Dassia's Dare [SAMPLE]

Narrator –

The afternoon heat rose from the forest floor and toasted the leaves of the tall pines and oaks, their surfaces soaking in the sunlight, which burned bright green along their leafy veins. At this hour, small critters trotted and hopped along the underbrush, digging out roots and nuts to munch on. Birds cawed above, while a few tested their luck by plunging their yellow beaks into the dirt, retrieving wiggly purple and brown worms to satisfy their empty bellies.

As the ecosystem of the forest carried on with its usual routine, a phenomenon was taking place in a nearby cave.

Deep within the dark, rocky abode, its grey walls retained a cool temperature, contrasting the heat beyond the mouth of the solid black hole. Inside, a man remained still and on his knees. His back was bare, his shoulders firm, his posture masculine and strong. His legs were muscled, his pants ripped and dirty. His chest, hairless, dripped with sweat, while his black hair was plastered to his forehead, ears, and neck.

He breathed mutely, his defined abdominal muscles rising and falling with every inhale and exhale—perfectly sculpted squares of chiseled abs. His lips moved, yet not a peep escaped his windpipe.

A swirl of energy moved about the rocky chamber, while the man remained on his knees, steady breathing and silent lips betraying no sound.

The echo of the afternoon wind fluttered through the trees beyond the cave and slithered its way into the various chambers, tickling the damp pores of his skin. Then, as if that were his signal, the man’s mouth stopped moving, and his breathing ceased for a moment.

Then he drew in a gulp of air.

“Mother, I’m ready,” he said.

No other voice responded, yet the corners of the man’s lips curled into a soft smirk. He opened his eyes, and the dark pupils in the center of his irises flashed with the silver light of the moon before slowly fading back into their original hue.

Standing, the man stretched, earning several pops and cracks from his joints and limbs. Then, grabbing a shirt that hung on a nearby rocky pillar, he dressed and exited the cave, heading east.

#

“Is she ready?” Gerald, the Luna’s top advisor and personal trainer, demanded, glaring at Sophia, the Luna’s personal aide.

Inside the east hall of the Luna’s mansion, the second floor was illuminated by the afternoon sun as it glowed across the horizon. The large window at the end of the hall allowed ample sunlight to flood the space and bathe the carpeted floor beneath Gerald and Sophia’s feet. The only two doors in the east hall led to Dassia’s bedroom and her private nook. The window was dressed with sheer white curtains, and each corner of the hall housed large potted plants. Various pieces of wall furniture and décor adorned the length of the corridor.

Sophia blinked, standing in the narrow space between Dassia’s open bedroom door and its frame. The blonde girl with soft blue eyes rested her hands on her hips, trying to keep a straight face as she studied Gerald’s stiff composure. The advisor was as red as an overripe tomato. Though his arms were crossed behind his back, Sophia was certain that his right thumb was slowly chipping away at the helpless cuticles of his other fingers.

“Sophia, answer me,” Gerald insisted when she remained silent.

Sophia folded her lips inward, rubbing them as a distraction to keep herself from laughing. Gerald was about to blow a gasket once she answered. Either that, or the bulging vein in his forehead would pop and he’d die of a brain hemorrhage.

“The Luna said she’s not going to the meeting,” Sophia admitted in a matter-of-fact tone.

Gerald smacked his lips and closed his eyes for a second.

Sophia had seen this performance before and knew what came next.

“I’m sorry, what?” Gerald said after opening his eyes.

Dassia pressed a hand over her mouth, standing just behind the door.

Sophia tapped her foot against the Luna’s ankle to warn her to stay quiet.

“This is a joke, right?” Gerald continued, staring at Sophia’s blank expression. “Yes, it must be. Dassia’s mischievous nature is rubbing off on you, and now you’re taking pleasure in pulling my leg.”

Sophia sighed. “She doesn’t want to meet him, Gerald.”

Her tone was grounded in honesty. That—and the fact that Dassia had her rehearse this performance minutes before Gerald arrived—left little doubt.

“Well, she has to. Now, get out of my way. I’ll speak to the Luna myself.” Gerald moved forward, brows pulled into a determined frown.

Sophia’s gaze deadpanned. “You know that’s not going to happen.”

“Need I remind you who put in a good word for you to get this position?” Gerald pointed at her, his tone subtly threatening.

“Still, you’re not my boss. The Luna is. And I’d rather face your fuss than have her take a bite out of me,” Sophia shrugged.

Dassia remained behind the door, hand still over her mouth. She was ready for the final showdown.

“Sophia, I won’t tell you again. Move. Dassia has to meet him—he’s traveled days just to have an audience with her!”

“Gosh, what century did you grow up in, Gerald?” Dassia finally spoke up, pulling the door open to reveal herself.

Gerald straightened and tugged at his tunic, then bowed swiftly.

“Luna,” he greeted.

Dassia sighed, locking eyes with her most trusted friend.

She was a beauty of brown skin, round, large eyes, dark lips, and a strong profile. She stood at five feet five inches. Her wild, tightly coiled hair was pinned into a bun behind her head. She wore leather pants, a loose, long-sleeved blouse, and a matching vest. Her flat boots bore skid marks from her many scuffles with Gerald on the training grounds.

“You couldn’t at least try to look presentable for the occasion?” Gerald chided, as only he could.

“Need I remind you that you’re the one who wants me to have a mate—not the other way around?” Dassia retorted, stepping into the hallway and heading toward the pack’s conference hall, where Alpha William and his Beta awaited her arrival.

“Still, you’re advancing in age. You’ll soon need to bear an heir,” Gerald pointed out.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just concern yourself with my reproductive schedule,” Dassia replied dryly, as Sophia followed a few paces behind, smiling.

“I have to. Or who will lead the pack after you?” Gerald asked.

“You worry too much,” Dassia said, climbing down the right wing of the double staircase.

Passing beneath the second-floor platform, Dassia marched down the hallway, past the grand dining room and other areas she shared with the pack council. When she reached the double doors to the conference hall, she was met by her Beta and best friend, Lucas, who stood with his arms crossed and his back against the wall.

“Took you long enough. I thought you weren’t coming,” Lucas said, smirking at Sophia, who blushed under his light hazel gaze.

“Stop being a creep towards Sophia,” Dassia said, smacking his arm.

Lucas laughed. “You’re just jealous.”

“Not really,” Dassia replied, crinkling her nose.

“Shall we get this over with then?” Gerald said, posture stiff as a broomstick.

Dassia and Lucas exchanged a look behind Gerald’s back and rolled their eyes in unison.

Clearing his throat, Gerald opened the doors and announced, “I present to Alpha William of the Grey Herring Pack, and company, Luna Dassia of the Black Lake Pack.”

Dassia stepped through as Alpha William turned to face her. He was a tall man, with shaggy blond hair, thick fingers, round cheeks, and a straight nose. His posture was straight, his presence commanding.

At first glance, he was handsome.

Dassia took a cautious step forward, somewhat optimistic.

"Sia, what do you think?" Dassia asked her wolf.

"It’s not him, but he’s cute. Let’s hear what he has to say," Sia replied.

Dassia mentally nodded. Williamwascute.

Then he spoke.

“Luna Dassia, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance,” he said, bowing.

Dassia had to close her eyes to keep them from bulging. Lucas coughed to cover a laugh, and Sophia turned away entirely, folding her lips.

William’s voice was a nasal tone pitched through a bazooka. A wave of goosebumps traveled up Dassia’s spine. Her stomach clenched, and her ears practically folded in on themselves.

Gerald folded his lips, trying to keep a straight face.

Dassia opened her eyes, bit her lower lip, and flashed William a quick smile. Then she turned to Gerald.

“Absolutely not,” she declared and exited the room, followed by a silently guffawing Lucas and a red-faced Sophia.

Gerald rushed after her. “What do you mean, ‘absolutely not’?”

“Exactly what I said,” Dassia answered.

Gerald blocked her path. “Why?”

“Why?” Dassia echoed. “Were you not in the room when he spoke?”

Gerald cleared his throat softly.

“I get that you’re

“I get that you’re trying to help,” Dassia said, “but I’m not in a rush.”

Before Gerald could say more, a perimeter guard sprinted toward them.

“Luna, excuse me,” the guard bowed. “We have a trespasser.”

Dassia and Lucas shared a look.

“Is it someone from Conrad’s pack?” she asked.

“No, but he crossed the boundary after being warned several times.”

“Take me to him,” Dassia ordered.

Flanked by Lucas and Gerald, Dassia followed the guard to the east clearing, where a man with black hair and dark eyes had been forced to his knees. Two guards held him firmly by his wrists and neck.

Dassia stood before the trespasser. The tips of her boots registered in his view.

The scent hit her—cool cave air, woodsy musk, and a sharp pine-spice note beneath morning dew.

Feigning indifference, she addressed him with strength.

“Who are you, and why did you cross into my territory without permission?”

The man didn’t respond—at least not right away.

The guard holding his neck shook him roughly, earning a low grunt.

“The Luna has spoken. I suggest you answer, rogue,” Lucas growled, voice like a cold blade.

Dassia remained calm. Rogues and their arrogance weren’t new.

“If you refuse to respond, I’ll throw you in the dungeons until you’re ready to talk,” she said.

That got a reaction.

The man’s head snapped up. Their eyes met.

A cramp seized Dassia’s chest. Her stomach twisted. Her pupils dilated.

"Mine." Sia declared.

The man growled lowly, as if his own wolf had heard Sia’s claim.

“How dare you growl at the Luna?” Gerald snapped. “Guards, take him to the dungeons!”

The man was hoisted to his feet. At full height, he towered over Dassia, but she didn’t look away—not until he was led off.

All other sounds vanished.

Only her heart remained.

Chaotic, pounding.

That man was her mate.

Sia had recognized him.

Dassia gulped—subtly.

__________________________________

And that ladies and gents, is how you debut a story!

Hello you awesome peeps!

Chapter 1 of the first installment of the “HMAHM: Legacies” is now published!

Whoop! Whoop!🎊🎊🎊🎉🎉🎉🎉

I am so excited to embark on this new journey, and I hope you are too.

So, we’ve been introduced to some of the main characters, and I have to ask, what is your impression so far? How do you feel about the debut and the cliffhanger? And where do you see this story going?

Let me know what you think by COMMENTING, AND SHARING!

Lots of ❤❤❤

-Tania.