My lips trembled as I hobbled into the dense, dark forest, the excruciating pain in my ankle almost unbearable. My heart raced, and the distant howl behind me sent shivers down my spine. Panic surged within me as I recognized the sound – it was him.
The moon had risen, its light piercing through the dense canopy of trees. A peculiar thought crossed my mind: if only I could shift, this ordeal might become less agonizing. Limping felt so utterly helpless. The awareness that he would inevitably track me down grew stronger, compelling me to take action swiftly, if I did not want to get caught.
Soon, my ears picked up the sound of several howls, and my heart raced even faster. How fast were they? I wondered as I made my way further into the forest. Finally, I found a cave just ahead and quickly, I headed straight for it. As soon as I got to the cave, I hid inside, while silently praying to the moon goddess that I shouldn’t be found.
A heavy thud echoed just beyond the cave entrance, and though curiosity tugged at me, fear held my gaze captive. The sickening sound of bones cracking reached my ears, followed by an eerie silence. With a gulp, realization settled in. I braced myself for the truth, desperately wishing for anyone but him to have undergone the transformation.
Unknowingly, my gaze fixated on the ground, where a looming silhouette slowly rose. Each breath grew labored as he started moving towards the very cave I had sought refuge in, sending a surge of panic through me.
With quivering hands and trembling feet, I cautiously grasped a rock. Fear had overridden the pain in my leg. Amidst the deafening rhythm of my heart, the only other sound was the approaching footsteps of the man. Clutching the rock tightly, I mustered the courage to launch it at whoever might step into view, my aim set on protecting myself.
A sudden halt in the man’s movement sent me into a tense stillness. Why had he stopped? Had he sensed my presence? Another shadow emerged, indicating the presence of a second man. Just as I began to speculate whether the first man had signaled his companion, a fierce fight broke out between them.
Before long, the two men’s forms transformed into two fierce wolves. Their snarls filled the air as they lunged and clawed, locked in a ferocious battle. The struggle grew intense, and one wolf pounced onto the other, its claws slashing with aggression. Amidst the splatter of blood, the victorious wolf sank its fangs into the loser’s neck, ending its life. The fallen wolf reverted to human form, now lifeless on the ground. The victorious wolf also shifted back, and my heart raced as it advanced toward me. With bated breath, I raised my hand, preparing to hurl the rock.
“I’m not here to hurt you.” He assured, and from his voice, I could tell he was a man in his forties.
I didn’t respond or feel relaxed. I couldn’t possibly trust a killer. He kept walking, and as he approached me and stood directly in front of me, my body moved on its own, and I hurled the rock straight at his head.
He instinctively tilted his head to the side, and the rock fell a few meters behind him. His jaw ticked, and he sighed as he locked eyes with me. I could barely see his face as the cave was pretty much dark. I grabbed another rock and threw it and this time, he caught it.
“What do you think you are doing?” he questioned while I just stared at him, not knowing what to say. “I’m not your enemy. He is. He tried to kill you, and I saved your life. The least you could do is thank me and not throw stones at me.” He complained, his voice lacking even the slightest hint of guilt.
Suddenly, a wave of fatigue washed over me. I lost my balance and fell onto my knees, one hand touching the floor. I had been running for hours, my leg badly injured. My eyelids grew heavy, and it became hard to keep my eyes open.
“Are you okay?”
At that moment, I could faintly hear his voice. I lifted my head to catch a glimpse of him, but everything appeared as a blur. With the adrenaline wearing off, the pain in my leg surged, and before I realized it, I surrendered to the darkness.
***
I opened my eyes briefly, immediately closing them to shield myself from the bright light. After a moment, I cautiously opened them again to allow my eyes to adjust. Overwhelmed with fatigue and hunger, I wondered, “Where am I?” as I glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings.
The room lacked any semblance of luxury. A simple wooden table stood in the corner, while the curtains appeared aged yet surprisingly clean. Glancing downwards, I realized I was still clad in my nightwear, and my leg had been wrapped in a bandage.
I racked my brain to think, and though I remembered everything that had happened last night, I had no idea where I was. Just then, someone walked into the room, with a tray in hand.
“You are awake?”
It was him, the stranger. This time, his face was distinct and clear. His eyes, cold and brown, revealed his identity as a beta wolf, a fact signified by their hue. Only they possessed such eyes, just like Ryan. Patches of gray adorned his head, and curiously, his body seemed unaffected by the passage of time, in contrast to his face. He had an athletic physique, with a chiseled chest enhancing his appearance. On the tray lay an assortment of medical tools, which he moved aside before taking a seat beside me to inspect my bandaged leg.
“Wow, your leg is almost as good as new too.” He said and proceeded to take out the bandage, much to my discomfort. Soon, he replaced it with a new bandage and then glanced at me.
“Are you hungry?”
I nodded, and almost in agreement, my stomach emitted a loud growl. The stranger rose, tray in hand. “Thank you for saving my life,” I managed to utter, causing him to pause right by the door.
“What’s your name, child?” he asked while staring at me, from the corner of his eyes.
“Aurora.” I muttered a reply and he nodded, lost in thought. “Where am I, and how long have I been out?” I inquired as my curiosity overwhelmed me.
“You’ve been unconscious for two days,” he responded, catching me off guard. His answer nearly made my eyes bulge out of their sockets. “You’ll be protected here, within the Blood Howls Pack,” he continued to reassure, but I could only stare at him in utter shock.
“Blood Howls Pack?” I uttered, more to myself than anyone else, struggling to process the information. The reality was, I had never come across that name before, and now been told of it’s existence was overwhelming.
“When you’ve recovered and are able to walk, we’ll head to the pack house to meet the Alpha, Alpha Riel,” he informed, capturing my focus. I remained silent, and he didn’t seem to mind. Without delay, he opened the door and exited the room.
—ALPHA HAWTHORNE’S POV— Leaving paw prints with every step, I dashed into the woods, convinced she had taken refuge there. Coming to an abrupt halt, I gazed up at the full moon and let out a howl. The call of an Alpha. Before long, several howls echoed in response. Emerging from the woods behind me, a group of wolves sprinted forward and came to a stop. Yet, none dared to stand beside me except one—my beta. “You are going to have to spread out with them, that way, we can find her faster.” I mind linked him as his brown eyes remained fixed on me. Without delay, he turned towards the other wolves, transmitting my command to them. Soon, they dashed off in a different direction. The sound of dried leaves rustling underfoot and the snapping of twigs echoed through the air as they moved. However, one wolf did not move. It wasn’t Ryan but a guard. He was the only one that had stayed behind, the only one I wanted to stay behind. “Go, if you find her, howl for me.” I mind linked and soon,
—AURORA’S POV—I inhaled the crisp morning air, accompanied by the cheerful melody of chirping birds. The sun shone brightly, casting its warm glow. My legs had fully recovered, and three days ago, I successfully underwent my first transformation. I felt an overwhelming sense of joy upon realizing that I held the position of a beta wolf.My usual black eyes, had taken a brown color. Diego, the stranger who had saved me that night, was equally happy to have another beta with him. Though, unlike most shifters, I found it hard to shift willingly. All my senses were completely heightened which was a relief. I couldn’t sense any bond, perhaps, Ryan was right and it was only difficult to , due to the distance.Diego entered the living room, carrying a bag in his hand. Today, we were scheduled to visit Alpha Riel’s manor. During my time living with Diego, I came to realize that he was not only kind-hearted but also exceptionally loyal, prioritizing the welfare of those around him. I was take
“Aurora, he is here.” Monica announced, and from the tone of her voice, it was evident that she was feeling anxious. I didn’t respond, instead, I continued to gaze at the dressing mirror. I found myself lost in thought, pondering about Hawthorne’s well-being and contemplating what he would do. How might he respond upon discovering that his partner sought refuge with a rival pack, carrying his unborn child? My right hand subconsciously rubbed my stomach as I observed it in the mirror. It had only been two weeks since I had joined Monica at the Orphanage, assisting her with the children. “Aurora!” she called once more, this time her voice carried a higher pitch. Her tone reeked of increased anxiety, effectively jolting me out of my thoughts. “Just a moment!” I yelled in reply, simultaneously applying lip balm to my chapped lips. After smacking them together, I gave my hair a gentle brush. Staying in the Manor for a few days, I had come to understand how the system worked here. To su
—ALPHA HAWTHORNE’S POV—As I stood before the mirror, fastening my cufflinks, I stole a momentary glance at my reflection. The eyes staring back at me held an air of indifference. My jaw ticked as a knock sounded on the door.I refrained from responding, and once more, the knock echoed through the room. This time, I cocked my head to the side. “Come in.” I uttered, my gaze fixed upon the mirror before me.Margret walked into the room. Although I couldn’t see her as she stood behind me, her scent was something I would recognize. I turned to stare at her, trying my hardest to conceal my emotions as I didn’t want to appear weak before my servant.“”My lord,” she uttered with a tinge of panic, her head bowed as her gaze fixated on the floor before her.“Speak.”“Lord Ryan has arrived,” she declared, and I acknowledged her statement with a subtle nod, my expression revealing no surprise. His presence was expected, as he was due to provide updates on the search for my mate’s where
Noticing my bewildered expression, she smiled and then let out another sigh. “Well, my relationship with him isn’t as flawless as people might assume.”“He’s your mate?” I inquired while sipping my wine. She nodded hesitantly, then sighed and turned towards the bartender. “Seems like I’m destined for a gay guy,” she commented with a sad chuckle, gazing off into the distance.I glanced at the young man once more, our eyes meeting briefly before he excused himself. He approached us and inclined his head in my direction. His neatly trimmed black hair and cleanly shaven beard gave him the appearance of a true gentleman, radiating both elegance and humility, in my estimation.“Alpha Hawthorne, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand for a handshake. I accepted his gesture as Sharma smiled, although her smile seemed tinged with pain. “I’m Lucas, and this is my fiancée,” he introduced, and I nodded in understanding.“It’s a pleasure meeting you too, Lucas,” I replied, my ga
“Hawthorne?”Ryan’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Glancing beside me, I could see the questioning look on his face. I turned to survey the scene: everyone was engrossed in conversations or dancing, while others were engaged in gambling.”“Yes?”“What are you going to do?' he asked. Staring ahead, I noticed the young lad sitting at the table with his friends. I closed my eyes, attempting to quell the impulse to approach and carry out what I had imagined.I spotted the lad's father engaged in a game of chess with some affluent individuals. After glancing at Ryan and then returning my gaze to the young boy, I approached him with purpose. Though I wouldn’t mind Killing anyone that would stand in my way, attacking the lad would only make the situation more difficult than it is.“Alpha,' the lad and his friends chimed in unison as they rose to their feet, yet my gaze remained locked onto the red-haired figure.“What’s your name?” I inquired softly, my hands discreetly concealed behin
—AURORA’S POV—Walking through the sea of intoxicated partygoers, I navigated the room with a tray of wine in hand, wearing an expression of discontent. I understood that this was a necessary means of surviving in this environment, yet the thought of being compelled to serve at Harrison's club didn't sit well with me.This was were most of the top dogs could be seen, drinking and flirting to their heart content. Someone approached me, a beta male. Selecting a glass from the tray, he held my gaze with intensity as I averted my eyes.I observed his lips moisten as he sampled the wine, all while keeping his focus on me. If I were less experienced or as innocent as I once was, I might have interpreted this as a simple appreciation for the wine's flavor. However, I knew better. As I began to move away, he seized my unoccupied hand, compelling me to come to a stop."What's your name?" he inquired, as I quickly scanned the surroundings, grateful that we were out of the
His gaze rested on me for a few seconds before he let out a low chuckle. He ran his fingers through his hair and then glanced back at Zaine, who was already walking away.“Do you think I’m stupid?” he asked, raising a brow as he shifted his focus back to me. He appeared displeased, as if my words had irritated him. “Show me your mark.”“What?” I questioned, completely unaware of what he meant. A mark? This was the first time I had come across such a term. Well, I had overheard a few conversations about it before, but I never took the time to inquire about its meaning.“Yes, your mark. The mark your mate leaves on you, as a sign of ownership,” he explained. Then, as if his patience had worn thin, he brushed my hair aside to inspect my neck. “Well, what do you know? Your mate didn’t leave a mark on you. Tell me, why is that?” he inquired, but I didn’t respond right away.“He didn’t love me,” I replied, but his expression remained unchanged as he gazed at me with indifference. He face pa