When Brandon and the men arrived back at the village, Estella was already waiting, her heart pounding with worry. She had been anxiously pacing the small space of her shop, Devon by her side.As soon as she saw them carrying Aris, her eyes widened in shock. “Chief, what happened?” she asked, rushing forward. Her voice was strained, barely concealing her panic.Brandong’s face was grave. “We found him in the forest,” he explained. “There was a huge fire, and after we managed to put it out, we found Aris unconscious on the ground. We didn’t see any intruders, only the flames.”Estella’s mind raced. “Bring him inside, quickly,” she ordered, leading them into her shop where the light of lanterns cast a warm glow over the wooden shelves lined with jars and herbs.The men carefully laid Aris on the table Estella had cleared. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, his breathing was shallow and labored. Estella’s heart ached at the sight, but she forced herself to remain calm.“Devon, fetc
Brett’s eyes fluttered open, only to be met with the dim light of an unfamiliar room. Panic surged through him, his heart pounding as he tried to piece together what had happened. The last thing he remembered was returning to his dorm room after delivering medicine to one of his comrades. He had been looking forward to filing a leave to visit his village and gather more supplies. His medicine, sought after among the lower-ranked soldiers, had almost sold out.But before he could make any more plans, someone had struck him from behind, and darkness had claimed him. Now, as he lay on this soft bed, he strained to recall details that might explain his current predicament.Sitting up slowly, Brett glanced around the room. The walls were decorated lavishly and a floor-to-ceiling window was to his left. The air was warm and comforting, carrying the scent of flowers. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, wincing as a slight pain shot through his head where he had been struck.“Where am
It had been a week since the villagers relocated to a safer location, following the sudden ambush by the Vesper Pack. The village chief had not let his guard down for a moment. He swiftly organized patrol groups to monitor the forests surrounding their new settlement, ensuring that no intruder would catch them off guard again.Estella, meanwhile, was far from idle. Her mind was set on the promise she made to Brandon: she would bring back Brett alive. As she methodically packed the items she needed for her journey, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her son Devon’s laughter, echoing from the courtyard.Estella stood at the threshold of her small cottage, her heart swelling with a rare and profound happiness. The scene before her was one she never thought she’d witness: Devon was sitting on Aris’s lap. Aris was guiding Devon’s tiny hand as they painted together on a canvas.Devon giggled, his sweet laughter filling the air, a sta
Estella Erylis stood before the grand mirror, her reflection bathed in the soft glow of morning light streaming through the window. Her heart danced with anticipation as she admired herself in the exquisite wedding gown that hugged her slender frame. The gown was a vision of elegance, crafted from ivory satin with delicate lace detailing that trailed along the hem, accentuating her natural grace and beauty.Her golden locks were swept up into an intricate updo, adorned with shimmering pearls that caught the light with every movement. Her eyes, pools of endless warmth, shone with a radiant joy that seemed to illuminate the room. Estella couldn't contain the happiness that radiated from her, a smile gracing her lips as she marveled at the vision before her.As she stood before the mirror, her hands drifted gently to her stomach, caressing the slight curve that hinted at the new life growing within her. She hadn't told Carlos yet, her beloved mate and the son of the alpha, that she was p
Estella carefully arranged the herbs on the table, making sure each one was in its proper place. She checked and double-checked, wanting everything to be just right before she proceeded to process the herbs.Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, "Mama!" Estella's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Devon, her son, running toward her with open arms.With a bright smile, Estella embraced him tightly, feeling the warmth of his hug enveloping her. "Oh, Devon, my sweet boy! I missed you," she said, her voice filled with love and joy.Devon grinned up at her, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I missed you too, Mama! I found something really cool in the park today."Estella's smile widened. "Did you? What did you find, darling?""A caterpillar!" Devon exclaimed, bouncing on his toes. "It's so beautiful, Mama!"Estella chuckled softly, tousling his hair affectionately. "I bet it is. Did you have fun today?"Devon leaned in close, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Yes! Grandma Elena
As night fell, the cozy warmth of the kitchen enveloped Estella, Elena, and Devon. The clatter of dinner dishes had ceased, and now it was time to tidy up. Estella began clearing the table, gathering plates and utensils with Elena’s help.But Elena gently intervened, “You’ve done enough, my dear. I can handle the rest. You should go upstairs and give Devon his medicine before he goes to bed.”Estella paused, a small frown creasing her brow. “But we can finish earlier if I'll help,” she protested softly.Elena smiled reassuringly. “But Devon spent a lot of energy at the park today, and he’ll likely fall asleep quickly. It’s best to give him his medicine while he’s still awake.Estella nodded, understanding Elena’s reasoning. “Alright,” she agreed with a gentle smile. “I’ll go check on Devon.”She made her way to the living room, where she’d find the medicine she needed for Devon. Opening one of the wooden cabinets, Estella retrieved a small bottle and held it in her hands. Upon reachin
Two years had passed since Estella opened her shop in the village. She knew she couldn’t rely on Elena for everything - after all, the kind old woman wasn’t getting any younger, and Estella was determined to support her son by herself.Having lived a life of privilege in a wealthy family, Estella had little experience of ways of earning a living. But she refused to let that hold her back. With her knowledge of medicine and her skill at producing pills and elixirs, she knew she could do something about it to make a living.As she tended to her shop, carefully arranging her potions and herbs, Estella felt a sense of pride swell within her. She may not know a lot of things, but when it came to her ability to create medicine, she was one of the best in the field.As Estella prepared to open her shop for another day, memories of her past brushed against her mind like a bitter gust of wind. These skills of hers were so renowned in the Vesper Pack, which was also the reason why the alpha had
As Estella stepped out into the cool night air, her heart pounded with fear and worry about her missing son. Her usually gentle features were now etched with lines of concern, and her hands trembled slightly as she scanned the area for any sign of Devon."Devon!"Every passing moment felt like an eternity as she called out his name, her voice tinged with desperation. Her mind raced with all the worst-case scenarios, imagining all the dangers that could befall Devon in his vulnerable state.With each step she took, Estella’s senses were heightened, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow, searching for any trace of Devon’s presence. She was acutely aware of the fading effects of the medicine, knowing that time was running out to conceal Devon’s true nature. And so, she had to find him before anyone else.***Devon is currently at the depth of the forest. Earlier, he sat quietly in the chair, his eyes scanning the area around him as he waited for Elena to return from the bathroom. The ch
It had been a week since the villagers relocated to a safer location, following the sudden ambush by the Vesper Pack. The village chief had not let his guard down for a moment. He swiftly organized patrol groups to monitor the forests surrounding their new settlement, ensuring that no intruder would catch them off guard again.Estella, meanwhile, was far from idle. Her mind was set on the promise she made to Brandon: she would bring back Brett alive. As she methodically packed the items she needed for her journey, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her son Devon’s laughter, echoing from the courtyard.Estella stood at the threshold of her small cottage, her heart swelling with a rare and profound happiness. The scene before her was one she never thought she’d witness: Devon was sitting on Aris’s lap. Aris was guiding Devon’s tiny hand as they painted together on a canvas.Devon giggled, his sweet laughter filling the air, a sta
Brett’s eyes fluttered open, only to be met with the dim light of an unfamiliar room. Panic surged through him, his heart pounding as he tried to piece together what had happened. The last thing he remembered was returning to his dorm room after delivering medicine to one of his comrades. He had been looking forward to filing a leave to visit his village and gather more supplies. His medicine, sought after among the lower-ranked soldiers, had almost sold out.But before he could make any more plans, someone had struck him from behind, and darkness had claimed him. Now, as he lay on this soft bed, he strained to recall details that might explain his current predicament.Sitting up slowly, Brett glanced around the room. The walls were decorated lavishly and a floor-to-ceiling window was to his left. The air was warm and comforting, carrying the scent of flowers. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, wincing as a slight pain shot through his head where he had been struck.“Where am
When Brandon and the men arrived back at the village, Estella was already waiting, her heart pounding with worry. She had been anxiously pacing the small space of her shop, Devon by her side.As soon as she saw them carrying Aris, her eyes widened in shock. “Chief, what happened?” she asked, rushing forward. Her voice was strained, barely concealing her panic.Brandong’s face was grave. “We found him in the forest,” he explained. “There was a huge fire, and after we managed to put it out, we found Aris unconscious on the ground. We didn’t see any intruders, only the flames.”Estella’s mind raced. “Bring him inside, quickly,” she ordered, leading them into her shop where the light of lanterns cast a warm glow over the wooden shelves lined with jars and herbs.The men carefully laid Aris on the table Estella had cleared. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, his breathing was shallow and labored. Estella’s heart ached at the sight, but she forced herself to remain calm.“Devon, fetc
The forest was cloaked in darkness, the canopy above blocking out the light of the moon. Ariston stood alone, his red eyes piercing through the night. The soft rustling of leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures were the only sounds, until a series of footsteps approached. Ariston’s senses sharpened, and his lips curled into a vicious smirk.A group of men emerged from the shadows, their uniforms unmistakable in the faint light. The Vesper Pack, just as Ariston had guessed earlier. Their leader, a tall man with a stern face and cold eyes, halted abruptly. His expression shifted from confidence to disbelief as he took in the sight of Ariston standing before him, emanating a murderous aura.The leader’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke. “Who are you?”Ariston’s smirk widened. “That’s a question I could ask you. What business do you have here?”The leader straightened, trying to regain his composure. “We don’t have time for your games. If you value your life, step aside now.”
Devon ran through the forest with all the speed his small legs could muster, his heart pounding in his chest. The shadows stretched long and dark as the sun began to dip below the horizon. As he neared the village, his mind raced with the events that had just transpired. He burst through the door of Estella’s shop with a loud slam, startling her from her work.“Devon!” Estella exclaimed, rushing toward him. The sight of her son, pale and sweating, his usually bright eyes now clouded with fear, sent a jolt of panic through her. She knelt at his level, her hands on his shoulders. “What happened? Where is Aris?”Devon’s breath came in quick, shallow gasps. He took a moment to gather himself, then recounted the events in the forest. “There is a group of people… intruders in the forest,” he said, his voice trembling but clear. “They’re not ordinary people. They are very strong and they wear blue-colored uniforms. Aris said that they might be from a strong pack, and he stayed behind to dela
The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor as Ariston and Devon made their way through the underbush. Ariston carefully watched the young boy who led the way with surprising confidence. Devon moved with the ease of someone far beyond his years, his bright eyes scanning the terrain for the herbs Estella needed.“There it is,” Devon said, pointing to a cluster of plants growing near the base of an old oak tree. “Mama needs those.”Ariston nodded and said, “Good eyes, Devon.”They knelt together, carefully picking the herbs and placing them into the small pouch Estella had provided. Ariston found himself admiring Devon’s precision and knowledge. For one so young, the boy was remarkably adept at identifying the plants and their uses. This might be a trait he inherited from his mother.“You’re quite adept at these things,” Ariston commented, his tone as neutral as ever, though there was a hint of genuine admiration.Devon looke
Hyde laid down on one of the couches in the dimly lit lab, the air thick with the scent of herbs and the faint hum of machines. His mind raced with the information he had gathered about the Vesper Pack, information that he was itching to share with the alpha. Yet, his lord’s strict orders kept him silent, waiting for the call that hadn’t yet come.The door creaked open, and Hugo walked in. He carried a stack of files, his expression a bit of surprised to see his brother’s presence there.“Hyde, what are you doing here?” Hugo asked, settling the files down on a cluttered table. “I thought you were supposed to be at the Vesper Pack.”Hyde glanced at his twin and answered, “I was. I finished the task Lord Ariston ordered me to do. Now I’m just… waiting.”Hugo raised an eyebrow and asked, “Waiting for what?”Hyde threw his hands up in exasperation. “For the alpha to call me, of course! I’ve got the information he wanted, and it’s driving me nuts that I can’t tell him.”Hugo’s eyebrow furr
As the night deepened, the shadows cast by the moonlight danced across Estella’s house. Silent as a whisper, a dark figure slipped from a window and moved swiftly toward the forest. Ariston moved elegantly, his form barely a blur against the inky darkness. He made his way to a secluded glistening lake, its surface reflecting the silver of the moon.Standing at the water’s edge, Ariston’s eyes turned from their deceptive blue to their true, feral red. He threw back his head and let out a howl- a sound both menacing and cold, a call that resonated through the forest, sending a shiver down the spine of any creature that heard it.Within moments, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees behind him. The man, Hyde, moved with the grace and silence of a predator. He approached Ariston and bowed deeply.“My lord,” Hyde said, his voice filled with relief and reverence. “Finally, you called us. We have been looking for you everywhere since we lost you. Thankfully, you are fine.”Ariston d
The moon hung high over the village, casting its silver glow over the cobblestone streets. Inside Estella’s home, Estella, Devon, and Elena gathered for dinner.Estella scooped a generous portion of meat onto Devon’s plate and asked, “How was your day with Aris, darling?”Devon looked up, his face momentarily illuminated by the firelight. “It was fine, Mama,” he replied. “Mr. Aris is interesting to talk with.”Estella’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Interesting, you say?” She exchanged a glance with Elena. “What did you two talk about?”Devon’s eyes gleamed slightly as he chewed thoughtfully. “We talked about drawing,” he answered.Estella blinked, her curiosity piqued. “Drawing? I didn’t know Aris was knowledgeable about the arts.”Devon nodded eagerly, a light of genuine excitement in his eyes. “I showed him some of my drawings, and he commented on them. He even offered to teach me more about it.”Estella’s heart warmed at her son’s enthusiasm. Devon’s interest in drawing had always