Jackson's POVI woke up earlier today, and since then, I’ve buried myself in work, flipping through endless documents and reports that required my attention. A way to distract my mind.The scent of ink and parchment filled the air, but it did nothing to calm my restless mind. My thoughts were stuck, circling my outburst at the training arena.Her face. Her scent. Her touch.“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, slamming the report in my hand onto the desk.I couldn’t stop seeing her in my mind—the way she looked at me with no fear, even when I was at my worst. Vulnerable. I groaned, dragging my hands through my hair. I hated myself for letting her see me like that. Weak. Exposed.Josh stirred in my mind. He had been quiet since the incident, but now his voice rose with annoyance."You can’t ignore this forever," he growled. "She’s your mate.”I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his words settling over me. “She’s also the reason I’ll lose control, Josh
Emily's POV“May I ask why, My King?” I asked, feigning respectful tone. I had to move away from him because of the way he kept breathing, it made me realized that his wolf might be trying to take over his mind.“You don't have to, if you don't want to.” He responded, and I was upset by his response.“You know, at times I wonder the way you reason.” I snapped.“That's a direct insult.”“I don't plan on sugarcoating it either. If I ask you why, that means I wanna know the reason behind such request. You can't tell a student to study hard for exam without giving them the assurance that it was for their future. So can you….” I paused, mid-sentence, as I noticed something in his eyes shift. It wasn’t anger or indifference like I had grown used to seeing. No, this was something entirely different—something raw, wild, and unrestrained.His hands were trembling, as if he was trying to resist something. Suddenly, he strides towards me in fast paces. Before I could take a step backward, his
Jackson's POVAs soon as she was gone, I collapsed into a chair, burying my face in my hands. Josh’s voice broke through the silence. “You’re an idiot.”“Shut up,” I muttered, but the truth of his words lingered. Because no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I knew one thing for certain.I was already hers.Having enough, I stood up and went out of the room. But my steps halted, I turned around and my gaze fell directly on the book she added back to the shelf.Something in me wanted to see what she read. I went closer to it, but instead of bringing out the book she took, I found myself bringing out the one beside it.My hands shivered as I pulled it out. The designs was still there, but they looked old and faded now. The book was wrapped in a fancy pink cover, colorful stickers were plastered all over it.But the words inside weigh heavier than how it looks. My fingers rubbed the sticker, and I found myself pondering about how the book came up.–––“Hey, babe,” I greeted as I stepp
Emily's POVI slammed my door shut behind me, leaning against it as I tried to catch my breath. I fisted my hands into a tight balls, trying to control my anger.How dare he do that to me?!“B@stard. Idiot. Stupid. Mean. Monster.” I called all sort sort of names, under my breath with my gritted teeth.My chest heaved, and I pressed my palms against my heated cheeks. My fingers brushed through my lips and I was reminded of our little moment.His kiss lingered on my lips like a phantom touch, setting my skin alight. My emotions were a swirling storm—confusion, anger, and… something else. Something deeper.Why did he kiss me? Why did he hold me like that, only to push me away again?I slid to the floor, clutching my knees to my chest. My heart was still racing, but now, it wasn’t just because of the kiss. It was because of the ache his rejection had left behind."Not like her." His broken words echoed in my mind, and I clenched my fists. She has a way to intruding into our moment, and t
Emily's POV“It's fine. Apology accepted.” I mumbled, trying to maintain my cool. “But I won't tolerate such an act from you next time.” I snapped. She raised her head, about to say something but her eyes looked down at my legs.My brows furrowed wondering if something was wrong.“Still doubting her?” a soft voice interrupted my thoughts behind us. I turned to see Lady Elena approaching us, her long silver hair flowing behind her and her calculating eyes locked on me like she was assessing every breath I took.Jackson appeared at her side moments later, his imposing frame making the narrow corridor feel even more cramped. His intense gaze flicked between Kiara, Lady Elena, and me, but he stayed quiet, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.I looked away before our eyes could meet, what was he doing here? I thought. The maids began to disperse and the guards, leaving only the four of us here.“Mummy!” Kiara called out longingly before going to cling to her side. I was surprised by th
Author’s POVJackson clenched his fist, his eyes on the witch. Wondering what she could be doing here. Then Josh's words echoed in his mind.“She’s digging into the past. She’ll find the truth. She’ll leave.”“Who is she?” Emily whispered behind him, interrupting his thoughts. She was still confused as to why this old lady had called him Adams.Jackson turned my head, without seeing Emily's face and glanced back at Harper again.She was just a child then, her mother was the greatest sorcerer when Hawja Shawna was still flourishing. Her mother, Salma, was the one who made Jackson become immortal. Her death was natural, out of old age.But Harper was alive when it all happened, she might be a little kid then but she remembers. Every little detail which wasn't settled well with Jackson.Harper maintained the blissful smile that was playing on her lips. Then her smile began to falter when her gaze shifted to Emily's, who was peeping through Jack's shoulder.She was disappointed because sh
Emily’s POVThe ride was quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. I sat behind Jack on his horse, my arms loosely wrapped around his waist. His broad back was straight, his posture as rigid as always. The rhythmic sound of the horse's hooves against the ground provided a strange kind of comfort. I rested my chin lightly on his shoulder, my gaze lingering on the back of his neck. His scent filled my nose, and I found myself in a deep comfort.My thoughts wandered to what I had pieced together so far—about Harper’s mother and the role she played in Jack’s immortality. The idea of someone willingly binding him to this endless existence both fascinated and horrified me. And I found myself wondering what kind of man he was before he became an immortal.Was he always this guarded? This distant? Or was it the centuries of loneliness and betrayal that shaped him into what he was now?I sighed softly, my breath ghosting against his neck. He didn’t turn or acknowledge it. His aloofness was
Emily’s POVMy eyes fluttered open groggily, my head was banging. What I saw was a long wooden stool in front of me. I tried to stand up but my stomach hurts. And my legs. Together with my arms.In fact, my whole body hurts.But carefully, I managed to sit upright. I brought my hair to my shoulder, it was really dirty. I couldn't understand the color. And my clothes… my eyes looked down at my dress. It looks to be a white gown, it's original color but it was soaked with a red dried liquid. My eyes widened in shock when I thought of the possibilities that it could be my blood.My lips trembled as I glanced around. ‘Am I dead? Is this afterlife?’ I thought, my eyes scanning through the surroundings.It was a building, some parts filled with growing grasses and spirogyra. The floor was cold and cemented, I stood up carefully.Why don't I have any memories of myself?All I knew was that I just woke up from a deep slumber. Given how my body was aching this badly. “H-Hello….” I stuttered,
Emily’s POV“Yeah, come in,” I called out, my voice lacking its usual enthusiasm.The door creaked open, and Maddy stepped in, a warm smile on her face. I tried to return it, but it felt forced, awkward. Our last conversation had left a strange tension between us, one I wasn’t sure how to navigate.“Good day, your highness,” she said with mock seriousness, a playful lilt in her tone. I chuckled softly despite myself, shaking my head. “Don’t start.” She stayed at door, doesn't look like she was coming any closer.“So… you wanted to see me?” I affirmed with a nod. Even though I didn't trust her fully, I need her witch abilities to interpret certain things to me.“Why are you at the door? Come closer.” I urged.“Maybe it's because I feel…. guilty?” My brows furrowed in my confusion. Then she chuckled.She crossed the room quickly, and before I could react, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.“I missed you so much,” she murmured against my shoulder.I froze, my arms hovering m
Emily's POVI lay on the bed, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling above me, Kiara’s harsh words still ringing faintly in my ears.“Fuck off.”But oddly enough, I didn’t take her words to heart. I was used to her bitterness by now. I could handle her hatred; it wasn’t what bothered me. What I couldn’t ignore was Jackson.His behavior had been eating away at me all day. The flashes of anger, the blood… and the way his vampire side clawed at the surface, barely restrained. I had seen him gritting his teeth as if he were fighting himself, as if being near me was both his salvation and his curse.I turned to the side, burying my face in the pillow with a frustrated sigh. Exhaustion tugged at me, but my mind was relentless. Eventually, though, the weight of my thoughts lulled me into a restless sleep.I turned my head, but found myself in a darkened hall lit only by streaks of moonlight breaking through shattered windows. I jerked up immediately, I wasn't laying on the bed but on the floo
Kiara’s POVI let my thoughts pace around before my gaze flickered to the mirror, and I stopped dead. I rushed to it to confirm what I saw.A pimple.What in the hell…My fingers moved to my face instinctively, and I pressed down on the stubborn blemish with all the force I could muster. A sharp sting burned across my skin, but I didn’t stop until it was gone—until it bled.I hissed in annoyance, grabbing a tissue to dab the spot. My reflection stared back at me, and I frowned harder.“It’s nothing,” I muttered, spinning toward my vanity. I grabbed my makeup and began to smear powder and foundation over my face in thick layers, covering every imperfection. My hand trembled slightly as I blended it out.“Y-You’re be-beautiful,” I stammered to my reflection, forcing a smile. “This is just temporary. Everything happening now is temporary. I’ll strike when the time comes.”I leaned closer, staring deep into my own eyes, my smile sharpening into something sly. “I’ll make sure they regret
Kiara’s POVThe Next Morning.The paintbrush glided across the canvas in my hand, a streak of deep crimson smearing like fresh blood. My lips curled into a bitter smile as I traced the outline of Emily’s figure, every inch of her covered in what looked like dripping blood.“Perfect,” I muttered to myself, the satisfaction short-lived as anger clawed its way back into my chest.I clenched my jaw, thinking about yesterday. I had asked her nicely—nicely, for the first time in forever. All I did was ask if she was fine. A simple, kind gesture. And what did she do? She just nodded. Nodded! Like I didn’t deserve an answer.My grip on the brush tightened until my knuckles turned white.“That b!tch,” I spat under my breath. “All high and mighty now, isn’t she?”I sat back, glaring at the image of her I had painted, rage bubbling inside me like poison. Emily. Everything went downhill the moment she came into the picture. The pack no longer cared about me, Kiara. Me, who had always been by
Emily’s POV“When the heart turns cold…”The phrase echoed in my mind as I walked back into the tent, each word settling heavily on my chest. I had been trying to understand it, but the answer seemed clearer now. To sever this bond—truly sever it—I would need to upset Jackson, to do something so unbearable that it would make him turn away.Without true love, the bond between us was meaningless. That was what the throne was trying to tell us.We were tied by fate, but he couldn’t admit how he felt without something pulling him. I entered the tent, then my eyes fell on the pearl the little girl gave me. I picked it up, running my thumb over its smooth surface, a faint smile tugging at my lips. My mind raced back to the dream, the words, and Gianna. I froze mid-thought, realization dawning like a cold wave.Gianna.My eyes narrowed, suspicion burning in my chest. I didn't remember that she introduced herself to me. I hadn’t thought much of it, but now… If not for that dream, I wouldn’
Emily’s POVI groaned as the sound of chirping birds yanked me out of sleep. My muscles ached, my back was stiff, and the scratchy blanket felt heavier than usual. The chill of the morning air seeped through the tent, and for a moment, I debated just pulling the blanket over my head.But the dream...I blinked my eyes open, staring at the tent’s fabric ceiling. Why was I dreaming about my resurrection? It had felt so real, like I was reliving that moment. I could still hear the voices, feel the weight of everything that day had meant.Events of the last few years flooded my mind, I found myself empathizing with myself for all the years of heartbreak I've endured. All because I wanted him to accept me as his mate.I shook my head, trying not to dwell deeper. I might have had the dream out of exhaustion, playing tricks on my mind. Pushing the thoughts aside, I sat up, stretching my arms. My back ached from sleeping on the makeshift bedroll Jack had insisted we use during this journey.
Emily’s POV “Thank you so much for helping,” I acknowledged, smiling at Gianna’s reflection in the mirror as she brushed my hair. She returned the smile, though her dark eyes never left my hair. “You’re welcome. But don’t mistake this for charity,” she said, her voice soft but unnerving. Our eyes met in the mirror, and I blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?” “You’ll pay for my help. Not with money, of course.” She smiled faintly, a small tilt of her head that made her look almost amused. “I’ll be taking the bead from your locket. The pearl inside is... powerful. If someone with an impure heart touches it, they go blind temporarily until they confess their crimes. And if they don’t...” She paused, her lips curling slightly. “Well, they lose their sight forever.” My mouth went dry, and I instinctively looked down at the locket resting against my chest. The thought of giving it away made my stomach twist, but I nodded. “O-Okay,” I stammered. She didn’t say anything, just
Emily’s POVMy eyes fluttered open groggily, my head was banging. What I saw was a long wooden stool in front of me. I tried to stand up but my stomach hurts. And my legs. Together with my arms.In fact, my whole body hurts.But carefully, I managed to sit upright. I brought my hair to my shoulder, it was really dirty. I couldn't understand the color. And my clothes… my eyes looked down at my dress. It looks to be a white gown, it's original color but it was soaked with a red dried liquid. My eyes widened in shock when I thought of the possibilities that it could be my blood.My lips trembled as I glanced around. ‘Am I dead? Is this afterlife?’ I thought, my eyes scanning through the surroundings.It was a building, some parts filled with growing grasses and spirogyra. The floor was cold and cemented, I stood up carefully.Why don't I have any memories of myself?All I knew was that I just woke up from a deep slumber. Given how my body was aching this badly. “H-Hello….” I stuttered,
Emily’s POVThe ride was quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. I sat behind Jack on his horse, my arms loosely wrapped around his waist. His broad back was straight, his posture as rigid as always. The rhythmic sound of the horse's hooves against the ground provided a strange kind of comfort. I rested my chin lightly on his shoulder, my gaze lingering on the back of his neck. His scent filled my nose, and I found myself in a deep comfort.My thoughts wandered to what I had pieced together so far—about Harper’s mother and the role she played in Jack’s immortality. The idea of someone willingly binding him to this endless existence both fascinated and horrified me. And I found myself wondering what kind of man he was before he became an immortal.Was he always this guarded? This distant? Or was it the centuries of loneliness and betrayal that shaped him into what he was now?I sighed softly, my breath ghosting against his neck. He didn’t turn or acknowledge it. His aloofness was