/-Melucia-/ Days passed since I woke up in that hospital room, and I was taken home to a large house I didn’t recognize. The walls were decorated with family portraits—faces of people I should have known, yet I felt no familiarity at all. Mimi and my father insisted I look at the pictures to jog my memory, but all I saw were strangers. It was when I was looking through a photo album that I saw her—Nephtar. A girl who looked so much like me, yet I had no recollection of her. My mind swirled with questions and when I asked, I was informed that I had a sister. I was curious about why hadn’t I met her? Why hadn’t I known I had a sister? And why no one mentioned her before. When I asked Mimi where my sister was and why she never came to visit me at the hospital, all she said was that I’d meet her soon. That answer wasn’t enough for me so I stood up so I stood up from the sofa and headed to my fathers room because I couldn’t shake the need to know more. The curiosity gnawed at me unti
ANNABELLE His voice made me shudder. Mimi placed a hand on my back, urging me to leave, but I was too stubborn to move. Even if my memories were gone, I refused to let anyone suffer because of me. “I—I know you don’t trust me, but please, give me another chance. I promise I’ll be better,” I pleaded, my voice shaking. He closed his eyes briefly, as if weighing his words. When he spoke, his voice was calm, almost gentle, but it chilled me to the bone. “If you don’t leave this instant, I swear I’ll do something we’ll both regret.” “It’s better if we go, Annabelle. I don’t want you causing any more trouble,” Mimi whispered urgently. Reluctantly, I agreed. After a quick, stiff farewell to Alpha Ezra, I climbed back into the car, lost in thought. I stared out the window, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and despair. I didn’t even notice Mimi watching me until she gently touched my arm. She looked at me with deep concern. “What are you thinking about, my child?” she asked softly. I f
EZRA There was something wrong with Annabelle. That girl was beyond crazy and to make it all worse, she bounced in here, demanding another chance and acting like it was just that easy to dismiss what she had done. I do not joke with my sons, not after what it took for me to have them but she abandoned them in the middle of nowhere. I was unsure if I could ever dismiss that and forgive her or leave her around my children again. “Was I not clear enough the last time or perhaps I should repeat it again?” I asked in a cold voice, trying to contain my anger. The boys were here with me and I wouldn't want them to see me in a bad light. Annabelle blinked her eyes a few times, as though she was considering what to say. “I know you don't want me here, but I'm not really here for you. I’m here to make it up to the boys because I guess they’re the ones I really wronged.” Before I could catch what she said, she went over to my boys. The soft and affectionate smile she had on her face shocked m
Ezra POV From my peripheral vision, I saw a wide smile grace Annabelle’s face as she drew the chair out and sat down on it, making herself comfortable, “Thank you so much,” She looked like she belonged in it. I shook such thoughts out of my head and called the maid to dish her food, hoping that once she starts eating she would keep quiet and I won’t have to hear her speak again. After her food was brought, she also began to eat and silence descended but it seems like she did not like it. She must also have observed that I was in no mood to speak with her because she focused all of her attention on the boys and began to ask them how they were. Alex who seemed to have warmed up to her, answered all her questions but Dani, who was more introverted and found it difficult to interact with people, didn't flow with her as much. He took part in the conversation though, only making a few statements, and that was it. I wanted to snap at her to shut the hell up and remind the boys that there
ANNABELLE “He gave in? Just like that?” Mom asked, Snooki of disbelief on her face. I was shocked too but I had a lot of time to get myself together on my way back to the pack. My parents had nearly gone crazy looking for me when they woke up and found out that I was not in the house. Mimi was the one that told them about my plans and how she was sure I just have left to carry it out. I nodded in response. I was beyond happy that I was able to convince Ezra to give me another chance. I was going to try my best to not fuck this up. My parents and pack needed this. Mother still looked like she wasn't convinced by my story, and asked again, “Are you sure it was just that easy? Did he ask for anything in return? Hope you're not doing this under compulsion?” I knew what she meant and had also been prepared that he would ask for something to give his forgiveness but he hadn’t. “You don't have to worry about anything, mom. He did not ask for anything. I think it’s because of the kids
Just like I thought, I got carried away. After unpacking my little belonging and making a few adjustments in the room, I laid on my bed tiredly and got lost in my thoughts. Thankfully, the maid came in to get me. I expected alpha Ezra to be there already but I was disappointed when I saw no sign of him. The twins were already seated when I got to the dinning room. My lips widened with a smile as I approached them and I was grateful I asked the maid their names. Axel was the outspoken one and he greeted me with so much excitement. Dani was more reserved. He greeted me with a shy and cute smile on his face. It's hard to believe they're twins. They looked alike yet so different in character. The maids served our meal and I was about to eat when she stopped me. “Why? What's wrong? Is it not ready yet?” I asked with a confused look while slowly placing my spoon down. She shook her head in response. “Nobody is supposed to eat until the alpha shows up,” she informs me. I was surprise
I was sure that Alpha Ezra had many people at his beck and call that could represent him at this school event since he was too busy to attend but he chose me? I guess he was really taking this second chance thing serious or was it that he wanted me to fuck up so he could send me back to my pack? I smile brightly at him, forgetting my annoyance at having him barge into my room. He did it for a good reason, I told myself, totally justifying his bad behavior. “I will do it. I’ll represent you at this school event since and make sure to cheer the kids on,” Wait, did he just roll his eyes at me? Unbelievable! I was about to make a comment on it when he said, “Better don’t fuck this up. This kids are already angry with me, if you ruin the whole thing and they refuse to talk to me I’ll have your head,” I wanted to remind him that I was here to right my wrong and if eventually we got married, I’ll be these kids step-mother so of course, I won’t fuck this up. He couldn’t be blamed though, I
“Are you sure you don't need anything else?” Ezra inquired with a worried frown on his perfect face and I could have sworn that it was the hundredth time he was asking me this question this morning. I shook my head in response, a little smile tugging at the corners of my lips. He looked like he was on the verge of dropping everything to accompany his boys by himself. Maybe he should just do it and save himself from all the worries. I was so sure that he did not trust me to take care of them properly and I couldn’t fault him after what happened the last time. I’ll just have to show him that the old Annabelle was gone and this new one was ready to do anything for this alliance to hold. Helping Dani adjust his tie, I said. “You don't have to worry about anything, I have got it all under control,” I tried to assure him. He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling softly. He looked like he did not believe me and I was waiting for a snarky comment but what he said instead shocked me, “A
“I would really love to get to know the people that took care of my daughter all the years that I couldn’t.” My heart dropped to my stomach. My mother could not be introduced to my pack because I’ve been banished. I was nothing but a traitor to them. Though I wanted her to meet Joel who was one of the reasons I survived but that too was impossible. I wanted her to meet our old alpha, Levi’s father who found me at the pack’s border but he was dead. Something just have shown on my face because my mother said, “Ahh, Sophia, it is okay if you don’t want us to meet them. I understand that they see you as their child and you would not want them to feel anxious or anything. We won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.”I shook my head to stop her, “It is not like I do not want type to meet them,” hell I don’t, “It is just that you cannot meet them,”“What do you mean?” My father asked.“What I mean is even if I want to introduce you to the one who found me, I cannot do that because
ANNABELLE“Good boy,”My words had the exact effect I wanted. Ezra blanched and he looked like he was on the verge of throwing up but what would he vomit? He’s not eaten in days and I was so sure he’s drank nothing too.“Now, don’t be like that, love,” I grinned, all teeth, the flames still burning hot on my fingers, “Don’t you like being a good boy for me?”“Fuck off before I fuck you up,” Ezra growled, his eyes glinting wildly.I knew he was at his breaking point, and a little push from me would send him over the edge. I didn’t want that. It would ruin the whole point of this: entertainment.“Are you going to tell me who you are?” Ezra asked again, trying his luck.“Why do you want to know who I am? Why is it important to you?”“So that I’d know who I’m dealing with,” “You know a lot of witches, don’t you?” I smiled when his nostrils flared with annoyance, “Of course you do. After all, you spent years hunting them down and killing every last one of them, didn’t you?”I let the fire
ANNABELLEEzra completely ignored my taunt, as if I hadn’t spoken at all.“Who are you, and what do you want with my pack?” His voice was cold, but it wavered at the end, betraying the turmoil simmering beneath his stoic facade.“If you want to know who I am,” I said, kicking one leg out lazily, “Get on your knees and kiss my feet. I might be tempted to tell you. Might being the key word.”Anger flared in his eyes. His mouth parted as if to speak, but no words came.I arched a brow, daring him to defy me or say something foolish. When he kept his mouth shut, I tapped my lap, “Go on.”His jaw tightened, a visible pulse ticking in his cheek, and slowly, he rose from his seat. I held my chin high, keeping his gaze locked with mine as he approached.Up close, he looked lean,too lean. I knew he hadn’t eaten in days. His eyes were hollow, shadowed in his pale face. Yet, faint traces of his cologne still clung to him, a scent I used to love inhaling. Beneath it lingered the spiced, unique fr
ANNABELLEThe sound of their cries echoed like a sweet melody in my ears. As I moved through the pack, invisible to their eyes, surveying my handiwork, I could feel the curse from my spell taking hold. My people—wherever they may be—would be pleased. Their wandering souls, driven by vengeance, would at last be satisfied, allowing them to move on and find peace in the afterlife.Flames consumed them left and right, but nothing could extinguish the fire, and yet, they didn’t die. The death toll climbed higher by the minute, with no one knowing who would fall next. I did. It was a game I enjoyed, betting with myself on who would be next.Smallpox, chickenpox, measles, plagues of every kind ravaged their bodies. Some had their flesh rotting away, maggots crawling out of their skin right before their eyes.Others burned from within, their thirst unquenchable. No matter how much they drank, the heat inside them could not be abated. Cold water did nothing to ease their agony, and they drank
ANNABELLE Ezra finally lost the last vestige of control. A feral roar tore from his throat as he lunged at me, no doubt intent on ending me. But just before his hands could close around me, I blinked out of the throne room and reappeared on the roof of his mansion. A loud cackle escaped me as I imagined Ezra’s reaction to my sudden disappearance. I was certain he would be seething with rage. His response when he realized I was in possession of Annabelle’s body had been the most disturbing. So, he cared about her, huh? He really believed it was sweet, innocent Annabelle occupying her body after the accident. Well, he was in for a brutal awakening when he discovered it had been me all along. “Hahaha!” I doubled over, laughing uncontrollably at the thought of Ezra realizing he’d been playing house with me, not his pathetic little Annabelle. I sat on the roof, my legs dangling over the edge, palms pressed against the surface as I leaned back and tilted my head toward the sun blazing
ANNABELLE“L-Let go,” I managed to wheeze, my voice barely a whisper as I clawed at the hand clamped tightly around my neck. My lungs burned from lack of air, and tears blurred my vision.Ezra looked deranged, his eyes wild with fury. Instead of releasing me, his grip tightened.“My children are missing, and you’re still breathing. What use are you now?” he growled.“Al-Alpha… if you don’t release her, she’ll die,” one of the elders stepped forward, his voice trembling. I could smell the fear rolling off him.For a moment, I thought Ezra would ignore the plea and finish me off. But then, with a snarl, he released my neck and shoved me aside before stalking back to collapse into his throne.Air rushed back into my lungs, and I gasped desperately, my hands flying to my throat as I tried to soothe the ache and clear my airway.As soon as air filled my lungs again, laughter bubbled up in my chest—wild and uncontrollable. Before I could stop myself, it burst out of me, spilling from my lip
ANNABELLE It’s been two days since everything changed. Two days since I killed Carden and regained my memories as Melucia. Two days since I took the kids and made sure they remained hidden.Ezra returned the night after the news broke, and after a thorough examination, Carden’s ashes were claimed by his family. Good riddance to rubbish.The pack was in chaos. Word had spread fast— their Beta was dead, and the Alpha’s children were missing. A reward of ten million dollars was offered to anyone who could provide information. A tempting sum, and one I could definitely use to set myself up once I got out of this mess. I was still working out how to play my cards right, to claim the reward without giving up the kids.“Fuck!”I had to fight the grin that threatened to split my face as I watched Ezra pace the throne room of the pack house like a caged lion. In just two days, he looked like he had aged twenty years.His hair hung in wild disarray around his face, and he hadn’t shaved since h
“What’s going on?” I finally asked—feigning ignorance—drawing the attention of the elders to myself. They all turned to me and I could see the disdain on some faces while the others looked as if they were relieved to see that I was alive. “Why is everywhere crowded and why are the guards running around?”“Everything is wrong!” Elder Lazarus growled, turning his ire on me. “Where have you been? We’ve been trying to reach you! Are you with the twins? Where are they?” He looked over my shoulders as if the twins would magically appear behind me.“I’m not with the twins. Selene here tells me that the twins are missing, is that true?” My voice was shaking with fear.“If you are not with them then they are really missing!” Another elder said.“Why aren’t you with them? Of what good are you to this pack if you cannot take care of the alpha’s children? Is that not why he agreed to the alliance between your pack and ours? So that you will be a mother to them!” Alpha Lazarus was gesticulating wi
ANNABELLE I drove around the pack for a little white. I could feel dark emotions crawling deep in my heart as I watched people move around, living freely and happily while my own people were in the ground, worms and maggots feasting on their bones and what would be their remains if they were even buried properly after we died in that fire.They all deserved to perish. They should all suffer like my people did. They also needed a taste of the suffering my people and I endured in the hands of their alpha. I would make sure they lived in constant fear. In torment and with diseases plaguing them, unsure and scared of who would drop dead next. My hands that were holding the steering wheel tightened, nearly snapping the thing in two if I hadn’t released it when I did.I would kill the twins just to torment their father and make him wish he was dead. What he fought so hard for, he destroyed my coven and so many others, would be lost but they were my children too. My blood. The children w