In a hidden, shadowed location, a figure stood in silence, frustration simmering beneath the surface. She slammed her phone down after the call ended, her voice sharp with anger.“Damn it!” The curse echoed through the dimly lit room, but the figure remained cloaked in darkness, her identity concealed.“Who could have thought Ella was the highly sought healer?" she muttered, her voice low and indistinct filled with venom.The figure paced, clearly unsettled, her movements deliberate, as though calculating her next steps. “I will do everything within my power to make sure she doesn’t return to the South.” She clenched their fists, resolving to stop her at all costs.Meanwhile, in the quiet of the hospital, Ella slowly stirred, her eyelids heavy as she struggled to wake. The first sensation that hit her was the dull, throbbing ache in her limbs, a persistent reminder of the attack she’d endured. Her body was weak, and with each attempt to move, pain surged through her, making her gasp s
Derek turned around to check on Ella and noticed she was awake, her eyes locked on him, a mixture of confusion and determination reflected in her gaze. He could tell she had a thousand questions swirling in her mind. With a sigh, he pulled a chair closer and sat down across from her.“How are you feeling?” Derek asked, his voice soft.“You saved me,” Ella replied weakly, her voice barely a whisper. “Thank you.”Without thinking, Derek reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “You’re still weak,” he said, concern etched on his face. “The doctors did what they could for the silver burns, but you need more time to rest and regain your strength.”Ella winced as she tried to shift on the bed, her thoughts racing. “Moore… he’s in danger,” she said, her voice laced with worry. “I need to be by his side, Derek. I have to get to the South.”Derek shook his head, his expression firm but laced with concern. “They won’t harm him, Ella. They still
Ella lay in her hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. She was healing, but the weight of everything going on outside these walls kept her on edge. Moore was still in danger, and Kevin was out there, probably plotting something worse. The rogue attack earlier didn’t help, and now, she felt like time was running out, Derek had gone out to attend to something important or so he had said.The door opened, and Nurse Sara entered, pushing her usual cart of supplies. Sara had been the one to take care of Ella since she was admitted. She was always calm and friendly.Ella smiled softly at the sight of Nurse Sara walking into the room. For days now, Sara had been nothing but a comforting presence, always ready with a gentle word and warm smile. She was human—an ordinary person in a world where beings like werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures often clashed. Maybe that’s why Ella found it so easy to trust her.“Good morning, Ella. How are you feeling today?” Sara asked, her voi
To the outside world, the Devil’s City was a place of myth and legend—a land where darkness reigned, where nothing thrived but death and shadows. Tales of terror whispered through the lands, painting pictures of a place cloaked in eternal night, where vampires ruled with iron fangs and talons of blood. But the truth was far more dangerous—and far more beautiful.The Devil’s City was a marvel of dark enchantment, a kingdom of eternal twilight kissed by the silver glow of a crescent moon. Its towering blackstone buildings glistened like polished obsidian under the soft, ethereal glow that bathed the city in a perpetual soft, dreamlike hue. The air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of night-blooming flowers that lined the streets, their petals a kaleidoscope of deep crimson, violet, and gold. Intricate lanterns hung from elegantly wrought iron posts, illuminating the cobbled streets with a warm, golden light that danced with an unnatural grace, casting moving shadows that seemed to f
The night was still as Maxwell stood in the shadows, preparing for his journey beyond the boundaries of Devil’s City. The air was thick with the scent of impending rain, but he moved with an unbreakable focus. Valen’s words still echoed in his mind: Confirm the healer wolf’s existence. Find the truth.For centuries, Maxwell had been Valen’s trusted scout and enforcer. Tonight, however, his mission felt charged with greater purpose. The rumors surrounding a healer wolf were impossible to ignore, even if they seemed as improbable as any he’d heard. Valen’s previous purge of healer wolves had been merciless, leaving none to spare, or so they’d believed. But if one had truly survived, this could reshape everything they understood about their species—and reignite old wars.Maxwell slung his gear across his back and blended into the night, his steps soundless as he made his way through the outskirts of the city. His senses were sharp, taking in the hum of life beyond the walls. He would nee
Valen sat alone in his grand office, his gaze drifting from the endless pile of documents before him to the faintly glowing horizon visible through the arched windows. Outside, Devil’s City shimmered with a haunting beauty, cloaked in perpetual twilight—a beauty that only deepened the ache in his cold heart, reminding him of what he once had and lost.Tonight, he felt the weight of the past pressing against him with unrelenting force, clawing at the walls he had so carefully built. Lydia. Her name echoed like a heartbeat, filling the empty spaces of his mind, and slowly, inevitably, Valen let himself fall into the memories.He was young then, far less burdened by power and revenge. He remembered the night he met her as if it had just happened, her image so vivid that he could almost reach out and touch her. Lydia had entered his world as a quiet figure among a gathering of vampire clans, her presence calm yet commanding, with a subtle allure that had drawn him across a crowded room wi
The morning began with quiet precision in Valen’s chambers, a vast space of understated opulence. Dark marble floors stretched beneath his feet, the walls lined with tapestries older than the city itself, woven in shadowed hues of crimson and midnight. Only a soft, indirect light touched the room, casting a moody glow over the vampire leader as he prepared himself for the day.Valen moved in calm, measured steps, his mind as sharply honed as the physical routines that kept him in peak form. With long, graceful strokes, he swept back his raven-black hair, exposing high cheekbones, a chiseled jawline, and eyes that gleamed with an intense, unsettling allure. His movements were deliberate, precise, echoing the control he wielded over his realm. Every action, from dressing to the minor adjustments of his cuffs, embodied the silent power he commanded.As he adjusted his collar, a faint knock came at the door—a sound that few in the Devil’s City dared to make. Dorian, his second-in-command,
Sara sat alone in the nurse's quarters, her hands trembling as she clutched the small, secret phone. The hospital was quiet during lunch, and most of the staff had gone to the café, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Her heart raced as she glanced at the unfamiliar number on the screen, a number she’d seen enough times to have memorized by now.With a deep breath, she answered, struggling to keep her voice steady.“We will be coming in tonight. You know what to do,” said the familiar cold voice on the other end.“Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, before the call ended abruptly with a click. She released a shaky breath, her fingers loosening on the phone as she sank back into her chair. After all these months, she still couldn’t shake the chilling effect of those calls.“Ella… I’m so sorry,” she whispered, guilt piercing her heart.Ever since she discovered what Ella was, she’d been injecting her friend with a special fluid—a substance created by top medics in the
“Ella, you need to stop them from always wanting to tear each other apart,” Lila’s voice echoed in Ella’s mind, steady yet tinged with concern.Ella paced the length of her room, her fists clenched. “And how exactly do you suggest I do that, Lila? They’re both so… so stubborn!” Her voice cracked with frustration, and her wolf sighed. “They’re adults, Lila, not children.” Ella continued, her tone carrying the irritation she’d been holding in.“Did you see what almost happened at the field earlier” Lila asked“I think Derek should head back to avoid all this.” Ella responded non-challantly.“I understand you’re still angry with Derek—after all the betrayal and pain he had caused us, it's justified. But don’t forget that Valen isn’t innocent either. There are still secrets he’s keeping from us, and though he’s also our mate, I don’t think he fully trusts us,” Lila replied, her tone firm but soothing.Ella stopped, her chest tightening. She didn’t want to admit it, but Lila was right. Sec
Morgana paced the room, her heels clicking against the cold marble floor. Her face was pale, her mind racing as she thought about the failure of their plan to frame Ella. If Valen were to discover what they’d done, the consequences would be disastrous.She clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over. “Sandra! I knew that working with a werewolf was definitely a wrong idea”She takes out her phone dialing a number as she walks out.***The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the quiet woods where Morgana waited impatiently. Her sharp eyes darted toward the road, her red lips pressed into a thin line. She loathed dealing with Sandra, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Ella’s escape from the frame-up had turned the tide against them, and now Valen was investigating. If she didn’t act fast, everything would unravel.Morgana paced restlessly, her long cloak billowing in the cold breeze. She had arranged the meeting in secret, away from prying ey
Derek approached Ella cautiously, his expression guarded but determined. He studied her face as she stood amidst the crowd that had begun to disperse. The tension between them was palpable, but Derek could no longer ignore the turmoil swirling in his chest.“Ella, it seems you're not welcomed here, and someone is trying so hard to prove that point,” Derek began, his voice low and controlled.Ella looked at him, her lips curling into a bitter smile. “Derek, I appreciate your concern, but I can handle myself. This isn't the first time I'm facing threats. I’ve faced betrayal, humiliation, rejection… so what more could I possibly be afraid of?”Her words cut through him like a dagger. Guilt surged within Derek as he recognized her statement wasn’t just about the others—it was about him too. And it holds a clear meaning; She wasn’t just unsafe here; she wasn’t safe with him either. He sighed, his voice softening.“Ella, I understand you're still mad at me, but please… I need a chance to ma
Ella’s eyes widened as they locked onto something glinting a short distance away. Her pulse quickened, and hope flared in her chest. Finally, she thought. She cautiously approached the object, her heart pounding with anticipation. If this was what she thought it was, it could prove someone else was here—someone other than her might be responsible for the vampire’s murder.But as she drew closer, her hopeful smile faltered. The object lying on the ground wasn’t just any trinket. It was a pendant—her pendant.Her breath caught as she picked it up, her fingers trembling. The intricate design was unmistakable, and the tiny gemstones around the locket in the center and the initials S.C at the back of the locket were burned into her memory. She had worn this as a child, a small token of comfort during her turbulent years. Her stepmother had taken it away when she was older, claiming it was sold. But here it was, lying at a crime scene. How? Why?“Are you going to transform or not, Ella?” Mo
Ella and Valen stepped out into the hallway, where Dorian, Scottie, Derek, Morgana, and the two vampires accompanying her stood waiting. The air was thick with tension, and Ella felt the weight of their accusing gazes.“We’re going to the crime scene,” Valen announced firmly. His words cut through the silence, commanding attention.Morgana blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his decision, her confident smirk faltered for a split second, her surprise breaking through her mask of calm. She hadn’t planned for this turn of events.. She hadn’t expected this. Her plan had been simple—bring Ella to face the council and let the fabricated evidence do the rest. But now they were going to the crime scene, What if they were able to unravel something else there?“That’s… unexpected, seeing the provided evidence” Morgana said, quickly recovering. Her lips curved into a strained smile. “ But Of course. We can go to the crime scene. If that's what you want” she said hoping that Sandra hadn't ma
Valen’s emotions churned violently. Morgana’s words kept echoing in his mind, each syllable digging deeper into his resolve. The accusations she brought were serious, and the evidence—if it held any truth—painted Ella in the darkest light. And Ella just stood there, her expression unfazed, her silence deafening.Valen clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t defending herself, why she wasn’t shouting her innocence from the rooftops. Wasn’t she aware of how precarious her position was? Say something, Ella, he thought, desperation clawing at him. Please give me something to work with.He clenched his fists by his side, struggling to keep his anger in check. Last night’s memory burned fresh in his mind. He’d found her sneaking in, in a disheveled state and her nakedness, a clear sign she had shifted. He hadn’t pressed her then, hoping she would come to him with an explanation. But she hadn’t. And now this. That memory, coupl
Ella felt the weight of the room shift with every passing second. Slowly, she released her hands from Valen's grip, her eyes meeting his briefly before she took a step back to address both him and Derek. Valen’s demeanor changed instantly, a flicker of unease crossing his face at her withdrawal. He didn’t lash out, though; instead, he kept his emotions tightly guarded, as if he knew her resistance was deserved.Derek stood there, his expression conflicted, his eyes locked on her. He seemed stunned, unable to process the weight of what she’d just said. Ella inhaled deeply, forcing herself to meet their gazes evenly."Derek," she began, her voice calm but firm, "like you said, a lot has happened. When I came here, I discovered that the Moon Goddess had other plans for me. I don’t know how it’s possible to have two mates, let alone from two entirely different worlds. I’m still trying to figure it all out." She paused, glancing briefly at Valen before turning back to Derek.“But yes,” she
The tension in the hallway grew thicker as Ella’s eyes darted nervously between Scottie and Dorian. Her heart raced when she heard the loud crashes and roars coming from the study. “What is happening in there?” Ella asked, her voice trembling.Scottie hesitated, glancing at Dorian, whose expression remained unreadable. Neither of them answered, which only made Ella more uneasy. Scottie shifted uneasily, her lips pressed into a thin line, while Dorian remained stoic, his expression unreadable.Suddenly, Lila, her wolf, stirred restlessly in her mind. Mate! Mate! Mate! He’s here!Ella froze, her chest tightening as she tried to calm her wolf. Her wolf’s excitement was almost overwhelming.“What are you talking about, Lila? Who’s here?”Before Lila could answer, a scent hit Ella like a thunderclap—strong, familiar, and intoxicating. It was a scent she could never forget.Her breath hitched as the realization dawned on her. “Derek,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.As if summoned
The air around Valen’s manor was thick with tension as Derek stood at the massive iron gates. Two vampire guards flanked the entrance, their expressions cold and defensive. Their red eyes flickered with suspicion as they sized up the lone werewolf before them.One of the guards narrowed his eyes, his sharp fangs peeking through his lips. “What business does a wolf have here?”Leo, Derek’s wolf, growled low in his chest, irritated by the guard's condescending tone. Let me loose. I’ll tear them apart and get our mate back.Calm down, Derek murmured under his breath, fighting to keep Leo under control. We’re not here to pick a fight.Derek raised his hands slowly, palms facing out, signaling he came in peace. "I’m not here to fight. I just need to see your Lord."The second guard exchanged a look with his companion before turning back to Derek. "Wait here." And with a speed that made Derek’s breath hitch, the vampire disappeared into the shadows.Leo stirred again, a restless force insid