HUDSON The odd reaction didn't end in the woods when the guards and Sasha saw Hunter and me, but also when we stepped into the pack, it intensified, with everyone having something to whisper into the ear of the next person, and the vicious cycle continued. Hunter’s condition has improved a lot, when I left his room, his pulse was relatively stable, his temperature was warm and normal and his breathing was also fair. Hector was right, he only needs an ample amount of rest with no disturbance and he will be just fine, my poor heart.There is a knock on the door, it is faint initially and it gets into a full-blown bang. "Who are you?” “Servant Linda.” She responds, almost shouting so I can hear her from my end."Come in." I permit, aware she is one of the three Musketeers. "How may I be of help to you?” I demand immediately she enters."Good day Alpha Hudson,” she begins. "Beta Arlo instantly requires your presence in the hall.” She bows after passing her message across.It's been ab
AALIYAH The night sky is out, and a cool breeze that threatens a heavy downpour blows. When we get to a spot, I ask the rider to halt the carriage, so I can survey the area. It's been about two years since I almost got assaulted and sold off for miserable coins. The mental picture of my home is a far cry from what is before me. I wrap my face with the scarf I requested as Hector made arrangements for a carriage and a rider and they also were decent enough to get me a proper dress. The place is strange, even though change is a constant, it still comes as a shock. Sadly, after the attack, the only home I remember is my hideout, not having a clue whatsoever about what my real home is. Daily, I gazed out of the tiny window, wishing I wouldn't be held in bondage for the longest, I guess I got answered, in the worst way. “Keep moving.” I order the rider, once I got back into the carriage. "How many more metres do we have to journey?" Hector tries to start a conversation. I ignore hi
LINDA I’ve lost count of the hours I have been watching Alpha Hunter recuperate, and I know the rising and falling pattern of his chest wall. He only needs rest, the physician had informed me, so I didn't bother tepid sponging him, seeing his temperature is stable.It's getting boring being locked up in here without doing anything or listening to hot gossip, I pace restlessly. Old habits die hard, they say. Even though I sometimes reprimand myself for eavesdropping after betraying Aaliyah, scared that it would reoccur, then again, I can't help it.Hopefully, he would be awake in no time, and his dinner needs to be ready, to not vex Alpha Hudson. I observe him for the last time, before going out of the room and down to the kitchen.“New day, new dern.” The plump cook teases. He's a fan of my rumours and he compensates me well in his own way. "Hello,” I pose, going with the flow. "The physician said she had left instructions regarding the diet of Alpha Hunter.”"Oh, yeah. It's ready
AALIYAH After tortuous minutes of trying to calm both parties down, incessantly dodging the vile from their strike, and almost hurting myself and my baby in the process, both men sheathed their swords and embraced peace, though I have my doubts that it may be nothing more than temporal deceit. Hector is tending to his chest wound and Chris, the bruises from Hector’s claws. They blandly refused to readjust to anyone, okay with being strangers apart.I don't find it out of place when Chris attacked like the wounded lion he is. That was the pain I'd been wanting to inflict on the alphas for the longest. Even though Hector is vindicating them, they deserve every bad treatment they get."Are you both okay?” I go to their middle, but none is interested to respond. "I will take your silence to mean yes.”Still, there is silence save their heavy breathing that's laced with hatred.“Chris,” I go closer to him. "Before we act, I need to fix a problem.” I speak with coded language so he is th
HUNTER Hudson’s room is accessible but empty when I arrived. After the rare chat with Linda, I came straight to his room to inform him of my health and also thank him for the help in the woods since I’m strong enough. I decide to wait, he shouldn't be out for long, knowing that he has no other obligation than tend to Jim and Jay who are now out of the picture, he should be with the Beta, considering we just returned empty from the quest.The door opens, and Hudson walks in, surprised to see me, but not completely hiding his stern face. He pulls out his chair and slumps on it."I can see you're well.”I nod with a smile. "I feel new, it's almost two days since I was in a coma. Thanks for conveying me home.”"I had to, even though I didn't want to.” He shrugs.“Still, stop playing too hard to get. We've all had to go against our will, but this is different.”"Don't collapse on me next time, I may be uncanny and walk away.” “Great sense of humour. I haven't seen Hector or Aaliyah.”"H
AALIYAH A fine blend of anxiety of meeting with Beta Nicholas and the anticipation of finally having my piece of cake intoxicates me, its effect makes me feel nauseous.I try to suppress the urge to give in to the will of reflex, swallowing hard the taste of bile overwhelming my defiance. Hurriedly, I rush to the window, throwing up the content of my stomach. A coarse palm rubs my back gently, soothing my nerves and offering me water with the other. I take it, rinsing my mouth and my face, not feeling better, just different. "What troubles my Luna?" “Normal pregnancy syndrome.” I don't indulge him, walking out of reach."You know I can always help you out if you don't feel like it.”"Hector? Stop treating me like a child or worst still a handicap, I’m not any.”"Clearly you are anxious. I could do you the favour and...” “Stop! At one point in time, it has happened to everyone, you can't make me feel less for being anxious.” I defend. "So you know, they are almost here, you still
AALIYAH The revealing of Beta Nicholas’ true identity came as a rude shock to me, all these years of trust, relationship, and respect, were built on pure lies. To think that my papa trusted him with his life and placed the welfare of Wild Crest Pack on his palms.When it is daybreak, we set the carriage to leave for Orlando, Hector ties a cloth around the mouth of Beta Nicholas, firmly to prevent him from calling for help, and drags him into the carriage, all set to embark on the endless journey. "Please take care of Wild Crest Pack, if my papa were alive, he would do the same.” I pat Chris’ shoulder.“I can't, I’m only trained to fight and defend the pack, not lead it.” "Then defend the pack. Wild Crest needs a saviour, they need you. I can't do that, not even if I’m not pregnant. I watch you daily keep me safe, and provide my needs at your detriment, you risked it all.”"It's you, just you, not thousands of people.”"And these thousands of people are first an individual. Daily, I
HUNTER “Hudson, you need to think this through.” I race after angry Hudson who's a few meters away from the general chamber."I have and thoroughly at that. His ceremony is in three freaking days and no one is stopping him.”"Hector may want to."“And Hector is yet to arrive. What if he doesn't before the ceremony or even arrives at all? And what if he has no issue whatsoever objecting to Beta Arlo’s madness?”"Lots of what ifs. This is not a response from someone who has thought about it worse still, thoroughly.”"Rant on Hunter, I've always known you're a princess.” He keeps walking haphazardly, and others are saddled with the duty of getting off his way as I chase after him."You're just being inappropriate besides it has nothing to do with this.”"Surely, you can't connect dots.”"Beta Arlo does deserve to be up there, even though I don't approve of his means "“Oh really? Because?” he stops to face me for the first time.Two men walk past us, they are members of the neighbouri