ARTEMISIA“I believe there are a lot of humans here with extraordinary abilities. Wow, it's so nice to see a shapeshifter." The man with the buzz-cut asserted.A Shapeshifter?I knew what it meant. But how was Julie a shapeshifter?I had been with her my whole life, and I hadn't for once thought of her having supernatural power.Also, it didn't seem like she was just knowing as well because she was so comfortable shifting!And I recalled the several times she came into my room saying she'd protect me and I had laughed it off.I had brushed it off as well and thought her to be powerless.But she wasn't the person I thought she was. She wasn't powerless.“Shapeshifter or not, you stand no chance, b*tch!” The lanky blond yelled and charged.Julie did the same as well. I heard a howl after they collided with each other. Also, a bone-crushing sound. Maybe Julie had broken a bone, or the person she was facing had. I didn't know.Startled, my eyes rounded and followed the movement of all that
SINThe moment Artemisia's eyes shut, it felt as though it was the end for me.I wanted to let go of everything and freaking go to the werewolf Pack that had cost me my mate.But I couldn't go unprepared, and I was aware it was my fault. Everything that happened was my freaking fault. I had let her down.I grunted and yanked at my hair in frustration.Not only that, but I had let her be in harm's way. Whereas I could have easily protected her.And I was the Alpha for crying out loud!It was pathetic. I kept on shoving her in front of the danger. Although I did not hurt her on purpose, I couldn't help but feel I was the one who orchestrated everything.It wouldn't be the first time she was getting hurt.And each time it happened, I had the power to not let it.Gazing at her pale face, I recalled the attack.They warned me before it occurred. Nico had f**king informed me to get prepared, as they were coming for Artemisia.They had the information beforehand, and he had relayed it to me,
ARTEMISIAAnguishIf there was something better to describe the way I feel at the moment, I would gladly be use it.Not only did it feel as though I was carrying a weight which wasn't mine, but also, in between, my legs throbbed and my stomach ached.It felt as though something had been ripped out of me forcefully.My back was another story. I couldn't describe the aching feelings that shot through me at intervals whilst I turned.It even made me wonder if the bed I was on was made of spikes.But then, I knew it wasn't.Also, all I desired was for the aches within me to end as soon as they could.I tapped on the bed and gripped the duvet whilst attempting to lift myself.“Artemisia…”My eyes flickered open as I heard my name. It was more like a whisper but due to the proximity of the voice, I heard it clearly.Sin.He was holding my hands, and his head bowed. I heard him sniffling and wondered if he had been crying. When his head came up as my hand brushed his messy hair, he stared at
ARTEMISIA“No, it can't be,” I croaked out as soon as I regained my sanity.My throat was sore from having yelled too much, and I clenched my hands into fists.I was certain I was hearing things.There was no way Sin could have said those words to me.He didn't look as though he was joking, nor did Julie look like she was.The tears streaming down her cheeks were a signal that it indeed happened.Also, I didn't think any of them could play a joke as expensive as that on me.“It's my fault.” Sin said.“It is,” I replied, turning to him.My eyes narrowed, and I gritted my teeth. “It is your f**king fault, Sinclair!”It was my first time saying his name in full, and it sounded awful.I hopped down from the bed, and snapped. Or rather, something inside of me snapped.I stretched out my hands and shoved Sin into the wall with all the strength that was left in me.“Artemisia!” Julie yelled. “What has got into you? It isn't his fault. You should let him go.”Despite Julie's plea, I didn't let
SIN“What do you want now? Are you ready to apologize for what you did earlier? If yes, just know I am not having it.” I said, not turning to glance at him.“Apologize?” Laurent scoffed. He strode from the door post into the room. “That's the last thing I will ever do.”“Then what the fuck do you want from me? From Artemisia?!” I shouted.I couldn't help myself. The anger was still in me. And now, Artemisia was sleeping. I believed it was the right time to finish what we started.“Whatever is going on in your mind, I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Laurent said.I halted in my tracks, glaring at him. “You need to stay away from Artemisia. She isn't even your mate. I don't know the number of times we are going to fight on this. She is freaking mine.”“She isn't mine,” Laurent affirmed with a nod. “But you don't deserve her, either.”I let out a relieved sigh. At least he wasn't claiming to steal her away from me. I don't care what he says.So far, it wasn't about Artemisia. I believe w
ARTEMISIA“No…” I cried as the woman flashed me a wicked smile. A veil of some sort concealed her face, but I could see her pearly white teeth as she grinned.“Please, spare the child!”“Too late, darling.” She cackled. And tossed the infant wrapped in a swaddle in the air.My heartbeat faltered. I was certain it did as I jetted forwards to catch the child as it descended.But I wasn't fast enough.I believed I could have met up, but something happened along the way, which made it seem almost impossible.“I---I…”“I told you.” The woman said. She tilted her head whilst I snatched the swaddle on the cool grass.The child wasn't in it. My baby wasn't in it!“W-what did you do?” I gazed at her. My eyes widened with each word I made, and my throat constricted.“I did what should have been done.” The woman said and yanked me away from the ground.She closed her hands around my neck before I could make meaning of what was happening.“Now, it's your turn to be extinguished.” She whispered in
ARTEMISIAI turned to see Alisson sauntering towards us.She clenched her fists and scowled.“This isn't any of your business. Stay the f**k out of this.” Emma glared.She stepped in front of me as Alisson neared us.“Artemisia is my family, and she is my f**king business. You need to watch how you speak to her!” Alisson yelled. She got into Emma's face.I had to pull her away because I was aware she never wasted too much time in taking down her opponent.She looked as though she was going to punch Emma.“It's fine, Ally. I am used to her nastiness.”“Don't get used to it. I can't believe I will see someone who is even more awful than I am…” Alisson snorted.“You brought one of your bitches to fight me?” Emma asked as she stepped towards me again.“Emma, I don't want to hurt you.” I winced as she gripped my hair.“Hurt me! I do not care, but I won't let you off easily. A whore that knows nothing other than to open her legs for my man.”I gritted my teeth and slapped Emma's hand away. T
SIN I was hurting.I was sure Artemisia felt the same, but there was nothing I could do to make her feel better.And berating myself wouldn't help as well.Heck, I didn't want to feel the guilt of letting her down, but I could not help it.“Is there anything else we need to do?”My eyes flickered around the large meeting hall, and my attention stayed on Mila.It was rare for the witches to be in the meeting hall. But again, they were part of the pack and needed to be in. Seeing as what was happening today was urgent.My eyes flickered to Artemisia as she stood to her feet.She sighed and gazed around. Her eyes met mine momentarily, my fingers twitched to smoothen the lines that appeared on her temple, and I wanted to tuck a lock of her hair beneath her ear.But I couldn't. She was a few centimetres away from me and even if I had the opportunity; I doubted she'd be thrilled.“I'd like for you to go with me, Mila. I don't think I can do this alone.”“I'll go with you,” I mumbled.Artemi