She had spent several years at the camp, and she was acquainted with everyone there. She shared with me the intriguing tale of Mario, who had acquired his first classic car through a poker game involving a goblin. Mario had previously been a chef in a major city, and while she couldn't pinpoint the exact reasons behind his transformation into a feral being, she strongly suspected the involvement of the goblin mafia.
"I had no idea there even existed a goblin mafia," I confessed.
"Every species has its own seedy underworld," she replied. "But among them, vampires are undoubtedly the most treacherous. Nobody dares to cross them."
"I always thought witches were the most dangerous," I interjected.
"Witches can be dreadful, but they tend to be more direct in their actions. Vampires, on the other hand, have the luxury of time on their side, thanks to their immortality," she remarked.
Up until that moment, I had never encountered a vampire,
Tony appeared dreadful, with his skin being clammy and pale, and his breathing coming out in ragged gasps. I shadowed the person carrying him closely, my gaze unwavering. He had taken a lethal dose of toxin meant for me, pushing me aside. I pondered whether Ray's intention had been to kill me or render me incapable of resistance. The thought sent shivers down my spine.Tony had rescued me from situations far worse than death, and a grim notion started to creep into my mind. Was death a preferable option to risking losing myself to the mating bond? I pushed that thought away; Tony needed me now. I resolved to get him through this and aid in his recovery. The rest would have to wait.Approaching a rocky hillside that seemed to appear out of nowhere, it felt out of place amidst the landscape, reminding me too much of the caves back at Wolf Bay. Danielle was leading us toward a massive rock blocking the hill's entrance. My entire body tensed, and my breathing quickened."Please don't tell
The interior of the home elevated the exterior to new heights. It was akin to stepping into a palace. While the outside resembled a fairytale cottage, the inside transformed into a fairytale castle. Luxurious cream-colored couches, marble tables adorned with vases of flowers, and pale blue velvet curtains graced the windows, each detail meticulously designed and lavish.The polished wood floors featured strategically placed, opulent rugs along the main walkways and at the center of each room. The abundance of rooms was staggering. We found ourselves in an entrance hall, seemingly too vast to fit inside the cottage we had initially entered. To the right, a formal dining room with a table that could seat at least a dozen. To the left, a sitting room, and straight ahead, a hallway branching into numerous other rooms.It became evident that the magic of the meadow extended seamlessly into the house itself, making it akin to a grand castle. Danielle guided us down the hall, past closed doo
I approached Tony, placing my hand gently over his heart. His breaths were slow and erratic, his chest emitting a troubling rattle with each exhalation. I shut my eyes, directing my focus towards his inner wolf. A faint glimmer of recognition passed between our wolves, though his was feeble. While I lacked expertise, it was clear to me that Tony's condition was dire.This was Tony, and if there was any chance of saving him, we had to act swiftly. I withdrew my hand and turned to face Star. "His wolf won't hold on much longer.""Are you certain?" Malcolm inquired."She's right," Star affirmed. "I can no longer glimpse his future."Dread welled up within me. "What do you mean?"Star fixed her blank white eyes on me. "You understand what I mean.""Does that mean the antidote won't be effective?" Danielle asked."It means that without it, he doesn't stand a chance," I declared.Star nodded. "Do it. The antidote means everything to Tony. He believes in it, and I'm certain he would want us
Taking a deep breath, I confronted the life-long fear I had harbored for magic, particularly spells cast by witches. The idea of willingly subjecting myself to a spell was unimaginable, yet my life had taken an unexpected turn. I had a homicidal mate pursuing me, and I now bore the mark of the alpha. "Sure, why not?"Star's grin was infectious. "You don't sound entirely convinced, but I'll pretend you're excited.""We have to be outdoors for this spell to work," Star informed me.Glancing down at Tony, I asked, "Will you be okay?""I'm fine. Just don't get attacked or anything while I'm healing," he replied."As long as there are no unpleasant surprises waiting for me out there, I should be fine," I assured him.His wounded expression stung. "One of these days, you'll forgive me."My words had slipped out unintentionally, without forethought. I wasn't entirely over everything that had transpired. Tony's near-death experience had made me realize how important he was to me and how badly
"It's a good thing when your future isn't set in stone. It means you have the freedom to make choices, and those choices matter. If your ending is already written, it doesn't matter. You could go left or right, and it won't change. There's power in an open ending," she explained.Malcolm chimed in, "How about me?""You should never ask about your future," Star cautioned. "If the information isn't freely given, you don't want to know."Malcolm's response was laced with frustration, "Well, that's pretty ominous. It sounds an awful lot like you're telling me my future is going to suck.""I'm saying you shouldn't ask. I didn't tell you why," Star replied.Malcolm's apprehension was justified, but after Star's warning, delving further into the topic didn't seem wise. I changed the subject, asking, "So, what's next?"With a dramatic flair, Star lifted her arms, and black ribbons shot from her fingertips. They expanded and grew until
The three of us made our way back to the basement, where Tony, Danielle, and Billy had gathered. Tony had improved since we left, now sitting up and looking more like himself.Tony's initial smile quickly faded as he asked, "What happened?"Star, our witch, responded sharply, "You gave me vampire blood, that's what happened."Tony defended himself, "No, I got the blood from Harold himself. He handed it to me."Star pressed, "Did you watch him draw the blood from his vein?"Tony's shoulders slumped as he admitted, "No."Star criticized, "Such an amateur mistake, Tony."I interjected bitterly, "Now I know why him and my mom got along so well."Star's frustration was evident as she continued, "So now the shunned prince knows about his alpha kid, and he knows there's a witch willing to use blood magic against him? Are you trying to get all of us killed?"I added, "For once, I'd like something to go right."
"If my brother were to harm me, he would become your next of kin. So, unless you both share mating bonds, he will eventually establish a connection with you. When that happens, he won't hesitate to eliminate you, seeing you as a threat, just as he did with me," he explained.Malcolm pointed out, "But he didn't kill you."Harold responded, "He couldn't kill me without jeopardizing too many alliances. Keeping me alive created the illusion of a compassionate side in him. He doesn't have that issue with you."I urged, "Then release your claim on us."Harold replied, "Of course, as soon as you assist me."I growled, fixing a stern gaze on the scruffy, imposing male before me. "I will not be bullied by anyone, even if you are my blood."Harold countered with a smile, "That's the spirit I need. You'll manage this task just fine."Curious about the favor, Malcolm asked, "What is it?"Harold proposed, "Help me overthrow th
Advancing through the dimly-lit forest toward Wolf Bay, it took a monumental effort to keep moving forward. Every fiber of my being begged me to turn back. I had been on my feet all day, resisting the magnetic pull of my mate.It felt as though I was torn in two, engaged in a battle between my soul and my body. The conflict threatened to rend me apart, my soul yearning to reunite with her, the woman who drove me to madness and yet was the very reason I still breathed. I craved her presence as I did air.I couldn't pinpoint when or how I had allowed this bond to completely consume me, but it was irrelevant now. All that remained was to stake my claim on her.The moment I sealed this bond, felt our souls merge, the world would right itself. The mark she bore meant nothing; she would submit to me, as was her destiny.Returning to Wolf Bay empty-handed would surely enrage my father. He had never wanted this for me, but he couldn't comprehend the power of the mating bond. It ran deeper tha
I rose to my tiptoes, enveloping Billy in an embrace. "You’re going to be an amazing alpha."Returning the hug, he urged, "Be careful, okay?""You too," I replied before stepping back. "I’ll be in touch soon.""I’ll be okay," he assured me."I know you will," I said with certainty."You will too, you know. You were born for this," he smiled warmly. Our bond, forged through trials, felt unbreakable, a connection that would last a lifetime.Billy rejoined his pack, and I walked over to my waiting entourage. "Malcom, would you stay with Billy for a few days? Just so he has someone loyal here.""Of course," Malcom agreed. "Now, go. See your mom. Billy’s got this, but just in case, he’s got me."The drive back to the house felt endless. Conversation attempts failed, leaving us engulfed in a heavy silence. Most of us were too drained or overwhelmed to speak."She’s going to be fine," Tony reassured me, squeezing my hand from the backseat.I glanced at him, grateful that it was just us in th
The shifters surged forward, enveloping us in cheers and exuberant shouts. Billy was hoisted onto shoulders and paraded around the field. Amidst this whirlwind of jubilation, I felt a wave of relief, joy, and peace emanating from the gathered shifters.Billy was about to face a challenging task, but if anyone could lead Wolf Bay to its rightful place, it was him.The entire household buzzed with activity as preparations for the Solstice celebration reached their climax. The longest night coinciding with a full moon promised an epic party.As I readied myself to greet the guests, a surge of nerves accompanied my anticipation. Tony grasped my hand reassuringly. "You’re going to be great. Nothing bad is going to happen. This is what you’ve been working so hard for the last year."He was right, and his unwavering support had been invaluable. Together, we had strived to mend pack relations and lay the groundwork for positive change among the shifters.Tonight was pivotal. Our efforts to re
Ace’s gasps punctuated the silence, his wide eyes reflecting sheer terror. The punishment I had delivered was the ultimate blow. He thrived on adoration and the capacity to instill fear in others. Stripped of his position of power, he was left with nothing. Executing him would only grant him martyrdom.Murmurs rippled among the gathered shifters as the sentence resonated among the crowd. Gradually, those murmurs evolved into applause.Billy, taking a step forward, approached Ace. I wasn’t privy to their exchange, but Billy sought closure here too. Whispering something to Ace, he withdrew, a smile gracing his lips. Though Ace appeared enraged, he didn’t retaliate.It wasn’t my place to know; Billy, like me, suffered under Wolf Bay's rule. He may have made mistakes but always sought to balance the good amidst adversity. What potential might he have realized without the constant struggle to please Ace for his sister’s sake while trying to do the right thing?"Well, this wasn’t what I exp
Ace’s punishment warranted a unique approach. Death seemed too lenient, risking his transformation into a martyr. I wasn’t oblivious to the entrenched mindset of males accustomed to unchecked authority; they wouldn't simply yield to a female monarch. Rectifying the injustices demanded extensive effort.For every tale akin to mine, numerous others remained untold. Danielle and Clara had been unjustly divested of their positions bestowed by the Moon Goddess herself. How many others suffered at the hands of feeble men intent on preserving power?Ace would serve as an exemplar. Stripped of strength, divested of authority. I required his survival to serve as a cautionary symbol, illustrating what lay ahead, rather than providing grounds for shifters to rebel against me.His punishment wasn’t solely for his sexism but for exploiting all members of his pack. I needed clarity on that point.My guards halted, creating space between our contingent and the leaders of my former pack. Ace and his
The four of us strode through the grand double doors, prompting the council members to rise from their seats arranged along a long wooden table, adorned with a dozen chairs. At one end sat a conspicuously larger chair, set against the backdrop of a crackling fireplace casting a warm glow in the room. The floor boasted dark wood, accentuated by a regal red and gold rug. Above, chandeliers crafted from antlers lent a distinctive touch, deviating from the crystal fixtures I had seen elsewhere in the estate."Thank you for your patience," I addressed them, endeavoring to convey a sense of composure and authority."Of course, your highness," one of the men responded.I made my way to the larger seat and settled into it. The men gathered around the table, one side occupied by my family and the other by the four males constituting my predecessor’s council. It was an unconventional arrangement, but if Harold deemed it necessary to hear their counsel, I was willing to entertain their perspect
Breakfast with my friends felt familiar and safe. Danielle, Malcolm, and Billy had mostly waited to eat until we arrived. The guards stood outside the room, and at my instance, the staff was willing to leave the food and let us serve ourselves.To my friends’ credit, they all steered the topic of conversation toward random things that were unrelated to our current situation. It was as if they knew I needed a little break before I had to figure out how to do the job I’d committed to when I took down the old king.We ate till we were all stuffed and laughed at Malcolm’s stories about trying to learn how to fix a car and accidentally setting it on fire. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I pictured Mario’s face. “I bet he never let you near his car again.”“Only if I’m trying to fix it. Driving I’m fine with. It’s when you give me tools that it causes an issue.”“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.“Your highness,” a male voice said.I turned and saw one of my guards. Malaki, I think.He was
The group departed, leaving me surrounded by friends, guards, and a handful of staff. Turning my focus back to them, I reaffirmed, "For real, though. I keep my promises."An older woman with white hair nodded to her companions, affirming, "Told you Claire was telling the truth." She glanced at me. "If there's nothing more for us, we'll get back to work."I nodded in acknowledgment. "Find me if you need anything."With a smile, she guided the group away from me. As the extra people dispersed, I surveyed those who remained. The guards stood their ground, making this as private as it could get. My impatience surged—I needed answers. "Where's my mom? How's she doing?"Harold hesitated. "I'm not sure.""What do you mean? Weren't you with her last night?" I pressed."I was. She was in bad shape. Didn't even recognize me," he admitted, shaking his head.My chest tightened. "Where is she now?""Star's been with her all night," Malcom chimed in. "She prioritized helping your mom before the res
The other guards introduced themselves, a touch of ease evident in their demeanor. Spending ample time together, it felt comforting to begin to acquaint ourselves."James, Malaki, Ruben, and Cole," I acknowledged each, prompting smiles and nods in response."Shall we check in on the others?" I suggested."After you, Elisa," James replied.Summoning courage, I led the way. The ballroom burst with music, vibrant lights, and spirited revelry. Blue-uniformed shifters circulated trays of food while bartenders manned stations amid a dancing crowd.Amidst the party's vibrancy, I felt the fight's aftermath. Stiffness and soreness seeped in, reminders of the battle with my uncle.Making rounds among the guests, I sought a respite. James directed us to a guest suite, a refuge from the festivities.Stepping into the room, opulence surrounded me. A fireplace, plush furnishings, and lavish décor overwhelmed my senses. Wounded and exhausted, I yearned for solace.Stripping off my soiled clothes, I
His body tensed, signaling his intent, yet his position was flawed. Almost missed it, but my human side caught the subtle adjustment—he was about to feign an attack, aiming to turn my own game against me. I swiftly moved, anticipating his altered angle, and narrowly evaded his strike. Passing control to my wolf, she veered around, slashing her claws deep into his side as we darted past.His howls echoed, but my wolf pressed on, delivering another fierce blow to his face. The king, dazed and unprepared for our speed, struggled to match our agility. Each time he adjusted, we were there, ready to strike again with teeth or claws.Aware of our limitation in strength, we adopted a relentless and swift strategy, refraining from a power play or flashy moves. The king's wolf retaliated, pinning us a few times, yet we wriggled free, persistently attacking.Exhaustion began to slow us down, and the king, though limping, persisted. Unexpectedly, he charged, knocking my wolf down. The impact diso