Novel-novel oleh A. B

Matthew Dawolf — Prophecy or Curse?I'd been locked in this damn temple for days, surrounded by candles, chants, and people dressed in white who spoke like the world could end at any second.They said I needed to be “purified”.Purified?I was the Supreme Alpha.I didn’t need any of that bullshit.“A healing herb immersion in the sacred waters will help soothe your spirit, Your Majesty,” they said, sprinkling more of that sparkling powder into the water.“And soothing my spirit is supposed to stop my wolf from trying to take over my body?” I asked, staring down the priest with those pale eyes of his, like I could force the answer out of him.He just smiled.They *always* smiled—that same cursed, empty smile.These temple fanatics had no clue what it was like to live with a wolf caged inside your chest, ready to tear apart anything that moved.I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. Trying to focus.But here I was—half-submerged in water up to my chest, surrounded by flower petals,

Alesha Stokes — Preparing the Prey"Megan?!" My voice came out as a loud whisper—almost a muffled scream.She stopped but didn’t turn around. I took a deep breath and rushed toward her, crossing the kitchen with my heart racing.What the hell was going on here? What was happening to everyone?First the village… Marilyn… and now Megan?Was this some kind of divine test? A punishment? A curse?I didn’t know what to think. But my heart—my wolf—was restless, uneasy. Tired of all the pain. Tired of this damned life filled with nothing but suffering."What happened to you?" I asked, hurrying closer, trying to keep my voice low. "What’s that on your face? Why is everyone acting so strange?"Megan looked at me. Her eyes were still the same—but dimmed. Like something had been ripped out of them. She gently grabbed my arm and whispered through clenched teeth:"Keep your voice down. Not here.""Megan, what’s going on?" I pressed, my voice catching, my chest tightening with every word. "Where’s

Alesha Stokes — Back to the BattlefieldThe night had barely brushed against me.I drifted in and out of sleep, just a few minutes here and there, between sighs and scattered thoughts—each one pulling me awake with a new fear, a fresh memory. My eyes burned with exhaustion, but the weariness of the mind has always been crueler than that of the body.Before the sun had even risen, I was already on my feet.I got dressed quietly, trying not to wake anyone. Marilyn was in a deep sleep, her face peaceful for the first time in days. Her friends were scattered around the floor on makeshift mattresses, all fast asleep. I stood there for a moment, watching them, my heart tight in my chest. I wanted to hug them, to thank them for everything… but I knew if I woke Marilyn, she’d try to make me stay. And this time, I couldn’t afford to waver.I slung my bundle over my shoulder, pulled the thickest cloak I had over my head, and walked to the door.Just before stepping out, I looked back at the hou

Alesha Stokes — Protective InstinctThe night dragged on, painfully slow, as if time itself wanted to remind me that the next day was getting closer with every breath.I couldn’t sleep.I stayed seated in the wooden chair beside Marilyn’s bed, my eyes fixed on the window, fogged by the cold. Moonlight slipped through the gaps in the worn curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. My fingers were laced together, stiff from the chill, and my body was too exhausted to relax.Every time a shadow moved outside, every gust of wind that howled stronger, my chest tightened.Were they still out there?Those guards... that man.Had they figured anything out?Had they seen enough to report back to the royal guard? To the Supreme Alpha?My heart ached.And it ached even more as I looked at Marilyn, lying on that old, worn-out bed, her bandaged arm just a stump now, her face pale. I kept asking myself how I could leave her like this, how I could find the strength to walk away again.But... I had

Alesha Stokes — Gods, are you listening?Snow had already begun to pile up along the edges of the path, crunching beneath my feet as I hurried forward with Marilyn’s arm draped over my shoulders. Her other arm—or what was left of it—was wrapped in bandages, but the fabric was already damp and turning red. Every step she took made my heart clench. She could barely stand, yet she insisted on leaving the house. Her stubbornness was still stronger than the pain.“Alesha…” her voice came out weak and weary. “What did those guards want? Do you... do you think they found out?”“Shhh... take it easy,” I whispered, adjusting her body more securely against mine. “Don’t worry about that now, Grandma. You need to rest. You’re still bleeding.”She muttered something under her breath, as if refusing to accept her own condition. As if weakness itself was an insult.“What if...something happens to the girl from Loures? That child… Alex promised—”“He won’t lay a finger on her,” I said, picking up the

Edward Wood — The Scent of SecretsI stopped my horse right in the center of the village. Dismounted with firm steps, the sound of my boots echoing against the packed dirt road. The night’s cold was sharp enough to freeze bones, but I barely felt it anymore. What did bother me was the silence—that heavy, unnatural kind—the kind that only settles when something is very, very wrong.“Where is the Alpha in charge of this village?” I called out, my voice cutting through the narrow streets, bouncing off the weathered houses and half-open doors.No answer.People started to emerge slowly, like shadows afraid of their own light. The elderly, women, even children—all wearing the same hollow look in their eyes.Fear. It was fear I saw in every face. Not the kind you feel in front of an ordinary enemy... but the kind you feel toward someone who’s supposed to protect you.I stepped toward a group, keeping my posture steady. One of the men, probably the oldest among them, lowered his head the mo