Chapter 1
"Bind her up," I heard a woman's stern command.
They roughly shoved me to the ground, placing my arms on a bench and tying them with ropes.
"It’s an honor for you to be a surrogate candidate for our King! HOW DARE YOU try to escape?! Now you’ll pay the price!" As his partner handed him a pair of pliers, he flashed me a purely evil smile.
My heart sank into my stomach. The king? Surrogate?! I had no idea what he was talking about...
"NO PLEASE! Listen, you’ve got the wrong person..." They didn't even let me finish before they pulled out the nail on my index finger.
"Ah-----"
I thought I knew pain, but his actions proved I didn't. I had never experienced such torture; my helpless screams filled the entire dungeon. Tears streamed down my face, and my hands were soaked with innocent blood.
The woman sat not far away, legs crossed, smiling at me. Soon, she raised her hand to signal everyone to leave and then crouched in front of me, slowly untying the ropes around me.
"I know it's not you, but a she-wolf escaped. We'll use you to replace her. So, if you want to survive here, shut your mouth and do as you're told."
Just like that, everything changed...
***
Betrayed by my fated mate and my best friend.
I, the powerful daughter of an Alpha, was scheduled to be executed on the false allegations of murdering my father and his comrades.
Fate had other plans as I escaped but landed myself on an island ruled by a mysterious king, Asher Ludwig...
No matter how difficult it is, I will fight my way back and reclaim everything that belongs to me!
Chapter 1 Betrayed Mate
(Anna)
My name is Anna Carroll, and I am the daughter of the alpha of the Night Shadow Wolf Pack. Today is my 20th birthday. Just thinking about it makes my heart start racing with excitement.
Today is the day I find my mate. Many leaders from neighboring wolf packs and their eligible sons have been invited to the gathering, but I only want Noah. He is also my father's adopted son, whom my father brought to our pack when he was on the brink of death at the pack's border. I believe he shares the same thoughts as me.
I looked at myself in the mirror, my emerald green eyes and heart-shaped face gazing back at me. Noa always said my eyes captivated him. The dress I wore was an A-line thin-strapped gown in a deep red hue, almost crimson like a ruby. The tight bodice hugged my ample bosom perfectly, adorned with hundreds of sparkling gemstones.
The entirety of the sky seemed to have been fitted on my body for it glistened and shone under the bright lights of my room like star-studded heavens.
Everything was in place, the lined eyeliner, glossy lipstick and a small tear-shaped ruby necklace he had given me on my last birthday. I just had to go find him now.
I know deep down that he is my destined mate. We grew up together, and we know each other's every habit; a strong bond has formed between us. Of course, my other best friend Ruby Hayden joins us whenever she visits from her pack, and the three of us enjoy going out together.
I couldn't wait to show Ruby my dress and share with her the news of my mate. It was slightly strange that she hadn't dashed into my room to help me dress up but maybe she was running late. I was so engrossed in getting ready that I didn't even bother checking my phone. Not even sure where I had put the damn thing.
As I exited my room to make it down to the grand hall where the party was being held, I almost ran into my father.
He lightly chuckled as his strong arms steadied me so I wouldn't fall.
"Easy there my beautiful girl, you look lovely. Someone is going to be a very lucky young man today," he told me with a heartwarming smile that made the sides of his eyes crinkle.
"Thank you, Father." A blush crept up on my cheeks as I tried to keep my embarrassment at bay.But when I think about what is going to happen next, I know I will cherish our last embrace.
"Go, have fun. It's your night," he encouraged and I needn't be told twice. Picking up my gown from the sides, I ran down the stairs so as not to trip.
The party was just getting started and only a few guests had arrived. I glanced around looking for my boyfriend and best friend but they were nowhere to be seen.
Omegas were serving champagne and miscellaneous delicacies. So I got hold of one and impatiently asked.
"Have you seen Noah and Ruby?"
She smiled, stars visible in her eyes as she replied.
"They were in the garden a while back."
"Thank you!" My feet were already rushing towards the main door which opened into our vast gardens.
I stepped out into the crisp wind of the cold night. Like the flimsy delicate wings of an ephemeral butterfly, I felt the tingling sensations swirling in my gut at the mother-watering scent that permeated through the air and reached my flared nostrils.
The scent of my mate.
My wolf perked up inside me. Knowing our fated was near.
I trudged along the path, sniffing and looking for the source. It grew stronger near the redwood tree.
Excitedly I went around the thick red trunk of the tree and skidded to a halt at the sight that almost made my eyes bleed.
A holy grail of woody citrus scents enveloped my entire being. The ones belonging to Noah Carrol, my boyfriend. But another scent clung to him, the scent of betrayal and heartbreak in the form of my best friend, Ruby.
Mingled together it turned putrid and I wanted to puke. That fragile organ in my chest seemed to have been pierced with a sharp shard of glass.
My wolf, Sable howled in pain and woundedly paced within me.
Their lips were locked and their bodies conjoined. So lost in smooching each other that they were unable to acknowledge my presence. My body started trembling uncontrollably. Why?! My mate and my best friend?! I have never been the type to tolerate this. I immediately went forward and angrily pulled Noa away.
"I need an explanation," I said, trying to suppress my pain and anger as calmly as possible.
"The truth is what you saw. I don't want you as my mate," Noa said calmly, without a hint of guilt, while Ruby stood by his side with her arms linked, grinning foolishly.
They looked at me as if I were a clown.
"Why?" I knew it was stupid to ask why, but I couldn't control myself. I blinked hard, trying not to let my tears ruin my makeup, which would make me look even more like a clown.
"Because your father is the man who killed my father! Today is the day I take my revenge!" Noa roared at me.
My mind was in chaos. Was Noa serious? No, my father was the one who saved him. I need to find my father! I immediately turned around, but Noa immediately ordered his men to stop me.
"Grab her!" Noa commanded swiftly.
I tried to shift, but Ruby immediately stepped forward and stabbed me in the neck with a syringe filled with silver... My vision immediately blurred. Darkness consumed me, and I fell to the ground.
I don't know how long it took before I opened my heavy eyelids again.
Glancing down I noticed my hands and feet had been shackled with silver cuffs. I couldn't even feel Sable.
'What was going on?' I questioned myself and tried to sit up straight, peeking around and was left stunned.
We were in the pack grounds and I could hear the heavy whispers and murmurs of my pack full of profound hate. They had gathered and were bearing their sharp fangs at me. their eyes glowed red with anger and resentment.
"Murderer!"
"Bitch!"
"Traitor!"
Insult after insult hit me in torrents and I couldn't understand what this was all about.
"What's going on? Uncuff me right now. Where is my father?" I ordered and asked at the same time. I was an Alpha-born, how dare they insult me like that.
"Ah! So you are feigning innocence after the slaughter you and your rogue buddies carried out. You had our Alpha and Beta killed along with their other comrades. It's time to face the consequences." My nostrils were assaulted by Noah's unique scent, the one that melted my insides but right now his voice was only grating on my nerves.
What the hell was he talking about?
I glanced in his direction and saw him standing smugly with Ruby by his side, her arms wrapped around him like a venomous snake. The slight sneer coated her lips.
Revulsion birthed inside me seeing them and I began to understand they had done something terrible.
That's when Omegas brought forward the dead bodies of my father and his trusted beta, Mical. Whom I used to call Uncle Mical.
A blood-curdling scream escaped my throat as tears welled up seeing the slashed body of my father.
"Father!" I cried out in horror, the tears blinded my vision as my head began to swim. I tried to crawl towards his lifeless body but was held back by the silver chains.
"Oh! Come on, cut the act. We have all the evidence against you. You collaborated with the rogue Alpha because you were having an affair with him. When your father found out, you planned to silence him with the help of your lover. Planned a takeover by killing Alpha John and Beta Mical. Little did you know, the Alpha had already given me his blessings to be the next in command."
I dumbfoundedly listened to the lies Noah spun. The man I had given my heart and soul to.
"You are lying," I yelled at him and tried to stand on my feet but I felt so weak. They seemed to have injected me with something.
"Lies? I have all the proof." He indicated to a smirking Ruby, who was holding a stack of papers behind her back. She handed over some to the omegas with her and they began distributing them to the pack.
"Her chat history with the rogue Alpha. She had plans to kill me as well, her fated mate but I discovered her plans. A bit too late to save our Alpha, Beta and other important pack members. But with the help of Ruby's pack, we were able to push back the rogues and retain our pack. Her lover ran away, leaving her behind at our mercy."
My head throbbed at the lies he had concocted. I was mostly oblivious of my phone and Noah used to take it from me at times to watch videos. Everything was making sense now.
"I think it's you who has killed my father. These are all lies, I don't even know any rogue Alpha," I screamed in rage but was only met by more profanities from my pack members.
"Shut up, bitch."
I had grown up among them and it took only seconds for them to change their loyalties and brand me as a traitor, a father killer.
Noah sauntered over to me and bent down, his face masked in pain as if this was all not an act for him.
"Oh! Anna, how I loved you and was excited to start my life with you. But you turned out to be a backstabbing bitch. I am going to honour your father's words and expand this pack, taking it to new heights. I wish you were by my side when I did that."
He dramatically paused while I stared at him in disbelief, my tears wouldn't stop. The heartache was blinding me.
"I, Noah Raikin, reject you Anna John as my fated mate and future Luna of the pack," he announced with a grimace, snatching away the ruby necklace from my neck.
The tethered bond between us broke with a snap just like the chain of the necklace. The pain which I had never experienced before wrenched its way inside my heart and gut, making me double over in pain. Leaving me wordless. It was like being punched repeatedly on my chest and gut, I couldn't even breathe.
He rose and turned towards my pack. Ruby had joined him, clinging to him like a leech she had turned out to be.
"Tomorrow, we will execute the traitor and Ruby will be my chosen Luna. Her sharp thinking and timely arrival of her pack members led to the survival of ours. Therefore, she will be your true Luna." He picked up her hand and raised it in the air, declaring the victory they had achieved.
"Truth cannot remain hidden for long, one day everyone will see both of you for what you are…I will end you both," I tried to speak through excruciating pain, physical and emotional. My voice came out so weak as my turmoiled mind conjured up scenarios before I passed out again.
Chapter 2 Noah's Truth
(Anna)
At some point, the ordeal became so much that I fainted. Without my wolf, the pain of rejection, the pain of seeing my father die and the pain of betrayal fried my brain sending me into a comatose state. To preserve my mind and body from completely falling apart.
I was jerked awake by smelly water being repeatedly thrown on my face. The stench from the cold water attacked my senses bringing me out of the tragic slumber I had fallen into.
As my eyes groggily opened and adjusted to the dim yellow light, they fell first on the face which I didn't wish to see in a thousand years. Every muscle in my body went taut to the point of breaking, seeing her disgusting face. It used to be a source of happiness for me before yesterday.
Her golden stiletto was clicking on the floor right in front of my face. The sound grinding on my raw nerves. I wanted to rip her head off for the betrayal.
"Look at you, how the princess has fallen," she taunted, flicking back her raven hair.
Drenched from the murky water I gathered myself and sat up straight, facing her with my head held high.
From the looks of it, they had locked me up in one of the cells in the dungeon. The chains held me against the wall so I couldn't scratch her smug face. My anger itching at my hands to claw out her face.
I asked. "Why? We were best friends Ruby. I trusted you. How could you do this to me?"
Ruby threw her head back and laughed mockingly. She haughtily answered.
"You are really naive. If you had paid attention then you would have understood that I only befriended you because of how strong your pack was. I could barely stand your jabbering about Noah and your perfect life."
Her lips and right hand mimed the movement of, "Blah, Blah, Blah," as if mocking me.
My body jerked forward as I bared my teeth at her, and a menacing snarl left my throat. All the veins in my neck went taut as I frustratedly yelled.
"You will burn in hell, you backstabbing bitch."
Her kick instantly landed on the side of my face, splitting my lip open. The blood gushed out as my head was propelled sideways by the force.
Clutching my golden brown hair, she yanked roughly to lift my head back up. Bending down her smug face was in my personal space.
"You think Noah loved you. He only pretended to do that. In reality, this was all his revenge plan against your father."
My head throbbed in pain as I tried to make sense of her words.
"My father?" I hoarsely asked.
"Yes, your father killed his parents and exterminated his whole pack. Only he was spared and later adopted by your father. He thought Noah didn't know but he remembered everything and now he will exact his revenge by executing you."
I couldn't believe the words falling through her lips. I knew my father, he was a benevolent and kind ruler who never took an innocent life. This was a huge misunderstanding.
"No, that's not true. My father could never do that." I tried to shake my head but her grip made it difficult.
"You are at my mercy now, there is no saving you. Noah is mine." She banged my head against the back wall so hard that I almost blacked out from the blinding pain that danced at the edges of my eyes.
I could understand that Noah was either tricked or lied to. I had to talk to him, to make him see the truth.
"Noah! Noah!" I desperately called out at the top of my voice, using all the strength my body could possess.
The barred iron door soon opened with a ringing sound and Noah entered with an icy glare. His glacial eyes held nothing but hatred and coldness for me.
Halting exactly in front of my face he went on a tirade.
"What would you do Anna if your parents and whole pack were butchered right in front of your eyes? I saw your father, snapping the necks of my parents and annihilating my whole pack. I promised myself that day I would seek revenge against my parents' killer and today I have fulfilled that promise. Only you left now."
"No, this is some big misunderstanding. You knew my father your whole life. He adopted you and loved you like his own son. This can't be true. Together we can uncover the truth," I pleaded. I couldn't let him ruin my pack. He had already killed my father, the least I could do was clear his name and get to the bottom of whatever this was.
He derisively let out a snort as if mocking me.
"Your father was a hypocrite. He adopted me because he thought I didn't know the truth, that I saw nothing that fateful night. But I was aware of every heinous crime John Carrol committed and I had planned for years, even acted to love you. But in reality, your face repulses me. The daughter of a killer is what you are."
His words cut deep and hurt even deeper, but I had to try to make him see sense. To escape from here and form a plan. I couldn't just die, the moon goddess must have something in store for me.
Leaning forward I clutched his leg, begging him with an overly aching heart as my tears flowed in abundance.
"Please! Noah, don't kill me. Let's work together and I am confident we will be able to catch the real culprits. My father is innocent. Just give me a chance to prove it."
With a jerk, he set his leg free from my grasp and stepped back from my range. Ruby triumphantly watched from his side, her index finger twirling a lock of her onyx hair on it.
"There will be no chances for you except death. Goodbye Anna," he spoke with so much hate that my insides churned.
The face of my beloved father roamed in front of my eyes. Noah left the cell with a very content-looking Ruby, banging the door closed behind him.
There was this chasm of darkness in my chest and I could feel myself slowly getting lost in it. My whole life whirled around me and I wondered what had I ever done wrong.
Memories of my loving father made me sob as I gathered my legs against my chest and openly cried.
I tried to connect with Sable but had begun to understand they must have injected me with Aconite (a substance known to inhibit one's wolf).
***
Near dawn I sensed Sable stirring within me. A surge of energy invigorated every cell of my body and Sable woke up from her slumber.
'They dared hurt us, I will show them. But first, we need to leave here, Anna,' she spoke to me but I could sense her sadness.
I was more than ready.
'Let's go, we need time to make a plan and understand what has really happened.'
But before we could act the door opened and guards entered to take me for my planned execution. Their angered faces revealed their disgust for me.
"Get up traitor, it's time for you to pay for what you did," one of them snarled at me, dragging me up. He had known me since childhood and yet all it took were a few words from Noah to change his mind.
The mere thought crushed my heart at how the people I had known had turned their backs at me.
They yanked me outside the cell and up through the stairs towards the pack grounds where they must have arranged for my said execution.
Soon the raised platform with the hanging noose came into view along with an angry-looking Noah and a smirking Ruby.
I knew it was time to escape since the forest adjacent to our pack was near. They thought Sable was still under the effect of aconite so they had put me in ordinary chains.
'Time to go, Sable,' I whispered to my wolf.
Sable didn't need to be told twice. My beautiful gown was shredded to pieces as the bones began to twist and change. Some lengthened, others shortened as I transformed into her and stood on all fours.
The chains broke and cluttered on the hard surface of the cell. Sable jumped forward and began to gallop. Our main goal was to escape the pack territory.
The guards panicked and followed behind but Noah's loud command held them at bay.
"She is mine to capture."
Sable didn't pause, or waste any time since it was dawn most of the pack members were sleeping and I knew where the guards were usually positioned and avoided those places.
Our destination was the cliff overlooking the Vaium Sea. If I could jump, the water would take me far and they wouldn't be able to follow.
As quickly as her legs could carry, Sable ran through the forest adjacent to our pack. Her feet were agile making no noise on the ground. We ran for our life.
But soon I could sense two werewolves behind me. A large brown one and a smaller black and grey one. The ones I knew too well, Noah and Ruby. They were on my trail.
We skidded, and cut the corners but kept running as the wind whooshed past us and branches broke under Sable's paws.
The cliff was near but so were Noah and Ruby. His voice filtered through the mind link.
'Stop running Anna or I will punish you severely.'
I didn't respond, a few more meters and we had arrived at the pointed cliff. Down below the wild waves angrily crashed against it.
Noah and Ruby's werewolves came to a halt about 15 feet away from us.
'Give up, Anna. Your attempts are futile,' Howler; Noah's wolf growled baring his teeth at me. Even he was with Noah on this.
'How did you even escape?' Ruby's voice came through the mind link. 'You have nowhere to go now,' the triumph and self-assurance in her voice bordered on pride.
But I was done with these two hypocrites.
'I will be back with truth and revenge,' Sable snarled back at them before she turned and jumped head-first into the roaring blue waves below and let the cold water engulf us.
Chapter 3 Brutal Punishment
I am not sure how long we swam before hitting a shore. I transformed back into my human body and lay on the wet sand, panting. Not sure where I had landed as I got on all fours and choked out water letting it escape my lungs. My auburn hair matted on my face as I pushed them back.
Sable had gone silent in my mind again.
I could hear some men in the distance and all my senses became alert. I tried to get up and run, but the fatigue had consumed my limbs. It was impossible to stand.
"There, I see her," someone shouted and I saw two burly men with their heads shaved from the sides and tattoos covering their arms, running towards me. There was no doubt they were werewolves and from the uniforms they wore, it seemed like they were guards.
A coat was thrown over my naked body as they drew near.
"We have got you?" One of them said in a dangerous gruff voice and harshly grabbed my arm.
"Where am I?" I asked, wrapping the warm coat against my shivering body, this place was cold. I stared up at them. They watched me in disbelief as if I was some alien and not a woman. The fear settled in my heart.
"You dare ask that, after that stunt you pulled. We will tell you where you are." He shook my arm as if I was a ragdoll.
It was a new place and I had no clue what I had landed myself in. Literally.
They held my arms and picked me up as if I weighed nothing. I tried to stay calm and take in the beach and its surroundings but their menacing attitude had left me shivering.
"Don't you know, you are on Whispering Bay Island? The home of NightRiders Pack. We are taking you back to the castle so you can be punished for trying to escape."
Castle? Punishment? For what? What kind of place had I landed myself in? So many questions brimmed my mind.
"Punishment? I didn't do anything," I tried to plead my case but was met with a sharp slap from one of the guards. It left stars dancing in front of my eyes and my cheek stinging.
If only Sable was with me, I would have torn him apart for laying his hand on me.
"King will be furious to learn that one of the candidates went missing." The one who had thrown his coat at me spoke and the other one barely nodded in answer.
Not understanding who this king was, I decided to silently listen and get more information for now.
"Almost all the she-wolves have arrived. Let's see who gets to be the lucky one to carry the King's child and become his surrogate," the other one said and they both nodded in agreement.
Surrogate? Seemed like the king didn't have a mate or maybe she was dead making him search for a surrogate for his heir and I was mistaken as one of the women who had applied to become one or had escaped.
I took in my surroundings and found the island to be home to a very unique kind of flora. Tall trees were scattered all around, their leaves shed for the approaching winter.
A grey and black castle with four high towers, whose spikes seemed to be piercing the heavens stood on high grounds. For a second I was left stunned to watch its archaic design intermingled with modern style.
They dragged me inside the castle through heavy doors. I observed how heavily guarded it was, it would be no easy task to escape.
Once inside I was taken underground to a dark and damp room. From one dungeon to another. Some rotten luck I had.
"Tie her up," one of the men instructed the other. There was a long red stool on the hard floor and I highly doubted it was for sitting.
Roughly pushing me down on the floor they spread my arms on the stool and tied them up with ropes.
"All she-wolves were supposed to be not harmed but you decided to run away. An example needs to be made so no one else even dreams of it." He flashed me a smile of pure evil as his partner handed him a pair of pliers.
My heart dropped into my stomach, without my wolf I wouldn't even be able to share the pain or heal.
"No, please! Listen. You got the wrong girl…" They didn't even let me finish when the nail of my index finger was pulled.
I thought I knew pain but his actions proved I didn't. Never had I felt such torture, my helpless screams filled the entirety of the dungeon. The tears wet my face as my hand was drenched in my innocent blood.
Curses flowed through my mouth and I swore I would give him tenfold the pain he was inflicting on me.
They would have continued but another guard arrived, informing them the king had arrived.
The men left me there and hurriedly left while I wallowed in my pain and misery. Questioning the moon goddess what had I ever done wrong?
A stern-looking woman in her early fifties arrived soon after. Her greying hair were tied so tightly at the back of her head that it seemed even painful.
She began to untie the ropes.
"I am Linda Afolis and if you want to survive this place, it will be advisable to listen to what I say. Follow me" she said stiffly, scrutinising my attire and my bloody hand which was missing a few fingernails now. I was almost naked, minus the coat.
"Yes!" I quietly answered and struggled to get up. Scrambling to my feet I began trotting behind her.
I followed her into a room which seemed to be some kind of changing room. She began to bandage my shaking hand. The blood tripped on the clean floor.
"One of the she-wolves ran away and we will be using you in her place. So keep your mouth shut and do what you are told."
After seeing what kind of barbaric people they were, who could go to any length to cover up for their mistakes. Everything made sense now but I decided to stay quiet and plan.
But it did make my wonder what kind of king they had as a leader who allowed such barbaric acts.
Chapter 4 Can I Meet The King?
(Anna)
I was given a white sundress to put on and quickly did as was told.
She then took me to a large room, where I found many other she-wolves sitting around. Some excited, others quiet.
I took one of the unoccupied single beds beside an over-excited blonde.
"Get yourselves comfortable, we will talk soon," Linda ordered, no emotions were reflected in her voice and left without giving any more information. The door locked behind her.
Despair fell on me as I wondered how I was to escape this fortress. The future seemed bleak. What if they turned me into a breeder and I could never get away?
But then the image of my father and his closest comrades, lying there dead flashed in my brain, giving me new courage.
I knew I would have to find a way to escape and win my pack back. The name Shadow came to mind, father had once mentioned that it was a secret organisation that trained werewolves and sent them all over on covert missions. If only I could find my way to them.
Feeling overly exhausted and worrying thoughts clouding my brain I slipped into slumber.
I was woken up by Linda's stern voice. I rubbed my eyes, my hand throbbed with pain as she began to address us.
"Listen here, girls. All of you are here for one goal only and that is to produce an heir for our King, to act as his surrogate. So if you have dreams you wish to be fulfilled, get pregnant with his heir and all your wishes might come true. Now we will be taking you for your medical checkups. Freshen up."
Listening to her words freaked me out. I didn't wish to become a surrogate, I was supposed to be having the time of my life with my mate back in my pack. But it seemed like a long-lost dream now. This was my reality.
Without Sable, I was merely a human and stood no chance against the werewolves.
We filed in a single line, everyone was wearing the same white dress I had on. We were made to enter an enormous snow-shaded room with a white door. The pristinely made beds in two rows had been laid out for us.
It screamed clean and bland, even bedsheets were white.
I observed there were eight of us and all of them were chirping amongst themselves.
"From now on you girls will be staying here and following every order. Failing to do so will result in death. So don't even try," Linda's menacing words sent a chill running through my system.
Quickly peeking at the walls I saw security cameras directed at every bed. They were going to be monitoring our every move. The thought horrified me but I kept my mouth shut.
We stayed in that room for a week without going out. My hand throbbed less now and a doctor had been cleaning it to avoid infections.
Our meals were served there three times a day. There was a treadmill in the corner to be used if our legs become stiff from sitting. A single window with silver-coated bars ensured we could stare outside but not escape. It felt like a prison.
After a week, Linda came to fetch me one day and took me straight to a laboratory for my physical examination. A few girls had gone before me and returned a few hours after.
The female doctor asked me a few questions.
"What is your name?"
"Sara Wikins." I gave her a fake name, everyone knew by now my luggage and IDs were lost in the fake boat wreck and I was sticking to the story.
"Are you mated?
Are you a virgin?"
The questions stung but I boldly informed her, "No and yes."
She noted down the answers on the writing pad in her hand.
After the physical examination, she made me lie down on a bed. Before I could ask what was going to happen, she injected me with a clear liquid, instantly turning my vision blurry. I passed out soon.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the monitoring room with the girls. Feeling slightly disoriented and totally clueless about what they did to my body, I asked the blonde who occupied the next bed. Her name was Malory.
"Who brought me here? Did they say anything?"
"Nah! They just carried you inside and left you here under Linda's instructions. No one knows what goes on in that laboratory after they make us unconscious," she answered, sending my mind swirling with all kinds of negative thoughts. But I was strong, I knew I could survive this.
The next two weeks went slowly. We all followed the same monotonous routine of eating well-balanced meals, taking one cup of green tea in the evening. I had read somewhere that it helped with fertility so that's what they had been aiming for.
The routine never changed, they seemed to follow it to the dot. We weren't allowed to step foot outside these four walls and I was getting pretty sick of staring at these bleached walls and doing nothing.
Where was the colour? At least add some paintings or fresh flowers.
Duh!
Half a month later, which passed at sloth's pace, they collected my urine sample. The next day, Linda called me to the laboratory and showed me the results with what seemed like an effort to smile. Her lips weren't flatlining like usual.
My eyes roamed the white sheet of paper which said, 'Pregnant.'
I felt dizzy at the news, carrying someone's child without even meeting or knowing the man.
What if he was also an asshole like Noah? That's not how I had envisioned my life or getting the news of my first pregnancy. I felt nothing but a lab rat in that instant.
"Congratulations! Sara, you are carrying our King's child. You have to be very careful now…" She kept on speaking but all I could hear was a ringing sound as I blankly stared from the piece of paper in my hand to her and then at the man standing behind her.
From the mere choice of his clothes, he seemed like some kind of fancy butler.
"Hi! I am Eden. Our king will be delighted to hear this wonderful news. He has been trying to have an heir for quite a while. You have rekindled hope in all of us," he told me with a genuine smile.
A flicker of hope birthed inside my rapidly beating heart. The joy on their faces told me this was huge news. It made me wonder if I could meet this mysterious king and ask for his help in locating the legendary 'Shadow' in exchange for this baby. I knew they would never let me keep him or her, that was the whole point of surrogacy.
I asked, "Can I meet the king?"
"No one can meet the king," Linda flatly refused but Eden held up his hand and offered me a kind smile.
"It's certainly against the rules but what you have achieved hasn't been done in the last eight years. I will fight tooth and nail to arrange a meeting with the king."
A small hope was rekindled in my heart at his words. If I would be able to find Shadow, it certainly would pave the way to secure my revenge plan. A genuine smile covered my face and I nodded at Eden.
Chapter 5 His Refusal
(Asher)
The business dealing off the island had left me tired and in a bad mood. Fucking humans always trying to double-cross anyone and everyone. But they didn't understand that I could see right through them.
Pouring myself some scotch, I tried to relax in my study chair. My head rested on its back as I closed my eyes and tried to find some semblance of peace.
The door to my study knocked and I knew it would be Eden, my butler and my beta. Only he was stupid enough to disturb me when I enjoyed sitting in solitude.
"Enter," I ordered and the doorknob twisted. The door opened revealing Eden's happy face. He strolled inside and perched himself on the seat opposite me.
"You are back, how did the meeting go?" he asked, grabbing himself a glass and pouring some scotch from the decanter.
"The usual, humans thought they could double cross me and I put them right in their place," I answered, taking a slow sip of the scotch as it burned its way down my throat.
"Well, to lighten your mood. I have brought good news." Joy danced in his words as he tilted his head slightly.
"What?"
"One of the she-wolves is pregnant with your child. The embryo survived, you are going to become a father soon," he announced leaning closer, the enthusiasm evident.
For a normal werewolf or person, this would have been joyous news. But I was far from being normal, after what happened with my family and my mate.
All this business with surrogacy and she-wolves was Eden's idea. I had no interest in women, not after what my fated mate did to me. Even if I did, I was incompatible to mate with any she-wolf who wasn't my mate. The immense power of my wolf was something they couldn't contain and would end up dying.
But a child was a necessity to further my lineage and to take over the family business. I was already 29 with no male heir to my name or a woman in my life.
At a point, I might have celebrated the idea of having a family but that part of me was dead now, gone dark. My light had been lost. I didn't wish to even touch a woman or let anyone get closer to me, hence the surrogacy option. Also it was safer for the she-wolves. This was only a means to an end for me though.
"See to it that she is comfortable and all her needs are met. So the baby is born healthy."
Eden grinned, thinking I cared.
"She requests a meeting…" his words were hardly out of his mouth and my anger surged. I knew how women operated. They would dig their nails into you and act as if they owned you, only to betray you in the end.
"Absolutely not. You know how I feel about the topic of meeting women. She stays where she is and whatever she needs just fulfil it without bringing it to me," I told him sternly, trying to put an end to this conversation.
"But, no one has ever been able to achieve what she has. Maybe she could be your….I mean just meet her, she deserves this much." Eden changed his words midway when I sent a seething glare his way.
"I am not meeting her, ever. And that's final. After she gives birth, send her on her way with whatever she demands. Money, jewels, clothes. That's what women mostly want these days. I am sure she wants to ask me for money."
Eden leaned back in his chair and placed the glass down at my words. Disappointment was written in bold letters on his forehead. He had always held out hope for me which I had lost a long time ago.
"Asher!" He began.
"This conversation is over, let me get some rest. I am tired," I told him in a dismissive tone, raking my midnight-black hair with my fingers. He sighed heavily, before getting up and leaving, closing the door behind him.
I emptied the scotch glass in my throat and banged it on the mahogany side table. It rattled from the force I applied.
'We are going to have a pup with some unknown woman?' Blaze stirred in my head. I could feel the surge of his power, it was quite a task to keep him contained.
'Seems like it,' I answered, still trying to digest the news. A child was a big responsibility and so much would change with his arrival.
Then there was a chance of that woman trying to stay in the picture. That's something I didn't want. So I made up my mind and knew what the right course of action would be at the required time.
Maybe my decision was wrong but I needed to safeguard my heart. Women brought destruction, they were cunning and most importantly gold-diggers. No way I was letting this one wriggle her way into my life.
***
Over the past few months, I constantly received the news about this pregnant she-wolf. I didn't even ask her name, knowing it would make her seem more real. This way she was just anonymous. Eden badgered me from time to time to meet her at least once but I refused.
Her pregnancy had turned out to be difficult as Eden informed me, she could hardly keep food down and struggled to eat or sleep.
After six months, finally, the news of the baby to be soon born was brought to me. Since It was a complicated pregnancy they were going to perform a C-section. It was time to give my final decision so I called Eden. He could deliver my message to the doctors in the lab.
Once he picked up the phone I said in a monotone voice while keeping all my emotions in check.
"Once the baby is delivered he should be brought to me and tell her that she gave birth to a stillborn pup. No way is she going to be part of our lives."
Chapter 6 Emergency C-section
(Anna)
The king's refusal to meet or summon me squashed all my hopes. I blamed myself though for keeping high expectations from someone who let innocent people get tortured. I was nothing but an incubator for his child.
"I am sorry, Sara. He has been quite busy lately. I am sure once he gets some time, he will summon you." Eden made excuses for his king but I could understand that he was not going to give me the time of the day.
I decided to find my own way and follow my own destiny. I wasn't going to rely on anyone, anymore.
"It's alright." I felt dejected as I decided not to request to see him anymore.
"Don't worry, you will be handsomely compensated for all your troubles. Whatever you need just let me know and I will ensure that it's provided," he informed me as if it wasn't my child I was supposed to give them but a mere commodity.
Although I knew I would have to give up the child, it didn't hurt any less.
With special permission, I was allowed to take walks in the small garden outside the room I had been allotted. The spring season had returned to the world and air brimmed with sweet fragrances of hundreds of flowers that grew in the garden. Multicoloured butterflies did their mating dance on them.
My tummy had begun to show, I was already three months pregnant and it was almost three and half months since I had washed on this island and my life had exponentially changed.
Gently I rubbed my belly, I had been trying but struggling to keep my emotions in check. As much as I tried to detach myself from this child, I couldn't wrap the idea around my head of letting him or her go.
"I will come back for you, I promise," I whispered, my voice clouding from the outburst of emotions.
***
The next three months were extremely difficult. I constantly vomited although I was given a very balanced diet consisting of all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for the proper growth of the baby.
Due to so many changes in my body and the bloated tummy, it was hard to sleep. Plus I was mostly kept isolated and under heavy security. Every step was monitored and scrutinized.
But my baby kept me company, his kicking and movements always brought a smile to my face, I felt as if he or she was trying to send me a message or cheer me up.
During the final days before the delivery, the baby refused to change the position. My appointed doctor took a detailed ultrasound and informed me.
"We will have to perform a C-section tomorrow, the baby is breech."
My heart sank, more than myself I was worried about my child whose gender hadn't been revealed to me, no matter how many times I asked.
"Will the baby be alright?" I apprehensively asked. My arms protectively went around my tummy.
"Yes, no harm will come to the baby. Just remain calm," she instructed with a professional smile. But my heart wouldn't ease down, a fleeting feeling was settling in my stomach.
***
The next day I changed into a green gown and was wheeled into the operating theatre. Eden and Linda were present by my side. Eden with his gracious smile and Linda with her stern expression. It jagged my heart to see their king hadn't bothered to turn up even at the birth of his child.
What kind of callous man was he?
It stung to think but I had to keep strong for my child.
"Sara, you will be fine. Don't worry." Eden gave me hope before walking out. I nodded at him with a smile.
I was put under anesthesia and lost consciousness, my last thoughts were of my baby and I couldn't wait to hold him or her in my arms.
When I opened my eyes again, there was a low humming of monitors all around me. Other than that it was quiet. I let my heavy eyes adjust to my surroundings and observed I had been shifted to a room from the operation theatre.
Swivelling my head around I tried to look for my child but I could see no one.
"Hey! Anyone," I tried to call out but my voice came out so low, so weak.
The white door opened and Linda walked inside.
"You are awake," she said, as usual, lacking any kind of warmth in her voice. I wondered if the woman was a cyborg.
"Where is my baby?" I asked, trying to sit up but could hardly move or feel my lower half due to the surgery.
A slight hesitation I observed on her face as she spoke.
"The baby was stillborn. I am sorry."
The news fell like a bolt of lightning and my heart almost stopped. I couldn't believe what she was saying. Only yesterday the doctor had said the baby was fine and now she said he or she was stillborn.
"You are lying," I yelled at her in frustration, losing all kinds of control. My body was shaking from grief and frustration. The tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't even hold my baby and they were telling me he was gone.
"It was a baby boy but he wasn't breathing, we had to bury him as you were still unconscious. King's orders."
My mind reeled. One after the other, calamities were falling on me. My insides clenched, the emotional pain was worse than the physical pain and there was nothing compared to the loss of the child.
I lost track of time after this event, I couldn't eat or speak, all I did was cry and lie on the bed as my body healed but the scars I carried inside my heart would never. Without Sable it was even harder.
Eden came to visit me, his face held traces of remorse and sadness.
"I am really sorry Sara, for what happened. Let me know whatever you need and I promise to provide," he said, sitting on the chair beside my bed. But my heart was in shambles and I didn't desire anything from these people.
Seeing me stay quiet and not answer himself he spoke again.
"Our king, would like to speak to you. Please! Hear him out," he requested and my head spun in his direction in disbelief.
The asshole wished to speak now when my child was gone.
Chapter 7 New Life New Identity
(Anna)
"Hello!" I said in a low voice, not having the strength to even speak.
A deep voice, rough at the edges and yet smooth as chocolate answered from the other end.
"Hello! I am sorry about the baby."
"Me too," I answered, trying to hold my tears at bay. This man didn't even bother to come see me after everything I had been put through. The world surely was filled with callous men and they all seemed to have been thrown in my lap.
"I understand how you must be feeling right now. Eden told me how problematic and difficult your pregnancy was. To compensate for that, I would grant you a wish. You can ask me for anything and I will provide. Money, jewels, property. Whatever." He spoke like a typical man who thought women only desired materialistic things.
When in reality women wanted love, protection and loyalty.
I didn't correct him though. I was done depending on people and putting up with their crap.
"I just want to leave this place. Once I am healed enough to travel, can you please arrange for a mode of transport to take me off this island?"
Silence followed by request and if I hadn't heard his ragged breath, I would have thought he had hung up on me. Maybe he was surprised that I didn't ask him for money.
He spoke in a low baritone voice, taking his time.
"That can be arranged. Are you sure you don't want anything else?"
"I am certain, thank you for your time." He didn't grant me an audience when I had requested it and now that I couldn't give him an heir I didn't feel like asking him for anything.
Taking favours always came back to bite you and I didn't want to be dependent on anyone in this regard. I would find Shadow on my own and train to become stronger.
The call went dead and I handed the cell phone back to Eden. He offered me an apologetic smile which I didn't return. It seemed like I had forgotten to smile. Despair gripped me and I thought I would never be happy again.
***
Two weeks later, I was declared fit enough to travel and was allowed to leave this forsaken place behind.
A special boat had been arranged to take me to the nearest port. Eden came to see me off with a large backpack. Handing it to me he said.
"Here, I have packed you some food, water, clothes and other essentials."
"You didn't have to, Eden." I was reluctant to accept but he insisted.
"It's the least I could do and I wish you all the best in the future." Eden it seemed was the only decent wolf on this island and he had always treated me with respect and kindness.
"Thank you!" I mumbled and climbed on the deck of the boat. But I couldn't shake this feeling that someone was constantly watching me. It felt eerie.
"Goodbye, Sara," Eden shouted out. I took a last glance at the island and felt like I was leaving a part of my soul behind. The boat roared to life and began to move away from the shore.
My eyes suddenly cast a glimpse of someone in the distance. My sight was not heightened anymore because I still couldn't connect with Sable. So I couldn't figure out who the male was apart from the fact that he was staring directly at me. I could sense the sharpness of his gaze even from a distance.
Who was he?
Before I could take a closer look the boat took a turn around the cliffs and the strange man disappeared.
It was near the evening when we reached the nearest port of the city of Jorda. Father had said that Shadow headquarters was somewhere underground and on one of the islands. I just had to find it.
Opening the backpack I checked what was inside. Apart from food, a few jeans and T-shirts, there was another leather bag like a small briefcase. Opening it I found it was filled with hundred-dollar notes. Eden didn't say anything about money but he still left me tons, it would be enough for a fresh start.
A small smile made its way to my lips.
"Lady, here you are," the captain called out to me announcing it was time to get off.
Thanking the captain, I wore my backpack and jumped off the boat onto the shore.
It was time to find Shadow and pursue my revenge plan.
***
(Five years later)
The metal cage rattled as I punched the hulking male in front of me and he stumbled backwards. The half-fingered gloves I wore didn't let my knuckles get bruised as I launched another punch using all the force I possessed. It connected directly with his jaw and he fell flat on the ring's floor, raising his hands in the gesture of giving up.
"An, show mercy," he jokingly said and I burst out laughing. Offering him my hand I hauled him up and he jumped to his feet.
"You are ready, I think you have learnt every trick, every technique we could offer," he appreciated, patting my shoulder.
"Learnt from the best," I answered, taking off my gloves one by one to hit the shower.
"I am proud of the woman you have become. You are stronger and faster than any other werewolf I have ever trained. Remember tomorrow you have a solo mission and it's a very important but easy one for someone of your calibre. Still, be careful," Claude said, walking beside me.
"I will be, thank you, Claude. And my mission is to become the top assassin this organisation has ever produced even to surpass the legendary leader of the Shadow." I declared and Claude knowingly smiled at me as I walked out of the training field.
"I will see you later." He waved and walked in the opposite direction. I headed to my room.
Jumping into a cold shower after a heated training session was bliss. I let the water droplets cool down my body and reflected on the last five years of my life.
From Anna, I had become An, a ruthless assassin, who killed without remorse. Gone was the innocent girl, everyone enjoyed taking advantage of. I was faster and stronger and I had carried out innumerable missions for my organisation, Shadow.
Proficient in handling weapons from small pistols to launching missiles. With the strength I had acquired, I could subdue most werewolves.
And now it was time to bid farewell to them and embark on my revenge plan. Tomorrow will be my last mission and then I will go for Noah and Ruby. Show them that they had messed with the wrong girl.
"I am coming for both of you," I said while staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Chapter 8 Meeting Oliver
(Anna)
The next day I set out on my mission. The black leather pants and jacket tightly hugged my body. My auburn hair were neatly tied in a ponytail and my hands were in black glovelettes. The nail of my index finger never grew back because of the damage caused to the nail bed. The two others had grown. A constant reminder of how I had been treated in the past but never again.
Placing my shuriken knives, ninja stars and two Glock 22 pistols in the hidden places of my costume and black combat boots, I set out.
The AH-64 Apache helicopter was a black beast and my favourite among the aircraft. Its sleek body and fitted missiles gave it a unique look. I grazed its metal body with my fingers and did a quick inspection.
"Standing tall, boy." I patted its side as if it were my pet.
Climbing inside the helicopter I strapped up.
Turning on the power I did quick pre-start checks and then fired up the engines. It roared to life.
Claude had sent me the coordinates, I fed them into my FMS (computer system which shows the location and distance on screen) and lifted the helicopter above the ground. Soon I was airborne heading towards the ship which was my prime target.
As I flew over the vast sea with blue waters I couldn't help but recall the day I had jumped into the Vaium Sea, the very day when my whole life had been toppled.
A bitter smile appeared on my face.
The system beeped letting me know we were near our target. It was a cargo ship and my mission was to hit and sink it. As I manoeuvred my helicopter near the ship I saw the huge logo embossed on the side of the black and red ship. The logo of Ruby's pack, The Shadow Howl came into view.
My bitter smile turned sinister, there couldn't have been any sweeter revenge than this. Knowing her now, I could guess the cargo must contain something illegal. That's why it was sanctioned to be destroyed.
Locking in the target I hit the button and launched two missiles. The helicopter slightly shook as two missiles whirred from it and hit the target in clean shots.
"Burn, Ruby's cargo," I yelled.
Boom!
The noise was music to my ear. I fist-bumped at the success and watched in satisfaction from a safe distance with my Apache still hovering in the air.
The ship's rudder and deck completely blew up as orangish yellow fire erupted followed by black smoke.
The panicked crew jumped out into the water with life jackets as they watched the ship go down slowly. Lifeboat they were able to secure a while some of them threw hateful looks in my direction. Too bad they couldn't do much about it.
Accomplishing my mission I turned the helicopter around and decided to head back to the Shadow Headquarters.
But my happiness was short-lived, the system of Apache began malfunctioning as if it had been tampered with. I slightly panicked for I could now hear a beeping sound coming from inside my helicopter.
Being trained in all kinds of military weapons and explosive devices I knew this was a very minuscule IED device. Turned on when a certain distance had been travelled by the aircraft and so small it was difficult to detect.
"Fuck!" I shouted in frustration. Someone was going to be dead when I was going to return to headquarters.
I knew I had to keep a cool head and figure out a way. The helicopter had stopped responding; it could blow out at any moment. I needed to jump.
Unbuckling myself, I ran to the back of the helicopter and grabbed the emergency parachute. Hastily putting it on I bid a silent farewell to my Apache and jumped after opening the latch.
My assumptions were correct, exactly after 10 seconds of my jumping, the helicopter blew up in a massive explosion.
The force from the explosion hit my parachute sending me propelling downways. My heart leapt into my chest as the air was sucked out of my lungs but luck seemed to be on my side.
I spotted another ship and soon I dropped on its deck, rolling over to cushion my fall and earth the energy. I was on all fours, trying to catch my breath with my hand on my heart. This was really unfortunate.
I still had to observe my surroundings and understand where I had landed when a tiny pair of neatly polished black Oxford shoes appeared in front of my eyes.
I trailed my gaze up to the tiny creature wearing perfectly ironed black dress pants and an immaculate white collared Ralph Lauren shirt. He stretched out his chubby little hand towards me and offered a warm smile.
He was the cutest kid I had ever seen with chubby cheeks like two ripe apples, perfectly back-styled raven-shaded hair and emerald-coloured eyes. And that adorable smile spread on his oval face. He couldn't be more than five or six years of age.
"Are you alright ma'am?" He respectfully asked in a sweet voice, still offering me his hand.
I took it and scrambled to my feet, his tiny fingers instantly curved around mine giving me his warmth.
"I am, young man, thank you. What is your name?" I asked, swiftly smiling at him. It was like a smile had appeared on my face of its own accord. Two guards with him stood behind me and were throwing me apprehensive looks but stayed put for now as if he had signalled them to not make a move.
I disentangled myself from the parachute.
"Oliver Ludwing," he replied confidently.
"That's a very nice name." I pulled his fluffy cheek and diverted my attention to the guards who were holding guns.
"Who is the owner of the ship? I need a ride to the nearest port. Can you direct me to him?" Before they could speak the little boy piped in.
"I am the owner of this ship, become my Luna and I will give this to you and anything else you want," he spoke in such a serious voice that I had to purse my lips to not burst out laughing at his boldness and the statement.
"Is that right?" I asked, tilting my head at him.
"Yes!" He said in an extremely serious voice.
I ruffled his hair and gave him a warm smile but he let go of my hand and hugged me, burying his face in my belly as his tiny arms went around my waist.
"Please!" He requested.
Before I could answer the boy the gun fires echoed and I could hear the men shouting behind me. Turning around I saw a lifeboat containing surviving members of the Shadow Howl Pack from the ship I had blown earlier.
"Oh! No," I shouted and shoved Oliver in the arms of his guards, "Take him to safety and I will handle these men. Is there anyone else on the ship?"
Panicked they shook their heads when Oliver spoke again in a frightened voice.
"No, I ran away alone with my two guards. There is no one with us except the Captain."
The bizarreness had my head rolling but I had no time to waste, I had to take care of the enemy and ensure this boy who seemed so familiar remained safe.
"Don't worry, Oliver. I will protect you with my life," I told him with a nod and reached for my weapons.