Elita“ I love you, Dustin. ”When I was young, I liked to read romance stories. In those stories, whenever the female lead told the male lead that she loved him, even if she didn’t mean it, the male lead was bound to be affected.No matter how heartless, the male lead would blush and get nervous or suddenly develop feelings for the female lead because no one has ever shown him this straightforward love before.He would go like this—I would protect this special female who loves me, or this female makes my heart beat faster, or something cheesy like even if your love is fake, I still need it.Then why…Why is this man staring at me without an ounce of emotion in his eyes? It’s like he was expecting me to blurt out something like this.“ When? ” He blinks, as calm as ever.“ Huh? ” I feel like a dumb teenager.“ When did you fall in love with me? ” He is talking in a casual tone as if he is inquiring about the weather.“ The first time I saw you! ” I blurt, embarrassment crawling up my
Elita“ Lady Lana, His Highness wants me to assist you with whatever you need. From now on, I am your personal maid. ” A girl around Lana’s age bows her head slightly and explains why she has barged inside my room first thing in the morning.I assess her rigid spine and careful manners. Then, I sigh.She is no personal maid.She is more like a spy, here to keep an eye on me and report everything to Dustin. Does he really believe I won’t realize that? My nose scrunches, but I say nothing. It’s better if there is someone reporting my actions to Dustin. That way, I can gain his trust faster.“ What’s your name? ” I ask, forcing a fake smile on my lips.“ Felicity, Lady Lana. ” She says, without looking up or moving an inch.“ So Felicity, can you find a dress for me to wear? I am not sure if I should step out of my room in this night dress. ” I lift my arms and flail them around, showing her the white, flimsy dress that reaches my calves.Surprised at the childish gesture, Felicity look
Elita“ I— ” Brigitta attempts to say something, but her voice drowns behind her screams.As I sit here and watch, she drops from the chair and curls into herself, screaming her lungs out. What now?Is she going to act like I hit her? I rise to my feet and attempt to reach her, but Maximus stops me. “ let her be. It’s her disease acting up again. ”Disease? What disease? I frown, watching as she continues to scream and writhe on the floor.“ It’s a punishment from the Goddess, Brigitta. Every time you do something terrible, the pain starts. It must mean that Goddess doesn’t like your foul mouth and terrible actions. ” Maximus clicks his tongue, not even bothering to help her up.A moment passes, and two girls rush inside. They pick up the screaming Former Queen and drag her away.“ Like I said, sit down and continue eating, Lana. ” Maximus addresses me again, his voice now harsh.I nod, taking my seat. I have never heard of a Lycan or werewolf having a disease that can make them sc
Elita“ Don’t treat my body like this. It hurts to watch. ” A quiet voice sighs.I recognize it instantly and sit up in the cold water. My eyes land on the familiar girl sitting at some distance, her knees pulled to her chest.“ Why am I seeing you now? ” I wonder, mirroring her pose and resting my chin on my knee.“ Because I am trapped. ” She hums, watching me with her clear blue eyes.I tilt my head to the right, noticing the sadness in those eyes. “ trapped? ”“ Life is a gift from the Moon Goddess. They say…the werewolves and Lycans must protect it. ” She sighs. “ and I didn’t protect it, you know. I threw it away. ”“ Why? ” I wonder. “ why did you do something like that? ”“ Because… ” She trails off, her eyes losing focus on me.“ Because they hurt you? ” I suggest in a thoughtful tone. She is beautiful. Seeing her from my eyes is different than seeing her face in a mirror. There is something so vulnerable about her that it makes my heart ache.“ Not really. ” Lana whispers.
ElitaI stare at the big golden double doors in front of me. Before Felicity fled, she warned me again that no one was allowed to go inside the King’s room except for the one maid who cleaned the space.According to her, Dustin will have fun dismembering me. But…even if he does that…why does it matter to me? It’s not like this is my body. I grin, pushing the door open without knocking. The heavy door creaks, making a screechy noise.My lips form an O. I was planning on sneaking in. I guess that plan went down the drain with all that noise.After stepping inside the dark room, I close the door, and it creates another screech before it decides to give my poor heart a rest.Stupid door. Did Dustin do this on purpose to know if someone is sneaking in?I turn to the door and eye the sheer length of it. Good measure, Dustin!I give it a thumbs up before turning around in the dark to find him. The fact that Lana’s vision in the darkness is as good as a human’s vision doesn’t help my miss
ElitaDustin really gets on my nerves.After I offered to help him with that boner—that I was not going to do, of course—he said only two words.“ Get. Lost. ”He appeared so serious and angry that I thought disappearing was better. Not so surprisingly, the moment I left his room, my voice disappeared again.Now, I know. I am not suffering from a healing potion’s side effects. It has to be a witch’s spell. It’s scandalous. No werewolf or Lycan King is supposed to use witch spells or potions. This was the same rule that could have gotten Lana killed in the selection ceremony, but this King is so cool about doing the forbidden things. This thought brings me back to the present. Felicity informed me just a few minutes ago that Dustin wants me to go to the North wing of the Wolveshire Citadel. It’s the same wing where his room is. Apparently, that whole wing is his personal space, and now, he wants me in it.This reminds me…He did say that he needed me to risk my life today. I just ho
Elita“ Is this all you will do if someone tries to kill you? ” The pressure on my throat increases. The more I try to breathe or fight back the grip on my throat, the worse it hurts. This time, it feels like he will actually kill me before this episode of madness ends.That’s a scary thought. Especially when I can see my brother and sister hiding in the cupboard, watching our father choking me to death. No one should die in front of people that love you. That’s gruesome. With renewed energy, I try to fight and regain my strength, but it doesn’t work against the Alpha’s grip. He is stronger—he will always be. No matter how much I wriggle, or cry, or become desperate for air, he won’t let me breathe. Dad said this will make me stronger. If someone ever tries to strangle me in the future, I won’t die without putting up a fight if I am already used to getting choked to near death. When I can’t bear it anymore, I stop fighting. I let my body relax and close my blurred eyes. This is
Dustin“ What did you see? ” I repeat my question calmly. But I am so close to losing it. I don’t like how everyone keeps building suspense around things. “ I— ” Amelia sighs and steals another glance at Lana.The corner of my eyes twitch subtly. “ You what? ”“ I didn’t see anything, Dustin,” She reveals at last and looks shocked by this fact. People and their antics. I almost scoff. All that pause for nothing.I am not even surprised. Lana is a special case—I won’t figure her out so easily.I let go of Lana and withdraw from the sparks that were driving me insane. Every time I touch her, my cock decides it’s the best time to harden and throb. Without control, my mind drifts to all sorts of thoughts—thoughts I am not supposed to have about someone I believe is a cunning enemy. “ Why can’t you? ” Tyson comes up behind Amelia and leans closer to her.She turns to him, her brows smoothening instantly. “ I don’t know, Tyson. I just grabbed her hand and tried so hard to see her memor
DustinI grit my jaw. I did say that. But that was when I had full control over my abilities. Now, I am not that same Dustin.I can’t protect them the way I could before. And I don’t want any of them to die on my watch. “ Times have changed and— ” I start, but Elita cuts me off.“ If you don’t understand that he wants to protect you by risking his life, his Kingdom, and everything he holds dear, then you all need to revisit your understanding of him. ” She approaches me and takes a seat beside me. “ he wants you to go back home because you can die here, and Dustin can not bear to let that happen. He is not being stubborn or stupid. He just wants…you to live and stay out of danger. ”A hand curls around my heart and squeezes it tightly. I look at the side of her face, watching as she narrows her eyes on Striker and admiring the way she looks—so fierce, so strong.“ Dustin, I know you want to protect us. But we want to do that for you too. Just like how you don’t want any of us to get
Dustin‘ He was waiting. ’ A voice whispers inside my head, becoming clearer than the other screeches that make me wince.‘ For what? ’ I tilt my head, staring the endless sea.‘ For your return. ’ Another voice shrieks. Something has made the voices restless. I take a sip of the wine and let the taste linger on my tongue.The screeches intensify, a buzz that is impossible to ignore. The pressure on my head increases, as I grit my jaw, trying to drown out the sounds.Just when I know it’s impossible, two tiny arms wrap around my waist and a soft forehead presses on my back. A switch flips, and everything goes silent.I look down at the arms around me. My lips twitch, a warmth I am not used to spreading inside my chest.She doesn’t know what she really does to me, for me. “ I am dead… ” She mumbles in a dramatic voice.“ I know that. ” My lips curl in a smile before I can realize it.“ I have been taking care of everything for you! Do you know how hectic it is?! I couldn’t even slee
ElitaDustin steps inside, his presence filling the room. He leans against the wall like he owns the place, his smirk lazy, daring me to react.He does own the place. It’s his favorite throne room—with a round table where he can manipulate his friends and other important guests—an alternative to the traditional one. But he has no right to smirk at me and look this good after he tricked me into leaving him behind.My blood burns in my veins. My breath comes too fast, and my hands curl into fists by my sides.“ What’s wrong? ” Dustin muses, his gaze raking over me as if he already knows that I am going to lash out. “ You tricked me into leaving… ” I snap, my voice loud with fury. “ You asked him to grab me and send me here. You forced me. I don’t like being forced.”Dustin’s smirk widens, dark amusement flickering in his gaze. He folds his arms over his chest, completely unfazed. “ I know. You can…make me pay for it. I will allow that. ”A violent shudder rolls down my back. I move tow
ElitaI was not wrong.After Tyson, Striker appeared the next day. Their return made it easier for me to get people to listen, but it didn’t ease my worry.I was relieved that Lenora and Amelia had their mates back. But where was mine? Why did he have to send me before everyone else?I would have been fine if he had sent Tyson, then Striker, then Aleister…I wouldn’t have complained even if he had chosen to go before me.But he thought…Oh! I should let Elita suffer instead of letting her spend her days in peace.I huff as I stare out the window. Six days have passed now. The warriors are stationed in their positions. They have Vitora flower, training to fight vampires, and even the will to keep guard all the time.I have already worked with some Alphas to develop a few things they will need in the war.The Kings have gathered their men, readying the Army needed for support.Princess Avery has somehow handled her parents and made sure they don’t come out of their rooms. I don’t know
ElitaOnce again in life, I am forced to realize that waiting is the hardest thing to do.Waiting for someone is like dragging your body over a bed of nails. It is slow. It is painful. It does not kill, but it leaves me writhing. Time stretches, moving too slow, making every breath feel heavy, every heartbeat feel too slow.The worst part of it?Not knowing if they are even coming back, or if I am waiting for nothing, or if I should do something instead of just…sitting around and waiting. I pace around in the throne room, occasionally watching the vacant throne, then turning to the window that overlooks the sea. The water has been too calm, for too long. It’s unnatural. It’s been…four days now. Four days since Dustin Landric forced me into returning to the North! And he is not back!I keep thinking…If I could get ahold of him right now...I would curse at him. I would strangle him. I would kiss him. And tell him if he ever did this again, I would hate him forever. It might be a l
LevianSometimes, I do wonder. What’s the point of everything they do to fight back? The pride they hold onto, the dignity they so cherish, the trust they have in their Goddess…It’s childish. So naive, as if holding onto those ideals will protect them from the harsh truths of the world. They fight and fight, convinced that their strength and their loyalty to some higher cause will save them, but all I see is a cycle of failure repeating itself. They believe in their righteousness, their purity, their connections to forces they cannot fully understand. But it is all an illusion.The Gods or the world does not care about pride. It does not care about dignity. It does not recognize the strength they claim to possess. No, the world and the Gods respect only power—the kind that bends others to your will, the kind that ensures survival by any means. They are too wrapped up in their fantasies to see the reality. Survival is not about pride. It is about doing what they must, without in
DustinI stare back as Aleister glares at me. “ the distance was— ”“ Bigger than you expected? ” I shrug and turn to walk towards my horse.“ You already knew, didn’t you? ” He masks his anger behind a cold smirk.“ What? That you wouldn’t be able to teleport all of us? ” I look towards Striker, then Tyson. They are glaring at me just like Aleister. “ You knew. ” Aleister lets out a breath, his voice tinged with disbelief.“ This teleportation? It’s not the power of the South. It’s just some added perk from your submissive witch blood. Of course, I knew you could only teleport one or perhaps two of us before it stopped working for some time. ” I tell him honestly, not wanting to drag this out longer than needed. “ But I was hoping…you could send two back. Tyson would have been a good option. He knows Levian better than us. ”“ You knew he could only send one or two of us back, and you still chose her? ” Striker lifts his brows.“ You would have done the same if it was Lenora. She is
ElitaI am back here again. The fire is consuming me, licking at my skin, searing through my lungs. And water seeps from the statue’s cold stone eyes, inching toward me as if trying to free me from the flames.Why do I always end up here? What does this even mean?Before I can make sense of anything, I jolt awake. My heart pounds against my ribcages as my wide eyes land on the plain, dirty ceiling. My breathing is uneven, and my body is still caught somewhere between the dream and reality.“ Did I scare you? ” Dustin’s soft voice sounds from beside me. I stiffen, and turn my head in his direction. He is standing beside the bed, his warm hand placed over my shoulder. His dark eyes hold something unreadable, but his face remains impassive.I blink, once, twice. Trying to gather my thoughts.“ I would have let you rest longer, but it’s urgent… ” Dustin says, straightening to his height. “ Get up and get ready. We need to leave. Now. ”Dread tightens a knot in my stomach. “ What happene
ElitaIt will always remain this way. I will never register sex. I try to claw at his shoulder to ground my mind to this moment, to continue to look into his beautiful eyes, but everything is already blank before my gaze.Just when I think I am going to slip away from him, my body is flipped again. My heart misses a beat in my chest as everything clears in my view.I am above him, straddling his hips, with his length still inside me, filling me deeper now. My hands drop to his stomach, and my back arches when I register the burn in my core. He is stretching me so good.“ You are not…forgetting about this again. ” His deep, restrained voice echoes in my ears as he commands. Confused, I look down at our joined bodies, and then up at his clenched jaw, dark eyes, and hands that are clasped together, raised above his head. It takes me a moment to register what’s happening. But when I do, everything inside me turns warm and melts into a puddle.Dustin Landric, the man who can’t bear to l