Wright was inside of the gym exercising when his phone began to ring. "Gosh, it is already past 9 am," He said as he looked at the wall clock. "And who could this caller be" Acting very reluctantly, he went for his phone. "Philip" he murmured as he saw the caller. "Hey man," Wright said as he picked the call. He wondered why Philip would be calling him this early. Philip is not one to call often unless he really has important news and Wright prayed that whatever this call was for, it should better not be what he was thinking, it should not be in any way related to the Pack. Anyways, he maintained his cool and waited patiently for Philip to tell him the reason for the call himself. "Wright" Philip responded. From the tone of Philip's voice, Wright could tell that he was a bit tensed and was only trying to hide it. Philip and Wright had grown up in Shadow Rank Pack as best of friends. In fact, if the tussle with the rogues had not happened, Philip would have been Wright's beta. Wright's dad, Alpha Lucas is the alpha of Shadow Rank Pack and Wright is his successor before he left everything behind during the war with the rebels and moved to Edmonton where he had met Evolette and had further denounced his werewolf lineage. As a good friend, Philip had left the pack with him amidst the conflict but had soon left Edmonton for Regina for greener pasture. It was by the twist of fate that Philip had met Kyra in Regina while he had met Evolette here in Edmonton and both close friends had married the same sisters. When Evolette discovered Wright's true nature, she was not receptive to same and so, just so as to please her, he had all these years live outside that part of him until the midnight of her burial when he had shifted and had run into the wild to let out his grief for his self-acclaimed lost mate. Kyra on her part had been a little indifferent and receptive about the whole werewolf thing and was even ready to move back to Shadow Rank Pack with Philip just that Philip was unwilling to go back because of his love and solidarity for his friend and Alpha as he had always addressed Wright whenever they were alone." My Alpha, are you there?" Philip inquired when Wright had not responded to him." Gosh, this better be good" Wright spat. Now he was sure that Philip's call was definitely related to the Pack as he had feared. When Wright left Shadow Rank Pack, the rebels did not leave him as they were still out to get him. It was with the help of the allies that Wright built in Edmonton that he had been able to operate discreetly without getting the attention of his foes. All these years, Philip had been Wright's number one ally and had been on the lookout for possible threats to his friend, Wright, and had always alerted him whenever there was danger. Wright had been able to live a quiet life until just before the death of Evolette. He tries to act normal to Riona, but within him, he constantly fears for her safety. "Speak Philip, I am listening" Wright muttered. "Okay Wright, where is Rio?" Philip asked. "She is not in" Wright replied. "What!" Philip exclaimed. "Come on Philip. Or do you want me to pee on my pants?" Wright was already getting irritated and all he just wanted was for Philip to spill the bean. "Sorry, man," Philip said. "Gosh" Wright spat. "I am so sorry, I am sorry" Philip was tense. "I don't even know what I am thinking" "Relax Philip, what is the problem?" Wright asked. "I just got the news that some rogues from Shadow Rank are out, they are there in Edmonton since yesternight" Philip announced. "What!" Wright screamed. "And how come you are just telling me of this now?" "I just got the news right away and I quickly called you. The first thing that came to my mind was Rio" Philip explained. "Rio" Wright stuttered. "Rio left this morning. I think she said she was going to get Sandra to come spend the weekend with us" "Shit" Philip cursed. "O my God, o my God. What the hell?" Wright cursed. "Please be cool," Philip said. "I am cool, man. What is the situation with the rogues at the moment, do you by chance know that?" Wright was curious. Wright is so anxious and filled with anger right now and he cannot imagine any harm coming to his little girl. He promised himself that he would spare no life in Shadow Rank if there is as little as a mosquito bite on Riona. "From my information, they don't have her yet, and happily they don't know what she looks like just yet," Philip said. Wright interrupted him. "Wait, what do you mean they don't know what she looks like just yet, do you plan on revealing that to them?"
It was a little past midnight and everywhere was dark and calm. A cool and gentle breeze blew across the house sending a cold chill to Riona as she walked around the house in her nighties with teary eyes. She was covered in grief and sorrow which were a result of the strong pain that has built up inside of her.
As she takes each step, she was lost in the happenings around her and with this, she did not take cognizance of the darkness surrounding her. But she knows her way around the house and was able to dodge the obstacles in front of her.
She arrived at the front of a frame on the wall in the sitting room and stopped in front of it. "Mum" she muttered and more tears dropped from her eyes.
Still unconscious, she walked up the staircase and when she got to her dad's door she stopped. She made to turn the door handle but changed her mind and withdrew her hand. She turned and continued to her room.
When she got to her room, she opened the door and turned on the lights. She slowly walked to her bed and laid down. Then she covered herself up to her shoulder with her duvet and closed her eyes.
As soon as Riona entered her room, Wright opened the door to his room and walked out. He was putting on only boxers and the upper part of his body was uncovered and left bare exposing his muscles and his perfect skin. He stood tall in the darkness, his physique overshadowing the coldness of the midnight air.
He walked through the passageway and came to Riona's door. He stopped in front of the door and he decided to open it to know if Riona was awake. Carefully, he opened the door slightly and takes a peep inside. Wright was been careful in this as he does not want to disturb Riona with his activities by this time of the night and he hopes that she was deep in sleep.
When he looked into the room, he saw her lying on her bed and with her appearance, he could tell that she was fast asleep. The lights were on and he reached for the switch by the side of the door and put off the lights. After that, he closed the door gently and left. Even though he had confirmed that Riona was sleeping, he was still conscious of his movements and he quietly walked down the staircase to the sitting room to avoid making any sound that would alert Riona.
From his look, it was obvious that he had been restless and was very exhausted. All night long, he had tried to get some sleep but was unable to because all through the night, his mind kept drifting to the events of the past month.
As soon as he got into the sitting room, he yawns and stretches himself. After the stretch, he walks up to the frame on the wall which has Evolette's picture and he looked at it. With his eye still focused on the picture, he murmured "It is today darling". After saying this, he smirked.
He hopes that the picture had heard what he said and so he stood in front of the picture looking at it for a little while longer. Then he gradually closed his eyes and he placed his right hand on the frame and keeping a sad and weary face, he slowly ran his fingers through the picture.
His heart is bitter and he felt he cannot last a second longer. He wants to be free from all of these, from the pains that are within and hunting him. He wants to shade off his human skin. It has been a very long he did this. Actually, he had vowed never to do it but right now, he was left with no choice but to be free and he hopes that shading off his human skin would bring him the relief that he so many desires at this point in his life.
"Till we met again, love," He said to the picture.
He slowly removed his hands from the frame and opened his eyes that were already holding some tears. He takes some steps back from it.
He stops and looked around the sitting room and he growled. When he stopped, he once again takes a look around the sitting room and he growled one more time, this time louder than the first.
He quietly takes off his clothes from his body and after that, he looks around the sitting room another time, and in the swift of a second, in pain, he shifted into a wolf.
After he had shifted into his wolf, he growled once again and he ran out of the house through the back door and into freedom.
.........................................................
Wright took the plates from the kitchen and to the dining table with a heavy heart. He dropped the plates on the dining table and returned to clean up the kitchen and to ensure that everything is kept in order.
When he was done fixing the kitchen, he glanced at his wristwatch, and it was 6:48 am. He sighs heavily, his hands braced against the kitchen sink.
He stalled as he remembered the way his daughter, Riona, wept at her mother's bedside at the hospital. Riona had lost her mother and he had lost his beloved wife. He hadn't taken Riona back to see her mother after that encounter, and now he had to tell his daughter that her mother would be laid to rest today and he just could not bring himself to do that as he does not know how to go about it without steering up her emotions.
"Oh God, what is all this. How would I be able to go about this?" He said to himself.
Even as a werewolf, he has not been able to control the hurt that he feels at the demise of his lovely wife, Evolette, no matter how hard he tries to. So the thought of how painful this is to his precious daughter, Riona only caused him more pain. He could not do anything to ease her pains even at this dire moment when he needs to do something. He could not bear to think about how painful this is to Riona who is only but a human and could not absorb pains or control her emotions.
"I need your help Lord" he sighs.
He left the kitchen and walks to the staircase. He was going to go break the news of Evolette's burial to Riona in her room. However, he stopped at the staircase and hesitated for a while as he contemplated on whether to continue with his mission or not.
After fighting a morning struggle against his heart and mind he climbs the stairs with a lead-filled foot.
"I have got to do this now" He murmured as he approaches Riona's door.
Still filled with reluctance, he stopped at her door and raised his hand with the intention of knocking. He slightly stalls then finally tapped on the door.
He waited, but no reply.
He knocks again, "Riona darling are you awake?" He asked.
Yet there was no reply from Riona. He contemplated on what to do as he was reluctant on opening the door. After what seemed like forever, he grabbed the handle of the door and gently opened it.
He saw Riona lying on the bed, she was wide awake. He stood and stared at her and she stares back at him. Wright's heartaches as he sees her eyes, a replica of her mother's, but now reddened by frequent tears.
Riona reminds him so much of Evolette, his wife, and anytime that he looks at her, he remembers the first time that he had seen Evolette at her friend's place and had fallen in love with her at first sight even though she was completely different from him. She is human.
Riona possesses all the attractive features of her mum, from the long brown hair to her straight legs and then to her succulent pink lips and that eyes. She also has a great height just like Evolette. And even at age twelve, she already has the curves in all the right places.
After Wright had met Evolette, he had immediately revealed his werewolf identity to her. At first, she considered his assertions as being ridiculous but when he had gone ahead to shift right before her. At first, she found the whole situation very strange but accepted to be with him after she had assured her that he has no intention of continuing with being a werewolf.
When Riona was born, Evolette asked him to embrace his real self for the sake of their daughter because she could as well be a werewolf just like him. However, he and Evolette had vowed not to let her in on his identity until she comes of age and is able to fully comprehend and handle the truth.
Looking at how inquisitive Riona had turned out, Wright felt that keeping away his identity from her was the best thing to do for now at least till she becomes more mature.
He tried to soften the act in his voice before greeting her. "Hey, dear".
"Good morning daddy" Riona replied.
She was still staring at him expressionlessly and she did not even make any attempt to get out of her bed.
He takes a seat next to Riona and placed his hands on her body.
"Listen, Rio, I need to tell you something that is happening today..."
He falters, clearing his throat before continuing his sentence.
Riona stares at her dad with eyes of innocence as she was completely oblivious to the situation.
He coughed again and tears dropped from a corner of his left eye.
"Today is the day ..."
A knock at the door downstairs snags Wright's attention from his daughter. He breathes a breath of relief and immediately stood up.
"Give me a minute, Rio, let me see who is at the door"
Riona did not respond to her dad's excuse, instead, she rolled her eyes and immediately turned her back to him.
Wright stood up and stared at Riona for a little while. Actually, he felt lost at her disposition and within him, he sincerely hopes that Riona is a werewolf just like him. For this, he has to wait until her sixteenth birthday to find out. Hopefully, she would shift on the full moon of her sixteenth birthday.
And he has to get her ready for this. He alone cannot do that alone and so he plans on getting her close to a female werewolf who would take out her time to explain everything to her so that she would not find it strange if she discovers that she is a werewolf.
"I would be right back," Wright said and walked out.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU PAY FOR A SINGLE NIGHT... The only offense Emily Lee seemed to have committed was being a human among werewolves. Emily was born to a human mother, Benita, and a werewolf father, Oscar Lee. And the fact that just like her mother, Emily has no wolf did not sit well with her werewolf father, Oscar Lee, who used every opportunity to express his displeasure. Emily's stepmother, Elise Lee, and her daughter were not left out in this hate. They taunted Emily and tried everything possible to get her out of the family. As a result of this ominous hatred, Emily made it her life's goal to earn the love of her family, especially her shady half-sister, Samantha Lee, who could not come to terms that Emily was more beautiful than her. After having a one-night stand with the powerful CEO, Don Nick, Emily Lee quickly realizes that she is losing her most cherished relationship with her boyfriend, Tyler. Samantha Lee's deftly planned stunt was used to make Emily deteriorate and come crumble on her feet. And even so, she vowed to make that icky night Emily's doom. All Emily wished for was to live a normal life and share a bond with her sister. Not for once did she imagine that the cost would be disastrous. Emily Lee was blackmailed into giving in to Samantha's cunning demands, and she paid a heavy price, which included losing her beauty and leading a deplorable life as a luna, to the renowned and strong Alpha Xavier. AGAINST HER WILL SHE BECAME A LUNA, BUT FOR LOVE SHE WAS MADE A MONSTER Emily's life as the luna of Twin Sparks Island Pack was nothing like the popular fairy tales would have you believe. It was never to be desired. Because Samantha Lee was the Lady of the Pack and Emily's young princess, Mila Xavier, lived in ruins and never learned what it meant to be born into royalty, despite the fact that Emily retained the title of Lady Luna. Emily Lee is currently a luna without the love of her alpha and a monster confined to a dungeon. In spite of this, Samantha hunted for the last drop of her blood, and wouldn't give up until she breathes her last. In Emily lies the answer Alpha Xavier sought, and she alone can bring Lycan Ryder, the vicious Dragon Lycan King, to his feet. However, Emily is held back by fear and will not use her might to her advantage. What was worse was that she was ignorant of the power she possessed. In all of this, only one thing kept Emily going. And that was the hope that she would one day give her daughter, Mila Xavier, her most cherished desire, the love of her father. Will Emily finally find her happily ever after despite her fear, or will that terrible night with the CEO, Don Nick, spell her death?
To Alora Steele, marriage to the stranger was nothing more than a desperate escape. A mere convenience. With no way out of a forced engagement to the ruthless Sir Edgar Keil-or the suffocating grip of her captor, Captain Mufasa-she took a leap of faith into the unknown. All she wanted was freedom, a chance to take control of her life for the first time. But the moment she returned to the ranch with her new husband, the real battle began. Her aunt, Carol, and cousin, Molitta, saw her marriage as nothing more than an obstacle to their ambitions. Determined to secure the wealth and power that came with Alora's engagement to Sir Edgar, they vowed to tear her fragile union apart-by any means necessary. Hanson, the mysterious live-in son-in-law, was an enigma. He was formidable yet quiet, a man who seemed to blend into the shadows while possessing an aura of undeniable strength. His past was a puzzle, one that Alora couldn't quite piece together. But as they fought against betrayal and deception, an unexpected bond formed between them-one that neither had anticipated. However, secrets have a way of unraveling, and Molitta was the first to glimpse Hanson's true identity. And once she did, she would stop at nothing to claim him for herself. Now, Alora faces a battle she never saw coming. She must fight, not just for her marriage and the man she's grown to love, but for the future of the child growing within her. Because this time, walking away isn't an option.
"Be careful of the good you see, it might be an evil yet to be formed" Just how careful can alpha Andrew be in the quest to save his princess from the impending battle coming for her? To kill the cat was all he was required to do but he failed even at that. Consumed by love for his princess, alpha Andrew did all he could to alter her fate. He concealed her true name, built a wall to secure his pack, secretly destroyed her most prized possession, and kept every truth hidden. Princess Andrea's life is far from fun. Having had her wolf since the age of two, she struggled to be accepted by her peers who only saw her as a monster. Even in love, she was despised by her crush, her lover was mated to her best friend, and turning eighteen, her mate refused to reveal himself. The sweet princess accepted things as there are until she met Luciana, the sorcerer who revealed to her enough to cause some stir. Feeling betrayed by her father's actions, the princess left the palace and made her way into the woods and into all alpha Andrew has done the unthinkable trying to change. Will the battle be won, or would not killing the cat spell her doom?
Annabel does not care when it comes to her unprintable desires for older men. She is wild and always hot and the older the better. She refused to heed the counsel of her friend Lily and her guardian, Sister Pamela to fall in love and settle down. Her whole life was geared towards satisfying her unquenchable lust. It all started after she lost her family in an accident and was taken to the orphanage by the kind Sister Pamela who found her at the scene of the accident. Little Annabel spent the rest of her life waiting for the only family she knows, Rich as she believed that Rich would come to take her with him someday. So, on every eve of every Christmas which was the day the accident happens, she goes to stand by the window waiting to see him come for her. But then, Rich never came. Annabel left the orphanage at Beetville and came to Everestland land in search of Rich, but discovered that he was now the most successful CEO. She believed that he had long forgotten her and she vowed to revenge and make him pay for converting her father's wealth to his. Annabel's burning flare for older men could not be satisfied and when she unknowingly met Rich who gave his name as Jay, she made him drunk and had her way with him. In the morning she was gone leaving some cash at the hotel room for him. Rich later found her and fell in love with her without knowing who she really was. And when he discovered her true identity, he had to decide what he truly wants. Is it the bad girl that she has grown to become, or the little innocent girl that he had dedicated his whole life in search of?
"Don’t worry, we would soon hand you over to a mate just as misery as you are. But we are even finding it difficult to get such a person. You are just so disgusting” These were the exact words Sam told his little sister, Scarlet. What happens when a feeble female werewolf is tortured, maltreated, satirized, and despised by the same people she calls family? What happens when her alpha lover turns his back on her at the point when she needed him the most, and enacted a decree restraining her from ever appearing before him? What happens when she is forced into a marriage with a ruthless alpha? What happens when in her new forced home the mistress of her husband swore to take her life? Having had enough, Scarlet went into a self-imposed exile, and there she met an old lady who handed over to her a seemingly supposedly worthless stone amulet which turns out to be a gift from the moon goddess. Life was filled with uncertainty for Scarlet, and it was a voyage of discoveries for her. A life puzzle, which could only be unraveled by patience, love, wisdom, and above all, the dictates of fate. Living through this puzzle, she had to fight against her blood (family), conquer the Titans, force the rogues to bend to her will, rule over the Pixies, and finally subdue alphas, kings, lords, and nations. Now, the once feeble werewolf is bent on ensuring that she does not get bitten a second time, and thus, she must rule with jealousy and guard against future betrayers to ensure maximum loyalty. And to achieve the almost impossible, she has to do an act never conceived in the heart of men. Follow Scarlet to find out just what the moon goddess has in stock for her, and how she navigates through life's thorns to get to the petals. With a hope for victory, we must fight to win.
"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her. Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall. "Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood. Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome! I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do." "Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!" Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?"
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Madison had always believed that she would marry Colten. She spent her youth admiring him from afar, dreaming of their future life together. But Colten was always indifferent to her, and when he abandoned her at a time when she needed him most, she finally realized that he never loved her. With renewed resolve and a thirst for revenge, Madison left. Endless possibilities lay ahead, but Colten was no longer part of her plans. Colten rushed to her place in a panic. "Madison, please come back to me. I’ll give you everything!" It was his powerful uncle who answered the door. "She's my woman now."
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."