Emily's POV“Hi.” He greeted me, seated on the bed. I sighed softly and stepped in, crossing my arms.“Hi.” I responded nonchalantly. He wasn't looking at me. He stood up after, inserted his hands into his front pocket. This act makes me know that he was uncomfortable, or maybe nervous.Either of the two, that's a joke. I scoffed at my thought, still staring at him to tell me why he was here.“T-There’s… uhmm….” He looked away, “.... an u-urgent matter going on in the pack house. Rogue-border issue to be precise. Some groups got injured after a minor rogue skirmish. Keal and Madison are taking care of them already but I want you to be there.” He paused briefly.“I need you to…” He falters, his usual commanding tone softening.“You want me to see something? Is that it?” I cut him off. “Yeah. They need your help to purify their souls from turning into rogues.” He declared peacefully and I clenched my fist.It wasn't a request, it was a command.“So I’m convenient?” he whipped his head t
Emily's POVWearing a white garment, I was clean from head to toe. Then I pray to the goddess, placing a crystal ball in clean water to purify the soul of whoever the water touches.I was in the pack house, dabbing that water in the injured people's wounds. And of course, the kids were keeping my company.As I was done with the man before me, he bowed deeply unlike others and that got me astonished.“Thank you so much, My Queen.” He purred with so much appreciation. My cheeks got painted in pink, as I looked around. Everyone was staring.“Oh, that's fine. Thank you.” I mumbled, kinda nervous.“Aww, Queen Emily is the best!” Caleb proclaimed, making me chuckle slightly. The next person on the queue sat on the small stool in front of me. He was wounded on his arm, it looks kinda gruesome and I commend him in my head for being brave.Well, all of them are brave.“I’m not the Queen yet, sweetheart. But thank you.” I smiled at him, nullifying the rogue's effect in the person's wound that co
Emily's POV“Hi!” Zaza appeared before me from a distance, while I was still walking at a fast pace towards the dining room.He noticed my expression was not for any jokes, he jog-walked closer to me.“A-Are you okay?” He asked, as if choosing his words carefully.“Is Jack in the dining room?” I inquired, catching my breath.He pouted, “Aww, the Queen misses her King….”“I'm serious!” I interrupted loudly. He looked shocked, I shut my eyes and massaged my temple.“That came out wrong, sorry. But I need to see him urgently.” I pleaded with my gaze. It's past the lunch period, but I hoped that he must have waited for me to show up.“Well, he left with Mason not quite long. But he should be back soon.” He informed me and I nearly gripped my hair in annoyance. I nodded in understanding without showing my disappointment before I went to my room.“Ugh!” I kicked the air, fuming inwardly. I slumped on the bed and shut my eyes. He better get back here on time, that's all I could pray for at t
Emily's POV“Emily.” I snapped out of my daze when I heard his stern voice. He walked closer to the bed looking worried, then I was reminded of his red eyes and fangs. The shadows, the creepy noises and the babies.“Stop!” I shouted unknowingly, stylishly moving away from him. He looks shocked, seeing me react this way.I looked at him fearfully, wondering the type of man he was to Annabelle. The lady in the white gown must be her. It's a shame that I didn't see her face.Her soft groans of discomfort when he gripped her neck, lingered in my head as I stared at him.“M-Maddy told me about it,” I finally said, lowering my gaze. I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to hide my nervousness around him.“You can always tell me anything.” He stated with his usual expressionless face. I raised my head, staring at him longer.“What if it's about Annabelle…..” I stressed my words, mumbling inaudible.His brows furrowed, and I blurted out,“No. That's not what I mean. I meant something else b
Madison’s POV “You’ve been quiet, Madison. Too quiet,” Kiara’s voice cut through the stillness of my room. I looked up from where I sat, massaging my temples. It was late, and her presence irritated me more than usual. “Why are you here, Lady Kiara?” I asked, unable to hide the exhaustion in my tone. The little respect I've for her was because she's the King's mistress. She didn’t answer immediately, stepping further into the room with her arms crossed. Her presence was overbearing, her eyes sharp and scrutinizing. “You know exactly why I’m here,” she finally said, her tone sharp. “She’s becoming a problem. No, you’re becoming a problem.” I raised an eyebrow, Her accusation made me frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She stepped closer, her midnight-black hair framing her sharp features. “You’ve been too silent, too passive,” she hissed. “People are starting to talk. They’re saying she seems to be the rightful Queen. And that’s happening because you're warming up to her. Th
Jackson's POV The Next Day. The courtroom was eerily silent, save for the muffled sobs of an old man kneeling before me. His hands were bound behind his back, his eyes red from crying. Yet his tears didn't move me. "State his crime," I said, my voice cold and dangerous, reverberating through the courtroom. Mason stepped forward hesitantly, his face grim. "He was caught selling goods at prices higher than what was agreed upon." The words sent a flash of rage through me. My fists clenched, my jaw tightening as the red haze in my mind grew darker. I stared down at the man who dared to disrupt the fragile order I had spent so long enforcing. "Feed him to the dogs. Alive!" I growled. Gasps filled the courtroom, but no one dared to speak against me. Even Mason, usually the voice of reason, looked at me with shock but said nothing. He opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off with a sharp glare. "Next!" I barked, my tone sharp and unrelenting without meeting his gaze. I felt th
Jackson's POV My senses spiraled into chaos, recalling the nightmarish memory of how I had lost control and killed her. Her lifeless face flashed in my mind like a cruel reminder, and Mason's words from earlier ran loud and clear. Am I becoming what the curse wanted me to be? The thought clawed at me. The prophecy wasn't about betrayal, was it? No, it was worse—it was about destruction. My own. Hers. I was destined to hurt her, to push her so far that she would have no choice but to end my pathetic immortal existence. My chest ached with the weight of it all. If I couldn't control myself, she would pay the price again. The fear of history repeating itself gripped me, consuming every rational thought. She will die again because of me. I backed away, trembling, as Emily walked toward me. Her steps were slow but purposeful, her steady gaze cutting through the chaos around us. Blood coated my hands and the ground beneath me, the bodies around us telling the story of my descent. Yet she
Emily's POV“Do you have any idea what the nightmare entails?”Hesitant, “N-No. But what I'm sure of is that, his initial cruelty towards you was to push you away. Thinking that was the best way to overcome his cursed existence. Addition of the prophecy, he might have misinterpreted it and his changes in feelings might be his own way of redemption. As it seems now, the more he falls for you, the more he becomes destructive. My fear is for you not to be the end of him. To understand better, imagine a kid having diabetes but loves to eat candies. He had been predicted to have a few years to live, but the candy was like his lifeline. Without it, he can't live, and with it, he was prone to die early. You're his candy, and the diabetes is the curse. Now, he's caught between pursing his love for the candy, and how to manage his disease condition.”–––My mind wandered back to the conversation I had with Madison the other night. My gaze lingered on Jack's face, his skin looked pale and his l
Annabelle’s POV I stirred in my sleep, feeling strange as if a weight had lifted off my chest, yet my heart ached with something I couldn’t fully grasp. Then, in an instant, memories came flooding back—everything I had forgotten, everything I had done. The past ten years crashed into me like a violent wave, stealing my breath as I fluttered my eyes opened. I sat upright, clutched the sheets, my hands trembling as the realization sank in. Oh, God. What have I done? I thought tears welling in my eyes already before a soft knock pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. My throat tightened. “Come in,” I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice. The door creaked open, and Adams stepped inside, his eyes downcast, as if he were afraid to look at me. My chest clenched at the sight of him—so much thinner, his once-proud stance now slumped, his hair slightly disheveled as if sleep had long abandoned him. He held a tray of food in his hands, gripping it so tightly his knuckles turne
Author's POV“She doesn’t remember you at all?” Jack shook his head. Madison frowned deeply, arms crossed as she listened to Jackson after he explained to her that Emily had woken up but doesn't remember him. “She looked at me… it was like I was nothing.” His voice cracked slightly, but he pushed through. “Why? Why doesn't she remember me?” He asked, his tone pleading. She had looked him in the eye, completely blank, as if he were a stranger.Madison sighed, rubbing her temples. “It could be the aftereffects of Harper’s mark. We don’t know exactly what it did to her mind.” She paused before adding, “We need to test this. Bring Mason and Zaza. Let’s see if she really remembers them together with me.”Jackson hesitated. He wasn’t sure what he was hoping for. If she recognized them, it meant she was still herself—just without him. But if she didn’t remember them either, then he had to face the terrifying possibility that Harper had changed her forever.Regardless, he nodded. “Alright
Jackson's POV It had been two long, agonizing months. Every day since Emily fell into that coma, I felt as if I was drowning in my own guilt. Sitting beside her motionless body, I dabbed her forehead with a wet cloth, my hands trembling. Her pale face made my chest ache in ways I couldn’t put into words. Tears streamed down my cheeks freely. I didn’t bother wiping them anymore. What was the point? Every moment replayed in my head, the way she had sacrificed herself for me again without a second thought. That image of her collapsing haunted me. I reached for her hand, clasping it tightly in mine. “Please, Ann,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Please wake up. I miss you so much.” My lips brushed against her knuckles as I choked back a sob. “You promised to give me a response to my apology once everything is over. But you're not here with me to see it, my love. I need you... please.” The weight of my mistakes crushed me every second of every day. If I could trade places with he
The moment Emily smashed the crystal ball against the ground, the yard erupted in chaos. A blinding light consumed everything, its intensity forcing everyone to shield their eyes. She staggered backward as an overwhelming surge of energy left her body, her knees giving way beneath her. She collapsed to the ground, her vision blurring as she fought to stay conscious. “Ann!” Adams’ voice cracked as he saw her fall. His heart pounded in panic, but his body refused to cooperate. Bound to the tree and weakened by the poisoned blade, he could only watch helplessly. Harper let out a blood-curdling scream, her hands clawing at the air as she fell to her knees. A thick, black substance oozed from her mouth, her once confident smirk replaced by pure agony. Beside her, Alan mirrored her pain, convulsing violently as the same dark energy poured out of him. Adams clenched his teeth, forcing his gaze away from Harper and Alan to focus on Emily. His instincts screamed at him to get to her, but
Jackson’s POV The sight of Alan standing before me was like a blow to the chest. I could barely believe my eyes. Someone I thought I had lost forever was here, alive, breathing, and yet... there was something wrong. His eyes were dark, hollow, and devoid of the warmth I remembered. "Alan," I managed to say, my voice thick with disbelief. "Is it really you?" He didn't answer. Instead, he smiled-a cruel, empty grin that sent chills down my spine-and before I could react, he dragged a sharp knife across my chest. "Goddess!" I hissed in pain, stumbling back. My hand instinctively went to the wound as warmth spread across my skin. “Alan, stop! What are you doing?" He didn't stop. His movements were quick and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. I dodged as he lunged at me again, the knife narrowly missing my side. “Alan, listen to me!" I pleaded, trying to catch his wrist. "We need to talk. This isn't you-” But he wasn't listening. His entire focus was on one t
Emily's POV I stood inside the tent, pacing back and forth. My heart was restless, and my mind kept wandering to Adams. I had tried to focus on the little things around me, but nothing helped. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face, heard his voice, and imagined the mess he was walking into. I paused by the entrance, listening carefully. His retreating footsteps reached my ears, and I couldn’t help but whisper a prayer. Moon Goddess, keep him safe for me. Help him fight his battles and come back unharmed. But a part of me kept nagging: was I really doing the right thing by staying behind? Should I have pushed harder to go with him? The tent was too quiet, and my thoughts were too loud. I flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. Where was he now? Was he okay? Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside. My heart jumped, and I immediately sat up. The sound was faint, almost careful, like someone was trying not to be heard. My chest tightened, an
Jackson’s POV I stood outside the tent, staring at the flap as it fell shut behind Emily. She glanced back at me one last time before going in, and my chest tightened at the thought of leaving her here. But I didn’t have a choice. Releasing a shaky breath, I turned on my heels, pulled out my phone, and dialed Zaza. His voice came through almost immediately. “She’s there,” I said, glancing back at the tent. “Make sure she’s safe. Nothing happens to her, Zaza. You hear me?” “Understood,” he replied calmly. “I’ll make sure of it.” I exhaled, relieved, but my mind was already racing to the next problem. “And Kiara?” “She hasn’t left the location,” Zaza confirmed. “Same place as before.” “Good,” I muttered, hanging up without another word. I headed back to where I had parked my car. I dialed Mason this time, and he picked up after the first ring. “Meet me at the location I'll sending the address you to you.” I got his affirmation before disconnecting the car. As I slid the phone
Emily's POVI sat quietly in the passenger seat as he drove us along a winding road surrounded by towering trees. The further we went, the quieter it became, like we were leaving the world behind. The silence in the car was heavy, and it gnawed at me. I turned to him, breaking the quiet.“Adams, where are we going exactly?”He didn’t answer, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I frowned. “Adams, you’re not seriously going to ignore me, are you?”He glanced at me briefly, “A few minutes more. Are you scared that I was going to kidnap you?”“Very funny.” I turned my head outside the window, slouched in my seat, crossing my arms. Whatever he was planning, I hope he does it well.It wasn’t long before the car slowed down and came to a stop in front of what looked like an old, abandoned graveyard. The air was eerily still, and the overcast sky gave the place a gloomy feel. My stomach knotted.“Why are we here?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Adams stepped out of the car, and I he
Emily's POVI woke up late in the afternoon, feeling sluggish. For a moment, I stayed curled under the duvet, trying to make sense of my surroundings. But something felt off—something warm and familiar was missing. My eyes blinked open, and sure enough, Adams wasn’t beside me anymore.Sitting up, a sharp pain shot through my neck, making me wince. My fingers brushed over the sore spot instinctively, and that’s when it hit me. A sheepish smile crept onto my lips.I slipped out of bed, not even caring that I was completely naked. There was only one thing on my mind as I stumbled toward the mirror.When I saw the mark on my neck, my heart swelled with joy. His mark. My fingertips traced the slightly raised edges of it, glowing faintly under the dim light. It felt surreal, almost like a dream. I let out a shaky breath and told myself, Soon, everything will fall into place. Jack and I... no, Adams and I will finally have our happily ever after.With that thought keeping me grounded, I h