Alaric’s POVWe barely reached the border when boulders started raining on us.  They rolled from the top of the mountains in succession at a speed that surprised us. We did not expect the enemy to start early. We have not left our territory yet, but the enemy uses our location against us to pin us down. For a while, we had been busy dodging speeding giant rocks.  They were fast, but we were faster. My men trained for these kinds of things. We use our senses to detect danger faster than any other creature. Smoke billowed around us.  Dust stings our eyes. It was like an avalanche of giant rocks coming from all sides. “We have to take cover,” I told Ben and the others. The area we are in is like a catch basin circled with slopes. We are on the low point, and every time a boulder rolls down, it creates an ear-splitting sound like the rocks were protesting fr

“Bring my mate home and the rest of his crew alive, and I will do as you say,”  I told my condition before agreeing to her demands.  If Lyla would be brazen to bargain with me, what makes her think I will be constrain into keeping the deal one-sided?  I have to, at least, have something in return.  The old Erin who takes cudgels for her sister is gone.  In her place is someone who knows her way to fight back. The hardships I endured made me stronger and hopefully wiser not to become putty in other people’s hands, especially those with a track record for greed and self-aggrandizement.  Alaric told me that it’s not a sin to fight for your rights, and right now, I am fighting for my family, for my son to live his future in peace. “And what if I didn’t?”  Lyla challenged, breaking into my trance.  I eyed the sardonic smirk lacing Lyla's lip

Alaric pulled Cirala in his arms and started gently talking to our son. It was amazing to see how Cirala’s sob gradually subsided until he finally quieted. When I looked at our son again, he was a picture of a docile child who had never kicked up a fuss earlier, leaving me harassed and stressed. While Alaric talks to our son. He walks back to the bed, carrying Cirala, settling in the middle and leaving me feeling awkward standing in the corner, looking at them. I was not wearing any footwear, and the coldness of the floor seeped through my feet. I felt a chill spreading through the rest of my body. I imagined the rest of my future like this and felt repulsed instantly.I felt like an outcast. Alaric pointedly ignored me like I never existed. His eyes are all on our son. I erroneously thought that after he ran and let steam off, he would return with an improved disposition, but I was clearly mistaken. His mood did not get better after his short trip. Maybe he needed a longer

Erin’s POVWhile the two officers dragged me out, I was surprised to see Ben. I thought he had already left. I did not expect him to stay. He rushed out to me, looking worried. I snapped out of attention in panic. I looked behind Ben to check for the familiar figure of my mate.Ben second-guessed my actions, and he shook his head sadly in reply, silently confirming what my heart knew. Alaric did not come to see me. He was not here. Unsatisfied with the knowledge, I tried to try another way to detect him. I took a whiff, my nostrils twitched as I tried to assimilate the smell around me. There was no scent of apricot and peaches in the air. My nose confirmed what my eyes did not see. With a sinking feeling, I calmly accepted that Alaric, to this last moment, refused to see me. ‘Mate is not here.’ Maya said sadly, feeling put off by the realization that Alaric abandoned us. I smiled wanly at Ben when our eyes locked. Maybe it was for the best. I hate for Alaric to see like

Erin’s POVI held my head between my hands, mulling over how things had arrived at this point. All I ever wanted was a peaceful life with my family, but fate seemed to have other plans.I thought I was finally able to find happiness with my mate and my son, but one tragedy after another struck. I was told my mother was dead. Then, I was kidnapped. Alaric and his men had been tricked and imprisoned. Then to save Alaric and his men, I have to strike a deal with Lyla. I was ready to put my life on the line for the safety of my family, but Lyla proved to be more cunning than I thought. Just as I was about to throw away the battle between me and Alpha Leo, I found him dead in the arena, and his death was pinned on me. Too many things happened at once, and I am still reeling from the shock of it. My chest heaves everytime I think about the ruin that befell my family all because of Lyla. “Lyla,” I muttered her name in the silence. My hands clenched into fists as anger filled my wh