Homeland lay nestled at the edge of the world, where nature ruled with forests, mountains, and glittering lakes stretching far beyond the eye could see. Its unique blend of rural charm and modernity gave it a timeless quality. Surrounded by rolling hills and deep valleys, Homeland offered its residents both the serenity of the wild and the comforts of civilization.
The city's landscape catered to all walks of life — from professionals working white-collar jobs in modern offices to artisans shaping their craft through carpentry, sculpting, and painting. The rhythm of Homeland's life was slow but purposeful, with the scent of pine trees and fresh air blending with the hum of daily activity. Arda drove along the quiet streets, the early morning sun casting long shadows over the road. There was a refreshing calmness about the day; traffic moved with ease, a welcome change from the usual bustle. She felt the cool breeze as it flowed through her open window, the perfect accompaniment to the thoughts swirling in her mind. Today, she needed a distraction, and meeting Luke would do just that. He was a pleasant escape from the inner chaos she kept tightly bottled up. As she neared her destination, she took a deep breath, hoping the day would bring the calm she craved. Landmark Park unfolded like a peaceful oasis, a vast stretch of green nestled in Homeland's heart. Neatly manicured fields stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with clusters of people enjoying the serene surroundings. Families gathered on blankets, children laughed as they chased one another, and solitary souls enjoyed quiet moments on benches scattered across the park in thoughtful patterns — some arranged for seclusion, others in groups for conversation. Dogs trotted beside their owners while cyclists whizzed by, adding to the park’s gentle hum of life. Everything about the place invited tranquility, and Arda welcomed it with open arms. She pulled into the parking lot, easing her car between the lines. Stepping outside, she stretched briefly, the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant sound of birds instantly soothing her nerves. She scanned the parking lot, looking for Luke. It didn’t take long to spot him leaning against a white Peugeot truck, his face breaking into an easy smile the moment their eyes met. He was just a few yards away, arms casually crossed over his chest, waiting for her. A smile tugged at her own lips as she moved toward him, the tension of the morning easing with each step. Luke stood before her, his features as relaxed and approachable as ever. He was just a year older, but something about him always seemed wiser, more grounded. His short, dark hair framed his laid-back charm perfectly, and Arda found herself wondering again why she had resisted his advances for so long. The past didn’t matter now — they were both single, unattached, and free to explore whatever this new phase might bring. As she reached him, Luke didn’t hesitate, pulling her into a warm embrace that felt natural, familiar. For a moment, they stood there, simply holding each other. "Hey," he murmured softly, his breath warm against her ear. "I don't even know what you like. Do you enjoy the simple things like me? Walks in the park, stargazing, things like that?" They slowly pulled away from their embrace, but their hands stayed linked as they gazed into each other’s eyes. “You have no idea,” Arda said softly, sincerity coloring her voice. “I really do love the simple things in life.” After all, her dream had always been simple: graduate, find a good man, and raise a family. “That’s good to know, Arda.” Luke's voice deepened as he pulled her closer, his gaze locking onto her lips. She reflexively pressed her lips together, suddenly aware of the tension in the air. “Can I kiss you?” he asked, his voice husky with anticipation. Luke had been waiting for this moment, craving the connection ever since she opened herself up to him. He knew Arda was shy and quiet, but he was determined to coax her out of her shell. His assertiveness complemented her reserved nature, and he couldn’t wait to show her just how much. Arda, on the other hand, was tired of holding back. She wasn’t going to let inexperience stop her now, especially not with someone she finally felt comfortable with. “Maybe you don’t need my permission,” she whispered with a smile, giving him the green light. His lips began descending toward hers, but just as they were about to meet, they were interrupted by the laughter of a little girl racing past them, followed closely by a boy her age. They both chuckled, breaking the spell as they watched the playful children. Luke gently squeezed her hand and smiled. “Come on, let’s take a walk and chat a bit before lunch,” he suggested. “But first…” He pulled her in close, fishing his phone from his pocket. “Let’s take a selfie.” Arda leaned in with a smile, and they both posed for the camera. “It’s lovely,” she remarked as they admired the photo. “Yeah, it is,” he agreed, glancing at her. “I’ll send it to your phone.” “Okay.” He tucked the phone away, and they resumed their stroll hand in hand. As they passed a middle-aged couple sharing a kiss, Luke’s eyes found hers, a mischievous glint appearing in his gaze. “That interrupted kiss needs to be fixed,” he murmured. He gently tilted her chin upward, and Arda closed her eyes as his lips inched closer once more. But just before their lips could meet, Luke winced, letting out a pained grunt. “Shit,” he muttered, rubbing his head, his face twisted in discomfort. “What is it?” Arda asked, her concern growing. “It’s just a headache,” he replied, grimacing. “Sorry about that,” she said, watching him carefully. “It’s fine, it’s gone now,” he reassured her, his expression softening again. “That’s good to hear,” she smiled, and once more, his finger found its way to her chin, lifting her face for the kiss they’d been trying to share. Just as her eyes fluttered shut again, Luke groaned, louder this time, clutching his head. “Damn,” he cursed, visibly in more pain than before. “I never get headaches like this.” “Maybe you should see a doctor,” Arda suggested, her concern deepening. Luke took a long breath, exhaling slowly. “Yeah, maybe. It’s probably just from all that studying earlier. Don’t worry, the pain’s gone again.” Arda raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Does this mean we won’t have lunch?” Luke chuckled softly despite the situation. “Oh, we’re having lunch. But I’m afraid the kiss will have to wait until afterward,” he teased, winking at her. Arda giggled, and he wrapped her in a light hug before they continued walking. A few minutes later, they were seated at an outdoor restaurant, enjoying lunch together. The tables were set up under a canopy that provided shade from the sun, with fans spinning lazily above to keep the air cool. Luke and Arda sat across from each other, finishing the last bites of their burgers and sipping their soft drinks through straws. “Thanks,” Arda said after taking a long sip from her straw. “Don’t mention it,” Luke replied, flashing her a warm smile. “I’m really enjoying being around you.” Arda smiled back. The feeling was mutual. Luke’s easy-going nature made her feel at ease, and she found herself genuinely enjoying his company. “I enjoy your company too,” she admitted. “I never thought I would, but I do.” Luke’s grin widened. “I’m glad I didn’t give up on you.” They shared a knowing smile, both feeling the connection grow as they sipped their drinks in comfortable silence for a moment. After a pause, Luke leaned forward. “Arda,” he began. “Yeah?” “I’ve noticed something... You never dated anyone while you kept turning me down. Is there a reason for that?” Arda’s expression softened. “I didn’t want to be distracted by boys,” she said simply. “I’m on a scholarship, remember?” “That makes sense,” Luke nodded thoughtfully. “But I’ll admit, at one point, I wondered if maybe there was another reason…” Arda smirked, already sensing what he was trying to say. “You thought I was a lesbian?” Luke gave her a sheepish smile. “Yeah, for a while. Especially with how close you are with Karina.” Arda’s eyes widened in surprise. “Karina? No way!” “I used to think she was my rival,” Luke confessed, “until I saw her making out with her boyfriend.” Arda placed her drink down, eyes still wide. “You’re not serious. Karina doesn’t have a boyfriend.” Luke raised an eyebrow, setting his drink down as well. “What are you talking about? Of course, she does.” “Are you sure?” Arda asked, confusion creeping into her voice. “Karina’s like me. She doesn’t want distractions. We’ve always talked about focusing on school.” Luke shook his head with a grin. “I don’t know what to tell you, but I’ve seen her with... the guy multiple times at the love garden. They’re definitely together.” Arda was stunned. Why would Karina keep this away from her? She wondered. “Since when?” she asked. “Since year one,” Luke replied casually. Her shock deepened and her curiosity heightened. “Who is this guy?” she asked, trying to make sense of it. Luke gave her a puzzled look. “Come on, Arda. You know him.” Arda frowned, shaking her head. “No, I don’t.” Luke sighed and she continued to stare at him expectantly. "Why do I feel like I may be about to cause trouble with this whole thing now appearing to be a revelation?" "Please just tell me." Arda was curious, surprised. “Jacob,” he said finally. “What?” Arda gasped, her mouth falling open. “Jacob, your flatmate,” Luke said. “I thought he was your boyfriend at first, but when I saw him with Karina, I realized they were the ones involved. That’s part of why I kept pursuing you.” Arda’s shock deepened. “But Jacob and Karina are always fighting at home.” Luke shrugged. “Well, from what I’ve seen, they seem pretty close. I’ve never seen them fight, only... connected.” Arda felt her world tilt. None of this made sense. She had to get to the bottom of it.Arda stared blankly across the table, her emotions swirling as the revelation about Jacob and Karina settled in. “I don’t understand. Why would they keep their relationship away from me?” Her voice faltered, carrying both hurt and confusion. “I’m their friend.” Luke sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe they had a reason. You should ask them directly.” He reached out, placing his hand over hers in an attempt to soothe her. “Don’t overthink it. There’s probably a good explanation.” “Three years, Luke. We’ve been friends for three years. I just… I thought we were closer than that.” Luke squeezed her hand gently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you by telling you.” His brows furrowed, regret clear on his face. “I hate seeing you like this.” Arda’s expression softened slightly, the weight of his concern cutting through her disappointment. “Thanks,” she muttered, managing a faint smile. “That’s better.” Luke smiled back, his eyes twinkling as they locked onto hers. “Let’s enjoy
That evening, the reading room was quiet. Arda, Karina, and Jacob sat at a large square table, their heads buried in books. The table, designed with partitions for privacy, could accommodate six people, making it perfect for study groups.The room’s walls were painted a soothing mix of green and burnt orange, with inspirational quotes scattered across them. But Arda’s mind was far from inspired. She stared at her open notebook, her thoughts clouded by memories and worries.She had intended to start writing her thesis, but all she could think about were Luke’s recurring headaches. The episodes replayed vividly in her mind, unsettling her more than she cared to admit. Her thoughts then drifted to the restaurant encounter with the mysterious, handsome stranger. The pull she felt towards him was unlike anything she had experienced before, leaving her both intrigued and confused.Shaking her head, Arda reminded herself she had a thesis to write, not time for distractions. With a deep breath
Arda, Karina, and Jacob made their way to the event center for the birthmark show.It was late in the evening. The event center, a single-story building, had a spacious but mostly empty parking lot.A stone fence surrounded the building, and the main gate was secured with a large padlock.A signpost outside read Marvelous Event Center in bold letters.Arda and her friends joined a small crowd gathered outside the gate.A woman dressed flamboyantly, holding a megaphone, stood beside a man inside the gate. The man was bald, his head gleaming under the lights, contrasting with his grim expression and all-black suit.“We regret to inform you that the event has been canceled,” the woman announced, leaving the crowd stunned.“Why?” some people in the crowd shouted back.“We realized too late that people might try to deceive us with fake tattoos, and we can't handle that,” she explained.There were groans from the crowd. Some people started leaving, visibly upset, while others left in silence
Arda’s heart pounded as Luke’s words cut through her. “What did I do?” she asked, her voice trembling.“This only happens with you,” Luke said coldly, his tone sharp enough to wound.She stared at him, confused. “What are you talking about?”He stepped closer. “Don’t play dumb. The kiss. The headaches. It only happens when I’m with you.”Her lips parted in disbelief. “So, what are you saying?”Luke’s eyes darkened. “You tell me. Or should I just say it? Witch.”The word slammed into her, knocking the breath out of her lungs. Tears welled up. “I’m not a witch, Luke,” she whispered.“Then what are you?” His voice was ice. “A monster with a pretty face? Because that’s what I came here to find out.”The accusation broke her. “I’m not a monster!” she sobbed.Luke didn’t flinch. “I’m done wasting time waiting on you. You should’ve told me what you are.”“Luke, please.” She stepped closer, but he recoiled.“Stay away.” His face twisted. “God, are you cursed?”“I like you, Luke. Please, don’t
Arda’s fingers trembled as she set her phone down, her mind still echoing the message. Before she could process it, her phone buzzed again. Her sister. She swallowed, steadying her breath, and answered. “Hey, Mabel.” “You’re not my sister.” The words were sharp, deliberate. “What?” “You heard me. You’re not my sister, and it’s time you knew the truth.” “Mabel, stop messing around. What are you talking about?” “Ask my dad. Ask my mum.” Mabel’s voice had never sounded so cold. She emphasized my like a knife twisting into Arda’s gut. The line clicked dead. For a moment, Arda sat frozen. Mabel wasn’t known for jokes—least of all something like this. She redialed, but the call rang out. Again. And again. Heart pounding, she called her father. He answered immediately. “My dear, you’re still up? Studying?” Her voice came out tighter than she intended. “Dad, I need to know—where’s Mabel?” “She’s here. What’s wrong?” Arda pushed past her hesitation. “She said something awful to
Arthur marched past the game he had hunted, his steps quickening as the baby’s cries grew louder. The eerie sound pierced the stillness of the forest, urging him forward. His pulse raced with uncertainty, and before he realized it, he had broken into a run. Leaping over fallen branches and dodging low-hanging limbs, he pressed on until he reached a hill, its height nearly twice his own. The cries echoed from the other side. Who would leave a child out here? Could the baby truly be alone? Arthur ducked behind a tree, scanning the area. The full moon cast just enough light for him to make out the terrain. No movement. No sign of anyone else. Cautiously, he moved around the hill—and froze. A newborn baby girl lay cradled in the lap of a dying woman. The mother, no older than himself, sat slumped against the hill. Sweat drenched her pale face, and blood stained her clothes and the ground beneath her. Her chest barely rose and fell, her breaths shallow. A small knife, slick with blood
Gillow traced the rough lines of the ancient illustration, his fingers brushing over the delicate features of the girl drawn in ink. Her image seemed to breathe life, even on the brittle parchment. The word Moonchild was scrawled beneath it in faded, ornate script. She was beautiful. Too beautiful. Her innocence bled through the sketch—pure, untouched, and completely unguarded. She would look perfect beside him in the castle, in his arms, in his bed. But for now, she was exposed, walking in the open without a clue about the danger closing in around her. His jaw tightened as he recalled the boy who she developed a relationship with and her at the restaurant. A growl rumbled low in his throat. It had taken all his restraint not to storm in and tear the boy apart. Gillow’s sharp gaze shifted to the Elder, the long-bearded man standing silently before him. “How much longer must I wait?” The Elder adjusted his grip on his staff. “She is close to graduating. Let her finish school first.
Arda’s mind raced as the stranger’s voice resonated in her ears. Where had she heard that deep, cultured yet rough voice before? She wondered, her pulse quickening. “I almost had it before you… you stole it.” Her words were sharp, but her voice faltered slightly. Gillow barely registered her accusation. He was too preoccupied with how her beauty unsettled him. The fact that she had no idea who he truly was—who they were to each other—made it even more frustrating. Their meeting tonight was a twist of fate, but it left him marveling at how their lives were entwined. And yet, she didn’t even realize she stood before her mate. Her Alpha. A small, knowing smile crept onto his lips as his gaze traveled slowly over her form. The day he claimed her, her cries of pleasure would echo in his ears. He had no doubt. Arda shivered under his intense gaze, feeling as though he had stripped her bare without even touching her. Her cheeks burned, and she struggled to maintain her composure. Damn,
Arda’s breath hitched as Gillow’s countdown continued, his voice a dark promise of both pleasure and discipline."...three...four..."Her fingers twitched against the sheets, every muscle in her body screaming to move, to clutch onto him, to anchor herself against the storm he was unraveling inside her.At thesame time, she wanted to protect herself from his sight because she was shy and self conscious at that moment. But then he had threatened to punish her and she didn't want to test him.Arda let out a shaky breath, forcing herself to obey as she let her hands fall to her sides."Five." Said Gillow, his eyes narrowing at her. Her breath caught in her throat. "Too late." He said. "Turn over. I'm going to spank you for wasting time.""No, please." Her voice was soft. "I took my hands off." She caught a small smile on his face and knew he was now teasing her.Gillow’s approval was instant, a slow, satisfied smile curving his lips. “I know, Mate. I'm just playing with you. You're my go
When she relaxed around him, Gillow accepted her surrender. He celebrated it with a kiss of thanksgiving, his lips claiming hers gently. "That's it, mate." He murmured encouragingly, his voice coaxing, comforting, oddly commanding even in a sensual state. It further raised her new found desire to completely give in, to trust him without reservations. Arda’s breath came in shallow waves as Gillow’s lips moved against hers, slow and unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world to explore her. His hands, warm and firm, skimmed down her sides, memorizing every curve, every delicate tremor that ran through her body. His weight was a comforting presence above her, not trapping but anchoring her in a way that made her feel safe. She had never known touch like this—gentle, reverent, yet laced with a hunger that sent shivers cascading through her skin. “Relax, mate,” he whispered against her lips, his voice deep, coaxing again. “Let me show you what it means to be mine.” A par
Arda stiffened for a fleeting second, wary of his beast surfacing but then something shifted. The heat of his kiss, the firm yet unyielding way he held her, and the sheer intensity of his presence melted the last traces of resistance within her. Her wariness also disappeared. She believed he would always protect her. He had come dangerously close to feeding on her on different occasions but somehow, he controlled his urges. This foundation was her hope. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she gave in, pressing closer, her fingers gripping his shoulders for balance. She wasn’t sure when she had risen onto her toes, but now she leaned into him completely, matching his passion with a hunger of her own. Gillow’s grip tightened, his hands splaying across her back, pulling her flush against him. He had wanted this—her surrender, her willingness to accept him, not out of obligation but because she truly desired him. And now, feeling her melt into him, responding with just as much need, a d
Arda responded to Gillow’s kiss, hesitant at first but gaining confidence with each passing second. A strange warmth settled in her chest, pushing aside the remnants of her earlier encounter with Luke. It surprised her how easily she let go of that unpleasant moment, as though Gillow’s presence had rewritten the weight of her past. Her heartbeat quickened when their lips parted, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other. There was something unspoken between them—something neither of them dared to put into words just yet. Gillow exhaled, then cast a glance at their table. Their plates were empty, the conversation complete. "I think we're done here," he said, his voice carrying an undertone of finality. Arda nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He pushed his chair back and stood, extending his hand. "Shall we?" She slipped her hand into his, relishing the warmth of his palm. "Sure." He led her toward the exit, his touch light yet commanding. A gentle breeze swept
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Luke stepped in front of Arda, blocking her path."Come on, I waited for you for three years," he said, voice thick with frustration. "Surely, I deserve answers or at least ...one more try."Arda’s expression hardened. "What do you want from me, Luke? It’s over.""I know. But I think it's fair if all I want to see right now is if you’re really a witch."Her eyes flashed with disbelief. "Step aside, Luke. I have nothing to say to you anymore. My boyfriend is waiting for me. And I’m sure your girlfriend is waiting for you."His jaw clenched. "Who do you think you are, huh?" His voice rose, frustration giving way to something uglier. "I waited three years for you, and yeah, I might’ve made a mistake, but now you’re just parading around with that guy. What is it? Because he’s rich? Because he’s so gorgeous you can’t keep your legs closed?"Arda stiffened, nostrils flaring. "What?" she bit out. "I’ve had enough of your insults."Luke surged forward, closing the
For three years, he had waited for her, believed in her. Then, just like that, she had moved on—to this stranger who now kissed her like he had always owned her. But wait, he thought. Had she lied to him? Had she already been seeing this man behind his back? So all this while she had a secret boyfriend and was pretending? The thought made his blood boil. He had convinced himself that rejecting her was the right thing to do, that she was nothing but a witch, someone who looked innocent but in reality, was evil. But now, watching her like this, he wasn’t so sure. Maybe he made a mistake. Perhaps he shouldn't have rejected her like that. At least not in such an embarrassing manner. He must have made a huge mistake. Because she looked happy. Genuinely, effortlessly happy. And the man she was with didn’t just claim her—he cherished her. Luke couldn’t stand it. “Babe?” His girlfriend’s voice pulled him back to the present. He realized then that he had been staring at Arda for to
They were laughing—so lost in their own world that they hadn’t noticed her yet. Luke’s arm was slung casually around the girl’s shoulders, his grip possessive, his smile smug. They looked… happy. Completely at ease with each other.Something twisted inside Arda.It wasn’t jealousy.Not even regret.Just… the bitter aftertaste of a memory that had once stung like an open wound.And then it happened.Luke looked up.His laughter faltered.His eyes locked onto hers.For a fraction of a second, time seemed to stand still.The recognition in his gaze was swift, followed by something else—something unreadable. Surprise? Confusion? Annoyance?Then his gaze shifted.To Gillow.A new kind of tension rippled through the air, almost tangible.Luke’s expression hardened as he made the connection. He had seen Gillow before—on that very same day. The mysterious man who had stolen Arda’s attention the moment he’d walked into the restaurant.Now, that man was sitting across from her. Holding her hand
Chapter Title: A New PathArda caught a glimpse of her newly manicured nails and smiled. She liked the way they looked, but the sight also brought back a memory—Gillow’s earlier refusal to let her fix them in the first place.“Alpha,” she said quietly.“Yes, mate?”“About my nails… Did you tell Karina to discourage me from fixing them?”Gillow didn’t even pretend to feign ignorance. “Sure.”Of course, he wouldn’t deny it. That was just how Gillow was.“She mentioned you were entertaining the idea during one of her sessions, so I told her if you tried it, I would have her head.”Arda’s heart skipped a beat. “But it wouldn’t have been her fault if she couldn’t stop me.”“True. But I didn’t care.”“That was mean, Alpha.”He chuckled. “I know. But… with my understanding today, you have my permission to do it. No more than twice every quarter of the year.”“Is it negotiable, considering I have the right to—”“Let’s not talk about rights now, mate. Let’s enjoy the moment and visit rights la
As the car rolled to a stop in the park’s parking lot, Arda took in the lively fast-approaching evening scene outside. People were scattered across the grounds, some walking, others lounging on benches, while children ran about, their laughter mingling with the rustling of the evening breeze. The atmosphere was warm, inviting—yet for her, this place held memories she wasn’t sure she wanted to relive.She reached for the door handle, but before she could push it open, Gillow's hand gently stopped her.“Allow me,” he said smoothly, a teasing glint in his eyes. “I want to be the perfect gentleman tonight.”She couldn’t help but smile at his playful tone. With that, he stepped out, walking around to her side. True to his word, he opened the door for her and extended his hand. She took it, feeling the strength in his grip as he helped her out.As he shut the door behind her, she noticed Gillow’s men discreetly taking strategic positions throughout the park. It was subtle but unmistakable—h