THE BLOOD

pefaction, their gazes browsing ove

f the properly dress

ces reverberating like an earthquake. Murmurs and mumblings trailed behi

p. His royal blue ermine cloak, resplendent with intricate embroidery and adorned with all manner of precious stones, shimmered in the light, each gem

ACC

eeting stood up, their movements a synchronized display of fear a

smile, tainted wit

ly," I

k?" he retorted, his bright green eyes plunging into mine. "I see you've gr

re I was, thinking you couldn't get more despicable, but tsk, tsk, tsk... I was an oaf to eve

from side to side. "I'm chuffed, Ronan. Thanks for the

I flinched, my face caught

ore coming here. You even made one of my composed soldiers lose his comp

shall rise, inundating the sky with its eerie aura. On that night, I, Alpha Thorn, shall swiftly eliminate you and hang

curling with unpertur

you right here and uprooted your head in front of your pack members, putting an end to your

better cancel all dumb plans you had in mind because I'm keeping her.

ddy. Demons should be with the

tugged at my cloak and left the palace with

ow! And yeah, help impart my feelings to your

ll," Alpha Thorn

ng light from the hearth cast soft shadows on her peaceful face. As I draped a blanket over her, I ma

r now, all that mattered was ensurin

The world around me began to blur, tilting and spinning like a frantic windmill. I

dizziness, gently tugging and

to eat something," I mur

r in my palms, and sp

e!" she shout

, ch

t think too mu

s, thank you for

missy. Don't worry, we'll discuss more in the morning,"

me once more, Sir

leftover pork. Her face lit up with happines

adowfell Bastion," she suggest

n't choke,"

he name of yo

ain't wolves, Sir Ronan. C'mon, y

n, I should know

us, don't you k

was saying. I needed to sleep; my head

poisoned?" I swooned as e

noticed a footprint mad

e floor!" she cried out, finally notic

late, as her voice fa

THOR

n to my palace, you disloyal s

aged to poison him during the b

" I scoffed as I ordered his disposal in front of the pack elders.

Diem," I commanded. In a few minutes, t

led for us," they

mitted, but I've taken care of it-or should I say, half t

t surviving member of the

marble ground. "Sire, I told you we should have killed him! So now he's

lph," I praised. "And while you're at it, torture

tightenin

on. "Let's go. The king has

village and into the enveloping darkness, following the dri

ng adj

my thoughts. The Blood Moon was approachi

AN'

vision blurred. I squinted, trying to make sense

was I? I tried to move, but all I could

"Anna! Anna! Where are you?" I searched frant

ugh the confusion, echoing across the empty room. A broad,

nto sharp relief, revealing cold, piercing e

unexpected wave of no

nd this is my son, Walter, a much stronger wolf, and we're going to make your life a living hell. Then release y

ould be too afraid to face me at my best

the impact gnashing open my head. Pain exploded th

t I implore you not to hur

rp, stinging sound that echoed in the silence. It struck my skin with a reso

s, take the girl to our king. I will han

n as he set off to the

e me now, and I might co

ituation you're in. Hahaha! Alpha Thorn w

om suffused with the metallic tang of blood. I was bruised,

g as he splashed a bucket of water over me. "It's the day. The da

carriage, scurrying away to the Shadowclaw terr

been poisoned after the fight with those omegas; my left t

hile that I felt such responsibility toward someone.

outside of the hovel. Mustering the last vestige of strength I had left, I climbed onto the horse, gently tapping

ure almost automatic, as I stumbled and f

himself, Alpha Thorn, smirking in the distance. The pack members were all ready to witness the battl

ge as I lay sprawled in the dirt, the i

erous, a snarl escaping my lips. My eyes narrowed, focusing all m

avelly voice cutting through the ai

tory ease, his boot landing squar

air rushed from my lungs, and I spat blo

isgust, kicking me away like discarded tra