EPILOGUE IIIALISHATWENTY YEARS LATER“Mmm,” I grunted as I sat up, my back hurting after using Derek’s body as a pillow.He had woken up early and left the bed, I remembered, after giving me a kiss as usual.I shouldn’t have drank so much.We were all getting on in years now, and though I had clocked forty-one last night, I still had a long life ahead of me.I smiled to myself as I remembered the way Misch, Benjamin, Hilda, mark and Derek had coerced me to take not one, not two, but THREE whiskey shots.Damn them all for being able to hold their liquor while I, barely used to drinking even at my age, had NOT.“So damn unfair,” I muttered under my breath, and thought briefly about postponing the training session I had with Mischa, Markson and Erika.The two children had grown up so fast, and were already 19 and 20 respectively, already becoming accomplished warriors at their age.Erika was much like her mother, a consummate warrior. I smirked as I remembered the way that Mischa and I
AlishaI was trembling in his presence - in my would be mate’s presence who never acknowledged me for anything, except when he needed a toy.Why had I come to the common room again, I wondered as he stood towering over me. All my words had failed me and I was left floundering.Despite that, I was glad to have his eyes on me and not on any other girl. Somewhere in my heart I still loved him, even when he hurt me so much. Why couldn’t he love me the same in return?“What do you want?” He sneered at me and I tried to stop my eyes from welling up with tears but it was inevitable.“Please,” I begged him. “If you could make an announcement… or anything-“ my voice broke at the last word. I couldn’t say anything more without having the tears spill down my face.All I heard from Sebastian was said with a tone of absolute disdain.“You’re nothing to me,” he all but spat at me and I flinched.If it was possible to break my heart into pieces a second time I was sure that he would.His dark eyes b
DerekI got up before the sun rose, unable to rest well with my companion snoring by my side.Without much thought I rolled my eyes at her. She was just as loud in her sleep as she was when I had kept her pinned under my body and pounded into her.Entering my bathroom swiftly, I traipsed down the large path to my shower.I really needed a hot shower, I thought with a groan.Once I turned the water setting to hot and felt the nearly scalding water drip down my head and soak my head, I felt a measure of relief.Several minutes after I got my shower out of the way and made my way out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around my waist.My companion for the night - what was her name again, Beatrice or something? - must have begun to stir, and I didn’t want her leaving just yet.I opened the door and stepped back into my room. On the table right next to my bathroom door was the the bowl I had ordered prepared the previous night.True to my thoughts, I noticed she wasn’t on the bed an
AlishaHis touch burned on my skin and I ached badly for more of it. Only when we were like this did the burden in my heart cease.“Sebastian,” I cried out his name and his gaze on me turned dangerous. Before I knew it he had taken several steps from me and I was left devoid of his touch - a regretful outcome.I whined from where I was pinned on the bed only seconds ago, my body wanting him and only him - my mate.“Sebastian please,” my voice became a whisper.“Get the fuck out,” was all I heard. It was like a bucket of cold water being splashed onto my face and I shivered, tears prickling my eyes. His eyes bore into me as I opened my mouth and tried to speak.But he didn’t wait for that. Instead he grabbed his jacket and stormed out of his own bedroom, slamming the door so loudly that it shook.I had broken one of his rules again.…That core memory still replayed over and over in my head as the head maid handed us tasks to do.Despite being the mate of the Alpha, I was practically s
AlishaI needed to leave.I picked myself up from the bed slowly. Luckily the sun hadn’t even come close to rising yet and the man still hadn’t been roused from sleep.Quietly I got dressed and tiptoed to the door, my heart pounding.I entered a large hallway that I had never seen before. It was comparable to Sebastian’s home that I gaped.Woah.Who was this man that could live in such a massive house? I walked towards the end of one of the hallways which seemed to stretch on forever. It was then that I heard a soft voice cal out to me.“Why hello..? I’ve never seen you before. You’re new.”I turned to find an elderly looking woman with silver hair dressed in gold.Though the woman’s voice was kind, my hackles had risen. I was hoping to leave before anyone would see me and now that plan was a bust. Crap.The woman’s eyes surveyed me.“You’re a quiet one, aren’t you?” She noted, curiosity coloring her voice.“I’m, um… I’m sorry.” My stammers were not the assured tone I wanted to carry,
DerekI groaned as the sunlight hit my eyes.“Fuck,” I cursed to the empty air, before slowly sitting up. I had been more drunk than I had wanted to last night.After a while of trying to recall exactly how reality hit me.Had I not come home with that girl?Alisha, I recalled her name.She had been a good companion for the night, more than most other girls I had been with.Realizing I was alone brought to mind that she had somehow gone while I was sleeping.I rushed to stand, angry with myself.I had met my guard down. And she had left while I was asleep.I had to find her, I thought and suddenly my hand flew to my chest.What was this?There was this pain deep within me, a longing for something I couldn’t name.My wolf side itched to come out and I growled out.“What is it?” I asked out loud. “What are you looking for?”The word came in a flash, echoing within me.Mate.Then it was over, or maybe it was just the beginning. Either way, the awareness of the presence of something that
Alisha:I stirred from my restless slumber to the sounds of birds. The forest was quiet at the early hours of the evening and I could see the dawn peeking through the morning sky. I was in a clearing, resting on one of the larger roots of the redwood trees around me. I had walked so long before I had come upon it that afternoon. And I had stopped to rest. My tears had long run dry but I was still shaken from everything.That was when I heard it; unmistakable sounds of footsteps, crunching leaves in their path.Following it was the sound of humming which made me tense and look around me. The voice was closer than I expected. I saw him before he saw me; a man coming up from my left.But it was too late for me to hide a I knew that as soon as he stopped humming, his face turned in my direction.I looked down as the footsteps grew close and closer.Now I was in trouble.“Now who are you?” I heard him ask, as if he was talking to himself.You’re dead. You can’t even survive a day without
DerekI frowned to myself.This was such an annoying thing.It had been days and since I had heard no word of this girl.Benjamin was walking beside me from the warrior’s cabin where I had an impromptu inspection on my way to see him from the training grounds. He didn’t speak; I bet it had to be because he knew of how badly my mood was affected.Why was this darned girl so elusive?Alisha…All I knew of her was her name and face.It was more than a little frustrating.“Relax, man,” I heard Benjamin say and I let out a frustrated sigh. “I have to say I’ve never seen you like this before.”I didn’t respond but I took my best friend’s words to heart. He was right - I had barely batted an eye for a girl before. But this was different. This girl was my supposed mate - something I didn’t even want nor need.I had to find her fast and-And…And reject her.I knew that was my intention from the beginning, but of course I doubted Benjamin would know much about it. All he knew was that this gir