NIKKI My eyes are still wet from crying, I watch them drag her away just as Lady Sasha did and I did absolutely nothing, like the coward I am.When they went out of sight, I ran straight to the room, and since then, I have been crying out my eyes. The room is empty, giving me the liberty to scream and crash things as I deem please.The door opens, and it is Clair and a bunch of others, they walk to their separate beds but Clair comes in my direction.“I watch how your beloved master was paraded like a common criminal, you're the next, after all, what's good for the goose is also for the gander.” I choose to not dignify her stupidity with a response. This energy will be better if channelled towards something meaningful, like the whole plot even though it is late.Linda comes in with others after about an hour. She giggled with three of the alpha females. Aaliyah was right, how was I blind to this as well? Here, the title of an alpha female makes them swell like jellyfish, perhaps she

AALIYAH The arena is creepy, like in those folktales my papa used to sway me to bed, while I was warmly cuddled in his stour arms. Noise from crawling insects lingers in the air, intensifying the eerie sensation. The sun shines down in full glory, its heat tortuous on my skin and soul. Since last night, I haven't rested, equipped with my lucent torch and supplies Nikki packed, I navigated my way through the wild, nonstop. A vision of Lady Sasha coming after me haunted me, a terrifying motivation. I knew it was my mind playing a fast one on me, but soon, it will be as true as day if I don’t get to safety.I promised Nikki to go far away to a land beyond reach, a promise I’m breaking now. I can't move on without the alphas, for my peace of mind, I need to be sure they are dead, and see their rotting bodies for my selfish satisfaction and pain. This is what I have always wanted, but it hits differently, maybe if I caused the harm myself, it would hurt less. Poor Hunter, I clutch his

HUDSON Right in my very before, Hunter collapses on the ground, his skin is pale, and his hair is light brown. My heart sinks into my stomach. Scared on his behalf.Is he dead? Even though I want him out of the equation, I pray to the moon for another chance. Knowing this might be the last time he would provoke me or deliberately piss me off, the sad and blissful memories of us fading away with his soul, is awful.Not for anything in this world, will I trade his life in exchange, and it took me forever to realize I’m more than obsessed with his presence and jokes and the prettiest of faces. It has to be a dream.I crash to his level when my legs are no longer frozen from the shock, taking him in my arms. Tears sting my eyes.“Is he okay?” I manage to ask between clenched teeth. "Is he!” I yell at no one in particular. Hector reaches for his hand to feel his pulse, planting his ear on Hunter's chest simultaneously. " He is, for now. His pulse is too faint and his heartbeat dull.” “W

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

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