Chapter 29~Emily~The morning arrived quickly for me. I woke up at dawn and went to the kitchen to prepare Zayne’s breakfast myself. I knew fully well that neither Flora or Crystal would be in the kitchen, it was still curfew hour. After a good night's test, all my fatigue vanished. And most of the minor cuts I suffered yesterday had all been healed. But for a few aches in my joints, I felt as good as ever. I couldn't help myself but feel the distance between me and my goal was ever close. I sneaked into Zayne’s room, my feet soft and soundless and gently dropped the tray on his stool. I left a note next to it, about my destination at the training grounds. I left the castle and headed down to the training grounds. The curfew wasn't held in the town outside the castle. A few town folks were already up and doing, and had resumed their work for the day. I approached the training grounds and to no surprise it was almost empty. Just how I liked it. “Emily, over here!” A familia
Chapter 30~Emily~I felt a sudden excitement as I held the tray in hand walking straight to Zayne’s room. I could only imagine it had something to do with what Rowan said to me yesterday. My mood turned grey as a sudden thought popped up in my head. What of Zayne!? How would he be feeling? He was so angry yesterday, he even beat up Rowan like he was some stranger. I hope he's feeling a lot better than he was yesterday. KNOCKKNOCK “Come in” I could tell from his voice he was still a bit moody. I gently opened his door, my eyes caught him looking at me. I carefully dropped the tray on his stool and stood for a few seconds. I waited to see if he had anything to say to me. “You know, Emily, I was also hurt yesterday. But all you cared about was Rowan”I looked at the bruises on his chest causing me to let out a light gasp. The bruises were a little less severe than Rowan's, but they were only partially treated. I felt a bit aggrieved. After all, from my point of view Rowa
Chapter 31~Emily~My heart was deeply troubled by the news Luther just passed on to us. But after a short while discussing with Rowan for whatever reason, Luther left the grounds. Finally, time to start off my training, now that Luther was gone I had Rowan all to myself. He still looked pretty banged up from the brawl he had with Zayne, but his movements were as sharp as ever. “Hey Emily, how are you?” A smile appeared on his face, as it is whenever he sees me. He's a very nice Lycan and I wish my sister could really see him in a new and different way. “Not so good Rowan” How could I be? When there is a war lurking around the corner. Surely Zayne isn't expecting me to run out to the battlefield like the other warriors. “Hey, don't worry about the war. We the warriors of the Lycan kingdom can handle it, OK?”Rowan's words calm my heart a bit. His voice was very assuring.“Thanks!So what are we doing today?”I asked curiously. “Today you will be joining ten others, we will be d
Chapter 32~Emily~“Emily, where are you going?” Rowan's voice came again, as he gently approached me. “I'm going to rescue my sister. She's going to die if I don't rescue her” I said, a tinge of self doubt evident, gradually creeping in me. I really didn't think much through it, I was just overwhelmed by emotions, clouding my decision. How am I supposed to rescue Steph from a whole kingdom of vampires by myself. But Steph! I can't let her go. I'd rather die trying to save her than sit and watch my sister go further away from me. “Smiley, you can't rescue Steph by yourself. Come on, let's go in and have a drink” “NO! Rowan I'm going” I said confidence renewed in me. “I'm going and you can't stop me, you're either coming or not. If you really love Steph, you might want to be come”I turned away from Rowan as I walked away from the castle. “Emily! Wait” Rowan's voice came again. I reluctantly turned to him, he was running in my direction. “OK, I'll come with you,” Rowan said.
Chapter 33~Emily~“Let me go!”I shook my body vigorously, but it didn't flutter him in the slightest. His grip was tight and firm as he held me on either side of my arm. I turned in the direction of Steph, she wasn't really struggling, her body was too weak for any of that. Rowan had two vampire soldiers holding him tightly, but despite that he still fought them off with all his strength. I watched as two more vampire soldiers swarmed towards Rowan pinning him to the ground. We were outnumbered as more and more soldiers came out from the castle. “Take the humans to the prison cell, kill the Lycan!”My mind went blank as one of the soldier's words reached my ears. They're going to kill Rowan, and it's all my fault!“Ahhh”Rowan groaned in pain. One of the vampires took a swipe at Rowan's leg, the marks were very visible, as blood swarmed out. He was brought down to a knee. “Let him go!”I screamed out loud, my voice cracking. The corners of my eyes heated up, tears soon fil
Chapter 34~Steph~My eyes fluttered open, my vision was still blurry.The sun spread across the room, covering me with a certain warmth. A thudding ache spread across my head. As I placed my hand gently on it. “Steph, are you up?” a gentle and tender voice reached my ears. It Turned out to be Emily. “Emily?”Despite all the wrong she did to me. I only felt such warmth and belonging when I'm around her. I wish I could just lay my head on her lap and drown away all my misery. “How are you feeling?” Emily asked her face a picture of concern. “I'm feeling better sister” I said, my voice faint. I managed to sit up right on the bed, taking a glance around the room. My fun memories in this room with Emily flashed to my mind. This was the only place I can really feel like myself. I gently shifted my head to rest on Emily's shoulder, as she then wrapped her arms around me. “Mom won't want us fighting, you know that right?”I said to Emily, breaking the silence in the room. “Yes, si
Chapter 35~Emily~I watched as Emily gingerly walked out of the room. Each step she took seemed to be a different pain for her. My heart melted at the sight. She really didn't deserve to go through that type of traumatic experience. But it was a relief for me to know that myself and Steph are on the same page after a while of arguments and geuine disgust between us. I decided to head out to the kitchen and cook myself a meal. We maids around here don't get breakfasts served to us. “Hey Flora!” I was Flora mixing a large bowl of flour. She was sweating profusely, as he exerted an insane amount of energy. “Hey Emily!” She took her eyes off the work she was doing as he faced me. She had a warm smile which always made mornings as she looked at me. . “What's the flour for?”I asked almost unconsciously. “We'll it's too bake a cake. The largest ever known. That's what Rowan instructed me” Flora said. “Whose birthday is it?” I asked now more curious. “Oh, you don't know.It's Za
Chapter 36~Emily~“I've never seen this picture before” I looked carefully at the picture. It seemed very old judging from how weak the paper was.It was their wedding day. Zayne was so young and very cute! He wore a black tuxedo and a well dressed red dotted tie. His face was fresh as ever and no sign whatsoever of any facial hair. Maya was a very gorgeous young lady in the picture.Her eyes were brown in color. Her long dark hair reminiscent of mine. Looking into the picture was almost as though I was looking in the mirror. Was this why Zayne had a little bit of an affection for me? He sees Maya through me.“Emily!” Rowan yelled out my name as he barged into my room. He was already well dressed in a well fitted brown suit. His cufflings attached and a golden watch worn around his wrists.His hair was well trimmed and his fragrance was even stronger than normal. “Emily, it's time to get dressed. And I've picked out the best one for you!”Whilst I was excited on trying out my
Chapter 86~Zayne~KNOCK KNOCK I was just getting up from my light sleep when I heard a loud knock on my door. But even more I could recognize the knock any day any time. “Come in!”I yelled out in the direction. Suddenly, Rowan and Steph gently walked into my room, their hands folded behind their backs for some reason. “So did you arrest them?” I asked. “We arrested Crystal… “ Rowan faintly said. His voice very light. “And Reta got away?” I almost concluded. That explains the gloomy faces. “We'll, don't worry about it… ““She didn't!” Rowan cut me off. But his words even stunned me more than this tone. “What? So you arrested her?” I was really struggling to understand what was really happening. I was being left with more questions than even answers. “NO. She was killed.”“Whaat?why! I was instructed not to kill. We already have enough deaths as it is.”I ran out in rage. The last thing I wanted was another death in barely twenty four hours. The people might start to que
Chapter 85~Zayne~I dropped Thorn’s corpse on the floor. Blood flooded out of it. “What the fuck!!” I heard Luther's yell. His voice was tinged with a certain shock and disbelief as he saw Thorns corpse. I turned towards him, my eyes filled with a burning rage to tear him apart. I gently walked closer to him, safely putting one foot in front of the other. And with a roar that split the night air I lunged, my massive from crashing toward Luther like a freight train. Luther barely managed to sidestep, but my claws still scraped across his shoulder, leaving a bloody streak. Luther's lip curled into a snarl as he spun, his own beastly strength propelling him forward. We clashed again, a whirlwind of claws and teeth, rolling through the dirt in a tangle of fur and flesh. As we separated, both panting, Luther's eyes burned with the fire of unrestrained fury. He was younger, faster, but it was me who had the patience to control the beast within.With a deep, guttural growl, I let the
Chapter 84~Emily~According to Luther, the poison usually takes at least two minutes before it sinks into his system. So I stood outside his door, peeping through the keyhole of his door. And barely two minutes later, I watched as he suddenly dropped to his knees. After a few more seconds battling with the poison he finally dropped to the floor.His body had gone full numb. I decided to share with him a piece of my mind before going to Luther. “Zayne, this is for Emily and every other human you've plagued over the years.” I stormed into his room, yelling at a fallen Zayne. I had to let out all my stored up anger at him, anger for what he put me and my family through before I left him to die. But as I turned to leave, just a few steps away from the door. I heard Zayne’s faint voice. “Wait.”“What?” I asked my voice sternly. “I don't hate humans. Luther has clearly poisoned your mind to think so. Why do you move with it somehow ? All he wants is power, and he'll do whatever
Chapter 83~Steph~The morning came quickly for me. I barely slept a couple of hours before the sun came out. Last night was very eventful at the least. And one of the reasons was lying beside me. Flora! She still had about eight hours of sleep before the dosage wears off on her. So on my part, I need to make sure that I'm back in this room in eight hours time. And also to keep my room locked at all times. My lips still carried the warm fluorescent taste of Rowan's lips. Our kiss last night just felt right. It felt like I had kissed my true prince charming. I didn't feel that way over the couple of times me and Luther had shared a kiss. Despite all that happened. I wouldn't trade that moment for anything. That moment reminded me how peaceful life can sometimes be. Free from the guilt, from the worries. KNOCK KNOCK That moment I heard a loud knock on my door. “Oh no!”I have to hide Flora, like right now! I instinctively pushed Flora over to the other side of the bed.
Chapter 82~Rowan~“I have to tell Zayne about this right now!!” I turned to leave, when I felt Steph’s warm hands around mine. She was trying to stop me with all her might. “NO wait!! Please don't tell Zayne.” she pleaded loudly. Her voice was shaking, her eyes heated up, and dried tears remained on her cheeks. “Why shouldn't I? You guys kidnapped Flora for days, torturing her, her family and even the whole kingdom. That's sick. Steph I'm disappointed that you joined to do this, I really am!”“If you tell Zayne, all of us are going to get arrested. Luther is going to drag me down with him! Please I don't want to go get a hang, please!!” Steph was desperately pleading. I've never seen her before. I took a moment to think it through, and how things would pan out, if I indeed tell Zayne. Turns out, she was correct, knowing Luther very well, once caught, he will make sure he drags everyone down with him. Punishment for kidnapping an innocent girl like Flora, might be hanging or
Chapter 81~Steph~8 stared at the mirror for a few minutes. My heart couldn't just overcome the growing feeling of guilt I had. Guilt that I put Emily in jail. I deserve worse than her for what and who I've associated with. But rather it is her, who gets jailed and not me. At this point, I had a growing feeling to turn myself in at this point. But I have one more mission to finish. To take down Zayne, for all the inhuman things he has done to humans of our kind. I was carefully brushing my hair, line for line when I heard a thunderous knock on the door. Who could possibly be at my door at this ungodly hour? “Who's there?” I yelled out in annoyance. “It's Thorn, now open the door!!” I dropped my hair brush, I dragged my feet to the door. “Yes?” “Luther needs you, right now!” Thorn said, to my annoyance. Can't Luther leave whatever it is, till tomorrow? “Okay, I'll be there in a minute.” I turned back into my room and grabbed my coat before leaving my room. Reaching, Zayne
Chapter 80~Zayne~When I stepped out from the changing room, I saw Emily lying peacefully on my bed. She must have been very tired from all the days spent in the hospital. I spent almost half an hour staring at her innocent face, wishing I could make a move already. I was ready to ask her, but, with her knowing my deepest secret, would she want to marry a beast like me?I mean, how could she possibly spend the rest of her life, away from her husband every night. She couldn't possibly bear that, just for me. I ate the dinner she left on my stool before joining Emily on my bed. We weren't married, so I had to keep my distance from her. I laid on one end of the bed, while she laid on the other end.I spent almost half of my night, staring at her as she laid next to me. My hormones, we're tingling. Itching for me to bite her on the neck, and claim her as my own. But I had to resist as best as I could, until I was swallowed up by the darkness. Soon, it was morning, the sun was a
Chapter 79~Emily~Zayne just left the clinic after I gave him a few words of advice.But I couldn't just shake off the restless feeling I had. I spent most of the day staring out the window in the room I was admitted to. Soon, it was night. Outside was pure darkness, and the cold breeze escaped through the opened window. I shut the window and climbed the bed to sleep. But unfortunately, the sleep won't come. I just stared up at the ceiling for most of the night. Thinking about Zayne. Who knows what's going on with him, right now?For now, I'm useless to him. Especially the fact that I'm stuck here. The best I could do was pray he returns at dawn to his kingdom. “What? Who's entering the clinic at this ungodly time?I heard a faint creaking noise from the clinic's main entrance. Maybe, it's another nurse late for the night shift. I really didn't bother myself too much. But, suddenly I began hearing faint footsteps slowing approaching my room. My heart began racing, my eyes w
Chapter 78~Zayne~Descending from the steep hills, the sun reflecting behind us, the castle was now in our sight.And as we rode quickly towards it, a little began lingering in my mind. What if no one is there to welcome me? Or just a few people? Or worse, assume I'm dead? They were questions at the back of my mind. Questions that could only be answered once we reached the castle. But suddenly, as we got closer, a distant rumbling noise in my ears. I squinted my eyes tightly to see a huge crowd standing in front of the castle. Their mood was boisterous and electric, all of them excited to see me. They formed a pathway between them, where Rowan rode through and inside the castle and then dropped off the horse at the stables. “Welcome back! Welcome back!! Welcome back!!”The chants of the people were loud and thunderous. I had a smile painted on my face. My joy knew no bounds at that point. I walked up on the uplift to address the crowd gathered there. Their number was great,