Herald stands before the fireplace soaking in the warmth to dispel the chill that has settled on his bones. He doesn’t fear about his life, his life was already snatched from him that night when Rosalyn died. He is afraid about the fall of his clan and for the safety of everyone he considers his family. The main issue is that no one really knows what the strength of Balkan’s clan is, where they are hiding now and what is his motive? This makes them more dangerous. “Herald.” “Ah Cory. What’s the update?” “Malakai is awake.” Herald doesn’t waste a single moment and rushes to question Malakai. He is the only one who might know something about Balkan’s intentions. When he reaches the healer’s cottage, he finds Malakai all cleaned up in his human form lying awkwardly on the bed. His entire torso and shoulder is wrapped in white bandages with red patches that suggest blood leak. “Will he survive?” Herald asks the healer. “Yes he will, but he needs some time to recover. I have a
Perks of being short is that you can adjust yourself anywhere and be a good spy. If what Donny said was right then Father and his wolf pack will meet here in his study. The fireplace is where Niya used to hide when she played with Vivian, or she had to observe the Alpha share war strategies with his Beta and wolf pack. Thinking about the memories soothes the ripples of tension in her heart and softens her face with a small smile. Tonight however she has to be careful and so she has sprayed some Lupine petal water on herself which will effectively mask his scent. The flowers are so rare nowadays that they are carefully stored in the sanctum underneath their cottage. Only father and his wolf pack have access there and Niya has found a way to enter. Thank the Moon Mother that she is short. Soon enough the wolf pack enters, led by Father and Cory locks the door. The wolf pack consists of six members: Father, Cory, Hans, Jessie, Felix and Malakai. When Niya was a youngling she used to
Niya is standing on the rooftop, her hands shoved in her pockets with cool air brushing past her cheeks. Tonight is different. Tonight the entire tribe is hushed, as if everyone is put under a spell and are sleeping under the blanket of fear. A tear trickles down her cheek and she sighs at the warmth. Slowly she takes out her right hand and immediately the mark begins to burn and glow. She is accustomed to the agony now, but tonight she feels something different, something she can’t describe; like an invisible tug, like an unspoken language. The longer she looks at the mark the more she loses any other sense, as if the world is muted and only she is real. Suddenly her focus shifts to shadow, a silhouette standing under the birch tree a few metres in front of her cottage. Niya squints her eyes but is only able to see the hooded figure staring back at her. She can’t see the face, nor can she identify the gender but she knows, she knows in her gut that she is being watched. As if in a
Finally the time has come for them to leave for Clan BloodBane. Alpha Jaden has welcomed both of them in his clan and is sending one of his sons to escort them. He will reach here by nightfall and they will start journeying early in the morning tomorrow. Niya is still not convinced that she should go or not, especially after the events that happened two nights prior. She has not seen the hooded woman again but every night she has the gut feeling of being watched. Like someone is trying to keep tabs about her movements. Whoever she was, she felt otherworldly, ancient and she could have killed Niya easily. At least that is what makes sense. The fact that she didn’t attack her or try to kill her makes no sense at all. What if she doesn’t want Niya to leave? If those are the savages threatening to attack our clan, then no one will survive. Father can be ruthless and powerful but even he would avert his eyes from such scenes, such savagery. No one blessed by Moon Mother is capable of
Niya is almost to her cottage when she notices a low growl coming from the shadows of the high bushes. She stops dead on her track unable to move and contemplates transforming. What was that? She slides her legs to a fighting stance and waits for the hidden beast to come out. It is unlikely that anyone from outside will be inside the clan boundary undetected by the wolves patrolling, but time is different now and after the visit to the old Crone Niya is on edge jumping over every shadow lurking. She didn’t have to wait any longer as the bushes part to reveal a huge gray wolf prowling out. Niya’s resolve weakens a little bit as she assesses her opponent. The male-wolf has the structure and demeanor of an Alpha and the confidence to walk out like this is visible through his strong build. Niya looks into his eyes trying to figure out who he is. He is not from Winterfrost clan; he doesn’t look like one of hers. She doesn’t think anymore and transforms quickly. In the very next moment s
Herald is fuming inside sitting in his study. After the awkward failed ending to the welcoming of Chase, he has been really angry with Niya. How on the earth did he think that she is going to be civilized in the presence of a guest of such caliber? Since childhood Niya has hated everything pretty. She is not going to fall for his looks. Maybe she can be swayed by any of Jaden’s other two sons. Herald rubs his temple and tries to ease the furrows deepening on his forehead. The night is still young and there is time left to mend what has been left at a sour note. That is why he is waiting for someone and if she doesn’t show up quickly, Herald will lose it. Niya walks up to the study and this is the first time she is hesitating to face her father. She can take his anger, but never disappointment. She has insulted the prince, twice she has injured his fragile pride and though she is smug about it, she knows it is not the way to welcome guests. Reluctantly she creaks open the door and
“Am I interrupting a moment?” Vivian strolls in slowly, playing with a stray strand of hair with her long fingers. “NO!” They both speak up at the same time and then look at each other. So much for starting again on a good note. “What are you doing here?” Niya asks Vivi. “Well, I can ask you the same question.” Niya goes silent trying to come up with a fitting reply. Chase knows that she would die but admit to anyone that she came here to apologize. “She came here to ask about the time of our departure.” Chase gives the reply. Niya’s head snaps up at him. Did he just lie? But why is he covering up for her? Is she so easy to read? “What a coincidence! I came here to ask the same thing. So at what time Niya?” Vivi asks. “What? Oh.. umm 5 in the morning was what he said.” Vivi shifts her attention to Chase and he nods once. “Okay then. Come on Niya, let the prince sleep. He must be tired. Tomorrow will be a long day. Good night Prince.” She bends her head and gives him
Deep in the jungle, a woman is chased by an invisible enemy. Her mortal legs ache as she tries to pump them faster. She knows that her attacker is toying with her, letting her purposefully get away. Every now and then she can hear him cackling. Her lungs burn with the exertion but still she keeps running frantically, trying to get a way out of the woods. Suddenly the wolf jumps out of nowhere and tackles her down on the ground. The woman screams and begs, writhing under the claws but sees only her death in his yellow eyes. “Please let me go!!! Please!!!” The woman begs breathlessly, tears streaming down without a stop. The wolf recoils his neck back for a moment and then sinks his teeth swiftly on her neck. Warm blood pools around her head staining his teeth and once again the forest goes silent. Back in Clan WinterFrost, after a restless night Niya splashes cold water on her face. Her eyes look bruised and tired from fighting the tears lying on the bed. She is leaving and alth