then why don’t you sleep with him?” River spat.
“Oh!” she chuckled through her anger. “You can’t. Because you can’t give
him a pup. You are highly dependent on me to give you a pup so that you
can raise him or her as your own.”
“River!” Rosalie shouted. “Don’t you fu*king play with me. I am going to
make you cry as h*ll and then get you kicked out of this place!”
River crossed her arms across her chest. “I challenge you, Rosalie. I
challenge you to try throwing me out of this castle. If i have to leave, I will
leave on my own accord and not because of your shenanigans. And from
the last encounter that you had with me, you still haven’t learnt your
lessons? Remember what happened at the ball?”
She sneered. “That was because Alpha Hunter sympathizes with you. You
are always playing a blo*dy victim card!”
River threw her head back and laughed. She picked up a grape from the
table and popped it in her m*uth. “I didn’t play a victim card but yes, you
did try to make me a victim of your devilries.”
“My devilries?” Rosalie spat, closing her hands into tight fists. “Are you
mad? You can’t even seduce him and you are insinuating to me that I am
hampering your efforts?”
River frowned at this st*pid logic of hers. When did she insinuate her of
hampering her efforts in seducing the Alpha? “I don’t know what you are
saying but I don’t think I need your help in that department!”
Suddenly, Rosalie slapped herself so hard that her fingerprints appeared on
her cheek. River stood there, watching her with horror. Then Rosalie fell on
the floor against a chair. Her knee started to bleed.
She started crying. She looked up at River with teary eyes. “I am so sorry
about it, River, but all I want is that you and Alpha get together. Is it so hard
to accept my true feelings for Alpha Hunter? It is so hard to see him with
any other female as such, now that we will be marrying soon, but what can I
do? It is not in my hands that I can’t give birth to a pup.” She sobbed with
her shoulders shuddering.
River stilled. Just a moment back Rosalie was accusing her of playing a
victim card and what was she doing now? Why was she acting as a victim
and that too for such a blatant lie? A growl from behind made her turn her
head over her shoulders. She saw Alpha Hunter standing a few feet away,
glaring at Rosalie. And then the realization dawned upon her. So Lady
Rosalie was trying to show that River was the villain here for no fault of
hers. Seriously, Rosalie was a m*ntal case.
Seeing the Alpha with surprise in her eyes, Rosalie got up. She wiped her
tears and said, “Oh Alpha Hunter. I didn’t know you were here. I was just-”
She adjusted her skirt and then again broke into a sob.
“What happened?” Hunter asked, narrowing his eyes as his gaze traveled to
her cheek which was red.
Rosalie hid her cheek and shook her head. “It’s nothing,” she said. “I think
River got angry with me.” She turned to look at River. “I am so sorry. I will
never offend you again.” She bit her lip. “It is natural to get jealous but it is
not my fault that I love Alpha Hunter. It is not my fault that–” she closed
her lips, wiping more tears. Then she gave a heart tugging look to Hunter
and rushed to him. She grabbed his waist and buried her face in his chest. “I
promise I will never ever talk about us to her again. Please don’t punish her.
She just pushed me down and slapped me so hard when I told her that I love
you.”.
Hunter hated that Rosalie had her arms wrapped around him as his mate
watched him. River’s eyes had that pain in them and Hunter realized that
even though she didn’t recognize him as his mate, she felt for him
instinctively. He removed Rosalie’s arms from: him and said, “I think you
are under some wrong notion that I love you. Maybe, you should pack up
and leave the castle for a few days to clear your head.”
Rosalie froze. “Wh- what?”
Hunter pointed out the bruise on her knee. “And I saw you falling against
the chair like a dead
mosquito.” He narrowed his eyes again. “So River didn’t push you.”
Rosalie’s heart sped wildly. Her lie was caught. “She-she slapped so hard
that I fell down!”
Hunter took a deep breath in. “Rosalie, River is a right-hand girl. If she will
slap her imprint will come on your left cheek, not the right. I know what
you did. You staged it all.”
Rosalie paled. Before she could speak more, Hunter growled at her
ferociously. “Leave the castle in one hour. If I see you in its grounds after
an hour, I will throw you in the dungeons. Do you get it?”
“Alpha Hunter!” Rosalie whimpered. “How can you say that to me in front
of a breeder? I am going to get married to
you!”
“Now!” Hunter roared and spilled his powerful aura.
Rosalie winced, cowering away from him. She turned, scared as h*ll and
then ran out of the dining hall.
When she was out of his sight, he turned to look at River. His anger settled
and he said, “Are you okay?”
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“1- I am fine…” River muttered, watching Rosalie run out of the room.
Along with Hunter, River went to her room, still reeling under the shock of
what Rosalie did. Her stepsister, Brianna was vicious, but Rosalie topped
the charts. “Please don’t think much about her, River,” Hunter tried to allay
her restlessness. “Rosalie is going to leave the castle soon and then you
won’t be meeting her at all.”
River nodded her head still light with all the emotions swirling inside her.
When they reached her room, she went to take a shower. At the back of her
mind she was feeling guilty that she was the cause of breaking a marriage
between Hunter and Rosalie. But at the same time why was she feeling like
Rosalie was a good riddance.
Over the next week, Hunter increased her strength training. River thought
that being an omega, she won’t be able to be as strong as the Alphas but
every day was a surprise for her. She was feeling stronger and had become
pretty agile. Hunter made sure that she was always paired with him in the
training arena. He had started with her lunge training and combined it with
scaling the walls. River liked every part of it. Her respect and attraction for
Hunter grew even further because he never forced himself on him.
It was during one of these days that Hunter didn’t come because he had to
fly out of the Veil on business. He had specially told her that he would
come back in a day. Elijah paired her up with a young warrior named
Nancy.
“I have been watching you,” said Nancy with a glint in her eyes. “You have
picked up so well in just three weeks.”
“Thank you,” River replied, having her first normal conversation in ages.
“But I also see that Alpha Hunter pairs up with you only and no one else,”
Nancy giggled as she took up her position.
River blushed. “I think he wants me to…” her voice drawled off. He really
wanted her to strengthen.
Over time all the rumors that she had heard about how Veil treated the
breeders were dispelling. Or maybe those things happened in the past but
not now. Nowadays, everything was so modern, despite the fact that Veil
was surrounded by the demons and that no one was allowed to enter. It was
so far away from the modern civilization but was far better in every amenity
as compared to other werewolf packs.
“We know!” Nancy chuckled. “You don’t have to explain.”
River jerked her head back. “You know that I am a—”
“Yes, we know that you are a breeder,” Nancy replied. “Curtsey Mina and
Gina. So don’t worry.” Nancy smiled. “All of us know it, but it doesn’t
matter to us. Mina and Gina are close to Rosalie, and after Rosalie was sent
packing her bags out of the castle, the twins have been trying to tarnish your
reputation.”
River’s mood plummeted.
“Hey, please don’t worry about them. In fact, no one is bothered about the
twin trash. We all are very happy that they were thrown out of the castle.
Everyone in the pack knows that Rosalie was trying her best to gain access
to Alpha Hunter’s bed. She was seducing him as much as possible and
trying to scare every one of us into submitting to her. Trust me, we are so
happy that she has gone!” Nancy let out a low laugh so that no one else
heard her.
River tried her best to curb her growing smile by biting her lip. “Let us train
a little,” she said.
“Oh yes!” Nancy agreed. “Do you know there is a lovely lake just a mile
from here? Would you like to take a plunge in it after the training?”
“Sure!” River liked her idea. And then she spun on her left heel and landed
her kick on Nancy’s abdomen.
Nancy tried to dodge herself, but was still hit. “You are pretty agile!” Nancy
said and lunged at her. She tried to box her temple, but River moved back in
a split second and her hand swiped in the air. Nancy laughed, surprised. She
was about to lunge at her again, but this time River bent down and head
butted her left thigh. Nancy fell down. “F**k!” she gritted her teeth.
The two had a great time training together in which River realized that she
could easily match Nancy’s strength and agility. It was as if it was natural to
her. When they finished, they picked up their towels and wiped their sweat.
“Are you free in the evening?” Nancy asked her. “We all are planning to go
to the Pink Harbor pub.”
“I don’t know if I will be allowed,” River said sheepishly.
“Why would they not allow you?” Nancy asked with a frown.
“I mean, I am a breeder and-”
“Chill girl!” Nancy laughed at her nervously. “No one will stop you. You
can come with us! We are a group of four warriors. If you like you can
bring Mia with you.”
Chapter 30 “Mia?”
Nancy bobbed her head. “I pity that girl so much. Ever since Rosalie was in
the castle, she controlled Mia a lot, but now that she is out, Mia can be…
herself.”
A low growl from behind made them snap their heads at the back. “Beta
Elijah!” Nancy gasped, her body straining with
tension.
“What are you girls talking about Mia?” he said, his voice laced with
danger.
Nancy blinked her eyes. “It’s nothing much Beta. It’s just that I was
wondering if River could come with us to the Pink Harbor Pub. And I asked
her to get Mia with her.”
“Just like that?” Elijah growled.
Nancy froze in her place. “1– I am sorry Beta. I didn’t know that-”
“Mia can go with you, but I will also accompany these two girls. In fact, I
will bring three warriors with me for protection.”
Nancy’s m*uth opened in the shape of O. She wasn’t expecting that the beta
would also like to go to the pub. “S-sure,” she replied, shocked. “At 9PM.”
Elijah turned sharply to leave. “I will be getting the girls with me at 9PM.”
Saying that he walked away from them to a group of young male warriors.
Nancy turned to look at River with raised eyebrows. “Beta Elijah to the
pub? That is soon going to become the talk of the pack!”
River tittered. “There’s a first for everything in this world!”
Nancy took River to the lake that she was talking about in her car. It was a
beautiful lake, surrounded by dense trees on all the sides. The water was
clear and cool and River was surprised to see a variety of fish inside. It
wasn’t too big but she couldn’t help thinking of Alpha Hunter. She couldn’t
help missing him.
She wondered if he would ever come to the lake with her.
Nancy and River played in the lake for a long time until they were tanned.
River realized that her tan lines had become wicked. When she returned to
the castle, she found a very angry Faria.
“Where the h*ll were you?” Faria growled. “I was so worried!”
River mentioned to her about Nancy and that they had gone to the lake. “It
was great, Faria. You should come with me
next time!”
“No way!” Faria growled again. “But at least tell me where you have gone
the next time. I get very worried!”
“I am sorry, Faria. I will let you know from now on.” River turned to go to
the bathroom when she spun.
“Oh, I forgot to mention. Tonight I will be going to the Pink Harbor Pub
along with Mia. Beta Elijah will also be coming with us.”
Faria’s eyebrow shot to the roof. “Mia? Elijah?”
“Yes! Could you please get her ready as well?”
A semblance of a smile spread on her lips. “Yes, I will get her ready as well.
Mia would love it. That girl hasn’t experienced a good life ever since
Rosalie stepped in the castle…”
Exactly at 8:30PM, River and Mia were dressed for the pub. River was
wearing black mini skirt with a red sleeveless top while Mia was wearing
blue jeans and a whte silk blouse.
“You look so beautiful!” Mia said and hugged River. “And thank you. I am
dying to go to the pub!”
“Hey, you look just as pretty, Mia!” River said. She really felt bad for Mia.
Being a royal she had limited access to every place.
Elijah came to pick them soon after in his jeep. Another car with three
warriors was behind his jeep.
River noticed that Mia blushed heavily in his presence. Before she could sit
in the passenger seat, Mia hopped in it. River poked her tongue in her cheek
and sat on the rear seat. Throughout the journey, Mia was quiet and kept
glancing at Elijah once in a while.
They reached the pub and as soon as they entered, Nancy spotted them. She
waved at them and called them to the table at which she was sitting along
with her group of friends.
River saw that it was a pub with a small dance floor in the middle where
some couples were already dancing.
“Thanks for coming!” Nancy said with a bright smile. “This is Joey, Bella
and Brigg!” she pointed at her friends. They were the regular warriors who
were also being trained. As they all settled down and started talking over
the drinks and
snacks, River’s eyes fell on the bar where she saw Mina, Gina and Rosalie.
And Rosalie was shooting daggers at her
with her eyes.
River ignored her and continued with her gin and tonic. Mia mingled well
with the group when suddenly, Elijah said, “Mia, would you like to join me
for a drive to the Moon Point?”
Mia lifted her gaze to River as if asking for permission. River stifled her
smile and said, “She can join, but please bring her in one hour.”
“I will!” Elijah got up immediately and extended his hand to Mia. She
caught it, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Together, they walked out
of the pub amidst a very quiet and surprised crowd.
River let out a laugh. “These two are so apparent!”
Nancy laughed with her. “The whole pack knows and they both try to hide
it!”
Just as River was again laughing at how cute the two of them were, she saw
the door open with a bang and Alpha
Hunter walked in.
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Chapter 31
River was astonished Eyes wide, she saw Alpha Hunter walking in the pub,
his eyes geared at her with an intense expression. He had said that he was
going to come the next day. How come he came so soon?
He was covering the long distance between him and her when River heard
squeals and a few young starry eyed. she-Lycans rushed to meet him.
“Alpha Hunter! How are you?” said one.
“Alpha Hunter, would you like to dance with me?”
“Alpha Hunter, my parents have been asking me to call you for dinner!”
Most of them started talking to him excitedly, swooning over him, enticing
him with their husky voices and flirtatious attitude. Taking advantage of the
situation, Rosalie smirked at River and then walked over
to him, swaying her hips
“Alpha Hunter,” she said in a soft voice, parting the group of girls
surrounding him. She came to stand right in front of
him.
River watched them all and her jealousy flared. She shouldn’t feel this
jealous because after all she was just a breeder But the next she knew that
her grasp on her glass tightened.
Rosalie talked to Alpha Hunter as if nothing happened between them. Just a
few days back, Hunter had thrown her out of his castle and she was being
so friendly with him? Was she so desperate?
“Goddess, this Rosalie has some guts,” Nancy said, voicing her thoughts.
“Everyone in the pack knows that she is no longer living in the castle. She
had tried to botch up her exit with a sad story that she wants to see her
parents and at the same time her close friends, aka Mina and Gina are
helping her to spread rumors about you that you can’t become pregnant and
that you aren’t allowing Alpha Hunter to get close to you.”
“Wh-what?” River snapped her head to look at Nancy. “That’s ****. How
can they do all that when they don’t even know what is going on? I mean
they don’t even come to the castle anymore!”
Nancy shrugged. “That’s the sour world, River. You have to deal with it.”
She pointed her chin at Rosalie.
“Look what she is doing. She is trying to get back to Alpha Hunter
desperately.”
River saw that Rosalie was laughing while talking to Hunter. Her neck was
craned to look at his face and she looked like only Hunter was her world.
She was so focused on what he was saying that nothing else mattered. River
was so ***at this that it was a wonder that the glass in her hand hadn’t
shattered. She felt like plucking Rosalie away from Hunter and throwing
her on the ground. But how could she do that?
“What are you thinking, River?” Nancy said, elbowing her. “Ignore that
***. The whole pack knows what she is up to but she is so hopeless.”
But that wasn’t enough for River. Seeing the way Hunter was talking to the
other girls including Rosalie, her jealousy only became a notch higher.
Angered by it, she said, “I am coming from the restroom.”
Without waiting for Nancy to speak, she got up and walked outside the pub
instead of the bathroom.
She needed fresh air to stop herself from fretting over it.
What Nancy said about pregnancy was actually right. She wasn’t allowing
Hunter to come near to her and that was why the Alpha was waiting for her
so patiently. So why should she feel jealous when other girls are getting
close to him? It was her who wasn’t ready for having ***with him. She
berated herself again and again, her chest pounding so wildly that tears
came in her eyes. It was all her fault. And yet, Alpha Hunter had been so
nice with her.
With so many emotions swirling in her mind, River started walking. Her
anger fueled her walk and she started running towards God-knows-where.
She just wanted to get away from all of it. Was she falling
for Alpha Hunter? Was it that the lamb was falling in love with the wolf?
She shook her head. How was that possible? Just a few days back she had
met him. How was it possible that she would develop feelings for him to the
extent that it hurt her when she saw him with other women? She tried to
reason it, confused about herself, but the more she reasoned, the more
tangled she felt.
When River stopped the first thing she saw was the lake stretched in front
of her. Panting, she stopped in front of it. The moonlight was glinting on its
surface, making the water shimmer. Cool breeze was blowing and she felt a
little bit of calm in this tranquil piace.
River started walking towards the lake, leaving a trail of her clothes behind
her. She entered the lake and then jumped in the water deep inside. She
needed to give herself time and the sudden cold splash of water numbed her
mind. She wished that her wolf woke up so that she could talk to her.
River swam in the lake and tried to chase her thoughts in order to feel
better, but whatever she did, it was not helping her Eventually she thought
of coming back to the shore. She came back and picked up
her clothes and walked towards the copse of palm trees. She paused when
all at once she saw a dark silhouette emerging from the darkness Shocked,
she gasped and clutched her clothes to her chest and covered her ***with
her free hand
“Who is there?” she shouted a bit loudly. But a strong breeze blew and the
familiar cedar and mist smell wafted in the air. “Alpha Hunter?” River was
stunned. Did he come after her?
Hunter emerged from the forest, his brows furrowed deep and his eyes
raking her body. He came to stand at an arm’s length from her, his chest
heaving, his jaw clenched and the tendons of his neck strained. “Why did
you run away, River?” he asked.
River’s body was behaving out of control. She backed up a little but she
didn’t want to. Hunter took a step closer to her. She stepped away a little
more and Hunter stepped towards her again, maintaining the same distance.
She didn’t know what to say or how to explain things to him but continued
to step back until she hit the trunk of a tree. Her ***in front of him should
be bothering her but why wasn’t it?
Her back was against a very coarse trunk, but that was nothing in
comparison to her feelings.
Hunter placed his hands on either side of her, caging her. He leaned towards
her and then tilted his neck a little to go towards her right earlobe. His
warm breath was falling over her wet body and sent shivers down, making
her toes curl. Her lips parted and she wondered if she was going to sustain
his proximity.
Every unpleasant thought in her mind fizzled.
“You didn’t answer me, River?” he said and now he was dangerously close
to her. “Why did you run away from there?”
“I-1-” she wanted to say that she was jealous.
“I-?” he goaded her. “What River?”
She couldn’t speak. She let out a ragged breath, her control crumbling like a
house of cards. Hunter leaned in and brushed her earlobe with his lips.
River’s body trembled at the touch. This was so intimate
and sensuous that she closed her eyes, giving him more access to her neck.
Hunter lowered his lips to her neck and brushed her skin over there. River
felt his fangs grazing her neck and she yelped in response when he grazed
them over her skin. “Alpha Hunter…” she rasped as if taking the name of
her God. Her body was taut like a guitar strings waiting to be strummed.
“River…” He brought his hand to the side of her body and trailed it down
towards the apex of her thighs and he started stroking her. And she realized
that he was strumming her. Liquid head pooled in her stomach. Her body
was ready to be strummed, desperate for his touch, desperate for his song.
She did not know what was happening to her but whatever was happening
felt like heaven. She didn’t want it to stop. The clothes in her hand fell
down and now she was completely ***in front of him.
Hunter brought his lips to her jaw and trailed kisses from there all the way
to her neck and back up to her cheeks. He cupped her ***and then crashed
his lips on hers. River opened herself. She parted her lips for him to explore
her ***, to taste him and to let him taste her.
He flicked her swollen bud as he kissed her. He plunged his tongue inside
her and explored her as if he was waiting for her for all life. He couldn’t
breathe because it was the first time his mate was letting him kiss and touch
her. His fingers
reached her swollen nub.
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Chapter 32
Chapter 32
“Ah!” she arched her body to give him more access. He strummed her and
her body started singing his song.
Hunter wedged a thigh in between her legs as he kept her pinned against the
trunk of the tree doing what he wanted to for so long. And he was rewarded
by the juices that were flowing in his hand. She brought her hands to his
chest and her fingernails dug in him as if to bring him nearer. He smirked at
her possessiveness. He was hers.
Hunter left her lips and nibbled at her jaw. His fingers were already creating
their magic on the apex of her thighs. He brought his other hand to her
breasts and squeezed them. “So perfect,” he mumbled.
“For my hands.” She kneaded them and she cried. “Come for me, River,” he
commanded her “I want you to come on my fingers. I want to feel you”
River had never heard such words. They were ****, but she was feeling
like the liquid head in her stomach was going to explode any time. “Oh,
Hunter!” she rasped and when he pinched her swollen bud, her body
shuddered and she came all over his hands. The feeling left her trembling in
his arms and it had nothing to do with the cold breeze. River was so spent
that she didn’t have the energy to move or talk. She let herself be and
Hunter wrapped her in his arms, satisfied with himself that he had given
orgasm to his mate and that her first orgasm belonged to him.
When she settled a little, he scooped her in his arms. She curled her arms
around his neck and buried her face in the ***of his neck. She was not
wearing any clothes and yet she wasn’t feeling ashamed of herself. It just
felt… right. Hunter carried her all the way back to his car He had come
after her in his car after he saw that she had left. He was still talking to
Rosalie and other girls in the pub. Rosalie was trying to show how close he
was to everyone at the pub and he was getting repulsed by her behavior.
The only reason why he wasn’t retaliating to her was because he didn’t
want to make a scene in the pub.
He had come a day earlier from his trip because he was unable to stay
without his mate who was still unclaimed. So he cut short on the trip,
declining every dinner and lunch invitation, squeezed all meetings in a day
and then flying back to her.
When he reached the castle, the first thing he did was to go to meet her, but
his mind went into panic when he saw that she wasn’t in her room. Faria
informed him as to where she was and that Mia too had accompanied her.
Elijah was escorting the two girls.
The next Hunter knew was that he was running to his car. He must have
over-sped it because he reached the pub in merely fifteen minutes. It was at
least a half an hour drive. He cursed himself that he should have shifted and
rushed here. Then he would have made it in less time.
When he reached inside, his eyes scanned the crowd and they got fixed on
her automatically. She was like a magnet attracting him. The world faded
around him as he walked towards her.
However, it was punctuated by the female Lycans and Rosalie. He was
replying to them and was trying his best to get out of there. When he looked
at her again, she was glaring at him. Was she jealous? That was a lovely
thought. So he waited a little more with the females and talked with them
just to test his theory.
When he looked back at her to see her reaction, she wasn’t there. Dread
skittered inside him and making his way out, he went after her. He was
never going to make her feel jealous!
He was surprised that River ran so fast that she reached the lake that was a
mile away so soon.
In front of his car, he set her on her feet. He removed his shirt and made her
wear it. He didn’t know where they left her clothes and he wasn’t bothered.
She was safe and secure and satiated with him.
Once she was in the car with him, he grasped her hand and tugged it to his
thighs as he ***back to the castle.
River was feeling embarrassed of her state. She wasn’t wearing panties or
her bra. Draped in his shirt, how was she going to enter the castle? “Ah!”
The skin of her back burned. This must have happened when she was
against the trunk of the tree with him.
“What happened?” he asked, whipping his head to her. “River, are you
okay?”
“My back…” she said. Her cheeks pinkened.
“I think you need a hot bath, River,” he said and lifted her hand to kiss her
knuckles. “I will add a healing lotion to it.”
River blushed but she didn’t speak much, feeling coy. This was the most
intimate moment of her life and the burn at the back was nothing compared
to what she experienced.
They reached the castle somewhere during midnight and though he wanted
to scoop her and carry her to the bedroom, he just intertwined his hands
with hers and walked with her till there. He made her sit on the bed and
went to prepare a hot bath for her in the bathtub.
1/2
17:55
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Chapter 32
River submersed herself in the hot, steamy bath that was smelling of thyme
and lavender and basil. She moaned in pure pleasure when hot water rippled
around her. Hunter had left her alone even though it was apparent on his
face
that he wanted to join her.
She closed her eyes and rested her head back. Her mind went to what
happened at the lakeside and she couldn’t help a blush rising on her cheeks.
But her mind went back to her mate, Hector
She realized that Hector hadn’t rejected her yet. Then how was it that she
had feelings for Hunter? This was all so wrong What was it that she was
missing? Was this just love? Or was this lust? Nothing made sense.
For the time the realization hit her like a punch in her gut and sadness
marred her beautiful feelings. She should have rejected Hector before
coming to the Veil. Because now how would she do that? At least she could
have moved
forward.
Thinking of Hector made her feel like throwing up. Over the past she had
experienced way too many heartaches and stomachaches. Often, she would
double up in pain at nights and sometimes during the day too. She knew
why this was happening. This was because Hector must be having ***with
Victoria.
River would cry as to why it was that the Moon Goddess chose to punish
the female while the male enjoyed it.
Now all over again, she was beginning to get the same ache. But River
stayed quiet by biting her lips as she caught hold of her stomach and
suffered silently in the bath. The pain was so strong that it punched the
breath out of her. The pain subsided after almost twenty minutes and by that
time she was a crying mess.
Somehow, River dragged herself out of the bathroom back into her
bedroom, not having the energy to change also. When she came into the
bedroom, she saw that Hunter wasn’t there. “Thank goddess,” she cried and
went directly to the bed to lie down in her towel. After such a beautiful
evening she was miserable that it ended like this.
“River?” Hunter’s voice woke her up with a start. He was sitting by her side
on the edge of her bed and stroking her hair. She turned her face towards
him and saw that his brows were furrowed. “Were you crying?” he asked.
Her tear-stained cheeks were red and her lips were swollen like that of a
baby. She was curled in a ball.
“N-no,” she lied.
He continued to stroke her hair with his long fingers as he assessed her face.
“You can tell me what is wrong. If you are not happy with what happened-”
“No, it’s not that,” she replied immediately. How could something so
wonderful make her unhappy?
“Then what is it? Did someone insult you again?”
She chuckled. “No.”
Taking in a deep breath, he thought that perhaps she needed space. “Then
have some coffee and tuna sandwich. I made it for you,” he said, pointing at
the plate on the bedside table.
She got up, her body still wrapped in the towel and accepted the tuna
sandwich. It warmed her heart when he made things for her. As she ate her
sandwich, he looked at her fondly. “How is it?” he asked curiously.
“It is great,” she replied, chewing on it and then sipping the coffee.
Hunter got up and brought a nightgown for her and when he placed it
beside her, he saw black and blue marks on the side of her belly through a
slit in her towel. “How did you get that?” he growled, his body going tense.
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The war between werewolves and Lycans was brewing up. There were
some werewolves who were constantly attacking the Lycans and wanted to
get in the Veil or when the Lycans visited outside the Veil, they were
attacked. In his previous trips to the human world he had seldom had such
encounters. He was trying his best to get to the root of the problem, but he
wasn’t able to find who was the leader of this attack.
With River in his life he had calmed down a lot, but now she was his utmost
priority If anyone came to know that she was his mate, he was sure that
they would try to harm her as much as possible, not because they would
want to harm her, but because they would want to get to him.
“Tell me!” he insisted.
Embarrassed, River quickly covered her skin as a pale blush dusted her
cheeks. “It’s nothing,” she murmured.
But Hunter wasn’t a ***. He narrowed his eyes on her and asked her again
in his commanding Alpha,
“How did you get that, River?
She winced. “It’s nothing much, Alpha Hunter,” she hid it from him. How
could she say that Hector was her mate and that he was cheating on her?
But her lips trembled when she hid it.
Not convinced, Hunter took a step closer to her, his wolf raging on the
inside. “Did you fall down somewhere? Did anyone hit you, push you or-”
“No!” she shook her head and lowered her head. “It’s nothing. Please don’t
worry so much!” She picked up her nightgown and slipped it on her body in
a way that her bruises were hidden at all times.
A muscle feathered on his jaw as he clenched it. “Don’t hide it from me,
River. Remember you are in the castle under my protection. So tell me how
did that happen and I am going to make sure that whosoever did this is
punished!”
River lifted her head up, her eyes moist. “It is not a good story, Alpha
Hunter. I don’t want to bother you with it.”
“Not a good story?” Hunter spat. He came to sit in front of her and took her
hands in his. “You can tell me every bad. story of yours. I am there for you
to listen to them.”
Feeling a thousand shades miserable, she said, “Alpha Maxim’s son, Hector
is my mate, but the day I came to know that he is my mate, I saw him
marking another girl of our school, Victoria.”
Hunter’s world came crashing down. It was as if someone had punched him
with a boulder. Dread blasted inside his chest and his stomach plummeted
to the floor. He thought his entire world had shattered and then some more.
River had a mate? And he separated her from him? Wait. “What?”
Hunter asked, not believing her. “He sank his fangs in another girl knowing
that you are his mate?”
“Yes,” River said in a low voice. “And that is why my wolf is sleeping. She
was… traumatized.”
***just good bad. Hunter got up, his knees shaky, his mind in a turmoil.
Could his life go any worse? He was so flustered that he didn’t know what
to do. He covered his ***with his hands as blood drained from his face.
Hunter took heavy steps towards the fire hearth and sank on the rug. His
eyes watched the flames in the fireplace that rippled softly, and the longer
he stared at them, the more his mind became tumultuous.
River had a mate… but did he reject her? She had so many bruises when he
had first met her, but he was sure that it was what her father and mother had
done to her.
But these black and blue marks were something else, and he didn’t want to
believe it. A surge of restless energy poured back through him and in its
rush, it drummed his fear and panic. He stabbed his fingers in his hair. And
if he was feeling like this, what was going on with River. He wanted to get
up and comfort her, but he was not comfortable with himself. So, he got up
and walked out of the room, his legs shaky, his body numb, his mind- well
that was different.
For the next two days, he didn’t come out of his room. Every time he would
get up, he would pick up something and throw it against the walls to vent
his anger. He had drained half the bottles of whiskey in these two days. His
wolf wanted him to go to his mate, but he was denying him. He looked like
a wraith by the end of the second day. It was impossible for him to attend
any meeting or give attention to his Alpha jobs, but how could he?
When he didn’t come out of his room for two days and refused to eat, Elijah
and Asher went to meet him.
“What is wrong with you, Hunter?” Elijah said as he took the glass from
Hunter’s hand that was tilted and was half-filled with whiskey. Hunter’s
hair was disheveled, he wasn’t wearing a shirt, there were bruises on his
knuckles and feet and every inch of the floor was filled with shattered
pieces of glass or metal. There were dents in the walls and plaster scattered
over the ground Hunter ***in a shallow breath. “She has a mate…” he said
in a slurry voice as a fresh pang of jealousy filled him
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with rage all over again. He just didn’t know how to deal with that situation
No wonder she was not having feelings for him and was suffering so much,
when he was so fully invested in her Elijah stared at him, shocked He
looked from him to Asher who was just as surprised “Who?” he asked Both
his beta and gamma knew that River was his mate but they never revealed it
to anyone
“Hector..”
“That dimwit?” Elijah barked instantly, making Hunter chuckle. “But I
know that he has another female”
“Yes, I saw him around with Victoria,” Asher added as he stepped over a
broken glass and came nearer
“In fact, both of them were pretty close.”
“That ***!” Elijah barked.
Hunter closed his eyes and rested his head on the wall he was sitting
against.
“But it is not River’s fault,” Elijah said, his eyes full of sadness for his
Alpha who was also his best friend.
“I know…” he rubbed his hand over his forehead. “He marked another
female.”
Elijah scowled. “What a ****! She must be suffering a lot. Has he rejected
her?”
“No…”
Elijah jerked his head back, unable to fathom his Alpha’s despair. He was
silent for a few moments when he said, “Why don’t you take her to her pack
and ask her to reject him?”
Hunter’s brows furrowed. “I have thought of that, but it would be too risky
for her. Alpha Maxim doesn’t want her anywhere near the pack after he
washed his hands off her.”
“Then why don’t you get Hector here?” Asher suggested.
Hunter looked at his gamma and said, “I haven’t brought male werewolves
in the Veil, Asher. It would be a huge problem if I bring him here.”
“We can be discreet about them,” Elijah said. “But this problem has to have
a solution. Get Hector over
here and then
he can reject her.”
“But would that scumbag agree? And if we bring him here, he is sure going
to act important!” Hunter growled.
“We can force him to reject her,” Elijah said with a twinkle in his eyes and
wiggling his eyebrows.
And for the first time Hunter laughed in two days. “But on what basis are
you going to bring him here?”
“Leave that to me,” Elijah said with a mysterious smile.
For two days, River was feeling miserable. Hunter was in his room and ever
since he had heard about her mate, he was acting bizarre. She would hear
glasses shattering in his room. Sometimes, the walls would shake as if
someone had punched them heavily. She heard him muttering curses one
after the other. And not even once did he eat food. River didn’t know why,
but she was beginning to get gloomy.
She had asked Faria as to what was wrong with him, but Faria had no
answers. “Alpha tantrums,” she would say, rolling her eyes.
Not having seen him for two was really terrible. She missed him more than
she could admit. She wished that she had rejected Hector before coming
here to make her life better. She regretted every moment of knowing
Hector. He was a heartless boy not worthy of being an Alpha or being
anyone’s mate.
River had tried so many times to reach Hunter, but was too scared that he
wouldn’t let her in his room or his heart. She had spent such a wonderful
time with him and this was how it was going to end?
He had got her here as his breeder and then she told him that she had a
mate. Her troubles only
doubled from what they were earlier. Often, she would be scared that
Hunter would throw her in dungeons and get another breeder. Nightmares
haunted her.
By the third day, she had lost all hope to talk to Hunter and knew that it was
time for her to run away, else she would be in dungeons like Ella. That
morning she went to meet Ella.
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Ever since Hunter had closed himself in his room, River tried her best to
divert her attention and for that she spent extra hours at the training center
Even though Nancy would ask her to come to the pub or other places where
the young Lycans hung out, she didn’t go Mia was a nice distraction but
Mia had her studies and since she was in an elite Lycan high school where
she was being trained to be a Luna, she was available for very less hours
It was on the third day that River went back to the tallest tower of the castle
where Ella was imprisoned
“You didn’t come back to meet me,” Ella complained, her voice weaker
than usual “I waited for so many days and then lost all hope that you would
help me.”
River ***in a sharp breath. She had met Ella a few weeks back and after
that Ella had gone at the back of her mind. River was making up her mind
to talk to Hunter about Ella but the topic never came up “I am sorry” she
murmured.
“Don’t tell me you are in love with the Lycan King!” Ella said in a sharp
voice. “He charms you at first and then just throws you here. Don’t you fall
for him. Use your logic. And the logic says that we must escape!”
Drawing in a rough breath, River said, “But how do I free you? I don’t even
know how to unlock you from this prison can’t find the door.”
“It is much to your right,” Ella guided her. “Almost towards the ledge.”
“It must be locked,” River replied as she forced herself off the ground. She
walked towards her right and saw… nothing “There is no door here,” she
replied. “Are you sure that it is here?”
“Yes, it is there,” Ella insisted.
River went to stand in front of the wall that was curved but it was the same
everywhere. She placed her hand over it to feel any hidden knob or handle
or a crack, but there was nothing of the sort. “How do you open it?” she
asked, irritated.
“Faria has the keys for this,” Ella answered. “She comes every day to give
me food, so she must be knowing”
River stilled. “Faria?”
“Yes. She is taking care of me in this prison. Do you know her?”
In her many days of association with Faria, River never thought that that
woman would be so cruel.
“Faria has the keys and if you can get hold of the keys, I will be freed.
Please River, you must help me!”
River was so stunned that she had no words.
“Are you there?” Ella asked in a panicky voice.
“I-I am,” River said.
“Do you know Faria? She is a maid in the castle. If you don’t, just find out
about her.”
“I will…” River pressed her palm against her forehead. She didn’t know
how she was going to ask Faria about it, but she was. Or maybe she would
steal the keys from her. “Do you know how to run out of the Veil?” she
asked, not sure if what she was doing was right or not. What if they were
caught? “There are demons all around!”
“Don’t worry, River,” Ella said. “Once I am out, I will take you along with
me. I know a few demons who will help me.”
“Oh!” River was surprised that Ella knew demons, but that information was
to her advantage.
“When will you come back next?” Ella asked. “I am getting impatient to
taste freedom again!”
“I will come soon,” Ella said in a promising voice. “Hopefully by evening ”
“That would be wonderful!” Ella squeaked. “Finally, tonight I will become
free all over again!”
River pursed her lips as a blush covered her cheeks out of excitement and
nervousness and also a kernel of sadness that was associated with leaving
Alpha Hunter. Was she ready to take that big leap?
River walked back to the castle in order to speak with Faria. She was sure
that Faria wouldn’t give her the keys so easily, and so she had to find out
where she kept them and take them from her. As she was coming back, she
heard a soft whirring of the helicopter and looked up. Someone was going
back out of the Veil again. She took a deep breath in and walked to her
bedroom. When she came back, she realized how quiet everything was.
Alpha Hunter was unusually quiet. There was no noise. “Good change,” she
murmured and hurried inside to take a bath. She felt like going and
checking in on him, feeling that familiar tug of heart, but she decided
against it.
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Alpha Maxim wanted to break his head for what his son didn’t do with
River. He had the chance to reject her, but he hadn’t. He had received a call
from Alpha Hunter’s beta, Elijah.
“Alpha Maxim, we talked to River about her reluctance to breed with Alpha
Hunter, and we came to know that your son, Hector, is her mate,” said
Elijah. “Why did you hide this information from us?”
Alpha Maxim swallowed thickly. “I…” he was dumbfounded. He pinched
the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger when a sudden
headache developed. He couldn’t lie to the Lycan because there was no way
he wouldn’t know that River was his mate.
“We transferred a large amount to you to buy the breeder and you dared to
deceive us? Not only that, this is against the treaty amongst werewolves and
Lycans. You have breached the integral point of the treaty which clearly
states that the girl should be a virgin and unmated,” Elijah added.
“I am so sorry…” Alpha Maxim said. He started panicking. If his deceit
came out, other Alphas were going to come at his back. “But everything
happened so fast that we didn’t know what to do. I think Hector is too kind
to have rejected River. But I will take the blame for it. It was an oversight
on my part.
If you will bring River back here, I will make sure that Hector rejects her.”
“That is out of the question! What if Hector changes his mind?” Elijah
snapped. “The breeder cannot go anywhere from the Veil. Hector has to
come here and reject River!”
Alpha Maxim was petrified. If Hector went inside the Veil, there was no
guarantee that he would come back alive. Hector was his heir and would
take the reins of the pack one day. He was not going to let it go so easily.
Maxim had ***the real Alpha of the pack, Alpha Lowell, because he
wanted peace amongst the Lycans and the werewolves many years back and
had taken over as the new Alpha. After all, he belonged to a faction of
werewolves who had secretly waged a war against the Lycans.
Along with two more Alphas, Maxim had massacred the entire family of
Alpha Lowell, but little did he know at that time that his daughter had gone
to spend her time at the house of her omega nanny Hazel.
Hazel and Kirk came out with the secret that they had River with them who
was Alpha Lowell’s daughter a month later. By that time Maxim had taken
over as the Alpha of the pack. He couldn’t get rid of the little girl. In order
to keep them quiet with the secret, Maxim had given yearly allowance and
threatened them that if they ever revealed it, he was going to ****them. He
had thought of ***the couple but he didn’t want to be seen as a reckless
***.
And that little girl was no one else but River. River was Alpha Lowell’s
daughter.
River had alpha blood in her.
Maxim was aghast when she turned out to be his son’s mate. The past had
reared its head again. But he cleverly got rid of River when he gave her as a
breeder to the Lycan King. At that time, he was happy that he was finally
victorious. However, the past came back haunting him in the disguise of the
phone call by Elijah.
“Are you there?” Elijah’s voice pulled him out of his reverie.
“Yes, I am. But you have to guarantee that Hector is safe. And I would want
Victoria to go with her.
Rejection is a hard emotion. At least Victoria would be there with him when
he rejects her.”
“That is fine with us,” Elijah growled. “Make sure that he is ready. Our cars
will arrive in a few hours!”
“I will,” Maxim said and gritted his teeth. There was no way out of this
situation.
The line went dead and Maxim called Hector. Suddenly, an idea came to
him. He called the leader of the faction of werewolves who kept on waging
one or the other war against the Lycans. “Hector and Victoria will be going
to the Veil tonight,” he said in a low voice.
There was a long silence from the other side. “I will call you back with the
plan in an hour,” he said in a deadly cold
voice and disconnected the call.
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At SPM, River was feeling stifled in her bedroom Without Alpha Hunter,
she felt like this was such a long day She had resisted herself to not meet
him, but in the end, she couldn’t hold herself any longer So she walked to
him and was about to knock, when Fara came over
“What are you doing? Fara asked, wide eyed “Alpha Hunter isn’t in his
room. He has gone to his office“
“Oh River was surprised but it was a good feeling At least he had gone out
of his room. She felt so quilty of telling him about her mate She should
have suffered silently After all she was just a breeder But at the back of her
mind she knew that Hunter treated her more than like a breeder.
River turned her attention to Faria “I wanted to ask you something,” she
said in a low voice as she walked back to her
FOOM
Faria entered her room after her and began picking up the clothes for
laundry. “Sure, what is it?”
Trying to act and sound casual, she said, “Where are your quarters?”
Faria stopped, narrowing her eyes “Why?” she asked.
She shrugged “Just like that I was curious.”
Faria sighed “All servants live at the back of the castle. We have our servant
quarters.”
“There might be many quarters, I believe!”
“There are,” Faria sighed. “Alpha Hunter is a very kind man.” She dug her
hands in her pocket and something jingled. “Oh!” she said as if realizing
something very important. “I have to go somewhere!”
“Where?” River asked, sounding casual, but her senses were on full alert.
Fana shook her head and hurried out of the room. River had her suspicions
that Faria was going to deliver food to Ella. At first, she thought of
following her, but she restrained herself. She waited for ten minutes to pass
and then she rushed out of her room to follow Faria. However, as soon as
she came out, she bumped into Hunter.
Eyes wide, River’s heart lurched into her throat. “Alpha Hunter!” she
rasped. She halted as Hunter grabbed her quickly by her upper arm and
stopped her from falling. She was shocked to see him, her irritation
immediately going down.
“Where are you rushing to, River?” he asked, staring at her intensely.
All her anxieties went down after seeing him. “I-I-” she bit her bottom lip
as their gazes locked. The world faded around her and relief surged through
her. She forgot everything about the past two days as to how miserable she
was. “H-how are you, Alpha Hunter?” she asked softly.
His lips lifted into a half smile. “I am well, River. And you?”
“I was waiting for you…”
Hunter was bending down to press a kiss on her when all of a sudden there
was a loud coughing somewhere in the background. A low angry growl
emanated from his chest. He looked at the person who was interrupting him
and found his Beta standing over there. “What?” he snarled. River blushed
and tried to step away from him, but he didn’t let her go
Elijah stifled his chuckle and said, “Your guests are here.”
“I see,” Hunter said with pure disgust. Then he looked at River and said,
“Hector is here.”
River’s ***fell to the floor. “Hector?” All her earlier thoughts vanished.
Her heart started to beat nervously as goosebumps pebbled her skin.
“Along with Victoria!”
Her stomach knotted tightly. The familiar feeling of ***returned. She had
told him about her mate and he brought him here? Did he want her to be
insulted more than she already was? Her eyes welled up with tears.
Sensing her anxiety, Hunter said, “I know it is hard on you, River, but I
have brought him only so that you can reject him. He is sitting in the main
hall along with Victoria. All you have to do is go and reject him. I want you
to be free of this mess, of him so that you can have a brighter future.”
A rough exhale escaped her lips. Alpha Hunter was really such a wonderful
person. And she was so pathetic. Her eyes went from him to Elijah, who too
had the encouraging look in his eyes. He said, “We are going to stand there
with you, so don’t worry.”
River nodded and her hand went to her heart automatically. The word
rejection was so hard to even think of that her
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breath logged in her throat Hunter held her in his arms. “River…” he
murmured. “Can you do this?”
She nodded slightly Hunter released her. “Let’s go,” he said. “I will make
sure that that ***is out of the Veil as soon as you reject him!”
River gave a sad smile and together they made their way to the main hall.
“River!” Hector exclaimed the moment he saw her, but his ***turned into
the shape of O when he saw how beautiful she was looking. Her curves had
filled and she looked even more ***. Her complexion was creamy. In her
jeans that filled her curves, she looked enticing.
Victoria too got up as she stared at River. River had definitely become…
beautiful. Jealousy blasted through her not only because River was looking
beautiful but because she was in this luxurious castle and with the richest
man ever. When Victoria had started from the pack in Alpha Hunter’s
helicopter, she had joked about her with Hector. “I am sure that she will be
scraggier than ever. Hunter must have fucked her and who knows that she is
pregnant by now.” She was expecting River to have tangled hair and
begging for food and being insulted by everyone. Moreover, she had never
thought that the Dark Moon was one of the wealthiest packs she had ever
seen.
Hector gritted his teeth and said, “I am going to reject that ***right away!”
Victoria laughed She coiled her arms around Hector and pecked him on his
lips. “You better do that because then we will marry by the full moon.”
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But contrary to what Victona thought about her, River was looking so
gorgeous and stunning that she had never seen such beauty before Her
jealousy went a notch higher Victona turned to see Hector who couldn’t
remove his gaze from her “River” he said her name as if in worship. He
took a step closer to her, his mate attraction setting in
“Hector Victona called him sharply
Hector let out a low grow! at Victoria
At the same time Hunter came forward and stood beside River, his muscles
bulging and his fangs and claws growing It was as if he was going to
challenge Hector to claim his mate Hector approached River He never
would have thought that the girl he had never wanted to be his mate was
now so alluring She was even better than Victoria Victoria was in fact,
nothing in front of her He knew why he was called He was supposed to
reject River, but after seeing her, he changed his mind. He was aware that
his father was going to go ballistic if he got River back, but he was going to
explain to his father that his mate bond was stronger. Since he had already
marked Victoria, he was going to keep both of them. He said, “Can I talk to
River in private?”
“No you may not!” Hunter denied him with a dangerous growl. “Your
father breached the treaty. Now finish your task here and go back!” He
turned his head to River. “Reject him now!” Hunter was growing impatient.
He was retraining his beast else he was sure that Hector wouldn’t go alive
from the Veil. He had never experienced so much jealousy in his lite
Before Hector could say anything, River intervened, “I would like to talk to
him in private.”
Hunter was shocked. “What?” His body shuddered with rage or panic or
both. “Why?”
Hector chuckled feeling victorious.
River lowered her head. “Can I?” she asked again.
Hunter clenched his jaws as his mind warred with doubt and jealousy. “You
have exactly ten minutes to talk to him,” he said, his expressions darker
than night.
Hector gestured to Victoria with his chin to get out of the main hall.
Reluctantly, she also walked out along with Hunter and Elijah. As soon as
everyone was out of the hall, Hector closed the gap between him and River
and grabbed her by her upper arms. He leaned over her and smelled her
hair. “Goddess, you have become so beautiful, River,” he said in a husky
voice.
Delightful sparks spread across her body and she hated that he was her mate
and hated the mate bond.
She wished her wolf, Layla, was there “Leave me,” she said coldly, trying
to put every restraint in her.
“River, I am so sorry about what happened in the past!” Hector said without
leaving her. “Please forgive me. I want you to come back with me!”
River was astonished. “You want me to come back with you?”
“Yes!” he nodded. His wolf was wagging his tail on the inside and it was as
if it was impossible to live without River.
“And what about Victoria? You have already marked her.”
He hesitated, but then he said, “It’s not that I can leave Victoria. She carries
my mark, but I can’t leave you as well. You have to understand that as an
Alpha, I need to satiate my desires. That can only be
done with both of you. Victoria is my childhood romance and you are my
mate. I am ready to keep both of you and trust me, the three of us are going
to be in a great relationship!”
River narrowed her eyes. “Since you have already marked Victoria, I am
sure you will marry her. So does that mean that you will keep me as your
mistress?*
Hector jerked his head back. He was taken aback by her question. “River,
the mate bond is above everything. Don’t disgrace it by calling it
‘Mistress’!”
River let out a humorless chuckle. “You people have already disgraced me
by sending me as a ‘breeder’.
Remember that?” She looked at him incredulously. Hunter, who brought her
as a breeder, treated her like a queen and this ***whom the Moon Goddess
had chosen as her mate, wanted to make her his mistress?
“River, trust me. Things will be very different now. I can’t stay without
you!” Hector tried to appeal to her. “Forgive me and come back with me. If
you will forgive me, i will tell you a secret as to who your father was.”
River shook her head as revulsion surged through her. “How low can you
go, Hector?” she said in a menacing voice. “Now you are declaring that I
am a ***child?”
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“No, it’s not like that!”
She stepped back. Clenching her fists, she said, “I, River of Crescent Moon
pack, reject you, Hector, son of Alpha Maxim of Crescent Moon pack.” She
stumbled back, her knees buckling under the immense pain in her body.
And suddenly, she heard her wolf’s voice, ‘You did right, River.’
Hector fell on his knees, his eyes wide like saucers, his mind and body
numb. “No! No!” He couldn’t believe it. Massive pain blasted in his chest
and he roared in it. When he looked back at her, she was crying and had
fallen to the ground, unable to breathe. “You are going to regret it,
Riverrrr!” he shouted.
‘Layla, River whispered. You have come back?’
‘Yes, I have,’ Layla replied.
And River closed her eyes. Tears poured out of them as pain numbed every
part of her body. But her wolf had come back. That was the most beautiful
thing that could ever happen to her. It was as if Layla was waiting for her to
reject
Hector
Strong arms scooped her up and then she lost consciousness. She didn’t
know who carried her, but she felt safe in his arms. Her wolf also slept with
her.
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Hunter was sitting by River’s bedside, holding her hand in his tightly. He
hadn’t let her go even for a minute. The pain of rejecting her mate was so
intense that River had become unconscious, unable to bear it.
He must have blamed himself a thousand times for getting her through this
ordeal. He shouldn’t have brought that scumbag to his pack. But it was
Hector’s deceit and cheating that was creating havoc on River’s body. That
and also his jealousy. He was extremely jealous of Hector for being her
mate Hector didn’t deserve her even one bit
His eyes were only on her. And he felt her fear even before he heard her
screams. Her nightmare thrummed into him, shaking him to the core. She
was thrashing and screaming now.
Her fear wrapped around him, suffocating him to the extent that he could no
longer remain in his place.
He got on the bed and pulled her in his lap. Cupping her head with his large
palm, he pressed it into his chest and grasped her thighs and scooted them
over his.
“River,” I said, rocking her, kissing her. “River, wake up.”
She fluttered her eyes but she closed them and her screams dropped off. Her
hair stuck to her forehead with sweat, her body having a high fever. She
mumbled something incomprehensible and snuggled into his chest.
Hunter covered her with a blanket and rocked her for a long time. He
shouted orders at servants to let the fire keep burning in the hearth. The
healer had come three times that day only to check her pulse, and those
three times he had repeated that she was going to be fine, but Hunter wasn’t
satisfied. Every time she screamed, he called the healer It was almost six
hours since River had gone unconscious, but he didn’t leave her side. He
had stopped eating. wondering that if his mate died, he was also going to
follow her to the Fade. Then his thoughts went to his successor. It would
obviously be Mia but his sister was so young that he was scared for her as
well. For the first time, tears ran down his eyes. He buried his face in her
head and cried silently. Mia had come to talk to him, but he could barely
talk because his throat choked with way too many emotions.
Six hours back.
Elijah had come and informed him that Hector too was experiencing the
same issues. He was also unconscious, but he was showing signs of
recovery. He was coming in and out of his unconsciousness.
“Victoria has asked me if she could stay till, he was better and ready to be
transported back to his back.”
“Has he accepted the rejection?” Hunter asked, as he covered River’s
exposed toe with the blanket.
“No, he hasn’t. And that is why we have to let them stay,” Elijah sighed.
“That ***!” Hunter said sharply. “What is the guarantee that he will accept
her rejection?” he growled.
“If he won’t,! am going to simply have to ***him!” His jealousy returned
and this time it was even more fierce.
“You won’t do anything of that sort!” Elijah warned him. “We are going to
have to make him accept the rejection. I know how I will do that, so don’t
worry.”
Hunter gritted his teeth. “Let me know if none of your tricks work. I will
handle the situation myself with that scumbag!” Suddenly, River stirred in
his lap and he reduced his voice to soft murmurs. “Shh… I am there for
you…”
Elijah couldn’t help smiling at their Alpha. This was the man who led
warriors against the werewolf invasions. Hunter was the man responsible
for bringing the world inside the Veil to new heights because of his business
acumen and vision. And here he was with his mate. So docile and
possessive.
Elijah returned with Hunter’s decision. It was important that he made sure
that Hector and Victoria did not come in front of Hunter and so he asked the
servants to take them to the south wing of the castle where none of them
would cross their paths.
Victoria watched the servants as they helped Hector and took him to the
south wing. She rushed after him. Inside she was happy that River rejected
him but she was having trepidations that Hector hadn’t accepted her
rejection. On top of that she had to carry out Alpha Maxim’s plans.
The south wing was huge and Victoria was too jealous of River for having
been selected by Alpha Hunter. Had she not been Hector’s chosen mate, she
would have definitely wooed Hunter. The Lycan King was filthy rich. She
had never expected that inside the Veil it was so beautiful. A healer came to
check upon Hector and announced that he was fine. He just needed a few
hours to heal. However, he might sense a little more pain after he accepted
the rejection.
As soon as the healer left, Victoria tucked Hector into blankets and set off
on her mission. It was 11PM
and most of the castle was already sleeping. She sneaked out of the room
with her satchel. She had only until morning to finish her task. Alpha
Maxim had specifically instructed her to complete it. He had threatened her
that if she didn’t complete the
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task, she could kiss goodbye to the marriage with Hector
Victoria ran through the gardens of the vast estate of the castle to find the
dungeons But wherever she went, she only saw the normal layout of the
castle For two hours she had been running around, sneaking and hiding and
sometimes crouching just to understand the map of the castle, but there was
nothing that said that this was the way to dungeons Defeated and highly
imitated, she decided to go to the tallest tower of the castle From there she
was surely going to get the best view of the surroundings Maybe, the
dungeons weren’t located in the castle
She was surprised that the tower was abandoned. There was no quard on
duty She climbed up the stairs, her imitation rising to the extent that she
started cursing Alpha Maxim loudly. “If that ***hadn’t come up with this
nonsense plan, we would have been back to the Crescent Moon pack!” He
punched the wall beside her, hoping that it was Alpha Maxim “The old man
is going berserk! I will ask Hector to challenge him and dethrone him
Moron Dimwit ***!”
“Who is there? River, is that you?” A soft and weak voice made her whip
her head around her Scared at first, Victoria pressed herself against the wall,
thinking that she had walked into a guard But why was the guard thinking
that it was River? That part confused her. Still, in order to take precaution,
she stayed hidden in the shadows, pressed against the wall. Thankfully she
had drunk a potion that would hide her scent. Holding her breath, she
waited
“River? River?”
The voice came again.
“Did you find the keys to break this door? You said you would come back.
You promised that you would free me from
here.”
Victoria was… shocked. She peeled herself off the wall and started to climb
towards the source of voice.
“Say something. River,” the voice sounded desperate. “I am fed up with
being here. Help me.” The plea was followed by subdued sniffles.
Victoria came to a landing and scanned it to see if there was a room. She
was sure that someone was locked inside, but who? “Who is there?” she
asked in a very low voice.
The woman on the other side became quiet.
Victoria went nearer to the wall. “I am Victoria. Who is it?”
“Victoria?” The woman sounded confused and scared. “I-I am Ella…..”
Victoria froze in her place. After a few moments she snapped out of her
shock. “How can we break the door?” she asked, gulping thickly. “I can free
you. River has sent me.”
“Oh!” Ella sounded relieved. “Have you got the keys?”
“No, but I have got something that will break the door.”
Ella became quiet. After a few seconds, she said, “Come to the right side of
the wall and press it hard.”
Victoria did, as asked. She pressed the wall hard and it clicked open
revealing a heavy wooden door with a small slit in the center. She dug
inside the satchel to find the small dynamite strip. Peeling off the plastic,
she attached the dynamite strip to the door. “I will be exploding this door,”
she said to Ella. “So move back.” She heard footsteps shuffling away.
“I have moved back.”
“Good.” Victoria lit the tail of the dynamite and hurried back. The strip
caught fire and it blasted lightly, ripping just a small portion of wood.
Victoria came back and inserted her hand inside. She pushed the handle and
opened the door.
Inside, in the dim light of a small room, she saw a frail woman with silvery
****hair, wearing a dark blue gown that hung to her ankles. Victoria
smiled. “Ella, how are you?”
Ella looked at her with a frown, her eyes filled with fear.
Victoria closed the gap between them. “Alpha Maxim wanted me to free
you. Now run!”
Ella’s ***dropped to the floor. “How do you know my brother?”
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Victoria watched Ella as she slowly raked her gaze over her. Her eyebrows
shot to the roof when she came to know that Ella was Alpha Maxim’s sister.
Ella’s gaze went to Victoria’s mark on her neck and she leaned over to sniff
her “You are related to Maxim?” she asked. “I can smell-”
“I am his son’s mate!” Victoria blurted. She couldn’t believe that Ella was
Alpha Maxim’s mission. How did she end up here? Was she also given as a
bride to the previous Lycan King or was she just captured?
There were a thousand other questions in her mind, but she dared not ask
them. This mission was more important than all those questions
“Oh!” Ella’s lips covered in a soft smile. “How come you are here in the
Dark Moon pack?”
Victoria really wanted to speed things up because she wasn’t sure if any of
the guards were alerted or not. “You need to run away from here!” she
rasped. “Pick up whatever you want to from here and run.”
Those were the instructions from Alpha Maxim. To make his sister run
away from here. She didn’t want to think of all the demons that surrounded
the Veil. “You don’t have much time!” Nervously, she glanced at her watch.
It was already 2AM.
“Oh yes!” Ella said and looked around her room. “It is very cold…” she
remarked and walked to her little bed from where she picked up her shawl
and a sweater. “I don’t think I can shift into my wolf. I feel so…
weak.”
Victoria was getting impatient. “I know. That is why you have to take
advantage of the night and run as fast as possible from here.”
Ella nodded. She grabbed her things. “I am ready to leave,” she said.
Victoria came out of the room. She checked the portico all around and
looked down to see signs of guards. There was no one. She motioned Ella
to come out. Once she was out, she took out a spray from her satchel and
sprayed it all over the room to hide her smell.
Together they hurried down the stairs of the tower.
When they were down and Ella was about to leave, she said, “Do you know
River?”
Victoria pursed her lips and nodded. “I know her. Now hurry up!”
Ella’s eyes widened for a second, but then she decided not to ask further.
Time was precious. She hurried towards the forest surrounding the castle
and then disappeared. It was as if she knew where to go and which side of
the periphery to head to.
As soon as Victoria saw Ella entering the forest, she rushed back to her
room in the castle. Hector was still sleeping. Hurriedly, she took a bath.
After drying herself, she applied a lot of lotion that smelled of mint. Later,
she slipped next to Hector and curled her arm around him. Hector stirred a
little but he didn’t wake up.
Next morning, Victoria woke up early at 5AM. She poked Hector. “Wake
up!” she hissed. “We don’t have time. We have to leave!”
Hector yawned and stretched his limbs. He opened his eyes and saw
Victoria in front of him. She was crouched and staring at him. His heart
plummeted when he remembered how River rejected him. He should be the
one rejecting her. How dare she reject him? That bloody omega! He was
going to teach her a lesson. He wouldn’t accept her rejection and let her
suffer like this and go back to his pack.
“We have to hurry up, Hector!” Victoria said with a sigh of relief, seeing
him out of danger. “Our mission is complete!”
Hector’s eyes flew wide open. “Really?”
She nodded with a grin. “Yes. And now we need to get out of here quickly. I
have asked Alpha Hunter to prepare the helicopter for us.” –
Hector grabbed her face and brought her down to kiss her. “You are the one
who deserves to be my
mate!” Now he was going to leave so early and River wouldn’t have a
chance to meet him, which meant that he wouldn’t be accepting the
omega’s rejection any sooner.
Victoria giggled. She jumped out of the bed. Hector rushed to the bathroom
and when he came out, he saw that Victoria was ready to leave. The two
walked out of the castle with a victory smile on their faces and reached the
helipad where the helicopter was waiting for them.
The pilot who was waiting for them out there said, “You will have to wait
for a while. Beta Elijah wants to meet you.”
Victoria stilled. Had they detected that Ella had run away?
Hector clenched his jaws. He didn’t want to meet River at all.
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“I don’t have time!” Hector snapped. “I need to leave as soon as possible.”
“I understand,” the pilot said politely yet firmly. “But those are my Beta’s
orders and I can’t go against them. You have to wait until he comes here
and if you don’t want to wait, you can go to the main hall and wait for him
over there.”
“This is not done!” Hector protested with the tendons on his neck straining
“You are holding us without our consent. I demand to leave now or else I
will think that you are trying to abduct us!”
The pilot raised his eyebrow. “I don’t know
“You can think whatever you like, Hector,” a sharp voice from behind
dropped on the tensive air.
Hector turned around and looked at Elijah who was walking towards them.
He came to stand in front of the two. “You are free to think what you want
to, but you very well know why you are rushing to get out of the Dark
Moon pack” A muscle in his jaw feathered as anger flared. “You can’t keep
me here against my will.”
“Oh, we don’t want to keep you here,” Elijah said with a sarcastic chuckle.
“So do what you have to do quickly and this helicopter is going to take you
back home.”
Hector clenched his fists tightly. He knew what game Elijah was playing. If
he didn’t accept River’s rejection, he won’t be allowed to step out of the
Veil. “What if I deny it?” he hissed.
“Then you are denied a ride out of the Veil,” Elijah stated matter-of-factly.
“Are you blackmailing me?” Elijah growled as if his wolf was ready for a
fight.
“What are you all talking about?” Victoria intervened, her gaze darting
between the two of them. She was totally confused. River had rejected
Hector and it was time to move on. She just couldn’t wait in the Veil for a
minute more Without looking at her, Elijah said, “Hector has to accept
River’s rejection.”
“What?” Victoria was stunned. He had accepted her rejection?
“I don’t want to,” Hector hissed. “I want to-”
“Are you fucking mad?” Victoria shouted at him. They had to leave and
every extra minute was like a ticking bomb and here this character was
showing his ego? “You must accept her rejection, Hector!”
“I won’t!” he replied mulishly.
Elijah chuckled. “Then enjoy your stay in the Dark Moon pack.” He
snapped his fingers and four Lycan warriors came running towards them.
“Take them to the dungeons.”
“No!” Victoria shrieked, her irritation rising inside.
Hector was… dumbfounded. “Dungeons?” he whimpered.
“Of course.” Elijah shrugged. “You will remain our guests in our dungeons
until you accept her rejection.
After all, your father has breached the treaty, not us. And you will have to
pay for your father’s mistakes.”
“This is pure blackmail!” Hector said. “You can’t coerce me into something
I will never agree to!”
Elijah leaned forward. “We aren’t coercing you, Hector. We are threatening
you. And mind it. Our threats are not empty. Would you like to test us?”
Hector paled, but he didn’t reply. He stared at Elijah whose face had a dark
expression.
“Please take us to River. He will accept her rejection,” Victoria pleaded.
“I think she is smarter than you,” Elijah chuckled.
But Hector was so angry that he turned to Victoria and slapped her hard on
her face. She shrieked and fell down. “How dare you go against me??” he
hissed at her, as he towered over her. “You will pay for this insolence!”
Victoria was terrified of him. She placed her hand on her cheek that was
stinging with pain. “Hector, 1-1-you know-” “Shut up, ***!”
Victoria clenched her teeth, wincing under his aura. Tears poured out as she
watched him with disbelief.
He was such a thick-head.
“Seize him!” Elijah shouted. “And take him to the dungeons!”
Hector spun at Elijah. “You can’t fucking touch me!” he shouted.
Elijah growled, “I can even kil! you now and no one will say a word to me.
Do you want me to demonstrate?”
This time Hector stepped back a little, scared of the Lycan. From the corner
of his eye, he saw four warriors coming to capture him. He didn’t want to
spend his time in the dungeons. He hated River more than ever and
promised himself
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Chapter 38
that he was going to ***Elijah one day. “Okay, wait!” he snapped, holding
his hands in the air. “I will go with you.”
Elijah narrowed his eyes. He tilted his head and looked at Victoria. “Stay
here. I will get him back in ten
minutes.”
Victoria mumbled a yes.
With Hector in the center of the four warriors, Elijah led them all to the
main hall.
Hunter was standing over there with his hands clasped at the back. He had
such a dangerous mien that Hector gulped. Lifting his chin up, Hector said,
“I don’t have time for this nonsense. Get that ***here and I will accept the
rejection!”
Hunter was in front of him in a split second, his hands on Hector’s neck, his
expression twisted. “If I hear one more word about her, I will snap your
body into two!”
Hector was shocked at his reaction. He grabbed Hunter’s wrists and
coughed. The Lycan was too strong.
“Hunter!” Elijah came to stop him. Hunter left him and stepped back with
the same expression.
River came along with Faria. She froze in her place when she saw the two
of them out there. She had awoken only a few minutes back and the first
thing that she searched for was her wolf. But Layla had gone back to sleep.
“What is going on?” she asked, her face pale.
Hector looked at her with loathe.
“Say it!” Hunter snarled.
Hector took a deep breath in. “I, Hector, of the Crescent Moon pack, accept
your rejection.” A sharp pain slammed into his chest and that of River’s.
They both gasped, falling down.
Before River could touch the ground, Hunter had already scooped her in his
arms. He took her upstairs barking the order, “Send him away!”
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Hector was carried out by the Lycan warriors and was made to sit in the
helicopter Victoria sat beside him, holding his hand She was happy on the
inside that he had rejected her, but was nervous that the flight took off
before they discovered that Ella was missing She hadn’t been able to wrap
her head around the fact that Ella was Alpha Maxim’s sister. As soon as the
flight took off, she breathed a sigh of relief.
In the castle. Hunter was sitting with River who had again fainted because
of the immense pain after Hector accepted her rejection. The healer was
called and he said that she would need a lot of rest Hunter couldn’t leave
her side, so he canceled all his meetings for the day. He was least bothered
about all the murmurs that were going on at the castle amongst the servants
about how he was treating a breeder All he cared about was for River to
become okay.
He was sitting next to her on the bed and stroking her hair lightly while she
was sleeping Feeling mentally exhausted, he rested his head at the back and
closed his eyes. He jerked open his eyes and realized he had slept for an
hour when Fana came inside, rushing and looking nervous. Hunter’s
eyebrows furrowed deeply when he sensed her fear “Alpha Hunter!” she
said, almost crying “Ella Hunter narrowed his eyes as his body stilled with
tension
Fana looked like a ghost Blood had drenched from her face. “Ella has
escaped!”
“What?” Hunter growled loudly and was at Faria’s neck in less than a
second. “What the fuck do you mean?”
Faria grasped his wrists as she tried to wrench herself out of his grip, but
Hunter was such a powerful Lycan He lifted her off her feet. “How did this
happen?” he snarled on her face. “What the ***were you doing?”
She coughed as her eyes filled with tears at the want of oxygen. “P-please,
A-Alpha Hunter!” she spluttered. Asher rushed in after her. When he saw
Hunter with Faria, he ran to them. “Alpha Hunter, this is not her fault!” he
said and bowed to him.
Hunter’s eyes flickered an amber. He left Faria who dropped on the ground
and then snarled at Asher with his lips peeling back. “Then whose fault is
it? Ella had been in that prison for the past twenty years.
How did she manage to break it? That was a ***place!”
Faria scrambled away from them wheezing and coughing and crying. She
was so nervous that she was sure that the Alpha would throw in the
dungeons. When she had gone in the morning to give breakfast to Ella, she
saw that the prison was empty and that the door was partially blasted.
Panicky, she had informed Gamma Asher and rushed to tell the news to
Alpha Hunter.
Asher pursed his lips. “Her door was blasted by what looks like a dynamite
strip.”
Hunter’s muscles bulged. “Who had the gall to free my prisoner? Tell me
the details!”
“It would be better that you come with us to the site.” Asher and the other
gamma warriors had taken a decision long back to remove guards from the
tall tower on the south almost ten years back. “It seems like she used an
external support but none of the guards were present over there at the time
when the blast took place and her cell was breached. I do believe that it is
the work of someone else.”
Hunter clenched his jaws. The only ‘someone else’ in this equation were
Hector and Victoria. But would they take the risk of helping Ella and then
also why? Nothing made sense. Yet he couldn’t wonder about the timing.
Also, where was Ella hiding now? Had she run out of the Veil that was
filled with demons or she was still hiding in the Dark Moon pack? “Send
warriors to scan the forest and look at every nook and cranny in the Dark
Moon pack. I want every place to be combed. Now!”
“Yes Alpha,” Asher replied. There was a lot of tension in the air. Elijah too
came running after hearing about Ella’s escape.
Hunter glared at Faria and snapped, “Stay with River while I come back!”
“Yes Alpha,” she replied, bowing to him. She was shaking visibly and
praying to the goddess internally that they found Ella soon.
Hunter left in a hurry with his beta and gamma while Faria stayed back. Her
gaze went to River who was still sleeping and was unaware of what was
happening. She remembered that River had asked as to where she lived.
Faria’s suspicion rose because she still couldn’t understand why River
would ask that question. Also, a few days back when she had come, she
didn’t find River in her room. She had become panicky and had asked the
servants about her. They all had said that they saw her going to the south
wing.
Faria took a ragged breath. Surely, River couldn’t have done anything in
Ella’s escape. But what if she aided Victoria
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and Hector? Faria was trying to connect the dots She sat down on a couch
while rubbing her neck and feeling ***about the whole incident Resting her
head at the back, she closed her eyes.
“Mhhhmmm River stirred.
Faria rushed to her side. “River?”
River turned her head towards her and gave her a faint smile. “Faria…”
Faria held her hand. “How are you feeling? Do you want water?”
River licked her lips and nodded. Faria helped her to sit back after propping
up pillows and gave her a glass of water River drank it and took a deep
breath. She rubbed her forehead with her thumb and forefinger. The last few
hours had taken its toll on her mentally and physically. Layla had talked to
her once and after that she had gone off to sleep all over again. Maybe,
Layla would come back when she was healthier.
“Where is Alpha Hunter?” River asked, still having a pounding headache.
“Th-there’s been a situation!” Faria said.
River turned her face to see Faria. She was looking nervous and was
fidgety. “What situation?”
Faria pursed her lips and looked at the floor. “We had a prisoner called
Ella.”
River stiffened. Her shoulder tensed and she drew it back. Did they come to
know that she was talking to Ella? Goddess. “What about her?” she asked
with trepidation.
Faria continued. “Ella was one of the werewolves who had rebelled against
the Lycans. She was one of the leaders and had been carrying out her
rebellion for a long time. Around twenty years back she was captured by
the Lycans and then imprisoned for the rest of her life”
River was dumbfounded. Ella had said that she was a breeder. River was
ready to help her to escape from the prison. “Ella had spearheaded many
attacks against the Lycans and was responsible for
***many of them. Alpha Hunter’s father wanted to ****her, but it was
decided in the meeting with the warriors and other nobles that she should
spend the lifetime in a dungeon. She should suffer for what she has done.”
River was listening to her with terror surging inside her. She was about to
help a rebel? “How do you know so much?” she asked in a barely audible
voice.
Faria knelt on the floor and hid her face in her hands. “I used to go and give
her food every day. Over the years we began talking. I had also informed
her that Alpha Hunter brought a new breeder who was also a werewolf.”
And this was when realization hit River Ella was manipulating her into
believing that she was a breeder and that she was brought by a previous
Lycan king. Ella already knew about her from Faria. “Goddess!”
she spluttered. “Ella knew about me?”
“Yes!” Faria began crying. “She knew that a new breeder had come. I am so
sorry, River. I didn’t mean to pass this information to her, but it has been
twenty years since she was imprisoned. No one thought that she would even
escape. It’s like someone helped her with a very well thought-out plan in
mind.”
“Don’t cry, Faria,” River reached her. “It’s not your fault.”
“It is my fault. I delayed giving her breakfast today. I usually go at 6PM but
today I went at 7PM. Had I gone earlier, it’s possible that I would have
caught her. She is dangerous.”
“Jeez!” River was herself so shocked with all the information that she didn’t
know how to console her.
“Who could have done it? Everyone was so busy with… me.” Suddenly
River felt guilty. Alpha Hunter, Elijah, Asher, Faria and several others were
so occupied with Hector and Victoria and this whole rejection thing that
their attention was diverted. Someone took advantage of the situation.
“I don’t know… Faria shook her head. “But, when I would come to know, I
will ****that ****!”
Hunter came in after two hours. He found River lying down on the bed, but
appearing better and not sickly. “River?”
Chapter 40
Hunter had inspected the site. There was no way they could find & ta and
he was sure that if she daretha Mand the forest and out of the Ver, then she
must be knowing demens or there must be people on the bedside who wrote
help her to escape His mood had daped to the point that he wanted to kift
#tha te shouted at the pards and NPHOTS and ordered them to comb the
forest in order to trace her after whochhe went dire by to see ther
She was lying on the bed in pajamas and a tank top and Fana was arranging
the tooth
“River?” he called her. She got up instantly and looked at him with wide
eyes
“Alpha Hunter!”
He was next to her in an instant. He looked at Faria, who bowed and left at
his silent command He was very angrJ and wanted to punish her in some
way In fact, he was very angry with everyone, but the moment he came to
set gr River, his anger subsided. “How are you feeling?” he asked, grasping
her hand and checking her forehead
“I am well, Alpha Hunter,” she said, happy to see him River was amazed at
herself that she was feeling this happy to see Hunter She never felt this
jubilant and it was like she missed him in his absence She tried to search
taya on the inside to understand this sudden change in her feelings, but she
didn’t get any response
Hunter stared at her for a long time as silence descended in the room
Neither wanted to speak even though they bot had a lot of things to tell each
other.
“Thank you!” River said finally.
“You should rest!” Hunter said.
They both spoke in unison and then both laughed lightly Hunter tucked a
strand of her hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek with his hand. “I am
glad that you are well. I know that rejection can be extremely painful”
River leaned in his palm instinctively, feeling utter relief that he was with
her. “It is all in the past now,”
she said, unable to take her eyes off him. “Thank you so much for helping
me out. I think my life couldn’t have moved forward without it. And
Hector-” she closed her eyes and turned her face into his palm. It was so
reassuring. Why was it that she never felt like that even when Hector was
her mate and she craved for him to touch? “And Hector is undeserving of a
mate 1 just hope that he keeps Victoria happy.”
Hunter loved the way she had leaned in his palm and now her face was
buried in it. She was such a petite and lovely girl that his heart squeezed. He
wondered if her wolf came back. He was dying to tell her that he was her
mate, but if he told her now, he was sure that River would run away at the
mention of the word ‘mate’. She had undergone a rejection and he wanted
to give her time to recuperate. “And what about you, River?” he asked. “I
want you to have a bright future. I want you to grow and develop in a way
you want to. What is it that you want, River?”
River was stunned. The Alpha of the Dark Moon pack had been so sweet
with her that it was hard to believe. She really wanted her wolf to come out
and explain what was happening. She smiled at him.
“While I know I am nothing but a breeder, Alpha Hunter, I was wondering
if I can specialize in interior decoration?” Then she looked at him as if
searching for an answer in his eyes. When he frowned, she knew that she
had stretched her limit and her eyes dropped to her lap. She chided herself
for pushing her limits with a man who had done so much for her. Who
would have thought that he would have brought Hector to her only so that
she could reject him?
Hunter curled his thumb and forefinger beneath her chin and forced her to
look at him. In a very serious voice he said, “First, don’t treat yourself as a
breeder, okay? I don’t like it when you say that word. And second, if you
want to get into interior designing, who am I to stop you? But how will you
go about it?
Because we don’t have that kind of a college inside the Veil. You will have
to go to the human world.”
Though he would never stop her from what she wanted to achieve, the
thought of living away from her, gnawed at his heart.
River wanted to kiss the man on his lips. Why was he so good? And she
didn’t want to leave him at all.
Goddess, what was happening to her? “Oh no!” River countered him. “I am
not going to go anywhere I have searched for an online course. But it will
cost a lot of money!”
Hunter grinned. “Then you may join it from today!”
River couldn’t help smiling because his happiness was so infectious. And
she couldn’t help leaning near and placing a quick kiss on his lips. Her
reaction surprised her but it stunned Hunter. “That won’t do…”
he said. He cupped her head at the back and pulled her towards him. He
brushed her lips on hers and soon that little caress of his lips turned into a
deep kiss. River opened her ****for him, welcoming him to explore her.
When he pulled himself away, she let out a reluctant cry.
“Thank you,” she said in a soft voice, unable to take her eyes off his lips.
“For?” he asked huskily, his eyes on her lips and her nape.
“For everything. You are taking so much care-”
He placed his finger on her lips. “I am doing what I want to.”
And River felt that it was impossible to not fall in love with this man. She
wondered what would happen to her if he found his mate. That thought was
so ***that she shoved it immediately out of her mind.
*I have a confession to make…..” she said.
“Confession?”
She nodded. Lowering her eyes to her lap, she clasped her hands. She had
to tell him the truth.
“What is it, River?” he asked, getting impatient and wondering what it was.
She took in a ragged breath. “I had met Ella the day I had come here. I
mean not met her, but talked to her.”
Hunter froze. “Ella? You went to the south tower?”
She nodded once, feeling guilty as ***. “I wanted to escape from the Veil
and in order to do so, I went to the library and got a map of the castle and
Dark Moon pack. I was strolling around the palace when I chanced upon
the tower and
heard Ella’s voice.”
“Goddess!” Hunter said, shocked. His hand on her loosened its grip.
“Ella misguided me. She said- she said-” River was too embarrassed to say
it but she wanted to be clear with the man who had done so much for her.
She wanted a new start desperately. “She said that she was the former
breeder of the Lycan King and that after using her, she was thrown in the
dungeon. She wanted me to help her escape.” River’s throat burned at the
revelation. She stopped herself from crying.
She was sure that Hunter would think of her as a tanol
“She wasn’t a breeder!” Hunter said sharply and got up from the bed. He
stabbed his fingers in his hair and walked to look outside the window.
“I know!” River replied. “Faria told me all about her. But Ella said that she
was a breeder and since I am also a breeder, I felt bad about her. I have
heard tales about how breeders were treated in the Veil. That panicked me a
lot. Combined with it, the way Hector treated me-” she paused, unable to
speak after that, feeling terrible when the familiar feeling surged through
her. “I wanted to run away…” she managed to say it out hoarsely.
Hunter spun and was in front of her, kneeling on the rug. “You wanted to
run away?” he asked, his expression that of disbelief, his heart thudding
against his ribcage in panic. “You want to get out of the Veil?”
“No!” River shook her head as her tears broke the dam and came out in a
rush. “I don’t want to leave.”
She wanted to say, she didn’t want to leave him, but she pressed her lips. “I
want to stay here for as long as you will allow me. The thought of leaving
is… bad.”
Hunter’s panic ebbed and he threw his arms around her. He hugged her
tightly. “Oh River! I don’t want you to leave. Ever. Never. Never. Never.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the ***of his
neck. “Then I will never leave,” she said through her tears. Even if he found
his mate, she would continue to stay here.”
Hunter squeezed her tightly. “I don’t care what happened with Ella and you
in the past. But I want both of us to bury the past and move ahead together.
Promise?”
She giggled. “Promise.”
River registered for her online course and on the third day, Hunter brought
her to the west wing of the castle to show her something.
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Chapter 41
Hunter led her to the garden of the west wing. The warm rays of sun had
filled the air. Dewdrops on the grass blades glistened as light fell on them.
The beds were full of flowers. Deep pink Azalea lined the narrow, cobbled
path on the side that led to a larger space In the garden he showed her a
small tree stump that was till the height of her knees and a small table
beside it. “Did you make that for me?” she asked, as she looked at him with
surprise.
“You’ve been cooped up in your room for the past three days, River,” he
said. “You come from training and then sit there for the whole day.” She
was barely coming out of her room because of too busy with
her interior designing course that had caught speed suddenly.
“And you want me to study here?” she asked, her lips curling up.
He tilted his head and the sun reflected the sharp green of his eyes. “If you
prefer,” he replied nervously.
She started to walk towards the little stump and table that he had made for
her. “I didn’t know that you were into woodworking, Alpha Hunter.” She
could see that the table was crudely crafted but it was such a cute gesture
that she loved it.
“But if you want to go back to your room, I will understand…” He had
made that table for her in the past three days after she had announced that
she wanted to study further. He had also helped her filling the application
form and given the hefty fee for it.
“No, I like it better here.” She sat down on the stump and smiled at him to
show that she appreciated his efforts. “In a few days, two rooms in the west
wing will be converted into your place of study and lab.”
River felt something tug on her heart strings. “Please Alpha Hunter, you
don’t have to do so much for me.” She turned her gaze down to look at the
table and brushed its surface with her fingers. Her heart squeezed with
warmth. He was being so thoughtful. Why was he doing so much for her?
She didn’t want him to do so much for her because she was afraid that one
day, he would find his mate or marry a she-Lycan and then she would not
be able to live without him. She wondered if he would throw her in the
dungeons.
Hunter dug his pockets in the trousers and took out an amulet. He sat on
one knee in front of her.
“What are you doing?” she asked, bewildered by his action.
He tugged her ankle and placed it over his lap. As he tied that amulet on her
ankle, he said, “This is an amulet that will shield your scent from the
demons in the forest. This is for your safety, River. Please don’t run away.
After what happened with Ella, I am worried that demons might scent you.”
River’s ***fell to the floor. This amulet meant that she could walk through
the Vell without being detected by the demons and safely back in her world.
This was the level of trust he was placing in her.
He looked at her face and said, “I just want you to be comfortable and I
want you to trust me.”
Guilt shot through her. He was doing so much for her and she was still
thinking of walking through the Veil. She leaned towards him and cupped
his face in her hands. “Thank you for all this. And I want you to trust me as
well.”
Hunter, the sly Lycan, took the opportunity and kissed her on her lips. He
got up, his face beaming with a smile. “Now you can study here. If you like
you can go back when it gets sunny here.”
She started with her online classes and an hour later she saw Faria coming
with a bowl of soup and fruits. Hunter returned not much later with two
cups of coffee. He didn’t disturb her, but he gave her one mug and sat on
the grass while having his. It was as if he was watching his precious
treasure. He had started making better coffee over the days. His first one
was a disaster but River had it without complaining and so he had promised
himself that he would learn for her.
“This is so nice!” she said, licking the cream off her lips.
He chuckled.
River no longer found him intimidating despite fully aware of the
relationship he was seeking from her.
It was his consideration and thoughtfulness that had begun to erode those
thoughts, leaving behind a warm and beautiful man. When she had come to
the Veil, she wanted to ****him. She really did. But there was nothing for
her to ***. He had always taken good care of her, never threatened her, he
wasn’t mean or wicked. He splurged on her and was very patient with her.
The tenderness she felt for him each passing day was frightening her. She
felt frustrated with herself because of the way he wanted to protect her and
was keeping her with him against all odds. He wasn’t even forcing her.
As soon as the coffee was over, Hunter trudged to her, placed a peck on the
crown of her head and then went away. She immediately missed her
presence.
Do you like him?”
River ***her head up in surprise. ‘Layla?’ She couldn’t believe that her
wolf awakened. Is that you? Yes, it’s me, Layla said, though her voice was
weak.
‘Oh Layla, I am so happy to hear your voice! River said, excitedly. She
couldn’t focus on her classes.
‘Do you like him?” she asked,
“I do” River said.
Layla chuckled and then went quiet again. River sighed sadly. But at least
Layla was showing signs of coming back.
Over the past three days ever since she had rejected Hector, her body kept
having strange sensations.
Each time it grew stronger. It became as if her body was anticipating his
touch, his scent.
At night, it was intimate. The room was glowing in the dim lights of the
bedside lamp. Faria hadn’t lit the fire because it was warm. She had burned
pleasant smelling herbs like incense in order to create a
relaxing environment. She was lying down on the bed, her head full of
Alpha Hunter. When she heard the door open, she looked at him and got up
in anticipation. When their gazes met, he gave a lovely smile as if it was a
normal thing to do, but her skin tingled with strange emotions. Her nipples
strained and the apex of her thighs throbbed. The feeling was unsettling.
She smiled back This is not attraction. I am not attracted to him.’ She fisted
her hands on the blankets and slid down beneath it with a ***, covering
herself completely. Not able to keep herself in that position, she slid the
blanket down just to peep at him and what she saw made her throb between
her thighs return. He was wearing a button-down shirt exposing his chest
and his sleeves were rolled up. The shirt highlighted his chest and shoulder
muscles and a waist that was tucked in sharply to narrow hips.
It also made her see the dusty line of his chest hair that disappeared
somewhere down the shirt. She wondered how he would look under all that
clothing and she blushed like a thousand suns in embarrassment. River was
embarrassed because of the thrill of her curiosity and not because he was
the intimidating Lycan King.
A Lycan who had a deep timbre voice that was only soothing and tingling
her senses. A Lycan who was drop-dead gorgeous and around whom she
was growing comfortable. Even now watching him sitting on the couch
with documents that he was reading, in the dim light of the bedside lamp,
made his beauty shine.
Suddenly she became aware of the hypersensitiveness around her core and
she wanted to touch herself.
‘Great, River. Now you have officially become a ***! A thought flashed
across her mind-his tongue on her core. River groaned. ‘Layla, where are
you? Please come back and help me.”
She wanted to tell him to come to bed and read his documents or should she
tell him not to look ***and go and read his documents elsewhere. She
thought if she put distance between them, it might solve the problem. But
she couldn’t ask him anything. She only continued to steal glances at him
every now and then. Hunter was indeed the most handsome man who
existed on this earth.
At night, sleep came but she was very disturbed by her thoughts. She
missed him terribly. She tossed and turned until a heavy and warm thing
came next to her. And then she crawled up on that heavy and warm and
hard thing and nestled herself somewhere in the middle of it, clawing her
nails in it, rather digging them so that it never left her. After that she slept
like a log. Wien she woke up in the morning, she closed her *****and felt
something pebbly on her lips. Something very hard and hot poked her belly.
She flicked her tongue on the pebble and… someone groaned.
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River wanted the earth to crack up and swallow her whole. She was lying
on Hunter’s chest, her legs nestled in his thighs and her ***on his nipple.
She pushed herself up, feeling so embarrassed. Her hair fell around her,
making a curtain around his face.
Something hard was poking on her belly and that made her blush deeper
and push herself further up, but in the process. she pressed her belly more
on his hardness. It was so hot that it fell like a brand against her belly River
should have felt abashed, but for strange reasons, her juices flowed and she
clenched her thighs.
1-1 am sorry,” she said hurriedly. “I don’t know how this happened” She
wanted to apologize but it came more like remark. What was wrong with
her these days?
Hunter’s eyes locked on her face. When he went to sleep on the bed, he
found that she was tossing and turning and unable to sleep well. So he
shifted towards her and curled his arm around her waist, and pulled her
against his chest. That move was enough to calm her down to sleep. But
slowly, slowly, River crawled up on him and sometime during the night, she
was over him Hunter couldn’t sleep after that.
He cupped her face and in a deep husky voice, “I don’t mind it at all, River.
He took his hand behind her neck and cupped it. He pulled her towards him
and pressed his lips on hers. Licking at the seam of her lips, he sought entry
in her ***. He was relieved to see that there was no resistance. He moaned
inside her ***and then swept his tongue, tasting her, savoring her, loving
her, worshiping her.
When he pulled away from her, she was breathless. She rested her forehead
on his and closed her eyes.
Her heart was beating like that of a wild horse. His touch, his nearness, his
scent and his warmth were beginning to feel like a drug she was getting
addicted to. And she didn’t know what she would do if he left her. She had
to stop feeling attracted to him before it got too late.
River couldn’t go for her training that day because she had an extra online
class. So when Hunter left for work, he walked out with a lingering feeling
of delight that housed in his chest for a long time. He hadn’t felt this good
in a long time and he couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to feel
when he mated with her. She loved the coffee I made for her. She also loved
the table I crafted for her. And his face beamed with a grin in the midst of a
meeting.
Elijah’s cough brought him back to the meeting with his men. There was
again an attack on the south of the Veil and this time there were demons
also involved along with werewolves. This attack had Ella written all over.
The good thing was that the demons attacked but didn’t stay for too long
because they knew that the Lycans were going to attack them and destroy
them in a minute. The demons attacked in a pack and then also they
managed to just injure two, warrior Lycans. His thoughts moved back to
her.
To the kiss they shared in the morning I wonder what kind of layout she
would prefer for her room and laboratory.” If she preferred to have more
windows or a glass wall towards the garden, or a simple room with minimal
furniture. ‘Maybe I should ask her.’ He couldn’t help feeling excited when
hope ignited in his chest that if he continued to make good things for her,
she was surely going to fall in love with him even if her wolf didn’t
awaken. He was going to change his entire castle for her if she wanted to,
change every decor, get more jewelry, if these things would make her fall in
love with him.
He was also going to take her on a tour of his pack and if she wanted once
to her pack. It would be a dangerous thing to do, but he would if she wanted
to. He would take her to the human world from where she could pick up
things for the castle so that she could decorate his home the way she liked.
Hunter wondered if he was being ***. But it was fine to be ***with his
mate.
Over the next one week, Hunter noticed that River would blush sometimes
when he would look at her.
She had made him a beaded bracelet currently adorned his wrist. He would
stare at it or caress it ever since he received this first gift from her in
wonder that she had made something for him in return.
Hunter felt like he was on top of the world. He didn’t want to hide any truth
from her. He wanted to protect her. He had brought her here as a breeder yet
she never brought that up these days. Now that she had come to love and
like where she lived, her scent of elderberry and roses was devoid of fear
and anxiety. It was mixed with that of lavender and honey and he loved to
be closer to her than he should, just to smell her deeply. It calmed him.
Her hair was a beautiful auburn that looked like pure flames in sunlight.
She dazzled him every day and sometimes he caught her stealing glances at
him which made his chest swell that she was getting attracted to him. Her
blue sky-like eyes were so beautiful that the world faded around him when
he stared into them.
His heart would flutter in his chest because she was now smiling more at
him. Her laughter was the most melodious sound he had ever heard. He
would find himself going to her in the garden of the west wing, a place
where she was using to study every time, he had a break. He hoped that one
day she would allow him to sit in front of her with his head in her lap while
she ***.
When River would go back to her room, Hunter would follow her there. He
would keep himself busy by starting the fireplace even if the servants were
there to do it, or arrange his documents on the table amongst other things.
All he did
was just to watch her as she moved around the bedroom or the castle. Her
presence gave life to the castle he lived in, one he never thought he could
ever feel. His castle was now like a… home.
“My notebooks are all over and this is a list of items that I need,” she said,
handing him over a piece of paper. “I need two software, some tools, laser
measuring tape, lots of colors and then some more!”
“I will get these to you by tomorrow morning!” he said and he intended to
buy them all himself.
“I am afraid that some of it may be acquired only in the human world.”
“Then I will take you there in my helicopter!”
She looked at him with excitement. “Thank you. Can we go this weekend?”
“Yes!” he nodded. He scratched his eyebrow lightly and added, “Can I take
you for a date this weekend?”
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Chapter 43
River’s cheeks darkened when he suggested a date. He tilted his head
slightly in astonishment. She was blushing at his suggestion and it thrilled
him. She had pursed her lips and looked away as if contemplating it. So he
coazed her a little,
“Can I?”
When he asked for a date, she was speechless. It was such a wonderful
invitation, one that she realized she was looking forward to. After a moment
of hesitation, she nodded slightly and a wide smile appeared on his face.
When she hesitated, his hopes deflated, but when she nodded, he felt a
stronger emotion, one that of excitement. Excitement that was akin to that
of a teenager who received his first kiss. “Then we will go
tomorrow morning”
Next morning Hunter was ready before sunrise. River was sleeping beside
him, curled up like a bunny.
She was over his chest, sleeping like a baby. He had kissed her head and
gently slid her down his body.
After covering her with the blanket, he had gone to take a bath. And then he
waited for her to wake up.
The helicopter was waiting for them to take them to the nearest city where
Hunter had decided on a list of things to do with her on their first date. He
had gone down to talk to Elijah on what to do for the day.
It was almost an hour before he was free and when he thought of going up
and waking her up, she was already coming down the stairs, all dressed up.
He watched her walking down, mesmerized by her beauty.
River was wearing blue striped shorts that accentuated the curve of her hips
and a ***silk blouse. Her hair was open, falling in soft waves over her
shoulders.
“Ready?” he asked her when she came to stop next to him.
“Yes,” she replied, breathless.
He intertwined his fingers with hers and took a deep breath in. How was he
going to survive the day without taking her? The ride to the nearest city
ended in less than an hour. River was feeling excited as
**. She had never thought that Alpha Hunter would take her on a date. For
all she knew that he would simply demand ***from her as his breeder. But
the man was so patient and he even got her on a date.
She was all starry eyes for the man who respected her feelings.
The helicopter landed on a private air strip where a Mercedes Sports Car
was waiting for them. Hunter waved at the driver who bowed to him and
handed the keys. “Good morning, Alpha,” he said.
“Good morning, Joe! How are you?”
“I am well, Alpha,” said the elderly driver. “Everything is arranged”
Hunter winked at him as he led River to the passenger seat. When he slid
into the driver’s seat, he said,
“I hope you like the day!” He really wanted to impress her, little knowing
that there was no need. She was falling in love with him.
River was amazed that Hunter had everything planned. While he ***the car,
he didn’t leave her hand and their intertwined hands were on his thighs. He
would pick up her hand and kiss it once in a while.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
He smiled at her in a mysterious way and winked. He was not going to
reveal anything to her. She understood it immediately and giggled. She was
up for his surprises because she trusted him… blindly.
Their first stop was at a bookstore with an alfresco coffee bar. Excited, she
jumped out of the car while he laughed at her eagerness. He knew she
would love it. Inside the bookstore, they both picked up her books and other
tools to aid her in studying. “This is lovely!” she said, grabbing a lot of
books in her hands.
He took them from her. “Take all you want.”
An hour later, they finished her shopping and were sitting beneath an
alfresco, sipping coffee and eating pastries. Hunter didn’t know that
bringing River over here would make her smile more. He noted in his mind
to get her out on more dates.
“There’s a nice flea market here. Do you want to go there or we could go to
the art museum also?” he asked after kissing her hand for the twentieth
time.
“Museum?”
He grinned. He knew that she would prefer the museum. While they were
looking at the displays, they talked a lot about the art over there. They
shared their views and she got inspired for her ***. After walking for an
hour across the museum, River was tired. She sat down with her head on his
shoulder, her arm curled around his. She had closed her eyes, loving the
warmth when she wondered if she would even be this comfortable and
happy in her mate’s company “Where are we going next?” she asked after
they were in the museum for two hours, over bacon sandwich and teal He
winked at her again and she giggled. “Sorry!” she said. “I won’t ask again.”
To her surprise, Hunter took her for a kayaking trip. They stood in the line
for half an hour like other normal couples for
tickets. She loved the sense of adventure with him. They talked non stop
about various things and
opened up more, became more intimate.
River noticed how other girls were ogling at Hunter because he was clearly
standing out as the most handsome amongst all other boys. So she made
sure that she was clinging to his arms to show them who he was with and
who he belonged to. Only when they hit the water and she had rowed
furiously away from the deck, did she relax. She realized that this was
going to be a problem in the future as well.
After she had rowed quietly for some time, she relaxed.
Next, they went to a local flea market where she got lost in all the small
souvenirs, small bags, local crafts and other items. By the end of it, she had
a bag full of tiny items that he carried. And then she declared, “I am
hungry!”
Hunter could have taken her to an upscale restaurant, but he chose to sit
with her in an outdoor dining café.
“I love it!” she said. “And I would love to come more, if you allow it.”
He placed a hand over hers. Staring into her beautiful blue eyes, he said,
“Whenever you want to come, just let me know.”
She bit her lips as she stared at this magnificent man in front of her. “Thank
you…” She had no words to describe her growing affection for him.
After spending the day in an amusement park, Hunter took her to an
outdoor movie location. He had bought a lot of snacks for her to make sure
that she wasn’t hungry while they watched it. When the movie started, he
increased the temperature of the car to make her cozy.
“I hope you like this movie,” he said, offering her a tub of popcorn.
She grabbed some, accidently touching his hand. “I love all romantic
movies and Titanic is my favorite!”
His body burned at her touch. So he moved closer to her, but the ***control
gears were in between them. He placed his elbow close to her, just distant
enough to not hog the space between them and make her feel comfortable,
but all he wanted was for her to come to him.
While eating popcorn, her hand came really close to his elbow and all his
focus went to the heat that was between them rather than the movie.
Suddenly, her hand brushed his arm and he stiffened. He didn’t move his
elbow away and waited for what she would do next. River rested her hand
over his arm and he burned with need.
With a ragged breath, he got close to her after about ten minutes and softly
whispered to her, “Are you having a good time?”
She was watching the movie with wide eyes, but she turned her face and
said, “I am having a great time.” Her lips were close to his and their breaths
mingled. She was feeling so smitten by him at this point that she couldn’t
watch the movie. The ****attraction was overpowering every other
emotion. As if in a trance, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips on his.
“*****!” Hunter’s fingers curled the back of her neck and he pulled her
closer to him. In a second they were all teeth and lips and tongue.
River couldn’t think of anything else when he kissed her. All she wanted
was to be closer to him, to end
***little space they had in between them. As if understanding her need, he
grabbed her waist and pulled her in his lap. She didn’t, she couldn’t, stop
the flow. His hands slid to her hips and he pressed them as she curled hers
around his neck. They both kissed each other passionately, exploring and
burning with need for each other.
When they stopped, they were both breathless. He rested his forehead
against hers and rasped, “I want to take you so badly that this need is
***me.”
After a moment she said, “Then take me.”
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Chapter 44
River’s fingers dug in his chest and without realizing her claws grew a little
and sank in his shirt “Then take me, she said, her chest rising and falling.
Hunter’s heart was beating fast She wants me’ She had willingly opened up
to him, kissed him passionately rather than hesitating for the first time. He
ran his fingers on her plump lips. They trembled beneath his touch. He
traced her nose and then her eyelashes which fluttered. When he moved his
hand over her jaw and then to her throat, strong desire flared inside him. It
was stronger than he had ever felt, especially when she moved her neck to
the side and he saw her pulse point.
He wrapped his fingers over her neck and brushed the pulse point where he
was going to sink his fangs when he would claim her. His hearth thundered
when his hand traveled to her breasts. He cupped them and instead of
protesting, she arched her body in his hands. Did she realize that his touch
was filled with desire and want? He felt the hard nipples that scraped
against his fingers. He flicked them and she moaned.
Hunter was unable to keep himself away and he buried his face in her nape,
grazing his fangs on her pulse point, smelling her delicious scent. She
yelped. He couldn’t take her here in the car for the first time. “I want to take
you back home, River…” he said as if pleading with her. As if telling her
that he wanted this to be more elaborate and memorable
She was in sync with his thoughts. “Yes, let’s go back my Alpha…”
My Alpha… The words sounded so beautiful from her.
Hunter kissed her pulse point. After a moment of control, he started the car
and they were on their way back to the airstrip All through the journey, both
of them had locked their hands together, none wanting to let it go.
As soon as they landed, Hunter scooped her up in his arms and carried her
all the way up to his room.
Hunter kicked the door close behind him and carried her to his bed. He had
waited for this moment for
eternity. He set her feet on his bed. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to
sleep for the night. He felt that every second he spent with her was too short
and too precious. He brushed his thumb over her cheekbone and said, “Are
you sure?”
She took his hand and pulled him closer. A silent invitation to her desire.
He sat down on the bed and River stepped into his welcoming arms. In her
excitement, she started kissing him. She started at his hairline. His forehead
was smooth and cool beneath the touch of her lips. His warm breath fell on
her chin as the flutter of his long eyelashes tickled her skin. She kissed his
temples and then his closed eyes.
His chest moved rapidly up and down when she kissed him from one
cheekbone to the other as if exploring every inch of his body. She loved the
shape and slight stubble on his cheeks. She went down to kiss his neck as
he tilted it to give her better access. A soft groan escaped him and his hands
that were idle at her waist, now pressed into her flesh.
She pressed her kiss on his collarbone and wanted to go to his shoulders. He
was getting wilder by the minute wondering if would be able to sustain the
torture of her lips on his body. This was the first time she was exploring
him and he wanted to be patient, but how could he? He wanted her so badly
that his senses were warring inside with his beats. Slowly, she opened the
buttons of his shirt and he removed it.
His muscles tensed and tightened even more when she nuzzled in the
hollow of his neck and licked him there. She kissed a path along the line to
the shoulder while stroking a thin trail of hair on his torso. She spread her
hands to his ribs, the muscles of which rippled in tension. Hunter gasped
and tilted his head back when she trailed a path of kisses to his navel, her
fingers touching his swollen erection behind his trousers.
River’s heart was thundering with hot desire to take this beautiful and
patient man inside her body just as deeply as she had taken him into her
soul. She was startled when he suddenly lifted her head up, turned her on
the bed below him and brought his **down on hers, his body pressing her
into the mattress. He could no longer remain passive in this game of love.
He seized her ***and kissed her so hard that she was devoid of air. They
kissed till they couldn’t breathe. He explored the ir. Je of her ***, stroking
her ***and sweeping the outline of her lips. He nibbled at her lower lip, his
breath turning labored as his shaft ground into her belly.
“I want to see you ***,” he said, seeking her permission to open her
clothes. When she nodded, he started undressing her. She shivered with
anticipation when his fingers touched her on her skin. At every patch of
skin revealed, he stopped to worship her with a kiss. When she was ****in
front of him, she covered her breasts with her arm, as her cheeks pinkened
deep. Gently he removed her arm from there to make her feel comfortable
in her ***in front of him. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
Her skin was so soft and cr*amy. “I was wrong in assuming that you were
the most beautiful girl I had ever seen,” he said as he stared at her breasts,
the nipples of which hardened under his gaze. “You are a goddess, River.”
She blushed heavily. He was the one who was handsome and not her. He
stroked the line of her spine with his forefinger and she squirmed in his
arms at the sensation Not able to hold longer, he removed his shirt and his
trousers followed just as quickly. Now they were both clad only in the light
of the fire hearth. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to
his chest. He lined a path of kisses lower to her breasts and latched onto her
nipples. He groaned the moment he started ******them. He kneaded one
breast while he ***the other one. He turned his attention to the next one and
realized that she had arched her body to give him more access. He went
lower to kiss her tummy and then looked at the apex of her thighs at the
thatch of curls. “I was dying for
this moment, River,” he said and kissed her over there.
Strange sensation tumbled down her limbs and her toes curled. He was so
big that she gasped at his size and wondered how it would enter her. But she
found herself wanting it, feeling it. She became breathless. She had never
been desired so much and no one had touched her that way. When he came
up, she braced her hands on his chest and squirmed beneath him. Her
***moved and ground against his shaft. He groaned at the movement,
pressing her further down. He was so hard and aroused and he sought
entrance in her body.
“I think I will end up burning ourselves with the desire that is cruising
inside for you, love.” He moved a little positioned himself between her legs.
She widened her legs for him on an instinct. She gasped when his shaft
touched her entrance. She knew that if this continued, it would be her who
would be setting them of fire with her desire. Her hands moved to his neck
and then traced the back along his spine.
“Let me know if you are hurt,” he said.
When she nodded, he lifted himself a little and then slid the swollen crown
of his ******inside her… She gasped as pain lanced through her and closed
her eyes as tears came out.
“River!” he said. “This will pass.” He promised to her. Saying that he
waited for her to adjust to his size.
When her pain subsided, she opened her eyes and nodded again.
With a guttural sound, he delved deeper inside her. She moaned as he
stretched her. He filled every space inside her so fully that she stretched her
thighs apart to accommodate him better. She reveled in the feel of him, so
heavy and thick. “Oh goddess!” he rasped when he felt her wetness around
him. It was incredible. The scent of her arousal and her juices were playing
havoc to his senses. He wanted to thrust himself madly inside her, but he
controlled his beast because he wanted her to remember their first encounter
with love.
When he had buried himself to the hilt, he asked in a strained voice, “Are
you okay?” She nodded. He took out his shaft and then thrust it back inside
in one go. She gasped as something in her belly coiled tighter.
They moved together in careful movements, each learning the feel of their
***and how it felt under their hands. Soon. the slow movement turned even
more frantic. She curled her legs around his hips and pushed him towards
her as he thrust deeper and harder inside her. He closed his ****on hers and
kissed her hard as he plunged inside her like a piston. “Hunter!” she gasped
his name as the sensation inside her belly was about to unleash. “Something
is happening!” “Don’t stop yourself!” he coaxed her climax.
“Let it go!”
And she let it go She screamed his name as her climax consumed her
completely.
Hunter soon joined her. With a guttural roar he climaxed and spilled his
seeds inside his mate. Sweat slicked his back as his thighs quivered and
every muscle in his body shuddered when he reached his org*sm.
Hunter rolled them both on his back and then they held each other quietly,
but breathless.
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Chapter 45
After he settled a little, he asked her, “Are you hurt?” He had taken her
virginity and he was damn proud of that. Her first orgasm belonged to him.
Her head was on his chest. He stroked her back with his fingers along her
spine right to the dip between her hips.
He could still smelt her arousal and he wanted more. He enjoyed himself
thoroughly in the taste of her arousal, or hearing her moans, her body
shuddering because of his ministrations. It all came for him, because of
him.
“I am she replied, her eyes closing because of sleep and pure bliss. She had
never experienced something so painful and pleasurable at the same tirne.
“It did hurt in the beginning, but now I am fine.
There is no pain.” A blush spread on her face as she said it to him.
Hunter cupped her cheeks in his hands and lifted her face tenderly. “Do you
know that you have made me a content man? | can spend my life in between
your thighs for my entire life and even if the world shattered around us.” He
couldn’t believe that he was experiencing so much joy. Hope blossomed in
him that this relationship would continue even if her wolf won’t wake up.
“Our first will always be dear to me and I will hold on to this memory for
the rest of my life. It is so precious”
A tear escaped her eye and her throat choked with emotions. She couldn’t
speak what she wanted to.
She just placed her head on his chest again and closed her eyes.
He caressed her cheek with his thumb and whispered, “Sleep well, my
butterfly” And while River slept, he was thinking about ways to marry her.
He had to change the laws of the Veil in order to marry her and that was
going to be one big issue
Next day when he woke up, he saw that she was still sleeping on him.
Though earlier she would wake up and be embarrassed about it, today she
was comfortable with him and… ***. He could spend more
hours just watching her. savoring her weight on him, cradling her and then
spending himself inside her, but-he sighed. He had to attend to his office,
talk to Elijah about his situation amongst other things.
He slid her down and she let out a reluctant cry in her sleep. He chuckled
and covered her with a blanket.
Elijah and Asher were waiting for him in the office with an extremely
worried expression on their faces
“What happened?” he asked as he sat on his chair and looked at the pile of
documents on his table Elijah shook his head “The werewolves have
attacked again!”
Hunter ***his head back with surprise. “What?” They had only recently
attacked and they attacked again?
Asher pursed his lips. “We should have executed that ***, Ella! She is
spearheading it. The worst part is now she knows how to penetrate the Veil.
From what my warriors saw, she is heading a very large faction and after
their sneaky attack they have again gone back into hiding.”
“**** Hunter growled and got up. “They don’t have the guts to face us
head on, that’s why they are attacking us like this!” He stabbed his fingers
in his hair. “How many of us were injured?”
“About a dozen Lycans were injured, but none ***.”
“There’s another thing that I would like to tell you Alpha,” Elijah said with
tension lacing his voice
“And what is that?”
“Lady Rosalie… She is creating a lot of trouble. She is spreading rumors
that you plan on marrying the breeder who is a werewolf. And her timing
couldn’t have been better than this!”
He clenched his fists tightly until his knuckles were ***. He wanted to talk
about his marriage to Elijah and Rosalie was trying to create a scandal out
of it. If he talked about his marriage with River at this time, the Lycans
would take it badly “Throw that ***into the dungeons!” he growled.
“We can’t! If you lock her up in the dungeons, it would mean that what she
is saying is true. The Lycans will rebel. We have to find a way past it.”
Hunter’s frustration mounted. He raked his hand through his hair as he
stared at the gardens outside.
“Take two dozen warriors and comb the surrounding Veil.”
“There are demons out there who will attack us but they won’t attack the
werewolves, Elijah informed.
“The demons and werewolves are working in cahoots.”
“That’s why we have to teach the werewolves a lesson now!” Hunter
snapped. “If we don’t nip this alliance in the bud, we are going to be roasted
soon!” When he was met with silence and questioning gazes of his beta and
gamma, he added, “1 will go with you, and we will go tonight.”
“What? No!” Elijah protested. “I will not let you go and fight with the
demons and werewolves head on!”
Hunter’s lips lifted into a slight smile. His beta was just too concerned
about him. He walked to Elijah and clasped his shoulders. “Elijah, I am
going with you and we won’t go at night. We will go just before nightfall”
Elijah didn’t question his Alpha. Hunter was too determined to be reasoned
with. “Then we are going to take about fifty warriors with us.”
“Done.”
Suddenly, the door opened. They whipped their heads to look and found
River looking at Hunter with a strange expression.
When River woke up in the morning, her senses were inundated with a
****smell. She tossed her blanket away to get up. Her knees buckled under
the most delicious and sensuous smell she had ever smelled. It was the
scent of cedar and mist but mixed with that of male musk, multiplied by a
thousand times.
‘That’s the smell of our mate, Layla said.
‘Goddess! You have woken up Layla?”
‘Yes,’ Layla said. ‘And I can smell our mate. Please go to him fast!
River was amazed and excited. Not only did her wolf wake up, she found
her mate. But this also meant that her mate was a Lycan? A sharp pain
stabbed her heart because she had fallen in love with Hunter so much that
she wished he didn’t find his mate, but now she had found hers. How would
she face him?
Confusion grew when the scent of her mate was like that of Hunter’s. Was it
possible that Hunter was her mate? She shook her head as she quickly wore
her shorts and blouse and followed the scent.
‘Layla, I am so happy you are there!
‘I will never leave you now, River Layla replied in her mind. ‘I want to go
to our mate and play with him.”
River’s eyes welled with tears. So many emotions swirled in her mind. Her
happiness had no bounds yet she didn’t want to betray Hunter. ‘But I love
Alpha Hunter, she said to Layla.
‘I know you love him, but this is our mate, River. You have to go to him.
We have to see who he is.”
“I can’t betray Hunter”
‘Please River, Layla begged her ‘Let us meet our mate. Trust me. I can feel
this is going to change our world forever!” River nodded as her body
shuddered with anticipation. She followed the scent, her chest heaving with
nervousness. Breathless, she was surprised to find herself walking to
Hunter’s office.
And when she reached there, she opened the door. Her gaze locked with
Hunter’s
“River!” he said and rushed to her. “Is everything okay?”
“Mate”
Hunter’s ***dropped to the floor in astonishment. “Your wolf has woken
up?” he asked, a shudder passing through his body
River’s lips trembled. Tears poured out of her eyes out of pure happiness.
Hunter was her mate. Nothing could be this beautiful in her life. She was
battling with her emotions and even contemplated on rejecting her mate to
be with Hunter, but this “You are my mate.” Her eyes flickered amber.
She heard gasps from behind but she didn’t care about them. She didn’t
know what was going on. Her world had stopped, tilted on its axis and
started spinning again. Around Hunter.
Hunter nodded as he cupped her cheeks. “I am,” he replied. He leaned over
and pressed a kiss to her lips. Something snapped between them.
River threw her arms
round him and buried her face in his chest. “I love you so badly that it
hurts,” she murmured through
her tears. She still couldn’t believe her luck. Why was everything becoming
so perfect? The Moon Goddess had finally
blessed her.
“I love you, too,” he whispered, wrapping her tightly in his embrace. “And I
know your wolf wants to meet me.”
“Yes!” River looked up at him. “Layla is dying to meet you.” Layla was
somersaulting inside.
“I told you to trust me she chuckled inside her. “I want to see his beast!”
River laughed through her tears. “She is dying to meet your beast!”
Hunter chuckled. “Mine too!”
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Chapter 46
River was so excited and busy with her emotions that the world faded
around her. She realized the presence of other people in the office when
Elijah coughed.
Since both Elijah and Asher knew that River was Hunter’s mate, they both
were smiling when River
looked at them. “We are so happy for you, Alpha Hunter,” said Elijah. But
they both knew that this was going to pose a lot of problems if it came out
in the public right now.
Hunter kissed the crown of her head. He led her to the office and closed the
door. His happiness was over the top. He was in the ninth sky He never
expected River’s wolf to awaken and here she was. She called him mate. He
made her sit on his lap, not able to part from her for a single minute now.
”
River too loved to sit on his lap and she didn’t feel shy in doing so. It only
felt natural. As for Hunter, he wanted to have alone-time with her. He was
dying to take her, to sink his fangs in her and make her his so that everyone
in the pack knew that she belonged to him. Yet he couldn’t do that, because
of the stupid laws that his ancestors had created.
They resumed the talks about the attack of the werewolves. “Ella is leading
the attack, Alpha, Elijah said.
“I am sure that she is trying to build relations with the demons.”
“Ella?” River said, feeling miserable suddenly
“It’s not your fault that she has run away” Hunter reassured her.
River looked down in her lap. She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have trusted
her.”
“Don’t worry, okay?” Hunter said “Whosoever aided her in running away,
will be caught and once I catch him or her, I will make sure that they live in
***!”
River gave him a sad smile
“I will be going to deal with Ella tonight. I want you to stay in the castle,
okay?” he said to her.
A sudden shudder passed through her body thinking about his safety. They
had just recognized each other as mates. She turned to him and said, “You
mean in the forest surrounding the Veil?”
“Yes.”
Panicked, she wanted to protest but how could she? She just said, “Can I
come with you?”
He smiled and kissed her forehead. “No, your woll wouldn’t be that strong
initially. You have to stay at home.” “But-”
“Don’t worry, River. This is just a small operation my team will be
conducting,” he cut her off, undermining the whole thing. so that she isn’t
scared
She chewed her lower lip as worry marred her beautiful face
“It’s nothing, love,” he said. “It’s just a routine exercise”
She relaxed somewhat in his arms. “Okay.”
When he had gone to drop River back to his room, he said, “I want you to
move in my room, River. This is where you belong.”
She blushed but nodded eagerly. Even she couldn’t stay away from him.
“Also, I want you to keep this as a secret that we are mates” he added.
She craned her neck up to look at him as pain flickered through her eyes.
He placed his palm on her cheek and brushed it with his thumb. “I know it
is difficult for you, but it is more difficult for me, River. I want to change
these stupid laws so that we are all free to choose our mates. So many of us
are devoid of pleasure and those who find their mates in other worlds are
forced to reject them. I want to stop it, but for that we need a lot of patience.
Are you with me?”
Without hesitation she said, “I am with you every and each time, Alpha
Hunter.”
His breath was ragged when she spoke those words. It was as if their souls
even thought for each other and were in tandem. “You should call me
Hunter and not Alpha Hunter from now on.”
She gave him a big smile. “I will.”
Hunter had left soon after. For the whole day, Hunter became too busy with
training and picking his best warriors to attack the werewolves in the forest.
He wanted to meet River, but was caught up in one or the other job. Out of
his busy schedule he came to have lunch with her and Mia. He noticed that
there was a drastic change in Mia’s attitude these days. She was more
bubbly and seemed happier. Her relationship with River was healthy, unlike
that with Rosalie. They both shared a lot of secret moments and
conversation that was normal for the teenagers, and they developed a
stronger bond mostly because they were almost of the same age.
“Brother, can I come with you to the forest tonight?” Mia asked as she dug
her fork into sauté mushroom and pumpkin.
“No,” he replied. He lifted a platter of cheese and gave River more of it.
She was hardly eating. She needed to be strong if she had to run the Dark
Moon pack and be his Luna.
“But why?” Mia’s lips downturned. “I can easily help you with it-
“I won’t allow you for now Mia. Maybe later. At least a year later.”
He spoke so firmly that Mia pursed her lips and sulked.
“Mia, I am staying back in the castle,” River said as if to cheer her up.
“Won’t you give company to me?”
Mia chuckled, nodding slightly but there was tension in the air.
Hunter soon left to pick up more warriors and discuss his strategy with
them. River went back to her room where she asked Faria to help her move
in Hunter’s room.
“Are you sure?” Faria asked, bewildered.
“Yes, he asked me to be there.”
Faria didn’t ask further questions and gave a sweet smile to River. She just
helped her pack up her stuff to move into Hunter’s room. “Do you know it’s
such an honor to be in his room?” she said as she unpacked her clothes and
made space for her in his closet. “Alpha Hunter had never ever invited any
she-Lycan to live with him in his room. Even Lady Rosalie was living in a
different room and that too in a different wing.”
River blushed as she tightened her lips so as not to smile and accidentally
reveal that she was Hunter’s mate while Rosalie
wasn’t.
It was 4PM by the time River settled in Hunter’s room. It was the most
beautiful and luxurious room of the whole castle. There was a large
chandelier in the center. A four-poster bed with a canopy of gauzy material
was in a corner. There was a writing table with a cushioned chair in the
corner that overlooked the balcony. The floor was covered with a soft plush
rug and apart from it there was a music system that looked way too
complicated.
She waited for Hunter to come and be with her, but he hadn’t. She knew
that he was too busy and even though she was dying to meet him, she
stayed in the room and decided to catch up with her course.
By 6PM when Hunter didn’t come to her, she grew anxious. Mia had come
and gone because she too was busy with her school’s projects.
The moon had begun its ascent in the sky making her all the more nervous.
She paced the room, hoping to talk to Hunter at least once, but hesitated.
Suddenly, she heard commotion in the hall downstairs.
Wondering what it was, she rushed there only to find Rosalie arguing with
Faria.
“Where the ***is that breeder who has started thinking herself to be the
queen of the castle?” Rosalie shouted. “I want to talk to her!”
River narrowed her eyes at Rosalie. She knew that since Hunter wasn’t in
the castle, she was taking the advantage of his absence. She came down the
stairs, watching her shouting at the servants.
As soon as Rosalie saw her, she stormed towards her. “You!” She came to
stand right in front of her and pointed her index finger towards her face.
“You ***. Because of you and your kind this whole problem has come up.
If Ella hadn’t been freed that night, she wouldn’t have attacked us. Now
that she is free, she has teamed up with the demons and is attacking us. This
all happened because of you. I am sure that you have a hand in this fiasco.
Why don’t you just go back to your*** and save us from your pathetic
fate?”
River was… angry. She had taken enough of her. “Do you have evidence
that I am the one behind releasing Ella?” she asked. “If you have, let me
know, otherwise-”
“Otherwise what?” Rosalie snapped. “You will go and snitch to Alpha
Hunter?”
River crossed her arms across her chest. “Yes, I will go and inform him that
you are accusing me without evidence.”
Rosalie ****her face back with shock.
But River Continued, “And this whole situation is not because of me. It is
because of a long-standing feud between Lycans and werewolves of which I
am not even aware of. So you can shove up your pathetic excuse of coming
up and insinuating me for everything that goes wrong in this castle.” She
stepped away from her. “It is time that you move on and not dream of
becoming the Luna of this castle.
If Alpha Hunter doesn’t want to talk to you, then it means that he never ever
loved you!”
While River said all this, her heart was beating wildly. Hunter had gone to
confront Ella and her group of werewolves and demons. How could she
stay back and wait?
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Chapter 47
“You can’t go there!” Mia said, shocked to hear River’s decision. “There
are demons and they are horrible. They will not just **you, they will rip
you apart and end up eating you.”
River took a shaky breath. “Hunter has gone to them I can’t- she paused,
her throat getting choked with pain that she felt of the emotions swirling in
her mind. “I can’t let him be alone over there. He is my-”
she stopped. How could she say to Mia that he was her mate and that she
had just found out about it today? At first Hunter made it sound like it was a
routine exercise only so that she didn’t get worried, but now that the reality
crashed in, River was nothing but a bundle of anxiety
“He is your what?” Mia asked, her brows furrowing in suspicion.
River turned away. She didn’t want to speak it.
Mia walked to her and clasped her shoulders and made her turn to look at
her. “Tell it to me, River I know you are his breeder, but…
River looked into Mia’s eyes. Mia should know about them. She was
Hunter’s sister, “Hunter is my mate, River said in a low voice.
Mia was… astounded. Her ****dropped to the floor and her eyes widened.
“Oh. My. God.” She rasped.
“You are my brother’s mate!” she squealed.
“Shh…” River hushed her. “Hunter has asked me to keep it under wraps.”
Mia chuckled excitedly. She pulled River in a tight embrace. “Goddess!
River, I am so happy that you are his mate!”
River grinned as a pale blush colored her cheeks. “But I know that the laws-
“Laws be ***!” Mia snapped. “The mate bond is a revered bond. I don’t
care if you both get married or not but I am so happy for both of you.”
River couldn’t help hugging Mia. They both had a special bond and River
cherished it.
“Now you have all the more reason to not go to the edge of the Veil,” Mia
said seriously “Hunter is trying to protect you. If you go there, he will be
very angry!”
River exhaled roughly. She knew that if she didn’t go there, she would
never be able to forgive herself if something happened to Hunter. A shudder
passed through her body.
After Mia warned her repeatedly for not going to the forest, she left to go to
her room. It was almost midnight when River got out of her bed. It was
impossible for her to rest. Very quietly she changed into her jeans and a
black shirt and wore her sneakers.
She peeped out of her door. The castle was shrouded in silence and
darkness. She padded her way out of the castle and then ran as fast as
possible out towards the forest.
‘Let me come out, Layla demanded. ‘I want to protect our mate’
“Wait Layla, River said as she darted. I know you want to take over, but let
me assess the whole situation.”
‘Okay, but you have let me take over the moment you feel danger
‘I will.’
It took her almost an hour to reach the edge of the Veil from where she
heard loud shrieks and grunts and gurgling sounds. Goose bumps lined her
skin. She entered the dense forest. Darkness loomed over her. She sniffed
the air to catch hold of Hunter’s scent. His scent was strong but it was
mixed with that of blood and sweat and that of other scents. She was
panting as nervousness roiled in her stomach.
Holding her waist, she veered to the right where the scent was stronger.
River must have run for another fifteen minutes when all of a sudden
something bumped into her. She lost her balance and rolled on the ground.
When she regained her balance and got up, she saw a demon standing in
front of her. He had pointed horns and yellow eyes. His sharp pointed teeth
of the jaws protruded out. He looked at her and grunted, “Werewolf!” Then
he tilted his head and slowly opened his maw as if grinning. “You have the
Lycan smell.” He took a step closer. “It would be fun ***you and eating
you up!”
“Shit!” River grated. She knew the risk of entering the Veil but didn’t
anticipate that she would be facing the risk so soon. The demon’s muscles
bulged as he took more steps closer to her.
In order to understand his strategy, she engaged him in conversation. “Who
is your leader?”
The demon let out a choppy laugh. “One of your kind.”
“I know. But what is his name?” River took a step back.
“You won’t be alive to see him, then why bother?” His claws grew. “I will
be slicing that neck of yours like butter
“Oh, so you know how butter tastes?” she said, taking another step back.
The demon snarled. Angered by her, he rushed towards her. River took
exactly three more steps back towards a thick trunk of a tree. Using the
force of her speed, she tilted herself, climbed the tree with her feet and
when she was six feet above, she shouted, “Now!” and leapt at the demon,
shifting into her wolf midair.
Layla was keen to take over. When she shifted, she attacked the demon with
a terrifying snarl.
The demon was shocked to see a female wolf this huge and gorgeous. Her
fur was shining like silver and there was a small red spot right in the center
of her head. Before he could comprehend more, the wolf had dug her fangs
in his neck. and her claws in his chest. The demon tried to hold her torso
and disentangle himself from her, but the wolf was too strong. Within
seconds his head severed from his body and he dropped on the ground,
headless.
Layla watched him falling down and said on her haunches near his body,
snarling, her fangs dripping with his blood. A twig snapped behind her and
she turned quickly to see a woman with ***hair coming with pure surprise
in her eyes. Layla growled at her and she dipped her head in a warning. She
didn’t recognize the woman but there was something familiar
about her scent.
The woman came to stand in front of Layla, her face etched with wonder. “I
know who you are,” she said. “You are River’s wolf!” She pressed her hand
to her chest. “And you are so beautiful!” She took a step closer.
Layla was surprised, but she growled again in a warning.
The woman stopped, but said, “You must meet me in your human form.
You are just like your father!”
Layla froze.
“Who is this?’ River asked Layla. ‘I want to shift.”
‘I don’t trust her, River.”
‘I don’t trust her either, but she knows my father! I want to ask her about it.
And she smells… familiar.”
Reluctantly, Layla allowed River to shift.
“Oh goddess!” the woman said with wonder. “You are even more beautiful
that I had anticipated.”
“Who are you?” River said.
The woman looked behind River and blinked once. It didn’t go unnoticed
by River. Instantly, she charged
towards the woman and grabbed her neck with her arm. When she looked
ahead, she saw a demon standing there. “I should have known!” River said
through her clenched teeth.
“Yes, you should have. But don’t you want to know about who your father
was and your real truth?” the woman said, holding her arm. “After all, you
are entitled to know the truth before you ***.”
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“Who the ***are you?” River snarled. The woman was talking
mysteriously “And I know who my father is. So stop talking nonsense!”
She pressed her neck further with her arm. “Don’t try your tricks on me. I
can snap your neck in second” The woman chuckled. “You think your
father is Kirk?”
“Yes, my father’s name is Kirk and my mother is Hazel! Now stop spouting
nonsense and ask this denon to retreat otherwise I will ****you.”
“No, your father isn’t Kirk,” she said with a smirk.
River didn’t want to believe her, but the life that she had spent with Kirk
and Hazel was horrible, and that was why she wanted to believe that her
father and mother were someone else. She found herself asking. “Who was
my father then? Do you know him?”
“Of course I knew him!” the woman said. “And I will tell you more about
him if you leave me. Else I am going to ask this demon to ***you and it
would be such a waste of your life…”
River narrowed her eyes at the demon. Her heart started beating wildly
when she saw that his pointed horns were straight and so sharp that he
could ***anyone in one strike like a raging bull. His claws were long and
sharp and his jaws were filled with pointy teeth. He growled at her and
closed towards them,
“Didn’t you see how I ***the last demon?” River growled back at him. “So
don’t be mistaken that I will back down!” “Well, this is not the only demon
here,” the woman said. “I have several more with me.”
Comprehension crashed with full force. “Are you Ella?”
“Yes, I am!” Ella chuckled.
River’s mind numbed for a second. “Then why should I believe you? You
lied to me the last time we met!” And now she understood the familiar
smell coming from her.
“Because I choose to speak the truth this time and it’s all about you, River,
Ella replied.
River clenched her jaws. She contemplated on whether she should talk
more to Ella or should she simply allow Layla to come out and take over.
But the temptation of knowing the truth was growing on her. Ella was
speaking with confidence. ‘What should I do, Layla?” she asked her wolf.
After knowing that she had the most wanted woman of the Veil in her grip,
River should have ***her, but now…. now her mind was
wavering.
“I think she is speaking the truth, River. Allow her to speak. If you feel
danger, let me come out, Layla said. River swallowed thickly. Making a
quick decision, she pulled Ella back with her. The demon started to move,
but she warned him. “Truth, no truth. If you come an inch closer, I will
***her and it’s not a threat.” She tightened her hold on Ella’s neck.
Ella winced and coughed a little. River was too strong for her. She asked
the demon to stay back.
Basically, Ella was looking for more time.
Hunter had attacked their settlement just before the nightfall and they were
taken by surprise. Many demons were ***and those who remained, fled.
She was also fleeing along with two demons when she came across River.
She had single-handedly ***a demon which was incredible. Ella was aware
of her identity because of her scent that she had committed to her memory
during their interaction at the tower.
River was precious to Hunter. She had gathered this from Victoria. After
she had run away from the tower, she had gone to meet her brother Maxim
and over there she came to know that River was Hector’s mate. Hector was
called in the Veil only to reject her. This meant that Hunter really gave a lot
of importance to his breeder.
If Ella abducted River, she could turn the tables. Hunter would be forced to
allow them to enter the Veil.
The thought was exhilarating
River stepped further away from the demon till she was against a thick
trunk of a tree. She continued to grab her neck. “Reveal what you know!”
she grated.
“So your curiosity got the better of your senses?” Ella said.
River grabbed her hair from the back and yanked them. “I don’t have time,
Ella. I know you are buying time, but trust me, it’s of no use! If you don’t
spill it in two minutes, I won’t hesitate in snapping your pretty little neck.”
Ella gritted her teeth. She started, “You are not Kirk’s daughter. Your father
was Alpha Lowell, who was the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack.”
River stilled. She was the daughter of Alpha Lowell? Air punched out of
her chest at the truth.
“Your father was a peacemaker. He liked to live peacefully.” Ella coughed.
“But that wasn’t the problem.
The main problem was that your father wanted to make peace with the
Lycans which we all didn’t like.”
“We all?” River asked, her voice thick with emotions. “What do you mean
by that?”
“There are five Alphas who are together in this including my brother,
Maxim.”
“Goddess!” Panic surged through her in strong waves. Alpha Maxim was
one of the men who was fighting against Alpha Hunter?
Ella chuckled. She adjusted herself in River’s strong grip. She had hoped
that after listening to this much only River’s grip would loosen, but it
didn’t. “Yes, my brother and I are in that group who despise the Lycans. We
are going to destroy them. We have been fighting for the past thirty years
and we will continue with it.”
“Did Alpha Maxim ***my father?”
Ella laughed. “You are very intelligent, River. You connect the dots easily.
But it isn’t a surprise. You have Alpha blood in you. And that gives you a
lot of strength and beauty.” She paused for a moment to hear some
movement. The other demons were near. She continued to keep River busy.
“Yes, Maxim
***Alpha Lowell and his family. Unfortunately you were not in the pack
that time and had gone to visit some aunt of yours. You were too young to
comprehend and Maxim had already ascended to the position of the Alpha.
That’s why he couldn’t order your direct ***. Instead he gave you to Kirk
and Hazel and asked them to look after you in the worst possible way so
that your wolf never develops.”
Layla growled on the inside. ‘They underfed us for this reason, River. They
were scared that we would rebel.
River was so numb that she couldn’t answer Layla. There was so much
conspiracy to keep her down, she couldn’t believe
“And when the right time came, they got rid of you,” Ella ended her story.
“Isn’t that interesting?”
River closed her eyes. She was tortured and tormented by Kirk and Hazel to
the level that she had
become depressed. “What about my mother?” she asked in a hoarse voice.
“Your mother was the daughter of Alpha Odin of the Black Howlers pack.
That pack has very few members and lives in the human world. But she is
also dead.”
River’s
eyes welled with tears. In all these years, Kirk had informed her that her
mother was alive and was his former lover. She ***Kirk so much now that
it was beyond comprehension. “Kirk said that she was alive…”
Ella laughed. “Kirk only gave you lies. He *** you because you were a
liability that Maxim had forced on him.” Suddenly, a sharp movement was
heard from the trees.
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Ella let out a humorless laugh “That’s your doom, River More demons are
coming I am going to take you as my captive* “Before that I am going to
**you, Ella” River spat
“If you will ***me, then these demons are going to ***you. And if you will
let me live, you will stay alive till I negotiate with Alpha Hunter”
“And after that?”
“After that I will give you back to him, Ella pointed out.
“Why are you all into this mindless war with the Lycans? Why can’t you
just live in peace?” River asked
“Because the ancestors of the Lycans have ***our ancestors for the wealth
they are sitting on! We will keep fighting till we get that treasure back. The
days of Lycans are numbered.”
“Do you think I believe every word that comes out of your ****?” River
said, her breath ragged From what I see, the Lycans are unified and very
hardworking. They have great business with the human world while the
werewolves- they think they are superior to the humans and it is below their
dignity to have business with them?”
“Oh shut up!” Ella squawked. “You don’t know anything, ****. You are
soon going to go where your father is?
River was undergoing so much emotional turmoil. Revenge was foremost in
her mind. She wanted to take revenge from Alpha Maxim for ***her family
and then plunging her into the worst life possible.
“You don’t have a choice, River, Ella scoffed. “Hurry up and make a
decision. The demons are nearing!”
“Even if I have a thousand choices, Ella, I am going to ***you first. Yes,
that would be my choice!”
Ella seethed. She hissed, “You stupid girl! You are just like your father.
Even he was so forthright that it was ***. Why can’t you Alphas just live
like the others?”
“It is this difference that makes us the Alphas by blood!” River said. She
tightened her grip on Ella’s neck.
“Ahhh!” Ella gurgled. She brought both arms on River’s arm to remove her
but she was surprised to find that River was just too strong to be moved.
Maxim had said that they had weakened River’s wolf to the extent that she
couldn’t fight and was a scraggy little gray wolf, but she had emerged
stronger after being in the Veil for a few months. “Leave mel” she wheezed,
getting asphyxiated.
The demon in front of them closed the gap between them slowly, cautiously.
He growled, “Leave her, else I will slay you with my claws and jaws in a
second.”
But River was least interested in the demon’s threats. She continued to
suffocate Ella. The movement around them increased. She knew that the
demons were just too close now.
‘Let me out, River!’ Layla demanded. ‘I am going to do away with all of
them!”
“I will. Soon!”
In one last try, Ella elbowed River in her stomach while struggling for life.
She threw her legs wildly at her in some way, but in doing so, she was only
getting more suffocated. She looked at the demon and wheezed, “Attack
her!”
The demon looked at River and the next moment he lunged at her.
However, the moment he lunged at her, a strong force brought him down,
River didn’t understand what it was. With a guttural roar, she snapped the
neck of Ella. Her body stilled and then dropped to the ground over her
belly, her head turned in a weird angle..
River had never ****anyone before. She slumped beside her body on her
knees, shaking in pure fury
and shock. Ella’s eyes were staring in the blank space. River wanted to feel
guilty but strangely she didn’t. She felt… hatred. All she wanted was to
send Ella’s body to Alpha Maxim as a message that she was coming for
him. That she was going to claim her pack very soon.
A loud scream made her snap her head up and she saw Hunter ripping apart
the limbs of the demon in his beast form. His beast was snarling as he did
that. River got up from her place, her mind still dizzy. She dragged her feet
to his beast. She should have felt afraid of his beast, but she didn’t. Instead
she felt protected. “Hunter…” she called him.
He looked at her with his fiery golden eyes and his chest vibrated with a
rumble. River walked up to him slowly and placed her hand on his arm.
“He is dead.” she murmured. She knew that he was ***the demon only to
protect her.
“De…ad…” he grumbled. “I will ***him…” he said in a raucous voice.
When he was fighting with the demons, he sniffed River’s smell. He was so
scared for her that he left his group and ran for her. While coming here, he
saw a demon and attacked him instantly. Within minutes, he had taken him
down.
Next, he was coming to meet River but saw another demon attacking her.
He shifted into his beast and with a bellow, he attacked that demon.
River’s lips lifted into a smile and she threw herself in the arms of his beast.
Immediately, he curled her up in his embrace and buried his snout in her
hair. “River…”
“Hunter, I love your
They returned to the Dark Moon pack along with all the warriors. The news
that River ****Ella spread like wildfire amongst all the Lycans. Hunter’s
chest swelled with pride at what his mate did. He was least expecting that
from River because he thought that she was such a fragile girl.
He took her to his room and for the next one day, he didn’t meet anyone nor
did he let River do anything other than rest. The demons had all fled and
only two of his warriors were injured. With Ella dead, they didn’t have a
leader or a plan to follow.
“But this war doesn’t get over now, Hunter,” she said. She was lying with
her head on his chest. “I can’t believe that they ***my father because he
wanted peace with you all. When Ella mentioned Alpha Lowell, I
remembered that he was mentioned by one of the Lycans in the ball. And
now that I connect the dots-” her throat choked once again. Fresh tears
flooded her eyes.
“River!” he got up and pulled her in his lap. “Please don’t cry. I don’t like
when you cry.”
“I don’t want to…” she sobbed. “But I can’t believe that they ***my entire
family. Alpha Maxim let me live and as if I was a constant reminder of my
father, he ensured that I got the worst treatment from everyone in the pack.”
Hunter wiped her tears. “I know what you are going through, River, but
don’t cry. Let those emotions fuel your revenge. If you want to take your
position back in your pack, I am going to help you. Do you?”
River looked at him with her wide eyes. “I will, but not like this. I will plan
this out very carefully and-was going to make everyone count their sins.
Slowly and painfully.
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When River stopped talking. Hunter stroked her cheeks with his thumb “I
am with you on this in ***way you want it to be, he said softly. It tore his
heart to see that she was the true heir of the Crescent Moon pack and she
was brought up in the worst possible way. He didn’t want to imagine what
all she suffered He was appalled by the fact that Maxim was Ella’s brother.
That meant that he and River had the same purpose. But he didn’t know
who else was with Maxim in this conspiracy. He had to find out about that
before taking any step that would risk River’s life or his pack She placed
her hand on his and leaned into it. “I know. She kissed his palm and closed
her eyes, reveling in the warmth and scent of it. “I don’t think that Alpha
Maxim was interested in fighting with the Lycans as much as he was
attaining my father’s position. I don’t know whether he has a secret set of
warriors who fight for him with the Lycans, but I do want to know about it.”
“I will send my warriors and spies to find out about them as soon as
possible.*
She shook her head. “No.”
Alpha Maxim was looking at his sister’s body that his warriors brought
back from the forest. They found it after a day. She was lying on a bed in
the Shaman’s cottage, her head turned at a weird angle Ella had been both
physically and ****strong and she led the whole rebellion against the
Lycans. She was the leader With her gone, he didn’t know what other
Alphas would do.
As he circled her body, a shudder of pain passed through him. His sister had
come back after a gap of twenty years. Everyone was so happy in his
family. There was jubilation of sorts. He had rewarded Victoria with
announcing her marriage to Hector soon after After Ella recovered, she had
come to visit him and they both talked about their future strategy. So much
depended on her. The last strike against the Lycans was one of their biggest,
which Ella had led and she ended up being ***. What he couldn’t believe
was that someone had snapped her neck.
Ella was a very strong she-wolf. She also had the support of the demons.
Demons practically moved with her when she fought with the Lycans. He
had never seen a she wolf stronger than Ella. Then who could have k***her
like that? There were signs of struggle on her body. A few bruises here and
there. As Maxim stared at her bruises, he realized that someone stronger
than her must have ***her.
The demons who were with her were also dead. He clenched his teeth as he
closed his eyes. If Hunter thought that he had quashed the rebellion, then he
was wrong. Maxim was going to increase his efforts and for that he had to
meet the other Alphas. This time he was going to do it or ***for it! He
looked at Ella again and his throat choked with emotions. His sister had
rejected her mate for this cause and here she was lying… dead.
“Alpha Maxim,” his Beta, Rick, called him.
Maxim snapped his head in his direction, irritated by this sudden intrusion.
Rick winced. “Th-there’s a message we received.”
“What message?” he growled.
“River is coming to meet us.”
Maxim was shocked. “That ***! I had asked her never to come back. How
dare she defy my orders? I will ***her if she steps in my territory!”
“She is coming along with Alpha Hunter,” Rick said in a low voice, scared
of his Alpha.
Another shock blasted through him. “With Hunter?”
“Yes, Alpha!
Maxim narrowed his eyes. He knew that Hunter was well aware of the
attack of the werewolves on the
Lycans, but there was no way to connect him with the rebel werewolves.
Nonetheless, after Ella’s death, they could connect him with her. And to
remove that evidence, he had to do away with Ella’s body as soon as
possible. He had to be extremely cautious and fathom if Hunter knew about
his involvement with the rebellion. At the same time he had to deal with
River.
After he had ***her father and her family, on numerous occasions he
wanted to ***her too, but that would mean that his reputation would go
down in his pack.
He looked at his sister and let out a rough exhale. To his Shaman he said,
“Burn her!” He wore his goggles and walked out of the room. His Beta
joined him on his way out. “When are they arriving?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Did they state their purpose of coming?” he asked. He was surprised that
they were coming just after Ella’s death. Surely,
there was a connection, one that he had to figure out. It was possible that
Hunter was coming to find out about the werewolves’ attack and using
River as an excuse. He could use this to his advantage. He was going to
inform all the rebel Alphas about his arrival and they would devise a plan to
ambush him.
“River wants her graduation certificate from the school. She has joined
some online course where they are demanding her high school certificates.”
Maxim walked with his hands clasped at the back. This was definitely an
excuse. “Ask Hector and Victoria to receive them. Put them in the guest
rooms and-”
“They have booked the entire Central Point Hotel, Rick informed him. It
was a hotel on Shocked, Maxim stopped in his tracks. He frowned. “And
why so?”
“They are coming with a group of twenty Lycans and so they don’t want to
be disturbed.”
Twenty Lycans? To get the high school certificate? Something was not
right. Maxim’s senses went on high alert. Why would Hunter come with
such a large group? The Lycans were too powerful. Were they secretly
hatching a plot to ***all the werewolves? “Put all our warriors on high
alert,” he said.
“I will,” Rick replied. “Maybe, we shouldn’t let Hector and Victoria receive
them,” he added after some time. “River and Hector have rejected each
other and they won’t be comfortable in each other’s company.”
“Do as I say!” Maxim growled. He wanted to distract River and also see
how it affected Hunter by sending Hector and Victoria.
As soon as Rick left, Maxim went to his office. He had to call the other
rebel Alphas and inform them that Hunter had come with a very large group
of his warriors. Once he had called them all to apprise them of the situation,
he called Hector in his office.
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“River and Hunter are coming to visit the Crescent Moon pack,” said
Maxim as he pointed at the chair on the opposite side for Hector to sit
“Why?” Hector spat. He hated River and Hunter. “You said you would
never allow that ***to come back
to the pack. You should stop her!”
Maxim wanted to slap his son. He was always so shortsighted. “Do you
think I want her to come here? I despise her more than you can think!”
“Then why the ***are you allowing her?”
“She is coming here with Hunter and they are accompanied by twenty
Lycan warriors,” Maxim explained. “She wants to get her high school
certificate. You and Victoria will be accompanying her to the school and
smoothen the process of getting the certificate from the Headmistress.”
“Why the ***would she need her high school certificate? She is a
***breeder. Do they want to have literate breeders now? Since when have
the Lycans started giving importance to education to their breeders?”
Hector scoffed.
Maxim was getting irritated. He really didn’t have time for his son’s
***talk. He leaned forward and growled, “Do what has been asked of you.
Other than that, leave it to me, okay?”
Hector pursed his lips at his father’s complete lack of acknowledging his
intelligence.
“I want you to keep her and Hunter busy for the whole day. She shouldn’t
get her certificate until the day ends.” “Why?” Hector asked with a
surprised expression.
Maxim gritted his teeth. “Can you just focus on what I am asking, ***it!”
“But you can tell me the reason,” Hector insisted.
Maxim let out a ragged breath. “I have called all the Alphas out here who
are with me. We don’t trust Hunter and his intentions! Now is it clear?”
Hector was aware of his father’s tryst with the Lycans. He knew that his
father was involved in the rebellion against the Lycans. Maxim had told him
about it several months back because after all, he was going to take over as
the Alpha of the pack and had to carry the legacy on. His demeanor became
serious. “Yes, I am clear, father. I will take care of her and Hunter and make
sure that her certificate is not released until evening.”
“Good!” Maxim nodded. “They are in the Central Point Hotel. I have sent a
message to them that you would be going to meet them.”
Hector left the office and after picking up Victoria whom he had already
apprised of in his car, sped to the Central Point Hotel.
“Goddess! I hate that dimwit so much, Hector,” said Victoria as she got out
of the car. Wearing a green mini skirt with a white blouse and pumps, she
adjusted her freshly curled hair around her shoulders.
“Don’t expect me to be friendly with her.”
Hector chuckled. “I despise her as well, Victoria, but father has asked me to
make it look like we are very fine with their visit. We can’t let them suspect
us, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah!” She drawled and removed her black goggles.
When they entered the hotel’s lobby, Hector saw that five Lycans were
standing there as if guarding it for their king. The hotel receptionist came
running to Hector and bowed to him. “I will inform the guests that you are
here.”
Hector didn’t reply to the lowly receptionist. With haughtiness, he went to
sit on the couch near the glass wall and sat down along with Victoria. He
looked at her and thought that she was so beautiful. He did right by
rejecting that useless dimwit who didn’t look even half as beautiful as
Victoria. And in the dress she was wearing, she looked even sexier. He
didn’t know how the Moon goddess could choose an
**mate like River for him.
The Lycans watched him and Victoria like hawks. He disregarded them as
he waited. It was fifteen minutes and yet the two hadn’t come down.
Growing impatient, he shifted on his seat. “Do they think of me as a lowly
wolf or what?” he growled.
“Hector, remember these are very powerful Lycans. And they are guarding
the king of Lycans. Control yourself. It’s just for a day,” Victoria said in a
low voice.
Hector sneered.
Another fifteen minutes went by and he grew restless. He was about to go
and lash at the receptionist when he heard the ding of the elevator. The door
of the elevator slid open and Hunter stepped out. He was looking gorgeous.
Right behind him was River. Hector’s **fell to the floor.
In black leather skirt and a black turtleneck silk shirt, she looked like a
goddess. Her deep auburn hair fell on her shoulders
in waves. She was wearing black stilettos and walked gracefully in them.
Unlike Victoria, there was no hint of makeup on her face and yet she looked
stunning.
“Hector, Hunter called him. “How are you?”
Realizing that he was gaping at River, he closed his ***instantly “1-I am
well.”
“***Hector,” River said softly with her chin up.
“River.” Hector found himself singing her name. He hadn’t realized that
Victoria had come to stand next to him.
“**Victoria,” River said with ease.
But Victoria couldn’t help being jealous of River. She looked jawdroppingly gorgeous and Hector was all eyes for her only. “How are you,
River?” she asked.
“Very fine,” River replied with confidence. She looked at Hunter and said,
“Shall we go to the school?”
Hunter placed his arms on the small of her back. He kissed her temple and
said, “Whatever you like, honey bun.”
The way Hunter was touching her made Hector jealous as ***. He didn’t
know that River would turn out to be so beautiful. He would have never
gone for Victoria in the first place. “Sure,” he said. He started thinking of
ways to keep her back in the pack.
Hunter and River followed them in their own car to the school and they
were followed by the Lycan warriors
The Headmistress, Mrs. Miller, was waiting for them. As soon as she saw
Hector, she bowed to him and when she saw River, she was stunned. “Hhow are you, River?” Standing next to Hunter, they looked like a match
made in heaven.
“I am very well, Mrs. Miller, River said with a smile. “We are in a rush.
Can I get my high school certificate as soon as possible?”
Hector coughed from behind. “Actually it is going to take at least two days
for it. I had already talked to Mrs. Miller about it.” He lied through his
teeth.
Mrs. Miller looked at Hector with confusion. “But-” she wanted to say it
was ready.
Hector cut her off. “But why don’t you see your old school, River? I am
sure you would want to visit your old class for
|memories sake.”
River let out a rough exhale. “My memories of school weren’t good.” She
curled her arm into Hunter’s.
“But we can visit the green house if you like.”
Hector flinched. That was where he had attacked her and threatened her to
never reveal to anyone that she was his mate “Sure!” He hated the way she
was hanging on Hunter. “But the students of your class want to meet you.
Would you like to meet them?”
River looked up at Hunter who rewarded her with a broad smile. “Anything
for you, buttercup.”
“Okay, I can go and meet them,” she said. Then she said to the
headmistress, “I will be back in hardly an hour. Please see what you can do
until then.”
“I will.” Mrs. Miller was utterly confused now.
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Along with Hunter, River walked into the corridor that led to her former
class Memories of how everyone ridiculed her, flooded her mind. She took
a deep breath in to calm herself Seeing her nervous, Hunter grabbed her
hand and squeezed it lightly as if to are her that he was with her And River
felt assured with him.
Hector and Victoria walked ahead with them. They reached the class and
when Hector announced that their former classmate, River had come to
meet them, most of them sneered, their hatred apparent on their faces. But
the moment they saw her with Alpha Hunter, their demeanor changed. They
all looked at him with wonder, some pitying her for being his breeder while
some getting jealous seeing their intertwined hands. They also noticed how
beautiful and confident she had become. She was no longer the same old
craggy, thin and depressed girl they were used to seeing.
Awkward murmurs and silence crept in the air and River realized that
Hector brought her here to embarrass her or rernind her how she was dealt
with earlier. She put her chin high and gave them a rebellious smile “It’s
great to see you all. Hope you all are doing well!” Some smiled while some
glared at her but no one dared to speak a word against her. It was her aura
that compelled them not to speak but they couldn’t point it out.
Seeing her impact on the students, Victoria was surprised. She said, “Let us
go to the greenhouse. It has changed drastically ever since you have left.”
The greenhouse was the only place that River used to spend her time when
she was alone, which was most of her time in the school. It stung her when
Victoria said that it had changed a lot. Maybe Victoria wanted to make her
feel bad about it.. Well, she was ready to move on. In fact, she had moved
on..
When she entered the greenhouse, she saw that it had changed a lot for the
worse. The roses that she was so fond of were no longer there. Most of the
plants were drying up and no one really cared about it.
Buckets, shovels, hoses and other tools were lying scattered everywhere.
River realized why Victoria
brought her here. She chuckled and said, to her “The greenhouse looks
quite like your ***state now.”
“What do you mean?” Victoria growled.
River looked at Hunter, ignoring him, said, “Let’s go, Hunter I am done.”
“Wait” Hector stopped them “I came to show you the greenhouse to take
ideas from you. When you were here, it was blooming”
Victoria’s ***fell to the floor at how he insulled her. “Hector, we don’t need
her opinions about the greenhouse. I can- He hissed at her. “***up.”
Victoria snapped her ******at the obvious insult and looked hatefully at
River.
“I don’t have any opinions about it,” River replied. Along with Hunter, she
walked back to the headmistress’s office.
“But I am sure that the headmistress isn’t done with her work, River!”
Hector tried to stop her. “It will take a day to make the certificate for you.”
“Then we will wait for it in the hotel,” she said and continued to walk.
“Why don’t you join me and Victoria for a tour of the pack?” Hector
suggested.
“She can’t!” Hunter growled, not happy with the way he was flirting with
her. “We have work to do.”
“Then how about you come to the pub with me. Recently a pub has opened
up with a dance floor. I am sure you will enjoy
it
River stopped in her tracks. She crossed her arms and slowly turned to look
at him. “Hector, there is nothing that I can enjoy with you. Like Hunter
said, we have work to do.” Saying that she continued to walk without
waiting for his reaction. Hector hadn’t changed at all. He was the same and
the fact that he was stalling her work and trying to lengthen her stay when it
wasn’t needed, made her suspicious.
When they walked into the office of the headmistress, she was surprised.
She got up with a start as if she was caught doing something w g. There
were documents lying in front of her which she immediately covered with a
blank paper. “River!” she exclaimed.” thought you would come back in an
hour. The certificate isn’t ready.”
“Yes,” River said politely. “I decided to come early and wait here with you
for the certificate.” Hunter
was standing right behind her like her guard.
The headmistress wanted to scold her for her audacity but she was too
scared of the Lycan. “Okay!” she said with a shaky breath. “Please take a
seat.” She pointed at the leather sofas in the corner.
Hector and Victoria too sat down opposite to them on the sofa. River was
now sure that the two were keeping an eye on her and Hunter. This only
made her suspicions turn into belief. She recalled what Ella said to her. Her
father, Alpha Lowell. was killed by Hector’s father, Alpha Maxim. The
thought made her blood boil. Her wolf wanted to come out and attack
Hector and snap his head, but River controlled herself. ‘In time, Layla. In
time.”
After a long time, Mrs. Miller said, “Your certificate is ready”
River got up and so did Hunter. This was the moment she was waiting for.
She went to the table and slid the certificate towards her. She lifted her gaze
to look at Mrs. Miller and said, “You have written my father’s name
wrongly, Mrs. Miller”
The headmistress frowned. She pulled the certificate back and said, “No. It
clearly says Kirk is your father” She chuckled and slid it back to her. “Have
you forgotten who your father was?”
River heard a restless shift on the sofas behind her. She tilted her head and
crossed her arms across her chest. “No, I haven’t.”
“This is getting too boring!” Hector jumped up. “Maybe, we should just
take the certificate and leave. I have to attend a meeting that my father has
called urgently.”
But River ignored him.
“This is very important for her,” Hunter growled at Hector. “If you want to
go, you can, but she has to sort it out. Now!” Hector gulped but he didn’t
back down. He strode to the table and picked up the
certificate. “This looks fine to me. It would be better that we don’t waste
Mrs. Miller’s time. She has a thousand duties to attend to.”
“I am not wasting her time, River stated. Then she looked at Mrs. Miller
and in a low, threatening voice said, “My father’s name is not Kirk. It is
Alpha Lowell. Change it to that.”
“What?” the headmistress squeaked as her eyes widened with shock.
“Yes,” River said in the same tone. “Change my father’s name to Alpha
Lowell ”
Mrs. Miller whipped her head to Hector who looked like he had eaten a
bitter pill. He was not ready for what River just said As for Victoria, she
was dumbfounded. She stared at River as if she had grown two horns. She
was Alpha Lowell’s daughter?
“Th- that is ***! Mrs. Miller said, half believing her. “Wh-what proof do
you have? Ever since I know it has been Kirk who was your father. Why are
you misleading us? Do you even know anything about Alpha Lowell? He
was our-” “**the ****up!” Hector hissed. “River you are getting out of
your element right now. You can’t just claim that you are Lowell’s
daughter!”
Hunter took a step towards him as his muscles bulged. “Don’t you dare to
challenge River’s claim.”
Hector took a step back as his chest heaved heavily. If this information got
out of this room, too many terrible things.
would happen. And the first one would be that River would try to claim
back her territory. But the main question was how did she come to know
about it?
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Chapter 53
Hector didn’t know how to handle a sudden situation like this. He wasn’t
ready for it. His father had asked him to deal with River and Hunter and
keep them busy and then he had inserted his own agenda of trying to keep
River for as long as possible because he was feeling attracted to her, but
this- he never anticipated that River would come with such a volatile
revelation.
“How can you claim that you are Alpha Lowell’s daughter?” Hector hissed,
as he balled his hands into tight fists. “And you think that we will believe
anyone who walks in here and claims it?”
River remained quiet for a while. “It is easy to claim my inheritance,
Hector,” she replied calmly. Then she leaned forward a little. “But how are
you and your family going to deal with it?”
Victoria and Mrs. Miller were totally confused and shocked with the
information that River just gave. For Victoria, it meant that she would no
longer be a Luna and that was the worst possible thing she could imagine.
She had thrown herself to Hector to satiate his physical needs every time he
demanded. She had woven a web of **and deceit and love and trapped him
in a way that he would reject his mate if he ever found her. And he did that
for her. But now? Now the tables turned so sharply that Victoria felt her
whole world crumble in front of her eyes.
“You are talking nonsense!” she squealed and was about to hit River, when
Hunter stopped her hand and shoved her so hard that she was pushed to the
ground. She shrieked as terror surged through her.
“If you dare to lift a hand on River, I won’t hesitate in severing it from your
body!” Hunter hissed, glaring at her. Victoria winced. She hoped that
Hector would fight for her but he stood their numb in his place, too afraid to
move. Mrs. Miller didn’t know what to say. Alpha Lowell was her former
Alpha and he was killed. It was said that his entire family was killed and no
one survived when Alpha Maxim challenged him. “Alpha Lowell was a
***,” Mrs. Miller said. “He couldn’t protect us. He betrayed us and-” she
glanced at Hunter. She gulped when Hunter narrowed his eyes on her. In a
very low voice she said,
“-joined hands with the Lycans.”
“And who fed you this information?” River asked, crossing her hands
across her chest. “Who started this rumor?”
Mrs. Miller’s eyes became wide. The person who fed this information to
them was none other than Alpha Maxim. But how could she say that in
front of Hector?
“You better ***up, River!” Hector said. “No one will believe your lies. You
better pick up that certificate and go back to the Veil with your Lycan King
and be his breeder. No one wants you here!”
Hunter was on Hector’s throat. Hector grabbed his wrists to yank off his
hand, but the Lycan was too strong.
Victoria shrieked. “Leave him!” Hearing the commotion, several students
and teachers came into the office. “Leave him!” she shouted again.
Hector punched Hunter in his belly and Hunter gave it back to him. He
punched him heavily on his chest.
Hector tumbled to the ground as air punched out of him and his face
became red. Lycans were way too strong and he was no match to him. He
wheezed and coughed as Victoria rushed to his side. She began crying. She
looked at River and in order to garner pity from everyone cried, “River,
why can’t you leave the two of us in peace? I know that you like Hector a
lot, but that doesn’t mean that you are going to get him hit by Alpha Hunter,
It’s not Hector’s fault that he loves me and not you. Why are you being so
mean to us? Please leave us and let us live in love and harmony.” She
looked at Hector and stroked his hair. Then she helped him to stand up.
River scoffed at Victoria. She knew her games. She had been a victim of her
games, but no more. River started clapping. She clapped slowly as she
glanced at others in the office. “Nice try, Victoria,” she said.
“But let me make it very clear to you.” He looked from her to Hector. “I
*** Hector. I despise him so much that if given a chance I will challenge
him for my position right now. And I can never ever like a man who can’t
even protect his woman. Look at you. He can never protect you. And…
“This is not the case, Victoria said in a shaky voice as she clutched Hector’s
arm.
River took a step forward. “Did you forget how much he wanted to get back
to me in the Veil?” At that, she heard a growl. It was Hunter. She placed a
hand on Hunter’s ar casually stroked it. That seemed to calm him. She
continued, “If that wasn’t enough, I know that hector wants me back even
now despite the fact that I have rejected him and he has rejected me! And
the reason why he ignored me as his mate was… you.”
At the word “reject there was an audible gasp from many. No one knew that
River was Hector’s mate.
The fact that he rejected River because of Victoria was simply ***. How
could an Alpha reject his mate?
Murmurs broke in the crowd. Victoria looked at all of them with a blush on
her face.
Hector had to do something to contain this situation which was speedily
going out of hands. “River,” he growled. “It is better you leave this pack as
soon as possible and never return.” He grabbed the certificate from the table
and slid it to her. “Take it and get out and go back to ***online interior
designing course you want to do. Stop telling lies to create unrest in the
pack. Is that clear?”
River chuckled. She took the certificate and tore it into several pieces. She
flung it at him. “I will not take this fake
certificate, Hector. You better write my real father’s name on it and then I
will take it.”
Hector sneered. “You have no proof that Alpha Lowell was your father. He
betrayed this pack of werewolves and so my father punished him. Betrayers
don’t get to live. You should be happy that my father killed him and his
family because if he hadn’t, then he would have been running with his tail
between his legs as a rogue!”
River wanted to slap Hector, but she controlled herself. “The day I will
bring the proof that Alpha Lowell was my father, that day I will challenge
your father for the position of Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack.”
Fresh murmurs of surprise and shock broke all over again.
“She is going to challenge Alpha Maxim?”
“No one dares to do that unless one has Alpha genes!”
“Is she truly Alpha Lowell’s daughter?”
“That betrayer?”
River was furious. She turned to look at them. “My father never betrayed
his pack. He only wanted to have peace with the Lycans to stop them from
mindlessly killing the werewolves! You have been given wrong
information!” Hector was shocked. The girl who was so meek and scared at
all times, was now standing in front of him and talking about challenging
his father who was the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack? She had changed
drastically. “Don’t listen to the lies of this girl! She is saying all this only
because we offered her to be the breeder of the Lycan King,” he spat.
Hunter was getting impatient.
“Enough!” he roared. Everyone out there became quiet as they started to
tremble. He grasped River’s arm and said, “We will come back. This is not
over. But right now, I want you to come back with me!”
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Chapter 54
****and anger warred in her and she felt like challenging Hector right now,
but she controlled herself She was walking on eggshells and she had to be
extremely cautious She looked at Hunter and realized that he was speaking
the right thing
Besides, if she continued to claim that she was Alpha Lowell’s daughter, no
one would believe hier.
Instead they would only rebel against her, What was important was that she
sowed the seeds of doubt in the minds of people around her and this was
going to become the hot topic of the Crescent Moon pack for a few days.
River was going to take advantage of the situation and so she had to move
fast. “You are right, she said to Hunter. “This isn’t over!” She squeezed his
hand and together they walked out of the office, parting the little crowd that
had gathered over there.
Hector and Victoria watched her leaving and when the door closed behind
her, Hector growled, “If any of you mentions a thing about this
/*****conversation out of this room, you will invite my father’s ***!”
All students and teachers were stunned into silence. “We won’t,” said one
of them, afraid that Alpha Maxim would **what happened inside the office
today.
Hector shouldered his way out of the office with Victoria following him.
His father had asked him to keep River and Hunter busy because he was
going to call other Alphas, but from what just happened, he was sure that
the two would leave soon He opened his mind link with his father and
apprised him of the situation.
That wench!’ Alpha Maxim shouted through the mind link making Hector
flinch The Alphas are about to corne and you couldn’t even contain this
small situation?”
Father, the situation went out of control rapidly! A crowd gathered in the
headmistress’s officer Hector tried to explain. “Don’t give me all that
nonsense! Maxim growled. Just go after and stop her!
Hector let out a frustrated growl and rushed after River and Hunter,
“Hector?” Victoria called him. “What are you doing?”
“I am going after that **, Father has asked me to stop her.”
Victoria grabbed his arm. “Don’t be mad. How will you stop her? She has
insulted you so much and you will stop her from leaving? What will other
pack members say? Don’t you think about your reputation?”
Hector’s fists balled tightly. “Then what do I do, Victoria?” he said through
his clenched teeth. “Father is going to be mad if I don’t stop her. I don’t
know what his agenda is but it is ***! She just challenged the Alpha of the
pack and his son and yet my father-”
Victoria placed her hands on his chest. In a very low voice she said, “Let
her go and tell your father that Hunter didn’t want to stop. It is better that
she goes back to the Veil. That way you will also have time to think of your
next strategy. Also in a few days, this whole rumor would subside.”
Hector stared at Victoria and realized that she was making sense. He
nodded as excitement surged.
“Okay!” he murmured. Victoria grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the
school. They noticed that River and Hunter had already left. “Come with
me!” she said. “We are going to my place.”
Hector sat with Victoria in the car and they drove to her home. Over there,
Victoria made Hector stay for more than two hours and only when she
received information that the Lycans had left, did she say,
“Now is the time.”
Hector frowned. “What time?”
Victoria punched him on his face.
“Victoria!” Hector roared.
She punched him again and made sure that he was bruised on his cheeks.
Hector was shocked and he lifted his hand to punch her back but she
shrieked and stopped him. “I am doing this for your next act!”
“What the ***?” Hector was confused as he wiped blood with his sleeve
from his cheek.
Victoria took a ragged breath. “Now go and tell Alpha Maxim that the
Lycans gave you this because of River. Make him believe that you
apologized to her but the Lycans had vicious intentions.”
Hector chuckled. He shook his head. Then he grabbed the back of her neck
and pulled her towards him to capture her lips wi’ his kiss. “You are
brilliant. This is going to only make things worse. I will make sure that
others see my bruise as well.”
Victoria grinned. “I will take you to the helipad from where they left and
from there we will go to your house”
“Sounds great
Victonia and Hector reached his house an hour later. Alpha Maxim was
sitting in his office. His eyes became wide when he
saw the bruises on Hector’s cheeks. “Who did that to you?” he said, rage
building inside of him.
Hector took a deep breath in and sat on the chair opposite to him “Hunter”
he shook his head as his lips downturned. “That ***instigated him. I went
after them to apologize to River, but she was so malicious that she didn’t
accept my apology. Instead she threatened me that she was going to kill me
and that she would come back to claim what is hers. After that, they flew
back.”
Alpha Maxim pounded the table as he got up. “The gall! Who the hell does
she think she is? I should
have got her killed that time. Now the serpent is rearing her head?” His
chest was heaving up and down in anger. “I am going to kill her the next
time I see
“Father, there is no point in spending your energy in getting angry over her
idiotic claims. But we have to be ready if she comes back and claims the
pack. She needs to first prove that she is Alpha’s Lowell’s daughter and that
is going to be difficult!”
Alpha Maxim got up and walked to the window. He leaned over the edge
and stared at the garden outside. His mind raced on what to do next. He had
to call all the Alphas and tell them that River and Hunter had left. The
Lycan was too sharp. He was using River to get back at the werewolves
who were rebelling. Ella was killed and Maxim had no way to wage a fullfledged war against the Lycans at this time. Only she was friendly with the
demons and liaised with them every time. Closing his eyes, he tipped his
head back. His efforts to conquer Veil were going down. “Go away!” he
growled at Hector. “T
have to rethink my strategy and make sure that what River said in the
headmistress’s office doesn’t go out.”
“I will!” Hector replied and got up. He loved the way Victoria staged the
whole act. Instead of going to contain the went to Victoria. Throwing her up
on his shoulder, he took her to his room and had passionate sex with her.
rumor, he
In the next two days, the whole pack was gossiping about River’s claim.
Those who were still in favor of Alpha Lowell and knew that he never
betrayed the pack, became active. They were surprised to know that River
was Alpha Lowell’s daughter and wished secretly for her to come back and
claim the pack and clear his name.
Alpha Maxim was busy charting his strategy along with his beta and
representatives of other Alphas who were with him on this while Hector
was least bothered. He was spending his time with Victoria.
Maxim went to the forests surrounding the Veil to meet the demons along
with the rest of the rebel Alphas along with a large number of werewolves.
Now that Ella wasn’t there, he had to create new plans and deal with them.
The demon leader, Falcon, was difficult. They were standing in the cave in
front of him where he was sitting on his throne, a stony chair carved from
the same stone as the cave. He rested his hands on the armrest and said,
“What is there in it for us?”
“The terms are the same,” said Maxim. “Ella negotiated that the forests will
belong to you and that everything that enters this area would be offered to
you for eating”
Falcon chuckled. “Ella promised us fifty percent of the wealth that you will
loot from the Lycans and half of the Veil.” Maxim gulped. “That is…
impossible
“Then we don’t have a deal, Falcon replied, resting back in his seat. “You
may leave.”
Maxim gritted his teeth as he looked at other Alphas. They glared at the
demon but didn’t have the guts to speak out their discontent. Finally Maxim
said, “Okay, let me talk to my allies and get back to you.”
Falcon shrugged. “Be my guest.”
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Alpha Mavin was sumounded by other Alphas who were with him in this
rebellion The five named Brute Mason Garry and the twins, Ja and Lionel
were no happy with the Ta never talked about this to us Brute growled Tifly
percent? Was she *****to promise that kind of an amount with these
demon”
“Keep your voice down, Brite” Maxim hushed ham “The demons can hear
you well! They were all standing in one of their hideouts in the forest
almost a mile aw We
ute hissed. “Who wi
Demons are everywhere. Brute”
said as he threw a small your sister. Did she fall in love with a demon to
have offered things on her own?
the comer out of frustration. “But Maxim, we trusted that? Why didn’t she
co Was she doing
“I have no ideal” Maxim replied
than you think. I suspect that Hunter is geare to get a ***certificate for the
breede with a sigh “The thing is that the threat from the war at his end.
Because there no wa
woul
come
i
“That breeder is none other than Alpha Lowell’s daughter Gary snapped
“You should have killed her in the beginning” Maxim punched his palm
with his fist Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t She was given back to the pack
by the Elders much after the whole incident took place co unnecessarily
flared up”
because she was only two
“Then what is the option
Things wor
Jack said impatiently “Why are we discussing that ***and what happened
in the past when we have this demon problem right in front of us?”
Everyone became quiet Jack was right. They had to discuss the main
problem
“Thave an idea” Mason said in a low voice
All snapped their heads to look at him. Mason was the oldest amongst them
and been one of the first ones in the rebellion Mason looked at each of them
slowly and found them looking at him inquisitively
“The demons are crucial for this rebellion. And they know it. There is no
point in conflict with them at this juncture when the war is at its peak. I am
sure Ella must have had her reasons for negotia this deal.
And we are not sure that the information that the demons have given is right
or not. We have to get the information from them as to what Ella negotiated
with them. Once we have that information, we will be at a better advantage.
If Ella had negotiated at fifty percent, then we just have to go with it
“What? Are
you mad, old man?” Lionel grated. “The demons are looting us in the loot
and we will agree to them?
Nevert This notion is ludicrous”
Mason gritted his teeth. “We will have to accept it now. Later when we are
done with this, we will change the deal” He looked at Lionel with his brown
eyes. Lionel and others looked back at him with surprise. He shrugged
“What were you wolves thinking? That we will give them that huge a
share?
Maxim’s lips lifted into a smile and the cave filled with laughter. They had
all underestimated the old Alpha but he was the wisest of them. Soon they
shifted and were on their way back to the demons’ lair Alpha Maxim was
now charged with new energy. Excitedly, he said to Falcon, “We have
thought about the deal. But first we would like to listen to what Ella had
told you*
Falcon rubbed his horns as he raised an eyebrow. “I have already told you
what Ella negotiated with us.
Now you have to tell me what your decision is
Maxim took a deep breath in. He looked at his fellows and they nodded,
encouraging him to speak. “We agree to your deal, Falcon, but-” he paused
and took a step forward we want you to have more of you the war and we
need to pace
up the things The Lycans are warming up.”
Falcon laughed at Maxim Ella had promised them only twenty percent and
his men were happy with it.
He had bluffed Maxim and his bluff worked. “Yes, I will give you more
men when you ask ” In fact, now that the stakes were higher, he couldn’t
wait to finish the war An hour later of talking about the details the Alphas
went back to their packs Maxim assured them that he was going to keep in
cor ct with them all the time
For a we
rything was quiet. Hector would laugh with Victoria about how River came
with tall claims. “She was a All claims and now work. She wanted to
challenge my father?” he laughed more.
becaus
Victoria was a curled around him. They just had another bout of ***.
Hector was very demanding and she had to give it
she really wanted to be the Luna of the pack. It was a great honor for her
and her family. Hector removed her and from . He got up, wore his boxers
and went to the balcony of her room which overlooked a small lake
ce he followed him after wearing a robe
Hector took a long drag of his cigarette and then gave it to her. “Do you
think she would come back?” he asked, thinking about what all she said at
the headmistress’s office.
“I don’t think so, Victoria said, exhaling the smoke. “After the fiasco in the
school, many people have started talking about her. I thought that they
would forget it in a week but nope! They still gossip. We have to pass some
information about her to stop them from gossiping.”
Hector grunted. “This is the only thing that is bothering me.”
“Don’t be so bothered, Hector,” she said. “I have asked the warriors to stop
the Lycans from entering our pack and also if they see River, they would
attack her immediately.”
Hector jerked his head back in surprise. “Really?”
When Victoria nodded, he grabbed her wrists and yanked her to him. “You
truly have the traits to be the Luna of the pack.” She licked his lips and said,
“Then make me one.”
“I will. Soon.” Saying that he lifted her and took her back to the room
where he ripped her robe apart and sank himself inside her in an instant.
“Perfect!” he growled as he drove inside her.
“Alpha Maxim?”
A soft voice disturbed him in his office. It was almost night and Maxim was
completing the last of his work in the office. He was getting irritated by the
rumor about River being Alpha Lowell’s daughter and that she was going to
come back to claim her territory.
“Yes?” He looked up to find Victoria. “What do you want?” he grunted.
“I wanted to discuss something about River with you.”
His brows bunched up in tension. “What about her?”
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Alpha Maxim was desperate to know something about Hunter. The Lycan
King was too powerful and had an army of warriors that were so strong that
they had kept the demons at bay and thwarted all their attempts to capture
them for decades.
He had sent his men outside of the packs in the hurnan world to know more
about Hunter, about his businesses, but they came back with the
information that Hunter had a very flourishing business with the humans
and that the humans wouldn’t dare to go against him. There were rumors
that he was also into production of movies. And for that reason, no one
spoke against him. It was simply impossible for Maxim to penetrate
Hunter’s empire. But it also meant that Hunter was ***rich.
“What do you want to talk about River?” he asked her, irritated by the very
mention of her name. Ever since she had come here last, his life had spun
out of control.
Victoria bowed to Alpha Maxim. She was afraid of him and knew that one
mistake would cost her. She was walking on eggshells around him as well.
“I wanted to talk about the time when I went to the Veil.
Over there I saw how Hunter treated River. He was very protective of her.”
“So?” Maxim said.
“I mean-” Victoria bit her lip. “I mean she is very important to him. He
really takes care of her. When he had come here, he had shown a lot of care
for her. He protects her.”
“You are wasting my time!” Maxim growled. “He will protect her because
she is his breeder.”
“I know,” Victoria said, wincing. “What I mean is that River is his weak
point.”
“Get out!” Maxim shouted at her. “You think I don’t know that. What are
you suggesting? That we harm River? And where will all the blame go?”
His muscles bulged in tension and irritation.
Victoria recoiled. “Alpha Maxim, I am sorry. I just thought that I should-”
“Get lost, Victoria!” he shouted. “You are only good enough to keep my son
warm in bed. Do that. That is the only purpose you should serve because
that is the only purpose you are good enough for!”
Victoria was aghast. Alpha Maxim thought so low about her. Tears flooded
her eyes because of his strong aura. She sank on her knees and couldn’t
even breathe. “1-1 am sorry Alpha,” she said in a shaky voice. “I only
wanted to help you.” “You will help me by keeping my son out of all this.
Do you get me?”
Maxim wanted to keep Hector out of the whole situation so that he would
become the next Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack in case during his war
against the Lycans, he died. He was aware that Hector spent most of his
time with Victoria and that was working well according to his plans. “Yyes,” she nodded, crying and shaking. She didn’t know why he was so
angry. She was only trying to help him. Instead she ended up getting
insulted.
“Now get out, and don’t you dare talk about it to anyone else!” Maxim was
aware how much Hunter liked River. The Lycan King came to get her high
school certificate along with her and that gesture spoke volumes. And that
also meant that if he tried to harm River, Hunter would go all ballistic. So
he was waiting. Waiting for River to come to claim the pack. He was going
to **her the way he ***her father, Alpha Lowell. At the same time he had
increased his activity across the forest that surrounded the Veil.
That would keep the Lycans busy. Very busy.
Victoria got up and scurried out of his office. She was so scared that it took
her a long time to calm down. When she reached her home, her parents
asked her about her condition, but she didn’t say anything. She just dashed
to her room, crashed on the bed and cried and cried.
Later when Hector came to visit her, she gave him mind blowing ***. He
was breathless and appreciating her, peppering kisses on her face. In the
throes of pleasure, he said, “I can’t live without you!”
Victoria took advantage of the situation and said, “Hector, you have already
marked me. Why don’t we get married?” She wanted to teach a lesson to
Alpha Maxim. And this was her first step. Once Hector married her, she
was going to instigate him to become the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack.
And for that he would have to fight his father. She would make sure that
Alpha Maxim was defeated.
Hector looked at her with a frown. “Marry? So soon? But why?”
“Because I can’t live without you too!” she said in a breathless voice.
He chuckled. Curling his arms around her waist, he thought that he did right
by rejecting River. River would have never given him this pleasure and she
was such a shitty girl. Had he not marked Victoria and accepted River, then
that bitch would have rebelled against his father earlier and that would have
been so embarrassing. Then how about we get married this weekend?”
“Really?” Victoria squealed.
“Yes. This is the right time to marry so as to show the pack that we are a
close-knit family and that we
are thinking of
moving ahead rather than dwelling on the daughter of their former Alpha
who betrayed them!”
Victoria’s mouth fell to the floor. Hector had barely shown his intelligence,
but today he proved that he was wise and that he loved her. “Oh, thank
you!” she shrieked and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You can’t imagine how happy you’ve made me?”
“And you can’t imagine how happy you’ve made me,” Hector replied.
Victoria wanted to shout out to the world that Hector was marrying her. She
would do that, but she had to give him his reward. So she went down to
suck his cock and Hector realized that he really liked her a lot.
“We will be attacking tonight!” Falcon said to Lionel, one of the Alphas
allied to Maxim.
“Last time when you attacked in the night, you were all defeated in an hour.
The Lycans are too smart and intelligent. It would be stupid to attack again
during the night!” Lionel spat, impatiently. He didn’t like working with the
demons. They were too stubborn and had a putrid smell.
“Are you suggesting that we attack the Lycans during the day?” Falcon
growled, crossing his arms against his chest. He was leaning against a tree’s
trunk, surrounded by his men and a few werewolves.
“Yes!” Lionel shot back. “The Lycans would be anticipating your attack at
night. They will be lazy during the day. We will surprise them by attacking
in the daytime!”
Falcon narrowed his eyes. The werewolf had a point. “But our movement is
going to be noticed during the day easily,” he put forth his doubts.
“I highly doubt that,” Lionel replied. He assessed that Falcon was
gravitating towards his notion. “Their warriors would be sleeping. Let us
take them by surprise and **them! We are stronger in numbers.”
“Hmm.” Falcon pushed himself from the trunk and stood straight. The
demon was so tall at seven feet that he towered the rest of them. “Then let
us attack them tomorrow. It is already evening and we will take ample rest.”
Lionel took a deep breath in, thanking the goddess that for once the demon
leader listened to him. He looked at his men. and nodded. There were fifty
werewolves with him, ten from each pack. These were the best ones that the
Alphas had chosen this time. They had to ***as many Lycans as possible.
And along with fifty demons, their strength would be a hundred. It was
surely going to be lethal for the Lycans.
They all waited in their caves for the night before the attack. None of them
could sleep. The werewolves had to keep up with the demons and they were
hating it. But Lionel had warned them before about it.
Somehow, they all slept through the night.
In the morning, they all grouped together. The werewolves were led by
Lionel, but the demons weren’t
led by Falcon. Instead, they were led by one of his gamma warriors.
“I am their Alpha,” Falcon shrugged when Lionel questioned him. “If I go
there and am ***, who will lead the rest of them?”
Lionel gritted his teeth. He scowled, but didn’t say anything. Basically he
would be leading them all. He hated how smartly Falcon shirked off the
responsibility.
Along with the group of hundred warriors, Lionel walked through the forest
to reach where the Lycan warriors were. The Lycans were too sharp. They
had uncanny fighting **and power-the reason why he wanted to attack
them in numbers. He ordered his men to attack only a few Lycans at a time.
But when he reached there, he was caught by surprise. There was not a
single Lycan over there.
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Lionel stood there in the midst of the forest, using his senses to sniff the
Lycans, using his enhanced vision to look around, but he was shocked that
none of them were there. He ordered five of his men to go to the left and
five demons to the left as he went forward. “Meet me a mile from here,” he
said and shifted.
Rest of his men shifted and they all followed him. They ran across the
forest, sniffing and penetrating their vision through the darkness of the
dense trees. However, as they went in, they were unable to find the Lycans.
Not a single Lycan was to be found. It was strange. The other werewolves
and demons joined him as he had ordered them, a mile later. They reported
that they didn’t see any Lycan, Exasperated, he shifted back. “Where the
**have, they gone?” Lionel gritted. If he went any nearer the Lycan
territory, he wasn’t sure that they would be unharmed. After some time he
decided not to go any further. His whole exercise went for a complete
waste. “Let us go back!” he growled. “There is no point in going further.”
He just didn’t want to risk it.
“How about we spread and look at more areas?” a demon suggested.
“Do you want to get killed?” Lionel snarled at him. “Don’t you know that a
single Lycans can easily take down twenty of us? If we split, we all are
going to ***. It is better to stay together!”
The demon growled back. “Then why did you send those ten to search for
Lycans? You wanted to get them killed?”
Lionel didn’t like the demon. He knew that the demons were ***, but not
this ***. “I asked them to search for Lycans and not attack them! Now if we
are done with your questioning, can we go back?” The demon became quiet
as he scowled at Lionel.
They all headed back to their hiding place. When they reached the hiding
place, they saw that Falcon wasn’t there. Only a few demons were seen
chatting and stoking fire to make food while some were simply wandering
around aimlessly. They were surprised to see that the whole group of
hundred men had returned so soon.
Lionel was looking extra ***off because it was his idea to attack the Lycan
during the day. He wanted to take them by surprise. “Where is Falcon?” he
asked as he came to sit with his men while all others busied themselves in
casual works. The demon whom he had asked the question, shrugged. “We
don’t know where our leader goes. He doesn’t mention his plans to us. But
what happened to you? Why have you all returned so fast?”
Lionel clenched his jaws, fury rising in his chest. “It was futile!”
“Why?” the demon asked, but before Lionel could answer, they heard a
blood curdling shriek. They snapped their heads in that direction. “What is
happening?” the demon asked, shock lacing his tone as he got up. Lionel
too got up.
The next moment the place got filled by more screams. The ground shook.
Trees were ripped apart and sent flying in their direction. Lionel ducked and
saved himself. Stunned, Lionel panicked. His chest heaved rapidly as he
tried to pierce his vision to see the cause of mayhem. His eyes became wide
when he saw that the Lycans had attacked them. “What the ***!” he rasped
as he rushed to combat the Lycans.
He wanted to surprise them with an attack in the daytime, but now he was
surprised by their attack.
And suddenly he realized that he had led them to the demons’ lair. They all
must be hiding when he came to attack them and when he returned, they
followed him in order to see their hiding place and destroy it completely.
Dread skittered down his spine. Now there was no way that he would stay
alive. With a frustrated growl
he thought of fleeing, but a Lycan jumped right in front of him and Lionel
halted in his tracks. His muscles bulged as he sprang on the Lycan, but the
next moment the Lycan warrior shot his hand towards his neck, grabbed it
and slammed him to the ground. It all happened in a second.
Lionel crashed o
the ground, dead, his neck snapped in a weird angle. The Lycan went on to
kill the rest of the demons and werewolves. No one could escape the place.
Each and every demon and werewolf were lying dead in the next half an
hour.
Asher wiped the blood on his face with his sleeve and growled, “Have you
taken down everyone?”
“Yes!” Decker answered. He was with him in most of the missions.
“Then let us return and report it to Alpha Hunter!”
“It is clear that Alpha Lionel was in cahoots with Alpha Maxim in this
conspiracy. Why isn’t Alpha Hunter taking an action? He should kill
Maxim ore that devil rises further!” Decker said with irritation.
“It is not for me to dee what Alpha Hunter decides, Decker,” Asher replied
calmly. “If you like you can give him that suggestion.”
Decker Minch He pursed his lips and shook his head in reply. He would
never go to suggest it to Hunter.
He loved his life.
Maxim picked up the table in his room and threw it out of the window in
fury. “Lionel is dead!” And along with him the Lycans had killed every
werewolf of the packs. They were the top warriors. How was this possible?
Lionel was one of the strong Alphas of their alliance.
For two days he waited for the news about Lionel and his men but there was
none. It was one of the
warriors that Lionel’s twin brother, Jack had sent to search for him and
found over hundred bodies lying in the open, rotting, with fleas flying all
over them. The warrior had vomited. The sight was so ***that he was still
having trouble sleeping.
After Jack had received the news, he messaged his allies about Lionel’s
death and then he had gone silent. He wasn’t picking up Maxim’s phone
and this was infuriating Maxim all the more.
Hector was standing next to his father. “Father, let us all also go silent on
this,” he suggested. “The allies are in a shock just like us. This was the
biggest attack. We should re-strategize. The Lycans are too clever.”
Maxim paced his room, trying to think of something to combat the
situation, but his mind was blank. A hundred warriors dead was simply too
big to ignore. And Lionel was also dead. That worried him the most.
When he didn’t reply to him, Hector added, “I wanted to speak to you about
something.”
“What?” Maxim grunted as he continued to
pace.
“Victoria and I are planning to get married by the weekend.”
Maxim stopped as he glared at his son. “Are you in your right mind? Is this
the time to get married?” he growled.
“It is never going to be the right time father!” Hector argued. “Especially
with the current scenario.”
“Wait for a few months!” Maxim said.
“No father,” Hector refused. “I won’t. Victoria is the right girl for me. By
marrying her, the pack is going
to forget River’s claim. My marriage would be bigger news.”
Maxim narrowed his eyes on his son, but he had a point. “Let me think
about it,” he said, much calmer now. Hector nodded and then left. He was
sure that his father wouldn’t deny him now. Alpha Maxim wanted to stop
the gossip that was going around about River and this was the best way. He
also thought of starting another rumor- That Victoria was pregnant with his
child. That would seal the deal. Every pack member was only interested in
one thing, which was that their Alpha gave them a secured future.
When he went back to meet Victoria, he said, “Don’t take those birth
control pills anymore. We are going to make a baby!” She squealed in
delight. “Are you sure?” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Of course! I mean it.” He picked her up and took her to the bed. “And I
will start now.”
The next day, it was announced in the pack that Hector was getting married
to Victoria. The whole pack got into the mood of celebration. Alpha Maxim
was… satisfied. This is what he needed. Distraction. He decided not to call
his allies to his son’s wedding. They would take it wrongly.
The temple where they were supposed to get married was decorated with
flowers and bright lights.
Alpha Maxim ordered his men to decorate every street of the pack to
celebrate his son’s wedding. His only agenda was to keep his pack members
busy enough to stop thinking about River.
“We heard that Alpha Maxim’s son, Hector is getting married this
weekend,” Elijah reported to Hunter who was watching River. She was
attending her online class on interior decorating.
“That’s good,” Hunter scoffed. “Things are going to get interesting from
now on.”
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The Crescent Moon looked like stars dazzling on earth with all the lights
that decorated every nook and corner. Alpha Maxim left no stone unturned
to make it a memorable night. Every and each member of the pack was
excited about the wedding. The icing on the cake was that Victoria
announced that she was pregnant with Hector’s pup. The moment this news
was announced, the pack members were jubilant.
“I love this dress!” Victoria said to her seamstress. “You have done a
beautiful job!”
“You deserved it, Luna,” said Sarah.
“I am not Luna still, Victoria corrected her with a chuckle
“Well, soon you will be,” Sarah said, flattering her. “Alpha Maxim is going
to give way to his son and now that you are pregnant, who can stop you? I
can’t stop calling you Luna”
Victoria let out a soft laugh. She had been waiting for this moment for so
long. Ever since she was fifteen, she had started enticing Hector. She had
worked her way in his eyes and then his life with the help of her mother.
The two had schemed together to trap Hector in their web of seduction and
lies.
And it all worked beautifully.
Victoria looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was wonderful. The
fabric flowed and flowed “When can you correct the sleeve length?” she
asked Sarah.
“I will finish it up within an hour” Sarah replied. “Your wedding is
tomorrow but I will deliver this dress at your home by evening.”
“Great!” Victoria said excitedly.
“But you must be careful, Luna,” Sarah added. “You are pregnant with the
pack’s future Alpha You can’t jump around so much.”
Victoria bit her lip. “Ah yes,” she said, as a blush formed. “Thanks for
caring for me.”
“Luna Victoria, you will see that all of us are going to be very protective of
your pup. It is our natural instinct.”
Victoria gave her a wide smile. She went to change her dress and when she
came back, Sarah gave her a cup of coffee with cookies. “I was so surprised
when River came back with the claim that she was Alpha Lowell’s
daughter. She is so ***! She was trying to show that she was better than
you.”
“Oh, she is ***!” Victoria added. “I am so grateful to Alpha Maxim that he
sent her away as the breeder of the Lycans. That was what she deserved all
the while. At school also she was such a weirdo. No one liked her.” Sarah
scoffed. “I am sure that no one liked her. She is so… snooty!”
After hearing Sarah’s thoughts, Victoria was sure that the gossip in the pack
about River had turned sour And this was good. She laughed at Sarah’s
comment and rolled her eyes. “I hope she never returns and stays as a
breeder in the Veil!” Victoria went straight to Hector’s house where he was
also taking the trial of his tuxedo. Her wedding dress was bought. by him
and she had spent all the money he gave her to create the best wedding
dress the pack had ever seen. She had to dazzle them all so that River was
completely removed from their memories.
“You look so handsome!” she squealed and hugged him. “I don’t think there
is one Alpha who is as handsome and wise as you, Hector,” she said with
stars in her eyes.
He chuckled as his chest filled with pride at his looks. “I know,” he replied
with a smirk. “What about your wedding dress? Is it ready?”
“It is! Sarah will deliver it tomorrow.”
“Hmm…” he said casually, adjusting his bow tie. Then he looked at the
seamster and asked him to leave.
As soon as the seamster closed the door behind him, Hector said, “Are you
ready? I have procured the certificate of pregnancy from the doctor’s office
of a neighboring pack. We are going to show it to everyone out here, okay?”
Victoria nodded. “Okay!” She took a deep breath as she took the
information in. “But why did you procure it from a different pack? Why not
from our pack?”
“Are you mad?” he growled. “If I would have gone to one of our doctors,
they would have opened their mouth and told it to the pack members. Do
you know how much bribe I had to pay to keep that doctor quiet?”
Victoria pursed her lips. “I am sorry!” she said, realizing her mistake.
Hector walked to the cupboard and opened it. He opened the locker and
took the envelope with the medical report out. Handing it to Victoria, he
said, “Make sure that everyone in the pack knows about this certificate.”
Victoria took the envelope and clutched it to her chest. “Don’t worry. By
evening everyone would know about this medical report.”
Hector’s face split into a wide grin. “That’s why I like you, Victoria. You
are just too resourceful”
She laughed excitedly and hugged him again. Everything was going on
perfectly, just like she had imagined. As she would marry Hector, she was
going to make sure that he ascended to the position of the Alpha of the pack
even if that meant killing Alpha Maxim. Well, she had her plans on killing
him as well. Her mother had brought a deadly viper’s poison
toon as
from the witches.
“Now go!” Hector said. “And show this report to all!” He winked.
“Accidentally show this report.”
Victoria laughed and then rushed out of his house. She knew how to show it
and stage the act. She went straight to her friends, those who were going to
be her bridesmaid. She had called them for a small briefing of the ceremony
at her home. As soon as she reached, they all hugged her and congratulated
her excitedly. “You are finally going to be Hector’s wife!” said Fiona, her
best friend with a grin.
Victoria blushed. “Yes! I am so happy!”
“We all are so happy for you, Victoria. You two have been love birds since
the beginning!”
Suddenly, Victoria acted like she was retching. “Ack” she made that sound.
She placed her purse down from which the envelope slipped out. “I am just
coming back!” she said. “This baby…” And then she rushed to the
bathroom.
The envelope was lifted by Fiona. She saw that it was a report from the
hospital. Out of curiosity, she opened it as others giggled. When she read it,
her eyes became wide. “This is the medical report of Victoria’s pregnancy!”
she said excitedly. but in a low voice. “Oh my Goddess. Victoria is
pregnant! Like really!”
Victoria was standing in the bathroom and listening to them. She chuckled.
These girls were so foolish, but who was bothered? She came out of the
bathroom, wiping her face. “This baby is very demanding…”
she said and sank on the couch beside Fiona. Her gaze went to the report
she was holding. “Oh darnn, you saw that?” she said in a tired voice.
“Victorial” Fiona giggled. She launched herself towards her and hugged her
tightly. “You are going to be the mother of our future Alpha Now Victoria
knew that she had succeeded. By the next morning, everyone in the pack
was aware of the medical report which said that Victoria was pregnant.
Even if River came back to claim the pack, the pack members would shun
her and go against her.
Victoria sat on the bed in the morning, sipping coffee. She was waiting for
the evening.
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Victoria called a stylist to dress her up for her wedding She made Hector
pay a handsome amount to get herself prettily dressed. She wanted to dazzle
everyone at her wedding.
After all she was going to become the Luna of the pack. Since Hector was
mostly a ***and couldn’t take proper decisions, she knew that she would be
practically ruling the pack. And for that, impressions were
everything Victoria wanted to start with the right impression.
Her dress was made with layers and layers of tulle and ***gauze wrapped
over silk. The train of her veil was long. She wanted it longer, but her
mother stopped her from making it that long. The stylist had pulled her hair
up in an elaborate bun, the style of which she had seen in a video on the
internet. A string of **roses coiled around her bun. Her shoes were no less
than like that of Cinderella. They were made of glass and when she wore
them, she couldn’t help admiring herself. At the end, the stylist gave her a
bouquet of lilies, peonies and **roses, and said, “Luna, you look so
beautiful that everyone would only have eyes for you! Poor Alpha’s son. He
would be overlooked Victoria giggled and waved her hand at her. “Oh,
come on, Clara. You just flatter me a lot.” She liked the way she called her
Luna.
“Not at all, Luna, Clara said. “Sarah told me about you. You are just so
benevolent and beautiful Perfect traits of being a Luna.” She adjusted her
train. “You must walk slowly and take care of your pregnancy.
We all are very worried about it. You can’t imagine all the enthusiasm the
pack members have. We are waiting for an heir. And who could be better
than your pup?”
Victoria blushed slightly. The fake pregnancy news had spread throughout
the pack like wildfire Hector and she had planned that after two months,
they would go for their honeymoon and over there stage an accident in
which she would come back and say that she lost the child. In two months,
everything would become just like it was before. No one would remember
River or her claim that she is Alpha Lowell’s daughter.
“Come,” said Clara. “I believe your parents are calling you. They want to
take you to the venue. You must wait in the waiting room at the temple till
the groom comes.”
Victoria took Clara’s hand as she helped her lift the train. Together they
came downstairs and her mother squealed. “You look so beautiful!”
Victoria giggled. “Thanks, mother!” she said as she hugged her. Then she
hugged her father.
“Come, pumpkin, said her father. “It is time that I take you down that aisle.
It is time that you claim your destiny” She bit her bottom lip. Finally the
time had come that she would become the Luna of the Crescent Moon pack.
After that she was going to make sure that the alliance between the Alphas
was broken. She wasn’t interested in any war with the Lycans. They were
too powerful and she needed River to stay in the Veil as the Lycan king’s
breeder. Why break the Veil and get her out of it? That was why she was
going to urge Hector to challenge Alpha Maxim and become the Alpha of
his pack. After that she would convince him to break the alliance. She
wanted to ask him to go against it a few days back when they had gone to
the Veil, but decided against it. At that time, she had to gain her footing in
the Alpha’s home. The drive to the venue was short, and as they ***,
Victoria could see how excited the pack members were about the wedding.
They waved at her and blew kisses. They cheered her as “Luna!
Luna”” all the way down to the temple. When they got down, Victoria
noticed that there were hundreds of guests already in the garden.
This was her special moment. She held her chin high with pride. Her
mother helped her in pulling the veil down and along with her father, she
started to walk down the red carpet that was spread in the center and rolled
right to the stairs. When she came to the door, she saw Hector waiting for
her right over there on the dais. The Shaman was standing behind him next
to the statue of the Moon Goddess.
Her bridesmaids were standing on the left while the best men were standing
on the right, a little away from Hector.
She entered the temple and the guards closed the door. Only very special
people who were close to the Alpha were allowed inside the temple.
Through her veil, she saw a beaming Hector. He had this huge smile on his
face. Wearing his black tuxedo, he looked so handsome. Victoria took small
strides to reach him, letting the pack members have their fill of how
beautiful their Luna looked. Impressions. She felt slightly nervous.
As soon as she reached the dais, her father helped her to stand on it and
moved to the side. They all waited for the ceremony to begin.
Alpha Maxim was standing beside Hector, holding the rings. He liked how
Victoria made an entrance. He smirked. She was perfect for his son.
Hector took Victoria’s hand and kissed it. He murmured, “You look so
charming”
She blushed and murmured back, “All for you, Hector.”
The Shaman started chanting the ancient incantations as the bride and the
groom gazed in each other’s eyes.
All of a sudden, the doors of the temple opened with a bang. All those
present inside, whipped their heads to see who had the audacity to enter the
temple while the wedding was going on. Did they want to be killed?
Collective gasps were heard and blood drained from Victoria’s face when
she saw that River was standing there, along with Alpha Hunter and about a
dozen Lycans.
“***!” Hector snapped. He became pale like a ghost when he saw who had
come.
Right beside Hunter was standing the doctor, who had produced the fake
pregnancy certificate for Victoria.
Hector looked at Victoria and then at his father, as he broke into cold sweat.
If the news of his fiancée’s fake pregnancy came out, his impression on his
pack members is going to crash, and they would question his position as the
next Alpha of the pack. He started shaking as those thoughts swirled in his
mind.
As Alpha Maxim stared at Hunter, he narrowed his eyes. He felt like
attacking him, but how could he?
What was the
reason?
The pack members became quiet, but a moment later, they started
snickering at River.
“Look at her. She is so sneaky She just doesn’t want them to be happy”
“She is so jealous of Victoria that now she has come to create obstruction in
the marriagel
“Luna Victoria is pregnant. How will she take so much stress?”
“Why can’t she just stay in the Veil?”
“***breeder
Hunter walked down the aisle, holding River’s hand. Two Lycans pushed
the doctor in front of them who seemed petrified. Hunter growled, “You
didn’t invite us, Alpha Maxim?“
“This event is only for the pack members,” Maxim replied, growling back.
He couldn’t forget that a week back the Lycans had killed a hundred of his
men. Maxxim couldn’t even openly say that to Hunter and accuse him of
mass slaughter because his pack members didn’t know anything. He
despised the Lycan who was walking towards him. “It would be better that
you leave the venue. My son is getting married and it would be rude to
intervene on this auspicious occasion.” His gaze went to the man who the
Lycans were pushing. Who was he?
“I agree,” River answered this time “But it would be ruder if your pack
members wouldn’t know about this medical report She lifted her hand to
reveal papers that were about Victoria’s fake pregnancy.
At this Victoria felt her world spinning like hell. Her face paled and a
shudder passed through her body.
She snapped her head at Hector who looked equally dizzy She gulped and
felt that she would faint. In order to salvage the situation, she shouted at
River, “You bitch! All you are interested in is Hector. You always hated me.
Just because Hector rejected you as his mate, you have now come back with
this ploy
?”
There were gasps in the temple. “Mate?”
“River was Hector’s mate?”
“He rejected her?”
“Goddess!”
Victoria slapped her mouth shut with her hands. This was a secret that no
one knew Alpha Maxim had told her to never say it out. She looked with
wide eyes at the pack members who were staring at her and then her eyes
went to Hector. Hector wanted to slap Victoria. His jaws clenched as fury
rose in his chest.
“You imbecile he growled at her. Her outburst was going to weaken his
position as the Alpha because Alphas never rejected their mates. The mate
bond was so revered that rejecting it was like a crime in the werewolf
world.
River let out a soft laugh. “I am glad that he rejected me. I wouldn’t have
gone with a mate who loved you and never even acknowledged me.
However, I haven’t come here to discuss mate bonds. I have come here to
tell the pack members of the pack which rightfully belong to me, that you
have faked the news of pregnancy. That you played with their emotions,
only to become the Luna of this pack!
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Victoria’s **fell to the floor. She didn’t recognize the werewolf who the
Lycans were pushing forward because Hector had gone on his own to get
the medical report.
In her dreams she didn’t think that her wedding was going to end like this.
Her entire reputation was holding grounds on the fact that she was pregnant.
It was the main reason why every and each member of the pack was giving
her so much importance. After Hector had said that she should announce
her fake pregnancy so that the pack members would stop thinking of River,
she did exactly that. Once she announced it, everyone had started showering
their affection for her. She was like the apple of their eye.
But now-Standing right in front of her was the doctor who procured a fake
medical report. Her dreams crashed to the ground and shattered a million
pieces. Moreover she just declared in front of all that River was Hector’s
mate and that he rejected her. It projected her as the villain of the pack.
“This-this is not true!” she blabbered in a shaky voice, as tears flooded her
eyes. “You are playing games with us. You are trying to sabotage my
wedding because you are jealous, because you have been doomed just as a
breeder while I will become the Luna of the pack.” With her lips trembling,
she looked at the pack members and squeaked, “River is hurting our
emotions because she wants to put your Alpha in your bad books. She is
unhappy that she was chosen as the breeder of the Lycan King. That is why
she has come to sabotage your future Luna’s wedding.” She placed her hand
on her tummy and said, “I am pregnant!” She whipped her head to look at
Hector. “Why don’t you tell them that I am pregnant with your pup?”
There was stunned silence in the temple. Everyone looked at each other
awkwardly while some looked at Victoria with pure disgust and rage.
Hector didn’t reply to her because he was ***with her for revealing that he
rejected River. Alpha Maxim was all the more ***. He wanted to
***Victoria on the spot and then ***River.
River chuckled. “This doctor belongs to a neighboring pack. Can you
elaborate to the pack members as to why you went to the neighboring pack
and got yourself checked up? And from your reaction, it is clear that you
hadn’t even met this doctor earlier. Otherwise, you would have run away
from here long back!”
Victoria was caught. She opened her ***to speak but the next moment she
was cut off.
”
If you are pregnant, then why didn’t you go to get a pregnancy test done
from one of our pack’s doctors?” carne a voice from the back. It was Sarah,
the seamstress. She made her way through the maze of the crowd and came
to stand next to River. “I am sure you are pregnant, Luna Victoria,” she said
in a stern voice, throwing daggers at River with her eyes. “Please get
yourself checked by a doctor here and slap the medical report on this
breeder’s face!”
Victoria gulped. If she did that, reality would come out. “I can’t!” she
blurted. “I have been advised by the doctor not to undergo any more
ultrasound. It’s not good for the health of the pup!”
River started to laugh. She clapped as she came forward towards the dais.
“You don’t have to get an ultrasound done, Victoria,” she said with mocked
sarcasm. “You just have to get a urine test done. If it is positive, which it is
definitely going. to be because you are…” she looked at the medical report
with a cursory glance. “Eight weeks pregnant.” She pursed her lips, stifling
a smile and nodded at her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw that both
Alpha Maxim and Hector had become absolutely quiet. And she knew why.
“River is right!” said Sarah. “Get the pregnancy test done and be off with
her. Once you give her the right report, we are going to make sure that she
is turned out of the pack once and for all.” A growl from behind made
Sarah shiver and she immediately snapped her ******. Alpha Hunter was
extremely possessive about River.
Victoria turned her face to see Hector for help. He was standing there with
his hands clasped at the back, looking like he had seen a ghost. As for
Alpha Maxim, he narrowed his eyes on her. She turned her gaze to her
parents and they seemed petrified. The whole situation was like a ticking
bomb. It could explode anytime. She had to salvage the situation. In a last
bid to finish the ceremony, she said, “Okay, I will go to the doctor to get
tested, but right now we have to let the wedding ceremony go on. After that
I will go with my parents and get the report.”
“What? No!” Some of the members protested. The seeds of doubt were
sown in the minds. They wanted to confirm whether their future Luna was
fake or genuine. And if she was faking her pregnancy…
“You must come with us for the test right now,” they demanded.
Now Victoria knew that she was trapped and trapped very badly. She had to
get out of the temple and run for life else the pack members were going to
***her for playing with their emotions. “I-I am feeling dizzy,” she said. “I
have to go home.” She looked at her parents and they came forward.
“Yes, she is really not well,” her mother said. “She has been shamed in the
temple of Moon Goddess for the only fault that she loved Alpha’s son. We
are taking her away. This ceremony can take place on another day.”
“You know what?” River said, stopping her mother as she dug out a small
kit from her pocket. “I have a pregnancy kit right- over here with me.” She
walked towards Victoria and gave it to her. “Go, test it. We all are waiting
here for you.”
“I will come with you,” said Sarah. She motioned to Clara who also came
to join her. “We don’t want the wedding dress to get damaged in the toilet.
“No!” Victoria shrieked. “I won’t fall from the honor just to prove that I am
pregnant. If you don’t want to believe, you all can go to hell! I am leaving!”
She got down from the stage, glaring at Hector who wasn’t supporting her
at all. He stood there like a statue.
“Not so soon,” Sarah growled. She was joined by other pack members.
They formed a circle around her and stopped her from leaving.
Victoria’s father shouted at them. “How dare you disrespect my daughter?”
Alpha Maxim let out a growl that stopped all of them from speaking. He
glared harshly at Victoria and said, “Take the pregnancy test now!”
“Wh- what?” Victoria replied, wincing.
“You heard me. Take the test now,” he repeated in a cold voice.
There was no way she could go against her Alpha’s orders. She was
compelled to take the test. “B-but Alpha, this is- “GO!” Alpha Maxim
roared.
Victoria grabbed her wedding gown and lifted it before running towards the
toilet that was outside the temple. Many of the she-wolves of the pack
followed her. Her father and mother also followed her.
Moments later Victoria handed her pregnancy stick to Sarah.
“Oh my goddess!” Sarah rasped as she slapped her hands on her ***with
wide eyes. She lifted the stick up for all to see. “Victoria is not pregnant!
She was faking it all just to trap our future Alpha!”
There were audible gasps and sneers and hoots.
“She should be sent to the dungeons!”
“***her!”
“Banish her!”
River crossed her arms as she watched the downfall of the girl who was
responsible for hers. Hunter came to stand beside her. “What are you going
to do next, River?” he asked as he placed his hand
possessively on her hip.
“Watch some more of it,” she chuckled. “The drama isn’t over.”
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Chapter 61
Victoria was shaking inside the room that was adjacent to the bathroom.
She knew that now the pack members would not spare her. She was scared
for her life “What do I do mother?” she asked, as her body shook with fea
“Tell them the truth her mother replied, holding her shoulders. “If you are
going down, then that ***son of the Alpha will also go down with you”
“Yes” her father growled. “Tell the truth that you didn’t know that doctor
and that Hector arranged it for you. River already caught me saying that
you didn’t know the doctor. That will work in your favor” Her father was
interested in getting out of the pack as soon as possible to save their life.
Victoria nodded. She couldn’t help feeling wobbly. She had planned it all so
well and this had to happen?
Along with her parents when she came out, there were many pack rembers
gathered over there. Scared that they would attack her, her mother said,
“You have to allow us to talk to the Alpha and after that whatever he says,
we will accept” This was the only way they could go back to Alpha Maxim
and Hector and spill the truth.
The crowd was beginning to get thicker. If they decided to attack her and
her parents, Victoria was sure that they would be dead in a few seconds.
Betrayals were taken badly and this was the highest form of betrayal. If she
didn’t speak the truth about Hector, they would think that she connived her
way up, and that wasn’t the case. Hector was involved just as much as she
was in it.
The crowd parted slightly to give them the way. She caught her parents’
hands as she walked in between them. Her eyes were swollen with tears and
her makeup was all flowing down her cheeks. She
had removed her veil and wanted to tear the train of her wedding gown.
“Traitor!”
“Betrayer!”
“Gold-digger!”
Words fell on her ears, making her all the more nervous. When she reached
the temple, she saw that Alpha Maxim was leaning towards Hector and
speaking something in his ear. She looked at Hector with hatred. He was
responsible for this condition. Her gaze drifted to River who was standing
beside Hunter.
Her eyes went to how Hunter was holding her waist with his large hand and
tucked her beside him. How possessive he was about her and she was just
his breeder. That made her jealous of River so much that she wanted to
wring her neck. Hector should have shown this behavior to her. “I want to
say something to you, Alpha,” she said to Maxim.
Maxim turned to face her. His face was filled with fury. He glared at her.
Crossing his arms across his chest, in a cold voice he said, “Do you have
more to say after the way you betrayed us?”
Victoria’s eyes snapped to Hector and she found him looking at the crowd
behind her. He ignored her completely. Anger blasted in her chest. She
started, “Alpha Maxim, it wasn’t me who procured that medical report from
the neighboring pack” She pointed at the doctor. “I don’t even know this
doctor. It was all Hector’s idea. He said that I should fake the news of
pregnancy so that pack members would start liking me and forget about
River who was claiming that she was Alpha Lowell’s daughter.”
Exactly the thing that Maxim wanted to avoid in front of pack members was
now happening. “Victoria!”
she growled. But a fresh murmur started all over again.
Victoria winced. She was now so shaky that she sank on the ground on her
knees. “Alpha Maxim, please hear me out. It was Hector who went to the
neighboring pack to get the medical report. He had bribed
the doctor to get it. It wasn’t me!” She started crying all over again. Her life
was about to become a curse.
Maxim jumped from the dais and stood right in front of Victoria. Everyone
gasped as they saw their Alpha in front of her. Fear ran amongst them.
Victoria’s father and mother came behind her instantly.
“You ***!” he yelled and backhanded her. Victoria fell on the ground,
skidding some ten feet away.
“Now that your lies are out, you dare to malign my son’s name! Her mother
ran to her with a shriek and helped her get up. They both started crying
together.
Victoria’s father was shocked. “Alpha Maxim!” he shouted. “You can’t do
that to my daughter to save your son! Your son was the one who connived it
all. He loves Victoria and that is why he rejected River.
It is not Victoria’s fault that Hector is such a ***. Why didn’t he accept
River as his mate? What was the reason? Why don’t you tell everyone
clearly that you were against it? And the main reason was that she is Alpha
Lowell’s-”
Alpha Maxim was enraged as ***. He attacked her father, shifting into his
wolf. Victoria’s father too shifted into his wolf but he was no match to that
of Maxim. The crowd shrieked in fear and panic as they ran around to give
way to the two wolves.
The next the crowd knew that Victoria’s father was lying dead on the
ground. His neck was severed from his torso and blood sprouted like a
fountain. Victoria screamed and rushed towards her father as her mother sat
there, numb and stunned.
Maxim growled as he looked at his pack members who were now scared.
He shifted back. His fangs were dripping with blood. “Throw these two in
the dungeons!” he ordered his warriors. And then he looked at River who
was standing beside Hunter and looking coldly at him. A smirk formed on
her face.
Dread skittered down his spine. What was she up to? With one action, she
had done enough damage to his reputation.
The warriors lifted the two women from there amidst the shrieks and cries,
rashly and took them out of the temple’s premises.
After they left, Hector opened his ****. In a very low voice that was laced
with ****, he said, “I am sorry for what Victoria did to you all. She was so
cunning. I had no idea. She was the one who made me reject River, saying
that River could never be the Luna of the pack because she was too weak.”
He took a deep sigh. “And that was my mistake. I shouldn’t have let my
mate go. But now-” he looked at River with sadness. “If River will accept
me, I would love to take her back.”
A while back, this was the plan that Alpha Maxim had whispered in his ear.
If they took River back, he was sure that the pack members would
appreciate the gesture. He had to make Hector confess that he rejected
River to gain sympathy. And for that Victoria needed to be the scapegoat.
“River had always been very kind,” Hector continued. He stepped down
from the dais and took a step in her direction. He walked slowly towards
her.
Hunter was hating every step he took towards River. He was sure that if
Hector came anywhere within ten yards of her, he would rip his limbs off.
He let out a low growl to warn him.
Hector heard the growl and stayed several paces away from River. Then to
everyone’s surprise, he sank on the ground on one knee and clasped his
hands as if to beg her. He said, “Will you accept me back in your life,
River? I am ready for any punishment you want to give me. But please take
me back in your life. I was blinded by Victoria. She hated you and that’s
why she played with me and all of the pack member’s emotions.”
River raised her eyebrow at his antics. In a very low voice she leaned
towards Hunter and scoffed,
“Didn’t I say that there is more drama?”
“If he dares to come near you, I will ***him,” Hunter replied back to her.
His beast was hating that anyone else was trying to woo his mate. It was
taking all his will to control himself and not ***Hector.
What happened next was a complete shock to the pack members.
Chapter 62
“Calm down, Alpha Hunter,” River whispered back to him. She loved the
way he was all protective about her. In fact, her chest filled with pride that
he was her mate and that Moon Goddess had given her such a wonderful
person as her mate Seeing that she was whispering something in Hunter’s
ear, Hector was getting distracted. He needed to grab her attention. He had
to charm her so that he could create the right impression on his pack
members. This was very important and he had to seize the occasion, but the
only problem was Hunter.
“River, will you take me back in your life?” he said with downturned lips.
He tried his best to get tears in his eyes. When they became red, he said, “I
have been such a *** that I don’t deserve you, but if you will give me just
one chance, I will make sure that you become my Luna right away.” He
looked at his father who rushed to give him the ring that he was supposed to
make Victoria wear. Hector took the ring out and lifted it to his eye level. “I
would love to slip this ring in your finger.”
There were murmurs in the crowd about how Hector has changed. People
were divided, but overall they liked the gesture. “Please give me another
chance to take you back in my life and trust me I will not let you down,”
Hector continued. “I need you. This pack needs you.”
More than Hunter, River wanted to slap him. “I am asking my warriors to
take him out so that I can punch his face till it’s a pulp!” Gunter growled as
fury blasted in his chest.
River squeezed his hand, asking him to calm down. She took a deep breath
and pursed her lips, she started clapping “That was a wonderful
performance, Hector,” she smirked. “Now you say that you need me? Just
like you needed Victoria in whose neck you sank your fangs the day I
turned eighteen and discovered that you were my mate?”
The crowd gasped
“Yes,” River nodded as she came to stand in front of Hector. “I remember
you telling me in the green house of the school to never let anyone know
that I was your mate and after that you slammed my head on the shelves!”
Hector clenched his teeth. The ***had to reveal it all here. He had to stop
her. “It was Victoria’s plan to make you miserable. Like I said, I was
blinded by her.”
“That’s what I am trying to tell, Hector. Why were you blinded by her?”
River asked, narrowing her eyes.
“The mate bond is supposed to be greater than everything else in this world,
yet you chose Victoria over me. And not only that, you chose to mark her in
front of the whole school. I think that speaks volumes about your love for
her. However, now-” she circled him and studied the crowd. “Now that your
reputation is at stake, you have conveniently blamed her. She has become a
patsy. And all in a few minutes? Didn’t you love her enough to protect
her?”
Hector felt like getting up and backhanding her. She was showing her
importance. Shoving his thoughts of hating her, she donned a mask of selfpity. “I loved her a lot, but I love my pack more than her. She betrayed my
pack members and that is. something I can’t tolerate.”
There was an immediate wave of sympathy in the whole crowd. Just as he
had predicted.
River couldn’t believe that he was such a crocodile. She lashed, “If that is
the case, then you also betrayed your pack members!”
“What? How?” Hector ***his head back.
“On many accounts. But the two dominating ones are: One, you rejected
your mate and deprived them of getting the rightful heir for their pack. And
two-” she looked at the doctor. The doctor was shivering under her gaze,
between two Lycans. River pointed at him and said, “He will let you all
know the next reason!”
“River!” Alpha Maxim shouted. “You are going beyond your capacity
here.” He glared at her and peeled his lips back. “My son is giving you a
second chance to be his wife which means that you will become the Luna of
this pack. What more could a girl want? Are you trying to show your
importance or act pricey?
There are many girls who would throw themselves at my son’s feet. Who
the ***are you? Some craggy wolf with no manners? You have come here
to disrupt his wedding out of total jealousy. Now that you have achieved
your purpose, you are still ***bent on humiliating him?” Hector lowered
his head as he let tears roll out of his eyes. This was perfect to gain more
sympathy. Now either the ***would leave the pack because the pack
members would begin hating her, or, she would have to accept his offer.
Once she accepted the offer, Hector was going to make her life miserable.
“Please father,” he said in a low voice filled with sadness. “Don’t say
anything to her. She was a victim of circumstances, just like I was.”
Maxim let out a rough exhale. “See, how benevolent my son is. He is
accepting you in his life and yet you are being such a mean character!” He
was beginning to get afraid that she was River shook her head. The father
and son made a good team. “You know what? Both of you should join the
opera. They have plenty in the human world.”
“River!” Alpha Maxim roared. “You are going out of your league!”
She didn’t feel an iota of fear even as every pack member winced hearing
Alpha Maxim’s roar. She turned her face to the doctor and said, “Show it to
them.”
The doctor looked at Alpha Maxim and gulped. With shaky hands he dug
his pants pocket and took his phone out. He searched for a video and
handed it to the Lycan warrior who then gave it to one of the pack
members. A crowd gathered to see what was in the video. And they were
shocked to see its content.
“What is there in it?” Alpha Maxim roared. “Give it to me?” He was getting
too worried as to
what was this girl having up her sleeve now. He strode towards the crowd
and snatched the phone from them. The video was over. “What is there in
sneered. He replayed the video and saw Hector talking to the doctor
Doctor. I can’t give you a false medical report. If my Alpha will come to
know, he is going to throw me out of the pack. My medical practice license
will be revoked.
Hector: 1 will give you a hundred thousand dollars.
Doctor. I won’t do it even for a hundred million. What if this comes out in
the public?
Hector: Nothing will come out unless you say anything about it.
Doctor. I refuse. Please go and ask someone else.
Hector. Then I have only one way to convince you.
Doctor: You can’t convince me. So please leave. I am not a member of your
pack Hector. But your sister is. She and her mate will remain in the
dungeons until you give me the medical report. Victoria and need it to show
it to my pack members.
Doctor. I am shocked. You are Alpha’s son. You shouldn’t betray your pack
members like this!
Hector. You don’t have to bother about them. Just do what I have asked you
to else I am going to
***your sister Alpha Maxim looked at the doctor and threw the phone on
the ground. It shattered on impact. This is doctored This video is false?” He
strode back, his muscles bulging. “You have bribed this doctor to give false
information” He looked at his pack members. “What are you waiting for?
***her!
She doesn’t deserve staying in our pack. She has insulted your Alpha and
his son!” He whipped his head to look at River. “How do you know all this?
How did you even come to know that this was the doctor?
You have planted evidence against us just because you think you can claim
this pack from me?
River tsked. “Some people just don’t improve.” She motioned one of the
Lycan warriors. He rushed outside. About a dozen Lycan warriors had
entered the temple premises in order to protect their Alpha.
There was a stunned silence in the crowd. Everyone was looking at Alpha
Maxim. Within minutes, the Lycan warrior got a girl who was looking like
she hadn’t seen sunlight in ages. Her clothes were dirty and she was crying
“Gloria?” One of the pack members, rasped. “Goddess, what happened to
you?”
Gloria sank on her knees as her brother came rushing to her. “Are you
fine?” He was crying along with his sister Hector paled. He got up from his
place, his knees became wobbly. He looked at his father and then at the
crowd. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he started to step
back. He had to run away and run fast. So he turned and ran
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Chapter 63
Gloria shook her head. “My mate- her shoulders wracked. “He-”
Maxim was stunned. He didn’t know about this part. He had to say
something to cover it up. “They both have committed a murder, and that’s
why they are in my dungeons!”
Gloria looked at Maxim with hatred. “We are no longer in his dungeons.
Alpha Hunter’s warriors helped us out.”
Now Maxim was even more bewildered. How did the Lycans reach his
dungeons? From the corner of his eye, he saw Clara and Sarah going to
River. They both gave a nod as they came to stand by her side.
Alpha Maxim was stunned. He froze when he saw that two of his pack
members who were very close to the alpha family were now standing
behind River as if they knew her all along. His mind went into a tizzy. The
two sisters must have given away every secret or did they connive with
River to bring his downfall? And the time they had chosen was impeccable.
Every pack member was in the temple
premises.
“***, Maxim hissed as his fists clenched beside him. “You two had
connived with River to bring me down.” He bared his fangs as his wolf
wanted to shift and attack them. “Let me teach you a lesson!” he growled
and strode towards them with murderous intent.
The two sisters stepped back, shaking with fear because they were still
under his control. However, to protect them, Hunter stepped forward.
Seeing Hunter, Maxim stopped.
“They belong to my pack,” Maxim growled. “You can’t do anything here,
Alpha Hunter, so give them to me. They are **.”
Hunter’s muscles bulged in response, threatening Maxim. “They are not
***, but they knew about your son’s truth and how Victoria connived with
him to oust River. They wanted to bring justice to River and this was the
only way.” Clara and Sarah were present in the school on the day Hector
marked Victoria.
They had come to pick up their children. Their gazes fell on River whose
body was frozen into stunned silence when she saw her mate marking
someone else. They wanted to console her, but River had run away from
there. Both the sisters rushed after her, but they couldn’t find her. They
eventually found her but at that time Hector had slammed River into
shelves and she began bleeding.
They both stayed quiet after the incident scared for their lives. However,
when River came back last for the high school certificate, they met her and
revealed what they saw. After that they agreed to help her with exposing
Victoria. The fake medical report that Victoria had shown to her friends was
kept stashed in her wardrobe.
Sarah took that report and showed it to River. And from there it was easy
tracing the doctor. But Hector was smarter. In order to ensure that the doctor
didn’t speak a word, he abducted his sister and her mate and threw them in
the dungeons. The doctor agreed to help River after a lot of ***but he broke
down when he came to know that his sister was in the dungeon.
“Justice to River?” Maxim snarled. “She is nothing, but a pain in the
***ever since she was bom. Along with these two sisters, she planted
evidence against us!” He looked at his pack members. “Kill them!
What are you waiting for?” he roared. “No!” the doctor shouted. “Stop!” He
looked at the crowd who
was advancing towards them because of their Alpha’s command. “They
didn’t plant any evidence. They only helped in digging out the planted
evidence. These two helped me get my sister back. Please don’t hurt them.
You can ask Hector about this. I am sure that he will speak the truth because
he has also committed the mistake of rejecting his mate. He is on a guilt
trip.”
“That’s right!” said one of the pack members. “If Hector says that the
doctor is lying then we will kill these sisters and the doctor.”
“Yes!” there was a general agreement.
Maxim knew that his son would never go against his father. He narrowed
his eyes to look at Clara and Sarah, as if warning them that this was their
last. “Hector!” he shouted. “Come here!” His order was met with silence.
Maxim frowned and looked to his right where Hector was, but the space
was… empty. He whipped his head around. “Hector!” he yelled his name.
The boy had a tendency of slipping away often.
“Where are you? Come forth!” Once again, his order was met with shocked
silence.
All present in the temple started murmuring as to where Hector was. Maxim
was now disturbed. He opened his mind link with his son. “Hector!” But
that too came unanswered. This meant only one thing.
If Maxim was unable to reach his son through his mind link, then Hector
was out of the Crescent Moon territory. He had run away.
A shudder ***through his body as his eyes went wide when he realized that
his son abandoned him. He didn’t know what face he had now that his son
had run away. What will he tell his pack members? The shame weighed
heavily on him, He realized that every one of his pack members was
looking at him with anticipation. He had never even imagined that the
situation would turn so badly against him. He clenched his teeth to stop his
lips from trembling. His mind raced to find a solution to salvage the
situation.
He called his beta through his mind link and murmured, “Go find Hector.”
His beta nodded and rushed out. Then he turned to his pack and said with a
voice full of misery. “It seems that Hector has taken River’s rejection to his
heart. He has gone back home. He is saddened and is feeling worthless. I
think he needs space.”
A loud laugh punctuated his speech. River shook her head as she laughed.
“Alpha Maxim, your son, the mighty future Alpha of the Crescent Moon
pack has run away!”
“What?” some of the pack members rasped.
“Yes, Alpha Hunter’s warriors are on his trail and will be bringing him back
soon!”
Maxim gulped. He narrowed his eyes on her. “You liar!” he spat. “Stop with
your insinuations.”
“Why should I insinuate?” River said, shrugging. “In three, two, one- The
door of the temple opened with a bang and two Lycan warriors entered,
pushing Hector in front of them.” “There he is!” River said with a grin.
The Lycan warrior said, “Hector was running away. We found him just
outside the Crescent Moon territory. You can call your beta now. We just
met him on our way in. He looked panicky.”
Maxim’s mouth dropped to the floor as his stomach twisted in knots. Hector
was bleeding from his cheek. His left eye was black and his clothes were
tattered. Anger blasted in his chest, seeing his son’s condition. He roared.
The windows and walls and ground of the temple shook. “How dare you hit
him?”
he said and lunged at the warrior.
But before he could hit the warrior, Hunter came right in front of him and
grabbed his fist. “You don’t get to punch my warrior,” Hunter growled and
shoved him back.
Maxim stumbled back, amazed at Hunter’s power. The Lycan king was
extremely strong and agile. In a second he was in front of his warrior to
protect him. “Leave my son!” he growled back.
Hunter turned to see his warriors and motioned them to leave Hector. He
pushed Hector to his father and said, “We don’t even want him. He is all
yours.”
“Now leave my territory!” Maxim snarled. “I don’t want to see you again in
the Crescent Moon pack. We have had enough of this drama. Get out!”
“No we won’t,” came River’s determined voice.
Maxim whirled to look at her menacingly.
River crossed her arms across her chest. She looked at Hunter who was
glaring at her with confusion and anger. She took a deep breath in and
walked up to a few meters away from him. Dropping her hand to her sides,
she held her chin high and then in a loud and clear voice said, “I have come
here to claim what belongs to me, Maxim.”
Maxim’s eyes widened with utter shock when she called him by his name
and the challenge she threw at him.
There were gasps in the crowd, but no one dared to move. They saw how
determined River was. Her demeanor was exuding confidence.
“You haven’t improved, have you mutt?” he snarled, his lips peeling back.
He was going to wring her neck and throw it to the dogs. “You really want
to get killed? Besides, you are an omega. Just because you have become the
breeder of the Lycan King, you are growling at me? At an Alpha?” He
strode to her and poked his finger in her shoulder. “You bloody omega. We
have had enough of you. Now get lost!”
River grabbed his finger and bent it backwards. He grunted in pain as he
quickly released himself out of her grip. “How dare you claim that this pack
is yours?” he hissed. “This pack belongs to me. Besides, who will believe
that you are Alpha Lowell’s daughter? There is no proof. You are nothing
but a cheat!”
River chuckled. “I knew you would say that.” She looked at Hunter, who
dug his pants pocket and took out a paper
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Chapter 64
As Maxim watched Hunter coming towards him with a paper that looked
like another set of medical reports, his shoulders drew back in tension.
After all that she had done so far, what was left?
Hunter handed the papers to Maxim roughly and then walked back to River.
He looked at his Lycan warriors and nodded at them. The five warriors who
were standing at the door of the temple left quietly Maxim’s eyes became
wide as he read the papers. “This is- this is ****he growled. “It can’t be”
He snapped his head to look at River and could have burned her to ashes
with his gaze. “This is a fake medical report!” He was growing tired of so
many medical reports. Why was it all happening only today?
River shook her head. “Unlike the one that was produced by your son, this
one is an original and is attested by the doctors in the human world. If you
like you can go to the government site, login to my account and see the
original one uploaded by the government. You can match it with this one
and verify it, she said with firmness
Maxim rubbed his hand over his face, unable to take the shock, unable to
think what he had to do next.
This was rapidly getting out of control. He would have tom or burned this
report had it been the only copy in his hand. But River was smarter than he
thought she was. The ***report was on the government site which meant
that it was original. He clenched his fists as he crumpled the report in his
hand.
“What is the report about?” Hector murmured. He was dazed as to what
was going on around him. The Lycan warriors had punched him hard.
Maxim wanted to beat the ****out of his son. Did he have to ask that
question? “It’s one of her antics!”
he growled. Then he looked at his pack members and said loudly. “This girl
over here is a fake. She is claiming to be Alpha Lowell’s daughter and
challenging me. And the Lycans are helping her. The Lycans have always
wanted to control us. We will never let them control our packs. If you will
allow River to challenge me today, then I am afraid, you will forever
become slaves of the Lycans. Do you want to become their slaves?”
He studied his pack members who were now grunting and snarling. Some
looked at the Lycans with hatred. Some looked at River with hatred. They
all seemed ready to attack.
Maxim continued, “I beseech all my pack members to attack the Lycans and
***all those who are
present here. We never liked them. We don’t want them. So ***them! As
for this mutt over here- he whipped his head to look at River. “I am going to
throw her in the dungeons to get the Lycans to attack us and take over this
pack. She was always a lowly girl right from the beginning and is now
taking advantage of my son’s generosity. We will not let it happen!” His
chest was going in and out as his breath became ragged.
River narrowed her eyes on Maxim. She realized that this was his last
attempt to provoke his pack members against her. He was playing with their
emotions regarding the age old enmily between the Lycans and werewolves.
She was feeling very nervous now. She thought that she would lose this
battle because the emotion that Alpha Maxim just stirred up was a powerful
one. She wanted to build bridges in the relationships between the Lycans
and werewolves, but this was going in the opposite direction.
“Before you even think of attacking us,” Hunter’s loud roar left everyone
frozen to their spot. “Think of what you are going to put your members
through. We Lycans are much stronger than you. Your pack will be wiped
out within an hour. If you think that we are only a few Lycans here, then
you are a ****.
There are many of my warriors on the outskirts of the Crescent Moon pack,
waiting for my instructions on what to do next!” He couldn’t have left his
mate alone. And certainly not without a large number of Lycan warriors.
Before he came out of the Veil, he made sure about it Alpha Maxim looked
like he had eaten a bitter pill. His face pinched as frustration mounted. It
was as if he wasn’t able to get out of the situation. “Do you think my pack
members are scared of you Hunter?”
he growled.
Hunter chuckled. “If I were you, I would have revealed the contents of that
medical report in your hand.
I would have accepted River challenge and not put the lives of my people in
jeopardy!”
A murmur broke in the pack. After they heard that there were Lycan
warriors on the outskirts of the pack, their resolve was getting weaker by
the minute. The Shaman of the pack intervened. “Alpha Maxim, please let
us know what is in the report you are holding”
“Yes, please let us know!” Many pack members started to demand it. “We
all should know what it is that you are hiding.” When the murmurs grew
louder, it looked like they were pushing him. Maxim was in
the midst of the worst crisis of his life. He thought that the medical report
was so important but this was the only one out here. He crumpled it and to
the horror of those present in the temple, he put it in his
****and swallowed it. “There it is!” he growled, gulping it down. Hunter
raised an eyebrow. “You really are a ****, Maxim!” he said and dug his
pants to produce another medical report. Maxim gasped. He lunged at
Hunter for the report but Hunter hurled it towards the pack members.
It fell in the hands of two pack members in the middle of the crowd, who
immediately opened it.
“Give it to me!” Maxim growled as he lunged at them. But the members
had read it all before he reached and snatched it
from them.
“This is the DNA report that proves that River is the daughter of Alpha
Lowell,” said the pack member who read it with incredulous expressions.
Everyone was stunned. They all looked in the direction of River, feeling
awed. A blush rose on River as emotions swirled in her chest. She was
finally being recognized by her original identity.
Suddenly there was a small commotion at the back of the crowd as the
Lycan warriors came in with Kirk, Hazel, Brianna and two more
unidentified women. Kirk looked like he was smashed badly. He was
bleeding from his ears and Hazel was crying loudly while Brianna looked
like she had seen a ghost.
The Lycans pushed the three of them in the middle of the crowd and the two
women followed. The moment the women. saw River, they grinned, their
eyes gleaming with an emotion akin to love.
“Now tell them!” One of the Lycans growled and Kirk started to shake in a
fresh dose of fear.
“This is all because of you, you ********!” Hazel shouted as she and
Brianna strode towards River. They lifted their hands to slap her when
Hunter intervened and slapped them both hard even before they could blink
an eye. Both of them fell on the ground, skidding a few feet away and
shrieking with pain.
Eyes wide, they looked at Hunter who was towering them with fury blazing
in his eyes.
“Alpha Hunter!” Brianna said in a shaky voice. “Y-you?” In her rage, she
hadn’t seen him. Scared as ***, she scrambled back and tugged her mother
to come back.
Hunted walked like a predator towards Kirk and grabbed his collar. He
lifted him up without effort. “Tell everyone what Maxim told you to do!”
Kirk was shaking like a leaf in the breeze. He blurted, “Alpha Maxim asked
me to keep Alpha Lowell’s daughter after he ***him!”
There was a collective gasp amongst the crowd.
Kirk continued, “He asked me to not feed her well and-”
All of a sudden, there was a loud crash. Maxim had shifted into his wolf
and had attacked River.
Chapter 65
River was looking at Maxim with hatred burning in her chest. The man left
no stone unturned to convert her into a lowly omega by not feeding her
well, by emotionally hurting and by making sure that she was always
humiliated. And she suddenly realized that it was mostly because he wanted
to somehow hurt her because she was the daughter of his nemesis. The
daughter who survived and was a constant eyesore to him.
When Kirk came inside and she heard him confessing, her wolf wanted to
shift and ***Kirk. ‘Let me out, River, Layla growled. I will ***this omega
in one sharp move.
“Stay low, River said, trying to keep herself in control.
Hunter had slapped the two women who had made her life a living ****,
Brianna and Hazel and that made her feel great. It was as if a part of her
vengeance was covered when she saw both of them crying loud with their
hands on their cheeks on which Hunter’s fingers had imprinted.
As River watched Maxim, suddenly she saw that he was letting his wolf
out. ‘Now is the time!’ Layla growled. ‘I want to come out!
‘Yes!” River let Layla take over. In less than a minute, Layla took over.
Before Maxim’s wolf could attack her, Layla leapt in the air and landed on
the opposite side. She let out a loud snarl and looked at the crowd.
“River!” Hunter called her with surprise as he watched his mate’s beautiful
silver wolf who had dipped her chin low in a feral snarl.
+
Everyone in the temple’s main hall gasped. She was indeed Alpha Lowell’s
daughter. Earlier because Kirk had always underfed her, her wolf shifted
into a scraggy gray colored one, but now that with proper exercise and food,
her real wolf came out and she was… beautiful. The aura around her was so
powerful that other werewolves wanted to concede to it. Layla looked at her
mate with a warning in her eyes of not coming in between. Then her gaze
dropped to Maxim who was snarling at her. All at once, he lunged at her
again, but Layla leapt in the air again and jumped out of the window
because she wanted to take this fight out and not in the temple. She didn’t
want to hurt the innocent people who had nothing to do in the hatred she
carried for him.
Maxim came after her, growling and snarling. He turned his head over his
shoulder as if to look at his men and call them to fight for him, but no one
came forward. It was because this was a challenge between the Alphas.
River wanted to claim her pack back and for that she had to fight Maxim to
death.
All Layla now sought was pure carnage. It sang her name as she heard the
shattering of the glass window. It was like a melody that was perfectly
designed for her bloodthirsty soul. Nothing else in the world made sense
other than striking Maxim down. She wanted to take him down and taste
the sweet
pain that she had longing for. The moment they were out in the garden, the
two giant wolves started circling each other. River was awake in Layla and
down here in the wet grounds of the garden, she wanted to experience dirt
and blood. She attacked him and her paws struck his flesh. Maxim yelped in
pain as his skin peeled at the impact.
Layla opened her ***and sank her fangs on his body on the side. Her
muscles burned with the force of her own strikes against Maxim. She had
forgotten all sense of self-preservation, living in a moment between life and
death where if she let out one wrong move, she knew she would die.
Maxim leapt away from her and rushed towards the forests surrounding the
temple. She ran after him.
When she reached inside the deep jungle chasing him, she saw that he
wasn’t there. She whipped her head around to pick up his scent. It was
strong but where was he? Suddenly he attacked from above. An agonized
yelp left her ***as pain blasted in her back. He had dug his claws in her
flesh.
She bent down and then with all her energy kicked him with her hind legs.
They connected with his face and he was sent groveling to the ground.
Layla turned around sharply and she lunged at him, baring her fangs. She
was so fast that Maxim was taken by surprise but the next moment he let
out a blood curdling howl when her fangs sank in his side as he tried to save
his face. Blood sprayed on his side while he howled, trying to dislodge her
fangs.
He kicked her back as he gathered his energy. She was hurled across the
ground and hit a tree, but the next moment she got up, her fangs still
dripping with his blood. She looked around and found that he had run away
again.
But Maxim had gone to the right behind a bush. Agony crashed through her
spine when he clocked her with a thick log. She rolled as she hit the ground,
narrowly avoiding a hit to her head as he swung the log again. He swung it
again at her. But she leapt at him with a roar and struck his chest with her
head. The log fell from his hand as his back crashed into a tree trunk.
River shifted and picked up the log. She raised the log over her shoulder
and shouting a challenge, which had him ducking and running for his life,
she charged after him, roaring after him. Despite his wounds, he had gained
speed and was running away. River let out a snarl and then threw the log at
him. It hit his head and he fell to the ground.
River lunged on him, not leaving the chance. She had shifted and bared her
fangs and the next moment she was on his
body. With a savage roar she sank her fangs in his neck. Maxim caught her
***but River didn’t stop. She continued to savagely sink her fangs until
blood pooled in his ***. She clamped her jaw shut around his neck and
blood sprayed like a fountain. He thrashed his limbs around to get away
from her clutches, but his strength was going down.
With a menacing snarl, Layla picked him up with his neck and threw him
away from her which sent his head smashing against a fallen log.
Maxim stopped moving. Layla watched him jerking a little and then his
body went limp. The fucker was dead.
Finally.
Layla padded to the werewolf who had snatched everything from her. He
had snatched her family, her parents, her pack and then he was trying to
snatch her life too. Her eyes fixed on his dead body, the weight of his death
crashed on her.
‘I am relieved, Layla murmured.
‘So am I, River murmured back.
Layla picked up the right leg of Maxim and dragged him all the way out of
the jungle, into the temple premises. The irony of the fact that all this
happened in the sacred place that was the home of Mood Goddess wasn’t
wasted on her. She dropped his leg and stood there with a paw on his chesta sign of power and victory. She had no regrets that she ***
him.
All the pack members were awe-struck. They had come to gather in the
gardens along with the Lycans.
As soon as they saw River’s wolf who was dragging Maxim’s body behind
her, they sank to their knees.
“Alpha!” they all said in unison, submitting themselves to their new Alpha.
Hunter walked to his mate proudly and stroked her head. She leaned her
head in his palm, loving the feel of it.
Layla allowed River to shift back and take over. Hunter immediately took
off his shirt and made her wear it. She was ***.
and sweaty and tired, but victory gleamed in her eyes. Her body shook with
it and a tear rolled out.
Two unknown women who had come with the Lycans, approached her.
“Well done!” said one of them and hugged her. River watched them with a
flicker of surprise but they smelled familiar The woman smiled and said,
“We are your mother’s family.” She pointed at the woman beside her and
said, “This is Miriam and I am Sable.”
River’s ***dropped to the floor. She snapped her head to look at Hunter and
he smiled back. He had sent his warriors to find her mother’s family that
lived in the north, very far from here. And he had done all this to prove to
everyone that River was Alpha Lowell’s daughter.
Shaking her head, River hugged her mate tightly and pressed a kiss on his
chest. A while later she made an announcement to the pack.
OceanofPDF.com
Chapter 66
When River was hunting for ways to get her DNA tested, the authorities
had informed her that if her father’s DNA was in their database, then hers
could be matched and verified. Alpha Lowell’s DNA report was already
there and though River didn’t know why it was there, she instantly got
herself tested to prove that she was Alpha’s Lowell’s daughter.
She didn’t know of her mother’s family. So when the two women came to
her and introduced themselves, surprise blasted in her. She whipped her
head to look at Hunter who was smiling mysteriously. He put an arm
around her shoulders and said in a low voice, “There is a lot of time for
talking to your family, River, but right now you have a bigger task.” He
looked at all the pack members who were still on their knees with their
heads bowed to her. “You have to become their true Alpha.”
River was overwhelmed. She looked at all the pack members and how they
submitted to her authority.
It was her dream that she would just lead a normal life, but she wasn’t
prepared for it. She had come to claim her pack but when the reality of
claiming it fell on her shoulders, she felt… confident, ecstatic. She felt like
this place belonged to her forever.
“I don’t know what to do… she murmured.
The Shaman approached her. He bowed to her and said, “Alpha River,
please come with me to the Moon Goddess sanctum. You will have to
undergo a ritual so that I may formally announce you as the Alpha of the
Crescent Moon pack. River gasped. She looked confused and turned to
Hunter for help. His smile widened as he nodded to her. “Go, it is
important.”
She bit her bottom lip as for a moment, nervousness surged in her body. She
balled her hands into fists.
Hunter knew that she was feeling anxious, so he intertwined his fingers
with hers and tugged her to the sanctum. The Shaman followed her. Some
elite pack members also wanted to come in, but he stopped all of them with
a tough glare..
When they reached inside, the Shaman closed the doors and said, “Alpha
Hunter, I know that you are her mate and that is why I have allowed you to
witness this sacred ritual.”
Hunter’s eyes widened in surprise. “How?” he asked. River too was highly
shocked.
The Shaman chuckled as he approached the statue of the Moon Goddess. “I
am not the Shaman of the pack just because I am an ordinary wolf! I have
special powers and one of them is that I can easily know about mates.”
“Then why didn’t you know about Hector and me?” River shot back.
The Shaman clasped his hands and bowed to the goddess. He touched the
feet of the statue and something in the wall behind her clicked. It was a
small chamber that revealed a bloodstone knife.
Picking up the knife he said, “Alpha Maxim had threatened me not to reveal
it…” He didn’t say the reason, knowing fully well that River must have
guessed it. He lifted the knife up in his hand and it glinted in the light.
“Please give me your right hand.”
When she extended her right hand to him, he turned the palm up. “This
bloodstone knife has the blood of the ancestors and Elders of the Crescent
Moon pack. You come from a long bloodline of Alphas, River.
If you are the true Alpha, then as soon as I will slice your palm and you will
offer your blood on the feet of the Moon Goddess, all the pack members
will automatically submit to you. Your mind link will open
with them.”
River ***in a sharp breath. How was she going to deal with so many
channels of thoughts?
“Don’t worry,” the Shaman grinned. “This would be your least of all the
issues. Once you are the Alpha, you will have to nominate your beta and
then also other important members”
River’s shoulders drew back as tension took over. But she shoved all that as
she focused on the most important thing that was going to happen in her
life. She was going to become the Alpha of her pack.
The Shaman sliced her palm in the middle. As blood oozed out, she took
her hand to the feet of the goddess and offered her blood to her. The blood
immediately dried at her feet and was absorbed. Her skin was lined with
goosebumps. On an instinct, she sank on her knees and clasped her hands in
front of the goddess and prayed. “Give me strength to lead my pack, Moon
Goddess.”
As soon as she said that, mist swirled around her and wrapped her
completely. She could feel a pull from the statue in front of her. She opened
her eyes and was stunned to see a woman clothed in silvery dress that
sparkled like moonlight. She gasped as she watched the Moon Goddess,
enthralled, captivated and entranced.
The Moon Goddess smiled at her. “I am Selena, my child.”
River couldn’t utter a word as she continued to gaze in the silvery eyes of
the goddess. “You have reclaimed your pack and that is what I was waiting
for from a long time.” River’s **fell to the floor.
“Me?”
The Moon Goddess smiled. “Yes, child,” she said in a melodious voice.
“Now it is up to you to make sure that you change the laws that restrict the
Lycans and werewolves to seek their mates. This law has been in place for
centuries and has forbidden the love that mates experience. This law is
nothing but a result of egos of a few werewolves and Lycans. Break if
and free my children from it.” The Moon Goddess leaned forward and
curled her fingers beneath River’s chin. “Will you do that for me, River?”
River’s eyes filled with tears and she nodded. She felt like she was a part of
the Moon Goddess and that she should merge with her. “I will.”
The Goddess stroked her hair and said, “Then I am assured.”
“Please don’t go,” River begged. “I will need your guidance.”
The Goddess gazed at her for a moment. “You won’t need me, River. All
you need is your grit and your mate, the Lycan King, Alpha Hunter.”
“But-”
“I can’t come to the human world and create change, my child. But I have
sent werewolves like you who would do it for
me.”
River felt like she was given a great responsibility and she felt… honored.
“I will try my best.”
The Goddess smiled and she stepped back. Soon the mist surrounded her
and when it cleared, the statue looked like nothing ever happened there.
Taking a deep breath in, River got up, her mind still whirling as to what she
experienced. Her vision was blurry when she turned to see the Shaman who
was watching her with amazement.
“River?” Hunter came to her and put his hands on her shoulders. He
examined her from top to bottom.
Every bruise on her body, every wound was completely healed. A halo was
around her body and she looked entranced. “River, speak to me!” The
Shaman opened her palm and saw that her skin was completely healed there
as well. In a low, revered voice he asked, “Did you meet the goddess?”
River’s lips trembled when she said, “Yes.”
The Shaman closed his eyes and sank on his knees in front of her. “You are
her child,” he rasped. “Alpha River.” When he looked up, he saw her
staring into his eyes. “You were born for a purpose, Alpha River, Accept
your destiny.”
River slapped her hands over her ***, thanking the Moon Goddess for
choosing her.
They came out of the sanctum with Hunter holding River’s hand and the
Shaman walking behind them.
The Shaman shouted, “All bow to your new Alpha, Alpha River!”
All the pack members bowed to her. Some of them shifted and howled to
the moon that was shining in its full glory. Suddenly, River could hear the
thoughts of every pack member. The surge of thoughts was like a wave
crushing her skuli On a basic instinct, she sent them all an order to calm
down. Her order was so powerful that all of them stopped, wincing. Half an
hour later, Hunter took River back to the hotel where he was staying. There
were Lycan warriors everywhere to ensure her safety. Not only that, the
werewolves had gathered together and formed a small group to save their
new Alpha. There were too many things on her mind, but the foremost was
where was Lena, her best friend? She went to take a
bath where Hunter joined her.
“Congratulations, love!” he said as he entered the shower with her.
She looked at him as hot water sluiced around them. “It couldn’t have been
possible without you, Hunter,” she said and rose on her toes to kiss his lips.
He opened for her and let her take over. She entered his ***and swiped it
with her tongue. When she pulled away, she said, “I want you to mark me.”
OceanofPDF.com
Chapter 67
Hunter’s gaze intensified. His mate was asking him to mark her. His desire
for her increased a notch higher. He didn’t want to deny her but “Are you
sure?” he asked. “Because it is so difficult not to mark you and yet stay with
you. You can’t imagine what I go through every day of my life”
River nodded as she licked her lips and saw the hint of fangs that were
growing but not threatening to puncture his lips. Her thighs clenched as she
became wet in anticipation.
Hunter’s breathing became ragged. He curled his fingers beneath her chin
and tipped her face up. He leaned over and pressed a kiss on her lips. River
looked like sin. Her heartbeat was pounding in a perfect rhythm, the melody
of which was thrumming through him. Hunter placed his hand on her hip
and squeezed it hard while pulling her towards him and making her aware
how hard he was against her belly. The hot, steaming water sluiced around
them, cascading over her slender shoulders and curves of her breasts. She
looked so hot that his ***twitched with the need. River pressed herself
against his
***as she curled her arms and grabbed his hips.
“I don’t know what you pack members will think when they see my mark
on you, River,” he said, caressing her back with his fingers until they
reached her nape. He pushed his fingers in her curls and grabbed her hair.
He tugged them, forcing her to lift her face to look at him. “They might kill
me for
this,”
“Well, I guess that the only question that you should ask yourself, Hunter, is
whether or not I am worth it or not?”
Hunter leaned so close to her that he was about to kiss her but the moment
his eyes fell shut, she was gone. Her hands skimmed across his waist as she
stepped out of the shower and left him wanting her urgently.
Hunter’s eyes jerked open as a muscle feathered in his jaw. She picked up a
towel from the rack and dried herself properly. showing every curve of her
body, enticing him, maddening him. “You will be the death of me, River, he
growled.
She wrapped the towel around her, turned to open the door and just as she
walked out of the bathroom, she glanced over her shoulder at Hunter. With
a rumble in his chest, he stepped out of the shower stall and closed the gap
between them. He picked up a towel from the rack. Two could play the
games. As he dried himself, he positioned himself close to her. His fingers
would brush her casually and a rumble vibrated in his chest when she
shivered at the contact. He grabbed her by her waist and pressed her closer
to his body. He leaned forward; grazing his fangs on her neck, growling
with desire.
And she rewarded him with a beautiful moan.
Hunter’s pulse hammered in his chest and his hand went to the knob of the
door on which her hand was resting. He opened it for them and walked with
her out of the bathroom with his chest pressed against her back. He was
desperate to get her out of the little towel she had wrapped herself in. She
was looking so hot with her damp hair and that towel, but he wanted to get
beneath it and see her naked beneath him. He tightened his arm on her waist
as he pushed her towards the bed. Suddenly he twirled her and picked her
up with one hand and she squealed.
“Goddess, Hunter!” she gasped against his lips. He growled at the way she
said his name, like he owned her and like she wanted to submit to him.
When he placed her in front of the bed, her finger caressed his chest. She
leaned closer and her
***started exploring his skin. He yanked open her towel and he knew that
she was just as desperate as he was. He groaned when she grabbed his
***and immediately wrapped her lips around it.
As if on instinct, his hips bucked forward, pushing his ***into her plump
lips and feeling the exquisite
sensation of the back of her throat.
She started moaning as she licked him inside and as her tongue started
swirling around the crown of his
***. She explored every inch of his **and he was soon lost in the feeling of
her ***. He began to thrust his hips harder because it was impossible to
hold back. Hunter wanted to spend inside her core and not her ***. His
fangs grew impossibly hard for his mate and venom pooled in his ****. He
grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head back. She looked at him
with confusion. “Oh my little she wolf,” he purred as he cupped her cheeks
and lifted her face up. He stepped closer to the bed, making her walk back
with him and then lightly pushed her. “I want to come inside you. Badly.
Madly.” He crawled over her and then pressed her body with his, making
her sink in the mattress. He kissed her lips again. and a groan left his *.
His*** hand dropped to her thigh and her other hand gripped her hip to stop
her from squirming as he parted the seam of her lips and pushed his tongue
inside.
His fingers ran up to the apex of her thighs where he began to run circles
around her clit. He pushed a knee in between her legs to keep her thighs
apart. “You are so drenched!” he rasped and his finger moved to her core.
He pressed it there and she yelped. He kissed her harder as she moaned
when he pressed his finger deeper and rubbed her clit at the same time.
Her fingernails dug in his back and the burn he felt aroused him harder. She
swiped her hair to one side, exposing her nape to him. Her pulse point
thrummed hard, inviting him to sink his fangs and mark her.
“***!” he growled. It was impossible for him to stop himself. He ositioned
his **at her entrance. “Brace yourself, River!” he rasped and then in one
thrust got inside her
“Ah!” she gasped, pain burning inside her. He was so massive that she
wondered if she would be able to take that size. The pain was like a sharp
sting.
He stopped and let her adjust to his size as his chest continued to rumble, as
he gazed at her pulse point desperately. She squirmed beneath him to adjust
to him and when the pain subsided, she nodded. His eyes flickered amber,
showing that his beast wanted an out to be with his mate. It aroused her
even more.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice guttural because his beast wanted to
make sure that their mate was fine while mating. “I am,” she said as she
squirmed beneath him, waiting.
With a delicious rumble, Hunter thrust his hips forward and entered her.
“Goddess!” She was so wet for him and so tight that it took all his will
power to not spill his seeds immediately. In her for the time-he
couldn’t believe that he was so lucky. He began thrusting inside her like a
piston. In and out. In and out.
She dug her fingernails in his shoulders earning another delicious rumble.
Her muscles started clenching around him in a vise-like grip. The liquid
head pooling in her belly was tightening.
He thrust himself harder. “Come for me, River!”
And as if on his cue, the liquid heat that had coiled and coiled inside her,
unleashed. She screamed as the waves of orgasm hit her.
And at the same time, with the speed of an asp, Hunter sank his fangs in her
flesh as he shot his release inside her. He snarled against her skin holding
her tight beneath him as he came and came and as she screamed with pain
and pleasure, mixed. Their bodies were entwined in a way that he didn’t
know where she began and where he ended.
River stayed in that position as tears flowed out of her eyes with pain and
pleasure mixed. He had marked her and she felt as if two puzzle pieces had
snapped together. As he pierced her, she also felt euphoric. And she knew it
was because of his venom that he injected when he sank his fangs.
She didn’t know for how long they stayed in the bed, but Hunter removed
his fangs from her neck. He licked her over there and buried his face in the
crook of her neck. Languidly, he kept thrusting inside of her, not wanting to
come out. “Mine”” Against her skin he said, “How are we going to go
ahead after this?” He couldn’t stop thinking that it was too early because
she still had to change the laws.
She stroked his back and said, “It will go smoothly from here. Don’t
worry.”
And he believed in her.
When the two slept, he turned her and pulled her back towards his chest
without taking out his ***from her. It was so hot and he was so needy. He
had thought that once he would mark her, his desire for her would ebb a
little, but he didn’t know that it would only increase. So when they slept, he
would inadvertently thrust his ***inside her, refusing to come out. He did
come out, thinking that she was sore, but she was feeling better and so he
slid inside again. This is my favorite place to hang out from now on.”
She chuckled sleepily and he covered them both with blankets. Tomorrow
was another day. He was going to push her to get those laws implemented.
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Chapter 68
River woke up the next morning with a delicious ache in her body. Hunter
was asleep right beside her, his arms and legs. coiled around her. His wavy
curls had fallen lazily over his forehead and River brushed them back
lovingly When she moved her shoulder, a sharp pain throbbed in her neck.
“Ah!” she stifled her cry but it was enough for her to wake him up. “River!”
Hunter opened his eyes with a ***as he protectively tightened his arm
around her waist. His gaze swept to her neck where she carried his mark.
They were two angry red scars where the skin was lifted around them. He
leaned in and licked his mark
with his tongue. Before she could say anything, he said, “My saliva is going
to help it heal fast.”
She smiled and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Thanks,” she murmured.
“For what?” he said as he captured her lips and kissed her. “I am proud of
you and I can’t help feeling lucky that you bear my mark.”
River snuggled in his chest and he placed his chin over her head. They
hugged each other tightly, none wanting to leave. Obviously, his ***was
pressing against her belly. She wrapped her petal fingers around it and
began stroking it. After another round of wild **, they got up and finally
went to take a bath and that too because Elijah was constantly knocking on
their door.
While taking a bath, Hunter said, “How are you going to hide that mark,
River? I am too worried for you.”
River took a deep breath in. “We have to take each day as it comes. I can’t
reveal that you are my mate at the moment, but, there is one thing that I
want to declare”
“What?” Hunter asked, his body going stiff. “Don’t take irrational
decisions, River.”
She laughed at him and splashed water. “Trust me, I won’t.”
When River came down to the lobby, she saw that there was a group of
werewolves standing and waiting for her. She was aware that they were
waiting for her to take over. She was wearing a
***turtleneck sweater with black pants. The sweater hid her mark well and
before she came down, Hunter rubbed an oil over her mark which would
aid in healing as well hide his scent on her. It was Elijah who gave the oil to
Hunter saying that he carried it all the time with him just to meet this
emergency Amongst all this she forgot to ask them as to where Hector was.
His name quickly tossed out of her head when they surrounded her and
bowed to her
“Alpha!” they said in unison.
River looked around and noticed that there were ten of them standing and
all of them belonged to Alpha Maxim’s close circle. She scoffed in her
head. How soon they changed sides. She trusted very few in her pack, but
the one she trusted the most were Lena and her parents. “Where is Lena?”
she asked one of them. She didn’t spot Maxim’s beta either. But that was
good, she would have never included him in her close circle.
They were all flustered and looked at each other. “We don’t know.” said
Geoffrey, one of the senior men.
River took her phone out and she dialed Lena’s old number. Unfortunately
it wasn’t answered. “I want you to find her as soon as possible”
“Yes Alpha”” said Geoffrey “We would like you to conduct an emergency
meeting and appoint pack members for important positions The pack is
awaiting it eagerly. We are afraid that in the absence of beta and gamma and
other important positions, the pack will be vulnerable.”
River turned to walk to the meeting chamber. “The Crescent Moon pack
will never be vulnerable because we have Lycans with us.”
There was tension amongst the werewolves behind her but no one dared to
speak a word. They reached the meeting room and she was surprised to
notice that the werewolves that served over there were more than eager to
open the door for her, rush to help her sit, give her water and also hurried to
get her breakfast. She smirked.
As they all sat down, she picked up her coffee and sipped it. She began, “At
first, I want to call all the Alphas of other packs for a meeting and propose
to them to have a peace treaty with Lycans and have free trade with them. I
am fed up with this crazy war that is going on amongst the Lycans and the
werewolves.”
“War?” All of them started to look at each other. “What war?”
River ***her head back. “You don’t know about it?” she asked, narrowing
her eyes. She thought that the core team members of Maxim’s pack would
know about it. But when she saw blank expressions on their faces, she
realized that Maxim had never shared this information with them. It meant
that he was secretly carrying out the war with the Lycans After a moment of
contemplation in which she had to put forth the information very carefully,
she said, “Do you know who Ella was?”
“Yes, we know that she was Maxim’s sister. Geoffrey said. “She has been
missing for a long time now and no one knows where she is.”
River poked her tongue in her cheek and turned her face to gaze out of the
window. Then she lowered her head and shook it lightly “What do you
know about the demons who live around the Veil?”
There was a nervous look on their faces when she asked this question. “We
don’t interact with them.
They are too dangerous because they will eat anything that walks on the
earth,” said Geoffrey, stifling a shudder. “We don’t know much about them
and we don’t go near the Veil only because of them.”
So these people were completely clueless about what was happening. She
didn’t know where to start but she had to break the illusion that Maxim had
created. She started, “I am sorry to break the news, but your former Alpha
and his sister were spearheading the war against the Lycans. Ella was the
appointed leader and she was in cahoots with the demons. Along with the
demons, she had attacked the Dark Moon pack in the Veil a number of
times. But now she is dead”
“How much do you know about Ella?” asked Geoffrey, giving her a wary
look.
Suddenly, River realized that these people were Maxim’s trusted friends.
She had to quickly form her own group of trusted people otherwise she
would only be breaking her head in explaining everything to them. She
didn’t have that kind of time. It was important that the first few months she
proved herself.
She replied, “Because Ella was locked in the tower in Alpha Hunter’s castle
after her attack. I discovered her over there.”
There was a collective gasp in the group. “How do you know she is dead? It
means that she became free from there! And that she was in cahoots with
the demons?”
The mystery around Ella’s escape was beginning to get clear suddenly when
she connected dots. “Before I answer that, she said sternly. “I want to meet
Victoria. Get her over here in an hour!”
As everyone watched her with tension, she got up. “This meeting is over.
Find Lena and get her over here as soon as possible.” She pushed her chair
back and walked out of the meeting room without giving them more
information. They were left looking at each other but no one dared to speak
a word against her.
An hour later, Victoria was standing in front of River. She was thrown into
the dungeons and instead of the wedding dress she wore an orange shirt and
pants. Her hair was disheveled and her makeup was all washed out. There
were dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked with hatred towards River.
They were all standing out in the garden of the hotel along with a large
crowd that included Lycans as well. After River was appointed as the Alpha
of the Crescent Moon pack, Hunter had called more of his warriors.
Hunter also stood by her side.
“I ***you!” Victoria hissed.
River narrowed her eyes and growled, “Kneel.”
Victoria winced and she resisted her Alpha order. But it resulted in a
splitting headache.
“I said, kneel!” River growled.
Victoria gritted her teeth and kneeled. Her body trembled as River came
nearer to her. “Did you and Hector help Ella to escape from the Veil?” she
asked directly.
Victoria’s eyes widened. “N-no!”
“Speak the truth!” Hunter roared. Somehow, he too connected the dots.
Suddenly, Victoria started crying uncontrollably. “I-I was ordered to!” she
said in between her cries.
“Alpha Maxim had asked me to help Ella escape the Veil!”
Hunter was so furious that he strode towards her to rip her neck off her
torso. Victoria cried out of fear, seeing him approaching her. “No! Please
no!”
River stopped him by grabbing his hand.
“She was my prisoner!” he growled. “We had kept her in the tower after she
had attacked the Lycans along with demons! How dare you help her
escape?”
“What could I do?” Victoria cried. “It was an order. And then I was asked to
stay quiet about it.”
A murmur broke in the crowd. It was clear now that Ella and her brother,
Maxim, were both involved in
illegal attacks on the Lycans.
“Do you know what Ella did after that?” Hunter snarled. “She gathered
more demons and increased the attack on my warriors! And for what? Just
to rule on the Dark Moon pack? Or was there something else too?”
“I don’t know!” Victoria whimpered. “Hector knows more. I don’t!”
Every pack member was shocked. This was too much information for them
to process. Alpha Maxim was betraying not only them but other
werewolves.
Hunter snapped his head to the pack members. “Alpha Lowell wanted
peace with the Lycans, but Maxim didn’t like the idea. He connived a plan
to kill him along with a few more Alphas. When Alpha Lowell was
enjoying a night with his family. he attacked him and killed him. He
massacred every member of the family, but River was saved by a stroke of
luck
Their heads hung in shame. They thought that Alpha Lowell betrayed them.
They couldn’t help feeling sad for River.
Geoffrey said, “The Moon Goddess has bestowed justice. I say that we
bring Hector here and get all the information out of him!”
“Yes! Yes!” The pack members agreed with him.
“Where is Hector?” Geoffrey asked. “Get him here, now!”
One of the warriors came running. “Hector has escaped!” he informed
them, panting hard.
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Chapter 69
Hunter was so furious that he opened his mind link and asked his warriors
to find Hector as soon as possible. Five of his top warriors immediately
rushed out to find Hector. It was very late and Hunter grew uneasy. His
gaze slid to River and she looked disappointed. He felt terrible about it.
How could Hector slip out so easily?
River ***in a sharp breath. She clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. She
was so busy in all of it that no one noticed that Hector had escaped Surely,
there was someone involved in his escape. She had to form a counsel of her
trusted men. In the meanwhile, she ordered a dozen of the former warriors
to search for Hector.
“Now that we all know the truth behind the war against the Lycans, I don’t
want any member of my pack to participate in it. If I come to know that any
one of you has gone against my order, the consequences will be severe!”
she said in a cold voice that created a ripple of fear amongst the pack
members. River was sure that there were some who must be knowing about
the war, but obviously no one will come forward. She was going to hunt for
them in her own way.
River dismissed all of them and went back to her room. Victoria was taken
back to the dungeons amidst all the protests and cries. Lena came the next
day
“River!” Lena hugged her old friend. River was so happy when she heard
that Lena had come that she didn’t wait for her to come to the hotel and
meet her. Along with Hunter she ****to Lena’s house and the two friends
couldn’t help crying after meeting after so long “Girl, how are you?” Lena
said as she assessed River from top to bottom. “Goddess, you look so
beautiful! Don’t tell me that Alpha Hunter is showering all his love on
you!” She tilted her head and glanced at Hunter. When he blushed, she
winked at him.
The two friends sat down on the couch as Lena’s parents came over. Her
mother Fiona and father Jack were as usual very warm and welcoming “We
are so happy to see you back, River,” said Fiona as she offered her coffee.
“And who would have thought that our little River would become the Alpha
of the pack?” She looked proudly at her and River beamed under her gaze
River barked a laugh. “Yes, Hunter has this effect on me and then some
more. But where have you been all this while?” Lena took a deep breath
and said, “Ever since you left, I didn’t feel like staying here. I had gone to
the human world where I learnt various combat skills. “Boxing, Ju-jitsu,
karate, judo, kickboxing and Sanda and-”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” River said to her friend with wide eyes. “Stop there,
tiger!”
Lena laughed and then shrugged.
“How did you learn all that so fast?” River was astonished.
“You forget that I am a werewolf and that I was one of the top students of
our high school!”
“So what is next?” Jack asked, interrupting the conversation as he sipped
coffee and as his eyes darted between River and Hunter. There was
something about both of them that he couldn’t point his fingers at. They
both looked like they gravitated towards each other. Like mates. But Jack
didn’t speak it aloud.
He wasn’t sure and even if they were, they must have reasons not to reveal.
Though he had to admit that he was looking forward to the fact that they
were mates. River had curled up her legs beneath her knees and was sitting
comfortably on the couch. Her demeanor was that of extreme comfort. She
rested her head on Lena’s shoulder and sipped her coffee. Hunter gathered
that Lena and River were very close to each other and that made him
respect Lena all the more because despite what River had gone through, she
stuck to her.
“I have to make the counsel, Uncle Jack,” River said with a soft sigh. “And
that is one of the reasons I have come here. I have decided to make Lena
my Beta.”
“What?” Lena squealed, jumping high in the air.
River shrugged. “Well, why not? You know boxing, Sanda, kickboxing and
what-not? You will be my perfect Beta.” Lena’s eyes became moist. “Are
you sure? It would be such a great honor for me, River.”
“Of course!” River said. “It would be a great honor to be your Beta.”
They both hugged each other again tightly. “Thank you, Lena, River
murmured as she inhaled her friend’s comforting
smell.
In the next two hours, River talked to all of them and selected the
candidates who would be in her counsel. She trusted Lena and her parents.
Once they gave her the names, Hunter sent his men to check about them.
The council members were informed about their positions by the evening.
As soon as that happened, River called for a meeting of all the council
members the next morning.
There were seven members in the council and all looked eager to start their
jobs. After River assigned them their roles, she said, “I want you all to
invite the Alphas of other packs in a neutral territory. I want to hold a
meeting with them about the stupid laws that are restricting Lycans and
werewolves to mix.”
There was a silence amongst the council members. The feud between the
lycans and werewolves was so old that the
sudden idea of resolving it was difficult to digest
River gauged their reaction. “I want to start with the talks. These would be
the first of many That seemed to dissipate the tension that hung in the air.
Geoffrey, who was given charge of external relationship said, “1 will look
to it, Alpha. By the end of the week, the meeting will be arranged”
“Great!” River nodded.
She dismissed the meeting and as she was going back to her room, Geoffrey
said, “Alpha, you must stay in the Alpha’s house and not this hotel.”
River smiled at him. “I will move over there as soon as the manor is
cleaned.” She didn’t want the smell
of the old family to linger over there. Geoffrey bowed to her and left. She
looked at Lena. “I would like it if you can oversee the cleaning of that
manor.”
“I will,” Lena replied. Lena had taken an oath in the Moon Goddess temple
to be her Beta just this morning
At the end of the day, River was completely exhausted. Along with Hunter,
she went for a drive throughout the pack. They came to stop at the peak of a
hill from where they could see the entire pack.
Tiny lights glimmered like stars on the ground as silvery moonlight hung
over the dark trees.
Hunter gave her the flask in which he carried hot coffee for her. “I have to
go back, River,” he said. He hated to part from her but he had been away
from his pack for a long time.
“Hunter…” River gave him a sad look, her chest aching. Separating from
him was like separating from her soul. The thought made her eyes wet.
Silently, a tear rolled out of her eye.
He pulled her towards him and kissed her temple. “Love you. I will come
back before this week ends, and will join the meeting. Okay?”
She nodded and leaned her face over his shoulders. She knew that he had to
go back and that he had spent a lot of time out of the Veil. “Okay…” she
breathed out.
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After Hunter left, River became too busy with her pack. It was new and she
realized that not many men in the pack wanted as the Luna of the pack.
However, along with Lena, she was building herself. to submit to a woman.
It was like she had to prove herself every time. Mostly were of the opinion
that women were better
She realized that Alpha Maxim had left the pack’s economy in a very bad
situation. He had misdirected most of the funds members were ignored
completely. to his ambitious plan of fighting against the Lycans when
important things like creating better facilities for the pack Alpha Maxim
had taken numerous debts and when the money was traced, they came to
know that he had taken the debts debts mounted to over five billion dollars.
from other Alphas. No one knew where all the money went. The council
members grew frustrated when they saw that the
“How are we going to repay all this debt?” said Fred, one of the council
members as he grabbed his hair with his hands and hung his head low. He
was looking after the finances of the Crescent Moon pack River’s heart
raced wildly. “Five billion dollars?” she rasped with wide eyes and stiff
shoulders.
asked. Lena’s father, Jack was also in the council. He looked extremely
concerned. “Who do we owe that kind of money?” he
Jack and Lionel!” Fred picked up the paper that he had prepared to give to
River. He read out the names.
“Brute, Mason, Garry and the twins,
“Lionel?” A crease formed on River’s forehead. “That name rings a bell.”
The council members looked at her warily. “How so?” Jack asked as Lena
shifted in her chair.
foiled because of Hunter’s meticulous planning, River explained. “Lionel
was killed in the last attack on Lycans. He had partnered with the demons to
attack the Lycans but the attack was There was a gasp amongst the pack
members. “Lionel is Alpha Jack’s twin, Fred said as a shudder passed
through his body. “Does that mean his voice trailed off as he looked at the
names in front of him. He rubbed his palm over his ****. “Does that mean
that these remaining four Alphas are involved in the agitation against the
Lycans?”
There was a stunned silence in the meeting. Goosebumps lined her skin as
River stared at Fred. This was a possibility. “It could be” she replied as she
tampered down her anxiety. After a few moments she asked, “What about
the meeting with the Alphas? Has that been scheduled?” She looked
towards Geoffrey.
“It is,” he said. “We will all meet in the neutral territory of Guat which is in
between the human and the werewolves’ worlds. Guat is about a five hour
drive from here. They all have agreed to come to Guat on Sunday”
“Great” River said with a rough exhale.
“But what about this debt, Alpha River? Fred said, looking tense as ***.
“We didn’t know that Alpha Maxim had pushed us to this extreme. We are
on the verge of going bankrupt
“We have to have a meeting about that,” River replied. Saying that she got
up and went out, her whole mind went towards how she was going to pay
the debt. Lena walked after her and together they went into the room. When
Lena closed the debt. I am sure they will all come forward.” door behind
her, she said, “I know this is a ****idea, but we can ask the pack members
to contribute to paying this River shook her head. “I don’t want to snatch
their money the moment I have taken over”
“But a weak pack is going to attract a lot of predators. Others would take
over us financially, Lena argued.
“I don’t know.” she replied as she picked up all the papers and studied them
all over again.
On Saturday evening Hunter came and found River surrounded by a pile of
papers. “What are all these?”
he asked. astonished River had dark circles under her eyes and she looked
tired She let out a humorless chuckle. “These are the pack’s financial
problems.”
He raised an eyebrow as he walked to her and sat down with her Pulling her
in his lap, he pressed a kiss on her lips. “You work too hard River and I feel
guilty about it.”
She hugged him tightly, immediately feeling calm. “I have to, initially” She
closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest and gave up on staying
awake. Soon she was snoring softly. Hunter’s heart squeezed. He picked her
up and took her to
bed.
Along with Lena and five pack members, River **to Guat. Hunter also
went with her. This was a crucial
meeting in which his presence was necessary. “Don’t lose your calm,
Hunter” she said. “This has to be very carefully done because i want the
Lycans and werewolves to become friends again.”
“I want that too, River,” he said as he squeezed her hand. “It is more
important for me than you.” She gave him a smile and
Along with Hunter, his warriors also came. He didn’t tell River, but he had
already sent a dozen of his warriors to Guat The venue of the meeting was a
resort. River saw that the place was filled with werewolves. Several Alphas
had already come while some were parking their cars and jeeps. The whole
place was buzzing with activity and everyone looked anxious or excited or
angered.
According to Geoffrey, all the Alphas were coming to meet like this in one
place after a gap of ten years and that too on a topic so sensitive. That’s why
they were all eager. River wondered if they were eager to end the feud. She
was also informed that four Alphas who were amongst the rebels, were also
going to be present and they would make sure that the meeting is
unsuccessful, Hunter followed after River in the meeting room. Every
Alpha was sitting around a large rectangular table. River could feel their
scrutinizing gaze falling on her as soon as they saw her. Though she was
shaking on the inside, she put her chin up with confidence and walked to sit
at her designated place. Her eyes roamed around the table and she noticed
that the rebel Alphas were seated together and they were looking at her
menacingly. She averted her gaze and ensured that Hunter was sitting next
to her.
Once everyone was seated, the oldest Alpha, Alpha Briar, rose on his feet
and said, “We have assembled here for the greater good. We have the Lycan
King, Alpha Hunter amongst us and this is a very good sign. Since it was
Alpha River who wanted this meeting, I would like to invite her to speak
more about it.”
River got up, thanking Alpha Briar. She sucked in a sharp breath and
started, “I am so grateful to all of you for coming and attending this
meeting. The meeting is about the old treaty that exists between the Lycans
and the werewolves. I feel that with the changing times, the treaty should be
redefined. The old treaty is several hundred years old and it is redundant.
mostly because we have progressed a lot. We need new reforms in it. The
Lycans have progressed a lot in their economy and are perhaps richer than
all of us combined. They don’t need our money. They need she-wolves for
breeding. However, why do we have to give our female members when-”
she paused to look around at their faces. And all of them were full of
suspicion. “When it is highly possible that Lycans are mates of
werewolves.”
A murmur broke in the room. She could feel that the Alphas were excited
about it. Her lips curled up and her gaze drifted to her mate.
She continued, “We don’t have to forcibly give our girls to the Lycans if
they find mates in Lycans. A mate bond is revered over marriage. Isn’t it?”
Many nodded in agreement. “But mates are rarely found,” said Alpha Briar.
“Yes, and we are limiting it further by these old laws to make this number
negligible,” River added. “If we open our borders and let Lycans mingle
with us, our wolves will be able to find mates.”
There was an enthusiastic chatter about it now. River felt so much positivity
that she was loving it.
“You must be mad!” Alpha Jack snarled. “You are saying it because Alpha
Maxim made you Alpha Hunter’s breeder. Are you trying to take revenge
from our women?”
River narrowed her eyes on him. She said, “I will answer that question if
you will answer my question.
Where is your brother, Lionel?”
Jack’s snarl immediately retreated as he snapped his gaze to Hunter who
was giving him a lethal look.
“Yes, Alpha Jack, where is your twin brother, Lionel?” he asked him with a
growl.
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Jack held his breath as fear skittered down his body. “He is dead,” he
replied in a harsh voice that masked his fear. “And why are you bringing up
my brother in this meeting? You are diverting everyone’s attention only
because you are not ready to answer my question. So, River, tell us if you
want every she wolf to become a free breeder for the Lycans? River crossed
her arms across her chest. She scoffed knowing fully well the games Alpha
Jack was playing with her She stayed quiet for a long moment as all others
became pretty interested in her reply. Very smartly she replied, “Alpha Jack,
1 will answer that question if you will tell us how Lionel died. And-” she
gave him a stern glare. “If you are unable to tell Alphas over here as to how
he died, I can give those details *
Jack blanched. He whipped his gaze at Hunter who was observing him
coldly. How could he say that his brother was ***by the Lycans when he
attacked them along with demons? Suddenly, an idea formed.
Clenching his fists, he snarled. “My brother was ***by Lycans and Alpha
Hunter was the one who spearheaded the attack
Everyone looked at Hunter with shock as hostility amongst the Lycans and
werewolves was stroked to fire all over again by Jack. His lips curled up for
a moment when he felt victory. Now he had River pinned. He wasn’t going
to let the rebellion go down. The three Alphas who were sitting beside him,
were neck deep into it. They had struck a deal with the demons and there
were way too many entangles
to be solved. The Lycans were ***rich and Jack couldn’t help but think
what it would be to have all of Hunter’s wealth or even one-tenth of it
A murmur broke in the meeting room amongst the Alphas. They couldn’t
help but steal glances at Hunter, the Lycan King who led the attack to
****Lionel. It was simply brutal. How could he take down one werewolf
when they knew that Lycans were so strong and what was the reason? This
was barbaric A growl emanated from Hunter’s chest as they threw
accusations on him. They all became quiet, terrified by the growl that shook
the windows of the meeting room. Slowly, Hunter got up from his place and
studied the Alphas in the room. His eyes rested on Alpha Jack who smirked
“Yes, your brother was
***by the Lycans,” he said with an angry breath. There was an audible gasp
in the room. Tension sparked like electricity sizzling in the stormy skies.
Everyone’s muscles strained It was as if any time a war would break out
“But-” Hunter added. “Your brother was leading the attack on the Lycans
along with the demons. And to protect themselves, the Lycans attacked.”
“What?” Alpha Briar spat. “Demons? With Lionel?” He turned his head to
Alpha Jack. “Is this the truth, Alpha Jack? This was the truth, but how could
Jack say that? He had to do something to let the truth out.
He looked at Mason, Brute and Gary. They were silent like a stone. They
avoided his gaze and it was at this time that Jack realized that he was going
to be thrown under the bus. If he was going down, he would make sure that
they all went down with him. However, who was going to believe the
theory that he was working with demons? It wasn’t that demons were
coming here to validate Hunter’s accusation.
With that thought in mind, he laughed internally.
“I think Alpha Hunter is imagining. No one can work with the demons.
They are dangerous and eat everything that walks on the face of earth. You
think that Lionel would risk working with them?” Alpha Jack countered.
“Just because you want to suppress the truth, you are saying that we worked
with demons? That is just too ****, Alpha Hunter. And to think that you
had come here to have peace with us?”
He looked at all the other Alphas and said, “This is a waste of our time.
Lycans and werewolves can never be friends. The Lycans would continue to
take away our she wolves as their breeders. The treat ensures that our
women are safe. Once the treaty is gone, our women will no longer be
safe!” Jack knew that he had nailed it. Now Hunter won’t be able to do a
thing
“That was the worst thing you could have done, Alpha Jack,” Hunter said.
“To yourself”
“What do you mean?” Jack growled.
Hunter stood straight and motioned to Elijah with his chin. Elijah exited the
room and when he came back, he was followed by Falcon, the demon
leader.
A wave of panic rippled in the meeting room. Everyone looked nervous
when they saw Falcon. Standing over seven feet tall, Falcone towered
above all of them. His jaws with long teeth that protruded over his
lips were intimidating.
Jack, Gary, Mason and Brute shot up from their chairs when they saw the
demon. They were all too stunned for any reaction. They had never
imagined that Falcon would come here. If he opened his ****, they were
gone.
“Why is he here?” Alpha Briar asked as everyone else stood up in tension,
ready to attack once more.
“Don’t you know that we don’t like demons”
“Yes, throw him out!” Mason shouted as he pushed his chair back to charge
at Falcon.
Falcon shook his head. He saluted Alpha Hunter and was about to leave
when Hunter stopped him.
“Wait, Falcon,” he said “The werewolves think that it was me who
***Lionel Tell us the real story!”
Falcon grunted. He opened his shirt buttons and took out a folder. He tossed
the folder towards Alpha Briar and in his gravelly voice said, “This is the
complete history of our attacks on the Lycans along with some pictures. We
had been attacking the Lycans because we didn’t have a place to live. No
one interacted with us and so we had no food ar amenities. Our children and
our women died of starvation.
Yes, I agree that we ate everything that came near the Veil, but that was the
only place we could hide and live safely. We don’t even have a town for
ourselves.” He looked at Alpha Jack and took a deep breath. “For a long
time, five Alpha families gave us money to sustain, but it was just enough
for all of us to live in the caves. The Alphas only assured us of bare
minimum money and we lived like that… with bare minimum.” All the
werewolves were feeling so shocked by Falcon’s story that they actually
pitied him.
Falcon continued. “These five Alphas would ask us to attack the Lycans
when they demanded. However, when Ella, Alpha Maxim’s sister was
imprisoned by the Lycans, we stopped attacking because even the
werewolves became wary. But Ella escaped with the help of Victoria who
was supposed to be Hector’s wife. Once Ella came out, the werewolves
again became active in their attacks on the Lycans.”
“He is spouting nonsense!” Jack shouted at him. The four Alphas together
started to charge him, but were immediately stopped by Elijah, Lena and
two other Alphas. They were dealt with swiftly and pinned to the ground.
“Stay down!” Alpha Briar commended them.
“He is lying!” Brute growled. “You can’t listen to their lies!”
“We will listen to everything.” Briar growled back, shocking the four
Alphas.
“Continue Falcon!” Alpha Briar demanded.
“Ella was ***in an attack on the Lycans and I have to say that several of my
men died. Once again, the werewolves became very
furious. Next time they sent Lionel and demanded that they attack the
Lycans again. My men were
getting weary of the continuous attacks in which we were left with as many
corpses as bruises on the Lycans.” Falcon looked at Alpha Hunter this time
and there was… gratitude in his eyes. “Unfortunately, Lionel died in that
attack and several of my men. Again.”
He shook his head and let out a rough exhale. “It was then that Alpha
Hunter met me and offered me a very generous proposal.” He lifted his
head up and sucked in a sharp breath. “He has helped develop a large piece
of land about five hundred miles from the Dark Moon Pack for us demons.”
“Oh wow!” River said as she looked at Hunter with pure surprise and pride
filling her chest. That is wonderful.” “This is not all,” Falcon said. “Alpha
Hunter has loaned us a billion dollars to start with our economy. The land
where we are going to live is rich in minerals. Our trades are open but we
are still detailing out the things. The basic point is that my fellow and I will
be leaving the Veil in a few days. Half of us are already there, and the other
half will soon leave.” He walked to Hunter and clasped his forearms in a
friendly gesture. With extreme gratitude in his eyes, he said, “Thank you,
Alpha Hunter.
We all really wanted to get out of the dark ages.” He stepped back and
bowed to him. Then he looked at Briar and pointed at the folder. “It
contains the pictures. See them.” With those last words, Falcon left for
good. There was a happy bounce in his steps.
The folder was opened and the pictures came out. Pictures of Maxim and
other Alphas handing money to the demons were clear. Disgusted at their
act, Briar said, “I propose that we vote against these Alphas to not attend
any future meetings with us. Only if there is a change in leadership, will we
allow their packs to enter.”
The Alphas thumped the table with their palms in agreement as River
stopped her tears to fall from her eyes, as her lips curled up. The tables had
turned.
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Chapter 72
“Take them away! Alpha Briar said with a snarl, looking at the four Alphas
who were pinned down. Since they were Alphas, it was difficult controlling
them, but Hunter called two more Lycans and amidst all the yells and roars
and claws and fighting, the Alphas were finally taken away.
“We will take revenge, Hunter!” Alpha Mason called. This is not over!”
Hunter only gave him a cold look. Once they were out of his sight, he posed
the most important question, “Where will these Alphas be imprisoned?”
“In the dungeons of their own packs!” Alpha Briar answered. “Let the pack
members of the respective packs decide what to do with them.”
Now that things were clearer, the Alphas felt a sense of something ominous
lifting from the atmosphere.
“We are going to take a break for an hour and then we will resume our
meeting.” said Alpha Briar.
All the Alphas got up and walked out of the meeting room. They all stopped
and not only thanked Hunter for his gesture for the demons, but
congratulated him for beautifully getting rid of all the Alphas
who had made their lives a living ***. They were happy that the old treaty
would now be revised.
The demons had been a huge problem and the way Hunter had effectively
tackled it was appreciated by all. At the same time, they couldn’t help
thinking exactly how rich was Alpha Hunter. He had helped the demons
build an entire city. There, was a wave of excitement amongst the
werewolves. The Lycan whom they thought was a villain all along was
actually their hero. There was anticipation as to how things are going to go
from here. They realized that this was just the beginning.
When she reached her room in the hotel, Hunter was waiting for her. River
squealed and jumped at him, wrapping her arms and legs around his body.
Hunter laughed as he balanced himself against her. She curled her legs
around his hips and peppered kisses all over his face. “You are awesome!”
she said in between the kisses.
Hunter laughed and laughed, feeling giddy that he had such a beautiful
mate. He had met the demon leader Falcon before he had come here and
negotiated a deal with him. And to seal the deal, he had forced the demon
leader to take a blood oath with him in order to give his fealty to him.
Falcon didn’t resist even once. He was tired of all the attacks and how his
species was seen by others. He had very intelligent people who could be
assets in building a bright future but he didn’t have the money to realize
those dreams. When Hunter proposed this deal, he almost had tears in his
eyes. He didn’t know why Hunter was doing it and being so benevolent, but
he didn’t have enough words to thank him.
After that he came to the Alpha’s meet to tell all the dark secrets of Alpha
Maxim and his friends who were into rebellion.
River pressed her face in the ***of his neck. “What you did for demons was
remarkable, Hunter,” she said. “No one would have dared to take that bold
step”
He kissed her temple and said, “I have done it for you, River. If I hadn’t
found you, I would have continued to live my life and so would have
demons, just the way we were.” He kissed her again as he sat with her on
the couch. “These changes are because of you and only you.”
She lifted her face and crashed her lips on his. When she pulled away, she
looked into his eyes intensely.
“You overestimate our relationship.”
He shook his head. “No. I cherish this relationship more than my life. With
you I feel complete. I can’t live without you and this is nothing in
comparison to having you near me, safe and sound. The demons were a
constant threat and so were these, Alphas.”
“And you took care of them with one stroke of your intelligence.”
Hunter grinned. “I am glad my mate finds me intelligent.”
“Well you are!” she said with pride in her chest and a smug look.
“The main point is going to come after this one-hour break. Are you ready
for it?”
“I am!” River replied. After what Hunter did, she was sure she would win
the next round as well.
However, it wasn’t the next round she was worried about. It was what
would happen next.
As soon as the meeting resumed, all the Alphas filled the room. There was
an excited ***in the room.
Everyone was stealing glances at Hunter and River. They knew that it was
because of River that Alpha Hunter had come. They had heard how she had
proven her worth and took over the pack Alpha Maxim after challenging
him. She was Alpha Lowells daughter and she took back her rightful
heritage.
Alpha Briar brought the meeting to the order. “We have to discuss the main
agenda of the meeting now,” he said, studying every face in the room. “The
point for which we were all called.” He looked at River and gave her a nod,
encouraging her to
start
River got up. She scanned every Alpha in the room and her heart raced
wildly. What if they didn’t agree?
She shoved down that emotion and started, “We have gathered here for the
main point that hasn’t been discussed in detail as yet and that is all because
of Alpha Hunter. He is the culprit.”
There was a light laugh across the room. They all looked at Alpha Hunter
who was grinning.
River came straight to the point. “I would like to propose once again that
we remove all the barriers between the werewolves and the Lycans. We
have to amend the law that exists between the two species so that more
mates can be found. It is against nature’s law that the Moon Goddess has set
up for all of us. Both the Lycans and the werewolves are her children. So
why stop them from mingling with each other?” She glanced at Hunter who
was looking at her fondly. “Can we have better laws now? This will also
present opportunities for better trade.”
There was a murmur across the Alphas.
Alpha Briar said, “If you like we can vote on this issue. Is it okay with all?”
Voting was agreed upon and soon there was a paper and pen in front of all
the Alphas. As soon as the voting started, the folded papers started rolling
in front of Alpha Briar. Alpha Briar hadn’t seen this kind of enthusiasm
amongst the werewolves at all. Most of the time they were extremely
territorial. Surely, the young children were bringing a change and making it
a new and better world.
The papers were opened and each ‘Yes’ went to the right whereas a ‘No’
went to the left. There were thirty-eight “Yes” and only two ‘No’.
Alpha Briar chuckled. “I guess the majority is with you, River,” he said as
he gave her a look full of appreciation.
River pressed her hands against her mouth as tears of success pooled in her
eyes. “Thank you,” she managed to say in a hoarse voice. The law was
passed.
All the Alphas got up and they clapped for the major reform that River had
brought about.
Alpha Briar announced, “There will be a committee of five Alphas who will
be chosen to take all this ahead and of course River will be a part of it.” He
took a deep breath and then adjourned the meeting.
Before leaving, every Alpha came to shake hands with River. Suddenly,
they started respecting the young girl because of whom things only became
beautiful for everyone.
There was a lunch hosted by Alpha Briar for all the Alphas after the
meeting. And during the lunch, everyone was trying to talk to Hunter and
ask him about potential trade with his pack. Hunter was surrounded by the
Alphas all the time to the extent that River couldn’t even talk to him. But
she let him be. It was important that he spent time with them. She couldn’t
help thinking how far they had come from their first meeting a few months
back.
By evening she started back for her pack along with Hunter. There was yet
another announcement she had to give. This one was going to be tricky. She
didn’t know how her pack members would take it.
Because of anticipation she had held Hunter’s hand all the time. At the end
of the journey she had thought that if her pack members wouldn’t agree to
it, she would go back to Hunter after a few months of helping the pack
members to get out of their debt. She would give the reins of the pack to
Lena. Lena would prove to be a fantastic Alpha.
“What are you thinking about, River?” Hunter asked.
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Chapter 73
River shook her head. She didn’t want to talk about her anxieties with
Hunter.
When they reached the Crescent Moon pack, River was astonished to see
that many of the pack members were waiting for her return. As anxiety
surged in her, she asked Lena as to what was going on.
Lena shrugged as she came in all protective mode. The gamma warriors too
came in the same mode. A growl left Hunter as he grabbed her hand and
pushed her behind him.
However, they were all astonished when all the pack members sank on their
knees and tilted their throat in submission. River looked at Hunter and Lena
as she slowly stepped forward. “What is going on?” she asked while Hunter
continued to strongly grasp her hand, still wary of the situation.
Fred, who was in charge of the financial department of her council, rose to
his feet and said, “Our debts have been paid, Alpha River. All five billion!”
“What?” River barked. “How?” She was stunned. “Who helped us?”
There was a stunned silence as the pack members looked at her, surprise
evident on their faces.
Now River was so clueless that she looked too adorable. Suddenly, Hunter
chortled and other pack members giggled.
“What is going on?” River asked, clearly peeved at it. “Can someone fill me
up?” She opened her mind link with the pack members and said sternly,
‘What is it that I am missing?”
The pack members immediately stopped giggling and everyone once again
lowered their heads in pure submission. They could feel her strength
through the bond and it was so impressive. Much more than that of Alpha
Maxim’s.
“Can I speak, Alpha River?” Fred said.
“Yes?”
“It was Alpha Hunter who paid our debts,” he informed her.
River whipped her head in his direction with eyes wide like that of a saucer.
“Hunter?” she rasped.
Hunter grasped both her hands and said, “This was the least I could do for
my breeder.”
River’s eyes became moist, not because he had helped, but because he
called her his breeder. And he did that because she didn’t want him to
reveal that they were mates. He was keeping his part of the deal so well and
even helped her pay all of her debts. But how did he know that her pack
was under a mountain of debts? It was a sum that would have taken years
and years to pay back. Just how rich was he?
“Thank you,” she said in a hoarse voice as her throat choked with emotions.
She didn’t have enough words to thank him and so her tears rolled out.
“Why are you doing so much for me?” she said, choking on a sob. Why was
he so good and why was it that she felt like she was using him? “How did
you come to know about the debt?”
When Hunter had come on Saturday to meet her, she was reading the
documents concerning the debts of the pack. She had slept over them.
Hunter sympathized with her situation and couldn’t help falling in love with
her all over again. He picked her up and made her lie down on the bed
while he studied all the documents. It was then that he discovered the debt.
And it was then that he decided to pay it all. When he could help the
demons build an entire city, couldn’t he do just this much for his mate?
With an affectionate look at her, he said, “On Saturday when I saw you
sleeping over the documents.”
She blushed as a giggle escaped her. She was so careless. She swatted his
chest lightly and then hugged him tightly. “Thank you. Thank you!
“You are most welcome, breeder!” he laughed.
“We also heard what Alpha Hunter did for the demons,” said Fred, breaking
their reverie. “He is our hero and we want to show our grátitude to him.”
“Yes,” Geoffrey interjected. “Both of you together have been able to amend
the dark laws between the Lycans and the werewolves and that was the
biggest change. We are all looking towards a bright future!”
The pack members got up and they clapped for both River and Hunter.
River couldn’t help feeling proud of standing next to Hunter. She
remembered her meeting with the Moon Goddess. In her mind she
thanked her for showing her the right way River realized that this was the
right time to reveal to her pack members the truth.
Once the clapping died down, River said aloud, “Now that we are about to
enter a different time altogether, I wanted to share something very
important.” She studied the expressions of her pack members and knew that
they were all waiting for her important announcement with a bated breath.
“River, are you sure?” Hunter asked her as he searched her face.
“I have never been so sure in my life…”
He let out a ragged breath as if readying himself. He opened his mind link
with his warriors just to stay alert in case the werewolves were angered.
River clasped his hand tightly and ***in a sharp breath as she looked at her
pack members. Then she said it. “Alpha Hunter is my mate.”
There was an audible gasp amongst the pack members as a murmur of
shock and surprise broke amongst them. “After Hector rejected me, I was
sent to the Dark Moon pack amongst the Lycans. My wolf, Layla, had gone
off to sleep because she couldn’t take the rejection. However, when Hector
accepted my rejection, she came back and we both realized that Alpha
Hunter was my mate. The Moon Goddess gave me a second chance at life.”
She turned her face to Hunter who watched her intensely with a
possessiveness in his demeanor. She gave him a smile and returned to the
pack members. “I know that it is shock for all of you, but-” she lowered her
collar and showed them her mark, the one given by Hunter. “I bear my
mate’s mark proudly. If you think that I have betrayed you, then I am ready
to go back with Hunter… forever.”
Once again silence hung in the air. River pursed her lips. She knew that she
wouldn’t be accepted by the werewolves now. It wasn’t easy for them to
break the age-old traditions and enmities so easily. “Let’s go.” she muttered
and tugged Hunter away.
“Stop!” One of the Elders of the pack came forward. “No one is going
anywhere,” growled.
“Yes, you will not go anywhere,” Geoffrey said. “We will not allow our
Alpha to leave us. And we will definitely not allow our Alpha’s mate to
leave us! You both have done so much for us and for all the werewolves so
much. Do you think we are so selfish that we won’t accept you two?”
River’s ***fell to the floor. But the next moment she was swarmed by the
pack members.
“We need a party!”
“What about the wedding?”
“What about pups?”
“You have to live here!”
“We won’t let Hunter go!”
The Elders and the male werewolves gathered around Hunter and the
women River.
“You two will get married according to the Crescent Moon pack’s tradition
tomorrow morning!”
Both River and Hunter were just too surprised. They had thought that their
relationship would be taken badly, but the pack members cherished it. And
they were demanding a marriage.
As River was led away from there, she ***Hunter, “I love you!”
Hunter said loudly, “River, I love you!”
And the pack members burst out laughing.
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Chapter 74
“How am I looking?” River asked Lena, as she glanced at herself nervously
in the mirror. She was wearing a ***bridal dress with a short veil.
“Beautiful!” Lena exclaimed. “I think you look like stars and moon and a
little bit of sunshine added to it!”
River giggled. “You are biased!”
“No, she isn’t!” said Clara as Sarah pinned her veil. Sarah had this wedding
dress readymade in her boutique. After a few adjustments yesterday after a
quick trial, she tailored it perfectly for River. “You look so beautiful River
that if I were a man, I would have run away with you!”
River burst out laughing. “And then your husband would have come after
mel
“Meh!” Clara said as she arranged the bouquet of ***roses, peonies and
lilies for her. She handed the bouquet to her and then slipped her veil over
her face. “Do you know how proud we are of you and Alpha Hunter? Every
pack member is proud to be associated with Aloha Hunter. When you
announced that you are Alpha Hunter’s mate, we were all amazed and then
thanked the Moon Goddess that our Alpha has someone like him as her
mate.”
“Oh Claraaaa…” River said with emotions choking her. “You are all such a
lovely pack.”
Sarah and Lena also came to her side and hugged her. Lena’s mother
entered the room and chided them. “Girls, hurry up! How long will Alpha
Hunter wait?” River giggled as a blush rose to her cheeks.
Lena’s father, Jack, was giving away the bride. “Jack is waiting!”
Lena leaned closer to her and whispered, “It seems Hunter is unable to stay
without you. Poor Lycan. He was away from you for a day!”
River giggled, feeling giddy. Ever since yesterday, the two were not allowed
to meet on the pretext that it was not lucky for the bride and groom to meet
before marriage.
After a few last-minute adjustments, Clara and Sarah let her go. Jack was
waiting out of the room. When he saw her, his eyes were filled with
affection. “Come girl,” he said. “Your groom is waiting and if we are a
minute late, I think he will get the Shaman here for the wedding!”
As River shook her head, the rest all started laughing.
They all reached the steps of the temple. River clutched her gown with one
hand and held Jack’s hand tightly with the other. Although she was mated to
him and bore his mark, this wedding still made her feel giddy. It was
important for her pack members because it instilled confidence in them that
their Alpha was mated and wedded. And it was very important for her. Now
there was no looking back.
When she reached the sanctum of the temple, through her veil, she saw
Hunter. He was looking…
mesmerizing. He donned a huge smile the moment he saw her. She walked
with Jack and when they reached the dais where he was waiting, he helped
her stand on it and walked to join the rest of the guests.
Hunter took a ragged breath as he caught hold of her hands and their gazes
locked. “I was dying to see you,” he said with a shaky breath.
“Me too…” she replied.
“Ahem!” the Shaman coughed. “Can we start?” he said, pulling them both
out.
Hunter grinned. “Please make it fast!”
The crowd stifled a laugh because they didn’t want to annoy Alpha Hunter.
The Shaman proceeded with the wedding. He took the sacred knife of the
Moon Goddess. After chanting ancient incantations, he asked them to give
their palms. He sliced their palms in the center and asked them to join their
hands. As soon as they joined their hands, blood that had trickled out, lifted
in the air and turned into red mist. It circled around their hands and was
absorbed by their skins. There was an audible gasp in the audience.
“These two mates, said the Shaman, “are chosen by the Moon Goddess.
There is no denying it!” Holding their joined hands he lifted them higher.
“Crescent Moon pack members, I present to you the Alpha Hunter and
Alpha River!” There was a huge applause and excited cheers in the
audience.
The Shaman lowered their hands and added, “I leave the decision on you as
to who would you want to be the Luna of the pack, River or Hunter”
The audience once again burst out laughing with most of them saying that
they would love to see Alpha Hunter as their
Luna
“You may kiss the bride, Shaman said with a grin.
Hunter lifted her veil and pressed a kiss on her lips.
The ceremony ended with a great feast hosted by Hunter and River. The
pack members congratulated both of them, but a big question hung in the
air. Where will River go? Would she stay here or go back to the Dark Moon
pack.
At the end of it, when everyone was about to call it a night, Hunter
announced, “Both River and I have decided that we will be relocating the
Crescent Moon pack near the Dark Moon pack. It will take a lot of time…
probably a year… but it is going to be the best for the pack members of
both the packs. If anyone has any problem with this decision, they can raise
their hands.”
But there was silence in the crowd. Who wouldn’t want to go next to the
Dark Moon pack which was supposed to be the richest? No one raised an
objection. In their hearts, they all wanted to be associated with Alpha
Hunter and his protection was going to be amazing. At the same time, they
didn’t want River to give up on their pack as their Alpha and so two
problems would be solved easily.
When he saw that no one protested, he continued, “Once we see the place
that would be suitable for the pack members to move, we will invite them to
choose locations for their homes. My construction company will get into
action and will develop the whole township for you.”
There was a ***of excitement. The pack members were so tired of staying
debt ridden for many years that the change was like a fresh breath of air.
Once again, all the pack members congratulated the couple and then the two
went to the hotel room where Hunter was staying. For River, going to the
manor that Maxim once owned, never fructified.
They were both standing in the balcony of the room, watching the full
moon. She was wearing his shirt while he was in his boxers.
He had pressed her back against his chest, curling his arms across her
shoulders. He rested his chin on her head and sighed. “I had waited for this
moment for ages, River.”
She kissed him on his arm and leaned her head on his chest. “I never
thought we would see this night.”
He kissed the crown of her head. “Yet, here we are. I love you, wife.”
She turned her face up and murmured, “I love you too, husband.”
Before she knew what was happening, he lifted her up and brought her back
to the bed. He crawled over her as she pressed her hands over his chest. He
positioned his erection at her entrance.
“Do you know that I love to come home after the whole day’s work?”
She nodded, “I know.”
And Hunter entered her, driving home.
Chapter 75
“Honeymoon!” River whined. “But there’s so much work in the pack. How
can I go for a honeymoon?”
Though she really wanted to go for it. Hunter had suggested to her the
island paradise of Maldives. She had seen its pictures on the Internet and
the country was nothing but a congregation of several islands with clear
blue water surrounding every water and lots of marine life. It had been three
days of nonstop
***with River and Hunter wanted more of her, more of her time and just
her.
Lena was also sitting at the dining table with them. She had come to report
for the day. She chuckled as she picked up steak and dug the knife in it to
cut a piece. “I think it’s a great idea, River,” she took Hunter’s side. “You
both have been through so much that a small break is necessary.”
“But how do I go, Lena?” River whined. “The new council has so many
things to report. Besides, what is the use of a honeymoon when everyday’s
a honeymoon for us!” She shot a glare at her husband who was sitting in his
khaki shorts only and donning a proud smile. The reason he didn’t wear a
shirt was because he wanted to show off his mark on his neck, one that
River had given him. He would brush that place lightly one in a while to
draw attention.
“River, there is no dearth of work. There will be something at every time of
the day. Will you stop living it?” Lena tried to put sense in her. “Just go and
in your absence, I will take care.”
River blew out air, feeling deflated. She had just taken over as the Alpha of
the pack. Her accusatory gaze darted from her friend and beta, Lena, to her
husband. “I don’t think it’s a good idea…” she murmured and started
shoving scrambled eggs, in her ***.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Hunter said, grinning. “And I really like
your Beta. She has more sense than most packs combined.”
“Thank you, Alpha Hunter,” Lena replied, a smile forming on her lips. She
knew that Hunter was appreciating her because she supported him.
“We are leaving tomorrow!” Hunted said as he dug the pants of his shorts
and took out two business class tickets of flight to Maldives. “These are our
tickets and these…” he dug his pocket again and took out brochures. “This
is the place where we will stay!”
When River saw the brochure, she picked it up out of curiosity and her eyes
went wide. It was a beautiful island property with guest cottages built over
the clear waters.
For the next few hours, River became busy packing her things. By the end
of it, she had three large suitcases. Two for herself and one for Hunter.
“What the hell are you taking in two suitcases, River?” Hunter asked,
terrified.
“We are going to be there for two weeks. What do you expect? I am not
going to buy clothes over there,” she pointed. “I won’t let you stay in
clothes, love,” Hunter stated as a matter of fact.
River blushed heavily. “B-but we need to-”
Hunter just repacked her things and they were down to two suitcases, one
for him and one for her. The louche had only packed bikinis for her and on
her insistence, they packed a few of her sundresses and hats and body
lotions.
Maldives was the most beautiful sea beach she had ever been to. It was for
the first time that River had come out of America and she was extremely
excited. Hunter looked like a boy in love as he held River’s hand and the
two walked to the reception. The girls at the reception were blushing when
they gazed at him and tucked the loose strands of hair behind their ears as if
flirting with him.
The two were shown their cottage. The moment they were inside, Hunter
picked up River from her waist and carried her to the bed. She squealed and
protested, “I want to sleep!” She was terribly jetlagged.
**”Not so soon, River,” he growled and removed his **.
She cried in protest. He chuckled and then went further down to her core
where he **** her. “Ahhh!”
she cried as an orgasm blasted through her and she shattered into a million
pieces. He licked every last bit of her honey as her core spasmned on his
tongue. As soon as her orgasm faded, he positioned himself on her entrance
and thrust inside her in bre swift move.
She wrapped her thighs around him, bringing him closer. He increased his
pace and thrust inside her like a piston. Soon,
he reached his climax and shot his release inside her and she joined him
again.
Hunter was tired. He slumped over her and kissed her neck lazily. “I forgot
to use a condom, he murmured.
She chuckled. “You always say that when you are inside me. I always
wonder if you’ve got condoms for the trip.”
He grinned against her skin. “I think I forgot to bring them with me.”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. We will buy a packet from the mainland.”
She was going to take him there and not have ***until then.
“Yes, sure,” he replied but he wasn’t taking her to the mainland. He pulled
out of her and slid beside her. He turned her away from him so that her back
was pressed against his chest. He spooned her and said, “Sleep for a while
River. We have a lot to do in the next few days.” And River closed her eyes.
Coming for the honeymoon was the best ever decision she had taken. It was
so relaxing and away from the usual tension of the daily affairs. Silently,
she thanked Hunter for convincing her.
River would open her eyes sometime in the midst of her sleep only to find
him between her thighs or suckling her nipples or thrusting inside her. By
the end of it, she would wake up and find him lazily thrusting inside her
from behind. It was as if he didn’t have any other agenda at this point in his
life. And River realized what was the point of buying condoms now.
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Chapter 76
“We are going scuba diving today!” Hunter announced as River got. He
slapped her ***and she
squealed.
She turned around. “That’s great!” she exclaimed
“Don’t take a bath. We will take a bath after the diving excursion,” he said
with a satisfied smile on his face. His mate was liking the trip so far.
Scuba diving experience was breathtaking. River saw so many schools of
fish that she was mesmerized.
The sea fish would dart around whenever she would go to touch them.
Sometimes when she would touch a coral, there would be a sudden burst of
colorful fish from it. They would all swim around her and River would
giggle inside the scuba diving kit. There were so many ***starfish. She
would run to catch them, but they were slimy and slipped away. Small
octopus propelled themselves away from them.
Finally they swam to a spot where an old ship had sunk. They dived deeper
to reach it. River and Hunter played around there, enjoying every bit of it.
River had never done scuba diving before and the guides with them
wondered how she was doing it so easily for the first time. Little did they
know that she was a werewolf and had keen senses. They had told her how
to do it and after that she learned it fast.
In her red bikini, River was looking so beautiful and attractive that Hunter
didn’t let her go out of his line of sight even for a minute. Whenever the
guides tried to flirt with her, he would growl at them and they would scurry
away.
“I am going to get so tanned!” she exclaimed when Hunter was opening
water in the tub and she was checking her tan line.
Hunter licked his lips when he saw that wicked tan line above and below
her breasts. He went behind her and opened the strings of her bikini top. “I
love this tanned skin,” he said as he pressed a kiss on her shoulder.
She tilted her head to give him more access to her neck. “And I love your
tanned look,” she said. “And I am also jealous when other women see you.
It’s like they are ***you with their eyes.”
“I love when my mate is jealous.” He kissed her more. His hands reached
the strings of her underwear.
He opened it and tossed it on the ground. Cupping her ***, he said, “This is
getting lonely without me.
Come let me make myself familiar to
it.”
She chuckled. “This is hardly lonely. In fact, it is not missing you at all.”
His chest vibrated and a delicious rumble generated. He walked her to the
tub and wedged his thigh in between hers. He nudged her to enter the tub.
When she was in it, he entered after her. When she was about to sit, he said,
“Don’t sit.” He kneeled in front of her. With her breath hitched, she tipped
her head down to see him. Their gazes locked.
“What are you planning, Alpha Hunter?” she asked. ”
“To worship you.” His eyes went to her ***. He caressed her thighs and
when his fingers reached her **, he parted the lips. As soon as his gaze
landed on her swollen nub, tingles rose in her body. His ***came on her
nub and she gasped. He ***her hard, grazing her with his fangs. She let out
a squeal at the pleasure that crashed in her.
He brought his finger and inserted it inside her. As he ***her, he pumped
her core with his finger. Liquid heat that settled in her core was coiling,
coiling, coiling. Suddenly, he removed his finger from there and she cried
reluctantly. But he picked up her thigh and laced it on his shoulder and then
replaced his finger with his ***.
She grabbed his head as he ***her ***. It was not long that she screamed
his name when her muscles throbbed and she came all over his tongue. “I
want you,” she murmured. “I want you so bad.”
He looked up at her and she licked her lips. His lips were glistening with
her juices and were swollen.
“Goddess. I need you!” she rasped. She pulled him up and then sat down in
front of him as water rippled around them. “I am going to be very ***,” she
said, her eyes and voice full of lust.
“How ***?” he asked as he tangled his fingers in her hair.
Her eyes went to his hard **. She leaned forward and kissed the tip. “***!”
His ***twitched in anticipation. River locked her eyes with his and
wrapped her lips around his **. He grabbed her hair hard and thrust himself
inside her in one go. She opened up for him and when he hit the back of her
throat, he groaned. Sweat trickled down his chest. “I won’t last long,” he
said in a hoarse voice.
Her ***bobbed around his ***. She licked it and slightly grazed it with her
fangs. “Ah! River!” He was losing control fast. She caught his ***and
squeezed them. He began thrusting inside her faster. “I am coming, River!”
he grunted and before he could control himself just a little more to enjoy
her ***, she spilled his release in her throat with her name on his lips.
She licked her lips as she pulled away. “Did you like it?” she asked with a
smug smile.
He sat down in front of her. “I am defeated. Someone please give me a
bath.”
She giggled and then gave him a good bath.
They both slept for a few hours and got up only to have food. In the
evening, he said, “Would you like to come out and sit on the deck outside?
The weather is pleasant. Go and sit on the lounge chair. I will get us beer
and chips.”
“Yes,” she smiled. She pulled his shirt over her and walked out. She
stretched her arms above her head as she watched the sun setting. The sky
was a palate of orange and periwinkle. Sun rays reflected on the surface of
the water that rippled smoothly. Far in the distance, she saw a few fish
jumping and darting somewhere. She chuckled and followed the direction
they were going when suddenly her eyes caught a figure in a kayak. River
froze. There was a woman on the kayak in a pink swimsuit, staring right at
her.
River pierced her vision through the descending darkness.
“Love!” Hunter’s voice broke her attention. She whipped his head to look at
him. He was wearing khakis, holding two beer cans and several packets of
snacks. He placed them all on the table and looked up at her with a grin.
When he saw her expression, his smile wiped. “What?”
River pointed at the direction where she saw Rosalie.
Hunter looked there and asked, “What is there?” He looked puzzled.
River stared at that spot but no one was there. How was this possible? She
gasped as she placed her hands on her waist. “I swear I saw someone
there.”
He grabbed her by her waist and made her sit on him. “Could be, but who
cares?” He kissed her temple.
He opened a beer can and gave it to her. “Have fun!”
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Chapter 77
River stared in the direction where she saw Rosalie, but she thought it was a
figment of her imagination.
How would Rosalie come here after them? And even if she had come here,
it was none of her business.
She must have come along with her friends or parents. But River thought
that she was definitely imagining things.
She rested on Hunter’s chest, as she sat on his lap and sipped her beer. They
ate a lot of snacks and had more beer. Once they were too drunk to move,
they helped each other in the room where they curled around each other and
went off to sleep.
She woke up the next morning, feeling groggy. “Ugh!” she grabbed her
head in her hands and pulled her hair. “I shouldn’t have drunk so much!”
When she looked up, she saw Hunter. He was looking so fresh and was
ready. “You’ve taken a bath?” she asked, surprised.
He chuckled. “Of course.” He came and pressed a kiss on her cheek. “Get
ready.”
She closed her eyes and then shook her head. She plopped back on the bed
and said, “I am not going anywhere!”
He picked her up from the bed as she squealed and took her to the
bathroom. He stripped her and spanked her ***. “Go take a bath,” he
ordered. “I have to take a meeting and have some work. Then we will go for
breakfast.”
“Hunter…” she whined, but he placed a quick kiss on her lips and closed
the door of the bathroom.
With an exasperated sigh, she proceeded to finish her morning activities and
then take a bath. When she came out, she saw that he was on the patio
outside and deep in conversation with someone. She marveled how perfect
Hunter was. He was such a successful businessman and so rich that it was
impossible for her to fathom his wealth. He had helped the demons build
their own township and was going to help her pack members move near his
pack. Just how rich was he? him at the slightest opportunity. River was
feeling jealous. She wanted to peel him off here and take him elsewhere
where
at him, flirting with these fleas didn’t exist. “How about we go to the
mainland?” she suggested to him as they waited for breakfast.
Breakfast was very dramatic. As usual the girls who were serving dinner
were fluttering their
“No,” he said firmly. He knew why she was taking him to the mainland.
She was going to buy condoms.
“Why?” Her brows furrowed. Was he liking that the girls flirted with him?
Hunter didn’t answer her question. He simply picked up the menu and
browsed through it with nothing particular in his mind.
“You didn’t answer my question,” she said in a serious voice.
Hunter tensed. He let out a rough exhale and said, “Because I know why
you are forcing me to go to the mainland!” She narrowed her eyes. “And
why is that? Have you read my mind?”
“If you are forgetting, we can mind link.”
“We can mind link but we cannot read each other’s thoughts unless we
actually speak them out.” She crossed her arms over the table and leaned
forward. He pursed his lips as if he wouldn’t answer her, no matter what. So
she goaded him. “You have to tell me what you are thinking.”
He looked away towards the ocean. Sea gulls were hovering on the pier as
they squawked and cried. The salty scent of the ocean carried in the breeze.
He really didn’t know how to tell her.
“Well?” she coaxed him further. “I am waiting.”
Another girl came and served them breakfast-frittata with garlic bread with
melon juice. She blushed when Hunter said a polite thank you to her.
“Enjoy your meal,” she replied with a wide smile and glancing at River.
River didn’t pick up the spoon as she continued to glare at him.
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck as he averted her question. But because
of this tension, she wasn’t eating her food and that was something he hated.
As a Lycan, he needed to feed his mate. He had this urge to feed her so
much that she became fatter. When River started tapping her foot out of
anger, he raised his hands. “Okay! I don’t want to go because you said you
want condoms! And I don’t want to wear condoms with you. I love the feel
of your inside so much!” He said that aloud and there was a stunned silence
in the room.
River’s jaw dropped. For a moment she blinked her eyes at him and then
she burst out laughing. Her cheeks became tomato red as she laughed and
laughed. Hunter’s brows met as he wondered why she was laughing.
When River stopped laughing, she picked up the napkin in her lap to wipe
her tears. “Goddess, you are so cute!” she said. Just as she was about to say
something, another girl came with their tea. She bit her lip and gave Hunter
the most seductive smile she could garner. Though Hunter was least
interested in
her, River’s jealousy returned. She said, “I want to go to the mainland
because I want to buy the local craft here.”
“Oh!” Hunter’s ***formed an O. That was it? He grinned. “If that is the
only thing, then I will take you to the mainland. “Great!” River exclaimed.
“I have already booked a jetty for us.”
He raised his eyebrow. “You were quick in that. And now I have my
suspicions.”
She grinned. “I would love to hear about them.” She picked up a large slice
of frittata, slapped it over the garlic bread and shoved it inside her ***.
It took them an hour to reach the mainland and in the jetty River enjoyed
herself. She saw flying fish and squealed in excitement. The fish would fly
some twenty feet over the surface of water before diving down.
When they reached the mainland, River took Hunter to the local crafts
shops. She ended up buying a lot of souvenirs for everyone she could think
of. She was happy that she had taken Hunter away from the hotel’s
flirtatious women. Since they had hired the boat for the whole day, River
dumped her shopping bags in it and then strolled around the market. They
looked so young and in love that people would turn their heads at least once
to look at them again.
River was wearing a short ***skirt till her thighs, paired with a black crop
top and black goggles. Hunter was wearing khaki shorts with a ***polo and
black goggles. Both were in their flip-flops.
After lunch, Hunter said, “I have to show you something.”
River’s curiosity rose. “What do you want to show me?”
“It is a surprise, he said as he pulled her to a back alley that was empty.
Some wooden crates with apples and melons were lying scattered.
“Did you come here to show me apples?” she asked, chuckling.
“No,” he said and pinned her against the wall.
“Oh!” she raised her eyebrow. “Then what do you want to show me?”
He took her hand to his erection and said, “This. See how hard it is for
you.”
ww
“I love your surprise.” She rubbed it with her hand and it twitched. “***!”
he rasped. Immediately, he opened his zip and buttons of the khakis. He
turned her and pinned her chest to the wall. He tore her thongs and without
warning, thrust inside her. He grunted as soon as he was inside. “I can never
get enough of you, River,” he said as he pumped in her. She clung to the
wall as he took her from the back.
He removed her hair to the side and buried his face in her neck. He nibbled
her skin over there and grazed her with his fangs. She squealed in delight.
He thrust inside her, hurtling her body up and down. She was chasing her
orgasm now. The heat in her body was about to shatter when from the
corner of her eye, she saw a couple watching them. River watched them as
Hunter continued to thrust them, and she didn’t know why was it that she
liked them watching her being ***up by Hunter.
“Come for me,” Hunter growled. “Come for me, River!”
As if on his demand, her core muscles spasmed and she came all around
him. At the same time, he shot his release in her with a grunt. He slumped
on her back, kissing her neck and shoulders and back. “You will be the
death of me, River,” he murmured.
They were both panting when she turned to look at him. Her eyes were full
of lust and he loved it. “I don’t have panties, she complained. She glanced
at the couple who was watching thern. They had gone away.
“I know. And this is how you will stay for the rest of the day,” he said,
cupping her sex beneath the skirt.
He moistened hist fingers with her juices and brought them to his ***. Her
cheeks flamed.
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Chapter 78
They both strolled around the markets in the mainland of Maldives,
savoring the local dishes. At 5PM, Hunter said, “Let us go back. It is
getting late.”
River was also very tired. “Yes,” she said as she leaned her weight over his
arms while they were walking back to the pier. The promenade that they
were walking on had several shops lined up on the right.
They included alfresco dining and souvenir shops. Smell of coffee and beer
wafted in the air. Though River thought of sitting and having coffee before
leaving, she resisted the urge.
“Do you want to grab a coffee?” Hunter asked, as if he read her thoughts.
“I would love to!”
He grinned and led her to the last shop. They sat under a jacaranda tree and
ordered two mochas for themselves. Hunter picked up her feet and placed
them on his lap. He removed her flip-flops and massaged her sole.
“Ummm,” she groaned as he massaged her feet. “Thank you, hubby,” she
said in a ****voice that made his chest swell with pride. She called him
hubby in front of all. His lips curled up and he pressed her feet at the right
points.
The server brought the coffee for them. She saw Hunter and a blush formed
on her cheeks. “Would you like to eat. something with it?” she asked him,
ignoring River completely.
“No, he doesn’t want to eat,” River growled at her.
The server jerked her head back and turned to look at River. “Excuse me?”
she said, feeling offended.
“I said that my husband doesn’t want to eat anything. He just wants coffee,”
River repeated, narrowing her eyes.
The server huffed and walked away from there. Hunter burst out laughing.
“Why are you so jealous, love?” He was pretty proud that she was jealous,
but he wanted to tease her.
“I am not jealous!” she pouted.
He leaned forward and kissed her pout. “It’s fine. Have your coffee. We
have to go back.”
River picked up the coffee and started to sip. She watched the sun setting
over the sea and it was a beautiful sight. The soft sky above caressed the
sand and the stone with its reflected light. Waves rippled in a steady
rhythm. The birds above were circling and getting ready to go back to their
nests. A breeze brought a long-awaited relief to her skin. Twilight began its
descent and figures started turning dark against the backdrop of setting sun.
Just as she watched it over the rim of her cup, a figure came into view. A
girl wearing a pink swimsuit.
River stilled. Her eyes became wide as saucers. She stared through the
crowd to look at the girl. Was that Rosalie? River placed her cup on the
table and rushed towards the girl she saw.
“River!” Hunter called her. He followed her. “River!”
But River meandered her way through the crowd and reached the spot
where Rosalie was standing. She placed her hand on her waist as she
whipped her head around.
“What’s wrong, River?” Hunter asked, bewildered at her sudden action.
“I saw-” River swallowed down. Should she tell him? “I think I saw
Rosalie!”
Hunter shook his head. He stood akimbo and said, “You are imagining
things, River. Why would Rosalie come here? That is ****! If you want
confirmation, let me call her home and get the information?”
“Yes, do that!” River said in an angry voice. She wanted this confirmation
badly.
Hunter took his phone out and called Rosalie’s mother. He put the phone on
speaker. “Mrs. Jenna?”
“Good morning, Alpha Hunter!” a soft voice sounded on the phone.
“Where is Rosalie?” he asked without greeting her back.
“She is sleeping in her room, Alpha.”
Hunter looked at River with a raised eyebrow as if asking her if she needed
more confirmation.
She leaned towards his ear and whispered, “Ask her to send a photo.”
“No!” Hunter scolded her in a whisper.
“Is there anything else, Alpha Hunter?” Mrs. Jenna asked.
“No, thanks,” he said and disconnected the call. “River, what is wrong with
you? You look like Rosalie!”
“But I saw her here!” River insisted.
“She can’t be here. Trust me!”
you are obsessed with
River pursed her lips, looked around and then walked towards the pier
where their yacht was waiting.
Hunter came after her. He picked her up from behind. She squealed, “Put
me down!”
“No. My wife is upset and I can’t let her walk. I will carry her to the boat.”
She giggled and swatted her forearm as he carried her all the way back to
the boat.
After three more days of fun, they finally came back. Rosalie was not seen
during that time and so River was sure that it was her imagination. Instead
of going to the Crescent Pack, she went to the Dark Moon pack directly.
Hunter had too many things that were pending and he wanted to be with
her.
Jetlag was the main reason why she slept and woke up at odd hours. It took
them about two days to come out of the jetlag. Hunter was able to adapt
faster than her. On the third day he was already training his warriors in the
morning while she was still sleeping.
Faria woke her up. “Lady River!” she called her as she opened the curtains
to let the light in. “It is midafternoon. You have to get ready. There are so
many things to be done. The pack members are asking for a formal party in
the honor of their new Luna!”
River mumbled something incomprehensible and pulled the pillow on her
head. She really wanted to keep sleeping. Her husband didn’t let her sleep
at all in the night. His sexual hunger was insatiable.
“Lady River, please wake up!” Faria goaded.
If that wasn’t all, Mia came rushing in the room and jumped on River’s
sleeping form. “Rivvveeerrrr!”
she squealed and hugged her sister-in-law over the blanket. “I am sooooo
happy!”
Mia’s enthusiasm was something River loved. She pulled her blanket down
and let out a soft laugh.
“Mia, how are you?” “I am well!” Mia said with a grin. “But how are you?
Goddess, I missed you so much! Do you know that you have become the
hottest topic of the Dark Moon Pack? You have opened the doors for the
Lycans to mingle with the werewolves. Something which no one could do
in hundreds of years!”
River smiled as she rose up. “Is that so? Then I deserve a treat, don’t I?”
Mia hugged her again. “I am so glad that you are my sister-in-law and not
that pink fish walking on the stick.”
“Mia!” River chided her playfully.
“Oh really!” Mia said with her hand on her chest. “Rosalie was only after
my brother’s money. Ever since she had come to this castle, she thought no
one could replace her. In reality, no one liked her. I
***people who go ahead of themselves!” Mia’s cheeks puffed in anger.
River patted her cheeks playfully. “No more talking about Rosalie. Now let
me take a bath. I will join you in the dining
room.”
“Yes, you have to join her for lunch, Faria’s irritated voice came from the
back.
River chuckled. She knew that Faria was angry because she had been trying
to wake her up from a long time, but she woke up when Mia came.
“Do you know the number of appointments you have for today?” Faria
added. “There’s a high tea in the mid evening with the wives of the
councilors. There’s a dinner party in the evening with the councilors where
Alpha Hunter will be introducing you and before all this you have to
address, she Lycans on domestic management.”
River blinked her eyes as if she was hearing foreign language. “That is a
lot. When will I meet Hunter?”
Mia giggled from behind as Faria sighed. “He will be there with you in the
dinner party and after that.”
River had thought that she would be free in the Dark Moon Pack because
she didn’t have to think much about her pack because Lena was already
there taking care of it. Lena would send her the reports morning and
evening to keep her updated. But this was more than River had anticipated.
This was like full time work as a Luna.
“Now hurry up and take a bath,” Faria scolded her as if she was a child. “I
have to dress you up.”
“I can get dressed, Faria,” River replied.
“No way!” Faria protested. “I can’t leave you on your own. I have already
prepared the three different dresses for different occasions.” Then she
looked at Mia. “Mia, can you help with the jewelry selection? I just don’t
understand that part.”
“Oh sure!” Mia jumped from the bed and followed Faria to the dresser
while River looked at the two who were her closest in the castle.
Three dresses? When will she find time to change? She let out a rough
exhale and went to take a bath.
Her life was about to change drastically.
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Chapter 79
River got dressed for her first party in half an hour after a lot of fuss by
Faria and Mia. Mia was also
supposed to go for the high tea but she had a test coming up the next day
and so she chose not to.
The venue for the party was the Emerald Hall which was next to the main
hall in the front of the castle.
Faria escorted River to the hall and as soon as River walked in, she saw that
there were more than thirty she-Lycans out there. These were the women
who used to sneer at her and sometimes call her
‘breeder’, but the moment they saw her, they all bowed to her. Amongst
them was Rosalie and that surprised River. She didn’t say anything and
went to sit on the couch where Faria guided her.
When she sat down, there was an awkward silence for a few minutes and
River fumbled with hands as her gaze flitted everywhere. She was wearing
a coral silk gown with a two-string pearl necklace and earrings.
The eldest of the women rose and greeted her. “Luna River, I am Joanna.
It’s a pleasure to have you amongst us. Because of you, the laws have
changed and we are already seeing a lot of changes in the pack. There has
been a lot of employment amongst the Lycans, not that they needed.” She
chuckled and so did some more women. “Though you are very young and
don’t have experience in how to run a pack, please don’t worry because we
all are there to help you.”
Joanna sat down and before River could speak, Rosalie got up. She said,
“Luna River, you already know who I am so I won’t waste time in
introductions. But as Joanna said, we are all here to support you. You were
brought as a breeder for the pack’s Alpha. Who knew that you would end
up as his wife?” Rosalie’s expressions were that of ****but she was
loathing River every minute. In a soft voice she added, “We all know that
you are very inexperienced and haven’t been schooled as Luna, but I am
sure that with our support you will learn soon.” Then she looked at Joanna
and said, “Please don’t say anything to Luna River about being
inexperienced. I will not hear it. She is the Luna of the pack who will be
leading all of us.”
“But you were the one who was supposed to take over, Rosalie. You have
also been schooled like that.
You would have become the perfect Luna of the Dark Moon pack, Joanna
said as a jab to River,
“Joanna,” Rosalie said in a very sad voice. “Alpha Hunter has made the
right choice. If anyone had to be
his Luna, that was River. She has all the characteristics to become one.
Don’t say anything to her. I am not the one who should have been your
Luna.” Suddenly she started crying. “I-I think I didn’t meet Alpha Hunter’s
requirements.”
Rosalie’s mother, Lisa, came running to her and hugged her. She stroked her
hair and said, “There, there. You would also have been a perfect Luna, but
you don’t get everything in the world.” She shot an accusatory glare at
River. “Some people just like to snatch others’ luck for their own benefits.”
“Please mother, Rosalie cried. “Don’t say that. Luna River is Alpha
Hunter’s wife and not me. If anyone deserved that position, it was River. I
just-I thought I was good enough.”
Lisa patted Rosalie’s shoulders. When she stopped crying. Rosalie said,
“Luna River, please don’t mind these women. They are just so used to me
that they are a little flustered seeing you in my place. In a few days, things
will become absolutely fine. I am going to help you in every way possible.”
As River watched them going back to where they were sitting, she noticed
that every woman was feeling sympathetic towards Rosalie. It was as if
River had snatched the position from her using her own devious schemes.
Initially when she had met Rosalie, she assessed Rosalie as very ****and
***and haughty. But now she added another adjective for her – conniving.
River took a deep breath in. She had to take charge of the situation and not
let Rosalie play the victim card. Her gaze traveled to each and every sheLycan in the party and she measured their expressions, their behavior and
their loyalty towards the pack.
“Thank you all so much for joining me today for tea,” River said with a
smile. “I know that you were not expecting me to be your Luna, but that’s
what the Moon Goddess wanted. I don’t think Hunter and I had time to
mention it to all of you, but Alpha Hunter and I are mates.”
There were audible gasps. Some looked at each other and then at River as if
to absorb the shock that rippled in the air. River’s lips curled up in a big
smile. “Yes, we are mates. And so it is natural that Alpha Hunter chose me
as his Luna.” What she meant to say was that even though Rosalie was
groomed to be the Luna of the pack, nothing was above being a mate. She
turned her gaze at Rosalie who was looking like she had eaten vinegar. She
said, “Thank you for offering your help, Rosalie. I will surely be needing it
at all times.” By saying that she reiterated the fact that Rosalie would be
nothing more than a help.
Obviously, she was never going to take Rosalie’s help.
Rosalie was so shocked when she heard that River was Hunter’s mate that
she was dumbfounded.
Mates were so rare in their world that many Lycans lived their life without
mates and they lived happily, having as many partners as they liked.
Moreover, it was also known that when the mates marked each other, the
marks that were formed were special. Her gaze snapped to River’s pulse
point to find the mark.
River knew what Rosalie was looking for. That was actually what she also
wanted to show to all the women so that they
understood what she was in Hunter’s life. She rolled her shoulders back,
elongating her neck. The neckline of her gown shifted a little towards her
shoulder and two very beautiful crescent shaped marks were revealed that
were slightly on the outside and red on the inside.
“Oh goddess!” One of the women rasped. “Those are your marks! She got
up and then knelt on the floor in front of her Luna. You both are true
mates!” There were tears in her eyes as she clasped her hands together.
There was nothing more revered in the world than mates. It was above
every form of marriage. Slowly every she-Lycan came and knelt in front of
River, baring their necks in submission.
River gave a side glance to Rosalie and Lisa who were looking like they
were sitting on thorns. She rose to her feet and walked to the women.
“Please get up.” She gave her hand to every one of them. The women
kissed her hand as if acknowledging her. Then she looked at Lisa and
Rosalie and said, “I think you two are still having doubts.” She wanted
them to submit to her. They snapped out of their stupor
and then immediately came to kneel in front of her. River gave her hand to
them like a queen and they were forced to kiss her hand.
When River looked up, she saw Hunter standing at the door with a smile on
his lips.
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Hunter winked at her and then left the room even before all other women
could see him. River knew that he had come there only to encourage her
and was sure he noticed what all went through. River was sure of one thing
– she wasn’t going to become a doormat. If these women thought of
sweeping her under a rug and walking over, then they were in for a big
surprise.
All the ladies got up and went to sit on their chairs after River went back to
sit on the couch. She knew that she had made her first move of showing her
mark to the she-Lycans in the meeting over tea. These women were
influential in the Dark Moon pack because of their husbands and River had
no intention of showing her displeasure towards them. At least not now. She
was going to handle them one by one later, if need arose.
One of the women asked, “We heard that you are also the Alpha of the
Crescent Moon pack.”
River smiled at her and nodded. “Yes, I am the Alpha of that pack but
currently my Beta, Lena, is looking after it in my absence.” She glanced at
Rosalie to see her reaction. She looked stunned. River continued,
“So you see, my duties not only stop at being a Luna, I have to be in
constant touch with my pack to know about their activities on a daily basis
as their Alpha.”
“You are truly very efficient, Luna River,” the lady remarked. “It would be
an honor to run with you in the forests.” “Of course,” River replied. “I will
certainly love that too.”
River had to handle the second situation in which Rosalie made it quite
clear to her that she was not groomed as a Luna while Rosalie was. One by
one she roamed her gaze over all the women. She nodded at Faria who was
waiting on her, standing behind her couch like a mother protecting her baby
from the vultures.
Faria made way out where she ordered the servants to bring in the snacks
for the party. Soon there were a dozen servants serving all the women with
red velvet pastries, melon ***, Russian salad, grilled
veg salad, fish in lemon butter sauce and various wines and beverages. All
the servants were very politely serving them with a smile on their lips. They
looked so…. relaxed.
As the servants served snacks to the guests, Rosalie recalled that when she
threw the parties, the servants were always extremely under pressure. They
were constantly making mistakes. She was sure that again they would make
mistakes. She said, “In the last party I threw for Alpha Hunter, there were
so many things that I had to take care of. Right from the dinner menu to the
decorations, things were overseen. Trust me, I didn’t have a minute to look
up. Everything was so perfect!”
River quipped. “Oh yes, I remember that party. You sent me the wrong
invitation in which the venue was printed wrong.” She looked at other
women. “Did you all also get the wrong venue?*
When they shook their heads, River glanced at Rosalie who was noticeably
flushed. Her eyes darted around as she licked her lips. River couldn’t help
feeling disgusted about it. She said, “Really? Because the invitation that I
got said that the Emerald Hall was on the outskirts of the castle!” River
laughed softly. “But I found the way to Emerald Hall easily.” Rosalie was
highly embarrassed. All the other women looked at her with shock and
surprise in their eyes. Some were even enraged. Lisa was particularly
looking disturbed. It was her who had got that special card printed for River
that would have led her outside the castle where she would have met
demons.
The women remarked:
“Rosalie, have you forgotten where the Hall was?”
“Did you not want Luna River to come?”
“Oh maybe, because she was a breeder that time.”
“But too low for her standards. Rosalie should have acted wisely.”
“I agree. So ***.”
Rosalie was feeling highly embarrassed now. Her mother shot her a look as
to why she came up with that topic. In her defense, she said, “At that time,
things were different. A breeder wasn’t allowed in the parties of the
Lycans!” There was a collective gasp when the word ‘breeder’ got out. Lisa
winced seeing her daughter’s verbal diarrhea. River chuckled as if it was
nothing. She brushed an invisible piece of lint on her dress and said, “I am
so glad that I am Alpha Hunter’s breeder.” That statement of hers was
enough to bring out giggles from other women. What River meant was that
she was also going to produce babies for her husband which Rosalie
couldn’t have. “I hope I give pups to him that are as strong as he is.” And
that statement was like the nail in the coffin.
Rosalie retreated completely. She lowered her head and looked at the wine
that was lying untouched in her hands. She lost all her appetite. She had
come here to embarrass River, but she ended up getting humiliated. As if
that wasn’t all, River asked Faria, “Isn’t this meeting for the wives of the
councilors?”
“It is, m’lady,” Faria replied.
River looked at Rosalie and said, “In that case I will have to ask you to
leave the room as I would like to discuss things only with the wives of the
councilors and their daughters.”
Rosalie clenched her teeth hard for being dismissed like this. This was so
humiliating that she got up and left the room after bowing to her. The
servants closed the door behind her.
River’s lips curled up. She knew that River was a viper and she was going
to strike her with her poison.
River had to be careful. She had to keep a very close watch on Rosalie. As
soon as the doors closed, she started addressing the women. out there and
soon she became familiar wit Chapter 81
River was exhausted by the end of the day in the next meeting Hunter
introduced her to every
important person in the gathering. The dinner went very well.
And in the dinner Lisa turned up but without Rosalie. She said to the others
that Luna River insulted her daughter to the extent that Rosalie was now a
puddle of ***. She wanted to stay at home and forget what happened to her
Many of the close friends who were with Lisa Jenna, now distanced. No
one wanted to be in the bad book of Luna. As Hunter helped unzip River’s
dress at night, she said, “I am so tired, Hunter. I think I don’t even have
energy to breathe ” The gown pooled on her feet. She stepped out of it and
placed her heel on his chest. He unstrapped her leather at the ankle. She put
on her other heel and he unstrapped that too.
River tossed aside her stilettos and walked in her bra and panties to the bed
without bothering to remove her makeup or undo her hairdo Hunter
chuckled. He too stripped his pants and shirt and slipped beside her in his
boxers. He turned her away from him, pulled her back against his chest and
spooned her River let out a satisfied exhale, surrounded in the protection of
his arms and then went off to sleep.
Somewhere during the night, she thought that something was pushing her
forward and when she would
***forward, something strong stopped her. She woke up with liquid heat
pooled in her belly and with Hunter’s ****inside her from the back. He was
moving behind her like a piston with his head buried in her neck. “Hunter!”
she rasped his name and with a snarl he came inside her. “Goddess, you are
so priapic!”
He moved lazily inside her and smiled against her skin. “Priapic only for
you.”
A week passed and Hunter acquainted her with the way his pack worked.
River was surprised to see that he was into numerous businesses and he
conducted every business pretty efficiently. He wanted her to take over the
project of building a township for her pack members.
River wanted to but she asked hesitantly, “What is the budget like?*
They were sitting in his office along with Elijah and Asher. His architect
Landon Bird who was overlooking the township project was also sitting
with him.
Hunter raised his eyebrow as a smile spread on his lips. “It is as much as
you want, love. I don’t want you to stress over budget.”
“But you are also into the township project for the demons. I don’t want to
burden you so much. It’s not like that you earn for charity Hunter,” she said,
feeling like he was terribly burdened.
Hunter tilted his head as he crossed his arms. “Come here,” he said.
Her brows furrowed. He wanted her to come to him in front of so many
people. She glanced at all of them and she could feel that they were stifling
their laughter. Her cheeks heated but she got up and walked to him. She
gasped when he grabbed her by the waist and made her sit on him. He
swiveled the chair and they **the screen of the computer. His hands flew
over the keyboard smoothly and a page flashed in front of them. The title
was Crescent Moon Project.
He explained to her every detail and when she looked at the budget
allocated, her eyes grew wide.
“Goddess! Hunter, that is too much!” she breathed, looking at the whopping
five billion dollars budget.
“Just how rich are you?” The men in the office burst out laughing and River
couldn’t help but blush a little more.
“That’s why, love. Feel free to splurge. I want you to give fantastic
amenities to your pack members.
After all they are my family too.”
River was so overwhelmed by this gesture that she turned her head and
kissed him. There were tears of gratitude in her eyes.
For the next week, River became too busy with the project’s blueprints and
other details. She was too excited that her pack members were going to
come near her. She decided on cutting on some useless amenities like
having two community swimming pools or two clubhouses and a football
stadium. Instead she focused on getting more labor to finish off the work
faster.
That evening she served him wine and took a glass for herself as she sat
with him on the couch to watch a movie on Netflix. River sipped her wine
when suddenly, she felt like this was the most ***taste that burst in her ***.
She rushed to the bathroom and spit the wine out and before she knew she
vomited every piece of dinner that she had in the
toilet.
Hunter rushed to her. When he saw that she was vomiting, he gathered her
hair at the back and stroked her back until she was over with it. She retched
a little more and then the last liquid came out of her body. He became so
anxious that blood drained from his face. He linked ***with Faria and Mia
and called them over.
“River, talk to me,” he said when she slumped to the ground. He knelt
beside her and cupped her face, aghast. He felt like he would *** if she
didn’t talk. His stomach twisted into so many knots that he also felt like
vomiting.
She lifted her eyes to look at him and her lips curved up in a weak smile. “I
am fine, she said in a hoarse voice
“You look like a ghost,” he said, sounding like a ghost.
Faria came rushing in with a glass of water in her nightgown while Mia
came dressed in pajamas and a silk shirt. Faria gave water to River. River
gulped down the water and took a deep breath in. “I think this was all stress.
Hunter picked her up in his arms and brought her to the bedroom. Faria and
Mia followed her, Mia sat down beside her as Hunter pulled the quilt over
her and propped up pillows behind her.
“River, how are you feeling?” Mia asked. “Should we call the doctor?”
“No…” she shook her head. “You don’t have to do anything. I think I have
overworked.”
“Then you are taking a week’s rest!” Hunter announced, annoyed at her.
“You will stay in this bedroom and that’s it!” River closed her eyes as she
smiled tenderly at him. He was too caring. “Okay, I won’t but I know that I
will be okay by morning.”
After Faria and Mia talked to her a little more about having some juice or
milk or yogurt which she refused, they left on an assurance that they would
be called the minute she felt **. Hunter just kicked his shoes off and went
to lie beside her. He curled his arm around him and rested his head over her
chest. “Don’t scare me like that, love. Ever again.” She raked her fingers
through his hair and her kiss was her answer.
However, when he woke up in the morning, he found River next to the
toilet, vomiting. He panicked.
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All his years of training as a warrior, all his life being the most powerful
Alpha and being a very successful businessman, flooded in a wave of panic
when he saw that River was vomiting. Again. And it
was just morning.
He rushed to her, gathered her hair back and began to stroke her back. For
the love of Goddess, what was happening to his mate? Did someone try to
poison her? He was going to keep a food tester before the food was given to
her. Nothing made sense. Were the she-Lycans of his pack so jealous? His
rage warred with his panic when he promised himself to investigate if
anyone was trying to murder his wife.
“River!” he rasped. “River!”
She retched a little more and then stood with her back leaning against the
wall. She looked so pale that Hunter dreaded. He felt his heart drumming in
his ears. “What is wrong, baby?” he cried.
She shook her head. “I don’t know…” He hooked his arm on her shoulder
and helped her go to the washbasin to brush her teeth.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her back to the bed.
“I think I have caught a stomach infection,” she said, settling on the
pillows.
He stroked her hair back from her face as he held her small hand in his. “In
that case, I must call the doctor.”
“Or maybe, I will take a rest for the day and eat light food?” she suggested.
Hunter’s brows met as he contemplated that suggestion. “But I won’t be
satisfied. I won’t be able to go to work with you in this condition.”
She gave him a weak smile. “I will be fine, love. You go.”
There was a heavy pounding on the door and Faria came inside. “What
happened to the Luna?” she said, her eyes flying wide. She had come in
with lemonade and biscuits.
River chuckled. “You all worry too much.”
Faria set the tray in front of her and said, “You must have that lemonade
with biscuits. It is light for River felt better after having it and realized that
Hunter and Faria were watching her intensely. Mia too had come in by then
your stomach.”
and was now watching over her.
“I am better now,” River said with a smile. “So don’t worry, okay?”
“I will not go to school today,” Mia declared.
“I am not going to work!” Hunter declared.
“And I am going to stay with you,” Faria declared. “For the whole day.”
“This is ***!” River snapped. “I am absolutely fine.” She glared at Mia.
“You are not going to be absent from school.” Then she glared at Hunter.
“And you mister-” she pointed at him. “You are going to your office! I have
Faria with me.” “But River-”
“Shush!” She shushed them all.
Hunter and Mia looked at each other after being chided by her and resigned.
“If there is any problem, I will come back from school!” Mia warned.
“And if I hear that you have gotten up from that bed, then I am also coming
back,” Hunter growled.
River let out an exasperated sigh. “Okay… I will take care.”
By the afternoon, River had vomited the lemonade and biscuits also. Faria
brought her a boiled egg but that too was tossed out of her stomach. She
brought her cheese sandwich, but the smell of cheese repulsed River to the
extent that she felt like gagging. Faria was out of her wits. She didn’t know
what to give to her. Because River had asked her not to talk about it to
Hunter, she was getting all the more nervous. River looked so pale and
weak that dread skittered down her spine. I must call the doctor,”
Faria said.
“Why don’t we wait till the evening.” River replied. “I need a hot water
bath. I will feel fresh after that.”
Faria looked at her with a crease in her forehead. “Okay, let me prepare you
a nice herbal bath.” Faria went to run hot water in the bathtub and ordered
the servants to get rosemary, lavender and mint herbs to add to the bath. She
added a nice bath
gel that bubbled up instantly. Once her bath was prepared, she helped River
to come to the bathroom.
As soon as River was immersed in the hot water, she moaned. “This is so
good, Faria,” she said and closed her eyes, resting at the edge of the tub.
The smell of herbs calmed her down.
“I am glad you like it, milady, Faria replied, still watching her. “Would you
like to eat something?”
“Yes, I can have melon and cucumber juice after the bath,” she said in a
low, relaxing voice. River was sure that it was her
stress over so many days that affected her body. She heard Faria closing the
door behind her. River splashed some water over her face and then closed
her eyes again to rest behind. Her mind went to her honeymoon. It was such
a wonderful break. One thought led to the other and she recalled how she
imagined that Rosalie was also there. She chuckled over her imagination.
After a nice long bath, River dried herself dry. Feeling a thousand times
better, she wore a ****bathrobe and walked in the bedroom. Faria gave her
the juice she requested. River grabbed it in her hand and took a selfie with it
with a smile. She
sent it to Hunter and the next moment he gave her a video call.
“River!” he said, his lips tugging up in a smile. “How are you, baby?”
She sipped her juice and smiled back. “I am feeling better.” Then she sipped
more. She realized that she was so hungry that she sipped half the glass in
one go.
Though to Hunter she was still pale, but she looked better. “I am so happy
to know that.”
She wiped her ***and said, “You guys were overly worried. This was just
stress that-” she retched.
“River?” Hunter’s brows furrowed.
She retched again and the next moment she dropped her phone down and
rushed to the toilet with Faria following her. “Riverrr!” Hunter shouted
from the phone.
River was shocked. She had vomited the juice the moment it hit her
stomach. What was wrong? Was she going to ***? Her breath labored, she
washed herself and came out with Faria’s help. Just then the door of the
room opened with a bang and Hunter entered, looking panicky as ***with
the doctor behind him.
“River, you look so sick,” he said, kneeling in front of her, holding her
hands in his, looking like he was about to faint.
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River was feeling too weak. Her eyes rounded at the corner when she said,
“I don’t know, Hunter. I think I got a bad stomach flu or is it possible that I
am dying.”
She had gone through so much abuse in her life that her tolerance to pain
was higher than the rest. But after she had married Hunter, she wanted to
live and enjoy her life. She wanted to enjoy every minute of her life with
him. And this little incident had shaken her up from inside.
“You are not dying!” Hunter cried. He too looked like a puppy in front of
her, as if she was his owner.
Faria gritted her teeth at both of them. In a chiding tone she said, “No one is
dying! I am sure medical science has advanced more than enough to let
people ***from vomiting!”
1
“If it is okay with you Alpha, may I check Luna?” the doctor said softly
from behind with a smile.
“Oh, yes!” Hunter said. “This is Dr. Gerald and he is a renowned doctor of
the Dark Moon Pack. He is here to check you.”
Dr. Gerald came forward as Hunter moved aside for him. He sat down
beside her and checked her pulse.
Then he took her temperature and rechecked her pulse. He took a deep
breath in. He opened his medical bag and gave her two sets of sticks. “Use
these sticks after two weeks. As soon as you have used them according to
the instructions written on them, please call me, okay.”
River took the sticks with a puzzled expression. She was expecting him to
give medicines, but why did he give her two sticks? When she read what
was written on the sticks, her eyes widened. She whipped her head to look
at the doctor who was simply… grinning.
He wrote a prescription for her and handed it to her. It was calcium and iron
tablets. “You must eat light and make sure not to overeat if you are feeling
puking. Go out for a stroll whenever you like and don’t think that you are
alone. I will come and see you any time you call me, okay?”
She nodded, confusion still all over her face.
Had she been a Lycan just like him and the rest of the Dark Moon pack, the
doctor wouldn’t have bothered, but she was a werewolf. That was a little
bothersome. She wasn’t as powerful as a Lycan, Two weeks later.
Hunter was standing outside the bathroom. River had taken the sticks for
the test. In the past two weeks she had developed a liking for some food
while she hated the smell of the rest. She especially hated eggs.
“How long. River?” Hunter said as he thumped his head on the door in
frustration. There was no reply
from inside. His anxiety was rising rapidly. If she didn’t answer, he was
going to break the door. He waited for a few minutes and called her back.
“Baby?” Still no answer. “River!” This time his voice was at the edge of
panic. He wanted to get inside and check it himself. He was going to break
the door.
Suddenly, he heard a whimper. “Rivveerrrr!” he shouted and was about to
pull the door out from its hinges when she opened it.
He tumbled inside. She stepped aside and he fell on the floor. “River!” he
got up immediately. She walked out of the bathroom and he followed her.
“What is it? Tell me, River. I am growing old here.”
She strode to her bed and sat down. She handed him the two sticks and said,
“There are two red lines there.” He scratched the back of his head, not
knowing what it meant. “Great!” he said, cursing himself for not browsing
the Internet or asking the doctor what two lines meant. “So what does it
mean?” he asked, his brows furrowed.
“It means…” she gazed into his eyes. She could see his eyes going wide in
anticipation. “It means that I am pregnant.” His brain went blank as he
processed her words. And when the words sank in him, he sagged on his
knees on the floor right where he was standing. “I am going to be a father?”
he said, as tears stung his eyes. “River, you are pregnant?” He crawled on
his knees to her and placed his hands beside her. “Are you not happy with
it?” He looked at her with puppy eyes.
River couldn’t help herself anymore. She was resisting herself but now
seeing his expressions, she burst out laughing. She cupped his cheeks and
said, “I am so happy that I am having your pups!”
“Oh River!” He grabbed her hands and leaned into them to kiss it. “You
have made me the luckiest man on this earth. I love you so much!” He
curled his arms around her waist and kissed her tummy. “Oh, River, River,
River!” Hunter was on top of the world. He was going to have pups. He was
going to become a father. He didn’t know how that happened but he
thanked the Moon Goddess zillion times.
Suddenly, he backed her up on the bed and was over her, peppering kisses
on her face, her neck, her shoulders and her lips. “We are going to be
parents!” he chuckled with so much love in his eyes that River melted once
again for her Alpha.
She nodded. “Yes, my Alpha, we are going to be parents.”
The very same day, Hunter announced to the entire pack that he was going
to be a father. He was so proud of himself that he had a cocky smile
plastered on his face. By the end of the day he had rubbed it in so many
times on others that people
were getting… bored.
“You see, I will be becoming a father soon. I won’t have time for training
the warriors, aggressively.”
“Why Alpha Hunter?” his Beta said with a poker face. “I am sure it is Luna
River who would be feeding her pups.”
Hunter shot him a glare. “And who would be changing the nappies? You?”
Elijah became quiet, gritting his teeth. Initially, they were all thrilled, but
now-Hunter supported his chin on his hand that was resting on the table. He
was looking at the images on the Internet as to what would be the size of his
pups. “I think they are pea sized at the moment. But they are my pups. They
must be bigger than peas.”
“Are you sure that there is more than one?” Asher asked, amused. It was the
first time the Dark Moon pack would have a real Alpha’s heir.
“There must be,” Hunter replied firmly.
“Great!” Asher exclaimed. “Umm… if you have time, can I report to you
about what we saw on the northern border?” “Yes.”
“There’s been a case. A young she-Lycan, Natalie, who was going to school
with Mia, has been missing since two days. Her father has searched for her
everywhere, but he hasn’t found her and now he wants our help. He
suspects that she is murdered.”
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“Murdered?” Hunter suddenly jumped up from his place. No Lycans were
murdered under his regime so easily. The last that was murdered was ten
years back and that too because he was too abusive to his wife. It was his
wife who had killed him. That she-Lycan was still spending her time in
dungeons.
Asher shook his head and exhaled roughly. “It is strange. Natalie was a funloving girl and always upbeat.
They are saying that she was murdered by her boy-friend.”
Hunter drew his brows together. “Did you conduct any investigation about
her whereabouts?”
Asher stretched his neck and then cracked his neck. “I have checked it
everywhere, at least all around the territory of the Dark Moon pack, but she
isn’t found anywhere.”
“How is this possible, Asher?” Elijah said in a suspicious tone. “You
haven’t sniffed her out? There must be some trail that must lead us to her.”
“I have followed that trail and it ends up in the woods a few miles before
the township we are building for the demons,” Asher replied. “But-” he got
up and walked to the whiteboard behind him. He picked up the marker and
traced the path of the trail that he had discovered. “The trail also leads to
the township that you are constructing for the Crescent Moon pack.”
“What the ***!” Hunter got up, thumping his fists on the table.
Asher shrugged. “That is what is befuddling. I had also gone with my
warriors to trace her scent, but we realized that we were walking in circles.”
Hunter gnashed his teeth. He looked at Elijah, who too was clueless. “Call
two teams of the warriors. We are going to go in separate trails,” he said. He
was irritated that he had just announced the pregnancy of his wife to his
pack and this had to happen. “Elijah, you lead the other team, while Asher
will come with me. Also ask Natalie’s father to come along.”
“I will,” Asher replied as he started winding up. As he was about to leave,
he suddenly said, “I wanted to question all the classmates of Natalie to
understand her. I am sure that we can get a lead by asking questions from
her classmates. Often the peer group knows more than the parents know
about their kids. But-”
Hunter narrowed his eyes, waiting for him to complete his sentence.
Asher cleared his throat. “We might have to i
nterrogate Mia as well.”
“Asher!” Hunter growled and Asher winced.
He picked up his hands and said, “It’s up to you Alpha. We don’t have to
question Mia at all, but would it seem fair. All I can say is that Mia should
be given a clean chit before all others.”
“He is right, Hunter,” Elijah advised. “Let them question Mia.”
Hunter took a ragged breath. “Okay, but you can question her after a few
days and when you ask her questions, make sure that I am there or River is
there. She is too young and innocent.” Suddenly Hunter felt too protective
about his sister, Shet was his responsibility after his parents’ death.
“I can do that!” Asher replied hastily and then left. He opened the door
again and said, “There’s one more thing I forgot to add.”
“And that is?”
“Natalie was Rosalie’s cousin.”
For the whole day, Hunter, Elijah and Asher were searching the borders and
then also went deep in the jungles. They shifted into their Lycans in order to
search for the body amongst the thousand smells of wet earth and pine and
herbs and animals, but they couldn’t find her.
Natalie’s father, Howard, had lost all hope of finding his daughter. She was
his love-child with his human mate who was still living in the human world.
Even though he could have brought his mate to his world, she abandoned
him and their pup because she hated his beast. Howard had been singlehandedly looking after Natalie. Natalie was a rare case of being a half
human and she wasn’t as powerful as the pure Lycans. And that alone
bothered Howard as ***.
The next day, Asher started questioning Natalie’s classmates. While Hunter
didn’t come, Elijah was present. After they had questioned everyone, they
approached Natalie’s core group of five friends- Jack, Miami, Nick, Trish
and Mia.
Natalie was an adorable girl and even though everyone knew that she was a
half human, they all loved her. However, lately. she was showing bizarre
behavior.
“I don’t know but she seemed like she was in a different world,” said Jack,
pondering about Asher’s question.
“That’s right,” Miami added. “She said that she had information about
someone that if it ever leaked out, that person would be destroyed.”
“What information?” Asher asked.
“I don’t know. Natalie was always very secretive. But she had so much
energy and was so beautiful that everyone was attracted to her,” said
Miami.
Mia was standing behind the group and watching them all quietly. Asher
glanced at her and stopped himself from asking questions to her.
“Did she have a boyfriend?” Asher asked Miami.
“She said that she had a boyfriend,” Miami said.
“Who?”
“We don’t know. She was very secretive about him but she said that he was
an older guy. She never mentioned about her. But she always said that she
liked him a lot.”
“I see,” Asher sighed, glancing at Mia again. He turned his attention to
Trish. “Did you see her going with her boyfriend?”
“Never,” Trish said, shaking her head. She looked a little nervous. “Natalie
said that her boyfriend gave her a lot of money
and dresses.”
Nick chimed in. “I don’t want to sound bitchy, but that girl was very vicious
on the inside. She liked playing with people’s emotions like they were
nothing.”
Mia shifted uneasily on her feet which didn’t go unnoticed by Asher. “Can
you elaborate?”
Nick tightened his lips and paused for a moment before saying, “She had
put Mia into a lot of trouble and she had announced it in the school that her
cousin Rosalie was rejected by Alpha Hunter, but that Rosalie wanted her to
marry Hunter after her. However-” he gazed at Mia, who was clearly not
liking the conversation. “However, Rosalie was upset. that she couldn’t help
Natalie with it.”
Asher was stunned. On one hand he wanted to give it a high-school crush
label, but on the other hand, he was getting wildly suspicious.
“Natalie was upset for a few days and then she bounced back saying it
didn’t matter. Luna River would never be her match anyway and that now
she had a lover. So even if the Alpha came begging on his feet to marry her,
she wouldn’t.”
“She was ***to think that my brother would marry her!” Mia snapped,
tension radiating off her.
“Hunter didn’t have eyes. for anyone except River!”
Elijah tensed. He wanted to come to Mia and wrap his arms around her to
soothe her, but he restrained himself from doing
that.
Asher became so tense that he locked his jaws, hoping that Mia would keep
quiet. He glared at her so hard that she closed her ****. “The questions are
over for today. If you all find something different or want to tell me
anything. then you can. Feel free to call me, okay?” Asher said and got up.
As they were going back, Asher said, “This has become complicated. Who
was the older Lycan she liked?
We have to find
him.”
Elijah didn’t reply
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Chapter 85
For the entire month, as River’s pregnancy progressed, Hunter only grew
more impatient
“Baby, why don’t you eat apple pie?” he said as he took a large spoon, dug
it into the pie and held it in front of her ***He had this crazy urge to make
her eat as much as possible.
River let out an exasperated sigh. If this was how Hunter was going to be
for the next few months, she was going to give him a piece of her mind. I
don’t feel like having it, Hunter?”
“Baby-*
“Knock it off” she snapped. Her emotions were all over the place. She hated
so many kinds of food and she was getting too emotional about everything
and anything Hunter became quiet. He had this sad expression on his face
when he said, “I feel I am unable to feed you well, River. You have to think
about my pups also. They are the ones who would suffer if you don’t eat
well”
Faria, who was standing near the couch and folding some clothes, let out a
small laugh. “Alpha Hunter, please don’t worry I am there and I will make
sure that our Luna eats well and she eats every nutrient that is necessary for
her Faria had become a mother hen to River. She would goad her and coax
her into eating everything If River didn’t want to have milk, then she would
ensure that she had curd. If River didn’t like plain curd, then she made sure
that the chef made flavored curd. Basically, milk had to get inside her in
one form or the other And Hunter thanked the Goddess for having Faria
next to River. Only she could handle her emotions these days.
Hunter’s face broke into a smile. “You are superb, Faria!” he said. He
winked at River. “You are in great hands.”
River shook her head. “You both are going to drive me crazy at the end of
the ninth month.”
Hunter kept the bowl with apple pie on the table. He kissed her cheek and
said, “I will be going to the human world for a day. There’s been a lead in
the case. We are close to the person who supplied drugs to Natalie.”
“Drugs?” River was aghast. Faria stared at Hunter. “Natalie was on drugs?
How do you know?” She knew about Natalie’s case and it was very
complicated. No one knew who was the older man in her life.
“When Asher probed a little more, these secrets came out. There was a
school student who was providing them. At first, he gave roofies and then
he started giving meth. Natalie was taking them. That boy broke down after
Asher interrogated him harshly. He was calling students at the party and
slipping drugs in their drinks to get them addicted to it.”
“Goddess!” River said, feeling a chill run down her spine. “Who is this
boy?”
“He is also a high school student. He has a common class with Mia.
History.”
“How is Mia holding up?” River was worried about her. Mia has been very
quiet these days. “I want to talk to her, but she doesn’t let anyone in her
space.”
Hunter rubbed River’s back. “Don’t worry. She will be fine. She must be
still reeling under the effect that one of her group girls was murdered.”
River nodded. “I will go and talk to her again. She can’t blame herself for
what happened to Natalie. She feels that if she had talked to Natalie then
perhaps the tragedy could have been prevented.”
“What do you mean?” Hunter said with his brows furrowed. “Why is she
blaming herself? She wasn’t
involved in her murder!”
“No, it’s not that, River explained. “It’s just that she feels Natalie had
become too withdrawn at times.
She would recede in her shell and stop talking to everyone.” She looked
down at her fingers in her lap.
“She hated that Natalie fancied you, but I know that Natalie’s imagination
ran wild because Rosalie gave her hope.”
Hunter closed his eyes and tipped his head up. “Rosalie has become a
headache. I wish I had never come across her in the first place.”
“Don’t worry,” River said, rubbing his bicep. “I don’t have any grudges
against you.”
Hunter laughed. “I don’t think you can hold grudges against me, love!”
The mood lightened and Hunter left soon. Faria as usual began fussing
around River.
It was 11AM when a servant announced that Lady Rosalie had come to
meet her. Though River really didn’t want to meet her, the servant informed
that it was about Natalie. That piqued her interest.
“Please ask Lady Rosalie to sit in the main hall. I will come in a few
minutes”
As soon as the servant left, Faria said, “You shouldn’t meet her, Luna. She
is too toxic and holds way too many grudges against you.”
“Faria, if I start becoming biased like this, I won’t be a good Luna,” River
said as she applied a nude lipstick shade to her lips. “To be honest, I don’t
want to meet her.”
“That woman reeks of danger to me!” Faria said with disgust in her voice.
She handed melon juice to River and continued to stand there until River
gulped it all down. “Better be sharp around that viper!”
River laughed, shaking her head. When she had come, Faria was very
scared of Rosalie and would do everything for her, but now that she wasn’t
answerable to her, her true feelings for her came out. Faria despised
Rosalie. “I will be alert, okay.”
Faria took the empty glass from her and nodded with tight lips.
River went to meet Rosalie who was sitting in the main hall with a
magazine in her hand. She was flipping its pages rather too quickly. As
soon as River walked in, Rosalie got up, plastered a smile and bowed to her.
“I hope Luna is doing well today.”
“I am well,” River replied and waved for her to sit down. She crossed her
legs and waited for Rosalie to settle down. “So what brings you here
today?” River said, noticing that Rosalie chose to come when Hunter was
away.
Rosalie was silent for a moment. She licked her lips and then let out a
ragged breath. “I came here to tell you something about Natalie. I just- she
closed her shoulders. “I just didn’t know who to mention it but I had waited
for a month. I really didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to create
misunderstandings between you and Alpha Hunter.”
River didn’t like where the conversation was going. There was an awkward
silence between them as she waited for Rosalie to speak more.
Rosalie looked into her eyes and said, “Natalie was very close to me. She
confided in me. And it wouldn’t be a lie if I said that I thought she would be
a good match to Alpha Hunter. She had started fancying him a lot. And she
bit her lower lip. “And the older man who Natalie was seeing was none
other than…” she stopped as River tensed. “…Alpha Hunter.”
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Chapter 86
River snapped her eyes wide when Rosalie said that Hunter was the older
man who Natalie was seeing.
It took a moment for her to soak those words in. She felt nothing but a
rising sense of dread.
Rosalie, on the other hand, looked nervous, as if she had touched a nest of
wasps. “Luna River,” she said in a low cautious voice. “I didn’t want to tell
this small detail to you, but after a month of careful contemplation, I
mustered the courage to tell it to you. This was a secret between Natalie and
me. She asked me not to mention it to anyone because she was waiting for
Alpha Hunter to reject you. But…”
she drawled. “He never rejected you and-”
“Rosalie!” River cut her off. “Don’t tell lies about my husband!” she
retorted. “He is my mate and I don’t believe in you that he was seeing
Natalie. I know you very well!” River got up, panting in anger. “You just
want to create problems in my life. And your behavior has been like that
since the day we met!”
“Luna River, you misunderstand me!” Rosalie said with nervousness. “I
only want to state facts so that Alpha Hunter gets a direction for his
investigation.”
“And how will Hunter get a direction if you tell me that he was the older
man who was seeing her?”
River spat. “I know your conniving nature, Rosalie. With your accusation,
Hunter will only be the center of the investigation!” She crossed her arms to
contain the fury in her chest that was threatening to rise and ****her on
spot. “But you forget that Hunter is the Alpha of the pack. If he wants, he
can have a harem and still no one would be able to speak a word against
him. Why will he keep his affairs a secret?
But you-” she pointed her finger sharply at her.
“But this is the truth!” Rosalie cried.
“You are spouting nothing but trouble. You dare to point your fingers at
Hunter in front of me so that you can plant seeds of doubt in my mind?
Well, then let me tell you one this Lady Rosalie-” River paused, sneering at
her. “No one can do that. Hunter is my mate and I have implicit trust in him.
So you can go and ****yourself!” She turned around to leave but she
stopped, looked over her shoulder and said, “Get out of this castle and don’t
think of stepping inside even once. If I hear this from anyone else, I will
assume that it is you who has started the rumor. And then I will punish you.
Severely!” Saying that River left the main hall and strode to her bedroom.
She didn’t even wait to see Rosalie’s reaction, as fury bubbled inside her
like a live volcano.
*Luna River?” Faria said as soon as River came into the room. “You look
flushed. Are you feeling well?”
She turned to see if River was being followed by Rosalie, but there was no
one. “I told you to be wary of that snake.”
River huffed and then sat down on the chair at the writing table next to the
window. “I ***that woman!” she said, wondering when someone elicited
such a strong reaction from her. She disliked the moment Rosalie
mentioned Hunter’s name and she loathed it when Rosalie tried to drag his
name into the crime.
“Everyone at the castle ***her, Luna,” Faria said, giving her a glass of
water. She is a critter, a ***, a lowly ****who was obsessed with Alpha
Hunter’s position and wealth and nothing else!”
River pursed her lips and looked outside the window. It was early in the
morning and the gardeners were trimming the rose ramblers or the golden
hedges of the main garden. Although she had scolded Rosalie, her mind
was restless. Was Hunter really seeing Natalie? She shook her head. It
couldn’t be possible. Hunter loved her way too much. He was her mate and
he had proved himself all the time that
he had eyes for her only. She had seen how other Alphas of the werewolf
packs were into having two or three more women as lovers apart from their
wives. It was said that the Alphas had a strong sexual drive and often their
wives were not able to match it.
“Would you like to eat anything?” Faria asked, seeing how disturbed River
was. “Or how about taking a stroll in the garden?”
“Yes!” River said. “I will walk in the garden.”
On her way to the garden, she walked across Mia’s room. She wished that
Mia was there in her room and not gone to the school because she really
wanted to talk it out with someone close and Mia was the perfect person.
She sighed as she walked past her room, missing her presence for the first
time in her life. Suddenly, she heard soft sobs coming from inside her room
Uneasiness knotted in her chest. Slowly, she walked towards Mia’s room
hoping that she was imagining.
But the sound of sobs was now louder. Shocked, River knocked the room.
No one answered her and the sobs stopped. “Mia?” River called her. There
was no response. “Mia?” she called her in a louder voice.
When there was no response again, she barged open the door. When she
entered the room, she was stunned. Mia was still on the bed, dressed in her
school dress and she was crying with her face buried in the pillow, “Mia!”
River rushed to her sister-in-law.
Mia turned her face to look at River, and River’s heart squeezed. Her
cheeks were stained with tears, her eyes were red and her lips were swollen.
River went to sit by her side. Mia got up and hugged her tightly. She buried
her face in River’s neck and started crying loudly. River stroked her back
gently to soothe her. “What is wrong, Mia?” she asked.
“I can’t go to school!” she cried.
“Why? Did anyone say anything to you?”
“No, but everyone is behaving weirdly with me.”
River’s heart beat wildly. In a very low voice she asked, “Why?”
“There’s a terrible rumor going on over there.”
River stopped stroking her, trying to embrace herself from what was
coming. “What rumor?”
Mia removed herself from River. “River, it’s just a rumor and so you should
treat it like that.”
“What rumor?” River repeated her question.
Mia lowered her head as her shoulders wracked. “The rumor is that the
older man who Natalie was seeing was Hunter” River clenched her jaw. So
Rosalie had already started the rumor.
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Chapter 87
“Mia,” River said. “Please tell me the whole thing.” Anxiety dug its thorns
inside her chest. She had just taken over as the Alpha of her pack. She had
to go to her pack in a few days and assess the situation.
Everyone in her pack loved Hunter and they had tremendous respect for
him. This piece of information is going to put a dent on their trust. It will be
more because he was married to their Alpha who was carrying his child.
River suddenly felt like vomiting. She got up and rushed to the bathroom.
Over there, whatever she had in the morning
came out.
Tension marred her face when she looked at her reflection. She was so pale
and it was not just because of her empty stomach. Mia came inside with a
glass of water. “River, I am so sorry. I don’t know how this has aggravated
to this level.” River gulped down the water. “You have to tell me everything
right from the beginning.” She knew a lot about the case, but she was sure
that Mia knew more.
As they sat on the bed to talk, Faria came running in with lemon juice and
cookies for River. Mia had connected with her through the mind link about
River’s situation. River had the juice and took in a deep breath. She lifted
her face up and said, “Mia, just tell me everything.”
Mia hadn’t gone to the school because she hated the way her group was
treating her. They wouldn’t speak anything on her face but they would
gossip the moment she would turn her face away. She started, “Natalie was
in our group and two months back she started saying that she was seeing an
older man. When we asked her who she was seeing and whether he was her
mate, she would always laugh it
off and keep it a secret. But once I remember her saying that she could ruin
his family.”
A shudder ran down River’s body as her jaw locked in tension.
Mia continued, “At that time we just laughed at her words and the whole
thing was shoved back.
However, two weeks later, she started saying that she is being stalked and
that there is someone who wants to harm her.” Mia looked up and closed.
her eyes. “We asked her repeatedly as to who was stalking her and if we
could help her. But she never revealed it. All she said was that she knew
who was stalking her. She also said that the man who was stalking her was
higher in the hierarchy of the Lycans and that if the secret came out, his
reputation would nosedive.”
Faria snorted. “That ****”
Mia shook her head. “One day I decided to go with her to her home after
school and realized that someone was stalking us. It was evening and most
of the streets were empty. I turned back to see who it was, but there was no
one. Not even a whiff of smell.”
“How do you know that someone was stalking you?” River asked.
“I had this feeling, River, Mia replied. “It was as if someone was matching
our steps. I even ran back to find the stalker but it was of no use. He had run
away. When I went back to Natalie, she was hyperventilating. I made her sit
on a stone bench on the side of the street and gave her my bottle of water.
She gulped it down and then started crying.”
“But Mia, why did you not come back in your own car and accompany
Natalie?” River scolded. “Why did you break that protocol? You are too
precious to be going alone on the streets for an adventure this dangerous!”
Mia pursed her lips. “I really wanted to help Natalie. If I had taken my car, I
am sure we wouldn’t have attracted the stalker.” “Did Natalie tell you who
was stalking her?” Faria asked.
“She said that she was sure as to who was stalking her. She hadn’t seen the
stalker.” She looked at River with a sad expression. “She said that it was
Alpha Hunter who was stalking her.”
“That’s **!” River snapped. “Hunter doesn’t have time to stalk her.”
“I know!” Mia whined. “But that’s what Natalie told me and also said that
she was scared that I would not believe her.” Mia shook her head. “I was so
angry with her over it that stopped talking to her. She cried and cried and
said that I should believe her, and that she didn’t have evidence to prove it,
but the day she gets the evidence, she would tell me.” “Evidence?” Faria
mused. “Have the investigators checked Howard’s house for clues?”
“I don’t know,” Mia said, feeling defeated. “Howard is very sad about his
daughter’s disappearance and he often doesn’t cooperate.”
River let out a rough exhale. “Did she show you any evidence before her
disappearance?*
“I wasn’t talking to her. She would come to me and I would move away
from that place. One day she cornered me in the gardens that lead to the
library behind a willow tree. Over there, she was about to show me some
pictures on her phone when someone called her and said that her family had
come to meet her.”
“So did she show you the pictures?”
“No, she was surprised as to why her father had come to see her in the
middle of the school. She asked me to meet her
after school because she knew who the stalker was. But I didn’t wait for her
after school. I-” Mia’s lips quivered. “1-| didn’t want to see the pictures
because I was afraid.”
“You were afraid that your doubts about Hunter would coalesce in the
photos on her phone?” River said.
Mia nodded. “I regret this so much River. I wish I had stopped after school
that day and seen those photos.”
“After how many days of this incident, Natalie disappeared?”
“She disappeared after a week, Mia replied, lowering her head and rubbing
her arms as if trying to settle her goosebumps.
The thorns of anxiety dug deeper in her chest and River got up. She began
to pace the room. There was a long silence between them. “Who all know
about the pictures?” she asked.
“No one…” Mia said. “I didn’t speak about it to anyone.”
“I think we should somehow get hold of her phone,” Faria said.
“The investigators tried to get it, but they couldn’t find it. It is said that it
disappeared along with her.
Her school bag is also missing,” Mia stated.
Faria narrowed her eyes. “There is something not right here. I don’t know
what, but I feel that there is a missing piece of puzzle that we need to find.”
“The whole thing is a giant puzzle!” River gritted.
“Luna River,” Faria said. “We must make a list or production log of what
we know and what is left out.”
Then she turned to Mia. “You must somehow get me an access into
Howard’s place. I want to check Natalie’s room.”
“What? That is ***!” River shouted.
“I would love to come with you, Faria!” Mia said, ignoring River’s words.
She really wanted to clear Hunter’s name. “I am sure we will find
something in her room!”
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Chapter 88
You both have gone mad!” River chided them. “Howard would never allow
you to get in his house and you can forget entering Natalie’s room Then we
have to find a way in which we can enter his house without telling him. We
need to sneak in to find out the truth,” Fana replied. She was feeling terrible
about the whole situation. She was extremely loyal to Hunter and ever since
he had got married to River, she had become protective of River too.
However, the ***she heard that River was pregnant with Alpha’s pups, she
had become fiercely protective of her It was as if River was going to give
birth to her pups.
River gritted her teeth. “Do you realize the risk of entering Howard’s house
without telling him about it?
Your smells are going to be everywhere You will be caught.”
“No one can stop Alpha Hunter from investigating.” Mia interjected
Howard has to admit us inside his house.”
“Howard is under no obligation to allow you in his house!” River pointed.
“And if you both will go in, the doubt about her seeing Hunter would be
confirmed “She stared at both of them hoping they would see the flaw in
their plans.
Fania narrowed her eyes. “How will people see us when we have disguised
ourselves and entered?”
Fana!” River yelled at her with her hands balled into fists. “You are not
going there!”
Fana became absolutely quiet when River’s Alpha aura spilled out. Mia too
winced. This was the first time they had experienced it and River
was… strong
“Okay, okay.”Faria replied in a weak voice. “We won’t go.”
Mia pursed her lips as she got out of the bed and then walked to her table.
She took out a paper and a pencil. “Come here, River. Let’s just chart out
what has happened and log it. At least we would know what to do next,
even if that means we have to stay quiet”
Now that makes sense!” River replied, thanking the Goddess that she had
drilled sense into Mia and Faria.
Mia looked at Faria and said, “Could you please bring us more lemonade,
Faria?”
Fana didn’t want to leave, but she left reluctantly.
For the next one hour, Mia charted out all the details with River. The picture
became slightly clear but there were still too many gaps. Other than the fact
that Natalie accused Hunter to the older man, there was no evidence that he
was the one who stalked her or was seeing her River wondered that even
Hunter must be knowing about it all but he was keeping it low. He wasn’t
even talking about it to her.
Faria hovered in the background as the two talked about it. She was
listening very attentively to what they said. She would sometimes come and
peek over the paper they had written on.
“I am tired,” River said finally. She saw that Mia was feeling much better
now that she had spoken it all out. It was as if a burden had come off
her shoulders.
Mia stretched her hands over her head. “I am also very tired. I would love
to sleep!”
River chuckled. She was happy to see that Mia was relaxed. “You better go
to school tomorrow. Let it all slide, okay?”
Mia hugged River. “Thanks for coming over, River. You can’t imagine the
tension I was going through.
Though the mystery over the stalker hasn’t been cleared, I am feeling
better”
River patted her back. “I am glad.”
That evening Mia was busy because she called her friends and finished up
the homework, took notes and generally chatted with them. She was in her
room all the time. River came to talk to her friends for a while and then she
went back to her room. It was pretty late in the night. At 11:30PM River
went off to sleep after having dinner. Mia’s friends were still in her room
when she went to sleep.
In the morning when she woke up, she checked her phone hoping to see
Hunter’s call or texts. There were several. She smiled as she sent him back
all the love and kiss emojis. She missed him a lot. Once he returned, she
planned to go and see her pack and meet her Beta, Lena. It was long due.
Mia got up in the morning and stretched her limbs with a big yawn. She
was eager to go back to the school with new energy. Her gaze landed on her
table and she was surprised to see that the paper that she had written with
River wasn’t on it. She had kept it back in the drawer of the table when her
friends came over, but she had put it back on the table after they had left
and was reading it all over again. She had started searching for clues on
Natalie’s Facebook page and even called some of their common friends.
Mia jumped out of her bed and searched for the paper in case it had slid
down the table, but it was nowhere. Did River take it? She scratched her
head and was going to River’s room to enquire about it, but her eyes went
to the clock. “***!” she rasped. Only half an hour was left to go to the
school. River hurried dressing up and she reached school in a record
twenty-five minutes. She rushed to her locker and opened it to take her
books out when an A4 size paper slid out of it and landed on her feet,
imitated, she picked it up and her eyes went wide when she read it “Leave
your investigation, ***!”
Dread blasted in her chest and her heart beat like a wild horse. She stared at
the warning on paper for a long time. The bell rang, pulling her out of her
thoughts She crushed the paper and ran to her class. Who could have
stashed the paper in her locker? Who had the access to it? As she walked to
the class, her body trembled with fear. She whipped her head everywhere to
find who had done it, but not a single person was in the corridor. She dug
her phone out and called Faria, but Faria didn’t pick it up. She thought of
calling River, but remembered that she would be in her interior designing
class.
Mia reached her class a few minutes later. She went to sit at her place as her
friends glared at her for coming late. She couldn’t focus on anything. When
the teacher asked her a question, she gave her a blank face. Other students
laughed at her for being so careless. Some said that she needn’t be so
attentive because she was a royal. Mia didn’t pay attention to any of them,
her mind at the crushed paper which was lying in her skirt’s pocket.
When the class got over, she called Faria again. But her phone went
unanswered. An hour later, her phone was switched off. Panic surged
through her By the time it was lunch, instead of going to the
cafeteria, she went to the roof of the school and called River. As soon as
River picked up her phone, she said, “Where is Faria, River? Her phone is
switched off!”
“Why?” River said, sounding busy Thaven’t seen her since morning”
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Chapter 89
Mia fell silent River hadn’t seen her since morning? That was very unusual.
Faria always went to attend River the first thing in the morning Mia’s hand
went inside her pocket where she had stashed the crushed threat. Her palms
were sweaty and she didn’t feel like attending the rest of the classes
“Mia?” Trish’s voice came from behind Mia turned sharply and saw that
she was with Miami. “What are you doing here?”
Cold winds blew her hair all around. 1-“Mia said, tucking her hair behind
her ear 1 am just standing here.” She didn’t want to say anything to them
about the note she received this morning because she suspected that one of
them must have a connection with the man who threatened her with the note
“You will catch a cold!” Miami chided her. She took her hand and tugged
her. “Come on! Let’s go to the cafeteria and eat something.”
1 don’t want to eat anything “Mia drawled 1 don’t feel like ”
Trish came to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “Mia, I
understand that you are very upset about the whole thing, but let Gamma
Asher do his work. I am sure he will uncover something.”
She squeezed her shoulder lightly “Come, let’s eat something. We got
worned when we didn’t see you.”
Mia let out a rough exhale. Her friends were very sweet and considerate, yet
she didn’t know if she could trust them.
When they entered the cafeteria, people stopped conversing. They glanced
at her every now and then and would speak in low volumes Mia ***it
“***them!” Trish said, understanding Mia’s awkwardness.
“You come and have your lunch with us. Just go and sit over there.” She
pointed in the corner where there was a long table with six chairs. “We will
get your tray.”
As Mia sat down at the table at the corner of the room. She contemplated
what she was going to do now. She couldn’t tell anyone about the threat.
Nick and Jack came over. “Hey Mia!” the boys said in unison. “Hope you
are prepared for the quiz for the next class,” Nick said as he sat at the table
opposite to her with his tray of food.
“Not really she replied
The girls came over Trish gave Mia the tray and said, “Goddess, I ***the
baked beans with sausage!”
Miami laughed “1 ***it too. Almost everyone in my family dislikes it!” She
dug her fork in the beans.
“You would be surprised that our family friends also dislike it. Yesterday
when I went home, ***was having dinner with two of her friends, Mrs.
Jenna and Mrs. Denver, and even they disliked it!” She burst out laughing.
Mrs. Jenna?” Mia said in a low voice
“Yes,” Miami said “Why?”
Mia gave her a look filled with anger. Mrs Jenna is Rosalie’s mother!”
Miami became quiet and so did everyone else at the table. She licked her
lips and shrugged. “So what, Mia? My mother has many friends and Mrs.
Jenna is one of them. It’s not like we are discussing you or the Alpha”
****Miami jerked her head back. “Mia, you are sounding ****. It is not the
end of the world for Mrs
Jenna. Your family is never discussed“Oh, ****up! Don’t give me that ***!” Mia snapped “You are just as bad as
they all are saying that she collected her satchel and strode out of the
cafeteria leaving her food untouched. Her friends watched her leave with
shock apparent on their faces. They didn’t have the guts to say anything
against her.
Mia went to the castle and instead of going to her room, she went to meet
River River had just finished with her classes. “Mia?” she said, getting up
from the chair “You have come so early from school. Are you wel?”
Mia’s face was flushed and she looked like a train had run over her “Where
is Faria? I am getting worried about her, River”
River stared at her blankly at first and then panic flashed on her face too 7
don’t know. She hasn’t come to meet me since morning.”
Mia grabbed her hand and said. “We have to find where Faria is. I am not
feeling good about this.”
“What do you mean?” River rasped, her shoulders going taut with tension.
Hunter was expected to come back by the next morning.
“River, can you listen to me for once in your life!” Mia shouted 1 want to
know where Faria is!” She was now shaking with panic and anger. “We
need to find her!”
“Okay “River said, unsure of why Mia was behaving so strangely. “Let’s go
to her room first.”
They rushed to Faria’s room which was locked. When they asked other
servants about her, they informed that Faria hadn’t come back to her room
after 6PM. And that was the time when she was with River and Mia
“That means that after giving dinner to me, instead of returning to her room,
Faria went somewhere else without telling anyone,” Mia said, her eyes
prickling with tears
“Why are you crying?” River said as she held Mia’s hand. “She must have
gone to clean up the south wing of the castle. She has been telling me about
it for days”
“Then find out about her now!” Mia urged. 7 have this bad feeling that
Faria went to investigate on her own at Howard’s house.” She put her hand
in her skirt’s pocket and touched the crumpled paper. She couldn’t tell River
about it because River was pregnant and already dealing with so much in
her life
“Mia, you are scaring the ******out of me!” River said as she hurried to
her room. When she reached the main hall, she asked every servant to leave
their duty and find Fania.
For the next two hours, they searched for Faria in and around the castle, but
she wasn’t found. Both River and Mia were too disturbed at the end of it.
Let’s call Elijah and Asher,” River suggested.
Mia snapped “What good are they going to be?”
“But Faria is missing! We have to report it to them. They will help us find
her.”
“No,” Mia said with pleading eyes. “Wait till the night. If Faria isn’t found
or doesn’t come, we will tell Asher and Elijah!”
“Why?” River whined.
“Because-“Mia turned her head away. The threat she received on the paper
in the morning was on her lips. Should she tell her? She decided against it.
“Just trust me on this River. Please.” Mia pulled her hand away from her
and ran back to her room.
It was 10:30 PM when Mia got out of the castle, wearing a black hoodie
and black track pants. She went to Howard’s house.
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Chapter 90
She knew that if she exited the castle from the main gate, the guards would
notice and they wouldn’t allow her to go out unless escorted. Ever since
Mia was just a toddler, Hunter had made it a rule that she couldn’t go out of
the castle unless accompanied by the guards or nannies or…. more guards
After his marriage, River had also come in the circle of this rule.
Mia couldn’t take River because she didn’t want to put her under duress.
She was already under a lot and was braving through her morning sickness
At the same time, she wanted to go to Howard’s house and see if Faria had
gone there. Mia felt guilty of planning it out with Faria to go and check out
Natalie’s room for clues.
In order to go unnoticed, Mia went to the rear of the castle where the
serv*nt quarters were. It was midnight and most of them were already
sleeping A few were awake but they were either drunk or having fun in
their own way. The thing she liked about Hunter was that he wasn’t strict
with the serv*nts in their own version of fun. The serv*nts were omegas
who had weak lycan beasts or none at all.
Mia darted to the rear gate. Since no one ever used it, brambles and vines
grew all around, covering the iron bars. Mia climbed over the tall gate and
then jumped to the other side. There were dense woods on the other side,
but Mia knew this place very well. She hurried inside the woods. She stayed
close to the boundary wall of the castle and made her way to the front. Soon
she hit the road to the West Hill where Howard’s house
was
West Hill was a… hill. It was a beautifully developed mound whose builder
was none other than her brother. The houses were lined up in a spiral
around the hill. At night lights from the houses and street lamps looked like
stars dotting the ground. It was simply breathtaking.
Mia made her way to Howard’s house that was somewhere in the middle.
As she began to walk on the streets, a thunder sounded in the distance. This
was going to be bad if she didn’t hurry up. In order to make herself less
noticeable, she had put the hoodie on her head. In order to suppress her
smell, she had applied lavender oil on her body.
The streets were empty and she was thankful for that. Occasionally she
would hear a rustle of leaves or a hoot of a night owl. Rodents.
Louder thunder sounded in the skies and she smelled a hint of rain in the
air. “***!” she rasped. She had to hurry up or she would be soaked wet in
the rain. While it was okay to return back to the castle soaked in rain, she
couldn’t take the same chance in Howard’s house. She didn’t want to leave
a trail of her presence. So she started running. By the time she reached his
house, her chest was heaving more out of nervousness than
out of breath.
Howard’s house was shrouded in darkness. She couldn’t get through the
front door, so she circled the perimeter of the house. The wooden fence
around it was painted ***and there was a thin line of wire intertwined in it
which meant that Howard had a security system to discourage intruders.
Mia jumped over the fence, lightly landing on the other side on the soft
ground. She stayed frozen, crouched on the ground for a **. There was no
movement in the house. She got up a few ***later and slowly padded her
way towards the house. Natalie’s room was on the first floor. She rounded
the corner and came to stand right below her room’s balcony
Thunder sounded again. Winds picked up and blew around the trees with a
powerful passion. The trees swayed and creaked in its wake. Strands of her
hair escaped her pony and flew around her face chaotically. Lightning
cr*ckled and forked in the sky, threatening to hit the ground. She had to get
inside as soon as possible.
Mia tipped her head up to see the balcony that had burst into thousands of
roses, she wondered that if Faria had come here, then could she not make it
back? It wasn’t so hard to go back. Or was it that she was in the house,
murdered? Was it possible that Howard was hiding something? So many
questions
bounced in her head. She thought of backing out for a second, but then her
efforts to find Faria would be futile. She had tried to find her throughout the
day, but she couldn’t. Surely, Faria was in there, murdered or kept hostage.
Mia looked around the wall to find a way to climb it. Her eyes landed on a
pipe. Quickly, she climbed up and jumped onto the balcony over the rose
pots. “Ugh!” she muttered when her pants got caught in the thorns. She
untangled it not before getting it torn. As soon as she was free of the thorns,
she took a deep shaky breath. She had never ever done this kind of thing in
her life. What if Howard got up and caught her? If he handed her to Hunter,
Hunter would go wild.
She shoved those thoughts down. She had to find Faria, her nanny. Faria
was with her ever since she was an infant. She loved that woman and even
to think that Faria was in trouble made her very restless.
Mia walked to the glass door that opened in the balcony and wondered if it
was locked from the inside.
She pushed lightly against it and it opened. Dread surged through her. If the
door was open, it could mean that Faria was inside or Howard had forgotten
to close it. Goosebumps pebbled her skin. She opened it a bit more and
entered Natalie’s room.
It was too dark and quiet on the inside. The room smelled of clean linen,
wood and paper. She closed the door behind her as softly as possible. She
had come to Natalie’s room earlier also, so she knew how to make her way
through it. She took her phone out and switched on the torch. Swinging the
light of the torch, she started to look for her cupboards when all of a
sudden, the lights of her camera caught a dark silhouette. Mia stilled. Her
heart thundered inside her ribcage and she stifled a scream. Was it was it-1
told you not to investigate further ***!”
Mia turned sharply to run for safety outside, but a sharp needle pierced her
skin on the thigh and she fell down instantly with a loud thud. “Ahhh!”
Fana was also a ******like you,” the voice that came out warbled, said.
“******* *********.”
Mia’s eyes were closing fast. She tried to grab the person who was now
sitting next to her, but her hands were limp. She wanted to cry for help. but
her tongue was swollen. A cloth covered her face.
Darkness surrounded her rapidly. Mia passed out.
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