I narrowly avoid another punch, sending a sharp kick to his side. He growled, swiping his clawed finger at me sending me to the ground. My back made contact with the rocks, the sound of splashing water echoing in the quiet space.My attacker laughed menacingly, steering closer to me. He stood in front of me, his legs on each side of my body. I groaned, trying to shift away but my elbow scraped against another sharp rock causing me to gasp in pain."You lose," He moved to touch me and I quickly turned my face away, shutting my eyes in fear.I heard a loud growl and then a crash, my eyes flew open and I saw Cora standing over my now unconscious attacker. Cora looked her shoulder at me,"You're a shitty fighter," She walked closer to me, stretching an arm.I stared skeptically at it and she scoffed, rolling her eyes, "If I was going to kill you, I would've done so a long time ago."Sighing, I pushed forward grabbing her outstretched hand. She pulled me up and I managed to rise to my feet
My feet were quick against the ground, the exit was getting nearer with each step I took. I could hear them behind me, their pounding footsteps chasing after me.My fingers wrapped tightly around the gem, and I pumped my legs to move faster, trepidation stirring in my gut. The light was brighter now, I was close.Just a little more.Just a little more.I urged myself, jumping towards the cave entrance. I felt it just as my feet connected with the dry ground outside, a claw snipping the ends of my hair. When I turned, I saw one of the wolves glaring at me, raising a hand to the hair, tiny tendrils of my hair had gotten stuck to the ends of his claws. He huffed, dropping his arms in disappointment,"Miss Dahlia Winchester has found the second gem!" A court maid announced loudly and light clapping filled the air. I caught Theo's gaze from where I stood and he gave me a slow but encouraging nod. I smiled back, raising the gem above my head,Lady Calloway grinned proudly, clapping even ha
"Is that supposed to be a form of punishment?"It was Theo who asked this and the dowager nodded in response. However, Jessica smiled widely, pumping her chest up, "Yes, your majesty," The way she said it. The way her eyes glittered with mischief. I knew then that somehow Jessica knew that I was hiding more than my identity, somehow she knew that I'm an half-shifter.Was.But still, I couldn't shift in front of them. I hadn't even told Theo about my wolf and if I revealed that I was a white wolf, I had no idea how they would treat me. Swallowing, I stepped forward making Jessica's smile falter,"You want me to strip myself in front of all these people. Isn't that what you're insinuating?" She balked, eyes widening, "What? No-No, that's not what I-""Then what else would you possibly mean?" I cut her off, raising a hand, "If I shift, my clothes would be shredded and once I shift back, I would be naked. Or perhaps do you plan on giving me snakeskin?" Snakeskin was an apparel worn by
We pushed the last of the bag into the trunk before proceeding to slam the door shut. Cora blew out a heavy exhale, smoothing her hair with a palm,"Thanks," She said, her voice breathy, "That's the last of it." I smiled and nodded, "I didn't realize you brought so many bags. Just how much clothes are in there?"She chuckled at my comment, motioning for me to follow her to the entrance of the van. The other girls were hanging around as well, most of them immersed in their phones and taking pictures,"Enough to open a mini store, perhaps?" I snorted causing her to bump her shoulder against mine, "I'm kind of glad that I'll be leaving. I miss my home already, all these forest and trees were starting to make me nauseous."That piqued my interest and I fully turned to face her, "Oh, really? What are used to then?"She smiled lazily, shutting her eyes and leaning her head backwards. The peaceful look in her face reminded me of one who was reminiscing of a good memory,"Water. We had a lar
I felt an oppressive shadow above me, nestling its form between the sides of my body. I tried to open my eyes but found that I could not, it was almost as if they were glued shut."I warned you," The disembodied voice crooned, "I warned you to stay away but you didn't listen." I struggled to move, to find an escape from whatever this was. It was fruitless, my hands and legs were bound and my eyes still refused to open.I felt thread-like whispers over my neck, it was fragile moving over my skin like silk. I stilled when the shadow moved closer, breathing loudly on my face. I scrunched my nose, the rancid smell emitting from its mouth made me want to throw up."Now," The voice whispered, clearer this time, "You die."At that moment, my eyes flew open meeting Jessica's face. Only that it wasn't her, the face I was seeing should be meant for that of a monster. Twisted, gnarly and darkened. I opened my mouth to scream but the monster pressed her hand over my neck, squeezing tightly,I ch
"Ma'am, I'm afraid you can't enter."I scoffed, trying to push my way past but they stood their ground, "You have to let me through. I need to see the King!" One of the guard, the blonde one with a jerk face scowled at me, "Do you have a permit or were you in any way scheduled to meet him beforehand?" "I-uh. No," I said weakly causing him to roll his eyes. He pointed behind me, from the direction I came from,"Leave. Before we make you."I huffed in disbelief, placing my hands on my hips, "Oh really? I'm not going to move an inch from here until you let me see him."Jerkface snorted, shrugging a shoulder, "Suit yourself."I ignored him, facing his companion, the kinder one. I clapped my palms together in a pleading manners, "Please sir, I have to see him. It's urgent. A matter of life and death."He opened his mouth to say something but Jerkface rudely cut him off, "Don't even think of it!" He faced me, grabbing both of my shoulders, "Leave!"I struggled back, shoving his chest, "L
She lived in the castle. I was stunned by that revelation, making me wonder what her position was in the hierarchy. The building was a medieval structured kind, situated behind the main palace. Lily told me that all officials were subjected to live within the castle walls and it was true since her home wasn't the only one on the ground. There were several others too, some smaller than the others, "Those houses belong to the castle workers although some choose to live outside," She told me when I asked who owned the smaller units.I shut the door carefully behind me and then kicked off my shoes before walking inside. The interior was not like I imagined, in contrast to the splendor of the other parts of the castle, Lily's home maintained a homey feel without being too extravagant."Your home is beautiful," I said as I settled on one of the smaller couches. Lilly offered me a smile, walking in the direction of an open kitchen,"Oh, I and my husband make do with what we have," She repli
My legs bounced up and down repeatedly on the tiled ground, making light rapping sounds. My eyes flickered to the double glass doors and I exhaled tiredly,How long did it take someone to give birth?We had been sitting like this for minutes now and I was beginning to get agitated. Mason has gone in as soon as the doctor in charge arrived, leaving only the two of us out here. I was still refusing to look at him, although I could feel his stare burning the side of my face.It was funny, how I had a lot to say to him but now that he was actually here, all the words had vanished rendering me speechless."Emma," He called my name, slow and unsure. My spine went rigid and the movements with my legs seized instantly. "Emma?"I swallowed, hesitantly turning my head to face him with a small smile, "Your Majesty?"He arched a brow questioningly, "What's wrong?" I felt his warm palm on top mine and my widened eyes fell on our hands and then back to his face,"Anyone could see," I whispered warn